OT: new cd reviews

[yulog]

Eddie money-wanna go back 2006 Eddie money, always liked his music, hate when someone this good puts out a tribute album when he can put out new material. That being said, Eddies voice does fit 50 and 60's songs well, some of these songs sound very good others are forgettable and dont come close to the originals.

I guess if your an Eddie money fan or someone who just likes that type of music this would be an interesting buy otherwise, i dont think many would listen to this more than once or twice.That leaves me on the fence with this cd.

[RocknRoll]

Yulog - Thanks for all the reviews. I just ordered a bunch of new music and went with a lot of yours and Andrew's recommendations. And yes Andrew, I did remember to click on NehRecords through your site. Best outfit to buy from. I'm going to be headed for wombat land in a couple months for a vacation and will definately need the Ipod loaded up for that flight. It should be a fun/interesting trip.

Valerie

[NealIsGod]

Yulog - Thanks for all the reviews. I just ordered a bunch of new music and went with a lot of yours and Andrew's recommendations. And yes Andrew, I did remember to click on NehRecords through your site. Best outfit to buy from. I'm going to be headed for wombat land in a couple months for a vacation and will definately need the Ipod loaded up for that flight. It should be a fun/interesting trip.

Valerie

Wow, yulog, this makes you an official music critic! Good job!

[yulog]

Yulog - Thanks for all the reviews. I just ordered a bunch of new music and went with a lot of yours and Andrew's recommendations. And yes Andrew, I did remember to click on NehRecords through your site. Best outfit to buy from. I'm going to be headed for wombat land in a couple months for a vacation and will definately need the Ipod loaded up for that flight. It should be a fun/interesting trip.

Valerie

It's great that Andrew started this site, without it we would all be missing out on alot of good music.Glad you liked the reviews, enjoy the trip!

[yulog]

Yulog - Thanks for all the reviews. I just ordered a bunch of new music and went with a lot of yours and Andrew's recommendations. And yes Andrew, I did remember to click on NehRecords through your site. Best outfit to buy from. I'm going to be headed for wombat land in a couple months for a vacation and will definately need the Ipod loaded up for that flight. It should be a fun/interesting trip.

Valerie

Wow, yulog, this makes you an official music critic! Good job!

Aww shucks!..........Dont tell Larry this thread went 3 pages , i'll be in big trouble!

[yulog]

Masterplan-MKII 2007......Its very hard for me to listen to this type of music.It is very heavy and doesnt have the hooks that i've grown accoustomed to from melodic rock.The only reason i gave this one a try is because their last cd with Jorn at lead vox. He has the ability to make this type of cd into something more melodic but still heavy, i was hoping that it might continue with their new singer but i really didnt get that feel.Its not that this is a horrible cd ,its just not my taste in music(the same as country,Not a big fan).

So, if you want an album that is really heavy where at times the drums overpower the vocals you might want to check this cd out,but if your a fan of Journey, Boston, toto, styx,REO,YES, i dont know that this is going to be a cd thats up your alley.I personally wouldn't recommend this one.

[Aaron]

I picked this one up and its pretty dang good. Mills can sing pretty friggin well!

Shy-sunset and vine ...okay this is a 2005 release but after Nig recommended it i had to give it a listen and i agree its a good cd. I would say its journeyesque but actually i think it sounds more like the band Frontline who has been putting out cds like this for years. The only thing about this cd that could be bad or good depending on how you look at it is that the songs all kind of blend together. If you like the sound its a good thing ,which i did, i would have to give this cd a thumbs up, good call to both Andrew and Nig

[yulog]

Amberlin-cities 2007 This is an Alternative rock cd that Carlito recommends. I will say first off that im not big on altenative stuff, not really my favorite genre of music. First off i can see that this band could do well with this cd, it sounds like what most teenagers would like to hear.The singer has a very nice tone to his voice and the harmonies and background vocals are very good on this cd. At moments, i felt that these guys had some influences from the new wave of the 80's, then i heard song 14 and 15 on the cd and i knew they were influenced by them. 14 sounds like "The Smith's" and 15-- i believe is a "When in rome" cover song(the promise).

