Lost in Space
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (27 August, 2002)
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Editorial Review

Dividing her time between waging war on the music industry and writing sublime pop songs, Aimee Mann shows on her fourth solo album that she is equally adept at both. "Let's hear it for guys like me," she sings over the lilting rhythms and stylish guitar work of "Guys Like Me." Her case for toppling the corporate structure is airtight; just check her Web site for the latest bulletin. Her music, meanwhile, keeps getting better. The success of the Magnolia soundtrack may have restored her confidence following the record company strife that followed her first two solo releases--Whatever and I'm With Stupid--but the wounds have not healed. "All the perfect drugs and superheroes wouldn't be enough to bring me up to zero," the former 'Til Tuesday singer imparts over the layered, lush tones of the opening "Humpty Dumpty." Meanwhile, on the emotionally distressed "It's Not," she muses over a forlorn 16-piece string section, "I keep waiting for a change but I don't know for what." It could be the prettiest, most polite battle cry ever. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (135)

dark, lonely, cold, creepy, sad & soothing...
"Lost In Space," like most of Aimee Mann's albums, perfectly captures a feeling.The mood of "Lost In Space" feels exactly the way the CD cover looks:dark, lonely, cold, creepy, sad & soothing- all at the same time.These songs seep into your soul and unnerve you.I think it's a perfect follow-up to "Bachelor No. 2" in that it is just as impressively penned and performed, yet paints it's tales with a deeper, blue-er palette.Both "Bachelor" and "Lost" envelope you in their unique aura and leave you deeply moved.That's what great art does.

Good, but has trouble living up to Stupid and Bachelor.
Aimee Mann's "Lost in Space" had the unfortunate problem of being released after the fantastic "Bachelor No. 2" and "I'm With Stupid", and suffers in comparison.Its not that its not a superb album, on the contrary, there's quite a bit of great material here, its just that it had a lot to live up to.

What's most immediately noticable is a feeling of relaxation and confidence in these pieces, be it the magnificent throbbing "Humpty Dumpty" (with completely magical vocal harmonies), the subtlety of the playing on "This is How It Goes", the incredible guitars, strings and vocals of "Pavlov's Bell" or the unnervingly brilliant countryish "The Moth", it sounds as though Mann has finally found the sound she wants.

There is some experimentation that goes awry on this one ("High on Sunday 51" is Aimee does blues and doesn't quite work, and "Real Bad News"'s pacing makes it lethargic), and there's enough unmemorable material to impact opinion of the album, but again, this may be a side effect of coming after two great albums, and there's certainly enough good material here to make it worth the investment, but I'd recommend the special edition with its bonus disc full of live tracks, b-sides, and unreleased tunes over this one.

hey... she sang on a Rush record....
The fact that she sang on a Rush record (Hold your Fire) on the song "Time Stands Still" and claims the Posies' "Frosting on the Beater" as one of her favorite records already gives her a perfect score in my book. however, this record stands on its own. i don't have her other stuff but LIS is totally immersed in good melodies lightly doused with meloncholy without becoming too pretentious. never sings out of her range or tries to be "diverse" by doing something out of character... and that actually works for her. she does what she does well. Great, in fact. I recommend this to anyone who appreciates a quirky chic with a nack for calm melody. ... Read more

Asin: B00006AAJF
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop Underground    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Singer/Songwriter   

In the Garden
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 April, 2002)
list price: $15.98
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Reviews (6)

Beautiful melancholy...
'In The Garden' is The Shroud's third release and it is definitely deserving of your immediate attention. I don't have their debut 'Long Ago and Far Away' yet but, unlike most fans, I find myself favoring this album over 'A Dark Moon Night' which was also very good. 'In The Garden' is chock-full of dreamy, infectious melodies and, to me, is more accessible than 'A Dark Moon Night'. Whenever I get an itch to hear something by The Shroud I almost always seem to pop in this album...

Lydia Fortener has a voice that's akin to Faith and the Muse's Monica Richards. It's at times whispery and ethereal while at other times fiercely dynamic, which goes perfect with the moody, otherworldly Gothic-rock rhythms, and a few atmoshperic openers/interludes that range from ominous to gorgeous. Musically the material is mighty impressive but lyrically this record is also very strong. Not one song on here is disposable of and I especially love the beautiful, melodic tracks "Let Go", "Spiral Back" and "Collector".

I'm pleased to know that Collide is not the only talented Goth group to come out of the Los Angeles area, and I am proud to say that they are a local band I look forward to *hopefully* seeing live someday.

An Ethereal Romp Through Dark Melancholy
The Shroud have proven themselves to be a highly eclectic darkwave group, bringing a wide variety of sounds to their intriguingly haunting and gorgeously artistic music.This album is no different."In the Garden" is a highly atmospheric romp through a dark, moody, otherworldly plane of existence.

