Rock Music 4 ALL

The exceptionally talented Rock artist Tori Amos has released her CD entitled Little Earthquakes. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Tori Amos fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Little Earthquakes Tori Amos’s artistic excellence is on full display as Amos has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be her best work to date.

It’s a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I’m more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply is NOT a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all, with each song standing tall on it’s own.

Rock music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Amos on several of the tracks. Artists like Paulinho Da Costa and Matthew Seligman just to name a couple.

I’m of the opinion that Little Earthquakes is certainly Tori Amos’s best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it’s a collection that even the casual Rock fan can appreciate and enjoy.

While the entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 3 – Silent All These Years, track 10 – Tear In Your Hand, and track 12 – Little Earthquakes.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Crucify. It’s a great track!

Little Earthquakes Release Notes:

Tori Amos originally released Little Earthquakes on February 25, 1992 on the Atlantic label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Crucify 2. Girl 3. Silent All These Years 4. Precious Things 5. Winter 6. Happy Phantom 7. China 8. Leather 9. Mother 10. Tear In Your Hand 11. Me And A Gun 12. Little Earthquakes

Personnel: Tori Amos (vocals, acoustic & electric pianos, keyboards); Jef Scott, Steve Caton (guitar, bass); John Chamberlin (mandolin); Eric Williams (ukulele, dulcimer); Will McGregor, Matthew Seligman (bass); Eric Rosse (drums, programming); Ed Green, Carlo Nuccio, Chris Hughes (drums); Paulinho DaCosta (percussion). Producers: Davitt Sigerson, Tori Amos, Eric Rosse, Ian Stanley. Engineers include: John Beverly Jones, Ian Stanley, Eric Rosse.

The exceptionally talented Rock group System Of A Down have released their CD entitled Toxicity. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe System Of A Down fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Toxicity their artistic excellence is on full display as they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be their best work to date.

It’s a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I’m more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply is NOT a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.

Toxicity is a pleasantly varied, mix of 14 tracks that are very well written and brilliantly performed songs by these clearly superb musicians. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are their own personal experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They’re all here.

If you’re a System Of A Down fan this is a CD your collection flat cannot be without. In fact, this is one of those CDs that you don’t even have to be a fan of lname, or even Rock to know is good. It’s just good music. Period.

While the entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 3 – Deer Dance, track 8 – Forest, and track 14 – Aerials Arto.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Prison Song. It’s a great track!

Toxicity Release Notes:

System Of A Down originally released Toxicity on September 4, 2001 on the American Recordings label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Prison Song 2. Needles 3. Deer Dance 4. Jet Pilot 5. X 6. Chop Suey! 7. Bounce 8. Forest 9. ATWA 10. Science 11. Shimmy 12. Toxicity 13. Psycho 14. Aerials / Arto – (hidden track)

System Of A Down: Serj Tankian (vocals, keyboards): Daron Malakian (guitar, background vocals); Shavo Odadjian (bass); John Dolmayan (drums). Additional personnel: Rick Rubin (piano); Arto Tuncboyaciyan (background vocals). Producers: David Schiffman, Greg Collins, Darren Morr. Engineers: Rick Rubin, Daron Malakian, Serj Tankian. Recorded at Cello Studios, Hollywood, California.

The exceptionally talented Rock group Van Halen have released their CD entitled 1984. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Van Halen fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of 1984 their artistic excellence is on full display as they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be their best work to date.

It’s a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I’m more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply isn’t a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you’ve got one of Van Halen most impressive releases ever.

If you’re even mildly into Rock music you’ll enjoy this album. Overall 1984 is an a great release. I give it my double thumbs up. You will not be disappointed with one single track.

While the entire album is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 5 – Drop Dead Legs, track 8 – Girl Gone Bad, and track 9 – House Of Pain.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – 1984. Outstanding!

1984 Release Notes:

Van Halen originally released 1984 on September 19, 2000 on the Warner Bros. Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. 1984 2. Jump 3. Panama 4. Top Jimmy 5. Drop Dead Legs 6. Hot For Teacher 7. I’ll Wait 8. Girl Gone Bad 9. House Of Pain

Van Halen: David Lee Roth (vocals); Eddie Van Halen (guitar, keyboards); Michael Anthony (bass, background vocals); Alex Van Halen (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Recorded at 5150 Studios, Hollywood, California.

The exceptionally talented Rock group Shins have released their CD entitled Oh Inverted World. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Shins fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Oh Inverted World their artistic excellence is on full display as they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be their best work to date.

