Alligator Jackson gives his reviews of great indie rock and country releases. The Gator knows music. Check out these hot bands. Chomp on!! November 4, 2006 THE NEXT OF KIN The Next of Kin’s last cd “No More Broken Hearts” was a nice cd. It was a well polished, slickly performed cd that presented the band as a modern Alabama. The singer sounded distinctly like Randy Owen. It was a comfortable release but unfortunately did not leave anything behind that was ultimately memorable. Well, that’s changed. The Next of Kin is back with a whole new disc of songs that definitely stick in your mind. They’ve up the ante and apparently entered the studios with a sense of urgency. And yes, the difference is easy to hear. The cd which is slated for release at the end of November 2006 has a harder edge and a slightly more southern rock feel to it. “Zip Code” is a forceful, emotional blues rocker. A little anger and a lot of frustration. It nails you right between the eyes. The listener is impacted by the singer’s pain. Some grade A southern blues rock. “As Far As Your Memory Goes” strikes me as a hit single. My money’s on this strong up tempo number to crack the charts. A very contemporary song that’ll find a home on modern country radio’s play list. The melody stays in your head for a while. “No Way Around It” has a 90’s country sound. It kind of reminds me of Little Texas or Restless Heart. This could very well be another radio cut off of the cd. Very radio friendly. The Next of Kin covers all of the bases and believe me, no filler here. “Goodbye Nashville” is a very well written song that talks about the horrors that wait writers in Music City. You can feel the frustration as the character waits to board the plane to fly back home in defeat. The line “The only good in Nashville is goodbye” effectively conveys the pain of broken dreams. “Phoenix, Arizona” could be the same character years later as he is proud of his daughter’s success with his old guitar but he misses her. While he is happy she is doing well, you could tell that there is a part of him that wishes she was with him in Tennessee instead of a success in Phoenix. Everyone that listens will have a different favorite song. Many will like “Secrets.” It has a slight Eagle’s Hotel California era to it. A tough little rocker in the vein of “Victim of Love” with harmonies and a chorus that give it the slight Eagles’ aura. But the party song of 2007 that will be sending bar patrons scurrying to the dance floor is “Nobody’s Ugly.” Yep. Nobody’s ugly after 2 am. And hey, that’s not sexist, it goes both ways. I’ve been told myself a time or two that I don’t look so bad after 2am. The ol’ Gator just loves this Texas flavored boot scooter. It’ll definitely get your toes pointed to the dance floor. Plenty here for radio to pick up on. No filler. The cd will sound as good flowing straight through in your car as the single will cranking on the radio. No need to use your ‘skip button’ finger on this cd. This cd gets the Alligator Jackson 2 claws up must hear rating. You’ll like this one. I bet my gator tail on that. 2006 GCGMA AWARD WINNERS! BEST NEW COUNTRY BAND OF THE YEAR BEST CD OF THE YEAR "No More Broken Hearts" SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR - Ed White MOST PATRIOTIC SONG OF THE YEAR - Ed White for "Just Yesterday" 2007 NACMAI Country Music Association Award Winner 2007 Most Promising Songwriter of the Year Adult New Country for "Goodbye Nashville" Ed White and Steven Cooper Garageband.com reviews on: "As Far As Your Memory Goes" This song was written by one of the greatest song writers in Nashville and our good friend "Casey Beathard". Date Created 2006 Status Back Catalog Rank All-time: #696 of 3,277 in Country Best #51 of 266 on 19Nov2006 Awards! Track of the Day on 22Oct2006 in Country Rocking Track in Country, week of 23Oct2006 Lead vocals are articulate and strong even wtih his southern drawl. good voice for country singing.Lead guitar plays the country licks clearly and tastefully with a little edge and reminds one of early Alabama. the rhythm guitar keeps the meter well and moving right along - AudraRaulyns from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on 7Dec2006 This is a radio friendly hit. A contemporary driving rythym and beat stay subtle enough as they carry the fine smooth vocals of this relaxed and pleasing singer as he convincingly croons "That's the end of this road and that's as far as your memory gos." Just the right lenghth, a great hook and mood give this bitter sweet song of lament and reflection a shot at the charts. If this song was mine, I would work it as far as it go's even if the road ran out. - peteberwick from Chicago, Illinois on 24Nov2006 Good driving beat a little reminicent of Alabama or Bob Seager. Good stucture, execellent instrumentation. Vocals were great with good harmonies also. The hook worked and a very subtle and precise lead break. Well done. - delevergin from Kyneton, Victoria, Australia on 24Oct2006 I really like the structure of this song. A really good lead singer, nice and rang-y but right on pitch, with a tight harmony background vocalist. Put that together with some awesome lead guitar licks, combine it with steady, yet catchy rhythm guitar...and you've got a hit song. Specifically, the lead vocalist has the kind of voice that draws you into the lyrics, and I like these lyrics and this song structure. It is keyed right to his range, and he makes the most of his very mobile voice. Excellent choice. The background vocals couldn't be any tighter, and my only comment on them was that I could take a little more of them, more often. I think it enhances the strong lead vocalist to have his voice boosted with some great harmony. I think I'd add more. Both of the guitars are what keep this song moving along. I like the lead lines of the electric guitar, but I would put them higher on the fader. With a player this hot, you want the really contemporary sound with the lead guitar way out front, especially on a song with this kind of drive. As for your rhythm guitarist, there is solid chord structure, and he turns around from strumming to picking, and strumming again. He is the steading force to the entire song, and he is right on target. I like where he is in the mix. The lead vocalist is seated correctly in the tracks, and he sounds powerful outfront like this. Put this one on your reel, and come shop Nashville. Good luck! - Anchor from Nashville, Tennessee on 17Oct2006