Mini Album Reviews 2006:

Avalon - Avalon (The Richie Zito Project) :                                                                                  Rating: 2.45/5 Tony

With a disc like this, one would assume it would be full of greatness. Unfortunately a lot of the material comes off as dry and uninspiring. Major talent all over this disc from Hugo to Eric Martin to Eddie Money. The problem is a lot of the material seems unfinished. Perfect example of this would be the Eddie Money track "Nightmare" which ends without warning. On the other side you have amazing songs such as the title track "Avalon" sung by the highly underrated Danny Vaughn. I'm sure the question "What Is The Best Track?" would have been emailed to me so I might as well say my pick. Honestly the best track has to be "Life Got In The Way" featuring Eric Martin. From start to finish I found it to be similar to Mr. Big / Eric Martin solo material. He wasn't out of place like other vocalists on this disc seemed to be. This disc wasn't a bad idea, in fact it's a great idea. But the material doesn't do the singers justice. More time should have been spent on the writing process without question. Richie Zito is one of the best guys in the music biz but sadly this disc is just another in a long line of 2006 albums that were on the "hype" train. No one can really live up to the hype but with a lineup such as this it should have been one of the most fun and entertaining discs of the year, sadly its just a disappointment.

Crossfade - Falling Away:                                                                                                                 Rating: 2/5 Tony

Similar to their debut album in sound and style. I didn't care for their debut simply because the material was all over the place. Some of the individual tracks can stand on their own as singles but as a collective disc there's just too much filler material. It's hard to figure out what genre this band really fits under. While they have quite a few rock songs others seem to be mixes of other genres. A nice idea if done right but even the lyrics need work as there's hardly any catchy sing along songs. This band has potential but they really should stick with one genre and capture that before throwing in additional bits & pieces from others.

Everclear - Welcome To The Drama Club:                                                                                    Rating: 2.35/5 Tony

When I first heard that Everclear was going to be releasing a new album I was excited. Not really a fan of their material but they are a band I respect. Once I picked up my copy I was disappointed. Nothing on this disc really grabbed me. While the vocal arrangements are nice, most of the material is redundant and uninspiring. I listened to this material in a few different ways just to see if I could get into it. Headphones, I listen to all material through headphones to hear the mix clearly. Stereo Setup, for a more live raw feel I went with a full room emersion. My Car, the final place to listen to material just to see if it's more or less feel good songs. I'd say this material fits in the "Car" category simply because there are some mellow tones through-out. While there is the rock feel to consider I just felt as a whole it was similar to the Gin Blossoms latest release though not nearly as good.

Falling Up - Exit Lights:                                                                                                               Rating: 3.25/5 Tony

Some might be put off by the idea of this disc, taking original material and remixing it as well as adding things in. I'm torn on this disc, at times there's some fun music that really captures me. But on the other hand there's a ton of starts & stops which breaks the overall flow of the material. Some techno beats have been added giving the material another dimension. The real way to approach listening to this material is simple to think of a movie score. A lot of instrumental intros & mixes I enjoyed but I did find it hard to dive deep into this disc. If you like this band and their previous releases then I'm sure you'll go out and purchase this disc. Though it's not like their other releases it is something different & new at the same time, I look forward to their next all new album.

Jordan Knight - Love Songs:                                                                                                          Rating: 4.9/5 Tony

Former New Kids On The Block member Jordan Knight releases Love Songs, a collection of his solo material and classic covers. The solo material tracks that have been added are some of Jordan's best in my opinion. The duet with Deborah Gibson is one of the best duets of the year because both singers pour out their emotions. There's nothing fake on this disc, even the cover songs are well crafted and full of energy. This disc also shows that Jordan can do more then sing NKOTB material. I think this is a perfect way for Jordan to branch out. For those who purchased the disc from QVC got the best deal of all. The bonus 5 track acoustic  set really shows off Jordan's musical talent even more so then the regular album. This collection is fun to listen to and a real breath of fresh air.

