Blackmore's Night - Shadow of the Moon

Take one of rock's most influential and notoriously bad-tempered guitarists, add a whispy-voiced female singer, and drop them in the middle of a renaissance faire (complete with costumes). What do you get? Something that, surprisingly, works. Blackmore's Night is the name of this band of minstrels. Led by former Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and his lady love Candice Night on vocals, Blackmore's Night makes mostly acoustic, renaissance-era-inspired music. If that sounds cheesy, scary, or weird to you, you're not alone. It's taken me several years to get over my prejudice and give the band a try (many thanks to the band for putting up good-quality MP3s of entire songs on their site so I could hear for myself) and it really does work. Listen to their cover of Joan Baez's Diamonds and Rust. Not bad, eh? Not exactly a renaissance-era song but they make it their own. This doesn't mean that I am going to start buying chainmail tank tops and telling my wench to fetch my mead but I am going to pick up more of their albums when I can.

Sophia Ramos - Her Majesty

Singer Sophia Ramos first came to my attention when Jason Newsted's Chophouse Records emailed people on their mailing list asking for feedback on a couple of songs they posted featuring Ms. Ramos. This was back in March and at the time I replied, "Regarding Sophia Ramos, I like the Godswallop track better than the TARRAT track. The reason is that towards the end of the Godswallop track she lets loose. She's a nice enough singer but she does have some pipes and when she goes off like that, her voice rises above just nice and really shines." That's my story and I'm sticking to it for her album Her Majesty, as well. She is such a powerful singer. Still, my favorite track is Deep In My Bones, which is more of a power balled than a full-on rocker. For those, give a listen to Torn Down or Esperanza. I have a hunch that we're getting just a glimpse of her potential. Keep an eye out for her.

Monster Magnet - Monolithic Baby!

Three years and a few personnel changes since their last album, the Monster is back; as big and badass as ever. Monster Magnet has unleashed its latest, Monolithic Baby!, on an unsuspecting world so take cover. Of my, now five, Monster Magnet albums, this is one of the most consistent and ranks right up there with Powertrip. Attitude, lyrics from outer space, and GUITARS. Check out Unbroken (Hotel Baby) and hear for yourself. Let's hope we won't have to wait another three years to hear from them again. Hail to the Monster, baby.

Uli Jon Roth - Metamorphosis

A little background:

• Uli Jon Roth, née Ulrich Roth, former lead guitarist for The Scorpions.
• Heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix, sometimes to a fault.
• Dresses like a flower child.
• Amazing guitarist but terrible singer.
• Cheesy, pretentious album artwork.
• Is on a mad quest to wed the electric guitar to the world of classical music.
• I have all of his albums.

Say what you will about him, Uli is following his own muse and is utterly unconcerned with pursuing commercial success as an end itself. His latest album, Metamorphosis, features his all-instrumental adaptation of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons (yes his adaptation--his arrangements and orchestrations). He uses his guitar, basically, as a replacement for a violin, so I don't see that he has found a unique place in an orchestra for the electric guitar yet. I'm glad he keeps trying, though. When he succeeds, it is wonderful (listen to Teardrops In October). When he fails, it is spectacular. What more could an artist hope for?

Inger Lorre - Transcendental Medication

I am writing this less than an hour after seeing Inger Lorre perform at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood and oh...my...GAWD! The sad and twisted tale of Inger Lorre and The Nymphs has been told elsewhere so I won't rehash it here. The Nymphs' first (and only) album is memorable, with some really good cuts on it. The same with Inger's solo album, Transcendental Medication: memorable with some really good cuts on it. Inger's solo acoustic show, however, was unbefreakinglievable. Even if you were a big fan of The Nymphs and are a big fan of Inger's, pay attention: you have no idea how good she is. Inger performed songs by herself (including a new one), The Nymphs, Lou Reed, P.J. Harvey, John Lennon, and one I didn't recognize (which is a shame because it was my favorite song of the night). Words fail me. It was, quite simply, one of the best performances I have ever seen. Inger mentioned that she is working on an acoustic album and you better believe that once it's released, you will read about it here. In the meantime, there is Transcendental Medication to keep you company; forty five minutes of naked, writhing emotion. Listen to It Could Happen To You, my favorite cut. Oh, what the heck, here is Just One Happy Day by The Nymphs. Go see Inger if she does one of her shows near you. I am so glad I was able to go (no small feat for this daddy).

Hey, whaddya know. While getting this post ready, I came across Slip It In, a song Inger did with Henry Rollins for the benefit album Rise Above. Gotta add that puppy to my shopping cart...

