CD Spotlight

Updated 3/2/2009 23:15 EST

CD Spotlight Archive

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Pearl Jam: Live On Two Legs November 29, 1998 Was there any doubt that Pearl Jam's Live on Two Legs would be my CD of the Month for December? We've been told "alternative isn't cool anymore" for a few years now. But whatever it is I've been hearing on the radio these days certainly isn't cool. Pearl Jam have had their ups and downs, but they've managed to survive the whole alternative backlash without feeling a need to cut a swing album. Live on Two Legs contains 17 tracks that make it clear why Pearl Jam are still around: They're a great live band and they're writing great songs. Most of the "hits" are here, but some of the best moments occur during lesser-known songs. Songs like "Red Mosquito", "Courduroy" and "Go" are obviously among Pearl Jam's favorite to play, evident by the high-energy performances on this disc. I would have really enjoyed a double-CD since Pearl Jam's catalog has gotten SO large, but with a packed 71-minute disc, Pearl Jam has given us a great live album. Black Sabbath: Reunion October 24, 1998 Yes, my CD of the month is Black Sabbath's Reunion, and NO, I am not a metalhead, druggie, headbanger, motorhead or Satanist. This is just great rock and roll. The 2-CD set contains 16 live tracks from the 12/97 show when Ozzy Osbourne rejoined his former bandmates on stage and tore through all the old Sabbath classics from the '70's. There are also two new studio tracks on the second CD, the first Ozzy has recored with Sabbath in some 17 years. I'll admit, I was a little worried that these heavy-metal icons might have lost some of their steam since they entered their 50's (yes, FIFTIES), but this set proves they can still hold their own amongst the thousands of young bands they have influenced. Hole: Celebrity Skin September 17, 1998 This month's CD of the month is Celebrity Skin from Hole. I've been listening to this disc constantly since I picked it up last week. Courtney & company have always taken a lot of heat from the press for getting "help" from the likes of Cobain (Live Through This) and Corgan (Celebrity Skin). Well, I'll be the first to admit that a few of the songs on the new CD could be right off of the Smashing Pumpkins' Adore. But let me tell you, Hole deserves respect for this album. While the band strayed a bit from the hard edge of the last CD, the new disc offers infectious pop grooves that can hold their own against the loud power chords of Live Through This. I defy you to pick up Celebrity Skin, listen to it a few times, and NOT walk away with these tunes stuck in your head. Give "Northern Star" a second listen -- that one's my favorite. ;-) Mary Prankster: Blue Skies Over Dundalk August 16, 1998 This month's featured CD comes to you from Mary Prankster. Mary's got a style that's kind of hard to pinpoint. Some punk, some rock, some pop, and a lot of stuff I can't describe. I can tell you this much: She kicks ass. Her current CD, Blue Skies Over Dundalk, is not for the easily-offended. And don't be looking for 20-minute epics (most of her songs never hit the 3 minute mark). But if you're looking for an entertaining 30-minute ride, pick up her CD. She's from the Baltimore area, but seems to play in Harrisburg pretty often. CDs are always available at her shows.

Past CD Spotlights: Alter Bridge: One Day Remains Alanis Morissette: Unplugged Audioslave: Audioslave Avril Lavigne: Let Go Avril Lavigne: Under My Skin The Beatles: 1 Big Wreck: In Loving Memory Of... Big Wreck: The Pleasure and the Greed Black Sabbath: Reunion Chevelle: Wonder What's Next Chris Cornell: Euphoria Morning Clove: Go Clove: Absolutely Nothing Collective Soul: Dosage Collective Soul: Blender Courtney Love: America's Sweetheart Darcie Miner: Down To Earth D'Arey October: Fighting The Moon D'Arey October: Guide To Teenage Glamour Evanescence: Fallen Eve 6: Eve 6 Eve 6: Horrorscope The Exies: Inertia Foo Fighters: There Is Nothing Left To Lose Foo Fighters: One By One Fuel: Something Like Human Fuel: Natural Selection Garbage: Beautifulgarbage Gas Giants: From Beyond The Back Burner Hole: Celebrity Skin Jane's Addiction: Strays Julian Fist: Pushing Audio Platinum Lennon: 5:30 Saturday Morning Live: The Distance To Here Live: V Liz Phair: Liz Phair Mary Prankster: Blue Skies Over Dundalk Mary Prankster: Roulette Girl Michelle Branch: The Spirit Room Moodroom: Hung Up On Breathing Muse: Showbiz Nina Gordon: Tonight and the Rest of My Life No Doubt: Return of Saturn Our Lady Peace: Gravity Pearl Jam: Live On Two Legs Pearl Jam: Live in State College 5/3/03 Pearl Jam: Lost Dogs Puddle Of Mudd: Control Republica: Speed Ballads Silverchair: Neon Ballroom Stone Temple Pilots: Thank You The Cranberries: Bury The Hatchet The Jellybricks: Soap Opera Thornley: Come Again Tonic: Head On Straight Tony Iommi: Iommi U.P.O.: No Pleasantries Velvet Revolver: Contraband Veruca Salt: Resolver Zwan: Mary Star of the Sea