Switchfoot - Oh! Gravity.

Columbia/Sony BMG

Brothers Jon and Tim Foreman, along with drummer Chad Butler, formed the band Chin Up in 1996. After only a handful of shows they were signed to re:think Records. With Jerome Fontamillas and Drew Shirley joining the act, they changed their name to Switchfoot, a surf/skate term meaning to shift your feet on the board to take a new stance facing the opposite direction. Still, it wasn't until 2000 that they went gold with Learning to Breathe and in 2003 they signed with Columbia.
After having three hit records in a row, Switchfoot approached Oh! Gravity. in contemplation and with a desire for growth. So they went to Tim Palmer, UK veteran producer for The Cure, Tears For Fears, U2, Tin Machine amongst others.
With twelve original songs and heavy political messages Switchfoot has provoked us to thought. They sing about the generational appeal for peace, love and understanding while militantly addressing America's excess=success policy. With this album being more forthcoming and aggressive than previous ones and having reached a higher level of musical maturity, Oh! Gravity. is Switchfoot's graduation album!

JoJo - The High Road

Blackground/Universal

I must say that when young singing sensation JoJo released her debut album I had thought that she was going to be the new, fresh Mariah. I still believe she has stellar ability. But where did the emotion and soul go? Why has she been guided into making an entire CD that for the most part floats in one ear and straight out the other?
The High Road is a couple of catchy singles and nine filler songs. Although it went and topped the charts within days of its' release this is just one of those you listen to a few times and it goes on your shelf to be forgotten about. I look forward to seeing her utilize her talented voice and maybe write some meaningful songs, cause who should be taking advice on love from a fifteen year old?

Yes - Essentially Yes

(5 Disc) Eagle Rock

You can say a lot of nasty things about progressive rock, and many have, most frequently, that the genre emphasizes musical chops over soulful expression. But in the case of Yes, the British band's overbearing pretentiousness resulted in moments of rare grace and beauty, a bizarre and fleeting--if totally unrealistic--coupling of classical texture with rock'n'roll pathos.
Here we have it, finally, the later career of Yes has been given the time it deserves to be thoroughly archived and cataloged. Nearly 40 years strong, they are still entertaining fans. The boxed set includes in entirety, 1994's Talk, 1997's Open Your Eyes, 1999's The Ladder, 2001's Magnification and an entire disc of rare previously unreleased material, live shows, etc. Here in this five disc collection Yes, Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Alan White, Steve Howe, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman and Billy Sherwood, takes you beyond the norm in this vital add to any progressive rocker's collection.

Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch & Fats Kaplin - Lost John Dean

Dead Reckoning/Compass

Best known as one half of the acclaimed new traditionalist country duo the O'Kanes, Kieran Kane, was destined to make a name in the world of music. By age nine he was playing drums in his older brother's band. By 21 he had left Queens for LA, where he landed a contract with Tree Publishing Co. After discrepancies, Kane along with fellow Tree staff writer, Jamie O'Hara, formed the sensational, short-lived O'Kanes. Recently he, Welch and Kaplin joined to create and play touching folk/blues/country songs. And that is what they are doing, making exceptional art.
Lost John Dean is the follow-up to the trioÕs first collaboration, 2004Õs You CanÕt Save Everybody, which also reached the top of the Americana chart. They didnÕt change the formula this time around, but why would they? You CanÕt Save Everybody matches two topnotch songwriters (Kane & Welch) with a guy who can seemingly play anything with strings or keys (Kaplin). The sum is even greater than its estimable parts. An organic mix of blues, country and folk, Lost John Dean has an off-the-cuff, back-porch-jam feel that is sure to be palatable to a variety of tastes. Yet for all the informality, it has a clean, polished sound.
Shelton's Single of the Week: "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

