Editorial Review

After releasing "Electricity" in 1979, OMD quickly became one of the more influential electro-pop bands to emerge from England. While the premise of a singing synthesizer duo may now be a fairly conventional concept, Andy McClusky and Paul Humphreys had very few role models when they first developed their unusual style. This package pulls together two full decades of OMD's distinctive pop craftsmanship. From the early sounds of "Enola Gay" to radio classics like "Joan of Arc" and "Souvenir," OMD's polished, dramatic readings influenced everyone from Depeche Mode to the Pet Shop Boys. Late-'80s tunes like "If You Leave" and "(Forever) Live and Die" round out this collection. While not displaying all the more offbeat aspects of OMD's music, this package certainly delivers the hits. Read more

Reviews (35)

The Best OMD Compilation that's out there!Great Sound Quality Too!
This is by far the best compilation of OMD that's currently out there.The tracks selections cover chronologically every great track that they've ever done from "Electricity" to "Walking On the Milky Way" and so unlike the other earlier compilation that was released about 10 years earlier, this version more truly represents the best that OMD have ever done.Perhaps the most important reason why this is the better version is the brilliant sound quality.Having also heard the other version, I can tell you that they have done a brilliant mastering/mixing job on this disc so that the sound quality is very, very good.It's even better than many allegedly remastered discs that I've heard.If you are into the early 80's New Wave and early Techno scene and most of all, just great songs, this is the best compilation of OMD that you can find and with 18 tracks, is very good value for money as well.Highly recommended.

omd kings of synth new wave
all the greats on this cd. I love it alot. electicty is my fav omd song.

For many, this is your chance to see what you've missed!
This is a great collection to bring new OMD fans in.Great electro pop songs, one after another.This undoubtedly will make these new fans go back and discover the countless other great pop songs that wouldn't fit on this collection.Andy and Paul were genuises at creating hooks and melodies.And please, unlike the reviewer below, don't categorize these guys as once new wave pioneers then turned popularity sell out.Who cares, its about the music, if you like it, and you will, then it doesn't matter the eclectic nature of it.Buy this album and then go from there once you're hooked.The songs are in order and pretty much shows the transition over time.But again, the hookish/melodic pop song is still the common bond in all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. New Romantic    3. New Wave    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Synth Pop   

Subjects:  1. Dance Music    2. Pop    3. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (12)

DON'T Ditch Your Old CD! This Is Not The TOTAL Experience You Grew Up With
Wow. I'm really surprised that I'm going to be the first person to mention this: The thing which makes this reissue disappointing for me is that every incarnation of this album up to this point (well, maybe not on vinyl) flowed from Pimpf straight into the pseudo "bonus" tracks "Agent Orange," "Never Let Down Again (Aggro Mix)," "To Have And To Hold (Spanish Taster)" and "Pleasure Little Treasure." Now, the album ends with "Pimpf." If over the years you've listened to this album 10,000 times like I have, you're going to feel a bit cheated, like you aren't getting the whole album. Those kind-of-kind-of-not bonus tracks have always felt like an integral part of this album. "Agent Orange" and "Pleasure Little Treasure" are now seated at the kids' table, pushed into their own, separate little section along with some additional B-sides on the DVD. You have to navigate around on the DVD menu to access them. It seems particularly weird to regard "Pleasure Little Treasure" as a "bonus" track, given that it was one of the first cuts from the album to be pushed as a single. And sadly, "To Have And To Hold" and the Aggro mix of "Never Let Me Down Again" are nowhere to be found.
Great remaster!
This album benefits highly from the remastering. It sounds so much more present and nuanced now. I'm hearing things I always missed before and getting a lot more enjoyment out of it.
UK or USA versions?
I have bought both versions (UK and USA). Here is my review.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. College Rock    5. England    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop    10. Synth Pop   

Editorial Review

Much has happened since 2002, when Fischerspooner released their breakout record Read more

Reviews (39)

Entertaining
Is this as good, either melodically or politically, as the new Pet Shop Boys album?Arguably not, but it's still highly recommended.
Big step sideways
Fischerspooner's "#1" is one of my favourite CDs of recent times.To describe the sound of #1 is like a love child of a cocaine fuelled catwalk model with an art school teacher (style and substance).So my expectations were pretty big for Fischerspooner's second album - "Odyssey".
How did I miss this for almost a year?
Somehow Amazon pointed me to this CD based on searches. I'd like to open a formal complaint to Amazon because they notified me of this release over a year too late!!!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Club/Dance    3. Dance Music    4. Neo-Electro    5. Pop    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

After scoring the crossover hit "Virtual Insanity" in 1998(remember the moving sidewalk video?), the U.K.'s Jamiroquai failed tokeep their momentum alive with the somewhat scattered and skittishRead more

Reviews (95)

Try not to be too hard!
Last night I've listened again this album and I liked a lot "Love Phoolosophy".

