With Flute And Piano, Radius Creates Another, Blissful World

Radius “Sanctuary” and “Star Song” - Self-released tapes

With its two tapes, Radius takes the listener on a celestial, sometimes spiritual, journey. Both albums feature minimal arrangements, a flute and a keyboard. But that’s all Radius needs. Some songs are simply written, yet they capture a mood. The tranquil and blissful music is a melding of old, other-worldly folk and new age, and the combination is a real winner. The flute is the emphasis while the piano/keyboard provides a beautiful backdrop.

These tapes would make great company on a long drive or in front of a fireplace.

There is a glitch, however. Because there is such a tremendous dynamic range on both recordings, the music is sometimes hindered by the hiss of the tape. A digital recording would most likely correct that.

Solomon Kane “Mask Of Lies” - Self-released CD

Like a true-blue heavy metal band, Solomon Kane clobbers head-bangers with a sound grounded in punishing grooves, buzz-saw guitar riffs and wrathful vocals. All of these attributes makes the Spokane quintet’s debut album a very good outing.

Unlike most metal bands, Solomon Kane strives to make poignant social commentary. Beneath the barrage, songs explore themes of violence, oppression, media exploitation, individuality and more. One of the real winners on this disc is the stream-of-consciousness hidden track. The cut declares that musicians pawning their instruments is as serious as selling their souls.

Now the criticisms. Solomon Kane vocalist Jay Altimore should refrain from screaming those silly “wooows” during transitions. It erases the seriousness of the message. Plus, it was a tool that cheesy ‘80s hair bands often resorted to. Also, the dual guitar solos get a little redundant. They’re impressive but not always essential. Lastly, the guitars should be up further in the mix. At low volumes, the guitars are not quite as audible as the vocals and drums. Heavy metal is all about guitars anyway.

But these are only minor complaints. For you metal fans, “Mask Of Lies” would make a nice addition to your collection.

Plug Ugly “Dog Pile” - Self-released tape

Local rockers Plug Ugly have talent. I know, I’ve seen them a few times. Unfortunately, the band’s second tape release doesn’t really show it. Vocalist Dawna Lamfers tries to cram too many words into her lyrics. As a result, she’s often out of breath after each line. Thus, songs sound forced and clumsy. Lyrically, she’s got some good ideas, but because she sings with a mouthful, they don’t come across very well. “Tion” is a prime example.

The drumming leaves much to be desired, too. On a few tracks, the snare is tuned to sound like an oil drum. The tinny, amateurish result takes the wind out of an already winded band.

There are a couple of keepers on “Dog Pile.” “Ounce” and “Better Than” are honest and memorable.

Even though this tape was just released, the songs were recorded a year ago. Most likely the band has made the improvements I’m hammering them on.

National album reviews from Billboard

Pam Tillis “All Of This Love” - Arista

Tillis continues to mature as a singer, writer and producer. She is also a shrewd judge of writing talent who calls on such diverse songwriters as Kim Richey, Bob Dipiero, Bruce Hornsby, Kim Carnes and her dad, Mel Tillis. She’s even got the rarity: a female novelty song, in “Betty’s Got A Bass Boat.”

Brian Eno & Jah Wobble “Spinner” - Gyroscope

With ambient music reaching a popular peak, Brian Eno, the man who coined the term, returns with an album that both challenges and embraces ambient concepts. “Spinner” was supposed to be Eno’s long-awaited “Glitterbug” album, the soundtrack to a Derek Jarman film. Instead, he gave the mixed tracks to bassist Jah Wobble (of Public Image Ltd./Invaders Of The Heart), who added his own music on top. The result is a bracing, often swampy mix of textures moving toward melody, edgy, mechanistic rhythms, and dubbed basslines swirled in a neo-psychedelic brew.

Tha Dogg Pound “Dogg Food” - Death Row/Interscope/Priority

Tongue-tied and stale, Kurupt and Daz remain content to peddle trite ghetto ghoulishness for cash on tracks treating women as gang-rape trophies while selling their bigoted portrait of the urban poor as a sea of pompous felons. Out of sync with the diverse multitude of African-American, this moldy Pound cake is an instant relic.