Rick Braun - Beat Street

RATING: 4/5

Genre: Jazz

Rick Braun is one of the first artists I've fallen in love with through sheer chance, picking up his CD with no idea what I would get into. Rick Braun creates the type of jazz that makes you feel like the man, as if you're the main character of your own detective noir film. Imagine the best combination of elevator / hold music with upbeat blues jazz...it's pretty groovy, once you get into it!

Sade - Diamond Life

RATING: 4.5/5

Genre: RNB / Pop

I mean everyone knows Sade, do I need to say more? Smoothe Operator and Paradise are some of my favorite tracks of my 20s! Sade does an impeccable job making you feel romantic tension, listening to this album makes you feel like you're there in person for Ross and Rachel breaking up...oops, you haven't finished Friends? Nvm...seriously though, this is a TIMELESS album, do yourself a favor and groove to it if you get the chance.

Sugar Ray - Floored

RATING: 5/5

Genre: Rock / Punk

Before listening to this CD I only knew Sugar Ray for his hit "Every Morning", needless to say I wasn't aware Sugar Ray knew ball like that!!! Almost every track on this CD is a headbanger, not to mention I absolutely LOVE the (still relevant) political commentary in the track "American Pig", honestly holds a candle to American Idiot! If you've brushed off Sugar Ray before due to his corniness, I strongly urge you to give this album a listen!

Vitamin C Studio CD

RATING: 3.5/5

Genre: Pop

So I've never heard anything about this artist...and never heard of anyone who did! But, this was a pleasantly surprising album. It gives off the energy of music that would've been in the background for shows like Malcom in the Middle or something on Disney channel, but that isn't a bad thing! Nothing extremely notable, but a nice obsucre addition to my library. If you spot this one out there, pick it up!

Static-X - Wisconsin Death Trip

RATING: 5/5

Genre: Nu-Metal / Metalcore

This is one of my new favorite albums of all time. Almost every single track on this CD is brimming with energy!!! The riffs are all incredibly chunky and will have you banging your head, Wayne's weird-ass lyrics and insane screaming vocals will keep you hooked. Static-X has been known to refer to themselves as "evil disco", so if you're looking for super high energy metalcore to match that vibe, absolutely find this album and give it a listen. (That goes for any of their CD's as well!!)

Extreme: Three Sides to Every Story

RATING: 5/5

Genre: Hard Rock

Alright, this is one of my favorite rock albums ever to be honest. A lot of people don't know about Extreme but I think they're a very talented and underrated 80's band. Killer guitar, killer drums, killer vocals it's got everything! Eventually the album has songs that lead into one another which I also love every time. The songs in this album can be so puncy and in your face then change to something that sounds like it would belong in a movie. I encourage everyone to give this album a try and check out Extreme! For your first listen I would go through the album in order, it's a pretty surprising experience.
PLACEHOLDER :)