Music Bender

Okay … maybe Phil Collins isn’t gonna perform or record anymore, but …

WHAT?? You mean you haven’t heard??

Well, apparently, Phil wants to spend more time with his other projects and, above all, his family. And, personally, it’s a very wise choice.

But that’s not gonna keep Genesis out of the mix! You see, they’ve packaged together all (yes, all!) their live albums and will release them as a boxed set on September 14th.

The box-set (which will include some interesting extras) is called Genesis Live 1973-2007 and includes their albums Genesis Live, Seconds Out, Three Sides Live and The Way We Walk.
You’ll also find Live At The Rainbow 1973 which is only available with the set.

You’ll also have bonus tracks not included on the original releases — and it’ll all be available in 5.1 surround sound for the first time!

IS THIS IT FOR REZNOR??

Word is that, since their NINJA tour wasn’t as stong as they expected, Nine Inch Nails will have its “final” final tour beginning in August.

These will all be smaller venues, but, as many acts will verify, the intimacy of smaller venues (and the fact that they all started with them) makes for a great tour!

Anyway, here are the dates:

Aug. 22 - Bowery Ballroom, New York
Aug 23 - Webster Hall, New York
Aug. 25-26 - Terminal 5, New York
Aug. 28-29 - Aragorn Ballroom, Chicago
Sept. 2 - Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
Sept. 3 - Henry Fonda Theater, Los Angeles
Sept. 5 - Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles
Sept. 6 - Echoplex, Los Angeles

WASHING UP

A few days ago, my kitchen faucet broke, and I found myself making a wild run to find a new one.
Now, I refuse to use anything but Delta faucets, but (as some of you probably have found) the local stores seem to have a very limited selection!

But there’s one place that offers you a tremendous selection of the most beautiful, practical, and durable Deltas on the market! Not only that, but they offer many extras like a Home Savers Club, great moneysaving plans like BillMeLater … and free shipping (see their site for more details on these) and much more!

So for the very best in Delta fauctes just click that link. The best brand … the best selection … the best service, all at the click of the mouse!

YESSSS!!! It’s about time …

On the fortieth anniversary of the original peace and love gathering on Yasgur’s Farm, we’re gettin’ the full set of the performances that made a generation!

All … six CDs full of them!

The 77-song package will recreate the festival’s 33 sets chronologically.  For anyone who was there (or knew about this from some serious study of the festival), you’ll also get the famous “brown acid” warnings as well as the confrontation between activist Abbie Hoffman and The Who’s Pete Townsend!

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE GETTING, PEOPLE:

WOODSTOCK - 40 YEARS ON: BACK TO YASGUR’S FARM

Disc 1

1. “Handsome Johnny” - Richie Havens
2. “Freedom (Motherless Child)” - Richie Havens
3. “Choppity Choppity” - John Morris
4. “Look Out” - Sweetwater
5. “Two Worlds” - Sweetwater
6. “Jennifer” - Bert Sommer
7. “And When It’s Over” - Bert Sommer
8. “Smile” - Bert Sommer
9. “There Goes Marilyn!” - John Morris
10. “Hang On To A Dream” - Tim Hardin
11. “Simple Song Of Freedom” - Tim Hardin
12. “Flat Blue Acid” - John Morris
13. “Raga Puriya-Dhanashri/Gat In Sawarital” - Ravi Shankar
14. “Momma Momma” - Melanie
15. “Beautiful People” - Melanie
16. “Birthday Of The Sun” - Melanie
17. “Coming Into Los Angeles” - Arlo Guthrie
18. “Wheel Of Fortune” - Arlo Guthrie
19. “Every Hand In The Land” - Arlo Guthrie
20. “All You Funny People” - John Morris

Disc 2

1. “Joe Hill” - Joan Baez
2. “Sweet Sir Galahad” - Joan Baez
3. “Hickory Wind” - Joan Baez
4. “Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man” - Joan Baez w/Jeffrey Shurtleff
5. “Bring Scully His Asthma Pills” - John Morris
6. “Insulin” & Quill Intro - John Morris
7. “They Live The Life” - Quill
8. “That’s How I Eat” - Quill
9. “I Understand Your Wife Is Having A Baby” - Chip Monck
10. “Donovan’s Reef” - Country Joe McDonald
11. “The ‘Fish’ Cheer”/”I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag” - Country Joe
McDonald
12. “Persuasion” - Santana
13. “Soul Sacrifice” - Santana
14. “How Have You Been” - John B. Sebastian
15. “Rainbows All Over Your Blues” - John B. Sebastian
16. “I Had A Dream” - John B. Sebastian
17. “The Letter” - Incredible String Band
18. “When You Find Out Who You Are” - Incredible String Band
19. “She Is Lost” - Chip Monck

