Murder & Mayhem

Murder & Mayhem

Track Listings

1. Baron of Brackley

2. Battle of Harlaw

3. Barthams Dirge

4. Twa Corbies

5. Banks of Sweet Dundee

6. Helen of Kirkconnell

7. Eppie Morrie

8. Reynardine

9. Lammikin

Editorial Reviews
Sunday Times Magazine
"Isla St Clair brings generations of Scottish war-gaming to life."

Product Description
The Scottish ballads in this album are brimming with intrigue, murder, blood feuds and betrayals, supported by the pride and courage of heroes, or victims. This Special Edition is a unique collection of traditional ballads about Scotland's turbulent past.

The ballads are the elite of traditional music, their inherent power is overwhelming. Through the ages the ballads, which were usually based on actual events, have entertained and informed people. Many had several versions depending on the political and social agendas of the author, performer and audience. The stories are still as exciting today as they ever were.

Murder & Mayhem

Tracks:

The Headmaster Ritual
Rusholme Ruffians
I Want The One I Can't Have
What She Said
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
How Soon Is Now?
Nowhere Fast
Well I Wonder
Barbarism Begins At Home
Meat Is Murder

Amazon.com

Singer Morrissey's brittle wit and guitarist Johnny Marr's incisive guitar helped make the Smiths create both an entranced cult following and pop music of the highest order. The U.S. edition of the band's second album includes the bonus single "How Soon Is Now?" and while it's a welcome addition, the rest of the tracks stand ably on their own. The militant vegetarianism is heavy-handed, but the sly humor of "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" and "I Want the One I Can't Have" present proof of the band's scope, as do the anthemic "The Headmaster Ritual" and "Rusholme Ruffians." --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

The Blueprint For A Successful Follow-Up Album.......2007-04-11

In today's day & age of artists releasing albums with the frequency of presidential elections, it seems almost inconceivable that a smash-hit debut could be followed one-year later by another equally-impressive album. But that's exactly what The Smiths did in early 1985 with Meat Is Murder. "How Soon Is Now?" and "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" are the two main standouts, however "Rusholme Ruffians", "Nowhere Fast", and "I Want The One I Can't Have" rival anything off the band's self-titled release. Morrissey continues his heady and socially-conscious songwriting, while Johnny Marr takes his guitar-playing up a few notches - which is ultimately showcased on "How Soon..." (the rhythm guitar-track was conveniently sampled on Soho's 1990 hit "Hippie Chick", and one could make a case that Marr stole the main bent-chord from Jimmy Page's riff on Led Zeppelin's "The Rain Song"). Even Andy Rourke gets into the act with his funky bass line contribution on "Barbarism Begins At Home". No weak spots on this gem, which will surely spark your interest from start to finish. If not, you don't know what's good for you.

"Gasping - but somehow still alive".......2007-03-12

The Smiths' second album of new material is essential listening for an unlikely reason: it contains some the band's most mediocre songs. Now, "mediocre" is a relative term of course, considering that we are talking about the greatest band to emerge in the last quarter-century, i.e., since The Jam broke up in '82. It isn't that Morrissey's voice sounds bad (how could it?), or that Johnny Marr's guitar playing is less than tasteful. It's just that somehow the words and the music just aren't as great as one would expect.

Most of the tracks on this album are not particularly well-known ones. However, "How Soon Is Now?" pops up in the middle of the American issue. This is one of the band's best-known and best-loved songs. It is not, however, one my personal favorites, if for no other reason than it is over six-and-a-half minutes long. For a group whose music is informed by classic pop ideals, The Smiths sure have a tendency to let their songs run a bit too long. This is especially to the detriment on the closing tracks. The nearly 7-minute "Barbarism Begins at Home" is quite good, as is the title track (even if it is a bit, dare I say, ham-fisted), but they just go on forever, and therefore lose some of their impact in the process.

Other than "How Soon Is Now?", the only song that will be familiar to neophyte Smiths fans is the excellent single "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore", which includes the fathomlessly clever line "It was dark as I drove the point home". Not surprisingly, The Smiths are more successful with shorter songs. "What She Said", "Nowhere Fast", and "Well I Wonder" are some of the album's best songs. "I Want the One I Can't Have", on the other hand, expresses what was even by this point in his career a pretty trite Morrissey sentiment. And I still haven't mentioned the opening tracks, "The Headmaster Ritual" and "Rusholme Ruffians". Sadly, there isn't really much to say about them, apart from that they sound a bit juvenile and uninspired. (Although the "Marie's the Name of His Latest Flame" riff on the latter is a nice touch).

Given the excitement that had built up around The Smiths by 1985, it is not surprising that Meat Is Murder entered the UK album chart at #1. Fans were certainly justified in their expectations for the album, and were right to rush out and by it. Unfortunately, the material on the album proved to be disappointing by any standards. Fortunately, it was not enough to bring down the band's hopes, as they re-emerged in the finest form of their career with their next release. While Meat is Murder is not essential in the all-embracing sense of the term, it is worth hearing for that very reason. After all, every great band has at least one album that demonstrates what they sound like at their not-so-great. In the case of The Smiths, that album is Meat Is Murder.

Militant Smiths.......2007-01-09

I gave two other Smiths CD 5 stars, the great 'The Queen Is Dead' and a Singles collection. This album just doesn't reach the level of TQID and therefore I have to give it just 3 stars.

