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Incubus - Morning View
 Inc- Not all that long since their last album was still in the charts comes the next greatest thing from Incubus. Their first single, a Pink Floyd remake Wish You Were Here has blown these boys right back up into the charts. The melodic love song has been featured on Mtv and has gained this bad the honors of not falling into the sophomore slump that often haunts bands on their second album. The song circles almost has that Chili Peppers feel and sound to it. The last song on the album called Aqueous Transmission starts with a sound of the Orient but somehow still seems to draw me in and I pick this to be the next released hit. Most of the songs on this album seem slow and polished with some great gutair work. I would have liked to have seen some more upbeat rockers from these guys but the album still is descent. If you liked their last album then give this a try.
The Calabasas, California-based funk-metal outfit Incubus was formed in 1991 by high school friends Brandon Boyd (vocals), Mike Einziger (guitars), Alex Katunich (bass) and Jose Pasillas (drums). Within a year of formation the group was regularly playing all-ages clubs throughout Southern California, in 1995 tapping DJ Lyfe to join their ranks for the independently released album Fungus Amongus. A year later Incubus signed with Immortal Records, issuing their debut EP Enjoy Incubus in early 1997. The full-length S.C.I.E.N.C.E. followed a year later, and the group hit the road in support, eventually landing a spot on the 1998 Family Values Tour. In 1999 the group resurfaced with Make Yourself, which proved to be their breakout album. Initial sales were slow, but thanks to the hit single "Pardon Me" and the group's slot on the 2000 Ozzfest tour, the album was still selling well a year later, going gold and hitting the Top 40. While planning their next move, Incubus issued a limited-edition EP of rarities (When Incubus Attacks, Vol. 1) and re-released Fungus Amongus.
Reveille - Bleed The Sky
 Rev- Now heres a band title that threw me for a loop when I heard it. Pronouned rev-a-lee as in the thing they do in the military in the early hours to let you know its time to wake. After hearing the songs on this album I feel the name fits them well. They are a wakeup call to all rockers out there. The music is similar but yet somehow different that makes them stand out from the crowd. They have that familiar rap/rock influence but the vocals and that guitar just seem to stand out as in title track Bleed The Sky. The track Down To None represents one of the change ups in stylings in this album starting off with a sythn cord that almost sounds like a flute then adds a bass line and some rap style vocals that combine for some seriously catchy changes that make this album different and well appreciated. Next we move on to song Inside out with a Linkin Park feel but still again somewhat different and fresh. All in all I dont think theres a song on this album I can say I didnt like. I have to say very good album and a must try.
Hybrid hard-rockers Reveille formed in the small town of Harvard MA. The band rose out of the ashes of singer/songwriter Drew Simollardes' and guitarist Steve Miloszewski's former groups, keeping Simollardes' drummer, Justin Wilson, and Milosznewski's guitarist, Greg Sullivan. After recruiting bassist Carl Randolph, the five-piece recorded a six-song demo that caught the attention of a music agent, who brought Reveille to the attention of major labels. A showcase at CBGB's created further interest in the band and earned Reveille a deal with Elektra Records, who released their debut album Laced in 1999.
Soil - Scars
 Soi- Once again this month comes a new never heard of band with a great hard driving sound all there on. If I was to compare these guys to anyone if the closet thing I could say is Puddle Of Mudd on steroids with a few pounds of Lemmy from Motorhead thrown in. This singer has got a catchy scratchy throaty sound all of his own that just did it for me. Add to that some great guitar lines and slammin percussion and you got Soil. The first hit Halo says it all. This song has gotten some airplay on Mtv but no where near enough in my opinion. I find myself singing this song to myself over and over and pulling this cd out and wearing the hell out of it. I almost have the volume knob warped on my home receiver from crankin the SH@T out of this baby. Another song I really enjoyed is Two Steps with starts off with this dude throatin for all hes worth. I loved this album and feel its well worth buying and anyone who loves to jam has got to have this album.
The alt-metal band Soil debuted in 1998 with the Chupacabra EP; their first full-length, Throttle Junkies, followed in 1999.
The Calling - Camino Palmero
 Cal- Young and coming into the limelight is the band The Calling. Mirror images almost of another recent young band Lifehouse. The vocals are similar in style and flavor. The first hit Wherever you will go is a great little tune. Listening to this album the overall feel of the cd makes me think of Kenny Wayne Sheppard band with some great guitar work and slower rock sound. This would be a good album for a dinner date or just some mellow times when the heavy stuff is hurting your head. If you like either KWS band or Lifehouse style music give this album a try.
Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, the rock quintet the Calling (Alex Band [vocals], Aaron Kamin and Sean Woolstenhulme [guitars], Billy Mohler [bass], and Nate Wood [drums]) fit in well with such ready-for-radio rock acts of the early 21st century as Matchbox Twenty, Train, and the Wallflowers. Kamin and Band began the group after the pair became friends as teenagers (Kamin was dating Band's sister at the time), which lead to them being signed to a development deal and soon after recruiting the other members in time for the release of their 2001 debut on RCA Records, Camino Palmero.
