=============================================================[August 29, 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 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 REVIEW: Barenaked Ladies, _Maybe You Should Drive_ - Bob Gajarsky REVIEW: Consolidated, _Business of Punishment_ Martin Bate REVIEW: Hoodoo Gurus, _Crank_ - Bob Gajarsky REVIEW: Killing Joke, _Pandemonium_ - Bob Gajarsky REVIEW: Popinjays, _Tales From The Urban Prairie_ - Martin Bate REVIEW: Various Artists, _Raiders of the Lost Art_ - Scott Williams REVIEW: XC-NN, _XC-NN_ - Bob Gajarsky CONCERT REVIEW: Weird Al Yankovic, New York City, August 21 - Bob Gajarsky NEWS: New Upcoming Releases! TOUR NEWS: Sarah McLachlan Sony Legacy Reissues Rhythm & Soul classics. An INTERESTING! 'zine - Bob Gajarsky The Readers Write! ============================================================================== FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR Several people have asked if they can get Consumable sent in a "PKZIPped" format. For the uninitiated, that means the 'zine is sent, compressed, which takes up less space through the e-mail. It also fools those places, such as Prodigy, that charge ridiculous sums of money, per e-mail message, into thinking you haven't received something very large. You need to know how to do PKZIP/PKUNZIP - but if you do, and want Consumable in that format, please let us know at gajarsky@pilot.njin.net Next issue, look for the review of the new Green Jelly release, an interesting Swedish singer named Idha, and more. That issue will be on September 19. Until then, don't forget to party this Labor Day weekend, as the summer comes to a close. - Bob Gajarsky --- REVIEW: Barenaked Ladies - _Maybe You Should Drive_ (Sire) Remember the high school and college buddies, the ones you hung out with? The good times you had with them? And how some of those buddies have gotten three kids and changed so much from what you remember? Well, Canada's Barenaked Ladies have imitated those college buddies. Their first album, _Gordon_, showed the wit and quirkiness of college - and their second, _Maybe You Should Drive_, has the maturity, but is more laid back, just like that father of three. The rise of the Ladies is one which is both exciting and heartwarming. The band formed in 1988 and toured extensively throughout Canada and England, with an enthusiastic fan base growing at each stop. The band was known to busk (perform) outside clubs on the same evening, to entice passers-by to come in and watch the show. And, at that point, the people would be hooked. Catchy titles immersed some of their works, such as the (never recorded) song "I'm In Love With A McDonald's Girl". The 1991 released of their independent five-song EP became the best selling independent album in Canadian history. Five Canadian hits (and many awards) later, the band had established a solid foothold in their native Canada, but couldn't break into the United States. The American perception of the band was as a novelty act, based on the radio airplay of "Be My Yoko Ono" and "Brian Wilson". Musical references in the first album also included the New Kids on the Block (not in a positive way) and Milli Vanilli, and snippets of music based on (but not sampled from) the Housemartins, Rush, Styx and the Peanuts theme. At their shows, including four sold out shows at New York City's Bottom Line, the band flawlessly performed a cover of Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" and a medley of current pop hits in a perfectly timed dance. But, at that show, it was evident the band was determined to change the American image - that the band wasn't "serious" enough. One of the songs played on the "Mr. Rockin's All-You-Can-Eat Salad Bar Tour" was a cover of the Bruce Cockburn track, "Lovers In A Dangerous Time". Another song first performed on this tour, which appears on _Maybe You Should Drive_, is the haunting "You Will Be Waiting". With a slight resemblance to XTC, this could be one of *the* big adult contemporary hits of late 1994 / early 1995. So, how is the rest of _Drive_? There are three songs which really grabbed my ear - "A", which keeps all of the pop references and humor of _Gordon_ intact ("A is for Fonzie - cuz he was very cool"), "Alternative Girlfriend" - which will probably be the group's second single, and "Life In A Nutshell" , where "Her Barbie's always did it on the first date". They're all upbeat, and irresistibly catchy. However, from someone who just loved bopping around to "Grade 9", that fun is removed from the Barenaked Ladies. The first single, "Jane", may succeed in getting people to take the Ladies seriously, but it shouldn't be the album's first single. "Everything Old Is New Again" is a Paul McCartney sounding song, with inspiration from Lennon - but at age 45, instead of 25. And that's what's right and wrong with the new Barenaked Ladies album. In the quest to be accepted as serious artists, they've lost some of the wit and humor that made them such a special act. The musicians ARE good - and fun. I can