Disc 3

1. “We’re In Pretty Good Shape” - Chip Monck
2. “Going Up The Country” - Canned Heat
3. “Woodstock Boogie” - Canned Heat
4. “The Brown Acid Is Not Specifically Too Good” - Chip Monck
5. “Blood Of The Sun” - Mountain
6. “Theme For An Imaginary Western” - Mountain
7. “For Yasgur’s Farm” - Mountain
8. “For Those Of You Who Have Partaken Of The Green Acid” - Chip Monck
9. “Green Acid Advice” - Jerry Garcia & Country Joe McDonald
10. “Dark Star” - Grateful Dead
11. “Green River” - Creedence Clearwater Revival
12. “Bad Moon Rising” - Creedence Clearwater Revival
13. “I Put A Spell On You” - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Disc 4

1. “Work Me, Lord” - Janis Joplin
2. “Ball And Chain” - Janis Joplin
3. Medley: “Dance To The Music”/”Music Lover”/”I Want To Take You
Higher” - Sly & The Family Stone
4. “The Politics Of The Situation” - Abbie Hoffman
5. “Amazing Journey” - The Who
6. “Pinball Wizard” - The Who
7. Abbie Hoffman vs. Pete Townshend
8. “We’re Not Gonna Take It” - The Who
9. “The Other Side Of This Life” - Jefferson Airplane
10. “Somebody To Love” - Jefferson Airplane
11. “Won’t You Try”/ “Saturday Afternoon” - Jefferson Airplane
12. “We Got A Whole Lot Of Orange” - Grace Slick
13. “Volunteers” - Jefferson Airplane
14. “Breakfast In Bed For 400,000″ - Wavy Gravy
15. “It Just Keeps Goin’” - John Morris
16. Max Yasgur Speaks

Disc 5

1. “Feelin’ Alright” - Joe Cocker
2. “Let’s Go Get Stoned” - Joe Cocker
3. “With A Little Help From My Friends” - Joe Cocker
4. The Rainstorm
5. “Rock & Soul Music” - Country Joe & The Fish
6. “Love” - Country Joe & The Fish
7. “Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine” - Country Joe & The Fish
8. “Summer Dresses” - Country Joe & The Fish
9. “Silver and Gold” - Country Joe & The Fish
10. “Rock & Soul Music” (Reprise) - Country Joe & The Fish
11. “Leland Mississippi Blues” - Johnny Winter
12. “Mean Town Blues” - Johnny Winter
13. “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” - Blood Sweat & Tears

Disc 6

1. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” - Crosby Stills & Nash
2. “Guinnevere” - Crosby Stills & Nash
3. “Marrakesh Express” - Crosby Stills & Nash
4. “4 + 20″ - Crosby Stills & Nash
5. “Sea Of Madness” - Crosby Stills Nash & Young
6. “Wooden Ships” - Crosby Stills Nash & Young
7. “No Amount Of Loving” -The Butterfield Blues Band
8. “Love March” - The Butterfield Blues Band
9. “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” - The Butterfield Blues Band
10. “Get A Job” - Sha Na Na
11. “At The Hop” - Sha Na Na
12. “Get A Job” (Reprise) - Sha Na Na
13. “The Star Spangled Banner” - Jimi Hendrix
“Purple Haze” - Jimi Hendrix
“Woodstock Improvisation” - Jimi Hendrix
14. “Woodstock Farewell” - Chip Monck

Need I say more??

‘WOODSTOCK - 40 YEARS ON: BACK TO YASGUR’S FARM’ will be released on August 17th through Rhino Records.

IT’S MORE THAN JUST A SONG TITLE

Actually, rehab is definitely serious business! As with many of us, I have friends who’ve been addicted to various substances (and mores) and have needed help in breaking them! And many colleges throughout the nation (including one from my hometown, University of North Carolina, Charlotte campus, have joined in the effort to help (in larger cities, of course, the need is more prevalent).

