Review: Hannah Georgas "This Is Good"

"This Is Good" is the full-length debut record from Vancouver’s Hannah Georgas. The record is described as "a warm collection of 11 indie-pop songs that highlight Hannah’s unmistakable voice and reveal her range as a songwriter, guitarist and vocalist." "This Is Good" follows her award-winning EP, "The Beat Stuff".

Indie-pop bands are a dime a dozen these days, but what promises to separate Georgas from the pack is her distinctive voice. Her vocals are velvety smooth, but she can shape and mold them to fit comfortably into almost any genre. Georgas is graceful enough for pop, sultry enough for jazz, hip enough for indie music, and edgy enough for rock. This is no easy feat, but the tone and inflections that Georgas has mastered with her voice should certainly take her far.

The styles of music also run the gamut on "This Is Good". We begin with the contemporary "Chit Chat", a track that jumps on the indie pop bandwagon, but rides it well. From there, Georgas turns left and belts out a smooth pop tune called "Lovesick" that is laced with lovely harmonies and has quite a radio-friendly melody. "Dancefloor" is a respectable party song, brainless and trivial as it should be, but Georgas throws in a hint of Blondie towards the end that is pretty cool. As if this weren't all over the map enough, we then hear the bluegrass opening of "The Deep End", a tune which develops into a wonderfully engaging mid-tempo ballad. "The Deep End" is well-placed, refreshing change of pace and has grown to be my favorite track on the record. "Thick Skin" (video below) is a rather bizarre song, with haunting strings and eerie melodies that are not for the musically tame. The title track is aptly named and marks a welcomed return to the band's more commercial side. "Bang Bang You're Dead" is also very catchy and has a clever play on the use of shhh in the chorus, the combination making this track another winner. Georgas finishes the record with a quirky and old fashioned ditty called "Something for You".

"This Is Good" does live up to its title in most respects, with some tunes being more instantly memorable than others. Overall, this is an impressive debut and should be an effective vehicle to introduce the rest of the world to the vocal charms of Hannah Georgas. I'd recommend it if you like Frente!, Bjork, or Tegan and Sara. "This Is Good" comes out on April 27.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9

Hannah Georgas on MySpace.

Check out the video for "Thick Skin":

Review: Lactis Fever "The Season We Met"

Lactis Fever is indie-pop trio from Como, Italy. They've just recorded their full-length debut record, "The Season We Met", and it is a whopper that modern pop rock fans won't want to miss.

Lactis Fever is brilliant - I like everything about them. Bright and energetic rock, vocals that have a punk attitude but retain pop sensibilities, and keenly written melodies and harmonies throughout - what's not to love? The songs are terse and succinct, yet make an impression that lasts long after the three minutes is up. My only criticism is minor: the guitars are sometimes too muddled and dark for this otherwise upbeat pop rock. Outside of that, "The Season We Met" is one hell of a ride.

Lactis Fever is like a cross between Fall Out Boy and The Killers, and many of the harmonies remind me of the best things about 80s rock. This band should attract plenty of fans with varied tastes in music across the board - they are of a rare breed of acts that can please just about everyone. Given how terrific it is, it is hard to believe that "The Season We Met" is a debut record! There is not a single dud on the release, but some of the tracks I like best include "Down On My Knees", "Be Tray You", and "Friday 16th".

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8

Lactis Fever on MySpace. Official site.

Review: TJay "Take A Seat"

While the name TJay might sound like a hip-hop artist to you, don't be fooled. The TJay we are talking about here is a former baseball player who almost went to the Major Leagues before settling on a career in making music as a singer/songwriter.

A few minutes into "Take A Seat" and you'll be drawing comparisons to John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and Dave Matthews. The latter is especially apparent when saxophone extraordinaire Bill Evans contributes to the songs (he can be heard on "State Street Blues", "Hey In Your Sleep", and "Pretend You're Driving". TJay, who has a voice that sounds remarkably like the AOR master Danny Vaughn (Tyketto), writes and plays the type of blues-tinged jazz rock that gained a lot of popularity in the 90s. It is not the typical musical dish I order off the menu, but when you are in the mood for this genre, TJay has a lot to offer.

There is no question that the playing and production on "Take A Seat" is top-notch. TJay is a terrific guitar player, riffing like nobody's business and reminding me of greats like Willy Porter. TJay also sings very well, but his tone is not a perfect fit for some of the tunes. I appreciate that he doesn't go off on endless jam sessions - one of the reasons I usually avoid these kinds of artists. TJay's songs are focused and to the point, with decent lyrics and sometimes a memorable melody. Most of the time, however, the music is too complex to effectively impregnate the mind the way a simple pop song would. And this is my primary dilemma with this sort of music - the melody and hook often play second fiddle to the "look what I can do on my guitar". There are key instances, though, where things gel rather nicely - these include the title track, "State Street Blues", "Goldfish", and "My Blues".

Perhaps the most informed comment regarding TJay comes from Steve Lillywhite (producer of Dave Matthews Band, U2, Counting Crows, Jason Mraz, Matchbox 20) says: "(TJay is) at the same place in (his) career that Dave Matthews was when he recorded 'Remember Two Things'". Will TJay like up to these high expectations? We'll have to take a seat and wait for time to tell.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 5, 9

TJay on MySpace. Official site.

News: Skyrocket Love "Novacaine" FREE MP3

Influenced by such artists as The Killers, Daughtry, Muse, and OneRepublic, Skyrocket Love has received over 200,000 plays on terrestrial and internet radio and developed a rabid fan following via local shows and an active online presence since forming in late 2009. The band just released their first single “Novacaine,” which you can download for FREE right here.

The hard-driving and harmonically soaring “Novacaine” is the first taste of the band’s heavyweight sound, and a precursor to their forthcoming releases, which includes a 5-song EP planned for this summer and the band’s full-length debut due this fall.

Review: Tora Tora "Bombs Away" "Miss B Haven" "Before and After"

Tora Tora, one of the neglected "hair bands" of the late 80s and early 90s, have put out three "new" records of previously unreleased material. You may remember this band from their minor hits "Phantom Rider", "Walkin' Shoes", and "Faith Healer". They were one of my favorites of the day and I was always hoping we would hear from them again. Anthony Corder's voice is towards the higher end of the vocal spectrum, similar to Slaughter, but not so screechy. His tone suits the music well and he has excellent control of his voice. The musicianship in Tora Tora has always been impressive compared to the others that crowded this genre, and they frequently incorporated a healthy dose of blues into their brand of hard rock that helped make them stand out. After two terrific albums, "Surprise Attack" (1989) and "Wild America" (1992), Tora Tora dropped off the face of the earth. The band did record a third album in 1994 called "Revolution Day", but it never saw the light of day due to label restructuring.

