Midlake/The Courage Of Others

Midlake are an American Rock Band from Denton, Texas. Formed in 1999, it would be 2004 before the public heard the band’s demo release. The Courage Of Others is the bands 3rd full length release and was issued in February, 2010.

Acts Of Man—-From the first strains of the song, you realize the serious nature of this masterpiece. The vocals are sublime, beautiful and wonderfully layered. The flute is the most important part of this song. The guitar is almost acoustic and the drums are the only real movement through the track. This is beautiful modern-day Folk music.

Winter Dies—-Beginning smoky and serious, the song develops into a huge opus dripping with the sweat of uncomfortable emotions. This song is tedious and a journey…the trip will make you peer into yourself and ask questions….the best Jethro Tull has sounded in years!!!

Small Mountains—-The flute introduction if fantastic…the Pink Floyd mood strikes you at a musical angle…the vocal is a sedentary Low inspired carnation that lets you hear every word and concern. This is remarkable…revealing and bare, the voice holds its own even in its nakedness. Wonderful!

Core Of Nature—-With the gentle guitar introduction befitting a Children’s Lullaby, this song rarely rises above a level that would disturb anyone. This is remarkale…I’m not sure if there are two vocalists or if the harmonic overlays are that good. This is a beautiful…thought provoking and serious masterpiece. Wow!!!

Fortune—-With wonderful Simon & Garfunkel inspired chords, the song is stripped bare and relies on its simple melody. These voices come together and create a landscape that is so pure and seamless…this is brilliant!!!! Damn…..!!! This is almost better than Low to me!!!!

Rulers, Ruling All Things—-This offers up an almost predictable sound from the onset…the vocals again are majestically displayed. The drums are so controlled and the guitars only become electric when called upon. The chorus is a nice electric affair that dissolves into a deeper acoustic sound. This is nice but….I’m not sure!!! The flute is magnificent…adding emotion and purity. Nice,,,that’s what I mean!!!

Children Of The Grounds—-With another wonderful acoustic guitar melding with a flute, the drums kick up the energy of the song a bit more than usual. The voice is exquisite….I could not ask for more…the music is given a nice spotlight and the band delivers an almost Alternative Jazz sound that is new and refreshing to me. This is fantastic!!!!!

Bring Down—-With an acoustic almost Middle Eastern styled introduction, the song keeps a certain aspect of that sound throughout. The male and female blend of vocals is the best I have heard since falling in love with Low! This is fantastic, wonderful, moving and a lesson!!!! Wow!!!

The Horn—-Coming in on one headphone with an energy not felt thus far, the cymbals and high hats continue the feel. They seem to rise above and drive the vocal to even greater resonance. This is masterfully done…the voice remains remarkably sedate over the tin of the louder more psychedelic music…wow…again people….I’m telling you….song placement is a key to success.

The Courage Of Others—-Stripped bare, this title track sums up the entire introspective and intense feel of the release. The flute is wonderfully harmonic and a base for the song…this is fantastically sedate and crushingly depressing. You could never ask for more from a band….is this the new SloCore??? I freakin’ love it!!!

In The Ground—-The flute and the acoustic trade with each other to deliver a song that will stay with you for sometime….already though, I thirst for more. The beautiful soaring flute with the gentle march of the drum creates a beauty that will make me investigate more Progressive Folk than before. This is a fantastic close to a stupendous, striking, emotional record.

***** out of 5 [PERFECT!]

Mastodon/Crack The Skye

Crack The Skye is the 4th studio release from American Progressive Metal Band Mastodon. Released in March 2009, the CD landed in dozens of top releases of 2009 lists. This release is also the bands best-selling CD, moving about 500,000 units in the US. Crack The Skye is yet another odd conceptual release that evolves as it progresses. The ’story’ is centered around a paraplegic youth who can travel astrally! The story is of his getting lost in this continuum and landing in Hell…..or something like that. I never buy into the concept thing….just give me some great music and I am happy and fulfilled.

Oblivion—-With a ‘clearer’ sound than in the past, the song builds and builds….the drums creating room for new instruments to join the fray…what you end up with is an almost orchestration that suddenly dives into an almost Black Sabbath dirge. This is nice…the melodies are great and they do not end with the voice…the instruments are layered and monstrous. This is fantastic!!!! Bravo!!!! 4 Stars!!!!

Divinations—-Beginning with what sounds like a banjo, the song comes to life and proceeds to kick your ass with some really great progressive guitar riffs. The voice is maniacal and damn pleasant….the whole concept has not appeared for me….the one thing that is obvious is that these guys can rock pretty hard while still maintaining a certain mainstream appeal. When these riffs go crazy, your jaw will hit the ground.

Quintessence—-Almost seamlessly emerging from the previous track, the mood of the song is shifted by the real movement of the music. The drums are prevalent and begin to lead the track from the end fog of the other. The voice sounds driven and almost possessed. there seems to be true emotion in every word that is sung….This is an awesome underrated band. The music emerges better and better with each release.

