Adam Again - "Perfecta"

Adam Again - Perfecta
1995, Brainstorm

1. Stone
2. Strobe
3. All You Lucky People
4. All Right
5. Harsh
6. Air
7. Dogjam
8. LC
9. Relapse
10. Every Mother's Way
11. What's Your Name?
12. Unfunny
13. Try Not To Try
14. Don't Cry

Adam Again has never been a band to repeat themselves. Such as the case with Perfecta which, again, sees the band altering their sound ever so slightly. All traces of funk are gone now as well as the quirky rhythms I enjoyed so much on Dig. The whole album has the "recorded live" kind of vibe. The lyrics are a lot darker as well. I think Gene was working through his divorce and other struggles on this album. I'd be hard pressed to say I like this as much as Dig, but it has grown on me over the years. It's pretty easy to find these days so it is worth picking up.

Useless fact: "Don't Cry" originally appeared on the Brow Beat - a compilation of unplugged tunes by bands like The Choir, Undercover, and the Lost Dogs.

Betrayal - "Renaissance By Death"

Betrayal - Renaissance By Death
1991, Wonderland

1. Renaissance By Death
2. The Invitation
3. Fallen Deceived
4. More Faith Than Me
5. Escaping The Altar
6. Assassins in the Midst
7. Mortal Flesh
8. Stroll Thru a Wicked Age
9. Prophets of Baal
10. Plead the Blood

I remember when Betrayal first came out. There was a lot of hype surrounding their debut. They even had a little phone number you could call and hear a message from the band and a short sample of the music. Speaking of which it is mostly technical thrash. Of course you've got your chunky riffs, your melancholy guitar interludes, and a bit of jazz thrown in for good measure. A lot of people didn't like Chris Ackerman's vocals and I can understand why. He has sort of a clean punk shout that sometimes seems at odds with the music - almost like it's not in time with the rhythm of the song (see "Escaping the Altar" for an example of this). I like it though mostly because there are some tasty riffs here. A lot of the lyrics have to do with the dangers of Satanism and the occult, take for example "Stroll Thru a Wicked Age" which is almost a history lesson set to music. It's a pretty good disc if you can find it.

Useless fact: Betrayal used to be called Martyr before they got signed.

Barren Cross - "Atomic Arena"

Barren Cross - Atomic Arena
1987, Enigma

1. Imaginary Music
2. Killers of the Unborn
3. In the Eye of the Fire
4. Terroist Child
5. Close to the Edge
6. Dead Lock
7. Cultic Regimes
8. Heaven or Nothing
9. King of Kings
10. Living Dead

Despite the fact that Barren Cross was essentially the Christian version of Iron Maiden, and Mike Lee's voice was a dead ringer for Bruce Dickenson, this is still an awesome metal album. The lyrics are a little cheesy in spots (like in "Cultic Regimes" where Mike Lee sings "...so millions of lives would LIVE!"), but you've got some full throttle NWOBHM tunes like "Killers of the Unborn" and "Dead Lock" so it evens out. Let's not forget "Close to the Edge" which is another of my favorite tunes.

And just because it seems like forever since I've let you inside my strange and wonderful world I should tell you that whenever I listen to this album I think of my birthday when I was in 6th grade or so. I played a LOT of Gremlins 2 on the original Nintendo. Y'know that wasn't a half bad game if I remember....

Useless Fact: This album was rereleased on a little label called "Restless" in 2003. There weren't any bonus tracks or anything - it was almost an exact copy of the original.

Adam Again - "Dig"

Adam Again - Dig
1992, Brainstorm

1. Deep
2. It Is What It Is (What It Is)
3. Dig
4. Hopeless, Etc.
5. Songwork
6. Worldwide
7. Walk Between The Raindrops
8. Hidden, Hidden
9. River On Fire
10. So Long

Dig proves to be another step in the evolution of Adam Again. Most all of the funk and jazz aspects of the band have been jettisoned in favor of straight up alternative rock. It's not quite as much of a move as it was between Ten Songs and Homeboys. And man, oh, man is it amazing. This is my favorite Adam Again offering. I love Greg Lawless' psycho guitar riffs. I love Gene's voice - especially the syncopated wordplay with the lyrics ("Hidden, Hidden" for example). "River On Fire," an acoustic ballad, is at once heartbreaking and beautiful and one of the best tracks on the album. However, "Songwork" is probably my most favorite song here. The guitar riff and vocals just create this whole world of sound. Yeah... I can't say enough good things about this disc.

