(09.07.2003 - 12:31 a.m.)
Albums & Singles
Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Format: CD Album
Details: Columbia Records, 4804162
Reviewer: Regz
Review: It is difficult to find the words to write about this album. Released in 1975, when Bruce appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously, it was an album that musically and lyrically did something that no other rock artist had done for quite sometime. Combining a powerful, thrilling, Phil Spector style "wall of sound" with heartfelt, genuine, intelligent lyrics, it proved to the world what Springsteen already knew: that rock n' roll has the power to save your life. Despite two earlier LP's which were critically acclaimed but sold poorly, this feels like the start of Bruce's search for himself and his sense of community. Simply one of the greatest rock n' roll LP's of all time. Buy it and find out why. Title: Pride & Glory
Artist: Pride & Glory
Format: CD Album
Details: Spitfire Records, SPITCD013
Reviewer: Regz
Review: This is truly one of the rock world's overlooked masterpieces from the 1990's. Zakk Wylde (former guitarist with Ozzy Ozbourne and now of Black Label Society) has pulled out all the stops to create a truly fresh and original sounding album. The tunes are littered with all kinds of influences from the southern states of the USA to create an amazing new amalgam, and Brian Tichy provides some of the best drumming I have ever heard. I imagine this is what Lynyrd Skynyrd would've sounded like if they had been around today. Title: Lions
Artist: Black Crowes
Format: CD Album
Details: V2 Records, VVR1015678
Reviewer: Regz
Review: The Black Crowes have a knack of creating great albums which contain that recognisable Black Crowes sound, whilst at the same time doing something different from all their previous efforts. "Lions" is no exception. It is The Black Crowes on top form. Huge riffs, complex timings and intelligent lyrics, combined with moments of simple but great beauty, they are the most genuine rock n' roll band you are likely to hear all year. Possibly their best album to date, but what do I know? I thought "Amorica" was brilliant when everyone else was slating it. But seriously, don't take my word for it. Buy "Lions" and hear it for yourself. If you weren't a believer before, you will be now. Title: Stranger In This Town
Artist: Richie Sambora
Format: CD Album
Details: Mercury, 8488952
Reviewer: Regz
Review: It's no wonder that Bon Jovi are one of the top selling rock acts of all time when you listen to the talent displayed on this album. Infact, Sambora's song's are frequently better than any of Bon Jovi's group efforts, "Ballad of Youth" in particular is an excellent mid-tempo rocker. JBJ might have the business head to make Bon Jovi a money spinner, but Sambora has proved that he has a voice and direction all of his own. A solid, immensely satisfying record full of great rock songs. Title: Undiscovered Soul
Artist: Richie Sambora
Format: CD Album
Details: Mercury, 5369722
Reviewer: Regz
Review: "Stranger In This Town" proved that Richie Sambora was a great guitarist who could write decent songs. "Udiscovered Soul" cements that position and then some. The album seems to accomplish in one fell swoop what Bon Jovi have been trying to do for years but have never quite achieved. It is a far more personal work, combining top quality radio friendly rock with the intelligence and insight of a Bruce Springsteen LP. Yes, he shows why he is considered a great guitarist, particularly in the solo of "Made In America", but he is also a great lyricist, painting portraits of people who are downtrodden but have not given up hope. A great record which builds upon his first in fine style, developing themes and pointing towards (hopefully) amazing things to come. Title: One Wild Night - Live '85 to 2001
Artist: Bon Jovi
Format: CD Album
Details: Mercury, 5488652
Reviewer: Regz
Review: Bon Jovi fans have been waiting for a live album for quite some time. They're a great live band and the lack of any live material seemed, to me anyway, like an odd thing. Having waited for so long then, it's a shame this album isn't better. Don't get me wrong, most of Bon Jovi's best songs are on this package, but the production is incredibly lacking. For one, the crowd noise fades in and out between 90% of the songs. For a second, the crowd seemed to have been muffled, making it sound like their are ten people in the audience. Thirdly, the music itself has a very tinny, clean feeling to it when it should've been a raw rock n' roll fest. The title of the album seems like it's trying to live up to Bruce Springsteen's 3CD set "Live 1975 - 85", which is one of the greatest live albums of all time. In comparison, this seems like a damp squib. I love Bon Jovi and their songs, I just wish they'd taken more time getting this right. Title: Same Old Blues
Artist: Proud Mary
Format: CD Album
Details: Sour Mash, JDNCCD 003
Reviewer: Regz
Review: "I first heard of Proud Mary when they appeared on Radio 2, playing album tracks in stripped-down acoustic versions. I loved what I heard but was sceptical of the studio album, largely because I wasn't an Oasis fan, and wondered if that's what the album would be like. I needn't have worried.
The opening track, "Give A Little Love", sets the tone for most of the album. Sounding a little like The Rolling Stones, a little like Lynyrd Skynyrd, with overtones of George Harrison's solo work, this is a fine retro-sounding rock n' roll album that draws heavily on sounds of the American south. A fact that makes the Sour Mash record label all the more appropriate.
The slower songs might actually be this albums main strengths, "Don't It All Look Ugly" and "Somewhere Down The Line" being particular stand-outs, but the three minute workouts such as "Very Best Friend" hold their own in fine style.
So not the most original work of the new millenium by any means, but refreshingly good of it's type. It's a wonder why Proud Mary don't feature more prominently on the musical horizon. Here's hoping they will.
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