NEW MUSIC REVIEWS

OCTOBER CD SPINS

by Staff

NEAL McCOY

That’s Life

(903 Music)

Neal McCoy is back with full artistic control on the new album, That’s Life, and things couldn’t be better.

After several years as a country recording artist on Atlantic Records, McCoy has found new success with his own label, 903 Music.

Radio friendly novelty hit, “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On”, sets the tone for the album, which just happens to have heavy video air-play from GAC and CMT.

Country Radio is currently spinning the song in heavy rotation as heard on Indiana 105 WJLE in Valparaiso.

Track one, “Got Mud” is a good “Summer fun, four-wheelin’ in the country” groove, backed with Neal’s signature vocals.

Retired General Tommy Franks best known for leading Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq recites the intro to “Last Of The Dying Breed”.

Neal met the General while performing for our troops overseas and recruited him to guest on this moving track that salutes our U.S. Armed Forces.

The title track, “That’s Life”, expresses McCoy’s true creative song writing ability about the good and bad breaks of life.

Neal croons to country-lovin’ ladies with his smooth vocals on “All Over Again”, a love ballad displaying great harmonies.

My favorite cut from the album is the honky-tonkin’ “Tail On The Tailgate”, about an old pickup truck strewn with innuendos of non-automotive memories. It’s upbeat with a driving bass line and good balance between piano and steel guitar.

Country fans will appreciate McCoy’s treatment of Charley Pride’s “You’re My Jamaica”, as Charley himself lends vocals in a playful duet.

Finally comes a live version of Neal’s trademark song, “Hillbilly Rap”, recorded in Ohio. This one finds Neal rapping along with the audience over heavy rock guitar on the “The Beverly Hillbillies” TV theme.

Overall, the album shows McCoy’s artistic ability as a writer and the benefits of “coloring outside the lines” in a heavily corporate recording industry.

Neal McCoy is back and honestly sounding better than ever!

– Mike “Mullet” Summers

STRATOVARIOUS

Stratovarious

(Sanctuary Records)

Finally the new album from Finland’s premier metal band, Stratovarius, has arrived. It’s a recording that many a fan thought would never come, considering the inner turmoil between band mates, guitarist Timo Tolkki and lead vocalist Timo Kotipelto.

The CD starts out with a bang on, “Maniac Dance”. The lyrical content and the tone of the music reflect what the last year has been like for Tolkki. (He’s been battling mental illness for several years and was institutionalized the past year.) You can feel a heavier, edgy side, compared to the rest of the disc.

“Gotterdammerung (Zenith Of Power)” and “Fight!!!” encompass the great musicianship of the band especially vocalist Kotipelto, who sings flawlessly.

Now things get really interesting, “Back To The Madness” takes you into the mind of Tolkki and the inner hell the man must have went through. Spoken lyrics at the end of the song are very powerful, coupled with the melancholy piano playing of Jens Johansson.

The rest of the album is very solid with the exception of the last cut, “Untitled”, which ends the CD on a poor note.

This is an album fans and critics should appreciate considering the last two concept albums, Elements Pt.1 and Pt. 2, were on the weak side.

Stratovarius have much to be proud of…enjoy!

– Thomas Castrovillo

PAUL McCARTNEY

Chaos & Creation In The Backyard

(Capitol Records)

When he was only 15 years old, Paul McCartney wrote a tune on his family’s piano called “When I’m Sixty Four.”

As of 2005, McCartney is just one year shy of that age mentioned in his famous song. At 63 he’s released his latest solo album, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, and has mounted a world tour in its support.

Critical response to Chaos and Creation has been effusive. The new disc is McCartney’s 20th recording since the Beatles split 35 years ago and this writer feels it is his best work of his storied solo career and his most relevant work since the breakup up of the Fab Four.

Chaos and Creation is indeed a Sir Paul solo album. McCartney plays the majority of the instruments on the disc, something he hasn’t done since his first solo release, 1970’s McCartney album. And we’re not just talking about the usual guitar, bass, drums and keyboards here. Who knew Paul could dabble in the block flute, harmonium and flugelhorn?

Nigel Godrich was a great choice as producer of this disc (Radiohead, Beck) and the pairing greatly influenced the deep, experimental tone and somewhat somber mood of Chaos and Creation.

The disc’s first single, “Fine Line,” is a piano-driven tune that kick-starts the CD into first gear, while other highlights include the gentle acoustic ballad “Jenny Wren,” (which borrows from “Blackbird”), the very Beatesque “English Tea” and “Friends To Go.”

McCartney has said he believes he received some otherworldly songwriting help from late Beatle George Harrison on the latter tune.

When you read about the overwhelming positive response Chaos and Creation has received from the press and the way fans have snapped up tickets to McCartney’s latest tour, one thing seems certain. We still need McCartney when he’s 64 and long after that, too.

