KRISTEN MILLER
Walk
10-song CD

Cellist Kristen Miller could easily floor audiences playing in name-brand cello bands like Rasputina or Apocalyptica, but if she did, the world would miss beautiful, intimate records like Walk. With it, her third release, the Boston-area string siren delivers a seamless blend of haunting, soul bearing, and aphrodisiac. She offers a pair of eclectic covers early on—hook-laden, want-steeped takes on What Time Is It, Mr. Fox’s “Deep Waters” and Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams.” In the generous amount of original material that comprises the disc’s remaining eight tracks, we experience her full range, not only as a gifted player, but also as a lyricist, singer, and arranger. The heart-rending poem “Lilacs” plays like a gorgeous, tear-streaked letter read unabashedly to the ether, with the Celtic-flavored “Dream On A Bus” hinting at her potential as a story-song stylist to rival Rickie Lee Jones. With the instrumentals “Standing,” “November,” and “Away” she reveals her flair for the cinematic. Miller’s tight, would-be scores (and her brilliant, original score to fellow fantastic femme Maya Deren’s experimental 1944 silent film At Land) create such palpable moods and confidently prove that there is nothing she takes on that she cannot master and then tantalize us with. (Robert Newton)

THE BENEDICTIONS
Play Devil Music
13-song CD

If what the Benedictions play truly is devil music, then can someone please point me to the nearest Satanic church so that I can fill out my membership application form? This record is a winning mix of country, rockabilly, and folk all played with a serious edge. They remind me somewhat of Death & Taxes, minus the punk influences. Having three lead singers each with a distinct voice helps keep things fresh, and the band knows that even in outsider music like this, you still need to have good hooks. While the singers are all strong, it’s the musicianship that truly stands out. The band is extremely adept at setting a scene instrumentally, be it the rush of an oncoming train or the desolation of a ghost town. At times, the Benedictions make me want to dance, and times they make me want to mosey. I can’t remember the last time a record moved me to undertake the underrated pleasure of moseying, so these guys are definitely aces in my book. (Kevin Finn)

DAN KING
Lamptime Records
Time Move Over
16-song CD

This is the sort of gruff-voiced roots-rock that I thought I had gotten my full ration of a long time ago. But the canny production touches and the skillfully low-key instrumental backing by crack studio outfit KMBG make this more than merely a tolerable genre romp. The world-weary lyrics and delivery are no jokes, and the project as a whole from time to time displays a sort of grandeur that artists who seem to be trying far harder can’t hope to match. In particular, “Lifeboat,” and the acoustic version of “Down” are quite fine, and the live version of “Requiem Lover’s Waltz” is spectacular. (Francis DiMenno)

THE DEVOTIONS
Crazy 8 Records
The Devotions
15-song CD

This long awaited recording proves the little proverb—no deadlines, just headlines! The Devotions—John Felice, Scott Baerenwald, Rich Mirsky, and Diane Gately were born at the Kendall Cafe, Cambridge in 1995. I have been a Real Kids/Felice fan since Oedi sent me their Sponge 45 in 1976! When I belatedly came to Boston in 2001 and I heard the current Kids lineup do “Looks Like Goodbye,” it brought tears to my eyes just like “Common At Noon.” That cliché “they don’t write ’em like they used to” just does not apply to a songwriter with Felice’s honesty and power. It has been almost ten years since I have heard Felice sing these lines: I’ve seen the light go outta my eyes/ I’ve seen my dreams wither and die/ from the look in your eyes/ I looks like goodbye,” but the song has not lost an ounce of its impact! Kelly Knapp of the Bristols and the Darlings fame deserves kudos for her input. The Devotions deliver 15 mostly upbeat power pop gems anchored by Baerenwald’s stellar bass playing. Congrats to the Devotions and producer Steve Wynn for creating the purest, rawest, most real music since Nothing Pretty. (Nancy Neon)

CHELSEA BERRY
Walk With Me
10-song CD

Ms. Berry’s voice is heard to evincing effect on numbers such as the lovely “Walk With Me” and the mesmeric “The One I’ve Waited For,” and fans of Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks will find a great deal to like in these particular compositions. Otherwise, overall this seems a largely anodyne collection of sometimes overly solipsistic confessional songs and character pieces, though never less than competently executed. Her compositions are often jazzy and melodic in a restrained fashion, which is seldom the cause of any undue offense, yet also all too seldom evocative of any particular sense of wonder. (Francis DiMenno)

