Editorial Review

One of the finest composers of rootsy Americana since his years with the Blasters, Dave Alvin here celebrates the quintessential songs (and songwriters) of his native California. Some of his choices--Merle Haggard, John Fogerty, and Alvin's occasional collaborator Tom Russell--are artists who have obviously influenced his own writing, but he extends the selection to include some surprise choices, such as Jackson Browne, the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia, and the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. As revelatory as the songs he selects is what Alvin does with them, turning Browne's "Redneck Friend" into a shuffle worthy of Big Joe Turner and giving an equally bluesy twist to Fogerty's "Don't Look Now," while removing the blues that had characterized Los Lobos' original version of "Down on the Riverbed" in favor of a banjo-driven folk arrangement. The opening rendition of John Stewart's "California Bloodlines" establishes the album's theme; the closing "Surfer Girl" is a stunner, Alvin's most tender vocal to date, giving the Beach Boys ballad a warmth that borders on reverence. Whatever Alvin may lack in vocal range, there's no doubting his Read more

Reviews (9)

Phenomenal
Rather than spout and blather, I'll just say that Dave Alvin is an unbelievably terrific artist who truly, truly knows and practices great songwriting.He is a fantastic guitarist, and I love the hell out of this album."I Am Bewildered" is raucous, sexy, perfect, and "Here In California" is touching an beautiful."Surfer Girl" is over the top.

The Industry Reviewer Says It Best
My introduction to the music of Dave Alvin came several years ago when an old friend in Carlsbad turned me on to him. I already knew of him from the Blasters, but at the time I had no idea he was doing solo work. Since that time, I have heard Alvin grow musically with each successive album.
Not Alvin's best
Covers of old songs that is now way over done. And these are average at best versions. (I really dislike his California Bloodlines) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop    5. United States of America   

Editorial Review

The group who single-handedly created the woozy, sexual, cinematic, and meditative dance genre known as trip-hop with their 1991 masterpiece Read more

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Reviews (13)

The 2nd Layer of DVD will not play in all machines.
Watch out!
A must have for Massive Attack fans!!!
Great compilation of songs from Massive Attack, all of their singles plus new never release songs. The videos are great and their new single 'live with me' is a great song (very sad video though). Includes new version/remix of 'I want you' with madonna. The combo is great you can own ALL of the videos, is a lot of fun to see the videos from blue lines until 100th window from the 90s all the way to the new single, the changes in the way they used to make music videos. There's even the first video with Tricky).
Massive!
Great set with a lot of dvd footage. I love that I only need to play this cd because it has most of the best songs on it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Club/Dance    3. Electronic    4. Electronica    5. England    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Trip-Hop   

Editorial Review

An introductory drum roll drops out and is replaced by a single suspended electric guitar, which is then paralleled by a snare, filled in with the bass, and--crash!--"Cherub Rock," the opening track, is enveloped in an explosion of metal guitar. So the journey begins. This album is pre-experimentation vintage Pumpkins. Produced by Butch Vig (Garbage, Sonic Youth, Nirvana's Read more

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Reviews (438)

Wow, withstood time so far
For me a classic is an album you can listen to 10 years later and still be interested and challenged by it.Siamese Dream passes that test for me.It's a rollicking rock album with such a distinctive Pumpkins sound.I appreciate Billy Corgan's artistic integrity and demand to change and grow their sound, but, IMHO, it never got better than this album.Mellon Collie was excellent as well, but this is the epitome of the pumpkins' sound.
PERFECT FROM START TO FINISH
I don't think this album could have been any better. Heavy distortion, crazy high-pitched solos, and loud pounding drums all come together perfectly for 13 amazing songs. There is not one song on this cd that I can skip over, it's just incredible.
Is it a dream?
It is a dream? It almost seems like it is.How can a rock album be this good?
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Grunge    3. Indie Rock    4. Noise Pop    5. Pop    6. Post-Grunge    7. Punk    8. Rock    9. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Watch out, mom and dad. If you don't treat your kids right, they're gonna up and start an alt-metal band to share the angst you've brought on them with the world. After all, who needs therapy when you've got a million kids hearing your pain on MTV? Staind has never been a band to gloss over personal issues. They've given their albums names like Read more

