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CD SPINS by Staff MONKEY COCKTAILGlisten (Indie)
Coming across with his usual flash and big balls routine, Jack Adams’ smooth and crunchy vocals creates a consistent flavor throughout the record. Teen-prodigy turned veteran-impresario David Carl is back once again, with his old-school pedal-to-the-floor Les Paul offering some of his tastiest chops to date. Simply put: When David Carl plays guitar he is like a lion devouring a piece of meat! The first track “Enjoy the View,” is quintessential Monkey Cocktail. This clever introspective balances the disappointments of the past versus the hope for the future. Louder and prouder than ever, Jack counsels us –– “To thine own self be true.” Right on brother! In the third track, we are introduced to “Sweet Lily,” a lost soul whose “Daddy was a drag queen and mommy was everybody’s baby.” The band’s stunning masterpiece “Shine On,” is perhaps the most thoughtful work on the CD. This heart-on-your-sleeve break-up song is one that which we can all relate. The chorus, “My little butterfly jar can’t hold you no more,” is a painful farewell that serves as the centerpiece of the tune. David’s crafty, Allman-esque slide solo gives the song a sexy and provocative edge. Rib-cracking kick drum pounds throughout the record, and Shawn Farrell’s Fender bass thumps in lock-step. The engine room is definitely in good hands...pure attitude and direction! My only beef is that we had to wait five years for this work to be completed –– let’s pick up the pace guys! Congratulations to Monkey Cocktail on a job well done! – Adrian Zakula STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMANAll About Love (Sparrow) Contemporary Christian artist, Steven Curtis Chapman has released a musical collection of tunes ruminating on his view on the subject of love with his latest release –– All About Love. I have reviewed other Christian artists before and they have been consistent as being some of the best music around. However, by virtue of the music having “Christian” slapped on as a label, the majority of people that would truly enjoy it will not hear it because of the “un-hip” moniker. Put it this way... If you like adult alternative pop (Sting, John Mayher, Goo Goo Dolls, etc.) you will like this guy and many like him. The title track appropriately sets the vibe for the CD with it’s funky acoustic guitar and “click your fingers” rhythm and sensibility. A very simple message about not forgetting to love (in the myriad of ways). In “How Do I Love Her?,” the listener can’t escape the perplexing questions of honoring one’s wife in all that she offers in a relationship. Chapman’s soulful voice cuts through with direct emotion. “Holding a Mystery” rivals any Dave Matthews Band compositions with it’s acoustic driven groove. Perhaps the most moving song on the CD is “When Love Takes You In.” A friend gave this song to me and my wife to help ease our pain at the loss of our child. My wife and I are adopting a child from China and this song is about Chapman’s homage to his first adoption journey to China (daughter Shaohanna). The song is written from the adoptive child’s point of view. It tugs at your heartstrings while not getting saccharin or sanctimonious. Chapman is an advocate of adoption and devotes time and money to his foundation of hope in his daughter’s honor. All About Love is not like Chapman’s previous works that often reflected more secular themes. However, it is Chapman’s bridging the gap between musical styles that makes this CD more accessible to a broader audience. www.stevencurtischpman.com – Jon Rice STORY OF THE YEARPage Avenue (Maverick Reocrds)
Story of the Year employ great musicality and somewhat “emo” stylings to their songs. But, bands like Good Charlotte, Matchbook Romance and the darlings of this genre –– Blink 182 have saturated the marketing apex before SOTY. “And the Hero Will Drown” hits the teen angst with uncanny precision. Guttural vocal passages are backed by clear and on pitch vocals. Fast moving and dynamically interesting, this is a standout tune. Moody guitar and uncomplicated vocals begin “Anthem of Our Dying Day.” Great arpeggios and harmonies fill this tune of apocalypse supported by succinct guitar and hyper moving drums. The drama and power in Dan Marsala’s voice makes this song the anthem it wants to be. “Swallow the Knife” comes through in the more pop mode and is a catchy number that could win them some fans. “Sidewalks” brings in acoustic guitar in a Deep Blue Something sound. This is my favorite track with it’s lush strings and orchestral arrangements. Marsala’s voice shines in particular on this track. The CD ends with a fast moving punk tune –– “Falling Down.” Ska infused and driving with high pressure, SOTY lets it all hang out on this one. “Falling Down” is a strong way to end the CD. Looking for something that is solid, emotional and to the point? Then, this one is for you. As stated before, nothing new here, but well worth a listen. www.storyoftheyear.net – Jon Rice THE LOVELIESWhite Leather (Force MP) The Lovelies –– a trio of indie pop performers with power and great musicality from Milwaukee, WI –– consisting of Liv Mueller on lead vocals and guitar, Barb Endes on vocals and bass, and Billy Backes on drums. Their songs definitely have a pop “feel” to them, what with the intense guitar riffs and occasional hand-claps, matched with Billy’s steady and strong drum beat. These are some very well written tunes, with some chords and harmonies that the average pop-music listener might not be used to hearing. So, when you check out such songs as “I Want Your Love,” don’t be scared away – it’s always nice to hear something different. Initially, I wasn’t too sure about White Leather. At first listen, it sounded a little too out there – the pop mix with some strange harmonies in unexpected places. But after a few more rounds in the CD player, they grew on me. Their being able to incorporate such “atypical” chords in their music shows versatility and great musical knowledge. A couple of their songs, including “Slow Down Navigator” and “Tommy,” have a similar sound to that of The Donnas (and sometimes, dare I say, even the Go-Gos), with the all female vocals and heavier punk/rock beat. It’s probably not until the end of the CD, in the last five songs, when the Lovelies truly show their own style and unique melodies that totally draw the listener into the music. Liv’s voice is particularly captivating on “Put it in a Letter.” Also, the guitar playing from start to finish on this album is very impressive.
