February 24, 1998 SOUNDSCAPE Over The Edge Page 7

Exile on Coldharbour Lane (Geffen/Universal)

Let’s hear it fer the reverend Dr. D. Wayne Love (Vocals) for this. incredibly different

musical mash __ including heavy Gospel, Country and Blues influences which A3, or Alabama 3 as they are known as in most of the world, claims is the root of all pop

music today. Very true. Along with it’s obvious grass- roots influences though, A3 also has an obvious, not to mention well mixed, techno undertone, which really adds to its uniqueness. With song tiles such as Converted, Hypo Full of Love, Bourgeoisie Blues, and The

Night We Nearly Got Busted,

these rockers write and sing for the middle class. This is music for those who never received the opportunity to succeed in life. As A3 began to gain a following in Europe and the UK, and struck a deal with Elemental, they decided to go truly international, and

signed to. Geffen for Canada/USA, soon after con- secrating the First

Presleyterian Church of Elvis The Divine. A3 is probably the most grassroots record-

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ing to this day which melds itself so perfectly with acid house and techno under- tones, but still maintains a valid, preacher-like overtone forcing mellowed out socialist

views in favor of the oppressed lower classes upon the listener. In the

words of A3 themselves “In the Beginning was The Word, and The Word was ELVIS...”. He may be alive and well, but he sure caught up to this gen- eration through A3!

Hey! If you want to see A3, you're in luck! They will be coming to Vancouver to play at the Rage on the 23rd of March/98 and playing the next day in Calgary at MacEwan Hall (March 24th/98)! | wouldn’t miss it if | were you. Soon after, they are going to be back in Europe.

Mystery Machine Headfirst Into Everything

(Nettwerk)

So as | was cruising down

the highway Edmonton bound (Highway 167), | decided to pop the new Mystery Machine CD in the ‘old player to wake myself up before | drove off of an embankment, which reigns at supreme uncoolness by my | had heard of Mystery Machine before but never really thought much of them, not really having heard them myself. | didn’t really know what to expect though. As soon as | found the right disc in the changer, and the CD spun up to speed, a bar-

rage of supersonic riffs and beautifully mastered lyrics burst fourth from all speakers at~once causing near melt- down of my car, and simulta- neously causing a party to begin with the rest of the pas- sengers, who had previously fallen asleep. Ten minutes later, with sonic shockwaves emanating from my now- rocking party wagon, | almost drove off an embankment again while jamming to the luscious product of these Chilliwack boys’ third release, Headfirst Into Everything. Consisting of Luke Rogalsky (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards), Bean (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Shane Ward (Bass), and Jordan Pratt (Drums, Backing Vocals), this group “still loves to play live’, as their former US tour with Local H and Salt will testify. Apparently they love to make really cool videos too, ever since they all made_ their moms proud after being nom- inated for “Best Alternative Video” by Much Music. “A lot of songs on this record are about having addictive per- sonalities” states Luke mak- ing testimony to the songs such as “Teenage Drag’, “Doubt Is Ail You Know’, and simply “Mad”. Perhaps one of the best statements that this band can make is the fact that their songs are all based on anomalies in other peo- ples lives. The product how- ever, is beautiful. These rocking beats carry fourth with a: divinity all their own. The rolling riffs tumble fourth while opening a sonic dimen- sion which takes you from zero to rocking in five sec- onds flat.

Like the sound of Mystery Machine? Not sure? Check them out for yourself! On March 17th, they are slated to come to Prince George! Nobody knows where yet though! Keep your eyes and ears open for more details.

The Philosopher Kings

Famous, Rich and Beautiful

atl y)

These guys are more than the Kings of Philosophy now. Only on their second record- ing, The Philosopher Kings are setting landmarks with their “Souped up Soul’, as they would have it. The truth is that they have managed to take classic soul and turn it into a Move-Over-BB-King, there are new Kings in town now, recording with classic riffs accompanying squelch- ing brass and lyrics written based on real life situations and. emotions. What this amazing band has produced is neo-soul for a generation of indie, with some funky riffs attached to add even more fun. One will find that this new album is a lot more upbeat than the last, with a more colorful attitude shining through. On Famous, Rich and Beautiful, the Kings claim that they “took a more lazy approach to writing’. They. “labored desperately to get to a point where they could start writing songs that were unlabored, unforced. Sort of trying to embrace things that come easy.” With song titles such as “Hurts To Love You,”, “Head First’, and “You Stepped On My Life’, they seem to have caught the more elusive essence of everyday feelings, life, and love, accomplishing — their mission with due perfection. So how about some real Philosophy? Try Philosopher Kings 101. Famous Rich and Beautiful.