Absolutely haunting.......2006-01-14

Meat is Murder was one of my first forays into indie music as a 15 year old kid in 1987 and what a great place to start. Full of painful angst and alienation, Morrissey really bears himself... his wretched life lives all over these songs. Maybe it's a little dramatic, but it never seems faked and it always sounds fantastic.

My favorite Smiths album.......2005-11-22

This is the album that got me hooked on the Smiths back in 1986. A friend had copied the album recorded to tape. I avoided listening to it for several months, until one afternoon listening to Rusholme Ruffians. At the time (at the age of 16), I could not make out what Morrissey was singing, nor would have I understood the lyrics if they had been printed. However, I indentified with the music. Although Morrissey seemed to sing off-key at times, there was a sense of urgency that was very honest and passionate. My favorite songs from the album include:
I want the one I can't have ("He killed a policeman when he was 13, and somehow this really impressed me"). There is something very gritty and authentic about this song. Morrissey sings it with such passion. Great lyrics, too.
That joke isn't funny anymore- My favorite part of the song is when Morrissey sings, "When they fall down". Johnny Marr's guitar playing sounds spiraling and dreamlike.
Well I wonder- Convincingly morose.
Barbarism begins at home- At first I did not think much of this song, but it has grown on me over the years. I enjoy the ending of the song with Morrissey moaning over Johnny Marr's instrumental.
Other highlights include the Headmaster's Ritual, What she said and Nowhere Fast (one of my favorite lyrics: "And when I'm lying in my bed I think about life And I think about death And neither one particularly appeals to me"). I am an odd Smiths fan as I find "How soon is now?" to be unlistenable. The song "Meat is Murder" is amusing, but probably my second least favorite track from the album.

Average customer rating:

incubus' angel dust...kind of
Just not my favorite side of Incubus
My Favorite Incubus Album
Sucessful synthesis of mainstream intentions
Favorite Incubus Album

A Crow Left of the Murder
Incubus
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Morning View
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ASIN: B00018D5CQ
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Tracks:

Megalomaniac
A Crow Left of the Murder
Agoraphobia
Talk Show on Mute
Beware! Criminal
Sick Sad Little World
Pistola
Southern Girl
Priceless
Zee Deveel
Made for TV Movie
Smile Lines
Here in My Room
Leech

Amazon.com

Kicking in like a compellingly acrimonious version of Rush ("Megalomaniac") before meandering through what can rather uncomfortably be termed noodly, time-signature lottery jazz-metal terrain A Crow Left of Murder probably identifies Incubus as the average Pearl Jam fan's second-choice for chin-stroking mosh action. Brendon O'Brien (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) produces and singer Brandon Boyd possibly fancies himself as a bit of a Vedder-esque sage, even blustering "My secret arsenal is an infinite ageless ink well" on the otherwise acceptable metal squawk of "Pistola".

Boyd obviously has big issues with the ills of the world but the lyrics to "Talk Show on Mute" (reality TV is bad, especially Big Brother) and "Zee Deveel" (nice cars, nice clothes and other status symbols are bad) say nothing to enhance mankind's understanding of these twin evils. Incubus are probably on firmer ground with "Made for TV Movie" (like "Megalomaniac" it's an anti-War-on-Terror diatribe) and musically they're to be applauded for sidestepping the prescripted expectations of the metal genre they've been saddled with. Ultimately, however, one's enjoyment of this record swings on whether one considers Brandon Boyd's societal musings to be deeply venerable discourse or just soppy waffle. --Kevin Maidment

Customer Reviews:

incubus' angel dust...kind of.......2007-08-02

just when they finally found themselves with morning view and were at the peak of their popularity and success , they ditch their bass player and come out with something completely unexpected. not unlike what faith no more did with their release of angel dust. and like faith no more, incubus has definitely sacrificed some success and fans with this release...but the music is well worth it. it is my personal favorite cd of theirs, although light grenades is equally as good and more polished with better lyrics and concise song structure. in time i have a feeling people will look back on this album and decision with respect much like they do with faith no more. now don't get me wrong.. the music on this album is nothing like angel dust. which is a good thing. i hate clone/copycat music. this album is much softer, melodic, alternative, even pop. but what i like about incubus is they are a unique band and are being themselves now. unlike with their first 2 cds fungus and science, where they were just following the nu metal trend and copying/ripping off faith no more and mr bungle like other bands. make yourself started to break the mold and they finally broke through with morning view. now they have evolved and become one of the best modern rock bands and live shows of today. bands are now starting to emulate incubus the way incubus used to emulate faith no more. the sky is the limit for incubus.

Just not my favorite side of Incubus.......2007-07-17

I like the heavier side of them, not the experimental side. I was very hopeful that this would be a return to form (for me at least), and after I heard "Megalomaniac", I was excited about the possibilities, because that quickly became one of my favorite Incubus tracks. While this is far from a bad album, I kind of have to be in the right mood to listen to it, and if I feel like some Incubus, I'm more likely to go for the earlier stuff. There are some good songs on here, but to me, they don't have as much of a lasting impact as previous ones.

My Favorite Incubus Album.......2007-05-03

A lot of people I know were dissapointed with this album, but I really lie it. All of the songs are catchy in their own way. I remember Megalomaniac being played continuously on the radio and I was pumped because I loved that song...now I appreciate the others even more.

