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Reviews (1)

Kill the light
This is a great collection from one of my favorite bands. It has all the hits. A new version of "Some Velvet Morning." There is a bonus remix disc that looks promising. I prefer the albums themselves. Primal Scream is a band that doesn't have a lot of lousy songs. This is a good CD, but I suggest listening to the whole story. This is only the beginning. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Rock    2. Rock/Pop   

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Reviews (3)

A Madchester Marvel
This debut album of fun, irreverent dance music is unique because the songs are based on jangly guitar riffs rather than synthesizers and drum machines. Happy Mondays' reliance on keyboards and electronic beats would increase over the next few albums. But here the band, as captured by the legendary John Cale, offer a refreshing alternative to the ultra-slick, over-produced sound of most late eighties pop music. One of the most important albums ever made
Even if you don't like rave or dance music, you will love this album.The lyrics are dark the music infectious.Without a doubt, Shaun Ryder on his best day rivals Blake on his average days.There really is nothing to compare it to as the Mondays created a genre all their own.This album is what every 80's alt-pop band wanted to be but could not. mint
It's mint...buy it. Madchester rave on. They were born in Little hulton and its rough there...this album captures it all...a bunch of rum manclads...rave on ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Club/Dance    3. Germany    4. Madchester    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

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Reviews (39)

A Beautiful Work of Art....
I am a relative newcomer to the band Marillion, although I understand that they have been around for nearly thirty-five years or so. Marillion hails from Britain, and could be succintly described as an art- or prog- rock band, which really wouldn't do justice to the soothing, smooth blanket of mood they create. This album is simply one of the best of the best in the progressive rock genre. It manages to be both soothing and uptempo, both experimental and traditional (in the rock idiom), both hip and intelligent, both mature and energetic. I simply can't sing the praises of this album enough. They make me feel like I do when I listen to Pink Floyd, sort of melancholy, yet hopeful. After many years as a band, their experience as artists really seems to culminate on this album (I have since purchased many more Marillion albums, and they are all just superb). Beautiful, melodic reverb-drenched guitar work that just bleeds emotion, phenomenal mellotron and synth work that perfectly frames and complements the rest of the band, and absolutely wonderful vocals from my man Steve Hogarth. Combine all of these elements with the fact that they are clearly working together as an experienced band who really responds to each other, and you have an amazing album. The lyrics are also very compelling, hopeful, and intelligent; the album is a conceptual piece of sorts, based on a series of vignettes interspersed throughout the album (Marbles I, Marbles II, etc.)telling the story of a young person growing up and his journey through life...very inspiring and cool. This is incredible music by an incredible band who deserves much more success than they have gotten stateside. Even better is the two-disc version available on their website, which includes several songs cut from the single-disc version, including the incredible prog epic "Ocean Cloud", which tells the story of a man alone at sea. Another great thing about Marillion is their seemingly genuine interest in their fans; they seem like a bunch of great people. This one is in my top-ten of the decade. A must-own for anyone who thinks and feels.....stunning!

absolute must have!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It isn't often you can hear an album for the first time, and love every track on it. Marbles is by far the best post Fish era album this band has put out PERIOD!!!!!!!
A true work of art!
This album has continued to grow on me.I've given it 5 stars, but would give a higher grade if I could.It's not quite like anything else I've heard so I can't really classify it.But, the bottom line is whether or not it sounds good to the listener, not the category of music it might be placed within.And this album sounds great.This is a group of tremendous talents, writing, playing and communicating with their audience.Also, Fantastic Place is spectacular (for you Seinfeld fans).From beginning to end one of the best songs I've ever heard.Can't wait for their next release. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. England    3. Neo-Prog    4. Pop    5. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

The Music are nothing if not confounding. Their second album, Read more

Reviews (41)

