Band Reviews :: Tesla, Godsmack, Shinedown

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New Rock Record Reviews

Hey there music lovers! Welcome to my first review session. Haggs asked if I would just write some filler for the music page and I told him I would give it a try. For those of you out there who don't know me personally, I am a rocker. I listen to everything from classical to metal to punk to alternative. For my first article I thought I would try something simple like album reviews of some newer stuff out there.

First off we have a band called Tesla. Their new CD is called "Into the Now". This is by far one of the most impressive efforts I've seen from a band in a while. The lead singer sounds an awful lot like Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, but the music ranges from a ballad-like tone to hard bass with some beautiful shredding. I wouldn't go so far as calling them hardcore or metal, but they definitely rock and they make it seem easy. I'd really like to see them live; they sound like they would put on a great show.

Next up is a 7-track disc from Godsmack called "The Other Side". I wish they would have put more effort into this work and made it a full album. The tracks are all acoustic and unfortunately many of them are remakes of their previous songs. However, their accomplishment is noteworthy because it takes immense talent to pull of such a solid transition from metal to acoustic. Before I listened to "The Other Side" I would not have considered myself a Godsmack fan, but seven tracks later I decided otherwise. I'll be sure to keep this impressive 7-track work on my play list for a long time.

For a nice smooth finish I'll have to go with Shinedown and their new album called "Leave a Whisper". This work is the hardest and heaviest of the albums I've mentioned thus far, but it is still a pretty easy listen (not all the tracks will rock your socks off). Most of you rockers have probably heard "45" by now, and I'm sure some of you have fallen for it like I have, but you should definitely devote some time and check out the rest of the tracks. If you're looking for a suggestion or a track to start with, my personal favorite is called "No More Love". It's definitely on the harder side. I'd have to say the best part about this band is the new, innovativeness that Shinedown has brought to the genre. They don't "remind" me of another band I've heard.

That's all I got for now, but don't worry I have a fairy extensive list that should soothe that musical itch for quite a while. Come back soon! Till then… ROCK ON!