Emma Bunton: Life In Mono
This album contains a blend of classic soft toned elements which was a bit of a shocker. Emma is best known for her roll as "Baby Spice" in the all girl group "Spice Girls." I was expecting more of a pop "girly" type record, but what I found was that Emma can truly hold her own outside the "Spice Girls" image. She was able to show off a softer side of her music persona by going for a more classic/timeless sound. While this album does contain a few covers, the original songs are the real winners here. Hopefully this is the direction Emma continues on as this is truly a breathtaking release. 4.85/5 - Tony
Cheap Trick: Rockford
Nearly 30 years after their debut album Cheap Trick returned this past June with their 16th studio album simply named Rockford after the city they started their career in. Cheap Trick hasn’t let the past 30 years affect their success in 2006 since they opened for Aerosmith (up until Aerosmith had to take a break from touring due to vocalist Steven Tyler needing throat surgery). Rockford sees Cheap Trick get back in touch with the group’s core sound as a majority of the songs featured some raw/gritty guitar work. But the disc doesn’t have instant hit singles that the group has been known to produce. Instead focus here is more on a retro vibe that takes a bit longer to catch on and grab hold of. 3.95/5 - Jere
Dixie Chicks: Taking The Long Way
Three years after controversy surrounded one of Country’s most popular groups. The Dixie Chicks face their toughest challenge to date, overcoming the public backlash over their opinions to continue recording and releasing material. With their first single, “Not Ready To Make Nice” the chicks basically set the record straight sharing their feelings on the controversy that followed them for three years.. Taking The Long Way sees a lot more maturity compared to their 2003 release “Home” and even though many have shunned this trio over an opinion it seemed that the controversy was something that assisted the group to act as inspiration in the material featured on this release. 4.85/5 - Jere
Jet: Shine On
The sophomore release for this popular Australian rock act. Jet stormed on the scene back in 2003 with their debut, “Get Born.” This band embraces influences from legendary acts such as Queen, AC/DC, and the Rolling Stones. Singles like “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and the hook laden anthem “Cold Hard Bitch” put the band on the worldwide map. It seems over the last couple years Jet has been heavily scrutinized by critics simply because they borrowed riffs from Iggy Pop and AC/DC which assisted them in getting hits. Despite these criticisms Jet has still amassed quite the following and is one of the few younger bands that embrace a more classic/genuine style of rock ‘n’ roll. With “Shine On” Jet embraced a blues influence that was reminiscent of The Stones and was more than a departure from their debut. The key problem with this band is they have the talent to take them places yet it seems they just borrow ideas from influential acts out there without bringing some originality to their sound. Hopefully in the near future they can expand more and become a meaningful contemporary hard rock band. 3.75/5 - Jere
Richie Kotzen: Into The Black
It’s undeniable the amount of talent Richie Kotzen has whether you like him or you don’t, the man has a very creative method that encompasses a genuine talent that for almost 20 years now has evolved into something that is beyond words. I’ll admit to cautiously approaching every new release Kotzen has released thus far. With “Into The Black” Richie once again pulls out everything he has and puts every emotion into anthems “You Can’t Save Me,” “Misunderstood,” and the chorus heavy “Sacred Ground.” In the end Richie Kotzen has continued to provide the music world with soulful material that still is the emphasis of rock n’ roll. There is no doubt if Richie continues onward down this path his career will continue to build beyond legend. 4.25/5 - Jere
L.A. Guns: Loud & Dangerous: Live In Hollywood
There are 2 different incarnations of this band which left fans confused as how two bands could exist at the same time with the same name. Lines were drawn and loyalty was divided between Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis and the band that has continued to be L.A. Guns well after Tracii left in 2002. For Phil and his fellow band mates the decision to get back on track and basically get back to their roots culminated in the idea to record a gig at the infamous nightclub “The Whiskey.” The final result is a live album that blasts through a set that consists of vintage Guns material while also featuring songs from the more recent releases “Rip The Covers Off” & “Waking The Dead.” 4.45/5 - Jere
Lacuna Coil: Karmacode
The past four years have seen this Italian Goth metal band gain popularity across the world and with their latest studio release Karmacode Lacuna Coil expanded past their Goth roots as the album has a bit of a Nu-Metal tinge with some gritty modern riffs. Female lead vocalist Cristina Scabbia provides her serene voice often bringing a solid melodic edge through her soothing but commanding vocals. As the band explored a Pseudo Middle Eastern vibe on Karmacode the reaction was very popular as the album hit number 28 on the Billboard 200 thus far making it the highest charting album for Lacuna Coil. One interesting factor that has plagued the band is the comparison to American rock band Evanescence and while both groups both have a similar sounds and have both been called Goth rock Lacuna Coil have more longevity in the industry and not to mention that L.C. provide an album that had more of a playability factor unlike the horrible mess that Evanescence released in October. 4.25/5 - Jere
Tom Petty: Highway Companion
Simply put Tom Petty is an institution when it comes to American rock ‘n’ roll. In July 2006 Tom returned to the scene with this third solo album, “Highway Companion.” This follows his highly acclaimed solo efforts, “Full Moon Fever” & “Wildflowers” respectfully. Petty once again proved that his legendary status as an industry standard was secured as the album charted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. Tom Petty has got back in touch with himself with songs like “Saving Grace,” which peaked at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the modern rock chart at number 34. Following the success of touring in the summer of 2005, Tom took the Heartbreakers back out for another round in 2006 for “The Highway Companions Tour.” This time they would hook up with artists “Trey Anastasio,” “Pearl Jam,” and “The Allman Brothers.” 30 years since recording the first Heartbreakers album has seen Tom Petty become a true rock legend and one whose legacy will live well after Tom decides to hang it up and call it a day. 4/5 - Jere
Ra: Raw
Ra, named after the Egyptian sun god who was considered the creator of life. This upstart modern rock band have lived up to their title by creating two studio albums that sound both contemporary yet draw from a classic rock feel. For Ra they’ve managed to breathe new life into a genre that today lacks legitimate musicians. As 2006 pressed on, this group decided to encompass all their best traits into a live recording at “The Machine Shop” in Flint, Michigan. Ra’s decision to simply call this live disc “Raw” is one that can best sum up any live performance from a talented artist and definitely describes the band’s set list consisting of several well known hits. They’ve also included a brand new studio track “Don’t Turn Away” which is quite possibly Ra’s best song thus far. If this is what their next studio album (tentatively called “Black Sun”) is going to sound like then Ra will in my view become one of the dominant hard rock forces of the modern era. 4.75/5 - Jere
Joe Satriani: Satriani Live!