Various Artists - Dreamgirls Soundtrack

Music World/Sony Urban Music/Columbia/Sony BMG

This is a timely story about how music can sell it's soul to greed and compromise. Spearheaded under Bill Condon, he is the white guy with the brass to direct a tale of black artists who break faith with race, family and R'n'B. You'll hear denials that Dreamgirls has anything to do with the Supremes, who hit a girl-group peak in the 1960's under the Motown mogul Berry Gordy.
In the screen adaptation of the Tony award-winning musical, Beyonce Knowles plays a member of an all-female singing group who ousts lead singer Effie White (Jennifer Hudson) as the group is launched into unforeseen stardom and bouts of egotism. Beyonce, as Deena Jones--her film persona and American IdolÕs, Jennifer Hudson, take lead roles on film and soundtrack. Jamie Foxx stars as the Detroit car salesmen turned manager for the Dreams. Eddie Murphy is a James Brown-like soul-man, self-destructing with girls, drugs and a refusal to fake his way to the top with the mellow sound that sells.
The film version of Dreamgirls retains the award-winning script and music of Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger who wrote and composed the original scores for the 1981 Broadway musical including songs "One Night Only" and "I'm Telling You I'm Not Going."

Rick Brockner - Black Mountain Brew

Refined

Brockner "Black Mountain Brew," Refined Out of necessity, Appalachian culture has always embraced the simple pleasures in life, of which, coffee is no exception. North Carolina native and multi-instrumentalist, Rick Brockner concocts his home-brewed music in reverence to the majesty of Black Mt. near Asheville, NC.
Brockner has welcomed the talent of accomplished mandolin and fiddle player Jan Johansson (New Vintage Bluesgrass Band) and his student, the remarkable seventeen year old, Cora Beth Bridges on violins and vocals.
Black Mountain Brew invites listeners for a java-pouring-porch-jam. Brockner and company have done an excellent job gathering the richest music from the most modest of origins. This is a faithful preservation of "mountain music"; Rick and his dulcimer challenge the notion that the best-tasting coffee is in the big city.

Red Lotus - De Pinche Nada

EP Self Released

Red Lotus, "radical creativity and purity amid adverse surroundings," is an eclectic effort from Jean-Marx Santel, Aalics Bronson, Gavin Glenn and vocal sensation Rozz Nash. All black rock musicians and New York City veterans, having been in dozens of previous projects before joining together, the quartet formed to demonstrate what music is all about... the Love! The songs in this EP are raw and on the edge and are a tip-of-the-hat tribute to the rock'n'roll legends that came before and have inspired generations.
Red Lotus is sexy and they will blow you out of the water with a brand of music you have never heard before. De Pinche Nada, which translates to "so fucking what" is an appropriate title to an album that shows that no matter how unconventional your music may be, if you believe in your message you should get it out there. If the masses don't get it... de pinche nada!

Mickey Avalon - Mickey Avalon

Interscope

May I say that I have found the absolute in penis songs. Crude and original Avalon and his crew slaughter each other with lines like "my dick plays on the big screen, your dick went straight to DVD," and "my dick V.I.P. your dick needs ID," And I just go crazy over the "P.S. we're hung like Jesus."
Yet under the obnoxious front is a story of a young man who has hustled his way to the top. Coming from a family that was ripped apart from drug addiction, and having dealt with addiction himself, Avalon boldly says what no one wants to admit,. "the filthy rich and the dirt poor are all the same when they can't take no more!"
With ludicrous lyrics, and an attitude to back it Mickey breaks his way into mainstream with a radio friendly sound, ridiculous lyrics and lots of Mickey.
***Shelton's Single of the Week "My Dick"(Hopefully the correct title, Track 1)***

David Julyan - The Descent Soundtrack

Lusam/Cooking Vinyl

Penned by Neil Marshal, The Descent tells the story of an all female caving expedition that goes terribly wrong. The soundtrack is a work of art. Winner of multiple global awards it includes twenty well-laid tracks featuring a 70-peice orchestra and a chilling 16 member all female choir, to give the listener an eerie ambiance.
This album is both dark and unnervingly atmospheric. The unusual combination of tense synthesizer soundscape and lush orchestration has become a trademark for composer David Julyan.

Josh Thompson - Josh Thompson

Howling

Singer/songwriter Josh Thompson is a talented, confident, nose-to-the-grindstone heartthrob. He's unceasingly calm and has an uncommon ability to pull together deeply felt, penetrating lyrics with soaring melodic hooks. He's a very radio friendly delight with a touch of John Mayer like tenor, his voice is a pleasure. Oh, and did I mention that he is only seventeen?!