Overall, White Leather gets off to a rather slow start, but really proves its case, so to speak, on the second half of the album. Though they have not given us “the album of the year” here, this is a group worth dropping some coins on and checking out. Ear-pleasing and enjoyable in the end. – Allison M. Berndt DREAM THEATRETrain Of Thought (Elektra/Asylum)
“As I Am” begins the CD with dissonant harmonics that burst into a very Metallica-like sound that never lets up. James LaBrie’s vocals almost mimic Metallica’s Hetfield’s to a “T.” There’s even some Linkin Park rap and Alice in Chains minor-chorded harmonies. This track is designed to ensnare anyone that likes it hard and solid. The acoustic ballad “Endless Sacrifice” features wonderful guitar work by John Petrucci and lush keyboard arrangements by Jordan Rudess. The song then smashes into crunchy bridges giving the tune it’s dramatic dynamics that make it work. This song is where the “prog” comes in – virtuoso and technical instrumental break at the end that would make any “shred-meister” blush. Lightning fast drummer Mike Portnoy is featured in the track, “Honor Thy Father.” This a angst ridden tale that is in the “sins of the Father” vein. Powerful, angry and downright nasty, this has to be my favorite tune on the CD. The finishing cut is “In the Name of God,” a moving epic that attempts to enlighten the audience with pondering the question: does organized religion ultimately lead to violence? I can’t help but hear echoes of Queensryche’s mega-hit, “Empire” in this tune. Still, it is great on it’s own merit. DT has always been outside the radar as far as mainstream recognition. Train of Thought may be the crossover they are seeking. It certainly has opened the band to new audiences with a fresh and a somewhat imitated style while still managing to keep their chops in tact. For more info: www.dreamtheater.net – Jon Rice JETGet Born (Elektra/Asylum)
Jet has come to lay waste to anyone that wants to capitalize on the raw rock on the 1970’s! Get Born is a collection of tunes that unabashedly borrows from such rock ‘n’ roll ancestors such as – Sweet, T-Rex, Rolling Stones, Who, New York Dolls, Beatles, Mott the Hoople, Bay City Rollers, Kiss, and The Stooges! What this band captures from the ‘70s is the “fun” all those bands crafted into their three and a half minute radio gems. “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” is the highly communicable radio hit that has everyone bobbing their heads. Motown bass-line, a R&B riff and “My Generation” vocal line is all that’s needed for this song to deliver the goods. “Look What You Have Done” has Beatle-esque phrasing and melodies aloft on a cloudy upright piano. Elton John would be proud to have called this one his! “Cold Hard Bitch” is a romp of a song in the vein of AC/DC that totally kicks! A heavy rocker that makes you pleads for mercy! A fun, fun, fun song about an evil woman who has men on their knees with her “foxy” guise. “Move On” leaves Guns ‘N Roses “Patience” in the dust. Acoustic guitar, voice and a tambourine are all that’s needed here. The best song on the CD has to be “Radio Song.” It’s a perfect amalgam of all the before mentioned bands. Slow and sultry, the tune is about how it won’t be played on the radio. Dramatic and climactic, I honestly believe that “Radio Song” will stand the test of time like such classics as “Freebird”, “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys”, and “Let It Bleed.” That is not something I can say about most music being made today. I can’t shout out enough about Jet! It takes talent to master an old style, make it your own, and make it sound new. If for nothing else, take a trip down memory-lane with this CD. For me, it has brought back a flood of childhood memories that have lain dormant until now –– USA Skate Rink, The Lazer Band at the Marquette Theatre, Football Games at Ames Field, Plaid, learning “the stick” in a Ford Pinto Wagon, etc. If you get only one new CD all year... then get THIS one! – Jon Rice | ||
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Monkey Cocktail has hit a new high with their new seven song set, Glisten. The Monkey boys take us on a musical journey exploring the regrets of faded love, the hopefulness of a bright future, and the excitement of pent-up desires untethered. 
Sad to say that even though this is a good CD, it is afloat in a sea of similarity. 
Dream Theater is in that strange hybrid class of “progressive metal.” That is to say they are a heavy metal band with progressive rock sensibilities (i.e.: synths, odd timings and complex musical patterns). So, they are appealing to one that would like either genre of music... you would think. The most accessible piece from DT yet, Train of Thought offers something for every rock fan out there. 
Finally, there comes a band to displace those detestable spoiled brats, The Strokes!