The big issue i had with this cd is, the songs that i thought would stand out get brought down at times, by that standard same type drumming used for almost all alternative rock songs,which can make everything sound the same .I believe it is what gives it that garage band sound(usually the drums and guitar can give away whether or not a new cd is alternative or not). It can get as annoying as the drumming in speed metal bands.


Otherwise this cd has a lot of potential , i do like the acoustic songs on this cd.However, Im torn on this cd as a whole because i really like the singer , his voice is very good,like the harmonies,but dont like the alternative sound of the cd-------I'm on the fence with this one.

[yulog]

Richie Kotzen--Into the black 2006 this was a hard cd for me to decide if i liked it or not ,had to listen twice.Its kind of a soulful cd, it doesnt have any killer songs that you just have to listen to, there are a few that have melody and are mildly catchy. It's kind of a moody modern sounding cd.I would recommend listening to clips before buying this cd.
You may really like this cd or you may hate it based on your taste in music.Songs 4,5,9,10 were the best of songs on this one, I'm on the fence with this one ,its a difficult cd to get into. My guess is, it may be one of those cds you have to be in a certain mood to enjoy.

[Moon Beam]

John Mayer-continuum 2006 .......this is the first cd by this guy i've listened to, the cd is blues influenced --the songs are good ,nothing heavy --but its the type of cd you could play at a get together with friends in the background and it wouldn't upset anyone(thats the best way i can describe it). On my first listen the first 7 songs sounded good ,10,11,12 also were good songs, again this is a light album but its pretty good

Glad you enjoyed some of this cd.
The Heart Of Life and Stop This Train are
my faves from it.
Yulog give the last song a listen again please
I'm Gonna Find Another You and tell me if you
hear it being a New Year's song.

[yulog]

Razorback-deadringer 2007.....UGH!!!!!! I couldn't wait til this cd was done , just not a very good cd at all my guess its a hard rock/heavy metal cd. I didnt get into the voice or the music. Best song: There was no best song.I really couldnt see any journey fans getting into this cd, there is way to many other good cds out there to choose from ,this was not one of them.

[yulog]

Akira Kajiyama & Joe Lynn Turner-fire without flame 2006....Okay another JLT cd, well i didn't like this nearly as much as the Sunstorm cd. There is some very good guitar work throughout the cd,and i did like the first 2 songs on this cd.Most of the music on here reminds me of classic rock and in particular Rainbow(a lot of similarities). I personally didn't feel the majority of songs, but i could see both Rainbow and JLT fans liking this cd.I'm going to have to say, I'm on the fence with this cd.

[yulog]

Sunrise Avenue-On the way to wonderland 2006 Modern rock with nice harmonies and hooks to their songs.The cd does have some nice music on it.The problem i had with this cd was the singer sounds nasally until he gets to the chorus(then he sounds good)it's quite distracting, and takes away from each and every song.On the other hand the pop like songs and catchy choruses could grab you enough to put up with the rest of the song.I would suggest to listen to many songs before the purchase and make sure you listen to the chorus before skipping a song.
I have to say i'm on the fence with this,the choruses are really good, but the rest of the song is like listening to someone with a sinus infection.

[yulog]

House of lords-world upside down 2006...I've listened to the first 2 cds from this band and didnt really like either one of their cds ,just wasnt something that grabbed my interest.My expectation was that i wouldn't like this one either, well i was wrong.I believe because of all the personel changes and some change in direction these guys may be on their way to some good music.I would have to say this is a melodic to heavy melodic album. I would also say the second half of cd is better than the first as it is more of a departure from their old style(personally the less keyboards this band uses the better the songs seem) I liked half the songs on this cd. Best songs:

these are the times
all the pieces falling
million miles
your eyes
my generation
S.O.S.
world upside down
Of course i would recommend listening to some clips first, overall this is a pretty good cd

[RocknRoll]

Yulog - Just sitting here lurking with Sunstorm's Fist Full of Heat playing and this song rocks right along with your Avatar. It really struck me as funny. I do like this cd. Great recommendation.

