Time Out of Mind
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 September, 1997)
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Editorial Review

At the beginning of Time Out of Mind, Bob Dylan finds himself in the same dead-day world as on 1964's "One Too Many Mornings." By now, though, he can't be bothered to romanticize the street and the distant dogs' barking; he can only moan about how sick he is of love, of himself. Saying it seems to give him the strength to go on, and go on he does, over 11 songs that are among his most plainspoken and musically eloquent. The reconstituted bottle-blues that sparked the early '90s acoustic masterpieces Good As I Been to You and World Gone Wrong carries over to Daniel Lanois's carefully dirty production and a groove that tops anything Dylan's done in a studio since, at least, Blood on the Tracks. No matter how lousy he feels, this is the work of a mighty, mighty man. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (159)

Eerie, Haunting, Dark and Searing
When TOOM (Time Out Of Mind) came out it had been seven years since Dylan had done an album of original songs. Was TOOM worth the wait? I'd say so. For me this record harkens all the way back to "Blood on the Tracks" with Dylan delivering searing songs full of hurt, heartbreak and emotion. This album is bittersweat and dark. This album is great. This album stands near the top of a superb body of work.

And yet again, when this record came out it was hearlded as a comeback for Dylan. I swear this man has had more comebacks than Carter's got pills. Mr. Dylan never left. He has always been here, always making music, just sometimes some of his records don't etch their way into your soul the way others do. Some of his records are merely outstanding, some others, like this one, blaze like a firey comet streaking across the desert sky, burning their way into your conscious.

I suppose every five years or so Dylan has to put out a record like this just to remind us all what a real poet is all about.

Jack Priest, Writer from the Darkside

Time Out of Mind~ Bob Dylan
This 1997 release is very good, but no it is not some of his best stuff. His vocals are not as good as they were years past and that is why it gets 4 instead of 5. His lyrics are as good as they have always been, but the vocals are a big question mark. They sound very weak. The sound is nice and laid back and good music to listen to and drink some whiskey after work. The book-let is an insult to good taste and it is quite shoddy as is the front photo. It is out of focus and looks like a 10 year old kid decided to play around with a camera. I like the fact though that one can see who played what on each track. This is a quite good album.

His best ever? Of course not.
This is a very moody, atmospheric album.Superb production job by Daniel Lanois.Excellent work by the backing musicians.And Lanois applies some effects to Dylan's voice that manage to make it listenable for the first time in a long while.(It still ain't pretty but given the subject matter of most of the songs the harsh, mournful vocals are rather quite fitting.)This album is undoubtedly Dylan's best work in a long while; probably since "Infidels" and definitely since "Oh Mercy". But it isn't his best ever - not by a long shot.Given his lacklustre string of albums for about a decade or so prior to this release (i.e "Knocked Out Loaded", "Under the Red Sky", "Down in the Groove", etc.), I think people were so pleased that this one wasn't another stinker that it garnered more praise than it deserves.(Calm down, people - I still think this album is great and smokes 99.99% of all other albums released by any artist in the past 20 years).The lyrics are among the least cryptic in Dylan's career.He's getting old and feeling down about it.That's the whole album pretty much summed up right there.I think he (and Lanois) do a tremendous job of getting that across, but, that's it as far as the "message" goes here.And since aging and regret are what this album is about, it is rather depressing to listen to.(Calm down again: depressing songs can be - and often are - good art.)The highlights are probably "Cold Irons Bound" and "Make You Feel My Love".The latter has one of the most gorgeous melodies that Dylan has ever composed.Beautiful chord progressions.This is without question an essential album for Dylan fans.But, it may be his dreariest ever.("The Times, They Are A-Changin" would be a close contender.) There are at least a dozen other Dylan releases I'd recommend ahead of this, including his next release, "Time Out of Mind". ... Read more

Asin: B000002C2E
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Pop
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 March, 1997)
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Editorial Review

Get one thing straight: Techno is merely the fairy dust sprinkled atop another massive, brilliantly conceived slab of dense, drug-like rock & roll from the only band this side of the Smashing Pumpkins who could pull off such a feat. Mainstream audiences are desperate for something fresh yet familiar, and this Warholian treatise on the plasticity of pop culture expertly mixes new sonic colors with the band's signature art-rock genius. "Discotheque" is an exhilarating opener, "Staring at the Sun" is their answer to relative upstarts Oasis's hit "Wonderwall," and "If God Will Send His Angels" has the makings of a crossover anthem. This is U2 in peak unit-shifting form. --Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (336)

A failed experiment...
U2 pulled off an amazing feat with 1991's ACHTUNG BABY and 1993's ZOOROPA: both were successful departures from their classic sound and completely redefined the band. With 1997's POP, they tried another direction, but this time it doesn't work. Bono claims they failed because they let their management take control, setting a tour schedule before the album was complete, and as a result, the band were pressured to finish POP on time, but it's doubtful more time would've saved this album.

The songs aren't that good. "If God Will Send His Angels," "Last Night On Earth," "Gone," "If You Wear That Velvet Dress," and "Please" all have something to like about them, but they never take off and aren't that memorable. Only "Mofo" and "Staring At The Sun" really hold-up.

U2 should be commended for trying something new, hiring some excellent DJ's to mix and produce their music, but they don't have a good grasp on contemporary dance trends. "Discotheque" was the big, lead-off single, and it's not a bad track, but it feels too forced and a little awkward. "Mofo" is the only successful dance track, with a muscular production that crushes "Discotheque," and unlike the other dance-oriented tracks, it flows pretty naturally.

Not surprisingly, this album is one of their least popular ones. When they released BEST OF: 1990-2000, they tried remixing a few songs, removing most of the production, but they only made the songs worse, exposing the weaknesses more and removing the very thing that made these songs interesting (not good, maybe, but at least interesting).

If you're a big U2 fan who's still curious, pick this up used: it usually goes for really cheap, usually $1-3. Just to have "Mofo" and "Staring At The Sun," that's a pretty fair deal.

U2's last piece of incredible work
Forget iPod, forget Bono's long hair back, forget Super Bowl, forget Beautiful Day and Vertigo and all that canned corporate radio-friendly s***. THIS IS MUSIC AND ITS HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPOSITION AND RICHNESS.

Brimming with genuine emotion, beautiful and complex imagery and music, Pop is the most overlooked and the most fascinating U2 album at the same time. I do like the fact that most of brianwashed fans pretend to love hit and miss prefabricated works as ATYCLB and HTDAAB, because this album needs a higher level of taste.

Pop is the finest expression of U2's songwriting. Just read the lyrics and listen to the music. Of course, there aren't cliché lyrics that every high school guy remember at once as Sometimes You Can't Make It, Peace On Earth, Grace, Stuck In A Moment, Miracle Drug, etc. And of course, there are no room for such stupid filler lyrics as Elevation, Vertigo, All Because Of You, etc.

Do yourself a favor, take lessons of poetry and then read the lyrics of Pop. Take lessons of songwriting and then listen to the music of Pop...meanwhile keep pretending that "songs" as Beautiful Day or Vertigo "rocks!".

Remember: This is ART. Can you deal with that, 2000 "fans"?...I don't think so

Uh! Uh!
This is terrible! I hate this album! It is awful! I hate this band! Led Zeppelin is much better! ... Read more

Asin: B000001EAQ
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock   

Troublizing
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 September, 1997)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $11.98
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Reviews (10)

a few energic songs & some songs wasted by bad lyrics
This cd has a few strong songs like the next right moment,
here we go or fix on you.i also would have liked
hang on tight if it wasn't spoiled by an f word(ocasek makes
it end with a t instead of a k but it still sounds pretty much the same).Indeed,ocasek has had the need to put some bad lyrics
in a few songs(he also did it in the past,even in a title!) wasting the pleasure in them for me,a thing that he never did on his albums with the cars.I don't think that ric ocasek has ever done a solo
album with songs as strong as a cars album all the way through
and this cd is no exception but the good ones are pretty strong.

Ric O's Best Yet
By far this is the best of Ric Ocasek's solo efforts. The dark, vibrant rhythms hit home for me and tell stories of inner anguish. Ric O is giving us a glimpse into his world and that world is where many others 'live' too. It gets back to the genre of Candy-O and the other pre-pop Cars works. Please give us another album Ric!.. (And not the cheery pop stuff!).

