March '97 Volume 5 Issue 3 Not The Joneses 3-song cassette Spire Records Featured on this cassette are three songs from their forthcoming release and if they're any indication of what the rest of the material sounds like, we're all in for a treat. Not The Joneses is not your typical band; that much is for certain. They have managed to create something that is original to the point that if they needed a label to describe their music it would be almost impossible. Sure, it's easy to relate some of the music to other songs by their peers, but this band shows off their flair for writing material that is diverse. What is suprising here is that each song contained on this cassette stands out and holds your attention (although that is the point of a "sampler" tape). The first song, "Ashes To Ashes," is a combination of '70s psychedelic rock and '90s contemporary alternative. Think Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds meets, well, any '90s contemporary alternative band (you were warned about labeling these guys). They even had the cleverness to add a vocal melody to a few lines in the chorus that sound strangely familiar to Ring Around The Rosie (I know it sounds bizarre but it's actually very cool). "One Time Woman" is a pop-rock tune complete with a nice groove coming from the rhythm section and what sounds like a Wurlitzer organ playing a flowing melody in the background. Very nice. The final song, "Tantalize," is a much more aggressive tune that shows off the grungier side of this band. The guitar solo is a bit too frazzled and hyper, but it's a minor complaint, and does nothing to take the enjoyment out of the song. Keep up the good work guys. - Mark Bruno You can also see this review posted on Showcase Music Magazine's Review Page on their web site...