Where does a band with over a 25 year career and has sold more than 120 million records go to for motivation and inspiration, it seems like back to the beginning for Bon Jovi. “ The Circle” is the band’s latest release, and provides proof that the band has staying power and a few tricks up their sleeve.  “ The Circle” brings back the Jersey boys we grew up with that we know and love. The boys of “Slippery When Wet”, Bon Jovi goes back to their roots and do what they do best high energy power ballads and arena rock, Good Old fashioned, rock and roll with the volume turned up.  From their new single, “ We Weren’t Born to Follow” to the “ When We Were Beautiful”, and “Work for the Working Man” the songs are as uplifting and inspiring as much as any of Bon Jovi’s past efforts because they are honest and deal with real situations that are relatable in life whether it be politics, love or money Bon Jovi’s got it covered and their doing it their way.  The first single “ When We Were Beautiful” has a number of meanings and interpretations, but most a song about remember who or what we were, who we can still be and where we’re going.  The song is haunting in that it continues to resonate with you long after you hearing and just gets you thinking.  Bon Jovi expresses their views on politics and the times we are living in with the songs “ We Weren’t Born To Follow” “Work For the Working Man” and “ Broken Promiseland”.

“ We Weren’t Born to Follow” is powerful and inspiring and conveys a message of hope and possibility. It’s a song about making your own decisions, taking a stand, fighting for what you believe in. Bon Jovi’s down to earth Jersey roots and laid back attitude give them massive appeal in every country and in every state but there is nothing closer to the band’s heart then the consumer, the working man.

“ Work for the Working Man”, refers to the economy, the people and their reactions to it this was a song written for the people. Bon Jovi who has a knack for writing killer chorus don’t disappoint and you being singing the song over and over again making it one go-to tracks on the album. With so many songs, that will have you singing along and cranking up the radio “ Brokenpromiseland” slows things down a bit.

“ Brokenpromiseland”, has everything you want in a song a beautiful melody and instrumentation and a strong chorus with lyrics and structure that the whole better than the sum of its parts.

The album has an underlying positive them that is apparent through all of the songs a glimmer of hope even in some of the darker moments.  Bon Jovi’s at it’s best with their latest offering there not on a “Lost Highway” they found exactly where there meant to even if it meant going back to the beginning to get there.

Carrie Underwood is one of the most successful females in country music and one of the most notable American Idol’s behind Kelly Clarkson and has topped both the pop and country charts. With this her third album, not much seems to have changed vocally for Underwood. Carrie aims to crossover over from Country sweetheart to pop-rock princess but fails in her attempts. Some artists have mastered and performed crossover attempts successfully in a variety of genres including Shania Twain, Lee Ann Rimes, the Dixie Chicks and Taylor Swift to name a few. Others however, have not made the transition so well most notably Jessica Simpson and now Carrie Underwood.

Carrie is pushing the boundaries and taking chances creatively with this record. She takes on the title of songwriter co-writing seven of the 13 tracks on the album, as well as working with different producers to infuse elements of R&B, rock and pop into the mix while still keeping the country sensibilities she’s known for.  Underwood’s vocal prowess is not to be disputed, her voice is a natural palette that is just waiting to be developed but she doesn’t always harness it to her potential. On this album, Carrie’s vocals leave much to be desired she has lost the naturalness and beauty of her voice in favor of over-produced vocals seen in mainstream pop.  Not the voice we’re used to hearing that from Carrie, the power to belt out the lyrics with such force yet do it naturally and effortlessly. It seems like all the songs in this album stay in the same tempo and vocal range, which make it boring and bland.

The album opens with the first single “ Cowboy Casanova” the song is fun and a good way to start the album and pull the listener in to see what she has to offer. Similar to her previous hit “Before He Cheats” it’s an anthem for the girls but it’s luster is overshadowed by overproduction.  Some of the standout song’s on the album include “Mama’s Song”, “Change” and “Look at Me”. These three standout because they are subtle and showcase the beauty of Carrie’s vocal tone and range and the ballad’s suit her.

“Mama’s Song”, is a ballad that is truthful and emotional with elements of bluegrass and acoustic guitar it’s the closest that Underwood comes to whom the fans identified with when they crowned her the American Idol. However, change is not a bad thing when done right and “ Change” is the best of both worlds.

Carrie sticks to the ballads once again with “Change”, it’s a darker ballad that is mature and a progression for Underwood. With the right promotion, this song could be a hit featured on one of the latest WB dramas. Finally, there’s “Look At Me”.

“ Look At Me” is a love song plain and simple Underwood’s voice was made for this song. Her vocals are soft yet strong and she seems to just let go and sing. It’s one of the best tracks on the album.

American Idol made Carrie a superstar but has lost who she is as an artist with a crossover so far out of her realm, goodbye country, hello Hollywood.  For those who prefer the Carrie of American Idol days, your money would be better spent on her previous efforts.

Creed’s’ latest effort doesn’t make it full circle, Creed is back trying to make a comeback with their fourth album entitled ‘Full Circle’ this comes after the band broke up and spent time apart pursuing other projects and the results show in the music.

During their time apart, lead singer Scott Stapp pursued a solo career but personal problems and sloppy production led to minimal recognition or success. Stapp’s band mates on the other hand had better luck. Guitarist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall got together to form Alter Bridge. A heavy metal grunge band reminiscent of Metallica’s early beginnings, the band quickly received recognition by the music world and fans alike but quickly fizzled out and lacked sustainability. With their record company pushing for a Creed reunion and Stapp now on the straight and narrow Creed was set to reunite and release their 4^th album as a band.

Now that all the members are back together, they seem hungry and focused ready to reemerge themselves back on to the music scene. However, judging by their past and this album, it may be too little too late.

The band has decided to reinvent their sound and image but it doesn’t work it’s too contrived and forced.  As far as the music is concerned Tremonti, Phillips and Marshall’s skills are up to par and their experimentation as Alter Bridge has strengthened and increased their musical repertoire and technique but does little to save the album. What made Creed so definable and recognizable was lead singer Scott Stapp’s distinctive voice, which is need in of some vocal coaching. The album opens with “Overcome” the first single off the album. “Overcome” fans of the band won’t be. It’s opens with a bang, due to Tremonti’s heavy, crunchy guitar and gives a memorable solo but Stapp’s voice leaves much to be desired. There’s an inconsistency in his voice and the vocals sound a bit exaggerated.  “ Bread of Shame” is just that a disaster, if Korn and Metallica wrote a song together this would be the one. With maximum distortion a sound that’s overly produced it’s another episode of the “loudness wars” and contains much of the problems that concerned Metallica’s “Death Magnetic”.  However, the album does have some honorable mentions, which include “ A Thousand Faces” and “Time”.

“ A Thousand Faces” is possibly the best song on the album and the one that sounds the most like the Creed we knew and loved.  The song has a great melody is pleasing to the ears and a memorable riff. Stapp does better with the ballads “With Arms Wide Open” need I say more.  “ Time” is another must listen to tune on the album.

“Time” is a darker more introspective and reflective piece for the band. It’s a ballad that includes stunning lyrics and guitar riffs. Long and bluesy it’s definitely worth a listen for Tremonti’s solo alone.

This is the weakest Creed album to date, and if anything saves it, it is the skill of Stapp’s band mates who probably would have been better off releasing another album as Alter Bridge on their own because nothing on this album comes “Full Circle”.