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TWISTED
RICO'S COOLEST CATS
Toasting to interesting collaborations, the kind only compilations
can make, steadfast Boston music lover/manager "Twisted Rico"
claims another successful compilation, Coolest Cats. Coolest Cats
marks the third compilation produced since Steev Riccardo left A&M
Records and started labeling his "own" as independent
in 1997. Following up Twisted Rico Class of 98 and Class of 2000,
Coolest Cats brings together some of the most noteworthy local and
non-local talent a small label can be so lucky to claim. In the
spirit of the independent, as Riccardo states, "As far as song
selection goes, it’s all about whether I like a band and or
song. There is no hidden agenda." "What makes Coolest
Cats special is the fact that these are bands from all over the
world," affirms Riccardo. Internet surfing via the
luxury of MP3 technology together with past collaborations allowed
Riccardo to hear bands from all around the world, giving him a chance
to break from previous compilations that featured only Boston locals.
Aviso Hara’s crisp, familiar pop comes clean from New Brunswick
New Jersey via their instantly accessible "Bradley Wake Up".
Quintaine Americana, strongly hailed in Boston for years, takes
it down a notch into their signaturely-darkened sequences; something
of a confession with the speed turned down slow and thick. Accoustic
bitten down from her previous punkified blues incarnation in Caged
Heat, Chilly Kurtz offers a quiet and near-lullabye apology in "Cold."
On "Ice Through my Fingers," Elaine Summers preens her
stellar voice into comfortable female vocalist-pop without the melodrama
of standard vocalist sensibilities. Three teenage girls from Canada,
ala, G.I. Jill are so angrily split between cooing accusations and
out right gutteral rage, the drum and guitar punctuated taunting
of "Cry" conjures images of utmost unrest – monster
music if there ever were such thing. Other artists include; Ad Frank,
The Modifiers, The Decals, Hod Rod Lunatics, Catfight, Shut Up Marie,
Roma, Jerk Alert, The Bobfields Kristian Montgomery, John Surette
& the Deniros, Jimmy D’Angelo, Elemae, Wound Girls, Ashera,
Sexy Dex and The Kitty Kill. Hailing in the beauty of a compilation’s
true nature, Coolest Cats reels in talent from every direction,
allowing for a taste-test in various styles. Regardless of your
preferences, male, female, rock, pop, punk, blues you’ll be
certain to find the right punch and tickle for proper wad blowing
with follow up caresses. It is the complete companion to any music
library. by Annie Weeks
Review
from 24-7
The 22 Polaroid pictures of cats on the cover of Twisted Rico’s
Coolest Cats might make the listener think that proceeds from
the album go towards the ASPCA, but that is not the case.
What it is, however, is the third Twisted Rico compilation
by Steev Rico featuring music from local acts in Boston as
well as around the world. Some of the highlights include Elaine
Summers on "Ice Thru My Fingers." Summers is a simple
songwriter with a neat country influence. She pulls off a
nice melody and "Ice Thru My Fingers" comes and
goes with ease. Quintaine America represents Boston’s
hard rock scene and is surprisingly original with "The
Sky." Quintaine is not afraid to take chances, sway,
and groove. Seattle may be known for other musical genres,
but the Hot Rod Lunatics are hardcore to the bone on "426
Hemi." They are surprisingly fresh in an often-dull scene—smart
and non-repetitive.
I’m
a sucker for snarling girls playing garage rock and Catfight
do not disappoint on the track "He’s Bad."
This trio from Atlanta, Georgia plucks out some catchy guitar
riffs falling somewhere between straight punk and psychobilly.
Good fun. Along the same lines of Catfight, I’m even
more of a sucker for teenage girls playing metal. G.I. Jill
grooves on "Cry" while maintaining traditional metal
pounding. They make Kittie sound like pussies. Sticking out
on this album like the proverbial sore thumb (but in a very
good way) is "Saved by the Bell" by Jimmy D’Angelo.
This track is nothing more than Jimmy, his acoustic guitar,
a great riff, and lots of soul. Very good. I could be wrong,
but I don’t think The Netherlands is known for surf rock,
but Sexy Dex proudly represents on "Tell Me Baby."
This catchy, fun tune evokes all those pleasant images of
go-go dancers and beach blanket bingo—very real and cool.
(Sean)
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