CD Giveaway - Andrew Solomon, "Something More"
Ends Jul 5, 2009
Intricate and expansive in their melodic construction, Solomon fills his songs with an appealing blend of piano, acoustic guitar and husky vocals. Enter our contest for a chance to win Something More.
12 Stones shows signs of emerging maturity that seasons the new record with palpable progress from their earlier output. It aims to be more radio-ready than any of its predecessors, but still lacks a "hit-one-out-the-park" standout to really get them noticed.
The demographic for this material is squarely with people born not much before the titular year. 1997 might be out of Chicago, but their sound differs favorably from the scads of emo bands spewing forth from the Windy City area.
3 Doors Down's newest effort Seventeen Days is a bit of a disappointment. Perhaps recording one album in two and a half weeks isn't an ingenious idea after all.
The group's name is a simple metaphor for the 33 years that Jesus spent on Earth, and they hope to get many "miles" out of their unabashedly commercial music in an effort to bring Christ's message to as many people as possible. Musically, how many different ways can you say "sounds like Rascal Flatts"?
Indie rock never sounded so good. Newcomers "The Academy Is..." rock out on their debut album. It's worth all the hype it's getting and much much more.
If it's true that all real talents will eventually be discovered, Adam Fallon is destined to be a star.
Adele, "19"Music Review - Feb 7, 2008 - By Paul Schultz
The debut album of "The New Amy Winehouse" arrives with some mighty big expectations, but I'm confident that it will withstand the hype and be appreciated for the solid career-starter that it is.
Adema, "Adema"Music Review - Aug 15, 2001 - By Vincent Chen
Adema's self-titled album will be out in a week but Vincent Chen has an early copy of the CD. Is this new band for you? Find out inside!
Opening with the mysterious yet profound-sounding chorus, this new album from The Afters hooks the listener with intriguing lyrics and edgy guitar riffs.
About three tracks into this I felt like killing myself, and if that's the measurement of success in the screamo genre, then this album is great. This enhanced re-release features two additional tunes, four concert performances and a video interview with the band.
One of my most anticipated albums of the year has arrived in The All-American Rejects' Move Along. While it doesn't earn an A+, it is a very solid sophomore album with a lot of room to build.
With Before the Blackout, Allister returns to a crowded music scene. It's the best we've heard from them, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Underoath's drummer/vocalist wrote and plays all the instruments on this side project, and has fashioned a solid melodic rock effort suitable for any kind of weather.
When one talks about the music industry giants and the longevity of their careers, the conversation almost immediately settles upon names like the Rolling Stones or the Eagles. However, one cannot have such a conversation about such giants without paying respect to the six-time Grammy-winning group, Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Teen sisters Alyson and Amanda Joy Michalka aspire beyond their pop trappings by tackling subjects relevant to their age group, though their songwriting skills need to mature.
The third album from American Hi-Fi shows a leap of musical maturity and an advanced sound. Hearts On Parade is a solid addition to your CD collection if you love their brand of hook-laden pop-punk.
This fourteen-year-old Swedish pop sensation has pulled out the "Big Guns" for her second release, with subtly maturing vocals still firmly ensconced in bubblegum pop.
Overall, there are plenty of songs on this disc worth putting into your holiday rotation. As an album in toto, however, it's unremarkable and mostly without risks on the part of the artist.
Enjoy the "Nightlife" with this Russian doll as An-ya's debut single climbs Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart and various producers put their own spin on this Lil' Eddie cover.
Orlando's Anberlin puts out an excellent sophomore album with Never Take Friendship Personal. With this quality of music, I wouldn't be shocked if they really start to catch on.
"That Christian Parody Band" is the byline for ApologetiX, and they are often compared to "Weird Al" Yankovic. The band's talent for mimicry is nothing short of stunning, and this live album is a diverse representation of their capabilities.
While sonically living up to their cool band name, this 9th album from Christian rockers Audio Adrenaline suffers from repetitive and simplistic lyrics.
Avenged Sevenfold is back to take over your CD player on their latest album, City Of Evil. Will you fall in love with this album? Probably? I sure did.
As good as her first release was (good enough to sell over 14 million copies), "Under My Skin" displays Lavigne's tremendous growth as an artist and a person. Moreover, it conveys her unwillingness to settle for anything less than her best.
It's tempting to chant out, "Hey, hey, you, you, I don't like your album!" but I'd be doing that just for effect, and so is the young Canadian songstress on this pep-rally greatest hits collection of raunchy bubble gum pop-punk.
