And the Hits Just Keep on Comin'/Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash
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Audio CD (21 November, 2000)
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• Import

Reviews (7)

You may like this too
I am a huge fan of Michael Nesmith's solo music and his music with The Monkees.If you enjoy his country-rock style then I strongly recommend that you check out the following:
1)March 16-20 by Uncle Tupelo
2)Papa Nez: A Loose Salute To The Work Of Michael Nesmith by Various Artists
3)Stranger's Almanac by Whiskeytown
4)Trace by Son Volt

Nesmith At His Peak
If you only ever buy one Nesmith CD, this should be it. This was Michael Nesmith at his peak in the 70's, when he put together two of the finest country/rock discs ever. The first was And the Hits Just Keep On Comin', a jibe at his record company who complained that he didn't write enough hit songs. Nesmith scoffed at that idea; all he wanted to do was to lay down good music, and if folks liked it, they would come to it, not the other way around.
And the Hits... features Nesmith alone on guitar with longtime sidekick pedal steel virtuoso Red Rhodes. The result is a sublime experience, full of heartfelt singing and pensive lyrics. Highlights include The Upside Of Good-Bye, Two Different Roads, Harmony Constant, and the song that gave Linda Ronstadt a hit in '69, Different Drum (this version is the best).
Nesmith progressed to his next album naturally by filling out the sound he and Rhodes crafted on And the Hits... with a host of top studio musicians. The result was Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash, the crowning achievement for Nez, although he only wrote about half of the songs himself here. Some Of Shelley's Blues (an old unreleased tune he wrote from his Monkees' days and a hit for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Release, Winonah, and Back Porch and A Fruit Jar of Iced Tea make this a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Once you hear Papa Nez, you won't need another country album. He has it down pat. So get this disc, and you will find yourself wanting all of his early work, which is inventive, energetic, and thoughtful.

A gift for yourself
I can not think of a better gift for yourself than discovering Michael Nesmith, his music, lyrics, innovations, and determinations. ... Read more

Asin: B00004VXGD
Sales Rank: 76332
Subjects:  1. Country-Rock    2. Country/Bluegrass    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Singer/Songwriter   

Abbey Road
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

The Beatles' last days as a band were as productive as any major pop phenomenon that was about to split. After recording the ragged-but-right Let It Be, the group held on for this ambitious effort, an album that was to become their best-selling. Though all four contribute to the first side's writing, John Lennon's hard-rocking, "Come Together" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" make the strongest impression. A series of song fragments edited together in suite form dominates side two; its portentous, touching, official close ("Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight"/"The End") is nicely undercut, in typical Beatles fashion, by Paul McCartney's cheeky "Her Majesty," which follows. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (846)

how old am I????
Reading some of the revues for this album make me think just how many people are there out there that have never heard the beatles ???? the first time I heard that I remember hearing the beatles I was in short pants at the tender age of 5 and was instantly hooked and have been ever since and yes this was their finest hour albeit there last hour. god what a band they where and how sorely I miss them they laid the foundations for all the rock bands to come and I still judge all others against them long live the beatles they last and last thank god for the memories I have of listening to their music as it came out. I feel so fortunate to have been there when it occured.

One of the greastest rock bands....
Without Buddy Holly and other legends in the 50s, we wouldnt have rock music, without The beatles we wouldnt have bristish invanison, without Led Zeppelin and AC/DC we wouldnt have metal. What I am trying to say is The Beatles are one of the greastest bands, there's really nothing to hate about them. John Lennon is one of the best vocalist,Paul and John could write very intersting lyrics. The Beatles changed rock n roll, and without them you wouldnt have most of the music you have these days.

Beautiful Album
I wont bore you with things that have been said before about this masterpiece. These guys knew it was the end, and boy did they deliver.

Best Beatles Album, hands-down. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UB3
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. British Psychedelia    3. England    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    8. Psychedelic    9. Rock    10. Rock & Roll    11. Sunshine Pop   

An Evening with John Denver
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 March, 2001)
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Features

• Live
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (21)

An Evening with John Denver
If you were never fortunate enough to see a John Denver concert, this CD will give you a taste of what you missed.I was lucky enough to attend every concert John did in my home town and each time the sound quality and personal presentation was the best of any concert I have ever attended.From the fun songs, to the soaring Eagle & The Hawk, from the soft Today and My Sweet Lady, to the classic Take Me Home, County Road & Rocky Mountain High, this album is a treasure.

A pretty good live album
The album is pretty good. If you like John Denver, there are alot of good songs here. If you don't like John Denver, this album will probably have nothing to make you like him.

Song selection is interesting. Repeating Toledo twice is a very strange choice. "Forest Lawn" and "Amsterdam" are different from his usual fare, but not really in a good way. I did like "picken the sun down" which is an instrumental, which is unusual for JD. The stories he tells about the songs are interesting, and helped me understand his songs more. I liked alot of his songs live more than the studio versions. His "Zachary and Jennifer" intro is interesting, but not musically apealing.