Troublizing - Roc Ocasek
I have all his solo releases and this is easily the best by Ocasek. His usual odd phrasing with a bit heavier rock sound is a great mix. There's only one dud - the last song. I don't remember the title, but Asian something. You won't regret the purchase. ... Read more

Asin: B000002BUP
Sales Rank: 73574
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Blur
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 March, 1997)
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Editorial Review

By early 1997, British pop had become less a scene than a competition, so with this album, Blur's frontman Damon Albarn basically announced that he was withdrawing from the race, in favor of exploring other kinds of rock he'd been getting into. Most of Blur finds the band discovering the clipped structures and oblique words of American indie rock (the best hook on the album goes "woo-hoo!"), and that's a liberating strategy. Without having to exemplify England's Dreaming, Albarn can be tuneful and playful, and even when he cribs directly from his favorite records ("M.O.R." is pure Bowie, and "You're So Great" tries for Guided by Voices-style non-production), his gift for texture puts his stamp on these songs.--Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (123)

a grower
when this first came out, my friends were pissed. they all wanted to know what the hell hapenned to Blur and why they decided to trash their english pop sensibilities in favour of become Sonic Youth? after the initial shock, this album starts to reveal it's own personality to the jaded Blur fan. in my opinion, the single "Song 2" (which became their biggest hit) is not a good representation of this album. most of the material here is hazy and noisy with some distant melody floating in and out of the drone. there's some interesting stuff here, but it seems a bit unfocused and sloppy and desperate at times. but, it shows a spirit of experimenting and adventure. the seeds of their next album "13" can be well researched here on this self titled piece of work.

Change is good
As the reviewer before me said, Blur really needed a change. This album is not much like any of the old Blur, although some of it is. Here's a quick song-by-song.
Beetlebum:Good song, a little bit long but it starts off the album great. 8/10
Song 2: This is one of the best 2 minutes of music I've ever heard. 15/10
Country sad...: This is really one of the best songs on the album, but it is really underrated because on the first listen you think "blur has really sunk to a low this time", but it's a 9/10
MOR: It's a good song, like the old blur, but for some reason I don't really like it because of the repeated guitar riff. 7/10
On your own: Not memorable but it's a great song, it foreshadows what's to come (great music) 8/10
Theme from Retro: Hmm.... this is OK but it's really creepy 5/10
You're so great: I can't stop singing this song. It's amazing, the chords go great together and it's just an amazing song. 10/10
Death of a party: Another great song but a little creepy... 9/10
Chinese Bombs: A short punk song that leaves you saying "eww" after the first listen, but after a few more tries you will decide this is almost as good or better as Song 2. 10/10
I'm just a killer..: Very much like 5,7,8, but with some unclear lyrics. It's still good... 6/10
Look inside america: End Of A century part 2. Sequels always suck, so does this one. It's almost good but not good enough. 5/10
Strange news from...: Interesting, according to other people it's like all of the album 13, quiet and eerie. It's a good song. 8/10
Movin' On: Great song, much different from some of the other songs. 9/10
Essex Dogs: EEWW!! What an GREAT way to RUIN a GREAT album. 11 minutes of someone playing instruments like they just learned how to. Listen to it all the way through... I dare you. It's way too quiet and there's like no lyrics.

GREAT ALBUM OVERALL! Get it, you won't regret it.

A [much needed] new direction.
After three albums of pure britpop, Blur decided it was time for a change. This self-titled album is the result; the lavish arrangements of those past albums are replaced by a much rawer, stripped down sound.

The swirling, psychedelic/late 60's vibe of "Beetlebum" opens up the album on a great note. It's challenging, yet catchy at the same time. Then of course, there's the smash hit "Song 2" (aka "Whoo-hooo!") - two minutes of punk/pop perfection.

"Country Sad Ballad Man" is lo-fi folk rock at its best..not too dissimilar from Mellow Gold-era Beck. And "Look Inside America" is a great mid-tempo tune with a soaring chorus. It sounds like something from the brit pop era put into this stripped down, indie-ish environment.

They also tackle infectious dance-pop (the insanely catchy "On Your Own"), ambient instrumentals ("Theme From Retro"), glam rock (the David Bowie inspired "M.O.R."), and lo-fi accoustic ballads ("You're So Great").

The experimental "Essex Dogs" closes the album, a challenging mixture of white noise and spoken word passages. Unlistenable at first, fascinating later.

Other highlights include the spacey "Strange News From Another Star", the punk assault, "Chinese Bombs", feedback soaked fun of "Movin' On", and the creepy "Death of a Party".

"Blur" is an excellent album, and a great change in sound for the band. If the brit-pop stuff was a little too sugary for you, this one might be right up your alley.

Best Songs: Beetlebum, Theme From Retro, Look Inside America, Movin' On, Death of a Party, Essex Dogs. ... Read more

Asin: B000000WDA
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Ok Computer
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (01 July, 1997)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $13.49
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Editorial Review

Radiohead's third album got compared to Pink Floyd a lot when it came out, and its slow drama and conceptual sweep certainly put it in that category. OK Computer, though, is a complicated and difficult record: an album about the way machines dehumanize people that's almost entirely un-electronic; an album by a British "new wave of new wave" band that rejects speed and hooks in favor of languorous texture and morose details; a sad and humanist record whose central moment is Thom Yorke crooning "We hope that you choke." Sluggish, understated, and hard to get a grip on, OK Computer takes a few listens to appreciate, but its entirety means more than any one song. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (1660)

In Next World War.......
Theres 1659 reviews on this album,and Thom, I want u to know that I'm above the rest of them to be your no. 1 fan (even to the guy who claim that Radiohead is his religion ha..ha...nice try,bro)Yes, Yes Mozart is great, Beethoven is genius, Pink Floyd is bla-bla, Beatles is yada-yada, but every generations have their own hero. This is mine. Who wants to be the best on earth if u can aim to the whole universe.

Magic does not just happen in Hogwarth,mind you. it could come from Oxford too. Yes, this is magic.... cause I doubt that Radiohead can make something as beautiful as this anymore. But who cares. Who needs another Ok Computer? One is enough and stick to this album for the rest of your life.

I love every second of this album and yes, even Fitter Happier and yes The Tourist is the best song here and not just Paranoid Android!

If Neil Amstrong made an album right after his trip to the moon, it should sound like this.Glimmering!

And please dont compare Radiohead with Pink Floyd. I dont know why, just dont.....ok :-)

And if u dont like this, I respect that. We're all different people.

I'm an avid fan, yes, and I've done my duty to give it 5 stars tho i know it needs no support anymore. If u dont like this album, call me, I'll give you your money back. Seriously!

Flawless
This album is one of the best, if not the best album have ever bought. Packed full of emotion and originality it is definately an essential album of the 90's, and an essential album to brit pop. Highlights include: Paranoid Android, Exit Music, Let Down, Karma Police, Climbing up the walls and No Surprises. In my opinion it is the best Radiohead album in existence, and probably nothing they release in the future will live up to it.

Ahh, the paradox.
OK Computer: An album that seems to either earn five stars or one star when reviewed by the laiety. So which is it?

Q: Is OK Computer a deep, complex, ponderous, subtle, unintelligible-yet-prophetic tour-de-force, or is it simplistic, obvious, straightforward, vanilla-flavored, a recycling bin full of yesterday's newspapers and 24-pack beer boxes?

A: Both, as is so often the case. There is a kind of genius (always has been) in being able to state what should have been obvious to everyone all along, but was only obvious to those who didn't ever think to mention it because it was so obvious to them. Think William Carlos Williams:

"so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens"

OK Computer is precisely the same color:

"God loves his children, yeah."

The undeniably deadpan-yet-sardonic line is an encapsulation of the work. It's cynical and would be adolescently so if only for the fact that you never first thought to say it yourself. It's dark but but in its indignation is also as hopeful as anything else yet said. It's banal, but perish the thought that nobody should be inclined to continue to re-visit it. It's simplistic to a fault, unless you don't understand it, in which case the text required to explain it in every nuance is voluminous indeed.

Five stars. Even if you think it's obvious and simple, you can't deny that it's right or believably suggest that it's not sincere. And for that reason, those who give it only one star are not themselves reviewing in good faith. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UJQ
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Good Feeling
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 October, 1997)
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Reviews (50)

Easy does it
This cd is so complete. I didnt like it much when i first heard it, but i realized that they put alot on the plate. Falling Down is the most beautiful song theyve ever written...Except that Christmas song.

The potential was there
This CD showed what Fran Healey was capable of. I find it such a shame that, since the success of The Man Who, they felt they had to leave the rockier side behind them. Turn Turn Turn, Sing Sing Sing - come on Fran, all we wanna do is rock!

