Concrete Blonde Mojave CD

 Mystic and innovative
Once again, I was thrilled to hear that my favorite musician had released a new album, and once again, this band has impressed me with a newfound style. Lead singer Johnette Napolitano, the main influence behind the band, seems to absorb her surroundings (i.e. the Los Angeles sound of the first two albums) and just go with it. Unlike some of the tracks from past albums, it does lack the gutteral blast of her powerful voice at times which may be a surprise to fans, but it has been replaced, or embellished rather, with a textured and layered effect that can only mean that this group really spent some time creating this work. The spoken word tracks make me think of a desert Patti Smith, and the diversity between the signature "rock-out" tracks and the more mystic ones prove something that all fans of all music everywhere can appreciate, and that is one of their favorite artists being innovative and breaking new ground. A+
Submitted by Matt (Beaufort, North Carolina)
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 unique, to say the least
i recently got word of the mojave release and was tickled pink to hear that one of my favorite bands was coming back. i would get to hear johnette napolitano's booming voice once again. well, after my first listen, i was dumbfounded. i have got to say that the main thing that attracted me to concrete blonde in the first place was the vocal capabilities of the singer. "mojave" does not provide exactly that sort of satisfaction. to an extent, yes, but does not parallel past albums. normally i would consider that a disappointment, but for some reason, and i can't quite place it, there is something so utterly compelling about this album. the band has never sounded better. johnette sounds like a veteran, which she is. through the majority of the tracks, she speaks more often than sings; something i am normally not fond of. but the words she is chanting and the music are downright irresistable. there are a couple tracks i could easily do without, yet i can appreciate the slapstick style in which they were done and i am sure some will disagree with my dislike for them. there are a few tracks that are done in the traditional 'rock-out' concrete blonde style such as 'the A road,' and 'because i can.' other tracks will provide listeners with something that is a totally new sound for concrete blonde. a great example would be the narrative 'hey coyote,' which i cannot get enough of. the title track is just downright awesome.(another narrative) track number 10 'someone's calling me' has a little of everything and represents this album perfectly. it is my personal favorite track. the sound is unlike anything i have heard from this band, and i have heard it all. i cannot explain it. house- no. techno- no. dance- not even. utterly awesome and amazing- to say the very least. this album must be heard.
Submitted by xshirazx (detroit, MI)
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