James Morrison - Undiscovered

Genre Alternative Pop rock

year: 07 - review: James Morrison's debut had already gone platinum in Britain before it was released in the U.S., amd the young singer/songwriter has scored hit singles at home. With a pleasantly soulful voice that faintly recalls Stevie Wonder, he offers several slices of polite soul-pop that deftly manages to recall the heyday of soul while still managing to sound modern -- a neat balancing trick. However, smooth as Morrison sounds, for much of the album there's a distinct lack of passion in his voice -- and that's a prime ingredient of real soul music. Only on "Call the Police" does he summon any real anguish. "You Give Me Something," his first British hit, is catchy and memorable, but not a classic. Indeed, this is an album without soul classics. Ultimately it's more a piece of pop, but there's nothing wrong with that. Time will tell how ephemeral the songs will be, but Morrison shows here that he might become a real talent with some age and work, and maybe a little personal pain wouldn't hurt. He has a hand in all the songs here, showing definite qualities as a writer. Again, time will tell.

Ben Harper - Lifeline

Genre singer songwriter pop rock

: A native of California, Harper grew up listening to blues, folk, soul, R&B, and reggae. As a child, he started playing guitar, and began to perform regularly as a preteen. ..

Veils - the Runaway Found

year: 04 review: The Runaway Found is a weathered debut album. With less focus on making an eager first impression than most bands emerging from the post-grunge era, the Veils consume themselves with a rock canvas rooted in singer/songwriter Finn Andrews' folk upbringing. An unjaded view of romance and desire is cast, and the Veils' sincerity is far from hidden from the stormy design of the album's atmospheric backdrop. The Runaway Found basks in its glorious pop spotlight simply because it enjoys the heat, and such a surefire introduction is bound to be impressive. Andrews, who was just 17 and 18 when he composed the songs found here, is confident and sensitive, much like Richard Ashcroft and the late Jeff Buckley. Whether his heart is broken or mended, Andrews' songwriting is reflective of hope and regret. Andrews' lyrics and the Veils' mature presentation complement one another, further indicating the Veils' sharp ear for keeping things just so. From the majestic melodies of "Guiding Light" and "The Leavers Dance" to the thunderous clamor of "More Heat Than Light," The Runaway Found never loses its momentum. more...>

Queensryche - Mindcrime At The Moore

Genre Progressive R. Heavy Metal

year:07 - review: The live presentation of the first MINDCRIME suite gets a noticeable facelift with several new arrangements and additional storyline revelations. The material from MINDCRIME II features a more prominent role for the Sister Mary character, as well as a suspenseful showdown between chief protagonist Nikki and Dr. X (played by Ronnie James Dio). MINDCRIME AT THE MOORE is an exciting musical journey that ardent Queensryche fans are sure to devour.Queensryche brought the group's acclaimed Operation: mindcrime albums to the stage last year performing the original and its 2006 sequel in their entirety during the group's successful North American tour. The marathon shows included a full theatrical production complete with surround sound, video imagery and actors portraying the concept albums' characters onstage with the band. Rhino captures Queensryche's epic performance in front of the quintet's hometown crowd at the Moore Theater in Seattle with MINDCRIME AT THE MOORE. Warner. 2007. download torrent megashares

Vixen - Vixen

Genre Hair Metal Hard Rock Pop

year: 88 - review: Formulated from the very glamorous elements that made hair metal in the '80s so decadently enjoyable, Vixen was the female equivalent of Warrant: rocking just hard enough so it was OK for macho hair metal dudes to enjoy and just soft enough so that they would be the darlings of the Dial MTV circuit. The formula paid off in spades, and the Richard Marx-penned lead single "Edge of a Broken Heart" blazed up the charts and usurped the throne from many of the macho hair metal dudes in all of their hair spray and make-up ridden glory. The rest of the album had the predictable, gratuitous power ballads, hard driving party tunes, and everything else in between that rock bands were pontificating about in the late '80s. It's not the best of the era, but certainly not the worst.

Arcade Fire - Intervention

Genre Alternative pop Rock

year 07: From the first giant blast of the church organ, it's clear that "Intervention" is one of the grandest songs Arcade Fire has written. How do you get any grander than that? By inviting Calexico to contribute horn parts on "Ocean Of Noise", a song they liked so much they recorded their own version, which appears on the b-side here.

Journey - Generations

Genre Pop Rock Arena Rock

year: 05 - review: Drummer Dean Castronovo is another convincing Perry soundalike, but Schon and bassist Ross Valory come up short. Of course, singing isn't Schon's forte, as his signature blistering solos return and will testify to on many of these songs (including a nod in one solo to his memorable ending guitar solo on "Who's Crying Now"). The band remains in finer form than ever, and of course will see another successful series of concerts sell out by mixing the old with the new. It's just a shame that Augeri didn't get a chance to really spread his wings and shine on Generations as much as he's capable of, and if the album's closer, "Never Too Late," is any indication, he just might make the lead vocalist spot his own after all.

