WENDY & LISA - EROICA

Eroica...  You can search the term on google, bing, whatever search engine floats your boat and you'll always find yourself coming back to Beethoven.  He used the word more than once in his compositions and its since become a word many people associate with him including authors and film makers.  

Why did Wendy & Lisa choose to name their album "Eroica"?  That's a question we may never have an answer to.  But when you consider the breadth of music these two study, consume and incorporate into their own sound, it's not hard to believe some of Beethoven's Eroica Variations might have had an impact on one or both of them.

It's almost beside the point when you get right down to it.  Whether the name is used to honor music they love or signal the listener something truly transformative is about to happen, it works.  Not only is it a departure from the Minneapolis Sound but it expands the subject matter and writing abilities of the pair in a dynamic way.

The first time I heard this record I wasn't sure what to think.  It seemed like W&L were branching out into some new musical territory.  At the time, a lot of women were taking center stage in a folk alt rock sorta way.  Bonnie Raitt, The Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco and Melissa Etheridge...  A movement in women's music was off and running.  And it seemed almost like W&L were going to be a part of it.  But as I listened to "Eroica" more and more, I felt like there was something else happening.

One of the reasons I love Wendy & Lisa so much is because I don't feel alienated by their music.  I can relate to it from so many different angles.  Sometimes, I view their stuff from a more emotional, feminine side while in others, I'm more in tune with my masculine side.  Either way, they reach out to me because they sing about things I can internalize.  Their music becomes a backdrop to my life.  On this record, there are some astounding examples of that and there are songs I continually go back to even after all these years.

When you hear the opening chords of 'Rainbow Lake' a part of you feels completely at ease.  It's just Prince-y enough to make you feel like your in a comfortable place.  The organ swells over the minimalist electronic drum patch and the lovely visuals painted by the lyrics...  If Paisley Park were a real park, Rainbow Lake would be right beside it.  It's a visionary song.  

However, nothing can prepare you for the transition into 'Strung Out'.  Once that drum kicks in, you know you're in for something new and you're not disappointed.  Although the comparison of Love to a drug may not be a new concept, being addicted to a specific person is an interesting spin.  One approached from an almost joyful headspace.  As if the high achieved through that lover's touch, kiss and smile is more powerful than any drug.  Since discovering my demisexual nature, this song takes on a new meaning for me and is even more powerful.    A lover's smile can literally set my mind and heart free.  It can wash away worry and concern.  Not to mention, the song is absolutely kickin' and Wendy really rocks out on this one.

The next song is a more complicated endeavor.  'Mother Of Pearl' is the first song on this disc that reminds me of those old 70's rock bands who wrote crazy stories in their music.  The sorta band Christopher Guest poked fun at with his mocumentary film, "This Is Spinal Tap".  The song appears to be about a fight between lovers, but there's so much more to the lyrical content taken both in and out of context.  I could spend hours commenting on individual lines and tracing the slow tearing apart of this relationship, but I won't.  You'll have to listen to the song and see for yourself.  There are a couple of lines I absolutely do have to point out because they are, by themselves, so much more than the sum of this song.

"Guilt is the one thing
We could do without
Judgment the anvil
That's weighing us down"

I can't tell you how important those lines were to me when I realized I couldn't live a life trying to make my family happy.  The more I lied about who I was and adopted their religious views, the more unhappy I felt inside.  I knew in time I would suffocate under the pressure of that false life.  And all because I felt guilty.  That I was letting them down.  And fearful of the judgment.  I remember sitting alone one night listening to this song and playing that part over and over.  I realized I didn't have to hold on to the guilt I felt.  I wasn't doing anything wrong and the anvil of judgment on my shoulders wasn't a burden I had to carry.  Just like that, I made up my mind to start living for my own happiness and I stopped trying to live up to the expectations of others.

'Don't Try To Tell Me' is the first song sung by Lisa and it's another one that's taken me a long time to fully understand.  There's a resignation in her voice.  A sadness but also a tone of acceptance.  She's not going to make you stay if you don't want.  But at the same time, she's not going to change who she is.  I remember my ex telling me I was too co-dependent.  I was horrified.  Yet, as I thought about it, I couldn't see what was wrong with depending on your partner, or having them depend on you.  Of all the people in the world, isn't that who you should be able to depend on?  So if co-dependent means living a shared life and relying on each other, sign me up.  But don't ever try to tell me what I should or shouldn't be doing when it comes to love.  I've earned the knowledge I have of my self and I know who I am.  I'm not compromising that.  Even if it means losing a love.  That's the message I take from this song.

'Crack In The Pavement' to me is a song about perspective.  Seeing something in someone not commonly seen or overlooked.  And at the same time, seeing the side they don't usually show the world.  The chorus seems almost resentful of it, but I think it's more of a comment on honesty.  Why do people need to pretend to be something or someone they're not?  Why tell the world you're made of stone and then come cry on my shoulder when everything is too hard.  Amazing.

'Porch Swing'...  I actually think this song is about Prince.  Although I don't for one second think that Prince takes things real slow, the other metaphors they use to describe "The Guy (she) knows" are perfect.  It's a tender number and one that offers insight into a magical time in their lives.  'Why Wait For Heaven' is the sleeper rock opera I can't believe someone finally wrote.  The idea of making heaven here on Earth isn't new, but it's still incredible to hear Wendy sing about it like a call to arms.

'Turn Me Inside Out' is a tune about trying to understand  lover and be understood at the same time.  It's all about that process we go through as we get to know new people.  'Skeleton Key' is the promise of opening the door to new beginnings and a new life.  Maybe it's about introducing someone to their sexuality and helping them discover who they are.

'Valley Vista' is a track we can all relate to unless we've lived in the same place our entire lives.  I've driven past old homes my family lived in and homes I lived in with families I've made on my own.  There are so many memories that flood back to us when we see and experience these places later in life.  Such a unique song and one of the reasons I find them so compelling.  They can capture a specific feeling and moment in a song.

'Staring At The Sun' is the hopeful conclusion to the album and leaves you wondering, "What now?"  You wonder both for Wendy & Lisa and yourself.  This is another track I can personalize easily.  I can't imagine someone not being able to take this perspective and look out into their future and wonder what to do.  