This is a good CD, but the "Harbor Lights Concert" CD is better. There is a better selection of songs, John sings better, and it is much better overall. If you are going to buy one JD live album, make it Harbor Lights. If you love John Denver, you will buy "An Evening with John Denver" no matter what I say. If you are buying for someone else, get Harbor Lights.

A Wonderful Album!
This by far is the best John Denver album I have ever heard.Go and pick it up!You'll love it! ... Read more

Asin: B00005A8B4
Sales Rank: 3026
Subjects:  1. Folk-Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Singer/Songwriter    5. Soft Rock   

Plastic Ono Band
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Audio CD (10 October, 2000)
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Editorial Review

Decades later it's a little hard to appreciate just how shocking Plastic Ono Band was at the time of its release. Yes, John Lennon's first post-Beatles solo album is still a must-own for any rock fan, but decades of punk, metal, and grunge have desensitized our ears somewhat to the naked howls of despair that fill tracks like "Mother," "Isolation," and "I Found Out." In addition, "I don't believe in Beatles," the climactic line of "God," doesn't have nearly the resonance as it did around the time of the Fab Four's breakup, when such a sentiment practically bordered on heresy. And yet it's a testament to the high quality of Lennon's songs that Plastic Ono Band continues to be an incredibly moving listening experience. --Dan Epstein ... Read more

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (174)

Classic Albums of 1970:No. 2
This album answered two questions.One, were the Beatles "really" finished as a band? And, two, could Lennon record anything as good as the Beatles had released during the previous seven years? The answers to both questions was a resounding, YES!

When compared to the Beatles' last studio album (ABBEY ROAD), JOHN LENNON/PLASTIC ONO BAND sounds almost crude.The music is stripped down to its essentials.And while the primary emotions are anger and pain, Lennon is every bit as gifted as his former writing partner when it comes to composing a beautiful melody.But don't mistake "Mother," "Love" or "God" for silly love songs. These are songs ripped from Lennon's soul. It is his most personal album.The world remembers him for his anthem, "Imagine," but this is the album the exposes the artist behind the Beatles' mask.Favorite line? "God is a concept by which we measure our pain."ESSENTIAL

Not Plastic At All
Of all the ex-Beatles solo albums none match the rawness and charm of John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band. While George Harrison's three-LP All Things Must Pass sounds dated, Plastic Ono Band still holds up today. This is because of its honesty and simplicity.

With this album (made in 1969) John Lennon officially pulls the plug on The Beatles when he sings "the dream is over". He declares his devotion to his new love Yoko. Luckily we are spared Yoko's "songs" that would contaminate Lennon's later albums.

If you're a fan of The Beatles "White Album" then you'll also love this CD. Fans of earlier Beatles (she loves you yeah, yeah, yeah...) should be warned that this brutally frank album is more of a personal diary than a pop songbook.

Get it.

[DW]

John Lennon: The Musical Mastermind
Plastic Ono Band, Inspired by his primal scream therapy with Dr. Walter Janov, Lennon created a harrowing set of unflinchingly personal songs, laying out all of his fears and angers for everyone to hear. It was a revolutionary record -- never before had a record been so explicitly introspective, and very few records made absolutely no concession to the audience's expectations, daring the listeners to meet all the artist's demands. Which isn't to say that the record is unlistenable. Lennon's songs range from tough rock & rollers to piano-based ballads and spare folk songs, and his melodies remain strong and memorable, which actually intensifies the pain and rage of the songs. Not much about Plastic Ono Band is hidden. Lennon presents everything on the surface, and the song titles -- "Mother," "I Found Out," "Working Class Hero," "Isolation," "God," "My Mummy's Dead" -- illustrate what each song is about, and charts his loss of faith in his parents, country, friends, fans, and idols. It's an unflinching document of bare-bones despair and pain, but for all its nihilism, it is ultimately life-affirming; it is unique not only in Lennon's catalog, but in all of popular music. Few albums are ever as harrowing, difficult, and rewarding as Plastic Ono Band ... Read more

Asin: B00004WGEL
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Jagged Little Pill
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (13 June, 1995)
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Editorial Review

Her intensely personal lyrics grabbed the headlines, but the bravest departure here is the way Morissette's unique vocals stand naked in the mix--a technique that drives home the painful honesty of tracks like "Right Through You," "Forgiven," and "All I Really Want."Sheryl Crow or an earthier Tori Amos are fair analogies, but Morissette is a genuine original with a rare ability to make listeners care, think, and question.--Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (424)

Ironic-ally, great workout music
This is great workout music for body and mind, since I first listened to "You Oughta Know" while doing lat pulldowns at the gym.(PULL) "And would she have your baby" (PULL) "I bet she'd make a really excellent mother".

Alanis is a workout for mind and body, the alternative when there was an alternative.She's still the best, she's still the beat, she's not just a punked-out angry-candy chick.It's why I love Tori Amos, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, Ani DiFranco and Anny Celsi.

my first ever album...ahhhhhhh
i can't believe that this was the first ever album i ever bought with my own pennies! i bought this when i first came out (like! of course!)and i was still at primary school, ahh!
i loved it, and even now i still take out the battered and broken old album cover and play it and i still love it some more.
alanis taught me from an early age that i can be who i want to be and screw everyone else.
and if i make a few mistakes along the way, hell. every little helps. its just a lesson learned.
when i was a kid, i used to skip past some tracks, but now im a little older and a little wiser, i love the whole album and i can relate to nearly every song on the cd.

I'm not saying that i listen to this album ALL the time, but every now and then, i stick it on and have a listen and it once again reinforces the independant woman in me.

If you haven't got this album, get it.
when your stressed, stick on 'ironic' and smile and say f### it to the world.
it'll cheer you up.
well it does me anyway.

really cool.kinda rock,kinda alternative,kinda pop
i like this.some songs are purely rock-All I really Want,the opening and my favorite on the record,is.some are pop,like the hits.its all good.there are great lyrics.others that stand out besides all i really want-you oughta know,ironic,forgiven.if you like mainstream rock or rockish pop or just great music,you should get this. ... Read more

Asin: B000002MY3
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Canada    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Post-Grunge    7. Rock   

Third Eye Blind
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 April, 1997)
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Reviews (732)

best $14.99 you can spend
I've worn out 3 copies of this album and had to beg, plead and cry to get my 4th back after I loaned it out. 'Nuff said.

Best CD Ever
This is a great CD from start to finish there is not one bad song that you need to skip over on the entire CD. It has all the real popular songs like 'semi-charmed life' and 'jumper' ect, but all the other less known songs like 'narcolepsy' 'backround' and 'motorcycle drive by' are also really good. Definatly one of the best CDs I ever bought

The best CD I ever Bought
First, let's look into value.This CD, like the other reviewer said is WORTH EVERY PENNY that you pay for it, even if it was twenty bucks.Normally when you buy a CD you enjoy a couple of tracks, and that's about it.I enjoy almost everything single one of the tracks from start to finish.It is one of those albums that make you think, "That was a job well done."
I don't appreciate the missuse of God's name in the first track, but I just skip that one; all of the other tracks are top notch.The music is so crisp, clear, original, and catchy, and the more you listen to it, the better it gets. The only tracks I don't like are God of Wine and Motorcycle drive by, I don't know what the big deal with God of Wine is, but anyway, buy this incredible album as soon as you can. ... Read more

Asin: B000002HOK
Sales Rank: 953
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Post-Grunge    5. Rock   

Band on the Run [Remastered & Bonus CD]
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Audio CD (09 March, 1999)
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Editorial Review

Band on the Run should have been a disaster. Two of Wings' original members quit in a huff just before its production. The whimsical decision to record in Lagos, Nigeria, became a nightmare when McCartney and company found themselves in a decaying studio, then had many of the project's demos stolen by armed bandits. Despite these hardships--perhaps because of them--Band on the Run remains the most focused and consistently satisfying record of McCartney's wildly uneven post-Beatles career. This mini box set contains the original album, a well-written booklet by Mark Lewisohn, and a bonus disc featuring outtake snippets and interviews with all the album's participants (including its cover crew, which includes actors James Coburn and Christopher Lee) and Dustin Hoffman, who recounts how he spurred McCartney to spontaneously write "Picasso's Last Words" on a dare. This second disc would make a fine radio show; it comes up short where it matters most--in music. Time spent detailing the album-cover photo session could have been more gratifyingly devoted to more contemporary outtakes (much of the bonus Band material is culled from live performances from as recently as the mid '90s; perhaps McCartney wants us to know how important the record has been to him over the years) or to a pair of single B-sides, which are curiously absent here. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (102)

BAND ON THE RUN (APPLE RECORDS/1973)

Arguably this is Paul McCartney's finest studio release. On board is wife Linda and ex-Moody Blues singer/guitarist Denny Laine (former Wings members Denny Seiwell and Henry McCullough abandoned ship), but its still a McCartney one man show: he composed all the tracks (except for "No Words" which he co-wrote with Laine), played virtually all the instruments, sang lead and background vocals, and produced. The songs are lean and purposeful, the lyrics were some of the best he had composed since leaving The Beatles, and the musical ideas bear his own personal stamp without the goofy whimsicality that was detrimental to "WILD LIFE" and "RED ROSE SPEEDWAY". The chart topping "Band On The Run" and "Picasso's Last Words" are the kind of mini-epic suites McCartney whips up so well; the Number 7 hit "Jet", the Number 10 smash "Helen Wheels", and the coda "Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five" are ferocious rockers; the gentle ballad "Bluebird" revels in jazzy luminescence while "Mrs. Vanderbilt", "Mamunia", and "No Words" are unusual sounding pop tunes which benefited from the fact that they were recorded in Nigeria; and "Let Me Roll It" is an answer-in-song to Lennon's cruel "How Do You Sleep?" (from "IMAGINE") which apes the stripped down, Arthur Janov/primal scream-induced sessions of the "JOHN LENNON/PLASTIC ONO BAND" album. "BAND ON THE RUN" is an A-1 solo Beatle classic. HIGHEST POP ALBUM CHART POSITION: Number 1.

