First off, thank God I burned this album, rather than buying it. There are but two enjoyable songs on this whole album and those are "She Says" and the final track "Walrus". Unwritten Law's previous album Elva was a great listen; sadly, this album falls on the opposite end of the spectrum.
3 Doors Down "Seventeen Days"
I really wanted to like 3 Doors Down's latest, but I find myself aching to skip to the next track everytime I give the album a good listen. It's not "bad"; the guys can obviously play their instruments and play them well, it's just that it feels like it lacks something, maybe the catchy and memorable choruses found on their two previous discs.
Jack Johnson "In Between Dreams"
Like Jack's past offerings, the music is simple, but the lyrics are creative, his voice soothing, and the melodies are on point. His music is intended to relax and help the listener's mind drift, and it does just that. This an excellent CD from beginning to end. Some of my personal favorite tracks are "Never Know", "Good People", "No Other Way", "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing", and "Constellations". The man is on a streak; his latest album is just as good if not better than "On And On" and "Brushfire Fairytales"; definitely worth every penny.
Lifehouse "Lifehouse"
I had no idea Lifehouse had another album in the works and was suprised when I one day heard the single "You and Me" on the radio. At first I thought this was by far the best track on their latest album, but after a couple listens, I realized that they saved the best for last...or should I say the best four for last. "We'll Never Know", "Walking Away", "Chapter One", and "the End Has Only Begun" are all very memorable tracks, and the rest aren't too shabby either. Not a bad effort, though the album as a whole does not live up to it's predecessors.
Adema "Planets"
Some people just can't adapt to change. Even though Mark Chavez left the group and was replaced, it's easy to recognize to that is indeed Adema on this album; other than the lead singer sounding a bit more like the lead singer of Trapt or an amateur Maynard James Keenan, the rest of the music is still the same. I think the new guy has great potential and his lyrics are a bit more mature than Mark's. I too was a fan of their first two albums and I'm glad I disregarded the negative reviews and bought this CD anyway.
Mudvayne "Lost & Found"
"Lost & Found" to me, is about as heavy as "L.D. 50", which was my favorite Mudvayne album up until this point. The band has not softened up a bit and are still making loud but melodic metal with deep lyrics.
Limp Bizkit "the Unquestionable Truth (Part 1)"
With Wes Borland back in the band, Limp Bizkit have returned to their rap-core/metal sound, making an album filled with a whole lot of rage (no pun intended). Although there are moments where you can hear strong Rage Against the Machine and Deftones influenced lyrics, this is "Three Dollar Bill Y'all" style Limp Bizkit; the Limp Bizkit fans have been begging for ever since the band "went soft". To be honest with you, the guys put forth a great effort in trying to please their hardcore fans, but something just doesn't feel right. The same thing happened when fans turned on Metallica for going soft and the band tried pleasing them by creating the headbanging disasterpiece known as "St. Anger". "The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) is only an EP and is much better than "St. Anger", but I still find it difficult to honestly say that it's anything more than satisfactory. "The Truth" and "the Surrender" are the two best tracks to be found on here. I give this album three stars for the effort.
Weezer "Make Believe"
OK, so "Make Believe" may not be as good as their "blue album", but how many CDs really are? "Make Believe" is quality Weezer. There many good songs to be found on here such as the upbeat single "Beverly Hills", the 80's esque "This Is Such a Pity", and the beautiful "Freak Me Out". Great band, damn good album.
System of A Down "Mezmerize"
"B.Y.O.B.", S.O.A.D.'s party song that isn't exactly about partying ("bring your own bombs") had me smirking, humming along, and headbanging all at the same time. Who else is capable of causing their listener to do those three things simaltaneously? "Mezmerize" is even better than their last album, which is saying a lot. It almost seems that they have perfected their style here, leaving me anxious for this album's part two "Hypnotize", due out later this year. "B.Y.O.B.", "Cigaro", "Radio-Video", and "Lost In Hollywood" are already classics.
Audioslave "Out of Exile"
Another great album from a great band. Chris Cornell, one of the best vocalists of all-time, back for a second time with three other very talented musicians (formerly of Rage Against the Machine) to give you one solid rock album. "Be Yourself", "Doesn't Remind Me", "Heaven's Dead", and "Your Time Has Come" are all untouchable tracks.
