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Sweet Apple: Love & Desperation

April 14, 2010 /


RIYL: Dinosaur Jr., Journey, the year 1978

Sweet Apple can be counted as a super group only if your definition of a super group is extremely liberal. Their most notable member is J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. But the legendary alt-rocker isn’t playing guitar or even singing; instead, he’s the drummer. Up front on guitar and vocals are both John Petkovic and Tim Parnin of the marginally-known Cobra Verde, and rocking it on bass is band namesake Dave Sweetapple, who is in J Mascis’ other side-project Witch. Separately Cobra Verde, Dinosaur Jr. and Witch run the gamut from pop-punk, proto-grunge and stoner metal,. So it makes complete sense that when you combine all three of them you get the most stereotypical of ’70s arena rock.

Wait, what? How’d that happen?

Who knows. Maybe they’re doing it as a gag, or maybe they all secretly want to be in Cheap Trick (who doesn’t?) butLove & Desperation is nothing but 12 tracks of straight-up classic rock. It sounds all right at first, but once the novelty fades it, sounds remarkably like what it is: four dudes who are desperately trying way too hard to sound like something they obviously are not. It occasionally works in spite of itself; “Hold Me, I’m Dying” has an irresistible hook to it, and the faux-metal of “Blindfold” is full of fist-pounding excellence. But for the most part it’s just average, and even a little boring.

Fans of the bands that make up Sweet Apple will probably be more interested in this than the rest of us. Although that Roxy Music-referencing cover should appeal to every heterosexual man with a pulse. (Tee Pee 2010)

Sweet Apple MySpace Page

Alternative, CD Reviews, Rock

Hybird: Disappear Here

April 13, 2010 /


RIYL: Leftfield, Faithless, Infected Mushroom

I’ve been in love with Hybrid ever since first hearing “Finished Symphony” on the soundtrack to the PS2 snowboarding game “SSX Tricky.” I’ve also been nearly unable to describe them. They’re dubbed “progressive beats” and “nu skool breaks” by electronic fans, but I have no idea what that actually means. And how could anyone classify Hybrid into one (sub)genre? Listening to the quiet majesty of “Finished Symphony” and the aggressive beats of “Can You Hear Me Now” off of their newest album Disappear Here is almost like listening to two completely different bands; the two tracks sound nothing alike.

And while it’s to be expected that a band might change sound over the course of their career, Disappear Here itself is full of radical genre changes from track to track. While the aforementioned “Can You Hear Me Now” is an intense dance number, it’s immediately followed up by “Green Shell Suit,” a hauntingly beautiful instrumental that would fit side-by-side with “Finished Symphony” on the band’s 1999 debut Wide Angle. About the only thing that’s consistent on Disappear Here are vocals by the band’s newest full-time member Charlotte James. Her distinctive voice serves well as a connective tissue between the wildly varying styles on the album, although some hardcore fans might complain that her near-constant presence on the album takes the band one step too close to a mainstream sound.

Regardless of what you might think of the extra vocals on Disappear Here, this is still Hybrid being Hybrid, going all over the place from one style to another and doing it a damn good job of it. It’s as cinematic and epic as their previous releases, and some tracks, like the pounding “Original Sin” and darkly ominous “Break My Soul” can stand up with the group’s best. This is just more “wow” from a group that can seemingly do no wrong. (Distinct’ive Breaks 2010)

Hybrid MySpace Page

Ambient, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Dance, Electronica

Jack Bruce confirms Cream is over

April 12, 2010 /

In a recent interview, Cream bassist Jack Bruce has confirmed that the legendary supergroup will not reunite. This goes against a previous statement Bruce made in 2008 in which he expressed willingness to continue working with the band’s other two members, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker.

From RollingStone.com:

If you missed Cream’s epic reunion shows in 2005, bassist Jack Bruce is the bearer of some bad news. “There’s a new story now — Cream is over,” Bruce told BBC 6Music, effectively crushing any hope of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio reuniting once again to rock “Sunshine of Your Love.” Bruce’s recent quotes to the BBC are in stark contrast to what Bruce said in October 2008: “I think there might be a chance of some more,” Bruce said then of the possibility of more Cream reunion shows. “I would like to do some more, ’cause I enjoyed it. It was very emotional. I would like another shot at it.”

While no official announcement has been made regarding the end of Cream, the members of the trio have been moving along with their own musical endeavors. Eric Clapton will tour this year with Jeff Beck and then Roger Daltrey, and Bruce also has something “very exciting” planned. “So much so I can’t even talk about it. It’s the most exciting project I’ve ever been involved in,” Bruce said.

I don’t think this comes as a surprise to anyone. While I’d consider catching them live, the main reason I’d want Cream to get back together is so they could possibly play a Super Bowl Halftime Show. Seriously, who else is left to play that thing?

Artists, News

Video: Sweet Apple’s “Do You Remember?”

April 9, 2010 /

I’m a fan of a bunch of things in this video. To name a few: J. Mascis, big guitars, tennis and half-naked girls in towels. This reminds me of a Pavement video, meaning it forgoes meaning and lays on the wacky humor.

“I’m gonna play!” Ha!

What are we doin’ tonight, people?

Artists, Videos

Rogue Wave: Permalight

April 9, 2010 /


RIYL: Nada Surf, Death Cab For Cutie, The Shins

Fans of alternative pop/rock band Rogue Wave know that their music can be somewhat of an acquired taste, just like the Shins or Death Cab for Cutie. But therein lies a big reason for their success. The music won’t instantly grow on you nor make you instantly tired of it. Instead, Zach Rogue (who has a soft tenor a la Josh Rouse) and his band mates make the kind of music that should have staying power on your master play list. Rogue Wave’s latest, Permalight, is a departure from previous work, though it’s not exactly easy to pinpoint just why. Maybe it’s because Rogue suffered a couple of slipped discs in his neck in late 2008, which rendered him unable to move and scared him into believing he had a life-threatening illness. Eventually the swelling went down, and he regained enough feeling in his hand to be able to play the guitar. Many of the songs on Permalight are noticeably bouncier and happier than what one would expect from Rogue Wave, but the quality of songwriting is definitely still there.

Rogue_Wave_01

If you like upbeat alt-pop, you’ll find the jangly “Solitary Gun” or “Stars and Stripes” to your liking. But if you favor the darker side of what made you love Rogue Wave, “Sleepwalker” or the acoustic driven “Fear Itself” will suit you more. Then there is the total oddity of the title track or the robotic “We Will Make a Song Destroy,” which shows Rogue Wave becoming more experimental. One thing is for sure, though; many of us are glad that Rogue is okay and that Rogue Wave is still making music. (Brushfire/Universal 2010)

Rogue Wave MySpace page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock

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