Choice Cuts: September 2001
For More Info: It’s always worth keeping an eye on Grimsey Records. Find them—and Toulouse—at http://www.grimsey.com
Artist: Tertium Non Data
Album: Hers Is Blood
The Scoop: A collaborative effort between Brett Smith and John Bergin, with some fine help from their friends. Their industrial/goth sound is consistently pleasing (and more than a little spooky). Bergin and Smith—who also produced and mixed—are aces behind the boards, and the album feels very fully planned and executed.
Highlight Track: The lead violin on “Low” makes you pretty sure that something very, very bad is about to happen to you. Award-winning jazz artist Pam Bricker is the right vocal complement for Bergin and Smith, and together they deftly blur the line between seduction and destruction.
Honorable Mention: A seemingly out-of-nowhere, harmonica-drenched cover of “When The Levee Breaks.” Just when you think you have these guys figured out...
For More Info: Visit http://www.grindertool.com and http://www.caul.org for the band and http://www.crowdcontrol.cc for the label (Crowd Control Activities).
Artist: Randall Bramblett
Album: No More Mr. Lucky
The Scoop: Randall Bramblett has worked with everyone from Gregg Allman to Widespread Panic. His latest is a bluesy slice of Americana with stubborn optimism. Bramblett is a multi-talented instrumentalist, playing guitar, sax, piano and organ in addition to his from-the-gut lead vocals.
Highlight Track: “Get In Get Out” is the song you hope comes on the jukebox when you’re at a blues bar. Bramblett shines on both the Hammond and the sax.
Honorable Mention: This album functions almost as a soundtrack for starting over. “Aching For A Dream” and “Lost Enough” are the cornerstones. “This will be the day when you catch up with your life,” Bramblett sings on “Dream.”
For More Info: Visit New West Records at http://www.newwestrecords.com
Artist: AFI
Album: The Art of Drowning
The Scoop: Another solid punk offering from the folks at Nitro Records. This one—AFI’s fifth full length album—actually came out almost a year ago, but it’s worth going back to. Fans of Goldfinger and early Offspring take note. Davey Havok is a dynamite frontman; few people can brood so energetically. Track for track, The Art of Drowning can stand up with any punk offering out there right now.
Highlight Tracks: The 1-2-3 opening punch of “The Lost Souls,” “The Nephilim,” and “Ever and a Day” is about as good as it gets. But what
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