Machine

Machine

Track Listings

1. Cold Hate

2. Lies

3. 180

4. Kill

5. Blood Everywhere

6. Machine

7. Orgy of Self Mutilation

8. Shaddi

Tracks:

Tim McGraw
Picture to Burn
Teardrops on My Guitar
A Place in This World
Cold As You
The Outside
Tied Together With a Smile
Stay Beautiful
Should've Said No
Mary's Song (Oh My My My)
Our Song

Amazon.com

Three years ago, a 13-year old Taylor Swift set out to be a star and moved from Reading, Pennsylvania, to Nashville. By 14, she had a publishing deal, and by 15, a recording contract. In these days of Bianca Ryan (and before her, Tanya Tucker and LeAnn Rimes), many are called, but few are chosen. Swift, it appears, is one of the chosen ones. Her vocal talent is modest, though sweetly affecting, her style seemingly influenced by the radio hits of early Sheryl Crow and Michelle Branch, and perhaps Cyndi Thomson. And at times, her youthfulness shows--she encoded messages in the lyrics of her CD booklet, starting with the name of the boy who cheated on her from "Should've Said No" (the album's strongest offering). But in writing or co-writing all 11 songs on this debut, Swift demonstrates remarkable maturity, particularly in crafting a hooky, radio-ready chorus. Though she sounds ridiculous looking back from the perspective of an 87-year old woman on "Mary's Song," to her credit she mostly writes about what she knows--unrequited high-school crushes ("Teardrops on My Guitar"), teenage angst ("Tied Together with a Smile"), and complete immersion in starry-eyed romance (her breakout hit "Tim McGraw"). Swift has such wistful charm and tunefulness that only a curmudgeon could dismiss her, and in fact, more than 60,000 fans lined up to grab this CD the first month of release. No wonder Rascal Flatts and George Strait added her to their tours. Look out, Carrie Underwood--there's a new kid in town. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews:

considering her age tremendous potential.......2007-07-30

last year at this time, she was sitting in math class. she has opened for George Strait, Brad Paisley and Tim and Faith. She wrote or co wrote every song and a lot of them are about teen angst. Since she's only been alive for 17 years, she understands her subject matter and should be lauded instead of being dubbed immature. And if you see her live, she plays a heck of a guitar. Enjoy.

Wonderful!!!!.......2007-07-29

I purchased this CD mainly because my kids and I will be seeing Taylor in concert(who is on tour with Brad Paisley) so we would know her songs. Little did I know I would be SO blown away! This girl is talented without a doubt! To write/co-write every single song on a debut CD is AMAZING to me! Taylor is going far....I know that for a fact!!!

Taylor Swift.......2007-07-05

I think the CD is well produced. Not a WOW cd, but the songs grows on you and she is young at Heart!

Best Country Debut Album Ever!.......2007-07-03

This is the best Debut album ever!! You can tell that every song means alot to her! My favorite songs are: Tim Mcgraw, Cold as you, A place in this world, The outside, stay beautiful and Should've said no. You should buy this cd!

Nice Debut Album - great future for this talented girl!.......2007-06-28

Taylor has a very nice voice and great range. There are some very nice songs on the album. However, I agree that she is definitely writing for a teen audience...which is actually refreshing these days since she is a teenager!

I enjoyed many of the songs, but I'm sure my kids can relate more to her lyrics. That being said, she shows a lot of talent and I'm looking forward to more of her work in the future.

Average customer rating:

great
Rage brings a new outstanding element
(Not a kid)The music is still good but....
The Landmark Heavy Album of the 1990's
Still awesome

Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Evil Empire
The Battle of Los Angeles
Renegades
Superunknown
Audioslave

ASIN: B0000028RR
Release Date: 1992-11-10

Tracks:

Bombtrack
Killing In The Name
Take The Power Back
Settle For Nothing
Bullet In The Head
Know Your Enemy
Wake Up
Fistful Of Steel
Township Rebellion
Freedom

Amazon.com

Not since the days of the Clash and the MC5 has rock seen such political force as in the uncompromising debut from this L.A. quartet. Expanding the hip-hop/metal style of bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage tap the spirits of vintage Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, coupled with hardcore punk intensity and Public Enemy-style grooves. "Bombtrack" opens the LP with a shot of adrenaline and singer Zack de la Rocha's infuriated chorus of "Burn, burn, yes, you're gonna burn!" The intensity doesn't let up an inch on the militant "Killing in the Name" (with the inspiring chant, "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!"), the ultrafunky "Bullet in the Head," and the engrossing "Fistful of Steel." Tom Morello combines time-honored metal guitar riffs with sounds that suggest a hip-hop scratcher over a rhythm section that simply takes no prisoners. Intelligent and aggressive, this is unimpeachably one of the best hard-rock records ever made. --James Rotondi

Customer Reviews:

great.......2007-07-29

I am not generally a fan of this type of music but I love this album. Sure some of the lyrics are a little silly but it sounds great cranked up in the car.

