NEW MUSIC REVIEWS

DECEMBER/JANUARY CD SPINS

by Staff

BEN TAYLOR

Another Run Around The Sun

(Iris Records)

With a family deeply rooted in music, (Carly Simon is his Mom and James Taylor is his Dad) singer, songwriter Ben Taylor continues to impress me and even more so with his sophomore release Another Run Around The Sun.

I burned up my CD player with his first release, Famous Among The Barns, and Ben continues to deliver solid music that invokes coffee house folk-rock, acoustic blues with hints of Beatle-esque hooks. This album again gives valid proof that bloodlines are a very good thing, yet his work stands out.

With an acoustic backdrop, Ben has an ability to compose a catchy tune, and arrange it in an interesting and distinctive way without drifting too close to his father’s territory.

Some of the disc has a strong ‘60s type feel to it but it also sounds very fresh and inventive, which is what really makes Ben rise up as a singer, songwriter and a “pretty, pretty good” (props to Larry David) guitar player.

The song “One Man Day,” proves this and more with intricate chord structure, very clean fret work, textured harmonies and a vibe that makes you think of a perfect summer day when all is right with the world.

While his voice may be unmistakable, this Taylor is driving us down a different melodic and musical road than dear old dad.

We can only hope that the ride lasts as long as his Mom and Dad’s have. His approach and style to his craft is something that intrigues me and gives hope to something called talent, Ben is far from predictable like many of today’s artists.

By far this is one of the best recordings I have come across in 2005.

For more info: www.bentaylorband.com

– Brian B.P. Pearson

MASTERS OF HORROR

Masters Of Horror

(Immortal Records)

The Masters Of Horror series is a 13-episode anthology of mini-movies directed by legendary horror directors (from the past 30 years) that has been airing on Showtime and will into 2006.

This double-disc soundtrack includes 30 artists providing previously unreleased and/or brand new music. There are 15 tracks per disc and the bands featured are a solid representation of metal, hardcore, punk and rock.

PR says, “…extreme cinema have been matched up with artists of extreme music.” I’d say it’s an interesting concept and long, long overdue.

About half the songs are really heavy (just the way I like it) but the rest were kind of bland and uninteresting from a metal heads’ perspective).

I thought some of the bands would have been a lot more brutal; like Mortician, Cannibal Corpse, or other Murder Metal acts.

To be fair, I don’t have Showtime so maybe the songs picked do really well with the cinematic material.

From a strictly soundtrack point of view, I was a tad disappointed. Murder By Death, Matchbook Romance, Alkaline Trio and Thursday were pretty scary, because their input to the project was horrendous, sorry to say but true.

Bands that are of special mention, with killer material are Mastodon, Death By Stereo, In Flames, Every Time I Die, Fear Before The March, Norma Jean, Funeral For A Friend, The Bronx!, From Autumn To Ashes, Bloodsimple, Avenged Sevenfold, Rise Against, Fall River, Buckethead featuring Serj Tanakian , Shadows Fall and The Bled.

It’s probably best to check the bands before you buy, as it’s a matter of taste.

– Diane Demeter

KEN SAYDAK

It’s My Soul

(Evidence Music)

Chicago blues piano man Ken Saydak left the Windy City for Colorado, after over 30 years spent making blues magic with the likes of Sam Lay, Johnny Littlejohn, Magic Sam and Otis Rush.

The City of the Big Shoulders’ loss, however, is the Rocky Mountains’ gain. Ken worked for five years in Mighty Joe Young’s band, toured with the Lonnie Brooks Blues Band, and has played extensively with Johnny Winter, too.

This collective experience shines on Ken’s Evidence Music debut, It’s My Soul, which features a baker’s dozen of piano-fueled original blues tunes, coupled with Saydak’s solid and appropriately ragged at times vocals.

It’s My Soul is Saydak’s third solo CD. His first two recordings on Delmark are also well worth picking up (Love Without Trust, 2001 and Foolish Man, 1999).

Saydak’s given us a glimpse into his muse, and his styles range from Sunnyland Slim, Otis Spann and Pinetop Perkins to Professor Longhair, and each would be right at home listening to (or playing on) It’s My Soul.

You can hear Ken’s keyboards fuel “Sweet Home Chicago” as Lonnie Brooks tears that song up on Blues Deluxe the WXRT document of 1980’s ChicagoFest on Alligator.

I bring that performance up because his playing is as forceful on this record as it was that night over 25 years ago on Chicago’s lakefront.

Keep up with Ken’s music at www.kensaydak.com

– Eric Steiner

MORTAL TREASON

Sunrise Over A Sea Of Blood

(Flicker Records)

The sophomore album from metal band Mortal Treason will challenge your ears and mind and take the listener on quite a musical journey.

Sunrise Over A Sea Of Blood maintains Mortal Treasons’ signature style with lyrics that are well crafted and thought out.

The disc is so rich in sound with seductive keys and violins it’s hard to believe this is a Death Metal band.

You can sense the singers’ total anguish in the vocal delivery. The riffs are ingenious as well as ferocious.

Mortal Treason has a bright future ahead of them if they stay on this musical path that they created with Sunrise Over A Sea Of Blood.

– Thomas Castrovillo

MAGIC SLIM & THE TEARDROPS

Anything Can Happen

(Blind Pig Records)

Magic Slim & the Teardrops’ sixth CD on Blind Pig captures the Chicago blues sound live earlier this year at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, California.

There’s also a companion DVD that features extra songs and an interview.

Anything Can Happen blasts off with “I’m a Bluesman” and does not quit, as we journey through a set of high-energy Chicago blues from one of the original Mississippi bluesmen.

In the mid-fifties, West Side guitar legend Magic Sam befriended Morris Holt and gave him his stage nickname, Magic Slim.

The younger Magic played bass in Magic Sam’s band, and over the years, Magic Slim has earned the respect and admiration of blues fans around the world for keeping the traditional sound of guitar-fueled Chicago blues alive.

My favorites here include a delicious re-working of Elmore James’ “Shake Your Moneymaker” simply titled “Shake It,” and the rousing call and response chorus of “Get Your Business Straight.”

You won’t find anything new on Anything Can Happen, but that’s why it’s one of my favorite releases of 2005.

For tried and true, some would say formulaic, Chicago blues, look no further than Magic Slim and the Teardrops’ new CD on Blind Pig.

– Eric Steiner

SHINEDOWN

Us And Them

(Atlantic Records)

Shinedown have decided to do something different with Us and Them by choosing to not sound like their first CD.

Slower than Leave A Whisper, but the passion and music craft are still there.

The first track, “The Dream”, catches one’s interest, as it is a poem being said by a little girl setting the entire mood of the album.

The track “Heroes” is rock solid in paying tribute to all of the band's influences. “Trade Yourself In” is addictive with a melody that stays forever on the mind. A fantastic guitar solo makes this a standout.

“Beyond the Sun” is my favorite tune on the CD as it employs wonderful acoustic guitars that bleed into a full on crunch-fest bridge and climax. The song also is a showcase for Brent Smith’s vocal prowess.

I must admit I was surprised how much I liked this CD. An honest approach and a solid grip on rock fundamentals, this CD delivers

– Jon Rice

SCAR SYMMETRY

Symmetric By Design

(Nuclear Blast)

I must say that at first I was skeptical after receiving the new Scar Symmetry album.

I had a preconceived idea that this would be a typical Death Metal album with Death Metal grunts, blast beats and satanic overtones in the lyrics. I could not have been more wrong.

Symmetric In Design has a splendid balance of harmony, rhythm, great keys and bone crushing riffs! This Swedish group’s sound is very distinctive.

This disc showcases admirable musicianship and songwriting skills in all 12 tracks.

Songs like “Veil Of Illusions” and “2012” display incredible teamwork and flow, while “Chaosweaver” and “Dominion” have a higher harmonic structure.

Memorable choruses and infectious hooks make this album a complete joy to listen to.

Symmetric In Design creates a new class of music with melody and aggression. Brilliant!

– Thomas Castrovillo

DAVID PACK

The Secret Of Movin’ On

(Peak Records)

David Pack’s second solo CD since parting ways with Ambrosia is a fine example of why he is an in demand writer, producer and musician.

Bottom line is he is that good. Considered a genius by many in the music biz, he has worked with Alan Parsons, Leonard Bernstien and Quincy Jones just to name a few.

As for the new recording David states: “It feels like exactly the right time to be recording again, to bring all these things together.”

He does just that with friends Ann Wilson from Heart, former Journey front man and White Sox mascot Steve Perry and Timothy B. Schmidt of the Eagles.

On bringing some of his oldest friends to his newest venture, Pack commented, “Their voices remind us of how we felt at a certain time by triggering something emotionally, but it isn’t just about nostalgia-it’s about connections.”

It is a fine grouping of songs in a smooth pop style, with Pack even revisiting his past with inventive covers of his own material.

The chart hits, “Biggest Part Of Me” and “You’re The Only Woman” appear here and sound just as fresh as they did a quarter century ago.

The Secret Of Movin’ On is really about ‘traveling light’ in life, letting go of the internal baggage we carry around, which only comes through forgiveness, and through love.

Well done David!

– Brian B.P. Pearson

THUNDERSTONE

Tools Of Destruction

(Nuclear Blast)

The shared identity of a peer group, which includes, Children Of Bodom, Nightwish and Stratovarius, is a lot of pressure on emerging Finnish bands.

Thunderstone doesn’t have to worry because they will definitely be turning some heads with this release.

The lead singer, Pasi Rantanen is one of the most gifted vocalists this writer has heard in a long time!

The first track, “Tool Of The Devil” is a breathtaking ‘curtain raiser’ with a great chorus and gargantuan hooks, which will seduce you, as it has fellow Finns, being #3 on the Finnish charts.

“Without Wings” is very riff-laden and will be sure to quicken your pulse as well.

Nino Lawreniye’s impressive guitar solos are sure to make him the next guitar god. But it is Pasi’s Coverdale-meets-Eric Martin emotive and emotional voice that really makes this album so brilliant.

The introspective ballad, “Another Time” is so impetuous you’ll need a box of Kleenex.

This album is a highlight for Thunderstone. Might I dare say, the next Finnish Super group?

Hell yeah, I said it! So go buy Tools Of Destruction, you will love it; guaranteed!

– Thomas Castrovillo

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