They did it again !!!
Is really great to see that some artist are doing some new things without leaving behind their roots. This is an album that shows this.
Some good The Mars Volta influenced rock songs, but they're pretty mindless - 3.5 stars
"Welcome To The North" has some obvious standouts, but the fact is these songs really aren't that interesting longterm. You will recognize their catchiness, but chances are you aren't going to be listening to them on a regular basis. The singer strikingly resembles the one from The Mars Volta, although I'm not 100% sure if they were influenced by that band (their album, "De-Loused In The Comatorium", is infinitely more creative). The lyrics are also pretty bad, although easy to sing a long to (see "Welcome To The North" and "Freedom Fighters"). There are about 6 good-to-ok songs on the album, with the rest being filler, and honestly you won't really care if you own this album or not. Sure some songs are cool for a bit, but they're pretty generic in that regard. Buy it if you have extra cash and no better album to get (although it's a decent purchase if you're looking for some dancy-yet-hard-rockin' tunes).
Maybe it's time you opened up your mind...
With a name like "The Music", and such simplistic album packaging, it might be easy to dismiss these guys as just another faceless, generic band.Add to that the fact that they fall under the "brit rock" label, which normally connotes a lackluster Coldplay or Radiohead ripoff, and one could fully expect the musical equivalent of a product from Sam's Club.However, that is far from being the case here.The Music are one of the most talented and distinctive rock bands out there today, and "Welcome to the North" is easily one of the most infectious albums I've heard lately. Read more

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

Editorial Review

Blowing away any hint of its shoe-gazing past, Catherine Wheel have matured into a swaggering, boys-with-big-guitars outfit capable of turning on the style and mainstream appeal. "Little Muscle" and "Shocking" are standout songs.Read more

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Reviews (29)

Probably their second best (after Chrome)
This is the Catherine Wheel release that split the fanbase, though in my opinion, it fully represented their intentions to move away from their 'shoegazer' tag. Though it may not be as consistent as Chrome (to be honest, very few albums are), it still shows a band full of talent and passion.
Change is good
Catherine Wheel did the lush, dreamy, wall of guitars, "shoe-gazing" sound better then anybody. Here, the sound is harder, crisper, heavier, and they do it oh so well. Turn up the volume and the assault is not unlike that of a heavy metal juggernaut. Yet there is still enough of the old beauty in there to keep it satisfying to most fans of the first 2 releases. Adam and Eve, the release to follow, was yet more of a compromise. It also was very nice of the band to pack 12 or more tracks on all of their first 4 releases, with no filler. You will definitely get your moneys worth. Playing all 4 releases back to back can certainly be one heck of a sonic adventure with all the guitar-driven pyrotechnics. Then you can use the Cats and Dogs (B-sides, (not really)) to recover.

uneven and, at times, derivative
Catherine Wheel's third offering "Happy Days," is not in the same class as their incredible debut album "Ferment" or their worthy follow-up "Chrome."While there are, unquestionably, some very good songs on "Happy Days," much of it is largely forgettable, or, in some cases, derivative of the sound of other bands.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Grunge    3. Hard Rock    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Features

• CD-single
• Import

Reviews (8)

buyer beware
If you order this don't expect the import - what you will get is the domestic version of "Go to Sleep" that usually sells for $5.

The way a single should be done.
First of all, contrary to popular belief, this is not an import-only release. This CD is currently available on Capitol records here in the states ... As for the music, this CD contains two of my favorite B-Sides the band has made so far. They're easily as good as Banana Co, Bishop's Robes, Fog, and Palo Alto. The only 2 they don't touch are Talk Show Host and Cuttooth. In layman's terms, they're freaking great. Folk and blues and Radiohead?????
I'm going to assume that if you're looking up this item that you are a Radiohead fan.So I'm also going to assume that you are familiar with the sonic changes in the band over the past ten years, the foray into electronica and such.You may also have noticed an occasional dip into blues, funk, and folk, in such songs as A Punchup at a Wedding, I Might Be Wrong, and this single, Go to Sleep.The b-sides on this album continue in this trend.Read more

Subjects:  1. 5-Inch CD Singles    2. Pop    3. Rock   

Reviews (5)

One of my all time favorite CD's...
I first heard "Divine Thing" on an alternative radio station back in 1992, right then and there I decided to go get this tape, since then I have purchased it on CD and I still enjoy it to this day.Most of the songs are great and very catchy, one might get caught bobbing their head in the car while listening to these tunes.
It rocks!
A great band with a different sound but the Soup Dragons still sound good even for today andit still rocks!!!, The first track to the last will keep the party going!

