Crashdiet – The Savage Playground [Review]
Crashdiet – The Savage Playground
2013, Frontiers Records
1. Change The World
2. Cocaine Cowboys
3. Anarchy
4. California
5. Lickin’ Dog
6. Circus
7. Sin City
8. Got A Reason
9. Drinkin’ Without You
10. Snakes In Paradise
11. Damaged Kid
12. Excited
13. Garden of Babylon
Band:
Simon Cruz – Vocals
Martin Sweet – Guitar
Peter London – Bass
Eric Young – Drums
Producer: Otto Welton
Crashdiet’s fourth album is their best yet. I’ve always enjoyed what I’ve heard from these guys but The Savage Playground seems to take matters to another level. I hate to use the word “mature” when talking about a group of sleaze rockers but that’s exactly the band has done — matured. At least in regards to their songwriting. Don’t misunderstand me, they aren’t writing to make you think with song titles like “Cocaine Cowboys”, “Anarchy”, “Lickin’ Dog” (which sounds like a Babylon A.D. song), “Sin City” and “Drinkin’ Without You”. The band can still bring the sleaze attitude but I really think the band’s sense of melody has improved and Simon Cruz continues to grow as a vocalist. That’s a good thing because it starts to separate them from the rest of the sleaze rock pack.
They’ve started to expand ever-so-slightly with their songs. While “Cocaine Cowboys” and “Anarchy” are total glamfests, “California” seems a bit more modern, melodic & radio-ready and “Garden of Babylon” is a no-frills 7 minute heavy metal number with enough twists & turns to keep you interested. “Damaged Kid” is another track that has a modern vibe to it at times.
There’s a few tracks that I would classify as filler. “Circus”, “Sin City” and “Snakes In Paradise” could’ve been left off the album, in my opinion, but the rest of the album is enjoyable through and through. The first four songs and then the album’s closer are just fantastic glam metal. “California” especially. That song is addictive.
All told, The Savage Playground shows us that the band is growing as musicians. They aren’t as snotty as before but they are still delivering the hooks & choruses needed to deliver a fun glam-metal album. I’ve seen some online reviews write this album off as as a step down in quality but as far as I’m concerned, this is the best album the band has released yet.
Highlights: “Change the World”, “Cocaine Cowboys”, “Anarchy”, “California”, “Lickin’ Dog”, “Garden of Babylon”
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http://www.crashdiet.org/
Jorn – Symphonic [Review]
Jorn – Symphonic
2013, Frontiers Records
1. I Came To Rock
2. Rock And Roll Children
3. The World I See
4. Burn Your Flame
5. Man Of The Dark
6. My Road
7. Time To Be King
8. Black Morning
9. Like Stone In Water
10. Vision Eyes
11. War Of The World
12. Behind The Clown
13. A Thousand Cuts
14. The Mob Rules
Symphonic is a collection of Jorn’s songs, handpicked by Jorn Lande himself, that have been given a remix and orchestral makeover. Even dating back to when Metallica did it, adding orchestral arrangements on top of hard rock/heavy metal is a hit-or-miss affair. It’s hard to make a song work with an orchestra when they weren’t written with that in mind. Still, it can work depending on the song and as I mentioned, a number of these songs were actually remixed to better suit the orchestra element.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no expert when it comes to Jorn Lande or the various projects he’s been a part of. It’s only in the last few years I’ve begun to listen to his music but I do recognize some of the songs here like “A Thousand Cuts”, “Time To Be King”, “The World I See”, “Black Morning” and his Dio/Black Sabbath covers.
It’s no surprise that the more powerful numbers like “A Thousand Cuts”, “Time To Be King” and “The Mob Rules” are my favorite out of this bunch. There’s no tampering with those songs to make way for an orchestra. Get in where you can fit in. Mileage will vary on this album. I guess it really all comes down to ‘How much do you like symphonic rock?” Symphony isn’t a necessary release, there’s not one new song in the bunch, but it’s fine for what it is. It’s a satisfying placeholder until the next Jorn album comes along (which shouldn’t be long given this guy’s hectic schedule).
