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This benefit CD begins strongly, with Beachwood Sparks' "Sweet Julie Ann"'s psychedelic trappings including snarling backwards guitar, vocals swimming in a cavernous pool of reverb, droning primarily on a single chord - but they bring a song, too, similar to Ride on that band's first few recordings. Nice. Plus, genius use of glockenspiel, at first doubling the vocal line, then in a brilliantly effective shift, doubling the bass line. Garlands' "Bird on the Make," which seems influenced by the less commonly praised, more guitar-oriented moments of New Order (like the career peak of "Broken Promise"), is another highlight: Hook-ish bass, propulsive but unfussy drumming, a snarling mix of electric guitars. The Fly Seville and Sleepyhead contribute fine tracks from their respective new releases (reviewed elsewhere on this site). The second half of the CD bogs down a bit, with lifeless hip-hop, bland folk, bloodless Byrd-droppings, and a remix of the Future Bible Heroes' "Lonely Days" that might be more successful if I weren't familiar with the original version's haunting and bittersweet brilliance. Adding a heavy beat, clavinet, and "That Lady"-like tweezed guitar doesn't work for me. Your mileage may vary. |
