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In today's technologically advanced age, music is literally at our fingertips. No longer do we have to buy an entire CD, or if you are from my generation, a cassette tape or wait endlessly on the radio to hear your favorite music.

In this day of ipods and MP3 players all you have to do is head to your computer desk to find, buy and download just about any song that you wish.  But, I know I'm not telling anyone something they don't already know. However, it is because of this wonderful way to access the music you want, anytime you want, it is how I am able to do this particular review.

The name DJ Ashba has become a common name in today's rock world, due to his partnership with Nikki Sixx and James Michael to create the genius that is Sixx:A.M.  But, it is further back into DJ's musical career that I'm currently drawn to.

Back in 2004, DJ hooked up with Kyle Spicer (vocals), John Younger (bass) and Bones Elias (drums) to form the band ASHBA.  And from this EP is the music that I wish to showcase.

I of course, was drawn into DJ's sound after hearing Sixx:A.M. and from the first time I heard The Heroin Diaries, I wanted to hear more of his work.  So in following the proverbial yellow brick road of his sound, I was first drawn to his work with Beautiful Creatures.  And in talking and getting to know other Ashbaites, I soon learned of his music with Ashba, starting with Love Always Lets Me Down, Someday and Wonder.

It was these three songs, with their stories of love lost and heartache along with desire and longing, mingled with strong melodies and vocals that cut right to your soul that drove me to find other songs put out by this amazing foursome.  DJ's guitar work is nothing less that what we have seen in his work with both Beautiful Creatures and Sixx:A.M.  And like his playing in both of the other bands, he pours his soul through the tips of his fingers.  Mingled with Kyle Spicer's haunting vocals it is a combination that as Guy Fieri says, "is money".

Respect and Break Everything takes a harder hit with both the lyrics and bone crunching bass and drums and guitar work as brilliant and hot as fireworks, while Blind takes more of a melodious turn with and undercurrent of force, mixed with impacting lyrics, driving home a power ballad of momentous proportion. 

All in all the music of Ashba falls into line with that of DJ's other projects in the category of "I can listen to this and NEVER get tired of it".  Songs from this EP sit in my myspace music player next to Wish and Wasted by BC and  Dead Man's Ballet and Life is Beautiful by Sixx:A.M.  And you can rest assured that if it hails from Ashbaland, you are not in anyway going to go wrong.

I have to give credit where credit is due and give thanks to Road Crew's very own Ang as she was instrumental in helping me dig up the goodies for this review!!  Thanks Ang, you so rock!

http://www.electrovoice.com/pressreleases/222.html

By Lis

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