Favorite Songs:
-A Crow Left of the Murder
-Agoraphobia
-Talk Shows on Mute
-Beware Criminal
-Pistola
-Zee Deveel
-Leech

Sucessful synthesis of mainstream intentions .......2007-04-24

Extremely solid alt-rockers 5th album continues to refine and expand the tight unit's special skill sets, of which rallied in funky aggression, dazzled with spacemath rock chops, and then settled into a more radio-friendly attitude yet still kept much of their compositional integrity. Mostly that relative longevity has always been made from Mike Einziger's passionate, intelligent riffage effectively balanced with Brandon Boyd's strong, inspired vocals and here is no exception. The albums standout tracks, amongst a general high quality, diverse and lengthy list, always include that magical interplay that has always kept the band emotionally gripping ever since they Made Themselves, but this outing proved their most successful pop experimentation to date. Every song can not be considered as compelling as the last, but all retain elements that make each of it's 14 tracks worthwhile listens in their lasting attempts at redefining the Incubus range. It would appear the first half really creates a stronger impression, but appropriate closing proceedings do round out the impressive release.

Favorite Incubus Album.......2007-04-10

This is one of the best Incubus albums ever created. Every Incubus fan needs to have this one.

Average customer rating:

One of the Best Albums I Own
Worst of Papa Roach
deserves 0 stars
a great change
the best Papa Roach CD ever!!

Getting Away With Murder
Papa Roach
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Infest
The Paramour Sessions
Lovehatetragedy
Crossfade
Three Days Grace

ASIN: B0002TLJEK
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Tracks:

Blood
Not Listening
Stop Looking Start Seeing
Take Me
Getting Away With Murder
Be Free
Done With You
Scars
Sometimes
Blanket Of Fear
Tyranny Of Normality
Do Or Die

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best Albums I Own.......2007-03-22

I have been with Papa Roach since Infest, watching them grow, losing touch with LOVEHATETRADGETY, and coming back into their grace with GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER. My god...I just can't begin to explain this album, it is for lack of better words...perfect. Each song is a work of art in both lyrical and musical sense.

Worst of Papa Roach.......2006-08-01

I was probably more excited than anyone when waiting for this album to come out. And I have to admit a couple tracks like getting away with murder were really good. But i could only name about 5 tracks that i really enjoyed, though they were really good. What i also noticed was that the few tracks that i did like were the songs that were true to papa roach's unique style which were present all of papa roach's previous songs. The rest of the songs on this album seem inspired by emo and you could tell they finally conformed to modern rock. There are many other bands that sound like that and there is really nothing special about it, it just makes the album seem boring because they sound like everyone else. It is easy to see why Papa Roach conformed to modern rock because of the failure of their last album "love hate tragedy" (which i thought was a fantastic album). By doing so they opened up to an larger audience (like teenage - 13 year old girls) with hit songs like "scars". This album went platinum so i guess they accomplished their goal. I'm just sad they had to sacrifice what made them unique and brought great music. Jacoby says the next album will go back to more straightforward rock and will be less emo influenced. Hopefully we'll see the return of the true papa roach. I still listen to this album, though i skip through only to listen to "blood", "not listening", "getting away with murder", and "tyrrany normality" - which are the only ones i like, and some remind me of old papa roach.

deserves 0 stars.......2006-07-04

this lp is...these guys are clowns with tatoos and cool haircuts.that's all.dolls with guitars.lovehatetragedy....naaah,I think its just HATE and TRAGEDY.by far "Getting Away.." is worsest thing i've ever heard till now(18 visions upcomin lp "18 vis" will take a lead,I'm sure).dont buy it!all filler,no killer:))

a great change .......2006-05-16

in the case of sellout i think papa roach defends themselves pretty well with this album. in the death of rap metal, i believe they started losing their fan base and they were starting to become a band that was remembered by "cut my life into pieces." Love Hate Tragedy was horrible and nowhere close to Infest so... they give us this and it is a very well put together cd. more catchy, more melodic plus they have shown us how well rounded they really are. if you are a papa roach fan and are scared to buy this because of the change.. i say go for it. it might suprise you.

the best Papa Roach CD ever!!.......2006-05-08

Before getting this CD , I liked just a couple of songs of their previous records but when I got this one , I instantly felt in love with it and I NEVER get tired of it. This is the first CD in my life that I've liked all the songs in it. I'm just hopping their next CD coming soon will be as good as this one.

Average customer rating:

My Chemical Romance - Life on the Murder Scene CD
If you want to see the real MCR get this!!!
Life on the muder scene is truly worth every penny.
Amazing, a must buy for people who aren't chavs
An Excellent Experience

Life on the Murder Scene
My Chemical Romance
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
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ASIN: B000BCE94K
Release Date: 2006-03-21

Tracks:

Thank You For the Venom
Cemetery Drive
Give 'Em Hell, Kid
Headfirst For Halos
Helena
You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us in Prison
Ghost of You
I'm Not Okay (I Promise)
I Never Told What I Do For A Living (Demo)
Bury Me In Black (Demo)
Desert Song (Demo)

Tracks:

I'm Not Okay (I Promise) (DVD)
Cemetery Drive (DVD)
Our Lady of Sorrows (DVD)
Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us (DVD)
You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us in Prison (DVD)
Headfirst for Halos (DVD)
Ghost of You (DVD)
Thank You For the Venom (DVD)
Give 'Em Hell, Kid (DVD)
Vampires Will Never Hurt You (DVD)
Helena (DVD)

Amazon.com

For My Chemical Romance's ever-expanding list of fanatics, this double-disc set is better than an XBox 360, MySpace.com, and free internet combined. In terms of content, it handily laps the New Jersey screamo band's only major label release, 2004's Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. My Chemical Romance spreads its blood-soaked anguish and angst over a live album and DVD package that's spilling over with four-hours worth of rarities, demos, and live appearances. All told, it's the perfect excuse to revisit the band's perfect union of frightening metal riffs and knockout pop melodies. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

Now the CD+2DVD package Life on the Murder Scene fans the flames of fanatiscism with live performances, demos and rarities, including over 4 hours of footage of live performances, MTV2 $2 Bill, MTV Discover and Download, plus Sessions @ AOL, and Live @ Launch. The love affair with My Chemical Romance has just begun.