Dust To Dust - Self Titled
 Dust To Dust: Rob Traynor (vocals, keyboards, bass, programming); Stuart Berenson (guitar); James Craig (synthesizer); Steve Tobin (drums). Drawing influences from the likes of the Beatles, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd and Gary Numan, Dust To Dust is the brainchild of talented vocalist/bassist Rob Traynor. Welcoming Stuart Berenson (Guitarist), Steve Tobin (Drummer), and James Craig (Synths) into the fold, the quartet signed to Sanctuary Records, releasing their Self Titled debut album on July 24th 2001 that was produced by Rob Traynor himself. Defiantly ignoring the trends of today’s current nu-metal/rap-rock era, Dust To Dust fearlessly embraces classic rock, dark wave industrial, metal & progressive elements to create a unique sonic experience. Dust To Dust possess a modern touch akin to Filter or Systematic on some tracks, but others are......EH.... Powerful guitar-driven riffs & aggressive crunches are contrasted by haunting melodies, deep rhythms & tempo-driven beats, while diverse electronics are integrated to create a dark & moody ambiance. Further defining the quartet from their peers is their sense of pervading anger & gloom that is fully embraced by the group without sounding cliché. Driven by this passion & individuality, Dust To Dust has crafted a sound that pays homage to our classic contemporaries, while leading us into a new era of Rock & Metal.
My personal taste is that of heavier driven styles. It is however, a great start for these fellows. The melodies are good Great guitar riffs and somewhat heavy. "New Low" is a great heavy driver. It's about the best song on the album in my eyes. Don't let "New Low" give you a false impression of this album. The guitar riffs are good, they just need to do alittle more with them I think. This album is not "SLAMMIN". It's more of a "slow grind". I was disappointed with it.
Machinehead - Supercharger
 MachineHead was Formed in 1992, the Oakland-based quartet unleashed their devastating brand of new metal that soon attracted the interests of Roadrunner Records. Following the release of their debut album Burn My Eyes in 1994, Machine Head began to establish themselves as a prominent metal act. In 1997, the group released their follow-up album The More Things Change…, which featured new drummer Dave McClain (ex-Sacred Reich). Following a period of adversity, Machine Head returned to the studio in 1999 with new guitarist Ahrue Luster (replacing Logan Mader) & famed producer Ross Robinson (Korn, Slipknot), to record their third album Burning the Red. With 2001 upon us, Machine Head now unleash their fourth full-length album, Supercharger, which was produced by Johnny K (Disturbed, SOiL), mixed by Colin Richardson (Burn My Eyes), and dropped on Oct 2nd. Musically, Machine Head have gone back to their roots, and the band rips through each song with ferocious, unbridled terror, and the sledgehammer smash of drums and grinding guitar assault will most likely make one's ears throb with an undeniable pain that forces the head to bang. Robb Flynn's lyrics have taken a turn for more personal reflection, and songs like Only the Names and Trephination have such angst and brutal honesty they are impossible to ignore. Lyrically, Rob unveils his dark & twisted side as he covers everything from cocaine addiction & haunted pasts to various other metaphorical issues
Admittedly Supercharger is not an album that instantly wins the listener over, but over time the music seeps into your brain, it is hard to dislike the disc. But even those less smoothed out tracks win the listener over with their energy. Machine Head brought in a new face to produce this album, and Johnny K. certainly shows that he can bring some of the best music out of the bands he works with. This album was NOT a disappointment for me it's the real MachineHead back to head bangin'.
Seven Channels - Self Titled
 Revolving around lead singer Kevin Kirkwood's long-time ambitions and goals, Seven Channels' can best be described as emotion driven rock, created through dedication and an undying strife for change. Starting four years ago with their indy EP 'International Wonderful', the band captivated local audiences and won one of the "Top Five Unsigned Bands in America" on VH1's 1999 Rock Across America Tour. Not stopping there, they went on to win Mars Music's 'Quit Your Day Job' band quest, thus earning them a deal with Palm / Mars Records. From this deal came their new self-titled album, produced by Skidd Mills.
Overall, it is tough to draw comparisons; Seven Channels has there own sound that can't be immediately compared to any other one current act, but more of a melting pot of today's rock. It seems the general theme behind the disc is a feeling of regret. The first single 'Breathe' sports a message of a lost loved one ('I thank God for you and the memories but I still wish you were here with me'), while the track 'Submarine Dream' revolves around the loss of more non-materialistic creations ('nothing's left for taking; gone away are her dreams, torn at the seams').
Intertwined within the tolerably remorseful lyrics come some exciting beats and riffs. Out of the entire album, 'Helium', 'Breathe', and 'Velcro Parade' are no doubt my top three tracks on the album. Not only are they catchy, but the lyrics are fairly easy to follow. The drums in the majority of the songs, courtesy of Ben Holt, are easy enough to tap your feet along with, yet have that certain style that keeps them interesting throughout the album. The guitar and bass lines, courtesy of Dallas Perry and Dalton Humphreys repectively, range from euphonic to serene to good old, flat-out rock vibes.
Overall, Seven Channels self-titled major label debut is something rock fans should listen to at least once. If you like the rock you are currently listening to on radio and TV, then Seven Channels just might be the next band you will want to show to your friends. On the other hand, if you want something completely fresh or heavier, then your piece of cake may lie somewhere else. Check out 'Breathe', and if it remotely gets your foot tapping, journey onward my friend.
Vision Of Disorder - From Bliss To Devastation
Vision of Disorders new Album From Bliss To Devastation, just outright jams. They wound up making a record that exceeded all expectations: harder and more melodic, ringing with a newfound depth and individuality, a record that's sure to set V.O.D.'s TVT Records labeled album apart from those of the rest of the pack. Some records are easy to walk away from unscathed. Tim Williams - Vocals, Brendon Cohen - Drums, Mike Fleischmann - Bass, Matt Baumbach - Guitar, Mike Kennedy - Guitar make up this fearsome slammin' bunch. And I mean SLAMMIN! This albums low tuning and melodic ventures just makes the head "bob" without effort. Slammin ass low bass lines are distortion based but clean as hell. Every note nice and smooth. "On The Table" just rocks and has that very low end grind. "Living to Die", "Southbound", and "Pretty Hate" are also well worth mentioning. For the most part I like this album and will find it in a normal rotation in the Playa.
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