Rainy Day Music
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 April, 2003)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.49
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Editorial Review

Somewhere inside Rainy Day Music beats the heart of a very fine folk-rock record. All chiming guitars and flawless falsetto, "Stumbling Through the Dark" captures the classic Jayhawks sound, and mid-tempo rockers "Tailspin" and "Eyes of SarahJane" recall older favorites like "I'd Run Away." "All the Right Reasons" floats on heavenly harmonies and "Save It for a Rainy Day" succeeds with nifty vocal interplay and a bright melodic hook. Yet, even with its share of jangle-pop gems, the disc also offers a few bland strummers that never quite take off. "One Man's Problem" boasts a catchy chorus but a dragging verse, and when chief songwriter Gary Louris hands the reins to drummer Tim O'Reagan or bassist Marc Perlman, the results suffer. The tasty pop treat "Angelyne" and an album-closing acoustic reprise of the opening track help redeem the disc's latter half, but in the end they only hint at how strong an album this might have been. --Anders Smith Lindall ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Well worth a listen.
Rainy Day Music is a pleasing return from the Jayhawks, and a definite improvement upon the slightly disappointing Smile, their last album. It's an album full of quality songwriting, and is possibly their most accessible record yet, which should please both existing fans and newcomers alike. 'Stumbling Through the Dark', 'Tail Spin' and 'Eyes Of Sarahjane' are all great tunes with memorable melodies, something we have come to expect from the talented Gary Louris. Elsewhere Tim O'Reagan chips in nicely with the Lennon-esque 'Don't Let the World Get In Your Way', and 'Tampa To Tulsa'. As a whole, Rainy Day Music may not be quite as sublime as Hollywood Town Hall or Tomorrow The Green Grass but it still has it's fair share of winning hooks and lovely compositions. I'm just happy that this accomplished band is still making music.

Another Classic Album
Rainy Day Music once again proves that the Jayhawks are the best alt-country act recording today. For those of you, like me, who love the Beatles, the Byrds, Simon and Garfunkle, CSNY, Dylan etc, Rainy Day Music is a light in the dark. Forever the Green Grass was my previous favorite album, and this is probably better. It showcases what the Jayhawks do best--perfect harmonies, clever acoustical guitar, and meaningful lyrics.
It is so rare any more to find a CD that has even a couple of good songs. When you put this one in and hit play, the first half of the album will amaze you. One great song after another. Yes, some of the songs in the second half do drag, but it's still good. Give it a try and you will find new music that you will be hard pressed to take out of your stereo. A masterpiece from an excellent band.

Rainy Day Music - Shines Through
I'm the type of person who'll listen to and enjoy just about any type of music. Classical, Blues, Rock, Jazz, you name it, anything except (c)rap. Lately I've drifted into Americana and being from the southwest I can find hoards of well established artists and numerous up and coming stars to pleasure my latest vice. Yep, I thought I had most of the good stuff on the radar until I stumbled across the Jayhawks. Where the hell have these guys been? A long established band, I'd never even heard of and they are SO DAMN GOOD it's amazing they're apparently so obscure. I first tried Hollywood Town Hall and it was nice, but not quite what I was looking for. But after reading a few reviews on here, I decided to give them one more chance with this latest release - WOW! Smooth harmonies, solid instrumentation and well phrased, flowing lyrics that speak volumes about whatever subject is at hand.

Take a little Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, throw in some Roy Orbison, a dash of Gram Parsons, pinch of early Eagles; mix it all around and then forget all that nonsense, cause these fellows have their own jam goin' on. Rainy Day Music stands on it's on ear, with it's own unique sound.

If you're into Americana, or for that matter, exceptional music of any kind, then run, do not walk to your nearest outlet and buy this CD, you won't be sorry. You're welcome in advance.

And for more fantastic Americana/Country/Alt, etc. try out Tift Merritt - Bramble Rose; Mary Gauthier- Filth and Fire; Toni Price - Born to Be Blue. ... Read more

Asin: B00008NRLX
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

The Thorns
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 May, 2003)
list price: $12.98 -- our price: $12.98
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Editorial Review

If ever a group's moniker were wrapped in florid irony, surely it's this bright, buoyant summit meeting of contemporary popmeisters Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins, and Pete Droge. Backed by an all-star studio ensemble that includes Jim Keltner, Greg Leisz, Brendan O'Brien, and Roy Bittan, the three nominally insulated musicians don't so much claim the legacy of Crosby, Stills & Nash on the harmonic riches of "Think it Over" and glorious "Now I Know" as find a musical common ground that can't help but echo history in its folk-rooted vocal glories (although it's hard to imagine the baby-boom icons wrapping themselves around the chunky funk of the title track here or the pointed impressionistic allegory of "Dragonfly.") Yet The Thorns forges an ego-sublimating higher ground that's anything but nostalgic. Fans of the three musicians may recognize their various sensibilities at work throughout, but it's a rewarding collaboration that virtually defies deconstruction. Don't be misled by the name--this is a beautiful, musically fragrant bouquet. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