MOUTH SEWN SHUT
Rodent Popsicle Records
2009
14-song CD

Bear with me. I started listening to this and thought about how limited hardcore is. How the hell do you advance it? It’s like a living museum.This album, for instance, sounds like it could have been recorded fifteen years ago. But maybe hardcore as a genre is not supposed to change drastically—otherwise it ain’t hardcore. It’s like rockabilly: if you added a drum machine or breakbeats, it ain’t gonna be rockabilly, it’s just gonna be bad. And like rockabilly, if I listen to hardcore, it might as well be the old school stuff. But I like to see bands live, and I know I won’t be seeing Charlie Feathers or Carl Perkins live anytime soon, but I could go see (whenever they’re together) the Raging Teens or somebody, know what I mean? Anyfuckingway, this Mouth Sewn Shut CD kicked my bloody ass bloody! Fuck! It ain’t breaking any ground whatsoever, but they are tight and the lyrics are damn good if you take the time to read them. (Tony Mellor)

BALL AND PIVOT
PopGun
11-song CD

Ball and Pivot’s online bio describes them as a “quintessential ’80s techno-rock-dance band.” Their CD PopGun is a collection of digitally remastered tracks that were recorded in 1984-1988. The band, once made up of singer Bruce Wilkinson, guitarist Tom Hauck, drummer Paul Caruso, and keyboardist Tim Long, put forth an ear-pleasing collection akin to opening a time capsule. The theatricality of dramatic glam-pop is evoked here, as is the repetition found throughout arena-rock. The opener, “Nowhere to Hide,” is an absolute testament to the ’80s and from there, the only particularly tame song (if one could even call it that), is “In The Heat of the Night.” The disc packs a significant and pleasantly surprising punch. Don’t let the big hair fool you into thinking otherwise. (Julia R. DeStefano)

AGE OF END
The Rhythm of the Slaughter
7-song CD

Age of End crafts their tunes well. On The Rhythm of the Slaughter, the music is multi-layered and multi-textured. There’s a lot of enticing and a lot of bludgeoning on this album— mostly bludgeoning—but though you’re getting pummeled, you wanna come and get more. It’s old jail barbed wire fences with dead meat caught in the snag—carcasses of birds, small mammals, unsuspecting stoners, you know what I’m saying? Still, I’ve heard it all before—basically when I’ve been force-fed music from the national acts they’ve opened for, when I worked at a chain CD store back in the day, bands that made the mall rats swoon in self-mutilation six to seven years ago—Papa Roach, Sevendust, Puddle of Mudd, etc., but maybe just a little harder. Reminds me of Slipknot in places—I bet you’re getting the picture. But they do they a good job on it—I look forward to the day I see their video on Fuse (well, for me, more like Fuse On Demand when I’m at somebody’s house). Slaughter in the suburbs. (Tony Mellor)

ALAN COHEN EXPERIENCE
FamJam Records
Space & Time
11-song CD

Following up his last quirky concept album, Revolutions, which dealt with our culture’s perception of revolutionary events, Cohen has teamed up with pop guru Tony Goddess to produce a concept album based on Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time. Never would I have thought that Hawking’s treatise on his view of life, the universe, and everything, could be sent up in this way. Cohen uses his quirky sense of humor and melody to turn science into delicious pop, reminiscent of School House Rock, with a little John Holmes funk thrown in, along with psychedelic ear candy that will leave you drooling for more. It’s not everyday that such heady material could be this catchy. If there is ever a New Zoo Revue revival, Alan Cohen should write and perform all the songs. I bopped along and learned about quantum mechanics today. Can you say that? Didn’t think so. Though I wished for a Hawking cameo, this disappointment was momentary. (Joel Simches)

ALOHA SARCOPHAGUS
The Original Soundtrack to Space Jam
7-song CD

Greetings, Zortar here, alien from a planet unlike your joyous and happy one; mine is rife with war, poverty, discrimination, and disease. How lucky you all are, indeed! Talking about disease, I once again have the unpleasant task of inhabiting the vessel known as Slimedog whose body seems to consist entirely of Jagermeister and bacon fat.