Highlights: ”Rock And Roll Children”, “The World I See”, “My Road”, “Time To Be King”, “Black Morning”, “A Thousand Cuts”, “The Mob Rules”
http://www.facebook.com/OFFICIALJORN
http://www.jornlande.com/
Heart – Fanatic [Review]
Heart – Fanatic
(2012, Sony Music/Legacy Recordings)
1. Fanatic
2. Dear Old America
3. Walkin’ Good
4. Skin and Bones
5. Million Miles
6. Pennsylvania
7. Mashallah
8. Rock Deep (Vancouver)
9. 59 Crunch
10. Corduroy Road
Band:
Ann Wilson – Lead Vocals, Flute, Backing Vocals
Nancy Wilson – Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals, Backing Vocals
Ric Markmann – Bass
Ben Smith – Drums
Additional Musicians:
Sarah McLachlan – Vocals, Backing Vocals
Ben Mink – Banjo, Guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin, Organ, Strings, Viola, Violin, Backing Vocals
Producer: Ben Mink
When I first saw the album cover, I thought maybe this was some forgotten late ’80s/early ’90s release or at least a low budget compilation. It’s a very bland cover, from the font to the B&W photo of Ann & Nancy, but I’m just being nit-picky.
Heart has had sort of a mini-comeback in the last few years. They’ve been touring successfully, their live shows are very good, Red Velvet Car received good reviews and debuted in the Billboard Top 10 (and has gone on to sell something like 100k copies, I think), they released a four-disc box set earlier this year and have released a memoir called Kicking & Screaming: A Story of Heart. They are also getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Keeping up with this flurry of activity, it was natural that only two years after Red Velvet Car they’d release a follow-up. Fanatic is said to be somewhat of a companion piece to the Wilson’s memoir, with each song being inspired by their personal lives & experiences.
I’ve seen mixed reviews for this album but then again I saw that for Red Velvet Car as well. Heart keeps doing their own thing while the rest of the world either wants them to return to their ’70s hard rock roots or their ’80s pop/rock style. They continue to do their own thing, though they are closer to their ’70s material than their ’80s work. I highly doubt we’ll ever hear a big slick commercial power ballad from them ever again. Instead, they’d rather give us acoustic-based melancholy songs.
But as I said, they actually rock out when they want to. “Fanatic”, “Dear Old America” and “Mashallah” retain that classic Zep-influenced Heart sound while remaining modern just like the previous album’s “WTF”. And “59 Crunch” sounds downright grungy at times. Must be something in that Seattle water. Personally, there are too many slow moments on this album for me, something that Red Velvet Car had but they pulled it off better on that album.
Overall, there’s a handful of good tracks here but I’m disappointed in comparison to their last release.
Highlights: “Fanatic”, “Dear Old America”, “Mashallah”, “59 Crunch”
Adler – Back From The Dead [Review]
Adler – Back From The Dead
2012, New Ocean Media
1. Back From The Dead
2. Own Worst Enemy
3. Another Version of the Truth
4. The One That You Hated
5. Good to Be Bad
6. Just Don’t Ask
7. Blown Away
8. Waterfall
9. Habit
10. Your Diamonds
11. Dead Wrong
Band:
Jacob Bunton – Vocals
Lonny Paul – Guitar
Johnny Matrin – Bass
Steven Adler – Drums
Additional Musicians:
Slash – Guitar (“Just Don’t Ask)
John 5 – Guitar (“Good to Be Bad”)
Producer: Jeff Pilson
Well. After years of battling substance abuse, starring in reality TV shows and forming what was essentially a GNR cover band, Steven Adler has finally done it. He’s finally put together a band that has released an album of entirely original material. After the stop & go nature of his previous band (Adler’s Appetite), I had my doubts if Steven would ever do anything more than session work again. Not only am I surprised that new music from Alder is here, I’m even more surprised the entire album is actually very good and a Top 10 release for me for the year!
I had heard the handful of original songs Adler’s Appetite made and released as an EP a few years back and “The One That You Hated” earlier this year and I liked it all so I assumed there would be a few good tracks but nothing like this. This is no filler here. I’m not saying every song is a killer track but every song is certainly well-worth the time listening to.
