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

Buckcherry "Lit Up"
Rating: 5
Once you've heard this song, you'll know exactly why it gets a "5" rating. This single is simply encompassing. It is pure 90's rock and roll, from the vibe to the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson-type vocals. The song makes you want to stop what you're doing and move to the music, whether it's moshing or tapping your toes. This one's guaranteed to make you feel good. And honestly, that's just missing from a lot of music and bands out there. Perhaps a reminder to stop taking ourselves too seriously and just go and have fun.

Train "Meet Virginia"
Rating: 4
Train is a band from Northern California hitting it big everywhere with their country-influenced rock. The album is well produced and very polished, this single is a strong follow-up to the Top 5 rock smash "Free". "Meet Virginia" operates on the traditional verse-chorus contrast and lets go in the bridge. Not anything musically groundbreaking but the sincere positive lyrics shine out among the predominantly negative atmosphere of rock in 1999.

Godsmack "Keep Away"
Rating: 4
The follow-up to the mega smash "Whatever" is even better. Yes, this one solidifies Godsmack as one of the metal bands with any real potential. Despite the fact that it is very different from "Whatever", "Keep Away" shows off some great guitar riffs and a big sound that surrounds a real core, a good song. So many metal bands can get you high with their noise, that's very easy. But Godsmack stands out with some real kickass metal music.

Virgos Merlot "Gain"
Rating: 3.5
Perhaps one of the most underrated singles to be released this season, Virgos Merlot's "Gain" is exactly what active rock radio needs. The gothic band has strong poetic lyrics, definitely of better quality than Stabbing Westward's. The big band sound and the warm vocals also stand out among a lot of other music of lesser qualitiy. Airplay has been very scant for this one. Hopefully, a followup will attract more attention to this deserving band.

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

Indigenous "Now That You're Gone"
Rating: 4.5
Talk about quality blues rock. Indigenous certainly has a lot of substance behind them. "Now That You're Gone" has established itself as a rock radio staple months after its release. A deserving track that reveals more after each listen. The laid back yet soulful vocals and the cool riffs reaffirm rock's health.

Previous Reviews
Econoline Crush, Tin Star, Jonny Lang, Loudmouth, Black Sabbath.