Shins have been a heavy hitters in the Rock genre for quite a while now and Oh Inverted World is an excellent illustration as to why.

Oh Inverted World has a nicely varied, mix of 11 tracks that are very well written and brilliantly performed songs by these clearly talented musicians. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Seemingly drawing from what I can only imagine are their own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They’re all here.

Overall Oh Inverted World is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any Rock collection. Truly an outstanding Rock CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.

While the entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 – One By One All Day, track 8 – Girl On The Wing, and track 11 – The Past And Pending.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Caring Is Creepy. It’s a great track!

Oh Inverted World Release Notes:

Shins originally released Oh Inverted World on June 19, 2001 on the Sub Pop Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Caring Is Creepy 2. One By One All Day 3. Weird Divide 4. Know Your Onion! 5. Girl Inform Me 6. New Slang 7. Celibate Life, The 8. Girl On The Wing 9. Your Algebra 10. Pressed In A Book 11. Past And Pending, The

The Shins: Marty Crandall, Neal Langford, James Mercer, Jesse Sandoval.

Additional personnel includes: Melanie Crandall (cello); Neils Galloway (French horn); David Hernandez (bass).

Tales From Topographic Oceans is the latest Rock CD released by the highly group Yes and they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Yes fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one.

It’s a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I’m more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply isn’t a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.

As a group Yes possess the characteristic of being able to bowl you over with their talent alone. The kind of musicians I really enjoy listening to.

Listen to this CD and I believe you’ll find there’s not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and this is clearly the work of a group of musicians in top form. So much so that if you’re even mildly into Rock music you’ll enjoy this CD.

While the entire CD is really very good some of my favorites are track 2 – Disc 1 – The Remembering High The Memory, track 2 – Disc 2 – Dance Of The Dawn, and Disc 2 – track 3 – track Giants Under The Sun

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – The Revealing Science Of God Dance Of The Dawn. Great track!

Tales From Topographic Oceans Release Notes:

Yes originally released Tales From Topographic Oceans on August 26, 2003 on the Elektra Entertainment label.

CD Track List Follows:

DISC 1: 1. The Revealing Science Of God Dance Of The Dawn 2. The Remembering High The Memory 3. The Ancient Giants Under The Sun

DISC 2: 1. Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil) 2. Dance Of The Dawn – (studio run-through) 3. Giants Under The Sun – (studio run-through)

Yes: Jon Anderson (vocals); Steve Howe (guitar); Rick Wakeman (keyboards); Chris Squire (bass instrument); Alan White (drums, percussion). Recording information: Morgan Studios, North London, United Kingdom (1973).

The exceptionally talented Rock group James Gang have released their CD entitled Miami. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe James Gang fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Miami their artistic excellence is on full display as they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be their best work to date.

Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Miami is a nicely varied, mix of 9 tracks that are very well written and brilliantly performed songs by these clearly talented musicians. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Seemingly drawing from what I can only imagine are their own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, and the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.

If you’re even mildly into Rock music you’ll enjoy this album. Overall Miami is an a great release. I give it my double thumbs up. You will not be disappointed with one single track.

While the entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 7 – Spanish Lover, track 6 – Praylude / Red Skies, and track 1 – Cruisin’ Down The Highway.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 8 – Summer Breezes. Wow!

Miami Release Notes:

James Gang originally released Miami on April 2, 1991 on the Atco label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Cruisin’ Down The Highway 2. Do It 3. Wildfire 4. Sleepwalker 5. Miami Two-Step 6. Praylude / Red Skies 7. Spanish Lover 8. Summer Breezes 9. Head Above The Water 10. (untitled)

The James Gang: Roy Kenner (vocals); Tommy Bolin (guitar); Dale Peters (bass); Jim Fox (drums).

Time is the latest Rock CD put out by the richly talented Gillian Welch who once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Gillian Welch fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one.

Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Time. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Rock music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Welch on several of the tracks. Artists like David Rawlings and Matt Andrews just to name a couple.

Overall Time is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any Rock collection. Truly an outstanding Rock CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.

While this entire album is outstanding some of my favorites are track 2 – My First Lover, track 6 – I Want So Sing That Rock And Roll, and track 10 – I Dream A Highway

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Revelator. What a nice track!

Time Release Notes:

Gillian Welch originally released Time on July 31, 2001 on the Acony Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Revelator 2. My First Lover 3. Dear Someone 4. Red Clay Halo 5. April The 14th Part 1 6. I Want So Sing That Rock And Roll 7. Elvis Presley Blues 8. Ruination Day Part 2 9. Everything Is Free 10. I Dream A Highway

Recorded at RCA Studio B and the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee.

