Patrick Cornell: Left Coast Modern Rock

For a few seconds the opening track ("Dies Irae") on Patrick Cornell's mini-CD, This Much is True, sounds like it's going to be another stab at merging laid-back soft rock with country music. But when the electric six-string guitar kicks in, hold on, because you just might suffer from whiplash.

Cornell, from Los Angeles, is a singer-songwriter who favors a loud jangle-rock style. Not unlike fellow jangle rocker Tommy Keene, Cornell's voice is clearly placed in the upper register without sounding wimpy. He makes no excuse of loving the sound of a well-played electric guitar, which is always placed in the front of the mix.

Cornell demonstrates the ability to bleed the life out of one steady chord in "Silently Insane," then offers a welcome melodic shift just before the massive chorus. Acoustic guitars are a wonderful tool for any serious guitarist, so he turns down the volume on "Black Beauty," which has adult-contemporary crossover potential. "Vanessa" begins as mildly romantic radio-friendly fare but is resurrected by a blast of jarring electric guitar. The tempo and temperature are kicked up a notch in the hard rocking "Laurel Canyon Strut," which surrounds a melodic chorus with angry and jagged guitar riffing. "Blessings" closes the CD, and its slow-tempo would be the perfect set-closer after a long night at the club.

This Much is True is a solid introduction to this new talent. Cornell isn't an innovator when compared to indie contemporaries, but when he's playing modern rock, he's more than capable.

The Chameleons UK: "This Never Ending Now"

During the later half of the 80's and deep into the 90's, a virtually unknown band from Manchester, England released a nearly perfect series of atmospheric modern rock recordings. Possessing a uniquely English vocal style and an extremely processed electric guitar style, the Chameleons UK always maintained a death-grip upon the most important musical element: melody.

Their songs aren't of the typical verse-chorus-bridge-chorus variety. Instead, the tracks often start with an eerie electric guitar riff, then the singing by Mark Burgess (also on bass) adds to the texture. The Chameleons UK released one brilliant CD in 2001, Why Call it Anything? This album is a must-have for those who are intimate with their music. Others may wish to start with the harder rocking Strange Times.

In 2003, the band decided to enter the studio and re-imagine their favorite tracks in an acoustic setting. Even though their previous studio records were heavy on production tricks, the songs chosen for This Never Ending Now are every bit as powerful as the original recordings. The standout track on this record is the epic "Second Skin." Beginning with a lovely acoustic guitar pattern, Burgess' quiet vocals ride above the instrumental melody. The aching beauty of his singing the lines "I realize the miracle is due...I dedicate this melody to you...but is the stuff dreams are made of..." actually transports the listener to a melancholy state of consciousness. Suddenly, the percussion and guitars collide into a wondrous cacophony of the best that modern rock is able to offer, leaving you drained of energy and ambition.

Other amazing tracks populate this recording: There's a brilliant cover of Bowie's "Moonage Daydream," the insistent melodic riffing on "Swamp Thing," and a stunning version of "Miracles and Wonders," which features a strange bit of toasting from Kwasi Asante.

This Never Ending Now is available now from Emusic.com. The album is free of all digital rights management software (DRM). I hope you are able to hear this beautiful recording.

Anticipating the new Modest Mouse Release

It's still early in the 2007, but already I'm bored with this year's new releases. With the exception of the new Arcade Fire album, there has been a shortage of important music. Hopefully, things will get more exciting when the new Modest Mouse record, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank hits the retail outlets on March 20.

The last Modest Mouse record, was a good release when compared against the competition, but as a MM record, it wasn't really wasn't up to the standard set by earlier releases The Moon and Antarctica or The Lonesome Crowded West. Once you become enamoured with MM, you begin to expect certain things of the music: warped, highly textured guitar patterns, oddly off-kilter vocals that sometimes tell strange stories ("Cowboy Dan"), and a show-stopping crescendo that knocks your socks off while spinning provocative lyrical concepts ("The Stars are Projectors").

Fortunately, lead vocalist and guitarist Isaac Brock realized that the band needed help if they were to grow. With the radio hit "Float On" from the last album behind them, it was time for the band to embrace their roots and go back to the edgy style that won them their fan base in the first place.

