Stranger Than Fiction

From URB Magazine
Never did Ultra Naté sound sweeter than on her last album, 1997's Situation: Critical, her third full-length effort that yielded the globally successful house anthems "Free" and "Found a Cure." Her voice and songwriting abilities on point, they seemed to signal a new momentum in her career in breaking through as a mainstream dance act. That there is a different producer on nearly every track of her newest album (highlights come from 4 Hero, B-15 Project, Attica Blues and veteran Ultra collaborators D-Influence and Mood II Swing) makes for an ambitious project that takes Ultra Naté beyond the house arena where she's best known. But in this case, working with so many new producers for the first time comes at the price of coming off a little too disjointed, which could keep her from finding new audiences with this record.

Her vocal and lyrical talent is certainly not in question after Stranger Than Fiction, but it does not have the longevity and drive of her last album. Ultra Naté's songs have always enjoyed extended life in the clubs with the release of diverse remix singles, and perhaps that fact will help propel this album further than it might have gone on its own. But working with a smaller group of producers again would help her emerge with the more cohesive flow that she previously demonstrated, rather than what essentially sounds like a marketable remix collection.

Tamara Palmer

Stranger Than Fiction,Ultra Naté,Groovilicious / S.R.,Club/Dance,Dance,Dance Music,Dance-Pop,Garage/House,House,Pop

Average customer rating: Stranger than Fiction great soundtrack one of the best soundtracks in a long time Stranger than Fiction Soundtrack good songs ...

Stranger Than Fiction Various Artists Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Stranger Than Fiction Marie Antoinette Greatest Stiffs Little Miss Sunshine The Information ASIN: B000IONLB8 Release Date: 2006-11-07

Tracks:

1. The Book I Write SPOON
2. Going Missing MAXIMO PARK
3. Whole Wide World WRECKLESS ERIC
4. Flours BRITT DANIEL/BRIAN REITZELL
5. The Way We Get By SPOON
6. Mind Your Own Business DELTA 5
7. Bottles and Bones (Shade and Sympathy) CALIFONE
8. Writers Block BRITT DANIEL/BRIAN REITZELL
9. My Mathematical Mind SPOON
10. La Petile Fille De Mer VANGELIS
11. Thats Entertainment (Demo Version) THE JAM
12. Dubbing in the Back Seat THE UPSETTERS
13. Auditor BRITT DANIEL/BRIAN REITZELL
14. In Church (Cyann and Ben Remix) M83

Customer Reviews:

Stranger than Fiction.......2007-05-27

Stranger than Fiction is a terrific film, although a bit 'close to home' if you are an obsessive compulsive. The music is a complementary score that works well.

great soundtrack.......2007-05-13

We saw this movie and really enjoyed it. I thought it would be hollywood quirky but it was clever. The soundtrack in the movie was so good that sometimes it was distracting..We love it!!

one of the best soundtracks in a long time.......2007-04-17

the movie which was great is perfect with the music. personally when will ferrel sings "whole wide world" it made the hairs stand up. it was really moving and if you didn't feel it than you aren't human. it is plain as that.

Stranger than Fiction Soundtrack.......2007-01-10

Great soundtrack, I can't stop listening to it! Excellent mix of songs.

good songs ... .......2006-12-02

...but if you enjoyed most of the music in this movie, you should probably just buy a Spoon cd, since almost all of the songs (and instrumentals) are Spoon songs.

All of their albums are good, but you should probably start with Kill the Moonlight.

Average customer rating: this is the biggest chunk of seel out pie! After a few listens it becomes better PUNK ROCK IS NOT DEAD... AND THIS PROVES IT! Ok album overall the god of BR's atlantic years

Stranger Than Fiction Bad Religion Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music American Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rebels | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: Recipe for Hate The Gray Race The Empire Strikes First Against the Grain The Process of Belief ASIN: B000002J11 Release Date: 1994-09-06

Tracks:

1. Incomplete
2. Leave Mine To Me
3. Stranger Than Fiction
4. Tiny Voices
5. The Handshake
6. Better Off Dead
7. Infected
8. Television
9. Individual
10. Hooray For Me
11. Slumber
12. Marked
13. Inner Logic
14. What It Is
15. 21st Century (Digital Boy)

Amazon.com

Bad Religion, one of the last bands you'd expect to join the ranks of major-label rockers, makes the leap from its own Epitaph Records to Atlantic for its eighth album, Stranger Than Fiction. The quintet doesn't compromise its integrity or its aesthetics, delivering its familiar Ramones-style pop songs at crash-and-burn tempos and continuing to rail against business as usual in corporate America. (The band's social critiques have always been a cut above the average hardcore punk's, as befits a group led by a vocalist pursuing his PhD at Cornell.) Especially effective is the opening track, "Incomplete," which features guest guitar by Wayne Kramer of the MC5. --Jim DeRogatis

Customer Reviews:

this is the biggest chunk of seel out pie!.......2007-06-03

These guys totaly sold out when they singed to atlantic for this peace of junk. this album just screams sell out. Look we're played in the mall now. If you want good bad religion then get anything from how could hell be any worse up recipe for hate. I can make a better album then these sell outs can!!!