Rage brings a new outstanding element.......2007-07-04

Rage Against the Machine hits a grand slam with their first effort. The anger and aggression with the vocals and the hard hitting guitar riffs make a unique combination of style and force not seen in the music industry with this type of flair for a long time. This album is intense, heavy and angry, what more could you want. Outstanding work by Rage Against the Machine.

(Not a kid)The music is still good but...........2007-04-22

....I listened to this when I was very young, it was definitely groundbreaking. As far as infusing rock and rap, Rage did it better than anybody. Better than rivals Downset and Stuck Mojo(who both suck), better than Biohazard, better than Public Enemy and Anthrax. Everything came together and meshed so well. However, the politics....

I'm neither right nor left wing, I dunno what I am....perhaps libertarian? Either way, as I got older, I really found Zach De La Rocha's politics distasteful. In a nutshell, it appears to be this:

-White people: Bad
-Successful white people: Even worse!
-Capitalism: Bad, even though it pays the bills and puts money in RATM's pocket and allows their families to prosper instead of waiting for government handouts
-Education: Bad, although by "bad" they mean it isn't a bunch of Noam Chomsky/Howard Zinn claptrap that enforces white guilt and American self-hate

-Communism: Good, even though it has shown to be a failure
-Socialism: Good, though people seem to rather live in America than Venezuela(why is that Hugo?)
-Illegal immigrants: Good, even though they take jobs, drive down wages, exhaust schools and hospitals and bring their third world crime culture to quiet American communities
-Mumia Abu Jamal: Good, even though the evidence for him murdering a police officer is about as strong as the evidence that Bush invaded Iraq on the basis of lies and greed

In any case, I still enjoy the music, but try and keep an open mind when you listen to this stuff.

The Landmark Heavy Album of the 1990's.......2007-04-03

Classic debut and easily one of the best albums released in the '90s, Rage Against The Machine set the ball rolling for the inevitable mash-up of metal and rap. Granted, this mutation was both for better (RATM themselves) and for worse (Limp Bizkit, Korn, et al), but at the time and even hearing it now, it was an exciting album of possibilities. No, most listeners weren't inspired to change the system or the world, but they undeniably learned a little about what was going on outside of their homes and cities. Like good gangsta rap, one could get a snaphot of things going on in other people's lives. Anyway, if you haven't been ruined by the likes of overdone Korn or Limp Bizkit and want a great album with a point, you could do far worse than to start here.

Still awesome.......2007-04-02

Rage is still one of my all time favorite bands. I bought this CD again after A co-worker brought in this CD. It still kicks ---. If you like a good musical groove and powerful thought provoking lyrics, then check out this CD.

Average customer rating:

Latest album is much better
understood and admired
One of my favorite albums of all time. She is an amazing songwriter.
out of the gate and running hard
Pink

Missundaztood
Pink
Manufacturer: La Face
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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I'm Not Dead
Can't Take Me Home
Try This
Stripped
Try This [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD]

ASIN: B00005RFAI
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

M!ssundaztood
Don't Let Me Get Me
Just Like A Pill
Get The Party Started
Respect
18 Wheeler
Family Portrait
Misery (w/Steven Tyler)
Dear Diary
Eventually
Lonely Girl (w/Linda Perry)
Numb
Gone To California
My Vietnam

Amazon.com

There's a rule in commercial pop: don't bite the hand that feeds you. Translation? If you're getting love on TRL, it's best leaving well enough alone and tinkering only slightly with the sound that pays your bills. So you have to give Pink a whole heap of credit. The Philly-raised songbird may have made her rep with infectious and rugged pop-R&B hits like "There You Go" and the remake of "Lady Marmalade," but like the fuchsia coif she once sported, that sound is gone. In its place is a more driving alt-rock attack, liberally laced with some late-night blues and heartfelt lyrics that, while they sometimes come off like diary entries (the simplistic bon mot "Your pain is painful" in "Family Portrait"), are clearly Pink's thoughts, as opposed to words someone put in her mouth. Helping Pink express her inner Alanis are Dallas Austin, who produced the insistent rocker "18 Wheeler," and former 4 Non Blonde Linda Perry, who Pink has resurrected from one-hit-wonder status. Mixing up thumping beats, ("Get the Party Started"), with folksy confessionals, Pink's potent vocals and her honest determination make this a risk worth hearing. --Amy Linden

Album Description

Asian exclusive limited edition pressing of her sophomore album includes one bonus track, 'Catch 22', along with a bonus CD sized spiral bound 40 page 'Dear Diary' note pad that's housed together with the CD in a special slipcase. Enhanced with photo ogallery and lyrics page. 15 tracks in all. 2002.

