Category: Reviews

Artist: Ozzy Osbourne Title: Under cover Label: Epic Rating: 6.5/10 This new release features the grandfather of heavy metal performing cover versions of some of his all-time faves. Since most of these first appeared earlier in the year on the Prince of Darkness box set, one has to wonder why a musician of Ozzy’s stature […]

Artist: Chamillionaire Title: The Sound of Revenge Label: Universal Rating: 6.5/10 FILE UNDER:The “Mixtape Messiah” goes mainstream. CORPORATE LINE: The freestyle prince was relentlessly pursued by major labels ever since his celebrated debut on the Texas indie scene a few years ago. The talented rapper appeared on several compilations, (and is rumored to have sold […]

Artist: System of a Down Title: Hypnotize Label: Columbia Rating: 7/10 FILE UNDER: Not your parent’s rock ‘n’ roll. CORPORATE LINE: Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian, Hypnotize maintains System of a Down’s reputation as full-spectrum agitators who adeptly channel righteous rage into compelling, provocative and relevant rock. Daron, singer Serj Tankian, bassist Shavo […]

Artist: Juelz Santana Title: What The Game’s Been Missing! Label: Def Jam Rating: 6/10 FILE UNDER: Cam’Ron protégé brings the heat. CORPORATE LINE: Juelz Santana has been everywhere of late. Whether it’s his near-constant guest-hosting duties on BET and MTV, his ubiquitous presence on the mixtape circuit, or his addictive new heat rock “There It […]

Artist: Carrie Underwood Title: Some Hearts Label: Arista Rating: 7.5/10 FILE UNDER: American Idol does it country style. THE GREAT: “Wasted” – Underwood delivers a fantastic country track that warms you up for more to come. “We’re Young and Beautiful” – One of the best tracks on the entire album. Underwood proves she can put […]

Artist: Madonna Title: Confessions On A Dance Floor Label: Warner Bros. Rating: 8.5/10 FILE UNDER: The Queen of Pop is back. CORPORATE LINE: With one foot in the early roots of her career as a “dance artist” and the other foot planted firmly into the sound of “future disco”, Madonna returns to the clubs with […]

Artist: Imogen Heap Title: Speak For Yourself Label: RCA Rating: 8.5/10 FILE UNDER: Pop has a new Queen. CORPORATE LINE: ‘Speak For Yourself’ is vulnerable, exposed and flooded with emotion. So what’s it all about? Heap pauses for thought…“It’s quite tricky writing lyrics for “love” songs when you are happy and content with your man,” […]

Artist: Neil Diamond Title: 12 Songs Label: Columbia Rating: 7.5/10 FILE UNDER: The Songwriting Master is Back! CORPORATE LINE: One of the year’s most heavily-anticipated new releases, 12 Songs pairs the pop music icon with legendary producer Rick Rubin. Producing a Neil Diamond album has been a long-time dream for Rubin, whose extraordinary resume spans […]

Artist: Nirvana Title: Silver: The Best of Box Label: Geffen Rating: 6.5/10 FILE UNDER: 3G: Geffen gets greedy, again. CORPORATE LINE: Nirvana changed the course of popular music forever and remains an inspiration to those who have followed. The band’s musical legacy was illuminated further in November 2004 by the release of the 3-CD/1-DVD box […]

Artist: Kate Bush Title: Aerial Label: Columbia Rating: 6.5/10 FILE UNDER: Bush does abstract. CORPORATE LINE: With the release of ‘Aerial’, Kate Bush is following in the grand tradition of groundbreaking double albums. “I used to really like the double albums I bought of artists that I loved,” she states. “It wasn’t in a way […]