The first and title track, "In the Garden" is an eerie prelude foreshadowing and setting the mood for the remainder of the album.Lydia Fortner's dramatic and breathy vocals on this track truly give a sense of ominously ethereal beauty."Mirrorworld" combines a mellow, steady, rhythmic beat to back up Lydia's vocals, which border somewhere between mid-range singing and spoken word."Green Velvet" adds more noticeable guitars and drums, with intriguing keyboard interludes.

Track four, "Psychopsis," is reminiscent of a child's distant cries.This track, like the title track, is a short interlude rather than a full-length song."Vision" is a highly danceable track with excellent guitars and drums."Black" tones things down once again with a mellow yet pounding beat.Lydia's lyrics on this piece seem particularly poetic and melancholic."Let Go" continues the mood and pace set during "Black."

"Valeriana" is yet another instrumental interlude, consisting of a quaint tapping on the piano."Pandora" picks things up a bit with a guitar-driven beat and catchy lyrics."Spiral Back" is more driven by drums and keyboards, yet still catchy and trance-inducing nonetheless."Collector" sits itself comfortably into a mellow groove achieved via rhythmic guitars, and is almost folksy."Dans Le Jardin" rounds out the album by returning us to sounds similar to the opening title track, but adds a flute into the mix.

Overall, The Shroud really show off their talent on this release, as well as their ability to incorporate various artistic influences in order to create an album that is really on entire movement rather than a mere collection of songs.This particular album is subtle in both its message and execution, feeling very much like a trance-induced dream state.Lydia's voice is not strained to any extent, as she chooses to stay in a lower vocal range throughout this album's entirety.This only serves to enhance the mellow and psychedelic mood that perseveres for the CD's duration.The light, airy, and atmospheric instrumentation backs up these vocals beautifully.Turn out the lights, light some candles, and kick back to treat yourself to this music that is truly too beautiful to ignore!

Also recommended:"Chasing the Ghost" by Collide, "Haunted" by Poe, and "A Dark Moon Night" by The Shroud.

a slight disappointment, but still superb
The first time I listened to this album, I hated it-- it's a distinct departure from their previous two (both of which I would rate 5 stars)-- but after a few more listens, I began to get into its subtle charms.It is mellower and more dreamlike, and works better as a whole than as individual tracks.Like other listeners, I expected something longer (especially after 3 years), but then I don't know what has transpired during that period of time.Still, Lydia's voice is as wonderful as ever, as is the band's playing. ... Read more

Asin: B0000647M2
Sales Rank: 173311
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Different Stages: Live [Bonus Track]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (10 November, 1998)
list price: $24.98 -- our price: $22.99
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Features

• Box set
• Live

Reviews (196)

Great, if somewhat predictible, live sets
Four studio records then a live one is the pattern Rush has followed, and "Different Stages - Live" is no exception to that rule, but what is different is that while the previous live albums were trimmed to highlight material from the last few albums, this one is a full setlist.And add to that a third show from 1978, and there's quite a bit of music on this one.

Dealing first with the "main" set, the majority of it was recorded on the 1997 tour, with two songs from 1994.The set is pretty well mixed, four from "Counterparts", three each from "Test For Echo" and "Roll the Bones", and one from "Presto" are from the last batch of albums, then a bunch of tracks from previous albums, three each from "Moving Pictures" and "Permanent Waves", and one each from "2112", "A Farewell to Kings", "Hemispheres", and "Signals".

In many ways, this tour was special because a lot of material that had been dropped over the years saw a resurgence-- the readdition of the whole "2112" and "Natural Science" to the set was quite stunning.Its actually quite interesting hearing the band, now with such better commmand over themselves and their instruments, tackle this material, it really is in many ways improved-- the intensity drops a bit, but the performance is much more interesting.Actually, the set as a whole is quite a good mix of old and new, there's a lot of great material being played, of course everything is really well done, but the entire first set is like a dream for me-- its just great material, start to finish, culminating with "2112".The second set is also very strong, loaded again with great material, "Resist" and the instrumental "Leave That Thing Alone" are particularly strong performances.

Overall, a very satisfying listen, oddly enough moreso than the show I saw.

The bonus set from 1978 is interesting in contrast-- the band is much looser, there's a lot more tension there.Very little material is repeated between the two sets, so there's not much room for comparison.This show is four from "A Farewell to Kings" (including the two lengthy compositions on there), three from "Fly By Night", two from "Rush",and one each from "Caress of Steel" and "2112".I think this set compares favorably to the live album from around the same time ("All the World's a Stage", recorded the previous tour), but I really enjoyed the first two sets on here.Still, geting "Xanadu" live was great.