McCartney at his full Potential
After the break up of the Beatles Paul McCartney, young and still ridiculously talented, seemed content to either churn out home made albums "McCartney" and "Ram" or tour with the newly formed Wings. Perhaps he was less determined or maybe he was simply missing his writing partner he had spent 10 years collaborating with. Either way, Wings first album "Wings Wildlife" was a rather disappointing affair and their was nothing to suggest it's follow up "Band on the Run" would be any different. Yet, thirty years on and it's still McCartney's best and most focused post-Beatles album featuring gems such as the title track, the riff driven "Let Me Roll It" and the gentle "Bluebird" (certainly a follow up to The White Album's "Blackbird")."Helen Wheels" is a catchy rocker similar to the earlier Wings single "Hi Hi Hi" while "Picasso's Last Words" is good enough to slide on to "Sgt. Pepper". The impressive second half of the album is however overshadowed by "Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five", one of McCartney's best songs that strangely never stood the test of time as well as some of the other tracks.

Essential Tracks: Band On The Run / Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five

No Words for My Love
Many fans and critics alike will tell you that Paul McCartney's 1973 Band on the Run and 1975 Venus & Mars are his best albums and near-equals. While I like Venus & Mars fine, I think this faulty comparison is due to one of two things: A) overestimation of V&M or B) underestimation of BotR. And strange as it may seem, the latter is much closer to reality. Band on the Run is terribly underrated the same way Abbey Road is underrated - respected, but not held in the awe reserved for "better" records like Sgt. Pepper's or Plastic Ono Band. Yeah. Right. Ranking at a paltry #418 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums" list, it's about time Band on the Run stands up and is accorded its rightful place as one of pop's greatest achievements.

The album opens with a one-two punch of the title track, a grandiose mini-suite chronicling a bereaved prisoner and his jubilant escape (construe that how you choose), and the thrilling Jet, flying as high as its namesake. Amazingly, Paul manages to keep a comparable level of excellence up throughout the album. If you've heard these two tracks you'll know how unlikely that seems, but it's true: this is the most consistently awesome album the man has produced since the Beatles' breakup. What made the Fabs' best so great - the intricate-yet-accessible melodies, the imagistic poetry, the superb musicianship, the soaring harmonies, the thumping bass, the multi-tracked vocals and guitars, the glorious strings and brass - is all here.

Stylistically Paul creates an effervescent fusion of melodic pop, exhilarating rock & roll, and elaborate symphonic elements with touches of blues, jazz, music-hall, and folk expertly mixed in for colour. For instance, Bluebird is laid-back and jazzy; Let Me Roll It is both send-up and tribute to John Lennon's distinctive post-Beatles style. As for subject material, freedom is the word. Right from the get-go Band on the Run is rife with the themes of liberation and release - the opening one-two punch sets it up and from there it's all-out. This idea, this concept ties the album together, transforming it from merely a collection of brilliant songs into a monumental whole. Each and every song carries the thread, whether it be a literal prison break, the liberty of the open road, or even Death, the ultimate escape. Reprisals of themes, lyrics, and passages all act to unite Band on the Run until, at the very last, the roaring climax of the finale, we come full circle: "Band on the Run! Band on the Run..."

On Band on the Run not only are you able to experience the songwriting genius of Paul McCartney at its finest, but you get an album that is more than an album. From the very first note it sucks you in and doesn't let you out again until the last ringing chords of the reprised title track have evaporated completely, forty-five minutes later. And what a glorious forty-five minutes they are! They will take you on a wondrous journey, yet by the end you will feel the journey is only just beginning...

NOTES FOR THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

If you can, get this, the 25th Anniversary edition; it is far superior for the same price as the original pressing. The bonus disc here is not, as on many albums, a parade of rarities or a series of alternate takes on the songs proper. Live and alternate versions of certain tracks are included here, but they take backseat to what this disc is all about: the interviews. It is, for all intents and purposes, a radio show: a radio show about the making of Band on the Run.We get to hear Paul, Linda, Denny, and just about everybody involved with the making of this record (or, in many cases, its gorgeous cover) explain their part and the record's enchanting story, giving sense of just how big a deal this album really was. The included booklet is equally superb. Replete with lyrics, photographs, chart placements, and Mark Lewisohn's fabulous liner notes (quite possibly the best liner notes I've ever seen) it is the perfect companion to the record. ... Read more

Asin: B00000I7KL
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. England    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Soft Rock   

Dog Eat Dog
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 August, 1992)
list price: $11.98
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Reviews (27)

A Successful Experiment With Grunge Rock
We all know what happened in the early 90's: grunge rock made it's succesful debut.So, while most artists from the 60's, 70's, and 80's that were still popular in theearly 90's were sticking with their original roots, Warrant, who had had two hit records and three hit songs, released "Dog Eat Dog" which, for the most part, is a successful experiment with grunge rock.Here is a rundown of every song:

"Machine Gun"- A good and catchy way to open an album.A bit heavier and a bit grungier than Warrant's biggest hit, "Cherry Pie" but it sounds a bit like it.