Down The Road is the latest Rock CD put out by the highly talented Stephen Stills who once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Stephen Stills fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one.

Down The Road kicks off with an outstanding track, Isn’t It About Time, that I anticipate will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It’s a really nice track.

Rock music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Stills on several of the tracks. Artists like Joe Walsh and Bobby Whitlock just to name a couple.

I’m of the opinion that Down The Road is certainly Stephen Stills’s best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it’s a collection that even the casual Rock fan can appreciate and enjoy.

While the entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 6 – Do You Remember The Americans, track 5 – Business On The Street, and track 10 – Rollin’ My Stone

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Isn’t It About Time. Wow!

Down The Road Release Notes:

Stephen Stills originally released Down The Road on October 25, 1990 on the Atlantic label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Isn’t It About Time 2. Lies 3. Pensamiento 4. So Many Times 5. Business On The Street 6. Do You Remember The Americans 7. Down The Road 8. City Junkies 9. Guaguanco De Vero 10. Rollin’ My Stone

Manassas: Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar, slide guitar, piano, organ, bass); Chris Hillman (guitar, bass, mandolin, vocals); Al Perkins (pedal steel guitar, banjo); Paul Harris (piano, organ); Fuzzy Samuel (bass); Dallas Taylor (drums); Joe Lala (congas, timbales, percussion, vocals). Additional personnel: Charlie Grimes (guitar); Joe Walsh (slide guitar); Sydney George (flute); Jerry Aiello (organ); Bobby Whitlock (keyboards, vocals); Guille Garcia, Lachy Espinol (percussion); Pat Arnold (background vocals). Producers: Chris Hillman, Dallas Taylor, Stephen Stills.

The exceptionally talented Rock group No Doubt have released their CD entitled Tragic Kingdom. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe No Doubt fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Tragic Kingdom their artistic excellence is on full display as they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be their best work to date.

The CD opens with a great track, Spiderwebs, that I suspect will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It really is a very nice track.

One of the nicer things about a CD like this is with this level of talent even if Rock isn’t your favorite style you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the musicians.

Overall Tragic Kingdom is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any Rock collection. Truly an outstanding Rock CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 – Excuse Me Mr., track 11 – You Can Do It, and track 14 – Tragic Kingdom.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Spiderwebs. Wow!

Tragic Kingdom Release Notes:

No Doubt originally released Tragic Kingdom on October 10, 1995 on the Interscope Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Spiderwebs 2. Excuse Me Mr. 3. Just A Girl 4. Happy Now? 5. Different People 6. Hey You 7. Climb, The 8. Sixteen 9. Sunday Morning 10. Don’t Speak 11. You Can Do It 12. World Go ‘Round 13. End It On This 14. Tragic Kingdom

No Doubt: Gwen Stefani (vocals); Tom Dumont (guitar); Eric Stefani (piano, keyboards); Tony Kanal (bass); Adrian Young (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Aloke DasGupta (sitar); Melissa Hasin (cello); Gerard Boisse, Bill Bergman (saxophone); Greg Smith (baritone saxophone); Phil Jordan, Les Lovitt (trumpet); Nick Lane (trombone); Gabe McNair (trombone, percussion); Matthew Wilder (keyboards); Stephen Perkins (steel drums). Engineers include: Matt Hyde, Phil Kaffel, George Landress.

The exceptionally talented Rock artist Billy Cobham has released him CD entitled Crosswinds. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Billy Cobham fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Crosswinds Billy Cobham’s artistic excellence is on full display as Cobham has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be him best work to date.

Billy Cobham has been a super star in the Rock genre for quite a while now and Crosswinds is an excellent illustration as to why.

Crosswinds is a pleasantly varied, mix of 7 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly outstanding artist. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are him own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions like love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They’re all here.

If you’re a Billy Cobham fan, or just a fan of Rock music this is a CD your collection simply should not be without.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 – Savannah The Serene (II), track 5 – The Pleasant Pheasant, and track 7 – Crosswind.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Spanish Moss (I). Good stuff!

Crosswinds Release Notes:

Billy Cobham originally released Crosswinds on April 25, 2000 on the Wounded Bird Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Spanish Moss (I) 2. Savannah The Serene (II) 3. Storm (III) 4. Flash Flood (IV) 5. Pleasant Pheasant, The 6. Heather 7. Crosswind

Personnel includes: Billy Cobham (drums, percussion); Michael Brecker (reeds); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Garnett Brown (trombone); George Duke (keyboards); John Abercrombie (guitar); John Williams (bass). Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York, New York.