The Beatles (The White Album)
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Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

Better known as the "White Album," this was meant to be the record that brought them back to earth after three years of studio experimentation. Instead, it took them all over the place, continuing to burst the envelope of pop music. Lennon and McCartney were still at the height of their powers, with Lennon in particular growing into one of rock's towering figures. But even McCartney could still rock, and the amazement on "Helter Skelter" was that he had vocal cords at the end. From Beach Boys knock-offs to reggae and to the unknown ("Revolution #9"), this has it all. Some records have legend written all over them; this is one. --Chris Nickson ... Read more

Reviews (867)

Extremely over rated
They really really really were losing there craft by the time they came out with this self-indulgent excuse for a album.




This should have been a single album rather then a double album, Want a good Beatles album. Pick up Rubber Soul or Magical Mystery Tour.I think the Digimon movie soundtrack is better. Becuse digimon is cool

Another Beatles Classic
"The White Album" is one of the best Beatles albums, it was actually released without a name but called "White Album" by most, it's a double with loads of the most fantastic songs and some quite forgettable aswell, but still it would be hard to not give it 5 stars looking at the great songs it did deliver.

This album pretty much got it all for everyone. "Back In the USSR" with the boys singing in russian and joking with the Beach Boys, the humorous "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", "Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" that is unique and Harrison's psychedelic masterpiece "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" where Eric Clapton plays the guitar. "Martha My Dear" and "Blackbird" are both decent Paul songs here. Lennon's psychedelic protest "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" got some good lines and riffs for sure. The ballad "Julia" is very nice as a closer of album 1.

Disc 2 got the blues inspired Lennon song "Yer Blues", odd but good. Harrison's midtempo ballas "Long Long Long" and rocker "Savoy Shuffle", "Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey", despite it's odd title it's one of the best song of this album, it's both catchy and cool. Midtempo Lennon song "Sexy Sadie" and Paul's rocker "Helter Skelter" is a classic ofcourse and probably among the tougher songs he ever wrote. "Revolution1" was a great hit and is another midtempo Lennon protest song. Ringo sings "Goodnight" as the closer, and it is indeed a beautiful ending of a great album.

Overall. Great album, got some odd songs here and there but the hits talks for themselves. A bit too long perhaps, but I'm glad it was all released at once. Should have.

"White" is right
I was never a fan of Beatles. I grew up (like the rest of) being aurally assualted by them during every television docu-drama, in every elevator, amidst every familiy road trip. By the time I formed my own musical opinions, I was utterly turned off to anything Beatles so I'll be the first to admit that this cultural inundation prevented me from listening to their music with anything close to a fresh ear. For reasons I cant explain, I re-examined them toward the end of High School. I listened to all the records I was familiar with, namely everything before the White Album and I was impressed. They came up with one adorable melody after another, and paired them with simple lyrical conciets that scanned almost perfectly. None of the music gave me any visceral feeling of musical fulfillment but I must say that there were moments during Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour that came damn close.

A couple months later, I heard the White Album during (gee-wiz) a road trip. I recognized some songs (Ob-la-di, USSR, Blackbird) but most of it was entirely new to me. By the fifth track I began to get that feeling. What I found in the White Album was an intesity and vibrance that was missing from every other Beatles CD (Abbey Road has since become my second favorite). The thing that amazed me most was how or why Lennon and McCartney waited this long to start singing their songs with some fricken balls. There are pre-White Album moments mostly on Lennon tracks like "I am the Walrus," or "A Day in the Life" but thats just what they are, moments. The first disc starts off kind of lukewarm but picks up almost immediately with "Dear Prudence" and doesn't really begin to let up until near the end. To be sure, there are plently of weak spots: "Ob-la-di," "Dont Pass me by," "Birthday," "I Will," "Long Long Long," "Revolution #9," "Good Night" which is why most people are quick to critisize this opus since most Beatles albums dont have "weak spots." Then again, most Beatles albums dont even come close to the White Albums high points of which there are plenty. Harrisons compositions are generally weaker but succeed (for the most part) on sheer ingenuity. Ringo's song is a good effort but pretty disposable. But even McCartney who provides most of the albums cheese, pulls "Helter Skelter" out of his hat which is quite possibly the greatest Beatles recording I've ever heard. Each song on the album displays an interesting musical idea and is worth listening to but in the end, the album belongs to Lennon. Every one of his tracks (with the exception of his lengthy Cagian exercise) hits the mark. He succeeds on song after song at being personal, witty, and utterly euphonious all at the same time and he seems to do it more effortlessly than any other Beatle. Thats not to say he didn't struggle with his compositions. Songwriting is hard work even for a musical genius. Lennons specific genius is his ability to compose songs which SEEM effortless and natural as opposed to McCartney's more contrived approach. Nowhere is this temperamental difference more apparent than on the White Album which is one explaination for why its completely schizo.

This lack of coherence provides most of the fuel for White Album detractors who just cant seem to accept the arguement that the very absence of a unifying concept is, in itself, a concept. This was an experimental album in more ways than one in that it SEEMS to force the listener into a song by song experience SEEMINGLY providing a stark contrast to Abbey Road which is nothing if nota cohesive whole. I believe The White Album can be experienced the same way, though. That is, in fact, why we call it the White Album. Or more accurately, that is why the Beatles didn't give it a real name and made the cover white. You sit back and listen to an array of songs (colors) which are very different (blue, yellow, green, red) when experienced seperately but can also be experienced together as well (white-assuming these colors are light based) thus bringing the listener into a trance-like meditative state--and the Indian influence thus rears its ugly head. In this way, all the supposed filler and mediocre songs serve a purpose. Epstiens death and the ensuing lack of leadership is not the unfortunate cause of the White Album as many people are wont to claim. The Beatles were perfectly capable of not making silly crap like "Wild Honey Pie," "Piggies," or "Martha my Dear." They where perfectly capable of opting for a single disc full of grandiose themes and top 40 hits. Instead they chose to make one of the greatest CDs of all time ... Read more

Asin: B000002UAX
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Baroque Pop    3. British Psychedelia    4. Folk-Rock    5. Hard Rock    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. Psychedelic    9. Rock    10. Rock & Roll    11. Singer/Songwriter   

Dark Side of the Moon
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

Dark Side of the Moon, originally released in 1973, is one of those albums that is discovered anew by each generation of rock listeners. This complex, often psychedelic music works very well because Pink Floyd doesn't rush anything; the songs are mainly slow to mid-tempo, with attention paid throughout to musical texture and mood. The sound effects on songs like "On the Run," "Time" and especially "Money" (with sampled sounds of clinking coins and cash registers turned into rhythmic accompaniment) are impressive, especially when we remember that 1973 was before the advent of digital recording techniques. This is probably Pink Floyd's best-known work, and it's an excellent place to start if you're new to the band. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (1096)

YOU DONT ALREADY OWN THIS????
The only reason you should not already own this......MASTERPIECE is because you're either really really young (like 12 or so) or you've been in a coma for last 30 some odd years. There is no other excuse. No matter WHAT type of music you like, whetever genre you prefer, this is a must have (MUST HAVE!!) album for any living human creature on this fine, often tumoltuous, planet of ours. This album transcends all differences people may have musically. I cannot reinforce that enough. This is not an album you simply LISTEN to, you EXPERIENCE this album. You live it for its (too short) running time. Pink Floyd were musical geniuses. Nothing else to say. And if you partake in the herb, then you're really in for a fine experience. Many a high school weekends were "wasted" away by experiencing "Dark Side of the Moon." All the low volume speaking, often nearly jibberish will all suddenly be clear as day. And it will be as if Waters et. al are speaking directly to....YOU!!!! It's strange and I'm not sure how they pulled that off, but WOW, this album is something else. This album is simply the finest piece of musical/sensory work I have ever heard. Please, if you dont alreasy own this....BUY IT NOW. Play it LOUD, live Pink Floyd. The songs on this album almost appear as a vapor, seeping from your speakers, engulfing the listener and absorbing into your pours. It takes on an almost human quality if listened to at exactly the right volume and under exactly the right settings. Lay back, crank it up, and fly away.

Deceptively deep
Well, my review would be true to its title if this album's depth had not already been lauded by several million fans.Still, I will persist in saying that the songs on this album are much more than just music.The lyrics attain a depth and meaning here that is seen frequently in Floyd, but much less frequently in other bands.

