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Reviews (139)

Eloquent and Excellent
John Mayer is back and better than ever with Continuum.This album from this brilliant singer-songwriter is destined to be a classic.He eloquently, vocalizes the thoughts and fears of our generation from heartbreak to the fear of losing our parents and aging.He also does an excellent job of addressing social issues with the utmost class and without forcing his opinions on anyone.Kudos, John!I am pleased to see someone talented represent our generation, and I look forward to buying his music for many years to come.

Satisfied
I was sitting up late Saturday night and turned it to Soundstage already in progress. I saw Buddy Guy on stage playing with this young guy I had never seen. I became enthralled with the performances but I never caught his name. So afterwards I looked up the Soundstage tv schedule and found out it was John Mayer. Did some further checking and found out about his turn toward the blues, and I love blues. Took a chance and bought the cd next day. Best music I've bought in a long time. No, it's not straight blues. But it's definitely honest. And in this day and time of kitsch glorification, I'll take it. I feel like my money was well spent. Can't say that for a whole lot of things I've bought.

A wonderful, thoughtful album...
The fact that I am taking the time to post, speaks volumes about how special I think Continuum is...I often find myself "suckered" into buying a CD these days, because a track suggests that the rest of the album may prove to be a pleasant surprise. It is a bit like the movie trailer that entices you to head to the theater, only to be disappointed that you have already seen the only enjoyable part of the movie. Continuum is the exception to that unfortunate rule...It is an extraordinary piece of work. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

At a time when the majority of those his age are drifting into retirement, 65-year-old Bob Dylan has put the capper on a three-record run that ranks with the best in his storied, 44-album career. Like Read more

Reviews (153)

Fresh Breeze Blowin
The music contained within this CD is simply brilliant, particularly when compared for what passes as commercial music these days.Dylan's songwriting and vocals are superb and his production efforts are flawless. The band is in top form and the mix is spot on.This project,as most of Dylan's recorded work, will stand the test of time. My only criticism is the absence of any acknowledgement for songwriting inspiration. Certainly at least a "tip of the hat"is deserved by Big Maceo Merriweather for his influence of Worried Life Blues for Someday Baby. Same goes for Hambone Willie Newbern as it relates to Rollin and Tumblin. Perhaps, we'll have to wait for the next chapter of Chronicles to acknowledge these artists.

Like Wine
Like wine, and as another reviewer has already commented, Dylan really does get better with age... though that's not to detract at all from his past masterpieces. There are several in depth reviews written so I figure I can make this one short and sweet: the album is great and worth a listen whether you're a long time DYlan fan, a Dylan neophyte, or never cared for him (can't imagine many belonging to this last group...)

Still Magical
Having grown up with hard rock and merging in to jazz with age,I'm not sure what prompted me to buy the album.I hadn't heard it or about it.Bob Dylan was just some wierd musician to me - This one album has changed all that; I'm a new Bob Dylan fan -Modern Times is pure musical magic.It is at the same time haunting, ironic, true, brilliant...(yes I'm beginning to purchase older stuff now..I've a lot of catch-up work to do!)One review labled the music "pedadantic" - likely not a musicians point of view.No it's not oversaturated with gizmo sound and yes it lacks the immediately catchy Brittany Spears pop sound.Bob Dylan is the wrong place to look for that anyway.Relax, reminisce, day-dream - older is sometimes better! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

At a time when the majority of those his age are drifting into retirement, 65-year-old Bob Dylan has put the capper on a three-record run that ranks with the best in his storied, 44-album career. Like Read more

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Reviews (61)

cd and dvd review
at first, your impression of how Dylan sings nowadays can be cringe-worthy. it's not his fault, it's just age that robs him of the ability to turn on a dime that any young person can do without thinking about it.
A Great Record But What About...
Yes, the record is fantastic and timeless... but in all of these 59 lengthy, overly-authoratative and sometimes ethereal reviews there is not one mention of who is on the record playing the instruments accompanying Mr. Dylan. WHO IS ON THE RECORDING?
He still has it after all these years
The album provides a very enjoyable experience. We know Bob Dylan is a jack of all trades and a master of nearly everything in the musical genre. From protest songs to love songs and then to break up songs. From acoustic, to electric, to gospel, and now onto 'modern times'. This is a feel good album through and through (...because it feels good to know that Bob still has it after all these years). The stand out tracks in my opinion are "Spirit in the Water", "Working Man's Blues #2", "Beyond the Horizon", and "Nettie Moore". If you like good music, then you'll enjoy this album for a very very long time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The churchy organ that opens and closes Jonny Lang's fifth album reveals its direction. After 2003's Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative CCM    2. Blues-Rock    3. CCM    4. Christian Rock    5. Contemporary Blues    6. Contemporary Gospel    7. Guitar Virtuoso    8. Pop    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

