Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 October, 2003)
list price: $18.98
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Editorial Review

Just when they seemed sure to fade away into twee-pop irrelevance, this obscure Scottish indie-pop act releases their strongest album in seven years. With lots of help from uber-commercial producer Trevor Horn (ABC, Yes, Pet Shop Boys, t.A.T.u.), singer-songwriter Stuart Murdoch finally gets back to leading his band. It was a nice idea to have everyone else share the vocal spotlight on Fold Your Hands and Storytelling, but wasn't Murdoch's delicate voice so much of what made us all fall in love with the band in the first place? Clearly, Horn understands this, just as he understands that the preciously lo-fi sound had to go. Horn brings every instrument into a crystal-clear, lovingly retro, Top of the Pops clarity. It's their most diverse album by far, from the marching, uptempo(!) drums on "Step Into My Office Baby" (which sounds like Melaniemeets Adam and the Ants) to the fractured, New Wave-organ-driven "Stay Loose" (the close as B&S has come to Talking Heads territory). What a nice surprise. --Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Reviews (143)

Disagree with other reviews
The other reviews are right in one sense... this album is light hearted and is "happy" music.But I disagree that this album is any lesser than their previous works.Yes, there is no moody track that is "deep."But that is not necessary to have a good CD.Dear Catastrophe Waitress does not offer anything on multiple levels but truly is a great work that involves many different instruments, making tracks that are practically performed by orchestras rather than just a band.If you're just looking for a nice "breezy" CD to buy, buy this one.

Recommendations in addition to this CD/If you like these groups, you will most likely like this CD:

The Shins
Tegan and Sara
Postal Service
The Wannadies
Spoon

A Welcome Change of Pace
After reading some of the reviews, I was very fearful of buying this album. Belle and Sebastian have been my favourite band for years, and the thought of them losing their musical charm seemed horrible. But, while in England, a four song CD came with the paper as usual, and on the back I saw Stay Loose by Belle and Sebastian listed. So, I played it-and really loved that song! It seemed to be a harken back to singles such as Lazy Line-Painter Jane and 3...6...9 Seconds of Light. It was fresh and new compared to their last album, the soundtrack Storytelling. And so, with eager anticipation, I bought it.

And I was not dissapointed. I hear some people complaining about the lack of brooding mystery, but it's not a bad thing. The style is different, yes, but it's new, energetic, and very funny. And still I feel there is that tinge of sadness, such as on Dear Catastrophie Waitress, Step into my Office Baby, and Lord Anthony. It's just a different kind-perhaps more mature, in a way. The song Lord Anthony is the best I've heard in years from them; far superior to anything from Fold Your Hands..., which was somewhat of a dissapointment.

All I can say is, I wonder what they'll do next?

Really good
This is very good. I don't write reviews but a younger buddy lent this to me and I have to say it is worth it. It sounds funky in a way. I love it so far. Hey, they don't call me Joe Cool for nothing. ... Read more

Asin: B0000CBHQ1
Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Twee Pop   

Want One
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 September, 2003)
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Reviews (158)

GENIUS
Finally, the boy Wainwright delivers a masterpiece. Whilst his previous albums, the self-titled debut and Poses, hinted at greatness, and possessed some classic tunes, they never quite managed to deliver. However, with this release Rufus delivers an absolute, bona-a-fide 100% classic. The vocal arrangements, orchestration and sheer scope of the music are truly breathtaking - there really is no one else making such epic music. And the opening track, which samples Bolero and starts with the fantastic line 'Men reading fashion magazines / Oh what a world my parents gave me', is true genius at work. Rufus is often compared to the late, great Jeff Buckley, but their styles of music are very different - Rufus' music is more 'theatrical' and in some cases very camp (think Jacques Brel) - a couple of songs here wouldn't sound out of place in a Broadway musical.

In summary, a 'must have' album. And you really should go and see him in concert - in addition to the music his between songs patter is very, very funny. Also, a limited edition of Want Two is available - it comes with a bonus DVD featuring 90 minutes of Rufus in concert...!

Exquisite
Want One and Want Two are provocative and ethereal masterpieces.A day doesn't go by that I don't tap a vein and inject a large dose of this beautiful music.

