Jewel - Goodbye Alice in Wonderland

Atlantic/Warner Bros.

Jewel Kilcher, Alaskan native, released "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland" this year. It is in her signature folk-grassy-soul-pop style that she bellows songs reflecting her views on cultural and social issues such as her disdain for rail-thin bodies, prescriptions as a solution to everyone's ailments, and looking the other way when you should make a stand.
Jewel released her first album, "Pieces of You," East West/Atlantic 1994, at the age of 19, establishing herself as a singer gifted well beyond her years. Since then she has only built upon her reputation, occasionally remodeling herself trying to always be true to herself. The new record is an affirmation of self, she is shaking off the rose-colored glasses and emerging strong.

Editor's Note: This album was released six or so months ago by Atlantic Records, which unfortunately sends me none of their LPs to review. My question is, why didn't this album become a huge hit? It has everything. What else does Atlantic have to do with their time? Fortunately, it was sent to me by her publicist, and I hope you enjoy our review. Wake up Atlantic!!!!!

Superiority Complex - Stand Up

Bru

Woah, I really have to learn that to judge a book by its cover is the greatest problem of people worldwide. I thought that with a name like Superiority Complex these guys were going to be overpuffed peacocks, just out to strut the feathers for a girl. No way man! The album is well done. The music is music: rhythm, melody and harmony. The lyrics are more than brutal words mashed together to relate a common feeling of angst. The Orlando based group's music is full of real life situations, real emotion. That is where the dollars at.

Vince Gill - These Days

MCA Nashville

This didn't start out as a set of four very different CDs. There was no plan to record forty-three original songs and gather them into an unprecedented offering of diverse, accomplished artistry. When Vince Gill went into the studio to record he meant to assemble a topnotch country album. But what he came out with is a country album, a bluegrass album, a gospel album and a contemporary album.
Vince Gill paId nearly a decade and a half of dues on route to becoming one of the most popular stars of the 90's. Starting out as a bluegrass singer, and a multi instrumentalist, he initially made his music with country-rockers, Pure Prairie League, and spent the 80's as part of country's new traditionalist wing before finding massive success as a contemporary country hit maker. Gill had strong mainstream appeal, but enough songwritting chops and grounding in tradition that he could maintain his artist's credibility without being branded a crossover-happy hack.

Editor's Note: Without Vince Gill's incredible style and soul country would have lost the soul it always had.

Various Artists - The Departed (Soundtrack)

Warner Sunset/Warner Bros.

The Departed stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg. It was directed by award winning Martin Scorsese. It is a highly respected gangster movie set in New York City. The Soundtrack features artists like Patsy Cline, Dropkick Murphies, Roger Waters The Band and Van Morrison performing Comfortably Numb, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers, LaVern Baker and The Beach Boys. Both the movie and the soundtrack are just outstanding; everyone should check them out...

Spady - The Long Way Around and Other Short Stories

Postscript/Select-O-Hits

Over the last three decades Spady Brannan established himself as one of the pre-eminent songwriters, musicians and producers in Nashville. Those who listen to this record will detect the soul of Motown R&B rhythm, a blues mood, a hint of old-time rock-n-roll and the honest lyrics of a well-written country song. It is a journal of feelings--a book on love and life and what happens to love when life just happens.

Dale Ann Bradley - Catch Tomorrow

Compass

"A mountain murder ballad, a haunting tale of the Underground Railroad, a trip on a moonshine run, a walk in the Ireland mists or a wild ride on the US highways with Bobby McGee: whatever Dale Ann Bradley sings, people hear her and believe.
Women are reshaping the bluegrass sound, and Bradley, with her mountain pure soprano, a knack for storytelling and her true life roots, is one of those creating that exciting music. She has also inspired women to join her ranks, such as Alison Krauss.
Her third solo album is thought provoking. It has made me take a second look at how I view the world, to walk in somebody else's shoes a little while longer than I normally would.

The Game - Doctor's Advocate

Geffen/Universal

The Game has put together a record full of lyrics about West Coast Alliance, doing elicit drugs, and having bitches hanging all over them all day long. With hot beats, they have free styling war throughout this album. None of the messages prove to be positive unless smoking chronic and calling names at everyone you hate is a good message to get across to everyone. I didn't like this album due to the point that is missing. It was a callout to fight, and I have no time to waste on hatred.

Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift

Big Machine

Sixteen year old, Taylor Swift, has taken her place as one of country music's most talented and accomplished young women. She has a voice that is honest sounding and sweet, and talent and ability beyond her years. Swift's songs are inspired by her life.
Full of emotion, she plays her guitar with such passion you get into her music easily because you can tell her stuff is the real deal. I love this lady and can't wait to see more from her.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band - Colorblind

Word/Warner Bros.

I love this CD!!! With "Colorblind" Randolph and the Family Band have taken the difficult leap from being great performance artists to being great recording artists.
As the album title indicates, the results on "Colorblind" range from infectious R&B to timeless ballads. And there is a blistering version of The Byrds' 'Jesus Is Just Alright With Me' featuring Eric Clapton and Randolph in a blazing guitar battle recorded live in the studio. It is a must hear for anyone who has a hankering for some bluesy soul guitar.

Isobel Campbell - Milkwhite Sheets

V2/Artemis

"Milkwhite Sheets" is a piercingly beautiful set of traditional songs and originals; on the surface, tranquil with turbulence underneath it all.
Her third album, Isobel Campbell sings by herself this time--and, for the charming 'Loving Hannah' with no instrumental accompaniment at all. This is an album heavy with seductive mystery and pristine guitar mastery.

Craig Morgan - Little Bit Of Life

Broken Bow

Craig Morgan brings to his music a wealth of life experience--he spent ten years as an Army Ranger, he's been a Sheriff's Deputy, swung a hammer and clerked at Wal-Mart, whatever it took to feed his wife and children, while allowing him to pursue a musical career. Craig writes and sings songs about everyday life, his life.
"Little Bit Of Life" is his fourth studio album. The record is a collection of timeless, classic country, yet it is infused with a bright contemporary sound.

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

Reprise

My Chemical Romance have made a great album. "The Black Parade" is the band's sinister, dark, alter-ego. The phrase also refers to the basic premise of the record--an epic, theatrical concept album about morality.
The album tells the story of The Patient, whose fondest memory of his life was when his father took him to see a parade. So when death comes for him as he is dying tragically in a hospital, it comes in the form of a black parade. My Chemical Romance has definitely made their album so epic I wait to see if they can outdo their best.

Robert Fisk - War, Journalism, and The Middle East

AK Press/Mordam/Alternative Tentacles

Robert Fisk is a really weird guy. Lucky for us. Weird because, while other reporters get the body count from the official news release, he goes to the morgue on his lunch hour to count bodies. While his fellow reporters are telling bullshit war stories sitting at a bar in Baghdad Green Zone, Fisk is out there, getting the stories straight out of Najaf, or Algiers, or Damascus.
Fisk writes from Beirut, he is not assigned to Beirut, he lives in Beirut. He knows what Arabs are trying to tell us because he speaks Arabic. In other words, he is like no reporter from the Mideast that we get in the McPapers of America.
You won't find Fisk in press conferences asking politely for the official story of the day. He's in the field and under bombs--and a couple of times in the cave--interviewing Osama (who tried to recruit him, to Fisk's horror).
He smells the gunpowder and the blood for you, and brings it close through his writings. What you find in his work is information, and a strong knowledge of history--also rare among journalists--that gives you a breathless introduction to the battered world of the Middle East.
I've often accused reporters of "lazy-fuckism": Re-writing press releases and filing lackadaisical stories of what the President said today before his game of golf. If I were to define "lazy-fuckism," it would be "the opposite of Fisk-ism."

Stoll Vaughan - Love Like A Mule

Shadowdog

A charismatic and dynamic vocalist, Vaughan is the rarest type of songwriter--one who performs his songs as well as he writes them. This sophomore album finds him moving flawlessly from the downbeat, steel guitar drenched 'No Stopping' to the swampy growl of 'Love Like a Mule' and the full-on rock of 'Complain.'
His songs are heartfelt and insightful. His legend is growing as new fans discover him and, most importantly, Stoll Vaughan continues to make great country music.

Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist

Maverick/Reprise

Saturday Night Wrist combines elements of hard rock, metal, punk, psychedelia, alternative and electronic music within its tumultuous grooves.
Not only is the album experimental and innovative, it overflows with undeniable hooks, which act as reminders that, first and foremost, Deftones will always be about emotionally resonant songs.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Lonestar - Mountains

BNA/Sony BMG

In an era when inspiration and uplift are in high demand and short supply, Lonestar has built a career providing both in good measure. The band's musical legacy is tied to modern day classics like 'Amazed,' 'I'm Already There,' and 'My Front Porch Looking In.' All are anthems to love and family.
"Mountains" is the celebration of the courage of ordinary people overcoming great hardships and challenges. This makes it's mark as Lonestar's ninth album and it is quickly becoming their best.
In 1993, Lonestar played their first concert at Back Stage Pass at Nashville. A booking agent happened to hear the show. Impressed he added the group to his roster, and the group headed out on the road. Over the next two years they played over 500 shows. Lonestar has a way with passionate songs that either make heart's sore or eye's tear.

Sean Lennon - Friendly Fire

(CD/DVD) Capitol/EMI

Following "Into The Sun," Lennon's 1998 solo debut, "Friendly Fire" is a cinematic suite of songs which share the same dizzying wealth of musical styles as its predecessor. But it eschews some of it's freeform tendencies for more traditional song structure and some unifying themes. Filled with sweeping piano interludes and dark romanticism, this is a beautiful work of art.
Lennon has also written and produced a short film for each song, directed by Michele Civetta. They comprise a conceptual film about betrayal and the failure of love.

Platinum Weird - Make Believe

Interscope

Platinum Weird was a short-lived band that Dave Stewart was a part of 32 years ago. After original singer Erin Grace disappeared on the eve of the album's debut release, Dave went on to form The Eurythmics with Annie Lennox.
In 2004, he and Kara DioGuard, who writes songs for Christina Aguilera, the Pussycat Dolls and Kelly Clarkson, met to record a song at his home studio. He found the '74 recording and started playing it. To Dave's amazement Kara knew the chorus.
Now they've compiled the original recordings on this CD and are due to release a new album in early '07.

The Dirtball - Raptillion

Suburban Noize

Emerging from the Pacific Northwest is David Alexander, a rap artist with quick flows and dope beats. He continues building his already loyal legion of West Coast fans. Signed to Suburban Noize, the Dirtball, originally from Oregon, continues to slam positivity down in his sophomore effort.

Soulfly - Dark Ages

Roadrunner

Dark Ages is filled with heavy guitar riffs and great thrash drumming. Soulfly's songs are symphonic composers dancing through heavy metal and punk arrangements. Even though it's high powered, with lyrics full of energy and rage. I really got depressed when I couldn't understand the vocals. And that was such a bummer and a waste of head space.

Birdman & Lil' Wayne - Like Father, Like Son

Cash Money/Universal Motown

Cash Money Records is rolling with their army in tow once again, with Birdman and Lil Wayne--revered masters at working the hip-hop front lines--unleashing their first ever full-length collaborative assault. "Like Father, Like Son," is the exclamation point to a ten year Cash Money reign.
Fresh off the success of Lil Wayne's fifth solo album these two have some serious points to make; silencing the questions as to how strong they are after several soldiers jumped ship.
In many ways the album mirrors the relationship the two rap warriors share both in and out of music. Their chemistry, regardless of whom else may have shared the mic with them, has always been undeniable. They are true trendsetters and I hope they never stop doing what they do.

[Part 1]

I'm the son of rage and love
The Jesus of Suburbia
From the bible of none of the above
On a steady diet of soda pop and Ritalin
No one ever died for my sins in hell
As far as I can tell
At least the ones I got away with

And there's nothing wrong with me
This is how I'm supposed to be
In a land of make believe
That don't believe in me

Get my television fix sitting on my crucifix
The living room or my private womb
While the moms and dads are away
To fall in love and fall in debt
To alcohol and cigarettes and Mary Jane
To keep me insane and doing someone else's cocaine

And there's nothing wrong with me
This is how I'm supposed to be
In a land of make believe
That don't believe in me

[Part 2: City Of The Damned]

At the center of the Earth
In the parking lot
Of the 7-11 where I was taught
The motto was just a lie
It says home is where your heart is
But what a shame
Cause everyone's heart
Doesn't beat the same
It's beating out of time

City of the dead
At the end of another lost highway
Signs misleading to nowhere
City of the damned
Lost children with dirty faces today
No one really seems to care

