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Croc Shop
World
Metropolis records
The latest offering from Croc Shop, (formerly Crocodile Shop) shows
a continuing evolution in their sound as well as their name. "World"
offers up infectious dance floor beats, warm synth lines, and only
slightly processed vocals. Gone are the abrasive, harsher sounds from
their previous release "Order And Joy, " being replaced by a more
melodic, e.b.m. format. The band still knows how to lay down a massive
electro groove, so don't worry that they have lost their edge; they
haven't. To me the overall "feel" of the album just flows much more
smoothly than anything else they have ever done in the past. With
their previous releases, it took a while to really get into them, but
with this one I was hooked from the very first listen.
I really think that this will be the band's breakthrough album, and
it's sure to win fans on the dance floor as well. Tracks like "World,
Generation, Tragedy, and Scattered" are just begging to be club hits.
Plus there are three very cool remixes by "Flesh Field, Dubok, and
Subgrav as well."
Overall, it's hard to go wrong with this album. From their earlier guitar
driven goth-rock beginnings, to the harder industrial format, that was
to become the foundation of their sound, we are again presented with
an extrodinary electronic masterpiece that shows the band moving
forward into new territory while still retaining their core sound. Oh
yeah, you gotta love the Anime style CD cover as well.
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Blackstreet
Blackstreet Level II
Dreamworks Records
From the lads who brought you "No Diggity" comes an album their press
kit touts as "classy". Since my definition of "classy" doesn't include
songs about going deeper, deeper, deeper, I'd have to disagree with
the promo materials. However, everything that makes up a trite
hip-hop/R&B record (generic beats, the obligatory skit about boy
cheating on girl, guest artists) is present on Blackstreet Level II.
Not even a song with a chorus that involves a women singing about how
guys need to stop grabbing her ass can make the kitsch factor outweigh
the crap factor. This is not a CD that's so bad it's good, nor is it
good enough to be a guilty pleasure. Sorry Dreamworks, I suggest you
avoid Blackstreet Level II like the plague.
~Whitney Weiss
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AFI
"Sing the Sorrow"
Dreamworks Records
AFI has had quite a prolific history with the "punk" scene the past
few years. With tracks such as "Days of the Phoenix" and "Third
Season" you may have even caught a music video on television. With the
new album, Sing the Sorrow, you can clearly see that the band has
taken a new direction. Good? Bad? Well…we shall leave that up to the
listener. In my opinion AFI have come back with a much more heartfelt
approach to what rock is really about. Aside from the sex and drugs,
you hear a very passionate tale of well…sorrow. If you have been a fan
of AFI in the past, I would definitely recommend purchasing this
album. You will definitely notice that there is a newfound sense of
clarity overall care of co-producer Butch Vig (Garbage, Nirvana…etc.).
This will annoy a few fans. But in the end it doesn’t matter…AFI is
still a great rock band no matter how you twist the knife. AFI has
continued to become a darker and more sensual part of the "Punk" rock
scene, and continues to do so with their new offering. Guitarist, Jade
Puget, steps up and commands keyboard/synthesizer duties and does a
damn fine job. All in all I think most fans, old and new will enjoy
the latest execution from AFI.
-Josh Jackson
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Cradle of Filth
"Damnation and a Day"
What can we say about these guys? They lose a guitarist and sign with
a major label like Sony and still kick more ass than anything the U.S.
has to offer. Damnation and a Day, the 6th full-length album from
those gnarly brits, Cradle of Filth, still follows suite with previous
material they have released. Dani (screams, chants, whispers, grunts)
becomes even more aggressive, guitars become more crunchy…and as for
the melodies, let’s just say that the full orchestra and choir
definitely compliment the sound we have all grown to love for the past
9 years. Tracks such as "Mannequin" will become instant favorites but
the whole album is a masterpiece in itself. Cradle of Filth is just
one of those bands that continue to push the envelope when it comes to
beautiful music. They seem to progress with each and every album, not
having a discernable pinnacle. This is very apparent with their latest
release, Damnation and a Day. Look for them on tour in the U.S. this
summer with Ozzfest tour. Definitely one of the best rock bands to
come around when talent, ingenuity and of course, shock value.
-Josh Jackson
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