Pet Shop Boys/Nightlife

Nightlife is the 11th release by cultural icons the Pet Shop Boys…..it is the 7th release by the duo of all new recorded material. The release features a wide variety of musical sound…..Hard Trance, Dance Pop. Disco and even a slight Country sound. The release also features a wonderful duet with pop Diva Kylie Minogue. Released in 1999, this was a huge return to form for the group…the release sold a staggering 1.2 million copies worldwide and reminded the world that the Pet Shop Boys were waaaayyyyy more than a one hit wonder.

For Your Own Good—–The song teases from the onset…..the build up is slow, but the PSB fan knows that something brilliant is about to occur…and it does. This track is a romp through pure pop/trance heaven…the voice is so disembodied while the music is swirling and warm. This is freakin’ brilliant…one of my favorite tracks on this release, the overdubs and background vocals only add to the ecstatic qualities of the song. This is damn near brilliant…why is this band not huge??

Closer To Heaven—-Apparently written for a stage play that never occurred, the fans of the band were the ones who triumphed by the demise of said play…..the music is classic….the vocal is classic….this is classic!!! The joy I felt with this song…the underlying sadness of the low hum….it keeps you on the edge of your seat. This duo can do no wrong in my book. Seeming to contain elements of earlier hits, the synth plays back and forth between a familiar sound and something wonderfully new. Tennant sings in an upper register that is seldom heard anymore….the result is a huge dance floor excursion that you can lose yourself in…the lights swirl and the voice envelops you…you are now a lost cause. Freakin’ Wonderful!!!!

I Don’t Know What You Want But I Can’t Give It Anymore—-Beautifully orchestrated from the onset, it is not long before the full disco feel of the song emerges. Tennant falls back in the classic Al Stewart….talk/sing style of delivery with his vocal. The dance grooves are remakable…even for a rather sedate song….you can move to this song solo or with a romantic partner equally. This is a brilliant and classic rendition of PSB material…..these are glory days set in modern time. Wonderful!!!

Happiness Is An Option—-Without a doubt, this is my favorite track from this release…the downbeat feel of the song is remarkable, Tennant delivers an even more disembodied feel to the vocal. The melodic qualities of the song emerge during the chorus and I promise that it will plant itself in your brain….especially at the end of the track when the Boys enter their trademark capability of giving you an added hook to think about. The duo vocal overlays are brilliant!!!  This is beyond words….

You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You’re Drunk—-Kudos and awards for the song title alone….this is brilliant. Taking on a slight Country feel, the song even features a nice slide guitar sound. Neil delivers a vocal that seems so comfortable you at once wonder what the hell is going on…this is brilliant, versatile and wonderful all at once…a departure but sounding extremely comfortable this duo never fails to surprise and intrigue.

Vampires—One of the few songs by the Boys that I really do not like, the whole concert and idea of the song never appealed to me…same as the whole wig wearing thing during the tour for this release….why is all of that necessary when you make such quality music…I guess the song is meant to go along with the whole Nightlife theme…whatever…..just give me more of what I demand….this is acceptable, but lacks something for me.

Radiophonic—-Returning to the much more Electronic and trance oriented sound of the first track, this song is a pure romp through the kingdom of dance floors. This is damn near brilliant….Neil delivers a vocal that is distant yet screams of emotion…the music of Lowe drives you to near madness….the background chorus adds life to the song and makes it a classic 1:00 in the morning dance floor romp that you will look for time and time again.

The Only One—-Beginning with a beautiful piano interlude, the song has a thick and lush feel to it…a remarkable contrast to the previous track. Tennant actually sounds connected and emotional during the heartfelt delivery of the lyric. This is lush and wonderful…the song has a lot of things going on it at the same time, but it all comes together to make it a masterful and introspective PSB track…listen and think about the things he is espousing on.

Boy Strange—-From the onset, the song has a strange almost military feel to it….the arrangement is lush and full of thick sounds……the track dissolves into a ballad style delivery that is cl;assic…the low hum of sadness that runs through so many of the Boys songs actually comes to the forefront and you feel the true heaviness of the lyric…I’m not sure of the interpretation of the song….it just reminds me of childhood and travails…really nice!!

In Denial—-A ‘duet’ with superstar Kylie Minogue, this marked the beginning of the coming out of Neil Tennant…never again was he afraid to include really gay elements n the boys recordingsd….not that it was a big secret or anything. This is a brilliant tale of a relationship between a daughter and Dad that recognize the true nature of the other…a brilliant and tender song…..powerful and touching…this is a tide turning.

New York City Boy—-Perhaps the most Disco oriented song the band had issued since Go West, this is straight out of the Village People songbook. The backdrop voices are boys that dance in sailor uniforms and the lyric of Tennant reminds us of how it was growing up gay in the Midwest. We all wanted to be those boys….this is not to be in Toledo…..the vibe of the song is fun and estatic…live it is even better…this is freakin’ brilliant. A nice throw back to the Club Days!!!!

Footsteps—-Lush and full of all kinds of sounds, the chorus is featured at the onset of the song and sets the mood. Tennant delivers a voice that is so full of melancholy and sadness….it is almost a shock after the previous track. The arrangement is rich and layered giving the sound an almost dreamy quality….this is remarkable…I do not listen to this release often enough!!!

****3/4 out of 5

Heavy Metal/The Box Set Vol. 1-4 [Disc 4]

Disc Four—-

Still Of The Night [Whitesnake]—-Delivering a Zeppelin styled brand of Metal, Coverdale & Co. deliver a huge anthem that lives in the minds of 80’s Hair Metal fans to this day. Even though Coverdale was not able to stand the heat on this summer’s tour with Priest, he still gains an entry into the 80’s Metal Hall Of Fame with this nice romp through Pop Metal. The song manages to deliver a nice contrast of huge guitars and bar room blues all at once….even sounding sexy and dirty at times. Great!!!

Rock Me [Great White]—-Losing much of their credibility, the band will always be associated with the Club fire in Rhode Island that killed so many people. Despite this indelible scar, the band did always deliver a nice brand of Southern Fried Rock that managed to gain them a serious fan base. This song, complete with harmonica and deep blues bass and a hoarse vocal delivery,  the song is a tolerable foray into the realm of blues metal. Not a favorite of mine.

Talk Dirty To Me [Poison]—-With huge anthem like guitar riffs and a great vocal, this song managed to help propel this band to superstardom, of course now Michael’s is busy being a slut reality TV star…..what a great life!!!! This song is undeniably catchy and pleasant…it has huge stadium shows written all over it…it still sounds nice today!!!

