The Brain
  a weekly digest from the staff of brainwashed
V02I01 - 01031999

SITE
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Check out the winners in the first annual Brainwashed poll.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY!
Thanks for all your support, comments, complaints, and gifts. Thanks to all the readers and all the people linking to any of the sites. Thanks for making us an "Excellent music index of many Gothic Bands" (according to Mining Company) and "The Source for the Uninhibited" (thanks to Vamp.org). I'm still at a loss as to what that means. But regardless, it means a lot when we read the letters saying you've bookmarked one of the pages we spend a lot of time and care on. You thank us, it's our turn to thank you! There are still holiday/New Year cards left so if you want one, with your real name and mailing address.

MUSIC
IN BRIEF

COH - ENTER TINNITUS
I must admit I didn't know what to expect when hearing this, but I'm pleasantly surprised. This is the first (to my knowledge) first full-length official release from Russian sound engineer, Ivan Pavlov. Ivan is definately showing influences of a cross between Panasonic and Ryoji Ikeda, but it is definately his own. A pleasant surprise on this is the human element that has become so withdrawn from other music in this genre, his baby daughter Sasha appears on one of the tracks. I know it's nothing new, but it's something that fits well. - Jon Whitney

CRAIG ARMSTRONG - THE SPACE BETWEEN US
This is an essential album for any Massive Attack fan. Craig Armstrong is responsible for the string arrangements on Massive Attack records and this album contains some altered versions of Massive Attack faves, instrumental and symphonic. Also on here is a song sung by Liz Frasier of Cocteau Twins different from the ones on Mezzanine. While this is no breakthrough album, it's grand and lush and sounds oh so pretty. The title and picture, however, are all too remeniscent of Chris Carter (of TG fame, not the football player or X-Files writer) and his first solo release, "The Space Between", but don't let that keep you from getting this one. - Jon Whitney

THE ORB - U.F.OFF
I'm not one for greatest hits packages, but this one is definately done right. While it serves as a great introduction to The Orb for beginners, it comes with a bonus CD with the initial pressing of remixes never before available. Something the fans won't be upset about buying. The songs are all mixed together a'la DJ-stylee and the selection is quite approvable. Now you can own "Little Fluffy Clouds" from that VW ad. - Jon Whitney

LASWELL/HARRIS/BERNOCCHI - VEVE
The second collaboration between these three, and what a fine disc it is. Low bass dub influenced music, the Mick Harris signature drum loops, and special effects by Eraldo Bernocchi. While Laswell and Harris have been mass producing music lately in the droves, the right combination always has a possibility of yielding a stellar product. Listen to this one loud. - Jon Whitney

PANACEA - TWISTED DESIGNZ
Panacea's second full-length release is even more impressive than his first. On this album, the grooves run deeper, the distortion louder, and all the "familiar" samples are gone. Here is one boy to watch as he has completely outdone himself. This disc is best enjoyed driving through a rural town blasted on 11 in the car. - Jon Whitney

As always, check out the latest update of NEW RELEASES brought to you by Greg and Feedback Monitor.

MOVIES
REVIEWED

RESTORED - THE LAST EMPEROR
I loved this movie the first time I saw it, so many years ago, and I was thrilled when they announced they would re-release it with over an hour of unused footage. It now totals out to a three hour, twenty minute film. Luckily, it's so engrosing a tale that you don't notice how long it is. Film on location at the Forbidden City, the film work is breath-taking. I really couldn't tell what parts were the new footage because I haven't seen the film for over five years now, but it integrated seemlessly. The David Byrnes soundtrack is a bit tedious. I sat through the credits and noticed a Chinese cast and an Italian film crew. Pretty wacky. The last emperor had two wives. I have none. - Thomas Guttadauro

COMMENT
A POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR 1999
1998 was a great year for independent labels and I'm predicting that 1999 will be even better. It's no big surprise the major labels are suffering in many ways:
  1. MTV has almost completely ceased playing music
  2. the Internet has given rise to MP3 bootlegging and mail order for indie product has gone way up
  3. operation/promotion/staff/production costs are alarmingly high and thus, prices of full-line major release CDs are getting out of hand at all the stores
  4. mergers like the Universal/Polygram deal mean rosters get cut, people get laid off, and only lawyers end up with the money
It's the indies who are still truly in it for the music and they're the ones who invest in the future of their companies. With rosters cut from major labels, the developing artists (their future) get lost, and have to go back to working at McDonald's.
FEEDBACK
A GOOD LAUGH ON A MONDAY MORNING
Subject: !

I enjoy reading The Brain weekly, because not only do I get good music reviews and the chance to find my Nubian name, I also get to see people getting their asses handed to them, virtually. The crazy and demanding people get dealt with a in sometimes-caustic (putting it lightly) way, and it makes for a good laugh on a Monday morning. Sure, getting my kicks from someone being put in their place in a rude way isn't exactly PC, but isn't that why Howard Stern is so popular?

Sorry, sometimes people don't get it. They just don't get it. I don't mean to be as caustic, really.


Subject: yeah

hey man,
you all right? you really went all out in this week's issue. really bit the writers' heads off. even included the link to learn how to curse. coincidence?
so how was your xmas?

Good, thanks. No, seriously! Just some things I wanted to get off my chest before the New Year. All over now, happy thoughts...

LINK
OF THE
WEEK

EDIÇÃO DCEsta SEMANA NOS PORTUGUÊSES
Yes, that's right, here's This Week's Issue in Portuguese brought to you by babelfish.altavista.com

DISCOUNT
CELEBRITY
OF THE
WEEK

JULIE HAGGERTY
Leading Lady in both Airplane movies, this actress has appeared in many memorable roles, such as Poppy Taylor in 1992's 'Noises Off', Petra in 'Rude Awakening' and her unforgettable role as Fay Marvin in 'What About Bob.' She has made notable TV appearances such as the one on an episode of ER. She really loves children and would probably enjoy well-meaning non-profit organization work.

WHAT'S IN
YOUR CD
PLAYER?

MATTHEW'S DISCMAN
Stereolab - Music For The Amorphous Body Study Center
The Beatles - Revolver
The American Analog Set - From Our Living Room To Yours
Buddy Rich - Big Swing Face
Spiritualized - Pure Phase
Microstoria - Init Ding
- Matthew R. Marine

  © 1999 Brainwashed, all rights reserved.

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