CD Shorts

Neil Young and Crazy Horse- "Greendale" (Aug. 19)

Let it be said that Neil Young has a busload of ambition left. With the release of "Greendale," Young refuses to rest on his sizable laurels. Young's vocals have never been anything to debate - It's love or hate for listeners, and that's about all there is to it. That said, "Greendale" is dirty, filthy rock and roll, and that is a wonderful thing. Young and Crazy Horse alternate between blues and folk with haunting ease and style, exemplified on the first two tracks. "Falling From Above" is a seven-minute glide through well-intentioned electric folk rock and "Double E" is a bluesy, riff-driven rocker performed in far less time. As always, Young's wonderful lyrics are highlighted by the right accent on the right syllable and the right sentiment: "I won't retire, but I might retread." This is a must listen or at least a must peruse. This record comes recommended if you like Richard Buckner, Wilco or Jay Farrar.

The Appleseed Cast- "Two Conversations" (July 22)

This is the best record to be released so far in 2003. Mark it down, cement it, create a space in your home solely for this record. The Appleseed Cast has done what it has been doing for years, only with shocking efficiency throughout the entire album. Easily their finest work since 2000's "Mare Vitalis," "Two Conversations" marks a move from Deep Elm Records to Kindercore Records. It is a daunting task even to describe listening to this record, but here is an attempt: dynamic, spacey, artsy, challenging, indie, and emo. Guitarists Christopher Crisci and Aaron Pillar have finally fused their work with side project Hundred Hands and the Appleseed Cast. This is one of those records like Sigur Ros' "( )," that all one can do is gush about it for weeks. A word that is never to be thrown around or taken lightly can be laid with relative ease on "Two Conversations": brilliant. This comes recommended for fans of the Gloria Record, Sigur Ros, and Radiohead.

The New Amsterdams- "Worse For The Wear" (Aug. 5)

Matthew Prior of the Get-Up Kids doesn't try to pull anything over on anyone. When the Kids released 2002's "On A Wire," it was simple to ascertain that Prior's solo work with the New Amsterdams had finally crossed into his work with the main band. "Worse For The Wear" is a stride forward for Prior and a frightening one, as well. He's already performed on the Late Show with David Letterman, which is sure to leave many critics whining and acting like jerks. These are the same critics that fell all over themselves about the band Thursday until all of the sudden they had a video on MTV. Alas this is digression. "Worse For The Wear" is a well-written, touching record that reflects a lot more on itself than on poor writing about bad relationships (read: Dashboard Confessional). This comes recommended for fans of The Get-Up Kids, Owen or Ryan Adams.

The Used- "Maybe Memories" (July 15)

So a reputedly awful live band decided it would be a fine idea to release a CD/DVD of live tracks and demo tracks recorded in their garage years ago. Then again, singer Bert McCracken thought it would be a fine idea to date Kelly Osbourne. "Maybe Memories" does indeed dispute the notion that the Used are bad performers. In fact, they are quite enjoyable. Are they enjoyable enough to justify releasing a live disc? Probably not. Their debut LP "The Used" was on many a critic's guilty pleasure list for 2002, and Goldfinger's John Feldmann can be credited with fine production work on that, but not on this. The disc is definitely a must-have for fans of the Used, but anyone else should just go pick up their self-titled LP. In fact, with stage banter from McCracken like, "if any of you out there have bands, don't give up, just follow your dreams, and they will come true," and thousands of girl screaming between each track, this should probably be reserved for fanatics. This record comes recommended if you like AFI, Incubus, or Finch.

Alien Ant Farm- "TruANT"

Alien Ant Farm's 2001 release "ANThology" was one of those inescapable records. Their rendition of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" was everywhere - on television, the radio, and, one can only hope, roller rinks. The problem with this is that the record itself was glossed over, and it was an excellent record. Two years later, after two follow-up singles, "Movies" and "Attitude," as well as a horrifying bus crash that put the band on the shelf for months and their future in jeopardy, Alien Ant Farm has returned with "TruANT." The easiest thing to do with any radio band is to write them off immediately, but Alien Ant Farm has the same appeal in every one of their songs. Whether it is singer Dryden Mitchell's unmistakable melodies and wavering delivery, or the ability of the band to switch from standard beats to meringue and salsa beats in a heartbeat, the record a well done, feel good record. This record comes recommended if you like Incubus, Lit, or Coheed and Cambria.

Rancid- "Indestructible"

For both fans of punk and otherwise, Rancid always seems to deliver a good dancing - or at the very least drinking - record. "Indestructible" certainly fits the requirements of both. Produced by Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion, the record is 19 furious tracks, the lyrics of which dealing with many issues. From the opening riff of the title track, Tim Armstrong makes it clear he has woken up from his experience with The Transplants and walked confidently back into his home with Rancid. The single "Fall Back Down" is a throwback to one of their only radio hits, "Ruby Soho" and a fun testament to the punk ethic. The record is thick with material, covering many topics and actually listing in the booklet what each song is about before transcribing the actual lyrics. From the personal information concerning Armstrong's divorce from Distillers' frontwoman Brody Ryan and the death of his brother, to the standard tour-inspired reggae styled punk Rancid brings so well, the record is ready for the love of Rancid fans. This record comes recommended if you like Rancid, Rancid or Rancid.