Frustratingly, several of the songs on the album are more mood pieces than anything else, "The Great Gig in the Sky", "Any Color You Like" and especially the infuriatingly dull "On The Run".

The good outweights the bad, however.Songs like "Breathe", "Time", "Us and Them" and "Brain Damage" are thoughtful, important pieces that deal with real issues beyond the realm of sex and drugs that most pop/rock is limited to.Most of this album is about everyday life, but it's delivered so convincingly that it becomes epic, in a manner similar to the Beatles' "Day in the Life".

"Dark Side"'s themes are important, but what's more important is that its music is both enjoyable and fitting with the lyrics, unlike the band's later work "The Wall".The dreamy pitch-bending of "Breathe"; the clanging of bells which slowly evolves into a psychedelic trip then breaks out into hard rock in "Time"; the way "Us and Them" begins quietly but crescendos into a Big Statement that is meaningful enough to deserve that title.

Overall, "Dark Side" is deservedly a classic album, and will continue to be for years to come.

Innovative, creative, and just amazing
Dark Side of the Moon is certainly not Pink Floyd's best album, yet every album is fabulous; I prefer Meddle, Piper At the Gates of Dawn, and Saucerful of Secrets over DSOTM.Still, I had to write a review to dispell some of the lower ratings this album has recieved.

First off, none of the four members did any drugs outside of alcohol and cigarettes.Syd Barrett was the only illicit drug addict in the band, and they dumped him years before this album was recorded.Also, it really shouldn't matter.Piper At the Gates of Dawn, as well as Barrett's solo work, is fabulous stuff.

Second, every song on this album is great.It is a concept album, as most of the Floyd albums are.Actually, Pink Floyd essentially created the concept album, with artists such as The Who and David Bowie following suit.The music and lyrics are true genius, the performance clean and emotional, and the timing impeccable.

Lastly, the experimentation with electronically produced sounds and music on this album is not only magnificent, but helped pave the way for electronic music of all types, from disco to funk to house to breakbeats etc etc.

Pink Floyd were innovators that are merely misunderstood by many.Any true music lover will at least recognize the contributions made by this band and their influence on countless bands and producers today.

... Read more

Asin: B000002U82
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

A Trick of the Tail
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (29 November, 1994)
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Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (91)

A great album
This is a great album and now that TOny Banks is the main songwriter for the band there are some amazing instrumentals and textures. I think you can hear, well, it might not be so much a 'popping up', but TOny Bank's piano playing often sounds 'Elton John influenced' on here, which surprised me, actually. The chorus to 'Ripples' is obviously inspired by 'Curtains' and the title track actually sounds like an Elton John song, though I suppose the best comparison I could make is it sounds a bit like 'Penny Lane'.

Anyway, now that I've made myself unpopular by saying all that, I will say it's a great album and a worthy addition to any prog fan's cupboard. My favourite track on the album is 'Mad man moon', A piano ballad [and what a beautiful melody it has]. It's about 'the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side of a fence'. An Englishman who hates the rain flies to the desert then curses the desert and longs for rain and the seaside. Then a spirit talks to him about it all. My second favourite is 'Robbery, assault and battery', a tale of a violent thief who gets out of it all the time. The music fuses a buffet of London accents with an almost disco sound. Phil Collins wrote it with Tony Banks. I assume Phil wrote the singing/verse bits and Tony wrote the instrumental passages. Ripples continues Rutherfords interest in medieval riffs. I assume he writes the parts where the guitars play the medieval riffs and I assume Banks wrote the piano/amazing synth solo parts. Entangled follows a kind of classical guitar theme, mainly written by Hackett I would assume, but the ending has a dark synth solo, probably written by Banks. Anyway, they're my favourite songs. Squonk is a funk/rock song which morphs into a synth-ballad, Dance on a volcano is a texturally-wonderful rocker, and Los Endos is a kind of reprise. Great album

Better start doing it right
A very good start indeed to a post-Gabriel career.From the thunderous opening of 'Dance on a Volcano' you can tell this is real stadium-shaking prog rock.'Entangled' has absolutely beautiful harmonies and a scary frightening solo at the end.A lot of the songs have kind of bland verses leading up to absolutely stunning middle sections - Mad Man Moon, Robbery Assault and Battery, and Ripples.'Squonk' is a bit more commercial sounding but has a nice groove.The title track is somewhat weak but has its place on the album.The end song is a good summary of the album's themes.

Genesis enters their musical prime !
As a long time Genesis fan...I love every album they've recorded with Peter Gabriel...Phil Collins and even Ray Wilson...yes...I'm one of the few apparently...who likes "Calling All Stations" ! For some reason...it's taken me until recently to buy the remastered "A Trick Of The Tail"....but it's been in my CD player since !

Starting with this one ...Phil Collins' "frontman" debut....the band begins their finest work that continues with "Wind And Wuthering"..."Seconds Out"...."And Then There Were Three"....and "Duke" . These albums truly bring us through the finest period of Genesis' great career...the magic sound of Genesis that fans know and love !

"A Trick Of The Tail" is musical ecstasy...with plenty of Tony Banks' majestic keyboads...Phil's trademark drums and vocals...great guitar work from Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford...interesting lyrics...and melodical magic !

You get everything you could want here...great rock like "Dance On A Volcano"..."Squonk" and one of the great instrumentals of all time..."Los Endos"....which could almost be called an overture had it opened the album...combining parts of the rest of the songs on the album...but it's the perfect one to close the set as it does on "Seconds Out"! On the easy side...my highlights are "Entangled"...."Mad Man Moon"....and "Ripples"...all three will mesmerize you with that magical Genesis sound.

The only SLIGHT problem I have...and it may be my ears...is that Phil's vocals seem to be "buried" too much at times...but it's not enough to take a star away. The remastered CD is pristine in sound quality ! If you want to start out right with Genesis music...order "A Trick Of The Tail" right now....you're shopping cart is waiting for you ! ... Read more

Asin: B000002J27
Sales Rank: 13591
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Relayer [Bonus Tracks]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 August, 2003)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (48)

Great album
If you already purchased the YES Original masters that were issued in the early 90's...the only thing you're gaining here are the bonus tracks...and you might want to talk to somebody who already scored these new remasters...to see if the liner notes are the same as the originals....as they tend to cut, add or mutilate the original package in an attempt to update.

I have every one of the original masters from the 90's and dont intend on parting with them...or investing in a complete new library...considering the sound on my existing cd's is excellent.

A few better in the Yes collection..
This is an album that divides many Yes fans, in my opinion. Many will say that their "big three" was Close to the Edge, Fragile, and The Yes Album. Others will say it was Close to the Edge, Relayer, and Tales from Topographic Oceans.

I do not really know where I am in this mix yet. I think I am more of a Relayer/TFTO fella than a Fragile/Yes Album fella.

Relayer is so divided among fans because some people think that it was a self-parody of their fantastic, epic masterpiece, Close to the Edge. The same general format follows on the LP - Side 1 is a very long, pronounced prog song (The Gates of Delibrium) and Side 2 consists of two songs about evenly divided in time.

I think that Side 1 is a bit noticably less pronounced than Close to the Edge. It is definitely the album that you have to listen to many times to be able to get it and understand it. However, Close to the Edge overall has a better MUSICAL feel, which is what it all comes down to. Relayer and CTTE all have very different subject manners and different themes and influences, but the way they were written was similar. Stylistically, and musically, CTTE is the better album. Relayer has its moments, but they are not as beautiful or as plentiful as Close to the Edge.

Side 2 is essentially the same idea. The other two songs, "Sound Chaser" and "To Be Over" are both well-written songs, but not as much so as "And You And I" or "Siberian Khatru". It really does appear that Anderson was trying to catch the days of old into the new band lineup - not that they failed or anything, but Relayer DID begin the transitional period for Yes, and most people will see it as being a bad transition.

Relayer belongs in the fan's collection, and for more adventurous listeners that want to have a reasonably good, well-written LP that was similar in characteristic to Close to the Edge. Fans of the more "pop" friendly Yes collection, such as Fragile, The Yes Album, and Owner of a Lonely Heart, may have a bit of trouble adjusting to this record, but I think that if anybody likes Yes this record is at least worth a demo.

