Music: 7 Vocals: 2 Lyrics: 1 Production: 3
Total: 13 of 25: C
Rob Garza is an artist from another independent band who finally released his first solo album. In it he brought in several guest musicians to create Dust Galaxy.
First, let me say that the rhythm section of this band is excellent. The bass and drums are very tight. In fact, the bass player is the best part of the band. He creates such unorthodox bass lines that are much better than 99% of the music out there. Coupled with an excellent drummer, these two gel perfectly.
Next is the guitarists including Rob. When they add textures and flavors, they further enhance the rhythms. They should just stay away from the occasional riff where they are certainly not that good. But when they build layers and add accents to songs that is truly mesmerizing. And the sitar on a few songs is quite good.
So far we've got some very good music which ranges from psychedelic to pop. On several songs you could drift off and groove. But then it all falls apart...
Rob should never ever sing. Honestly, he doesn't sing. He kind of attempts to melodically speak with his raspy voice. It's terrible. And the lyrics are equally terrible. Rob should immediately find a real singer and redo the album. It could really be fantastic.
Rob's musical vision is special and talented. Unfortunately he ruins it with his terrible lyrics and vocals. Rob, please find a singer and make more albums. Otherwise, stay very far away from his solo work.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Meat Puppets - Rise to Your Knees: F
Music: 2/10 Lyrics: 2/5 Vocals: 1/5 Production: 1/5
Total: 6 of 25: F
In 1994, the Meat Puppets released one of my favorite albums, Too High to Die. After the misstep of their next album, No Joke, and recovery from drug addiction, the Meat Puppets return. Unfortunately, it is not a reunion worth waiting for.
The first thing I notice is the horrible recording quality. In the days of affordable computer-based studios, it's shocking that a CD could be made of such horrible quality. Most demo CDs by unsigned bands sound better. It sounds like it was done over 2 days with a few mics set up in a warehouse studio.
Next, the album just meanders on and on through the midway point. There are no catchy hooks, no great guitar work or quirky charm. It's just terrible. By the middle, it sort of hits its stride and has a few pretty good songs. But, they are ruined by the sound quality. Songs like "New Leaf" and "Disappear" are probably excellent live. But, horrible EQ, reverb, and balance between the instruments suck all the life out of these songs.
Finally, the vocals and lyrics have always been a love it or hate it trademark of the band. Curt Kirkwood by all rights shouldn't sing but has the ability to somehow squeeze out some great performances. On Rise to Your Knees, he mostly fails to bring out the charm and hooks of previous work. Coupled with uninspired guitar-work in many songs, his vocals just don't cut it this time around.
Sad to say I'm very disappointed with this effort and hope for better material in the future.
Total: 6 of 25: F
In 1994, the Meat Puppets released one of my favorite albums, Too High to Die. After the misstep of their next album, No Joke, and recovery from drug addiction, the Meat Puppets return. Unfortunately, it is not a reunion worth waiting for.
The first thing I notice is the horrible recording quality. In the days of affordable computer-based studios, it's shocking that a CD could be made of such horrible quality. Most demo CDs by unsigned bands sound better. It sounds like it was done over 2 days with a few mics set up in a warehouse studio.
Next, the album just meanders on and on through the midway point. There are no catchy hooks, no great guitar work or quirky charm. It's just terrible. By the middle, it sort of hits its stride and has a few pretty good songs. But, they are ruined by the sound quality. Songs like "New Leaf" and "Disappear" are probably excellent live. But, horrible EQ, reverb, and balance between the instruments suck all the life out of these songs.
Finally, the vocals and lyrics have always been a love it or hate it trademark of the band. Curt Kirkwood by all rights shouldn't sing but has the ability to somehow squeeze out some great performances. On Rise to Your Knees, he mostly fails to bring out the charm and hooks of previous work. Coupled with uninspired guitar-work in many songs, his vocals just don't cut it this time around.
Sad to say I'm very disappointed with this effort and hope for better material in the future.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Cheesecake Factory: B
Food: 6/10 Presentation: 4/5 Decor: 4/5 Service: 4/5
Total: 18/25: B
After eating at the Cheesecake Factory several times I come to one main conclusion about people. Give them average food but with huge portions at a fair price, and they'll think the place is amazing.
The decor in the new Cherry Hill, NJ location is very nice. Very open and spacious. All the locations I've been in are good. One common theme I've noticed is that they are all very noisy.
The service was prompt and attentive including a large party of 20 we had once. Everything arrived quickly and glasses were continuously refilled. Minor note, refills on sodas are not free. But you do get a giant cup.
The menu is enormous. It has just about anything you would want from sandwiches to pizza to full meals. It covers American food and touches of other ethnic foods. So, anyone can find something to eat.
The quality is completely average. Nothing special or stands out. What does stand out is that the portions are huge. Most meals are enough for two. And the prices are very reasonable. Finally, the cheesecake is pretty excellent. Who else has dozens of varieties of cheesecake?