My only complaint is that there's not much in the way of chances with the set-- few obscure gems from recent albums, and the synth period of the band is almost entirely ignored."Rush in Rio" may be better for a more balanced set.

But in the end, this is a great release-- the whole thing is really quite good, and its highly recommended

Rush Unleashed and Live
If you're a Rush fan, or used to be but forgot about them for awhile, this would be the CD to buy to restore or refresh the relationship.These live songs move with their full energy, and with the technical brilliance that has made Rush so special among fans.This band has always played as tight in concert as humanly possible, and this collection will demonstrate what some Rush fans have known for this, their fourth decade together, that is, that they can still rip through their complex song structures like steel through hot butter.

I'd also recommend Vapor Trails.Some of their most powerful music ever has returned in their latest compositions. The finely sharpened "Secret Touch" and "Ghost Rider" will leave you screaming for more.

Top notch set
This is quite possibly my favorite Rush concert album.The fact that it mixes so much Old Rush with new Rush was well done.Plus who can resist a complete version of 2112?A+ effort! ... Read more

Asin: B00000DGV2
Sales Rank: 18444
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. Canada    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    7. Rock   

Against the Grain
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 June, 1991)
list price: $16.98
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Reviews (49)

I love this cd
Bad Religion is really awesome. I don't feel like describing them since most of you probably know who they are so I'll cut to the chase.

Modern Man - 5/5 - My favorite along with Anesthesia
Turn On The Light - 4/5
Get Off - 4/5
Blenderhead - 4/5
The Positive Aspect of Negative Thinking - 5/5
Anesthesia - 5/5 - see Modern Man
Flat Earth - 3/5
Faith Alone - 5/5
Entropy - 4/5
Against the Grain - 5/5
Operation Rescue - 5/5
God Song - 4/5
21st Century Digital Boy - 4/5
Misery and Famine - 5/5
Unacceptable - 4/5
Quality or Quantity - 5/5 - Is it just me, or does this song sound a lot like Best For You from Suffer?
Walk Away - 4/5

genius
Punk doesn't get much better than this. Smart, poetic, political lyrics, genius guitar playing, and great vocals, plus increadeble songs make this preety much the best punk gets.
Modern man 5/5- Awsome guitar in the beggining and great lyrics.
Turn off the light 4.5/5- this one rocks. Really wierd lyrics.
Get off 5/5- Intelligent lyrics mixed with music that will repeat in my mind forever equals a bad ass song.
Blenderhead 5/5- This one stops short at the end, i wonder if thats just my cd. Whatever, some more great lyrics. Genius song writing.
Positive aspect of negetive thinking- 5/5- best lyrics on the cd. So poetic and insightful. Although i have not figured out what every thing in it means yet(swath endogenius of ourselves will be our quandary?).
Anethesia-5/5- best song on the album. Perfect song. Great drums at the end.
Flat earth society 4/5- not perfect, yet still a great song.
Faith alone 5/5- third best on the album. Awsome anti-religous lyrics.
Entropy 5/5- fourth best on the album. This one is so good, but since there are so many other great ones here it is not the number one song. Still preety damn close to perfect.
Against the grain 4.5/5- great song with great lyrics.
Operation rescue 5/5- fith best on the cd. good lyrics, and increadible song writing.
God song 5/5- awsome anti-religion punk.
21st century digital boy- 5/5- second best on the album. this one rocks. Original and seperates itself from the rest of the record.
Misery and famine-4.5/5- excellent song.
Unacceptable 4.5/5- This one would have been perfect if they did every chorus like the last one(Gregg does the unacceptable part and the other guys to the other part.)
Quality of quantity 5/5- great music, great lyrics, great song.
Walk away 5/5- this song has been stuck in my head for weeks. But i dont mind it because the song is so good.
Well that is the over view of the album. Compared to other punk bands like black flag, minor threat, misfits, dead kennedys, i think these guy stand as the best(i'm not sure though, i am a huge fan of all of those.)

Bad Religion's Classic
Though Bad Religion has released three classic punk rock albums, this one is the Everest. Rising above the angst of Suffer, the anarchy of No Control, Against the Grain is a step into a whole new world. The songs are longer, solos tighter, lyrics tougher. Though not as direct as No Control, not as fast as Suffer, Against the Grain brings along whole new elements of songwriting. Greg and Brett go from writing two-verse jabs to solid 3-4 minute tracks, and more varying sounds. They still have some bursts of their old selves, as in Modern Man, a song that may have been written back in their lder days. New to Bad Religion here, is their longer, deeper, slower songs, such as Anesthesia, a great song about lies and how your emotions make you lose control. Overall, a must have for any punk rock fan, or alternative rock fan. Standout tracks are, Modern Man, Anesthesia, Faith Alone, Against the Grain, and 21st Century Digital Boy. ... Read more