Customer Reviews:

My Chemical Romance - Life on the Murder Scene CD.......2007-05-25

Amazon kept me informed every step of the way and service was friendly and quick. Goods arrived in good condition. Will purchase through them again.

If you want to see the real MCR get this!!!.......2007-05-24

I watched it over and over-mesmerized by the interviews, struggles with addiction, forming of the band and working out new band issues. The footage of each band member's personality feels authentic ranging from dorky & downhome ("carbs and calories"), "mom, be in my video", to the sweet and geeky to becoming very cool-together talented people who are "anti-rock and roll". It comes with a live album which is incredible and captures the raw energy MCR brings on stage. If you already have "bullets" get this one-I'll never sell mine on eBay. My 4 top videos are this one, Harry Potter & Sorcerer's Stone, & "Metallica:Some Kind of Monster" and "Pretty Woman".

Life on the muder scene is truly worth every penny........2007-05-11

This DVD of the biography of my chemical romance Is the best yet to me through book or other my chemical romance biographys. The DVD starts right from the introduction of the band members to their thinking of the new album "The black perade" (out now). For a fan who is sick of watching quick summerys video's about the band this is highly recomended for you. Its close to three hours long with lots of interveiws, performance shows filled with opinions, and other perspectives of the band from the manager ect. So for any of those MCR fans out there who really want the true facts and biography of my chemical romance I highly recomend this DVD "Life on the murder scene".

Amazing, a must buy for people who aren't chavs.......2007-01-29

All I can say it that I loved it. MCR fans MUST get it

An Excellent Experience.......2006-11-13

I can honestly say this CD/DVD set captured my attention from beginning to end. The Video Diary chronicles the history of My Chemical Romance from their humble beginnings to the world famous group they now are. The story is told through their own words and the words of those who know them best. It is an honest documentary that deals with their struggles including the alcoholism and drug use of lead singer Gerard Way. He overcame his additions giving hope to many young people. It is refreshing to see talented musicians who stay true to themselves and their music while deeply caring for their fans. Also included are the videos from "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge". Two videos for the song "I'm Not Okay (I Promise). One is the video normally seen and the other is a video which is great because if gives up a glimpse into the homelife of the Way brothers at the time. However, not only do you get the videos you also get the "Making of the Videos". It is so interesting to see just how much work and thought goes into making these videos. On the DVD you can also find TV Appearances and Online Performances all of which are full of energy that the band is so well known for. The CD has 11 live performances which are excellent and there is even a previously unreleased jewel titled "Desert Song" which is hauntingly beautiful. "My Chemical Romance Life on the Murder Scene" is a must for any MCR fan but I believe is a a must for any music fan

Average customer rating:

soundtrack for a dark room
bad seeds most popular..BUT i think:
Faces of Murder
The stuff that nightmares are made of
Totally overrated

Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tender Prey
Best of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

ASIN: B000002N5S
Release Date: 1996-02-20

Tracks:

Song Of Joy
Stagger Lee
Henry Lee
Lovely Creature
Where The Wild Roses Grow
The Curse Of Millhaven
The Kindness Of Strangers
Crow Jane
O'Malley's Bar
Death Is Not The End

Amazon.com

Nick Cave's been writing songs about killing and other evil things since he first surfaced in 1980 as the Birthday Party's pale, skinny, goth-punk Jim Morrison. But the murder ballads that provide this set's title are different, tantalizingly deliberate. Sure, there's plenty of trademark Cave here, but Murder Ballads is a fascinating concept album that uses the narrative ballad form of the English folk tradition to tell of murder: random deaths, passion crimes, and killing sprees, all in one package. Cave clearly thrives in this genre, and he produces some of his sharpest and most facile writing to date. "Song of Joy," a genuinely scary campfire mystery of a murdered family and an unnamed killer, chillingly weaves clues into the lyrics, while "Where the Wild Roses Grow" is a narrative duet in which killer (Cave) and victim (pop star Kylie Minogue) reveal parallel tales. Cave even shows his knack for adaptation on Bob Dylan's "Death Is Not the End": he recontextualizes a song of heavenly comfort into a sort of zombie "We Are the World" (featuring Minogue, PJ Harvey, Shane MacGowan, and others) in which "death is not the end" of pain and suffering. Above all, Murder Ballads should be heard as a work of pulp fiction--as sensationally funny as it is harrowing. The already violent traditional song "Stagger Lee" becomes gangsta folk, so ridiculously packed with obscenity and brutality it would make the Geto Boys cringe. And Cave's (unintentional?) point to would-be censors--that bad-ass songs existed long before rappers polluted the airways--should not be missed. --Roni Sarig

Customer Reviews:

soundtrack for a dark room.......2006-12-18

The painting on the front of the CD is clearly NOT a Bob Ross, for there is just no way that Bob Ross could adequately paint up some Nick Cave. The main problem has to do with the fact that there are no 'happy trees' in Nick Cave, and none especially in _Murder Ballads_. If there were, they were burnt down long ago. This disc may be one of his most popular, which gets some die-hard 'fans' to doubt it, but the tracks on this disc are soundly dark and violent and tender. Aside from a fine ensemble Dylan cover at the end, with PJ Harvey and Shane MacGowan among others, I find myself clinging to tracks like "Lovely Creature" and "Song of Joy," and "O'Malley's Bar" is its own western movie AND soundtrack combined.

