The Michigan Daily - Monday, May 8, 2000 - 13
4leater-Kinney roils
its super-sweet 'Bad
One' into Detroit
9 Gabe Fajuri
aily Arts Writer
They've been called "The greatest
band in the world" by some well-
respected critics. Many have called
their last three records nothing short
of "perfect." And
this coming
weekend, the
o 1 v ms p i a
Sleater- W a s h i 1 g t ot 1
Kinney indie-rock phe-
ajestic Theatre non trio known
May 13 collectively as
Sleater-Kinney is
bringing its
unique girl rock
sound to down-
town Detroit.
Getting a han-
die on exactly
what label best
*scribes Sleater-Kinney is tough.
It's all too easy to toss them into the
category of punk, as some critics
might be quick to do. To be certain,
Hoku
not just a
*Dumb
Blonde'
At first glance Ioku's self-titled
debut album is nothing more than
ffen Records' attempt to hop on
we blond-haired, teenage-girl, pop
bandwagon. However, the CD con-
tains a catchy
blend of bub-
Grade: B blegun pop tunes
that make her
Hoku stand out from
Hoku the competition.
Geffen Records If the songs get
any air play this
Reviewed by could make her a
Daily Arts Wrter Zoog Disney reg-
Curtis Zimmermar ular.
Hoku has had
some success this year thanks to the
album's first track, "Another Dumb
Blonde," which was released in con-
junction with the film "Snow Day."
Most of the material on this album,
these ladies most certainly do rock.
But while their albums often have
a certain ferocity akin to punk, it's
best to stay away from trying to tag
the trio. Let it suffice to say that
when Sleater-Kinney is in the
kitchen, they add equal parts rock
and roll, and toss in a healthy dash of
femsale attitude for good mneasure.
The resulting concoction is nothing
less than heavenly.
Festivites are being held on
Saturday at the- Majestic Theatre in
Detroit where the gals in the gang
will be appearing to support their
recently released record, "All Hands
on the Bad One," issued on the
Olympia, Washington based Kill
Rock Stars record label.
The new albumn, which Iit record
shop shelves on May 2, is yet anoth-
er tour de force frost Sleater-Kinney.
Starting off on a slow note with
"Ballad of a Ladyman" and quickly
kicking into high gear with tusses like
"Ironclad" (yes, it includes all the
Civil War references you'd expect to
Courtesy of Geffen Records
including ballads like "Just Enough"
and the acoustic rock song
"Oxygen," lack one thing that all the
other girl singers seem to have: vocal
effects. Instead of Johnny Bravo
style computerized echo, you actual-
lv hear Ms. Hoku's voice. She even
holds sole song writing credit for the
love songs "We Will Follow The
Sun" and "You First Believed." This
is a drastic departure from most of
the mainstream pop acts who simply
add a few of their words to already
written material, then claim to be
"songwriters."
While her debut albusm proves that
Hoku isn't just "Another Dumb
Blonde," the real test for pop music
isn't critical acclaism (which is usual-
ly the kiss of death) but album sales.
Even if Hoku doesn't go platinumt its
good to see that Geffen retords did
not just issue a carbon'. r.py of
Britney Spears.
The women of Sleater-Kinney may seem nice, but they will mercilessly rock your ass.
find on a rock record), "The that's exactly what makes it so delec- lished on previous Sleater-Kinney
Professional," "Rock n' Roll Fun" table. releases, including last year's "The
and the title track, "All Hands On the Sticking close to familiar territor- Hot Rock,' and 1997's "Dig Me Out."
Bad One" might not be another per- ry isn't a bad thing by any means. The three piece explosion that is
feet notch in the belt of Sleater- About the only new element found Sleater-Kinney is making-ts, way
Kinney, but it's nearly that good. on "All Hands" is the addition of across America as you read this
There's not much new mixed into drummer Janet Weiss' voice, former- piece. Special guests The Bangs
the traditional (if you can call it that ly relegated to karaoke bars. open the show. Be sure that you don't
after less than ten years of band- Weiss, the last member to join the miss out on what's sure to be unbri-
hood) Sleater-Kinney formula on band, nicely compliments the con- died and possibly perfect "Rock n'
"All Hands On the Bad One," but stant call/answer pattern well-estab- Roll Fun."
Jazzy, moody Kojak does 'Things'
Mood music comes in many shapes, While GVSB dabbles successfully in that's all that counts for this album.
sizes and sounds. And it should be no electronic music to give its albums an New Wet Kojak is in a good position.
surprise that two members of one of the extra kick, New Wet Kojak does the On Beggars Banquet records, the band
moodiest bands around, Girls Against same with its jazz tendencies. can do whatever they want without
Boys, compose half of another quartet Throughout "Do Things," the band major label giants hounding them for
that creates and carries a sleazy, sarcastic offers a layered array of sounds that at singles, a pressure that can be left to
attitude on its third album, "Do Things." first seem random and then develop into Geffen's Girls Against Boys.
The half of New Wet Kojak that hails unified songs.
from GVSB are "Do Things" is more harmonic than
drummer/vocalist previous efforts. New Wet Kojak's self-
Grade: B+ Scott McCloud titled debut could have very well served
and bassist Johnny as the soundtrack to "Twin Peaks," with
New W Temple. The other its broodish, roaming saxophone. The
Kojak band members are album's lyrics are where the band's sar-
Do Things s a x o p h o n i s t casm is most evident. Take "show busi-
Beggars Banquet C h a r I e s ness" for instance, where McCloud
Reviewed by Bennington and sings, "Marylin Manson is not a pussy! 15 an Hour
Daily Arts Wrier guitarist Geoff He's a rock god, with a hot bod." It's hard _$
Jewel Gopwani Turner. But while to tell if the songs arejust plain sleaze or
New Wet Kojak if New Wet Kojack is making a mockery
shows a high GVSB factor, expecting to of sleaze. Nonetheless, it's smooth and Part-Time
hear Girls Against Boys would lead a lis-
tener to disappointtmsent. On Campus
New Wet Kojak's sound is an acquired Cutting-edge
taste. It might take a little bit of patience
for fans of GVSB to sit through this
record at first. While being tamer in its Opportunity for
vocals and softer all around, the bands's Full-Time after Graduation
purpose seems to be one of experimenta- ME XI CAN CAFE
tion, which is apparent it every song. 333 E. Huron * Ann Arbor Hiring Now for
Whether it's in GVSB or New Wet Summer Worl'all
Kojak, it's hard for vocalist Scott
McCloud and his gritty, low-toned voice ANN ARBOR'S FINEST
to shake the sleaze. It's evident that New MEXICAN STYLE FOOD!
Wet Kojak isn't trying to avoid it's ApIO-ie
sleaze-rock persona; they just add some ITE-0
jazz so the isix. The spotlighon"o so MEXICANRESTAURANT
Things" primarily belongs so McCloud's M ICANRSTA RAN
shallow vocals. But the saxophone that t
moves the morphed melodies of each
song and often spits out a little chaos is
rcalls what makes this a unique album. 7641.6A xr S 1)c
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