The Czar: Usurper/Escape/Martyr/Spiral—-This 11 minute track begins with an almost cold underwater feel….the tones seem to be somewhat Electronic and the mood hangs heavy…the guitars swim through the cold….building and building until they break through the ice with a great gulp of air. The mood shifts of the song stay true to the predictable sounds of the band that we rely on…this is not so much new, but a continued journey in metal movements…sit through it, you will be better in the end.

Ghost Of Karelia—-A nice cymbal intro as the song takes shape almost immediately. This is nice and electric, although the bass line remains prominent throughout. the voice is great….coming in and out…I try to imagine what these recording sessions are like!?! It all seems like it must be a huge trippy haze of jams and perfections. This is great…it fits very nicely in with the flow of this release…part of the concept thing I would imagine…LOL!!!

Crack The Skye—-Coming across with a much more mainstream sound, the band seems to have layers and layers to its sound…you wonder how this all plays live. This is rich…the sound is peak optimum. The vocal is outstanding…a nice melody/harmony thing that makes this the most accessible song on this release for me. This is wonderfully rich in tone….the guitars soar and the drums are present but never overbearing…masterful!!! This song is GENIUS!!!

The Last Baron—-This nearly 14 minute opus, presumably, ties up the whole story. Seemingly to magically keep the vibe from the previous track, the song soars on at a wonderfully progressive pace. The band sounds awesome…the guitars are light and airy while the bass line drives the track for this ‘act’…..the song goes through some nice shifts and swings, but keeps the melodic bass line in tact  for most of the song. The chapters unfold with different cameos from different instruments, but magically the song is kept intact. These dudes are a bunch of brainiacs!!!!

**** out of 5

Fall Out Boy/Foile ‘A Deux

Foile ’A Deux is the 5th studio release by Emo darlings Fall Out Boy. Released in early December 2008, the release debuted a #8 on the Billboard Charts and has gone on to move over 1 million copies. The release features guest appearances by heavy hitters Elvis Costello, Lil’ Wayne, Brendon Urie, Travis McCoy, Debbie Harry and Pharell Williams.

Disloyal Order Of Water Buffaloes—-Surprisingly sedate at the onset, the track features a great vocal from Elvis Costello that is short and sweet and segues seamlessly into…..a rocket fuel paced assault that assures you the band has not whimped out. The track has a great energy, the vocal a slight sneer to the masses. The track manages a few moods and some really great bursts of guitar. The melody is classic FOB….you cannot mistake that particular sound the band has….and it is way more than just Stump’s vocal. This is fantastic!!!

I Don’t Care—-With a slight downside to the bass guitar that gives the song a Blues lean, this is classic FOB…there is no mistaking this…from the bass leads to the sing a long chorus…this is pogo Emo all the way down the street. Not a favorite of mine, listen a few times and you realize the drums are really fantastic.

She’s My Winona—-Funky because of the really pronounced bass line, the leads are noisy and the drums manage to sn=mack you in the face. The vocal is so-so for me….the attitude just sounds off. The chorus brings the band to a really familiar and comfortable place and the song manages to become fun despite the in-betwwens…hit and miss for me….not a favorite.

America’s Suitehearts—-To be honest with you, I loved this song from the very first time I heard it….it surprises me that this was not a huge single for the band. It was released to little fanfare and I have only seen the video twice!!! Of course. Pete is given the musical spotlight…the song is bass driven throughout. The vocal is great…attitude and a subtle Philly sound at times that makes me think of Hall & Oates!!!! This is literally fantastic…I have never found a weak spot with this track….a smash in my opinion.

Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown—-Wow….this is still a surprise as the vocal sounds like a modern day Jethro Tull. This is really odd…not sure about the vocal on this track….this is not all Patrick, but I’m to lazy to look at the liner notes to tell you…..well…hang on….I think this is  from Panic, but I’m not sure. This really is a Baseball song that could be a pop classic. This release never got the PR that was necessary to push the band to the next level.

The [Shipped] Gold Standard—-This has a really nice Alternative sound from the onset, but the predictable bass sound of the band enters the song and it becomes almost familiar. The chorus is a nice sing-a-long chorus, but the song is nothing special.

[Coffee For Closers]—-The song has a nice New York feel to me…it is dark and grimy…the vocals are intense throughout the whole song. The lyrics are destitute of happiness and the chugging bass is actual well placed on the song. This is great!!!

What A Catch, Donnie—-Beginning like a classic Elton John piano ballad, the song continues to move with a mood that is classic John. This has a nice slow groove that becomes more electric as it progresses, but still maintains that old style groove throughout. This is fantastic….the moods swing and come and go in a pop fashion that isn’t often used these days. Fantastic!!!

27—-Returning to a more familiar sound, the band is really propelled by some fantastic drums…they remain the star of the show. The song has an irresistable hook that will have you thinking about this 12 hours from now. This is exactly what we expect from the band…100% delivery.

