Lounge-A-Palooza
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Audio CD (07 October, 1997)
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Reviews (12)

Whatever
This is a pretty fun CD featuring contemporary performers paying tribute to lounge music.Although some of the tracks feature older performers like Steve and Eydie.In fact, Steve and Eydie's lounge-ish version of Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" is the best track here (it's a hoot!).I also enjoyed most of the other tracks, which mostly feature modern artists doing songs associated with the lounge era.Not all of them work, but a high percentage of them do.Fans of the lounge music revival should enjoy this CD.

Still on the line. . .
Most of the tracks on the CD are cutesy, self-conscious kitsch.The first time you listen to them, they amuse you.The second time, they annoy you -- tremendously.There may not be a third time.
There is one startling exception, the updated version of "Wichita Lineman" performed by Glen Campbell, Freddy Fender, Texas Tornados, and (!) Michelle Shocked.Even when the original came out in the early '70's (or whenever) people sort of laughed at the cornball lyrics, yet it was a big hit, and once you heard it, it was hard to get out of your head.In the hands of the two veterans Campbell and Fender, the new version becomes a masterfully realized evocation of obsession and loss.Shocked's backing vocals add haunting overtones of desperation and psychosis.It is an unforgettable melding of disparate talents.Like the original, once you've heard it, it tends to linger strangely. . .

Lousy album saved by three great tracks...
What were they thinking when they put this together? Great lounge / MOR artists doing alternative covers? Alternative acts covering easy listening classics? Seems to be some confusion in concept here...
I had to give this disc five stars on the basis of one track which is absolutely brilliant: Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme's version of 'Black Hole Sun' is sublime orchestral pop on a par with Scott Walker's classic 60s solo albums. I've never been a fan of this duo's recordings, but Steve's voice has deepened with the years to gain a gravity, with the warmth and expressive nuance of Sinatra at his best. Eydie holds her own in this duet, and the arrangement (tinkling lounge piano, muted trumpet and full orchestra) is flawless. Hearing the skewed metaphor of the song's lyric in this context is disorienting as it is disarming, and this version never fails to give me goosebumps.
There are two other noteworthy tracks here. Polly Jean Harvey with Eric Drew Feldman (formerly of Captain Beefheart's Magic Band) do a fine rendition of 'Zaz Turned Blue', an overlooked classic by Mel Torme (which actually comes from an out-of-print LP by Was Not Was). Despite the cheesy synth & sampled rhythm track, Polly handles the ballad with measured passion, though once you hear this you will want to seek out the Torme original (available on at least one CD collection by the late Velvet Fog). The lyrics to this song are a strange blend of Kerouac and David Lynch with a dark, homoerotic subtext, both twisted and hearttugging. The other fine selection is an update of 'Wichita Lineman' by original vocalist Glen Campbell with Michelle Shocked. Glen's voice has not fared well over the years (his dentures obviously impairing his enunciation), but that makes his delivery all the more wistful, touching even.
As for the rest of the disc, I cannot bear to listen to it. I admit I am no fan of 'alternative rock', but these songs & artists do not make me want to explore the misbegotten genre any further. Even Jimmy Scott (a first-rate vocalist) falls flat with a cloying cover of a Captain & Tenille hit. 'Black Hole Sun' makes the whole disc worthwhile, though... ... Read more

Asin: B000000OK8
Sales Rank: 57497
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Avant-Garde Jazz    4. Cocktail    5. Contemporary Jazz    6. Free Funk    7. Indie Rock    8. M-Base    9. Pop    10. Pop Underground    11. Post-Bop    12. Post-Punk    13. Rock    14. Singer/Songwriter    15. Standards    16. Tex-Mex    17. Traditional Pop    18. Vocal Jazz    19. World Fusion   

Little Earthquakes
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 February, 1992)
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Editorial Review

Emotionally and musically intense, Little Earthquakes shows that the piano is as much a rock & roll instrument as the guitar. Tori Amos's debut (if one disregards Y Kant Tori Read, as one would be well advised to do) is at once listenable and challenging; she takes on every topic, from sex to gender to religion, in an uncompromising manner. Her music appears gentle at first, but this appearance is deceiving, as one quickly learns upon listening to the wrenching "Crucify" or the almost violent "Precious Things." By the time the album gets around to "Me and a Gun," sung hauntingly by Amos without accompaniment from her piano, the juxtaposition of Amos' sweet voice and the emotional complexity of her lyrics is both familiar and shocking. Sandman fans should listen for a reference to author Neil Gaiman in "Tear in Your Hand." --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (328)