guarantee that the band's concerts in support of _Drive_ will be outstanding - they can't have lost the ability to crack jokes in between the songs, and their dance medley on their last tour was priceless. But, while their last album created a pop euphoria, their new album conjures up images of James Taylor, Tracy Chapman and Paul McCartney. It's not bad at all. And if you liked "What A Good Boy" or "The Flag" from _Gordon_, you'll definitely love _Maybe You Should Drive_. It's just not what I was expecting from one of the freshest new bands in music. --- REVIEW: CONSOLIDATED _Business of Punishment_ (London) This is Consolidated's fourth full length album, and their first for a major. Given Consolidated's left-wing politics, the latter fact will no doubt upset several long term fans. Jeez......just wait till they hear the music! This is a far more focused album in terms of style and mood than its eclectic predecessor _Play More Music_. So while it sounds more 'mature' (shades of singer Adam Sherbourne's Childman solo-project creep in) it's also not quite as exciting as before. The humour is not so evident (how people could listen to the last album and still call them po-faced I don't know!) and there is little evidence of the adrenaline overload that characterised songs such "Tool and Die". On the plus side however, the album hangs together better and never reaches the lows of some of the more indulgent, all-message, no-song, stuff on the last album and so things even out to make it another 'good album'. Style? We're talking equal parts rock, rap (although they tend to keep those separate) and industrial noise, beats and samples. In addition, there's a sizeable 70's funk influence in the pimp keyboards and wah-wah guitar that crop up in several songs, and bits of jazz and blues make an appearance in the mix. Lyrically, it's more or less business as usual. They've turned away from some of the more well-worn topics such as racism and homophobia and instead take a look at issues such as prostitution, pornography, abortion rights ("If you've memorised your civil rights don't forget one - If you don't want an abortion don't *get* one!"), AIDS, the US penal system, record company manipulation, the 90's 'alternative' music culture, the list goes on. They were recently kicked off House of Pain's European tour after a grand total of one night (!) for being "too political" - so don't come in here expecting shallow rhetoric on the PC holy trinity of racism, sexism & homophobia. Consolidated aim to tell the average person something they *don't* know! They've dispensed with the monologues and rants - almost everything here is a *song*. Which means that while they're more accessible - in the current music and political climate, I see no reason why the MTV generation shouldn't take this album and its messages into their homes and hearts - they've lost a little bit of what many people regarded made Consolidated Consolidated. But overall, recommended. --- REVIEW: Hoodoo Gurus - _Crank_ (Zoo) (Release Date: Sept 13) The Australian pop-rock group Hoodoo Gurus have returned to the music scene with their latest release, _Crank_. The title may as well be what you should do to your radio knob - as in, "Crank it up!". Alternative radio should jump all over the first track, "The Right Time", which brings back the melodic guitars that were an integral part of the band's most successful song to date, "Come Anytime". And, yes, lead singer David Faulkner is back on vocals as well. There's some twists on the album - "Gospel Train" has a Stones-ish, "19th Nervous Breakdown" quality to it, while "Nobody" shows the lighter side of the Gurus - a slowly strummed guitar, similar to the traditional "House of The Rising Sun" - while lead singer Faulkner "I don't want nobody if I don't have you." Drums kick in for the second stanza - well, you KNEW the band wouldn't stay slow for long - to pack a powerful punch to the track. Looking for other bands to compare the Gurus with? I'd mention, in addition to some of the Rolling Stones material, early 1980's Clash, a drug-free and polished Nirvana, and the non-folksy bands who were in attendance at the first Woodstock. The band is now on their third U.S. label, but still continues to produce quality material. I can't see the Hoodoo Gurus bringing in new fans, but with _Crank_, old fans should still be satisfied. If you like guitars and drums in a rock and roll setting, _Crank_ is for you. --- REVIEW: Killing Joke, _Pandemonium_ (Zoo) In the 1980's, before Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Helmet, or any of the loud, industrial bands that have taken the alternative world by storm, there was Killing Joke. The innovators in thrash - Jaz Coleman on vocals and keyboards, Geordie on guitar, and Youth on bass - have returned to cause _Pandemonium_ in 1994. Top tracks include the title track and "Millenium". Turn it up and let the power resonate you - thrash hasn't sounded so good in a while. If you thought that Nine Inch Nails' _Pretty Hate Machine_ was just a tad