Bryan White - The Right Place

Country day. If I had to pick a day of the week that symbolized country music, it'd be Thursday. I have NO idea why. And I also have no follow up on that. It's just a statement - run with it. Shaqwanda asked me to take a listen to this Bryan White fella. As usual, he's another country act I'd never heard of before. I can tell you this Oklahoma boy started making music in 1994 though, and it couldn't have come at a worse time. If I haven't beaten into your heads yet, '94 was a PHENOMENAL year for music. People were grooving to new and fun sounds - I feel the last thing people wanted was another sappy country record. Obviously not the case for everybody in the world, as Shaqwanda says she had this way back in the day. Ol' Bryan was pretty young when he started the music biz. So after some pretty tough roads in terms of future sales and popularity - he hit a pretty deep depression. Had to take about 6 years off of recording and music in general to get straight. He is now back on the horse, putting out new stuff. He dropped something last year in fact, again not to much success. It's a vicious cycle. Anyway, this dropped in 1997 and is certified Gold. Actually pretty bad for having a Top 5 single like this did. I'm pretty sure I know why. Sorry to put my two cents in, but this is really bad. It feels like 80's music meets country meets pop and mashes together with a guy singing that has ZERO pizazz. The vocals are good - I mean the guy has a solid voice, but they're just...boring. I mean, listening to this album is basically listening to the same track over and over for an hour. There is no breakup of style or arrangement track over track. This isn't for me at all. For those that do enjoy it, tell me what you like about it - I'm struggling on this.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Love Is The Right Place
2. What Did I Do
3. Never Get Around To It
4. Leave My Heart Out Of This
5. The Natural Thing
6. One Small Miracle
7. Tree Of Hearts
8. We Could Have Been
9. Bad Day To Let You Go
10. Call Me Crazy

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
Might as well take 1-3, they're all the same.

FINAL RATING:
1.75 out of 5 stars

Tool - Undertow

Tool. Great band name - one of my favorite hard rock acts of my time. These fellas are based out of Los Angeles and have been making music since 1988 or so. They have been branded as a metal act, but they could fit into the progressive rock or art rock standard. They've cover art is almost always a topic of conversation and they seem to always dabble in new visual stuff at shows. A TON of people love their shows because of that. They institute a lot of creative imagery that often gets censored by the mainstream. For example, they posed for a photo wearing nothing but a 'Parental Warning' sign over their junk and tape over their mouths. They also had a "tool" that was very phallic they displayed for years. These censorships have led to them having a very ambivalent attitude toward the mainstream music culture. Has it resulted in less music output? Perhaps, who really knows. They took a break recently and have stated that they're just starting to get back in the studio to potentially write another album. They last toured in 2008 and no one has seen or heard from them since. There is a lot of good music and talent behind this band. Some albums aren't as good as others, but the writing and style is always very creative. They're not the NERD equivalent in metal terms, but they're usually very fresh lyrically. And vulgar not in a demeaning sense toward anyone, just in a speak the mind type of sense. I enjoy that. This is very much worth a listen today. You might have to be a metal fan to love it, but I think non metal persons can at least enjoy it. Check out the Top 3 if nothing else.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Intolerance
2. Prison Sex
3. Sober
4. Bottom
5. Crawl Away
6. Swamp Song
7. Undertow
8. 4 Degrees
9. Flood
10. Disgustipated

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Sober
2. Prison Sex
3. Flood

FINAL RATING:
3.5 out of 5 stars

Shins - Wincing The Night Away

It's on the VERY rare occasion that follower Mithrandr tosses something in the Suggestion Box - so when he does, I have to run with it immediately. In this case, Mith heard something on the radio that he enjoyed, found out it was a Shins track and wanted to hear more. Now, he doesn't know which track it was or which album it was off of, but asked me to review something generic. So here I go. Back in 1997 these guys formed up as a side project to another band, and were based out of New Mexico. They have since traveled north to Oregon and base there, but that's not totally relevant to anything. This is the most recent album the Shins have dropped, and it came out back in 2007. Since then they've seen some pretty big changes. First and foremost they left their label. Decided to move on to a label operated by a band member. Second they fired their drummer. Said it was creative differences, but the drummer flat out says he got canned. No sugar coating. The lead singer announced he would be breaking from the band until at least 2011. We'll see what happens. But there is no easier way for a band to become irrelevant than not putting out new stuff. The old stuff only peaks peoples interest for so long, then they move on. Anyway, sound wise this album doesn't blow me away by any means. There are a couple fun tracks, but I probably wouldn't buy it. They've got a bit of a progressive/futuristic rock style to them in spots, but also some indie flare added. Seems like it could be a cool combo, and maybe other albums are better than this. I'll have to check 'em out. Give this a go though, see what you think.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Sleeping Lessons
2. Australia
3. Pam Berry
4. Phantom Limb
5. Sealegs
6. Red Rabbits
7. Turn on Me
8. Black Wave
9. Spilt Needles
10. Girl Sailor
11. Comet Appears, A

