(11) The Brandos - Gunfire At Midnight (1992)

The Brandos are an American rock band formed in New York in 1985. The core members are vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Dave Kincaid and bassist and vocalist Ernie Mendillo.
The gritty, back-to-basics rock & roll of New York's the Brandos has roots
Dave Kincaid (vocals, guitar), Ed Rupprecht (guitar, 1985-93), Ernie Mendillo (bass, vocals), Larry Mason (drums, 1985-93), Scott Kempner (guitar, 1993-present), Frank Funaro (drums, 1993-present), Frank Giordano (vocals, guitar, 1996-present)
The Brandos hail from NYC but sound like they come from some mythical Midwestern Heartland. The group has obviously been influenced by CCR but their sound is more edgey and sharp. Some have referred to their sound as roots rock but I would call it American folk rock. “Gunfire At Midnight” is their third album and is a awesome and display the musical skill of the band as well as Dave Kincaids' thought provoking lyrics. A no brainer for those already fans or for CCR fans looking for a more modern example of quitessentialy American folk influenced rock n roll.

In the Seattle scene, but not the one that become famous. Brandos frontman Dave Kincaid once led the Allies, an early-'80s power pop band that won an MTV contest with the video for "Emma Peel." However, the new wave-influenced acts emanating from the Emerald City back then received little attention outside of the Pacific Northwest so Kincaid split from the Allies and moved to New York in 1985. While skimming through the Village Voice, Kincaid saw an ad from the group Soul Attack looking for another lead singer. Kincaid joined the band and changed their name to The Brandos.

Tracklisting
01 - Gunfire at Midnight (Kincaid) - 4:14
02 - The Solution (Kincaid) - 4:17
03 - How the Dice Fell (Kincaid) - 3:28
04 - Ridin' the Red-Eye (Kincaid) - 3:46
05 - Anna Lee (Funk/Kincaid) - 3:40
06 - We Are No Man (Funk/Kincaid) - 3:14
07 - Fortunes of War (Kincaid) - 2:57
08 - Partners (Funk/Kincaid) - 3:53
09 - The Keeper (Kincaid) - 3:46
10 - One-Dog Brown (Funk/Kincaid/Ruppre) - 3:50
11 - The Last Tambourine (Kincaid) - 2:13

Time: 39:18

Personnel:
Vocals, Guitar - Dave Kincaid
Bass, Vocals - Ernie Mendillo
Drums, Vocals - Larry Mason
Guitar, Vocals - Ed Rupprecht
Mastered By - Greg Calbi
Photography, Artwork By [Frontcover Design] - Mick Rock
Producer, Vocals, Guitar - Dave Kincaid
Recorded By, Mixed By, Piano - Don Sternecker
Notes: Recorded and mixed by Don Sternecker at Mix-O-Lydian Studios, Boonton, N.J.
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, N.Y.C.

Label: Spv Germany
Release Date: 1992
Genre: Rock, Art Rock
Producer: Dave Kincaid

(10) Alice In Chains - Jar Of Flies (1994)

“Jar Of Flies” is the third studio EP by the Seattle, Washington grunge band Alice in Chains, released on January 25, 1994 through Columbia Records.

Following Alice in Chains' extensive 1993 world tour for Dirt and appearance at Lollapalooza, the band members returned home to Seattle to find themselves evicted from their residence after failing to pay the rent. The band then moved into London Bridge Studio feeling lonely and depressed. Vocalist Layne Staley said the band "just wanted to go into the studio for a few days with our acoustic guitars and see what happened." "We never really planned on the music we made at that time to be released. But the record label heard it and they really liked it. For us, it was just the experience of four guys getting together in the studio and making some music."

Written and recorded in one week in September 1993, Jar of Flies was produced by the band members themselves. Jar of Flies marks the first album with bassist Mike Inez. Guitarist Jerry Cantrell said, "That was the first time we'd written with Mike Inez...The whole Jar of Flies EP proved to both us and the fans what a talented and valid part of the band Mike was. He plays the nastiest, darkest shit but he's got the sweetest heart in the world."

Jar of Flies debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP—and first Alice in Chains release—to top the charts. Paul Evans of Rolling Stone called the EP "darkly gorgeous", and Steve Huey stated "Jar of Flies is a low-key stunner, achingly gorgeous and harrowingly sorrowful all at once". Jar of Flies features Alice in Chains' only number one single on the Mainstream Rock charts, "No Excuses". The second single, "I Stay Away", reached number ten on the Mainstream rock charts, while the final single "Don't Follow", reached number 25. After the release of Jar of Flies, Layne Staley entered rehab for heroin addiction. The band was scheduled to tour during the summer of 1994 with Metallica and Suicidal Tendencies, but while in rehearsal for the tour, Staley began using heroin again. Staley's condition prompted the other band members to cancel all scheduled dates one day before the start of the tour, putting the band on hiatus.

All lyrics written by Layne Staley, except where noted.

