Clear limited edition 0327 (©2004 MSI)

1: Who's Sorry Now 2: Who's Foolin' Who 3: Too Much Time On My Hands 4: I'm Not The Enemy 5: Can't Let Go 6: Lonely 7: One Minute 8: In The Name Of Love 9: Why We Lie 10: One Heart 11: Surrender Your Heart 12: Clear

It’s too bad Michael decided to release his first widely available solo album the same year SAGA released Network. I suppose the thinking was to dovetail them together, but I suspect this got lost in the shuffle – which is a shame as this is much more than a vanity project. Timing is as they say, everything.

I find it incredible that Michael has been around for almost thirty years! Although judging by the cover he’s starting to show his age. However all you have to do is close your eyes and he sounds as good as or better than ever.

Musically this has enough echoes of SAGA to put a grin on your face, but it is more grounded in adult contemporary than it is in progressive rock. Michael assembled a tight collection of contributors to help him flesh out the album. Chris Frazier is behind the kit, and those who like Steve Vai have likely heard his stuff. Guitar duties are covered by Lino (kind of like Cher, he even has purdy hair) who takes most of the rhythm and acoustic chores, and Marcus Deml who gets to noodle and fret fart at will. He’s pretty bloody amazing.

It’s clear (um, pun not intentional, but I’ll take it) that Michael is having a good time, and is enjoying being unfettered from the confines of SAGA. It’s great to finally hear him follow his own voice. Of course he can’t get away completely stylistically from where’s he’s been for all these years, and I’m glad. What makes this so cool is hearing the elements he’d bring to SAGA, but slightly skewed from what you’d expect.

There are a number of stand out tracks: "Who's Foolin' Who" is a killer track. “Too Much Time on my Hands” which features a children’s and gospel choir is another great song as is the mid tempo "Surrender Your Heart”. In picking these ones out, I've of course short changed some great songs. I hate lists.

It’s unfortunate that this isn’t likely to find an audience outside of the faithful. This is a very good album, and shows that grown up music can be powerful and still rock without being noise.

This belongs in your collection. Order it here. Clear enough for you?

Reviewed November 9, 2005

Shaman (©2002 Arista)

1: Adouma 2: Nothing At All 3: The Game Of Love 4: You Are My Kind 5: Amore (Sexo) 6: Foo Foo 7: Victory Is Won 8: America 9: Sideways 10: Why Don't You & 11: Feels Like Fire 12: Let Me Love You Tonight 13: Aye Aye Aye 14: Hoy Es Adios 15: One Of These Days 16: Novus 17: Untitled

Carlos goes to the well again, and the well ain't as wet as it once was. There's nothing really horribly wrong or offensive about this latest offering from Mister Santana. It's just sort of bland - not that bland is the right word. It's more like "Didn't he do this before with better results?" While the songs are okay, there's nothing that stands out in the way that Rob Thomas did last time with Smooth. The Game of Love got a bit of play, it's an okay song that grew on me after a while. America with P.O.D. was solid, as was the Chad Kroeger tune. All of the songs were okay.

Carlos is a great player, but he's got a limited tool kit, and his bursts of burpy farty notes get a bit tedious after 16 songs (not counting the bone-us tune). I'm not pissing on the guy (besides being terribly rude, it's not all that hygienic), it's just so obvious that he (or the record company) wanted Shaman to repeat the commercial success of Supernatural there wasn't much room to try anything different - although truth be told I didn't think that one was that great either.

Reviewed January 27, 2004

Unfit For Swine (©1996 Word / Epic)

The Songs: Save Me / God Is Too Big / Can't Get Away / We Worship You / Need I Remind You / Take You On / Helping Hand / There Is Someone / I Killed A Man / Don't Have To Take It

I really wanted to like this CD. Dann and David Huff, once the core of Giant, back John and wrote some of the songs. John himself is a pretty good singer, and I've enjoyed a lot of the music from his Petra days.

There are some very good songs here too, but try as I might I can't get into this album. It feels too much like a cookie cutter effort -music by numbers. No heart, no feel. It's good, but it's like flat pop - still has all the ingredients but there's no fizz. Sorry John.

Reviewed November 6, 2000

(©2004)

1. Laura 2. Take Your Mama 3. Comfortably Numb 4. Mary 5. Lovers in the Backseat
6. Tits on the Radio 7. Filthy Gorgeous 8. Music Is the Victim 9. Better Luck 10. It Can't Come Quickly Enough 11. Return to Oz

There are times when I am exposed to things I would normally avoid (based on nothing more than my own prejudice). However, I have to sheepishly admit that I got a certain quirky delight in listening to this album. Scissor Sisters draw heavily from a number of styles and genres and twist them into a rather unique shape - most of them over the top and rather gauche.

When I first gave this a cursory play through I couldn't decide if this was a novelty act, or if this was serious pop. I'm inclined to think after repeated plays that these guys (and gal) are too clever for their own good. The album flits about like an ADHD kid at Willy Wonka's factory and is frankly kind of annoying at times. But when the band plays it straight (um, not a reference to their sexuality) they are pure pop heaven. The Elton Johnish "Take Your Mama" is wicked, and "Mary" is a beautifully sung ballad.

When they go sideways they're really funny (maybe not ha ha, but it's hard to say) - and it's debatable as to whether or not it is intentional. Their cover of "Comfortably Numb" is a blend of Bee Gees falsettos and disco beats, and I waffle between wanting to stab myself in the ear with a stick, or praise the band for doing the unthinkable. Personally I think this is what really killed Richard Wright (I blame Robert Dimery for this since he's the one who listed this album in his book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die). "Tits on the Radio" is brilliant - and is the best tit song since Joe Walsh's 1983 "ILBTs."

It's doubtful this is a band I'll be making an effort to get more of, but I have to give props to them for doing something different and having fun while doing it. This is one of the coolest Brit Pop albums to ever come out of New York.

Reviewed April 29, 2009

Lost Horizon (©1988 Alternative Records)

1: Not A Pretty Picture 2: No More Parades 3: Something's Got To Change 4: What Is The Mystery 5: Call Of The Wild 6: Touch 7: Shadow Play 8: Wall Of Tears 9: Love In The Western World 10: Emotional Tourist 11: When Worlds Collide 12: Ghost Train 13: This Sad Music 14: Ship Of Fools 15: Minor Characters 16: Sound Of Waves (12" Version)

This is a great CD. Steve Scott is an artist. His blend of pop and poetry is something few attempt, and even fewer pull off successfully. Produced by Steven Soles, Charlie Peacock, and Mike Roe the music is what really propels the lyrics. Of course those of you who follow Steve for his words will argue the point. But dang it, the band backing Steve includes Aaron Smith on drums, Mike Roe on guitar, Mark Tootle on keyboards – all from 77’s. A couple of songs feature the guitar work of a guy named John Flanagan who had that 80s sound down cold.

I wish the lyrics had been included with this, but you can’t have everything. There are some wonderful songs in here. Steve can sure write a tune, and paint an image. If you can find this one it’s totally worth the effort. Sure some of the music is dated, but it’s done so well that it doesn’t feel stale or flat at all.

Of the sixteen songs here, I’d be hard pressed to pull out a favourite, seriously. I’ll admit to being partial to the lead off track, but "No More Parades" on through to "Sound of Waves" are all great.

Really.

I wish I’d known about this one fifteen years ago.

Reviewed February 25, 2004

Love In The Western World (©2000)

1: Tower Of Babel 2: No Time Like Now 3: Wall Of Tears 4: This Sad Music 5: Love In The Western World 6: Safety In Numbers 7: Walking On Water Wasn't Built In A Day 8: Flesh And Blood 9: Different Kind Of Light 10: More Than A Dream 11: Call Of The Wild (Live) 12: Love In The Western World (Live) 13: When The Fight Is Over (Live Acoustic)

Over the years I've picked up quite a few albums by Steve Scott, and to be honest most of them defy easy classification. They aren't albums I listen to very often - if at all, mainly because I don't "get" them. Rather than take shots at them as pieces of music I just leave them alone because they're pieces of art - art I do not understand. However, on those occasions Steve tones down his artistic volume switch, he's pretty darned enjoyable.

Love in the Western World is not new, it's just seeing the light of day after years of being buried under the rug. This one goes back to 1982 and is in many ways the musical bookend to The 77's Ping Pong Over the Abyss. Steve Soles produced this - who at the time was mostly known for his work with The Alpha Band. In some ways this album holds up better than its kissing cousin - mostly due to the varied nature of the songs. Steve was showing his spoken word tendencies on "This Sad Music" a song that shouldn't work, but is oddly engaging. Steve offers his own take on "A Different Kind of Light" and it's interesting to hear the differences between his more new wave approach, than the straight ahead interpretation by The 77's. "More Than a Dream" is here and it's nice to hear it as a pop song. I have a couple of different versions of this song, one by Larry Norman and a carnival version by Steve from his 1997 album of the same name. There are a few live songs thrown in, and they're cool for what they are.

There was a time when this was nearly bleeding edge in terms of pushing musical boundaries. Today it serves as a time capsule to a time when music and art were intersecting and the results were often profound, and occasionally baffling.

Reviewed January 14, 2009

Feeling Strangely Fine (©1998 MCA)

1: Closing Time 2: Singing In My Sleep 3: Made To Last 4: Never You Mind 5: Secret Smile 6: DND 7: Completely Pleased 8: This Will Be My Year 9: All Worked Out 10: California 11: She Spreads Her Wings 12: Gone To The Movies

In the late 90's Semisonic was poised to conquer the rock world. The album opens with a kick ass one two combination. Although the band doesn't deliver a knockout punch, the boys jab away for the rest of the album, and don't miss much. The record buying public loved their stuff, but for whatever reason the boys were never given a rematch, and were more or less forced into retirement from the public eye.

Which is sad - this was really good stuff; and this album does have legs - after all here I am years later writing about it. But you know, a funny thing happens whenever I pick this album up. I immediately think about the first two songs, and dismiss the rest of the album - then when I put it on I'm reminded about how good all of the songs are. Then I'll put it away and only remember the first couple of songs.

Reviewed May 21, 2005

Vavoom! (©2000 Interscope)

1: Pennsylvania 6-5000 2: Jumpin' East Of Java 3: Americano 4: If You Can't Rock Me 5: Gettin' In The Mood 6: Drive Like Lightning (Crash Like Thunder) 7: Mack The Knife 8: Caravan 9: The Footloose Doll 10: From Here To Eternity 11: That's The Kind Of Sugar Papa Likes 12: '49 Mercury Blues 13: Jukebox 14: Gloria

I really really liked Mister Setzer’s previous effort Dirty Boogie, Vavoom! has many of the same ingredients but doesn’t pack the same punch. When he’s on though he’s really on, and you can hear the magic. Songs like “Drive Like Lightning” and “’49 Mercury Blues” are smoking tunes. Less successful are songs like “Gettin’ in the Mood” and “Mack the Knife”. Perhaps it’s the pseudo techno-sampling Brian and company interject into some of the standards.

You got to hand it to the man though, he’s a hell of a player and has managed to keep the swing rockabilly music alive. The world needs more throw backs.