Foo Fighters "In Your Honor"
I have to give props to Dave and the boys for coming up with the brilliant idea of releasing a two-disc set, one disc being hard rock, the other being acoustic rock songs; pure genius! The hard rock disc (disc 1) is good, especially songs such as the albums first single "Best of You", but the soft rock disc (disc 2), featuring some of my favorite Foo songs to date ("What If I Do?", "Cold Day in the Sun", and "Another Round") is excellent! The Foo Fighters should and probably will be inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame one day; this two disc album proves that they are on their way.
Staind "Chapter V"
Staind get softer and softer with each album. There are a whole lot of ballads to be found on "Chapter V", and only a few real thrashers. By their next album, you won't be able to tell the difference between them and say...Lifehouse. Still, this album is a good listen, just don't be expecting any mosh pits at their next concert.
Taproot "Blue Sky Research"
"Blue Sky Research" is a little softer than their previous releases, but the songs tend to compliment lead singer Stephen Richard's voice moreso this time around. The first single "Calling" is an instant classic, and the rest of the album does not let-down.
Our Lady Peace "Healthy In Paranoid Times"
Well, the album starts off strong with "Angels/Losing/Sleep", a track that ranks among my favorite OLP songs. The rest of the album is not bad, but after waiting three years, die-hard fans such as myself, may have been expecting a little more. "Wipe That Smile Off Your Face", "Picture" and "Boy" are among other enjoyable songs on this album. Healthy In Paranoid Times is slightly superior to the previous album Gravity, the band's most commercial/bland album to date, but doesn't hold a candle to the phenomenal Happiness Is Not A Fish... or Spiritual Machines.
Nickelback "All the Right Reasons"
After Creed split up, Nickelback seemed to take their place as the most loathed rock band in the world. Why? Probably because the radio forces their music down the general public's throat by playing their singles at least once every 20 minutes. For those of us who try to avoid radio as much as possible, that's not a problem. Needless to say, I enjoyed their previous albums, as mainstream as they may be, and decided to give their latest one a whirl. Despite a few decent tunes ("If Everyone Cared", "Savin' Me", "Photograph", and "Far Away") the rest of the album is filler material, or in other words easy-to-skip-through. The last song on the album, titled "Rockstar" is downright corny, mentioning "MTV Cribs" in the lyrics. Lastly, the album cover marks the third time this band has used a picture of a road for their cover; whoever designs their jackets needs to be fired for his lack of creativity. Without the four songs mentioned above, this album is about as enjoyable to listen to as a child banging a pair of gongs together.
MY 2004 CD REVIEWS
LostProphets "Start Something"
Take Lit, Sugarcult, Linkin Park, & Hoobastank, put them in a jar, shake it up well, and you have LostProphets’ “Start Something”. I am in no way complaining, a mixture of these four very talented bands makes for one great album. This CD contains a nice mix of hard and soft rock, with good use of electronic sampling. From the fast-paced opening song “We Still Kill the Old Way” to the mellowed out final track “Sway”, LostProphets have much to offer on their sophomore effort.
Incubus "A Crow Left Of the Murder"
No suprise, Incubus make another excellent album. Though probably not AS good as their past two CDs "Make Yourself" and "Morning View", "A Crow Left Of the Murder" proves that the guys can still rock hard.
Kanye West "College Dropout"
Finally, another mainstream rapper besides Eminem who has a lot to talk about, other than the normal "bitches, riches, blunts, and clubs". Kanye covers everything from Jesus Christ and a lack thereof in today's music, to the struggles of getting through college, to getting fat people motivated to workout. His self-produced beats are very catchy and memorable. Even the album cover is special in that it's just not another mug shot of a rapper mean-muggin' you, illustrating the album's title perfectly. Kanye has definitely raised the bar for other hip-hop artists; not bad for a college dropout.
Godsmack "the Other Side"
Godsmack do an all-acoustic album and the results are phenomenal! The songs "Touchi" and "Voices" have an Alice In Chains feel to them and I love it.
Gary Jules "Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets"
Like most other reviews I've read on this album, I too bought the CD after hearing Gary Jules' version of "Mad World" in the film "Donnie Darko". And just like the other reviews, I found that the rest of the album is nothing like that song and is instead acoustic folk rock that is reminiscent of artists such as Simon & Garfunkel and Cat Stevens. It took a few listens, but the album definitely grew on me. Besides "Mad World", a few tracks that really standout include "Something Else", "Broke Window", "Umbilical Town" and the untitled hidden track.
