ALBUM OF THE MONTH
Artist: LOS STRAITJACKETS
Album: Supersonic Guitars in 3-D
The Scoop: Los Straitjackets get a lot of press mileage out of those wacky, somehow perfect Mexican wrestling masks. A gimmick can carry you a long way in the music industry, but it won't take you as far as Los Straitjackets have traveled. They are a true retro outfit, playing surf rock that sounds like it was made-or, at the very least, written-decades ago. The masked guitar slingers use technology to help them get closer to the past, encasing themselves in a fortress of reverb and recording in a studio space designed to replicate the approximate sound of playing in, yes, "a subterranean hole." Instead of recording a stale salute to their forebears, though, Los Straitjackets and well-esteemed producer (and studio designer) Mark Neill make sure to allow the band's stampeding live sound to bash through on tracks like "Time Bomb." Despite the success of 2001's Sing Along With Los Straitjackets-which found the instrumentalists collaborating with vocalists like Big Sandy and Exene Cervenka-Los Straitjackets stick with all instrumentals (although Jon Spencer contributes a growl or two). Purists rejoice.Highlight Tracks: "Time Bomb" and "Isn't Love Grand?"
Bonus Art Points: Not only do you get free 3-D jackets, but you get a choice of four 3-D covers.
For More Info: Visit http://www.straitjackets.com
Artist: THE BLUE SERIES CONTINUUM
Album: GoodandEvil Sessions
The Scoop: The fusion of jazz and electronica isn't a new science, but the best moments of GoodandEvil Sessions prove that it's a science worth pursuing (a conclusion that is often in jeopardy when listening to lesser efforts in the field). Designed as a rotating cast of musicians with no central leader, the Blue Series Continuum is a merger between Thirsty Ear jazz musicians like Roy Campbell, William Parker and Matthew Shipp and the production team GoodandEvil, whose credits include Felix Da Housecat. While the beats are steady, it's a few steps removed from a dance album - instead, it's an ideal after-hours album: rhythmic, laid-back but not somnolent, sexy and sinister. True to the concept's design, no individual player remains at the forefront, even though there is a wealth of talent in the roster. Some of the tracks never get ignited, but-overall-GoodandEvil Sessions marks a successful marriage between jazzman and machine.Highlight Tracks: "Then Again" and "Change of Plans"
For More Info: Check out http://www.thirstyear.com
Artist: HOLLY GOLIGHTLY
Album: Truly She Is None Other
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The copyright of the article Choice Cuts: September 2003 in Indie Music is owned by . Permission to republish Choice Cuts: September 2003 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
