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MUSIC COLUMN BY RICHARD MARTIN
Outsiders still think of the Pacific Northwest as grunge's terra firma. Images of Pearl Jam and Everclear and a continuing onslaught of films about the G-word era, such as 1996's Hype and this year's Kurt and Courtney, abet the stereotype. But while the I-5 corridor doesn't rival cultural cauldrons such as Paris or New York, we've come a long way where musical diversity is concerned, even under the rock umbrella. This week, a series of record-release shows attests to this recent expansiveness. Four notable Northwest artists play Portland in support of albums that vary dramatically, if not violently, in style. The only trend they collectively point to is a sense of sonic curiosity; they incorporate unusual instrumentation such as turntables, sitar and Wurlitzer organ. In this experimental spirit, I've eschewed writing conventional reviews of each album. Included below are capsule descriptions: Artist: The Need Album: Hi Fi 10-inch (Up Records) Summary: The formidable Olympia drum-and-guitar duo of Rachel and Radio veers from its usual slashing post-punk mayhem and takes a progressive tack. The song "Vaselina" is the better of the two tracks, with a vocal duet over a bass-driven groove and electronic squiggles. Guest musicians: Ex-Melvins bassist Joe Preston, DJ Zena. Extra cred: It's vinyl-only, kids. Sounds like: The Throwing Muses composing soundtrack music for a David Lynch film. The Show: Friday, Aug. 14, at EJ's, opening for Quasi. Artist: Joel R.L. Phelps Album: 3 (PacifiCo) Summary: Ex-Silkworm guitarist and singer Phelps and his appropriately named Downer Trio play sparse folk-rock compositions with brushed drums, ultra-expressive vocals, and tasteful acoustic and pedal-steel guitars. Phelps' jaunty, adenoidal voice conflicts with the serene aesthetic on some songs, but he shines on the more pastoral "Alita Aleta" and "Rev. Robert Irving." Guest musicians: The trio features Citizens' Utilities' William Herzog. Extra cred: Sharp CD packaging includes a pull-out poster with nine autumnal snapshots of a tree and a foreboding sky. Sounds like: Low under the influence of the Flying Burrito Brothers. The Show: Saturday, Aug. 15, at EJ's, opening for the Magnetic Fields and the American Analog Set. Artist: Nancy Hess Album: away (Villanelle) Summary: The former co-frontperson for San Francisco's Seven Day Diary, Hess moved to Portland last year and began crafting Lilith-friendly pop. But Hess sings in a relaxed, confident tone, and she writes with an austerity lacking in most of her peers. This self-released effort could just as well have been issued on a major label; it's not entirely lightweight, and the production is first-rate. Guest musicians: A cast of studio players, including Golden Delicious violinist Marilee Hord. Extra cred: Engineer Gregg Williams has worked with Sheryl Crow and Pete Droge. Sounds like: The latest in the lineage of modern femme folk-popsters that includes Joni Mitchell, Edie Brickell and Sheryl Crow. The Show: Friday, Aug. 14, at the 1201 Cafe & Lounge. Artist: Bingo Album: H om (Undercover) Summary: Golden Delicious banjo player and resident weirdo Kevin Richey (a.k.a. Bingo) curbs his sense of humor and attempts an unlikely pastiche of folky musings, anthemic rock, country dirges and billowy ragas on his solo debut. His earnestness is off-putting--and there's an unnecessarily straightforward take on the oft-covered "Walkin' Boss"--but the instrumentation is fascinating and the performances are inspired. The track "Sham Ba Q'Allah" segues from a melodic tune with hooks into a groundbreaking sitar, percussion, guitar and fiddle jam. Guest musicians: Cornershop's Anthony Saffery; Little Sue; Tim Acott; and Golden Delicious' Pete Krebs and Marilee Hord. Extra cred: Recorded at Jackpot!, the studio frequented by Elliott Smith and Pavement. Sounds like: Neil Young and Ravi Shankar sitting in with the High Llamas. The show: Wednesday, Aug. 19, at EJ's.
The Pacific Ocean Thievery Corporation
originally published August 12, 1998 |
