Review: Don Campau/Chris Phinney

Don Campau/Chris Phinney - The Black Ace (2006) Lonely Whistle Music/Harsh Reality Music/CD

Ah, the casino. One place losers are welcome! This is an accomplished short album by Don Campau and Chris Phinney, and they also produced it. The 28 minutes and 36 seconds, and 9 tracks, fly by.

I've always loved Don's vocal style, and the always humorous side to his music He doesn't take himself too seriously. This album shows Don & Chris to be musicians with an eclectic taste, and there is no particular genre of music which dominates. So, though I'll be pigeonholing (!) things in that typically lazy journo way, there's nuances of all sorts of music in the various tracks.

Title track 'The Black Ace' is a catchy opener, with dry lyrics on the perils of gambling, and some atmospheric synth. The moody psychedelia of 'What's Going On?' follows, then the third track, 'So And So Reclining On Her Couch', has intriguing lyrics from Wallace Stevens and a dreamy industrial sound. I love the watery effects especially. 'The Palm' is a short, experimental, guitar driven instrumental, which would have been fun if it had been more expansive. Soft rock and surreal lyrics surface in 'Depression Before Spring', while 'Cry Hail' is a swirling soundscape. 'Shocked By Lightning' is New Wave, with powerful synth and a fine guitar solo. The penultimate track, 'The House Was Quiet', is experimental with a hypnotic rhythm. 'Silent Rites' is laid back rock with an electronica backdrop. Great witty line here: "I'm not going to sit here and argue with god/because she always wins and then I feel dejected".

'The Black Ace' is a good album, with excellent playing from Don and Chris, strong songs, and Don's lyrics are inspired. Sadly, good lyrics seem increasingly elbowed aside in favour of puerile pap these days. Some music lovers do have intelligence, and like a song to be the whole package. You can do worse than check out the underground scene, where you'll find a lot of innovative music, made by people who don't have their heads up their own backsides. Anyway, with this album comes a playing card. If I've been dealt a good hand I win a prize. Ah, the casino. I'll be welcome then!

- Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.

This album is $8 postpaid to the USA. International is $10 postpaid. Available from: LONELY WHISTLE MUSIC, PO Box 9162, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, U.S.A.

Don Campau has been a long-time supporter of underground/alternative artists, through his appropriately titled 'No Pigeonholes' show on KKUP radio in California, and his Lonely Whistle Music label.

Don is an accomplished artist himself, and his 1986 album, 'Paralyzed By The Very Thought', was a notable example of his talents.

Here, Don explains what his website is all about:

"The World Of Underground Music and Radio
This site is dedicated to the music of people outside of the music industry, people doing weird, experimental sounds or just personal expression for the love of it. It is about people making contact with other people and not about "product" being pushed. CDs can be purchased but they can also be traded and contact with the artist is direct. Below, you will find links to various underground and home recording projects. Discover the world outside of the mainstream."

Find out more here:
http://www.doncampau.com/