Category: Reviews

Artist: Tonic Title: Head On Straight Label: Universal Rating: 5.5/10 Tonic has released a few albums already. They seem to come without much fanfare and go out with a flare. Head On Straight came out exactly the same. Now Hear This: “Count On Me” – This is your typical Tonic. They give you a song…

Artist: CKY Title: Infilitrate-Destroy-Rebuild Label: Island Rating: 8/10 CKY are known by most as the music behind the CKY films. Those films spawned Jackass on MTV. CKY isn’t just some run of the mill band that got lucky. Infiltrate: “Sink Into The Underground” – A surprisingly hooky track. “Frenetic Amnesic” – With bizarre tones that…

Artist: Beck Title: Sea Change Label: Interscope Rating: 8.5/10 Beck continues to astound listeners. He always finds a way to stay ahead of the curve. Sea Change is certainly a change, but much for the better. There is no disco, nothing that really rocks, but the folk style seems to wear well. The first thing…

Artist: Uncle Kracker Title: No Stranger No Shame Label: Atlantic Rating: 5/10 Uncle Kracker is still Kid Rock’s DJ. But now he has a solo career that could literally overtake his mentor. Now Hear This: “Memphis Soul Song” – Good ol’ boy slow song. “Letter To My Daughters” – a lovely ode to his daughters.…

Artist: OK Go Title: OK Go Label: Capitol Rating: 7/10 Chi-towns Ok Go is ready to kick it into gear! Hot: “Get Over It” – Sheer energy well get you on and over it. “What To Do” – It really grows on you. “The Fix Is In” – pure enjoyment. Mild: “Don’t Ask Me” –…

Artist: Lifehouse Title: Stanley Climbfall Label: Dreamworks Rating: 7/10 Lifehouse couldn’t have expected “Hanging By A Moment” to be as huge and to last as long as it did. Coming off that success is their sophomore effort Stanley Climbfall. Do they have what it takes to follow up on their initial success? Now Hear This:…

Artist: Coldplay Title: A Rush of Blood to the Head Label: Capitol Rating: 9/10 Coldplay’s first record Parachutes put them in a pretty tough position. First how the hell do you follow up what is one of the best records in a long, long time? I’ll tell you how, A Rush Of Blood To The…

Artist: Duncan Shiek Title: Daylight Label: Atlantic Rating: 6/10 Duncan Sheik has gone from hit song to obscurity. With his latest record Daylight he hopes to bring back that pop touch that has seemed to have gotten lost in his folk roots. Rocks: “Half-Life” – Gorgeous. A wonderful hook! “Start Again” – You can almost…

Artist: Aaron Carter Title: Another Earthquake Label: Jive Rating: 3/10 Aaron Carter is pure pop. AC tries to step out of his brother Nick Carter’s shadow. Hot: “Do You Remember” – sure to break a few teen girls’ hearts. Mild: “To All The Girls” and “Summertime” – Sounds too much like LFO’s “Summer Girls”. Cold:…

Artist: BBMak Title: Into Your Head Label: Hollywood Rating: 5.5/10 Bbmak exploded from the UK to America with a handful of hit singles on their freshman release. Can they do it again with Into Your Head? HOT: “Out Of My Heart” – Will set the girls’ hearts aflutter. “Staring Into Space” – Great melody, sure…