Oh the delays, oh the delays

Van Halen
There was something special when Van Halen was on. They created a wall of sound that still managed to keep it catchy for the masses. Here they prove that with the monstrous 1-2 punch opening of Everybody Wants…, and Cradle. After that the cd does tend to dip a bit. Again this dip is only because of other songs in the catalog. Taken alone they still have that catchy full chorus but something seems missing. The songs just seem not to stand up to the opening. They recover with Whiskey, and Magic. But remember this is nit picking. You still have great godlike guitar work, excellent bass and a solid drum. Dave leads the way being the ringleader he was meant to be. 3.0

Green Day
First this is a great record. Green Day just proves once again that they are something special. Songs that are epic in proportion that actually have something to say also. That they can write a riff, and a chorus this late in their career that others wish they could even imagine is amazing. Plus can these guys please get some respect on just how great guys are as musicians. A band not as talented as these guys would crumble under what they are trying to say. My only fault is that at a time the sound is a bit too clean, missing is some of that rough edges from earlier discs. Still the riffs are great, the chorus’s catchy and the songs have meaning. 4.0

And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
Ginger from the Wildhearts is writing a column about great unsung cd’s. This was the first that I had not listened to. He ended the blog by saying that if you by this cd and don’t like it he will buy it back because its that great. What I remembered about these guys was that they were a noise/feedback band notorious for destroying their instruments at the end of the shows. Boy have they grown over the years. Just a great piece of musician ship. Epic in proportions, noisy at times, but still they stay focused on the piece at times. A strong sense of melody and harmony with both singers and the musicians involved. This was truly a great find and no, Ginger will not need to buy it back. 4.0
(Their new cd is even better)

Thermals
Nice cd with girl guy lead vocals. Reminds me of Helicopter Helicopter with his voice similar to the guy from Uncle Green. Not as good as some of their earlier work. They sound a bit too safe. Starts off with a nice opener but the rest of the disc sounds too much like they were trying to right 10 more just like it and stay away from taking any major chances. 2.5

Genesis
Had a friend growing up who was a Genesis fanatic and his quote to me was always Genesis died with the Then there was Three record. Not sure what Greg was trying to accomplish here but if he was looking to give a representation of unheard songs why so many from this record. And with the extensive catalog that they have available, why three from any record. Thank god for squonk to break up the sameness of all these songs. I think there is a better mix out there either from before Duke, After Duke or the whole catalog.

Song Lines.
When in doubt I whip it out got me a rock and roll band…Ted Nugent Free for all

Libraries gave us power then work came and set us free…Manic Street Preachers Design for Life

She’s a headfuck, my baby is a headfuck…The Wildhearts

I won’t ask you for you to beg me because I know you will…The Call I don’t wanna

How do you think it feels to always make love by proxy…Lou Reed How do you think it feels?


Songs

Red Hill Mining Town U2
Little Baby Nothing Manic Street Preachers
Vanilla Radio Wildhearts (or any song by the wildhearts actually)It’s Late Queen