SoundArchive

D

6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smoldering
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multiple Listening
B: Deserves Another Spin
C: Once Should Suffice

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DANCE ADRENALIN 11
Oh, boy, where do I start. If you are a lover of a lekker doef-doef beat and predominant female House vocals, then this baby’s for you - if you don’t, on the other hand, please skip this review. With the Samba/Mambo/Bosonova obsession (still) not waning, what’s next? Cha-cha? Charleston? Anyway, with a whopping 38 tracks on this double disc there’s a wide variety of “artists” (beside the Latin attempts mentioned), but not much of a variety in the range and scope of cuts. There’s everything from the annoying (Toy Box) to the typical (Paradiso) the better (
Oakland Stroke, 12” Masters) the stupid (Sidestep) the direct covers (Rah Band, Sunland) and the cool (B52’s - but the question remains, do they give this compilation credibility with their remixed presence or lose their legendary hipness in effect?). The rest meanders through commercial rave monotony like Jennifer Paige, Shaboom, Solemar, Chris & James, Coffee Bag, Ghost Gang, Millenium, DJ Groovy, Klubbheads, Brooklyn Bounce, Wayne G, Scooter, even Afrika Mambataa etc. So, if you’re a regular Bump patron, this bag of over three dozen tracks will be way adequate for long stretches of mindless abandon.
- PB
2 / C

THE DANDY WARHOLS - thirteen tales of urban bohemia
With their name and album title,
The Dandy Warhols try to reflect exactly what they’re all about. Pretentious to some and brilliant to others, they do however represent a slice of new rock, youthful in age but mature in spirit, meandering through thought with borderline stoned trajectories and slow rock determination wrapped up in cool, generation-X styled sensibilities. The music gets electronic injections with stick-in-your-head hooks and choruses scattered throughout. Country Leaver gets many a country rip-off from chickens to harmonica while songs like Solid is treated with a bit more crunch. The Dandy Warhols represent that end of the new, modern rock generation’s spectrum that feel strongly about what they have to say, convey and project, without necessarily turning up to 10 in order to achieve this. Whether this album will get as much attention as their debut, we’ll have to wait and see.
- PB
3 / C

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND - Listener Supported (BMG)
I am not ashamed to admit that Dave Matthews & his band only came to my attention toward the end of the millennium (especially with him being of Southern African descent, to a certain extent). Well, there’s so much great music out there (and a load of cobblers) that sometimes bits slip on by. Albeit lovely music, virtually technically flawless and professionally executed, wonderfully structured and masterfully played, it doesn’t grab me in that special little place for it to pop into my head at inopportune moments or hold special memories. Well, that’s not altogether true, the haunting Don’t Drink The Water does occasionally bob up through the flood. Perhaps it’s just an unfortunate circumstantial mishap, because, why do most people I know love the
DMB? Beats me. It is good music on almost every level, though, no denying that. And with this meticulously performed double live album, the DMB fan and newcomer alike will be treated to over 2 hours of real fine music with jazzy, rock and ethnic influences seamlessly merging into that thing which makes them what they are. Quite unique while at the same time nothing all that new.
- PB
4 / A

DEAD PREZ - Let’s Get Free
Hip-Hop with a one sided conscience is about as American as MacDonalds. While dedicated to the former,
Dead Prez despises the likes of the latter. With their outspokenness more prominent than their musical originality, this seems to be their mission. The white man and pigs (police force) in the States are accused of getting fat off their people’s labour, forcing them into jails and murdering them indiscriminately. They don’t take responsibility for wrongdoing, though, assuming that all black people are humble and good. Sorry, but just as you get a whole bunch of white assholes, the same goes for the black community. No-one is sacred. Calling for freedom through violence has its repercussions, but Dead Prez can learn a thing or two from our country when it comes to hardship and reconciliation. Dead Prez does however give a few pointers on how to overcome these obstacles and live a better life (besides blaming the White Devil who forced them into slavery centuries ago and still oppress them in every way). The only thing that really sets Dead Prez apart from other hip-hop acts is their refusal to sing about how much money they have, fancy cars & ho’s and instead focus on a very direct approach of empowerment after generations of discrimination. Plane tickets or not, why didn’t they make their concert at The Jam free to all, showing everyone how much they hate capitalism as part of the corrupt western whiteman ideology…?
- PB
3 / C

DE LA SOUL - Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump
These guys have come a very long way down the Hip-Hop trail and gained a lot of respect along the way. No wonder the very rare occurrence of Mike D and Ad Rock of the
Beastie Boys make their presence felt on one of the tracks. But that’s not all. The guest list also includes the likes of Busta Rhymes, Tash & J-Ro from Tha Liks and Xzibit, Redman, D.V. Alias Khrist, Indeed, Chaka Khan, Busy Bee and Freddie Foxx. The cool mid-paced beats and rapping is hard to dislike and if you dig this you can head on over to the Tommyboy website to collect your bonus track.
- PB
4 / B

