3rd solo is another one worth 4.5 stars
930320
As the "3rd man" of the LOX, Sheek has really put them rumors to the test.  After 2 and a half years since his last solo, Sheek return with his 3rd, solo, and his 3rd 4.5 star album.  Straight street like almost all of his joints, and he definitely delivers it better than most who attempt to sound street.  With 16 songs, you get one almost classic, 3 ok songs, and the other 12 are good or real good.  Guest aren't too heavy either, on 6 of the songs, and one more doing the hook.  once again he doesn't disappoint and continues to bring a strong street album with very few radio friendly songs.  Production is tight as well.  Vinny Idol does 4 songs, Soul G, Mr. Devine, and Red Spyda ll do songs, and The Knocks, Marcus D'Tray, Streetrunner, Dame Grease, DJ Montay, and J Cardim all do 1 song.  A must ahve street album and I'm gonna say proably gonna be one of the best albims of 2008.

#2 - 8.5 (f/ Bun B & The Game)
#3 - 9 (f/ Mike Smith -- nice beat)
#4 - 8.5 (relaxing beat)
#5 - 9 (f/ Jim Jones, Styles, Hell Rell & Jadakiss -- nice beat)
#6 - 7.5
#7 - 7
#8 - 8.5
#9 - 9 (f/ Styles & Jadakiss - nice beat)
#10 - 8
#11 - 8.5 (f/ Bully (who is impressive once again)
#12 - 9 (f/ Unk -- tight southern sounding beat which is not my favorite type of hip-hop but this track is very nice)
#14 - 8.5
#15 - 8 (f/ Fat Joe & Jadakiss)
#16 - 7
#17 - 9.5 (relaxing beat)
#18 - 8

Sean Jacobs - b. ~1975 -- Yonkers, NY
Check all my reviews
2228895
I was very excited that Matt was releasing a second solo effort. For those who are familiar with Heavens and Alkaline Trio, the sound falls somewhere in between. Matt's vocals are haunting as ever. The sounds is a little more produced than "Demos", some will like it, others may not. All in all it's not divergent from his previous stuff.

One of my complaints is the length. 10 songs is more of an EP than an album these days and his initial release, "Demos", was fifteen tracks. I understand that a couple of those were filler/ambience tracks, but regardless "Babylon" ended too abruptly for my taste. The second complaint I have is that 4 of the songs on this album are cleaned up versions of tracks from "Demos" leaving only 6 tracks of new material. This makes a short album feel shorter. If you missed out on "Demos" it won't concern you, but if you've been following Skiba since the Trio it's something to consider.

Overall, if you enjoyed "Demos" or are a fan of Heavens or Alkaline trio, "Babylon" is a pretty safe bet. As I mentioned, it's not nearly as lengthy as I would've liked and the inclusion of songs released on the previous album was a bit dissapointing, but I definitely don't regret the purchase.

For those of you looking at grabbing this on Vinyl, get it while it's hot. There are limited numbers of several different colored vinyl with the number x/xxx written in colored marker on the back. The color of marker corresponds to the color of the vinyl. I grabbed the red version of which 666 copies were produced. I was hoping that the number would've been written in the vinyl, but that wasn't the case. Not a big deal though. I happily added it to my record collection next to my hand numbered copies of "Patent Pending" by Heavens. Great stuff for a collector. The packaging is a well presented gate-fold with Matt, all in white, mimicking the pose on the cover surrounded by the liner notes. The one criticism I have with the vinyl is that it doesn't include a code to download a digital copy.
3113895
"Golden State" has a lot going for it. In particular, the first four tracks and closer "Float" are some of the very best songs in the Bush catalogue; I might even nominate "Superman" for best song Gavin Rossdale's written. So far so good...

