RATING:
5 = Excellent. One of the best songs this year! I'll rave about it and crave for it.
4 = Good stuff. I'll get it on CD and put it on REPEAT.
3 = Average. I'll tape it off the radio and consider buying it on CD.
2 = Tolerable. I'll listen to it on radio and probably will get sick of it in no time.
1 = CRAP. I'll turn the radio off as soon as I hear it. Already on my shitlist.

N E W - R E L E A S E S

Great White "Rollin' Stoned"
Rating: 5
With all the eighties' bands making a comeback, we have some bands who have gone through a whole new different music style change, others doing exactly what they were doing ten years ago, and others finding some sort of middle ground. That's Great White. They have definitely kept their signature sound: Blues Rock with a metal sensibility, if there's such a thing. Ten years ago, Great White were the only metal band who didn't jump on the hair metal bandwagon for their music. And ten years later, it's proving to be a wise decision. Most of their hits were scored in the 90's and it's only been three years since their last Top 10 hit, "Sail Away". They did suffer a decline in sales after the backlash of anything associated with the 80's in 1992. But not to the degree of others because of their distinct Zeppelin-influenced sound, and their ability to stick together, releasing a couple of albums on independent labels. Now, they are on Columbia with a great album and this kickass first single. The lyrics are honest, straightforward, typical Great White, but with "Rollin' Stoned", they explore mistakes they made with drugs and the whole rock and roll attitude during the peak of their success. Refreshing, not too preachy and the vibe is just happening.

Dokken "Maddest Hatter"
Rating: 3
The new Dokken is just like any other Dokken. It's a cool song with a distinct hook and some heavy guitars, compared to singles from Def Leppard or Great White. However, unlike singles from those aforementioned bands, Dokken makes no effort to sound current, except for a slicker production, that's it. Dokken come off sounding more like a generic 80's hair band and is merely something to get nostalgic about, not doing much to further a career. However, with great timing, it really is good to have a cool metal song with a strong pop hook, what the era was best known for.

Buckcherry "For The Movies"
Rating: 3.5
The band that started it all. Buckcherry fueled the glam metal comeback with the "I love the cocaine" song. The same song that rips off Kiss' "Shock Me" and the same song that injects influences from AC/DC to the Black Crowes. However, with the second single, Buckcherry take a whole different angle, which seems to be an attempt to break into the Alternative market. Not a bad thing of course, but I think a lot of us were waiting for a more Rock-ish track. "Check Your Head" would even have been a better choice, but this shall do fine. And it's nice to see them presenting different perspectives of themselves to the music listening world.

Scorpions "Mysterious"
Rating: 4
I think you'll hear a lot of people say they love this song and hate the album. "Mysterious" is definitely one of the better songs now, not your radio-friendly number one smash, but a decent sized hit which will continue to peg the Scorpions as one of the better bands out there. The Scorpions are simply one of the best bands out there, with their ability to craft some of rock's epic ballads, including the 1991 smash "Wind Of Change". They proved that they are determined to not use this formula and have broken away, big time, with their new album. However, they also managed to sacrifice what made the Scorpions, the Scorpions. Dropping those screaming solos we all love and the whole dark epic mood of their previous hits, their new album just sucks. "Mysterious" , however, does not. We still hear some cool solos although they are all shoved into the background and watered down incredibly to sound very background. But as they say, do what's good for the song, and it's worked on "Mysterious".

Tom Petty "Swingin'"
Rating: 4.5
What a great followup to "Room At The Top". This is probably the track rock radio has been waiting for. The Tom Petty we love. His unique talent of storytelling in his songs and his way of presenting a mood with his band, the Heartbreakers. This track uses instruments from the piano to Tom's harmonica and Mike Campbell on lead guitar. We don't look to Tom Petty for innovative guitar tricks, it's all simple really. And that simplicity facilitates Petty's stories and soon, we have a magical moment in music.

A - S E C O N D - L O O K

Will Return Next Month

Previous Reviews
Tonic, Susan Tedeschi, Collective Soul, Megadeth, Sponge