Ear Candy

By Phil Denson

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me four shiny CDs...

Artist - Just Add Water

Title - The Other Side of You

Label - Via Visa Music/2000

On the verge of greatness, Just Add Water releases its energetic live show onto one kick A** CD! Lest anyone have doubts that pristine melodies and unabashed vocal harmonies are out of fashion, The Other Side of You offers hope. "My Own Little World" along with "Holiday" have already received local air-play and although these two tracks are sweet, they are but frosting on the cake. As you listen to The Other Side of You, you realize that you've hit the jackpot, gem after gem. "Darlin' Don't" rocks the house down with its infectious thumping riff. "Act One" slows down the pace with one of the best ballads I've heard in years, with a change-up to die for and lyrical depth to spare - "Act One" delivers the goods. Radio friendly and arguably one of the catchiest songs on the CD "Frozen", leaves you anything but. From the seductive crunch of "That Girl" to the mesmerizing acoustic "Complications" Just Add Water's The Other Side of You leaves you gasping for air...drowning in water has never been so much fun.

Artist - Sum 41

Title - Half Hour of Power

Label - Big Rig/2000

The first track, "Grab the Devil by the Horns ***************," is a time warp. For a minute and a half the group relives the new wave of British metal and cranks out an Iron Maiden style tune. After a brief trip down memory lane the album quickly morphs into pop punk. The songs are well crafted and the hooks are catchy on "Make No Difference" and "Summer." Gliding effortlessly in and out of punk, pop and metal, Half Hour of Power makes Blink 182 look like child's play...this album is a cut above the rest and makes my top ten for 2000!

Artist - Queens of The Stone Age

Title - R

Label - Interscope Records/2000

Formed from the ashes of stoner-rock icons Kyuss, QOTSA are taking experimental rock to a new level. The second Queens of the Stone Age album, R (as in the movie rating) makes its stoner rock affiliations clear right from the opening track. The lyrics of "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" consist entirely of a one-line list of recreational drugs that Josh Homme rattles off over and over, a neurotic gag on first listen but quite enjoyable after several tries. R is mellower, trippier, and more arranged than its predecessor, making its point through warm fuzz-guitar tones, ethereal harmonies, vibraphones, horns, and even the odd steel drum. Mark Lanegan and Barrett Martin of the Screaming Trees both appear on multiple tracks, giving R's psychedelic grunge an added shine. Queens of The Stone Age could very possibly be the rock of the new age.

Artist - Dexter Freebish

Title - A Life of Saturdays

Label - Capitol/2000

This is one of those hook-laden pop efforts that are maddeningly catchy. While the lyrics sometimes seem sophomoric (concerned with hot women and cars), the band puts enough punch and verve behind its delivery to make you stay for the whole ride. After a second listen, you'll find tracks like "Leaving Town" and "Higher" following you down the street, like it or not. "Falling Down," along with the title track, cranks up the guitars giving the listener some punch with its pop, it's a nice saucy mix that will leave you begging for A Life of Saturdays.