Improving on Season One's achievements, Bear McCreary expands his musical palette to complement the story complexity presented in the Sci Fi Channel hit show's second season.
With dead Beatles spinning in their graves, this soundtrack to the Cirque de Soleil show enlists George Martin and son to tweak and mash-up master recordings from Abbey Road's vault. I can't help but think... "let it be".
This new band from Ohio presents a pleasing amalgamation of pop, punk and hardcore. Their attention to the struggles in having a relationship with God makes the work stand out among many others in the genre that wallow in despair.
She wowed them on Star Search, knocked them dead on Showtime at the Apollo, and stole the show on America's Got Talent. Now comes the real test -- the time to prove whether young Bianca Ryan is indeed a star entertainer or a novelty youth act; whether there is any art beyond the otherwise flawless craft.
It's been more than a decade since his last album, but Bob Seger's husky vocals and straight-ahead heartland rock sensibilities are still fully on display. Personal relevance and politically-minded critiques make "Face the Promise" memorable, if musically it seems stuck in a time warp.
Bowling For Soup releases their best album yet, complete with the laughs and the music. Maybe Jaret Reddick should be a contestant for Last Comic Standing?
Strong on replayability, and filled to the edges of the disc with powerful tunes that lodge themselves in your head long after you've stopped listening, Cotter demonstrates why he's still a Nashville Star.
Since its inception, Wind-up Records has always had a knack for discovering some of the best new talent in the music industry. Breaking Point's sophomore release, "Beautiful Disorder", reaffirms that reputation.
While it's tempting to characterize this new set as a train-wreck every bit as destructive as her personal life, the overriding impression I got from this album was, "it's the best production money can buy."
Their particular intersection of rock and blues touches on the band's potential of genre-busting, but never quite rises above John Mayer/Dave Matthews/Ben Folds mimicry.
Bruce Springsteen re-unites with the E Street Band for their first record in nearly two decades. With the anticipation hyped up so high, Springsteen rises to meet the expectations.
Bullet Train To Vegas' debut album We Put Scissors Where Our Mouths Are doesn't completely impress, but down the road they look to be a formidable band.
Butch Walker's Letters slipped under the radar since its August debut; it is arguably one of the better albums to be released last year, despite its relative anonymity.
With her sophomore release, country fans continue to fall deeper in love with this sweet little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect All-American Idol winner.
Cartel, "Chroma"Music Review - Aug 23, 2005 - By Tony Pascarella
Are you ready for a bona-fide album of the year contender? Well, Cartel's Chroma is definitely in the mix for that award. This stunning CD is worth a spot in your collection when it releases September 20th.
While this German Eurodance act will never be accused of dancefloor innovation, their latest batch of songs have a beat and you can dance to them and that's their only aspiration.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas this year with Celtic Woman and this celebration of fifteen elegantly rendered carols and classics of the season.
For her fourth album, the Canadian singer/songwriter and classically trained pianist eschews guitars in favor of piano-centered tunes with a flair of strings, and offers a familial air of maturity.
Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley's debut solo album "Grey Will Fade" has just the right amount of pop, indie, and Ash influences to make it a success.
Though one of the finest live albums to come out of the 1970's, this set by the horn-infused rock band Chicago has long been derided for its poor sound quality. That has been corrected with this remastered package which includes nearly an hour of previously unreleased performances.
For being the band's first complete album of original material in over fifteen years, XXX marks the spot and is a lot better than it has any right to be.
In celebration of their legacy and longevity, this two-disc retrospective features hits galore, with plenty of edited versions of your favorites. For the casual fan this is a great collection of songs and would make a fine primer for someone new to the band.
Circleslide borrows its name from an album title by The Choir, their members as producers, and the font from Sliders. The result is a debut loaded with radio-friendly melodic rock featuring sincere, uplifting (and only occasionally cliché-ridden) lyrics.
If you don't already have these musical pieces in your collection, this disc provides a nice sampling. However, this venture would have been more appealing had there been some original "inspired by" pieces.
It's been nearly three years since Coldplay's last studio release. Judging by the first single from their forthcoming album, it's been well worth the wait.
Is Dead offers more than you would expect from a hardcore band. Despite a few weak songs, their latest offering shows a band willing to push beyond the limits of their hardcore roots.