Asin: B000001IO6
Sales Rank: 83145
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Hardcore Punk    3. L.A. Punk    4. Pop    5. Punk    6. Rock   

The Process of Belief
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Audio CD (22 January, 2002)
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Editorial Review

The Process of Belief finds Bad Religion returning to their roots in two important aspects. First, original guitarist Brett Gurewitz has rejoined the ranks, bringing with him the taut songwriting skills that made Bad Religion hardcore pioneers in the mid-1980s. Secondly, the band has returned to Gurewitz's successful indie imprint Epitaph after years on a major. The result is an album that captures the clean joy and vigor of melodic hardcore without sacrificing its moral core. Songs like "Supersonic" and "Prove It" are fast, catchy, and irresistible examples of the kind of prime ADD punk that's over before you know it. But the likes of "Materialist" and "Kyoto Now" find Bad Religion at their best. Greg Graffin sings at one point that "you might not think that there's any wisdom in a f***ed up punk rock song," but his rants against global pollution, ambition, and family politics prove otherwise. There are a few surprises as well--"Broken" is almost an acoustic chart anthem while "Bored and Extremely Dangerous" could be a Sebadoh song. In all, The Process of Belief is confirmation that you don't need big shorts and a low IQ to make a prime-grade punk rock album. --Ian Watson ... Read more

Reviews (126)

Good album, may be too poppy for some
This Bad Religion disc contains plenty of melody coupled with tough hardcore music. A surprising number of these tunes quickly embedded themselves within my brain, with a sheer melodicism most people don't associate with the words "hardcore" or "punk".

Musically, I can't fault the band. There's some amount of sameness to some of the songs, but touches here and there like the sitar in "The Defense" break the rules of punk and keep it interesting.

HIGHLIGHTS:
My favourite songs here are the treatise on the rat race in "Supersonic", the ruminations on suffering in "Sorrow", and the affirmation of human worth in "Broken", the punk rock history in "You Don't Belong Here" and a peek at the schoolyard shooter's psyche in "Bored and Extremely Dangerous".

LOWS:
Lyrically, there's a lot more to pick at. If you're NOT an atheist, the continuing assaults on your intelligence may prove wearying.

"Epiphany",("What good is searching if nothing's there to find?"),"Destined for Nothing" ("It's easy to confuse grand design with life's repercussions"), "Prove It" and "Materialist" all get digs in on those of us who "lean on a crutch" of faith. The band's entitled to their point of view certainly, but I'm entitled to mine as well. I don't have to be "down" with everything the band is to listen to them. [I certainly don't share the political beliefs of the vast majority of punk rock groups.]

BOTTOM LINE:
Quite a bit I like here despite the philosophical attacks. May be too poppy for many hardcore fans though. If you're a longtime BR fan, you may want to check the samples out first before plunking down your cash.

review of past reviewers... and a real review.
For everyone having the religious debate through online reviews. You know what Bad Religion stands for. Chances are if you're a Bible-thumper you're not going to like what they have to say. I don't go on to P.O.D's albums and try to discredit their system of Christian beliefs, however illogical I may find them.

If you're going to criticize, then criticize them for modernizing their sound. Criticize them because you think the lyrics on this album don't live up to their others or other bands'. But for god sake why would you write a review chastising the entire system of existentialism on which they are built? What does that even have to do with the individual album?

The reviewer right before me says it's a miracle that the world happened the way it did. With the pure magnitude of the universe in which we live, I'd say it would be a miracle if we were the only planet this happened on. Because mathmatically, odds are in favor of hundreds to millions of other intelligent life-harboring planets existing now, in the past, or in the future. So get off your high horse and accept that with our limited knowledge, the chance of a higher power existing or not is 50/50. And if it comforts you to believe the former, then more power to you. But your rebuttal to "all of life is cause and effect" proves your complete ignorance on other such philosophies. It's not that bad things don't happen to good people; it's that those bad things happened as a result of a series of oppressive environmental effects. And while viewing them as effects, they also become causes for good and/or bad things in the future. Study some classic authors of naturalism, say Zola or Camus, and then defend your opinion after you understand the logic behind BOTH sides.

And so as not to be a hypocrite, my personal feelings on this album are as follows: It's accessible, meaningful, and a great place to start for someone who generally listens to 90's pop punk or more commercial music. And longtime fans shouldn't be too disappointed either, as it is still Bad Religion, but there will still probably be a lot of "The old stuff was better." But regardless... good songs + insightful lyrics + aggressive yet well produced = 3 1/2 stars. (and I round up because I'm a nice guy like that.)