Unfortunately, the rest of the album doesn't quite rise to the same level. "Out of This World" is a good song taken on its own, but held up next to "Letting the Cables Sleep" it can't help but feel like a somewhat pale retread. Likewise, songs like "Fugitive" and "Land of the Living" are solid, but too formulaic to really get excited about. (Also, "Fugitive" and "Hurricane" are so similar sounding, it's unbelievable that they're sequenced one after another-- you might not even notice the transition.)

I would still definitely recommend picking up "Golden State" on the strength of five absolutely amazing songs and several good ones. It's just not the front-to-back triumph that the first three Bush albums are.
1359229
I only got it to listen to #4 track (always with me, always with you) on my commute.  The rest of the track is pretty good, sans one track which sounds really depressing since it's titled hell's teats or something similar.  If you appreciate great guitar solo from a legend, here is one of them.
2456409
This is my song review one by one  just in my own opinion. Buy the album and check em' out.

Fast In My Car: 7/10

Now: 8/10 This reminds of me their old stuff, it brings back memories but also with something new in it.

Grow Up: 7/10 Upbeat song, its cute

Daydreaming: 8/10 Its a really catchy song, Not my favorite on the album but i always find myself singing it out loud.

Interlude: Moving On: 10/10 I love all the interludes, they're great and wish they could all be longer.

Ain't it fun: 9/10 Great song to just dance in your room to

Part II: 10/10 My opinion, best song on the album. Its just beautiful and lovely hearing the contrast between Let The Flames Begin on the Riot album and Part II of the song which is this one.

Last Hope: 10/10 Slow song, but awesome lyrics and really nice to listen to

Still into you: 10/10 First song i heard from the album, and i loved how Paramore-y it sounded and how different it sounded at the same time. SUPER upbeat, and such a change but i loved it.

Anklebiters: 8/10 Not bad, catchy again but not my favorite

Interlude:Holiday 10/10 Love the interludes.

Proof: 8/10 Pretty soft rock, not much to say about this one

Hate to see your heart break: 8/10 One of those soft songs, its nice and sweet and sad. i like her voice in this one

Interlude: I'm not angry anymore: 10/10 INTERLUDE!

Be alone: 9/10 love to sing to this song!

Future: 10/10 One of my favorite songs. Its long but its beautiful. its a lot of instrumental, but worth it. its soft and melodic, the sound it just so great!

The album is definitely worth it. GO AND BUY IT! :)
4783307
Fabolous returns after 2 years to bring you his 6th solo album (counting his "More Street Dreams" album), and this one is in the middle of the pack.  It has it's commercial/radio-friendly songs on here (half the songs have R&B choruses), but it also has a good amount of decent songs to outweigh those.  This is the 2nd album he put out with the same title (in '06 he and Street Family put out a "Loso's Way: Rise To Power" album).  This one is worth a 4 star rating, and like most of his albums, it is heavy on guest appearances.  Of the 16, 1 is almost a classic, 10 are good and the other 5 are ok.  Production is decent and handled by as lot of people.  Jermaine Dupri does 3 songs, Ryan Leslie does 2, Streetrunner, DJ Khalil, The Runners, Justice League, Tricky Stewart, Rico Law, Blackout Movement, Sid V, Alchemist, Syience, and Sean C & LV all do 1 song.  Nice to see him take a step back in the right direction and dropping a not totally commercial album.

#1 - 8.5 (nice rhyming, bad beat)
#2 - 7.5 (f/ Jeremih - commercial track)
#3 - 8.5 (f/ Kobe)
#4 - 8
#5 - 7 (f/ Keri Hilson)
#6 - 6 (f/ The-Dream - another commercial one)
#7 - 8 (f/ Jay--Z)
#8 - 7 (f/ Lil Wayne)
#9 - 8.5 (f/ Red Caf, Paul Cain & Freck Billionaire)
#10 - 8.5 (f/ Ryan Leslie)
#11 - 7.5 (f/ Ne-Yo)
#12 - 8 (f/ Trey Songz)
#13 - 9 (nice beat)
#14 - 9 (nice beat)
#15 - 9 (f/ Marsha Ambrosius - deeper song)
#16 - 9.5 (nice beat & storyline)

John David Jackson -- b. ~1980 -- Brooklyn, NY
Check all my reviews
1069334
Ted Poley is back with another solo CD, and this one definitely marks the best work of his solo career. While the first 3 songs are worth the price of the album alone, the crown jewel of this release is track #7, the rocker "If I Can't Change Your Heart" with its unforgettable chorus.

This is a must-own for melodic hard rock fans, and is second only in my mind to Ted's "Disappearing Inc" album done under the moniker of Bone Machine, which you can get on ITunes.
1535618
The trio is back, Kassidy, Kelsi, Kristyn, are all back for there 4th studio album and they sound even better then before. With there hot single "I'm Taking the Wheel" and there funny, but dark, song "God Bless the American Housewife" climbing the video charts this album is sure to make want to move around and make you wanna listen to the Fortuneteller's Melody. :P

~SOFC
2379292
When Rob's first solo album came out I was going through some pretty big changes in my life and his album was on a pretty heavy rotation in my cd players helping me deal. Now here comes his second album and again I find myself at a new personal journey and his songs seem to AGAIN be a good couterpoint to my current sutuation.

Full of catchy and very well crafted music and lyrics this album is a great second solo album I've enjoyed Matchbox Twenty but I've yet to by one of their albums but I'll keep buying Rob Thomas that is for sure.
1845539
This is Lee Hong Gi's (sometimes spelled Lee Hong Ki) first solo mini album. It's nice to hear the power in his voice in a solo album. They style is different from FT Island, and I like it better. The album comes with a photo booklet and small fold out poster.  This album is missing three tracks that were included in the Japanese version of the album (AM302), but includes one track that was not included in that version.

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed to find that my favorite song (Anywhere) from AM302 was missing, but I would still recommend this album.

Tracklist:
1. LET'S SEIZE THE DAY
2. (INSENSIBLE)
3. KINGS FOR A DAY
4. BE YOUR DOLL
5. LOL (LOUDNESS OF LOVE)
6. (IN THE RAIN)

Korean titles are in parentheses.
4528289
I'm tremendously enjoying Steel and Salt, Solebello's 3rd solo outing.  Her voice is rich and sonorous as always, and the songs capture an array of emotions from the dark narrative of Backward, to the nostalgic feel-good Golden Boy. Highly recommend.
3812083
The funny thing is that so many of our music titans are releasing solo albums in a short period of time, and in fact Keith released his the same week that David Gilmour did too! But, unlike Gilmour's, Richards' is a hearty, rough gem, that is probably also much better than his previous solo outings (while Gilmour's new one has plenty of gems, I don't like it quite as much as the others; it's also a single album, housed in drooping paper stock, with a silly photo booklet of our ageing guitar hero). Funnily enough, Richards' and Gilmour's albums are priced just about the same, although Keith's 15 songs are over two discs, and Gilmour's ten tunes fit onto a single disc; mind you, Gilmour's comes with a download card, Keith's people didn't bother - but that's where the comparisons should end.

The album starts off with "Crosseyed Heart", a short, bluesy number that features Keith by himself, which then blends into "Heart Stopper", a catchy rock song. "Amnesia" is a fun bit of rockin' blues that (oddly) sounds like it is driven by a drum machine. Weird. "Robbed Blind" fills out Side 1 with a nice bit of country rock that nearly sounds like a bit of Dire Straits.

On Side 2, "Trouble" is a so-so rocker, while "Love Overdue" is cool reggae. "Nothing On Me" is a regular rocker, and "Suspicious" is a bittersweet relationship song that is somehow silky smooth, light jazzy. Nice.

"Blues In The Morning" is smoky night-time music that starts Side 3 off just right - very nice rock 'n' roll with a slowed-down Chuck Berry vibe to it and a big music hall sound... and some final Bobby Keys sax. "Something For Nothing" is a fun rocker with cool guitar interplay and jolly background vocals - that's okay, it doesn't sound over-produced - and Norah Jones' velvety vocals on "Illusion" round out the side, the only one that has less than four songs on it.