And once more, let me stress that this is a fantastic album. But this album was given four stars because of the fact that the band has better albums of similar types in their discography. The reason that Close to the Edge was noticably better was because the "musicality" of Relayer wasn't as strong. Guitars, recording engineering, even the ever-popular synthesizer, keyboards, and moog, all didn't sound as pronounced or as fun/musical as they did in Close to the Edge. You just couldn't "sing along" with Relayer as one could with Close to the Edge.

Overall, a recommended buy for a Yes fan that has loved and experienced their music before.

Yes Classic Gets Remastered...Again!
This classic had already been remastered on the Atlantic label a few years back. Now, we are treated to yet another series of Yes remasters: this time for the Rhino label. My suspicions on the motives behind this second series of Yes remasters aside, this classic remaster features a couple of single edits, and a studio run through. These are not very essential in my book, especially for people who love the album exactly as it is, but it's welcome, nonetheless.

Intense, harsh, ethereal, voluminous and ruggedly symphonic, Yes' 1974 release, _Relayer_ is arguably their most dark, experimental, grandiose and aggressive. 1972's _Close To The Edge_ was positive, peaceful and reflective. 1973's _Tales From Topographic Oceans_ was spiritually (and/or religiously) deep. However, on _Relayer_, Yes gets bleak, harsh and ominous--attributes that are rare in the positive, hopeful, celestial and peaceful world of Yes. But, make no mistake, the cosmic factor is in droves on this album, and is one non-stop sonic adventure.

The 22-minute war tale known as "The Gates Of Delirium", is a gargantuan slice of mystical progressive rock. In atmosphere, this epic features screaming synths, manic guitar solos and overall explosive volatility. Steve Howe's claustrophobic, finger-itching and hasty-paced guitar solos qualify him as nothing less than a virtuoso. Jon Anderson's vocals are ethereal, heartfelt and moving. Some of the rhythms played by Alan White are quite tricky, and not to be taken lightly. Later, Steve Howe and Chris Squire (bass) play something of an ascending scale before the violent, stormy and powerful instrumental middle section takes off. This is followed by the achingly beautiful "Soon, oh soon" section. The sad and poignant synthesizer backdrops provided by Patrick Moraz, set the stage for Jon Anderson's most poignant, ethereal and shiver-sending performance. His very last sung line (The sun will lead us, our reason to be here) makes my soul cry. After that, the epic sadly fades into oblivion.

"Sound Chaser" is a manic, frenzied and aggressive jazz-fusion number, which features enough technical mastery to give classic King Crimson a run for their money. Alan White's drumming is ultra-technical and violent. He plays as if there were no tomorrow. Steve Howe's guitar parts are fluid and virtuosic. The middle section features an extended guitar solo. Steve also seems to slip a portion of "Mood For A Day" (off of _Fragile_) on here as well. Chris Squire's snaky basslines sandwiched in the crazed mix are something to behold as well.

"To Be Over" is the mellow closer of the album. It features country-esque soundscapes (courtesy of Steve Howe's pedal steel), an instrumental section featuring many eerie sounds seeping from Patrick Moraz's keyboards, and a finale of chant-like vocal harmonies.

_Relayer_ is Yes hitting on all cylinders: Violence, intensity, aggression, gloom, despair, ethereality, love, hope (and maybe triumph). The complexity here may take some getting used to. But, in the end, _Relayer_ is a trip worth taking.

... Read more

Asin: B00007LTIB
Sales Rank: 10584
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    5. Rock   

Out of the Blue
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

ELO's fusion of Beatles-esque harmonies and melodic structure, coupled with their symphonic arrangements was just on the verge of wearing thin at the time they released Out of the Blue. To argue that the double album went platinum because of the band's live extravaganza to support it--the band performed inside a flying saucer--is a premise worthy of consideration. Song for song, Out of the Blue is not as strong as Face the Music, but it still has some of Jeff Lynne's finest compositions ever recorded. "Turn to Stone" and "Sweet Talkin' Woman" are almost downright giddy in their deliveries; the former opening with a string riff, the latter with a minor key violin line, before boasting a choral background accompaniment. "Mr. Blue Sky" and "The Whale" are almost too hokey, yet still managed to work. "Standin' in the Rain," "Big Wheels," and "Summer and Lightening" are more memorable. But in the end, power cello riffs can only take you so far. Stick with a "greatest hits" or "best of" collection in this case. --Steve Gdula ... Read more

Reviews (70)

E.L.O =EXTREMELY LEGENDARY OBJECT
out of the blue was one of the best albums from this great band which fused elements of classical music with classic rock.hugely recommended with time.

ELO's arguable finest hour!
The Electric Light Orchestra or ELO for short released their classic contribution to rock and roll history entitled Out of the Blue in November of 1977.
Guitarist/vocalist/chief songwriter/producer Jeff Lynne wrote 17 standout tracks for this album whilst on a sojourn to Switzerland and the results he plus drummer Bev Bevan, bass player Kelly Groucutt and keyboardist Richard Tandy came up with are nothing short of amazing.
We begin the album with the classic Top 30 hit Turn To Stone which sets the mood for this great album. Next is the minor hit It's Over which laments about the demise of a relationship. Next is the album's second hit Sweet Talkin' Woman which was a nice shuffle. Across the Border is next and is a great rocker with an influence of Mexican style horns.
Side two of the original album kicked off with Night in the City which is a superb track. Starlight follows and is another great track. Jungle is next and has some African rhythms on this great rocker and is a great song. The instrumental Believe Me Now is next and a great break from the ride this album has been. We end the first half of the album(the first disc back in the days of vinyl) with the melodic Steppin' Out.
Side three of the original LP and the third quarter of the CD is the classic Concerto For a Rainy Day(reason alone to own this album). We begin with the classic Standin' In The Rain which was also used as an opening song on the band's now legendary 1978 World Tour which sold out arenas across the US. The ballad Big Wheels follows and is a beautiful song. Summer and Lightning follows and is a great number as well. We end this quarter of the album with the album's third US Top 40 hit, the optimistic Mr. Blue Sky. Mr. Blue Sky is a great number and the song ends with a reprise of sorts of the intro to Big Wheels.
Side four of the original album kicks off with the melodic Sweet is the Night which is a great song. The dreamy instrumental The Whale follows and is ELO's best instrumental. Next us is the rockin' Birmingham Blues which is a superb rocker with great solos from Lynne on the Les Paul. We then end the album with Wild West Hero which was one of the reasons why I got this album and it's because this ballad is amazing.
When Out of the Blue emerged, the album was huge going Multi-Platinum(over 3 million sold in the US) and hitting #4 despite that some of the initial pressings that ELO's then US record label, the long defunct United Artists Records issued defective pressings of this album which prompted the band to switch over to Columbia/CBS(now Sony) Records and reissued the album without the defects on the band's own Jet label in conjunction with CBS. The songs are all catchy, the orchestrations are flawless, the album's production is superb and the spaceship album cover is awesome, especially on the inside.
This album is RECOMMENDED!

Feel Good Music
I was 10 when this album was published and have loved it since.The whole thing fits together beautifully from start to end like a veritable pop music opera.You couldn't ask for a better arranged, symphonic delight. I have always enjoyed every single track but my favorites are summer & lightning & mr blue sky.
... Read more

Asin: B0000025DV
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    5. Rock   

Red Queen to Gryphon Three
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 July, 1996)
list price: $15.97
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Reviews (5)

impressive!!
awesome prog on this release!!this is the first time i've heard it and i LIKE what i'm hearing!

Best instrumental rock album EVER!
Quite simply, this is the best instrumental album of classical/progressive rock ever released. "Lament" is gorgeous, sad & chilling, "Opening Move" & "Second Spasm" are playful & Xciting, only "Checkmate" lets up at all & it's still well above average. Why these guys didn't become world famous back in 1974 I don't know, but this album will change your life! Get it!

