The Automatik

Attack Records, 2004

Morrissey is as anachronistic as a quill pen in an Internet cafe. Who else would have the guts to include the line “and spit upon the name Oliver Cromwell” in his latest album’s first single? Who else would sing the line with a vocal flourish normally reserved for sentiments heralding Oscar Wilde? It’s catchy all right, but nothing compared to “The First of the Gang to Die,” which has that trademark Moz chorus, ridiculously loveable guitar, lyrics about smooth criminals, and falsetto ad libbing. It’s like “The Last of the Famous International Playboys” updated for his male Latino fan base.
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An Evening with Siouxsie
House of Blues
September 12, 2004

Last night I saw Siouxsie perform, nearly 20 years after the first time I saw her perform. Then, it was 1985, and it was Siouxsie and the Banshees. This time, the show was billed as “An Evening with Siouxsie” and was promoted as a mix of Banshees and Creatures favorites. I’ll admit that I was never a Creatures fan, not from lack of their talent, but just from my lack of interest. Either the balance of songs last night was off, or my memory is finally failing me, because I only recognized a handful of tunes. John McGeoch was sorely missed (may he rest in peace), as was Steve Severin, who was “replaced” by a young lad playing keyboards and tapes who looked like he was moonlighting from Interpol. Still, it was a thoroughly enjoyable show.
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Sam Roberts/Sloan
Olympic Island-Toronto, Ontario, Canada
August 7, 2004
Also featuring: Death From Above 1979, The Arcade Fire, Buck 65, Broken Social Scene, Constantines, Pilate, and The Stills

Finally, a real Sloan show. In Canada.
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Virgin Records America, 2004

It would be impossible to attempt to write a review of Courtney Love’s new album without having, even in the back of one’s mind, at least a few preconceived notions. After all, we’ve all seen or heard several years’ worth of crazy stories about her antics. I’ve always been a tremendous Courtney supporter, even when she did things that defied logic. But I wanted to leave out a lot of the personal drama when listening to this album.

It wasn’t easy. America’s Sweetheart is no Celebrity Skin. It’s not the Fleetwood Mac-esque elegy to the dangerous beauty of Southern California. But it’s not the punk rock feminism of the Riot Grrls, either. The music is studio pristine and at times so glossy you can see your own reflection in it. Then there’s Love’s voice.

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From Smack Dab #5, April 1996:

Although you, loyal readers, may have believed fervently that Heidi and I were always media mavens who possessed a brilliant interrogative style, this was alas, not always so. Case in point: our first collective brush with fame, Suede’s Brett Anderson.
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The Everyones
Sloan
Jet
House of Blues
July 18, 2004

I thought that having to wait a month or so to see Sloan after buying the tickets to the show would mean that my giddy, fangirlish anticipation would have waned somewhat and I’d be able to relax and not make a fool of myself. But I was wrong.
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3CG Records

Every time I mention that I like Hanson, the collective response goes something along the lines of, “Aren’t those the little boys that sang that song? I hate them!” The infectiously catchy “Mmmbop,” the hit single that put Hanson on the bedroom walls of millions of teen girls, came out seven years ago, but for whatever reason, Hanson will always be eleven in the minds of most of the world. Listening to the music they’ve released since then would probably be a huge shock to music fans who still picture them as tow-headed, squeaky-voiced kids.
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Capitol, 2003

Now I’m not going to lie to you. I didn’t even like The Vines the first time I heard them. The friend who gave me Highly Evolved also provided me with a lot of gushing about how incredible it was. I listened to it and was not impressed.
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Twiropa
April 5, 2004

I bought the tickets for this show so long ago that I almost forgot about it. My excitement also waned considerably since the ticket purchase due to my somewhat less than enthusiastic feelings about Air’s latest album Talkie Walkie, but I knew it would be an enjoyable show anyway. And despite my disappointment upon finding out that Jason Falkner would not be touring with them this time, I was looking forward to seeing those French tiny gypsies, Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin, and Redd Kross’s Brian Reitzell on drums.
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2004, Wrechord Records

Just because Mr. Falkner’s last proper album was 1999′s excellent Can You Still Feel? doesn’t mean he’s been sitting on his well-deserved laurels. Between conceptual “soundtracks” like Logan’s Sanctuary, the Bedtime with Beatles discs, working and touring with French band Air, and the unsigned TV Eyes, Falkner’s musical contributions have been good and plenty. But we still want more Falkner, so this five song EP, the appropriately titled Bliss Descending, is the kind of candy that isn’t going to spoil your supper.
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