While "Bastards of the Beat" may not be the break out album of the year, it proves that The Damnwells are just as good, if not better than, two thirds of the other bands out there.
Indie darlings Daphne Loves Derby release an altogether enjoyable debut LP with On The Strength Of All Convinced. Give this Seattle-area trio a chance, and you too will discover the magic that DLD reveals.
Saddled with an unattractive album cover and an off-putting opening song, folk singer-songwriter Dar Williams nonetheless fruitfully explorers her better self as she continues to move beyond her folk roots into edgier musical territory.
Trevor Jones, whose lifetime achievements include musical compositions for "Excalibur," "Labyrinth," "Dark City," "Merlin," and "Dinotopia," is in fine form here in one of his earlier film scores.
Metal never sounded so good. Victory Records' Darkest Hour is back with their fourth album, Undoing Ruin, a disc that will punch you in the teeth and leave you wanting more.
Chris Daughtry may be the most-beloved fourth-place finalist in American Idol history, but does the debut offering from his hand-picked band meet the rock fans' expectations?
Musically beautiful, lyrically cryptic, Ampersand is listenable, but becomes elevator music the harder you try to listen to it -- like trying to put your finger on a bead of mercury.
Comfortable Christians will find themselves squirming uneasily under Webb's lyrical scrutiny as he continually puts that which is Christlike up against that which is called Christianity.
It's a hard sell, "The Ringing Bell", as Webb boldly and unapologetically delivers a new set of Christian-marketed protest songs for peace, cementing him as the Second Coming of John Lennon both musically and philosophically.
If you've got a fever that even more cowbell won't cure, the fever that can only be cooled by boogeying your bottom off, then Dr. Zhivegas has your prescription.
Fans of Contemporary Christian Music bands like Casting Crowns, Sonicflood and Mercy Me already know that, in Heaven, there's going to be one section devoted to a bodacious rave party. That bill continues to expand for the bands set to perform on stage, and you can now add another to the growing list: Echoing Angels.
Although one of the album's main themes centers around the fact that everything eventually comes to an end, after listening to "An End Has A Start," one cannot help but think the Editors' time in the spotlight has only begun.
"All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra" delivers what its packaging promises. It's unfortunate, though, that even with 20 songs on the CD, you're still not getting the full picture.
"Upbeat punk" sounds like an oxymoron, but that's what you get here with a vigorous combination of fast tempo, guitar riff, and octave-spanning synth runs. Resistance is futile.
The young actress branches out into her first love with this 3-song preview of her forthcoming full-length debut. The tunes rely heavily on Emmy's layered vocals, even to the point of using her voice as a stand-in for instruments.
This compilation is a retrospective of her three-decade career, with tracks personally selected by Harris, confirming her place as influential songstress.
I've always wondered what it would be like to be a record company executive who has to wade through stacks of unsolicited material laden with pedestrian pap. Then I listened to this record and I wonder no longer.
This posthumous release of songs includes an eclectic mix of old school country, classic blues, and European madrigals, demonstrating the range of talent that was Eva Cassidy.
Partly because of Lee's vocal talent, and partly because of their songs' uncompromising lyrics, Evanescence brings an undeniably distinctive sound to their music.
If you're one of the many people who found themselves repeatedly murmuring "Wake me up inside" after leaving the Daredevil Movie, then--whether you know it or not--you're already addicted to the hard-driving music of the group Evanescence, a band from central Arkansas that landed two songs--"Bring Me To Life" and "My Immortal"--on the superhero's soundtrack album.
The dictionary provides this definition of evanescence: "the event of fading and gradually vanishing from sight." One wonders if, without some kind of breakthrough into new territory on the next album, the band might not eventually live up to its name.
Chicago's pop-punk darlings Fall Out Boy are back for their third album, From Under The Cork Tree; amusing acronyms aside, will this album stand the test of time?
The teen finalist from last year's Britain's Got Talent serves up a calm and peaceful collection of familiar tunes in a mezzo-soprano classical style. This listener anticipates new material and a maturing voice as the two ingredients to propel Faryl Smith to true excellence.
Musically inoffensive and lyrically obtuse, the long-awaited sophomore release by the Denver quartet mines virtually the same artistic territory as their breakthrough debut, How To Save A Life.
Gradually taking a turn for a less heavy and more emocore/pop approach, Funeral For A Friend seems to have alienated some fans, however it looks to be a turn for the better.