Pirates - Dead Men Tell Their Tales:                                                                                                 Rating: 5/5 Tony

To some this is just a kids disc so why bother? This is why I bothered; After the success of the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies more and more people are interested in pirate items. I saw this disc at my local Wal-Mart and I just had to pick it up. Not only do you receive a CD but a DVD as well. The CD features 15 songs that basically put you in the heart of what a pirate goes through. From meeting the captain of a ship to stormy weather to of course being on the high seas. The music is very simple and has sound effects of pirates talking in the background as well as sword fighting. There's tons of little goodies thrown in to really make you feel as if your right there with the other pirates. Now the DVD features a documentary that answers many questions about pirates. Things that are talked about are what's the difference between a pirate and a buccaneer to where does the pirate lingo come from? As if that was enough there are 2 full length pirate movies, Captain Kidd & Long John Silver's Return To Treasure Island. The DVD footage is mixed between black & white footage & color. This is fun package for anyone looking to just have some fun. A perfect package for those who have kids as it's educational and fun at the same time. This isn't an expensive package either, I was able to pick it up for $5.99 and I've seen it on amazon.com for as little as $3.99. To fully enjoy this set you really have to use your imagination. Look for this disc to make our Best Of 2006 Awards.

Jonathan Cain - Where I Live:                                                                                                     Rating: 4.75/5 Tony

Jonathan Cain is mainly known for his writing abilities and for being in bands like The Babys & Journey. But what a lot of people don't know is that Jonathan has amazing vocal abilities. Its been a while since we've seen a full studio release with vocals from Cain. This disc has some amazing material throughout. While some songs will be familiar ether from his previous solo discs or from Journey. One thing is clear, this is all about Jonathan Cain. The title track Where I Live is straight from the heart and that pours out while listening to it. Faithfully has been changed up and is now a duet and sounds very similar to what John Waite did this year with his release of Missing You as a duet. I have to say I feel this duet rivals that of the original version of the song. I've seen some promo singles floating around for this track, so I'm hoping with some promotion that it will be on the radio at some point. Overall this is a very soothing album and while some may not care for Jonathan's vocals I find him to really be at home when he releases his solo material.

Gin Blossoms - Major Victory Lodge:                                                                                            Rating: 4.85/5 Tony

Here's another disc I really wanted to do a full review for but I just didn't have time to finish it so here's my mini review. In a nutshell this disc is just like their past albums, extremely strong lyrics with amazing vocals. Many said this band couldn't release a new album that could rival their past material. I say this disc is better then their past material and in fact I hope this is just the stepping stone for this band. This disc can be listened to in the car, in the office or just sitting around the house. There's something for everyone here.

Day Of Fire - Cut & Move:                                                                                                            Rating: 4.35/5 Tony

Similar to their last album in style and delivery but the real difference is their branching out. This material sounds cleaner and a bit more polished then their previous work. Not only are there some rockers but some acoustic type tracks and of course ballads. A great mixed album which at times sounds like 3 Doors Down but that's not a bad thing, in fact it's that familiar sound that I really enjoyed.

 

Paris Hilton - Paris:                                                                                                                          Rating: 3/5 Tony

Ok well here's one of those discs that some people laughed off as pure junk. Either you like it or you hate it. I thought Paris gave it a good effort, there's actually some decent material here. She's not going to win any awards for her singing but it's just another fun thing to do for her. The mixture of dance and pop was as to be expected. There's nothing really flashy about this release but it's an interesting disc to listen to. It's really about giving something a chance, it might not be your norm material but change is good. It will be interesting to see if she decides to release another disc in the future.

Lucky Boys Confusion - How To Get Out Alive (EP):                                                                           Rating: 4/5 Tony

I heard one of the songs off this EP on MySpace and was instantly hooked. The song Cigarettes is extremely catch and fun! I purchased the disc at my local music store and loved 2 additional tracks. Out of the 5 songs 3 I felt were very strong, 2 not so much. This band has potential to be a great rock band. A mixture of rock and punk are heard all over this disc. Now while it doesn't have a parental advisory, be advised there are some "F" bombs. I look forward to their next release.

Brother Firetribe - False Metal:                                                                                                   Rating: 4.65/5 Tony

Another disc I really wanted to do a full review for but just didn't get around to it. Some amazing material here and unlike House Of Lords this album has a ton of catchy songs. Not only will this album appeal to fans of modern rock but classic rock as well. This is one of those albums that truly has something for everyone. Don't pass this disc up, it might be a bit hard to track down but trust me it's worth the effort. The lead singer sounds similar to that of Jack Blades & Mickey Thomas which was a major plus in my mind.