Good CD but not her best
Okay readers, I COULD just praise this album repeditively like the below reviewers have done (which I am not going to do by the way), or I could type something original.
Although this CD is very very good, I don't think it her best. I will be honest. I only own this release and The Beekeeper, and I enjoy the beekeeper better. This CD has absolutely excellent songs but is sometimes but very rarely inconsistent in producing bad tracks, TB is the same altough it has 19 tracks.
This CD is very excessible compared to some of Tori's future releases. I didn't mention that I have also purchased Boys For Pele (album #3), because I have only listened to it once.
Altohugh my all-time favourite Tori Amos song is Precious things. Read any of the good reviews below, and you will see why this song is such a masterpiece. Other standout tracks are Crucify, Girl, Winter and Little Earthquakes. "China" is okay, but get get boring after repeated listens(it's peak quickly ceases after a couple of seconds, which reminded me of Kylie Minogues Automatic Love song) this is the same with Me And A Gun (and Tear In Your Hand to a lesser extent). Mother I like better because it has more emotion. Winter is sort of like Mother but it has a lot more emotion in it.
Note:
Ballads: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11.
Other:: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
Do you see the pattern? I believe if this album was in a different order it would have been much better.
Therefore, this is a great intro to Tori Amos.
For more information see the 300 or so reviews written below.

Youneed to give credit...
Tori Amos is one of those women who you can sum up in one word: Genius. You might not think so, but if you don't, you really should listen harder. I give credit and respect any woman that can write and preform her own music as beautifully as she does. She has a beautiful voice and had went though a lot in her life and just kept going. I think she is a great inspiration and I think atleast everyone should hear her sing once. But not only is she talented...she is increadibly beautiful. She doesn't even need to show off anything. I suggest you learn more about her and listen to a song of hers, she is a gifted woman..one of the best for our generation.

Great Songwriter...
I havent heard much of Tori Amos, but from what I heard shes a very talented writer, and has a nice voice. Any women that can write music should be respected..right Amanda? ... Read more

Asin: B000002IT2
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Urban Gypsy
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (27 January, 1998)
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Reviews (10)

Only One Good Song
This disappointing CD has one good song, "Latin Quarter", which still receives lots of airplay. None of this CD's other songs have the infectious, up-tempo beat of "Latin Quarter" and some are very slow. The final track, "Storytime" is okay however it is puzzling why most of this CD is overly mellow.

Steady Marc Antoine
If you like any of Marc's stuff, you'll like this as well.He seems to be a steady talent who produces good music.He'll be around for a while.

Swept away by the Latin Jazz experience.
If you want to feel as if you have been taken away and engolfed in the sites and sound of Spain, then buy this cd. I have all of his cd's and love them all. He has a sound that just captivates you and takes to a that special place.

His music has that soft, jazzy, latin sound. It's romantic, even passionate.

If you like Latin style jazz, then by this cd...buy them all! ... Read more

Asin: B0000001XF
Sales Rank: 53463
Subjects:  1. Contemporary Jazz    2. Jazz    3. Jazz-Pop    4. Pop    5. Smooth Jazz   

Whatever & Ever Amen
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 March, 1997)
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Editorial Review

Think of Ben Folds as Billy Joel minus the Tin Pan Alley heritage and armed with a sweet, wry, slacker ethos. In a guitar-free trio setting, the Chapel Hill smart guy pounds the ivories with gusto while singing a tremendous batch of funny ("Kate"), poignant ("Brick," "Evaporated"), pissed-off ("Song for the Dumped"), and hugely refreshing (all 12 tunes here) songs. --Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (233)

A classic
One of the most endearing and frusterating things about Ben Folds (Five) is his (their) refusal to take things seriously. Ultimately, it resulted in a couple dreadful self-parodies (the title track of the otherwise excellent "Rockin' the Suburbs"), but on "Whatever and Ever Amen", there's a strong balance.