Reviewed July 28, 2005

More Miserable Than You'll Ever Be (©1990 Alternative)

1: Miserable 2: U U U U 3: The Treasure in You 4: Come & Gone 5: Jesus (live) 6: I Can't Get Over It (live) 7: What Was In That Letter (vocal rehearsal) 8: Do It For Love (stadium mix) 9: Don't Say Goodbye (demo) 10: Tattoo 11: Miserable (cover version)

Is this a 77's album? Is it a Mike Roe solo release? The answer isn't really important, although it does make for fun in filing the dang thing. This came out the same year as Sticks and Stones making 1990 a good year for sevens fans. Despite is rather pastiche nature More Miserable Than You'll Ever Be is more than a collection of songs culled together to make an album's worth of material. Many of the songs are alternate versions of songs that appeared on the infamous Island record; not that I'm complaining, they're great songs. The album opens and closes with "Miserable", a song that has grown increasingly on me over the years, the later version featuring Larry Tagg, and Mike Urbano of Bourgeois Tagg fame, which is the weaker of the two. "U U U U" is Mike having a blast with his boogie woogie side. "Treasure in You" plays on Mike's emotional vocals. The guy can pack more pain into a note than any singer I've ever heard. It's a haunting song. A song which segues nicely into Come & Gone, a sparse song that sounds as fresh fourteen years later as it did when it was released.

Are you picking up a trend?

Mike Roe is amazing, and I know that when I start to gush it can get embarrassing for the reader, but I really mean it here. This guy is the real deal. What does he get for his efforts? Fame? Fortune? Endorsement deals for Pizza Pops? Nope. He toils away to an ever decreasing fan base. How does this happen?

This is a hell of a record considering it was a collection of new and used. Of course I'm too late to help catapult this collection to teenage stardom. I can at least try and make amends.

Reviewed February 23, 2004

Fun With Sound (©2004 Fools of the World)

1: Gone In A Moment 2: A Quiet Little Place 3: My World Inside 4: Thank You For Your Dreams 5: Say So Long To Your Sad Old Love Song 6: Ride The Waves 7: Glory Train 8: Guadalupe 9: L'Orbis/Jack Spoiler 10: I'm Gonna Run To The City Of Refuge

With age comes wisdom, or as Mike puts it, "A fool and his time are soon parted." It's been almost 15 years since the last 7&7iS project. This time around the songs are all new, and features the amazing playing of Mark Harmon, who is to bass what Mike is to guitar, what cold is to a slurpee.

For those who have been following the adventures of Mike and Mark, Fun with Sound takes the more cohesive moments of Orbis and fleshes them out into pop songs. Mike's voice gets better with age - he can pack more emotional punch into his phrasing than just about any other artist I can think of - he's the real deal.

In terms of standout tracks, the album is full of killer tunes, ranging from pop / jazz / folk / 77's noise influenced songs - but I'd have to give the nod to "L'Orbis/Jack Spoiler" as the most fun with sound on the album.

If you haven't heard these guys you're missing out on some absolutely freaking killer stuff. Really.

Reviewed May 13, 2005

Shadow King (©1991 Atlantic)

1: What Would It Take 2: Anytime, Anywhere 3: Once Upon A Time 4: Don't Even Know I'm Alive 5: Boy 6: I Want You 7: This Heart Of Stone 8: Danger In The Dance Of Love 9: No Man's Land 10: Russia

Back in 1991 while Lou and Mick were at odds, both released albums. Foreigner came out with the Bad Company flavoured Unusual Heat, and Lou came out with Shadow King. This wasn’t solo Lou, it was a band effort. Bruce Turgon, Vivian Campbell, and Kevin Valentine rounded out the line-up. It was an album that was completely unknown to me until a few weeks ago. What the heck? An album with Lou and Vivian? How is it that this stiffed? It was 1991, rock and roll was still kicking ass and taking names. It must have been horrible. Always a sucker for a challenge, I found myself a copy.

Who knows what would have happened with Lou and Vivian if this album had blown wide open. It’s a solid AOR effort, and while there aren’t any immediate classics, the whole album is pretty good. It’s a cooker all the way through, and Lou was in fine voice. The man has been through the wringer over the last 15 years and his voice is a shadow (ooh pun alert) of what it once was – but there was a time when there were very few who could hold a candle to the man. I’d argue that his is one of the most immediately recognizable voices in rock and roll. He was mailing in his efforts here either.

The band was aptly named. With Lou behind the mic, obvious comparisons to Foreigner would be inevitable. I suppose the guys figured being in the shadows wouldn’t be too bad. Sadly, they ended up being buried in the dark with no light source. The band would only release one album. Mick and Lou kissed and made up and Lou and Bruce would rejoin Foreigner, who had a bad year in 1991 too. Vivian would hang his hat with Def Leppard.

This was a pleasant surprise, I ’m glad it got to see a little light of day around my place.

Reviewed April 28, 2006

Ambition (©1987 Atlantic)

1: No Such Thing 2: Dangerous Game 3: The Weight Of The World 4: Ambition 5: Ever Since The World Began 6: Are You Ready For Me 7: Somewhere In The Night 8: Love You Too Much 9: The Outsider 10: Lay Them Down

When this first came out in 1987 I saw it in the bin, and thought to myself “Hey, there’s a new Tommy Shaw album. I’ll buy it next week when I get paid." Well, that was my one and only chance as when I went to pick it up, it was gone. Fast forward 18 years, and NEH Records (plug time. Great people! Fast service, fair prices) finally got it in stock. But then didn’t have it, and then got it again. So here I am listening fresh to old stuff.

Tommy Shaw’s third solo album found him on a new label, and collaborating with producer Terry Thomas. While there aren’t any spectacular songs like “Girls with Guns” (dated now, but in 84 it was a monster to me) and “Kiss Me Hello” from his debut, and Remo’s Theme (What if) from his second album – Ambition is a more cohesive work than it’s predecessors, but it went down faster than a bride on her wedding day.

So how does it hold up? Um ... it holds up better than eye glitter and leg warmers, but it is a pretty dated piece of work. But then again, it was the 80’s – if that can be submitted as a defense. At least Tommy didn’t resort to cheesy drum machine patterns. For much of the album Tommy is pushing the upper limits of his range, and yeah the guy can belt out a tune, but at the upper register he often sounds forced and shrill.

It deserved a better fate, but when I stack this against a lot of the rock from 87, there just isn’t anything that you can pull off and point to as a barn burner, something that would make you really want to have this. It is a solid album, and for Tommy Shaw fans this is one of his better solo efforts.

Of course a couple of years later he would do much better with Damn Yankees.

Reviewed January 10, 2006

Influence (©2007 VH1 Classics)

1: Summer Breeze (Seals & Crofts) 2: Time of the Season (Zombies) 3: Your Move (Yes) 4: I Am A Rock (Simon & Garfunkel) 5: Lucky Man (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) 6: The Sound Of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel) 7: California Dreamin' (Mamas & The Papas) 8: On A Carousel (Hollies) 9: Dirty Work (Steely Dan) 10: For What It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield) 11: Dance With Me (Orleans)

I suppose the reason artists resort to recording an album of covers is two fold. First to pay homage to the songs that influenced (groan) them, and second – gives them a break form having to write anything new.

Considering how long it’s been since the last Shaw Blades album I would have thought there’d be new material in the hopper, and I’d also hoped (against hope it would seem) that Tommy had gotten the whole album of covers thing out of his system with the less than inspiring Styx covers album.

Oh well. I was playing this and trying to have a good listen when the wife walked by, stopped for a few moments, then looked at me with that look she reserves for people who park in handi-capped spaces “Jevon, you didn’t spend money on this did you?” I mumbled something like, “Hmm mumble hrumph.” Which was as close to saying “Yes” without saying it out loud.

Now let me say in my defense, I have been a Tommy Shaw fan for more years than I want to admit. Ever since I heard “Shooz” back in 1976. But this album, isn’t anything more than a vanity project for two talented musicians (very talented). I'll stop short of suggesting it could have been titled Effluence, after all these guys can play, and it's a decent sounding recording. The songs are pleasant enough, and there are even some moments where I went, "Ooh that was cool." But overall. this album is something I’ll listen to a couple of times, maybe – and then put it downstairs. Like drinking and driving – perhaps these guys shouldn’t have recorded while under the influence either.

PS, Tommy, in case you ever read this, April Wine actually covered “I am a Rock” a few years ago. Your version was better, but that's not really a glowing endorsement.

Reviewed November 11, 2007

At The Top Of Their Lungs (©1992 Intense)

Tracks: When Secrets Cry Out Loud / Livin' For My Lord / Borderline / Give Me An Answer (Remix) / Straight Between The Eyes / Find A Way / Shout / Little Liar (Luci) / Media Mania / In Your Face (Extended Version) / Showdown / Never Give Up / When The Love Is Gone / Winners Or Losers

Ah, hair metal. Gotta love this stuff once in a while (well, at least I do at any rate). This is a hybrid album features Ken Tamplin a big haired, big lunged singer who could really belt ‘em out, as well as play a mean guitar. This collection pulls tunes from a couple of albums from Shout, and some tunes from a couple of his solo efforts. The songs are great ear candy, and showcase some monster shredding. Ken sings so high my dog barks when I put this on. Oddly enough after a few songs in a row it gets noisy (I must be getting old, I never thought I’d see the day).

Still, I like this one, and aside from a truly horrible drum track on the remixed Give Me An Answer there really isn’t a runt in the litter (on the headphones it doesn't sound as bad - go figure). If you miss the halcyon days of rock and miss big guitars, gang vocals, and pounding drums this is great stuff. Sure some of it is pretty dated now – but it’s still fun to put on and crank it to eleven.

Reviewed June 10, 2002

No Borders Here (©1984 Duke Street)

The Waitress / I Muse Aloud / Dancing Class / Extra Executives / You Don't Need / Symmetry (The Way Things Have To Be) / Follow Me / Mimi On The Beach / Map Of The World (Part 1)

Jane is one of the most amazing vocalists I’ve ever heard. Her voice truly is an instrument. I’m not usually totally engrossed by Jane’s albums, but each musical landscape has one or two killer tracks that more than makes up for the quirky songs that don’t work for me.

One has to understand that Jane is an artist, and she approaches pop music with equal doses of reverence and dissonance. When she’s on she’s beautiful - I defy you to listen to a song like You Don’t Need and not be enthralled. Of course, this was the album that featured Mimi On The Beach, perhaps one of the coolest and most interesting seven-minute pop songs ever.

When she’s off in her creative artistic wanker mode the results walk the line strange and unlistenable.

I’m a fan. I may not like all of it, but she’s got me hooked.

Reviewed April 4, 2003

Seconds Of Pleasure by (©1993 RCA)

I Can Feel It / Sylvie / Cellar Of Dreams / Small Mercy / It's Only Love / Misunderstood / Life Can Be Fatal / The Unhappiest Man / Walkmans And Magnums / Streetwalker Song / My Prayer / Unconscious

Seconds of Pleasure finds Jimme O'Neill and the band in fine form. I hate to use phrases like "brilliant" or "wonderful" to describe a recording, but both fit when describing this band. There's something about these guys that is amazing. Songs like "Cellar Of Dreams", and "Unconscious" are haunting. Heck just every song this time out is excellent and those that aren't are really good - which doesn't happen too often. As always Jimme's voice is charged with emotion and integrity. One of those bands you wish everyone knew about.

