2000 | 04 Boss Hog, James, The Cure, The Eels, The The

BOSS HOG - Whiteout (Madams Organ Music/Virgin)
Christina Martinez, Frontlady of Boss Hog, makes me reconsider whether I shouldn't pin up a poster in my room. But apart from her looks she has brought out an outstanding album with husband Jon Spencer. From the roots of 'Georgetown-Punk' first sprang the band 'Pussy Galore' from which with perpetual changes 'Boss Hog' emerged. Fix members are Martinez and Jon Spencer, who also has huge success with his own band 'Blues Explosion'. With 'Whiteout' both succeeded in simply wiping us away. There are influences of PJ Harvey and Beck, still Spencer's way of playing makes it very independent. Among others Andy Gill (Gang of Four), Tore Johansson (Cardigans) und Jim Scalvunous (Bad Seeds) were booked as producers and added a lot to the album's diversity. Smashhit - status!(wh)

JAMES - Millionaires (Mercury Records)
The new album of Tim Booth and company is nothing new under the sun, still James undoubtedly have a fixed place in the british popscene. While Booth tries to spread a little sunshine, Master Eno, who sparingly but still recognizable, left his mark, makes floating keyboards and strings dance in the background. Light-footed pop that makes you wobble your ears with a big grin. In between some memories of Peter Murphy and The Smiths, and guest appearances by Sinéad O'Connor and Jamie Catto of Faithless. Nice happy-pop for beachparties - but great records like 'Wah-Wah' remain out of reach. Everybody wants to be happy... (wh)

THE CURE - Bloodflowers (Fiction Records)
The legend is alive! Already the first few tunes make quite clear who's working here. Still, Robert Smith wants us to know, that this is his farwell album. After all, the old philanderer says goodbye: to life, the world and us. Atmosphericly tight and with remarkable groove he impresses us as songwriter and performer with new and yet well known gems that remind us of days gone by... With this album he closes a triology that started 1982 with "Pornography" and was continued in 1989 with "Desintegration". And apart from Paul Corkett this time Robert Smith also was the co-producer. Anyway, this time the rule applies: Don't miss his farwell tour! And take my last wish: "Do it again, Rob."(wh)

THE EELS - Daisies Of The Galaxy (Dreamworks Records/Motor)
Mr. E, formerly known as Mark Oliver Everett, creates from the beginning with a Grace-Kelly-Blues a New-Orleans funeral. Yet it does not mean that this is the end of his great carreer. Already with his first album 'Beautiful Freak' Mr. E has proven his qualities as songwriter. While the follow-up 'Electroshock Blues' was deeply influenced by his sister's and father's death, with 'Daisies of the Galaxy' Mr. E puts up wit and hope against life's adverse obstacles. Gems like 'I like Birds', 'Flyswatter' and the bonus track 'Mr. E's beautiful Blues' fit into a sensitive album full of ideas and surprises. Peter Buck of REM joined in as guest musician and even wrote one track. (wh)

THE THE - NakedSelf (Nothing Records)
After a seven years' break and switch to the US cult-label 'Nothing Records' Matt Johnson finally took the nuisance of submitting himself to the claustrophobic atmosphere of a studio where he recorded with only minimal support by other musicians a new masterpiece. After the gloomy and threatening opening track an amazingly large number of guitars create subtle, almost fragile grooves. It is a perfectly produced album. And above all floats his whispering and powerful voice. He tells us stories of paranoia, of loneliness, of loss and restart in modern city lifes. Matt Johnson's recommendation for listening: Take a long hot bath. Slip into a glass of your favourite drink. Turn NakedSelf up extremely loud. And kick back.(wh)