So turn down the lights and break out a couple of bottles of your reddest wine. I'm going to be listening to this one all through Christmas.

bad seeds most popular..BUT i think:.......2006-10-18

One of their not-that-great cd.

the songs: Stagger Lee,Henry Lee,Where the wild roses grow and O'malleys bar are the only good songs on the album..the rest is just borrowed from other bad seeds records.

Lovely Creture - i hate the choir of girls lalalalalalala thing,yuck.

The curse of millhaven is just a faster henry lee melody..its not even good lyrically..

The kindness of strangers,i guess is quite alright,but i dont like the name,it's too similar to Stranger than kindness from Your funeral..my trial album.

Death is not the end is alright..but nothing more..a plus to Shane MacGowan.

Buy The good son instead..

Faces of Murder.......2006-07-17

4.5 stars

Watching Cave's amazing movie, _The Proposition_, last week brought me back to this highly noteworthy release in Cave's catalog. This is because _The Proposition_ is like one big, long murder ballad; like the album, it alternates between brutality, lyricism, a confusing mix of the two, and other emotions besides. I came close to wearing this CD out when I bought it at its release ten years ago (I know that's not supposed to be possible), but in the decade since it got lost in the mix of the rest of Cave's huge catalog (I'm especially partial to _More Pricks Than Kicks_, _From Her to Eternity_, and _The Boatman's Call_).

I have to say that _Murder Ballads_ definitely stands the test of time and is one of his best releases of the '90's. After the lukewarm _Henry's Dream_, Nick and the boys really hunkered down in the studio to create a truly distinctive piece. Its only true weakness is the ho-hum cover of Dylan's "Death Is Not the End" at the end of the CD. Otherwise, these are songs you can return to over and over, while always pulling some new sort of sensation out of the experience.

Starting with "Song of Joy," we hear the band spinning the kind of atmospheric psychoticism that they began to move away from more and more around the release of _Tender Prey_ (which, surprise, brought them more commercial success than ever before). What I'm suggesting here is that this song and a lot of the rest of the album is like a successful fusion of the bands more-ragged Birthday-Party-inspired Southern Gothic craziness exhibited on _Your Funeral My Trial_ with the slicker stuff like _Tender Prey_. Oh and "Song of Joy" is an absolutely terrifying beginning to this CD.

"Stagger Lee" is kind of a murder blues, much like "Crow Jane" and "O'Malley's Bar"; the band sets up a vamp and Nick just waxes evil over the whole thing. You'd be hard-pressed to find songs like these anywhere else.

The highlights of the album are the lyrical moments, all of them featuring female singers like PJ Harvey and Kylie Minogue. "Henry Lee," "Lovely Creature," and "Where the Wild Roses Grow" all manage to wrest considerable pathos from the most morbid of subject matter and this has everything to do with Cave's compositional skills, both on the keyboard and with his pen. The soaring duets also add to the uncanny effect. Absolutely indispensable listening.

With the release of _The Proposition_ to compare and contrast to this CD, we can rightly call Nick Cave the Master of the Macabre Love Lyric. Granted, there isn't much proper competition, but there is certainly something very noteworthy about exploring the sublime in the subject of death. On this album, Cave and the Seeds put it all out there. On _The Proposition_ he took it to epic proportions. Cave's got a lot of juice in him yet; one can only wonder what spin he will put on the faces of murder next.

The stuff that nightmares are made of.......2006-05-05

After "Let love in", the ultimate ode to lovesongs, loverman Nick Cave traps us all with his tongue-in-cheeck collection of murdurous hymns. Legends, myths, fairytales, rainy serial killer-stories, and even a Dylan cover, all are filled with dead bodies, buried underneath the soil, floating in a stream, wrapped in electrical wires or scattered across the floor of O'Maley's bar.
But these tales of vengeance, lust and mayhem aren't to be taken too serious, and fortunately so. Nick Cave likes to fool his listeners every now and then, and the black comedy genre, which is often filled with irony or cynism, is the right medium to trap your fans.

"Song of Joy" tells the tale of a man who wanders from place to place after his family got brutaly murdered. But there are hints that the narrator isn't what he appears to be, either. Add some quotes from John Milton's "Paradise Lost" (a refference also to be found in the 1994 serial killer movie "Se7en") and it's that Apocalyptic, end or the world-feeling Nick is bringing us, as he has done so many times before.

Next stop: "Stagger Lee", a delightfully obscene tale about a trigger-happy guy with itchy killer fingers and a smoking gun. It's sung in a kind of half spoken-word-like manner, much in the way Nick's famous "Red right hand" from the "Let love in" album was.
"Henry Lee" is the real ballad here, or shall we call it duet. P. J. Harvey and Nick Cave sing together this intimate little graveyard song.
Another duet follows, but this time it's the more widely known "Where the wild roses grow" with Kylie Monigue as both co-singer and victim of this tragic love story that ends in death and dismay.
"The curse of Millhaven" is simply all fire, lightning and chaos and with a length of 7 minutes, one of the bigger murder sprees.

