Smoke + Fire

XLR8R, April, 2004
Beyond the toss-away faddishness of Berliniamsburg and related electro revival opportunists. Smoke + Fire is sing-along good

Product Description
NEULANDER is Adam Peters and Korinna Knoll. They are based in New York City.

In the early 80’s Adam Peters began as keyboard player and orchestral arranger in ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN. Since then he has been associated musician, arranger or producer with BETH ORTON, FAMILY OF GOD, SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES, LLOYD COLE and THE TRIFFIDS amongst others. He has also written film scores and made the music for the cult tv series "Disinfo Nation". Singer/artist Korinna Knoll, is originally from Austria. She graduated in Fine Arts in Hamburg, Germany. Korinna then moved on to New York where she met up with Adam.

Adam and Korinna began writing together in 2002. As the songs and ideas took shape so NEULANDER came into being. With a handful of shows around New York, an extraordinary gig at a castle in Sweden, and an exciting debut recording has already led to the New York Times as describing Neulander as a hot tip for 2003. "Neu taking on The Human League in battle" "Neulander are melodic, unusually cool and slightly aloof".

NEULANDERs debut recording "Sex, God + Money" (disko B 119, efa 27919-6) already made it into the Playlists of the likes of JOHN PEEL and got praise like "Four marvelous songs, of which every single one is a perl. I wished it would never stop. Neulander make us desire more." (de:bug/germany) or "The spiritual heirs to Kraftwerk - if only Kraftwerk allowed soul and emotion into their lives - New York’s Neulander are about to depose Client as the epitome of clinical electro chic. A duo, Adam Peters (ex-Family Of God) and Korinna Knoll, they unashamedly steal synth riffs from The Human League, yet make them sound like the future. Given the plethora of other bands doing exactly the same thing, this alone is an indicator that something very special is going on here. (logo/uk)".

Neulander write strong and defined songs whilst using deconstructed electronic arrangements. The music and the voice mesh together creating a timeless and almost ancient quality. The lyrics seem to suggest Russian poetry colliding with an abstract and personal response to the confusion of 21century media culture.

A drum machine, 2 keyboards, a cello, a boy and a girl in gigantic baroque luscious minimalist overdrive.

Smoke + Fire

Smoke + Fire,Neulander,Disko-B Records,Dance Music,Pop,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Smoking A Classic. A Special Album Even better than I remember Great to hear it again.

The Smoke from a Distant Fire Sanford & Townsend Manufacturer: Collector's Choice ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Duo-Glide [Remastered] 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Pablo Cruise Dance With Me: The Best of Orleans The Road Leads Home Baby Come Back: The Best of Player ASIN: B0001CKRBE Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

1. Smoke From A Distant Fire
2. Mollah Moo Mazuma (Sin City Wahh-oo)
3. Oriental Gate (No Chance Of Changin' My Mind)
4. Shake It To The Right
5. Squire James
6. Does It Have To Be You
7. Lou
8. Sunshine In My Heart Again
9. In For The Night
10. Rainbows Colored In Blue

Album Description

Is there any song that sums up the late '70s music scene like 'Smoke from a Distant Fire'? It had the blue-eyed soul crossed with high-gloss L.A. production sound of the Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins and other superstars of the era, with the kind of hook only real pros could create. For, as is often the case with so-called "one-hit wonders," Ed Sanford and John Townsend had spent years in the music business before hitting it big with this album. Indeed, the sound of this record was no accident; the duo had worked with both Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins (who repays the favor with a great vocal on 'Oriental Gate') before cutting this 1977 release. And talk about music biz connections—the album was produced by the great Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett! So, it's no surprise this one is a hot item for '70s pop collectors—a 'Collectors' Choice Music' exclusive!

Customer Reviews:

Smoking.......2007-06-28

I'm thrilled that this album finally come out as a CD. I've been saving an an original album for years. Smoke from a Distant Fire is a classic, but there are other great songs such as Rainbows covered in Blue, In for the Night, Sunshine in my Heart etc. etc. I was always surprised that this group didn't last too long.

A Classic........2007-05-09

Many thanks to Collector's Choice for reissuing this magnificent album on CD, previously only available on disc in the fine but expensive and rare Japanese pressing.
"Smoke From A Distant Fire" is one of a few dozen tunes that instantly, for those of us in our late 30s/early 40s, takes you back to the great days of AM gold. And, the good part, it's not the only catchy, likeable tune on the record.
In a time when almost anything seems to qualify as "a classic", this duo and these tunes really are.

A Special Album.......2006-11-13

I had this album back in the days of vinyl and had to buy the CD. It's as good as I remember blending jazz with rock for their unique sound.

Even better than I remember.......2006-10-17

Sanford and Townsend blew me away thirty years ago with this album. Their performance at the Bottom Line in NYC was even better. Their voice, harmonies, and music are simply incredible. Since my turntable went kaput, I've been unable to enjoy this incredible album. Squire James has become a staple in my household for Halloween music. Now we can enjoy those days all over again. Just sit back, kick back, and get ready to rock n' roll with rock n' soul music!

