ALBUMS REVIEWED -
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ALBUM REVIEWS - 2006
AUDIOSLAVE - Revelations (2006)
 American rockers Audioslave roar back into action with Revelations, their third studio album. This album is the band's best yet, not that that the first two weren`t good albums, far from it! Yet with revelations an impassioned Audioslave have injected funk and groove elements to their sound. Fused with consistently great songs, Tom Morello`s great guitar work, Chris Cornells great vocals (perhaps showing signs of deterioration, yet still one of my favorite vocalists), and all held together tightly by the band's thumping rhythm section Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford, this album really is first-class.
Outstanding tracks include "Revelations", "Somedays", and "Jewel Of The Summertime".
SR rating of 9 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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IRON MAIDEN - A Matter Of Life And Death (2006)
 A Matter Of Life And Death is the 14th studio album to be released by British metal legends Iron Maiden. With this album Maiden have recaptured the fire of their 1980s hayday, infact for me it`s their strongest album since 1988's Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son. The album ventures into Progressive Rock in complexity and has great guitar melodies and a bouncing rythm section. Bruce Dickinsons once mighty howl is now showing signs of age, yet he can still belt out the songs with gusto.
Stand out tracks include "The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg", "These Colours Don`t Run", and "The Legacy". Released 26 years since their debut album A Matter Of Life And Death shows theres plenty of life in the old dogs yet.
SR rating of 9 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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LOGAN - Cruel Little World (2006)
 Logan are an incredible new talent bursting with enthusiasm and dead set on making their mark. Cruel Little World is the Glasgow band's third album and its vibrance and freshness is a real slap in the face. The album has a real cutting metal edge which still retains the band's trademark melodic rock sound.
Stand out tracks include opener "Stand To Reason", the excellent "Goodbye", and the crunching "Hallowed Ground". "When I Get Down" has already been released as a single which spent seven weeks in the UK rock charts top twenty.
Logan play rock music the way it should be - loud, gutsy, and with plenty of feeling.
SR rating of 9 out of 10.
(AC 2006)
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SOUL ASYLUM - The Silver Lining (2006)
 After a 7 year sabbatical Soul Asylum return with their 10th album "The Silver Lining". The Band from Minneapolis are probably best known for 1992's break through album Grave Dancers Union and the hit single "Run Away Trains". Yet they have a wealth of quality albums and The Silver Lining is no exception. Frontman Dave Pirner`s voice remains distinctively throaty and his midas touch for penning great songs also continues.
Standout tracks include "Stand Up And Be Strong", "The Great Exaggerator", and the incredible "Oxygen". Sadly the bands long term Bassist Karl Mueller died shortly after the recording of the album.
RIP Karl (1963 - 2005).
SR rating of 8 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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MUSE - Black Holes & Revelations (2006)
 Black Holes & Revelations is British rock group Muse`s most diverse and creative release yet. This is the band's 5th album and even by their own high standards it is something special. The trio have taken their already gradious rock sound and driven it to new levels with startling results. There is no doubt that it may take some fans a few listens to get used to "Black Holes" as Muse branch into progressive rock, strings, and even dance sounds to make it an epic pomp rock album.
Outstanding tracks include "Supermassive Black Hole", "Knights Of Cydonia", "Starlight", "Invincible", and the symphonic "City Of Delusion". It's an ambitious effort which is destined to become a classic.
SR rating of 9 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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PRIMAL SCREAM - Riot City Blues (2006)
 Primal Scream have returned to their boogie rock sound last heard on 1994's "Give Out But Don't Give Up" album for this their 10th release Riot City Blues. It`s a less experimental or creative album than recent efforts like Xtrmntr (2000), but what it does provide is some infectiously catchy Rolling Stones like rockers which will have festival audiences jumping all summer. Stand out tracks include the bouncing "Country Girl", "Nitty Gritty", and "Dolls". Though perhaps the best song on the album is the sedate final track "Sometimes I Feel So Lonely".
Bobby Gillespie and co prove yet again that when they want to they can really rock.
SR rating of 8 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - Stadium Arcadium (2006)
 Stadium Arcadium is a monsterously good new double album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It has a whopping 28 tracks, split into two discs "Venus" and "Mars". You could be forgiven for assuming that there would be a few fillers and weaker tracks on an album this size, but there isn`t and the whole album is a surprisingly accomplished and mature piece of work. The Chili Peppers are a quality rock unit but I have to say that guitarist John Frusciante really stands out throughout the album delivering constant harmony and creativity in his playing.
