Wow. Demolished Thoughts finds Thurston Moore sounding like Nick Drake sharing bong hits with J Mascis and Zeppelin IV -era Jimmy Page while listening to the first Sebadoh record. These are seriously mellow acoustic tunes with 12-string, Alice Coltrane-sounding harp, violin and the occasional Hawkwind-esque hippie psychedelic sound effect. Beautiful poetry combined with intensely pretty Beck-produced music make this one a winner, if a slight departure from the harsher Trees Outside The Academy , and pretty far removed from Psychic Hearts —which is sure to disappoint some. Sounds like spring smells. Guaranteed not to play a show in Albuquerque, folks. (GP)
Beastie Boys Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (Capitol Records)
Upon hearing this album my girlfriend (a B Boys fan) remarked "Christ, there’s nothing on this album that doesn’t sound like something from a previous Beastie Boys record. What’s the point?" I can answer that. Although the post- Paul’s Boutique recordings all have the same irritating live-instrument groovathon, it’s hard to deny the Dust Brothers’ genius and the B Boys’ brilliant lyrics. My fave: "Pass me the scalpel, I’ll make an incision / I cut off the part of your brain that does the bitching." Also, there is an unbelievably stupid and funny and ironic short film online called “Fight For Your Right Revisited.” That soundtrack, though, is better than the actual album. (GP)
Seapony Go With Me (Sub Pop)
On its first full-length, Seattle’s Seapony takes a minimalist approach to frosty, lo-fi pop music. With nary more than three chords per two-and-a-half minute song, spun differently the uncomplicated creations of this female-fronted trio could easily be that of a hardcore punk band, but melodic guitar hooks and dreamy vocals make this music for chilling out rather than rocking out. Go With Me may be wrapped in a shiny bow, but there’s enough minor chord action to keep the album from being too whimsical. (JCC)