House Of Lords - World Upside Down:                                                                                               Rating: 4/5 Tony

Another album that was hyped beyond all belief. I never go in for the hype, I just receive my copy of the disc and then do my review. I'm not sure what people are hearing on this disc, maybe I missed something. It has some great material but a ton of it just isn't catchy at all. I had a hard time getting into this material. A lot of the songs felt slow and lead me down a path to no where. As a whole the album is pretty decent but in my opinion lacks originality. A couple amazing tracks but there was too many stops and starts to keep my interested.

LeAnn Rimes - Whenever We Wanna:                                                                                            Rating: 3.5/5 Tony

This album came out of no where, but was only released overseas. My understanding it's simply because the album has more of a pop influence their her previous works, the label didn't want to confuse listeners in the states (if that makes any sense). Honestly this album isn't a full pop release like others are saying. There's some great material here but no where near what it should have been and with a limited release it doesn't bold well for this disc in terms of sales. If your a LeAnn fan of course your going to go on amazon.com or ebay to purchase your copy, but others who listened every now and then won't bother. LeAnn holds her own on the pop tracks but some are just too redundant and dull so I found myself skipping over them after a few listens. Hopefully some of the great tracks will be released in the states even if they are only released on iTunes or as an EP.

Quietdrive - When All That's Left Is You:                                                                                          Rating: 5/5 Tony

Another disc I really wanted to do a full review for but just didn't get around to it. This is one of the best albums of the year no question. There isn't a filler track on the entire disc. There's ballads, rockers and more! The vocals are dead on brilliant and the mixed vocal tracks dare I say it will take your breath away. If you haven't already, go out and pick up this release. It truly answers back, how you might think the industry is full of the same new sound over and over; This album seriously defies it all.

Crash Romeo - Minutes To Miles:                                                                                                       Rating: 3/5 Tony

Another pop/rock/punk band but don't let that stop you from taking a listen to this band. They have some great material here but the album as whole isn't solid. Some tracks are catchy and demand to be repeated while others lack in depth and use cheap words (profanity) to get by. Overall this album is fun to listen to when you want a change of pace because there's no real pace to this disc. If that puts you off then your not going to like this album as a whole, same as me. I will say that if you purchase the limited edition version of this release you'll receive a t-shirt that has an interesting design. Not that I'd wear it, but still some would and it's a nice bonus for those looking for a little more from this band.

Angels & Airwaves - We Don't Need To Whisper:                                                                            Rating: 1.5/5 Tony

Just a small piece of history, member of Blink-182 doesn't want to do a solo disc in 2005 so he puts together another band. That's just the really short version of how this band got started. Funny thing is this album is just awful and one of the worst discs of 2006. I'm not exactly sure what this band was trying to accomplish but after 10 listens. Yes that right 10 listens, I found nothing but 1 good song. Good thing this is just a side project because had it been a full time band, they would have found themselves sitting on the side of the road as other bands go on tours for the summer. I don't recommend picking this disc up at all and as I said in my opinion this is one of the most over-hyped and worst albums of the year.

Laidlaw - The Foam Box Sessions:                                                                                                Rating: 3.75/5 Tony

This album is full of southern rock material. If you've heard of Laidlaw then you know exactly what this album sounds like. It has a ton of catchy material not to mention that raw sound that classic rock bands have. What I really liked about this album is that the band stayed true to form and didn't stray away from who they are. When I listened to this album I thought Bo Bice simply because that's how the material sounds. There's catchy lyrics and fun guitar mixes that will have even the most causal listener take notice. If your looking for something fun to listen to then I'd recommend this album. At the price it's currently going for, (July 1st, 2006) $6.00 on their official website, you simply can't go wrong.

