Waylon Jennings - Waylon Sings Hank Williams

YMC/Universal

Waylon Jennings changed the country music scene forever with his uncompromising belief of producing music the way he saw fit. His name became infamous, and music revered in the north and south, amongst city and country folk alike. He became the first in country music history to sell Gold, and the first to sell quadruple Platinum. He earned two Grammy's and multiple CMA and BMI awards during his lengthy career. Unlike other artists of his time, Jennings refused to use the studio musicians, having his own band play to create the authentic sound he will always be rembered for. In 1976 he collaborated with Willie Nelson, Tompall Glasser and his wife, Jessi Colter to record and release Wanted! The Outlaws. This album was the start of the movement known as the outlaw movement. In the mid-80's he formed The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson.
Waylon Sings Hank Williams includes some of Jennings personal favorites. Hank Williams was an inspiration to Waylon and it is reflected in the album with the tender affection he has in his voice while describing what Hank Williams' music meant for him.
"I had chills all over me the first time I heard Hank Williams sing 'Lost Highway.' I'd stay up late Saturday night listening for him -- happy if I heard him speak. I always wanted to be a singer, and he etched that in stone." -Waylon Jennings

Dog Men Poets - Birth of the Cool

DMCD

DMP front men Brouillet and Barker burst open with rhythmic lines that are sometimes less than tasteful. Though the lyrics may reflect, at times, the fantasy of any pubescent high school male, there is well formulated poetry running freely throughout.
Especially noted is their "Remix of a Poem." Their music echoes the beats of street America, their vocals are sweetly harmonized. With influences like the Chili Peppers and Sublime, and a harsh side reflecting the Beastie Boys, these UK natives are well on their way to becoming a well established party band. Good luck boys.

Slayer - Christ Illusion

American/Warner Bros

Slayer... aah, we who are fans have been waiting five long years for this album. Not only is it the first in five, but it is the first record in fifteen years to have the thrash metal legends' original lineup. Heralded as the king of metal drumming, Dave Lombardo has enough life still in him to amaze a new generation of young 'uns who will be shocked and thrilled by the onslaught. With no shortage of hostility Slayer has yet to let us down. Destruction for the masses; they've done right by us.

Various Artists - Pickin On Def Leppard: A Bluegrass Tribute

CMH

Hailing from Sheffield, the traditional home of the British steel industry, Def Leppard carried the torch for eighties metal from those shores to glory and massive mainstream success in the USA and ultimately the world. The band perfected a pioneering pop-metal style with puns and innuendoes to rival fellow rockers AC/DC. MTV appeared in time to project them into every livingroom across the US, and their collaborations with producer Mutt Lange produced two of the biggest selling rock albums of all time. Triumphing over personal tragedies, Def Leppard continues to record, tour and entertain millions of fans today.
Depicted in this tribute are some classic songs, stripped down and performed bluegrass style with soaring harmonies, mandolin, banjo, dobro and guitar. Tracks such "Photograph," "Animal" and my favorite "Pour Some Sugar on Me" are transformed into rockin' bluegrass nuggets of gold. You'll hear Def Leppard in a fresh and inspiring light.

Ryan Farish - Everlasting

Neurodisc

Calming soothing tones that any mother who has a newborn with colic can appreciate. Ryan Farish has definitely made a name for himself amongst today's uplifting and inspirational composers. Recently interviewed by CBN's 700 Club sets Farish amongst the likes of Bono of U2 and Jars of Clay. Mood lifting and soul replenishing, Everlasting is a welcome change to today's mass chaos.

Electroluvs - Bubblewrapped

Ninth Wave

The Electroluvs are definitely up and coming in the electropop scene. The follow up to their first album, Bubblewrapped is exactly as it sounds... irresistibly fun to pop. Between the vocals and doubled banjo's I really enjoyed the never-ending electric melt feeling that all the random arcade sounds that floated through the tunes.
With positive lyrics that build you up and leave a fresh buzz in your head, not to mention the hot vocals, we will be looking forward to seeing them in the near future while bopping our heads here in the meantime.

Obie Trice - Second Round's on Me

Shady/Interscope

Obie Trice's second album breaks through as an instant success with the likes of 50 Cent, Nate Dogg, Trey Song, Big Herk and Eminem (who also helped produce) appearing on the album. With a melodic vocal lineup, and a catchy chorus for every song you can't help but to give respect to the band who has worked so hard to make a name for themselves.

