Reviews (158)

Thrice just keep getting better...
And I'd like to say one thing before getting into my review. All of those stupid metal-head reviews deserve to be deleted, because they're bashing this music for simply the type of music they play. Not only that, but at times Thrice are far more closer to hardcore than they are emo. They have their "facts" wrong and just stereotype it because it isn't brutal. (I hate Hawthorne Heights, by the way). I don't go reviewing Cannibal Corpse albums and then suggest hearing real music and lyricism such as VAST, Depeche Mode, and VNV Nation, although it's way closer to what I prefer.
The Most Disappointing Album Of The Year
I am a huge Thrice fan, and I love every album that they have done up to this point.If you like any of Trice's earlier albums this album will surely put you to sleep.It is a total change from punk/hardcore to a mellow, easy listening, pseudo Cold Play music. The radio friendly We Are the Invisible is the only half way decent track on the album, but you'll be sick of it after you listen to it twice.This album is boring, lyrically weak, and bears no resemblance to anything Thrice has ever done. If you like anything you've ever heard by Thrice buy any other album but this one.

Holy Moly
In the past was never really into Thrice due to my intense hatred of anything whiney. This changed immediately as I came upon their performance of "the earth will shake" on Youtube - one of the best live videos I've seen lately. Not many bands evolve and progress this fast in their entire careers, let alone from one album to the next. To throw out some comparisons you will never hear anywhere else: Mix the tightness of RUSH, the snazzy guitar licks of AT THE DRIVE IN, the beautiful atmosphere of U2 or COLDPLAY's x&y, the great, important hardcore of CAVE IN's "until your heart stops" and mature lyrics that take themselves seriously without being overly pretentious. Wow, do I like this. Some REALLY good production, too. Actually, the only qualm I have with this record is that it is SO polished that some (just one or two) parts ALMOST sound like the backstreet boys.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Emo    3. Pop    4. Post-Hardcore    5. Punk    6. Punk Revival    7. Punk-Pop    8. Rock   

Reviews (46)

amazing anberlin... what a treat
this cd was truly amazing and these guys will be around for a long time to come. what a treat this cd was.. buy it now and enjoy a whole new experience... watch out for the future, anberlin has a role and it will be big

Amazing Band, Amazing Album
This band/album is simply amazing. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a CD this much! It is truly one of those bands that you can't stop listening to. The music is beautifully written and the vocal/guitar work is legendary.I'd recommend this album to anyone. You won't regret this purchase, I promise!

A step down from NTFP, but every band has to start somewhere!
I got this album after being so incredibly impressed with Never Take Friendship Personal. While it doesn't quite reach the bar of their sophomore release, it shows the potential that the band tapped into for NTFP. "Cadence" is the standout track for me; it's one of the few tracks they have on either album that explicitly says the word "God," but you can find profound spiritual overtones in songs from both releases. Every band has a beginning, and this is Anberlin's. Be a true fan and pick it up. ... Read more

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

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Punk    3. Punk Revival    4. Rock   

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Punk    3. Rock   

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Reviews (120)

Great debut from a great band.
Motion City soundtrack is a band that never fails to impress me, no matter how many times I hear each song. They get better with each listen, rather than becoming tired and overdone. I would reccomend this cd to almost anyone. The album doesnt have abad song on it.
A refreshng change
Let me start off by saying I really love classic rock.I've never heard of these wierd sub genres many reviewers speak of such as emocore, screamo etc.But what I do know is that these guys rock.The lead singer's emo tinged voice behind the pop sound of the rest of the band make for a great combo.The keyboardist is just crazy. I never thought keyboards could sound that way.There really are not any bad tracks here.Every one could be a single which makes it all the more strange that these guys arn't more popular.To say this album is underated is an understatement.They're lyrics are inventive, smart, and even funny.I urge you. give this a listen, even if you hate pop or emo they will completely change your mind.