Halifax - The Inevitability Of A Strange World:                                                                                 Rating: 3/5 Tony

Another disc some considered to be amazing and one of the best of the year. Now when I reviewed their EP last year I was hoping for more. But I figured that would come on a full disc release. Sadly it's more of the same shaking my head asking why? This album had a lot of people on the edge of their seats before it's release. But once the disc hit the fans hands it's been half good, half bad reactions. To me this disc jumps around way to much. The use of different effects for the vocal arrangements, the light and dark mixed tracks were very odd. Some material sounded great and was exactly what I wanted to hear but most of it just isn't going to capture those rock lovers out there. If your a fan of this band then i'm sure this is going to be a release your going to purchase just because, but if your looking for something ground breaking and one of the best discs of 2006, then save your money because sadly this isn't it.

Roses Are Red - What Became Of Me:                                                                                           Rating: 3.75/5 Tony

Considered by some to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2006. I wasn't even aware they were releasing a new disc till the exact day it hit the stores. So of course I purchased my copy and gave it a listen. Sadly the album isn't exactly a strong album, some of the material sounds similar to their older stuff which isn't a bad thing but it would have been nice to hear them break out and do something a bit different. A couple of songs really sounded great but like I said, others seemed rehashed. The catchy "These Days" & "What Became Of Me" were my personal favorites.

Fighting Instinct - Fighting Instinct:                                                                                                 Rating: 4/5 Tony

Similar in sound to say Alter Bridge & Mayfield Four. Fighting Instinct is in a genre were every band sounds basically the same. I've reviewed a couple similar bands already this year. It's not a bad thing but every band has to try and standout. I found that this band's strength is simply their way of selling the strong rough tones. This album isn't polished like other bands, Fighting Instinct's material sounds more like a live album minus the crowd. If your into catchy material with a raw feel make sure you check these guys out.

 

Live - Songs From Black Mountain:                                                                                            Rating: 2.95/5 Tony
A band with a history, so how does this album rank? Honestly it's not that impressive because it lacks the rock sound most Live fans are use to. A lot of soft tracks which for another band might be impressive but this is Live, and frankly some of the tracks didn't work. There are a couple hints of classic Live on the disc songs like Love Shines and All I Need. Overall this disc lacks the classic Live sound and goes off into another direction which frankly wasn't needed at this stage of their careers. Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come from this classic band.

Paul Simon - Surprise:                                                                                                              Rating: 4.95/5 Tony
There's a handful of musicians who can truly capture the human experience in their material. Paul Simon is definitely one of those artists, his soulful lyrics and sound are timeless. This album was as the title says a "Surprise" because I had no clue that it was even coming out. I was shocked at how amazing the material is. Extremely solid work, he's an artist that either you love him or you hate him. Personally I love his material because there's no one out there who sounds like him, truly unique. This album is filled with amazing lyrics and storytelling as only Paul can do. An instant classic.

WWE - Wreckless Intent:                                                                                                                Rating: 3/5 Tony
If your a fan of WWE then by now I'm sure you've heard bits and pieces from this album. Weather your into WWE or not there's an interesting mix of material here so there is something for everyone. Rap/Rock/Hard Rock, There was a lot of material here that I'm just not into. The songs might be great to jack a crowd up but their not so great when just sitting at home or in the car. New themes for some current WWE members which is a nice change of pace for the show. The really big hit coming from this disc has to be King Of Kings by Motorhead, HHH new theme song which has been played here at the island quite a bit lately. Overall an interesting disc but nothing to run out and buy right away, save your money and purchase a few tracks off iTunes or other legal download programs.

Nick Lachey - What's Left Of Me:                                                                                                 Rating: 4.75/5 Tony
Nick's previous record had very little to offer in my opinion. I can only remember 2 tracks that peaked my interest. Now Nick is back and this time he's gone the Joey McIntyre route. A perfect blend of emotion and soulfulness, not to mention the boy-band sound is left out in the cold. Pop Rock is exactly what this album offers and so much more. The first real shocker album of the year, as I figured there would be a couple good tracks here I was shocked by the new sound. You can really feel what Nick was, is and will continue to go through in his life. Amazing lyrical references to his past and present while looking to the future for hope and understanding. This album while not flawless does display Nick's growth as a singer and songwriter. He'll continue to get better and better and hopefully he stays on this path as it's much better then the straight boy-band sound.

