TonyDoug's CD Review: Skooshny

by tonydoug wright

Skooshny, Zoloto (Vibro-Phonic, 2004)

THE BAND: Mark Breyer (Guitar and Vocals), Bruce Wagner (Guitar, Keyboards and Vocals) and David Winogrond (Drums).

THE HISTORY: Skooshny, named after the Russian word for "boring", is described in a Google™ search as "Too late for the Byrds. Too early for R.E.M.". Mark Breyer and David Winogrond formed Skooshny during the mid-1970s in Los Angeles but they broke up in the early 1980s after a handful of EPs and singles were released to some critical acclaim and lukewarm sales. In 1991, the members of Skooshny were informed that their albums were considered collectors items in Europe. The news led to a Skooshny reunion of sorts including their only live show to date. Zoloto, a Russian word for "gold", is a best-of compilation spanning a career of twenty-something years that features four new Skooshny songs.

THE REVIEW: Zoloto chronicles the on-again/off-again career of three reclusive musicians who create timeless and well crafted California folk-rock songs. Mark Breyer's vocals, which can be easily compared to Tom Petty, fits perfectly with Bruce Wagner's beautiful guitar work, especially on tracks such as "The Water Song", "Even My Eyes" and "Science Changes Everyone". Skooshny's career might be an enigma to some but Zoloto gives us the opportunity to experience the greatness of this L.A. trio.

WEB SITE: www.skooshny.com

Remake Remodel, 12345 Accelerate EP (Pop Boomerang Records, 2003)

THE BAND: Melissa Lock (Bass), Alex Kastaniotis (Drums), Jes Cogger (Vocals) and Sarah Blaby (Guitar and Vocals).

THE HISTORY: This Melbourne four-piece, originally known as Porcelain, has rocked Australia, Canada and the US. The 12345 Accelerate EP was released in 2003 and sold well in their native home of Australia. Alex Kastaniotis left the band and was replaced by Liz Turner.

THE REVIEW: Remake Remodel took the pop sound of The Go-Go's and mixed it with some old fashioned super-charged power-pop to create the über cool 12345 Accelerate EP. The ladies from Melbourne kick off their EP with '12345 Accelerate', a song with plenty of distortion and attitude that would make Kim Deal and Debbie Harry proud. Two tracks, 'Thanx 4 Nothing' and 'Jellybean', round out the rest of the EP.

WEB SITE: www.remakeremodel.live.com.au

Issue 27, October 2004