=============================================================[August 15, 1994]= __ | __ _ _ ___ | || ___ | __ __ (__ | | | \/ | ____) |___ || |___) |__ (__) | | ___) |___| | | | |___| |___) || |____ The Electronic Fanzine for Cool Folks Like You Editor: Scott F. Williams Internet: Scotty.Williams@launchpad.unc.edu a.k.a. "Pathojam" Managing Editor: Bob Gajarsky Internet: gajarsky@pilot.njin.net Contributing Martin Bate Writers: Debbie Boxer Sherman Charles Bob Gajarsky Tim Kennedy P. Nina Ramos David Shields Scott F. Williams Also contributing: Jethro Napoleon Address all comments, subscription requests, etc. to gajarsky@pilot.njin.net ============================================================================== Consumable is published by Pathojammic Productions as a service to all who use computers to communicate. All articles in Consumable remain (C) copyright their author(s). Permission for re-publication in any form other than within this document must be sought from the Publisher. ============================================================================== .------------. | Contents |-. `------------' | `------------' From the Managing Editor More on New Music Seminar '94: Fashion, Fickleness and Foolish (reviewers) at NMS '94 - Bob Gajarsky ONE P REVIEW: M People, _Elegant Slumming_ - Bob Gajarsky ONE P REVIEW: Frente, _Marvin The Album_ - Bob Gajarsky REVIEW: The Future Sound of London, _Lifeforms_ - Scott Williams REVIEW: Collapsing Lungs, _Colorblind_ - Scott Williams REVIEW: Hollow Men, _Twisted_ - Bob Gajarsky REVIEW: Melting Hopefuls, _Space Flyer_ - P. Nina Ramos REVIEW: Wet Wet Wet, _Part One_ - Bob Gajarsky "In My Dreams, I Dream of O.J. Simpson" - Jethro Napoleon NEWS: Cause & Effect, Erasure, Morrissey, Oasis, Oglio Records TOUR DATES: Sarah McLachlan TOUR DATES: Blur The Readers Write! ============================================================================== FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR Brief words this issue. First, a hearty thank-you to all the subscribers. Only counting direct e-mail subscribers, Consumable is read in 18 countries. Talk about the information superhighway taking effect... There's a new feature, for releases which have somehow slipped through the proverbial cracks, called ONE P REVIEWS. One paragraph, a few sentences, which should let you know instantly if the release is along your tastes. And, as always, thanks for the feedback! Although a labour of love, your support makes writing and information gathering easier for all of us. - Bob Gajarsky === Fashion, Fickleness and Foolish (reviewers) at New Music Seminar '94 (A continuation of the report of NMS '94. Last issue looked at some of the hot bands and news from the Seminar. This week focuses more on editorial content) The two tones for the evening's fashion show were both set in the past. One, the (continued) grunge look, reflects the boom of the Northwest. With an obvious mismatch between sneakers, pants and shirt, the tone of independence and rebellion for the evening was set. One of the models appeared, looking like Kurt Cobain, with a woman. The catch? Both were wearing a white bridal outfit, identical except for the shoes. An interesting little twist... The other trend which was offered for the evening was a throwback to the early 60's - bright colors and skirts similar to the musical girl groups of the era. Orange, turquoise, yellow and lime green were all proudly worn by the evening's models in a technicolor splash. These also tended to have skirts rising a few inches higher on the leg than the current fads. A personal moment for me, reflecting on the perceived fickleness of the clothing industry, occurred when I was waiting for the models to enter the runaway. I had procured a front row space when the woman to my left started a conversation with, "You got a good spot; what magazine do you work for?" I answered "Consumable" and the snobbish look on her face echoed her words, "Oh - I've never heard of THAT" and turned away. For my own curiousity, I asked what magazine she worked for (it was a fashion magazine that won't be mentioned here) - and it hit me. There's a good chance, through the on-line subscriptions and newsgroups that Consumable Online hits, that our "unknown" circulation is larger than hers. And, that simply because it wasn't a chance to move up in her perceived world, that I (or other Consumable reporters) weren't worth talking to. Did her