Music reviews
By Lara Hendrickson
Features Editor

DAVE MATTHEWS — SOME DEVIL
I’m not going to lie; I am very hesitant to say that I loved this CD. I think people who call Dave Matthews Band “Dave”, and make it their summer mission to follow him to every concert are either A. conformists or B. psychotics. Now, when I say “conformists” I mean conformists to popularity, which I think Dave Matthews Band generally exudes.

Yeah I loved it. So sue me for hypocritically thinking.

Perhaps it is because of the array of musical guests on Matthews’ first solo CD, such as Phish guitarist, Trey Anastasio and string and horn arranger Audrey Riley. Or maybe its the Neil Young-type classics he put out on the CD.

I first saw the video to his first single “Gravedigger” at about two in the morning, and I was a little bit frightened to go to bed that night. The video is extremely graphic, matching the haunting mood of the song. However, I don’t think that it is the best representation of the album.

Some Devil offers 12 other new songs by Dave Matthews that range from stripped-down testimony to folk-lullabies. Matthews teamed with producer Steve Harris, who previously worked with Matthews on the record Busted Stuff.

“I have some sort of allegiance to simple melodies, but I was trying to be as experimental as I could be,” Matthews said in a press release.

Dave Matthews tackles the big themes — life, death, love, loss and faith — and he tackles them well. Some Devil is a delicate balance of dark and light, vulnerability and strength.

Oh “Dave”...

CHARLOTTE MARTIN — IN PARENTHESES
Charlotte Martin apparently claims herself to be Goth. As in gothic.

From the looks of her CD, I didn’t really believe her. She is a former Miss Teen Illinois. However, when I listened to her I sort of understood what she was saying. Her influence comes from bands like the Cure and Joy Division, and I kind of like her.

I must be in a generous mood.

Martin grew up in a small college town and studied opera. She took piano lessons in her spare time and eventually went to Eastern Illinois, where she met her Goth roommate Raven and went through “several life-changing experiences.” Hmm.

In Parentheses is truly a showcase for an opera-trained voice and amazing piano-playing skills. Martin co-produced the album with Ken Andrews, who has worked with Pete Yorn and Jimmy Eat World. Martin’s voice resonates a Tori Amos feel, with tracks expressing emotion about suicide, stalkers and anorexia.
Martin said in a press release that her main goal is to connect with her fans.

“Some artists have changed my life. In the humblest way, I really hope I can do that for somebody some day,” Martin said. “I want to give my fans something special.”

And special she does in the album In Parentheses.

JET — GET BORN
“Everyone talks about rock these days, the problem is, they forgot about the roll.” — Keith Richards.

I feel that if Keith Richards was listening to Jet, he would be satisfied. No pun intended.

The cover of their album reminds me of some Led Zeppelin/Beatles compilation, and their music is definitely Rolling Stone-esque. They cite AC/DC and Oasis as their influences, and they are signed to Elektra, the very birthplace of American rock.

“We wanted to make a contemporary album,” vocalist Chris Cester said in a press release. “We didn’t want to make a one-dimensional rock and roll record either. Albums should be able to reflect all sides of your personality.”

The band consists of Cester, Cameron Muncey (guitar/vocals), Mark Wilson (bass) and Chris’ brother Nick Cester (guitar/vocals), and their album is nowhere near one-dimensional.

Jet reminds me of a bunch of rule-breaking guys busy getting drunk, having fun and living life.
What’s not to love?