1. BON JOVI "Crush"

Quite simply, Bon Jovi is among the best bands that rock n roll has to offer.� Through all the years and changes, Bon Jovi have been able to keep a consistency on their records.� This consistency is melody, emotion, drama and energy.� "Crush" is further proof of all that the band stands for.

Click here for the complete "Crush" review at Music and the City.
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2. RICHARD MARX "Days in Avalon"

In November 2000, I had the honor of seeing Richard Marx at the Bottom Line in New York City.� Along with his years of Greatest Hits, he played many songs off of his new record which I had not heard at the time.� The arrangements were different.� The songs were more rhythmic and acoustic based.� The melodies were as strong as ever.� The album consists of such mid tempo tracks as "Almost Everything" and "Someone Special" along with beautiful ballads "Days in Avalon", "Straight From My Heart" and a duet with Chely Wright, titled "The Edge of Forever".� This song, as well as most of the album, is heartfelt and perfect.� If the pop world was fair, this album would sell millions.� In short, he's still got it.
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3. DANGER DANGER "The Return of the Great Gildersleeves"

Talk about a pleasant surprise.� After the band released the alternative "Dawn" record in 1995, I didn't even bother picking up their next album, "Four the Hard Way".� But with the release of "Gildersleeves", I kept reading all these great reviews.� So I decided to give the band another shot.� They did not let me down.� This record is killer!� The production, songwriting and musicianship are all top notch.� Paul Laine has got an amazing, powerful voice.� Highlights include the over the top rockers "Grind", "When She's Good She's Good", "I Do", Dead, Drunk and Wasted" and the haunting ballad, "She's Gone".� What can I say?� When they're good they're good, when they're bad they're better!
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4. FIREHOUSE "Bring 'Em Out Live"

The trusty live album.� Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.� This one does.� Firehouse have always been a tight live band.� Fortunately, they've captured it on record too.� From the kicking opening track, "Overnight Sensation" to the ballad "Dream" to encores "Here For You" and "Don't Treat Me Bad".� This record shows why Firehouse is still going strong.
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5. BRITNEY SPEARS "Oops!...I Did It Again"

Admittedly, Britney's a little out of place here, but let's face it, this is great pop music.� If you've ever tried to get inside a girl's mind (and trust me I have), songs like "Don't Let Me Be The Last to Know", "Lucky" and "One Kiss From You" are open invitations, as is the overly cute, "Dear Diary".� Of course she's got her sexy side too with "Oops I Did It Again" and her special version of the Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction".� I wonder what Mick thinks?

Click here for the Britney Spears tribute at Music and the City.
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6. MOTLEY CRUE "New Tattoo"

If there's one band that lives up to it's name, it's Motley Crue.� They are sex, drugs and rock n roll.� If you need further proof, just crank up "Hell On High Heels", "Treat Me Like The Dog I Am", "Fake" and the other eight raunchy, trashy, kicking songs on this "New Tattoo".
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7. POISON "Power to the People"

Another live album, but this one comes with baggage.� This is really a reunion record with the band being back with original guitarist, C.C. DeVille.� It features five new studio songs and ten classics from their first three albums with C.C.� All of these ten songs were included on their previous live album, "Swallow This Live", which makes this one seem more like a novelty.� But taking it for what it is, it's a fun record and new songs like "Can't Bring Me Down", "Strange" and "The Last Song" are a positive sign of things to come.

Click here for the 1999 and 2000 Poison concert reviews at Music and the City.
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8. MELODICA "Long Way From Home"

Featuring rock singer Ted Poley, this album is classic AOR with a twist.� The production is strong with full sounding guitars and keyboards but the drums often sound like a drum machine and the vocals have a tendency to sound distant at times.� But with songs as good as "Hardest Part of Love", "Long Way From Home" and "Sleeping With the Enemy", who the fuck cares?� The entire record carries a minor key, melancholy yet upbeat feel to it, which makes for good music.� An acoustic Melodica record titled, "USAcoustica", featuring many of these songs is in the works for an early 2001 release.

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9. FIREHOUSE "O2"

Although this album could've benefited from a better production, the classic Firehouse sound is alive and well on such great tracks as "Don't Fade On Me", "I'd Rather Be Making Love" and "Loving You Is Paradise".� The band has always had catchy, melodic vocals from lead singer C.J. Snare and amazing musicianship from powerhouse drummer Michael Foster, guitar virtuoso Bill Leverty and bassist Bruce Waibel taking over for the departed Perry Richardson.



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10. SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY AND THE ASBURY JUKES "Messin' With the Blues"

Ever since his third album, 1978's "Hearts of Stone", Southside's records have been hit and miss.� As the title suggests, this record focuses on the blues.� The second track, "Living with the Blues" could very well be the best blues ballad since B.B. claimed that "The Thrill is Gone".� Speaking of which, in January 2001, I had the chance to see the band at the B.B. King Blues Club on 42nd Street in NYC.� The new songs went over very well with the classics.� And for those of us who came to party, all I have to say is "Tell 'Em I'm Broke".

Click here for the August 2000 Southside concert review at Music and the City.
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Honorable Mentions:

The Enuff Z'Nuff album "Ten", featuring "There Goes My Heart", one of the most beautiful pop songs I've ever heard.
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And the Perris Records re-release of Nelson's out of print 1998 album, "Brother Harmony. Also of note is their live tribute album to their father, Rick Nelson, titled "Like Father Like Sons".