Interesting music
A really good progressive rock album with medieval influences, similarly to Gentle Giant ... Read more

Asin: B000000847
Sales Rank: 627877

Aja
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 November, 1999)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $7.99
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Editorial Review

History gives Steely Dan's Walter Becker and Donald Fagen the last, hearty laugh on this, the crown jewel in their remarkable canon of '70s Mensa pop.Sneaking onto the charts a half-decade earlier with sinuous, jazz-inflected "rock," the dysfunctional duo's acerbic, anti-heroic visions had been critically lauded for their band identity and killer guitar riffs, then promptly challenged when the two songwriters retired from the road, dissolved any formal band lineup, and used the studio as laboratory. Aja carried the added indignity of its increased focus on sophisticated jazz models and musicianship, which carried the Dan's ambitions even further in terms of suave harmonies, intricate song structures, and brilliant playing.Time has proven them wiser than their rock crit detractors: These seven songs abound in knotty plots, sneaky imagery, and drop-dead brilliant performances from a blue chip studio repertory studded with first-call jazz players epitomized by Wayne Shorter's towering solo on the title song.From the hard-boiled jazz romance of "Deacon Blues" to the twisted Homeric vamp of "Home at Last," the veiled but ominous swing of "Peg" to the sci-fi eroticism of "Josie," Aja is a modern pop classic and the coolest fusion record no one ever thought to lump in that category. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (136)

Aja
Steely Dan is my favorite band, so it's only natural for me to like Aja. Only a fool wouldn't. This is the big one, a fushion of jazz and rock that no one's ever done before (unfortunately no one else tried) It's got an impressive starting lineup, one of Black Cow, Aja, and Deacon Blues. Three impressive, amazing songs that just blow me away. Black Cow is bitter, Aja seems a bit more reminiscent (but who or what is Aja?) and Deacon Blues is a masterful work about someone who wants to break the musical barriers.
However, I'd be commiting a sin not to mention side two. Or, to be more accurate, Home at Last and I Got the News. Home at Last is one of the best songs anybody ever did aand is a nice tale of homecoming. I especially enjoy the jam that makes up the better part of the song, with the tenor and the guitar. Absolutely hypnotic song.
Then there's I Got the News. I Got the News is another kick-you-know-what song by the Dan. One of the songs that makes me want to get up and at least move, if not dance.
Peg and Josie are the two major hits, the songs you normally hear off Aja, but I don't really like either of them as much as the rest of the album. Do I like them? Yes, but they don't seem to match the rest.
It's funny how not many can release an album as good as this. Look toward the Dan! Donald Fagen for President, Walter Becker for VP! Hey, they make as much sense as any other politician...

Minimalist perfection
Without exception this album is a masterpiece.Totally unrivaled,unparalleled.A sumptuous feast of elegance,sophistication,urban cool,bubbling vitriolic undercurrents,and minimalist instrumental precision you won't find anywhere else.
Nobody beats Steely Dan when it comes to setting a groove or a hook in a song that "you can hang your coat on",and this album ups the ante considerably."Peg" is a spectacular example of this,"Deacon Blues" too,and my favourite "Home at Last",with the swinging horn section,and Bernard Purdie's pulsing beat. In many ways the latter part of the songs is the best part,anchored with a rock steady rythm section,and a tasteful, measured solo.
Check out Walter Becker's? guitar solo on "Home at Last",a showcase of perfect timming and space.
But most of all,check out Steve Gadd's drum solo on the closing moments of "Aja"..... crank up the volume,and listen to a master at work.He is going absolutely flat out,listen carefully to the fade out and the cymbal work is just astonishing.......apparently it was done in one take,and everybody stopped what they were doing they were so stunned.
This album is just simply a must for any Dan fan,and for any Steely Dan newbie it is an EXCELLENT place to start.
I cannot say enough about this album.It is pure stunning brilliance,utter genius that has stood the test of time.
BUY IT!

Karl Rothko,
Auckland,
New Zealand

The smirking duo at their peak
Man, I loved Steely Dan. One of the luckiest coincidences of my life is that my college years pretty much tracked the career of Donald and Walter. Freshman year - Can't Buy a Thrill. Sophomore year? Countdown to Ecstasy. And so on - every year brought a new album from two guys whom I was convinced were stalking me. And the general disillusionment felt by all liberal arts grads in '76 was exactly summed up by The Royal Scam.

Skip a year - my live-in GF of three years has left, I'm working 60 hour weeks, my best friend's father has died suddenly and I drove 14 hours straight to get her home in time for the funeral. I get back from all that and want nothing more but to sleep for a couple days. But my main man is waiting for me with a copy of Aja, hot off the press. We put it on and begin to deconstruct the music. Or attempt to, anyway - we're still listening almost 30 years later, trying to figure out how they did it.

This is a document, a text (for all you lit crit fans) of brilliant form and function. I sincerely hope that musicologists and sociologists are studying this album in 100 years. Why sociologists?As the old joke goes, it's hard to explain the late 70s unless you were there. Post Nixon, post Vietnam, post everything. America at that point was a truly ugly place, a kidney stone of a decade. And here comes Aja to prove that artistic endeavor wasn't dead after all. There was something in that smooth cynicism that was actually hopeful.

And the music hasn't lost any of it's allure. It's a wonderful CD to have in the car on a long trip and I'll always catch myself wondering how they got those harmonies on Peg.

After Aja? I found Gaucho to be a little too self-conscious, as if Walter and Dan were a bit puzzled at their critical acclaim. In truth, I thought The Nightfly was a better album and heralded a new direction to their work. But after that, silence for a long time.

True story: in the early days of the web, SD had a website on the old Pathfinder network, tended by Walter behind his usual facade. I sent a note expressing the hope that he had fully recovered from his injury and illness. To my great surprise, he responded. After a paragraph or two of murky allusions, he admitted it was indeed good to be alive and well. Good on ya, Walter. Long may you run. ... Read more

Asin: B00003002C
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Red: 30th Anniversary Editions
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (17 October, 2000)
list price: $15.98
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Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (116)

King Crimson In The Red
1974's "Red" is King Crimson's seventh album, and the last one they made before disbanding for seven years. The core of the band was now reduced to a trio---guitarist Robert Fripp, bassist/vocalist John Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford, although the group are augmented on the album by such players as David Cross on violin and Mel Collins on sax. "Red" is another Crimson classic, featuring tough-as-nails prog rock and great musical beauty as only Crimson can do it. The title track is a scorching instrumental rocker, one of Crimson's best and most enduring numbers. "Fallen Angel" and "One More Red Nightmare" also flex some tremendous musical muscle. "Providence" is a very intriguing improvisational piece, and the 12-minute finale, "Starless," is a great, powerful song, with an excellent vocal from Wetton. At the time, "Red" seemed to mark the end of King Crimson, with Robert Fripp eager to move on to other projects. But Fripp, thankfully, would resurrect the band in 1981 with "Discipline" (featuring the debuts of guitarist/vocalist Adrian Belew and bassist Tony Levin). Although time proved that it *wasn't* the end for this great band, King Crimson closed out the first phase of their enduring career with "Red," a fantastic Crimson album all the way.

not for those who suffer from migraines
One of the great albums of the 70s from a band always determined to break the boundaries. Bill Bruford was as impressive in concert as on this album (and a an inspiring player for me as a younger drummer/musician). This is as good, if not better, than anything you'll hear today

Brilliant.
"Red", in many ways, is the definitive King Crimson album and statement, the song itself as much as the album.The closing statement by the '70s Crimson, "Red", came after much struggle and turmoil within the band, and the recording sessions would be the straw that broke the camel's back-- the band, by this point consisting only of Robert Fripp (guitar, mellotron), John Wetton (bass, vocals), and Bill Bruford (percussion), further augmented by another melody player on most tracks, fell apart compeletely.

The album opens on a dark note-- the title track, an instrumental masterpiece composed by Fripp and generally regarded as one of the great statements of the band, lives up its reputation.Powerful, dark, and with a haunting bridge, it grabs hold and pulls the listener with it.Unlike previous Crimson albums, when the mood evolved, a state of darkness remains on this one-- "Fallen Angel", alternating between ballad form verses (featuring some totally stunning guitar work from Fripp) melts into a dark chorus (featuring a riff Fripp first tossed around in an improv when this band first came together) where several layers of guitars are added together with a positively haunting cornet solo by Mark Charig on top of all of it.The piece shows how far this band has come-- the musicians are pretty much psychic in their playing, and Wetton's vocal resonates a condidence he's never displayed.

Speaking of confident delivery, on "One More Red Nightmare", Wetton sings the piece, which runs at a breakneck pace, flawlessly.One of my complaints on the previous record was that his vocal sounded rushed, here again completely self-assured, there's no rushing.The piece also features jaw-dropping drumming from Bill Bruford and a monster sax solo courtesy of former band member Ian McDonald.The track that follows, "Providence", is actually a live improv from the city of the same name and as such, David Cross performs on violin.Remarkably, its the closest thing to a light moment on the album, which is to say it isn't as dark as the rest of the album.It still has an air of mystery about it and builds, but to my ears, never quite amounts to much.

