 |
20
The White Stripes, Elephant
Duo
actually earning some hype
Never a fan to just bye into the hype, we have been slow to
jump onto the White Stripes bandwagon, waiting for them to
actually do something worth praising. Elephant is just that,
a very striking release that helped soundtrack 2003, just
check out Audioslave doing a cover of “Seven Nation
Army” at Lollapalooza.
Best Songs: “Seven
Nation Army," "The Hardest Button To Button"
& "There's No Home For You Here" |
Purchase |
 |
19
OAR, In Between Now & Then
Jam
banders continue to get better
The first major label release showcases the band’s songwriting
and further establishes the band as a band to keep an eye
on. This is closest to what the band sounds like live and
a must buy.
Best Songs: "Right On
Time," "Hey Girl" & "Anyway" |
|
Purchase
• Exclusive
Interview • Jeep
Festival Photos • Sprite
Festival Photos |
 |
18
Ben Harper, Diamonds on the Inside
Soul-man
goes to Graceland
With help from the great Ladysmith Black Mambazo, this is
the first disc to equally showcase the great Ben Harper, who
is speaking straight from the heart on every track. Harper
will only continue to shine with each release.
Best
Songs: “Everything,” “When She
Believes” & “Temporary Remedy” |
|
Purchase |
 |
17
Jet, Get Born
Are you
gonna be their girl?
Riff-heavy in all the right ways, this is a very well-produced
retro-rock record with handclaps, catchy choruses, and plenty
of attitude. Australia pumps out another great rock band.
Best Songs: "Rollover D.J.," "Are
You Gonna Be My Girl" & ""Get Me Outta
Here" |
|
Purchase |
 |
16
My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
Modern day Brian Wilson?
Jacket mastermind Jim James brings back some good ole sounding
southern rock, a la 70s Allman Brothers. Jacket certainly
wears its influences on its sleeve but still managed to blend
them in a way to make them their own.
Best Songs:
“"Mahgeetah," "Dancefloors" &
"I Will Sing You Songs" |
|
Purchase
• CD
Review |
 |
15
Neptunes Present: The Clones
No
bigger names in production
The Neptunes have been by far the best production team the
last few years and this brings them together with some of
their friends for a killer compilation. The beats are big
and the rhymes are tight on this one.
Best Songs:
“Frontin’” "Light Your Ass on Fire"
& “It Blows My Mind” |
|
Purchase
• Exclusive
Photos |
 |
14
Living Colour, Collideoscope
Legends
are Back in Black
One of the legendary bands that never really got their due
is back with their first effort in 10 years. Collidescope
is full of the classic Living Colour sound and killer Vernon
Reid solos. The band really has never sounded better and had
so much to say.
Best Songs: “Flying,”
“A ? of When” & “Operation Mind Control” |
|
Purchase
• Exclusive
Photos • October
Band of the Month |
 |
13
Kings of Leon, Youth & Young Manhood
The South is arising
Twangy guitars, meaty hooks, and just enough down home Southern
comfort lead to the Kings sound. The coarse-grained drawl
of singer Caleb Followill growls with delight and sets the
tone throughout this great disc.
Best Songs:
"Red Morning Light," "Wasted Time" &
"Holy Roller Novocaine" |
|
Purchase |
 |
12
Damien Rice, O
Folk’s
superstar
The latest Irish troubadour doesn't so much reinvent the folk
genre on this lush debut album as push its boundaries in several
compelling musical directions at once - all the more remarkable
considering the album was largely self-produced and home-recorded.
Rice was also honored with the third annual Shortlist Music
Prize for Artistic Achievement
Best Songs:
“"Cannonball," "The Blower's Daughter"
& "Amie" |
|
Purchase |
 |
11
The Darkess, Permission to Land
Glam
Rock is back
The best story in music this year has to be the return of
Falsetto rock. These British rockers burst onto the scene
in Europe and are now set to take over America like Queen
did before them. Easily, this is one of the most fun CDs of
the year.
Best Songs: "Get Your
Hands Off My Woman," "I Believe In A Thing Called
Love," "Stuck in a Rut" |
|
Purchase |
|
|
|
|
