CDs of 
Rich Bongorno's
Top
CDs of
Peter
Gabriel - Up (9/24/2002)
This was take a few listens for you appreciate how good it is. Check out the first single, "The Barry Williams Show", or a couple of the more upbeat numbers -- "Growing Up" and "More Than This". It's been 10 years since Peter's last studio release (Us - 1992). This one was worth the wait.
Deep Forest - Music
Detected (7/30/2002) (A)
This is the fourth studio release from this odd duo of Michel Sanchez and Eric Mouquet. An "evolution" from prior releases but every bit as good. Check out "India" and "Endangered Species". The leader in the World Beat genre.
The
Wallflowers - Red Letter Days (11/5/2002) 
Another great effort from Jakob Dylan and his pals. These guys are consistently excellent. This CD features one excellent song after another. Especially good are "Empire of my Mind" (the hidden track), "Everybody Out of the Water" and "Here in Pleasantville".
Dream Theater - Six
Degrees of Inner Turbulence (1/29/2002)
I thankfully discovered these guys with a listen to Metropolis, Part 1 -- a great tune. This fits the genre of Progressive Metal, melodic but raw and powerful. This is a 2 CD set. Great tunes include "Glass Prison", "The Great Debate" and the title track (a 7-part song that covers the entire second disc).
Warren
Zevon - My Ride's Here (5/7/2002) 
This will likely be Warren's penultimate release as his cancer is predicted to take him away from us in 2003. While his final release (The Wind) will get all the attention, this release (just prior to his diagnosis) may have been his best ever. Great, off-beat classics are included here: "Lord Byron's Luggage", "Hit Somebody! (The Hockey Song)" and "Genius" are three. "Basket Case" is the title song from a book by Carl Hiaasen (who co-wrote it). Topping it off are prophetic, emotional classics: "I Have to Leave" and "My Ride's Here".
Phil Collins - Testify (11/12/2002)
OK, you can't believe how Phil Collins makes such a prestigious list of music -- this guy's lame. Guess again. Again Phil comes up with a solid work of pop music that scores from beginning to end.
Josh
Joplin Group - The Future That Was (9/24/2002) 
This is one of the truly talented, up-and-coming bands in the alt-rock arena. Their second major-label release, this improves on the extremely good Useful Music (1999). Kind of a cross between R.E.M., Dave Matthews Band and The Wallflowers, Josh provides a unique vocal sound with some whacked-out lyrics to go with his great songwriting. Catch the classic "Siddhartha's of Suburbia" and "Wonderful Ones". Look for some big things from Josh and this talented band.
Darren Hayes - Spin (3/19/2002)
One half of the pop duo Savage Garden, Darren has stepped out on his own to produce this gem of the pop genre. Funky beats, catchy hooks and great melodies jump out all over this CD. Check out "Creepin' Up On You", "Strange Relationship" and "Crush (1980 Me)" as three great examples of his work.
Bruce
Hornsby - Big Swing Face (6/25/2002) 
Not as good as Spirit Trail (1998) which is my best CD of the '90s, but this is a winner nonetheless. If you can imagine, this CD has barely a hint of piano from one of the best piano players of our time. Different, in a good way, check out "The Chill", "Try Anything Once" and "Sticks & Stones".
Avril Lavigne - Let Go (6/4/2002)
I'm joining the crowd on this one. A solid debut effort in the pop/rock genre. Many good tunes on this CD -- all of them are quite listenable. Try out the big hit "Complicated" or pick a lesser know "Losing Grip" or "Naked". She has been unconvincing live so I'll be very interested to see if she can repeat on her sophomore effort.
Last Updated: March 03, 2007