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November 2001's Best New CDs

© Chad Bowar

Welcome to the November reviews. It's holiday time again, which means superstar releases and many greatest hits CDs coming out just in time for gift giving. You'll find both of those type of releases in this month's best of, but you'll also find up and coming artists and talented artists on small independent labels. Every month we listen to dozens of new releases, select what we believe are the best, and feature them here. Let's get right to this month's best new CDs, in alphabetical order.

The Alarm - Greatest Hits Live

Twenty years after their formation, and ten years after they broke up, a new version of The Alarm is back, fronted by original lead singer/guitarist Mike Peters. The Alarm was one of the finest rock groups of the 80s, and also one of the most underrated. The song "Sold Me Down the River" wasn't a hit here in the US, but it is one of the best singles of the decade. Their anthemic rock is a combination of U2 and Big Country, with socially conscious lyrics and giant hooks. On Greatest Hits Live, The Alarm 2000 actually rocks a little harder than the original band did. If you missed a great band the first time around, don't miss this opportunity to hear some exceptional album rock music. Greatest Hits Live is also available on DVD.

Web Link: http://www.thealarm.com/

Barenaked Ladies - Greatest Hits

It took them four albums to break through in the United States, and those first three albums had some great singles you may not be familiar with that are collected here, along with the songs you've heard on the radio, such as "One Week" and "Pinch Me". There are also two brand new songs on Greatest Hits. Barenaked Ladies are the thinking man's (or woman's) rock band, with many their songs having some very obscure lyrical references. Their music is offbeat, unconventional, often hilarious, and always entertaining. I guarantee this will not be the last greatest hits release from Barenaked Ladies. They'll be making great singles for years to come.

Web Link: http://www.barenakedladies.com

Robin Brock - Hidden Power

Canadian singer/songwriter Robin Brock says she's the "Goddess of Rock and Roll" in one of the songs on her sophomore CD, and she backs it up. Brock has a warm and powerful voice that could be compared to Patti Smyth or fellow Canadian Amanda Marshall. The music rocks plenty hard but is still extremely melodic. Brock has some well-known musicians helping her on this CD, such as Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson and Scorpions drummer James Kottak. Randy Bachman of BTO fame also plays guitar and co-wrote several songs. Hidden Power is a first-rate melodic rock CD.

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