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Reviews (98)

Pleasant listening for a rainy day........
"Supergroup" may be a bit of a strong term for this offering, but it's not too far off. Moderately successful singer-songwriters Pete Droge, Shawn Mullins, & Matthew Sweet must've been jamming one day and realized their 3 nuanced voices work very well together and decided to offer up this 13 track disc as a side project of sorts as a break from their own solo careers. For the most part this is an enjoyable listen, featuring laid back acoustic numbers with warm, rich vocal harmonies. The singing usually outshines the songs themselves (a cover of The Jayhawks 'Blue'-one of this reviewers favorites-sounds like a great idea on paper but also falls a bit short), and the tunes are often times a little too similar to folk groups of yore (CSN & Y and The Byrds come to mind), but the occasional derivitive nature of this album can be forgiven---it comes across as 3 talented musicians just getting together for a good time around a campfire. Overall these Thorns don't prick you too much---not rocket science but nevertheless pleasant relaxation music.

CA-style guitars and harmonies boosting some careers
Place Matthew Sweet in any vocal harmony situation, and the results are always lovely, even if it's with himself. Here, however, with Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins there's no comparing the vocal harmonies with Crosby, Stills, Nash and (sometimes) Young, because they've alchemized the CSN(Y) sound perfectly on every single song.

All mid-tempo, laid-back, guitar-strumming ear candy with a slight shade of Traveling Wilburys (especially the opening track "Runaway Feeling").

Harmonies on "Such A Shame" recall The Beatles' "Because."

Personally, the surprise gem of the bunch is the cover of The Jayhawks' "Blue," a song that always gave me goosebumps and The Thorns' version continues to do so.

In sum, if you love and collect strumming guitar pop-rock containing three-part male harmonies, you would be remiss to not add this to your collection while it's at an introductory price.

As a postscript, I should say I'm approaching this as a Matthew Sweet fanatic, and would like to point to his other solo works and underappreciated contributions to Lloyd Cole's late 1980's solo albums. No doubt this Thorns CD will lead others to the respective solo works of Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins, which, looking at it all cynically, is kind of the point here.

On the cheap
There's a prophetic line at the start of the second track, "I Can't Remember": "I'm not gonna lie to you, something is missing." Despite the fact that it boasts the work of three moderately successful solo artists, including Pete Droge, Shawn Mullins, and Matthew Sweet (whose other work I really enjoy--check out In Reverse), The Thorns comes up short. Instead of any driving rhythms or compelling lyrics, the thirteen songs here consist mostly of three-part harmony and lyrics that sound like they were sanitized during the process of three songwriters tweaking them. The results are bland and inoffensive, certainly not as good as fans had every right to expect from these three. There's a reason people are selling used copies on the cheap. ... Read more

Asin: B000094VMS
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Nazarene Crying Towel
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 March, 2003)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $14.99
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Reviews (2)

Incredible. Simply incredible.
Music nowadays seems to have lost something. Maybe it is that digital production has largely eliminated the aspect of human "error".

When I listen to this CD however, I feel as if there is hope for modern music. There is musical redemption in this CD...songs written from the depths of man's heart, undefiled by the cold editing of machines. I haven't heard many CD's as truly musical as this one. This CD captivates me, because the song writing is so "transparent". By transparent, I mean that as you listen to the songs, you can see and hear past the music, and right into the hearts of those who wrote it.

The human heart is layed out on a table on this CD. There are no alabis. There is no masking one's self. There is no hiding from truth. Buy this CD.

They never disappoint...
The Lost Dogs is one of the best bands in the world because it is made up of three guys (four when the late Gene Eugene was still around) from different bands who came together with the best of themselves - their talent, creativity, honesty, and soul - to produce incredible music. This is REAL music - seasoned musicians who are so gifted and so giving. The songs on this album are humble, honest, passionate, and thought-provoking. Buy it now - you will not be disappointed! ... Read more

Asin: B00008L3JI
Sales Rank: 76938

26 Miles
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 April, 2003)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $16.98
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Editorial Review

On his second solo release, Sean Watkins tones down the flatpicking guitar fireworks to focus on the kind of acoustic-based pop song craft that his band, Nickel Creek, has explored so successfully since its self-titled 2000 release. On 26 Miles, Watkins’s songs recall the British-flavored folk-rock of Beck’s Mutations and, especially, the softly soaring melodies of alt-rock troubadour Elliott Smith. As a lyricist, Watkins has a long way to go to match these songsmiths, but he proves himself to be a graceful and inventive composer, and his smooth voice is well matched with the material. Balancing the vocal tracks are three fine instrumentals, notably "Chutes and Ladders," on which Watson’s guitar and Trip Sprague’s saxophone chase down a quicksilver bebop melody. Overall, the production style is poppier than what we’ve heard from Nickel Creek to date, with drums (live and programmed), keyboards, and a smattering of electric guitar alongside the acoustic instruments. --Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A "26 Mile" journey worth taking
As an emerging fan of the band Nickel Creek, you can imagine my excitement of finally getting to hear Sean Watkins' first vocal solo cd project. Although many of the songs are only around 2 minutes in length (sans the excellent instrumentals I wish could go on forever), the ability Watkins has of capturing those certain, often indescribable feelings we feel is truly one of his strongest qualities - nevermind his amazing voice and incredible songwriting skills.

