my top reviews 2005
from my shelves to your desktop

Mike Indest

Shine Down (©2002 Mike Indest)

1: Shine Down 2: Trouble and Sorrow 3: One of Them

This little e.p. caught me totally out of the blue. Mike Indest is an indie artist out of New Orleans, and Shine Down is killer pop. It has elements of techno - and good old rock and roll. He's done other stuff that is pretty decent, but this is his best work so far in my opinion.

Collective Soul

Youth (©2004 El Music Group)

1: Better Now 2: Theres A Way 3: Home 4: How Do You Love? 5: Him 6: Feels Like (It Feels All Right) 7: Perfect To Stay 8: Counting The Days 9: Under Heaven's Skies 10: General Attitude 11: Satellite

After taking a break after the departure of Ross Childress, the band came back with Youth. I was surprised at how much I liked this album, considering how luke warm their previous effort was. Judging by the album's reception by the general public, youth is indeed wasted on the young.

Steve Walsh

Shadowman (©2005 Muse-Wrapped)

1: Rise 2: Shadow Man 3: Davey And The Stone That Rolled Away 4: Keep On Knockin 5: Pages Of Old 6: Hell Is Full Of Heroes 7: After 8: The Rive

On Shadowman Steve proves that he's not lost any of his edge. His voice is in fine form, and he's written some kick ass tunes. Features Collective Soul's new axemeister Joel Kosche, and he gets a decent work out. Although not as provocative as Glossolalia it is still a welcome return by one of rock's great voices.

Lucy I'm In Love (©2005 Elvis & Sweetie Pie Records)

1: Don't Worry 2: When You Comin' Home 3: Dug in Deep 4: Happy 5: Mr. Time 6: Lucy 7: Maybe Someday 8: Follow the Sun 9: Green Room 10: I'm in Love 11: Rollin' 12: Your Kiss

Larry is one of those pop records that proves age doesn't matter. The band features the talents of Marty Dieckmeyer, and Glen Lystne. The names may not mean much to many, but the music they create is pretty bloody good.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives

Origin Vol. 1 (©2004 Warner Music Sweden)

1: Believe I've Found 2: Transcendental Suicide 3: Bigtime 4: Heading For A Breakdown 5: Mother One Track Mind 6: Midnight Children 7: Lone Summer Dream 8: Royal Explosion-(Part II) 9: Wheels Of Boredom 10: Borderline 11: Song For The Others 12: Age Of No Reply 13: To Somewhere Else 14: World Bank

The big hairy Swedes return with another bombastic opus. Rock and roll is alive and well.

Michael Sadler

Clear limited edition 0327 (©2004 MSI)

1: Who's Sorry Now 2: Who's Foolin' Who 3: Too Much Time On My Hands 4: I'm Not The Enemy 5: Can't Let Go 6: Lonely 7: One Minute 8: In The Name Of Love 9: Why We Lie 10: One Heart 11: Surrender Your Heart 12: Clear

SAGA front man Michael Sadler released his first full length solo album. It's not a complete 180 from his day job, but it is a solid album and one worth checking out. It's getting better distribution now and won't be so hard to find.

U2

How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb (©2004 Island)

CD 1: Vertigo 2: Miracle Drug 3: Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own 4: Love And Peace Or Else 5: City Of Blinding Lights 6: All Because Of You 7: A Man And A Woman 8: Crumbs From Your Table 9: One Step Closer 10: Original Of The Species 11: Yahweh

DVD Documentary and Three Songs Videos 1: Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own 2: Crumbs From Your Table 3: Vertigo (temple bar mix) 4: Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own (acoustic couch mix) 5: Vertigo

Yeah, they're the biggest bloody band on the planet, and an easy target, but holy crap son, when they pull a rabbit out of their hats it's a doozy.

Oasis

Don't Believe the Truth (©2005 Epic)

1: Turn Up The Sun 2: Mucky Fingers 3: Lyla 4: Love Like A Bomb 5: The Importance Of Being Idle 6: The Meaning Of Soul 7: Guess God Thinks I'm Abel 8: Part Of The Queue 9: Keep The Dream Alive 10: A Bell Will Ring 11: Let There Be Love

They're back! Love these guys or hate 'em they are what rock and roll is all about.

2

7&7iS

Fun With Sound (©2004 Fools of the World)

1: Gone In A Moment 2: A Quiet Little Place 3: My World Inside 4: Thank You For Your Dreams 5: Say So Long To Your Sad Old Love Song 6: Ride The Waves 7: Glory Train 8: Guadalupe 9: L'Orbis/Jack Spoiler 10: I'm Gonna Run To The City Of Refuge

Mike Roe and Mark Harmon release one of the best albums the mainstream has never heard about. To the faithful this was received with open arms.

O How The Mighty Have Fallen (©2005 Galaxy21)

1: Oh How The Mighty Have Fallen 2: Nobody Gets a Smooth Ride 3: She's Alright 4: Enough To Love 5: Terrible Mystery 6: We Give We Take 7: Fine Fun Time 8: How I Wish I Knew 9: Mercy Will Prevail 10: To Rescue Me

If you like swirly atmospheric music, then The Choir have an album for you. Without a doubt one of their best efforts ever!