Masters of Reality - Give Us Barabbas

For more evidence of how screwed up the record industry in America is, take the case of Masters of Reality. Arguably one of the finest American rock bands to appear in the last twenty years, they don't have a record deal in their own country anymore. Their albums come out in Europe but if you want to buy their CDs in the United States, you can either order them as imports or you can go to the band's online store. What do they sound like? Hard to say, really, as they don't fit neatly into any category. The first time I heard them I thought they sounded like a cross between Deep Purple and The Doors. That might not make any sense and I don't know if it's accurate but it should give you an idea of their range. The band these days is frontman Chris Goss, best known lately as a producer (Queens of the Stone Age, Auf der Maur), and whoever he decides to have on an album. I have been listening to them since 1988 and they have never disappointed me, either on CD or live. They keep the streak going with their latest album, Give Us Barabas. For longtime fans, Googe is back on bass and Ginger Baker even makes an appearance on one song. Give a listen to Jindalee Jindalie, Brown House on the Green Road, and the playful Off to Tiki Ti. See if you can figure out simple box to put them in. Good luck.

Kelly's Heels - Dig In!

You know you're listening to great power pop when you want to dance to a break-up song. Great power pop is just what London's Kelly's Heels delivers over and over. Of course, it helps that Dig In! is mostly a compilation from their first three albums. As the old saying goes, though, you never get a second chance to make a first impression and this album leaves quite an impression with catchy hooks all over and just enough harmonies to make the songs delicious. Feast on Sabrina and Tell Me If It's Over.

Harland - Salt Box Lane

I first heard Shelley Harland when I stumbled across a single she did with Delerium last year called Above the Clouds. I can't remember what caught my eye because I had not heard of Delerium at the time. Anyway, I finally picked up her 2003 album, Salt Box Lane, and it is wonderful. She has such a pretty voice and she knows how to ride a song's hook for all it's worth. That adds up to great tracks like Skin and the it's-so-cute-I-can't-believe-how-good-it-is track Treehouse. She is busy working on her next album, which I can hardly wait for.

Tan Dun - Hero

One of my favorite presents from this past Christmas is the soundtrack to the movie Hero, given to me by my little girl (though I think her mommy helped a bit). In short, if you liked the soundtrack to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon then you are going to love Hero. Since both scores were composed by Tan Dun, this is good news for fans, as is the continued use of Asian instruments in addition to the "Western" orchestra (which is actually the China Philharmonic Orchestra). The featured soloist this time is Itzhak Perlman, his violin replacing Yo-Yo Ma's cello, but the more significant change is the addition of voices accompanying the orchestra. Solo or choral, the wordless singing does more than simply add to the orchestra, it is positively moving. Give a listen to Gone With Leaves, Farewell, Hero, or Above Water and just try to keep from being swept away to another place. And don't worry, to enjoy the score it is not necessary to have seen the film (though I highly recommend doing exactly that--in fact, another one of my Christmas presents was the DVD).

Jarvis Humby - Assume The Position It's...

If you take some sixties garage band sound, fold in a Hammond organ, and add a dash of R&B, you get Britain's Jarvis Humby. This album is drenched in the sixties but, somehow, they make it sound fresh. I know that doesn't make any sense but there you go. On their new album, Assume the Position It's..., they sound like the house band for an old Peter Sellers movie with tracks like We Say Yeah!. On the other hand, 99 Steps to the Sun reminds me of early Santana. Must be the guitar solo over the Hammond. Fun album and not a bad track on it.

The Consortium of Genius - In COG We Trust

And now for something completely different. For those who don't mind their rock with a smile, there is The Consortium of Genius. Led by Dr. Milo T. Pinkerton III, an evil genius bent on world domination (aren't they all?), this New Orleans band sings about science, world domination, medical experiments, murder, and shower heads. Pretty much what you'd expect from evil geniuses (or is that genii?). More Green Jelly than Frank Zappa, nevertheless the Consortium does manage to deliver some catchy tunes along with the laughs on their third album, In COG We Trust. Check out Destroy Old Things (I can't believe that title isn't already a punk anthem) and the Devo-esque Placebo! Ably assisted by Dr. A, Dr. Z, Drumbot, and Lab Girl, I expect Dr. Pinkerton will be at his quest for quite a while, which is good news for us because it means more COG albums (and let's face it, when you rule the earth you don't have time to put out albums).