RATING:
5 = Excellent. One of the best songs this year! I'll rave about it and crave for it.
4 = Good stuff. I'll get it on CD and put it on REPEAT.
3 = Average. I'll tape it off the radio and consider buying it on CD.
2 = Tolerable. I'll listen to it on radio and probably will get sick of it in no time.
1 = CRAP. I'll turn the radio off as soon as I hear it. Already on my shitlist.

N E W - R E L E A S E S

The Black Crowes "Only A Fool"
Rating: 5
Rock and Roll's most Rock and Roll band is back with an album which establishes itself as an oasis in the middle of the alternative crap desert. All the Robinsons and company had to do was return to their Southern blues rock influences and release an album full of energy and soul which only the Black Crowes can bring together. This was obvious with the huge smash hit first single "Kickin' My Heart Around" and extends to the second single. Despite the fact that the title track was garnering significant airplay, "Only A Fool" was serviced to radio and is now a smash. It's got a great hook, something that every single track on the album has. With Chris Robinson's distinct vocals and Rich Robinson's cool laid-back guitar riffs, and those gospel background vocals, this single demonstrates that more and more, the Black Crowes are developing a very distinct style of their own, while staying 100 percent rock and roll.

Collective Soul "Heavy"
Rating: 5
In the music business, bands get their fun in the sun and after one or two hit albums, they're gone. But Collective Soul manages to stay relevant and there are plenty of reasons why. Collective Soul has soul and Ed Roland's sincere singing doesn't grow old. This is obvious in the first video single, "Run". However, with "Heavy", Collective Soul add some industrial influences in their music, combine it with Roland's flexible singing and what comes out? A great single that continues to establish Collective Soul as a band who will continue getting airplay on radio.

Orgy "Blue Monday"
Rating: 3.5
When your band's first single is a cover, you're really playing with fire. But Orgy doesn't. Their cover of New Order's "Blue Monday" introduces a progressive sound which Orgy has managed to develop. It does not sound anything like Korn or Limp Bizkit, fellow headliners on the "Family Values" tour. Orgy takes influences from the 80's, a pop sensitivity and heavy metal, mesh it together and create a soundscape of noise. The singing goes from dead to forceful alive. The drums go from background to foreground and obviously, the song is full of surprises and new things to listen out for each listen.

Bare Jr. "You Blew Me Off"
Rating: 3
Bare Jr. is the son of Bobby Bare, a country singer. With "You Blew Me Off", he takes the country influences, gives it a very hard edge and creates a hard rocking single with country influences that isn't cheesy at all. Definitely sounds different but still very accessible. Airplay is growing quickly and well deserved for a cool refreshing single like this.

A - S E C O N D - L O O K

Metallica "Turn The Page"
Rating: 5
Pantera recently dissed Metallica for "selling out". Gawd, how tired I am of these accusations. Bands may suck but the selling out argument is cliche. Well, bottom line is Metallica is still here, kicking ass with one of the strongest fan bases in the music industry. "Turn The Page" takes a Bob Seger cover and transforms it into a majestic metal ballad full of emotion, heavy bass and tight guitar riffs.

Previous Reviews
The Offspring, Better Than Ezra, Everlast, etc.