This comedy CD is just the thing for anyone who's ever had a grandma. In fact, if you play this for your grandma, you may find yourself laughing while grandma merely shakes her head in agreement with the sage advice (all while wondering what it is you seem to find so funny).
This two-CD retrospective gather's 22 years of hits, primarily of her English-language output. A few omissions aside, this is her most comprehensive set available to date.
The Goo Goo Dolls release a CD/DVD set of one of their most riveting live performances: Independence Day in 2004, in their hometown of Buffalo, NY...in a deluge of rain.
President Bush will definitely be removing Green Day's first album in four years from his holiday wish list. The So-Cal punk group's album carries a heavy political message, but does the music get through?
With Bullet in a Bible, Green Day flaunts their live performance prowess to the world. I haven't seen a better-made live release this year; go check it out.
Fueled By Ramen Records drops another epic album this year with Gym Class Heroes' Papercut Chronicles. Despite a few flaws, the band's debut simply rocks.
Running the gamut from mosh-frenzy to lyrically introspective, Hawk Nelson's sophomore release is a fun and frenzy filled punk-pop entry onto the music scene.
Glassjaw frontman Darryl Palumbo's new side project should please most of his current fans. The question is whether it will draw in a new audience to Head Automatica's crazy musical escapades.
Holy Roman Empire features an impressive post-hardcore pedigree, and doesn't sound like anything you would expect from those players. Instead it conquers its audience with melodic rock that is highly accessible.
"Extras" is an exceptional compilation of music that reminds us of the power music can convey when written and performed by an artist with genuine talent and uncompromised artistic integrity.
Jackson Browne's pivotal 1977 album Running on Empty garners a re-release through Rhino Entertainment, and this is worth the money if you don't already own the album.
James Horner's score to Black and DiTerlizzi's modern fairy series just doesn't seem to have the magic of the story, the spark of imaginative wonder that should capture the listener.
There are a few bright, redeeming spots on the album -- some upbeat, some soft jazz -- that are easily the reason why James Morrison did not remain "Undiscovered"; but on the whole, music fans may be better served by selectively purchasing the singles over the set on this release until Morrison delivers a concept that's a bit more consistent and solid.
James Newton Howard is one of the few composers that rarely borrows from past projects and constantly generates music with a distinct and memorable sound.
More than complementing the movie, Howard seems to have been inspired by the fable, and the score also stands on its own outside the context of its visual origins.
The Bossa Nova Belle moves into more contemporary territory (1960's and onward) on her seventh album, delivering another rich and buttery vocal package.
Christmas Songs strike a certain reflective mood -- ethereal with rich strings as an overarching motif -- in a thoroughly modern set that "feels" classic, and can easily be enjoyed even beyond the holidays.
An accomplished classically trained pianist, Newhall delivers a selection of original light-jazz tunes with sylph-like vocals on par with the work of Phoebe Snow and Joni Mitchell.
This six-song re-release hints at the superb talent that Franklin obviously possesses, while demonstrating how overproduction can submerse it in an ocean of unnecessary sound.
Brimming with an air of gratefulness for all of God's blessings, this album grabs hold of you through the sheer sincerity of Camp's pouring out of self.
The title might catch your attention, but spinning this disc is the real revelation. Steeped in '70s country-rock and Jesus Music, this musical time warp delivers a simple and unambiguous message of praise.
John Williams returns us to the world of the original trilogy and episode one, while telling us a story about a kid who is treading between good and evil.
You may be miles away from the nearest old country church, but your troubled soul can rejoin the unbroken circle through the songs that touched a generation with this ultimate collection of Cash's gospel songs.
British metal legends Judas Priest have released a new album, their sixteenth, to mixed response. Do they bring back the vintage luster of the band, or is it just a derivative thrash album?
The Junior Varsity is another Victory Records project that looks to hit it big in 2005. All the components are there; the only question that remains is how much will the mainstream media love their debut album, Wide Eyed?
They're young, they're pretty, but the real beauty of Karmina is that they are gifted musicians who write their own songs and seem miles beyond the lip-syncing airheads to which they might be unfairly compared.
Comparisons include being a Lucille Ball/Freddie Mercury love child, but this feisty up-and-coming musician comes off as unnecessarily crude in this EP preview to her full-length debut due out this spring.
Since her post-American Idol bubble gum songs, "A Moment Like This" and "Before Your Love", Kelly Clarkson's music has matured considerably. With her latest release, "Breakaway", Clarkson adds a rock edge to her sound, producing the best results of her young career.
