Somewhere in this effort is a nugget of true understanding. After all, this guy states that Roy Orbison was the best ever. In addition, Stereo 360 is influenced by none other than Charles Bukowski, the bad boy of street poets and not-for-profit philosophers. Great stuff./p>

As for the music, “Sick of You” from Enjoy Your Life Poolside (Baby Pea Records) is a good song, if not great. There is some nice growling guitar at the beginning of the tune. (Personal note: This listener does enjoy the chorus lyrics.) Try out “Superstar” (Enjoy Your Life PoolsideBaby Pea Records) for a taste of Stereo 360 and “new” music. This straightforward, 21^st century tune is not very deep, emotionally, but it provides a picture of what the musical youth of today are thinking about.”Automatic” and “Vaseline Mouth” from the same CD are among the best songs from this artist (personal opinion again).

Here’s what the cover page of the Stereo 360 Web site has to say: “Stereo 360 is Rock n Roll. And what is rock? It’s loud. It’s big. It’s bold. It’s attitude. It’s in your face. Rock doesn’t step up behind you and tap you on the shoulder, it rushes at you from the front and slaps you in the face. It demands attention.”

All that’s left to do is listen to the music and decide if you agree.

Stereo 360 on MySpace

[tags]Stereo 360[/tags]

Great song name “Murder On The Radio!” Really, this tune (2005 Highway Robbery) has a great name. The music is good too, especially the exuberance from this youthful gathering. The song is certainly well produced, clean and very listenable. The guitar work in the middle of the song is nice. But there is so much more to this group now than when Dave and Will Cook started the group in 2005 (I hear they are cousins.)

The band’s name is My Favorite Highway, a collection of young musicians from the east coast – Fairfax, Virginia to be exact. They also have a tune called “Bigger Than Love” (2008 Highway Robbery) that is a study in restraint. Dave provides some nice controlled piano that contributes to the feel of the song but doesn’t crowd the vocals. He also provides some of the guitar work for the band. The songwriters are correct about one thing – nothing is bigger than love.

A close listen to “How To Call A Bluff” (2005 Highway Robbery) will give some idea of how much potential this young group has. In fact, during the formative years (are they still in them?) many were asking where this group would be with some experience and some touring. Perhaps the fans will soon find out. No extensive schedule has been set for My Favorite Highway yet.

My Favorite Highway  on MySpace

[tags]My Favorite Highway [/tags]

This listener has always been partial to the esoteric, or just the unusual. In this case the difference is in the pain. Days of the New – of course this music sounds like Pearl Jam and has some eerie similarity to the Beatles Revolver days. But what is it that makes Days of the New sound, well, new?

First of all, this isn’t new. “Weapon and The Wound” comes from a long way back Green (1999 Interscope). That’s enough for this listener and probably for those who have spent evenings with this music on the stereo.

The real question is: Travis Meeks, are you serious? From Kentucky? Well, Louisville, which isn’t really Kentucky, after all. The biography states that this musician is from a small town in Indiana. No matter where the music comes from, it reached the ears of the discerning listener more than a decade ago. Meeks was assisted by Jesse Vest and Matt Taul. We should not forget the contributions of Todd Whitener.

Some have compared Meeks to Jim Morrison.Others have put him in the same category as Alice in Chains. But the Pearl Jam connection sticks quite well, thank you. Now, most reviews note that Meeks has a certain musical vision that sets this effort apart.He has gone it alone for awhile, so this is probably quite true. What’s he up to now?

Listen and learn folks, listen and learn.

Days of the New on MySpace

[tags]Days of the New[/tags]

If a first-time listener has only the unopened CD called One More Drifter in the Snow it might be difficult to determine just where Aimee Mann fits into the modern music scene. Calling On Mary" from that CD can eliminate some of the doubt, though even a close listen to the lyrics doesn’t answer all the questions.

First of all, Mann is not billed as a Christian or religious artist. Rather, she is rock, acoustic and pop, according to her Web site.Then, it’s on to "She Really Wants You" from The Forgotten Arm (SuperEgo Records 2006). This tune might make the uninitiated go back to "Calling On Mary" to determine if that song is more philosophical than faith-based. (It is.)"She Really Wants You" has some dynamite guitar work as part of its charm and might prove to be a great easy-listening tune, over time. Mann plays guitar as well as using her nice voice for such story-tunes as "Video" from The Forgotten Arm (SuperEgo Records 2006). Apparently she has also started using the piano as a song-writing instrument.That in itself may make for some interesting work from this veteran. She is a veteran in the music business, with five solo recordings on her resume.

Aimee Mann will be one of the artists taking to the stage at Bonnaroo in June, near Manchester, Tennessee. This arts and music gathering attracts hundreds of fans, who camp out, party and listen to good music from a wide variety of genres. Enjoy her there.

Aimee Mann

[tags]Aimee Mann[/tags]

Ok, this guy is cool at least. I mean, he wears hats well and “Rise” (Live 2007) is a very understated tune with some tasty guitar licks.

That’s not enough? How about a song entitled “Umbrella w Cello” (Umbrella Remix 2007). West offers some clean guitar chords with no effects, and lyrics that make every effort to tell a story. His singing style is interesting, as he uses his voice to add the echo instead of employing electronics. There are some comfortable harmonies in the vocals of the second verse. Good stuff here, as the song becomes slightly more complex. There is even a hint or two of Andy Davis, though Davis’ music is keyboard oriented and a bit more involved musically.

Those who want to experience West might hook up with “Keep It Together,” (Live 2007) a jazz piece with electric piano and a simple rim-shot backbeat. Driving music for the ocean highway.

West is currently very big in Southern California. He has shows scheduled at the Malibu Inn in Malibu, at Pasadena City College, at venues in Fresno and San Francisco, as well as at Soul Cypher in Oakland (a perfect place for this smooth player, I would imagine). West will also be in San Diego in March and at the Roxy with Matthew Santos. He’ll be around.

John West at MySpace

[tags]john west[/tags]