Hawksley Workman
Almost a full moon
Universal
Call me cynical, but I think we’re dealing with the next Hayden here. In other words, a local dude doing something completely marketable but slightly different to wrangle in the indie folk. He’ll put out one or two albums that do moderately well and then sink into obscurity as he writes the same shit over and over again. Which isn’t to say that this disc is bad. It’s pretty catchy, poppy and upbeat. Some introspection here and there to touch the heart, but it’s destroyed by obvious attempts at being “weird.” But it still just sounds like a dude from jam night who the majors are pushing a little too hard. Then again, I could be totally wrong and he’s the Next Big Thing. Here’s hoping, ’cause with Almost a full moon, Workman displays fine craftsmanship as a writer. At least if he bombs, he’ll have a future writing for J. Lo!
Rating: VVV
Julie Swarren
Bob Marley and the Wailers
The Best of the Early Years
Sanctuary/EMI
Barring the fact that every mullet-sportin’ jock from here to Victoria owns a copy of Legend and drunkenly shrieks the lyrics to “Buffalo Soldier” at top volume at every party, Bob Marley still has some resident coolness. Coolness that is emphasized in this early collection of lesser-known songs from the band’s pre-Next Big Thing era. This is the shit that made them cool…the pure, hungry music that was tainted by well, nothing really, ’cause Bob Marley was a pretty straight-up dude. It’s too bad he became resigned to a destiny as a Head Shop icon for ignorant dope-smokers and patchouli-stinkin’ tree-planter hippies, ’cause this shit rocks, mon!
Rating: VVVVV
Keith Carman
Concrete Blonde
Group Therapy
Manifesto
By the sound of this CD, it doesn’t seem as though Concrete Blonde ever broke up. They’re still coming from the same place they left eight years ago, which basically means there’s nothing new or fresh going on here. Kicking off with a strong start in “Roxy” and “Violent,” the mood quickly shifts to disturbingly mellow with “When I Was a Fool.” The album never really picks up the pace again, giving an overall vibe that we’re listening to b-sides, not an album proper. Times change…so should the band.
Rating: VV
Michael S. Childs