Marcy Playground "MP3"
Finally, after a five year wait, Marcy Playground finally deliver! Like their first two albums, "MP3" is alternative rock at it's finest. Songs such as "No One's Boy", "Jesse Went to War", "Brand New Day", "Sleepy Eyes", and "Barfly" make this album an instant classic.
Jimmie's Chicken Shack "Re.present"
This is my first Jimmie's Chicken Shack album. I bought it after sampling the songs "Falling Out" featuring Aaron Lewis of Staind, and "Paper Dolls", which is also featured on Marcy Playground's latest. Although I have no basis for comparison, this is a pretty good album from beginning to end.
Sevendust "Southside Double-Wide"
The second metal band to do an all-acoustic album this year, the only difference, Sevendust’s is live, recorded during a concert in Georgia. “Southside Double-Wide” is reminiscent to MTV’s Unplugged albums, and through his vocals, lead singer Lajon Witherspoon seems determined to make sure this is not a soft rock acoustic recording. Some of the standout songs on this CD are “Seasons”, “Xmas Day”, a cover of Johnny Cash’s Nine Inch Nails cover “Hurt”, “Angel’s Son”, “Prayer”, and “Black”. The album also comes with an hour or so worth of DVD footage from the show, a Sevendust guitar pick, and some photos of the band. The bad, Lajon talking to his audience throughout pieces of the songs cuts some songs short.
Slipknot "Vol 3: the Subliminal Verses"
Hard to believe, Slipknot make an album with no cussing, acoustic songs, and full of hooks. Okay, so there are a select few acoustic songs on here but still, we’re talking about one of the heaviest, most brutal bands to emerge in the past decade. Slipknot have definitely surprised their fans and have raised the bar for themselves. Many metal-heads will be upset with the acoustic songs, but the truth is, the acoustic songs are done very well and are some of my personal favorites on the album. Some standout tracks include "Prelude 3.0", “Duality”, “Circle”, “Pulse Of the Maggots”, “Vermilion, Pt. 2”, and “Danger – Keep Away”.
Velvet Revolver "Contraband"
My opinion on this CD may be biased because I am such a huge fan of Stone Temple Piltos & Scott Weiland. The fact that this band is a combination of STP & Guns N' Roses tells you before listening to "Contraband" that this is going to be one hell of a rock album...and it is! The first song "Sucker Train Blues" is a hard-hitting rocker that sets the tone for the rest of this album, with an exception of a few ballads, which are by no means soft.
the Killers "Hot Fuss"
The Killers' debut album is not only refreshing but fun to listen to. Their music has an 80's feel to it but is very modern sounding at the same time. "Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" is a nice energetic song to start the album off with and is followed by "Mr. Brightside", another great song and the band's second single. "Hot Fuss" is a very good album through and through. Despite them being another "the" band to emerge in the past couple of years, the Killers maintain a very original sound of their own.
Head Automatica "Decadence""
Glassjaw vocalist Darryl Palumbo takes a break from the hardcore stuff and teams up with Dan "The Automator" to create Head Automatica. The lyrics aren't as thought-provoking as say Glassjaw's, but they aren't bad either. Every song this debut is at least decent; with "Beating Heart Baby", "King Caesar", "Brooklyn Is Burning" and "Please Please Please (Young Hollywood)" being exceptional. If this music doesn't get your head boppin' or your toes tappin', you should have your ears examined.
Green Day "American Idiot"
Being heralded as Green Day's best album to date, "American Idiot" is the best in it's genre to date. "American Idiot", the song from which the album gets it's title, and first single, is by no means one of the better songs on the disc. "Boulevard Of Broke Dreams" is my personal favorite and could very easily be a successful single. Other highlights include "Jesus of Suburbia", the first of two punk rock opera songs on the disc, "Wake Me When September Ends", this disc's "Time Of Your Life", "Give Me Novacaine", "Whatsername", and the second and even better five-piece punk opera song, "Homecoming". Green Day have topped themselves once again.
