Editorial Review

You don't need a bottle of Jack or even a trace of Southern lineage to appreciate the genius of Drive-By Truckers' Read more

Reviews (47)

PHENOMENAL ALBUM FROM A REAL ROCK BAND
Everything by DBT is worth listening to. It's about time a tribute record came out that wasn't all lousy covers of timeless songs. DBT wrote their own and play it their way. All 3 of the singers are great in their own way but Patterson is king.
Skip It
A band that tries to revive a musical style from the 1970's is going to struggle to bring it into modern times for the sake of reaching popular status.Well, this album does not achieve that status.One thing the album does do well is tell the story of Lynyrd Skynyrd.What the album doesn't do well is being pleasing to the ear and easy to listen to.I don't recommend this album unless you really want to hear it.Besides all that, the CD case is a cardboard case without plastic CD holders, very cheap looking.All in all, the entire production of the album seems very low-key and not well thought out.

Alabama, broken glass windows playing though banjos
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Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (51)

influenced countless bands to follow
This is not your Pop-Punk stuff. No sad little Emo kids are jamming to this one , either.
Classic good misfits
The misfits is one of my all time favorite bands next to nirvana and the ramones. this is a bunch of demos and tracks taken from the early recording with Glenn. because i will tell you this with out Glenn there is no such things as the misfits. everysong rocks. just look past the low sound quility but collection 2 sounds better and it is eqaul to this album. some songs are very dark and i can tell you waht songs is good or bad. they all rock. so buy this album and it will be in your cd player for awhile. i have had my since high school and its still it the shuffle.

awesome music is an understatement
i just purchased this album, my first misfits album and every song on it rocks (i especially like where eagles dare).i just bought two more albums, walk among us and static age and i wish they would hurry up and get here in the mail because i cant wait.my only complain is the sound quality.it sounds like they put a dollar store tape recorder in the corner and started rocking...but i guess that makes it sound more real too.metallica covered a couple of their albums on their garage album but it just isnt the same. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Underground    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Pop    4. Punk    5. Rock   

Editorial Review

Founded by guitarist/songwriter Greg Ginn, Black Flag exploded out of L.A. in 1981 with a debut album so confrontational that MCA Records refused to release it, stating that Black Flag was "immoral" and lacking "redeeming social value." When the album finally came out on Ginn's own SST label, it was clear why MCA recoiled, as Black Flag's skinhead look and hardcore sound signaled a new chapter in punk--and rock in general. With Henry Rollins's venom-dripping vocals leading the way, the album features such hostile teeth-gnashers as "Rise Above" ("Try to stop us/It's no use"), "Six Pack" ("I got a six pack, and nothing to do"), and, of course, "Life of Pain."Read more

Reviews (131)

Stop bashing Rollins....
Okay, first of all this is a good album period-its a change of sound from their previous years, but still it's a good album. I'm not going to choose a side for Black Flag-Morris vs Rollins because Morris rocks hard and Rollins rocks hard. However, I can see how some people don't like their aggressive more hardcore and angry sound found on this album and prefer their less instense more just plain punk theme of Keith Morris Black Flag has and vice versa. In conclusion, if you enjoy a more heavier, angry, twisted, and hardcore sound in your punk buy Damaged. And if you prefer a less intense and more straight up old school punk buy The First four years.

Howling Madness
This is arguably the very first Hardcore band. They played for years before this debut, (earlier stuff is on "the First Four Years") but this in my opinion is their crowning achievement.
Thirsty and Miserable
Thirsty and Miserable is one of the greatest hardcore punk songs ever written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Punk    2. American Underground    3. Hardcore Punk    4. L.A. Punk    5. Pop    6. Punk    7. Rock    8. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Those of us who worship at the Church of Ween (Hail to the great god Boognish!) know that skinny blond twerp Beck stole his whole shtick from New Jersey musical geniuses Dean and Gene. Always ahead of their time, the brothers Ween have responded by abandoning their traditional lo-fi four-track recording methods and giving us their lushest album yet, Read more

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

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

Editorial Review

The album that named a movement (and a magazine), Read more

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (10)