And there’s one center that’s known for not only its varying forms of treatment, but its amazing success rate! More importantly, though, is that it treats not just the body, but the mind and spirit of the patient (and there are few who actually care enough to go that far!).
But it doesn’t stop there:
They also have a tremendous alumni program — realizing that “followup” is just as important as the initial treatment!
If you wanna learn more about this place where alternative medicine meets drug rehab , just click on the link you just passed …
then, spread the word! They’re there to help you — totally!

Now I’ve heard everything:

A  lullaby version of one of Nirvana’s hits was put on a CD recently so babies could get some sleep (yeah, I think the word’s dichotomous. Or just plain weird).

Smells Like Teen Spirit, along with songs by AC/DC and Queen, have been recreated by musicians using xylophones, wood blocks and glockenspiels.
The Rockabye Baby CD – which also includes versions of U2, Radiohead and Pink Floyd hits – has sold out in baby stores in both the UK and US.
A spokesman told The Sun newspaper: “People seem to love the fact that they’re a quirky take on some of our legendary bands. Dads also seem to particularly enjoy them.”

Which bands or songs would you like to see included on a future Rockabye Baby CD?
Spinal Nap comes to mind, right?  Sleep Dogg, maybe? Yawni?? Metallica’s Enter Sandman? The list could go yawn and yawn …

AHHH, SWEET MEMORY

If you’re like me and spend most of your time in front of a PC (well, it’s where I work!), you know it’s gotta have plenty of memory to keep it running proficiently!
But the challenge is to find just the right memory components for your particular computer.  Not only do they have to fit your needs but be priced to fit your particular budget, too!  And, let’s face it — most stores just don’t have both!
There’s one place I’ve found that, fortunately, does have just the right memory components for you — and at great prices!  Not only that, but they’ll be from the best manufacturers!
By now, you’re probably eager to know “where”?? Well, to find the best and most affordable modules and components to increase your computer memory then just click on the link you just passed!
And, soon, you’ll see your computer give the performance of its life!

Seems like fans are finally gonna get some Satisfaction! The Rolling Stones have begun reissuing fourteen re-mastered albums for distribution throughout the year.

The albums, including Sticky Fingers, Tattoo You and Bridges To Babylon, are being released in three different batches over the summer.
Now, they’re also planning to release of a special, mega-box set including all 14 albums, and each one will be made available digitally as well.

The first batch is out already, having appeared on May 4. They include: Sticky Fingers, Goats Head Soup, It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll and ‘Black And Blue.’

The next one’s due on June 8, and will include: Some Girls, Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You and Undercover

The third is expected to be released on July 13, and will spotlight these:
Dirty Work, Steel Wheels, Voodoo Lounge, Bridges To Babylon and A Bigger Bang.

Soon, the band will release the re-mastered version of their magnum opus, 1972’s Exile On Main Street - though as of yet, no date has been set.

Still, there’s no doubt that rock fans around the world are going to be looking for each set! The Stones are genuine legends and have influenced performers across all genres, from rock and soul to country and bluegrass!

IT’S YOUR LIFE

No doubt about it: With prices rising and paychecks (or jobs themselves) dwindling, many people are having a hard time finding affordable (and reliable) life insurance these days.
Now, there are many companies out there that promise you great coverage, low premiums and all — but who can you really trust to come through with the insurance you need to help your family at the ultimate time of need?
Well, there’s one place where you can find out — and it’s just a click away!  They’ll compare the best of term life insurance companies and give you quotes that you can work with!
But there’s more …
You’ll also find helpful articles, links to other life insurance types and programs, consumer reports, a life insurance calculator … and all of this on just one screen!
So, for your (and your family’s) peace-of-mind, why not visit the people who’ll help you get the affordable insurance you need? You (and thay) will be glad you did!

The new album from Heaven And Hell has been given a title, tracklisting and release date (finally!).

The new album from the Black Sabbath spin-off (with Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler from Sabbath) is to be titled ‘The Devil You Know’ and will be released on 27 April.
The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, U.K., where the 1992 Sabbath album ‘Dehumanizer’ was also tracked.

Here’s the track listing for the CD:

01. Atom & Evil
02. Fear
03. Bible Black
04. Double the Pain
05. Rock & Roll Angel
06. The Turn of the Screw
07. Eating the Cannibals
08. Follow the Tears
09. Neverwhere
10. Breaking into Heaven

Already, Bible Black is getting some solid airplay, and becoming increasingly popular.

The band will premiere ‘The Devil You Know’ on the April 29th edition of the U.S radio show “Rockline” at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. An encore presentation of the show will air on May 4th.