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Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Boogie Rock    3. Jam Bands    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

All hail the riff king! The Black Keys' guitarist/singer Dan Auerbach has the meanest way with a hook since Jimmy Page. He adds to his arsenal on the band's fourth full-length release, on which each track pounds its way into your skull with fuzzy, swampy fury. Less is very definitely more in Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney's world as the stripped-down guitar/drums attack smolders, burns, and then ignites without shifting into heavy-metal overdrive. But even with the occasional ballad such as "You're the One" slowing the momentum, this is an intoxicating blast of raw, thudding blues power. The duo impressively control the dynamics, raising and lowering the tension in a yin-yang struggle of ominous, greasy, heavy blues-rock that never sounds forced. With the exception of a few subtle but effective overdubs, this is the sound Auerbach and Carney heard in the drummer's basement studio where the music was recorded. Like the best rock and roll, the disc exudes a dark, cramped claustrophobia and foreboding sense of danger, just like wandering through a haunted house, unaware of what is behind the next corner. It's the main ingredient in the band's deceptively simple yet potent formula that creates this addictive, compelling, and often intense album. Read more

Reviews (9)

Unadorned rock and roll
The Black Keys are one of my favorite rock and roll bands with their garage band minimalism tempered by touches of blues and psychedelia. But I was a little surprised when the band signed to the eclectic Nonesuch label and wondered how this would affect their sound. Well, I needn't wonder at all as this album was literally recorded in a band member's basement and keeps the same raw and exciting sound as the bands previous work. Most of the songs are kept short and sweet with blistering blues based guitar and basic drumming giving way to melodic hooks like in "Your Touch" which is very catchy and has elements of pop without compromising their rough and tumble sound.
Magic Potion
Focus: that's the element that seems to be missing from The Black Keys' latest long-player, their fourth album in all. The blues-rockin' riffs, courtesy of Dan Auerbach, are present and correct, and Patrick Carney's drums are rarely less than suitably bombastic, but Magic Potion suffers, rather, from alarming dips in concentration. For every romper-stomper of a four-minute fuzz-soaked foot-stamper, there's a meandering exercise in mediocrity just around the metaphysical bend.
Magic indeed...
Unlike many of the other reviewers here, this is the first Black Keys album I have heard, and I was extremely impressed.The vocals remind me of a mix between Bob Dylan, Led Zeplin, and Jimmi Hendrix and the guitar work is absolutely amazing.Many of the reviewers here stated that this album may not be as good as their previous releases; if that statement is remotely true I will be buying every one of their cds.After hearing the first 3 tracks I knew instantly that this band will be one of my all-time favorites.Do yourself a favor and check this out.I highly recommend this album. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Garage Punk    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Punk Blues    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Longtime listeners have seen it coming:it was only a matter of time before John Mayer dropped the pop star pretense and proved he could really bring it. Chalk it up to one too many Dave Matthews comparisons, or the cupcake-sweet residue stuck to his image after the success of "Your Body Is a Wonderland"--but something convinced Mayer it was time to take him game to the next level. With help from studio pros Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino, he succeeds on Read more

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Reviews (208)

Johnny We Hardly Knew Ya
Holly cow! This guy has been doing a little wood sheddin'. I have Heavier Things and it occasionally makes its way into the CD player and then back to the shelf. Try! stays in the CD player. A very impressive piece of work. Great song selections that carry a little more import than some of Mayer's own pop-oriented writing. But it's really the guitar playing, backed by this incredible rhythm section, that stands out. Mayer set out to prove something to his audience on this disc, establishing himself as a musician to be taken seriously, and he pulls it off convincingly. When you play in a trio format there is nowhere to hide, and Mayer stands at the front of this band and rocks. This is the best CD I've heard in a long time. Its reassuring to know that with all the drivel you hear on the radio, someone still has the integrity to break through the [...] and put out an exceptional CD.

