The Joshua Tree
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (15 June, 1990)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $11.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Having nearly exhausted their capacity for pop-song politics on War and The Unforgettable Fire, U2 turned toward themes of personal identity and complex relationships on The Joshua Tree. Not that the group was willing to come down off the barricades entirely: "Mothers of the Disappeared" and "Bullet the Blue Sky" turned a jaundiced eye toward Central America and the United States' role there. But the predominant mood here is one of self-discovery and the hunger for something more on tracks like the pulsating "Where the Streets Have No Name" and the gospel-ish "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." The album's masterstroke, however, is "With or Without You," a nasty love song dressed up as an ode of devotion and care. It ranks with the Police's "Every Breath You Take" as the most misread smash hit of the '80s. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (323)

Tremendous, epic rock album.
For me, The Joshua Tree is the best album of the 1980's. It had a notably long recording process, and saw the group travel to the Heartland of America for inspiration and for the memorable B&W cover art. The inspiration they found was in the direction of spirited, uplifting and sometimes heartbreaking sentiments delivered with fervour. Every song on the 11-track album is memorable. I'll start with my all-time favourite U2 song: Where The Streets Have No Name. I love this song dearly - it is about casting off one's shackles to find a true freedom of the spirit. I believe this theme is extended to the second single I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, which is about the search for spiritual meaning and an affirmation of faith despite a questioning soul. Songwriting does not get any better than these two tunes. With Or Without You is a brooding song that starts slowly , then winds into a majestic chorus before fading to a wonderful instrumental coda. Again, it evokes a strong passion clearly stated with no filters. U2 never made music this direct again, spinning off into irony and camp during their glittery 1990's Lemon sojourn, but these 3 all-time classics will never be forgotten. One Tree Hill is a passionate song for a NZ friend of the band's who was lost in an auto accident. Running To Stand Still is sort of exploring similar territory to 1984's Bad , but has a different feel, while the bleak Exit is an undiluted cry from someone at the end of a very dark tunnel of despair. The gentle refrain of Mothers Of The Disappeared is also about the painful emotions of the bereaved, but offers solace in the face of tyranny. In God's Country is a more straightforward tune that may have referred to the USA itself, where many patriots believe themselves divinely blessed. And why not?!!! U2 found the wellsprings of the rock and soul traditions in God's Country on their 1987 concert tour, and their American experiences are documented of course in the Rattle And Hum movie . This title comes from the incendiary track Bullet The Blue Sky, which is about the fear of the military and economic might of the USA in certain Central American regions. This became a dramatic concert favourite thereafter. Red Hill Mining Town is another track with a memorable, soaring vocal performance by Bono. The lightest touch on the album is in the tune Trip Through Your Wires. All in all, a richly emotional album with great music and inspiring lyrics. I have seen it written that the sound quality isn't the best. Not being an audiophile, I wouldn't know, but I really don't believe that matters much. All that matters is the music and the message. This is a 5-star masterpiece. Highly Recommended!

One for a desert island!
Being a U2 fan for many years, I thought the best U2 album was 'Achtung Baby' and didn't think any album by them could come close to it.

Well that all changed last week when I finally got around to buying 'Joshua Tree'. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't just an album to parade U2's probably three most famous songs. Talking of these three famous songs, if someone can name me an album which has a better trio of opening tracks than 'Where the Streets..', 'Still Haven't Found..' and 'With or Without You', I will truely be amazed. But as I was saying. This album isn't just about those three true great musical anthems. The first other song on the album that really struck me was 'Running to Stand Still'. A beautiful ballad about a heroin addict, it sees Bono at his song writing best. And then there is the truely amazing and unique 'Exit' - a real musical journey, building you to a musical frenzy and back again.

Other highlights of the album include the classic-rock styled 'Bullet the Blue Sky' and the ode to America 'In God's Country'. Most other classic albums have at least one 'album filler' track, but not with 'Joshua Tree'.

To conclude, all I can say is, do you think your music collection is complete? Well its certainly not complete without 'Joshua Tree' and if you don't own this album you are depriving yourself of a truely timeless epic album.

I certainly 'found what what I was looking for'...

A Timeless Classic
"The Joshua Tree was the album U2 HAD to make, the only one they COULD make"

Those are the words of Eamon Dunphy, author of "Unforgettable Fire - The Definitive Biography of U2", on U2's process of making a new record in 1986 and early 1987. That might sound like an over-dramatization for a rock record, but once you've heard the record, that thought goes out the window. This record, U2's exploration of America, is one of the quintessential rock records ever recorded. It is, varying with opinion, U2's masterpiece of masterpieces. Since this album was recorded back when it was still 'ok' to talk about records in the context of 'sides', I will say that every song on the first 'side' of this record is a classic. 'Where The Streets Have No Name' with an intro that ranks with the best of all time, 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' with a theme of longing that anyone can relate to, 'With Or Without You'(my favorite U2 track), one of the most popular breakup songs ever, 'Bullet The Blue Sky' with its hypnotic talk/chant at the end at Edge's furious and passionate solos, and 'Running To Stand Still' with its atmosphere of deep pain being held in. The second 'side' was comprised of lesser-known but no less mesmerizing songs: 'Red Hill Mining Town', 'In God's Country', 'Trip Through Your Wires', 'One Tree Hill', which was written for roadie Greg Carroll, who died in a motercycle wreck running an errand for U2, the dark and moody 'Exit', and the mournful and haunting ballad closer, 'Mothers Of The Disappeared'.

This record catapaulted U2 in a realm of superstardom seldom seen by any band. They were not expecting it and they were taken by surprise a bit. I own this record on vinyl, cassette, and CD, and I even have the 'Classic Albums' DVD for it. This album has that quality about it, that sets it apart from from all other albums that don't pocess it. What quality is that? This was the first U2 record I ever heard, and I remember listening to it for the first time at age 13, and thinking to myself, before the album was even half over, 'hey, whoa, this band is one of the best ever'. That's the quality. Just like when you listen to 'Revolver' or 'Abbey Road' or any record of that quality, before it is even finished, you know the band is one of the best ever. I was completely blown away. It is a draining experience, one that will leave you exhausted when the album reaches its conclusion.

Spiritually, emotionally, lyrically, musically, commercially, U2 reached their peak with this record, and it was a peak they would remain on for a while to come, starting with the "Joshua Tree Tour", their biggest tour to date at the time. And not only did U2 reach their peak, but it is also important to note that on this record, Bono reached his peak as a singer. For U2's whole career up to this point, he had progressively improved as a singer with each outing. On this record he made the leap from being a very good rock singer to being one of the great rock singers of all time. I submit he is still the best, most emotional, most evocative rock singer of his time.

And though that tour would eventually lead to U2 being sick and tired of their current form, and to the brink of a breakdown, that was still a good two and a half years away. At this point U2 were excited to be as popular and relevant as they would ever be, which, incidentally gave them the leverage to pull stunts like the now legendary liquor-shop-roof-quasi-show during which the 'Where The Streets Have No Name' video was shot. U2 had arrived. ... Read more

Asin: B000001FS3

Flowers in the Dirt
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $16.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Enlivened and challenged by his songwriting collaboration with Elvis Costello, who cowrote three songs here, McCartney made one of his best albums of the 1980s with Flowers in the Dirt. The Costello tracks, "My Brave Face," "You Want Her, Too," and "That Day Is Done," are complex and acerbic, qualities rarely applied to songs penned by McCartney alone. Yet Sir Paul rises to the occasion on "Put It There," a touching remembrance of his father, and some of his best pop-rockers in a while, such as "This One," "Figure of Eight," and "Rough Ride." --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (53)

A Musicians review of this album...
As an album, Flowers In The Dirt has a very 'overall polished' sound. It's full of great songs, very good hooks and harmonies (remeniscent of the mid 60's beatles), and occasional synth overkill. The album starts very strong and stays fluent throughout until the last three tracks. The end of the album is very 80's and just doesn't have the longevity that the first half does.