Musically, this band fits right in with Duff McKagan’s Loaded, Velvet Revolver and Slash’s solo output. You can hear the GNR influence. I will say that not all of Back From The Dead is as modern sounding as Velvet Revolver or Slash’s recent albums but that’s not a bad thing. There are a few tracks that could easily pass as a song by Velvet Revolver or Slash but for the most part this album is just good ol’ straight up hard rock. The sound isn’t modern. It’s timeless. There’s a number of melodic moments like “Waterfall” and “Just Don’t Ask”. Either of which could easily be played on the radio. “Just Don’t Ask” could be a Shinedown/Daughtry kind of song.
I have to point out that frontman Jacob Bunton does a great job. Some maybe recognize him as the lead singer from Lynam and Mars Electric.
A lot people say the classic GNR line-up should reunite but I say WHY? By my count, we have now FIVE great bands going (GNR, Velvet Revolver, Slash, Adler, Loaded). Why kill off (or at least put on hold for a few years) four bands for a GNR reunion that probably wouldn’t get through one album and/or tour before imploding? Regardless of your feelings on that subject, fans of GNR and all of the various projects from ex-GNR members should pick this one up.
Highlights: “Back From The Dead”, “Own Worst Enemy”, “Another Version of the Truth”, “The One That You Hated”, “Just Don’t Ask”, “Blown Away”, “Waterfall”, “Dead Wrong”
http://www.adlerrocks.com/
http://www.facebook.com/adlermusic
Sister Sin – Now and Forever [Review]
Sister Sin – Now and Forever
2012, Victory Records
1. MMXII
2. End of the Line
3. Fight Song
4. In It For Life
5. Hearts of Cold
6. The Chosen Few
7. Hang ‘Em High
8. I’m Not You
9. Shades of Black
10. Running Low
11. Morning After
Band:
Liv Jagrell
Jimmy Hiltula
Strandh
Dave Sundberg
Sister Sin have returned with Now and Forever and it’s a relentless old-school metal album with catchy choruses and sense of melody. Nothing hooked into my brain immediately like “Outrage” from True Sound of the Underground did but I’ve warmed up to the album after a few listens. It’s obvious the band is still delivering hard-crunching metal anthems with songs like “End of the Line”, “Fight Song” and “The Chosen Few”.
Despite some mainstream coverage that band has received and the various “Hot Women in Metal” lists Liv Jagrell has been included in, I’m happy to see the band isn’t selling out and creating a sound that’s more commercial. Sister Sin is still straight up hard-crunching, raw metal and they don’t attempt that rock/pop crossover like Halestorm (another band that features a hot female lead singer) sometimes does.
There is one ballad (“Morning After”) on the album but ballads aren’t anything new to metal bands. And it’s actually one of the better songs on the album. While I don’t want to ever see this band loading up their albums with ballads, I think they should definitely think about including one or two on the next release.
This is a solid album that will not disappoint fans of the band.
Highlights: “End of the Line”, “Fight Song”, “The Chosen Few”, “Hang ‘Em High”, “Morning After”
http://www.sistersin.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SisterSin/
Rod Stewart – Merry Christmas, Baby [Review]
Rod Stewart – Merry Christmas, Baby (Deluxe Edition)
2012, Verve Music Group
1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
3. Winter Wonderland
4. White Christmas
5. Merry Christmas, Baby
6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
7. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
8. Blue Christmas
9. Red-Suited Super Man
10. When You Wish Upon A Star
11. We Three Kings
12. Silent Night
13. Auld Lang Syne
Bonus Tracks
14. What Child Is This
15. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
16. Silver Bells
Producer: David Foster & Rod Stewart
For the past decade Rod Stewart has been content to become a crooner covering the “great American songbook” as well as Motown and rock ‘n’ roll staples. Despite having said in the past that he would never do a Christmas album, it was really only a matter of time before he did just that. Rod isn’t a rock star or a pop star anymore. He’s a crooner in the tradition of Crosby, Sinatra and Martin (just as Michael Buble is). You can’t be a crooner and not do a holiday album.
Rod has not been taking any chances in the past decade when covering the materials of others. The songs are played faithfully and in their traditional big-band fashion just with Rod’s raspy vocals laid over. A few exceptions would be songs like “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” or “Winter Wonderland” where the tempo is a bit slower. It’s easy listening background music at a Christmas party. Not that I’m complaining.
