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PERRY BERGSONFor the RecordEconoline Crush learned U2 lessonECONOLINE CRUSH— BRAND NEW HISTORY (EMI)Rating: B+This Vancouver band has apparently spent four years since then last release listening to U2.With the Insh band’s flair for rock hooks but with a more muscular edge, Econoline Crush flirts with radio without losing themselves.This is easily Virden singer Trevor Hurst’s most mature effort, both from a vocal and lyncal standpoint. Hurst can still yell but shows a more emotional touch at times as well.The striking By The Riverside moves from quiet midtempo to a charged rock chorus that’s followed by a short urban electronica touch. It flows seamlessly.And the 12-song, 42-minute CD actually includes a reggae-flavoured midtempo ballad called May I Go that’s amazingly catchy, light but with a desperate edge.A bonus for fans is the inclusion of their Big Shiny Tunes 4 track You Don’t Know What It’s Like.This is easily then best albumI MOTHER EARTH— EARTH, SKY AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN (EMI)Rating: C+This is suited to I Mother Earth completists. With acoustic versions of two tracks (Levitate and So Gently We Go), two new tracks (Subterranean Wonderland from the Dig sessions and Wrong from the Scenery And Fish session) and eight live-in-studio songs, there’s limited appeal for new fans.It’s too bad they didn’t choose to do an acoustic version of their scorching classic Rain Will Fall, although you’ll hear hints of it on the eight-minute Subterranean Wonderland. Wrong takes more of the jazzy feel of their second album.The others are interesting but don’t seem to capture this once-powerful band’s raw live edge. And yes, former singer Edwin is on vocals.MELANIE B— HOT (Virgin)Rating: CI doubt that it will be a mind-blowing revelation that she chooses to do dance pop for her solo debut.The Spice Girl actually tries to establish some credibility, reaching out to Sisqo and the team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for production. Not surprisingly she even goes urban on ABC 123, with a raggae-flavoured rap from Screwface.It is surprising, however, that she picks a song called Pack Your S..t, which should make this a lot less desirable purchase for parents. Naturally the churning track is the best on the 11 -song, 44-minute CD.Give her credit; at least she tries. And this is the best of the Spice solo effortsBIG BILL MORGANFIELD — RAMBLIN’ MIND(Blind Pig Records/Stoney Plain)Rating: BMuddy Waters’ son will obviously always walk in his father’s shadow.But his second album, on which he wrote nine of the 14 tracks, is a continued step away. His big growly voice, often set against piano, guitar, harmonica, drums and bass, is a punst’s delight.Taj Mahal joins him on guitar and vocals on Strong Man Holler and the sensational CD-ending You’re Gonna Miss Me.People Sure Act Funny and Trace Of You both add female voices, a nice diversion.This is simple and reasonably traditional. It’s also quite good.HIGH NOTES ... There’s good news for Tragically Hip frontman Gordon Downie. His debut solo album Coke Machine Glow was the top album in Canada last week, as compiled by the Sam the Record Man retail chain. Surprisingly the top country album was Luther Wnght and The Wrong’s Rebuild the Wall Part 1 ...Albums due out in Apnl include releases by Red House Painters, Christopher Cross (greatest hits live), W.A.S.P., Don Ross, Selena (her last concert on March 31, 1995 pnor to her murder) and Rob Halford (double live that includes some Judas Priest stuff) ...Capitol Records is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Beach Boys by re-releasing 16 of the band’s albums. Two albums will be included on each of the eight CDs, which have been digitally remastered...Perry Bergson is a Sun copy editor.You can reach him at 571-7439 or by e-mail at pbergson(a brandonsun.com.
Newspaper Details
Brandon Sun
Brandon, Manitoba, CA
Mon, Apr 02, 2001
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Critic A.
NA, 02 Jan 2025
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