I didn't think I would ever revisit reviewing albums and the like. I quit writing about three years ago because writing became a chore. I couldn't stand it! It's about the time when I stopped buying new releases (unless it was a band on tour). I escaped to hitting thrift stores for mostly 70's & 80's rock on vinyl.

So what to do now? Well, I think it will be fun to make this a free-for-all. Instead of having it's own section it's going to be old stuff mixed with new releases. Heck, I may throw in books, zines and video games.

I'm adding a number/grading scale. It's the number of songs I feel are worthwhile on the amount on the entire album. All reviews by Jeffrey Howard (duh) because otherwise this won't make sense.

Tortoise [web]
It's All Around You CD
Thrill Jockey Records (2004).

Yawn. Yawn again. I think I've listened to this about thirty times since I picked it up from the store. Sadly, it doens't get any better. I should just shelve this one away. If this was playing at a bar or jukebox I would not recognize this album as being Tortoise other than the fact that Jeff Parker, the guitarist, has such a recognizable sound. I didn't think these guys could make a bad record. Ah well. Each song gets more unbearable until "On The Chin", which lulls around for the previous six songs to pass by. It's the coolest song but it sounds like that other one they did last time. Ya know the one? Next time maybe it won't sound exactly like the other albums computer-pasted together. Meanwhile I'll be listening to their other albums, they are much better. Oh yeah, this is mixed really bass heavy - it blew out both my Infinities. Beware.

Scoring = (1/10).

I've never owned any gaming system older than Genesis. I have the old Ataris, Intellevisions and Colecovisions. I never got into Nintendo (other than Dr. Mario and Super Mario Brothers) or anything that came after. I decided to buy a "new" console and I end up with an Xbox over the Playstation 2. All I really wanted to do was play Crazy Taxi so Xbox had an exclusive Crazy Taxi 3 game so I was sold. However the disc was scratched so I could not play it. I took the opportunity to play the other game I purchased Knights of the Old Republic, a Star Wars game. Even though I had read decent reviews for this game I didn't know what to expect. This game had me entranced for the next four weeks.

Knights of the Old Republic takes part four thousand years before the Star Wars universe we already know. A new Dark Lord of the Sith rises to power and is amassing armies to overtake the Republic. You choose whether or not to stop them or join them. You become a Jedi and can use light side or dark side powers. You can travel to seven different worlds including the Sith homeplanet, the Wookie homework and Tatooine. Along the game you get characters to join your party.

I must admit I am blown away with this game. The worlds are huge and explorable, the dialogs with every character that moves was just amazing. The fight scenes were death-defying and there was this great scene that ranks high on the dorkiness factor where you do dance moves with a T'wilek. She gets so mad when you mess up. There were so many paths to choose from storywise to upgrading characters there is no way to play the game twice. This first game I played a light-force Jedi all the way. By the time I finished there were so many plot twists it felt like a real movie. Maybe that's why this is such a successful game: it feels like you watching a new Star Wars movie - a believable one at that.

Scoring = A+

It's been almost four years since 'Hope and Adams'. How could this Boston trio possibly top that album? In my eyes, that album has grown to be one of my favorite all-time records.

Along comes 'Per Second, Per Second, Per Second... Every Second' (geez, long title) and on the surface is quite different in delivery. The songs take a more upbeat, radio-friendly nature as opposed to the quiet, isolation that swallowed individual compositions of its predesessor. These twelve songs seem to be 'singles' rather than blending into a melting pot.

That's just the delivery. Does it work? You bet. It opens things up a bit. The content still borders along the dark side of being nice. Lyrically, it's not as abstract as 'Hope and Adams' but it still keeps the introspection and sweetness intact. "Breathe" and "Go Get The Cops" are my immediate favorites. "I Met A Girl" could easily be slipped into any rock/pop format radio station like Jimmy Eat World did. As much as this albums pops (instead of saying "rocks"- it "pops") Wheat still brings everything to a complete stop abd breaks your heart in "The Beginner" and the closer "This Rough Magic".

All in all, Per Second is already a personal favorite. Wheat deliver the goods. Longtime fans will find it's a little different but the thing we love Wheat for are there; and new listeners will find a new treasure.

The bonus track at the end is a re-recording of "Don't I Hold You" off the last record. Its most dramatic song, mind you. Honestly, I don't know how to take the rehash. It's a little out of place here, its context a little eschew. It is still a good song.

For fans of: Ben Folds, Ida, Pedro The Lion, Rilo Kelly, Jimmy Eat World, The Church.