Bathroom Wall [Faster Pussycat]—-I must admit, this band completely escaped me during its heyday. Of course, they were a big hair product of the Sunset Strip and deliver a typical brand of Pop Metal that was popular at the time. The song is unremarkable and almost predictable in sound…I think at this time I was busy with Guns N’ Roses.

Hall Of The Mountain King [Savatage]—-Faster, darker and more dense from anything on this disc thus far, the marked the turning tide of Metal. The song has nice Viking inspired themes and a nice squeal to the guitar. The voice is not pretty or refined, but a rather natural voice with great ability to hit the occasional really high note. This is really a band that I need to investigate.

Kiss Me Deadly [Lita Ford]—-One of the few female metal singers in the mid 80’s to garner any chart success, Ford delivered a rather bland form of music that relied more on video vu=isuals in scanty outfits rather than pure metal style…her greatest claim to fame is an outstanding duet with Ozzy Osbourne. This track is more Joan Jett than metal…it is generic and rather predictable. It is not a necessary element for this compilation…a disappointment.

Hail And Kill [Manowar]—-Built mostly on kitsch and image, this band still manages to tour to this day in one carnation or the other. Dressed in loincloths and with a lead singer by the name of Thor, the band still takes the Viking Rock to the extreme. Always very loud and theatrical, the band is best experienced in a live setting. This song has nice ebbs and flows and manages to create a wide range of different movements and moods. The voice really opens up and gives us a taste of exactly what this guy can do…this is nice….I have this release and have not really appreciated the full power of the anthem quality of metal it produced.

Trial By Fire [Testament]—-A nice inclusion from one of the premier Thrash bands of the time and of the current time. The latest release from this band is outstanding!!! This track finds the band beginning in a rather sedate manner….that does not last for long as the song opens up to full throttle and assault within 30 seconds. This sounds so fresh and new…I never tire of this stuff. The vocal is acceptable…it is the music that really says a lot about the band…this is relentless….sweaty and maddening. Fantastic!!!!

Welcome Home [King Diamond]—-Stepping away from Mercyful Fate and embarking on a huge solo career, King further explores the dark side of life as he delivers song after song built on the best Stephen King novel material. This is no exception…the early solo stuff from King still stands out above everything else….the band still manages to capture the Fate sound and establish  a sound of it’s own…King is in the best vocal form of  his career….thius is astounding!!!

South Of Heaven [Slayer]—-A new breed of Metal for those who were so disenfranchised with the 80’s hair Metal scene. Slayer brought a sound that only the most underground record store were selling. This is brutal, honest and full of fright. From the first strains of the song, yo think this is pretty average metal fare for the time…it is not to be for long as the guitars open up and snatch your brains out of your skull. The song delivers a much deeper and darker tone than Metal of its time and the lyrical content is full of frightening scenes that remain vivid in your brain….this is the classic beginning of the Death/Black Metal scene. Long Live Slayer!!!!

One [Metallica]—-What can one possibly write about this track that has not been written already…..a fantastic reworking of the novel Johnny Got His Gun in a few minutes, the band made a name for themselves with this song and the ensuing video….the mainstream ipened up and ate the band whole and they were no longer mine. Love this song…hate what it did to the quality and integrity of the band.

Cult Of Personality [Living Color]—-Built on novelty, this all African-American Metal band managed to deliver on all of the promise that the press and media shoved at them. The guitars are magnificent, the vocals are outstanding and the lyrics actually mean something….the children of Bad Brains, the band took things to a whole other level. Fantastic!!!

Youth Gone Wild [Skid Row]—-Somewhat out-of-place in the order of this compilation, none the less this is an important inclusion to the past 20 years of metal. Skid Row managed to produce two really great releases of classic hair metal before mediocrity, implosion and the onset of grunge….the band has the first Metal release to ever debut at #1 on the Billboard charts! The vocal of Sebastian bach still astounds me as I listen to it…this is astounding and was a huge, huge record for the band. Nice!!!!

Cowboys From Hell [Pantera]—-Metal now had a much different look and feel as Grunge took the forefront and metal fans were seeking something more extreme and intense. Pantera delivered exactly what I was looking for. This was brutal, real and freakin’ intense. The song, and full length, captured my attention and drove me to some of the live shows from this band…brutal and intense…no room for wimps…so I stood at the back. This was a new and necessary direction for Metal and brought the heavier sound to the forefront of Metal fans.

Beg To Differ [Prong]—-Ok….I know nothing about this band…never really even heard them before this…you can’t catch everything….right? The sound is muddy and deep….the Sabbath influence is all over the song. The voice is pretty damn pleasant…I don’t dislike this…perhaps I really need to investigate this more…anyone suggest a first release to start with?

Dead Embryonic Cells [Sepultura]—-The brothers Cavelera delivered a nice brand of Metal….the sound is layered and full of intensity….the guitars are muted at the onset but seem to come more in focus as the song continues. The driving and propulsive quality of the song really attracts me…the voce is hoarse and serious…the intent is clear…to be brutal and inspire crowds…despite the lack of any founding member, the band still manages to survive and release new music…nothing can replace the classic line up of the band.

**** 1/2 out of 5

Heavy Metal/The Box Set Vol. 1-4 [Disc 3]

Disc Three—-

Rock You Like A Hurricane [Scorpions]—-One of the best known Metal songs of the 80’s, the video for this track and the excellent resulting Album propelled the Scorpions to Worldwide Superstardom. This was quality Pop/Metal done with the proper flair. Klaus Meine has an unmistakable voice and it really shines on this track The Scorpions have made a few stumbles in their career, but for the most part still produce quality sounding Metal.

Metal Health [Quiet Riot]—-Helping to usher in the age of the Metal video, Quiet Riot had a huge smash with this song and ensuing CD. The vocal of Kevin Dubrow is fantastic and the attitude just leaks from every note of the song. Despite some purists distaste for the song, you cannot deny the damn catchy melody and outstanding vocal. A moment in time that lives despite Dubrow’s untimely death.

Into The Fire [Dokken]—-Never a favorite of mine, Dokken managed to catch the attention of millions of Metal fans with great guitar and catchy melodies. Thanks to Don Dokken, the band has always managed to produce a huge quasi-Metal sound that obviously hit home for many Metal fans. I do rather enjoy the lyrics and mood shifts on this track.