After a few listens it becomes better.......2006-08-09

Out of the 5 BR CDs I own (Process of Belief, Generator, No Control, Gray Race and Stranger than fiction) Id have to say this is the weakest of the 5. Not that thats a bad thing mind you, far from it infact. Its just this cd takes (well it did for me about 4 listens before I started to love it). The sound they portray on this cd is a very straightforward simplistic approach compared to say for example the process of belief. Its still an awesome cd but it lacks the intensity that I was hoping for. Some really good songs are included on this album such as Leave mine to me, Stranger than Fiction, Tiny Voices, The Handshake, Individual, Better off dead and Hooray for me. However there are a couple of weak tracks like Television feat Tim Armstrong of Rancid fame and the revision of the classic song: 21st Century Digital Boy. However look through all the subtle gripes Ive made and you'll find yourself ROCKING out to this after a few attempts. Just dont buy it and think that it is as intense as their other work. Hope this review helped even if it was only a little.

PUNK ROCK IS NOT DEAD... AND THIS PROVES IT!.......2006-05-06

1994 was a great year for punk rock. Green Day came out with Dookie, their first major label album... and Bad Religion gave the world Stranger Than Fiction.
Stranger Than Fiction was Bad Religion's first album on a major label, and was underappriecated by most old Bad Religion fans. But, no matter what they say, Stranger than Fiction is an awesome album.
THE BEST SONGS
Incomplete- classic Bad Religion. 'Mother, Father, look at your little monster. I'm a hero, I'm a zero.'
Stranger than Fiction- the song the album came from. Great, catchy, Bad Religion.
The Handshake- an intresting quick song. 'a handshake's nothing but a subtle f**k you.'
Slumber- you know you have an awesome band when they can take a slow song and make it one of the best in a great album. SLumber is a great song. Your Bad Religion collection isn't complete until you have this.

These are the best songs, but the album in genereal is wonderful. Any BAd Religion, heck, any punk rock fan needs this album.

Ok album overall.......2006-04-05

Ok I understand this band is a classic in the punk scene, but it doesnt make their music any less boring. It feels like they're using the same chords over and over in different orders in each song, and also id like to know, is Tim Armstrong singing in Television? If yes please rate this review as useful if not then rate it as unuseful.

the god of BR's atlantic years.......2006-03-28

when i first got into BR, i shyed away from this album like a fool at first. i thought when people said "they left epitaph", that they changed and sold out.......selling out is green day folks. BR signing to atlantic was something that provided some major changes is music and lineup.(following this album)

i just have to say, i love this album to death. infected is definately a song that is a total landmark. i also think the title song is amazing as well. some songs like tiny voices and slumber are hidden gems.

the only gripe is that they had to remake 21st century digital boy. that was totally unnecessary, but it doesnt really matter too much.

i would say that this album is an essential cd for BR fans, but not their best by far. i may put it on par with generator. this album is the biggest fish on the small pond of BR albums on atlantic records.(recipe for hate, gray race, no substance, and new america)

Average customer rating: A good vintage.

Life Stranger Than Fiction Incognito Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Acid Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Neo-Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Jazz Funk Bees + Flowers + Things Eleven Who Needs Love No Time Like the Future ASIN: B00005KBQU Release Date: 2001-06-18

Tracks:

1. Stay Mine
2. Bring You Down
3. Slow Down (Get A Grip)
4. Skin On My Skin
5. Cut It Loose
6. There Will Come A Day
7. Castles In The Air
8. Got To Know
9. Reach Out
10. Rivers Runnin' Black
11. On The Road (Part One)
12. On The Road (Part Two)

Customer Reviews:

A good vintage........2001-10-11

I generally don't talk about things I don't know of or do not have enough information to give an opinion. It seems there are two different releases of Incognito's latest album, and this is the one I have. So my review will be on this one, although I have read the critics about the other version here on Amazon, and I will refer to them.

