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

Econoline Crush "All That You Are"
Rating: 4
Econoline Crush may sound just like another industrial rock band but listen carefully and you'll find that their music is in a world of its own. Also, unlike many bands these days, they know how to pick their singles. Combining pop sensitivity with the diversity that highlights their album, the third single from The Devil You Know is an obvious contrast to its predessor, "Surefire (Never Enough)", an upbeat techno-influenced metal track. This new single, however, is more laid back and again, presents lyrics that speak of common topics but takes it out in an uncommon way. Just keep listening to "All That You Are" and you see that you don't have to be a huge commercial band to break musical ground. This single will stand the test of time.

Tin Star "Head"
Rating: 4
It's obvious that alternative music is very uncreative. Catchy at times, inoffensive most others, neurotic more than creative nearly all the time. Well, a new band, Tin Star, combines everything that should be present in alternative, what was laid out by forefathers R.E.M. "Head" mostly stands out because it is one of the few songs that make you LISTEN to the lyrics. And it's not the "I'll be so loud you have to listen to me". In fact, it's laid back but obviously, there's a distinct style and accenting of words that works to accomplish something hard to find these days. The lyrics are playful, creative and thoughtful. "This profession is my obsession, this obsession is my depression, this depression is my release, this release will never cease". Classic lines.

Jonny Lang "Wander This World"
Rating: 3.5
It's hard to believe Jonny Lang, at only 17 years of age, has already charted over 5 hit singles and 2 hit albums in the blues rock scene. Most importantly, he has the respect of classic bands in both the blues and rock scenes from Aerosmith to the Rolling Stones to B.B. King. After the more rocking "Still Rainin'", a major radio staple for the past few months, he returns with a more acoustic laid back track, which puts on more focus on his voice than the riffs in "Still Rainin'". You will just hear the maturity in his voice and presents the less recognized but equally amazing vocal talent.

Loudmouth "Fly"
Rating: 3
Seems like many tracks on radio are fixated on the "fly" motif. From Lenny Kravitz's obvious "Fly Away", where he repeats the phrase "I want to fly away" over 50 times, to Hole's "Malibu", where "You know what to do. Baby fly away to Malibu". Now, Loudmouth joins the group with the most rocking and heavy track of them all. Comparisons aside, "Fly" operates on a strong hook that will catch you on first listen and will stick in your head, yet it has a strong heavy edge. A single which will be huge. Hopefully, it doesn't get too overplayed.

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

Black Sabbath "Selling My Soul"
Rating: 2
When I first got the album, it was obvious this was the next single. Hey, it's the only other new track recorded by the newly reunited Black Sabbath. However, at the time, I also thought it was a strong single which will tear up the charts. Leave that to "Psycho Man", which has more of a lasting effect on the listener with its laid back hauntingness which Black Sabbath and Ozzy are known for portraying. "Selling My Soul" has a catchy hook but it loses out in the end because it sounds too happy and lacks the dark melodies of "Psycho Man". Oh well, they still rock.

Previous Reviews
The Black Crowes, Collective Soul, Orgy, Bare Jr., Metallica, etc.