Enter guitarist extraordinaire Johnny Marr. At first, it seemed very odd that this elder statesman from The Smiths would be a bad fit for the band. If you can find a leaked copy of the new song "Spitting Venom," your doubts will be dashed.

The song begins with a simple acoustic guitar pattern and the repeated lyric "Let it drop... let it all drop." Suddenly, the guitars enter the scene like a semi-truck running on fuel made from chemically refined Fender Jazzmasters. These guitars are completely removed from anything that Marr ever attempted in the Smiths or his other recordings - they are brittle, molten shards of sonic glass. But this is an epic MM tune, and a stunning trumpet melody enters the theme as the guitars spin a magnificent melodic pattern while the vocals layer smartly within the mix.

Yes, Modest Mouse are back with a vengeance. We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank won't be a record that your mom will like. It's entirely too edgy and dissonant.

Which is exactly what we need right now.

The 10 Best Albums at Emusic.com (Part 2)

Yesterday, we covered 5 of the best recordings that you can download from Emusic.com. Today we finish the list with 5 more albums that every fan of classic or modern music should own:

The Delgados: Hate

Representing a slightly edgier side of indie-pop, The Delgados are a band that mixes male and female vocals with cleverly orchestrated song structures. The band could be a modern version of ELO (they cover "Mr. Blue Sky" on the EP All You Need is Hate), as a full string section provides a counterpoint for driving guitars and percussion. The lyrical component is quite visionary, yet the songs are still melodic enough to sing along with. Sadly, Hate was the bands equinox, as their next record, Universal Audio, tossed the strings in favor of a stripped-down sound that failed to capture the band's full capabilities.

The Great Lakes Myth Society: S/T

Being a born and bred Michigander, I had no problem connecting with this album of songs about my home state. This recording falls somewhere between folk and rock, as banjos collide with guitars while the lyrics tell of journeys across the Mackinac Bridge, mining, Marquette County, and lake effect snow.

Neko Case: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

Neko Case represents all that is good with female Americana. As a singer in The New Pornographers, Case gets to show her pop/rock chops. But as a solo artist, her reverb-drenched voice echoes the great female country singers of the 50's. One song, "Hold On, Hold On" is worth the price of admission, but the entire album is a stunner. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this record.

The New Pornographers: Twin Cinema

This band is a Canadian indie-rock supergroup made up of people that no one has ever heard of. Neko Case is the most recognizable name, but every member of this amazing band does their part. The songs are crisp and bright sounding, full of crashing guitars and odd tempo changes. Fans of the early Kinks, the Db's, or even The Shins will enjoy this hooky, energetic romp.

Wake Ooloo: What About It

After the seminal 80's band The Feelies crashed and burned, the lead guitarist and singer Glen Mercer formed Wake Ooloo. Still plying a similar territory to The Feelies, What About It may be one the best unknown albums of its era. While the electric guitar is the main instrument, the band fully understands the importance of texture and dynamics. Songs like "Anything" are emotionally powerful, while other tracks are examples of near-perfect six-string American rock and roll.

The 10 Best Albums at Emusic.com (Part 1)

I've been an Emusic.com subscriber for about three years. Emusic isn't a typical music download site: The music is all independent. You won't find the latest from Gnarles Barkley, but for those who are passionate about music, there is plenty here to be discovered.

In the early days, Emusic charged a flat subscription fee and you were allowed to download everything you wanted. This system encouraged experimentation, allowing the music consumer the opportunity to download complete albums without any financial penalty. A couple of years ago, Emusic changed their policy to allow a fixed number of downloads, depending on how much the consumer was willing to pay. Now the music fan has to do some research to make sure that each download is worth the money. My subscription allows me to download 60 tracks each 30 days. But I am a completest - I only download full albums, as I want to hear every track, not just the hits. So I snag 5 or 6 albums each month for about $15. Not a bad deal!

Today I'm going to offer up five of my favorite all time Emusic albums. Tomorrow I'll give you another five. Enjoy!

The Arcade Fire: Funeral
The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible

One pop music trend in the 21st century involves the creation of complex, orchestral rock music. It's typically referred to as "indie pop," as the bands that create it are independent of any large corporate label, which allows the freedom to create music without preconceived boundaries. The Arcade Fire, who are a multi-piece outfit from Canada, put together a heavenly sounding mixture of guitars, strings, percussion, and vocals that bring to mind XTC or The Talking Heads. The music is powerful but not indulgent. The lyrics actually mean something, but it's the melodies and hooks that will keep you coming back.