Song-By-Song, here are the tracks I think stand out, and ones that I think should have been left to the imagination:

Excellent: My Brave Face, You Want Her Too, Distractions, Put It There, This One, Don't Be Careless Love, That Day Is Done.-- These songs all have excellent melodies, hooks, harmonies, and easily memorable lyrics that keep you singing them in your head for days. These tracks are some of the best that McCartney has written in the past 20 years.

So-So tracks: Rough Ride, We Got Married, Figure of Eight -- In my opinion, these three tracks have great potential, but ended up not as powerful as the others. Tracks like 'Rough Ride' and 'Figure Of Eight' are excellent as live tracks, but end up flat through the recording process.

Throw away tracks: How Many People; Motor Of Love; Ou Est Le Soleil-- These last three tracks (in my opinion) are the poorest. 'How Many' has a great vocal hook, but the instrumentation and production is just not up to par. 'Motor' is a very cliche late-80's song that did not age well over time, and 'Ou Est' is actually just a rubbish expirament that should have been left on his album "Press To Play".

Overall, I really enjoy this album. Though it has it's weak spots (like almost all albums do), the hot spots are so good that you completely forget about the bad times.

Buy this album, it's very much 'essential' McCartney listening!

All The Best, -AndyMan- ;o)

One of the best Albums of the 90's
Flowers in the Dirt is one of the most masterful recordings of Paul McCartney's career. He calls on some of the best musicians in the world and they all deliver. Dave Gilmour is tremendous on guitar and the production is flawless. McCartney gives us one of the best love songs of his career in This One, Hamish Stuart gives great soleful refrain vocals and the melody is neo-classic McCartney. Figure of Eight is a great romp of pop craftsmenship. How many People is a wonderful song of hope and peace. Put it There is a great David Crosby influenced acoustic number. It's lyrics are appropriate and not overdone. My Brave Face is a tremednous pop tune that got a fair amount of radio airplay. I can definetely hear the Elvis Costello influence in this one. That is another great thing about this Album. Costello provides balance to McCartney's sometimes over-sweet flavor. This mastery can be heard on You want her too. We Got Married is one of the most well produced song of all time. The guitars are perfect and the vocals are strong. The production is wonderful and the vibe is neither contrived nor trite. The gem of the album for we is Distractions. This is a great relaxing tune with wonderful lyrics that are touching and very real. McCartney harnesses his tunefullness and matches that greatness with lyrics. Overall,this is one of the best albums of Paul McCartney's career. He gets the best musicians and production and he somehow gets it to flow. This album lacks the band feel of his work with Wings but it has the best singing and the best flow of anything since Band on the Run. McCarntey succeeds beautifully and makes us believe. The artwork is also excellent. Overall this is one of my favorite McCartney albums. The only thing that I can say is, Enjoy!

Up with Sir Paul's Best
I was thinking back on albums that, as a whole, had me listening to them over and over when they came out. It just doesn't happen much anymore with popular music.

Paul McCartney's FLOWERS IN THE DIRT came out in 1989 and I really liked the first single, "My Brace Face." After I saw him in concert the following year, I bought the cassette and ended up listening to it through a very difficult year--and it really stuck with me.
(That world tour of his ended up on DVD/video, I think, but it was ruined by some bad choices: "Live and Let Die," a show-stopping pyro-show of explosions and lasers, was cut down to include Vietnam footage--a lame attempt to add relevance to a James Bond theme. Gimme a break.)

I don't know if it was McCartney's collaboration with Elvis Costello or what, but this album was a long way from the "Silly Love Songs" of the 70s (don't take that as a slight: I appreciate "Silly Love Songs" as part of my life's 70s soundtrack). There were dark, mature moments ("That Day is Done") as well as quiet appreciation for things long gone ("Put It There").
FLOWERS IN THE DIRT is a pop album for grown ups and I'm glad I found it when I did. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UUM

Next Position Please
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (21)

I Don't Care What You Think, This Album is GOOD!
Todd Rundgren is an excellent producer (I refer the reader to the Badfinger album Straight Up, which he did in conjunction with George Harrison,) and he really lets the band shine here. The album itself is very tuneful. "I Can't Take It" showed that Robin Zander could write just as well as Rick Nielsen. The album's rude title track was originally intended for the Dream Police album, believe it or not. It shows, as it is the hardest rocking track on the record. I originally heard my dad's copy on vinyl, minus "You Talk Too Much" and "Don't Make Our Love A Crime." Those two are okay, the first one sounds Who-ish, for the latter I'd say the demo version on the boxed set is better. Apart from "Dancing The Night Away" there isn't a bad song here. It's a great album to listen to while in love ("Borderline," "YOYOY," "Heaven's Falling,") or when you're not ("I Don't Love Here Anymore," "I Can't Take It," "Next Position Please.") Many people complain about the pristine sound. I say it's good, especially in contrast to One On One. It's my second fave Trick album, tied with the first album, second to Dream Police. Listen to it-the proof's in the pudding. God Bless.

One of My Top Ten Favorite Albums of All Time
Whereas nowadays I feel lucky if a CD I buy has two or three decent songs, this album, produced by Todd Rundgren, has FIVE that I'm crazy about. All other Cheap Trick albums I've bought have been dissapointments compared to this one. Hard-rockers "Younger Girls" and "Next Position Please" I can never play without cranking up to rafter-rattling levels and prancing around playing air guitar like a teenager. "I Can't Take It," "Borderline," and the symphonic "Heaven's Falling" are also incredible songs. Strangely, the album is marred by a couple of awful songs: "Dancing the Night Away" and "3D" and a few others that are decidly mediocre. But the fact that I still rate this as one of my ten all-time favorites tells how great the best songs on the CD are.

The pleasant early 80's surprise
In the liner notes to the box set, Rick mentioned that I Can't Take It was a number one hit down under and advised the American public to wake up. It's a sentiment that I wholly agree with on one hand, but also one that worries me on the other hand. After hitting the top 40 with the Dream Police and Voices from the Dream Police album, the band suddenly found themselves in a top 40 slump that lasted until the Lap Of Luxury vomit-fest. Despite four singles that seemed like sure fire hits in the 1980-83 time period (Everything Works If You Let It, Stop This Game, If You Want My Love, and I Can't Take It,) the band couldn't break a song into the top 40. While this doesn't say much for the musical tastes of the top 40 audience, it isn't really a bad thing considering that the next Cheap Trick song to have a chart impact was The Flame. Given the choice between the bowl-swirling nausea of Lap Of Luxury and Busted, I'll take the early 80's near misses in a heartbeat. Next Position Please and Heaven's Falling are two other songs from this album that have made every compilation I've ever made. ... Read more

Asin: B0000025VN
Sales Rank: 56836

The Crossing
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

A former member of the late '70s English punk band the Skids, guitarist/vocalist Stuart Adamson went to Scotland in 1982 to form a group whose goals were to regain the idealism and passion he felt the punk/new wave movement had lost through commercialization. Tapping U2's producer, Steve Lillywhite, then known for his highly textured, expansive sound, Adamson realized his vision on Big Country's 1983 debut. Propelled by the hit single "In a Big Country," and featuring such rousingly evocative fare as "Fields of Fire" and "Harvest Home," the group's decidedly Scotch-Irish tone prefigured the Celtic music boom by a good 10 years. --Billy Altman ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Has A Sound All It's Own.
I've had this CD for a handful of years. I've never listened to it very much, but there's no doubt that Big Country sounded like nobody but themselves. This album was released when New Wave was very popular, but The Crossing doesn't follow that formula. Their use of guitars and how they sound is very different and interesting. I've never been a fan of Big Country really, but I do think "In a Big Country" and "Chance" are good songs. The rest of the songs are pretty good. This isn't a bad release.

best outing
As I listen to their first 1983 release, I really wish this band would have lived up to their potential. Their other works never possessed the same chemistry. This cd contains their best work. "Fields of Fire" and "In a Big Country" were their radio hits, but if you listen to the whole collection, you will hear some other gems. "1000 Stars" and "Inwards" are equally as good. The unique bagpipe guitar sound of the band can be heard in nearly all of the tunes. It is refreshing to hear a band play the blue collar sounds of rock 'n' roll. The career of Big Country does contain some good tunes, but just couldn't put a compilation of songs like this one. If your are looking for some songs different from their greatest hits collection, I recommend this one.

