by Mark E. Waterbury

Bif Naked - Purge
Her Royal Majesty's Records - HRM0206

The brash rocking "Choking On the Truth" is a frenetic beginning to "Purge," the third album by Canada's rock and roll anti-diva Bif Naked. Bif's voice as usual is in stellar form, one minute a snarling, wounded cat, and the next a sassy little girl, such is in the root punkish "Tango Shoes". "I Love Myself Today" has a metallic punch tempered by a hooky chorus, and Bif handles ballads exceptionally well, too, as in the gripping "Stolen Sidewalk". Even with notable influences from Patti Smith to Joan Jett and even a bit of Stevie Nicks, Bif has carved her own signature sound with a razor sharp knife, extending to her gutsy, truthful, non-whiny lyrics and the emotive presentation of them. Her band has the perfect balance of heavy power drive, edgy hooks and subtle instrumental intricacies to give the music an extra dose of fuel. With this CD, Bif should continue her rise as one of rock's new crop of power ladies. URL: www.bifnaked.com

Glenn Erickson - Life's Been Good to Me!

Glenn Erickson has been a songwriter pretty much all his life, and has just recently started putting his music on CD. His second effort "Life's Been Good to Me!" is a wonderful collection of songs that have a very solid roots feel harkening to the old guard of country. The snappy "Don't Look Back" is reminiscent of Sun Records era Johnny Cash, while "Can't Make It On my Own" is a sweet classically styled ballad. "Something More" is a lively barn dance ditty that could get you two-stepping in your living room. These are just a few examples of the very well-crafted music, which has slyly thoughtful lyrics, great instrumentation and Glenn's voice which does seem a bit more rooted in his "old standards" background. Glenn's strong suit is definitely his stellar writing capabilities, as this music is perfectly suited to today's less generic country artists that are diving more into their own roots thanks to the popularity of "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" et.al. URL: www.sergeentertainmentgroup.com/glenn_erickson

Blueprint - Maybe Wednesday
Surf Ballroom Records

This five piece California band drives an edgy alt rock machine ranging from jangly pop to crunchy, guitar heavy grunge with most stops in between. The lead track "Lush" is one of the heavier tracks, like a harder edged Three Doors Down, while tracks like "Step Away" and "Ten Years" show a more hooky side with more acoustic tinged rhythms and sharp harmonic vocals. Think bits of Radiohead and Dexter Freebish with a touch of old school pop alt like the Bodeans. Music that has some complexity in it's varied styles, but a simplicity in weaving those styles into a comfortable sound that still manages a fresh edginess. URL: www.blueprintradio.com E-mail: info@blueprintradio.com

R. Elliot Willis - Sample CD

This St. Louis saxophone player introduces the world to his talents with this tasty little four song sample. Although tapping from music previously written by others, including two songs by Burt Bacharach, Willis' arrangements show a deft, creative touch, inserting his own personalities with the sax which lie stylistically in the mid ground between Kenny G. and a guy with a similar name; Richard Elliot. The music is true easy listening, but Willis' soaring sax lines and musical prowess will make you sit up and take notice while relaxing to it's more soothing qualities. URL: none E-mail: rwillis213@aol.com

Thomas Leary - T. L.
Mule Dog Records - MD 21113

If Frank Zappa was a country performer, his name may have been Thomas Leary. The strangely unique eccentricities of his songwriting which run the gamut from rock to bluegrass to punk and others, are jolted with a solid amount of musical talent. Some songs also have tongue-in-cheek lyrical slants on typified country subjects. Along with a few more "standard" songs such as the dance worthy "Lovin' You Forever" are songs like the raucous blue grass tinged "Railroad Ruthie" the slightly alt-rock "Arizona Highway" and the gritty power rock/country ballad hybrid "Hard Road." "Back in the U.S.A." has Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" era vibe. A welcome fresh wind from Rockford, Illinois especially if you've been fed up with the still homogenous radio country scene. URL: www.muledog.com E-mail: muledog@execpc.com

Junkyard Jane - Ductape & Sagebrush
Frogimo Records

When you find out a band is from Tacoma, Washington you brace yourself for that usual power guitar rumble. Instead, Junkyard Jane's fourth CD "Ductape and Sagebrush" makes you think more of east Texas, or west Nashville with a slight nod towards a well known guy from Asbury Park, New Jersey. The lead track "Little Suzie" has a comforting heartland country twang to it, while the title track is a lovely emotive ballad with killer vocals ala Loretta Lynn. "On The Lam" shows a more down and nasty blues side and "Teardrops Flicker" has a solid Americana vibe augmented by a bit of dirty sax blowing. Another act that has a firm grasp on what the forefathers of country music were looking for, with just enough edginess to ad a further layer of vitality to the sound. URL: www.junkyardjane.com E-mail: junkyardjane@yahoo.com

The Uplifters - Burning Bush

The name "Uplifters" may be a very adept one for this group, and the pulsing reggae groove of the lead track "Prophecy" has a mellow but very...well...uplifting vibe to it. This is true positive vibrations music, with bits of smooth jazz and R&B weaved sumptuously into the spicy island cooked stew. Think bits of Dr. John, dashes of Peter Tosh and sprinkles of a stripped down George Clinton and you have a good idea. The passionate lyrics add further flavor, with subjects that make you think but touch your soul as well. Solid musicianship and a knack of letting their dreds down with trying a little something different then your typical formulaic reggae is the crowning touch of a very enjoyable effort. URL: www.theuplifters.com E-mail: brian@theuplifters.com

Damsel - Spirit
Dourakis Music

Damsel is a trio of ladies from New York City that brings an interesting slant on power rock to the table. The hard driving lead track "Down" makes you think a bit of very early Rush charged with a grungy, modern fire and edgy guitar soloing. "My Man" starts with a funky groove before the heavy guitar attack begins. "Spirit" is a ballad with a kind of basic Pink Floyd feel and "One" has a surprising reggae vibe with metallic ejaculations. The lyrics are a bit simplistic but heartfelt, and are sung with solid emotions and a healthy dose of melodic timbre. A good first full CD effort by some girls who sound like they know how to kick ass. URL: www.damselmusic.com

Cheating Kay - Concept
House Of Tears Sound - HOTS004

Columbia, Missouri may not be a college town people think of as a musical hotbed, but Cheating Kay is trying to change that. "You Can Never Get Out" is kind of a caged tiger of a song, waiting to explode which it does in a near prog-metal type fiery burst. The rest of the songs tend not to stray as close to metal, but are powerful in a sort of "classic" alt rock way, with a kind of background intensity that is unleashed at just the right moments. Ballads like the beautifully ambient "Every Morning" and the touching "My Lover" are real jewels, and the use of two emotive vocalists, one female and one male really add a further dimension. The music is well crafted and obviously written and performed with serious passion, with a lot of refreshing personalities to it. Watch out for this act. URL: www.cheatingkay.com E-mail: cheatingkay@hotmail.com

P.I.M.P-T - Power is a Mindful Peace
Brockway Entertainment - RDRCD-7559

From the Provence of New Brunswick comes one of the more avant-garde and enlivened forces in hip-hop/rap in quite awhile. The music is decidingly pop, but it still carries a nice edge with a non generic voice that feels maybe like what David Byrne might sound like if he as a rapper. The subject matter is not overstuffed with obscenities and explicit violence and sex, but it is by no means G-rated, as it does hit the right note about topical subjects with intelligence and a nice poetic flow. The backdrop has solid beats and well-composed electronic programming, giving the music a kind of peaceful intensity. You can get the message here and still enjoy the way it is presented. URL: www.pimpt.com E-mail: pimpt@pimpt.com