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Reviews (616)

Soft, lame, sissy..
Who in the world called this ''Hard Rock''?!???????????!!? This is a bunch of self-pitying, mainstream jibberish..nothing interesting at all. I shall dub this as ''Alternative Whine''.

in all fairness...
I generally write bad reviews for the latest nu metal releases, but, in all fairness, this record is one of the ones that I feel is really effective and well-produced radio fluff, as evidenced by "outside"'s surpising longevity as a simple anthem for teenaged tunnel vision and angst, perhaps the kind that isn't meant to be expressed through flowery language. I complain a lot about crass efficiency in music and auto-tuned vocals, and although both of those things are lurking just beneath the surface here, the simple fact of the matter is that this guy aaron lewis really does have one heck of a voice, and it can be very emotive, although it might be better utilized handling significant subject matter like chris cornell and ed vedder did in "hunger strike". the most obvious production flaw here is a slightly late entry by the drums on "for you"; other than that, it's about as listenable as any nu metal record I've ever heard. I did listen to it a lot in high school and I don't know if it would resonate at all now that I have a few years behind me, but back then it just kind of seemed to do the trick
Incredible Album
This is the first album I listened to when my friends introduced me to the band. At first listen I wasn't insanely impressed, but as I picked up "It's Been Awhile" on the radio more and more, I began toreally get into the style of the band, a style that I find is truly unique. As it has been stated over and over, Staind (particularly Aaron Lewis) packs a punch with emotion and very interesting music writing. One thing I have noticed about this band is it's ability to capture my attention without ever having to throw in a guitar solo that so many mainstream rock bands these days seem to rely on.Of course this is not true of Chapter V, but specifically Break the Cycle is pretty much solo-less...and I'm impressed. The thing that really sold me on this album is the emotional power that I feel from Epiphany, Outside, Waste, It's Been Awhile and Fade, and Lewis' openness and honesty. There are few bands out there today that I can truly identify with...the pain, the grief, yet the willingness to try and overcome these things. As far as musicianship, being that I'm not a musician, I can't exactly judge them on technical ability, but each song has a very unique quality about them, and each one stands out in my mind every time I think about the album. To put it short, this is the album that seems to find it's way into my CD player more often than any other album. An incredible collection of heart-felt lyrics and music, Break the Cycle is a great addition to any avid fan's Staind catalogue. Staind, you f***ing rock. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Heavy Metal    3. Pop    4. Post-Grunge    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Ska music has been deeply ingrained in the punk rock culture since the Clash adopted their rude boy stance near the end of the British punk invasion and the 2-Tone label put ska on the map. Suddenly, punks stopped kicking the crap out of each other long enough to dance. The debut release by Orange County, California's Sublime is a positively infectious record that marries varied styles of dub, reggae, rap, sampling, scratching, and badass dancehall ska with old-school punk overtones. Musicianship on this record is exceptionally tight, featuring Brad Nowell's innovative guitar work and bright, soulful voice.Packed with 40 oz. of rock (21 tracks) including the ultimate pot-smoking anthem "Smoke Two Joints" and the novelty hit "Date Rape." Read more

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Reviews (284)

Masterpiece.
Amazing. I got this for Christmas a few years back and I was sad that it wasn't in my CD player earlier. I was a bit taken back by the first song but once I got into the rest of the disc I had absolutely nothing negative to say. it's incredible right up to the end where brad thanks everyone. i still enjoy just listening to him name drop with a catchy beat in the background. it's a complete shame he died because i'd pay any amount of money to hear these songs genuinely played by sublime. This disc has fast thrash, to slow easy chillin tunes with amazing bass, to almost rap like lyrical songs. if you don't have this CD yet i suggest you take a listen.

40oz.ofSublime
this album rules!! sublime rules!!! this and their self-titled albums are their best. too bad that brad died right when they were beginning to take over the world. if you don't have this you need to get this. i have the version with the two later deleted tracks ''rawhide'' and ''get out!'' and i have the version without those 2 tracks and more artwork. both versions are great. Sublime forever!!!