I do love The Man Who, but, to me, this album knocks the spots off it. From the rockathon numbers, to the typical (at the time) Britpop numbers - such as Happy and Tied to the Nineties, it's nothing but uplifting; his voice seems to carry any cliche, any nuiance of datedness. Listen to Good Feeling, the title track, and the use of the piano that almost takes to back to a 1940's pub with the knees up piano.

I have to admit, I prefer the single version of More Than Us - the strings (whether over-produced or not) just make it that more beautiful. And better than anything since this album.

I let a friend in Denver listen to this album when they went "big" with Driftwood, and he hated it. To me, that makes me like this album more. Travis, to me, are now a dead band; I've lost interest. Fran showed he had the potential to be something big, but he (and the band) "sold out".

I wanted more, and expected it, from them (I was massively into them from the start), but now all I feel is wishy-washy niceness. If you want to hear what they really had, buy this album. If you're into magnolia, buy everything since.

I've got a "Good Feeling"
Travis is best known for being one of the most downbeat Britpop bands in existance, but their debut "Good Feeling" is Brit-rock -- happy rock, depressed rock, evenly divided between melancholy and joy. It doesn't have the musical polish of their later efforts, but it does have the infectious exuberance of a young band.

"Hey/I would really like to talk to you/girl/all I want to do is rock!" Fran Healy announces happily at the start of the album. That sentiment carries through the first half of the album, full of uptempo powerpop that ranges from the fuzzy "Good Day To Die" to the swirling melody of the title track. What they lack in experience, they make up in gung-hoety.

When it hits the midway mark, "Good Feeling" changes in tone -- it becomes less about wanting to rock, and more poignant and plaintive. Despite the bouncy poppiness of "Happy," the second half is overwhelmingly melancholy ballads, usually about the fragility of love. While not as much fun as the powerpop, these piano-led ballads are extremely beautiful.

Most bands sound awkward when they're still figuring out what kind of music they want to do. Travis wasn't one of those bands -- they sound equally good when they do sad ballads, and upbeat catchy pop. And though Travis later decided to do the melancholy music, if you listen to "Good Feeling" it's hard not to wish that they could include a few uptempo numbers too.

For a beginner band they were remarkably polished -- the piano melodies are exquisite, and they do some remarkable things with crunchy guitar riffs and some reverbing basslines. The songwriting is one of the few stumbling blocks -- the downtempo numbers are prettily written ("I think you should be framed/in some fine art gallery/I know you'd disagree with me/but I love you anyways"), but the pop numbers contain some real groaners ("I'm a foot without a sock").

Those groaners are admittedly hard to notice, though -- Fran Healy sings these as if he's been doing it all his life, and he adds some extra life to an already solid album. One minute he's purring along and happily yelling along to the riffs, then he's softly murmuring along to the piano.

The style of "Good Feeling" got left behind by Travis, but their debut remains a solid Britpop album that mixes solid powerpop with exquisite ballads. Definitely worth checking out. ... Read more

Asin: B000002BZD
Sales Rank: 47050
Subjects:  1. British Trad Rock    2. Britpop    3. Indie Pop    4. Pop    5. Rock   

Urban Hymns
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 September, 1997)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $8.99
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Editorial Review

Perhaps you weren't convinced of the Verve's staying power until recently. Before the release of Urban Hymns, skeptics wondered if they could ever match the explosive power of their earlier dedications. In 1995, most critics dismissed their offerings of the time as vapid, romantic excursions. To their credit, the Verve have sustained their shadow rock legitimacy while introducing string arrangements, piano fills, and slide guitar. Nowhere are these stirring traits more obvious than in the epic single "Bitter Sweet Symphony." Laying it on thick throughout the rest of the album with painfully engaging ballads, the Verve have crafted their most accomplished album to date, proving the longevity of their cultural resonance. --Lucas Hilbert ... Read more

Reviews (235)

Hymns for the believers...
To best understand this album, we must approach it from the times that created it. Circa 1995 The Verve had released the epic "Northern Soul" album, continuing their evolution from a shoegazing, reverb-drenched, psychedelic freak-out band into a more mature, soulful, inspired, reverb-drenched psychedelic rock band. Sadly, the powerful tension between shaman-esque frontman Richard Ashcroft and guitarist-extraordinaire Nick McCabe (perhaps the most unappreciated British guitarist of the '90s) came to a peak and the band split with the release of "History" as their farewell single.

After a year of simmering creativity, Richard Ashcroft began writing a solo album and drafting in musicians to help record his efforts. Gradually, the dynamic Verve rhythm section of Peter Salisbury and Simon Jones was brought back into the fold, along with guitarist/keyboard player Simon Tong. After a few months, an acknowledged void was recognized and several guitarists were approached to play lead guitar, including ex-Suede member Bernard Butler. He declined in order to concentrate on his own material instead, and the Verve continued as a four-piece. Eventually, Ashcroft succumbed to reason and extended an olive branch to McCabe to return.

With several songs in place, the Verve concentrated on the remaining unfinished material in jam sessions, spooling hours of tape and letting their combined efforts birth the songs. This effort was finally released in 1997 as "Urban Hymns" and the Verve finally took their place as one of Britain's most beloved bands. "See the Verve when they come to your town" went the saying "because you may never get the chance to see them again."

Too prophetic words, unfortunately, as the tension between Ashcroft and McCabe returned. Towards the end of the year, McCabe announced his exit from the band, and the Verve soldered on for several months with BJ Cole on steel guitar before they called it a day.

So what we have in this album is an artifact from the days of Noel-Rock, with earnest lyrics, thematic musical canvases of epic scale, and really good tunes. It's also an album of halves with the personal and the universal gaining equal attention. Ashcroft has never differentiated between the two, speaking for both himself and to humanity in the same breath, thus a song as tragic and guarded as "Drugs Don't Work" shines when embraced by everyone. Same again with "Sonnet" and the burnished genius of "Lucky Man" which, tellingly enough, are recognized as the songs Ashcroft was planning for his solo album. Longtime Verve fans will rejoice at the slow burn grooves of "Neon Wilderness" and "Weeping Willow". The songs fully completed by the full band are complete barnstormers of edgy, muscular rock with "Rolling People", "Space and Time", and the freak-out monster of "Come On" closing the book of the Verve's time together.

While Ashcroft would explore similar personal efforts on his proper solo album "Alone With Everyone", he would never scale the heights of fury that McCabe brought to the table. We should be grateful for what we have to remind us. And we're not going to talk about "Bitter Sweet Symphony" because a bunch of spoiled, old men who used to be rock stars sued the pants off the Verve and almost ruined them before their comeback began.

An album of true genius and a landmark of British rock at the end of the 20th century.

An Adventure Through A Beautiful Tropical Rainforest
Along with Oasis and Blur, The Verve were one of the biggest British rock bands of the late Nineties. Unlike the other two, though, The Verve achieved this status from just one album. After their debut album "A Storm In Heaven" and its follow-up, "A Northern Soul," the future of The Verve was uncertain. Lead singer Richard Ashcroft retreated throughout 1996 and most of 1997 and the result was "Urban Hymns," one of the most popular albums in Britain of the entire decade. This album was released in 1997 but sold the majority of its total sales throughout 1998. A staggering 2.48 million copies were sold in the UK alone and the album spent a total of 12 weeks at No.1, placing this album as the eighth best-seller of the decade, behind such other classics as Oasis' "(What's The Story) Morning Glory?" and Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill."

This album was fuelled by four massive hit singles which ruled radio and became anthems amongst a society emerging from Britpop. I bought this album about a year ago to try and build up my collection of albums from the Nineties. It took me quite a while to really enjoy this album because it runs for 75 minutes, and a lot of the songs are quite long, usually around the six minute mark. What this album achieves, though, is a total sound of its own. It's like you're travelling through a tropical rainforest in the middle of the night, exploring nature and realising the true beauty of life. Because of this, the album holds up very well eight years after its initial release.