Stand out tracks include "Dani California", "Charlie", and "Tell Me Baby", all of which are prime slices of classic Chili Peppers. "Readymade" has an infectious energetic rocking riff, and "Turn It Again" is a passionate rocker. The mellow "Desecration Smile" is superb, while "Hump De Bump" injects funk reminiscent of the band's early years.
SR rating of 9 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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QUEENSRYCHE - Operation Mindcrime II (2006)
 Operation Mindcrime II is the twelfth album released by Seattle band Queensryche. The original Operation Mindcrime was a critically acclaimed concept album widely regarded as the band's finest work. Two great albums followed - Empire (1990) and Promised Land (1994) before things started spiraling downhill with a string of below par albums. So when Queensryche announced they would record Operation Mindcrime II, and without influential guitarist/song writer Chris De Garmo it`s understandable that many fans feared the worst.
Happily Queensryche have pulled it off, and while not as impressive as part 1 it is still their best studio album release for years. The story continues where its predecessor ended with junkie hitman Nikki released from prison, who then goes on to unravel the mystery of his girlfriend Mary`s death, and to confront the mysterious Dr. X, played entertainingly by Ronnie James Dio. The string arrangements give a grandiose air to the album, while Michael Wilton and Mike Stone`s great guitar work provides an intense metal edge.
Operation Mindcrime II does not quite have the individual stand out tracks that part I did ("Eyes Of A Stranger" & "I Don`t Believe In Love") yet is still a good album and fitting sequel to the mighty Operation Mindcrime.
SR rating of 8 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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PEARL JAM - Pearl Jam (2006)
 Pearl Jam`s self titled new album is the 8th studio release from the legendary grunge rock band. After the frankly disappointing Binaural (2000) and Riot Act (2002) this new album delivers a set of tracks that will not only please long term fans but may also gain them new ones.
It`s a real ruff diamond of an album and takes a few listens to really appreciate how good it is. The album begins with a flurry of hard rockers including the outstanding "Severed Hand" and "World Wide Suicide". The latter part of Pearl Jam has a variety of mixed tempo tracks, with the excellent "Parachutes" and "Marker In The Sand" grabbing attention.
Pearl Jam have went back to their roots to the glory days of the Ten (1991) and Vs (1993) albums to make this new release, and as the results show, thats no bad thing.
SR rating of 8 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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WOLFMOTHER - Wolfmother (2006)
 Wolfmother`s self titled debut album is a stunning slab of retro rock. The Australian trio`s music echoes early Black Sabbath, Rush, and Led Zeppelin to great effect. Singer/guitarist Andrew Stockdale's voice sounds like a cross between Ozzy Osbourne and Geddy Lee (Rush), and sits comfortably with the band's led laden riffs.
Outstanding tracks include the psychedelic "Dimension", "White Unicorn", and the funky "Love Train". Wolfmother`s first album really is the dog's radgers!
SR rating of 9 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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DRAGONFORCE - Inhuman Rampage (2006)
 Inhuman Rampage is the 3rd album from British power metal band Dragonforce. Dragonforce sound like Iron Maiden, Racer X, and Helloween, have been put in a liquidizer, blended, turbo charged, then let loose. The result is an exhilarating metal assault on the senses. Every song is done with high speed precision and most seem to revolve around going on quests and beating up demons, and why not!
Dragonforce must have been absolutely knackered after recording this hell for leather album, and I`m sure live performances must be a real spectacle. Outstanding tracks include "Through The Fire And Ice" and "Operation Ground And Pound".
SR rating of 8 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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TOTO - Falling In Between (2006)
 Falling In Between is Toto`s 17th release in a career spanning near 30 years. The American melodic rock band continue to deliver diverse and classy songs with the usual excellent production.
Toto went back to basics for this album, changing record label to give them the freedom to make the album they wanted to. There is a real positive vibe with this album and a lot of spontaneous jamming sessions throughout. Steve Lukather`s electric guitar provides a metal edge, while Simon Phillips and Mike Porcaro`s rhythm section is complex and rock solid. Lead singer Bobby Kimbal remains in good voice after all these years, although with most band members stepping up to the mike it does get a bit confusing as to who is actually singing at times.
Outstanding tracks include the progressive rock title track, "Dying On My Feet", and "King Of The World". Also watch out for Ian Anderson`s (Jethro Tull) flute solo on "Hooked".
SR rating of 8 out of 10.
(by AC, 2006)
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ALBUM REVIEWS - 2006
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