Friday, May 3, 2024

Music

FEATURES

Oakenfolds Bunkka well-mixed

Tanee Elston
June 12, 2002

Electronic mixer Paul Oakenfold’s newest album, “Bunkka,” is high-energy music for all who love house laced with techno, hip-hop, electronic and pop. After listening to this British DJ’s CD three times, his well blended sounds indicate a musician with experience and vocals capable of keeping heads bobbing back and forth. The first track on the album, “Ready Steady Go,” is produced by Oakenfold and Andy Gray, with lead vocals by Asher D. The electronic and techno heavy song is definitely the bounce-off-the-walls track all the clubs will eat up. The song has no specific meaning, but you just find yourself moving to the beats. “Southern Sun,” the album’s second track, is more electronic with the smooth pop vocals of Carla Werner, one of the many guests on this electronic compilation. Her voice is similar to Celine Dion, and is perfect for the mellow electronic music. Werner’s beautiful voice lends even more significance to the song’s meaning - searching for peace. The third song, “Time of Your Life,” has a catchy chorus with slamming electronic drums and bass behind the monotone lead vocals of Grant Lee Phillips. The energetic tunes focus on reaching that point in your life simply known as the “Time of Your Life.” And much like great life experiences, the track is full of energy. The compilation’s highlight, “Get Em Up,” comes near the end of the album.

FEATURES

Korn remains untouchable

Ben Landes
June 12, 2002

This review is going to be biased, so you’ve been warned. I’ve been hooked to Korn ever since it revolutionized the music scene in 1994 with its self-titled debut.

FEATURES

Family issues continue to drive Eminem

Tanee Elston
June 5, 2002

Did the music industry really feel empty without Eminem? Well, that’s what the Detroit rapper believes. “Without Me,” the first single from “The Eminem Show,” proclaims the music business has a void when Eminem is missing. Eminem is back, and the usual drama that surrounds him is back as well. Most of his music is written from the everyday experiences in his life.

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R.L. poised for success with J Records

Tanee Elston
May 29, 2002

The year of J Records continues as R & B singer R.L. debuts his first solo album called “RL:Ements,” which features some of the hottest artists and music in the industry. R.L., formerly of the group Next, has ventured out on his own as an “R & B thug,” which he likes to refer to himself as in his music. He starts off the album slowly, allowing listeners to get to know him through the track “Elements.” The vocals on this song are emotional and honest as he opens up to his audience about the elements he’s composed of.

FEATURES

Deadsys debut album deserves a chance

Tanee Elston
May 22, 2002

“Commencement” is a combination of smoothly blended music and carefully written lyrics that metaphorically look into the depth of this group’s creativity. After five years of waiting on the music industry’s talent roster, Deadsy’s debut album kicks off with a lot of energy.

FEATURES

Chumbawamba should just quit

Ben Landes
May 22, 2002

England’s one-hit wonder Chumbawamba has returned with another album. Those of you who don’t remember the annoyingly overplayed and infectious 1997 anthem “Tubthumping,” off the groups 9th album “Tubthumper,” obviously didn’t own a radio or television. With the lyrics “I get knocked down/But I get up again/You’re never going to keep me down” - it’s a shame the band didn’t stay down.

FEATURES

Soluna ready to become next pop sensation

Tanee Elston
May 22, 2002

Soluna “For All Time” (DreamWorks Records) 2 1/2 records With the members of Destiny’s Child working on solo projects, DreamWorks Records’ new Latina pop group Soluna has all the makings to fill the void as the next girl group on the rise. One glance and you’ll realize it definitely has the look to make it.

FEATURES

Hills music continues to educate

Tanee Elston
May 15, 2002

If music really has a purpose then Lauryn Hill is a symbol of its ability to have meaning. Her new “MTV Unplugged 2.0” album is passionate and honest. Since Hill graced the world of hip-hop as the lead vocals for the Fugees, everyone knew she was something special.

FEATURES

Earshot, just more of a good thing

Ben Landes
May 15, 2002

For people paying attention to today’s music, it’s clear that it’s unfortunately falling into the same repetitive abyss and bringing nothing new to the table. But, this is not always a bad thing.

