Bee

April 1,

Autechre trirepetae:

The “CD in the Gold Case.” That was what I dubbed this CD while I reviewed it... To be honest, I chose to review this CD ona dare... Incidentally, I was able to decern (after careful scrutinising) that the name of the band and album are as written above.

This two CD set was really strange. It was really nothing more than 18 tracks of strange noises and static... it was... weird...

I was amazed at the mental imagery the various noises would provoke in me... strange alien worlds, exotic dancing, bizarre alien ritual, etc... Also, I am under the impression that perhaps this CD contains some form of hypnotic suggestion, or subliminal message... “When you hear the word...” as upon completion of all the tracks, I felt really fazed out... So fazed out in fact, that I was unable to locate the washroom at Empire Theatre (a place I frequent) without much assistance from my girlfriend.

This album give 2 stars out of a possible 5 -- hey, it made me laugh... I really don’t have any advice for Autechre... I’m just going to smile and nod, OK?

- Michael J. Small

e: The Panther Prints

Silverchair Freak Show (murmur/ Sony Music)

I was drawn to Freak show, Silverchair’s follow-up to their debut album Frogstomp, because of “Abuse Me” which is a really cool song. Unfortunately, it is probably the only really good track on the disc. Freak Show is a very heavy album for the most part, not something you’d listen to to put you ina happy mood, that’s for sure. Silverchair are a heavy rock band, but I think they sound best when they get a little tamer. Maybe vocalist Daniel John’s voice is too young © to get all surly and growly like he tries to. Their music certainly shows influences from heavy metal bands--listening to this disc reminds me of Metallica’s heavy handed power chords (I belive palm-muted is actually the correct term).

I liked “Abuse Me” as soon as I heard it because of the outerspace kinda sounds throughout the song. (Oh, the marvel of disortion pedals!) Some other good songs are “The Closing” and “Pop Song for Us Rejects” which are both on the tame side. | also liked “Cemetary”. Although the lyrics are depressing, as the title suggests, it’s almost pretty because

of the string arrangement weaved into the song. For the most part, the album isn’t bad, just not

what I expected. Ifyou like Silverchair, than you probably already own the CD. Ifnot, well then, you probably don’t.

Rating: ***

- Emilie Adams