Following are reviews of recent rock, pop collection and contemporary instrumental albums.
VERUCA SALT; "Eight Arms to Hold You" (Outpost). * * 1/2
After hitting the rock scene in 1994 with the debut "American Thighs," Veruca Salt made a name for itself with a Breeders-flavored tune called "Seether."
Now the band is back with a new album (and a new drummer - Stacy Jones, formerly with Letters to Cleo). "Eight Arms to Hold You" is a mature sound for Veruca Salt's sometimes breathy harmonies.
Produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue), the album does have some metal hooks and punches that, surprisingly, complement Veruca Salt's arrangements.
Yes, the drums sound big, the mixes have ear-pleasing harmonies and there are some cool screaming guitar leads, especially during the single "Volcano Girls." And if you really give this album a serious listen, you will come away thinking the album isn't half bad.
It isn't. Even though anything tied with heavy rock (including producers) have been shunned by the modern-music populace, producer Rock gives Veruca Salt a push in the pop-rock direction the band needs to go.
VARIOUS ARTISTS; "Dog Songs" (Walt Disney Records). * * 1/2
With the live movie remake of Disney's originally animated "101 Dalmatians," there seems to be a 101 ways to capitalize on the idea. Stuffed animals, videos, fast-food ties and albums.
The latest album to emerge from the enterprising Disney studios is "Dog Songs." Now, before you start to shake your head, you must realize that the songs on this album - with the exception of Dr. John's remake of "Cruella De Vil" - don't appear in the movie. Whew!
Still, every song on the album has something to do with dogs. That's the catch.
Among them are the Dorseys' "My Dog Loves Your Dog," originally released in 1934; and the Everly Brothers' "Bird Dog," from 1958. Coming down the time line is Paul Anka's "Puppy Love," Lobo's "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" and Rufus Thomas' "Walkin' the Dog."
What would a dog album be without "(How Much Is) That Doggie In the Window" and Harry Nilsson's "Me and My Arrow." Oh, yeah, did we mention Jerry Lee Lewis' take on "Hound Dog?"
Well, that's what's here - a mishmash of jazz, easy rock and country. While certain songs don't seem to fit together well, it's nice to let the mellow syncopation of Maria Muldaur's "(Happy Little Nobody's) Waggy Tail Dog" ease the nerves after a rambunctious romp with the Monkees "I'm Gonna Buy Me a Dog."
THIRD FORCE; "Vital Force" (Higher Octave). * * 1/2
Third Force's third album, "Vital Force," brings out more jazz than contemporary-instrumental - and that seems to indicate the band is exactly where it should be on its evolutionary road.
Mixing flugelhorns by Rick Braun, acoustic guitars by Peter White and Craig Chaquico, Third Force - comprised of multi-instrumentalists William Aura, Craig Dobbin and Alain Eskinasi - create world-music jams that sparkle with spontaneity.
While the cuts "In the Full Moon Light" and "No Doubt" have a funky jazz flair, the trio also spins a sentimental mood on "You Gotta Be Real" and "Lift Me Higher."
"Vital Force" doesn't have any one knockout track. Instead, it winds through comfortable moods that are, on occasion, highlighted by horns, piano, acoustic guitars and flutes.
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.