compromising to be socially acceptable at 2 in the morning - and thought that frat boys shouldn't dance to it (OK, I was one. Proud, but my brothers wouldn't know another track from _PHM_) - well, _Pandemonium_ is a perfect album to call home. The ironic part is where the band's members have been since Killing Joke last released an album. Coleman relocated to New Zealand and composed for world renowned orchestras including the Cairo and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras. Geordie continued honing his own guitar style and Youth, after a brief stint in the British pop band Brilliant, has become a super producer working with artists including The Orb, Crowded House and The Firemen, better known as Paul McCartney. Killing Joke has released a masterpiece in a world of bands that clone the groups which drew their inspiration from Killing Joke, circa 1984. It's good to see these alternative veterans have returned to their roots, thrash and industrial music, without sarcificing their integrity. A must get for anyone who needs their industrial strength thrash fix. --- REVIEW: POPINJAYS _Tales From the Urban Prairie_ (Epic / One Little Indian) Having never heard the Popinjays before, I can't vouch for what their previous two albums were like. The press release describes them as being whimsical pop with synthesised keyboard and drum sounds. This would mean that _Tales_ is a definite change of direction. So, what do we have ? Well, on the whole, it's female fronted accoustic pop-tinged with a little country and western and folk. The singer has a pure, clear voice - a little lacking in variety over the 10 tracks, but soothing on the ear. At best, the songs approach the country-tinged laments that American Music Club made their name on, albeit with a fraction of Mark Eitzel's heart-tearing vocals and lyrics. The lyrical theme here is that of love and relationships - or to be more exact *a* relationship. Hint: even if all your lyrics *are* about the one relationship, don't make it sound that way. More variety means that people think you're a red-hot lover and they don't get bored so quickly with your six-form poetry. Anybody's 17 year-old sister could write the majority of the stuff here. At worst, one or two songs approach the air-brushed whimsy that Wilson Philips (remember them ?) made their money on, but on average, they make clear, pleasant pop music which won't offend anyone and might even break a few hearts. The two stand-outs are, unsurprisingly, the songs where we get a change of pace. "Feelin" comes in near the start as an upbeat drumless poppy number, and the album finishes off on "Drive the Train" - with its electric guitar, and gasping breathy vocals, its rough edges are more than welcome. For fans of accoustic pop, this may be worth checking out. --- REVIEW: Various Artists, _Raiders Of The Lost Art_ (Scotti Bros. Records) *** (out of 4) Let's lay it down. Hip-hop is all about style and skills, and, given the genre's minimalist composition, it exposes Sucka MCs faster than Pat Boone can say "Tutti Frutti." Likewise, and for the most part, the old schoolers fell off because they couldn't swing with the newjacks any longer. Witness, the stillborn comeback attempts from: the Fat Boys, Prince Markie Dee, RUN D.M.C., etc. With this CD, however, most of the old dogs prove that they can still chill. Whodini and Kurtis Blow(!), in particular, have virtually reinvented themselves -not exactly flowing with the leaders of the new school, but certainly packing the juice to do some serious damage. In fact, it sounds like Blow has gotten all Cali-fied in his retirement; his laid back lyrical delivery has West Coast written *all* over it. Though inevitably disqualified from O.G. status because of his New York lineage, Kurtis Blow still provides enough bump to make South Central jump on it's hydraulic suspensions. There are other standouts. Rap's first superstars, The Furious Five, make poignant inner-city commentary with "Sun Don't Shine", while Busy Bee proves once again that he can still out-battle his perennial rival, Kool Moe Dee. Actually, that brings us to the soft points of the compilation. Made painfully apparent on his two tracks, Kool Moe's style has not evolved with the times. In fact, he's even outclassed by his old side crew, the Treacherous Three, with whom he shares one song. Proving, however, that the old school sound's still got flava, legendary mack grandaddy, Africa Bambatta thoroughly kicks it on infectious dance track, "Do the Cooley." Old fans will remember, 1981's "Planet Rock", the closing track fully characterizing old school's funk-friendly braggadocio. Hip-hop's James Brown, Bambatta paved the way for generations of MCs and bares his soul sonic force some 22 years later. _Raiders_ is mostly fresh yet sometimes flawed, much like the urban streets where hip-hop was born. Regardless, this old school throwdown is on wax and is certainly worth the admission. For b-boys who've gotta peep what their old heroes have been up to, or for "Nintendo Generation" kids