Reviewed December 12, 2001

The Silencers Receiving (©1999 Uncanny Records)

1: Utopian Space Bible 2: Receiving 3: Incredible Creature 4: Psychik Magnet 5: Partytime In Heaven 6: Halucinogenocide 7: China Soldiers 8: For Those Who Have Everything 9: Zen Angel 10: Flies In The Waste 11: Pharmaceuticals

I’ve enjoyed these guys since their first album, and it took me many years to finally land a copy of Receiving. I really like the album, but it’s not without its foibles. For those who care about who does what, long time guitarist Cha Burns, whose atmospheric chunka chunka style I so enjoyed had departed the band. Actually just about everyone who was on the earlier albums is gone except for longtime front man Jimme O’Neill. His daughter Aura who sang some backing vocals on So Be It, is now in the band. I’m all for nepotism – why not? Aura has an interesting voice, and she provides some exceptionally haunting layers to many of the songs. Sadly she had to step out in front on “Partytime in Heaven” a truly horrible song, and does her a major disservice. It a song even Paula Abdul would have a hard time finding positive things to say about. She’s marginally better on “Pharmaceuticals” which is more breezy in nature, and suits her.

The real surprise to me was the strength of Jimme’s guitar playing. He can really crank it, which I wasn’t prepared for. There are some really fine moments on this album, one of my favourites being the musically odd “Incredible Creature” which mixes a dance beat with fiddle, and spoken word. It’s great.

It’s a sad thing when bands like The Silencers were never able to catch the big break, while bands like Cold Play, Radio Head, and others seemed to ride their musical coattails. I suppose some iteration of the band is still active, but there’s not a lot of good information available out there.

You can still find their stuff, and although Receiving isn’t their best work, it’s still worth a listen if you can snag a copy.

Reviewed May 3, 2006

Trouble At Home (©1983 Rewind / Sony)

1: Trouble At Home 2: Dear Abby 3: Goin' Out On The Town 4: Good Lovin' Don't Come Easy 5: I Stand Accused 6: Thank God For Rock'N'Roll 7: When A Man Loves A Woman 8: Turn Back The Big Machine 9: Holdin' On (Barely)

Silver Condor's lead singer Joe Cerisano introduced me to the band. Their live album (look below) piqued my interest in the these guys so I looked around and bought a copy of their follow-up album. Silver Condor’s second album featured Joe Cerisano and a cast of thousands, since Earl and the other guys had moved on. Recorded in 1983, Joe enlisted players like Clarence Clemons, Rick Derringer, Neal Schon, Steve Plunkett (who would later go on to front the band Autograph) and Waddy Watchel. Talk about bringing in the big guns, it was a little bit like getting the Pope to come over and bless dinner.

It was rock and roll in the classic Journey, Foreigner vein, with Bob Seger boogie woogie thrown in for fun. Big hooks, big sound, without all the big hair and spandex. This album should have been huge. HUGE. Or at least bigger than a bread box, but smaller than a house. “Going Out on the Town” pushes all the right buttons; the first time I heard it, I got this stupid grin on my face. “I Stand Accused” is another straight on 80’s rocker.

While I’ve never been a big fan of “When a Man Loves a Woman” I did like Art Garfunkel’s version from Lefty, but otherwise could take it or leave it. I’ll give Joe full marks for his interpretation, his voice really conveys the emotional power of the song.

The biggest surprise here was the six and a half minute opus “Holdin’ On (Barely)” that features some killer riffs by Neal Schon. Joe belts this one out of the park.

Trouble at Home covered a lot of musical ground, and who knows, maybe that’s why it fell between the cracks. It was just too hard to peg. Fans of 80’s AOR will find plenty to like here. The album is still in print, and is worth a listen.

Reviewed June 16, 2006

Live Across America (©2006 Outta the Woods)

1: It's Over 2: Angel Eyes 3: Standing in the Rain 4: The One You Need 5: We're in Love 6: You Could Take My Heart Away 7: Carolina 8: Sayin' Goodbye 9: For the Sake of Survival 10: Goin' for Broke 11: Long Tall Sally 12: Rip it Up

Live albums are my least favourite way to be introduced to a new band. When Joe wrote me asking if I’d listen to this one, my first reaction was “Oh no!” Before I responded to him, I went to his website Cerisano.com and read up on the band, and listened to a few samples. I was intrigued by what I heard, and I wrote back, saying I’d be willing to give the album a few spins.

A couple of things right off you should be aware of. This is a CDR, and looks like a DIY effort. There are some very minor drop outs here and there, and the editing could have been a little better between tracks. However, if you miss good old fashioned AOR don’t let these tiny foibles throw you off. This is a rock band captured in its element. You could say the band was soaring (groan).

Silver Condor were signed to Columbia records in the early 80’s and released two albums before flying off into the sunset. Live Across America is essentially a live version of their debut. The band is smoking too! Earl Slick is a name I’ve known about for years. He's played with David Bowie, was featured on John Lennon’s Double Fantasy and was the "Slick" in the Phantom Rocker and Slick stuff in the mid 80’s - he was all over the place.

Joe Cerisano is the voice of Silver Condor, and the guy is a killer singer, every so often I hear elements of David Coverdale, Bob Seger and even Dan McCafferty from Nazareth. The songs here are strong, rocking, and hold up surprisingly well. I can see why Joe’s proud of his old band. After nearly 25 years, this is really quite good, and doesn’t sound as dated as you might think.

This is classic rock and roll, and that never goes out of style. It's available at CD Baby, one of the coolest little shops on the net.

Reviewed June 16, 2006

The Best Of Simon & Garfunkel (©1999 Columbia/Legacy)

1: The Sound Of Silence 2: Homeward Bound 3: I Am A Rock 4: The Dangling Conversation 5: Scarborough Fair/Canticle 6: 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) 7: A Hazy Shade Of Winter 8: At The Zoo 9: Fakin' It 10: Mrs. Robinson 11: Old Friends/Bookends 12: The Boxer 13: Bridge Over Troubled Water 14: Cecilia 15: The Only Living Boy In New York 16: Song For The Asking 17: El Condor Pasa (If I Could) 18: For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her [Live] 19: America 20: My Little Town

Hard to imagine that some of these songs are approaching 40 years. Pretty impressive, and also pretty scary to see how far music has broadened it's boundaries. It's normal to hear this stuff played right alongside some of the newer adult contemporary crap, er - songs out today. Go back forty years and try and imagine the radio playing a new song from these guys and then playing some roaring hit from the 20's. It's an interesting juxtaposition.

Now I've distracted myself. First off let me say that I know there are a lot of other "greatest hits" packages out there, and I'm not going there. Right off I'll admit to being a peripheral fan at best, and never had any of their albums except for their original Greatest Hits lp, and the Central Park concert. So I don't know every song they ever did, nor do I really care that much.

This collection touches all the bases for me. All the songs I was hoping would be here are here, and they wisely omit the Central Park live stuff (I liked it a lot, but it doesn't belong here). Musically many of the arrangements sound dated, but the strength of many of the songs are holding up very well, thank you very much. I was happy to finally have My Little Town on CD, a song I remember liking as a kid.

All said, this is as good as it gets for me.

Reviewed January 28, 2004

Songs From The Capeman (©1997 Warner Bros.)

The Songs: Adios Hermandos / Born In Puerto Rico / Satin Summer Nights / Bernadette / The Vampires / Quality / Can I Forgive Him / Sunday Afternoon / Killer Wants To Go To College / Time Is An Ocean / Virgil / Killer Wants To Go To College II / Trailways Bus

Paul tries his hand at an ambitious concept album. It's a shame that it didn't capture anyone else's imagination. Some of the songs are okay, and there's a nice Latin feel to some of tunes that fits in with the Cuban musical resurgence going on at the moment. But the songs just don't really stand on their own. The rest are a 50's sounding sock hop collection. Having said that there are a couple of songs that sparkle: Can I Forgive Him, and Killer Wants To Go To College; but they are too few and far between to make this album worth having.

I've been trying off an on for a few years to like this album, and so far the best I can do is appreciate it for it's artistic effort. Two stars for trying.

Reviewed November 18, 2001

You're The One (©2000 Warner Bros.)

The Songs: That's Where I Belong / Darling Lorraine / Old / You're The One / The Teacher / Look At That / Seniorita With A Necklace of Tears / Love / Pigs, Sheep and Wolves / Hurricane Eye / Quiet

It's always fun to see what Paul's going to come up with when he releases an album. Most of the time he's spot on; he's really only missed once - witness his last effort the widely uneven Songs from the Capeman.

This time out Paul returns to form. He tells stories, and crafts some pretty good tunes. I don't think this effort will gain him any new fans, but it won't alienate the faithful either. The stand out track is the lead off track. It's one of the most poignant songs he's penned in a long time.

Reviewed November 18, 2001

A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra (©1957, 2007)

1: Jingle Bells 2: The Christmas Song 3: Mistletoe And Holly 4: I'll Be Home For Christmas 5: The Christmas Waltz 6: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 7: The First Noel 8: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 9: O Little Town Of Bethlehem 10: Adeste Fideles 11: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear 12: Silent Night 13: White Christmas 14: The Christmas Waltz 15: Christmas Seals Public Service Announcement

When I think of the world's best crooners, Frank Sinatra is right at the top of the list. When I think of classic Christmas albums, Frank's album isn't one that comes to mind. I'm not suggesting this album doesn't hold up, or isn't a worthy addition to my collection - it's a very good album from one of the world's great voices.

What's missing from many of these selections is a sense of passion and energy. Frank delivers the goods, but for all the emotion he brings to the table he may as well be singing the phone book at times. However there are a number of songs where there's real magic, "The Christmas Waltz" really works, and feels like a song Frank could get his teeth into (which probably explains why it's included twice).

While A Jolly Christmas isn't one of the great classics of the holiday genre, it is a collection that for over 50 years has stood the test of time.

Reviewed December 9, 2008

Simple Plan (©2008)

1. When I'm Gone 2. Take My Hand 3. The End 4. Love Is A Lie 5. Save You 6. Generation 7. Time To Say Goodbye 8. I Can Wait Forever 9. Holding On 10. No Love 11. What If

I have a soft spot for good old fashioned power pop. Be it from my original points of reference: The Cars, Cheap Trick – to the new stuff Good Charlotte, London Calling, and the thousands of EMO sound-a-like wannbees.

Unlike the band’s screaming core of pubescent girls, I really don’t give a shit what the guys look like. This fine Canadian quintet is to pop what Nickelback is to rock. Hooks, more hooks, and another hook just to make sure you didn’t miss the hook the first time.

For an album I got a kick out of, I seem to be spending a lot of timing crapping all over the guys for being good at generic power pop. Sorry about that. If it was that easy everyone and their dog would be able to sell millions of records – and it just isn’t that easy to sell records. Ask Kevin Federline.

