The real job has been kicking my head in this week so I figured I would mention a few rock albums I’ve been enjoying as quickly as possible:
Audioslave – Revelations
(Disclaimer: I am a complete and total Chris Cornell mark)
The new Audioslave isn’t breaking any new ground and the “wow” factor of a Rage/Soundgarden marriage has long gone limp. What are we left with? A tight rock and roll record by the band Audioslave. Audioslave will never outgrow the shadows of the two bands they came from, but I don’t think it’s fair to compare them. Honestly, the first release sounded like the lead singer of Soundgarden playing with Rage….it just wasn’t working and I had low expectations for their second release. The second album showed the guys beginning to gel as a band and they have continued to grow more cohesive on their third album. Radio rock for sure, but good none the less.
Audioslave – One and the Same
Audioslave Official Site, Audioslave on myspace, Buy Audioslave’s CDs
Brand New Sin – Tequila
Bluesy riffed up stoner metal with enough hooks to catch even the most casual metal fan. Listening to these guys I thought for sure they were from the south ala Pantera and COC, but it turns out they’re from Syracuse. Their “sounds like” section on myspace says: “AC/DC meets Metallica meets Lynyrd Skynrd meets PURE ROCK AND ROLL!!!”. I think COC needs to be mentioned in there somewhere but what do I know? I don’t know if these guys get any airplay but they are accessible enough that they should.
Brand New Sin – Motormeth
Brand New Sin Official Site, Brand New Sin on myspace, Buy Brand New Sin’s CDs
Black Stone Cherry – Black Stone Cherry
Small (dry) town boys from Kentucky done good. I’m positive if I turned on the local Clear Channel rock station these guys are being played, and if they aren’t it’s further proof that Clear Channel is the suck. BSC brings a tremendously accessible version of heavy southern rock to the table. Currently they’re a candidate for Yahoo Music’s Who’s Next and are gonna be here in St. Pete w/Hinder later next month. I’ve never heard Hinder but lords know I’ve seen the anti-hinder sentiment all over the Internets. Metal purists probably call BSC corporate rock but I honestly don’t care. The boys are good.
Black Stone Cherry – Lonely Train
Black Stone Cherry Official Site, Black Stone Cherry on myspace, Buy Black Stone Cherry’s CD