In my top 5 albums from the 80's/in my top 20 of all time:
If you would like to get a album/cd (I have both) from the 80's.Make sure you have this in your collection.The title track is a very good.But the radio stations missed out on not playing more from this album.I know they played Fields of Fire(I wish they played it more often) but this album offered much more.Just listen to songs like
"1000 stars" & Lost Patrol but.... then again just listen to the whole album.You won't go wrong in adding this to your collection.Trust me. ... Read more

Asin: B000001F4B

Temple of Low Men
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (22)

An Album Before Its Time
When reviewing the top albums of the 80s, I have to rank Crowded House's "Temple" second behind U2's "Joshua Tree." "Temple . . ." simply put is a masterpiece of songwriting, structure and delivery. It's an album that was buried in a sea of heavy metal pop and would have been better served being released in the early 90s when the acoustic movement was underway. The song leaving the biggest impression on me is the eerie and haunting ballad "Better Be Home Soon." It is a jewel of not only the masterful songwriting of Neil Finn but also one of the best deliveries for this band. Also, the way the band builds to the climax of "When You Come," foreshadowing the pains of love when lovers are seperated by time and space. "Love This Life" is an uplifting song and reminds you that no matter what happens every low has a high.

The album as a whole is one of the best "packages," or combinations of music. It's an album that will stand the test of time that won't be defined by pop culture, or as a fad. I only wish more people would have been able to be exposed to this masterpiece, but I guess for those lucky enough to hear have enjoyed it for over a decade.

Temple an underrated treasure but inconsistent
The Leonard/McCartney (misspelling and pun quite intentional)of power pop rock returns. Although I agree with many of the accolades here, I find Temple to be less consistent than the other CH albums. Certainly Neil Finn is at his best when he's less sunny, but the songwriting here borders on the morbid. Although Together Alone is equally as dark, the songwriting and performances are less monochromatic and more consistent than the band's second album.

Temple seems as less a progression than a reaction to the sunny power pop than made them international stars. The darker tone benefits many of the best songs on here but undermines the weaker material (the obivious Kill Eye and Into The Lowlands amoung them.

Finn includes a clutch of his characteristic ballads (Better Be Home Soon, Love This Life among them)and many of them hold their own with his best material. Temple probably lacked the immediate appeal of the band's self titled debut and, perhaps, that undermined its popularity in the US. With Woodface the band regained lost ground and created a masterpiece of post-Beatles melodic power pop. Is it better than Temple? Well that all depends on when you think CH and Finn peaked. Many fans do prefer the Temple but I suspect it's because it's dark horse in their catalog.

Still, Temple seems more of a transitional album. When CH expanded back to a four piece (they lost their fourth member prior to the recording of their debut)there seemed to be a more balanced character to the band (and Neil's songwriting still continued to have bite but not at the expense of his more melodic, optimistic side). Temple shouldn't be where neophytes investigate CH. I'd still suggest Woodface, Together Alone and their debut over Temple. Temple is best appreciated by the fans that can forgive the flaws of this underappreciated diamond while still marveling at it's raw beauty.

Start your journey in the 'Temple'
For years this was my favorite Crowded House {CH} album. Like most of the other reviewers, I'm a huge fan of Neil Finn and all things Finn in general, but this album stood out as the diamond among all their other precious gems. It was quirky, instantly accessible, it sounded great and Neil Finn really came into his own as a writer and a vocalist in a way he hadn't (in my opinion) yet on 'Crowded House', the first CH album which only made the 35-40 minute LP length because they included a cover of one of his older Split Enz songs ("Can't Carry On" from Split Enz' 'See You Around' CD).

In fact, while their first album has the big radio hits we still hear (albeit in supermarkets), Temple of Low Men seems more consistent in tone and flavor. The songs are quirkier perhaps, but with the possible exception of 'Kill Eye' there isn't a dodgy track on the disc.

Why only 4 stars? Because I'm grading on a Crowded House curve and this album suffers a bit from when it was produced and a bit in comparison with its soul mate 'Together Alone'. Like their self-titled debut, 'Temple of Low Men' was recorded for vinyl and is therefore mastered at a lower level (not always a bad thing) and has fewer songs than most modern releases. The saving grace is that the production still mostly holds up and doesn't sound particularly dated or '80's-ish. Their last CD 'Together Alone' takes up where 'Temple of Low Men' leaves off and breaks new ground not only for the band, but for the rest of us as well and it's in comparison with that strength that 'Temple' seems to suffer. But that's grading on a curve.

Should you start with 'Temple of Low Men' to see if Crowded House is for you? I did and in a sense it gave me a truer expectation and better appreciation of the rest of Neil Finn's work than I think either 'Woodface (co-written with his brilliant brother Tim Finn)' or 'Crowded House' would have done.

There is NO good reason not to buy this CD. In all honesty, all their albums are great (or nearly great in the case of their debut) and you can't really make a bad choice. Best of all, once you've assimilated the Crowded House catalog you can check out the stunning solo careers of both Neil and Tim Finn, their collaborations together and the whole Split Enz discography.

These guys are the best.

Welcome. ... Read more

Asin: B000006N4M
Sales Rank: 15290

Field Day
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 March, 1992)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (18)

overlooked pop-rock masterpiece
After touting Crenshaw as "the next big thing" following his self-titled debut, Rolling Stone and most other rock rags abandoned him with his 2nd release, "Field Day". This was a curious move, since this sophomore album is not only his best, but is one of the all-time great pop-rock records. Somehow, Crenshaw must have been perceived as no longer cool by critics. The album is one of those not truly appreciated on first listen, but given proper attention, reveals itself as not only a COLLECTION of great songs, but wonderful as a whole: powerpop with DEPTH. I've read that one of the reasons the album was dismissed by critics upon its release was the marked change in production over the first album. The debut had stripped-down guitar/bass/drums/ vocals up front, but "Field Day" has the Steve Lillywhite trademark huge snare, odd percussive sounds in the background, and a general drenching in reverb. And it works. If you enjoy guitar-based songwriting, good melodies, and inventive arrangements, buy this album and listen to it at least 3 times before forming an opinion; you'll be rewarded.

An unfairly maligned album
There are so many things I love about this album. It brings back memories of the youth and enthusiasm of early-80s Crenshaw (which was to gradually fade a bit with time, due to his [understandably] worsening relations with WB with each new album release). With Field Day, Crenshaw was clearly showing maturity in broadening his sound. I know that many fans did not care for the Crenshaw/Steve Lilywhite collaboration, but I feel that it was inspired. True, sometimes the volume and sharpness of the vocals get buried beneath the drum sound, but that doesn't detract from the great songs featured here (and the noisier production qualities are not as obvious in as many songs as some reviews would lead you to believe).

The album opens with Whenever You're on My Mind, which surely needs no introduction. This is clearly one of the finest power pop ballads of the past 2 decades -- how it didn't receive every music award of its day, let alone radio airplay, remains one of pop's longest-standing mysteries. There's also the gorgeous All I Know Right Now, plus a good mix of catchy, 50s-inspired rock tunes (Our Town, Try, One Day With You, Monday Morning Rock). And then there's the 2 songs which really feature the trademark Lillywhite snare drums/echo: One More Reason and For Her Love. Whenever I want to be reminded of the fun, exuberance and quality melodies of pop music at its best, these are the 2 titles I program on my CD player -- over and over. If Rhino does indeed decide to remaster Field Day, please, PLEASE leave the drums on these 2 songs alone -- they truly fit the spirit of both the music and the times.

