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| Artist: | "MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT" |
| Title: | "A CRIME FOR ALL SEASONS" |
| Label: | Red Ant |
| Available: | Any Major Music Store |
| Reviewed By: | Jill Williams |
| Rating: |  |
| "My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult" came into existance in
Chicago in 1987. Buzz McCoy, a musician from Boston, met up with Groovie
Mann, a singer, artist, and poet, and their original plan was to make a
movie that was "really off beat, self indulgent, and visually shocking,
a la Russ Meyer, Kenneth Anger, Polanski, Fellini, Warhol or John Waters."
The title of the film? "My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult," of
course. As I understand it, they started laying down music tracks for the movie and became a band. The movie has yet to be realized, but, they say they are still working on it and always adding to it. For now, we can be happy that we have the music to keep us company. Also included in the group are the "Bomb Gang Girlz." The actual singers change all the time, but you can always find at least one of "Bomb Gang Girlz" singing somewhere on a "Thrill Kill" release. What impresses me about "My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult," is the way that each new album sounds completely different from their last. "A Crime For All Seasons" combines a bit of all of their past styles, while still giving us something new to listen to. They are constantly evolving into something more interesting and cool. It's hard to classify this album, or this group, into a single musical catagory. They mix elements of techno, alternative, industrial, dance, and a hint of gothic, then throw in miscellaneous sounds just to catch you off guard - including sampling from a lot of movies and television shows. You never know just what to expect from song to song. Overall, this album is wonderful, with just a few tracks that aren't quite up to speed. "Fangs of Love" opens the album, and it certainly tells us that "Thrill Kill" went for a harder sound than on past albums. Now, when I heard this song on the cd, it seemed a little flat. When I heard it live, I knew how it was meant to sound and it was awesome. The recording just doesn't do it justice. It's a decent song, but it's hard to get into it when you're sitting home alone, hanging out. It needs to be played loud while you're doing something fun. From there we move on to "Dope Doll Jungle." This is a slower, creepier sounding tune. While "Thrill Kill" sings quite a bit about drugs, their songs don't make it seem very attractive. The music sounds nasty and dragged out, like a hangover, and really captures the mood of the song. "Sexy Sucker" is one of my personal favorites on this album, and it's impossible not to feel like dancing when you hear this tune. I'll admit that the lyrics don't make much sense, but it doesn't really matter. I just wanna bop to the music. Next up is "Blonde with Lobotomy Eyes," and we're back to the hard driving sound of the first track. This one also needs to be played loud to get the full effect - a very rough and sexy tune. "Lucifer's Flowers" is, in my opinion, the best song on "A Crime for All Seasons." It's very musical, but still has an edge to it. This song uses their trademark sampling, and the lyrics are really outstanding. "They'll try to convince you/Deceive and persuade you/But all that they offer/Are Lucifer's Flowers." The theme is deceptive, and isn't what you expect from the title. "Yesterday's Void" is a short, simple song that takes you on a bit of a mindtrip. The psychadelic background music lets you think you're escaping the world for a while. "Feel the Bite" is next, and it's got an almost tribal feel. It has mostly female vocals and is very relaxing music, although the lyrics express something entirely different. It sort of lulls you into a state of comfort while saying you're going to die. "Twilight Web" isn't sung by "Thrill Kill", but is a series of samples mixed with some hypnotizing music. If you've ever had any desire to be put into a trance, listen to this song. The first part of the track has someone saying "Listen to the music" over and over. That may not sound very interesting, but you'll be amazed at how it can suck you in after a while. Listening to "Mr. and Mrs. Bottomless Pit", you find more of that music you just have to turn up. It's hard and loud, but the lyrics and music make this the least interesting song on the album. Everyone's allowed to have one song that doesn't quite cut it, and this is that song. It was okay, but the rest of the tunes on the cd are much better. The CD ends with "Blue Moon," an odd number with a twisted Latin beat, and lyrics sung in Spanish. I believe this entire song is sampled from somewhere else, but I don't have any idea where. It's a fitting end to a very bizarre, but extremely cool album. I gave an overview of every song on "A Crime For All Seasons," because they're all very different and worth listening to. Check it out at the sound station the next time you visit your local music store. This album really must be heard to be appreciated, and I think you will appreciate it! |
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| Artist: | "THE MUFFS" |
| Title: | "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME" |
| Label: | Reprise Records |
| Available: | Any Major Music Store |
| Reviewed By: | Colette Engel |
| Rating: |  |
| "The Muffs"....the name brings to mind something soft and fuzzy.
Kim Shattuck, Ronnie Barnett, and Roy McDonald are anything but that. Energetic
guitars, pounding drums, and strong vocals give this band a sound that's
all its own and very enjoyable. A 60's influence can be heard in the music
with pop-type beats running throughout the songs. The band has been around since 1991, with two other albums under their belts, "The Muffs," 1995's "Blonder and Blonder," and a fabulous cover of "Kids in America" from the "Clueless" soundtrack, before recording "Happy Birthday to Me." With each album the sound gets better and better. Kim says it herself, "This is the best album we've ever made." The songs are short, (the longest track at 3:19) but there is no short-changing on this album. Every song delivers a full sound and great lyrics. Kim decided she wanted her vocals to be "more spontaneous," and recorded them in her apartment acting as her own engineer. The result is a fantastic mix of songs that will keep you dancing and singing along. "They're happy melodies that surround lyrics that range from melancholy to angry to dark to just plain weird." This is Roy McDonald describing the new album. An appropriate description if ever I've heard one. One of the first songs that really struck me was "That Awful Man." It has a tempo that is lively and even bouncy, yet the lyrics are telling a different story. "you play follow the leader...and I don't understand.....why you wanna spend your life....with that awful man." A powerful song delivered in under 3 minutes. "All Blue Baby" is a nice sway-to-the-music kind of song. "I didn't know what to say.....I didn't know what to do.....I didn't know anything at all...." It's hard not to find yourself singing along with this song. A real change in sound comes in the middle of the CD, with "Pennywhore." It has a boppy kind of beat while singing "You can do it so much better......all your life a real homewrecker." Not the picture I saw when I first listened to this song. It has almost a country kind of sound to it, and a light feel that is belied by the lyrics. It's also one of my personal favorites on the CD. A fun song, and definitely in a light-hearted vein, is "I'm a Dick." "Hey, go away, you're annoying me. I'm a dick, I'm a dick, and I could care less." This song is entertaining, humorous, yet expresses feelings that I think we all feel at one time or another. One of the greatest things about this album is the ability to take a simplistic idea, add some great music, and come up with a song that stays with you all day. "The Muffs" are without a doubt a fun band, this album has a great mix of sounds, both light-hearted and slightly heavier lyrics, and is a definite jewel for any music-lover's collection. I heartily recommend going out and picking up "Happy Birthday to Me." I don't think you'll be unhappy with this purchase. In fact, you may find yourself wanting more. I know it happened to me. |
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| Artist: | "SKUNK ANANSIE" |
| Title: | "STOOSH" |
| Label: | Epic |
| Available: | Any Major Music Store |
| Reviewed By: | Donn Jehs |
| Rating: | |
This is the second album from the British rock group, "Skunk
Anansie," who first hit the scene in 1994. By 1995 they had recorded
their first album "Paranoid and Sunburnt," which went Platinum
in the U.K., and "Stoosh" is sure to do the same. The band's success
hinges on great songs, superb vocals, and an edge that challenges your soul.
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