Daily Staff Writer

“Scattered Pieces”

Domestic Problems

Domestic Problems’ new release “Scattered Pieces” is anything but unorganized. The sextet from Michigan blends a mix of folk, rock and funk providing an array of musical styles.

The first song, “24 Hours,” is a funky work with a sound similar to the Dave Matthews Band crossed with Rusted Root, only not quite as rich. It is followed by the fast-paced “Would I Want to Know?”

Then comes the title track. It has a lot of funk at its heels, driving lead singer Andy Holtgreive to almost scream. He belts out the song with a lot of power and soul for a white guy.

The band takes on a bluesy feel with “Livin’ in a Dream” and its swinging riffs. It begins slow and just when you might start to get bored, it rips into a driving frenzy of horns and guitars, giving the song the extra punch it needs.

Perhaps one of the most memorable songs is “Ernie’s Tragic Love Triangle.” It portrays a fight between Bert and Big Bird. In the middle of it all is Ernie, who just laughs because he is filled with so much pain and fear that he loses track of all his emotions.

Next, the listener is in for the long haul because closing out the CD are three seven-minute songs. The first is “Listen for the B. J.,” a song about exactly what the initials imply.

Holtgreive relishes in the fact that he is about to “receive” one as he sings, “This must be my lucky day.”

Following is the smart song “I Know You Are But What Am I?” It deals with the games made out of truth and lies and is filled with some mesmerizing little solos on trumpet, guitar and sax.

At first it may seem the CD is closing with a lot of long songs, maybe ones that only belong at live shows, not on reflective plastic. However, when the last song begins, the amazing acoustic untitled piece is sung with heartfelt honesty.

With lyrics like “I am in love with a girl that holds me with her eyes,” Holtgreive’s meaningful singing is almost enough to bring you to tears — you could listen to it forever without it ever bothering you. If only the rest of Domestic Problems’ “Scattered Pieces” was like that.

3 1/2 stars out of five

— Kevin Hosbond

Editor’s note: Domestic Problems is playing at People’s Bar and Grill Saturday night at 9:30.

“Cinematic Superthug”

The Hunger

The Hunger’s debut release “Cinematic Superthug” is a clear example of heavy metal mimicry. Unfortunately, it doesn’t bother to mimic any of the classic heavy metal albums of the 1980s. Instead, it relies on a pair of recent releases from Metallica for its main inspiration.

Just a quick look through some of the group’s lyrics (especially “You were my hero for the day” from “Phoenix”) reveals that the band doesn’t have an original thought in its head.

This lack of creativeness stretches far beyond the group’s lyrics, however. Each one of the songs on this CD has one simple guitar riff that seems like it is cut and pasted from one song to another.

The only thing that distinguishes “Phoenix” from “Sunk So Low,” and “One Way Or Another” from “Hey God” is the changing of the track number on the CD player.

The CD also painfully suffers from production problems. It wouldn’t be so bad if the CD were over-produced — at least it wouldn’t sound so hollow. But the entire mix sounds bland and weak, even though the group consists of two vocalists (who both serve as keyboardists), a bassist, a guitarist and a drummer.

If anything, “Cinematic Superthug” sounds like a poorly done demo tape produced on a four-track in somebody’s garage. Except that there is no echo, no fuzz, no vocal distinction and no sense of fun.

1 star out of five

— Ben Jones

“Til’ My Casket Drops”

C-Bo

Locked behind bars, C-Bo can only watch the game from the inside lookin’ out — but Bo knows it better than most so-called gangsta rappers.

In fact, it was C-Bo’s knowledge of the hustle that got him locked up — a clause of his parole said that he could not release any music with lyrics endorsing “the gangster lifestyle.”

A parole officer heard a copy of his new album and promptly had him locked up again. The ACLU challenged this clause of his parole and had it dropped, but Bo remains locked up for “other” violations regardless.

Still, Bo can take some solace in the fact that his new album is bound to be a success. Beats by One Drop Scott, JT the Bigga Figga and Mike Mosley keep the album bumping throughout.

Bo says it direct in “Deadly Game,” the song which got him locked up for telling people to shoot cops: “You know I never was no choir boy.” The song is a classic tale of struggle against police harassment.

That more than anything is what makes C-Bo’s music endearing — beyond the funky beats and Bo’s excellent flow, there is a subtle message about racism and the negative effects of violence.

Check for the outstanding “40 & C-Bo” featuring E-40, “Hard Labor” featuring 2Pac’s former crew Outlaw Immortalz and “Professional Batters” featuring JT the Bigga Figga and Mac Mall.

Straight Bay Area classic, C-Bo’s new album is bound fo sheezy to clock major figures.

3 1/2 stars out of five

— Steve “Flash” Juon

“The Other Side”

Wynonna

Wynonna has always done things her own way.

After Wynonna and her mother Naomi broke-up, ending the legendary country duo the Judds, many people thought Wynonna wouldn’t be able to make it on her own.

But she proved everyone wrong and began a solo career that promised to be great.

