Danielle Dax
Blast the Human Flower (Sire/Warner Bros. 26126)

It's funny to look back on albums released in the early 90s that would have been considered "alternative" if that had been a clear label. Remember when the Black Crowes were considered an "alternative" band? That early '90s optimism continues to bemuse me. It seems like anything had a chance: EMF, Jesus Jones, Primal Scream … these bands seemed so edgy at the time and yet looking back they are so produced.

Well, I didn't think I'd find a good justification for grunge while reviewing a 1990 Danielle Dax CD, but I must say that without grunge, we would never have gotten past the slick production values of the late '80s, for they were still infecting records into the '90s. It's like labels were always hedging their bets, trying to make something with minimal potential target audience marketable, before realizing it was easier and more profitable to let the bands be bands.

At this point I'll stop the semi-convincing generalizations about an industry I do not understand and get to the review. Blast The Human Flower remains a favorite despite its very early 90s trappings (the sugary trance-beat cover of "Tomorrow Never Knows," for example). Quite a bit of Transvision Vamp-like pop- rock sprinkled throughout(a sound I describe as British musicians trying to do hair metal), with several great songs as well.

"Daisy" is the best track (and in fact one of my "Best songs of the 90s"), truly a song in need of rediscovery. "16 Candles" is incredible, too; sort of like a Byron poem crossed with Donna Summer in her concept-album period.

It's just weird to look back and see that what appeared edgy was really not too far from the Escape Club, when it comes down to it. But I'm not sad, I know that the late 90s will sound just as dated in 10 years when we're all experiencing music directly via Sony Direct Pituitary Radio.

Loud Bassoon rating scale

Review by P.P. Richards