[Inger Lorre left a comment a few days later:]

INGER here,.....thank you.....
Hello,.. inger lorre here,... the girl that does my website.,(transcendental spirit.com) e-mailed me your very kind review of my show at the knitting factory,....And I just wanted to thank you for your kind words,.....as most people know by now,....I suffer from a HORRIBLE case of alcoholism,...and it has taken me all this time just to get back on my feet again. It was VERY scary, performing without any "substances" to soften up my bad case of stage fright,......and I promise you that the next time I play,...it will be alot better,...I had no idea how scary it is going onstage all by yourself,..!!!!(that was the first time for me!) anyway,.....now that my SOLO-performer-cherry has been popped!....it's all smooth sailing from here on,...... also,..I wanted to tell you,,,that I am pretty sure the song wich you speak of,,,that you did'nt know the name of was "pissin' in a river" by patti smith,...since all my friends said that THAT was the best song of the night,...I dont know...I'm oblivious to these things ya know...... I just know that ever since elliot died,..I feel that it's up to me to sling an acoustic guityar across my chest, and start up where he left off,..in honor of HIM and his genius. I DONT want the singer/songwreiter rock-poet troubador-to die WITH him...ya know???? I will NEVER be ANYWHERE as good as elliot,....but I feel it's my duty to carry on his message. love inger (you can contact me at the wbsite if ya want) see ya!) and thanx again!

Parallax Project - Oblivious

This one is a bit of a mixed bag. The songs on this debut album by The Parallax Project that work the best are the Beatles-esque numbers like Just Like Yesterday and Take A Walk. The songs that don't work as well are the sensitive singer/songwriter-type songs. Then again, I like When I Die so what do I know? Well, I know that this album hits more than it misses so The Parallax Project makes it onto my "Bands to Keep an Eye On" list.

Black Monday - Six Shooter

I found Black Monday via a posting on Slashdot, of all places (Marketing 101 tip to all bands: mention your website everywhere). See if you can see which reply post is mine. Their CD, Six Shooter, is actually a "duel" with another band, Speedbuggy, with each band getting six songs each. Black Monday is loud rock, with a dash of punk, and a big splash of the wild west. Check out Wrapped in Red and Crossroads. Cowpunk? Whatever. They rock.

Auf der Maur - Auf der Maur

Hearing that Melissa auf der Maur, former bassist for Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, was releasing a solo album, by itself, wouldn't interest me too much. However, hearing that Masters of Reality main-man Chris Goss produced it, that would interest me very much. The album has been out in Europe for several months and videos of the first singles have been on Melissa's site for a while so I have been listening to them before the album's release in the U.S. (thank you Audio Hijack!). The album, on a first listen, sounds okay. Further listening reveals a surprisingly solid batch of songs (I guess I'm surprised because I'm not a fan of Hole or The Smashing Pumpkins). I hope Goss and MadM worked well together because the end-result of their collaboration is smart, funny, sexy, rich, and always rocking; I want there to be more. The first single, Followed the Waves is the album's stand-out track. Also check out My Foggy Notion. If you're a fan of Melissa (or if this album makes you a fan) you might want to check out her, I'm completely serious, Black Sabbath tribute band, Hand of Doom.

The Pandoras - Stop Pretending

Where were you in 1986? The Pandoras were releasing their second album, Stop Pretending. Great sixties-style garage rock with "proto-riot grrrl" vocals. Both The Muffs (Kim Shattuck and original member Melanie Vammen) and The Leaving Trains (Vammen again) have roots that go back to The Pandoras, for what it's worth. Rhino Handmade, the limited edition arm of Rhino Records, has remastered Stop Pretending and added ten more tracks of rarities and demos. Check out the single, In and Out of My Life (In a Day), as well as Ain't Got No Soul It's a limited edition of 2500 so don't sit on your butt if you're interested. Where was I in 1986? I was actually in Southern California so I had no excuse for not seeing them. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight: I was stupid, stupid, stupid. I've made up for it, though, by getting the whole back catalog. Vinyl singles included.

A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step

The past several years has seen a renaissance, of sorts, in the prog rock world. Bands such as A Perfect Circle and Porcupine Tree, as well as the most recent album by Opeth, have delivered a slower, more intense and moody brand of prog rock, rather than the flashy, technically dazzling brand you might be afraid of. More In the Court of the Crimson King than The Gates of Delirium. This second album by A Perfect Circle is a journey best taken in your home with the lights dimmed. Then again, it works in my car, too. I just make sure the windows are closed. Check out the next single, Blue, and Weak and Powerless.

Elvis Presley - That's Alright

Fifty years ago this evening, a 19-year-old Elvis Presley went into the recording studio at Sun Records in Memphis, TN. The result of that session, "That's All Right", was, arguably, the birth of rock and roll (Bill Haley actually recorded Rock Around the Clock a few months earlier on April 12, and had released it and Shake, Rattle and Roll by July). Forget Las Vegas, the movies, the rhinestone outfits, the weight gain, the drugs, the cult, the sightings, the imitators and parodies. Listen to the song. The essence of rock and roll is found in that one minute and fifty five seconds. It's been my favorite Elvis song since well before I learned of its significance.

The Oscillators - Incog★Neat★O!

Clear some room on the beach, Frankie and Annette, there's a swingin' new band for the party. Okay, they're not new (this album came out in 1999) and I'm not convinced they're even still together but Incog★Neat★O! is great! A catchy neo-sixties twangy guitar band. How can you not like something as catchy as Don't Look Back or Doug Buggy (he's the dune buggy on the cover). Yeah, baby!