When Orgy burst on the scene two years ago with their debut album Candyass, they were thought of by many as little more than a band lucky enough to have the blessing of Korn and be the first signing to the band’s Elementree Records. Soon enough, however, Orgy cast their own platinum shadow when their take on New Order’s "Blue Monday" climbed the rock, pop, and even dance music charts. Now the band has returned with their sophomore release Vapor Transmission, with the hopes of establishing themselves as hitmakers with their own material.

The new disc relies heavily upon the synth metal journey they embarked upon with 1998’s Candyass, but rarely does it diversify enough to make it overly interesting. The first single off of the disc, "Fiction (Dreams in Digital)," is a definite attention getter. Standing out recently on the radio airwaves as a quality contrast to the rap/metal and boy band combos of the world, the track gives a legitimate update to the synth pop sounds of the mid-’80s, making sure to add enough edge to appease the agro-obsessive youth while allowing an older audience to wax nostalgic of days past. Unfortunately the only other song that piques the same type of interest is the track that follows it, "Eva," a slower, moodier track, but with a beat and hook to keep interest throughout. The remainder of the disc tends to blur together in a wall of synthesizers, distorted vocals, and watered down hooks. At times, little changes other than the tempo, and sometimes barely even that. Back to back tracks on the CD such as "Suckerface" and "The Odyssey" blend together such that unless one was paying attention they may not even realize the disc had moved onto a new song. It is easy to put this CD in, suddenly be through half the tracks, and realize very little has caught you attention and you aren’t even sure how you got halfway through the disc!

Still, Orgy must be given some credit for doing something a tad bit different in a time when most bands go platinum imitating their contemporaries. Will Orgy become the standalone hitmakers they long to be? Well, in today’s musical climate it only takes one or two songs to become MTV’s "TRL" darlings of the moment, and even though that is all Vapor Transmission has, it may just be enough. (Reprise)

I remember the first time I heard the song "Sultans of Swing." There was something strangely perfect about it, and to this day, whenever it comes on the radio, I stop whatever I’m doing and turn it up. Mark Knopfler has always been a master of perfectly tasteful guitar, lyrics, arrangements, and vocals, and his new solo album, Sailing to Philadelphia, is no exception to this rule. From the first notes of the first song, the music is unmistakable. Mark Knopfler has a remarkably fluid guitar style comparable only to Phil Keaggy or Chet Atkins. Notes drip from the fret board like mercury at his touch, perfectly balanced by Jim Cox’s exquisite Hammond work, and a rock solid backing band. Throughout the CD, various guest musicians bring additional elements into play. Van Morrison and James Taylor are each featured in songs that Mark Knopfler seems to have written specifically for their individual vocal styles.