Soundbites

Published: Wednesday, October 1, 1997

Wednesday, October 1, 1997

Soundbites

MUSIC:

Various artists, "Soul Food" Soundtrack (LaFace) Just as the album title suggests, all 13 tracks from this newly released film soundtrack taste of soul food - gritty, heavy and though not fried in lard, still full of phat. More like a compilation of all the biggest R&B and rapper faves than an actual soundtrack, co-producer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds contributes once again to an album jam-packed with potential, if not already hits.

Boyz II Men deliver their sentimental ballad "A Song For Mama," a dreamy swirling song soon to be used at every graduation as a tribute to the women in our lives who have done everything from changing our diapers to loaning us the serious funds. Puff Daddy teams up with Lil' Kim in "Don't Stop What You're Doing," a quick dance, club-pick-me-up, while Dru Hill slowly swoons in "We're Not Making Love No More." R&B star Monica creates soothing harmonies with the up-and-coming male vocalist,Usher, in "Slow Jam," a track quickly rising on the Billboard singles charts.

Other artists that offer tasty samples of soul include En Vogue, BLACKstreet, XSCAPE and Tony Toni Tone. But it's just not enough. All 13 courses of "Soul Food" will leave your ears craving for more. Nerissa Pacio A+

Dog's Eye View, "Daisy" (Columbia) Twenty four seconds into "Goodbye to Grace," the seventh cut on Dog's Eye View's new album, singer Peter Stuart belts out a long, agonizing moan in his effort to enunciate the pronoun "I." This hearty vocal vagary, as well as cool machine-like drumming and some interesting guitar work, distinguishes the Seattle-based band's second album from all those minor-league bands. Unfortunately, the band pumps out mostly standard, predictable ditties in the tradition of Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, and yes, Hootie & The Blowfish.

Spike the Spin Doctors' soda with Prozac, and you have Dog's Eye View. The songs are friendly, easy to enjoy, and familiar, probably because we've heard them all before. "Homecoming Parade" sounds suspiciously similar to Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance," and "What Do You Do?" comes off like Cracker's "Low." The band opens up a can of whoop-ass with "Hollywood," the hardest rock cut on the album featuring a textbook showcase of Seattle rock-n'-roll.

Dog's Eye View sounds ripe for a megahit, but it'll have to be on the next album. The band has the talent to create a new, distinctive sound unlike its uninspired rock fare, but that will require further development and innovation. For now, they make a perfect frat party band that play enjoyable alternative drivel. Jeremy Engel B-

The Geraldine Fibbers, "Butch" (Virgin) One of the most popular bands on the L.A. club scene, the Geraldine Fibbers arrive with "Butch," a 14-song collection of talented, aggressive pop with in-your-face themes. With styles that mesh Sonic Youth, the Replacements and L7, the Fibbers confidently offer a sound that is both brooding and spirited.

Some songs, like "Toybox" and "I Killed the Cuckoo" bring down the house with all their punk fury. Others, like the country-flavored "Folks Like Me" and "Pet Angel," display an acoustic and vocal twang that will surely raise a few eyebrows over in College Radioland. Yet the true highlights of "Butch" - the folk-rock "You Doo Right" and the more accessible "Trashman in Furs" - bring together catchy hooks and pop musicianship that, though more subtle, still keep the darker edge of the Fibbers' style. Mike Prevatt B+

Cornershop, "When I Was Born For the 7th Time" (Luaka Bop/Warner Bros.) In the tradition of Beck, the Beastie Boys and Pavement, Cornershop fully utilizes a wide variety of instruments, sounds and samples to create musically rich songs. Thanks to the talents of leadman Tjinder Singh, Cornershop succeeds at bringing us one of the most dynamic records of the year where anything goes.

From songs of sunny pop ("Good to Be on the Road," "Brimful of Asha") to exotic, hypnotic arrangements full of synthesized sounds and eclectic instruments ("Sleep on the Left Side," "Chocolat"), Cornershop goes from one side of the alternative-pop spectrum to the other. Their use of the sitar adds to ethnic flavor of the album (recorded all over the world), especially in the Kula Shaker-meets-Beck "Coming Up," the rhythm-friendly "We're in Yr Corner," and, of course, the faithful cover of the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood" (with Hindu vocals). Thankfully, Cornershop plays satisfying yet complex pop without overwhelming us. Mike Prevatt A-

Linoleum, "Dissent" (DGC) Since they hail from the U.K., Linoleum will undoubtedly be given the Britpop placard by most music critics. However, Linoleum's debut album, "Dissent," serves as something quite different from the majority of music arriving here from across the Atlantic. Working with talented producers Paul Q. Kolderie and Sean Slade (who've produced albums of such respected bands as the Pixies, Radiohead, and Echobelly), the result carries the musical appeal of Sleeper crossed with the dark, brooding quality of the Tindersticks.

None of the songs in the album are catchy enough to have you humming to yourself while walking down the street. Once Linoleum blasts through your stereo, however, the melancholy atmosphere the band emotes will have you drop what you're doing to listen attentively to lead singer Caroline Finch's dispirited vocals.

While the fast-paced opening track, "Marquis," deals with the issue of drug addiction, the album sinks deeper and deeper into a cesspool of depression with songs like "Beds" ("The rooms spinning again/She can't seem to remember getting into this mess/ Don't try and pick her face up off the floor"). Slower songs such as "Stay Awhile" and "Twisted" will just about dampen anyone's mood for the rest of the night.

The best track on the album is the bitterly melodic "On a Tuesday." Half spoken-word, Finch intelligently sings about the relationship between faulty love and worship, dripping with a dose of sarcasm. As a bonus, the album contains a hidden track of "On a Tuesday" sung in French, which recalls the same lilting, celestial quality that the Francois Hardy version of Blur's 1994 classic, "To the End," emanates.

Linoleum's gloom and doom approach to music somewhat distinguishes itself from their British counterparts. Even though "Dissent" won't be the first choice your CD player will desire to suck in and play, Linoleum's the group to listen to any time you want to remain depressed and feeling sorry for yourself on those lonely nights Tristan Thai B+

The Honeyrods, "The Honeyrods" (Capricorn) In a year that has seen such acts as Third Eye Blind and Matchbox 20 hit it big, alternative pop continues to reign over the electronic hype and established hitmakers of a few years ago. The Honeyrods follow with their satisfying, 12 track debut, which sounds destined for KROQ, Y-107 and Star 98.7 radio heaven.

Their songs are different enough not to melt into each other, but yet there remains a pleasant flow that keeps you listening. Their material ranges from the rockers ("Float," "Love Bee") to the happier pop ditties ("Into You," "Child"). What links their songs together are the good (signature, high-pitched guitars) and the bad (pseudo-deep lyrics: "Sometimes you get something/ sometimes you get nothing... matters where you go"). But the bad never takes away from the Honeyrods' fresh-sounding, prepped-for-crusing sound. Mike Prevatt BVARIOUS ARTISTS

"Soul Food"