Thus, you have lighthearted pop ("Kate") mixed with heartbreaking ballads ("Brick"). Folds is a very talented piano player, and it's backed (on the rockier numbers) with Robert Sledge's amplified bass and Darren Jesse's solid drumming to give them a unique sound. It's like a giant blender full of Joe Jackson, Todd Rundgren, The Pixies, Beck, Weezer, XTC, Burt Bacharach, more.

On songs like "One Angry Dwarf.." and "Song For the Dumped", Folds' lyrics are spiked with bitterness and anger, yet he never feels *truly* pissed off when he sings lines such as "Give me my money back you bitch" (the chorus of the latter). Perhaps any anger is overshadowed by the delicious pop hooks.

Other highlights include the lush jazz of "Selfless, Cold and Composed", the New Orleans jazz-tinged playfulness of "Steven's Last Night in Town", the theatrical ballad "Missing the War", the insanely catchy pop of "Battle of Who Could Care Less", and the sophisticated-yet-silly "Fair".

In terms of writing catchy, engaging hooks, Folds is a master here. That's what makes "Whatever & Ever Amen" so memorable. Whether it's a humorous pop song or a melancholy ballad, everything is so hooky and infectious.

Great CD!
Nothing lacking... excellent songwriting, funny lyrics, great piano!One of the few CDs I can listen to start to finish.

an album to live to.
i started off with ben folds live, saw him live (and died of sheer amazement but was reincarnated just in time to write this review), and then i received this baby for christmas.

i don't need to make a detailed list of all the tracks on this album to describe how f'n excellent it is.each of them tells its own story of being a human today--you'll laugh, you'll think, and you'll maybe drive a little too fast when it's on the car stereo. ... Read more

Asin: B000002BOJ
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Putting It Together (1993 New York Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 November, 1993)
list price: $31.98 -- our price: $31.98
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Editorial Review

A follow-up of sorts to 1976's revue Side by Side by Sondheim, Putting It Together used a thin narrative to piece together as many Sondheim songs as possible. Returning to the New York stage, Julie Andrews didn't let her admirers down, even though her ladylike, clipped phrasing can obscure emotion on songs such as "Every Day a Little Death." (Of course, this is also exactly why her expletive on "A Little Priest" provides such an exciting little frisson.) Rachel York proves to be a more interesting Sondheim interpreter, while Christopher Durang's grating interpretation of "I Could Drive a Person Crazy" could do precisely that. None of these versions is definitive, but the compilation might work as a handy tool for those who don't want to pull out each separate CD from the shelves.--Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording
• Cast Recording

Reviews (16)

Merrily Rolling The Wrong Way
This whole entire CD can be summed up in two words: RACHEL YORK. Ms. York brings so much life to her songs. Some of my favorites of hers are definitely "Lovely", "I Always Get Man", her small part in "Hello, Little Girl", "Gun Song" (she is hilarious when she uses cuss words and shoots guns!), and "Miller's Son". In every song, her voice changes. In one song, she is sinng like a brassy boradway blonde. Then, suddenly her voice changes to a seductive deep sound. Wow!

Julie Andrews is a whole other sotry. She is terrible. I mean, her voice just sounds wrong in every single song she sings. Why couldn't they just give her one song like "Send in the Clowns". Instead they give her songs that are totally wrong for her like "Getting Married Today". That whole song is ruined by her accent and the terrible orchestrations. Her accent makes it almost impossible to understand what she is saying. Julie, I love you: BUT GO BACK TO CAMELOT!

Stephen Collins doesn't have the best voice. But he just fits the part. One of my favorite songs is "Hello, Little Girl". I think that song just gos with his voice. But "Sorry- Grateful" is definitely my least favorite song on this CD. Stephen Collins goes flat!

Christian Durang was not bad, but not wonderful. Bronson Pinchot, from the revival, was much better. All the reprises of "Merrliy We Roll Along" just annoy me. That is why I don't really like Chris. But I love the song "Little Priest". Rachel and Chris crack me up, but Julie's curse word is appauling. No one wants to hear Maria or Guinevere saying the "f" word.

Michael Rupert is great! "Marry Me A Little" is just wonderful. His voice is haunting. But he doesn't sound that great with Rachel. Their voices just don't mesh real well. Their voices just clash. "Pretty Women" is one of my favorite songs on this CD because of Michael's wonderful talent.