Balls To The Walls [Accept]—-Like the Scorpions, Accept hail from Germany and deliver a slight Blues style Metal that helped to propel this song in the Metal community to great heights. The vocal resemblance at times to Lemmy is rather interesting….the chorus is a huge affair….big and bombastic….driving young Metal heads crazy across the world. A classic and excellent track. Udo has a great voice!!

Round And Round [Ratt]—-Yet another band that was a stalwart of the 80’s Metal scene, Ratt managed to deliver a number of great releases before imploding, re-uniting, imploding etc…..Robin Crosby died of AIDS in the early 90’s and Stephan Pearcy continues to tour with tons of Ratt material in his repertoire. The song is undeniably catchy, Pearcy has a distinct and pleasant voice…..the tone is natural…he does not need to scream or force to get the emotion across. This is CLASSIC!!!!

I Wanna Rock [Twisted Sister]—-Ugly, obnoxious and clad in garish make-up, Dee Snider and Co. captured young Metalheads attention with anthemic songs and messages of rebellion. Fueled by great videos, Twisted Sister managed to stay relevant into the new century. Still touring and making music, the band delivers a great song with this inclusion. Snider has a great voice and when he stretches his chops it is magnificent.

The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams [Hanoi Rocks]—-Issuing a number of great releases throughout the 80’s, the band is unfortunately best known as having a key member killed in a car accident at the hands of Motley Crue’s Vince Neil. Razzle was a passenger in a car driven by Neil and died in the accident. The music is rather generic….the sound is not even really Metal to me…rather a generic form of pop with guitars.

Big Bottom [Spinal Tap]—-Meant as a parody and loved by lots of people, I’m just kind of …ummmm….whatever!!!

Midnight Maniac [Krokus]—-I was literally crazy about this band in the early 80’s. The brand of metal they produced always resulted in a big and bombastic sound…the guitars are aggressive without being obnoxious. the voice has a nice worn edge to it that implies years of drinking and touring. The chorus is a big, huge affair that settles in your brain an stays there for quite sometime…the guitar leads are fantastic….the bass and drum delivery are key. this is great!

I’ll See The Light [Yngwie J. Malmsteen]—A world-renowned guitar virtuoso, Malmsteen is an incredible sight to be seen in a live setting. With a swinging door of vocalist [most recently Tim "Ripper" Owens], the concentration has always been of the music and the guitar histrionics. This is a prime example why he is as great as he is. Plus, the vocals on this track are really outstanding. I never get tired of revisiting this release.

Crazy Nights [Loudness]—-Hailing from Japan, it was a pretty hilarious spectacle to see this band live…even though they could not speak English, they sang in it!!! The crowd interaction was ZERO….they played and left!!! The nice metal delivery of the song is outstanding though…this is classic 80’s hair metal with big huge chorus’ and damn acceptable vocals…the accent is apparent though….this did not last. A really great song though!!

Shake Me [Cinderella]—-Yet another really huge band from the hair age of Metal…the 80’s. Cinderella delivered a nice blues tinge of Metal that was accented by the gravel throat delivery of Tom Keifer. Still touring and recording, despite throat issues, the band still delivers a great show. This is a great example of what the band was about, although most of their hits were the results of ballads….this is a nice example of the mix of blues/metal recipe that the band specialized in.

Watch The Children Pray [Metal Church]—-Giving Metal a darker edge, Metal Church entered the fray of mid 80’s Metal with a more evil and darker side. As their career progressed, the sound has become even darker…their newest release is outstanding. The song is thick in layers and vocal overlays…I really love this…..the voice is acceptable but not extraordinary…the staying power and the determination of the band is admirable.

To Hell With The Devil [Stryper]—-Delivering Metal messages of Jesus Christ and throwing out Gideon Bibles at their shows, Stryper none the less sold millions of records…why???? Because of vocalist Michael Sweet!!!This guy really has some chops and he was as great live as he was on vinyl. The song has a huge sound…the drums are incredible….but damn…that voice is priceless. Check this out and don’t tell anyone.

A Little Time [Helloween]—-Huge in sound, the band produces songs that are epic and slight on the brutal side…most of the material is concptual…this song delivers a great layered feel with the guitars and the upfront drums. The voice is outstanding….the chorus is a tad bit of a let down….I expected something much larger and more dense, but the music s simply outstanding!!!

Wrecking Crew [Overkill]—-Showcasing the other side of Metal, many people were seeking something more than the hair Metal that was so prevalent during the 80’s and bands such as this were delivering this in the underground scene. This is brutal, speedy and evil…it is unattractive and seedy….just what i needed at the time. This started a huge movement that helped to deliver the metal scene to the stage that it is at today….thank God!!!

Caught In A Mosh [Anthrax]—-Another band that helped to take Metal to the next stage, Anthrax was no holds barred aggression. The drums on this track are extraordinary, the vocal is a putrid puking of anger…incredible. Setting the groundwork for bands like Suicidal Tendencies, the band helped to usher in the new generation of aggressive metal in a seamless and masterful manner. This is brutal…even today.

Peace Sells [Megadeth]—-One of the big 4 of Thrash and Speed Metal, Mustaine and Co. still deliver outstanding brutal Metal. This song is full of Reagan era distrust and spits venom with every word. The drum track on this song is incredible…it propels the entire song. This is a classic piece of metal history that is awesome to revisit.

**** out of 5

Heavy Metal/The Box Set Vol. 1-4 [Disc 2]

Disc Two—-

Ace Of Spades [Motorhead]—-Still one of the most enduring Metal Anthems of all time, having seen Motorhead last summer, I can tell you that Lemmy and Co. still deliver a blistering version of the song. The bass propulsion of the song is remarkable…the hoarse and ugly tome of Killmeister’s vocal still sucks you in…the sheer volume of the song will deafen you….everything that metal is supposed to be about!!!

Am I Evil? [Diamond Head]—-This song, best known by the Metallica version, really started the whole thrash, darker Metal movement. This song does not lack any of the mastery or power that Metallica gave it, it is just more deep in sound and slower and grinder than the cover version. The voice is outstanding….you have to love the tone of the vocal. This is a classic and delicious slice of Metal pie!!!

Nice Boys [Rose Tattoo]—-Huge in the UK, but seldom heard in the US, the band delivers a bar-room Blues styled brand of Rock that never really appealed to me. I have two of their vinyl LP’s but have NEVER listened to them in their entirety….just not my style. Great, but out of my league.