Buy It!
This CD rocks! Motion City Soundtrack is an awesome band. This CD is very catchy. I saw MCS at Warped Tour, and they are great live. And they are from Minnesota, which is where I'm from, so that makes me like than even more.
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Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Punk    3. Punk Revival    4. Punk-Pop    5. Rock   

Features

Reviews (3)

Average
All time low are nothing you haven't heard before, but becuase they never claimed to be original or unique, I'll cut em' a break.
Awesome
I'm a music addict, escpecially when it comes to emo and punk. when i first heard coffee shop soundtrack, i fell in love with the band. after hearing the cd, i became even more obsessed. no song really sounds the same, and i can't get them out of my head for days. you will definitely love it if you buy it... just coffee shop soundtrack and jasey rae are worth the 7 bucks :) lullabies and party scene are great, too. well, they all are. if you like cartel, the academy is..., and home grown, you'll love this too, maybe even more :D

impressive cd
All Time Low hits the scene with these 7 songs that explode with catchy energy that leaves each song with a unique new sound. "The Girls a straight up Hustler" is the cds stand out song followed by Coffee Shop Soundtrack. Running From Lions is a beautifully written song and u will sing along for days. Their writing style is a mix between poetic, melodic, dramatic and straight up in your face choruses. Bye this cd today, its so worth the money. they will be the new favorite punk band of the future. ... Read more

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

Reviews (217)

Cheshire Cat---the best album
The songs are great! Especially Carousel and wasting time. I love the intro of carousel. I always wanted to hear that intro in one of their concerts, but it never happened. Oh well!

hmmmm........
These are the exact same songs that are on Buddha. Buddha was way better, but this album still rocks......A little......
blink is punk
alright many people say Blink-182 is not punk and i say those people can F*** OFF.this album is punk belive me i know punk my favorite bands are Bad Religion, Sick of it All, Black Flag, G.B.H., Hatebreed, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, NOFX, and The Circle Jerks.now i will admit these guys sold out after Dude Ranch but thats okay.now this is punk-pop but sometimes it is on the edge of those two things.sometimes it even slips over to the pop side of things but most often it is punk.with songs like sometimes, touchdown boy, and does my breath smell make this album a good punk-pop album.they address some very big punk-pop issues like girls, Tv, and jacking off.all the songs are fast, funny, and just over all good.so dont give Blink-182 s*** before you have really listened to it.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Post-Grunge    4. Punk Revival    5. Punk-Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (9)

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
this is their best cd. evening out and take this to.. are the besst. afer that, with cork tree, they just became loser sellouts. this one is the best because pats voice is different, and i think they had 5 people in the band. plus i'm a huge fob fan, so i have like everything, so yeah
Illeagle CD
i have been a fall out boy fan since before this cd came out and i love the music on it. however when fall out boy put this record originally the record label (uprising records) screwed them out of their money and this re-release was not done with the permission of fall out boy and is just an attempt by uprising to make money after fall out boy's succes with from under the cork tree. the band never talks about this cd like it doesnt exist.

Awesome!
I agree with Dick. These are songs of when they just started out, and you can see how they have improved along the way of making these albums. You can really tell that they've worked hard. BUY THIS! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emo    2. Pop    3. Punk-Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

John Sampson continues to sharpen the contrast between the noisy agitprop of his former band Propagandhi and the low-key melodicism of his current one on this, the Winnipeg-based Weakerthans third full album. Forcefully literate (Sampson spent time between his two musical projects writing and launching a small publishing business) yet wed to a coolly urgent alt-pop musical sense that nicely underplays his self-conscious musings on personal obsessions that variously take in the title track's introspective impressionism, the poisonous nature of nostalgic, ritual cronyism on "Psalm For the Elks Lodge Last Call," and the acoustic poison-pen letter to his native Winnipeg, "One Great City." Propelled by a straightforward, occasionally jangly electric guitar assault, yet lightly seasoned with deft horn touches, pedal steel and simple harmonies, it's an album that's smart at every level. Read more

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Reviews (26)

