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Reviews (9)

Beautifully packaged album masks Buckley's disdain for some of songs
I was not particularly aware of Buckley until I heard "Hallellujah" on a TV show.I bought this album since it had the longest version of the song on it, of any of his albums.What a disappointment.He seems to play it as a duty, showing little respect for a truly wonderful song.
Decent live album, but...
I was and remain a fan of his first full LP "Grace", a pretty, if slight album that grew with each listen. His unforutunate death at such a young age is, of course, a tragic happenstance. But facts are facts; Jeff Buckley was a work in progress when he died. He had a long way to go, before he could live up to the "musical prodigy" hype that has been bestowed upon him by obsessesed teen/twentysomething girls who have his posters adorning their walls.Like Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and Tupac before him, Jeff Buckley has now joined the ranks of rock matyrdom, and is being eagerly milked by greedy record companies and sold to horny, lonely, sensitive, misunderstood girls and boys who prefer relationships with dead icons over flesh and blood. Lets face it, if Jeff Buckley looked like "Skreech" from "Saved by The Bell", would anyone other that the extremely dedicated still be talking about "Grace" today? This live album, incidentally, is the best one to get.

R.I.P. Jeff Buckley
It has been 9 years since his death and record companies are still releasing some new stuff about him.This album is his third live album and for me it's the best.Although it was recorded from a casette found after his death,the sound is absolutely perfect and you can easily feel the atmosphere.This album was recorded on 6th and 7th of July 1995 at the Olympia Theatre in Paris in 2 soldout concerts and has 11 great songs featuring covers of the MC5's 'Kick out the jams' and Led Zeppelin's 'Kashmir'.This is precious for any Jeff Buckley fan,but if you have no idea about him this is a good place to start. ... Read more

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

Reviews (6)

"If You Don't Love Yourself....What's the Use in Someone Else....... Loving You?"
I don't know people. I don't know what I can say about listening to this album and have you TRULY understand what it's all about. With Robyn Hitchcock, I believe firmly in my soul (and with help from the illustrious barbershop quartet of guides I have at my disposal) that you have to be exposed to a certain amount of life's absurdities in order to appreciate him.You see, it is also my own belief that Robyn is a praying mantis in human form and, as such, one must tread lightly with criticism. I truly enjoy his artistry because while we may look at pop music like it was neo-classical art, Robyn decides to throw us many curves, putting 3 eyes and 2 noses on our vision like a left field Picasso! To categorize him is to confine him and we all know by now that Robyn Hitchcock can, at any time, slip away in to his own reality, frustrating us in our efforts to understand. But, with that being said, I can feebly attempt to tell you what I think is going on, not that it matters in the least. But, on a sensual level we all know one thing, and it's the music that counts.
A cool, polished gem that gets overlooked...
Perspex Island marked a huge step in Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians' move from (at least in the U.S.) college radio act to major label players. Following the modest success of Globe of Frogs, it seemed that one more gleeming studio album with heavy promo duty would put the band over the top, so to speak. By this time, the warm friendship with REM was paying off in unintended ways; the band were invited to open on the US dates of the massive Green tour, which undoubtedly exposed them to a wider audience, but not necessarily the right audience for Robyn and company.
Perspex Island
Perspex Island is one of my top ten favorite albums. I have a few of his other stuff, but prefer this one. It is one of those albums that makes me feel calm and happy when I listen to it. I know all the words on this album and have listened to it over and over for the past nine years. I finally have to replace it after all that time. Not only could I just envelop myself in the music, but I find his words sometimes profound and sometimes laugh out loud funny ("There are no jokes in the bible!"). This album isn't as fun as "Balloon Man" but is a better album than "Globe of Frogs".In addition to being one of my favorite albums, it makes me nostalgic and happy. It doesn't give me a headache (I must be getting old) and the lyrics are intelligent. So to summarize, this album makes me happy (have I said that enough?). I know I've rambled, but I love this album and can't explain succinctly WHY I love it... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. College Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Jangle Pop    5. Neo-Psychedelia    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (32)

I LOVE this Album
This is one of my absolute favorite Ani albums.The lyrics and melodies are catchy and the album is short (only about 30 minutes) so it's perfect for driving in the car or while tooling around the house. Her lyrics and poetry are as personally and politically relevant as always but there's also a really playful side (Blood in the Boardroom, Pick Yer Nose) that Ani doesn't showcase too often in her later albums. A more "human" Ani is appparent in this album than in any she's produced since. Definitely buy Puddle Dive.

