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Ahead of U2′s 2009 ‘No Line to the Horizon’ album release, many U2 fans and music critics felt which the band needed a experimental album. U2′s two previous albums, ‘How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb’ and 2000′s ‘All that you just can’t Leave Behind’ were solid modern rock albums that were heavily based U2′s ‘The Joshua Tree’ and ‘The Unforgettable Fire’ eras. Many critics felt the band were playing it safe and didn’t experiment enough. ‘No Line to the Horizon’ can be a very different album to the previous two as it dares to experiment.

There isn’t any doubt ‘No Line on the Horizon’ is really a rock album. However, U2 manages to improvise with both musically and stylistically. Initially ever we hear Bono rap inside the song ‘Breathe’. The song ‘Fez: Being Born’ is not any doubt depending electronic and Techno, just like what number of songs on U2′s ‘Zooropa’ album were. Ironically though, the most effective track is regarded as the conservative one- the song ‘Magnificent’. ‘Magnificent’ is full U2′s trademark anthemic lyrics and ‘ringing’ guitar sounds. ‘Magnificent’ is indeed, magnificent.

The album’s other highlights add the beautiful and eloquent, ‘Moment of Surrender’ and ‘Unknown Caller’, containing become a classic U2 track. Despite all this, ‘No Line about the Horizon’ have their weaknesses. The album fades quite badly at the end, mainly because of tracks that continue over they have to, and ballads that are not particularly interesting. Such as the bland, ‘Cedars of Lebanon’ and the equally uninteresting, ‘White as Snow’. Read the rest of this entry »

The Best of Sade is indeed that. An accumulation sixteen of the extremely best songs she’s produced until now. With her exotic beauty and steamy voice it seems as though that it was her destiny to be a star. Her voice would be the very meaning of smooth and has over the years become her trademark.

She showcases the most beneficial of her vocal talents on tracks like Smooth Operator, The Sweetest Taboo, plus the emotionally gripping Jezebel.

I’ve always felt No Ordinary Love is definitely a powerful song. Provides me with that feeling it’s being delivered from deep inside the soul on this outstanding artist. Similar to many Sade’s songs. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been 3 years since Lenny Kravitz’s final album. For the reason that time, he’s changed record labeling, made their acting debut within “Precious, ” filmed a job for the actual forthcoming “Hunger Games, ” opened up for U2 as well as celebrated the actual 20th anniversary of their first recording, 1989’s “Let Love Rule. ”
Quite simply, it’s good to become him. Therefore it’s little wonder which there’s a good air associated with gratitude as well as joy which surrounds the actual overwhelmingly good “Black And White America, ” away today. Though the actual album handles race relationships — the actual Steely Dan-redolent name track speaks straight to a few of the issues their parents’ interracial marriage faced—the communications always arrive cloaked within hope.

Recorded within the Bahamas, where Kravitz sequestered himself inside a trailer near the studio, as well as in London, where he or she lives for half of the year, “Black & White” is really a funk celebration with sensations of rock and roll (he or she wears their deep, abiding adore for Hendrix upon his sleeve right here as usually), rap and jazz tossed in. Though every thing Kravitz does here’s deeply grounded in their stellar acoustic guitar work and also the beat, it’s their most fresh album within years, especially about the jazzy enhanc “Looking Back again On Adore. ” Read the rest of this entry »

If you feel about R&B artists since 2001, who one thinks of? Likely people who stuck around in the 90s, like Boyz II Men or Mariah Carey. For any who started their careers post 2002, few really stick out. Possibly Alicia Keys, Pharrell, Rihanna. Perhaps Drake and Trey Songz will join that list. What did these artists have in common? They broke the mould.

As R&B isn’t likely to ever match the gloriousness from the 90s, it makes sense that urban artists play it a little left of centre and embrace uniqueness. The urban genre isn’t what it really was. Songs are often forgotten. Let’s be honest; new artists just aren’t just like the earlier versions. To have any chance of longevity artists need to not seem like anyone else.

It is a big call, but Bruno Mars might just make that list. For just one, he wins the title for coolest album name of 2010 with Doo-wops & Hooligans. The American singer-songwriter and producer of Puerto Rican and Filipino descent released his debut album in October this season after garnering attention for singing the hooks on radio favourites Nothin’ You by B.O.B and Billionaire by Travie McCoy. Read the rest of this entry »

Pop music is like junk food. It isn’t very substantive, however when you’re in the best mood, there’s practically nothing more appetizing.

