Now playing on the Grip Juke

Solex-- Pick Up (Matador) Pick Up makes you believe wholeheartedly in post-modern Sound Experiments with Found material . Dutch record store owner Elisabeth "Solex" Esselink’s quirky pop consists of samples from some of the tackiest, most obscure music lying around her Amsterdam shop, and she wrings energetic groove after tuneful surprise after electrifying rant out of the clearance bin, like the creepy nursery rhyme-gone-bad, "Oh Blimey!. . .The Hollies-- Evolution (Sundazed) It had long been written in Rock Lore that this U.K. "Singles" machine (one of the best ‘60’s pop bands, with or without Graham Nash) didn’t make good albums. Diehard fans always knew different and here’s the proof: a remastered and expanded version of 1967’s long-out-of-print Evolution, a forgotten Brit Invasion jewel. The seller, of course, is the classic chart hit, "Carrie-Anne," but the surrounding tracks more than hold their own and a few, like "Have You Ever Loved Somebody?," are revelations. Beware the bonus material, especially the horrendous "Jennifer Eccles". . . Boom Boom Satellites-- Out Loud (Sony-Epic) Masayuki Nakano and Michiyuki Kawashima’s expansive dance rock manages to sustain itself beyond import 12-inch singles with a rollicking and eclectic set of mixes and versions. This is for lovers of phase-shifting groove music, although rock fans and psychedelians should head straight for the garage-rock of "Oneness" and the spacy "On the Painted Desert.". . . Brilliant Mistakes-- All Hands & The Cook (Aunt Mimi’s) An intelligent, tear-jerking country-rock outfit with a debut CD that has unjustly slid under the radar. All Hands. . . boasts great songs like "Unsuspecting Girl" and "Absence of Passion," and deserves a seek-out, especially for fans into No Depression bands and alternative country. (Available now from 305 W. 18th St. #3F, NY, NY 10011 or www.thebrilliantmistakes.com). . .The Arsonists-- As The World Burns (Matador) Formerly Bushwick Bomb Squad, this New York hip-hop crew invites comparisons to the Beatnuts (who also have a recommended new disc in the shops, Musical Massacre) because of their Latino roots. But the Arsonists have their own playful and eccentric style-- dizzying, at times. Having no less than five verbal abusers on board can make for hyperactive listening over 21 kick-driven tracks and you might need to take some Dramamine before exposing yourself to this full-to-bursting flow. Pick hit: the brooding "Blaze". . . Blinker The Star-- August Everywhere (Dreamworks) Frontman / songwriter Jordon Zadorozny sounds uncomfortably like Kurt Cobain at times (regrettably on the mid-tempo "All Dreamed Out," which has a wonderfully warped finale), but this Canadian trio’s melodic blending of Beach Boys-like vocal harmony and power-rock riffing hold your interest anyway. Pick hit: The orchestrated rave-up, "Pretty Pictures," a roll-down-the-top convertible sing-along. . . King Brothers-- King Brothers (Bulb) They played their first American show ever in a warehouse in Charlottesville, and the guitarist leapt out of a second story window while still playing his noise to cap off the set. Which means that they deserve your money, if only to defray future hospital bills (he was fine, just a bit hobbled, and kept playing his guitar in the alley). Completely undesirable, utterly basic garage rock performed by three people who actively seek out feedback in the home, office, or place of worship. What I mean to say is, I liked it. But I'm a masochist. Are you? Why the heck not?. . . Rock * A * Teens-- Golden Time (Merge) Back in one of the first issues of Grip, we called the music of this spooky, testifyin’ Georgia Band, "Southern Goth-Rock." Even though last year’s Merge debut was a bit soggy, this time they pull it all together into one raging firestorm of echo-abuse, reverb, fingerpicking and rave-up. Best in show: "Black Metal Stars," but you could take your pick. . . Dum Dum Project-- Desi Vibes Vol. 1 (Panjabi) How ya gonna keep em on the farm when they've been to Bombay? These Indian-influenced grooves add samples and breakbeats to the sophisticated production of "Bollywood" soundtracks, and if you can find a big bottle of Tiger Beer you won't need a whole lot more to get you to July. Psychedelic, relevant and fun. . . XTC-- Apple