Then, Wynonna took a break from country music for over a year to have two children. Now she is back and better than before. Her new CD, “The Other Side,” showcases Wynonna’s wonderful vocal range and her talent for singing both slow love songs and the upbeat country songs. Her famous growl is back, too.

The CD includes 12 new songs, including a duet with country singer John Berry. The song, “We Can’t Unmake Love,” is perfect for two of the most unique voices in country music.

There is also a collaboration with Naomi and Kenny Wayne Shepherd in the song “Don’t You Throw That Mojo On Me.” Though Naomi has no plans to restart her singing career, it is nice to hear once again the harmony that mother and daughter have together.

“When Love Starts Talkin’,” “Love Like That” and “The Other Side” are upbeat songs with great lyrics. They are similar to “Girls With Guitars” and “I Saw the Light.”

The best slow song on the album is “Come Some Rainy Day” and is currently on the charts. Wynonna’s voice is deeper than most other female country singers, and that gives her a very mournful sound that sets the music off perfectly.

“The Other Side” is fun to listen to and play over and over again and definitely sends a message that Wynonna is back and better than ever.

5 stars out of five

— Amanda Knief

“Clara Thomas”

Clara Thomas

Something is brewing in Denmark besides whale soup. The little-known trio Clara Thomas is stirring up its own brand of music with the release of its self-titled album, “Clara Thomas.”

It combines an array of styles ranging from energy-laced dance songs to sorrowful acoustic ballads, offering up a tasty selection for those with music buds that like variety.

The opener, “The Girl With the Strawberry Lips,” is a very catchy song that could easily work its way into pop radio. It’s laced with some funky samplings similar to those backing up Ashley MacIsaac.

Ranking next to it is the cool, rhythm-induced song “Whop Da Da Doh.” With its simple and catchy lyrics, it’s a guarantee you’ll catch yourself singing them for no reason a week later.

Clara Thomas unplugs for the acoustic “Fishes.” Lead singer Clara Lieberath transforms her voice into the lovely sing-to-me-softly voice of Luscious Jackson’s Jill Cunniff.

“You Were Never Wrong” brings in some rising guitar riffs that are entirely motivating. Lieberath scoffs sarcastically at the irony of the situation in the song with the clever lyrics: “I’m doing this to compensate for all the times that I was late, but you were never wrong.”

“Talking to Myself” is an awesome song with some bouncy bass lines that keep it moving. This time Lieberath emulates Alanis Morissette with her shifty, pubescent, “my-voice-is-changing” outcries.

“Wait and See” resembles a Crash Test Dummies song and has its own spirit as Lieberath pines about the plight of a girl who has lost all hope in the world.

Despite a lot of similarities to other bands, Clara Thomas rises above the resemblances, creating its own unique sound. It’s definitely not the type of music you’d find at Wal-Mart, but is ultimately a CD you must own.

5 stars out of five

— Kevin Hosbond

“My Balls and My Word”

Young Bleed

The Tank is rollin’ again and Young Bleed is the latest No Limit Soldier to step out with heavy ammunition.

For fans of the record label, this album will not disappoint — C-Loc, Master P, Mystikal and Silkk the Shocker among others all make cameo appearances.

Bleed himself is the story though — he does the typical No Limit rap about hustlin’ and struggle, but he manages to put some heart into it.

Songs like “Times So Hard” strike a genuine chord of frustration with the ghetto instead of glorifying the oft prevalent drugs and violence.

Songs like “How Ya Do Dat” are uptempo club anthems that will get the roof a-raising with funky beats and Bleed’s rock hard delivery.

Songs like “Bring the Noise” are just plain fun — Mystikal’s excitable delivery and Master P’s corny “unnngggh” make it a fun ride.

Should you be ‘Bout It, Bout It’ like a No Limit Soldier?’ I wouldn’t endorse all albums from No Limit Records, but this one is worth a shot.

Just a warning though — if you have a problem with foul language or sexist attitudes, this album is not for you.

3 stars out of five

— Steve “Flash” Juon

“Sacre Bleu”

Dimitri From Paris

Rave and Parisian music doesn’t exactly sound like a combination of musical styles that would mesh well. But as “Sacre Bleu” points out, the skeptics and nonbelievers would be wrong.

“Sacre Bleu” is an incredibly surprising CD that is full of beautiful music and hypnotizing trance. Songs like “Monsieur Dimitri Joue Du Stylophone,” “Le Moogy Reggae” and “Back In The Daze” conjure up images of the Eiffel Tower on a sunny day, with promiscuous French women drinking champagne from golden goblets running around its base.

Some highlights of the CD include an instrumental called “Nothing To Lose,” which features Messieurs Roger et Frederic Poulet on the grand piano and the flugelhorn, “Dirty Larry” which spotlights the Crue-L Grand Orchestra, and “Un World Mysteriouse” which is a complex musical experiment in sonic energy (or the lack thereof).

Overall, “Sacre Bleu” is an interesting accomplishment that should not be overlooked.

4 stars out of five

— Ben Jones