Useless Fact: I'm pretty sure that "Worldwide" is about the first war in Iraq.

Adam Again - "Homeboys"

Adam Again - Homeboys
1990, Broken

1. Homeboys
2. The Fine Line
3. Hide Away
4. Bad News On The Radio
5. Inner City Blues
6. Dance Around In Circles
7. This Band Is Our House
8. Save Me
9. Occam's Razor
10. No Regrets

1990 was definitely a good year for music! Homeboys is a lot different from Ten Songs. Most of the dance stuff has been ditched in favor of more rock and more funk. I, for one, couldn't be happier. This is a great collection of poignant songs and Gene's voice fits the mood perfectly. You can almost feel the heat bouncing off the pavement of an old inner city basketball court. Dan Michael's sax jazzes up the proceedings nicely. Oh... let's not forget the hooks. They're much more apparent here and I think the songs are a lot more focused, and as a result, a lot more interesting. The lyrics are thought provoking and not the "happy shiny" Christian lyrics that were so popular at this time. "Inner City Blues" is a Marvin Gaye cover which the band pulls off flawlessly. This really is a classic album!

Useless Fact: Steve Hindalong from The Choir wrote the lyrics to "Hide Away," and he even sang the song on the tribute CD after Gene's death.

Adam Again - "Ten Songs By Adam Again"

Adam Again - Ten Songs By Adam Again
1988, Broken

1. Tree House
2. Beat Peculiar
3. Who Can Hold Us?
4. Babylon
5. I've Seen Dominoes
6. Trouble With Lies
7. Ain't No Sunshine
8. Eyes Wide Open
9. Every Word I Say
10. The Tenth Song

I first started listening to Adam Again with Dig, so this album has been out for a LONG time! The dance/funk/jazz style here is a far cry from the meloncholy alt-rock that came later. Personally, I just can't get into this. It's not really the style change though. I think I have a hard time with this disc because the hooks just aren't that apparent to me. I got bored. The songs are long too... a little too long I think. "Beat Peculiar" comes in at over 8 minutes! There just isn't anything that really grabs ahold of me. The songs themselves are alright and I love Gene's voice as much as I always have but this is a total miss for me even though many fans consider it a classic. Eh... maybe it will grow on me. Oh, and good luck finding a copy because it's way out of print and goes for upwards of $50 online.

Useless Fact: Rap group SFC sampled "Beat Peculiar" on A Saved Man (In The Jungle) for the song "Peculiar."

The Intro

Hello everyone! I already have a blog at avsherwood1.wordpress.com, however, I've been wanting to do something more music centered. Music has always been a part of my life from the time I was little. Most of my memories are imprinted with the music I was listening to at the time. Not surprisingly my Ipod is filled with all genres of music.

I've always liked sites like nolifetilmetal.com that are reviews from an enthusiastic fan. I like fan reviews because they're not pretentious or concerned about what's cool - they're reflections and impressions. Since I don't have the technical skill to make such an actual website I'll do the next best thing. What I'm going to do is go through my Ipod from A-Z making note of all the albums and typing down my thoughts, opinions, and some comments that might actually pass for a "review." I may even do individual songs and some of the stuff that is actually my wife's because I'm too lazy to deselect it when I sync up my ipod.

And remember folks, these are just opinions which are, if you're not aware, like buttholes. So spare me your flame comments on something that you don't like. If you disagree - Great! We can discuss our opinions and like mature adults but I will delete any comments in 1337-speak unless I find them entertaining (though I will be mocking you afterward, so keep that in mind). Also note: THERE IS NO ACTUAL MUSIC AVAILABLE ON THIS BLOG! It is just my quasi-reviews.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy!