The Wolf
Island Def Jam/Universal
It
may sound crazy, but this Michigan-raised rocker writes pure, frat boy,
head-banging anthems, complete with repetitive, memorable choruses that
would make The Beatles and Bryan Adams proud. His follow-up to
2000's I Get Wet is a mix of metal, punk and classical music. But
it's what he's singing about that rallies the troops - the defiant
"Your Rules" and "Totally Stupid," the odes to rock
'n' roll "Really In Love," "I Love Music"and, of
course, "Long Live The Party."Break The Silence
Aquarius/DKD/EMI
The
septet from Vancouver has traded in its ska roots for a unique balance of
smashing rock with horn-y accents, sometimes barely detectable, and at
other times full-on brassy. Led by Shaun Frank, the high energy tunes such
as the single "Don't Wanna Go" are more in the vein of Sum 41
and Foo Fighters, but with the unique addition of trombone, sax and
trumpet. The band enjoyed some success with its 2000 independent CD,
Tempting Fate, and last year's video for "A Million
Pictures," but Break The Silence reveals a more concentrated
sound.Unstable
Arista/BMG
Following
up its 2001 self-titled debut, which surpassed platinum in America, this
heavy rock band led by Mark "Marky" Chavez, the half brother of
Korn's Jonathan Davis, is well on its way to proving itself on its own
merit. Considering the singer is still in his early 20s, he has remarkable
insight into himself and others, singing about the birth of his infant son
on "So Fortunate," a family member's heroin addiction in
"Needles" and a friend's abusive relationship in "Stand
Up." Vocally, he shows a range from throaty aggression in
"Co-dependent" to the softer melodicism of the acoustic-based
"Promises."Caught By The Window
MapleMusic/Universal
It
might as well be said - Pilate is Canada's answer to Coldplay. With the
soothing, soaring voice of Todd Clark, Caught By The Window is an
album that can be listened to from beginning to end and in the dark, to
soak in its power. Starting with a stunning, slow piece,
"Endgame," one is sucked in immediately. This is music to enjoy
alone, with an epic sense even when they are four-minute pop songs.
There's something big in its subtlety. They are songs to get lost in. If
radio wants to share the upbeat "Into Your Hideout," so be it.
Neon Nights
London/Warner
In
an effort to launch her career in North America, the sister of Kylie has
been promoting her latest album, Neon Nights, this side of the
ocean, with TV appearances and press. A bona fide star in the U.K, Europe
and Australia as a singer, actress and TV presenter, an Internet search of
U.S. music sites reveals little or nothing about her. And Neon Nights
likely won't change that. The album is full of average booty-shaking dance
tracks, good for the moment, but nothing memorable. The one exception
might be "It Won't Work Out," a beautiful, earnest ballad.
Oh Susanna
Stella/Nettwerk/EMI
Suzie
Ungerleider, aka Oh Susanna, is still relatively unknown but truly one of
the best voices in Canada. A temporary 'it' girl back in the mid-90s, when
labels were courting the country-tinged singer-songwriter, following the
release of her indie cassette debut, she has gone on to build a loyal club
following around the world. This eponymously titled album is her third.
While the upbeat "Right By Your Side," complete with piano and
horns, is what Nettwerk will work as a single, her voice is beautiful and
rich on "Carrie Lee" and simply stunning on the sparser
"Unknown Land."-
-Karen Bliss