Attack Of The Mad Axeman [Micheal Schenker Group]—-Next to The Scorpions, one of Germany’s premier Metal acts. The sound is propulsive and the vocal makes you think of Halford…this is exceptional….the rhythm guitar is extraordinary. I never much paid attention to this band, but I will have to investigate this vocalist…..GREAT!!!!

Denim And Leather [Saxon]—-Another UK band that never made much of an impact in the States, I hear that the band is still recording even to this day. The propulsive quality of the guitar attack is attractive, but the vocal draws me in from the onset…this is classic sounding 80’s Metal that somehow got past me….Fantastic!!!

Blitzkrieg [Blitzkrieg]—-Yet another song that became much more famous and well-known after Metallica covered it in their early days, this version is just as brutal and noisy….this was the beginning of the whole Thrash Metal movement and the sound is just incredible. The music is deep and layered…the voice is remarkable…sounding evil and full of mania. I love this stuff…never tire of it and it will not let me grow old.

Gangland [Tygers Of Pan Tang]—-Ok….so I know nothing about this band…all I know is that I love the sound. The beginnings of thrash were so hollow and empty….only the pace mattered…not the production. this is extraordinary just for the level of sound and the speed of the guitars. A nice excursion into something i know nothing about…another band to put on my list of things to investigate.

Witching Hour [Venom]—-One of the premier and founding bands of the Black Metal movement, Venom still remain a favorite band of mine to this day. This is pure darkness and noise….built on even moe darkness and noise…..this is fantastic. If you have not experienced this band get their ‘Hits’ release or check out my review of that release.

You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ [Judas Priest]—-One of the many classic Priest songs that solidified the fan base in the US, the band hit huge with this release. Combining all the elements o the popular, growing metal movement and throwing in some outstanding vocals,the band was poised to take over the world…and did with no problem. Halford is a GOD!!!!

The Number Of The Beast [Iron Maiden]—-Bruce Dickinson gave Maiden the kick in the ass that it needed to propel them to worldwide stardom. The voice on this guy in the early days was beyond belief and this song show it off very well. Containing bits and pieces of Metal mayhem and evilness, the song lives on years and years after it’s release…only because we are fascinated with the content and the ferocious galloping delivery of  Harris and Co.

Star War [Raven]—-Another band that remains relatively unknown to me, I am at once struck by the thunderous intro of the guitar and the deep dirge of the bass. The guitar delivery falls into the category of early 80’s Heavy Metal…everyone was trying to sound like Priest and Maiden. This is not bad, but it is unremarkable enough to let my mind drift as I listen. The vocal is pretty damn good though…well….maybe I need to investigate!!!

Say What You Will [Fastway]—-Of course you know this band…think Fast Times At Ridgemont High…..the checkered tennis shoes…that was the bands logo. The music is not all bad….this was the beginning of the whole Hair Metal movement and the bands that were coming from the Strip. The vocals are classic 80’s Metal and the attitude was more powerful that early Crue. This is great stuff…a nice family tree of th 80’s Metal scene.

Black Funeral [Mercyful Fate]—-With a sound all of it;s own, King Diamond and Co. came from the Norwegian country and shocked by young brain with images of satan and Witchery…not to mention that remarkable voice. the band garnered and has kept my attention for 20 years…..never letting me down when I needed a taste of evil or a remarkable display of vocal histrionics…one of my favorite bands of all time!!!

Animal [F*&k Like A Beast] [W.A.S.P.]—-Blackie and band wanted to shock the nation and did so with little effort…garnering the attention of Tipper Gore and PMRC and helping to bring about the stickers on every Metal release warning parents of its content. This is a remarkable song…heavy and somewhat comical, the song still sounds fresh and irresistable as it did upon it;’s release. Lawless could really sing and this is a great showcase of his chops.

Mean Streak [Y&T]—-Yet another stalwart of the 80’s Metal scene, this band delivered its own brand of Metal. It was built for stadiums and featured huge chorus’ and big musical solo’s from every member in one song….the sound was monstrous, catchy ad predictable of the time…I read that they are recording again…interesting.

Holy Diver [DIO]—-Moving on to front his own band, Ronnie James created a huge career for himself with the anthemic and Medieval songs such as this. the voice is beyond compare and the music is very much orchestrated by the man himself…you always know a Dio song when you hear it…the stage show was incredible and the output was always full of quality anthemic songs…fantastic

Queen Of The Reich [Queensryche]—-One of the best songs of this time period, the voice of Geoff Tate was beyond compare…it is sad that he cannot quite carry this off today. The band would go on to become one of the most popular quasi-metal bands of the late 80’s and early 90’s…but nothing compared t this firs effort. The way the voice soars…the guitars work with the tempo and the drums add a nice propulsive sound…this was an extraordinary moment in time.

Whiplash [Metallica]—-Brutal from the very first note, the band was about to shock legions of Metal fans with its new approach to Heavy Metal….indeed, the band redefined and made true the whole concept of Metal….the talent, the speed the genuine sound all live to this day…the band has never really faltered from it’s vision..lonly progressed in a way that we have required….really great!!!

**** out of 5

 

 

 

 

eavy Metl fans with the fresh and surprising delivery of  Metal that it produced The vocal of Hatfield was so fresh and under produced…this was Metallica at it’s very finest…..one of the songs that would propel this band to become one of he most popular bands in the world…never deterring fro it’s brand of Metal.

Heavy Metal/The Box Set Vol. 1-4 [Disc 1]

Released in 2007 by retro label kings Rhino Records, this 70 song 4 CD set comes housed in the coolest package ever and includes a great booklet of liner notes. Ranging from 1968-1991, this set includes something for everyone…my only complaint remains the edited versions of some really great material…none the less, this is a must have for ay true Classic/Hair Metal fan.

Disc One—-

In-A-Gadda-Da Vida [Iron Butterfly]—-Perhaps one of the finest ‘hippy-rock’ songsd ever released, this version is a disappointing 5 minute version rather than the original 17 minute classic version. You can hear the deeper dirge sound that planted seeds in the brains of Black Sabbath and the trippy feel of the song never lets you down.

Summertime Blues [Blue Cheer]—-Again, from the opening chords of the bass line, you are clear where the Sabbath inspiration came from. The music does sound dated and the remastering on this track is not of very high quality…none the less, this is a must have…bringing to the fore front much of the inspiration of bands that were just starting to think about this thing they call Metal.

Easy Livin’ [Uriah Heep]—-Sounding much more clear and electric, the track has that classic organ sound of early metal…this is a pretty damn catchy song. I have never really experienced this band in a way that I should…now might be the time. This is a really great track.The song moves at a really nice pace and he jangly sound of the music implants itself in your head. Great!!

Highway Star [Deep Purple]—-Featuring some pretty outrageous and classic vocals, the song lays the ground work for the faster pace of metal that was to come. I love this version of the song, but I am impartial to the Type O Negative cover. Regardless, the mastering is nice and the tone of the song is almost maniacal at times. Really nice to hear again…especially when the heavier bass kicks in.

Billion Dollar Babies [Alice Cooper]—-No one can dispute the greatness of Alice…I would not even dream of it. This is classic theatrical rock that is best seen live…Alice has always put on quite a show, despite his current Republican, golfing retirement. At the time, this was the greatest Shock Rock ever managed. Alice delivers a vocal that is clear at the front of the mix and distorted in the backdrop…the guitars are pummeling considering the era of release…over all, this still plays remarkably well.

Lost Johnny [Hawkwind]—-The classc band that helped Lemmy cut his teeth, the sound is deep and rather sedate. The voice of Killmeister is unforgettable, ven though he had not yet developed his straight forward attack of the microphone. Hawkwind manages a deep. sludgy feel to their music that is in directcontrast with the surprising clear vocal of Lemmy. This is classic…dark and dense…..evil and mysterious…fantastic!!

Bad Motor Scooter [Montrose]—-The first proper band for front man Sammy Hagar, the song does have a dated sound, but the vocal is surprising…Hagar delivers a voice that is crystal clear and with out the extreme histrionics he later developed with practice. The music is a nice mix of Metal and Blues that really satisfies at the moment. I like the song, it just lacks some substance.

Working Man [Rush]—-The vocal of Geddy Lee is unmistakable….you can never misplace him. The music is a surprie…the tone of the music is much deeper and sedate than what Rush would grow to become. there is no prog feel to the song for me…it is interesting to trace all of these bands from the origin and compare and contrast. Fascinating.

Man On The Silver Mountain [Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow]—-Straight off of his stint with Elf, Dio delivers a classic song that lives forever in the books of Metal to this day. This is classic medieval rock that helped make Ronnie’s career. Even now, he sounds just as masterful as he did at the very beginning of career. This is phenomenal…moody, extravagant and monstrous in sound.

Detroit Rock City [Kiss]—-Taken from the glory days when Kiss was really the biggest band in the world, it only serves to conjure up the images of my youth when Kiss ran around making a concerted effort to never be seen without their make-up…that had to get tiring after a bit. Kiss always delivered anthems of metal that inspired and encouraged excitement and this track is no different. The beginnings of the band were so strong…the bass was unimaginable…the mix of vocals were refreshing and the mystery kept our attention. Wonderful!!!

The Ripper [Judas Priest]—-Yet another really great band that floundered at the beginning of their career…searching for the tru path that they wanted to pursue. Two things that were undeniable form the onset…the vocal of Halford and the huge guitar attack of Downing and Tipton. This is a classic early metal classic from a band that is still sounding as great 30+ years after their inception. The song delivers a nice guitar tone that escapes the deeper dirge sound of bands like Sabbath and Deep Purple…at the time the band was a lifeguard for Metal. Exceptional!!!

Cat Scratch Fever [Ted Nugent]—-Classic……the phrashing of the vocal AND the guitar makes this an instantly recognizable song. Nugent was/is a really great guitar player…he could really make his guitar talk with what seemed like very little effort. This is really nice to listen to again.

Lights Out [UFO]—-Much more popular in England than here in the States, along with Status Quo, UFO kept Metal moving in the UK. The pace of this song is magnificent…the vocal is unremarkable, but the chug-chug of the guitar helped to lay the groundwork for bands like Priest and Maiden. This is classic groundbreaking music. Pull out your leather guys!!!

Godzilla [Blue Oyster Cult]—-One of the biggest songs of the 70’s, this song is still alive and well in 2009. The rhythm section of the band was outstanding….at the time the song content fascinated and inspired. The deep opening strains of the bass are unmistakable…the vocal is truly magnificent. It is the rhythm of the song that makes it stick in your head…this is fantastic.

Demolition Boys [Girlschool]—-From the onset, the song moves at an incredible pace…the all female band was a novelty in itself…the music borders on more of a Punk sound than Metal, but the powerful guitars manage to speak for themselves….the upfront drums are what propels the song…this is really great…need to find out more about  this band.

White Witch [Angel Witch]—-From the song title and the name of the band, you would expect something far more sinister than what the song delivers…maybe i am to entrenched in modern Black Metal to appreciate the content of the song. The vocal is pretty great…the lyrcs seem almost preschool compared to the stuff that is out there today.

The Phantom Of The Opera [Iron Maiden]—-The first incarnation of Maiden, with Di’Anno on vocals first laid the groundwork for the NWOBHM. The track is still a popular track for live audiences to this day and the basic groundwork of Maiden were in effect even at this early stage. The band knew that if they were to make headway in the States, they would have to switch vocalists and they did so shortly after this release. Still, the song shows the very early formation of the trademark of the band and it is always nice to revisit.

Neon Knights [Black Sabbath]—-As Dio took over for Osbourne in Sabbath, a nation of Metal Heads were in disbelief that any one could fill his shoes. Dio left my jaw on the floor as he more than made the band his own with the trademark musical sound of the band intact and a vocal that was more diverse and interesting. Touring now as Heaven And Hell, the relationship between these musicians continues…and in a huge and successful way.

**** out of 5

Behemoth/Evangelion

Behemoth are a Polish based Death/Black/Extreme Death Metal band formed in 1991. Constantly perfecting their craft and progressing with the current scene, the band includes many different musical influences outside of the genre including Middle Eastern themes and sounds. Behemoth are poised at the front door of the movement and stand to become the kings of Death Metal as we know it. This release, issued in August of 2009, is the bands 9th studio recording.

Evangelion—-The reward of good tidings, given to the messenger.

Daimonos—-From the onset, the band sounds a tad bit cliche’……as the song progresses you notice that the musical styling far outshines the predecessors such as Dimmu or Cradle with a brutality that is indescribable. The voice rattles your brain and travels down your spine to your asshole and makes you want to shit. This is beautifully constructed and anthemic based Black Metal that fulfills every craving you had for the dark side in a single song. These guys will be kings…..!!!!!

