"THE
TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2002"
(VOTED FOR BY THE FRIENDS OF MUSIC AND THE
CITY)
1. GOO GOO DOLLS - "GUTTERFLOWER"
(review by Donna DiGangi)
"Gutterflower, the latest release from the Goo Goo Dolls, is a treasure for the music fan who appreciates a band that bucks the trend to follow a "formula" for success. Lead singer/songwriter/guitarist John Rzeznik, singer/songwriter/bassist Robby Takac and drummer Mike Malinin resist the pressure to issue a release featuring only radio-friendly ballads.
The Goo Goo Dolls have produced an awesome collection of songs ranging from Rzeznik's heartfelt acoustic "Sympathy" and the mid-tempo "Here Is Gone" to the harder edged style of Takac on songs like "You Never Know" and "Tucked Away". Plenty of rock can be heard between the two extremes on tracks like "Big Machine", "What A Scene" and "Think About Me".
You never know what you'll find tucked away in a Goo Goo Dolls record, but you'll surely find many gems in every smash release by this hard working band. They deserve every measure of success and if the love and support of their fans is any indicator of success, then it's up, up, up for the Goo Goo Dolls. I love when things work out!"
2. DEF LEPPARD - "X"
This may not be the same Def Leppard that cranked out all those rock hits throughout the past 20 years, but "X" is still a enjoyable, lightweight, pop/rock album.
That pretty much sums it up.
The vocal harmonies are the most identifiable aspect of the record. The production is most similar to the band's alternative sounding, "Slang" album. However, the first half of the record is composed of very pop sounding, balladesque songs. Highlights include the cinematic, "Long Long Way to Go" and the old school Leppard rocker, "Four Letter Word".
Many people have noticed how different the band sounds when Mutt Lange is not producing or writing. It is true that Def Leppard and Mr. Lange made the classic Def Leppard sound together. It was a partnership many would like to see happen again.
3. BON JOVI - "BOUNCE"
(review by Sass)
"As a longtime faithful Bon Jovi fan, I gleefully jump into each new album as if I were skinny dipping on a hot August day. Their songs tend to unlock my emotions, as if Jon and Richie were looking over my shoulder during some of the most influential times of my life with a pen and guitar in their hands and then go to work on the album. But that's one of Bon Jovi's amazing qualities; to be able to consistently write songs that the masses can relate to.
When CRUSH was released, and though I enjoyed the entire album, I favored "It's My Life" and "One Wild Night" because of their hardness and power. My only wish was that there were more songs with that level of sovereignty. I got my wish on BOUNCE with rockers "Undivided", "Hook Me Up", "Everyday" and "Bounce." Particularly "Undivided", a song that taps into the bruise left on American's hearts in the wake of 9/11. "Undivided" charges you up, honors the lives of those lost in the tragedy and taps into a rekindled American patriotism while fueling the 'Let's Roll' feelings that we will all probably feel to our dying days.
"All About Lovin' You", "Open All Night" and "You Had Me At Hello" are each representative of the Bon Jovi love songs that we know, love and expect of the band. Each of these songs could have easily been a hit in the 80's yet they're fresh today as well which tells me that they all have a timeless quality to them. Tender in lyrics and melody, they are more genuine than some of the ballads on CRUSH. These are songs that will live forever.
BOUNCE is an amazing album that continues to impress me in new ways each time I listen to it. Those cute and talented Bon Jovi boys have grown into wise, introspective men and it shows in their writing."
4. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - "THE RISING"
It feels good to see and hear Bruce with the E Street Band. You will see a theme within this "Top Ten" list. Many of these bands have changed members, songwriters, producers and recording budgets over the years. The style of music they made had changed frequently. Bruce Springsteen is a prime example of this. But with the E-Street records, there always remains consistency.
Looking through his catalog of songs, all sorts of memories arise. The screen door slammed over 25 years ago in "Thunder Road". That screen door is still slamming today and they're still meeting at "Mary's Place". Bruce is still "Waiting on a Sunny Day" while he's trying to get through another "Lonesome Day". The emotions felt in "The Ties That Bind" are still being felt in "Countin' on a Miracle". The emotions of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 are put to the test in "My City of Ruins".
Simply put, Bruce has nothing left to prove. But he still feels like he does. And that's why he is the legend that he is. All E-Streeters rejoice and "Come on up for the Rising".
5. SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES - "GOING TO JUKESVILLE"
Everybody that knows me, knows that I have a certain love for this band. There's something in the voice, in the horns, in that sound, that just touches my soul. This guy's been making records for 20 years now and he's still playing the same Jersey clubs, telling the same Jersey jokes, playing that same legendary, soothing, heartbreaking, drunken, energizing Jersey music!
Kickin' off with "Passion Street", you just know the Jukes still got it! God Damn, they still got it! It keeps going for 14 songs. The upbeat "Baby Don't Lie" and "She's Still in Love" and of course, those bluesy ballads that nobody does like Southside. We have a few of those classic ballads on here with "Leaving Behind", "Gladly Go Blind", "Lost" and my personal favorite, "No Easy Way Down". Just listen to those horns, baby.
