Megadeth – The World Needs A Hero
Dave Mustaine is a survivor. If you’ve seen the Behind The Music episode on Megadeth, it’s amazing he is alive after all the damage he’s done to his body. These days Mustaine is a clean and sober family man, but he hasn’t lost his musical edge. After some experimentation with other genres on their last 2 albums, the band is back to the intense, in your face, full throttle metal they have always been known for. Mustaine’s lyrics are angry, cynical and even profound at times. Al Pitrelli’s guitar licks are impressive, and David Ellefson and Jimmy DeGrasso’s rhythm section is rock solid. The World Needs A Hero returns Megadeth to the metal elite.
Web Link: http://www.megadeth.com/
Newlydeads – Dead End
Out of the ashes of 80’s glam metal bands Faster Pussycat and Bang Tango emerged the Newlydeads. Dead End is the group’s third release. Metal fans will recognize Taime Down’s voice from Faster Pussycat, but everything else is completely different. The Newlydeads are a combination of rock, goth, metal, industrial and techno. It’s an appealing mix of great guitar riffs, samples and beats. It’s not as noisy or intense as pure industrial groups like KFMDM or Ministry. The Newlydeads are much more melodic while still being edgy and inventive. And for fans of Faster Pussycat, they have just released a CD of industrial and rock remixes of all their hits called Between The Valley Of The Ultrapussy.
Web Link: http://www.newlydeads.com/
Stevie Nicks – Trouble in Shangri-La
This is Stevie Nicks’ sixth solo album, and her best since her 2nd one 18 years ago. She is a gifted songwriter and powerful storyteller, and her distinctive voice is unmistakable. Nicks brought in some big names for this CD, including Sheryl Crow, who produced several tracks and sings a song with Nicks and Natalie Maines from the Dixie Chicks. Sarah McLachlan, Lindsay Buckingham and Macy Gray also add their considerable talents to the mix. Trouble in Shangri-La finds a musical icon in top form, even after over 30 years of making music.
Web Link: http://www.nicksfix.com/
Paul Oakenfold – Swordfish
British DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold is one of the hottest remixers in music today. He’s remixed songs by U2, Madonna, New Order, Cure and many more. He’s huge overseas, and is ready to break through in the US. Swordfish is the new John Travolta movie, and Oakenfeld created an energetic, intense and melodic soundtrack. About half the songs are performed by Oakenfeld, and he produces the rest, including tracks by Dope Smugglaz, Muse, Lemon Jelly, Afrika Bambaataa and more. Swordfish’s brand of dance music can be described as ethereal, trippy, hypnotic, aggressive, stylish and always extremely danceable.
