Choice Cuts: March 2002
© Adam McKibbin
Highlight Track: I'm just waiting for my affection for "Nonza" to be ruined by its inclusion in a Volkswagen commercial (if it's happened already, spare me the e-mail, I don't want to hear about it). It's a blend of a groovy bass line, swirling strings, and lyrics that-even though Burgalat is French-I can still sing along with ("Da da da da da").
Honorable Mention: To top it all off, Burgalat has a pretty smooth set of pipes, too. "Ma Rencontre," one of the few tracks that feature vocals, is sexy and loungey. The club girls (and some of the boys) are swooning already.
Artist: Pablo
Album: Bitches and Machines
The Scoop: It isn't often that you see a singer/songwriter cite Lenny Bruce as an influence. But such is the case with Minneapolis's Pablo, who writes pretty folk songs with an oft-unpretty tongue. Bitches and Machines isn't as abrasively profane as some of his earlier work, which disappointed this reviewer, but it does keep listeners on their toes, unsure of what's around the corner. The songs range from spacey exploration ("When We Were Animals") to fairly straightforward acoustic songs ("I Asked God").Highlight Track: The title track features an easy, breezy summer-drive kind of melody, but the sing-along chorus isn't so sunny ("We're bitches, we're machines, we're spitting, biting pearls").
Honorable Mention: "Rebecca / I never liked your name" is one of the all-time great lines with which to open an album ("Rebecca"). Sung like a true folk punk.For More Info: Check out http://www.sursumcoda.com/pablo
Artist: Liz Capra
Album: Grappling
The Scoop: Singer/songwriter who started her own label, Naked Noise Records, so she would have a place to make music for personal fulfillment instead of in an attempt to make the one big single. In addition to running the label, the multi-talented Capra also produced the album and handled the percussion. Most importantly, she's a smart songwriter with a pleasing voice. Ethan Sparks and Ryan Williams make some fine contributions on guitar and violin, respectively.Highlight Track : "Just This" may owe a certain debt to Ani DiFranco, but Capra never stoops to imitation. Instead, it's both a pretty folk song and a detailed relationship study. Capra captivates whether her eye is trained on herself or the world at large.
Honorable Mention: "Father" and "Hungry Shark"For More Info: Visit http://www.nakednoiserecords.com or http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/capra2
Artist: Attila & Dave Project
Album: Lifeline
The Scoop: Pink Floyd is the most obvious influence on this trio from San Francisco Bay Area, although other ingredients are also quite apparent (sometimes too much so; the beginning of "Seven Wonders in the Sunrise," for instance, sounds like it was meant for Michael Stipe). Lifeline is a pleasing, diverse collection of stoner rock, ripe for student unions and purple hazed dorm rooms. The band tours heavily on the West Coast building their fan base and one gets the impression that their best work is yet to come.
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