Although I could write entire dissertations on the potentially perfect tunes crafted by Watkins, space limits such an opportunity. Thus, I'll instead highlight a few tracks:
"On Ice," the album's opener, sets a wonderful tone for the direction of the rest of album. Sean's voice, in harmony with the gentle sound of a guitar, seems quite simple, yet as the song progresses, there is a certain drive that "slides" you right into his mind, his words, and his music. "Chicago" is, for lack of a better word, a "bouncy" track that seems to place the listener on a breezy street in the Windy City, at first bitterly alone, yet becoming somewhat complacent in such a position.
"Hiding," yet another seemingly simplistic tune, reminds me of a time when great singer-songwriters dominated the music scene, perhaps a sign of what is in store for Watkins. The following song, "Through the Spring," again lends itself to be one of those songs that everyone can attribute to his/her own life (as are most songs on the album), and further illustrates Watkins' mastery of symbolism and his own, selfless, ability to capture very personal experiences in his songs. "26 Miles," the title track of the album, has a unique sound that combines computerized drum loops, piano, and of course, the great Watkins' guitar sound. Watkins' ability to be so simply honest and poetic in his lyrics again pleases both the ear and the heart of any listener. Perhaps my favorite track (if it is even possible to rank such great songs) would be "Carousel," whose classical-themed instrumentation and message combine to create a truly wonderful, memorable final track, and whose beauty simply cannot be captured in words.

In his 26 years, Sean Watkins has certainly proved he knows what it takes to create a good song. "26 Miles" offers no disappointment; each song is carefully crafted, each word in perfect place, and each feeling convincingly expressed. I confess that I am a sucker for great music, but Watkins' work is beyond great, it is truly phenomenal. His seemingly simple approach and his honest expression of himself in his work lead to the masterpiece that is "26 Miles." Enjoy the ride.

Sean's brilliance never fades
Sean Watkins is a musical genius. There, I've said it. His first solo album, "Let It Fall" was utter brilliance ... showcasing ambitious instrumentals and gave us a taste of what was to come. "26 Miles" takes it to another level completely. Sean has crafted an album that transcends every genre, putting him in a place of his own. Not that this isn't all in a day's work for Sean, who breaks new musical ground all the time with Nickel Creek. But it's easy to see that every track on "26 Miles" is close to Sean's heart, and that draws the listener in even more.

There are so many highlights on this album, with something for just about any music lover. Jazz, folk, rock & pop influences combine expertly in Sean's capable hands. Every track speaks out, beckoning you to take it all in. Songs like "Chicago", "Letters Never Sent" and "Through The Spring" beg to be listened to again and again ... each time delivering a different nuance you might have missed on the previous listen. There's edgier songs too, "Brick Window" and "On Ice" grab your attention from the first note and leave you breathless throughout. And then there's the instrumentals that Sean is famous for. Each of the three instrumentals on the album have a very different vibe, but they all shimmer.

It's amazing what this man has managed to accomplish so far in his life. He's a world class musician at 26. What's even more exciting is that he's going to keep learning and growing for many years to come. As incredible as he is now, I can't wait to hear where that journey will take him.

Great album.
As a fan of Nickel Creek, I have always (shamefully) thought of Sean as "second fiddle" to the rest of the group. I am pleased to announce my conversion after hearing this album (and seeing them in concert). Surprisingly I found that most of this album, while not the same genre as most of nickel creek's work, is just as beautiful and complex as the trio's material. My girlfriend forced me to listen to this album with her at the first chance we had. She remarked that she absolutely loved it and had never heard anything quite like it. I disagreed and told her that Toad the Wet Sprocket sounded similar. We were both surprised to find that Glenn Phillips (of Toad) had worked on this album. I'll tell you what, buy the cd to hear great vocals, great guitar playing, and great composition. Oh yeah, and look for Mutual Admiration Society from Nickel Creek and Glen Phillips in July '04. I'm expecting to hear something similar to this album. ... Read more

Asin: B00008L3V4
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

The Beautiful Letdown
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 February, 2003)
list price: $13.98
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Editorial Review

Contemporary Christian music has come a long way toward secular acceptance in recent years thanks to the likes of Switchfoot, who avoid obvious sacred references in their lyrics. It's also refreshing to hear CCM songwriters like Switchfoot's Jonathan Foreman explore love and belonging as song subjects. Unfortunately, The Beautiful Letdown hews too closely to the formula established by alternative CCM brethren Jars of Clay and Creed. Songs like the title track and "More Than Fine" come close to forging their own identity, but too often sound overproduced and designed to appeal to the widest audience. Still, Foreman's songwriting shows potential, and his progressive vision for spiritual themes indicates a willingness to color outside the lines. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (326)

