"Album Reviews"
Sponsored In Part By
Kevin Andrews - A Manhattan Day in the Life
Caprice International Records
The subtitle to this album is "Broadway Pop and Theater Rock." Indeed,
there is a kind of kitschy, campy showbiz vibe present throughout this
disc. But I must be missing something. I just don’t get it! The songs are
flat and very one dimensional. The arrangements are cluttered and tend
to obscure the tunes instead of allowing them to blossom and develop. This
stuff would probably really fly on the Dr. Demento show but as far as straight
pop, it’s hard to say. But, I’ll say this, Kevin Andrews seems like an
interesting "personality" that might shine better in a different context
like hip-hop, for example.
- Eric Harabadian
Artension - Forces of Nature
Shrapnel Records
If you are looking for a technical sort of band with metal and progressive
overtones, this band delivers! Artension is a five piece outfit headed
by Ukranian keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij and Swedish guitarist Roger Staffelbach.
Rounded out by powerful vocalist John West and a dynamite rhythm section,
the band proves effective in their blend of western rock and neo-classical
styles. Kind of a cross between classic Deep Purple, Rainbow and Yngwie
Malmsteen's Rising Force. Artension will grab you from the first note and
take you on one wild and wooly ride!!!
- Eric Harabadian
Borislav Mitic - Borislav Mitic
Shrapnel Records
Yugoslavian guitarist Mitic is a young up and coming "musician" in the
best sense of that word. Primarily self-taught, the twenty-nine year old
Serbian whiz is a master of classical, rock and improvisational stylings.
Combining the tonality of Blackmore, Hendrix or Malmsteen with the grace
and elegance of Bach and Paganini, Borislav is a singular force to be reckoned
with. Backed by a tight and effective bass and drum team he takes the listener
on a journey filled with lush symphonic textures, multi-cultural delights
and grooving ambience. I give this album one of my highest recommendations!!!
- Eric Harabadian
Texas - The Hush
Mercury/Grand Central Records
Swimming for shore in "In Our Lifetime," groovin’ on a "Sunday Afternoon,"
and reminding us to take the time to love on "The Day Before I Went Away,"
Sharleen Spiteri makes you dance and breaks your heart. The follow-up
to the multi-platinum White On Blonde has just as much potential
as its predecessor. With a voice as strong as pop diva Celine Dion, and
supreme mixing, leaving a sound with a trace of Prince (the greatest influence
on Spiteri), Texas will leave you in awe.
- Tyler Moore
Overmars - Highlife
Lightyear Entertainment
Frontman Brendan Freeney believes his band is moving "from a dark place
or period to a light one." With intriguing lyrics, distinguished blues/soul
guitar licks, and an emotional air about their music, they can attract
some attention. The New York based band just wants to "write good songs
(and be part) of a good album." If you appreciate music that is written
from the heart and soul, they have succeeded.
- Tyler Moore
Fireside - Hello Kids
Startracks/House of Kicks
Fireside are a distinguished Swedish emocore/punk band, and Hello Kids
(a 2 CD affair) documents their rare songs, favorite album tracks, B-sides
and unused songs. CD 2 is a set of covers by the band, their chosen subjects
including Duran Duran and Prince. Angular basslines and awkward guitar
parts are mixed perfectly with interesting chord patterns, while the whole
sound is pinned down by Åström’s perfectly sung vocals and intelligently
written lyrics.
- John Boileau
The Innocence Mission - Birds of My Neighborhood
Kneeling Elephant Records
The Innocence Mission have once again concocted a palette full of memorable
swirling melodies that evoke time, place and spirit. On their fourth album,
both traditional and electrified folk preside over the Victorian rock of
their past. A definite purchase for aficionados of Neil Young, John Denver
(they cover "Follow Me"), Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon.
- Keith Abbott
Human Drama - Solemn Sun Setting
Hollows Hill Sound Recordings
This CD from Human Drama is, in a word, fantastic. Singer/songwriter Johnny
Indovina writes, performs, orchestrates, and sings some of the most incredible
Gothic rock I have ever heard, adding to it a dynamic maturity (the key
word throughout the CD is ‘drama’), and some really wicked orchestration.
