fans of melodic contemporary acoustic guitar. Subtitled "The Best of Two Decades," Narada Guitar 2 is more accurately a showcase for the label's newer acts--20 of the 28 tracks were recorded between 1998 and 2000. Still, highlights abound: the dexterity and imagination displayed by adventurous fingerpicker Don Ross; the subtle tension of "Ray's Passage" from Randy Roos; the growling, whimsical charm of "The Lawnmower Song" by Eric Tingstad; the enticing flamenco filigree of Jesse Cook; the Celtic-tinged promenade of "Candleman" by Billy McLaughlin; and so on. A few flaws do surface. For instance, the fascinating spell cast by the first four tracks on Disc 2 is shattered by an inappropriate samba, a lightweight cre...  (less)

new-wave feel that also embraced the arena rock sound Servant was known for. This new-wave feel would eventually take over the bands 5th and 6th albums (Light Maneuvers & Swimming In a Human Ocean). Undoubtedly, CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF LOVING HIM set new standards for quality Christian rock that could stand up next to the best the mainstream rock world had to offer. Ultimately, blissful power pop made Servants CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF LOVING HIM one of the defining albums of its era, as well as one of the most influential. Servant proved to be masters at devoting themselves to the power of the hook, as well as sheer volume and gut-wrenching rock roll. Bruce Wrights hook-laden guitar playing was capable of miracles, and you'll find exa...  (less)

with the listener first being greeted by a Prologos and parted ways with an Epilogos. Offering a graceful harmony of classical with select genres of metal you will be caressed from dramatic piano interludes to thrash overtones; come across somber melodies; confront a contrasting sensation as lush soprano accompany brutal male vocals; and be inspired by bittersweet atmospheres while ethereal chants embrace acoustic guitars... Succumb into their ecstatic cosmos and ode by ode unveil their dark symphonic splendor... ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: Odes Of Ecstasy formed in November of 1993, by Dimitris Bikos (guitars/vocals) and Joseph Nikou (bass). A year later Dimitris Panayiotidis (guitars) joined the band and in December of 1995 they released their first promo tape fea...  (less)

of course, in combination with the usual fat Trance Groove, that delights not only psy heads but also rock fans. Apart from well known scene acts such as Sonic Fusion, C.O.N.Sequencer, Tim Schuldt, Deep Dive Corp., Akasha Project, Electric Universe, Necton, Akanoid, Klangstrahler Projekt and DJ Sangeet promising newcomers like Sediment 4, Puls and Kao Tae are featured. Guitars On Mushroom 2 will definitely rock every Psy Trance dancefloor.  (less)

band recorded the demo 'Dies Irae'. Loaded with intense drumming, deranged guitar riffs and a killer production, this demo CD stands as one of the most impressive debut releases. After several line-up changes the band returned to the studio in november 2003 to record their first full length release titled 'Stench of Centuries'. ACT OF GODS brought its sharpened sense for music forward. The result is 12 tracks of Brutal Death Metal served by a top notch production and a pissed off energy. This time ACT OF GODS return with their second full length album 'Maƒt' recorded at Dissonant Studio in Italy with that new effort the band explores new horizons at a much higher level. Maƒt will undoubtely increase the listener's passion for Death Metal. Impl...  (less)

all-ages shows before they had even agreed on a name. But when the group landed an opening slot for Seattle band Sweetwater, they finally found a name that everyone could agree on: THE SPECIAL GUESTS!, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the generic concert poster format that was used to advertise the gig (Sweetwater plus special guests). Playing steadily in B.C. with acts such as The Matthew Good Band, Big Wreck, Limblifter and Nickelback, THE SPECIAL GUESTS! began honing the infectious live show that has become their signature. Take Them Higher, the first single from the bands debut album, combines gritty guitar work with a strong pop groove. In keeping with the bands already anonymous name, their 11-track debut CD is titled 'first album'.  (less)

whose approach rests equally on technical assurance and musical intelligence. Sizing up a dozen songs, he gets a pleasing, razor-sharp sound out of his ax while building excitement in his lead lines--thankfully, he steers clear of cliché and bombast. As a fledging singer, he acts out the lyrics of Ike Turner's age-old shuffle "Matchbox" and his own romantic ballad "Missing Your Love" with surprising poise and believability. Kudos to producer David Z for surrounding Lang with alert, first-rate sidemen and for helping select good material from Turner, Sonny Boy Williamson, Tinsley Ellis, and others. --Frank-John Hadley  (less)

music. Black Stone Cherry is a full-throttle modern rock band, with guitars that rage and a shuddering rhythmic attack. They sound as earthy and raw as Soundgarden, as heavy and fun as AC/DC, yet there's a higher level of musicianship to their performances and song writing that makes them like no one else. Building on their phenomenal debut self-titled album, which consequently saw the band pick up "Best New Band" at the Classic Rock awards, the band have matured and delivered a second album that is destined to elevate them to the level they so rightly deserve. The first single from the album "Blind Man" manages to capture the essence of the bands stunning live performance, a live performance that managed to get them upgraded to the Astoria on their first UK...  (less)

provided by Brooker and the orchestral arrangements throughout the album, the listener is treated to a great rock recording which stands up nicely to their other classics like Home and Broken Barricades. Mick Grabham's guitar work is stunning and B.J. Wilson's drum style really add to the delivery of the songs as one can hear plainly on "The Idol" and the hit single "As Strong As Samson." One particular favorite, "Beyond The Pale," truly shows the classical orientation of this popular band. Cleverly mixing and weaving melodies and meters unlike other rock acts of the time, Procol Harum truly helped develop the first echoes of the progressive Rock movement, dating all the way back to 1967's Whiter Shade Of Pale. "Beyond The Pale" and...  (less)

folky guitar with a combination of loops and ambient keyboards. Having already studied West African Ewe drumming, Meric got turned onto Country Blues fingerpicking and sought to create a band where the drumming could be a center role and help bring out the syncopated rhythms coming out of the acoustic guitar. Through a chance introduction by a roommate, Meric met Santa Cruz transplant Logan Kroeber, who had also been experimenting with drumming, but in the area of Progressive Metal. Eventually the band changed their name to the Dodos.  (less)

American rap from a blaxploitation point of view consists of a laid-back delivery and funky yarns loosely flowing over wah-wah guitar grooves and Hammond organ riffs. It's guaranteed to amuse some listeners and offend many, many more. One glance at The Good Times ' track listing should help you decide into which camp you'll fall. The subject matter of tunes such as "Because I Got High" (also featured on the Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back soundtrack) and "Let's All Get Drunk" is readily apparent. But it's all good in the 'hood. Afroman and crew sound like they're having a great old time laying it down, and at least one song on this album will make you laugh. --Rebecca Levine  (less)

New Zealand's fourth best folk guitar-based jazz, techno, hip-hop duo. Over six episodes we follow their attempts to crack the UK's novelty music scene with songs such as "Frodo", "Don't Wear The Ring" ('Magical Bling Bling'), "Fudafafa", "Hiphopapotamus and Think About It" ("Think, Think About It"). "The Conchords" have travelled the world and become one of the best-loved double acts on the circuit. Having secured the talents of Rob Brydon, Daniel Kitson, Greg Proops, Nina Conti, Rhys Darby and Neil Finn, they can - for the first time - tell their story...  (less)