I may spray said elephant with paint...
and it would then be visible. In doing so, I have not "touched" it and I would then be able to discern if I may (potentially) be the recipient of an excrement shower.

Regardless, my point isn't so much that I'm *right* and Bad Religion are *not*. Rather, that I believe that they are attempting to present themselves as possessed of an intellect greater than Joe Sixpack vis a vis their lyrics, but I find the arguments somewhat less than compelling. Particularly (whether or not it's borrowed from Nietzsche) the assumption that "If it's real for me, do I have to prove it to you?" They must...if they want me to see the error of my ways (as they seem to assume I am, in fact, in error). ... Read more

Asin: B00005U8H5
Subjects:  1. Hardcore Punk    2. L.A. Punk    3. Pop    4. Punk    5. Punk-Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

The Joshua Tree
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (15 June, 1990)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

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

Reviews (366)

You can't go wrong with this one.
Simply put, this is one of the best rock LP's of all time.It's songs are both brilliant and timeless.Bono hits his peak with lyrics while The Edge really starts to show his diversity.This recording is one of the reasons why U2 is still alive and kicking today.Great works like this only come along once in a while.For even the casual U2 fan this is a no brainer.I like to call this U2's "Revolver".It's where the early U2 sound starts to evolve from the same old thing....and for a real treat check out U2's "Sgt Pepper" "Actung Baby".

U2's second best album!
This is full of sh** and garbage! Why make this kind of bad music? Led Zeppelin is great, this band is just full of sh**! Just like Radiohead!

U2's best work
This band isn't overrated, it isn't boring, and so what if its mainstream. It seemes that having a good rock cd means you have to be extremely alternative or today's standards, have a bunch of screaming wannabe- anarchist. A lot of Rock people don't like this album because like their other albums they sing with meaning, which new music seems to lack.
If you listen to this cd you will know that there are other songs besides the first three tracks (yet the first three are the best). There is Bullet The Blue Sky which is a cool, loud but medium-paced song. It talks about America, but it is kind of hard to tell if they're hazing us, praisin g us, or both. I like the part where Bono starts talking about a guy slapping twenty dollar bills down.
In God's Country is also a very good song.Not as flashy as the first, phenominal tracks, it is worth listening.Also, One Tree Hill is yet another good song. These songs play like poetrybecause Bono's Lyrics writing was at its best here.A reason for U2's success during the 80's was that they were skilled at making such inspirational lyrics.
The Mothers of The Dissapeared is a great ending song with an obvious political message.
[The First Three tracks- Where The Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, and With or Without You were not mentioned earlier because Iwant people to know there are more songs]WTSHNN is a wonderful opening track with a symphony backing U2 up. The other two songs are love songs (no, notextremely slow acostic guitar songs).
If you have an open-mind buy this cd. If you like punk rock don't bother. If you like Jimi, maybe, U2 used him playing the star spangled banner in Rattle and Hum. He is also another one of my favorite.If you think U2's quality is that of Britney Spears, then that's just weird. ... Read more

Asin: B000001FS3
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Fear of a Black Planet
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 July, 1994)
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Editorial Review

PE's third album is dense, heavy, and urgent as a bullet. Fear of a Black Planet single-handedly added half a dozen phrases to the language, and not just from Chuck D.'s troop-rallying bellow--Flavor Flav's "911 Is a Joke" is as catchy an indictment of urban policy as anyone has ever come up with. The Bomb Squad's music is complicated, challenging, terse, and totally funky, and Chuck matches it with one impassioned pronouncement after another: on Hollywood's racism, on miscegenation, on "real history / Not his story." The album ends with "Fight the Power," the group's ultimate statement of purpose, from its pounding, atonal sound collage to its furious politics. Put Black Planet on, and it's always a long, hot summer. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (85)

Another Hip-Hop Classic
This was thier follow up to the ground-braking 2nd album. "Welcome to the Terrordome" Ignited charges of anti-Semitism. "Fight The Power" is a Timeless Hip-Hop Song in which Public Enemy direct thier rage againt Popular artists. This is an Excellent album that all hip-hop fans should have.

P.E. does again!!!
PUBLIC ENEMY COMES BACK WITH ANOTHER CLASSIC ALBUM TO SHAKE UP THE AIRWAVES. AS ALWAYS P.E. STAYS CONTROVERSAL AND POLITICAL. BEFORE THERE WAS A WEST COAST EAST COAST BEEF. P.E. WAS BANGING TRACKS AFTER TRACKS. 1 THING ABOUT THIS P.E. ALBUM IT PULLS NO PUNCHES TALKING ABOUT THE SITUATIONS OF BLACKS IN THE USA. MY FAVORITE TRACK IS WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME!!!