Album Details

Features a Track Not on the USA Version, 'catch 22.'

Customer Reviews:

Latest album is much better.......2007-06-28

I LOVE Pink!! The first album I bought was the latest one - "I'm Not Dead", and I love it. So I decided to investigate her earlier work. While I am glad I have "Missundaztood", I didn't find it as compelling as her latest work. Good to see where she has come from though.

understood and admired.......2007-06-12

what a sharp lady...love her latest cd...so thought I'd give her older, breakthrough cd a try...great sound. fresh and original collection. smart, sassy, interesting, sophisticated but fun. love the lyrics. love the variety of different musical styles. pink is cool, and honest and real. and she makes fantastic, memorable tunes....already a classic

One of my favorite albums of all time. She is an amazing songwriter. .......2007-03-26

Not only is Pink an amazing singer, but her lyrics are soo deep and personal. I love people who write about the sad times because a lot of people needs to hear something they can relate to. Family Potrait speaks to a lot of people, including my brother, who overhead the song and keeps requesting me to replay track 7. The whole album is a work of art so it's hard to choose, but if I had to choose, my favorites are Don't let me get me, Just Like a Pill, Family Potrait and Lonely Girl. Pink's voice is soo raw and real that you can actually feel the pain in her voice. Once you listen to this album, you will want hear more. So I will go ahead and let you know that her third album is Try This and her fourth, which is her best thus far is "I'm Not Dead". So please give this album a chance. Pink is a real artist and she will be around for a long time because she is true to herself.

out of the gate and running hard.......2007-03-26

This is Pink's first album to my knowledge. It has some raw studio tape footage that is cute and rough. I loved it. The segments give a good hint of what this ballsy little girl is about, and a preview of the bold, strong woman she became. She has fun with this release and you get to hear it. It is cool to listen to the inside track banter between Pink and the recording engineer. She is a force to be reckoned with; and a sweet lady all in one.

Pink.......2006-12-31

I kind of like this CD. I don't listen to it as much anymore for some reason, but I think I'm overdue to listen to it again. One of my favorite songs on this album is "respect" which talks about how girls should act around guys and how they should not let boys push them around any time the boy thinks it's convenient for them "no freebies in the limosouine that's not what it's about. let 'em know just what to do give it up he won't call you respect is just a minimum, go on girl and get you some" Another song about not letting men push girls around that I really like is "can't get me down". Which talks about getting ready to face the day and anything that might come one's way. I love encouraging songs like that... they really help you face your problems in life. I don't like to many of the songs on here because of the swearing content but I do listen to "Mizundastood" constantly. She only says one swear word in the song but I don't mind. Otherwise I avoid songs on here that have swearing on them. I like this CD otherwise... but if you're under sixteen, I wouldn't recommend it because of the swearing. I forgot to add that another one of my favorite songs is "Don't Let Me Get Me".

Average customer rating:

A Great, Socially-Conscious Police CD
This Album Is Truly indescribable...but I'll try anyway...
The Police On Fire!
This One, Not So Much...
Didn't have even the album yet

Ghost In The Machine [Digipak]
The Police
Manufacturer: Interscope Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Zenyatta Mondatta [Digipak]
Synchronicity [Digipak]
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Outlandos d'Amour [Digipak]
The Dream of the Blue Turtles

ASIN: B00008BRDW
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Tracks:

Spirits In The Material World
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Invisible Sun
Hungry For You (J'aurais Toujours Faim De Toi)
Demolition Man
Too Much Information
Rehumanize Yourself
One World (Not Three)
Omegaman
Secret Journey
Darkness

Amazon.com essential recording

Dark, somber, and thematically unified as no previous album by the Police, Ghost in the Machine deals almost exclusively with the negative effects of modern political and technological culture. The only departure from this focus is "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," a perfect pop song and radio hit. Elsewhere, the album treats such issues as the hope underlying resistance to oppression, the dismissal of most of the nonindustrialized world, the daily bombardment of words and images that overload the senses, and the frequent recourse to violence for personal or political expression. The songs are presented in what are, for the Police, unusually dense, layered arrangements. Andy Summers's guitar lines are even more ethereal than usual, with Sting's bass parts bobbing in a mix seasoned with keyboards and sax and propelled by Stewart Copeland's unmistakable, idiosyncratic drumming. While Synchronicity gave the Police their greatest success with hits and videos, Ghost in the Machine is the band's best recording. --Albert Massa

Customer Reviews:

A Great, Socially-Conscious Police CD.......2007-07-27

GHOST IN THE MACHINE is a great CD by the Police, and also their most politically- and socially-conscious release ever. Songs such as "Spirits In The Material World", "Invisible Sun", and "One World (Not Three)" call for people to try to work together and resolve things peacefully, rather than fighting each other, while "Too Much Information is an attack on the corporate world. "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", on the other hand, is a love song as only Sting can write one. Sting's opposition to Indonesia's trumped-up 2005 drug-smuggling conviction of a young Australian tourist makes this CD an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience.