Venus Vol. 1 (TVT) The reclusive Swindon U.K. pop-formalists, MIA for six years, emerge as a duo-- Partridge and Moulding-- and craft a quaint (if strangely static) set of brooding love songs and whimsical rememberances. Winner tracks: The English Settlement-like "Green Man" and "Harvest Festival," one that would’ve fit just fine on Mummer, but here’s one XTC fan who admits to being a bit disappointed. . . Green Pajamas--- All Clues Lead To Megan's Bed (Camera Obscura) Seattle's Green Pajamas throw out heart-stopping melodies, swirling harmonies & great guitar lines; the influence is mid-60 Beatles without the slightest excursion into 70s Big Star/Badfinger turf that tripped up the Posies. You’ll wish I'd written "The Secret Of Her Smile!". . . Melt-Banana-- MxBx1998 / 13000 Miles At Light Velocity (Tzadik) The big thing is that anything they can do in the studio, they can do live. If you've heard these maniacs on record, you know what that means: their guitarist is the man who can make any sound ever, and the rest of the band was born on MaxAlerts. The next big thing is that they deconstruct "Surfin' USA," "deconstruct" as in "tear the building down". The third big thing, as pointed out by Grip's own Kadugan, is that they show their speed metal roots. So what you got here is "Surfin USA" played by a white-hot speed metal band with one of the top five deranged guitarists on earth. And that's only the fourth best song. . . . The Savage Resurrection (Mod Lang) The Juke kept meaning to review the early 1998 re-issue of the United States of America's 1967 psychedelic debut, but short-term memory being what it is these days (ahem!)-- this one (and only?) effort by the Savage Resurrection was issued a year later on Mercury Records, and its a bit more generic in a San Francisco, acidy-guitar kind of way, but "Thing In 'E'" "Every Little Song," and "Talking To You" are standouts that 60s psych lovers shouldn't be without. . . June & The Exit Wounds-- A Little More Haven Hamilton Please (Parasol) These days, good Beach Boys rip-off albums seem to come out once-a season, and here's Spring's catch: a baroque-pop soap opera from Twiggy frontman Todd Fletcher. Probably has as much Todd Rundgren as Brian Wilson; quite the pop find. The hooks hit me harder each day, and I can't figure out whether they're going more for Smile, Holland or Terry Hall's Colourfield, which is good. . . Prince Paul-- Prince Among Thieves (Tommy Boy) More subtle and premeditated than Paul’s classic 1996 disc, Psychoanalysis, this faux-Blaxploitation epic features stellar assistance from an all-star cast (Chris Rock, RZA, Kool Keith, Special Ed, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, et al) and is typically hilarious. . . Manishevitz-- Grammar Bell And The All Fall Down (Jagjaguwar) This one has been whispered about around the Grip offices for some time, and the finished article delivers the goodz: a brittle folk document of quiet, understated power and some awesome production touches-- samples, sparkling guitars, odd drips and drones. You’ll feel the urge to sing the one about Lonesome Cowboy Dave Thomas in the shower, and don’t fight the feeling . . Porter Waggoner-- The Essential Porter Waggoner (RCA Essential) While not blessed with the most expressive voice in country, Waggoner’s long and elastic solo career had room for existential moralizing ("Skid Row Joe," the oft-covered "A Satisfied Mind") amidst some righteous downhome-honky-tonk ("Trying to Forget the Blues"). Hard to forgive RCA for not including "The Rubber Room" and spotlighting a side of Porter known only country collectors-- the deranged psycho-- but this set rescues some fine recordings from obscurity . . Bunny Wailer-- DubD’sco Vol. 1 & 2 (Ras) Originally released in 1979, Wailer’s classic dubs have been reissued on CD for the first time. Fans of skanky, EQ-shifting, Lee Perry-esue reggae dubs will find much to zone out to, as Bunny deconstructs his excellent solo debut, Blackheart Man, as well as some Wailers classics. . . Little John-- Give The Youth A Try (Rasslin’) Another archival reggae reissue, this one from a Northern Virginia label that specializes in rare and out-of-print reggae and dancehall records. It’s a groove-laden set from 1981 featuring the pleading voice of Little John, and one audacious