Reviews January 2008 Reviews Page 7 Various Artists - Pillows & Prayers (Cherry Red) The ultimate reissue for the ultimate indie sampler. Pillows & Prayers was a radical concept back at the start of the ‘80s. Cherry Red had never been the most fashionable of the late ‘70’s indie labels that punk had spawned, but they had staying power. When the ‘80s arrived and they found themselves with a unique and eclectic roster, they made an inspired business decision and released the much loved Pillows & Prayers compilation with a sticker on the front that said “Pay no more than 99p”. The result was 19 weeks perched of top of the indie album charts and healthy careers for a number of the artists featured - Everything But The Girl, Thomas Leer, Felt, Eyeless In Gaza, etc. This 25th anniversary issue features three CDs (including Pillows & Prayers Vol. 2, which had a vinyl release only in Japan), and a very nice DVD, featuring artists and songs from the two collections (previously released separately, but great to have all the same). If you had this on vinyl back in the day, then this is the definite replacement, though expect to pay more than 99p. If you’re merely curious, I can heartily recommend diving straight in. There’s lots here to enjoy. www.cherryred.co.uk Rob F. - Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez - Live From The Ruhr Triennale (Train Wreck) With the ever reliable Bill Frisell on guitar and noted steel guitarist, Greg Leisz, in the band, Chip and Carrie (I think first names are acceptable if you’ve seen them a couple of times) make hay with a selection of Taylor originals (Angel Of The Morning, Laredo, Wild Thing, etc.), together with some well chosen covers (Maybellene, Long Black Veil, Big River, etc.). If you’ve got the studio albums, then you’ll find little to quibble about here as it’s an enjoyable enough set, if not quite essential listening. www.trainwreckrecords.com Rob F. - Space Station - Planet Y (Public Guilt) Space Station is a near 1/2 hour long live improvisation from Planet Y, a collaboration of Yanni Papadopoulos and Charles Cohen. Papadopolous on Casio DG-20 digital guitar and Cohen on Buchla Music Easel Synthesizer create a perfectly realised sci-fi soundtrack. It judders, pulses and echoes through springy drones and vibrations yet leaves room for an occasional twinkled, stardust melody. Drips of electronic rain pour over glissando randomness and abstract tones and plunders into the full force of a frenetic outer space maelstrom. This outing of space age electronics is limited to 500 copies and comes shrouded in phenomenal glossy retro sci-fi packaging. www.publicguilt.com Will F. - The Deep Dark Woods - Hang Me Oh Hang Me (Black Hen) By dwelling on Americana’s finer moments, Canadian quartet Deep Dark Woods have released a record steeped in tradition, without sacrificing contemporary style. In essence, they distil country folk and melancholic rock, frontman Ryan T. Boldt sings his fine songs over the top and the others add harmonies. Simple enough on paper, but complex, hypnotic and completely addictive on record. A quick listen at their Myspace site will confirm everything - I particularly recommend ‘By The Light Of The Moon’ - and you’ll agree that this is one patch of deep dark woods you’ll want to get lost in. www.blackhenmusic.com / www.myspace.com/deepdarkwoods Rob F. - Ugly Magic - Everything Now! (Independent) The hand painted CD sleeve emblazoned with slogans such as “Stop Using our Favourite Songs To sell Silly Products We Don’t Want” implicates that Everything Now! purports to critique the culture of the ‘immediate’ yet they tread the path of the musical environmentalist ‘recycling and reusing’ styles here and riffs there resulting at times in seemingly effortless pastiche. This is not to dismiss them as copyists as they produce an eclectic and listenable mix of tunes. You enter into a disco funk arena of ‘Cursed Be The Everything Now And All Who Sail With It’ and leave at the tail end of the ‘Dreamin About Bein Well-Hung Blues’ having coursed through 80’s Electronica, Samba, Dub Reggae, Folk Blues fronted invariably by the Scissor Sisters, Arcade Fire, Prince, Damon Albarn or Bowie. Stylistically similar to this year’s earlier output, ‘Bible Universe’ (inasmuch as their style is to blend styles) and is just as enjoyable. May be an idea to leave the paint on the case to dry before inserting the disc as this may help listeners get into it...!! www.everythingnowmusic.com Will F. - Brother Brick - Stranded in the Nineties (Laughing Outlaw) It’s about a decade since Brother Brick dissolved themselves into an Alka Seltzer aftermath. Sydney slept on and only a select few clutched copies of their ‘Portable Altamont’ release. Finally, the entire Brick catalogue has been collected on an impressive double CD, Stranded in the Nineties. There are the classic rockers, ‘Chokito Bar’ and ‘Rock Action’, the latter a Husker Du meets dirty Aussie blues and guitar heroics masterpiece. If you lean towards punk, rock, power pop or ‘Flick Rock’, check out Brother Brick. If you are reading this in Australia (isn’t the web a piece of Magick!) then keep the ears clear for some reunion shows. A European tour is rumoured. We are not worthy. www.myspace.com/brotherbrick Carl J. Next Past Reviews: March 07, April 07, May 07, June/July 07, Sept/Oct 07, Dec07