The album's closer is probably the most stunning, "Starless", a piece in two movements.The first is a mellotron-string driven ballad with brilliant liquid-tone guitar playing from Fripp, a lovely soprano sax solo from former Crim Mel Collins, and a passioned vocal from John Wetton.This melts into a building section, highlighting Bruford's percussion again as Fripp plays repeated figures over and over again until the guitar and distorted bass echo each other and the piece explodes-- McDonald plays another brilliant alto solo, full of fire and passion before the two saxes restate the theme and the piece erupts like never before and comes to a conclusion.Its one of those magic moments on record, definitely a moment of pure brilliance.

This was unfortunately the last work of the '70s band-- McDonald was supposed to rejoin, but in a surprising move (given band history), Fripp left, which effectively ended Crimson for a further six years.

This album is another candidate for "the" Crimson masterpiece-- I don't think its quite as good as "Larks' Tongues in Aspic", but it is much more digestable.Essential. ... Read more

Asin: B000003S0P
Sales Rank: 27569
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Royal Bed Bouncer [Bonus Tracks]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 March, 2003)
list price: $27.49
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Features

• Import

Reviews (8)

Favorite Album of all time - something for everyone
I can hardly begin to give praise to this album; I don't know where to start.First of all, Ton sherpenzeel's ability to write complex and sophisticated music while still making it accessible and catchy is phenomenal.Songs like the title track show sherpenzeel's keyboard prowess (in the solo) and songs like Chance For a Lifetime show his ability to write technically demanding classical influenced passages with much to offer true prog fans.Life of Gold and Bury the World boast typical prog keyboarding to create wonderful backgrounds but Kayak still keeps things rock based with strong guitar work in songs like Said No Word.Lyrically, the album also has a lot to offer.The Humor typical of prog-rock albums is present in several occasions.Perhaps the most important thing about this album is that it is catchy.Hardcore prog fans might shy away from the pop-based aspect of Royal Bed Bouncer, but ultimately, that's what makes this prog album accessible and memorable.

Not a Prog Album, Just a Great Album
In 1975, the progressive rock category hardly existed and was defined more in terms of the Rock/Jazz fusion of the time and less in terms of the subsequent New Age, Cybermusic that now defines this category.So even while Kayak may have been one of the early forerunners of Prog and embraced that evolution in subsequent albums, the comparisons with what has ensued really does an injustice to this particular album, whichgoes far beyond the scope and limitation of any such classification.Comparisons with Kayak's contemporaries of that time such as Yes and ELP derive from comparisons of Kayak's keyboardist, Ton Scherpenzeel, with Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson.But the comparisons end there.A more apt comparison needs to be made to its contemporaries in terms of musical themes and ideas expressed mainly in the lyrics but carried through beautifully in the music.On that score, Kayak was much closer to the pop/rock of Pink Floyd, the Who, and, dare I say, the Beatles.Royal Bed Bouncer is about terrorism (title track), exodus (Chance for a Lifetime) and romance (Life of Gold).It is a humorous and adventurous album.It succeeds in a more concise way of expressing these themes and ideas than does Pete Townsend's "Lifehouse" project or Roger Water's "Amused to Death". But, anyone who is a fan of Terry Gilliam's film "Brazil" would love this album.To be clear, this is not a rock opera, but it has that same quality in the way that concept albums like "Sgt. Peppers" and "Abbey Road" have in terms of evoking a romantic musical imagery and philosophy.In short, it kind of makes you think, perhaps in a profound, but not a complex way, that we do not live in the best of all possible worlds; except maybe when we are listening to music like this.

Not the best prog album but still not bad
Kayak, along with Earth & Fire, Ekseption, Focus, Alquin, Supersister, Trace, and Finch, is one of the biggest names of Dutch prog. While Royal Bed Bouncer, released in 1975, is not the best prog album I have ever heard, it's not bad either. The music is all quite straightfoward, song-oriented format, so you won't find extended suites, complex time signatures and constant tempo changes. No killer Mellotron passages (the album does have some Mellotron, but it's hardly impressive at all). Or lengthy side length epics. If you want an earful of keyboard, you'll be disappointed as there is little to no solos or keyboards that stick out in general. The music is listenable for the most part, but there's plenty of more pop elements that might turn off the more diehard prog fanatics away. There are a couple of throwaway cuts on the album, but in general it still a worthy album, just that I don't consider it a classic or essential. At least it's not as bad as Kayak's largely uninspired and flat-sounding 1977 album Starlight Dancer. In my opinion, as far as Dutch prog is concerned, Earth & Fire's Song of the Marching Children (1971) and Atlantis (1973), Alquin's Marks (1972) and The Mountain Queen (1973), Focus' Moving Waves (1971), and especially Finch's Glory of the Inner Force (1975) are better albums to try. ... Read more

Asin: B0000071B4
Sales Rank: 74953
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop   

Moontan
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98
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Reviews (18)

Moontan
This 1974 release is Golden Earring's most well-known and highly rated album.It was originally released in the Netherlands with a picture of a nude showgirl on the front, included two tracks not found here (Suzy Lunacy, Just Like Vince Taylor) and left out Big Tree, Blue Sea.You're better off with the five-track version being reviewed.

We all know the popular foot-stomping classic Radar Love, and you can bet it's the first track on Moontan.I personally prefer the live version on Something Heavy Going Down (AKA Live From The Twilight Zone).I like the way the song has evolved over the years and I prefer it live.

Candy's Going Bad is my personal favorite from Moontan.It's a great catchy rock song with a very cool riff and a short but sweet solo in the middle.

Vanilla Queen is a much-loved Earring classic that seems to be about Marylin Monroe.It has some great acoustic playing in the middle and some lovely horns at the end.

Big Tree, Blue Sea is a remake of the 1970 version on their self titled album (AKA Wall Of Dolls) from 1970.I prefer this version as the flute sounds better I think.This song has a lot of Jethro Tull-esque flute playing and some very soft, sweet moments in the middle.

The Final track, Are You Recieving Me is a lengthy song with some saxophone and some rocking out in the middle.

Sure, it's only five songs, but most of them are very lengthy and everyone would tell you it's worth a purchase.My personal favorite studio album is Bloody Buccaneers, but Moontan is an exceptionally solid album in it's own right.Their new album Millbrook USA and their 1972 album Together are also good.But GE tends to be best when they're live, so their live albums are must-haves.So many of their songs are just so much better live.Save Your Skin, Heartbeat, Evil Love Chain, Hammer Of Love, Liquid Soul, Long Blond Animal, The Devil Made Me Do It, I Do Rock 'N Roll, Another 45 Miles, Just Like Vince Taylor, Radar Love, and Mission Impossible are just some examples of GE songs that are usually best when performed live.

Radar Love; the Rest is Gravy
"Moontan" contains the only recognizable hit from the Dutch group Golden Earring, "Radar Love."While that song is a classic for those of us who went cruising in convertibles in the 70s, there are other songs on this CD worthy of notice.

"Candy's Going Bad" is an okay song.Next up is a "Vanilla Queen;" progressive and impressive.There is good guitar work in this song along with an interesting horn section.

"Big Tree, Blue Sea" starts with a flute that will immediately call to mind Jethro Tull.However, the song has a strong electronic flavor mixed in to balance the flute.The end result is another progressive rock song that sounds a little like Yes, a little like Tull, and a middle portion that feels as though it might have been inspired by King Crimson's "Moonchild" from "In the Court of the Crimson King," but with a Jethro Tull flavor.It is as interesting as it sounds.This song then segues into guitar rock, nice and hard, but with a Doors-like bluesy flavor.While the song would appear to have ties to a number of rock groups and artists, the result is an unusual blend that has to be heard to be appreciated.

"Are You Receiving Me" rounds out the CD.The song begins with a 60s sound that changes to a wonderful harmony with a blues flavor.The song changes styles and tempos several times, an indication of the progressive nature of the song.In the middle portion of this song is a section that heard only by itself you might think was by Led Zeppelin, but it is clearly different from Led Zeppelin.Golden Earring once again mixed styles to create a unique combination that is somewhat difficult to describe, but a lot of fun to hear.

