Kelly Clarkson - My December

Review By: Tony
Genre: Pop/Rock
Rating: 2.75/5

Kelly Clarkson, the original American Idol, releases "My December" which is a disc filled with both inside & outside issues. On the inside it contains a mix-match of material, from soft ballads to techie pop tracks. On the outside there's been problems with Kelly vs. Label and Kelly dumping her promotional tour. It is hard to pick out the good material because the album doesn't have a good flowing direction. To be honest I enjoyed the single "Never Again" though it wasn't as good as her previous works. The best tracks on the album have to be "Don't Waste Your Time" & "Can I Have A Kiss" because they sound similar to her past material yet different. Take the top 5 tracks from this album and what you have are songs that fit the "Kelly Clarkson Mold" while the others leave a lot to be desired. The lyrics for the most part,  maybe heartfelt but come off dull. The thing with this release is that it seems as if Kelly is reaching for something that just isn't going to happen, more or less a rebelling in a public setting. Basically the disc is filled with the good and bad of Kelly Clarkson. Some may sit down and bang out all 13 tracks saying this is her best disc to date, while others might hate the whole thing. I am more or less placed in the middle. I understood that this disc would be different then her past, but this is a bit too much to swallow. Ultimately if she doesn't put together a tour and push this release she'll end up with a tough road back to the top.

Best Tracks: Never Again, Sober, Don't Waste Your Time, How I Feel, Can I Have A Kiss.

Artist Link: www.kellyclarkson.com

Aly & AJ - Insomniatic

Review By: Tony
Genre: Pop/Rock
Rating: 3.25/5

Pop/Rock duo Aly & AJ return with "Insomniatic," a disc that is chalked full of techno-ish mixes and additions. A few songs could have easily fit on their debut release, but most are of different origin. The pop/rock elements for the most part are found throughout but with the techno-ish additions they just come off a bit cheap. The lyrics are beautifully written, most of the tunes are easy to follow. Some may write this release off as a kids disc, I completely disagree as their material is fun for all ages. Despite the techno-ish material, this disc does in fact have some amazing tunes. Songs like "Closure," "Like It Or Leave It," and "If I Could Have You Back" are dead on brilliant. The disc does lack in delivery as there are far too many tunes that contain the modern day music elements. I can see why they went this route, they want to continue to change things up. The remix of Chemicals React was a nice touch but wasn't needed as the original version is honestly better. Despite the flaws, Aly & AJ continue to grow musically and hopefully in a few years they can put all the pieces in order to deliver a knockout product.

Best Tracks: Closure, Like It Or Leave It, Insomniatic, If I Could Have You Back, Flattery, Chemicals React (Remix).

Artist Link: www.alyandaj.com

Mandy Moore - Wild Hope

Review By: Tony
Genre: Folk/Country/Pop
Rating: 4.85/5

Mandy's first studio release since her 2003 album "Coverage." If you think this disc is all pop then your going to be in for a real shocker. This disc contains very little pop elements, in fact it is more or less a cross between a dream state mixed with old school folk entanglements. Most of the songs could easily be used on movie soundtracks or TV spots/shows. Now if you are one that simply likes Mandy for her pop elements then make sure you check out the song "Slimmin' In Paradise" as it will be right up your alley. Mandy delivers what I will call a "breathtaking performance!" Every song is brilliantly crafted and leaves little to be desired as there's really nothing else she could have added to the material. It is obvious that she doesn't care about hit songs, she's in it for the music and this is why the album sounds so good. By taking her time and working with the material ever so gently, Mandy has taken the turn down a different road and one that is more then welcomed.

Best Tracks: Extraordinary, All Good Things, Slummin' in Paradise, Most Of Me, Looking Forward To Looking Back, Nothing That You Are, Latest Mistake.

Artist Link: www.mandymoore.com

Carly Simon - Into White

Review By: Tony
Genre: Acoustic/Classics/Covers
Rating: 4.5/5

Another covers disc to add to the pile except that it contains 3 new songs, so not exactly a full covers release. The new songs mixed with the classic tunes really makes this disc standup. This disc is filled with elegance and grace as even the best known tunes here are reborn, not dull at all. The photography used for the packaging really shows off how amazing this release is. This is definitely a coffee shop/garden release, sit back and enjoy the soothing vocal arrangements and soft twinkled backgrounds. I had a lot of fun listening to this release as I was expecting it to be nothing more then just a covers disc. I will say that if you are expecting this disc to be like a past Carly disc then skip it because while she sounds just as good as always, this hardly contains any movements that would resemble her past. If you are looking to get away from your normal rock/pop or country roots, pick this disc up and just float away with Carly... Into White.

Best Tracks: Into The White, You Can Close Your Eyes, You Are My Sunshine, Over The Rainbow, Love Of My Life.