"Just A Gift" opens the fourth side, a sentimental little tune. "Goodnight Irene" is a shambling folk song that, while sounding a bit like Bob Dylan, is also the most Rolling Stones-like offering on the set. "Substantial Damage" is a jam song, full of rambling and funky vibes... sounds better than it sounds. "Lovers Plea" closes the set, but not very memorably.

The album is printed on nice, heavy card stock that doesn't sag too much, and the sleeves are printed up nice with art on one side, and lyrics and credits. The gatefold has liner notes (who writes those anymore? Keef!) by Anthony DeCurtis.
4454440
Number 2 of the Creed Trilogy was even better than the first. This CD has some emotion and darkness, but it also has hope, and it's a great listen.

Are You Ready - 8/10 - Very catchy opening song.

What If - 9/10 - Another good song, so far the CD has started out with a bang.

Beautiful - 7/10 - Solid song.

Say I - 7/10 - Another good song. Nice build towards the finish, a little darker side of Creed.

Wrong Way - 9/10 - Good build in the verses leading to a very catchy chorus. A great screaming song.

Faceless Man - 10/10 - Absolutly breathtaking song. It ranks at least top 5 Creed songs, and it's probably good it wasn't a single. The best part about this epic song, is the very ending, after an amazing build. "Next time I see this face, I'll say I choose to live for always, so won't you come inside and never go away...Again I stand, Lord I stand, against the Faceless Man." - Classic

Never Die 8/10 - Very cool guitar chord played throught the song.

With Arms Wide Open - 10/10 - I couldn't imagine getting sick of this song, every thing about it is great. Scott Stapp shows his emotion in this one.

Higher - 8/10 - Another radio friendly song. Pretty solid.

Wash Away Those Years - 9/10 - I love the way this song builds up, much like others on this CD. I also like the pattented Creed guitar sound.

Inside Us All - 9/10 - "Theres a peace inside us all, Let it be your friend" This song offers up some hope, nice finish to the album.

To Whom It May Concern - 10/10 - This one wasn't released on the American version, but if you get a chance download it. It's a great song.

Overall, I think this was a slight improvement over the last Creed album, but Weathered still had the best yet to come.
1707320
Nothing more,nothing less. That seems to be the theme for 3 Doors Down. For me,it's also kind of the group's achillies heel. Several years between each of the releases of their last two cd's and not much has changed musically for the group. The sound has stayed the course throughout the bands career. It would be nice to see the group kind of step outside the box a bit and yet keep some of thier sound mixed in. Of course this is kind of a good thing as well,as you kind of know what to expect and you know you're going to get a solid cd.

This is the case with the groups self titled fourth cd. Nothing on here will catch any 3 Doors Down fans by suprise. Though,most of it is sure to please anyone who has been a fan. That is of course,unless you keep waiting for them to switch it up a bit. For me,this cd actually a bit better overall than anything they have done since "The Better Life".The only song here I could honestly live without is "Citizen/Soldier".It just lacks the hook most of their songs have. The lryics I can appreciate and it's cool that they make songs for the troops,just not very catchy to me.
Highlights are:Train
It's Not My Time
Let Me Be Myself
Pages
It's The Only One You've Got
Runaway
2866010
This CD is not a disappointment in any way.  As with all groups after a stellar album, Lone Star has the need to really WOW fans or have them say they have slipped.  While there are some songs that are different, that doesn't make them bad or mean that the group is going in different directions.  Maybe they now have the leeway to be more of who they really are as musicians and artists and are not afraid to break out of the mold.  There are some fun songs, I expect a few of those on every Lone Star CD, the uptempo and, of course, the ballads carried off in classic Lone Star fashion.  I was thrilled and I look for them to continue the string of number ones.  This is a very strong CD.  If you have the chance see in them on stage, it is well worth the ticket price.  They can carry it off live as well as in a studio.  That is more than you can say for a number of the kings and queens of country!  If you liked "Lonely Grill", "I'm Already There" is for you.
1798044
It's really a shame that 70 year old Wolf gets no airplay today. I mean, the man's been around since the late 60's, so he could teach the younger crowd a thing or two about making music that won't sell yourself short.