ego need to be stroked? Possibly. Which leads to the next topic. There were numerous music 'zines included with admission to the show. So, in between seminars and running around New York City, I took the opportunity to read reviews offered by others. I made the simple assumption that I was an average person who knew nothing of the band in question, but something about *some* bands in music. The level of the reviews astounded me. There were far too many reviews that didn't even attempt to tell you what a band's music was like, but seemed an egotistical way for the reviewer to use as many descriptive adjectives as possible in 250 words. I found myself not wanting to learn more about *any* of these bands, because a reviewer just didn't give an indication of what the group was about. If it's an indie band, there's a real good chance no one has heard of them - so making the only comparison to its previous, 1000 copies pressed single really won't do anything to further the group's career. A notable exception to this is the CMJ New Music Monthly magazine; they present reviews in an easy-to-read, informative format that neither insults the dedicated music fan or discards the casual alternative fan. Between the self-absorbed world of the woman from the fashion magazine and some of these music reviewers is a message. Something about not taking yourself too seriously. Of course, I'm sure some of our reviews (including my own) don't go up to snuff, but that's the way it goes. Oh, don't get me wrong - the NMS had some wonderful bands, exciting industry news and a brilliant keynote speaker in Danny Goldberg, Atlantic Records president. Goldberg's speech actually sent chills down my spine - he touched on Kurt Cobain and the freedom to express yourself, touched on the fact that there IS racism in the music industry and why we (everyone - not blacks, whites, or any other ethnic background) must join together to fight it and how the music industry has a social responsibility to help others. And it was a lot of fun. But, sometimes, it's fun to try and look at the world through someone else's eyes - and not your own. === M People - _Elegant Slumming_ (Epic) - Bob Gajarsky Soul II Soul meets Motown and a touch of disco on this 10 track release. The key song is the U.S. single, "Movin' On Up", which packs dance floors on both sides of the Atlantic through lead singer and diva Heather Small. Each track is geared toward club play (because of founder Michael Pickering's background, as a DJ) at 5+ minutes, with the appropriate instrumentals for a disc jockey's fading. Unfortunately, the lack of a loud bass on most tracks might discourage play at rap-heavy clubs. === Frente! - _Marvin The Album_ (Atlantic) - Bob Gajarsky Have you heard the Cranberries and the Sundays? Well, if so, you've heard Frente!. Yes, that annoying ! is part of their name. They're from Australia, but have an acapella sound and soothing voice like those two bands mentioned above. Best with a cup of tea in a dimly lit setting. === The Future Sound of London - _Lifeforms_ (Astralwerks) **** - by Scott Williams Manipulating organic samples and conjuring vivid broths of others, neuromancers, Gary Cobain and Brian Dougans, paint interactive water- colors upon the fabric of consciousness. The sounds they compile invite the listener to engage the engines of imagination and flit above metaphysical plains of time and space. Likewise, appreciating _Lifeforms_ is akin to gently wafting through a lush soundscape, touring a fantastic yet familiar place where notes drift along warm primordial streams. Swirling in the ether between reality and imagination, this double CD demands to be listened to as a synergistic volume, rather than individual tracks. Some parts are peaceful, others are stormy, a few are a call to dance, and all provoke thought. Here, FSOL offers us access to the outer boundaries of perception, and to listen is to explore the infinite universe within one's self. The volume simultaneously buries and rethinks the future of electronic music. Like the best techno, it rhythmically transports the participant to a state where music and philosophy interface seamlessly. The similarity ends, however, with an about face from techno's frenetic pace and disdain for the natural. _Lifeforms_ is replete with sonic metaphor and simile -sonic poetry at it's best. A vehicle to the outworldly realm of dreams, call it a transcendental multimedia