Members of Mayday – Anthems (2002)

 

Turn of the century fallout from the acid house generation and Members of Mayday take you back to a time when dance music was still interesting and vibrant. ‘Anthems’ basically does what it says on the tin and presents fourteen anthemic tracks from the underground techno merchants. It’s old school layered techno, flecked with splashes of acid, house and hardcore.

Sadly, I can’t stomach it as a whole listening session in the car. I can enjoy about four songs and then it all starts becoming a little samey. Don’t get me wrong each track works brilliantly mixed up in a shuffled playlist, but as fourteen songs, one after another it just swamps my brain (and that doesn’t take into account the remix disk!). This criticism can be levelled at all but the very best techno albums (take a bow Infected Mushroom), so don’t let that put you off. This is still a quality offering.

Most of the selections would work well as singles with the retro-acid stomp of ‘The Judgement Day,’ the tricky disco-ish ‘Mayday Anthem’ and the surging powerhouse of '10 in 1' all bone fide stonkers. My personal favourite is the truly anthemic ‘Sonic Empire’ which combines submarine sonar type sounds with pulsing repetitive rhythms, and even if you don’t fancy the album give it a listen on Youtube.

An album that brings back happy memories but is just as relevant and enjoyable today. We salute the Members of Mayday. And yes they are German!

 

 

Ojos de Brujo - Bari

Despite the fact that everyone in the World music community loves Ojos de Brujo, I've never managed to engage with their flamenco based charms. I am not going to bore regular readers with my views on the band as they have remained unaltered from my original rant on the review of  Aocaná last year, but there is one startling difference about Bari; I actually really like one of the songs!

The curiously titled Ventilator R-80 is an exhilarating roller coaster ride through an alt-folk Spain. The chorus is an anthemic call to arms although with my limited knowledge of Spanish I have no idea what it means. The whole effect is not even spoiled by some Speedy Gonzales style vocals and some more Spanish Vanilla Ice style rapping. If I could loop just the chorus over and over again I'd be a happy man. Sadly the rest of the album reverts back to the Ojos formula, but let's not be greedy.

I'm sure Ojos de Brujo fans will love this collection of  nu-wave flamenco, but for me I'm just happy I can finally see a glimmer of the appeal. If you like Gloria Estefan with Speedy and a Spanish rapper on backing vocals then this is the album for you.

 

 

Sparta - Wiretap Scars

At The Drive In.

But just the boring ones that you normally skip.

Job done.

Okay, I'll tell you more. I keep having a little look in the CD case to see if there is any Omar and Cedric involvement because it sounds so much like ATDI (I am like so down with the kids and that). But no mention of the hairy fellows. Turns out, from further research that Sparta = ATDI - (Omar + Cedric). That explains it. Why did they decide to copy all of the dull ones then?

This is being a tad harsh because there are a few good tracks on there. They are on the gentler side of things, with 'Echodyne Harmonic' even containing a bit of piano. Oo fancy. The other standout track is 'Catarac' which has a top sing-a-long chorus. More shout-a-long really. These songs perfectly fitted the mood as I drove out of Sheffield on a gorgeous sunny day. Played loud obviously. I mean at a suitable volume, Officer.

Even though Sparta are a pale imitation of ATDI, I can't help quite enjoying this album on the whole. Maybe I'm mellowing in my old age. Now where's that 'Converge' album...

evlkeith

The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots LP 2002

What is it?

Oklahoma's finest present their unique and critically acclaimed brand of psychedelic independent rock, with 2002's spaced up 'Yoshimi battles the Pink Robots.'

Why should you listen?

You may have wondered what all the fuss is about with the Flaming Lips, just as I did when I selected 'Yoshimi' as my entry level introduction to the group. It's a lush, complex, dreamy sound with intergalactic imagery interwoven throughout the lyrics to give the whole experience the feel of a concept album. It's fun at times and all of the tracks are reasonably enjoyable in a curate's egg kind of way. The best bit is the plinky plonky bit in 'Are you a Hypnotist?' and this makes and makes odd little appearances throughout the album.

What's it like?

I couldn't help thinking that despite all the critical slobbering, I would much rather be listening to Grandaddy. Although not directly comparable, I just think Jason Lytle's band do the whole 'space rock' thing so much better. Check out 'The Sophtware Lump' if you need convincing.

What's the best song?

The title track 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots' makes you smile and is suitably mellow, quirky and sci-fi themed.

Who does it sound like?

Grandaddy on a bad day. Hints of Eels and Shins but sorry, The Flaming Lips are not fit to lace their boots.

Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it People LP 2002

I listened to this a few years ago and didn't particularly like it, but felt that maybe I'd missed the point. With Metric's Emily Haines part of the Broken Social Scene collaboration there must be some substance to the group's particular brand of Canadian indie introspection.