Well, it sounds like somebody had a bad breakup, as the pilot American Idol winner delivers a mix of songs that are as angry as they are angsty, as growling as they are grueling.
The man behind the scores of City of Villains, Ultimate Spider-Man, and the upcoming DVD "Batman: Gotham Knight" turns in a stellar performance uniquely written for the style of Darwyn Cooke's story.
The Australian pop star's 10th album could just as easily have been coined "XXX," because it's all about sex. Ultimately, it's just a just a non-earth-shattering collection of well-sequenced dance music.
This sampler of her in-progress debut album is an encouraging preview of things to come as Leah soulfully nails each song, varying register and volume with enough aplomb to carry the tunes with little manipulation.
The dub reggae pioneer presents a sequel of sorts to last year's Grammy-nominated Reggae Album of the Year, minimalist in comparison to his higher-profile recent dance club ready collaboration with producer Andrew W.K.
Does lightning strike twice? That's the question posed with this second album featuring an all-star line-up of musicians familiar in Christian rock circles, as well as guest vocalists sure to please the hard rock and hair metal fan.
When you're pouring old wine into new vessels like this, you can't really do anything to improve the wine so you'd be best served by dressing up the vessel as sharply as you can. The folks at Rhino have succeeded in this aspect.
The fourth studio release by Lifehouse reeks of sincerity and is exactly what you would expect of Jason Wade and Co. -- a collection of tunes well-written both musically and lyrically, with a slightly more aggressive feel than their last album.
The theme from the first person action adventure game Mirror's Edge gets five remixes by a slew of popular and influential dance producers, with a version to fit any mood.
Every track of this four-song self-titled debut is like a sample of future musical possibilities because each song is diverse in its own way. Lissie invites comparisons to Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, and Björk, including the idiosyncrasies of all of the above.
I was excited to hear an album from a group that I've enjoyed for many years. After the first three or four songs, I wasn't necessarily disappointed, but I can't say that I was impressed, either.
I am fully impressed by this album, and will continue to be. This December: It's One More and I'm Free is an album that will make you fall in love with the band; my passionate love affair with Lydia is just beginning.
Full of energy and spirituality, True Beauty is the mark of a promising new artist into the Christian music market, who continues to prove the adage that it's better to lose on American Idol than it is to win.
Just when it seemed as if Maroon 5 might never release a new album after five years passed since their debut CD, the band that exploded onto the music scene in 2002 returns with their new release, "It Won't Be Soon Before Long."
Filled with up-tempo roots-rock tinged with country, "The Wanderlust Diaries" is a travelogue of diversity that showcases the maturity of a seasoned songwriter.
What I particularly like is the faithfulness Sweet and Hoffs exhibit toward the original artists. While Randy Jackson may like to applaud his American Idol hopefuls for making a song their own, there's something to be said for playing a song the way the artist intended it to be played.
Judging from the cover and title, one almost expects a set of emo/goth/punk razor rock; but this album is a mix of styles that defy expectations by exceeding them.
The fifth anniversary of the groups groundbreaking album is commemorated in this double-disc release, featuring alternate versions of "I Can Only Imagine" as well as commentary tracks by lead singer Bart Millard.
During his stint in the Doobie Brothers, through his successful solo career, Michael McDonald has utilized his songwriting and rich vocal talents to wed R&B, Gospel, and Pop into an adult contemporary mix that proves pervasive. This single-disc compilation draws from all periods of his three-decade career.
There are so many catchy hooks that if you're not careful, you'll get splattered with the sizzle and walk around with some of it stuck in your head all day.
As I continued listening through to the end, I began to realize that the order of the songs was an evolutionary chain of sorts, with the album opening with the pop/teen tunes (both in style and content), moving slowly into music that was both more meaningful and complex.
Mix artists and musicians with punk backgrounds, and what do you get? That's right: girl-group pop of the late-50s and early-60s with a trans-generational concoction of Goth rockabilly.
After listening to this disc, I understand why the band includes the word "modest" in their title. With this release, they certainly have nothing to brag about.
A first glance at the track listing will have you seeing double, as two titans of boogie-woogie piano showcase their talents on jazz and blues standards.
MXPX, "Panic"Music Review - Jun 15, 2005 - By Tony Pascarella
Punk rock stalwarts MXPX are returning to the forefront of music with their latest release, Panic. Is this every bit as good as advertised? Yes, and more.
