Beyond Good and Evil
(Atlantic/Warner Music)
Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, the yin and the yang of rock, are back with their first album in seven years, produced by Canada's Bob Rock. The Cult has always mixed tradition and experimentation, and Beyond Good and Evil continues to explore those territories. Particularly outstanding on this latest adventure are "Rise" and "Shape the Sky."
(Lost Highway/Universal)
The follow-up CD to the Grammy Award-winning Car Wheels on a Gravel Road delivers another alternative country delight to the listener. Simple, tight songs, written and performed by Williams along with some of the best session players in the business (Jim Keltner, Tony Garnier, Bo Ramsay, Charlie Sexton), make this an immediate candidate for another trip to the podium.
(Universal Music)
Fabulous dance compilation of grooves, beats and samples led off by Bob Sinclair ("I Feel For You"), Modjo ("Lady Hear Me Tonight") and Cleptomaniacs featuring Bryan Chambers ("All I Do"). Other note
worthy tracks are Fragma ("Toca's Miracle"), Tom Jones and Mousse T ("Sex Bomb") and the Porn Kings with Sledger. Great party record.
(Self-Titled Debut Album)
(Universal Music)
From indie wannabes The Age of Electric to major label real thing Static in Stereo is a long jump, but the Prairies have delivered one fine harvest in this reincarnation featuring three brothers from Lanigan, Saskatchewan, Todd, John and Ryan Kerns. Beginning with the lead track, "Super Drop," the band never misses a beat, or a hook.
- Gerry Young