"The Hole In My Wall"- The dark, funny, grunge rock version of Clay Aiken's "Fly On Your Wall" song.

"April 2031"- You may have to give this song a few listens to decide whether or not you like it, but this is a good song and you will either like it or hate it.

"Andy Warhol Was Right"- Like "April 2031", this song might require a few listens before you decide whether or not you like it(it took me a few listens to get into this song),it holds the good message of "Don't Ignore Someone, Because It Could Really Screw Them Up". It documents the sad childhood of Andy Warhol and how his mother's lack of attention forced him into an adulthood of constantly craving everyone's attention.I won't give away too much of this song, but it is a very good song, and when Jani Lane sings this song, he does a really good job at letting listeners know the pain of the character who this song is about-and he does an even better job at it then the lyrics do.

"Bonfire"- A very fun song that proves how good Warrant is when it comes to writing songs about girls, whether it's a ballad or not(this is not a ballad).

"The Bitter Pill"- A pretty song, not one of Warrant's best ballads but still very good.

"Hollywood(So Far, So Good)"- A song about the life of celebrities in Hollywood.A cool song.

"All My Bridges Are Burning"- This song is about a guy named Jimmy, who I guess you could say has made some of the wrong decisions (you'll know what I mean if you listen closely to the lyrics of this song) and now some of his wrong decisons and maybe even some of his selfishness (example, this song contains the lyrics "Jimmy Goes Through Money Like A Millionaire") have caught up to him.(For the person who voted on my review, I'm sorry, I was surfing Warrant websites one night, found the lyrics to this song, and then saw that I thought it had said Phil when it really said bills).

"Quicksand"- A very pretty grunge rock ballad.

"Let It Rain"- The sequel to the song "Mr. Rainmaker" off of Warrant's sophomore album, "Cherry Pie".

"Inside Out"- A funny song that is the one song on this album that comes the closest to sounding like the original Warrant, and it reminds me of "Cold Sweat", a song that appeared on "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich", the album that introduced Warrant.

"Sad Theresa"- This is a great way to end an album, especialy if you want to end your album with a ballad.The music to this song is very pretty, and the lyrics flow not only like a song, but it also flows like a poem.

If you take a look at all the grunge rock albums there are out there, "Dog Eat Dog" is definitely one of the most underrated.It also gives Warrant the honor of being the only band (or, hair band) to have experimented with hard rock, grunge rock, glam rock, and maybe a little bit of blues, if you remember the bluesy, dark "Uncle Tom's Cabin" off of the group's "Cherry Pie" album.I also must say, if you take a look at all the hair bands there are out there, Jani Lane is one of the most talented singers and songwriters (examples, Mark Slaughter, Vince Neil, Axl Rose, etc) of the hair band era.It was probably grunge rock that killed Warrant's popularity, but at least they were willing to try a new style of music. Also, the piano and a few female back up singers make a few appearances on this album, and that is part of what makes this album so different and so good.So, sit back, relax, and enjoy "Dog Eat Dog".But be warned: The music on this album is heavier, grungier, and even a little bit darker than the material that appeared on both "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich" and "Cherry Pie".

Underrated!
The first time I ever heard Warrant, was on MTV in 87 with "Down Boys".The tune got my attention, then I saw the video and thought, "oh no, not another big hair wannabe metal band!"But damn, these guys proved to have some songwriting talent.They quickly became one of my favorite rock bands.I think they have matured, and this is an example.If you like this, you will love "Ultraphobic"."Belly to Belly" is also great, shows they do change a bit.I'm just bummed they split.Check out Jani Lane's solo release "Back Down to One".Saw them a few times, wild shows, great energy!Man, I miss those days...

