SHORT SCALE: CD reviews in 200 words or less
By Rachel Heisler
CD review: David Sasscer, Quiet Mind (Roomful of Sky Records)
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 geetars
What a great way to start a CD! David Sasscer and the Mojo Conga Jam jump right into the depths of romance with “(When) She’s In Love With Me.” Sasscer’s voice burns with a gentle fervor and melts with desire. And if that wasn’t enough to get you feeling dreamy and maybe even a little weepy, it’s followed up with the title track, an even more touching and ethereal piece with gleaming chimes and philosophical and religious rhetoric.
Sasscer’s music showcases different sides of his personality. “Almost Perfect Weekend” has a Caribbean groove (his hometown is Aguadilla, Puerto Rico); “Jon Stewart Is God” is an absolutely hilarious gospel piece (one wonders WWJS [What Would Jon Say] about it?); even though Sasscer has written and produced children’s music in the past, he’s no prude: “Dynamite” and “I do, too” get a little saucy; and the live “Why I Love You” is an easy-rolling country love song that would make most women swoon.
David Sasscer is a good guy and Quiet Mind is one of the better releases that not enough people have heard. It’s time to change that. He deserves to be listened to, and you deserve to hear him.
CD review: Victims of Circumstance, Do It Yourself (Financial Records)
Rating: 3 out of 5 geetars
There’s punk rock and there’s ska, and then there’s Victims of Circumstance, a band that drinks pop, ska and punk down like water. There’s an obvious love of what they do that comes across in VOC’s image and music.
It’s usually indie bands that go the D.I.Y. route, but VOC has done it itself every step of the way by starting Financial Records with their own Glenn Stewart (drums), Michael Smyth (lead vocals, guitars) and Tim “Johnny Vegas” Burton (Mighty Mighty Bosstones saxophonist), releasing its own CD and doing it’s own marketing and promotion.
The band may be about as pop as you can get, but that doesn’t stop it from dishing out its own ideas on current politics and social issues. “Me and Alex P. Keaton” is a mish-mash of topics – from a women’s right to choose to fiscal policies to religion and more. Love, not always a topic for punk bands to dwell on, is a much-loved theme for VOC, and “Post Modern Love,” “The Distance” and other songs make use of the trials and tribulations of romantic relationships. Finally, VOC has taken Elton John’s “Daniel” from a mellow pop song to an upbeat punk number.
CD review: Keram, Box (Constant Change Music)
Rating: 4 out of 5 geetars
Keram Malicki-Sanchez is what they call a Renaissance man: someone who works in a wide variety of media. Keram takes the title to the extreme as an actor (“Crazy/Beautiful,”,”Buffy The Vampire Slayer”), composer (film scores/soundtracks), writer, producer, director, founder of record label/new media group Constant Change Productions and musician.
Box is an acoustic collection of ballads, rich in self exposure and warmth of tone and soul. When not contemplating the twists and turns of affairs of the heart, Keram settles heavily on the theme of death. Whatever life-altering incident caused his subdued yet noticeable cynical disposition to surface may have altered how he pictured the world, but it brings out an intense determination that gets infused into his music. “Dove Bone” is made especially captivating because Keram tagged on spacey reverb at the end of phrases. Unexpected additions like these give Keram’s music a distinctive flair.
Also, check out Keram’s webisodic series “Rock Soup” on YouTube. The episodes offer information on how to make a record, Keram’s recording process as well as a look at his old-world studio recording techniques. Take it from a man who knows what he’s talking about – whether it’s playing or making the music.