Alternative country comes alive...
A friend of mine actually gave me a copy of No Depression on tape shortly after this release came out and told me I had to check this new band out. For some reason it sat at the bottom of my tape collection for well over a year. I finally rediscovered the tape one day and realized it was time to check out the band with the unique name. Man, had I missed out on some seriously good music! There is a nice mix of punk and country on many of the songs on this cd. Songs such as "Graveyard Shift" and "Factory Belt" are quick paced, high-flying country/punk tunes but the song that blew me away (and still does to this day) is the old school country drinking song "Whiskey Bottle". Everytime I hear this song it just sends shivers up my spine as you can feel the pain and heartache in Jay Farrar's voice. Some great bonus tracks on the remastered version including a great version of Gram Parson's "Sin City" and an informative booklet just add to the original beauty of this release. Tupelo move forward into a more traditional country sound after this cd but "No Depression" is a groundbreaking effort.
Oh My, yes indeed!
Now this, THIS is my kind of music. Punk meets Country, with Rock sprinkled all over for good measure! From the opening note of "Graveyard Shift" to the close of "Blues Die Hard, there's 19 tracks of pure great music to be had here.
Seminal!!!
This is THE album by THE band that created a whole new genre in American Underground music.It would take five years for bands like Uncle Tupelo to appear in every major city in the US, but they eventually did.It is a classic.An essential album for any music lover.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Roots Rock   

Editorial Review

When Devo's debut album came out in 1978, nobody knew what to make of the mutant new-wave quintet from Akron, Ohio. With Brian Eno's skillful production, Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, Jerry and Bob Casale, and Alan Myers emerged fully formed and outrageous with their razor-sharp social commentary and exhibition of subversive media savvy.Beyond their industrial uniforms and pseudo-devolved demeanor, Devo also happened to be a rocking little band. Classic rave-outs like "Mongoloid," "Jocko Homo," and "Uncontrollable Urge" illustrate the band's perky-jerky intensity. On their inimitable cover of the Rolling Stones' youth anthem, "Satisfaction," Devo's avant-garde robot funk takes the song to a new level of alienation and discontent. While the band went on to greater fame, this was the only album they made that truly mattered. Read more

Reviews (60)

Look What The Rubber City Exported
A band that dressed like spacemen, moved like robots and had a painting of pro golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez gracing the cover of its first full-length album. No wonder Devo had to escape northeast Ohio to find their musical niche in London during the "Year of Punk (1978)."
If You Like Music, Buy This Album
DEVO has not been given appropriate credit for their contributions to modern music. Written off as a "One Hit Wonder" (for "Whip It" which is not on this album but is on "Freedom Of Choice"), DEVO bridged the gaps between punk and new wave and again from new wave to electronica. They have influenced more bands than most people realize. If you fancy yourself as one who has a big CD/MP3 collection, it is incomplete without this album! Also, visit their web site: http://www.clubdevo.com . They are still alive and kicking and they occasionally tour. Buy this album and go and see them. I've met them, they are very nice guys!
Devo's Best
This is not "Whip It".
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Subjects:  1. American Punk    2. American Underground    3. New Wave    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Post-Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Yo La Tengo's most consistently brilliant record is also their quietest, as husband and wife Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley turn the volume down while exploring decidedly grown-up relationship themes. It's definitely not the shoe-gazer-tinged barrage of guitars they've supplied in the past, but the silences here speak louder than an amplified guitar ever could. Read more

Reviews (92)

Lets try SIX stars!!!
Dear world,
Very Nice
this album is so zen.i first fell in love with it while falling asleep listening to it.i could practically feel my heart beating with the repetitious rhythms of the songs.the intriguing whispers sent warm chills through me.this album is perfect for relaxing and looking at everything in retrospect.

one of the first.....
Honestly, this album was on of the first I Listened to by Yo La Tengo.Without a doubt they have proven themselves too be a excellent band, up there with my favorites.If you like good music, especially downtempo, blissed out guitars and warm vocals, then this album is for you. Definetly listen to "Night Falls on Hoboken". As I delve further into the Yo La Tengo records I find that this record, one of the first I heard has brought me an understanding of this band, and their music, that I would have possibly not received so quickly. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

After its most prolonged absence from the recording studio, Sleater-Kinney has reloaded with a smoldering rock and roll record that rivals John Lennon’s Read more

Reviews (93)

Finally
A thin, reedy, weak voice caterwauling is caterwauling nonetheless. Finally, the production adds some much needed depth and masculinity to this girl-pop trio. Let's face it, the vocals for this group on previous outings were Spears-esque, or Madonna-lite-like at best. Try as they might, these ladies could never match Dalle or Love or Hynde. But Fridmann saved the day by injecting an interesting set of distorted textures and saved these ladies from themselves. This is their only worthwhile record, and man is it a good one.

Hate to see 'em go out like this
Man do I love this band, and "Dig Me Out" and "The Hot Rock" fall firmly in my top 20 albumbs by any artist, but this album is far too inconsistent to recommend. Some GREAT songs, and some that aren't getting better even on the 20th+ listen.

Worse Than Awful- Don't Believe The Hype!
I bought this album based on the media hype preceding its release. It was described by one critic as Led Zeppelin with estrogen or something to that effect. Not being familiar with Sleater-Kinney's previous efforts, I came to this CD with fresh ears and fairly high expectations...which were shattered when I listened to it the first time. Some albums take a while to grow on me so I listened to it a few more times before deciding unequivocally that I hated it. Although "The Woods" is overly recorded, poorly sang and terribly unfocused, I do admit that I like "The Fox". After that I go into a post-punk-induced coma. Refund please! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Punk    4. Rock    5. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Minutemen's Read more

Reviews (109)

Essential album.Lame reissue!
I rank Double Nickels on the Dime in the top ten albums released in the 80's.I am very glad I held onto my vinyl because for reasons I can't fathom, three songs on the original release are not on this reissue, which is why I am not giving it the five stars this album deserves.
Worth so much more than nickels and dimes
If the show Jackass ever did anything worth admiring, it was choosing "Corona" by Minutemen as it's theme. At two and a half minutes, it's one of the longer tracks on this nearly 45 track album. It's also one of the more conventional punk anthem's they've done, considering how far the horizons stretch when it comes to this band and being creative.
Blows away all of today's limp, soggy music!!!!!!
DOUBLE NICKELS ON THE DIME ('84) stuffs 43 short songs on two LP's or one CD.The album meshes quite a variety of musical styles:punk, funk, spoken bits, jazzy instrumentation, folk, and even polka!
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. American Underground    3. Bass    4. College Rock    5. Hardcore Punk    6. Pop    7. Post-Punk    8. Punk    9. Rock    10. United States of America   

Reviews (45)

Hard Driving Rage !
Probably my favorite album from this incredible band. Heck, all of their albums are great, I cannot really think of another band with the consistency as Mike Ness and the boys. What I like so much about this album is how hard it is. This album kicks off with a rockin' # and just keeps driving the pace and sound up up up. Mike Ness, you freaking rule!

The Best Record Ever Made
I've been listening to rock and roll and other popular music since 1963. My tastes run from Hank Williams to Chevelle, from Donovan to Type O Negative, from Dinah Washington to Catherine Wheel. I rarely use words like "the best" because "the best" tends to vary over time and with moods - there is just so much good music out there. This recording, however, over the 10 years since its release, has proven itself over time. Ness and Co. set out with a mission: to make a great "punk rock" album. I don't think they did that at all, this isn't even "punk rock" to my ears. What they made is simply The Greatest Record of All Time. It is flawless in its writing, its performance, and its production. I will be forever grateful to them for making it.

Absolutely gorgeous agony
Being a long time Social D fan, I greatly anticipated the release of White Heat...Mike Ness and co. had gone through some line-up changes and in the process acquired "Master of the Skins" and former Danzig drummer, Chuck Biscuits.This new arrival, while he had never been a core writer or personality in any previous band, made his presence more than known on this cd.The tempo and drumming, put to sadistic use in this collection perfectly matched the atmosphere that Ness created when he wrote the songs.Some may say that this cd is a bit depressing.Those people would be right but Ness's pain, loneliness, and frustration is beautiful to listen to unfold.In point of fact, this cd reminded me of why I love music so much.It allows you to explore the darker side of yourself and not to be afraid of it.Kind of scary, huh?
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll   

Reviews (89)

Punk Rock's Id
Grading Criteria:
What is punk?
Hmmmm, with the exceptions of (wait for it) Green Day and NOFX, there really are no "punk" bands around today.Luckily, we can enjoy THE MISFITS!!!!! This is by far their best album, although Static Age is FANTASTIC.....What more can I say?It's THE MISFITS!!!!!!!GET IT OR DIE!!!!!!Oh, and, if you bash Green Day for selling out, don't forget, the misfits sold out too.I was depressed.

THIS IS REAL PUNK ROCK!!!
Today when you look at punk rock now you see a bunch of whiney idiots singing about their crappy life and how they broke up with their girlfriends etc. Now look back during the 70s and 80s when punk was about real rebellion and other interesting topics. I liked most of the old punk bands but my favorite punk group ever was Misfits. Misfits weren't like The Sex Pistols lyrically. The Sex Pistols were about rebellion against the government. Misfits took punk to a brand new direction, with horror themes. This isn't a scary album though. The horror part is light-hearted but funny as well. Glenn Danzig was a pure genius. A lot of people are scared of him but he is my favorite punk rocker. I do however like his new band Danzig more than Misfits. The songs on this album are very short. Even shorter than The Ramones but still the band with the shortest songs is probably Napalm Death. The whole album is around 21 minutes long which is very short but who cares?! This is just a fun punk album with horror themes and evil lyrics to add to. Sadly Misfits sucked ever since Glenn Danzig left the band. They 2 other vocalists but they sucked bad. Luckily Glenn Danzig is in his new band Danzig which is much more heavy metal than punk. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Underground    2. Hardcore Punk    3. Pop    4. Punk    5. Rock   

Editorial Review

They earned wide acclaim with the double-disc Read more

Reviews (37)

The best band out there...Meet the DBTs
There are all sorts of reasons why I shouldn't think the DBTs are the best band out there.For instance, I don't listen to rock anymore except for the odd excursion down memory lane listening to early Little Feat or Don Van Vliet or whatever....
One Of Their Best...
Decoration Day is an awesome rekkid from start to finish, not a dud track to be found just killer songwriting/storytelling & playing until the end...
The Masterpiece****1/2
Most breakthrough albums are a surprise to most bands, if it isn't their debut.And while the Drive By Truckers and the world at large were certainly stunned at the success of "Southern Rock Opera," it was still a calculated move.So, who would have expected "Decoration Day" to take them a step further despite the odds?Unlike "SRO," "D Day" isn't soaked in preperation - the band had only a year to turn out these 15 songs, and many of them were written on the road.In short, if "Southern Rock Opera" put people in the seats, "Decoration Day" kept them there.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Southern Rock    8. United States of America   

Editorial Review

On previous outings, Sparklehorse mastermind Mark Linkous was weird, but his recent near-death experience has rendered him weird Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (56)

Hey Joe
If you saw the movie "the devil & Daniel Johnston", its nice get a listen to the original "Hey Joe" by Johnston (not on the movie though), well done here by SparkleHorse...

Chaos of the Galaxy / Happy Man
This is not a full review. I was reading these reviews and many of you wondered why the terrific song Happy Man was buried in static. I read somewhere that it's been rumored that Mark Linkous purposely "sabotaged" that track after learning that their record company wanted to make the song their next single. He did this because he didn't want to be too commercialized. The "clean" version (called the Memphis Version) of this song can be found on the EP "Distorted Ghosts".

A Must Have
While Good Morning Spider isn't quite up there with It's A Wonderful Life, it is still a brilliant album and adds dimension to Sparklehorse.If you are a Sparklehorse fan, then you should definatley have this CD.Give it more than a few listens, it takes a while to get used to the different sounds.It's beautiful soothing melodies mixed with it's raw appeal make this album timeless.Overall it is magnificent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Dream Pop    4. Indie Rock    5. Noise Pop    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Eponymous albums are usually either debuts or the work of musicians trying to introduce themselves to a new audience. Count Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (447)

The downfall of indies' best....
I don't want to compare this album to all of Liz's other albums but it's hard not to. Yes artists would like you to take their work for what it is at the moment and I have done that. I must say some of the songs on the record, I can almost see the Liz of old, lyrics-wise. She has some wit on this album and towards the end of the album there are some more listenable songs.
Excellent Album! Glad Liz chose a New Groove!
The "purists" will hate it, but Liz Phair said she wanted more than just a barely profitable CD. So, she and Lauren Christy and co. put together this. Christy is more indie than most. Gee, if HWC and erotic songs isn't enough, make your own Liz Phair album. The CD is rock solid with her sensual voice, guitar rips, and seducing lyrics. It was Extraordinary!
Complex music, great with headphones
each song -unique,lyrics -what about the underwear song?How original is that!A couple of hits, too.Tis THE best Liz album. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Gang of Four went disco, Mission of Burma went deaf--and the Clash? Well, the Clash just went, but Fugazi have managed to escape the pitfalls that befell their predecessors. In fact, the Washington D.C. band formed by Minor Threat's Ian MacKaye and Insurrection's Guy Piccotto may well have become the world's most reliable source of no-sellout noise-pop. Read more

