Kontrust - Secondhand Wonderland

And now for something completely different! I honestly know nothing about this band outside of their current album thanks to Rdio. It was in the new release listings so I clicked on it to give it a listen and I'm sure glad I did because I really like this record. They are a complete whacked out combination of System Of A Down and Evanescence with a bit of Korn mixed in for good measure. From the opening cut "Sock N' Doll" you are up to speed on what this album is going to deliver. 

The group has a real talent for slapping odd sounding words with an excellent cadence that makes me at least want to sing along immediately. Convention is thrown out the window here, as evidenced by “Monkey Boy” and “Rasputin.”  What is consistent throughout the album are the vocals, which alternate between the female vocalist Agata and the male vocalist Stefan.  Both bring their own unique styles and range, with Agata providing the pop-sounding vocals and Stefan providing a surprisingly good German or Russian folk singer with touches of Reggae all done with a metal growl.  As for the supporting music, there isn’t much in the way of being able to analyze the basics, as much of it is jumping from style to style, which can be reggae at one point, and then jump into polka and then on to circus music.  The best way to truly enjoy Second Hand Wonderland is to just not think about where the music is going at all and enjoy the ride.

Lyrically speaking, it’s difficult to get into a genuine analysis with material like this seeing as how English isn’t the primary language for any of the members of Kontrust and my understanding of German is about as profound as my understanding of whale songs. What’s not tricky to get into in regards to Secondhand Wonderland is the instrumental aspect of the album. I dare you to listen to this record without feeling the urge to get up and move. It has a kind of energy to it, the kind typically reserved for children hopped up on too much soda and sugary sweets, that makes you want to spring out of your chair with reckless abandon. The driving rhythms and crunchy guitars are at the root of this sensation.

Now at some points this album become so absurd that you might think you're having a nightmare or have drank the kool-aid but c'mon who doesn't want to hear heavy metal and yodeling mixed together? I sure as hell do and maybe that's exactly why I think this band is brilliant. Listen to the more accessible "Adrenalin" to which you'll be rocking along until all of sudden the circus music breakdown appears and if you don't crack a smile their is something wrong with you. Rammstein who do make some crazy German nu-metal have nothing over this band but with that said just do it.

It goes without saying that if you can’t bring yourself to listen to music with an open mind you probably aren’t going to want to bother with Secondhand Wonderland. I’ll be the first to admit that Kontrust definitely isn’t for everyone. That said, if you have it within you to experience an album that is somewhat innovative and meant to be good-humored, give this record a shot – I promise that if nothing else you’ll come away from it with an appreciation for peculiarity.

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Little Caesar - American Dream

The band that never quite made it is back for one more turn of the key to see if it starts the car. The trouble is that no matter how many times they try this band is missing something that the mainstream can grab a hold of. I don't know exactly what it is either because other retro acts to very well. The bands first album was great and hit all the right chords but the Black Crowes exploded and Little Caesar was met lukewarm success.

Here we are now at album number four which included a break-up for a few years and then a reunion album that was terrible and now the second album post break-up titled American Dream. This album suffers from cheap production which is also muddy at times and that is too bad because the songs overall are pretty decent.

Album opens with "Holy Roller" a good song then the more southern biker rock mixed with blues takes hold of most things until the decent power ballad "Only A Memory Away" appears. The song lacking the necessary production values for this sort of song makes it a little weak. The best songs on the record are all together in the middle section of the record. The aforementioned power ballad and "The Girl's Rockin'" along with "Is Your Crazy, Gettin' Lazy" after this three pack two more album cuts and then a great blues rocker "Dirty Water" closes what is a probably the best this band can come up with at this point in their careers.

I say if you are a fan buy it if you aren't then pass on it.

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Kill Devil Hill - Kill Devil Hill

This is a new band containing a rhythm section that is second to none Rex Brown who's from a little band you may have heard of called Pantera and the drummer is only this lightweight Vinny Appice. How in the hell can this duo be complimented musically well they grab two unknown budding rock stars by the names of Jason "Dewey" Bragg to fill the vocal position and Mark Zavon who steps up and rips on the six string fretted machine.

Mark was in W.A.S.P. for about 5 minutes back in 2006 but he finds himself in a much better band circa 2012 for sure. Considering Rex and Vinny have done some pretty stellar work in their previous bands this album stands up to their legacy. Sure it isn't genre defining and isn't going to be the answer to Pantera or the second coming of Dio but it's damn good for sure. Kill Devil Hill have done what too many new bands with older members fail to do and that is write modern kick ass hard rock.

Album opener "War Machine" is a hot nu-metal styled rocker that delivers and showcases the members as a band with nobody getting billing over the other. It sounds cohesive and honest and that feeling continues throughout the album. I have to say Dewey is impressive as a vocalist he's clear and present and sounds like a pro without being too abbrasive which was always a complaint I had about Phil Anselmo. When he does some screaming and rock moaning in the Robert Plant playground on "Rise From The Shadows" he still retains presence without hurting your ears.

Much of the album is a mid-tempo affair but with solid songwriting and great production it doesn't make the album come off as carbon copied versions of the previous song. Each tune has its own thing going on which is nice considering that usually nu-metal or grinding type metal all sounds the same after a few songs. I like the song "Strange" a lot and this should be considered as a single for them as it has crossover potential to modern rock radio and rock radio. I'm sure Octane will be all over this band which will be nice to hear less Avenged Sevenfold at this point.

"Old Man" reminds me of later era Dio at times in composition. I love the guitar riff of the song and the near Deep Purple dancing groove that plays through. The boys slow it down with a very Zep styled "Mysterious Ways" an excellent tune and is right now my favorite song on the album. It's got some nice acoustic guitar playing and Dewey's swirling vocal paterns fit the melody perfectly. The next track is very heavy Alice In Chains spirited rocker that would sound comfortable on one of their albums.

In closing the band tracks twelve tunes and closer "Revenge" which is just as good as anything on the album and is a little more playful than the previous eleven songs. I like Vinny's drumming here and again the very Yngwie meets Blackmore guitar riffing is solid as a rock. Overall this album is a great listen and I can see this doing decent business at radio be it satellite or FM.

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Fight - War Of Words

1993's debut of Fight the post Judas Priest band of Rob Halford was such blessing after the disappointing Painkiller album a few years previous. I never liked that album overall no matter how much I tried it just paled in comparrison to Turbo and Ram It Down. I'm not going to lie I really liked Turbo and I think Ram It Down has some great moments. All moving the Judas Priest machine forward to where Rob wanted to go with the band. This album is the inevitable culmination of the Painkiller sound but with the song writing chops that lacked on that record.

War Of Words opens with the face melting "Into The Pit" with Rob shrieking "Bear Witness To Treason" on the opening line which pretty much sums up what this album is about to deliver. The albums first single/video "Nailed To The Gun" is next which is one of Rob's best compositions to date. The trade-off solo of the song between Russ Parrish and Brian Tilse are near magical in their greatness with a slight nod to Tilse for his skills over Parrish's on the track.

The album plays forward in the very adept manner with Scott Travis ruling the roost from his throne. He's such a great drummer and his cohort Jay Jay is no slouch on the bass as they combine to create a great groove on the album. This record which starts off gangbusters does slow down a little with the best of the middle part being "Little Crazy" which actually saw a charting position on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart at  #21. Rob sounds about as demented as he's ever sounded on "Little Crazy" and that lends well to the dark groove the band laid down.

Track nine is "Contortion" which is one of the standout tracks on War Of Words. It's got another great riff grinding along with Tilse pulling co-lead vocal duties. But the jewel is "Kill It" this song has all the fist pumping, headbanging thrash-tastic heavy metal goodness one could ever ask for. I'm sure a few were injured while participating in the enjoyment of this track. This is a monstrous stomp and one of my favorite tracks to listen to on War Of Words.

The album has been remastered which improved the overall quality in sound. I'd recommend buying that version instead of the original on CD if you were going to do so. The band went even deeper into the nu-metal sounds on the sophomore album. But this one is a classic from a decade which didn't produce much great music post 1994.

