Urizen - Universe, Self-released
It’s a very bold move for an unsigned band to begin an EP with a 1:35 Legend of Zelda-keyboard intro. But Urizen is just the band brazen enough to pull it off. What else do you expect from guys that sport white jumpsuits and have a robot as part of their live show? They truly defy convention with this five-track collection that would fit amongst Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and Tub Ring as well as any of Mike Patton’s 254,698 side projects. With songs about robots and space and God knows what, they aim for the brain with elements of black-metal (minus the pseudo-demon vocals). Urizen adds synthesizer noodlings to produce an amalgamation of a Space Odyssey: 2001 soundtrack written by a Frank Zappa-fronted Dimmu Borgir. This could very well be the most unique local disc of the year. (D.J. Ivie) ZionaurA - Chill, Self Recorded
It is very hard to slap a standard label on the style of ZionaurA. Written by long time heavy hitting vocalist Jet Tessmann, Chill delivers eleven fun party tunes that successfully blend Reggae, Latino and “Heavy Chunky Beach Bash” into an album that really works. You can’t help but move to this music. “420” has a happy go lucky Reggae feel with a guitar break that sounds like something from Van Halen. “Toro” combines a Mariachi feel with grunge chord changes.

My Son My Executioner - The Burning, Doll House Recordings
Wow! There is some really great guitar work on The Burning. For fans of consistently moving guitar lines (Killswitch Engage and Unearth), MSME guitarists Chris Unzicker and Joel Butterfield can deliver, as evidenced on “Consumed” and “Attrition Of The Perverse.” Combine this with Tyler Berry’s death scowl, and you have a damn fine slab of metal. Mike Arnold (bass) and Justin (drums) do a great job of keeping the chaos held together. They don’t over power but get the job done. The Burning only boasts five songs, but you’ll find the hidden “Dolphins” at the end of “Strangled And Starved.” (Travis Tutwiler)

Dokken - Lightning Strikes Again, Rhino Records
While Dokken’s last two releases, Long Way Home and Hell to Pay were both good albums, fans longed for the heavier sound that defined Dokken in the 80’s. That’s exactly what Don Dokken and company set out to deliver with Lightning Strikes Again. The title comes from one of Dokken’s heavier songs on what many consider their best album, Under Lock and Key. Don’t let that get your expectations too high though, as this is still Dokken of 2008 and, although still a fantastic singer, there’s no way Don can hit the high notes like he did 20 years ago. Guitarist Jon Levin really shines on this record, delivering some George Lynch sounding riffs and solos without coming off as a copycat. Highlights include “Standing On the Outside,” “Point of No Return” and “Judgement Day.” Overall a good effort that recaptures some of that past glory but is not quite the successor to Back For the Attack that many have claimed.
(Andy Laudano)

Lauren Harris - Calm Before The Storm, Demolition / DR2 Records
Bit of an identity crisis here. Lauren Harris is the daughter of Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris. There are tons going on, but nothing sticks. Although she pays respect to metal by covering UFO’s “Natural Thing” and Gun’s “Steal Your Fire,” there’s also hard pop, something that sounds almost like sleazy glam and maybe even heavy country. Her backing band can pull off anything and get away with it, but if you’re gonna try so many styles on one disc, the vocals have to carry the day. Lauren Harris’ voice is unexpressive, she doesn’t emote and she really doesn’t seem to have much range. Her daddy (and her looks) may have opened the door for her, but judging from this, her debut album, not much else is going on to get her much further. Just boring, really.
(Dale Lammers)

Nils Lofgren - The Loner - Nils Sings Neil, Vision Music Inc.
Multi-instrumentalist Nils Lofgren is best known for being an integral part of Bruce Springsteen’s legendary E Street Band. He’s also an accomplished solo artist with more than two-dozen solo albums to his credit. But what some fans may not realize is that Lofgren’s first big break came from working with another rock legend, Neil Young. Lofgren joined Young in 1970 on the critically acclaimed After the Gold Rush album. That was Lofgren’s first real acoustic guitar and piano session work and led to his joining Neil’s band, Crazy Horse. Now, nearly four decades later, Lofgren pays tribute to his friend and mentor with 15 acoustic renditions of some of Young’s best recordings. The songs are intimately done with Lofgren playing each one himself, either with acoustic guitar or piano. Highlights include “Like A Hurricane,” “Mr. Soul,” “Harvest Moon” and “The Loner.”
(Andy Laudano)

Jesse Colin Young - The Very Best of Jesse Colin Young, Sheridan Square Records
This is a great collection of 34 well-written songs, which include four from Jesse Colin Young’s days as a founding member of the “Youngbloods.” His voice is as distinct as his guitar riffs. Timeless classic, “Get Together,” could easily have been inspired by today’s headlines of dealing with what’s wrong with the world. “Sunlight” is so mellow and jazzy, you can’t help but lose yourself in the hypnotic atmosphere. “Hey Babe,” with it’s jingle-jangle guitar intro and ending, could have been included on an album by The Birds - if played on a twelve string Rickenbacker. At times the CD could be called electric folk rock.
The songs from the Youngblood’s days have been remastered to sound as good as anything out there today. Young’s signature vocals and guitar work also lend themselves well to his live show.
(WiL Wesch)

Crashsight - Contagious and Blatant Disgrace, Independent
The inner workings of this album contain an industrial base - with the first half filtering a pop gear into the mix. The last half switches to pure industrial. “Unmade by the Mist” is the dark knight on this record. It provides a calming atmosphere and proves Phil Brown (vocalist/programmer) knows how to link synthesized loops together extraordinarily well. “I’m On Tonight” and “Dancing A Devil” show the band’s radio-friendly counterpart. Phil’s vocals are between Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco and Trent Reznor. According to their myspace page, Crashsight is currently working on a new album that promises to showcase their darker style. You can listen to songs not on this album, such as their unique cover of N’Sync’s “Bye, Bye, Bye” and online single “Disintegrate,” at www.myspace.com/crashsight. (Misty Johnson)

Straight Line Stitch - When Skies Wash Ashore, Koch Records
“Beauty and the beast” best describes vocalist Alexis Brown. She’s in your face with the screams of a banshee; then delivers an incredibly soulful sound. This Jekyll and Hyde style is rampant throughout but works very well. Just check out “Never See The Day” and the “Black Veil.” Guitarists Seth Thacker and Pat Pattison are pretty straightforward but really shine on acoustic track, “Yesterday’s Gone.” Jason White (bass) has a nice groove on “Adult Cinema,” while Patrick Haynes (drums) mixes up punishing rhythms with more subtlety when needed. A definite highlight is a guest appearance by Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta on “Taste Of Ashes.” Fans of In This Moment and Walls Of Jericho will find themselves diggin’ When Skies Wash Ashore.
(Travis Tutwiler)

The Midgetmen - Show Pony, Self-Released
With 16 tracks taking just over a half-hour, Austin DIYers, The Midgetmen, run the gamut from three-chord hipster punk to ‘60s psychedelic rock. “And the Rodeo Came to Town” sounds as if the Kings of Leon were jamming on a Dead Kennedys’ song and “Jimmy & Skippy” would make the 13th Floor Elevators proud. Jon Loyens and Alex Victoria’s two-guitar attack is impeccable with tasteful solos and just the right amount of slop. The band, as a whole, wallows in lo-fi sonic bliss in every short instrumental break, especially on the guitar solo in “Club Sandwich.” Vocal melodies reveal themselves with repeated listening, making the album better with each new spin. Show Pony does not allow for any polish, only a little spit-shine right down to the environmentally friendly packaging.
(D.J. Ivie)