Kutless - Hearts Of The Innocent:                                                                                                     Rating: 5/5 Tony

I struggled with this review since I purchased the disc. I heard a few tracks before the album was released and I for one was shocked at how this band had grown with their sound. Yet I still didn't have the album in hand. So I waited till it's release, went to the store and purchased my copy. There's 2 versions of this album, version 1 would be just the CD itself, version 2 has the CD, a bonus DVD and 4 acoustic tracks not to mention the exclusive outer sleeve packaging. Now here's how I see it, if you already like this band then your going to go for the CD/DVD release. If your looking for something new then you will probably go with the regular CD version. Either way you really can't go wrong as once you put this release in your stereo/computer/ipod your going to be hooked. I struggled with this review like I said at the start simply  because it's hard to explain just how good the material is. I went through this album tons of times, putting it away then going back to it and every time I found myself saying that this is truly an amazing album. It's perfectly blended, there's no fillers and it's all here for the taking. If your a long time fan of Kutless then your really going to like what you hear as they stay true to their original sound. They've built on what they started on and frankly I don't know how their going to top this amazing piece of work. A strong contender for album of the year.

Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome - The Seeger Sessions:                                                    Rating: 2.5/5 Tony

When I heard about this project I was very interested simply because this is not just a covers album, it's more of a tribute album. But nothing really changed here, I was looking for more of a modern day revival of these classic tracks, sadly that didn't happen here. Bruce went for that old sound and didn't add anything to the tracks to make them really pop. If your into old country material with twangy guitars then this album will be right up your alley but for those of you like me who like a mix of old and new you won't find much on this album sadly.

Survivor - Reach:                                                                                                                             Rating: 4/5 Tony

A classic band that has stayed true to their original sound. Reach is their latest release and honestly it's an ok disc, but it could have been better. It's a bit soft at times and yet still has a bunch of classic sounding tracks. Now it's not quite as good as I had hoped for simply because it does need more rocker tracks. I had hear a few tracks before it's release and I was impressed but once the final track listing came around I was shocked that some of the more rock oriented tracks had been left off the album. So if your looking for that classic Survivor sound, it's here but there are a little too many softies here in my opinion.

Joe Satriani - Super Colossal:                                                                                                            Rating: 4/5 Jere

The last time the anyone heard a studio release from one of the world's most technically proficient guitar experts was in 2004 with Satch's Is There Love In Space? Now a couple years later after a couple successful G3 world tours Joe has surprised fans once again with his return providing a new studio release appropriately titled: Super Colossal. Satriani has always reigned supreme among guitar enthusiasts and on his 10th studio album Satch reaffirms his status as an industry standard. From heavy guitar driven arena anthems like the title track to elegant mid-tempo compositions like Ten Words and Made Of Tears this disc provides listeners with the signature Satriani style that everyone has come to know and love. Even though its no Surfing With The Alien, Super Colossal offers a more traditional instrumental rock album in terms of sheer style and sound. Its safe to say that Joe will always remain always versatile when exploring and releasing studio discs yet will always provide some of influential guitar playing on the entire planet.

Big City Rock - Big City Rock:                                                                                                     Rating: 4.25/5 Tony
If you like The Killers you'll love this band because honestly they have the same sound but in my opinion are a much better band. Why do I say that? Well this album doesn't just have 2 or 3 good songs it has more like 6 to 7. Weather or not this band becomes popular is still yet to be seen, some how I doubt they will due to their sound. In a way their right there with Duran Duran in feel and I've read that others are comparing them to U2. Though U2 never sounded this good.

Building 429 - Rise:                                                                                                                        Rating: 4/5 Tony
I've been looking forward to this release since hearing their debut album. Building 429 won the Dove 2005 New Artist Of The Year Award so you'd assume that would carried over to this album. Well sadly to me it's just not quite as amazing as their debut, while it does have better material in terms of lyrics and sound it lacks in the overall feel section and leaves you with a "why" feeling. If there was one track I'd say everyone this year should take a listen to it would be "Fearless". Overall it's a little better then average record and hopefully their next release brings it all together.

Seven Glory - Over The Rooftops:                                                                                                Rating: 3.5/5 Tony
This band has a great sound but it is in fact similar to others out there. The material here is nice but does leave you with a bit of why can't this album be tightly put together? Seems to me the material is sort of placed out of order making it hard for the listener to get into the flow of the material. Don't get me wrong I found quite a few nice piece's here but as a whole it's just not up that great. Listed in the same area of sound as Moroon 5 and Creed according to some, personally I don't hear that at all. I see them as a cross between Mainstay & Anberlin only not quite that good. Another Christian band that in time and with stronger material will be listed among the best in the genre.