In the last 3 years, Lady Gaga’s mixture of costumes, performance art and claw-heavy dance moves (as well as her tendency to play classical piano while wearing a leather bikini) have helped her get to be the biggest pop act around. Katy Perry might be cuter and Beyoncé can be a better dancer, but Gaga is definitely probably the most entertaining. She writes her own music. She sings rather than lip-syncs. And it’s refreshing to determine a lady pop star prepared to forgo candy-colored outfits and songs about wanting a ring on her behalf finger in favor of chains, spikes and creepy nun outfits which make her sexually unappealing. Gaga is much more bomb than a bombshell. We like her that way.

But she comes with one weakness: the studio album. She’s a talented singer and her 2009 Cherrytree Sessions EP features an incredibly moving acoustic version of “Poker Face” which should shut up any music snobs who think she’s all show. But her full albums have always fallen a little flat. On her third album, Born By doing this, she relies too heavily on synthesizers and vocal effects, which lessen all her rough edges until she seems like a Eurodance version of Madonna (“Scheiße”), Sister Sledge (“Born This Way”) or early Whitney Houston (“Fashion of His Love”). Read the rest of this entry »

The exceptionally talented Rock group Goo Goo Dolls have released their CD entitled Jed. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Goo Goo Dolls fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Jed their artistic excellence is on full display as they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be their best work to date.

I wish it weren’t the case but, it’s not everyday that I get a CD for review that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Jed. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Jed has a pleasantly varied, mix of 14 tracks that are very well written and brilliantly performed songs by these clearly superb musicians. Most of the songs display a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Seemingly drawing from what I can only imagine are their own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, and the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.

Jed is a first rate CD, delivering a little something for everyone. I give it two thumbs up. It’s quite simply great listening. A must buy if you’re even mildly into Rock music.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 4 – 7th Of Last Month, track 7 – Down On The Corner, and track 14 – James Dean.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Out Of Sight. Great track!

Jed Release Notes:

Goo Goo Dolls originally released Jed on February 22, 1994 on the Metal Blade label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Out Of Sight 2. Up Yours 3. No Way Out 4. 7th Of Last Month 5. Love Dolls 6. Sex Maggot 7. Down On The Corner 8. Had Enough 9. Road To Salinas 10. Em Elbmuh 11. Misfortune 12. Artie 13. Gimme Shelter 14. James Dean

Janet Jackson has released her most recent album entitled Velvet Rope.

This one grabs your attention right from the very beginning with Velvet Rope and doesn’t let go until the very last note of the very last song Special, which is another great track by the way.

Janet Jackson is one of those musicians that has the ability to just win you over with her talent. The kind of artist it’s really a treat to be able to listen to.

This is a first rate CD, delivering a little something for everyone. I give it two thumbs up. It’s quite simply great listening. A must buy for the Rock fan.

While this entire album is outstanding some of my favorites are track 6 – My Need, track 17 – Tonight’s The Night, and track Velvet Rope – Special

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 2 – Velvet Rope. Wow!

Velvet Rope Release Notes:

Janet Jackson originally released Velvet Rope on October 7, 1997 on the Virgin Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Interlude-Twisted Elegance 2. Velvet Rope – (featuring Vanessa-Mae) 3. You 4. Got ‘Til It’s Gone – (featuring Q-Tip/Joni Mitchell) 5. Interlude-Speaker Phone 6. My Need 7. Interlude-Fasten Your Seatbelts 8. Go Deep 9. Free Xone 10. Interlude-Memory 11. Together Again 12. Interlude-Online 13. Empty 14. Interlude-Full 15. What About 16. Every Time 17. Tonight’s The Night 18. I Get Lonely 19. Rope Burn 20. Anything 21. Interlude-Sad Velvet Rope. Special

Personnel includes: Janet Jackson (vocals); Q-Tip (rap vocals); Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis (various instruments); Mike Scott, Dave Barry, O. Nicholas Raths (guitar); Vanessa Mae, Hanley Daws, Brenda Mickens, Michael Sobieski, Elizabeth Sobieski, Carolyn Daws, Leslie Shank, Daria Tedeschi, Jan Chong (violin); Alice Preves, Myrna Rain, Glen Donnellen, Charles Gray (viola); Josh Koestenbaum, Daryl Skobba, Dale Newton, Camilla Heller (cello); Ken Holmen (flute, clarinet, saxophone); Lynne Erickson (trumpet); James “Big Jim” Wright (organ, keyboards, background vocals); Gary Raynor (bass); Alex Richbourg (drum programming, background vocals); Xavier Smith (drum programming); The United Children’s Choir (background vocals); Joni Mitchell.

Producers: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson.

Recorded at Flyte Tyme Studios, Edina, Minnesota.

Korn, the richly talented Rock group have released their latest album titled Untouchables and Wow! It’s good.

Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Untouchables is a nicely varied, mix of 15 tracks that are very well written and brilliantly performed songs by these clearly gifted musicians. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are their own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They’re all here.

