Search - Op8, Lisa Germano :: Slush

Opiate for the masses.....

03/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maybe one day that will be the case and this mind-blowing record will get the full blown fame it deserves. Given the group's quiet confidence, total control and the artistry every song exudes this is thankfully inevitable. (though hopefully not with a Nick Drake-esque time lag) The songs are wonderfully diverse, some are covers of course, all imaginatively constructed with Lisa Germano's lilting voice always fitting the mood. 'Sand' is a great beginning, 'Lost in Space' floats on air, soft, poetic and beguiling, and 'When I think of love' hits the spot with perceptive lyrics and simple striking music. Best of all though, is 'Cracklin' Water' an instant classic, complex, and certainly one of the finest songs of the nineties. The song never fails to convert even those of little faith and guarantees that 'Slush' will remain as cool as ice for posterity. Don't pass it up...."

OP8 (featuring Lisa Germano) - Slush

theosprastus x | India | 06/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an album that really shines as the sum of its parts.

Opener 'Sand' is a pretty impressive cover that does exactly what a cover should; pay tribute to the original while giving it the covering artist's touch (it also inspired me to check out more of Nancy Sinatra's work). The only misstep the song makes is reversing the roles of the man and the woman which ends up making it silly instead of quirky. The individual styles of the contributors comes into the fore in songs featuring each of their vocals. But the best of the songs are those that have a more distinctive and slightly progressive approach such as the spacy 'Lost in Space' and 'Cracklin' Water' (the best, and longest track on the album). 'If I Think of Love', 'Its a Rainbow' and 'Tom, Dick and Harry' are songs typical of Germano with simple verses such as "If I think of love, I think of you" repeated to magical effect. Similarly, 'Leather' reminds of Howe Gelb's solo stuff and 'Never See it Coming' of Calexico. 'OP8' is a very polished instrumental track and my personal favourite on the album.



I can't think of another collaboration that showcases the styles of the different artists this well. At over 50 mins of quality music, and negligible flaws this should be on the must get list of fans of any of the bands mentioned.



Score: 9/10"

At long last

Peter Palermo | Lebanon, IL | 05/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This re-issue is most welcome. The cd marks a collaboration with Germano and Howe Gelb's Giant Sand. It also marks the beginng, I think, of Calexico's birth - out from under the large shadow of Gelb's creativity. "Lost in Space" and "never see it coming" will be instantly recognizable to Calexico fans. Funny to hear Gelb sing his own veiled and ironic lyrics over Joey Burn's tune in the latter song. Burn's, obviously, has a deep love for the traditional sounds of the desert southwest, pulling from the spanish and mexican music that fills that area, while Gelb is a rocker cut from the Lou Reed mold. A very self-aware post-modernist.All the pieces come together on Lee Hazelwood's "sand" and the true collaboration "Cracklin Water". You can hear the subtle hand of Burns, the puckish informality of Gelb, and the confidence of Convertino's druming. This album was recorded just before Convertino and Burns recorded their own break-through album "the black light", and took a long hiatus from Gelb's Giant Sand. There is said to have been some rancor as, perhaps, Gelb saw his side men explode in popularity, leaving him behind. But this album marks a time prior to that break-up, and Germano must have given the boys a focus outside themselves and their tensions onto which they could safely pour their creativity.If you're a fan of Calexico or Giant Sand, this is a "must have"."