Every supergroup, by their very nature, carry a large amount of baggage right from their inception. And Velvet Revolver, with their choice of Scott ‘Can’t Stay Off the H’ Weiland as their frontman, exacerbated the problem. There was more talk about the politics and issues that the band faced than there was about the music. Especially so after the debut proved to be very mediocre. However, ‘Libertad’ seems to be about erasing all of that.

I’ve always been a fan of Weiland. Stone Temple Pilots has long been a critically underrated act and I never got the Pearl Jam comparisons. And it goes without saying that the GnR guys changed the face of music when the unleashed ‘Appetite’. But somehow I knew that Velvet Revolver’s debut was not going to click with me. Luckily, the new album can restore some of my faith in the possibilities of this band. Read the rest of this entry »

A while back on this very website, I made the statement that I hadn’t heard a good album all year.  Well, that was before Pearl Jam and Jurassic 5 dropped theirs…and Bruce Springsteen did Pete Seeger…and we found The Lonely Hearts…and Fair…and before we finally let the critics have their way and picked up The Raconteurs.

That was also before my wife slipped Brandy Lindsey into the Civic for one of my road trips.  And I’ve got to honestly tell you, road trippin’ with Brandy Lindsey makes for a pretty good time! Read the rest of this entry »

Way, way back in yesteryear, when Gigatracks was nothing more than a glimmer in my eye (that’s 2003, for you newbies) we were compiling a roster of artists to include in our initial launch of the site. No one knew who we were, so we had to work extra hard to convince them to let us put a track on our site. One of these bands that allowed us the pleasure was Stereoside, although at that time they were called 60 Cycle Hum. So we have something of a soft spot for these guys. Needless to say, I was definitely down for reviewing ‘Wake Up’ when they contacted me to find out if I was interested. Read the rest of this entry »

“Cause I’m a heartbreaker.  I’m a heartbreaker.  But I’m gonna try to change your life if it’s the last thing I do.  Cause you might be a heartbreaker, too.” - The Lonely Hearts

I don’t know which would be better:  To be the talent scout for Tooth & Nail Records or to be the promoter for the talent once it is signed and recorded.  Either way, you can’t freaking lose.  These guys have the best jobs in the music industry right now as far as I’m concerned.  If you look back, you will note that Anberlin’s and Mae’s albums (both on T&N) were on the Best of 2005 here at Gigatracks.  Now, those T&N kids have unearthed another gem:  The Lonely Hearts.

The Lonely Hearts first album is called “Paper Tapes” and from front to back…from “Passive Aggressive” to “Movie Night”…this thing sounds and feels good.  Really good.  All year I’ve been knocking the music industry over the lack of solid albums hitting the shelves this year.  There’s been a few, but 2006 for the most part has been slow, painfully slow.  And to think, my year might still be suffering in the same doldrums if it hadn’t been for my picking up an article on David Ellefson’s (Megadeth) faith and the review for “Paper Tapes” was on the subsequent pages.  The review peaked my interest and I went rushing around Winston-Salem trying to find a record store that carried it.  I went 1 for 4 on the search, but oh the one…

To some, the vocals stylings will remind one of Ryan Adams.  Get past it.  I can hear it at times, but the music and the fullness of the record plus the strength apparent in the vocals make Ryan Adams latest stuff look more like backwash than music.  Every article that I’ve found about the band mentions them with some combination of the following:  Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, Sheryl Crow, Wilco, etc.  Even more apparent, from the namesake of the band right on down, are The Beatles.  All of the above (well, except The Beatles) shift them directly into the world of Americana music.

But there’s a difference.

Americana has gotten worn out lately.  And just like Nashville these days, Americana, too, needs a good swift kick in the butt.  The Lonely Hearts do it with subtlety, but nevertheless, effectively.  So if you’ve been trying to grab hold of Son Volt but you can’t handle Jay Farrar’s voice.  Or if you want to like Ryan Adams, but you’re discouraged that he hasn’t learned he doesn’t need to produce every single thought he has.  If Wilco is musically pleasing, but doesn’t give you enough tracks to sing along to.  If you like Americana, but you just want a little more “pop”, then this is the record for you.

Highlights of the album are “War Brides”, “Love and Politics” and “Good Intentions”…and the best track I’ve heard this year:  Heartbreaker.  It could be that Will Holland has finally helped me to come to terms with the demons of my past with this song.  And hey, isn’t that what music is for?  Maybe that’s why it is so good to me.  Or maybe, it just plain rocks.

Do yourselves a favor and pick up The Lonely Hearts.  Meanwhile, I’ll be applying for a job at Tooth & Nail.

With equal parts U2, Duran Duran and their own unique voicings, R.U.O.K crafts a top-notch album that gets the Gigatracks seal of approval. There is something of a New Wave revival going on right now. People are looking back to the sounds of bands such as Duran Duran, New Order and others who have been long overlooked to fashion and remold into the current mainstream. Such is the cycle of music. Unfortunately, many of these acts are simply copying, not only their influences, but each other as well.

This is where R.U.O.K breaks away from the pack. On ‘Arctic Warmth’, they’ve crafted a sound that is at once both unique and familiar. They take these influences, along with others like U2, and apply their own stamp to it. With hints of New Wave and Brit-Pop they have created an album that is strong from to start to finish with very few missteps along the way. And I don’t listen to too many albums any more that I can say that about. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s a momentous occasion. I’ve just purchased my second mp3 player. Why is this momentous you ask? Well, because I’m predominantly cheap. And mp3 players are predominantly not. I also already have an mp3 player which is ancient in terms of mp3 units, but still works just fine. It’s the Archos Studio 20. It weighs about 20 pounds (at least it seems to) and it has a two line display like something off of a calculator. However, it also uses a regular old laptop hard drive, so I’ve removed the 20 gigabyte one that came with it and replaced it with a 120 gigabyte drive. Eat that iPod owners! I scoff at your measly drives! My Archos holds practically every song I’ve ever heard, and it sounds good. Admit it… you have drive envy now. I don’t blame you. Read the rest of this entry »