Cake
Pressure Chief

Finally, a new album from an established band that doesn't disappoint. Pressure Chief offers all that you would expect from Cake--a mixture of country, rock, alternative, lone trumpeter and the signature talk/sing style of John McCrea. This album also adds a heavier dose of electronic and deeper melodies than the band's previous works.

As usual, Cake serves up a great radio hit with the keyboard driven "No Phone." This single is ably backed by a nice blend of great tunes and background yelps and hahs. That's not to say the album is perfect. "Baskets" and "Waiting" are a bit dull.

Pressure Chief is one of those records that you listen to and just feel good. The upbeat, disco tune "Carbon Monoxide" may cause you to get out of your chair and shake your money maker. My choice for best song, however, is "The End of the Movie" a quiet little banjo number. The accordeon solo makes me sit back and happily sigh. Pop music needs more accordeon.

Megadeth
The System has Failed

Does Megadeth resurrect metal with this political rant album? No.

Dave Mustane and the boys rifle through 12 songs with as much fury as ever. Unfortunately, it sounds a bit sludgy. There are few standout tracks other the opener, "Blackmail the Universe," a song about the president's helicopter being shot down and "Die Dead Enough," which offers the album's only song with a memorable hook.

The Skinny: This album still pummels listeners with the metal, and isn't that really all that we're looking for.

Outkast
ATLiens

Since I hadn't checked out Outkast's pre-Stankonia material, I figured I would give this one a try.

ATLiens, Outkast's second album,is Big Boi and Dre before their huge success. The album has a very relaxed feel, with most of the tracks with a slower tempo.

There are no "Ms. Jackson" or "So Fresh So Clean" on this one, but "ATLiens" is certainly in the same league as those songs.

The Skinny: If you want to be a serious Outkast fan, you'll need this record to see how they got to where they are now.

Ima Robot

With a name like "Ima Robot," I figured this band would have to be cool. After hearing the track "Dynomite" (again, a very cool name) I thought I would be very impressed by the band's debut, self-titled record. I was very wrong.

Much like Hot Hot Heat and The Killers, Ima Robot tries to tug on the heartstrings of those who love(d) The Cure. Unfortunately, in trying to dig up some hits from the 80s, singer Alex Ebert mistakenly channeled the high-pitched squeal of Rush's Getty Lee.

This record aims for fun, danceable rock but ends up crossing over into the very annoying.

The Skinny: Pass on this one, please pass.

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