Ear Whacks

CD Reviews

Outloud Dreamer — Drink The Sky (2000)
It’s almost impossible to explain the appeal of this curiously classic little debut disc from the High Falls duo of Sarah Medenbach and Carl Adami. There is precious little information on the CD insert, and even their Web site, www.outlouddreamer.com, preserves OD’s air of stylized mystery. Not even the song titles are revealed. Here’s what we do know. Adami and Medenbach wrote, arranged, performed and recorded all the songs. Needless to say, there’s a fair amount of electronic gear used to make this duo sound like a lush, full-blown band. But, like Enya’s breakthrough album of a decade ago, OD manages an organic, intoxicating sound. The recording quality is like crystal. And the songs are magnificent. Enya is a good comparison for this duo’s sound—subtract some of the Celtic influence and add a little urban savvy in the form of percussion and an occasional tape loop, and you’ll get the idea. Highly recommended.

Stuffy Shmitt — Nothing Is Real (Realistic Records, 1999)
Now this one was a surprise. Every month, Chronogram receives discs from musicians of various degrees of obscurity. Often, they’re less than inspiring. The cover of this one—”Stuffy Shmitt? And a picture of a fake zebra... “—well, let’s just say it didn’t leap into the CD player of its own accord. But when it finally got there—wow! This guy is cool! Sounds a bit like Tom Waits in his jazzier moments. The sound is expansive, the vocals brash, the lyrics interesting. (Some of the songs were inspired in the intensive-care unit during Shmitt’s near-fatal bout with pneumonia, when he was chemically and bacteriologically altered.) There are more musicians on this recording than we have room to list here, but Shmitt himself plays keys and guitars, and someone named Dylan Shmitt—his son?—plays bass on one song. Okay, I just mentioned that to point out that his son is named Dylan, which should give you another clue as to his influences. Shmitt’s songwriting is excellent. Unlike the previously reviewed duo, his Web site (www.stuffyshmitt.com, of course) has more pictures and information than you can use. Check it out.

Extra Virgin — Twelve Stories High (Old Lady Records, 2000)
Another great debut album. What the heck is going on here? Okay, Extra Virgin is a lot more uptown and radio-ready than some folks. Singer Rene Lopez sounds just like Chris Whitley—that’s not a bad thing—and the songwriting team of Lopez and Rogers Stevens churns out these little pop gems that have a funky New Orleans groove layered over with Spin Doctors-like guitar blasts. Except when they sound like a cross between George Harrison’s sitar-period compositions and something by Prince. Or when they pull soulful 70s sounds from their instruments. Or when they resemble Rubber Soul with, um, Chris Whitley singing leads. I think my favorite tune is “Devil Made Me Do It,” which resembles A3 in its loose, funky, good-time feel. You’ve gotta respect any song with the lyric, “The only evil bone in her body is the one that I put in.” A fine, fun album. The Web site is cool, too—www.exvirgin.com, what else?

The Five Points Band — The Five Points Band (Acacia Music, 1999)
I loved these guys as soon as I walked into the Flying Saucer Café, where they performed just before leaving for Europe to tour. A soulful trio steeped in the blues, The Five Points Band displays impeccable taste, covering Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Skip James, Willy Dixon and Howlin’ Wolf. Originals, written by lead singer Robin “The Hammer” Ludwig, are along the same lines. Lots of acoustic slide guitar, demonic vocals, and a look that—well, to really get this, you have to understand who Robin The Hammer is. When not playing blistering slide guitar, he’s known as the “goldsmith to the gods” who creates the gold “Cannibis Cup” awarded annually in a competition sponsored by an Amsterdam club of the same name (use your imagination as to what the cup is awarded for). He’s also Billy Idol’s personal jewelry maker (check out the extremely ornate midieval-style rings on Idol’s Web site) and is known by various monikers, including “Chinatown Slim” (clue: he does not live on Central Park West). Got it? Okay, so now you understand. Robin The Hammer is backed by Johnny Cement (don’t ask) on bass and Jason Babcock on drums. If you love the blues—the real thing, not the gimmicked-up commercial stuff—get this album. My brother loved it, too. They’ll be playing at New World Home Cooking in Saugerties on February 23rd. Call 246-0900 for more info. For other gigs, watch the band’s Web site (www.fivepointsband.com).
—Todd Paul