Make a special rock party with this album - YEAH !!!
The music of this album has a special atmosphere; it also producescomplete new sounds compared with the previous works of the band. It's sonice to enjoy it if one can appreciate the quality of the arrangements andalso the recording result : they're a mix of so many noises ranging notonly from the different instruments effects but also from special effectsdirectly coming from the 60's version of the Star Trek serials! The songsare object of my passion for the Soup Dragons music. Sophisticated rock itis, with a spice of soul music. Do you rock a la Soup Dragons ? ... Read more

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

Reviews (58)

Sublimalicious
This is the greatest band ever!!! It stimulates all the senses!!! It is dreamlike.... It is the Cocteau Twins....Enough Said!!!!

FOUR-CALENDAR CAFE
I was scared to buy this record at first- because I had fallen in love with all of the 4AD records- But after repeat listens this has swiftly taken my favourite spot-The songwriting is really crisp and tight- It is deffinately their "poppiest" record- but underneath that sound are some of their darkest songs- The most startling effect is being able to completely discern liz's lyrics- which seem to border between confessional to the abstract "know yrself at every age" blew my mind- and has the effect of dragging yourself thru a muddy bog "theft and wandering around lost" sent a shiver up my spine "summerhead" has some of the best shimmering guitarwork from them yet- "squueze-wax" tugs at yr nerves and "blubeard" will make you remember every crap lover you've ever had- "Pur" joins all of the other great album closers from this incredible band- easily the most intoxicating/addicting band Ive ever had the pleasure of hearing- this is probably not the best place to start- but a great record to land on....
Nothing special... A dissappointment
I'm really surprised to see so many positive reviews about this CD. From my point of view, "Four-calendar caf�" is a mustn't have for any CT fans who have really enjoyed (if they have) the magic of this band from the eighties as it ruins in some way the feeling you may have for them. The lyrics are pedestrian and cheesy and the album itself (excepting, perhaps, "Summerhead") doesn't add ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to the brilliance of previous records, so, why listen to it?. Although the album is well-crafted and produced, its conventionality and lack of "mystique" that surrounds it makes it the Twins' poorest and most boring effort since "Garlands". This forgettable album sounds more like an Annie Lennox's project after having given birth or something. This wouldn't be inconvenient if we were talking about some average radioplay band but, unfortunately, the ones we are talking about WERE, for bad or worse, the masters and creators of `dream pop' in the 80's, and I had expected something else other than this. What a waste of talent.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Ambient Pop    3. Dream Pop    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (10)

A Little-known Masterpiece
This album typifies nineties indy rock.The Swirlies were way ahead of their time when this album came out in 1993.Sonic Youth's spacier tendencies collide with The Pixies' male-female vocal harmonies in a back alley full of angry guitars.

Blonder Tongue Audio Baton rocks!!!
Out of all of my favorite albums, this one would be around my top five. I bought this album here from this website for about (...) from someone selling it. It is the best (...) I EVER spent on a CD. If you are feeling apprehinsive for buying this CD because at the price it is now and how long it will take for it to get to you, believe me, it is worth the wait and the money. At first listen, it did not pass through because I had a migraine. Second listen, I never stopped listening to it since. Unlike most albums, this one does not wane off and weaken like some do after listening to it after awhile, it intensifies and becomes stronger. Most of what I have to say has been said by most the reviews here. This album is unbelievably incredible. I'm still absolutley shocked that this band never became as well known as My Bloody Valintine, or even slightly popular. The Swirlies are the best next to MBV. Their styles are very different but they have that same magical allure. Buy this album. If you like shogaze, indie rock, lo-fi, dream pop, or noise, you will love this album. I have just a few words just to describe this album the best way I can: whir, whoosh, haze, and yeah swirl. The Swirlies rock.

