Sound Bites

  “Spider-man” Soundtrack Various
Artists Columbia Records

With the release of the “Spider-man” movie, everyone
seems to be taking advantage of its success and riding on its
coattails. So why shouldn’t there be a soundtrack
accompanying it? The “Spider-man” soundtrack has a wide
variety of artists, from the likes of Sum 41, to Macy Gray, to Pete
Yorn, and even to the Strokes. And let’s not forget Aerosmith
and their habit of never turning down the chance to make a theme
song. Blah. The only good thing about these different artists is
that they provide relief from each other. Several songs on the
soundtrack are heavy rockish (think “Scorpion King”),
and some other stuff, like the Hives, seems to be thrown in just to
sell the album. Steven Tyler’s god-awful version of the
Spider-man theme is there, but the original Spider-man theme song
included is more worth listening to. The album’s best quality
is the hologram of Spidey himself on the cover. One star for
variety and effort, and half for the holographic cover. Don’t
get the soundtrack. Listen to it to hear the original Spider-man
theme song, but other than that, blah. –

Kenny Chang

Capitol K “Island Row” Beggars XL
Recordings

Capitol K is Kristian Craig Robinson, an experimental
producer/songwriter who was raised in Borneo but currently lives
and records in London. “Island Row,” K’s second
album, is a rambling journey between the hustle and bustle of
London’s city streets and the transcendent freedom of
Borneo’s rain forests. The first half of the album spends
more time on upbeat, faster-paced songs. Tracks like
“Anon” and “Capitol Beat Sticky” move
between spacey guitars and industrial drum and bass, evoking and
encompassing atmospheres ranging from city street shops to
manufacturing plants. Later tracks such as “Breakers”
and “Heat” use sweeping ambient sounds and mellow
guitar to create a sense of a jungle paradise. Unlike many other
experimental electronic acts, Capitol K incorporates pop melodies
and brings his guitar-playing to the fore. Capitol K’s second
album is a worthwhile listen, but K would do well to focus more on
his off-kilter pop songs rather than his drifting, ambient
excursions. –

Alex Palmer

Deadsy “Commencement”
Dreamworks

  Synthesizers run amok on Deadsy’s latest offering,
“Commencement,” at a level unseen since the days when
New Kids On The Block reigned supreme. Deadsy is as pop as Goth
metal can get, but the result strangely enjoyable. This disc sounds
like something everyone loved in the ’80s, but then
there’s enough rock found within it to live up to that. The
lyrics are entertaining ““ how often does
“betwixt” find its way out of stereo speakers? But
often P. Exeter Blue’s delivery of his words becomes too
rhythmic. It’s difficult enough to deal with monotone
professors, lulling listeners to sleep. Tracks such as “She
Likes Big Words” were made for rocking out while driving. The
tempo is upbeat, and guitar solos are enhanced by spiraling synths.
The heaping serving of pop is what saves this CD from sounding like
another Linkin Park/Limp Bizkit brand of crap served to the
multitudes daily. “Commencement” is actually kind of
fun. Don’t be surprised when this CD commands a closer look.
–

Kathleen Dunphy