Greg Laswell - Through Toledo

Vanguard

Long known for being able to captivate his audience with his musical skills, Greg Laswell has released Through Toledo. A soaring tenor he has the knack for writing intense lyrics and he possesses an elegance for creating sweeping melodies that carry you into his world of disenchantment.
Through Toledo is a portrait into Greg Laswell's life; a catalogue of his sentimental journey. Due to many great losses and painfully intense soul-searching he found the inspiration to create his blend of passionate music. The saying 'the ones who hurt the deepest, shine the brightest' is proven true with Greg's sensational music.

Shiny Toy Guns - We Are Pilots

UniversalMotown/UMG

Shiny Toy Guns have made a cosmic jump from a no name band to the hot and happening in electronica rock. The group started out in 2002 with Jeremy Dawson and Gregori Chad Petre and concluded their line up in 2004 with Mikey Martin and Carah Faye Charnow.
They gained popularity in California faster than wildfires spread, and with the help of MySpace, became known throughout the US. They originally self released We Are Pilots twice in 2005, holding out until they finally got the contract that they desired in 2006 with Universal. Currently touring to promote their new release, they are without a doubt going to be bringing us to the next level in electro-new wave-rock.

Kris Kristofferson - Repossesed & Third World Warrior

(2 Discs) Oh Boy

In times of political turmoil and uncertainty many artists just shut their mouths and entertain, example: the US today. Well, that has never been the style of Kris Kristofferson. He's a humanist and could give a damn less about people agreeing with him or not.
Kris' songs "Me and Bobby McGee," (remember the version Janis did) "Help Me Make It Through the Night," "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" and "For The Good Times" created a huge star. On Repossesed, the tracks had a true country-rock band feel, and was created in 1986, which was a period of political unrest as left-wing activists feared another Vietnam in El Salvador. Kristofferson explored that concern in "What About Me" while such songs as "Ship Wrecked in the 80's," "They Killed Him" and "Anthem 84" reflected on various aspects of politics and war.
In the album Third World Warrior, released in 1990, Kris became increasingly interested in writing and singing about left-wing concerns, especially in regard to Central America. Third World Warrior was the extreme of this tendency, consisting entirely of radical pronouncements like "if you don't like it mister I don't care" and in "The Eagle and the Bear" which closed with lines "and I will say until the day we free Mandela/ all the world be in chains" while the album's final song "Sandinista" declared support for the Nicaraguan rebels of the same name.
This is a rerelease of two albums that came out during mass political turmoil and worldwide unrest, and for you true blooded Americans I repeat--WORLD WIDE--unrest. As you look forward into a new year and look back at the last six or so I hope Kristofferson's message inspires you to do something, radical. Editor's Note: The USA has always supported right-wing armies and countries; we even create some (remember the Contras in Nicaragua?) It is truly remarkable that Kristofferson sang about anti-American activities despite his background in the Army, as a Rhodes scholar and as a country artist. We could use him now to struggle against our invasion and occupation of Iraq. Where are you Kris?

Yanni - Yanni Live!: The Concert Event

Image

He is probably one of the best recognized musicians worldwide. He has accumulated over 35 platinum and gold albums, performed live before more than 2 million people in over 20 countries including India's Taj Mahal, the Greek Acropolis back in 1994, and China's Forbidden City.
This concert was recorded and filmed (there is a complimenting DVD) live at Mandalay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, as part of a 2005 world tour. This is his first new album since 2003 and his first live concert recording in 8 years (the Taj Mahal and Forbidden City). It is a brilliantly orchestrated, astonishing performance from the man who will forever conjure in my mind images of the Olympics.

