Just one week before their debut album was released, tragedy struck Avoid One Thing. Their drummer, Dave Karcich suffered a brain aneurysm, and passed away three days later. The Boston-based pop-punk band has vowed to continue on in Karcich's memory. Avoid One Thing is double guitared rock and roll, upbeat and catchy, with the flavor of groups like Green Day and the Replacements. Although the band is new, the musicians are veterans, including bassist/lead singer Joe Gittleman (formerly of Mighty Mighty Bosstones) and guitarists Amy Griffin (Raging Teens) and Paul Delano (Mung). Avoid One Thing is a promising group, and hopefully will be able to overcome this terrible tragedy.
Web Link: http://www.avoidonething.com
Vanessa Carlton - Be Not Nobody
Artists like Vanessa Carlton bode well for the future of commercial pop music. She is part of a new generation of young female artists like Michelle Branch and Alicia Keys that actually write and produce their own songs and don't need to rely on producers or choreographers for their success. The 21 year old Carlton is a classically trained pianist, and puts that experience to good use on Be Not Nobody, combining pop hooks with powerful piano playing, and even having a full orchestra on some songs. She has a strong and pure singing voice, and if you've heard her song "A Thousand Miles" on the radio or MTV, you know how well she writes songs, and the rest of Be Not Nobody is full of the same great music.
Web Link: http://www.vanessacarlton.com
Sheryl Crow - C'mon C'mon
She's come a long way, from Michael Jackson's backup singer to one of the premier rock singers of the past decade. C'mon C'mon is Sheryl Crow's fourth CD, and continues her streak of exceptional recordings. There's a nice range of emotions on this CD, from the lightweight good-time pop of the hit single "Soak Up The Sun" to the more personal and emotional songs of heartache and lost love. Crow brings in some big name guests like Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Nicks, Liz Phair, Emmylou Harris, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Don Henley. These collaborations don't overshadow Crow, but really enhance the quality of the songs. In addition to being a great singer, songwriter, and producer, Crow's musical versatility is sometimes overlooked. Here are the different instruments she plays on C'mon C'mon: Organ, Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, Piano, Accordion, Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, and Tambo Drums. I hope Crow has more room available in her trophy case, because more Grammys are certain to come her way from this outstanding CD.
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