CD Review: Phil Vassar - Traveling Circus

This CD has been delayed for so long!
So, after such a long wait, how does "Traveling Circus" fare? Frankly, it's high up on par with Vassar's pristine standards; not that it's perfect but it's still better than the average country CD out there. This time round, Vassar has a more hands on approach to this project whereby he produced all the tracks here himself. Further, he has relied on his road band rather than the paid by the hour session artist creating a more live feel to it. The killer tracks here are the ballads: the best being the ultra sweet "She's on the Way." A choke to the heart, "She's on the Way" has two dads conversing about the challenges of fatherhood. The emotions are so raw and so immediate while the song's melody is memorable: combinations that make this a big hit to come. Another winner is the melancholic piano driven ballad "A Year From Now"--an ode to the transcendence of time that will heal our deepest pains. "John Wayne" is perhaps one of the most tender love songs Vassar where the protagonist swears by forever love and commitment looking to American's iconic actor for inspiration. "Everywhere I Go," the current single, starts off well soft and tender before being seduced into the current trend where bombastic drums and screeching electric guitars ruined what could have been a heartfelt broken hearted love song.

6 out of 10 stars

CD Review: 30 Seconds To Mars - This is War

This is not what I was expecting from this new CD. This is the type of CD that will have to grow on you. I think many of the true fans of 30 Seconds To Mars will initially be disappointed. And it's quite possible bandleader Jared Leto wanted the album to feel this way. After all, he went to hell and back to get it made — staring down a $30 million lawsuit from Virgin Records, shouldering the load (and the majority of the recording expenses) himself. One can imagine that there were stretches where he felt totally, completely alone in his struggle, like he was living life in lunar solitude. That being said, give this album a listen, let it grow on you and in the end either you will embrace it or use it as a frisbee.

6 out of 10 stars

CD Review: Bon Jovi - The Circle

Bon Jovi is back! I wasn't sure what to expect from this album when I bought it. The album starts with a highly energetic "We weren't meant to follow" and has some really good tracks that follow. I have listened to it a few times now and it feel like they have gone back to their roots with this album after flirting with the Country scene with "Lost Highway". Their sound is still truly unique and I believe it always will be. I think this CD is true to the Bon Jovi vision and incorporates current themes into their music. I must say this, I would classify this more as an "Easy Listening" album than a Rock album.
I guess in their old age they need to tone it down a bit. Still a decent buy!

6 out of 10 stars

Music Review: Green Mountain Rebels

The Green Mountain Rebels are a real Americana/Blues/Country-Punk band from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Their sound is raw and gritty and worth a listen!
The song "If It Don't Shine" has a great upbeat tempo and the vocals are fantastic with a gritty sound to them. The guitar sounds great and reminds me of a modern day 70's tune that you cannot ignore.

Some of the songs really show their Country side such as on "Shot glass On The Dashboard". This song has a raw and gritty Country vibe to it.

There is something about the way the songs are mixed that has me hooked. There must be some kind of effect on their guitars that sound outstanding!

Either way be sure to take a listen to them.

www.myspace.com/gmrebels