Monday, May 4, 1998
Soundbites
MUSIC:
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, "Walking Into Clarksdale"
(Atlantic) And the classic rock revival continues. Late last year,
Led Zeppelin and Atlantic Records released "BBC Sessions," a double
album full of live tracks the seminal rock band did for the British
Broadcasting Company. It sold well, for a live double album. The
band’s spirit returns with "Walking Into Clarksdale," an album full
of new material by Led Zeppelin singer, Robert Plant, and its
massively influential guitarist, Jimmy Page (as if you didn’t
know).
"Walking" is the follow-up to the duo’s successful 1994 "No
Quarter" album, taken from the MTV special. Made with famous rock
producer Steve Albini (Nirvana’s "In Utero") and co-written with
Charlie Jones and Michael Lee at Abbey Road Studios in London, Page
and Plant bring back some of the Led Zeppelin mystique to their
’90s sound, along with eerie Oriental keyboards ("Most High") and
various string arrangements ("Upon a Golden Horse") that bring back
memories of "Kashmir."
"Walking" takes a bit of a departure from the straight-up Led
Zeppelin sound, but only slightly. The almost mystical album creeps
nicely with Page’s bluesy guitar at certain points (the title
track), and jams along with an easy-going, melodic atmosphere
("Shining in the Light") that seems, well, just as good as most of
the mellow material that Led Zeppelin did in the ’70s. Granted,
it’s not Led Zeppelin. Nothing comes close with bassist John Paul
Jones and late drummer John Bonham missing from the rhythm section.
But with the hired Charlie Jones at the bass and Lee on the drums,
they help Page and Plant at the very least with making a
listenable, rockin’ record. The songs don’t remain the same, but
the material will hold their own for most hard rock fans.
Definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re a Zeppelin
diehard. Mike Prevatt B+
Harvey Danger, "Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?" (Slash)
Another garage band thrilled at the prospects of stardom, Harvey
Danger boldly releases their first album in hopes of making it big.
The Seattle band with high hopes should have waited instead until
they perfected their songwriting into more than a few generic tunes
and a lot of electric guitar chaos.
"Flagpole Sitta," the newest KROQ hit, reigns as one of the most
hilarious songs on the radio these days. With lyrics like "Only
stupid people are breeding and I don’t even own a TV," how can one
go wrong? A listener’s first impression leads them to believe that
when they buy the album, they will have a compilation of
wonderfully unique songs filled with sarcasm and fun. Instead you
get an album of boring, less-than-compelling tunes with little
sense behind the madness.
The basic rhythm of the music contains a few instrumental
highlights ranging from hyper drum beats to interesting guitar
drives. "Jack the Lion," a noteworthy exception, actually seems to
contain a point behind the lyrics and mixes it with a catchy
melody. Yet Harvey Danger should concentrate on giving their
listeners a little variety rather than clinging to the same basic
style until the notion of a great hit dies a horrible death.
Michelle Zubiate C
Various Artists, "Hard Rock Cafe: ’80s Heavy Metal" (Hard Rock/
Rhino) Finally, an ’80s compilation filled with worthy glam-rock
bands! In the ultimate of elementary school and junior high
nostalgia, Hard Rock presents the ultimate ’80s hair-band record.
With songs like Poison’s "Nothin’ But a Good Time," Whitesnake’s
"Here I Go Again" (remember Tawny Kitaen?) and Twisted Sister’s
"We’re Not Going to Take It," visions of busty, scantily clad
rocker babes and leather pants will no doubt flood your mind. Songs
by Winger, Ratt, Spinal Tap and White Lion fill out this rockin’,
reminiscing party CD. Bring out the bandanas, the torn jeans and
the smoke machines … this one’s a keeper. Mike Prevatt B+
Superdrag, "Head Trip in every Key" (Elektra Records) File this
one under "M" for mainstream. Yes, Superdrag have succeeded in
creating another cookie cutter album, sure to wow fans familiar
with their older stuff and disappoint those looking for something
original. For today’s purist alternative pop fans, "Head Trip" is a
worthy addition to their collection, sounding a lot like their
contemporaries (i.e. Libido or at times even Weezer).
The opening track, "I’m Expanding My Mind" follows in typical
Superdrag fashion but doesn’t represent a good lead-off track, as
it lacks energy and is melodically repetitive. The better
"Hellbent," though, coaxes its listeners into doing some head
bopping. What’s even greater is the reference to the Beatles, when
the lyrics mention "the fool on the hill." The best song on the
album, "Bankrupt Vibration," is a ’60s-influenced song which starts
with lyrics about tuning in, turning on and dropping out.
Unfortunately, like the other songs on the album, it gets a bit
loud and busy for its own good.
As a mainstream-sounding album with a few alternative radio
station-worthy songs, Superdrag has a good shot at success. But for
fans who are looking for a more diverse group of songs or a new
direction for the band, they won’t find it here, despite its great
melodies. Danielle Myer B
Fonda, "Music For Beginners (EP)" (Top Quality) Fonda, like
Jane, punk-rocks its way to a tweaked, zippy sound, with a bit of a
Weezer groove, an R.E.M. attention to melody and Bowie-esque power.
Emily Cook is the lady behind the microphone, and she belts out
vocals like a woman trying to argue her way out of a traffic
ticket. Her voice is full of passion and urgency, but at the same
time, it hides an underlying need to please and not to piss anyone
off.
The musicians know what they’re doing, especially guitarist
David Klotz, who cranks and grinds and burps his guitar behind
Cook’s singing. But Fonda lacks that extra push to give them
distinction and superiority in a market packed with similar music.
They play their tunes, do their job and then depart without leaving
anything too memorable behind.
Hearing them live might be a treat, but the only venue they’re
likely to fill any time soon might be a bar mitzvah or wedding
party. "Do you, Merv, take Gwen to be your wife?" Everyone claps,
then Fonda plugs in their amps and starts doing its thing. Hey,
whatever works. Jeremy Engel B- Atlantic Records
JIMMY PAGE/ROBERT PLANT
"Walking into Clarksdale"