Artist: WASP Album: "Double Live Assassins" Label: CMC Records Rating:

If you're like me, and actually remember the band "W.A.S.P." fondly, but haven't heard them for, say, 10 years, you might be in for a surprise. I recall a rowdy heavy metal band that rocked a lot harder than the other metal bands of their day. What I heard when I listened to this CD was not what I remembered. All of the songs sounded the same. The only one I could really pick out by ear was "The Headless Children" which was the one I heard the most back in the 80's. The sound was fairly good for a live album but I couldn't believe how tame the music was. Maybe it's that since the 80's we've had much harder bands, or maybe I just had an image of Blackie Lawless in my head that tainted my memories. He's a pretty rough and scary looking character. Whatever the reason, I was disappointed with this live album. It's not really bad, it's just not much fun. If you were a metal head in the 80's, and are trying to recapture your youth, this album might be of interest. Otherwise, you might want to skip this one.

Artist: TOOTS THIELEMANS Album: "Chez Toots" Label: Windham Hill Rating:

Want to go to Paris? Can't afford the trip? Well, then, just visit Chez Toots. "Chez Toots" is the latest offering of famed jazz harmonica player Toots Thielemans. It provides the listener with a memorable trip through his renditions of fifteen classic French songs. He has backed himself with an impressive line-up of some of Europe's finest jazz players, and a guest-star vocalist list that includes Johnny Mathis, Diana Krall, and Shirley Horn, among others. Between them, they create a lush, musical sound that transports listeners to Paris, and lets them experience the music of a legendary age and of a legendary city. This album is quite enjoyable, creating magic from the simplest of sonic elements. This is jazz for lovers....for the romantics.....and for anyone who wishes to spend a dreamy evening being carried away to the City of Light. I highly recommend it.

Artist: SCREAMING WINDOWS Album: "Horrible Day" Label: J-Bird Records Rating:

The name of the band, "Screaming Windows," is perhaps somewhat of a misnomer. I'm not sure exactly what a screaming window would sound like, but I would think it would offer a more pleasing sound than this album does. "Screaming Windows" is the brainchild of Robert Ray, who does all the songwriting and plays just about all the instruments on the album. The sound is hard to classify. It's like having a Wolfman Jack type vocalist, given second-rate Frank Zappa lyrics to work with, try to be Bo Diddley. In fact, the first song on the album is "Hong Kong Mississippi," written by Mr. Diddley, who if dead would probably roll over in his grave at the sound of this version. There are two somewhat listenable songs on the album, the title track, which sounds like a twisted bluesy ballad, and "When You're a Bum," which sounds like an Adam Sandler song. The rest of the album leaves the listener feeling as if they too have had a horrible day. I've probably offended both "Screaming Windows" fans out there, and I do apologize, so I'll say in way of compromise that I'd rather listen to "Screaming Windows" than ‘Spice Girls." However, I can not in good conscience recommend this album since it is something I personally will not be listening to repeatedly.

Artist: TRAINING FOR UTOPIA Album: "Plastic Soul Impalement" Label: Tooth and Nail Records Rating:

This cd is pretty much a mess. The first song, "Plastic Soul Impalement" sounds a bit like demonic chanting, and from there it goes to hardcore screaming. "Brother Hezakiah" has a minor amount of singing, which sounds ok, but the majority of this album is uninspired and very hard to listen to. If you're a big hardcore fan, there might be some fun to be had here. Otherwise, probably not. There are some cool variations from traditional hardcore into a more industrial/techno layout, but I don't believe it would be worth picking up. The variety within songs and throughout the cd can be pretty unique and the music itself isn't that bad, unfortunately, there's no sense of rhythm or flow. Tuneless screaming or monotonous mumbling is about all you'll get. Think hard before buying this cd.

Artist: VARIOUS ARTISTS Album: "Honor Them All - A Mothers Against Drunk Driving Compilation" Label: Windham Hill Rating:

"Honor them All" is a compilation that both benefits Mothers Against Drunk Driving and is meant to be a gift of inspiration to listeners. Artists that have contributed songs include: Carly Simon, America, Brian Wilson, and Yanni, along with Windham Hill artists like Jim Brickman, Tuck and Patti, and The Rippingtons. There are several gems on this album. Lorrie Morgan, country singer, delivers a simply beautiful song written for her late husband, Keith Whitley, called "If You Came Back From Heaven." Gordon Kennedy offers up the acoustic demo version of his song "Change the World," a song later made famous by Eric Clapton and Babyface. His version is stirring and evocative, and it's easy to see why Clapton and Babyface were so eager to re-record it. Jim Brickman includes the title track from his album "Picture This." His piano playing ability and composing skills are quite visible on this track. Two other highlights for me were the acoustic version of The Rippingtons "Black Diamond," and a piano instrumental by Brian Wilson (yes, THAT Brian Wilson) that is simply lovely. All in all the album is full of touching songs, and provides a worthy tribute to those who have joined in the fight to cut down on drunk driving. The album itself is a bit light for my tastes, but the cause is an admirable one. Fans of any of the artists I mentioned above should enjoy the album. I suggest checking it out in that case. If you choose not to buy the album, though, I still urge you to support M.A.D.D. in it's efforts to reduce (and hopefully end) impaired driving.

