RECORD REVIEWS

Various Artists
Josh's Blair Witch Mix
Artisan Music

From the greatest, scariest movie of all times comes the pulsating, bone chilling soundtrack - not.
Loyal readers of this esteemed publication will know well its attitude towards over-hyped movies - they more or less always end up being ordinary. And most early reports indicate The Blair Witch Project is not going to be an exception to this general rule.
All that aside, the soundtrack itself is quite a good listen. But why did the producers have to name it Josh's (one of the three intrepid film students who vanish in the woods) Mix? Please. Why not just call it, The Blair Witch Project Soundtrack? Call me conservative if you will, but I just can't get around the idea of a compilation of songs inspired by a fictional character.
Anyway, the soundtrack consists of dark, Goth and moody songs, as would be expected for a movie of this nature. Almost all the songs are about pain, God, pain, Satan, pain and darkness.
Laibach's growling God is God stands out from the motley crew, while Front Line Assembly's Laughing Pain and the Meat Beat Manifesto's She's Unreal are also impressive numbers.
And in a little extra, there is also three minutes of "exclusive" film footage that can be viewed through a computer, which is more or less three minutes of the three students arguing which way they are going to go. Don't ask for any more information.
Much like the actual movie, I suspect this soundtrack will most likely appeal to gothics, film and television students, psychos and angry loners. Oh, with something for the rest of us as well.

Bug rating: 3/5

- Michael Gordon-Brown

Melanie C
Northern Star
Virgin

Following in the successful (don't ask me how) footsteps of her Spice sisters, Mel C is the latest to try her singing (talents?) on her own.
And while the Spice Girls are about the last album you would expect to find in my collection, or any other Spice solo efforts for that matter, there is sufficient strength in this album to show Mel C could go it alone, heaven forbid.
It mostly has to do with her style - a harsh voice that for some, bizarre reason isn't too harsh on the old ears. And it is as far removed from the sugarcoated Spice Girl Songs as possible, with mostly a punk feel as opposed to sickly sweet.
GOI kicks the album off in a fine start, with strong lyrics and good instrumentals. The slowed up titular Northern Star follows, which crawls along for over four minutes, while Goin Down is undoubtedly the pick of the album. I Turn To You, Suddenly Monday and Closer also stood out.
The album was by no means brilliant but it did show one thing I had always considered missing from the Spice Girls - talent. And who knows, maybe the independent efforts of the Girls are heralding that day when the world will lose the Spice Girls forever. Here's hoping.

Bug rating: 2.5/5

- Michael Gordon-Brown

Various Artists
The Songs of Duran Duran Undone
EMI

This classy tribute album to Duran Duran features a veritable who's who list of Australian music undoing Duran Duran's greatest hits.
And the end result is a fine mix of new takes on old songs, some of which will be virtually unrecognisable from their original shape.
In the 1980s, Duran Duran were a major influence in pop music - or if you believe the press release, they were pop music. So the tribute producers Rae Harvey (manager for The Living End and BodyJar) and Peter McTighe did the only thing possible - get some of Australia's headline music acts and replicate the songs.
The Mavis's jumpstart the album right from the word go, with a stylish redoing of Planet Earth, Duran's debut single. Groove Terminator's Notorious is a rip-roaring song with hard hitting beats, while Kylie Minogue and Ben Lee team up for The Reflex, combining their own styles into a seamless effort. The other names on the album are equally impressive - Jebediah, Bachelor Girl, Powderfinger, The Living End - the list goes on.
For Duranies, the album is a must. But the sheer quality of the artists, and the band they are undoing, ensure this album is a great effort that hasn't even been hurt by the fact its songs originated in that awful decade the 80s.

Bug rating: 3.5/5

- Michael Gordon-Brown

Various Artists
Buffy the Vampire Slayer the Album
Mds

From the popular television show about the blonde beautiful cheerleader by day, vicious vampire slayer by night comes a collection of funky soft rock numbers that replicate the fun and spirit of its television inspiration.
Personally I cannot claim to be a fan of the show, but that did not stop me from enjoying the soundtrack.
For those of you not in the know, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is a hot young thing who for some reason becomes a fearsome vampire killer and has to protect her friends, family and school. All while constantly worrying about the condition of her nails, straightness of her hair and cheerleading practice. Get the gist of the show?
The soundtrack begins with the impossibly likable theme, sang by Nerf Herder. Guided by Voices, with Teenage FBI, and Bif Naked with Lucky provide great moments with their relentless pace and energy, while Black Lab (Keep Myself Awake) adds a change of pace with their slowed up ballad. Garbage also makes a typically impressive contribution with Temptation Waits.
If you watch the show, the first thing you notice is the fun and energy. The soundtrack matches this and is well worth checking out.

- Michael Gordon-Brown

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