Well, this task is slightly more appealing as this band is very sprightly. My thought processors are on full application to define them. I’ll call them hardcore/ progressive/ funk. Hardcore, only because most of the songs are very fast but the playing and structures owe more to progressive rock; then there is also an underlying funk happening. I would liken them to the Red Hot Chili Peppers at their most frenetic, perhaps. I would definitely recommend them, especially to fans of fast, fancy, funky music (though really they’re just a good rock band). And I would give drummer Casey Kearin a special gold star. I now leave you to your glorious planet. (Slimedog)

DOGS ON TELEVISION
Dogs on Television
10-song CD

I woke up this morning with Dogs on Television’s “Lay It on the Line, Child” stuck in my head, and I was pretty happy about it, so kudos to the band for that. As a young man, I was beaten over the head repeatedly with blues-driven rock to the point that even seeing the word “blues” in a press release causes my body to twitch involuntarily in an unpleasant manner, yet I still found this album to be quite refreshing. Therefore, if anyone reading this is a connoisseur of blues-driven rock, then listening to this record will probably make your body twitch involuntarily in a pleasant manner. The band is very comfortable settling into a swampy groove, but also quite adept at pushing the songs in directions that you don’t expect. When they indulge in cacophony, they remind me of Wilco, which is not what I would have expected. But I guess this album was very much not what I expected. I like that. (Kevin Finn)

PINSKY
Two For The Road
9-song CD

Combining emo and pop sensibilities, Pinsky has a fun, energetic collection of songs recorded in their own homegrown studio in Portland, ME. The first half of this release was recorded well over a year ago and features their original lineup based around the joint songwriting efforts of guitarists Peter Vachon and Jeffrey Roberts. Though the lineup has since changed, the song template of bright pop with dual lead vocals and catchy hooks is extremely radio ready and well performed. The last two songs on this EP are well produced demos of songs which will hopefully point to the direction of the next level of sophistication for this great band. (Joel Simches)

STEVE SADLER
Gibraltar Records
Surf Blue
12-song CD

What do you get when you combine lush and welcoming arrangements with inimitable vocals? Surf Blue. It’s a showcase of Sadler’s talents. Tracks such as the opener, “Late At Night,” “There’s A New Love,” and “In My Corner” fittingly represent the summer season. With its images of the sparkling ocean, sand, and sun galore, the atmospheric “Sunset on the Beach Part 2” is a dazzler. When combined with Sadler’s harmonizing, Dennis Brennan’s guest vocals become both haunting and compelling, with lyrics like: “When you left me it was afternoon/ Late enough to really see the moon/ A summer day like this is magic every time/ the ocean sparkling and sunshine/ I would think this must be the special one/ She’s oh so good and oh so fine/ She’s bound to go and blow my mind.” A beautiful effort without a doubt, Sadler has put forth a cohesive, intricate, and expertly layered piece of music that is positively dreamlike in every sense of the word. (Julia R. DeStefano)

LOST ON LIFTOFF
Labor Day Records
The Brightside
8-song CD

From the man from Maine who brought us 6gig comes another polished emo-rock jewel. Packed with mega hooks and walls of guitar, Walter Craven’s latest release from his new band, Lost On Liftoff, is sure to please greasy faced teens by the thousands–and some of us bigger kids too. Recorded and mixed at the Halo, it sounds sonically amazing. Even the slick cover art of Lost On Liftoff’s brand new baby Brightside provides insight that these boys are not rookies. All eight songs feature enough wailing melodic emotion and anticipation to keep the likes of Dave Grohl happy. Walter Craven’s piercing yet pleasing vocal reminds me of being pushed against the barriers at the Warped Tour by screaming young girls. It’s got rock and it’s got pop. It’s got fun to put in yer bun. With sheer oodles of memorable lyrics and songs like “Promises You Can’t Keep” I’ll be humming this infectious stew of hormone-driven madness for days. They didn’t reinvent the wheel here, but not everyone wants a new wheel. (Lance Woodward)

DANIELLE DOYLE
The Cartographer’s Wife
10-song CD

Ms. Doyle’s range of influences seem limited to a comparatively small circle of contemporary artists, and her voice, though pleasant, unusual, and evocative, does not display a range that is bound to invariably astonish the knowledgable. She is young, which is a promising sign, because if she is already this seasoned within her somewhat constrained folk-based palette, then perhaps once she realizes there are a multiplicity of idioms and forms, even within her chosen genre, she will eschew merely soothing and comfortable mid-tempo balladry and essay to produce art that is astonishing, as she does in part on “Roots/Wings.” I wish her well because she is good; I hope that someday she will be great. (Francis DiMenno)

