Review: Rare CD: SR-71 "Here We Go Again"

Long time readers will know we've covered this 2004 CD from SR-71 a while back in our "rare CD" post (click here). The CD is still hard to come by ($75 used on Amazon), but lucky me I finally scored one from Japan for much less than the going rate on ebay.

For the uninitiated, SR-71 had a minor modern rock hit with the Butch Walker guided vehicle, "Right Now" in 2000. "Right Now" was from this Baltimore band's debut record, "Now You See Inside", which cracked the top 100 BillBoard albums chart. SR-71 was one of many of these young nu-wave "punk" rock bands of the time, but their debut album was full of really solid melodic rock tunes. It is still one of my favorites from this genre. I cannot say the same for the follow up record, "Tomorrow", which, to be frank, sucked. The band seemed to turn away from everything that made them worthwhile - the hooks were gone, the upbeat and energetic feel was lost, and Mitch Allen's vocals became more of a forced scream than a melodic force.

"Here We Go Again" is a return to the sound of "Now You See Inside", so it goes without saying that I like it much better than "Tomorrow". SR-71 returns to the anthem chorus, energetic songs, and quirky sense of humor that we fell in love with in 2000. It baffles me that this record was not released in the US. Heads up for fans of the 80s...this record contains lots of references to the music of that decade. Consider "Axl Rose", which playfully infuses "Sweet Child O' Mine", an excellent cover of the 80s hit by Peter Gabriel "In Your Eyes", and "1985", the hilarious tune made popular by Bowling For Soup. Even the record's title may be a reference to Whitesnake's monster 80s hit for all I know.

Other top notch cuts include the -ahem- infectious rocker entitled, "Mosquito" and "The One". "Everything" is also a blast to listen to.

Unforunately, SR-71 has had more than their share of bumps in the road. Numerous personnel changes, the shaft from record labels, and even the sad death of one of the bandmates. Lead singer and songwriter Mitch Allen appears to be going solo and I look forward to checking out that material.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 5, 10, 11

Mitch Allen on MySpace.

Review: The Pop Project “Stars of Stage and Screen”

The Pop Project has released their first proper record, “Stars of Stage and Screen” on Suburban Sprawl Music. These guys are the Yes equivalent in the power pop universe, skillfully incorporating progressive pop elements into each track they perform yet never losing sight of the big hook. “Stars of Stage and Screen” is rewarding enough for the diverse assortment of ultra-catchy songs, but pleasantly surprises the listener with each new spin. Every time I play this one I catch something new that my ears missed first time around.

A record as good as this one does not come along everyday. It did not surprise me to learn that it took years to write and record since each song is so meticulously done. Each track is a symphony with multiple unorthodox elements...it is truly a testament to their songwriting talents that they can keep the song sounding like a cohesive tour de force rather than a jumbled chaotic mess. The Pop Project is what you get when the songwriters and players truly care obsessively about perfecting their craft. The musicianship is top notch and the harmonies so sweet they would make The Carpenters green with envy. They have every right to be “super proud” of this release and deserve a pat on the back and money in their wallets.

The influences here run the gamut, so there is a little something for everyone. Where else can you hear influences from Queen, Squeeze, and ABBA all in the same song ("Secondary Players")? My favorite track is "Coerce", which has a 80s keyboard riff that would make Jim Peterik salivate. And as if you can't get any more 80s, in comes the sax followed by - get this - toy piano! "Totally Awesome" is also completely radical, bold and brassy and sounding a lot like All Star United. "Another Kind of Love" is an interesting country-flavored novelty that appropriately features banjo and pedal steel guitar. "Hearts and Flowers" is instantly catchy, sounding a bit like Snow Patrol on speed. "Stand In", with its vibraphone and French horn, has that familiar lounge feel fans of The Simple Carnival would appreciate. "Never Get the Breaks" is probably one of the most joyously upbeat protest songs about not catching the big break to become superstars. "House of Books" and "Not The One" are two more highlights, both masterful slices of modern pop.

"Stars of Stage and Screen" is an extraordinarily fun and smart record from start to finish – it borders on masterpiece. Go get it now and give them a break.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10

The Pop Project on MySpace. Official Site.

Review: The Rip Off Artists "Esque"

Nick Pipitone and Peter Batchelder, a.k.a. The Rip Off Artists, have delivered one of best power pop discs of 2008. The usual suspect blogs have been generating a big buzz on this one and it is well deserved.

You can tell the lyrics are one of the highlights just by some of the song titles, e.g. "The Present, Tense", "Without You I'm Something", and "The Look of Like". There is a true Paul Westerberg quality to the lyrics of every song, and even the couple of brief spoken word interludes. Musically, I am reminded of Fountains of Wayne, The Grays, XTC, and some Dada.

You will have to look hard to find a more upbeat and consistently enjoyable melodic pop disc. Vocals are perfect - great tones with just the right amount of tasteful falsetto, and the abundant harmonies are well planned and executed. Nearly every song has some well placed acoustic guitar and another unique element that keeps each track feeling fresh. They have done a great job in crafting a cohesive sound among all the songs without making them sound too much alike. The CD rewards the listener with each new spin because there always seems to be yet another cool little thing that is discovered during the replay.

Just go read their manifesto...it is an accurate reflection as to what this project is all about.

My favorite cuts include "The Present, Tense" and "Without You I'm Something". There really isn't a bad song in the batch, but our other picks for iPOD-goodness are listed below for your consideration.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15

The Rip Off Artists: Official site.

Review: Justin Currie "What Is Love For"

Del Amitri is one of those groups that had to grow on me a bit, but now I own their entire catalogue and listen to them regularly. Justin Currie, the voice and major songwriting force for Del Amitri, has written some of the catchiest tunes during the grunge-ridden 90s. I was hopeful that his first solo release, "What Is Love For" would continue the melodic rock genius of Del Amitri.

"What Is Love For" is the furthest thing from a Del Amitri record Justin Currie could record. This release finds Currie in a very melancholy mood. There isn't a single upbeat or snappy moment on this disc of slow, acoustic based ballads. Folks who enjoy Justin's voice will be happy with this release because his vocals get the spotlight in these delicate songs. Folks who enjoyed Del Amitri's penchant for melody and hooks will be utterly disappointed. I fall into the latter camp and would not be able to get through another listen of this CD without a pot of coffee.

Maybe Justin Currie is going to have to grow on me again.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 11

Justin Currie on MySpace. Official site.

UPDATE:
A couple of excellent Del-related posts worth checking out...