Valerie

[larryfromnextdoor]

Yulog - Thanks for all the reviews. I just ordered a bunch of new music and went with a lot of yours and Andrew's recommendations. And yes Andrew, I did remember to click on NehRecords through your site. Best outfit to buy from. I'm going to be headed for wombat land in a couple months for a vacation and will definately need the Ipod loaded up for that flight. It should be a fun/interesting trip.

Valerie

Wow, yulog, this makes you an official music critic! Good job!

Aww shucks!..........Dont tell Larry this thread went 3 pages , i'll be in big trouble!

it does just TICK me off.. but i agree with NIG.. your a pretty good reviewer,, darn good,, that upsets me too.!! for real, im enjoying reading your stuff,, ive been going back and comparing some of your reviews with Andrews and re-reading Andrews and the "Your Reviews" on MR.../// for years i have read his and STILL missed all of Talisman and JSS.. i didnt read very well i suppose,, keep'em coming bro!

[yulog]

Yulog - Just sitting here lurking with Sunstorm's Fist Full of Heat playing and this song rocks right along with your Avatar. It really struck me as funny. I do like this cd. Great recommendation.

Valerie

Thanks, glad you liked it i was pleasantly suprised by that one.

[yulog]

Yulog - Thanks for all the reviews. I just ordered a bunch of new music and went with a lot of yours and Andrew's recommendations. And yes Andrew, I did remember to click on NehRecords through your site. Best outfit to buy from. I'm going to be headed for wombat land in a couple months for a vacation and will definately need the Ipod loaded up for that flight. It should be a fun/interesting trip.

Valerie

Wow, yulog, this makes you an official music critic! Good job!

Aww shucks!..........Dont tell Larry this thread went 3 pages , i'll be in big trouble!

it does just TICK me off.. but i agree with NIG.. your a pretty good reviewer,, darn good,, that upsets me too.!! for real, im enjoying reading your stuff,, ive been going back and comparing some of your reviews with Andrews and re-reading Andrews and the "Your Reviews" on MR.../// for years i have read his and STILL missed all of Talisman and JSS.. i didnt read very well i suppose,, keep'em coming bro!

Thanks larry,personally if you want to know everything about a cd, i would clearly defer to Andrew"s reviews(so much more in depth)-I think it probably helps if you hear 2 or more people tell you a cd sounds great or bad for that matter.I'm glad some people have found some new music to listen that they like, i'm happy to find new stuff as well.

[MCC620]

John Mayer-continuum 2006 .......this is the first cd by this guy i've listened to, the cd is blues influenced --the songs are good ,nothing heavy --but its the type of cd you could play at a get together with friends in the background and it wouldn't upset anyone(thats the best way i can describe it). On my first listen the first 7 songs sounded good ,10,11,12 also were good songs, again this is a light album but its pretty good

I just got this from a friend. Asked for a copy after reading your review, not too shabby. And yes I must agree with it being good background music for a gathering of friends. Thanks.

[yulog]

REO Speedwagon-Find your own way home 2007....All i can say is WOW! i just finished listening to this cd and i am really impressed. 10 songs and i liked each one of them, this i a great cd. Before anyone gets worked up , its not a big rockin cd, but lets face it these guys haven't done any real rockin tunes since they changed their format back in 1981. They went mainstream AOR ,power ballad and were great at it on high infidelity and had marginal success on cds to follow.

This is just a great AOR release. The first song starts as there strongest rocker for the cd(the only negative for this song is i wasnt really fond of the chorus for this song ,it seemed almost like it didn't quite match the rest of the song, leaving me to think they could have tried something else that could have worked better). Still, the song is growing on me quickly, the rest of the cd is full of song after song of catchy choruses and strong music.

Song 9-"born to love you" is sung by there bassist Bruce hall(A trademark for REO) my first impression is this sounded like a Randy newman type song(it initially throws you off because its a departure from Kevin cronin's voice)As you listen to this number, Kevin Cronin pipes in half way through with such a great sound for this song, you wish he continued(it leaves you wanting more).Listen to this song a couple times -it grows on you.This is a must have for REO fans, i would also recommend it to anyone who likes melodic rock

[yulog]

Mika-Life in cartoon motion 2007--okay im just going to break this down song by song.


