Reviews Archive: CD Reviews Archive Gavin Degraw - Free ( A ) The latest release from Gavin Degraw comes out Tuesday. Less than a year since his last release, at first guess some might call this a rushed release. However at first listen the album sounds like the type of Album Degraw wanted to release in the first place. Leading back to his minimalist roots. On a few tracks Degraws soulful vocals are only accompanied by a guitar or piano. Two of them being fan favorites “Glass” and “Dancing Shoes” which Degraw used to perform regularly at his shows. The one track on the album that seems to be the oddity is “Indian Summer” maybe better suited for a country artist album. The overall album is a fantastic collection of songs that aren’t over produced. A rarity in todays music scene. Listen to these: Glass, Mountains to Move, Lover Be Strong, Stay -Rachel Parker
Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted ( A- ) Burleson native Kelly Clarkson’s Fourth Album is in stores now. Click HERE for our feature review on the album. Listen to these: Cry, Don’t Let Me Stop You, Whyyawannabringmedown, I Want You -Rachel Parkerclarkson_allieverwantedcd.htmlshapeimage_7_link_0
U2 - No Line on the Horizon ( C+ ) The latest release from U2 just hit stores. I took a listen to it.. and unfortunately, found myself wishing I had just put in a previous album by the band instead. While they maintain the sound their known for, most of the material sounds mundane and stale, as if it were a collection of tracks that didn’t make the last release.. It seems as if they’ve hit a wall and it’s quite unfortunate because instead of moving forward they’re in a state of suspended animation. The good news is that there are a handful of tracks on the album worth giving a listen too. Most notably a couple of mid tempos, one being the title track, and another track titled Breathe, which could be easily considered the best track on the album. However If you’re not a die hard U2 Fan you may want to wait it out and see if you like more of the singles before you commit to this one. Or there’s always Itunes Listen to these: No Line on the Horizon, Unknown Caller, Stand Up Comedy, Breathe -Rachel Parker The Fray - The Fray ( A ) The Sophomore album by the Fray drops on Tuesday. This follow up to the debut surely wont disappoint long time fans of the band. They’ve seemed to retain their sound while showing growth at the same time. The band has a knack for writing quality songs with meaningful lyrics. They even took a stab at letting Joe sing a track. Unfortunately its my least favorite of the bunch, not because of Joe’s singing, he sounded fine. I just found the lyrics to be a tad redundant. The songs I was drawn into seemed to be the heavier tracks like Say When and Enough for Now. This album definitely shouldn’t be a sophomore slump for the band. Not to mention it has a really good lead off single “You Found Me” which I catch myself singing along to when I hear it. Listen to these: Enough for Now, Say When, Syndicate, Happiness -Rachel Parker
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Rascal Flatts - Unstoppable ( B- ) Rascal Flatts has released their latest effort. Unfortunately it sounds like all of their past efforts. The band seems as if they’ve hit a wall and are afraid to move forward with music. Which I’m sure is something they are capable of while keeping their signature sound. Now dont get me wrong I like the band, and I like when a band sticks to it’s roots. However they played it way to safe with this latest album. While listening I found myself wondering why I wasn’t just listening to their past 5 albums instead. It sounds like a collection of tracks that just didnt make the old albums.. There are a couple of tracks worth listening to. Listen to these: Unstoppable, Forever, and Here Comes Goodbye -Rachel Parker Tinted Windows - Tinted Windows ( B+ ) Supergroup Tinted Windows has dropped their album and it’s full of powerpop tracks that will have you singing and clapping along to their catchy melodies. However if depth is what you’re looking for, this album isn’t going to satisfy you. You would expect more from a band full of big names like this. Some tracks have a bit of a throw back feel, Nothing to Me could mesh up with a track like Slow Ride. In the end it’s hard to deny great catchy poppy music. Listen to these: Without Love, Messing with My Head, Nothing to Me, Take Me Back. -Rachel Parker Eminem - Relapse ( C- ) Eminem’s first release in years is utterly dissapointing. The long time reigning champion of the rap charts was just trying way to hard with this one, and it’s hard for me to be so critical because I’ve liked all the albums put out previous to this one. Sure it’s called relapse, but I think were all tired of hearing about your drug and mom issues, and without the drugs do you have nothing to rap about? Where are the slick rhymes where you throw disses out at the folks making the headlines of Perez Hilton? Where’s the quick wit? Sorry Slim Shady but your album wasn’t worth the wait. Maybe the next one will be a little better. Listen to these: Crack a Bottle, We Made You -Rachel Parker Paolo Nuntini - Sunny Side Up ( C ) Nuntini who saw success with his single New Shoes has a sophomore album in stores this week. Unfortunately its very hit or miss. Several songs his sound is really eclectic and its for the worse as if he’s trying to be something he’s not. Also he’s laying his accent on a bit too thick on some songs. Which gets especially annoying when he demonstrates that he’s able to control it most the time. It’s quite a shame since his last album had some catchy good tunes. Dont