I read the graffiti
In the bathroom stall
Like the holy scriptures of a shopping mall
And so it seemed to confess
It didn't say much
But it only confirmed that
The center of the earth
Is the end of the world
And I could really care less

City of the dead
At the end of another lost highway
Signs misleading to nowhere
City of the damned
Lost children with dirty faces today
No one really seems to care

[Part 3: I don't care]

I don't care if you don't
I don't care if you don't
I don't care if you don't care [x4]

I don't care

Everyone is so full of shit
Born and raised by hypocrites
Hearts recycled but never saved
From the cradle to the grave
We are the kids of war and peace
From Anaheim to the middle east
We are the stories and disciples
Of the Jesus of suburbia
Land of make believe
That don't believe in me
Land of make believe
And I don't believe
And I don't care!
I don't care! [x4]

[Part 4: Dearly beloved]

Dearly beloved are you listening?
I can't remember a word that you were saying
Are we demented or am I disturbed?
The space that's in between insane and insecure
Oh therapy, can you please fill the void?
Am I retarded or am I just overjoyed
Nobody's perfect and I stand accused
For lack of a better word, and that's my best excuse

[Part 5: Tales of another broken home]

To live and not to breathe
Is to die In tragedy
To run, to run away
To find what you believe
And I leave behind
This hurricane of fucking lies
I lost my faith to this
This town that don't exist

So I run
I run away
To the light of masochist
And I leave behind
This hurricane of fucking lies
And I walked this line
A million and one fucking times
But not this time

I don't feel any shame
I won't apologize

When there ain't nowhere you can go
Running away from pain
When you've been victimized
Tales from another broken home

You're leaving...
You're leaving...
You're leaving...
Ah you're leaving home...

Political Article: Bush Loses Election in Ecuador By: Matthew Rothschild The Bush Administration has lost another election, this time in Ecuador. Correa's victory is the latest setback not just for Bush but also for the model of corporate globalization that Washington has been imposing on Latin America for fifteen years now. Populist Rafael Correa triumphed over the richest man in the country, Alvaro Noboa, a banana tycoon. During the campaign, Correa thumbed his nose at Bush, calling him "dimwitted." And Correa vowed to reject a free trade deal with the United States, to close a U.S. military base there, and to discard some of the foreign debts his country has accumulated, which he calls "illegitimate." Correa's victory is the latest setback not just for Bush but for the model of corporate globalization that Washington has been imposing on Latin America for fifteen years now. One country after another has spat out the toxic medicine: from Argentina and Bolivia to Uruguay and Venezuela. And there's good reason for it: The imposition of the Washington model has brought a decline in living standards throughout the continent. That governments in Latin America have been able to get away with these acts of rebellion is nothing short of astonishing, given the historical record of the last 100 years. It has been a fixed star of U.S. policy during all this time that no country in Latin America could defy the wishes of Washington. Fidel Castro was the exception that gnawed at the pride of Presidents. No repeats were supposed to be allowed. And so the United States helped overthrow Goulart in Brazil and Bosch in the Dominican Republic and Allende in Chile and Aristide in Haiti. The Bush Administration tried to maintain the practice by supporting a coup against Hugo Chavez in Venezuela in 2002. But much to its chagrin, the coup makers proved inept, and the Venezuelan military refused to turn on Chavez, who quickly regained his post. Now with versions of socialism flourishing in countries throughout Latin America, including in Brazil and Chile, the ability of Washington to keep playing its hemispheric bullying role is greatly attenuated. In part, the people of Latin America have benefited from Bush's "war on terror" obsession and his Iraq War debacle, which have consumed the attention and resources of his Administration. As a result, Washington has not been able to grind its heal to the south. And in part, the people of Latin America have simply reasserted their power. Done en masse, this is too potent a force for an aging empire to counteract. Correa understands that. He's a leftwing economist who does not worship at the altar of free trade. Instead, he wants to protect the welfare of his people and to defend their right to exercise sovereignty over their own economy. For U.S. oil companies, which have been reaping enormous profits from Ecuador's natural resources, this is not good news. But it is good news for the people of Ecuador, and for those everywhere who refuse to bend their knees to their would-be masters - whether in Washington or in the boardroom of ExxonMobil.

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