How Did the World Miss This?
This could be your next favorite album. I randomly saw BlonderTongueAudioBaton at a record store and decided to listen to it due to the amazing (and very indie rock!) cover art.The unique coveris an excellent reference point for the music, sharp and bent sounds all come together to form catchy, impressive, and cohesive songs.As it has been said already, it really is one of those seminal albums, the kind that challenge you, and then reward you for accepting it.For some reason (I'm going to blame the label) this album just stayed off the radar and now only a select few know of it.Swooning Distortion is laced with spontaneity, and somehow the brilliance of the swirlies make it work.After a few listens, these will be some of the most memorable and catchy rock songs you will hear."Bell" is the best opener ever, at first a tight experimental shoegaze rock song, then an odd bridge that leaves you waiting (rather excitedly) for what will happen next."Pancake" has been said to have been the other brilliant pop song that came out of the city of Boston, along with The Pixies "Gigantic.""Jeremy Parker" and "Wrong Tube" are the pinncales of the shoegaze aesthetic, distorted walls of sound that defy words. "His Love Just Washed Away" has some beautiful guitar haze, and "Tree CHopped Down" uses crunchy rythms that match any Sonic Youth tune.All of the songs have beautiful vocal swoons that give the album a pop song feel that is irresistable.I will always remember that day in the record store, when I found this, my new favorite album, by my new favorite band.
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Subjects:  1. Dream Pop    2. Indie Rock    3. Lo-Fi    4. Noise Pop    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Shoegaze   

Reviews (32)

a long-forgotten gem
a precurser to garbage? a post-'loveless' epic? a goth-tinted shoegazer album? 'doppleganger' was all these things and more. my first experience with curve happened on 120 minutes in 1992. i saw the video for 'horror head' and instantly fell in love with toni halliday (what guy who saw that video didn't?).on the strength of that song alone i bought the album.it was one of the better purchases i made when i was getting my budding cd collection off the ground.
Could have been great
After a couple of really great singles, the album was slightly a let-down. Indeed where those singles had been completely ground-breaking the rest is simply not that strong. OK I still like Curve but the album was not the classic it could have been based on these singles alone. Their sound and concept has been quite copied though.

Truly Unique
Unlike anything done before or since.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Shoegaze   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (12)

the crown jewel of 4ad
Wow, I cannot believe that it has been nearly 20 years since I first heard "A Day" on the dancefloor at the new wave/goth club Blitz in Phoenix. The DJ used to play the remix of A Day, and I can remember thinking "this is the coolest song ever". I asked the DJ who it was and I understood him as saying "Zylocks" so I looked for Zylocks records for a year (I was only 13). Needless to say, I finally saw the light, got the album and it has been in semi regular rotation ever since. Recently I met a new friend that is just as crazy about the whole post-punk/goth/synthpop thing, and he has felt the same way about this album since he was a kid. It is one of the few albums that when I put it on, I let it play in it's entirity. It would seem a sacrilige to take it off half way through. So light some candles and insense and read some Poe, Dickinson, Or The Grey Garden, something dark and lovely and enjoy this album swirling in the background.

My first CD
My first experience with Xymox was actually their 1989 album 'Twist of Shadows' which I purchased on cassette. After being quite impressed with the entire album I bought 'Clan of Xymox' on compact disc which is, in my opinion, their best and most original work to date. And as mentioned by another fan, the almost 'other-worldly' vocals of Mr. Moorings are what really makes the group stand out. Seems like most people either love or hate this album. For me, it's definitely a classic, and every bit as enjoyable now as the day I first listened.

