Harlan Cage -- Harlan Cage
Synth-based commercial hard pop with
plenty of guitar growl. "98 In The Shade" is as catchy a song as
you'll hear all year, I don't care what year it is. Overall: Strong
from start to finish, with highlights that make it one of the
hardest discs to remove from my CD player.
Sahara Snow -- Sahara Snow
I never gave '80s superstar Rick
"Jessie's Girl" Springfield much credit, but when he joins studio
titans Tim Pierce and Bob Marlette, we get hard-edged, funky, catchy,
L.A.-style pop. Even Prince fans may find something in this one.
Overall: Wow. Really, wow. A big seller, too.
Storming Heaven -- Life In Paradise
Classic hard rock songcraft
without sacrificing musicianship? That's "Life In Paradise." A bit
too intricate for pure poppers, but for Classic Rock and even Prog
fans, there's no shortage of hooks here. Overall: Slightly artsy, but
rockin' and widely appealing. One of the most impressive NEH/MTM
albums.
Glen Burtnick -- Retrospectacle
A collection of demos from this
outstanding, unheralded songwriter whose hits include "Sometimes Love
Just Ain't Enough" (sung by Patty Smyth with Don Henley). His demo of
"Love Is The Ritual" is so perfect, Styx didn't need to show up for
their version. "Woman's Point Of View" will be a hit someday, for
someone, I promise you. Overall: From acoustic to electric, commercial
to rootsy, a magnificent discovery for pop and classic rock fans.