Grace kelly.......catchy, poppy a little bit Freddy a bit theatrical(it reminds me of songs like "rock me amadeus", "pop musik","one night in bangkok"--not because it sounds the same but because its sort different but catchy and its the type of song that could get stuck in your head even if you dont like it)a little freddy mercury sounding.


Lollipop...again another catchy song but this chorus is more "nichelodeon"---still some brief moments that you could say Its Freddy.--this could be a huge hit with little kids---i could also see this showing up as dance numbers at a grade school.(again this song sounds like something i have heard in my past-given some time i may be able to figure out what song it is)


My interpretation..first song on the cd that is a serious song not flamboyant, a very good song could see this on the radio,again its catchy, a good song. A nice use of acoustic guitar and piano highlights this song.(no Freddy in this song)


Love today...okay i've heard this song before but i cant remember where(possible it was picked up for a commercial?). It sounds like a cross between a disco song and a new wave song of the 80's, his voice sounds more like jimmy somersville from Bronski beat on this song--again very catchy.("three buffalo girls go round the outside, round the outside")


Relax, take it easy...this one could be a bronski beat song it sounds almost the same as there hits with a touch of New Order thrown in--its catchy and basically the song is the chorus sung over and over again(could be a dance song)


Any other world....a little more subdued ,this song uses a little beatlesque use of cello and maybe some violin in the background. There is a point where i hear what i believe is some exact notes from a beatles song(cello wise) which has me trying to figure out what song it is(i heard the news today.....),this is a bathroom break song in comparison to the other songs heard so far on this cd.



billy brown......very theatrical, makes me think i'm at an english play. In the chorus he sounds more like Sommersville than Mercury on this one--song has a catchy chorus, but in a theatrical way


Big girl(you are beautiful)...initially sounds like it was going to be a boy george song, which quickly changes to almost the same bass line as Love Today(song 4 on this cd),then changes again quickly sounding very disco , a very catchy song about overweight woman in a postive light.I could see this song being huge its just very catchy especially as a dance hit. This song is better then grace kelly i could see it going further on the charts(it should be said that much like a rap song samples parts of a previous hit song to become a hit song itself-this song is using a very much used music line from disco and dance songs from that era).


Stuck in the middle...This song starts out sounding like it could be a freddie mercury song(pop version), well sort of anyway , its catchy like most of the songs on this disk with lots of piano on this one.


Happy ending+ring ring...bronski beat beginning, moves into a slower softer tempo song, about 3 minutes in it sounds like he brings a choir in to support him and bring up the volume of the music. The song stops 4 minutes in for almost a minute,Then starts back up about 5:30 . A very different song starts, all i could think was, i was at a funeral while this was playing in the background.Neither of these songs stood out ,in my opinion as far as the overall cd is concerned.


The WORST songs for me on this cd were songs 2,6 and 10(lollypop,world you live in,and happy ending), just thought these were weak songs for me--lollypop is to much like a childrens song for me great for kids annoying for me.



There you have it, if you have kids i think if you dont like this pop cd they would, its catchy and fun ,mostly because it uses a formula that dance/disco songs used in the 70's and 80's.Is it the best pop cd ever made? C'mon, how can you call a rerun of whats been already done the best pop cd ever made, still this might be something worth picking up even if its just something your 5 year old daughter likes to listen to.[/b]

[styxman]

Yul,

Great review, seriously! However, I still think Lollipop is going to be the major hit from the listings, albeit attracting the younger audience but it's just got that little something that gives you an immediate lift......but sadly by the end of this year, the song will become the most annoying radio track

Thanks for the REO review, I wasn't in any immediate hurry to get this but as June is approaching and I've got ring side seats I'm going over to Amazon now

[NealIsGod]

I went and listened to samples from the Mika album, and agree with yulog on a lot of it. Not my kind of music, seems like a waste of a great voice to me.

[The Fly]

REO Speedwagon-Find your own way home 2007....All i can say is WOW! i just finished listening to this cd and i am really impressed. 10 songs and i liked each one of them, this i a great cd. Before anyone gets worked up , its not a big rockin cd, but lets face it these guys haven't done any real rockin tunes since they changed their format back in 1981. They went mainstream AOR ,power ballad and were great at it on high infidelity and had marginal success on cds to follow.