Another collection of Natalie Cole's hits looks suspiciously like an album released in 2001. But when you've got so many great songs, who's going to complain?
New wave rock band The Cars reform, now fronted by the legendary Todd Rundgren. This live album (plus three new tracks) proves that it's not an accident waiting to happen.
If you're a completist collector of Potterana, then you'll be picking this album up regardless, and probably won't even break open the seal. If, however, you want to enjoy the music of Harry Potter, you may find that you're best served by returning to the first soundtrack.
Singer/songwriter/frontman Will Sheff has successfully created a 47-minute amalgam of predicaments and emotions based on folk-pop legend Tim Hardin's minute-long, forceful gem, "Black Sheep Boy".
The band's appearance in the movie "The Break-up" will hopefully garner more attention to their music, as will this collection that is more chronological retrospective than greatest hits package.
To realize the urgent need to take their music to a higher level, perhaps the band should reflect on the lyrics of their1997 hit, "Superman's Dead," in which they proclaimed, "Ordinary's just not good enough today."
Tennessee upstarts Paramore look to hit the bigtime with their debut Fueled By Ramen release, titled All We Know Is Falling. One thing's for sure--they're going to win over a lot of fans with this CD.
An undeniable result of hard work, this "Cannonball" may be just the shot across the bow country music needs to awaken to the distinctive talents of Pat Green.
I would have thought that, if anywhere in his music we'd seen Paul McCartney's heart, it would have been in "Silly Love Songs", not in this somber faux-Mozartian drama. If this is the new state of Macca's heart, Heather must have really made a bloody mess of it.
The theme of the new album is "act your age," and Baby Boomers in particular will relate to the reminiscences of youth in this offering intertwining love and nostalgia.
From the first song to the last, singer Gareth Jones and his band mates ride the spectrum of nearly every possible rock sound, from alternative to pop to unplugged.
"Top of My Lungs represents the kind of praise and worship we want to be a part of," says Randy Phillips, "the kind of worship that holds nothing back."
Is this a good follow up to an amazing album from 1988, or an abysmal failure by a band trying to cash in on a follow up to an amazing album nearly 20 years later?
The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees jolt themselves out of a prolonged musical somnambulism with their 14th album. This is the disc to trot out to those acquaintances who think R.E.M. can't kick ass.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have always been famous for revealing their bodies at concerts, but with their new album "By the Way" they now reveal their musical depth.
A harmonic convergence of acting and music careers brought this heartthrob stardom in the '80s. This chronological collection showcases his progressive maturity in songwriting and a subtly evolving musical style that transcends his original teen idol status.
Filled with one radio staple after another, this compilation showcases Flack's articulate vocals and crafty duets. So do yourself a favor, and catch some Flack.
There is no doubt that Rod Stewart has had a long and successful career, with numerous hits under his belt. But does this collection truly qualify as "definitive"?
This teen girl trio is positioned as a moral compass for tweens, and delivers a fun, infectious record, grounded in faith, that is -- I'll say it -- a gem.
The Comfort Of Home is Rufio's third full-length. Showing maturity, they improve the themes on the new album, but find themselves falling into that same pattern of predictability as on their previous work.
With his pitiful lyrics and annoyingly predictable instrumental formulas, Cabrera fails to provide listeners with any semblance of a unique artistic voice.
Only the loud survive. As Saliva returns to their Memphis roots for their fourth studio album in seven years, one begins to wonder...what will they do next?
Without a lick of formal training in either vocals or key-tickling, Bareilles nonetheless soars in professional fashion on her major-label debut, featuring the crazy-infectious and inescapable "Love Song."
From start to finish, O Holy Night is consistent in delivery, quality, tone and mood. Light a fire, cuddle up on the couch, turn down all the lights (except the ones twinkling on the tree, of course!) and let this one wash over you. It's a Christmas experience to be cherished.
Shoot down the walls of heartache with this retrospective encompassing the brief but wholly "'80s" career of the Patty Smyth-led rocker group, Scandal.
Secret Lives of the Freemasons manage to make you dance on their first record, a hardcore-based CD that will rank up there with the top debuts of 2005.
Dallas' Secret Machines have shed the underground moniker and nestled themselves into an exclusive genre of 70's rock. Their Reprise Records EP release The Road Leads Where It's Led is good. Really good.