Reviews (61)

This is incredible...
Yes, indeed these EPs are absolutely incredible.I recently purchased this cd and was floored by Fugazi.This was my first Fugazi purchase and as typical with many who purchase an artist's recordings, the first impression is often the strongest.I have since purchased their discography and have enjoyed all of them, but none as much as this one.What craftmanship especially after being a Minor Threat fan all these years...they seem to had finally pulled it all together.Please do yourself a favor and buy this cd - punk ethos defined.

The Conscious Of Modern Alternative Music
If you follow alternative music, I would be surprised if you havent heard of Fugazi. They are known as the epitome of a band that will not sell out. They sell all their discs at bargain prices, and their concerts are always reasonably priced, for admission. This is their masterpiece, and "Waiting Room" is their finest hour. I would recomend all their albums, but this is their best punk album. As their later discs get out, they tend to defy description. However, I think its fair to say this is the album that made them relevant.

Amazing
This is probably one of the best(if not the best) hardcore punk albums of all time.The songs are filled with a passion andintensity that is hard to find. On top of that they are also often quite catchy("Suggestion,"Waiting Room")and it is clear that they are great songwriters. This is also historically important, as mant of the personal lyrics and comparibly complex guitar work (as to say,Black Flag)laid the groundwork for Emo.On top of that, not a single weak track.Highly reccomended ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative/Indie-Rock    3. American Underground    4. Emo    5. Hardcore Punk    6. Indie Rock    7. Pop    8. Post-Hardcore    9. Post-Punk    10. Punk    11. Rock   

Editorial Review

Like Neil Young on the finer moments of

Features

• Limited Edition

Reviews (58)

Simply not worth the money
CDs cost a small fortune these days. Considering that there are a gajillion bands you can give your money to for entertainment, it will not do to have four decent tracks and make the rest utterly insular and unlistenable. At least The Velvet Underground had great songs all the way through before they decided to tell the listener to get bent. I mean, that's all well and good if you aren't interested in what people think of your art, but from a consumer standpoint, that attitude alone does not make a good record. Especially, especially if you are going to be very depressed and request payment for someone to hear about it. Or worse, relate to it.
Alt-sadness from sensitive record
3 1/2
More Sparklehorse please!
I recently re-discovered this album after a few years of not hearing it, what I have been missing all this time..
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Indie Rock    4. Noise Pop    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (42)

a big disappointment...
Im comparing this album to social distortions self titled album so of course it is not near as good.If you are going to buy this album make sure you listen to this BEFORE you listen to social distortions self titled because if you dont your gonna hate it like i did...honestly i wouldnt even buy it.the songs are so-so but i think they could have done way better.only two stars for me.

When SD Was Invincible
This album has/brings so many hightlights.
Social D: Between Heaven and Hell
Mike Ness doesn't try too hard.He just plugs it in, cranks it up, plays what chords he can (all three of them) and sings about what he knows.Although none of these individual songs are quite as recognizable as "Story of My Life" or "Ball and Chain," overall this album is much better and more consistent than their self-titled."Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell" rivals Oasis' "Definitely Maybe" for the title of best true "rock" album of the 90's.A rock and roll classic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Pop    4. Punk    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll   

Editorial Review

The great thing about Flaming Lips records is that each new one renders all its predecessors obsolete.

Reviews (44)

Definitly Try other Lips cd's
Don't let this review get you down on the band. There is surely some good music here. But only on the opening of this CD. After that, its downhill. Nothing Horrible. Just not mentionable.
Great Album
It's really pretty basic. If you like the Flamming Lips you should own this album. If you are figuring out whether you like them I would probably get "Transmissions from a Satelite Heart." But this one is also another I'd recommend. In my mind, it's much better then their newest alubm

This where is where the The Flaming Lips started thier odesy to becoming one of the best bands ever began
After reading the mostly solid review for this album I decided that I should check this one out for my self to see just excatly what all the fuss was about it.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Dream Pop    3. Neo-Psychedelia    4. Noise Pop    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop