Our Lady Peace - A Decade

It should be noted that in the term “greatest hits” the word “hits” is plural for a reason. It assumes that there is, in fact, more than one hit on the release.
A Decade by Our Lady peace is the bands latest release, featuring a collection of “greatest hits” and a few bonus tracks. However “Somewhere out there” is the only “hit” song on this disk. This begs the question: should this be called a “greatest hit”album?
For those not familiar with the bands previous work, Our Lady Peace play a brand of radio-ready rock that Clear Channel eats right up. And why wouldn’t they? The bands songs can be appealing to soccer moms and pre-pubescent children alike; they can finally agree on something to listen to on their morning drive to the junior high!
The bands sound is frankly contrived and predictable.The singer is clearly a card carrying member of the Eddy Vedder fanclub, and the rest of the band takes cues from Pearl Jam as well. However, where Pearl Jam were writing songs with meaning, Our Lady Peace seems content to write songs about absolutely nothing at all.
The bonus tracks on the record give us a glimpse into what a more creative version of this same band would sound like. The opening riff to the unreleased “Kiss on the mouth” draws to mind later generation U2, but that quickly drops out to make way for the bland vocal delivery once again. The Final unreleased track is perhaps the albums only saving grace. Vocals aside, this song finds more in common with The Killers and The Strokes than with Soundgarden or Pearl Jam, which is a welcome change.
The bottom line is that this record has come 15 years too late. Its post-grunge sound, while heavily watered down, would have likely drawn legions of fans in the early to mid 90’s. But alas! We are forging ahead into a new millennium, while Our Lady Peace seems content with the days of ripped jeans and flannel shirts.

Overall Rating: 4.5

Tenacious D - The Pick Of Destiny

When most people think Jack Black, they think Tenacious D. They don’t typically think King Kong, Orange County, or School of Rock, and they certainly don’t think Nacho Libre.
The Pick of Destiny, the new album from Jack Black and Kyle Gass (more affectionately known as “The D”), was recently released to coincide with a full length movie of the same title. A Rock Opera of sorts, this album comes out with guns blazing. The music on the disc is extremely catchy and well executed complete with face melting guitar solos and cranium-exploding vocals. The band also opted for a more electric approach this time around in contrast to the raw acoustic stylings of their first album. The same classic-rock meets metal sound is loud and clear, taking cue from the likes of Dio, Styx, Boston, and other legends of that era. Unfortunately, it seems that this is where the improvements from 2001’s self titled effort end.
The most disappointing aspect of this album is the fact that the story itself is so hard to follow. If someone has not seen the Pick of Destiny movie, then much of the plot will be lost on them. For example “Papagenu (He’s My Sassafrass)” comes out of nowhere, with an out of place Polyphonic Spree-esque 70’s pop throwback. Little do listeners know that at this point in the movie, Jack Black has stumbled upon some psychedelic mushrooms and is on a crazy drug trip with Sasquatch! Also, the second to last song “POD,” which explains about the pick of destiny should have been placed in the beginning to enlighten the listener of its importance to the plot. Last track “The Metal” is completely unrelated to anything else on the disk, and frankly just is not funny. Since this album was not at all billed as a soundtrack it should be able to stand alone, but without the movie it falls flat on its face. If a small explanation of the storyline was provided in the liner notes that might have eliminated some confusion, but alas, all that is found in the liner notes are photos from the movie.
The comedy throughout the album also leaves something to be desired. Gone are the gut-bursting skits and outrageous lyrics of the earlier self titled album. It seems that busy schedules kept Jack Black and Kyle Gass from spending as much time on this album as it deserved.
However the album is not completely devoid of great material. The best example of what Tenacious D can do is found in the song “Beelzeboss (The Final Battle). Here, “The D” find themselves faced with Satan, and challenge him to a rock-off. What ensues is nothing short of brilliant.
What I feel people forget is that Jack Black has become quite a desirable actor since Tenacious D’s 2001 debut. He has gone from bit parts in High Fidelity and Orange County to starring and supporting roles in King Kong and School Of Rock. We as listeners must understand the fact that Jack is a busy man these days, and that although we might like to think so, Tenacious D is not all that he does. After all, rock ‘n roll don’t pay the bills!


OVERALL RATING: 7.0

Cricket Spin - Grans of Salt, Grains Of Sand

I will admit I was a tad apprehensive before I put Cricket Spin’s album Grains of Salt, Grains of Sand into my CD player, mostly since the name evokes images of a bluegrass band complete with suspenders and corncob pipes. However I was in for a pleasant surprise from band leader Ben Yonda and company.
The band’s sound draws from so many directions, that a single description would do nothing but injustice. At times the group explores simple folk-rock structures while peppering them with orchestral arrangements of woodwinds, xylophone, and more. Front man Yonda’s voice oozes with sincerity, harkening to a less whiney Bright Eyes in the upper range, and a less growling Tom Waits in the lower. Combining the pop sensibility of early Elvis Costello and The Beatles, Cricket Spin weaves an album that is simply fun to listen to.
The first two tracks “Our One Day Lives” and “Last Night Lovers” are bright, driving songs which propel the disk right off the bat with passionate electric guitar, eloquent keyboards, and chilling female backing vocals. The following track, “Vanishing Point” shifts to an almost minimalist acoustic format, reminding me periodically of the acoustic work of Neil Young. This song is but one example of how the band can take a simple folk-inspired riff and captivate the listener. The upbeat “Exclamation!” sounds as if it were written at a house party, with friends providing hand claps as the lone acoustic guitar takes center stage accompanied by tasteful tambourine.
Grains of Salt… returns to an electric format for the lovely Melanie Wonderful, which hearkens to Spike era Elvis Costello (minus the dated drum machines and synths). The drums on the album have an organic feel which does much to tie the plethora of instruments together. The slightly wavering tempo of the drummer gives the album a lo-fi character not found in the world of pro-tools and major labels.
This is an album full of heartfelt lyrics which draw you deeper and deeper into the record as it progresses. Cricket Spin flexes their creative muscle frequently on this disk, providing tracks ranging in feel from sorrowful dirge, to triumphant celebration. Their originality and sincerity keep Cricket Spin from becoming just another derivative folk-rock band. This album is not a “throwback”; in contrast it is a leap forward, showing just how much love can be packed into a single album.
The only gripe that I have is that the second half of the album lacks the energy of the first half. While all the songs are well written and executed, I could easily see people being lulled to sleep by the time closing track “Kittery” comes along.
Ben Yonda, as well as 2 of his band mates are graduates of our lovely RIT: two with degrees in New Media Design, and one in Film. Ben has since moved the operation to Brooklyn where the band now resides, playing shows regularly in and around New York City.