These songs are classics for a reason and in my opinion they don’t need to be remixed or refashioned into flamenco, country and dance songs. Just give someone with a great voice the mic and let’em sing. That’s exactly what’s been done with Merry Christmas, Baby.
As standard, there’s a few cameos on this album. Michael Buble appears on “Winter Wonderland”, Cee-Lo Green lends a hand on “Merry Christmas, Baby” and Mary J. Blige duets with Rod on “We Three Kings”.
While I can’t say I’ve ever really followed Rod’s career, he’s always had a great distinctive voice so it’s wonderful to hear to him put his vocal stamp on these timeless classics. There’s a couple of songs I didn’t really care for though. “Red-Suited Superman” being one and I felt the inclusion of “When You Wish Upon a Star” was out of place. Why not just save that for the next volume of his Great American Songbook series? That’s not really a Christmas song at all.
In any event, this is a good easy-listening Christmas album that’s well worth picking up for Chrirstmas traditionalists.
Highlights: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, “Winter Wonderland”, “White Christmas”, “Silent Night”, “Auld Lang Syne”, “What Child Is This”
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – This Christmas [Review]
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – This Christmas
2012, Universal Music Enterprises
1. Baby It’s Cold Outside
2. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
3. I’ll Be Home for Christmas
4. This Christmas
5. Silent Night
6. The Christmas Waltz
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
8. Winter Wonderland
9. White Christmas
10. I Think You Might Like It
11. The Christmas Song
12. Deck the Halls
13. Auld Lang Syne/Christmas Time Is Here
Okay, this project sounded too campy to pass up. I mean, just look at that album cover! It’s a complete sugar overload of Christmas cookies and they embrace it. The pull is that you’re getting to hear John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John sing together 34 years after they first teamed in the movie Grease. And they’ve chosen to reunite over an album’s worth of classic Christmas songs. Somehow, it seems right.
I wasn’t sure what exactly was going to be going on with this album. Would the songs be played traditionally or would they shake things up? Well, it’s a bit of both. For example, for “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” the male & female roles are reversed. Nice twist. “Silent Night” starts off with a flute and features some nice violin work as well.
There is only one song on the entire album that I am not a fan of and that’s only because I’ve never been a fan of this song: “This Christmas”. I just don’t like that song, no matter which artist is playing it. There is one original song here: “I Think You Might Like It”. It’s Christmas meets Grease. I think I might like it. It’s a true guilty pleasure.
There’s a few guest spots as well: Barbara Streisand (“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”), James Taylor (“Deck The Halls”), Kenny G (“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”), Cliff Richard (“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”) and Tony Bennett (“Winter Wonderland”).
I’m a fool for Christmas standards and as long as you don’t stray too far away from the traditional versions, I’m going to like what I’m hearing. Olivia’s voice is just as good as ever and John does a good job as well. They both really seem to be enjoying themselves on this project.
If you ever wanted to hear Danny & Sandy singing Christmas tunes, pick this album up. It’s a fun kitschy romp.
Highlights: “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, “Silent Night”, “The Christmas Waltz”, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, “Winter Wonderland”, “I Think You Might Like It”, “The Christmas Song”
Hinder – Welcome to the Freakshow [Review]
Hinder – Welcome to the Freak Show
2012, Universal Republic Records
1. “Save Me”
2. “Ladies Come First”
3. “Shoulda Known Better”
4. “Freakshow”
5. “Talk to Me”
6. “Get Me Away From You”
7. “Is It Just Me”
8. “I Don’t Wanna Believe”
9. “See You In Hell”
10. “Anyone But You”
11. “Wanna Be Rich”
Band:
Austin Winkler – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Joe Garvey – Guitar
Mark King – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mike Rodden – Bass, Backing Vocals
Cody Hanson – Drums
Producer: Kevin Churko & Cody Hanson
Hinder won me over with Take It to the Limit and I became a full-fledged fan after All-American Nightmare but after listening to Welcome to the Freak Show, it’s obvious the band is trying to reclaim the commercial success they had with Take It to the Limit and their debut Extreme Behavior.
This album is full of safe laid-back almost country-sounding pop ballads and “rock” songs that would sound better on a pop station than a rock radio (“Wanna Be Rich” is pretty much dance pop). It’s not that this is a bad album. Hinder is very good at writing slick commercial hard rock songs but this isn’t what I was hoping for after All-American Nightmare. I really thought the band was coming into their own with that release, sounding freer, more melodic and fun than most modern rock bands. I remember that with the past two releases, the band talked about how they were being more like themselves. Well, I guess that’s all out the window now because this is a cash-grab.