First, it is true that Maysa is not on this one. She has been on and off Incognito's Albums for some time and when this first happened, I wondered if there were problems with Bluey. Maysa is a big "plus" for any band, but the truth is that Bluey is trying to keep the members of the "Incognito family" working on his projects. The family is quite large, as I recently heard on an interview on a local FM station, so it is normal to see all these changes. My opinion is that the vocals (men and women) are not a weakness on this album, and no reproach can be addressed to Jean Paul Maulnick for keeping the tables turning, like any good coach would do with a team. It keeps the level of involvement of the members, and it guarantees different sounds and approaches (you can't expect any artist to keep on sounding the same forever, can you ?).

Second, this new album is more consistent than the previous release. It is more soul-funk oriented, with more bass play, and less experimental. True enough, it has a couple of weaker tracks (the opening "stay mine" is not a materpiece, "There will come a day", with its gospel flavour, doesn't call my attention either, "Got to know" is a bit repetitive), but what about the rest ? Can anyone tell me that the album is boring or poorly executed ? What about the super "Rivers running black", or "Reach out" that literally get me out of my seat to dance ? "On the road part II" is another masterpiece. I would not be as sure as one of the reviewers that this is full of fill-ups, and that the band only had half an album but decided to stretch it to release a full cd... I really don't agree that the band "should" have released this cd and the previous one under only one release. If you want a best of, make it yourself on MD, Cassette or cdr...

Third, I have read that the lyrics are stupid on this album. Well, what about the average quality of the lyrics in the music industry ? Not to talk about the quality of the music itself... Way below Incognito's sounds in so many cases.

Fourth, the family is alive ! The band has been there for over 20 years and it doesn't seem we are close to any kind of fall. Bluey has his own record label (RICE records), he has worked on the Inner Shade and Citrus Sun projects, the Incognito family is large, his Son is even getting involved in this, and the reaction of the crowd to songs like "Skin on my skin" when performed live is amazing.

Even if this is not Incognito's best album to date, it is better than the previous one and a must have for acid jazz and good pop soul lovers. Is it worth 25 dollars ? No, but what album is worth that ? Get it for the same price you can buy any other cd, and you will certainly not be disappointed.

Average customer rating: SUPRISE! It is Great! Twisted!!! Too underrated and ranked WAY below where it should be THE ART OF STORY TELLING Dance Album of 2001: Accept No Alternatives

Stranger Than Fiction Ultra Naté Manufacturer: Groovilicious / S.R. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Techno-House | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Situation: Critical One Woman's Insanity ASIN: B00005AVO5 Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

1. Love Is Stranger Than Fiction (Prologue)
2. Ain't Looking For Nothing
3. Get It Up (The Feeling)
4. Desire
5. Dear John
6. Eternal
7. Twisted
8. Pretender
9. Breakfast For Two
10. I Don't Understand It
11. Gone Like Yesterday
12. Love Is Stranger Than Fiction (Epilogue)
13. Ghost

Customer Reviews:

SUPRISE! It is Great!.......2004-10-23

I have to really admit that I really underestimated Ultra Nate. Her first album suprised me.but this one blew me away.She is much more talented than you would at first expect and completely underrated.
This is one of those Cd's you can listen to over and over.Love is stranger than fiction,it's true and Ultra Nate tells stories in her song that works for her and gets you into the song.
I must say this is highly recommended.You will not be disappointed in this one.