WELSEY ALLEN HARTLEY & THE TRAVELING TREES
Burst & Bloom
Narrow Gauge Quad Trains
12-song CD

This native Texan has been trans-planted to New England, namely Portland, Maine, and how lucky are we in New England to have Welsey and his band take such an authentic twang to the East Coast. I rather just call it twang than country even though they define themselves as such because for me this is a layer of twang styles that slowly and perfectly roll into one. Sure it’s country but it’s more like old-school country tangled up with roots rock and slow rockabilly—is there such a thing? Probably not, so let’s say that it’s genuine essence of rockabilly only really, really laid back! Does all this matter? No. What matters is that Welsey Allen Hartley & His Traveling Trees have given us their songs—purely original, recorded well, highly enjoyable. Along with the talented singer/ songwriter/ leader Hartley, I must credit Leslie Deane on bass, Jon Donnell on drums, Derek Reynolds also on bass, and Gregg Hoover on lap steel. What a gem! I can’t even highlight any one track—they’re all good in my book. (Debbie Catalano)

JULIE KINSCHECK
Grazz with Jazz on Top
10-song CD

Folk, rock, and pretty much everything else, Julie Kinscheck’s debut album brings a little something for everyone to the party. With some toe-tapping rock tunes, more mellow folk beats, and Kinscheck’s signature scat singing throughout, this CD is a great way to wind down after that lousy workday, or start a day that you know is going to suck. One of my personal faves is “The Coffee Song,” and I’m sure I’m not the only one on his third dose of the day. There’s a lot of passion and soul in these tunes, and on a couple I got a little choked up, as if Julie’s emotions were going out of the CD and right into me. Or maybe it’s just the coffee talking. Some of the songs have a message of faith to them, something which Julie said is the rock on which she’s built her life. But this isn’t the type of CD that tries to ram religion down your throat. She’s just trying to pass on some lessons that have helped her through some tough times. So snag some grace, sprinkle on a little jazz, grab your java, and enjoy. (Max Bowen)

GUY CAPECELATRO III
Burst & Bloom Records
The Silence of Our Predicament
12-song CD

Haunting indie folk that doesn’t let up ’til it surrounds your soul like smoke in a pre-2001 bar. That said, you can’t listen to this half-assed; it requires your full attention, or you completely miss it. You can’t let its spooky subdued vibes echo out as audio wallpaper—you miss all the glory! Some printed lyrics would have rocked, though- sometimes my attention shifts more toward the music when I feel I may be missing some important lyrics. I thought the use of all the relatively oddball instruments throughout the album had the potential to be some lame gimmick, but none of these instruments sound exploited; they rightfully serve the song. I get pretty wary these days of the use of ukelele, but on this album, the two tracks that feature said instrument don’t wield a cute twee torch to those acts you’d see at, like, the Lizard Lounge during the week—and that’s a good thing. Special props to guest vocalist Isis, who lends a Moe Tucker quality to “Recipe.” I dig it. (Tony Mellor)

JAKE HILL
Plimro Records
In the Mountain’s Shadow
12-song CD

Mr. Hill is what we might call a country-style shouter, with a limited vocal range but a great deal of feeling to partially make up for it. He has a generous world view and writerly sense of observation, and the musical backdrop is always tasteful and restrained without coming across as fussy or mechanical. Of the dozen tracks featured here, the only one that seems somewhat perfunctory is the bluesy “Baby Wears a Pistol.” (Francis DiMenno)

EL VATO
Loaded Dice
12-song CD

Veteran thunder rocker Arlo West has long impressed me with his loud, aggressive, take-no-prisoners guitar playing and Loaded Dice with its blistering leads reinforces his powerful and 100 percent testosterone style: sorta like if Billy Gibbons or Stevie Ray fronted Moving Targets but with more of a Tex-Mex feel and a bit of Southern rock thrown in. It’s also got that punk attitude in the songs’ lyrics and occasionally in their arrangements. Every song this three-piece plays is cut from the same cloth: bragging and boastful lyrics with some of the really good melodies; “Big Bad Wolf,” “Twisted,” “Gritty Mountain,” and “American Dream” tell good stories punctuated by great guitar work and the vocals are also all believable and communicate well. The only thing better than listening loudly to this CD, I would imagine, would be to catch these renegades live and onstage deep in rural Maine where they are now based. Each performance, I am sure, is elevated into an event—but Maine may not be big enough to capture the energy of this band. Play this CD loud. (A.J. Wachtel)