Incredibly great voice, but sadly ruined by overproduction
Rufus Wainwright has one of the most instantly recognizable, beautiful, and passionate voices of just about anyone around today.It's a real shame that this album is mired in overproduction.I gave it several tries, but after the first 3 or 4 songs, it's just more than I could take.The closest reference points are Elton John and Queen at their most lavish, and if you're into that sort of thing, then you'll like this.I'm not giving up on him, though; surely there's a Rufus Wainwright album out there with a pared down 5 piece band sound.That's the one I'll keep looking for. ... Read more

Asin: B0000C7PSW
Sales Rank: 1906
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Chamber Pop    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Singer/Songwriter   

Think Tank
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (06 May, 2003)
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Editorial Review

Compared to the brash pop of Damon Albarn's Gorillaz side project and 1999's overtly emotional 13, Think Tank is a soulful and subtle affair—its tone possibly traceable to the departure of founding member Graham Coxon midway through its recording. There are classic Blur rock moments here, notably "Crazy Beat," which is cut from the same cloth as the classic "Song 2," and the painfully short but brilliant "We've Got a File On You," which sounds like agitprop punks Crass mixed up with a Moroccan snake charmer. But while Albarn still has an ear for a melody, without Coxon's guitars to subvert them, most of these songs sound like the work of a new band. "Caravan"'s sleepy rhythm plods at a camel's pace, while "Gene by Gene" employs cross rhythms to evoke desert images. Blur is now more about textures rather than standard rock rhythms. Some will find their evolution off-putting, but for fans who appreciate a band that refuses to sit still, Think Tank is a rewarding listen. --Caroline Butler ... Read more

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Reviews (125)

I'm Addicted !
Before this I thought that people admirer Damon just because his good looking, but after I listen to this album, boy I was wrong. This is beautiful. I cant stop playing this. I hope 13 is as good as this.

This suppose to be one of the best album in 2004, right?

Most beautiful Blur album
Since I like all allbums of Blur very much, I can not say that this is their 'best'. Every album has a specific sound and feeling to it, and there's one for every mood. Having said this, Think Tank is probably Blur's most beautiful album. Those melodies!! Of course there are a few 'mistakes' on the album ("We've got a file on you" for example), but in general this album is one of the most sophisticated and musical albums I have ever heard.

A Haunting Calm Of Music
This is a phenomenon in the Blur catalog. Very different than their previous albums and minus lead guitarist Graham Coxon Think Tank is ethereal and beautiful.

Very reminiscent in spirit to the experimental phase of David Bowie (Low/"Heroes") Think Tank has a very loose and adventurous style to it. I'm not saying that he is imitating those albums just that there is a real sense of exploration in it. Not only does the album feel more adventuresome but the music feels more honest and bare than from previous efforts.

Personal favorites include the epic Ambulance, Good Song and Battery In The Leg.The latter includes Coxon before he left the band.The only song I can do without is generic punkish "We've Got A File On You" which fortunately runs in at barely over a minute.

Albarn said in an interview that he felt like this was Blur's first true album. I can see why. His adoration of Ray Davies (Kinks) was always very clear in his song writing. Although it never felt like a total parody it always seemed like he took too much from that kitchen. Blur was definitely showing signs of breaking away with the menacing 13; Think Tank comes off like its stranger cousin. Although it doesn't have as sharp of a hit single like Tender (Crazy Beat was the single, which is catchy) Think Tank has kept my attention more than their previous beloved records because it seems like there is more substance in it because of its personal nature.

