Hybrid Music |
I may have spoken out of turn. Ugly Magic begins the disco seepage. But where The Flaming Lips went the route of the BeeGees, Jonathan David Rogers opts for Prince Rogers Nelson's funky over-processed falsetto. The centerpiece "Cursed Be The Everything Now And All Who Sail With It" steals the bassline from "Thriller" and guides it through a pop-culture tour of Satan's minions, "Rosencrantz is the beast/ Guildenstern is deceased/ Ronald Reagan was the beast/ James Brown rest in peace." The humorous indictment lists major and minor players in the evil corporo-political empire. "Metaphysical Meals" takes the same gang-vocal path to spoof modern R&B with lyrics so stupid they rhyme Marie Curie with curry. The jarring banjo gives a Steve Earle meets Ween feel. "Babyshaker" goes garage baroque, and offers a fine example of Rogers' enjoyably pedestrian vocals. His progressions are fully satisfying, the gruff tones push the tension. There's a straight Zeppelin knock off in "Man Version," followed by tributes to Bowie, Zappa, Beefheart and Cocker. But odder than that is the sudden appearance of decidedly Caucasian dub. "I Was On a Quiz Show" sounds like Cake attempting ska. The two dub numbers drag on for seven minutes apiece. Some of Ugly Magic is redeemable, like Devendra Banhardt with a sense of humor. But too often, I just wish the song would end so I can listen to Bible Universe again. http://www.hybridmagazine.com/reviews/0608/everythingnow.shtml |
| Leicester Bangs By Will F |
The hand painted CD sleeve emblazoned with slogans such as “Stop Using our Favourite Songs To sell Silly Products We Don’t Want” implicates that Everything Now! purports to critique the culture of the ‘immediate’ yet they tread the path of the musical environmentalist ‘recycling and reusing’ styles here and riffs there resulting at times in seemingly effortless pastiche. This is not to dismiss them as copyists as they produce an eclectic and listenable mix of tunes. You enter into a disco funk arena of ‘Cursed Be The Everything Now And All Who Sail With It’ and leave at the tail end of the ‘Dreamin About Bein Well-Hung Blues’ having coursed through 80’s Electronica, Samba, Dub Reggae, Folk Blues fronted invariably by the Scissor Sisters, Arcade Fire, Prince, Damon Albarn or Bowie. Stylistically similar to this year’s earlier output, ‘Bible Universe’ (inasmuch as their style is to blend styles) and is just as enjoyable. May be an idea to leave the paint on the case to dry before inserting the disc as this may help listeners get into it...!! www.everythingnowmusic.com |
Baby Sue |
Indianapolis, Indiana's Everything, Now! is, without a doubt, one of our favorite up-and-coming obscure oddities. At this point in their career, the folks in this band are doing everything themselves...recording and releasing their own music...and even making their own CD covers. Ugly Magic is, not surprisingly, a weird spin. The band continues in kooky pop territory that lies somewhere in between The Flaming Lips and Claudia Malibu. The first track ("Cursed be the Everything, Now! and All Who Sail With It") seems to be a jagged satire on popular music. It's a very funny song indeed. There are lots of frenzied, urgent pop oddities here...and the band seems to be delving more and more into multi-layered instruments and vocals. While we certainly enjoy the sounds on Ugly Magic...we were more impressed by the band's songs on their last release (Bible Universe). Whereas the last album seemed to emphasize songs, Magic seems to place a heavier emphasis on the recording process. But hey...no matter. Even though this is not their best album, it is still light years beyond what most independent bands are capable of producing. Odd tracks like "Babyshaker," "I Was on a Quiz Show," and "Dreamin About Bein Well-Hung Blues" certainly cannot be ignored. We sure wish these folks would include lyrics with their albums...because the words are almost always intriguing and hilarious. Another great little album from a truly great little band. At some point in the near future...we'd be willing to bet these folks are going to be hugely successful... (Rating: 5++) |