Track listing
01. "Rotten Apple" (Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez) - 6:58
02. "Nutshell" (Cantrell, Inez, Sean Kinney) - 4:19
03. "I Stay Away" (Cantrell, Inez) - 4:14
04. "No Excuses" (Cantrell Cantrell) - 4:15
05. "Whale & Wasp" (Cantrell) - 2:37
06. "Don't Follow" (Cantrell Cantrell) - 4:22
07. "Swing on This" (Cantrell, Inez, Kinney) - 4:04

Personnel
Layne Staley – lead vocals
Jerry Cantrell – guitars, vocals
Mike Inez – bass, guitar, additional vocals
Sean Kinney – drums, percussion
Toby Wright – engineer
April Acevez – viola
Rebecca Clemons-Smith – violin
Matthew Weiss – violin
Justine Foy – violoncello
David Atkinson – harmonica
Randy Biro – additional vocals
Darrel Peters – additional vocals

Released: January 25, 1994 (1994-01-25)
Recorded: September 7 - 14 1993 at London Bridge Studio in Seattle, Washington
Length 30:49
Genre: Acoustic, blues-rock, grunge
Label: Columbia Records
Producer: Alice in Chains

(09) Toad The Wet Sprocket - Fear (1991)

Toad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative rock band formed in 1986. The band consists of singer/guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss.
“Fear” is their third album, released in 1991.
Not only did Fear yield the Top 40 breakthrough hit "All I Want," but it also marked the emergence of a more refined Toad the Wet Sprocket. A far cry from their jangle pop, garage band sound of old, this album is full of smart and catchy pop/rock songs brought to life by four great musicians. Be it a tale of boyhood mischief ("Is It for Me") or a question of faith ("Pray Your Gods"), Glen Phillips shows himself to be one of the most literate and complex singer/songwriters around, layers of hidden subtext pouring from both his pen and voice. In fact, one of the finest lines ever found in a fare-thee-well song appears in "In My Ear": "Never meant half of the things that I said to you. So you know, there's a half that might be true." Enough said. The rest of the quartet -- drummer Randy Guss, bassist/keyboardist Dean Dinning, and guitarist Todd Nichols -- have merged together musically, defining what it really means to be a band. Their juxtaposition of accordions and mandolins against hard-hitting electric guitars amplifies the blend of ease and urgency that plays out from song to song, from the acoustic meandering of "Walk on the Ocean" to the aggressive commentary on rape in "Hold Her Down." The last tune, "I Will Not Take These Things for Granted," could have easily fallen into the abyss of cliché, but in Phillips' hands, it stands as a humble and poignant tribute to life's riches. With not a single weak song, wonderfully engaging performances, and amazing sonic precision, Fear is a wonderful welcome into the house of Toad.

All songs written by Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Track listing
01 - "Walk on the Ocean" – 3:00
02 - "Is It For Me?" – 3:24
03 - "Butterflies" – 4:26
04 - "Nightingale Song" – 2:03
05 - "Hold Her Down" – 3:07
06 - "Pray Your Gods" – 5:03
07 - "Before You Were Born" – 3:44
08 - "Something to Say" – 4:02
09 - "In My Ear" – 3:10
10 - "All I Want" – 3:17
11 - "Stories I Tell" – 5:35
12 - "I Will Not Take These Things for Granted" – 5:46

Length 46:37

Band
Glen Phillips: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Mandolin
Todd Nichols: Guitars, Mandolin
Dean Dinning: Bass, Keyboards
Randy Guss: Drums, Percussion
With-Laurel Franklin: Spoken Word, Additional Vocals

Personnel
Gavin MacKillop - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
Todd Nichols - Guitar, Vocals
Bjorn Thorsrud - Engineer
Ellen Turner - Vocals
Van Vinikow - Violin
Nancy Donald - Art Conductor
Hans Neleman - Photography
Merlyn Rosenburg - Photography
Snow - Guitar, Vocals, Mandolin
Glen Phillips - Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Toad the Wet Sprocket - Main Performer
Dean Dinning - Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
Don Evans - Engineer
Laurel Franklin - Voices, Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part
Bernie Grundman - Mastering
Randy Guss - Drums
Peter Lenz - Cello

Released: August 27, 1991
Recorded: Granny's House in Reno, Nevada, 1991
Engineered: By Don Evans, Gavin McKillop & Bjorn Thorsrud
Mixed: By Gavin McKillop
Genre: Alternative rock
Label: Columbia Records
Producer: Gavin MacKillop

(08) Bush - Razorblade Suitcase (1996)

“Razorblade Suitcase” is the second album by the British post-grunge band Bush, released in November 1996.
Gavin Rossdale may try his best to sound like Kurt Cobain, and his British band may strum and bang Seattle-style, and Steve Albini may produce like he never left the alterna-grunge basement, but the songs here are pure pop for now people--now being Grunge-mania 1996.
Razorblade Suitcase, the outcome of this shotgun wedding, is a decidedly mixed bag. To his credit, Albini actually toughens up Bush's arena-ready thud, adding a new set of dynamics by stripping the mix of reverb; the moments of silence in "Greedy Fly" crackle like small explosions. Albini's stark recording approach also makes the most of the occasional mistake, capturing a spontaneous feedback squeal or finger scrape against reluctant strings, which gives the band's performances an unexpected live-sounding vitality. Bush even rise to the challenge of Albini's post-punk pedigree, adding atonal guitar to the sea-chantey lurch of "History" and shimmering Sonic Youth-style drones to the climax of "Insect Kin."

