Reviews (46)

An excellent album from an excellent band
I was first introduced to Kings of Convenience by hearing their single "I'd Rather Dance with You" on an online radio station. Since then, I have been absolutely mesmerized by their use of beautiful harmonies and subtle lyrics. It is said that the singers were inspired by Simon and Garfunkel and similar artists, which one can immediately hear in this record (particularly on "Cayman Islands," a track favorite). Standout tracks on this album Cayman Islands, I'd Rather Dance With You, Know-How, and Misread. Overall, this band, and this album, are among the best in my large music collection.

peaceful thoughtful peppy
Kings of Convenience is very much Jack Johnson plus Coldplay. Some songs are mellow/sad and others are almost T-Rex with peppiness.

Beautiful and Original
Firstly I would like to disagree, with both amazon and some of the other reviewers on here claiming their sound to be unoriginal and comparable to Belle & Sebastian. I have an enormous music collection that is beyond excessive and yet I have declared Kings of Convenience as my favorite band of all; and rightly so with the most play counts in iTunes. I never write music reviews, but I've made an exception for this.
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Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (22)

Of Montreal's Magic is Working
This album really captures the greatness of Of Montreal, who I first discovered from airplay on a college radio station. And this is not just a review of a good album, this is a highlight of a band that brings back quality to the current music scene. I mentioned before that they were like indie-pop infused with keyboardary and opera-like vocals...and the vocals are wonderfully original and the harmony is perfect. I have noticed that Of Montreal has a rare talent of effortlessly churning out catchy, extremely addictive, captivating tunes. "Climb The Ladder" is a great example. Even slower songs like "City Bird" are equally masterful. While I agree with others that it takes a certain musical background to like this album, I highly recommend it too.

Exquisite
Of Montreal's Satanic Panic in the Attic is one of those singular albums that is so richly dense, so unabashedly whimsical and so damned polished, a listener can't resist sweeping all other albums from his or her desk and (metaphorically, of course) consummating one's relationship with it via iPod's vastly underappreciated "Repeat" feature.
Of Montreal Get It Right
Kevin Barnes and Co have created there first tight masterpiece, a concise pop effort with 14 great indie-pop tunes that builds upon there best inclinations of there previous efforts and expands upon them. No longer does an Of Montreal record take a secret encyclopedia of knowledge to understand what is going on. Now we can see exactly why Of Montreal are such a great unit. I give the album 5 stars because this is there best album thus far, signaling a new era for the band, with great songs like "Disconnect the Dots", "Lysergic Bliss", "Rapture Rapes the Muses", and the 'sad love' song "Eros Entropic Tundra". Highly recommended for fans of classic 60's pop / British Invasion / Psychedelic, or today's indie-pop bands like the Shins. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Neo-Psychedelia    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (14)

Just Getting Better
I absolutely adored this CD, mostly because the music is so different and the band seems to have such a creative force in music-making. If I was forced to pick a genre for this release I would say 60s psychedilic influenced new-new wave. Standouts include "Publish My Love" and "California" but any song would honestly give you chills.
Amazing!
This album is absolutely amazing! I got turned onto Rogue Wave by hearing them on XM radio, and I was instantly hooked. They are totally underplayed. Every song on this album is amazing!

Rogue Wave-descended like vultures
Rogue Wave is another addition to the sub-pop records family, with bands like the shins, the constantines, the elected, Damien Jurado, and Postal Service, this seattle based record company has the leading edge of indie bands. Zach Rogue writes almost everything for the cd and it really shows the true sound he wanted to get from this album. "Bird on a wire" has the sound of many Elliot Smith songs, "Publish my love" is a soft resonant song that leaves you still wanting to be convinced as to what he can do while "Love's Lost Gaurantee" and "10:1" broaden the sound to create the two ranges that his music could create to be the two best songs on the album. The next song "California"
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Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Indie Rock    3. Lo-Fi    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. United States of America   

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• Live

Reviews (10)

Best New Find!!!
Xavier Rudd's Solace albulm is my newest find. I absolutly love his music. Very orginal. I would suggest people new to his music buy this albulm 1st. He has a great voice that sounds like Dave Matthews Band on some tracks and Paul Simon on others. A very good albulm... buy it you will NOT be disappointed ;)

the man is magical. the man is super talent.
xavier rudd is the essence of the evolved male who understands unity, harmony and beauty all expressed through his music. his music is emotional and raw and compelling and touches the soul of the listener. i saw him live in Amsterdam a few weeks back and there alone he sat and played with his array of instruments and had the crowd of hundreds united in his vibe and rhythm. he carried the whole room alone! playing all instruments at the same time! one of the best shows i have ever seen....the same energy comes through on ALL of his CD's....it's the kind of music to drive to, sing to, cook dinner with, play loud with windows open. He is all about the energy....i play his Cd's everyday....love the Good Spirit LIVE CD as it captures his music with the dynamic of the crowd. The first opening notes on Solace always uplift and brighten the energy in the room.

