CD reviewS: Session musicians make for bad music on album

Cop it or drop it

Ratings
4 stars = cop it
3 stars = play it
2 stars = ok it
1 star = drop it
 

"The Edge of the World"
Dragonfly
redstar
1/2*

What do you get when five session musicians get together and make an album? A session album.  I know it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out, but it might take one to find out how five session musicians thought their album would be good.

This is the glaring problem for Dragonfly, on it's debut double album "The Edge of the World." Singer/songwriter Miki Singh has the vocal range of a gravel pit, while his lyrics couldn't even inspire a fat man to eat.

Basically the only thing this band has going for them is the packaging of their CD.  It's like a mini-book bursting with pictures of the band, and at first glance one just might think that "Dragonfly" is something special. Is it funk mixed with rock, rock blended with blues or something else?
I'm not even sure what category of music "Dragonfly" falls under so I guess I'll put it in the "elevator music for elevators" section.  And if nothing else, let this be a lesson to everyone not to judge an album by its cover.
-- Trent Loomis
 

"Shadow Zone"
Static-X
Warner Bros.
**1/2*

After seemingly coming out of nowhere with it's third release, "Shadow Zone," nu-metal icons Static-X are aiming to take the general to a new level of creativity. Unfortunately, the band's efforts leave them only in the middle of their heavy competition.

Vocalist and guitarist Wayne Static's signature style, known for being akin to a machine, often times more resembles Disturbed's David Draiman, than what Static's vocals were like on earlier songs such as "Bled for Days" and "Cold."

However, the rhythm section pounds with the usual fury throughout "Shadow Zone's" 13 tracks. The songwriting on "New Pain," though sounding more than just a little like Disturbed, is a catchy three minutes that conveys the usual angry lyrical fare.

On the other hand, experimentation also pays off for the band, as "Dead World" and "Monster" explore a newer, more polished sound for the band.

While "Shadow Zone" has its definite fine moments -- a myriad of energy and enough power chords to shatter your neighbors' windows -- the lack of creativity on the album relegates Static-X to the middle of the pack of it's nu-metal peers.
-- Michael Parker
 
 

Latif
"Love In the First"
Universal/Motown
**1/2*

Latif's smooth vocals on his debut album, "Love In the First" have the ability to caress and cradle you with his brand of rhythm and blues.

This Philadelphia native shares his trials and tribulations with love on songs such as "I Don't Want to Hurt You." The song opens with a line that expresses Latif's struggles with letting his love go because he is unsure of what love has put before him. "Without U," features him mourning through song because his days have become cloudy since his love left him.

Both "Girl" and "Put Me On." help to break up the album, bringing beats that will have listeners on the dance floor.
-- Porschia Baker
 
 

Jonny Lang
"Long Time Coming"
A& M Records
***

With a sick guitar habit and an aged voice, Jonny Lang speaks directly to his listeners and flushes their ears with all of what he has to offer in his voice.

The opening track on Lang's recent CD, "Long Time Coming," is rightly titled "Give Me Up Again" because Lang does exactly that: give himself to his audience, revealing his vulnerability.

The album creates a mood where you can picture him just kicking back on his couch, sharing his experiences with listeners. "Beautiful One," explores his experience with love, persistently trampling obstacles are explored on "Red Light," and living for life on "Dying to Live."

With each song Lang is confident and heartfelt as he slowly croons and then lets his guitar and other musical elements sing together.

The album's title track is a short and sweet song, which features Lang with his long time love: the guitar. Together the two tell of how patience has given this 22-year-old time to grow since his last release.
--Porschia Baker