September 2003

Media

The Durutti Column

Eddie 0 Comment

Someone Else’s Party

The latest album from Vini Reilly, a.k.a. the Durutti Column, serves to reconnect to fans of the late-1970s music scene after a lengthy absence from touring. Reilly, a gifted guitarist who released several ambient/electronic-leaning albums, delivers a potent 14-track affair aimed at the early New Order and Joy Division crowds of yore. Reilly still has a penchant for flowery guitar wash and isn’t afraid to stretch, as evidenced on tracks like “Requiem For My Mother” and “Spanish Lament.” Although his following has been reduced to today’s 30-somethings, chances are this album could draw some curious indie hipsters looking for influences from the early Manchester scene. Unfortunately, the Durutti Column revels in obscurity, mostly due to Reilly’s lack of touring and constantly evolving musical works.
(SN&R)

Media

Boubacar Traoré

Eddie 0 Comment

Je Chanterai Pour Toi

The soundtrack to independent filmmaker Jacques Sarasin’s documentary on this gifted guitarist and troubadour from Mali will be a real treat for fans of both Traoré and Ali Farka Touré. On this field recording extraordinaire, Traoré treats the listener to passionate and political soliloquies, both of which are integral parts of the film. When he teams up with daughter and vocal partner Rokia Traoré on “Sa Golo,” you can sense the spirituality and nobility of his dynasty. Others, like the lovely, lazy opening song, “Mouso Teke Soma Ye,” and the short “Adieu Pierrette,” require nothing more than imagination to guess where this sonic journey is going. Mix in one part blues with the pentatonic scale of his homeland, toss in some good ol’ fashioned grit, and you’re heading down the right path.
(SN&R)

Media

Ghostride

Eddie 0 Comment

So Italian, So Intense

From the sepulcher of Sacramento hardcore legend Will Haven comes a new project teeming with promise, vigor and urgency. Ghostride is three-quarters of Will Haven plus Tinfed’s Rey Osburn and Oddman’s Cayle Hunter. Ghostride melds mid-tempo, down-tuned guitars into a fresh, mesmerizing mélange that recalls Nebula, Sub Pop-era Soundgarden, Helmet and latter-day Deftones. More importantly, Ghostride finds Osburn stretching his increasing vocal range to new heights (“Long Live the Buffalo” and “Greased Up Robots”) against the din raised by Will Haven’s backbone of guitarist Jeff Irwin, bassist Mike Martin and drummer Mitch Wheeler. Until the band finds a proper label with U.S. distribution, this four-song EP will more than suffice. It’s available at www.ghostrideband.com and at shows.
(SN&R)