INDEPENDENT MUSIC REVIEWS
- Al Muzer
REVIEW: Suran Song In Stag, Shiny Objects
As catchy a group of potential hits that'll never hit as you're gonna find anywhere else this year; Suran (lyrics, vocals, action images) Song boasts a truly lovely vocal range, a spot-on bunch'a melodic-quirksters (including Claude Coleman Jr. and Dave Urbano) backing her, a uniquely-twisted world view and the unusual gift of turning everyday observations, disjointed phrases, disconnected words and simple directions to a beauty supply store into songs you can't get out of your head for days.
Fans of Ween, Beck, Ani DiFranco and The Breeders will be especially delighted, but, given half a chance, this stuff should prove addictive to just about anyone with half a brain, half a clue and half-an-hour to spare.
Suran can be contacted via e-mail at ssong@simstar.com
REVIEW: Evelyn Forever, Nightclub Jitters (Airplay)
The hooks and harmonies hinted at on last year's demo debut by this amazingly talented Jersey four-piece are a full-blown, fully-developed force to be reckoned with on their first full-length effort.
Sportin' four (count 'em!) truly unforgettable, radio-ready, potential hits, the Beatles-inspired "Rock 'N' Roll Girl"; the brilliant, Cure-ish blast of"17"; a peppy burst of sing-along angst ("What I Need"); and the ringing popattack of "Double Dip" , the obvious singles are bolstered by strong support tracks (the rollicking "Wonderful," the giddy rush of "Never Once" and the full-bore assault of "Telephone" earn special mention) that are the sonic equivalent of what passes for "A" tracks on countless major label releases. A young band clearly destined for something bigger than New Brunswick, New Jersey.
The Airplay label can be contacted at PO Box 851, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 or e-mail: gimchipop@aol.com
REVIEW: Bionic Rhoda, Bionic Rhoda (Powerbunny)
Their bio claims that the group, "hopes to use the album as a tool to widen their fanbase." One listen to "Charm", "Douglass Fresh" or "Gum Cemetery" by any semi-savvy A&R-type should be morethan enough to ensure a very broad fan base for this inspired five-piece unit.
Kicking things off with the sparse, moody, slightly off-kilter wail andcuriously compelling beat of "Charm" , Bionic Rhoda (great logo!) reach outand grab, and hold, your undivided attention throughout this generally brilliant, Claude (Ween) Coleman Jr.-produced effort.
Whether they're careening wildly through blasts of intense, Only Ones-stylepunk pop ("Chili Dog"); a funked-out stoner shuffle ("Souped Up Soft Drink");a Dickies-meets-Monkees raveup ("Douglass Fresh"); an energetic slice of jangle-pop ("Blessed Cow"); a bit of lilting, deceptively simple Hollies-fluff("Tricycle"); some hard-edged alterna-churn ("Ben & Ben" or "Macabee"); atwitchy, Peter Gabriel-like [early Genesis seems to've had something of an influence on the band] wall of glass-shattering angst ("How I Survived A Disfiguring Car Accident"); or a wild Todd Rundgren-meets- Sweet-inspired romp through the depths of boogie-metal that leaves you breathless ("Gum Cemetery"), Bionic Rhoda don't let up for a second on an album that has what it takes to land it on the charts and playlists with minimal A&R effort.
Powerbunny can be contacted, at PO Box 792, New Brunswick, NJ 08903 or via scavone@rci.rutgers.edu .
