Combustible Edison"Schizophonic"
(Sub Pop 313)
The poster group for the Cocktail Nation shed that horrid label and show themselves as more than a one trick pony. Schizophonic disappointed many ComEd fan (Vik included), but further listens and an open mind reveal the maturing genius behind this sophomore effort. (Vik doesn't count "Four Rooms" as their second album as it is a soundtrack.) If I, Swinger brought about the revival of the cocktail sound, Schizophonic drops the kitsch and moves toward an original, defined ComEd sound. Blending the influences of lounge, jazz, exotica and gogo pop into one sound may not sound like a successful experiment, but ComEd are proving it can be done and done with style. This once lost music has now been re-discovered, and Combustible Edison are endeavoring to keep it alive and make it progress.
Alright Already - Bluebeard - The Checkered Flag - One Eyed Monkey - Solid State - Les Yeux San Visage - "52" - Short Double Latte - Mudhead - Morticia - Objet D'Amour - The Corner Table - Lonelyville
Action Plus(Nocturnal Love Feast Records)
Like a transistor radio between stations, Action Plus blends musical styles in a dark cross current. Surf/exotica instrumentals flow into twisted bossa pop songs about bongos and car alarms. Their sound defies category but you'll hear Bacharach, Jobim, Denny and more. Not simply satisfied to imitate, Action Plus are taking the vocabulary of the swank and cocktail and merging it with the sensibilities of rock and pop. Always delightful often surprising, Vik became so addicted to their sound he made this his #1 album of 1996. For more information contact Nocturnal Love Feast, 1700 Church St. #1212, San Francisco CA 94131 or email action+@sirius.com and tell'em Vik sent ya!
Tune into Radio Vik for Action Plus in RealAudio!
Scorpio 66 - Airwaves - Blue Mango - Sweetness - Age Of Glory - Bongos 4 Sale - Vamoose - I Don't Like Roses - The Car Alarm Song - Pernod - Datura - Zazelle
Squirrel Nut Zippers
"Hot"
(Mammoth 137)
Vikıs crnks up the heat Nawleans style with the swinging le hot jazz sound of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. This North Carolina combo exploded last year with their self titled debut. Now, they are back and firmly in the cradle of hot jazz, recording their second album in the legendary Kingsway Studios in New Orleans. It's a sweaty, smoky, geasy set of jump blues, swing jazz and just plain hipster swank. No silly cocktails here. Pound those bourbons and Hurricanes as you jump and jive to the devil voiced Jim Mathus or stare in rapture at the Billy-Holiday-reborn Katharine Whalen. This is roots lounge at itıs finest when the gin was in the bathtub and every back room was a speakeasy.
Got My Own Thing Now - Put A Lid On It - Memphis Exorcism - Twilight - It Ain't You - Prince Nez - Hell - Meant To Be - Bad Businessman - Flight Of The Passing Fancy - Blue Angel - The Interlocutor