ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ON DISC
Sweatshop Union
Natural Progression
Battle Axe Records
The Vancouver hip-hop collective Sweatshop Union is back with their sophomore
release Natural Progression. With original beats and stylish rhymes, the Union
has put out a great album.
A healthy mix of up-beat and laid-back songs Natural Progression will keep
you moving through all 18 tracks. As their name suggests, Sweatshop Union uses
their music to push a politically-charged message.
The album is on Vancouver hip-hop label Battle Axe Records, which is owned
by Mad Child of the Swollen Members. The fact this album is so catchy and smart
is a good reason that Battle Axe and the Swollen Members are giving it serious
backing. But the Members better not push it too hard because there’s
a good chance Sweatshop will be crowned the new kings of Van City hip-hop.
—Myles DeRosse
Thor
Beastwomen From The Center Of The Earth
Antimatter Records
Don’t let the hilarious name fool you; Beastwomen From The Center Of
The Earth is no joke. This serious, hard rock album dubs itself a “rock
odyssey” — one that’ll kick you in the face with steel-toed
boots if you look at it sideways.
Predictably, the disc chronicles the rise and fall of an evil race of beastwomen
who hail from — you guessed it — the centre of the earth. If this
seems bizarre, look no further for an explanation than the band’s lead
singer, John Mikl Thor. It’s not surprising Thor’s voice sounds
like it comes from a man who could crush your skull with his bare hands.
Thor teams up on Beastwomen with Mick Hoffman to produce a spin-off comic
book series, one which enhances the album’s mysterious, sexy and scantily-clad
beastwomen culture.
—Arthur Thuot