Tiffany Blews—-With a more Electronic feel at the onset, the song develops into a rather predictable track that really offers nothing new and very little growth. This is just acceptable as filler on a too long release…..typical.

w.a.m.s.—-No…..I do not like this…..the sound is muted….the vocals pushed too far back and the lack of production is abysmal….No….I do not like this.

20 Dollar Nose Bleed—-A piano driven joint that again solidifies my premise of song placement, this comes at just the right time to keep you interested. This has a nice Jazz edge to it that plays really well with the band. Something like this only shows the further potential for a fairly new band. This is phenomenal…I like this!!!

West Coast Smoker—-Like it or leave it, this is predictable and played out…perhaps this release, for me, was about 3 tracks too long. the chorus is a huge affair, but the interludes between fall flat from to much vocal manipulation and run of the mill instrumentation. This is ok, but does not keep my attention.

*** out of 5

Dio/Stand Up And Shout: The Anthology [Disc Two]

Disc Two:

Stand Up And Shout—-A Metal anthem if there ever were, this song incorporates that late 80’s Metal sound that every band was playing. This is fantastic though…Dio stands out as his voice is full on contempt and a gentle hoarseness. This is classic Dio….a lighter inspired Metal anthem that made arenas go crazy.

Holy Diver—-Capturing Ronnie at his commercial peak, this song clearly shows the return by Dio to his more medieval, Viking inspired tales of doom and metal mayhem. This song only gives you a slight insight as to the staying power of this man….he survived a lot…..Disco, Dance, Electronic, Grunge…..by staying true. Long live Ronnie!!!!

Don’t Talk To Strangers—-Beginning with a nice acoustic styled guitar, the vocal is literally a grand sweeping operatic intro that builds the song to the next level. The instruments slowly add themselves to the mix as the song grows larger and larger….eventually you are wrapped in a huge Metal anthem that has employed every trick in the book on one record…this is huge, masterful and a damn great song.

Straight Through The Heart—-Little can be said about this…this is straight up INSPIRED heavy metal. The vocal is at an all time high…the lyric is crystal clear and the rhythm of the song seems to make it huge. This is a great rocking anthem that still maintains a slight blues edge that Ronnie has always been fond of. This is great.

Rainbow In The Dark—-Perhaps the best known song by Dio, the band took a huge risk with the distinctive synth line in the song. This was a wonderful choice that only helped to change the face of Modern Metal. More bands experimented with the instrument and we have ended where we are today. Dio sings of odd things…demons, fear and darkness…just enough of an element to make us squirm. This is tremendous…a true classic in every sense of the word.

We Rock—-Another Dio classic that was written to make huge arena crowd crazy. This is recipe driven metal that still seems to work. the lyrics are not deep, the guitars are not outstanding…this was made to make you crazy in a live setting and it does its job 1000%.

The Last In Line—-Another huge song and instant classic from the solo catalog, this song was driven not only by great music but an interesting video as well. Dio is huge on screen…it is a shock to see his little person self live…yet he always manages to be larger than life. His vocal is so clear and the emotion is striking. The build up is fantastic….when the song lets loose, you are swept up in the glorious noise of it all. This is fantastic…loud, bombastic and delivered with an evil flair that hearkens back to the Sabbath days.

Egypt [The Chains Are On]—-Full of atmosphere and that mystical Dio flair, the song even incorporates sounds of the Egyptians. The song begins with a slow dirge that makes you think of the Sabbath line-up. The song could have been on any of those releases….even the vocal is reminiscent of days past. This is fantastic…Dio tells magical tales in 4 minutes or less in a wonderful way. This is Great!!!

King Of Rock And Roll—-Indeed….at one time Dio and his cohorts were the Kings. The legend has continued to reproduce his streak…just to a smaller audience. The sound of the track is full of  powerful and faster paced Metal as it is in a live setting. Not sure of the date, but I would say ‘89 or so. This is a stellar high energy performance that has electricity running through it every step of the way. A wonderful moment caught in time.

Hungry For Heaven—-Dio proved that he still had more surprises in him as he delivered this almost main stream track. Synth driven with an almost pop flair, the guitars manage to keep the song grounded in the Metal community. This is a truly fantastic song…it is huge….everything about it is big….the riffs, the synths, the chorus. This is awe-inspiring. I love this song!!!!

Dream Evil—-A wonderful release that was largely ignored by people, this only proved to me that Metal was still alive and taking chances in a world that was changing from a musical standpoint. This track is full of the Dio imagery and lyrical adventure. The darkness is wonderfully conveyed vocally, while the music manages to sound fresh and driven. This was great…wish more had paid attention.

All The Fools Sailed Away—-One of my favorite tracks from this band, the energy is contagious. The intro is slow and sedate, but you know this band and realize the result will be magical. The vocal is so Sabbath…..the atmosphere is haunting…..the build up is excruciating….but worth the wait. When the song lets loose, it is a huge sweeping tour de’ force that reminds you how fantastic this band is. The track is full of mood swings and great metal…do not miss this!!!!

