Billy Bragg and Wilco — Mermaid Avenue Vol. II

By David Kenney

Somewhere Woody Guthrie is smiling. Not only has his legacy endured everywhere from Bob Dylan to Ani DiFranco, but it’s been reborn again. Mermaid Avenue Volume II continues the same inspiring interpretation of the folk legend’s lyrics set to music by Billy Bragg and Wilco. And this time it’s edgier. Tense vocals and gritty folk… Continue reading Billy Bragg and Wilco — Mermaid Avenue Vol. II

Alice Cooper — Brutal Planet

By David Kenney

"There’s no parole, there’s no escape," fumes Alice Cooper on the title track of his new album Brutal Planet. How true. Once, Alice’s tales of the world’s creepy crawlies stood for dark carnival intrigue. Now, an older Alice just sounds like a misguided high school counsellor bawling over the mean old world. Sorry Alice, preaching… Continue reading Alice Cooper — Brutal Planet

Let’s Do It For Johnny! — Bowling for Soup

By Fraser Tingle

Never heard of Bowling For Soup? You will–just hang in there. With two independent albums under their belt, Let’s Do It For Johnny!! marks their debut on a major label (Jive/Silvertone). The band can best be described as the pop/punk love child of Green Day and Cheap Trick. This album is a grab bag of… Continue reading Let’s Do It For Johnny! — Bowling for Soup

Whitney Houston — The Greatest Hits

By Anand Agarawala

Whitney Houston fans will be happy to know that this two-CD volume is a well compiled greatest hits album. The first disc includes all of Whitney’s hits and the second features dance remixes of those hits. Sprinkled in are new duets with superstars Enrique Iglesias and George Michael as well as Houston’s Super Bowl rendition… Continue reading Whitney Houston — The Greatest Hits

Sonic Youth

By David Kenney

Making music-influenced noise since 1981, Sonic Youth has had a penchant for twisting distortion around lyrics. Sonic staples like "Sugar Kane," " Bull in the Heather" and "Teenage Riot" showed that yes, even Sonic Youth can pen and perform coherent rock songs. Alas, Thurston Moore and company usually delve towards the obscure with sometimes bland,… Continue reading Sonic Youth

The I-10 Chronicles

By David Kenney

Sometimes a trip down the highway is all you need. And with The I-10 Chronicles, you don’t even need to leave home to take a spur of the moment adventure. Featuring road-worn veterans Willie Nelson, Cuban guitar legend Eliades Ocoha and Bill Hearne, each song is a journey stretching one road to the next. And… Continue reading The I-10 Chronicles

Veruca Salt

By Nicole Kobie

Veruca Salt are finally back, and it’s too bad they are. Their latest release, Resolver, is a departure from their earlier bubbly pop songs. The new songs have more of an edge; the band rocks out more on these tracks. The change may be because of the exit of Nina Gordon, who was a primary… Continue reading Veruca Salt

Mission Impossible Soundtrack

By Nicole Kobie

Apparently, it’s not mission impossible to make a decent soundtrack. Music from and Inspired by M:I2, Hollywood’s latest contribution, sounds more like a compilation than soundtrack. The famous Mission: Impossible theme gets the Limp Bizkit treatment, who create a fresh sound from an old favourite. Another excellent cover is Pink Floyd’s "Have a Cigar," courtesy… Continue reading Mission Impossible Soundtrack