Solid Melodic Rock Album
When this album flopped in 92 it was like the death knell for the hairbands.Funny thing though, Warrant sorta got the last laugh cause they made a timeless record. It's just a good old solid melodic rock album(remember those?).Excellent songs like Machine Gun, Hole in My Wall, All My Bridges Are Burning, and Let it Rain.This record Sounds really good- very clear and well produced.Joey Allen plays smokin guitar solos throughout, especially on Quicksand.Metal Sludge punching bag Jani Lane really was(and probably still is) a good songwriter and a fine singer. ... Read more

Asin: B0000028N7
Sales Rank: 48188
Subjects:  1. Hair Metal    2. Hard Rock    3. Heavy Metal    4. Pop    5. Pop-Metal    6. Rock   

Pisces Aquarius Capricorn & Jones Ltd
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (24 January, 1995)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
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Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (58)

You may like this too
I am a huge fan of Michael Nesmith's solo music and his music with The Monkees. If you enjoy The Monkees then I strongly recommend that you check out the following:
1) Teenage Symphonies To God by The Velvet Crush
2) Papa Nez: A Loose Salute To The Work Of Michael Nesmith by Various Artists
3) Home by Josh Rouse
4) Summer Teeth by Wilco

NOT Milli Vanilli phony baloney fakes
The Monkees have always had a very unfair rap about not being original and having everyone else writing their songs. First of all, Mike Nesmith was an original member of the Monkees wasn't he? And unless my eyes are deceiving me, whenever I look at a Monkee album I see that Mike always wrote a very large number of songs, if not half of them on each album. I would consider THESE songs to be Monkee originals.

Yes, there were cover songs, but what artist didn't have them? Can even the Beatles make the claim they didn't have cover songs in their first several albums? ... And considering the disgraceful quality of some of the Beatles' cover material such as "Slow Down" and "Matchbox", I can actually say that unlike the Monkees, the Beatles' choice of cover material wasn't quite the greatest choice in the world.

And yes the Monkees DID play their own instruments, even on the early albums. They may not have played ALL of them but wasn't Davy Jones considered one of the most talented tambourine player in his day, just like John Lennon was known for his harmonica playing? I say let's finally put credit where credit is due. The Monkees were true artists and NOT the Milli Vanilli phony baloney fakes the critics like to say they are.

This album is truly their absolute peak of performance. With the exception of the song "Words" which sounded a bit ridiculous and a bit of rambling on the second part of "Star Collector" I can't find a single problem with any of the tracks. I only wish "Daydream Believer" could have been on the album.

This is as good as an album gets! If you never heard the Monkees before and would like to buy an album to sample their music, this is the one to get!

The Monkees Finest Hour!!!!
The Monkees hit a creative peak with their November 1967 release Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Limited, the group's fourth straight #1 album. The title is a combination of the group's astrological signs; Micky, Peter, and Mike respectively,... Davy, who shares the same birthday as Mike Nesmith, is of course the Jones. After providing all the instruments on their third album "Headquarters", the Monkees who were on a North American tour at the time, defer to a more practical approach to record-making and share the instrumental duties with a variety of other musicians. What that basically means is that Micky Dolenz is no longer the drummer in the studio. The group was also more open to outside songwriters this time around utilizing pros like Carole King and Boyce and Hart while recording tracks by future stars like Nilsson and Michael Martin Murphy. Aided in no small part by the expert production of Chip Douglas (who also supplies bass guitar), the Monkees turn in their finest and most enjoyable collection of songs. Michael Nesmith continues to yield an increasing amount of control over the group's output, as he sings five of the twelve songs here and writes a sixth. For the first time Nesmith lends vocals to songs not of his own composition, Murphy's "What Am I Doin' Hangin' Round", Mann and Weill's "Love Is Only Sleeping" and the wistful "Door Into Summer" written by producer Douglas and Nesmith friend Bill Martin. All are album highlights as is Nesmith's dark and moody "Daily Nightly" sung ably by Micky Dolenz who keeps a remarkably low profile on this album, represented only by this song and two sides of a previously released single, Boyce and Hart's menacing "Words" and the greatest song the Monkees ever recorded, Goffin and King's anthemic "Pleasant Valley Sunday". Nesmith's final appearance is on the beautiful "Don't Call On Me", a gentle ballad co-written with his friend John London with a fragile vocal similar to his future hit "Joanne". Davy Jones shows a new confidence under Douglas' direction and shines on the rocking "She Hangs Out", Nilsson'sinfectious "Cuddly Toy", Goffin and King's catchy "Star Collector" and the pleasant "Hard to Believe", co-written by Jones with the Sundowners, the group's opening act on tour. Peter Tork contributes some of his best vocals to "Words", (a duet with Dolenz) and plays a skillfull electric piano solo on "PVS" while contributing keyboards and guitar on several tracks. He also gives us a silly tongue twister, "Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky", shades of "Your Auntie Grizelda" and the only novelty piece on this album. The Monkees, who's confidence and egos were growing to epic proportions at this time, sadly dispensed with producer Chip Douglas after this album, a big mistake considering the highly inferior follow-up, "The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees". This album is full of excellent and eclectic songs, great performances and sterling production that make this the Monkees equilavent of "Revolver". The group's finest hour. ... Read more

