Napalm Death – ‘Leaders Not
Followers 2’ (Century Media)
The
godfathers of grindcore pay tribute to some of their favorite bands on this
collection of mostly obscure cover tunes from the eighties. Covering Discharge
is an obvious choice, but Napalm also turn in versions of songs by Kreator,
Cryptic Slaughter, Hirax, and Wehrmacht. My favorite tracks are “Bedtime Story”
(originally by a personal fave, The Dayglo Abortions) and “Messiah” (originally
by Hellhammer, the band that eventually became Celtic Frost). Wisely, Napalm
chooses to adapt the songs to their style, rather than the other way around.
The result is a sonically consistent album that still manages to have some
variety to it. Covers albums can sometimes come across as a desperation measure
from a band that just can’t come up with anything new. In this case, it just
sounds like Napalm Death is having some fun. If you like the band, or are just
a fan of eighties underground music, you should check this one out. (Bob
Ignizio)
A
husband and wife duo Pat and Jennifer Casa of Starberry put out this second
effort in true DIY-fashion by recording and mixing the 10 tracks in their
basement. Pat plays drums, and Jennifer plays "non-drums" according the liner
notes. Jennifer's nasaly voice, the simple pop melodies, and the lack of bass
that make up the album combine to form a sound reminiscent of a stripped down
version of The B-52's. The album kicks off with a lyrical assault entitled
"Take The World" and closes in a more friendly manner with a melodic
instrumental track. The vocals become slightly irritating on the later tracks
of the album, which almost make the listener grateful for the instrumental track
at the end. However, on the earlier tracks, Jennifer's voice blends nicely with
catchy guitar riffs and toe-tapping drum beats. The album would benefit from
some additional driving force and fill of a bass. But overall, the album has a
generally happy, uppity feel and makes for a nice diversion from rush hour
traffic on the ride home. (Jennifer Adams)
Ok, I'm definately no know it
all type of guy when it comes to metal. I like what I like and I am very picky
when it comes to the metal I like. But every once in a while, I hear something
that makes me take special note. This is one of those CD's. The best
description that I can come up with for this is power metal mixed with some
thrash with alternating black metal and clean vocals. I'm sure there is some
type of genre name for this, but I don't know it. The songs are all pretty
speedy, but they are catchy, and they stick in your head long after the CD is
over. Any band can write a fast song, but will it stick with you? Usually,
no. But these do and that is why this band is a success. The vocals here
really sold me. There is a guy who has the black metal shriek down, but the
highlight of this CD is the dude who sings in the clear voice. He was described
to me as sounding like King Diamond with a runny nose and that is not far off.
Also, of note is the standout guitar solo work. And while all 13 songs are good
and have a great replay value, the top song on here is “Wykydtron”, with its
memorable riffs and the “WOAH” back up vocals. I really don't know shit about
this band, where they are from or anything about them except they have written
one of the best metal records I've heard in a looong time. Get it! (Edward
Black)
U2 - 'How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb'
(Interscope)
Whatever
you do, do NOT look at U2's official web site ( http://www.U2.com) while you
listen to this album. I tend to look at band pages while listening to CD's and
writing reviews, but that would be a big mistake here. That's because ‘How To
Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’ is U2's best album in years, possibly the best since
that "Atomic Bomb" of an album that "Zooropa" was (could the title be an attempt
to assure fans that Bono and company have shed the shallowness that they
embraced on that megalomaniacal album and tour? Hmmmmm....). The promise that
‘Actung Baby’ showed, that a band can re-make themselves by being daringly
experimental while keeping the pop sensibilities that made them so damn good in
the first place, is finally being realized over a decade later. And yet, the
site seems like it's another expression of trendiness and media hype that has
sabotaged U2, in my opinion, for the past ten years. Looking at the website I'd
be tempted to dismiss the band as "more of the same" (there is little to no
reference to the band's storied history, instead focusing solely on the latest
single, as well as an overpriced U2 iPod), and that would be a real shame. The
songs on "Bomb" are tight, catchy, and way deeper than I've heard from Bono and
the boys in years. "Vertigo", the lead song and first single, is the only weak
track on the album. Songs like "Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own", "City
of Blinding Lights", and "One Step Closer" have catchy hooks, inventive
arrangements, and stellar production values. Any fan of ground-breaking pop
music will love this album. And if you must look at a web site while listening,
I recommend @U2 ( http://www.atu2.com )...it's way better. The
Heathen Hippy
gives this CD four and a half white flags. (Taliesin A. Govannon)
The
godfathers of grindcore pay tribute to some of their favorite bands on this
collection of mostly obscure cover tunes from the eighties. Covering Discharge
is an obvious choice, but Napalm also turn in versions of songs by Kreator,
Cryptic Slaughter, Hirax, and Wehrmacht. My favorite tracks are “Bedtime Story”
(originally by a personal fave, The Dayglo Abortions) and “Messiah” (originally
by Hellhammer, the band that eventually became Celtic Frost). Wisely, Napalm
chooses to adapt the songs to their style, rather than the other way around.