Given they don't take reservations (except for big parties) and there seems to always be an hour or more wait, why go? I've asked myself that for years. Honestly, there is no reason to wait for this food that is completely comparable to Fridays or Houlihans. I think people have convinced themselves that the Cheesecake Factory is a real restaurant and not another Applebees. Maybe someday people will get it and the wait will go down to something reasonable. So, if you can get in with a minimal wait, then go for it. Otherwise, head somewhere else.
Total: 18/25: B
After eating at the Cheesecake Factory several times I come to one main conclusion about people. Give them average food but with huge portions at a fair price, and they'll think the place is amazing.
The decor in the new Cherry Hill, NJ location is very nice. Very open and spacious. All the locations I've been in are good. One common theme I've noticed is that they are all very noisy.
The service was prompt and attentive including a large party of 20 we had once. Everything arrived quickly and glasses were continuously refilled. Minor note, refills on sodas are not free. But you do get a giant cup.
The menu is enormous. It has just about anything you would want from sandwiches to pizza to full meals. It covers American food and touches of other ethnic foods. So, anyone can find something to eat.
The quality is completely average. Nothing special or stands out. What does stand out is that the portions are huge. Most meals are enough for two. And the prices are very reasonable. Finally, the cheesecake is pretty excellent. Who else has dozens of varieties of cheesecake?
Given they don't take reservations (except for big parties) and there seems to always be an hour or more wait, why go? I've asked myself that for years. Honestly, there is no reason to wait for this food that is completely comparable to Fridays or Houlihans. I think people have convinced themselves that the Cheesecake Factory is a real restaurant and not another Applebees. Maybe someday people will get it and the wait will go down to something reasonable. So, if you can get in with a minimal wait, then go for it. Otherwise, head somewhere else.
Crowne Plaza Hotel - Silver Springs, MD: B+
I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Silver Springs, MD for a week on business. Overall, it is a good hotel that has only a couple of areas for improvement.
The room size was good. Given this is right next DC, I expected the rooms to be a bit smaller. But they were what I would consider a standard size room. It had plenty of room for a desk, sofa, and chair along with a king bed. The heat/AC worked fine.
The bed was solid with plenty of support. It was a bit too firm. But it was a quality bed. Oddly, it had 4 half size pillows. They worked but I can't figure out why they don't have full size pillows. Included in the room were several items to help you sleep. It came with ear plugs, an eye mask, a lightly scented "linen" spray, and a CD with relaxation techniques and some soft music. A very nice touch.
Always a source of anxiety, the alarm clock was extremely complicated. The manual should have been included in the room. The alarm clock had a touch screen which I've never seen before. It took me 10 minutes to figure out how to turn the radio on instead of the CD player for the alarm.
The TV could use a few more channels and reception on a couple of channels was fuzzy. The hotel also has free wi-fi access throughout (including the restaurant). The desk and chair were comfortable for laptop usage. A few more outlets would have been good.
The bathroom was a normal size and perfectly clean. All the normal personal care items (soap, etc.) were included and were of good quality. The coffee maker in my room didn't work.
The decor in the room was fine. What was odd was the choice of "castle brick" wallpaper in the hallway. It was truly hideous.
The restaurant in the hotel was pretty good. I ate there three times. The crab cakes used jumbo lump meat and had little filler. They were very good. The filet minion was very good and perfectly cooked. The chicken picatta was also very good with a fine caper sauce. One disappointment is the salad. It looks like basic iceberg lettuce salad mix from the super market with a slice of cucumber, some soggy crutons, and some canned sliced olives. Dressing was on the side and home quality. Another problem was the side vegetables. They were cooked well it's just they looked very tired. It was puzzling since by looking at them you'd think they were cooked to death either by boiling or steaming. Instead they were crisp. Odd.
Again, a pretty good hotel with little to detract from it. Perhaps a better choice of wallpaper and a bit more detail in the kitchen could help. But, definitely a good choice for the area.
The room size was good. Given this is right next DC, I expected the rooms to be a bit smaller. But they were what I would consider a standard size room. It had plenty of room for a desk, sofa, and chair along with a king bed. The heat/AC worked fine.
The bed was solid with plenty of support. It was a bit too firm. But it was a quality bed. Oddly, it had 4 half size pillows. They worked but I can't figure out why they don't have full size pillows. Included in the room were several items to help you sleep. It came with ear plugs, an eye mask, a lightly scented "linen" spray, and a CD with relaxation techniques and some soft music. A very nice touch.
Always a source of anxiety, the alarm clock was extremely complicated. The manual should have been included in the room. The alarm clock had a touch screen which I've never seen before. It took me 10 minutes to figure out how to turn the radio on instead of the CD player for the alarm.
The TV could use a few more channels and reception on a couple of channels was fuzzy. The hotel also has free wi-fi access throughout (including the restaurant). The desk and chair were comfortable for laptop usage. A few more outlets would have been good.
The bathroom was a normal size and perfectly clean. All the normal personal care items (soap, etc.) were included and were of good quality. The coffee maker in my room didn't work.