Pirates of the Mississippi - Heaven and a Dixie Night

Evergreen

The Pirates of the Mississippi have been around since 1989, when they were signed to Capitol Records. The band put out some great chart toppers like "Rollin' Home," "Fighting For You," "Till I'm Holding You Again," and their signature hit "Feed Jake." After going their separate ways in 1996 they reunited in 2000. Here are the boys kickin' up the dust and enjoying a successful return to the country music scene with their first album in over ten years.
Heaven and a Dixie Night has sweet southern soul and beautiful stories being told. Between the heartache of trying to make ends meet in today's high priced world to being caught as a baby boomer watching the world go by so fast, there are tales of true love and pure grit and determination. Strong messages of holding on to what really matters in this life, and being true to yourself, are the key to this album's attitude. But what would a true Dixie night be without the gravy?

Mathew Friedberger - Winter Woman & Holy Ghost Language School

859 (2 Disc Set)

You guys kick some major ass! I give humongous kudos to 859 for choosing The Fiery Furnaces' boy Mathew Friedberger's debut solo project as their first release ever. This is a CD like no other you will find in the mod/alternative music scene. First off, it is a double-disc, and how many artists do you know of that are confident enough in their own work to release a double as their first project? The next bit of uniqueness is that Friedberger himself arranged and played all the music except a bit-o-drumming by John McEntire from Tortise. He is also the only vocalist on the entire set.
Don't get worried.This is not a snoozefest. The set is exploding with electronic symphony. As I put it, if you could orchestrate the mass chaos of day to day city life, then you would find yourself amongst the whirlpool of sugary tones that is Winter Woman. And for those night owls amongst us, the insomniac delusions that overload Holy Ghost Language School will reverberate in the back of your mind. Language School reminds me of eternity with no concept of night or day, wild blinking colors, and watching the movie Pi while being heavily caffeinated after the end of finals week. Who wants to get stuck in a melting Dali?

Charlie Sexton & Shannon McNally - Southside Sessions

Back Porch/Virgin/EMI

You know the felling of falling back into a pile of leaves? Or being reminded of when you used to be so small that everything was so big? How about homemade churn-style ice cream? To my mind's eye, that is soul; the memories that I hold fondly of childhood, that my heart aches to find more present day reminders of.
In Southside Sessions Austin guitar legend Charlie Sexton sets the stage for singing sensation Shannon McNalley's rich honey voice. The Album only contains seven songs; still, each one is able to touch your heart in a way that you will stand in amazement of the miracle of living. Our eyes welled with the salty drops of past aches and pains. It is truly wonderful to find a sudden reminder of when we were younger, and reality was real.
***Shelton's Single of The Week: "No Place to Fall"***

Brad Mehldau and Renee Fleming - Love Sublime

Nonesuch/Warner Music Group

Love Sublime originated as a commission from the Carnage Hall Corporation, composed for outstanding soprano Renee Fleming, along with Mehldau, to perform at Zankel Hall. Most of the songs draw their texts from two collections of poetry: The Blue Estuaries by Louise Bogan and The Book of Hours: Love Poems to God by Ranier Maria Rilke.
The album is hard for the untrained listener to appreciate beyond the vocal and instrumental skill that is in the forefront of the album. The songs are arranged so well, the jazzy attitude brings life to an otherwise drawn out record. Any classical piano or opera fan would appreciate this album. A perfect coffee house record.

Darrel Scott - The Invisible Man

Full Light

Darrel's sixth record, The Invisible Man showcases his prodigious skills as a musician and as a songwriter. It becomes the perfect blend of his untamed artistic integrity with his innate commercial sensibility.
The uncensored honesty may seem like a soapbox to some, yet I see it as a man wanting to touch the hearts of everyone to get out there and see that there is so much out here that can be done differently. A message to bring hope in positive change to heal a nation whose only way out of desperation is change in self.

Dirty Rig - Rock Did It

Escapi (CD/DVD)

Wow... here is the political album of the week. Again I put emphasis on w.o.w. Wildly Outrageous Wickedness. With song titles like "Suck It," "Hot Porno Stars," "Throwdown" and "Cities, Scenes & Thieves," these boys have put together a ferocious in-your-face-and-you-know-you-like-it CD.
Just short of sloppy, Rock Did It is the polar opposite of complex math-metal. More pork than prog, it's grounded in a punk-rock aesthetic that sings out to the sex-addicted rebel in us all. Fueled by anger, libido and youth, this music might make you want to break something. Sort of like when your on your rag and you remember that Bush still has another two fuckin' years in the oval. Grr.