The Film Brown Sugar....
asks the question: WHEN DID YOU FIRST LOVE HIP-HOP. The answer for me was a cold summer night in 1987, at Finsbury's Park, London, waiting to hear Roy Ayres perform Live. In the interim, they were spining toons, and this one cut came on and upoar was let loose in the house. 'Rebel without a pause'was the joint.From that moment on I was hooked. Public Enemy are my favorite hip hop group of all time, and this was the last great CD,s that they released. I would recommend 'Yo Bum rush the show'(not a great CD, but you can see where they are going) it'll take a nation of Millions'(For me the most complete, best, Hip hop album OF ALL TIME)and Fear of a black planet.This album kicks off with Contract on thw World Love Jam, which is funky, and from this, directly into 'Brothers Gonna work it out, which is hyped musically, and carries a positive message for black males. Other favorites cuts are'Polly wanna cracka'(dealing with inter racial relationships) Burn Hollywood(Hollywoods abysmal record with people of colour,) Revolutionary Generation, and the brilliant Fight the power. Listening to this reminds me why I love Hip hop, and how far back the genre has gone. I feel the lack of variety in hip hop today, where by every one is either sexual, bling, or money oriented is sad.Lastly, mostly importantly. LISTEN TO THE LYRICS.I don't agree with everything they say(Love of Farakhan, and what he stands for) I believe that anyone wanting to get into this thing called Hip hop needs to include some PE in their collectiom. Essential. ... Read more

Asin: B0000024IE
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rap & Hip-Hop   

Revolverlution
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 July, 2002)
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Editorial Review

If rap music is still CNN for African Americans, then Chuck D is still the lead anchor. While most rabid rap fans abandoned PE's revolution in the mid-1990s--once the group stopped utilizing the noisy, Bomb Squad-style of production--hip-hop is now in a clear state of emergency. The return of Chuck D is warranted. On this 15th-anniversary CD, he wastes no time launching into anti-jiggy tirades on "Put It Up," where he skewers today's emcees: "Tycoons, damn I'm tired of these coons / Rappin' in circles, words can either help you or hurt you." In fact, some of the new material on the album is as thought-provoking as any of PE's older material. "Son of a Bush," produced by Professor Griff, dissects two generations of flawed Bush presidencies. However, the willingness to take creative risks can also have its downside. Contest-winning fans got to remix four Public Enemy hits, including "Shut 'Em Down" (Austria's DJ Functionist) and "Public Enemy No. 1" (Jeronimo Punx). While the interactive nature of the project is admirable, DJ Functionist is no Pete Rock and Jeronimo Punx's postmodern twist on "Public Enemy No. 1" only makes you crave to hear the original version again. In the end, the live cuts (such as "Welcome to the Terrordome") and the so-so remixes bog down what would have otherwise been a tighter project. The often eloquent Revolverlution is no It Takes a Nation of Millions, but then again, what is? --Dalton Higgins ... Read more

Features

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Reviews (16)

Five stars for the new
First of all, I love Public Enemy; everything about them, from their old-school "throw your hands up in the air" verse styles to their often "so silly it's cool" verbalisms involving Flava Flav. I like how they consistently prove (and "Revolverlution" is no exception) that hip-hop is no top-40 radio gimmick -- that it can and indeed should have a message about the Black community that doesn't involve "pimpin" and driving fancy cars or selling drugs and pseudo (we hear that "pseudo" prefix a lot!) gangsterisms.

This album proves that P.E. still are relevant even though many of the trends in rap (and rap should have never become a suburban trend to begin with) have left them behind in favor of all that G-unit/cash money crud we hear on the radio now.

Honestly, I never believed that any of the members Public Enemy were especially talented lyricists, where you'll hear a verse and think "oh, dayummm..." but their lyrics are always meaningful and insightful and they make the listener think, as opposed to, say, the lyrics of Nelly where you just interpret them and think "boy, this guy is pretty dumb."

If this album were just a five song EP or a relatively short LP weighing in at 7-9 tracks or so, it would join the admittedly small pantheon of other relevant rap albums to come out within the last decade (the decade of frivolous "bling"), but it is needlessly weighed down by inferior remixes of older songs that are better presented elsewhere. I am reminded of that Oingo Boingo "greatest hits" album (Oingo Boingo are that new-wave pop act who wrote "Dead Man's Party") where instead of including all the studio versions of their hits, they decided to re-record everything and the whole album was just crummy. P.E. shouldn't have included "Fight the Power" (live) among others in this album because it just doesn't sound as good as the album version that came out several years earlier. I woould buy a live P.E. album but when I get the studio albums I'd prefer all-new material. It's their choice what to include in their albums, of course, but it just didn't go over well with me.

I say, get this album for "Son of a Bush," which, although it has some things I disagree with a little bit, it's still tremendously entertaining. Plus, the way Flava Flav says "he's the son of'a baaaad man!" over and over again is as cool as it is ironically adorable.