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Sleeping Lessons
2. Split Needles
3. Sea Legs

FINAL RATING:
3 out of 5 stars

Weezer - Death To False Metal

Uh, yeah. You read it right. It's Weezer. You're right - they did just put out an album titled 'Hurley' in September of this year. Yeah - you're also right in stating that album was a little odd, and maybe not to the standard of the color based records. Why are they putting out another one? Man, you ask a lot of questions. Well - it just so happens I have an answer. Rivers Cuomo talked about how they've had all these tracks that never quite made the cut over the years. Tracks they may have even been fairly excited about, but the record execs didn't feel as though they fit or were "too poppy", "too strange" or "too bland". These tracks are compiled literally spanning their whole musical careers. Some of these tracks are from the early '90s and some of them as recent as not making the Hurley cut. This is not considered a studio album, even though some sites are labeling it as such. This is a pure compilation record - and I don't think Weezer themselves know how it'll do from a sales standpoint. Mashes like this can be very hit and miss. Some die hards might immediately run out and pick this up - but some will be skeptical (like me) and wonder why I'd want to spend 10 bucks on a bunch of tracks that weren't good enough before, but now magically are. The one thing I think is cool about this, if you're a pretty big fan like me, you can tell what period tracks are from. Something about their style changed after the Green album that they only reverted back to the classic Blue style for during the Red album. Enough colors for you? But Ratitude, Hurley and Make Believe have this different sound - not even sure how to explain it. You can tell by the riffs and the overall sound. I have no idea which tracks were created and when, but I THINK I could guess. Maybe you could too. I don't think this is amazing, but it's kind of fun. Especially the Toni Braxton cover at the end. Worth a listen if you're a Weezer nut - otherwise focus on NERD today.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Turning Up the Radio
2. I Don't Want Your Loving
3. Blowin' My Stack
4. Losing My Mind
5. Everyone
6. I'm a Robot
7. Trampoline
8. Odd Couple
9. Autopilot
10. Unbreak My Heart

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Turning Up The Radio
2. Unbreak My Heart
3. Losing My Mind

FINAL RATING:
3.5 out of 5 stars

N.E.R.D - Nothing

Today is going to be a double New Music Tuesday day. Frankly, I was listening to Deadmau5 last night a bit, and I A) don't feel like listening to more techno this morning and B) I know nothing can compare to what I was jamming on - and I know it'll be a let down. If anyone takes issue with my no techno review today - let me know. Maybe I could be persuaded to run a third review later. Anyway, I think everyone will be happy with my two choices today. Two pretty big artists dropped new albums - both with seemingly very little hype or even people knowing they were coming out. I start with NERD (and yes I know I just reviewed them a couple weeks ago). I saw this today and couldn't resist. I made mention how much I enjoy what Pharrell and the Neptunes put out there. At first listen, this is pretty good too. This album is MUCH different than the 'In Search Of..' record I reviewed previous. This has more of a soul/laid back feel to it. One track I also enjoy quite a bit is produced by techno guru Daft Punk. Very neat that they took part in the making of this album. Overall, another classic change up thrown to the listener in terms of what the Star Trak family is putting out there. I HIGHLY recommend listening to this if you enjoyed any other NERD, Clipse, Pharrell, Neptunes project. It's got the same fun and fresh feel. You know, making awesome, new music is business as usual for these guys. Check it out!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Party People
2. Hypnotize U
3. Help Me
4. Victory
5. Perfect Defect
6. I've Seen The Light/Inside Of Clouds
7. God Bless Us All
8. Life As A Fish
9. Nothing On You
10. Hot-n-Fun

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Victory
2. Hot-n-Fun
3. Hypnotize U

