TRACKER
Blankets
(FILMguerrero)
****
“Can a graphic novel have a soundtrack,” you ask? Yes, and a really fucking good one at that. John Askew/Tracker has constructed an amazing instrumental soundtrack that reflects the equal parts beauty and sadness of Craig Thompson’s celebrated graphic novel Blankets. Askew expertly mixes melody with ambience, and structure with disorder, whether he’s alone in the studio with a Casio and guitar like on the short and creepy “Marathon,” or rocking out with a full band and horns on “‘F! is for FILTH!'” While the album reflects the book’s moods perfectly, it’s a singular creation: it works well with the book, but doesn’t have to. As if all that isn’t enough, the artwork is all new drawings by Thompson specifically for the album. Hopefully the Tracker album will inspire more collaborations of this kind. It’s easily the best convergence of comics and music since A-Ha’s “Take On Me” video. M. WILLIAM HELFRICH
THE SCREAMERS
Live In San Francisco DVD
(Target)
****
Some visions of the future never lose their scary, edgy, futuristic-ness, like Hugo Ball’s music/performance experiments in the ’20s or the stripped-down, confrontational synth-punk sounds made in the ’70s by Suicide and the Screamers. The Screamers had an odd lineup: two synths, drums, and one of the most fucked-up, confrontational performers you’ve ever seen. Seattle transplant and drag/performance artist Tomata du Plenty (1948-200) was a mix of Andy Kaufman, Pee Wee Herman, and Darryl Hanna in Blade Runner. While it took Suicide seven years to release their debut, the Screamers (’77-’81) never even released an official 7″, which was weird as one of the members co-owned the legendary Dangerhouse label. Finally on DVD, this SF show (spot Penelope Houston and Jello in the crowd), which remains their sole legit release, is short and brilliant–enough to make you want to burn all your electroclash records, if you haven’t already. MIKE McGONIGAL
Mouse on Mars
Radical Connector
(Thrill Jockey)
****
Radical Connector, the eighth release from German Willy Wonka electrofunk purveyors Mouse on Mars, finds the trio reigning in their goofy beats to create a more groovable CD than any they’ve ever released. Employing more conventional song structures than their previous albums, Radical Connector features uniquely Mouse on Mars pop songs that sound just about ready to try their footing on the dance floor. Where 2001’s Idiology kept listeners on the edge of their seats by changing directions and switching back several times on each track, new tunes like “Send Me Shivers” call on Bj-rk sound-alike Niobe for synthesized vocals–and you can actually dance through “Wipe That Sound” in its entirety without wondering where the rhythm went. Chas Bowie
**** Elvis Costello
*** Elvis Presley
** Elvis Grbac
* Elvis Stojko