These are the albums or artists I’m into right as of this moment. Notice I’ve also added it to the sidebar for quick access. The listing could change daily, or weekly…I’ll somehow keep a history of these later on as well so people know what’s really hot, as I won’t be posting just everything I listen to; these will be only the best of the best…

Eighteen Visions – Obsession First up, a little band called Eighteen Visions, also known as 18V. Up until this album (Obsessions), they were hardcore scream metal, but this album which came out last year just flat out rocks from beginning to end…and the screaming is toned down. Quite possibly the best album of 2004.

Audiovent – Dirty Sexy Knights in Paris OK, kiddies, we’re onto album 2. A little band called Audiovent. I just recently ‘rediscovered’ them; my memory was jogged as I was reading up on them. Good ol’ Yahoo! Music Engine exposed me to them again. Seems the lead singer (Jason Boyd) is Brandon Boyd of Incubus’ little brother, as well as the guitarist is the brother of another Incubite! Seems they were jokingly given the moniker Little Incubus at one point. But they definitely are of a different genre. Just heavier and catchier than Incubus overall. Jason sounds a little like Brandon, but not enough to notice, really…

But for some reason, they’ve disappeared from the face of the earth…this album was released in 2002, saw some postings on their website from a year or so ago, but nothing else. Can’t find anything on Google, etc. I’ve been trying to get on Incubus’ forums to see what happened…wonder if they were a victim of the ‘corporate label syndrome’ that affects so many awesome artists; label restrictions and problems drive them into hiding (see Fiona Apple, Poe, Tracy Bonham, etc.)

If you know anything about them, drop me a line….

The Exies – Head for the Door This week’s new album is something I believe The Wife mentioned at one time, for some reason. I originally didn’t care for The Exies, thought they were too catchy/commercial. But after listening to them the past few days at work, the album is actually really good! Hard, somewhat catchy, but very solid! Now I just have to go research their earlier album(s), as I saw one on Amazon…enjoy!

Lostprophets – Start Something I know, I know, those who have pry heard of these guys, have heard their single, which is rather ‘punky’, and since I don’t care to listen to Punky Brewster music, some of you may wonder why I like them. Well because that single was apparently one of those ‘appease the label’ songs, as they are more nu-metal than anything. Not quite the heaviest, but definitely different. I originally bought their first album, thinking it was better, but this one has grown on me…

Billy Idol – Charmed Life Hey, you have to keep up here! I’m getting around to changing these albums quickly! Anyway, Yahoo! Music Engine finally added this album recently, and I’ve listened to it front-to-back twice now in 24 hours. For those singles-catchers, this is the one with ‘Cradle of Love’, which should have stayed on the ‘Ford Fairlaine’ soundtrack, way too poppy for me…and normally I’m not an Idol fan, more of a poseur than I like, although “Wedding Singer” softened that a bit. But this album’s from 1990, and is much more subdued for Billy, and I remember listening to it way back when, freshman in college, cruising around in the car with the tape deck blaring…this album is all about ‘cool’…pry the coolest album of all time in my book!

H.I.M. – Razorblade Romance Well, with the name-change, I thought it only fitting to update my pick…albeit not the namesake album, but definitely one of their best. I needed a little more edge today, so I went with this album. And you should, too!

System of a Down – Mezmerize This one could be up for awhile. I haven’t been the biggest SOAD fan; I’ve tried to listen before, and it’s good, just never got all crazy about them. Maybe overplay on the radio, but even then I’ve tried to go back and listen to their first album, still ‘eh’ feeling. WELL! Mezmerize changes all that! I don’t know what it is, but this album just struck a chord with me, and it is slightly different. The lead guitarist wrote this album as opposed to Serj, so maybe that’s it, tho the sound and songs are still SOAD. I don’t know what it is, but so far, given the albums I remember so far this year, this is quite possibly the best of 2005; The Exies being the only other one in contention…

Ron White – Drunk in Public A little change-up, a comedy album this time. One of the Blue-Collar Kings of Comedy, this guy is pure drunkenness…and comedy….

Buckcherry – Buckcherry Damn damn damn damn damn shame this band ever broke up…This album was just awesome, sort of a bluesier GNR, yet they were unbelievably a dirtier band; their lyrics are not something Jack Byrnes would mistake for a magic dragon…they went way beyond the magic dragon…

Their second album was a little more forced, little too polished, and strife (with their label and themselves, I’m sure) eventually led to their demise. But lead singer Josh Todd is still around, has his own band, and as soon as I get a chance to punch ’em up on Yahoo!, I’ll let you know what I think….could be the breakup was the best thing ever…but ‘Lit Up’ is such an f’in classic!

Anthrax – Volume 8 I never really got into the ‘original’ Anthrax (except the songs ‘Bring the Noise’ and ‘I’m the Man’), thrash/mosh metal was not my thing. But ever since they added John Bush as their lead singer (of Armored Saint fame), I’ve loved them; they’ve gone more into straight-ahead metal! This album from 1998 just might be their best during his era…overall very solid songs, polished yet not so tight as ‘Sound of White Noise’, which got old quickly…

The Music – Welcome to the North Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a year since this album was released. The Music is a British band that for years was an underground hit, with their psychedelic combination of a dance and electronica rock. This was their second album, a little more rock, cleaner and with tighter songwriting than their debut (which was still a must-have as well!); the single ‘Freedom Fighters’ got some airplay, impressive in this day of payola and crapola that dominates the airwaves. But overall this was the 2nd best album of 2004 (see 18v above for #1); definitely the best pop/rock/dance album for that matter…

Sponge – The Man Sponge is one of my all-time favorites, if not THE one. I’ve loved them since the days of Rotting Piñata…and they will always be the best live show ever! Vinnie and the boys are really back into the groove; after falling off the radar for awhile, they’re back and in fine tune. This album harkens back to the Piñata and Wax Estatic days, and has a couple tunes I just can’t get out of my frickin’ head! And that’s why Sponge is one of the best rock bands ever, even if most of the populace doesn’t remember them except for Sixteen Candles.

Avenged Sevenfold – City of Evil I don’t know how to describe A7X, take a dash of old-school metal, add in some ‘New Wave of British Heavy Metal influence’ and there you go….not exactly my words, as I said, too hard for me to describe, but taken from the description on mp3.com. And it turns out to be rather fitting. I thought I had heard this was considered some type of emo, punk metal or something. I don’t know, I’m not into labels, all I know is they made a hard push for Album of the Year in my book. This album is just solid from top to bottom, no filler, just rock solid…pun intended….

Taproot – Blue-Sky Research Description coming soon….

Nelly Furtado – Loose  Description coming soon….