Mariah Carey - Greatest Hits

Genre Dance Pop Urban

review: Among Mariah's most impressive traits is her ability to seamlessly match up with a wide range of duet partners. When she's not digging into a Jackson 5 hit with Trey Lorenz ("I'll Be There") or playing Diana Ross to Lionel Richie's Luther Vandross (the '80s smash "Endless Love"), Carey is throwing down with Jay-Z ("Heartbreaker") and going toe-to-toe with fellow diva Whitney Houston ("When You Believe"). Other notable collaborations include a harmony-soaked meeting with Boyz II Men ("One Sweet Day"), a sweet-flowing Jermaine Dupri outing ("Sweetheart") and a Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis-produced summit with Joe and 98 Degrees ("Thank God I Found You").2 CD

Asian Dub Foundation - Community Music

Genre Electronica

year: 00 - review: Anarchist Emma Goldman said, "if I can't dance, it's not my revolution." This sentiment lies at the core of Community Music. At the intersection of dub, punk, funk, reggae, dancehall, Bollywood, and political polemic you'll find Asian Dub Foundation. And you most certainly can dance to it. Community Music is thick with speaking Truth to Power while ADF storms the Bastille with an awe-inspiring musical ferocity and their crystalline political vision. The first half of Community Music is fierce and unrelenting in its musical influences, construction, and politics. From the thunderous opening cut, "Real Great Britain," you're left in no uncertain terms where the politics of ADF lie or how passionately they hold them. Sharp observations on the current state of capitalism, politics, and race in Britain form the focal point of the CD. The blistering exposé of police incompetence on "Officer XX" refers to the botched Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry, while set to a simple guitar and drum pattern...

Scissor Sisters - Ta-dah

Genre Pop Rock Club Dance

year: 06 - review: Similarities to their debut are much easier to find than differences, although the songs aren't quite as memorable (except the single "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'") and Ta-Dah is slightly samey in comparison. (The debut ranged for influences as late as 1987, and flaunted a tougher, leaner sound.) Still, Scissor Sisters remain consummate masters of their material; the chord changes on the ballad "Land of a Thousand Words" defy listeners to not think of a glittering discoball, which is precisely the right image to be conjured.

No Doubt - The Singles 1992-2003

: Formed in early 1987 as a ska band inspired by Madness, the lineup of No Doubt initially comprised John Spence, Gwen Stefani, and her brother Eric. While playing the party-band circuit around Anaheim, the trio picked up bassist Tony Kanal, born in India but raised in Great Britain and the U.S. Hardened by the suicide of Spence..

the Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

Genre Sunshine Pop Baroque Pop

year: 66 - review: The spiritual quality of the material is enhanced by some of the most gorgeous upper-register male vocals (especially by Brian and Carl Wilson) ever heard on a rock record. "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "God Only Knows," "Caroline No," and "Sloop John B" (the last of which wasn't originally intended to go on the album) are the well-known hits, but equally worthy are such cuts as "You Still Believe in Me," "Don't Talk," "I Know There's an Answer," and "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times." It's often said that this is more of a Brian Wilson album than a Beach Boys recording (session musicians played most of the parts), but it should be noted that the harmonies are pure Beach Boys (and some of their best). Massively influential upon its release (although it was a relatively low seller compared to their previous LPs), it immediately vaunted the band into the top level of rock innovators among the intelligentsia, especially in Britain, where it was a much bigger hit.

Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full

Genre Pop Rock Album Rock

year: 07 - review: Memory Almost Full is so melodic and memorable, it's easy to take for granted his skill as a craftsman, particularly here when it feels so natural and unforced, even when it takes left turns, which it thankfully does more than once. Best of all, this is the rare pop meditation on mortality that doesn't present itself as a major statement, yet it is thematically and musically coherent, slowly working its way under your skin and lodging its way into your cluttered memory. On the surface, it's bright and accessible, as easy to enjoy as the best of Paul's solo albums, but it lingers in the heart and mind in a way uncommon to the rest of his work, and to many other latter-day albums from his peers as well.

Velvet Revolver - Libertad

Genre Hard Rock

year: 07 - review: If you didn't like contraband(like I did) than I'm sure you'll like this one. Libertad is a really diverse record it ranges from hard rock to country with some funk thrown in just to spice things up. Velvet revolver really succeeded in creating an identity for themselves with this album. So be sure to pick it up and I can guarantee you that this will be the soundtrack to your summer

Pan's Labyrinth Soundtracks

year: 06 - review: For the soundtrack to Guillermo Del Toro's dark fairy tale, PAN'S LABYRINTH, Spanish composer Javier Navarrete conjures up a lushly orchestral score that mixes child-like whimsy with spine-tingling tension. Navarrete, who also worked with Del Toro on his lauded 2001 ghost story, THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE, is at his best when blending the wondrous with the ominous, as on the shimmering, haunting "Rose, Dragon"--often recalling David Lynch's frequent collaborator Angelo Badalamenti.