Stu Zender has moved on...let it go
The first three Jamiroquai albums are great/groundbreaking and Stu Zender's bass playing had a lot to do with their misical richness. "Synchronized" was a pretty good album (it took some time to grow on me admittedly) but "A Funk Odyssey" is even better. Yes, it's very different from earlier disks, but it is very funky head bopping music. The first two tracks ("Feel So Good" and "Little L") are especially good. I also really like the last track "Picture of My Life" (and it would be awesome if "Feel So Good to be Real" was released as a full track). I got a better appreciation for this album after watching the Jamiroquai: Live in Verona DVD- check it out if you haven't already (I got mine on Ebay). This is good music - give it a chance and embrace Jamiroquai's new direction.

Jamiroquai - Always the hotness!!
Jamiroquai does it again in this album.The song, "Butterfly" alone is worth the money spent.I love the funk sounds and the bass grooves are ALWAYS on point.You can "see" the needle gliding on this record!If you didn't understand the previous sentence, you are not old enough to truly appreciate this album.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Acid Jazz    2. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Alternative Dance    4. Dance Music    5. Pop    6. Retro-Soul    7. Soul/R & B    8. Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues    9. Urban   

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (19)

This was interesting in the '90s when it was called Shibuya-kei
It was interesting to see how Japanese kids interpreted years of American pop culture, made it their own, and then spit it back at us. That was really charming, good music. This record is an over produced, uninteresting sampling wankfest which can only be described as annoying. If you like this, you're not a bad person, you're just not looking hard enough for real music.

Heard by accident
I heard "Avalanche Rock" by accident, loved it, and had to listen to the whole album.It's funky, groovy and flows together beautifully.Deff recommended.

Best Party Album Ever
I don't understand how someone could say that some of the songs are just filler with only half the songs being good. Every single minute of the song there is something fascinating/interesting/beautiful/funky/meaningful/whimsical/subtle going on, although not all at the same time. This is in my top 5 favorite albums ever, (along with miles davis, faust, etc.), and I listened to it all the time for like 2 years. I never got sick of it, but gave it a rest just in case I were to ruin the freshness. There are new sounds and loops that I notice in the cd 3-4years down the road, which is simply amazing considering how many times I've listened to it. Listen to it loud at a party, but also listen to it with headphones sometime to check out the dozens of layers of sound.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Australia    3. Club/Dance    4. Electronic    5. Funky Breaks    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Turntablism   

Editorial Review

A singles collection chronicling the band's first five years, Read more

Reviews (29)

A Greatest Hits cd to keeps the fan busy til' the next album comes out
the title is self explanatory.

A Decent Compilation
Although it's no longer necessary, this was collection of early DM songs was essential when it was released. Depeche Mode had little exposure in America during the early 80s, and most of their albums were unavailable. After the release of the American only album, People are People became a big sucess, Sire decided to release a compilation of early DM singles, both for the benefit of American fans and to cash in. The result is Catching Up With Depeche Mode, an outdated but fun compilation.
there's someting beating here...
there's something beating here inside this album and its called a drum machine and sequencer.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Popular Music    8. Post-Punk    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop    11. Synth Pop   

Editorial Review

The Killers. Interpol. Franz Ferdinand. Without New Order's influence they could have all ended up making albums of country & western ballads. Since the demise of Joy Division in 1980, the British synth-pop quartet has been diligently changing the course of popular music, lobbing unlikely but inventive hits like "Blue Monday" and "True Faith" into the charts. Twenty-five years on, New Order remains shockingly vital. Its eighth proper album overflows with shimmering melodies, anchored by Peter Hook's spine-tingling bass lines and Bernard Sumner's thin but emotive voice in thrilling new songs like "Krafty" and "Dracula's Castle." Read more

Features

• Extra tracks

Reviews (132)

