MusicNerd Reviews

Review: Barry Gibb – In The Now (Sony Music Canada)

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Ken Kelley |

Few voices in pop music are as distinct as Barry Gibb’s, but even fewer have cemented the momentous place in history that he has curated over the last 50 years. Following the untimely passing of his brothers Maurice and Robin…

Review: Mother Love Bone – On Earth As It Is: The Complete Works (Universal Music Canada)

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Ken Kelley |

Before Pearl Jam precursor band Mother Love Bone were given the chance to shine on the international stage, their light was prematurely snuffed out with the fatal drug overdose of vocalist Andrew Wood in 1990. Leaning more upon glam rock…

Review: Crowded House Shines In Reissue Campaign

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Ken Kelley |

Late last year, acclaimed Aussie band Crowded House reissued their six studio releases – 1986’s self-titled effort, Temple Of Low Men (1988), 1991’s Woodface, Together Alone (1993), 2007’s Time On Earth and 2010’s Intriguer – in addition to 1999’s collection…

Review: Rush – Time Stand Still DVD (Anthem / Universal Music Canada)

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Ken Kelley |

After more than four decades of travelling the world, Canadian rock institution Rush hasn’t permanently called it quits, but has essentially sworn off undertaking any large-scale tours in the future. While Time Stand Still touches on the reasoning behind the…

Review: Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow – Memories In Rock: Live In Germany (CD / DVD) (Eagle Rock / Universal Music Canada)

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Ken Kelley |

In June 2016, after almost 20 years of exclusively pursuing the folk-Renaissance inspired group Blackmore’s Night, former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore made a triumphant return to rock music. At 71 years of age, Blackmore is no spring chicken, but…

Top 5 Albums of 2016

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Ken Kelley |

Even though 2017 is still more than a week away, I’m already making a resolution: I want to dedicate more time listening to new music and new releases in the New Year. For the record, it’s nothing I intentionally avoid.…

Rolling Stones – Havana Moon (CD/DVD) (Eagle Rock / Universal Music Canada)

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Ken Kelley |

After more than 50 years in the game, you’d think there wasn’t much the legendary Rolling Stones hadn’t already done, but the group lived another first this past March when they performed before a seemingly endless audience in Cuba, estimates…

Review: Motley Crue – The End: Live In Los Angeles (CD/DVD) (Eagle Rock / Universal Music Canada)

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Ken Kelley |

While fans had known for the better part of two years that the end was coming for heavy metal legends Motley Crue, the time finally did arrive at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on New Years’ Eve 2015. Opening with the…

Review: Ween – GodWeenSatan Live

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Jack McDougall |

Where were you on September 11, 2001? I was bowling with friends in Asahikawa, Japan – way up north, a stone’s throw from Russia. I had told the man at the counter my name was Gary, and that was the…

Review: Blue Rodeo – 1000 Arms (Warner Music Canada)

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Ken Kelley |

There is a cohesiveness and clarity running through Blue Rodeo’s excellent new studio album that is positively invigorating to hear. The fact the group is on the doorstep of celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut record makes the feat…

Review: The Lemon Twigs – Do Hollywood (4AD)

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Ken Kelley |

Although they haven’t even yet cracked the age of 20, Long Island sibling duo The Lemon Twigs have crafted what is arguably one of the best throwback records in recent memory. Not so subtle hints of the brothers’ infatuation with…

Review: Scorpions – Live In Munich 2012 DVD (Eagle Rock / Universal Music Canada)

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Ken Kelley |

When it has come to German hard-rock pioneers the Scorpions, they have consistently evoked massive indifference from me. But after hearing from friends about how (seriously) great their show at the Moncton Coliseum was last year, I approached this 2012…

Review: Temple Of The Dog – Temple Of The Dog (Super Deluxe Edition) (Universal Music Canada)

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Ken Kelley |

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band’s sole release, Temple Of The Dog – a group comprised of members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam that came together to pay tribute to a lost friend – revisit their million-selling album,…

Review: Willie Nelson – For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price (Sony Music Canada)

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Ken Kelley |

The friendship between country music legends Willie Nelson and Ray Price began in 1961 when the former musician performed with the latter’s backing band, The Cherokee Cowboys. Although Nelson’s tenure with the group was short-lived, their bond was irrefutable right…

Review: The Dean Ween Group – The Deaner Album (ATO)

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Jack McDougall |

Imagine, if you will, Jared. Jared is a web developer and artisanal mead enthusiast who has retreated to a cabin in the woods with his acoustic guitar, a four-track and his emotions to record an album so exquisitely sensitive it…