Now, I'll just review the CD itself, instead of the perfromers. Okay, just cut the song "Every Day A Little Death". The song makes Stephen's character look terrible. The song talks about his hookers. Julie just doesn't seem like she likes the song, and I don't like it either. It is a poorly written Sondheim song. Also cut "Now" and "Bang" out of the show. They are both perverted. Also, Rachel sounds odd just yelling BANG.

The orchestrations on this CD are terrible. The orchestrations in "Getting Married Today" are absolutely appauling. Also, the little special effects in that songs sound so random. The background music doesn't seem to go with what Julie is singing. It just all sound off.

The song "Putting It Together" is very good until Julie comes along. It don't like the whole light thing anyways, but she makes it so annoying. Also the end of "Back In Business" makes me sick. Julie just sounds flat and stupid.

I don't like how Rchel is tranformed from a maid to a normal party guest. They could have just cut "Everybody Ought To Have a Maid" and solved the problem. "Have I Got a Girl For You" also just sound off.

Songs I would have cut from the show: Merrily We Roll Along, Everybody Ought To Have A Maid, Everday A Little Death, Have I Got A Girl For You, Now, Bang, Could I Leave You?,Back In Business (because of Julie), Night Walzes (Perpetual Anticipation, Sun Won't Set), Live Alone and Like It, Sorry-Grateful, Sweet Polly Plunkett, I Could Drive A Person Crazy, Getting Married Today, Like It Was

That leaves about five or so songs.

Don't buy this CD- Buy a recording of Rachel York songs or Michael Rupert songs.

Fantastic Sondheim
I'll keep it brief...it took awhile for me to appreciate this CD but now I can't seem to get enough of it.I've been listening to it everyday.I think it's fantastic!I thought each actors' feelings and emotions came through clearly, with humor and angst.I would loved to have seen this on Broadway!Buy it and really listen to it.Enjoy

Yuck!Go buy the individual albums!
Until the 2000 revival album comes out (cross your fingers...) just go out and buy the original cast albums.This was a big disappointment for me.As other reviewers have pointed out, Rachel York steals the show while the rest of the ensemble is mediocre or worse.Julie Andrews has got a great voice, but she should stick to Richard Rodgers songs.The orchestrations are horrific (the instrumental openings to 'Rich and Happy' and 'Merrily We Roll Along' are awful--and what's more, they occur more than once!).Also, I detest any revue that changes the lyrics of the original songs, and this revue does that a lot.Further, this review neglects arguably the two best songs in Merrily--Not a Day Goes By, and Good Thing Going.Until the superior 2000 cast recording comes out, steer clear of this revue.Even Rachel York can't save this album. ... Read more

Asin: B000003FIC
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Show Tunes    3. Showtunes / B'way   

Made in Usa
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 October, 1994)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Reviews (15)

P5 - a band like no other
I'm very big fan of this band. I bought this cd years ago. And yet i don't get tired of listening to it. The songs are a beautiful blend of jazz, blues, rock, and pop. Sweet Soul Revue and Baby Love Child are top tracks.

The Best Album of 1994
Not to mention one of the greatest CDs of all time! Pizzicato 5 is in top form here and this is their best collection of music. Everyone loves Twiggy, but to me the real standout is Magic Carpet Ride! Such a great mixture of music, magic and imagination! Go Go Dancer is another fabulous addition. I've purchased roughly 3 copies over the past few years since I wear them out so much!

9 Years of Good Listening
When I first got this album in 1994, it literally became the soundtrack to my life.I listened to it nonstop, and ended up addicting my whole family as well -- my father the jazz enthusiast, my kid sister the alternative fangirl, and my mother the Japanese native and Beatles groupie.There is something innocent and invigorating and imaginative about Made in USA that makes it for everyone, all the time.And it lasts.I still listen to it 3-4 times a week, 9 years later.Definitely a Pizzicato Five essential.

