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40
Iggy Pop, Skull Ring
Still
a Stooge after all these years
This is a moment that Iggy Pop fans have been waiting a long
time for, Skull Ring marks the return of Iggy and the Stooges,
at least for a few tracks. This is the punk anthem to Santana’s
Supernatural, as this features Iggy with contemporaries Green
Day & Sum 41.
Best Songs: "Little
Electric Chair," "Little Know It All" "Rock
Show" |
Purchase
• CD
Review |
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39
Liz Phair, Liz Phair
God
damn is she hot
After a short delay, Phair has returned as a Pop Star? Everything
that Phair established on her landmark Exile in Guyville seems
to be a direct opposite of what she presents here but it still
strangely works. Maybe it is because it all sounds so similar;
the first time we heard it as an Avril Lavigne CD.
Best
Songs: "Why Can't I?," “H. W. C.”
& “Rock Me” |
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Purchase |
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38
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fever to Tell
Brooklyn
garage rock comes to the mainstream
Has there been a band more hyped lately than the Yeah Yeah
Yeahs? It sure is tough to live up to such lofty expectations
but these garage rockers sure came ready to play. There is
no denying that singer Karen O is a star waiting to shine
even brighter.
Best Songs: "Rich,"
"Black Tongue" & "A Date With the Night" |
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Purchase |
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37
Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Rabbit
Grunge
returns in the year of the rabbit
The early 90s grunge sound is what you will find on this new
Ken Andrews project. Andrews has worked with some of the best
in the business (Tenacious D, Pete Yorn, A Perfect Circle)
and now takes his turn to once again shoot for the limelight
himself. The big question is whether Andrews will stay interested
enough to see year two.
Best Songs: “Rabbit
Hole,” “Lie Down,” & “Last Defense" |
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Purchase
• CD
Review |
 |
36
Flickerstick, To Madagascar and Back
Texas
rockers back with EP & DVD
Probably would score higher had it been the long awaited full
length CD and not just an EP. The first new music from the
band has been well worth the wait, here is to hoping it won’t
be another couple years before we hear the rest of it.
Best Songs: “All We Are is Gone,”
“Miss Missing You”& “The Tourist”
|
|
Purchase
• CD
Review • 2003
Photos • 2003
Interview • November
Band of the Month |
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35
Matt Nathanson, Beneath These Fireworks
Singer/songwriter
showing how it should be done
Matt Nathanson has been around longer than most of the singer/songwriters
around these days and he is one of the best. His smooth voice
matches and just makes his lyrics that much stronger.
Best Songs: “Suspended,” “Sad
Songs “ & “Bent “ |
|
Purchase |
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34
Feeder, Comfort In Sound
British
rockers back with one of its best
When drummer Jon Lee surprisingly took his life, some marked
that Feeder would pack it in. Luckily they did not and return
with one of their best recordings in honor of their friend.
Best Songs: “Comfort in Sound,”
“Come Back Around” & “Find The Colour” |
|
Purchase
• 2003
Interview • June
Band of the Month |
 |
33
Johnny Cash, American IV: The Man Comes Around
A fitting topper to the Man in Black
While this disc actually is a 2002 release, we first found
it this year. With producer Rick Rubin, Cash shines once again
and his version of Nine Inch Nail’s “Hurt”
is a classic and fitting end to his career.
Best
Songs: “Hurt,” “Bridge Over Troubled
Water” & “We'll Meet Again” |
|
Purchase |
 |
32
Thrills, So Much for the City
Dublin
band loves the American West Coast
When you hear a band is from Dublin, you instantly think that
that band will sound just like U2. Not so with the Thrills
who harkens back to the West Coast sound of the 60s and 70s.
The musicianship is what sets The Thrills apart from most
bands
Best Songs: “Santa Cruz (You're
Not That Far),” “Don't Steal Our Sun” &
“Your Love Is Like Las Vegas” |
|
Purchase |
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31
A Perfect Circle, Thirteenth Step
Maynard
James Keenan’s latest triumph
Everything that Maynard James Keenan touches turns to gold,
well or platinum and his “side project” is no
different. The Tool singer helps craft yet another dark, moody,
and tense record.
Best Songs: “The
Nurse Who Loved Me," "The Package" & “The
Outsider” |
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Purchase |
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