Edited By Mike Breen

· Chumbawamba -- WYSIWYG (Republic/Universal)
What you see isn't necessarily what you get when it comes to Chumbawamba. Anything but, actually. This isn't Donny and Marie's "little bit Country/little bit Rock & Roll" routine, but WYSIWYG does provide a melting pot of musical stylings. The sounds on the band's 11th effort blur into nothing more than flat-out Pop: infectious in the beginning, happy-go-lucky throughout and tired by the end of the first listen. It's an ever-changing mix, much in tune with the band's history -- beginning as a three-piece Parisian street band, moving to a rotating change of flatmates/squatters and most recently serving as the so-called talents behind the nauseatingly overplayed "Tubthumping." Chumbawamba's influences are vast, which ultimately proves to be the pseudo-joy in WYSIWYG. From the opening "I'm With Stupid," each of the 22 tracks moves seamlessly into the next, incorporating a little Country twang on "Social Dogma," some Disco on "Lie Lie Lie Lie" and elsewhere some A Cappella, Doo Wop and Irish flavor for good measure. One second there's echoes of The Mamas and The Papas, the next Murray Head. Shouts of "Smart Bomb" emulate -- or rather rip off -- Duran Duran's "Wild Boys." The only thing more fun than playing "Guess the Influence" is noting the pop culture references ranging from Friends to Jerry Springer to Doris Day. Even the flames of Woodstock '99 get their due in the anti-apology song "I'm Not Sorry, I Was Having Fun." Much in the vein of Aqua or Eiffel 65, but without a single guilty standout, Chumbawamba's WYSIWYG offers fleeting Pop that wears thin. (Brandon Brady)CityBeat grade: C.

· Tony Touch -- The Piece Maker (Tommy Boy).
In the vein of Funkmaster Flex, DJ Tony Touch became an underground sensation due to his immensely popular mix tapes that featured Touch's mix tracks coupled with guest MCs. In these times, the DJ can be the star, and Touch takes advantage of that with his latest release, The Piece Maker, without any unnecessary flash. The album features an impressive representation of the Hip Hop nation's up-and-coming and already-established MCs who, while Touch is the mastermind, are the reason people will buy this record. As would be expected, the tracks featuring Cypress Hill, Gang Starr, Mos Def (who, with De La Soul, lays down some Spanish rhymes) and Wu-Tang Clan are bangin', but lesser known rappers like Starang Wonduh and Sunkiss take some surprisingly strong turns at the mic. Other big shots on the album include the late Big Pun and Eminem, while Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap and KRS-One make like the Three Tenors of Old School on "Class of '87." Mix albums -- especially on such a big, established label -- are a perfect way to bring listeners in via the superstars and then introduce the newcomers to a wider audience (similar to the trend of label's getting new acts guest slots on bigger records). Touch obviously has good instincts when it comes to matching rappers with tracks and with his understated style he shows a solid balance between MC and DJ that's often hard to find. (Mike Breen)CityBeat grade: B.

· Eric Idle -- Eric Idle Sings Monty Python (Restless).
With the widespread influence of Monty Python's comedy albums and television program still evident in everything from Mr. Show (R.I.P.) to Mad TV, it's fitting that Pythoneer Eric Idle is still out on the road performing the songs that made the whole world (or at least 1/1000 of it) laugh. This album was recorded at one of Idle's many performances, featuring the comedian/songwriter (Idle wrote most of the Python songs) backed by a full band and performing songs mostly from Python movies and episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus, with just a few songs from the troupe's albums ("Eric the Half a Bee," "All Things Dull and Ugly") and Idle's outside endeavors (The Rutles' "I Must Be In Love"). Idle's between-song banter is hilarious, giving hardcore Python fanatics even more reason to invest in the disc. (The poem sent to their film studio in lieu of a script for The Meaning of Life is priceless). Especially tasty is the skit "Rock Notes," which was the source of the moniker of Toad the Wet Sprocket. But, even though the songs haven't aged at all, those unfamiliar with Monty Python's oeuvre might not get the joke. (MB)CityBeat grade: B.

E-mail Mike Breen

Spill It (April 13, 2000)
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