CD REVIEWS

The idea here is to give you a brief review of some new CDs in plain English. Over the years I've learned to weed out the shit before I have to spend my hard earned ducets on it. Sometimes however, we all slip up and buy something better left on the shelf.  So if I buy crap, I consider it my obligation to let you know about it as well as all of the good stuff.  Newer reviews will be added to the top of the list. You can generally expect to find reviews of more neglected genres, but an occasional "big seller" will pop up every now and then.  The classifications are just labels I attach to bands to give the unfamiliar some idea of how they sound.  These are just my opinions, but it is my page. So if you disagree, tough. Post your own reviews. 
See something you need to own? Search CD Now here, they may have it.  A word of warning though.  CD Now has great prices so long as you are looking at DOMESTIC RELEASES and have the foresight to track down an e-coupon before ordering.  However, and I cannot stress this enough, If you buy imports through CD Now, you will pay NEARLY DOUBLE what these reliable establishments would charge you: Soleilmoon Recordings , Middle Pillar or Strange Fortune

Artist
Album Title
Song Title



Best Releases of the Year:  The 10 best discs from 1999 and 1998.  2000 soon to come..
Review Archive :  Old reviews arranged alphabetically by artist.

NEW REVIEWS

Bjork, Selmasongs, Elektra 2000:  The only thing disappointing about this disc is its length.  I understand that these songs are meant to go along with the film, and are in fact its soundtrack.  Even so, 37 minutes is too short for something to be portrayed as a full length release.  Having said that, this is some of the best music Bjork has ever put out.  The sound combinations of almost Neubautenesque machine sounds and 1940s musical themes produce beautiful and catchy results.  Even if you have problems with the movie, you could find no fault with this exquisite music.  Big band dance music punctuated with sledge hammers.

Fire and Ice, Birdking, FREMD CD 2000:  The best Fire and Ice CD ever may have too strong a folk feel for some...For some reason I was reminded of the soundtrack to The Hobbit.  Sorry, I  know that doesn't sound like much of a compliment, but it had to be said.  Ian Read is still the prominent factor of this band, but here he is aided by Douglas P, Ostara, and Michael Cashmore, among others.  The songs are almost all acoustic ballads, but there is stronger musical accompaniment to the tunes.  Moving and powerful tracks like Where Have They Gone are interspersed with almost cheesy songs like the Stand inspired Flagg.  Still, all sound great and are just the thing for the Fall.  The absolute gem though is sung by the talented Alice Karlsdotter.  It is a song about Freya entitled Lady of the Vanir and it will simply take your breath away.  A must have CD for fans of this genre.  Dark folk.