Artist Link: www.carlysimon.com

Various - VH1 Classics: Metal Mania Stripped Vol. 3

Review By: Tony
Genre: Classic Rock/Rock/Metal/Acoustic
Rating: 3.5/4

2 CD's & a DVD later, Sidewinder along with VH1 Classics release Volume 3 in the Metal Mania Stripped collection. I have to say they continue to impress me as 1 the price is right and 2 more classic musicians have been brought in. This collection contains (depending on what version you purchase) 15 tracks (19 via Wal-Mart), 8 of which cannot be found elsewhere. These releases are more or less fun for those classic rock fans out there because you get to hear a different take on some of the best rock tunes of the 80's/90's. The one thing that continues to bug me about these releases has to be that some bands do not add new content. Firehouse, Tesla and Poison have been on every CD release but there has been no new acoustic versions from any of them. That is a disappointing when you figure in that all 3 bands tour quite regularly. There are others I would like to see release new acoustic versions of their popular tracks as well. Hopefully if Sidewinder/VH1 Classics decide to make Volume 4 they pull out all the stops and finally put out a complete package, one that is filled with all new material. But overall it is a fun release and if you purchase from Wal-Mart you receive 4 bonus live cuts from The Key Club in Hollywood record February 7th, 2005.

Best Tracks: High Enough, Headed For A Heartbreak, Turn Up The Radio, Nobody's Fool, Just Take My Heart.

Artist Link: www.sidewinder-music.com

Melanie C - This Time

Review By: Tony
Genre: Pop/Rock
Rating: 4.5/5

Best known for her part in one of the biggest pop groups in music history, the Spice Girls. What most probably don't know is that this is her 4th studio release as a solo artist. Her past releases had a few decent tunes on them but nothing I'd call great. As for this release, I have to say I enjoyed many of the tunes because they were not your typical dance/pop tunes that are being played on the radio currently. The drums have been pushed into the background as to not overshadow the other instruments that can be found through-out. Melanie's vocals are stunning, a mix between Alanis Morissette & Avril Lavigne, only better. This disc not only showcases pop/rock but elegant soft toned ballads, which in my opinion put Melanie over the top as a true performer. The bonus song, I want Candy was nicely done. If you like the original then make sure you check this version out. It has been completely retransformed by throwing in more or less a Latin vibe. The tracklist could have used a bit of tweaking as far as putting things in order but as a whole this is a really fun disc to listen to, don't pass it up.

Best Tracks: Understand, Protected, This Time, Carolyna, Your Mistake, The Moment You Believe, Immune, I Want Candy.

Artist Link: www.melaniec.net

Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band - Live In Dublin

Review By: Tony
Genre: Classic Rock/Live/Country
Rating: 3/4

There is a lot of power behind this release. Tons of promotion and lots of extras, from CD's to DVD's to even Blu-Ray. So what does that mean? In short it means that you are going to be seeing and even hearing a lot of this material either online or on TV. I like Bruce and his ideas, for the most part he's done fairly well. Focusing in on just the CD set I'd have to say I enjoyed listening to it. There is a real down home nostalgic feel to these tracks because they don't contain the modern day rock elements. Everything has to do with fiddles, accordions, banjos. There are 23 live performances here, most just recover the Pete Seeger tribute that was released last year. If you enjoyed that disc you'll love this set. For those who didn't really care for that tribute I think you will still enjoy this release. The reason is simple, it is live and the songs stand up when the crowd is involved. What you receive in this package are some classics, tributes and The Boss still having fun through it all.

Best Tracks: There are so many fun live tunes here but We Shall Overcome has to be the true standout.

Artist Link: www.brucespringsteen.net

Allen/Lande - The Revenge

Review By: Tony
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock/Metal
Rating: 2.5/5

2 Years ago Allen & Lande released The Battle, a disc that many considered to be breathtaking. Unfortunately for myself I found it to only have a few highlights. So does The Revenge favor better then the last? Like the last release I feel a lot of these tracks are just fillers and completely over-hyped. There are a few tunes that reminded me of say "Boston/Whitesnake" but the buck really stopped there. The opening track had the power packed metal feel but was all over the place with no real heart, more or less showing off pieces of the band. The order was Vocals/Drums/Guitars, nothing in between. There are far too many effects tossed into the songs making them overdone and filler in delivery. The lyrics are more or less dragged out and are not catchy = no replay value. Now the tune Master Of Sorrow (Ballad) has to be one of the highlights because it is catchy, the guitars are done just right and it is a song that I can re-listen to later. Overall I wasn't disappointed in this release because I knew what I was getting myself into. While it does have some flaws, the way the album came to a close was much better then the last. There are a lot of tunes I consider to be fillers and there are others that are smokin'. Hopefully they get together again in 2 years and can pull out all the stops.