Solace amongst the sin.....
I found Xavier Rudd through a search of artists similar to Jack Johnson.I have also heard comparisons to The Beautiful Girls and John Butler Trio.These comparisons might not be entirely accurate, however, the artist he might be most closely associated with is Paul Simon.I do not really care at all for Paul Simon, but Xavier really struck a chord with me.To give you an idea of his vast musical abilities, the inside cover indicates that he plays the slide guitar, 6 and 12 string acoustics, electric guitar, stomp box, harmonica, didgeridoo, drums, among others.There are upbeat and mellow songs included here with my favorites being "Let Me Be," "Partnership," and "Green Spandex."In addition, I'm not sure I've heard a more beautiful song of late than "Solace."Listen to a few clips and give it a shot...you won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop    5. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The singer/songwriters working today who point to Tin Pan Alley and Broadway musicals as central inspirations can be counted on an index finger. Rufus Wainwright is quite an anomaly--but, then again, he's the son of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. Wainwright has been compared to Randy Newman for his piano-based orchestral sense, but unlike Newman, he rarely turns those poppy conventions against themselves: he's always sentimental and sincere about the fluff he explores. When he drives his melodies and lyrics hardest--as on the Beatlesque "April Fools" and the barroom "Matinee Idol"--his considerable imagination is most convincing and entertaining. Fans of folk simplicity should skip this one, but the more adventurous may find the charm in Wainwright's ambitious debut. Read more

Reviews (177)

Eclectic cheer
After hearing of his music and hearing bits and pieces around the 'net and radio I decided to give his music a listen for myself. It seemed only appropriate to start where the rest of the modern world was forced to start; at the beginning.
Not his best...
To start off the first review I have ever written, I would like to state that I am a Rufus Wainwright fanatic.Obsessed, head-over-heels-for-him, chokes on any liquid whenever someone casually drops the term "popera", you name it, I fit the bill.
dreamy and eloquent
The more I listen to it, the more I am captivated by the melody, the imagery.It is one of my favorite 'driving' cds because I can really be swept up by the experience, listen to the lyrics and enjoy the orchestration ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Like the album's title, this music is about the basics. This seminal release from 1990 rerouted pop music for several years, and for the better. This simple guitar/bass/drum/vocal affair cut like a searchlight through the fog of tortuously overproduced music of the time, as The Sundays proved that more is often merely more. Harriet Wheeler's lilting, swooningly sweet voice is clearly the strong driving factor behind this debut's appeal, fore-grounded through spare arrangements and an almost timid rhythm section, though the timbre of Wheeler's voice is perfectly matched to David Gavurin's terrific 12-string guitar. Taken as a whole, the album bears repeated listening, even though some of the songs tend to blur together. The hit single "Here's Where the Story Ends" is rivaled by, if not equal to, "You're Not the Only One I Know," "I Kicked a Boy," and "Joy." Read more

Reviews (73)

Finally found it!
From 1992 to 1994 I worked for a local Rochester NY radio station called WBER. They played alot of great alternative. Belly, King Missile, Cranberries, Cocteau Twins etc...
other stuff to check out
I am a huge fan of catchy, quiet yet melodic folk/pop. If you enjoy this album then I strongly recommend that you check out the following:
A wonderful, haunting album
I remember hearing the song "Here is where the story ends" since it was released back in 1990.
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Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. College Rock    4. Dream Pop    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

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Reviews (41)

Ohio is Worth the Trip
Anyone who likes the spare distilled beauty of artists like Texas, the Cowboy Junkies, or even Norah Jones, will love Over the Rhine.The music and production is well done and the melodies and lead vocals are outstanding.The songwriting is pretty good too - definitely better than average, with some stand outs.The title track goes beyond its words to creative an evocative sonic landscape.The double album idea may be a bit far reaching, in that they could have created a really strong album of regular length by editing some of the songs that were maybe not as good as the others.But that is my only comment near to a criticism.It can easily be argued that the double album gives you more time to spend in the sublime realm that is "Ohio".