experience. === Collapsing Lungs - _Colorblind_ (Atlantic Records) *1/2 (only because I'm really generous) - by Scott Williams "Glamcore", anybody? Collapsing Lungs, hailing from sunny Florida, is supposed to be a ghetto-hardened synthesis of hardcore punk, hip hop, industrial, and metal, and too tell the truth, on paper the description seemed quite interesting. After a mind dulling listen, however, these guys come off like a bunch of suburban whiteboys looking for counterfeit street credit. Darwinism in full effect, urban strife tends to destroy the weak, but obviously misguided major-label A&R efforts can reverse the natural process. With an cellophane facade that screams "POSER!", the five-track EP lacks hip hop's issue oriented approach and punk's no b.s. attitude. For good reason, Minor Threat's classic hardcore rant, "Filler" comes to mind. To drummer Chris Goldbach's credit, his mechanical pounding is a thunderstorm in the midst of a drought. Further, production-wise, the sound is uncluttered and clean, with a clear bias towards intelligible vocals. But, all rattle and no venom, Collapsing Lung's main problem is their amazing lack of anything intelligent to say. The corny lyrics are about as biting as baby formula. "Bang-bang, bang-bang, bang-bang you're dead", goes one ridiculous chorus. If that wasn't bad enough, try "I'll fuck you up; let's fuck shit up! Yeah, FUCKER!..." - my my, such an exercise in profundity... The "rapping" (ill-syncopated yelling) is worse than fellow Floridian, Vanilla Ice, who we all know can't rap his way out of a wet paper bag. Thank God _Colorblind_ lasts but a mere twenty minutes, and pray that Beavis & Butthead never listen. They'll, uh, huh-huh, like love it, or something... === Hollow Men - _Twisted_ (November) The British band the Hollow Men has survived through the ups and downs of changing labels to release their first album in nearly four years on November Records, _Twisted_. The standout track on _Twisted_ is simply titled "Now". A combination of psychedelia and swirling guitars help propel this song through a series of twists and turns that epitomize the album's title. The influence of sounds shows through on the last track, the instrumental "Come With Me". This draws the listener back to the Manchester sound of the late 1980's (even though the group is from Leeds) or the early Pink Floyd of the late 1960's. Individual songs aren't the only link to Pink Floyd. Before each song, the group has interspersed soundbites, a detailed tour of the solar system (which is a prelude to the track "This Dark City") and even a blurb from an interview from Pink Floyd. "The experimental nature of the record is personified on the soundbites", drummer Jonny Cragg explains. "We used a lot of those kind of things on our first two releases - it always seemed to make things flow a little better". For fans who might wonder if this is the same Hollow Men who released 1990's critically acclaimed _Cresta_, the answer is yes. Their trials on _Twisted_ will prove successful to fans longing for a poppy, accessible version of the Manchester swirly sound. === Melting Hopefuls: _Space Flyer_ CD release party Under Acme, NYC July 1, 1994 - by P. Nina Ramos This was my first cd release party. I love this job!!! - a gathering of record industry folks for a night of music and free booze! Trish, the Editor's-in-Chief's kid sister, and I were psyched to try our luck at another Consumable assignment. (Last time we were supposed to cover a Primus show, but we got to the City too late. Whoops...!) Downstairs, the club's interior was a personality devoid combination of purple velvet curtains and ceiling-mounted Christmas lights -both set against austere black painted walls. The small room was crowded with a good many disinterested schmoozers and a few honest fans. *I missed open bar.