Great to hear it again........2005-10-06

These guys are simultaneously a rock and roll treasure and a rock and roll tragedy. This is one of the best albums of the era--every song on it is tremendous and instead of being one-hit wonders, S&T should have dominated the airwaves like Fleetwood Mac or the Eagles.

The only thing better than this was the demo that got them their record deal. The demo, which featured these songs played by Loggins & Messina's band and recorded by their production team is so much better than this admittedly hit-bound recording, it's sick. The grooves are slinkier, Townsend doesn't sound so stiff and ready for radio. The whole demo has this organic southern smile on it that is truly amazing. Why Warner's re-recorded it is a mystery. Maybe the guys can get the rights to their demo tracks and release them on CD. Hell, it's only been 30 years. Now that would be something to buy!

Still "Smoke" is a tremendous record. None of the later records came close.

Average customer rating: Um...wow. Righty likes track 16, whoot! A Masterpiece of Strange / Pop Art for 2006 Track 16 is ridiculous Stan at top of form!

Barbeque Babylon Stan Ridgway , and Drywall Manufacturer: Redfly ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Snakebite:Blacktop Ballads and Fugitive Songs Holiday in Dirt The Index Masters The Big Heat Partyball ASIN: B000AXWGTU Release Date: 2005-08-30

Tracks:

1. Goin' On Down To The BBQ
2. Fortune Cookies
3. Somewhere In The Dark
4. Abandon Ship
5. Buried The Pope
6. In Total Focus
7. The AARP Is After Me
8. That Big Weird Thing
9. Robbers & Bandits & Bastards & Thieves
10. Rain On Down
11. The Alibi Room
12. Wargasm
13. Bold Marauder
14. Land Of Spook
15. Something's Gonna Blow
16. Untitled

Amazon.com

In the mid '90s, Wall of Voodoo mainstay-turned-solo artist Stan Ridgway bid farewell to the major label treadmill via Drywall's masterfully dark debut and embarked on an indie career as the more historically-rooted, acoustically-centered singer-songwriter found of the compelling Black Diamond, Snakebite and Anatomy albums. The original Drywall concept ("a trilogy of apocalyptic documents") seemed intended to variously antagonize his then-label, subtly evoke his Wall of Voodoo past and offer outlet for his latent "mad scientist" tendencies. But Ridgway has completed that decade-spanning triptych with an album that's closer in tone to his elegiac modern solo work (his main accomplices here are also the same, keyboardist/vocalist Pietra Wextun and guitarist Rick King), if no less thematically provocative than DW's first installment. The infectious, industrialized zydeco of "Goin' On Down to the BBQ" revolves around a typically debauched Ridgway storyline, while elsewhere Stan variously stirs in jazz (the saxed-up "Fortune Cookies"), cinematic cool (the evocative "Somewhere in the Dark" and "Rain On Down") and even folk conceits both nautical ("Abandon Ship," "Robbers & Bandits & Bastards & Thieves") and Celtic (Wexstun's haunting "Bold Marauder"). "The AARP is After Me" and tipsy "Something's Gonna Blow" are filled with typically self-deprecating Ridgway wit, while the electro-edginess of "In Total Focus" and "That Big Weird Thing" contrast sharply with the stark beauty of the morally ambiguous ballad "Buried the Pope." Drywall closes out their first trilogy in rich, expansive style - and ultimately leaves listeners hoping they'll embark on another soon. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Um...wow........2007-01-11

I love Stan Ridgway - witness my extensive collection of CDs and ticket stubs. I think he and Peitra are national treasures.
However.....
I have to say I found this album very hard to get my mind around. I am no stranger to music that is (more than a little) outre'. And I am willing to give anything involving Stan a chance. Several chances. But I honestly didn't enjoy this album. (Sorry Stan)

But it won't keep me from buying the next one!

Righty likes track 16, whoot!.......2006-07-21

All of Stan's work has shown a deep suspicion of the industrial-military complex, heaped and blended with existential nihilism. I never took such a dim view of American life personally, but appreciated his artistic window into the darker side of society. For the record I'm a right-of-center, Republican-leaner who voted for Bush twice and I found track sixteen to be clever and, yes, a bit childish, but fun and I enjoy childish fun even when it steps on my idealogical toes. That being said the rest of the CD is delightfully quirky, loaded with imagery both dark and campy, and sprinkled with childish fun. And very true to Ridgway form this CD is yet another deadpan narrative description of the writhing scaly spectacle that is modernity's underbelly. It's kind of like David Lynch for the ears. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that I didn't feel it rose to the level of "Work the Dumb Oracle".