Fun and empowerment:
I added this one to my Ani's collection relatively late (after Living in Clip and many others), and right now this is the Ani's album i listen to more frequently.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!
I LOVE this album! Ani is really brilliant and her writing inspires me so much. There is a lot of diversity on this particular record. Some soft beautiful songs like "Anyday" or "Back Around" and then there are some sprawling crazy acoustic numbers like "Born A Lion" and "Egos Like Hairdos"...all great! I love Ani's whole Righteous Babe Record label. Such great music! Check it out today! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Folk    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Anti-Folk    4. Indie Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter    9. Urban Folk   

Features

• CD-single

Reviews (22)

A single worth having
Out of the many CD singles of Tori Amos that I have, there are a few with such great B-sides that they make it to my player almost as often as her full-length albums.Then there are others, like this version of "God", that are worth owning but don't have B-sides that shine."God" is a great song, but it's not one of my favorite Tori songs.Her version of "Home on the Range" is very novel, but not incredibly impressive.The last two instrumentals are beautiful, and if I heard them for the first time today, I would be able to tell instantly that they were from the Under the Pink sessions.Their sound is the same as the instrumental opening of "Icicle".I think if these two songs, "All the Girls Hate Her" and "Over It", had been included on the full-length album, I would listen to them more.But right now, this is a single that I will take out to listen to once in a while, but won't be playing over and over again.

Tori's question for "God"
I know, at one time or another, we all had thought that "God, sometimes you just don't come through." Our everyday struggle to understand why bad things happen when so much goodness exists is still an ongoing saga. Tori Amos pleads with "God" for answers. Her yearning for knowledge and strength shine through via her emotional and heartfelt lyrics.Her passion makes this composition personal and intimate. And it's this reason, that I feel connected to "God" and continue to find its message pertinent.

'God' Great Single!
With Tori's amazing voice and being a talented piano virtuoso - this blends together with studio sound to form an awesome rock song called 'God.'The lyrics and the beat are so unique it is entrancing.
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Subjects:  1. 5-Inch CD Singles    2. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Alternative Pop/Rock    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

With her lazy southern drawl and her beaten and bruised collection of broken-hearted songs, Gemma Hayes should by all rights have grown up in Backwoods, U.S.A., not Tipperary, Ireland. With its campfire laments on life, love, and escape, Hayes's debut--part brooding alt-rock, part hushed acoustic folk--is filled with deadbeat introspection. Yet, Read more

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Reviews (10)

Something from last year to check out
Gemma Hayes is a very strikingly beautiful 24 year old from Tipperary, Ireland. She decided about five years ago to drop out of college and try playing music. Her family was pissed. After a few years working in a launderette, and playing in local pubs, she got some support gigs for David Gray and Beth Orton. She waited two years to sign a record deal. Hayes spent that time developing her unique vision. Record companies were looking for the next PJ Harvey. She ended up signing with a French label and recording her album with Dave Fridmann at Tarbox Studios. Hayes' early songs were acoustic guitar and voice, so there were many comparison with Joni Mitchell. People don't realize that she came of age when a lot of that folk music is not on the radar. The Cure and My Bloody Valentine seem to be better starting points. "Back of My Hand" has a bass line as if played by Peter Hook. Much of the record takes as its subject relationships and love affairs. Songs like "My God" are almost too personal, and full of life and melancholy. The sparseness is moving. Just as the big sound of "Let A Good Thing Go" shows her range. This record is split up into "day" and "night" sides: the first part has more electric guitars and walls of sound; where "night" is more folksy and gentle. "Ran For Miles" sounds like a modern country song. All good things must end though. Gemma Hayes covers a lot of ground in this debut record, and draws us in to her world.