THE GRAVEL PROJECT
More Ways Than One
9-song CD

Until I reached the halfway point of the Gravel Project’s 9-songer, my notes included words like “easy-listening blues,” “bored,” “too clean”; however, despite the negative connotation of those words, I found the musicianship top-notch and the vocals warm and full. It’s just I like my blues a little down and dirty and not so crisp and polished—then it becomes adult contemporary jazz to me. Fortunately, somewhere along the way the band snapped out of what I felt was wedding-band-like jazzy blues–nice, entertaining, but not exciting—and transformed into a band with an interesting and cool vibe. I’d say right around track five, “Mindstream” (yes midstream through the disc), this beautiful and mysterious instrumental interlude just opened the doors to a terrific remaining CD. The snappy “Lust,” the bright reggae-ish islandly number “Feeling Good,” and gorgeously stripped-down blues number “My Baby” completely redeemed the band in this reviewer’s eyes. I’ll backspace a bit and say the jazz twist on Lennon/McCartney’s “I’ll Cry Instead” earns the Gravel Project cool points for sure! (Debbie Catalano)

DAGGER OR A DRAM
In the Fall
7-song CD

Formed by Tommy McKnight and James Chiarelli to fuel a constant thirst for rock ’n’ roll and whiskey, both of which are, according to their one-sheet, “easily accessible and should be enjoyed responsibly or irresponsibly,” Dagger or a Dram’s second effort is about as mainstream as it gets. Heavy hitting and alternative, “Cross the Line” could very well be heard on WFNX, along with “Wrecking Ball” and “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.” The remaining tracks, including the remixed “Cross the Line (In a Box),” are a bit repetitive. Though an enjoyable listen, there is nothing particularly unique about the approach. (Julia R. DeStefano)

SOOL
Sool Recordings
A Touch of Sool
5-song CD

Lucifer is not a friend of Sool. Far from being any sort of intelligence leviathan, when it comes to innovation and experimentation The Evil One is a sucking black hole of information death. Therefore, He is bound to loathe this scavenger’s buffet of cultural bricolage, which ably lassos scattered hegemonies, paradigms lost, and salvation through multiplicity. Most of all, He is doubtless peeved because His myopic dynasty is even now being superseded by Sool’s rebellion against all organized powers. It’s really not fair. He has had 5000 years to set chaos free, and yet Sool has overturned His sinister dynasty with five lousy songs—from the detourned soul of the YouTube hit “I Know You Can Hear Me,” to the bizarro-world hair band balladry of “Katherine”; from the humorously banal funk fusion spoof “Pot of Mussels” to the goofball cut-up scatting funk-psyche of “A Product of Mine.” And the Sparks-like celestial notes struck on “Sun Hay!” must surely cause the Lord of Hell to reach for His infernal prescription-strength ibuprofen. (Francis DiMenno)

SPAWN OF MAN
Entertainment Experiment
Metal With Kung-Fu Action!
5-song CD

Maine is meant to breed metal. If I was forced to live in nice-but-boring Vacationland, I’d be in a metal band too. A good friend of mine did. But anyway—Spawn of Man—these guys are doing the right thing. They’re having fun and throwing you a good ole mano cornuto, and dammit, you gotta give them the horns right back! Shit makes me wanna go to Salem and buy a cloak! (I bet if these dudes rocked cloaks, they would have to hit a Target right after Halloween when the costumes are half off—poor Mainers…) Rock at will! (Tony Mellor)

THE GROWNUP NOISE
Shall We?
5-song CD

Citywide Max is back with another review for your reading pleasure. And pleasure is the name of the game with this band. The latest offering from the Grownup Noise, Shall We? gives fans another look at their foot-moving, head-nodding mix of rock tunes. The five-song EP flows well, moving from a fast, steady beat that’s gets us off our asses, to more chill melodies that gives us a chance to sit back and relax before things pick up again. This is one busy EP, making the most of its 22-minute length. The mix of Katie Franich’s soothing voice and cello playing, Aine Fujioka’s skillful drum work, plus the unforgettable contribution of Adam Sankowski on bass and vocals and Todd Marsten on the keys, means there’s a lot happening here. Those lucky enough to have seen this quintet live know what I’m talking about. Vocalist Paul Hansen steps up to the mic to complete the equation. He’s got a commanding tone that’s relaxing at the same time, the kind that cuts through all the noise we experience in our day without adding to it. This is one EP worth experiencing. (Max Bowen)

