Issue #125
Oct. ‘09
Joanie Loves Tchotchkes – Nazi Robots From Outer Space
“One & Done.”
It is a tragic result/credo of the Independent Musical community.
As an Independent Artist there are many who are true musical artists. Yet like artists from every era and every genre of art, the ones who receive the most publicity from the press, be that standard old-school ink or present day/future electronic media, are the ones that receive the public’s attention and are allowed to survive in a brutal, fickle industry controlled by money. Those who are not exposed tend not to receive the accolades due them in regards to their artistic achievements, but they too deserve recognition in the annuals of time for their efforts and accomplishments. Sadly, sometimes a
One & Done album is such a testament. Therefore, after 11 years at
IndepenDisc we ultimately savor the
One & Done for the rare gem it becomes. Certain
One & Done albums tend to take on an even higher, more coveted place among our treasured musical landscape and library. This month we bring you one such album, with an interesting twist…
The CD,
Nazi Robots From Outer Space by
Joanie Loves Tchotchkes was released on the day of the bands very last gig.
One & Done.
This CD is a testament to the Indie field. It reflects the sensibility, the passion and the musical fun that is Parallel Lines era Blonde (a must own disc in any serious music collectors catalogue). It bridges genres and generations and just plain out rocks our socks off.
Veteran New Haven, CT rock scenesters
Kriss Santala,
Sean Beirne and
Dave Gouge formed a band based on a name, and the Ying/Yang relationship that transpired resulted in an EP of cross-genre/cross-generational, musical bubblegum bliss wrapped in punk sensibilities (did I hear someone say The Ramones and Blondie embodied such a musical take?). By mixing the disc to include the Kriss Santala guided songs;
Sundays, Over You, and
Wreck My Heart, with the Sean Beirne take on the title track and
Outta Sight!, JTL achieves a party platter standard that many veteran rockers would marvel.
What truly sets the bar so high here is the way that each take is inclusive of the other, regardless of whose song it actually is. The team of
JLT makes it their own in ways that could not be accomplished if the bands personnel were different.
The Santala rooted songs;
Sundays, Over You, and
Wreck My Heart, all feature Kriss’ uniquely talented, Debra Harry-esque vocals, which are offset by Sean’s punkified take of Kriss’ Alt/Americana/Roots/Country sensibilities. It works in ways that recall the afore mentioned Parallel Lines Blonde, but also brings to mind that of the Elvis Costello & The Attractions country foray; Almost Blue. Likewise, the Beirne inspired
Nazi Robots From Outer Space and
Outta Sight! (which samples Led Zeppelin’s The Ocean, except instead of sampling the actual track, JLT plays it themselves, and sounds really cool doing so), gives us the down & dirty sound from the birth of punk, which was created and established in the CBGB’s culture and carries forth in modern times. Yet it too is offset by Santala’s pure, sweet vocals. Both contrasts meld to build a bridge they cross together.
The appeal of
Joanie Loves Tchotchkes comes from that bridge they laid across the many musical genres and generations as they forged ahead in their effort to reach the other side. Unfortunately, that bridge crumbled behind them, leaving us a rare gem to savor.
“One & Done.”
It is a tragic result/credo of the Independent Musical community.
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Reviewer: G.Gone
Go to: http://www.independisc.com/jlt.htm to purchase the CD and listen to song samples.