Case Logic: A Retrospective
Guest Editorial by AMZ Staff Writer Dave Merrill

It was just over two years ago that Mary Ellen Gustafson asked me if I'd like to write for her magazine, "Access To the Music Zone." I was about a year out of a long relationship with my ex-fiancee and still recovering from that break up. What was I doing with my time anyway? Surfing the net, wasting time in chat rooms and trying to move on? I don't think I was doing any of it well.

My first reaction was "Can I spare the time?" Duh! The next was "Do I know enough about music to write about it?" There was only one way to find out. I figured "Why not give it a shot? what do I have to lose?" So, this is pretty much my second anniversary with AMZ. I've written about eighty reviews for them, which sounds like a lot to me as I write this.

My anniversary got me thinking. Each month, I sit here pounding keys, writing about an album I've listened to very closely a few times. I rate it on a scale of one to five stars, describe the songs, quote them if the lyrics stand out and basically give my considered opinion on some artist's best effort. Then, if I'm lucky, a few of the 60,000 hits we get each month result in someone reading my piece. Is it worthwhile? It is for me, or I wouldn't still be pounding these keys. But, what can I really impart to you, the reader, after a few considered listens to a new CD? It occurred to me that something more telling would be about which of those sixty some CD's I still carry around with me in my Case Logic case, some of them after two years.

One of the big stand outs for me is "Rock Collection," by the band "Pond." (AMZ December 1997) I gave it 4 stars. It's a quirky collection of tunes, half of which really shone. Little did I realize how these songs and the rest would grow on me over the years. I'd probably give it more like 4 1/2 or 5 stars now. My favorite of the songs is "Filterless," a seemingly innocent tune about incest. There are some awesome turns of phrase that beat most of what's out there today. "In her father's eyes she was/ Not the princess but the queen/ She didn't like to play the queen."

"PM Dawn's" album, "Dearest Christian, I'm so Very Sorry for Bringing You Here. Love, Dad" (AMZ November 1998), carrying one of the longest titles I've ever seen, is one of the most uncharacteristic albums for me that I can think of. But, something about it captured my imagination. The vocals are awesome and the musicianship is impeccable. Their updated "Beatle-esque" sound on some of the songs reminded me of "Tears For Fears," but "PM Dawn" very much have their own identity.

An old favorite of mine, "The Fixx," came out with "Elemental" (AMZ August 1998), a reunion album that suffered not at all from their seven year hiatus. This album rocks from beginning to end, with few disappointments. It was one of the few I sought out and received for review at the time. Usually I just take what comes to me. Any old fan of this band should enjoy this album.

An album that needs no introduction, "Matchbox 20's Yourself or Someone Like You" (AMZ January 1998), has produced about a half dozen hits. There isn't one song on this album that doesn't have hit potential. It should have been released as a series of singles. Usually this would steer me away from an album, but these songs grew on me. Even the radio overplay didn't kill it.

The other album that stands out in much the same way is "Third Eye Blind's" first album (AMZ November 1997), which also became a little hit machine. I liked this one so much that I offered to review it, though I'd purchased it myself. You may remember me blabbing about it incessantly in these pages. It's the only album I've ever given five stars. My favorite song (most of the time) is "God Of Wine." Its mix of energy and emotion is spellbinding.

Another review I assigned myself was a retrospective comparison of "reading, writing and arithmetic," the first album by "The Sundays," and their third album, "static & silence" (AMZ February 1998). "The Sundays" are one of my all time favorite bands. I remember hearing the single from "static and silence" on the radio for the first time. I'd hungered for more of "The Sundays" for five years, searching record stores for a new album periodically over that time. When I heard it, I was in my car pounding the steering wheel, just knowing it was them, with Harriet Wheeler's unmistakable vocals pumping out of my car speakers. I almost couldn't believe my ears.

"Floraline's" first self-titled album (AMZ June 1999) is just the right mix of jazz and alternative rock to melt into the background or come forward for a more intense listen. I haven't carried it around for long, but I can already tell it has become one of my staples. The smooth vocals of Linda Sharp are a must hear experience. If you're into bands like "The Sundays" or "China Crisis," you owe it to yourself to check it out.

The harmonies on "Box Set's" album, "Thread" (AMZ February 1998), are a beauty to behold. At the time, I complained about the added instrumentation beyond the original duo that formed this band. I got used to it since then. This is an awesome album well worth plunking down your dollars. Their blend of retro seventies feel and nineties alternative rock sensibility is wonderful.

Those are the cream of the crop that I reviewed in the past two years. Some you've heard of a lot since then, some you haven't. Expect to hear about the ones that didn't quite make it in the future. But, you're probably wondering what else I'm carrying around in my Case Logic case. It does hold twenty-four CD's after all. Taking up a full third of those slots are "Sarah McLachlan" and "Toad The Wet Sprocket."

I never listened to Toad while they were together. Was that ever a mistake. I picked up "Dulcinea" in a used CD shop while traveling through the Carolinas last summer. I was hooked after that and bought all the rest of their albums over a six month period. If you sort of liked their radio tunes, get in the car now and get some Toad. You won't regret it. I got McLachlan's "Surfacing" for Christmas the year it was released. I didn't listen to it much. I bought her "B Sides and Rarities" CD for a girlfriend. It was so awesome, I went right out and bought a second copy for myself. It's still my favorite album of hers. Now I own most of her albums.

The two albums that most recently became staples for me are "Better Than Ezra's" new one "How Does Your Garden Grow," and "Feeling Strangely Fine" by "Semisonic." I saw "BTE" at one of the multi-band radio concerts I covered (AMZ November 1998). If you didn't like their other albums, buy this one anyway. It's not like the other ones they've produced. It's incredible, moving from melodic ballad to musical assault and up and down the spectrum again. Intense! Even if you're deathly tired of "Closing Time" from "Semisonic" don't disregard their album. It's chock full of musical gems. My personal favorite currently is "DND," though I have no idea what the title means. The song writing skills of this band are wonderful. There's a warmth here you won't find anywhere else.

I think we were getting maybe 10,000 hits per month when I started writing for AMZ. It's obvious from our increase in readership that there are a lot of you out there enjoying what I and the others here at AMZ do. Sometimes it amazes me that I can do what I like; listen to music, go to concerts and write, while bringing all of you along for the ride. It doesn't get much better than that (OK, I'm lying. Sex is better than that, but I didn't want to burst your bubble). In all seriousness (Am I allowed to be serious?) I look forward to bringing more music to all of you in the coming years. Thanks for being here with us.