Unpredictable, in the good way
I picked this record up by complete chance recently. I was buying a Grandaddy CD in Borders and Gemma Hayes was near it. It looked interesting so I scanned it in the listening station and ended up buying it. A Beautiful Record
Night on my Side is a fantastic CD.You won't regret purchasing it.Beautiful and haunting. ... Read more

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

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (12)

Just Plain Great
I've read so many bad reviews of this album and I just don't get it.This album is packed full of very clever songs and great lyrics with a great big noisy band behind Elvis. It's a real treat for the ears. And for the song writer/musicians out there, these songs are brilliantly written, using thick harmonies and great chord changes.
Walking On Eggshells
I enjoy listening to this CD more than Imperial Bedroom."Beyond Belief" is awesome with an atmosphere that you think is beyond Elvis' songwriting abilities until he does it."Pills And Soap" matches this song in brilliance and has better lyrics.It doesn't resort to using the ridiculous concept of a soul to express human experience, this an entity that people continue to insist exists and has importance, for not using this archaic, useless concept the lyrics are 10 times better in "Pills And Soap".Another 10 from Imperial is "Little Fool", a favorite song of mine that seems to fly below many peoples radar."The Greatest Thing" is the equal to this one.Another highlight to Imperial Bedroom is "Whisper To A Scream".There is not really a similar song on Clock, but I find "Charm School" just as enjoyable."Shabby Doll", "Man Out Of Time", "Long Honeymoon", and "Tears Before Bedtime" are solid songs that define Imperial, but I find "Invisible Man", "Mouth Almighty", "King Of Thieves", and even the strange "TKO Boxing Days" to equal those and have the same function."Town Cryer" a completely unique tour de force and to a lesser extant, "Kid About It" are also highlights to the excellent Imperial Bedroom, but again Clock has "Let Them All Talk", and "The World And His Wife".Completely different, but I enjoy these songs more.The rest of Imperial I find to be filler.I do appreciate the experimental nature on Imeprial Bedroom for the whole CD including the remaining songs I avoid.Now Clock follows that direction with songs that do nothing for me,but since the weak songs on Clock do not include as many compared to Imperial I enjoy it more.Not only this, but two of the songs I find to be crap on Clock are ones many consider highlights, "Shipbuilding", and "Every Day I Write The Book".That said I have to ask, how can anyone like/love "Shipbuilding"?This 6 minute song is painful for me to listen to.There is NO tension or atmosphere for the entire song.NONE!!! It never builds up to anything.In fact it is slow and tedious with the same tempo for the WHOLE song.It has no redeeming qualities at all.This is on almost every greatest hits package and in the reviews here, both people that enjoy the CD and those that don't, champion this song.I am baffled by this more than trying to figure out the appeal of Full House.Am I the only one to truly hate this song.I mean this song is awful.If I list the worst songs ever made it not only qualifies as the most over rated, but it qualifies unconditionally as just plain awful.The worst Elvis Costello song period.This song just sucks.OK enough of that.Even though I don't enjoy him Writing The Book Everyday, he must need some relaxation time with all that work, I can at least see the appeal of this song to others.Duds round out each release,but I rate Clock as a bit better than Imperial.Over all these are two excellent releases from this incredible artist that continues to produce vital works.Now just because he is excellent at what he does you don't have to like it.A negsative opinion is fine if that is what you think. Were you serious?If so us fans don't mind at all if reviewers form different opinion on Costellos' work than we have.For the person that criticizes this CD, then apologizes endlessly for doing so, please don't.It is not necessary, and to be honest, this can be just as annoying, well actually more annoying.Just share your opinions.There is never a need to walk on eggshells.Fans shouldn't put them down on the floor and if they are a true fan of an artist they find thoughtful criticism more interesting than blind compliments.My opinion is that both CD's I wrote opinions about in this post are fasntastic additions to the catalog of Elvis Costello.I do love this mans work.As fans we are not blind though.I find every release he has ever made has worthwhile material, but even a fan his old and new finds releases like Mighty Like The Rose and Spike to be really bad.Haven't listened to Cruel World enough to decide if I agree with the consensus.Now I'm rambling.Punch The Clock is very good.I love it, but it is only a 4.

