As with my movie reviews, I will be using the modified Netflix Star rating system for reviewing music. And books. And probably restaurants, if I ever get around to it. I know some of these are on the mainstream side, but through the power of the internets, I can pirate listen to whatever the shit I want!
Zeitgeist – Smashing Pumpkins:
Smashing Pumpkins is a mediocre band that occasionally eclipses greatness. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen once on Zeitgeist. Billy Corgan is still a crappy singer, but he used to be a good enough song writer to pull a handful of memorable songs out of his ass each album. Now all he’s grabbing is fistfuls of shit. The Netflix rating system doesn’t let you give zero stars, so I am giving this one a shit sandwich.
A Pyrrhic Victory – My Vitriol:
In the late 90′s, I discovered two British bands, Muse and My Vitriol. Muse was an unabashed mixture of Radiohead and Queen, while My Vitriol had a more American post-rock influence. Both were poised for super stardom. Fast forward almost a decade and Muse is one of the biggest bands in the world while My Vitriol is starting to sound suspiciously like Muse. Three Netflix stars.
New Maps Of Hell – Bad Religion:
In 1996, Bad Religion released their first album following the departure of founding member Brett Gurewitz. The Gray Race was good, but then came the double dub of No Substance and The New America. In 2001, Gurewitz re-joined the band, along with super drummer Brooks Wackerman. After the disappointing Process of Belief, they put out two of the most kick-ass albums of their career. The Empire Strikes First and New Maps of Hell. Five Netflix stars.
The Shepherd’s Dog – Iron & Wine:
The bearded wonder has come a long way from the humble home recordings of his early career. The Shepherd’s Dog continues the expanded instrumentation he began on The Woman King Ep, this time taking a decidedly world music slant. What with all the bongos on this bad boy, it’s only a matter of time before Iron & Wine is co-opted by the hippies. I can smell the patchouli already. Three Netflix stars.
Carry On – Chris Cornell:
Dear Chris Cornell, I didn’t think anything could suck harder than Audioslave, then I heard your new solo album. I guess you are more interested in being a “vocalist” and making money than rocking people’s balls off like you used to. Do everyone a favor and give Kim Thayil a call and get Soundgarden back together. Write a new album and NO MORE MICHAEL JACKSON! Two Netflix stars.
New Moon – Elliot Smith:
The songs on this double disc are every bit as good as anything on Elliot Smith or Either/Or and way better than most of the posthumous From A Basement On A Hill. These songs predate girlfriend Jennifer Chiba, inspiration behind crappy, late-era Weezer and thought by many to have been a contributing factor to Smith’s “suicide.” Oh, why couldn’t it have been Rivers? Four Netflix stars.
Libertad – Velvet Revolver:
Dear Slash, I want so hard to like Velvet Revolver, but I just can’t. It is missing something. Possibly a soul. I’m glad to see you and Duff and Matt having some success, but do us all a favor; if Axl calls, answer the goddamn phone! Don’t write any new songs, just go on tour! Two Netflix stars.
