Solid Gold
Synchronize EP
(self-released under Solid Gold Music – Jan. 2010)

This audio odyssey immediately entrenched me in one of the best short-form albums (not to mention mixing jobs) I’ve heard in ages.  Doves meets La Roux and the Abandoned Pools in a deserted Paris arcade on a trans-Atlantic vision quest.  Opening track “One In A Million” soars effortlessly over French as well as English waters, while the EP’s title song “Synchronize” bridges the musical gap between London and New York.  “Danger Zone” unexpectedly leads the listener to Alhambra, California- home to Kenny Loggins (the original composer).  The instrumental “Sharpshooter” finds Solid Gold back on the Minneapolis-St. Paul range, contemplating their journey in an ambient answer to the adventures of their TC Electropunk cousins.  “Synchronize” surfaces again at the end of the album in new form (White Sea Remix), signifying a full-circle sojourn for the band.

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/05-SynchronizeWhite-Sea-Remix.mp3, Right Click and "Save Link As",download]

“Synchronize (White Sea Remix)” by: Solid Gold

FATHER TIME
Father Time
(Independent – June 2009)

Just when I thought Mpls Funk (minus Mambo’s Combo and stalwart soul-jahs Mint Condition) had gone into hibernation for good, a curious red, black and white disc materialized on my desk this morning.  After seventeen soulfully “stanky” tracks, complete with cameos from Heatbox as well as Muju Messiah, I was thrilled to learn otherwise.  This long-play album stirs P-Funk, Hip Hop, Soul and a dash of Classical into one giant stew that includes: “Not Ashamed Of The Funk,” “Can’t Be Nice To People,” “What’s Your Mission?,” “Favorite Things.”  The Paula Abdul ref on “I Read Your Email” (a “Dear John” ballad for the 21st-Century) was choice.  The Opera, historical re-cap and blatant honesty of “Survival” hit hard. Who is this guy?

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Not-Ashamed-of-the-Funk.mp3]

“Not Ashamed of the Funk” by: Father Time

THE SOVIET MACHINES
WMD EP
(Independent – 2008)

I’ve been consistently impressed with this disc, starting with the crunchy opening riffs on the EP’s lead off cut, “Citizen Zero.”  Even with Kevin Bowe, Pete Reminger and other veterans “minding the boards”, it’s hard to believe that half the band are in high school.  Songwriting and melody are dead-on; choruses are hooky without feeling contrived; high energy performances with shout-along appeal irresistible.  While remaining original, The Soviet Machines channel 70′s Suicide Commandos, 90′s-era Ataris and Billie Joe Armstrong.  Stand out tracks: “Citizen Zero,” “A Million Things,” “What’s Going On.”  We must also add that TSM front man Jack Swagger has assembled a brand new outfit called Machine 22, who we salute in advance.

(Editor’s note: The Soviet Machines have been disbanded now for almost a year, yet we think this band still deserves post-mortem attention.  Jack Swagger and Machine 22 are one of the best bang-for-your-buck bands in the cities, and you should check them out Jan. 29 at the 400 bar.)

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/01-Citizen-Zero.mp3]

“Citizen Zero” by: The Soviet Machines

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posted January 16th, 2010 at 10:26 am Reviews Father Time, Solid Gold, The Soviet Machines