Satan's Luau

Alien Ant Farm - truANT REVIEW: B+

No sophomore jinx-- heck, almost no band after a near tragic bus accident in Spain -- Alien Ant Farm, best known for the remake of MJ's Smooth Criminal -- are back with a very solid diverse set of compelling, well-written alt pop, rock (and even catchy Latin-flavored pop "Tia Lupe" -- these guys were on the Vans noo-punk tour? HUH?!?!?!)

A taste of Stone Temps (actually this album is done by STP producers, the DeLeo Bros.) in the opener,"1000 days" -- "Drifting Apart" has a straightforward heavy riff-pop tasty funk crunch -- what the hell am I writing, anyways?!?! good song, there I said it -- and give me some cowbell, with jazzy stomp rocker "Rubber Mallet"

"Quiet" is a solid power pop number, with 80s influences -- "Glow" is a really fun
pop "clap-clap" cut that vies for best on the disc with the stompy radio hit, "These days" -- the album gets a bit soft in the middle but finishes out strong

Overall, a nice breath of fresh air in the alt pop/rock genre that steers clear of post-hardcore or nickelcreed cliches

The All-American Rejects - Self Titled REVIEW: A+

The pop hook is very elusive -- or more precisely the alt pop hook -- but when a band nails it, you know -- this one was one of the best CDs from the last year -- still very fresh to listen to a year later

This band has drawn comparisons to the Cars, Weezer, and other bands that blend melody with vocal harmonies -- they are often mistaken for Jimmy Eat World, overall we beleive that the AAR is superior to Jimmy Eat

The CD is unique in that it takes a simple and straightforward approach-- without overdoing it with emo or on the other hand, goofiness.

It's hard to nitpick on songs that I do not like on this one-- the obvious standouts are "Swing Swing", "Why Worry", "Your Star", "My Paper Heart"-- but top to bottom it is perfectly able to be played through without skipping -- a truly rare thing nowadays in the age of filler

Simply guilty, pop infectiousness -- very highly recommended