(The five stars are primarily based on the music that was released when Think Tank came out.On the grand scale of things I would give it 4 star rating.)
... Read more

Asin: B0000931OG
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Pure Power-Popbliss............
Being an avid music collector for over 20 years or so and owning hundreds of CD's, LP's & cassettes, I sometimes wonder what am I doing wiht all this stuff and what happens to it all after I am gone?And I never seem to come up with an answer, so I just proceed along consuming music that strikes me and pretty much enjoy all that I own, I ain't into the transferable music thing yet.And once in blue moon, a collection of music will come along from some band and just knock me out.Well, kids, this is the goods, an ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE. Messr Bejar & Newman are right on the mark, I have Mass Romantic and some other assorted solo stuff but this is their zenith, It is a reocrding that really doesn't need to written about just listened to, you'll have it steady in your 'must hear' for about 1-2 weeks and put it down for awhile and then when you seek it out again, it just makes you bop & bounover electro beats on "GhettoMusick". By the time Cee-Lo sermonizes on "Reset", Speakerboxx and Love Below rate mostly as majestic and inspiring, with the remaining 23 per cent being just plain incredible --Dalton Higgins ... Read more

Asin: B00008NGLS
Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop Underground    5. Rock   

Day I Forgot
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (15 April, 2003)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

There’s nothing particularly wrong with Pete Yorn’s second album. It’s just that the effortless power-pop of Day I Forgot is pleasant enough but rarely distinctive or deep enough to demand close, repeated listens. Although it was reportedly recorded in a garage and Yorn’s multi-instrumental prowess is often supplemented here by a (fuller) band, the sonic results tend toward airbrushed studio perfection. Somewhere along the line Yorn has picked up an occasional Eddie Vedder vocal affectation. However, since Pearl Jam no longer deigns to write hits, somebody ought to show up on the radio with that voice, and "Come Back Home" could turn just such a trick. The best track here is "Crystal Village," one of those creamy pop confections easy to imagine as a teen TV show theme or prom-night favorite. Worst moment is a tie between a misguided bluesy stomp, "Carlos," and "Burrito," on which Yorn applies Vedder’s voice to the tale of a 7-Eleven romance started over a shared micro waved treat. It’s just a suggestion, but you may want to take yours to go. --Keith Moerer ... Read more

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Reviews (131)

Keeper
Geez, you'd think they were talking about Jack Johnson with all these "mediocre" reviews.I disagree - I listen to this one as often as musicforthemorningafter. If you are a true Yorn fan, you will want this one too.

Not as good as "Morning" but still pretty good.
Pete Yorn's second major album holds some MAJOR similarities to his debut, "musicforhtemorningafter". While the angst has been watered down a bit, and there seem to be a few more of the upbeat footstompers that were less than half of the first disc (and therefore render this one a little more radio-friendly, a little less memorable), it's still a good listen.

Not as deep, not as profound, but not as bad as some have said.

I particularly like "Come Back Home", "Long Way Down", and the somber "All At Once".

Don't listen to anyone who gave this album a bad review.
They obviously have no idea what they're talking about. It isn't quite as good as Pete's first record but it's more than a worthy follow-up. ... Read more

Asin: B00008VOQN
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Singer/Songwriter   

Instant 0 in the Universe [EP]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 October, 2003)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
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Reviews (14)

The Groop is on fire!!!
No one should be shocked at how strong these tracks are. It seems as if Stereolab gets a lot of their funk & rock grooves out on eps & b-sides of which there have been too many to mention over the years. This 23 minute offering is no different. They really come off well as a song suite that flows from one to the next & leaves you wanting more (I'm generally forced to play Jaunty Monty & Mass Riff twice per listen). BTW how good is the new LP going to be if only one of these 5 made the cut!? Long live the Groop! Please come to SF this summer!

...and now back to the rocking....
As much as I've enjoyed "Cobra..." and "Sound-Dust", I did miss the rock factor from days past... This ep. throws way back, and rings out even more 70's prog than ever before... I'm also glad to hear that Latetia's backing vocals have a style of their own, and really sound great! It's a terrible shame about Mary, and you have to respect the fact that Stereolab has not tried to cover up her absence, but has changed itself to reflect the loss....

The new songs are amazing, my particular favorite is "Good is Me".. Can't wait to hear the full length! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for at least one distorted-guitar rock screamer, ala "The Noise Of Carpet" on this new album. I've been missing that side of Stereolab!!

For any current fan, this EP is a no-brainer: Buy It.

Listen to it with Headphones
I'm a huge stereolab fan.

