Cicada - Hazmat Modine

I am a big fan of Natalie Merchant, so I jumped on this CD without hesitation after reading, that Natalie is singing a song on it. What a disappointment!! Her vocals are barly recognizable, it could have been sung by so many other female singer. As this phenomenon keeps repeating itself, I really get sick of being lured into buying a CD featuring guest-stars without listening to it before. For instance, I own a bunch of CDs with Gillian Welch on it and still can't make out a trace of her proper voice!So, if you enjoy blues-harp and New Orleans-type brass with croaky vocals, this might be something for you. If you like Natalie Merchant go for her landmark-CD Leave your sleep!

a superb album with lots of musical influences from blues to african ,very fine musicianship and songwriting with lots of character.

Excellent

husband loves it, bit of a noise to me.

I have to confess that 'Cicada' is not the kind of album I would normally listen to. Having picked up a copy as part of a bunch of freebies I was given recently, however, I have to say I am impressed!Combining New Orleans style Jazz with some gritty Harmonica playing, Van Morrisson like vocals and (incredibly!) a brass band Hazmat Modine has created a thoroughly intoxicating and refreshingly different album here. I do agree with another reviewer here that 'Child of a Blind Man' featuring Natalie Merchant does not really give Natalie's vocals a chance to shine but what she is asked to do she does well and the track itself is still cool to listen to.There is more than a hint of the blues underlying a lot of the album as well and the harmonica playing is absolutely sublime. Rather more on the side of say Captain Beefheart than Stevie Wonder it is never the less controlled and tuneful rather than abstract and experimental. Vocally, tracks like the opener, 'Mocking Bird' have some nice layers and harmonies and lead singer, Wade Schuman has a gloriously rich and expressive voice that instantly grabs your attention.My only criticism of this record is that to my mind the re-working of 'I've Been Lonely For So Long' doesn't really come off. The track never really flows and Schuman's vocals have a 'stop-start' disruptive feel to them. This said, soul music is a lot closer to home for me so just maybe I am thrust a bit too far out of my comfort zone to really appreciate the innovation on this occasion.Overall though, 'Cicada' is a valuable addition to anyone's collection and is sure to delight those who love something a bit different.

Hazmat Modine - Cicada (Jaro)With contributions from Natalie Merchant, Gangbe Brass Band and the Kronos Quartet, It would appear, on paper at least, that Hazmat Modine's second LP "Cicada" might be a little difficult to categorize. I shouldn't have worried, though they devour their influences like a hungry pooch on a bowl of Pedigree Chum.New Orleans jazz, Louis Jordan - check out "Two Forty Seven" - blues and bluegrass, reggae and soul, all come together to shape a satisfying whole. Wade Schuman, the group's frontman and principal writer has a most agreeable growl, which he often speaks rather than sings, and the effect isn't unlike Leon Russell fronting a chugging, bluesy jazz band. As for that category, file it under brassy, bold and immensely entertaining.

I am prompted to write a review to balance out the meagre 3 stars awarded by another reviewer - simply because this album turned out not to feature the reviewer's beloved Natalie Merchant as strongly as he hoped (having bought it on spec purely because she features).Hazmat Modine synthesise a whole host of musical influences from around the globe but to my ears the overall feel is a kind of Egyptian reggae roots blues intermingled with New Orleans jazz. Anyway the key thing is that the music is joyful, foot tapping and tinged with humour.Their previous album Bahamut is a masterpiece - and the band are a breath of fresh air. Hazmat Modine are a major find in my search for original and creative contemporary music. Another being Nguyen Le - who also synthesises a multitude of influences in a different way and from a more jazz based viewpoint - but that is another story!However, if you find Hazmat Modine exciting and refreshing you may also want to check out "Phantom Songs" by 17 Hippies, which is an exotic cocktail of largely European influences that really should not work - but it does!5 stars and "hurray" for Hazmat Modine and Cicada - NOT 3!

excellent