My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

year 2006 review:On this ambitious 2006 outing, My Chemical Romance boldly follows in the footsteps of Green Day, both in working with producer Rob Cavallo and in taking a conceptual route (a la AMERICAN IDIOT). The result is an impressive collection of songs that finds the goth-leaning New Jersey punk-pop group transforming itself into the title's "Black Parade," a darkly clad marching band that relates the woeful tale of "the Patient," as portrayed by frontman Gerard Way (who bleached his hair blond to convey the character's sickness). In addition to bringing--believe it or not--the equally dramatic and eye-liner-loving Liza Minelli on board for a guest appearance, My Chemical Romance proves its theatrical mettle by moving from the melancholy grandeur of "Welcome to the Black Parade," which bears an undeniable Queen influence, to "Cancer," an emotive piano-driven ballad. Lifted by its lush, inventive arrangements and Way's dynamic vocal performances, THE BLACK PARADE effectively stakes its claim as the SGT. PEPPER'S of the brooding Myspace set, and secures My Chemical Romance's shadowy space in rock history.

Mercury Rev: Stillness Breathes 1991 - 2006

year 2006 notes: 2006 issued anthology of recordings by the lil' band from Buffalo that could...and did!...and they just keep getting stronger with every release. Though virtually unknown in their home country, Mercury Rev have a fervent following around the globe that put them in the same class as Flaming Lips, thanks to their unpredictable live concerts and intense musicianship. This is the first ever anthology derived from their many albums released since the inception of the band in 1991. This limited edition set comes with a bonus disc of rarities/cover versions, including a rendition of "Deadman" with Alan Vega (of Suicide) in tow, "So There" with Robert Creeley in tow as well, "Philadelphia" performed on KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" show, "Streets Of Laredo", "I Only Have Eyes For You" and many more.

They Might Be Giants - Apollo 18

year 92 review: Although it lacks a standout single like "Birdhouse in Your Soul," Apollo 18 is a more consistent album than Flood, overflowing with ideas and pop hooks. The most noteworthy idea may have been "Fingertips," a "suite" of 21 song fragments designed to make each random play a new experience, but the meat of the album lies in pop songs like "I Palindrome I," "My Evil Twin," "She's Actual Size," and "Which Describes How You're Feeling." The album has a slightly darker feeling than its predecessors, but that just gives the album a resonance that was missing on Flood.

David Gray - White Ladder


year 2000 review: Gray originally released White Ladder himself, after being dropped by EMI. The record was an immediate hit, eventually even breaking in the US after pal Dave Matthews put it out Stateside on his ATO label. The album features Gray's tender songs accompanied by lite techno beats. "Babylon" was the hit.

The Crystal Method - Vegas


1. Trip Like I Do
2. Busy Child
3. Cherry Twist
4. High Roller
5. Comin' Back
6. Keep Hope Alive
7. Vapor Trail
8. She's My Pusher
9. Jaded
10. Bad Stone

Ricky Gervais - Politics


"Most comedians slog around the country for fifteen years playing to students, drunks and even women, in grotty venues, with the vague hope that someone will give them their own TV show. I'm doing it the other way round." Ricky returns with a generous second helping of standout stand-up, every bit as hilarious as Animals. "In my show," says Ricky, "I will be doing my usual brand of brilliant, irreverent yet observational comedy, covering such universal subjects as meeting Jack Nicholson, driving around in limos and not putting my hand in my pocket once." Sounds good to us. To anyone, surely, who likes a good laugh. Also up for discussion are Gandhi, Thora Hird, rubbish David Brent lookalikes and, most painfully, being mistaken for Johnny Vegas.

Lionel Richie - Coming Home

Lionel Richie's career_since his superstar_heyday in the early 1980s has_been spotty, marked_by long silences & lackluster releases. The year_2006's aptly titled COMING HOME finds Richie_delivering the one-two punch of uptempo_commercial dance-pop

1. I Call It Love
2. Sweet Vacation
3. Why
4. What You Are
5. Up All Night
6. I'm Coming Home
7. All Around The World
8. Out Of My Head
9. Reason To Believe
10. Stand Down
11. I Love You

Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine

year 2005 review: The amateur dramatics of her extended “between producers sulk” and the unprecedented show of support by Fiona Apple’s online petitioning fans that led to the label giving her the chance to finish Extraordinary Machine are proof enough that nearly all the songs here just weren’t ready enough. Apple’s difficult third album is a stillborn and patchy affair that leaves the aftertaste of regret.

Even after a few listens into Extraordinary Machine the musical paint quickly dries to reveal a thinly veiled cover-up job of a barrel load of average tunes done in a her now increasingly tepid and familiar style. Her familiar limited intonation, preferential treatment to the delicately played thunderous end of the piano and the stop/start song structure strain at the leash of niche appeal and look like a three trick waiflike pony. There is no defining feel (beyond the aforementioned clichés) or any notion of a diverse experimental record either; there’s just a lot of filler between the three great songs.