Review: Sheryl Crow "Detours"

I was so looking forward to this release. After the ballad rich and subdued "Wildflower" release, Sheryl Crow promised a more rocking upbeat follow up. In a way, that is not a lie, as "Detours" is much better paced than the sleepy (although beautiful) "Wildflower." But this new release is no masterpiece like "C'mon C'mon" or her self-titled effort from 1996. On the contrary, I think it is one of her worst and least appealing CDs since the awful "Globe Sessions" CD.

The first six songs or so are nothing but blatant political statements, which I have no problem with, but it is hard to get into a song about gas. Like her colleague Don Henley, they are preaching to the choir with tunes like this and there is little offered with regard to a solution. Besides, there are no hooks and she provides little incentive for the listener to want to replay this half of the record.

This record was talked up as a return to roots because it reunited Crow with her producer (Bill Bottrell) from her breakthrough 1993 debut, "Tuesday Night Music Club." While you can clearly hear his influence permeating the tracks, I'm afraid they have failed to recapture the magical chemistry that made those songs work, mostly because this batch of songs is not as strong.

The second half is much better, with songs Crow really sinks her teeth into. They are more personal, and maybe that is why they come out sounding better. And in some of these tracks we hear more of the girl who just wants to have fun, like the "Ob-La-De" influenced track, "Out of Our Heads" or the safe acoustic ditty, "Detours." "Diamond Ring" is a haunting and poignant statement on that final step in the relationship, no doubt influenced by her experience with Lance Armstrong.

iPOD-worthy: 6, 7, 10, 11, 13

Sheryl Crow - official site.

Check out the video for the single, "Love Is Free," which I think is one of the worst, most annoying songs she has ever written.

Review: Angels & Airwaves "We Don't Need To Whisper"

I was never a big fan of Blink-182, save the excellent hook-laden hit, "All the Small Things." In 2006, Blink's guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge released his new project entitled "Angles and Airwaves." The record received some pretty good press, debuted at # 4 on Billboard (which means less and less to me every week), and went gold. To top that all off, Roger Joseph Manning, Jr (Jellyfish) played the keyboards on this release.

I wish I could say that I like it more. It sounds like a logical step forward that Blink-182 would take...I don't think you can separate his distinctive voice from anything else but what he did with Blink-182. I admire the production, and some of the songs have a cool atmosphere associated with them...I can see why some argue this is more of a "headphones in the dark" record. Bottom line is the songs just don't do anything for me. Too forgettable, even with repeated spins. I applaud an effort to grow and expand as an artist, but the guy just doesn't have the vocal chops for more serious songs...he is better suited for the novelty tunes that Blink-182 made famous.

iPOD-worthy: 6

Angels and Airwaves on MySpace. Offical site.

Video for the single "The Adventure":

Review: Graham Colton "Here Right Now"

Football may have suffered a blow when this would-be quarterback decided to pick on his guitar rather than throw pigskin, but Graham Colton's choice is a big gain for the world of melodic rock. "Here Right Now" is his first solo release, which hit the shelves back in October of 2007.

Graham has a perfect voice for the songs he crafts and always gives a good mix of straight up rockers and sincere ballads. Virtually every song I've ever heard him sing has an instantly memorable chorus...and often even the verses have a strong hook! His solo effort continues his style of acoustic-based rock, but many of the slower tunes on this release are backed with very nice orchestration. "Best Days" (video) is the single making the rounds right now, and is a pretty good representative track of the other gems on this record.

If you dig Tal Bachman, Pat Monahan (Train), Ingram Hill, Goo Goo Dolls, or similar artists, you won't be unhappy with Graham Colton. Also worth checking out is his 2004 release "Drive" as Graham Colton Band.

Graham Colton's MySpace page. Official site.

iPOD-worthy: tracks 1-9

Rare CD: Train "Train" - first pressing indie release

"RARE HARD TO FIND Train S/T ORIGINAL INDIE PRESSING CD in near Mint condition. Released by the Band Themselves and sold at their Early Shows before being signed. As you can see the Front cover is a bit Different. The back cover is very different and has a nice early photo of the band and includes contact information. This Rare pressing Includes the track "Sorry For", which did not make it to the major label release."

1-27-08: One sells for $49.50 on ebay (1 bid).