Chevelle "This Type Of Thinking Could Do Us In"
"This Type of Thinking Could Do Us In" is a very good hard rock album from one of the most creative hard rock bands on the radio these days. "The Clincher" is a great song to start the album off with, great guitar, drums, lyrics, etc., fast and catchy. The album's first single "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)" and the slow and melodic "Panic Prone" are two of my favorite songs by the band thus far. Other standout tracks include "Get Some", "Another Know It All", and "Emotional Drought". Like their previous album, this one also ends with an eery yet beautiful ballad, titled "Bend the Bracket". Although you can hear some Tool influence throughout the CD, the Loeffler brothers definitely have a unique sound/style of their own.
Elliott Smith "From A Basement On the Hill"
The late Elliott Smith's final album is definitely not just a bunch of songs that never made it on past releases shoved onto an album. Each song on here is a jewel, some shinier than others. "Fond Farewell" is very touching song that I find myself relating to. Probably not his best album, but nothing that Elliott Smith would be ashamed of. Any fan should have this album in their collection.
Eminem "Encore"
After hearing the album's first single "Just Lose It", my thoughts about the song were that it was a little absurd, a little "poppy", meaningless, and yes, annoying. However, I kept in mind that Eminem always releases a silly pop song with a comical video for his first single, because they appeal to the masses, thus boost album sales. Just weeks later, the second single "Mosh", Em's first political rap song and video, was released and I began thinking "Finally, a sign that there is hope for the new album.". Then "Encore" finally dropped. Being the huge Eminem fan I am, I bought the CD the day of it's release, gave it a listen, and came to this conclusion : This is Eminem's worst CD to date. Most of the songs' lyrics are just irrelevant and uninteresting, while the beats are almost repetitive. There are only a few real good songs on the album where Eminem actually has something to say. "Mockingbird", a personal song written for his daughter and niece, is probably the best song on the album, followed by "Like Toy Soldiers", in which Eminem talks about how he's putting his beefs aside before someone gets hurt. "Yellow Brick Road" and the three songs featured on the bonus disc, previously leaked on the internet, are some of the album's best tracks.
the Exies "Head for the Door"
I purchased "Head for the Door" after hearing "Ugly" and being a fan of their previous album. I'm sure after a couple more listens I'll like their latest just as much as I do "Inertia". "Head For the Door" is a little heavier, a little less catchy, but a good rock album nonetheless. "Ugly" and "Splinter" are two of the Exies' best songs thus far.
MY 2003 CD REVIEWS
Taproot "Welcome"
This album suprised me. I bought it after hearing "Poem" and discovered that there are even better songs to be heard on this disc such as "Art", "Like", and "Dreams".
System of A Down "Steal This Album!"
"Toxicity" is a hard CD to top but this album is right up there with it. "Mr. Jack", "I-E-A-I-A-I-O", "Ego Brain", and "Roulette" are a few of my favorites on the disc. Like S.O.A.D.'s other albums, "Steal This Album!" is full of suprises, going from mellow to mosh-pit and back.
the Exies "Inertia"
"Inertia" grew on me after a couple listens. The Exies have a sound that remind me of a number of different bands such as Stone Temple Pilots, Linkin Park, and Puddle Of Mudd, to name a few. The Exies are in no way copying any of these bands, it's just that at times, lead singer Scott Steven's voice is reminiscent of other vocalists. "My Goddess" and "Without" are excellent hard rock songs, "Creeper Kamikaze" and "Genius" make for beautiful ballads, while songs such as "Kickout" and "Lo-Fi" fall somewhere in between. Very cool album, check it out.
Linkin Park "Meteora"
Linkin Park had some big shoes to fill after their debut album "Hybrid Theory". This album does not quite measure up to their first, but it's definitely not a bad effort at all and proves that Linkin Park are much more than one-hit-album-wonders.
Jack Johnson "On And On"
This album is very relaxing and easy to listen to. The lyrics are great and the music helps your mind drift. After downloading many of his songs and loving them to death, I decided it was time I went out and gave Jack Johnson some of my money. Songs such as "Taylor", "Times Like These", "Gone", and "Mediocre Bad Guys" are Jack Johnson classics.
Deftones "Deftones"
"Deftones", the first of many other self-titled CDs to come in 2003, gets better and better each time I listen to it. Chino's lyrics are creative as always and the musicianship keeps getting better. "Minerva", "Deathblow", "Battle-axe", and "Anniversary of an Uninteresting Event" are all great songs, while opener "Hexagram" & "When Girls Telephone Boys" are purely noise.
