Big Dipper

The major label debut (and demise) of melodic Boston smarty-pants Big Dipper, Slam isn't all that fondly remembered by the band or fans. But it boasts one of the group's all-time-great tracks: the glorious, gleeful "Love Barge," which celebrates a relationship's wreckage. And anyone who likes clever wordplay, catchy choruses and loud guitars is bound to enjoy typical Dipper rockers such as "The Bond" and "Blood Pact."

Remember Pop Rocks, the tiny pieces of carbonated sugar that sat in your hand and sizzled
in your mouth? Big Dipper plays that sort of pop rock: On record the band lies colorful and
insignificant, but apply a little human flesh to it (ninety-five-percent water) and it snaps and
zings. Slam, the Dips' major-label debut after three indie releases, is the product of an
all-out effort to crystallize the live essence of the Boston quartet in the studio. S... More >

Marginally more lyrical on Epic than on Homestead (less like the Embarrassment, which I take as evolution rather than compromise), their one great new postpunk moment is called "Monsters of Jazz" (about music, natch). They exemplify Amerindie's throw-it-up-against-the-wall phase--modestly talented bands granted their arbitrary shot, stiffing, and diluting the credibility and capital available to inspired music. No tragedy, because it isn't important enough. Just sad. (Grade: C+)