Great songwriting is still a commodity...
Switchfoot's music is something of a rarity in this day and age with its insightful lyrics, positive outlook and quality musicianship. Ranging from songs like 'Meant to Live,' a track getting airtime on plenty of alternative rock stations, to slower ones like 'Twenty-Four' and 'This Is Your Life,' Switchfoot never comes across as being a "Christian version" of any secular band, nor do they imitate any other band that's had crossover success. In The Beautiful Letdown Switchfoot manages to be Switchfoot, just as they did with Learning to Breathe. Their sound is their own, high energy, though not overpowering, and with enough original quirkiness in some songs to sound like something completely new and different (Gone is a good one on TBL). Jon Foreman's songwriting just seems to get better and better, as he cements his place as one of the better writers in any section of the business, while the addition of Jerome Fontamillas (Mortal; Fold Zandura) give them even more flexibility.

One last thing is that while the members of Switchfoot are Christian, to consider them part of the mainstream CCM industry isn't quite right. This is a band that's just as comfortable playing in a bar, as they would be in a church, which is a testament to the fact that they're likely one of the most accessible bands on tour today. If you can catch a live show, make sure you do it, because amazingly, they're even better live.

You're missing out if you don't buy the Beautiful Letdown!
It's another incredible CD from the guys of Switchfoot! The Beautiful Letdown is definitely the best album of 2003. One of the things I like best about Switchfoot is the diversity within their music, and this CD is an excellent example of this. The songs on the Beautiful Letdown range from hard rock songs with a fun bass line like "Meant to Live" and "Ammunition" to lighter piano ballads like "On Fire", and everything in between. I can listen to it over and over and never get sick of it! And all of the songs of course have amazing, straight from the heart lyrics written by the one and only Jon Foreman. Buy this CD, and I promise you will not be disappointed. Rock on Switchfoot! Thanks for another great album guys, and God bless ~

Oh Brother.
LoL.It's unbelievable how bad some people can slam such good talent.Switchfoot is unbelievable.A group that finally raises some eyebrows and catches you're attention.On The Beautiful Letdown it's like we're getting a taste of different styles of music.<br /> Examples:<br /> MEANT TO LIVE: This song is totally all rock;great,strong vocals, and guitars are all out on this one.<br /> DARE YOU TO MOVE: Is more Pop/Rock and sounds 100% better than the original,with such highly impressive vocals.<br /> ON FIRE: Now we get into a more heartfelt ballad, with beautiful lyrics,keyboarding,and powerful singing.<br /> <br /> Switchfoot has done everything in the book. Which is;Wonderful vocals,lot's of meaning,different musical ballads,and went straight to the heart. Jon Foreman is one of those rare artists who can sing Rock songs,and Slow ones just as well. An example of this would be ON FIRE.Most Rock Singers now a days can't really sing slow songs even when they try to. But Foreman has proven that he can. This is an unbelievable group. ... Read more

Asin: B000089IYW
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Here in America (Bonus DVD)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (06 May, 2003)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $18.98
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Reviews (9)

Don't buy this for the music . . .
About the title of this review . . . it may seem a bit strange for me to reccomend that you not buy a CD or DVD of one of Christian music's top (if not the top) singer and songwriters for the music. However, the Here in America set is not really about the music, though there is plenty of music to enjoy. Indeed, there are a great number of Rich's greatest songs on the CD and (especially) the DVD for your listening pleasure, even a few rarities like Rich's demo on the CD for the song Debby Boone would eventually record, "O Come All Ye Faithful" (no, not the Christmas hymn). The DVD also features great renditions of Rich's top songs performed live with the Ragamuffin Band, refreshingly escaping the over-production most of them recieved on their recorded versions.

The highlights come not in the wonderful songs, though. Let's face it, all of the "live" songs on the CD itself were recorded on cassette tape and are of no better sound quality (actually sometimes worse) than the tape demos on the Jesus Record, though the handful of song demos on this CD are of good quality. No, the highlights come in-between the songs on the CD and DVD, when Rich Mullins shows us his heart and his uncanny, if simple, wisdom. From his sometimes quirky, sometimes heart-rending, and always thought-provoking anecdotes to his blunt, straight-to-the-punch one-liners and mini-sermons, this set shows us just what kind of prophet God sent us in the unlikely form of an unglamorized 80s-90s Christian pop icon. Of course, Rich was much different than the others in his genre. He made no secret of his many faults. He prefered to live on a very meager budget and help those in need than to make the possible millions he could have made off of his every hit record and over twenty chart-topping singles. He was not afraid, either, as this rare audio and video footage clearly shows, to express his opinion of any issue, sensitive or not, which he felt strongly about concerning God or the Church.

Rich Mullins was a great songwriter, and a person of unlikely wisdom and courage in a day and age where the truth of God is being constantly watered down by a much astray Church. Rich has inspired a legacy, though, and the spiritual seeds God planted through him now have made their way into the churches and into even the Christian music mainstream. If you want to see and hear a bit from the heart of Rich Mullins, I encourage you to get this CD and DVD set. You will be enlightened, inspired, maybe a little ruffled, but you will certainly not be disappointed.