Good Listening: Del Amitri Live Rarities (at Addicted To Vinyl)

The Popdose Guide to Del Amitri

Rare CD: Kelly Clarkson "Go" (single)

"GOOD LUCK finding a copy of THIS one, Kelly Clarkson fans! This is what I believe is the never-released CD single Kelly recorded of the song "Go," used for a time in Ford Motor Company advertising. This was available for free download, true--but the single never made it to market and I don't believe the song is available in 'hard copy' form on any Clarkson release: HERE IT IS! Splendid collectible, this. Still sealed--these may have been meant as promo giveaways at Ford dealerships, I don't know (doesn't say "promo copy" on it). These may have been manufactured then shelved when the decision was taken to make the song available for download; whatever the case, it's a superb--and RARE--Clarkson collectible now!! From Sony BMG/Ford "Bold Moves" 2006"

Sold for $302.99 on ebay (37 bids)

Rare CD: Bon Jovi "Crossroad" Japan 2 bonus cd

"In this auction, I'm selling a MEGA RARE Bon Jovi item. It is SEALED COPY Japanese 2 cd version of Crossroad released in 1998. The bonus cd contains live tracks along with an outtake. Any serious bidders know the rarity of this item, so I don't need to explain this in too much depth. This set is virtually impossible to find anywhere in ANY condition (even in Japan!). This copy is sealed and therefore complete with all the goodies (OBI, inserts) in perfect unopened condition. Maybe once every year or so one of these will appear on ebay, but not in this condition. If you are viewing this auction, I am not exaggerating when I say this may be your last chance to purchase this one sealed. I searched for years for this, and only came across when buying a large lot of Bon Jovi cds (the seller did not realize what he had at the time).

I have the entire set of Japan 2 cd remasters and will be selling them all. All but one of these are sealed! Keep a look out for my other auctions!

"Crossroad" - PHCR-90021/2

Tracklisting:
1. Livin' on a Prayer
2. Keep the Faith
3. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
4. Always
5. Wanted Dead or Alive
6. Lay Your Hands on Me
7. You Give Love a Bad Name
8. Bed of Roses
9. Blaze of Glory
10. In These Arms
11. Bad Medicine
12. I'll Be There For You
13. In and Out of Love
14. Runaway
15. Never Say Goodbye

Bonus Cd:
1. Always (live)
2. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night (live)
3. With a Little Help From My Friends (live)
4. Good Guys Don't Always Wear White
5. Blaze of Glory
6. Stranger in This Town"

Sold on ebay for over $300

Review: John Mellencamp "Life Death Love and Freedom"

"Life is short even in its longest days" sings John Mellencamp on his 2008 release, "Life Death Love and Freedom". I have been a big Mellencamp fan since the Cougar days and thought his previous record, "Freedom's Road" was excellent. With "Life Death Love and Freedom", John Mellencamp takes a hard exit off "Freedom's Road" to deliver the antithesis: a strange and dark record that makes little effort to be melodic. If you are looking for a traditional sunny and catchy Mellencamp record to brighten your summer, you will not find it here.

Truth be told, I am having a hard time digesting this record. The songs are rooted in folk and blues, which would be fine, but they are far from memorable. In fact, some are downright irritating. Consider "If I Die Sudden" - a candid song instructing us what to do with Mellencamp's corpse. Some would make a good case that unmelodious music is fitting with the subject matter, but, as John warns, life is short...too short to waste on songs like this.

The record is rather unique in the extensive Mellencamp catalogue. Similarities exist in "Big Daddy" and "Trouble No More". The unique elements would have been welcome if they were just better songs. The record is consistent and cohesive, but in this case, it means the suffering just takes too long to end. The refreshing blast of all things Mellencamp that fans would expect just never comes, which is a real shame since lyrically this record is one of his best.

There were a couple of tracks that did not give me the urge to hit fast forward. The opener, "Longest Days" is a sober and sparse tune, setting the serious tone for what is to come. But it is engaging, sounding like an early Bob Dylan piece without the harp. It would have made a great rocker. "My Sweet Love" sticks out like a sore thumb on this release being the closest the listener gets to the type of stuff they'd expect from John Mellencamp. "Mean" is a bit brilliant in being the nicest request to jerks to stop being jerks. I also think the last couple of tracks are OK, especially enjoying the lyric on "For The Children".

This one sounds like Johnny Cash Mellencamp and for a melodic rock fan, I warn you to proceed with caution on this one.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 11, 13, 14

John Mellencamp: Official site.

Review: Major Labels "Aquavia"

The Major Labels is the latest collaborative offering from modern power pop kings Bleu and Mike Viola. These guys are veritable fountains of pop songwriting goodness, impressively churning out new material almost faster than we blogs can keep up. However, the Major Labels project hints at a well running dry. There are some really cool tunes that have arisen from this project (noted below), but overall it is a lot of filler. It is not a record I would put on to listen start to finish, but the few tracks I selected for the ol' iPOD will be a pleasure to listen to again and again.

In keeping with the record's theme, which is a well-delivered punch that satirizes the asinine corporate music business, the Major Labels have made the entire record available for free if you send them three email addresses. Details at their MySpace site.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 4, 8

The Major Labels on MySpace.

Review: Alternate Routes "The Watershed EP"

It is with great pleasure I announce the return of The Alternate Routes, albeit in the form of an EP rather than LP. Anything is better than nothing but, as I predicted, this EP whets the appetite and leaves you wanting for more.

The EP finds the boys once again in top form, with new drummer Kurt Leon fitting in seamlessly. Listening to Tim's voice again, kind of a cross between Glen Phillips and Neil Finn, is most welcoming, like hearing a comforting friend. With "The Watershed EP", The Alternate Routes continue the quality found on "Good and Reckless and True": great hooks, intelligent lyrics, outstanding musicianship, and an awesome voice.

We start with "Love Me For Nothing", a wonderful acoustic-driven ballad that takes off gently and builds steadily, much like "Ordinary" from "Good and Reckless and True". "Shelly", my favorite track on the EP, is an ultra-catchy pop rocker with a big fat chorus hook and a remarkable vocal performance in the bridge. Tim is an impressive singer and should give us the pleasure of hearing him belt out sustained higher notes more often. "Louisiana" is a foot stompin' Cajun-flavored tune inspired by the spirit of recovery efforts. Tim's voice sways like the breeze over a chorus of harmonious winds in this one. "Asked You Twice" is laced with harmonica and has a bluegrass tinge, but is firmly rooted in pop rock sensibility with harmonies and hooks aplenty. The short 20 minute party ends with a straight up rocker a la "Are You Lonely", entitled "Good Time Gang".

As we mentioned in an earlier post, "Love Me For Nothing" is available as a free download right now on their MySpace page - go grab it if you haven't already! Better yet, support The Alternate Routes and buy the EP today and catch them on tour in a city near you.

iPOD-worthy: all tracks!

The Alternate Routes on MySpace. Official site.

Review: David Mead "Indiana"

"A guy in Chicago said I sing like a girl", David Mead laments in the title track to this fantastic 2004 release. David's voice is high, light, and smooth, but I wouldn't call it girly. On the contrary, it is a perfect fit for the breezy, acoustic-driven pop on this stately record.