The album opens with the classic "Bittersweet Symphony." This is by far the most popular song of the band's career, and with good reason. I mean come on, this song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It's an absolute classic and one of the best uses of a string arrangement I've ever heard in my life. This is life-affirming, beautiful stuff. If rock music was heaven, then this is the soundtrack for sure. The video is also amazing and features Richard just walking down a London street not giving a s**t about what people think of him as he knocks people out of the way and stops for no one. "Sonnet" is another brilliant song and has a rather depressing tone. The mood of this song is expressed perfectly through Ashcroft's emotional vocals. I can't remember a video for this song, but I sure remember it being played to death on the radio. "The Rolling People" runs for more than seven minutes, which in itself gives the feeling of an epic song. It truly is a very bold and interesting rock song with heavy drums and a great guitar riff. Ashcroft's vocals are awash in a sea of pure rhythm, on definitely one of the album's best songs. "The Drugs Don't Work" is an amazing ballad and became the band's first UK No.1 single in September 1997. This song was released the week Princess Diana died, and totally connected with the whole nation. Such an emotional piece of songwriting.

"Catching The Butterfly" is a great song which features a strange sound that reminds me of an old rotating wheel. Strangely, this is a very natural and organic song and has a very catchy melody. The arrangement of the verses is beautiful and the choruses are very impressive. "Neon Wilderness" is the song that, for me, best expresses my vision of walking through a tropical rainforest at the dead of night. The sounds that this song creates are very beautiful and relaxing; it's almost like tripping out on yourself when you hear this! A shame it only lasts for under three minutes though. "Space And Time" is a complete masterpiece! This is one of the album's best songs and runs for nearly six minutes. The guitar on this song is very calm and tranquil and the backing vocals harmonising is rather hippie-like. The chorus is amazing and very epic, making this one of those songs to listen to whenever you're feeling down. "Weeping Willow" is quite a good song but I wouldn't say it is a stand out on an album of other amazing songs.

"Lucky Man" was one of the album's four singles and was a huge hit. This song is very dream-like and tranquil, with catchy verses and sing-along choruses. It's a song that celebrates the beauty of life and teaches that rock music from this particular decade doesn't ALL have to be suicidal. "One Day" is another one of my favourites from this album because it's so hopeful. Ashcroft has a beautiful voice in this song that echoes over the sparse guitars and vivid drums creating a vast, epic song. The chorus is a revelation and celebrates that wonder of life that is a prominent theme throughout the songs. "This Time" is probably the most upbeat song on the album and is a shock to the system after about an hour of dreamy, tranquil rock music. This is also one of the shortest songs on the album, which is a shame because it's a very catchy piece of pop rock. The chorus is very beautiful and will just take you back to Britain in the late Nineties going through many changes. "Velvet Morning" is seen by many to be one of the best sons on the album, but this isn't the case in my opinion! This is still a great song, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't impress me as much as some of the other songs did. The album closes with "Come On," which is a very progressive rock song, build up as the seconds tick away. By the fifth minute, this is a load and bold monster of a song that Oasis would be proud of! There's also a two minute hidden track at the end of this album that sounds like a radio trying to get a reception. When it finally becomes clear it sounds like another version of Neon Wilderness, which is superb in my opinion.

OVERALL GRADE: 9/10

This album was one of the best of 1997, and while I favour Radiohead's "OK Computer" (from a few months prior) as the album which people remember the most out of the two, the impact of this album cannot be denied. People bought this in droves, and it wasn't just media hype; the hype is fully justified. Yes, some songs on this album are a bit too long and I think 15 minutes could have been cut from the overall length, but there's a reason why this album ranked inside the Top 20 of a recent nationwide poll by Channel 4 to find the Greatest Album Ever. That reason is based upon solid songwriting, strong music, great arrangements, bold sounds and beautiful vocals. Buy this now, it's essential in any rock lover's collection.

An Incredible Album
The Verve's 1997 release, "Urban Hymns", added to possibly the greatest year of music since the late 60s.With their hit, "Bittersweet Symphony", The Verve struck harmoniously with all those disallusioned with their work, their loves, and the difficulties of life.

This plays into the overriding concept of the album, in my opinion.While many believe it represents a compilation of simply great pop songs, "Urban Hymns" is just what the title states, a tome on life in the modern world.One minute in, Ashcroft takes "you down the only road [he's] ever been down", and until the heavenly cries of "Come on", he doesn't let go of you hand.Ashcroft soon asks "can you see it wasting away?", and in just the next track, he realizes "the drugs don't work, they just make you worse".

This is truly a set of urban hymns.Every song resonates with the disallusionment so prevalent in our often hapless society; this album is a contemporary masterpiece, and it provides a necessary indictment of daily life including all of its hardships.

Buy this album, you won't regret it. ... Read more

Asin: B000000WF0
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Britpop    3. Dream Pop    4. England    5. Indie Pop    6. Indie Rock    7. Pop    8. Post-Grunge    9. Rock    10. Space Rock   

Straight on Till Morning
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (01 July, 1997)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
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Editorial Review

Album number five from these New York workhorses doesn't stray any perceptible distance from their patented, John Popper-blowing blues-rock formula. "Carolina Blues" is a tasty lead single, while "Justify the Thrill," "Great Big World," and "I Dreamed About You Last Night" seem like choice followups. There's even a love song called "Canadian Rose" complete with fond references to Vancouver and, of all unlikely places, Burlington.--Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Hard to top...
This is an awesome follow up to Four. SOTM continues the jam stylings of Stand, Fallible, Freedom and Crash Burn. It shows the evolution of the band and continues in the tradition of their famed blues-rock stylings. SOTM/Blues Traveler have been given a hard time about so called "selling out". However, I find no fault in creating an album that people want to listen to. They don't comprimise their style, but explore it deeper. This album is something that should be in the CD changer of anyone who really enjoys good, talent soaked music. Buy it, quick...

Far superior to Four
I'm not a "die-hard" Blues Traveler fan.My first album was Four and I think this one beats it hands down.I don't listen to it all the time, but when I'm in the mood for it, nothing else can take its place.

Carolina Blues, Felicia, Canadian Rose, Yours--these are all terrific songs.And the album fits together as a whole wonderfully.This is a great driving album, or for just listening around the home.

It also helps that I happen to really like the color blue.

Of the two BT albums I have as of this writing, this is the one I keep coming back to.I think that says a lot.It's too bad that this one didn't get the mainstream attention that Four did, because it is by far the superior piece of work.

Canadian Rose - Greatest love song ever?
I'm not a huge fan of Blues Traveler, but there is something about Canadian Rose that brings tears to my eyes each time I listen to it.Truly a love song for the ages.Right up there with songs like Something by Harrison and Annie's Song by John Denver.WOW!I wish I had a Canadian girlfriend I could sing that song to! ... Read more

Asin: B000002GOF
Subjects:  1. American Trad Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Jam Bands    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. United States of America   

Earthling
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 February, 1997)
list price: $16.98
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Editorial Review

Shrugging off an uneventful decade of boring, archaic, projects, Earthling returns Bowie to the forefront of contemporary music. While the album has garnered attention for incorporating elements of drum and bass, its most striking feature is truly Bowie himself as he recaptures an edge he hasn't shown since 1979's Scary Monsters. From the addictively danceable "Little Wonder" to the appropriately unnerving "Seven Years in Tibet," the album is full of the genius that made him so remarkable to begin with. As for the loops and samples, it's less a novelty and more Bowie's willingness to open his music to new tools. Granted, it's not as "before its time" as 1974's Diamond Dogs, but acid-laden vocals, hard-edged guitars, and arrangements that constantly border on the edge of chaos all show a pretty striking return to form from an artist who many had written off as a dinosaur. --Bill Snyder ... Read more

Reviews (73)

HOW THE F*** DID HE WRITE THIS?
WOW!

This isnt bowie's best album since SCARY MONSTERS.how cliche.i mean it's like he didnt make any good albums after monsters?i mean, come on get real.Lets dance was great.so was tin machine and even Never Let me Down has its moments...only Tonight was his lowest point....


This is really my 5th favourite bowie album and the reasons are plain to see.I dont know a lot of 50 year olds making this kind of music...HE'S A BLOODY MOVING TARGET STILL TODAY!

bowie top ten: 1.Scary Monsters (1980)
2."Heroes" (1977)
3.Ziggy Stardust (1972)
4.Hunky Dory (1971)
5.Earthling (1997)
6.Station To Station (1976)
7.Aladdin Sane (1973)
8.Low (1977)
9.Let's Dance (1983)
10.Tin Machine (1989)


buy this

Bowie, On Fire
Barely past a year from "Outside," Bowie switched outfits and came out clubbing. Gone was the dark and foreboding atmosphere of Detective Nathan Adler's diaries, in was a very British romp through Jungle and bass dance music. No concepts this time, just great single after great throbbing single. "Little Wonder" was the kind of song tailor made for dance clubs circa 1997, and the bass heavy sound made my apartment walls shake back then.