Unfortunately, for all of their strained attempts at artistic credibility, Bush refuse to let go of the hackneyed posturing that catapulted them up the charts. As a songwriter, frontman Gavin Rossdale relies on nonsensical couplets like, "Do you feel the way you hate?/Do you hate the way you feel?" ("Greedy Fly"). It's bad enough that in "Straight No Chaser," Bush consciously ape the mallternative power-ballad format of their big hit "Glycerine" – but to name the former after the great jazz standard by Thelonious Monk is unbearably pretentious and insulting.

The band's derivative tendencies are everywhere: "Swallowed" borrows liberally from the Pixies' abrasive melodicism; "Synapse" looks a little too closely to PJ Harvey for inspiration. And let's not forget Nirvana – Rossdale's vocals in "Insect Kin" are a blurred xerox of Kurt Cobain's, just as the chord progression in "Mouth" uncomfortably recalls "Heart-Shaped Box." Moments like these make one wish that Bush would just accept their status as the Bon Jovi of grunge. When Rossdale sings, "We are servants to our formulaic ways," in "Greedy Fly," it hits a little too close to home.

Tracklisting:
01 - "Personal Holloway" – 3:23
02 - "Greedy Fly" – 4:29
03 - "Swallowed" – 4:53
04 - "Insect Kin" – 4:27
05 - "Cold Contagious" – 6:01
06 - "A Tendency to Start Fires" – 4:04
07 - "Mouth" – 5:46
08 - "Straight No Chaser" – 4:02
09 - "History" – 4:17
10 - "Synapse" – 4:52
11 - "Communicator" – 4:25
12 - "Bonedriven" – 4:32
13 - "Distant Voices" – 6:20

Length 61:43

Released: November 19, 1996
Recorded: 1996, Sarm Hook End, Berks, England and Abbey Road Studios, London, England
Genre: Post-grunge
Label: Trauma/Interscope Records
Producer: Steve Albini

Personnel
Paul Palmer - Mixing
Robert Vosgien - Mastering
Winston - Voices
Gavyn Wright - Violin, String Arrangements
Bush - Main Performer, Performer
Dave Guy Parsons - Bass
Nigel Pulsford - Guitar, Arranger, String Arrangements
Gavin Rossdale - Guitar, String Arrangements, Vocals
Frank Schaefer - Cello
Vaughan Oliver - Art Direction, Design
Paul Hicks - Assistant Engineer
Perry Montague-Mason - Violin
Glen Lutchford - Photography, Portrait Photography
Adrian Philpott - Art Direction, Design
Tom Elmhirst - Assistant Engineer
Timothy O'Donnell - Design Assistant
Steve Albini - Engineer
Robin Goodridge - Drums

(07) Fleetwood Mac - Time (1995)

“Time” is an album by British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1995. This album featured a unique line-up for the band featuring the addition of former Traffic guitarist Dave Mason and country vocalist Bekka Bramlett, daughter of Delaney and Bonnie, to the line-up. It is the only Fleetwood Mac album since 1974 to feature neither Stevie Nicks nor Lindsey Buckingham as full band members. The band undertook a worldwide tour in support of the album from July to the end of December 1994, and again from April to September 1995.
Within a year this line-up had collapsed with Mason, Bramlett and Billy Burnette all leaving the band, but Bramlett and Burnette recorded the Bekka & Billy album together in 1997, the same year Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks rejoined Fleetwood Mac.

Recorded at perhaps the most confusing period of FM history, Time is a curiousity. There is very little here that sounds like "classic" Fleetwood Mac, yet the album is very listenable and a generally good effort. What may not be known is that by the time this album was put together, Christine McVie had followed Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks... out of the group. Her 5 songs are stellar and her vocals never better but clearly they were recorded apart from the rest of the album (probably earlier) and do not contain Burnette, Mason, or Bramlett on them. Still getting half a Christine solo album is reason enough to buy this CD. The rest of the songs appear to have been recorded without C. McVie, with the exception of piano and backing vocals on "Nothing Without You". Burnette has some worthy contributions but does not have much material displayed. His interaction with Bramlett is great. Bramlett is a fair singer and seems to be an interpreter only. Dave Mason has only 2 songs on the album, "Blow by Blow" is harsha and dry, while the other one is very groovy. Fleetwood and McVie shine througout and tie the album together slightly. But overall this is a CD of tracks tossed together. On the upside the production and recording is much cleaner than Tango or Behind the Mask.