This Album Is Truly indescribable...but I'll try anyway..........2007-07-21

There is a certain mood felt when listening to the album/CD "Ghost In The Machine" that was not felt concerning previous Police releases. It is from the early '80s containing hit songs,such as the happy and up tempo smash "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", and other album tracks that will for certain bring back special memories for most people who were Police fans during that period. But either way, fans old and new alike will enjoy listening to this Album/CD. The album is pretty much flawless from start to finish beginning with what turned out to become three big hits: "Spirits In The Material World","Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", and "Invisible Sun". But even though the hits are found at the beginning,there is still a coherant feel to the entire album from beginning to end. This might be in part attributed to the fact that there was a special kind of chemistry this time around between the band members as evidenced by their collective kenetic flow in performances and creativity during these recording sessions. Andy Summers ,for instance, comes through with much energy and enthusiasm during his composition Omega Man. But in addition to this song, he also was proving to add much to the atmosphere of the over all recording sessions with his guitar playing and effects. Working now with a new producer(Hugh Padgham)the band must have also picked the right place (Montserrat in the West Indies) to write and record much of this album. So with those factors helping the Police to become refreshed and revitalized as a band, many of the bands' compositions were probably influenced (or at least enhanced) by the local Caribbean musical environment as well as by the breathtaking scenery. Along with this new found focus and clarity there were psychological,philosophical,political,sociological and even mystical, quasi-religious subjects that were thoroughly expored, examined, and expressed. This was done through the use of lyrics and symbolism (contributed mostly by their top-notch bassist: Sting). So, included on "Ghost in the Machine" are kinds of subjects that were never covered by the Police on previous albums (at least not to this degree anyway). This would prove to add depth and dimension to the songs as well as to the over all feel of the album. However,some things stayed the same... Copeland (as in previous Police releases) continued his innovative,busy,expert,precision drumming which was clearly present thoughout these sessions.Only this time there were lots more power drumming moments as well and an energy and pace never heard before from Copeland during Police recording sessions. I think I first noticed the power drumming beginning with "Invisible Sun" and continuing on in others such as "Demolition Man","Too much Information" and "One World" (all three of which contained both precision and power drumming techniques performed by Stuart Copeland). The album would later end appropriately with a composition by Copeland entitled "Darkness". This song also was just one more example of how all three were collaborating and meshing perfectly as a unit. What I should point out also is that the 3 songs included at the end of "Ghost In The Machine" were each written by a different band member but all shared a dark mystique and all contained philosophical lyrics that had something either metaphysical,existential or quasi-religious about them. It seemed like the album went through different stages but was leading up to this finale. The first hint of this was "Invisible Sun". Most of the other songs during the first 3 quarters of the album were happy and upbeat sounding. There were also saxophones used for the first time on this Police album that at times sounded like sirens in a frantic,hectic urban setting. The messege was clear in the title and lyrics included in the song "Re-humanize Yourself". The song "Hungry For You" contained saxophones,guitars,and drums along with some French lyrics penned and sung by Sting gaving it a certain up-tempo Savoir Faire. But in addition to a French influence there is also Reggae flavored music found in the song "One World". I seem to remember Ziggy Marley himself saw fit to do a cover of that song. There were lots of up-tempo moments and cheerful sounding music during the first 3 quarters of the album (as mentioned before) but the profoundly serious lyrics and effects here and there gave a bit of an ominous clue that dark waters lie ahead. But even dark songs can be wonderfully crafted (as was proven by the Police with the release this album). So with all of that said, I believe that "Ghost in the Machine" is a one of a kind, groundbreaking release by the Police which contains some of their best moments in recorded history. It turned out to be one of my most valued album/CDs in my collection. And did I forget to mention that I love every moment of every song? Well I do... and I am highly recommending this album/CD. So, it is my hope that every fan of the Police that is reading this who does not own "Ghost in The Machine" will have it someday.Since a greatest hits collection just doesn't do this band enough justice.

The Police On Fire!.......2007-07-17

What can I say about this album that hasn't been said already. The Police are such a tight band and boy can they write songs! Listen to this album and I do mean listen to it. Listen to the lyrics and listen to the music. It's an awesome album that everyone should listen to even if you were not a huge Police fan.