Shemhamforash—-The musical onslaught of this band is the key component that sets them apart from their predecessors. As far as this genre goes, you can’t get much better than Shagrath [in my opinion]…….what lacks in Dimmu’s music a bit is the musical brutality and talent. This band goes on musical excursions that are not to be forgotten or a misnomer. This is classic…who knew the Poles were doing such great things. This is fantastic!!!!

Ov Fire And The Void—-The music on this track is a bit more downplayed…but the vocal will take its place in your forehead. The music displays a nice rhythmic sound that keeps your attention…even though you are lost without th lyric sheet. The pure evil tone of the music accomplishes everything that it needs to. You are left invigorated yet empty…angry yet somehow searching for what you are mad at. Fantastic!!!

 Transmigrating Beyond Realms Ov Amenti—-Much more Speed Metal based and aggressive, the song has a literal wall of sound. The growls and intestinal noises of the vocal is astounding. The wall of voice only adds to the thickly layered sound of the song…this is brick wall against brick wall….with none the successor. The entire feel of the song switches between aggression and despair. A masterful delivery!!!

He Who Breeds Pestilence—-A brutal attack on every sense that you have in your facilities, the song is a dirge that is so deep and masterful you wonder if you are listening to classic Emperor. This is a pure putrid stench filled diatribe of disgust that is masterful in delivery and energy.l Fantastic!!!

The Seed Ov I—-Driving and although organic sounds mechanical and huge. The song….to me….is a  resounding diatribe against God and the powers of Grace. Despite my own religious beliefs, I welcome the astounding difference of belief and the exploration of other such feelings. This is just plain ole’ Death Metal to me…the kind that satisfies a deep itch in your being and the kind that makes you explore other thoughts and ideas…exactly what music is all about!

Alas, Lord Is Upon Me—-Full of the most masterful power chords that you have heard in quite some time, this song ebbs and flows with an incredible mastery you have to shake your head in admiration at. This is classic, extreme metal…..I have been so entranced by bands like Dimmu, Cradle and Satyricon that I missed the boat with these guys all together. This is classic, melodic dark metal that will drive you to pound your head on the wall. The level of noise and articulation from this band is fascinating…a new favorite!!!!

Defiling Morality Ov Black God—-Full of layered and textured Extreme Metal, this satisfies the itch that you have been yearning for in the past few months. The sound of the band is absolutely huge….there is literally a wall of sound. The bass is so deep, you feel it in your testicles….the vocal is so evil it scares your cerebellum…..I could not ask for more.

Lucifer—-The song title speaks volumes after a whole listen to ths release…this is thew real deal…I care not to read interviews or interpretations…the first listen to this band for the first time only makes me want to run out and obtain every possible thing i can get my hands on from this outstanding and pleasing band. This is classic…better than current Gorgoroth……better than anything Dimmu has done……more accessible than Deicide…..literally damn near perfection.

****3/4 out of 5

Slayer/World Painted Blood

Formed in 1981, Slayer are an Extreme Metal band from California. Considered to be one of the “Big 4″ of Thrash/Speed Metal bands alongside Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth, the band has dealt with a wide variety of subjects including serial killers, Satanism, Religion and warfare. The band is a 2 time Grammy Award winning band, and this release [the band's 11th], was issued in Nov. 2009.

World Painted Blood—-Beginning in a rather plodding, dirge manner with lots of added soundbites and odd noises, the song does not take long to enter the fray and blast of your forehead. The sound is less deep than the last release, the vocal is clearer and more down to earth. The pace of the song remains frentic….faster than I can move my fingers across the keyboard. The lyrical content is as dark and dense as you require…a good kick off.

Unit 731—-Grasping ahold of the more brutal pace that the last track seemed to lack, the song is violent in feel and a freakin’ free for all. The voice seems a little misplaced to me…like the passion is not quite as intense…..to me, compared to some of the Norwegian Metal bands I love, this is rather mild and sits well next to modern-day Megadeth.

Snuff—-Brutality from the onset….the guitars are in your face and the pace of the song is really incredible. It kills me that so many words can fit into a single sentence, but Slayer never lets you down. I would prefer the vocal to be a bit deeper, but I think that is just personal taste. All in all, this is standout…love it!!! And the lyrics…you have to read them to appreciate them!!!

Beauty Through Order—-For the song title alone, the song gets an automatic thumbs up….me being one of those anal retentive compulsively orderly people…you have to love it!!! The entire mood of the song is formed by the brutality of the lyrics that even after all of these years still manages to surprise and moderately surprise. The music is slower and really deep in sound, the song is driven by the voice and the evil word pukes into your headphones….this is freakin’ classic. A rant that includes death, mayhem and God can’t be wrong!!!

Hate Worldwide—-Moving at a much faster pace, this song really drives you to lose control. The chorus is a huge affair that will make you crazy…the words are spews of hate and distaste that makes you question your own beliefs…..the true message is a current look at the world we live in he outer edges of the shiny photographs of life we all wished we lived in…this is real and frightening. Slayer remain masters.

Public Display Of Dismemberment—-What a great title!!!! The music is relentless….better than Cannibal Corpse in recent years. This is dark…electric…full of dirge and moving all at the same time at an incredible pace. This is not to be missed. The downshift of the music in the middle of the song gives it that classic Slayer sound of older recordings…this is incredible…you will love this…I said so!!!

Human Strain—-Really dense in sound, the song never really breaks any new ground. Of course, that is what we all live for. I wish the sound of the song had just a tad bit more treble added in the studio, but that is just me…the musical breaks are nice and show diversity…this makes me smile…the band speaks of a future retirement…this just shows the enduring quality of the music they are making.

Americon—-Sounding much more current and clearer in sound, the voice is up front in the mix and you catch some nice clear vocals. The song reminds me..almost…of the classic days of Marilyn Manson….he could have really pulled off this song. The drums seem really up front…they get in and repel from your forehead….this is really favorite of mine.

Psychopathy Red—-Brutal from the very first note, this song travels at an incredible pace. The frantic pace of the music will leave you excited, in awe and lying on a heap on the floor by the end. This is pure brutality and the finest the band has issued in quite some time. The down shift of the nmusic…allowing the bass to come up front, and then the guitar…the structure is awesome…don’t miss this.

