ISSUE
#125
Oct.
'09
“One & Done.”
It is a tragic result/credo of the Independent
Musical community.
As an Independent Artist there are many who are true
musical artists. Yet like artists from every era and every genre of art, the
ones who receive the most publicity from the press, be that standard old-school
ink or present day/future electronic media, are the ones that receive the
public’s attention and are allowed to survive in a brutal, fickle industry
controlled by money. Those who are not exposed tend not to receive the
accolades due them in regards to their artistic achievements, but they too
deserve recognition in the annuals of time for their efforts and accomplishments.
Sadly, sometimes a One & Done
album is such a testament. Therefore, after 11 years at IndepenDisc we ultimately savor the One & Done for the rare gem it becomes. Certain One & Done albums tend to take on an even higher, more coveted
place among our treasured musical landscape and library. This month we bring
you one such album, with an interesting twist…
The CD, Nazi Robots From Outer Space by Joanie Loves Tchotchkes was released on the day of the bands very last gig. One & Done.
This CD is a testament to the Indie field. It
reflects the sensibility, the passion and the musical fun that is Parallel
Lines era Blonde (a must own disc in any serious music collectors catalogue).
It bridges genres and generations and just plain out rocks our socks off.
Veteran New Haven, CT rock scenesters Kriss Santala, Sean Beirne
and Dave
Gouge formed a band
based on a name, and the Ying/Yang relationship that transpired resulted in an
EP of cross-genre/cross-generational, musical bubblegum bliss wrapped in punk
sensibilities (did I hear someone say The Ramones and Blondie embodied such a
musical take?). By mixing the disc to include the Kriss Santala guided songs; Sundays, Over You, and Wreck My Heart, with the Sean Beirne take on the title track and Outta
Sight!, JTL achieves a party platter standard that many veteran
rockers would marvel.
What truly sets the bar so high here is the way that
each take is inclusive of the other, regardless of whose song it actually is. The
team of JLT makes it their own in ways that could not be accomplished
if the bands personnel were different.
The Santala rooted songs; Sundays, Over You and Wreck My Heart, all feature Kriss’ uniquely talented, Debra
Harry-esque vocals, which are offset by Sean’s punkified take of Kriss’
Alt/Americana/Roots/Country sensibilities. It works in ways that recall the
afore mentioned Parallel Lines Blonde, but also brings to mind that of the Elvis
Costello & The Attractions country foray; Almost Blue. Likewise, the Beirne
inspired Nazi Robots From Outer Space and Outta Sight! (which samples Led Zeppelin’s The Ocean, except
instead of sampling the actual track, JLT plays it themselves, and sounds
really cool doing so), gives us the down & dirty sound from the birth of
punk, which was created and established in the CBGB’s culture and carries forth
in modern times. Yet it too is offset by Santala’s pure, sweet vocals. Both
contrasts meld to build a bridge they cross together.
The appeal of Joanie Loves Tchotchkes comes from that bridge they laid across the many
musical genres and generations as they forged ahead in their effort to reach
the other side. Unfortunately, that bridge crumbled behind them, leaving us a
rare gem to savor.
“One & Done.”
It is a tragic result/credo of the Independent
Musical community.
Joanie Loves Tchotchkes -
Nazi Robots From Outer Space
available now for: $5.98 + s/h*
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& Handling charges:
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for the first 2 CDs
ordered,
Add $1.50 per each CD after.
Canada - $5.00 for the
first CD ordered,
Add $2.00 per each CD after.
Everywhere else -$7.00
for the first CD ordered,
Add $3.00 per each CD after.
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