"Moontan" was originally released in 1973 in an era when rock was unafraid to experiment.The end result is an album that sounds a lot like early progressive rock with a hard edge.If you like Jethro Tull, Yes, King Crimson and Led Zeppelin from the late 60s and the early 70s, you should also enjoy this album.

Golden Earring - Moontan
Intelligent rock at it's best. Pity about the U.S. sleeve. ... Read more

Asin: B000002PAU
Sales Rank: 29791
Subjects:  1. Arena Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock   

A Day At The Races [+2 Remixed]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 March, 1991)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
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Editorial Review

Both regal and raunchy, Queen was at the height of its powers in themid-70s, riding the soaring vocals of Freddie Mercury, the ringing guitar crunchof Brian May and the band's shameless theatrical flourishes. Coming so quicklyafter the band's A Night At the Opera opus, this 1976 album works hard at repeating the same hit-making elements, down to the matching cover art.If A Day At the Races lacks the same level of pop tunesmanship, there isstill energy in these tracks, particularly in the rocking "Tie Your MotherDown" and the emotional "Somebody to Love," which set a blueprintfor future ballads by the band. --Steve Appleford ... Read more

Reviews (75)

my second favorite Queen album
ADATR is one of Queen's most underated albums. It is truly a kick ass album. My Favorite Songs are TIE YOUR MOTHER DOWN,
YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY, LONG AWAY, YOU & I, THE MILLIONAIRE
WALTZ, SOMEBODY TO LOVE, TEO TORRIATE & GOOD OLD FASHIONED
LOVERBOY. Freddie Mercury is truly the best singer in the
world. I love this band, QUEEN ROCKS, QUEEN ROCKS! But,
that's not an opnion that's fact, biotch!

Excellent, and Well Paced ...
The placement of the songs on this album show that QUEEN learned a lot from the extensivetouring in how to pace a show.
Absolutely all of the songs on this album have appeal to someone. In my view, if you don't like the entire album, it's because you have a limited taste in music; the one thing that QUEENwas, and is still thanks to CD and Video, is diverse.
Even the much maligned DROWSE is great if you are in the mood for it.
I have been playing this back to back with BRUTAL PLANET in the car for a few weeks, and it compares very well.
On just so many levels, these songs are very accessible; unfortunately, some great works were never chosen for live performance.
Even in the original Vinyl, this work is a masterpiece. And in the remastered version, wow... it is just brilliant. Well worth the purchase price.

undderated
this album is SOOOO GREAT!! tie your mother down is a hard rocker that sets you on fire!!!9.7/10 take my breath away cools you down it's beautiful 10/10 long away shows brian mays vocals at their best 9.9/10 the millionare waltz i love it every second of it is great. 10/10 you and i this track makes you feel happy inside it really does10/10 SOMEBODY TO LOVE. my favorite queen song, my favorite song on earth i would buy the whole album just for this a++++++++++++ 1000000000000/1000000000000. white man pee yu it stinks!!! it's so bad i skip it every time.0/10 good old faishoned lover boy this song is so catchy and so great!!!! 10/10 drowse o.k after you heard white man you thought you were clean but nope another stinker. i hate this song NEGATIVE10/10
teo torriatte i love this song especially when they do the over dubs in the chorus. 10/10over all a excellent album ... Read more

Asin: B000000OA8
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. Glam Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    8. Rock   

The Stranger
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 October, 1998)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $7.99
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Editorial Review

This, pop superstar Joel's breakout LP, came years after he first hit the charts with the novelty-ish "Piano Man." In the meantime, the New York-based songwriter released two lackluster and stylistically confused platters that blunted interesting songs with a sound that was neither Elton mellow nor Elton attitude. Produced by Phil Ramone, The Stranger took those who had written Joel off as a one-hit wonder by surprise ("Just the Way You Are" was among the biggest hits of 1977) and it remains a solid introduction to Joel's restless muse at a crucial point in his career. It invited a few comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, with its prominent sax breaks, hard-edged rebel-rockers ("Only the Good Die Young"), and slice-of-life dramatics ("Scenes From an Italian Restaurant"), recounting life in a lower middle-class (Eastern Urban) setting; but Joel's chameleonic, formalist approach to pop wasn't to be so easily pigeonholed (Glass Houses, The Nylon Curtain, An Innocent Man...). --Don Harrison ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (73)

At the Top of His Game
This was my first Billy Joel CD. When I got in the car, I shoved it in the CD player to listen to Movin' Out (Anthony's Song). As I grew in taste I checked out other songs on the CD. It turned out that he had many differences in songs on the same album. I was dumbfounded. I knew that he would becomeone of my favorite artists. His versitility was amazing. His classical backgrounds started to come through on Scenes From An Italian Restaraunt. He added in his rock 'n' roll sense to create a wonderful CD.

Greatest Album Ever?
Get ten people in a room, ask all of them what the "greatest album ever" is, and you'll get ten different responses. But I'd pick this finely crafted masterpiece. Though it doesn't contain his number one signature song-"Piano Man"-this is certainly Joel's most recognized album, and with good reason: Nearly every song shines with the glimmer of virtual perfection. Of the nine songs on this album, six appeared in Joel's Greatest Hits Volume 1 album. Of the three songs left, one ("Vienna") was recognized by fans in a poll on a Billy Joel fan site as their fourth favorite song, overall, by him. But if it was just the idea that nearly every song is recognized, I very well could have declared Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, Sports by Huey Lewis, or even Thriller by Michael Jackson the greatest ever. No, the reason this album is the greatest for me is because its brilliant songs forever changed the way I listen to music. Every track pushes the limits of pop music in a way that keeps me captivated still today, years later.

Here's my guarantee to you: no matter your amount of knowledge of Billy Joel music, or of music in general, you will fall in love with these songs. "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" is never given the props it deserves as one of the all-time great songs, perhaps Joel's best. "Only the Good Die Young" is catchy, captivating, and timeless (even if it is full of generalizations and criticisms of Catholic teachings), "Just The Way You Are" is down-to-Earth romance at its most beautiful and poignant, "She's Always A Woman" is clever and bittersweet, and "Vienna" is something to be heard.

BOTTOM LINE: If you don't own this album, get it. If you own no Joel, this is a great place to start. If you own The Essential or maybe some of his other stuff, it's worth the ten or so dollars just for "Scenes" and "Vienna".

Outstanding album that made Billy famous
Billy's career had been building gradually prior to the release of this album, but this album made him a major star in America, spawning four hit singles, two of which (Just the way you are, Moving out) also became British hits at the time while a third (She's always a woman) made the UK charts six years later. The other American hit (Only the good die young) didn't chart in Britain.

Of all the hits, the standout track is Just the way you are, which was also a UK hit for Barry White less than a year after Billy's original made the UK top twenty. Many artists in several genres of music have covered Just the way you are, proving just how good the song is.

Among the other tracks, there is a great story song - Scenes from an Italian restaurant. It lasts for over seven and a half minutes so it could never have been released as a single. Vienna, Get it right the first time, Everybody has a dream and the title track are all excellent album tracks.

Although there are only nine tracks on this album, the playing time is over forty minutes and every song is brilliant. Among Billy's many excellent original albums, I rate this one as second only to An innocent man. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DCHC
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock    5. Singer/Songwriter    6. Soft Rock   

Crime of the Century
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 June, 2002)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (23)

Perfect marriage of progressive rock and accessible pop
OK, I love this album; I first heard it as a 15-year-old in 1975, and played it endlessly - it's THAT album for me.

Those of you who only know the band from Breakfast In America are missing something important. This is one of the most perfectly constructed, played and produced albums of the 70's. It bears comparison with Dark Side of the Moon without question: and it is a great deal less angst-ridden.

Get this, and listen to it. "Breakfast" is light, sugary-sweet by comparison. From the opening, unforgettable harmonica solo, to the fading chords of the last track, this is proper music, played for intelligent listeners, and not with the radio or the charts in mind. All the songs are through-composed, all impeccably arranged and played, and that production is astonishing. Listen to the drums on 'If Everyone Was Listening'. Or the Wurlitzer solo on 'School'. Or... I could go on and on. For the perfect blend of musicianship, accessibility and adherence to exacting standards, it is very, very hard to find anything that could compete with this record.

not to have this album is a crime
i love supertramp.I know a lot of people who like this great band.crime of the century is one of the best albums of this great band along with breakfast in America.hugely recommended.five stars.