This very well could be the best record of the year.

More info at: www.paulmccartney.com

– Brian Pearson

OKGo

Oh No!

(Capitol Records)

Oh No!, the long-awaited follow-up to OK Go’s self-titled 2002 release is finally here!

The past two years have been somewhat of a whirlwind for the quartet, as they wrapped a two-year journey around the globe, recorded their latest album during Sweden’s winter months, endured the departure of original keyboardist/guitarist Andy Duncan, and replaced him with Andy Ross.

Indeed, this Chicago-born band has been busy. With all the chaos, questions milled about as to what to expect from the new album. No worries - Oh No! could have easily been titled “Hell Yeah!”

The most endearing thing about OK Go’s music is it provides a not-so-guilty pleasure.

The music is poppy enough to be infectious but contains enough elements of rock to deny you of saccharine overdose and keep you from being embarrassed to admit what you’re listening to.

While Oh No! holds true to the favored OK Go sound with contagious tunes similar to old favorites “Get Over It” and “You’re So Damned Hot”, it cuts a bit of the camp found in tracks like “C-C-C Cinnamon Lips” and “Don’t Ask Me”.

The result is a more mature, edgy sound that is sure to keep you rockin’. If you don’t believe me, check out “Invincible”, an upbeat, guitar-charged track that is practically begging to be a number one hit.

And while the entire album is a worthy-buy, don’t accidentally skip through notable tracks “Let It Rain”, a somewhat subdued rock tune; “Crash the Party”, a bubbly, boisterous melody with a 1970’s edge; or “A Million Ways”, a signature OK Go track that comes complete with its own choreographed boy-band dance.

OK Go’s style obviously works for them, and I’m pleased to report that they didn’t stray from their unique sound, but strived to improve upon it. Looks like another winner for our Chicago boys.

With yet another solid-booked tour embarking this fall, which includes a November 18th stop at The Metro, will this talented quartet finally get the widespread recognition they deserve? Overall, 10/10.

– Corine Jurgerson

ERIC CLAPTON

Back Home

(Reprise Records)

Clapton’s new album, Back Home, finds the 60-year-old guitar master at something of a crossroads in his life and career.

The CD is his first new studio set of mostly original material since 2001’s Reptile, and follows on the heels of a pair of 2004 tribute releases honoring his hero, blues legend Robert Johnson.

While the axe-slinger got down and dirty with his beloved blues on those two collections, Back Home is a more upbeat, pop-oriented affair inspired by Clapton’s recent domestic bliss.

“This album completes a cycle in terms of talking about my whole journey as an itinerant musician and where I find myself now, starting a new family,” explains Clapton, who has fathered three daughters over the last few years with his young wife, Melia. “It’s about coming home and staying home.”

Half of the 12 tracks were written or co-written by Clapton, including first single, “Revolution”, a breezy, laid-back reggae tune.

The CD is a slickly produced collection made up mostly of restrained, accessible numbers with an R&B feel.

Among its highlights are some great covers composed by Stevie Wonder (the best song on the album, the gospel tinged “I’m Goin’ Left”), country star Vince Gill and Clapton’s late friend George Harrison.

Guest artists on the set include Steve Winwood, John Mayer and the Who’s touring bassist, Pino Palladino. No surprises here, track for track this is a very solid set from EC.

– Brian Pearson

CHRIS BEARD

Live Wire

(Northern Blues Records)

Live Wire, Chris Beard’s Northern Blues debut, captures the fiery New York guitarist at Chicago’s Kingston Mines, Blues at the Mall in Grand Rapids and live in the Village Gate recording studio in Chris’ home of Rochester, New York.

Comparisons to guitar powerhouses like Luther Allison and his son Bernard, and contemporary high-octane guitar-slingers like Michael Hill, Eric Sardinas and Andrew Cummings are appropriate after just one listen.

Live Wire, Beard’s first self-produced CD and third CD in a storied blues career, features 15 guitar-heavy cuts that just don’t quit. He’s been anointed “the Prince of the Blues” throughout New York state, and his first CD, Barwalkin’ (JSP Records) earned Chris a WC Handy Award nomination for Best New Blues Artist in 1998.

When I listen closely to “Tribute to Luther Allison,” I hear Chris channeling another Chicago blues inspiration. Chris’ toned-down and soulful reading of “A Change Must Come” is a favorite on this CD for the way his guitar leads float gently atop George Snell’s keyboards.

Beard tours often, and it’s a testament to his talent that he’s on the road most of the year.

Beard returns to Kingston Mines in Chicago on October 28-29. www.chrisbeard.org

– Eric Steiner

Back to Top

Web Design By:
Hungry Mind Design