David Mead has been critically acclaimed for years but has yet to break into the mainstream. It is a mystery to me - his songs are brilliant and "Indiana" is one of the most consistent records from track to track; gorgeous and engaging from start to finish. The relatively sparse and striped down arrangements really let his beautifully unique voice shine; and whether you think it sounds feminine or not it is great music, period.

While every song is good, highlights include the title track, "Ordinary Life", and "You Might See Him." There is also an intriguing cover of Michael Jackson's hit from Thriller, "Human Nature" worth checking out.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10

David Mead on MySpace. Official site.

Review: White Lion "Return of the Pride"

Here we go with another example making us contemplate "What's in a name?" Similar to Journey, how much classic White Lion is really in the new White Lion? In this case, the answer is just Mike Tramp. So does this new CD truly deserve to be called White Lion? In my opinion, no freakin' way. And I would have said that before even hearing a single note off the CD. White Lion - at a minimum - MUST include guitar wizard Vito Bratta.

I've spun this CD several times now and it only sounds like White Lion twice...on the two live bonus tracks "Wait" and "When the Children Cry". Even that is a stretch because no one can play Vito Bratta like Bratta. So pox on Mike Tramp for engaging in this cash cow nonsense. Why was he not content to just put out a fifth solo CD, which this truly is?

Anyway, sorry about the rant. And don't get me wrong...while I don't think he is a great vocalist, I still think Mike Tramp is a solid, prolific songwriter that continues to crank out some of the catchiest AOR of the day. Fans of classic White Lion are not going to get much out of this CD, but fans of Mike Tramp will love it.

The CD starts off with one of those epic 4-songs-in-1 that Mike Tramp used to write for White Lion, "Sangre de Cristo". Another one bores us later called "Battle of Little Big Horn". There are some interesting bridges in these tunes, and the politically charged lyrics are OK, but overall I can't get into them. In contrast, Mike Tramp's more simplistic songs that encourage listeners to keep dreaming and never give up ("Dream", "Live Your Life") come across rather well - it is his specialty. The upbeat father-son tune "I Will" is another highlight. "Never Let You Go" brings back memories of the superior love ballads on "Mane Attraction", but this piano-driven sap fest is pretty good in its own right. "Gonna Do It My Way" is an excellent rocker with a Def Leppard-style chorus and Van Halen inspired guitar work in the verses. "Finally See the Light" is also a cool track, with a groovy verse and sing-along chorus. They should have quit here, because the chorus of the final track, "Let Me Be Me", showcases how bad Mike Tramp can really sound.

All in all, one of the better and more rocking Mike Tramp solo CDs under the guise of White Lion. There is plenty on this CD to delight most AOR fans if you don't mind the thin and raspy vocal styling of Mike Tramp.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9

White Lion (?) on MySpace. Official site.
Vito Bratta on MySpace.

Review: Zion "Zion" (2006)

OK, I admit it. I was a fan of "When I'm With You", Sheriff's one big hit in the 80s. I was thrilled to hear the awesome vocals of Freddy Curci once again in Alias, who scored several moderate hits a few years later. To my dismay, Alias died a quick and merciless death during the rise of grunge, and I've gone a long time without any new Freddy Curci. Imagine how happy I was to hear he released a new CD (well, 2006) as the front man for an AOR band named "Zion". And to boot, the Zion project features other Alias members and Bob Marlette of The Storm.

Maybe I was expecting too much, but I was not enthralled by Zion. I should like it...nice thick guitars, traditional AOR sounds, Freddy still sounds great, etc. But the songs just lack the hooks and instantly memorable melodies that made me a fan of Alias. I've given the record more than its fair share of spins now, and it should not be this hard to like a CD. So as surprised as I am to say it, Zion just doesn't take me to any promised land.

But it is not a complete washout. "I'm Running Home" is a fine tune in the AOR ballad tradition. "The Sky Is Falling" is my favorite track of the bunch, with a big meaty chorus and upbeat rhythm driving the meaningful lyrics. Freddy sounds his best and hits some amazing notes. This one is followed by "The Devil's Dance", a terrific acoustic-driven mid-tempo rocker. Unfortunately, the upswing of the Zion pendulum quickly goes back in the negative direction and the CD fizzles out with a couple more duds.

I realize Freddy Curci released a number of solo CDs in-between Alias and Zion, but I've yet to check them out. Pretty expensive!

iPOD-worthy: 5, 8, 9

Freddy Curci on MySpace.

Review: Journey “Revelation”

Is Journey really Journey anymore? The band changes lead singers like it changes underwear, and has now passed Van Halen with the number of guys who have fronted the band. The list of current and former members of this “band” is almost as long as the list of people who hate Clay Aiken.

The most interesting thing about Schon and Cain is that they have an uncanny talent of finding Steve Perry clones. The latest lead singer, Arnel Pineda, is a dead ringer for Perry – no surprise he came from a Journey tribute band. The tactic has worked surprisingly well…despite the revolving door of front men, Journey has been able to sustain itself as an AOR recording and touring giant. In fact, “Revelation” debuted at # 5 on the Billboard Album chart, the best since their final release with Perry, “Trial by Fire,” in 1996. I guess they can finally dedicate "I'll Be Alright Without You" to Steve Perry.

“Revelation” is also bolstered by a bunch of goodies that come with the 11 track CD. For less than $12, you also get a CD containing many of Journey’s greatest hits recorded live with Pineda, and a DVD too, all in an impressively handsome digipak. This is an incredible bargain, especially when you consider that the live CD is very well done.

But let’s get down to business: are the new Journey songs any good? Hell, yes! I would argue that “Revelation” is a true sequel to “Frontiers”. Ironically, the current Journey sounds more like 80s Journey. So yes some of the songs sound dated, but they have recaptured the sound and energy that made them kings of radio in the 80s. They won’t be kings of radio again, but they will rule on my stereo. They still do plenty of ballads, but it would not be a Journey record without them. Fortunately, they are some of the better ballads the band has turned out in the new millennium. Lyrically, Journey keeps it simple and stays on familiar ground: lots of “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Be Good To Yourself” themes in the rockers, lots of gooey “Faithfully” and “Open Arms” in the ballads.

Some tracks did not grab me at first, but the hooks started to sink in quickly after a second listen. The musicianship is top notch and Pineda is fantastic…don’t get of him! I am -ahem- "Happy To Give" this one a big thumbs up.

So is Journey really Journey anymore? We can debate this all day, but I doubt a consensus will be reached. So forget about it and just enjoy the music.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10

Journey: Official site.

Free mp3 - Alternate Routes

GO GET IT!