N.O. more waiting...
As a long-time and hard-core NO fan, I could go on and on and on about the greatness of New Order. I could bring up this and that album, which ones are the best or second-best. That would only serve to influence your acceptance or rejection of this review. So I will only provide commentary on this piece of work as it stands on its own. Take away the history of one of the most influential bands ever and regard Waiting for the Sirens' Call for what it is: Perfect.
Worth Waiting For
I find this difficult to say without sounding redundant concerning other reviews that I have read, but New Order is indeed a very unique band with a sound all their own that no one else can replicate.Others have tried, but they just can't compare.Their resplendant mix of rock, techno, and synthpop is seductively laced by a magic that this listener cannot resist. I remember reading somewhere that Bernard Sumner was quoted as saying "All we wanted to do was to make something beautiful."I hope you will forgive me as I'm merely paraphrasing what I'd read from a long time ago.The point is, in my opinion, the band members have done just that on a repeated basis both as New Order and as their little-known, yet incredibly talented side projects (Electronic, Monaco, The Other Two).
I heard the Siren's Call...
New Order is no more an 80s band than the Stones are a 60s band.They're a band, yes, but nothing of their early music dates them to the 80s.They have a sound like no other, instantly recognizable and timeless.I used to spin "Bizarre Love Triangle" during college dances during the 80s, and that's where it started for me.I'm less interested in the darker, earlier material.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Dance    3. Alternative Pop/Rock    4. England    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (59)

My first taste of Numan.
As the title says, this album was my first Gary Numan album, at the time I thought of it as sort of a risk, I buy alot of stuff that comes out on the Metro label so I decided to try it.
Vintage Numan, updated
I've thought his last three records were all superb, and this one is even better in my opinion.In fact, it's taken a place in my top 5 of his amazing catalog.
A HUGE and wonderful sound
I've been a fan of Gary's since the 70's although I'll have to admit, I haven't had a chance to listen to every CD he's done since then.I have a few of the anthologies.The Pleasure Principle is downright one of my all time favorite albums and the next few single albums that I bought after that were always disappointing to me in comparison.Until, that is, I caught Gary's live show in Solana Beach this week (sorry if you missed it folks, I think it was the last U.S. stop on the tour.) I truly expected not to like anything that wasn't old.What a great surprise to find out I love his new songs!Both on stage and on CD, the sound is just HUGE -- with incredible contrasts from small and quiet to an absolute tidal wave of sound.I'm talking Rage Against the Machine big.Or some of the best of Nine Inch Nails.But best of all it has that big sound plus Gary's haunting vocals and the type of soaring synthesizer hooks only Gary can do that rise above the wall of sound and evoke the best of Pleasure Principle.(Perhaps it's an expression of his love of flying...)While it doesn't necessarily surpass Pleasure Principle in my book, I think it is awesome and is a worthy sibling of that landmark album.Rock on Gary!This one is Grammy-worthy in my book.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. England    3. Goth Rock    4. Industrial    5. Industrial Dance    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Synth Pop   

Features

• Limited Edition

Reviews (8)

Nice piece for music collection
I bought this for one song that was no longer available to buy on it's own.With that in mind, I'm glad to have the other songs too.You know how you get that feeling from way way way back in your mind and things you haven't thought about in years come back?That's what happened when this was playing in the background.Good music from the teenage and early twenties of my life.

As Must Have
I must admit I originally wanted this cd because of the ultra rare 12" mix of Love Parade from The Dream Academy.Many if not all are very hard to finds.I could have done without Tears For Fears on this cd but for the rest it's a true find for people looking for the real eighties dance music.A must have for any serious collector.

Goodbye Horses / Hello Euphoria!
Attention "Silence Of The Lambs" fans.This CD has the Ultra- Rare Q Lazzarus song (Goodbye Horses) you have been searching for!The hauntingly beautiful music playing while Buffalo Bill struts his stuff is here in all it's glory in a 6 min. 25 sec. extended version!Worth the price of this disc on it's own.However, the rest of the disc will make you want to wax up the dance floor and return to the Synth Pop sounds of the 80's! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Dance Collections    4. Dance Music    5. New Romantic    6. New Wave    7. Pop    8. Pop/Rock    9. Rock    10. Synth Pop    11. V/A Compilations   

Reviews (6)

Yes good
Ultra has put out cool record for years. It is sometimes hard to talk about them. Being a big fan of Electro, this one stands out of the pack for me. Sure you have some great bands like Depeche Mode, Gorillaz, Ladytron, Goldfrapp, and Moby. But you also have some new acts like Shiny Toy Guns and Daisy Daisy. You also have some of the best remixers like DFA and Tommie Sunshine. Of course Mylo and Jacques Lu Cont is on here as well. This is a jamming party mix. It's two CDs and is full of surprises.
electro lovers!
This set of cd's is AWESOME.I've been looking for a while for a cd that makes me incredibly happy, like this one. You can't deny how good the beats twist around on this set. Every song is a new adventure. This holds fresssh beats, and if you pass up this one, your making a mistake. You wont find a better set with HOT electro songs like this baby.

