Category: Reviews

Artist: Indigo Girls Title: Become You Label: Epic Rating: 6.5/10 Artist: Indigo Girls What you’ll hear: something closer to the way the Indigos used to be. Now hear this: “Moment Of Forgiveness” – completely tattered yowling with a nip of country and a dire voice that is begging for mercy. “Hope Alone” – a gorgeous…

Artist: Super Furry Animals Title: Rings Around The World Label: XL Rating: 9/10 Super Furry Animals bring Rings Around The World an album I’ve long anticipated. I can say unequivocally that it was worth the wait. Super Furry Animals can bring songs ranging from mind-blowing instrument pieces supported by vocals (“Alternate Route To Vulcan Street”)…

Artist: Darren Hayes Title: Spin Label: Columbia Rating: 5/10 Artist: Darren Hayes (lead singer of Savage Garden) Sounds like: Savage Garden Spin: “Strange Relationship” – decent hook, has the single appeal. “Insatiable” – typical Savage Garden hooks, typical results. “Dirty” – so Michael Jackson and still good. Spin once: “Heart Attack” – Charming, but no…

Artist: N.E.R.D. Title: In Search Of Label: Virgin Rating: 7.5/10 Artist: N.E.R.D. aka The Neptunes aka Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo. Sounds like: rock ‘n’ roll meets some twisted form of hip-hop. Search no more: “Provider” – Selling drugs is a crusty topic, but the ballad is just undeniable. “Truth Or Dare” – Kelis pushes…

Artist: Krs-One Title: Spirtual Minded Label: Koch Rating: 4.5/10 Krs-One takes on Kirk Franklin’s niche. Christian and hip-hop seem to be about as polar as you can get. Krs-One wants to change that with Spiritual Minded. The spiritual nature of the album isn’t the complete collapse of Krs-One you might think. But the production sounds…

Artist: Millencolin Title: Home for Home Label: Epitaph Rating: 7.5/10 Millencolin. Punk and rock, not more one or the other. Rock me: “Man Or Mouse” – great hook, and completely stuck in my head. “Fingers Crossed” – better than anything those pop punk brats could ever churn out. “Black Eye” – slower, not quite mellow…

Artist: Rialto Title: Night On Earth Label: Koch Rating: 4/10 Rialto has had some decent hits in the UK and now they bring their Brit-pop to the U.S. with Night On Earth. Their first single “London Crawling” has big choruses sandwiched between plush verses. Wish they could sound like a mix between Blur, Morissey and…

Artist: Eels Title: Souljacker Label: Dreamworks Rating: 5/10 The Eels have been one of those unlikely likeable one-man groups. Their previous albums have been interesting to say the least and definitely against the grain. Soul Jacker takes all that and mixes it up and tosses it all to the side for something completely different. “Dog…

Artist: B2K Title: B2K Label: Epic Rating: 6/10 Now hear this: “Understanding” – clean, tight, and ready to please melody. “Come On” – a good ballad. “Hey Little Lady” – one of the few up tempo tracks that has a good melody and clean spirited. “Baby Girl” – although the song is quite simplistic its…

Artist: Departure Lounge Title: To Late To Die Young Label: Nettwerk Rating: 8/10 There is something pleasurable about listening to music that is done for the sake of the song. Departure Lounge sounds sincere as you listen from track one to eleven. The almost timid “Straight Line To The Kerb” opens Too Late To Die…