Overall Untouchables is excellent from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Rock fan. Really sensational from beginning to end.

While the entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 5 – Bottled Up Inside, track 8 – One More Time, and track 15 – Here To Stay

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Here To Stay. Good stuff!

Untouchables Release Notes:

Korn originally released Untouchables on June 11, 2002 on the Epic label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Here To Stay 2. Make Believe 3. Blame 4. Hollow Life 5. Bottled Up Inside 6. Thoughtless 7. Hating 8. One More Time 9. Alone I Break 10. Embrace 11. Beat It Upright 12. Wake Up Hate 13. I’m Hiding 14. No One’s There 15. Here To Stay – (remix, hidden track)

Untouchables Album Notes This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Korn: Jonathan Davis (vocals); James Shaffer, Brian “Head” Welch (guitar); Fieldy (bass); David Silveria (drums).

Recorded at Conway Studio, Hollywood, California and The Village, Los Angeles, California.

At The Movies is the latest Jazz CD put out by the richly talented Stanley Clarke who once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Stanley Clarke fans, and Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one.

Stanley Clarke has been a super star in the Jazz genre for quite a while now and At The Movies is an excellent illustration as to why.

The nice thing about a CD like this is when the talent is this rich even if Jazz isn’t your favorite genre you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.

Listen to At The Movies and I believe you’ll find there’s not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Stanley Clarke is clearly in top form. So much so that if you’re even mildly into Jazz music you’ll enjoy this album.

While the entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 3 – Justice’s Groove, track 8 – Higher Learning Main Title, and track 15 – Max’s Theme

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Passenger 57 Main Title. Good stuff!

At The Movies Release Notes:

Stanley Clarke originally released At The Movies on August 8, 1995 on the Epic Soundtrax label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Passenger 57 Main Title – (from “Passenger 57″) 2. Lisa – (from “Passenger 57″) 3. Justice’s Groove – (from “Poetic Justice”) 4. Lucky Again – (from “Poetic Justice”) 5. Father And Son – (from “Boyz N The Hood”) 6. Theme From Boyz N The Hood – (from “Boyz N The Hood”) 7. Grandpa’s Theme – (from “Little Big League”) 8. Higher Learning Main Title – (from “Higher Learning”) 9. Learning Curve, The – (from “Higher Learning”) 10. Anna Mae – (from “What’s Love Got To Do With It”) 11. Capital (from “Panther”) / Naty’s Theme (from “Panther”) 12. Meeting – (from “Panther”) 13. Deja’s Theme – (from “Higher Learning”) 14. Black On Black Crime – (from “Boyz N The Hood”) 15. Max’s Theme – (from “Tap”)

Personnel includes: Stanley Clarke; George Del Barrio, William Kidd (conductor).

Highways And Honky Tonks is the latest release from Country Artist Heather Myles, and is another great one by this talented musician.

It’s a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I’m more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply is NOT a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all, with each song standing tall on it’s own.

Heather Myles possesses the characteristic of being able to win you over with her talent alone. The kind of artist I really enjoy listening to.

I give Highways And Honky Tonks my highest recommendation. It just plain belongs in any serious music collectors collection regardless of genre preference.

While the entire album is outstanding some of my favorites are track 2 – Kiss An Angel Good Morning, track 9 – Rock At The End Of My Rainbow, and track 12 – I’ll Be There If You Ever Want Me

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – You’re Gonna Love Me One Day. It’s a great track!

Highways And Honky Tonks Release Notes:

Heather Myles originally released Highways And Honky Tonks on September 1, 1998 on the Rounder Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. You’re Gonna Love Me One Day 2. Kiss An Angel Good Morning 3. You’ve Taken Me Places I Wish I’ve Never Been 4. Broken Heart For Sale 5. True Love 6. No One Is Gonna Love You Better – (with Merle Haggard) 7. Playin’ Every Honky Tonk In Town 8. Mr. Lonesome 9. Rock At The End Of My Rainbow 10. Who Did You Call Darlin’ 11. Love Me A Little Bit Longer 12. I’ll Be There If You Ever Want Me

Highways And Honky Tonks Album Notes Personnel: Heather Myles (vocals, acoustic guitar); Merle Haggard (vocals); Bob Gothar (acoustic & electric guitars); Pete Anderson (guitar); Marty Rifkin (steel guitar, dobro, mandolin); Gary Brandin (steel guitar); Scott Joss (fiddle); Skip Edwards (piano, organ); Keith Rosier (acoustic bass); Taras Prodaniuk, Ray Kennedy (bass); Larry Mitchell (drums); Brantley Kearns, Irene McCullough, Kelly McGuire (background vocals).

Recorded at Mad Dog Studios, Burbank, California and The Bradley Barn, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Includes liner notes by Jon Weisberger.