music reviews
::: The Stinking Badger Of Java ::: "In a Highland Eden"
eclectic-avant-jazz-rock
Who knows where they got their name from, but TSBOJ's music and lyrics
are as distinct and offbeat as the name suggests. Musically, it's unlike
anything I've (and perhaps, you've) heard before... the best I can do
is to say it's something like The Violent Femmes meets Not Drowning
Waving, Stereolab, and the Whitlams with a swinging jazz-folk feel and
interchanging male and female vocals. How about a cheerful version of
the Wreckery or Birthday Party as a vague alternative description? A
5-piece, TSBOJ consists of real live accomplished musicians, as opposed
to stacks of programmed synths.
The lyrics are totally unique. I've never heard lyrics like this.
And i've heard a LOT! I bet you've never heard lyrics like these. They're
totally off the wall. The sort of things you hear and think "are they
really singing what I think they're singing? I never thought that could
work as a lyric". Fresh and exciting. l love the orchestration - the
way the various instruments fit together complimenting each other.
The band members are multi instrumentalists and obviously very talented.
My favourite pieces are "Pissing Diamonds" and "Acorn" with their rumble-tumble
bass-lines, percussion, French Horn and Paul Narkiewicz's amazing, repeat,
AMAZING, vocals. He's a real crooner in a totally classy way. I aspire
to sing like this one day. Brigitte Kelle's soothing voice, somewhat
reminiscent of Stereolab's vocalist, acts as a very suitable counterpoint
and often takes the lead as in "All Quiet". For even more diversity,
"Stanley Miller" features the vocals of Thomas Bollinger. The use of
various brass and wind instruments adds greatly to the unique quality
of the TSBOJ's sound.
Overall, this is pretty groovy stuff. 14 tracks over 62 minutes TSBOJ
forms the backbone of the Yippie Bean Collective - a fiercely independent
Label & Publishing house. Their motto: "support artists not middlemen".
Woo-hoo! Right on! They have numerous CD releases and zines available.
Available for $14 from Yippie Bean Records - PO Box 194 Rosanna 3084
Victoria Australia E-mail:
[email protected] Web: www.warehouse.net/yippiebean