A Masterpiece of Strange / Pop Art for 2006.......2006-04-22

Continuing an on-again/off-again relationship with his Drywall side project that began in 1986 with Work the Dumb Oracle, the third album in Stan Ridgway's "trilogy of apocalyptic documents" isn't substantially different from his better-known solo work, at least on this 2006 release. His carnival barker vocals, bizarre lyrics, and shapeshifting cinematic soundscapes are in fine twisted form as the songs morph from the moody, bluesy harmonica-laced "Bury the Pope" to the more experimental subtle electronica textures of "Rain on Down" and the whimsical, Tex-Mex party atmosphere of "Goin' on Down to the BBQ." Co-Drywall conspirators/multi-instrumentalists Pietra Wexstun and especially Rick King are relegated to sideline status as Ridgway's distinctive vocals and lyrics dominate the proceedings. The diverse sounds combine aspects of Tom Waits (the percussive "The Alibi Room" sounds like an outtake from Rain Dogs), jazzy noir lounge ("Somewhere in the Dark"), Yello ("That Big Weird Thing"), and even world music ("Bold Marauder" is sung by Wexstun doing her best Grace Slick impression), but ultimately seem like Ridgway pushing his already elastic musical boundaries. At just over an hour, including a humorous bonus track that features sentences from George W. Bush speeches cut-and-pasted to mean something far different than what was originally intended, there is a lot to listen to here. Each track is overdubbed multiple times with layers of sound effects and instruments requiring repeated listenings to fully absorb. As with many Ridgway projects, the lyrical theme is obtuse but the music is so challenging, quirky, and innovative that the whole shebang is a mesmerizing musical trip. Anyone already a Ridgway fan will be thrilled, and open-minded newcomers might find enough of interest here to seek out his earlier, arguably more cohesive albums. Barbeque Babylon is a fun, often but not always lighthearted romp with the participants obviously enjoying themselves by painting a sonic palette the equivalent of '60s pop art. Part pastiche, part storytelling, and part experimental, the album finds Ridgway at the peak of his powers, creating music that demands attention even if at times it doesn't take itself seriously.

Track 16 is ridiculous.......2006-02-10

While I have Stan's full collection of solo stuff and love it, this album may not stay in my collection. There are some fantastic songs and truly innovating and amazinginly talented musicality on this one that we expect and usually get from Stan by the truckload. But I'm writing my comments primarily for the untitled #16 track. I'm not a republican or a democrat. Politics has nothing to do with it but the disrespect and childish editing of the President is embarrassing. The time, technology and (what they may of thought as cool) effort that they put in to making this stupid and over the top ridiculous word editing joke ruins the whole album for me. Perhps a few lines intended to make a point and reflect a measure of personal view would be "artistic" and acceptable but Drywall goes way too far with what they're saying here. A display of that much anti-american sentiment makes me think Drywall should move to Iraq and open up a recording studio there and tour the middle east, North Korea and Afganistan. Free expression, personal point of view and the right to say them are God given rights. But track 16 is just simply bad form, bad taste and childish. I would feel the same way if they did this obsurdity to Clinton as well. Track 16 isn't politics just stupid, really stupid.

Stan at top of form!.......2005-11-23

I'm here to tell you this is the best Stan Ridgway CD! A fan since the vinyl days of Wall of Voodoo, heard all the solo stuff (great, get it!), but this album is an absolute must buy. Killer stuff, classic Ridgway. The best yet!!

Average customer rating: Gosford Park Sound Track Better than the movie I don't mind the repeating themes, but the CD is too short! Excellent Mix One the best soundtracks out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gosford Park (2001 film) Patrick Doyle Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Gosford Park We'll Gather Lilacs: The Songs of Ivor Novello A Little Princess: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Much Ado About Nothing: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Sense and Sensibility: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1995 Film) ASIN: B00005UNCB Release Date: 2002-01-15

Tracks:

1. Waltz Of My Heart
2. Mr. Parks
3. Gosford Park
4. Bored To Sobs
5. The Shirt
6. And Her Mother Came Too
7. Walking To Shoot
8. No Smoke Without Fire
9. Scherzo In G
10. I Can Give You The Starlight
11. What A Duke Should Be
12. Inspector Thompson
13. Pull Yourself Together
14. Life Goes On
15. Secrets To Hide
16. Only For A While
17. Rather A Pasting
18. Love Jam
19. Why Isn't It You?
20. The Way It's Meant To Be
21. Carpe Diem
22. Good Luck
23. Your Boy's Alive
24. The Land That Might-Have-Been

Amazon.com

Thematically, director Robert Altman's career sometimes seems an endless series of left turns into the unexpected; the one constant has been a rich and rewarding attention to the intricacies of character development and interaction. Composer Patrick Doyle underscores Gosford Park's Merchant-Ivory/Agatha Christie/Altman-wit fusion and '30s British upper-class setting with a score that's period spot-on, character-rich, and often sadly evocative. Doyle's restraint is masterful, often leaning on piano, accordion, and small string arrangements that emphasize the characters' intimacies and the film's drawing room settings. Key to the story are a handful of prewar songs by Ivor Novello (who's also a character in the film), ranging from the sprightly humor of "And Her Mother Came Too" and "What a Duke Should Be" to the romantic schmaltz of "I Can Give You the Starlight" and "Why Isn't It You?" The latter is performed here at the piano (and, remarkably, live before the cameras) by Jeremy Northam. Leavened by a small jazz ensemble and a few darkly ominous cues, Doyle's score is an understated gem. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Gosford Park Sound Track.......2007-03-30

The original music is creative and very listenable. It is typical of popular music of the 1930s. This CD is highly recommended to those people who enjoy music from the 1920s and 1930s.

