Reviews

Jim thought Madonna's record, Confessions on a Dance Floor, was Madonna by numbers; an album where Madonna went through the motions and made a Kylie Minogue dance record. As Jim says, "this is a simulacrum of a Madonna album." Jim gave the record a "Burn it!". Greg somewhat disagreed, and felt that when the record worked, it hearkened back to a 70's Giorgio Moroder, dance album. However, Greg felt the record was uneven overall, and also gave the record a "Burn it!".

Greg and Jim are both longtime fans of the political and Frank Zappa-esque metal band, System of a Down. Their second record of the year, Mezmerize, won over Jim more than it did Greg. Jim felt that while there were a few duff tracks, but that the overall sonic assault made him feel that this was one of the strongest hard rock records of the year. He gave the record a "Buy it!". Greg felt that the even though are a few weak tracks, that the complexity of the arrangement, and the complimenting album, Hypnotize, make this a must own album. He also gave the record a "Buy it!" rating.

Both Jim and Greg agree that Kahne succeeded in stretching The Strokes out. However, Greg thinks there is a lot of filler on the album. For him, it’s an experiment that did not work, making First Impressions only a “Burn it.” Jim, on the other hand, believes it’s good (though not great) from beginning to end. He thinks it might even be better than the previous release Room on Fire, and recommends it as a “Buy it,” even for Barry Manilow fans.

Jim and Greg next review the latest release from reigning R&B queen Mary J. Blige. Blige is an artist who has been put through the ringer, but things were a lot more stable during the making of The Breakthrough. This didn’t affect Blige’s sound, however, which is as gritty as ever. While Jim and Greg prefer the singer live, they agree that this is Blige’s best album since 1992’s What’s the 411. (Sound Opinions H.Q. also recommends her 1999 release Mary). Our hosts are especially impressed with how Blige manages not to be overshined by the presence of so many star producers like Dr. Dre, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Will.i.am, and star guests like Jay-Z, Raphael Saadiq, and Nina Simone (from the beyond). Fellow divas Beyonce Knowles and Alicia Keys can’t always say that. Jim and Greg both rated Mary's album as, "Buy it."

This week's reviews begin with a review of Ain’t Nobody Worryin’, the new album from Anthony Hamilton. This R&B singer reminds both of our critics of classic vocalists like Bill Withers and Bobby Womack. While keeping his day job as a barber, Hamilton began recording in Charlotte, North Carolina. He sang back-up for D’Angelo on his Voodoo our, and eventually caught the eye of mega-producer (and mega-boyfriend) Jermaine Dupri during a Grammy performance honoring Stevie Wonder. While Greg initially objected to the lack of up-tempo songs, both he and Jim appreciate the quality of the songwriting and the substance of the lyrics. Therefore Ain’t Nobody Worryin’ gets two Buy It ratings.

The second review is of A Compound Eye, the first solo release from ex-Guided By Voices frontman, Robert Pollard, and our hosts couldn’t disagree more. Sound Opinions fans know that like the spiritied debates about Bruce Springsteen, the GBV/Pollard dispute is almost as old as time. Jim starts off by expressing his wish that Pollard took more time to polish the tracks on this album. Greg, however, disagrees, and finds the lack of polish part the music’s lo-fi charm. Jim also thinks that Pollard is, as always, too prolific of a songwriter, and thinks that over half of the album is just “self-indulgent clatter.” Thus, it’s a Trash It. For Greg, however, A Compound Eye is a beautiful, eclectic double album rolled into one. He recommends fans go out and Buy It.