Belle and Sebastian: The Boy With the Arab Strap

Admittedly not every one's cup of tea, Belle and Sebastian represent a more gentle side of the indie pop scene. The vocals are often rather "twee" sounding- light and airy, but repeated listening does uncover an underlying tension and sincerity. The instrumentation is mostly acoustic, but the music is quite lively, This is pop for fans of The Housemartins or The Beautiful South.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch: Hedwig and the Angry Inch Soundtrack

How about a concept album about a guy who suffers a botched sex-change operation? This soundtrack was taken from the indie film of the same title (often played on IFC). The music is 100% glam rock. You'll hear echoes of Bowie, T-Rex, and Mott the Hoople as you cringe to lyrics that discuss the loss of a favorite male appendage.

Ian Hunter: Rant

After quitting his job as the front man of Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter released a fairly successful batch of solo records. Rant finds Mr. Hunter in a dour mood as he discusses the condition of his home country England and the morons that surround him. This is a nearly perfect classic rock album - there are songs with raging guitars, there are tender ballads. Hunter was never the best singer, but he knows how to use his voice and lyrics to really get at the emotional core of an issue.

Tomorrow: Five more from Emusic

The Clash: Sometimes you need a kick in the head

There's quite a bit of punk rock represented in my music collection. Back in the late 70's, before most of you were born, my listening preferences were moving away from corporate rock in favor of new wave and punk rock. Imagine hearing the first Ramones album right after listening to Journey or Ted Nugent. It was a complete trip, one that I really didn't "get" at the time. I thought that The Ramones were sophomoric retards who had no idea how to play their instruments. I was so wrong about this that I have probably never been so wrong again in my entire life.

Even though I didn't appreciate the Ramones, I did fall in love with The Clash. Here was a band that sorta understood their instruments, but they also offered a lyrical component that wasn't available from anyone else. Songs like "Janie Jones," and "I'm so Bored with the USA" crept into my band's set list. But it was the seminal album, London Calling, that had the most impact upon my young life. There are so many treasures on this album ("Guns of Brixton," "The Card Cheat") that each listen still to this day causes chills to run up and down my spine. For a few years, the planets were aligned for Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, and Topper Headon.

Last night, VH1 played the Joe Strummer video for "Redemption Song," and I nearly broke out in tears as I thought about the joy that Mr. Strummer brought to so many of us. Strummer's solo records were the work of a man who'd seen a lot in his life. He became a father, and became to realize that a lot of people depended upon him. This must have been contrary to his London squatter beginnings, where one only worried about the next meal. A heart attack took Joe Strummer from us in 2002.

For those seeking some modern adult punk, I recommend T.V. Smith (formerly of the early punk band The Adverts), or New Model Army. These artists create passionate, political punk that will be appreciated by fans of The Clash.

The Kaiser Chiefs: "Yours Truly Angry Mob"

The second album from this energetic young band finds the guitars cranked to the max and the melodies fully intact. You don't listen to a band like The Kaiser Chiefs because you're searching for a message, you listen because you want to forget your problems and have some fun.

Yours Truly Angry Mob begins with "Ruby," a light-hearted romp that echoes Morrissey in the vocal department while offering plenty of energy from the guitars and percussion. "Heat Dies Down" is a high-speed mosh pit favorite, but it's "Love's Not A Competition (But I'm Winning)" that demonstrates the band's ability to concoct a radio-friendly indie-pop tune. The song is a nice acoustic ballad that is certain to be a favorite for female listeners. Another powerful track on the album is "Thank You Very Much," a track that packs enough heat to raise the global temperature all on it's own. Surging guitars are abruptly forced to a sudden change of tempo in what has become a staple in The Kaiser Chiefs' bag of tricks before the band kicks back in with a full-bore chorus.

Yours Truly Angry Mob will be appreciated most by fans of Franz Ferdinand or Killers. Packed with vocal melodies and impressive musical energy, this is an easy album to like.

