Category: Reviews

Artist: Raphael Saadiq Title: Instant Vintage Label: Universal Rating: 6/10 Raphael Saadiq. You might not know the name, you may not even know the face, but I’m certain you’d know the voice. Saadiq once the lead man of Tony Toni Tone, and most recently Lucy Pearl, is back on his first solo release, Instant Vintage.…

Artist: David Bowie Title: Heathen Label: Epic Rating: 5/10 Do I seriously need to tell you who David Bowie is? Bowie: “Slow Burn” – Pete Townshend comes by for a hand on the axe of the one good track. “Everyone Says ‘Hi’” – Finally we get a break from overproduction and underproduction to get a…

Artist: Our Lady Peace Title: Gravity Label: Columbia Rating: 9/10 It’s about time that America appreciated Canadian music. Our Lady Peace has been delivering some seriously good rock for a long time. Gravity is the album that will break them in the States that is if Mtv and radio have enough sense to give them…

Artist: The Doves Title: The Last Broadcast Label: Capitol Rating: 7/10 Doves from Manchester England. They bring rock that seems strange yet familiar. Grand: “There Goes The Fear” – Lovely. “Satellites” – Another lovely track, I think these guys specialize in the charming. “Pounding” – Refreshingly uptempo. “Caught Up The River” – Again they bring…

Artist: Eminem Title: The Eminiem Show Label: Interscope Rating: 7.5/10 Eminem has either been a thorn in your ass or beloved. Depends on who you ask. And look out if you piss Eminem off cause you might end up in his latest hits. The Eminem Show picks up where the last record left off. The…

Artist: Bryan Ferry Title: Frantic Label: Virgin Rating: 5/10 Bryan Ferry? Isn’t this name already taken? You know by the guy who sang ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy”? Guess not. This Bryan Ferry sounds like a Bob Dylan disciple who found his way into Chris Issak’s library. Frantic: There is nothing frantic about Bryan Ferry. Slower:…

Artist: Naughty By Nature Title: IIcons Label: TVT Rating: 5/10 You know Naughty By Nature by the line of hits they left in their wake in the early/mid-’90’s. But their last few releases have been less than stellar. This time around Iicons comes with fourteen tracks and all but five are with guests. Odd for…

Artist: Vex Red Title: Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire Label: Virgin Rating: 5/10 Vex Red sounds like they can’t find their identity. Strong: If you find something then let me know. Average: “The Closest” “Dermo” – The vocals go too close to Orgy’s with the vocal effects. “Can’t Smile” – Sounds a taste…

Artist: Meredith Brooks Title: Bad Bad One Label: Gold Circle Rating: 6/10 Meredith Brooks has had one weird career. She had a huge hit with “Bitch”, then her next record came out with much anticipation and radio all but ignored what was a damn good album. Now Brooks releases Bad Bad One on a smaller…

Artist: Gomez Title: In Our Gun Label: Virgin Rating: 7.5/10 Artist: Gomez Sounds like: Something from Almost Famous. Influences: The ’70’s Gun: “Shot Shot” – More of the oddball Gomez combined with sweet sounding instrumentation and colorful vocals. “Rex Kramer” – Ben Ottewell’s crackles with good ol’ fashion southern rock ‘n’ roll. It’s just what…