This One, Not So Much..........2007-06-29

If you want to discover The Police, do yourself a favor and check out their first two releases, Outlandos d'Amour (released November of 1978, highlights include Roxanne, Masoko Tanga) and Regatta De Blanc (which translates to "White Reggae" released October, 1979, highlights include Message In a Bottle, Walking On the Moon, Bed's Too Big Without You). These releases have the vital energy and punk-reggae-power-trio sound that really got them noticed. I also recommend 1980's Zenyetta Mondatta. The first release in the States that got a lot of airplay on the radio, Zenyetta Mondatta managed to be commercial success while carrying forward that great sound. Hits include De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da, Don't Stand So Close To Me, Canary In a Coalmine. I purchased Ghost in The Machine when released and that was the end for me. With this release their sound began the downward spiral, losing the energy and fun of their initial releases. Outlandos d'Amour [Digipak] Regatta De Blanc

Didn't have even the album yet.......2007-05-13

Had to add this one to my collection - GREAT music.

Average customer rating:

The Best Rage Album...?
"Don't mothers make good fathers?"
Raging With the Metal?
best Rage album
DUDE its RAge

Evil Empire
Rage Against the Machine
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rage Against the Machine
The Battle of Los Angeles
Renegades
Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium
Superunknown

ASIN: B0000029D9
Release Date: 1996-04-16

Tracks:

People Of The Sun
Bulls On Parade
Vietnow
Revolver
Snakecharmer
Tire Me
Down Rodeo
Without A Face
Wind Below
Roll Right
Year Of Tha Boomerang

Amazon.com

As the vitriol spewed from Evil Empire, Rage Against the Machine's long-awaited follow up to their 1993 debut owes much to Chuck D.'s polemic fury and rapid-fire urgency--though as always the band rages without hip-hop machinery in favor of the heavy-duty power tools of rock. But no matter if Rage against the Machine amounts to revolutionary rap, protest metal, or a combination of the two, the band's command of sonic rage makes Evil Empire a powerful assault in any musical language.

But wait, there's more to the name. Raging against the machine, like yelling at the TV, is woefully misdirected. Lyricist Zack de la Rocha is clearly someone with strong political views--particularly when it comes to the plight of fellow Mexicans on both sides of the border. He vents his indignation sharply at times ("Vietnow," "Without a Face"), rather clumsily and artlessly most others. Music this angry should be aimed at something more specific than an entire race or nation or government, or else it risks sounding like the empty rants of confused postpubescent rebellion. If only Rage against the Machine's raw musical muscles were grinding over a focused message, lord knows how potent they could be. --Roni Sarig

Customer Reviews:

The Best Rage Album...?.......2007-07-30

Of their three studio albums, this one is the most experimental. The riffing isn't as repetitive as the first album, and the lyrics aren't quite as juvenile as that release either. (Yes, I realize that their first album is considered a modern classic--but that doesn't mean it isn't without its faults.) "Evil Empire" is the only Rage album that stands up to repeat listenings, in my opinion. It's too bad that they've been out of commission in the post-9/11 era, because we need them now more than ever.

"Don't mothers make good fathers?".......2007-06-13

Inspired for the most part by the mobilization of the anti-globalisation, anti-neoliberalism, anti-imperialist Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Naçional (EZLN) on January 1st 1994, Rage Against the Machine's second album deploys the impoverished Mexican state of Chiapas as the spiritual locale of vocalist Zack de la Rocha's tirade against contemporary America.

Given the frontman's Chicano heritage it is valid to identify Evil Empire as de la Rocha's most personal work, no mean feat for an artist not known for keeping his emotions bottled-up.

The album opens with 'People of the Sun', a spiky number documenting the hardships of the Mexican people and their oppression throughout history at the hands of colonial powers, corruption and bureaucracy, and their neighbour to the north.

Fundamentally connected to the opener are the staccato 'Vietnow' and 'Without a Face', the former condemning the bellicose ideology of right-wing neoconservatism and the expansionist maxim prevailing in Occidental discourse, and the latter detailing individual small-scale delinquency as a simile for larger-scale dissidence and insurgency (as in the case of the Zapatista movement) engendered by colonial signification eroding indigenous identity.

Elaborating on the theme of colonial subjugation, Evil Empire's hit 'Bulls on Parade' underlines the machinations of dominant capitalism, pointing an accusatory finger at the US administration's military-industrial complex whilst disparaging of a governmental inability to identify any correlation between arms production and violent crime.

Musically, Evil Empire is informed more by hip-hop modes than the band's other two original works (1992's Rage Against the Machine and 1999's The Battle of Los Angeles), with the stop-start aesthetic allowing more scope for Tom Morello's typically innovative, often atonal guitar. Bassist Timmy C and drummer Brad Wilk (both of whom went on to become members of Audioslave, along with Morello) are the key players on Evil Empire's propulsive instrumentals however, combining to thunderous effect on 'Revolver' and 'Tire Me' in particular.