The disc end with the the entire cast (Cave, Minogue, Harvey, Shane MacGowan, Blixa Bargeld) each singing some lines from Dylan's "Death is not the end". But not before "O'Maley's bar" is finished. Lasting more then 14 minutes and with some 36 plus strophes, this is the song in which both Nick Cave as his nameless narrator go `all the way'. Shooting his dumdum-like words to the audience as easily as the protagonist of this gruwesome story is shooting his bullets at all the visitors of the local bar, Nick Cave definitely must have a big wide grin on his face while performing this one.

Nobody survives in these collection of 10 musical thrillers, except the listener, who, like the audience in a movie theatere, sigh in relief after the the bad guy is shot, the demons are hushed back to their dwellings, and the end credits roll across the screen.

Lights on. Curtain closes.
And all that we're left with is each other, alive and well, ands a worn-down theatre floor scattered with popcorn and empty coca-cola bottles.

Totally overrated.......2006-02-07

If Metallica's beer-drinking lead singer called this one of his favorite albums because of its "gory details", then you know something must be wrong.
This is one of Mr.Cave's weakest albums not only because some of the lyrics are simply too cheesy to take them seriously(unless you're a goth teenager), but also because Cave made this record just to have fun with his buddies and girlfriends. The band never went on tour to support this album; they were exhausted after the Lollapalooza and Henry's Dream tours. They needed to relax. And that is exactly what they did in "Murder Ballads".
The only good thing about this album was the fact that Mr.Cave and his Seeds got a wider exposure here in the U.S. without having to sell out.
If I'm giving "Murder Ballads" two stars is simply because "Stagger Lee" is way too cool. Specially live.
Check out Your Funeral, My Trial, Tender Prey, or The Good Son if you really want to know what made Nick Cave and the Bad Seed legends.

Average customer rating:

God, this is one of the best albums this year for sure!!
A Perfect Murder - 'War Of Aggression' (Victory Records)

War of Aggression
A Perfect Murder
Manufacturer: Victory Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Fire Up the Blades
Assassins In The House Of God
Road to Bloodshed
Lift The Curse
Unbroken

ASIN: B000PD3L4O
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

War Of Aggression
Enemy Of Mine
Label Me
Within
In Hell
Rapture
Disconnect
Sadist
Fortunate Son
Legion Of Doom

Customer Reviews:

God, this is one of the best albums this year for sure!!.......2007-07-13

I can't believe that I just read a few days ago that A Perfect Murder decided to break up...especially after just listening to one of the most brutal & satisfying metal releases this year & FOREVER! I own 'Unbroken' which I liked very much, but the album after that one, 'Strength Through Vengeance' sounded too polished & didn't seem to have a raw enough edge, but 'War of Aggression' blows both away easily! Metal fans don't pass this up! And boys from the band, PLEASE consider reforming again!

A Perfect Murder - 'War Of Aggression' (Victory Records).......2007-06-24

Powerful five piece from Montreal. Very heavy, intense and bone-trashing metal to be taken in. Better cuts to rattle the neighbor's foundations with are opening title track "War Of Aggression", "Within", "Disconnect", "Sadist" and the in-your-mug "Legion Of Doom". Just might appeal to loyal follows of the likes of Corrosion Of Conformity, Hatebreed, Down and maybe Testament. Give this one a chance.

Average customer rating:

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM PIANO MUSIC
Warsaw Concerto
Classic Movie Pieces
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful

Warsaw Concerto

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Music Of Richard Addinsell
Jean-Yves Thibaudet ~ Warsaw Concerto ~ romantic piano classics from the silver screen
The Film Music of Richard Addinsell
Film Music
Richard Clayderman Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B0000060DC
Release Date: 1998-05-12

Tracks:

Dangerous Moonlight: Warsaw Concerto
The Case Of The Frightened Lady: Portrait Of Isla
Spellbound: Spellbound Con
The Glass Mountain: The Legend Of The Glass Mountain
Murder On The Orient Express: Theme And Waltz
Love Story: Cornish Rhap
Hangover Square: Con Macabre
While I Live: The Dream Of Olwen
Midnight On The Cliffs: Midnight On The Cliffs

Customer Reviews:

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM PIANO MUSIC.......2007-04-11

MOST OF THE FILMS FOR WHICH THESE PIANO PIECES WERE WRITTEN ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, SO WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THIS WONDERFUL RECORDING. FORGET ABOUT MORE EXPENSIVE VERSIONS. THIS IS THE BEST INTERPRETATION OF THE WARSAW CONCERTO ON THE MARKET!

Warsaw Concerto.......2005-10-09

The version of the toon was not what I expected. I wanted more the "popular" version.

Classic Movie Pieces.......2003-10-04

I am a pinaist, and several of thses pieces find themselve in my repertoire, and by hearing them on this cd, one is able to truly appreciate the composition and performance of these songs, which are not very popular nowadays. A great collection that I highly recommend to all musicians and music lovers.

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.......2003-02-07

If you like light works for piano and orchestra, this is the BEST I have heard. With the popularity of movie themes in this genre, this CD will not disappoint you. There are some great undiscovered gems on this CD. Every pianist should have this to 'expand their horizons'. Simply the best!