Worth getting if you have a DVD player
Rich Mullins was an amazing man who had a powerful message that we do good to hear. Unfortunately, these tracks on this CD don't always hit the best of him. They are taken from mostly early performances that he was involved in and the sound quality is not the greatest. There are a couple songs that I had not heard before from him that were neat to hear. O Come All Ye Faithful was incredible, though it reminded me of early Billy Joel songs from the late 70s. The Lord's Prayer is great. What was greater was hearing Rich's thoughts and introductions to songs.
The CD was somewhat underwhelming probably because I have lifted Rich Mullins up in my mind so high that nothing could compare... But the DVD that is included is absolutely incredible. It is great to hear and see him with a number of his last songs (from Liturgy... on) and playing with the Ragamuffins. I particularly liked the rock feel of "Creed" with a U2 style guitar part. Also, some of his solo numbers were moving. Also on the DVD are a number of thoughts of Rich that were presented in some seminar he did in 93. The ideas behind them were familiar to anyone who has seen Rich in concert, but it is neat to hear him in his own words again.
The CD is okay and something that fans would probably like but the DVD included makes this something that is truly worthwhile. I encourage you to get it, listen to the CD a couple times... and enjoy the DVD often.

A must-have for Rich Mullins fans
"Here In America" is a collection that no fan of Rich Mullins, arguably the greatest Contemporary Christian songwriter of all time, should do without. Both discs of this 2-disc set offer a glimpse at the heart of this remarkable, humble person who has touched millions of hearts with his poetic songs and his humble and charitable way of life. The first disc is an audio CD featuring a collection of live performances and rare, never-heard-before demos. Although the sound quality in some of these tracks is lacking, there is a rawness about them which seem to suit the songs well. Many of the live performances on the CD also include Rich sharing his testimony with the audience, revealing not only Rich's insight and wisdom, but also his humility and delightful sense of humor. The highlight of this disc is probably the second track, where Rich teaches an audience the words to "Awesome God," apparently recorded shortly after he originally wrote the song. You can hear the sheer excitement in his voice about the song, as if he has the feeling this song is going to be something big. Indeed his premonition was right, as it has gone on to become a favorite among worship circles around the world. The second disc is a DVD which features "12 Short Stories", a collection of excerpts from one of Rich's seminars where he shares his insights on topics such as sex, failures, sensationalism, and God's sovereignty. The DVD also features "Live from Studio B", an intimate 14-song live performance given by Rich and his Ragamuffin Band to a small audience just months before the tragic car accident which claimed Rich's life. This performance contains most of Rich's greatest hits along with Rich sharing a few stories about the songs. One of my favorite parts of this performance is the song "Screen Door", where Rich and his bandmates provide the percussion using plastic cups on a table (This can also be heard on the audio CD). I remember learning and playing this same "cup game" with some friends of mine in college, and it was cool watching them use it in this performance. The audience clearly enjoyed it. Overall, this 2-disc set is truly something special that every fan of Rich Mullins should have in their collection. ... Read more

Asin: B000092Q55
Sales Rank: 13567
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Religious / Contemp. Christian   

The Sound of the Jam
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 February, 2003)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Unless you choose to invest in the five-disc Direction Reaction Creation box set, this 25th anniversary collection is the best Jam available. The 20-track retrospective heads chronologically from the debut "In the City" single to the farewell one-off "Beat Surrender" by way of the most notable chart hits and a sprinkling of classic album tracks. Although fans may quibble with the exclusion of peak-period singles "All Around the World," "Strange Town," and "When You're Young" (as well as the presence of the misanthropic "Mr Clean"), what strikes anew is the taut energy of the trio's playing, the bitter bile of Paul Weller's lyrics, and the sophisticated, hook-packed update of Britbeat from one so young (Weller was still only 24 in 1982 when he broke up the biggest band in Britain). --Garry Mulholland ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A great primer for a classic British band
Across their six albums, The Jam touched on virtually every style in existance, and this CD is a great chance to see that. Their roots were in the punk / new wave scene, but frontman Paul Weller also had a lvoe of soul, funk and jazz, as well as an itneresting socio-political approach that had a different kind of bile to the Sex Pistols - it was perhaps more positive and inspirational, even in their early days.

The selections are roughly 50/50 split between singles and album tracks, which means that a lot of singles are missing - although only the lush ballad The Bitterest Pill and the obscenely catchy When You're Young are really missed. Album tracks such as the poignant English Rose and the powerful Liza Radley are certainly among tehir finest tracks.

Their artisitc progression is quite easy to chart from the tracks here. With a love of 60s pop, they somewhat tagged onto the punk vibe in tehir early days, before coming into real form with the amazing, edgy Down In the Tube Station At Midnight, which builds into a truly stunning climax as its sad tale reaches its conclusion.