The three records below come courtesy of a new label, FnA Records. From their website: "FnA Records, LLC. formed in 2009 to bring Rockers and Metalheads some of the best unreleased and hard-to-find music from the 80's and early 90's. We are also a label that allows you, the fans to bring us music that you remember from 'Back In The Day', and to have it professionally released."

"Bombs Away"


To the credit of FnA Records, these releases certainly do 'take you back' in time. "Bombs Away" features eleven demo tracks written during the "Surprise Attack" sessions. Being demos, the sound quality is pretty bad - FnA Records claims to have cleaned things up to produce a listenable product, but there is still significance tape hiss and an unpolished sound throughout. Tape imperfections abound and sound is sometimes panned to one speaker, all of which really distracts from the music. If you can get past this, there are a few noteworthy power ballads on "Bombs Away", such as "When The Wind Blows" and "Tonite (version 2)", and a handful of rockers like "Bringing Me Down" and "Lost In Paradise", but some of these tracks probably would have been bombs indeed.

"Miss B. Haven"


To me, "Wild America" was a quantum leap ahead of "Surprise Attack" - the band really hit their stride here and was simply in the zone. Not surprisingly, this batch of 13 leftovers recorded during the "Wild America" sessions contain a lot of standouts. "Wild America" could have been a double record - in 1992, it seems Tora Tora could crank out endless radio-friendly rockers. Despite being of demo quality, the hooks and catchy riffs jump right out at you. Highlights include "Take It As You Like It", "Ain't Nothin' To It", "Bite the Bullet", and "Serious". Loaded with thunderous rockers that are so infectious, you are willing to overlook the shortcomings of the sound quality on this one.

"Before and After"


This one is a bit unique in that it contains some of the band's earliest material from 1987 and some of their demos from the never released 1994 album. The first five tracks are from the EP "To Rock To Roll", the band's indie release made prior to being signed. It is a cool glimpse into the history of the band, but something that only the most hardcore fan will appreciate. It is kind of like a museum exhibit - once you've seen it, there's not much point in going back again. These songs suffer from tape limitations and sound very tinny, and several of these are on "Surprise Attack" in much better form. There is one ballad here, "Time On The Edge", that is very good - I am surprised it was not included on "Surprise Attack". The final four tracks are demos from "Revolution Day", which would have been their third major label record if Kurt Cobain and company hadn't radically altered the musical landscape. Unfortunately, after hearing these lackluster songs, I am a bit more sympathetic to A&M for not wanting to go forward with such a record.

Summary: I'd recommend these three records if you just can't get enough Tora Tora. With some notable exceptions, these tracks were left off the main releases for good reason - they are not the cream of the crop. I'd also argue that FnA Records was pretty lazy about doing the job right. The artwork is almost laughable, looking like something an amateur graphics artist would pluck out of the heavy metal clipart gallery. It also took them over 3 weeks to ship the overpriced CDs out to me. As mentioned, the worst deficiency is the disappointing sound quality. I understand most of these are demos that they "cleaned" up, but they cleaned them up as well as a 7 year old claims to have cleaned his room. I can't recommend these records for the casual fan - if you want to get acquainted with Tora Tora, start with "Wild America". You'll dig Tora Tora if you like Tesla, Slaughter, or Kix. If you want to try one of these three, "Miss B. Haven" is your best bet.

iPOD worthy:
"Bombs Away": 3, 4, 8
"Miss B. Haven": 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9
"Before and After": 0

Tora Tora on MySpace. Official site. FnA Records.

Review: Andy Stone "You Don't See Many of These Nowadays"

Andy Stone's new CD, "You Don't See Many of These Nowadays" could refer to any number of things...VHS tapes, rotary phones, Bengal roof turtles, unselfish politicians...or could be referring to his own brand of music.

Stone describes his music like this: "Imagine a dinner party hosted by the Beatles, with a guest list that includes XTC, Squeeze, the Zombies and Kinks, Aimee Mann and Elvis Costello". The description is quite accurate, keeping in mind his CD is more like dinner and not dessert. Stone writes smart music for grown ups, and I imagine that fans of 60s/70s pop are going to connect to this much better than the younger crowd.

To his credit, Stone strives to be melodic and reaches a few great heights on "You Don't See Many of These Nowadays". The songs are generally tuneful and lush, but honestly I found my mind wandering off about one third of the way through each song. There's nothing bad...but nothing stellar either. Same could be said for the vocals, which are contributed by Phil Angotti, Mike Przygoda, and Tom Godsman (Accidental Charm) - they are serviceable, but less than remarkable. The rather low grade production value is another shortcoming of the record. Overall, very middle of the road all round. The main highlight for me was the catchy tune "Talk About the Love", which truly succeeded in blending Stone's retro and more contemporary influences.

There is a lot to like about Andy Stone's "You Don't See Many of These Nowadays", just not a whole lot to love.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 5

Andy Stone on MySpace. Official site.

News: Butch Walker - new album download only 3.99

News flash! You have until tomorrow to grab the new one from Butch Walker for only $3.99. Go here to download. Read our review of "I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart" right here.

Review: Lloyd Dobler Effect "A Mute Reminder"

Lloyd Dobler Effect (LDE) released "A Mute Reminder" on April 13th. You may recall our review of this band last year - we reviewed their self-titled indie version of this release (review here). The album made my top ten of the year (click here), so I highly recommend you check this out if you haven't already! Below is the official press release.

"Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 8, 2010 -- Imagen Records is proud to present the new CD by Lloyd Dobler Effect (LDE) entitled, 'A Mute Reminder'. The album contains 12 incredible songs that represent the best in contemporary rock music with strong vocals, powerful lyrics, infectious melodies and a driving back beat that pulls the listener in for more. LDE has been an influential part of the Indie music scene for over 8 years garnering a national/international fan base and worldwide recognition as one of the top up-in-coming bands in the industry. “We are really happy to release a collection of songs we’ve written over the past few years that we feel are the best of our songwriting to date,” said lead vocalist and guitarist, Phil Kominski.

“We are really happy to release a collection of songs we’ve written over the past few years that we feel are the best of our songwriting to date.” All songs were written by Phil Kominski, Chris Bruno, and Donnie Williams of LDE. The new single from the CD, 'Going Back to the End' is a power-packed jam that really highlights the band’s musical intensity and essence. 'A Mute Reminder' was produced by LDE and Bob Winegard, with final mixes by Grammy award winner Bruce Irvine for GYB Entertainment. The album was mastered by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta at the Lodge, New York, NY. Cover direction and design was created by Jeff Chenault for eleven07.com."

Llyod Dobler Effect on MySpace. Official site. Get it.

Review: Moving Castles "EP One" [EP]

Moving Castles was formed in October 2009, and consists of members John Eric, Daniel Zane, Marshall Garrett Berry, Matt Letsinger and Eric Meeks. True to their influences, which include The Beach Boys to Morrissey, the guys are bent on crafting harmony-laden power pop tunes that you will want to crank up loud. Moving Castles state, "We are not trying to revolutionize anything. We just want to make music that makes us happy and we hope that you will find it intriguing and enjoyable."