What a concert album should be--a milestone for Mayer
. . .I am probably the newest passenger on the John Mayer Love Train here. The first song I ever heard was "Vultures" at 4:00pm the day I saw him in concert that night with Sheryl Crow in Indianapolis, three days before "Continuum" hit the market. I got to hear him sing it live that night.While waiting for Continuum to come out, I ordered "Try" solely to have "Vultures,""I Got a Woman," and "Good Love is on the Way" (I hope he'll release a studio version of this awesome rocker!) to tide me over, so to speak.But what made me a true believer once I got this thing in my hands was hearing "Out of My Mind."Close your eyes and you'll swear that Ray Charles is singing and Stevie Ray Vaughn is playing the guitar.But no--apparently this is John's composition, played and sung by John with--dare it I say it?--SOUL.And it's not even the peak of the concert.There's lots more to come.The encore section is 20 minutes long, including a raw rocking version of "Something's Missing."Yes, I have to ignore the sexist lyrics of "I Got A Woman" and just listen to that blues guitar wail, but after all, he didn't write that one.Mr. Charles did. There's a lot of variety here--a fun, funky cover of Hendrix' "Wait Until Tomorrow", "Daughters" (for those of us who can't get enough of "classic John"). The "green" song that follows "Out of My Mind" reminds me of the Beatles circa 1969."Vultures" rocks, of course--the only thing missing are the keyboard parts from the "Continuum" version.I love the way he ends this one--it fades out to him and this little funky rhythmic thing.
I Ain't Impressed A'TALL
OK, John Mayer, whoop-whoop; I saw him on "Austin City Limits" awhile back, and I (AND my Wife, too!) thought it was Nelson Mandela's step-son, Dave Matthews.And now, he's gone and 86'd Jessica ("What...ME worry?") Simpson, too."Fifteen Munutes of Fame," Johnny...OK, all THAT aside: I don't know who Mayer is (ahem) "cozy" with, because, like Johnny Lang and the aforementioned Matthews, he HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO SAY.And, again: all THAT aside, how did this @#$% manage to get the Who's bass player and Keef's drummer to provide the thythm section for this mess?Save your money,or go buy Tony Joe White's newest CD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Album Rock    3. Alternative Pop/Rock    4. Blues-Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Also known as the "rune" album or Zoso because of the medieval symbols adorning the inner sleeve, Led Zeppelin's fourth album, released in 1971, turned them from mere superstars into giant behemoths of the rock world. On tracks like "Black Dog," "Misty Mountain Hop," and "Rock and Roll," the combination of Robert Plant's banshee wails and Jimmy Page's frenetic guitar playing forever altered the stylistic bent of hard rock music. And the foreboding "When the Levee Breaks" demonstrated that Zeppelin could indeed play the blues fairly straight if they so desired. Still, everything here ultimately took a back seat to the album's (and, ultimately, the band's) magnum opus--the expertly constructed and deftly executed classic, "Stairway to Heaven." Read more

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Reviews (931)

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
Music, like any other form of art, is subjective. It is influenced by several factors including, but not limited to, the social and psychological influences of each listener. So all the 'qualified' critics who have decided to post 'nasty' reviews about this cd and the band, are entitled to do so. But in doing so, please validate your negative comments with 'mature' critique. This would carry more weight in deterring potential buyers from purchasing this, or any other cd (if that is your intention).
Led Zeppelin - 'Led Zeppelin IV' (Atlantic/WEA)
Review no.930.Originally released to a very deserving and loving public in 1971,as this was of course Zeppelin's fourth record.Eight tracks here,EACH and every one a masterpiece in it's OWN right.Sure,after the first hundred or so times you hear "Black Dog" and "Rock And Roll",they may grow a tad thin,but tunes that N-E-V-E-R grow stale are "Battle Of Evermore",probably FM radio's most requested song of all time "Stairway To Heaven","Four Sticks" and the unforgetable "When The Levee Breaks"(I've heard radio staions actually play this cut DURING heavy rainstorms,ha-ha!).Anyone who has heard/owns a copy of this CD reissue can tell you that LZ-'IV' is both a music AS well as lyrical classic.Highly recommended.

Why are they so overrated????????????????
Led Zeppelin were simply the most overrated band of all time who were just as bad as NIRVANA and ACDC. They only made about a decent song in "Stairway To Heaven". Rest of the songs just STINK!!! Plant sounds more like a big monkey than a real singer and can't sing at all, HE JUST SCREAMS. Like good singers??????? I recommend go with Foreigner, Dire Straits who were equally the greatest bands with the greatest singers in LOU GRAMM, and MARK KNOPFLER. They are a billion times better than LED ZEPPELIN. Don't listen to the five star reviewers of this page, avoid this piece of junk and go with Foreigner insted. They are legends, not ZEPPELIN!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. Blues-Rock    4. Britain    5. British Blues    6. British Metal    7. England    8. Guitar    9. Hard Rock    10. Heavy Metal    11. Pop    12. Rock    13. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (207)

Experience This
Oh WOW what a CD 20 musical gems by the late and great Jimi Hendrix. It has all the famous radio hits like "Purple Haze", "Fire", "Voodoo Child", etc. And it also has the underated gems that you will never hear on the radio like "Castles Made Of Sand" and "Bold As Love". If you are new to Jimi or experienced this is the CD for you. You will love it. The best part though has to be the original recording of the "Star Spangeled Banner" at Woodstock. That one song alone makes it completely worth the price. Buy It Today!