Lock Up The Wolves—-Could any song title be more Dio inspired? The imagery alone makes it a classic…the build up to the song is almost maddening…….the result is a wonderful quench of thirst and an immediate satisfaction. Getting there is half the fun…this is more deep than even classic Sabbath. This is heavy dirge that makes you head heavy and your neck hurt. This is literally fantastic….kick out the jams Mother Fucker!!!!

Strange Highways—-Full of atmosphere and mood, Dio enters the fray with a mystical vocal that makes you actually realize how it feels to lose your mind. This is lyrically more vivid than anything I can remember. The bass is so deep and thick, you again think of Sabbath and wonder why he ever left the band. This is classic Dio era Sabbath although called something else. This was a clear precursor to the future, although it would take sometime to bring everything back together. Be well Ronnie…the Metal World needs you….fight back….hard!!!!

****3/4 out of 5

Dio/Stand Up And Shout: The Anthology [Disc One]

Ronnie James Dio has enjoyed a varied and storied career as a the vocalist for 4 different bands that found success to varying degrees. Beginning his recording career as early as 1957, Dio has been a mainstay on the Metal scene for 40+ years. Recently reunited with Hall Of Famers Black Sabbath as Heaven And Hell, the band is currently on hiatus as Dio battles stomach cancer.

Disc One:

Elf: Originally The Electric Elves, the band began it’s recording career in 1969. The band scored modest success and toured as the opening act for Deep Purple.

Hootchie Kootchie Lady—-The song has a nice metal sound to it, but the barroom piano sound nods to much towards sleazy blues for me. At times, this reminds me of early Elton John!!! I have never really cared for this style of music, although Dio displayed his familiar tenor in grand fashion even this early on.

I’m Coming Back For You—-Much more Metal based, the song looses much of the barroom boogie of the earlier song, although the piano is still present and annoying. This track has an addictive and catchy chorus and some great power chords. Ronnie really does not stretch his vocal, but the potential is all over the song. This is the beginning of Metal. Nice!!!

Carolina County Ball—-Returning to the annoying Blues of the first track, I should not be surprised considering the title. The piano is heavy and the guitar delivery is a three bar blues that even allows for some horns here and there. I really do not care for this, but it is a piece of history in the making of THE MAN.

Rainbow: Ritchie Blackmore formed Rainbow with Ronnie James after the first break-up of Deep Purple. The band released 4 outstanding albums before Dio left the band with ‘creative difference’ in 1978.

Man On The Silver Mountain—-A classic song that is still in the Dio catalog, this found Ronnie really enjoying what his vocal chords were really capable of. The classic guitar line still relies on the blues element to a certain extent, but the band was much more Metal based. Dio delivers a lyric that began his journey into the mystics….the song is full of wizard imagery that made Dio so popular. This is great…it sounds just as fantastic today.

Starstruck—-This still has a strong lean towards the bluesier sounds of Metal that seemed to be prevalent at the time. The song has a nice electric feel to it, but the slide into the blues is threatened at every note. Dio delivers a great vocal….reaching for some great notes with little effort.

Long Live Rock N’ Roll—-More straight forward metal that reminds you of Kiss at the beginning of their storied career. The sound has the potential of Heavy Metal all over it…it is made for arenas and inspired a huge crowd reaction everytime it was played. This is pretty tame by todays standards, at the time…this was classic Metal. Great!!!!

Black Sabbath: After the demise of the Dio fronted Rainbow, Dio made a career changing decision and stepped into the empty shoes of Ozzy Osbourne in a dejected Black Sabbath. The addition of Ronnie on vocals rejuvenated the band and produced 3 studio albums of classic Sabbath. Dio and the boys are reunited and touring as Heaven And Hell. They released an album of new material in 2009.

Neon Knights—-From the very first musical notes, you know that you are listening to Sabbath. Dio delivers a vocal that is clear and powerful…the lyrics full of vivid imagery. The double track on the vox is smart and the Sabbath dirge  runs underneath a faster lead. this is classic…this was a new life for this band and we ate that shit up!!!

Children Of The Sea—-Continuing the dark world of Sabbath seemed to fit right into the palm of Dio’s hand. Combining his theatrical and mystical lyrics and great tenor, the band seemed to fit him like a glove. This is classic shit….one of the best collaborations ever, I have never tired of this incarnation of the Metal Godfathers.

Heaven And Hell—-This song is literally huge….the sound and the spectrum are immense. The classic Sabbath sound never sounded better and Dio delivers a vocal that is so crystal clear and near to perfection it makes history. This song is immense…the bass beats drive the song and creates a big wave of electricity…this is fantastic!!!

Turn Up The Night—-With a huge chugging guitar that defined the sound of Metal in the late 70’s, the song inspired a huge reaction from fans of the band. we were so glad to have new material from a renewed Sabbath and they never let us down with their collaborations with Ronnie. Dio actually hits some notes in this song that are close to a classic Metal screech…this is powerful, fast and full of a huge wall of guitars. Fantastic!!!

The Sign Of The Southern Cross—-With a nice gentle guitar intro, most fans were scratching their heads….Dio enters with a tender vocal that begins to weave a tale of darkness and mystery. The overlays add emotion to the vocal and you just know that the best is yet to come. the band finally breaks out with a classic plodding guitar sound that makes the song magically shift from tender to dark and heavy. You imagine castles and knights and moats and medieval scenes from the joint work of the vocal and dark music. This is masterful….a band that came together in a magical way.

The Mob Rules—-One of the best known songs from this collaboration, this song still sounds fresh and energetic today. The musical delivery is freakin’ ELECTRIC!!!! Although the deep bass dirge is still present, the band has an energy and speed that just stands out. Dio delivers a vocal that is so clear and includes a nice evil sound. This is a wall of sound…the drums blast you, the bass is a wave that never crashes and the leads add the necessary melody to make this a Metal classic. Fantastic!!!

Computer God—-Jeez….who really even knew what computers were at this time…..only the Apple guys, right! This song does manage to deliver a futuristic sound that was different at this time. The classic sounds of Sabbath remain intact though…Dio sounds literally possessed as he delivers his lines. This is kind of a hit and miss song, but it is nice to have.

VooDoo [Live, 1982]—-Sounding like a huge crowd, the sound suffers on this version. The sound is muted and you really miss out on the clarity of Ronnie’s voice. the drums are really in the front of the mix…almost to much so. This is a little unproduced and has since been given a nice remastering and sounds better on the Heaven And Hell Box Set.

Dio: Active since 1982 with a revolving door of guitarists and drummers, the group has issued 10 releases thus far. A new release was rumored, but put on the back burner as Dio reunited with Sabbath and toured and recorded as Heaven And Hell. Dio has had a huge solo career as he rode the waves of Metal in the 80’s and maintained his fan base until 2004 when the last Dio release was issued. As Ronnie battles stomach cancer, we can only pray and wish him Godspeed.

Sacred Heart [Live, 1985]—-Combining classic 80’s metal sounds with a great keyboard synth line, the sound of this song is huge…this is fantastic…live ronnie has a voice that is so masterful and controlled you just want him to keep singing and singing. the drums on this track are huge…fantastic…the guitars soar and the end result is no less than magical!!!

****3/4 out of 5

World Of Dance/Boxset Disc 1-3 [Rebound Records]

Disc 3: The 90’s

Strike It Up [Black Box]—-One of the most successful pseudo bands of the 90’s, Black Box along with C+C Music Factory helped to define the sound of 80’s dance. Using studio musicians and guest vocalists, the band was notable for the use of Martha Wash on many of its songs…even though she was not included in the videos. This is as high energy as you can get…I often refer to this music as Euro-Trash Disco….lots of fun.

Rhythm Is A Dancer [Snap!]—-Another group that used studio singers and producer orchestrated sounds, this german outfit flooded the charts in the early 90’s with this high-powered joint that drove you to madness on dark and sweaty dance floors. This is wonderful…the sound is nicely European, the vibe is excessive and filled with THE sounds of the 90’s.

Gypsy Woman [She's Homeless] [Crystal Waters]—-One of the few 90’s Divas that actually had staying power, Waters continues to flood the dance floors with her unique blend of R n’ B and dance to this day. This debt single elevated Waters to cult status…while being fun and danceable, the song delivered a nice social message that still bears repeating today.

Touch Me [All Night Long] [Cathy Dennis]—-UGH!!!! That is all I have to say about this one.

It’s Gonna Be A Lovely Day [The S.O.U.L.S.Y.S.T.E.M]—-I know nothing about this group or this song…it was new for me when Icame into contact with this compilation. This is a classic Diva fronted outfit that delivers a magnificent vocal and a sense of energy that you cannot deny. This is recipe formulated dance music that would play well on any dance floor. Very Nice!!! I’m glad to have this.

What Can You Do For Me [Utah Saints]—-Inspired by DJ’s and using healthy doses of sampled music, this group seemed to fall out of sight after its début release. They do lots of remixes these days, but the brand of energy they brought to the 90’s is permanent and indelible. Lots of fun with a nice dose of psychedelia, the band left it’s mark and then vanished.

Groove Is In The Heart [Deee-Lite]—-To me, everything about this band was X inspired…from the clothes to the music to the attitude. This was a brief affair, but the band managed to make a huge impression on the american charts in the early 90’s. All members of the group still work in the Industry…some more successfully than others…regardless, this is a time capsule song….unpack it in 20 years and it will sound as exciting as ever. Rock on Lady Kerr!!!!

Two To Make It Right [Seduction]—-Another of the many generic all female R n’ B/Dance groups popular in the last decade, the band never repeated much of its success that it found with this track. Featuring a huge bass driven dance floor euphoria, the song employs some great samples and grooves. This inspires sweat and an ecstatic euphoria that drives you to work it. Great!!!