Staind "14 Shades Of Grey"
Unlike their previous albums, "14 Shades Of Grey" has a somewhat happy tone to it. Lead singer Aaron Lewis realizes that he has no reason to be sad anymore, now that he's blessed with his daughter (and then there's the fortune he made off "Break the Cycle"), so in a way this album better than it's predacessors in that you don't feel so depressed after listening to it. Also, props to Staind for making a beautiful tribute song to Layne Staley, aptly called "Layne".
Radiohead "Hail To the Thief"
The lyrics on "Hail To the Thief" make for some very nice, yet disturbing poetry. Thom Yorke is a modern-day Vincent Van Gough, and like Van Gough, will be looked at as being an artistic genius who was ahead of his time. Like Radiohead's other albums, the more you listen to this disc, the more it grows on you.
limpbizkit "Results May Vary"
Limp Bizkit have not only changed the spelling of their name, but have changed musically as well. "Results May Vary" is missing one thing...Wes Borland. No big deal! Mike Smith, formerly of Snot, does a fine job on the guitars, while Fred's lyrics have become more meaningful, the rest of the band continue to do what they do best, and the results are far better than "Chocolate Starfish..." & the dreaded remix album. Although limpbizkit's fourth studio album is hardly hard rock, in a way it is "heavier" than anything they've done in the past.
Nickelback "the Long Road"
Nickelback haven't changed much from their last album, but nonetheless this CD is rock n' roll at it's best. There are no subliminal messages or deeper meanings to be found in Nickelback's music, the lyrics are fairly simple...but good. You can't go wrong with songs such as "Someday", "Should've Listened", and "See You At the Show".
Blink 182 "Blink 182"
I'm "Feeling This" album. Blink 182 may have finally topped "Enema of the State", although I don't think this CD will be as popular with teens. "I Miss You" is a ballad that will stick in my head for years to come. "Down", "Stockholm Syndrome", "All of This" featuring the Cure's Robert Smith, and "I'm Lost Without You" are all great songs as well. Hell, the whole album is great.
Kid Rock "Kid Rock"
Like Blink 182, Kid Rock seems to have matured some on his latest self-titled release. Unlike "Cocky", this album does not seem forced, and the lyrics are some of the best that I've heard from the Kid. Better than "Devil Without A Cause"? Could be. If you like ballads such as "Only God Knows Why" and "Lonely Road Of Faith", there's plenty of that to go around this time ("Cold & Empty", "Hard Night For Sarah", etc. etc.). If you want something in the taste of "I Am the Bullgod" or "American Badass", there's "Jackson Mississippi". If it's good ol' fashioned southern rock you're looking for, the Kid offers up "Black Bob" and "Rock n' Roll", and if you want a 'no-guitar straight rap song', well there's "Intro". Kid Rock, as always, offers a little something for everyone.
KoRn "Take A Look In the Mirror"
KoRn have finally put out an album heavier than their first, which many fans have been waiting for. KoRn have an ability, unlike many other bands in their genre, to make heavy music without boring the listener halfway through the CD. "Take A Look In the Mirror" is basically a "F*** YOU!" to all the kids who say that KoRn have gone soft.
Puddle Of Mudd "Life On Display"
When I listen to "Life On Display", one name comes to mind...Kurt Cobain. Nirvana was cleary an influence on Puddle of Mudd (even lead singer Wes Scantlin resembles Kurt), maybe thats why Fred Durst signed them, since he himself is a big enough fan of Mr. Cobain to have his mug tattoed onto his chest. Aside from their similarities to one of the most beloved bands in rock music, Puddle of Mudd aren't bad at all, and this CD is worth your money.
Hoobastank "the Reason"
Maybe not as good as it's predecessor, but "the Reason" certainly contains memorable songs such as the song from which the album gets it's title, "Out Of Control", "Unaffected", & "Disappear".
Outkast "Speakerboxxx/the Love Below"
Andre 3000 and Big Boi are two of the most innovative minds in hip-hop today. This two disc set really shows the difference between these artists and sets them further apart from the rest of the hip-hop community, reminding us why they call themselves Outkast.
Jay-Z "the Black Album"
Jay-Z's last and one of his best. Jay, Jigga, HOV...whatever you prefer to call him, claims that this is the final album he is going to make, but I doubt this will be the last we'll see of Jay-Z.
