Thursday, June 19, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

CDVS

Say what you will about their bad teeth, bland food and history of colonial oppression, but the Brits are a surprisingly open-minded bunch. For instance, consider the rise of glam rock--a movement that was basically shut out of the States for its overblown sexuality and penchant for androgyny (how Little Richard got away with it remains a mystery to this day). Our neighbors across the pond, however, were far more likely to turn a blind eye to a dude in lipstick and eye shadow if he had any talent, and thus, the 1970s saw the flowering of David Bowie, Brian Eno and Freddie Mercury.

Still, if there was any true progenitor of glam, it had to be Marc Bolan and his band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later shortened to T. Rex). Blending the cosmic space rock of Hawkwind with the raw pop sensibility of the Stones, T. Rex made feel-good rock 'n' roll at its finest--the kind of mindless prattle to which you could sing all the words and remain blissfully unaware of what they meant. Although Electric Warrior's most recognizable track is undoubtedly "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" (a song that no "Super '70s" compilation seems complete without), the album's campy brilliance comes across best in the funky strut of "Mambo Sun" and the bounce of "Jeepster"--a riotously inane love song that ends with Boland declaring, "I'm gonna suck you."

If Cobra Verde--best known for backing indie icon Robert Pollard in Guided By Voices--lacks T. Rex's glitter, the Cleveland-based quartet certainly captures its spirit. A veritable walk down glam-mory lane, Easy Listening smacks of Roxy Music ("My Name Is Nobody"), Bowie ("To Your Pretty Face") and Some Girls-era Stones ("Whores"). There's even a nod to glam rock's ill-fated offspring, hair metal ("Throw It Away"). What sets Easy Listening apart from its influences, though, is the sarcastic self-awareness that runs throughout the album--a critical sensibility embodied in "Riot Industry" and "Modified Frankenstein."

So ultimately, the choice comes down to this: Do you prefer the unabashed glitz of the old glam or the cynical distance of neo-glam? Call me crazy, but I'll throw in with the old school. Be warned, though, too much Easy Listening might pitch you into throes of "T. Rextacy" (or, as it is often referred to among clinical psychologists, glamtasmagoria). Common side effects include: painted nails, a perm, a budding fondness for sequins and an uncontrollable desire to stand in front of a mirror with your naughty bits tucked between your legs. Listen at your own risk.--Newt Briggs