Eric Clapton returned in February of 1981 with his first studio release in over two years. Another Ticket is one of those albums that tends to disappear into his vast catalogue. In this case that is a shame as it is one of his most unique works and should appeal to all Clapton purists. He delivers a solid set of rock/blues. There may be no monster songs but everything is smooth and satisfying. It is his vocals, however, which make the album unique as they are strong, pure blues in presentation, and some of the most distinctive of his career.  ...more

“The transformation is complete” sings David Gray on Draw The Line, his latest of eight studio albums. In many ways this one line captures the whole essence behind his approach to the album. The title itself provides further clues as he musically draws a line under some of what has gone before. That presumably includes the huge, and somewhat unexpected, success of 2001’s White Ladder an album that literally catapulted him head first towards worldwide recognition. However, It proved to be a place that he felt somewhat uncomfortable being in and following his last album, the impressive Life In Slow Motion, it seemed the ideal time for him to Draw The Line and start again....more

My first introduction to Cobra Starship was via the end theme song from the motion picture, Snakes On A Plane. I thought for sure they were a temporary group — one that was created by the cast or crew members (or friends of the cast or crew members) from the movie and written specifically for the film itself. While the song wasn’t Grammy-winning material on any level, it more than met the standards raised (or lowered, if you will) onscreen in Snakes On A Plane. Therefore, the song was A-OK in my book (as was the movie)....more

Finally, at the age of 54, Rosanne Cash has become a cover girl. The eldest daughter of the late Johnny Cash, Rosanne is releasing her twelfth studio album, The List, on October 6 (Manhattan Records). However, it’s the first time she has devoted an entire album to covering other artist's songs on an entire album, while taking guidance from her father. In 1973, the Man in Black decided to educate his teenage daughter about music, giving her a list of what he considered 100 “essential” country songs. The Southern California girl who back then had a penchant for pop now says they should be considered classic American songs....more

In late 1954 Sonny Rollins recorded the two sessions which resulted in Moving Out. He then went on the first of his famous “sabbaticals,” laying low in Chicago for most of 1955. He emerged with his first acknowledged masterpiece, Saxophone Colossus shortly afterward. In hindsight, the five tunes that make up Moving Out clearly show the saxophonist as being well on his way to the mastery of Colossus. The quintet that gathered August 19, 1954 would be considered a jazz “supergroup" today....more

When I first heard Muse (only going back so far as 2004's Absolution), I thought they sounded an awful lot like Radiohead with nods to both Nirvana and Coldplay. Then came Black Holes & Revelations, still with echoes of Thom Yorke and Queen by way of Phillip Glass. Yes, I said Phillip Glass. Gee, all of these names being tossed out. Shouldn't it be time to pull that tired reviewer cliché 'derivative' out of the reviewer bag of lazy? I suppose so, but in this case I hear a lot of what Muse does as being in tribute to their influences....more

Not only are The 69 Eyes back in blood, they are back with hooks, riffs and tunes that shows growth, exploration and strategy. The album invokes gone but not forgotten memories of 80's metal in various forms, rock that has an appetite for destruction and gothness. Listening to the album allows you to enjoy what you love of The 69 Eyes while reminiscing of all that awesome rock and metal that are the roots of today's music. Without straying from the path down memory lane, Back in Blood keeps it fresh with their signature sound....more

Lil Wayne by far is probably one of the greatest rappers of his era. His sixth album, Tha Carter III, is easily a top ten greatest hip-hop album. The album has collaborations from star studded artists such as Busta Rhymes, Kanye West, T-Pain, and Robin Thicke just to name a few. Though lil Wayne has always been a big name in the hip-hop world, this album set him over the top with mainstream music. Dwayne Carter, aka Lil Wayne, released his first solo album, Tha Block I Hot, at age 17 under Cash Money Records. The album went double platinum and put Lil Wayne on the map. His fourth and fifth albums were called Tha Carter and Tha Carter II, and in my opinion are what set him apart from other rappers and made him a household name....more

So what did A Fine Frenzy do with their follow up, Bomb In A Birdcage? The record is three songs shorter and the sound has clearly been broadened and diversified. So why was I so depressed? Call it the peril of perfection. I wanted a sequel, not a follow-up, and I didn't get my wish. I had to come to terms with that and let it go. I was finally able to hear Bomb rather than searching for One Cell and, well, I quite like it....more

Since I have traveled to Russia twice thus far in my life, I love to indulge in the cultural rarities the country does not tend to share with the rest of the world. The Russian-native now gone New Yorker Regina Spektor structurally holds this backbone for the country, and I was elated to find out she was releasing an album, Far, in June 2009. As a songwriter, Spektor has produced five albums in eight years, the last being Begin to Hope in 2006....more