'Concert For A Cause IV' album now in stores and available online

Click here to buy 'Concert For A Cause IV' CD online!

* "Meteors" by Plus 3 - This excellent tune comes from the band's excellent CD, "Late Nights and Lost Causes." It is beautifully written, highly melodic and one of the best songs that this very good band has ever recorded. It also seemed to have the perfect tempo and feel to start the album with. A true gem.

* "Walk Alone" by The Five Percent - It was tough picking a tune from this group's debut CD, "3483 Seconds of Your Life," to include on the CFC IV album. They're all very good. This track, however - also highly melodic - is my personal favorite. It's thoughtful and engaging, and fits the album perfectly. Trust me. You'll dig it.

* "Gentleman East" by Bret Alexander - Bret Alexander is the most talented man I have ever known, and this song - the title track from his first solo CD outside of The Badlees and The Cellarbirds - properly showcases that talent. It's moody and, like all of Bret's work, highly cinematic. And while Pete Palladino almost always sings most of the songs with The Badlees, this track reveals that Alexander can also sing with the best of them. Terrific tune.

* "Happy" by … uh, me - Yikes. I did it again. For the past two years, I contributed a song to the CFC album. In 2004 it was one of my own tunes, "Summer Days," and last year, I covered The Beatles "Blackbird." This year, I pay homage to the great Bruce Springsteen by offering a rendition of a very rare song found only on his "Tracks" box set. I really love the imagery of this tune, and the most fun part of doing it - besides recording it with Bret Alexander - was trying to secure the licensing to release it. Bruce's lawyers told me that, as far as they knew, the song had never been covered before, and - get this - I wrote the check out directly to Bruce Springsteen. Talk about owning your own publishing. You gotta love The Boss.

* "Breathless" by k8 - This track, from k8's forthcoming CD, is available only on the CFC IV album. Like the songs on her 2004 debut CD, "Something Out of Nothing," this soulful number offers a listen to one of NEPA's most passionate songwriters. It will also have you waiting with great anticipation for the day she unveils the rest of her next album. For now, however, CFC IV will have to do, but you'll appreciate the early listen to this memorable song. The lady has talent.

* "Ritual" by Crush - Another great song available only on the CFC IV album. Though Crush is known best for its roots-rock covers, they've contributed this excellent number to this year's charity album. And if you haven't heard any of the band's originals, you'll be wondering - after you hear this song - why you haven't heard more. Vocalists Eric Rudy and Krysten Montgomery sound perfect together and the hooks are undeniable.

* "My Dream" by 40-Lb. Head - The always entertaining 40-Lb. Head played all four "Concert For Karen" shows and will be playing "Concert For A Cause" for the fourth time. When it comes to trying to give something back to the community, these guys are among the best, and this year, they've donated this fun, rock-meets-pop number from their "Third Shift" CD. If you dig the Head, you'll dig the tune. Frankly, CFC wouldn't feel the same without this band on the bill and on the album.

* "Video Killed the Radio Star" by M-80 - This track is an absolute blast. It is one of the most fun yet also true-to-the-original covers you'll ever hear, and it would make The Buggles proud. The tune is most famous for being the first video ever played on MTV, on Aug. 1, 1981, and this funky treatment is available only on the CFC IV album. Pop this baby in, and - if you haven't seen them yet - you'll be heading out even before CFC to check out M-80.

* "Sleeping With the Enemy" by The Collective - Yet another song available only on the "Concert For A Cause IV" album. This is the first new music from The Collective in more than three years and is tentatively set to appear on the band's forthcoming CD, "Bar Star." When this band first arrived on the local music scene five years ago, it described itself as hip-pop-soul. That's still what it does best, and the chorus to this tune is so damn catchy that after just one or two listens it'll be going through your head all day. It's already a fan-favorite at the group's live shows. Now, you can own it.

* "What More" by Panacea - This explosive modern-rock gem comes from the group's new CD, "Anodyne." Panacea is a very promising band that already has a sizable following in the Berwick and Bloomsburg areas and is looking to bust in a bit more to the north. This is their first time playing the CFC show, and if you're wondering why they've been added to the bill, just check out this song. These dudes rock with passion and precision.

* "Drone" by Lessen One - Like five other bands on this year's CFC bill, Lessen One will be playing the show for the first time. This group combines elements of acoustic-based rock and modern-rock into its sets, but there's nothing subtle about this loud number that comes from their forthcoming EP. It rocks, it is aggressive and it closes the CFC album with a bang. Just how we like it.

Also appearing at CFC IV will be Breaking Benjamin, Flaxy Morgan, Music For Models and Bad Hair Day. Again, only 1,000 copies of "Concert For A Cause IV" CD have been pressed, and it is available for a limited time only at Gallery of Sound stores. And again, all money raised from the CD will aid the WVCA, a non-profit organization that provides special programs to kids with developmental disabilities.

11 songs. $5 bucks. All for the kids.

Pretty good reason to visit the record store, or to buy it online.

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