Reviews page.

Updated 03/17/02.

One quick note first (skip to the paragraph below if you've read this before) - the philosophy here is if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.  Overall negative reviews will generally not be published here since it's just too easy to pick a bad band and attack them, plus it doesn't seem productive just to make enemies since this web site is here to promote *'s own musical ambitions.  Besides, it seems better to promote other good recordings and make positive recommendations.  Briefly, my own tastes vary considerably; I like (in no order or priority) the Monkees, Roger Miller (not the MOB one, but him too), Fugazi, Glen Branca, Psychedelic Furs (and Love Spit Love), Elvis Costello, the Damned, Curve, Mudhoney, Nitzer Ebb (at least the early records), Moby, Mission of Burma... - you get the picture.  Basically these reviews will be just whatever struck my fancy the day I felt like posting something.  These are not the best records on the shelves but they're ones worth spending a few bucks on.

I hate to be a trend-jumper but nevertheless I am one of many enjoying Ladytron's 604.  This engaging synth female vocal band captures the cool vocal aesthetic that Elastica represented as well as updates Kraftwerk-style synthetic minimal pop.  While the songs and melodies are simple the band is careful to spice it up with subtle ear candies, little percussive changes, and interesting sound textures.  The album is generally deliberately accessible and danceable but contains interesting chilling hints of desperate longing ("He Took Her to a Movie") and judgement ("Playgirl").  I'm particularly taken with the production of this record, which even in mp3 form is vivid and rich under, just like the music, a deceptively simple veneer.  This isn't an earth-shattering album and not worth missing a meal over.  But it is worth a few hard-earned dollars when you can spare them.

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