Human Drama succeeds where the more pretentious Gothic rock fails; on this
CD, the art, poetry, and beauty are real. This is a CD that I’ve listened
to over and over because it’s just that good; a short review can’t do it
justice.
- Vic Gemmingen
Night & Day - "Dante’s Girl" (single)
Jive Records
Night & Day’s two strong voices share the spotlight for one strong
song from The Wood soundtrack. The slow jams from Flint are real
nice.
- Vic Gemmingen
Will Haven - WHVN
Revelation Records
Grab your combat boots, this album will get you running for the mosh pit!
You can hear Will Haven’s influences all over the hard-core musical spectrum.
Grady Avenell, lead vocals, has a voice that will make any Clutch fan jealous.
Instrumentally, they range from Type O Negative’s lead-ins, to Coal Chamber-style
guitar riffs. Each song has a definite style of its own, and every one
will make fans of the hard-core scene grateful.
- Kelly Shellhaas
Copperpot - Copperpot
Windward Records
This album is full of Stevie Ray Vaughn style guitar riffs and deep bluesy
vocals that will be very popular with classic guitar rock fans of all ages.
Musically, there is not much variance in the songs, but each one is full
of meaningful lyrics and is sung with emotion. This blues and rock combination
is perfect for those of you who still like to rock, but are not into the
mosh pit crowd.
- Kelly Shellhaas
Jake Andrews - Time to Burn
Jericho/Sire Records
Roughly in the last few years there has been quite a significant emergence
of young guitar heroes. One need only check out Jonny Lang or Kenny Wayne
Shepherd to see evidence of that. But then there are some exceptional artists
that come along that stand alone from the pack. Though only eighteen, roots
oriented guitarist and vocalist Jake Andrews approaches his music with
a bravado and maturity that far belies his age. Time to Burn is
a virtual cornucopia of blues, soul, ballads and jazz stylings that showcases
an artist in rare form. Obvious comparisons to Texas greats like the Vaughn
brothers or Johnny Winter will be evident but the kid remains on his own
as well. While his guitar playing is tasteful and heartfelt, Andrews' songwriting
skills and smooth, earthy vocals are simply sublime! If Jake sounds this
good at the dawn of his career, imagine what he'll be like in a year or
two. I know I'll be hanging around to find out!
- Eric Harabadian
Richie Kotzen - Bi-Polar Blues
Shrapnel Records
Guitarist Richie Kotzen has dabbled in a variety of musical arenas, be
it working with Stuart Hamm and Steve Smith on a progressive fusion album,
doing soundtrack work for films or recording and touring with pop-metal
stars Poison. 1999 finds Kotzen going back to the source, paying homage
to blues greats like Robert Johnson and B.B. King as well as exhibiting
his own original writing talents. The talented multi-instrumentalist also
plays bass, piano and even some drums. The results are a mixture of tunes
that are mellow and relaxed yet retain an authentic retro sound and texture.
A must for blues lovers everywhere!!!
- Eric Harabadian
Zakk Wylde/Black Label Society - Sonic Brew
Spitfire Records
Former Ozzy Osbourne cohort Zakk Wylde returns with his third release finding
the metal-edged axeman composing all the material and covering most of
the other instruments and vocals. The result is a dark and brooding record
heavy on nihilistic lyrics and aggressive attitude. This "sonic brew" packs
one industrial strength wallop to be sure!!!
- Eric Harabadian
Greg Howe - Ascend
Shrapnel Records
Greg Howe has been on the independent progressive rock scene for well over
a decade, earning kudos and praise -- from fans and colleagues alike --
along the way. His latest, Ascend, should continue that allegiance, for
it is an awesome display of virtuosity mixed with style, substance and
taste. Greg deftly handles the majority of guitar and bass chores accompanied,
most ably, by drummer Jon Doman, guitarist Prashant Aswani (on one track)
and Artension's Vitalij Kuprij on keyboards. Some magic moments include
a brilliant interpretation of Rush's "La Villa Strangiato," the classically
influenced guitar-synth piece "Her Dance," and the metal-edged guitar duel
with Aswani on "Full Throttle." A must for guitar aficionados everywhere!