Rare CD: Skinny Puppy - ERROR

"Skinny Puppy / Sinead O'Connor - CD Single with RARE ERROR: The CD, insert and inlay all say that this is a Skinny Puppy CD single. But, when it's played instead of hearing Skinny Puppy's "Worlock", "Tin Omen" or "Brak Talk", you hear Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U"

People are willing to pay a lot for mistakes! This CD single containing the wrong artist sold for $395.00 on ebay (13 bids).

Rare CD: Bowling for Soup

This is the original Que-So Records indie produced in Wichita Falls TX 1995, even before "Tell Me When To Whoaa!" Jaret, Chris, Erik, and *Lance* all original members.

2-1-08: One sold for $290.00 on ebay (Buy It Now feature).

Rare CD: Nirvana "Nevermind the Bullocks"

Marketed as "The Rarest Nirvana Cd EVER Made" (SADMOP-003/004), this live recording of Nirvana will likely earn you a handsome profit. Show was recorded on 11-09-93 at Stabler Arena, Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA).

2-8-08: One sold for $799.00 (!) on ebay (using Buy It Now).

Rare CD and review: Tyketto "Shine"

People who are not strangers to this site know I am a big Danny Vaughn fan. His performance on Tyketto's debut album, "Don't Come Easy" (Geffen, 1990) helped make that an AOR masterpiece. After the less stellar follow up, "Strength in Numbers," (1994), Danny had to take care of his ailing wife. The rest of the boys recruited Steve Augeri (from the AOR outfit Tall Stories) to fill Danny's shoes and "Shine" (1995) was the result. (Steve would later fill the void of Steve Perry in Journey for several years).

As Steve no doubt has figured out by now, it ain't easy filling shoes. Just ask Gary Cherone. Nevertheless, Steve has a great voice built for AOR and I hope to hear him in a band that had no other lead singer prior to him.

Disconnecting it from Danny Vaughn, "Shine" is a solid slice of AOR that stands up pretty well on its own. I am glad to own a copy, as it is evidently rather rare and not likely to get a reissue anytime soon. It is selling at Amazon.com right now for nearly $40. Check now.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 4, 7, 10

Rare CD: Johnny Hates Jazz "Tall Stories"

"Shattered Dreams" was one of my favorite guilty pop pleasures from the late 80s. It inspired me to check out the entire CD from Johnny Hates Jazz (1987's "Turn Back the Clock"), which had a handful of other decent tracks. I didn't know they had a follow up CD and I would be curious to hear it. Too bad it is rare and out of print...I am not that curious to hear it! "Tall Stories" was released on Virgin in 1991, and actually has a different vocalist. Clark Datchler left in 1988 and was replaced by an ex-bass player from the Cure (Phil Thornalley).

2-6-08: One sells for $33.44 on ebay (7 bids)

CD review: Will Hoge "Draw the Curtains"

The latest from rousing roots rocker Will Hoge is unexpectedly subdued. I did not anticipate so many ballads. I was all ready to rock out to track # 1 and was taken aback by the slow piano and sad hamonica. You'd expect a track or 2 on any Will Hoge disc to have this sound and tempo, but the polarity is reversed on this release. Only 1 or 2 rockers this time around.

But more important - are the songs any good? I wish I could say they were better. They are just too boring and devoid of melody! Lyrically I still give the guy credit, and he still puts his blood sweat and tears into every track. Just listen to the autobiographical closing track and you'll know what Will Hoge is all about.

I loved his earlier work, "Carousel" (2001) and "Blackbird on a Lonely Wire," (2003) but his last two records have disappointed.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 7

Will Hoge at MySpace. Official site.

Cool trivia: Dan Baird was his first guitarist...formerly of Georgia Satellites, remember?! Dan is no longer with the band.

CD review: Paul McCartney "Memory Almost Full"

Oh, Paul. I was so looking forward to this, but now I see why the critics were warning us about this new CD of yours. I was optimistic after the near masterpiece that was 2005's "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard."

Where are the trademark McCartney hooks? Where are the cute melodies? Creative harmonies? Quality lyrics? It seems by and large on this effort Paul just repeats the same word over and over and over and over and over in order to get something to stick in our head. All it does is make my finger stick to fast forward.

Surprisingly few tracks stand out, including the catchy lead single, "Ever Present Past." Maybe I am expecting too much, but deeply disappointed. I also heard the three bonus tracks that come with the deluxe edition pictured above with DVD and all. 2 of the 3 bonus audio tracks suck ... there should be a law banning sucky bonus tracks.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 4, 12, 15

Paul McCartney - offical site.

