CD reviewS: Cop it or drop it

Mary J.'s 'Love & Life' rekindles old flame
"Love & Life"
Mary J. Blige Geffen
***

Mary's back; but then again she never left. The proclaimed Queen of Hip-hop Soul has been going strong for the past 11 years now, putting out hit after critically and commercially acclaimed hit.

On her newest album, "Love & Life," Ms. Blige teamed up once again with old friend and producer, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, who signed her to his BadBoy label back in 1992, making her the first artist of that label.

But as BadBoy grew into the successful label that it is today, relations between combs and Blige soured, ties were severed, and Blige split from the label after the successful 1994 album, "My Life," which garnered multi-platinum status.

In a bury-the-hatchet move the two rekindled an old flame to create the studio magic they one had together in the past, as co-executive producers of the new album.

The first single, "Love @ First Sight," has Mary gloating openly about the blossoming relationship between she and her new
fiancÈ. The song features P.Diddy and Method Man as collaborators.

"Ooh" follows suit as the album's second single as Mary continues boasting of her newfound love for herself and her new man. On songs like "Willing & Waiting" and "Let Me Be The 1" Ms. Blige resorts to uninspiring and lyrically drab lines at times, which take away from the intention of the songs.

Still, songs like "Friends," "Don't Go" and "Feel Like Makin' Love," find Mary belting out those no-holds-barred emotionally powerful note we know and have grown to love her for.

Lyrically the album runs into some hits and some misses, but for the most part, is sure to have some heads nodding and hips shaking on the dance floors.
--Monica Levette Clark
 
 
 

"Heroes and Villains"

Paloalto
American Recordings
****

In 2000, these California natives teamed up to release their debut album under the tutelage of Rick Rubin. That's right, the same guy who back in the day partnered with hip-hop's Russell Simmons, in the heydays of the legendary Run D MC (RIP Jam Master Jay).

Unfortunately, like many original new bands with unique sounds, the album suffered commercially due to internal turmoil business-wise.

Now with their new sophomore album, "Heroes and Villains," the four guys of Paloalto hope to officially break through those barriers in a major way. To be blunt, the album is tight, a term not normally used to describe a band that fuses rock with alternative arrangements, creating 12 songs that are as reflective as they are relishing and provocative both lyrically and musically.
James Grundler, the band's lead singer has a voice reminiscent of ColdPlay's Chris Martin, with a hint of Radiohead's front man, Thom York's sensibility.

Although "Heroes and Villains" is undeniably rock, songs like "breathe in," "throwing stones" and "bones" reveal a softer edge that bleeds into the eclectic and experimental. There are no rough bumps on this album, it stays smooth throughout, flowing from one song to the next, with each one revealing the band's own signature sound.
--Monica Levette Clark
 
 

"Page Avenue"

Story of the Year
Maverick
***

The group out of St. Louis, Story of the Year, might be just that. On its debut album, "Page Avenue" the quintet uses sharp and catchy riffs.  Lead singer Dan Marsala lets it all hang out, sometimes a little too much.

The album is solid from start to finish, and although some songs seem to melt into one another, the hits are obvious. "Until The Day I Die" and "Anthem of Our Dying Day" is sure to circulate the airwaves for months to come.  Pseudo-ballad, "Sidewalks" is certain to be a favorite among listeners.

The band has a huge underground following which will help navigate them through the monotony of mainstream. "Page Avenue" will appeal to both the neutral and the extreme, thus creating a wide gap in the future of rock.
-- Trent Loomis
 
 
 

"Manmade God"

Manmade God
American Recordings
**1/2*
 
As music continues to evolve and push the creative envelope, bands who end up sounding the same will be left in the dust. This seems to be the fate of most bands out today.

Sounding a lot like a fresher version of Soundgarden-meets-Alice in Chains, the self-titled album stretches pop metal to its boundaries.  The debut album features lead singer, Pann who has the pipes and energy to take it the next level.

The album is fairly consistent in terms of energy, and it does what most suburban alternative band albums' don't-- offer songs with a little bit of sunshine.

The obvious singles, "Safe Passage" and "Search for Greater Things" are reminiscent of Soundgarden's Chris Cornell, which is its strength. But this could ultimately come back to haunt the band in the search for its own unique sound.
 --Trent Loomis