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Latest CD reviews: Lou Bega / A Little Bit of Mambo Smashmouth / Astro Lounge Red Hot Chili Peppers / Californication LOU BEGA A LITTLE BIT OF MAMBO B "Mambo No. 5" is that one song you've been hearing on like every radio station and TV ad for the last month or so. You know, "a little bit of Rita is what I see, a little bit of Tina is all I need..." Yes, that song. You either love it or you can't stand it. Personally, I really liked it the first time I heard it. It was instantly catchy - I wanted to know who sang it before the song was even over. However, catchy songs and albums all have their drawbacks: Overexposure. Even the best albums get annoying when that's all you hear on the radio (memo to KWOD: stop playing Sublime!!!), and it's the same for songs, too. The album itself is okay, although the guy really needs to mix in a few songs that don't sound the same. My prediction that at this time next year, we're going to hear this song and go, "Oh yeah, I remember this song..." and promptly forget it. You'll forget you own this CD, too: it will get annoying after a while, especially when you flip by the Zone and that's all they play. Get it on MP3 if anything.
SMASHMOUTH ASTRO LOUNGE A- Smashmouth is back, following up their album, Fush Yu Mang, which featured "Walkin' on the Sun". Almost as catchy is "All-Star", which is playing everywhere across the country. The album also includes "Can't Get Enough of You Baby", which was on some lame movie soundrack prior to this. Smashmouth's sophomore album is indeed a work of art. The music itself is a hybrid of ska, reggae, and pop, all thrown into one. Smashmouth is truly one of a kind. Along with "All Star" and "Can't Get Enough of You Baby", it also includes a couple of catchy tunes such as "Leave Me Alone" and "Road Man", which you'll be humming in your sleep. This album reminds me of Sublimes' self-titled album, as there are so many songs to love. If you liked Smashmouth's first album, you'll love this one as well. It's a great CD to have at any party, as well as to listen to in your car.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS CALIFORNICATION A+ The Chili's are back, and they're the good Chili Peppers! Don't get me wrong, One Hot Minute was a good album, and had some decent songs, but on the whole, was a disappointing follow-up to BloodSugarSexMagik.
- This was the follow-up we were looking for. You know you found a great album when after 2 days of listening it, you don't just skip to the 1 song you like. I liked every song on this album, and it still is spinning in my CD player as I write this.
- The Chili's lost their old guitarist (not the dead one) a few years ago, and he's made his return on this album. I think this is what they were missing on the last go-around. Californication is full of fast songs, lots of the funk that we remember from the older albums, and a lot of catchy tunes. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we see like 4 or 5 singles off this album. It has so many gems.
- The only bad part of this album is that it is very catchy and you'll remember every lyric of these songs, and they don't go away. That could be a bad thing, but I think it just means it's a great album. If you buy any album this summer, this is the one. You will not regret it.
EDITION III - Austin Powers II, Cardigans, Big Daddy
EDITION II - Oleander, Matrix Soundtrack, Everlast, Offspring
EDITION I - Alanis Morrissette, U2, Cake, Lenny Kravitz, Beastie Boys
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