Promised Land ~ by: Jonas
Canadian rocker Jonas (Tomalty) has lately been on tour with Collective Soul up there in the "Great White North," giving All Access Magazine a reason to take a peek at his tasty Promised Land CD. Like Collective Soul, Jonas draws from the rich vein of hard yet melodic rock, as heard throughout Promised Land, which is actually a compilation of cuts from Jonas's first two disks, 2004's "Jonas" and 2006's "Suite Life." The 13-song issue also includes a bonus live video of his "SuperSexMe" romp, one of his biggest hits so far. Montreal-born Jonas has a powerfully distinctive rock voice, in the league with guys like Paul Rodgers, and fellow Canadian Chad Kroeger. In fact, Jonas produces hard-rock melodies that aren't too distant from those of Nickelback, as if maybe there's a shared Canadian spirit, with driving percussion and often-angry vocal stylings. Then again, speaking of current roadmates Collective Soul, the listener might notice that Jonas's "Let It Ride" has a riff that's pretty reminiscent of Collective Soul's "Shine" -- but the saving grace of this similarity is that it is a tasty riff. This fellow's band really flames during "Burn the House Down," which features both a stomping beat and some bluesy slide-guitar work that seems to echo ZZ Top. Naturally, Promised Land includes Jonas's acclaimed cover of Stevie Nicks' "Edge of Seventeen" -- which some might find a bit over-produced, so laden with echoes and effects, but still, it's interesting to hear a man's take on the topic. So -- the man can sing, the band can play, and the ladies think he's hot, and thus, Jonas Tomalty indeed had good reason to entitle this compilation "Promised Land," eh?
uninhibited ~ by: Kama Linden
Here's a sweet 13-song package from an emotionally confrontational singer-songwriter who's also a yoga expert -- this might seem like a novel combination, but Kama apparently believes in working, with focus, through the pain and problems towards some sense of final resolution. She's not quite as angry as someone like Alanis Morisette, no (despite the fact that Kama's found on a label called Angrichik Music -- out of Bronx, NY, no less), but she's not afraid to call things as she sees them, regarding relationships. Kama Linden plays her own guitar, in an accomplished yet unflashy style, and she has a pure voice that's deceptively soft and lilting, usually, but she's not exactly a one-note Janie. In "Bitter Lemon," for instance, her wry, blues-based tirade is laced with a torchier quality that lends credence to her range. A similar song of love gone sour, "I Can't Stand You," startles the listener with the use of an elegant, oughta-be-happy melody that's coupled with lyrics of utter rejection. Disco-rhythmed "Young and Pretty" has a title that is, of course, a template for so many happening songstresses across the nation and around the world, Kama included -- but one shouldn't hate the artist for possessing those physically aesthetic qualities. That's much of what she's saying in the title track, a song that has an electric and rebellious edge, as does the subsequent "Dare to be Different." On the disk, Kama delivers remixes of both "Crossed Over" and "Don't Shut Me Out" and in the latter song, she explains to a lover that "a woman's touch can make you whole," while in "I Like Who I Am," she tells another that "your love has made me whole," thereby fulfilling the yin and yang of romance, once the anger and pain are erased, in uninhibited fashion.
Nowhere But Up ~ by: Waiting 4 Wyatt
Waiting 4 Wyatt is a 5-piece LA band that has a fine grip on the alt-pop concept, which they continually hone by being perennial regulars on the club circuit around town -- except, of course, when they're out of town honing their craft elsewhere. Peppy and not too punky, vocalist Lucy Levinsohn delivers the anthemic title track with a flavor that makes her sound like a kinder, gentler Avril Lavigne. A similar vibe infuses "Falling Apart," which, like W4W's sound in general, is laced with fine harmonies from keyboardist Anya Boyer (Lucy's sister), solid drums from Jae Wong, chunky guitars from Jon Ruiz, and appealing hooks all around. The band is rounded out by bassist Billy Berman. W4W does an appealing cover of Cindi Lauper's "Time After Time," lending the pop hit a lot more punch than found on Lauper's subdued original. "More than Myself" is another one of those "I'm so confused" quasi-loser songs, done quite melodiously and intently, indicating a serious determination to make a lasting mark on the Strip and beyond.
Caught in the Act ~ by: Stormzone
Faith-and-begorrah, just in time for St. Patrick's day, AAM has received a hard-rock record from an Irish band that's nothing at all like U2, that's for sure. And if you thought from the title that this is a live album, you'd be wrong. Caught in the Act is an 11-track compilation of hard-rock originals that feature keen production and pristine playing. Singer John Harv Harbinson fronts a Belfast-based quintet that mines the rich traditions of the 1970s and '80s, drawing on influences such as Foreigner, Whitesnake, and what do you know, even Van Halen, say hallelujah! Yep, the cut "Nervous Breakdown" sounds like it could be sung by Diamond David Lee Roth, accompanied by lightning licks that might be produced by the fast fingers of Eddie Van Halen, when in reality they come from the competent digits of Keith Harris. Likewise, "New World" kicks off with a tasty organ riff that could have come from Kansas, but which has actually been generated by keyboardist Stephen Prosser. Expert studio work is evident throughout, and all the tricks are brought into play. Drums from Julian Watson's are consistently and powerfully given good boost, in tandem with Peter Rondo Macken's rugged basswork. The song "Call of the Wild" opens with a wolfen growl and heads off to a tale of the badlands of the big city, and the perils that lurk at night. On the other hand, "Sky High" turns the conventional hard-ass attitude around with a look to the heavens. Caught in the Act closes with "Rock On Through the Night," certainly a time-honored rock-&-roll theme, and one which Stormzone executes well. A look into the band's background reveals that these Celtic kickers are no novices, with the group's roots reaching all the way back to the days of old Thin Lizzy. Caught in the Act makes clear that even though Stormzone might not yet be too well-known on this side of the Atlantic, they should be. Erin go bragh!
Legends of the Dragon ~ by: KeyDragon
Imagine this: a 13-track goth-metal album on which every song is about dragons. In Grass Valley, California, keyboardist Ron Langford (the "Key Dragon" himself) has kept this concept going for several albums, with Legends being the latest effort from his single-minded (monomaniacal?) repertoire. It’s not for everyone, that's for sure, but if you are fascinated by the fiery beasts, then this is the band for you. Currently consisting also of Bobby Blackmon on guitar and bass, and the waifish Tamara Venus Star on "angelic vocals," KeyDragon generally produces hard and heavy loop-like foundations, over which Tamara sings lyrics based on various world myths and legends regarding flame-breathing reptiles. Ron, who also plays drums, produces fierce, roaring "dragon vocals" to accompany Tamara's oddly-cadenced intonations, through songs that include "The Dragon Prince," "Nie Lang Dragon," "Cooper and the Dragons," and "Dragon Troubadour." The disk concludes with "The Rainbow Serpent," a driving metallic ditty which describes the mythical coiled being that encompasses the skies, and in fact, the very universe itself. Legends of the Dragon comes complete with liner notes that feature all manner of dragon depictions, from both students and professional artists -- reminding one that in human history, there is indeed much dragon lore, and that's the key theme that KeyDragon exclusively explores. Hear the dragon roar!