Mainstay - Well Meaning Fiction:                                                                                                    Rating: 5/5 Tony
How can I explain this one? It's definitely an amazing album that really has it all. The material is solid, unique and extremely powerful. From what I've seen very few music stores are carrying this album for some reason. So if you want it order it online (Walmart.com has it). Songs like "Take Away" and "This Could Be" are truly amazing. This band is definitely on top of their game and hopefully they continue to release this sort of material in the future. So while it might be hard to find this release it's definitely worth your time and money. Hopefully this is just the tip of the iceberg for this group.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Hammersmith Odeon London '75:                               Rating: 4.85/5 Jere
Its nice to see and hear a vintage Springsteen live  performance the likes of this finally get released and quite honestly it doesn't get any better than this. Bruce and the E Street Band put on a life altering performance at London's Hammersmith Odeon as the group was hot off the heels of one of Springsteen's most popular albums: Born To Run. Bruce has always been one of the most influential singer/songwriters in rock and to hear him back when this group was still coming into their own in such an intimate/raw live setting classics like Thunder Road, Born To Run, and Backstreets have yet to become classics at the time of this recording they still offer the magic and powerful emotion and delivery that still hold up to this very day.

Jennifer Knapp - Live:                                                                                                                 Rating: 4.5/5 Tony
Those who know Jennifer know what an amazing talent she is. For those who don't, need to check out her website for additional information. This album features recordings from her 2001 tour, she's currently taking time off but is still under contract so fans don't worry! Seems this year is turning out to be the year of the Live Album, which is more than welcomed. Amazing songs mixed brilliantly one of the few live albums where you can actually hear the crowds during the songs.

Fivespeed - Morning Over Midnight:                                                                                          Rating: 4.75/5 Tony
A lot of reviewers aren't giving this band a fair shake. Already being shoved to the side and told their a copycat of Acceptance & Anberlin. Personally I find this album to be right in the same league and yet it has different elements that keep the album interesting and fresh. Songs like Blame It On You & Touch Of One should be in every music fan's collection. From the soft tracks to the rockers this album is fun and exciting so while others won't give it a fair shake I find it to be something different and meaningful.

 

Bon Jovi - Live From The Have A Nice Day Tour:                                                                             Rating: 5/5 Tony
Consists of 6 Live Tracks, Recorded December 10th, 2005 in Boston, MA. This recording showcases the band's raw emotion as Richie Sambora's guitars are better live then in the studio. Now Jon's vocals certainly have changed in recent years but there's no question that he can still "wow" a crowd. This disc is exclusive to Wal-mart so that will hurt sales a bit because not everyone will know about this release. This is a must purchase for any Jovi fan, this fits perfectly with their 1st live album, which was released a few years ago.

Motley Crue - Carnival Of Sins Live Vol 1:                                                                                  Rating: 4.75/5 Tony
Motley releases a 2 volume live set exclusive to Wal-mart. Volume 1 offers many classic tracks such as Shout At The Devil, Looks That Kill, Live Wire and the monster hist Girls, Girls, Girls. We recommend picking up both discs because once disc 1 is over you'll want more. The sound is raw which will turn some away. But it's definitely worth the 10.00 a disc price tag. Total Of 11 Tracks.                                                            

 

Motley Crue - Carnival Of Sins Live Vol 2:                                                                                       Rating: 5/5 Tony
Volume 2 adds more classic tracks, Primal Scream, Glitter, Home Sweet Home, Dr. Feelgood and the latest Crue hit If I Die Tomorrow. Personally I find Volume 2 to have more of a power punch then Volume 1, though both are extremely fun to listen to. Longtime Crue fans will want these for their collections right away. Those of you just starting your Crue collection this is a great place to start. Also check out their Carnival Of Sins DVD, as these are the same recordings taken from that release. Total Of 12 Tracks. There are a couple places where swear words have been edited out but mostly in between tracks where the band talks with the crowd.