THE THUG LIFE MAY BE ON THE WANE IN THE EYES OF THE MAINSTREAM PRESS, BUT IT STILL SELLS--AND THAT'S WHAT MAK BROWN, WHO GOES BY THE HANDLE FATAL INSTINCT, IS BANKING ON. HE'S FORMED HIS OWN LABEL, ON-HIT RECORDS, AND HE'S SO FIXATED ON THE BENJAMINS THAT THE LINER OF HIS FIRST DISC, ONE NATION UNDER PLAYA'S & PIMPS, INCLUDES AN ORDER FORM FOR ON-HIT MERCHANDISE--WHICH, BY MY RECKONING, IS A FIRST FOR A LOCALLY PRODUCED DISC (BROWN SPLITS HIS TIME BETWEEN DENVER AND L.A., BUT HIS COMPANY IS BASED HERE). "RULES OF THE GAME" SETS THE TONE WITH RHYMES LIKE "BEWARE OF THESE BITCHES TRYIN' TO CLOCK YOUR RICHES" AND THE SOUND OF GUNS BLASTING SQUEALING PIGS; LATER, "HOOKER STREET" AND "PAPER CHASE," CO-STARRING NYKE LOC, CHAMPION MISOGYNY AND GREED RATHER THAN REPUDIATING THEM. BROWN ATTEMPTS TO OFFSET SUCH PISSING CONTESTS WITH "LOOKIN BACK ON MY LIFE," A SENSITIVITY SHOWCASE WITH A CAMEO BY RICHEE BENSON OF ROSE ROYCE, AND "LET A G BE A FATHER," A PLEA TO THE MOTHER OF HIS CHILD TO ALLOW HIM TO SEE HIS SPAWN EVEN THOUGH HE HAS NO INTENTION OF TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF. OVERALL, THOUGH, ONE NATION IS GANGSTA BY THE NUMBERS. FATAL INSTINCT HAS A STRONG PRESENCE AND A COMPELLING FLOW, AND THE DISC'S SONICS ARE WAY ABOVE AVERAGE, BUT HE ISN'T SAYING ANYTHING THAT HASN'T BEEN SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE (ON-HIT RECORDS, P.O. BOX 998, WESTMINSTER, CO 80030). FAR BETTER IN MY VIEW IS MENTAL.SEED, A CASSETTE THAT'S MORE OR LESS A COLLECTIVE PROJECTo SEVEN PERFORMERS, WHO ARE LISTED ONLY BY THEIR FIRST NAMES, OFFER UP NINE HIP-HOP EFFORTS AND A SINGLE ROCK SONG, "DON'T WALK AWAY." THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WILL BE IMPRESSED BY THE TAPE'S SOUND QUALITY ARE THOSE WITH A SECRET FONDNESS FOR HISS, BUT THE SLY, SLINKY MOOD OF THE TUNES IS BRACING ANYHOW. "FELL FOR YOU" AND "I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME," CREDITED TO URSULA AND CHRIS, ARE SPARE AND SEDUCTIVE, "OUT BY 4," BY CHRIS, DESEAN AND D-FLAT IS SMOOCH-RAP OF A HIGH ORDER, AND A TRIO OF DESEAN SOLO TURNS ("HEADS UP," "WHAT THE DEAL" AND "PUPPET STRINGS") GET HARD WITHOUT GETTING STUPID. THE TALENT IS RAW, BUT IT'S THERE--MAKING MENTAL.SEED AN INTRODUCTION TO PERFORMERS WORTH HEARING (OMACI ENTERTAINMENT, 303-367-9531).
ARMCHAIR MARTIAN ISN'T TRYING TO DODGE ITS INSPIRATIONSo On the promo copy of Hang, on Ted, its latest for San Diego's Cargo Music, reviews mentioning HYsker DY, Social Distortion and Soul Asylum are proudly reproduced. Other influences crop up as well on the CD--"Tomorrow's Over" recalls, surprisingly, early R.E.M., "PS 403" nods to Bruce Springsteen circa Nebraska, and "Statler #3" calls fuzz-tone Wilco to mind. Such branching out is actually a good sign: It means that Jon Snodgrass and his fellows are expanding their palette, which previously was quite limited. If this process continues, it could soon be possible to appreciate Armchair Martian for its own attributes, and not for its skill at homage (available in area music stores). Paul Trunko, a member of the Keepers, is also a dad, which helps explain his latest, Jammy Man: Acoustic Music for Kids.... The album isn't nearly as obnoxious as a lot of children's music--parents probably won't be applying for concealed-carry permits after hearing "Rock-A-Doos (The Rough House Blues)" and a heartfelt medley of "America the Beautiful/This Land Is Your Land." But "Good Nap" is just the sort of thing that makes most kids stage sleep strikes, and I'm doubtful that the crawling instructions in "Loopy Doops" will help turn many infants into toddlers. They might do me some good, though (Jammyman@juno.com).
The Naropa Institute celebrates its 25th anniversary with a Saturday, July 17, performance at Chautauqua Auditorium by minimalism godfather Philip Glass, previously profiled in these pages ("A Glass Act," October 18, 1995). Joining Glass will be Anne Waldman, Bill Douglas, Mark Miller and other people who've got the Beat.
If Allen Ginsberg wasn't already dead, that joke would have killed him. On Thursday, July 15, Orbit Service is available at Cricket on the Hill, with the Faders, and Heavy Meadow lightens up at the West End Tavern. On Friday, July 16, Stupid Human Tricks acts up at the Raven, with Qualm, Ophil and 5 Day Messiah, and Kenny Rankin flowers at the Denver Botanic Gardens Outdoor Amphitheater. On Sunday, July 18, teen country dream Lila McCann warbles at the Grizzly Rose. On Monday, July 19, Toots and the Maytals brings a bit of funky Kingston to the Fox Theatre, and Kula Shaker rattles and rolls at the Bluebird Theater. And on Tuesday, July 20, the Social Chaos Tour, featuring T.S.O.L., creates havoc at the Aztlan Theatre, and the Kinsey Report is delivered at Brendan's. Intended for mature audiences only.
--Michael Roberts
Backbeat's e-mail address is: Michael_Roberts@ westword.comMichael_Roberts@.