New Series,More Awesome music
I am glad that this series has been launched and am looking forward for number 2. The First disc I Think is a much better energy pumping experience love it. Disc 2 Is interesting and i have to say that this is the best for me Ultra has done in a very long time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Club/Dance    3. Dance Music    4. Electronic Collections    5. Electronica    6. Left-Field House    7. Pop    8. V/a Compilations   

Features

• Enhanced
• Import

Reviews (5)

All the best, and a bit more...
Despite being advertised as an 'international version', this is in fact the same configuration as the North American release of the PopArt.There are several versions of this with minor variations, so be advised to check the listings carefully for the song-selections and tracks.
A must for PSB fans
Unlike another reviewer, I like when they thrown in surprises like slightly different versions of songs from their original album versions.If you already have the original albums, then it's nice to get the additional remixes.This sums up their career quite well, although the choice of songs could have been a bit better.I think they were trying to focus on actual single releases.One often wonders why certain songs become singles, and others don't.Regardless, this is a great collection that you are sure to enjoy.

No bad songs on here!
This is a great singles collection - many of these original 7" versions have never been available on this side of the Atlantic. If you like electronic pop, hi-nrg disco and/or epic melancholy melodies then you won't be disappointed. I can recommend Pet Shop Boy's "Nightlife" album, too! (By the way, there are only singles on this European greatest hits collection, so don't complain if a favourite album track isn't here!) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Club/Dance    3. Dance-Pop    4. House    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (8)

Groove on!
This album is perfect for just chillin with your friends or rocking out in the car. Great artists in this album. I personally love the song "Telling You Now" by Jessy Moss. Awesome song. Its a combination of like old western guitar, soft voice work and a hip beat. very catchy.

there is a song that is not in the soundtrack
when lucy diamond is driving the car inside the tunnel to the club taking amy and the other girl as "hostage"

GREAT SOUNDTRACK!
Most of the songs are pretty hard to find in a regular cd stores. Even if you didn't like the movie (I thought the movie was great!), you'll like the soundtrack. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. Dance-Pop    5. Pop    6. Soundtrack    7. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Editorial Review

From the melting pot of New York's East Village come two ultrahip and very tasty expatriate Japanese music-makers, Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda, calling themselves Cibo Matto. That the name (pronounced "cheebo motto") means "food madness" in Italian is appropriate: the female duo sings about things to eat (apples, beef jerky, artichokes, birthday cakes) on all 10 tracks of their debut album, Read more

Reviews (65)

Addictive, but not for everyone...
Cibo Matto's first release, Viva! La Woman (1996) is a strange concoction - a unique mix of Hip Hop, alternative, electronic, dance, jazz and popular music influences that deosn't sound quite like anything you (or at least I) have heard before. Before I launch into my opinion on this astonishingly addictive and catchy album, I will make it very clear that I absolutely love it. I own a lot of CDs; some I have grown out of entirely, some I bought for only a couple of songs (or even one), some that were ultimately forgettable. Viva! La Woman, however, has remained one of my very favourite CDs - a kind of talisman to which I continually return for relaxation, escape, or inspiration for my own pursuits in music.
Quirky + Charming + Weird
when this first came out, it was interesting and unique and different. but to me, it has not held up very well over time. there are some pretty cool songs on here, but the nonsense lyrics tend to make it very gimmicky and Cibo Matto always seemed to me as more of a novelty item than a functioning musical unit. a curse that this band never seemed to escape. but they can be charming and i found myself warming up more to their later releases after this one.

good for one song
I know the song Sugar Water from Buffy and was hoping the others would be along the same lines. To put it nicely, they did not fit my tastes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Shibuya-Kei    9. Trip-Hop   

Editorial Review

Let's get the inevitable comparison out of the way: like the Postal Service, the Junior Boys craft a wan indie electro-pop variation on blue-eyed soul. But in contrast to Ben Gibbard's romantic yearning, Junior Boys singer Jeremy Greenspan's voice emerges from the depths of a post-traumatic chill, emanating a disappointment too laconic to accurately be called sadness. "High Come Down" could be Darryl Hall produced by Timbaland, but only in an alternate universe where neither man was interested in selling records or monopolizing your attention--the beats shuffle of their own accord rather than skittering playfully, and Greenspan sings as though there's a sleeping baby in the next room. The group's new-wave influences are similarly easy to spot, yet they appear only as silhouettes, drained of the original artists' egotism. Over time, the Junior Boys' teasing reserve proves itself as engaging as most other artists' forceful intensity. --Read more

Reviews (13)

a little cheesy
and a little corny.its really smooth synth pop i guess.not exactly what i expected from all the hype and reviews i read. ehh