Twisted!!!.......2004-03-05

I must admit that Ultra Nate has not had it easy in the 11/12 years she's tried to establish herself. After the promising debut "Blue Notes in the Basement" with it's jazzy inflections and deep house underground vibes, Warner Bros. tried to mainstream her as an R&B singer which churned out the so-so "One Woman's Insanity". After the hiatus she returned with the backing of the independent Strictly Rhythm label for "Situation:Critical". An album which saw her rewrite her ambtions for "One Woman's"- skript and pull it off better. Significantly better.
Now we come to "Stranger than Fiction" which ultimately is "Sitiuation's" successor. If not for the for the writing then for the music. As an artist Ultra Nate is moving foward. What few have a hard time understanding is that Ultra is an album artist. Not a disposable air head that a few producers led to a mic while shoving lyric sheets into her hand. She's not the type to make a few good singles and then throw an album together based on the strength of those singles. She writes her own material and she writes it well.
What is also notable is Ultra's devotion to the underground that spawned her. She returns and expands by collaborating with producers that have pretty much been ahead of their time. 4Hero- who's own two albums have pushed the envelope for drum n bass. D-Influence- my personal favorite- who's been England's best kept soul/ funk outfit since the early nineties and have been with Nate since "One Woman's Insanity". Attica Blues- who's ability to flip the script on beats and hip hop should have had another song on the LP. Other contibuters include N'dea Davenport(formerly of the Brand New Heavies), Lenny Kravitz , B-15 and Mood II Swing return as well.
But alas, Strictly Rhythm folded in the middle of the promotional push leaving Ultra to get little support for the singles- the phenomonal "Desire" and the funk driven "Get it up". The remaining singles the fun house # "I Don't Understand it" and the sensual drum-n bass cut "Twisted", which was the albums center piece, never got any promotion. Leaving the album to just sit. Conceptually, the album reads like a novel on the cycles of love and romance, it's highs and it's lows. "Stranger Than Fiction" comes from an artist who's in the game to push the credibilty of electronica. Not just climb the Hot Dance club charts of disposable 4 to the floor cheese.
Now an independent artist, her forthcoming album "Grime, Silk and Thunder" which may include a remake of The Pretenders "Brass in Pocket"is approaching a release date. Who knows maybe she'll work with Kruder & Dorfmeister, Jazzanova, Masters at Work, or King Britt.The curiousity is enough to warrant anticipation.

Too underrated and ranked WAY below where it should be.......2003-03-18

It irks me how many dance divas (with actual talent) do not get the recognition they deserve in this country, where Britney, Eminem, J-Lo, and Christina are mainstream artists. I feel better for supporting the REAL artists who may not be millionaires but they can hit high notes and make beautiful music just as well or better.

This is her fourth studio full length LP to date, and it's remarkably unique in all aspects. This is on the opposite spectrum of manufactured pop albums that are all over the store shelves today. Inside the cover, you will find some fab shots of Ultra in color, authentic and somewhat poetic song lyrics (all written or co-written by Ultra Nate), and liner notes with all kinds of sentiments from Ultra and a poem from her mother. The concept of the album is like a novel, with each track being a chapter. On the cover you will see a pile of worn-down paperback novels with the name of each track and a different photo on each novel....very original and creative concept, it deserves recognition.

Many vocalists and musicians put effort into this release, but the only problem is that I think the ability to make profit from this album is slim because Ultra (let's face it) has a limited auidence, and her name is only widely known in dance and underground club music. And while that may be enough to keep an artist alive, most tracks on this album are NOT dance music material, but rather on the uptempo jazz side, some elements of disco, and even R&B. In other words, this is not for the casual listener, this is for someone who is a devoted Ultra fan who wants more from her, even if it dosen't require a dance beat.

Stand out tracks, my fave in order are:
-Twisted (jazzy, bedroom song)
-Gone Like Yesterday (the most high energy track on the album)
-Ghost (the mellowest track- whispering ballad with guitar background)
-Get It Up (a very retrofied disco track, reminds me of the film Boogie Nights)
The two interlude tracks are nice also (tracks 1 and 12.)

THE ART OF STORY TELLING.......2003-03-08

I COULDNT WAIT FOR THIS CD TO HIT. ID BEEN WAITING SINCE HER LAST IN 98. SHE WORKED WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WRITERS AND PRODUCERS ON "STRANGER" BUT IT WORKS IN HER CASE. "I AINT LOOKING FOR NOTHING" IS A HOT ROCK TRACK WITH LENNY KRAVITZ ON GUITAR. "GIVE IT UP" IS ANOTHA HOT DANCEFLOOR GEM BUT THE ULTIMATE IS " TWISTED" THAT SONGS OOOOOZES SEX, MAN ITS HOT. HER SONG WRITING SKILLS AND VOCALS HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER. ITS A SHAME SHE WILL NEVER HAVE THAT TRUE BREAK THROUGH SUCCESS HERE IN HER HOMELAND ON THE MAINSTREAM. I GUESS THE UK WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE PAYING HER BILLS.

Dance Album of 2001: Accept No Alternatives.......2001-12-29

In a world that's gravitating more and more towards hip-hop, it's refreshing to see Baltimore native Ultra Nate stick to her house roots. But house isn't the only thing she serves up on her latest album; Ultra gives you house, jazz, disco, and 2-step beats to meaningful and insightful lyrics about the highs and lows of relatiosnhips. Ultra will probably never get the recognition she deserves, but I am one of her faithful fans and definitely recommend this disc.

Average customer rating: Stranger Than Ficition Utra Has Done It Again!!!!!!!

Stranger Than Fiction Ultra Naté Manufacturer: Import [Generic] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000059XH9 Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

1. Love Is Stranver Than Fiction (Prologue)
2. Ain't Looking for Nothing
3. Get It Up (The Feeling)
4. Desire
5. Dear John
6. Eternal
7. Twisted
8. Pretender
9. Breakfast for Two
10. I Don't Understand It
11. Runaway
12. Gone Like Yesterday
13. Love Is Stranger Than Fiction (Epilogue)
14. How Deep Is Your Love?
15. Ghost

Album Details

Japanese version featuring 2 bonus tracks:' Runaway' & 'How Deep Is Your Love'.

Customer Reviews:

Stranger Than Ficition.......2001-05-15

Well this comment comes from the heart !Ultra is a very hard work lady who trys to please herself fisrt. Without that she couldnot please her fan .Ultra has been around for 13years and yet many still fail to understand the power of her music.Stanger Than Ficition will definity reach the top . Not just over seas were I they love herso,but world wide. So the next question fan will be asking is Who's Ultra Nate'? Keep up the good job Tae!!

Utra Has Done It Again!!!!!!!.......2001-04-28

This woman is so incredible... I first heard her on Situation Critical and I have been hooked ever since. Every song on this album has the makings of a hit single. With this album she should finally get the credit she deserves. I have recently gotten my hands on all her previous works and am still amazed at how good Ultra really is. She can churn out intelligent dance music with the blink of an eye. If you buy one dance album this year please make sure it is this one because her version of "How Deep is your Love?" is phoenomenal. Ultra Nate Will Be With Us For A Long Time To Come.

Average customer rating: In a parallel universe, Ultra Naté is a huge star!

Stranger Than Fiction Ultra Naté Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music CD Singles | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005ARTE Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

1. Love Is Stranger Than Fiction (Prologue)
2. Aint Looking For Nothing
3. Get It Up
4. Desire
5. Dear John
6. Eternal
7. Twisted
8. Pretender
9. Breakfast For Two
10. I Dont Understand It
11. Gone Like Yesterday
12. Love Is Stranger Than Fiction (Epilogue)
13. Ghost
14. Free (Mood II Swing Radio Edit) (Bonus Track)
15. Get It Up (The Feeling) (Full Intention Radio Edit)
16. Desire (Video)

Album Description

2001 album from the popular dance diva. Includes the singles 'Desire' and 'Get It Up (The Feeling)' plus 'Free' and the CD-ROM video for 'Desire'. 16 tracks.

Customer Reviews:

In a parallel universe, Ultra Naté is a huge star!.......2007-07-03

First, to clear up any confusion caused by the listing, this is not a CD single but an album - and an outrageously accomplished one, too.

You only have to see my review of her latest, Grime, Silk, Thunder, to see that I like Ultra Naté. The house music stalwart often gets referred to in terms such as "cult diva" - shorthand for an underrated talent, I guess. But it also implies that she just knocks out belting house grooves for a sweaty minority when, in fact, each of her albums shows a willingness to experiment and try out different styles, both musically and vocally.

This means that you'll rarely love each track on an Ultra Naté CD with the same immediacy, but each collection as a whole is none the worse for this experimentation. I'll say Stranger Than Fiction is my favourite (it's the fourth out of five), but really you could hardly get a cigarette paper between this and its predecessor, Situation Critical, for sustained quality and invention.

I'm only really choosing this because "Critical" contains three - yes THREE - versions of her crossover hit, Free, and - nothing against this great track, I hope it provides Ultra with a decent pension - but I've just heard it too many times (I happened to be in Ibiza the summer when it was inescapable; plus it's still on a TV ad for an acne cream here in the UK - joy of joys!).

Unfortunately, Strictly Rhythm tacked it on to "...Fiction" as well, presumably for another bite of the cherry, so let's skip quickly to the rest:

What you get is one of Ultra's beloved prologues, before some tight, uptempo soulful dance music in the shape of Ain't Looking For Nothing, Get It Up, and Desire. Eternal is a bit of a lull, the type you get on every UN album, while the curveball here is Dear John, a curious ditty about a break-up, told in the third-person.

Twisted is a real gem. Produced by 4Hero, it's downtempo and loungey, and should certainly be on any "Best of Ultra Naté" compilation you might choose to burn for your own personal use (since one is not commercially available ;o)

Pretender is another uptempo number on which her powerful voice lets rip, but what makes this album particularly good fun, for me, is the sheer exhuberance of retro-disco stormer Breakfast For Two (guess what, you're not going to be kissing goodnight on the doorstep tonight... and you're going to be enjoying breakfast for two... you get the picture). It's like all Dan Hartman's high points fused into one - check out that insistent cowbell - and it's followed by another scorcher, I Don't Understand It, about picking up a stranger on the streets of New York for some afternoon delight. "Doing freaky things other people won't dare" indeed!

Then we get a foray into UK Garage with Gone Like Yesterday. It's not MJ Cole, but it's more than adequate... and a - oh, what the hell, why not? - "haunting" ballad called Ghost. It's not as essential as It's Crying Time on "Situation Critical" or her cover of "I Specialize In Loneliness on "One Woman's Insanity" - but, let's face it, what is? It still provides the perfect mood to round off the album (I'm skipping through the remixes, remember).

So all I can add - phew! - is if you like any of her other recordings, make sure you don't overlook this one - it's a blast!

Average customer rating: If I had a sense of rhythm, I would be fabulous.

Stranger Than Fiction Wrockers , Stephen King , and Dave Barry Manufacturer: Oglio Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000060OH1 Release Date: 1999-05-04

Customer Reviews:

If I had a sense of rhythm, I would be fabulous........2006-09-23

This CD features writers singing classic rock and roll, country, R&B, blues and pop songs; along with a few original songs. The writers are people like Stephen King, Amy Tan, Norman Mailer, Dave Berry and Maya Angelou. Most of them are pretty bad singers, although a few of them can sing a little. At least they managed to get professional musicians to back them up, so it doesn't sound completely awful. Almost, but not completely. But it was done for charity, so I won't pick on them too much.

Average customer rating: They rock, too! Writers wrock! Or do rockers rite? Fun from Beginning to End!

Stranger Than Fiction Various Artists Manufacturer: Oglio Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000I7UV Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

1. Bo Diddley - Stephen King
2. Jungle Hop - Amy Tan, Kathi Kamen Goldmark
3. Alimony Blues - Norman Mailer
4. Proofreading Woman - Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
5. Right, Said Fred - Maya Angelou, Jessica Mitford
6. Roly Poly - Roy Blount Jr.
7. I Want To Eat - Oscar Hijuelos, Lori Marie Carlson
8. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Cynthia Robins, Billy Philadelphia
9. Act Naturally - Leonard Maltin
10. Rave On - Bob Greene
11. Steamroller Blues - Susanne Pari
12. Double Shot Of My Baby's Love - Greil Marcus, Joel Selvin, Amy Tan, Susanne Pari, Faith Sale, Gail Parenteau, Sandy Choron
13. It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels - Molly Ivins
14. Chain Gang - Robert Reich
15. On The Good Ship Lollipop - Tomie dePaola
16. Stand By Me - Stephen King

Tracks:

1. Rainy Day Bookstores - Ben Fong-Torres
2. Hot Rod Lincoln - Blanche McCrary Boyd
3. Tupperware Blues - Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
4. Man Smart, Woman Smarter - Peggy Orenstein
5. If I Had A Talking Picture Of You - Leonard Maltin
6. Johnny Get Angry - Walter Mayes
7. These Boots Are Made For Walking - Amy Tan
8. Happy Birthday, Mitzi Gaynor - Molly Ivins & friends
9. Wall Of Death - Louis B. Jones
10. You'll Come Back, You Always Do - Norris Church Mailer
11. Wild Thing - Dave Marsh, Roy Blount Jr., Marc Barasch, Chorelles
12. Busted - Mary Mackey
13. Proud Mary - Tananarive P. Due, Warren Zevon
14. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man - Ken Follett
15. Hit The Road, Jack - Digby and Kay Diehl
16. You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover - Stephen King, Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Customer Reviews:

They rock, too!.......2005-06-28

It's a great, fun album. It's evident all these artists enjoy life to the fullest. My favorite moments are the three songs on which Warren Zevon plays/sings, his self-penned liner notes, and his spectacular Ike Turner-esque harmony on Proud Mary. Oye.

Writers wrock! Or do rockers rite?.......1999-08-27

I really, really love this record. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to listen to Leonard Maltin singing "Act Naturally". Or Molly Ivins trilling away on "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels". Amy Tan kicks butt when she snarls out "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'". But more than anything else, I love Robert Reich singing "Chain Gang". How often do you get to hear a pop song with the line "My woman, whom I love so well"? I gave a copy to my bookworm parents - you know, the people it's impossible to find presents for - they loved it. Anyone who likes reading and authors will enjoy this record. My only regret is that the producers started too late. If only I could have a record of Ernest Hemingway doing "The Battle of the Green Berets". Or maybe Herman Melville singing "Splish Splash"

Fun from Beginning to End!.......1999-05-27

Stranger Than Fiction is writer humor, no doubt. And I love it. From Dave Barry's Buffett-esque "Proofreading Woman" to Amy Tan's take on the Nancy Sinatra classic, "These Boots are Made for Walking," this pair of CDs is pure fun. Yes, some of the authors-turned-singers shouldn't have turned, but others are quite talented. Besides, who else but Norman Mailer could write and sing "Alimony Blues," after all? Even the liner notes (penned in part by Warren Zevon, who also contributes musically) are hysterical. And you'll never look at Amy Tan the same way after you see the outfit she wears while performing "Boots." It's obvious these authors had a great time making these CDs, and I had a great time listening to them. But hey, Wrockers -- no "Paperback Writer"? No "I Could Write A Book"? I guess you'll have to make a sequel ...

Average customer rating: Killer Kuts: Krazy or Krappy?

Killer Kuts from Core Various Artists Manufacturer: Core Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008EXDC Release Date: 1995-03-07

Customer Reviews:

Killer Kuts: Krazy or Krappy?.......2004-07-23

This is music from the popular game series Killer Instinct. If you haven't played the games, this music will sound retro and utterly krappy. If you're familiar with the games, these songe will take you back to the good old days... krazy kharacters and awexome music. A must for hard-core gamers or collectors!

Average customer rating: The Japanese version has a couple of more tracks. about $11.00 too much.... The hard facts about Incognito's "Fiction" Holds up well against Incognito's best work. Phat True Music

Life Stranger Than Fiction Incognito Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Acid Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Neo-Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: No Time Like the Future 100° and Rising Beneath the Surface Eleven Adventures in Black Sunshine ASIN: B00005LC1R Release Date: 2001-06-25

Tracks:

1. Stay Mine
2. Bring You Down
3. Slow Down (Get A Grip)
4. Skin On My Skin
5. Cut It Loose
6. There Will Come A Day
7. Castles In The Air
8. Got To Know
9. Reach Out
10. Rivers Runnin' Black'
11. On The Road (Part One)
12. On The Road (Part Two)

Album Description

2001 release for the British acid jazz act. 14 tracks including, 'Stay Mine', 'Bring You Down', 'Slow Down (Get A Grip)' & 'Skin Of My Skin'.

Album Details

Since forming 20 years ago, songwriter/Producer/Guitarist Jean Paul 'Bluely' Maunick has worked with some of the most important names in modern black soul music including Sister Sledge, George Benson, D'Angelo, R Kelly, Stevie Wonder, Carleen Anderson and Omar. The veteran of the British jazz/Soul scene continues to produce the music he is so famous for and has lasted longer in the industry than anyone should have a right to!

Customer Reviews:

The Japanese version has a couple of more tracks........2003-03-03

This is not one of the best Incognito CD's Bluey's recorded but, there are some great tracks.
In order:
1 star - Stay Mine
3 stars- Got To Know;
4 stars- Slow Down (Get A Grip); Bring you Down; River Runnin Black;
5 stars- Reach Out; On The Road, pt. 1 & 2; Down To Earth; Castles In The Air; Worlds Collide; There Will Come A Day; Cut It Loose
Skin on my Skin is one of the best songs that I've heard from Incognito. It's beautiful! It deserves 100 stars.
The Japanese disc has a live version of 'Pick Up The Pieces' sung by Christopher Ballin. Chris is a great singer but that track [isn't very good]!
This is not Incognito's best work but I give the CD a B+

about $11.00 too much...........2001-12-25

I'm new to Incognito (i do have his last 2) in a sense that I didn't get hip to him until 2 years ago. This one sounds too rushed or just not enough put into it. The vocals are sweet to the ears and some vocals aren't worth hearing because of the sad production. Maybe if the hefty import price tag wasn't on it, I'll have something more positive to to say about. The only 2 songs I've heard on underground radio were: "slow down" and "Castles In The Air"....the reason I went out to buy this. Disappointed in the CD?........NO!......just ticked about what it offers for that price.

oNe

The hard facts about Incognito's "Fiction".......2001-09-26

Once upon a time in the late 80's, a British R&B outfit called Soul II Soul burst onto the music scene with the talented, charismatic singer Caron Wheeler. Their sound was fresh, their sales were big, and a good time was had by all. But then Wheeler ended up going solo, and though Soul II Soul enjoyed a few more less-successful hits without her, things were never quite the same. Change the band and singer to The Brand New Heavies and N'Dea Davenport, and the story repeated itself in the early 90's.