ATTENTION — ALL FANS OF THE FORE

Here’s your chance to hear the band live — no matter where ya live (and I know yer out there, ’cause the RelicMail don’t lie!):

All ya gotta do is tune in to the ArtistFirst Radio Network on Saturday April 11th at TWELVE noon EDT (New York time) for the live interview with THE FORE!
(man, it’s easy to remember: 11 at 12! Now ya can’t forget!).

They’ll be playing cuts from their new, hit album “Run and Hide”, so tune in by clicking this link http://wms.artistfirst.fastserv.com/artistfirst (hey … go on and click there now, and bookmark it for the Big Day!) They’ll be on for the full hour on The ArtistFirst Radio Network.

Oh … and check this out: You can e-mail the station during the show for free CD and T-shirt giveaways! Man, ya can’t do better than that if ya tried …

Okay … that’s it for this go’round.  But stay tuned … there’s more to come in less than 24!  Until then …
keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

One of my (and many rock fans’) fave bands, Green Day, is back, with a new album and some seriously rockin’ music. Their new album cover (seen on yer left) has been compared favorably to their hit CD, dookie.

“21st Century Breakdown” is the new set’s title track, and it sets out this LP’s design: rebellion and the disintegration of America by way of rock opera, strange piano intros and all.

So, while this one clocks in at five minutes, really it’s three discrete movements: the first imagines Green Day as a blue colllar NJ band with a taste for big statements and stuck on Lennon (”My generation is zero / I never made it as a working class hero”); next is the Meat Loaf-like hairpin turn into a pop-punky gallop, with baby boomer-hate (”the bastards of 1969!”) and a new key that screams “set change!”; and finally a bombastic half-time coda that’s all Queen or My Chemical Romance, depending on how old you are.

There’s no doubt about it: Billie Joe Armstrong is one of the most animated and insightful songwriters to come down the pike in years — and this album proves it. We’ve seen him grow and progress over the past decade … and the band shows no signs of wearing-down or stopping!

Here’s the title track from the album:

“Breakdown,” 2009:

Now, I’m gonna get a little shut-eye if possible, but stay tuned, ’cause I’ll have more in less than 24!

See ya on the flip side …

THE FORE: Mini Compilation Album is now available!

Thousands of rockin’ fans around the world have experienced the energy and excitement of this fantastic UK band! Now, it’s your turn!

But they know, like the rest of us, that the economy’s tight, and many folks have gotta watch what’s in their purses and wallets. So they’ve come up with an awesome offering to help ya fight high prices and dig the fab sounds of the band that’s turnin’ the rock music world upside-down!

You can get eight of their most popular songs, delivered right to your computer … and for only … ONE POUND! (about $1.50 US)

YOU’LL GET:

• ‘Man of Few Words’ (2006 version)
• ‘Little Louisa’
• ‘Love For Sale’
• ‘You’ll Be Mine‘ (all from the Album ‘Black and White‘. released in 2007)
• ‘Run and Hide’
• ‘We Were Meant To Be’
• ‘Lazy Day’
• ‘No Other Love’ (all from the album ‘Run and Hide’ released in 2008).

All for just one pound!! And it’s available on download only from the INDIESTORE at
http://indiestore. 7digital. com/thefore/ indieProductDeta il.aspx?pid= -114739

HERE’S A SAMPLE, ON VIDEO!
This is The Fore, doing their hit, Man of Few Words (2006)

So don’t miss out! Ya can’t get great music like this for less! Do it NOW …
and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

Okay … we know Starbucks sells cups of coffee for up to five bucks (update: but maybe not for long!. Word from high-ticket economists is that the company may either seriously downsize or go belly-up by the end of the 09!).

Nonetheless, it’s also a company that’s in the business of selling music. And it’ll soon fill their diminishing inventory space with another Sweetheart compilation, asking some “name” artists to cover songs from other “name” artists.

