| Archive Album Reviews from SUMMER 2003 By Matt G |
| Strap on your seatbelts! It's going to be a bumpy ride joining Coldplay on this exhilarating journey into a futuristic world with "A Rush of Blood to the Head". The band's second album, which is my favorite rock album of 2002, is a masterpiece. "Politik" drops a bomb & will "open up your eyes" when the album starts. "In My Place" & "The Scientist" ease the mind along the journey and the radio-friendly single "Clocks" livens up the mood, with piano jamming in the background. Soar through "Daylight" & into the "Warning Sign" where Chris Martin (lead vocals) puts a mesmerizing spell on you with his voice while he sings, "I miss you" throughout the chorus. "A Rush of Blood to the Head", the title track, will deepen the adventure with the lyrics, "I'm gonna buy this house and start a fire, stand here until I fill all heart's desires". The adventure ends with the quiet, yet inspiring & up-lifting "Amsterdam". |
| Join Coldplay on an exhilarating journey during "A Rush of Blood to the Head"! |
| 4 STARS! |
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| A Rush of Blood to the Head-Coldplay |
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| Robbie Trys To Find Himself On "Escapology" |
| The first thing notable when listening to "Escapology" is how mature Robbie Williams sounds. William's fifth album, produced by famous producer Guy Chambers, shows you how Robbie can can control the volume & depth of his voice SO well. The first track and single "Feel" is a piano-driven wander in which Robbie trys to find himself, basically setting up the album's theme. The rockish "Monsoon" follows in which he hilariously sings, "I've sung some songs that were lame, I've slept with girls all the game, I've got my Catholic shame." The lyrics really help shape the album. The catchy chorus on "Sexed Up" sings, "Why don't we break up?/Why don't we make up?", and tells of William's past of sleeping around & meaning-less relationships. The notable track "Come Undone" has quite a rocky edge, especially for William's previous style of music. The haunting & eerie piano accompanys "Love Somebody", which pushes William's voice to the limit, the range is amazing. He sings through the modern guitar strum on "One Fine Day", which is one of my favorite tracks. You will be laughing by the end when you hear "Me & My Monkey" (7 minute escapade in which Williams and a monkey cruise to Vegas & cause trouble with gambling & prositutes) and "Handsome Man" in which he sings of his good looks ("Gonna milk you until you turn into cheese"). This album is good for being stuck inside on rainy days or if looking for somewhat easy listening music to relax and "escape"... |
| 3 STARS! |
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| *MATTS PICK!* |
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| Escapology- Robbie Williams |
| Jewel Takes A Chance On Her 5th Album With A Sexy New Image |
| Jewel's 4rth album which included the radio friendly single "Standing Still" bombed on the album charts. But Jewel has done something this past year that not many artists have done or at least have been succesful at in today's grueling music industry. With the help of Shakira's producer, Lester A. Mendez, Jewel has come back on top with a sexy new electronic & very crip/clear sound on "0304". Her first accordion-enhanced single "Intution" introduces you to the "new" Jewel. Yes, she sounds amazing, but wait until you hear the album. Jewel is outstanding on ballads, and she proves this with her sweet & suddle voice to accompany "2 Find U" & "Fragile Heart". Another notable track is "Alive", which sounds like the perfect Sunday country-drive song. I think she goes off the wall, though, with "Haunted" in which Jewel brings you into her own little moody orgasmic world. I believe that you will really like her sound by this time on the album, but "Haunted" will give you a little too much, too soon. She slides through the electra-dance feel track "Yes U Can" and torwards the end changes the structure of the album to a more upbeat fun ride. "U + Me=Luv" is an upbeat, valley girl power catchy tune which I guarantee will stick the chorus repeat (O La La La) in your head all afternoon. Jewel blasts through the rocky "America" in which she boasts funny verses such as, "We are getting tan in America, we love spam in America!" But in the end ("Becoming") Jewel ultimately leaves us with the feel of wanting more...which could be a good or bad thing..... |
| 0304-Jewel |
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| This talented young lady delivers, but not to the extent of "Spirit Room" |
| Hotel Paper- Michelle Branch |
| What I really like about Michelle Branch is how through all the noise & hefty background sound on most of her songs, she can still powerfully find room to blend her voice perfectly along with the orchestra. And she astonishingly displays this on "Hotel Paper". Another thing I like about Michelle Branch is how she is able to play guitar quite well AND sing, which isn't overly present in today's music industry. An animated "Intro" begins this talented artist's sophmore album and BAM! her amazing first single "Are You Happy Now" takes off at full speed. I really love this song! The guitar strums as "Find Your Way Back" plays and a catchy chorus repeats. "Empty Handed", an impressive track, has an awesome foot-tapping beat that plays on the chorus as Michelle just starts to strech her vocals. The warm "Tuesday Morning" sings out "I took your picture while you were sleeping, and then I paced around the room..." while the chorus repeat "who we are" echos mystically with the ensemble. "Love Me Like That" blends Michelle and Sheryl Crow's voices, but yet Crow sounds too accompaniment and her voice can get lost behind Branch's easily. The flirty & playful "Desperately" shows off Michelle's various vocal techniques, but the fading "Breathe" doesn't come close too what she is capable of. The title track "Hotel Paper" is the leading song lyrically on this collection. "'Til I Get Over You", my favorite on the album, opens to an mystical night sky feel, while the "ahhs" and "ooos" echoing background enhance Branch's lovely voice. But as "Till I Get Over You" comes to a close, and all becomes quiet & suddle "I'ts You" plays and the album ends as it began. |
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| 3 STARS |
| 3 STARS |
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