Best Tracks: Master Of Sorrow, Will You Follow, Gone Too Far, Wake Up Call, Under The Waves.

Artist Link: www.frontiers.it

Hans Zimmer - Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End

Review By: Tony
Genre: Classical/Score/Soundtrack
Rating: 4/4

I've always looked at score music as an inspirational journey. Pirates Of The Caribbean films have taken fans on many different adventures through an array of emotions. In each film the music has captured and even at times set the mood of what is occurring or about to happen. In Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End there is a sense of not only the dark melodies but those glimpses of hope and light heartedness. The usual "Pirates" theme found throughout the films is still here and a tad bit updated as this is the 3rd film. What makes this score different from the past is that there are many more chanted vocal mixes. An extremely nice touch is the use of the multiple sound arrangements, this is something that seems to be lost when soundtracks are released. The swaying clicks and echoes move from one ear to the next brilliantly. I found myself thinking back to when Jurassic Park I was released. That score by John Williams had a lot of darkness and undertones, this score is no different in delivery. Overall this score is extremely well put together simply because the original themes from the first two films are still in tact, just updated a little in order to keep things fresh. If you are a casual fan of instrumental music I think you will enjoy this disc, as there are many different types of themes. This might very well be the best score to come out of the Pirates series. A disc that had me hitting repeat "At Disc's End."

Best Tracks: The main theme found throughout this release is familiar but in all the whole score works well.

Artist Link: disney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/atworldsend/

Kittie - Funeral For Yesterday

Review By: Tony
Genre: Hard Rock/Rock
Rating: 4/5

Kittie sets their sights on a dawning of a new day. Funeral For Yesterday contains some amazing rock tunes that even some of the toughest music fans will take note of. Now there are a few times throughout the disc where the girls do scream out the vocals, this may put off some listeners but that is the basic style of their musical endeavors. The sound mix is excellent as the guitars are fully showcased in all their glory. The additional sound elements thrown into the backgrounds really added to the musical experience and flow. The disc doesn't contain a lot of dark elements as one might assume, if you visit the band's official website you'll see what I mean. Funeral For Yesterday for the most part contains a ton of catchy songs that are easy to follow and full of brilliantly written lyrics. Obviously many of these tracks when played live will blow the roof off any venue and that's a major plus, as live is where music really breathes. Definitely a disc that caught me by surprise as I had a feeling it would be filled with more of a mysterious dark side. Like I said there are a few songs that contain the darker/screaming vocals but overall Kittie has released a pretty decent disc. The bonus DVD was a nice addition and features 45 minutes of interviews and videos. Hopefully this release is a stepping stone for things to come.

Best Tracks: Funeral For Yesterday, Breathe, Everything That Could Have Been, Will To Live, Around Your Heart, The Change.

Artist Link: www.kittierocks.com

Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Review By: Tony
Genre: Country
Rating: 2.25/5

Her previous release contained some happy-go-lucky material, this time I was looking for some growth. Unfortunately there's not much here, many of the songs just came off dull. The lyrics are where this disc went wrong, for the most part they were cheap and uninspiring. I don't want to imply that Miranda is a 1 album wonder but I think she should have taken more time on this release. Very similar to Carrie Underwood in style and delivery, though Miranda goes after the material with more force/power then Carrie. Will this disc become a successful release? Absolutely! The reason is simple, country music is looking for the pretty face and roughneck tones rather then quality material. Miranda has a great voice and it shows on all the tracks here. But the lyrics and sound undertones just do nothing to showcase why Miranda is different then the others. In conclusion, there are a few catchy and elegant tracks but for the most part this disc is nothing more then filler after filler. I was shocked at how disappointing the material here really is, truly sad as I liked her debut release quite a bit.

Best Tracks: Famous In A Small Town, Desperation, More Like Her, Down, Easy From Now On.

Artist Link: www.mirandalambert.com

Night Ranger - Hole In The Sun

Review By: Tony
Genre: Classic Rock/Modern Rock
Rating: 1.75/5

Oh Boy.. One of the most over hyped releases in 2007, no question! If you liked this band's previous releases then get ready for a big shocker. This is no where close to the quality of their discs from the past as it includes new age modern rock elements that are extremely over done. The production is overly done as well and the vocal mixes are nothing short of annoying. The song list was done completely wrong as there is no real flow when listening to this release. So what is good about this disc? Ahh, there are a couple songs that are good and if played live would get a crowd jacked up. I could have done a full review on this disc but overall it would have been me going off on why this disc has very little to offer to their longtime fans. I guess the real plus of this release is that they didn't do a covers disc.