Their latest, "EP One" is available now - it is brief: enough to give a taste of what these guys are capable of, but it will surely leave you wanting more. Opener "This Is The Life" is the perfect sunny day tune, radiating happiness with its feel good melody and bright instrumentation. Clearly the standout track here. "Wives (You're Near Me Always)" sounds like it might be a ballad, but no - this is another peppy rocker that kicks in right after some well orchestrated harmonies. The lyrics are sparse and too repetitive, which bring my enthusiasm for this track down quite a bit. "Theater, Girl", however, is a nice comeback and ends things on a high note.

Best of all, the boys in Moving Castle has made their 3-track "EP One" available for FREE at their website - click here.

Moving Castles on MySpace. Official site.

Cover tune catastrophe: I Believe I Can Fly

In this ongoing series, I will uncover some of the WORST cover tunes ever recorded. We’ve all encountered that unsettling feeling upon hearing a beloved song redone by another artist. What were they thinking? How dare they try to redo this song! While we are powerless to prevent these clowns from trashing the originals, we can call them out on it.



William Hung – “I Believe I Can Fly” (R. Kelly)

William Hung is unequivocally the most catastrophic thing to come out of American Idol, other than Ryan Seacrest’s radio show. William Hung is exceptional in that he landed a record deal for NOT being able to sing…oh wait, isn’t that the rule these days? Hung’s entire album, “Inspiration” (2004), is atrocious, but I’ll only torture your ears with this one song. Take the Hung challenge…see if you can perform an entire song without singing a single note in key!

Review: Krokus "Hoodoo"

You were probably just as surprised as I upon hearing the news that the original headbanging band Krokus was aiming to make a comeback. Switzerland's Krokus attained an admirable following in the 80s alongside similar-sounding bands like AC/DC, Motorhead, Accept, and Nazareth. "Hoodoo" is the first record in 20 years for these classic rock purists.

Krokus picks up pretty much right where they left off - still belting out no thrills guitar rock - they show no signs of age. Marc Storace sings with as much bite as he did back in the day, the gritty texture of his voice perfectly complementing the band's brand of sharp riff rock. As always, Krokus plays with vigor and vitality...it is just a shame that many of the new songs themselves don't do justice to the talents in the band.

Things get started on a high note with the feisty anthem, "Drive It In" - vintage Krokus. Then things get a little pedestrian with the cumbersome first single, "Hoodoo Woman", followed by a lackluster cover of Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild". The autobiographic "Rock and Roll Handshake" is pretty good - it injects some blues into the rock while condensing the history of the band into three and a half minutes. Next up is "Ride Into The Sun", a flat power ballad that comes to soon. Fortunately, "Too Hot" wakes you from your slumber, easily the most infectious and melodic cut on "Hoodoo". Fit for any party, "Too Hot" is an instantly memorable song with a great harmony-filled chorus - I truly wish "Hoodoo" had more tracks like it. The second half of the record kind of blends altogether, with only "Keep Me Rolling" and "Shot Of Love" standing out of the crowd.

Long time fans of Krokus will find a lot to love and get nostalgic about on "Hoodoo". I am not so confident, however, that the band is going to gain a new legion of younger fans with this one. Much like the newest release from their Australian counterparts, AC/DC (reviewed here), Krokus captures a certain magic when they build from a solid memorable hook. Unfortunately on "Hoodoo" they don't do that on many of the tracks.

"Hoodoo" will be released on May 25, 2010.

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

Krokus on MySpace. Official site.

Review: My Pet Dragon "Lover in Hiding" [maxi single]

My Pet Dragon stems from the meeting of New York singer/songwriter Todd Michaelsen and Indian dancer/actress Reena Shah. As the romantic feelings grew between Michaelson and Shah, so did their desire to form a band to record the musical aspirations in their head. The result was My Pet Dragon, whose debut album, "First Born", earned some attention from BBC radio and opened up some opportunities for collaborative songwriting with Karsh Kale and the chance to score an award-winning animated film called "Sita Sings The Blues".

The maxi-single for "Lover in Hiding" gives us a taste of what the upcoming full-length record will sound like, and fans of atmospheric pop with just the right amount of grit will want to take note. Michaelsen's vocals are a bit like Thom Yorke (Radiohead) at times and suit the musical style very well. "Lover in Hiding" is a sweet mid-tempo pop rocker that fills the senses and imprints on your brain in no time. A couple other tracks are present on the maxi-single, including "Between Us", which finds Michaelsen proclaiming, "There is something in-between us buzzin' 'round - there is something in-between us that science hasn't found". Of course science always wins in the end, but why not enjoy this kind of innocence while it lasts?

My Pet Dragon shows some real promise, especially if they continue to write songs as engaging and infectious as "Lover in Hiding". The duo plays an eclectic mix of styles and the end result is quite the ethereal experience. Check them out for FREE - we have been given permission to give you the "Lover in Hiding" mp3: click here.

My Pet Dragon on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Snow and Voices "Anything That Moves"

Snow and Voices is a collaborative duo comprised of singer-songwriter Lauri Kranz and multi-instrumentalist Jebin Bruni (Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple).. Their third CD, "Anything That Moves", is set for release on May 25.

The new record was produced by Jebin Bruni and Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Beck), who could not have been better in bringing this dramatic, atmospheric music to life. Kranz and Bruni also pulled together a stellar collective of Los Angeles-area musicians who contribute their skills to Snow and Voices, both live and in their recordings. The talent pool includes Joey Waronker (Thom Yorke, Beck, REM), Joshua Grange (KD Lang, Dwight Yokaum), Chris Bruce (Michelle Ndegeocello, Joe Henry), Jennifer Condos (Ray Lamontagne, Ryan Adams), Blair Sinta (Damien Rice, My Brightest Diamond), Cedric LeMoyne (O+S), Gregory Slay (Remy Zero), Jeffrey Cain (Dead Snares), Vanessa Freebairn-Smith (Gnarls Barkley) and Brian MacLeod (Paul Westerberg, Sheryl Crow). Now that is some name dropping!

Opening track, "Maybe Finland" is superb and demonstrates the maximum potential of Snow and Voices. The delicate and seductive vocals of Lauri Kranz slip into your ears ever so gently. Best of all, you can grab this track for free below. Other very strong and engaging tracks include "Everything Coming Apart", "Liar", and "Please Be My Lover". Not everything held my attention as strongly - some tracks are quite sleepy - so this CD is most fitting for the blues, when you need something slow and easy. The lyrics mostly revolve around love and relationships, but are poetic, sincere, and thoughtful. A CD with every track as gorgeous and melodic as "Maybe Finland" would be heaven.

But to try and stop listening to Snow and Voices is like trying to leave the cozy warmth of your blanket on a cold winter morning. I recommend Snow and Voices if you like the dreamy pop side of Radiohead, Cowboy Junkies, Leona Naess, snow, or beautiful voices.