Love, Peace & Happiness [Soul Solution]—-This is new to me and for the most part is crap…..there are so many other songs that could have been included on this compilation…a waste of disc space.

Blow Your Whistle [DJ Duke]—-Another seat inducing, drug inspired rave classic that was a minor hit in the clubs in 92. This is fueled by huge bass hits and sampled beats that are familiar to any aficionado of 90’s dance music…this is fun, but gets old rather quickly.

Everybody Dance [Chic Inspirational Mix] [Evolution]—-This has a really fantastic female vocal that is just filled with power and attitude. The remix is masterful…the song comes off more as a disco anthem, but the result is high energy and lots of fun. This is great!!!

*** out of 5

World Of Dance/Boxset Disc 1-3 [Rebound Records]

Disc Two: New Wave 80’s

Relax [Frankie Goes To Hollywood]—-One of the singles and videos that helped to define the 80’s, Relax rode the stream of media backlash to the top of the charts and beyond. Synth heavy but with a healthy dose of real instrumentation, the song has an overt sexuality that is undeniable…from the lyrics to the bass heavy pivoting sound that drives the song. This is ecstasy before E and sex filled fun when it was the rage! Fantastic!!!!

Venus [Bananarama]—-Never really a favorite band of mine, although the public seemed to adore the contagious synth and harmonies of this all girl group. This is a little too bubble gum for me….I love the synth line, but the syrup in the vocal is different and odd for me. Sorry!

Something About You [Level 42]—-A classic definition of the decade, I just happened to catch this really great video on VH1Classics this morning. Full of every sound that made the 80’s great in my mind, this is manufactured pop at its very best. The sound is warm yet somehow cold and distance. This remix adds some nice beats that pump up the song…this is great!!!!

She Blinded Me With Science [Thomas Dolby]—-A literal cyber genius, Dolby spends most of his time designing cellular software in the Silicon Valley these days and has made a KILLING doing it. Recently rediscovering a fondness for the industry, Dolby has begun touring and working on new material. This song and ensuing video literally defined the 80’s MTV….when they actually played music!!!. This is a great. all synth masterpiece of cold hard technology with a quirky voice put in for fun. Genius!!!

Shout [Tears For Fears]—-Seemingly coming from nowhere, the band managed to sell 10 million copies of this record with little effort. The band has reformed and is recording, albeit to a lesser degree in this day and age. The song combines a great synth sound, while incorporating instruments and an amazing sense of harmony and melody. This was a great video…especially with all the kids at the end singing along. A band at its peak creativity!!!

Let Me Go [Heaven 17]—-What do I know about this band…..Cradle Of Filth covered one of their songs……that is about it. The band was huge overseas and never really made much of an impact here in the States. This is unremarkable to me…it is almost a cheap attempt to repeat the sound of The Human League…the comparison is no where close enough to even consider. This is acceptable, but too predictable.

Vacation [Go-Go's]—-One of my favorite tracks by this all girl group. The tone of the song inspires a happiness I rarely feel these days, and the video is a hoot. One of the most un-appreciated bands of the time, this band had not only talent but substance as well. This is fantastic!!!!!!

The Look Of Love [ABC]—-Easily winning the award for the most suave band of the decade, the sound of the band fit the image to a very skilful tee!!! This remix pumps the song up even more, giving it a nice masculine feel while still appealing to the masses. Martin Fry delivers a vocal that is so smooth and seductive, you want to melt. This is shiny, wonderful and polished!!! Classic POP!!!!

Obsession [Animotion]—-A true definition of a one hit wonder, this song came and went in a wink, in the meantime leaving a considerable dent on the pop chart. The video is just awful…I cringe everytime i see it. The song is defining in sound though and proved a great hit for the band that dropped from sight.

The Politics Of Dancing [Re-Flex]—-One of those bands that never really resonated with me…to me they were trying to capture the power of the League and Numan with little success. Obviously, the masses felt different than I, as this song landed comfortably in the top ten for WEEKS!!!!This is a great remixed version of the original though.

Tainted Love [Soft Cell]—-Another song that literally defines Gay Culture and the 80’s…before HIV and AIDS, this was a popper driven synth number that allowed you to go crazy on the dance floor with your leather buddies. This drips of excess and joy, impending doom and drama, fun and frolicking. A great example of excess and free spirit for the newest generation. This remix is GLAM!!!!

Come On Eileen [Dexy's Midnight Runners]—-Another really fun song that delivered a magnificent blend of synth and Celtic sounds. The band delivered the song with even more frolicking fun in their dingy and dirty video. This is fantastic…I never tire of this…although the public really never bought and follow up in the States. Overseas, the band flourished and vocalist Kevin Rowlands does very well even now.

**** out of 5

World Of Dance/Boxset Disc 1-3 [Rebound Records]

Rebound Records is one of those fun generic labels that specialize in one-hit wonder collections. With this box set, the label has produced a magnificent collection of huge dance hits that were all the rage in the 80’s and 90’s. This leaves little out, and manages to mix it up to just the right degree.

