Jon Bruhm

Foo FightersIn Your Honor(RCA)While he’ll always be remembered as the backbone of Nirvana, Dave Grohl has been defined by his solo project-turned-band, Foo Fighters. Many Foo purists felt alienated when the band shifted from post-grunge heroes to mainstream rock kings following two solid albums, but the more marketable sound has netted the band some serious […]

Heavy meadowsRemixes(Dependent)While on yet another extended hiatus, Halifax folkies heavy meadows have entrusted four of their babies into the hands of electronic whiz kid Andrew Duke and ex-Rebecca Wester Lukas Pearse, along with meds’ guitarist Seth Timothy’s obscure electro side project Free Couch, in order to create alternate interpretations of their songs. The results are […]

Gov’t MuleDeja Voodoo(BMG)Have you ever formed an opinion of a band before even hearing them, only to find you were completely wrong? If you were under the impression that Gov’t Mule is a death metal band, as I was, a listen to Deja Voodoo will be quite an eye-opener—especially when one expects to hear Slayer […]

The Crystal MethodCom-munity Service II(ultra)Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, America’s answer to The Chemical Brothers, are arguably the best electronic tag-team this side of the Atlantic. Community Service II, the long-awaited follow-up to TCM’s 2002 mixtape Community Service, is a fun-filled 75-minute-long instant rave. As on the first incarnation, the duo injects highly danceable beats […]

Staggered CrossingBurgundy & Blue(Bent Penny)Back in 2001, Staggered Crossing had two major hits. Despite this, the band was dropped by its label, and the independent follow-up was mediocre at best. Fortunately, the band has found its way back into a groove and return with the stellar Burgundy & Blue. The disc features the stylish “Grow” […]

The F-UpsS/T (Capitol)The F-Ups are one of those pop-punk bands who preach the whole non-conformity thing, yet probably don’t know what conformity means. A listen to their disc and a scan of their website makes it seem as though their stick-it-to-the-man attitude and “bad-ass” moniker are part of a plan to appeal to the kids. […]

The DissociativesThe Dissociatives(virgin)Ex-Silverchair whiner Daniel Johns has finally moved away from the angsty grunge and has teamed up with Australian techno phenom Paul Mac to assemble The Dissociatives. The leadoff track “We’re Much Preferred Customers” resembles a pompous knock-off of Radiohead’s Kid A, but is not at all representative of the album. The remainder of […]

Ray Charles Celebrates A Gospel Christmas(UrbanWorks) This DVD concert features a performance by Ray Charles, but it is anything but a Ray Charles DVD. Instead, it should be titled The Voices Of Jubilation Cash in on Ray Charles Before it’s Too Late. Far from a Christmas disc, it features poor audio mixing, unflattering angles and […]

Atreyu The Curse(Victory)With melodic choruses, disturbingly dark screamy verses and shredding guitar solos, Atreyu claims to be at the top of the retro-metal-emo-core game. The mighty Orange County-based quintet with the Neverending Story-themed name have attempted to bypass the negative constraints associated with the nü-metal, rap-rock and straight-up emo genres, and with The Curse, they […]

Black Label SocietyKings of Damnation(Spitfire)Shortly after recording 1995’s Ozzmosis album with Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Zakk Wylde parted ways with his mentor and went out on his own. Seven albums later, including solo endeavours and his frontman duty with both metal-laced Black Label Society and southern-fried Pride & Glory, he’s amassed a slew of memorable cuts. […]