Music reviews by Kent Manthie, music authority guy
Honey Pig: “Exactly As We Are” (Demo)
Three lovely ladies who are waiting for their big break to come in the field of acting, Honey Pig are an all-female country trio in the same vein as Dixie Chicks. But to their credit, Honey Pig are better. “Exactly As We Are” is their first outing of music. Not a lot of hooks or ironic twists in the lyrics, it’s got a nice, homespun, apple pie-and-Chevrolet feel to it. Think small town life, corn-fed white folks riding around in pickup trucks, congregating at the local Wal-Mart. That’ll give you the gist of it. If you are a big fan of country music you might dig this. Emmylou Harris or Dolly Parton and the aforementioned Dixie Chicks come to mind when listening to this CD. I wasn’t sure I could stand listening to more than a few stanzas of any particular cut, but upon first hearing I was enchanted by the beautiful singing voice of all three of these women, who all take turns at the microphone. Also, kudos to them as well for writing their own songs and playing their own instruments, not a usual thing in this kind of arena; especially when one is also sending 8 x10 photos of themselves in sexy, alluring poses, meant to catch the eye of a Hollywood casting director. –KM.
Origami: “Cruising For a Bruising” (Demo)
Origami is a bouncy, fun-loving, free-spirited combo of punk-rock grrls originally from Australia but recently relocated to the best city on Earth, San Francisco. “Cruising For a Bruising” is a demo with 6 tracks on it that you can only get at the moment by going to their website. First of all, the bass player has put down some really bitchin’ bass lines, thump-thump-thumping fat notes and keeping a rhythm going that gets infectious after a bit. “Strobe Light” is a hip number, with the aforementioned bass hooks, “O Beach Party” is another good cut. These are some fast, burning, cool tracks that deserve an outlet. (www.origamitheband.com) – KM.
Graves at Sea: “Asunder” (Life is Abuse Records)
More guttural, nihilistic ranting and raving from monsters from Oaktown. Graves at Sea are a death-metal band that probably has killed a bunch of people and buried them at sea, that’s how they probably got the idea for the album. Not much to talk about here; one thing to differentiate these guys is that instead of sped up noise, with double-barreled bass drums rat-tat-tatting along, G.A.S. are slowed down, apathetic-sounding death knell harbingers. Ho hum. You know, it wouldn’t actually be all that bad if the vocalist had a human voice and could sing instead of make retching noises. (www.lifeisabuse.com) – KM.
Betrayed: “Addiction EP” (Bridge Nine Records)
Put that beer down and get up and dance, man. Betrayed is a poundingly loud, straight-edge punk-rocker set that is kicking ass and taking names. On “Addiction”, the guys are sermonizing with heavy bass lines and thundering drum; the first cut, “Time Won’t Wait” is a slick opener that gets one jumping up and down, moving to a beat that is energizing. “Addiction” is a ripping rant that tells one who offers him dope to get the hell out of here “Keep your drugs and alcohol I don’t need them/No no”, but has a tunefully smashingly way to do so. Surprisingly, the guitarist is pretty talented, ripping it up with these fiery solos throughout, not the same old choppy, barre chord playing slop one hears in so many metal CDs. Not for the hippie crowd, not for the weak or old either, this is the band for uptight young, angry white boys who live in Idaho. (www.bridgeninerecords.com) – KM.
David Boyles: “Bedroom Demos” (Demo)
Laid back, hip, mellow, soothing and smooth; these are some words that describe David Boyles, who has put out “Bedroom Demos”, a collection of funky, R&B gold that has a good chunk of rock in it too. The CD is a collage of recordings; jams that take you straight to Southern California. Boyles is a natural performer, he comes alive onstage, where all bands show what they’re made of. The music is a mix of white-boy R & B, along with some soulful noise; a virtual car in a groove train. He comes off as a man who wants to groove, a man who shines in the glow of the spotlight, the hot stage lights and with practice, will keep on getting better. Keep on jammin’! (www.davidboyles.com) – KM.
boom, and it’s over.
Strange he didn’t shoot himself in the heart, like the Dostoyevsky character, and not the head, if that’s where he did.
He still had the intellect and talent of his former Nixon/Republican bashing self; he just lacked the heart. Too bad.