Sunday’s Best “The Californian” (Polyvinyl Records) This band has become a melodic staple in the music scene of Cali. I was fortunate enough to see them with a little band called Rainer Maria a couple years ago. At the time…
Shadows Fall “The Art of Balance” (Century Media) Tough, exciting metal playing by its own rules, no trend hopping, no nu-metal crowd pandering, just out and out tip-top pure angry heavy metal. The guitar work ought to please fans of…
Nickel Creek “This Side” (Sugar Hill) Nickel Creek had phenomenal success in the crowded country music field with their debut eponymous album. It had sold 600,000 copies in the two years that led up to this release. Fans of progressive…
One Man Army “Rumors & Headlines” (BYO Records) It used to be whenever I had a little free time (which was pretty damn often) I’d go skating. Now, I play golf. Why? I don’t know. Golf is stupid and expensive…
Patrice Williamson “Free to Dream” (River Lily Records) Talented jazz vocalist Patrice Williamson, only in her thirties at the time of this release, brings to the table such singing abilities as to bear comparison to the genre’s shining matriarchs Ella…
Rocket from the Crypt “Live From Camp X-Ray” (Vagrant) Rocket from the motherfuckin Crypt! Does John Reis ever stop? Between this and Hot Snakes, his ‘side project’, I would think just praciticing would be a hassle and a half. I…
Ralph White “Trash Fish” (Terminus Records) Many know of Ralph White through his long career in Bad Livers. Fans of that group’s output will easily appreciate “Trash Fish”, which also has the same free an fun approach to bluegrass styles.…
Reaching Forward “Burning the Lies” (Bridge Nine Records) Hooray! Just what the world needs-another Straight Edge hardcore band! I’d like to see a Straight Edge hip-hop group. I think that would be cool, or at least something different. Reaching Forward…
The Reunion Show “Kill Your Television” (Victory Records) Just so you know, this had nothing to do with Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, who had a (fairly popular) single with the same name as this album. Unfortunately, ‘sharing’ this title does nothing…
Michael Schenker “Thank You 2” (SPV) Michael Schenker, for those who don’t know, founded the German rock band The Scorpions in 1971 with his brother Rudolph Schenker at the tender age of 15. Later, Michael went on to join UFO…