Every song on this album offers something special, but if you want to sample before you buy, I suggest you try out "I," "Magic Carpet Ride," "Baby Love Child," and "Twiggy Twiggy/Twiggy vs. James Bond." ... Read more

Asin: B0000036SZ
Sales Rank: 14378
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Josh Groban
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 November, 2001)
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Editorial Review

There are worse things in life than making your acting debut on the much ballyhooed season finale of Ally McBeal, though teen operatic baritone Josh Groban doesn't seem destined to encounter them anytime soon. As the awkward high school student-client who asks the typically romance-jinxed Ally to his senior prom, Groban performed this debut album's "You're Still You" (adapted from film-composing legend Ennio Morricone's Academy Award-nominated score for Malèna, with lyrics by Linda Thompson) as a heart-tugging, literal showstopper. The young phenom was just 17 when veteran producer-writer David Foster tapped him to fill in for Andrea Bocelli at rehearsals for the 1999 Grammys, where Groban found himself suddenly dueting with Celine Dion.

Indeed, such were his fortunes that the young Foster protégé was forced to drop out of Carnegie Mellon when professional commitments--including this record--interfered. And if this collection tends to hew sometimes uncomfortably close to Foster's own MOR sonic instincts, the material offers enough challenges to display Groban's talent and the potential of his warm, mature voice: a lyrical take on another Morricone classic, "Cinema Paradiso"; melancholy readings of Don McLean's "Starry, Starry Night" and Albert Hammond's "Alejate"; masterfully dramatic takes of the Neapolitan "Alla Luca Del Sole" and "Canto Alla Vita," the latter featuring the Corrs. Many of Groban's performances here, including a neo prog-rock-opera take on Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (with Lili Haydn), seem both bigger and bolder than their precious musical frameworks, a telling hint that Grand Opera can't be far from his grasp. As said earlier, there are worse things in life. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (987)

AMAZING, ASTOUNDING, BEYOND WORDS...
Thank God for you Ally McBeal...I just about fell on the floor in tears flabbergasted when I saw the season 4 finale of Ally McBeal that showed this very boyish, awkward, KID get up there and sing with a voice that could totally enthrall, emotionally carry you away.To say that he has a beautiful, powerful voice just doesn't do him justice.

The CD is filled with very different style songs, in different languages, but personal tastes aside, it is all very top notch, and as one reviewer said, when others sing with him she is is pale in comparison. Probably only Streisand or Dion could sound good with him. He is that well tuned, his voice so well controlled.

As an aside, he also sings the ending theme of the movie "Troy" (on a different CD) and while I did not particularly think the movie was "epic-ally magnificent" I was glued to the seat in the theatre to listen to the entire ending theme, entranced, hypnotized (this was before Ally, so I didn't know who was singing).Regardless of the song he sings, his voice completely captures.

Personally, I am not a religious person, but like with the music of Mozart, it's like hearing the voice of something higher than us, when Josh Groban sings. He is already so great at such a young age, I await the wonders he will bring as he grows older!

This CD is magnificent, you have to see for yourself.

At last, Real Talent is Back!!!
Having attended one of his live concerts, after 25 performances on a US tour, gives me the confidence to share a more objective opinion about this AMAZING ARTIST! I guess that description says it all. I read a customer's review saying: "He is a Bocelli wanna be"... I encourage you to attend one of his concerts, you may change you mind. He is an artist of his own who actually is an amazing musician, and wishes he could just be a drums player! Does this sound like Bocelli? Not at all. Josh is very versatile, who by the way has a wonderful sense of humor in his concerts so he takes the audience thru a rollercoaster of emotions, from his intense romantic melodies to the funniest jokes of a young guy his age. Does this sound like Bocelli?... Uuhh, he also plays the piano impecably!
His first CD, (self-titled) is nothing less than flawless - very well orchestrated and produced.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing further projects of this young talent who is rescuing tasteful music and unassumingly teaching a bunch of "artists wanna be" what serious, real, and professional talent means.

Now I'm A Grobanite!!!!
Josh Groban's break-through is nothing but astounding you can simply tell that all he has is non-forced talent that has been taken care of and well-nutured by years of faithful toturing... Not only that but, despite his new-found fame he remains a very down to earth person. You can tell that there is nothing generic or fake about Groban.

I listen and re-listen to his C.D. hundreds of times on my iPod. Each time I listen to "Your'e Still You" and "Home to Stay" I find myself falling in love with his charming voice. You can tell by his smooth sounds that there is nothing forced about it.

This C.D. is great for any easy-listening fan or any good music fan... I love this C.D. and all in all it's one of the best C.Ds I own. Please buy this C.D. I promise you it's more than worth it's price-tag!!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00005RGNI
Subjects:  1. Choral    2. Film    3. Pop    4. Pop Vocals    5. Traditional Pop    6. Vocal   

When The Pawn...
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 November, 1999)
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Editorial Review

When the Pawn Hits fulfills the promise of Fiona Apple's debut, Tidal, a strong statement given that her first outing was one of 1996's most exciting collections. Dark and emotionally dense, Apple's sophomore effort is awash in alluring and witty undercurrents that belie its creator's youth. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (515)

Fiona is an artistic genius.
Fiona Apple is an artistic genius. I love this album for it's depth, honesty, poetry, and intensity of spirit. The way Fiona's voice cracks at the end of the song, I Know, is hearbreaking. And the way Fiona compairs one way love with anorexia in the song Paper Bag is ingenius. I wish there were more artists like this out there on the scene today. Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Corinna Fugate, and Vanessa Carlton stand as one of a kind songwriters. I hope they release Fiona Apple's new CD soon! I will be the first to buy it! Free Fiona!

Another bite from the Apple
Recently I picked up Fiona Apple's second album, When The Pawn Hits The Conflicts He Thinks Like A King What He Knows Throws The Blows When He Goes To The Fight And He'll Win The Whole Thing `Fore He Enters The Ring There's No Body To Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand And Remember That Depth Is The Greatest Of Heights And If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where To Land And If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You'll Know That You're Right....which is typically shortened to When the Pawn... I was inspired to do this by my recent listening to the unreleased Extraordinary Machine, which is floating around all over the internet, and I would buy in a heartbeat.

So, When The Pawn... is another excellent album from Fiona. I've been listening to it mostly as I drive to and from work this week, and have fallen in love with a number of the tracks: "To Your Love", "Fast As You Can", "Limp", "Get Gone", and "A Mistake" are the ones which come to mind. Fiona has her own rather unique musical style, a mix of rock and blues and jazz and funk which complements her interesting and thoughtful lyrics.

This is not dance music. The songs don't all sound the same. The lyrics don't read like they were written by a teenager. If that's not your cup of tea, perhaps you should move on.

It's too bad that musical crap like Britney flourishes, while Fiona creates excellent music and is mostly ignored. Even the Grammy-winning Norah Jones can only aspire to be as thoughtful as this.

So, in case you were wondering, I do recommend this album. ;)

Vastly overrated
I don't know who the people leaving all these "she's a genius" reviews here, but let me tell you, this album is a huge disappointment. I bought the album lured primarily by the glowing reviews, and I feel cheated.

The music is neither melodic nor touching, instead she produces a cocophany of loud noise and hopes her fans will see it as a "wonderfully elaborate arrangement".

The vocals are unremarkable, the composition is mediocre, and the lyrics are hardly poetic. This is just another singer riding high on the hype generated by her record label. ... Read more

Asin: B00002MZ4W
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Songs About Jane
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 June, 2002)
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Editorial Review

Maroon 5 aren't the first band to fuse R&B and rock, but they certainly are one of the most convincing. One can almost hear Stevie Wonder's beaded braids clattering in time to their deep, funky grooves. At best, the band conjures up latter-day Motown, complete with a shuddering organ and hyperbolic vocals; at worst, they sound like a stylized boy band, with all the attendant close harmonies and dramatic pauses. But despite these musical schisms, Maroon 5 are a thoroughly engaging outfit, thanks to throbbing bass lines, hooky songs, and lead singer Adam Levin's swaggering delivery. --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Reviews (770)

Quick, Mini-Review
See, I hadn't been all that interested in hearing this album, judging from the songs on the radio.I mean, don't get me wrong, I really, really enjoyed the Top 40ish Maroon 5 I was familiar with, but it struck me as just that; Top 40.

Well, let me tell you, I was pleased to be proven wrong.

This album is phenomenal.The funniest thing of all is the fact that Adam Levin, the lead singer whose voice I always liked, but thought was average, actually has some killer vocals and in fact, oversings on the album!!I never would have expected that.Not that there's much wrong with oversinging; case in point, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, you get the idea.It does get a little annoying, but I guess if I had a voice like that, I'd probably do it, too.