Average customer rating:

sucky suckness from sucky land
I should sue the good reviews
amazing
Blue Murder - Blue Murder
A fading memory

Blue Murder
Blue Murder
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Nothin' But Trouble
Wicked Sensation
Badlands
Double Eclipse
Lynch Mob

ASIN: B000000OR9
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Riot
Sex Child
Valley Of The Kings
Jelly Roll
Blue Murder
Out Of Love
Billy
Ptolemy
Black-Hearted Woman

Customer Reviews:

sucky suckness from sucky land.......2007-01-15

blue murders debut album,in all of it splendor and glory. i had to buy this for a friend, who loves them. he sucks, too.

I should sue the good reviews.......2006-11-09

What are these reviewers listening to????? If you're age is more than single diget, there can be no reason for a positive review. This is so bad, that I could hardly force myself to listen to the whole cd at least once. I loved SYKES work with THIN LIZZY and was expecting something pretty good. This sets a new benchmark for innane lyrics and rotten recycled riffs. THIS IS COMPLETELY MINDLESS DRIVEL!!!! And those are the better points. I would guess that MARCEL MARCEAU was the sound engineer and that the production was handled by OZZY in a very wasted state. If there is a good guitar solos on this one, it is completely lost in the horrid mix. I am just glad that they achieved the success they so richly deserve - total unnonimity. If your familie name isn't SYKES, than there is absolutely no reason to waste money on this shocker.

amazing.......2006-08-28

Anybody that would give this cd less than 4 stars doesn`t have a clue about john sykes genuis. His tone his playing unreal sykes at his best. he still kept writing great songs but playing was never as sick as this.

Blue Murder - Blue Murder.......2006-06-29

John Sykes, Tony Franklin, and Carmine Appice are all world class musicians.

A fading memory.......2006-06-23

Blue Murder were John Sykes (vox/G), Tony Franklin + Carmine Appice and were, in essence, a project put together to take advantage of the short term high profile Sykes had after his association with David Coverdales Whitesnake. Backed by the seemingly unstoppable (at the time) Geffen, produced by Bob Rock and with John Kalodner lurking around this album had just about everything going fot it. Yet it utterly failed to ignite and the reasons may well include;

* A annoying treble heavy mix that's distracting to the listener on an average stereo and downright painful via headphones.
* Overly long songs. They wouldn't of fired if they were four minutes long so why drag them out for six minutes?

But it's not all bad. John Sykes sings well enough in an over extended way. And the players are skilled and worthy plus Valley of the Kings is lumbering - but in this instance in a good way.

2.5 stars on a good day. But these guys have all played on better albums.

Average customer rating:

Two tracks I really like
Quantity Over Quality
Mediocre
One Hundred Greatest TV Themes
Pretty close to original recordings

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

All-Time Top 100 TV Themes
TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs
TV Guide: 50 All-Time Favorite TV Themes
NBC: A Soundtrack of Must See TV
Best of TV Quiz & Game Show Themes

ASIN: B00005Y49F
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Tracks:

The A-Team - Nic Raine
The Addams Family - Nic Raine
The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - Nic Raine
Airwolf - Derek Wadsworth
The Avengers - Mike Townend
Barnaby Jones - Jerry Goldsmith
Batman - Nic Raine
Battlestar Galactica - Nic Raine
Baywatch - Derek Wadsworth
Beverly Hills 90210 - Derek Wadsworth
Bewitched - Nic Raine
Between The Lines - Mark Ayres
The Bill - Nic Raine
Bonanza - The Philharmonia Orchestra
Brideshead Revisited - Derek Wadsworth
Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Nic Raine
Burke's Law - Derek Wadsworth
Cagney And Lacey - Derek Wadsworth
Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Mark Ayres
Casualty - Mark Ayres
Cheers - Mark Ayres
Dallas - Nic Raine
Dangerman (Secret Agent) - Mike Townend
Doctor Who - Mark Ayres
Doctor Kildare - Jerry Goldsmith

Tracks:

Doogie Howser, M.D. - Derek Wadsworth
Dynasty - Nic Raine
The Equalizer - Derek Wadsworth
Falcon Crest - Derek Wadsworth
Fireball XL-5 - Derek Wadsworth
The Fugitive - Nic Raine
Hawaii 5-0 - Mike Townend
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Nic Raine
The High Chaparral - Nic Raine
Highway To Heaven - Derek Wadsworth
Hill Street Blues - Derek Wadsworth
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - Mark Ayres
The Incredible Hulk - Derek Wadsworth
Jason King - Mike Townend
Jesus Of Nazareth - Paul Bateman
Joe 90 - Derek Wadsworth
Johnny Staccato - Derek Wadsworth
Knight Rider - Derek Wadsworth
Kojak - Mike Townend
L.A. Law - Derek Wadsworth
Land Of The Giants - Nic Raine
Little House On The Prairie - Derek Wadsworth
Lonesome Dove - Nic Raine
Lost In Space - Nic Raine
Lou Grant - Derek Wadsworth

Tracks:

Magnum, P.I. - Derek Wadsworth
A Man Called Ironside - Mike Townend
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - Derek Wadsworth
M*A*S*H - Nic Raine
Miami Vice - Mark Ayres
Mike Hammer - Derek Wadsworth
Mission Impossible - Mike Townend
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Nic Raine
The Munsters - Derek Wadsworth
Murder She Wrote - Derek Wadsworth
Newhart - Derek Wadsworth
North And South - Derek Wadsworth
Northern Exposure - Derek Wadsworth
NYPD Blue - Mark Ayres
The Outer Limits - Nic Raine
Perry Mason - Mike Townend
The Persuaders - Mark Ayres
Peter Gunn - Mike Townend
Police Squad - Nic Raine
The Prisoner - Mike Townend
Quantum Leap - Derek Wadsworth
Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) - Mike Townend
Red Dwarf - Mark Lambert
The Rockford Files - Mike Post
Roseanne - Dan Foliart

Tracks:

The Saint - Mike Townend
Seaquest DSV - Nic Raine
Space 1999 - Derek Wadsworth
Star Trek - Mike Townend
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Derek Wadsworth
Star Trek: Voyager - Nic Raine
St. Elsewhere - Derek Wadsworth
The Streets Of San Francisco - Nic Raine
Stingray - Barry Gray
Taxi - Derek Wadsworth
Thunderbirds - Derek Wadsworth
Thirty Something - Derek Wadsworth
The Time Tunnel - Nic Raine
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - The Philharmonia Orchestra
The Twighlight Zone - Nic Raine
Twin Peaks - Derek Wadsworth
U.F.O. - Derek Wadsworth
The Virginian - Nic Raine
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea - Nic Raine
Wagon Train - Paul Bateman
The Waltons - Jerry Goldsmith
The Wild Wild West - Derek Wadsworth
Young Riders - John Debney
Xena: The Warrior Princess - Paul Bateman
The X-Files - Mark Ayres

Customer Reviews:

Two tracks I really like.......2007-07-21

The Mission Impossible theme is performed well.
The Fireball theme is actually much improved on this version. I prefer the orchestra and the vocals over the original.

Quantity Over Quality.......2007-01-15

As a musician myself, I know too well that one of the most important ingredients in ANY performance (live or recorded) is passion. The recordings here generally lack the same passion and sheer drama of the originals. Much of the instrumentation has been reduced to a cheezy, thin, plastic synthesized replica. The performances are simply a watered-down lackluster version of the classic originals. If it were not for the sheer volume of tracks compiled here, I would have rated the comp only "one star".

Mediocre.......2006-05-17

The sound quality for this collection isn't much better than the samples offered by Amazon.

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes.......2005-08-06

I have watched almost all the shows that are on these 4 cd's. Many were made before I started watching TV. Most I've seen once or twice before.

Pretty close to original recordings.......2005-07-24

Definitely not as good as the originals. You'll probably notice the slight differences since it's stuff you saw and listened to every week or everyday in reruns growing up, but it's still an amazing collection.

Average customer rating:

Best Cd I Have Ever Purchased!!!!
If you not from here, you cant review this album
The Roots
"gangsta" rap is a waste
LIFE OR DEATH

Life or Death
C-Murder
Manufacturer: Priority Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Southern Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Charge It 2 da Game
Trapped in Crime
There's One in Every Family
Am I My Brother's Keeper
Ghetto Fabulous

ASIN: B0000064PW
Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

Intro
A 2nd Chance
Akickdoe!
Costantly 'N Danger
Don't Play No Games
Show Me Luv
Picture Me
On The Run
Get N Paid
Only The Strong Survive
The Truest Sh...
Making Moves
Feel My Pain
Soldiers
Cluckers
Life Or Death
Where I'm From
G's & Macks
Commercial
Riders
Watch Yo Enemies
Duck & Run
Ghetto Ties
Survival Of The Fittest
Dreams
Outro

Customer Reviews:

Best Cd I Have Ever Purchased!!!!.......2007-06-23

This is my favorite cd of all time, I don't skip one track on the entire cd and it's timeless, I could listen to this album right now matter of fact I just might!!!!

If you not from here, you cant review this album.......2007-05-15

If you not from the south then you don't know the impact this album had on rap itself. When P started opening doors for us to get any credit this was the album that said the south had more than west coast clones and booty shaking music. Before this album you had the Biggies, the Tupacs, and all that but you didnt have too many people HONESTLY living day to day that life and rapping about it. They might have experienced it but no one was rapping live and direct from the lions den like Master P and all of the No Limit Soldiers.

The Roots.......2006-11-17

This is the start of what is to become a wonderful artist. Picture me is one of the truest songs about livin in the ghetto. If you ain't got the boys behind you, you's a dead mother !@#$%^.

"gangsta" rap is a waste.......2006-10-06

ive heard 13 year old white kids that rhyme circles around this dude. all he has going for him is that he's "hard" which doesnt mean anything if youre an MC. even if he didn't shoot that 16-year-old he was probly glad he got arrested for it so that he could put "gangsta" samples on his record

doesnt anyone have anything to say any more besides how many people theyve shot and drugs theyve sold??? i thought that was what was holding the ghetto back in te first place, why brag about it. people need a reality check

LIFE OR DEATH.......2006-09-29

cmurder lives a hard life, watch im bout it, then you will no were he comin from, him and his brothers hold down the rap game reppin big bad TRU click

Music Review:

Recommended Music:

A Ricolta Bubu: Medieval and Renaissance Music

Slippage

American Stars & Bars [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Best Of [Import]

33 Favorite Christmas Hymns

Acoustic

A Outra Cidade [Import]

An Introduction to Verdi's Il trovatore

African High Life [Extra tracks] [Import] [Limited Edition]

7 Lyrics/7 Musics [Import]

1992-2002 [Original recording remastered]

The Fascination of Furtwängler

Transmigration