Enjoy the single "Ever Present Past":

Rare CD: Nena "It's All in the Game"

"This is the extremely rare original 1985 english language CD by NENA titled "It's All In The Game".

This is the one without their breakthrough 80s staple, "99 Luft Balloons"

And it still sold for $300.05 on ebay (35 ! bids)

Collectors take note: this will be reissued later this month on Phantom Sound & Vision - see here.

Rare CD: Joe Strummer "Earthquake Weather"

Joe Strummer from The Clash released "Earthquake Weather" (epic : EK 45372) in 1989 to mixed reviews. People either seemed to love it or hate it. While Joe tried to capture a "live" sound, the production is argued to have achieved that to a fault.

This one sold for $46.00 on ebay (13 bids).

Currently listing for $85 used on Amazon.com. Check now.

Rare CD: Nickel Creek "Here To There"

"10 TRACK COMPACT DISC INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED BY THE BAND IN 1997. THIS IS THEIR SECOND ALBUM

WHEREAS THEIR FIRST ALBUM "LITTLE COWPOKE" WAS RELEASED ON CHOO CHOO RECORDS (AND THAT LABEL STILL HOLDS THE RIGHTS), THIS ALBUM WAS ONLY INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED IN A VERY LIMITED RUN BY THE BAND. ONLY ABOUT 1000 COPIES OF THIS ALBUM WERE RELEASED

IN SEVERAL INTERVIEWS LATER IN THEIR CAREER, THE BAND HAS SAID, DESPITE THE SIGNIFICANT FAN AND COLLECTOR INTEREST IN THE ALBUM, "HERE TO THERE" WILL NOT BE RE-RELEASED"

This one sold for $210.01 on ebay (10 bids).

UPDATE 2-29-08: Another sells for $210.01 on ebay (13 bids).

Rare CD: Train "One and A Half"

"Original US Pressing for Train "One And A Half," CD, Sony/Aware Records, 1999. Tough to find CD that was released in a VERY LIMITED EDITION between the first two Train records!!! All songs recorded LIVE in studio on Oct. 21, 1999"

Tracks:
1. Counting On You
2. Hopeless

3. Ramble On (acoustic)

4. Sweet Rain

5. The Highway

6. Meet Virginia (acoustic)

This one sold for $41.00 on ebay (7 bids).

Rare CD: Jonas Brothers "It's About Time"

These guys are all the rave among the little girls right now and their scarce 2006 release is in high demand. Lots of these going for over $100 currently on ebay, and $125 on Amazon.com - check now. I'll be surprised if this is not re-issued soon.

2-3-08: One sells for $110 on ebay (44 (!) bids)

Rare CD: Soundtrack "Serpent and the Rainbow"

Listed as "one of the rarest soundtracks of all time" - I do not doubt it since it is a Varese and went for $338.33 on ebay with 28 bids. This is the soundtrack for the 1988 Wes Craven film.

Rare CD: Soundtrack "Lethal Weapon"

With only 3000 original copies in existence, the soundtrack to the first Lethal Weapon movie fetches a handsome price (Limited edition, Bacchus Media Group Inc). Don't bother with the sequels...those soundtracks are worthless. Currently unavailable on Amazon - check now.

2-3-08: One sells for $64.99 on ebay (14 bids).

Rare CD: Little River Band "No Reins"

The Little River Band has put out some terrific AOR in their time; several of their tunes got a 5-star ranking on my iPOD. Outside of their numerous Greatest Hits compilations, their studio releases are a bit tough to find stateside on CD. Take for instance, this copy of the classic "No Reins," which sold for $29.78 on ebay (7 bids). Going for $63.00 used on Amazon.com. Check now.

Review: t.A.T.u. "The Best"

"The most successful international recording act exported from Russia." Maybe so, but these two don't do much for me. I just don't get it...this CD was included in a big collection I bought from some guy off ebay, mixed in with lots of good new hard rock CDs (like Shinedown, Seether, Taproot, Three Days Grace, and the like). How this one got into his collection puzzles me...it is a lot of electronica and eurodance. Yes, there are some hard rock overtones every now and then, and some of the sweetest harmonies since ABBA, but nothing to stop me from immediately putting this up on for a lala trade.

iPOD worthy: 4, 6

Official site.