With All My Favorite EC Releases, I Love This!
Man was I missing out for 22 years. EC put out so many albums in this time frame and I had a lot of things going in my life (being a sailor and away from the US, plus getting into all the other music at the time), that this release slipped through the cracks for me. My listening experience for the time till now was the selected tracks from the compilations I had bought (Girls...The Best....The Very Best), so for all this time I'm getting Pills and Soap, Shipbuilding, and Everyday I Write the Book as representation here. Now that I'm getting the real EC releases and listening to all these tunes I'm floored. Yeah it's a EC pop release and I'm saying to myself "All Right!" I'm a big Get Happy lover as well as Imperial Bedroom (the later another of those I settled on selected samplings from the compilations) so I absolutely am digging this cd now. Will it hold up for me for another 20 years? I happen to think it will. Songs I can't keep playing over and over right now because the vocals are awesome; "The Element Within Her", "Charm School", "Love Went Mad", and "The Invisible Man". I love the line in "Element" that goes like this "But back in the bedroom, With her electric heater, I SAY 'ARE YOU COLD?', SHE SAYS 'NO, BUT YOU ARE', La La La " I cracked up over that one, right up there with my favorite EC lyric "They call her Natasha when she looks like Elsie". If your looking for a deal get the Rykodisc release for about half (the bonus stuff is mostly unpolished demo's that I won't listen to regularly) but definitely get this CD it's a very worthwhile disc for EC fans.
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Subjects:  1. College Rock    2. New Wave    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Singer/Songwriter   

Reviews (20)

The subconscious set to music
This is an extremely deep and sophisticated work by Suzanne Vega.Virtually all of the songs, however, seem to relate to one thing in particular: the subconscious (dreams, fantasies, fears, a desire to feel, and memory).The abstract and unreal passages led me to reach this conclusion, along with the fact that the opening track, which sets the tone, is "Tired of Sleeping."I have come to love Days... because of understanding it this way.I believe that Salvador Dali would have absolutely loved it.
Incredible
I think one of the reasons this album was overlooked was because there are no obvious singles. In fact, Suzanne herself said her record company was having a difficult time coming up with a single when it was released. However, taken as a whole, the album is simply magnificent. It's actually a better album listening to it from start to finish than listening to individual songs. There's not a bad song on the CD, although the poppy Book of Dreams is not stellar. Suzanne said that she wrote Book of Dreams to be a single, which is really never a good idea in my opinion. Men in a War is also not her greatest either, but if fits within the context of the album. My favorites would probably be Rusted Pipe and Pilgrimmage. I used to see this CD purely as transitional; she needed to make this CD after Solitude Standing in order to make 99.9F, which has long been my favorite. However, I now realize this is a great work in and of itself. It took me several years to come to like it, but I now consider it one of her great albums.

Lovable melancholy
Suzanne Vega is probably popular more for her hit 'Luka' and her feat featuring DNA on 'Tom's Diner'. Her style of singing delicately, tightly structured lyrically pleasing songs, possesss the power and charm to overpower your mind and inundate with tranquillity.
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Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Folk    3. College Rock    4. Contemporary Folk    5. Folk & Traditional    6. Pop    7. Popular Music    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop    10. Singer/Songwriter   

Features

Reviews (9)

Mike Kensilla
Mike Kensilla is amazing.All of his projects have been different, yet golden in their own right.I would compare it to Further Seems Forever and Dashboard, both good but a different sound.Owen is soft indie with beautiful lyrics that remind me of The Weakerthan's lyrics.Check out Nobodys Nothing, and The Ghost of What Should have been.Two really great songs in my opinion.So if you liked Kensilla's other projects ie American Football or Owls; or Death Cab then this should be a great CD for you.