Keeping Reeves Gabriels back as a full time collaborator (from the Tin Machine days) certainly added to the glorious racket. His feedback laden leads and quirky rhythms elevated "Dead Man Walking," "Telling Lies" and "Law." The sole drawback to this album is that it has dated itself (Drum'n'bass lasted what? Two months?), but having songs as amazing as "Seven Years In Tibet" and the genuinely disconcerting "I'm Afraid Of Americans" (wherein Bowie mumbles "God is an American...") makes "Earthling" a Bowie disc still worth seeking out.

electronic juice for the soul.
this bowie album is by far one of my favorites by him, either you love it, or you hate it. each track uses the drum and bass format and elevates it to a whole new level. bowie takes elements of the electronica he helped invent and adds analog sounds over top: loud guitars, keyboards by brian eno, crazy piano solos (looking for a satellite), etc, with catchy bowie lyrics and melodies making it quite a journey. "i'm afraid of americans" is the standout, blending paranoia with the downright weird (nine inch nails version highly recommended). "7 years in tibet" is also a great song, with an explosive chorus that can only be done by the best. the rest of the album is great, instant bowie classics. why this thing is out of print i have no idea, it's a genius of melody and sound at his best. whenever i need a break from the eddie vedder sound-alikes and mediocre crap on the radio, earthlings is the first place i turn. ... Read more

Asin: B000000WCX
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Experimental Rock    3. Pop    4. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    5. Rock   

Boatman's Call
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 March, 1997)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

After a career spent tearing down the world with horror and disgust, Nick Cave finally sounds ready to start rebuilding from scratch. He's begun to find a quiet grace, and perhaps even beauty, past all the darkness that's long consumed him. Amid the ashes of a world unable to exorcise its demons, Cave actually finds love; a strange, twisted, doomed love, perhaps--but love nevertheless.

On The Boatman's Call, Cave's latest collection, the singer-songwriter finds room for the personal, the spiritual, and even the hopeful in his grey psyche. With only the sparest accompaniment--often just a piano or organ, light percussion, and violin (care of Dirty Three's Warren Ellis)--Cave employs traditional folk song structure and simplicity to weave tales saddened less through tragedy as through emptiness. Songs like "Into My Arms" and "(Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For?" are among Cave's most self-assured and soulful to date. Stripped down and grown up--though still ghoulish and grave--Cave the storyteller has turned into something of a vampire Springsteen.

Ultimately, The Boatman's Call sounds like Cave's attempt to poison his cake and eat it too. For a record so resolute in its denial of divinity, The Boatman's Call's obsession with religious themes and imagery might seem contradictory if they hadn't come from someone like Cave, who fancies himself a fallen angel searching for a ladder back to heaven. Where Gothic meets cathedral, there resides, for better or worse, our dark saint Nick. --Roni Sarig ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Another great Nick Cave cd
If there was ever a modern day Edgar Allen Poe, Nick Cave would probably have to be that person. With his rich baritone vocals and often bittersweet lyrics, his music is what I consider great rainy day music, let alone any day music. Nick Cave is one of my personal favorite male vocalists today, along with Andrew Eldritch (The Sisters of Mercy), Ronan Harris (VNV Nation), Robert Smith (The Cure), Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode), and Voltaire. His voice sends chills down my spine. And on "The Boatman's Call", Nick doesn't fail me at that. I absolutely adored "Murder Ballads" which was my first exposure to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' music. I didn't think he could match the intensity of that album with "The Boatman's Call". Although there isn't any songs as morbid as "Where the Wild Roses Grow" and "Stagger Lee", Nick still succeeded in releasing a classic album with "The Boatman's Call". He gets the album going with the wonderful ballad "Into My Arms" and the songs just gets better and better one song after another. I especially love "People Ain't No Good". I consider it one of my personal anthems. "Brompton Oratory" gives me this image of being in church and listening to church music with the lush organ sounds. Nick's bittersweet lyrics never ceases to amaze me, and the fact that he puts them to such beatiful, lush music makes him an absolute genius in my book.

WELCOME TO MY TRUTH
God bless Nick Cave for making this album.it really is his finest.i havent heard tender prey yet but this really is a sublime and beautiful piece of work...


INVEST!

A Uniquely Cave Experience -
Nick Cave does it again.With chamber-music like efficiency Cave offers up the aural equivalent of an artists palette of paints.The songs spring forth with an immediacy and richness at once recognizable as Cave's own, but with another, spare quality that might, at first, unsettle some.Starting off with the lyrical, sinewy "Into my arms" through "There is a kingdom" and beyond, Cave imparts this set of songs with a quality not unlike the great classical song cycles of Schumann and Wolf.In my opinion, it's up there with them.A remarkable achievement. ... Read more

Asin: B000002NE4
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Portishead
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 September, 1997)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $12.99
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Editorial Review

The bad news is that there is no "Sour Times" to equal the first album's greatness. Lead single "Cowboys" doesn't do the trick, not with its '50s sci-fi dub vibe and the Yma Sumac stylings of Beth Gibbons. The upside is that this bold sophomore release is, even at this late date in trip-hop's evolution, still startling, thanks to the mix of Geoff Barrow's soundscapes and Gibbons's haunting wail.--Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (135)

A step forward
Portishead's eponymous second effort is, for me anyway, the superior example of their sound.The LP is more of a slow burn than their debut, the beats are more thoroughly cultivated high drama which work beautifully with Beth Orton's delicate delivery. I know I will receive some detractors but, here goes, ahem...'Dummy' was a bit too reliant on gimmicks and obvious "hip-hop" cliches and I think the tunes fly by a bit. Thankfully on "Portishead" they opted to go a bit deeper and the result is a more engrossing listen. Recommended. Also check "Live at Roseland".

Soundtrack for a movie Noir
This album is almost a soundtrack of a fictive movie Noir. Let me say first that I like this second, self-titled album by Portishead even more then their ground-breaking debut 'Dummy'.

Sssh! The movie is about to start...
It's night. The creepy silence is giving you shivers. Suddenly a man appears.. 'Cowboys' is starting in the background. The creepy intro and Beth's voice cut into your flesh.Now you see the man's face covered with blood. It seems like he's on the run for someone or something. The volume of 'Cowboys' is rising every second. The man looks right, then left. Did he see a man standing in the shadows over there? The man starts running. He's hearing footsteps following him. Suddenly someone grabs him by the arm and pulls him into a building. They got him. The building seems to be a stiptease-bar. The enjoyable 'All Mine' starts playing. It's pleasant, yet also very dark, just like the bar. A man sitting in the corner talks to him. He says that he needs to get his money back, but it seems like the poor guy doesn't have any. While 'Undenied' is playing in the background they beat him up and torture him. Afterwords they throw him in a dark, mysterious room. He can't see anything, he can only hear something. It seems like there's some kind of radio in the room. It's playing 'Half Day Closing' on mid-volume. It scares the man. He wants to get out of there immediately. After a few tries he gets out of the building. It's cold and creepy outside. No lights, only the moon. The scary, but also mysterious'Over' is played. He hears voices inside of the building, they must have already discovered he escaped. He starts running again, with the song 'Over' buzzing in his head. He stops running when he sees an old, spooky house that seems empty. He opens the door and enters the house. When the door shuts, you hear 'Humming' in the background. He's in an extremely dark hall. He gets upstairs. All the windows are opened and a fresh 'Mourning Air' flews truh the windows. He looks out of one of the windows. He sees some shadows moving in the garden. He gets out of the house as quickly as possible. The sounds of 'Seven Months' echo in the background. He's running truh the streets and steals a car. He drives as fast as he can. He puts on the radio and 'Only You' is being playing on the radio. The sound relaxes him a bit, but it's quite spooky.
Suddenly he gets a flat tire and moves over. He sees some cars coming close, he has been followed. He runs into the forest. But some men grab him and throw him on the ground. 'Elysium' starts playing. One man talks. 'You have to pay. If it's not with money then it's with your life'. 'We warned you, Port!' says another man. The man takes a knife, grabs Port and cuts off his head. His head falls on the ground, with his eyes pointing to the west. The tunes of 'Western Eyes' end the movie. The Movie is called Port's Head.

Trip-hop noir
Portishead created a unique sound in their debut "Dummy," combining smoky jazz and trip-hop. So an equally good follow-up was a pretty tall order. Enter the self-titled "Portishead," which ups the eerie noir feel while not abandoning the cool electronic edge. In the months before their return, it seems appropriate to revisit their older material.