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Retro Rewind Track: Cheap Trick - Hard To Tell (Live)

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The Cult - Choice Of Weapon

The time has finally arrived and my anticipation is very high for this album considering they've returned to Bob Rock and they have the awesome John Tempesta playing drums for them with Chris Wyse completing the rhythm section. The Cult hasn't exactly lit the world on fire with their last couple of records and I'm saying that as a huge fan of the band.

Upon first listen this album is the return to form that I had hoped it would be Ian and Billy have recorded the album that I've been waiting twenty-one years for. Not just a continuation of Ceremony but they have incorporated that sound with their alternative rock masterpiece Love which has made for a huge eargasm.

The Cult have come full-circle with Choice Of Weapon, as it is their most consistent effort in years and combines sounds of the past, present and future. I must say that this is the strongest Cult line-up to date as well. The group sounds like a group which has been an on going issue with their albums since 1991's Ceremony. Right out of the gate the band sets the tone with "Honey From A Knife", a rockin' track that can go toe to toe with "Rise" from Beyond Good & Evil. 

"The Wolf" has a vintage Cult sound that's reminiscent of something from the Love sessions, clearly it isn't, but that's just how strong Choice Of Weapon is.  Billy Duffy reaches deep into his grab bag of riffs to echo the classic "She Sells Sanctuary" on "The Wolf," then rains down elegance in "Life or Death" and floors it on the powerful first single "For the Animals". That first single is a total rocking ass shaking classic of Cult proportions. 

As a rhythm section, Tempesta and Wyse are buck solid; they provide the proper throb and crunch for Duffy and Astbury to climb atop. Given the pulse of this set, even when a synthetic keyboard is used to introduce "Lucifer," it merely becomes part of the aggressive (yet always accessible) attack. That is mostly in part to the production attack the master magician Bob Rock. He's a god and he knows it and when he gets to work with such talent it shows just magical he is when his wizard powers are used to their full potential. 

If you didn't know better "A Pale Horse" could be confused as a track from Electric or Sonic Temple. Ian dives deeply into Jim Morrison's skin for his delivery of "This Night In The City Forever" that sounds like a lost Doors track that Jim just delivered from his graveside. Choice of Weapon is the Cult's finest moment in 21 years, it's the true swaggering heir to the period that birthed Electric, Sonic Temple and Ceremony. 

 

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Meiko - The Bright Side

Meiko's sophomore album is not one of those jinxed ones for sure. She opens up with "Stuck On You" that includes not only a great chorus and melody but finger snaps and how cool is that! The Bright Side, builds upon the singer-songwriter's buoyantly melodic indie pop sound. She has a little bit of Lenka in her voice with a playful child like twang swinging around in their as well. Meiko has streamlined her bedroom pop aesthetic while still retaining the intimate, girl-in-the-next-dorm-room vibe.

The Bright Side is an intimate, fearless song-cycle about risk, regret, tenderness and love. The songs are all wrapped up in 50's and 60's styled pop that lends well to her vocal skills. The beautiful "Lie To Me" takes you to a field of flowers on a sunny afternoon reminiscing about that summer love you don't want to let go of and don't want to end. Meiko's lyrics exude confidence while her soothing tone is reminiscent of her previous compositions. Her music seems so simple, but there are layers of complexity buried within each song that only a true craftsman like Meiko can blend together so effortlessly to create this multifaceted jewel of an album.

She splices in stylistic elements that lend a retro-chic familiarity to songs like "Lie to Me", "I'm Not Sorry", and "I Wonder". Meiko is another in what is becoming a long line of superb female vocalist in the 00's. There is a seriously wonderful whimsy on the album and sometimes she borders on twee pop territory but doesn't ever blatantly jump in and kick up its dust. The closing track "I Wonder" is a sweet little jazz inspired tune that would sound comfortable on a Norah Jones record. I highly recommend The Bright Side to anyone who likes singer-songwriter, sunshine pop or twee pop as this album will satisfy and improve your mood no matter what's bringing you down.

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