Best Tracks: You Are Gonna Hear From Me, There Is Life, Wrap It Up.

Artist Link: www.nightranger.com

Alison Krauss - A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection

Review By: Tony
Genre: Country/Bluegrass/Soft Rock
Rating: 4.85/5

Alison Krauss is simply an artist filled with majestic beauty. It seems that when she takes on a project it is one that makes sense. Some may pass this collection off as a quick dollar maker but others like myself can see it as a nice way to bring things from all different angles together as one. Not only does this collection include some amazing duets, but it combines side project tunes with soundtrack material plus the addition of 5 unreleased songs. What you see is a collection of works that have never appeared on another Alison release. If you've purchased soundtracks like "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" & "Cold Mountain" then you will probably ask yourself; "Why would I purchase this collection then?" The answer is an easy one! Simply put, this release features some of the best of Alison away from her previous solo discs and her time with Union Station. The 5 unreleased tracks alone make this a worth while pickup. The addition of the 2 tracks with legendary vocalist John Waite are brilliantly added in, one of which is not available anywhere else. Bottom line, if you like Alison's previous works then this is a must get!

Best Tracks: There's not one bad song in the bunch.

Artist Link: www.alisonkrauss.com

Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing

Review By: Tony
Genre: Pop/Rock
Rating: 2.25/5

Where do I begin with this release? How about the fact that it doesn't fit the Avril Lavigne mold very much. While some songs have that old Avril sassy in your face attitude, others come off cheap and uninspiring. What some will find is that the songs with swear words are basically an instant turn off. Now I am very open to language placement in songs but the delivery of these phrases from Avril makes no sense at all. Not to mention a lot of the tracks that are close to the Avril of old seem like rip-offs of her previous material. The sound mix is average at best and a few of the songs where the guitars play in the background give off a constant ping, obviously part of the song but very annoying. The addition of the tune "Keep Holding On" also makes no sense when you consider that it was released on the soundtrack Eragon last year. The track was played basically as a single on many radio stations across the states as well. I suppose fans who didn't purchase the song from iTunes or other legal downloading systems in 2006 will be happy. The thing is the track itself doesn't fit the vibe of this album. Don't get me wrong, I liked it last year and do so now but if it was readily available last year then why was it included? It would have been better to have a code included with the purchase of the disc and those who wanted to could just download the bonus track. If you are really into Avril then you might have purchased the CD/DVD set. But the DVD doesn't really have anything on it and comes off very cheap/dull like the album. In short there are major issues with this release and many of Avril's core fans will not appreciate this new musical endeavor.

Best Tracks: Girlfriend, When You're Gone, One Of Those Girls, Contagious, Keep Holding On.

Artist Link: www.avrillavigne.com

Rush - Snakes & Arrows

Review By: Jere
Genre: Classic Rock/Progressive Rock
Rating: 3.65/5

Truthfully when it comes to Rush I'm not exactly a big follower of their career and for the most part I never quite got the hype behind their popularity. Geddy Lee has one of those voices that you either love or hate and for me it was always a voice that was more irritating than inspirational and no matter how many times I heard any of their hit songs like Tom Sawyer or Limelight it was Geddy's vocals that relentlessly continued to be a hurdle I couldn't get past. So when Rush released their first single, from the disc, Far Cry in March I wasn't really expecting much but in perhaps one of the oddest twists of fate here was a Rush song that I thought was cleverly written, delivered, and performed with Lee's voice having a more relaxed feel compared to earlier compositions. As for the rest of the album it has other highlights including Armor and Sword that features some amazing instrumentation throughout its six plus minutes of its play time and Workin' Them Angels combines a laid back vibe found earlier on Far Cry with a guitar driven intensity that should please every die hard. Snakes & Arrows also contains several instrumentals such as The Main Monkey Business, Hope, and Malignant Narcissism all of which bring another dimension of emotion into this release. For the most part this sees Rush once again show their diversity and while Snakes & Arrows does something I never thought was possible (finding enjoyment by listening to a Rush song) the fact remains that if you're a Rush fan this is simply a must have for your collection and even if you are not a fan like myself I urge everyone to at least check out the single Far Cry as it consists of the quality traits of sincere musicianship that will get to you one way or another.

Best Tracks: Far Cry, Armor and Sword, Workin' Them Angels, The Main Monkey Business.