- Eric Harabadian
Stroke 9 - Nasty Little Thoughts
Cherry/Universal Records
The first thing you notice about Stroke 9 is just how whiny Luke Esterkyn’s
vocals are. "Oh something better happen to these feelings," he sings
in his customarily lost voice "that I’m going through." For such
a garage-y sounding band, one wonders why Jerry Harrison (formerly of Talking
Heads) and Robert Hine even stooped to produce it. Music history has degenerated
from protest singers... to complainers.
- Dan MacIntosh
Cork - Speed of Thought
Lightyear Entertainment
Cork is billed as a new band featuring former Spin Doctor Eric Shenkman,
and this former MD of spin certainly has his surgical gloves all over this
recording. He wrote much of the lyrics, played guitar and bass, and sang
lead vocals -- not to mention acting as producer, along with former Mountain
stick man Corky Laing. And another thing, this classic rock-leaning disc
also features former Hendrix bassist Noel Redding. Rock on, old men!
- Dan MacIntosh
Spin Doctors - Here Comes The Bride
DAS/Universal Records
In case you haven’t heard yet, Spin Doctors’ singer Chris Barron now has
a rare paralysis of the vocal chords that might prevent him from ever singing
again. If this is to be his swan song, though, he sure has made the best
of it. "Here Comes The Bride" is a funky and smart recording; one that
also features the authentic R&B accreditation of Ivan Neville on keyboards
and vocals. Let’s hope it’s not to be a short marriage.
- Dan MacIntosh
Portable - Secret Life
TVT Records
Although Portable isn’t pictured wearing skinny ties with their suits on
the back cover of this debut album, the pogo-ing rhythm of the opener "What’s
Wrong" certainly connects them to some sort of a new wave ancestry. Furthermore,
the album also features guest vocals from Teri Nunn of Berlin, fresh from
her recent VH1 Where Are They Now segment. Produced by Matt Wallace
(Paul Westerberg, Faith No More), Portable might just be worth taking along
for the ride.
- Dan MacIntosh
Neil Della Torre Jr. - Love Standards
Neil Della Torre Jr., God bless him, sure loves classic American songs.
Looking not unlike a ’50s romantic movie idol, Della Torre gives it all
he’s got to "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Over The Rainbow" and "These Foolish
Things (Remind Me Of You)." His voice is pleasing enough, but his decision
to replace a proper orchestra with synth strings is unforgivable. Maybe
he oughta be in pictures, after all.
- Dan MacIntosh
Soulmotor - Soulmotor
CMC International Records
If Metallica were to become born again atheists, they might sound something
like Soulmotor. The opener doesn’t exactly rant against God, but it gets
mighty close. Perhaps having never heard the expression “Don’t kill the
messenger,” this grinding metal outfit takes out all of its aggression
out on a helpless "Guardian Angel." Might be the perfect soundtrack for
the anti-series "Touched Up An Angel," or to listen to while laughing
at Benny Hinn crusades on the tube.
- Dan MacIntosh
G. Love & Special Sauce - Philadelphonic
Okeh/550 Music
Philadelphonic is another helping of G. Love’s blues, rap and soul stew.
Although G gets extra credit points for originality, one wonders if he
has even a snowball’s chance in hell of ever finding an audience. He raps
too much for blues purists, yet there’s too much real blues in his sound
to attract your typical hip-hop fan. Nevertheless, his style is a tasty
treat for the exotic eater.
- Dan MacIntosh
Britney Spears - "(You Drive Me) Crazy [The Stop Remix]" single
Jive Records
For most true music fans, Britney Spears is nothing more than a teen with
a boob job. But this track from a movie with the same name is actually
quite catchy. In fact, it’s a dead-ringer for a lost Abba track. This may
be due to the fact that it was written and produced by Swedes. The lyrics
don’t say much, but neither did any Abba music, for that matter. It’s fine
for a few listens, but if it becomes a big hit, be prepared to be driven
crazy.
- Dan MacIntosh
Rose Polenzani - Anybody
Daemon Records
In a time where teen screams and girls o’ spice cram the pop charts, it
seems as if there might not be enough room for the serious thoughts of
Rose Polenzani. With help from the Indigo Girls on one cut ("Or"), this
Chicago native comes off as a passionate and literate singer/songwriter.
"Molly’s Lily," for example, is taken in part straight from the court records
of the Salem witch trials. Take my advice little girls, this stuff’s better
than pimple cream.
