Issue #15                                                               Feb. '00

    This month's feature artist is:
    Joe Whyte and his CD "Heavyweight"

    I can not put an accurate finger on this disc. The appeal is broad and far reaching. Many elements shine. Musical structures and influences abound. I find words difficult to describe the feelings created while listening to this disc, not an easy thing to admit for someone who needs/uses words to get the message of the music across to others. Yet, the power and draw of this disc is something that can not go unheeded. So, how do I write a review?

    I was going to start with a topical reference...

    Three weeks ago, New England where I call home, was setting high temperature records. As the thermometer was rising I was cruising with the windows down. I had "Heavyweight" by Joe Whyte cranking out of the speakers allowing me to drink in the day while making mental note that this disc was a perfect good weather companion. Then, as a few Nor'easters rolled through with sub-freezing temps and a glorious mixture of sleet, snow, and ice, I found "Heavyweight" warming the atmosphere while cooped up indoors with a load of work and some Irish coffee. Like New England weather, Joe Whyte refuses to be pinned down to a predictable pattern.

    Then, I'd throw in some background...

    Joe Whyte is a singer/songwriter from the New Jersey/New York City area who recently spent two years in Dublin Ireland fronting a band and playing the club scene. He also interned at "The Factory", one of Ireland's top recording studios, and brought back a wealth of technical knowledge that when added to his unconfined vocal range and instrumental abilities gives "Heavyweight" an indescribable uniqueness.

    Which would lead to an Artist comparison...

    Joe Whyte is a parallel universe equivalent of Neil Young. His range, repertoire, music, lyrics, vocals, and ethic are all the same, only with a completely different sound. Where Neil Young rocks with his roots based in Canadian folk, Nashville country, and the SoCal rock scenes of the '60s and '70s - Joe Whyte rocks with his roots based in NYC dance club, English 3rd wave, and the Techno/Industrial scenes of the '80s and '90s. Creating the same appeal that draws from, encompasses, and attracts on a multi-genre level.

    Finally, closing with a shameless use of boxing metaphors...

    Enter the ring with "Heavyweight" and absorb the "hits" as the songs of Joe Whyte jab at you with powerful vocals canvassing an astonishing range. Feel the drums that snap your head back, and the bass that pounds you into submission. You can't avoid the discretely used techno loops that rabbit punch your inner senses as the guitar hooks and piano uppercuts keep you on the ropes. After catching your breath in the corner during a few perfectly placed ballads be aware of your feet as they shuffle and dance around to keep in synch with your body motion, because "Heavyweight" by Joe Whyte is not just a contender, it's a knockout.

    But none of that seemed to do this disc justice. There is an intriguing mystique to Joe Whyte that you must experience for yourself. So, I will leave it at that...

   "Heavyweight" by Joe Whyte is available now for $9.98 + s/h..

Issue #16                                           March '00

    As your A&R men of the new musical revolution we at IndepenDisc try at times to bring you an "Up & Coming" feature profiling Artists/Bands that have produced a limited track CD or cassette.
    "be prepared to stop" by worldstallestthing is this month's feature CD. A Maxi EP / Mini LP / Compact 12"; whatever you choose to call it, it's 4 songs of pure musical pleasure.
    worldstallestthing (World's Tallest Thing) is basically the "gifted with talent" Ian Baker with help from his brother David and friends Larry Finn, Andy Schultz, Jeff St.Pierre, & Mark Yurkovic.
   
    These 4 songs form a prefect cycle as the opening and closing numbers rock out while the middle 2 provide a mellow acoustic interlude.
    The opener "free" covers the full gamut of discovering, embracing, and losing love, all in 3 minutes of the most perfect pop sound going. From the gentle hopeful opening, progressing through to the pain and anguish of the failed romance, the music carries the listener as powerfully as the precise vocals. A true gem of classic song writing.
    "the greatest could have been" is labeled a demo - hardly. The minimalistic approach is the draw factor here. Again, precise vocals, this time complemented by acoustic guitar, captivate as the heartbreaking story of self doubt unfolds. And the short synth string bridge 2/3 in is a virtuoso touch of song writing majesty.
    "lollipop up" is the 2nd half of the vocal/acoustic pair. Another cryptic heartbreaker that Ian's delicate vocals and sparse acoustic strumming leave etched in your brain as you try to connect the right emotions brought forth.
    Finally, worldstallestthing brings it home with a rousing cover of an obscure Spooner (now Garbage) tune "where you gonna run." This new wave cum alternative rocker completes the cycle, showing that worldstallestthing is not just a one dimensional project.