The result is a sonically consistent album that still manages to have some
variety to it. Covers albums can sometimes come across as a desperation measure
from a band that just can’t come up with anything new. In this case, it just
sounds like Napalm Death is having some fun. If you like the band, or are just
a fan of eighties underground music, you should check this one out. (Bob
Ignizio)
A
husband and wife duo Pat and Jennifer Casa of Starberry put out this second
effort in true DIY-fashion by recording and mixing the 10 tracks in their
basement. Pat plays drums, and Jennifer plays "non-drums" according the liner
notes. Jennifer's nasaly voice, the simple pop melodies, and the lack of bass
that make up the album combine to form a sound reminiscent of a stripped down
version of The B-52's. The album kicks off with a lyrical assault entitled
"Take The World" and closes in a more friendly manner with a melodic
instrumental track. The vocals become slightly irritating on the later tracks
of the album, which almost make the listener grateful for the instrumental track
at the end. However, on the earlier tracks, Jennifer's voice blends nicely with
catchy guitar riffs and toe-tapping drum beats. The album would benefit from
some additional driving force and fill of a bass. But overall, the album has a
generally happy, uppity feel and makes for a nice diversion from rush hour
traffic on the ride home. (Jennifer Adams)
Ok, I'm definately no know it
all type of guy when it comes to metal. I like what I like and I am very picky
when it comes to the metal I like. But every once in a while, I hear something
that makes me take special note. This is one of those CD's. The best
description that I can come up with for this is power metal mixed with some
thrash with alternating black metal and clean vocals. I'm sure there is some
type of genre name for this, but I don't know it. The songs are all pretty
speedy, but they are catchy, and they stick in your head long after the CD is
over. Any band can write a fast song, but will it stick with you? Usually,
no. But these do and that is why this band is a success. The vocals here
really sold me. There is a guy who has the black metal shriek down, but the
highlight of this CD is the dude who sings in the clear voice. He was described
to me as sounding like King Diamond with a runny nose and that is not far off.
Also, of note is the standout guitar solo work. And while all 13 songs are good
and have a great replay value, the top song on here is “Wykydtron”, with its
memorable riffs and the “WOAH” back up vocals. I really don't know shit about
this band, where they are from or anything about them except they have written
one of the best metal records I've heard in a looong time. Get it! (Edward
Black) 
Whatever
you do, do NOT look at U2's official web site ( http://www.U2.com) while you
listen to this album. I tend to look at band pages while listening to CD's and
writing reviews, but that would be a big mistake here. That's because ‘How To
Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’ is U2's best album in years, possibly the best since
that "Atomic Bomb" of an album that "Zooropa" was (could the title be an attempt
to assure fans that Bono and company have shed the shallowness that they
embraced on that megalomaniacal album and tour? Hmmmmm....). The promise that
‘Actung Baby’ showed, that a band can re-make themselves by being daringly
experimental while keeping the pop sensibilities that made them so damn good in
the first place, is finally being realized over a decade later. And yet, the
site seems like it's another expression of trendiness and media hype that has
sabotaged U2, in my opinion, for the past ten years. Looking at the website I'd
be tempted to dismiss the band as "more of the same" (there is little to no
reference to the band's storied history, instead focusing solely on the latest
single, as well as an overpriced U2 iPod), and that would be a real shame. The
songs on "Bomb" are tight, catchy, and way deeper than I've heard from Bono and
the boys in years. "Vertigo", the lead song and first single, is the only weak
track on the album. Songs like "Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own", "City
of Blinding Lights", and "One Step Closer" have catchy hooks, inventive
arrangements, and stellar production values. Any fan of ground-breaking pop
music will love this album. And if you must look at a web site while listening,
I recommend @U2 ( http://www.atu2.com )...it's way better. The
