CD Review: Lisa Ekdahl – “Give Me That Slow Knowing Smile”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Lisa Ekdahl Album: Give Me That Slow Knowing Smile (2009 RCA) Tracks: 9 Artist website: http://www.lisaekdahl.com OVERVIEW Lisa Ekdahl is a veteran Swedish singer-songwriter. This is her latest offering. The […]

CD Review: Scale The Summit – “Carving Desert Canyons”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Scale The Summit Album: Carving Desert Canyons (2009 Prosthetic) Tracks: 8 Artist website: http://www.scalethesummit.com OVERVIEW Technical music seldom yields something pleasing and accessible to people who are not musicians themselves. However, […]

CD Review: Hateform – “Dominance”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Hateform Album: Dominance (2008 – 7.45 Records) Tracks: 10 Artist website: http://www.hateform.net/ OVERVIEW Hateform are a metal band from Finland. Dominance is their full length debut. It’s kinda like a Lamb of […]

CD Review: Dream Theater – “Black Clouds and Silver Linings”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Dream Theater Album: Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009 RoadRunner Records) Tracks: 6 Artist website: http://www.dreamtheater.net OVERVIEW What have the gods of progmetal in store for us this time? Black Clouds […]

CD Review: Bigelf – “Cheat the Gallows”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Bigelf Album: Cheat The Gallows (2008 Custard Records) Tracks: 10 Artist website: http://www.bigelf.com OVERVIEW I hadn’t the slightest clue what I was going to be listening to when I began. “Oh […]

CD Review: Rob Balducci – “Violet Horizon”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Rob Balducci Album: Violet Horizon (2009 Favored Nations/Sweet Dance Music Entertainment) Tracks: 14 + 1 bonus Artist website: http://www.robbalducci.com OVERVIEW The last word that one would use to describe Rob Balducci […]

CD Review: Green Day – “21st Century Breakdown”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Green Day Album: 21st Century Breakdown (2009 Reprise) Tracks: 18 Artist website: http://www.greenday.com OVERVIEW Green Day are about as far from their roots as possible, but this mature version of the […]

CD Review: Chickenfoot – “Chickenfoot”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Chickenfoot Album: Chickenfoot (2009 Redline Entertainment) Tracks: 11 Artist website: http://www.chickenfoot.us/ OVERVIEW It’s no secret that Chickenfoot is a supergroup. This album is sonically like an old school hard rock record. […]

CD Review: Matt Cusson – “Matt Cusson”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Matt Cusson Album: Matt Cusson (2008 Cuesound Records) Tracks: 12 Artist website: http://www.matt-cusson.com OVERVIEW What a great debut album! Mr. Cusson has found a beautiful way to delicately weave a sonic […]

CD Review: Diana Krall – “Quiet Nights”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist: Diana Krall Album: Quiet Nights (2009 Verve Records) Tracks: 10 + 2 Bonus Artist website: www.dianakrall.com OVERVIEW This is Diana. Krall’s latest effort. It is great! Though she has not […]