Artist Link: www.rush.com

Rebecca St. James - aLIVE in Florida

Review By: Tony
Genre: Live/Contemporary/Religious/Pop/Rock
Rating: 3.75/4

I think many will look the other way when it comes to this release because it contains many religious statements. Again I completely understand that viewpoint but my purpose here is to talk about the music itself. While some of the songs may come off "Preachy" it is the recording and the play off the crowd that sold me on this live release. Rebecca's vocals have a soft side but also that a rock punch that really got the crowd excited. The choice of songs is decent though some of her longtime followers may notice that the focus was on her latest works rather then a collective unit of new and old material. There's rock, pop and acoustic material tossed into this live set which allows the listener to hear all sides of Rebecca's musical repertoire. This CD/DVD set is for those who are not only her longtime fans but new casual fans looking to try something new. The real highlight on this release has to be the way they left in her adlibbed comments to the crowd and had them sing along. All too often these little "true" concert situations are stripped from live releases, nice to see them left in!

Best Tracks: Every song works well in the live environment.

Artist Link: www.rsjames.com

Chevelle - Vena Sera

Review By: Tony
Genre: Metal/Rock
Rating: 1.5/5

Another disc that was so hyped up it was pretty ridiculous. I myself can't understand why it was built up so much as this release has very little to offer rock fans. Even a few of the decent tunes turned out to be completely destroyed by the constant screaming lead vocals and annoying drum lines. Most of the vocal mixes are hard to follow and even out of place at times. I'd say the true highlights of this release are the screaming guitars and bass interchanges. The songs for the most part are a drag as they feature some very dark sentiments and show no "fun" signs of life. If there's one track that I'd suggest people check out it would have to be "I Get It." This song could be placed on a fast paced action movie soundtrack easily. Overall this disc leaves rock fans with a dark feeling and one that seems a bit rushed in delivery. The hype surrounding this release killed it well before music fans could even hear the material. If you like some of their previous material then you'll find a few highlights as I did. But in the end I walked away scratching my head, very disappointing in deed.

Best Tracks: Humanoid, Paint The Seconds, I Get It.

Artist Link: www.chevelleinc.com

Bethany Dillon - Waking Up

Review By: Tony
Genre: Contemporary/Religious/Pop
Rating: 4/5

One of the true rising stars in music today that continues to impress me. You probably know her best for the song "Dreamer" which appeared in the movie with the same title in 2005. This is Bethany's 3rd studio release and like the past 2 it doesn't disappoint. Oh sure there are some bumpy spots but the heartfelt lyrics and vocal arrangements over shadow the negatives. Her vocals can be best compared to that of Kelly Clarkson/Martina McBride, only Bethany goes for more of the softer side of things in order to better paint the emotional push and pulls of the material presented. There's quite a few different genres built into this disc as well, from country to pop and even some acoustic for good measure. The best way to describe this album would be to say that it is a "feel good" release. There are plenty of happy tracks which have inspirational lyrics that many music fans will enjoy. If you are looking for a soft album to play in your car on a long drive or for just sitting outside as the wind blows through the trees then this is a release to pick up.

Best Tracks: The Kingdom, Waking Up, Let Your Light Shine, Top Of The World, Tell Me, When You Love Someone, Beggars Heart.

Artist Link: www.bethanydillon.com

Machine Men - Circus Of Fools

Review By: Tony
Genre: Metal/Rock
Rating: 3.75/5

I've been looking forward to this release since late last year when I first read about it. In 2005 the band released "Elegies" which was my first taste of their music. The song "From Sunrise To Sunset" became my pick for the 2nd Best Ballad of 2005. This time around I found myself going back to the tune "No Talk Without The Giant." This rocker just pushes the envelope of their full band arsenal. From the insane guitar licks to Antony's amazing vocal abilities this song has it all. The tune "Boarder Of The Real World" was just a bit over the top for me to take in. The main heart of the song was good but the harder metal sound just didn't sit well. The disc as a whole was pretty decent but it didn't contain a follow up monster ballad that I was hoping for. If you are looking for a straight forward metal disc then look no further then this release. Some of the songs sound similar to each other but the metal sound is there as well as a few chilling background vocal mixes. The way I see it "Circus Of Fools" goes hand in hand with their previous release. The only real difference here is that the ballad material has been left on the wayside.

Best Tracks: No Talk Without The Giant, The Shadow Gallery, Where I Stand, Dying Without A Name, The Cardinal Point.

Artist Link: www.machinemen.net

Jordan Pruitt - No Ordinary Girl

Review By: Tony
Genre: Pop
Rating: 2/5

Another Pop artist trying to release something familiar yet unique. At just 15 years of age Jordan has been on a few Disney soundtracks which have earned her the respect of many pop music fans. But how would she fair on her own album? There are a few songs that are actually catchy and fun to listen to, but there are also a few no no's. Many of the songs seem "airy" as if they are missing something in the background that could have given them more of a kick, no I don't mean add bass as there's enough of that in pop music already. Some of the lyrics are a bit hard to understand as vocals seemed a little slurred at times. As for the good parts of the disc, there are some fun lyrics and light hearted tunes that kids will find enjoyable and will even be able to sing along to. The addition of the song "Outside Looking In" brings the element of acoustic to the table, which I found to be most enjoyable. But then to follow it up with the cover song "We Are Family" seemed to take away from the originality that the acoustic tune offered. A better follow up to the song "Outside Looking In" would have been the track "Waiting For You" because it has similar acoustic elements and is more or less a ballad. In a nutshell there's some fun elements here as well as some classic such as the acoustic material but overall this disc had no real direction. Another release I have to recommend that you listening to audio clips online before deciding to purchase.