Dated.FAR from their best.
It's old, dated and not very good at all.I love Xymox and their later albums are FAR better than this.It's all pompous, self agonising nonsense with a pretty low production level.If you find it cheap as a 2nd hand give it a go if you must.NOT worth buying new.Trust me, don't be tempted!Notes From The Underground, Xymox Live and Creatures blow this old junk into the abyss.This can be viewed as a demo disc but that's about it.FAR too much boring sampling and clanking noise. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Still unique in a new age-friendly world they helped spawn, the Cocteaus return to the rapturous style of old after the failed mainstream bid of Four-Calendar Cafe (1993). What was once minimal and meandering is now an ornate spiderweb of riffs, rich beats, and Liz Fraser's ghostly vocalese on beauties like "Serpentskirt," and "Calfskin Smack." Read more

Reviews (51)

Now re-mastered magic from the Cocteau Twins
This album is every bit as good as previous reviewers suggest. Don't be put of Four Calendar Cafe by the Amazon reviewer. If you like this album and it's your first foray into the Twins music then I would recommend Four Calendar Cafe as your next step.

Rivals Treasure . .
Takes the best parts of Four Calender Cafe and gives the extra punch of Treasure . . the most complete cd and close to a Swan Song . . nothing out of the ordinary for the band . .rather perfecting what they have done for so long . .with a real drums, too! (As opposed to a drum machine.) Violin and Seekers appeared on the 1995EP Otherness.And Faye Wong appears on the cd singing in Chinese with Liz backing.The cd is worht it for the track "Seekers Who Are Lovers" alone.Rivals anything the Cure ever did during the Faith era.And so much more positive!

What are they saying?!?
I am totally addicted to this album, but I can't figure out ANY of the lyrics.It was not one of my favorite Twins albums to begin with, but as I continued to listen to it, the overall sound experience grew on me.This is one of those disks to listen to during a rainy day with the headphones on, eyes shut, kicked back in your favorite lounger . . .aaaaah! Serpentskirt! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Ambient Pop    3. Dream Pop    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (14)

Hmm.
Excellent: "Talking to Myself"
Cousteau Sirena
I first heard Cousteau on an L.A. radio station with a track song, 'Blue Melody: A Tribute to Tim Buckly', I was hooked.
Sirena envelopes like warm, plush velvet
Confident, pliable vocals supported by a deceptively simple musical cast of characters hang behind the meter of a song to extend phrases in captivating ways.Lyrically and musically Cousteau/Moreau exude an intelligence and musicianship sorely lacking in today's music scene.Sirena envelopes my soul, heart and imagination like warm plush velvet.I am enchanted. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Popular Music    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop   

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Reviews (6)

nothing grotesque about this little gem
Grotesque represents the mighty Fall at their most grotesquely brilliant. Considering this band's immense and immensely impressive catalogue, it is hard to single out any particular disc, but, under duress one would have to admit that this one is up there. A new face in hell, one of the Fall'sbest ever tunes, resides on this cd, as do a plethora of other classics: pay your rates, english scheme ... actually, they are all great. listen to this record

A Good Rocking Time
First off, the sound quality on the 2004 reissue is first quality and crystal clear.
Better Than Hex
For some reason Hex Enduction Hour gets all the accolades but this is definitely the better record of the two. Great stuff from start to finish. A true classic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. College Rock    3. Post-Punk    4. Punk    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

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Reviews (8)

On my iPod
Heard songs from the Cranes for the first time in college so I had this cd since it came out in the early 90's (1998 is a WRONG release date).Being that the two songs most played on the radio were Jewel and Everywhere, those are my favs off this album.Rainbow is ok, but a little depressing in melody. I keep those in a playlist I call "Chill" that tends to take the edge off rush hour traffic.I love her voice, and I think it's a situation where you love it or hate it.Been looking for later work from them since the local Best Buys don't tend to carry their stuff, so I'm anxious to see what they've been up to.With the acquisition of an iPod and auto hookup, I've been uploading old cds and had forgotten how much I liked this one.To find more music from 1994 in this genre, WBER keeps a list of their top 100 from every year.I think that was the first year for the Cranes.