Field Day is an album that Marshall Crenshaw, to this day, is very proud of -- and he SHOULD be. He experimented with a sound that, to some, seems dated, and to others like myself, seems fresher today than ever. Crenshaw sounds like he had a great deal of fun making this record, and I guess it's that very quality in Field Day that leaves me playing it far more often than any other MC album. Perhaps Rhino will eventually correct the vocal mix problem, but otherwise this album should be left just as it is -- an earnest, wonderfully written, and historically/artistically important experiment in pop music.

Classy and slick, this represents the best of 80's pop.
Whenever I pop this disc in I know I'm really going to be enjoying the next thirty-something minutes. This is probably MC's best album and the "big" sound can be said to have something to do with that. "Whenever You're on My Mind" is one of MC's best ever and it doesn't stop there. "Our Town" is maybe one of the album's more underappreciated tunes (since the previous song is a tough act to follow), and "Try" is one of the slower songs on the album but still one of the best, as are "For Her Love" and "One Day with You".

The final four songs are all MC gold. I personally love "Monday Morning Rock" which is one of the most up-tempo songs here (along with "Hold It") and has a great guitar solo. "All I Know Right Now" is another great slow "love" song that fits quite well with "Try". "What Time is It" is a somewhat unconventional song but "Hold It" may be the best song here, with great lyrics, guitar, and backing vocals. Don't delay in picking up this album. This is simply MC at his best. ... Read more

Asin: B000002KZ5
Sales Rank: 93467

Give the People What They Want
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (27 April, 1999)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (21)

You Have To Listen To This Album
Being a Kinks Fan, for a long while I held back from their albums in the 80s because I saw a lot of my fave bands losing their way in that decade. Example: Queen, Genesis and others.
Then I listened to a particular song called "Predictable" and I felt enchanted by it. So when I finally decided to get the CD where this song is, I must say that I fell in love with this record right away, at first listening. As I got their albums from the 80s, it proved to me that The Kinks could re-invented themselves successfully, offering nice music for someone who adores the 60s and 70s like me.
There's only one song I don't like that much in here and it's "Give The People What They Want", the title track. But the rest is just awesome. Very nice melodies.
My fave tracks in here are "Around The Dial", the great "Killer Eyes", "Predictable", "Yo-Yo", the strange lyrically "Art Lover" that makes you wonder if it's about a child molester, "A Little Bit Of Abuse" and the well-known "Better Things".
You have to listen to this album. Like most of the Kinks fans, I have always love their 60s and 70s music, but this record will get to you ;-)

The Kinks at their best...and worst
In 1981, I was eleven. I heard "Destroyer" and thought it the greatest rock&roll song of all time. (Probably because I was eleven.) It was the first Kinks song I'd ever heard. By the time I came across one of the band's earlier recordings, "All Day and All of the Night," I recognized "Destroyer" for what it was: shameless cannibalism. Of course, by then, I was sucked into Ray's otherwise remarkably rich world. While the song that ultimately drew me to this album--and ultimately the band--has become one of my least favorite Kinks efforts, some of the other material you'll find on this album are among my favorites. "Art Lover," "Killer's Eyes," "Better Things" and "Yo-Yo" are vintage Ray Davies. Sometimes optimistic, sometimes bitter, but always fresh, biting and raw, these tracks hold up to any in the band's expansive repertoire. It leaves me wondering how Davies can be so brilliant on one track, and so creatively bankrupt on the next. Of course, inconsistency is the hallmark of the Kinks. Perhaps more than any other album I've ever owned, this one has left an indelible impression on me. Buy this album for its highlights. Forgive it for its shortcomings.

I got what I want!
Of course this album is different compared to there 60's and early 70's work.But that's a good thing.you see the Kinks change there image and sound every decade.The 60's was their classic rock stage,the 70's their new wave stage era,then their more heavier sounding publicity era.That's were this album falls in at.I knew the songs better things and destroyer long before I knew this album.But what I love is the songs that are so great that were never popular like around the dial,a little bit of abuse,art lover and add it up.For some reason I really love add it up hoochie hoochie.Oh and one more thing I know art lover isn't about a child molester.But you have to admit whoever it's about is still pretty weird.I mean listen to the words "I don't wanna snatch you from your mother i'm a art lover come to daddy!"It is oblivously stating the facts like when a sicko lies to a young kid like "your dad is hurt" or "your dad is in the hospital get in my car and i'll take you to him".It's just like that liking art is his excuse.So I don't know is it just me.But anyways this album is great I love every song.It ushered in a whole new era for the Kinks and some people are to set in their ways to like.I feel bad for them! ... Read more

Asin: B00000IM7P
Sales Rank: 35205

Brian Wilson
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 September, 2000)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $17.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Brian Wilson's solo debut finally arrived in 1988 to much fanfare and near unanimous critical hosannas. Unfortunately, its commercial impact was negligible, a disappointing outcome for both Wilson, who takes pride in his string of '60s hits, and his boosters, for the 11-song self-titled record represents the zenith of the pop genius's post-Beach Boys oeuvre. "Love and Mercy" heralds Wilson's return to form; lyrically gracious and musically grand, it's an opener quite nearly on a par with "Wouldn't It Be Nice." From there, Wilson and an assortment of coproducers (Russ Titelman, Jeff Lynne, Andy Paley, and Lenny Waronker) intermix brisk, playful rockers ("Night Time," "Little Children") with sumptuous pop concoctions (the a cappella "One for the Boys," "There's So Many"), wrapping things up with an ambitious suite, "Rio Grande."The reissue is generously fleshed out with interview segments, demos, and late-'80s rarities, including the delightful B-side "He Couldn't Get His Poor Old Body to Move." --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (32)

The best 80's Beach Boys Album
The Beach Boys has been one of my most favourite bands in the 60's (another is the Beatles). And the talent of Brian Wilson has made loads of hits and brilliant songs over 30 years. Ironically, when the Beach Boys release the No.1 hit single "Kokomo" in 1988, without Brian, his first solo album was only get much weaker commercial response. However, I think "Love and Mercy" is one of his classic songs and match the quality of his best 60's songs. "Melt Away", "Baby Let Your Hair Grow Long" and "Rio Grande" are also my favourite tracks in the album.

Of course, the treasure of this CD reissue is the bonus tracks (there are eleven of them!). All Beach Boys fans can't miss it!

Great re-issue of a flawed yet welcome comeback album
Rhino really know how to repackage, remaster and deliver the goods with those bonus tracks. Lots of contemporaneous b-sides, out-takes, demos and bits of Brian talking here. Wonderful! The album itself suffered a little from the 80s drum and keyboard sounds (a common problem of the times) and having too many hands on deck (including the controversial Gene Landy), but it was still a welcome return to the kind of form we never thought Brian Wilson would ever reach again. And he still has yet to match this album with any subsequent official release (what exists in the vaults and in the hands of bootleggers is a different story.....). Love and Mercy should have been a hit, Melt Away and There's So Many are gorgeous - Brian's melodic flair is very much intact here. Rio Grande is a breathtaking finale. All that Brian's Back nonesense seemed so much like hot air in 1976, in 1988 it rang a lot truer! Beach Boys fan or just a lover of great tunes that come from the heart? Buy this CD.

