By Nicole Kobie
SR-71’s debut CD, Now you see inside, is solid pop-rock music if listened to correctly. Basically, program the player to bypass the songs "What a Mess," "Last Man on the Moon," "Non-toxic" and the last, a very strange track titled "Paul McCartney." Sir Paul would not be pleased by the vague and cliché lyrics of… Continue reading Now You See Inside
By Dave Teeuwen
Deep, dark and mystical is not easily attained. Sunna tries, but it eludes them. The feeling you get when you put on Tool isn’t here, but they try; they really try. The first track "I’m Not Trading" begins with mechanical grinding sounds before a meaty bass jumps in. You think you’re about to be assaulted… Continue reading One Minute Science
By Nicole Kobie
Here Comes Death is the perfect name for Speedealer’s second release. If forced to listen to this punk-metal trash, you’ll wish you were dead. This CD is a re-release. The band was originally signed to Royalty Records, who went bankrupt quickly after this was originally released upon the unknowing public. There must be a connection.… Continue reading Here Comes Death
By Alex Brown
Kina Cosper, formerly of R&B group Brownstone, released her debut solo album this summer. Cosper’s self-titled album is a creative infusion of rock, blues, soul and pop. Hard-edge tracks such as her single, "Girl from the Gutter," radiate with angry passion, while slower ballads "Give and Take" and "Still Here" showcase Cosper’s considerable artistic ability.… Continue reading Kina Cosper — self-titled
By Shawn Hoult
For almost two decades, the name Chuck D has been associated with intelligent political commentary and innovative music. Those days are now over. By combining with former Public Enemy bandmate Professor Griff and Kyle Ice Jason to create Confrontation Camp, Chuck D sold his soul to the devil we know as rap-metal. Although it is… Continue reading Hopefully Objects… — Confrontation Camp
By Andrew Ross
This album, Ferrell’s first recording of new material in eight years, serves as an excellent showcase for her awe-inspiring voice. With a range of nearly seven octaves, she moves from throaty, soulful lows to incredible highs that are almost too high to hear. Although she is known as a jazz singer, Ferrell also delves into… Continue reading Individuality (can I be me?)
By Dave Teeuwen
Imagine this: Bob Dylan picks up his guitar and plays Bruce Springsteen’s catalogue. Then, when he’s finished with that, he plays Tom Cochrane’s. Matthew Ryan is a good songwriter, excellent with hooks and adequate with lyrics. But he’s cursed with mediocrity. This record catches your attention at first and then drops you off in a… Continue reading East Autumn Grin
By Phil Vorvis
Scratching Post’s album, This Time It’s Personal, comes as their latest edition since Destruction of the Universe and their debut album entitled Flamethrower. Featuring vocals by Nicole Hughes, Scratching Post perpetuate an addictive metal guitar riff that you can’t help but bang your head to, while at the same time Hughes teenage-pop voice soothes the… Continue reading This Time It’s Personal Scratching Post
By Dave Teeuwen
This CD will haunt you. Damien Jurado’s newest foray into folk is nearly perfect in its ambience. Probably Sub Pop’s angel at this point, Jurado has made a career of moody folk over the past few years. This record proves his song-writing strength. Not unlike Hayden or Julie Doiron, Jurado sounds like Neil Young’s earlier… Continue reading Ghost of David
By Natalie Sit
Woodland is an apt name for this rock/country album. At first, the aural landscape is lush with banjo notes but then it becomes monotonous like an eternal trip through Kananaskis country. The album starts out promising with "Field of Corn." It’s a good piece of ear candy, with mysterious lyrics and strange banjo licks. In… Continue reading Woodland