Compelling...
Alison Shaw's voice....what's the word? Ethereal....haunting....otherworldly. She whisps along in a voice that shouldn't work with the music, but does. Sometimes she sounds lost, but almost deliberately so. Other times she grooves along in a more dramatic fashion. And I don't think I was expected to like it as much as I do. But I do. Ten years behind the times, granted (the album was originally released in 1993), but I'm sure enjoying listening to it. For me, it's the vocals that make it, but the music varies from spooky to more driving beats, which is also intriguing. Plus, there are lots of strings - mostly guitar, granted. But some cello (yum), violins and so forth as well.

Beautiful
A retreat into a dark inner world ... Alison Shaw's voice is haunting as always. The sound is harmonious ... soft yet energetic, dark yet safe ... there are lyrics, but the emotions this album evokes are far, far beyond words. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Dream Pop    3. England    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (17)

Top Notch
The opening strains of ASSASING in Radio City Music Hall were my first exposure to Marillion as they opened for Rush over the span of three nights.Many rabid Rush fans booed (as no-one was ever good enough for some of these morons) but I couldn't help but be mesmerized by this 5 piece band with the tall singer with the painted face a la Peter Gabriel.Fugazi is a powerhouse prog-rock album and a worthy listen.It sounds dated today (the synths just don't hold up) but the energy is still there and the lyrics are still meaningful.

Puro Rock Prog
Sin dar tantas explicaciones ni echar "rollo", mi opini�n personal de este album...es que es uno de los mejores (conste es personal), - conste no el mejor -. Bajo la tutela vocal del estimado Fish, el conjunto de instrumentos es provocativamente un manjar auditivo. No pod�a faltar mi rese�a (cr�tica) para este CD. Ah� se las dejo.
The difficult second album
This is the typical difficult second album from Marillion. It hasn,t quite got the energy of their first album, Script for a Jester's Tear, and lacks the complexity and originality of their third album, Misplaced Childhood. Perhaps Fish and the band were worn out by all the touring that they had been doing. Worth having for completeness but if you have to choose 2 CDs, get the other two. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hard Rock    2. Neo-Prog    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Arguably the peak of Brix Smith-era Fall, the rousing, riff-loaded Read more

Reviews (4)

Lumpy, uneven but still a masterpiece
Any Fall record is worth it's weight in dirt-ridden gold and this is no exception. True it seems somewhat uneven when you pair two parts of Shoulder Pads and Mr Pharmacist with Living Too Late but the songs still shine despite the murkiness of it all. Though it has to be said that US 80s 90s is fantastic electro drum rock track and deserves to be twice as long as it is on this record. Worth the money

slightly uneven but a great record
I've read a few things about how this record is one of their least memorable releases, yet I can't help but disagree.It's certainly more subdued and sparse than their other "big" sounding records, but all the classic Fall elements are still there: twisted lyrics, driving drum and bass, jagged guitar lines, and general goofiness.A treat to listen to!

The sound of a hungover thunderstorm
"~This was the album that drew me into the world of The Fall, and I have never left. It was 1986, I was a sixth-former at Mangotsfield School (near Bristol in England), a nervous, shy, country-dwelling, poetry-lovingSmiths fan with a deep interest in Science Fiction, an unhealthy obsessionwith Kate Bush, and an even unhealthier obsession with "DoctorWho" (an obsession which eventually bore fruit as I went on to write acouple of Doctor Who novels for the BBC in the late Nineties). privateuniverse of imagination was full of horrors of my own making, I could seedarkness and gloom everywhere and, though not wanting for anything, thefuture seemed mysterious, murky, scary and thrilling. What sort of musiccould take me through these teen-angst years? Kate Bush, as mentionedabove, The Cure, The Smiths, David Bowie... but there was somethingmissing. Where was the horror, the terror and thrill of the unknown? Thecosy cardigans of Morrissey and the dark forests of Kate Bush"~ viewedsafely from the window of a fire-lit room were soon to be challenged by -The Fall."~ etc, put something on the system which changed mylife."~ ravening machine set loose; dangerous, yet thrilling;drop-dead cool and totally unconnected to anything before or since. Iremember thinking, "How did they arrive at this?" It was from outof nowhere. Listening to it now, 14 years later, has the same effect. Neverhas a piece of music affected me so much. of dark machines and imaginationunfettered. I have every Fall album, and though I like some of thembetter,"Bend Sinister" is the very heart of The Fall, a glinting,obsidian monolith to which the listener has no choice but beautifulsurrender. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. College Rock    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Post-Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