This, right here, is "Sublime Gold"
The production on this album bothered me for the longest time but this is truly a timeless classic. I don't know how many people realize that Sublime were the real deal. Up until their self-titled album, they were always under produced and best represented live. This music has so much heart though, it is unbelievable. There are more self-proclaimed singles on this CD than there are on the bands self-titled effort. A lot of these songs never saw the "light" we call radio, but songs like 40oz. To Freedom, Smoke To Joints, We're Only Gonna Die For Our Arrogance, Don't Push, 5446, Badfish, and basically the rest of the CD, are all great tunes. Artists like Bob Marley are receiving a lot of attention lately, and it seems to be a trend. Sublime is getting a lot of attention too, and it's okay. Sublime was a band that pioneered a sound. And, during the 90s, they were an out to all the grunge that dominated the era. This is also the only album I hear so many people complaining that they have worn out. Like that's a bad thing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Punk Revival    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Ska-Punk    7. Third Wave Ska Revival   

Editorial Review

Blessed with the voice of a wispy angel, Elliott Smith creates sad little pop songs, which, like the work of Nick Drake (to whom he's been compared) threaten to disappear into the night air. Several of the tracks here were featured in Gus Van Zant's movie Read more

Reviews (117)

Mr. Smith's Best.
I have owned this album for a few years.I always liked it, but I just didn't give it the time it deserved.When I bough XO earlier this year, I absolutely fell in love with Elliott Smith.I played that album a million times, as it was immediately accessible to me.I was convinced that it was better than Either/Or.However, when I decided that I would give Either/Or another spin, the greatness of that album jumped right out at me.I heard the songs like I had never heard them before, and as I kept listening to Either/Or, the songs kept getting better and better.Either/Or is my favorite because it is not as heavily produced as XO, which gives the songs more meaning to me, but it is more diverse than Roman Candle or his self-titled album.The songs are more somber and subdued than his songs on XO, but they are not as flat-out depressing as his earlier stuff (which, don't get me wrong, is still amazing).His lyrics on this album ring even truer to me now than those on XO.It just took me an extra step (XO) to get to this masterpiece.My advice for new listeners is to start out with XO, and then when you need another Elliott Smith, immediately buy this one. Once you fall madly in love with this album, all of his other albums should be greatly enjoyable to you as well.

Alamada, and pictures of me.
I didn't understand this album at first. I didn't understand why everyone liked Elliot Smith, and this was my first introduction and this is the best Elliot Smith album. I am so glad I kept it on my computer because about 6 months later I heard it again and listened to it again and again. Not pretentious like I had thought but real. and smooth. Alamada, pictures of me, ballad of a big nothing, and speed trials are the best songs. Elliot Definitely inspired by Beatles and Beach Boys. Elliot seems like someone who fits in perfectly yet doesn't. Elliot keeps it honest but not in a "look I am being honest way." I don't want to make it all about Elliot, as I don't like to make music neccesarilly completely about the person or bring it up so much like some critic but this album really does make you feel in touch with him,. maybe it is a sydrome of all people that died young or killed themselves as I feel the soul of Cobain, Joplin, and so forth.....but I feel like I stabbing myself in the chest when listening to this music. it's all relative. anyway this review sucks and I don't care if you agree.

The best of the best.
I can not praise this album any more than I already have to
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Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Sadcore    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The twisted cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" is a statement of intent, while the cool jazz riffs from the band's trumpet player are part of what makes tracks like "Daria," "It's Coming Down," and "Frank Sinatra" so original. "The Distance" is a funked-up jam with a Chili Peppers chorus.Read more

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Reviews (190)

What a wonderful band
Read the other reviews. I'm not going to repeat stuff. I will say that Cake is great! I own all 5 albums and there is not one song on any of them that I do not like. In fact, after 2 listens of any of the albums and you'll swore they're old classics!

One of the best CDs ever
From one of the best bands ever. LOVE THIS BAND.