Here’s its tracklist:

1 Death Cab For Cutie - “Love Song” (Cure cover)
2 Katy Perry - “Black And Gold” (Sam Sparro cover)
3 DeVotchKa - “Hot Burrito #1 (I’m Your Toy)” (Flying Burrito Brothers cover)
4 Department Of Eagles - “Love Me” (Elvis Presley cover)
5 Jessica Lea Mayfield - “Words Of Love” (Buddy Holly cover)
6 Ben Bridwell - “Your Love Is Forever” (George Harrison cover)
7 Kate Tucker - “I’m On Fire” (Bruce Springsteen cover)
8 Rogue Wave - “Maps” (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover)
9 A.C. Newman - “Take On Me” (a-ha cover)
10 Jem - “Yellow” (Coldplay cover)
11 Richard Hawley - “Early Morning Rain” (Gordon Lightfoot cover)
12 Daniel Martin Moore - “I Hear Music” (Billie Holiday cover)
13 She & Him - “I Put A Spell On You” (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cover)
14 Lila Downs - “My One And Only Love” (Frank Sinatra cover)

Sales of the CD are to benefit a “network of independent organizations, working across the world to help children affected by war”, according to a press release accompanying the news.

Y’know, it seems that all the major stars are on the “benefit” bandwagon now — and that’s good!
Many of them are pumped up by the new Administration and all that it plans to offer; others, like U2 and Springsteen, have done charitable work for years.

Y’know, maybe it’s time we all got on the bandwagon and begin to “pitch in” and do our part to help others.

Whatcha think?

They come from London and Liverpool, joining together to make a sound so exciting that thousands of fans throughout Britain, Europe, Canada, South America, Australia and the United States are flocking to CD Baby, Indiestore, Amazon and other outlets for this indie CD.

Run and Hide — the second album by the megapop band The Fore — is a mixture of raw, driving rock-and-roll sprinkled with some of the most beautiful ballads in the musical universe!

Where their debut album Black and White, took us to a world of pure rock excitement, this one explores that world with a musical progression tha’s gonna put your entire system into overdrive!  And, through it all, you’ve still got the inimitable style that the band is famous fore!

TRACKLIST FROM RUN AND HIDE (with notes)

• FORGIVE AND FORGET — This upbeat rocker has a vocal hook that I dare ya to try and get outta yer head!
• WE WERE MEANT TO BE — Like your music flavored with a bit of the Motown dance sound of the early ’60s?  You’ve got it, mixed with some solid, Bo Diddley-style rock in the bridge.
• HAVE ME BACK AGAIN — A solid mover with the lads’ signature harmony sprinkled liberally throughout!
• SEND MY LOVE TO YOU — Sung by drummer Simon Thompson, this folk-rocker is already a fave among some of our servicemen overseas!  Great arrangement and strong acoustic rhythm adds to the beauty of this ballad.
• YOU’VE GOT TO CHOOSE — Sometimes, if a guy’s got a rival for his girl’s heart, he’s gotta confront her about the situation; that’s what this song’s all about.  A strong piano helps build this melodic mover (and wait’ll ya hear the chorus!).
• RUN AND HIDE — This thriller starts with a sharp attack and pointed lyrics, warning the cheating girl to run and hide. The bridge builds tremendous suspense, as does the last of the track (with Si and Matt creating a dark, chase-type backing that would sound great on a spy flick!
• RUMOURS AND LIES — It’s every teenaged boy’s plea to his girl:  Don’t listen to the rumours and lies that might “take your love away”.  This slower number has a great calypso-style rhythm and lyrics that aim straight for the heart.
• THAT’S A LIE — Imagine the ultimate rock song, with Everly-style harmony, rockabilly-style guitar, great progressive arrangement and upbeat tempo.  That’s whatcha got here! (Oh, yeah … there’s a hook in the chorus that’s innovative: As Matt and Spencer sing “then I’ll put you down”, the tempo slows in sync with the words — then builds back up at the words “I’m tellin’ you now”.)
• IT’S YOU GIRL — Merseybeat at its finest!  Fantastic harmony with a great guitar bridge!
• LAZY DAY — A breezy, summertime song with a great hook and warm, inventive vocals.  Again, a strong piano only adds to a song that’s as refreshing as iced tea on a hot July day!
• LEAVE ME ALONE — Have you ever had someone break up with you, just to find them calling or trying to get you back?  That’s the premise of this song.  In the chorus, you can feel Spencer confronting his ex while feeling the heartache of having to speak with her again.
• NO OTHER LOVE — A slower, heartfelt, harmonic melody with minimal instruments and great lyrics.
• TELL YOUR FRIEND — A throwback to the Invasion band’s Hamburg/Star Club days, this is an amazing, raw, in-your-face rocker, with the Chuck Berry 4/4 rhythm, clappers and all!  And wait’ll you hear Matt’s guitar solo!
• EMMA — It starts darkly with a quasi-flamenco beat, and when Spencer gets to the mic and starts singing to “Emma” about her leaving, you can actually feel his pain!  Coupled with Si’s drum fill and Matt’s stirring acoustic 12-string, it’s one amazing song!!
• AIN’T THAT JUST FINE — An upbeat song built strongly around the rhythm, it deals with the singer’s happy-go-lucky independence.  Lyrics like, “Don’t walk like a rich man, but I got all that I need” and “I’m not the kind of guy to settle down” flavour a tune that’s great to have in yer car’s CD player as you’re hittin’ the open road!

