Who: NICOLE TUCEK
What: Agent Me
C
Why:
Just when you thought all of the whiny punk bands had fallen off the radar, Agent Me raises their heavily '90s pop-punk-influenced heads and proves that some bands still have something to whimper about with their new release "Consolation Prize."
While the vocals are tedious, the music behind the voice is actually enjoyable and upbeat. James Matthew Kurdziel has a great guitar style that is complemented by Bolduc's drumming abilities. These two elements are what save most of the songs and give the listener something to at least tap their foot to.
To give lead singer Ryan James some credit, he manages to pull off a decent sound for at least two tracks on the album. One is called "It," in which he keeps his voice a little lower than the others and comes off sounding far more tolerable. Another entitled "Bitter," takes his voice into more of a screaming tone rather than his usual weak attempts at singing.
While this genre of music and vocal sound may be appealing to some, this album did not impress or hold anything that allowed it to stand out.
Who: GREG NOWAK
What: Ray Tarantino
A
Why:
True musicians see the world and not only write about it, but also covet it. Ray Tarantino looks poised to set on to that accomplished pedestal with Recusant.
Growing up in a drug-infested, gambling-addicted Italy, the musician decided to not fall into the trap of peer pressure. Instead, he drove himself into his music and sang out his anger and frustration.
The album, Recusant, refers to personal resolve, symbolic of Tarantino's personal journey.
Drugs have played a huge part in his life. His song "Riding Rhymes" is a prime example of this, writing about a high not off of drugs, but off of music.
"An elephant running/across my life with a gun/it's a funny kick/getting out of my mind. I fear it feels like a crime/but I don't mind seeing myself getting high," Tarantino sings.
The musician uses his experiences with drugs and turned them on their head: "I'm riding rhymes/waiting for the morning light/I'm riding rhymes/waiting for an open smile."
Incorporating enigmatic, elegiac lyrics to solid beats, Tarantino controls his words with the poise of a confident poet.
Who: BENJAMIN MUMFORD-ZISK
What: Surfer Rosa, The Pixies
A+
Why:
Entro las Pinones y la ola es pequena, Oh my Golly! Vamos para la luna caribe, Oh my golly! Besando chichando con surfer rosa, Oh my golly! Se fue su madera,
Oh my golly!
Other than the amazing songs from Doolittle, this album has everything a growing Pixies fan needs: frenetic, freakish and frenzied guitar work, outlandish, otherworldly vocals and lyrics, and some of the most dead on, perfectly executed drum and bass ever recorded.
This album is not for the quiet listener, though. Playing Surfer Rosa at anything less than deafening volume leaves a person feeling cheated. Listen to the first three tracks off this album - "Bone Machine," "Break My Body" and "Something Against You" get progressively faster, louder, and more energetic...and try not to start moshing.
This is some old-school Californian experimental punk-core good stuff. Whatever that means. The Pixies are a seminal band, and their contribution to the smattering of good rock music of today is undeniable and unmistakable. Go listen to The Pixies!
Oh, and "Where is My Mind" is on this album?
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