Just plain beatiful music/lyrics...
I totally disagree with the previous reviewer that said the Weakerthans used to be "edgier" or more rough. From Fallow to this album their music has been just plain great and frankly has never been rough. Edgy? No, that's not the Weakerthans style.
Music that makes you feel good
I have been a fan of the Weakerthans since their first release and this is definitely my favourite album they have put out.It is the type of album that you can play on repeat (without skipping a track, of course) over and over and over and enjoy it just as much everytime.
One of the most refreshing new bands since the Early 90's
The Weakerthans sound is different from anything else today.This album in particular is a refreshing blend of upbeat humor and intellect and insightful rythyms that you cannot help but sing along to.I stumbled upon the website for the band (weakerthans.org) where I was able to download two songs and watch a video, and I was hooked from that moment.Outstanding!Somewhat reminiscent of They Might Be Giants... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Punk    4. Rock   

Editorial Review

Though possessing a heavy-duty indie history featuring such luminaries as the Pixies,Mission of Burma, and Throwing Muses, Boston is also famed for its booze-sodden Irish exile rock. And the Dropkick Murphys--clearly influenced by the Pogues at their most uproarious--are the cream of the present crop. Yet this is not simple jigging traditionalism. Despite employing bagpipes, mandolins, and tin whistles to add Celtic flavor to their sound, these guys are full-blown punks, harking back to the immediate post-Pistols era of the Angelic Upstarts. The riffs here are fast, heavy, and purposefully uncomplicated. The vocals are an impassioned gabble, usually building to terrace chants, while the lyrics are consumed by the plight of the working class in modern-day America and the need to keep a tight grip on Irish history. The Pogues' Shane MacGowan contributes a garbled but charismatic rap on the racy "Good Rats." The Murphys are also capable of heartfelt acoustic numbers, as evinced by the melancholic and impressively melodic "The Torch." Read more

Reviews (82)

Niiice
What an awesome cd... i bought a flogging molly cd as well but dropkick murphy's are better by FAR!!

Bloody and bruising and fun
As I write this review, I'm still nursing myriad bruises and minor injuries from spending the entire Dropkick show in the pit two days ago.This band is one of the rare few that's just as good live, not to mention an incredible amount of fun.
know the feeling of eating too much sour candy?
thats exactly how this album feels! you know, some irish songs and influences are good, but this is ridiculous. when 95% of your lyrical content is irish at least keep it interesting.(spicy mchaggis jig??? what the....?) so i say if your even interested in this cd or something 95% irish, get drunken lullabies or swagger by flogging molly instead, if you dont already have them. id also recommend the new murphys cd "the warriors code" if you want faster irish music done good. i give it 2 stars because its not nearly as bad as some of the other stuff out there. oh yeah rocky road to dublin kicks arse....thats about the only reason to even put this cd on. easily the worst DKM album ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hardcore Punk    2. Oi!    3. Pop    4. Punk    5. Punk Revival    6. Rock    7. Skatepunk   

Editorial Review

The gentle hand of Emmylou Harris guides this tribute to ill-fated country-rock avatar Gram Parsons, which goes a long way toward explaining why this star-studded salute avoids the pitfalls that befall many such projects. Harris got her start harmonizing with the patron saint of alt country, contributing mightily to Parsons's two early 1970s solo albums and reviving selections from his small, but indispensable, oeuvre throughout her career. She has a vested interest in finding a true connection between her former benefactor and this cast of Parsons partisans. Here she bands together a flock of followers who range from obvious offspring (Wilco, Gillian Welch, Whiskeytown) to not-so-evident disciples (Beck, the Pretenders, Sheryl Crow). Parsons's partner in the Flying Burrito Brothers, Chris Hillman, teams with Steve Earle on "High Fashion Queen," and David Crosby (like Parsons and Hillman, an ex-Byrd) joins Lucinda Williams on "Return of the Grievous Angel." Harris harmonizes with Beck on "Sin City" and shares the mic with Crow on "Juanita," one of the collection's highlights. Ultimately, Harris has assembled a homage that would've pleased her old mentor. Read more

Reviews (73)

serviceable tribute album but ultimately superfluous
Tribute albums are always a tricky business.It is rather difficult to create a cohesive album of disparate artists trying to re-form familiar songs into their own unique style.This Emmylou Harris produced tribute album for Gram Parsons is certainly no exception.It's not really a bad idea in theory.Gram Parsons was many things, but "great singer" was not one of them, so to have some polished pipes singing his songs was an idea with potential.Unfortunately, hardly any of these artists can put in the emotion that Gram infused in his plaintive vocals. Why you guys don't provide 10 stars for this?
Every tracks of this album are so stunning, esp. Sleepless Nights and A Song for You. You will have to find Gram Parsons's work to guarantee his talent.

A tribute done with class!
It was midnight and I stumbled upon a show called West 57th Sessions, from New York and unbeknown to me, what I was watching was a live performance of this tribute CD, "Return of the Grievious Angel."I managed to record the remaining 5 or 6 songs and hope to see it on video one day.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country    3. Alternative Country-Rock    4. Alternative Folk    5. Alternative Pop/Rock    6. American Trad Rock    7. Americana    8. British Punk    9. College Rock    10. Contemporary Country    11. Contemporary Folk    12. Country-Folk    13. Country-Rock    14. Folk-Rock    15. Heartland Rock    16. Indie Rock    17. Neo-Traditional Folk    18. Neo-Traditionalist Country    19. New Wave    20. Pop   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (17)

Blondie at their best
Blondie (1976.) Blondie's first album.
best blondie album
crisp, fresh and rockin even 25 years later.most interesting lyrics of any of the early blondie (and who really cares about post-parallel lines blondie?).great guitar and organ.underrated drumming on the solos and breaks.lesbian underthemes (seen later in sunday girl and pretty baby).and that voice, all sex.
Arguably, Blondie's Best
This album sounds like 1966--that blissful year in which so many eclectic sounds, from Motown to Go-Go Beat and British Invasion, to early Mod and pre Psychadelic, co-existed on the airwaves. "X Offender", "Little Girl Lies" and "in The Flesh", which open the album, all sound like Phil Spectorish girl-group recordings, albeit with spicier lyrics. On "Look Good In Blue" the band has the good humor to perform a rock song with a tango beat in dead earnest, as well as the memorable line "I could give you some head....and shoulders to lie on". "In The Sun" in my opinion is the most exhilerating Blondie song ever; the simple melodic hook is breathtakingly catchy, and the instrument playing the main riff sounds like something between a foghorn and a vacuum cleaner! (It is probably a synthesizer). Whatever it is, it is emblematic of the inspired innovation apparent throughout this album. "A Shark In Jets Clothing" is Blondie's homage to "West Side Story", and that closes Side 1 (or it did in the days of vinyl anyway). Side 2 began with the Latin-flavored "Man Overboard" which again revisits the girl group sound, and boasts background vocals by legendary60's songstress Ellie Greenwhich herself. Beautiful keyboard solo by Jimmy Destrisounds makes Blondie sound like The Doors on this cut. Then, "Rip Her To Shreds" reminds the listener that the Blondie of this album was initially a"punk" band from the CBGBs circuit. But unlike most punk rock, the song's aggressiveness is mostly satire--a comic book treatment of viciousness and female backbiting. Debbie is at her vampy best in the spoken parts "Hey! Pss Pss! Here she comes now!....Bye Bye Sugar! And not a minute too soon!" And the arrangement is perfect. "Rifle Range" follows, again with a slightly Doors-y feel. The lyrics are very out-there, in a similar way as Van Dyke Parks/Brian Wilson collaborations. Hauntingly beautiful lead guitar lines highlight this strange and compelling track. "Kung Gu Girls" which follows, is another in the "Rip Her To Shreds" aggressive vein. Again, we are in a comic book, with Debbie hollering "Kung Fu Cindy Sue, Oh I wanna get close to you, you're my Kung Fu Girl!..." Hysterical. Closing the collection is the conga-line looniness of "Attack of the Giant Ants' complete with a mid-song ant-attack with screams and police sirens! When the song ends suddenly, the fade out features lounge music on a piano and the sound of people talking at a party--very Beatles circa White Album! I really miss the Blondie featured here, they didn't survive this incarnation, and by the time of "Plastic Letters" of the following year, a lof the fun was already gone, dissapatingprogressively with each album that followed. I would say it died after "Eat to the Beat". But listening to "Blondie" always purifies my world, cleaning it up and making it all seem fun again. And "In the Sun" is a musical anti-depressant garaunteed to lift you up. You've never heard Blondie like this before. CD extras include the 1975 demos--a trifle lackluster but a must for fans, along with the original 7" versions of "X Offender" and "In The Sun" with alternate vocals---inferior to the album mixes but interesting anyway. They show how much Debbie perfected her studio technique in the few short months between the recording of the debut single and the album. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Punk    2. New Wave    3. New York Punk    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (29)

The REAL Keasbey Nights
I loved Keasbey Nights when it was released in 1998. It was a GREAT album and everytime I listened to it I loved it more and more and more. Then Tomas left and Catch 22 lost their sound. When Tomas left Catch 22 their sound left as well. Then Tomas formed Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution which only released one EP. Then after that Streetlight Manifesto was formed. Everything Goes Numb was the start of a great movement. Then in 2006 I heard word of SM redoing Keasbey Nights which puzzled me a bit but I couldn't wait. Then it finally came out and of course I bought it. Right from the start you can notice that this is not the same album at all. This album is like taking crude oil and refining it into gasoline. Catch 22's Keasbey Nights was crude oil and SM's Keasbey Nights is gasoline. This is the way Keasbey Nights was supposed to sound. Don't listen to others who say "oh this is the same damn CD as Catch 22's there's no difference here I waisted $$$ on this damn thing" f*ck them this CD is not the same. The only thing the same here is the title of the CD, the order of the songs, and the names of the songs. Besides that this is a completely different CD with some added lyrics to some of the songs. I guarantee you won't be disappointed by buying this. I sure as hell know I wasn't. I almost threw out the old Keasbey Nights after buying this it is that good.

Obviously clueless.
I've read some reviews of this album that say it's an exact duplicate of the original Keasbey Nights.These people obviously either don't listen well, or they don't understand music.There are so many differences, and I still find some when I listen to the album for the 100th time.The horn lines are nearly all more intricate, the bass on this album is absolutely astounding, there are lyrical alterations, and the solos are beautifully done.
dont fix whats not broken
to the guy who said he wished they would have changed more things...why? i can almost assure you if they changed anything extremely noticable people wouldnt like it.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Ska    5. Ska Revival    6. Ska-Punk    7. Third Wave Ska Revival    8. United States of America   

Reviews (9)

Versus Irony
Balkan punk band Gogol Bordello made it big in the last year with their latest album, a movie cameo and lots of good press.
one of very few cd's i've bought in a long time
After hearing them live in one of the clubs in Boston I loved this band especially for their energy. After the show I decided to buy the cd. The cd is far from displaying the energy I saw on stage, however i'd say it's one of my favorite cd's. The lyrics don't make much sense and the guy's accent is really heavy, however the music overall is great.

Something Different...
Being a fan of mostly punk rock music... I decided to give this a try. This record is highly entertaining, very fun and very original. I didnt even know that "gypsy-punk" existed untill I heard this. The musicianship is quite good as well. Chanty, boot stompin' songs with accordians and fiddles. I like it. I reccomend this if you like the more folky brands of punk rock (ie Swingin' Utters, Tossers, etc.) So, if you're willing to give something different a try, go ahead and pick this up. ... Read more

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

Reviews (74)

great great great album, but.....!
first, i love this band and this album is a total classic and takes me back a few years. i would put this album on par with rancid 2000 and life wont wait. it defiantely is not as good as out come the wolves and their debut. i dont think any rancid album could be worse than indestructible.
Let's go-go-go!!!
I am a Clash fanatic who was tired of the lack of punk music from the 70's and early 80's. I saw Let's Go bought it and put it in my car CD player. I listened to it every day for a week and absolutely loved it. At first I was skeptical but man is it catchy. Some great songs and lyrics if you can understand them. But hey its not about clear vocals....The bas lines are awesome and almost rocka billy in some places but it all works. Classic tracks include Harry Bridges, Salvation, Radio and Nihilism but in a way all the songs have merit. I am still playing this CD on the way to work and it gets me ready for anything the day can bring on. I am glad that even an old punk rocker like myself can still be revved up by music.
Rancid's Best, Question about Earlier Post...
to anybody reading this review new to rancid, get this album, along w/ wolves. really if you just think their okay, you could stop collecting their cd's. however if you really like them i suggest getting every album you can from them except maybe Indestructable...i downloaded that one.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Punk    4. Punk Revival    5. Punk-Pop    6. Rock    7. Ska-Punk    8. Third Wave Ska Revival   