FEATURES

Record is amazing in many ways

Dan Julian
April 25, 2002

If the objective of Calliope is to approach each of its albums from slightly different angles, it reaches that goal with flying colors on its fourth record - arguably its best. Instead of basing a majority of its songs on samples that flood some of its earlier records, the band takes more of a stripped-down route and throws in samples only occasionally. The result is a beautiful collection of relaxing tunes that bring to mind artists such as Beck (ala “Mutations”), Bedhead, The For Carnation or Pink Floyd. What makes this band so fantastic isn’t the complex instrumental performance, it’s the mood and the song writing.

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Band plays honest rock on latest disc

Dan Julian
April 25, 2002

The organ is an instrument that can make or break a band’s sound. It’s a sound some bands use way too much - to the point where you want to pull the plug and throw it out the window. And although reagan?

FEATURES

Athlete comes through with decent third record

It’s easy to give up on the idea of athletes trying their hands at a music career. Remember in 1993 when Shaquille O’Neal released “Shaq Diesel”? Jack McDowell (aka Black Jack) was a Cy Young Award winning pitcher for the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, and even though he throws some wild pitches on his band’s third album, it deserves a listen. From the predictable swoon of “Olivia Mae” to the straightforward rockin’ “The Grave,” the entire album screams bar band. It’s not all bad, and there are driving songs that flow nicely, like “Just Like Them” and “Wedded Show.” But some of the songs, such as “Hey Man” are just wrong, sounding way too much like the Wallflowers or Foo Fighters rip-offs. “Long Drag” sounds like Eve 6 in ten years, while “One Down” and “The Grave” could easily pass as B-sides to Eagle Eye Cherry and Elastica (minus the female voice), respectively. McDowell’s guitar work carries a backbone of indie-rock appeal and a generous amount of the solos have strong Pixies influences. His voice weakens the overall effort largely because it’s so monotone.

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Mars disc is far out

Dan Julian
April 18, 2002

Listening to “No City Fun” is more than just great music, it’s a blurry and surreal expedition. From beginning to end, each song is driven by a relatively simple string pattern, and in the background a country guitar reveals itself and adds to the overall dreary mood. A lot of bands try to tackle this feat, but only a few succeed with precise songwriting.

FEATURES

Goo Goo Dolls much anticipated album is easily confused with earlier recordings

Writing a follow-up to a highly successful record must be quite a feat. Not only does the artist have the pressure of writing more hits that will remind its fans that it can still write really good songs, but it has the task of proving to harsh critics that it has staying power. I’m one of the critics who was quite skeptical about the newest by the Goo Goo Dolls.

FEATURES

Moth rocks with Provisions

What can you say about a band that just plain rocks? Each song on Moth’s third record couldn’t have been done better. Hailing from Ohio, the same state that spawned Nine Inch Nails, Devo and The Breeders, Moth contributes a solid major label debut by molding generous portions of geek rock in with some dark and satisfying love songs, such as “Lovers Quarrel,” one of the album’s best. Brad Stenz’s gritty vocals glide along the same horizon as U2’s Bono, and even occasionally slightly hints at Jeremy Enigk of the now defunct Sunny Day Real Estate. The music somehow manages to incorporate punk rock angst with a tint of spunk by nailing each song’s theme, whether it be bittersweet, relaxed or carefree. A decent number of songs on the record sound like they were written for radio airplay.

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RES deserves recognition for How I Do

by MARK HICKS For The State News RES is not a typical artist. A genre-crossing talent, RES (pronounced Reese) has produced a bold, daring, but pleasing first effort with “How I Do,” a record that has been overlooked by critics since its release last year. This album proves she deserves some mainstream recognition. She refuses to conform to one genre, blending hip-hop, soul, R&B, folk, organic pop, rock, drum ’n’ bass and electronica to create an adventurous, unique and refreshing sound miles above any typical R&B record - if it can be categorized as that. The disc opens with the lounge-y, drum ’n’ bass-styled “Golden Boys,” a social commentary of sorts in which RES admonishes the illusions created by “a prince in all of the magazines.” The orchestra-like instrumentals fuse with her fierce vocals to create an atmospheric, innovative cut that will leave listeners entranced. The best song is “They-Say Vision,” a pure pop/rock masterpiece awash with moody, sonorous guitars and infectious, thought-provoking hooks.

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Aja stinks with Before the Beginning

The cliché “never judge a book by its cover” fits this record to a tee. At first glance, the misperception is that this is another trend artist trudging through the well-established footprints of “neo-soul-soothing-goodness.” Nope. Actually, Aja mingles with the “I want to be Alanis Morissette” crowd - and poorly at that.