lambchops's Full Review: Alterno-Daze: The 90's - Various Artists
I know what you're thinking. “Not another one of those stupid compilation albums!”
Well, this one is a bit different. Don't expect to see the mainstream hits from Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, or any one of the scads of other pseudo-singers out there. The title almost says it all Alterno-Daze: Natural 90's Selection. Whatever your definition of 'alternative' music happens to be, this album surely will sass-ify you in some way. Remember, it's best not to judge a book—er, CD—by it's cover.
This installment of Alterno-Daze (there are three total...one focusing on the 1980's and one pre-1980 also) has twelve tracks ranging from the early Seattle stylings of Mother Love Bone to the Minneapolis groove of Soul Asylum to the underappreciated and very British James.
Released in 1995, this compilation is a good primer for people new to appreciating music. It could easily cause an unsuspecting listener to run out to the record store and pick up entire albums from some of these artists. There are some obvious omissions, but this CD published by Rebound Records is satisfactory.
Dreams – The Cranberries
from Everybody Else Is Doing It So Why Can't We?
Released as the lead-off single for the band's debut album, this single helped to launch the career of this Irish band. Led by the stylings of pixie-esque vocalist Dolores O'Riordan, ”Dreams” is an upbeat yet somehow pensive song. The instruments are light and airy and highlight the odd intonation of O'Riordan's voice. I truly enjoy the attitude, beat, and emotion involved in this track. A
Connected – Stereo MC's
from Connected
This is one of the most unlikely Hip Hop acts. In fact, the band's British roots are showing. That aside, I adore this song. With great electronic beats and a abundance of electric enegy, this is one song that always finds itself on my mix tapes meant for long road trips. ”Connected” begs for your attention providing ridiculously infectious grooves and addictive lyrics. If you don't know this song, you're missing out on a world of fun. A
99.9 F – Suzanne Vega
from 99.9 F
From this New York artist's fourth album, 99.9 F is an experiment in dance beats. Vega's soft, understated vocals are strange as a front to beats more suited for late-1980's INXS songs. That aside, this is an appropriate song to include on this album. As a whole, the track is less interesting than some of the other offerings. Vega's vocals are relatively impressive (as usual), the song is just lackluster. B-
Down On Up To Me – Soul Asylum
from Hang Time
Usually thrown into the 'grunge' category, Soul Asylum is actually a Minneapolis-based post-Husker Du offering. This particular song is a harder rock version of what would later make the band uber-popular. The guitars are loud and lead singer Dave Pirner growls. This song is better than a lot of the band's other songs in that Pirner doesn't attempt to be pensive and serious and to actually sing. What makes this song decent is the electric guitars and heavy drums. Not the best song on this album, but it is deserved of it's place on this compilation. B+
Stardog Champion – Mother Love Bone
from Mother Love Bone
We all should appreciate this band. Mother Love Bone spawned an entire musical movement. From the pre-grunge scene in Seattle, this band destined for stardom was led by the late Andrew Wood. Slated for nationwide success, the band's run was cut short when Wood died of a heroin overdose in 1990. It was a tragedy, but members of the band went on to form Pearl Jam. An album was recorded in honor of Wood. Temple of the Dog proved to be an amazing all star tribute bringing together various members of the Seattle community. This song has great rumbling electric guitars and Wood's voice reminiscent of both heavy metal and Layne Staley of Alice in Chains fame. The chorus is great and worthy of a thousand repeats. This is a great song, it's just so sad that the band's career had to be cut so short. A-
Sit Down – James
from James
Some day I'll get around to reviewing an entire James album in honor of my sister who owns every album from the band on vinyl, cassette, CD, import, export, single, maxi-single, etc... Anyway, James is early Brit-pop. Formed in Manchester in 1982, they have released tons of popular albums. Led by the notoriously strange Tim Booth, James is a mainstay on alternative radio. ”Sit Down” is a fantastic track with a downhome, acoustic feel. The song actually pierces the soul with it's emotion and truly amazing sound. Even if you don't like the entire Brit-pop movement as of late don't miss out on this song. It's wonderfully beautiful. A
Sam – Meat Puppets
from Forbidden Places
As a long standing underground act, Meat Puppets have survived the highs and lows of the music industry and drugs alike. They found brief fame with the release of Too High To Die. Yet, real fans find more merit in earlier releases. Anyway, this song is typical of the band led by the Kirkwood brothers. It's got a country-rock feel with definite hits toward quirky and meaningless lyrics. I'm honestly not crazy about the sound of Meat Puppets on the whole. There are exceptions, but this song isn't one of them. C+
Bruise Violet – Babes in Toyland
from Fontanelle
Chicks rule! That aside, the music produced by these, um, ladies is heavy, harsh, and loud as hell. Guitarist and singer/screamer Kat Bjelland is angry and intense. I was attracted to this sound more so a decade ago. Today, it managed to be overly abrasive and unnecessarily hard on my delicate ears. This is only a good listen to certain audiences. Believe me. Don't challenge me. Bjelland will kick your butt otherwise. C+
Firepile – Throwing Muses
from Red Heaven
Fortunately, this chick rock is much more appealing than that last offering. Throwing Muses is the brainchild of bipolar Kristin Hersh. Fortunately, her mental problems seem to accent the sound of her angular alterna-pop. This song is sparse and relatively interesting. I enjoy Hersh's vocals despite the fact that she forces her voice entirely through her nose. This song is one of the better offerings on this album. A-
Valerie Loves Me – Material Issue
from International Pop Overthrow
Sure Material Issue is a return to power-pop ala Big Star and Cheap Trick. Those comparisons aside, this is a good song. I'm mildly annoyed by the strange vocals of the late Jim Ellison and the jangly instrumentation. Therefore, it's difficult to give this song a chance. Maybe it doesn't deserve a chance anyway. C-
Dine Alone – Quicksand
from Slip
New York alternative metal at what could be it's most mediocre. The song actually proves to be better than one may expect. The guitars are loud and obnoxious. The drums are heavy and driving. What annoys me the most about this song is the less than stellar vocals provided by Walter Schreifels. Eh. Nothing special. C
Don't Let Me Down Gently – The Wonder Stuff
from Hup!
I'm mystified as to the reason this song was included on this compilation. I've never heard this song and I've never heard of the band. Lead singer Miles Hunt was notoriously pompous. Too bad that he was so confident. Honestly, his music sucked. Apparently, the generally fickle British found merit in the band's style. The sound of this song is pop-new wave with hints of pseudo-punk. I honestly like the guitars, but all of the other elements are average at best. Hunt's vocals are annoying. The electronic elements detract from any interesting elements. C-
As you can clearly see, there are some great things here. Half of the songs are brilliant, the other half are are okay bordering on ridiculous in some cases and obnoxious in others. As a whole, I appreciate what was trying to be done here. The CD's creators tried to put together a complete retrospective incorporating all kinds of music into one listenable whole. They accomplished their goal...sort of.
I will give this album 4/5 stars. My favorite songs are ”Connected” and ”Sit Down”. I quite honestly despise the Material Issue track the most. That one probably didn't deserve any attention at all. The same could be said for the Wonder Stuff schlock. I recommend this song to people who like at least half of these artists or songs. If you don't know who any of these people are, don't buy it. If you like just the Cranberries, don't buy it. You'll be disappointed.
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