Disc 1: The 80’s

Don’t You Want Me [Jody Watley]—-One of the original members of the R n’ B group Shalamar, Watley chose to begin a solo career in the mid 80’s and scored a number of hits and won her a Grammy award as well. This is a great mix of the original. Watley combines a nice Diva style, damn danceable grooves and a voice that screams the 80’s. This reworking makes the song an even larger dance floor anthem. This is really nice to hear again.

The Right Stuff [Vanessa Williams]—-The disgraced former Ms. America discovered that she could sing and do it fairly well. Williams had a fairly successful career in the R n’ B market until she discovered she could act also….who knew…..and she does that pretty well also This song is a JAM! The remixed version is even sexier and charged…the dance floor screams for the song. The voice is classic 80’s Diva….attitude and tone. This is fantastic!!!

C’mon And Get My Love [Cathy Dennis]—-I must admit from the onset…..I never liked this girl,,,I have no idea why, she just seemed fake to me. The beats are fantastic, falling into that genre’ of 90’s dance that was huge at the time. She just never did it for me. This remis=x is long and pretty fantastic,,,the music is hype and the bass is great.

You Keep Me Hangin’ On [Kim Wilde]—-A literal epitome of the 80’s, Wilde proved she was more than a one hit wonder with this song. The vocal is perfect….making you reach for Diana after. the synths are huge…this is super turbo charged and a magnificent amped up version. Wonderful to have this.

Lovergirl [Teena Marie]—-This is another of those generic hits from the decade of excess that never made much of an impression on me. /the beats are Paisley Park inspired and the sound is contrived and fake. I like the music, and you can’t help notice the addictiveness of the song…but it goes no where for me.

Pull Up To The Bumper [Grace Jones]—-One of the greatest Divas ever, Jones is admittedly an acquired taste…and my taste is ravenous. I have yet to hear anything from this behemoth that I have not fallen in love with. This song has that down and dirty sexy sound that makes you think of New York, dark alleys and the baths!!! This is popper fun…Jones is so serious you can feel her frown…awesome!!!

The Glamorous Life [Sheila E.]—-Another very big single from the late 80’s that never did to much for me…Prince orchestrated and delivered, the sound of the Purple One is all over the song and at this point he was just getting overexposed. This is ok…the mix is nice, but it is wasted on me…sorry.

In My House [Mary Jane Girls]—-The brainchild of R n’ B genius Rick James, this song was huge for me. I mean the Mary Jane Girls…come on!!! The beats are pure James and the delivery is sexy and seductive and sometimes borders on dirty. Fantastic!!!

Everybody Dance [Ta Mara & The Scene]—-OK….so I’m slow or I missed the boat, but this song means nothing to me. Never heard of it or the ‘group’….this is fun manufactured dance that is nothing special and really could have been left off….I’m like….whatever!!!

Word Up [Cameo]—- One of the tried and true singles of the 80’s, you can be guaranteed that you will hear this track at any 80’s night. The video helped to propel the song to even greater heights and Cameo were mega stars for a time. The heavy bass and the synth line emit a seductiveness that is contagious. This remix even adds to the deep sound of the song and the bass beat propels the song to even greater heights. This is dope!!!

You Dropped A Bomb On Me [The Gap Band]—-One of the biggest hits of ‘79-’80, The Gap Band enjoyed a pretty darn successful career outside of this single. I have watched many a people line dance to this track…this is so contagious I listen to it twice. This is full of the early synth lines that would define dance music…my how times have changed.

Solid [Ashford & Simpson]—-The husband and wife team made a huge name for themselves in the mid 80’s R n’ B community. The duo had a number of top ten hits on the ‘urban’ chart in the early and mid 80’s. This is a nice reaffirmation of love, but a little to sweet for my taste.

***1/2 out of 5

Ra Ra Riot/The Rhumb Line

The Rhumb Line is the début release from Syracuse based, Indie Rock band Ra Ra Riot. This release includes songs that were previously released on the self titled EP released in 2007. The Rhumb Line was issued in August 2008 and was named the 38th best release of 2008 by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Ghost Under Rocks—-Beginning with a really deep sound, the song emerges as a wonderful cross of Indie Rock and Pop. The vocal sets the band apart from many of the other bands out there today…this is a pleasant and introspective record that causes you to think and look at the lyrics that are printed. Magnificent!!!

Each Year—-From the onset, the song sounds like a magnificent Cure redux. This is freaking wonderful. The drums stand out on this track as on the previous. This is really Indie Rock…this is literally fantastic. This track makes me happy, sad and overwhelmed……exactly what music is supposed to be about.

St. Peter’s Day Festival—-Magically changing tones and allowing the vocal to be the star, the music on this track is understated and minimal. The voice is familiar and welcome, sounding like it came from overseas and not the US. Speaking of Glasgow and relying heavily on a more subtle English sound, this song hits it out of the park…Fantastic!!!

Winter ‘05—-Wow, the song begins with a magnificent cello intro that is extraordinary. The voice is subtle and intense….the lyrics peer into your soul.

