The Best Albums You Probably Haven't Heard  

Reviews by Todd Carlson  

 I remember it clearly. Moke opened for King's X on their Manic Moonlight tour. I had never heard of them before, but they made a big impression. After their set, literally half of the venue was at the merchandise table buying their CD.

     Carnival , their second album, was released in 2001. It was classic british, guitar-driven rock with pinch of alternative and a dash of pop at a time in which most rock bands were experimenting with rap and electronica. That vintage vibe, along with a crisp, modern production, helped this album to stand out. From the opening punch of  "My Degeneration" to the mellow soundscape of closer "Fluicide" , there isn't a bad song in the bunch. John Hogg's vocals are equal parts grit and soul and his melodies are infectious. A very solid effort that should have gotten a lot more attention.

Diffuser formed in 1994 on Long Island,NY. Lead by Tomas Costanza, they only recorded 2 major label albums before their break-up in 2004. Their first release was "Injury Loves Melody".

    The album is 11 tracks of what can be described as alternative, but definitely leaning towards the rock side. Unlike a lot of alternative, it's a rich texture of great hooks with many layers of guitars and vocals. From uptempo songs such as "I Am" and "Karma" , to the slower "Loser of The Year" , the album has a nice cohesive feel to it.