Hendrix the master
If any music lover wishes to break into the works of Jimi Hendrix then this CD is the perfect place to start. To certain uninitiated newcomers there are songs in the Hendrix repertoire that may seem daunting, both in musical complexity and in sheer length. This is where the Experience Hendrix CD comes into its own.
Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix
I am a total devotee of Hendrix, and I love the CD. The condition was great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acid Rock    2. Album Rock    3. Blues-Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Psychedelic    7. Psychedelic Soul    8. Rock    9. Rock & Roll    10. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Bursting with ideas and energy, Jimi Hendrix's second album release of 1968 (following Read more

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Reviews (231)

Classic Hendrix
All I can say about this album is WOW! This is Hendrix doing what he did best and that was make his guitar scream. A classic 15 minute jam session and of course the more famous Cross Town Traffic and All Along The Watchtower. This album is vintage Hendrix.

Somebody needed to slap Hendrix, where's the producer?
Am I missing something? I understand that a lot of people think this is one of Hendrix's best, but it did not do the trick for me and I'm a "classic rock" aficionado type. There's a lot of aimless never-ending stuff here. Honestly, I don't know if today's kids or music audiences can handle long epics like Voodoo child. Maybe I've been spoiled on vintage Deep Purple, but this is the sort of style that they took to a higher level, and the fact that Purple's music continues to fascinate as well as puzzle after all this time is evidence we are dealing with art of the highest caliber.
kabooomb!
the first time that i heard this album, my brain blew up. i mean it, literally. brains and blood and other yucky stuff were dripping from the ceiling. my mom was horrified. when i got out of the hospital my father forbid me from playing it ever again. but you know kids. first time i had the house to myself, kabooomb! you got it. i played it again and again my head exploded. this says a lot for this album. not many albums do this to a person. get it, by all means. it's a must for any record collection. get it and be prepared to have your head explode. (one tip: you might want to put some of that painters plastic down over your carpet and furniture before you press the play button on your cd player). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acid Rock    2. Album Rock    3. Blues-Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Psychedelic    7. R&B    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop    10. United States of America   

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Reviews (56)

A Great Collection Of Great Music
This is a great album if you are looking to get into Lynnyrd Skynnyrd this is a great album to start out with. I do think though that it is missing a few songs like "Tuesdays Gone" and my personal favorite "I Ain't The One". But that is the problem with all greatest hits album there is always at least one song that somebofy thinks is missing. That is why we buy the indivual albums so we can have every song our favorite bands have made. But anyway this is a spectacular album to have if you love Lynnyrd Skynnyrd or you just plain love music this is a great album to have. Buy this one today.

YES!
YES! Finally. I got this album for my birthday four months ago and I haven't stopped listening to it!!! My favorites are "Sweet Home Alabama", "What's Your Name?" and, of course, "Free Bird". These are the best songs ever!!! I highly reccomend this album, you'll be SO HAPPY YOU BOUGHT IT!!!!
Look for the original "essential mix"
The blue bound, double CD case called the Essential Mix has all the good skynard. Note: This is NOT the same Essential Mix that's sold on Amazon. This CD (All time greatest hits) sounds like its seriously lacking, just from the list of songs on Amazon, and listening to them they sound of the same quality as everyother recording. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. Blues-Rock    4. Boogie Rock    5. Hard Rock    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Rock & Roll    9. Rock/Pop    10. Southern Rock    11. United States of America   

Reviews (6)

Monkey puzzle solved!
All the pieces in this puzzle fit together perfectly! UFO takes off
Fall in Love with Rock and Roll Again!
With the last two albums released by UFO not only have I fallen in love with the band again - but I'm back in love with Music.Vinnie Moore is the best fit for guitarist this band has had since Paul Chapman, and having Andy back as drummer has gone a long way to bring the old UFO sound back.I would love to see this band get the recognition they finally deserve.If you love music (not what MTV spoon feeds you) Buy this Album!I'll bet you'll find yourself falling in love with music again too!Who else thinks Phil Mogg is the worlds greatest singer?

