Generals – The Mynabirds – A protest album in an age where the news is 24/7 and anybody who doesn't get the message isn't paying attention is, perhaps by definition, an effort in futility. And though lead singer Laura Berhenn has a terrific voice and can more than carry a song, first she has to write a song worth carrying. And after "Generals" and "Radiator Sister". Plus her politics are puerile and I don't like her haircut – Grade: C
That's Why God Made The Radio – The Beach Boys – I don't deny Brian Wilson has another album or five in him. I deny this is that. I also deny the harmonies are all that and I also deny that pity is a substitute for honesty and I finally deny that with the exception of maybe three tracks, this album is really happening – Grade: C+
Banga – Patti Smith – The last song Smith wrote that I loved was "About A Boy". She sounds like a spooked sheep and she has always had problems with verbose access in her songs. None of that has changed, and as always she has two songs that are worth checking out, "Nine" is one of them Plus, she can't write melodies and has forgotten how to pony like Boney maMonie – Grade: C
Analog Man – Joe Walsh – I know enough people who know and love Walsh to assume he is the decent Eagle who is the exception who proves the they are complete assholes rule. Except musically. Where he performs very, very old Adult Oriented Rock and should be happy, Don let's him in his boys only club – Grade: D
Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition – Paul SImon – I don't know if there is an extended ten CD box set where Simon lets down his guard and releases the early demos he used as the building blocks of this album. Or if he is scared of being sued for theft. Either way, this is one of the greatest albums of the 1980s, and this anniversary edition 5 demos adds zero – Grade: F
The One – Eric Benet – Mainstream r&b about getting laid (something Benet knows plenty about) and probably the biggest disappointment of the year,. It getting his hard on he was forgotten to write the songs and assumes a groove will save him. It doesn't – Grade: C-
Americana – Neil Young And Crazy Horse – The first time I heard the second song on this album album, Huckleberry Hound was singing it. I prefer the Hound, but I will take the Horse – Grade: A-
Thirty Miles West – Alan Jackson – After Strait, our second best country singer. But way way way more prolific (and better songwriter) but not this go round. A slow paced down, whose honky tonk moments, there are a couple, don't lift the proceedings high enough. It's a damn good think he is our second best country singer after Strait – Grade: B+
The Dreamer – Rhett Miller – This is better than I think it is, it is a slow fuse grower that will catch up with me eventually. I think. But it hasn't yet so right now it is yet another whatever effort by a guy who shoulda been a contender – Grade: B
The Masterpiece – Bobby Brown – From Ted Reily to Bobby Brown… now that sucks, right? I saw Blackstreet open for New Edition and thought they were better even then. As for Brown? The song for Whitney is the worst song but I was never a fan but the rest of the album is a touch on the histrionic blahly dance side. 14 years for this? I'm not surprised. Grade: C