Can you ever have enough Cake?
I bought every Cake CD within the span of a few weeks after I finally got hooked by "Short Skirt, Long Jacket" from Comfort Eagle.For a long time, Comfort Eagle was my favorite Cake album.The problem is, ask me on any given day now and it'd probably be a toss-up between Fashion Nugget, Prolonging the Magic and Comfort Eagle.
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Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Post-Grunge    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Within the song cycle of innocence and experience that is Read more

Reviews (28)

Give it a try
A weird wonderful mixture of Bruce, Warren Zevon and Robert Earl Keen.His lyrics make you want to hurry up & learn the words so you can sing along.A most enjoyable CD.

About 20 years too late!
While musically James McMurtry has talent, the message of his album and especially the hit song "We Can't Make It Here"is outdated and unrealistic. In the song McMurtry laments about shirts being made in Singapore and the problems of outsourcing jobs, among other ridiculous things. It seems he would like to live in the world of the 1950s. While appealing on the surface, it is a waste of time to think like this.
Wonderful surprise
Wonderful surprise.I bought this CD based on one song I heard on the radio, ususally a mistake.I am thoroughly enjoying the whole CD.I will definitly buy more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop    5. Roots Rock    6. Singer/Songwriter    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

While the hype machine forever proclaims this or that new artist to be "unique," "original," or "a fresh new voice," most of the time what you hear is more of the same old, same old. Thus, it is a rare joy to hear a newcomer that actually qualifies as all of the above. Mindy Smith fits loosely in the alt-country genre but adds some distinctive touches that set her apart from the field. A residency in Nashville brings a welcome Music Row level of craftsmanship to the playing and production, while her singing and songwriting take the music to places where cliché has never been. A song like "Hurricane" has a hook Faith Hill would kill for, but tells a tale of rebirth that might prove a little raw for her emotional range. Like Julie Miller, Smith writes songs that deal with redemption and spiritual matters in a way that is powerful without being off-putting to the more secular among us. Likewise she can write about her stepmother's passing in terms general enough to make it a stirring ode to the loss of any love--and do it in a voice that could make a statue misty. Smith more than held her own on the Dolly Parton tribute, Read more

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Reviews (127)

Love this cd
This cd has been so uplifting to me, I am not a real religous person nor do I listen to country music, but there is just something about her voice and the lyrics that she wrote that it makes me cry, it makes me smile, lets just say it makes me just plain feel, human.

The Real Deal and Then Some...
There have been so many reviews of this CD that I will keep mine short and sweet.Mindy is a major talent with a beautiful,distinctive voice both in her singing and her writing.Please don't pass her by because you think she might be too country,too spiritual or too anything.Hers is a talent that transcends genres and labels.I can't wait to hear from her again.

Mindy The Maverick.
Mindy Smith is one hell of a lady.
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Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop    5. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

"Fell on Black Days," indeed. Seattle sludge slingers Soundgarden made a living out of cathartic, woe-is-me wailing (we're talking the banshee vocals of Chris Cornell Read more

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Reviews (281)

AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is absolutely one of my favorite albums of all time.No kidding.

