Rock Around the World

Yngwie Malmsteen Foundation Records. NR
Inspiration

One of the very top guitarists in the World...Saw him at the House of Blues recently and he just mowed down the crowd, powered by 3 stacks of Marshall 50 Watt Mark IIs and armed with a collection of Fender Stratocasters.

Inspiration is full of seminal tracks from all the likely suspects that had cause to influence Malmsteen in his formative years. These renditions have the Yngwie touch, perpetuating the fact that Malmsteen is one of the preeminent in the trade of Axe Man.


Internet Listening Pleasure: Carry On My Wayward Son, Gates Of Babylon, Manic Depression, The Sails Of Charon, Demon's Eyes.

Safe & Sound Big Rig/Mercury. NR
A Benefit In Response To The Brookline Clinic Violence

There are ways to deal with things and then there are Not ways to proceed. Terrorism in any form is not the way.

Two women in Brookline, MA were gunned down by some stupid, and at least 7 others were wounded by this zealot, who is sure to get his ass Spackled in the slammer.

Anyway, there's been an outswell of care displayed by the local Boston Music community who have marshalled their efforts to raise funds that will benefit Women's Clinics, Battered Women, Emergency Shelter, and those disabled by battery.

I'm down with Safe & Sound.



Internet Listening Pleasure: You Dirty Rat, Think About Your Troubles, Driving With One Hand On the Wheel, The Impression That I get, Don't Take It Out On Me, Polaroids, Naked Freakshadow, Waves.

Lilys Primary/Che'/Elektra/WEA International. NR
Better Can't Make Your Life Better

These guys scoped out the sonics of pop music from the 50's and 60's and then tuned their instruments to the key of pop for those particular eras.

For the most part, this is startlingly retro stuff, but really fresh.


Internet Listening Pleasure: Paz En El Hogar, Bring Up The Stamp, The Sammael Sea.

Moe's Kitchen . NA
Burning Underwater

This is an unsigned band with a whole lot of potential.

Let's say they did get signed...I think it would be a cake walk for Don Was to produce this talented bunch down at the sonic deluxe that is Ocean Way.


Internet Listening Pleasure: Burning Underwater, Groove Takes Over, Wailing Underwater.

Julie Winchester Yardbird. NA
Wild Child Side

This album is produced by veteran Blues Producer, Dennis Walker, who was responsible for producing Robert Cray's breakthrough album, Strong Persuader , and five other Cray Classics.

Three of the tracks utilize the same crew that garnered Cray his popular sound with the addition of the heavy hitting Memphis Horns.

Mixed by console Ace, John Hampton, this album has extra strong Production values.

So what's left to speak of is Julie's voice...There's a couple spots where she gets flat, but most people wouldn't notice. Julie's is a whiskey soaked Patsy Cline/Tammy Wynette sort of vocal tone that comes from the neck up.



Internet Listening Pleasure: Dream No More, Wild Child Side, Man From The Past.

Syd Straw Capricorn. NR
War And Peace

Syd Straw's got a very strong voice and the sincerity of her tone really comes through with her words.

Dig the words in "Time Has Done This" and "Howl".

Solidly backed by the Skeletons, Syd Straw and her music is worth checking out if you're into Singer/Songwriters and really good music.


Internet Listening Pleasure: Time Has done This; Love, And The Lack Of It; CBGB's, Howl.

RANSOM Hollywood . NR
Original Soundtrack

James Horner continues the great tradition of Movie Scorers like Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein and even though Horner may dip into their bag for inspiration, it's Horner when the hand comes out.

Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins surprises with some tracks that add vivid imagery.


Internet Listening Pleasure: The Quarry, A Two Million Dollar Bounty, Rats, Worms, Lizards.

Music From Party Of Five Reprise. NR

This little TV compendium of songs from the groovy show, Party Of Five is a real surprise.

Sonic highlights include BT/Tori Amos' "Blue Skies", Chaka Khan's "Love Me Still", Syd Straw's "People Of Earth" , Holly Palmer's "All I Really Wanna Do", and the ultra delicious voice of Stevie Nicks on "Free Fallin'".

Lots of great voices on this album.


Internet Listening Pleasure: Blue Skies, Love Me Still, People Of Earth, Free Fallin', All I Really Wanna Do, If You Love.

Leah Andreone RCA. NA
Veiled

Andreone continues along the path carved out in the sonic Wilderness of '89 by fore runners of the Modern Rock Singer/Songwriter trend like Michelle Schocked and Syd Straw...

Andreone's got a similar yelp to Alannis and Sinead but Leah's got her own bag strapped over her shoulder.

Dig the use of the awesome HDCD technology on this album! I am totally into HDCD production values.


Internet Listening Pleasure: It's Alright, It's Okay; Happy Birthday, Mother Tongue, Come Sunday morning, Will You Still Love Me, Imagining you.

Slightly Miffed Slightly Fishy Records. NA
Puzzled?

This band is way out on the Avant Garde.

I dig "Fiend Around The Corner"!


Internet Listening Pleasure: Plod, Fiend Around The Corner, Vague Contempt, Little Strange.

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