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A very cool album of quite laid back music that the band self describe as 'mellow', which is a pretty apt description for this 5 piece band from the US. With 10 tracks, the album makes it's presence felt not by the power chords which characterise a lot of top pop these days, rather relying on the simple songwriting style & easy delivery to get their message across.

That said, there are a couple of great vibey tracks here, though my particular favourites are the more relaxed moments like "Make Me", a simply short but sweet number which reminds me a little of the recent Len hit Steal My Sunshine & the very short closing number "The Price", pared back to it's basic acoustic guitar & vocals. I'm not sure what works so well about this particular track, it just does.

Other highlights include the rather catchy "Great Unknown", which opens up, plus "Ain't Lookin' To Be Found" & "So Jah Seh", which is probably the biggest beat track here. Combined with the band's great songwriting, their presence is bolstered by a backdrop of other instruments including the interesting use of the horn, piano & keyboard sections on some songs, making this a pretty complete musical experience. Check it out for much satisfaction.

For more information, write to 300 Hayward, Mt Vernon, NY 10552, USA or foodmusic@earthlink.net

EDDIE SKULLER - SISTER SMILE

This is the second release I've heard from Eddie Skuller, the last being from 1996, this a brand new 3 track single that shows some great songwriting & some equally impressive performance skills to go with them as well as again demonstrating the vocal style that formed the basis of his last release.

The title track is where it's all happening, with an unusual collective of instrumentals running the background while Eddie's vocal delivery is the central point of the whole song, though I'd have to say the great guitar work throughout really draws the attention too.

I also loved the poppy vibe behind "Genuine Reflection", which alongside closing number "Untie The Rainbow", with it's nicely placed lead riffs, reminded me somewhat of some of R.E.M.'s music around the Green album era. Eddie's definitely shown a consistency here that a lot of artists lack. Let's hope his upcoming release shows even more interesting things.

For more information, write to eskuller@earthlink.net

THE MESSYHEADS - I'M NO ONE

A very slick 3 track single from US based band The Messyheads, who comprise 3 members, John Connor, Dante Piacenza & Roger Murdock, between them creating some superbly blended catchy pop reminiscent of The Beatles, but definitely not moving in a similar direction.

The title track of the single is by far the pick here, featuring some overt guitar musings & an excellent vocal out front as well as one of those brilliantly catchy chorus sections that will have you singing along after the second time around, but you won't get sick of it for a very long time I suspect.

Equally, the bonus tracks "Stuck In A Place" & "All The Things She Said" are very impressive, "Stuck In A Place" having a sort of Velvet Underground thing happening, while "All The Things She Said" returns the band to their more upvibe state. Can't wait to hear some more cool pop things from this potentially great band in the near future.

For more information, write to messyheads@aol.com

UNCLE CARL - (SELF TITLED)

Although dated 1997, this album from US band Uncle Carl has that certain timeless feel that blues music seems to possess, the songs here infused with the band's own style which is a sort of jazz/nightclub feel that melds easily with the slick blues guitar & vocal feel of a number of the songs.

One of the more overt blues songs here is "Too Tired", which has a fairly traditional guitar sound that Led Zeppelin reworked into rock. On the other hand, smoke filled nightclub is the image drawn by the opener "I'm Smokin' Again", another big highlight, though songs like "Daffodil", "Big Daddy" & closing number "Holdin' My Baby's Hand" can all lay claim to the term highlight by themselves.

The band apparently have a second album well underway which is distributing in prerelease format via MP3, so what they've been up to since this album will be an interesting listen, hopefully at least as interesting as the music here.

For more information, write to 68 Fourth Place #2L, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA or unclecarl@earthlink.net