Hey, old man! What's in the bag? - Trixine

Good Riddance / Kill Your Idols
(Split EP)
I think it’s high-time Jade Tree began
putting out some good, standard punk
again. Four new songs from Good
Riddance, and three new ones from
Kill Your Idols. There is no pussyfooting
around here, this is a pretty straight
forward release. Not too much pop or
politics, just fast music from a couple
of the bigger punk bands that you
know are good. There’s nothing new or
innovative here, but I’ve got no complaints.
(Jade Tree)
New End Original “Thriller”
Ex-members of Far and Texas is the
Reason, if this isn’t an emo-pop
album, I’m not sure what is. The thing
about NEO is that I like about half of all
their songs. Don’t get confused- I’m
not saying I like half of their songs, I’m
saying I only like parts of each song.
They seem to have that Soul Asylum
syndrome, where maybe an intro will
be great, but then the rest of the song will let me down, or
maybe I won’t like a vocal line or a certain guitar hook, and
believe you me, there are hooks all over this thing- way too
many, in fact. I will say that their live show is energetic to say
the least, and I enjoyed that. (Jade Tree)
Papa M “Whatever, Mortal”
This is when I’m glad I’m a zine, and I can say what I want. If
you liked the last Papa M album, and were considering getting
the new one, I hope you like alt-country instead. Most of
the album is David Pajo (the main Papa) playing minor key
acoustic ballads, with depressing lyrics, backed by Will
Oldham on bass, piano, and guitar, and Tara Jane O’neil on
banjo. Don’t get me wrong, this is a spectacular album, but
I’d be pretty pissed if I just spent $15 on a CD, expecting
slacker drone-rock, and got the desert blues. The beautiful
insert is an incredible booklet on it’s own. (Drag City)
Silver Jews “Bright Flight”
I think one of the reasons I don’t like much pop-country is
because it seems to pretend like there’s nothing going on
around it, hence why I do like this new Silver Jews album,
recorded down in in Nashville, TN. Utilizing slow guitars and
matter-of-fact singing, everything seems to sound a little
sloppy, depressed, or tired, and David Berman makes it a
point to talk about things like punk rock. It just so happens
that I got drunk trying to write this review, and I’m glad I did,
because it made me feel like I was part of it, which is really
the only way to enjoy an album like this. (Drag City)
Mark Price, Lansdale, PA
Mogwai “My Father, My King” EP
Twenty new minutes (one song) of melodic 4/4 drone guitar
noise from the band that does it best. By compulsively
repeating a somewhat Middle Eastern guitar line, the
arrangement fades in and out of distorted bliss, then 3/4 of
the way through, it simply explodes into a heavy, chromatic
freak out. This EP claims to be a compliment to their last full
length, Rock Action, but I consider any of their releases compliments
to all the other ones. (Matador)
The Stratford 4 “The Revolt Against Tired Noises”
If you’re feeling that Strokes kick, but want something a little
more off the beaten path, I recommend this one. Be careful,
though, because you’re going to get a healthy layered dose of
dazed noisiness much like that of Spiritualized. This album
keeps steady, mixing lots of fuzz with straight-up rockin’ out.
The band is two guys and two girls, so there are some great
harmonies along with it. Sorry for yet another band plug, but
it’s definitely worth mentioning that singer/guitarist Chris
Streng used to play in a another band with two members of
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Out Jan. 22nd. (Jetset)
Fugazi “Furniture” (7”)
b/w Number 5 / Hello Morning. Clear vinyl! The cover and
insert are beautifully laid out in dull, matted colors, with lyrics
and photo art. The A-side has Ian singing, and I can’t say it’s
one of my personal favorites, but it’s good. The flip side starts
with a furiously fast instrumental piece that’s very abrasive
and noisy. The second keeps it rolling by slamming full-force
into that token Fugazi sound, with Guy singing. (Dischord)