Van Halen (©1978 Warner Bros.)

1: Runnin With the Devil 2: Eruption 3: You Really Got Me 4: Ain't Talking 'Bout Love 5: I'm the One 6: Jamie's Cryin' 7: Atomic Punk 8: Feel Your Love Tonight 9: Little Dreamer 10: Ice Cream Man 11: On Fire

Twenty years before the band ceased to be a force in rock with their tepid swan song, they burst onto the scene and forever changed the face of rock and roll.

If for nothing else the band will be remembered for the 1:42 seconds of jaw dropping fret work Eddie unleashed on "Eruption". And for you kids who weren't born when this came out, picture this: There was no such thing as a locking nut for a whammy bar in 1978.

I'm surprised at how fresh this one still sounds. Straight ahead rock just doesn't really go out of style. There are still a couple of songs that are as annoying today as they were in 1978, "Atomic Punk" and "On Fire" still suck. So much for the smoothing soporific of nostalgia.

This was the age of bigger than life rock stars and egos, and frankly they didn't come any better or bigger than this!

Reviewed June 29, 2005

3 (©1998 Warner Bros.)

The Songs: Neworld / Without You / One I Want / From Afar / Dirty Water Dog / Once / Fire In The Hole / Josephina / Year To The Day / Primary / Ballot Or The Bullet / How Many Say I

There isn't a rock and roll guitar player who wasn't blown away by Eruption from Van Halen I. As the franchise works out the kinks with its third vocalist, one is left wondering if the boys have run their course and should hang 'em up. Before I start let me state that I am a huge Extreme fan, and Gary Cherone is a fine singer; however, having said that Gary doesn't fit. Either on purpose or by accident he comes across as a deflated Sammy. This isn't to say that there aren't some good moments on 3. "Dirty Water Dog" is cool, "Once" is a fine tune, and "Year to the Day" is about the best song on the album. The rest are filler. Overall a lame effort.

Into the Wild (©2007)

1: Setting Forth 2: No Ceiling 3: Far Behind 4: Rise 5: Long Nights 6: Tuolumne 7: Hard Sun 8: Society 9: The Wolf 10: End of the Road 11: Guaranteed

Weird how sometimes you pick up things by accident. I've never been turned on by Pearl Jam, although there have been songs I've heard that I liked. For whatever reason I never really bought into the whole Seattle thing.

But this one seemed strangely appealing, so I took a chance. It's the story about a young man who packs his things, and disappears into the wilds of Alaska. The story doesn't have a happy end. The songs are obviously thematic (duh) and weave an all too short story that ends with Eddie strumming and humming "Guaranteed" a song that is apparently up for an Academy Award. This is Eddie subdued, his voice and subtle playing are front and centre. He not competing with a wall of noise behind him.

I really like this one, but I'm not above picking fault: "Tuolumne" sounds like "Dust in the Wind" played backwards. But that's just me being an ass. "Hard Sun" is a remake of an 80's song I always loved by Indio. I'm not sure if it was hit outside of Canada, but Eddie's version is well done.

I've not seen the movie yet, but I will look for it on DVD when it comes out. If the music in any indication it will be something I'll enjoy.

The odd thing about discovering an artist you've always ignored is that I have to go back and rethink my opinion on his other work.

Reviewed January 8, 2007

Nine Objects of Desire (©1996 A&M)

The songs: Birth-day (Love Made Real) / Headshots / Caramel / Stockings / Casual Match / Thin Man / No Cheap Thrill / World Before Columbus / Lolita / Honeymoon Suite / Tombstone / My Favourite Plum

I don't think this woman has released a poor album. Nine Objects of Desire picks up musically where 99.9 F. left off. Again produced by Mitchell Froom, this album is full of fun quirky songs. Although there aren't any real killer tracks on this album, the effort is solid and enjoyable.

Vertigo (©2003 Frontiers Records)

1: Not Enough Hours In The Night 2: Straight To Your Heart 3: More Than Enough 4: Never Let You Go 5: I Don't Want To Go 6: I Want To Be Wanted 7: China Sky 8: Love Is Blind 9: When It Doesn't Matter 10: Sarah 11: Vertigo 12: More Than Enough (Acoustic Version)

Frontiers records is a great little label, who love rock and roll. Who knew Italy would be one of the last bastions for good old fashioned rock and roll.

Vertigo features the vocals of Joseph Williams. For those who don't know (or care) he was in Toto for a number of years and recorded some great records with them. Vertigo captures the mid 80's AOR feel, without feeling completely dated.

This was a pleasant surprise. The assembled players are very good, and the guitar player Alex De Rosso is amazing. He's quite something in Italy apparently, with good reason. This album is surprisingly cohesive considering the music was recorded first, with the vocals being added by Joseph at his studio. Make you wonder what the guys would come with if they all worked together.

There's also a bonus CD with interviews and videos which is a nice addition. Here's hoping these guys make another record.

Reviewed May 20, 2005

2 (©2006)

1: In The Blink Of An Eye 2: All For You 3: Hold Me 4: Part Of Me 5: Holy 6: I Wanna Live Forever 7: Save It All Alone 8: Picking Up The Pieces 9: Together (Good-bye So Long) 10: There's A Reason

Joseph Williams and company are back again, with their follow up to their self titled debut. I'm surprised I took so long to write this one up. I got it pretty much hot off the presses, and listened to it a lot for a few weeks. Then it got buried, and I'd mostly forgotten about it.

I was looking through my list of stuff to catch up on and I figured it was past time to get this to this one. I like one at least as much as the debut - in some ways like it more. Lyrically this one had some really spiritual songs - this may not sit with some, but for me I thought it was pretty cool. I happen to like music that has some conviction.