This wound up making me fall on black days
I remember hearing "Spoonman" the first time in Feb. of 94, and it was at a time where I was still feeling strong about myself, and this stuff wouldn't affect me, so when I bought this 10 days after it's release I thouroughly enjoyed it; mind you a couple of these songs I really hated from first hear, and the one I really did was "Black Hole Sun". I hated it because it made me feel rather weak when hearing it; I was fighting alot of things to show how strong I was, and that I wasn't going to let a stupid song bother me that bad. However, I found out I wasn't a match for it; it's dreamyscape intro to the song, and the idyllic feel of nothing good, or bad happening in life I couldn't handle it as I just found it to be too zen-like, and to me that's almost as bad as being stoic.Being stoic is like being without passion, and I know that when looking it up in a thesaurus there are two fruits of the spirit there which are long-suffering, and patient. However, that's as far as it will go, and unfortunately, I found many Christians to be that way which was the route I started taking the second half of 94, and then there was the zen-like part which I never really believed in because I knew that life you could never reach that state. I look back that I wanted to believe that Jesus was the answer because I really couldn't see it any other way, but the behavior of many Christians made me feel that it's not to be trusted because they don't sound like they care about your problems, but just gave you tracts, and left it up to you, and I wish that someone would've taken the time with me. I actuallly like Weird Al Yankovic's version better, and I just wrote it off as an annoying mosquito, but by the summer of 94 I wound up going in a nasty 180 that found me fighting with all my strength, and power, and found that it wasn't working anymore, and anytime I heard this song anymore it made me an emotional cripple. I wasn't ready to go to Christ yet because I was still angry at a Christian at the time, but it kept dragging me down further and further. I know it finally drove me to tears because I couldn't hang on any further. I know that I found both Christians and Non Christians treated me the same, and it made me feel isolated, and alone. I know when I heard "Fell On Black Days" I pretty ignored it at first I know the intro was very meanacing, and made me kind of enjoyed listening, but by the summer I now found it to be just as depressing as "Black Hole Sun". I feel that this album was one that straddled between my old life of independence, happy-go-lucky, and the other side which was depression, anger, jealousy, pride, and weakness. The other I hated from first hear was "My Wave" which was a terrible song. I know it kicks off with "Let Me Drown", but then it takes till "Mailman" and the title cut to bring it back into focus. "Head Down" is awesome; I can only think of that word to describe the song. It has late 1966 early 1967 written all over it, and it's a mindblower, the other mindblower is "Fourth Of July", and this song was even more meatier. I have a fantasy of doing a video of that song where it would begin with a couple making out to Mariah Carey's "Dreamlover", and hearing all the laughing going on while the song's playing, and then all of a sudden you hear a gunshot, and the stereo's blown out, and then you get to playing the song, and the bad person who's dressed in a deputy's uniform chases the woman through the area. The rest is just there, so pretty much it's in someways thier best album since "Ultramega U.K", but it still lacks the main ingredient to make a classic album.

this was definately the best band in the entire grunge scene...end of discussion
i recently have been in grunge denial simply because my music tastes no longer find it appealing, but moreso a dead,sophmoric and depressing genre that inspired many of the nu-emo bands as well as trailer park trash like korn and puddle of mudd.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Grunge    4. Heavy Metal    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (577)

Everything
There is one song on this CD that really touches me. It is the song Everything. It really brings me closer to God when I'm falling away. It always reminds me that all we need is God and nothing else is important. This is definitely a CD everyone needs to have.

Everything
This CD has really touched me in so many different ways. Every time I listen to "Everything" tears come to my eyes. It always brings me closer to God. If you are looking for a CD to help you connect with God... this is certainly it. God Bless!

This band is AWESOME....
In a day when a great CD yields 3 good songs, Lifehouse delivers 12per CD.Some songs you can't stop liking when you hear them over and over and over and over.If you buy a Lifehouse CD, any Lifehouse CD, you will have a problem, and that will be that you can't turn them off.Lifehouse is AWESOME and every song is it's own masterpiece.There really aren't enough stars to score these guys.I'll give them a solid 5.These guys rock. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Electrifying performers and pure-pop songwriters of the highest order, Toronto's Barenaked Ladies have emerged over a decade as that strangest of beasts. They'll never land a dishy cover story in Read more

Reviews (89)

Here's an exception...
In the past I've said that compilations are, as a rule, pure evil. I am willing to backtrack on those sentiments in the case of this disc, however. It's simply a great collection of songs from a great band. One can't really complain much. With the Barenaked Ladies, this should only be a jumping-off point, since they have so much great material beyond what's included here. If you're new to them, this is a great place to start.

New BNL Fan
I bought this CD prior to seeing the BNL's in concert. It has all the best songs from all their albums and it is a great mix for first time listeners. It has sold me to buy other albums by them.

All Barenaked Fans Should Get This CD
I love this CD because it has most of my favorite BNL songs as well as some others that I like.I own everyone of their CDs, but there are songs on them that I just don't like to listen to.I like every song on this CD and I never have to skip around.It's great to listen to, and it's a nice addition to any BNL collection.I reccomend this CD to anyone who loves BNL, even if you already have all the CDs, and to anyone who wants to get a taste of this great band.If you don't like what you hear on this CD, try listening to one of the other albums (I love their X-mas CD).Don't be turned of from this band by reviews saying that the CD is terrible.Their an awesome band. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. College Rock    4. Jangle Pop    5. Pop    6. Post-Grunge    7. Power Pop    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

On the evidence of Read more

Reviews (268)

Love Ben folds, But I wasted my money on this CD! Bad!!
What happened Ben? I just love your piano playing and almost all of your other songs. Most of the songs sound like an amature show. Don't waste your time on this one. Check out his others first.