After repeated listens, it appears to be better than I thought but nothing to write home about. It's heart is in the right place, but it's just too dirge ridden to be a positive experience, with nothing to drag it out of the dark waters of the cess-pit of averageness.

There are no standout tracks or even standout moments. I was hopeful for a bit of Emily Haines or a similar Canadian female vocalist to add a little warmth to proceedings, however the production seems to amalgamate everything into the same indie dirge wall of sound. Imagine Pavement stripped of the melodies, the lyrics and the touch of alt-country and you're left with 'You Forgot it People'.

They may be a super group of sorts but on this showing they need to lighten up a bit and remember they're in the entertainment industry. I'd personally replace the mumbling guy on lead vocals with Karl Denver, stick the two women out the B52's on backing vocals, get Bez to be the dancer and sprinkle the whole group with magic charisma dust. And that still may not be enough to make them interesting.

Bright Eyes - Lifted or the Story is in the Soil, Keep your Ear to the Ground LP 2002

The King of the 'Camp Acoustic' genre comes up trumps again with one of his pre 'I'm Wide Awake...' offerings. If you like all things lo-fi-indie-folk-acoustic-rock-with affected vocals-camp-fire-sessions then Conor Oberst is the man for you. He is the dark lord of acoustic campness, it's as simple as that. Sufjan Stevens has a poster of him on his bedroom wall.

Conor doesn't deviate that much from the 'Bright Eyes' approach on 'Lifted'. It's all acoustic folkiness with heart felt lyrics delivered in a vocal reminiscent of a toned down Jeff Magnum who can sing. There are some nice touches and slight deviations from the standard that can be summarised as follows:

1) On the other Bright Eyes albums I own, Conor always throws in couple of tracks where he's merrily warbling away, but in the background you can just about hear some woman, presumably the studio cleaner or dinner lady, who is singing along with him in an echoey kind of way. The difference on Lifted is that the cleaner/dinner lady has a sweet and vulnerable quality to her voice, which leads me to believe she may actually be a proper singer. Definitely not a dinner lady.

2) At one point Conor loses it entirely and starts braying like a donkey. It doesn't last long, but it's a harsh and earsplitting moment and you're glad when it abruptly gets the chop.

3) As always there's one or two 'proper' songs with some commercial appeal on the album. It's as if the record company say, "Give us a couple of decent songs, and we'll let you fill up the rest of the LP with your self indulgent folkiness and donkey bray voice." In this case. Check out 'Lover I don't have to Love' as a prime candidate.

4) There's always at least one song on a Bright Eyes album with something approaching absolute lyrical brilliance. In this case it's 'Don't know when but a day is gonna come' which is stark, profound and has some horns playing in the background for good measure.

In summary, if you like Bright Eyes, you'll like 'Lifted.' If you're not sure, I'd definitely start with 'I'm wide awake, it's morning' as the entry level Bright Eyes offering.

Azam Ali - Portals of Grace LP 2002

What is it?

Iranian born and Indian raised Azam Ali proves herself one of the most versatile singers in world music with a collection of numbers from medieval Europe.

Why should you listen?

It's not something you're going to hear everyday. Azam's voice is a unique experience especially when applied to this collection of ancient, western compositions. It is the voice that takes centre stage in a faithful recreation of the these medieval pieces, but the atmosphere this album creates is just as stunning. Pop this on the CD player and you're transported to a different world; somewhere spiritual, calm and timeless.

What's it like?

The clue is in the title. It's like a portal to another place and time.

What's the best song?

"A Chantar M'Er" but they're all great.

Who does it sound like?

It sounds like no-one else.

Blindside - Silence LP 2002

What is it?

Swedish hardcore and Christian metal 'also rans' provide no nonsense rock blockbusters without any hint of religious undertones.

Why should you listen?

It basically does what it says on the tin; it's a quality hardcore/metal album. After initially flirting with limited Billboard chart success when this was released they have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by drifting into relative obscurity. It's a travesty of justice listening to this LP which possesses powerhouse guitars, melodic vocals and a little early screamo for good luck. Every track is a winner and you can purchase it for a penny on Amazon if you are lucky.  

What's it like?

It's like a really great rock band with no gimmicks, affectations or ambitions to sound like Blink 182.

What's the best song?

"Time will change your heart" is a bit grungy, a bit screamo and not at all Christian.

Who does it sound like?

Like a grown up version of the current crop of Kerrang bands.

Steeleye Span - The Best of LP 2002

In another bizarre twist of fate I find myself in the car listening to the best of Steeleye Span. I have no recollection of ordering it, but nevertheless it arrived through to post and rather than send it back I decided to give it a go. It’s 1970’s commercial folk with a touch of the hey nonny nonnies and most of it gets the instant flick on the CD player, but Maddy Prior’s vocals are at times stunning and I can’t help but keep returning to tracks like 'Gaudete', 'Royal Forester' and 'All Around My Hat'. It hardly warrants five stars, but not an altogether unpleasant experience after all.

Doccortex