The Halfway Point

With 182 days behind us, this year has already seen some great new albums released by some of the biggest names in music. Well, I'm here to tell you which ones you should already have in your music collection and which albums are coming out soon.

So far, one of my favorites of 2009 is Bob Dylan's "Together Through Life". His singing has gotten noticeable worse, but the musicianship on this album is nothing short of fabulous. Another big album is U2's "No Line On The Horizon". A great album with some of the band's best song writing to date, definitely one to own. Bruce Springsteen's "Working On A Dream" was released way back in January, but should not be forgotten. Springsteen continues to impress. And, of course you need to check out the Dave Matthews Band's "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King". This is the band's best album since "Before These Crowded Streets".

While those are albums that everyone has heard about, here are some that may have slipped by you. Jam band Umphrey's McGee released "Mantis" back in January. While their live shows are nothing short of spectacular, their studio albums are also worth a listen. Wilco returns with "Wilco (the album)" and this time they brought their guitars. The mellowness of their 2007 album "Sky Blue Sky" has been left behind to make way for this more rock oriented release. One album that I know is not on too many radars is the new release from The Dear Hunter entitled "Act III: Love and Death". This album brings back the sound of grand albums like Queen's "A Night At The Opera" and Pink Floyd's "The Wall". This is the band's third storied release and the best so far.

Some other big releases this year have come from Green Day (21 Century Breakdown), Eminem (Relapse), and most recently, The Black Eyed Peas (The E.N.D.), but how about the rest of 2009. Well, it seems that things keep getting better, first with the release of Phish's new studio album "Joy". It is the band's first release in five years. Also returning after a five year hiatus are the Beastie Boys with "Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 1". We will also see the release of new albums by hip-hop giants Jay-Z and Dr. Dre.

But, probably the pinnacle of this year's releases are the remastered versions of The Beatles catalog. The music of The Beatles will finally be heard in all it's pristine glory. Every studio album from "Please Please Me" to "Let It Be" will be released on September 9.

Keep the music going by checking out some of these releases as well so many other great releases. Also, don't forget my end of the year "Top 10 Albums" to see if any of these albums will make the grade.

Concert Review: Aerosmith And ZZ Top 'Come Together' At Mohegan Sun

The similarities between Aerosmith and ZZ Top are uncanny. ZZ Top is a "little ol' bar band" from Texas who hit it big on their third album (Tres Hombres) with catchy lyrics and powerful guitar riffs. Aerosmith is a "little ol' bar band" from Boston who hit it big with their third album (Toys In the Attic) which also had catchy lyrics and powerful guitar riffs. Both bands made comebacks with their MTV era music videos and both bands are currently working on new albums. But, it's been 33 years since Aerosmith and ZZ Top have shared a stage together. Sunday night brought the two bands together at the Mohegan Sun Arena for a night of rock heights.

Two of the most famous beards in the music business belong to ZZ Top. Both Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill are known for their long beards and fuzzy guitars. Many times, the two would appear as one as they performed their solos in unison. The two traded verses of the night's opener "Got Me Under Pressure" before proceeding in the dirty blues of "Waiting For The Bus" and "Jesus Left Chicago". Gibbons commented about the stores at the casino, "knowing what you get for your money, unlike the slot machines", which lead into "Cheap Sunglasses". Gibbons was never shy about displaying his skills on the guitar ripping off one solo after another, but it was their big-selling eighties hits that got the attention of the audience. The songs "Gimme All Your Lovin", "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs" found the crowd singing along, while the set closers "La Grange" and "Tush" saw many fans playing "air guitar". The fifty-minute set was not enough, as all in attendance wanted more.

More would come, but it would come in the form of classic rock legends Aerosmith. The band had mentioned at the beginning of the tour that they would be performing one of their classic albums in its entirety, but it seems like that idea is slowly changing. In the first few shows of the tour, Aerosmith performed their classic 1975 album "Toys In The Attic" from start to finish, but last night's performance started off with the title track of that album. Their 1997 hit "Cryin" slowed the momentum of the opener to a sway. Throughout the night, their setlist seemed very choppy with up-tempo rockers and swaying ballads and never reached the onslaught of classic rock until the end. Steven Tyler's dancing and Joe Perry's guitar licks would became the main focus of the evening. Tyler tried to get the other band members involved by drawing the spotlight to them, but none of them strayed too far from their safe zone. The giant stage came alive on "Love In An Elevator", which featured different levels of lights and screens being lowered and lifted over the band. The night's first rarity of the evening was "Walking The Dog" which was followed by their breakthrough ballad "Dream On". Both songs are from the band's 1973 debut album.

Aerosmith ended up going back to their original plan, performing the rest of their "Toys In The Attic" album. Steven Tyler seemed frustrated by the sound and plagued by mic troubles which caused him to disappear under the stage and miss his cues.  Joe Perry  controlled the spotlight and covered for Tyler's misfortunes. The pounding of Joey Kramer's drums on "Walk This Way" and Tom Hamilton's bass groove on "Sweet Emotion" worked the audience into a frenzy. Songs like "Uncle Salty" and "Round And Round" pleased long-time fans, while others waited for what was to come. The band finished strong with "Livin' On The Edge" and the up-tempo "Draw The Line".

The missed cues continued into the encore. As the band prepared for The Beatles' classic "Come Together", Tyler appeared, stating he "hears a train a comin'"  which convinced his bandmates to perform the crowd pleaser "Train Kept A Rollin'".  Soon the tide shifted and Joe Perry called out for everyone to "Come Together" and the arena sang chorus to this 1969 Beatles' classic.

With almost eighty years experience between the two bands, expectations were very high for a great show. While both bands delivered hard-rockining and hit filled sets, restrictions of time and equipment seemed to overshadow these legends performances. Upcoming shows at Mohegan Sun feature Styx with REO Speedwagon, Jay-Z and Stone Temple Pilots. Visit www.mohegansun.com for more information.

ZZ Top Setlist:
1. Got Me Under Pressure
2. Waiting For The Bus
3. Jesus Left Chicago
4. Cheap Sunglasses
5. I Need You Tonight
6. Just Got Paid
7. Gimme All Your Lovin'
8. Sharp Dressed Man
9. Legs
10. La Grange
11. Tush

Aerosmith Setlist:
1. Toys In The Attic
2. Cryin'
3. Love In An Elevator
4. Walkin' The Dog
5. Dream On
6. Combination
7. Uncle Salty
8. Adam's Apple
9. Walk This Way
10. Big Ten Inch Record
11. Sweet Emotion
12. No More No More
13. Round And Round
14. Livin' On The Edge
15. Draw The Line
Encore:
16. Train Kept A Rollin'
17. Come Together

The Static Jacks Builds Bridges And Tunnels

The Static Jacks are an up and coming band from New Jersey. Their songs have been featured on Nickelodeon and XM Radio. There sound is very modern, bordering between punk and new wave. They have new 4-song EP out entitled "Bridges and Tunnels". The first single, "Fire On The Bridge And In The Tunnel Below" has a great upbeat tempo with a comparable sound to very early Police. Songs like "Stay A Lover" and "Wine Cellar" really show off the band's "new wave" sound. While the musicianship of these songs are very good, the vocals suffer slightly from an absense of passion in the lyrics. The Static Jacks are currently on their summer tour and will be performing at Billy Baloneys in Danbury, CT on June 28. Check out the band's website (www.thestaticjacks.com) for song samples, videos, merchandise and more.

Michael Jackson, The King Of Pop, Dead At Age 50

Throughout the late seventies and eighties, Michael Jackson was the meaning of pop music. Whether it was his music, his videos, his dancing or his style everyone knew his name. His songs were pop music masterpieces, his music videos were epic and his dancing was unworldly.

In the early eighties, I, like everyone else, bought a copy of his album “Thriller”. I did not fall in love with the album immediately, but it was the music videos on MTV that put a vision to the songs, especially “Thriller”. The music video for “Thriller” was unlike any other video of its time. It became an event that everyone gathered at the television set to see this short movie. Fans wanted to dance like him, dress like him and even try to sound like him. Even today’s artists try to emulate his style.

He crossed musical boundaries with rock songs like “Beat It” and “Dirty Diana”, featuring some of the best guitarists of all-time. He performed with a Beatle and even owned the copyrights to a number of The Beatles songs. His album “Thriller” is the biggest selling album of all-time and the “moonwalk” has never been duplicated. His place in music history is undeniable. He will forever be known as the “King of Pop”.

CD Review: The Dear Hunter's Act III Is Full Of Life

Three years ago, Casey Crescenzo and his band The Dear Hunter presented the first act in their music trilogy. This June, they released the third act, "Act III: Life And Death". This disc is one of the most versatile albums to be released in 2009. With concept albums not achieving much praise in the past, this album proves that it can be done.

After the harmonizing interlude of "Writing On A Wall" the album kicks in to high gear with "In Cauda Venenum". The big sound coming from the band switches from punk to an amazing ballad imagery, while lead singer Casey Crescenzo's vocals border on a scream from time to time. The lyrics of this album read almost like a diary of the main character's events. The harmonies and vocals give so many layers to the songs "What It Means To Be Alone" and "The Poison Woman". "The Tank" sounds like a lost out-take from Pink Floyd's The Wall. The song "The Thief" is a swirling soundscape of sounds that just engulfs the listener. "Mustard Gas" is an all out rock assault, reminiscent of Queen's "A Night At the Opera". The gentleness of strings on "Saved" plays perfectly with Cresenzo's vocal delivery. "This Beautiful Life" keeps the listener guessing before the steady beat of "Go Get Your Gun". The songs "Son" and "Father" play right into one another as if to be one complete piece of music. The finale of "Life And Death" closes the album with a amazing delivery of music and vocals.

The Dear Hunter leads the listener on a journey that can be attributed to ones own life. Once you push play, there is no way to stop listening to this album in its entirety. The Dear Hunter are currently on tour with Menwithoutyou. They will be coming to the New England area in July. Visit the band's website (www.thedearhunter.com) and myspace page (www.myspace.com/thedearhunter) for tour dates, music samples and much more.