Rating: *** (3 out of 4)

Availability:Widely Available

Shoot some Morphine into your CD player and discover the wonders of Low Rock.

Uber Independent label Rykodisc brings us this three-piece band from hell. Mark Sandman on 2-string slide bass and vocals, Dana Colley on baritone sax, and Billy Conway on drums. Together, they form some of the funkiest, coolest, and most bass-heavy music from a modern rock band.

The bass throbs its way through "Radar" and "I Had My Chance," while the sax bleats and wails in "Honey White" and "Sharks." Through it all, Mark Sandman's baritone/bass voice delivers the lyrics in a hlaf-sung, half-spoken fashion, occasionally breaking out of the music for a moment of drama, as in "Radar" and the spooky bass-backed monologue, "The Jury." Through it all, the funk never stops.

Morphine has some slick music, and some pure soul/funk moments. There are times when the music nearly collapses in on itself, only to leap back to its feet and take center stage again. The slyly sexual lyrics are delivered perfectly with all the emotion they desire.

The opinions expressed in the above reviews are those of Glen Williams and may not represent the views of slac.com or any of its members. Compliments, complaints, and comments should be addressed to gandalf@tricon.net

Reproduction or transmission of the reviews in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.