Alternative Rock

I want to preface this by saying that I’m a big fan of cover bands, especially of the punk rock persuasion. Out at Best Buy one day, we picked up this CD as an impulse buy based off knowing the majority of the original songs on the back. However, we quickly found this CD was definitely worth the price and even a recommendation.

I was very skeptical about the first solo album after System of a Down split. It was not because I doubted any of the musician’s abilities, but because I was unsure what a split would mean for their music. There was a very obvious divide happening in their previous album “Hypnotise/Mesmorize,” and there seemed to be some conflict of interest about where the band was headed musically. This review is not here to say either way about the divide because that would take a whole new article itself; you can see even on Amazon.com, fan’s opinions are all over the board which in turn will sway an opinion about the quality of this new album.

As far as finding new music goes, I consider myself lucky. There’s a store where I live that receives shipments of CD’s in overstock and so I can get away with trying new artists without a huge investment. On my last trip to the store, “The Yind CD” caught my eye for several reasons which I’ll outline in my review.

Braddigan many know him from the popular band Dispatch released this CD with a stellar live performance. It features songs from Dispatch such as Prince of Spades and Past the Falls. Many of you might not know who Braddigan is, but if your the type likes Bob Marley or Jack Johnson you will fall in love with Braddigan.

Coldplay has just released possibly there best album. It was long awaited and is not a let down from song one to song eleven. Each song is sensational. Each is packed with rhythm, amazing acoustics, and a vivid amount of instruments. Viva la Vida and Violet Hill are the two that stick out the most. If your a Coldplay fan this is a must buy.

I'm not going to pretend I'm one of those hardcore Death Cab for Cutie fans. I started out on "Transatlanticism" and the Postal Service's "Give Up", two efforts I can't see Ben Gibbards being able to top. That said, I think this album is a good sign. "Plans" was their foray onto a major record, and though I've heard people rave about the production, but I don't buy it- it was an album lacking the urgency of previous efforts, despite having some of the strongest lyrics in the entire Death Cab catalog. Overall, it was a bit consumed by "I Will Follow You into the Dark". This album, however, does not suffer from the same problems. It has several strong songs with the power to immediately grip the listener. In that regard, it's a regression. Musically though, Death Cab is still evolving.

Weezer's 6th album (3rd self titled) does not disappoint. I personally think it's their best album since "Pinkerton" (though the slick "Make Believe" did have it's moments). This album sounds closer to "The Blue Album" than it does to its immediate predecessor. "Dreamin'" and "Heart Songs" for instance would fit right on that album. Though their first single, "Pork & Beans", has a quirky guitar line very reminiscent of "El Scorcho". I've heard criticism about giving each member a chance to sing, and though it's gimmicky I don't see that as a bad thing. That said, the first half of the album is much stronger than the second half.

Weezer is here to stay!!! The quirky foursome are back and still making quite a lot of noise. I must admit after the absolute disaster that was "Beverly Hills" i had very low hopes for their 6th effort. HOWEVER... i've been proven wrong. That Rivers guy has just written a Weezer album that actually harks back to the days of blue, and the emotion of pinkerton. Too many are quick to write off Weezer as a band that only produced two worthy albums (their first two) but they are now proving they have something that every rock and roll band strives for and few ever achieve... Staying Power. Let's begin.

Wilco’s recently released “Sky Blue Sky” is another solid effort that will surely be appreciated by fans of their previous work. The most significant difference between this and Wilco’s best known previous albums, 2002’s “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” and 2004’s “A Ghost Is Born,” is that the prevalent “sonic experimentation” is much more subdued here.

Avril Lavigne fans cannot be without the triple-disc My World (BMG). The two VCDs take you to the front seat of her concert in New York, gives you a behind-the-scenes peek into her life and five music videos just in case you want more.