The Eton Rifles then burst them into the UK Top 10, with it's hilarious lyrics on the class struggle - "all that rugby puts hairs on your chest, what chance have you got agaisnt a tie and a crest?" - before they increasingly took influences form black American music. Start! is especially inventive, and seems to be several songs in one. The acoustic social commentary of That's Entertainment is perhaps their greatest track - no wonder its one of the few that still features in Paul Weller's solo set.

Having been heard in the film Billy Elliott, and covered by Britpoppers Gene, A Town Called Malice is their best known / least unknown song. With a very Motowny baseline it's representative of their later material, and extremely hummable, while lyrically still down to earth and quite English.

The band were soon finsihed, as the artisitc differences become too much - bassist Bruce Foxton formed punk band Stiff Little Fingers, while Weller fronted the soulful, romantic Style Council (both great bands as well). Their legacy is impressive, and too easy to overlook.

Great intro to an overlooked band!
It's already been said a million times, but I guess it bears repeating: the Jam were a smart band with an edge who were idolized in their native Britain but almost completely ignored by American listeners. It's sad, but very true. (In the States, Jam leadman Paul Weller was most famous for being the only featured singer who nobody could recognize in that Band Aid video of "Feed the World (Do they know it's Christmastime?") "Oh look there's Bono, George Michael, Boy George, and Simon Le Bon. But who's that guy?")

Now with "The Sound of the Jam" one can get an idea of what American listeners missed out on the late 70's and early 80's. This is a complilation of some of the best songs from the Jam's six studio albums and greatest singles. The CD lists the tracks in chronological order from the raw punkish sound of the band's early days to the soulish/Motown derived sound of its later effots including their most famous song- "A Town Called Malice," which was featured prominently in the movie "Billy Elliot."

This is really a terrific compilation for anyone curious about this band. As mentioned above the Jam's sound evolved greatly over time and this album allows a listener to follow that progression without the expense of buying every studio album. However, this CD is a teaser because once you start listening to the Jam chances are you're going to want to hear more.

Great Sound Quality On This Nice Collection Of The Jam!
The Jam were part of the punk movement that took place in England in the latter 70's, and while they might not have been as popular as The Sex Pistols, The Clash or The Police, they did release some excellent songs as is evidenced here on this latest remastered collection called "The Sound Of The Jam". More popular in their native England than in America, they had a number of hits such as "The Modern World", "Eton Rifles", "In The City","English Rose", "Going Underground","Town Called Malice" and "Beat Surrender" to name a few. While this collection is the best sounding I have ever heard with it's top notch remastering, giving the songs an enriched sound compared to other compilations, I was surprised to see that their hit "Funeral Pyre" was not on this collection. I'd have easily given this cd five stars had it been included. If you, like myself, enjoy listening to groups such as The Police, The Clash, Generation X, The Buzzcocks, The Sex Pistols, and Elvis Costello, then I would highly recommended adding this cd to your collection. ... Read more

Asin: B00008BNTH
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

History Makers: Collection
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (22 April, 2003)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $11.98
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Reviews (1)

Great Collection of Classic Phil Keaggy.
Phil Keaggy's collection in the "History Makers" series covers his years with Sparrow Records spanning from 1980-1983 as well as 1994-1997. Many of Phil's classic hits are included in this collection such as his McCartney-esque "A Child in Everyone's Heart" and "Morning Light", the hard-rocking "Just A Moment Away" and "Full Circle", the Steely Dan-inspired "Play Thru Me" and the tender ballads "Spend My Life With You", "I Belong To You" and "Let Everything Else Go".
For good measure, four tracks from Phil's later years close the compilation including the Celtic-rock stomp of "Highland" and the Beatles-influenced "River Of Life" which was recorded in collaboration with Wes King and Out of The Grey's Scott Dente.
The CD booklet includes insightful reflections on each track from Phil Keaggy himself and the music itself is remastered with excellent sound quality.
While the "History Makers" CD is not a definitive collection of Phil Keaggy's music, it is definitely an enjoyable and solid selection of tracks from one of Christian music's all-time greatest singer/songwriter/guitar players.
An essential addition to your music collection. ... Read more

Asin: B00008XRWG
Sales Rank: 124071
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Religious / Contemp. Christian   

Gods & Generals
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 February, 2003)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

This prequel to director Ronald Maxwell's 1993 epic Gettysburg is no less sweeping in its scope, covering the early years of the American Civil War from Manassas to Fredericksburg. But while its musical score (a collaboration between vets John Frizzell and Randy Edelman) offers up a comparable range of music styles, it's a soundtrack that crucially revolves around emotional concerns of a more intimate, human scale. Its folk-rooted historical connections are given voice by Mary Fahl's Celtic-tinged "Going Home" and Bob Dylan's brooding "Cross the Green Mountain," while a sweeping, yet infinitely melancholy orchestral main title suggests the true, tragic costs of the conflict. Spare, haunting tracks like "Loved I Not Honor More," "My Home Is Virginia," and "The Soldiers Return" predominate to an unusual degree in a war epic, pastoral suggestions of tranquility defiled. Conversely, the battle cue "VMI Will Be Heard from Today" seems to pulse with a dark, medieval energy that's anything but heroic. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (51)

A solid effort but you might be somewhat dissapointed......
...if you were expecting the theme from the movie trailor to be on this cd. For that reason alone did I give this score a three star rating. If you, too, were expecting the song from the movie trailor to be on this cd, please beware. It's nowhere to be found.