All told, I’ve gotta give this CD an EAGLE-SIZED, five-star “thumbs up” rating! Now, I’ve been in the biz for over 30 years, and this album, while released independently, is one of the best I’ve heard in years! If I were you, I’d order “Run and Hide” today, and start rockin’ with some serious inner energy tomorrow!!

One more word:  Though this album’s only been out for about a month, it’s already gettin’ some great airplay across terra firma, and CDs/tracks are selling at a fantastic rate … and it’s all due to the band, their managers, and yours truly promoting them; no A&Rs, no high-end record labels or fancy ads!

And if that doesn’t tell ya how good the CD is, nothing will!

Okay … what’s up with the new dude who’s taken over this sacred site?
Well, it’s like this: I’ve been a rock raver, researcher and writer since … since … well, for a lonnnnng time (hmph … ain’t gonna get my age outta me …), and the site was available.
Sooooo, ya put 1 + 1 together, whaddya got?? Uh-huh …
But, now, you’re gonna get more insider info, updates, interviews and vids for yer money (eh? Oh … right … it’s free. Heh-heh …). So, with that in mind, let’s make happen:

Now, while I’m not gonna officially debut this rascal until 12 January, lemme give ya a taste of the new stuff (careful … don’t “chug” it! It has kinduva kick to it …):
Now, one thing ya gotta know is that, while I’m at the mercy of the Mersey Beat, I’m also one devoted Metallicat! And if ya haven’t caught Hetfield and Co.’s new CD, Death Magnetic, you’re missin’ one of the greatest CD’s ever to appear on terra firma in 2008! Not only is it hard-rockin’ metal at its best (and nobody … but nobody … can growl like James! Only one who could’ve matched him was the late Mike Smith), but it’s got some dynamite tracks that’ll have you playin’ that CD again and again ’til it’s warped!
Oh … by the way: DIDJA HEAR where Lars (Ulrich. The drummer! Are you really a rock fan??) has offered to put his sticks to use with Deep Purple MIV? They’ve got everybody in the band but Ian (yep … even Richie Blackmore has agreed), but he’s still doin’ the new version of DP. So, since they’re in need of a new skin-pounder, along comes Lars offerin’ his services for a one-shot deal, if nothing else. Stay tuned for more on this story …

LED ZEP TO TOUR … AND DISC!
Yep … the Band that Made Rock Famous (post-Beatles, pre-Fore) is gettin’ it back together to tour and record once again …
ummm … without Robert Plant!
Seems the legendary frontman for Led Zeppelin thinks he’s too “old” to rock now, so he’ll be sittin’ out the lineup this time! That means Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and (in honour of his dad, original LZ’er, Bonzo) Jason Bonham are lookin’ for a replacement for Plant!
More news? Gotcha: They might not even call themselves “Led Zeppelin” anymore (SACRILEGE!!!!!) and go with a new moniker instead.
Whatever the case, watch this space for more on the LZ race back to the stage (and, undoubtedly, charts) …

And there ya have it: Guess I sorta/kinda debuted it anyway, huh? Well, there’s gonna be more in 24, so stay tuned, okay?
And I’ll see ya on the flip side!

The Fray actually defied my expectations with their debut album “How to Save a Life”. From their singles “How to Save a Life” and “Over My Head” I thought their album would be a lot more laid back and centered explicitly around the piano. However, I was pleasantly surprised by a sound somewhat more upbeat and well rounded than either of their singles.

Don’t take my comments there as criticism, I loved the singles, but the CD is much better fleshed out like it is. The musicianship is superb throughout, with generally mellow piano and withdrawn drums complimented by melodic guitar. “Look After You” and “Dead Wrong” really show The Fray epitomized.