Ben Can Do No Wrong
This is an excellent CD. Ben is so amazing on his piano and does a wonderful job of this album, without his band.
musicman
Too bad Ben Folds doesn't get much ear-play or any other PR.Just give this CD a listen and you'll appreciate the texture of his music.Rock on, Ben, will look forward to more great releases. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop Underground    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Their prospects dangerously over-inflated by pundits who often hailed their debut as nothing short of rock-messianic, New York City's Strokes got a lesson in cynical rock-press dynamics when their biz-troubled, if similarly toned, '03 follow-up was dutifully dismissed as the proverbial sophomore slump. A lesser band might have been chastened by the experience; this one responds with a third album that positively bristles with energetic challenges. Revolving around a loose concept that allows songwriter/frontman Julian Casablancas to adopt a viewpoint that's as detached as it is world-weary and bemused, it's a record that quickly trades the often precious production conceits of its forebears for a muscular confidence that's notable from the infectious, back-to-the-'80s opener "You Only Live Once" to its perfect bookend "Red Light."Read more

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Reviews (204)

Five years after the release of "Is This It"...
...and they still haven't been able to reach the same level of greatness achieved in their debut album! Perhaps the band has made the music what they were meant to make already, and there is nothing more for them to accomplish. Then again, glimpses of the promising band they really are occasionaly appear from time to time in the third album...just with less frequency than in the first and even the second. "First Impressions of Earth" also does not have the edginess or rawness of sound present in the first two.
Meh...
I'm typically quite critical with music.I listen to so much of the stuff that I've found my standards rising with every passing year.
Downward spiral
Oh, man, this is rough. The debut was OK, the second was middling sophomore slump, and now, this third one is just ghastly - a real mess and a total letdown. What glimmer of talent on display on the first record has been replaced by flat, tuneless, and totally bland riffs in search of song structure and hooks that never come. Did you see the lead singer try to "sing" on SNL?Sadly, he looks cool in his para-military peacoat and touseled rockstar hair, but the guy cannot carry a tune, for real. Out of key yelping is a understatement. Just painful to listen to.Why bother?Make this CD a coaster. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Garage Rock Revival    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

After laboring in Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil Young finally hit perfect pitch--if his endearing off-center whine can be called "perfect"--with his third album. He's equally passionate with trippy riddles (has anybody figured out what "We've got mother nature on the run" means in the title track?) and pointed protest (after 30 years of rock-radio overplay, "Southern Man" still rings with truth about redneck racism). His creaky ensemble, including pianist Jack Nitzsche and rotating members of Crazy Horse, transforms ramshackle country and folk songs into soulful hippie hymns. Read more

Reviews (98)

exquisita fragilidad que estalla y es capaz de lastimar cada vez que la escuchas..
gran obra de NEIL YOUNG... desfile incandescente de poesia y melodias que eluden el paso del tiempo, resguardando un presente eterno encerrado en dolor, denuncia, soledad y ternura....TELL ME WHY...ONLY LOVE...los sueños desvariados de toda una generacion reflejados en AFTER GOLD RUSH...y las guitarras indomitas, hirientesy perpetuas de SOUTHERN MAN....una placa esencial de un artista que sigue sembrando belleza en el infertil camino que nos ha tocado seguir..