"Did you feed us tales of deceit,/Conceal the tongues who need to speak?/Subtle lies and a soiled coin,/The truth is sold, the deal is done," Beth Gibbons intones, sounding like a slightly gleeful robot. That sets the tone for "Portishead," giving it a darker tone than its predecessor -- darker songs, darker vocals, darker music.

The jazz overtones are still there, bubbling up in songs like the distant "Over" and "Seven Months," which sounds strangely like fellow trip-hop artist Emiliana Torrini. Only the downtempo "Over" and softly poppy "Western Eyes" break from this cooler sound, sounding warm and unaltered. The rest of the album is a different story.

Somehow it adds to the noir atmosphere to have darker, colder sounds woven in with the jazzy trip-hop. "Humming" includes a strange background beat that sounds exactly as you would imagine a UFO. This dark, experimental edge makes it a bit harder to get into than their debut album, but when you do get into it, it's almost frighteningly intense.

The jazzy percussion is one of the first things you notice about this, paired with horns and thick synth. It's surprisingly heady to listen to. Also cold and distant -- which seems appropriate, since the simple lyrics focus on loneliness, melancholy, sadness and loss ("Why should I forgive you,/After all that I've seen,/Quietly whisper,/When my heart wants to scream?").

Beth Gibbons plays around with her vocals this time around -- while Gibbons's voice is normally very pretty, in a few songs she twists it into creepy monotones. It's a bit jarring at first, compared to her usual melodic singing, but it suits the darker songs here. The filtered, eerie intonations in "Cowboys" are downright spine-chilling.

Portishead, presently working on their long-awaited third album, made a triumphant second album. While not as easily accessible as their debut, it's definitely an entrancing experience. ... Read more

Asin: B000003TSP
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Electronica    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Trip-Hop   

Flaming Pie
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (27 May, 1997)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Just when everyone has given up on Sir Paul's ever releasing another decent pop song, he turns around and surprises us all with his best album since the mid-'70s. After working on the Beatles' Anthology series, he was reminded of the standards of music he'd long forgotten and was pressed to meet them. Even Jeff Lynne, who helped on much of it, kept himself very much in the background, and let Mac do the right thing, playing and singing most everything, with some help from Ringo and guitarist Steve Miller, whose presence was a mixed blessing. Even if the songs don't scale the heights of the Glory Years, they remind us of the true talent that was McCartney once again. A pleasure to the ears. --Chris Nickson ... Read more

Reviews (134)

This album gets back to his roots.
This album focuses more on songwriting and melody and Mac writes really great tunes that are just first class pop tunes. Some hark back to his Bealtes days, some his Wings days and others are new stuff. 'Heaven on a Sunday' is new, a song that captures the feeling of relaxing with a bluesy, relaxed kind of music. Beautiful night is very original but actually resembles 'Drowning in the sea of love', it starts off slowly like an easy folk song then it slowly builds up and has a dramatic, George Martin orchestrated finale. It has some good textures. Little Willow is a Beatlesque folk song, and Someday recaptures the beauty of 'Yesterday' but is more eerie than plaintive. Young Boy is first class Beatlesque pop while the title track wouldn't be out of place on any non-psychedelic Beatles album, it's a great rocker. Used to be bad and Really love you are blues-rock. Really love you has a very soulful vocal and is, as Ringo says, 'Relentless'.I suppose all that really drives home the message. And my favoruite track is 'Calico Skies', should have been a HUGE hit. It's just a brilliant melody.

A Solid Effort From Sir Paul
After coasting on mediocrity from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, Paul McCartney's artistry resurfaces on "Flaming Pie" -- one of his strongest post-Beatle efforts. Highlighted by memorable tracks such as "World Tonight," "If You Wanna," "Somedays," "Calico Skies" and "Really Love You," the album displays McCartney's renewed commitment to solid rockers and beautifully crafted ballads. It represents his best work since the classic "CHOBA B CCCP."

Flaming Pie~ Paul McCartney
McCartney is a truly amazing vocalist, musician, lyricist and artist.The book-let is very nice with and the the little comments and tidbits are nice to read.He shows his genius by playing most of his instruments like Prince and he shows that he is truly a masterfull muisican. Track number two is truly stupendous and it just gets better and better. He needs some advice on the choice of clothes though. He looks like he shopped in a low end store and I know that he is loaded beyond dreams so he should also dress well. This is a very nice post beatles album. ... Read more

Asin: B000002ULO
Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Reload
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 November, 1997)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

For many heavy metal fans, Metallica epitomizes the genre, especially for those listeners who remember the band's fast-and-furious 1983 debut, Kill 'Em All. As a result, their continued foray into a more stripped-down, laid-back sound with this album has met a mixed response. However, there's enough innovation and just plain strange stuff on this album to make it worth a listen. The creepy "The Memory Remains" is perfectly accentuated by Marianne Faithfull's backing vocals, and "Where the Wild Things Are" features the multilayered vocals and guitars that Metallica is famous for, albeit at about half their usual speed. The opening ("Fuel") and closing ("Fixxxer") tracks are especially strong, and intermixed with some slower, country-inflected tunes are the obnoxious rockers that made Metallica the long-running success they are. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (574)

Cocked And Locked But Are We Ready To Rock?
While Metallica epitomizes that phrase; Cocked, Locked, and Ready To Rock. It would seem a fair question concerning this album. As many feel not only is this worse then sister album Load but is Metallica's worst(a belief lessened only when they turned on St. Anger-I have reviews for Load and St. Anger as well.).

I am what I refer to as an all-around rocker. Enjoying the lively tones of Green Day or relishing in the fast fury of Puppets(Metallica favorite band) I am sure to be at ease so long as it is not counted as "soft" rock(the very phrase must have greats like Randy Rhodes of Cliff Burton rolling over in their graves). So in this case I welcome with arms wide open the more alternative feel presented by great songs such as the Unforgiven II, Low Man's Lyric, and Where The Wild Things Are. But while they may be on opposite sides of the token I embrace songs with more metallic roots(if not wholely metal)such as Fuel, Fixxxer, and Attitude.

With these two sister albums(They are sisters due to the fact that they were going to be one album but they had far to many tracks) being all to oft accused of betraying towards Alternative I tend to feel that many of the songs on this album move more towards Grundge(The Alice In Chains areas)genre. With songs like Bad Seed, Devil's Dance, and The Memory Remains trudging instead of thrashing forward.

Lyrically this album and previous one are an apppeasment if not an improvement to the "Metalli-Standard" so to speak. Vocally I feel James with Black Album had long since proven his ability to sing ballads and the guitar is great to listen to at worst; even though it's not always as energetic as past works. The only thing I feel suffers is the slowdown in drums making Lars seem sub-standard.

I have said it before and I am saying once though; Metallica are living breathing beings. All four of them combined create a creative entity unrivaled by modern music. And one cannot be expecting a fellow human to remain the same for the sake of fammiliarity. It is NOT Metallica's fault for your disdain, I tend to feel it more in the hands of the fan, becoming narrow-minded and refusing to accept Metallica is capable of producing anything good other than what it already has. I have said it before: I do not claim to be more knowledgeable in the correct manner of judgement nor will I ever, I can only say what I feel, and think.

And this revolutionary-evolutionary album proves that Metallica has the capacity to succeed in most they play, they need only do.

People tend not to share my views on Metallica's career after the Black Album but hey I am not responsible for they're inabililty to see Metallica's natural growth. I can only move on. Enjoying this culmination to an era truly inspired I believe(by what I do not assume to know, Metallica is somewhat beyond my reach...)

So here I am, wondering how people could not enjoy this for what it is. A Brilliant album, Bloody Brilliant album.