* So, underage Trish and I grabbed some drinks anyway and waited for the Hopefuls to kick it. Given that I hadn't had a chance to listen to the _Space Flyer_ CD before the show, it was up to the band's live performance to impress me, but they weren't all that impressive, to tell the truth. On stage they came across as a bit full of themselves. To the group's credit, the member's were in total sync, complementing each other, producing a very solid sound. Still, they just didn't retain my attention. A sure sign that I'm not entertained at a show is when I come home with film in my camera, and in this case, we left with three unused rolls. To be fair, I should stop ranting about the Melting Hopeful's mediocre live appearance. _Space Flyer_ is a well-produced combination of charm and fun, and it'll be enjoyed for all its light-hearted edginess. For all I know they may be the next Smashing Pumpkins. === Wet Wet Wet - _Part One_ (London) - by Bob Gajarsky To call Wet Wet Wet an "alternative" act is only appropriate if one thinks alternative means "no pop hits". In that case, Wet Wet Wet qualifies in the United States; 10 of the 12 tracks on the greatest hits compilation _Part One_ have never even remotely cracked the American pop charts. However, it appears that Wet Wet Wet has made a breakthrough in the U.S. with their cover of the Troggs' "Love Is All Around", which also appears in the movie _Four Weddings and A Funeral_. The song, which has already spent 11 weeks at number one in the United Kingdom, has all the makings of a big hit here - familiar tune, soundtrack publicity and an adult contemporary edge which seems to be sweeping the nation. In fact, that's the best way to classify the Scottish band which has notched up 12 U.K. top 20 hits - adult contemporary. Not quite as commercial as Michael Bolton, but a sound which is a bit safer than Crowded House or Aztec Camera. The best track on the collection is definitely the 1987 single, "Wishing I Was Lucky". The poppy beat has an irresistible hook - a personal favorite of this reviewer upon its issue 7 years ago, and still a favorite today. One noticable omission from the U.S. compilation is the band's cover of the Beatles "With A Little Help From My Friends". The single, which went to #1 in the U.K., was backed by Billy Bragg's "She's Leaving Home" as part of a British charity compilation album _Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father_. Wet Wet Wet don't break any ground with their music. But for fans of either adult contemporary music or bands such as Crowded House and Aztec Camera, _Part One_ is a good way to catch up with a band overlooked in the United States. === In my dreams, I dream of O.J. Simpson - by Jethro Napoleon O.J. Simpson running across a football field, avoiding opposing players as he runs to make the touchdown. Suddenly the scene changes and its O.J. running across a crowded airport terminal weaving in and out between commuting passengers, making his way to the Hertz counter . Grabbing the keys from the young female clerk, he then runs to his White Ford Bronco, jumps in and speeds wildly down the Los Angeles Freeway... In my dreams O.J. Simpson is always on the move.. Which is I guess why it pains me so to see the man sit so still in the courtroom every day. Barely moving; sometimes it seems, barely awake. But, not as much as it pains me to see the rate at which this issue has gone from obscurity to overkill in such a short time. Faster than O.J. Simpson across an empty freeway... When people talk of computers and technology it is often to speak of the speed at which things are done. But lately I've begun to wonder if such speed is such a great thing... The only thing speed really allows you is more time to do more things, seldom do people use technology to do things quicker so they can rest. More often than not, it has been a tool of business to squeeze more out of a worker. To get more for his money... Speed has made its place in our entertainment, from 2 hour movies to 2 1/2 minute music videos, it has moved into our games, how quickly have we gone from Monopoly to Doom. Even our mail, from 4 days for a letter to 4 (minutes? seconds?) for E-Mail. And with each attempt to make things quicker our attention span grows shorter and shorter...Just watch the news for a week...Presidential Haircuts, Women who claim to have slept with the president, D-Day, Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Kurt Cobain, Nancy Kerrigan, the Menendez brothers; who can forget Joey Buttafucco..We are flooded with information, have it beaten into our head for a few days and then we are moved on to the next subject.. Thousands are found in mass graves in Rwanda, there is barely a mention, but O.J. Simpson's lawyer is about to make a statement, and they break into programming..... This week I'm staying with friends who don't own a television, computer or VCR. I couldn't believe it..what on earth do these people do I thought? Well, it turns out they read, they talk, they play board games. the pace of there life is slower, it seems they have more time, they aren't as hurried...