Vocals are undoubtedly what makes this band. The lead singer Isaac Slade, who also plays the piano, is, while not the best vocalist I’ve ever heard, most definitely unique in his style. The lyrics composed by the band compliment his voice (or vice versa) in a rather sublime way.

Over all the album is very well done. However, a little bit more variety would have been welcome. “Little House” and “She Is” had far too little company as standout pieces.

I didn’t really know what to expect when I picked up Light Grenades the other day. Well. It certainly wasn’t at all like any of their music that I’d heard up until that point.

Light Grenades is a departure from their “semi-mainstream” sound that Incubus has maintained over their past ventures. The spectrum of sound on this album is incredible.

I’m a gamer, so the intro to the song “Light Grenades” sounded very familiar, straight out of Halo 2. The rest of the song though, was different. Very different. The vocals that they experiment with compliment the rest of the off-beat song with quite a bit of flair.

The single, “Anna Molly” is very well done, the light guitar/ heavy guitar alternation makes for an effect that creates a memorable single unlike any other.

Then there are other songs that make me go WTF? “Quicksand” is merely okay, and “A Kiss to Send Us Off” sounds too clash-esque.

Mellow songs like “Love Hurts” and “Oil and Water” are my favorites on the album, although the next confirmed single “Dig” is also very high up there.

Incubus has certainly created something unique and individual with “Light Grenades”. They definitely deserve the spot on the charts that they currently hold. However, I wouldn’t mind if they did settle on a certain sound, if just to know what to expect. Regardless, “Light Grenades” is worth a listen or two by everyone, because if you can’t find anything on the album that appeals to you, well you shouldn’t be listening to music.

I had a ton of respect for Crossfade and their self-titled album released in 2004. Their sound was unique yet familiar enough that it drew a ridiculous amount of fans. This latest album falls far short of what I believe Crossfade is capable of.

“Falling Away” sounds like Crossfade has been listening to too much Nickelback. Rather than letting the truly unique sound of their first album carry through, they’ve streamlined their sound into what is popular today, a pretty terrible choice on their part. “Someday”, “Invincible”, and “Falling Away” all sound like something straight out of one of those country-rock bands’ line ups.

So, needless to say, I’m disappointed. Not that it’s a bad CD, it sounds fine for what it is. But there are very few traces of what I really liked about Crossfade in the beginning. One thing I will comment on is the presence of acoustic and semi-acoustic songs on this album. These are probably my favorite songs on the whole CD, “Already Gone” in particular.

Let’s hope that Crossfade doesn’t have too much success with this album. In the meantime, it’s been a while since I’ve listened to their old album “Crossfade”. So I’ll dust it off, put it on, and hope that originality finds its way back into Crossfade’s music.

Holy crap. This is the most amazing album ever. Okay, well perhaps not. But it boggles the mind at the sheer amount of energy that the band pours into the album. I get exhausted just air-guitaring and drumming along with the first song.

There is no way that a band with the name Dragon Force should be taken seriously. It sounds like some asian cartoon. However, you can’t help but enjoy the raw power of songs like “Through the Fire and Flames” and ” Revolution Deathsquad”. The anthems just soar with rock melodies that tug at the heart strings and that internal rockstar in all of us.

The lyrics blaze with power, reminiscent of the power ballads of yorn. Yeah, I just said yorn…

The solos are where the true soul of the album comes forth. In almost every song a guitar solo from hell is unleashed upon the virgin ears of the listener, ravaging the psyche and burning the mind.

It is so great.

A surprisingly mellow departure from standard BNL fare, Barenaked Ladies Are Me presents an interesting dilemma for a longtime fan like me. Roll with it, or resist? But wait! A second question arises; where are they going?

This latest album sounds very generic BNL. There are very few surprises among the songs, dissapointing in a BNL album. Now, none of it’s downright bad, I enjoyed the album for the greater part, but the days of ingenuitive pop and lyrics seem faded.

Maybe it’s because I loved “Everything to Everyone” so much. But the sprinkling of lackluster songs on this album make it hard to enjoy it completely without feeling a little let down at the end, a byproduct of songs like “Adrift” and “Home”.

There are a couple of shiny songs in there though. “Everything Had Changed” stands out as an interesting plunky tune, and “Sound of Your Voice” exemplifies some of the best traits of BNL’s sound.

“Wind It Up” finishes out the album with a sound… exactly like “Blue Rodeo”.

Overall, a good BNL album, but an unsure one, stuck in between where they’ve been and where they’re going.