Dave Short

R.E.M — Up

Evokes a dream world, buried in drum machines and synths. Some may find the soporific quality off-putting. Not me.

5/5

Alphaville — Forever Young

Those crazy Germans! The good kind of 80's pop, without apologies or pretense.

3/5

Dragonforce — Ultra Beatdown

Definitely rocks, but the songs run together. Is one 45-min. song or eight 6-min. songs better?

3/5

George Harrison — Brainwashed

A fine going-away present, my favorite post-Beatles solo project.

4/5

Even In Blackouts — Myths & Imaginary Magicians

Everything about this record is a contradiction. It shouldn't work, but it does.

4/5

Metallica — Death Magnetic

Sure, some tracks rock like Metallica of yore. But it sounds like shit and bores me to no end.

1/5

Bouncing Souls — Hopeless Romantic

A few awesome songs, a couple throwaways, but high-energy punk rock through and through.

3/5

Westbound Train — Come And Get It

This is tight, modern, ear-pleasing reggae/rock the way it's meant to be played.

4/5

Zolof The Rock and Roll Destroyer — Schematics

The best kind of power pop, which happens to be fronted by a woman. Catchy as hell.

3/5

The Queers — Pleasant Screams

A terrific Ramones-influenced mix of songs about people to hate and people to love.

3/5