The Quintessential 'Tramp Album
The first album were Rick Davies recruited a functioning, workable, contributing band, is also (in my opinion) their greatest. With the now complete lineup of Davies, Hodgson, Siebenberg, Helliwell and Thopson, Supertramp riffed off into stardom with their first big hit album and possibly their most celebrated.
Crime Of The Century consists of two stories, which both took place respectively on their original LP sides, side one consisted of School, Bloody Well Right, Hide In your Shell, and Asylum. Side Two was Dreamer, Rudy, If Everyone Was Listening, and Crime of the Century.
Side one was the story of the charachter Jimmy Cream, his youth, coming of age, and eventually, insanity. His story bears very creepy similarities to that of Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett.....
Side Two is about Rudy, a quiet, brilliant and corrupted person who eventually commits the 'Crime Of The Century.'
This is the closest Supertramp got to Pink Floyd, and to me, they did much better.They found a defined style and stuck with it for latter albums, however those latter albums (save 'Brother Where You Bound') didn't seem to stick to that sound.
Definitely a must have for Pink Floyd lovers, Supertramp lovers, prog and art rock lovers, and in my opinion, the greatest album of all time. ... Read more

Asin: B000068FY0
Sales Rank: 3976
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    5. Rock   

Country Life
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 March, 2000)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

Some contend Roxy Music peaked on their first two LPs, the ones with Brian Eno. Others contend they were best on their next two LPs, without Eno. Country Life is the second LP of the latter grouping, and it probably is the highpoint of the band's career (although its predecessor, Street Life, is stiff competition). The haunting, melancholic "The Thrill of It All," the art-rockin' "Out of the Blue," the almost-pure '50s rock of "If It Takes All Night," and the decadent Berlin-before-the-War affectations of "A Really Good Time" all lead to the concluding "Prairie Rose," Bryan Ferry's campy ode to Texas and amour Jerry Hall. This was "alternative" rock before the term existed. After this, Roxy Music became an entirely different band. --Bill Holdship ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (31)

Their other greatest album
For me it's impossible to consider this album removed from the context of its predecessor, "Stranded".Oh, I can certainly LISTEN to it on its own--it's a fabulous rock album by one of the greatest bands ever, at the peak of its form.And before the advent of this remastered CD, the production has always sounded cluttered and noisy--but now I can recognize that it may be the greatest "wall of sound" recording ever!The introduction of the first song, "The Thrill of It All", is one of the most exciting beginnings to an album I have ever heard--the ostinato piano figure yielding to the pummelling onslaught of the rest of the band, and Ferry's desperate mating call--ah, heaven!!It's like the aural equivalent of glass bricks, heavy AND shimmering at the same time--a thing of raw, hard beauty.The rest of the album is similarly stunning--it should be a touchstone for any student of rock music or rock production.The songs are uniformly excellent, taken on their own terms--quirky at times, but always compact and interesting.And the lyrics are simply brilliant, Ferry at his best--a balancing act of wit and depth, art and entertainment, that (along with "Stranded") has never been topped, in my opinion.The whole album is rocking, challenging, scrumptious FUN.

So in case you didn't know it, I think that anybody who takes their rock music seriously (as I do) should have BOTH these albums in their collection.For me, they are a source of endless pleasure.

Great Roxy album
Even though I'm a big fan of the first two albums ("The Eno Albums"), as well as later albums (such as Manifesto), I must say that this is probably the best overall Roxy Music album.All of the songs are strong, and there are lots of variety to the songs.There are heavier songs - like The Thrill of It All and Out of The Blue - and quieter songs, like Tryptich, with the others falling somewhere in the middle.

Although the quality of music tends to vary quite a bit from album to album, with a few duds in between (namely Stranded and Siren), the band really got it right on this one.

Spectacular
Absolutely the peak of Roxy's seminal period ('72-'75), COUNTRY LIFE is an essential recording, a virtual greatest hits album of new material. The band prove to be accomplished at every style they attempt, and Bryan Ferry's Lonely Everyman persona reaches a zenith on several songs including the intoxicating opener "The Thrill Of It All", a brilliant, stylish rocker propelled by a slamming rhythm and Barry White-style strings. All the musicians are exceptional, but special mention must go out to The Great Paul Thompson (tied with Chic's Tony Thompson as the most under-appreciated drummer ever), and Eddie Jobson, Roxy's Weapon X. Most rock bands have violin parts to make you shudder, but Eddie can really soar and shred (the showcase violin solo on "Out Of The Blue" is great, but the definitive version is on VIVA! ROXY MUSIC, the 1976 live album.)

"All I Want Is You", "If It Takes All Night" and "Prairie Rose" all showcase the incredible Roxy Music attack. "Casanova" may be the most decadent song in the Roxy canon, with a wicked "Superstition"-style keyboard line. Ferry channels Brecht, Weill, and Marlene Dietrich on "Bitter-Sweet", and "A Really Good Time" turns on the backhanded charm, perhaps the most urbane "stupid girl" song ever written.

These are ten tracks of touchstone rock, as relevant as anything from the era. You won't go wrong with any of Roxy's first five albums, but COUNTRY LIFE belongs on everyone's shelf. Absolute class. ... Read more

Asin: B0000256K7
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Glam Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    6. Proto-Punk    7. Rock   

Superunknown
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 March, 1994)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

"Fell on Black Days," indeed. Seattle sludge slingers Soundgarden made a living out of cathartic, woe-is-me wailing (we're talking the banshee vocals of Chris Cornell and the crypt-creaking guitar of Kim Thayil), but this wallowing in grim depression ironically proved to be the band's most uplifting career effort. When the reclusive Cornell ventures out of his shy-guy shell, it's typically via a primal scream of cathartic emotion--he might camp it up with a sophomoric "Spoon Man," but most of this vicious disc leaps straight for your jugular. Generations in the post-millennial future will one day refer to this record to discover exactly how 1990s rock & roll was done. --Tom Lanham ... Read more

Reviews (249)

"I still don't mind the change".............
Soundgarden fourth and best album, Superunknown, was released on march 8, 1994, exactly one month before Kurt Cobain too his life; so appropriately "Fell On Black Days" would encapsule the fate of grunge;this album, Stone Temple Pilots "Purple" and Alice In Chains self-titled "tripod" album are the genre's last stand. While all the grunge bands of the early 90's had great vocalists, Chris Cornell always stood out to me as the best pure singer; he can channel some and stand along with some of R&B's best singers at will, whether its hushed tones of Anita Baker and Shuggie Otis or the cathrtic wailing of Mary J. Blige and Marvin Gaye. But Cornell wouldn't be nearly as effective without that marvelous rhythm section backing him; while Nirvana gets most of the grunge pub, they couldn't walk in Soundgarden shoes on a straight up techincal basis. While the Orange County pop rock of bands like No Doubt and Green Day would eventually drown them out, they will never be forgotten.

Started Grunge
Soundgarden created grundge and let bands like Alice In Chains, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. Superunknown is most likley what started it all. Good album for a good band.

To the reviewer below me
Alice in Chains **DID** release a masterpiece. In fact, they released two, which makes them tied with Soundgarden. Those masterpieces are "Dirt" and "Jar of Flies".

BTW, "Superunknown" is a great album. Black Hole Sun. Fell on Black Days. Like Suicide. My Wave. NEED ANY MORE BE SAID?!?!?! ... Read more

Asin: B000002G2B
Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Grunge    4. Heavy Metal    5. Pop    6. Rock   

Lightbulb Sun
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 July, 2000)
list price: $17.98
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Reviews (33)

GOING TO BE REMASTERED AND RE-RELEASED
Both Lightbulb Sun and Stupid Dream are going to be remastered and re-released in 2005. PT assures that "at least one of them, if not both, will receive a DVD-Audio 5.1 surround mix format in addition to the normal remastered CD edition".
This is a fantasatic CD. Not quite as good as Stupid Dream or In Absentia but a definite must have. So just wait a while until they are re-released instead of spending ridiculous amounts for this CD.

very good final independent release
Don't get me wrong, I like this album, but maybe I was spoiled by Stupid Dream and Signify and the immediate impact they both had on me, and as a result Lightbulb Sun was somewhat of a letdown.But it's still well-produced and worth purchasing once it gets re-released.

