T- 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).

Talib Kweli Right About Now The Official Sucka Free Mix CD (Koch)
Talib Kweli comes out verbally fast and fierce on his latest release, operating sometime as a sage and other times as the voice of knowledge and reason, while presenting what he deems are lyrical alternatives to the dominant themes in hip-hop. He offers disdainful rhymes about major label politics in the title track, and attacks stereotypes with ferocity on “Drugs, Basketball & Rap.” He defends his friend Lauryn Hill on the alternately sentimental and agitated “Ms. Hill,” blaming her recent problems on both corporate ills and the betrayal of former friends. He’s also joined by some emerging stars that haven’t yet been gobbled up by the multinationals, among them “Jean Grae and MF Doom. He also reunites with Mos Def on the marvelous “Supreme Supreme,” the disc’s hottest single. Aided by several top production teams and personalities, among them Dave West, Charlemagne, Kareem Riggins and Needlz, Talib Kweli shows once more that potent political sentiments and ideas can be made even more intriguing when augmented by ace beats and slashing musical tapestries. Ron Wynn

Tenebrous (Fire). 1 rib-Bad to the bone.
Like its production, this miserable debut by music photographer/magazine creator Steve Gullick deserves minimal words. Recorded in the dark recesses of his East London home, the record starts with the sinister 80 seconds of "River," which is deemed as one of the three "standout" tracks - all of which are hardly audible and barely tolerable. Among the very few moments that did stand alone from the constant drone were the snarling feedback of the title track and some much-needed pep provided by one of his piano-playing kids on the otherwise awful "Enough Dad?" As Gullick says, "I want to create music that we as a band (bender) would never do" - and we can see why! This isn't music, just noodling around with sounds, and don't even bother looking for the (very well) hidden track. David Thornton

Totimoshi Mysterioso. Trip back to trough almost pays off: 3-1/2 ribs.
The presence of a female bass player was admittedly exciting, since three of the arguably best bands ever - Sonic Youth, Pixies and Smashing Pumpkins – boasted gals on the big strings. This reissue from the Oakland trio's 2002 sophomore release doesn't quite measure up but does deliver some goods, best exemplified in the super-sludgy, unintelligible and feedback-drenched Melvins/Helmet hybrid "The Bleed" and the fuzzed-out "Mystery Science Theater 3000"-ish instrumental "Dirt Farmer." (Crucial Blast) David Thornton

Treva Whateva Music's Made of Memories. 4 ribs-Whole lotta lovin' for the oven.
From Manchester comes this madly eclectic, body-movin' debut highlighting real tom-tom tapping on "Driving Reign," a "Singalong" with really-grows-on-you gospel, the salsa squalls of "Havana Ball" and dream sequences of "Carpe Diem" glockenspieling over into the Propellerheads-esque title track, followed by the roller boogie of "Dustbowl" and modern Mozart smarts on the six-minute finale, "Dangerous Disco." David Thornton

Twilight (Southern Lord). Eat this pork with a pitchfork: 4 ribs.
Rock is sick and, this time, it ain't living in London! Assembling five of America's "essential" black-metal artists, this self-titled debut begins with a swarm of spooky guitars and even breaks into a heavy metal hoedown on the second track before easing up on the third and fourth numbers, albeit with Beelzebub bellowing and croaking. The record becomes comical on track 7 when the drummer can hardly keep up with the fury, but closes strong with "Swollen Voices in Silence" and especially "Beyond Light (Beautiful and Malignant)," which would sound almost - gasp! - above ground if it weren't for the devil-in-a-Dumpster vocals. This being 2006, a more appropriate release date would have been June 6, but the only thing really scary about this stuff is how appealing it can be! David Thornton

Two Gallants What The Toll Tells (Saddle Creek). 4 ½ ribs-chase it down with a shot of whiskey.
Two Gallants keep production to a minimal—two voices, guitars, drums and a harmonica. Their sound is lean but delves deep into the psychie of the San Fran-bred duo, who have been buds since the first grade. With every song comes a new level of depth. Adams Stephens and Tyson Vogel are youthful storytellers with something “Old Town” echoing with every verse, reminiscent of whiskey-soaked Pogues’ classics. Opening “Las Cruces Jail” pops off like a crack of a shotgun in the desert, filled with a high-spirited vibe. “Steady Rollin’” follows with similar desperado weariness. “Some Slender Rest” and “Threnody” are slow and weepy. “Long Summer Day” is upbeat and brash. “The Prodigal Son” is a sweet, melodious, poetic brogue and “16th St. Dozens” is downright psychiztsophrenic. With their sophomore album, Two Gallants use their comaradary to create some of the most stripped down, refreshingly original, yet oddly familiar tunes out. Will Jordan

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