Better than the movie.......2004-12-08

Many people, I believe, buy a soundtrack because they are mesmerized by the movie and want to extend the experience by listening to something that reminds them of it. But "Gosford Park" is hardly that kind of movie. It is brilliant and atmospheric as it analyzes the British class system, but that's hardly the kind of thing that wins the heart. The soundtrack of this movie was my favorite CD from last year, and the reasons I liked it had nothing to do with the movie.

Why is this music so compelling and winning?

First, it is fun to discover the marvellous talent of Ivor Norvello. His music is half of the charm of the soundtrack. Some songs are funny ("Her mother came too"), some beautiful ("I can give you the starlight") and some poignant ("The land of might have been"). I had not encountered Norvello before this film. Jeremy Northam's perfect delivery of Norvello's songs would not leave me after I'd seen the film. Days later, I found the songs had taken up residence in the back of my head, insisting that I go back to the soundtrack to make them a permanent part of my musical life.

Second, there is the charm of the orchestral music composed by Patrick Doyle. Sometimes people wonder "why aren't they writing beautiful classical music any more?" Well, they are. It goes into soundtracks, however, rather than being commissioned by orchestras. The test for the quality of Doyle's compositions is that you don't need to refer to the film to appreciate this music. It simply charms and intrigues us with its own merits.

My third reason for loving this CD is too personal to mention here.

I give this CD my highest personal recommendation.

I don't mind the repeating themes, but the CD is too short!.......2004-06-08

Unlike many reviewers here, I didn't buy the CD to hear the Ivor Novello songs or Jeremy Northam's voice. I actually liked the instrumental tracks, and never actually thought I'd like to listen to something played on an accordion.

However, Mr. Doyle's music portrays the lethargy of the snobby Upstairs very well to the contrast of the relative energy of Novello's songs, which the Downstairs servants enjoy, but the Upstairs people can't stand.

My dislikes about the CD include the female singer who can't really sing and the length of the CD. Some of these cues are only about a minute long. WHY pay so much money for such a short CD??? Why not add more music??

Overall though, if you liked either Doyle's music or Novello's songs (hopefully the listener will like both), it's a CD worth getting.

Excellent Mix.......2003-04-23

I fell in love with this soundtrack when I watched Gosford Park in the cinemas.

Sometimes period music, sometimes mystery music, sometime personal music. Jeremy Northam's songs are simply delicious and I love hearing them.

I liken the style (not type) of mix to You've Got Mail.

Heaps of fun and lovely to listen to.

One the best soundtracks out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-03-06

When I saw the movie at the theater I kept thinking I've got to have the soundtrack to this movie because it is so beautiful. I also really enjoyed the sung songs 6.And Her Mother Came Too, 10.I Can Give You The Starlight, 11.What A Duke Should Be, 16. Only For A While, 20. The Way It's Meant To Be, 24. The Land That Might-Have-Been!! I think that Patrick Doyle did a wonderful job of scoring this movie the just fits right in with it all, I only wish there was more to listen to!! I highly recommend this album to everyone who liked the movie and people who love great soundtracks, you will not be sorry if you buy this!!!!

Average customer rating: Soooooooooo good! One of his very best

Where There's Smoke There's Fire Buckwheat Zydeco Manufacturer: Mca Special Products ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Zydeco | Cajun & Zydeco | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Cajun & Creole | Cajun & Zydeco | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Cajun & Zydeco | Blues | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Cajun & Zydeco | Blues | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: On a Night Like This Five Card Stud Menagerie: The Essential Zydeco Collection The Ultimate Collection Taking It Home ASIN: B000001FWA Release Date: 1990-05-18

Tracks:

1. What You Gonna Do?
2. Buck's Hot Rod
3. Hey, Good Lookin'
4. We're Having A Party
5. Beast Of Burden
6. Be Good Or Be Gone
7. Maybe I Will
8. Pour Tout Quelque'un
9. Where There's Smoke There's Fire
10. Route 66
11. It's Getting Late

Amazon.com essential recording

When Chris Blackwell signed Buckwheat Zydeco to Island Records in the mid-1980s, he may have been hoping that zydeco would break out internationally the way reggae did in the 1970s. It never happened, though Buck gave it his best shot with a series of crossover-friendly projects featuring high-profile guests. Where There's Smoke is as good as any of them. The album was produced by Los Lobos' David Hidalgo and featured Dwight Yoakam sitting in on a cover of Hank Williams's "Hey, Good Lookin'." There's also a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden" and a version of "Route 66" featuring Hidalgo on vocals and guitar. But the best tracks are the old-fashioned accordion rave-ups, like "Buck's Hot Rod" and "Pour Tout Quelqu'un." --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

Soooooooooo good!.......2005-06-07

I have had this CD for a couple of years, and I just got it out the other night. Had to listen to it again as I wait for his new CD to arrive. Man oh man, this is good. I dare you to put this CD on and NOT get moving. This could be his best, but I reserve judgment until the new one ("Jackpot") arrives.