    Ian Baker, singer/songwriter, has been compared to Paul Westerberg, Paul Weller, Neil Finn, & Elliot Smith. While I agree with these praises, I also feel that Ian should not be compared to those that have come before - In time, those that come later will most likely be compared to Ian Baker. Baker is a gifted artist who creates music from the heart. He has elected to release this EP of 4 brilliant songs that he believes in, rather than record a full length disc fluffed up with filler songs. He won't compromise the music for the commerce. For that we admire him, but this EP has left us wanting more...
    You are invited into worldstallestthing: "be prepared to stop" is the ground floor of what we hope to be an on going construction of a towering pop structure in today's musical landscape. We might not yet be able to see the top, but we're sure to enjoy the ride, for be sure, the elevator does not play muzak.

    worldstallestthing "be prepared to stop" is now available for $4.98 + s/h.

    I'd like to conclude this month's 'Zine by thanking everyone who took the time to write in response to my 2 part "The Gift Of Talent" ramble/tirade. All your thoughts and comments were greatly appreciated.  

    Parallel levels exist so that we may enjoy the pleasures of life. So that we may experience arousal of senses so distant, yet so keen. So that we may touch every possible beauty that can be felt within the mind and soul of ourselves. And, so that we will not miss out on all the subtle nuances of love.
    We enter and exit parallel levels everyday of our life, yet few realize they are there and squander opportunities to grab the brass ring of emotional fulfillment. There are many ways to cross the threshold of parallel levels, common examples include; movies, books, music, television, meditation, and religious inclinations, not to mention hypnosis and psychosis, and/or conscious/subconscious/unconscious decisions and delusions. How long our journey as we pass through is indeterminable - On parallel levels the trip may not necessarily be completed upon conclusion.

    Did I say Music?..................excuse me,
    "Excuse me." The bump of the #5 downtown subway train jostled me slightly into the woman sitting next to me. It was a new experience to me even though I've been in NYC many times over the years dating back to the mid 70s Arena Rock shows at Madison Square Garden, the late 70s Punk shows at CBGBs, and more recently the Independent shows at the clubs. Still, last Friday was my first NYC subway ride. I was smiling.
    The doors slid open, I was up the steps and out on the streets of Brooklyn. Old World charm. Rows of brownstones. Years of history. Immense in its beauty and glory. I drank it in.
    Music (Did I say music?), music had been the gateway here, the subway the threshold.
    I caught up with Linus Gelber (Mr. ho) at the Home Office Records digs on Clinton Street, from there the pleasure of the Transit Authority busline. I'm impressed - really, I am, I'm totally enjoying it!
    "Two Boots" on Second Ave. for a thick creamy Guinness and a seafood scampi served up in unique Brooklyn Italian ambiance. I was here to see The Dan Emery Mystery Band perform. And, to find out when the follow up to their 1st disc - "Love and Advertising" (the Dec. '99 IMC feature; click here to check it out.) would be available. Linus informs me that Home Office Records will be releasing "Natural Selection" by The Dan Emery Mystery Band in May.

    Now Dan was Rockin' the joint, not only with tunes off the new disc (We just received our "pre-release" copies several days ago and a proper review is forthcoming - HERE!- we will say that upon 1st impression this is monumental), but tunes that have not yet been recorded. I was smiling.
    I was smiling as I walked down the streets of Brooklyn. Old world charm. Rows of brownstones. Years of history. Immense in its beauty and glory. I drank it in. Ah, Music.

    Did I say Music?..................excuse me,
    "Excuse me." The bump of the #4 uptown subway train jostled me slightly into the woman sitting next to me. I dropped Uncle Carl, the self-titled disc by (Yes, I'm going to say it) Uncle Carl into the discman. The doors slid open, I was up the steps and walking down the mainstream when an odd character clenched his teeth as I passed and gave me a discreet "pssst". A nod of his head towards the alley revealed a stone staircase descending along the side of a brick and mortar building that towered into the night.
    The soft flickering neon sign in the fogged window of the basement coffeehouse/bar/cafe` immediately captured my attention as the smell of coffee, bourbon, and opiates lured me closer to the warm glow radiating forth and carried aloft by a sweet infectious jazz laced blues groove. "live music." I smiled.
    Pulling up a stool, I ordered a bourbon and settled in. Uncle Carl - Carl "Smokin' Again" Vreeland and his accompanying trio of "stereotypical, quirky, idiosyncratic, narcissistic, self-indulgent, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol addicted, love sick musicians" (as they put it) were laying down their jazzy, cool, smooth blues sound.
    Using a smoked ravaged mellow vocal that draws visions of beret wearing, cool cat, "shoobie de wah wah", goatee'd beat poets (Uncle)Carl sang tales of loneliness and heartbreak ("I'm Smokin' Again", "No One To Hold", "Holdin' My Baby's Hand") against the backing of the band who play with such dripping emotion and passion that it slices through your conscious and reaches the places inside of you that are only acknowledged with great reluctance, let alone revealed.
    I ordered another bourbon as the babe across the bar flashed a wicked smile that could span the country (let alone lure me to her room), she must've known which astral plane Uncle Carl was heading for next, 'cause the band launched into their coyly sly, slightly risqué, smartaleck musings on voyeurism ("Peek-A-Boo"), S&M ("Daffodil"), self gratification ("I'm Too Tired"), and even religion ("God Has Retired"). No subject too taboo, each song a joyful mix of slinky rhythms, tight leads, and soothing hooks, bridges, and runs. I was at ease. I smiled.
    Uncle Carl delivers a wonderful diversion of pure music. A parallel level of immense pleasure. How can any one not smile as they glide along on this smooth musical ride?
The self-titled "Uncle Carl" CD is available now for $11.00 + s/h.