who've finally realized that Snoop's been biting Slick Rick's 10 year-old rhymes, _Raiders of the Lost Art_ is a worthy (but not indispensable) reference. So, 187 the wack shit; the crew is back in `94! --- REVIEW: XC-NN - _XC-NN_ (Sony 550 Music) (Release Date: September) Several weeks ago, we reviewed the live performance of British group XC-NN (7/29 issue of Consumable) and openly wondered if the band's debut album would match up to the marvelous live performance. Well, I'm glad to report the verdict is in, and the answer is yes. The British rock band was originally named CNN after the international news network; the band wanted "The name of a multinational or product, something fast or current". Just like the music. Of course, the lawyers stepped in. How the big conglomerate heard of a band which had released one single (on the UK indie, Transglobal) is beyond me, but the joke was up. What to switch to when you're no longer CNN? XC-NN - and the name stuck. The band consists of lead vocalist David Tomlinson, drummer Neill Lambert, Nick Witherick on bass and Tim Bricheno, formerly of All About Eve and Sisters of Mercy, on guitars. When you hear Sisters of Mercy, the word "gothic" comes to mind. But when you hear XC-NN, gothic is the furthest thing from the mind. "Official" samples couple the tracks "She Comes Through The Fair" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful" with metal tracks; I suspect that there are many more unofficial samples throughout. The first U.S. radio track, "Young, Stupid and White", dares to take on British popsters such as Brett Anderson (Suede), Mich Hucknall (Simply Red) and Jamiroquai by labelling them "young, stupid and white". The lyrics first bash their type by screaming "this ain't rock and roll" - it almost sounds like the Cult has been sampled in this track - and then storms in with the question "What do you do there in your ivory tower / bating in your golden shower?" It's sure not politically correct, but I doubt XC-NN cares. "Biroland", the leadoff track on the disc, pays homage to some 1980's Killing Joke style riffs, while "Looking Forward", with guitars that sound like Jim Steinman on speed, has Tomlinson singing about looking forward to the day I stop breathing. Disparaging? Perhaps. Highly addictive music? You bet. If you like Faith No More or the Cult, you'll love XC-NN. --- CONCERT REVIEW: Weird Al Yankovic, New York City, August 21. The first rule with Weird Al, especially in concert, is NOT to think of his songs as originals. Although half of his albums constitute of original tracks, the reason for their sales can be directly attributed to the parodies he performs on many of pop music's icons. In fact, I'd say that much of his popularity gleans from his videos, which often mock up the "real" videos. So, Al's an entertainer. And, at New York's Bottom Line, he gave an all-ages (!) audience 60 minutes worth of entertainment. Coupled with television sets to either side of the stage (which were usually on with short spoof clips while Al and the band changed costumes), the band went through twelve of his songs, plus a "food" medley, in hilarious fashion. The "Fabulous Food Medley" showed the band's (and Al's) mettle. Although Al's introduction of the medley was exaggerated as "all the songs ever written", he went through 11 of his parodies which all related to food. During this set, they went through several costume changes, the most notable ones during "Taco Grande" (where they did a cheezy fake gangster dance), "Green Eggs and Ham" (to the tune of U2's "Numb", Al read from the famous Dr. Seuss book while his manager wrapped rope around him), and his best known song, "Eat It", where he wore the red jacket Michael Jackson made famous in the early 1980's. Other costume changes? Wow, there's too many to mention. He wore a sweatband a la Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits during that parody; the band wore cowboy outfit during the Billy Ray Cyrus sendoff; "Smells Like Nirvana" was respectfully dedicated to the memory of Kurt Cobain as the band was dressed in grunge outfits (and Al threw water on the audience); "Bedrock Anthem had the band in "caveman" outfits - and the best one, "Fat", had Al out in his 400 pound outfit - complete with crotch grabbing (a la the gloved one), dancing and a fake face that made him look huge. "One More Minute", probably Al's best known original, is a knock at some of the "cry for me" ballads of the late 50's. He sang most of the song while in the audience at the feet of various women. One surprise for the audience was when Al "previewed" a song which will appear on his next album. "Headline News" chronicled the fates of Tonya Harding, the Bobbitts, and the caned American teenager, as set to the Crash Test Dummies "Mmmm Mmm Mmmm". It's not for everyone. Most people won't appreciate the humour of Al - and even those who have seen one or two of his videos may not get it. But if you're willing to have an open mind, see a group of good musicians, and permit Al to entertain you, his 1994 