You will be pleased to know that Edelman, as a composer, is continuing to evolve. There was a time when scores like Gettysburg and Last of the Mohicans shared nearly identical elements. Gods and Generals does no such harm.

You will also enjoy - and I'm positive on this one - the Irish sound to a few of the tracks. Additional note of praise: 'VMI Will Be Heard From Today' is riveting and powerful, full of melodic brutality and force, a perfect war film track.

Gods and Generals is full of solid music but it's a far cry from what I expected. You may fall deeply in love with this score, but as the eccentric owner of nearly sixty musical scores, this one comes nowhere close to the top ten. Still, if you have interest in Edelman's newest material, give Gods and Generals a shot.

Poignant and haunting
Doesn't matter if you ever see the movie, this soundtrack will grab you and hold on. It's emotional without ever being "in your face," as some epic orchestrations have been. It haunts you.

Much to my surprise, Bob Dylan's song is both fitting and well-done, and I was never a Dylan fan. The etherial quality of Mary Fahl's performance in "Going Home" simply has to be heard.

The music videos are a wonderful bonus. Overall, though, the orchestral pieces portray the sadness of a nation tearing itself apart, and it's powerful in a way far exceeding the typical epic style music. Mark O'Conner is one of the best fiddle players in America; here, as in The Patriot, he is key to the music's overall beauty.

This one's a keeper.

Subtle as a comically huge ACME sledgehammer
Not too long ago, before seeing the dreadful, revisionist movie, I probably would have agreed with most of the reviewers here. On album, though completely lacking any kind of proper action music, the 'Gods and Generals' score might indeed be considered quite pleasant and moving, but in the film it becomes almost unbearably pompous and ridiculously funeral. Edelman and Frizzel are subtle as a comically huge ACME sledgehammer, repeatedly pounding their mournful, maudlin message of heroic sacrifice into the helplessly susceptible audience. "Are you feeling sad yet, dammit?!", one almost hears Edelman scream as he unleashes one sorrowful high school marching band cue after the other, composed like a melancholy memorial for a popular cheerleader that was killed in a particularly gruesome freak prom dance accident.

'Gods and Generals' makes even the most manipulative James Horner score seem almost tasteful in comparison. ... Read more

Asin: B00007MB7Q
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Welcome Interstate Managers
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (10 June, 2003)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

After a four-year hiatus notable for some film and television soundtrack work, a lapsed contract, and a relaxed songwriting schedule Fountains of Wayne return with their third and best CD to date. The New York-based power-pop quartet delivers a diverse feast of infectious melodies and endlessly clever lyrics. Songwriters Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood still slide on a sweet scale between the Beatles and the Monkees, but they've branched out from '60s sounds to include bona fide alt rock ("Little Red Light," "Bought for a Song"), orchestrated pop ("Halley's Waitress"), a country lark worthy of Dwight Yoakam ("Hung Up On You"), and hints of psychedelia ("Supercollider"). The Cars-flavored "Bright Future in Sales" and "Stacy's Mom" warrant heavy-rotation airplay. Following their acclaimed eponymous debut and the vastly underrated Utopia Parkway, Welcome Interstate Managers leaves no doubt that Fountains of Wayne are gaining strength. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (196)

Worth the Wait
It's been four years since Fountains of Wayne graced us with Utopia Parkway, which is right behind the Replacements' Tim in the "Why The Hell Didn't This Album Make Them Huge?" line. Pop hooks that hit you like Mike Tyson in 1986, lyrics about .38 Special CD collections and Bactine to prevent infection, and it sold diddly. Further proof, if you needed any, that the world is a dull, dirty place.

Well, they're back with Welcome Interstate Managers, and it is good. The first three tracks would be the best 1-2-3 punch of any album this year if the White Stripes didn't exist. That the subject matter includes cell phone explosions, a booze-addled salesman and lust for someone's mom both proves their genius and shows a tin ear for commercial prospects. Thank God. A lesser band would have taken the Cars-y riff on "Bright Future in Sales" and attached it to a song about a girl who needs love in the worst way, a way that only the lead singer can provide. I'm not saying we don't need those songs, but we do need to right the balance between boy/girl songs and soul-deadening career options songs. I think we're at one trillion to seven right now.

After you've played this troika over and over and get to the rest of the album, you'll notice that they show equal facility with the down tempo numbers as well. "All Kinds of Time," "Hackensack" and "Fire Island" have a wistfulness that Paul Simon used to conjure, and you will hum them for days.

Please, buy this record. Your summer depends on it.