One of the Best Folk-Soft Rock albums ever!
Neil Young has made a lot of classic rock albums through the years: Everyone Knows This is Nowhere, On the Beach, Tonight's the Night, Rust Never Sleeps, Sleeps With Angels, etc.
Pretty much there's only a couple of gold nuggets left here the rest is stubble
I will admit I pretty much held onto this album for 2 songs in particular, and they are "Southern Man", and "When You Dance I Can Really Love". They're the 2 strongest on this album. "Till The Morning Comes" is the next best after those 2, but since it's under a minute and a half it's over before you can get into the groove. "Tell Me Why" is also halfway decent, but not to start the album off with. After that it's all stubble; "I Believe In You" is a love song that just doesn't seem to go anywhere as far as I'm concerned, then "Cripple Creek Ferry" pretty much suffers the same fate as "Till The Morning Comes". "Birds" is forgettable, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is another lame love song. Neil Young's cover of Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me" is by far one of the top 5 worst covers of a hit song, finally the title cut is beautiful piano playing, but the lyrics are horribly weak, and finally the worst song on here which is about as depressing as a Sunday afternoon working at a job you hate, and not getting done until 4:30 at the earliest. "Don't Let It Bring You Down" I know I never liked it; it's by far one of the worst Neil Young songs other than his "Sugar Mountain" recorded at Cantaberry House released as a non l.p. 45 in the 70's b/w "Heart Of Gold". I would have "Don't Let It Bring You Down" playing in my head those Sunday afternoons I had to work shortly after my wife passed away, and also after coming back from a suspension at work from where I was falsely accussed of doing something I know I didn't do. This song it just has a way to empty all of your soul out, and leave you with nothingness. Mind you there was alot going on in Neil's life at the time; his marriage was breaking up, he was starting to run around with Carrie Snodgrass, he also was showing his free spirit ways also as he would also release an album with Crosby, Stills, Nash that same year called "Deja Vu". The album only has 2 songs on it that make the backbone; perhaps that's enough, but if you're going to spend money on the cd you would hope that it will be better than just 2 good songs, and perhaps 3-4 more that are decent. I would be downloading the songs I like off of Napster, and forget the rest. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Canada    3. Country-Rock    4. Folk-Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

After more than a year spent on the road behind their breakthrough self-titled debut--just how many times can Alex Kapranos sing "Take Me Out" without getting his skinny tie into a knot, anyway?--you might expect the members of Franz Ferdinand to feel a little frayed around the edges. But if Read more

Reviews (144)

virtuous among us, walk among us.....
I have to admit, I REALLY like this album.I don't own the first album yet, but I can't imagine how it can be much better than this.It took me three tries to get fully embroiled in this album.Once that happened I have been playing it non-stop.There is definitely a punk base to all their songs, but there's something about the pace of their music (ever changing, pulsatile and jagged, then smooth...) that keeps you imbalanced yet wanting more.I can't wait to try the first album.

So much better!
Although I'll admit I like the eponymous album a little better, I find this album a breath of fresh air to my somewhat-jaded soul.I've seen FF on SNL and Austin City Limits; the lyrics blend very well with the music, and there's enough of the unexpected to keep me entertained.I look forward to hearing a lot more from these guys!

So much better
This album is amazing. The first 7 tracks are all good, and then there is a mix amongst the last half. To think of the career of Franz Ferdinand reminds me now of the path the Cure took with Boys Don't Cry. There is a great amount of structure to each song, and nothing beats the 3-4 hits such as This Boy and Walk Away. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Scotland   

Editorial Review

"A Perfect Circle is not a side project," proclaim the members of Perfect Circle. It's a caution worth heeding, since the most identifiable name in the band is that of vocalist Maynard James Keenan, lead singer of Tool. On the other hand, one wouldn't be much inclined to file this one under "side project" anyway. The musicians involved go to great lengths to create something distinctive, and if the uniformity of sound can be attributed to the fact that guitarist Billy Howerdel (whose previous songwriting credits include Tool, the Smashing Pumpkins, and David Bowie) is responsible for the lion's share of the music, well, the others aren't exactly marching in lockstep. Keenan's vocals here are quite different from anything heard from him before. Subtle, thoughtful, sober, they're a far cry from Keenan's work with Tool, which is what makes this album more than a side-project curiosity. Read more

Features

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Reviews (630)

brilliant.
this is APC's first, and best album. it is an absolute masterpiece. after mer de noms, APC's music went on the decline and could never match this greatness. the most apparent reason being that they lost two key band members in between mer do noms and the thirteenth step. personally, this album goes hand-in-hand with lateralus by tool. both came out within a year of each other and both being the most spiritual album of the two bands (imo). if you've never owned this album, consider yourself a fool for missing the train that came 7 years