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Abby Travis Singer/songwriter/bassist Abby Travis is an L.A. fixture, having been an integral part of the local punk and glam-rock scenes and an alumnus of Elastica, KMFDM and countless other bands. With her dark movie-star looks and eclectic style, she's always captivated the in-crowd.
Abby manages to sound heavy with emotion and sardonically playful at the same time. She works miracles on her brand new album, "Cutthroat Standards & Black Pop," just released on the independent label Educational Recordings. Working with stalwart musicians like keyboardist/co-producer Kristian Hoffman, DJ Bonebrake (known as X's drummer but here showing his vibraphone chops), violinist Petra Haden (more about her later), guitarist-mandolin man Robert Lloyd, drummer Carla Azar, ex-Blondie guitarist Frank Infante and many more, Travis creates a world of her own. This used to be the norm for vocalists, but as sophistication and atmosphere - and, for that matter, singing - have largely been replaced in pop production by bombast and schmaltz, it has a renewed novelty.
The album winds up with "The Hate Song," a partial return to Travis' glorious glam-rock past that's also one of the most memorable kiss-off tunes in some time. All in all, it's a stunningly consistent batch of smart, evocative material delivered with assurance and style.
So pick up the album and catch the show. Remember: Life may or may not be a cabaret, but the handful of artists who make it feel like one deserve your support. --Simon Glickman Photo
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Abby's
taken an intriguing turn in her work of late, mostly abolishing the
guitar-heavy anthems of her last album and crafting a tasty cabaret-pop
hybrid that leans heavily on keyboards and strings. This setting suits
her deep, smoky pipes quite nicely and permits her more room for nuance.
Suffice
to say that "Cutthroat Standards" sounds like a beguiling,
cinematic combination of Brecht/Weill, Bacharach, Nina Simone and mid-period
Roxy Music, among other elements. When, in the middle of "Have
I Got A Deal For You," Travis lapses into guttural German, some
listeners may be reminded of Roxy's "Bitter-Sweet" (from "Country
Life"). Then "Sunday Is The Day For Love" offsets its
sprightly bossa nova (replete with cheerful "ba BA BA" backup
vocals) with tough-minded emotional realism. "Hangover Flower"
is a typically perverse metaphor capturing Travis' supreme sense of
irony, stuffed in a suitably lovely, old-world melodic vase.
"Everything's
Wonderful" opens with yearning strings and beautifully evokes the
thin membrane that forms over recent emotional catastrophe. Brian Grillo's
song "Sometimes I Wish I Had A Gun" finds her in temptress
mode. And the sultry, jazzy soundscape recalls some bizarre conflation
of Nancy Sinatra and Morphine. 
The
only thing missing to complete the experience is the electrifying visuals
of an Abby Travis performance. Fortunately, LA residents have an excellent
opportunity to experience these. Travis will be appearing at an all-star
benefit for Petra Haden (formerly of local faves That Dog, seriously
injured in a recent car accident and in need of help with medical bills)
at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood on Sunday, November 26. The event,
which kicks off at 3 p.m. and continues until midnight on two stages,
also features performances by Beck, members of the Go-Go's, Exene Cervenka,
Tenacious D and many more. © 2000 MASH magazine, All Rights Reserved.