This Album Will Change Your Life
I bought this album after the song "What I'll Remember Most" on a radio station in the middle of nowhere. This band has immediately rocketed to number one on my list after only buying this album. This album will make you experience a vast realm of emotion, but it will also teach you things. BUY IT. If you have heard a song from it that you like, you will like the entire album. Why isn't Over The Rhine more popular? I don't know, but it's ridiculous.

uh? i mean heck no, he-e-e-eck no!
i know everyone is gonna hate me for this, but i gotta be honest here; for those who still have not heard this album then please don't bother. I think this is probably the worst double album ever made. afterall what is the point of a double album if not to showcase your uniqueness, your originality and creativity. double albums were not made to have two discs with exactly the same songs, which, unfourtunately, Over the Rhine has done and practically ruined the double album as it should be. i really think this is one of the worst albums i own. both discs are like one long song that drags on. it is so repetitive it's hard to believe that they actually consider each song new. THis is really, really lacking in gripping moments, is very full of boredom, and i'm sorry, didn't touch me in the least. i cannot even believe how much everyone likes this album as much as they do. as each song starts you're thinking, oh man, this song again. really dissappointing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Dream Pop    4. Folk-Rock    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

This shimmering sleeper of a solo debut should surprise even diehard fans of the Jayhawks, the band in which Tim O'Reagan played a comparatively low-profile role as the drummer. Here, his homespun pop with psychedelic glimmers features lush harmonies, buoyant melodies, offbeat arrangements (including his dad as guest whistler on the opening "These Days"), and multi-instrumental overdubbing by O'Reagan (supported by Jayhawks alums and kindred spirits). The results suggest an unlikely blend of a rootsier Left Banke, a cheerier Elliott Smith, and a heartland George Harrison. The yearning "River Bends," with its steel guitar, would have been a highlight on any Jayhawks album. Read more

Reviews (9)

Beatiful Music from Tim O'Reagan
As another review mentions, one of my favorite Jaywalks songs is "Bottomless Cup," one of the few written and sung by Tim while he was part of the Jayhawks.I always wished he would be given more space on each album.This album is bitter-sweet, both in content and context. Tim has produced a great album, but its existence results from the dissolution of one of the great bands of the last twenty years.

Jayhawks Fans Rejoice
One of the saddest days, for me, was whwen the Jayhawks announced that after many years of putting out some of the best "alt-country' discs (hell, why label them, some of the best discs period) were splitting up. Their songs were beautifully constructed, harmonically pleasing and and real.
Bottomless Cup
I've often thought that the best Jayhawks song from the post-Mark Olson line-up was Bottomless Cup from Sound Of Lies.On that song, Tim O'Reagan stepped out from behind the drums and sang lead vocals for the first time.Tim got to sing a song or two on subsequent Jayhawks releases, but I always wished he'd had more of an opportunity to shine in the band setting.Well, that wasn't meant to be, but now he has his own self-titled, full-length record.It doesn't disappoint.It builds on the potential only hinted at from Tim's songs with the Jayhawks.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Chamber Pop    4. Country    5. Pop    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

After a four-year hiatus notable for some film and television soundtrack work, a lapsed contract, and a relaxed songwriting schedule Fountains of Wayne return with their third and best CD to date. The New York-based power-pop quartet delivers a diverse feast of infectious melodies and endlessly clever lyrics. Songwriters Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood still slide on a sweet scale between the Beatles and the Monkees, but they've branched out from '60s sounds to include bona fide alt rock ("Little Red Light," "Bought for a Song"), orchestrated pop ("Halley's Waitress"), a country lark worthy of Dwight Yoakam ("Hung Up On You"), and hints of psychedelia ("Supercollider"). The Cars-flavored "Bright Future in Sales" and "Stacy's Mom" warrant heavy-rotation airplay. Following their acclaimed eponymous debut and the vastly underrated Read more

Reviews (224)

Their best to date!
This is so far the best CD from Fountains of Wayne.It's filled with so many strongs songs.Some of my favorites include "Bright future in sales" and "Hey Julie".One of my all-time favorite lyrics is from the song "No Better Place":
Great Music and Lyrics - Thoroughly Enjoyable
sA friend introduced me to this CD and I don't think I've adequately thanked him.I'd never heard of the band, and I'm sure I'd have remembered an odd name like Fountains of Wayne.
Incredible
I've been a FoW fan from the beginning, and they have NEVER disappointed me.I've been listening to this CD for years, and I still sometimes just sit and listen to it.The harmonies in "Valley Winter Song" almost made me fall off my chair the first time I heard the song.I think "Mexican Wine" might be a better radio pop song than Stacy's Mom, but Stacy's Mom rode the strength of a funny and relatable concept combined with a sexy and funny video.I still think "Hailey's Waitress" isn't a great song, but its OK.My biggest disappointment with this CD is that "Yours and Mine" is only a minute long!!But maybe the song's greatness lies in the fact that it leaves us wanting more and more of the same song, and we also just don't want the CD to be over. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Pop    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop Underground    6. Power Pop    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (4)