- Dan MacIntosh
Art Of Noise - The Seduction Of Claude Debussy
ZTT/Universal Records
>From the same group that gave the world the catchy "Close To The Edit,"
Art Of Noise has now recorded the soundtrack to a film biography on the
life of French composer Claude Debussy that was never made. Sporting drum
& bass, operatic female vocals, and spoken word help from actor John
Hurt, I guarantee this sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard before. If
Debussy really would've dug it, though, is a completely different matter
altogether.
- Dan MacIntosh
Jason Sellers - A Matter of Time
BNA Records
This fresh-faced Jason Sellers looks too young to have already been married
and divorced from the female country star Lee Ann Womack. Although he’s
yet one more stellar writer trying to make it with his own name on the
marquee, he doesn’t yet sound jaded by his lack of solo success up to now.
He opens with the hopeful "A Matter Of Time," and includes a standout duet
with Pam Tillis on the old Jones/Wynette "Golden Ring."
- Dan MacIntosh
Joey Welz - City of Stone
Caprice International Records
It’s not surprising that Joey Welz was once one of Bill Haley’s original
Comets, because he has seemingly come from outer-space. This poorly recorded
album is divided into a hard pop half, and an alternative country side.
The pop section sounds like The Pet Shop Boys for the senior set, overflowing
with bad synth work, and the country selections don’t sound anything like
any country music I’ve ever heard.
- Dan MacIntosh
Jim Lauderdale - Onward Through it All
RCA Records
Jim Lauderdale is probably best known as the man behind a truckload of
George Straight chart-toppers. But this prolific songwriter is also a soulful
singer, and with "Onward Through it All" (already his 8th solo release!)
he wraps his thick as molasses vocal chords around songs of love ("I Already
Loved You") and hope ("Trust (Guiding Star)"), proving once again how he
deserves to be more than just another name on somebody’s album credits.
- Dan MacIntosh
Alabama - Twentieth Century
RCA Records
When music historians look back upon country hit makers of the 20th Century,
they’ll certainly remember the 40+ bona fide hits for the group Alabama.
But they won’t recall this harmless quartet for its ideas. Especially-as
on this album’s title cut-when the 20th Century is summed up with the words
"wasn’t all that bad." Furthermore, this unremarkable release-both lyrically
and musically-should be filed under "isn’t all that good."
- Dan MacIntosh
Lonestar - Lonely Grill
BNA Records
On an album that already sports a monster hit ("Amazed"), the casual country
fan probably wants to know what else this quartet has up its sleeve. Although
"Saturday Night" includes some fine fiddling, and "Don’t Let’s Talk About
Lisa" is filled chockfull of cornball humor, this recording doesn’t lay
claim to very much original ground. After listening to it all the way through,
one is left feeling well short of amazed.
- Dan MacIntosh
NOTE: Due to space constraints, the following reviews were not included
in the print edition of Geoff Wilbur's Renegade Newsletter.
These reviews are only available here in the online edition.
The Dickies - Dogs From The Hare That Bit US
Triple X Records
It’s now 1999, and some 22 years later, the Los Angeles based band The
Dickies are still rocking... hard! I was introduced to The Dickies this
summer in a bar in Jersey, and now I am hooked. So I ask myself, what can
a band like The Dickies bring to such classics as "There’s A Place" by
The Beatles and "Let Me Out" by The Knack, well I’ll tell you, they made
them their own!
The intro to this mayhem of tradition gets you into the fantasyland
to take you through the next 8 songs. Leonard Phillips vocals give these
songs such a melodic kick, that it’s hard not to listen to each track a
few times to soak them in. Backed by a strong, talented band which includes
Stan Lee (guitar), Rick Dasher (bass/vocals), Travis Johnson (drums) and
Dave Teague (guitar) gives these old favorites, the Dickies punky, raunchy
flavor they deserve.
I am not a big fan of cover tunes but this album has given me a new
found fondness to this art, especially when they are done as well as these.
If you are like me, and have been kept in the dark about this band up until
this point, if I were you I would open the door wide because luckily for
us these guys ain’t going away anytime soon! Better late then never!
- Lauren Faccidomo
Home | Contact The Help Desk |
Internet & Marketing Services