Triple Album Review

Roxanne, Ted Poley & Mae

Roxanne — Radio Silence

We have some special things planned for this space as we end the year but I wanted to squeeze in three more reviews of albums that came out in 2018. Three pretty different records but worth your time to check out.

First up is Roxanne. Roxanne released their debut record in 1988 and then disappeared. I really like that record and when I heard they were back with a new record, “Radio Silence”, 30 years later I had to check it out.

The album has a very 70s feel. The bands that come to mind when I listen to the new record are Queen and Extreme. Like those bands, the album crosses genres and includes rock, funk and a little soul. Dug Pinnick of King’s X shares lead vocals on “Go F*** Yourself” while George Lynch and Ray Luzier also lend their talents. I also found it interesting that they cover “Man in the Moon” by John Corabi’s former band “The Scream”.

Other album highlights include “Girls Alright”, “Broken Chandeliers” and the 7-minute album closer “First Mistake”.

There are some really great songs here. This one is definitely going to get a few more spins and I’d encourage you to check it out.

85 out of 100

Track listing

1. Someone To Kill
2. Girl’s Alright *
3. Super Bad
4. Thin Blue Line
5. Broken Chandeliers *
6. Go Fuck Yourself
7. Man in the Moon *
8. Without Us
9. Quarter To Four
10. I Don’t Want to Live This Way
11. First Mistake *

*Best Songs

Mae — Multisensory Aesthetic Experience

A few weeks ago I reviewed Mae’s new EP “3.0”. Turns out the EP was a primer for their full release “Multisensory Aestheic Experience”. Most of the songs on the EP are on the new record so you can go back and check out my review. But there are some new songs here that are worth mentioning.

I love this band and admittedly it’s a stretch to call them a hard rock band. This album in particular is pretty mellow and modern but it does have its rockin’ moments.

“Kaleidoscope” starts off the album and features some horns, strings and electronica. It’s not your typical Mae song and it’s one of my favorite things about the band. They continue to push themselves. Sure, I’d love to hear them put out another “The Everglow” (one of my favorite albums of all-time) but I appreciate a band that keeps growing.

“The Overview” features vocalist Dave Elkins semi-rapping through the verses over some cool guitar. It still has that Mae sound in parts but it’s another new venture for the band.

“Simple Words” sounds the most like previous Mae stuff and is more straight ahead rock with lots of guitar.

I need quite a few more listens and will be seeing them live next month so it’s tough to determine where this album stands but I’ll stick with my original score for the EP.

90 out of 100

Track Listing

1. Kaleidoscope
2. Sing *
3. The Overview
4. 5 Light Years *
5. No Promises (10001001001100)
6. You Fall When You Hesitate
7. Our Love is a Painted Picture
8. A Race For Our Autonomy *
9. Let It Die *
10. Simple Words *
11. Flow (ft. TF)

*Best Songs

Ted Poley — Modern Art

The final review of the year is for Ted Poley’s new album “Modern Art”. You probably know Ted Poley from his years in Danger Danger. He’s been in a bunch of other bands and most recently formed Tokyo Motor First with Steve Brown from Trixter. It was one of my favorite records of 2017.

If you like straight up melodic rock this album is for you. These songs are unapologetically full of hooks. Big sound with huge choruses. You can’t listen to these songs without singing them afterward.

“New World”, “Gypsy at Heart” and “Bury Me” start the record off with a bang. Up tempo but not heavy. Big choruses and very melodic.

There are a few ballads here with a more calypso type of feel on “What Kind of Love”.

If there are any issues with this record it’s that the songs all have a pretty similar sound, especially the more upbeat ones. I really like how they sound, but I could see the argument that you’d want a little more variety other than tempo. But that’s being nit-picky.

To be honest, I haven’t heard this record enough to feel confident with my score, but having listened through a couple of times I know I really like it.

90 out of 100 (with an option to change upon most listens)

Tracklist

1. New World *
2. Gypsy At Heart *
3. Bury Me
4. Out Of Control *
5. Running For The Light
6. What Kind Of Love
7. Time
8. Devil To My Angel
9. I Know A Liar
10. Find Another Man
11. Wilderness *

*Best Songs