Sinister pop of tomorrow
Decadently satisfying, glitchy dance pop that appeases much with the retro production and emotive vocals. This could have been a joke in less skilled hands, but this impressive debut from Junior Boys does deserve the praise it has received. While only appropriate in it's pseudosexy weirdo context, the album does remain a tightly constructed piece of emotional electropop, perhaps setting the standard that this emotric genre all you Postal Service guys were harking on. Although a few songs fall flat on the second half, almost every other track should, regardless of it's context, create an affectionate partnership with that won't soon be forgotten.

very very good
Excellent album - the use electronica style sounds and complex syncopated beats never detracts or sounds forced. The songs are often quite sparse and never over-produced with a lovely sprinkling of more conventional instruments here and there adds a warmer feeling when occasionally the album begins to sound a little cold.Last Exit is also a very tight album with no skippablemoments (except Neon Rider maybe)and many excellent songs (including: more than real, high come down, birthday, three words and when i'm not around).
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Dance Music    3. Electronic    4. Indie Electronic    5. Pop   

Editorial Review

Every now and then, a band releases a best-of album that makes the previously unimpressed see what they've been missing all along. On Read more

Reviews (20)

A collection of their club hits
I have their "Home Movies" collection but this album is more like a greatest hits collection of their later club hits and then some!
A Very Powerful Compilation
This greatest hits compilation by Ebtg is sooo, sooo great.The musicality is masterful, the voice of lead singer, Tracey Thorn reaches to the depths of my being and moves my heart so much.I really love and appreciate this group and I wish that they would do some more work in the very near future. If you love Swing Out Sister, Matt Bianco, Basia or any music that is beautiful, I highly recommend this CD and guarantee that you will love it."I Cross My Heart and Hope to Die."Buy it!!!

Great - with one minor flaw
First - I love EBTG and almost everything they've done.From "when all's well" back in the 80's straight through to the most recent stuff.This album is a great mix of styles and I think everything works- including the remixes some have complained about. My only complaint is "Almost Blue".Tracey is my favorite vocalist (such a pure voice) and I loved her earlier cover of Elvis's "Allison" on Acoustic.So I was really excited to hear her version of his "Almost Blue".I almost drove off the road listening to it - it's not good.Her normally smooth delivery is traded in for a bad lounge act impersonation.Yikes!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. College Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Sophisti-Pop   

Editorial Review

The Icelandic iconoclast is a past master of deconstructing her studio recordings, and here she plays an active role in helping a crew of remixers and guest artistes get medieval with tracks off 1995's Read more

Reviews (68)

Bjork: TELEGRAM (1996)
In 1996, Bjork released her third album entitled, TELEGRAM. This album is a remix album, featuring most of the songs that were featured on her second album, POST. But the songs from her 1995 album that are on TELEGRAM are remixed. Though not as good as her first two albums, this is an extremely creative remix album.
Extraordinary
Elegantly crafted remixes of Bjork's eccentric music.Very powerful sounds yet a very modest approach.A definate must own for any fan of her work.Variety of musical genres presented here from a classical approach with the brodsky quartet to dark thumping techno-like pieces as well as traditional tracks. Bjork is a musician into and of her own style.

From ho-hum to irritating
Like some other disappointed reviewers, I'm a long time Bjork fan (since the Sugarcubes) but have a hard time listening to this album.The remixes vary in style from sparse ambient to frenetic dance.This in itself is irritating because it means the album has no flow or cohesion.But it's the remixes themselves that drive me nuts.Overworked and trying too hard to 'do something different' with perfectly good songs, they just end up mangling them for the most part.I think you'd have to be a fan of remixes, rather than a fan of Bjork's, to enjoy this album. The only redeeming feature is the inclusion of some songs not available on other albums, such as 'My Spine'. I'd advise you to listen to all the samples before making this purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Club/Dance    4. Electronica    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

In many ways, Read more

Reviews (25)

The Foundation for the Pet Shop Boys for the next two decades - and of the "Euro Dance" Sound
When one looks at the history of musical acts that can be categorized as "Dance Music" or "Disco", there are few acts that have achieved the success and longevity of the Pet Shop Boys. The Pet Shop Boys have been making music for over 20 years - releasing an album usually about every one or two years. In the UK, the Pet Shop Boys have consistently produced Top 10 albums. They haven't had quite the same amount of success on American shores, but nonetheless they have still maintained a solid following.It actually didn't start out like that for the Pet Shop Boys in the U.S.They actually burst on to the music scene in 1986 with a #1 song entitled "West End Girls".They would then follow "West End Girls" up with another hit - "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)". These two songs would be part of the debut - and most successful album by the Pet Shop Boys "Please".