Various Artists - Brazil Classics 7: What's Happening in Pernambuco--New Sounds of the Brazilian Northeast

(Available for release Feb/2007) Luaka Bop

What's Happening in Pernambuco represents some of the most creatively salient and innovative music to come from a region of Brazil whose cultural rejuvenation would have remained unknown to music purveyors around the globe, if it were not for first wave efforts by self-motivated groups in the early 90's.
Featuring several Northeastern Brazilian artists and musicians. It is a collection including songs of reggae, jazz and punk and swing between psychedelic, samba and traditional drumming. It's new, exciting: music at it's best.
Editor's Note: I'll continue with this feeling until my dying day. It hurts me very deeply that we don't hear any latin music on our "mass" media. Perhaps it's because I married a Cubana or perhaps it's because I'm from New York City and was deeply immersed in music of all cultures that this bothers me so. We can invade and exploit other cultures but understanding them would go against our political agenda. So it seems.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

The Stryker/Slagle Band - Live at the Jazz Standard

Zoho

After countless gigs together since the late 80's, like-minds Dave Stryker and Steve Slagle have developed a potent chemistry on the bandstand. Based on their mutual love of the four B's--bebop, blues, ballads and boogaloo--they have grown together over the years.
The swinging kenetic energy is fueled here by their ultra-hip drummer, Victor Lewis, and bassist Ed Howard, who together elevate the level of enjoyment on this saucy live recording.

Matt Angus - Matt Angus

Black Potato/REDEYE

After finishing his stay in Congress (District 7, NJ) Matt Angus is now letting his guitar do the talking. Following that life altering experience, the political troubadour has released his third album and first solo effort on his own Black Potatoe label.
He uses his rhythm guitar to build character for his lyrically ho-hummed songs. His music is real, even though he lacks the surge of passion to fuel the fire. His music is also truthful, he speaks out with sincerity, not a self-motivated agenda. Not my bag of chips, but his heart is in the right place.

Lil Scrappy - Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live

Violator/BME/Reprise/Warner Bros.

Destined to make an impression on the world of rap. Scrappy has come a long way from the ugliness of Southeast Atlanta's underbelly. A soul survivor of Zone3. Scrappy was born Darryl Richardson in the heart of a concrete jungle where today's rubbish piles represent torn-down colonies of project buildings. Although he emerged in ghetto living, he refuses to let his destitute environment to take him under.
Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live is produced by Issac Haye's III and features G-Unit's Young Buck. Whether he's making major moves within the music industry, getting club crowds pumped up with his brand of ghetto grit or pouring out his soul over grinding mid-tempo grooves and dramatic piano chords; there is no denying that this is only the begining for Lil Scrappy.

Ian Boddy - Elemental

DiN 25

More organic and down to earth than Ian Boddy's last two releases, Elemental lacks the "far-out" space trip that most ambient electronica clings desperately to. This album showcases Boddy and his ability to be ever flowing and proves his progressive development over his lengthy 20 plus year career.
Having subtly themed tracks, there is eight of them, this album connects at the roots and utilizes intricate percussion and beautiful melodies to provide aural resting points.

Mick Overman & the Maniacs - Good Thing Happen

Max

During his formidable career as a singer/songwriter and guitarist, Mick Overman has produced an impressive body of work. Bolstered by extensive touring (and I mean like 379 shows in one year) he's considered one of the best loved, well respected Bay Area artists.
Having stood solid through changing trends, Mick has kept his music positive, exciting and root based with that stick-to-you-ribs quality that has no restrictions. With the release of his new album he's thrown aside a rotating cast of sideman and has opted for a four-man band. The chemistry between these guys is so uplifting and I strongly urge anyone who has a love for music, to take the time to support your local artists!!
Love's Single of the Week:(Aside from this entire album) "When You Are Guided By Your Heart." I believe that this world has been filled with too much anger; so much so that even our friends will try to discourage us from following our hearts and being daring. I feel that if we all lead lives full of integrity and always do the "right" thing not the "best" or "least offensive" thing we would become a better society.

Eric Bibb - Diamond Days/i>

Folk troubadour Eric Bibb has put in his share of time and miles. Like any traveler from any walk of life his journey has had its peaks and valleys. Diamond Days, his newest release, is a musical appreciation of the ups, a respectful acknowledgment of the downs, and a thoughtful perspective on how the two coexist.
He does a magnificent rendition of Dylan's "Buckets of Rain" in which his earthy voice is supported by a mid tempo arrangement full of intricate finger picking. So for those down days, when you've been in a valley a little too long, our advice is to accept it all with courage and grace. Cause you know you'll be on top of a mountain real soon.