DELIRIOUS? - Glo
Christian music is always approached with a certain prejudice. There is a stigma attached to it and a certain sound is expected. It is hardly the case with
Delirious?. Two years ago this UK band broke in the US. This album actually covers 5 years of recordings in their home country, previously unreleased here. Their modern rock sound is something along the lines of U2, many pop elements creeping in as well as an epic tone and some programming. Their catchy tunes has a not too forced optimism, while they are obligated to a certain subject matter due to their commitment to the Lord. They can’t exactly sing about merely hanging out or anything like that. Still, the commitment is a voluntary one with which they seem very comfortable (even in their new, bright, almost glammy attire of primary coloured outfits of pink, orange, yellow…). The opening track uses a male choir to full effect while most of their catchy tunes are actually not as light in the trousers as some would have hoped. The track Glo In The Dark appears in four diverse parts, scattered across the 15 track album. Some parts sound very Bush-like, while others include bagpipes. The 4th part is an extremely moving, passionate orchestral piece with haunting cello and violin wrapping the album up perfectly. With the whole Christian element removed, this would still be a fine rock/pop album. Somehow the added spirituality (though sort of reserved for a certain denomination) can be appreciated. Perhaps even by atheists and agnostics alike.
- PB
3 / C

DIMINISHED RETURN - Laager Mentality -3
Finally a release by one of the little known persistant bands around. This 4 track self released effort is high on energy and production value. The "fuck you" punk attitude and ska-touches make it hard to hate. The best track is definitely the opener, Wonder, but seems to set the stage for more of the same which might have been tedious if it were 12 tracks. Still, it sticks in your head like superglue. Atteridgeville's lyrics were written by die-hard Sound Action man and underground advocate, Ernie P. This is a fine example of what is out there but which gets little exposure. Track it down and surprise yourself.
- PB
3 / B

DOGMA - Motion Picture Soundtrack (Gallo)
I’m not much of an Alanis fan, but my mind is open enough not to skip the track. (At least there’s only on of her on here). Yes, swear at me, I don’t care (at least I’m not a hypocrite and say how wonderful she is but inside think she’s an over-rated whiner). Where was I? Yes, a fine soundtrack to a fine movie, be you Catholic or not. At least the Alanis song isn’t too bad. The instrumentation is lovely and the almost Hindu/Middle Eastern sounding influence gives it an edge. Oh yes, that’s Mz. Morissette we’re talking about, in case the surname omission confused anyone. The rest of the soundtrack is the sinister, powerful and epic compositions of Howard Shore with dramatic choir swirls, bells and triumphant rising and falling. A cool school choir-piece sounding like some Broadway musical is a surprising bit of ingenuity between the serious sounding, ominous orchestration, some of it sounding like an excited gothic horror soundtrack. Great listening.
- PB
4 / B

THE BEST OF THE DOORS
I’m sure, just like me, many music lovers have been waiting for this re-release. The 2nd Best Of box set with rare and unreleased material reawakened that undisputed
Doors atmosphere (not only reserved for 1st year students in the midst of an identity crisis, I must add). Having had the vinyls (pretty well worn), this re-mastered Best Of couldn’t have come at a better time. Sick of re-hashed shite and soulless electronic radio pulp, the real, organic and poetic intelligence of The Doors is as relevant now as it was in the late 60’s, early 70’s and the decades between then and now. Some vinyl purists might object to its new, clean remastered touch, but my answer to that is, thank God it’s only remastered and not re-MIXED by some kid in Oslo with his PC…Then maybe I shouldn’t speak too soon… Riders On The Storm, Light My Fire, Roadhouse Blues, People Are Strange, L.A. Woman, Strange Days, Break On Through (to the other side), The End - man, they’re all timeless classics and perhaps this might also serve as a release to turn younger listeners on to an era of music with more artistry than all their NOW compilations put together. This is essential stuff.
- PB
6 / A

DORP - Five Steps Off The Pacemaker (Wildebeest Records)
This five song ep needs something more (besides a longer running time, but hey, that's why it's an ep). If it did lack the saxophone it would definitely fall flat to a certain extent, but the enthusiasm keeps it afloat. Free And Headless are one of the sing-a-long tracks that'll have the girlies joining in at gigs. Intelligent Men takes a humourous poke at those who don't exactly fall in that category. The highlight is definitly Softshoes Cinema Helicopter which takes the piss out of three of SA's 80's pop "sensations". It's the most hefty track on the disc and my favourite. I just feel that they could've cracked more power in some of the other songs, but hey, we need some midway in our lives as well, I guess. The hidden track on this one is a lekker doped out silly phone message ek sê, my broe. The live shows I happened to catch at the Purple Turtle had more energy than these songs, but when performed live I suppose they would take on a new form. For everyone waiting for the next
Dorp CD, this ep could serve as a transitional soother until such time. If it seemed like I'm knocking this release, that's not the case - in my fussy old age I suppose I just expect something a little different...a few surprizes would also be welcome nowadays.
[Since then Dorp has relocated to the UK and evolved into something completely different to their roots]
- PB
4 / B

DRIE VAN DIE BESTES - Danie Niehaus, Mathys Roets & Kevin Leo (BMG)
Three Afrikaans singers band together creating a new sound which their original fans could find appealing.
- PB
3 / C