Band knows what life is about, new album is proof

By Sam Babikian, Special to the On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, August 27, 1998

One of the latest albums to hit the alternative scene is from the Santa Barbara band Dishwalla.

The release of the band's second album "And You Think You Know What Life's About" is the latest in enhanced CDs, which feature multi-media tools that let the listener interact with the music.

CD REVIEW

When played on a PC, the listener has access to sound sequences, screen savers and video clips of the band.

The sounds one normally expects to hear on a dance album mixes well with the rock format the band uses.

While the new enhanced CDs are more visually stimulating and seem to be the next trend in music, the real heart and soul of this album is the music.

Dishwalla's first album, "Pet Your Friends," was released in '95 and quickly went platinum. However, the style of the songs on the current album are not as radio friendly, perhaps even a little too experimental for today's spoon-fed audience.

Nevertheless, the band has put together an epic selection of songs.

"Stay Awake," the first track on the new album, is an interesting blend of driving and dirty guitars mixed with strong vocals and spiced with an unusual hint of techno-pop.

The sounds one normally expects to hear on a dance album mixes well with the rock format the band uses.

Other songs like "Once In a While" and "Hearing Star" are musically more straightforward and lyrically discuss some of life's problems with relationships and drugs.

In general, this is a good rock 'n' roll album and the band members show their diverse talents in many of the songs.

J.R. Richards performs strong lead vocals on all of the tracks. Richards has mastered the technique of falsetto in a Bono-like (U2) manner, while still keeping plenty of air to belt out additional notes when needed.

Jim Wood masterfully plays keyboards by adding drone notes and sequenced patches that enhance and accent the already powerful sounds of the five members.

If one likes music outside the mainstream, then "And You Think You Know What Life's About" will satisfy.

For current Dishwalla fans, this new album is a great follow up to the band's debut.