Pink Cream 69 - Ceremonial

Yes, Pink Cream 69 is one of those bands that has strayed a little away from the original formula to keep things interesting.  Unfortunately, that has not worked for them over their past few releases.  They have put out some solid tunes, but not a solid CD from start to finish.  

Over their career, the band have been fairly regular, in regards to releasing new music, but it has taken 6 years, to get their 11th studio album, Ceremonial.  Over the past 10 years or so, it seems like the band have gotten a little off-track, due to all of the side projects, that the guys were in, but Ceremonial, seems to have brought them back to their roots.  The last few releases were fairly lackluster and had the band ditching some of the their melodic sensibility for a heavier sound, but for me, it didn't quite work.  Ceremonial brings the band back to true form, and could just prove to be their strongest release, since Sonic Dynamite in 2000.

Ceremonial starts in fine fashion with the melodic hard rocker, Land of Confusion.  It is a nice opener, but might have been better suited,  later in the running order.  It is a killer tune, that is slower and bit more epic, than most opening tracks.  I like these kinds of tunes closer to the middle or towards the end of a disk.  The next track Wasted Years, takes the listener back about 20 years reminding us of when hair was big and spandex were in.  It is an up-tempo melodic hard rocker, with a very catchy chorus.  The cool thing about this disk, it that it has lots of nice variety.  A really nice mix of rockers with a few ballads.  Out of the ballads, my favorite is The Tide, which is so strong that it should be a hit.   The production is heavy and crisp (Props Dennis Ward), which keeps this material from sounding dated.  Great solid hard rock, with a little AOR mixed in.  If you were ever a fan of this band, then this is a disk you must check out.

Bottom Line:  PC69 sounding stronger than they have in years.  Solid melodic hard rock from one of the greats.

Standout Tracks: The Tide, Land of Confusion, King For One Day and Passage of Time

-Ragman thinking that a little time away, did the lads some good.

Pretty Maids - Motherland

You know, Pretty Maids is one of those bands, that is fairly consistent with every release.  They do have their slip ups now and again, but after 30+ years, I think you're allowed to have a few mis-steps.  That being said, their latest release, is the furthest thing from a mis-step as you can get.  Motherland is the best thing that the band has put out in years.  Not to say, that they haven't been putting out great music, because they have, but this new CD is so solid from start to finish, that you can't deny it.  The band is firing on a ll cylinders on this release.  

Fresh off the stellar live release It Comes Alive (2012), the band has delivered once again with Motherland.  The CD starts off in fine form with the opening track Mother of All Lies, which is a mid-tempo rocker full of melody and vigor.  Classic Maids, with the catchy chorus and melodic guitars.  It is a killer track like this, that proves that vocalist Ronnie Atkins and guitarist Ken Hammer have not lost a thing over the years.  They just keep getting better with age.  The following track To Fool a Nation, probably my favorite, has an infectious guitar riff that is constantly running though my noggin.  If that doesn't get you, then the chorus will attack your ears, and show no mercy.  Killer track.   I could go track by track, but what's the point?  This CD rocks, and there is no way around it.  If you dig solid melodic hard rock then this is for you.

Bottom Line: Another veteran hard rock/metal showing that they still have the goods after 30 years. Pretty Maids sounds fresher and stronger than in the past couple of years.  

Standout Tracks: To Fool a Nation, Mother of All Lies, Bullet for You and I See Ghosts

-Ragman is thinking that he needs to make a treck to Europe to see the lads do this live.  Anyone want to lend Rags a few bucks, to make this happen?

Isaac James Band - Shut Up and Listen

I always find it intriguing, when I discover a new band, that has been out there for some time, but now just discovering them.  This recently happened, when I found, the not so new, killer band Isaac James Band. The band was named, after original drummer's Joel Ekman's (Ex-Stone Sour) son Isaac James. Unfortunately, Isaac lost his battle with cancer, at a young age, but his name will live on with this killer band. The band was conceived in 2008, but I have just recently been introduced to their awesomeness (Is that a word?).   They have released an EP - Too Much Horsepower (2008) as well as their full length debut Shut Up and Listen (2011).  Really? These cats have been around that long, and they're not a household name?  Something is wrong in suburbia.  One listen to The Rain, and you'll know what I mean.

