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 Suho, t 'til Mll '1 u S t s ' tilI1 YOU DON'T THINK SO, HUH? WRITE FOR DAILY ARTS AND TELL EVERYBODY HOW IT REALLY IS.