A great hard rock record, but it's not metal by any means.
This record, to me, represents the best that hard rock has to offer. it is very obvious that this period was an experimental one for metallica. I love the fact they they are ever changing in thier musical style, this shows real musicianship. Real musicians will always try new things and strive to reinvent their own style. Why do you think that metallica have managed to stay in the spot light? If they were still in speed metal, metallica wouldn't have reached the height of popularity that they have achieved. All of you metal heads and fanboys out there need to shut it and go find some other band to listen to if you can't take real music. Load-Reload are two great albums, although I will admit that it isn't metal...oh well :) I also think that the packaging sucked ass...especially the covers of both Load and Reload. I would like to poing out that bass coverage on Load and Reload is the best it's ever been. James Hetfield's vocal performance is also at an all time high in these records. The man's voice is simply meant for this kind of stuff(Load and Reload)

One of the most underrated albums ever
Forget about what all the Cyber based Upset Napster geeks have to say about Metallica and listen to this badass album for your self.It is awesome.The first four songs are unstoppable.Pure Metallica.Cant get enough of the entire Met catalog.Metal Up Your Ass!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Asin: B000002HRE
Subjects:  1. Hard Rock    2. Heavy Metal    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Speed Metal    6. Thrash    7. United States of America   

Cryptic Writings
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (17 June, 1997)
list price: $11.98
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Editorial Review

In 1996, after Dave Mustaine released his experimental side project, MD.45's The Craving, there were scattered reports about how the metal veteran was turning over a new leaf with a new band. But any circulating rumors of Megadeth's demise have been greatly exaggerated. The group's seventh album Cryptic Writings is its strongest release since 1990's Rust in Peace. Not only are the songs crunchy and confrontational, they're suffused with crafty hooks that make them memorable without detracting from their primal power. Add some acrobatic guitar solos from Mustaine and Marty Friedman, and you've got a record that will unfurrow the brow of anyone who thinks Metallica sold out with Load. Granted, there's not much innovation on Cryptic Writings, but in an age of self-centered angst and watered down Nirvana riffs, Megadeth's unapologetic metal fury is as refreshing as a dip in the pool on a hot summer day.--Jon Wiederhorn ... Read more

Reviews (119)

4.5 Stars
Although it's much slower than previous efforts, this is a good CD. The vocals are good, the lyris are good, the guitarwork is also good, the bass is okay, and the the drumming is also okay. The best songs are Trust, Use The Man, and Almost Honest.

Track ratings:
1. Trust-(5:11)-10/10
2. Almost Honest-(4:03)-10/10
3. Use the Man-(4:38)-10/10
4. Mastermind-(3:49)-9/10
5. Disintegrators-(2:50)-9/10
6. I'll Get Even-(4:24)-9/10
7. Sin-(3:06)-9/10
8. Secret Place-(5:29)-10/10
9. Have Cool, Will Travel-(3:29)-9/10
10. She-Wolf-(3:36)-10/10
11. Vortex-(3:39)-10/10
12. FFF-(2:38)-10/10

Trust Me....This Is a Good Megadeth Album!
Megadeth's carriere had a turning point when "Youthanasia" released...it wasn't that popular album...and "Cryptic Writings" didn't sell that good...although the singles were very popular. The songs in this album are quite peaceful...except "The Disintegrators", "FFF", and "Mastermind". This is a peaceful hard rock album...near Bon Jovi or Skid Row (I like those bands). There's however classic peaceful songs in this album, like "Trust", "Almost Honest", "I'll Get Even", "She-Wolf", "Use the Man", and "A Secret Place". Most of the lyrics are however quite raw: "Wicked temptress knows how to please, priestress says get down on your knees." from She-Wolf..."I got a doll with needles wishing you were dead..." from I'll Get Even..."I've Seen the Man Use the Needle, Seen then Needle Use the Man..." from Use the Man. There's also lyrics about love (or sex)...Almost Honest...about God...Trust. So the lyrics are quite raw but the sound is thin. The same goes in the next two albums "Risk" and "The World Needs a Hero".
Stars: She-Wolf, Trust, I'll Get Even

ehh.......
I dont know what to think of this album... because its not really megadeth's traditional sound and its defenitly not thrash I guess its dave tacking a big leap into the friendly rock radio type but with edge and attitude. trust and almost honest are my favorite tracks which are about daves problem's with infedelity and relationships. its not really like risk but kinda close but its not crappy I PROMISE!!! ... Read more

Asin: B000002U5D
Subjects:  1. Heavy Metal    2. Pop    3. Progressive Metal    4. Rock    5. Speed Metal    6. Thrash   

I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (22 April, 1997)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

We always suspected they had it in them, but who knew Yo La Tengo would finally craft a record as wholeheartedly terrific as this? Fourteen years into their career as indie rock's low-key mainstays, the Hoboken, New Jersey, trio have arrived--and it's about time. It's as though simply by sticking around long enough and doing the same thing over and over while constantly refining and focusing Yo La have evolved from scattered, record-collecting eccentrics into the true classicists of '90s indie rock. Blending elements of what has illuminated Sonic Youth, Stereolab, Pavement, and My Bloody Valentine, they've long had a clear voice but never sounded so comfortable using it. Willfully eclectic husband-and-wife multi-instrumentalists Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley--with third member James McNew never sounding more permanent--have previously tended to alternate between their instincts to be a pop rock band and to serve as artsy noisemakers. On I Can Hear..., the group doesn't have to choose between songs and sounds. There's noise leaking out everywhere, but it's always under control. Even the most layered soundscapes--songs like "Autumn Sweater," "Sugarcube," or "Moby Octopad"--have unforgettable melodies, with fragile harmonies to boot. "We're an American Band" (not a Grand Funk cover) could be Simon and Garfunkel singing along to the Jesus and Mary Chain. And on tracks like "Shadows" or "My Little Corner of the World," where the melody consumes everything else, deceptively simple backdrops provide a less-is-more atmosphere. Just in time for indie rock to catch up with Yo La Tengo, Yo La Tengo has caught up with itself. --Roni Sarig ... Read more

Reviews (84)

An Unknown Classic
Listening to I Can Hear the Heat Beating as One is like reliving a dream.It's something so good you can't believe they captured it on record.Every layer, every little sound creates a buzz that is a joy to listen to, and gives the album depth that will keep you impressed the next listen.

The album is soft and nice but with its darker moments like "Damage" and "Shadows".As well as including the covers of "Little Honda" and "My Little Corner of the World", both seem right at home with the other tracks and flow nicely.Being the groups ninth release they still have innovation left to offer and songs that break away from the norm.Every song serves its purpose and transforms your mood, taking away your problems for the 65 minute period it fills.

The band has made an album for the music lover.Its perfection is raw and uncut.The songs play their role in the overall feel of the record, and upon finishing it you get the deep feeling of satisfaction.

Yo La Tengo's I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One pretty much defines bliss.So how could it get anything but...
A Bliss of 10

Enjoyable, but not without its dead spots...
This record comes highly recommended by many, many, MANY indie-rock enthusiasts.This is an album with many highlights, but ultimately it is not the quintessential indie rock album that many claim it to be.

I must admit upfront that I am the sort of indie rock fan who salivates over the latest Robert Pollard release but finds Pavement and My Bloody Valentine to be bland and useless.So indie fans, take this under advisement.I do not give credit to noise without substance.

Yo La Tengo have given us, with this album, many very enjoyable tracks worth the purchase price."Center of Gravity" and "My Little Corner of the World" are pleasant harmonies in the vein of "Girl from Ipanema"."Moby Octopad" is a 60's-ish track that almost feels more at home with an Elephant 6 record from a band like Olivia Tremor Control, except that Yo La Tengo deliver much better vocal talents."Stockholm Syndrome" is also a standout track.

This is not a lo-fi masterpiece.This album contains mostly conventional tracks with a few interesting subplots, and is not what I would wish to remember Matador Records by, not when they released Guided by Voices "Under the Bushes..." just a year before.But Yo La Tengo's most famous album does deserve some of the reputation it has earned, and provides enough brilliant enjoyable moments to make it easily worth a $10 purchase on the secondary market.

Why didn't I discover this sooner?
For a while I heard the name of Yo La Tengo come up in the occasional conversation, or article, but I never really checked them out. I'm glad that I finally did. "I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One" is one of the best albums of ever. The band is constantly spinning into different directions, and different genres but they manage to succeed at no matter what they try. They even go for a shoegazer remake of a Beach Boys song ("Little Honda") and it turns out to be one of the best sounding songs on the album. But the highlight of the album is the outstanding "Autumn Sweater" and it is followed closely by "Sugarcube", "Stockholm Syndrome" and the demi-salsa song "Center of Gravity". This album just has so many great songs that you're bound to find something that you like. ... Read more

Asin: B0000036X3
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Noise Pop    4. Pop    5. Rock   

Colour & Shape
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 May, 1997)
list price: $16.98
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Editorial Review

A major criticism of the Foo Fighters' self-titled debut was its supposed lack of, you know, passion among the well-crafted songs and well-crafted rock. This time out, if it's wreckage you want, it's wreckage you get. The Colour & the Shape grows deeper the more it's played, with the band's ripping power more than matched by Dave Grohl's fascinating examinations of pain and divorce. There's even a convincing long slow ballad, "November Stars," whose intensity should win over doubters. If that doesn't work, then the screaming "My Hero" will. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (223)

What is Foo Fighting?
I Threw Up All Over My Mom When I Heard This Album. It Sucks Really Bad.