Now, if anyone should be making a note of these things, it's Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick, considering his group Incognito enjoyed a similar success in a similar genre, time span, and georgraphical region. But no, for the band's ninth release, "Life, Stranger than Fiction," on-again/off-again diva Maysa Leak, the voice behind some of Incognito's biggest hits, is once again conspicuously absent. This will be a big problem for some of their fans and is a noticeable one for the album; Bluey has enlisted no less than three female singers to try to fill Maysa's shoes, but curiously they all end up sounding pretty much the same. That's not to say they don't handle their material well: Sarah Brown lays down some righteous funk stylings on "Slow Down (Get a Grip)," Dianna Joseph offers a soulful fire on "Bring You Down" and "Cut it Loose," and Kelli Sae caresses "Skin on My Skin" to sultry near-perfection. And then all three divas join male vocalist Xavier Barnett on the optimistic 70's-flavored ballad "There Will Come a Day." These five tracks are also the finest in the set, as Bluey and company branch out to explore chord progressions, production flourishes, and rhythms all atypical than the usual Incognito fare.

As it turns out, the real problem isn't a missing vocalist, but rather the fact that the band only had half an album on their hands and decided to stretch it into a whole one. "Stay Mine" and "Reach Out" are similar enough to past Incognito tunes to try our patience from the get-go; respective lyrics like "since you came into my life/I'm caught in a wave of ecstacy" and "light the inner fire/it will see you through" sink them straight to the level of downright boring. "Rivers Runnin Black" is another routine, string- and horn-laden Incognito instrumental, and sounds no better than the weakest material off 1993's "Tribes, Vibes, and Scribes." The funk track "Got to Know" borrows a page out of the Isley Brothers book and reads it well, but lyrics are again the downfall, as "got to know/got to know/got to know/people got to know it" isn't much of a hook and the line "no more wars" is enough to make you retort, "no more cliches." Bluey has plenty of musical ideas on "Castles in the Air," but the unusual rhythms and overcrowded chord changes are hard to follow, and even vocalist Xavier Barnett sounds lost and is exposed as a limited singer.

Even when the band samples Beatnik Jack Kerouac on the Bossa Nova gem "On the Road" and expand it into a second, more fiery experimentation that begs repeated listenings, it isn't enough to stop the notion that Incognito was either rushed, lazy, or uninspired for half the album. Thank God for CD burners; with modern technology you can take the band's too-brief 1999 set, "No Time Like the Future," and compile it with the best tracks from "Life, Stranger than Fiction" to make the one strong album Incognito stretched into two. There are bright spots to be had, yes; but the fact is, "Fiction" has weak spots even Maysa Leak couldn't rescue. Strange but true.

Holds up well against Incognito's best work........2001-08-17

I was disappointed to read that several fans thought this CD was a step in the wrong direction. Yes, there is an R&B feel to the first few cuts. Yes, Maysa and Randy Hope Taylor are out, but Incognito really transcends all the players except Bluey. Brilliant bassist Julian Crampton isn't exactly a stranger here either. What we get are several wonderful singers, the most recognizable being Kelli Sae from Count Basic, who are recorded and mixed beautifully. The themes are the same: joy and inspiration of love and pleas for peace and understanding. There's also a great torch song, Skin on my Skin, where Kelli Sae laments like she's never done with Count Basic. Yes there are more synthetic drums, but there are also horns and strings in almost every song. The best song by far is Rivers Running Black, Incognito at its most pure: Great instruments and just enough vocals to spice things up. It reminded me of I can see the Future. The horns are right up front in this one. If people have led you to believe this is all R&B, there is a 9 minute Bossa Nova epic called On the Road with a Jack Kerouac monologue near the end of the CD. It's a true Incognito sound with an awesome scat by Ms. Sae. There's a lot to enjoy here and plenty of great Incognito touches to keep you coming back for more.

Phat True Music.......2001-07-30

Very much like a Norman Connors' ensemble of talent. Absolutely loaded with real live music. The sound is wonderful. Maysa is absent from this CD but, other vocalists carry on the Incognito tradition where she left off. "Stay Mine", "Slow Down", "Worlds Collide", "Castles In The Air" and "On The Road" are the stand out tracks on this fierce acid jazz music mix. I really love the horns and drums on this CD. The beat is sooooooooooooooooooooo rich and moving.

Album Review:

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