Joe has kept a very active career in 2006 by releasing his latest studio album, “Super Colossal.” As usual it is in the high standards that Satriani has always been known for. As the year progressed Satriani hit the road on the “Super Colossal” tour and recorded this double disc live album on May 3rd in Anaheim, California. While this new live album covers most of Satriani’s signature tracks and some of the newer ones from Colossal it doesn’t quite match up to Satriani’s outstanding 2001 release, “Live In San Francisco.” However if you’re a fan of Satch and enjoy hearing a guitar god such as himself shred in a live environment than this is essential buy. Even though Joe turned 50 this year he has yet to release something that doesn’t match up to his high energy standards. 4/5 - Jere
Skid Row: Revolutions Per Minute
Over the past several years the Skids have gone through a transition and while the band’s era with Sebastian Bach has always remained their most popular bruised egos and attitudes got the best of everyone. 2003 saw Skid Row return with a brand new studio album, “Thickskin” with singer Johnny Solinger and reaction to this new incarnation of Skid Row was varied to say the least. With their second album with Solinger the guys again leave fans questioning where their loyalty lies as Skid Row integrated so many different elements from punk & hard rock to bluegrass/country (yes you read that right country). It is really hard to get a grasp on the direction the Skids are going and while some tracks such as “Disease” and the cover of The Alarm’s “Strength” are highlights, it feels like the band that once gave us “18 and Life,” “Youth Gone Wild,” and “Monkey Business” cease to exist. Instead they reinvented themselves to a point where it is hard to remember exactly where these guys came from. The final product takes a while to warm up to however if listeners approach this album with an open mind then the results will vary. Let’s hope that Skid Row can get on a level playing field the next time around and release something that is satisfactory for both the band & their fans. 3.15/5 - Jere
Vains Of Jenna: Lit Up/Let Down
How many young bands in the industry today try to go the route that one of the world’s most notorious hard rock bands of the last 20 years? That is to hit the world with a down and dirty approach. For Vains Of Jenna there is no effort to sound like a majority of today’s modern rock bands as they have rooted themselves in the Hollywood sleaze sound that made Guns N’ Roses famous. Everything about VOJ reeks of pure attitude. Lizzy DeVine’s whiskey drenched vocals are far more recognizable than most of today’s dreary post-grunge singers. With “Lit Up/Let Down” the world finally gets an upstart band that isn’t afraid to embrace sleaze metal. A true re-energized feeling and one that the industry needs badly. 4/5 - Jere
Wig Wam: Wig Wamania
The last year or so has been one filled with one accomplishment after another for this upstart Norwegian melodic glam rock band. While some would rather forget about this genre the fact is that there has been a very devoted following for this band since they entered the 2005 Eurovision Song contest. They ended up with one of the biggest melodic anthems of the year with the beyond catchy “In My Dreams.” In March 2006, Wig Wam returned with their sophomore effort “Wig Wamania” which featured mega rock anthems, “Slave To Your Love,” “Bygone Zone,” and “Gonna Get You Someday.” Thanks to these tracks the band continued to gain strong support throughout Europe. Whether or not you like the glam scene it seems to be coming back and with Wig Wam leading the charge the music stands out through witty songwriting that stays with you long after you finish listening to this release. 4/5 - Jere
Winger: IV
Who doesn't know this band? One of the biggest names from the 80's rock movement have finally released a brand new studio album. But with this disc it was clearly all hype from the start. From the first promo photo's to the audio samples, it was a rollercoaster of emotions for longtime Winger fans. The photo's were clearly a ploy to appease a more modern look and garner new fans. While the material had a mess of emotions thrown together making the album seem unfinished and dull. While there were a few decent songs, overall Winger dropped the ball. New material from this band is always welcomed but hopefully more thought is put into their next studio release. 2/5 - Tony
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