And the few hits they had on the radio, Harder to Breathe, This Love, and Sunday Morning, in no way reflect the groovy, velvety feel of the album.It's downright soulful on most tracks, and sexy snares and grinding jazz melodies replace poppy electronics and mainstream hooks.

All in all, the album was a very pleasant surprise and so very me, after all.

Uhhh
Maroon 5 is just a guy band singing about their ex-girlfriends. The lead singer sounds like an a** also. I saw him in Rolling Stone and was reading about him, I was shocked hes such a a** and perveted. Hes not even really taleneted I saw them on MTV once cause I was living with this family for a while and her son's watch MTV alot and were watching Maroon 5, I thought to myself no talent at all. Bands shouldnt be about pretty boys singing about their ex-girlfriends, or make a video about going out with a girls mom. I am sorry but Maroon 5 is garbage to my ears.

Please, stop!
This band is just another guy band!!! Why this kind of w***ies sing??? This is terrible! They are making songs just for little girls! ... Read more

Asin: B00006879E
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock   

Volume 3: Further in Time
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 June, 2001)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

While not as out-of-left-field revelatory and astonishing astheir exalted debut,nor as darkly magnetic as their sophomore follow-up,Volume 3: Further in Time finds Afro Celt SoundSystem fleshed out, funky, and fiercely fresh. Now a band of20-some-odd players, the Afro Celts push forward with unbounded energy andfocus, organically driven beats, and a thoroughly joyous fusion of WestAfrican and Irish traditional music enhanced with dissonant Easterninfluence, psychedelic trip-hop groove, and a monster flood of sonicwaves. The resultant sound is somehow both cutting-edge futuristic andprimitive in its visceral virility. Demba Barry steps up with anunexpectedly punchy African hip-hop-styled vocal on "Shadowman,""Lagan" plays out into an orchestral swan dive, and, throughout, JohnnyKalsi and Moussa Sissokho come on like gangbusters with the drums. RealWorld label honcho and world-music champion Peter Gabriel doesa stunning turn on the eminently catchy "When You're Falling," and Robert Plantcontributes a powerfully epic rock vocal on "Life Begins Again." Fineas all these moments are, the centerpiece of volume 3, where the bandachieves beyond perfect synthesis, is the ecstatic groove-lock on theAfrican acid ceilidh of "Colossus." Volume 3 is the tune-in turn-onwe've been waiting for. --Paige La Grone ... Read more

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Reviews (55)

Absolutely Mind Blowing!!
I happened to stumble upon this by mistake while browsing the new age section.And wow!!!!!

Not gonna write a long essay about how good they are.I'll just say that it would be very well worth your time (and money if you choose) to check this out.

One of the few albums that I would deem worthy of introducing someone to a new genre.Also one of the very few that I felt guilty for 'acquiring'.It's so good - I actually bought it.

Persistence of Memory and Life Begins Again are just...Perfect.I always thought Robert Plant dead, but when I heard that fool on Life Begins Again...Man.A new favorite that will be listened to for years to come.A must have for anyone with a broad horizon of tastes.

Can it get any better?
First, BUY this CD.
Now on to the review. Others have covered the songs in-depth and probably too much in my opinion. Simply put, for an ORGANIC experience - you must experience this music. Note I said experience - listen is to shallow a word. If you like World music with THE BEAT and you know what I'm talkin bout - grab and go. This is it.

Thank You For The Intro To Mehdi
I've always enjoyed Afro Celt and this album is no exception, but while reading some of the customer recommendations posted on this site I discovered an artist by the name of Mehdi (pronounced meddie). After some investigation I found his site (SoothingMusic.Com) and listened to the samples...
I was instantly blown away by the quality of this music and so I gave it a try and now that I have listened to his CDs several times I really must say that although I'm still a Afro Celt fan I find Mehdi to be a tad more interesting. I have them both in my multi-disc CD player and love the way they compliment each other. I highly recommend that you give this artist a try or atleast just go listen to the samples, I have a feeling you'll be glad you did.
... Read more

Asin: B00005ASHF
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Ethnic Fusion    3. Int'l & World Music    4. Ireland    5. Pop    6. West African