I became a fan in 1981 when I saw J. Geils' pair of videos for "Centerfold" and "Freeze Frame" on MTV (who is dead to me now). I was unaware of their 70's output, save for "Come Back" and the previous year's "Love Stinks" (the video I also saw as well on MTV). Anyway, I remember Wolf leaving J. Geils and then embarking on a solo career with 1984's "Lights Out". But it wasn't until 1987's "Come As You Are" that I bought my first Wolf album, and I pretty much lost touch after that. Only to come back to him in the last ten years, hunting down all of his solo albums on cd in between. Now, I keep a sharp eye out for anything new from him. I have all of his solo albums. I haven't quite worked up to buying all the J. Geils Band albums, however.

Anyway, "A Cure For Loneliness" is a misleading title as the music contained herein is actually somber and reflective, and makes you feel more melancholy and wistful rather than cured from it. There are ten new songs and two live covers of previous material.

Of the ten new tracks, my favorites are "Rolling On", "Peace Of Mind", "How Do You Know", "Fun For A While" and "Mr. Mistake". The other tracks are decent. The two live songs are "Wastin' Time" from Wolf's 1996 solo album "Long Line" and, of course, a bluegrass version of "Love Stinks" from J. Geils Band's 1981 album "Freeze Frame." Which is actually amusing.

Overall, "A Cure For Loneliness" is pretty good, just like all of Wolf's solo recordings have been. It's his first in six years since 2010's Midnight Souvenirs". I hope this isn't the last we've heard from Mr. Wolf.

Here's how "A Cure For Loneliness" compares to Wolf's other solo works:

1984 Lights Out: Three Stars
1987 Come As You Are: Three Stars
1990 Up To No Good: Three Stars
1996 Long Line: Four Stars
1998 Fool's Parade: Four Stars
2002 Sleepless: Four Stars
2010 Midnight Souvenirs: Four Stars
2016 A Cure For Loneliness: Four Stars
1909042
This is a slightly tricky release to review.  On one hand, if you're a big fan of Mark's solo work like myself; you're going to really dig this EP.  I still play Shangri-La (the album which 7 of these songs came from) regularly and to hear these tunes in a "live" setting is a refreshing change.  However, if you are new to Mr. Knopfler, you'd be better off picking up his Shangri-la album.

On to the actual content- the songs here are remarkably faithful to their original versions.  While that is an impressive feat, the music here is almost too close to it's original form.  The sound quality is fantastic, with just enough ambience to let you know that this was recorded live.  Mark himself said much of the Shangri-La album was recorded in a live setting, so like I already said- don't expect too much variation here.

There are three songs that stand out to me as being `better' than the original album cuts.  The opening "Trawlerman's Song" really benefits from Mark's excellent guitar tone cutting through a little louder and clearer than on the Shangri-La album.  Mark gives a great vocal performance on "Song for Sonny Liston"- you can almost hear him smirking as he delivers the lyrics... very nice.  Last but not least, "Donegan's Gone" manages to swing even better than the album cut- it just really comes to life here.  It's something you have to hear to understand.

All things considered, I really dig this release.  Excellent sound quality, great performances and a really strong vocal and guitar performance from Mark.  The rest of the band sounds great as well, with the drums really coming through nicely with this live mix.  I really wish this was a full album release rather than an EP (it's just too short), but hopefully Mark is saving the full live experience for an upcoming live album/dvd.

If you loved Shangri-La, buy this EP.  If you're new to Mark, check out Shangri-La or any of Mark's other solo albums first (I strongly recommend Sailing to Philadelphia).