Wow Brian !
I just got this album today & let me tell you it is a masterpiece, it reminds me of brian in the hayday of the beach boys. the soundmastering on this cd is excellent rhino knows what they're doing , my favorite tracks on this disc are: love & mercy, walkin the line , baby let your hair grow long. but really this disc does'nt have any duds on it, sounds like pure sunshine. so break out the sunglasses , the cooler & sit back & enjoy,dance your heart out.

Take Care Brian,thanks for the music!

Highly Recommended For Beach Boys Fans& Classic Rock Nuts ... Read more

Asin: B00004WH69

The Plimsouls...Plus
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (01 September, 1992)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (6)

Pop doesn't get much better than this!
If you had to compile a collection of must-have albums (CD's) from the early 80's (power pop's golden period, other than the early-mid sixties) this CD should be considered for one of your first purchases. Melody, churning guitars and hardy drumming come together in one potent package. "Now" is a typical lost classic, and one of the songs that belongs on your power pop compilation tapes. Great songs abound on the disc, and as a special bonus, it includes the EP "Zero Hour", which also contains another lost classic, "Great Big World", a perfect slice of pure pop bliss!

Top-notch power pop w/bonus debut EP
After Peter Case left The Nerves (which included fellow power-popsters Paul Collins and Jack Lee) he went on to record several incredible power-pop records with The Plimsouls. This is perhaps the very best of the lot, and even more so for the CD's inclusion of the Plimsouls debut 12" EP as bonus tracks.

Case's singing has never been more emphatic than here, and the songs and guitar-based pop backings display the very best of the back-to-rock 'n' roll side of late-70s/early-80s 'new wave'.

Those who enjoy the music of Matthew Sweet, Big Star, and the like, should certainly have this disc in their collection.

An underproduced classic
If you like Cheap Trick and Tom Petty I think you'll find thisalbum is to your liking, falling somewhere in between. "Now"is a classic single. The only problem I have is that, having seen them live in their heydey, some of production seems tame and the energy they conveyed didn't quite come through on this album as it did on the single "A million miles away". Peter Case is somewhat like Paul Westerberg-an artist who only received short term commercial success but every so often is capable of writing songs that can only be called "excellent" END ... Read more

Asin: B0000032VQ
Sales Rank: 75468

Pleasant Dreams
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 March, 1994)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (23)

PERHAPS THE RAMONES MOST UNDERRATED ALBUM
Pleasant Dreams was years ahead of its time. With a production notably different than previous albums, it caught many fans by suprise, and is often referred to as one of their worst albums. Listen carefully, however, and you will hear some of their best songwriting and playing. "Sitting In My Room," "The KKK Took My Baby Away," and "You Didn't Mean Anything To Me" are the standout tracks. Don't believe the (negative) hype - buy it now!

"Pleasant Dreams," an Apology for "End Of the Century"
The Ramones' 1981 album "Pleasant Dreams" followed "End Of the Century," released the previous year. Produced by Phil Spector, that album was one of the punk pioneers' most curious releases and was later labelled by some of the band members themselves as being their worst album. "Pleasant Dreams" however takes much of the departures in sound that were found on "End Of the Century," and puts them back in tune so that they broaden the Ramones' limited sound, while still appreciating their punk essence.
'We Want the Airwaves' is a perfect example; it finds that Johnny Ramone has forgotten the three-chord buzzsaw guitar hooks that were so evident on their debut. The song remains one of his best guitar moments. The album carries on in suitable form with 'All's Quiet On the Eastern Front' and the grin-inducing but repetitve 'The KKK Took My Baby Away.' Joey Ramones' vocals are most flexible on 'It's Not My Place,' while 'You Didn't Mean Anything To Me' and 'This Business is Killing Me' are worthy additions to the band's lexicon.
As with most of the recent re-issues, "Pleasant Dreams" contains a slew of bonus tracks that are surely worth having, while not overbearing the album's original content, which is worth having even on its own. On the bleaker side, "Pleasant Dreams" was a reminder at the time that proved the acts that they had inspired (i.e., the punk bands that ripped them off) were now unrightfully overshadowing their punk forefathers.

This CD gave me pleasant dreams
Being a avid ramones fan i have the provledge of having owned and listened to all of them but i have to sya pleasant dreams is my favorite one. This awesome cd brings out more of the ramones pop sound which was vastly underused before this album a must for any ramones fan or a fan of good music. ... Read more

Asin: B000002KMD
Sales Rank: 152951

The River
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $24.98 -- our price: $22.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Despite the acclaim accorded Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town, this is the album that broke Springsteen into the big leagues, thanks to "Hungry Heart," then his most pointedly commercial song; it had new fans swooning but some old ones grumbling for the "poetic" Springsteen of days gone by. Not to worry--though more economical lyrically, The River had something to offer nearly everyone: There's old-time frat rock ("Sherry Darling"), empathetic character studies ("The River," "Stolen Car," "Independence Day"), passionate rockers ("Out in the Street"), dramatic ballads ("Point Blank"), and even a couple of good-natured goofs ("Cadillac Ranch," "Crush on You," "Ramrod"). A sprawling double-disc set, The River offers proof that Springsteen could do it all and could do it better than virtually anyone else. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (57)

One of the high points of 80s rock n' roll
This album is not just a double disc, it's almost like two seperate albums with tracks from one, the dark, moody, one with its songs about hopelessness and despair, alternating with tracks from the lighthearted, joyously rollicking one.

But regardless of the subject matter, this is one strong album, perhaps the best one Springsteen has ever delivered.
There is very little "filler" among the twenty tracks, and even the lesser-known songs are generally very good, such as "The Ties That Bind", "Jackson Cage", "Out In The Street"....well, there are too many to mention, really.

The best-known songs off "The River" are of course the title track, "Hungry Heart", "You Can Look (but you better not touch)", and "Cadillac Ranch", but there's also a real gem stashed away on disc one, a live recording of "Sherry Darling", one of the very best, most vivacious, powerful rockers Bruce Springsteen has ever penned, and featuring fiery sax solos from Clarence Clemmons.

Not all the songs are as immediately recognizable and anthemic as "Hungry Heart" or "Sherry Darling", but the vast majority of the material on "The River" is very, very strong, and this is certainly one of the best rock n' roll records of the early 80s.
(The 80s in general, actually.)
Even a casual fan of Mr Springsteen should own this fine album, which, although slightly less famous than "Born In The USA", is one of the peaks of Bruce Springsteen's long career.

The weakest link.
Despite it's significant commercial success, "The River" is without doubt Bruce Springsteen's weakest recording with the E Street band. Perhaps due to incessant critical pampering, perhaps due simply to a creative lull, "The River" for the first and ONLY time in his career, sees Springsteen sounding uninspired and repetitive. The first record is definitely the stronger of the two with the pop smarts of "Hungry Heart", the moving father/son ballad"Independence Day" and the sorrowful lamentation of the title track, displaying Springsteen in top form . For the most part however, he is caught in mediocrity, chugging out bland rockers and cheesy, overwrought ballads, many of which would not be out of place on a Bon Jovi album.(see "Crush on You," "Drive all night" ). Furthermore, the production is a mess with the vocals often being swamped by muddy and irritating guitars and Weinberg's drumming slipshod at best. Critics of "The River" have often queried why Springsteen felt the need to record a double record and certainly a more strict culling process would have made this a more coherent release if nothing else. My personal contention however relates to the songs Springsteen left off the record. "Roulette","Where the bands are" and "Held up without a gun" were all recorded during "The River" sessions and are far superior to much of the pedestrian material on the actual release. Of course this is obviously opinion and Bruce probably sees the whole thing in a different light. All the same, I'm pretty sure I'm right.

his worst
i really like springsteen, but am not a "bruce can do no wrong" type of fan, and after listening to a borrowed copy of "the River" recently i gotta say this is his worst album. i'm glad i listened before wasting my money. if you're a new fan start with something great like Tunnel of Love which won't disappoint. ... Read more

Asin: B0000025KI

Let It Bee
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 January, 1994)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (14)

The "Voice" that was seldom heard!
The Voice of the Beehive was hip during the late 80's and this album was why! Walking through a record store when I was 21 this music caught my attention as being different as it was played inside the store as a new release. The record store owner said "we haven't really sold that many and I have no idea why". I bought it and listened to it and it is legendary and fun to listen to. I don't know why it wasn't played more either, but a friend said that a couple cuss words on this album turned off the radio land on them. The content is easy to be "catchy" and easy to sing along to. Once you hear any song on this album you will know their sound and their beat. I have read other reviews which state this is a womans' album but I can say that men love it also. Very much like a "bangles" sound, but has more sing along songs and party type songs than any bangles album. Most albums have 3 or 4 good songs and then you skip through the rest. This is different and you will want to hear them all over and over again. Take a drive along the "scenic highways" of america and crank up the Beehive and you will become a BEE-liever too. They are catchy and unfortunately hard to find. By the way does anyone know where they are from and where they are now? I have over 200 albums in my collection and this is by far my favorite and the most played!! You won't regret adding this to your dj collection.