"Love Me For Nothing Download

Today is the release day for the EP!!!
....and alas it is not available on Itunes as of 5:01pm.
You're guess is as good as mine, but we are working on it.
In the meantime we have made the first track "Love Me For Nothing" available to download for free here on our myspace page.
All we ask in return is that you pass it along to anyone that you think will dig it. Send some people our way for some free music.

happy release day
eric"

Review: Christopher Cash “Invisible”

“Invisible” is the sophomore effort recently released by Christopher Cash - who has not been heard from since “Hollywood Mirage” in 2005. “Invisible” continues Cash’s penchant for setting stories and philosophy into succinct pop songs.

Cash is a seasoned songwriter and performer, even promoting his music as "Adult rock that rocks". If you like a little musical complexity and wit on your iPOD rather than generic progressions and bland lyrics, then you should invest in some Cash. Listening to this CD brings several artists and influences to my mind, including Elvis Costello and John Wesley Harding. Cash sounds like them vocally, but at times also sounds like Jim Peterik (check out "Tangled in Wire") and Pat DiNizio (The Smithereens). Cash enunciates his lyrics clearly, and even though he stays in a comfortable low to mid-range tone, his voice is charming and warm.

While Cash’s talents are too broad to pigeon hole him into a single genre, there is a subtle yet unmistakable 80s vibe in the music akin to Joe Jackson's material then. Similarly, for listeners who are near religious about hooks and melodies, Cash is probably not going to interest you on the first listen. There are some standout cuts that should make anyone happy, including the brightest spot on the CD, "Morning Star", complete with some tastefully placed sitar and wonderful lala harmonies. "Blistering Velvet" and "Coming Home" are some of the more instantly catchy pieces. "Not Going Back" has a marked Neil Diamond feel to it, and the title track is another favorite of mine - a solemn tune fitting to the longing in the lyrics, accented with some excellent guitar work. "Empathy" is a bluesy rock commentary on our society's shortcomings, rooted in a lack of empathy. If you dig acoustic-driven ballads, you will be pleased with "Eloquence" and "Three Minutes Late". The latter reminds me of a Harry Chapin tune.

Overall, "Invisible" is a versatile blend of jangle pop, sizzling blues, and folk rock that gets better with repeated listens.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 6, 11

Christopher Cash on MySpace. Official site.

Free mp3 for July

Here we are folks, the FREE and LEGAL mp3s for the month of July! Access through the File Factory widget on the right side, or direct links here. Tell all of your friends! Thanks again to the generous arists contributing:

Adam Marsland - My Kickass Life [2007]

Box Social - Big T

Brigadier - This Is Why

Campbell Apartment - Addicted to MySpace

Craig Marshall - I Know What It's Like

David Brookings - I'm Not Afraid

Galaxies - Here We Go Again

Open Cage - Call It a Night

Shake Some Action - Get It Together

The Simple Carnival - Caitlin's On the Beach


Please note that File Factory removes files after 7 days; I will repost but there may be a day or two when the file is gone and/or link is down. Anyone know of a better way to share files for free???

Rare CD: Lisa Dominique "Rock N Roll Lady"

"MEGA RARE AOR/ MELODIC HARD ROCK from UK Rocker "LISA DOMINIQUE - ROCK N ROLL LADY" released in 1989 on FM Revolver Records.
Very Hard to find on CD, In the style of The Runaways, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Warlock, Doro."

Sold for $91.00 on ebay (13 bids)

Rare CD: Beau Brummels "Magic Hollow" 4CD set

"This auction is for the Rhino Handmade Limited Edition CD Box Set from The Beau Brummels entitled "Magic Hollow". This set is WAY out of print and will only become rarer as it was produced in a very limited quantity (only 2500). This CD boxed set is BRAND NEW and still FACTORY SEALED. This is a serious collectible"

Sold for $91.00 on ebay (3 bids)

Rare CD: Hayley Westenra "Walking in the Air"

"HAYLEY WESTENRA - WALKING IN THE AIR - MADE IN NEW ZEALAND 2000. ONLY ABOUT 1000 OF THESE WERE EVER MADE. RARE CHANCE TO OWN THIS BEAUTIFUL GEM."

Sold for $1092.00 on ebay (33 bids) !

Rare CD: "Goo Goo Dolls

"Up for sale today is the self-titled Goo Goo Dolls CD.

ORIGINAL ISSUE on Mercenary/Celluloid Records (MERCD-2102). First pressing with original red cover and band photos on the back cover."

Sold for $104.00 on ebay (21 bids)

Rare CD: Genesis "Studio"

"Genesis - "Studio" (Not a commercial release)
Label: Chapter One -- CO 25202

Tracklisting:
1) Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (second part)
2) Only Your Love (rehearsal)
3) Only Your Love (Finished version)
4) Master Of Time
5) Happy The Man (clean mix)
6) The Reaper
7) For Present Friends
8) A Child's Song
9) After The Ordeal
10) Silver Song (rehearsal)
11) Silver Song (finished version)
Outro: Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (2nd part)

Outtakes and rough mixes were recorded 1972/1973
Tracks 2, 9, 10, 11, have Phil Collins on Vocal.
Tracks 4 & 8 have Anthony Phillips (the 1st Genesis Guitarist) on Vocal.

Notes: In addition to five Genesis tracks this release includes five tracks produced by Anthony Phillips in the last few months before he left the band through 1973;

It is not believed that either Silver Song or Only Your Love (both Phillips/Rutherford compositions) were ever introduced to Genesis to consider for recording."

Sold for $152.50 on ebay (10 bids)

Rare CD: Wicked Lester "Better Off Dead"

"Now this cd seems to never show up, the only one I have ever had available....WICKED LESTER - BETTER OFF DEAD, 1998, 10 TRACKS...excellent hair metal for fans of Malice, Lizzy Borden, & Leatherwolf....this cd was dediciated to the singer Joel Finna who passed away for the completion....only a handful were made....cd and inserts are in excellent, used condition.....great collectors item...."

Sold for $202.50 on ebay (19 bids)

Review: Jonah Matranga "And"

Jonah Matranga has been around the block, honing his craft for years under the name Onelinedrawing. His latest (2007) release, "And", is a testament to the rich rewards that come with patience and persistence. Jonah is at the top of his game vocally, musically, and lyrically.

Jonah Matranga is one of those rare singer/songwriters that I imagine has the ability to bring a noisy coffeehouse to a -ahem- grinding halt. You could probably hear a pin drop when this guy takes the stage...his intimate and heartfelt songs are delivered with unbelievable sincerity. This type of "bring the coffeehouse down" feel permeates "And".

Fans of Matt Nathanson, Shawn Mullins, and Rhett Miller take note: Jonah Matranga will be a new favorite of yours. "And" is comprised of 10 very catchy, acoustic-driven folk rock songs. His smooth voice easily escalates into an angelic falsetto and back again. It works best on his sparse ballads, where the tenderness reaches out to knock on your heart, but it is strong enough to rock out on tracks like "So Long" and "Not About A Girl or A Place".

While I love the rockers, the standout track for me is "Every Mistake". His gentle delivery exudes a sincerity rarely heard in music these days, and lines like, "I'm gonna love you while you make every mistake", would make anyone feeling blue feel better.

Another cool feature - Jonah wrote out the chords above the lyrics, making it easy for you to learn these songs for open mic night at the local coffeehouse.

"The best things in life are lost, then found," Jonah softly sings on the closing track. Indeed...go find Jonah Matranga.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8

Jonah Matranga on MySpace. Official site.

Free mp3: Jeff Scott Soto

Exclusive offering from Melodicrock.com:

Jeff Scott Soto: Time To TestifySpecial Feature: Exclusive Interview / Full Length MP3 Download / Track By Track

Artists launch new albums all the time, but at certain points in any artist's career, there comes a time when a particular release marks an important milestone in that career. A statement of intent. A rebirth. A defining new chapter. This is all of the above for artist we have all come to know as JSS...MelodicRock.com is very proud to present an exclusive JSS feature - a brand new interview in which JSS talks in depth for the very first time about his upcoming new solo album Beautiful Mess. And online today - the world premiere of an advance preview track from the album. The song Testify is available for full length download right now.And finally, JSS has also delivered a Track By Track commentary on the songs that Beautiful Mess is comprised of.

Feature Page

MP3 Download

Free mp3 files from BMF!

I am very excited to announce that the response from independent artists to donate a free track for readers of BMF has been AWESOME! You can download the free (and legal) mp3 file for your listening pleasure using the "File Factory" panel on the right. Click on the track you want and choose "Download with FileFactory Basic". Pardon the pop-ups, input the code, and you are ready to rock. These are full-length tracks from releases we have reviewed, not samples and certainly not garbage! Each track has received the BMF stamp of approval and is sure to please fans of rock and power pop.

Songs will not be available forever, so get them while you can and be sure to check back for fresh cuts later.

BIG thanks to all of the fine artists participating...now be a sport and promise to go buy their CD if you like what you hear!

These are completely safe and legal to download...we have obtained permission from each artist to post their mp3. If you are an artist and there has been a miscommunication, please let me know and I will remove the track in question immediately. If you are an artist and want us to audition a track for posting, send us an email.

Call for mp3

We're working on an exciting new feature here - making free mp3 files available for our readers. If you have recently been reviewed and have a file you'd like to share, please send us an email giving us permission to post the file - whichever song you choose. We'll "change our tunes" every 2-4 weeks. If you have not been reviewed yet, what are you waiting for? Contact us for an address and get ready to ship your CD!

Review: R.E.M. "Accelerate"

I was in no rush to get my hands on "Accelerate", since R.E.M. appeared to put the brakes on writing quality alternative ROCK. It is no secret that somewhere around the time of "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" and the unfortunate loss of Bill Berry from the band, R.E.M. morphed into a lumbering, sleepy, and unmelodious snorefest.

So like many fans, I agree that "Accelerate" is the long-awaited "return to form" - the R.E.M. record we've been waiting for since "Monster" in the early 90s. I am not going to exaggerate and call this a masterpiece or perfect record, but I can honestly say that I could not be more happy with what R.E.M. has done here. By and large, the record rocks from beginning to end, and the few ballads even have a gritty or dark edge. Stipe's intelligent and poignant lyrics are still omnipresent, but finally backed by music that makes you remember the words, and thus the message.

The record opens with more of a 1-2-3 punch than any other R.E.M. release in recent memory. "Living Well is the Best Revenge" sets the stage for what is to come, and will forever be remembered as the first song ever to rhyme apostles with nostrils. Next up is the best track on the record, "Man-Sized Wreath", which features a brilliant chorus with signature harmony vocals. Most of you have heard the single by now, "Supernatural Superserious", another solid pop rock track. "Hollow Man" is notable for tricking you into thinking R.E.M. is going back to sleep, but then a change of pace with a kicking chorus brings it home and makes the song noteworthy. The CD fizzes a little in the middle, but roars back to end on a very strong note with a pair of garage rock tunes: "Horse To Water" and "I'm Gonna DJ".

Stipe sounds like he warmed up for most of these tracks by screaming for 5 minutes straight before recording, and it suits the tone of this music well. Buck's distorted guitar tones are some of the best and most modern-sounding he's recorded in a long time. "Accelerate" has put R.E.M. back on the fast track to being a band that is still relevant and not just spinning their wheels. The guys sound like they are inspired and having fun once again - finally - and you can't help but want to cheer them on.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11

R.E.M. on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Hollow Man":

Review: Richard Snow “Richard Snow” (2002, reissue)

Time for a little Snow in June! Richard Snow, whose SideBMusic label sent me the reissue of his self-titled 2002 CD. SideBMusic, who was also responsible for the awesome “Modulations” by Chewy Marble (reviewed on this blog here) is quickly becoming my one stop shop for great power pop. Now that is a rhyme I should have left behind.

Richard Snow is recommended if you dig Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello, and R.E.M. I can’t fault these comparisons, and would venture to add John Wesley Harding to the list. Or at least what would happen if John Wesley Harding had a passionate love affair with a harpsichord, handclaps, and thick heavenly harmonies. Richard’s comfort zone is in the cool and breezy pop of the late 60s and early 70s, so fans of this genre had better keep an eye out for Snow.

This release is an extra treat when listened through the headphones. You'll pick out even more instruments and vocal parts that testify to how well crafted each song really is. After being primed with the lush, multi-layered harmonies of "The Sweetest", Richard takes us back in time with harpsichord laden "Coming Soon (Going So Fast)" - an excellent tribute to his late 60s influences, yet still so enjoyable to hear today. But he is a man of many talents and musical styles, as evidenced by how easily he hops from the lingering acoustic ballad, "Attention Not Required" to the surf punk blend of "Girls on the Tube" to the jamming funk and fuzz rock of "Hand Me Down My Sunglasses", which incidentally is one of my favorite tracks. Another great one is the upbeat track "Red Song", which dares you to resist snapping and clapping along to the beat.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10

Richard Snow on MySpace. Official site.

Check out a music video for the track “Real”, which was featured on the 2004 Brian and Dennis Wilson tribute CD "Two Steps Forward":

Review: Saints of the Underground "Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner"

Saints of the Underground (a.k.a. S.O.T.U.) is Bobby Blotzer (Drums), Keri Kelli (Lead Guitar), Jani Lane (Vocals), and Robbie Crane (Bass Guitar). You know these guys better from Ratt, Alice Cooper, Warrant, and Vince Neil before Ratt again, respectively. Sounds promising, right?

S.O.T.U. started as a cover band, so it is no surprise that there are a couple remakes here. I'd rather have more originals, because subtracting the two cover tunes leaves us with only 8 new songs (some of which were actually written a long time ago by some of these guys). Their remake of "American Girl" by Tom Petty is nothing to write home about. Any version of that tune that does not make you replay the scene from Fast Times in your head...well, what's the point? The other cover is of the Rolling Stones' "Moonlight Mile" and it does even less for me than the original. I also thought "Jimmy" was a Thin Lizzy cover, but this one is an old Jani Lane tune that Warrant never put on a record.

So how about the originals? Well, the only thing bad about them is that there are only eight! Yes, I was pleasantly surprised...these guys can still write and perform top notch rockers and I am dumbfounded why they are wasting time doing other artist's material. Their own songs have plenty of kick, hooks, and harmonies to go around...and I can only hope the follow up has more originals. These guys have an exciting and dynamic chemistry that truly makes them sound like their own outfit rather than a shaken and stirred blend of their day job bands. My top three include "Dead Man Shoes", "Exit", and "Bruised".

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8

S.O.T.U. on MySpace.

Review: The Simple Carnival “Me and My Arrow EP”

Jeff Boller is the one man band otherwise known as The Simple Carnival. He has just released “Me and My Arrow”, a 4-track EP foreshadowing a full-length release slated for October entitled, “Girls Aliens Food”. “If the Beach Boys and Harry Nilsson collaborated on Sesame Street,” is how Jeff describes the sound of The Simple Carnival…an intriguing yet surprisingly accurate description of the retro pop party that you’ll enjoy on “Me and My Arrow”.

Jeff not only wrote all of these songs, but he also played every single instrument (totaling 30, not counting vocals) on this recording. So obviously the guy is multi-talented, or he spends so much time in his basement that he simply doesn’t have any friends who could play the other instruments! While I find this impressive, most music fans realize that some guy in the basement can play 100 instruments himself, but if the songs suck, they suck. Even worse, the one man band has no one else to blame it on. Jeff has no worries in this regard. He can take all the praise for the four absolutely wonderful songs on “Me and My Arrow”.

Jeff makes it clear upfront: The Simple Carnival doesn’t rock…it pops. But pop it does, and it is some of the most infectious music I’ve heard. The record is recorded in a home studio, but you would never know. Sonically, it sounds better than what some professional recording studios churn out. Vocally, Jeff reminds me of Rupert Holmes (shame on you if you do not know "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)") and a bit of Timothy B. Schmit, and other soothing late 70s singer/songwriters. The upbeat and sunny "Caitlin's on the Beach" is my favorite track, but the other 3 are groovy cool in their own way. Normally I would kind of snicker at the glistening electric piano, xylophone, and flute of the lounge-flavored "Over Coffee and Tea", but it is actually fun and hip in an Austin Powers kind of way. Yeah baby! And you simply can't knock the catchy melody and silky smooth harmonies.

If you are a power pop purist, you MUST check out Jeff Boller's The Simple Carnival. I don't see how any fan of Brian Wilson, Harry Nilsson, or Sesame Street would be disappointed! I await the full-length release with eager anticipation...

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4

The Simple Carnival on MySpace. Official Site.

A note of trivia: Jeff also runs a really cool gearhead blog called Songs and Sonics. A must see if you are a home recording artist.

Check out the video for “Really Really Weird”:

Rare CD: Rush "Rushian Roulette"

"Rushian Roulette, a rare live CD from Rush. This is the show from the Pinkpop Festival in Geleen, Holland in June 1979, at the very tail end of the Hemispheres tour. CD is an original silver disc in excellent condition with no scratches or scuffing and pressed on the Metal memory label (MM 90018). This recording was actually made for FM broadcast, so the quality is nearly flawless. One of the nicest surprises is a rendition of The Sphere as an intro to Closer to the Heart, which is not listed in the track listing. And this version of Xanadu is, in my opinion, superior to any other recorded version. With the band embracing keyboards and other instruments during this period, some of the older songs are spiced up a little. Very, very cool set clocking in at just under 56 minutes.

A Passage to Bangkok
Xanadu
The Trees
The Sphere/Closer to the Heart
La Villa Strangiato
2112 (starts at Presentation)
In the Mood
Something For Nothing"

Sold for $82.01 on ebay (11 bids).

Rare CD: Tegan and Sara "The Con Demos"

"This CD is THE CON DEMOS by TEGAN and SARA. The CD features the following tracks: i was married, relief next to me, the con, knife going in, are you ten years ago, back in your head, hop a plane, soil soil, burn your life down, nineteen, floorplan, like o like h, dark come soon and call it off. The CD comes in its original cardboard picture sleeve. This copy is not numbered."

Sold for $87.00 on ebay (20 bids).

Rare CD: John Corabi "Uncovered"

"TALK ABOUT RARE ! THIS CD WAS PURCHASED FROM JOHN CORABI'S OFFICAL WEBSITE A FEW YEARS AGO. THE CD IS LONG SOLD OUT AND OUT OF PRINT. THE CD IS TITLED {UNCOVERED}. THE TRACKS WERE FEATURED ON VARIOUS TRIBUTE CD'S OVER THE YEARS. THE CD CONTAINS 13 TRACKS INCLUDING {WASTED - DEF LEPPARD, HOT FOR TEACHER - VAN HALEN, LIVIN' ON THE EDGE - AEROSMITH, USED TO LOVE HER - GUNS N ROSES, MAGGIE MAY - ROD STEWART, CAT SCRATCH FEVER - TED NUGENT, BORN TO BE MY BABY - BON JOVI, YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY - THE BEATLES, GASOLINE ALLEY - ROD STEWART, HAPPENINGS TEN YEARS TIME AGO - THE YARDBIRDS, SHAKE A LEG - AC/DC, HE'S A WOMAN SHE'S A MAN - THE SCORPIONS, & SURRENDER - CHEAP TRICK}."

Sold for $89.99 on ebay (7 bids).

Rare CD: AFI "The Days of the Phoenix"

"The Days of the Phoenix is a 2000 EP released by AFI. It contains two songs from The Art of Drowning and one previously unreleased track, "A Winter's Tale." Only 500 copies of this EP were released, making "A Winter's Tale" very rare!"

Sold for $102.50 on ebay (21 bids).

Review: Garfields Birthday “Let Them Eat Cake”

Their MySpace tag line is accurate…Garfields Birthday is indeed "Excellent indie pop for lost romantic souls". Fans of Brit pop are going to be mighty pleased with “Let Them Eat Cake,” the latest offering from Garfields Birthday, who hail from Weymouth, United Kingdom. The band would make their musical influences, which include Brian Wilson, Teenage Fanclub, and Big Star, proud.

