Label: Daykamp Records Released: December 4, 2007 While hard rock is probably one the easiest genres to play, it is probably one of the hardest at which to succeed. It’s has been played by so many for so long that it’s really hard to be a standout. Sure, the old hard rock regulars will flock to anything that reminds them… Read more »
After writing that Blackmore’s Night review, I had to post something as a reminder that Richie Blackmore wasn’t always pathetic. I guess knowing that he once did some great stuff makes his sad attempt at bring the renaissance to rock even worse. Label: Polydor Released: 1976 Any disappointment that Deep Purple fans must have felt when Richie Blackmore departed in… Read more »
Label: Steamhammer Released: November 6, 2007 At its very best, this DVD hints at Spinal Tap’s “Stonehenge.” Of course, that’s the last thing Blackmore and company were going for, because they actually take this stuff seriously. Sure, he could get away with this kind of fantasy crap when Ronnie James Dio sang with him, but Candice Night is no Dio… Read more »
Label: Alive Natural Sound Records Released: 2006 Formed out of the ashes their previous band, Thee Shams, which was limited to some extent by its love of the Stones, the Gabbard brothers find a much more expansive, heavier sound with Buffalo Killers. They dip generously into the heavy psychedelia of Cream and Hendrix and alternate that with a dose of… Read more »
Bill and Laura of Brooklyn’s The New Dress are a duo playing a punk/folk hybrid that taps the past without leaving the present. Their album, Where Our Failures Are, is one of the best I’ve heard in this burgeoning genre (and it made my Best of 2007 list). If you aren’t familiar with them, check out the review first. RnRnNM:… Read more »
Label: CD Baby Released: January 8, 2008 The first thing you notice about Glenna Bell’s music is her voice. It can be delicate and bold, rich and breathy. She has this amazing vibrato that you can feel as much as hear. It would make for great country music even if the songs were awful. But they’re not awful, they’re actually… Read more »
Label: Nice and Friendly Records Released: October 16, 2007 Those with a superficial appreciation of Chuck Dukowski’s old (and considerably more famous) band, Black Flag, will be rather shocked to hear his new material. However, anyone with a deeper understanding of Black Flag will see CD6 as a logical progression. Black Flag was, after all, essentially a psychedelic band. Not… Read more »
While I’ve had this site for a few years, I’ve only been really dedicated to it for the last eight months and that time has certainly been interesting. Prior to May of this year, I would write periodically about a record I bought or a show I saw, but it was never consistent and I never even considered the idea… Read more »
I have to say that 2007 was a good year for my ears. I didn’t spend a lot of time scouring the pop charts, but there’s so much out there that one doesn’t have to look very hard to find some good stuff just beneath the surface in just about any genre. (I didn’t really stick to 20, because I’d… Read more »
While I heard a lot of really good music in 2007, the year wasn’t without its clunkers. Let’s get them out of the way today and be free to enjoy the best 2007 had to offer tomorrow. 5. Mountain – Masters of War: Why does Leslie West think Bob Dylan needs Mountain to prove his relevance? After this disaster of… Read more »