Brian glaze - Rainsplitter

Genre Indie Rock

year: 07 - review: Jenny Raven, Ali Rose, Chris Rolls, Amy Blaustein (vocals); Ben Brown (guitar); Pete Webster (guitars); Lisa Youn (violin); Ben Reisman (strings); Dan Aaberg (keyboard); Greg Ashley.

Kelly Clarkson - My December

Genre Popular Pop

year: 07 - review: Though My December cuts much of the adult contemporary-style balladry that marred her first two releases (but also displayed more than just her shouting vocal range), the album still finds Clarkson further exploring different facets of her voice.

Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

Genre Alternative Pop Rock Country

year: 07 - review: As fine as some of the songs are, as welcoming as the overall feel of the record is, it seems a bit like Adams is giving his fans (and label) "Ryan Adams by numbers," hitting all the marks but without passion. This is when his craft learned from incessant writing kicks in -- he can fashion these tunes into something sturdy and appealing -- but it also highlights how he can turn out a tune as lazily as he relies on casual profanity to his detriment. Ultimately, these flaws are minor, since Easy Tiger delivers what it promises: the most Ryan Adamsy Ryan Adams record since his first. For some fans, it's exactly what they've been waiting for, for others it'll be entirely too tidy, but don't worry -- if Adams has proven to be anything it's reliably messy, and he's sure to get ragged again somewhere down the road (and based on his past record, safe money is on October 2007).

Enrique Iglesias - Insomniac

Genre Latin Pop Popular Pop

07 - review: Throughout the early 2000s Enrique Iglesias steadily gained a firm foothold as the biggest-selling Latin pop star on the market. That his father is an international superstar didn't hurt matters, of course, nor did his smoldering good looks, but Iglesias's albums also showed an increasing command of the pop medium with their blend of romantic balladry, radio-ready pop, and adult contemporary fare. INSOMNIAC (2007) pushes the singer's profile even further into the commercial stratosphere with its slick, glossy sound and the newfound presence of urban contemporary grooves designed for the club.

Everything about INSOMNIAC is designed for crossover appeal. The album is almost entirely in English, and the inclusion of club-oriented tracks--such as "Push," which features a cameo by rapper Lil Wayne, and "Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)"--are a clear appeal to young, hip audiences. Yet Iglesias still plays the sexy crooner without missing a beat ("On Top of You"), and also sings a couple songs in Spanish to keep his Latin listeners in the loop ("Alguien Soy Yo"). In short, Iglesias covers all the bases on this sharp, stylish release, adding even more fuel to his reign as the king of contemporary Latin pop.

Bruce Dickinson - Accident of Birth

Genre Rock Heavy Metal

year: 97 - review: Of all of Bruce Dickinson's solo albums, Accident of Birth sounds the most similar to Iron Maiden, which isn't surprising since former Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith co-wrote many of the songs and plays on the record. The album is better than many latter-day Maiden efforts, and though the songwriting is occasionally uneven, the best moments (including "Man of Sorrows") make it an intriguing album.

Incubus - Make Yourself

Genre Funk Rock Alternative Pop

year: 99 - review: The band's second album, Make Yourself, finds Incubus settling more comfortably into their skin. The often abrupt segues from monstrous Metal into fuzzy Funk have been softened for a more cohesive sound. Songs such as "Stellar," "Pardon Me" and "Drive" prove the band has a knack for writing a solid pop hook. Without doubt, Make Yourself is the place to start.

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Through the Looking Glass

Genre Alternative Pop Post Punk

year: 87 - review: Following Tinderbox's success but still not working as well with John Valentine Carruthers as they could have, Siouxsie and the Banshees kept him on for one further album -- a covers collection, much in the vein of band inspiration David Bowie's Pin-Ups. Through the Looking Glass is more than a time killer but less than a total success -- if anything it's seen more now as a chance for the band to refocus before ditching Carruthers and creating the stunning Peepshow. But there have been far worse efforts from other performers in this vein, and there's a cool, giddy fun at work throughout that makes it a fine listen. The inspired range of covers reaches from glam-era landmarks (Roxy Music's "Sea Breezes," John Cale's "Gun") to Billie Holiday's sorrowful touchstone "Strange Fruit" to, in one of the best such efforts ever (and a year before Hal Willner's Stay Awake project), a Disney classic -- namely the slinky "Trust in Me," originally from The Jungle Book and given a spare, mostly-Budgie backing that could almost be a sparkling Creatures outtake. more...>