classic in the closing "I Love My Mommy." Also available from the Rasslin’ label: Cornell Campbell’s Money and A Live Session With King Stur-Gav Hi-Fi Lee Unlimited, which features early work from a young Beenie Man. All can be had by contacting 6714 Whittier Ave., McLean, Va. 22101. . . Rah Bras-- Wear the Beat Spectacular (Vermiform) Not quite as off-the-wall as the first one, but maybe it’s just because we knew what to expect. Modified power-trio (no bass, but big keyboard bass gives you so much more) continues to ask the question: "If we eat this thing we found in the fridge, the one with the illegible expiration date, could we become the American Boredoms?" The answer, as contained in the mini-burst of "Dead Bass Thing", is a grin-inducing, head-banging, crotch-grabbing ‘yes’. . . Marmoset-- Today It’s You (Secretly Canadian) Fans of early Wire, early Polvo and early Pavement take note: someone heard your plea for an album that sounds exactly like the center point between those three. Watch out for the lead vocalist, who sounds uncomfortably like Dieter from "Sprockets". Bonus wack points (wack might mean good or bad, you figure it out) for the Barrett-esque subject matter of "Laugh Giraffe". You connect the dots. Or maybe, Marmoset already have. . .Varnaline-- Sweet Life (Zero Hour) Bittersweet country rock merging into lyrical pop, spinning around in rustic acoustic psychedelia-- and a contemporary PRODUCTION-- that redefines mood music. Best in show: The swirling title cut, a drum-workout-meets-string-quartet that breaks your heart.. . . Various Artists-- American Primitive Vol.1, Raw Pre-War Gospel (Revenant) Self-accompanied, noisy, spare and droning and delirious and drunk. Even more incredible when one considers that some of these songs weren’t written or performed with the Lord in mind, but rather to capitalize on a craze for religious race records round about 1930. Whatever. You don’t have to listen all that hard to see where all the best American music since drew first inspiration from. Rev. I.B. Ware with Wife and Son’s "You Better Quit Drinking Shine" simultaneously betters and annihilates all 12-step programs ever. . . Sparklehorse-- Good Morning Spider (Capitol) This sophomore effort from Richmond’s own Mark Linkous has just been released in the U.S., and hits the joy button again and again-- "Pig" "St. Mary, " the exquisite "The Painbirds" and, of course, "Chaos of the Galaxy" / "Happy Man". . .

His Name is Alive-- Fort Lake (4AD-UK) Sparklehorse’s disc was just issued by Capitol stateside after intense critical acclaim from Europe. Another pop beauty unavailable stateside-- a perfectly fine followup to HNIS’s So Nice mini-CD. There’s lots more gospel here, via guest singer Lovetta Pippen. But it’s the pop that kicks, and these suburban Detroiters keep churning out some of the best, dreamy, pop and rock-pop since, I dunno, the new Sparklehorse . . . Silver Jews-- American Water ( Drag City) Dave Berman makes what sounds like a lost gem from 1974 but it’s only Drag City so you were expecting it. Actually gets his dander up on a couple of tracks. Add it up: rocks harder than The Natural Bridge; prominent Pavement guy vocalizing; pop songs. It all equals number one on the CMJ college charts and possible play on the dreaded Triple-A format. More power to him. . . Legendary Pink Dots-- Nemesis Online (Soleilmoon) Sometimes the cultish Dots sound like Can, other times like Pink Floyd, and sometimes like Ministry. In all instances, they come off as witty, tongue-in-cheek lyricists with a good sense of melody; better at being psychedelic than industrial, but it’s all in good fun. . . Various Artists-- Stretch Armstrong presents Lesson #2 (Fuzzy Box) An excellent underground hip-hop sampler, chronicling the latest beats from Toronto to New York to Philly. Ace atmosphere. . . and the package art is a hoot!. . . Various Amigos-- Exitos A Go-Go: ‘60’s Teenbeat South of the Border (AIP) This offers the best in Latin American Psych, acid rock and more from Mexico, Puerto Rico and South America. Was thrilled to find the Los Hitters’ "Marijuana," but even better: La Tropa Loca’s Farfisa-heavy "El Fanatico" and Los Canario’s fantastic "3-2-1-Ah!". . .

Reviews by the Jukebox Boys:

Don Harrison, Dave Harrison, Tyler Magill, Dan Poarch and Brian Greene