Ear Candy

Artist - Marvelous 3

Title - ReadySexGo

Label - Elektra/2000

Marvelous 3 seemingly came out of nowhere in 1999 with their smash single "Freak of the Week" but in reality they had been honing their craft for years primarily in the South, building a loyal audience. Released at the end of 1998, 'Freak' became one of the most played radio records of '99. With its louder, sexier, in your face attitude, ReadySexGo picks up the trail in grand style. From the glam, jam track "Radio Tokyo" to the thumping crunch of "Sugarbuzz" these songs smack you upside the head, leaving you gasping for more. This is over-the-top, glam-rock without all the hair spray...ReadySexGo!

Artist - Fuel

Title - Something Like Human

Label - Sony/2000

Pennsylvania-based Fuel's 1998 debut, Sunburn, which contained the hit "Shimmer," as well as a host of other irresistible, modern rock radio-friendly tracks, positioned the group somewhere between Creed and Live on the cultural continuum. Their second outing will prove to many what I already knew...THESE GUYS KICK A**!

The first release "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)" has already crashed onto the airwaves with the strength of a 747. Something Like Human moves effortlessly from guitar driven songs like "Scar" and "Last Time" into thoughtfully crafted ballads such as "Bad Day." With millions of records already sold and a hot new album climbing the charts, it doesn't look like fuel will be running out of gas any time soon.

Artist - The Nixons

Title - Latest Thing

Label - Koch records/2000

The songs on Latest Thing are fresh and new, yet they still retain that classic Nixons feel reminiscent of their near-gold album Foma ('95) and its hit single "Sister." A couple of songs, "First Trip" and "Latest Thing," offer been-there reflections about the delicacies of love. Songs like "Drama Queen" and "Nobody 101" bring out the pure rocking satisfaction in being alive and one of my favorites "Blackout," transforms the listener back to the 70's as it conjures up images of "Tom Petty, Gene Simmons and The Cars." "Blackout" is a knockout and so is The Nixons Latest Thing.