Bonus Tracks
Fri., July 5, 1996
Evidence (Compass)
If you're waiting for Darden Smith to find a new label, kill time with this
reissue of his 1989 collaboration with Boo Hewerdine. Smith's penchant for
Seventies SoCal pop hooks and Hewerdine's keen sense of Sixties Britpop blend
well, while backing by Sonny Landreth, Reese Wynans, and Syd Straw -- plus a
bonus track -- add up to hard proof this CD shouldn't be out of print. -- Raoul Hernandez
RENEE WOODWARD
There was never any reason to question the raw sweetness of Woodward's voice when she was busking on Sixth Street -- it somehow chirped just above the traffic. But this all-too-short three song cassette of originals proves she's got a lyrical voice as well, with a surprisingly spiritual grasp on pacing, restraint, and melody. -- Andy Langer
ILUMINED HARTT
In Love We're One (Verge)
Good, rhythmic, drum circle-type fair with lots of African and Middle Eastern
stylings thrown together for the ultimate eclecticos bash. If you like Chaba
Fadela or Ali Hassan Khuban, Ilumined Hartt is for you. -- Joe Mitchell
STEP
Step by Step
Not only does Step somehow manage to bridge the gap between Winger and Soundgarden, but, thanks to amazingly boring songwriting, they've also found a way to make 40 minutes feel like four hours. -- Andy Langer
AMBERJACK RICE
Doug
This is very trashy, head-whirling blues with plenty of harmonica. It sounds
like Mojo Nixon got stuck in a blender and puked-up Señor Manteca from
Blues Traveler who then shat the Fuck Emos. There are songs about drinking
cough syrup for kicks and very disturbed friends hiding from mentally
manifested demons. Truly twisted stuff. Haphazardly executed, but spirited. --
Joe Mitchell
SWIRLITBOX
Swirlitbox dates about 10-15 years B.O. (Before Oasis), to a time when real
men wore black leather pants and white greasepaint faces. In this age of
confrontational, obnoxious Britpop, it's almost quaint for a band (local, no
less) who evokes the Furs, earlier Cure, and a less morose version of Joy
Division. Better than Liam telling you to sod off for the umpteenth time,
definitely.
-- Christopher Gray
BUD GOOD & THE GOOD BUDS
A New Leaf (BGB Productions)
This Asylum Street Spankers splinter project attempts to use the novel music
of Prohibition era to reignite the drug humor heyday of the Seventies. Some
songs are more chuckle-worthy than others, but the package really isn't
appealing enough to coax big-time guffaws out of a straight audience. Still,
it's a sure-fire Christmas gift for that special pothead in your life.
-- Greg Beets
LEE PERSON
Showdown
On this six-song cassette, Person's songwriting is mostly derivative and his
funk forced. Yet there's just enough solidly soulful, and occasionally
original, guitar work here to make each of these near
songs a notch above
interesting. -- Andy Langer
THE SIR FINKS
Lapping, lapping. So many small waves hitting the shore. The water ebbs
between your toes. Feels fine -- not enough to entice you and your board into
the water, though. Guess San Antonio just isn't pushing up the Big Kahuna,
which is what you need to stand out on the beach these days. Just a wave, not
the water.
-- Raoul Hernandez
"Bonus Tracks" reviews all local and Texas-based releases commercially: Send to "Bonus Tracks," The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765