As of right now, this CD is available only through the website and the live shows, which shouldn't surprise anyone who's followed Southside's glorious career. Johnny, once again, I raise a glass to you.
6. WESTWORLD - "CYBERDREAMS"
This album was a "write-in" vote. It's the 3rd album from Westworld, featuring Tony Harnell (of TNT fame) and Bruno Ravel, from one of my favorite bands, Danger Danger, who got the "Album of 2001" title, with the official release of their 3rd album, "Cockroach".
Be sure to check out the interactive review at the best rock n roll site on the web, MelodicRock.com.
MelodicRock.com Interactive Review
7. HIGHWAY 9 - "WHAT IN SAMHILL?"
So there I was walking out of work on the Friday before Easter. I didn't want to go home so I decided to walk into the Times Square Virgin Megastore. As I was strolling through the aisles, a voice on the P.A. announces, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Virgin Megastore is proud to present, Highway 9".
I had never heard of the band. In fact, their album was not even released yet. But I overheard the music and headed downstairs to check them out. They have a very warm, inviting sound. Great harmonies and musicianship with intelligent lyrics. They're from Jersey so all of this should come as no surprise.
Every song on this record sounds like a hit. "Between Your Eyes and Mine", "Sadly", "Casanova" and "Had Enough" are all mid tempo, radio friendly songs, with "Tug of War" and "Ain't Nothin' but Love" being more on the slow side. This is music that could definitely appeal to the teenage crowd as well as to the older adults. That's something that is definitely missing from popular music these days.
This is a brand new band. The first new band that I've liked in quite some time. They've got the songs that deserve to be heard. This is the direction I'd like to see the music world going in.
8. MINDY McCREADY - "MINDY McCREADY"
Looking and sounding more beautiful than ever, the record starts with "Maybe, Maybe Not" and "Lips Like Yours", both very pop sounding, country tinged songs. You could bet that if Britney Spears were singing these songs, they'd sell 10 million, but Mindy is in the country genre, making it more difficult to hit the mainstream. With that comes a more dramatic way of thinking. On pop radio, you hear a lot of songs about broken hearts, but here Mindy sings about being the other woman in "Lovin' Your Man". Should we feel sorry for her, for him or for the other girl?
In another song, Mindy sings, "I scream your name in the rain". Sounds simple enough, but wait till you hear this woman sing this line. It's so touching. Is it any wonder I love her so much? She even throws in a cool latin sounding song, "I Just Want Love".
For some reason, the bets are against Mindy. It's album #4 here and she's not a superstar yet. Will this have the songs that bring her to the mainstream? Is the mainstream where she belongs anyway? I for one, would like to see her on the charts. One more gorgeous, talented blonde isn't going to hurt anybody!
9. L.A. GUNS - "WAKING THE DEAD"
Don't even try to count the number of people that have been in L.A. Guns at one time or another. Just put on the record! (Didn't I start the "Man in the Moon" review the same way?)
Just like with "Man in the Moon", we have a real kicking, rock n roll record here. The production is much better this time around. The band is playing and singing as though their lives depended on it. The opener, "Don't Look at Me That Way", along with "Revolution" and closers "City of Angels" and "Don't You Cry" are classic L.A. Guns at their rocking best.
Like many bands from their era, they have been touring extensively as part of "package tours", where 4 or 5 bands from the genre get together and play for a few thousand people a night. This past summer, the band was part of the Metal Edge RockFest tour, along with Dokken, Ratt, Warrant and Firehouse. You can also catch them playing headlining shows at rock clubs across the world.
The latest drama within the band is that Tracii may be leaving to focus solely on Brides of Destruction, his new project with Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue. I, for one, do not want to see the band come to an end. However, I do not want to see the band continue unless singer, Phil Lewis, drummer, Steve Riley and Tracii Guns are all in the band together.
10. ???
There were many records that came out this year worth mentioning.
We had the independently released rock gems, such as Mike Tramp "Recovering the Wasted Years", Loud & Clear "Disc-Connected", Hardline "II", Poley/Pichler "Big", Michael Bormann "S/T", Hanoi Rocks "Twelve Shots on the Rocks" and more.
We had the successful, major label releases including Shania Twain "Up", Marc Anthony "Mended", Avril Lavigne "Let Go" and the surprisingly good Jennifer Love Hewitt "Bare Naked".
And then there were the albums from 2001 that continued to be popular in 2002, such as Michelle Branch, Enrique Iglesias and Shakira.
Regardless of what is in your CD player, I hope that you have enjoyed Music and the City and will listen to music with an open mind. It's not about being stuck in any particular decade. It's not about a certain hairstyle or wardrobe change. It's about the love of music and the feeling that you get when one of your favorite songs comes on the radio. Whether you're in the clubs, in the arenas, in your car, at work or at home, most likely music will be there. How many things in life can you say that about?
Thank you for visiting Music and the City. I hope you've enjoyed your stay!
Send all compliments and complaints to Justin
at [email protected].