Pop returns to the top
This CD has had me astonished for two months and I'm not sick of it at all yet. It has an overall feeling of catchy, absorbent and clever music so strong that makes you not want to listen to anything else. The band's sound is reminiscent of classic pop-rock, but no one else today makes this kind of music more cleverly and tastefully than they do.
A first listen is enough to realize that you are in front of a top quality album, highly catchy and smart, but it's after repeated tries that you finally lose all doubts that this is not less than a big pop masterpiece. Personally, perhaps I prefer the slower and more intimate songs (gems like 'Hackensack', 'Valley Winter Song', 'All Kinds of Time', 'Hey Julie' or 'Fire Island'). But on the other side, the more electric stuff is also brilliant: 'Mexican Wine', 'Stacy's Mom' and 'Bright Future in Sales' are perfect, unsurpassable catchy power pop songs. Then you have the sweet mid-tempo extravaganza ('Halley's Waitress'), the lovely country ballad ('Hung Up On You'), the tasteful, slightly psychedelic number ('No Better Place')... truly, it would be quicker to tell which kind of great pop song is not on this album than to go over all the gifts it contains. And this perfectly written tunes are also so smartly arranged that you can enjoy finding all the lot of musical layers that support and embellish the songs while they always remain fresh and true. I know someone may find all this praise exaggerated; but not someone who loves great pop music -basically, great melodies and great lyrics- and has listened to this CD (both conditions must hold). This latter one knows what I'm talking about (and so will you if you buy this glorious CD).

Now this is music!
This is one of the best albums I have ever heard. This was my first taste of this group. I want more!! Sometime after getting this album I got their first album which is fantastic too. Now on with the review.

1.Mexican Wine- Even though bad things happen, the sun still shines and everything will be alright. This seems to be a better version of Radiation Vibe, which is off their first album. It's a true power pop song that makes you want to sing along. 5/5
2.Bright Future In Sales- A night of drinking and partying takes a toll on a person. It's even worse when you have to go to work the next day! Another powerful, pop masterpiece. 5/5
3.Stacy's Mom- The reason I bought the album 5/5
4.Hackensack- A nice tune about the girl he loved making it big and becoming a celebrity. 4/5
5.No Better Place- Slower, but still very good. 4/5
6.Valley Winter Song- The true feeling of winter, and I love it 5/5
7.All Kinds of Time- A football player sees things in a new light. 4/5
8.Little Red Light- Now we are back to the rock stuff. Great song.5/5
9.Hey Julie- I really like this one. It has a nice story about a guy who can't wait to get off work so he can see his girl. 5/5
10.Halley's Waitress- Wonderful music. It's obvious that the song is about bad service. 5/5
11.Hung Up On You- Wow, I'm not really into country music but this song is just great. 5/5
12.Fire Island- It took me a little while to feel this one. It's about teenagers having a party without any adults. It's good but the cd may feel like it's too long and slow at this point. 4/5
13.Peace and Love- I like this one, it's catchy and fun. A hippie song really. 5/5
14.Bought For A Song- It's catchy and cool. 5/5
15.Supercollider- Wow, trippy. 5/5
16.Yours and Mine- A very short track. Closes the album on a light note. 5/5

This album seemed to drag at first. I don't think it does anymore. I have taking a liking to all of the songs and found they are all incredible and this is an album for a true music lover. ... Read more

Asin: B00009QGF2
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Kimi Ga Suki
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 March, 2003)
list price: $47.99 -- our price: $47.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Import

Reviews (22)

Wow! Sweet is the Man!
This album is a must have for Sweet fans. I love all of my Sweet albums, but I would actually put this one right up there with Girlfriend as my favorites. The album just gets better and better with each listen. It's interesting that Richard Lloyd and and the original lineup from Girlfriend are back for this effort. You can tell. The music is incredibly captivating. I find the tunes running through my brain as I write this. Sweet may not have spent as much time recording this one, but you definitely can't tell in the quality. It's straightfoward power pop with this one. It's not a live album, but it every bit has the energy of a live show. It's truly wonderful music that I would have spent $ for if I hadn't already found it for around $. It's a shame this won't be released in the U.S., but you can't fault Matthew for wanting to thank his Japenese fans. He's always been well respected in Japan. Props to Japan for recogizing his talent. I'm glad I did, too. If you like Sweet and you don't buy this album, quite frankly you're not that smart.

Exciting Powerpop!
It's nice to hear Matthew Sweet return to exciting powerpop again after two lackluster albums. All is right in the universe when I hear songs like Dead Smile and Hear This. The lush harmony style and wicked guitar of the master and his friends is evident throughout.

Kimi Ga Suki Raifu ranks after Altered Beast and 100% Fun but before Girlfriend and the others. Maybe not worth 45 bucks (what CD is?) but excellent nonetheless.

[DW]

Worth the Money or Worth the Wait
If you spent top dollar for this you didn't get ripped off you just got it sooner.Best Sweet album since Girlfriend is now available for regular price! 100% Fun was only 75% so this is 25% better.I got it at a record store for the new low price but I wish I had gotten it earlier. It's that good. ... Read more

Asin: B000087ER9
Sales Rank: 112694
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock