This album is one that hurts. The self-titled debut from A 750ml Affair is 49 minutes of loneliness, heartbreak, and heartache, with very little good stuff to even it all out. It’s difficult to imagine – or to put in words – the sadness expressed throughout the 12 tracks on...

Does anyone else get pissed off when you hear great songs in a movie and think yeah I’m definitely getting the soundtrack on this one only to find out that the songs you really enjoyed from the movie aren’t anywhere to be found on the soundtrack? Yeah, I hate that...

When I came across Eat Drugs, the new album by relatively unknown L.A. rock outfit Bad Dudes, I didn’t really know what to expect. If I were one to judge a book by its cover, I would have assumed Bad Dudes were a bunch of coked-up punk rockers with an...

So, somehow this CD, Beats, Bites & Oxle fell into my lap.  This album contains quite a bit of atmospheric music & smooth jazz.  I would probably never seek this sort of music out, but I also don't hate it.  The music is by various artists and every few songs...

My notes on my first exposure to NO VERTIGO by Cavedoll included the following snotty comment: “(a) somewhat slavish imitation of Talking Heads and Tom-Tom Club.” Don’t get me wrong: I like both of those bands, schizophrenic acrimony notwithstanding between the two. But…but…NO VERTIGO is a bit...

Chris DeMarco clearly has worked hard to produce this album himself, nevermind the time and talent it takes to sing the lead, backup, play the keyboard, guitar and percussion himself as well.  And he certainly sounds like he knows what he’s doing no matter what instrument you put in his...

I don’t know him, of course, but by all accounts Clay Aiken seems to be a pretty nice guy. He has quietly used his popularity for good, forming an organization for children with disabilities and doing other charitable works while eschewing the “aid and comfort to the...

Corner Block Music is a L.A. - based aggregation of seven Hispanic musicians --- Yenom, Politik, Kilo G, Pryze, Jon Doe, A.J. Red, and Vietnam --- who are closer to, say, Cypress Hill than Control Machete. Almost all of the tracks on CITY BLUES, their debut project,...

I have to admit, I was scared clicking ‘play’ on Narrow Stairs’ opening track Bixby Canyon Bridge.  I was terrified that this album wouldn’t live up to the expectations I have for this band. But I had to do it, I had to find out. So I held my breath,...

Dizzee Rascal and I have not always gotten along. I used to be an ignorant American, believing we are the only ones who can rap and do hip-hop right. At parties, when someone put on anything that wasn't from the East or West coast, I usually chose that moment to...