By Mike Carron
Do you like to go hard and long? Can you last all night? Then this CD is for you. Hard House Seven is non-stop hard-core house seasoned with progressive and booty. The tracks are short and the beats are repetitive. Could you ask for anything more? Each of the 32 tracks are so alike that… Continue reading Hard House Seven
By Matt Oakes
My regrets go out to all the fans of Orb. The latest effort from Alex Peterson and company has fallen short of the bar they set for themselves in 1997 with the release of Orblivion. The last three years have seen the realm of ambient house catch up with the aging electronic pioneer. Nevertheless, Cydonia… Continue reading Cyclonia
By Matt Oakes
We had it coming. The latest release from legendary guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck is a superb example of what can happen when a Fender Stratocaster falls into precisely the proper hands. Naturally, this CD serves as a showcase for Beck’s undisputed guitar mastery. Accompanying him is the reunited personnel from 1999’s Who Else! including guitarist… Continue reading You Had It Coming
By David Kenney
In the ’80s, cheesy synths and Kahlua-smooth vocals amplified loverman Lionel Richie to the dance stratosphere. Bad jericurls and all, Richie made ladies quiver and boys roll their eyes. So suave, so ’80s fromage friendly. On Renaissance, the former Commodores vocalist attempts some vintage "Say You, Say Me" rubdowns using Latin rythyms and electronic blips.… Continue reading Renaissance
By Вen Li
John Joplin Group’s Useful Music is anything but. In a confused attempt to disguise teenage angst with lyrics containing words more than six letters long, the album disguises any true meaning. The instrumental side is tolerable and even enjoyable in some places up to and including "Trailways." However, reading material should be provided to get… Continue reading Useful Music
By Nicole Kobie
Music (and other trends) from the ’70s and ’80s have an annoying tendency to reappear. Some music is embraced as retro, but most like heavy metal originators Diamond Head, should just stay dead. Loud and proud of it, Diamond Head abuse their guitars with repetitive chords and whiny, nonstop vocals. They wish they were Led… Continue reading Diamond Light
By Mike Carron
They’re back and they’re still pissed. Seven years after their first release, Propagandhi are still doing what they do best. Todays Empires, Tomorrows Ashes is loaded with anti-American views and strong political stances, but listeners have to ask themselves how much of this they need to hear. Propagandhi’s message in Today’s Empires, Tomorrows Ashes may… Continue reading Todays Empires, Tomorrows Ashes
By David Kenney
Free Tibet–buy the CD. Conscience motivated, fair-weather music fans finally have the proper mantra to guide them. Mantra Mix, a Tibetan Refugee benefit album, is half about the rock with prayer time accessible at the switch of a disc. Electronic acts such as Massive Attack and Moby grind the beats, and Kulashaker and Ben Harper… Continue reading Mantra Mix
You’re playing with fire when you review a CD featuring Jose Angel Hevia and his patented Electronic multitimbric bagpipe. It’s quite possible that your bias against the shrill cries of six dying cats may get in the way of an objective analysis. With that in mind, I’d hate to say I enjoyed the surprising sounds… Continue reading Hevia
By David Kenney
Eric Alexandris is something of an anomaly. He’s the type of musician concerned with film-worthy soundscapes that drip with distorted spoken word. His debut album IV Catatonia is rich in John Lennon’s White Album experimentation, butretains some the quiet pop of Badly Drawn Boy. Swelling acoustic and electric guitar flow through Alexandris’ chaotic collection, making… Continue reading I.V. Catatonia