To my ears, Garfields Birthday sound a lot like The Connells or Aztec Camera, mostly due to the smooth and soothing vocals of the Felton brothers. The songs are quite catchy with harmonies aplenty, particularly the lead off track “Molly’s Eyes” and the shimmering “We Know Your Name”. Other outstanding tracks include “Mystery Boy” and “Sugar Pop”, which is as sweet and tasty as it sounds, driven by a groovy wah wah lead. The brothers venture deep into Beach Boys territory with the energetic and sunny tune, "Take A Ride".

I also appreciate the excellent bass tone and the fact that these guys keep it cranked up in the mix. I think this takes the songs to a new level and makes them more memorable. The mix is expertly done…bass is up enough to standout, but is never overwhelming and distracting.

Garfields Birthday will impress fans of classic Brit pop and other pop rock bands that graced MTV's 120 Minutes during its hey day in the late 80s. If this is your bag, go get your cake and eat it too.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9

Garfields Birthday on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Molly's Eyes":
Molly's Eyes (Promo) By Garfields Birthday

Review: The Campbell Apartment "Insomniac's Almanac"

Crack open a Pabst Blue Ribbon, untangle yourself from the www, and have a seat in Campbell's Apartment for 40 minutes. You are in for a ride on the quirky pop "train" conducted by Ari Vais. "Insomniac's Almanac" is the latest from Vais, who astute powerpoppers may know from bands Humbert or The Pelicans. Now joined by Dan Haag on bass and Dave Harman on drums, Ari has delivered 13 (no, make that 16 counting the bonus tracks) fresh tracks of goofy pop goodness.

If you dig Fountains of Wayne (with whom The Campbell Apartment is touring), the lighter side of Weezer, or Ween, you should make space in your collection for Ari and Co. They are all these with a piece of Cake, too. Vocally, Ari sounds like a cross between Rivers Cuomo and Jason Falkner (The Grays, Jellyfish). The songs are typically short and to the point - like a good butcher, The Campbell Apartment cuts the fat and just gives you the meat of the song. A great gift for your loved one with A.D.D.

The opening track is a nice introduction to the side of the band showing its love for modern pop luminaries like Fountains of Wayne or the (tragically) short-lived Grays. "dna" is our next stop, which features some delightfully quirky lead guitar and refreshing lyrics; there simply aren't enough songs about nucleotides these days, and I hope to balance it all out, the boys release a song about epigenetics on the next CD. The next highlight for me is the best tune on the record, which has Ari pining for Josh Waller Weinberg's "Wife". It is not in the linear notes, but it sounds like Casper the friendly ghost came in to do the backing vocal, and he did a frightfully good job. "Wife" is a fantastic track with a spooky, but ultra catchy backing vocal hook. In "How To Be Alone", Ari does his best Weezer impression as he laments, "So screw it, I knew it, I lost it and blew it." Who can't relate to that? Another favorite of mine was "Addicted to MySpace", yet another witty tune about the www and the shortcomings of a virtual life. Driven by a hip, bouncy piano riff, this tune will be just as addictive as checking your MySpace profile. And don't overlook listening to the acoustic driven "Sunday Night Blues", which is going to be the new way I prepare for Mondays.

The outstanding feature regarding The Campbell Apartment is the lyrics...they are amusing and smart. Add in the catchy riffs and well done harmonies and you have a band that glorifies their influences while carving out their own niche. If you like a little quirkiness in your pop, you can't let this one get away.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10

The Campbell Apartment on MySpace.

Review: King's X "Black Like Sunday"

Strict fans of melodic rock and pop probably have mixed feelings when it comes to King's X. Make no mistake - these guys are enormously talented and artfully blend a mind-boggling number of genres into their records. Perhaps it is this unorthodox blend that turns some folks off because sometimes the hook and melody take a back seat to the progressive elements of their music.

"Black Like Sunday" is distinct from the extensive King's X discography. Although recorded and released in 2003, the album is full of tunes that were written in the band's early days (early 80s). And maybe that is why I find it more appealing than your average King's X fan, who was not expecting this musical side step. You have to appreciate the lyrics in this context, too...the guys were much younger when these lyrics were written, so of course they are simplified and deal with more juvenile subjects like complaining about work ("Working Man") and parents ("Danger Zone") while praising girlfriends ("You're the Only One"). Wait a minute...maybe they are not so juvenile...I can still relate to these lyrics!

Like most other CDs from this band, you have to do some weeding to find the tracks that would appeal to pop rock fans. That, of course, is my job. The aforementioned tracks are very melodic and feel like a fun blast from the past of a rock era long gone now. Also noteworthy are "Finish", the woe-is-me track "Down", and the fast and bouncy "Won't Turn Back".

iPOD-worthy: 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12

King's X on MySpace. Official site.

Free mp3: Jude Cole

Some "new/old" demos being offered from Jude Cole at his MySpace page.

Rare CD: Lobo "Calumet"

"LOBO - CALUMET RARE OUT OF PRINT CD"

Lobo...70s singer/songwriter...c'mon...he did "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo"!

Sold for $137.83 on ebay (18 bids)

Rare CD: Ozzy Osbourne "Chelmsford Complete" (live)

"This is a Rare Japanese SILVER PRESSED CD of one the best Randy concerts Chelmsford Odeon Oct 22, 1980. It has "Revelation Mother Earth" and "Paranoid" which makes it the most complete version of this show. It also has 2 studio outtakes/raw mixes of "No Bone Movies" with a girl orgasming at the end and "Steal Away" with a drum count off. The last track is a real gem - Suicide Solution (Demo/Practice) - An undiscovered practice session from the Blizzard of Ozz rehearsals with a different middle that sounds like Quiet Riot."

Sold for $157.50 on ebay (9 bids)

Rare CD: The Church "Sum of the Parts"

"The Church Sum Of The Parts promo mega-rare on CD. This collectible came out in 1988 to promote The Church's new U.S. label and album on Arista. Only 200 copies were made on compact disc, ASCD-9713. Certainly one of the rarest Church CDs.

Features excellent exclusive, live in the studio, acoustic versions of "Under The Milky Way" "Antenna" and "Spark" as well as a 28:30 candid interview with this great Aussie band."

Sold for $158.05 on ebay (8 bids)

Rare CD: Iron Maiden "Virus" (Holland CD Single)

"Iron Maiden-Virus-Holland CD Single Super Rare
EMI Printed in Holland
Cat nr: 7243 8 83171 2 2
Cardboard slim case"

Sold for $260.00 on ebay (22 bids)

Rare CD: Iron Maiden "The Soundhouse Tapes"

"Hello To All You Iron Maiden Fans Out Here!! Up For Bidding Is The Very Rare Item The Soundhouse Tapes Catalog # CSK 56882 This CD Is So Rare That The Only Way You Could Get One Was To Save And Send In 6 Stickers From The 2002 Iron Maiden Re-Issues. When The Band Re-Issued Its Catalog Back In 2002 They Had A Promotion That They Did By Sending In 6 Stickers And Postage You Could Get Your Bloody Hands On The Official Soundhouse Tapes. This Is The Only Official Release Of These On CD. The CD And Cardboard Sleeve Are In Great Shape The Plastic Is Still On The Sleeve. The Following Songs Are On It. Iron Maiden / Invasion / Prowler So There You Go!! I'm Sure This Item Will Be A Great Addition To Any Maiden Fan's Collection."

