The recording industry is overrun with albums fighting for your attention. As a result, many deserving bands are lost in the shuffle, while below par bands get by with flashy ad campaigns. In order to remedy this situation, we’re highlighting a few records that may have slipped through the cracks – the top unheard records of ’97. Jason’s Choices

  • Lusk – “Free Mars” When bassist and co-founder of Tool Paul D’Amour left the band for creative differences, the listener could have never expected the outcome of this sonic treat. “Free Mars,” the debut album by Lusk, soaks itself in a psychedelic pop sound of unconventional nature. D’Amour and vocalist/keyboardist Chris Pitman add layers of horns, harp, cello, mellotron, chamberlin and theremins to cast subtleties on the album’s 11 songs.
  • Built To Spill – “Perfect From Now On” Haunting melodies and swirling rhythms shine on indie heroes Built To Spill’s major label debut “Perfect From Now On.” Doug Martsch’s boyish vocals and intricate guitar work take the listener farther than Calgon. Surprisingly lengthy songs climax and shift into conventional song structure. Built To Spill pulls off such amazing transitions, it’s futile trying to anticipate their next move.
  • Handsome – “Handsome” Ex-members of Helmet, Quicksand and Cro-Mags come together to create a hardcore band with uncharacteristic melody. Singer Jeremy Chatelain wails out his intelligent lyrics through a thick and intense haze of guitars, drums and bass. Handsome recently disbanded after guitarist Tom Capone left to rejoin Quicksand. While the band no longer exists, they’ve left behind a noble record to remember.
  • Julian Cope – “Interpreter” This is yet another phenomenal record from the 39-year-old neo-druid Julian Cope that has gone unnoticed. Estranged and deranged, Cope offers up his own batch of interstellar psychedelia with frequent references to his drug experiences. Cope draws on his ’60s influences and peers, such as Syd Barrett, Iggy Pop and Jim Morrison, in an honest manner.
  • Sugartooth – “The Sounds of Solid” On “The Sound of Solid,” Southern California trio Sugartooth stretches the boundaries of hard rock. Produced by the Dust Brothers, who also produced Beck’s “Odelay,” the album mixes hard edge guitars with tape loops and electronics. The album samples everything from Rudy Ray Moore’s X-rated Dolomite to the Beastie Boys. Sugartooth combines a Black Sabbath influence with a ’90s twist.

Dorian’s Picks

  • Bis – “The New Transistor Heroes” Do you like pop music, but are scared by the Spice Girls? Introducing…Bis. This Scottish trio, composed of Manda Rin, Sci-Fi Steven and John Disco, are the modern equivalent of Peter Pan’s lost boys. They’re obsessed with all the tacky trappings of youth, and come complete with their own Teen-C manifesto. Musically, think ’80s New Wave filtered through a duel guitar/keyboard/drum machine attack. Mix Green Day, Hanna-Barbara and Blondie. Voila…Bis!
  • David Byrne – “Feelings” The former leader of the Talking Heads continues to cross musical boundaries as easily as Jordan nailing a dunk. He’s tackled Latin and African music, and now he’s adding techno to the mix. Byrne brings together elements that really shouldn’t work together. Steel pedal guitar, Brazilian percussion and techno collide in a musical gumbo. It comes across in a well-balanced, organic sounding mix.
  • Plug – “Drum ‘N’ Bass For Papa” Luke Vibert, man of a thousand musical aliases, has debuted yet another alter-ego, Plug. By not focusing strictly on the dance floor, Plug takes the drum and bass, known as jungle, to a different place. The album is very humorous in the same way that classical music can be funny. Bouncing drums do the tango with mile-high bass lines.
  • Skeleton Key – “Fantastic Spikes Through Balloons” Fractured pop music from this quartet. This band’s hook? They have a percussionist who plays everything from propane tanks to wagons. Oddly funky, and you can sing along to it!
  • Jen Trynin – “Gun Shy Trigger Happy” The former Jennifer updates her indie-rock sound with drum beats and keyboard sounds straight from the ’80s. Trynin hits with strong lyrics and guitar work. While the world is captivated by Meredith Brooks, I’ll be rocking to Trynin.