Well, I’m back on schedule this week. Finally stole some time to get these finished up. When I started these reviews, I had a nice back log of write-ups to post. But now I am caught up with this years releases. Perhaps I will post some of my old reviews from my old Myspace blog. Well anyway, here are the latest. I might come up with something a bit different next week. Stay tuned!
Paul Westerberg – 49:00 – *** – Paul Westerberg has lately been happy to release disheveled collections of half songs and ideas, but this takes the cake. Without even splitting up tracks or giving names to anything, he has produced an album that sounds like a cassette tape that got recorded over again and again and then thrown out, only to be uncovered years later. Which could be the greatest thing ever! Or not, but I’m cool with it.
The Major Labels – Aquavia – **** – Awesome CD! Bleu, Mike Viola, and Ducky Carlisle put their heads together to come up with and album that sounds fun, energetic, and it is clear that all the members wanted to make the best record possible in this style. The style is pure pop/rock with so much energy and power, you can’t help but take the ride.
Skydiggers – City Of Sirens – *** – I only recently got into Skydiggers, and I like a lot of their stuff. Some of their early stuff was a bit sketchy, but they have become this really great, rich sounding group. This album continues in that vein, basically folky stuff with a full soundscape that brings everything together in a clear and cool fashion.
Sharon Little – Perfect Time For A Breakdown – *** – I saw this CD randomly in a store and looked at the back, and saw it was produced by Scot Sax, so right then, I knew I had to hear it. So I went home, heard some clips and liked it, so I decided to pick it up. It’s a soulful record, she has a good voice, that can be really soulful, but has enough variety to it, that it doesn’t come off as too soulful. Very good pop-soul record.
The Disciplines – Smoking Kills – ***1/2 – Wow, this is an explosion of energy and rock. The group, lead by Ken Stringfellow of the Posies, is a pure rock and roll band, similar to the White Stripes or the Raconteurs. It seems like he enjoyed creating this more energetic sound, but it really isn’t his strong suit, I think he does best when he puts his heart out on the floor. But it is an enjoyable record when you forget all the previous Stringfellow records.
