Category: Quick Spins

By Dan Pavelich Melissa Etheridge The Medicine Show (Concord) www.melissaetheridge.com $15.99 Melissa Etheridge returns with a fiery eleven-song set, guaranteed to please long-time fans. One of her most-adventurous efforts to date, it mixes styles, delivery and tempo, to create a record that was surely conceived as a whole, and should be listened to accordingly. The […]

By Dan Pavelich George Strait Honky Tonk Time Machine (MCA) www.georgestrait.com $15.99 Now considered a member of the Old Guard, George Strait aims to please the traditional country-lovin’ masses with “Honky Tonk Time Machine.” Harkening back to the mid-1980’s, when country seriously started crossing over in a big way, it touches all the bases long-held […]

Avril Lavigne Head Above Water (BMG) www.avrillavigne.com $13.99 Her first release since 2013’s “Avril Lavigne” finds the former skater girl dipping her artistic toe in the adult pool. There’s still a bit of old-school snarl underneath, though, especially on the attitudinal “Dumb Blonde.” A feminist redux of “Oh, Mickey,” it’s as catchy as all-get-out. Lavigne’s […]

Resistance Resistance (Self-released) One of the biggest compliments I feel that I can give a band is that I can’t immediately nail down their influences. Such is the case with Racine’s own Resistance, a hard rock outfit that more than does the Belle City proud. Lead vocalist Mimi Johnson is an absolute powerhouse, shining on […]

Guster Look Alive (Nettewerk) www.guster.com $15.99 While a lot of their contemporaries are leaning on retro 80’s and ’90’s electronica for inspiration, Guster presents nine guitar-driven songs that range from ELO’s softer material on “Look Alive,” to an almost Yes-like harmony stack with the anthem, “Hard Times.” Whereas Guster hadn’t previously caught my ear, these […]

Julianna Hatfield Weird (American Laundromat) $19.99 On her own and with The Blake Babies, Julianna Hatfield personified the “alternative” genre in the 1990’s. Combing a 1960’s pop approach with rough-around-the-edges production, she was a tastemaker of the highest order, helping to define the era. Whereas the grungier artists unleashed a sound that was 90% aggression, […]

Longtime local music maven Dan Pavelich has joined us at Racine County Eye. Look for Dan’s weekly CD and LP reviews, Quick Spins, as well as news about local musicians, gigs, and recordings of interest. Alice Merton Mint (Mom+Pop) $15.99 Alice Merton wins me over with Mint. Reminiscent of late 70’s artists who blended rock, new […]

Get that holiday cheer going with our holiday music picks by Dan Pavelich. Look for Dan’s weekly CD and LP reviews, Quick Spins, as well as news about local musicians, gigs, and recordings of interest. Jack & Jill: Snow People (Frozen Sky) www.jackandjilljazz.com Racine County is home to one of jazz’s most likable duos, vocalist […]