Record Reviews 975
Local CDs
BEST SELLERS
1. Dwayne Kerr: Higher Calling
2. The Mac Chrupcala Trio: Blue Moon
3. Strummin' And Drummin' With Chris And Matt: Oochee WaWa
4. Four To Three: Never Under Any Circumstances Wash Your Jeans
5. Great Caesar's Ghost With G.E. Smith: Live at Berkner Hall
6. Godfrey Townsend: Easy Journey To Other Planets
7. Mambo Loco: Mambo Loco;
8. Michael Soloway: Classical Guitar Wedding Ceremony
9. Great Caesar's Ghost: One More Ride
10. Illinois Jacquet: Swingin' Live With Illinois Jacquet
11. Jennifer Haines: Thoughts and Dreams: Solo Piano
12. Ah-Choo Phonics: Hip Hop
13. Toby Walker: Toby Walker Plays Well With Others
14. Doug Kwartler: Silver Meteor
15. Lenzmen: Scientific Community
16. The Defibrillators: Triple Bypass
17. Dennis Massa: Dennis Massa Sings Funny Silly Songs: Booper Ba' Nooper
18. Die Schlauberger: Total Kaos
19. Mike Catalano: A Manhattan Affair
20. Jon Geffner: Every Country Road . . . Every City Street
List compiled by CDBaby.com from their roster of Long Island-area artists for the period ending in mid-September. Local retail stores, record websites, or other retailers wishing to become part of these listings, write to gtmag@optonline.net or call (516) 827-4145.
Dropkick Murphys
'The Meanest of Times'
Born &Bred Records
The Dropkick Murphys only get better with
time – a fact that is obvious on their sixth album, top notch Irish
punk that also incorporates rock & roll and folk.
The opening track, “Famous For Nothing,” starts with a school bell
followed by an explosion of fast banjo playing and drum beats; the tune makes
one feel like a little elementary school punk who finally got dismissed for
the day. The fast pace of the track gives the feeling that this kid is about
to get into some shenanigans. There is also an apparent sense of male camaraderie
in the lyric “We had each other/it was us against the world/famous for
nothing/yeah, nothing was our world.” “The State Of
Massachusetts” stands out, highlighting an amazing banjo riff that allows
Time Brennan showcase his talent. On “Flannigan’s Ball,” the
Murphys team up with Irish folk legend Ronnie Drew from The Dubliners and
Spider Stacey from The Pogues – founders of the Celtic punk movement
– on this track about Quincy, a reference to the Quincy Barbershop where
they got their start. The band brings it home on closing track “Never
Forget” as they refer to their love of their families. It’s no
wonder that they get requests from fans to play at their weddings. This is
a band that reaches every generation because of their diversity in style.
– Lauren Tomney
Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard's World Full Of Blues
Stony Plain
One would assume that a veteran artist and producer such as Robillard – at this writing, the finest swing guitarist currently working, and equally adept at blues, rock, or anything else – would be just treading water as far as his recording career goes. However, the Roomful Of Blues founder pulls off a shocker here as this two-disc set ranks as one of the finest albums of the year thus far. It's a whopping 115 minutes of great blues music, with not a note wasted.Abetted by his usual array of fine musicians including drummer Mark Teixeira, horn men extraordinaire Doug James, Gordon Beadle, and Al Basile, bassist John Packer, and many others, Robillard delivers big with a hodge-podge of musical styles, with everything from straight blues to swing to modern world music included. Rank this one with other Robillard classics such as You Got Me and early Roomful as Duke primers – as well as the greatest work of this blues legend's career. A hands-down smash.
– Syl Nathan
Barcelona
Absolutes
Curb Appeal Records
Seattle indie rockers Barcelona have received massive exposure thanks to MySpace.com. Unfortunately, a large fan base doesn’t necessarily make a band worthwhile – even Britney Spears can create hype, but that doesn't make her singing any better.
Conversely, lead singer Brian Fennell has a strong voice, but there is nothing unique about it. Overall, this act sounds a replica of Keane and The Fray, with little that stands out musically. Indeed, if you like recycled bands, this is for you; “Falling Out Of Trees” starts off slow, and once the guitar riff starts the song takes off instrumentally – but Fennel does nothing musically with his voice, staying near monotone. On “Response,” Fennel does a little more vocally, allowing fans to hear his range as he hits notes beautifully. The closing track, “Please Don’t Go,” lingers off into space like a good lullaby should. Overall, this is a talented band, but there is nothing that sets it apart.
– Lauren Tomney
Prong
Power Of The Damager
Megaforce/13th Planet
As CBGB's soundman, Tommy Victor was another face in the Sunday matinee crowd. Yet his band Prong invented industrial thrash metal before the term existed. This was the late 80s when Primitive Origins and Force Fed breathed a lasting breath of originality into cutting edge heavy metal. Their potential to expand their scope amid their raw hardcore aggression was validated in several different ways as Prong searched for their niche. Scorpio Rising in 2003 gave us glimpses into each of them. Power Of The Damager absorbs the elements of traditional thrash, hardcore, industrial and new wave that stayed the longest. Though some consider it a return to form, it's more of a reinforcement of their roots.
Victor's trademark guitar riffs and production similar to Primitive Origins create an apocalyptic atmosphere. The biggest strength of Power Of The Damager is its example that a band can be accessible while standing out.
– Dave Wolff
Fueled By Fire
Spread The Fire
Metal Blade
Traditional thrash metal has returned with a vengeance. The proof is in the material Fueled By Fire composed for Spread The Fire. This is not a nostalgic attempt to place a modern perspective on the "glory days." Fueled By Fire is a thrash band in the same sense as Metallica circa Kill Em All and Megadeth circa Killing Is My Business … And Business Is Good. It's fitting that the band is from California, the birthplace of thrash as it was known then and now. As they share influences with Slayer, Exodus and Testament; particularly NWOBHM fare like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, they're going to personify what gave thrash a cult audience that outlasted more than a few trends.
If you're new to the genre and the slightest bit curious as to what thrash was like in the 80s, Spread The Fire is as close as you'll come. So sit back, raise the beer in your spiked glove, and become immersed in the energy and aggression.
– Dave Wolff
Crystal Gayle
Greatest Hits
Capitol
Country fans could do a lot worse than this excellent 25-song compendium at a single-disc price that covers every facet of the silky voiced (not to mention silky haired) singer's career. The hits are woven into the fabric of Americana, with such standards as "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," "Talking In Your Sleep" and the soulful "Half The Way."