The fact is, I could write about each one of these songs all day and discuss them at great length, but that's not what I'm trying to do here.  I'm trying to review the disc and give people the chance who haven't heard it to discover it.  Or those who are familiar with it, an opinion that might make them go back and listen again.

"Eroica" is one of my Desert Island Discs.  Whether the list be top 10, or top 20, this record will always find its way there.  It's simply that good and too much a part of my life.  I love it from start to finish.  How can I convince you to give this album a try?  If you haven't listened to Wendy & Lisa before, this would be the album to start with.

I feel like I'm just blithering now so I'll wrap it up.  But first, I should say...  My copy of this most excellent album includes a bonus disc of piano improvisations by Lisa.  I bought my copy on CD in Europe.  They're also amazing pieces of music.  I wonder if 'Eric's Ghost' is about Eric Leeds.  It would be nice to ask Lisa about that sometime.  And now for my final words:  A MUSICAL MASTERPIECE TRANSCENDING TRADITIONAL ROCK AND EMBRACING THE SPIRITUAL.  EVERYONE SHOULD OWN THIS RECORD.  IT'S THAT GOOD!

WENDY & LISA - EROICA
01. Rainbow Lake
02. Strung Out
03. Mother Of Pearl
04. Don't Try To Tell Me
05. Crack In The Pavement
06. Porch Swing
07. Why Wait For Heaven
08. Turn Me Inside Out
09. Skeleton Key
10. Valley Vista
11. Staring At The Sun
LISA COLEMAN - PIANO IMPROVISATIONS
01. Minneapolis #1
02. Minneapolis #2
03. Eric's Ghost
04. C-Ya

WENDY & LISA - FRUIT AT THE BOTTOM

By the time this disc had come out, I'd already decided Wendy & Lisa were two of the greatest songwriters I'd ever heard.  Their first album left me utterly breathless.  I loved it from start to finish.  And what's even more interesting is when you compare their solo record to the albums Prince was releasing after they'd left, you could hear their influence on him and why certain songs sounded the way they did.  There's simply no way to completely understand the impact these three musicians had on each other.  They challenged each other and brought out aspects in their music they couldn't have achieved alone.

Now, I'm not going to go on forever about how great Wendy & Lisa are.  I've already done that a bunch of times in other entries, but I will say this...  "Fruit At The Bottom" caught me completely off guard.  I hadn't seen the video for 'Are You My Baby' or heard the actual song before I bought the record.  If I had, I might've been prepared for some of what I was hearing.  As unconventional and interesting as "Wendy And Lisa" had been, "Fruit At The Bottom" seemed to move in an entirely different direction.  Some of the songs seemed to be written to appeal to an audience.  To fit into a genre.  There was an attempt to make this release more commercial.  As a fan, I was more interested in hearing the new places I thought the two would take me as a listener.  I didn't want to end up backtracking into the familiar suburban Wonder Bread sound of Top 40 pop.

When I heard 'Are You My Baby' for the first time, I was disappointed.  I liked the song, but I couldn't reconcile it with what I was expecting from them.  Many years later, I sorta figured out why I felt the way I did and why I was so quick to write it off.  Although Wendy & Lisa weren't out as gay or as a couple, I kinda assumed they were.  Or maybe my young inexperienced gaydar was responding to something I saw in them.  I didn't consciously know they were gay...  Nor was I completely aware of my own sexuality...  But there was an awareness inside of me.  Like always knowing I made my grandpa and other people uncomfortable because they could see something in me they didn't like.  That quality being my sexuality.  Even at a young age, I felt that awkward twinge and hearing Wendy sing a love song to a man seemed like selling out to me.  Add to that the bubble gum peppiness of the song and you get one confused kid.  I eventually realized they were writing and releasing music the label wanted.  

Part of that was more fully embracing the Minneapolis Sound they'd contributed so heavily to during their time with Prince.  You can hear some of that on this record.  Despite the push for more commercial Prince sounding tracks, Wendy & Lisa still delve into the realm of magical notes and produce some stellar music on this disc.  

Certain tracks were meant to be more radio accessible.  These are obviously 'Lolly Lolly' and 'Are You My Baby'.  I love both of these tracks, but the fact is once you get past them you discover a wealth of more complex and interesting music.

'Satisfaction' features Jesse Johnson, formerly of The Time and this gospel tinged rock number is a powerhouse track.  It's totally different from anything else on the disc and more rockin' than the duo had been up to that point.  'In My Dreams' is the first track that heralds back to the sound of the previous record.  I always viewed that album as jazz tinged, even though it has a strong Minneapolis vibe, it feels more like Jazz than pop music.  And that's part of the reason I loved it so much.  'In My Dreams' is a straightforward ballad, but it's got such wonderful instrumentation, it feels organic.  More like Jazz.  'Everyday' continues this vibe.  

'From Now On (We're One)' features Lisa on lead vocals on the verses.  This song became an anthem of sorts for me.  As much as 'The Beautiful Ones' came to describe my longing and desire to find love, 'From Now On (We're One)' describes the love I hoped to find in my life.  I can't tell you how many times I'd sit and listen to this song and wonder what it would feel like to fall in love.

'Tears Of Joy' is transformative.  This is a powerful bit of music.  It's about discovering yourself and finally understanding what you're looking for and what you want.  I could totally relate to it.  'Someday I' is another track I think is incredible.  There are other musicians who produce music I think sounds similar to Wendy & Lisa and frankly, this is the record I usually judge them against.

'I Think It Was December' is a bluesy jam that reinforces my deep, unspoken belief Wendy & Lisa were a couple.  This song makes me think they were deeply in love even though there's nothing in the song or the music that points to that.  I can't explain it.  'Fruit At The Bottom' is a fun tune but gender confusing again.  Why would her lover have fruit at the bottom?  Never made sense to me.

I've listened to this record so many times, I know each song inside and out.  It's become a core part of who I am and I truly love it.  I honestly think Wendy & Lisa were pressured to make this album the way they did.  If they'd been given free reign, I think it'd been something radically different.  No matter how you slice it, the disc did what it was meant to do.  They had a couple mediocre hits and made some money on the record.  Of course it would've been more interesting if they'd done exactly what felt natural and real to them.  For many years, these two have lived with a mandate to conform to a corporate music market and I'm so happy that's no longer the case.  Artists of this caliber need to be free to do what feels right.

Although it didn't start off being a good album for me, that changed over time and now I can honestly say, this is record everyone should own.  If you don't have it in your collection, find a copy and add it.  Now!!!  

My final words:  YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM TO GET ALL THE EXCELLENT FRUIT ON THIS DISC.  JUST PICK A TRACK!  A+

WENDY & LISA - FRUIT AT THE BOTTOM
01. Intro
02. Lolly Lolly
03. Are You My Baby
04. Satisfaction
05. Always In My Dreams
06. Everyday
07. From Now On (We're One)
08. Tears Of Joy
09. Someday I
10. I Think It Was December
11. Fruit At The Bottom

LITTLE DRAGON - LITTLE DRAGON

I think I've talked about where I heard of this band before, but if I haven't, here's the origin story...  Wendy Melvoin of Wendy & Lisa, Prince And The Revolution fame mentioned this was a band she'd discovered and was really enjoying.  When I heard that, I decided to check them out and see if they were any good.  The very first song I heard from them is on this album and I loved it.  I loved it instantly.  The second song I previewed was also from this record and I loved it just as much.  From that point forward, I was hooked.  

As they've released subsequent records, I've been delightfully amazed at the ideas and music they've produced.  I look forward to more in the future.  This is a group I'm very excited about.

The album starts off with the small sounding 'Twice'.  Although it's a quiet and rather unexciting beginning, the lyrics of this song are quite powerful and amazing.  "Twice I turned my back on you.  I fell flat on my face but didn't lose."  The imagery of turning away from someone who is obviously important to you...  Seeing the negative fallout from the loss of that relationship and yet knowing inside, you ultimately made the right decision.  I have people in my life this song utterly describes and for that reason alone, I adore it.  It's a piano driven slice of perfection right at the start of this amazing record.

'Turn Left' is the second track and it's just as interesting.  The lead singer of the band is half Japanese, half Swedish and she has a style that is oddly cultural and jazzy at the same time.  As a vocalist, no one would classify her in a category with Patti LaBelle or Celine Dion, but she's got a style that is evocative and soothing.  On this track, she seems to push an idea forward about identity and trying to find connection with others.  In the faces of those around her.

'No Love' is another song with powerful and compelling lyrics.  Just hearing someone say the things she says in this song would be emotionally devastating.  The minimalist arrangements throughout are very dramatic and although they are listed and classified as an electronic band, they're more like a jazz quartet.  The music is free and seems to flow in an unrestricted fashion.  quite different from the structured and finely timed sound of electronica.

'Recommendation' is a more upbeat track and it's another one fans will be drawn to.  It has more interesting lyrics and will make you fall in love with what the band is trying to create.  It's followed by the first track I ever heard from them, 'Constant Surprises'.  This one has a beat like you wouldn't believe.  It's subtle and sturdy.  Comes in quickly and establishes a momentum the tune doesn't deviate from.  The lyrics are built around an almost metaphysical experience with the physical world and how the singer views these happenings with wonder and amazement.  She draws you in with her vocals and you feel like you're falling into her life.

Once again, the soft thud of bass drums fills the speakers until the main body of 'Forever' kicks in.  When she finally comes in, Yukimi (the lead singer) delivers her most interesting and diverse vocal arrangement thus far.  This is an intensely driven song and there's a Japanese quality to it.  An almost Asian sound in certain notes used to punctuate specific ideas.

'After The Rain' is up next and it's another track that more upbeat and faster paced.  Like many of the tracks we've heard so far, it relies heavily on acoustic instruments with the electronic sounds backing up and helping strengthen the material.  It all works in a fine collaboration.

'Place To Belong' is a more melancholy number and it's built around a rising and falling scale played over a slow beat.  Once again, the emphasis is on the vocals, lyrics and the effect of them combined together.  It's followed by 'Stormy Weather'.  This is one is played on a keyboard, but it almost sounds like Yukimi singing along with a stand up bass being played softly beside her.  There's a whimsical sadness to this number.  It's like seeing something written on paper so thin you can see the light through it.  You can see past the sound of her vocals and feel the emotions she's expressing.

'Test' is probably one of the better fast numbers on this disc.  It's got a great beat and you can really get caught up in the song.  Once again, the vocals and lyrics are right on target.  'Wink' is probably my favorite track on the disc itself.  This one features a funky deep beat and a more complicated vocal arrangement that really shows off Yukimi's vocal talents.  Once again, there's an unmistakable Asian sound in the music.  But it's driving and quite powerful.

'Scribbled Paper' closes out the album and it's another acoustically dominate track.  Like most of the material on this disc, Little Dragon have created a minimalist sound and packed it with meaning, great melodies and arrangements that make each track powerful on their own.  What they've achieved here is nothing short of dynamic and worth listening to.  It s a hybrid combination of electronic art and jazz/soul.  If there is a band pushing boundaries in musical forms, this is it.  You just can't go wrong listening to this record.

My final words are gushing and all over the place:  THE BEST FRESHMAN DEBUT EVER!  CAN'T BE TOPPED AND AMAZINGLY UNIQUE!  A NEW SOUND FOR A NEW WORLD!

LITTLE DRAGON - LITTLE DRAGON
01. Twice
02. Turn Left
03. No Love
04. Recommendation
05. Constant Surprises
06. Forever
07. After The Rain
08. Place To Belong
09. Stormy Weather
10. Test
11. Wink
12. Scribbled Paper

MICHAEL PENN - MARCH

I discovered Michael Penn through my research into Wendy & Lisa.  I was going through a period where I tried to find everything they'd ever done.  I read about them working on this disc and so I scoured used record shops in Las Vegas until I found a copy.  I didn't know much about him.  It didn't even occur to me he might be related to the famous Penn brothers, Sean and Chris.  Or that he was at one point, the brother-in-law of Madonna.  I just wanted to hear more Wendy & Lisa.

Oddly enough, after I bought the disc, I had a friend who saw it in my apartment and started singing the first song, 'No Myth'.  That's when I realized he'd had an impact.  Quite honestly, I didn't listen to the album until that point.  I'd listened to the one track Lisa and Wendy performed on, but I skipped the rest.  That was a huge mistake.

'No Myth' is one of the album's singles and aptly so.  It starts off with a strong beat and a catchy tune that doesn't stop from the second it starts.  When I look at pictures of Penn and view the artwork, I think about the dust bowl.  Recession period USA.  But that quickly fades with the irresistible rhythms that jump out at you.  Granted, there's an element of the past in just about everything he writes, but it's infectious and exciting.  'No Myth' is a wonderful song.  It's fun, energetic and compelling.  You can't listen to this one and not want to boogie down.  'Half Harvest' is the second number and it's significantly slower than 'No Myth'.  The beat picks up a bit during the chorus.  The lyrics to this one are a little confusing.  I'm not exactly sure what the song's about, but I feel like it's a social commentary piece and deals with something specific to Southern California.  But I have no idea what that might be.

'This & That' practically jumps out of the speakers at you and the punctuated guitar jabs are impulsive and exciting...  They blend well with the melodic chorus.  This song is a piece of brilliance.  I absolutely love it!  There's an element of the track that sounds like the Paisley Underground movement from the 80's.  Just marvelous.  'Brave New World' is another rocking number.  This one has a rockabilly sensibility to it and reminds me of a Stray Cats swing beat.  Enjoyable tune!  'Innocent One' is the first ballad on the disc.  It's a folksy tune with a tender vocal delivery.  It feels personal in many ways.

Next up is the reason I bought the album.  Although it's listed as one song, track 6 is actually two songs.  The first is an instrumental intro written by Patrick Warren called, 'Disney's A Snow Cone'.  It's followed by the cut featuring Lisa and Wendy, 'Bedlam Boys'.  'Bedlam Boys' has that deep groove Wendy & Lisa are so great at producing.  The song is phenomenal!  I can't praise it enough.  I feel like these two have an amazing talent to bring out the best in the people they work with and in this case, they help an extremely gifted musician create absolute magic.

'Invisible' is another song built around a strong beat.  Penn has a great sense of timing and avoids a common trap encountered by first time musicians...  He doesn't pigeonhole himself into a set tempo.  He's all over the place!  It's quite thrilling to listen to someone take a mid-tempo song and create urgency and speed through the vocals and melodies rather than the drums and bass.  'Cupid's Got A Brand New Gun' is the second ballad on the disc and highlights Penn's interesting vocal arrangements.  His complicated structures are showcased here.  This track has highly intense lyrics.  It's a profound description of love.  You could easily find your personal state of mind in this track.  He so aptly describes the surrender each person experiences during love.

'Big House' floats in with a country twang then settles into a rock number with some transitions happening on a third count.  I think this is a great track and I could see a number of different bands covering it successfully.  It's fantastic!  'Battle Room' is a different number once again highlighting his versatility.  It's a slower tune, but it doesn't settle into a ballad.  I find the lyrics on this one interesting as well...  Hiding highly charged emotional scenes away from public view.  This is a complicated songwriter with a wide vision.  He's able to draw from a variety of situations for his subject matter.  I find that quality in a songwriter compelling and interesting.  

The final number is 'Evenfall' and although from the title and it's position on the disc, you might expect a quiet outro of sorts, the track is lively and features some unusual instruments.  It features a horn arrangement I'd associate with older rockabilly bands from the 50's and 60's.  It's a blast at the end of a dynamic bit of music.

After finally listening to the record, I'm surprised Penn didn't do much better than he did.  His insightful lyrics, unusual composition style and daring musical approach makes him someone to pay attention to and follow.  I've sense bought other albums and I've enjoyed them as well.  My final words:  MARCH YOURSELF TO THE NEAREST WEBSITE AND BUY THIS GEM.  IF YOU ALREADY OWN IT, PULL IT OUT AND LISTEN AGAIN.

MICHAEL PENN - MARCH

01. No Myth

02. Half Harvest

03. This & That

04. Brave New World

05. Innocent One

06. Disney's A Snow Cone/Bedlam Boys

07. Invisible

08. Cupid's Got A Brand New Gun

09. Big House

10. Battle Room

11. Evenfall

LITTLE DRAGON - NABUMA RUBBERBAND

Little Dragon are a Swedish band I discovered through Wendy Melvoin.  She was asked about a group she really wanted to work with and she said, "Little Dragon".  That's some serious high praise in my book and so I decided to check out the band and find out what they were all about.

Initially, I listened to them on Youtube.  There are a couple of streams that play entire records and by the time I found them, they'd released 3.  I listened to the records in order and as each album finished, I found myself wondering at what I'd just heard and what was going on...

Probably the most remarkable thing you notice right off the bat is the minimalist sound of the group.  Studio recordings often feature drum machines even though one of the band members is a drummer.  Their sound could be labeled electronic, but they blend acoustic instruments in as well and they don't follow a typical electronic dance beat in most of their songs.  "Nabuma Rubberband" demonstrates this probably more than any of their previous releases.  It also shows you the focus of the tunes is the lyric.  

The lead singer of Little Dragon is Yukimi.  She's half Japanese and half Swede.  I don't know exactly what it is about her, but I find her extremely beautiful.  She's enchanting.  Her beauty is stunning.  Vocally, she has a rather small voice.  She lacks the projected volume of singers most often celebrated for their brash loudness.  She'd never walk on a reality show like "American Idol" and get past a single judge.  But what she does with her voice is so unique and interesting, there's no comparing it to anyone else.

The way this band composes and performs music, is more like a Jazz quartet to me rather than an electronic group.

But enough with the rambling...  Talk about the album:  So the opening track is 'Mirror' and it starts off slow and haunting.  By the time Yukimi actually begins to sing, you're wondering what's happening.  She refers to passing looks, shocked impressions and you start to think she's looking at herself in a mirror and disappointed or upset with what she's seeing.  As the song progresses, you get the sense she's in the middle of an argument with a lover or someone she's close to emotionally.  There's an acoustic drum fill in the middle of the song and some sound effects that make a brief appearance...  Otherwise, the two chord intro and the spooky drum track are the only ingredients to the song.  She ends the number by saying, "You're gonna make me put my fist through this mirror." finally expressing the tension and anger have built enough she can no longer contain them and she's about to lash out physically.  It's a very powerful expression of strong angry feelings.  

The second song is 'Klapp Klapp' and this is one of my favorite songs on the record.  There's a very simple repeating snare drum introducing us to this track and it sounds like a bass might be playing alongside, but you realize shortly it's a keyboard sound.  Coming off of 'Mirror', this number gallops in and wallops you right across the face.  This is an unusual song.  The lyrics tell a strange story of a dreamscape.  You picture her standing on an old bridge spanning a small river.  And it's winter.  The best part of the song for me is when she sings, "Fallin' apart, apart, apart, apart, apart".  It's such an interesting arrangement.  Next up is 'Pretty Girls'.  The echo is turned up high on the simple drum track and it sounds distant but constant.  The song is advising young girls striking out on their own to be careful and not take unnecessary chances.  It's a very simple song, but very powerful.  "You magnify the universe".  Towards the end, some lovely violin playing comes in and sweetly accentuates the message.  'Underbart' has a great sustained keyboard motif at the beginning that reminds me heavily of the Pet Shop Boys.  But where they would follow it up with a dance drum track, Little Dragon set up a strong but somewhat slower rhythm.  This song is about a couple at the end of the relationship and reaching that moment when you finally don't care anymore and you just want to be free.  "Blow up the bridge and into the morning"...  Cut ties and start a new day.  It's compelling and certainly sets a trend and pace for the album.

'Cat Rider' is a ballad and seems to continue the story from 'Underbart'.  He suddenly realizes certain things now that he's lost her.  She saw through the facade he puts up for the world to see.  She moved past it and loved the real him.  And yet he couldn't accept it.  He pushed her away.  'Paris' is the first single from the album and it's easily the most accessible and radio friendly track on the disc.  It's got a great beat, interesting lyrics, a very smooth vocal delivery and it's infectious. Sometimes, when I'm driving with someone in my truck, I'll put this disc in and cue up 'Paris'.  It never fails to get my passengers moving in their seats.

'Lurad' is a strange 9 second track with a guy yelling over some crashing drums.  'Nabuma Rubberband' starts and you'd swear you were at a waltz.  This entire song seems to describe different ways you can feel outcast and alone.  Probably the most powerful line is "Being born at the wrong place, in the wrong time, with the wrong fate."  A pulsing drawn out keyboard line starts 'Only One'.  It's another ballad.  This time however, there's some interesting progression towards the end of the song.  'Killing Me' takes the beat built up at the end of the previous track and drags it down into a spiraling and dismal number about the pain of being alone after a breakup.  That absence become a death.  "You're Killing Me".  'Pink Cloud' is both mysterious and quirky.  It seems to be about growing old and the world getting away from you.  Everything passes so quickly.  'Let Go' might seem like another sad song at first, but it's more of her convincing herself to go ahead and let herself love.  She knows he'll catch up shortly.  And she's sure it's OK to cast caution to the wind and choose love.

The majority of this record deals with break up, ending relationships, missing someone and pain. You imagine something horrible must have happened to Yukimi or one of the band members for them to write so many sad songs.  If I could, I would hug them all.  

There's no way I can fully describe the simplicity of the music and how effective this minimalist approach to composing songs is in the hands of these unexpectedly mature and intelligent musicians.  I realize most electronic music buffs are never going to life what Little Dragon are doing.  You don't listen to this music and picture the swirling lights, smoke and lasers of the Love Parade.  What you do get, is mature, complicated themed music written to make you think, uncluttered, clean, pure and full of life.  People who do get what this band are doing find themselves intrigued and unwilling to turn their radios off.  If I had one complaint, it's that this is the first album where I feel like they didn't outdo their previous effort.  Each subsequent release has been an improvement upon the last.  Music, lyrics, vocal arrangements...  It all just keeps getting better.  But here, we didn't see the marked improvement.  But the tracks are flawless and strong.  

I recently picked up the Japanese version of the album.  It has a different cover and three additional tracks.  The first is a track called 'Winners' and it's amazing.  The second two are mixes of 'Klapp Klapp' and 'Paris'.  I really like both.  They're unusual and completely in tune with what you'd expect from this amazing group.  My final words: WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST VITAL AND EXCITING SOUNDS ON THE MODERN MUSIC SCENE.  GET TO KNOW THEM.

LITTLE DRAGON - NABUMA RUBBERBAND
01. Mirror
02. Klapp Klapp
03. Pretty Girls
04. Underbart
05. Cat Rider
06. Paris
07. Lurad
08. Nabuma Rubberband
09. Only One
10. Killing Me
11. Pink Cloud
12. Let Go
JAPANESE BONUS TRACKS
13. Winners
14. Klapp Klapp (Girls Unit Remix)
15. Paris (The Flexican Remix)

WENDY AND LISA - HONEYMOON EXPRESS

Ok, Ok, let's be honest...  Did I need this CD?  No.  So why did I buy it?  Simple...  Because it's a promotional copy of a single Wendy & Lisa had previously only released in vinyl.  I happen to love this song.  In fact, I love the entire album, but this song is easily one of my favorite.  It's just wonderful.  This record was the one Wendy & Lisa officially broke away from Prince and went on their own.  No more Revolution... Just two girls out to take on the world.

What strikes me the most about this song and the album it comes from is the sound.  Prince was moving away from his domineering funk sound when Wendy & Lisa began to influence his music.  In fact, they're largely responsible for the direction he took from about 1984 to 1986.  Albums for artists like The Family and Madhouse showcased this directional change.  It was obvious to music lovers who paid attention to what was happening, but for the general public; most just figured Prince was a wierdo with strange tastes in sound.  But the reality was something more like Lisa and Wendy exposing him to new genres of music.  Stuff he'd have written off before giving a chance.  I think we're all like that in a way.  Our tastes usually grow because people close to us expose us to new forms of music.  And that's exactly what I think happened with them.  I think they showed him cool jazz and introduced a European flare to his writing he didn't have before.

That sound continues on Wendy And Lisa's first album and is obviously lacking on Prince's next record.  There are hints of it on the lingering tracks Wendy And Lisa worked on, but Prince moved back into his deeper funk sound.  Whatever you think of any of them, this little bit of music history has a lucky spot in my collection and I'm pleased as punch to have it.  My final word:  ECSTATIC!

WENDY AND LISA - HONEYMOON EXPRESS
01. Honeymoon Express

ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO - PEACE BEYOND PASSION

This will be a totally unfair review because I absolutely love this CD. I picked it up originally because Wendy Melvoin of Wendy & Lisa worked on the disc and I had to have it in my collection. This was my first exposure to Me'Shell and let me tell you, I became an addict. She's phenomenal. From the opening instrumental, 'The Womb', she sets a beat and style that plays throughout the entire disc. It's so different from her debut disc it's scary. She goes on to change her sound virtually every time she releases an album. 'The Way' is an amazing song about racism from a religious standpoint. She wonders how to find appreciation for herself and confidence when the image of God she's constantly subjected to is a white man under who's name her forefathers were enslaved. It's quit astounding. The music is laid back and funky while being completely in tune with the message at the same time. And it just gets better from there, boys and girls. On 'Deuteronomy: Niggerman', she tackles modern day fidelity by proclaiming that all she's ever wanted was a man who could be true. This tune is more in line with her debut record and would have fit in nicely there. Still, it holds up on this release as well.

'Ecclesiastes: Free My Heart' is another beautiful number that's extremely melodic and intense lyrically. The standout number is the next in line. 'Leviticus: Faggot' is a song about being gay and the tragedy many gay kids face by their strict religious surroundings. She tells the story of a boy who embraces a lifestyle he felt was his only option because his fanatic parents kicked him out when they find out he's gay. She broaches the subject and then continues it with 'Mary Magdalene', another beautiful tune in which she expresses her love and commitment to another woman. She imagines them getting married by jumping the broom. An incredible song. 'God Shiva' is a song written with Wendy and is the one tune that while staying religious, opens the listener up to alternate beliefs outside of Christianity. She follows it up with 'Who Is He And What Is He To You' a Bill Withers cover. As a female vocalist singing the song, the tune takes on a very bisexual flavor. She's asking her girlfriend about a guy she's seeing her with. 'Stay', 'Bittersweet' and 'A Tear And A Smile' are all wonderful tunes and even though Wendy only plays guitar on 'Bittersweet', all three songs have a Wendy & Lisa feel to them. The final track, 'Make Me Wanna Holler' is based on Marvin Gaye's 'Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)'. She's speaks a lyric over the music telling a story of a troubled youth.

I could really go on and on about this disc in even more detail but I'm kinda pressed for time today and I need to get moving, so I won't babble. But I will say this in closing... If I was stranded on a desert island and I had this cd I'd be a very happy soul. That is if I had a solar cd player. Hehehehe. It incorporates so many elements of music I find intoxicating. I love the juxtaposition of religion with sexual orientation... This album is so important on so many levels. I wish more people would have picked up this disc and embraced Ndegeocello's call to understanding and compassion. She is a true poet and prophet.

My final words: ESSENTIAL LISTENING!

ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO - PEACE BEYOND PASSION
01. The Womb
02. The Way
03. Deuteronomy: Niggerman
04. Ecclesiastes: Free My Heart
05. Leviticus: Faggot
06. Mary Magdalene
07. God Shiva
08. Who Is He And What Is He To You
09. Stay
10. Bittersweet
11. A Tear And A Smile
12. Make Me Wanna Holler

NEIL FINN - ONE NIL/ONE ALL

Neil Finn is a name fans of 80's music will recognize. As a former member of Split Endz and Crowded House, Finn made a name for himself. What most people in the states don't realize about him is his international recognition as a solo artist. In March of 2001, he released a CD called 'One Nil'. The album later got a domestic release in a reworked version called 'One All' complete with replaced tracks and a new tracklist. After listening to both, I find the original 'One Nil' the superior incarnation.

My initial attraction to this project was the session musicians and songwriters not Finn himself. And I'm referring to Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman. Anyone who knows me will tell you what a fanatic I am about these two. I'll rant for hours how influential they were on the sound of the 80's and how I consider them two of the most overlooked and undervalued composers/musicians of our time. I just love them.

On the original version of the disc, Lisa and or Wendy play on every song and take writing credit for some of them as well. The first time I heard the disc, I was disappointed. I thought the songs were lackluster and boring. I waited grudgingly for each track to end so I could hear the next. I was impressed with Lisa & Wendy as always, but found the overall appeal vaguely annoying. Imagine my surprise when...

Driving home from work one morning, I put the disc in to listen to the songs I found tolerable. By the time I got home, I realized what a diamond this disc actually was. It starts off slow with 'The Climber' then segues into 'Rest Of The Day Off'... This track is amazing! From there, the unrelenting beat picks up again with 'Hole In The Ice'. I found myself singing along and relating to the lyrics. Amazing tunes, one right after the next. 'Anytime', 'Last To Know', 'Turn And Run'... The David Bowie 'Outside'-esque 'Elastic Heart'... All of these tracks were incredible! It became a regular in my cd player for months afterward. I couldn't stop listening to it. I drove friends and family crazy with it. I discovered Neil Finn.

The domestic release left a lot to be desired. The change in the tracklist and the missing/replaced songs left me unsatisfied. The two new songs 'Lullaby Requiem' and 'Human Kindness' weren't as exciting or fully produced as the Wendy & Lisa tunes, but they do showcase some excellent song writing. Especially 'Human Kindness'.

Wendy & Lisa have an amazing ability to inspire and realize the musical potential of the people they work with. I'm sure Neil looks at this body of work and considers it the best of his career. I certainly would. I strongly encourage you to find this music and listen to it now. You may not like it right away, but give it a chance and I think you'll find like I did how incredible it really is.  My final word: BRILLIANT! 

NEIL FINN - ONE NIL/ONE ALL
ONE NIL
01. The Climber
02. Rest Of The Day Off
03. Hole In The Ice
04. Wherever You Are
05. Last To Know
06. Don't Ask Why
07. Secret God
08. Turn And Run
09. Elastic Heart
10. Anytime
11. Driving Me Mad
12. Into The Sunset
ONE ALL
01. The Climber
02. Driving Me Mad
03. Hole In The Ice
04. Last To Know
05. Wherever You Are
06. Secret God
07. Lullaby Requiem
08. Human Kindness
09. Turn And Run
10. Anytime
11. Rest Of The Day Off
12. Into The Sunset

NEIL FINN - WHEREVER YOU ARE

The single for 'Wherever You Are' is essential because it contains two b-sides co-written by Wendy Melvoin. Both 'Unexpected' and 'Now I Get It' continue the diverse style and sound of 'One Nil' and intrigue me even further. In fact, I wonder if there are more songs from these sessions lying around. Are there any out there? As a collection, they are a remarkable and historic period.

Aside from the additional tracks, there's not much this single has to offer. But the b-sides alone make it one you can't afford to miss. At least if you're into this music. I've taken all the songs from the album and the single and I've burned them onto a CD I listen to in the truck. It's brilliant material and I'm so glad it was made.

My final words: TOO IMPORTANT TO MISS.

NEIL FINN - WHEREVER YOU ARE
01. Wherever You Are
02. Unexpected
03. Now I Get It

DOYLE BRAMHALL II - DOYLE BRAMHALL II

I have such mixed emotions concerning this disc. I love it and hate it at the same time. There are moments when I'm just standing around and I think, "I really wanna hear that song", and I'll pick it up and listen. But it fades quickly and I move on. My reasons for loving it aren't always pure. Once again, I'm drawn to this work because Wendy & Lisa are all over the disc. And once again, they bring out the best in the artists they work with. My biggest reason for hating the disc is Bramhall himself. Not him as a musician or anything other than his voice. I find it intensely annoying. When he sings, I lose interest in the music. If it wasn't for Wendy & Lisa's work on the disc, I wouldn't have given half this material a chance. And that would be extremely unfortunate.

Wendy gets writing credits on 'Time', 'They Get Together' & 'Stay A While' with Lisa. They produced the entire record and perform on every song. It's that otherwordly quality of Wendy & Lisa music that enhances the material and in my opinion makes the songs interesting. There's a certain sound these women create that other artists can't seem to duplicate. Whether it's Lisa's distinctive piano playing or Wendy's signature guitar work, the musical arrangements sparkle with lush sound. They virtually explode from the speakers. Lyrically, the tunes are interesting and offbeat. Bramhall does have a flare for poetic description and for writing from different points of view.

I want to like him. I really do. I just don't dig that voice. *sniffle*

There are a couple stand out tracks I have to mention. 'Time' being one of them. 'Time' is an instrumental piece played entirely by Wendy, Lisa and Doyle. The guitar work is astounding. And it easily evokes a sense of time when you listen to it. Truly an incredible piece. 'They Get Together' is also lovely. The narrative is beautiful and poignant. It's co-written by Wendy's twin sister and fDeluxe member, Susannah Melvoin. Doyle later married her. I find the ballads on this disc are probably my most favorite. 'Close To Me' is awesome! There's something sweet about it... Like confiding deep feelings of profound love. It kicks in with a 70's groove that won't quit.
My absolute favorite song is 'Stay A While'. This is a song I keep going back to. Truth be told, on this song, Doyle's voice doesn't drive me to irritation. I actually like it. Maybe it's the way the vocals are arranged or maybe it's the key it's written in... Either way, it's a song that causes me to experience some strong emotions. There's longing, resignation and a finite moment of pure bliss traveling along these notes. Without a doubt, this is the perfect track to close the disc out with. From the first notes punching out of Lisa's piano, to the final fade out, you feel a sense of intimacy you don't want to end. The song draws itself out not in an annoying, "When is this gonna end?" way, but rather more like a, "Not-yet, please-not-yet" kinda way. You know it's over... It's time to go... And yet you want to stay. Just for a while.

My final word: CONFUSING. When I listen intently, I get frustrated with the vocals. If I play the disc in the background while I'm doing something else, I find myself singing along and enjoying the mood it creates. So what do I do? Tell you to buy the best tracks and shelve the rest? Can't do it. Instead I will recommend this disc for those who share my passion for Wendy & Lisa. It's worth it. Without a doubt.

DOYLE BRAMHALL II - DOYLE BRAMHALL II
01. Song From The Grave
02. Ain't Goin' Down Slow
03. What You Gonna Do
04. Close To Me
05. True Emotion
06. Bleeding From A Scratch
07. Time
08. Part II
09. He Stole Our Love Away
10. The Reason I Live
11. They Get Together
12. Jealous Sky
13. Stay A While

THE FAMILY - THE FAMILY

Not many people may remember this short lived band from the 80's. They were a band on Prince's new label, Paisley Park. Members were culled from various side projects. Jerome Benton, Paul Peterson and Jellybean Johnson were all members of The Time. Susannah Melvoin is the twin sister of Revolution member, Wendy Melvoin, and Eric Leeds was a standby Revolution member in his own right. It was an interesting blending of characters. But this disc is important for more than just the performers.

All of the tracks, barring 'River Run Dry'; which was written by Bobby Z., are Prince compositions. And they're important Prince compositions. In typical Prince fashion, in order to distance himself from the project and also help the band members come into their own, he gives songwriting credit to the various members and takes credit for only one track, 'Nothing Compares 2 U'. That song later became a huge hit for Sinead O'Connor.

The music represents a transition of sorts for Prince. On the heels of 'Purple Rain', Prince released the unprecedented 'Around The World In A Day'. This album was the first disc on Paisley Park. It was also seen as a slap in the face as Prince did the unthinkable... Instead of trying to recapture the success of his previous records, he moved into new territory. Not always a smart move. The Family record showed us even more the direction he was going in. It laid the foundation for projects spanning the next few years and impacted Prince's writing to this very day.

Two songs, 'Yes' and 'Susannah's Pajamas' are Prince's first attempts at writing jazz. With his future long time jazz partner, Eric Leeds, he crafted two tunes that later spawned albums worth of instrumental jazz mostly under the Madhouse moniker. 'The Screams Of Passion' and 'Desire' both include instrumentation and orchestration by Clare Fisher. Fisher became incredibly influential on Prince during 'Parade' and his work continued to filter down through new projects for years.

Prince was experimenting with more continental styles of songwriting and expanding his horizons through exposure to different genres of music.

The tragedy of The Family is that the group didn't last. The potential for more great music and future collaborations were all laid out. But lack of promotion caused St. Paul to leave and the band quickly became defunk sans it's lead vocalist. Shortly afterward, Prince ended his relationship with Susannah Melvoin and she moved on as well.

There's another reoccurring Prince theme happening here... The Family name was created to suggest the band was a family of sorts. All of the pictures and artwork were created to stress that relationship. It's important to note Prince created a band that crossed gender and color lines and called them a family. The significance shouldn't be ignored. Granted, you can say it's a knock off of Sly & The Family Stone, but I think Prince was looking at something more apt for a time when black artists were finally being accepted and played right along white bands on the music charts.

This disc has wonderful funk, exciting rhythms, beautiful orchestration, tongue-n-cheek lyrics and an overall laid back, feel good vibe. It's an extremely positive disc. It represents hope.

It's long out of print and difficult to find. But if you can find it, I suggest picking it up. Even today the music has an appeal. Years later. Give it a try and see if you don't agree. My final words: AMBITIOUS, BEAUTIFUL & ENDURING.

THE FAMILY - THE FAMILY
01. High Fashion
02. Mutiny
03. The Screams Of Passion
04. Yes
05. River Run Dry
06. Nothing Compares 2 U
07. Susannah's Pajamas
08. Desire

WENDY & LISA - WHITE FLAGS OF WINTER CHIMNEYS

For some reason, when I read the title of Wendy & Lisa's new disc I thought of Harry Potter. It made me think of Diagon Alley.

I felt a certain apprehension buying this disc. Lisa & Wendy have a way with music that causes an emotional response in me. You watch movies like "Lord Of The Rings" and see some tragic or triumphant part... All of a sudden, you're crying. Their music has done this to me many times. I lack words to describe why I love these women. Why I care about them, so instead I'll share my impressions of the disc I'm listening to.

Lisa isn't known for contributing lead vocals very often so it's nice to hear her singing more. The blend is more evenly split on this disc and rather soothing. The first time I heard 'Balloon' I thought the music was brilliant, but I wasn't sure about the lyrics. I'm still that way now. Individual lines invoke different ideas. They're deep and meaningful, yet leave me breathless; especially the line "We are only temporary". In the context of a relationship, this a painfully sad notion. 'Invisible' comes across as the ultimate self-esteem song. If you've ever been dumped by someone, this song describes rediscovering your worth despite the horrors of losing that love. I read somewhere online the song is about Prince. That's probably true though I can't imagine they spend much time thinking about him nowadays. 'Ever After' is the track I think is most personal to the duo. For me, it reminds me of a lost friend. A very specific person. No matter how far apart our lives have grown, I still feel an overwhelming love for him. I wonder how he is, what he's doing... Sometimes I search for him online even though I know now is not the right time to have him in my life.

'Salt & Cherries (MC5)' is one of my favorite tracks. Amazing energy, progression and build. 'Niagra Falls' makes me think of childhood. How everything looked so big when I was little and now seems smaller. This shift in perspective is a scary thing. 'Red Bike' makes me think of people who inspire me through their presence. Who they are touches and motivates those around them.

'You And I'... Wow. Such a sad song. It reminds me of that last year with my ex. "You and I running out of time"... It was such a slow death to love. And yet it happened overnight. 'White Flags Of Winter Chimneys' expresses a desire to surrender to someone. There is someone I think about when I hear this song. I see him more clearly than anyone else in my life. To me, he is the chill breath, the sparkling pristine clean of cold. He is clarity. Winter. 'Beginning At The End' is another song about my ex. When we started, he loved me but I didn't love him. I fell in love with him while he was falling out of love with me. "I had just arrived in time to see you leave"...

The internet download included four additional tracks. They're all enjoyable despite my initial fears of suddenly finding a piece of work I wouldn't like by these wonderful women, I instead find myself rededicated. Devotion leaves you in a vulnerable position. No matter how much I want to give a fair and unbiased review, the fact is I find the mindset simply too compatible to my own. They make sense to me like no other artist. Do yourself a favor and buy this disc. My final words: INSTANT CLASSIC.

WENDY & LISA - WHITE FLAGS OF WINTER CHIMNEYS
01. Balloon
02. Invisible
03. Ever After
04. Salt & Cherries (MC5)
05. Niagra Falls
06. Red Bike
07. You And I
08. White Flags Of Winter Chimneys
09. Beginning At The End
10. Niagra Falls (Demo)
11. The Dream (Demo)
12. Viste (Demo)
13. Waiting For Coffee

ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO - PLANTATION LULLABIES

Although this is Me'shell's 1st album, it was the second I heard. Wendy & Lisa worked on her 2nd disc and after hearing it, I immediately went and picked up this one. And I wasn't disappointed.

I've always been drawn to offbeat artists. Though there were other artists who combine rap and singing, Me'shell does it in such a smooth way. This album is urban hip hop at its best. And yet at the same time it manages to be funky, soulful and accessible. Even casual listeners could embrace this unique sound.

Lyrically, the album is extremely challenging. Ranging from topics like racism, social inequality, drug abuse and love, Me'shell presents a view not popularized by television or mainstream media. She discusses the "White Man" not from the Hollywood comedic stand point; but rather a downtrodden American struggling to survive in urban society. She celebrates her ethnicity and various aspects of the social class she grew up in. If you ever wanted to relate to people in this situation, this album puts you right in the thick of it without resorting to emotional manipulation or other tactics. You just suddenly realize this is where it's at. You're sitting on a sidewalk, listening to music playing on the ghetto blaster and absorbing the world moving around you.

Almost every track is a classic. I just put the disc in and let it play through. There are one or two songs that really catch my attention as I listen. 'I'm Diggin' You' and 'If That's Your Boyfriend', are my favorites. But I'm just as happy with the rest of the disc. Me'shell is an artist of amazing talent! Even if hip hop isn't your bag, she's someone you should pay attention to. This is perhaps the only album she's done that can neatly fit into a genre category. Each new disc takes you in a different direction. She's unpredictable and interesting. My final word: FUNKY.

ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO - PLANTATION LULLABIES
01. Plantation Lullabies
02. I'm Diggin' You (Like An Old Soul Record)
03. If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)
04. Shoot'n Up And Gett'n High
05. Dred Loc
06. Untitled
07. Step Into The Projects
08. Soul On Ice
09. Call Me
10. Outside Your Door
11. Picture Show
12. Sweet Love
13. Two Lonely Hearts (On The Subway)