M - Ribviews

Whether they’re straight out of the kitchen or have been sitting under a heat lamp for a minute, here is a sample of releases Ribbers decided to taste. Like other zines, we have rated them, but with our own complicated culinary system – from one rib (lowest) to five ribs (bestest).

The Mass Perfect Picture of Wisdom and Boldness. Smokin'! 4-1/2 ribs.
Another second release from an Oakland outfit, this marriage of "math" metal with jazz works quite well. Singer Matt Waters' sax makes its first appearance on track 2, but don't think Morphine; this is mostly instrumental stuff - until the next track. Featuring vocal theatrics involving actual singing, piercing shrieks and gutteral groans, the long-winded horns and riffage on the nine-minute "Corpsewielder" blend perfectly well into the minute-and-a-half-minute maelstrom of "Gas Pipe." The nine-minute "Ride of the Juns" serves up some of the coolest guitar breaks ever and even some Primus-y moments before things settle down with the seven-and-a-half-minute "Little Climbers of Nifelheim" and get nasty all over again on the dischordant closer, "The Bringer." (Crucial Blast) David Thornton

Matt Pond PA Several Arrows Later (Altitude). 4-1/2 ribs-simply sublime swine.
This Brooklyn-based band, by way of Philly, extends frontman Pond's theme of city vs. pastoral life for its fifth LP. Often likened to Nick Drake and Elliott Smith, this excellently executed "orchestral pop" isn't trendy, just tremendous. The very versatile vocalizations range from Teenage Fanclub on the title track to the Replacements ("City Song") and even J. Mascis on the lilting "Brooklyn Stars." The first two tracks are definite ear-openers, and a couple of tunes were so good that you didn't want them to end: the mellow gold of "It Is Safe" and a culmination of the strings-heavy second half, "Devils in the Water," which has to be one of the best parting shots ever put to disc. Look for Matt Pond PA on tour in February with Dios Malos. David Thornton

The Edge: David Axelrod at Capital Records 1966-1970 Mizell: The Mizell Brothers at Blue Note Records 1972-1976 and Beyond (Blue Note/ EMI). 5 ribs-a full slab!
Ever wonder where those slammin’ old-school beats come from on yer favorite hip-hop tracks? Well now ya know. David Axelrod and The Mizell Brothers were seminal jazz producers in the 1960s and 1970s and their songs are splattered throughout a whole mess a folks’ music from DJ Shadow to De La Soul, Mos Def, Madlib and The Neptunes. Covering the defining moments of their music-making careers, Blue Note has released these two compilations. The Edge is compiled to the ever-present and meticulous Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, and features Axelrod at his peak during his Capital Records years. Mizell marks a historic reunion of the Mizell Brothers with Blue Note Records nearly 20 years after their era at the label. The Mizells themselves compiled and produced this defining collection of 11 tracks, chronicling their best times at Blue Note during the ‘70s. Props to Blue Note!! Will Jordan

Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots (Smooch/Alternative Tentacles). 4-1/2 ribs-Swings from meat hook swelly.
Think Camper Van Gregorian with Mike Scott-like (Waterboys) lead vocals, this 80-minute masterpiece -taking roughly two years to record - ranges from the beer hall Pogues-isms of "Old Service Road" and unbelievable echo-chamber singing on track 5 to the absolute awesomeness of "Leavening of the Spit-Bread Girls." And then the Denver goth god, who also holds membership in Slim Cessna's Auto Club, raises the bow even higher on track 11, where the girls chime in again with help from the San Francisco All Men's Choir, and the seven-and-a-half minute closer, "River Forktine Tippecanoe." Also includes an accompanying DVD with images and stories related to the lyrics. David Thornton

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