We've got quite a backlog of CDs we've never gotten around to, so
we're going to try to chip away at the pile with this regular feature.
The plan: to take a few at a time and play each CD for as long as I can
stand it.
We Are Scientists (New York City)
Barbara (Masterswan)
Tired of the recent wave of 1980s electro dance-rock revivalists? Well, We Are Scientists is too. Sort of. Instead of synth-driven disco, these Franz Ferdinand wannabes aim higher than New Wave greatness with their latest record, Barbara. Their mission? Bringing back the sun-kissed, guitar pop tones of The Karate Kid soundtrack. And, actually, that isn't a bad thing. We're not ashamed to admit that Peter Beckett's "Moment of Truth" and Richie Fenton's "No Shelter" scratched our crane-kicking itches in that golden age of cinematic scores.
I made it: 2:13 into Track 5, "Pittsburgh."
Recoil (Sussex, England)
Selected (Mute)
Alan Wilder left Depeche Mode in 1995, just after the band became a
worldwide phenomenon with the release of Violator. His trance-adelic
side project at the time, Recoil, became his main gig, not that it's too
terribly different from the earlier, moodier works of that supplied his
riches. This album, paired with a remix album, is a reflection of
Wilder's favorite tracks from his rather productive years helming
Recoil. "Faith Healer", featuring vocals of Douglas MacArthur--the
Brit singer, not the legendary U.S. General, that would just be weird--could be a long lost B-side for his former mates, while the other songs
that were enjoyed can be considered mood music of the highest order.
The rave-worthy electro-beats are pretty choice, here. Perhaps many of
these tunes were being pumped at the illegal party where Emily Valentine
spiked Brandon Walsh's drink, that fateful, Mustang-wrecking night. You
know, the one where Steve Sanders had to acquire and egg from a shady
convenience store in order to gain access into the rave? Not that he
would've been let in once there, since he was escorting a sport coat
wearing Andrea Zuckerman. Yes, I just made a serious Beverly Hills, 90210 reference just after geeking out about The Karate Kid.
I made it: through Track 7, "Supreme."
Anna Rose (New York City)
Nomad (White Pony)
A script....
Jeopardy Contestant: I'll take "Things That Make You Go, Meh" for $1,000, Alex.
Alex Trebek: The answer is, "Generic, female, alt-country that contains the lyric, 'I'm one of those who always sleeps with their eyes closed.'"
Jeopardy Contestant: What is "Anna Rose's latest album, Nomad?"
Alex Trebek: Yes, that is correct, pick another category, please.
I made it: 1:45 into Track 1, "In the Morning View."
