Journey – Arrival
Eighties rock icons Journey are back with their first album in five years. They have a couple of new band members, including new lead singer Steve Augeri, and are sounding better than ever. Arrival is vintage Journey; melodic rock with monster hooks, excellent harmonies, and several of their trademark ballads. Steve Augeri sounds exactly like Steve Perry, so it’s as if it’s the same band as before. If you liked Journey back in the day, you’ll definitely enjoy Arrival.
Web Link: http://www.journeymusic.com/
The Living End – Roll On
They’ve gone to the top of the charts in their native Australia, and The Living End are ready to make some noise here in the US. Their sound is a unique combination of rock, punk, ska and rockabilly. Think Green Day crossed with Offspring with just a hint of the Stray Cats. Roll On is full of energy, loud, melodic, and catchy as hell. It’s also socially relevant, with lyrics reminiscent of fellow Aussies Midnight Oil. I better end this review with a cheesy comment using the band’s name. Here goes: It’s a promising beginning for The Living End.
Web Link: http://www.thelivingend.com.au/
Kirsty MacColl – Tropical Brainstorm
The music world lost one of its best singers and songwriters when Kirsty MacColl was killed last year. She never had huge hits on the charts, but wrote and sang with several well known artists like the Rolling Stones, Robert Plant and Talking Heads. Her final CD is a very interesting and well crafted collection of Latin music inspired by MacColl’s travels through Cuba, Brazil and South America. Her songwriting skills are top-notch, and several different Latin styles are represented on Tropical Brainstorm. It’s a fine legacy for one of the most underrated singer/songwriters of our time.
Web Link: http://www.freeworld.demon.co.uk/
Samantha Mumba – Gotta Tell You
Exotic Irish teen Samantha Mumba is a fresh new face in pop music. Her debut album has been repackaged with a couple of new songs and re-released. Gotta Tell You is slick R&B pop, and the 18 year old Mumba has a soulful, sultry and powerful voice that delivers. She’s not the typical teen pop queen, either. In contrast to the typical blond haired blue eyed singer, Mumba is half Irish and half Zambian. She also writes much of her music, which is very rare in the world of teen pop. That combination should make Samantha Mumba more than a flash in the pan.
