The Advanced Mitt
This may be the best reason since the Rudy Schwartz
Project to
keep up with the local tape section at Sound Exchange. Brown Hornet
crams a
relentless gumbo up your ears that hops around from frantic punk to
space rock
to well-mannered groove. Their approach is reminiscent of Chrome’s
bombardment
of the aural means, and their abrupt musical eclecticism could be
interpreted
as a logical follow-up to early Butthole Surfers or even Meatjoy. – Greg Beets
PAM MAYO
Looking for Alex
Alternately sexy and spooky, sometimes both at once,
Pam Mayo’s
new disc (produced by Arthur Brown) places her edgy, little-girl voice
in the
service of a diverse batch of smart tunes. Alex veers from the
Beatlesque pop of “Officials” (complete with trumpet flourishes) to
piano
balladry, funk, and some darker, less identifiable stuff, but it all
hangs
together nicely. – Lee Moore
TRUE INFIDELS
Babel (Tarantula)
This group lends a warm studio sound to the kind of
country-folk that
Bob Dylan was making in his John Wesley Harding period. Singer
Mikael
Martin follows through on this promise with the same kind of raspy
guttural
that characterized Mr. Zimmerman’s singing in that era, but a lot of
the songs
are uninspired spiritual quests. Despite its competence, the group
mainly flogs
a studio strategy that’s a three-times removed echo of the Traveling
Wilburys. – Eric Rasmussen
DENIM
Indian Paintbrush
I must ask Denim the same question I’ve asked Scott
Hoyt and
some guy from Round Rock whose name I’ve already forgotten – why are
you still
in Austin? Your Alabama-imitator, Eagles-style country is frowned upon
here,
but would probably be a hit in Nashville. You can take that as an
insult, a
compliment, or advice, whichever you prefer.
– Lee Nichols
This article appears in May 5 • 1995 and May 5 • 1995 (Cover).