I have been feeling rather like arse lately so my tastes have swayed from the hard and heavy to the more relaxing. Plus its summer, so its time to dust off those albums that are perfect for hot, blistering days and sweaty, muggy nights. Too bad that anytime a good party gets started no one wants a good soundtrack to go along with it. Always rap music or some pop annoying dance music. Here's hoping that anyone throwing a 4th of July BBQ bash will have enough sense to atleast find a classic rock station so I won't want to run off screaming into the daylight.

Bowes and Morley - Mo's BBQ
This has made a summertime appearance for the past two years running and its back again. There are too many good, casual songs to relax to to not dig this out and give its due. "On A Day Like Today" is swelteringly good and the swinging woe of "Since I Left Her" just cries from the heart. This BBQ really hits the spot and doesn't leave grease on your fingers either.

Blackmore's Night - The Village Lanterne
Ritchie has done a zillion of these Renaissance Faire albums by now and while they keep getting bogged together, each one still has its moments. "Ghost of a Rose" had "Rainbow Blues" and now this newie has "Just Call My Name (I'll Be There)" where the Man in Black rips it up and then some.

Y&T - Contagious
Another summer pick. Y&T just have the party thing down and while this is more uptempo, it brings a smile to your face and makes you want to boogie down. A spirit lifter indeed.

Y&T - Down For the Count
It has "Summertime Girls"! That is an American staple (atleast here anyway). "Face Like an Angel" is great too but it just isn't the dog days of summer without the favorite summertime song. Lemonaide and days by the pool. That's what it is all about. And hot dogs. Don't forget the hot dogs.

Street Talk - V
There had been some babbling a few years ago that Frederik was calling it quits and that would be the end of this AOR project, but the plug hasnt been pulled yet. Another great album with a review coming soon.

House of Mirrors - Desolation
"Gone With the Summer" is getting some heavy rotation here currently. A very sweet track that is nothing like anything else to be found on the entire disc. Too bad they didn't do more of this style. Its like sticky sweet and carefree Westcoast mixed with the sugary goodness of Scandi-AOR, and how could you not like that?

John West - Long Time...No Sing
I had forgotten how much John West's "Mind Journey" solo album sucked til I found it the other day. Or how irritating he can be in Royal Hunt. Thankfully this is alot better. Especially "Give Me a Sign". That is one sweet tune.

Tony Martin - Back Where I Belong
This is the bluesy based solo album that Tony did some ten years plus ago. It still sounds great and has some swinging tunes. "Angel in the Bed" is mind bogglingly addictive and the title track is repetitive but gets stuck right in the head where it should be. If you think it is anything like the atrocity "Scream" - then you would be wrong. Not that "Scream" was absolutely terrible, it was just a crushing disappointment and a boring album.

Written by Alanna
Thursday, June 15, 2006