Reviews (2)

Voi-la!
Gogol Bordello is hot right now, with their raucous, wild gypsy punk music and rousing concerts. But they started off a bit more low-key with their debut, "Voi-La Intruder," which relies more heavily on the gypsy part of their music than the punk-rocker aspect. Still, it's a dancey, wild album with their current persona creeping up under the table...
Psst. Kid, want a piece of candy?
Best kick I've gotten from an new album in ages.A sort of sly, accordian-soaked, over-the-top gypsy celebration with tons of energy and drama. Listening to it reminds me of a cross between Mr. Bungle, Uzme Doma and 3Mustapha3.(Oh wait...those might not be helpful comparisons.)Eugene Hutz sings/wails and otherwise belts his way through each of these tunes like a harsher, wilder Tom Waits. This is a great CD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gypsy    2. Obscuro    3. Pop    4. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

With the ambitious and fervent Read more

Reviews (28)

great album
I don't have much to say, just that this is a great album by a great vocalist and musician. Jeremy Enigk is one of the more impressive vocalists in modern rock and roll. I expected a little more than the album provided, hence the 4 stars instead of 5.

An album that will grow on you - Sunny Day and Enigk fans will no doubt love it!
The first couple of times I listened to "Return Of The Frog Queen" I hated it. I loved "Explain" and "Shade Of The Black Hat" (the catchiest and most memorable ones here) while the rest just didn't seem as good. Over time, though, I realized that the songs were intended to be more interesting than catchy, and interesting they are indeed. Most of the album is pretty slow sounding and is definitely not meant for the MTV crowd, but give them time and you will love them just as much as the two great songs here (the ones I mentioned). Jeremy's voice is still as good as it ever was on a Sunny Day Real Estate album, and the lyrics are, again, well-written and worth paying close attention to. The musicianship here is solid, unique and interesting, but I think the production could use a bit of work. All things considered it's a very good album, but what gives it a "5" is the inclusion of these two great songs. I think that Jeremy Enigk and Sunny Day Real Estate as well as singer/songwriter fans will love it if they give it enough time to sink in. Absolutely recommended!
One of the best C.D.'s of the '90's?
I have very enthusiastically called this CD one of the best CD's of the 1990's.Sure, I listen to a lot of classic rock and soundtrack music (odd combination, I know), and may not be the best expert here (ok, get your "unhelpful" buttons ready), but there is something charming, sophisticated, gorgeous and brilliant going on here.I haven't heard a CD that gets everything so "right" at all the right places.Mr. Enigk has put together something that far surpasses his contemporaries and nails the 1960's pop British psychedelia with some downright heart wrenching vocal performances.Did I mention that the orchestral instrumentation is impeccable? OK, I'll stop gushing, but I think you get the picture.Even the most jaded will feel the heat of the tracks "Explain" and "Shade and The Black Hat".Treat yourself to this one.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Chamber Pop    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

If the title track didn't sum up an entire generation, it certainly captured the frazzled swagger of early punk rock. Launched from New York City's famous C.B.G.B. nightclub, the Voidoids released this debut in 1977, around the same time as Television's Read more

Reviews (47)

Punk at its best
I can't think of proper words to describe this album because of its magnitude. The sounds are so perfect I assume it speaks for itself.Minimalist at times, danceable at others -- this should be on your list of original punk "must haves."