Musically, there's nothing new here. It pushes the big AOR buttons, and that suits me just fine. The playing is crisp, and Joseph is in fine voice. There are times though when the drums, particularly the "pinging" snare are irritating, and are a little distracting.

I'm glad there's still a market for music like this. I know it's uncool, but dang it - I happen to like pop music that's as slick as snot and features a bunch of guys who actually know how to sing and play their instruments.

What a concept.

Reviewed April 30, 2008

A Charlie Brown Christmas (©1997 Fantasy)

1: O Tannenbaum 2: What Child Is This 3: My Little Drum 4: Linus And Lucy 5: Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental) 6: Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal) 7: Skating 8: Hark, The Herald Angels Sing 9: Christmas Is Coming 10: Für Elise 11: Christmas Song

After years of talking about getting the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas I found a copy after Christmas at Starbucks. I still have a hard time swallowing coffee baristas as musicologists, then again, they don't exactly make great coffee either. Um, where was I? Oh right. Music. Anyway, against my better judgment I was coerced into going to aforementioned coffee (term used loosely) place for a hot beverage, when I spied on the counter this soundtrack. On sale no less! So, despite the fact that Christmas was over, I shelled out for a great album, and a passable cup of joe.

For an album that is now 40 years old, this is as cool as cool gets. Sure nostalgia plays a part, how could it not? This is one of the definitive Christmas specials. It's true to the spirit, and doesn't shy away from the real meaning of Christmas. But enough about Peanuts - the music is what I'm on about at the moment. Even in the 60's cartoon music was Looney Tunes. I'm not dissin' the cartoons or the music, it was goofy fun, but just not music.

The Vince Guardaldi Trio supplied the music, and hot dang this stuff is great. What a shame the guy passed away so young! I'll bet you'd be hard pressed to find anyone whose ears don't prick up at the first stanza of "Linus and Lucy". In fact even the cheesy out of tune kid vocals on "Christmas Time is Here" evokes a warm seasonal fuzzy.

But what really hooked me were the brilliant arrangements of many familiar carols. I can't believe how good the recording still sounds after all these years.

To loosely paraphrase Linus, "It's not a bad little album. All it needs is a little love."

I can hardly wait for next Christmas to play this one again. Heck, I may not wait until Christmas.

Reviewed December 30, 2005

PS - I guess this could have gone under "G" for Guaraldi, but I figured since this was a trio the "V" in Vince counted as the band name.

Highly Evolved (©2002)

1. Highly Evolved 2. Autumn Shade 3. Outtathaway 4. Sunshinin 5. Homesick 6. Get Free 7. Country Yard 8. Factory 9. In The Jungle 10. Mary Jane 11. Ain't No Room 12. 1969

Another band mining the highly energetic retro pop vein. Highly Evolved is an enjoyable romp through pop cotton candy land. I don't know what it is about the land down under, but they sure do produce some good bands - I'm still out on The Vines, but they aren't an embarrassment either. The music is an odd blend of 90's angst, shoe gazer pop, and 60's psychedelic rock (I'm trying to avoid saying Grunge because I honestly don't know what the hell grunge is - other than being rock with a muddy mix). Most of the time it works like a charm. There are some who say the guys are riding Nirvana's coattails. I suppose in a way I can see that, but show me a band other than Primus who is really doing anything truly original.

Most of the songs are pretty good. "Homesick" is an nifty song but it sounds like something Oasis tossed over the wall, and "Factory" is a horrible song, which is thankfully redeemed by "In the Jungle". The album closes with the band's six and a half minute opus "1969".

I suppose if I find something else by these guys in a discount bins I'd be likely to pick it up, but for the most part it's just more of the same old same old. Good enough while it's on, but ultimately not something that sticks with you.

Reviewed January 7, 2008

3 (©1988 Slash/Warner Bros.)

Nightmares / Just Like My Father / Dating Days / Fat / Fool In The Full Moon / Nothing Worth Living For / World We're Living In / Outside The Palace / Telephone Book / Mother Of A Girl / Lies / See My Ships

I got this one years and years ago, and it’s one of those quirky little albums that makes the occasional appearance on my CD player. The trio of Gordon Gano (vocals, guitar) Brian Ritchie (bass) and Victor DeLorenzo (drums) are sort of like the anti-Stray Cats with a college education (I’m not sure what the heck that means either, but it sounded cool before I saw how trite it looked).

These guys are a lot of fun, and I’m sure they’d be absolutely infectious live. Then again I’m basing this on an album that’s almost 15 years old. The songs are clever, and full of frenetic energy. I’ve not picked up anything else by these guys, although at some point I’d like to get Blister in the Sun, but I suppose I can wait a little longer.

Reviewed April 2003

When Pigs Fly (©1999 Vollmer Records)

The songs: I'm a Live Frankenstein / Life of the Party (But Now He's Dead!!) / King of the Hill / Stumblin' Blind / Pissed Off / X-Ray Eyes / F.u.g.l.y. / When Pigs Fly / Good Times Don't Get Better Than This

Brian Vollmer is the set of lungs behind Helix, and the guy is a real belter. I guess given his past I had set the bar too high, and my expectations were unrealistic. There's also the length of the disc - nine tracks clocking in just over 30 minutes. In this day of the 80 minute album, people expect more tunes.

I really wanted to like this, but it just doesn't quite make it over the hump. There are a couple of great tunes in I'm a Live Frankenstein, and Stumblin' Blind. Life of the Party is catchy in an odd way, but the rest of the CD is near misses.