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November CD Reviews

© Chad Bowar

Welcome to the November CD Reviews. Over 100 new CDs are listened to by the editorial staff and considered for review each month, but only the best make the cut and are featured on the Pop Music Site. It doesn’t matter if it’s on a major label, independent label, or no label at all, it’s the quality of the music that matters. If you’re a musician, manager, record company or public relations company and would like your CD considered for review, email for details. Here are this month’s reviews, in alphabetical order:

Backstreet Boys – Black and Blue

Backstreet Boys are growing up. Several of them are married or engaged, they’re older than most boy bands, and they need to attract a wider audience to stay relevant. Black and Blue is mellower than their previous efforts, with the sound moving more toward the ballads of Boyz II Men than the high energy pop of ‘N Sync. The production is flawless, with the help of producers Rodney Jerkins and Babyface, and the Backstreet Boys’ harmonies are better than ever. They even wrote or co-wrote several songs on the CD. The uptempo songs will keep the pre-teen girls happy, but it’s the ballads that are the strength of Black and Blue, and a savvy move toward substance.

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

Blur – The Best Of

Blur is huge in the UK, but have never had a breakthrough hit here in the US. That’s too bad, because they are an immensely talented band who helped originate Brit-pop. The songs on The Best Of chronicle their ten years, and their evolution from pure pop to dance to a more indie rock sound. There’s also a live bonus CD, which proves Blur is just as good live as they are in the studio. If you’ve missed out on Blur, now’s the chance to hear what you’ve been missing.

Web Link: http://www.blur.co.uk/

COC – America’s Volume Dealer

The spirit of 70’s hard rock is alive and well with COC. The North Carolina rockers have shortened their name from Corrosion of Conformity. They were one of the first bands to fuse the heavy grooves of Black Sabbath with the hardcore sound of Black Flag. COC continues that sound on America’s Volume Dealer, but there is a little southern rock and even a hint of country on a couple of tracks. COC is aggressive rock and roll at its finest.