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Client City
On the environmentally aware cartoon "Captain Planet," Gaia, the spirit of Earth, gave five magic rings representing the elements Earth, Fire, Wind, Water and Heart to five eco-friendly youngsters known henceforth as the Planateers. With these rings, the Planeaters sought to combat aerosol can, oil freighters and things of that nature. I suspect however, that Gaia also gave the power of the elements to musicians, which is now reflected in the albums they made. She (hypothetically) gave the elements Earth, Wind and Fire to the band Earth, Wind and Fire, if for no other reason than that is the name of the band and it would make sense to do so. The same goes for Heart. Lastly, I'm assuming that Gaia assigned the power of Water to Client. I'm also assuming that the aforementioned Water is more like tap water than a mighty ocean.
Like tap water, Client is bland, low density and more than a little boring. City, the electroclash duo's second album, is all clunky, cacophonic loops and comatose lyrics delivered with Ben Steinel-like intensity. Nearly all the tracks show promise, but unimaginative breaks and beats stultify the album and doom it to the wastebasket of this dead or dying genre. Even the guest appearance of Carl Barat (the Libertine without the drug problem) on "Pornography" is rendered ineffectual by the album's overall aversion to anything spirited or moving. The one bright needle in this vermicular haystack is "Cracked," a swelling sonic landscape a Wish You Were Here-era Pink Floyd. It's also only 48 seconds long.
City closes appropriately with "Everything Must End," a reminder that if we remain steadfast, all things, including bad albums and nonsensical reviews, will pass some time.
Grade: D+
U2 How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
— Dave Ruigh
The cleverly-titled How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb might as well be a soundtrack to what U2 has accomplished during the past 28 years. Though never completely straying away from its trademark arena-rock sound, filled with the always-amazing guitar work from the Edge, U2 has definitely represented several different eras of its career on this album. The opening track and first single, "Vertigo," is a reminder that U2 can indeed rock so much to compete with the average "alternative" band from the '90s, and easily could have been placed on Zooropa or Pop. The beautiful "Miracle Drug," a dramatic and radio-ready song that could have been found on 2000's All That You Can't Leave Behind. "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own," with its ringing guitars and soaring vocals,
could have been an outtake on *The Joshua Tree*. "Love and Peace or Else" even could have made it on 1984's *The Unforgettable Fire*. And that's just the first four tracks on the album.
One thing is for sure — U2 is best when they try to sound like U2. The band's weaker albums tended to be its more experimental efforts. U2's last album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, definitely did show the band returning to its more conservative style reminiscent of the '80s after several years of experimentation. But this album sounds more like U2 than the band ever has before. Lead singer Bono's lyrics are also more personal on this album than they ever have been. The result of all this makes for the best U2 album since the band's 1991 masterpiece Achtung Baby.
Grade: B+
Matt Beat
Who?? The Holy Ghost
Chris Heine- vocals
Kent Heine- bass
Angela Webster- drums, vocals
Alec Ferrell- guitar, vocals
The Holy Ghost is a very melodic indie- rock group who recently played at the College Music Journal Music Marathon in New York City. They have been active since 2001, and are now touring nationwide in support of their latest record Well...Get Your Funeral Shoes. Lead vocalist Chris Heine describes the band's sound as moody and naughty — but naughty in the serious but fun sense. Though they now reside in NVC, Heine and his brother, bassist Kent Heine, grew up in our good oil' neighbor to the north, Nebraska.
Q & A with Chris Heine, lead vocalist of The Holy Ghost
If you weren't a musician, what would your other dream job be?
Heine: I would be a horse trainer in Kentucky. I think that would be the most laidback lifestyle. The idea of smoking cigarettes and training horses all day just appeals to me.
Heine: Columbus Day. It's just so funny how people scream back and forth about it. Some people think it's appropriate. Some people think it's inappropriate. But these arguments are pointless and humorous to me. There's nothing much we can do. People are worked up over nothing.
What's your favorite holiday and why?
Which cartoon you watched on TV as a kid should they bring back? Heine: Underdog. You know, the one about the superhero little dog. "Have no fear, Underdog is here!"
Name two places you've always wanted to visit but haven't.
Heine: Tokyo and Rome.
How many cassette tapes do you own?
Heine: About 50, and they're all from the early '90s.
Do you still listen to them?
Heine: Well, I should. Every once in awhile I do, but I mostly listen to records and CDs.
ClearlyRecords.com
OK, who would win in a fight: Harry Potter or Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings?
**Heine:** Oh Gandalf would kill him.
— Matt Beat
12.2.04 Jayplay
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