2002-04-01 | NEW ZOO REVUE

Okay. Here are some recently attained albums:

N*E*R*D* "In Search Of.."

A very easy to listen to album. Nothing spectacular on the first listen. There are 2 or 3 songs that I really really like. The rest were all just satisfactory. And a couple I didn't like that much. In case you didn't know, this is the production group normally known as the Neptunes, so the beats are pretty great for the most part. This album sounds kind of like Kool Keith doing an entire R&B album, but without as much humor. Detroit Grand Pubahs does a funnier brand of this kind of music. So far it's not a 5 star album like Pulse said, but who knows, it may grow on me. Hopefully I'll feel the inspiration to give it that chance.

AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD "Source Tags and Codes"

A very enjoyable album by possibly the second best band to have originally started out in Hawaii. Chokebore, of course, is the greatest. I really like this band, though. They know what they're doing. I like the soundscapes, and the lyrical themes alot. This album actually got better near the end. Maybe it was just starting to grow on me. I will have to listen a few more times before I'm sure. I didn't know they were on a major label now, until I saw it at the record store. They are on Interscope now. I know some people will probably say that it has ruined their sound or image somewhat, but it's working fine for me thusfar....

JOEY RAMONE "Don't Worry About Me"

Sounds like what you would picture a Joey Ramone solo record sounding like. It's fine. I enjoyed it. There's a couple songs that sound like fillers, but you can't blame him, or them. He was in a fucking hospital through most of the recordings. Some of the songs are hopeful, others are sad, some are both. I just love the cover of "What a Wonderful World". It's just so beautifully simple. The song about Maria Bartiromo sounds great, and is very amusing, especially if you've seen her before. We're going to miss this whacky guy. When he sings "it really sucks..", such a simple phrase has never sounded so real, poignant, and profound. Poor guy. You can almost see his tears when you hear certain lines. I don't think he cried alot. He was very positive throughout the whole ordeal. But I'm sure on the inside he had alot of pain. Hopefully no regrets.

DAN THE AUTOMATOR "Wanna Buy a Monkey?"

An excellent "mix-tape" cd. The diversity of the songs is very welcome in this day and age of mix-tapes full of Jay-Z's and Cool J's, and a bunch of other rappers with J's in their names. The songs blend very well together. The album starts off energetic, and goes on to peaks and valleys of smoothness, relaxation, and "real hip-hop" moments. It is what it is. It's just a non-stop, feel good, no-nonsense album. Highlights include songs from Brand Nubian, Fantomas, Air, De La Soul, Loveage, Zero 7, Doves, and many more. I believe the album also features cuts from Kid Koala, which are always welcome. Highly recommended background music. Great for the workplace, that is if you're allowed to rock the house when you're at work.

MILLENCOLIN "Home From Home"

Hmmm. A little bit more of a "grown-up" sound I think. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing yet. Not as good off the bat as the last album was. Sounds alot more straight forward punk, and less of the melodic-punk stylings. It's still pretty enjoyable for the most part. I'm almost positive it will grow on me. Some of the lyrics are still pretty fun loving, but I'm not sure how to interpret some of the songs yet. Still a tad early. It's fine, though.

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