4Play

Feb. 1, 2006

Danger Doom - *The Mouse and the Mask* - Epitaph/Ada
Inspired by none other than Cartoon Network‘s hipster late-night cartoon series, Adult Swim, this collection of collaborative songs between hip-hopsters Danger Mouse and MF Doom is pretty darned cool, indeed.  It‘s not necessarily a completely serious effort, but it succeeds in its sense of fun, especially when character voices from the Adult Swim shows are worked in - you get the sense that Danger Mouse and MF are genuinely chillin‘ in the studio with the likes of Meatwad, Harvey Birdman, and special stop-in musical guests like Talib Kweli.  Standout tracks here include “A.T.H.F.“ (for Aqua Teen Hunger Force, of course), “Old School,“ and “The Mask,“ all of which have their own feel, vocal delivery, and street smart beats.  Space Ghost‘s Brak pops up to ask “why did you buy this album?“ but you‘ll know exactly why once you take a listen.
 
My Bloody Valentine - *Ecstasy and Wine* - Lazy Records
This rare double-EP limited-edition repress CD, finally out for mass consumption, is a nice bridge between MBV‘s 4 EP releases and their fan-favorite full-length albums.  Featuring a telling range of the band‘s psychedelic, distorted buzz pop, this is a varied yet cohesive set that chimes and rings, with many of the songs innocently free of the frizzy, distorted background layers that were found on later My Bloody Valentine albums.  Their ‘60s influences slide right up to the ‘90s to say hello on such songs as “Never Say Goodbye,“ the almost-hostile “Things I Miss,“ the shoegazing density of “(Please) Lose Yourself In Me,“ and the opener, “Strawberry Wine“  - it‘s a great listen to the early workings of this groundbreaking band that so many indie-rock lovers have somehow yet to discover.
 
Annie - *DJ Kicks* - K7 Records
Norwegian alt-dance diva Annie, who released her critically-adored debut disc, *Anniemal,* early in 2005, is now offering up her own installment of the DJ Kicks series to showcase her own extensive DJ skills.  Her playlist is both sly and inherently catchy, proving her dancefloor mettle and including two new-to-fans tracks of her own (the previously-unreleased “Wedding“ and completely new tune “Gimme Your Money“) as well as her personal potpourri of other selections, which include Bow Wow Wow‘s “I Want Candy,“ Datarock‘s “Fa Fa Fa,“ Junior Senior‘s Mix of Le Tigre‘s “Nanny Nanny Boo Boo,“ and Alan Vega‘s “Jukebox Babe“ - it‘s a surprising and groovy peek into what Annie‘s ideal dancefloor might spin, and if you enjoy her music sensibilities at all, then this should get your feet moving, too.
 
Siouxsie and the Banshees - *The Scream* - Fontana International
This debut album from Siouxsie and crew, now digitally remastered from the original master tapes and expanded nicely with an additional disc of early demos, hit singles (including “Staircase Mystery“ and “Hong Kong Garden“), and two John Peel Sessions from the late ‘70s, might seem like an overindulgence for those who already own most of Siouxsie‘s collection, but it‘ll be worth it once you hear the newly-spiffed-up sound and check out the rich packaging and liner notes - oh, and the previously unreleased song, “Make Up to Break Up,“ that‘s been heard by few until this particular release.  Punky and metallic and full of sass, the songs - especially the bonus materials - will continue to be enjoyed by existing Siouxsie fans, and could also serve as a good introduction to the band for those yet unintroduced to these ‘80s legends.