CD Review: Sad Red's "Elder" Debut

Sad Red from Brooklyn, NY have released their new debut album entitled "Elder". They will be performing in support of this album in the New England area in mid-March.

The album opens with "The Garden And The Lemon Tree" which starts out acoustically with a barley noticeable drum beat, but the song gets a lift by an electric solo. The chord changes of "Just Like An Orange" keeps the listener guessing on the song's direction. The intricate arrangement of songs like "Ellie" and "This Head Of Mine" makes you focus on the music as not to miss anything happening between the instruments. Songs like "Bag of Shame" and "Elegy No. 1" combine 90's-style grunge style guitar with 80's-style electronics to create a 2010-style mash-up of sound. The song-writing and musicianship come together on the epic "One Shot" by painting a landscape in your mind with the music. Sad Red also shows off a gentler side with the songs "Fate Waits" and "Eden Lane".

Sad Red will be performing in Connecticut on March 18th at Cousin Larry's in Danbury, March 20th at the Acoustic Cafe in Bridgeport and on March 21st at The Space in Hamden. For more information on these upcoming shows and on their new album "Elder", please visit www.sadred.com.

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Class of 2010

Let me start off by saying that I have a major problem with recent inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. When you have "rock 'n' roll" acts on the ballot like Kiss and the Red Hot Chili Peppers and they get overlooked for bands like ABBA, there is a problem with the system. When you have Run D.M.C. and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in the hall of fame, but "rock 'n' roll" acts like Alice Cooper and Rush are not even nominated, there is a problem with the system. Now don't get me wrong, all the artists on this year's inductee list are talented, but the fact that ABBA has never had a successful album in the US and Kiss has had more gold albums than any other band, besides The Beatles, and ABBA gets in over Kiss shows that there is a problem with the system. They either have to change the voting criteria or change the name of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to just the Music Hall of Fame.

Now there are some inductees this year that deserve their place in the hall of fame and first on that list is Genesis. They are one of the pioneers of Progressive Rock (Prog Rock) and went from an underground art band in the early 1970s to a powerhouse singles pumping machine in the 1980s and 90s. Switching from front-man Peter Gabriel to Phil Collins only made the band stronger and their amazing 2007 arena reunion tour showed how timeless their music is.

The Hollies were a key member in the British Invasion. Songs like "Bus Stop" and "On A Carousel" were big hits for the band in the 60's. Even after singer/songwriter Graham Nash left the band to join Crosby, Stills & Nash; The Hollies motored on with "Long Cool Woman in a Back Dress" and one of the 1970's anthem "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". The band also had 21 consecutive Top 20 UK hits through 1970.

The Stooges are one of the pioneers of what would become "punk" music. Their three albums were landmark and their live shows and energy became legendary. Front-man Iggy Pop supplied the voice for such songs as "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and "1969".

Bob Marley broke down the barrier between reggae and rock, but it was Jimmy Cliff who created the ultimate reggae album, "The Harder They Come". Jimmy Cliff was the first international reggae star to bring this style of music to the masses. He paved the way for legends like Bob Marley and Toots and the Maytals and very much deserves his place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

So hopefully, future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame classes actually include "rock 'n' roll" performers. Remember the bands that paved the way for the musicians of today. Don't forget to check out this year's show on Monday, March 15th at 8:30PM on the Fuse channel.

CD Review: Social Code Delivers "Rock 'N' Roll"

Canadian rockers Social Code bring "Rock 'N' Roll" to the US in the form of the band's debut album. Produced by John Travis (Buckcherry, Kid Rock) the album was recorded during the cold Edmonton winter and will be released on March 23.

The lyrics of the album's opener "Rock 'N' Roll" foreshadows what Social Code feels the music population has been asking for as lead singer Travis Nesbitt states that he "wants to hear some rock 'n' roll" and believe me, they came to deliver. The drums of Ben Shilabeer and bass of Logan Jacobs is what powers these high-energy songs like "Nothing Left To Lose", "Buy Buy Baby" and " You Never Know What You Got Until It's Gone". The albums first single "Satisfied" displays the band's potential of giving the listener a classic rocker with lyrics to sing/shout along to. Guitarist Morgan Gies does not over perform by demanding the spotlight, but instead gives the songs "Perfect Grave" and "Real Girl" it's original sound. The power-ballad "Stay" shows the softer side of the band's song-writing and performing. "I'm Not OK" is a rock anthem for the broken hearted, while "Too Late For Tomorrow" demands you to take action now.

The band recently toured with the likes of Theory of a Deadman, Buckcherry, Finger Eleven and are eager to get back on the road to promote their latest release "Rock 'N' Roll". For videos, tour dates and more please visit www.socialcodemusic.com.

CD Review: Jukebox The Ghosts Live And "Let Live"

Newcomers, Jukebox The Ghost are currently on tour promoting their newest release "Let Live And Let Ghosts". They will be performing in Connecticut on Saturday, March 6th at the Toquet Hall in Westport before making their way down south to the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Jukebox The Ghost is made up of three friends that hail from Washington D.C. with a common love for music.

Their album is full of energetic, fun pop music. Right from the opening song "Good Day" and the catchy "Under My Skin," you get the feeling that these three musicians really enjoy performing together. Their quirky songwriting shines through on the songs "Beady Eyes On The Horizon" and "Victoria." The album really takes off with the songs "Static" and "Lighting Myself On Fire" which shows that the band can step past the pop songs to grab the attention they deserve.

The band has performed with Ben Folds, Toyko Police Club and most recently with Adam Green of the Moldy Peaches. For more information on Jukebox The Ghost, check out www.myspace.com/jukeboxtheghost.

CD Review: Alan Charing Returns With "Stitch"

It's been six years since his last album and eleven years since he used his own name on an album, but "Stitch" is the return of Oregon singer-songwriter Alan Charing. Formally of the band A.C. Cotton, Charing is moving forward with his song-writing on this new release.

"Stitch" begins with the energetic "Leftover Life To Kill". An up-tempo punk drum beat reminiscent of Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Charing sings about his unstable mindset in "New Jersey" before his energy gets lifted again in "Day Shift". His laid-back rock roots shine through on "I Can Feel The Wheel". "The Storm" features members of Laura Gibson's band as well as Gibson on vocals which sugarcoats the song's dark lyrics. "Disasterpiece" sounds like an out-take from a Tom Petty solo album. "Whiskey Sours" picks up the energy and intensity of the music before closing with the appropriate "Long Goodbye" about coming to terms with closure in your life.

His songs have been featured on NBC, WB and Fox television shows and his new album is available on March 9th on Lazy Bones Records. You can visit the Lazy Bones website (www.lazybones.com) for more information on Alan Charing new release.