February 04, 2004
Default – Elocation – I really liked about 5 or 6 songs from the first Default CD, The Fallout, and since Butch Walker produced some of Elocation it wasa a no brainer for me to add to my must get list. It’s not metal, or pop-punk, but something along the lines of Puddle of Mudd or Creed. There are some good stuff on this, but nothing that blows me away. If you are looking for something like Creed but without the attitude you may want to give this a listen. (Category: Hard Rock)
Puddle Of Mudd – Life On Display –Long awaited sophomore effort of the grunge want-to-bes. Still sounds like Pearl Jam, but a tad bit harder. Bunch of songs that stick in my head, but nothing over the top. My favorite is Freak of the World. – (Category: Hard Rock)
Soul Motor – Revolution Wheel – Brian Wheat’s band after Tesla broke up, and this is their 2nd release. Much harder and darker than the first CD, and I have to be in the right mood to really enjoy it, but it is still a good CD. Since Tesla reformed, this band is dead, but if you are looking for something different, you may want to give it a try. (Category: Hard Rock)
Bar 7 – The World Is A Freak – Take the lead singer and a guitarist from the disbanded Tesla and add 2 others and you still have a great Tesla sounding band. Originally called Sofa King (as in “so fa king good”), and then switch to Bar 7 at the last minute , these guys were burning it up as a Tesla replacement band until Tesla decided to get back together. If you can’t wait for the next Tesla CD, Into the Now, get a copy of this CD to carry you over until it is released. An excellent CD considering that it was released in the 90’s. (Category: Hair Metal)
Audiovent – Dirty Sexy Nights in Paris – Hard rockin LA band. A bit more artsy than what I normally go for, but still a good CD (Category: Hard Rock)
Skid Row - Thick Skin - The long awaited return of Skid Row! Good CD, but I don't know why it took so long to release. Some typical Skid Row songs (a la Subhuman Race), plus some newer sounding material. I really didn't think that I'd like their new singer, Johnny Solinger, since I really dig Seb's voice, but you know what, Johnny is really good, and I think a better fit that Seb. Johhny can handle the older stuff, plus he adds a new dimemsion to the band. (Category: Hard Rock)
January 11, 2004
American Hi-Fi – Live From Tokyo – I really like both Hi-Fi CDs, the first one is more straight ahead rock, and the 2nd is more pop-punk. This was recorded at the end of the tour for the first CD, and it does a good job capturing the band. I really like the cover of Cheap Trick's Surrender. (Category: Hard Rock)
MxPx – Before Everything & After – Cool pop punk from a band that has been around for a while. This is the first CD I have by them. Some good songs, and a few that I skip. Decent CD – (Category: PopPunk)
Nebula – Atomic Ritual – Excellent Stoner Rock, and the new one from this band. Some very talented musicians who know how to groove. (Category: Stoner Rock)
David Lee Roth – Diamond Dave – What a cover album by Dave? You may think that would suck, but this is a great collection of 60’s blues influenced songs, and Dave does the some justice. If you want to remember the roots of rock, you should check this out. Everything from a Beatles cover, to Jimi Hendrix, to James Brown and The Doors. (Category: Blues)
Senses Fall – From The Depths Of Dreams – Yet another pop punk CD (and another DriveThru records). I like a lot of the bands on DriveThru and wanted to give Senses Fall a try. OK, but not as catchy as some of the more popular DriveThru Artists (The Starting Line is an excellent example).
Cauterize – So Far From Real – Hmm, this Canadian band seems to fall between genres, and is part of the reason why they haven’t caught on. A cross between pop punk and 80’s hair metal. I’d say a pop punk version of Trixter. Pretty cool CD. (Category: Pop Punk & Hard Rock)
MEST – Wasting Time – I got this one because I loved Destination Unknown. Not nearly as good as Destination, but there are a couple songs that I like, so if you already have Destination, you may want to check this one out. (Category: PopPunk)
Trippin On Dolls – Moment of Sanity - A local NJ band who are friends with Xenon, and their lead singer is Rocco Fury (of American Angel fame). Definitely not another American Angel, but still a good hard rock CD. Don’t know how many CD the band has left, so you may not be able to get this one.