One of his very best.......2000-07-09

Buckwheat zydeco has been bringing zydeco music to the massess for at least 20 years now and "where There's Smoke There's Fire" is truly one of his best CDs that is not a compilation. The production is perfect. all of the instruments jump out at your ears and the band is in top form. The songs flow beautifully from one to the next. The disc starts off with "What You Gonna Do" and just when you think your heart can't pump any faster they blast into "Buck's Hot rod", a sort of jump blues instrumental with one of the most blistering sax solos I've ever heard. The duette with dwight Yoakam on "Hey Good Lookin'" is excellent and their voices harmonize very well together. One of the highlight tracks is buckwheat's cover of 'Beast of burden." they slow down the tempo and add in some nice acoustic guitar. shoot me if you want to, but I think it's much better than the Stones version even though they are the ones who wrote the song. If you don't own any Buckweat zydeco CDs start with the "Zydeco Party" compilation to get a representative picture of his 80's sound and pick up "where There's smoke There's Fire" to hear some of his best music to date and be ready to shake it up!

Average customer rating: Just Okay Buy this and all their other albums ASAP. Weakest so far but still awesome! Absolute magic! awesome as usual!

Switzerland Electric Six Manufacturer: Metropolis Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Monument to the Masses Pieces of the People We Love Sound of Silver Danger! High Voltage Favourite Worst Nightmare ASIN: B000H7JABG Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

1. The Band In Hell
2. I Buy The Drugs
3. Mr. Woman
4. Night Vision
5. Infected Girls
6. Pulling The Plug On The Party
7. Rubber Rocket
8. Pink Flamingos
9. I Wish This Song Was Louder
10. Slices Of You
11. There's Something Very Wrong With Us, So Let's Go Out Tonight
12. Germans In Mexico
13. Chocolate Pope

Album Description

Detroit's Electric Six offer up thirteen songs of all styles, sounds, genres, and themes. From the bouncy "I Buy The Drugs" to the Def Leppard/Journey-esque "Night Vision" to the super-smooth "Infected Girls", old school E6 mavens will find just the right amount of puerile yet groovy concoctions that make them want to become one with their aggression. It's a feel-good, drive-around-in-your-car-with-the-top-down summer staple.

Customer Reviews:

Just Okay.......2007-03-12

This band had a really strong debut album ("Fire") but has been running out of gas ever since. "Senor Smoke" was mostly forgettable, and their latest offering, "Switzerland," is slightly better than its predecessor but still suffers from sounding too much like one long in-joke.

It seems that the Electric Six is doomed to have all their albums compared against their first one, but I guess that's the price of proving how good you can be from the outset, and then failing to deliver the same standard after that. Admittedly, "Fire" was kind of a long in-joke too, but they balanced out the silliness with such infectious metal/pop that it worked some kind of magic on the listener and compelled you to dance. The later discs are much more pop-oriented, and without that metal edge they're starting to sound more and more like Weird Al Yankovic. That's not a good thing.

Step it up, boys. We know you can sound more dangerous than this.

Buy this and all their other albums ASAP........2007-01-03

These guys are still flying under rock n' roll's mainstream radar, but I'm not sure for how much longer, so get on board and support Electric Six.

Buy their 1st and 2nd albums as well, "Fire" and "Senior Smoke", both as good if not slightly better than "Switzerland".

Weakest so far but still awesome!.......2006-11-30

I looove Electric Six. I saw them at the Key Club in LA in March and Dick Valentine looked totally plastered. He was hilarious. Did push-ups and sit-ups on stage. There was so much energy though it didnt matter that he kinda sucked singing on Dance Commander. That's the power of Dick. But on to the review: I can't decide whether Fire or Senor Smoke is my fave, but I know that Switzerland isn't. I like it, it's still a great album but it lacks something the first two had. Maybe E6 decided they wanted a larger fanbase and tried to change their sound to get new fans. Lyrically it's just as brilliant as the others: Sarcastic, tounge-in-cheek sexy, sometimes even politcally poignant, and way funny. Musically, while often catchy, just wasn't as up to par as usual. There are some greats here though, like I Buy The Drugs, Mr. Woman, Infected Girls, Pulling The Plug On The Party and There's Something Very Wrong With Us... and the short Chocolate Pope is classic. Overall they just don't rock as hard this time around. That's okay though, I'm still in love with them.

Absolute magic!.......2006-10-15

Ah, Electric Six. Their energy, their humour, their originality. I love this band so much. 'Fire' was just such a disco-rock-metal-whatever blast, with plenty of songs that weren't trying to tell us anything other than, to quote from 'Spinal Tap,' "have a good time all the time." The follow-up, 'Senor Smoke,' was still a great album, but a little more serious in tone than 'Fire.' And that wasn't a bad thing, mind you. Dick Valentine is so magnetic that you can't help but listen to him. Whether he's belting out lyrics that make no sense, or telling us his views on politics and the US government either on the surface or subliminally. And even when he is standing on his soap box he still does it with humour and style. 'Jimmy Carter' is a perfect example of that.