Richard Hell & The Voidoids - 'Blank Generation' (Sire) 2 1/2
Originally released in 1977,as this was Richard Hell's first lp.Reason I'm giving this CD reissue a 2 1/2 star rating is because I personally know old school fans of New York punk that may get more out of it that I did.Tunes here that kept this disc in my player ALL the way through were "Love Comes In Spurts","Betrayal Takes Two",their John Fogerty cover "Walking On The Water" and the title cut "Blank Generation",Obviously,this disc didn't do much for me.Just might appeal to select fans of Television,Ramones,Dictators or Lou Reed.

BLESSED. One of my faves of ALL TIME.
This album sends chills down my spine. It's perfect for all occasions, Hell's lyricism is like an acid trip and Quine and Julian are such good guitarists it hurts. Having Marky Ramone in your band ain't bad, either. Once, I met Ivan Julian and professed my love for him before he covered Blank Generation, and I tell ya, my life's never been the same. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Punk    2. New York Punk    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Proto-Punk    6. Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (2)

A fine rebellion
Thank God for Fat Mike. Every time I get depressed about the state of the nation, his Fat Wreck Chords releases an inspiring, combative agit-prop proto-punk album full of revolutionary zeal.
Still strong
Dead FM is a solid effort put out by Strike Anywhere.It didn't really know what to expect going into it, but i was pleasantly surprised.I never really expected it to live up to Exit English or Change is a Sound, but it's close behind them.I've always loved Strike Anywhere for their hardcore style vocals, fast beats, and sing along parts.They have strayed away a little from the more hardcore type songs and a couple of songs are pretty catchy.The album has a good amount of songs although they are pretty short.Favorite songs are "prisoner echoes", "how to pray", "speak to our empty pockets",and "allies".Overall i'd give Dead FM a 4 compared to a 5 from their previous other two albums. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Terrific sales of their independent Read more

Reviews (419)

Blows everything out of the water!!!!
Dude Ranch makes EOTS and TOYPAJ look like the worst albums ever.Except for the blink's self-titled album, the record beats everything they have ever done.I was entertained through out the whole album and every song was as good as the last, particulary "Emo" which actually reminds me of some of Jimmy Eat World's old stuff.The guitar is actually really good compared to blink's other records (i.e. Degenerate, I'm Sorry, Waggy) though it definately isn't anything close to something like Jimmy Hendricks or Van Halen, but who cares :)To sum it up, your blink-182 collection is not complete without Dude Ranch!

Still sets the bar after all these years
It's been almost ten years now since Blink 182 released Dude Ranch (oh God, I'm getting old!) , and yet it still sets the bar for what a pop-punk album should sound like.While "Enema of the State" may have sold more albums and truly made Blink 182 a household name, many people were introduced to Blink 182 via the radio single "Dammit (Growing Up)".While many simply placed the cd back on their shelves after they played that song out, many others discovered that they were quickly falling in love with Mark, Tom and Scott and the rest of the "punk" rock movement of the late 90's.While I'm sure Tom Delonge's voice was an awful shock to many who purchased Dude Ranch after hearing "Dammit", older fans as well as new recruits were addicted.Dude Ranch starts off with the best formula Blink had to offer; Mark and Tom trading off vocals over a fast punk rock beat.If "Pathetic" didn't/doesn't do it for you, you should probably put down the cd.However if you find it hard to wipe the smile off your face, you'll find out that the rest of the album is truly a punk rock classic."D*ckips", "Apple Shampoo", "Emo", "A New Hope" and "Josie" (which had some small success as the follow up to Dammit)are my favorites, but their are really no bad songs on Dude Ranch (although I don't usually listen to "I'm Sorry" anymore).This is the last time Blink 182 would sound this way for an entire album. Scott Raynor would leave the band and be replaced by the more talented Travis Barker, but whose drumming is truthfully less "punk rock" than Scott's was.Tom's vocals would become overproduced, and Mark's catchy little bass solo's would become almost non-existent.I'm not sure how this album comes or will come across to those who discovered Blink later in the band's career, but I can speak for all of the older fans when I say that Dude Ranch is a true classic, that can never be replicated or replaced.*****

One of blink's best
I'll admit that blink 182 is NOT true punk.True punk and catchy are two words that aren't supposed to mix.But I still feel that they are good musicians.Another thing that I