Now to be honest, this is my first real exposure to the band so I haven’t packed any baggage regarding the guys. For the most part this is enjoyable stuff. The guys are mixing elements of techno, dance and power pop (I will not refer to this as punk or whatever the heck it is) – and the guys are infectious throughout the album. I'm guessing that this is their "serious": album, because only serious artist release self titled albums. Or as us wordy guys say it's their eponymous release. They even emphasize their seriousness by cussing. “Love is Lie” is one of those ‘heard it before’ songs that is really catchy right up to the “And do you think about me when he fucks you?” line, which I suppose is the height of teen angst, but just sounds stupid. Then there’s “Generation” which has the cheesiest keyboard opening since Europe’s “The Final Countdown” almost 25 years ago. Unless you're Weird Al, it doesn't work.

Still, for all that if the band’s mission is to keep it simple and stick to the basics of the good old fashioned one-two punch of fun hook laden pop the band more than succeeds.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes this was a positive review.

Reviewed February 21, 2008

Sixpence None the Richer (©1998 Squint)

Tracks: We Have Forgotten / Anything / The Waiting Room / Kiss Me / Easy To Ignore / Puedo Escribir / I Can't Catch You / The Lines Of My Earth / Sister, Mother / I Won't Stay Long / Love / Moving On / There She Goes

Before I start I will acknowledge that although I'm not especially thrilled with this one, there are a lot of okay moments, almost enough to warrant three stars at least - but not today. Leigh Nash's voice is strangely appealing. It has a breathy whispery quality that manages to be strong yet vulnerable. She's backed by one of those nearly ubiquitous modern jangly guitar bands that blends in well with everything out there.

Now given some of the talent twiddling the knobs and dials this should have been a spectacular effort. Guys like Bob Clearmountain and Tom Lord-Alge don't come cheap, and Steve Taylor himself has a pretty good track record. Still, the showcase is the single There She Goes, which got a lot of play and for good reason. It's a good tune - but not written by either Slocum or Nash. Hmm. Although Kiss Me, the other pretty good song here was.

Now that I've been a grumpy old fart, let me say that if I find more stuff by the band cheap I'll probably buy it - although I'd be none the richer for it - come on, how could I resist?

Reviewed November 8, 2002

Divine Discontent (©2002 Reprise)

Once bitten, twice shy? (Continuing in my grumpy old fart vein) Well, I got this one for free, so no matter what I think I got my money's worth. I really want to like this band, I really do. It has all the ingredients, but when they all get mixed together it's not all that appetizing.

I guess I'm being hard on the poor kids, but they get such overblown press I guess part of my reaction is knee jerk contrariness (is that a word?). When I actually manage to be objective there are actually quite a few interesting songs here, and in small doses this is pretty good stuff. Over a whole album's worth of songs little Miss Nash's thin voice gets unbelievably irritating (told you I was being contrary).

Here are the plus bits: Tonight, Down and Out of Time (really cool song), Don't Dream It's Over (not as good as the original), Paralyzed, and I've Been Waiting.

The minus bit. Haven't you been reading?

Honestly, when taken track by track there are a lot of very good songs, so why is it that as an album it doesn't hang together?It must be me.

Or not.

Hey, if you really like Sixpence, good for you. Really, I'm happy for you.

Reviewed March 8, 2004

Am I Pretty? (©1998 Word Records)

1: Am I Pretty? 2: Emily's Love Song 3: Face Of An Angel 4: My Mirror 5: Nondescript 6: Wizard Of Id 7: Shelter 8: See Through Me 9: Cycle Me Through 10: Starbuck's Girl 11: Here Comes The Bugs 12: Christ Will Save You 13: Cycle Me Through (Subversive Remix)

At times this has overtones of Chris Cornell and Soundgarden – particularly on the lead off track. Most of the time it’s generic grunge noise, mixed up with some Spin Doctor’s styled funkadelic retro. Which is okay when I’m in the mood.

There are some pretty cool songs here. Face of an Angel is their best track in my opinion. It’s not a blistering song, but it’s got a charm that raises it above the other songs on this album. Then there’s the funky Black Crows thing going on with My Mirror – it’s so much like Hard to Handle it’s embarrassing. But what the hell, if you’re gonna borrow might as well borrow from good source material.

Then out of the blue comes the best coffee song I’ve ever heard. Starbucks Girl. I can’t believe the chain hasn’t picked this up and made the boys a gigabazillion (that’s way more than 100) dollars.

I’m feeling more charitable today than I was the other day when I flamed the couple of Black Eyed Sceva CDs I got the same day. This is a pretty good album, and gets over the hump due to Face of an Angel and the novelty Starbucks Girl.

Reviewed July 2, 2003

Overbluecity (©2000 Word Records)

1: Viva Satellite 2: That Something 3: Breathe 4: Please Don't Go Away 5: What God Does 6: Fall Forever 7: The Girl In Your Picture 8: Wait For Me 9: Under Your Mercy 10: Overbluecity 11: That's What You Say

I'll be the first to admit I was probably overly charitable to their last album. Am I Pretty? was okay, but I was trying to be nice, and thought it was good enough to rate it as such. However based on the strength of that album I wasn't actively looking for anything else by these guys. If I hadn't stumbled upon Overbluecity at a price too good to pass up, I'd have missed this one.

The couple of years between albums was good for the boys. They must have holed themselves away while they honed their craft and in the process emerged as a really decent band. The improvements are immediately obvious - the music is heads and shoulders above anything on Am I Pretty? There's a real cohesive feel to the album this time around, and it carries through all of the tracks. There isn't a weak song here.

Lyrically these guys aren't going to win any contests, but last time I checked they were a rock band, not poets. Music needs melody and emotion, and what they're doing works on both fronts. Besides, I spent my formative years arguing with my parents that I didn't listen to the lyrics anyway. An unfortunate habit that's kind of stuck with me.

Of course what happens to these guys after all their hard work? Nothing! You probably haven't heard of them, which is just about par for the course. Talk about your great reward.

Oh well, if any of the guys happen to read this - hey you blew me away. That's gotta count for something.

Reviewed November 10, 2004

The Very Best of The Smiths (©2001)

01 Panic 02 The Boy With The Thorn In His Side 03 Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now 04 Ask 05 Bigmouth Strikes Again 06 How Soon Is Now? 07 This Charming Man 08 What Difference Does It Make? 09 William, It Was Really Nothing 10 Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others 11 Girlfriend In A Coma 12 Hand In Glove 13 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out 14 Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want 15 That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore 16 I Know It's Over 17 Sheila Take A Bow 18 I Started Something I Couldn't Finish 19 Still Ill 20 Shakespeare's Sister 21 Shoplifters Of The World Unite 22 Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me 23 Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before

I've always wanted to get something by The Smiths, and figured a best of collection would do me just fine. But there was a Best of The Smiths, another Best of ... then a Best of the Singles ... so I settled for The Very Best of The Smiths.

My initial thought after listening to it the first time was this album was 22 songs too long - other than the brilliant "How Soon is Now?" this was all pretty standard 80's stuff, and not all that good 80's stuff at that either. Now before you send me mail telling me I'm off my nut, I'll concede that people fall into two camps regarding The Smiths. You either like 'em, and you like 'em a lot - or you can't see what the fuss is all about.

As I write this I've been listening to this album off and on for the better part of a week - I'm sure if I listen to it for another month I'll be completely converted. However, music shouldn't be that much work. There's a lot written about the guitar textures of Johnny Marr - and I'll give him his due. There are times when I really like his work and I can hear his influence on others. Morrissey's voice is cool and irritating at the same time. I thought it was Judas Priest's music that was supposed to make you suicidal? I guess if you don't like metal you listen to these guys. However, I'll grant that Morrissey has a great sense of humour at times. I just about pissed myself when I heard "Some Girls Are Bigger than Others". "Girlfriend in a Coma" is pretty funny, but I have to sheepishly admit that I like Mojo's cover better than the original.

Okay, now that you probably have no idea what the heck I'm talking about let me say that although I was not blown away by The Smiths I can say that there are some pretty cool songs here, but I still can't see what the fuss was all about.

Reviewed March 7, 2008

Sibling Revelry: The Best Of The Smothers Brothers (©1988 Rhino)

Tracks: Pretoria / Tom Dooley / Chocolate / Laredo / Daniel Boone / The Saga Of John Henry / Gnus / Crabs Walk Sideways / Jenny Brown / The Military Lovers / Mediocre Fred / Mom Always Liked You Best / You Can Call Me Stupid / I Talk To The Trees / Hangman / Cabbage / Michael, Row The Boat Ashore / You Didn't Come In

The Smothers Brothers are probably the funniest musicians I've ever heard. Period. I was just a little kid when they were on top of the world in the late sixties. Tom was my hero then and he is today. Tom Smothers is a genius pure and simple (heck a number of years ago I got an autographed photo for my birthday). It's an absolute shame they aren't widely known. Oh sure there was a minor resurgance in the late 80's that brought out the Yo-Yo man nonsense - but their comeback was short lived. Variety shows don't fly anymore.

This collection should have called the Pretty Goodest of the Smothers Brothers. They have some great material that never made the cut (one of my best friends dads had all their records and we listened to them all the time). If the sound quality of the CD is any indication, the master tapes for their old albums aren't aging well at all. Still what's here is great. They sing and play the kind of folk music that was popular in the early sixties, it's okay for all that, but it's the banter that makes this.

There are some genuinly funny songs too: Chocolate, Mediocre Fred, and Hangman are my favourites. I've had this since 1988 and have been playing it a lot lately for my two sons. I want them to know what funny really is.

Here's hoping that one day their other albums are re-issued before they disintigrate and are lost forever.

Reviewed January 3, 2002

Candy From a Stranger (©1998 Columbia)

1: Creatures Of Habit 2: I will Still Be Laughing 3: Close 4: See You Later 5: No Time For Waiting 6: Blood Into Wine 7: Lies Of Hate 8: Draggin' the Lake 9: New York Blackout 10: The Game 11: Cradle Chain

Completing the band’s downward spiral to obscurity Candy From a Stranger was the final dance in the band’s romance with success. There must have been a lot of pressure to do an album’s worth of “Runaway Train” knock offs instead of releasing another album of mid-tempo angst pop. Judging by the songs here, they opted to go mid-tempo, although there are enough jangly bits to evoke the country grunge ghosts.

The late 90’s were full of interesting pop acts who were taking the edginess of grunge and marrying the pop sensibilities of the 70’s and were filling the airwaves. Soul Asylum broke through big time with their aforementioned runaway hit. But on balance this is an enjoyable but forgettable album. There are moments of where the band gets close to delivering the goods, but mostly it wallows in the middle of nowhere. The notes are there, and I found myself really wanting it to work. It’s not that this is a bad collection of songs. It’s enjoyable and at times very good, but in the end it was just so much more of the same old song and dance I’ve heard so many times before.