Dying Is Fine—-The music again makes me think of The Cure…..the sadness and the seriousness manages to permeate the more lively beat. This is fantastic…the chorus is this grand affair that will clutch your cerebellum in a death grip and you will NEED to hear this over and over. Man…..how did I miss this band?

Can You Tell—-Somber and driven by the excellent drumming on this release, the song builds around the drum track. even the vocal manages to match the drumming. As the song progresses, it takes on a nice guitar jangle that makes you think of classic 80’s Indie Rock. This is so wonderful I back it up and listen to it again…even better is that the lyrics actually mean something and inspire a level of introspection that makes me love music even more. Great!!!!

Too Too Too Fast—-Again, the drums steal the show. The track is actually driven by the drum track, seemingly ignoring the guitars and the obvious 80’s inspired synth line. As the song progresses, it emerges as a fun, lighter song that still sucks you into the void of addictiveness. This is fantastic.

Oh, La—-This begins rather peculiar and seems to stick with this alternative sound. This is a nice change…showing you that song placement is an art in itself. This adds just enough difference and unpredictability to keep the release from becoming boring. The voice, the guitars, the drums are all subdued, giving the song a haunting and pop oriented feel. This is literally genius!

Suspended In Gaffa—-Sounding like a huge parody of the band itself, this song falls flat with me until the chorus. The chorus is a grand affair with lots of crashing cymbals and a fun feel to the guitar. The refrains are nothing special…the simple fact of the matter is that I really love this band!!!!

Run My Mouth—-Full of an interesting sound that I think must be an old organ or updated synth hardware, the song opens up into a classic sounding fun song that reminds me of the best sounds of the UK bands of the mid 90’s. This is so special to me…this resonates in my ear and in my heart as well. I look so forward to new stuff from this band…a huge favorite and on my top 10 to watch list.

***** out of 5

Leona Lewis/Best Kept Secret

Best Kept Secret is a CD of unreleased [although heavily circulated at this point] songs before her appearance and win on England’s X-Factor. Released 2 days after the release of her official début Spirit, Juno Records has since removed all of these songs from their website.

L.O.V.E. U.—-With a smooth beat and synth line that makes me think of 80’s R N’ B, Lewis delivers a vocal that is more reminiscent of Mariah then her now familiar tone. The song has a  nice slow and sexy groove but the outcome is predictable. Lewis did little to really set her self apart from the many other Divas circulating the charts. Nice, but unremarkable.

Dip Down—-With a nice intro that combines good Dance grooves with a smooth R N’ B flavor, the song slows for the vocal…the chorus is pretty damn catchy and could probably be a hit if released. The only complaint is the dated sound…this again reminds me of the very late 80’s and early 90’s dance.

Ready To Get Down—-With a nice spastic beat, the song again uses a male vocal in the backdrop to give the song some added layers. Lewis delivers a vocal that is very Urban in sound…you would never guess this was here by todays standards. This is nice but really it falls in the just acceptable range.

Private Party—-Seriously…..this is 90’s Carey without a doubt. Sometimes I look at the cover wondering if I am listening to the right release. This drips of sexy and has a slow seductive groove to match. Again, a male vocal shows up and makes the song even more entangled in sex and heat. This is nice…even though it is a throwback.

Joy—-This has a nice Timberland beat at the onset…the jerky synth line fits the vocal almost perfectly. This is slower and seductive at the same time has a danceable line that is irresistable. Nice.

Bad Boy—-Wow….this is pretty fantastic. The sound is predictable, but magical enough to really catch my attention. Primarily, the music is the key…the sound is fun and seductive..the vocal is passable but displays little of the emotion she is able to project. I love the backdrop of this song…it has a West Coast groove that you can not get out of your head.

I Can’t Say Hello—-From the onset, you feel the tropical groove that runs through the song. This is a pretty predictable joint, but the music again is the star. This is wonderful.

I’m So Into U—-Ahhhh….even more of that West Coast inspired beat. There is a nice auto-tune that runs through the song…before everybody was doing it. The vocals are great…there is a nice overlay that only adds to the levels of the song and the delivery. this is fantastic…almost classic in sound.

I Wanna Be That Girl—-Relying again on manufactured overplayed beats, the song has an almost 70’s inspired groove. The vocal is to manufactured…it comes off as generic and uninspired. This only goes to prove points about vocal coaches, engineers, producers and all the un-sung heroes that make songs really great.

Silly Girl—-Much more of a fun sound, the song sounds much more up to date and filled with the produced beats that would make the song a hit today. There is a male vocal, but it seems like Lewis is given a great vocal treatment on this song. The voice is really in the front of a simple and addictive beat. This is pretty great.

Private Party—-From the onset, the song has a hyper-kinetic beat that tells the tale. This is built for the dance floor and should be played at a very high volume. This is full of the style that has made Lewis huge…this could be a single and one wonders about the judgement of a record company that would not push this song.

*** out of 5