I gave this a four star rating because although I don't feel any of the songs are particularly that strong (they don't have to be, it's an ep), this is, at the least, an interesting experiment in music production. It seems like most of the songs have been divided into the left and right channels...and each component of each song is produced on either side in slightly different variations. For instance, there are usually two percussive tracks that compliment eachother...for example, on track five, the classic "disco beat" is played on both left and right channels but the hi-hats are opened at slightly different times...its hard for me to explain, but this is why you should listen with headphones.

Stand out tracks for me are Jaunty and Good Is Me.

looking forward to the new Lp, although I'll be a little irked if it keeps this sound. It's a change, but I don't want Stereolab's sound to move too far away from the great songwriting of their past 12 albums or so towards instrumental hip shaking music. ... Read more

Asin: B0000CAOH7
Sales Rank: 115075
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Ambient Pop    3. Experimental Rock    4. Indie Electronic    5. Indie Pop    6. Indie Rock    7. Pop    8. Post-Rock/Experimental    9. Rock   

Echoes
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 October, 2003)
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Reviews (97)

Over hyped
First off stop comparing them to the Cure !! this CD takes a few listenings to get into. Its not the best album of any year but if you are in the mood for some upbeat fun rock then this is it. Its Better than most of the disco crap hack punk that keeps coming out lately . P.I.L. may have done a very similar act 20 years earlier which means you should really check them out first. but whatever listen to what you want it would be cooler to keep up witht the new hip bands anyway right? Pitchfork may be sucking on these guys gonads for some reson im not sure why. maybe they are salty. but its better than !!! , bloc party or the bravery (yeesh!!) all lame and you would be kind of a tool for listening to any of those

"Echoes"
There are many so-called "dancepunk" bands lately, but nothing like this one we have here. The Raptures relys heavily on synth and creates trance sound with old school punk. The combination may sound a bit wacky, yet it works.

You might have some hard time controlling your body when you listen to the 4th track, "I need your love".

excellent stuff
These guys are good.They've been slagged off by many people for the fact that they take influences from the Cure and a few other new wave bands, but so what?Adittedly the vocalist's voice takes a bit of getting used to, but at least they have the guts to do singing in a strange yelp.the instrumentation is excellent, and it is the disco punk tracks like "echoes" and "house of jealous lovers" that are probably the best, all razor-sharp guitars and driving drum and bass lines.(the cow bell is an idea of genius).This album does grow on you, and GO AND BUY IT ... Read more

Asin: B0000C83MI
Sales Rank: 32891
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Give Up
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 February, 2003)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $11.99
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Editorial Review

Give Up, the debut release by this indie supergroup composed of Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie and Jimmy Tamborello from Dntel, is a smart, quaint, and often transcendent little pop record. The roots of the album lie in "(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan," a woozy, gorgeous song recorded for the rad 2001 Dntel album Life Is Full of Possibilities. With Jimmy in L.A. and Ben in Seattle, the two simply mailed tracks back and forth, collaborating via (you guessed it) the United States Post Office. Lyrically it’s far breezier and happier (though not too happy) than anything Gibbard had written up to this point for Death Cab. The music is an elastic, very smart update of synth-pop and the melodies crystal clear, while the backing vocals courtesy of Jen Wood and Jenny Lewis are spartan and pretty. The songs stick in your head for days at a time. Forget the tags that have been thrown up against this music--Poptronica? New new new order? Please just enjoy this album. It just might be a classic--but of what exactly, we’re not quite sure. --Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Reviews (342)

YES...more awful music!!!!
this is terrible!if you are 10 years old i can understand why you may like this.otherwise, i think you have serious issues and are hearing impaired.your ears are broken.you have no idea what 'good' means.i know good and i know crap.i have had experiences with both.i feel that the earth is going to stop spinning and we will all end up floating in space because of too much crap building up on our planet.the postal service is adding to this crap.the postal service is destroying humanity.death cab for cutie is a stupid band name too.more crap.to whovever likes this album...i hope one of your family members dies very soon.this music would make a great soundtrack to a rainbow brite movie or a my little pony commercial.

