Best of 1999! (So Far...)

OWSLEY - Self-titled (Giant)
The long-awaited full-length release from acclaimed Southern popster Owsley has been a work in progress for the past few years. Recorded in true homemade/DIY fashion but with amazingly clean, polished production, this album sparkles with a fresh, vibrant assault of well-crafted and wonderfully polished pop music. In similar fashion to Jason Falkner, Owsley has captured the mastery of developing complex, yet beautifully melodic music with a warm, subtle 70's vibe.

SLOAN - Between the Bridges (Murder Records)
Sloan has wasted no time in showing up their fantastic 1998 release "Navy Blues" with this new one!! "BTB" gives us even more of what the the Canadian Fab Four are undeniably adept at: delivering kick ass pop rock n' roll with layers of Beatle-esque harmonies, quirky chord changes, and unique lyrical word play only four college-bred Nova Scotians could dream up. The musical approach nods close to 70's arena rock (KISS, BTO, Thin Lizzy), but at the heart, Sloan is a fine tuned pop band. "Between the Bridges" is a MUST for those fearing that rock may be dead! BUY IT----> Murder Records

FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE - Utopia Parkway (Atlantic)
The long awaited follow-up to FOW's amazing debut is finally here! Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger, masters of the pop hook, have developed the most catchy album of the year (so far...). More polished and produced than their debut (thanks in part to the accomplished drumming of former Posie Brain Young and tasty guitar work of Jody Porter), Utopia Parkway is a hook-filled masterpiece from start to finish; and the lyrical nods to pop culture and East Coast geographic references give Utopia Parkway a refreshing down-to-earth sensibility.

JASON FALKNER - Can You Still Feel? (Elektra)
Falkner, former guitar wiz for Jellyfish, the Grays and ultra-hip L.A. 80's popsters the Three O'Clock proved himself as a solo artist extraordinnaire on his 1996 debut "Author Unknown". He's taken his solo wizardry even further on his latest release by playing every single instrument himself and crafting wonderfully dynamic and often complex pop melodies that evoke a subtle 70's pop sensibility: laid back guitar, lots of piano and keyboards and rich vocal harmonies.

MATTHEW SWEET - In Reverse (Volcano)
Matthew Sweet's newest full-length "In Reverse" has lived up to all expectations, despite the undaunting task of showing up 1997's relatively mediocre "Blue Sky on Mars". "In Reverse" is amazingly well-crafted, complex, scattered enough in style and sound, but cohesive enough to capture all the beauties and intricacies of a truly great pop album. The bulk of the album leans heavily on a Beach Boys/Phil Spector "wall of sound" influence with reverb soaked vocals, multi-tracked guitars, studio effects and an array of keyboards, piano and percussion. A stand out album for 1999!

COTTON MATHER - Kon Tiki
Austin, Texas' Cotton Mather are the next closest thing to the second coming of the Fab Four circa 1996. This album shimmers with an extremely sharp pop sensibility and unique, sometimes complex, Revolver-esque instrumentation and arrangements. A release that will slowly creep into your life. BUY IT! -----> Amazon.Com - Independent Artists

CHERRY TWISTER - At Home With... (Not Lame Limited)
Cherry Twister have crafted perhaps THE quintessential power pop album for 1999. The Lancaster, PA foursome have mastered the use of guitar, bass and drums to capture the essence of power pop: memorable hooks; warm, edgy guitars; lots of upbeat energy and rich; beautiful vocal harmonies. The perfect album for Summer! BUY IT! ----->NotLame Recordings

BECK - Midnite Vultures
A sonic assault of music, sounds, effects, and studio mastery only Beck could dream up. A main course of Motown flavored funk and soul with amazingly fresh and inspired musical arrangements.

FOO FIGHTERS - There Is Nothing Left to Lose
Dave Grohl has quelled the blood-curdling screams and aggressive guitar edge of previous Foo efforts for a more balanced, insanely melodic release.

HOLE - Celebrity Skin
(Use same description of Foo Fighters: substitute "Dave Grohl" with "Courtney Love" and "Foo" for "Hole")