Tracklisting:
01 - "Talkin' to My Heart" (Billy Burnette, Deborah Allen, Rafe VanHoy) – 4:54
02 - "Hollywood (Some Other Kind of Town)" (C. McVie, E. Quintela) – 5:43
03 - "Blow by Blow" (Dave Mason, John Cesario, Mark Holden) – 4:24
04 - "Winds of Change" (Kit Hain) – 4:26
05 - "I Do" (McVie, Quintela) – 4:25
06 - "Nothing Without You" (Delaney & Bekka Bramlett, D. Gilmore) – 3:06
07 - "Dreamin' the Dream" (B. Bramlett, Burnette) – 3:43
08 - "Sooner or Later" (McVie, Quintela) – 5:40
09 - "I Wonder Why" (Dave Mason, Frankie Previte, Tom Fuler) – 4:28
10 - "Nights in Estoril" (McVie, Quintela) – 4:45
11 - "I Got It in for You" (Burnette, Deborah Allen) – 4:08
12 - "All Over Again" (McVie, Quintela) – 3:32
13 - "These Strange Times" (Mick Fleetwood, Ray Kennedy) – 7:04

Fleetwood Mac
Bekka Bramlett – vocals
Dave Mason – guitars, vocals
Billy Burnette – guitars, vocals
Christine McVie – keyboards, vocals
John McVie – bass
Mick Fleetwood – percussion, drums; vocals & guitars on track 13

Additional personnel
Michael Thompson – guitars on tracks 2, 5, 7, 10 & 12
Steve Thoma – keyboards on tracks 3, 4 & 9
Lindsey Buckingham – backing vocals on track 6
Fred Tackett – trumpet on track 8
John Jones – keyboards on track 13
Lucy Fleetwood – backing vocals on track 13

Production
Producers: Fleetwood Mac & Richard Dashut; John Jones & Ray Kennedy (track 13)
Additional Engineers: Alan Sanderson, Charlie Brocco, Allen Sides, Jimmy Hotz (track 13), David Eike, Tom Nellen, Richard Huredia, Dave Shiffman
Recording and Mixing: Ken Allardyce; John Jones (track 13)
Recorded and Mixed at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood
Additional Recording at Sunset Sound, Hollywood
Mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Precision Mastering, assisted by Don Tyler
Cover Concept by Mick Fleetwood
Art Direction and Design by Gabrielle Raumberger and Frank Chi
Photography by Lance Staedler, Bonnie & Dale McRaven, John McVie Family Arch

Released: October 10, 1995
Genre: Rock
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Producer: Fleetwood Mac, Richard Dashut

(06) The Allman Brothers Band - Seven Turns (1990)

“Seven Turns” is a 1990 album by the Allman Brothers Band. The album was well-received, and it was their first release since 1981. It peaked at #53: hit singles were Good Clean Fun (#1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks); Seven Turns (#12) and It Ain't Over Yet (#26).

Not many expected this legendary outfit to have any pulse at all by 1990, much less a pulse throbbing so mightily. Fiery new lead and slide guitarist Warren Haynes is as suitable a replacement for Duane as you're likely to find, and new bassist Allen Woody takes a back seat to no one. Clearly, the new kids rejuvenated the weary veterans on this excellent offering, which kicks off the Allmans' second classic period. Seven Turns finds the band returning to form with its unmistakable twin-lead instrumentals, abrasive blues rock, and even the sunny Betts ballads.

The Allman Brothers Band released their comeback album, Seven Turns, in 1990. The band was riding a wave of momentum as old fans were reminded of the band's powers with the release of their 4-CD box set retrospective, Dreams. In addition, a new whole audience discovered the band's greatness on their 1989 tour. Original members Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks, and Jaimoe were joined by guitarist Warren Haynes, keyboardist Johnny Neel, and bassist Allen Woody. The inclusion of both Haynes and Neel indicate an attempt to not only recreate the magic of the two-guitar lineup of Betts and Duane Allman but to also relive their popular Brothers and Sisters album in which Chuck Leavell's piano added another weapon to the band's impressive arsenal. The infusion of new blood is very apparent as the performances on Seven Turns show a classic band regaining their hunger. Allman certainly was feeling the vibe as his vocals on this album are arguably the best of his career. Whether it's on the smoking rocker "Good Clean Fun" or on the bluesy tracks "Low Down Dirty Mean" and "Gambler's Roll", Allman sounds reborn. "Let Me Ride" is a cool country rocker from Dickey Betts while "Shine It On" is a driving slice of southern rock. "True Gravity" is another strong jazz inflicted instrumental to add to their collection and is highlighted by Neel's impressive piano solo. The title track is a modern classic in the country rock vein with a memorable chorus and some cool slide guitar during the outro. The remaining tracks "It Ain't Over Yet" and "Loaded Dice" are also very good. All told, while Seven Turns is not on par with their best work, it's a very strong comeback and easily their best album since Brothers and Sisters.

Track listing:
01 - "Good Clean Fun" (Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Johnny Neel) – 5:09
02 - "Let Me Ride" (Betts) – 4:36
03 - "Low Down Dirty Mean" (Betts, Neel) – 5:30
04 - "Shine It On" (Betts, Warren Haynes) – 4:51
05 - "Loaded Dice" (Betts, Haynes) – 3:29
06 - "Seven Turns" (Betts) – 5:05
07 - "Gambler's Roll" (Haynes, Neel) – 6:44
08 - "True Gravity" (Betts, Haynes) – 7:58
09 - "It Ain't Over Yet" (Doug Crider, Neel) – 4:54

Personnel
Gregg Allman: organ; lead vocals
Dickey Betts: lead guitar; lead vocals
Jaimoe: drums; percussion
Butch Trucks: drums; percussion; tympani
Warren Haynes: lead guitar; background vocals
Allen Woody: bass guitar; background vocals
Johnny Neel: piano; keyboards; background vocals

(05) Goo Goo Dolls - Dizzy Up The Girl (1998)

“Dizzy Up The Girl” is the sixth album by Goo Goo Dolls, released in 1998 on Warner Bros..
The Goo Goo Dolls' hit, "Iris," on the City of Angels soundtrack, was one big hunk of summertime cheddar, a song about doomed love swathed in violins. On Dizzy Up the Girl, the Dolls bring the strings – and arranger David Campbell – back for an encore. "Black Balloon," "Acoustic #3" and "All Eyes on Me" are all symphonic poems in the style of "Iris," which is also included here.

These sensitive-guy anthems suggest that the Dolls are wandering into the minefield between maturity and schmaltz, a treacherous step once taken by the Dolls' obvious role models, the Replacements and Soul Asylum. Like those bands, the Dolls traffic in raspy-voiced, guitar-fueled rave-ups with a sentimental streak. "See the young man sitting in the old man's bar/Waiting for his turn to die," guitarist Johnny Rzeznik sings in "Broadway," picking up where the Mats left off with "Here Comes a Regular." And while he mostly plays second fiddle to "Iris" heartthrob Rzeznik, singer-bassist Robby Takac injects Dizzy Up the Girl with some wreck-the-room urgency in "January Friend," turns "Full Forever" into a long, escalating rant and, in "Amigone," asserts that "love's been marred by medication." Nothing like a few hits of vinegar to make the gooey ballads go down.

All tracks by Johnny Rzeznik except were noted

Track listing:
01 - "Dizzy" – 2:41
02 - "Slide" – 3:33
03 - "Broadway" – 3:59
04 - "January Friend" (Robby Takac) – 2:45
05 - "Black Balloon" – 4:10
06 - "Bullet Proof" – 4:38
07 - "Amigone" (Robby Takac) – 3:16
08 - "All Eyes on Me" – 3:58
09 - "Full Forever" (Robby Takac) – 2:52
10 - "Acoustic #3" – 1:57
11 - "Iris" – 4:50
12 - "Extra Pale" (Robby Takac) – 2:11
13 - "Hate this Place" – 4:24

Length 45:03

Personnel
Ken Allardyce – engineer
David Campbell – string arrangements
Rob Cavallo – producer
Greg Collins – assistant engineer
Steve Gerdes – art direction, design
The Goo Goo Dolls – producer
Bob Ludwig – mastering
Mike Malinin – drums
Jamie Muhoberac – piano, keyboards, processing
Melanie Nissen – photography
Carmen Rizzo – programming
Johnny Rzeznik – guitar, vocals
Allen Sides – engineer
Robby Takac – bass, vocals
Darrell Thorp – assistant engineer

Released: September 22, 1998
Recorded: 1997–1998
Genre: Alternative Rock, Post-Grunge
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Producer: Rob Cavallo, Goo Goo Dolls

(04) Santana - Supernatural (1999)

“Supernatural” is a 1999 concept album by Santana. It went 15 times platinum in the US and won nine Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year as well as three Latin Grammy Awards including Record of the Year.
The album, conceived by Clive Davis and A&R'd by Pete Ganbarg, was phenomenally successful, eventually selling over 25 million copies worldwide; it is generally seen to have revived Santana's dormant career.

Santana was still a respected rock veteran in 1999, but it had been years since he had a hit, even if he continued to fare well on the concert circuits. Clive Davis, the man who had signed Santana to Columbia in 1968, offered him the opportunity to set up shop at his label, Arista. In the tradition of comebacks and label debuts by veteran artists in the '90s, Supernatural, Santana's first effort for Arista, is designed as a star-studded event. At first listen, there doesn't seem to be a track that doesn't have a guest star, which brings up the primary problem with the album — despite several interesting or excellent moments, it never develops a consistent voice that holds the album together. The fault doesn't lay with the guest stars or even with Santana, who continues to turn in fine performances. There's just a general directionless feeling to the record, enhanced by several songs that seem like excuses for jams, which, truth be told, isn't all that foreign on latter-day Santana records. Then again, the grooves often play better than the ploys for radio play, but that's not always the case, since Lauryn Hill's "Do You Like the Way" and the Dust Brothers-produced, Eagle-Eye Cherry-sung "Wishing It Was" are as captivating as the Eric Clapton duet, "The Calling." But that just confirms that Supernatural just doesn't have much of a direction, flipping between traditional Santana numbers and polished contemporary collaborations, with both extremes being equally likely to hit or miss. That doesn't quite constitute a triumph, but the peak moments of Supernatural are some of Santana's best music of the '90s, which does make it a successful comeback.

Track listing:
01 - "(Da Le) Yaleo" – 5:53
02 - "Love of My Life" feat. Dave Matthews & Carter Beauford – 5:47
03 - "Put Your Lights On" feat. Everlast – 4:45
04 - "Africa Bamba" – 4:42
05 - "Smooth" feat. Rob Thomas – 4:58
06 - "Do You Like the Way" feat. Lauryn Hill & Cee-Lo – 5:54
07 - "Maria Maria" feat. The Product G&B – 4:22
08 - "Migra" – 5:28
09 - "Corazón Espinado" feat. Mana (F. Olvera) – 4:36
10 - "Wishing It Was" feat. Eagle-Eye Cherry – 4:52
11 - "El Farol" – 4:51
12 - "Primavera" – 6:18
13 - "The Calling" feat. Eric Clapton (C. Santana & C. Thompson) – 7:48
14 - "Day of Celebration" (Bonus Track) – 4:28

Length 74:59

"Day of Celebration" is not officially listed because it is a hidden track. It is preceded by 12 seconds of silence from the end of "The Calling". Technically, it is part of "The Calling", making the total track length 12:28.

Released: June 15, 1999
Recorded: 1998–1999
Genre: Latin rock, Alternative Rock, Hard Rock, Blues Rock
Label: Arista Records
Producers: Clive Davis, Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis, The Dust Brothers, Alex Gonzales, Charles Goodan, Lauryn Hill, Art Hodge, Wyclef Jean, Fher Olvera, K.C. Porter, Dante Ross, Matt Serletic

Personnel

(Da Le) Yaleo
Guitar - Carlos Santana
Keyboards - Chester Thompson
Bass - Benny Rietveld
Drums - Billy Johnson
Percussion - Karl Perazzo
Congas - Raul Rekow
Vocals - Carlos Santana, Karl Perazzo, Tony Lindsay
Trombone - Jose Abel Figueroa, Mic Gillette
Trumpet - Marvin McFadden, Mic Gillette

Love of My Life
Guitar - Carlos Santana
Lead Vocal - Dave Matthews
Keyboards - George Whitty
Bass - Benny Rietveld
Drums - Carter Beauford
Congas & Percussion - Karl Perazzo

Put Your Lights On
Lead Guitar - Carlos Santana
Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vocal - Everlast
Keyboards - Chester Thompson
Programming - John Gamble
Congas & Percussion - Carlos Santana
Bass - Benny Rietveld

Africa Bamba
Guitar - Carlos Santana
Keyboards - Chester Thompson
Bass - Benny Rietveld
Drums - Horacio Hernandez
Percussion - Karl Perazzo
Congas - Raul Rekow
Lead Vocal - Carlos Santana
Vamp Out Vocal - Karl Perazzo
Background Vocals - Carlos Santana, Karl Perazzo, Tony Lindsay

Smooth
Lead Guitar - Carlos Santana
Lead Vocal - Rob Thomas
Keyboards - Chester Thompson
Bass - Benny Rietveld
Drums - Rodney Holmes
Percussion - Karl Perazzo
Congas - Raul Rekow
Trombone - Jeff Cressman, Jose Abel Figueroa
Trumpet - Javier Melendez, William Ortiz

Do You Like The Way
Lead Guitar - Carlos Santana
Lead Vocals - Lauryn Hill, Cee-Lo
Rhythm Guitar - Francis Dunnery, Al Anderson
Keyboards - Loris Holland
Programming - Kobie Brown, Che Pope
Bass - Tom Barney
Background Vocals - Lenesha Randolph, Lauryn Hill
Saxophone & Flute - Danny Wolinski
Trombone - Steve Toure
Trumpet & Flugelhorn - Earl Gardner
Tuba - Joseph Daley

Maria Maria
Guitar - Carlos Santana
Lead Vocal - The Product G&B
Additional Vocal - Carlos Santana
Cello - Joseph Herbert
Viola - Daniel Seidenberg, Hari Balakrisnan
Violin - Jeremy Cohen

Migra
Guitar & Sleigh Bells - Carlos Santana
Keyboards - Chester Thompson
Programming & Accordion - K. C. Porter
Bass - Benny Rietveld
Drums - Rodney Holmes
Percussion - Karl Perazzo
Congas - Raul Rekow
Vocals - Tony Lindsay, Karl Perazzo, K. C. Porter
Trombone - Ramon Flores, Mic Gillette
Trumpet - Jose Abel Figueroa, Marvin McFadden, Mic Gillette

Corazón Espinado
Lead Guitar - Carlos Santana
Lead Vocal - Fher
Rhythm Guitar - Sergio Vallin
Keyboards - Alberto Salas, Chester Thompson
Bass - Juan D. Calleros
Drums - Alex Gonzales
Timbales & Percussion - Karl Perazzo
Congas - Raul Rekow
Background Vocals - Gonzalo Chomat, Alez Gonzales
Vocal Direction - Jose Quintana

Wishing It Was
Lead & Rhythm Guitar - Carlos Santana
Lead Vocal - Eagle-Eye Cherry
Background Vocals - Chad & Earl
Keyboards - Chester Thompson
Bass - Benny Rietveld
Drums - Rodney Holmes
Timbales & Percussion - Karl Perazzo
Congas & Percussion - Raul Rekow
Additional Percussion - Humberto Hernandez

El Farol
Lead Guitar - Carlos Santana
Rhythm Guitar & Percussion - Raul Pacheco
Keyboards & Programming - K. C. Porter, Chester Thompson
Bass - Benny Rietveld
Drums - Greg Bissonette
Timbales - Karl Perazzo
Congas - Raul Rekow

Primavera
Lead Guitar - Carlos Santana
Rhythm Guitar - J. B. Eckl
Keyboards - K.C. Porter, Chester Thompson
Programming - K. C. Porter
Bass - Mike Porcaro
Drums - Jimmy Keegan
Timbales & Percussion - Karl Perazzo
Congas & Percussion - Luis Conte
Lead Vocal - K. C. Porter
Background Vocals - K. C. Porter, Fher, Tony Lindsay, C. Santana, Karl Perazzo
Spanish Translation - Chein Garcia Alonso

The Calling
Lead & Rhythm Guitar - Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana
Keyboards - Chester Thompson
Programming - Mike Mani
Percussion - Carlos Santana
Vocals - Tony Lindsay, Jeanie Tracy
Pro Tools Editing - Andre for Screaming Lizard

(03) The Counting Crows - August And Everything After (1993)

Counting Crows is a rock band originating from Berkeley, California.
August and Everything After is the first commercially-released album, released September 14, 1993, featured the hit single "Mr. Jones". The band's influences include Van Morrison, R.E.M., Mike & The Mechanics, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, and The Band.
The album cover depicts handwritten lyrics to a song called "August and Everything After", but the band decided against featuring the song on the album of the same name; it wasn't until over a decade later that it was played as part of one of their live concerts. A live performance of the song can be viewed here.

Singer Adam Duritz (former member of the Bay Area band The Himalayans) and guitarist Dave Bryson formed Counting Crows in San Francisco in 1991. As well as his experience in The Himalayans, Duritz had contributed to recordings by the Bay Area group Sordid Humor ("Barbarossa"), although he was never a member. Counting Crows began as an acoustic duo, playing gigs in and around Berkeley and San Francisco. Another friend, guitarist David Immerglück played with them from time to time, though he was not an official member of the group, experimenting with other musicians in the area. As the emerging band recorded some demos, and later, as other musicians joined the duo to make a full band, Immerglück recorded with the others on some of the songs on their first album. He declined joining the band at the time, because of his membership in two other locally popular bands; Monks of Doom and Camper Van Beethoven. By 1993, the band had grown to a stable lineup of Duritz as vocalist, occasional pianist and primary songwriter, Bryson on guitar, Matt Malley playing bass guitar, Charlie Gillingham on keyboards and Steve Bowman, as drummer, and the band were regulars in the Bay Area scene. The same year, the band signed to Geffen Records. By January 16, 1993, the band, still relatively unknown, filled in for Van Morrison at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, and was introduced by an enthusiastic Robbie Robertson. At the ceremony, they played a cover of Van Morrison's "Caravan" that is available for free on some internet sites (www.AnnaBegins.com). They remain the only unknowns ever to play the ceremony.

All tracks written by Adam Duritz unless otherwise indicated.

Tracklist:
01 - "Round Here" (Duritz, Dave Janusko, Dan Jewett, Chris Roldan, David Bryson) – 5:32
02 - "Omaha" – 3:40
03 - "Mr. Jones" (Duritz, Bryson) – 4:33
04 - "Perfect Blue Buildings" – 5:01
05 - "Anna Begins" (Duritz, Bryson, Marty Jones, Toby Hawkins, Lydia Holly) – 4:32
06 - "Time and Time Again" (Duritz, Bryson, Charlie Gillingham, Steve Bowman, Don Dixon) – 5:13
07 - "Rain King" (Duritz, Bryson) – 4:16
08 - "Sullivan Street" (Duritz, Bryson) – 4:29
09 - "Ghost Train" – 4:01
10 - "Raining in Baltimore" – 4:41
11 - "A Murder of One" (Duritz, Bryson, Matt Malley) – 5:44

Length 51:42

Personnel
Matt Malley – bass, guitar, vocals
Charlie Gillingham – piano, Hammond B3 organ, accordion, Chamberlan, vocals
Adam Duritz – vocals, piano, harmonica
Steve Bowman – drums, vocals
David Bryson – guitars, vocals
Additional personnel
David Immerglück – guitars, mandolins, pedal steel guitar, mandocello, vocals
Bill Dillon – guitar, guitorgan
Denny Fongheiser – percussion, drums on 3
T-Bone Burnett – guitar
Gary Louris – backing vocals
Mark Olson – backing vocals
Maria McKee – backing vocals

Released: September 14, 1993 (1993-09-14)
Recorded: 1993, Los Angeles
Genre: Rock
Label: Geffen Records
Producer: T-Bone Burnett

(02) The Jayhawks - Hollywood Town Hall (1992)

In 1992 the Jayhawks had their major label release, “Hollywood Town Hall”, on Def American. The album was produced by Drakoulias and recorded primarily in Los Angeles and at Pachyderm Recording Studio in Minnesota. Though Louris' fuzzy guitar was at the forefront, a clear folksy influence was also emerging in Olson and Louris' songwriting. The album was a hit, powered by the single "Waiting for the Sun", and it brought the Jayhawks a wider fanbase.

The Jayhawks' breakthrough album is a roots rock classic. "Like folk music, but really loud," is how guitarist Gary Louris liked to describe the Jayhawks, but the reality is more complex--try the country-rock sound of the Flying Burrito Brothers, Neil Young, or the Band married to white-boy soul, bar band rawness, and a slight alternative edge. “Hollywood Town Hall” is a masterpiece of American songwriting, blending irresistible melodies, ringing guitars, and Louris and Olson's gorgeous harmonies with moody, imagery-rich lyrics.

The album – ten songs that blend into a seamless whole – conjures images of the Flying Burrito Brothers touching down in Minnesota. The key is song-writers Gary Louris and Mark Olson – a team that possesses an uncanny knack for making the most rudimentary offering seem fresh. The songs on Town Hall amble easily down the path already cut by kindred spirits like Neil Young and the Burrito Brothers before them. But when Louris's and Olson's voices rise together, the resulting magic somehow seems like nothing you've heard before. "Waiting for the Sun," which lays Louris's guitar crunch beneath the tune's laid-back sway, almost becomes an anthem, while "Clouds" revels in the pure fun of country-tinged jangle as it subversively spits out lyrics like "The God of the rich man ain't the God for the poor."

All songs by Mark Olson and Gary Louris except "Witchita" by Olson, Louris and Marc Perlman.

Tracklist:
01 - "Waiting for the Sun" – 4:19
02 - "Crowded in the Wings" – 4:55
03 - "Clouds" – 4:51
04 - "Two Angels" – 4:04
05 - "Take Me with You (When You Go)" – 4:50
06 - "Sister Cry" – 4:08
07 - "Settled Down Like Rain" – 3:00
08 - "Wichita" – 5:26
09 - "Nevada, California" – 4:05
10 - "Martin's Song" – 2:58

Total Time: 42:36

Personnel:
Mark Olson – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, vocals
Marc Perlman – bass
Ken Callahan – drums
Gary Louris – electric guitar, fuzz guitar, guitar, vocals

Additional musicians:
Charley Drayton – ?
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Benmont Tench – organ

Production notes:
George Drakoulias – producer
Howie Weinberg – mastering
Tom Herbers – engineer
Brian Jenkins – engineer
Brendan O'Brien – engineer
Jim Rondinelli – engineer
Joe Henry – liner notes
Martyn Atkins – art direction

Released: 1992
Recorded: Hollywood Sound and Pachyderm Studio
Genre: Rock
Label: American Recordings
Producer: George Drakoulias

(01) U2 - Pop (1997)

“Pop” is the ninth studio album by Irish rock band U2, released in March 1997. It is notable for combining elements of popular techno, dance, and electronica influences with traditional alternative rock.
U2 were rushed into completing “Pop”, even after delaying the album by four months, as the band had booked the elaborately-staged PopMart Tour ahead of time while still in the studio. Since the album's release, many of its songs have been re-recorded and remixed. Although an early commercial success at the time of its release — it reached number one in 32 countries, including the UK and the US —Pop's lifetime sales are among the lowest in U2's catalogue, and critical reaction was mixed. It was certified RIAA platinum once, the lowest since the band's album “October”.

For “Pop”, U2 continued the sonic experimentation it explored with “Achtung Baby” and “Zooropa”. “Pop” prominently features tape loops, programming, rhythm sequencing, and sampling, along with heavy, funky dance rhythms. Guitarist The Edge described the album as "about as far away from U2 as it is possible to be". The album is much more dark and experimental than, as the title would imply, light and mainstream.
Commencing in early 1996, the recording of the album was fraught with difficulty. The biggest problem U2 faced was meeting the Christmas and holiday season deadline that had been set for the album's completion. Additionally, the band had already booked their upcoming PopMart Tour, scheduled to start in April 1997. However, the album sessions went long and the band were pressured to complete the album in time for their tour. “Pop” did not end up hitting shelves until March 1997. The band has since admitted they were hurried into completing the album and say that a number of tracks on the album were not finished as well as they would have liked. The vocals to "Last Night on Earth", for example, were reportedly recorded at the mixing desk the day the album was to be sent for pressing. Bono admitted that the album "didn't communicate the way it was intended to".

All songs written and composed by U2, with lyrics by Bono and The Edge.

Tracklist:
01. "Discothèque" 5:19
02. "Do You Feel Loved" 5:07
03. "Mofo" 5:46
04. "If God Will Send His Angels" 5:22
05. "Staring at the Sun" 4:36
06. "Last Night on Earth" 4:45
07. "Gone" 4:26
08. "Miami" 4:52
09. "The Playboy Mansion" 4:40
10. "If You Wear That Velvet Dress" 5:14
11. "Please" 5:10
12. "Wake Up Dead Man" 4:52

Total Time: 60:09

U2
Bono – lead vocals, additional guitar
The Edge – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Adam Clayton – bass guitar
Larry Mullen, Jr. – drums, percussion, programming

Other personnel:
Flood – production, keyboards
Steve Osborne – production, keyboards, engineering, mixing
Ben Hillier – programming
Howie B – production, turntables, keyboards, engineering, mixing
Marius De Vries – keyboards
Mark "Spike" Stent - engineering, mixing
Alan Moulder - engineering
Howie Weinberg - mastering
Deborah Mannis-Gardner - sample clearance
Stephane Sédnaoui, Anja Grabert - photography
Nellee Hooper - photography

Released: March 3, 1997 (1997-03-03)
Recorded: Hanover Quay Studios,
Windmill Lane Studios,
The Works, Dublin, Ireland,
South Beach Studios, Miami, Florida, 1996
Genre: Rock, alternative rock, alternative dance, electronica
Label: Island Records
Producer: Flood, Howie B, Steve Osborne