Blue Plate Special
Artist: Rick Altizer
Label: KMG Records
Length: 12 tracks /47.49 minutes
Rick Altizer is something of a multi-instrumentalist. All parts
on this record, save a few percussive duties, are performed by Altizer
and his co-producer, King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew. Guitar is obviously
not just Belew's favourite instrument, it is the dominant one here, and
both Altizer and Belew have given afficionados quite a variety of tones
to enjoy.
The sound is very much pop-rock, with more than just a couple of
nods to various points in U2's career. There are the odd signs of stadium
rock sounds with the more electronic feeling and glossy production of more
recent U2 albums, without the complete embrace of techno sounds. A very
clear example comes on track five, "Oxygen Tank," where even the vocals
have a "Bono in world weary mode" feel.
Unfortunately, there is nothing lyrically that can really compete
with the strongest of the guitar tones. The opener, "Make A Monkey" is
somewhat infectious in its refrain, but the insights offered are not presented
in a sufficiently novel way to mask the fact that many lyricists have already
gotten there.
Half way through, the production sheen can become slightly irritating
after repeat listenings, but there are enough layers to the sound to keep
listeners happy if the repeats aren't too frequent. Lyrics often improve
as a musician matures. If that's the case here, Altizer has a bright future
ahead of him.
James Stewart (12/15/1998)
