Medicine is the cure

RATING: * * * *

by Heather Smith

A band known for exceptional pop songs and extensive guitar "noises," Medicine has just released a new album and is touring the United States. Although somewhat unheard of, this hard-working group has been around since the 1980s, growing out of Los Angeles' art-punk underground.

After being picked up by a British label, Creation, in 1991, the band released their debut, Shot Forth Self Living . A year later, American Records re-released the album here in the U.S. In 1993 they released their most popular album yet, The Buried Life , which challenged guitar players everywhere with strange new noises. For a third album Medicine coagulated remixes and B-sides, thus creating Sounds of Medicine .

Although Brad Laner, Beth Thompson, and Jim Goodall have been playing and recording together for a long time, they have remained largely underground since their debut on the scene.

Her Highness , Medicine's fourth release, hails from a completely different world than its earlier works. This time instead of feedback and noise, they have a smooth, melodic sound. They concentrated more on songs that on sounds.

Beth Thompson's angelic voice drifts over the simple rhythm section blending with Brad Laner's soft and low vocals. With innovative guitar sounds they do resemble My Bloody Valentine, but create a more eerie and emotionally cathartic sound.

On the newest release, the songs are emotional, not intellectual. The lyrics are sketchy, causing listeners to form their own story behind the song.

A few phrases choicely pulled out will make total sense, but the song requires extra imagination and effort to decipher. Maybe that's because the lyrics aren't supposed to make sense -- rather, they are meant simply to evoke emotion.

You can see Medicine along with opening band Sixteen Deluxe for only five bucks at the door of the Urban Art Bar located at 112 Milam on Sunday, Sept. 17. Call 225-0500 for more info.

This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the September 15, 1995 issue.

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