Don't call it a comeback!

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It seems 2008 is the year of the musical comeback for a few well-known artists, as legends Metallica, AC/DC, Journey and LL Cool J are all releasing new albums. But how do they stack up against the originals?

Metallica

then - Master Of Puppets (released 1986; performance from 1989)




now - The Day That Never Comes (2008)




Does it stack up? Well, when you take into account their most recent album, 2003's St. Anger (which was a travesty), there's really nowhere to go but up. Surely the band's newer material must be better than that, right? Right?

Death Magnetic, which was released Tuesday, is a definite throwback to Metallica's older material. It's a step in the right direction, but like so many other artists in this genre, after a few tracks all the chugging guitars start melting together and it all starts to sound the same.

Journey

then - Faithfully (1983, sung by Steve Perry)



now - Faithfully (2008, sung by Arnel Pineda)



As many drunken karaoke participants have probably found out, Journey is not a band most men can sing along to. It takes a special kind of vocal talent to hit the highs that Steve Perry made famous in the formative years of the band. But by some unexpected aligning of the planets, Journey happened upon 41-year-old Arnel Pineda, who was fronting an '80s cover band in the Philippines when he was called up to the big leagues.

Journey's first new album with Pineda, Revelation, was released in June. In case this is the first you've heard of it, there's not much need to worry. The band hasn't had any recent revelations in its songwriting, so the only thing fresh about the two-disc set is the addition of Pineda's strong vocals. Long-time fans should be delighted by the second disc, a live recording of the band doing justice to Journey's classic back catalog. So, let's review. The only good things about this album are a singer who sounds just like the original singer and covers of the band's old songs. Hmm.

AC/DC

then - Back in Black (released 1980; performance from 1981)




now - Rock 'N' Roll Train (2008)



From the first instant someone hears Rock 'N' Roll Train, that person is going to know it's AC/DC. That person will bob his head, nodding along to the familiar, jagged guitar sound. Then he'll be surprised when tries to sing along and realizes it's not a song from 1980. AC/DC has never really been known for its diversity, but that's OK. AC/DC is a one-trick-pony, but it's a hell of a trick. No matter how many times I hear the raunchy guitars and driving drums in the 1980 album Back in Black, I still nod my head and air-drum along. Now the band seems to be on the path to recreating the attitude from that same album - except many years later. Turns out we'll have to wait until Oct. 16 to find out whether the stylistic rehash is worth Angus Young squeezing back into his school uniform.

LL Cool J

then - Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)



now - Baby ft. The Dream (2008)



Over the years, rap pioneer LL Cool J has produced a steady stream of albums constantly changing and evolving with whatever is popular at the time. His songs almost always seem up-to-the-times and relevant, but they don't stay that way for long. He quickly adapts to the next type of style to dominate the airwaves, all while focusing his lyrics mainly on making women swoon while still maintaining his claim as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT). The Greatest What could be debatable, though - LL Cool J has definitely been a force in hip-hop over the years, but at this point in the 40-year-old's career, he may just be the Greatest Chameleon in hip-hop, struggling to blend in with the hottest flavors of the month. The only sticking point is that he earns his title with his 13th studio album, Exit 13 - a radio-friendly, club-ready compilation of songs split between the two major subjects of women and his elder status in the hip-hop community. So while it's true that LL Cool J's "been here for years," Mama told him to knock out any attempts at being profound in his lyrics a long time ago.

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What do you think? Are these artists washed up or just getting warmed up? Post your thoughts in a comment below or send them to podcasts@statehornet.com!