Customer Reviews

Introducing Cadallaca

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have to disagree with the other reviewer who gave this CD only one star...the magic of Cadallaca is that the women who are in the band are major talents in the own right (Sarah Dougher, and excellent songwriter; sts, a drummer on a number of albums including Dougher's Day One; and Corin Tucker, frontwoman of Sleater-Kinney). It seems that the ¨lo-fi¨ approach to music making that Cadallaca adopts is purposeful-- this is music that flows naturally from both voices and instruments. Its that special kind of music that is appealing to listen to and that doesn't require virtuoso performers to make it happen.

About the songs themselves: by and large they are sipmle yet catchy. The lyrics are witty and evocative in a number of places (¨don't condescend to me in starched white cuffs,¨ in ¨Two Beers Later¨ is a great line), and some of the songs are charmingly sensitive, such as on the final track of the album. ¨Oh Chenilla¨ is truly a ¨queer¨ song (the gay themes in this album are unmistakable). Even the ¨Cadallaca Theme¨, and instrumental track, is a catchy tune. There are a few songs that don't quite work as well as the others (¨June and July¨ causes this reviewer to reach for the fast-forward button). But on the whole, this album is well worth a listen to fans with eclectic tastes and who aren't put off by the low-tech approach to music making.

Okay, when I first purchased this CD, I thought it would sound like Sleater-Kinney or Heavens to Betsy. Needless to say, my initial impression of Introducing Cadallaca was a bit low and I'd nearly dismissed it as being a goofy yet failed experiment.

Nevertheless I forced myself to put the CD on while driving in my car and, well, it just sort of grew on me--quick! Maybe it had something to do with the fact that it was summertime and the songs really do have a quirky, off-kilter, roll-down-the-car-windows-and-bounce-along-with-the-tunes quality to them. Whatever the reason, I now love this disc. The songs are purposely spare and garage-y retro (just listen to the synthesizer riffs! ) and the ladies (and one guy) sound like they had fun with this project. My favorite, perhaps, is "Night Vandals", which sounds like a 90's version of the Velvet Underground's "Murder Mystery."

Put simply, if you're looking for a fun record that's a good deal lighter than the guitar crunch of Sleater-Kinney, I highly suggest Introducing Cadallaca.

It's really not too often that a band like this comes along. Refreshing, nostalgic, harmonious, and oh so fine! is how you could describe Cadallaca. This trio is like the drunk date you want no committment from, but you know you want to take her home for the night, and who could resist. The tale of Cadallaca all started with the farfisa organ that Sarah Dougher aquired. This organ is what gives the band its raw and organic sound, along with the heart breaking voice of Corin and the drumming of STS. What makes the band more wonderous is that they have all given themselves alter egos. Kissy, Dusty, and Junior are the alter egos of Corin Tucker (Sleater Kinney+Heavens to Betsy), Sarah Dougher and STS (formerly of the Lookers). From Introducing Cadallaca you will get the feeling that the girls of Cadallaca like to have fun. You will feel irresponsilbe as you let yourself go wild. The melodies and harmonies will stick in your head, leaving you desperate for some more of what Cadallaca has to offer. This is true rock & roll style. And if they ever break up, I know that the Cadallaca spirit will live on in all of us.

"Out West" Cadallaca's new album due out Dec. 7th 2000 on KRS records.

Breathe it deep, because in the stale state that music has lingered in for the past few years, we've all needed a cool breeze, and these girls deliver it by twisting and tweaking the old staples into something original. The inclusion of the organ is always an interesting touch (see Nick Cave, Murder City Devils) and these ladies pull it off quite well.
The songs are raw and a little rough around the edges, and that's part of the charm; it lends more credibility and emotive qualities to the music. The album gives the feeling that Cadallaca is onto something, and while it's not yet perfect, these ladies are just the ones to get it there.

So I first listened to Cadallaca thinking I would hear Corin's loud, gorgous voice yelling back at me, unfortunately (well, it's not awful or anything but I like Corin's voice) Sarah does most of the vocals. I really didn't like this group to start with but I warmed up to them soon enough. I definately wouldn't call this album ground-breaking, or even amazing. But it's a good addition to your collection. Admittedly I still prefere Bikini Kill, Heavens to Betsy (Corin's former group, and wow do we miss them), Excuse 17, Third Sex, Longstocking etc. Cadallaca is definately worth a listen.