tour won't let you down. LISTING: Beverly Hillbillies, Lasagna, Bohemian Polka, One More Minute, Generic Blues, Fabulous Food Medley (see below), Jurassic Park, Achy Breaky Song, Smells Like Nirvana, Bedrock Anthem, Fat, Headline News, Yoda Fabulous Food Medley consisted of: Rocky XIV, I Love Rocky Road, Chicken Pot Pie (to "Live and Let Die"), The White Stuff, Spam, My Bologna, Taco Grande, Addicted to Spuds, Green Eggs and Ham (to "Numb"), Livin' In The Fridge, Eat It REMOVED FROM SET BEFORE SHOW: Frank's 2000" TV, You Don't Love Me Anymore --- NEW UPCOMING RELEASES which might be of interest: August 30 - New albums by: Laurie Anderson, Dinosaur Jr., Marianne Faithfull (Best Of), Nylons, Oasis, Pale Saints September 6 - Bad Religion, The Bobs, Joe Cocker, Cop Shoot Cop, Single Gun Theory, Sugar September 13 - Peter Gabriel (2 CD live), Hoodoo Gurus, If I Were A Carpenter (Trbiute disc), Sinead O'Connor, Soup Dragons, Swing Out Sister, They Might Be Giants, You Got Lucky (Tom Petty tribute disc) September (sometime): XC-NN --- TOURING: SARAH McLACHLAN is still on her _Fumbling Towards Ecstasy_ tour. She'll finish the North American leg of the tour on Oct. 1 and then she's off to tour Europe. SINGLE GUN THEORY will be touring N. America for the month of September as her opening act. --- NEWS: Sony Legacy reissues. Sony Legacy has taken a stab at bringing yesterday's rhythm and soul to today's fans - on compact disc. The Rhythm & Soul series, which tackles artists who recorded on Columbia, Epic, T-Neck, Phildelphia International and other labels, was created the vibes of Saturday nights gone by. The series' first eight releases are as follows: Big Maybelle - The Complete Okeh Sessions, 1952-55 Cab Calloway - Are You Hep To The Jive? Isley Brothers - Beautiful Ballads O'Jays - Love Train O'Jays - In Philadelphia Various Artists - Lost Sould Chuck Willis - The Best of Chuck Willis 1951-1956 Bill Withers - Best of Bill Withers --- INTERESTING! 'zine? Well, these things pass through my box often, and occasionally I'll pass the information on. A 46 year old doctor, Richard Sagall, from Bangor, Maine has decided to collect a list of things "I find interesting", to quote the author, and write his own 'zine. Now, I must admit - I figured he'd include things such as "standing under a manhole cover while women pass overhead" - but that was before I found out his age - or read the 'zine. Instead, it's an intelligent compilation of interesting facts (Did you know druggists are more respected than police officers?), editorials (not necessarily by the author - the December, 1993 issue includes some on seatbelts, trade and caller ID) and goofball comparisons (on why Jesus was Elvis - or vice versa). Anyhow, if you're interested in more information on Interesting!, drop Rich a line at Rich24@AOL.COM. This is a print magazine; issues cost $3, but a sample copy is free. --- A WORD FROM THE READERS: Appreciate the quick turn around on my subscription request and I definitely enjoy the journal. I've been trying to find a good source to keep me in touch with new artists and I think Consumables fits that description. Also like the variety of the music covered as well as the concert listings. - A.B. --- I really can't believe it. You compare the Sundays to Frente! Frente! wishes they had the creative powers of the Sundays. I hate Frente! - Christopher (At least they've got that (!) in there.) --- I really like the attitude of your little journal. A lot of these computer zines are written by a bunch of real flunkies. It's good to see you guys doing something that's better than a first draft and can be understood by someone other than another hacker who doesn't like the sun. - Jon S. (In that case, you don't want to read our last letter...) --- I just received the two digests of recent Consumable Onlines. Loved them. Thanks for the band reviews, I feel inspired to go out and buy some music tonight! Just one geek comment to make about the Choose Your Motherboard article. There are two simple rules of thumb to keep in mind when making your choice. Firstly, what is the maximum amount of RAM allowed? The minimum to look for is a board that can handle 64Mb, or better yet, 128Mb. Keep in mind, however, that the board will probably be obsolete before you get around to fully populating it, and Windows doesn't particularly benefit from having more than 32-48Mb installed. Since 128Mb MBs still carry a price premium, weigh the benefits. The second rule is to look at the MB, and see if there are any patch wires that have been added. Not that this is necessarily A Bad Thing; it means, at least, that the engineers have found one error you would have otherwise come across. On the other hand, the odd machine that I have come across that contains a rat's nest of spaghetti patch cables on the MB has always been prone to sporadic crashes. And careful: the patches may be on the underside of the board, and so if it is already installed in a case, these may not visible by just taking off the lid. - David L. --- That's it for now.