As the source of some timeless music themselves as members of Damn Yankees, Night Ranger, and Styx, Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades lovingly pay homage to '60's and '70's classic rock songs that impacted their music careers.
Oh, no! Not another band from California! Sherwood's debut LP, Sing But Keep Going, shows their maturity, personality, and musical talent. Give them a chance, and they'll have you hooked.
Canadian screamo quintet Silverstein drops their second album, Discovering The Waterfront on Victory Records. They show creative maturation from their last album, but still seem to underachieve.
Take a trip in a time machine with the Philadelphia retro-rock quintet known as Silvertide. Their debut LP, "Show And Tell", is a blast from the past, and well worth your time.
MTV stalwarts Simple Plan release their second album with far less fanfare then 2002's ambitious yet flimsy LP. Will "Still Not Getting Any" live up to expectations or fall flat?
Far from falling into a stupor, Skillet continues to flex its metal muscle, while sporting a new melodic versatility that should increase their crossover appeal.
Before landing on US soil, Snow Patrol released these two highly acclaimed LPs. Both are jam packed with catchy, captivating songs that showcase Snow Patrol's indie-rock style.
Pandora isn't a completely encouraging release from Somerset, the first artist signed to PunkNews Records. In fact, it's a barely average album that some may like and most will hate.
Since their last studio project, This Generation (2005), Sonicflood has been traveling worldwide to reach all generations to issue a call to rise up and share your faith. As they toured, they recorded -- in both audio and video. This is the result of their labors.
Its title is a synthesis of the various stages of a relationship, and a good indicator of the type of material tackled by Soular, a band that borrows from several styles but creates a musical atmosphere all its own.
One Fell Swoop is another album you should take a risk on; The Spill Canvas show their true colors with their sophomore album, and I like what I'm hearing.
You've heard them in the soundtrack for "John Tucker Must Die". Now catch their full-length debut. Part frenetic, part forlorn -- all fun and wholly fantastic. That's Stefy, and that's The Orange Album.
This 7-track debut reveals a few nuggets of inspired songwriting, but it remains to be seen whether Steve will have the Means to compete with the glut of acoustic singer/songwriters in the John Mayer mold.
Give this one a pick-and-choose listen, and wait to see how Richard evolves before passing a final judgment -- but with this album alone, he's walking a fine line dividing big time Nashville stardom and small-town carnival beer-garden concerts.
Enter the holiday season with "tidings of comfort and joy" with this Christmas present wrapped in sentiments of love, family and kindness focusing on the true meaning of the season.
More than a decade after releasing her first greatest hits album, Stevie Nicks releases her newest compilation. To no one's surprise, the line up is pretty much the same as the last time around.
Wind-up Records has a great track record for constantly discovering terrific new talent. One of their newest finds, Strata, is another perfect example of their commitment to sign quality new bands to their label.
Straylight Run is back with 6 new songs (9 total) on their Prepare To Be Wrong EP. It is well-done and a great addition to any music lover's collection.
The top UK female act of the century releases their appropriately-titled fifth studio album. I'm at a loss to explain why Sugababes has not conquered America, because they are every bit as good as Destiny's Child, and infinitely less annoying.
The former surfers pump up the volume on their third mainstream release (sixth overall) and continue with familiar themes of politics and materialism, while finally managing to capture the kinetic energy of their live shows.
They're the pop duo known as t.A.T.u. and their current single, All The Things She Said is getting more airplay every day. But is it the music, or the marketing? Before the CD was even released, the girls were stirring up controversy with their music video.
The newest craze to hit America from jolly old England is The Rakes; you can now say you knew about it here first. Their Retreat EP will give US fans a taste of their infectious dance-punk without pretentions.
With the release of their fourth full-length, A City by the Light Divded, the members of Thursday prove they have not only returned, but reclaimed their throne over the post-hardcore world.
Adding to the excitement of a new NASCAR season is Toby Lightman's thoroughly modern country theme song, because we "can't wait to hear DW say, 'boogidy, boogidy, boogidy... let's go racing, boys!'"
The third solo outing by the former dc Talk frontman cooks up an appetizing stew of rock, hip-hop, and straight-up pop that both gets the party started and offers reflective moments of Godly intervention.
This project remixes his "Welcome to Diverse City" album and is a refreshing alternative to the prevailing anger that seems to permeate the hip-hop/rap genre.
Agnew's latest album features a nice mix of styles, ranging from congregational to rock to rap to funk to blues. With sixteen tracks (including the bonus track), you'll certainly have no shortage of the Toddster during your music devotional time.