While many of their contemporaries have branched out in intriguing newdirections since their dream-pop debuts, the members of Lush remained committedto a hazy wall of Cocteau Twins guitar, breathy harmonies by Miki Berenyi andEmma Anderson, and a fairly straightforward dance beat. The English quartet'sthird album, Read more

Reviews (28)

Visual Reactions
I found this album in a thrift store a few months ago, intending to listen to it, but I didn't get around to listening to it until justrecently. It really is a good album. Forget the fact that some might say it's shoegazer stuff, and listen to it as an album in it's own right.
Might be good for some
I bought this album on the strength of the single, Hypocrite.
A shoegaze classic - this is beautiful music!
"Split" is a classic for one reason: it has a TON of great shoegaze songs. Unfortunately I'm not entirely convinced that it has good crossover appeal if you aren't a shoegaze fan. The songs tend to sound relatively similar to one another, but they all have great hooks and usually some very interesting lyrics that help break up their similarities (and keep things entertaining). You can definitely hear some My Bloody Valentine influence. The singer has an extremely pleasant voice who, I would argue, most people will love - she perfectly fits the style of music. The production here is also very well done for an "old" and independently recorded album. Basically, if you're a fan of the genre then you're doing yourself a great disservice by not obtaining this album (granted, it's hard to find now that it's out of print). Absolutely recommended for music collectors and shoegaze fans if you can find it (it also has great appeal to fans of other genres)!
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative/Indie-Rock    3. Britpop    4. Dream Pop    5. Noise Pop    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Shoegaze   

Editorial Review

Long before they were floating in space, Jason Pierce and friends were exploring the far reaches of the pop universe on Read more

Reviews (46)

Doesn't really get any better than this...
Everything about this album is shimmering perfection. The secret ingedient is Kate Radley's farfisa work, which provides a brilliant and soothing undertone that is replaced in later (and inferior) Spiritualized albums with an edgier guitar orientation. No surprise, as Jason Pierce gradually took over the band. But here we have Spiritualized at their finest, early on, still working together as an incredibly creative entity.
Still a Favorite
I bought this CD when it first came out--back in the day.I still listen to it regularly because it is such a jewel.The only fault with it is that they grouped the songs into sets of 3 or 4, so you cannot skip or burn just one song--you are forced to skip 3 at a time.Nevertheless, I believe this is Spiritualized's best.

The consistency of space
I love this album. It's so perfect in consistent mood, tone, and hauntingly beautiful, spaced-out melody. This is the real "pill" or tablet you take when you need it, not LADIES & GENTLEMEN... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Ambient Pop    3. Dream Pop    4. Neo-Psychedelia    5. Noise Pop    6. Pop    7. Popular Music    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop    10. Shoegaze    11. Space Rock   

Editorial Review

Cousteau is not the first or last bunch of young men to havelit upon Scott Walker's epically lachrymose solo albums as a design forliving. However, very few other bands have trudged in Walker's wearyfootsteps with quite this much poise. Read more

Reviews (30)

bowie, anyone?
Is it just me, or do I hear shades of Bowie's Aladin Sane-era crooning? I'm much reminded of that title song and 'Lady Grinning Soul' from same album.

Fine stuff
Just about everything on this album is worth a listen. This is a refined effort, for sure, which suggests these guys have been working together for a while. As some of the other reviewers say, the album has a jazzy, bluesy, smoke-filled room quality. Highly recommended.