THE ELECTRONIC DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
This cd isn't the best cd I have ever heard but is still very good. To be honest I like more DCFC but they are still one of the best music bands on these days of bad , overrated, and unoriginal music. The combination bewtween the electronic beats and the voice of the singer is great and sometimes beautiful soundscapes result in their songs. My personal favorites are Nothing Better and Brand New colony, please check the lyrice of nothing better, they are just amazing and the way the singer combines with the woman to sing the song together is awesome. This cd is worth your money and really deserves serious attention.

decent beats, cheesy vocals.
sorry, but the vocals sound like he's reading paragraphs from a short story written in a high school creative writing class.the awkwardly square delivery and below average voice do not help either.a few of the tracks have rather nice beats.more poetic lyrics and an interesting voice and postal service might actually have something. ... Read more

Asin: B000089CJI
Subjects:  1. IDM    2. Indie Electronic    3. Indie Pop    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. United States of America   

North
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 September, 2003)
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Reviews (33)

MacIntosh In The Rain
Browsing through all the customer reviews, one can't help but notice this album certainly has it's share of detractors. That's understandable. This is definitely a "mood piece". Not something you're going to put on everyday. It's a low key & subtle album. Something that goes well with a little wine on a rainy night in October. I've been a Costello fan for longer than I care to relate, but since the unhinged onslaught of BLOOD & CHOCOLATE, I always kind of thought he was stabbing in the dark. Hitting the mark as much as missing it. Never quite living up to the fatal words laid down in "Alison". Without a doubt this is a total about face from WHEN I WAS CRUEL's return to form. Imagine an album of "Almost Blue" sentiments cut with players who seem to have quietly tip-toed out of JULIETTE LETTERS & PAINTED FROM MEMORY sessions. Find them moonlighting here on an album that tops both. For what it lacks in Costello's go-for-the-throat veracular, the sombre, smokey after hours atmosphere is persuasive. The footsteps of some chronic ex-patriot, lost the perpetual Gloomy Sunday of post-war Paris. "You Left Me In The Dark" begins with the absent last words of a crumbling relationship. "I'm In The Mood Again" closes with the uncertainty of a new one just begining. The irrevocable spell of temptation is evoked on "You Turned To Me". Here is the sound of a man agonizing on the fatal point of infidelity without totally giving in. Close on the heels, is "Fallen", a more than resigned number about falling in love... yet again. Simple melody comes to a fore with "When It Sings" & "Still". The chorus of "Let Me Tell You About Her" pretty much sums it all up with the punchline, "Hush, I've said too much" . Something he's certainly been guilty of in the past. I guess this is PAINTED FROM MEMORY revisited---without the kitch factor. A weeper's dream of an album.

The unthinkable: Elvis Costello drunk with love!
Throughout his career, Elvis Costello has made his reputation on changing his music styles with the days of the week. Even the angry punk he had made his name on & with which he became an unofficial member of the movement was just one facet of his identity, for shortly afterwards, he dabbled in soul (1980's GET HAPPY!!), country (1981's ALMOST BLUE), baroque pop (1982's IMPERIAL BEDROOM), and even classical (1993's THE JULIET LETTERS). The latter has proven to be more than just an ordinary flirtation, for even while THE JULIET LETTERS album with the Brodsky String Quartet may have been a very obviously self-conscious affair, Elvis returned to the genre three times more, recording an album with opera singer Anne Sofie Von Otter (2001's FOR THE STARS) & then recording his first full-fledged classical work (i.e. not still having his lyrical talents to fall back on) with IL SOGNO (2004). In between those two, Elvis recorded a unique jazz-pop hybrid (although it is released on Deutsche Grammophon, the label for his classical material) with 2003's NORTH.

One of the things that makes NORTH Elvis' best classical-based work is the story behind its creation. After the divorce from his second wife Caitlin O'Riordan, Elvis met jazz singer Diana Krall (who my mother is quite a fan of). Supposedly, it was love at first sight, and by the time Elvis began work on NORTH (less than a year after 2002's artistic renewal WHEN I WAS CRUEL), the two were engaged. For someone as legendarily misanthropic in his music like Elvis Costello, the idea of him getting all lovey-dovey may be a frightening one. Just maybe finding the love of his life has Elvis wishing to sing rainbows, and while occasionally his lyrics will still retain a sense of didacticism, there is no secret about what each of the 11 songs are about.

Of course, not every song on NORTH is completely dedicated to his new love. Some songs like "You Left Me In The Dark" could easily be about the demise of Elvis' second marriage with him wondering just how things went wrong. Rather than laying the blame at his ex-wife's door, Elvis accuses himself: "Nothing I do can make you stay/I'm glad it will rain today". "Fallen" also finds Elvis with a heart of despair over messing up a good relationship with its autumnal music & especially in its lyrics full of browns, ambers & burnished golds. Where the orchestral arrangements could have gotten over-the-top (and on "Can You Be True?", it comes quite close to that), they are actually much more subtle than expected, which was something THE JULIET LETTERS did not have enough of.

Those are the only two songs on NORTH that find Elvis in a dark mood matching the blackness of the cover art. The rest clearly have him celebrating his newfound romance & darned be the results. "Still" is perhaps the most romantic Elvis has ever gotten in his music, especially with the opening verse. Elvis still does not have his head too high in the clouds, though, if the last verse is any indication: "I want to kiss you in a rush/and whisper things to make you blush/and you say, "Darling, hush".

"Let Me Tell You About Her" certainly indicates Elvis' wish to tell the world about his new love, whether or not they care to listen. Elvis' lyrics have often been compared to Cole Porter, and maybe he is aware of that with the reference to Cole's classic song "You're Sensational". "Someone Took The Words Away" works in a similar fashion, demonstrating how Elvis is at a loss for words upon seeing his new love for the first time, as does "When Did I Stop Dreaming?". These three songs are the ones that contain the trademark Costello wit, only this time being used for good rather than criticism.

"You Turned To Me" has Elvis wondering if he could all be dreaming these amorous feelings, and if his new woman does in fact consider him her new addiction. One song that does not have an orchestra of any kind on it, the simple bass & piano accompaniment still manages to sound as full as it needs to be. "Can You Be True?" has Elvis inquiring whether his new love will be as faithful to him as he will be to her. Elvis again shows no shame in being love poet extraordinaire, as he does on the more positive outlook of "When It Sings", but that just indicates the former angry young man of MY AIM IS TRUE (1977) & THIS YEAR'S MODEL (1978) has done a lot of growing up since those acid-drenched masterpieces. When you hear the devotional lyrics to a song like "When Green Eyes Turn Blue", it is apparent that Elvis has learned when to put the verbal daggers away if necessary.

The love letter that is NORTH closes out in utter bliss on "I'm In The Mood Again", with Elvis creating a reverent ode to love in the big city, one you could hear emanating from a club after midnight in New York City. With just a piano (played by Elvis himself, whereas the keyboard playing mostly rested upon old Attractions member Steve Nieve) & a vibraphone as accompaniment, that is all the song needs to show that Elvis Costello is ready to give love a chance, and just maybe the third time is the charm. After experiencing some 40 straight minutes of unabashed romantic celebration, one can not help but hope that turns out to be true.

While NORTH may not be as overtly classical as THE JULIET LETTERS or even IL SOGNO, that in fact is what makes it work so well. With THE JULIET LETTERS having been more a pastiche of a string quartet sound rather than a tried-and-true experiment with it, NORTH's more understated use of a classical sound, and concentrating more on the jazzier elements of the music therein (sounding like the theme albums that Frank Sinatra had created so successfully in the '50s & '60s, only this time, Elvis is taking a crack at writing standards as well as singing them), makes it one much easier to enjoy for what it is, and not what it should have been. The music of his future wife perhaps had a profound effect on Elvis' own work, and he would even collaborate with Diana Krall for the original songs on her then-upcoming THE GIRL IN THE OTHER ROOM album. Those who come into NORTH expecting just another genre experiment will be much surprised to see Elvis thrive in yet another style of music one would think he had no business even attempting.

Not for most fans of Elvis Costello's rock music
As a long time Elvis Costello fan I have to say that this is the first of his albums I wont give shelf space to.I find it deadly dull.I have very wide ranging taste and quite enjoyed some of his previous experiments (such as the Country style of Almost Blue and the strange songs with the Brodsky Quartet on the Juliette Letters) but this is just too middle-aged and boring.In recent years Elvis has made some wonderful rock albums such as When I was Cruel and All this Useless Beauty.I find it hard to imagine how the same person could enjoy these and the dismal North! ... Read more

Asin: B0000C7PQS
Sales Rank: 54436
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Chamber Pop    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Singer/Songwriter    6. Torch Songs   

Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 September, 2003)
list price: $21.98 -- our price: $17.99
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At a time when experimentation is taboo in most overground rap, that’s all Outkast seem intent on executing. Firstly, this double CD has no cohesive link, other than the fact that it sounds like a pair of solo albums stitched together to demo exactly how Andre’s yin works to augment Big Boi’s yang. Andre 3000’s Love Below disc rates as the more eclectic of the two, given that he’s turned in his emcee credentials to become a full-on funk-soul-jazz vocalist who mostly sings about items of love ("Happy Valentine's Day"), carnal lust ("Spread"), and female adoration ("Prototype"). Minus the big band schmaltz of "Love Hater" and cheesy cover jobs ("My Favorite Things"), Andre’s disc is sick (meaning great). As is to be expected, the Big Boi disc is less arty, more gangsta and worldly, and features the less-progressive guest raps of ATL crunk purveyors Lil’ Jon and The Eastside Boyz ("Last Call") and Jay-Z who rhymes the hook on "Flip Flop Rock". Unlike Big Boi, Andre keeps his collabos to a minimum, once crooning alongside Norah Jones on the cool yet sappy "Take Off Your Cool", and once with Kelis. Boi fulfills his Dungeon Family duty with flying colors by flipping some dirty southern up-tempo raps over electro beats on "GhettoMusick". By the time Cee-Lo sermonizes on "Reset", Speakerboxx and Love Below rate mostly as majestic and inspiring, with the remaining 23 per cent being just plain incredible --Dalton Higgins ... Read more

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Reviews (785)

Nice and experimental
I like this album and heres my 2 discs review
Speakerboxx (Big Boi)
This is the more Hip Hop disc and the better. Big Boi raps about something diffrent to the likes of Eminem and 50 Cent. Dont get me wrong, I like Eminem and 50 Cent but Big Boi dont rap about 50 hating Ja rule. Anyway the beats stand out and Ghettomusick is the best song. U will get guest apperences on tons of the songs. These include Jay Z, Ludacris, Lil John and the eastside boys, Sleepy Brown and some unknown group called Konkrete and many more. I like this and this is why Big Boi and Andre 3000 should go their seprate ways. U can call this non gangsta but it is good. If u want a change from what rap normally raps about listen to this. Good job Big Boi and your disc gets 9/10 because there is too many records with people helping out but not as many as Dr Dre 2001! 9/10

The Love Below (Andre 3000)
Here are my track ratings
1. Intro- I thought this was mixed up with a choir disc when I heard this. 2/10
2. Love hater- Way too jazzy for me and I thought what is this? 3/10
3. God- Little skit not much. 4/10
4. Happy valentines day- 1 of the few I like and 1 of the few Hip Hop like ones. 8.5/10
5. Spread- OK beat but lyrics dont appeal. 6/10
6. Where are my panties?- What is this skit? A joke? 1/10
7. Prototype- What the hell is this junk? Terrible beat and lyrics plus a worse video. 0/10
8.She lives in my lap- RnB like track which is OK. 5/10
9. He Ya- Well overplayed but OK. Once I heard this 8 times on 1 channel in 2 hours. 7.5/10
10. Roses- Well appeals and not too over played unlike Hey Ya. Big Boi appears too. 9/10
11. good day good sir- skit again 3/10
12. Behold a lady- ? 1/10
13. Pink and blue- Never listened to. NR
14. Love in war- When I read the lyrics I didn't bother to listen to it. 1/10
15. Shes alive- See above. 1/10
16. Draculas wedding (Feat Kelis)- Good 1 of the few stand outs but a little short. 8/10
17. Take off your cool (Feat Norah Jones)- What is Norah Jones doing here? Lame beats and everything. 1/10
18. My favourite things- Cover song of a nusery rhyme. Need I say anything? 1/10
19. Vibrate- Is This country music or what? 0/10
20. A day in the life of Benjamin Andre- Finally a Hip Hop track but too late final song on the album. Great rhymes and beats give this song a 10/10
I hate this album except for A day in the life of Benjamin Andre, Hey Ya, Roses, Happy valentines day and Draculas Wedding. This has tons of music styles which r listed below
Country e.g vibrate
RnB e.g She lives in my lap
Rock a ballad/country e.g prototype
Soul e.g. Hey Ya
Hip Hop e.g A day in the life of Benjamin Andre
This is not my kind of album The Love Below so I give it 4.5/10
Summary on the 2:
If u like Hip Hop u will only like Spearkerboxx because that is the Hip Hop side but credit goes out to Andre 3000 for trying out so many kinds of music so my verdict is its time for the 2 to go their seprate ways and as for who will keep the outkast name, they should forget about it if they want to stay friends. But then if that happens, I'll not buy any Andre 3000 albums but Big Boi I would so my star ratings are
Speakerboxx 5 stars
The Love Below 2.5 stars
It gets 7.5 stars out of 10 stars so its good but not a classic. Best 5 songs on both discs
Speakerboxx
Ghettomusick
Flip flap rock (Feat Jay Z and Killer Mike)
Last Call (feat lil John and the eastside boys, Slimm Calhoun and Mello)
The way you move
War
The love below
Hey Ya
Roses
Draculas wedding (Feat Kelis)
Happy Valentine's Day
A Life in the Day of Benjamin Andre
So buy it for just Hip Hop(Spekerboxx) on 1 disc and a variety of music on the other (The love below) and I liked their idea of releasing a double album because it shows off the 2 guys styles well because like Big Boi is stuck in Hip Hop while Andre 3000 likes to try out diffrent music styles so even though I dont like Andres disk, I give it credit for being a variety of music which is clever.

fell the fu*k off!
first off, most people that LOVE this album probably wasn't listening to outkast albums like Atliens and Aquemini but probably came in on the whole Stakonia uproar. this album is a joke. outkast has lost their minds. for one thing, andre is the better lyricist of the two but he decides to sing on his disc and big boi is left by himself to rap which is not that good of an idea. you want some GOOD outkast then listen to their first three albums and leave this commercial pop trash alone.

Innovative?
To be honest, I haven't heard this music more than a few times, so I'm not going to review it, but I quite enjoyed it actually. Clearly, it's a very creative mix of a wide variety of musical influences, especially on Andre's LOVE BELOW. I just want to say "Hey Ya!" isn't the revelatory genius morphing of hip-hop people make it out to be. It just sounds like old New Wave. Fun and poppy. If you like this, you should go check out some old XTC records. Peace! ... Read more

Asin: B0000AGWFX
Subjects:  1. Alternative Rap    2. Contemporary R&B    3. Dirty South    4. Hip-Hop    5. Pop    6. Rap & Hip-Hop    7. Southern Rap   

There’s nothing particularly wrong with Pete Yorn’s second album. It’s just that the effortless power-pop of Day I Forgot is pleasant enough but rarely distinctive or deep enough to demand close, repeated listens. Although it was reportedly recorded in a garage and Yorn’s multi-instrumental prowess is often supplemented here by a (fuller) band, the sonic results tend toward airbrushed studio perfection. Somewhere along the line Yorn has picked up an occasional Eddie Vedder vocal affectation. However, since Pearl Jam no longer deigns to write hits, somebody ought to show up on the radio with that voice, and "Come Back Home" could turn just such a trick. The best track here is "Crystal Village," one of those creamy pop confections easy to imagine as a teen TV show theme or prom-night favorite. Worst moment is a tie between a misguided bluesy stomp, "Carlos," and "Burrito," on which Yorn applies Vedder’s voice to the tale of a 7-Eleven romance started over a shared micro waved treat. It’s just a suggestion, but you may want to take yours to go. --Keith Moerer ... Read more

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Asin: B00008VOQN
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Singer/Songwriter