Best Tracks: Miss Popularity, Over It, Outside Looking In, Waiting For You.

Artist Link: www.hollywoodrecords.go.com/jordanpruitt/

Hilary Duff - Dignity

Review By: Tony
Genre: Dance/Pop
Rating: 1.25/5

What a disappointment this disc is, I still can't believe it. Not only did Hilary abandon her core fans but she completely bashed them by following the trend in music these days. She simply took a page out of the "Fergie" playbook and ran with it. The major issue with this release is the lack of fan appreciation for her past success. This is another example of an artist going off into a completely different direction and the results are all too predictable. After hearing a few preview cuts a few months ago I was shocked at the direction she was going this time around. From the first track to the last music fans will be tossed around from dance tunes to more dance tunes. Unlike her previous kid friendly releases, this disc leaves a bad taste in my mouth as there basically no catchy pop tunes. Another over produced disc that has very little to do with actual music. Her intro to the song "Gypsy Woman" says it all, "Congratulations You've Joined The Ranks Of All The Rest." I couldn't have said it better myself. Instead of releasing a disc filled with original light hearted/fun material she instead released a dull dance disc that has more of a depressing vibe then happy. Out of 14 tracks, 2 are decent in "Never Stop" & "Dreamer," 1 is good "Outside Of You." Outside of those tunes this disc is an utter disaster, while it may break the charts and fly off store shelves to real music fans there is no real reason to pick up this release. I can't even recommend picking up the deluxe version because there's no good extras. If you liked her previous releases then I suggest you stick with those and enjoy them. Of course if you are curious then I'd recommend you listen to audio clips on iTunes or other legal downloading programs before you shell out $15.00, or in some cases $20.00.

Best Tracks: Never Stop, Dreamer, Outside Of You.

Artist Link: www.hilaryduffmusic.com

Madhouse - Everything Kills

Review By: Tony
Genre: Classic Rock/Heavy
Rating: 4/5

Detroit Rockers Madhouse release Everything Kills, a collection of 12 classic rock tunes that are packed with that down and dirty feeling! Originally recorded in 1990 but never released on CD, until now! These songs have been enhanced with modern day (2007) technology bringing music fans the highest quality possible. Basically if you liked Ratt, then you'll love this band as they are cut from the same stone. Raspy vocals and amazing guitar hooks can be found through-out. What I really enjoyed from this release is the classic in your face guitar riffs. There's a ton of them found on this disc as I said and honestly we don't hear enough of them these days. There are a few tunes that will really draw you in while others will just rip you apart and that is exactly how the 80's/early 90's hard to the core rockers were. There's a constant battle found all over this disc and that's a good thing. A real push and pull, give and take set of emotions that really can captivate the listener. If you are looking for material from when rock was "ROCK" this is a disc to pick up!

Best Tracks: Madhouse, I'll Be Back For You, Need A Girl, If It Moves..It Aint' Safe, Turn Me On, Don't Bring Me To My Knees.

Artist Link: www.myspace.com/madhousedetroit

Martina McBride - Waking Up Laughing

Review By: Tony
Genre: Country
Rating: 4.75/5

There are quite a few meanings tossed into this album from songs about Unwed Mothers to Child Abuse but that doesn't take away from Martina's true grace. "Waking Up Laughing" contains not only soft toned melodies but a few punchy country rockers. What have always drawn me to her material is that she's not stingy and sticks with the drawn out classic country sound. Martina expands on the country sound by pushing the envelope of lyrical content. There are some extremely catchy songs on this release, a few songs reminded me of LeAnn Rimes type material. The meanings I mentioned before, again do not overshadow the fun, dare I say carefree attitude that some of the other tunes contain. I will say that if you are expecting Martina to have that rock feel on every tune then don't pick up this disc. This album is cleverly setup so that the listener can pickup the pop/rock influences at certain points but also understand that this is a country release. The track "How I Feel" is a sure fire winner and one that I expect to hear on TV at some point. A brilliantly crafted song that is filled with not only catchy lyrics but orchestral elements and a stunning bridge. For long time fans of Martina this is a no-brainer release to pick up but for those who are on the wall I would have to recommend checking out samples before diving in. In conclusion this disc is a pleasant surprise in yet another year where the great releases have been few and far between.

Best Tracks: If I Had Your Name, Cry Cry (Till The Sun Shines), Tryin' To Find A Reason, For These Times, Anyway, How I Feel, Everybody Does, House Of A Thousand Dreams.

Artist Link: www.martina-mcbride.com

Ashley Tisdale - Headstrong

Review By: Tony
Genre: Pop/Dance
Rating: 1.5/5

When I think the Disney Channel I think of fun, children and joy! Ashley Tisdale is a part of the Disney Channel so wouldn't you assume her disc would follow the same suit? This disc is the complete opposite of everything the Disney Channel stands for. Almost every song in one way or another mentions sex. There's nothing wrong with that except when it comes to little kids. Kids see Ashley on Disney daily as well as in films and yet only 4 good songs are on this album. I'm a big kid, I'll admit it! When it comes to sexual content on an album I have to question it because there's just no reason for it here. This disc is a pop oriented release but the content is that of a quick buck scam. If you have followed the way music has evolved and you don't mind that. Then this release is right up your alley. But if you are like me and you are looking for a full disc of catchy normal pop tracks that talk about everyday life then you'll be disappointed too. The songs I liked all turned out to be slower ballad tunes with the exception of the single Headstrong. Once I was able to get past the sexual content I found Ashley's voice not quite up to par. Some songs she sounds just find on while others she strains to hit the high notes. My recommendation here is simple, go on iTunes and pick out just a few of the songs. Do not bother purchasing the full album.

Best Tracks: Unlove You, Love Me For Me, We'll Be Together, Headstrong.

Artist Link: www.ashleytisdale.com

Anberlin - Cities

Review By: Tony
Genre: Religious/Rock/Melodic
Rating: 3.25/5

Anberlin a good modern day rock band but once again the hype train has left the station. It is sad when you receive press releases and hear others talking about how amazing this disc is, only to find out it really isn't. That's hype for you. Not to say that this disc is completely awful, there are a few good songs here. As a whole though, this disc has some issues that were too obvious and couldn't be left unmentioned. For a modern day rock band throwing techno beats into tracks will not garner any attention from those who paid for a rock album. There were a few songs that had techno type material tossed in which I felt pushed the album in the wrong direction. Also and I've said this before, the overall flow of the album is an important thing. But on this disc there are songs that remind me of their previous album (Good, Good!). Then there were the techno tracks not to mention some soft almost ballad like material that was completely out of place. The flow of the album, lets face it there wasn't a flow. What Anberlin did here in my mind was work on different types of material, picked the best tracks and threw them all together on 1 album. If you are looking at this release from a track by track perspective you would find 2 amazing songs (though they seem like they were suppose to be on their last album), 4 good songs and 9 fillers. I rated the special edition version, for those looking to save some money just pick up the regular edition. The bonus DVD that was included has very little to offer, unless your an Anberlin diehard. This band has some great material in their past but this disc simply does not meet up the past Anberlin standards.

Best Tracks: Godspeed, Adelaide, Hello Alone, Alexithymia, Inevitable, Uncanny.

Artist Link: www.anberlin.com

Everlife - Everlife

Review By: Tony
Genre: Pop/Rock
Rating: 4.45/5

It has been a while since this group of 3 have released a full album. Their last effort was released in August of '04 and garner both Pop & Christian music fans. Everlife hasn't exactly been out of the spotlight though. Many of their songs have ended up on Disney soundtracks and compilations. If you watch a lot of Disney films then you have run across these Sisters at some point. Case in point, the cover song "Real Wild One" was the theme on "The Wild." This album is filled with catchy pop/rock tracks that will have you hitting "repeat" on your CD player. I have to say that the album started off great but the middle section of tracks (5-8) didn't capture me at all. I was a bit worried at that point but the disc does finish strong with "Real Wild Child" & "Go Figure." Based on the album cover some might be put off by the fact that it does look like a more pop oriented girl band. This disc does in fact have a few pop type tracks but mainly this is a rock album, I kid you not. Amazing vocals all around and the sound mix (while a bit flat at times) is just right. If your looking to follow a trend then this band isn't for you. If you are looking for something that sounds familiar yet can stand apart then this disc is right up your alley.

Best Tracks: Faded, Goodbye, I Could Get Used to This, Where You Are, Look Through My Eyes, Real Wild Child*, Go Figure.  - (* Indicates Cover Song)

Artist Link: www.everlifeonline.com

Full Out Freak - Loser Anyway

Review By: Tony
Genre: Rock
Rating: 5/5

While some of the songs on this EP are from their debut album there are a few new tunes to satisfy the band's hardcore followers. A band that has a classic 80's vibe yet their material also contains modern rock elements. Similar to classic Bon Jovi, Full Out Freak shares some heartfelt songs with amazing lyrics and insane guitar hooks. What sets this band apart from others that are currently in the pop rock genre is that they have opened for the big bands such as Bon Jovi. The material presented here is exactly what Bon Jovi should be releasing and that also goes for all these other classic rock bands that are selling out and going for a more mainstream sound. You can still have a modern/updated sound without completely changing who you are. This band is clearly on the right track and in time will become one of the new bands to carry on the old school style. There wasn't a bad song on this disc and even though I've heard a few of the songs because they were on their debut album like I mentioned overall it was a great collection of material.

Best Tracks: All 5 tracks are simply breathtaking.

Artist Link: www.fulloutfreak.com

Music And Lyrics - Soundtrack

Review By: Tony
Genre: Pop
Rating: 3.5/5

This soundtrack features a lot of the 80's pop material, similar in sound to Duran Duran/Bowie/George Michaels/Paul McCartney. Hugh Grant sounds great on his vocal parts which stunned me. Haley Bennett's tracks aren't anything special as I felt the songs were more or less "Paris Hilton" tunes. The Barrymore/Grant demo duet was a nice addition to this disc as it was in the movie but not as a whole. Some funny commentary was also fun to take in but not necessarily needed, no replay value. The main highlights are Hugh's tracks, hands down. The other material was average at best, this isn't to say they were all filler tracks. There were a few others that had some catchy lyrics but overall they were letdowns. If you see this movie I think you'll like all the tracks a little bit more. For those who have no interest in seeing this film I still say checkout this soundtrack. If you like 80's pop/piano movements with McCartney type vocals mixed in then there's something here for you.

Best Tracks: Pop Goes My Heart, Meaningless Kiss, Way Back Into Love (Demo), Dance With Me Tonight, Don't Write Me Off, Way Back Into Love.

Artist Link: www.musicandlyrics.warnerbros.com

Beverley Mitchell - Beverley Mitchell

Review By: Tony
Genre: Country
Rating: 3.85/5

Most know Beverley simply from her role on the TV show "7th Heaven." But there's certainly more to hear then just that. From the time she was little she was singing in her Grandmothers church, so she does have a singing background. Not to mention her music has been on 7th Heaven in the background as well as on the TV Soundtrack. As for her debut album, this disc holds some fairly decent country material. While some tracks are a bit dull and hard to get through, others are fun and full of true emotional lyrics. Beverley shows hints of a modern country singer but shows more promise as an original classic visionary. Some of the material here has lyrical content you simply do not hear/see in modern country music. This was a real eye-opener and allowed me to take in this album with no strings attached. So while some may pass this disc off as just another Hollywood starlet tapping into the music world. I see it as a breath of fresh air and a release that while flawed at times shows promise and joy.

Best Tracks: Heaven On Earth Down Here, Rolling Down Sonora Avenue, What Am I Doing Here, Nothing' 'bout Nothin', Angel.

Artist Link: www.thebeverleymitchell.com

Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Review By: Tony
Genre: Pop/Dance
Rating: 1.75/5

Lets get right into this one, from the early promotion this disc was labeled as a Kelly Clarkson type release. (Meaning pop/rock and full of energy.) I can now say that statement was clearly wrong as it was part of the hype train that always leaves the station when it comes to an American Idol release. With every Idol release mainstream labels and even TV companies act as if The Beatles have just found their way to North American soil to save the music world. Extremely over hyped albums have been the worst part of American Idol simply because these musicians have no backgrounds. They come from no where and go to everywhere in the matter of a few months and a good portion of TV watchers jump at the chance to purchase their releases. Why? This isn't to say these musicians aren't talented, but they sure aren't the next big thing. Idol turns out very few musicians that will have true staying power and go on to bigger and better things, most are just the flavor of the month/year. Next was the leaking of some of the tracks from this album, oh wait it wasn't a leak at all. Someone stream ripped a couple snippets off a promotional website, yet the studio and McPhee made the decision to label it a leak in order to garner more attention. Now for the album itself, after listening to this release for a few days I can honestly say there's nothing really here. The disc is all over the place as far as the flow goes, one minute I was into the material and the next I was lost. The lyrics for the most part are not catchy and extremely cheesy. There were a few highlights here but even those tracks in my mind have no staying power and are simply the flavor of the month. If you like American Idol then I'm sure you will pick this disc up right away. For those who are on the wall wondering what side to jump to, buy or not to buy the choice is easy. Do not purchase this full album, head to iTunes or your favorite legal downloading program and listen to the snippets. Pick out 4 or 5 of the tracks and be satisfied that you saved some cash.

Best Tracks: Over It, Home, Each Other, Everywhere I Go.

Artist Link: www.katharinemcphee.com