Local CDs
Best Sellers
1. Mike Catalano : A Manhattan Affair
2. Tameko: In God I Trust
3. Cathy Kreger: Heart Of The Matter
4. Not Quite Rebels: Rebel Scum
5. Michael Brunnock : So I Do
6. Akiva: Bueno y Sano
7. Michael Soloway: Classical Guitar Wedding Ceremony
8. Resolution 15: Resolution 15
9. Anthony Mazzella : Unity
10. Great Caesar's Ghost: One More Ride
11. Brady Rymer: Every Day Is A Birthday
12. Miles To Dayton: Rise
13. Kapelye Neyer Derekh: New Directions
14. Judy Carmichael: High On Fats ... And Other Stuff
15. LifeLine: Cry
16. Frank Carillo & The Bandoleros: Bad Out There
17. The Montgomery Cliffs: Christmas Stocking Stuffer EP
18. Technikult Of Flesh: Dark And Faithful
19. Stolen Shack: Stolen Shack
20. Michael Milazzo: Cylestra
List compiled by CDBaby.com from their list of Long Island-area artists,
for the period ending July 27. Local retail stores, record websites, or other
retailers wishing to add to this compendium, write to gtmag@optonline.net
or call (516) 827-4145.
Stone Sour
Come What (Ever) May
Roadrunner
Listening to this, one might believe that Corey Taylor has come a long way since
his last musical endeavor, Slipknot. That's correct — to an extent. While
diehard fans of Slipknot may enjoy the raging fury of songs "Hell &
Consequences" and "Reborn," these angry, violent and vulgar songs
come off as sophomoric, especially when compared to some of Stone Sour’s
more articulate and meaningful works.
"Through Glass," their number one hit, is perhaps the best song on
the album, but it is not the only good one. Unfortunately, many of the better
songs are bonus tracks and require the purchase of the special edition album.
"ZZYZX Road" is a slow and reflective song that shows a more sensitive
side of Taylor. Other standouts on the album are "Socio" and another
bonus song, "The Day I Let Go."
– Erik Badia
Celia Kipp & The Last Ditch
Emotional Amputation
Ninja Baby
This is a mellow acoustic rock album and act, perfect for those into the Lilith
Fair sound. Kipp has had a history of success, beginning with her band Hot Honey
Magnet in 2000. This album’s core themes are a myriad of human emotions
dealing with everything from heartbreak to the disillusionment associated with
weary ramblings across the country to repressed angst against some unspecified
contemporary of the singer.
“Got Me Bad” has a lot of potential to be a fan favorite and possibly
a single.
– Joe Vetter
Gladys Knight & The Pips Love Will Find Its Own Way:
The Best Of Gladys Knight & The Pips
Legacy
There have been many Gladys Knight & The Pips anthologies over the years,
but this is the best at getting all of their major hits on one disc.
The act had hits glorifying romance (“Every Beat Of My Heart,” “Best
Thing That Ever Happened To Me”) and their 1975 medley of “The Way
We Were/Try To Remember”, but their most memorable hits dealt with love
gone awry. “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” “If I Were
Your Woman,” “Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye),”
“Part Time Love,” and “Got To Use My Imagination” were
anything but Valentines. Their biggest hit, 1973's “Midnight Train To
Georgia,” did not deal with romance on the rocks but rather the humiliation
of returning home with your tail between your legs when you fail to realize
your dreams of stardom. Although these were downers of topics to sing about,
Knight’s compelling voice backed by the Pips’ chorus made these
songs compelling short stories.
A note for trivia buffs: Knight and the Pips recorded “Wind Beneath My
Wings” three years before Bette Midler did. The version included here
is better.
– Lloyd Carroll
Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66
The Best Of
A&M/UME
The secret of Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66's success was that they recorded mostly
familiar tunes but added a sexy samba feel to them. Mendes knew that excellent
musicianship needed great vocals as well, as the band was fronted by Janis Hansen
and Lani Hall (who would later become Herb Alpert’s wife). The formula
worked to perfection, whether it was a Cole Porter classic (“Night And
Day”) or Beatles tunes (“With A Little Help From My Friends”
and “Fool On the Hill”).
– Lloyd Carroll
Fionn Regan
The End of History
Lost Highway
With the songwriting sensibilities of Nike Drake and early Bob Dylan combined,
Fionn Regan’s debut has promise. The Irish-born musician’s quiet
folk music paints each track with soft, pale colored brush strokes.
Like a roving troubadour, Regan tells stories from his childhood, and waxes
poetic over fast-fingered acoustic melodies. His simple, boyish vocals skim
the surface of his music, reflecting contemporary artists like Damien Rice and
Ben Kweller.
Yet Regan’s airy, winding melodies are at times underscored by darker,
cynical lyrics.
– Laurie Kamens
Popa Chubby
Electric Chubbyland, Vol. 1
Electric Chubbyland, Vol. 2
Blind Pig
Two full albums, sold separately, of Jimi Hendrix covers is quite an ambitious
project for a blues artist, but in reality Chubby isn't a blues man in the least.
He's a blooze rocker, a heavy-handed, loud (as anyone who frequented his old
jams at Manny's Car Wash can tell you), lick-happy road warrior. In that regard,
these albums are perfect for Chubby's rootsy sensibilities. Little chances are
taken here – other than by anyone who'd pop one of these discs into their
CD player then wonder why they simply didn't listen to a Hendrix best-of instead.
And since both of these albums are live, one can only wonder if these releases
are contractual obligation items rather than an earnest concept.
– Faith Rackoff
Hairspray Soundtrack
New Line
For those who love soundtracks to movies based on Broadway shows based on
movies, we can think of no better disc than this new one. Coming soon: the
soundtrack to Underdog, as well as a reported new album based on the motion
picture soundtrack of the Broadway score of the original movie of the second
version of the original film of The Producers … or something like that.
– Syl Nathan