    Music. Did I say Music?..................excuse me,
    "Excuse me." The tilt of the Metro North train (which was carrying me the 2 plus hours back to the IndepenDisc office) had knocked the woman (holding a small dog no less) into the seat next to me with a thud. I smiled, then disappeared, listening to the music as I recounted to myself the levels of my Brooklyn trek...

    The Dan Emery Mystery Band "Natural Selection" CD on Home Office Records
is available now for $11.98 + s/h.

    "Uncle Carl" by Uncle Carl is available now for $10.98 + s/h.

    The doors slid open, I was back. I was still smiling.

    "Natural Selection" - The Dan Emery Mystery Band

    I want to yell it from the rooftops!
    This is the best album I have heard in over 20 years. It sets the *New* musical standard.

    Rock 'n' Roll has always evolved in cycles, as each movement staled and became fodder for the record companies, a new outside-the-lines movement would emerge to challenge the status quo by raising the bar, by redefining music, by changing the playing field. Each movement had its crowned kings - Elvis Presely, The Beatles (Some would argue Bob Dylan and I wouldn't deny that, yet The Beatles cut the path that Dylan was able to use, and use well), The Sex Pistols, and Nirvana - that history allows us to reflect upon. Though our personal musical gods may differ, most of them will undoubtedly be connected to each of the above in some "redefining music/musical revolution" sort of way.
    Add to that list Dan Emery. Dan Emery is the *New* musical god. I am right here and now crowning him King of the *New* Music Revolution.