Asin: B0000033E1
Sales Rank: 32030
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Use Your Illusion I
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (17 September, 1991)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Part one of Guns N' Roses' ambitious second album is arguably the better of the two. It certainly rocks harder, though this seems to be more coincidence than anything else; which songs went on which CD looks to have been a random selection. Use Your Illusion I stays closer to the band's bluesy hard-rock roots, with guitarist Izzy Stradlin contributing some of the best songs, including "Dust N' Bones" and "You Ain't the First." "November Rain" (clocking in at over nine minutes) became an instant classic, and there are a fair number of straight-ahead rockers, such as "Perfect Crime," "Don't Damn Me," and "Garden of Eden." Taking the best from this album and Use Your Illusion II would have made a killer single CD, but there's enough good stuff here to make it worthwhile. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (196)

Betcha can't buy just one Illusion record
In all of music history, only two albums have come close to perfection. They are: Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion I and Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion II.

Guns N' Roses is perhaps most remembered for the 1987 smash hit debut Appetite for Destruction, but this 1991 double-album-released-as-two-discs-simultaneously stands head and shoulders above it musically.

Whereas Appetite for Destruction has 12 concise, guitar-driven, formulaic and catchy tracks, the Use Your Illusion CDs feature a total of 30 songs in many styles and of widely varying lengths.

The later material made use of new instruments, most notably the piano. Also, the lyrics are much deeper in tone, and Axl Rose's vocals are complemented by Duff McKagan's (bass) and Izzy Stradlin's (rhythm guitar).

Some of the songs, like "Right Next Door to Hell," "Perfect Crime" and "Garden of Eden," are far heavier and faster than anything found on Appetite.

On the other end of the spectrum listeners find "November Rain," an epic ballad, and the 9-minute classic "Estranged," perhaps the best song ever written.

These tracks each contain many different parts bridged by smooth transitions, and both emphasize lighter dynamics.

Also in the "epic" category are "Coma" and "Locomotive," but these two bring heavier, loud sounds to the foreground.

Finally, the CDs often touch on a genre in one or two songs, never to return to it. `50s-reminiscent rock `n' roll can be heard in "Bad Obsession," country in "You Ain't the First" and rap in "My World."

Each of the non-mainstream rock selections is done well, and they let the recordings breathe without overwhelming the listener. Even someone who hates country or rap can listen through both discs without skipping the offending tracks.

Essentially, the Use Your Illusion releases made up the high point in Guns N' Roses' career. Maintaining the killer songwriting of Appetite while working in greater variety and complexity, these two CDs have yet to be topped by the efforts of any other band.

An Epic Masterpiece
The "Use Your Illusion" albums are one of the most ambitious albums in history, and perhaps the number one most ambitious rock album. No one had ever before released two separate albums at the same time, let alone two sprawling epics at 76 minutes apiece. It was a bold, daring and dangerous move, but ultimately a resounding success.

"Use Your Illusion I" - probably unintentionally - rocks harder than its twin, and it was a good effort to match the brilliant "Appetite for Destruction." A good effort, but not good enough. Some of the songs on this record are as good or better than some on AFD: "November Rain" and "Don't Cry" are as good as "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Paradise City," etc. But AFD was a better record overall, with zero filler, and in fact every song was a giant. UYI1 doesn't manage that, but comes close.

It kicks off with "Right Next Door to Hell," a short, fast-paced rocker with an AFD flavor. Some of Izzy's best are on this album, and "Dust N' Bones," a bluesy Stones-esque track is one of the finest. "Live and Let Die" is a good Stones cover, but overrated.

"Don't Cry" is one of the best power ballads ever done, although at times the lyrics are watery. The solo is an asskicker, strong and hard, forceful even though it's not fast. The finale is great, even the neverending "toniiiiiiiiiight." "Perfect Crime" is short and sweet, hard rock rolling along at a breakneck speed. Izzy's amusing "You Ain't the First" tempers the last song's fury with a little acoustic goodbye. "Bad Obsession" is one of Axl's deep-voiced tracks, another strong one. "Back Off Bitch" boasts a ripper of a solo from slash, although some of the lyrics are less than inspiring. Izzy and Duff are awesome in "Double Talkin' Jive," not to mention Slash's exhibition of guitar perfection at the end.

"November Rain" is probably the best song on the album, with an orchestral background, a good piano part and some of the most awesome riffs ever. The finale is incredible, too, and doesn't seem like an attempt to make the song longer or harder. It isn't. The lyrics are fantastic, not sappy, but a powerful message: that sometimes you have to walk away when it's raining too hard, but nothing lasts forever. If you hold one, everything will be all right.

"The Garden" is a bizarre but brilliant song, with a behind bane solo by Slash, and abrupt changes in tempo and style, from soft guitar strums to hard and heavy rock. "Garden of Eden" is one of the best songs, and really seems to carry on the AFD spirit, though it's actually far faster than any of the debut album's songs. Short and very, very fast, all brought together by some brilliant Slash riffs. "Don't Damn Me" is again, one of the album's highlights, fast, beautiful solo, and the some of Axl's cleverest, truest and downright jawdropping lyrics. A magnificent song.

