This is where I rate CD's, tapes, and albums that I've heard and probably own. My rating system will be one star (
) for "Don't bother" up to five stars () for "It's in my stereo indefinitely".
These are my opinions, yadda yadda yadda, if you disagree, send me a *polite* message and I may include it in a section with other people's views. That is, if I get any...and don't flame me if you don't like what I have to say! You can find info on some of the bands at my Bands page.
Everclear, World of Noise: Everclear's first album. It's a lot more raw than their others, but the songs are just as hard-hitting. Yeah, they might be called grunge, but they have a sound that's definitely their own.
Everclear, Sparkle and Fade: This was the band's first real breakthrough with the single "Santa Monica". "Pale Green Stars" is a personal song about the singer's daughter, sung and played beautifully. This album has a better, cleaner sound than World of Noise, but it's still very in-your-face.
Everclear, So Much for the Afterglow: This is much poppier than the other two albums, but it still has some really hard songs, like "Father of Mine". "El Distorto de Melodica" is not your typical instrumental; it uses guitars and other instruments in entirely creative ways.
Third Eye Blind, self-titled: Of course, everyone's heard "Semi-Charmed Life" and "How's It Going to Be", and the rest of the album is great too. "God of Wine" is a really nice slow song - the band's not *all* pop. I also love "The Background". The songs are diverse, mixing slow ballads with mosh-worthy tunes.
Fiona Apple, Tidal: I bought this because of "Criminal", a good alternative song, and I ended up regretting it. Yes, it's a good disc, but some of the songs are too jazzy and slow for me. When I listen to it (not often), I skip a lot of songs in favor of faster ones.
Smashing Pumpkins, Gish: This is a good disc for any Pumpkins fan, although I like their later work better. "Crush" is a good song, slow and melodic. "Suffer" has more of the alternative feel that we're used to, but it's still slow and harmonic.
Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream: I love the songs on this album, especially "Today", "Disarm", and "Spaceboy". "Disarm" is a beautiful song, using orchestras and excellent lyrics that take us back to Billy Corgan's childhood.
Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness: This 2 CD-set was my introduction to the Pumpkins, and after hearing these songs, I was hooked. I love "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" and "X.Y.U." Both "Bullet..." and "X.Y.U." are very heavy songs, which contrast well with the softer songs like "Thru the Eyes of Ruby", "1979", and "Tonight, Tonight". And the instrumental's not bad either. :-)
Smashing Pumpkins, Adore: This latest effort is really good. The songs have a much softer feel, but they still have fierce lyrics. I like "Ava Adore" (well worth being a single) and "Tear". Billy Corgan's lyrics have always been very poetic, and this album doesn't fall short of my expectations.
Rolling Stones, Bridges to Babylon: The Stones are a great band, and they've shown that they're *not* too old to rock (hear that, Mom? *s*). Yet some of the songs on this album I could do without listening to them. "You Don't Have To Mean It" is way too Latin for my liking, but I do like "Saint of Me" and "Gunface". I think you'd be better off listening to their older albums and just sticking to this one's radio singles.
Aerosmith, Nine Lives: How can you not love the song "Pink"? And the video's great too. :-) "The Farm is a very hard rock song that works well with the "Wizard of OZ" clips mixed into it. The lyrics are witty, and they make sense, in a twisted sort of way. ("Does the noise in my head bother you?")
Eve 6, self-titled: It's mandatory that I like this band, because they got their band's name from an X-Files episode, "Eve." :-) "Inside Out" is an extremely catchy song, and I've heard it sung in the halls at school more than a few times. "Showerhead" is another great song, starting out with a slow, easy beginning and building up to a powerful rock beat. Then, if you want something a little slower, listen to "Jesus Nitelite." Best part about this cd: I won my copy in a radio contest.
Everlast, Whitey Ford Sings The Blues: I admit it, I bought this for "What It's Like," but I also love "Ends," "Today (Watch Me Shine)," and "Death Comes Callin'." I'm definitely not a rap fan, but with these songs, a lot of other stuff shows through.
Silverchair, Neon Ballroom: This CD has a lot of variety on it; rock, grunge, and yes, even some nice slow songs. "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" is beautiful, and "Anthem for the Year 2000" happens to be just a little twisted, but it's good. An added reason as to why I like this disc is because I won it free on a can of Coke. Woo hoo. :-)