Black Box Recorder - England Made Me

MINE

I happened on BBR by way of a sample disc of new music loaned to me by a firend, and I will say I have absolutely no recollection about any of the other artists featured on the disc.  In fact, when I got to Child Psychology and its ravishing chorus (Life is unfair/ Kill yourself or get over it) I laughed out loud, then played the song over and over again, before buying the album.  Which I had to order from the UK because it wasn't released here at the time, of course.

Sarah Nixey's quiet cut-glass tones and dead-pan delivery make the songs even more powerful.  And of course lyrics girl here loves the band that can deliver lines like that, and on England Made Me (I caught a spider/ and trapped it in a glass/ I kept it for a week/ To see if he would last)  I don't think the cover of Up Town Top Ranking really works, but check out their version of Seasons in the Sun on The Worst Of...

Anyway, after this album I bought everything they ever put out. Love 'em.  Especially for their Britishness, which maybe not everybody will get.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP Dear old dismal England on a Sunday

YOURZ

When I first met Mine and we started talking about music we loved, I remember her talking a lot about Black Box Recorder.  But unfortunately, my music, as she will readily admit, seemed to swallow hers, almost to the point where it might have been contentious had I not had such eclectic and, at instances, brilliant taste.  (Mine says: always modest, my husband) Also, I was a hard working indie musician and she had a great appreciation for this so she let me be enthusiastic about all the music I loved.

As a result of my blinkered-ness, I missed out on hearing some seriously good tunes.  That is until we started this project.  While we have crossed some perilous waters and seen some rotted hulks sink to the obscure depths where they belong (do I dare mention fucking Sugar Ray again?  Yes, I do) we have also dug up some great buried treasure or Forgotten Gems along the way.  If I'd been fucking paying attention all those years ago, then listening to England Made Me for this review would have reminded me of how great this album is and led to me declaring it yet another amazing record.

Instead, I have to eat a big, rich piece of humble pie and apologise profusely to Mine for not fucking listening in the first place and say, most sincerely, you were right.  England Made Me is indeed a treasure.

Next time, honey, just tell me to shut the fuck up.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP (Mine says: oh I love saying this - I TOLD YOU SO!!!)

For more information: http://www.myspace.com/blackboxrecorder

In our collection, we also have: The Facts of Life, Passionoia and The Worst of Black Box Recorder

Sugar Ray - Floored

MINE

Oh, that Sugar Ray.  OK, I remember now.  But I've never listened to this album before and I'm sure everyone who bought Floored because of the hit single Fly would have been scratching their heads as much as I did.  I mean, it's mostly shouty boy music.  Kinda Rage Against the Machine-ish.

It reminds me of the furore raised by No Doubt when Don't Speak was so mega for them.  I remember one work mate saying she threw their album Tragic Kingdom out because none of the other songs "were anywhere near as good and they were all too loud".

On Floored the only other song I recognise is RPM with its catchy refrain "I will let you down".  Their version of Adam and the Ants' Stand and Deliver really didn't ... deliver anything new, and most of the other songs gave me a headache.  So, a whole album for two songs?  My reaction's predictable.

VERDICT: THROW IT OUT

YOURZ

I mentioned previously I used to write for a music publication, doing reviews, interviews and such.  This album was one of those I received to review.  Again, my dodgy memory being what it is, I don't remember what sort of review I gave it but I do recall being intrigued by the fact they had a DJ in the band (this was the late 90s).  These days, this is nothing unusal.  But then, the combination of rock guitars and scratches was new and kind of exciting.

But this in no way makes Sugar Ray or Floored trend setters.  For the most part, the album merely shows the band's template copies of the different alternative styles being played by better bands in their home state of California at the time.  With scratches. 

Then there's the song Fly.  It stands out because it's so very different from the rest of the songs on the album.  This song is a very obvious ripoff of the sound of another California band, Sublime, who fairly patented this kind of cruisy, dubby, summery sound.  Given this album came out not long after the tragic death of the lead singer of Sublime, Brad Nowell, I can't help but view the song, and Sugar Ray, with cynicism and contempt.

Oh yeah, the less said about 'Stand and Deliver', the better.  As Mine said, it fails to deliver, on any level.  Why this album has remained in the collection is anyone's guess.  Any takers?

VERDICT: THROW IT OUT

For more information: http://www.sugarray.com/