Isaac James is what I like to call a buzz band with balls.  Their music has that nice alt rock formula, but with some kick.  If I were to compare thei sound to another band, I would say either Shinedown or one of my personal underground faves, Double Drive.  Vocalist Blackie Starks reminds me alot of Donny Hamby from Double Drive, because they both have really emotional deliveries, which make the tune.  It is really apparent on songs like All Again and The Rain.  The band delivers a nice mix of rockers, mid-tempo tunes, as well as a few ballads to make a complete effort.  This is one of those CD's that you put in, and then just keep hitting the repeat button.  So it stays in the deck awhile.  Well constructed songs with great melody.  Go get this one, because you will be missing out, if you do not check out this band.

Bottom Line:  Solid songs delivered, with lots of emotion and power.  Songs that will stick with you and will keep you craving more.

Standout Tracks: The Rain, All Again, The Real Me and Life in Eternal Review

-Ragman would have made this one CD of the month, had Genghis not beat him to the punch.

Be'lakor - Of Breath and Bone

I really like this band and this album, but I absolutely *love* this album's exquisite cover art. Check it out.So I don’t know if it’s been this way all along and I just haven’t noticed it, or if the youth of today are being slipped some sort of government-sponsored superdrugs, but there seems to be a spate of new bands with an impressive degree of talent and musical maturity. Bands like Cinema Sleep and Australia’s Be’lakor are putting out freshman and sophomore material you’d expect from more seasoned outfits – often with members nearly twice their age - in their respective subgenres and I couldn’t be more happy about it. Fittingly, it reminds me of the story of Athena springing fully formed (and armed) from the cleft head of Zeus, shouting a cry of war.

The Melbourne band, established in 2004, took the name of a demon from the Warhammer games (Non-nerds: To the Google!) and have been steadily impressing people in the melodic death metal community with each album getting better and better reviews. And now, they’re coming to America with their third effort, Of Breath and Bone. I have to say, this is some damn fine melodeath right here. If I had my druthers, there would be much more shredding solos – or any at all, for that matter. But, considering the great use of dynamics in establishing atmosphere, it’s a small disappointment as the album is thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to “wait, it’s not over is it?”

The Bottom Line: Ignoring how young the members of Be’lakor are to be making music of this depth, Of Breath and Bone is an impressive example of melodic death metal from down under. The only disappointment subgenre fans might experience is the absence of shredding solos, but everything else on this album is fantastic, and I can’t wait to see these guys on a stage in the near future.

Tracks Prompting You Investigate the Ingredients of Vegemite: Abeyance, Fraught, Absit Omen, and The Dream And Waking

- Genghis would tell these kids to get off his lawn, after they finish a tight 30-minute set…

Niacin - Krush

Niacin lovers, it's time to take your vitamins! Come get some of this sweet instrumental groove.I have been a big fan of the neo-fusion that Billy Sheehan, John Novello and Dennis Chambers have been putting out as the band Niacin for about 15 years now. I've mentioned many times on the show that I'm a huge fan of instrumental jams and whenever these cats get together, I get a big smile on my face. I first came on to them with High Bias' release in 1998, and I played the hell out of my Blood, Sweat & Beers DVD on many a lazy Sunday.

There's no surprise here for fans of the band in terms of the level of musicianship, as each member of the band is one of the foremost instrumentalists in their field. From Chamber's nimble percussive accents, to Novello's lush Hammond flurries, to Sheehan's incredible dexterity on bass, you just can't get enough of this stuff.

The Bottom Line: If you're a Niacin fan, come and get more of the stuff you love. If you're new to this awesome jazz rock trio, do like ol' Samuel L. Jackson says and "hold on to your butts".

Tracks to Keep You Musicians Nice and Humble: Krush, Tone Wheels, Car Crash Red, Cold Fusion, Prelude & Funky Opus, Drifting, Sly Voltage and Triple Strength

- Genghis would die a happy music lover to see these dudes play in a nice, small club...