This is just a great AOR release. The first song starts as there strongest rocker for the cd(the only negative for this song is i wasnt really fond of the chorus for this song ,it seemed almost like it didn't quite match the rest of the song, leaving me to think they could have tried something else that could have worked better). Still, the song is growing on me quickly, the rest of the cd is full of song after song of catchy choruses and strong music.

Song 9-"born to love you" is sung by there bassist Bruce hall(A trademark for REO) my first impression is this sounded like a Randy newman type song(it initially throws you off because its a departure from Kevin cronin's voice)As you listen to this number, Kevin Cronin pipes in half way through with such a great sound for this song, you wish he continued(it leaves you wanting more).Listen to this song a couple times -it grows on you.This is a must have for REO fans, i would also recommend it to anyone who likes melodic rock

This is an EXCELLENT CD!! I love it and have not been able to stop playing it since I picked it up. Their best since High Infidelity! Every song is catchy and if radio today wasn't so messed up there would be four of five hits for sure. I would rate it higher than Andrew's 90 he gave it in his review. I am not surprised to see that you loved it too!

[yulog]

Airplay-Airplay 1980...okay i have decided to add this cd that i never heard of before and knew nothing about.As soon as i heard it, i knew it was older ,it sounded like 80's chicago/toto material but good chicago/ toto material .10 songs and i really liked 8 of them song 3 wasn't for me and song 10 is a remake of "After the love is gone"(earth wind and fire). While the vocals are great on this song, they changed the structure slightly and lets face it no one is going to do that song like EWF.This is a must get for Chicago/ toto fans or anyone who likes that westcoast AOR sound.

After listening to the cd i wanted to find out information about this band.It turns out that the guys from Toto and chicago have part in this cd. Heres the breakdown of who is on this cd

David Foster keyboards, backing vocals
Jay Graydon guitars, lead and backing vocals
Tommy Funderburk lead and backing vocals

Jeff Porcaro drums
Mike Baird drums
David Hungate bass
Steve Lukather additional rhythm guitar
Ray Parker, Jr. additional rhythm guitars
Steve Porcaro synthesizer programming
Pete Robinson synthesizer programming
Bill Champlin backing vocals
Tom Kelly backing vocals
Max Gronenthal backing vocals


I highly recommend this cd, wish i knew it existed back in 1980

[TageRyche]

Slamer-nowhere land 2006 this cd slams! very melodic lots of harmonies
the only song i didnt like was the first one.

This album was freaking fantastic! You can read my review HERE!

Winger-IV 2006 very good cd several good songs on here its a keeper

I have the CD but I haven't had the chance to listen to and write my review yet.

[TageRyche]

Cheap trick-rockford 2006 .......i wanted to listen to this because i red AR said it was a great cd. I like their greatest hits but dont have alot of their cds , didnt get into all their music. This cd is really good lots of catchy songs on here-a keeper

I have to agree, the CD just missed making my 2006 Top 10 List.

[TageRyche]

Valentine-the most beautiful pain 2006 ........All i can say is WOW!!!! this is a great cd with strong influences of queen and the beatles in many areas.This is a strong melodic release , a must have for Valentine fans(not hugo, Robby valentine), a big thumbs up!

UGGHHH...I can't disagree more. This album was irritating as all get out. Pain is right, but there's nothing beautiful about it. HATED IT!

[TageRyche]

House of lords-world upside down 2006...I've listened to the first 2 cds from this band and didnt really like either one of their cds ,just wasnt something that grabbed my interest.My expectation was that i wouldn't like this one either, well i was wrong.I believe because of all the personel changes and some change in direction these guys may be on their way to some good music.I would have to say this is a melodic to heavy melodic album. I would also say the second half of cd is better than the first as it is more of a departure from their old style(personally the less keyboards this band uses the better the songs seem) I liked half the songs on this cd. Best songs:

these are the times
all the pieces falling
million miles
your eyes
my generation
S.O.S.
world upside down
Of course i would recommend listening to some clips first, overall this is a pretty good cd

I loved this album, My Review of the Album!

[TageRyche]

By the way yulog, how the hell do you afford all these albums?