(the exact same luxuries that computers were supposed to give us). It has me to review things.. So now, as I hear about Intel's P666 chip (you know the one, where they had to sell their soul to free themselves of the x86 architecture) that can carry out instructions before they are even thoughts in your head, I turn off my terminal, pour a glass of lemonade and think of Steve Wozniak.... === NEWS: Not all encompassing, but tidbits we've gotten since the last issue. This week's news happens to be some of "These things won't be happening." CAUSE & EFFECT do not have any touring dates. However, they recently played at a charity benefit concert in Los Angeles. ERASURE will not be touring in support of _I Say, I Say, I Say_. Andy Bell and Vince Clarke will be returning back to the studio in September to begin recording their next album. MORRISSEY, whose American tour was previously postponed, has no plans for any tour dates at this time. In addition, his duet with Siouxie (of Siouxie and the Banshees) will not be released (at this time) in the United States. U.K. act OASIS will have their debut album released next Tuesday, August 23, in the States through Sony Distribution. West Coast OGLIO RECORDS, best known for its standout 1980's compilations of tracks and versions not available on CD, has announced several new releases. The "Flashback Cafe", based on the label's highly successful "Flashback Favorites" series, targets tracks which are lighter in the alternative genre. Some of the groups which have been selected for the compilation include The Art of Noise, Freur, Crowded House, Dream Academy, Johnny Hates Jazz and Tears For Fears. Also slated for Oglio release is "Punk University", which traces the early days of punk rock through bands such as the Ramones, Iggy Pop and the Adolescents. More news as these releases see the light of record shops. === SARAH MCLACHLAN tour dates are as follows: Sept 12 Portland, Maine State Theatre Sept 14 Boston Berkley Sept 16 Washington, DC Lisener Sept 17 New York Beacon Theatre Sept 18 Philadelphia Keswick Sept 20/21 Atlanta Variety Sept 22 Tampa Ritz Sept 24 Dallas Majestic Sept 26 Denver TBA Sept 28 Los Angeles Wiltern Sept 29 San Francisco Merlin Auditorium Sept 30 Portland TBA Oct 1 Seattle TBA === BLUR tour dates are as listed below. The Washington/Baltimore and Pontiac / Detroit dates are tentative at press time: Sept 9 Toronto, Ontario Ontario Place Forum Sept 10 New York The Academy Sept 12 Philadelphia Trocodero Sept 13 Boston Avalon Ballroom Sept 14 Washington/Baltimore WUST Music Hall or Concert Hall Sept 16 Pontiac / Detroit Industry or State Theatre Sept 17 Chicago Vic Theatre Sept 19 Atlanta Masquerade Sept 21 Dallas Deep Ellum Live Sept 24 Los Angeles Fairfax High Auditorium Sept 25 San Francisco The Fillmore === ====THE READERS WRITE From Karen W.- I absolutely loved the piece on brain surgery and am planning to study it for the next occasion that my husband is grumping around about the house about having a headache. BTW, brain surgery on a female would have to be done through the roof of the mouth so that the hair and make-up do not get messed up. --- From Cheryl B. Thanks for the issues of Consumable w/ the NIN review. You've made my evening! I'm a telecommuting programmer/analyst and when I got off the system at work and decided to have some fun while listening to Ministry there was some fun stuff to download. This may sound too coincidental to be true, but while I was putting the printed pages of Consumable in order, I noticed the review of 'Shirley' by L7 with the reference to 'Jesus Built My Hotrod' and you'll never guess what I was listening to at the time... what a riot! I'd like to stick with the on-line Consumable. The issues are well written and I'll look forward to reading the new ones as they come out. (MGR EDITOR'S NOTES: Thanks for the kind words. We're hoping to have some expanded coverage in the next few issues, so keep your eyes open for those. And, in the next few weeks, we're expecting to have reviews for the Barenaked Ladies, Raiders of the Lost Art (an Old School/New School compilation), album releases of two bands from the New Music Seminar (Oasis, XCNN), more tour dates and a look at the new genre of music - loosely called "adult alternative" - that is being fueled around the country. As always, your comments are welcome! Until next time...)