January 21–28, 1999

music

Hear Here

: Delusions of Grandeur (Record Cellar), the second album by Buzz Zeemer (Philly's answer to the Traveling Wilburys), mines that expanse between '90s modern rock and '70s folk-pop. And as surprising as this is for me to admit, I actually like it. The lineup for this album includes core members Frank Brown and Tommy Conwell as well as guest appearances by onetime Low Road frontman Mike Brenner and Original Sins keyboardist Dan McKinney. As the chipper and strummy tunes bounce along, it's easy to picture the members of Buzz Zeemer driving their beat-up VW bus against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. The influences of bossa nova and '50s doo-wop occasionally rear their heads, but mostly these are laid-back, jangly, semi-acoustic tunes.

Buzz Zeemer will play on Sat., Feb. 20, at Upstairs at Nick's. Record Cellar, P.O. Box 188, Bala Cynwyd, PA, 19004.

The Rob Dickenson Band is the kind of group you'd expect to happen upon in a small, out-of-the-way pub. Though Dickenson penned all of the ballads his group plays on Tall Tales & Short Stories, you'd think they'd been in his family for generations. Dickenson spins tales full of biblical references and Civil War veterans in a warm, oakey vocal that makes it sound as if he's recounting the wisdom of the ages even when, as in the case of "Talk a Little Treason," he's just slamming lawyers: "They watch us in our slumber/ they qualify our dreams/ they empty out our pockets/ to pay for their schemes." The accordion swells and mandolin licks add a pluckiness or dirge-like demeanor to the guitar numbers and hint at the songs' roots in Celtic folk and bluegrass. If you did happen upon The Robert Dickenson Band in a small pub, you'd probably tap your toe through their set, but may not remember many of the melodies when the group was done playing . Still, they are a charming outfit whose music would go well with a pint of hard cider.

Rob Dickenson can be contacted at 15 North Wawaset Road, West Chester, PA 19382.

Back on the Ranch: From the "Where Are They now?" file comes Spahn Ranch's new album Beat Noir (Cleopatra). Former Philadelphian and onetime Executive Slacks and Tubalcain frontman Athan Maroulis is back with another collection of ominous techno-pop. Though much of Beat Noir's sound has a basis in '80s synth-rock, L.A.'s Spahn Ranch keeps it fresh with the pitter-patter of drum 'n' bass beats and the occasional injection of hip-hop. Keyboard stabs and oscillator swooshes play off Maroulis' echo-drenched vocals. As predictable as this goth confection might seem, it's a formula that proves to still have its share of grooving moments. Maroulis also compiled the recent four-disc compilation The Black Bible (Cleopatra), which collects rare tracks from Bauhaus, Legendary Pink Dots, Christian Death and Fields of the Nephilim. Hey all you young goths, it's time you found out about all those artists who wore pancake makeup long before Marilyn came on the scene.

Return of Rasheed: On the new single "Unusual Suspects," Maylay Sparks (a.k.a. Rasheed) and Kimachi weigh in on the black American dream and 52 bus ciphers. The arrangement is little more than a three-note jazz piano lick, but Jay-ski's scratching gives it characteristic edge. Rasheed and Kimachi's approach is forceful without being abrasive or over the top. Plus you have to give props to any rappers who can string "novelist" with "populous," "solace" and "hostage." The B-side "I Mani" is a little smoother with a creeping bass line punctuated by a crisp rat-a-tat snare. A guest appearance by Krush B brings up the energy level a notch, not that it's really necessary, because the ricochet flow is tense enough to keep your attention.

For more information, contact Quake Records at 215-492-4257.