All Those Precious Vinyl EPs . . .
After all this time, I finally have those early non-album Cocteau tracks from the 80's on two tight, pristine and affordable CDs (with some notable exceptions - see the review below by Laurence Upton who offers detailed commentary on exactly which songs and different versions made the final cut).
In a word, it's... cool.
The Cocteau Twins were one of those mysterious bands that the really cool kids in High School were into. You know, the ones with lots of black clothing, complicated footwear, hip hairdos, and surprisingly easy access to mind-altering substances. In other words, not me.
Complements the 4AD albums
Lullabies was the Cocteau Twins first EP, released in Autumn 1982 a couple of months after their debut album Garlands, and Violaine marked the final release by the band in the summer of 1996. Now that the lavish 4CD box set has sold out, the discs have been made available in two double-CD sets, of which the first represents their 8 year association with Four AD, and the second their period with Fontana. This distinction is less marked in America, where albums from Blue Bell Knoll onward were all on Capitol.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Ambient Pop    3. Dream Pop    4. Pop    5. Post-Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Scotland   

Reviews (3)

Starflyer stagnates
I am not sure what to make of this album. I like it, the songs are great, and the good ol' SF59 crystal-clear production is intact. It's a very listenable, very good, entertaining Starflyer record.
good album but not their best
Starflyer have perfected their sound and on "My Island" they created the album that best represents their new sound.Early releases like "Silver" and "Gold", Starflyer 59 was into a wall of guitar sound like many shoegaze bands of the early nineties. What makes SF59 different is that they kept their pop sensibility with all the guitars, and this pattern continued until they released "Fashion Focus" in 1998. This release marked a new shift in sound for the band and it has been the same ever since with the exception of 2004's "I am the Portuguese Blues", a bluesy affair patched together from left over songs of 1997's "Americana" (their best album). Well, basically if you have liked SF59's latest albums like "Old" 2003, "Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice" 2005, you will dig "My "Island". Jason Martin's vocals are still hushed as always but the production on this album seems top notch. "Nice Guy", "My Island", "I Win" are all killer. This sounds like a combnination of New Order with guitar from the likes of Johnny Marr. We often forget how good SF59 is, until they come out with a new album every year that is amazing.No other band has released so many good albums one after another, I mean almost every year. 1993 "Silver" 1994 "She's the Queen" 1995 "Gold" "Americana" 1997 "Fashion Focus" 1998 "Everybody Makes Mistakes" 1999 "Leave Here a Stranger" 2001 "Old" 2003"I am the Portuguese Blues" 2004 "TVvsSV" 2005, and now "My Island". Thanks SF59, you guys are amazing and keep doing what you do!

Sharing a room...not a bed.
Just a joy.More variety than we're used too and nice crisp/warm production.Best track is probably "Mic The Mic".There are no weak tracks.Very unique.Do you gather that I like it?This used to be a 3 chord heavy rock shoegazer band that has transformed into a modern day Cars with a much darker edge.Its pop without the happy sheen.No excess here.
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Subjects:  1. Dream Pop    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

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Features

• Original recording reissued

Reviews (91)

It's Just Happy Good Shite
if ye are a fan of good, simple and fun music, give this a listen.
Out of tune? what are u talking about?
to the guy with no taste who gave this album 1 star: are u deaf? ive read ur other reviews and u havent got a clue what your talking about.and stop stalking that crap woman i gave her a listen and shes not that good. go listen to some good music.

Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright...
Hard to phathom how this little doozy got started. So some college kids from Glasgow got together to put to music some penned up material from aspiring poet Stuart Murdoch, and the result was a very limited edition of about 1,000 vinyl copies of what became known as "Tigermilk". Usually this stuff gets a B+ by the instructor, is listened to a few times by family members and close friends of the 'band', then gets forgotten, and the students graduate and get real jobs or something. Hah, well, sometimes in the vast sea of college projects rises to the surface a creation that doesn't go away...or refuses to go away, as the case may be. Like the "Blair Witch" phenomenom, this quiet, unassuming set of 10 songs caught a wave -- a tidal wave so-to-speak -- and for its first few years of its existence, was spread mostly through word of mouth (and then through music file sharing programs, at least until more copies went into print) at an alarming rate. Why is that? What makes this record so special?
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Chamber Pop    3. Folk-Rock    4. Indie Pop    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter    9. Twee Pop   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (23)

Sublimalicious
This is the first Cocteau Twins CD I bought.It started my journey into the sublime,and into true music enlightenment..What can I say but....experience it yourself!!!!

This band is icy as north pole!
Don't believe anybody who think Cocteau Twins is Enya-wannabe or something. This is 1984 and the band is true originals. There is very small Siouxie & The Banshees flavour in some of their songs, but meanwhile this is post-punk era and music is very hypnotic. Somtimes this style called dream-pop. The sound cool and icy and absolute amazing. When I hear Liz F. I feel like snowflake in the center of snow-blast. When I hear song called Lorelei tears goes down from my eyes I just don't know why. Listening to this album is good for you karma!

fabulous fem
Every song pulls you into a web of mysticism.I love the variation of soprano and alto, the music's lure, its enticement.Alternative sound, ultimate fem.I can't stop listening. ... Read more

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

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Reviews (15)

An Amazing Album From A Superlative Band
The Cardigans are my favorite band, and considering the quantity of music I listen to, that's a heavy compliment.I got hooked when I happened hear their "My Favorite Game" in the intro to Gran Turismo.I'm one of the fans, however, that prefers their later albums to their earlier work.Up until Super Extra Gravity, my favorite album was Long Gone Before Daylight, and I also found myself listening to Gran Turismo a good deal.I also like First Band on the Moon and Life, but not only do I prefer their later style- I think they've become more inventive and expressive especially in their last 2-3 albums.
They never cease to impress me.
Every one of the Cardigans' albums is quite unique, so if you are looking for a part 2 of a previous album, this is not it. This is by far my favorite of their albums. People tend to call them pop, but this is not your vanilla radio pop, folks.
SEG is good but it's not LGBD
Super Extra Gravity is a great rock 'n roll album. I was so enamored by their melancholic, lush, previous album "Long Gone Before Daylight" thatI had to get this album as soon as it came out in Europe. This album rather cleverly contains a sequel to the song "And Then You Kissed Me." I definitely enjoy the songs on this album. But because the songs are so intense and rock-based, I wouldn't say the album as a full listen through is entirely enjoyable. My favorite songs off this album are probably In the Round and Overload.
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Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Indie Pop    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Sweden    8. Swedish Pop/Rock   

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Reviews (13)

Instant Fun !!
full of fun!, great album !!... for the people who has a peaceful view of point of life !.

Pop Pop No Fizz
I adore every song on this record.They played Chop Suey in Seattle and had everyone dancing and singing.Fun band to see live - almost too much fun!Buy them, see them, be happy.

So much fun!!!
Take 1 part Animal Collective, 1 part Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and 1 part The Shins and mix it up and cook on "fun" for about 40 minutes. This is the recipe for England's own, The Boy Least Likely To, perhaps England's greatest export since Oasis. I've been stuck on this album for the last week or so, listening to it non-stop, and I honestly have no idea why. I mean, it's good music, it's very poppy-rock music, and it's fun. Maybe that's it. Maybe this is one of the most fun albums I've heard in a while. Actually, forget maybe....this IS the most fun album I've heard since Of Montreal's "The Sunlandic Twins."
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Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Some albums really can change the world, and in 1989 this was one of them. The psychedlic dance extravaganza that was Read more

Reviews (221)

Overrated or Underrated?
This album may be considered overrated for anyone familiar with a some music-related publications, such as the New Musical Express (NME) and the British newspaper The Observer, which both placed it as #1 on a list of Best Albums and Best British Albums respectively. In another sense, it may be seen as underrated because when you mention "The Stone Roses", (unless, perhaps, you are somewhere in Great Britain or are talking to a well-versed music fan), nobody knows who you are talking about! At any rate, I feel that this album deserves attention.
answering mr. alan williamson
Mike and the Mechanics ushering in the Madchester scene? You must subscribe to Roling Stone magazine, 'lad'. "The Living Years" was just soft adult fake prog pablum created (or should I say, manufactured) by a bunch of aging second string hipsters with greying ponytails who couldn't usher in their own garbage tin from the street much less a new pop scene. In addition, they weren't even from Manchester, where you had to be from, to usher in the MADchester scene. Get it? The Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses were the real proginators of the Madchester scene.
Flawless
This is a flawless record. Everything is perfect. Not one song is bad.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Britain    4. British Trad Rock    5. Britpop    6. College Rock    7. Indie Pop    8. Indie Rock    9. Madchester    10. Pop    11. Rock    12. Rock/Pop    13. Shoegaze