Label: Island Records Released: September 18, 2007 Popmart finds U2 at their most bloated. The set is absolutely huge and probably has enough lights to illuminate a mid-size town. The grand entrance with the band entering as a boxing entourage heading to the ring of a championship bout (with Bono as the fighter) all set to the tune of M’s… Read more »
October 15, 2007, Rams Head Live!, Baltimore, Maryland I hadn’t heard of De Novo Dahl prior to seeing them on the bill for this show. Other than a few tracks I sampled to get an idea of what to expect, this show was my first exposure. That being said, I don’t think there was much that could have prepared me… Read more »
Label: July 10, 2007 Released: Eschatone Records The Hanslick Rebellion was once heralded as “possibly the finest band to ever call Albany home” (by a writer from the local paper). I suppose that might be true, but it’s still not much of a case for greatness. Neither is the re-issue of this ten-plus-year-old live recording. Back in the 90s, the… Read more »
In light of the upcoming gig and repackaging, Led Zeppelin now has a Myspace page. You too can be “friends” with one of the all time greats (even if that friendship with John Bonham is posthumous). In addition to the Myspace presence and yet another repackaging/remastering, Led Zeppelin’s whole catalog (yeah, that means Coda too) will finally be available through… Read more »
Label: Cornerstone RAS Released: February 13, 2007 I once saw an interview with a pro surfer. When asked who was the best surfer in the world, she replied, “The one having the most fun.” Bert Susanka might be the musical embodiment of that surfing ideal. Onward Christian Slater takes the harmonies of the Beach Boys, the down-to-earth grittiness of the… Read more »
Label: Atlantic/Rhino Released: October 2, 2007 Don’t miss the opportunity to win a copy of this CD. See the bottom of this review for details. Other than a song here and there, the Rolling Stones haven’t done anything worthwhile since 1972’s Exile on Main Street (don’t whine to me about Some Girls or Tattoo You, either). Their last album, seen… Read more »
…but who doesn’t already have the whole Led Zeppeling catalog?
Label: Columbia Released: October 2, 2007 It’s been a long time since Springsteen has released a truly good album. Granted, he did a nice job with the Pete Seeger covers, but his own material has been dull and decidedly adult-oriented. Magic isn’t a full return to rock form, but it is a step in the right direction. From the opening… Read more »
Label: Fantasy/Concord Music Group Released: October 2, 2007 While John Fogerty is not likely to ever match his output in Creedence Clearwater Revival, he still manages to release some very good solo material spaced out over a period of 30+ years. Revival, his latest offering often aims at Creedence and the protest climate of the 60s. The album kicks off… Read more »
Label: Big Rack Records Released: July 24, 2007 Recording a whole album of Dylan covers is about as bad an idea as getting Ozzy to be a guest vocalist on your album. Leslie West makes both mistakes on Mountain’s latest album, Masters of War. The problem with this album is that West’s arrangements are dull, with little hint of Dylan… Read more »