CD REVIEW - Mastodon's CRACK THE SKYE

The latest Mastodon CD hit store shelves yesterday, and the wait has been worth the while.

The singer, in many instances throughout the CD, sounds like he could take a job tomorrow filling in for Ozzy Ozbourne. The CD’s artwork has a Lord of the Rings/Medieval feel to it, which gives the band’s presence a nice aged feeling. Almost like one takes away from looking at the album sleeve of Zep’s fourth album.

In the CD you will hear echoes of the following artists: Godsmack, Rush, Rob Zombie, Metallica, Led Zep (heard this most at the beginning of Track 4, “The Czar”. In the pipe organ you can almost hear the dogs of doom a howlin’ more), and Alice in Chains.

The majority of the Godsmack-in’ that I heard was in regard to the music itself, more than the sound of the singer or vocals. The keys and changes used just seemed to have been touched by Godsmack in places. Please keep in mind that I’m not saying “they sound just like Godsmack” because they DON’T. It’s almost as if a little Godsmack essence became airborne and found its way to Mastodon’s realm.. Nothing more! NO plagiarizing is found in this CD from any other artists (at least not that I could find).

This CD is a nice change from mainstream rock, so if you aren’t already familiar with the band, check them out!

www.mastodonrocks.com

BTDT REVIEW - Chris Cornell's SCREAM

I feel like I had to wear 2 different hats while doing this review, providing feedback from an overall musical/creative perspective, as well as from a biased-SG-AS fan’s perspective. So, here goes:



From the musical/creative side:

-Teeny boppers are going to love this CD, very hip-hop

-It will get Top 40 play

-It will bring a new audience to Cornell’s talents

-There is some well-thought-out synthesizer creativity found within the new tracks

-Influences/Echoes heard:

Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise
Stereo MC’s - Get Yourself Connected
Michael Jackson – the BAD album




From a SG-AS perspective:

-Dedicated fans of the above bands WILL NOT BE happy with this CD (there, I said it); it would be like seeing Ronnie James Dio showing up on the Doodlebops kids show and doing a duet with Deedee.

-When one has listened to Chris sing for almost 20 years as I have, and has watched him lead some incredible bands, singing songs with not only built-in-rage but awesome lyrics to boot (ie Set It Off, Cochise, Outshined, Spoonman, Shape of Things To Come, should I keep going?), it’s really hard to listen to this new CD enjoyably.

-I can’t tell if Chris picked this project for a change of pace, if it’s because he’s getting older and wanted something more mellow, or if his agent simply told him he’d be great with it.. Whatever the case may be, it’s a much quieter Chris than many of us have come to know and love. In his defense, lead singers of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock bands are no longer typecast into doing JUST ball-crushin’ head-bangin’ rock themes. For example, Robert Plant just recently won awards for his efforts with a country singer! Who would have seen that coming??!!


Overall, do I still like the guy’s music? YES. Will I still be going to see him on this tour? YES. Am I glad I got this album for free with my ticket purchase? YES. Again, it’s just a change, and change always impacts people differently. However, when this reviewer’s favorite Cornell jam is Rusty Cage, it’s hard to hear Chris singing something hip-hop and be overwhelmingly receptive to it..

Keep ‘em coming Chris, just don’t forget the old school!

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