eli@uw-june (Eli Messinger) (06/22/84)
Four relatively new discs from the POPular music field:
The Bangles--Everywhere At Once--CBS
The Dream Syndicate--The Medicine Show--A & M
Tommy Keene--Places That Are Gone--Dolphin
Rank And File--Long Gone Dead--Slash
... uw-june!eli
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The Bangles--Everywhere At Once--CBS
Jeez--it's sophomore slump time or something. The Bangles, unlike
the Dream Syndicate (see below) had their label (Faulty) crumble from
beneath them. CBS snapped them up and apparently gave them a very
healthy budget to record this record--even letting them go over
a bit, and past schedule. So why is this record so unsatisfactory?
Well, having David 'Translator' Kahne produce was probably a big
mistake. The folk-edge that made their debut EP so delightful is
just not present enough. Sure, there's some very good songs here,
and Susanna Hoffs voice is unbelievable... but much of this sounds
too generic--the Bangles identity just doesn't come through often
enough. (Ps. New bassist on this disc).
The Dream Syndicate--Medicine Show--A & M
What happened? I must've missed a turn somewhere or something!
With the release of their second LP (not including their initial
release on Down There--recently reissued by Enigma BTW), the first
for big shot corporate label A & M, the Dream Syndicate seems to be
showing the effects of their history. Their not-too-friendly departure
from Slash Records, the label that took a chance on them, and the issue
of their first record without bassist Kendra Smith, shows front
man Steve Wynn and guitarist Karl Precoda to have fallen hopelessly
(helplessly) into the world of Macho (just check out Precoda's
sideburns!). I guess it's their preogative to change the sound and
style of the band as they see fit--but it's then my preogative to
listen to their first album instead of 'Medicine Show'. This new
'product' features very little of the dark, psychedelic Velvet
Underground sound that was so prominent on all previous Dream
Syndicate releases. Karl Precoda has apparently forgotten how to
use his guitar in the unconventional manner that made his playing
so interesting. Steve Wynn has decided that he really wants to be
a kick-ass rock 'n' roller... but unfortunately he's much too wimpy
to do it right. I'm really disappointed with this, and mystified why
this is being touted as the vinyl beacon from God of 1984.
Tommy Keene--Places That Are Gone--Dolphin
Terrific pop record. Shades of all the great light pop of the
past, with serious nods to the singing style of Tom Petty, and the
compositional influences of ex-Box Top/Big Star Alex Chilton. This
EP includes some great originals as well as an A+ cover of Chilton's
'Hey! Little Girl'. The opening guitar on the latter is worth the
price of the disc. I believe that Keene is from the other Washington
[D.C.], but I know nothing more about him.
Rank And File--Long Gone Dead--Slash
Most of the professional critics seem to be slagging RAF's 2nd
album. They claim that it doesn't live up to the country pop fusion
sound of their debut. True enough. There's a much more bubblegummy
pop sound on this disc--but that's no insult. With only the Kinman
brothers returning for this LP, plus a whole slew of guests, RAF has
changed their approach slightly. There's still a good helping of
country, but there's also some pure pop songs--without the country
influence that rang through all of the tracks on the debut. Maybe
this album isn't as 'important' as their debut--but it's still plenty
of fun to listen to.