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It's all relative
By Jimmy Draper
AS ALL THE Jacksons
whose names aren't Michael can attest, 2003 was an especially tough
year for those with famous familial affiliations. But while Tito
and company could write the book on being overshadowed by a more
celebrated – or at least more eccentric – superstar
in the family, a handful of other acts have recently suffered similar
neglect. Despite releasing some of the past 12 months' most enjoyable
albums, the following artists were unfairly dissed, dismissed, and
flat-out ignored primarily because it can be damn near impossible
for a famous music star's child or sibling to be taken seriously.
Solange Knowles and Ashlee Simpson, you've been warned.
Dannii Minogue If
the extra n and i in her name smack of attention-getting
desperation, that's probably because Danielle "Dannii"
Minogue has spent her life trying to catch up to big sis Kylie.
And as the less talented, attractive, and successful of the sibs,
lil' Dannii has had to be especially creative – i.e., taking
ridiculous liberties with her spelling – in order to make a
name for herself. But if she's remained more LaToya than Janet to
Kylie's Michael since putting out Neon Nights (Ultra) in
the early '90s – her recent stateside debut following a handful
of mediocre, import-only albums – could change that. It's just
unfortunate that so few people here have yet to discover the album's
way-gay whirlwind of disposable pop disco, kinky cyborg vox, and
dirrty double entendres recalling the heydays of Stacey Q and Cathy
Dennis. For some of the year's most mindless dance-floor fun, check
the hump 'n' grind good times of "Put the Needle on It,"
"Push," and the ode to, uh, battery-powered pleasure,
"Vibe On." In the words of Paula Abdul, another obvious
Dannii influence, shut up and dance.
Brassy's Muffin Spencer
Jon Spencer may be long past his blues-exploding prime, but
listeners still can't accept Muffin Spencer as anything but the
NYC hipster's sib. Which ain't her fault, of course. After all,
the big-mouthed Brassy singer-guitarist has far more musically in
common with pop rapper Betty Boo than with her own flesh and blood
these days. On her band's second and better album, Gettin' Wise
(Wiiija), Muffin et al forgo the Beasties-ality of their past in
favor of an even slinkier, funkier hip-pop and rock pastiche. Still,
their party jams would only be half as fun if Muffin didn't possess
a persona that's infinitely brassier, sassier, and smart-assier
than that of her bro – and most of the rock underground as
a whole.
Lisa Marie Presley
Sure, a Rolling Stone cover story and Top 10 album hardly
qualify Lisa Marie Presley as one of the year's most overlooked
artists. Then again, it's difficult to deny that Presley received
most of that attention because she's Elvis's daughter – not
because of her actual artistry, which seemed lost amid an
onslaught of photo spreads, interviews, and TV appearances. Contrary
to all the reviews ridiculing it, however, To Whom It May Concern
(Capitol) is an impressive debut that suffered from the ridiculous
expectation that LMP would hold her own against daddy dearest's
legacy. No one can meet that challenge, and LMP deserves
more credit for her music – overcountrified, Sheryl Crow-esque
rock – than she's been given. She sings like a rougher and
tougher Cher, snarling, howling, and even curling her lip like pappy
while detailing the countless chips on her shoulder. Moody and a
wee bit melodramatic – a good thing! – the album is a
perfect extension of LMP's over-the-top, take-no-shit personality
teetering between that of a camp icon and a truly affecting new
talent.
Allison Moorer Because
Shelby Lynne's the rowdiest country star who isn't a Dixie Chick,
it's easy to understand why Allison Moorer is often dwarfed by her
big sister's brash, no-bullshit behavior. Even so, the more understated
Moorer is arguably the better artist, her trio of impeccable studio
albums bending the rules of trad C&W with forays into rock, blues,
pop, and torch songs. Never mind that Lynne's Identity Crisis
got more attention this year – check out Moorer's first live
release, Show (Universal South). Culling selections from
her entire repertoire and singing the living daylights out of them,
Moorer recorded a gut-busting sort of best-of that – even when
her sis steps in to sing on a few numbers – proves she's in
no danger of succumbing to Celebrity Sibling Syndrome.
Top 10
1. Dixie Chicks
kick against the pricks
2. Cat Power,
You Are Free (Matador)
3. Northern State
4. Beyoncé,
"Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy" (Sony)
5. www.katesullivan.blogspot.com
6. Pink versus
Xtina
7. Kathleen Edwards,
Failer (Zoe/Rounder)
8. Babs, MTV's
Making the Band 2
9. www.popbitch.com
10. Aislers Set
at Great American Music Hall
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last month's noise.
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