This is the best CD I bought in 2003!
If you like the emo mixed with the folk mixed with the electronics mixed with a twist of Kinsella, this is the disc.The lyrics are strong and the songs kept me quessing.I even teared up a few times.I love this album.

Owen- Mike Kensilla
Mike Kensilla has created a beautiful peace of art work with his third solo album 'No Good For no One Now'. The album was released in November of 2002 off of polyviny records. Although it contains only seven songs, they are well constructed. Sure the album leaves you wanting more...Read more

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

Reviews (26)

Oddly Entrancing
Pedro the Lion really has no excuse for not sucking. David Bazan has a terrible monotonous drone in place of a voice. The instrumentation and production on this album give new meaning to the term "lo-fi." And who wants to listen to songs about amputees and alcoholics anyway?
excellent
I didnt like this album at first,for some strange reason.I dont listen to many bands,and the ones i do are mostly punk.
Eh
I am a HUGE Pedro the Lion fan.I own every album and know the lyrics to every song.My excitement for the release of this album was lost when I actually listened to it.The lyrics weren't as meaningful as they were on previous albums.I couldn't get into this album, despite my many efforts.Many say that this is the best they've heard yet, but I disagree.The CD is not without it's good points of course, but overall I'd say you're better off buying one of the older albums for the real taste of Pedro the Lion. ... Read more

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

Reviews (31)

Different and exciting...
What makes Suzanne Vega such an interesting artist is that she's not just one of the best rock poets out there but she's prepared to push things to the edge. Usually, it's in her subject matter which deals with unusual, occasionally disquieting issues - prostitution, child abuse, death, divorce, even lesbianism - delivered, very cleverly, via strong often ecstatic melodies and driving, tightly metered lyrics that make the impact of what she's actually singing about so hauntingly effective.
musical poetry in motion
Love this cd... have had it for years... always a joy to listen to.To the few who criticize Suzanne's departure from her earlier folk styling, her venturing toward lyrics which are more mood/image evoking rather than narrative are missing one of her finest talents... ie., as a word smith and poet.My favs on this disk are the very songs that are more abstract.I also think the band did a great job with these songs.

Another Vega CDEasy On the Ear
Nothing remarkable but several nice tracks. If you like Vega you will like this CD. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

What you get here is something like World Party with twentysomething angst--a combination that works better than it has any right to. The songs shamble and slouch a little, wrapped up in thrift shop overcoats against the emotional chill, and that's fine, because they talk to you as they bum cigarettes and make their cups of coffee last. Arthur is a talent, and he may well be the first person to have both Peter Gabriel and Brian Eno contributing backking vocals to a debut album. Read more

Reviews (7)

disappointed
I bought this cd because I so loved the song "You're So True" from the Shrek 2 soundtrack, and I thought this cd would contain those kinds of songs, but the music was dark and depressing. I have tried several times to listen to it to force myself to like it, but it just doesn't work for me.

Joseph Arthur: the best artist there is, that you probably haven't heard of
Joseph Arthur grew out of the stable of talent from Peter Gabriel's Real World label. After this, his debut album, he has continued to make three more fantastic albums to this day without loosing any of his original lyrical and musical punch.
Beautiful Music to Sing Along With
I can't stop listening to this CD.The music is beautiful."Good About Me" and "Haunted Eyes" are both wonderful songs to sing with.The intro. to "Mercedes" is one of my favorite parts of the CD."Bottle of You" sticks in my mind and heart.Joseph Arthur has a lovely way of expressing emotions and thoughts that people seem to feel a lot. ... Read more

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

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Reviews (5)

I reviewed this back years ago but....
Nice to see it re-released with Well-Fed Boy Demos EP. I have that on the original vinyl, and the rough (rejected) versions that were the foundation for One Mississippi are great.
Masterpeice of the deep down Ally's of Detroit
This album is my new favorite album, with a sound simular to ben folds, but with guitar, and awsome lyrics.This album will have you strutting in a new kind of way.Its a feel good album.The first time you hear it, you will like it. Seriously Try the first 3 tracks out of this album.If you dont like it email me..... i would like to meet someone who does not like this album.

