Go-Betweens - Return of The Go-Betweens

October 19 2000
The band’s 75 minute set mixed old and new, with the full band sound being really effective on the “big” songs like “Right Here” and “Spring Rain.” I was frankly surprised to hear two solo songs in the set, Robert’s “Baby Stones” and Grant’s “Easy Come Easy Go.” But you have to think that Robert can’t resist the theatricality inherent in “Baby Stones,” with makes it such a stand out in a live setting.

New York Dolls - From Paris With Love

New York Dolls: Sylvain Sylvain (vocals, guitar, piano); Mister Johnny Thunders (vocals, guitar); David Johansen (vocals, gongs); Jerry Nolan (drums, percussion); Killer Kane (bass). New York Dolls: David Johansen (vocals, harmonica); Johnny Thunders, Sylvain Sylvain (guitar); Arthur Kane (bass guitar); Jerry Nolan (drums). Recording information: Radio-Luxembourg (1974); Paris, France.
This live album captures Johansen, Thunders, Sylvain, Kane & Nolan at their peak. The percussive thrash and mangled vocals of 'Personality Crisis', 'Pills' and 'Vietnamese Baby' show how they were the obvious prototype for the Sex Pistols and a 1000 other punk acts. Sympathy For The Record Industry.

Calexico - Black Heart

This seven track EP is the latest offering from Calexico, American purveyors of desert-noir rock. Joey Burns and John Convertino, the brains behind Calexico have delivered an EP that serves almost as a showcase for just what this Arizona based band can offer. Calexico switch seamlessly from the simmering anguish in the tormented falsetto melodies and eerie haunting strings of title-track

Black Heart to flamenco style Quattro and back again finishing with a live performance of Black Heart with Attack El Robot! Attack!, up-tempo Pepita and a third version of Black Heart completing the track listing. In Black Heart, Calexico have presented an EP that is as memorable for its diversity as its melodies. Its only downfall may be that three versions of Black Heart may be a little unnecessary. The EP featuring the above exclusive b-sides and remixes is released on April 19th

Dears - No Cities Left

"Some of us here don't know shit/ Some of us don't even want to know." – Murray Lightburn, from "There Goes My Outfit"

The worst kept secret in Montreal is back with the most hotly anticipated Canadian indie rock album of the year. With their political standpoint becoming less vague with every release, The Dears' career trajectory likens that of Elbow more and more (no wonder the UK loves them). If you really enjoyed the lazy, progressive, and orchestral aspects of The Dears' back catalogue, you're in for a slight disappointment. Where once they seemed like a pop-rock band that grew tired of mainstream love manifestations and decided to grow up and expand, Gang Of Losers makes it seem like they grew tired of that and decided to just attack the headlines with simple, morose rock. There is still a heavy piano/keyboard presence in their sound, but that sound has obviously taken a back seat. Murray Lightburn's lyrics graze the subjects of fear-mongering, public apathy, and other forms of 21st century alienation more vividly that ever before. However, the more rawk that gets added to the mix, the more Murray's voice is stretched, arguably beyond believability. The screaming on "Bandwagoneers" is probably supposed to be emotional, except singing that far out of his aptly dulcet range makes it come off as amateurish. Falsetto aside, "Death Or Life We Want You" and "Fear Made The World Go 'Round" stay comfortably in his zone while exhibiting some interesting, new-to-them guitar sounds, but still most tracks seem like a small step in the wrong direction. So, no, this isn't the sound of The Dears taking it to the next level, but the level they're on is still pretty solid.

Dears - Gang of Losers


Gang of Losers is a classic Dears album in terms of its complex musical and thematic range, veering from instant pop hits to oppressive ballads to lullaby show tunes. But what’s most remarkable about Gang of Losers is that within the complicated lyrical and musical scheme, Lightburn’s humour and humanity shine through the heavy-handed themes. In the end, forgiveness, of the self and the other, wins. “I need this song,” Lightburn wails in “Find Our Way to Freedom,” relenting, as he exchanges hate for love and mercy. And we need these songs, this album, too: if only to counter the world’s indifference, and soothe the inner loser that thrives on all our worst fears.

Radiohead - Hail To The Thief


A return to there old guitaring days? Not really. Still its s damn good album, more guitars then Kid A and Amnesiac, although still on the same string of eery soundscapes and electronica. However, doesnt quite catch you like The Bends, and doesnt inspire you quite like OK Computer. However listeing to the whole album is good and there are some quality tracks such as 2+2=5, There There, Go To Sleep and Wolf at the Door. As good as Kid A, and definitely will bring back some of the fans put off buy their electronic antics

Hoobastank - Hoobastank

Hoobastank is definitely not offering anything extraordinary or artsy. The music is traditional progressions and such, though both Markku and Dan are no doubt better than some of the other nu-metal guitarists in the scene now. The lyrics are not anything special, but Doug�s voice certainly is. Hoobastank is just an album that wants to get you moving and maybe even banging your head. And though the goal is accomplished with feverous vigor at points, the album ends up sounding generic. Many of the songs just lack originality. If you just want some straight up rock, I would suggest looking into this album. But if your looking for something that pushes the boundaries and defies the laws, your not going to find it here. Overall, Hoobastank is a confused project that aims to please, but gets lost in itself.

Radiohead - Amnesiac

The synopsis: Amnesiac is a good album. It is not a masterpiece like OK Computer. It feels like a companion to Kid A. The two might be halves of a double album. If Kid A frightened you, beware, although I tend to think Amnesiac would have made a more comfortable transition from OK Computer than Kid A. If you liked Kid A, you're probably in for a treat as long as you don't mind a little treading water between releases.

And if you haven't heard any Radiohead since "Creep"... I'd like to be there when you find out the same band made this album.

Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers

I loved the Withe Stripes... until I listened to The Raconteurs, I hate to say this... but everybody who was saying "Jack White needs a complete band" were correct. The Raconteurs cannot be compared to The White Stripes musically, as their styles differ enough to fit in different categories, but the comparison point can be made in Jack's performance: he sounds way happier here, every single word, every single note shows a delightful love for music. Benson and the Greenhouse boys make it even better, everybody's performance is with the purpose of making the others look good, that's the way music should sound. As long as Jack's as happy as with in this album, we'll be even happier. A must-have for the lovers of rock.