September CD Reviews

Each month I review my favorite new CD's of the past 30 days. It doesn't matter if it's on a major label, independent label, or no label at all. I just have to have it so I can listen to it! If you are a record label or musician and would like your new release considered for review, send it to me: Chad Bowar, Suite 101.com Pop Music Editor, PO Box 1723, Rapid City, SD 57709. Here are this month's best new CDs, in no particular order:

Bif Naked--I Bificus

Canada's Bif Naked looks like a cross between Cleopatra and Joan Jett, and sounds like a cross between No Doubt and Joan Jett. Bif was born in New Delhi, India in 1971. She was adopted by American missionaries who moved her to Minneapolis, and Lexington, Kentucky, ultimately winding up in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I discovered Bif by watching Much Music on my satellite. They actually play videos, and being from Canada expose a lot of quality artists you won't see on MTV. I saw the video a couple of times and was really impressed with the single "Moment of Weakness." I Bificus is a tremendous album. It's her third, but the first to be released in the US. The album is full of rock and roll hooks, revealing lyrics, and a bad-assed attitude. Bif Naked is a remarkably talented artist with a lot of charisma and someone who deserves to be a star. For more information, visit http://www.bifnaked.com

Yaz--The Best of Yaz

If you missed Yaz in the 80's, now is your chance to discover one of the best and most underpublicized artists of that decade, at least here in the US. Yaz was the American name taken by Yazoo, a British duo made up of former Depeche Mode synthesizer player Vince Clarke and singer Alison Moyet. The two stayed together only about a year and a half (1982-1983), but that was long enough to score four British hit singles and two top-selling albums. Moyet then went solo and Clarke eventually formed another successful duo, Erasure.

Yaz features Moyet's gorgeous soulful voice layered over Clarke's trademark synth melodies. The early 80's was a time when pop music was based as much on experimentation and the perfect beat as it was on the hook. Although Yaz was together for a very short time, if you listen to The Best of Yaz, you will hear the impression Yaz made on contemporary pop music. For more information, check out http://www.mute.co.uk

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