CDs: Headbanging Caterwauling

Rush is back with a brand new album coming out in May!

Thosquanta can hardly be described as "headbanging caterwauling", but I had to pick something! ... (See the whole review)

Dream Theater/Live at Budokan is a three-CD set from '04 (there is also a DVD available). If you are familiar with DT, you already know that this is heady, technical, and expansive stuff. These guys always take it to the technical edge, and virtually all of the time they retain their musicality (although some folks might actually be put off by the ... (See the whole review)

Steve Vai got his start when he attracted Frank Zappa's interest by being able to accurately transcribe his work, an extremely difficult task. Vai is arguably the top guitar gun on the planet, if there really is such a thing. The new Vai release is a stunning tour-de-force, as always- ranging from flat out guitar madness to lush, sensitive o... (See the whole review)

The rocker with the flute still rocks.  (...and always will?)  This was Jethro Tull's last album before Ian Anderson went solo (not counting their Christmas album).  ... (See the whole review)

The Cruxshadows are a great example of GOOD goth techno.  (And we all know there sure is a lot of bad goth techno out there...)  Their lyrics have the appropriate e.a.poe-ish tint, and their sound has that haunting, mournful aspect, whichout which goth techno just wouldn't be goth techno.  ... (See the whole review)

This CD is a moving expression of the feeling of disgust that many of us have with the mainstream/normal herd mentality.  It's definitely more of a "downer," but, while it is another in a long line of requiems for American culture, it's a particularly good one. My personal favorite lyric: dont say im out of touch with this rampan... (See the whole review)

This album is by far Type O Negative’s best.  While some reviewers and fans claimed that it was also their “sell-out” album, due to both the shorter song lengths (in comparison to earlier albums) and the cutesy intro and “goodbye” tracks, this album is the most lyrical and displays the most appreciation of, shall we say, “the human spirit” of all o... (See the whole review)

I would write a long epic review of this CD, but words would not do it justice (plus I'm to lazy). Just listen to it. It's not "Headbanging Caterwauling"...it goes under the "Post Rock" category, short for Post-Modern Rock ( I realize those are rather evil words). This category or "kind" of music can be relatively strange sometimes to say the least... (See the whole review)

Easily the most profound and interesting release by this band, 1930 consists of an unrelenting maelstrom of stimulating, mind expanding electronics, ready to release upon its listeners all manner of new thoughts. This particular CD has been a fixture of mine since I was 17, and still maintains in my cd player to this day. Viva distortion.

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Sevendust's latest effort, Seasons, is an amalgum of beautiful harmony and thundering power. In true Sevendust style, the main riffs from one guitarist are simple and chunky, with overlaying harmonies and accents from the other. The two take turns making the listening musician feel hopeless concerning his own talent. The bass has that familiar ratt... (See the whole review)

Okay, enough with the Mario Lanza love feast and the continuing praises of classical music; I'm sure there are other Objectivists who love good old American rock, besides me (and I'm sorry, Jake Moore, but heavy metal doesn't do it for me). Rock doesn't get any better than the Pretenders with the amazing vocal stylings of Chrissie Hynde. And... (See the whole review)

I'm recommending this listening experience because in order to live life to its fullest, you have to be willing to try new things.  As an alternative to orchestral music, I offer Metallica's "Master of Puppets."  The musicianship and lyricism presented in this work is fantastic.  The instrumental song "Orion" was almost entirely composed by late ba... (See the whole review)