"Bad Apples" is another great song, with a great solo and very good lyrics. "Dead Horse" is awesome, but the throat-shredding screams that kick in a bit later on are overdone.

"Coma" is a monster. Slash is absolutely at the pinnacle here, and so is Axl, vocally diverse and lyrically superb. The long, long final verse is one of the best endings to an album and a song that you'll ever hear, on par with "Rocket Queen." It's a giant that has all the members of GNR apparently showing off.

All in all, UYI1 is one of the best rock albums ever, and is a worthy follow-up to "Appetite for Destruction," if not quite as good. Some of the material here is Guns N' Roses' best, but some is simply very very good. That's the scale: very good to classic. It doesn't get much better than "Use Your Illusion I."

Use Your Illusion 1
Awesome CD, not as fast and heavy as the first, but still a very well put together CD. it has a mix of everything... Slash kix serious arse. Its one of my favorites but it will get off your mind after more then 10 listens. ... Read more

Asin: B000000OSE
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Heavy Metal    4. Pop    5. Rock   

Use Your Illusion 2
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (17 September, 1991)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Had Use Your Illusion II been combined with Use Your Illusion I, keeping only the best material while dropping the filler, it would have been one of the best rock albums ever recorded. Instead, great songs like "Civil War," "14 Years," "Estranged," and "So Fine" compete with the inexcusable "Get in the Ring" and the well-intentioned but off-target cover of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." There's no point to the second version of "Don't Cry," either. On the other hand, when Guns N' Roses were good, they were very, very good, and some of the material on this album is unsurpassable. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (173)

Betcha can't buy just one Illusion record
In all of music history, only two albums have come close to perfection. They are: Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion I and Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion II.

Guns N' Roses is perhaps most remembered for the 1987 smash hit debut Appetite for Destruction, but this 1991 double-album-released-as-two-discs-simultaneously stands head and shoulders above it musically.

Whereas Appetite for Destruction has 12 concise, guitar-driven, formulaic and catchy tracks, the Use Your Illusion CDs feature a total of 30 songs in many styles and of widely varying lengths.

The later material made use of new instruments, most notably the piano. Also, the lyrics are much deeper in tone, and Axl Rose's vocals are complemented by Duff McKagan's (bass) and Izzy Stradlin's (rhythm guitar).

Some of the songs, like "Right Next Door to Hell," "Perfect Crime" and "Garden of Eden," are far heavier and faster than anything found on Appetite.

On the other end of the spectrum listeners find "November Rain," an epic ballad, and the 9-minute classic "Estranged," perhaps the best song ever written.

These tracks each contain many different parts bridged by smooth transitions, and both emphasize lighter dynamics.

Also in the "epic" category are "Coma" and "Locomotive," but these two bring heavier, loud sounds to the foreground.

Finally, the CDs often touch on a genre in one or two songs, never to return to it. `50s-reminiscent rock `n' roll can be heard in "Bad Obsession," country in "You Ain't the First" and rap in "My World."

Each of the non-mainstream rock selections is done well, and they let the recordings breathe without overwhelming the listener. Even someone who hates country or rap can listen through both discs without skipping the offending tracks.

Essentially, the Use Your Illusion releases made up the high point in Guns N' Roses' career. Maintaining the killer songwriting of Appetite while working in greater variety and complexity, these two CDs have yet to be topped by the efforts of any other band.

My pick of the two "Illusions".
I must admit, I really don't like it when any band releases two albums at once, especially a part 1 and part 2. I also am one of many who believe an excellent album could have been done combinding the best of the two. But, this is what we got. Despite both albums having a few filler tracks, they're still pretty good. I find "Use Your Illusion II" very good, and is the one I would keep of the pair. It's 75 minutes of 14 songs including "Civil War", "Yesterdays", and "You Could Be Mine", as heard in the "T2" movie. Plus there's the cover of "Knockin' On Heavens Door", which I like way more than "Live And Let Die", and the alternate "Don't Cry", which is only lyrically different than the original. Finally, this is a must for "Estranged", one of their epic tracks, which is amazing and moving. The rest here is good as well, and the only songs I wish this also had was "The Garden" and "November Rain". No biggie. Hey, at this point I'd even welcome a "Use Your Illusion III".

terror-ible
i'd rather fart out a gallon of blood than listen to a minute of guns and roses. every rock station across the u.s plays this cheesy band 1000 times a day. they're so overrated just like every hair band. why couldn't these idiots sit down and say let's write music that worth something instead of the same all chords and uninspired solos? these guys are no better than grunge, alternative, and yuppy rock music. for good music, listen to death, viking, and power metal.

now excuse me, after thinking about guns and roses, i have to fart. ... Read more

Asin: B000000OSG
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock