Thursday, February 4, 1999
Sound Bites
BRIEFS:
Vic Chestnutt, "The Salesman and Bernadette" (Capricorn)
Aching. That’s the best way "The Salesman and Bernadette" can be
described, but even that fails to fully capture the draining
emotional mess it will send you into. That’s not to say it’s bad.
It’s not – it’s amazing, but it will sink you far into a pit of
despair.
Chestnutt, the paralyzed folk rocker from Athens, Ga., has
crafted an unconventionally depressing little slice of life. "I’m a
sorry, sorry knight in a horrible castle, hoping to avoid certain
societal hassles," he sings on "Maiden," and this rings true
throughout the entire album.
The back cover of the intricately designed package says, "Infer
a lovely story … of loss and longing and sloppy satori." Though
the actual message may be difficult to decipher, the feeling hits
like a freight train. Chestnutt’s melancholy vocals, stretched
thinly over wistful trumpets and guitars, evoke desolation and
loneliness. It hurts to listen to it, but at the same time, it’s
kind of fun to go along for the ride.
This fascination with depression may be bizarre, but it’s
undeniable. Whether it’s Chestnutt’s pushing tales of identity
crisis in "Woodrow Wilson" or obnoxious jerks in "Prick," he’s
strangely fascinating.
When the 14-track album winds to a close with the
ambient-sounding "Old Hotel," the depression will be replaced with
an odd satisfaction. Chestnutt’s blues become a catharsis for the
listener, and things are OK. "The Salesman and Bernadette" will
mess with your head, pull at your heart, and ultimately, leave you
feeling better off.
Brent Hopkins
Rating: 8
Dru Hill, "Enter The Dru" (Island Black Music)
With the recent crop of NKOTB knock-offs, such as the Backstreet
Boys and N’Sync, there has been a virtual assault of overly sappy
pop ruling the charts and airwaves. Arriving as the perfect change
of pace for the tired listener, the members of Dru Hill offer up a
dish of mischievous soul that would make Marvin Gaye proud.
Often overlooked as one of the premier R&B groups, Dru
Hill’s Woody, Jazz, Sisqo and Nokio return in top form with their
sophomore project, "Enter The Dru."
Free to refine its musical overtures, Dru Hill expands its
repertoire by adding in small personal touches , resulting in a
smorgasbord of rhythmic funk.
Exemplifying its formula for success is the first single, "How
Deep Is Your Love" (a mix version featuring Redman is available on
the "Rush Hour" soundtrack). Bellowing from the top of their lungs
to the bottom, each individual follows the bump of the bassline and
blends in as smooth as silk.
And if pure vocals with no accompanying background is your
personal taste, "Angel" will guide the way. Not one to hide behind
electronically enhanced production, Dru Hill proves that it is more
than just another group that creates cool dance grooves.
For some unknown reason, Dru Hill tends to be one of those
groups that folks sometimes forget about, but whose albums always
sell extremely well.
Let there be no misunderstandings or misgivings about this CD;
it is a tight album for play in the car or for loungin’ at home. In
an era with so few consistently solid R&B singers, Dru Hill is
a cut above the rest in making quality music.
Teron Hide
Rating: 9
Lagwagon, "Let’s Talk About Feelings" (Fat Wreck Chords)
There is something great about an album that lets you mindlessly
rock out. Or so you think, until you pay attention to the lyrics
and you realize, no. It’s like, deep. And dark. And yes, boys and
girls, full of – you guessed it – heartache!
Oh, the pain! Oh, the emotion! Oh, the angst of being young and
out of your mind! Oh, the torture of having the sexual drive of a
rabbit in heat and yet the social ability of Ned Flanders!
Lagwagon knows these traumas and more all too well. On the
surface, abrasive chords shred away past raging beats and circling
punk rhythms as though only the jarring notes can break the barrier
between listener and musician. But just inside the growling
melodies lie a plethora of anguished lyrics full of more than just
the agony of not getting laid.
"He’s in love with an isolation from emotion," spews lead singer
Joey Cape, in his nasal, disaffected drone. Belting out lines like
this, Cape saves the otherwise banal album from being just another
angsty-male punk band creation. The tunes, however, still don’t
compare to the desperate energy of Lagwagon’s previous works which
leave even those unenthusiastic with the genre enthralled.
Mostly, the well-written lyrics lie flat against the repetitive
songs, which exit the psyche even as the disc continues to spin on
the stereo. Although the album serves its purpose in providing a
backdrop for angry, pent up youths to release steam, it does little
else. And when the short, rapid-fire work comes to an end, all that
listeners are left with is the crumbling memory of an
unaffectionate romp through draining riffs and the subtle
suggestion of violence.
Vanessa Vander Zanden
Rating : 4
Trinket, "Trinket" (RCA)
Hailing from Athens, Ga., the five-piece band delivers a mix of
pop-infected lyrics with hooky guitar skills.
A safe haven from the grinding metal-rock dominating the rock
genre, Trinket has a knack for playing a very Southern
hospitality-like rock ‘n’ roll. The sound comes off clean, happy
and unassuming.
"Bruise-Violet Days" is a sunny wistful ode to a pretty girl
with equally pretty guitars and vocals provided by Brian
Youmans.
The band’s earnestness remains true for most of the album,
snagging on a tripped up lyric now and then.
Trinh Bui
Rating: 6
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