I'M DRINKING TEA WITH ONE MISSISSIPPI !!!!!!!!
This album is not just one of the best albums of 1994-2004, it is a true testament to artistry in an industry of clones and phonies. I am so impressed with Brendan Benson and his talent, that he has not only gained a fan for life, but I am bringing anybody I can on board. Its not hard to get people to like you or your music when its this good, I mean, all you've gotta do is get em to do is listen to it. My personal favorites are "Tea", "Bird's Eye View', "Emma J", "Me Just Purely (Demo Version)" and "The Swamp". There isnt even a "best song" on here, everyone just has their personal favorites. I'm eagerly anticipating the new album, Brendan, keep the good work up. ... Read more

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

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Reviews (12)

"Wherever you are" - Thank you Neil

More music of transcendental beauty
I believe that's how one reviewer once described Crowded House, and if anything, Neil sounds a bit more Crowded House-y on this solo project than he did on Try Whistling This, if only for the presence of Mitchell Froom on some tracks.I vastly prefer this original over the remixed, reordered One All US release for many reasons, not the least of which is that is flows better.One Nil is an album about fidelity and maintaining a relationship, and while Don't Ask Why is a bit of an oddball in that theme, I've always liked it.Much more central to the theme, if indeed one takes this as a concept album, is Elastic Heart, which has some lovely brass work (think Together Alone) and lyrics that speak to the concepts of forgiveness, compromise, and reapprochment - it's not a date song, it's a marriage song, and it's one that means a lot to me.The whole album is highly recommended.

I want to love this...
...but after a year or so of spinning this in my player, I just can't get into it like I have Neil's other work.After listening for so long, I can't help but think these are good songs severely stunted by misguided production.In so many places on the CD, there are beautiful turns of phrase or melody where some change in instrumentation or tempo or pause or whatever would be perfect to accompany them, but all of these songs are locked in tempo, with no room to breathe and no change in mood or style--supposedly there are real drummers keeping time, too, but you'd think it was drum machine the way it comes off. It's all pleasant enough-sounding music, I guess, but very vanilla in my opinion. I have no problem with the raw material; Neil Finn is a terrific songwriter.But the presentation really bothers me.If I had to contrast, I would say some of the tracks would have been more successful in a "Finn Brothers" (1996) format, intimate and stripped-down.Here it's sing and play to the metronome beat.I paid import price to pounce on this CD when I saw it.It's kind of disappointing.I know, make my own record...That said, even so-so Neil is better than a lot that's out there.He deserves more attention, but newbies won't fall in love with Neil Finn through this disc.Crowded House spoiled me, perhaps...Anyone out there in cyberspace even halfway agree with me?:) ... Read more

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

Features

• Hybrid SACD

Reviews (3)

You can't hear this on MP3!
All these labels whining about downloading,guess what?Put out sound quality worth paying for & we'll buy!
Great songs, Great sound!
This is a very impressive disk. I have had this album on regular CD pretty much since it originally came out. The sound was always decent. But this SACD sounds so good, that if you are a fan of this album, you will have to get rid of your old version and pay the premium price for this version. The sound is very immediate and present. It sounds as though the band is near you. Aimee Mann's voice is clearer than before and there's a lot of space around her voice. The other instruments are very distinct in the soundstage. They are also very clear and you can follow everything being played very easily. The percussion is amazing. The dynamic range is really very nice and realistic.
Great Sound but NOT 5.1
This is a fabulous disc, one that you'll be listening to 10 years from now.The SACD stereo sound quality is superb, however the hybrid SACD is a STEREO ONLY, not 5.1 mix. ... Read more