Sold for $305.00 on ebay (26 bids).

Review: Tin Machine (1989)

David Bowie's time fronting Tin Machine, a much harder rock-oriented project than his typical solo fare, lasted only a few years and cranked out two albums. This self-titled debut, released in 1989, is supposed to be the better of the two. If that is the case, I would hate to hear "Tin Machine II".

There is virtually nothing on this record that would appeal to pop or AOR enthusiasts, and it probably alienated a lot of long time David Bowie fans. The music is bland, the songs are boring, and the chemistry produces a sour flavor. The record tries to sizzle, but just falls flat.

The only track (being generous) worth multiple spins is "Baby Can Dance", a modestly catchy number that perks you out of the misery that is this CD.

iPOD-worthy: 14

Check out "Heaven In Here"

Rare CD: David Cook w/ Axium "Alive in Tulsa"

"David Cook is the new American Idol for season 7. He is a great musician and a good friend. I have had the privilege of being his friend for over five years, thus I own every CD that he has been involved in. This CD, “Alive in Tulsa”, is Axium’s only live album. This album was recorded at The Venue, at 18th & Boston in Tulsa, OK on Valentine’s Day 2004. I was there at the show working with Axium and MidWest Kings. It was an awesome show—I have seen them play live many times and was so happy that they recorded a CD! Axium is the first big band David was involved with in Kansas City. I hope you enjoy the album as much as I have! This CD does not contain any inserts and comes in a plastic jewel case. This is how I received the CD from David and rest of Axium in 2004.

1. Bastard A** Yellow Light
2. AC
3. Clean Break
4. Feed Your Ego
5. Incarcerate
6. Creep – Radiohead cover
7. Thought You Knew
8. Truth is a Gun"

This sold for $290.00 on ebay (35 bids).

Review: Evan Dando "Baby I'm Bored"

What an unfortunate title for this CD, the 2003 solo effort from the Lemonheads frontman. It is just too easy to use it against him to sum up the listening experience.

Let's start with the good news...it won't take long. "It Looks Like You" is a snappy number, with Evan actually sounding like he wants to be in the studio recording this one. Great harmony vocals strengthen the chorus hook, overlaid atop the kind of nice acoustic guitar work we'd expect from Evan Dando. The track after this one is also pretty interesting, entitled "The Same Thing You Thought Hard About Is The Same Part I Can Live Without". You'd think it was a Smiths song from the length of the title, but it actually sounds good when vocalized by Evan in the chorus of this neat little tune. The only other track worth mention is "All My Life", a slower acoustic-driven track with some of the best, personal, and heartfelt lyrics on the record. "All my life I thought I needed the things I didn't need at all".

The rest...well, unexciting is an understatement. Evan's vocals largely sound deep and muted, soft and uninspired. The production also sounds tired (bored?), but his acoustic numbers are immune to this. This is a solo effort that makes you think Evan really misses playing with his Lemonheads. I'd rather listen to the worst Lemonheads record (plenty to choose from!) than spin this one again in its entirety.

iPOD-worthy: 7, 8, 10

Evan Dando seems to be allergic to the Internet - no links. Here is one to Lemonheads site.

Review: Richard Page "Shelter Me"

Mr. Mister released one of the finest AOR records in the 80s with their 1985 smash, "Welcome to the Real World". Can you really be a true fan of AOR without this classic in your collection? Their subsequent release, "Go On", took a turn down a less commercial road and suffered the monetary consequences, but was a solid record in its own right.

Richard Page, the powerful voice and primary writer for Mr. Mister has released only one solo record (although he writes lots of tunes for other folks). "Shelter Me" surfaced in 1996 and sounds nothing like the glory days of Mr. Mister. With "Shelter Me", Page dives head first into the calmest of adult contemporary waters. In other words, many will find this record intensely boring. This is the kind of sleepy, unmelodious generic AC junk that one-time AOR luminaries Richard Marx and Kenny Loggins developed a penchant for in the late 90s. The disappointment with these guys is beyond words. At least Kenny redeemed himself with a great comeback with "How About Now" last year.

Everything on "Shelter Me" is cookie-cutter, and the studio musicians are just devoid of any sort of passion. There is a world-music flair in some of these tracks, which would be fine if there was a catchy hook to grab on to. There are only two tracks that stick out as being less than yawn inducing: "The Best Thing" and "A Simple Life".

iPOD-worthy: 1, 6

Richard Page - Mr. Mister site.

Review: The Brigadier "The Rise and Fall of Responsibility"

Matt Williams is the multi-talented mastermind behind The Brigadier, and his new 2008 release, "The Rise & Fall of Responsibility" will have fans of 70s pop jumping out of their orange and yellow sofas for joy. This is one of the most genuinely retro-sounding CDs I've heard in a long time; Matt is a man who knows how to pay tribute to his influences, which include everything from Abba to the Zombies.

The Brigadier specializes in buoyant 70s-style pop, with vocals subtle and hushed, but that swell into a brilliant climax during the plentiful harmonies. He is not unlike Elliott Smith or Teenage Fanclub in this regard.

Things get started with the first part of the mini-concept album within these 13 otherwise independent tracks. "Growing Up Is Hard To Do" is divided into two parts, the first part being a straight ahead pop rocker with 70s flair (complete with hand claps and harpsichord). Part two near the end of the CD is more epic in scale. The haunting "Envy" also boasts astute lyrics that stand out over the gentle acoustic strumming.

While these tracks showcase the more thoughtful and introspective side, there is plenty of stuff written purely for fun. Like the best track, "This, Is Why...", a simple love song with one of the catchiest hooks on the record, sounding like a musical ghost of a Captain and Tenile hit written by Elton John. A close second is "The Box in the Back of My Mind", another upbeat highlight with shimmering guitars, hand claps, and optimistic lyrics. "Une Soiree" is an interesting track with a bouncy, carnival-like chorus that would not be out of place in an Abba song. Finally, there are a couple of tracks that sound VERY much like T. Rex, such as "The Language of Love", which dials the fuzzy guitars to 10 when they are not interspersed with some tickling of the ivories. Some tracks are more experimental, like the brief closer "Facade", which reminds me of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood during Halloween.

All things considered, "The Rise & Fall of Responsibility" is a hugely enjoyable effort from a very talented songwriter and musician. If you are a fan of diverse genres swirling around a power pop core, you would be doing yourself a disservice by not checking out The Brigadier.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 5, 9, 11

The Brigadier on MySpace. Official site.