Reviewed October 13, 2005

1955 (©1998 Jackson / Rubio)

(Disc A) 1: Rebel Syphon 2: Universal Two-Day City 3: Pack Of Goons 4: May My Tongue Be Stuck Up On The Roof 5: Velodrome? 6: Prophecies 7: Old Dominion 8: Straight From Neptune 9: Double-O Javelin 10: Blunderbuss 11: Thrown Down 12: Cherry Stereo Chariot 13: Moonbeam? 14: All Men Are Grass 15: Glowing Funeral 16: As The Rain 17: Transubstantial Peel-Out

(Disc AA) 1: See His Face 2: More Of The Illusory Doorprize 3: Gorilla In The Mix 4: April 42nd 5: Numb Live & Looser 6: Quasars? 7: Subwoof Ape Job 8: Yellow Tooth Yooth 9: THE Auriginal Manglist 10: Down With Sounds 11: All Lids 12: Some True Blue Gum From Seething Teeth 13: Turn On The Solar 14: Lazy Rattlesnake

Holy crap - two discs, over 140 minutes of sound (see how I didn't say music?). Man, am I ever at a loss with these guys. I mean, what the heck motivates young men to make an album that sounds like an extremely long protracted R2D2 fart? Hey guys, this is time I'll never get back. Disc one alone features an eleven minute long piece called Glowing Funeral. Which is apropos, since I felt like putting a gun to my head at about 8 minutes (I wonder if Judas Priest fans should listen to this stuff?) In the midst of all this noise, there emerges occasionally some real genuine music - I mean really good stuff. Yeah, it's raw, but when the lads put their collective minds to it, they can rock out with the best of them.

The second disc blows out of the gates with the wicked See His Face, and although there are electronic farts aplenty, the second disc has a lot more alternative rock, and quite frankly if Soul Junk ever decided to play it straight and forego their artsy fartsy tendencies and get a decent A&R man they could cull a really good album (yeah, it would be short) from all of this clutter and noise that makes up 1955.

Now you're asking, "Hey Jevon, if you hate this stuff so much why give them three stars?" Easy, I have to respect art when I see it. I may not like it, but make no bones about it, they're pushing boundaries, and they don't sound like every other wanker band out there.

So although a lot of the 140 plus minutes of noise may suck, they suck with their own style.

Reviewed May 24, 2005

1956 (©2000 Five Minute Walk)

Tracks: Enter Venus / Ill-M-I / How We Flow / Sarpodyl / 3po Soul / Life To False Metal / K.I.N.G.D.O.M.O.G.O.D. / Eyes, Externally / Monkeyflower And Yarrow / Judah / Pumpfake / Lordy Child (Say Abba) / Sea Monters And Gargoyles / The Peacemaker / Dry Bones / Sweet To My Soul (White Hot Apostle Mix) / Red Top (Featuring Pish Posh)

This is some totally weird ass shit (oh crap I used a bad word in a Christian review). It's noisy, irritating, and probably one of the most creative albums I've heard since, well since 1955 by the same band. I don't know why I bought this one - there's something about this stuff that's strangely magnetic. It's like spending a Saturday afternoon watching racing on TV waiting for an accident. Every so often a great tune emerges and I sit up and listen, but then the songs go racing along and I wait for another crash.

This is bleeding edge stuff, really, but I'm too old and mired in my love for dinosaur rock and straight ahead tunes to really get off on this stuff. If you like your music stuffed into a blender and liquefied and then poured into little jello molds you'll love this stuff. Having basically blown this off musically (I told you I'm not hip - is that the right word?) let me add that Glen Galaxy is an amazing writer; his ability to abuse and twist the English language into beautiful (did I just say beautiful?) streaming poetry is something you have to pay attention to hear.

Reviewed January 4, 2003

The Best of Split Enz (©1993 Chrysalis)

Titus / Late Last Night / Matinee Idyll / Lovey Dovey / Time For A Change / Crosswords / Charley / Another Great Divide / Bold As Brass / My Mistake / I See Red / I Got You / One Step Ahead / History Never Repeats / Six Months In A Leaky Boat / Message To My Girl

The first thing that struck me was that this was more of a "pretty good" of Split Enz than a best of collection. When viewed as a career snapshot it works better. Split Enz was a quirky artsy fartsy band who managed to produce some true pieces of pop art while indulging themselves. I'm a fan of Neil, and to a slightly lesser degree Tim - so by default I'm a fan of Split Enz. Shark Attack is missing which is too bad. If you've only heard songs like I Got You, and Six Months in a Leaky Boat most of this album will be a disappointment. While I appreciate the weirdness of the band, I really like this album from I See Red to the end. The first ten songs I could more or less do without. Still, they were about having weird quirky fun, and even the "bad" showcase a band having fun with itself.

Reviewed December 12, 2001

Venus In Overdrive (©2008)

1: What's Victoria's Secret? 2: I'll Miss That Someday 3: Venus In Overdrive 4: One Passenger 5: Oblivious 6: 3 Warning Shots 7: Time Stand Still 8: God Blinked (Swing It Sister) 9: Mr. PC 10: She 11: Nothing Is Ever Lost 12: Saint Sahara

Yes it's true, I've been a fan of Rick's for a long long time. I've already felt for Rick - he's the real deal, but he's a "pretty boy" who also appeared on soap operas. For that reason I'm guessing he had all the street cred other soap stars received in the pop world (Jack Wagner anyone?).

He had a bit of a run in the early to mid 80's, but then more of less dropped from the public eye. I lost track of him too, and although I'd keep up with him he fell off my radar. Venus in Overdrive was generating some buzz on a number of sites I read - most notably melodicrock.com (Hey Andrew!) where the new album was being touted as a return to form. A phrase that always worries me to be honest because I really have no idea what it means. At worst it's a recycling of what "worked" to try and reconnect with an audience that has moved on; at best it's recapturing the best elements and adding a new twist that makes everyone happy.

Venus in Overdrive sort of lands in the middle ground: It's more Working Class Dog era that it is his Tao period. Which is cool. The album storms out of the gate with "What's Victoria's Secret" one of the best songs he's ever done in my opinion. This is a great start, and ultimately the highpoint of the album as the rest of the material although good, never quite measures up to the opening salvo.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good album, and if you've like Rick in the past, this is more of the good stuff. There aren't any duds at all - which is a plus.

Reviewed October 4, 2008

Lackluster (©2004 Tooth and Nail)

1: Really Something 2: Not About To 3: Sweeter Than Me 4: All You Can Give 5: Not All Bad 6: Let Me In 7: The Boy Who Stopped The World 8: Solace 9: Pillbox 10: The Kindest Days 11: Colorblind 12: What Sorry Could Be 13: Genevieve 14: A Friend I Had

Here's a young fellow who's been quietly making music for a number of years, first with his band Poor Old Lu, and of late as a solo artist. Of the lad's band work I am totally in the dark - I know a number of people who think it's the dog's bark (somehow that doesn't have the same ring as "cat's meow" - but I hate cats), but I haven't got any (hint hint).

Lackluster is a singer songwriter showcase. Aaron's voice has an earnest quality that really suits his sparse musical arrangements. This is an album I liked right away - it's not a barn burner, but the songs have a restrained quality that hints to the passion underlying the material. It's as if Aaron is saying, "hey, look if I wanted I could have blown the doors off the barn if I wanted to ... but I didn't feel like it - today).

The only down side here really is the world is full of really really good singer songwriters, and it's not that Aaron doesn't have the chops - he just hasn't had the luck or push.

So for the time being he's like a shared secret. Those of us who know about him smile and nod. The only thing lackluster about this album will no doubt be sales - and that's too bad.

Reviewed May 2, 2005

Shadows (©1997 Organic)

Tracks: Thin And Leaner / Lodging / In Sultry Places / Can You Feel / Me Mine / On And On / Stygian / Iron Grey / Ignorant Side / Come Patmos / Should Have / Tell

I'm still trying to like this one. There should be a lot to like here. The sound is rooted firmly in 80's art rock. You can pick out bits and pieces of The Cure, David Bowie, Roger Taylor (his solo stuff rocked!) The Church and even bits of the B52s. All sounds I like from musicians I like. I've listened to it a number of times, and it doesn't work for me.

Weird, I guess it's like a velvet painting of Elvis. Sure it's the King, but he's painted on velvet for crying out loud - that's just not right.

Reviewed November 1, 2002

Additional December 20, 2002 - someone must have peed in my shreddies when I wrote this one. Remember, two stars means that this is a "Fair" album. Not good, not poor, just fair. I'm listening to is as I write this, and dang it if it still doesn't work for me. Weird.

Full Circle (©2002 Galaxy 21)

1: Live 2: When You're Listening 3: Always On My Mind 4: Full Circle 5: Song You Can't Tune Out 6: Bound To The Unknown 7: Rocket To The Moon 8: Is There Any More To Life 9: Heaven To The Heart 10: This Day Is Mine 11: The Hill

I got this one by accident (don’t ask, it will reveal entirely too much about my peculiar purchasing habits) and it’s a far different experience than the last one I had with the Clash of Symbols album. Of course to add to the fun in filing this CD, it goes in the Mike Stand bin, rather than in the Clash of Symbols bin. I guess this is a transition album - neither fish nor fowl? Well, I can tell you right it off, it’s not foul. It’s pretty good, in fact it’s a highly enjoyable pop experience. It’s just that it’s kind of bland, and just sort of plays along. When I’m in the mood I tap my foot, and bob my head. When I’m not, it just blends in with the background noise. Not that there’s anything wrong with Mike’s solid collection of pop songs.

To help confuse things, this has been getting a lot of play lately, and while it’s a pretty pop album, there just isn’t anything here that makes me want to jump up and down and shout eureka, I have heard the future of pop and his name is Mike Stand. Still I keep playing it over and over. Go figure.

So what am I trying to say here?

Nothing really (see what happens when anyone can have their own website?).

Reviewed November 29, 2004

Can't Stop Eating [EP] (©2002)

1: Compeating 2: West Coast Friendship 3: Happy Birthday John 4: Give Up The War (Stereo Mix) 5: Theme From Dromedary

I've heard about these guys for years, and a while ago I stumbled upon this one a while back. I played it a couple of times, and liked what I heard, but didn't it didn't really strike me as anything earth shattering. So I put it in a pile on my desk, and figured that one day I'd get around to writing it up and then filing it away.

This is that day - and I put it on to let it play while I took notes (I do that on occasion) and sharpened my wit thinking of creative ways to be dismissive of the band. Then as so often happens when I'm focussed and paying attention the bloody thing started getting under my skin. As I don't have a point of reference for the band's previous work, or work since this little album stands on its own merit. The songs are consistent, and of the 5 songs presented here I really like "Happy Birthday John" which features some nice slide work by Andy Prickett and "Theme from Dromedary" which is a cool piece of music. Think Ennio Morricone with a surf twang.

While this isn't the best thing I've heard in a while, it is pretty good, and it made me want to hear more of the band's material, and not just an EP. There's a really good chance that this little album will cost me a lot of money in the future.

I suppose at some point I'll end up digesting their entire catalog (that's as close to a play on the title I can muster up at the moment).

Reviewed January 9, 2009

Dial M (©2008)

1: Minor Keys 2: The Brightest Of The Head 3: Concentrate 4: Who Said It's Easy 5: M23 6: Taxi 7: Automatic 8: Altercation 9: Mr. Martin 10: I Love You Like The Little Bird

I may be jumping on the bandwagon later than some folks, but at least I’m onboard. My first taste of the band was intriguing and was enough to make me curious about what else the band had up its collective sleeve. Dial M was part of my Christmas iTunes card from my little brother and as a result I don’t have any liner notes, credits or physical media (I am old school). So my opinion is based on the music and solely on the music. Which is liberating to some degree, no baggage: The music either delivers or it doesn’t.

This delivers.

I’m not sure if this is a right angle turn from their past efforts or simply more of the same. Doesn’t matter to me at all as this is an album that stands by itself. Musically this is decidedly retro and the band seems to relish wearing its influences on its sleeves. There are references to Johnny Marr, and the music itself has elements of the best of the 80s mixed in with the band’s deft pop sensibilities.

The subject matter is melancholy at times, but not maudlin. The album deals with loss, redemption and faith but it’s not heavy handed, nor is it cookie cutter “Jesus loves me” stuff either. It’s deeper and more personal.

There are some great songs here, and I’ve been listening to this off and on for a couple of months and my list of favourite moments changes a bit, but of the standout tracks I really like "The Brightest of the Head" which is a strangely infectious pop song. "Automatic" is probably the musical highlight for me. It's one of those songs where the repetative kick and synth-strings combine to make a wicked song.

The band has been around a while and the big breakthrough seems to elude them. I’m not sure if this is a problem or a blessing. The plus side is the band remains a wonderful secret shared by the faithful; the downside is more people deserve to hear this band and the reality is being in a band takes money, and if you don’t sell you don’t record and if you don’t record people don’t hear you, and if no one hears you does anybody care?

You should care.

Reviewed March 4, 2009

Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo (©2007)

1. Photograph 2. It Don’t Come Easy 3. You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful And You’re Mine) 4. Back Off Boogaloo 5. I’m The Greatest 6. Oh My My 7. Only You (And You Alone) 8. Beaucoups Of Blues 9. Early 1970 10. Snookeroo 11. The No-No Song 12. (It’s All Down To) Goodnight Vienna 13. Hey Baby 14. A Dose Of Rock ’N’ Roll 15. Weight Of The World 16. King Of Broken Hearts 17. Never Without You 18. Act Naturally (with Buck Owens) 19. Wrack My Brain 20. Fading In And Fading Out

Oh I'll catch shit for this. I can almost hear you asking, "You like Ringo Starr?" No. I LOVE Ringo Starr. Okay, let me backtrack a little. I don't have all of his stuff, in fact I don't have much at all. I was just a little kid when when he hit his "commercial" peak, and I wasn't buying albums back then. When he had his "All Starr" thing going on I enjoyed the concept, but it didn't really set me on my ear. The guy can't catch a break. All of the other Beatles are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their contributions to music, but not Ringo. Blondie? Check. Madonna (WTF, how is she rock and roll?) Check. Ringo? ... tap tap tap, is this thing on? Nope. Why not? Because he's Ringo that's why. Even George, whose solo career, no offense to the dearly departed, pretty much sucked huge is in. So, what's a poor boy to do?

Even back in the day it's rumoured a journalist asked John about Ringo saying something like, "What's it like playing with Ringo, the best drummer in the world?" To which John replied, "He's not the best drummer in the Beatles." After the split, Ringo was the first to have George, Paul and John play together on one of his albums - okay, not at the same time, or on the same song - but they were all on the same album.

There were a number of songs I've wanted for a long time: "Photograph", "Back Off Boogaloo", "Oh My My", "The No-No Song", "weight of the World" this collection came out it had them all. So I snagged me a copy. And boy oh boy, for a guy who was supposed to be the "joke" Beatle he sure made some great music. Heck he even wrote a couple of killers too. "It Don't Come Easy" is as good a pop song as there ever was. Yeah, the majority of the songs are from his early albums, but "Weight of the World" is a later song, and is one of my favourites. If I was to be honest of the twenty songs here, there are a few questionable inclusions (filler?) but they're not stinkers so I'll cut him some slack since no one else does.

Despite all the baggage the poor guy is forced to carry around, I've always found myself liking his music. He doesn't have the greatest voice, but it has a certain charm. And when all is said and done if there's one thing Ringo has in abundance it's charm, and for those who have been paying attention he's had a hell of a solo career, and although he may never get into the Hall of Fame on his own merits there's no denying he's had a bigger role in rock and roll than merely being the quirky drummer from the Beatles.

Reviewed March 21, 2008

Liverpool 8 (©2008)

1. Liverpool 8 2. Think About You 3. For Love 4. Now That She's Gone Away 5. Gone Are the Days 6. Give It a Try 7. Tuff Love 8. Harry's Song 9. Pasodobles 10. If It's Love That You Want 11. Love Is 12. R U Ready

I get a lot of grief for liking Ringo Starr. Poor bastard can't seem to get any respect at all. Everyone goes all silly over the solo work of the others, but poor Ringo gets short shrift. Then again he had his heyday in the early 70's as a solo artist - and has been more or less getting by on charm ever since.

So it was a nice surprise when I picked up Liverpool 8 and found myself enjoying the album more than I'd expected. The album leads off with the title track, a deliberately nostalgic tug at the heart strings of those older than me who remember the Beatles when they were actually together. It's a really good song, and pretty much sets the tone for the whole album. Ringo isn't going out of his comfort zone, and all of the songs play to Ringo's quirky voice (which I happen to like) and he's so obviously pushing buttons that I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed the songs. I gather there was a pissing contest over production as near as I can tell from what I've read about the making of this album. Ringo's long time partnership with Mark Hudson came to an end, and Dave Steward did whatever it is he did to the album as a re-producer.

It's hard to imagine that Ringo is able to collect an old age pension - he must be using "Just for Men" on his beard, because I've got more grey on my chin than he does. Throughout the album there's a youthful quality to the music that has Ringo looking forward as much as he looks back and reminisces.

I know some people (okay, a lot!) don't take Ringo seriously, and that's just par for the course. Chances are the way things are going between Heather and Paul, Ringo may be the last one standing when all is said and done.

Reviewed February 17, 2008

Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band (©1990 Rykodisc)

The Songs:It Don't Come Easy / The No-No Song / Iko Iko / The Weight / Shine Silently / Honey Don't / You're Sixteen / Quarter to Three / Raining In My Heart / Will It Go Round In Circles / Life In The Fast Lane / Photograph

Ringo enlists the help of a few of his friends: Dr. John, Billy Preston, Rick Danko, Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren, Levon Helm, Jim Keltner, and Clarence Clemons. Overall the album is an example of the whole being less that the sum of its parts.

This isn't to say that this is a bad album. It's full of near misses. It's a live album, and I'm sure that it was a hell of a concert. I enjoyed hearing Ringo do his big songs, and as a fan of Joe Walsh I was curious about "Life In The Fast Lane". Just about everybody gets a chance to do a tune, and some are better than others. Makes you wonder about song selection. Surely Dr. John, Clarence, Nils and Joe had better songs to offer.

Reviewed February 4, 2001

Pretty Time Bomb (©2003 Holiday Records)

Pretty Time Bomb / Daydreaming / Impossible / Do You Wanna / Wonderland / Desire Like Fire / Just As I Am / Voodoo Eyes / Caught Up

Holy cow, where did this come from? I finally found their debut album a couple of months ago, and yeah it was okay with some great moments, but Pretty Time Bomb is another story.

Powered by Stacey and Lewis Luxx (is Ed still in there somewhere?), I have no idea who is providing the musical guts this time out (no credits), but this is a kickin' collection of songs. This is more like it, at least for old rockers like me. Musically it's as if someone took Soundgarden and No Doubt and stuck 'em in a blender to see what they'd sound like together. Hmmm, sounds great (and it's less filling). Thankfully there's a lot less dance fiddle farty noises this time which suits me just fine (gasp - did I actually say fart? What kind of review is this that uses such language? I'll try harder to use polite words like "stinker" or "toot" next time - what if a youth pastor saw this? I cringe. I'm sorry, it won't happen again).

I'd like to say this is a great CD, but it's not. Pretty Time Bomb is a collection of - wait for it - FREE mp3s. What are these kids nuts? Have they been playing their music so loud that it has affected their thinking? Go to their site and down load this thing before they wise up and sell it for what it's worth.

This is really good stuff. I'm assuming that Lewis recorded this at home using his trusty PC and Pro Tools. Sonically it's pretty crisp, you'll have a hard time telling this wasn't recorded with a significant budget. Man, you gotta love technology.

Call me old fashioned, but this deserves to be released for real.

I'd buy a copy.

Reviewed April 2003

PS I really have to drink less coffee before sitting down to plunk out a review.

The Best of Al Stewart (©1986)

1: Time Passages 2: Running Man 3: Delia's Gone 4: Roads To Moscow 5: Song On The Radio 6: Midnight Rocks 7: Lord Grenville 8: Melin's Time 9: Nastradamus Part One: The World Goes To Riyadh; Nastradamus Part Two (Live Versions) 10: On The Border (Live) 11: Year Of The Cat

I suppose like a lot of people Al Stewart is best known for "Year of the Cat" - a song which some people like, and some don't. It's hard to know what to make of Al Stewart. His best known work was in the 70's. I was never a huge fan, but I did have a few albums, right up to his mid 80's Russians and Americans (which I remember liking quite a bit).

It's actually quite cool listening to this album and realizing how many cool songs he put out in a relatively short period: "Time Passages", "Song on the Radio", "Midnight Rocks", "On the Border" and of course "Year of the Cat". It's too bad that when the fine folks at Arista put this collection together they put out such a skinny collection - it would have been cool to get deeper cuts into his albums. I like live albums generally, but for heaven's sake on a "best of" it's not the live songs I'm looking for. Particularly disappointing, is only getting the live version of "On the Border" - one of my favourite Al Stewart songs.

However for the casual fan this is a really good collection of songs from one of those guys who'll sadly end up as little more than a footnote in the history of rock and roll. For his time he was just a song on the radio.

Reviewed July 15, 2008

Brand New Day (©1999 A&M Records)

1: A Thousand Years 2: Desert Rose 3: Big Lie Small World 4: After The Rain Has Fallen 5: Perfect Love...Gone Wrong 6: Tomorrow We'll See 7: Prelude To The End Of The Game 8: Fill Her Up 9: Ghost Story 10: Brand New Day

There are only a few artists who have managed to transcend popular culture. Sting has reached a place in his career where he is an island (although he's still on A&M ar,ar) unto himself. From his punk rock beginnings with the Police to his elder statesman role in rock music as a solo act Sting has just about done it all.

I am what can be called at best a peripheral fan. I like his stuff, and have a fair number of his albums, but I don’t get all tied in a knot waiting for his next release. In time most things go on sale, and I’ll often snag things years later. I got this one pretty much out of the box (well, the same year it came out), mostly for my wife who really likes the first couple of songs on this one. She rarely expresses a strong opinion about music, so when she pipes up and wants to hear something I’m pretty accommodating.

Brand New Day starts off with two of Sting’s strongest songs in a long time (my wife has good taste). These two songs are worth the price of the CD (see above wife comment). They are indeed that good. Of course once he hooks you, he does a quick switch and goes off on his jazz wanking. Which in truth is pretty cool, but it blends together after a while for me. You can tell Sting gets a decent recording budget too as this is a great sounding record, and the talent he gets to cherry pick is almost unfair.

Sting even tosses in a boner-fied country song in "Fill Her Up", which is more fun than swinging a cat by the tail. Really, it is.

Brand New Day is a Stevie Wonder infused song and is a solid way to finish the album.

A Sting album is always an interesting musical journey, like any journey sometimes you can get a little car sick, so keep the windows rolled down, and you be just fine.

Reviewed July 11, 2003

Sacred Love (©2003 A&M)

1: Inside 2: Send Your Love 3: Whenever I Say Your Name 4: Dead Man's Rope 5: Never Coming Home 6: Stolen Car 7: Forget About the Future 8: This War 9: The Book of My Life 10: Sacred Love 11: Send Your Love Remix

Say what you want about Sting, the guy has been there, done that, and through it all continues to be a relevant force in music. Sting albums are often like a bag of licorice all sorts – there’s a lot to like, but then there are those icky pieces no one eats. This one is pretty solid all the way through and musically it all blends together, unlike the oil and water approach to some of his past work. I know I’m stretching things a bit, but you know what I’m talking about – the Middle Eastern elements, French rappers (for crying out loud, what the hell was that?), Russian classical, country and his penchant for light jazz – they worked, but the changes were sometimes abrupt and didn’t lend much to the continuity of his albums.

Now after nearly twenty years of solo efforts Sting’s own brand of adult contemporary music stands by itself. It’s not often you can simply describe something by referencing the artist. This is a Sting album.

My favourite tracks include “Inside”, “Dead Man’s Rope” is awesome, and reprises elements of “Walking in Your Footsteps”, and “Never Coming Home”. There are a couple of lesser moments, but remember this is Sting and his lesser moments are someone else’s high-water marks.

Just to prove I’m not a mush headed sycophant allow me to state unequivocally that dance remix version of “Send Your Love” seriously sucks.

Reviewed November 10, 2005

Together Live! (©2005 Candlelight Concerts)

The True Believers / Salvation Army Band / The Wind and the Wheat / Hand of God / Spirit Walk / Shut de Do / Shades of Green / Let Everything Else Go / Under the Grace / Angels' Wings / That's the Way it Goes / Who Will Save the Children / Keep Me' Runnin' / Sunday's Child / Bonus Tracks - Extra Features

I have never had the pleasure of seeing either performer live before, and I wasn't sure what to expect. Both Randy and Phil have been around a while, and are what you could refer to as "seasoned" performers. To be honest I had no idea what to expect from this DVD - for all I knew it would it be a fan camcorder quality bootleg. Good for hardcore fan and that's it. Aside from some rather cheesy opening graphics, this is a professional multicamera shoot. The sound quality is great, and the performances by both Randy and especially Phil are very good.

For those who have never seen Phil do his thing, as was the case with me - the little feller is astonishing. As Randy quips, "God created music and gave it to that guy." His mastery of the guitar and the emotional power of his voice is something to behold. Opening with "The True Believers" I sat there in awe watching Phil pull one magical rabbit out of his hat after another.

Randy's solo pieces were solid as well. He is very comfortable on stage and it shows. I've heard "Shut De Do" live before, and Randy milks it for all it's worth, and it's probably more fun to watch from the audience than it is on the DVD. But it's part of his shtick, and if it was left off, something would have been missing.

One of the hardest things for performers who have been around for nearly thirty years, is the delicate trick of picking a set list. And yeah, there were songs I'd love to have had here, but you can't find too much fault here. The guys picked a good set that fit the evening and meshed as an overall package.

Once the boys hit the stage together the magic really started. "That's the Way it Goes" from Randy's last album is a brilliant track, as was closing with "Sunday's Child." The two played off each other with the grace of long time friends.

What puts this over the top are the bonus bits. The bloopers featured a lot of the dialog and banter, that for obvious pacing reasons was edited out and placed here. Much of it is hilarious, and I'm pleased to see that Randy has yet to be busted by the political correctness police. He was manic and over the top, and I though poor Phil was going to wet himself.

The end credits feature an audio version of Randy's "Old Clothes" too bad the performance video wasn't a bonus as it is a great song. But they did sneak an extra Phil song in Glass Harps' "The Chalice" which was well done.

Bottom line this is a really entertaining and nicely filmed and great sounding recording. Hats off to the folks at Candlelight Concerts for doing this one right.

Reviewed November 2, 2005

Izzy Stradlin And The Ju Ju Hounds (©1992 Geffen)

The songs: Somebody Knockin' / Pressure Drop / Time Gone By / Shuffle It All / Bucket O' Trouble / Train Tracks / How Will It Go / Cuttin' The Rug / Take A Look At The Guy / Come On Now Inside

One of those strange albums I play once in a while to remind myself that there are people out there who sing worse than me. This is a rough rock and roll record, that almost sounds like the Stones – or more specifically a Keith Richards solo album. I did expect more from this album. Izzy knows how to write a rock song. After all he co wrote a lot of stuff with GNR (not my favourite band but they had a few wicked tunes). In fact the whole album would be a nothing special if it wasn’t for two very good songs in the loose rocker Shuffle It All, and the album’s closer Come On Now Inside, which aside from a never ending percussion bit at the end is great.

It’s been ten years and I still don’t know why I bought this as I never bought any GNR stuff. Oh well, me and my wallet do strange things at times. It would explain all the Yanni and Tesh albums in my collection.

Reviewed May 22, 2002

117° (©1998 Geffen)

1: Ain't It A Bitch 2: Gotta Say 3: Memphis 4: Old Hat 5: Bleedin 6: Parasite 7: Good Enough 8: 117 Degrees 9: Here Before You 10: Up Jumped The Devil 11: Grunt 12: Freight Train 13: Methanol 14: Surf Roach

Rock and roll isn’t dead, long live rock and roll. Izzy once again offers up a healthy dose of high-octane old-fashioned rock and roll. 117° abounds with big twangy guitars and lots of bombastic noise. In short it’s a full throttle rock and roll experience. GNR alumnus (alumni? They don't teach latin anymore) Duff McKagan sits in on bass on most of the songs, and helps anchor the tunes. Izzy once again does his best impression of Keith Richards, and dang if he ain’t good at it! He can sing just good enough to get by, but then again, if he sounded like Celine Dion with nuts, it would be horrible. The man knows his niche and plays to his strengths.

This isn’t anything new or ground breaking, and at times it’s pretty ordinary in terms of boogie woogie rock and roll. But it is a fun listen, and Mister Stradlin obviously has a love of the past masters since this whole album sounds like a love letter to a bygone era.

Reviewed January 14, 2005

Over 60 Minutes With... (©1987 Capitol)

1: World's Away 2: Love Games 3: Kiss in the Dark 4: Hold On to the Nite 5: The Second That I Saw You 6: She Controls Me 7: We Run 8: Running Away 9: Prelude 10: Home of the Brave 11: Automatic Sighs 12: Blue Fire 13: Prisoner 14: Lost in Your Eyes 15: We Run (Advanced Mix) 16: Reprise "World's Away"

This collection compiled the stronger moments from the band’s first two albums Worlds Away, and 2WO. The early to mid 80’s was the age of the synth, and the dynamic duo of Drew Arnott and Darryl Kromm were riding high on Canadian airwaves. Their music was futuristic, and for all their modern elements still had an organic feel to much of their music.

Of course given the sounds and production, this is firmly rooted stylistically in the 80’s – some of the songs are horribly dated, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. For a band who had such a surprisingly short run they produced some extraordinary music. “World’s Away” remains one of my all time favourite songs, and others like “We Run”, and “Home of the Brave” are as good today as they were back then.

“The Second That I Saw You” always annoyed the crap out of me, and wouldn’t it figure that when I was playing this song my kids latched on to it in a big way. So I was subjected to multiple forced repeated listenings of a song I still can’t stand. But it goes to show you that I don’t know jack about what is popular.

These guys were talented and based on the number of great songs assembled here from their first two albums, should have been around longer than they were.

Reviewed November 16, 2005

The Straw Theory (©1999 KMG)

1: In And Out 2: We Believe 3: Joker's Wilde 4: Man On The Moon 5: Starstruck 6: Easy As Sin 7: Falling Forward 8: Mourning Love 9: Reasons 10: In The Future (Morning Person) 11: Running Thin 12: Showers

An album I bought on the strength of the production team of Billy Smiley and Terry Taylor (can't get much more diverse than Whiteheart and Daniel Amos). The music is an interesting blend of alternative pop with an edge. Well, that and I found it on sale.

Comprised of Jake and Josiah Bramante and Tyler Huston the guys are very young, and at times they sound their age, but for the most part this is a pretty mature album. What I like is the prominent use of piano. It's been a while since I've enjoyed a lead piano player. I'm not hinting at that these guys are mere echoes of Billy Joel, or Elton John. Rather this is more like Bruce Hornsby on steroids without the Grateful Dead noodling.

The songs are catchy too, and have a really good bounce. There isn't a song I want to skip over in the bunch. They even manage to raise the bar (one of the most hated euphemistic sayings out there) on themselves with songs like In and Out, We Believe, Mourning Love, In the Future, and Running Thin. Those songs are wicked!

I wonder what these guys have been up to over the last few years?

Reviewed September 5, 2003

Saving Faded Dreams (©2003 Fools of the World)

1: Runaway 2: It's A Miracle 3: Cut It Loose 4: Can't Satisfy 5: Old News 6: Aggravation 7: Saving Faded Dreams 8: The Reason Why 9: Everything's Turned Blue 10: Innocent 11: Find A Reason 12: I Don't Live There Anymore 13: Amputate

Word association is a strange thing. I've learned over the years it is a cause of friction between me and my budget. It started innocently enough. I'd heard of, but not heard the 77's for years and years. Then I got a Lost Dogs CD because of the Terry Taylor connection. Low and behold there was a Mike Roe guy in the band from the previously alluded to 77's. Well, being a compulsive collector, I avoided buying anything by Mike since I figured (correctly in hindsight) that he would be detrimental to my bank balance (it should be noted that I also have all of the Choirs' stuff too - Adam Again fans, sorry but couldn't get on the bus. I tried). I held off for years, then I saw the Dogs in concert and I was blown away by Mike's presence and playing. So after the show I cleaned out the product table of his stuff. Now of course this meant I had to get his back catalog. Along the way I learned about this wonderful other guitar player named David Leonhardt. Unfortunately he was part of another band called Strawmen. Thankfully this other band puts out albums at a rate that would make Tom Scholz impatient.

Which leads me to Saving Faded Dreams. When I happened to catch Mike and Terry playing a couple of month's back Mike was sitting at the table with a Strawmen CD in front of him. I shelled out some bucks and took it home. The next night coincidentally Bill was playing a gig nearby and afterward I met him briefly and asked him to sign my copy.

Of course since then I had to bug David personally a number of times trying to get the indie version of their first album, and I snagged their Liquid Disc version too. So hopefully it'll be a while before they do something else. Anyway I truly digress.

After all that preamble I'll get into the CD. So how is it? It's pretty good. Not perfect, but it's better than most of the crap, er, I mean stuff I hear, and as good as the stuff I like to buy. Mike assisted with the production and 77's alumni abound here, Bruce Spencer pounds the beat, and Scott Reams plays percussion.

The songs are unabashed jingle jangly pop. "Runaway" the lead off track is one of my favourites, but the whole album is full of brooding happy songs. I know that probably doesn't make sense, but trust me it's pretty accurate. The only song that doesn't really work for me is the album's closer - "Amputate" is an interesting allusion, but it doesn't work for me, mostly because I can't tell if it's a dark joke and supposed to be intentionally funny, or if it's overly serious and is unintentionally funny. It would be a great song to add to a Spinal Tap set list.

If you're a fan of the 77's, particularly Pray Naked, and to a lesser degree Drowning, this is an album that should be in your collection.

Reviewed January 31, 2004

1st (©1983 & 2002 Wounded Bird)

1: If Love Should Go 2: Move On 3: One Way Street 4: Lonely Woman's Cry 5: Everything Is Changing 6: Cold Hearted Womean 7: So Far Away 8: Blue Town 9: Fire

After departing Kansas Steve Walsh found a new home in the Streets, sadly it would be a short street, and one not many would go down. As a guy who was really into Kansas at the time, I didn't hear of this band until many years after the fact. Their first album was tight straight on rock album. Steve parked his prog rock past and stuck to the basics.

Neil Kernon, who also coincidentally produced Kansas’ 1983 album Drastic Measures, produced Streets debut. Both albums contained nine songs. But I’d have to give the nod to Kansas in terms of my personal preference.

This isn’t to say this isn’t a decent album. It’s pretty good, and Mike Slamer is the rock and roll guts of the record. He is a wicked player. Steve was still in soaring form. The best and worst that can be said about 1st is that it's an 80’s record, but it doesn’t have the legs many other classic 80’s albums have.

I got it because I was curious to listen to what Steve was up to during the missing years. He was alive and well, he just couldn’t catch a break.

Reviewed May 12, 2006

Against The Law (©1990 Enigma)

the songs: Against The Law / Two Time Woman / Rock The People / Two Bodies (One Mind One Soul) / Not That Kind Of Guy / Shining Star / Ordinary Man / Lady / Caught In The Middle / All For One / Rock The Hell Out Of You

Big hair, big drums, big harmonies, big guitars, big set of lungs on the lead singer. These guys were among the best of the metal acts of the 80's and this 1990 effort was the tail end of the gravy train. One of the things I liked most about these guys was that they obviously had some moral grounding, and weren't ashamed about it either. They could also out rock most of their contemporaries without being goofs. Although after ten years the songs are out of place now, they still make me want to roll down my windows, and crank it to eleven. I guess one of these days I'm gonna have to buy me a mid 70's muscle car, you know the one with the bird on the hood.

Stryper Reborn (©2005 Big3 Records / MTM)

1: Open Your Eyes 2: Reborn 3: When Did I See You Cry 4: Make You Mine 5: Passion 6: Live Again 7: Wait For You 8: Rain 9: If I Die 10: 10,000 Years 11: I.G.W.T.

Okay, call me a sucker and line me up against the wall. The 80’s are dead, long live the 80’s. Stryper was never my favourite band back during their heyday. I didn’t have any of their make-up spandex albums. I still don’t have them. I remember being out for dinner with a couple of my cousins and they were going on about Stryper this, and Stryper that and all I could think of was the Killer Bees tag team wrestlers that were in the WWF. One comment I’ll always remember went something like “Yeah Stryper rocks! You know, they’re talking about doing their next album without wearing make-up.” WTF? Yeah okay. So here we are years and years (fifteen to be nearly exact, that's a long freakin' time) and thanks to the amazing power of nostalgia and the inexplicable tendency for all things to eventually become retro we have the triumphant return of Stryper. Well, ¾ of Stryper at any rate. I suppose there’s a ready audience waiting to snap this up, and no doubt it will please many, and disappoint those who cannot come to terms with the passing of the ages.

You may be saying, “Jeepers Jev, that’s a lot of unusual preamble even for you – how’s the CD?” I was getting to it … um, as you can probably guess this is falling quite solidly into my guilty pleasures category. This isn’t a simply a rehash of 80’s licks and formulaic rock (Let’s leave the formula stuff to the pros like Nickleback), this is a nice hard driving rock album that has elements of hair rock, and even manages to sound somewhat modern at times. Michael still has that big voice, Oz is mostly restrained throughout, but manages to cut loose here and there. Robert gets a bad ride here in my opinion. The drums are dry and the snare has a dead thwack sound. I guess it’s a modern sound. New guy Tracy Ferrie anchors the bottom end, and does a solid job throughout. There are moments of big cheese too (what would Stryper be without cheese?), witness the overblown power ballad “If I Die” (I think that’s it, my copy has an error on the printed insert – it’s supposed to make it a “collectors” item. Great way to cover for shoddy quality control) that sounds like something Dennis DeYoung would be embarrassed to sing. Although they make up for it with some good tunes, most notably: “Open Your Eyes”, “Reborn”, “10,000 Years” and a revisited “I.G.W.T.”

I found myself tapping my foot along to the tunes, and I’ve been playing it fairly constantly for a couple of months - which surprised me to be honest. These guys still have their chops – but I don’t want to try and visualize them in their old black and yellow spandex thank you very much.

Pass the cheese please.

Reviewed October 12, 2005

Supergenerous (©2000 Blue Note)

1: The Legend of Johnny Catcus 2: Sáo Paulo Slim 3: Dreaming of a Train/Take the A Train 4: Home On the Range 5: God's Parking Lot 6: Steinbeck 7: Marisa O'Brien 8: Brohemia/Calhoun 9: Pelicula 10: Caravan/Camel, Sand & Caravan 11: A Sigh and a Shiver 12: Love Is All Around 13: Whistling In the Rain

Sometimes an album has to just sit and percolate in the back of my mind for a while before I'm able to get my thoughts down. This is such an album. I bought it as soon as it came out, and played it like crazy for months. Then it would go away for a while, then I'd dig it out again and play it for a while. This has been going on for a couple of years, and everytime I play it, I think to myself I should write a few words down. But then I forget.

So after much ado here's my armchair review.

Supergenerous is made up of Kevin Breit and Cyro Baptista. I've been a fan of Kevin's since I first heard The Breit Bros back in the late 80's. Of Mister Baptista's work I'm not familiar. The music these two guys have managed to create is at times beautiful and haunting, and occasionally as irritating as itching powder in your underpants. There's no denying their chops, it's freaky how good Kevin is on "strings". The accompanying "things" that Cyro pulls out of his hat to augment the music are wonderful. He really does uses everything including the kitchen sink.

There are some beautiful moments here, and when it all comes together it's magic.

Reviewed (finally) September 5, 2003

Diamond Hoo Ha (©2008)

1. Diamond Hoo Ha Man 2. Bad Blood 3. Rebel in You 4. When I Needed You 5. 345 6. Return of Inspiration 7. Rough Knuckles 8. Ghost of a Friend 9. Whisky and Green Tea 10. Outside 11. Butterfly

Hmmm, a bit of a surprise this one was (sorry, about that - today was talk like Yoda day around the house, and it's carried into my writing). Before I start I need to say right off that I don't have any Supergrass baggage. This is my first real exposure to the band, and I will say right off that I really like this a lot. A LOT. The first listen through I thought it was pretty good, but (no offense) it did have that rather ubiquitous "Brit-pop" thing going on. So for me it was what it was, and what it was was pleasing (I think that's the most "was" uses in a sentence for me ever!).

I've been playing this pretty steady over the last few days and every time I listen to it I find myself hearing more tasty bits I'd not picked up on the previous time through. The album kicks out of the gate with a smokin retro rocker in "Diamond Hoo Ha" a song I'm pretty sure was inspired by Al Pacino's inspiring performance as a blind moron in Scent of a Woman. As cool as that song is it's only one of 11 inspired tracks. There's something about "When I Needed You" that I really like - in a weird way it reminds me of "Cold as Ice" by Foreigner. Then there's the frenetic energy of "Rough Knuckles" with it's manic keyboard driven riffs. Heck, this is where I start to get flustered because depending on what song is on - there's something cool going on.

To be honest this is an album I didn't expect to like as much as I did. Sure I like power pop, and I love the retro-vibe - but the downside is that sometimes the identity of the band doesn't come through. If I was to be blind folded and try to pick these guys out from a crowd of their contemporaries I might have some trouble - but, what I don't have any trouble with is being able to say that over an entire album these guys didn't drop the ball - not once. And that to me puts them at the top of the pile.

Diamond Hoo Ha indeed.

Reviewed April 13, 2008

Prime Time (©1985 Lexicon)

1: Good Feelin' 2: Isabel 3: Contender 4: Just Like Me 5: I Love You With My Life 6: Perfect Timing 7: Valerie 8: Haven't Seen You Lately 9: Prodigal's Regret 10: You Need A Reason

Sweet Comfort Band had two phases: their jazzy pop stuff, and their pop rock sound. One of things that separated these guys from a lot of their contemporaries at the time was the quality of both their musicianship and their recordings.

I never really liked their jazz stuff, which stands to reason. In the late 70's and early 80's I was still a kid, and it had to rock or it sucked. Which brings us to this collection of songs. In 1981 I had a handful of albums, and SCB's last three albums got a lot of play. Isabel, Contender (think Eye of the Tiger), Perfect Timing, and Valerie were on just about every mixed tape I made back then. They actually still sound pretty good, but the rest of the songs here are okay but they just don't rise above background noise.

The people at Lexicon could have included some liner notes with this collection, but didn't. They were an important band, who had a few killer songs.

Reviewed September 5, 2003

Michael Sweet (Benson 1994)

The songs: Together / Take Me Home / Tomorrow Tonight / All This And Heaven Too / Someday / J.E.S.U.S. / All I Wanna Do (Is Love You) / Forever Yours / I Think You Hear Me Knockin / Ain’t No Safe Way

Uh, not sure what to think of this one. I got this one after Real, and it starts off with the promising Together, but it starts to wear thin pretty soon. Although in terms of standout tracks All This And Heaven Too is a very good song, even if it follows the paint by numbers approach to making a great rock song. I'll give the guy credit he’s trying to hit all the right notes: big hooks with the expected overdubbed “oohs and ahs”, and lots of guitars. He throws in a few power ballads, and a pseudo unplugged tune. I know he’s trying to get away from his past, but I’m not sure he’ll ever be able to step out from Stryper’s shadow. I really wanted to like this one, since I bought it and all. Sadly this isn’t an album that’s spent a lot of time in my CD player.

Reviewed March 7, 2002

Real (©1995 Benson)

the songs: Color Blind / Second Chance / Ticket To Freedom / The River / Always There For You / Real / Baby Doll / Why / Remember Me / Heaven Waits For You

Ever wonder what happened to all of the big hair metal bands? Well, some of them just faded away (thankfully, although I hear that there's a Twister Sister reunion in the works), or got hair cuts. Others kept their hair, but moved into the adult rock world (whatever that's supposed to mean). Michael has a big set of lungs, and can really belt out a tune. This CD is still rock and roll, it's just not the glam rock of his past (It helps that a guy of Mike Slamer's calibre is all over it too). I'm not going to hold his days in Stryper against him. While listening to this album there were a couple of times I thought I was listening to Bon Jovi (not a slam), but mostly it sounded like pretty decent rock. My favourite songs are The River (which is pretty musically clichéd, but it works), Real, and Remember Me.