Woman is the ni**er of the world
Yes she is...think about it
Woman is the ni**er of the world
Think about it...do something about it

We make her paint her face and dance
If she won't be slave,
we say that she don't love us
If she's real,
we say she's trying to be a man
While putting her down,
we pretend that she is above us

Woman is the ni**er of
the world...yes she is
If you don't belive me take a
look to the one you're with
Woman is the slave of the slaves
Ah yeah...better scream about it

We make her bear and raise our children
And then we leave her flat for being a fat old mother hen
We tell her home is the only place she would be
Then we complain that she's too unworldly to be our friend

Woman is the ni**er of
the world...yes she is
If you don't belive me take a
look to the one you're with
Woman is the slave of the slaves
Yeah (think about it)

We insult her everyday on TV
And wonder why she has no guts or confidence
When she's young we kill her will to be free
While telling her not to be so smart
we put her down for being so dumb

Woman is the ni**er of
the world...yes she is
If you don't belive me take a
look to the one you're with
Woman is the slave of the slaves
Yes she is...if you belive me,
you better scream about it!

Repeat:
We make her paint her face and dance
We make her paint her face and dance
We make her paint her face and dance

(these lyrics have been censored, but I think you still get the picture!!)

Political Article: America's Holy Warriors By: Chris Hedges Back To Top EditorÕs note: The former New York Times Mideast Bureau chief warns that the radical Christian right is coming dangerously close to its goal of co-opting the countryÕs military and law enforcement. The drive by the Christian right to take control of military chaplaincies, which now sees radical Christians holding roughly 50 percent of chaplaincy appointments in the armed services and service academies, is part of a much larger effort to politicize the military and law enforcement.Ê This effort signals the final and perhaps most deadly stage in the long campaign by the radical Christian right to dismantle AmericaÕs open society and build a theocratic state. A successful politicization of the military would signal the end of our democracy. During the past two years I traveled across the country to research and write the book ÒAmerican Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America.Ó I repeatedly listened to radical preachers attack as corrupt and godless most American institutions, from federal agencies that provide housing and social welfare to public schools and the media.Ê But there were two institutions that never came under attackÑthe military and law enforcement.Ê While these preachers had no interest in communicating with local leaders of other faiths, or those in the community who did not subscribe to their call for a radical Christian state, they assiduously courted and flattered the military and police.Ê They held special services and appreciation days for all four branches of the armed services and for various law enforcement agencies.Ê They encouraged their young men and women to enlist or to join the police or state troopers.Ê They sought out sympathetic military and police officials to attend church events where these officials were lauded and feted for their Christian probity and patriotism.Ê They painted the war in Iraq not as an occupation but as an apocalyptic battle by Christians against Islam, a religion they regularly branded as Òsatanic.Ó All this befits a movement whose final aesthetic is violence.Ê It also befits a movement that, in the end, would need the military and police forces to seize power in American society.Ê One of the arguments used to assuage our fears that the mass movement being built by the Christian right is fascist at its core is that it has not yet created a Praetorian Guard, referring to the paramilitary force that defied legal constraints, made violence part of the political discourse and eventually plunged ancient Rome into tyranny and despotism.Ê A paramilitary force that operates outside the law, one that sows fear among potential opponents and is capable of physically silencing those branded by their leaders as traitors, is a vital instrument in the hands of despotic movements.Ê Communist and fascist movements during the last century each built paramilitary forces that operated beyond the reach of the law.Ê And yet we may be further down this road than we care to admit.Ê Erik Prince, the secretive, mega-millionaire, right-wing Christian founder of Blackwater, the private security firm that has built a formidable mercenary force in Iraq, champions his company as a patriotic extension of the U.S. military.Ê His employees, in an act as cynical as it is deceitful, take an oath of loyalty to the Constitution.Ê These mercenary units in Iraq, including Blackwater, contain some 20,000 fighters.