Mixed feelings about this one...
Why, Chuck, why? Why did you have to go and spoil an otherwise excellent album with a bunch of weak remixes and live versions of old songs?

First off, let me state that the new material on this CD is first rate. In fact, had the album consisted of nothing but that, it could easily have ranked as one of PE's finest hours. I would have little trouble holding it in the same esteem as "It Takes a Nation of Millions" and "Fear of a Black Planet". Unfortunately, the additions of said remixes and live songs just bog down the flow of the entire album. What exactly was the point of including them? To introduce new-skool hip-hop and potential PE fans to their older stuff? An interesting idea for sure, but it simply doesn't work - I can't imagine anyone new to Public Enemy enjoying a bunch of poorly recorded live songs (replete with wheezy, out-of-breath vocals) and second rate remixes, the majority of which wouldn't sound out of place at some sleezy, run-down dance club.

If you're already a fan of the mighty PE, you should definitely pick this up (heck, if you're a PE fan you probably already own a copy) - for, if nothing else, the excellent new tracks. It's not the best place to start for new-comers, however. Go and buy "It Takes a Nation of Millions" instead, and say hello to your new favourite album.

Here's hoping their next album will be better.

Four and a half: a couple of bricks shy of a load
If you're going on original material, this is five stars without a question, a no-doubter that PE is in still in full effect. Obviously true from the opening track, "Give the Peeps What They Need," with Chuck's no-nonsense statement on the place we're in right now. The rest of the new stuff is equally good, from the timely "Son of a Bush" to the powerful "Now a Daze," and "Pesa #1" to the "ghetto metal" of "What Good Is a Bomb."

Drawbacks? Flavor Flav could have a stronger presence on the album, but that's a minor quibble. The bigger one is the heavy presence of remixes and live performances. We want all the new PE material we can get! Come on, Chuck. One original from you is worth three remixes. Besides, the live "Fight the Power" and "By the Time I Get to Arizona" are not upgrades over what we already have on CD. And do we need the four-way babble of "Burn Hollywood Burn"? Nope. I'll just go to "Fear of a Black Planet."

Still, this is far better than most stuff out there, and anything from PE is worth listening to. A good addition to the PE list. ... Read more

Asin: B000068CPU
Subjects:  1. East Coast Rap    2. Hardcore Rap    3. Hip-Hop    4. Pop    5. Rap & Hip-Hop   

The Princess and the Warrior
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 June, 2001)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $17.98
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• Soundtrack

Reviews (12)

For Fans Of The Film Only!
Anyone who has seen Tom Tykwer's epic third film, "The Princess & The Warrior", knows that there must have been a lot of money floating around when it was being made. The same can be said of the soundtrack also, as the co-composing team of Tykwer, Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek, under the newfound moniker Pale 3, have struck gold after cooking up a storm with their rave-flavoured accompaniment to "Run Lola Run". And like the film, the follow-up could not be anymore different, as the thumping beats of "Lola" are exchanged for heartbreaking strings and slow-burning stunners that add to the film's emotional texture unlike most plop-pop soundtracks that are geared to make money.

One nice little subversion is that Pale 3 have taken various score sections from the film itself and have transformed them into stirring pop songs that interlink with various moments and characters within the film. On the whole, it works, but will leave curious listeners who either haven't seen the film or didn't like it cold, as you're not going to feel moved when Louise Rhodes trills to chilling effect "I knew I'd find you there / Now our story can really start" unless you adored the film, not to mention Sissi and Bodo. That said, the best songs are Skin's "You Can't Find Peace" (singing as though she's in unspeakable pain), Rhodes' "Escape (Afraid Of No One)" (amazing ending!) and Beth Hirsch's "The Tunnel" (sampling one of the best score pieces from the film). And Franka Potente continues to follow Marianne Faithful in the name of spoken word with "Fly With Me", which again soars or falls judging on how much you enjoyed the film.

The other half of the CD is score cues taken from the film itself, and again highlights the amazing versatility of Pale 3. Combining low-fi electronica with some stirring string arrangements (recorded in California - classy!), the talented troika masterfully crank up the tension (hear "The Roof") as well as absorb the listener with soothing melody (hear "Opening (Sissi Search)"). But the humdinger here is "The Escape", which sounds exactly the opposite of what the title suggests. My advice: watch the film, be amazed, then blast this as loud as you can from your CD players! Truly wonderful.