We have permission to give you the outstanding "Maybe Finland" as a free download. Just click here.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 8, 9

Snow and Voices on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Evan Bliss "ShhhPOW"

Former frontman for reggae rock group The Low Life, Evan Bliss has struck out on his own now to create "ShhhPOW". He has largely abandoned the reggae for his first solo outing in favor of contemporary pop rock.

But to pigeon hole Evan Bliss into the pop rock category would be a bit misleading. He dabbles in a multitude of musical genres and he and his band have the instrumental chops to do this effectively. There are bits of classic rock, some blue eyed soul, jazz, funk, and even a splash of ho-down (the band aptly describes their music as an "international rock buffet"). What emerges from this hodgepodge of styles is a trademark sound that has a surprisingly energetic quality that makes you want to dance. You could say that "ShhhPOW" sounds like the record Adam Levine would make if he went solo from Maroon 5.

Just a few seconds into the electrifying opening track, "Love Is A Dancefloor" you'll hear why. The beat goes on with another great track to groove and reflect on called "Fleiss", a power ballad about damaged relationships that features some of the most heartfelt vocal moments Bliss delivers. "Passerby" begins with the classic 50s rock beat that the Stray Cats revived in the 80s, and then launches into a signature Evan Bliss chorus. "Awake" is a grand ballad done in the finest Coldplay tradition, possessing a chorus that you'll be humming for days. True to its essay title, "On Love and Life", is a brutally honest meditation on relationships; combined with its breezy, "c'est la vie" atmosphere, this track is a real winner for me. A final highlight is the peppy "Parachutes and Ladders" - it is a little hard to keep up with the rapid-fire vocals on this one, but it is fun trying!

Currently they are best known on the East coast, but Evan Bliss is poised to dish out their buffet sound across the country. Bliss is a genuine vocal talent, a budding songwriter, and has recruited some top notch players. Check them out if you like Maroon 5, New Radicals, or Robbie Williams.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 11

Evan Bliss on MySpace. Official site.

Interview: Treat

Go read my interview with Treat, the legendary AOR band from Sweden. They've just released a spectacular new record called "Coup de Grace" (read our review here).

The Treat interview is here, only at Rock and Roll Report.

Review: Josh Ketchen and the 1000s "We Don't Belong Here"

One year in the making, "We Don't Belong Here" is the latest from Josh Ketchen and the 1000s. If you can imagine a mash up of Belle & Sebastian and The Beach Boys, you can come pretty close to approximating the sound of this most unusual band.

The first three tracks will make you feel like you have gone back in time to a 1950s high school dance. Other tracks sound like some of the indie pop you might have heard during the peak of "120 Minutes" on MTV. There is no real cohesive element that strings these songs together, other than the fact that Ketchen tries to sing on all of them. I say "try" because he is vocally challenged in that quirky, indie pop kind of way. Vocally - and sometimes musically - Josh Ketchen and the 1000s remind me of Aztec Camera, but Ketchen's pitch is all over the place and his tone too melancholy for some of the brighter pop written for the record. The lackluster production may be viewed as a plus by indie rockers, but it is not going to sit well for those who liked more polished pop.

For sampling purposes, I suggest you check out "Riverside", which is a pleasant number that encapsulates what Josh Ketchen and the 1000s do best. "Say So", the most instantly catchy track on the record, is even better. "The Rich Kids", the first single, is also notable - brassy, upbeat, and harboring an infectious chorus, this one is a keeper.

iPOD-worthy: 3, 6, 8

Josh Ketchen and the 1000s on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Four O'Clock Balloon "Four O'Clock Balloon"

The smart folks at Killer Music Group have "dusted off the cob-webs and spit to a shine the newly remastered Four O'Clock Balloon first release of the same title". I've not heard of Four O'Clock Balloon before, but was pleasantly surprised with this debut. The record originally surfaced back in 1997 and the band quickly gained a loyal underground fan base. I feel very lucky to have now become acquainted with this band through this reissue.

Four O'Clock Balloon features Santana band member Tommy Anthony, who seems to have repackaged all of the elements that made the classic pop of the 60s so great into a fresh new gift. Vocally he does a solid job, although he appears to struggle a bit when in his uppermost registry. No big deal, though, as he is in his comfort zone most of the time and is always supported by airy harmonies.

Four O'Clock Balloon is fab powerpop at its finest. The record opens with the muscular groove of "I Need You", a track that would be very comfortable among those found on any record by The Knack. My favorite tracks include the wonderful "Stood in the Rain", the infectious "So Long", and the snappy "More or Less". A couple other highlights include "Real" and "Ripley". I also thought the album's closer, "The Joker Laughs At You" was very good, but the effect applied to the vocal ruined it for me. The production is a bit on the lo-fi side, but the masterful songwriting really carries the day.

The band describes their music as "Liquid rainbow drops from a kaleidoscope sky". I don't believe I could say it any better. Any fan of powerpop - especially The Beatles, Enuff Z'Nuff, or Chewy Marble - should make time for Four O'Clock Balloon. Let's show the boys how much we love this lost gem in hopes of inspiring them to return to the studio to cut a new record full of powerpop goodies!

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9

Four O'Clock Balloon on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Giant "Promise Land"

I was so looking forward to the long-awaited new release from melodic rock outfit, Giant. The band consisted of the unbelievably talented Huff brothers - Dann Huff on lead vocals and guitar, and David Huff on drums. Giant released what many consider to now be a pair of classics in the genre of melodic hard rock: "Last of the Runaways" in 1989 and "Time To Burn" in 1992. We last heard from the band in 2001 with the release of "III", which was a solid effort but failed to capture the magic of the younger Giant.

These days, Dann Huff is too busy for Giant, being one of the most wanted session players and producers in the business (for good reason - the guy is amazing). So David Huff recruited Terry Brock (Strangeways, Seventh Key) to take the vocal helm for Giant's new release, "Promise Land". Additionally, John Roth (Winger) has taken over on guitars and original member Mike Brignardello still plays the bass. It should be mentioned that while he is not in the official line-up, Dann Huff did co-write several of the songs and does some guest spots on "Promise Land".

Unfortunately, "Promise Land" does not live up to its title and comes off as a mere shadow of the mighty Giant of long ago. Brock is a fine vocalist and has some stellar moments on this CD, but the distinctive vocal sound that makes Giant Giant for me is noticeably gone. Too many of the tracks just wander aimlessly for far two long, devoid of any hint of the fat grooves, catchy melodies, or stunning harmonies that fans have come to expect from a Giant record. Only a handful of tracks remotely caught my attention: "Two Worlds", "I'll Wait For You", and "Through My Eyes", which has a glimmer of the power ballad glory that gave Giant their biggest radio hit. As for the Giant I used to know and love - guess I'll see you in my dreams.

iPOD-worthy: 6, 8, 9

Giant - Official site.