There are a number of songs here I enjoy but nothing here packs the same punch as previous songs like “Striptease”, “Use Me” or “Up All Night”. The evolution of this band has been interesting. They seemed like they were going from a generic post-grunge act to becoming more of a modern sleaze rock band than anything else but Welcome to the Freak Show sees them regressing back into post-grunge while throwing in some country/pop and rock/pop for good measure (the lead single “Save Me” even features some rapping). This album is the sound of a band trying to regain a following by any means necessary.
Though a shameless attempt at revitalizing the band’s career, it’s a decent album; just not a memorable one.
Highlights: “Save Me”, “Freakshow”, “Talk to Me”, “Anyone But You”
Richard Marx – Christmas Spirit [Review]
Richard Marx – Christmas Spirit
2012, Zanzibar Records/TourDeForce Productions
1. The Christmas Song
2. Christmas Spirit
3. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
4. Let There Be Peace On Earth
5. O Come All Ye Faithful
6. Little Drummer Boy
7. O Holy Night
8. What Child Is This
9. Silent Night
10. Christmas Mornings
11. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
12. White Christmas
13. Alleluia
Musicians:
Richard Marx – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Backing Vocals
Jerry McPherson – Guitar
Matt Scannell – Guitar
Mark Hill – Bass
Steve Brewster – Drums
Will Sayles – Drums
Michael Omartian – Piano
Jason Webb – Piano
Kenny Loggins – Lead Vocals (“Let There Be Peace On Earth”)
Sara Watkins – Lead Vocals (“Silent Night”)
Sara Niemitz – Lead Vocals (“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”)
Producer: Richard Marx
I’m a sucker for Christmas albums and Christmas in general. I don’t care who knows it. I’m also a sucker for Richard Marx. Great voice, great songwriter, he’s written some of the greatest rock/pop songs of all time. Everyone should at least own one of his greatest hits compilations.
Anyway, when I found out Richard Marx was releasing a Christmas album, I knew I had to check this out. There are some artists that toss out a holiday album as a cheap & lazy way to cash in on the holiday cheer of an unsuspecting public but that’s not what we get with Christmas Spirit. To be fair though, “Christmas Spirit”, ”O Holy Night”, ”Silent Night”, ”I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” & ”Alleluia” all appeared on Marx’s The Christmas EP in 2011.
The album is named after one of the album’s original Marx-penned songs. And it’s a good one. In fact, “Christmas Spirit” is one of my favorite songs on the album. It’s upbeat and sounds like something that could’ve come from Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas album. It’s a contemporary Christmas classic, in my opinion. The second original track, “Christmas Mornings”, sounds like a classic Marx ballad to me.
The rest of the album is full of holiday standards which are sometimes played traditionally and sometimes not. “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day” becomes even more of a haunting ballad in the hands of Richard Marx. There are now two truly great versions of this song: Bing Crosby’s and now Richard Marx’s. “Little Drummer Boy” is another song that has received a soft rock/pop makeover. This is really the only song on the album I find myself skipping over. It’s way too “light” sounding for me (and, yes, I know I’m discussing Christmas songs here).
Other songs such as “The Christmas Song”, “White Christmas”, “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” are played pretty faithfully but still done quite well. I don’t mind hearing traditional Christmas songs played straight. For me, it has more to do with who is singing the song and it’s great hearing Richard Marx put his stamp on these timeless classics.
Christmas Spirit is a new holiday classic that is sure to get a lot more play in my house around the holidays as the years go on. Even radio seems to agree with me as I’ve already heard “Little Drummer Boy” numerous times on one of the local stations that is playing Christmas songs up until the New Year. I think they’ve played “Christmas Spirit” as well. The album is well worth picking up.
There is also an exclusive edition at Target that includes four bonus tracks: “Blue Christmas”, “Silver Bells”, “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”.
Highlights: “The Christmas Song”, “Christmas Spirit”, “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “O Holy Night”, “Silent Night”, “Christmas Mornings”, “White Christmas”
