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Lysa
Flores, Tree of Hope, Bring Your Love Records,
1998
"I wish I
was a virgin, so I wouldn't know
how truly fucking lousy you are."
Dollar Drink
Night Dude
Not since the white album. I am obsessed
with this album. I admit it. For about a week now,
I play it at least once a day, often twice. My
cat's going crazy and my coworkers want to kill me.
It's simply a pop masterpiece that will never, ever
get radio play, and that's a fucking shame.
Of course I have a political agenda. I want you
to try something just a little different, something
you never listened to before. Aren't you sick of
Puff Daddy? Aren't you spooked by the way Tupac
Shakur has become the L. Ron Hubbard of "gangsta
rap?"
My first exposure to Lysa Flores took place
during the movie
Star
Maps. As musical producer, she included a track
of her own called Beg Borrow & Steal. This
song, like her new album, Tree of Hope, grows on
you with each listening.
But this album is a masterpiece - an exploration
of alternative pop music forms, complete with a
chicana twist. My votes for best songs are Matisse,
Arizona Winds, Dollar Drink Night Dude, and Mom's
Song. The production values on this album are first
rate, her vocal performances are near perfect, and
the melodies are simply beautiful. Mom's Song
affected moved me in ways I haven't been moved
since the first time I listened to Rubber Soul.
I give it the thumbs up. I don't know how you
can order this album, but I assume you're pretty
resourceful. I bought my copy at Premiere
Aztlan, at the Montebello Shopping Center.
Here's info on the record label:
Bring Your Love
Correspondence
3474 E. First St. #115
Los Angeles, CA 90063
(626) 279-3161
Extra credit for the truly obsessed:
Two of Lysa's songs, Arizona Winds, and Matisse,
also appear on the new Mex Nut release,
Barrios Artistas Vol. 1, Chicana
Alternative. This album is great if you're open
to new Chicano Rock with a decidedly harder edge.
The artists include Quetzal, Calavera, Cactus
Flower, Announcing Predictions, Marble, Motita,
Jabom, and John Vatos.
An interesting look into Lysa's creative process
- her two tracks on Barrios Artistas were produced
by Eddie Ayala and Norwood Fisher. While the songs
are structured almost identically, the songs were
overproduced with unnecessary instruments and sound
effects. The tracks on the relatively minimalist
production on Tree of Hope are superior in almost
every respect. Try them both, and tell
me
what you think!
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