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TEST SPINS
JUNE 2002
VOL 12.12
TUATARA
Cinemathique
(Fast Horse)
The exotica revival has come and gone, but don't tell that to Tuatara. Yes, the casual supergroup featuring Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows), Justin Harwood (ex-Luna) and guiding hand Barrett Martin (ex-Screaming Trees) has stretched the concept to a third album. A steady flow of bongos, congas, vibes and marimba sustains the Tiki atmosphere, while the rest of the gang happily skips between various keyboard, wind and stringed instruments. The relaxed, wordless grooves aren't exactly headbanging fodder, but they do work as pleasant mood music. Saxophonist Skerik blows some good licks, and neat tinkles of gamelan percussion turn up on "The Melting Sun." Two darker genre pastiches (the film-noir "A Thin Gray Pickpocket" and the self-explanatory "Action Thriller") are the most flavorful cuts, while "In the Passing Lane" finally adds a bit of adrenaline. Don't take the disc too seriously, and just enjoy its classy musicianship.
Grade: B
ERIC BROOME |
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