Dig These Discs :: Fritz Helder And The Phantoms, The Wallflowers, Jaqee, Baby Teeth, Luciana Souza

Jaqee shows us her island grooves, Fritz Helder makes techno music sexy again, and The Wallflowers remind everyone why they were a great forgotten band of the 90s.

Luciana Souza, Tide

Luciana Souza's newest album Tide is the second time she has joined with producer Larry Klein, for what can be described as Brazilian soft rock. Souza is an intriguing contemporary voice, evident here, singing profound lyrics but rarely raising her voice above a whisper.

Things start off with "Fire and Wood" and the wise lessons begin there too. "We're going nowhere but at least we're not poor", she confidently states while speaking about living life to the fullest, and worrying later. She settles into prettier grooves with "Our Gilded Home", a smooth, jazzy song about the hard endurance test relationships must weather. "Love Poem", though brief, is a beautifully written ode to it's title. "Tide" is a knockout track if there was one. The lyrics are beautiful and Souza finds exactly the right tone of heartbreak in her soft voice.

Still, there are times when Luciana's voice just sounds bland. Her motto seems to be speak softly and carry a big stick, but it's hard to get a point across if one is falling asleep while listening. The aforementioned "Fire and Wood" has potential pizzazz, but it's squandered by her whisper. "Once Again", which speaks of a failing relationship, resonates enough but could have used more oomph. Finally, a very poor melody more or less wrecks "Circus Life"; essentially a commentary on those who live overworked lives.

One has to hand it to Souza in the lyrical department. Her writing can be powerful and profound, and even some of the short songs say so much with so little. Unfortunately, she also brings those words to life with a voice that's intentionally less intense, but in the end, dilutes some of the impact. Luciano Souza is a talented vocalist, but "Tide" is a bit of a wash.

Jaqee, Kokoo Girl

KoKoo Girl is the fourth album by Uganda native Jaqee, and while her soul and rock efforts were likely adequate, she clearly has a flair for Reggae and it shows. For the most part "Girl" is an album filled with life and fun.

The bouncy, "Natty Dread" starts things off and gets the groove going as Jaqee sends an invitation to a possible lover. "Dance to the music and I'll shake it with you", she confidently croons. Next, she cleverly plays with words in "Pink Drunken Elephant", a song essentially putting a twist on the famous phrase. "Take a Walk With Me" is equally easy, breezy fare, keeping the pace going strong.

"KoKoo Girl" is definitely the best dance track on the album however. Featuring a distinctively raggae round, wild lyrics ("They say I am strange, but tell me who is not"), this song could make anyone get up and dance. She rarely slows it down, but when Jaqee does, as on "Take or Leave it", the result is suprisingly vulnerable and heartfelt.

KoKoo Girl certainly is a worthwhile listen. The music is consistent, and the beats are catchy and infectious. Jaqee is clearly a woman of many hats when its comes to music genre, and she can now wear the Raggae one with pride.

Baby Teeth, Hustle Beach

The rock band Baby Teeth clearly has a little crush on the 70s. Almost every track in their new album Hustle Beach feels like a tribute to so called classic rock. The result however, can be more confusing than flattering. Does this band want to honor that style, or are they poking fun at it?

Though the intention may be unclear, the material more or less comes of as crude, bland imitation more than anything else does. Teeth shamelessly ape various artists and sounds from the 70s /80s rarely with authenticity.

"The Part You Play" is a good example of such. The song, about a guy and his attention starved girlfriend, bears all the right trappings for homage, but still feels phony in the end. Similarly, the title track sounds like bad David Bowie. "Shrine" is a song about obsession that shamelessly cribs from Depeche Mode and Snake Eyes the same but with B-52's as victims.

There are two occasions when Baby Teeth get it just right though. The opening track, "Big Schools" harks back to true classic rock as it weaves coming of age events (school, graduation, partying) into one joyous epic. Similarly, "Let it Roll" feels very natural indeed, a free spirited, free wheeling rock song about going with the flow. The electric guitar is alive and well in "I Hope She Won't Let Me", a semi effective ballad that proves tolerable as well.

In the end, Hustle Beach" is essentially a failure just because the band accomplishes neither a loving tribute or a cheeky send up of classic rock artists. Their sound feels completely imitated and without much individuality, sans a couple of strong efforts.

Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, Greatest Hits

The techno rhythms run seamlessly throughout Greatest Hits, the debut from new artist Fritz Helder and the Phantoms. Intoxicating and filled wall to wall with club jams, this is an album that can get the party going in a big way.

As soon as Fritz opens his mouth in the opening number "All Over the Place", the pulsating beat starts and rarely lets up. Peppered with occasional rap breaking up the Electro pop vibe, the song is a fire starter. "Making a Scene" celebrating excess and self-destruction through pop music in a style reminiscent of Lady Gaga.

"Sex Robot" is mechanic yet still insanely sexualized and slinky, accentuated by the falsetto that serves as a background vocal. "Work Out" follows suit but is essentially sung in baritone, an interesting choice for a cut that's a kiss off when all is said and done.

Finally, the exceptional "Lagerfield Lady" captivates through a slow burn approach. When Fritz coos " just a little whisper from your lips now", it's no doubt felt throughout the room.

There is a whiff of pretension to a band that names their debut disc Greatest Hits, but Fritz Helder is clearly an artist to watch for in the future. The lyrics aren't always the most inventive of the bunch, but the beats and the music arrangements are superbly arranged, and in the end, that's what dance music is all about.

The Wallflowers, Collected 1996-2005

Most people remember The Wallflowers as a one hit wonder that hit the scene in 1996. "One Headlight" could be heard across the nation on every radio station that year, but what about the remainder of their music. Collected 1996-2005 is essentially 16 of their greatest hits, and perhaps it exists because of "One Headlight", but is there more to this group than one hit song?

The answer is an absolute yes. In fact, the more someone listens to The Wallflowers, the more they might remember many of these songs. "6th Avenue Heartache" was also considered a moderate radio hit, and it's a very underrated effort, infinitely better than the mediocre "One Headlight."

Both "Three Marlenas" and "The Difference" are also very well orchestrated radio friendly gems, the latter of which may cause a strong desire to sing along. "Invisible City" is a more melancholy but reasonably effective song about the need for human connection. The end of romance lament "Letters From a Wasteland" emotes a slightly more intense rock sound, but still manages to fit comfortably within pop confines as well.

It's nice to see that four entire albums are counted for in this greatest hit release. Don't overlook tracks such as "How Good Can it Get", a touching and hopeful song about letting one's guard down when it comes to life and love. Also "Closer to You" remains a standout, with its very restrained mellow vocals that really represent a different, but heartbreaking sound from the band.

Lead singer Jakob Dylan wrote almost all of the music for The Wallflowers and he often sings of love lost, found, and lost again in a resonant manner. However, it's also the excellent writing and music arrangements that really make this band overlooked. Shadowed by groups such as Gin Blossoms, The Wallflowers are just as representative of good 90s alternative rock as anyone else. This greatest hits is very comprehensive, and is worth a look, whether you are a fan or not.