Don't Call Me Baby
For its time, this album by the virtually unknown (and forgotten by many who did know of them) Voice of the Beehive was a breakthrough. Bubble gum wrapped in barbs... very feminine, fun, frisky, sassy, and even a little bit nasty. Kind of generic music, but Tracey and Melissa's vocals and harmonies were not to be missed. By far this is the Beehive's best album (not that there have been many of them). "Beat of Love", "Don't Call Me Baby", "What You Have Is Enough", "Oh, Love", "Trust Me", "I Say Nothing" and the classic "Barbarian in the Back of My Car" are the best... will keep you singing, dancing, commiserating--but still having fun. If you want an introduction to the Beehive at their fiery finest, this is the raunchy, saucy album for you!

"I Say Nothing" is worth the CD price, all by itself.
I remember hearing "I Say Nothing" on the car radio FM (out of Baja) when I was stationed up at Camp Pendleton, and the choruses/refrains hooked me instantly. It's one of those tracks on which a band does almost everything just right. I've since made it a point to hear most everything else that VoB has done, and "I Say Nothing" has a rare pop magic that you see (or rather hear) once in a blue moon. I would have paid $10 for a CD single of that tune. ... Read more

Asin: B000001FGQ
Sales Rank: 123660

Valley Girl: Music From The Soundtrack
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (22 February, 1994)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Martha Coolidge's 1983 directorial debut--based loosely on the Frank (and Moon) Zappa (who weren't involved with the film) novelty hit of the previous year--carried a budget so low that it didn't even generate a soundtrack album when it was released. Loosely based on the same themes as Romeo and Juliet, (with a young Nicolas Cage as a Hollywood homeboy Montague) Valley Girl's producers were also savvy enough to tap into LA radio outlet KROQ's pioneering "Rock of the 80s" format. Rhino's unofficial soundtrack release captures much of the spunky essence of KROQ's playlist--three tracks by LA's great Plimsouls (including their biggest hit "A Million Miles Away"), some novelty hits (Josie Cotton's "Johnny Are You Queer, "Jukebox" by the flirts, Felony's "The Fanatic")--and fondly recalls an era when rock's fun quotient hadn't yet been tattooed and pierced into oblivion. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (22)

A MUST for all fans of 80's music
I remember seeing this movie when it came out and I was so disappointed when the origianl soundtrack had something like six songs on it. With this CD and the follow up - you get every song. "Eyes of a Stranger" and "The Fanatic" are great. Better yet, there's a Volume II - just as good as this first one. Get it and round out your collection.

To close, I'll end with one of the great quotes from the movie: 80's Prep to Nicholas Cage (wearing 3-d glasses) and taking tickets at the theater: "Cool, is this movie in 3-D?" Nicholas Cage: "No, but your face is."

Love the CDs - love the goofy movie!

Like, Omigod! This album is like, totally bitchin'!
Ok you guys... this is like, the most bitchin' album of 80's tunes ever. Im like, so for sure. Songs like, Angst in my pants are so trippindicular, for sure.

Ok, but seriously, this is the best soundtrack album period!! I love the Royal Tennenbaum soundtrack but this one is so powerful and pogniant because it reflects the period so well, reflects the valley/hollywood culture so well, and strikes up nostalgia in all of its listeners. I think Martha Coolidge did such an amazing job of supplementing the movie plot and interesting characters with music. Actually, I think the movie would not have been recieved well and would not be as enduring if it did not have her soundtrack supporting it.

If you love 80s music or the movie Valley Girl, you will not be disappointed in buying this...for sure.

Killer 80's Soundtrack
Totally tripendickular... (Spelling on that one was never Webster's stuff, I had to wing it) I love this, and all the Brat type films/soundtracks from this time period. May I also recommend John Cusack's later work in Better Off Dead, Grosse Pointe Blank, and this list just goes on. Sends me down the memory lane. ... Read more

Asin: B00000337N

Lifes Rich Pageant
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (27 January, 1998)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (98)

The Definition of Art
I had no idea that the purchase of this cassette in 1986 would change my musical taste forever. Lifes Rich Pageant is simply perfect from start to finish. REM takes the listener on a roller coaster ride of driving, infectious pop and rich, intelligent ballads with a relevent social motif. I think the band really tried to create a unique album that would be smart and a bit more commercial than the previous four. "Begin the Begin" is a rocker that fittingly starts the album and contains one of Peter Buck's greatest guitar riffs. "Flowers of Guatemala" is a lyrically beautiful song with great harmonies and brilliant vocal layering. "Swan Swan H" and "Cuyahoga" are wonderful reminiscent ballads that add nice texture to the album. Most people are familiar with "Fall on Me" and "Superman" (the two songs that launched REM into the somewhat mainstream). Other great classic REM songs are "These Days", "I Believe", and "Just a Touch". There are no bad songs and like most REM albums, this one should be listened to in its entirety. A MUST!

One of REM's Classics
This album is great from start to finish. There are no weak cuts and some of their greatest and most experimental songs of all-time. It does have a little more commercial appeal than their earlier stuff, but that is OK. If you don't know much about REM, I would recommend buying this one first, if you want to get off to the right start.

One of the Best Rock Records Ever Made
Prior to "Life's Rich Pageant", R.E.M. had released a string of four exceptional records that weren't quite rock, not quite folk, not quite pop, and not quite anything. Every one was a masterpiece, in my opinion, but none really rocked from start to finish. "Reckoning" had some pretty fast paced rockers, but they were buried in between mid-tempo and slow numbers that dominated the record. "Life's Rich Pageant" changed that. From the opening riff of "Begin the Begin" to "Superman", the album flies by on a heavy rhythm (R.E.M.'s tightest ever), with fascinating guitar work (Peter Buck's best ever), and words that you can understand (Michael Stipe's second best ever, behind "Fables of the Reconstruction"). The best tracks:

"Begin the Begin"- Probably the strangest riff ever (sounds like a Hindu snakecharmer managed to learn how to play guitar) stuck in the middle of one of R.E.M.'s heaviest songs ever. This song is the perfect way to open the record, and lets you know exactly what you are going to hear for the next forty minutes. Probably the only time R.E.M. opened a record this way.

"These Days"- I think this song is probably the best guitar driven song that R.E.M. has ever recorded. I've never heard anything like it before or since. And talk about fast and driving! If this song doesn't get you going and your blood pumping, you need help.

"Fall on Me"- Almost everyone's heard this one. I like it a lot, but it's not my favorite on the record. Maybe I've just heard it too much.

"Cuyahoga"- The record's high point, in terms of songwriting and performance. The song is so simple and is played with so much restraint that it is engrossing. When I hear this song, and then see what R.E.M. has become, it kind of makes me sad. They would have trouble writing something this good and touching these days.