Can this thing only give 5 stars? Ok, so maybe you won't believe me because I sound like a raving freak of a fan. I'll tone it down a bit and give you the facts. Cadallaca is Corin Tucker (of Sleater-Kinney), Sarah Dougher and STS (both of the Lookers). I would say that Cadallaca is a pretty even blend of the Lookers' pop sensibilities and S-K's rock-o-rama. And with Sarah and Corin penning the songs, you just can't go wrong. I'm really at a loss for words. Trust me and buy the damn thing.

When I put in this album on to hear it for the first time, my initial though was how the music on it could be comparable to the sparse, harsh and infectious sounds of heavens to betsy (with the addition of Farsifa organ and more vocal variety)...I could compare them to Sleater Kinney, but I always liked H2B better.

Maybe I should back up here a moment and fill you in on who Cadallaca is (in case you haven't heard the news). Cadallaca consists of three members: kissy -aka- Corin Tucker (of sleater kinney and formerly of heavens to betsy), dusty -aka- Sarah Dougher, and junior -aka- sts (who plays in The Lookers with dusty -aka-...well you get the picture). There must be an ongoing trend of all-star groups these day (see aislers set).... Well I'm not about to complain.

As I continued to let the album play, I noticed a more soft of an edge to the album than I initially suspected. The two tracks that struck me the hardest would probably be "your one wish" and "winter storm `98" which happen to be the first and last tracks on "introducing", respectively, and vary greatly in their mood. "Your one wish" has the sound I would expect from the members of Cadallaca (in a butt-kicking, sort of way), starting out with minimal bass and drum (no. it's not that wack techno "drum and bass" stuff) with harsh vocals brought to us by Sarah telling us about our "one wish that " we'll "never get" (actually the lyric goes "your one wish, you'll never get"...I don't really take it all that personally) and continues to rock from then on. The rest of the album blasts off with Corin and Sarah alternating vocals at times, at other times harmonizing, and part of the time showing off, solo style. "winter storm `98" winds down the album, staring off with a beat that is funky enough to breakdance to, and is actually soothingly pretty, yet, sad. OK. It's a breakup song, and I'm a sucker for those kind of ditties. The setting of the song is in the snow and paints a picture of a person abandoned by her sweetheart, standing outside, reminiscing about the past. "inside I feel very still and I wonder if you will come out with me/ I turn around/ I see my footprints on the ground/ not like it was in '96, not like it was..."

Overall, I would have to say that Cadallaca rocks and rolls (and is awesome!) -L

i like this cd a lot better than sleater-kinney. you can pretty much listen to it all the time, as long as the vocals don't grate on you too much. the first 3 songs are probably the best and very singable. "pocket games" is [pooh], "night vandals" is just [a little bit similar to] the need... then it gets better with "2 beers later", one of my favorite songs. "o chenilla"...sad rejection song but decent. the instrumental track is boring and the last two songs are pretty good. my review doesn't sound that great but i'm probably not doing it justice though.

As Sleater-Kinney becomes something more permanent -- solid, but slipping into more-of-the-sameness -- it's great to hear members branching off in new directions.

While the S-K catalog continues to grow in quality and quantity, the band seems to be less and less interesting -- too familiar. This is a natural product of being regularly called the world's best rock band; how can one live up to such expectations?

The answer is to split off into intresting side projects. In this case, S-K's Corin Tucker joins with organist/vocalist Sarah Douglas and drummer sts. The result is an airy, eerie girl-band album that employs familiar guitar and vocal motifs but puts them in a new, exciting conext. It's a beautiful pop-rock album that culminates in the haunting, penultimate "Firetrap."

Fans of Sleater-Kinney can complain that it's not Sleater-Kinney; but to my ears, this 1998 gem is just as good.

When a band can't really play or sing they should try to bring something else to the table: imagination, passion, interesting sounds, good lyrics or a sense of humor. Cadallaca has brought nothing. Introducing Cadallaca is without doubt the worst CD I have ever purchased. They are a total disgrace and an embarrasment to female musicians who have a tough enough time breaking into the guitar rock world without groups like this perpetuating stereotypes of girls not being able to play and getting by on their looks.