Review: Stars Go Dim "Love Gone Mad"

"Love Gone Mad" was released by Tulsa pop rockers Stars Go Dim in August 2009. They've won an impressive assortment of awards so far in their early career - their song "Get Over It" won the Billboard World Song Contest and first prize in the USA Songwriting Competition, their song "Come Around" won the CMT and Nashville Songwriters Association International's 8th Annual Listener's Choice Award - just to name a few. And they've opened for Switchfoot, John Mayer, Daughtry, Billy Joel, Elton John, and more...a truly remarkable start for such a young band.

Their full-length debut radiates with bright pop and gentle rock in equal measure. As the title implies, the album explores love as it is seen from various points of view. “Even before we had and album title, I knew I wanted to write a song called ‘Love Gone Mad’,” guitarist and principal songwriter Joey Avalos revealed, “because there’s so many things that could mean". "A precursor to the ongoing narrative, which will include additional media and culminate in a book, can be found on the band’s website. The project is a tale of two young lovers with broken and guarded hearts who learn about themselves when they find the love letters of another couple from decades earlier and try to hunt down the rest of the story."

"Love Gone Mad" certainly has its strong suits. It is consistent and cohesive. The production is slick. Most notable of all, Chris Cleveland is a genuinely amazing vocalist. His warm, sparkling vocals and instinct to make a moment in every song makes even some of the more pedestrian tracks shine. The chief disappointment is the lyrical content. The lyrics are all too wholesome, simplistic, and generally unpoetic - they make Bon Jovi look like Walt Whitman. So what we have in the end is serviceable pop rock, but I struggle to see most of these tracks making a lasting impression.

Highlights include the award-winning opening track "Get Over It, the mild country-flavored "Come Around", the blue eyed soul of "Walk On", and "Incredible", in which Cleveland turns in one of his most striking vocal performances. The band has a great deal of potential, and with some stronger hooks and more compelling material, their stars will not fade.

Fans of sweet, charming pop with a bit of an edge will be all over "Love Gone Mad". Check out Stars Go Dim if you like Switchfoot, Carolina Liar, or O.A.R.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10

Stars Go Dim on MySpace. Official site.

Rare CD: Blyss "Diff's Lucky Day" (Lifehouse)

Blyss is the forerunner of Lifehouse, a.k.a. Jason Wade & his band.

"1999 Pre Release (1996 lyrics) Special Collector's Edition

Diff's Lucky Day is an EP by Blyss, the forerunner of Lifehouse. Jason Wade and his band, with Ron Aniello as producer, released their debut album in 1999 under the band name Blyss entitled Diff's Lucky Day. Originally intended for sale at concerts, or for giving to friends or potential industry contacts. This is an extremely limited-release CD & very few hard copies exist!!

Track listing:
"Cling and Clatter" (Also appeared on "No Name Face")
"Unknown" (A bit different than the version on "No Name Face")
"Fool" (This song ended up as a Lifehouse B-Side. Catchy tune!)
"Crown of Scars" (Only found on Diff's Lucky Day)
"Mudpie" (Only found on Diff's Lucky Day)
"Trying" (Very similar to the version found on "No Name Face")
"Storm" (Also appeared on "Who We Are")
"Breathing" (A bit different than the version on "No Name Face")
"Somewhere In Between" (Very similar to the version that is on "No Name Face")
"Fairy Tales and Castles" (Later re-recorded and became a B-Side on "No Name Face")
"What's Wrong With That" (Another song that ended up as a B-Side on "No Name Face")
"Revolution Cry" (Good song that was only on Diff's Lucky Day)

Sold for $400 on ebay (37 bids)

Review: Jeff Beck “Emotion And Commotion”

Guitar phenom Jeff Beck is back after a seven year absence with a new CD called “Emotion And Commotion” (coming out on Atco Records (Rhino Entertainment) on April 13). The first single, “I Put A Spell On You”, which features Joss Stone on vocals, can be heard right now at iTUNES. The Grammy-winning musician is legendary for his guitar work and has been amazing critics and fans since his early days in The Yardbirds. “Emotion And Commotion” delivers ten new tracks to feast on, from sweepingly dramatic numbers like the opening “Corpus Christi Carol” to his putting his stamp on old familiar tunes like the current single.

There is a little something for everyone on “Emotion And Commotion”, and no matter who you are or what sort of music you dig the most, there is no way Jeff Beck can leave you anything less than mesmerized by his guitar playing. Even for those who can’t really get into instrumental guitar rock, there are enough recognizable melodies scattered within these tracks to keep you engaged. Beck brings a new aching beauty to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and a seductive draw to “I Put A Spell On You”. For long time fans thirsting for something that rocks a bit more, you won’t want to miss Beck’s new original composition, “Hammerhead”. For those looking for a mellow groove, there’s “Serene”. And for those of you yearning for more classical pieces, there's "Nessun Dorma".

Joss Stone also contributes vocals to the slinky "There's No Other Me", while Imelda May lends her gracious pipes to "Lilac Wine" and Olivia Safe adds some haunting touches to "Elegy For Dunkirk" (from the film ‘Atonement’). Beck recorded with a 64-piece orchestra on several of these songs, making you feel like you are in the movies when you play the record – there is a strong theatrical presence on “Emotion And Commotion” that will leave you with goosebumps.

Jeff Beck - official site.

News: Lifehouse - L.A. Flyaway Sweepstakes

Lifehouse is participating in a LA Flyaway Sweepstakes where you can win 2 tickets to their concert at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 3rd, as well as hotel and airfare. Enter the contest by April 19th at 12PM EST to win!

Click here for the Lifehouse sweepstakes

Review: Stella Kidd "Kiddnapped"

Hard rockers Stella Kidd are back with a new EP called "Kiddnapped", the follow up to their previous 2007 EP, "Contact High" (review here). "Kiddnapped" sees the band progressing and maturing - they are moving away from being mimics of their influences to finding a sound they can call their own. Case in point: the vocals supplied by lead singer Limy don't sound as overtly similar to the stylings of James Hetfield (Metallica). You will still hear references to Hetfield every now and then, but Limy clearly made an effort to carve out his own niche this time around.

With these six songs on "Kiddnapped", Stella Kidd reaffirms that old school hard rock can still sound fresh and exciting today. While the guitars and drums are thick and loud, the guys really strive to bring a melody out to make the songs memorable. The EP just gets better as it plays, with the latter half outshining the beginning. The tracks that exceed expectations and really stand out include the radio-friendly "Wonder" and the groovy closer, "All For Nothing". "All For Nothing" features a very catchy riff and choruses that are bolstered with some good harmony vocals. I also really enjoyed the more relaxed (more relaxed for Stella Kidd, anyway!) tune, "Self-control".

"Kiddnapped" is due to arrive April 3.

Stella Kidd on MySpace.