mr. parker rocks!
Andy please don't leave again. Andy Parker is the backbone of UFO. This is a great cd.This is UFO's best cd since Walk on Water.But of course, Andy was the drummer then.He adds something to therythym section that no one else was able to do.I will be listening to this cd for a long time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Heavy Metal    2. Pop    3. Rock   

Editorial Review

Judging from her two live releases, this and 1995's Read more

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Reviews (6)

A Cheap Product....could have been better
I was worried about how good this would be when I saw the cover.It is a cheap looking cover.It looks like one of those junky CD's you order on late night TV.Maybe something KTel puts out.It turns out that it is not horrible, is actually pretty good, but it could have been much better.
5 stars for the DVD, 4 for the CD
I'm a fan of all the artists on here independently, so to find them here in one concert was a treat. The only problem I have with this package is that the CD leaves off the best songs from the DVD. Keb' Mo's blues jam on "No Gettin' Over You" overshadows "Love Letter." I just love the song "Papa Come Quick" so I wish it was on the CD, though Alison has a smaller part than on "You." "Well, Well, Well" is the best song on here, again omitted from the CD in lieu of "Two Lights in the Nightime." And Norah's "Tennessee Waltz" is much more interesting than "I Don't Want..."
Bonnie Is Consistently Good
Bonnie Raitt is certainly one of the most consistent artists of the past 35 years. While that might mean that her work is often predictable, it also means that it is usually very good. Since her debut, Raitt's approach hasn't really changed much at all; she still mixes ballads, rock, and folk-oriented music and infuses all of it with a strong sense of the blues. About the only thing that has changed over the years is the level of recognition that she receives. The combination of her voice and slide-guitar tone is now instantly recognizable by just about anyone, and here numerous Grammy awards have helped elevate her to a semi-legendary status.
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Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Album Rock    3. Blues-Rock    4. Folk-Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter    10. Slide Guitar Blues   

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Reviews (10)

lemonadeby: G. Love
this is a great cd. yes, a couple of the songs are mediocre at best, but the rest make up for it.Missing my baby is a true groovy ballad. Holla, a bit queer sounding at first, is a really fun and tight song.beautiful is an awsome song as well. Get the cd!

fresh, new,a little funk and soul
this is my first cd by G-Love, I like it and I think it has some
Smooth like GLASS
Solid offering from G. Love.Start to finish, nice record for anyone who like G. Love or Jack Johnson. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Rap    3. Blues-Rock    4. Indie Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. United States of America   

Editorial Review

David Gilmour’s solo career hasn’t exactly been creatively restless; this is but the third album by the Pink Floyd guitarist, and first in 18 years. But that seemingly lackadaisical career ethos hasn’t prevented Gilmour from producing some of his finest work here, an album whose soaring, lyrical guitar lines will be familiar to Floyd fans, yet one also blessed by often surprising nuances and delicate musical textures. Gilmour’s Read more

Reviews (367)

8.5/10
Reviewgium - Volume I, issue XII
David on Prozac
I found this album to be a waste of time and money... not what I expected from a guitar god. Not much energy and muddled lyrics. Not at all Pink Floyd type effort. As a Floyd fan and having been to several Floyd concerts as well as seeing David's solo concert I am saddend to see David produce such drivel. 1 star for nice packaging.

This is 1 of those albums you can put on after a hard day of work and sit and unwind and relax too.
On an Island sounds exactly like an album by a 60 year old, semi-retried, musician should sound like. It's laid back beyond measure, sparse, leisurely and unforced.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. England    4. Pop    5. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Riff rock had been what Jimmy Page's former band, the Yardbirds, were all about, and on Led Zeppelin's second album, released, like its predecessor, in 1969, the inventive guitarist demonstrated that he'd indeed learned his lessons well. Witness "Whole Lotta Love," a woozy epic based on one simple, head-banging-friendly guitar riff. Or the mock-dramatic "Heartbreaker," propelled by far more intricate but similarly effective note squashing. Between Page's sonic wizardry, John Bonham beating his drums into submission ("Moby Dick"), and the juice running down Robert Plant's leg ("The Lemon Song"), Led Zeppelin here just about succeeded in raising rock & roll excess to an art form. Read more

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Reviews (358)

Led Zeppelin's sophomore effort proves they were no fluke!
Led Zeppelin's second album Led Zeppelin II was released in October of 1969.