The decor in the room was fine. What was odd was the choice of "castle brick" wallpaper in the hallway. It was truly hideous.
The restaurant in the hotel was pretty good. I ate there three times. The crab cakes used jumbo lump meat and had little filler. They were very good. The filet minion was very good and perfectly cooked. The chicken picatta was also very good with a fine caper sauce. One disappointment is the salad. It looks like basic iceberg lettuce salad mix from the super market with a slice of cucumber, some soggy crutons, and some canned sliced olives. Dressing was on the side and home quality. Another problem was the side vegetables. They were cooked well it's just they looked very tired. It was puzzling since by looking at them you'd think they were cooked to death either by boiling or steaming. Instead they were crisp. Odd.
Again, a pretty good hotel with little to detract from it. Perhaps a better choice of wallpaper and a bit more detail in the kitchen could help. But, definitely a good choice for the area.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
New Golden Dawn Diner: F
Food: 2 Presentation: 1 Decor: 1 Service: 2
Total: 6/25: F
The New Golden Dawn is on Route 38 in Maple Shade, NJ. The Newness is relative. It's been there as long as I can remember, at least 25 years. I've been here a few times over that 25 years and never had been impressed. But sometimes you can't go back to the same diners every couple of weeks so you head back hoping for something different. It wasn't.
The place needs some serious updating. It looks like a very run down place. The service didn't help. It was just a bit too slow that night and not enough attention to detail. I felt as if our server had something better to do.
I ordered fried shrimp for dinner. First came a basket of worn out bread. It just didn't look fresh. Maybe it was. I didn't chance it. Next was a very normal salad. Finally came the fried shrimp. Now, I want some large or jumbo shrimp fried up. That's not what I got. I got around 30 very small and anemic shrimp. I mean, many were less than 1 inch long. They were battered en mass and deep fried together. You couldn't even tell which ends were the tails. And many were stuck together creating two headed or tailed shrimp. What a mess. What chef or owner would think this was good?
Fortunately, my wife got a chicken ceasar salad. The chicken was actually spiced and grilled very well. She enjoyed her meal while I barely stomached mine. A very different set of experiences.
Given my order, I'll never go back. I can only imagine what other horrors lurk on the menu.
Total: 6/25: F
The New Golden Dawn is on Route 38 in Maple Shade, NJ. The Newness is relative. It's been there as long as I can remember, at least 25 years. I've been here a few times over that 25 years and never had been impressed. But sometimes you can't go back to the same diners every couple of weeks so you head back hoping for something different. It wasn't.
The place needs some serious updating. It looks like a very run down place. The service didn't help. It was just a bit too slow that night and not enough attention to detail. I felt as if our server had something better to do.
I ordered fried shrimp for dinner. First came a basket of worn out bread. It just didn't look fresh. Maybe it was. I didn't chance it. Next was a very normal salad. Finally came the fried shrimp. Now, I want some large or jumbo shrimp fried up. That's not what I got. I got around 30 very small and anemic shrimp. I mean, many were less than 1 inch long. They were battered en mass and deep fried together. You couldn't even tell which ends were the tails. And many were stuck together creating two headed or tailed shrimp. What a mess. What chef or owner would think this was good?
Fortunately, my wife got a chicken ceasar salad. The chicken was actually spiced and grilled very well. She enjoyed her meal while I barely stomached mine. A very different set of experiences.
Given my order, I'll never go back. I can only imagine what other horrors lurk on the menu.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Alan Morse - Four O'Clock and Hysteria: A-
Music: 8/10 Production: 5/5
Total: 13/15
Alan Morse is the highly talented guitar player from Spock's Beard. He breaks out with a fantastic solo album. Spock's Beard is a great prog rock band. Unfortunately, Alan and his brother Neal on keyboards and vocals split a few years ago. SB lives on with Alan and isn't quite as good.
For Alan, his solo album is a jazz rock tour de force. He's managed to assemble another fantastic lineup of musicians. Everyone in the band is a virtuoso in their own right. But, the music is led by Alan and some amazing guitar playing. A couple of songs pay homage to old Yes, but mostly it's original and moving.
The production on the album is sparkling and crystal clear. Anyone who wants to learn to record and master should put this on their reference list.
Overall, if you want to hear some great jazz rock, this is a great album to get. Highly recommended.
Total: 13/15
Alan Morse is the highly talented guitar player from Spock's Beard. He breaks out with a fantastic solo album. Spock's Beard is a great prog rock band. Unfortunately, Alan and his brother Neal on keyboards and vocals split a few years ago. SB lives on with Alan and isn't quite as good.For Alan, his solo album is a jazz rock tour de force. He's managed to assemble another fantastic lineup of musicians. Everyone in the band is a virtuoso in their own right. But, the music is led by Alan and some amazing guitar playing. A couple of songs pay homage to old Yes, but mostly it's original and moving.
The production on the album is sparkling and crystal clear. Anyone who wants to learn to record and master should put this on their reference list.
Overall, if you want to hear some great jazz rock, this is a great album to get. Highly recommended.
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