Mexico 70 - Thirty Five Whirlpools Below Sound

Toucan Cove

Here is a gem of listening pleasure. Mexico 70, featuring Britpop cult figure Mick Bund. Bund's been creating much admired and much-copied music since this 1980's.
With Felt and Primal Scream, he toured the world and came back to birth a project all his own, and here it is. With an emphasis on lyrical composition Thirty Five Whirlpools Below Sound reflects on the romance, politics, and memories of being on the road. I found that the words of "Really Love," touched heartstrings deep in me, reminiscent of the teenage years. Did you feel love?

Potluck - Straight Outta Humboldt

Suburban Noize

An album for the California harvest season. But what could you expect out of a successful rap group from Humboldt county? An extremely diverse album featuring guests like Tech N9NE, Big Krizz Kaliko, Twizted, and Kotton Mouth Kings. As far as lyrics go, I dig the comments about everybody's ditch-shit. I love Cali green flowers and so do these guys.
With an awesome line up of guests appearing throughout the album, good producers, flowing beats, and a reminder or two of where to stick your dick, and what to smoke, go to Humboldt.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Tony Lucca - Canyon Songs

Rock Ridge

I really wish I was on the Mickey Mouse Club; those kids get all the fun jobs.Tony Lucca, formerly of the MMC recently released Canyon Songs in August.
Finishing his fourth full length studio project. The CD was recorded partially at Beachwood Canyon. He produced most of the album, including the vocals, overdubs, guitars and the rest of the bass. The CD holds ten wonderful tracks and Lucca states that "Songbird" is his favorite.

Die Hunns - You Rot Me

Volcom

A change for the formerly up-yours punk band. They have evolved into a multi level rock and roll band. Headed by a fave of mine, sexy-voiced U.S. Bombs lead, Duane Peters. Hot Corey Parks, former Nashville Pussy bassist, is responsible for the thump-thump bass in my head.
We love the lyrical content, the almost Clash-like similarities in song structure, and the song Mad Society kicks some ass. You got our ears open for more.

Cherish - Unappreciated

Capitol/EMI

With a name like Cherish, and a sound so smooth and melodical, the four sisters who make up the band should be very happy with themselves. Priding themselves on writing music that they relate to, each sister brings her own genuine sound and style to the band.
I can't help but to feel that Unappreciated is not an album that could be discarded, if for no other reason than the sound is unlike any other sound we've heard in a long time. It is more like a choral lineup, than a Hip-Hop set up. It is a pleasurable listen, congratulations girls.

Carbon Leaf - Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat

Vanguard

For a band who has put out seven albums, and been around opening for the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls, Blues Traveler and Los Lonely Boys, it really is a pity that not many people really know who Carbon Leaf is. The boys have rich tone, compelling lyrics and a mandolin!
You should really preview these guys and discover for yourself a listening pleasure, and remember life, love, loss, desire, lack of fulfillment, and hope. Especially hope.

Various Artists - Acoustic Africa

Putumayo

ious Artists "Acoustic Africa," Putumayo The three artists that are highlighted in this compilation are all political/social activists working so hard to build awareness of the conditions in not only Africa, but the entire world.
Habib Koit'e's reputation as a guitar player borderlines legend. He combines rock and classical techniques with Malian tunings that makes the guitar transform itself into an almost kora or ngoni sound.
"Vusi Mahlasela was a voice during the revolution, a voice of hope, like a Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan of South Africa, and he still is." -Dave Matthews
"Wow! Dobet Gnahore' s one helluva talented artist. Powerful singing combined with a charismatic stage prescence, original choreography, and a theatricality that reminded me of Marie Dauline of Zap Mamma." -Sean Barlow, Afropop Worldwide
Editor's Note: You will never hear these very special African artists on the Radio, which thanks to Clear Channel, is extremely conservative. Nor will you see them on MTV or VH1, who are owned by Time Warner. These artists write about life, death, love, struggle and harmony between people. Unfortunately, what we receive in the US is usually so superficial compared to these great African artists. Whatcha gonna do?

Elisabeth Withers - It Can Happen to Anyone

Blue Note/Capitol/EMI

"My music is a reflection of my life. Through my work, I want people to know that with a strong self-love, work ethic and fearlessness, anything is possible." The woman herself, Ms. Withers says it best.
Her album shows a range of style, including, but not limited to R&B, gospel and pop, to old school cabaret and rock. We especially love the message in "The World Ain't Ready."
"I hope people will listen to the songs on the album and come away with the feeling that I have, which is why I called the album It Can Happen to Anyone. For that is truly what I believe."

Artist: Chris Knight
Song: Dirt