Interview: Brian Howe

I recently had the good fortune to interview Brian Howe, whose new sophomore solo release "Circus Bar" is out now (reviewed here). He was very candid and very funny, especially when talking about his tenure with Bad Company!

Check out the interview here at Rock and Roll Report.

Review: Brian Howe "Circus Bar"

After 13 years, Brian Howe is back with a whopper of a new album. The ex-Bad Company singer begins his sophomore release with the announcement of his triumphant return in a terrific and feisty rocker aptly titled, "I'm Back".

Sounding just as fierce and energetic as his heyday in Bad Company, Howe has delivered what many will consider the surprise of the year. "Circus Bar" is packed with some of the most melodic and contemporary material he's ever written. The contemporary nature of the new record may be due in part to input from songwriting and producing partner, Brooks Paschal (formerly of the modern rock band Sullivan).

After the infectious opener ("I'm Back"), Howe launches into another catchy tune called "Life's Mystery", which, as you may surmise, is a reflective piece about our fragile and temporary existence. "There's This Girl" finds Howe on terra firma, a track that could easily have been placed on any of his records with Bad Company. "I'm Surrounded", a great mid-tempo song of yearning, will please those who enjoyed Howe's first solo record, 1997's "Tangled In Blue". "Flying", a sweet acoustic ballad laced with beautiful harmonies, is a touching tribute to moms that have passed on. "My Town" returns to the rock designed to get you to move and "Feels Like Coming Home" is another mid-tempo treat made even better with some great harmonies in the pre-chorus. "What Am I Feeling" could be considered the sequel to the monster power ballad hit, "If You Needed Somebody".

Fans will note that "Circus Bar" has newly recorded versions of two songs Howe made into hits with Bad Company. His new version of "How 'Bout That" is only mildly different, but his haunting piano-driven rendition of "Holy Water" is a very compelling listen.

In many ways, "Circus Bar" sounds like a stellar, proper follow up to Bad Company's "Here Comes Trouble". It possesses the maturity of his previous solo record from many years ago, but has much more of a rock vibe than the adult contemporary direction that dominated "Tangled In Blue". No fan of great melodic rock should miss this one - it is Howe's masterpiece.

Don't miss my interview with Brian Howe at Rock and Roll Report!

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13

Brian Howe on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Scorpions "Sting in the Tail"

It is the end of an era. Everyone's favorite arachnids are back for one last album. Hard to believe, but after 40 years, the Scorpions have released what they are calling their swan song.

It is easy to raise expectations too high for what we know to be a final record. It is even easier to set the bar excessively high after they rolled out one of the best albums of their entire career on their last outing (read our rave review of "Humanity Hour 1" here). So I have given "Sting in the Tail" many more than the usual number of spins I give a record under review, hoping that I would like it more than I initially did.

But if I'm being honest, "Sting in the Tail" is less than a terrific album. It certainly has its share of highlights, and listening to Klaus Meine open the record singing, "I was born in a hurricane" damn near put a tear in my eye - to think that there will soon be a world with no new music from the Scorpions. But its eleven tracks - most of which are plodding rockers or nondescript ballads - left me somewhat disappointed.

Don't get me wrong: "Sting in the Tail" serves as a veritable tribute to rock and roll and does have its moments. The opener, "Raised On Rock" is a fantastic trademark rocker, and "No Limit" and "Turn You On" recall some of the finer moments of their late 80s heyday ("Crazy World" era). The Scorpions also show their more thoughtful side with a moving song of a soldier's plight ("The Good Die Young") and a chill-inducing closer ironically entitled, "The Best Is Yet To Come". The guys sound tremendous as always, with Klaus Meine's distinctive vocals being as rugged as they were on day one.

So the boys don't quite go out in a blaze of glory, but "Sting in the Tail" is a solid capstone to one of the finest careers in hard rock music. Cheers to the guys and thanks for four decades of great tunes.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 4, 5, 8, 11

Scorpions on MySpace. Official site.

Review: James Henry "Overspill"

James Henry is a jack of all trades - writing, recording, producing, and performing for over ten years now from New York to L.A. to Austin to his homebase in London. "Overspill" is his latest offering - a follow up to 2004's "Sweetener". The first single, "The Sun Is Cracking The Flags", is a pop fan's dream that grabs you right at the get-go with its catchy 'la la la' opening. Henry wastes no time engraving the contagious chorus into your memory, and I've not been able to get this song out of my head all week. Since it is such a neat little pop tune that makes me smile, I don't mind so much.

There isn't anything else quite as smashing and instantly memorable on "Overspill" as the delightful "The Sun Is Cracking The Flags", but fans of light, acoustic-based Brit pop are going to find a little piece of heaven in this record. Vocally, Henry sounds like a cross between Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) and Gilbert O'Sullivan. "Milsom Heights" is a sunny opener, complete with handclaps and a chorus that will have you singing along in no time. "Checkout Idling" makes it clear that Henry is no stranger to the music of James Taylor. I also really enjoyed the upbeat "Don't Let It Happen", which features a guitar run that reminds me of Mason Williams. "I'd Be All Over That" sounds like it would be comfortable on Jude Cole's latest record, so that one won me over as well.

James Henry specializes in intelligent pop songs for adults. "Overspill" has excellent production quality, with acoustic guitars that are bright and crisp, complex harmonies that gently float into your ears, and plenty of instrumental dynamics to keep things interesting. Fans of Squeeze, XTC, and Paul McCartney need to put "Overspill" into their cups. "Overspill" will be released on May 17.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 7, 8, 10

James Henry on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Butch Walker "I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart"

Now four decades old and a father, Butch Walker is back with his follow up to 2008's "Sycamore Meadows" (reviewed here). On his latest, "I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart", Walker struts through more than four decades of musical genres and styles to produce another eclectic collection of unique tunes.

Despite the twisting and twirling of genres, the one thing that Walker strives to remain devoted to is having a good time with a good melody. To that end, "I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart" is modestly successful, but what stands out as a stronger plus is the marvelous production - from the weepy strings on "Don't You Think Someone Should Take You Home" to the gleeful harmonies on "House of Cards" - the record should be textbook for sonic quality. But the common criticism long time fans have of Walker - that his songs are not as strong as they used to be - is not remedied on this release...and no matter how hard you try to decorate a mediocre song, it's still a mediocre song.

Things get off to a reasonable start with catchy pop rockers like "Trash Day" and the aptly named "Pretty Melody", and the excellent ballad "Don't You Think Someone Should Take You Home". Then the record descends into a valley of slow tunes that make C-SPAN look exciting. But like a team that got yelled at during half-time, Walker comes out swinging at the start of the second half with several consecutive goodies. The autobiographical fun of "She Likes Hair Bands" and the sunny melodies on "House of Cards" make these two instantly likable. The album closes with "Be Good Until Then", a sparse acoustic Walker-styled lullaby that no father could dislike.

Since "Letters", Walker has evolved into a singer/songwriter that knows no musical boundary. Many of his compositions end up working brilliantly when he stays focused on a strong hook, but I am with the fan who remains disappointed that he's not been able to deliver something as masterful as his work with Marvelous 3 or even his first solo outing, "Left of Self-Centered". Walker has the 'Midas Touch' in the music business, writing songs and producing hits for everyone from P!nk to Avril Lavigne to Dashboard Confessional. "I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart" was written and recorded in just 5 days. It boggles the mind to think of the type of solo record he could create if he weren't spread so thin.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11

Butch Walker on MySpace. Official site.

Rare CD: Greg Laswell "Good Movie"

"Greg Laswell 'Good Movie', 12 songs, 2003 release.

Songs:

1. Bright Ideas
2. Back To June
3. Carry Me Through
4. Tirade
5. 19" Life
6. 7:00 AM
7. Good Movie
8. Head For Today
9. Father Of Your Billies
10. Circle Around Again
11. You So Bright
12. New Day"

Sold for $105.99 on ebay.

Rare CD: Slash Puppet "Slash Puppet"

"SLASH PUPPET - S/T 1993 cd on SWEET LEAF records Canada, very rare and out of print. Cd is scratch free, mint condition. The jewel case, booklet and back liner are also in mint condition. This is melodic rock at its finest (ala Skid Row, Slik Toxik, Sven Gali etc.), with driving rhythm guitars, emotional solos, thundering drums, four on the floor bass, and a great singer to boot! Track listing is as follows;

1. When The Whip Comes Down
2. Rippin' On A Wishbone
3. Eyes Of A Child
4. Stop Telling Me Lies
5. Hitchin' A Ride (On A Train)
6. Slowdown"

Sold for $190.50 on ebay.

Review: Romeo Flynns "Masque of Anarchy"

We last heard from Detriot's power pop trio, The Romeo Flynns, back in 2008 (see our review of "Pictures of You" here). "Pictures of You" was a concept album of sorts that focused on a relationship that went south. Now the Flynns are back with another concept album of sorts, "Masque of Anarchy", one that focuses on an economy gone south. Like concept albums tend to do, they beat a dead horse, but "Masque of Anarchy" (named after the famous 17th century poem by Percy Shelly) shows some big strides in the band's growth both musically and lyrically. The sophomore effort is wider in scope, deeper in its meaning, and a more dynamic, entertaining listen.

If there is one thing you can't knock the Flynns for...it is STYLE. Just like "Pictures of You", "Masque of Anarchy" is so rock star in its artwork and packaging. These guys got the look and attitude that just screams "we're ready for the big time". But this time the boys show they not only have style, but they got substance. While there is still some room for improvement, "Masque of Anarchy" towers above the debut in that the melodies are stronger, the band is tighter, and the singer has found his comfort zone.

The Romeo Flynns continue to write songs that merge classic 60s British Invasion songwriting structure with the signature rock sound of the Motor City. All of the songs are generally good, but there are some that really stand out as potential hits...if not of today, they surely would have been back in the 80s. The title track is the best track and this ultra catchy number gets things moving quick on a high note. "Dance The White Line" and "That Ain't The Motor City" both have an early Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers feel. The band shows some new strong suits in the Byrds-like "Falling Down" and the aching acoustic ballad "Annie", but prove they can still bring the house down with crunchy rockers like "Not Your Style" and "I Got My Eye On You", which is one of a few tracks that incorporate some blazing sax that sounds surprisingly at home among these pop rock nuggets. The CD closes strong with the powerful "Poor Man's Paradise" and epic "Don't Leave Me Now". Finally, there's two covers thrown in for good measure this time around, "Baby Blue" by Badfinger and "Lucifer", a deep track from the Bob Seger catalogue.

Check out Romeo Flynns if you like The Knack, Cheap Trick, or 80s-era Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Romeo Flynns on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Dirt Mall "Pacifuego"

"Pacifuego" is the sophomore set from Boston band Dirt Mall, following up 2007's "Got The Goat By The Horns". These eleven new tracks continue the band's love for writing and playing classic garage rock, but shows an evolution towards writing catchier stuff. There is a strong 70s influence in the guitar tone and chord structures, but the key standout is the riff-driven nature of these tunes. Everything else seems secondary to the riff, with possible exception of the bombastic drumming, which delivers big thick beats.

What I like most about Dirt Mall is the honesty that comes through in the performance. What you see is what you get, and certain points on this record take me back to the early Rolling Stones and Faces sound. There is plenty of attitude and rasp in the vocals of Johnny Anguish, a perfect accompaniment to this style of rock.

"Pacifuego" steams ahead full tilt from start to finish, not letting up for even a single ballad during the half hour it plays. My favorite track is "Pearl", with other highlights being "Building A Case" and "Calling All Clowns". Other notables include the Tommy Keene sound of "You've Got The Whole Thing Wrong" and the Superdrag inspired "Lost In Plain Sight".

Dirt Mall is for fans who dig riff-heavy guitar rock from Aerosmith to Drivin' N Cryin' to Queens Of The Stone Age. I applaud the move towards more melodic songwriting, and "Pacifuego" proves that this can be done without sacrificing any of your true rock and roll grit. I think they need to go even further in this direction because even a great riff can get old quick if its the only thing holding up the song. Dirt Mall is following a trajectory similar to The Replacements, and it will be interesting to see if they can produce a "Pleased To Meet Me" one day.

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

Dirt Mall on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Slingsby Hornets "Something Old Something New"

Jon Paul Allen (a.k.a. Frank E. Slingsby) is the veteran of the English blues boom/Brit invasion whose career has spanned nearly 3 decades. His third album under the moniker Slingsby Hornets is aptly titled "Something Old Something New". The title is spot on because he expertly blends modern power pop with guitar tones and song structures from the golden era of classic rock.

A distinguishing feature of Slingsby Hornets that will jump out at you immediately is the use of the signature Brian May (Queen) guitar sound. He's nailed the tone and does plenty of those trademark guitar harmonies. Some of the riffs sound like they could have been used in those Bill and Ted movies. Beyond the pleasant nostalgia, Allen does a fine job keeping the atmosphere fun and light on this one, making "Something Old Something New" a real treat from beginning to end. Vocally, he's got that raspy tone that reminds me of Donnie Vie (Enuff Z'Nuff).

Standout tracks include "Elevator", "Gettin' Better", "She's The One", and "Are Friends Electric?". Odds are you'll find something to groove to no matter when you were born - there are elements of the past (Queen, T. Rex, Sweet) as well as the present (Enuff Z'Nuff, Teenage Fanclub, Jellyfish). See what the buzz is about and check out the Slingsby Hornets today!

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 5, 8, 10

Slingsby Hornets on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Lifehouse "Smoke & Mirrors"

Lifehouse is back with a new record, "Smoke & Mirrors", the follow up to the strong "Who We Are". "Smoke & Mirrors", their fifth album, has already earned distinction as being the highest charting Lifehouse record yet, debuting at #6 on the BillBoard charts.

It is hard to believe that their smash debut, "No Name Face", landed in 2000. After ten years, you would expect a band to have perfected their chemistry and know exactly who they are - such is true for Lifehouse. If anything, the band has been steady and consistent, always delivering a batch of succinct, radio-friendly rockers and acoustic driven ballads. Why would a band want to risk screwing around with a formula that has been so good to them? Bearing that in mind, "Smoke & Mirrors" has no new tricks up its sleeve and is yet another CD full of more of the same. Like Collective Soul, the latest Lifehouse albums are largely indistinguishable. There is only one moment of deviation in the 'trying too hard to make you dance' "Here Tomorrow Gone Today", and its miserable failure is strong evidence why Lifehouse should do nothing but what made them famous in the first place.

Producer and AOR star Jude Cole is back on board to lend his expertise on "Smoke & Mirrors" - he also plays, sings, and co-writes extensively on this record, so they should just make him a fifth member of the band. Other guests include Daughtry on "Had Enough", which was co-written by Richard Marx. The infectious first single, "Halfway Gone" is the clear stand out on the record, but other notables include "All In", "Falling In", "By Your Side", and the title track. "Wrecking Ball" marks bassist Bryce Soderberg's first lead vocal with the band - his style and tone is very similar to Jason Wade, so most listeners may not even notice the switch. Lifehouse seemed to struggle in writing a compelling ballad like "You and Me" this time around, but the introspective mid-tempo closer, "In Your Skin", is quite good and ends the record on a high note.

The "deluxe" version features a second disc with 4 extra songs that were probably not deemed strong enough to make the original release. I despise this shameless tactic of milking fans for more of their money while being wasteful in making an entire second CD to hold a paltry 4 tracks that would easily fit on the main release. Even worse is that the only track on the deluxe version worth hearing more than once is "Crash and Burn".

In short, "Smoke & Mirrors" is another solid, by-the-book effort from Lifehouse, a band that is consistent but opening themselves to criticism that too many of their albums all sound alike. The 'deluxe' version is not worth the extra money - curse the record labels that engage in this greedy and wasteful practice!

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12

Lifehouse on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for the first single, "Halfway Gone":

Review: Frontiers roundup - Treat, Crazy Lixx, Auras

Here we present a roundup of new hard rock and AOR releases coming soon from Frontiers Records.



Treat – “Coup de Grace”

True to their name, Treat is a treat…for the ears. The new CD from this Swedish melodic rock band comes out April 6 and will be called “Coup de Grace”. Any fan of catchy hard rock needs to mark their calendars for this one.

Treat’s acclaimed debut album “Scratch and Bite” was actually released 25 years ago, during the heyday for this type of music. 25 years later, “Coup de Grace” is their sixth effort, and it is a whopper. “Coup de Grace” is filled with one solid catchy rocker after enough. I can see myself going back to listen to this one time and time again. Older and wiser, the boys in the band embrace this and write intelligently about what dads and husbands with serious responsibilities might want to hear. Treat prove that a band can age gracefully and still rock the paint off the walls without singing about the same old tired themes of drinking, partying, and nailing groupies.

The record gets off to a bit of a questionable start, with a nondescript intro track and the first rocker, “The War Is Over” is less than memorable. But then you’d better hold on because the ride doesn’t let up with a long string of crunchy catchy tunes like “All In”, “Paper Tiger”, and “Roar”. “A Life To Die For” is a superb power ballad with a seductive chorus and glorious bridge that brings the best of Journey to mind. A CD stacked with so many great tunes up front usually fades away by the end, but not so with this one – the record ends on a climatic high note with “All For Love” and “Breathless”. As for favorites, my picks are “Paper Tiger”, “Heaven Can Wait”, and “No Way Without You”.

The band writes decent lyrics compared to most of their counterparts in this genre, unafraid to do politically charged songs. In this way, they remind me of White Lion, but other comparisons that come to mind include Europe and Firehouse at their rocking best. For those missing high-quality guitar and keyboard driven melodic rock of the late 80s, “Coup de Grace” is a treat indeed.

Coming soon - my interview with Nalley, the bassist for Treat!

iPOD-worthy: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14

Treat on MySpace. Official site.



Crazy Lixx – “New Religion”

Formerly considered "The New Wave of Swedish Sleaze", Crazy Lixx has now refined their sound to 80's influenced hard rock. They remind me of the style and caliber of the second-tier hairbands like Faster Pussycat, Kix, or Danger Danger. In fact, Danny Rexon’s vocals often remind me of Ted Poley. One strong-suit is that the guys can definitely write a bombastic chorus, with rich harmonies that will draw comparisons to the majestic choruses of Def Leppard. As you might expect for such a band, lyrics are generally about rock music, warning fathers to lock up their daughters, and partying like you’re still 21. Their sophomore CD, “New Religion” comes out April 6.

As a whole, “New Religion” is a decent listen all the way through, but not quite enough to stand out in the crowd yet. However, their potential to do so is revealed in highlights such as the groovy tribute to their genre, “My Medicine”, their ‘live for the day’ anthem, “21 ‘Til I Die”, and the catchy “Blame It On Love”. Crazy Lixx drop the party atmosphere on occasion to show a more serious side, such as when they sing about the horrors of child abuse within the church in “Children of the Cross”. The requisite power ballad is “What Of Our Love”, which is pretty good, but not stellar.

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

Crazy Lixx on MySpace. Official site.



Auras – “New Generation”

Auras is a Brazilian rock band influenced by Journey, Survivor, Toto, and Chicago. They were formed by Gui Oliver (lead vocals) and Ferpa Lacerda (guitars) in 2007, and got to meet their idol Jimi Jamison (Survivor) during a gig they played in their hometown of Curitiba. Jamison remarked that Auras songs took him back to the eighties and the reminded him of the great bands of that period. Just a few songs into “New Generation”, you are undoubtedly going to agree.

Full of songs about love, dreams, faith and hope, Auras are an AOR band to the core. The vocals sound a lot like Steve Perry (Journey), or at least Steve Augeri (Tall Stories, Journey)! Things get off to a great start with a trio of terrific melodic rockers in “Beauty of Dreams”, “Forgive and Forget”, and “Never Give Up”, any of which would have fit comfortably on the Karate Kid Soundtrack. The record then offers a number of good songs, but they just don’t have that something special that made the first three such a treat. A couple exceptions are the excellent “Forever In Your Eyes” and “Keep On Lovin’ You” (not an REO Speedwagon cover). I also really liked the interesting “That’s The Way Love Goes”, which is a unique track on the record serving to break things up to give the listener something a little different. It maintains a good sense of melody but has a marimba flavor that will make you think someone is calling you on your iPHONE.

“New Generation” is a solid debut and I trust that Auras is going to get even better and with time.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10

Auras on MySpace. Official site.