Scarlet's Walk is a melodious compendium of songs that could only have come from the slightly skewed vision of Tori Amos. Pick it up today and look through a different pair of somewhat mismatched eyes at the landscape we call America.
Patiently learning the business of music through touring, Trey Lockerbie succeeds in establishing his ability to evoke emotion through this three-song sampler, and it's hard to imagine this combination of skilled songwriting and industry knowledge will fail to garner the attention he seeks.
You won't have to wait Until June to hear the eponymous debut of this transplanted L.A. trio, though with a batch of songs that aren't terribly distinctive, the band hopes their music won't escape your consciousness by then, either.
Yet another movie soundtrack that hits hard and fast, but stays true to an actual range of emotions. Does Elektra: The Album live up to the praise of it's predecessor, Daredevil: The Album?
Punk label Takeover Records releases part two of their series of 3-way split CDs involving up-and-coming artists in the industry. This one stars NearMiss, Reeve Oliver, and The Matches, and is quite a good time.
For the most part, the album is comprised of unique songs, competently performed, each one able to be enjoyed on its own. However, the overall impact is too haunting and too depressing -- which is ironic, because I get the exact opposite feeling when I watch the characters of the show solve exciting and seemingly insoluble cases.
A collection of pumped-up pop fare includes personalities from the cable channel's programming (with a notable exception) and the result is an enjoyable mix of young stars trying their best to make the season festive.
There's something about Christmas that brings out the kid in everybody -- so go ahead and indulge the child in you with this batch of traditional Christmas tunes, rendered by some very familiar voices.
The film "Chicago" has been hailed and praised, recently winning the Best Picture Oscar. But the real heart of the film isn't Roxie Hart. It's the film's music.
Amy Adams, James Marsden, Jon McLaughlin, Carrie Underwood, and Alan Menken all contribute to this enchanting and nearly-stellar original soundtrack for the romantic Disney comedy.
Not only does Zach Braff, "Garden State's" Writer/Producer, have a film worthy of the highest recognition, but as the film's Executive Soundtrack Producer he proves once again that his irrepressible quirkiness translates across all genres.
Taken on the whole, the House, M.D. Original Television Soundtrack is a heavy mixture of bringdowns interspersed with a few spike-ups -- the musical prescription to make you feel like you're the pill-popping Dr. Gregory House himself, in fact.
In all, this re-release is a collection of 30 songs designed to restore your spirit, bolster your faith, and carry you to a special place of communion with God.
Featuring a veritable who's who of today's Christian artists, this collection of songs ranges from introspective melodies to power ballads, from pop to rock, all with one central theme in mind: Narnia.
A classical music sampler, with a few diversions, this soundtrack's listening experience can be greatly enchanced by using Scarlett Johansson as a visual aid.
The soundtrack to the third Shrek film doesn't hit one out of the forest with a standout hit, but it does provide a pleasing mix of classic and fresh music.
Just in time for this summer's movie comes this compilation from Rhino, designed to carry you up, up and away with covers and new creations from some of today's hottest, hippest artists.
For a kids action cartoon with more than occasional juvenile antics, the soundtrack for "Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo" is an exceptional surprise when it comes to quality, depth, and range of the musical styles employed.
Just as Burns needed seven parts to unveil the personal accounts of Americans effected by the Second World War, music utilized for the series is spread out over four separate releases. As a result, this soundtrack acts as a sort of sampler to these other albums, while managing to be encompassing in its own right.
If you're a "Watchmen" fan, you're going to want to pick this up. If you're a fan of all kinds of music, you're going to want to pick this up. But if you want your albums to have a mix with at least some form of coherent consistency, this is a good album to pick and choose tracks from but probably won't appeal to you for a beginning-to-end listen.
Fronkensteen and Eye-gor are together again -- for the first time on the Broadway stage in the hilarious musical comedy with music and lyrics by Thomas Meehan and the incomparable Mel Brooks.
In anticipation of a multi-track EP to come out later this year, this 17-year-old high school senior previews one of the cuts that rises above pop balderdash to deliver a fine dance number that doubles as a female empowerment anthem.
Before Ryan Key, Yellowcard was a lot heavier and less made-for-MTV. That is most evident on their 1999 release Where We Stand, which is being reissued this year by Takeover Records. Unfortunately, it's not really a worthwhile reissue.