get me wrong though, this album has its winners, it’s just one you’ll want to pick and chose from. Listen to these: Coming Up Easy, No Other Way -Rachel Parker Regina Spektor - Far ( A+) The newest cd from Regina Spektor follows suit to her previous release. Not straying far from her signature sound. With songs about some of the most random things you could ever imagine. Regina’s latest album progresses lyrically but I think there are plenty of similarities to keep her fans content. Spektor’s songs tell some really great stories and while she may not be writing epic ballads, she is still one of the most epic song writers of this young generation. This album should be a definite addition to your collection. Listen to these: (THE WHOLE THING!) But a couple of my favs are Folding Chair and Dance Anthem of the 80’s -Rachel Parker Daughtry - Leave This Town (C-) Daughtry’s sophmore efforts just hit stores and unfortunately for him its nothing like its last. The cd falls very short from the expectations one would have after such a good debut. But after a couple listens most of the songs just blend together, it all starts to sound the same and you cant differentiate. It’s almost as if you put in a Nickleback greatest hits album. I can’t tell their songs apart either, and Daughtry seems to have followed suit. What happened to rock where you created an album and each song had a unique sound. The only tracks that have any form of individuality are the acoustic heavy songs, that have a little bit of a country feel to them. There’s about 3 of them. I hate to say it Daughtry because I like you guys, and you put on a fantastic show, but sophomore slump. Listen to these: -Rachel Parker Demi Lovato - Here We Go Again (A-) Dallas resident Demi Lovato is back and better than ever on her sophomore release Here We Go Again. As she gets older her song writing gets better. Not only that, she’s a pretty talented vocalist. If Demi continues on the same path, she has a fair chance to establish herself as a credible musician. Don’t get me wrong I find her music very credible, however her ties to disney may leave a stigma for some folks. Here We Go Again is step up from Dont Forget and a bit of a differn’t direction, progressing and experimenting with differn’t styles. It’s a must have for any pop collection. Listen to these: Here We Go Again, Got Dynomite, Falling Over Me, Everytime You Lie -Rachel Parker Paramore - Brand New Eyes (A) Tennessee rockers Paramore drop their third album this week. Leading off with two successful singles, “Decode” (no doubt helped by the movie Twilight), and their latest track “Ignorance.” The band mostly keeps to their core sound for the duration of the album. Similar drum beats and guitar riffs, but lyrics differnt enough to hold your attention. Along with the familiarity also comes growth, curteousy of two mostly acoustic tracks. A bold step for a band that has heavily relied upon a fuller sound. I however commend them for the brave step and believe their fans will be happy to see their music growing along with the band. Listen to these: Playing God, Feeling Sorry, Where the Lines Overlap, Misguided Ghosts -Rachel Parker Miranda Lambert - Revolution (A-) Miranda Lamberts third album hits stores this week. Revolution follows a less commercial route, cutting more personal tracks that make up most the album. While a quality album, it starts out a little bit on the slow side. A big change from her firecracker attitude on previous albums. I find it really hard for this release to compete with her last album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend which had the perfect mix of in your face tracks, as well as deeper softer side of Miranda tracks. Revolution comes off a little heavy on the soft, but that doesn’t mean those tracks aren’t worth your time. They’re actually some of the best tracks on the album, they’re just a little different from the Miranda we’ve grown to know and love. Listen to these: Me & Your Cigarettes, Time to Get a Gun, Heart Like Mine -Rachel Parker Twilight: New Moon (A-) The creators of The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack, should win an award for indie compilation of the year. If you’re looking for a great mellow compilation of tracks this hits the nail on the head. It’ll be just like getting the best of ACL Fest. Sure some of the names are fairly recognizable like Muse and Death Cab for Cutie. But others like Sea Wolf and Anya Marina are relatively unknowns. But the unknowns like Anya take the cake for the stand out tracks on the album. Oh and we cant forget to mention the appearance of a St. Vincent track on the album. Not to shabby for a local girl. Listen to these: Satellite Heart, The Violet Hour, I Belong to You -Rachel Parker Carrie Underwood: Play On (B) The latest cd from the newest queen of country Carrie Underwood drops this week. No doubt her die hard fans and casual fans will enjoy the album and its singles, but for the person wanting a little more substance from Underwood by now, you’ll be disappointed. Now dont get me wrong, I think Carrie is very talented and puts on a great show, she just plays it safe once again; taking no chances and making a cookie cutter album. It’s the same sound we’ve heard for the past 2 albums, and while I think most the tracks are a bit better than Carnival Ride, its comparable to eating a bologna sandwich everyday.. boring. No doubt the album has catchy good songs, I just want a little bit of spice in the mix, to be surprised, and a little depth. Listen to these: Quitter, Change, Undo It, Unapologize -Rachel Parker
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