FINAL RATING:
3.75 out of 5 stars

Bell Biv Devoe - Poison

Two for two on reviews coming out of the Suggestion Box today. Follower Ashley wanted me to investigate my take on BBD's Poison from way back in 1990. Well, I was 6 when this came out - so I don't naturally recall how big this was back in the day. I do recall my sister playing 'Poison' over and over again as I think she had the cassette single. That track is really what Ashley wanted me to go into detail on - so I will - but of course I do full albums, so I'll give my take on that too. If you didn't know, BBD stemmed from the band New Edition. Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill went solo, and the three kids (Bell, Bivins and Devoe) decided to start their own threesome group. Their sound is labeled the pioneer of the "New Jack Swing" movement that took place in the early '90s. (well, maybe late '80s too). This means acts combined hip hop, soul, funk and pop music into something new and fresh. And if you think about it, you had a bunch of artists follow suit with this brand of music shortly thereafter. Tony Toni Tone comes to mind right away, even a couple Boyz II Men tracks and All-4-One. What's crazy about this release, was BBD was backed by some of the hardest rap acts of all time - Public Enemy to get on the MCA label. This album is a pretty sick 4x platinum - which is really good for that time and this brand of music. 'Poison' is if nothing else - extremely catchy - but I think it's more than that. If you forced me to listen to 'New Jack' for hours and hours on end - right before I blew my brains out, I'd tell you that 'Poison' would be the hardest hitting track of the genre. I think it's got staying power because of the lyrical content. The Jackson 5 pioneered bubblegum pop combined with R&B, and this is a total break from that. If you sit down and listen to what BBD is saying, it's actually a pretty solid track. It's probably the only track with any real substance, with the exception of what I intend to put as my #2 i the illustrious Top 3. I think most of you will enjoy taking a trip down memory lane with this one today. If you want to take it a step further, listen in detail. Think about if this is something you'd even give a chance given your change in musical palette. Turn off your nostalgia meter for a few minutes and listen to what they're talking about. Maybe you'll think about it differently tomorrow. Happy Monday B Siders!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Dope!
2. B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?
3. Let Me Know Something
4. Do Me!
5. Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny (Word to the Mutha)
6. Poison
7. Ain't Nut'in' Changed
8. When Will I See You Smile Again?
9. I Do Need You
10. Poison (Extended Club Version)

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Poison
2. When Will I See You Smile Again?
3. Do Me!

FINAL RATING:
2.75 out of 5 stars

Queens Of The Stone Age - Self Titled

Monday. Just another Manic Monday. Wait, this isn't a Bengals review. This is a QotSA review! And this was requested in the box via follower janis!. I decided to run with this right away because quite frankly, I don't know much by them. When 'No One Knows' hit the radio off 'Songs For The Deaf' I recall listening to that album back in 2002 - but that's honestly the only album I knew by them. I was quite surprised that they had about 5 more albums in their discography and that they'd been dropping albums since 1998. This album being their initial release - way back in that '98 timeframe. These guys came out of California and have a fairly unique sound. I'm not sure what about it is so different - but it feels odd. Remember when Lou Reed was making music way back in the day? It kinda had that brooding rock kind of feel to it? That's where I think these guys go. It's still rock. Maybe a little bit of punk rock sprinkled in. But the overall feel is almost Halloween-ish. Like a scary, melodic rock haunts its way into your soul. And not all songs are that way - but the few that are seem to be what stick out for me. If you thought this album cover was a little risque - you should see the alternate release LP version. It has what a topless lady on the cover with something partially covering her - looking like she's in space. Of course that wouldn't fly in the states - because we're very prudish here. Regardless, this album is rock solid. It's hard to find anything to be negative about again. It's just flat out good. I love how these guys play really heavy but stay so laid back. It's very refreshing. Very worth a check out today. If you don't know much QotSA like I didn't, you'll be pleasantly surprised!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Regular John
2. Avon
3. If Only
4. Walkin' On the Sidewalks
5. You Would Know
6. Bronze, The
7. How To Handle a Rope (A Lesson In the Lariat)
8. Mexicola
9. Hispanic Impressions
10. You Can't Quit Me Baby
11. These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For
12. Give the Mule What He Wants
13. Spiders and Vinegaroons
14. I Was a Teenage Hand Model

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Regular John
2. I Was A Teenage Hand Model
3. Avon

FINAL RATING:
3.75 out of 5 stars