Recent Release Roundup

Anthrax-Worship Music

This, finally, is the CD Anthrax fans have been waiting for. Not just because Joey Belladonna is back on vocals (though he's never sounded better), but because it's the strongest record they've done in years.  It's a little bit darker than most Anthrax records and the goofy humor is missed. However, the music more than makes up for it. There are all out thrash numbers, which somehow feel fresh not dated, some heavy groove stuff (a la John Bush era) one or two tracks that are just this side of rock radio songs, and even a Soundgarden style number. An unexpectedly varied set from these guys.

As mentioned, this record is a little on the dark side, which is my only complaint. It just seems as though the band felt they had something to prove and they're trying too hard to prove to us how "metal" they are. The pentagram with the A for Anthrax in it was cute the first time, but come on guys we get it. You're metal. We've known it all along. The music speaks volumes, no need to push the point.

Anyway, a solid set. A few misfires here, but a winner nonetheless.

Key tracks: "Fight 'Em Til You Can't", "Crawl" "The Devil You Know", "Revolution Screams"
4 out of 5 Daves

P.S.-The sixteen year old me is amazingly happy with this set, and that counts for a lot.

Bottle Rockets-Not So Loud

After nineteen years as a band, the Bottle Rockets are releasing their first live acoustic album. The alt-country band has been criminally overlooked by most, coming out in the days of Uncle Tupelo, and being from the same town, these guys haven't ever really been given their fair due. This is a pity, because they have been putting out consistently quality material the whole time. The Bottle Rockets live shows are known for being loud, raucous good times, which makes this set all the more special and appreciated.

Captured live at the now defunct Lucas Schoolhouse in St. Louis, the recordings come from two nights in a very intimate setting, and are all the better for it. The casual environment created a chance for Brian Henneman to tell some entertaining stories, but more importantly it enables the focus to be placed squarely on the music. Coming across somewhere between Woody Guthrie and Neil Young, this is a delight of a set, and one that is recommended for anyone who has ever been curious about the band or considered themselves a fan of alt-country music.

Key Tracks: "Lucky Break", "Perfect Far Away", "1000 Dollar Car", "Rural Route" "Kerosene"
41/2 out of 5 Daves

Dream Theater-A Dramatic Turn Of Events

For the first time since the beginning of the decade I've been excited about a new DT record. After the departure of drummer and key writer Mike Portnoy I was quite intrigued. I have long thought that Portnoy had been given too much power within the band and wasn't the right guy to steer the ship. So I was looking forward to where the band would go on this first record without him.

And the answer is: nowhere new. I hear nothing but retreads of older material. Maybe my tastes have just moved too far away, but after four listens I remain largely disappointed. Now having said that, all the elements are there. The musicianship is still first rate. New drummer Mike Mangini fits like a glove, guitarist John Petrucci still plays lightning fast while conveying emotion, and James LaBrie is singing better than he has in years. So what happened?

Some of the blame can be put on the horrible job done in the mixing/mastering of the disc. It sounds quiet, flat and lifeless, even when turned up to twice the necessary volume. But the big problem is in the songs themselves. In the rush to put out an album and make a statement, the craft of songwriting has been lost. There are no memorable choruses here, something which Dream Theater has always been capable of in the
past. Sparse lyrics that fail to capture the imagination abound, and is it just me or have we heard some of these solos before? The heavier songs are not heavy enough and the quiet parts are too quiet. All in all it's an unmemorable collection of material.

Which is all too bad, because the frustrating thing is that there's a good record here somewhere. There are flashes of greatness in each song, it's just that the good stuff gets swallowed up in a bunch of muck. I believe that if the band would have taken a little more time here they could have really had something. I can't actually say it's bad, but I remain underwhelmed. However, prog-metal fans and die hard DT fans will no doubt be pleased.

Key Tracks: "On The Backs Of Angels", "Lost Not Forgotten" "This Is The Life"
2 1/2 out of 5 Daves (though my brother will surely disagree...)

Got a few more new CDs to write up. Look for more stuff this week.