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Many mainstream listeners will know of the Southern Californian band Incubus only for their pop-rock radio hits Drive and Wish You Were Here. The band has much more to offer, however, and prove this once again with their latest studio release A Crow Left of the Murder. Yet again Incubus has lived up to guitarist Mike Einziger’s rock and roll philosophy that “if you make the same record twice, even if everyone likes it, you’ve failed.” It is Incubus’ admirable ability to reinvent itself with each record that keeps the hardcore fans coming back for more.

For this latest effort, they worked with critically acclaimed producer Brendan O’Brien of Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam fame. The influence of O’Brien is clearly heard on A Crow Left of the Murder, with the album managing to capture the raw energy and sound of a live show, without sounding messy or under-produced. The lyrical content of the songs is also reminiscent of Rage and Pearl Jam, but whether or not this can be attributed to O’Brien or simply the current political climate is debatable. Read the rest of this entry »

Review by Robert Graves

I’ve recently discovered this little-known UK band, Muse, and I’m blown away by almost every aspect of this release. The music is heavy alternative, but with a production and songwriting expertise that takes it all to a new area of exploration. The band’s driving force is classically oriented progressions played by guitars, pianos, drums, and more guitars. All the while, Matt Bellamy bellows his amazing melodic impressions over the whole thing.

Straight away, something needs to be addressed. This band and its singer, despite the nitpicking disclaimers other reviewers have tried to make, sounds remarkably similar to old Radiohead (The Bends, OK Computer in particular). Matt Bellamy, in fact, could be a stand-in on any Radiohead tour. I actually did research to see of Bellamy was really Thom Yorke masquerading in a front band. That’s how much they sound alike, bottom line. You can try to compare and contrast abstract and subtle approaches to style that differ, but the reality is if someone would’ve told me this was an unreleased Radiohead record from 1997, I would’ve believed them, no questions asked. Read the rest of this entry »

Review by Jonathan Kim

Ingrid Michaelson’s album, “Girls and Boys”, is excellent. Plain and simple. Ms. Michaelson has a smooth, mellow quality to her voice that’s uniquely hers. I also appreciated the album for its simplicity. It’s easy to see why they wanted to use her music for shows and commercials.

“The Way I Am” is the song that will guide most people to give her a listen. I think this song might be the most popular, but also one of the simplest songs. It showcases her voice’s goodness with music that doesn’t try to overwhelm. “Corner of Your Heart” is strangely haunting. The piano creeps in like you’re walking in on the music from the hall. A great track. The track, “Overboard”, shows more dynamic range. I might also like it a little because it has very Keane-like piano playing.

“December Baby” is good though it has that tinny guitar that saps energy from Ingrid’s vocals. As a song it takes some interesting turns. It starts off simple enough with Ingrid singing along to a simple tune on acoustic guitar, but surprises about halfway through in a pleasant mix.. then slowly easing back into the way it began. “Breakable” was also a quality track. Lyrics were almost violent for how short and sweet the overall music is, but it still works. The one track I found personally annoying was “Highway”. It just doesn’t sound good on the album. Read the rest of this entry »

Review by Sunshine the Werewolf

BLOODHOUND GANG - One Fierce Beer Coaster
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BHG is by far one of the wittiest creations ever made… With the Pun-tastic Jimmy Pop on vocals, who despite what you may think, is a genius! This man is a lyrical terrorist… with song titles like, Kiss Me Where it Smells Funny, Lift Your Head Up High (And Blow Your Brains Out) and I Wish I Was Queer So I Could Get Chicks. Musically the band uses samples and basic instrumentation but BHG is all about the message.

Their message may be rude, sarcastic, inappropriate, and if you don’t like it, or it offends you…. Shut-Up!
BUY THIS CD… It is probably the Funniest, Musical based CD ever!!! Read the rest of this entry »

Review by M. S. Hillis

Take a big chunk of blues rock, throw it in a sack with some Cream-era Eric Clapton, a bit of Jimi Hendrix, a pinch of Stevie Ray Vaughn and a hint of Creedence. Shake vigorously, deep fry until extra-crunchy.

Akron, Ohio duo The Black Keys followed just this recipe for their minimalist debut album, with results that are nothing short of amazing.

Guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach’s fingers canter up and down blues scales with ease, and his fuzz dial is obviously set to “11″. His sandpapery pipes sound as if he’s guzzled whisky and puffed filterless Camels for far longer than his 20-some-odd years would allow. This guy has no business be able to sing like this.

Auerbach is perfectly complemented by Patrick Carney’s enthusiastic pounding of the skins, which is never, ever relegated to just providing a background beat. As producer, Carney is also largely to thank for the Keys’s distinctive gritty bootleg sound that sounds as if you’re spinning a dusty 45 unearthed in the back of some record shop. Read the rest of this entry »

Review by Geoffrey Johnson “sitebender”

Incubus is now riding a wave after their Make Yourself album, so they have re-released Fungus Amongus and Science. There is nothing different than the CD, which was previously released, but the CD itself is simply great. Then never rerecorded Calgone, which was cut suddenly four minutes into the track with a speech about who’s fault the cutting of the track was. Mainstream songs in an album before anyone knew about them! Full of great funny vocals, rock, unique tracks, like Magic Medicine which is a fantastic track for those of you that like turntablists! Some other great songs on the CD are Favorite Things, Calgone, and New Skin (which a live version appeared on Family Values 98). Another song to note is A Certain Shade of Green, which is a very sarcastically funny song of how slow things move in the singer’s world. Even the hidden track after Calgone is hysterically funny, original and must be heard! Read the rest of this entry »

Review by D. McKown “DJ Därko”

I’ll keep this review short. I have been following Hooverphonic since their first album. The weakest album so far has been The Magnificent Tree even though it had some nice tracks on it, it also had some questionable material. The President of the LSD Gold Club is a better album overall than TMT. A pleasant return to form.

It’s nice to see this band continue with excellent pop music. Recommended if you already a fan of this band. Read the rest of this entry »