Recent film music spotlights Donovan, King Crimson

Chills ran down my spine as the first strains of "The Court of the Crimson King" played during an intense moment in the movie Children of Men. This harrowing film about a future Earth without the ability to reproduce children chose some very interesting songs for its soundtrack. But it's the King Crimson song, with its melancholy melody, that made the movie work for me. I am always amazed that film producers are so clever at finding obsure yet wonderful tunes for their soundtracks. Remember how a cover of the Tears for Fears track "Mad World" transformed Donnie Darko?

This weekend, I had another amazing movie-song experience. This time it was hearing Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" in Zodiac. This film about finding a serial killer was very, very well made. Even at 2 hours, 30 minutes, the movie's fast pace kept me rooting for the good guys to catch the monster that took lives for several years beginning in the late 60's. Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downy, Jr. were expertly cast as investigative newspaper reporters. Even though I was never a huge fan of Donovan, hearing "Hurdy Gurdy Man" in Zodiac makes me want to sample more of his music.

Note for younger music fans: King Crimson were a progressive rock band that featured the phenomenal guitarist Robert Fripp on guitar. Their best album, In the Court of the Crimson King, featured Greg Lake on vocals before he left to join Emerson, Lake and Palmer. You may have heard "20th Century Schizoid Man," which is considered by many to be the best progressive rock song of all time. If you play guitar, you need to hear this album.

Rory Gallagher, Blue Oyster Cult

Sunday is a great day to dig into the music archives. On the way to the ski slopes, I pumped a Rory Gallagher's "Live in Montreux" through the car stereo. Released last year, this live concert showcases the legendary Irish blues and rock guitarist at his finest. The recording, which sounds thin at first but acquires more sonic depth as the live mix improves, is a terriffic starting point for anyone who wants an introduction to Gallagher's music. With his perfectly destroyed Stratocaster and whiskey-infused voice, Gallagher plays like a man possessed on "Laundromat," "Shin Kicker," and his masterpiece, "Philby." He plays the blues straight on "Tore Down," and tosses us an acoustic track, "Out On the Western Plain." Gallagher's life was cut short, but the man left behind a legacy of music that is still inspiring young guitarists.

Anyone who claims to enjoy hard rock needs some Blue Öyster Cult in their collection. Start with their third studio album, "Secret Treaties," which contains the amazing tracks "ME-262" and "Astronomy." These two tracks defined hard rock in the 70's, fusing a heavy-metal guitar onslaught with comic book and sci-fi lyrics. Jump forward to their next studio album, "Agents of Fortune," and you'll get their biggest hit "Don't Fear the Reaper." I recommend staying away from the many compilations that are avaialble and instead grabbing their first 5 records, which is an amazing body of work with very little filler material. If you haven't heard "Last Days of May," "Cities On Flame," "Hot Rails to Hell," "Dominance and Submission," or "Harvestor of Eyes," then you are not a true rock fan.

The Arcade Fire, Explosions In the Sky, Celibate Rifles

The new album from the Arcade Fire, "Neon Bible," has been getting plenty of airtime on my MP3 player. Like its predecessor, "Funeral," the new album is full of reverb-drenched indie pop that finds a way to embed itself upon the listener's soul. The songs are BIG sounding, almost achieving a Phil Spector "wall of sound" effect.

If you dig the music from the film "Friday Night Lights," you can download the songs from the Texas indie band that creates the beautiful instrumental guitar soundscapes, Explosions in the Sky, from Emusic.com. The songs follow no pre-ordained structure, but they are always very interesting.

I always thought that Midnight Oil were the best band to come out of Australia, but since I've discovered The Celibate Rifles, I'm beginning to change my mind. Similar in style to early Skids or Radio Birdman, The Celibate Rifles have a very diverse and interesting catalog. Check them out if you are in the need of some melodic high-energy guitar punk.

Looking for some cinematic weirdness? Check out the new DVD, "The Science of Sleep." It's made by the same guy (Michel Gondry) who made "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," so it's quite a mind-bender. Packed with strange yet cool animated dream sequences, the story is about a very odd young man's attempt to win over the girl next door. This is a difficult movie to fall in love with, but it is clever and fun to talk about among your friends who've also seen it.

I finally got around to seeing "Garden State." Wow, what a cool film. If you haven't seen this yet, move it to the top of your list. Zach Braff of "Scrubs" wrote it and stars in this quiet indie film about a guy who goes home for his mother's funeral. The plot is quite complex, and the soundtrack features The Shins. This one is worth owning.