January Music News!!!

1/20/01-Well guess whos back and has turned the big "21". Thats right kids...those four rockin' girls known as The Donnas! Sometimes coined as the female version of The Ramones, these gals started at the age of 17 writing songs that would make even the late Bon Scott of ACDC proud. Now past the early song topics (saying screw you to school, kicking dudes in the jimmie), they have moved on to new missions such as hanging out all night, drinking, and one night stands.

On top of the bad ass topics, the band serves up a whole lotta no holds barred rock n' roll on this disc. The disc starts off with hella-fun track "Are You Gonna Move It For Me" which is directed at the loser crowd of the concert. The attitude flows freely as Donna A proudly asks the person who wrote a bad review for their show, "What are you doing standing in the front row."
The bad attitude doesn't stop there however! "Play My Game" goes the sexual route virtually insulting any little boy that steps up by promising them "ten more rounds" only to put them to shame. The attitudes don't just go towards the males however. In the song "Hot Pants", the gals insult the little girls and heavy set women. Of corse none of them stand a chance because no one wants to dance with those hot pants wearing women when any of The Donnas are around! "40 Boys In 40 Nights" and "You've Gotta Crush On Me" pretty much speak for themselves. The band actually dishes out some sensativity on "Drivin' Through My Heart" which revolves around a sad breakup. However, the CD doesn't get sad much by keeping and up beat rock feel through out. The gals even take time out to do a cover of Judas Priest's party classic "Living After Midnight".
Overall any fan of good old fashioned feel good rock should get into The Donnas' Turn 21. Fans of ACDC, Ramones, and Judas Priest will definately lap this up as ear candy and come back for more. So if you are into fun and witty lyrics mixed with some great pure rock check this one out. The Donnas are of age now...better watch out little boys!

1/21/00-YES MOTHER FUCKER YES! Now this is the way industrial should be done for all of you just starting out. The master of dark syn pop is back with this new CD that is assured to be a pleasure for the fish net crowd. Gary Numan, who has been around the music scene since the early 80s, is back and giving you the dark industrial misery that makes the corporate music scene cringe. Some of you may remember the song "Cars" which was a major pop hit of the 80s

(Numan teamed up with Fear Factory a few years back for an awesome cover as well). Numan was also known for other songs that contained the early electronic rock feel.
Before you start thinking, well heres an old fart trying to be cool in the modern music scene (ala David Lee Roth). Cease that thought right now my industrial loving friends! Pure is actually a captivating masterpiece which will grab your ears with a haunting mix of synthesizer produced sounds and distored guitar work. The music acts like a demented tour guide through the brillantly written lyrics of dispair and self doubt. The first song "Pure" starts the dark journey into the CD like a tunnel leading towards what people may hope is a light.
However the darkness just begins there. The track "RIP" reflects on the going through the struggles in the world after losing some you love. The song's almost sadistic pace only adds the potency of lyrics like "I'll steal the light from heaven's gate/If it can guide me to you." The track "Listen To My Voice" is an absolutely amazing song that not only makes people want to rock out but will also make the listener want to get up and get a groove on. The songs awesome beat is captivating to say the least while Numan belts out brutal (yet oddly polite) lryics like "Listen to my voice/And please try to understand/The one you call Messiah is a lie." The track "Torn" keeps a smooth beat which leads to occasional stops for switches in pace. The last track "I Can't Breathe" , very much like almost all of NIN CDs, keeps to the theme of dispair ending the CD very much like it started. Vitrually alone on a dark road with no where to turn.
Although many may find the melancoly feel of Pure to be a bit radical in parts, most industrial enthusiasts will love the fine mix of trance like songs found on the CD. Numan has earned the respect of many fans of the genre already and hopefully will be introduced to the new generation of fans who dig the dark sound. Pure may not be a happy go lucky release but at least Numan isn't afraid to admit that peace of mind is somthing that doesn't come easily.