In my opinion 'Switzerland' is a bridge between the two predecessors. It shares both the funky rock of the first, with a touch of the second album's poignancy. I'll admit, it took me a couple of listens to get right into it. Upon my first listen I couldn't help but think it wasn't as good as 'Fire,' but that's just because I'm a little biased towards that album. But now I cannot stop listening to it over and over. It's got me hooked, and I would put it on par with 'Fire' as their best album so far. Even the bonus track that we got as an Australian/NZ exclusive is pretty good, and I usually don't care much for remixes of songs. And I just love that they're going to release a video for every song on 'Switzerland' - no matter how cheap and crappy they may be.

Electric Six have still got it. Something I can't say for too many other bands on their third outing!

awesome as usual!.......2006-10-15

This is one of the best bands out there. I am surprised they are not more popular. This CD is great. Some of the songs have that 1980's feel to them like Night Vision and Slices of You. I love E-6 and you should buy all their cd's. Well worth it!

Average customer rating: A Better Effort Than "Above The City" Smoke Or Fire- The Sinking Ship

This Sinking Ship Smoke or Fire Manufacturer: Fat Wreck Chords ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Above the City Virulence Four One Five Two Cuban Ballerina Deadline ASIN: B000MGBRDG Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

1. What Separates Us All
2. Patty Hearst Syndrome
3. Melatonin
4. This Sinking Ship
5. Irish Handcuffs
6. Little Bohemia
7. I'll Be Gone
8. Shine
9. Breadwinner
10. Life Imitating Art
11. Cars
12. Folding the Pages

Customer Reviews:

A Better Effort Than "Above The City".......2007-05-08

Is it catchy? Yeah. But why is that a bad thing? I read far too many reviews that say, "It's too clean...it's too catchy." Look, I love classic punk rock, there are some classicly written songs out there. But I'm not going to lie: I hate sh--ty recordings. All I do when I listen to Black Flag and old Misfits records is think, "If this were recorded today, it would be that much better." And why wouldn't you want a song to be catchy? Do you want to forget an album the second you're done listening to it? Is music meant to be analyzed to death or listened to and enjoyed?

I can't deny that Fat Wreck was putting out some bad releases (Randy, The Soviettes, No Use for a Name), but Smoke or Fire, along with Dead to Me and The Loved Ones, are beginning to put my faith back in the label.

"This Sinking Ship" is not a masterpiece, but it's a pretty damn good album. Check out the free MP3s for "The Patty Hearst Syndrome" and "Melatonin" on fatwreck.com and if you like those, you'll like this album.

Smoke Or Fire- The Sinking Ship.......2007-05-02

Is it just me, or are all the bands on Fat Wreck Chords starting to sound the same?

The newest release from Smoke Or Fire, This Sinking Ship, sounds very much like other records I've reviewed for Fat Mike. It isn't that This Sinking Ship is a bad album. Jeremy's guitar chops are loud and bone crunching, Ken keeps a steady pace with his bass, new drummer Dave Atchison slams out a violent beat and Joe rants convincingly about the state of the world. It just sounds the same as latter day NoFX, Against Me, and other groups in Mike's stable.

Smoke Or Fire recreates that clean, highly produced punk that NoFX has turned to and I've got to say, it's getting a little boring. While all the songs on That Sinking Ship are well played, they don't have any character, no life of their own. They're just slickly put together songs with no anima.

Maybe it's just the geezer punk in me that really wants to hear drums that sound like cardboard boxes, and guitars played through kicked-in amps. The production was never the thing about punk. It was about the anarchy, the wildness, the unpredictability of letting yourself loose and slamming into your date while dancing. Somehow, it feels like This Sinking Ship is punk on Ritalin- controlled, well behaved, and nearly comatose.

Hopefully, their live shows are much wilder and if anything, This Sinking Ship has inspired me to find out. But as far as recorded music is concerned, This Sinking Ship is far too self-contained to merit a second listen by my acid-drenched brain. And that's too bad, because I appreciate how punk has survived over the years even if it has become a commercially viable product. So many modern groups have carved out creative niches in music because of punk, including the highly industrial Swans, the experimental rock of Thurston Moore and Sonic Youth, the entire grrrl rock movement of the eighties and nineties, pseudo-industrialists Interpol, and a whole slate of emo bands. So when I listen to something as staid as This Sinking Ship, I have to wonder "what happened?"

Of course, my opinion means nothing. If the highly crafted production values of This Sinking Ship drives the punk movement these days, than more power to it. But Fat Mike and his fellow label-meisters would do all of us with a long history of punk behind us a huge favor by releasing some in your face, screw everything and everyone music that slaps us in the face with its freshness, and makes us want to slam dance with our wives and children.

Average customer rating: Jericho grows up. Awesome debut, for fans of HWM, ALK3, good HC/Punk Typical Fat Release!!

Above the City Smoke or Fire Manufacturer: Fat Wreck Chords ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: This Sinking Ship Keep Your Heart Canyoneer This Is Satire To the Nines ASIN: B0007OPF9A Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

1. California's Burning
2. Filter
3. Cops and Drugs
4. Goodbye to Boston
5. Culture as Given
6. Delawhere
7. Loving, Self-Loathing
8. Fire Escapes
9. Southpaw
10. The Hardway
11. Cryin' Shame
12. Point Break

Customer Reviews:

Jericho grows up........2005-05-13

This band used to be called Jericho when they lived in Boston. Their last EP was on the same record label as my band and we played a few shows with them around Boston. awesome guys, great to get drunk with, and great band. Move to VA, get signed to Fat Wreck, change their name to Smoke or Fire. the new album....great. All the things i loved about Jericho, but now a tighter band and better production. Straight up, this CD rocks. Great for driving around in your car real fast, signing along at the top of your lungs.

Awesome debut, for fans of HWM, ALK3, good HC/Punk.......2005-04-07

All the comparisons have already been made to bands like Kid Dynamite and Strike Anywhere, but these guys are more likable than them at times. It's catchy when it needs to be catchy, hard rockin when it needs heavy, and the lyrics are a plus too. A great start for a new band.

Typical Fat Release!!.......2005-03-25

So I've been waiting for this Cd for a couple weeks now, since I love FATwreck and I mostly like every band they put out. Anyway this is like I said a typical fat release. Good melody good riffs. The Cd gets weak near the end but the 1st 9 tracks or so are really good. Maybe by the end I just got tierd of the sound. There like a cross between Dillenger Four, Strike Anywhere and a little Wilhelm Scream mixed in. Good release, worth the money.

Average customer rating:

Fire & Smoke Earl Thomas Conley Manufacturer: Pair ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cowboy | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music ASIN: B000008MNI Release Date: 1994-02-07

Tracks:

1. Fire and Smoke
2. Silent Treatment
3. Too Much Noise (Trucker's Waltz)
4. Smokey Mountain Memories
5. This Time I've Hurt Her More (Than She Loves Me)
6. Tell Me Why
7. After the Love Slips Away
8. Your Love Is Just for Strangers (I Suppose)
9. Like Cinderella
10. As Low as You Can Go
11. That Was A Close One
12. Changes Of Love
13. Too Many Times
14. As Low As You Can Go
15. We`ve Got All Night
16. If Leavin' Was Easy
17. Your Love Is Just For Strangers
18. Like Cinderella
19. After The Love Slips Away
20. I Have Loved You, Girl

Average customer rating: Holy Smoke! This one BURNS! For at least trying Classic Ash Smoke and Fire up the Eynon

No Smoke Without Fire Wishbone Ash Manufacturer: Mca Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: New England/Front Page News Just Testing Strange Affair Clan Destiny There's the Rub/Locked In ASIN: B000024YFQ Release Date: 2000-07-25

Tracks:

1. You See Red
2. Baby the Angels Are Here
3. Ships in the Day
4. Stand & Deliver
5. Anger in Harmony
6. Like a Child
7. Way of the World, Pt. 1
8. Way of the World, Pt. 2
9. Firesign
10. Time & Space
11. Lorelei
12. Come in from the Rain
13. Bad Weather Blues

Album Description

Reissue of their ninth studio album for MCA, originallyreleased in 1978. Digitally remastered by the band's MartinTurner, this edition features the original cover art, alleight original cuts and five bonus tracks: the previouslyunreleased 'Firesign', 'Time And Space' (Remix) and liveversions of 'Lorelei', 'Come In From The Rain' & 'BadWeather Blues'. 13 tracks total. 1998 Universal release.

Album Details

Reissue of their Ninth Studio Album Originally Released in 1978 on the MCA Label. Digitally Remastered by the Band's Martinturner. Includes Five Bonus Tracks: The Previously Unreleased 'firesign', 'time and Space' (Remix) and Live Versions of 'lorelei', 'come in from the Rain' and 'bad Weather Blues'.

Customer Reviews:

Holy Smoke! This one BURNS!.......2005-09-12

I've been a fan of Wishbone Ash since their self-titled debut album but somehow lost track of the band after Argus. So, this is the first time I've heard No Smoke Without Fire and I can tell you this is one fine album. Both the song-writing and performances are outstanding. Indeed, there is not a bad track on the album. Not a one. Laurie Wisefield's monumental Stand and Deliver does just that and is simply magnificent (to name only one of them). It's classic extended guitar-riffing ASH at its finest and should be part of the band's regular touring repertoire (hint-hint!). And the bonus studio tracks, recorded at the same time as the album, are as good as the others. Martin Turner's Time and Space is a well-polished gem. The album was produced by Derek Lawrence, who produced the band's first three albums, and it shows.

I cannot understand the reviewer from Nashville that thought this was a let down from the band's previous work. I did not see their performances at the time and I do not doubt the band was at its best live onstage. Nevertheless, this album has far more energy than any of the others up to this point, post-Argus, (the album was originally released in 1978) and showcases songs from both M. Turner and L. Wisefield. Indeed, this album is arguably the high water mark of the Powell-Turner-Wisefield-Upton era and is one of the highlights of the band's work over it's three and a half decades - and counting - history (thanks to the continuing efforts of the intrepid and multi-talented Andy Powell).

If you are a Wishbone Ash fan and this album does not put a smile on your face, you are not listening. If you are not yet a fan, this is a fine one to get acquainted with the band that is known for its melodic, harmony guitars.

NOTE: The remastered release is VERY heavy on the bass and quite bright sounding. Though some may like it, be prepared to adjust your playback system accordingly. Once you do I think you will find the sound quality is superb!

For at least trying.......2005-02-28

But they tried WAY TO HARD to supercede Front Page News and to make it MORE SUCCESSFUL. Failed at both attempts! This was a big slump period for the band at this point in time. In fact most of these songs when performed live, HAD the intense fire, these studio versions lacked. 'Way of the World' scorched everytime I heard it live, but on No Smoke Without Fire, well it was a smouldering flicker. This was one of their biggest letdowns with Laurie Wisefield on second guitar. The live tracks included here (Lorelei) are nice but are hardly indicative of what 'couldve been', if that energy was put to better use for this project.

Classic Ash.......2002-10-04

This is one of the better releases by the band, it includes 'You See Red' which is one of my favourite WA songs. The guitarwork just smokes, a killer track indeed. 'Baby The Angels Are Here'(another favourite) has that unique 'slow burn solo' that the band pulls off like nobody else. 'Ships In The Sky' has that dreamy mystical quality type of sound that Wishbone Ash does so well. Other standouts: 'Stand And Deliver'(a rakish song if I ever heard one), the two part flat-out rocker 'The Way Of The World', 'Time And Space'. The bonus tracks are welcome indeed as well as interesting. Mastered by Martin Turner, a detailed booklet with liner notes, and 70.10 in length. Sound quality is quite good with the only glitch being in Track 2 towards the end of the track(sounds like a momentary dropout on a tape to me). A winner.

Smoke and Fire up the Eynon.......2001-02-01

I had found this record in a cut out bin when I was 16 years old and it has never failed to impress. At the time though into the punk scene, I could not imagine how I had let a band like Wishbone Ash escape me throuout the seventies. I have learned this record marks one of the last that guitarist Laurie Wisefield would record with them. It seems the band had returned to England to record this one after being stateside for a number of years and returned to their signature dualing guitars while combining excellent harmonies and the production of Derek Lawrence who produced their classic "Argus". Wisefield seems to add a tighter style to their sound yet still holds his own in lengthy jams such as "Way Of The World." Plus we have bonus tracks some of which were to be included on the original record but were left off and a live track called "Bad Weather Blues" which was originally a B-side turning into a concert favorite. Much of this record and others from this time period are not properly represented on many Wishbone Ash compilations making NSWF a great find.

Average customer rating: The Andre Kostelanetz Touch

The Kostelanetz Touch Manufacturer: Asv Living Era ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Easy Listening | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Ultimate Collection Ultimate Collection ASIN: B00006357L Release Date: 2002-04-23

Tracks:

1. With a Song in My Heart
2. Tiger Rag
3. Swamp Fire
4. Fascinating Rhythm
5. 'S Wonderful
6. Bugle Call Rag
7. Music of Jerome Kern (Medley): Smoke Gets in Your ...
8. Estrellita
9. Dancing in the Dark
10. Turkey in the Straw
11. Po
12. Liebestraum
13. Manhattan Serenade
14. Blues in the Night
15. My Sombrero
16. Night and Day
17. Flamingo
18. Coubacaban
19. When Day Is Done
20. I'll See You Again

Customer Reviews:

The Andre Kostelanetz Touch.......2002-05-31

If you were born before 1950, you will like this CD. I bought it because I have long admired Andre Kostelanetz. He was accomplished in leading both popular and classical orchestras. The recordings on this CD are monaural and were recorded in the late 30's to mid 40's. I don't think Tiger Rag, Bugle Call Rag and Turkey in the Straw complement the other selections. The remainder, however, are lush and romantic.

Album Review:

1. Some of My Best Friends Are DJs
2. Sound Deluxe, Vol. 2: Mixed by DJ Halo
3. Taka Taka
4. The Human Condition
5. Trance Nation, Vol. 4 [Import]
6. Twisted
7. Underground Sound of Madrid 2005 [Import]
8. Vous Etes Toujours La: Live [Import]
9. We Are Science [Enhanced]
10. When the Funk Hits the Fan: The Remixes

Album Review

album review

Album Review

Nothing Really Matters [CD-single] [Import]

Povla Frijsh: The Complete Recordings [Box set]

Stenhammar: Symphony No2; Excelsior! Op13

Music: Sapera: Snake Charmers of North India

Sixties [Import]

Righteous Anger [Import]

Taylormade

River/Just Checkin' Pt. 1 [CD-single]

Tennessee Woman

Reggaeton Superstars

Soft Like Me, Pt. 1 [CD-single] [Import]

Papa

Sound of Eukatech, Vol. 2

Sons of Soul

Still Warm