    "Natural Selection" opens with a brief ditty titled "Mustard" which finds Dan and the Mystery Band (Basically long time collaborator Steve Espinola on piano, melodica, and short-wave radio, [and I swear I hear an electric tennis racket in there as well] and a host of session players on Bass & Drums - giving reason to the "Mystery" of the Band name, but which has been solidified in their current live [and next record?] line up of Orion Thompson on Bass, and Tony Clifton on Drums) ripping through a quirky New Wave/Punk homage in 1:55 and leaving us to ask "What was that?" That was Dan playing with us before unleashing the most amazing 1-2-3 punch of anthems ever.
    Track 2 "Salt Mine" finds Dan doing what comes natural - being the Master Storyteller as well as the hopeless romantic. These are elements that were first brought to our attention with last years Album "Love and Advertising" (our feature disc of Dec. '99 - Click HERE to read the review) and continue to take center stage here. The song opens with a calypso beat and acoustic pickings as Dan weaves a tale of hard work that beats the life out of the main character. As luck would have it, this hopeless romantic finds a love, who at first seems to have nothing in common with the Salt Mine worker, but true love prevails even as the work causes him to long for change. Each morning, with his lover wishing him a nice day, he heads off determined to make good of himself only to start work as he is swearing to himself and the sky "I'm tired of working in the salt mine/I'm tired and I wish that things would change/I'm tired of this !@#$%^&*^%$#* salt mine/It's no fun working in a salt mine/When you really wish you'd change." Meanwhile the Mystery Band has run the music through a number of tempo changes reflecting the attitude of each portion of the song and by the time it reaches the conclusion we have a cacophony of sympathy that has us yelling along with our average Joe that we're tired and we really wish we'd change. Really. It's an anthem that'll have any working man bursting out in song, and rightfully so as Dan encourages us to never give up seeking and finding our happiness, for us not to compromise even if the other parts of our life are as we want them (thus the love interest part), because if we're not happy with the salt mine (work) we could jeopardize everything else.
    Without letting us up for air, Dan and the Mystery Band then Rock us with "Aperock.com" a dead on portrayal of the "www" in which the narrator tells us "I'm downloading smut from the Internet" and "I'm meeting people who I never ever met" and "I don't give a damn about my TV set." With a stand out ringing guitar set against a machine gun bass delivery underneath. The song reaches its zenith during the bridge where one would expect an extended guitar solo, instead it is handed over to Steve on a weirdly tuned piano which sounds as if the kids have suddenly found how to play their toy instruments with some merit (astounding!). Wrap it up with Dan holding the middle syllable of "set" (from "TV set") for 16 amazing seconds (or was that slick overdubbing?) as the song crashes to and end and we are left gasping for breath while wondering if what we just heard could be any greater. Another prefect anthem for the Internet generation (which includes anyone who has ever logged on).
    Not giving us a chance to ask for a breather "Middle Of The World" comes in lightly with a beautiful acoustic guitar fingered with a strumming technique that adjusts our frame of mind for the story of any common man (you or I) who drinks in the world and realizes the enormity of it all. Suddenly feeling small and insignificant the man comforts himself by validating his existence. He stakes his claim to the fact that he is in the middle of the world (eluding to a "the world revolves around me" attitude). Joining him in this bold proclamation is the band - as the drums, bass, and piano explode in an accompanying jig that has everybody up and dancing about in a joyous frenzy before bringing it back down to just the acoustic guitar backing. As the story continues on with the simplicity of the progressing days recited, the band (and vocals) again erupt allowing us (everyone) to forget our inadequacies and just jump about enjoying the life that does revolve around us.
    After these three anthems it should be hard for Dan to give us anymore, but he does. "No One (The Suburb Song)" disguises itself as a social commentary when in fact it's Dan the hopeless romantic rejecting the love of an overbearing girlfriend. And, after doing so, complaining how lonely he is - "I don't mean to bring anybody down/But that's just the way I feel" he tells us [aside] in-between the repeated "I feel lonely" refrain. Here we get our first sighting (hearing) of Steve's short-wave radio and it soars to new heights.
    "T-Rex" is the social commentary here. It defines the entire album. Using millions of years of history, billions of people, and a modern society "filled up with people/who are feeling what they feel/and what they feel is disconnected/what they want to feel is real/......yeah." the plucky guitar and piano arrangement take us along on a jaunt that shows how evolution will just draw us back to the age of savagery (represented by Tyrannosaurus Rex). Causing the narrator to explain "I'm trying to get ahead by winning food and sex and fame/But when everybody's gone/then who will remember our name......yeah." More than enough said right there.
    The disc concludes side 1 (yes, side 1. This disc is clearly laid out in LP fashion) with "Streets of the East Village", featuring Dan Emery on solo acoustic guitar as he sings another tale of heartbreak to the strains of "Streets of Lorado". Adapting this traditional ballad to tell the story of a failed romance between an Anarchist and a rather geeky fellow ("She liked the Jesus Lizard/I liked Bread", "I didn't even drink beer/She took lots of hard drugs", "I took Jujitsu/She carried a razor"). When she leaves him for her ex-boyfriend we can't help but to feel his pain amidst the hollow ringing of the acoustic notes.
    Side 2 consists of tracks 8 through 13 which includes three songs from the first disc "Love and Advertising". Remixed without any major overhauling (except for the sanitation of the swearing with neatly placed FX) "The Only One Who Loves You" (L&A's signature track), "Her Favorite Bra", and "Student Loan" help to bring new comers up to date with the brilliance of Dan Emery while showing longtime fans how seamlessly Dan can create his musical tales.
    Another romantic heartbreaker "I'm Not Being Very Good To My Girl" as again the narrator can't seem to measure up to, or give back, the love that is being given to him "Why does she love me so much?" he bemoans. "Over In Scotland" is a comical view of the issues raised by cloning; set to an infectious childlike singsongy backing that'll have everyone singing along. The playfulness however, does not detract from the serious message about the ramifications of disregarding the responsibilities that nature dictates to us all.
    "Natural Selection" aptly concludes with "Good and Evil". Just Dan on guitar, crooning about the pure difference between the two and how we have free choice. As the disc concludes we are told "And there's good/There's also evil/There's a choice/And I choose Good."

    And I choose The Dan Emery Mystery Band.

    As I stated in last weeks Zine I recently had the pleasure of attending a show by The Dan Emery Mystery Band, I realized then that I had just seen something amazing and special, and this was before receiving a copy of "Natural Selection". Since receiving this disc it has not left the disc players, there has not been any other music played here at IndepenDisc.
    "Natural Selection" redefines music, it changes the playing field, it raises the bar, it sets the *New* musical standard, and it hails in the beginning of the *New* musical movement. Thanks to the Internet ApeRock has arrived.

    The music revolution starts here.

    The Dan Emery Mystery Band "Natural Selection" CD on Home Office Records
is available now for $11.98 + s/h.