Scoring = (13/13).

I think the general consensus of 1980's The Who is not that great. After the death of drummer Keith Moon in 1978 the Who churned out a couple of albums that were just bland, not bad mind you. The loss of a band member not the reason why these albums suffered. The remaining three members were also churning out solo projects at the same time as Face Dances. That mixed with bad 80's studio production. I'll spare any rants against how much I hate 80's production of rock music. At times you forget you are listening to one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

The two rockin' songs are by the bass player - not Pete Townsend. There's tons of great bass lines with a Jesus Lizard/Shellac-like intensity on "You" and "The Quiet One" (also sung by Joe Entwistle). But they get lost over the wimpiest guitar tone ever. Get rid of that chorus effect, Pete. In fact, keyboards seem to dominate over guitar work.

This album was the last time a song of theirs was charted in the UK as a single, "You Better You Bet".

Scoring = (4/9).

I have no Allman Brothers records in my collection until I picked this up at Goodwill. In fact, I never really paid them any attention inasmuch as I can't name even one song they are famous for. When it comes to Southern Rock I tend to stick to the ones I know. For two bucks for a double record in good condition is about worth checking out. It turns out after listening to the whole thing this is a nice southern boogie and blues recording.

The album photographs are all winners. In essence this album documents their 1971 tour with the band, including two drummers, posed jovialy in front of their equipment cases. The back cover shows the road crew in front of the same cases, all holding PBR cans and cigarettes. Nice touch. Who puts their roadies on album covers? Only the ones that know better and The Allman Brothers were a road act and it's cool to know they took care of those that took care of them.

Side one starts off with three blues covers including an eight and a half minute version of T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday". Slide guitars everywhere! If you turn these up just a bit you'll feel like you were there.

Side two entirely consists of one song "You Don't Love Me", a Willie Cobbs number. It's driving backbeat brings out the soaring southern blues guitars and gritty vocals. Given it's length each band member gets their own solo showoff time. Even the solo guitar licks weren't annoying at all. Okay, maybe a little annoying.

The third side begins the second half of the show with the Allman Brothers doing their own southern boogie. "Hot 'Lanta" burns through like swaggering lightning in hommage to their hometown highlighted with accents from both dueling drummers. Followed by another slow burn number ("In Memory of Elizabeth Reed") that starts out jazzy and ends in rock eruptions all in thirteen minutes time.

Closing out the album is a twenty-two minute version of "Whipping Post", a decent ending but it's length is a bit much, the soloing was bearable during the first twenty minute but another? Yeah, a bit much. The song picks up of course and ends with a lullaby crescendoing to a sea of well deserved applause.

All in all a good southern live rock album documenting this band at the height of their career. In less than six months of this albums release guitarist Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident. The Allman Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Scoring = (6/7).

I raise my hands and say "ahhhhhh." Not like a cute awww, more like a sigh like the sounds and textures on this five song EP are indescribable with words, like all that is needed is a knowingly nod as no communication through words would be neccessary. All textures using organic and electronic elements are woven together as using the finest of material, intimate and warm. The Album Leaf is more or less a solo project from Tristeza's Jimmy LaValle, who creates all the compositions and plays all instruments.

Scoring = (5/5).

Okay so their last album 'Morning View' was a really awesome record throught. It even made my top ten for whatever year it came out. 2001 maybe? There wasn't a bad song in the bunch. Now, this new one, is crap.

I'm not sure what happened to these guys between then and now but I can't believe their label didn't send this one back with a 'try again' note attached. After my first listen I was about to wonder if this was the same band. Maybe I got a CD mixup.

Every song is super fast with relentless snare hits from the drummer. Gave me a headache. The first song "Meglomaniac" is some attempt to be political. Geez I don't think anyone is looking for Brandon Boyd for anything intellectual. The song, like just about every song is at breakneck speed and leaves no room for exploring anything. The second song (the title track) starts off with a super cool guitar riff then the chug chug chug starts and makes the rest of the song unlistenable. Damn that snare!

The album goes on for twelve more songs and not one in the bunch is memorable. Any hooks? Catchy choruses? Not here. If I could even hum even one I wouldn't be so hard on this album. The guitars made me most upset. Instead of doing neat things, it's all punk chords to keep up with the quick tempo. However, there is a really nice improved guitar solo in "Sick Sad Little World". It's not enough to salvage this release. Better luck next time. I won't be in waiting.

Scoring = (1/14).

.............Kick Bright...........