new great/not-so-great albums

[hogge@p.cs.uiuc.edu (John Hogge)]

Review on several records which came out last week:

1. Gut Bank "The Dark Ages" LP:

This and the next (#2) are so good that I've been reluctant to post a review,
knowing that my vocabulary just can't do them justice.  Buy and listen!!

Gut Bank's debute album is great, strong through.  I mentioned my good
impressions of several cuts I heard a couple weeks ago...the rest of the 
album proved equally satisfying.  Gut Bank is three girls one guy and proves
that, indeed, women can play lead guitar.  (Side topic: know of any other
good female lead guitarists?)  The guy does rythm guitar and backup vocals.
The lead vocals sound very Patty Smith influenced to me, with the upturn
on the end of notes and crazed delivery and all.  The music is intense,
hard edged "new wave", melodic, often but not exclusively 2-chord patterns.
And it's unique as far as I'm concerned, since I can't come up with bands
they sound like.  Vocals are strong, guitars are strong...get it.
  Twin/Tone Records, 2541 Nicollet Ave, South Minneapolis, Minn 55404 and
  Coyote Records, POBox 3112, Hoboken, NJ 07030

2. Thin White Rope "Moondance" LP:

Very good rock with strong male vocalist and backing guitar (somewhat similar
to the guitar backing on Cochteau Twins albums).  I don't like too many
vocalists, especially of the type on this LP, but this guy's style is
addictive.  His sound is gruff, vibrato, and it kind of reminds me of 
Anthony Newly or someone like that.  The music has several influences along
folk, blues, and a tad of psychedelic lines.  Generally soft, mellow, but
in no way lame.  If Gut Bank isn't unique, this album surely is.  Apparently
it's their second effort, stronger than their first.
Frontier, P.O.Box 22, Sun Valley, CA 91353

3. Scratch Acid "Berserker" EP:

Not as strong as their two previous releases (which are kick axe).  
Approximately two strong cuts, four lame/generic-Scratch-Acid cuts.

--John