Bowling for Soup appeared on my radar with the hit single “1985” which married light power pop and punk with humor and cultural references. Alot like Wierd Al Yankovic without the obvious parodies. You most appreciate Bowling for Soup if you don’t take them too seriously. They are certainly having a good time with the silly lyrics, so why not sit back and enjoy it for what it is. Musically it’s stronger than the previous album, but I get the sense that they are trying so hard to replicate the breakout of “1985” – that they are following in the path of Smashmouth. If you remember, that band eventually became a formulaic retread and their 15 minutes of fame is pretty much gone. I hope that doesn’t happen here. Many of the songs are great fun like “a friendly goodbye” and “99 biker friends.” Sometimes they go a bit too silly on “I’m Gay” and over-the-top-culture-references on “Val Kilmer.” I think if they got too serious on us, we would have to compare them to Green Day. Overall a very worthy album. This is not on emusic yet, so get it on amazon.com

Here is the debut solo album from Albert Hammond Jr., guitarist with The Strokes (and son of the Albert ‘It Never Rains In Southern California’ Hammond) Recorded in New York’s Electric Lady Land studios together with Josh Lattanzi on bass and Matt Romano on drums. It is a really good album, better than most of the stuff the Strokes have come out with lately. “In Transit” is a nice tune, a bit like Travis and Keane visiting Strokes country. Not much guitar, but alot of synth and melodic beats that swirl together are on “Yours to Keep” – plus some handclaps to keep it together. I feel this album is a good mix of current alt. pop style and power pop. Hammond’s voice reminds me alot of the Minus 5’s Scott McCaughey – its got a good earnest quality and “Back to the 101” is an excellent example of this. The end of the album runs out of steam a little, but overall it is worth a purchase. Hear the tracks on myspace then go get this music on Amazon.com.

This album is proof that some of the best music out there remains unsigned talent. The Goldbergs are essentially a solo effort from a supremely talented Andy Goldberg. Personally I would’ve changed the band name to something a bit less ethnic — (The Rosenbergs anyone?) but this does not diminish what is an excellent CD. This album hit me for a loop out of left field with it’s solid musicianship and melody. Best comparisons here are Marc Bacino, Jamie Hoover, Scott Sax and early Nick Lowe. I listened to it several times, looking for a bad track or filler. None could be found. The only track that seems off is a corny country themed “Can’t stop myself.” Still it is a not a bad song and the remaining nine tracks are all ear candy. It has a lot of Beatlesque harmonies that keep you hooked (literally!) I am still wondering where this guy was hiding himself and his awesome music! Visit the Goldbergs Myspace page and download 3 tracks from this album! This is on my short list for album of the year, so don’t wait for a major label to pick him up. You have no more excuses, just buy this one at CD Baby right here!

Poor Beatles fans. Rather than get a proper re-mastering job of all the Beatles albums (like Brian Wilson’s Smile was remade a few years ago) they get this. This mix of Beatles songs, remastered and remixed courtsey of George Martin and his son Giles, is basically a studio engineers wet dream. Half the Beatles, unfortunately, are dead. Other people with the legal right to do so have gone in, taken the Beatles’ works, and put it through a blender. Songs which stood as independent, finished works are now combined in ways that would cause Lennon and/or Harrison to roll over in thier graves. Or maybe not. Harrison’s “Something” is probably the only song here that sounds improved over the original, with some orchestral flourishes that make it grander than before. And some of the other songs details are wonderful, like a stripped down vocals only version of “Because.”

Unfortnuately, this album makes me really feel cheated. I really would like all the albums (not included on the Capital box sets), remastered properly. The Beatles are as a group ceased to exist in 1970 and they produced a finite amount of work. Every last bit of blood has been squeezed from this stone via “The Beatles Anthologies.” Martin has deliberately taken songs that we know and love and sliced them together a la Frankenstein. So purists like myself are horrified by this monster.

On the other hand, it allows a new generation to listen to these songs with fresh ears. After all, this release is the soundtrack to the Love Cirque Show, not a proper Beatles album. If you accept the Love Soundtrack as “a re-imagining” of Beatles tunes, then it works quite well. Fans will have fun identifying a bass line or sound effect from one song intermixed with another. And younger fans will love the seamless integration of musical themes. On that level, it earns a high rating. You can buy this one anywhere.

Listening to the title track of this new release I began to ask myself a question: “At point did Lindsey Buckingham start to become Robert Pollard?” For all the great reviews I see out there, people seem to be missing the point that Mr. Buckingham is spending more time working on sonic textures and atmosphere than melodic pop or rock. Not that this is a bad album. It’s pretty good. “Out of the Cradle” came out ten years ago and seemed to be more of a bridge to this type of music. Long gone are the Fleetwood Mac rock guitar theatrics and Brian Wilson styled elegance. Some songs don’t really work for me, “It Was You” sounds like he left the echo machine on too long and “I am Waiting” is a bit like a lullaby, that will put you to sleep. However the genius that is Lindsey Buckingham reveals itself on many other tracks. “Cast Away Dreams” is a great classic LB song as well as anything here’s done. Much of his solo guitar work is breathtaking. And let’s face it here, is anyone else who’s been in the music biz over 40 years trying somthing new? I give him a bit more credit for that, however this album is not for everyone. The casual Fleetwood Mac fan need not apply. You can buy this album on Amazon.