Playing With Dolls—-Odd from the onset, the lyrics of this very clear and concise song leaves visions in your head best not pondered on. Not as laughable as Cannibal Corpse, that is the precise thing that makes the song scary. The lyrics and the delivery are from a band that has mastered the dark and unnerving undersides of life that exist more than we would like to admit. This is great!!!!

Not Of This God—-Much more traditional Thrash Metal, the song begins from the very first note. The lyrics are shoved inside each bar at an amazing pace and the lead guitars are allowed to soar and shine. A classic Slayer tirade against religion, the song never loses its pace or intensity despite the drum interlude and the shiny delivery of a nice bass solo. Fantastic!!!

**** out of 5

Halford/Winter Songs

Stepping away from Judas Priest to release his first solo effort in 7 years, Halford stuns the masses by releasing a CD full of traditional Christmas songs. Interspersed with some original content and released in Nov. 2009, this is the self titled monikers third studio release.

Get Into The Spirit—-Beginning with an aggressive tone from the start, the song finds Halford in extreme vocal mode. The lyric is neither here nor there…the vocal delivery and the extreme pace of the music speaks for itself. The chorus is this huge overdone hair metal sounding extravaganza that somehow pleases me very much. The guitar leads and solos are incredible and the song takes on many carnations throughout the 5 minute or so length. This is great!!!

We Three Kings—-So this would seem really odd…..only a great band could pull this off…..the intro is masterful. Halford delivers a vocal that is heavy on histrionics and theatrics. Somehow this comes across as damn catchy and pleasant. The oxymoron of Halford doing something even slight in religious base is interesting. This plays very well!!! This will be one of those secret pleasures….

O Come O Come Emanuel—-With a sound as huge as Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the band is really fantastic. Halford sings of God as naturally as he sang of Nostradamus. The marching percussion of the song makes it a standout….the theatrics of the vocals makes me casually wonder if Halford should try Broadway next?

Winter Song—-Acoustically based and with piano at the onset, the intro is very quiet and snowy. Halford is stripped down vocally and sounds even more theatrical than even the last song. You keep waiting for the song to open up….by the two-minute mark you are afraid it will never happen. The song slowly shows a tad bit of life and you have expectations for a big finish, yet the pace continues…sounding like a throwaway track from Nostradamus. The song finally shows some true emotion and heavier sound by the 31/2 minute mark…to me it falls flat.

What Child Is This?—-With a musical landscape that is very moody and dark, the song moves at an incredibly slow pace. Halford seems to be resting his chops as he again makes you smile on the inside as he sings of Christ and babies with a straight and serious face. This is remarkable….simply because you would expect this to come off as really cheesy and just pure crap….yet the band carries a pace that is majestic and Halford delivers an understated and pleasant vocal. The vocal overlays are incredible and add a nice life to the song.

Christmas For Everyone—-Beginning with an alarming chorus of Christmas bells, the song takes on an almost 50’s beach sound. This comes across as rather cheesy…I expect much more from Rob & Co. I DO NOT LIKE THIS!!!

I Don’t Care—-Taking on a moderate motorcycle brand of metal, the song is gritty and dirty. With a slight blues tinge, Halford sings of holiday themed problems, but your mind just chooses to groove with the bluesy style of the band. The band that is behind Halford never receives enough attention….no matter what band he is fronting. Musically, this is a great song!!

Light Of The World—-At this point, the release manages to lose some momentum. Musically downbeat, the song is saved by the sincere and pained vocal of Halford. The song is pure and innocent and a damn pleasant listen. Halford manages to reach that comfortable middle ground of his vocal…the one that displays the real emotion and feel of the lyric. This is a nice metal ballad that is very well done.

Oh Holy Night—-A little too heavy on the keyboards, the voice is the focal point of the song. This man is incredible…imagine his presence in a Church Choir…LOL!!!!! As the song progresses, so does the majesty of the music and the height of the vocal…Halford holds nothing back and he does not have to. This is remarkable…fantastic and by far a favorite.

O Come All Ye Faithful—-Few would be able to top the masterful Twisted Sister version of this song. Halford manages some really great vocals, but the music falls flat for me….the marching and plodding feel of the music is to pagentry for me. The song has the urge and the need to open up wide but never manages to get to the point that I want them to be at.

*** out of 5

 

Steelheart/Steelheart

One of the last Glam Metal bands, Steelheart was formed in 1990. Fronted by an enigmatic and vocally astounding Michael Matijevic, the band literally soared after it’s debut release…..eventually falling into obscurity. With 5 releases to date, the latest in 2008, Matijevic is best known for supplying the vocals in the movie Rockstar. The movie reportedly about the rise to fame of temporary Judas Priest vocalist Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens. The band never enjoyed acclaim after the astounding debut release which is reviewed here.

Love Ain’t Easy—-Coming out at you from the fog in typical Metal style, the voice of Michael enters the fray and you are left shaking you head and asking yourself what the f*&k? This guy has chops that are rare in the true realm of metal. Musically, the song is diverse…the metal is straight up guitar and drum based rock with a nice twinge of blues thrown in for good measure. Great!!!

Can’t Stop Me—-Straight up dirty Blues rock, the vocal is again almost unimaginable. The chorus comes alive and takes a place in your soul…so much that I still love this release 19 years after it was issued. There is nothing faulty about this debut…the only mistakes happened in the follow-up time to it. The voice is truly exquisite…if you are a fan of the age of ‘golden throats’, you must hear this release.

Like Never Before—-This track smacks you in the face from the very first note. The scream of the vocal is the classic sound of early Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach. The chorus however is a stadium inspired romp of raised fists and grooves all of your own. This is fantastic….makes me hungry for the good ole’ Glam Rock days.

I’ll Never Let You Go [Angel Eyes]—-Beginning with a soaring and classic acoustic opening, this song was a huge producing single for the band all over the world. The voice, clear at the onset, gives no indication of the greatness that this track evolves into. This guy can sing his ass off and it is astounding to hear…even all of these years later. He manages some notes that maybe even Halford could not find. This is a brilliant stadium sized ballad that requires two lighters!!!

Eileen—-Sounding like an 80’s throwback from the onset, the song has a fun vibe that eventually evolves in a heavier sounding track once the guitar enter. The keyboard sound still runs through the current, but the upfront guitars and really loud drums propel much of the song. The voice is at times understated, at other times over the top. The blues tinge runs through the track and you can see the kids going crazy at the arena to this one. Great!!!