TREE FROG AVENGERS
Tree Frog Avengers
6-song CD

Tree Frog Avengers have a sound that defies description. They combine elements of emo, post angst pop, alternative dance, punk-pop, and psychedelic art prog to the point where they are their own musical style. If the second tune, Joan of Arc, doesn’t make you an instant fan of their music, there is something wrong with your mind. All the cool shit indie rock has fed us over the last 20 years is crystallized in this three-minute pop epic! If you like your indie rock fun and unpredictable, this band needs to be on your playlist! Go see this band now! (Joel Simches)

THE SNIPES
Days Gone By
6-song CD

Ah, yes, Mr. Slimedog here inhabiting his own Jagermeister, bacon fat diseased body, The Snipes are a local band produced by Lenny Lashley of Darkbuster fame. He’s a great songwriter who with his song, “Lonely Days and Whiskey Nights” has written one of the best songs in Boston music history. I can hardly listen to that one with a dry eye. And he does fine with these Snipes so—“Bombs Away!”—a tune by them. This is pretty explosive punk detonating through every fiber of your skull and body, resonating into the general vicinity, destroying all pretenses in its way.

This band is kick-ass punk rock with little diversions to ska within their songs just so you can cool down. I don’t much like the ska anymore but thank God they don’t have any high school trombone players with them. This isn’t all slash and burn as their rhythm section is tighter than a nun’s vagina, and when there is war there is nothing but to burn again and take no prisoners.

I say they must be one helluva live band and I say this is one mighty fine CD and I say this is a mighty, spiffy, nifty chunk of noise that will melt your speakers into smithereens and scatter the debris into your neighbor’s Chihuahua’s bunghole watching him scream running down the street. Yip, Yip, Yip. Take my word. You’ll be happy for it. (Slimedog)

CALAMUS
Calamus
6-song CD

Despite a background in performance art and experimental music, this collection of songs rarely strays from the middle of the road, both musically and dynamically. Gret McGilvary has a sweet voice and is complemented well by guitarist/vocalist Bruce Malley, but the music is performed as if trying out for an off-off-off Broadway production next to a convalescent ward. Despite an impressive list of influences (Porcupine Tree, PJ Harvey, Pink Floyd and Mogwai), Calamus wind up taxiing endlessly on a tarmac without ever leaving the ground, nor are they ever cleared for takeoff. This EP never quite gets interesting or memorable or even seems to try as much and that makes me a little sad inside… right here. (Joel Simches)

VARIOUS ARTISTS
(James Keyes/ Loose Salute/ Bob Jordan/ the New Highway Hymnal)
Wormtown Hoedown
4-song CD

Ah, yes, Mrs. Slimedog here, legal alien from this planet inhabiting the delicious, delightful, and delectable body of myself, thank you, not like that nasty space alien, Zortar, who goes around molesting poor slobs like Slimey. And I take a great prize in knowing that I’m the best, most knowledgeable writer of the Noise. M. Tax told me so!

So this CD is a preview of a show that went on in Worcester in June but you didn’t miss nothing ‘cause these guys are yucky! Maybe James Keyes is okay, Slimedog says he sounds like Tom Waits at his most bluesy (I hope he didn’t make that name up) but Loose Salute with its peppy pop just makes me poop. I did like the psychedelic Hawaiian music in the beginning and end, though. And Bob Jordan’s song “Nothing” did exactly that for me with his folk rock hippie musings. The New Highway Hymnal end it with what Slimedog calls a boogie blues beat that just sound like “Spirit in the Sky” done by people on angel dust. What this record has to do with worms and whores is beyond me.

Now I have to put my cat Seymour, he’s a darling, into his new little jet airplane that I bought that I pull with a string. He looks so cute with his aviator hat on. Tah, tah. (Mrs. Slimedog)

CELL
Stop This
4-song CD

Not to be confused with the ’90s indie rock band from New York, signed to Geffen, this Cell is from Boston and sounds very much like a Trent Reznor lawsuit in the making. If With Teeth hadn’t come out five years ago, or the Downward Spiral sixteen years ago, I would call this EP an homage to Pretty Hate Machine. But Reznor beat these guys to it at least twice. Not a bad EP by any stretch, but this band should seriously hire an attorney and change their name and maybe come up with a more original musical concept. (Joel Simches)