Artist: Both Worlds Album: "Memory Rendered Visible" Label: Roadrunner Rating:

This is an almost excellent cd. The music is wonderful and the singing is very good in this hardcore/punk cd, the lyrics are only so-so, however, and the songs, though lots of fun, blend together a slight bit. "Spiritual Flu" is a great song, if dismal. Of course, this genre of music wouldn't exist if everyone was happy all of the time I suppose. It's a medium that tends to draw on unpleasant experiences or hopelessness for one reason or another. "Space Junkies" is also a really terrific tune, and equally as depressing. Also, this is one of the songs with less than stellar lyrics. Somehow, I still enjoy it though. The same thing could be said about so many of these songs that I think I'll stop here. If you think you'd like some hard punk rock to add to your cd rack, give this one a listen.

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Artist: Busta Rhymes Album: "Turn it Up (Remix)/Fire It Up" Label: Warner Communications Rating:

Busta Rhymes does it again!  "Fire It Up," is intense and pumped, a new amphetamine.  Busta Rhymes will definitely reach the top with this hip hop track.  Thumpin' base with a sample from, "The Knight Rider Theme."  You definitely will "Turn It Up!"  A hit that will cross many plains world wide and pump up the heat with a turbo blast.  Busta Rhyme's rockin' lyrics and bad skills will have you overdosing on the beat.  Let me hear ya say, "Fire It Up!"  Don't hurt yourself on the dance floor ya'll!!!

Artist: SON OF EVE Album: "Dollar Shots" Label: DV8 Records Rating:

The first best thing I noticed about this cd is the cute cover art. The song titles are pretty funny too, like "Pee Pee Mouth", and "Are You Having ID?" "Sometimes my tongue covers my eyetooth and I can't see what I'm saying" from Jack's Pudding" struck my funny bone, as did several of the lines througout the album. "Moonspice" is a really fun and light, dancy song. Definitely my favorite on the album. For a rap cd, which I don't normally care for, this is certainly entertaining, though not something I would listen to on a regular basis. Their sound and style are similar to Cypress Hill in some ways, though more interesting, I think. There's a fair amount of variety in the songs, but nothing extraordinary. There are really a lot of neat sounds borrowed from the techno genre and and it's a lot of fun overall. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys rap that's a little lighter than the gangsta variety.

Artist: OUR LADY PEACE Album: "Clumsy" Label: Columbia Records Rating:

Vocalist, Raine Maida, guitarist Mike Turner, bass player Duncan Coutts and drummer, Jeremy Taggart formed the band, “Our Lady Peace” in 1993. Within a year they cut three demo songs including their alternative rock hit “Starseed.” Soon after, Sony signed the band to produce their first album "Naveed" in Canada, released on Relativity Records in the United States. “Clumsy” is the bands second album. “Superman’s Dead,” the first single from the album, scored on the U. S. charts with its look at the lack of real heroes in our modern world. “Clumsy,” of course, is their big hit. Most of the songs here are pretty good, with some obvious stand outs. One of those is the song, “Carnival.” It sets an edgy mood with its quirky whining synthesizer. They get softer on “4 AM,” a moving song about childhood and the effects of an absent father on a child. “Automatic Flowers” has some nice effects in it too. “Big Dumb Rocket” has a great manic feel to it, careening around from beginning to end. There are only a couple of lesser songs on this album that feel like filler. The rest are well written and heartfelt. It’s obvious they really care about what they’re doing and saying -- and it shows. My only complaint is that Maida’s voice can get irritating at times on the album, but that didn’t happen when I heard him live. You really need to experience “Our Lady Peace,” in person to fully appreciate their talents.

Artist: MARK WILLS Album: "Wish You Were Here" Label: Mercury Nashville Rating:

After listening to this album several times I want to label it 'Garth Brooks Lite.' The potential is there but this is only a shadow of what it could and will be. Mark has tackled some harder lyrics in this album but the voice still lacks the strength to give them the emphasis they need. In spite of that, this is an enjoyable album. Mark has an engaging voice that works best on the more upbeat tunes such as"Emily Harper," "Love Is Alive," and " It's Working."

Artist: MISSING MAN FORMATION Album: "Missing Man Formation" Label: Grateful Dead Records Rating:

Vince Welnick has taken some original recordings from '96 with Steve Kimock,Prairie Prince, and Bobby Vega, added some new voices and music, to create some bluesy rock of which "Devil I Know" and "Samba in the Rain" are the best cuts, although "Its Alive" will certainly appeal to Dead fans.

Artist: TAJ MAHAL Album: "Sacred Island" Label: Windham Hill Rating:

As much as I love Taj's music I just can't get into this paean to his island home. He tries too hard to cultivate an island voice and it comes off so unlike him as to cause pain. The music lacks the vibrancy he brings to his other work. Outside of collectors I'd give this one a pass and look for "Senor Blues" instead.

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