RECENT FAVES FROM THE RECORD LIBRARY - February 2002

BOB HUND Stendaldern Kan Borja (Silence)
While the 90's Swedish indie rock contingent opted to go for
international
fame with English language-oriented music, Bob Hund stayed steadfastly
true
to their Stockholm roots, putting out all of its music in its native
tongue.
Though, as of recent they have opted for some UK and US dates under the
decidedly Anglo-friendly monicker Bergman Rock, even singing in
English. Kind
of too bad, considering the English tranlsation of Bob Hund is "Bob the
Dog",
infinitely a better name. But now, they have done yet another about-face,
and
have released their latest record once again in Swedish.
Well, needless to say, we have no idea what Bob Hund is singing about,
but
the music is some truly joyful indie rock that shouldn't stop
English-speaking labels from getting them a damned deal
already. Definitely
takingdistorted preaching, radio ads, PSAs and more. Religious ravings
spliced back to back with KC & the Sunshine Band off the
radio into polka into funeral home ads makes for some schizoid listening,
indeed. If you arrive into a brain-clouded state, perfect time to then
throw on this spoken-word collection of the late German actor Klaus
Kinski, culled from various speeches (including his famous "I Am
Jesus" tour shown in the "My Best Fiend" documentary about Kinski's
volatile relationship with filmmaker Werner Herzog). It's all in German,
but Klaus' trebly, weedy, and barking vocal demeanor is sound art within
itself up there with the best Erik Belgum or Henri Chopin stuff. His
"Schwarze Puppen" is filled with the tension of him about to break out
barking at someone in his hapless radius. I need a drink now.

COMETS ON FIRE