Sheila—-With over the top blues guitar, the song gives you that immediate down and dirty vibe that continues most of the track. The lead guitar is almost AC/DC inspired….this is nice and really shows the bands diversity. The voice adapts to most any kind of music that is being played…a good trait for a singer entering the fray at this point of the metal era. Outstanding vocal….wait for the end of the song!!!

Gimme Gimme—-A nice return to straight in your face power chords and a great rhythm section. The voice begins somewhat subdued, compared to what we have already heard. The song still has a slight homage to Blues rooted Metal. The chorus is a huge, fist waving, stadium styled delivery that just makes you crazy and love the band you are seeing even more. Fantastic…not a favorite, but a damn good effort.

Rock N’ Roll—-Melding from the previous song, the tone of the track remains strongly rooted in that Blues inspired Metal that pervaded Glam Metal in the late 80’s. The song has the necessary big chorus to keep it interesting and a really fantastic drum track. This is nice, but suffers to much from the expected and forseeable.

She’s Gone—-At the onset, the song is piano based and you know a weeper is coming……the music enters the fray and you are greeted with the familiar strains of Blues tinged balladry. The minimal sounds as the voice enters the fray really allows you to enjoy the remarkable clarity of Mike’s vocals. As the song builds to a climax, you literally go crazy from the emotion and the crystal clear screams that this guy comes up. When he lets loose. you believe every single word that he is singing. This is intense….almost better than anything else on the release.

Down N’ Dirty—-From the beginning of the song, you are sucked in my the true Metal feel of the song…when the vocal smacks you upside the head, you know for sure what land you are in. This is pretty exceptional and a really great way to round out the release. This is classic music in the realm of time period and impact. Pick this up if you can find it…it is well worth the price.

***1/2 out of 5

Monsters Of Folk/Monsters Of Folk

Monsters Of Folk are an Alternative Rock Supergroup that first came to fruition in 2004. Because of individual commitments from the band members, it was 2009 before the first effort could be released. Monsters Of Folk are Jim James [My Morning Jacket], solo artist M. Ward and Bright Eyes members Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis.

Dear God [Sincerely M.O.F.]—-From the onset, this song came as a surprise to me…the track is based in electronica and carries a heavy 70’s R&B vibe, The vocal of James is unmistakable and classically beautiful. The song is a layered affair with depth and emotion. The voices trade off, back and forth in a masterful way and to a great effect. This is wonderful.

Losin’ To Head—-Much more electric and ‘jammy’, the influence of vocalist James is written all over this track. The song has a nice Alt-Rock feel but manages to capture a Blues element at the same time. A nice change and inserted at the right place on the release.

Magic Marker—-Delving back into a familiar Alt-Country feel, the band manages to deliver a song that is so heavy on the lyrics you are left with many words and your own conclusions as you continue to digest the song long after the player stops or moves on. the song has certain elements that will immediately take a place in your brain…ahhh….the beautiful therapy of brilliant music.

Map Of The World—-If this does not remind you of late 60’s era Simon & Garfunkel, there is something radically wrong with you musical expansive abilities. This is beautiful, almost fun despite the lyrics and damn catchy. The harmonies on this track are pitch perfect and the music goes from louder to sedate at a moment’s notice. Fantastic!!!

The Sandman, The Brakeman And Me—-The song shows the strong abilities of the members of this band to tell a remarkable story in a short time. The lyrics are vivid and reminds one of classic Nebraska era Springsteen….this is true Americana. Wonderful, the vocal is at the front of the mix while the guitar is second and then a vast beautiful backdrop of assorted sounds that make the song this large, thick storybook. WOW!!!

His Master’s Voice—-James delivers a vocal that is without compare. The guitar is very quiet…the voice so pur and intricate it becomes the true instrument of the song. The vocal harmonies are subtle but serve to make pieces of the song unforgettable and masterful. This is brilliant, there really are no words to describe it…let your ears and your brain decide for you…I trust it will not let you down!!!

Say Please—-With a nice throwback sound that reminds me of the classic 60’s, the song certainly lives up to the name of the band. This is a nice folky affair that is full of vocal harmonies, some excellent electric guitar and a drum track that is the very front of the mix. The voices come together very nicely….this is awesome!!!

Whole Lotta Losin’—-With a nice jangly guitar sound, the song is again hooked in the classic 60’s era of harmonies and feel good pop masterpieces. The song does manage to mix in a nice bit of Americana and a slight country vibe….who could ask for more. This is damn near brilliant!!!

Temazcal—-Silted in a deeper, more melancholic feel at the start, the song has a certain atmospheric quality that allows you to daydream and wander as the song continues. The song literally swirls with solace and sadness….the vocal harmonies are perfect and sound as if they were practised for eons to get this right. There are no negatives to this track…it gets a big, fat A+ from me…..I love this!

The Right Place—-From the very first vocal the song makes me think of Dwight Yoakem. The song is loaded with that nice Country/Bluegrass mix of music that hearkens back to the days of classic country. This is freakin’ brilliant and very diverse considering the first song on this release. Brilliant, fabulous and damn catchy. Who can ask for more?

Baby Boomer—-Wow…..this release is all over the map and it just makes me love it even more. This song plays like a lost Simon & Garfunkel track…..the vocal is that magnificent. The music is a nice cross between pop stylings and throw back Country…this is relaxing, fun and energetic all at the same time even though the lyric remains a rather sad delivery of emotions.

Man Named Truth—-Again, the vocal harmonies are exquisite….the Paul Simon comparisons ca not be helped. The instrumentation sounds surprisingly calm considering all of the different personalities in the band….this is diverse, different and contains something for everyone.

Goodway—-Full of Honky Tonk stylings, Ward is a masterful vocalist and he really shines on this track. The mandolin and the steel guitar is full of whine and charm. This is incredible…pleasant and disturbing, catchy and classic. Would really love to see this band!!!

Ahead Of The Curve—-Conor again gives his best Simon impression…there seems to be some overlays of the vocal that beef it up until the harmonies enter and round out the song wonderfully well. This is pleasant…more straight forward Alternative radio friendly delivery. I liked this track from the first listen and it has only grown on me over the past days. Nice!!!

Slow Down Jo—-Ward delivers a vocal that is so sedate and quiet…maybe he should join Low!! Just kidding…really. This song is a drudge crawl through the fog as you wait for the sunrise to become your savior. The harmonies give the song a nice lift at the ‘chorus’ at least allowing you to breathe through the beauty of the voice of Ward.

***** out of 5 [Sorry....somehow some of my track reviews got switched around so the track list is not in order...I apologize.]