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

Reviews (10)

The Cat Power Amateur Hour Continued
Ignore the five star reviews granted to this album by the Cat Power faithful. Like Dear Sir, this album is filled with raw tuneless dirges, sloppy guitar playing, and atonal singing. I wouldn't object so much to the amateur treatment if the work wasn't so entirely derivative from the female artists who actually originated this style of music quite some time before Cat Power. Reviewers who consider this album original would have to be unfamiliar with the singing of Lydia Lunch, Marnie Greenholz from Live Skull, and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, all of whom helped define this type of post punk caterwauling. Whether you enjoy this type of music or not, Myra Lee makes no serious contribution to it. "Ice Water" is probably the most successful of the bunch, though as a whole the album is unrelentingly amateurish. What's more, the song "Rockets" is repeated from the Dear Sir album (go figure).
Myra Lee
A mysterious title for such a mysterious album. At first while getting this album I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I mean I do own some Cat Power music but this album is driven by true emotion. These emotions are not usally what people write to. This stuff is true it'sdriven by anger and frustration. Chan's voice gives such a great presentation of what she is feeling but also comes lightly to let you know it is going to be ok. The contrast of this album to all the others is so amazing that it could only have been done by Chan.

decent
I like Moon Pix and Dear Sir better. This one has a couple of really good songs but as a whole the others are more satisfying. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop    5. Sadcore    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Reviews (5)

Just another great collection of should have been smash hits
How does one artist's mediocre song become a hit, but another, which has all the elements of a smash hit, doesn't?
Flesh Number One
He stole the show when he opened for R.E.M., and I've been a fan ever since. This album epitomizes Robyn Hitchcock's style: jangly, funny, refreshing, and clever. This album has a sort of mystical air to it, broken only by visualizations of fat men, floating and and then exploding, leaving debris of skin and lunch leftovers on your sleeve. For me, highlights include the fun 'Tropical Flesh Mandala', 'Balloon Man' of course, and the nice little perfect pop number, 'Flesh Number One (Beatle Dennis)' which illustrates that when Robyn sets out to write something meaningful and a tad bit commercial, he can still do it without compromising.

good stuff, but i like the electric version better
...on the whole.mind you, some of the acoustic ones have beengrowing on me lately, so perhaps i'm in a transitional phase orsomething.anyway, while some of the other songs have better titles (luminous rose indeed!) or tunes, "sleeping with your devil mask" will always be my favorite song from this album.though perhaps a rerelease with the other version of GoF would change my tiny mind... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. College Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Jangle Pop    5. Neo-Psychedelia    6. Pop    7. Popular Music    8. Rock    9. Singer/Songwriter   

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Beautiful Music.
This was highly recommended in the papers with very good reviews. So i was very pleased to have went out to get it. The songs are mostly quite sad, with very nice soundscapes on the background. In other words, a very sophisticated piece of excellent work! McRae's voice is also haunting, cool and emotive all at the same time. Not an easy feat, i think. Grab it while you can! 'Just Like Blood' the older album is just as interesting too!

English Singer-Songwriter
Tom McRae is an English singer-songwriter in the Damien Rice, David Gray, Nick Drake tradition.(He predates Rice, whom most resembles him, by a few years.)All Maps Welcome is his third release, and it continues a tradition of imaginative ruminations on lost love and the horrors of the modern world.He has an expressive, slightly high voice, used to great effect on ambient ballads (My Vampire Heart) and lowing midtempo numbers (How the West Was Won).His last CD, Just Like Blood, was a harrowing dead end -- impressive, yes, but limited in its depressive intensity.All Maps Welcome is more far-seeing, hopeful, with lovely new colors in the instrumentation. ... Read more

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

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Beautiful Song Writer/Musician
I was introduced to Paul Kelly's music while I lived in Australia. It really made an impact on me. I brought it back to the states with me and introduced my friends as well. Everyone agrees he's a talented artist and much over looked in music. I highly recommend anything by him.

Songs From the South