CD
reviewS: LA based quartet hard-rock radio
friendly
"The
Big Fear"
Common Rotation
Self-Released
*
Common
Rotation just had to go and release its
second self-released album, "The
Big Fear."
This
Los Angeles-based folk-rock quartet from
Long Island doesn't have to worry about
sounding sensational in order to draw
crowds--lead singer/guitarist Adam Busch
will have hormonally-crazed teenage girls
lining up to catch a live glimpse of "Buffy,
the Vampire Slayer's" irresistible
villain, Warren for years to come.
"The
Big Fear" showcases the band's skilled
musicianship with a somewhat unimaginative
approach. It goes without saying that
Common Rotation's sound is ultimately
rather KROQ-ish.
Unfortunately,
the impressive quality of their jazz infused,
country-reminiscent harmonies are forced
to compete with poppy blends of background
filler.
--Allison
Eaton
"Deliverance"
Bubba Sparxxx
Beatclub/Interscope
****
Bubba
Sparxxx has proven that his success was
no fluke and that there won't be a sophomore
slump with his new album "Deliverance."
Super star producer Timberland keeps working
the magic he is known for. He has come
up with a stable full of hot beats for
this down south lyricist to flow over,
and Sparxxx without a doubt was up to
the task.
This
album is a huge statement for Sparxxx's
career. He snuck up on the whole industry
and has made a permanent name for himself
in the world of hip-hop, proving he's
no joke. He has shaken the label of being
Timberlands answer to Dre's Eminem and
has brought his own stories and sense
of creativity which are similar to none.
Timberland
has mixed blues with hip-hop to produce
brilliant tracks like "Jimmy Mathis",
"Comin' Round", "She Tried"
and "Nowhere". You can let the
album go from Intro to finish
--Adam
Zitomer
"I
saw you coming back to me"
Bedroom Walls
Giant Pets Records
*
When
Joey Ramone said, "I want to be sedated,"
I think the band, Bedroom Walls, was not
what he had in mind, but they come close
to it. The band plays a style of music
that has been classified as "romanticore,"
or for the not too bright, hardcore romance
music.
Singer
Adam Goldman provides the melancholy lyrics
that are found on the album, "I saw
you coming back to me."
The
few good songs that are on the album are
"More Real Cats" and "There's
Nothing to See in the Morning Light,"
because these songs are instrumental.
The rest are really repetitive and depressing,
if that is what you like.
--Alex
Carbajal
"Mescalero"
ZZ Top
RCA
***
It's
been five years since ZZ Top, the trio
from Texas have graced the music world
with a new album. After being together
for an astonishing 33 years, original
members Billy F. Gibbons (guitar/vocals),
Dusty Hill (bass/vocals) and Frank Beard
(drums), unveil their newest brainchild,
"Mescalero."
The
album is filled with 16 tracks that express
their native rock and blues sound, but
this time with a hint of electronic sampling,
The
guitars on this album are more grungy
than their past albums and really show
up on the title track, "Piece"
and "Punk Ass Boyfriend." The
album is one that can satisfy the appetite
of anyone who is in need of some music
that you can rock and relax to at the
same time
--Alex Carbajal
