Soviac - "Trilogy Sexlife Rodeo Friscotti" (Chalksounds/MTT Records)
This CD is big on concept, not quite so hot on execution. The idea behind it is that each of Soviac's three members gets a third of the album to produce themselves and to put together as they see fit, with or without the rest of the bands help. It's not quite as high-concept as Kiss' set of albums for each member (or The Melvins' own knockoff, for that matter), but it is still an interesting idea. Problem is, I don't think the band has quite the skills enough to pull it off. It's quite an audacious effort for a band only on their sophomore album and I appreciate the thought and work that went into it, but the results are mixed. Some of it is pretty darn good noisy indie rock, but there's also a lot of what I'd just write off as filler. Lots of good ideas, but too many were developed far enough. Give me more actual songs please. As for the packaging, the decision to use three separate panels for liner notes is really, really cool. Inventive design is always appreciated.