Songs such as the title track, Four Chords That Made a Million, and show that Steven Wilson can write shorter well-produced songs.Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycles is an interesting use of banjo, and as others have said an eerie use of Heaven's Gate cult material.The Rest Will Flow is a nice little track that uses strings, and shows the group is willing to experiment.PT still returns to his roots with more epic songs like Hatesong and Russia On Ice.The album also has more harder sounds than the last which seems to be the progression of the group.

It's still a nice album that I'm sure will grow on me more as time passes, and a worthy final independent release and swan song for drummer Chris Maitland.

truly awesome album
This album is truly great.Wilson is a gifted artist.Listening to this album reminds me how rare we encounter good, solid progressive rock anymore.Great melodies, thoughtful tunes. ... Read more

Asin: B00004T1NA
Sales Rank: 121863
Subjects:  1. Experimental Rock    2. Pop    3. Post-Rock/Experimental    4. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    5. Rock   

Toys in the Attic
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 September, 1993)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $7.99
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Editorial Review

Originally released in 1975, this was Aerosmith's breakout recording. Listeners only familiar with their more recent, post-comeback material may be surprised; like their other albums from the 1970s, Toys has a strong blues inflection, as indicated by their cover of "Big Ten Inch Record," which also shows that Aerosmith has never lacked raunchiness or innuendo. There's also the original (pre-Run-D.M.C.) version of "Walk This Way," and the classic "Sweet Emotion." This is classic Aerosmith at its gritty, streetwise best; they may have been derivative, but it really doesn't matter, then or now: it's all in good fun. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (97)

the worst of all time!
This is the weakest album of all time, get your wings is a much
better album!

Toys, Toys, Toys
This album is like a new toy so exciting and you play with it for hours except you don't stop playing with this toy. All of these track are really good but I have to say, aerosmiths album after Rocks is the best areosmith album my second favortie is pump and then Toys in the attic.

Toys in the attic: 10
Uncle Salty:10
Adams apple: 10
Walk this way: 10
Big ten inch record:8
Sweet emotion: 10
Round: 10
YOu see me crying: 10 (I don't know how this wasn't releaed as a single this song is great)
No more, no more: 10 really good melody

crap
did the singer marry his daughter, yet. anyways, aerosmith are one of the worst bands ever. the lyrics are dumb, the music is simple and boring. they're just another overrated rock band that needed to quit right after the release of their first album. you want talented music where bands actually show off their skills? try power, death, and viking metal. ... Read more

Asin: B0000029AP
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Zenyatta Mondatta [Digipak]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 March, 2003)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
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Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (49)

Another Terrific Police Album
They were really on a gold streak back then, weren't they? This album isn't as good as their first two, but it's close. The Police, at least, knew how to begin an album. "Don't Stand So Close To Me," which everyone and their dog has heard, is a great way to start an album, and things stay great. But they never reach the greatness of the earlier two albums.

The one song that really stands out for me is "Behind My Camel." It's a fantastically ominous little instrumental by Andy Summers. I really enjoyed it. To think, when I first read the title, I dreaded listening to it.

Every song on this album's a keeper. Get it.

The Police move into their next phase of their career
"Zenyatta Mondatta" would mark the third studio album to be released by the trio, The Police. In several respects, "Zenyatta Mondatta" would mark a crossroads for the band. Although The Police were well established in the UK, on the U.S. side this album elevated the trio from a cult status to full-fledged commercial rock stars in the United States. On the musical side, The Police would begin to undergo some changes as well. The first two albums of The Police had a lot of similar styles.The Police were sort of an off-shoot of the Punk Rock movement of the late 1970s.I think its unfair to say The Police were a Punk Rock band because much of their music consisted of a fusion of other genres (reggae, classic rock, and even some jazz). But for the most part, it is fair to say there was a Punk Rock influence on the band for their first two albums" - "Outlandos D'Amour" and "Regatta de Blanc". Both of these albums were terrific efforts - mostly because The Police used applied their unique style to a formula that worked. On "Zenyatta Mondatta", things would begin to shift. This is the album where the Police would build on the foundation of the first two albums, but now begin to make a shift to becoming a more classic Rock band.In addition, the band would continue to explore some other genres (folk, dance).From a lyrical standpoint, "Zenyatta Mondatta" saw the band go much deeper than they had done on their first efforts.

A lot of what helped the band move toward more toward a Classic Rock direction is the use of the Bass. While Sting's distinctive voice has always been a terrific attribute of the band, his Bass playing sometimes goes unnoticed.On this album, you will hear a clear presence of Bass Guitar being played on many of the tracks. This Bass is blended terrific with Stewart Copeland's drumming. Andy Summers also provides the right chords from an Electric Guitar standpoint when needed, but for the most part I really think the Bass sound is going to drive this sound. Just about every track on this collection is going to have this Bass dominance.

Here is a brief synopsis of the 11 tracks:

"Don't Stand So Close to Me" is the popular track on this album.A very popular track, but listen to how the Bass drives the music of this song.

"Driven to Tears" is another song driven by the Bass.This is a song where you will see some of the more "mature" lyrics of the band as they describe the state of events in the world.This song is a great example of the move toward a "Classic Rock" sound.

"When the World is Running Down...": Yes there is a Bass influence, but as I listen to the intro of this song, I really hear how Andy's guitar and Stewart's drumming blend in beautifully.Lyrically, this song is underrated - its got some good ones.

"Canary in a Coalmine" is a very underrated song.Here The Police show that they have branched into some new areas and integrate a very folksy sound with their unique style.

"Voices Inside My Head": This song has almost a dance-club like groove.It's led by Sting's Bass - but Andy's guitar and Stewart's drumming provide for a great intro as well. Like "Canary in a Coalmine" - this is a very underrated song.

"Bombs Away": Another terrific lyrical song. There is a terrific political message that deals with Foreign Policy.From a musical standpoint, this shows how the Police have brought Punk and Classic Rock elements closer together.This is demonstrated with a Punk like groove with Andy providing some great classic guitar rifts midway through the song.

"De Do Do Do De Da Da Da":I think this is one of the weaker tracks.Despite the chorus, the other lyrics are stronger than you might think.Andy provides some great guitar work that makes it an attractive song for not only Classic Rock, but for the Pop Music scene as well.

"Behind the Camel" is a song that is better than most people think. A definite Classic Rock feel drives the opener with Andy and Stewart taking more center stage with this song.There is something almost Hendrix-like and Zeppelin-like about this song. It's an all instrumental song - and it's very good.

"Man in a Suitcase" is more of a throwback to the "Outlandos D'Amour" and "Reggatta de Blanc" album days.It shows the Police haven't abandoned their roots yet.Nice Bass work in this song as well.

"Shadows in the Rain" is a song that was redone by Sting in 1985 on his "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" album.Sting would do a more uptempo Jazz version of this song.I much prefer Sting's version of this song, but this song still is solid.In this version its a bit more subdued and has a solid Bass that is driving this song.

"The Other Way of Stopping" is another instrumental. Sting's Bass is once again in high gear. I can almost see Sting, Andy, and Stewart having a blast jamming to this song. This is another underrated song by the band.

Overall, the Police don't lose a step with this album. Top to bottom, this is a solid collection by the trio. It really would set the stage for the next phase of their career.It's also worth noting that all of the songs that are included on this album are included in the Boxed Set "Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings". This Boxed Set contains every song on every studio album by The Police.You can't go wrong by either getting this collection on a standalone CD or getting the boxed set.You will still get the same appreciation of the music.Either way, this music is highly recommended.

The Police's Best Album
ZENYATTA MONDATTA, despite Sting's criticisms that it was not as good as it could have been because of the rush to begin another tour, is, in my opinion, the Police's best album ever, as well as the best album Sting made in his entire career, group or solo. The song "Don't Stand So Close To Me" is about an illicit relationship between student and teacher, while the political lyrics of "Driven To Tears" are, unfortunately, even more relevant today. "When The World Is Running Down" is about making the best choices when none are particularly good; the song is technically about the world after a major war, but it could be about ordinary situations beyond our control. This should be the first Police album you buy. ... Read more

Asin: B00008BRDV
Sales Rank: 1820
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Drums    4. England    5. New Wave    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. Post-Punk    9. Rock