THE RETRIEVER WEEKLY FEATURES Apri/13, 1999 PAGE25

o WIIIT TII£U WIDT U!!Y T!! 11£111 / mYSIC II£UI£W5 o Joydrop: Metasexual of women who use their looks to coast through song, but their material on this release is such other emo-esque crying fit about falling in love One look at a photo of Joydrop (whose new life without having to put forth any effort. standard mainstream country fare that I have easily with a girl who is hopeiessly out of release, Metasexual, is out now on Tommy Boy One particularly bright spot on this CD is to admit that I was left with a feeling of, "why reach. The familiar guitar riffs the Souls so Records) might make you think of Garbage. the track, "All Too Well." Even though, in bother?" eloquently employ. are not only comforting, Joydrop comprises three male backing musi­ musical terms, this song owes a certain debt to I have a problem with music that offers noth­ but declare that The Souls are definitely back cians and is fronted by a Shirley Manson­ Blondie's "Rapture," it still possesses a char­ ing new but retraces what's already been re­ in style. Later, ''You're So Rad" embraces the esque young woman, Tara Slone. And indeed, acter of its own. The verse is a sort of sing­ corded, especially when it is combined with a feelings associated with infatuation with a a few tracks on Metasexual could be consid­ songy rap, while the chorus flat-out rocks. It's tangible lack of enthusiasm. In other words, lame punk rock one-liner, "You're so rad that ered reminiscent of Garbage - but what probably the strongest track of the fourteen music that is product rather than art. And that's if you were a fabric you'd be plaid and every­ Joydrop reveals on this CD is that it's still in here. what Girls' Night Out seems to be. body knows plaid is so rad." search of its own musical identity. There are a couple of other highlights on The bulk of songs on Girls' Night Out is stan­ Almost all great punk releases have a drink­ It is difficult to resist comparisons to other Metasexual; sadly, they don't come until the dard contemporary country radio fare. They tell ing song- although Hopeless Romantic is not female-fronted bands and to other women in album is almost over. "The Line" boasts quite tales of longing, ofheartbreak, of lonely nights as full of them as any Dropkick Murphys re­ rock, given the band's personnel; but the songs a catchy hook that will stick with you for a spent traveling on lonely roads, of strong lease - and this album contains a few high­ ·on this release definitely merit such compari­ while, in spite of (or maybe because of) the women dumping those worthless cads they've lights for )' .)ur one night stand with a quart of sons. Actually, it's interesting to note that al­ rather unoriginal line, "You will reap just what wasted years on, etc., etc. The odd upbeat songs Mickey's. '" 87" is one of these. It speaks of a most all of the music and lyrics here were writ­ you sow." It also showcases Slone's voice to (McBride's "Happy Girl," Morgan's "Go time that almost no undergraduate could re­ ten by the men in the band-some credit should nice effect. "Until," the final song here, is also Away") are welcome, refreshing changes, but late to -being 25 years old, sleeping wher­ go to them for writing stuff that doesn't sound a keeper. The music and lyrics work well to­ not enough to salvage this album. ever you fall, and waking up everyday with a ridiculous or forced being sung by a woman. gether to convey the song's wistful, melancholy It's not really surprising that the best songs hangover-except the part about getting drunk Take, for example, "Strawberry Marigold." yet hopeful feeling- and it don't invite im­ on the CD are those by Lorrie Morgan. She's and falling down. This song is probably what would happen if mediate comparison to any other act's work! the only one who seems to project her own per­ Later in the album, the band offers "Fight Jewel got hold of an electric guitar, a few It's too bad, really, that Joydrop waits until sonality into her songs here. Frankly, I found To Live," recalling the beginning of their mu­ samples and an attitude. Some lyrics on this the album is almost over to make a real stab at it hard to differentiate between the other three sic career, decreeing that they would never track ("I heard the mermaids singing once/ presenting its own musical identity. The bulk women's selections. have chosen another career path. "Bullying the when I was very small/But now the sound of of the songs on this CD are just too derivative Sadly, there's not much more to say about Jukebox" is a tale of going to the pub, drink­ the traffic and human voices/wake us 'til we to merit a strong recommendation. That's not Girls' Night Out. As an idea, it had some prom­ ing a .lot of beer and putting endless quarters drown"), as well as on other songs such as to say that the band doesn't show some poten­ ise - presenting a couple of established art­ in the jukebox, wherein our heroes play the "Fizz," sport that trippy-put-some-poetry-to­ tial; but they'll have to work on developing ists along with some up-and-corning ones. But oldies, punk, love songs about girls and boys, music feel. These lyrical meanderings are ac­ their own sound before it'll be worth shelling in the execution, it did not achieve its goals. metal "and some hardcore songs to make us tually used to a much better effect on the song, outfor a whole CD. -Diana Zeiger Better luck next time. -DZ feel tough." It affirms what every responsible "Dream Today," whose sonic texture and im­ drunk punk knows: Alcohol and hardcore defi­ ages bring to mind, of all things, ..Duran Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Mindy Bouncing Souls: Hopeless Romantic nitely mix. Of course, there is the obligatory Duran's "The Chauffeur." McCready, Lorrie Morgan: Girls' Night Out With their second Epitaph Records LP, ditty about not getting laid. "Monday Morn­ Other songs on M etasexual are reminiscent The trouble with compilations and samplers Bouncing Souls are hopelessly romantic. ing Ant Brigade" is an punk-emo ballad for of the work of Alanis Morrisette, with regard is that they can be very hit or miss. Unfortu­ Hopeless Romantic (to be released May everyone who has not had sex in upwards of a to the scorn and sarcasm factor. "Spiders" is nately, Girls' Night Out, a compilation of three 4,1999) by far reinstates the Bouncing Souls month and just can't seem to get any. directed at a soon-to-be ex-lover, whose touch tracks each by Sara Evans, Martina as a quality punk band in my heart. Mter 1997's There's only one way to put it to you kids: feels to the singer like - yep, you guessed it - McBride, Mindy McCready and Lorrie lackluster self-titled release, Bouncing Souls This album is worth buying in lieu of that 40- t11ose nasty creepy-crawlies: "Those hands I Morgan, is mainly miss. No doubt an attempt seemed to be losing its humorous and perky ounce for the weekend, when your friend's once longed to feel/1 wanna squash them un­ to push these four country chanteuses into the edge. Then came their live EP, Tie One On, parents leave town and the whole crew is der my heel." This is a woman who acknowl­ stratosphere of popularity currently being en­ which showcased some of their hits from pre­ drinking at his house. Do yourself a favor, get edges her own passion, but also admits to an­ joyed by Shania Twain, this CD's most promi­ Epitaph days, good fun for longtime Souls fans. this album, take it to the party and when ev­ ger and disgust with the guy she's about to nent feature is its lack of originality. Each of This year brings a good listen, kinda like a erybody loves it, maybe they'll sacrifice one dump. The hostility isn't aimed just at the guys, these four singers is clearly talented: All pos­ Cuban cigar is a good smoke. of their 40s in honor of your great taste in though: "Beautiful" is a scathing indictment sess fine voices and a genuine ability to sell a The album begins with the title track, an- .music. Like that'll ever happen. -JCR

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