Ê They unleash indiscriminate and wanton violence against unarmed Iraqis, have no accountability and are beyond the reach of legitimate authority.Ê The appearance of these paramilitary fighters, heavily armed and wearing their trademark black uniforms, patrolling the streets of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, gave us a grim taste of the future.Ê It was a stark reminder that the tyranny we impose on others we will one day impose on ourselves.Ê "Contracting out security to groups like Blackwater undermines our constitutional democracy," said Michael Ratner, the president of the Center for Constitutional Rights.Ê ÒTheir actions may not be subject to constitutional limitations that apply to both federal and state officials and employeesÑincluding First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights to be free from illegal searches and seizures.Ê Unlike police officers they are not trained in protecting constitutional rights and unlike police officers or the military they have no system of accountability whether within their organization or outside it.Ê These kind of paramilitary groups bring to mind Nazi Party brownshirts, functioning as an extrajudicial enforcement mechanism that can and does operate outside the law. The use of these paramilitary groups is an extremely dangerous threat to our rights." The politicization of the military, the fostering of the belief that violence must be used to further a peculiar ideology rather than defend a democracy, was on display recently when Air Force and Army generals and colonels, filmed in uniform at the Pentagon, appeared in a promotional video distributed by the Christian Embassy, a radical Washington-based organization dedicated to building a ÒChristian America.Ó The video, first written about by Jeff Sharlet in the December issue of HarperÕs Magazine and filmed shortly after 9/11, has led the Military Religious Freedom Foundation to raise a legal protest against the Christian EmbassyÕs proselytizing within the Department of Defense. The video was hastily pulled from the Christian Embassy website and was removed from YouTube a few days ago under threats of copyright enforcement. Dan Cooper, an undersecretary of veterans affairs, says in the video that his weekly prayer sessions are Òmore important than doing the job.Ó Maj. Gen. Jack Catton says that his being an adviser to the Joint Chiefs of Staff is a Òwonderful opportunityÓ to evangelize men and women setting defense policy. ÒMy first priority is my faith,Ó he says. ÒI think itÕs a huge impact.... You have many men and women who are seeking GodÕs counsel and wisdom as they advise the chairman [of the Joint Chiefs] and the secretary of defense.Ó Col. Ralph Benson, a Pentagon chaplain, says in the video:Ê ÒChristian Embassy is a blessing to the Washington area, a blessing to our capital; itÕs a blessing to our country. They are interceding on behalf of people all over the United States, talking to ambassadors, talking to people in the Congress, in the Senate, talking to people in the Pentagon, and being able to share the message of Jesus Christ in a very, very important time in our world is winning a worldwide war on terrorism. What more do we need than Christian people leading us and guiding us, so, theyÕre needed in this hour.Ó The group has burrowed deep inside the Pentagon.Ê It hosts weekly Bible sessions with senior officers, by its own count some 40 generals, and weekly prayer breakfasts each Wednesday from 7 to 7:50 a.m. in the executive dining room as well as numerous outreach events to, in the words of the organization, Òshare and sharpen one another in their quest to bridge the gap between faith and work.Ó If the United States falls into a period of instability caused by another catastrophic terrorist attack, an economic meltdown or a series of environmental disasters, these paramilitary forces, protected and assisted by fellow ideologues in the police and military, could swiftly abolish what is left of our eroding democracy.Ê War, with the huge profits it hands to businesses and right-wing interests that often help bankroll the Christian right, could become a permanent condition.Ê And the thugs with automatic weapons, black uniforms and wraparound sunglasses who appeared on street corners in Baghdad and New Orleans could appear on streets across the U.S.Ê Such a presence could paralyze us with fear, leaving us unable to question or protest the closed system and secrecy of an emergent totalitarian state and unable to voice dissent. ÒThe Bush administration has already come close to painting our current wars as wars against IslamÑmany in the Christian right apparently have this belief,Ó Ratner said.Ê ÒIf these wars, bad enough as imperial wars, are fought as religious wars, we are facing a very dark age that could go on for a hundred years and that will be very bloody.Ó

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