Marc Ford - It's About Time

Marc Ford, the talented former/current/former guitarist for the Black Crowes, put out this collection of classic rock-inspired songs in 2002. It doesn't sound like he's just trying to emulate rock music from the early 1970's, it actually sounds like it was recorded in the 1970's. The flavors of the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, James Gang, Allman Brothers, Tom Petty, The Faces, etc are all there. There's a little hint of The Replacements too.

I've mentioned before that my favorite Crowes album is Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, the first one that included Ford. He is an excellent guitarist and his skills shine through on It's About Time (especially some tasty slide playing - check out "California"). Beyond Ford, this album includes some cool horn arrangements and background vocals. The piano throughout the album just hits the spot.

Among my favorite tracks are "When You Go" and "Two Mules and a Rainbow", both total homages to Neil Young in their own way. If you're going to listen to just one song, check out "Shining Again." I don't know if I've ever used this description on Best Album of the Day before, but that song is just beautiful...in a classic rock, smoky-bar-last-call kind of way.

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Needtobreathe - The Heat

I just cannot stop listening to this album. It's really really really good. How's that for a review?

Honestly though, I've been listening to this one for the last few months and it continues to grow on me. Despite having one of my least favorite band names, Needtobreathe create music I find myself singing over and over throughout the day. They write straight-forward songs without gimmicks...just really good music. I enjoyed their first album as well, but The Heat escapes any hint of a "sophomore slump" and offers up some fantastic songs.

I really enjoy the voice of lead singer Bear Rinehart. Sometimes when singers have a distinct voice it starts to grind on your nerves as an album goes on, but not Rinehart's. It grows on you and he does an excellent job of using dynamics to keep songs from sounding the same.

The best songs on the album in my opinion are "We Could Run Away" and "Signature of Divine". Both have an incredible anthem feel and deserve to be played loudly. The acoustic driven "More Time" will get in your head and stay there. Great song!


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U2 - Achtung Baby

I've been reading the book U2 by U2 which is an amazing collection of photography and commentary by and about the band. I guess reading the stories behind a lot of the music has re-ignited my love of U2. A lot of people hate the group for various reasons, but pretty much everybody goes through at least a "U2 phase" in their lifetime. Mine started with this album.

I remember the feeling I got the first time I listened to this album (way back in ninth grade!). I still get that feeling when I listen to it, and this is one album I have never gotten sick of. The songs are completely unique and incredibly melodic, and the production is about as close to perfection as anyone could hope to achieve.

Achtung Baby ranks as one of my favorite albums of all time, if not my absolute favorite. It's so good I that there's no way I could pick a favorite track. The song I happen to be listening to becomes my favorite. And there isn't a bad track on the whole album. "Love is Blindness" used to be one of my least faves, but for some reason now I totally love that song. It must be some sort of maturation process.

And to give you a piece of useless trivia: My wife informed me (she's further ahead in the book than I am) that this album got its name because no U2 song had used the word "baby" until this album came out (check out the track "Ultraviolet" - such a great song). So the title means "Caution Baby".

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The Black Crowes - Warpaint

I haven't stopped listening to this album since it came out on Tuesday. Yes, unlike Maxim magazine, I actually listen to the albums I review. See this if you don't know what I'm talking about.

I think for some reason I forgot how much I really do like the Black Crowes. Their last album (7 years ago) was pretty bad. The last concert of theirs that I went to (also 7 years ago) was boring. Those were the lasting impressions I've had until now.

Warpaint brings the band back to their rock/blues/southern rock roots. It would have been a perfect 2nd album, squeezed right between their Stones-esque debut and the heavier Southern Harmony album, but it's a great return to form after a down-period.

The band has a new guitarist and keyboard player, but the Robinson brothers and the rhythm section are still intact so the sound is all Crowes. I've always loved Rich Robinson's guitar tone and this album is full of it. Check out "Walk Believer Walk". Some great slower tunes on this album as well. "Oh Josephine" is probably my favorite song on the album.

Where does this album rank among the rest of the BC discography? Here's a quick list of my favorites to not-so-favorites:

1. Southern Harmony & Musical Companion (1992) - Made me want to start a band.
   
2. By Your Side (1999) - The band's first "comeback" release (the album before this was AWFUL) and just full of pure rock and roll. The tour for this one was my favorite.
   
3. Shake Your Money Maker (1989) - I can't believe this album came out 19 years ago already.
   
4. Warpaint (2008) - Being listed at #4 on this list is really good.
   
5. Amorica (1994) - A decent album. Has some Santana flavors to it. "Wiser Time" is one of the best BC songs of all time.
   
6. Lions (2001) - This is the threshold of albums worth listening to. Lions is definitely loud, has some decent guitar-playing, but the songs themselves are a struggle. "Soul Singing" is a great song though.
   
7. Three Snakes and One Charm (1996) - Terrible album. I would have been happier if they had never released this one and had just gone 5 years without an album. Hated it.

Take a listen. Let me know what you think. It gets better the more I listen to it.

Lenny Kravitz - It Is Time For A Love Revolution

This album doesn't come out until tomorrow but VH1.com has been streaming the whole thing so I've already had a chance to determine that this album is brilliant! It's been a LONG time since Lenny had an album that was any good - in fact I think the last notable album opened with the line "Gettin' straight in '98" (Five), so that's 10 years.

Well Lenny has earned my love back...His best albums combine elements of his own as well as bits and pieces of Led Zeppelin, late Beatles, and classic funk & soul. In my opinion he's been lacking these elements on the past few, and Love Revolution brings them back into the mix (check track "Good Morning" for Beatles). Many of the tracks on this album would fit in on 1993's Are You Gonna Go My Way, arguably his best work.

Sounds like Lenny is in touch with his faith again too. A lot of deeply spiritual tracks on this one, including "If You Want It" which even mentions following Christ. The outro jam on that song is almost a spiritual experience in itself! It's almost more Zeppelin than Zeppelin ever was.

Minibar - Fly Below The Radar

I've had the intention of putting this album on here for quite a while, and am just now getting to it. Fly Below The Radar came out in 2003, and Minibar actually has a newer album that came out in 2006, but this one is my favorite of their three US releases. If you're not familiar with Minibar, they are a British group who moved out to LA and have actually been Pete Yorn's touring band for the past few years.

This album is just good catchy laid-back rock and roll with some really great songs. Highlights include "Breathe Easy" and "Martha". There's a bit of an alt-country flavor to Minibar's sound (similar to Pete Yorn of course) which includes the occasional harmonica and pedal steel. Once again, if you're into Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown/Pete Yorn/Neil Young, you might dig this album.

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals - Lifeline

Honestly? For some reason I've never really gotten into Ben Harper's stuff. Tremendously talented guy, but something never clicked for me. But his new album is sweet. Classic rock/soul sounds a-plenty.