Music and more
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Queen Pen – Conversation with Queen
Artist: Queen Pen Title: Conversation with Queen Label: Universal Rating: 4/10 Since her debut release, My Melody, the Queen had a baby, her third child, and spoke to high school students about violence and abuse. So then why is such a seemingly positive role model as Queen Pen releasing such an adult record as Conversation…
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Kings of Convenience – Interview
Kings Of Convenience aren’t some new breed acoustic duo. Acoustic music has been around for decades, but they still feel like something new, like a warm spring breeze coming in after a long cold winter. These two average guys have struck a chord the world around and now they are reaping the wares of their…
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Tonya Mitchell – I Represent
Artist: Tonya Mitchell Title: I Represent Label: Universal Rating: 4/10 Tonya Mitchell utilizes all that has proven to be successful in the past (i.e. whatever Britney Spears does, you do the same). The first single, “I Represent”, is a perfect example of that formula. There’s nothing quite unique about it or original. “Broken Promises” has…
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Bee Gees – This Is Where I Came In
Artist: Bee Gees Title: This Is Where I Came In Label: Universal Rating: 6.5/10 The Bee Gee’s are legends. Is there anyone who will doubt this? From hits they’ve done on their own to the monster hits they’ve written for all sorts of artists over the last few decades. Now comes a new album filled…
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David Byrne – Look Into The Eyeball
Artist: David Byrne Title: Look Into The Eyeball Label: Virgin Rating: 2/10 David Byrne can’t feed off his Talking Heads days forever. I haven’t enjoyed anything the guy has put out as a solo artist. I mean, he isn’t John Lennon. Look Into The Eyeball is obtuse as hell and I guess I’m not intelligent…
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Sum 41 – All Killer No Filler
Artist: Sum 41 Title: All Killer No Filler Label: Island Rating: 7.5/10 Sum 41 is back, and again they start this album with the dark intro that was on their previous release. All Killer No Filler is one of the quickest albums you’ll hear. With only one song over three minutes, you won’t mind giving…
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Buckcherry – Time Bomb
Artist: Buckcherry Title: Time Bomb Label: Dreamworks Rating: 8/10 Buckcherry broke onto the scene with the ferocious “Lit Up” that quickly became a huge hit bringing the bad boy ballad “For The Movies”. Buckcherry is the new face of rock. With their bad boy looks and skin are more art than flesh. These guys have…
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Ours – Distorted Lullabies
Artist: Ours Title: Distorted Lullabies Label: Dreamworks Rating: 7/10 Ours singer Jimmy Gnecco sounds a lot like Bono minus the work of the Edge. Instead they’ve seemingly swapped partners with Radiohead. “Fallen Souls” has that musical Radiohead flavor, but it’s surprising to hear vocals over the top so sure yet fragile. Staying away from obvious…
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R.E.M. – Reveal
Artist: R.E.M. Title: Reveal Label: Warner Bros. Rating: 6/10 I have been an REM fan for years. I caught the bandwagon during the whole “Stand” period and then fell in love as they told me “Everybody Hurts”. When they showed us the Monster, I never hid my face. But two albums came and gone after…
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Oldeander – Interview
Caught in the snow after the so-called Nor’easter, Oleander bassist Doug Eldridge called me and we discussed all things Oleander, including the new album, life on the road, and being a dad. You got caught. Yeah, in the (sarcasm) Nor’easter of the decade. (laughs) But I’m glad we took our time coming into the city…
Got any book recommendations?