Sublime
I agree with bluedevilsf....definitely more inspired than truly. I miss some of the other scores from the movie, particularly the opening sequence at the funeral, "I'm Sorry", and the ending after the gas station. I listen to this soundtrack as I am driving through San Francisco and the wine country hills throughout Sonoma, particularly "You Can't Find Peace" and "Fly with Me" (inspired) and Tracks 8 and 12 (actual movie). Tom's group really knows how to put together the most sublime, soul-opening romantic music on this earth. Now, just to find someone who understands the feeling......

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This CD is so beautiful, I'm practically speechless!It is an ambient score and quite touching.The soundtrack, is nothing like the Run Lola Run soundtrack, but in my humble opinion, it beats the later.The vocalists are all female and the first half of the cd are songs written by the artists on there take of the subject matter of the film and how they intepret the love story.Relaxing and romantic.Track 5 Bodo by Alison Goldfrapp is so touching and her voice is so delicate and tragic.This is a passionate soundtrack and I recommend all fans of the elegant movie to purchase the soundtrack! ... Read more

Asin: B00005KJ16
Sales Rank: 69737
Subjects:  1. Ambient    2. Electronica    3. Original Score    4. Pop    5. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Run Lola Run: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (15 June, 1999)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

German film Run Lola Run has been compared to a 70-minute rock video: nonstop action and music, and (for better or worse) not a whole lot of plot. But the premise works, as does the film's high-energy techno soundtrack. Most of the tunes on this disc are credited to the trio of Tykwer/Klimek/Heil--the threesome of film director Tom Tykwer, techno producer John Klimek, and Rynhold Heil (best known as the producer of German pop import 99 Luftballons by Nena). Included are several remixes of the movie's main themes, the bass-heavy "Rock Me" by Pills, and "Wish," featuring the vocals of Franka Potente (Lola herself). There are a ton of soundtracks that have employed dance music, but few work as successfully as Run Lola Run. There's a cohesiveness to this dark and furious mix of beats that your typical compilation just can't muster. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

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• Soundtrack

Reviews (108)

Get pumped up
Loved the movie Lola Rennt (aka "Run, Lola, Run"), and the music is an essential character in the movie. The music doesn't merely sit in the background and emphasize the mood of a scene, it propels the story, and creates the heart-pounding race that is the movie. I have to confess that I rarely notice soundtracks in movies the first time I see them, unless they are the "stars"--as in "O Brother, Where Art Thou"--or unless they are comprised of songs I already know. This soundtrack made me immediately want to go out and buy the CD--and I'm not usually into techno, either. It's simply terrific music. I agree that the music on this CD that comes directly from the movie is better than the remixes, with one exception: "Believe" is fabulous, and has the feel of a track that was originally in the movie but cut during editing. And Franka Potenta was terrific, as well--many Americans didn't know who she was until the Bourne Identity came out--but she really shines in this film.
I also agree with others who said that this is excellent music to exercise to--I keep going much longer than I plan to everytime I cue this album up. And I haven't gotten tired of it yet! (Be careful about listening to this while driving down the highway, though--I find myself having to consciously keep from accelerating!)

"I don't believe reality would be the way it should...
But I believe in fantasy if you just understood..."

Wow. I first heard the music from this soundtrack when I downloaded a legendary Anime Music Video made for it's first track, Believe. The video was fantastic, but the song was what fueled it. Believe is an incredibly inspirational song about not giving up and believing in yourself, and I can't count how many times I've listened to it (the part at the end is just transcendant (you know, like when you're running so hard and so long that you don't even feel the pain anymore)). Later on I downloaded Music Videos to two of the other songs (Running Two and Running Two Remix). I enjoyed the videos and the music so much I decided that I had to own the soundtrack.

From what I understand, only the first 7 tracks are actually from the movie. That's probably the only reason I could give this awesome soundtrack less than five stars. The first seven tracks are all great. Believe is awesome, the introduction is the music I used to listen to while getting ready for work every morning (the ultimate wake-up music), Running One gets the blood pumping, Running Two puts you into overdrive (and whenever I'm REALLY tired I hear the words echoing in my head "Never never never never letting go, never giving up, never saying no. Just go go never stop and never think, just do do do do the right thing"!), Running Three is the big finale, and Casino is a great drum piece sure to keep you moving. The other tracks are kind of hit and miss.

Many of the remixes lack the polish of the music from the movie (and one even features a spine-rippling scream and breaking glass at it's start). I did enjoy the Supermarket Remix, the Running Two Remix, and the last track, Rock Me.

Overall I consider this to be an essential purchase if you like German Techno, Techno in General, or this movie's music. It's worth buying for the first 7 tracks for sure. The rest is just extras.

Simple Awesome
Wow, this is definitely one of my favorite albums. All I want in my music, in most cases, is a catchy beat to tap my feet to. This music delivers in this area like no other. The music is infectious and captivating, just like the movie itself. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JG17
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtracks    3. Soundtracks & Film Scores