Soundbites
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Whitesnake It's only April, but Whitesnake has laid down the marker for the best hard rock record of the year, the band's first new studio album in 11 years. Led by frontman David Coverdale, Whitesnake has brought back old-school power rock — heavy enough to satisfy the headbanger within, but catchy enough to embed the song in your brain. The band's ever-changing lineup now sports the twin guitar attack of Doug Aldrich (Dio) and Reb Beech (Alice Cooper, Dokken, Winger). The best track is "Lay Down Your Love," the closest thing to a metal mash-up of Whitesnake classics "Slow And Easy" and "Still of The Night." The latter track is particularly evident here, from the bump-and boogie riff that shimmies, then pauses for Coverdale's vocals, to the subdued, mid-tonal middle. All in all, this is proof that even though long in the tooth, Whitesnake still has fangs. — By Wayne Parry, Associated Press Phil Vassar The title of Phil Vassar's fourth album implies a change of direction for this country piano player known for upbeat, good-time tunes. Prayer of a Common Man lives up to its title, adopting a more solemn tone than anything Vassar's previously done. He sets the tone right at the start, using dramatic orchestration to set up lyrics blasting corporate "fat cats" and heralding working-man struggles in the opening "This Is My Life." Two songs — "Around Here Somewhere" and "I Would" — both testify about how it's hard to turn around a failing relationship. Vassar doesn't turn away completely from celebratory songs: "Why Don't Ya" is an old-school Tennessee rocker done as a duet with Los Lonely Boys. But, this time out, fun is only a diversion for Vassar. With "Prayer of a Common Man," he reaches for something more ambitious. — By Michael Mccall, Associated Press Ashlee Simpson There's no reason to believe that Ashlee Simpson is living in a Bittersweet World. Jess' fun-loving little sis is newly engaged, with a giant sparkler from Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, and has been blissfully showing it off to the cameras. As it happens, the songs on Simpson's third studio album sound more sweet than bitter. Though the effervescent pop-punkster is growing up, the disc retains the girly-tomboy vibe and sleek production of her previous albums. The cheeky fun extends to tracks like "Rule Breaker," "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" and "Hot Stuff," a flirty dance number; other songs take a serious tone when exploring the heavier subject of failed relationships. In "What I've Become," the tabloid fixture comments on her celebrity: "It'd be nice to make/Some mistakes without observations. ... Let me live as who I am." Tell that to Perez Hilton. — By Erin Carlson, Associated Press Story of the Year The biggest problem with the screamo scene is how similar everyone sounds. Story of the Year set themselves apart from the pack with only moderate success on their third full-length, The Black Swan. Disc opener "Choose Your Fate," kicks hard enough to grab your attention with driving riffs, and catchy lead single "Wake Up" will probably be a hit with the MTV crowd. But most of the other tracks sink under the weight of bland repetition. For all the well-intentioned anti-war and let-love-rule sentiment in the lyrics, there's just no getting around the recycled riffs and bland radio choruses that give most of the disc a redundant feel. While this is a well-produced and listenable record from a tight band, if someone tells you it's another group — let's just say Hoobastank for argument's sake — you might not know the difference. — By John Kosik, Associated Press
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