The second best alternative band ever
Oddly enough I thought that Nirvana, the band that Dave Grohl drummed for from '91 - '94 was the greatest grunge\punk\alternative band of all time. When Dave decided to be a frontman I was a bit concerned since he was such a great drummer and I thought thats where he belonged. When Dave released the Foo Fighters self-titled debut album it went platinum even though Dave didn't have a band and the album was just made up of demos written by Dave during the Nirvana era. There is no question that Dave learned some things from grunge god Kurt Cobain, but in this album the student becomes the master.
This album is much more powerful and melodic than Daves first, now he has a band! Dave Grohl has now decided to be lead vocalist and rythem guitarist with Pat Smear, a person who used to tour with Nirvana on lead guitar and some other great musicians on rhythem. A songs that really stands out is 'November Stars' which in my opinion is the albums best song, mainly because its a ballad! I've really never heard a ballad from an alternative band before. Dave is one of the most talented musicians ever, like Alice Cooper said before me, quote "Dave... What a drummer and then he puts down the drum sticks and decides to be lead singer" unquote, that alone makes him great. This is probably the second best Foo album next to 'Theres nothing left to lose'. Buy it if you like Nirvana, grunge, late eighties\early ninties music, alternative or just rock in general.

Magnitude warps space and time...
"Colour and the Shape" is plain and simply one of the best albums I have ever heard.Dave Grohl's musical genius should never be discounted, and his talents far surpass almost anyone in the business today - simply put, he is a living legend.CATS is simply awesome, from the mellow opener 'Doll' to the sonic assault that is 'Monkeywrench'.Sonic assault is the perfect word to describe this album.The setup is interesting, as it goes from a series of short songs, that lead up to big ones.'Up In Arms' is one of the small songs (great one at that) but its message and length is perfect as the drum intro to 'My Hero' begins.The last 4 tracks are an absolute treat and 'Everlong', 'Walking After You', and 'New Way Home' is about a strong a 1-2-3 punch to finish of an album as I have ever seen, rivaled by none other."Colour and the Shape" is an absolutely essential album.Many years from now, the ripples left behind by Dave Grohl will be alongside names such as Dylan, Lennon, and Morrison, as the true legends of rock music.Very highly recommended. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UKS
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Kettle Whistle
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 November, 1997)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

Cult heroes Jane's Addiction are the Grateful Dead for the should-I-be-a-punk-or-a-hippy-or-metal-head-or-just-get-high-and-become-one-with-the-music underground; so Kettle Whistle, the band's collection of live recordings, a few new songs, and B-sides from their two albums, would be as must-have for fans as all those Dead bootlegs--even if it sucked. This is definitely an album for the converted, and the extended jams and live ramblings would be hard to endure without a frame of reference. The electronic filler and robotic knob-twiddling on the new songs, "Kettle Whistle" and "So What," suggest that Jane's Addiction's breakup was well timed, but the demos and live cuts ooze the band's tremendous energy and chemistry. In the 1988 demo of "Ocean Size," Perry Farrell's charismatic, raspy howl mingling with Dave Navarro's screeching guitar sucks you into the music and sends you to an alternate groove-plane. --Megan O. Steintrager ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Jane's Addiction - 'Kettle Whistle' (Warner Bros.)
'Kettle Whistle' is a great compilation of the band that runs 75 minutes in duration,giving the fan their money's worth.The 22-page full color booklet is jammed with interesting info and photos.I've ALWAYS been a big fan of JA and was quite taken away with the disc's four unreleased tracks,like "My Cat's Name Is Maceo","City","So What" and the sonic-blasting title cut "Kettle Whistle".There's sort of a mini-concert here,four songs recorded at a past gig at the Hollywood Palladium "Three Days","Ain't No Right","Up The Beach" and "Stop".My favorites would be the demos for "Ocean Size","Mountain Song" and "Whores".If you're a true Jane's fan,it's simply really...you'll dig this release.

Good to add to your collection
Another live one from Jane's but I don't love it quite as much as their selt-titled live album.If you like Jane's, you will have heard most of these songs before.However, KETTLE WHISTLE and SLOW DIVERS within themselves make this album a must have. Besides, isn't fun to have like 4 different cds with JANE SAYS on it? (if you count Perry's REV album in addition to K.W, Nothings Shocking, and J.A's first album).

Save Your Money - Wait for Strays
I've been a Jane's fan for 14 years now, seen them live several times... Love them - my favorite band on earth. But... If you haven't bought this CD yet, let me save you from wasting your money. This is stuff we've all heard before as die-hard Jane's fans - nothing remarkable enough to want to hear it again. The new stuff on this CD is flat and boring. Not worth it in my opinion. I give it 3 stars for people who just want to collect. I bought it and still have it, but never listen to it. Rather hear the old stuff. Can't wait for Strays though - from what I've read, it's going to be incredible. Out July 22nd. ... Read more

Asin: B000002NI4
Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. College Rock    4. Heavy Metal    5. Pop    6. Rock   

The Velvet Rope
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 October, 1997)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Teaming with her most accomplished collaborators, producer-songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson delivers what is easily her finest record since Rhythm Nation--and arguably her best ever. Highlights include jams like "You" and "Got 'Til It's Gone," which recontextualizes samples from War and Joni Mitchell, respectively; the funky memorial to a dear departed, "Together Again"; and a slinky cover of Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night." Best of all, though, is "What About." An accusatory throwdown for a lover who beats and cheats even as he professes his love, it swings angrily between tender quiet and raging bitter funk. --David Cantwell ... Read more

Reviews (274)

THE VELVET ROPE REVIEW
I am one of Janet Jackson's biggest fans.I know that this album receives high regards from mostly all die hard Janet fans.It took me a long time to really enjoy this album, and I do love it.But, it's not her best.I know firsthand what Janet was going through during this period and how hard it was for her.But she even said herself, one of her pet peeves is an ass kisser.So, I MUST tell the truth.Anything else would be uncivilized!
If I could describe "The Velvet Rope" in one word, I would use depressing.This album is really deep, especially if one listens to Janet's voice and her lyrics.What makes it even more heartfelt is that these lyrics are completely true.One can easily hear that Janet had low self esteem at one point in her life because it's a topic that's touched a few times throughout this album.Other subjects include homosexuality, loss of love, and relationships over the internet."Got Til It's Gone" was this album's first release.I remember hearing this song for the first time on the radio and listening to feedback from other people who had heard it.Many disliked it so much, they called the song a "joke".Many said it sounded like Tiny Tim is singing the chorus.This song is average, not one of the best on the CD."Anything" and "Rope Burn" are some of Janet's most sexual songs."Rope Burn" is definitely a favorite to many Janet fans.The song has a sexy beat and Janet sings the lyrics so passionately, any fool knows what her intent was when creating this song, (for her listener to be having sex while listening to it).Janet covered an old Rod Steward song called "Tonight's the Night".She did a nice job at covering it, but there was only one controversial thing she did on this song: She sang to a girl just like Rod did.After the release of this album, many fans thought Janet was gay, but, as she explained, she used to sing the song as a little girl and she never changed the lyrics, so she figured, why change them now?"Everytime" is a beautiful song about falling in love, but never staying in love.Janet does a beautiful job on this ballad and it almost hurts to listen to it because of the pain in her voice.This song is an album highlight."What About" is about domestic violence.If one did not know Janet had a temper on her, after one listen of this song, you'll immediately know!Everything about this song is angry.The production, the lyrics, and the tone of Jan's voice in the chorus.Janet sings the versus like a scared woman, but when she gets to the chorus, she is totally furious and obviously enraged by the violence."Go Deep" is one of the lighter subject matters on the album.This is a party song about having deep conversations with your friends late at night.Janet even includes some of her dancers (which also happen to be some of her closest friends) singing at the end of the song."Together Again" is another upbeat song on "The Velvet Rope".This song is very nice.Janet wrote this song to friends of hers who have died of AIDS.She wrote it because she knows she will see them again in heaven, but until then, she knows they're shining down on her.
This album, production wise and lyrically, is going to seem weird, especially to someone who does not know a lot ab