"I Believe"- I have no idea what this song is about, but it really puts me in an optimistic and idealistic mood. For all I know, they may be playing games and mocking things we believe in, but I see it the other way. Its one of their catchiest tunes ever, and if I had to pick one R.E.M. song to take to the proverbial desert island...this would be it..no question.

Its not that I don't like the other songs, or think that they are just filler, but I just REALLY like the songs I've mentioned. I think this was the last of the perfect R.E.M. albums ("Document" was the last really great one, and "Monster" was where I just couldn't bear it anymore. I understand that people and bands have to grow and change, but all they did was change, and not for the better). There's a good reason why, if you ask college graduates between 30 and 40 to name their favorite record of all time, this record always gets a mention. Go to iTunes and see where this ranks on the list of most-purchased R.E.M. albums. If you want to know why R.E.M. is the most popular college group of all time, get this record and you'll know. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UVZ
Sales Rank: 3383

Cafe Bleu
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 June, 1998)
list price: $22.49 -- our price: $22.49
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Import

Reviews (14)

Style,Diversity And A Cafe Kid!
Okay let me try to pick "Cafe Bleu"'s highlites.
There really is nothing bad here but it's music careens from
gospel,rap,funk,classic soul,latin jazz and even be-bop.The
fantastic modern production brings the be-bop instrumental
"Dropping Bombs On The Whitehouse" and the tourchy jazz ballad
"Paris Match" to life.Ditto goes for the Weller plus piano
rendition of "My Ever Changing Moods",the Princely synth-funk of
"Strengh Of Your Nature" and the the politically aware rap of
"A Gospel".But in between,nothing on the Style Council's debut
album will disappoint.Take it all in!

Cafe Bleu or Cafe R &B or Cafe Jazz
In the seventies and eighties a number of innovative and interesting bands emerged from England. The Style Council was one that grabbed a fair amount of attention in independent circles here in Australia while never really breaking out into mainstream in the U.S. Paul Weller and Mick Talbot deserved better(that's Paul on the right of the album cover, Mick on the left.) This album would be their best.

Style Council are impossible to pigeonhole. The best description is that it is undeniably popular music that has a uncluttered sound and a feel that is sometimes jazz and sometimes R & B. Over production is definitely not a problem for Style Council, the music is clean and clear.

The album opens with an excellent pop piano instrumental written and performed by Talbot. The rest of the tracks have Paul Weller on lead vocals and his vocal style is a little laid back and jazzy. My favourite track would be "You're The Best Thing" - a marvellous romantic track.

Stylish and agrressive
In this album ,Paul WELLER showed how deep he loved SOUL MUSIC.Many British artsts show their enthsusiasm for BLACK MUSIC.This trend was apparent in the 80s,say CULTURE CLUB,ABC,etc.... PAUL WELLER still had a radical attitude,that is THE MODS WAY OF LIFE.The beat is still aggressive and the vice is sweet,and gentle.I think this album is a MODS STYLE with a touch of SOUL.Also,this album proves that many British musicians show respect to the SOUL MUSIC. ... Read more

Asin: B00004WKFO
Sales Rank: 6447
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Steve Mcqueen
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (29 June, 1994)
list price: $14.49 -- our price: $14.49
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Import

Reviews (6)

Soft, mushy brit pop
Doo do do dooo. When luv breaks down. doo do doo do. I heard so much raving about this record, but it's got no balls. All hail the Bryan Adams of the UK!

A wonderful, if difficult work by a then-emerging genius
This paves the way for the absolute masterpiece of "From Langley Park To Memphis" with a most impressive set of songs. From the rocking opener "Faron Young" onwards, there are very few flaws in the songwriting and producing. Whilst McAloon does not develop the mysterious sense of knowledge of American culture he shows on "From Langley Park to Memphis", he still writes wonderful songs with a loose and delicate nature compred to "From Langley Park to Memphis".
One theme that the album is notable for (and which no doubt puts many off) is the study of sexual lust and infidelity on the catchy "Appetite", "When Love Breaks Down" and "Horsing Around". However, McAloon DOES write with considerable understanding of the pain lust and infedelity can give ("When love breaks down you join the wrecks/Who leave their hearts for easy sex") {This does foresee "The Venus of The Soup Kitchen" and its tale of a witches' spell}.
Apart from the songs mentioned above, McAloon focuses his lyrics on failed romances, as on "Bonny" and "Goodbye Lucille #1 (Johnny Johnny)". His effort to rage (which he simply does not know how to do) on that last song is in fact the only discernable flaw on a brilliant record. However, on "Desire As" McAloon puts in his best-ever vocal performace which suits the leisurely tone perfectly. "Faron Young" and "When The Angels" prefigure the geius he displayed on "From Langley Park to Memphis."
The major difference between this album and "From Langley Park to Memphis" is that "Steve McQueen" is much looser and more relaxed, concentrating mostly on fairly sparse ballads like "Desire As". Even the less slow tunes are very delicate and much more difficult to appreciate than "From Langley Park to Memphis", as with "Bonny", "Hallelujah" and "Appetite."
On the whole, a masterpiece from a man who has proved himself the most brilliant songwriter of the modern era.

A little knowledge
Just a brief correction... Deacon Blue post-date Prefab Sprout and presumably spent many long unrewarding evenings busking the windswept streets of "Raintown" as an inadequate tribute band. Their irksome "Chocolate Girl" it's just the most banal parody imaginable. When not gargling with Jim Beam and murdering the Burt Bacharach songbook, Ricky Ross IS Mr Cliched lyricist. If Wendy Smith was less winsome and prone to revenge fantasies she would have got tooled up "become war" and blown away that tiresome flame-haired backing singer. Um, by the way, Siggy, Prefab Sprout actually originate from County Durham. Gosh, I feel so much better now... ... Read more

Asin: B000025TI2
Sales Rank: 125200

Anthology
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 April, 1995)
list price: $9.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (12)

Smart pop hooks for an undeserving world
of the great injustices of the music world was the failure of this terrific band to sustain the popularity brought to them by the glorious top ten single "Walking On Sunshine."

Although incorrectly dismissed as a "one hit wonder" (the band had four other hits crack the U.S. charts) this album alone has a slew of cuts to make future music historians wonder just what was wrong with the musical priorities on the mid 1980's. "Do You Want Crying," "Que Te Quiero," Going Down To Liverpool," "The Game of Love" and the blistering "Mexico" are just a few of the highlights of this magnificent example of power pop song craft.

I guess we just did not deserve Katrina and the Waves, but here is an opportunity to make amends. BUY THIS TODAY!

A good vision of the band's work.
From "Walking On Sunshine" (yep!) to "I really taught me to Watusi",Katrina & the Waves make us enter their "pop-rock" world.And don't it feel good!! Of course,there are songs from "KatW" (85),"Waves" (86),"Break of hearts" (89) and "Pet the Tiger" (91).The first 2 ones contain some hits,the last 2 were unfair flops.But don't hesitate to get that CD,you'll never get enough of Katrina's voice and Kimberley Rew's skillful guitar.Too bad the summary of Katrina & the Waves' carrier stops in 91,because they recorded some good CDs after that(not so great I must admit).In 97 the band came in the sunlights again by winning the Eurovision Song Contest but their new CD "Walk On Water" didn't score,though Katrina is singing better than ever.Don't wait now,plunge into this anthology and appreciate the band's unfairly forgotten talent.

Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime!
Summer will be here before you know it and you don't want to be caught another summer without this Katrain & the Waves compilation because "Walking on Sunshine" remains THE summer anthem.

But if you think that "Walking on Sunshine" is all there is to this band you are in for one MAMMOTH surprise. "Game of Love," "Going Down to Liverpool," "Que te Quiero" and the SCORCHING "Mexico" are all just a few of the other songs on the CD that just scream SUMMER. It ain't summer until you hear them. ... Read more

Asin: B000002R05
Sales Rank: 82388

Bryan Adams
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 July, 1996)
list price: $32.49
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Import

Reviews (1)

SIMPLE POP FUN -70's STYLE
This is a guilty pleasure.The songs are so simple they will make you sick, but they become old friends.There are no classics here, except for REMEMBER. A lot of the songs sound similar.Some of the ballads showcase hints of the great ballad-writer he was to become. The energy of youth is the exciting thing about this CD,he seemed like somebody who was going to make it,although not because of this album. This album will appeal more to a disco fan than it will a rock fan.Songs like Dont Ya Say It are 100% disco, and will appeal to you if you like the 70's Philly style.It is the Shaun Cassidy watered-down version of rock-Very clean,very straight-forward.If you like K-tels albums from the 70's,or the Have A Nice Day series,this is for you.It is OLD, it came out in 79-80.This album sounded very dated even a few months after it came out.His next album-You Want It,was the opposite.It was very dark,it showed he was really searching for a style. I'm really into progressive rock of the 70's (RUSH GENESIS),but when I am feeling down, I throw this record on, and everything dissolves into happiness.I have very diverse tastes,and judge everything for exactly what it is, not what I think it should be.I imagine Bryan himself isnt very fond of this record,or even chuckles at the mention of it, but i've never heard him speak of it.It is not a must have, but is the best cure for depression around. PURE FUN!!! ... Read more

Asin: B000006Z12
Sales Rank: 346508

Tropico/Seven the Hard Way
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 February, 1999)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Import

Reviews (14)

Two of Pat Benatar's best albums together; gotta love it
The one constant on Pat Benatar's albums has always been the glorious voice. On "Tropico" what stands out as well is the music, which offers a rich and yet diverse collection of songs to compliment Benatar's singing. Neil Geraldo and the rest of the band are certainly hitting their stride at this point. Clearly this album gets away from basic rock & roll and into more sophisticated musical stylings from the almost classical guitary opening of "Temporary Heroes" to the synthesized rhythms of "Temporary Heroes." This is an album that can put the frenetic energy of the "Ooh Ooh Song" next to the moody blues of "The Outlaw Blues." We all know that Benatar's voice can overpower most music, but it is nice to enjoy not only those moments but those where the music gets out of the way, as on the album's big hit song "We Belong." Ultimately Benatar exhibits as much range in her singing as we find on the album in terms of the music. "Tropico" is one of the most polished Benatar albums.

"Seven the Hard Way" continues what was begun on "Tropico," although "Invincible (theme from 'The Legend of Billie Jean')" is not only the big hit from the album but one of the few songs not written by Gerlado and Gromacher. If "Le Bel Age" seems to be a bit different from the rest of the songs it is because that is one of the other tunes not written by the duo. Again there is the emphasis on showcasing Benatar's vocal talent, not only in rockers like "Sex As A Weapon" but in the moodier pieces like "Walking in the Underground" that better serve to define this period in the group's career. These two albums both evince the group's growth from its first rather basic rock-n-roll albums.

this is a MUST HAVE
A friend got me this, as both titles have been out of print in the US for some time now. Benatar's 6th & 7th albums find her voice in rare form. They are the artistic step needed to get us from the early, CRIMES OF PASSION days, to the mature-but still rockin'INAMORATA present.

Branching out a bit from hard rock roots, Benatar's range & versatility are highlighted in TROPICO's "We Belong", "Painted Desert", "The Outlaw Blues" and "Suburban King", as well as SEVEN THE HARD WAY's "Run Between The Raindrops", "Le Bel Age" (the album version is much better than the single edit that's been on some compilations)and the amazing "Walking In The Underground". Besides these wonderful ,often haunting gems, Benatar does still rock: the old-time-rock n roll flavored "Ooh Ooh Song", the bombastic "Big Life", the hip movie track "Invincible" and the (I can't believe it's NOT from a movie)sonic-attack on the senses "Red Vision" - these tunes will blow you away! DO NOT THINK TWICE ABOUT GETTING THIS! REPLACE YOUR WORN OUT CASSETTES AND VINYL!

SONGS ARE EDITED!!!!
La Bel Age loses a whole minute!!!! Painted Desert is 20 seconds shorter than on the original CD, and Invincible is 10 seconds shorter. The bonus track, Love is a Battlefield, it is the 7" version, not the full length version on her Live from Earth CD. They should have just left it off the CD and given us back the time stolen from the other tracks!!! What a bummer. Otherwise, I'm all for this 2 in 1 compilation idea. ... Read more

Asin: B00000GWZW
Sales Rank: 9779

Super Trouper
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (16 March, 1999)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Nineteen eighty's Super Trouper was the fans' favorite--and no wonder. It was recorded at the height of the two couples' separations, thus adding an intensity and pathos to the group's already fearsome melodies. It contains Abba's masterpiece and swansong, "The Winner Takes It All," one of the most beautiful breakup songs ever recorded, its bitterly reflective lyrics mirroring the emotional fragility of the group (in '81, Benny and Frida followed Björn and Agnetha into divorce court). For further pathos, there's the orchestrated, chilling "Lay All Your Love on Me," "Our Last Summer," and a nostalgic, tear-jerking "Happy New Year." Songwriters Björn and Benny were certainly laying some demons to rest via their music. There's yet another European No. 1--the title track--disco dance-ified to perfection. The end was fast approaching, but Abba were still producing pop moments of sublime perfection. --Everett True ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (18)

Super Trouper: ABBA's Masterpiece
"Super Trouper", released by ABBA in 1980, is regarded by many ABBA fans - including myself - as simply one of ABBA's best original albums. "Super Trouper" showed a more mature and personal ABBA, who at the time were at an emotional crossroad in their intertwined lives and careers; the songs "The Winner Takes It All" and "Super Trouper", beautifully written, are evident of this. Other noteworthy songs in this album are "Our Last Summer", "Me And I", "Andante, Andante" and "The Way Old Friends Do". For any first-time buyer of an ABBA album, while "ABBA Gold" or the 4 cd-box set "Thank You For The Music" is definitely a worthwhile investment of their greatest hits, the album "Super Trouper" provides a more intimate look and sound into one of the world's most successful music acts.

A superb rise from rock bottom back up to the top!
In a way, after the divorce of Agnetha and Bjorn in 1979, things for the group were a bit shaky. Did ABBA still manage to work together? Apparently, as "Super Trouper" is their best album after just a bit of a slip with "Voulez-Vous." Bjorn and Benny frighteningly capture loss, pain, and loneliness in tracks such as "The Winner Takes It All" (Agnetha, I commend you for the wonderful vocals), "Happy New Year," "Our Last Summer," and "The Way Old Friends Do." In a way, even the tracks that should be rather light and happy still have a rather lonely feeling, or at least lonely lyrics. One can really tell that Benny and Bjorn laid some personal demons to rest in the making of this superb pop masterpiece. If you want ABBA at their post-"Voulez Vous" conventional pop best, then buy this album! Next to "The Album" and "The Visitors," this is ABBA's best. All of their records have wonderful qualities, but this one really stands out.

Highlights: "Super Trouper," "The Winner Takes It All," "Andante, Andante," "Happy New Year," "Our Last Summer," "The Piper," "Lay All Your Love On Me," "The Way Old Friends Do."

ABBA's best album.
I am an ABBA fan living in Norway. I think Super Trouper is ABBA's best album. I have of course all their albums and videos (VHS). My favourite track of ABBA is "Like an angel passing through my room". It is the most beautiful song I have ever heard. A pity it is not included on Super Trouper, but is the last song on the cd "The Visitors". Because of the terrible song
"Two for the price of one" I don't think "The Visitors" is a very good album. This song destroys the album and should in my opinion never has ben released. ... Read more

Asin: B00000I951