Evil Empire is de la Rocha's story though, and despite the polemic subject matter, he delivers each line with a cohesion and clarity superseding Rage's other work.

In these troubled times a lot of people need Rage Against the Machine to lend a voice to their discontent, we can only hope that new material follows their much-vaunted reunion shows. If ever there was a time for Rage to reclaim their vacant mantle of Most Imporant Band in the World, unfilled since they disbanded in 2000, it is surely now.

Raging With the Metal?.......2007-03-04

Released in 1995, funk-metal's Rage Against the Machine released their second album "Evil Empire" after a three year wait (supposedly due to rapper Zack de la Rocha's perfectionist tendencies, as the next album would take four years). The only album that I feel I can fairly make comparisons to is Rage Against the Machine's self-titled, so bear with me. I understand that following up such a classic is impossible, but there are several aspects they failed to capture that made the first album a classic.

Many people have claimed that this album sounds similar to or follows the same formula as 1992's self-titled album, but I disagree; it sounds very different, much slower and darker. There were significant changes in how it was mixed; Zack de la Rocha's vocals are distant, not as clear or up-front as before; Brad Wilk's drums are louder and more expansive, as he tries out different rhythms; Tim Commerford's bass is higher and more frequently distorted in the mix, and isn't nearly as funky or bright, making each song darker; Tom Morello's guitar is almost always heavily distorted, making it sound more like a machine than a string instrument. In fact, this sounds more like a rap-metal album than a funk-metal album. There's pretty much no melody here. Each of the instruments, including the vocals, sound almost audibly equal in volume, blending together into a mush of sound, while their self-titled was careful in making each instrument distinct and bright. The pace has also been slowed significantly and, subsequently, most of the energy has been sucked from this album. This is a bleak listen, and it isn't nearly as colorful or fun as their previous effort. Surprisingly, the only thing different here is producer Brendan O'Brien, with Andy Wallace still behind the mixing tables, so it's possible that the band wanted it this way.

I must give Tom Morello some mention, of course, since his solos are interesting and innovative as always. The highlight here is "Bulls on Parade", where his solo sounds like a DJ scratching a turntable; the fact alone that the man has to duplicate this live is insane. He also adds another dimension to their sound with his electronic playing, creating very unique metallic textures, but it doesn't sound soulful or organic. At times it simply sounds a machine, plowing through the music.

The lyrics were great, and the subjects have become more varied; social commentary seems to share as much of the lyric sheet as the anti-government sentiment. However, Zack's slogans aren't nearly as catchy or energizing as in the debut, maybe because it's so hard to hear them. The biggest problem here would be the vocals; they aren't clean or clear, and they're actually brought down in the mix to the levels of the instrumentation. Zack's vocals add power to the band's sound, but because they seem to blend right in, they don't stand out as much. When he screams, the rhythm section drowns him out, making each scream pointless. Why scream if you can rap normally at the same volume?

This isn't packed with instant rock classics like in their self-titled, with the whole CD feeling more like a rap-oriented metal album, and some of the tracks are a real drag (I struggled to get through "Wind Below" without switching tracks; the whole carnival guitar effect is sweet, but listening to it trudge on is so damn borning). If you're a first-timer, I advise you get their self-titled debut if you want to see the band at their prime. If you're a fan, I definitely recommend this, although I suggest you keep your mind open and brace yourself. There are some moments where this album really shines, like "Bulls on Parade", "Revolver", and "Snakecharmer", but other times I found songs to be bland (especially "People of the Sun" and "Vietnow"). Don't get me wrong, I love this band and I tried like hell to get into this CD, but "Evil Empire" just doesn't do it for me. Thankfully, they recapture their sound on their next album, "The Battle of Los Angeles".

People of the Sun (6/10)
Bulls on Parade (10/10*)
Vietnow (6/10)
Revolver (8/10)
Snakecharmer (9/10)
Tire Me (8/10)
Down Rodeo (8/10)
Without a Face (7/10)
Wind Below (5/10)
Roll Right (5/10)
Year of tha Boomerang (7/10)

* Favorite track

best Rage album.......2007-02-23

This is one of the best Rage Against the Machine albums ever. If your a Rage fan or not you should know the words to almost all the songs on this album.

DUDE its RAge.......2007-02-19

Evil Empire Is One of the best albums of all time without a doubt

Average customer rating:

The Battle For Los Angeles
If you like Rage, this is the best album
Fantastic Album
Better than "Evil Empire."
Worth owning for one song, but the rest are very good too

The Battle of Los Angeles
Rage Against the Machine
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Evil Empire
Rage Against the Machine
Renegades
Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium
Audioslave

Accessories:

Sonny Bones

ASIN: B00002MZ2C
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

Testify
Guerrilla Radio
Calm Like A Bomb
Mic Check (Once Hunting, Now Hunted)
Sleep Now In The Fire
Born Of A Broken Man
Born As Ghosts
Maria
Voice Of The Voiceless
New Millennium Homes
Ashes In The Fall
War Within A Breath

Amazon.com

Having successfully fused music and politics from their start, inspiring both moshing and young minds in the process, Rage Against the Machine emerges in peak form with merely their third album in seven years. Guitarist Tom Morello is one of the most distinctive and innovative players of his era, and his foil, vocalist/lyricist Zack De La Rocha, is as unrelenting and inspiring as ever on The Battle of Los Angeles. Rage, whose past antics include performing naked with duct tape over their mouths to protest censorship, released Battle on Election Day, but the politics of the group can be separated from the sounds. Indeed, the 45 minutes of mayhem heard here can be enjoyed solely as rousing aggro hip-hop rock. There's more variety found on Battle than on its predecessors, however. "Sleep Now in the Fire" is one of their most straight-ahead rock tunes. The trippy guitar on "Calm Like a Bomb" is out there even for the adventurous Morello. And "Born a Broken Man" serves up lovely musical interludes. Overall, the more finely honed Rage heard on Battle may not inspire a generation of young revolutionaries, but they still stir up more mutinous spirit than the rest of the current rock pack. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews:

The Battle For Los Angeles.......2007-04-24

Rage Against The Machine-The Battle For Los Angeles *****

Many a Rage fan as well as critic well tell you that The Battle Of Los Angeles is the very best album that Rage ever made. Is this the case, is this really better then the self titled debut Rage Against The Mahine, probably. But you will have to be the judge of that one. One thing is for sure if this isnt the bands all time best effort it is a vert close second. The bands cover album Renagades was good, but this is better, Evil Empire was a killer album but once again this takes the cake of that one as well. The bands only equal comparason is the debut.

The Battle Of Los Angeles is a solid album through and through, not a bad track to be heard. Being released in late 1999, early 2000, at the dawn of a new millenium when the band was reaching its breaking point and on the eve of spliting they managed to hold it together and create one of the best rock albums of the last 25 years. Zack De La Rochas lyrics were the most focust and coherent they had ever been, and his vocal delivery is insane. Tim C, and Brad Wilk who may make up the greatest rhythm section in all of rock n' roll hold the album together as a whole. Then there is Tom who once again raised the bar as far as what is possible with the guitar. Tom Morello is easily one of the greatest guitarist ever to pick up the six string. Not only with his effects pedels but without them as well.

Songs like the major hit singles 'Testify' 'Guerrilla Radio' and the phenomenol 'Sleep Now In The Fire' helped to propel the album to the number one spot and sell millions of copies. Those three songs have gone on to become radio staples still seven yers after the album was released. 'Calm Like A Bomb' 'Mic Check' and 'Born As Ghosts' are similure and slower songs that really are nice for a change of pace. 'Born Of A Broken Man' is one of the better songs the band ever recorded. You can really here the punk influence on this song. The album closes with 'War Within A Breath' which is the prefect song to close the album.

Once you end the album all the messages in the songs come together into one and you can really here the cry for the great state of California that they love and how it has gone so far down hill. And in the end The Battle Of Los Angeles is an amazing album by on eof the greatest rock bands of all time.

If you like Rage, this is the best album.......2007-04-03

I like all of the Rage albums, but this one is better than the other two. More metal-oriented guitar and the songs are more political. If you had to buy one Rage album, this is the one to get.

Fantastic Album.......2006-08-21

Rage Against the Machine is a band I only started listening to out of curiosity. I'd never heard any of their music, but I had gotten into Audioslave and wanted to see what these guys were like. Rage is a unique band in many ways. First off, this album (their final album, which was called Album of the Year by many Rock magazines; Even Time Magazine in fact) is amazing. Every song is good and not just in the sense, it's not bad. You can listen to each of these songs a few times over, there's not one track I'd skip over while listening to it. Tom Morello (who does stuff with a guitar that the best guitar players in the world couldn't do) is in top form; Tim Commerford cranks out some great basslines here (most notably in "Calm Like a Bomb"), and Brad Wilk is of course great. Zack De La Rocha's vocals and lyrics are very angry and very political here; He makes some genuine points though. That's one of the things I find most impressive about Rage. A lot of bands that do political songs, wind up with good lyrics and bad songs. It doesn't even matter if you're listening to the lyrics on this album; The music is still completely enjoyable. If you're looking to buy a really good CD, then get this. Here are the tracks and occasional in-depth commentary:

1. Testify-5/5
2. Guerilla Radio-5/5-One of my favorite songs on the album.
3. Calm Like a Bomb-5/5-One of my favorite Rage songs. It's really catchy and you can't beat Tom Morrello's riffs.
4. Mic Check-5/5-I love the lyrics; I love the chorus. Great song.
5. Sleep Now in the Fire-5/5-The guitar riff in this song is awesome. As are the lyrics; One of my favorite songs on here.
6. Born of a Broken Man-5/5-Zack De La Rocha speaks the verses and then pours energy into the chorus. I know some people who don't like this song, I love it.
7. Born as Ghosts-5/5-My 2nd favorite song on the album.
8. Maria-5/5
9. Voice of the Voiceless-5/5-It's short, but it's a great song.
10. New Millenium Homes-5/5-This probably ties as my 2nd favorite song. It sounds a little like Bulls on Parade, but the lyrics and music are awesome.
11. Ashes in the Fall-5/5-The music is awesome. De La Rocha whispering "Like ashes in the fall" is kind of creepy; Angry lyrics that definitely get their point across.
12. War Within a Breath-5/5-And a very impressive album closer. Some of the best drumming is on this track.
GRADE: A

Better than "Evil Empire.".......2006-04-08

This is a definite improvement from "Evil Empire," which incorporated too much alternative elements, these tracks are more hard-rockish than on the previous album but not quite at the level on their self-titled. Tom Morello touched up his unique style of solos into something that sounds good rather than weird in EE, especially in "Guerilla Radio." If you're a big fan of Timmy C.'s basslines, this is where he shines the most. Zach's lyrics and rhyming are really centered around the problems in Mexico and the 2000 Presidential Election, these have also improved from their sophomore slump.

The only annoying track on here was "Mic Check," everything else was good, especially "Guerilla Radio," "Ashes in the Fall," "Maria," and "Voice of the Voiceless."

Its not great, but its defitely better than "Significant Crap" from Limp Bizs**t.

If you're a Rage' fan, I suggest you pick this up.

Worth owning for one song, but the rest are very good too.......2006-03-29

I'll keep this short and sweet since, while I think this album was excellent, I don't view "The Battle of Los Angeles" to be the band's finest work. I think that's a toss-up between their debut and the nigh-perfect "Evil Empire." This band told it like it was, is, and will likely, unfortunately, continue to be each and every time they released an album.

However, this one digs into the band's favorite topics a little deeper and what it uncovers is hideous and depressing. From songs ranging about the destitution-to-desperation of the poor in Mexico ("Maria") to the us-against-them nature of abandoned/forgotten ethic groups/gangs in the inner city ("Born As Ghosts") to a song about one of their biggest causes, the freedom of (perhaps wrongly) convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal and other so-called criminals that may be in the same boat ("Voice of the Voiceless"), this album doesn't relent until the CD ends.

However, the one track that has always stuck out in my mind as the glimpse behind the curtain to which all others should be compared is the masterful "Ashes in the Fall," perhaps the band's most gut-wrenching, soul-searing track in its entire career.

The song takes an unflinching look at poverty and the plight of the lower class, immigrants and homeless: the very people that the government should be taking care of that it instead allows to fend for themselves. Starving, desperate, abused, and neglected, these people see no other way out of their situation than resorting to violence and crime...actions for which they are arrested and imprisoned, if not killed outright. The song's most gripping moment is when Zach de la Rocha mockingly screams, "Ain't it funny how the factory doors close 'round the time that the school doors close? 'Round the time that the doors of the jail cell open up to greet you like the Reaper?"

In other words, while most children are entering/leaving school, the pvverty-stricken are walking into factories where they can be promised low wages and grueling work until the whistle blows. If not that, then finding trouble and expending what little life is left inside them in the confines of a prison cell. It is a bleak image and all too true in the darker corners of every city in the United States.

As others have said, the reference to the new sound being just like the old sound is a snide reminder to the listener that the grandiose speeches of the government's appointed representatives are just echoes of all that was said by those who came before them. And all the while, a voice can be heard in the undercurrent calling for the expulsion of all "non-natives" in favor of the so-called "chosen" people of God, a direct contradiction to everything the founders of the nation believed it should be about, according to the Constitution.

It is an exceptional song on the strength of its lyrics alone, but the band truly outdid itself with the music, from the high-pitched cry of the guitar to the soft rhthym of the bass during the build to the song's final crescendo.

I don't know if there's a human being that can listen to this song and not feel his or her soul quail in horror at the images it creates. If such a person exists, I hope we never meet.

Average customer rating:

I hate to say it but...
Her Best.
Amazing CD
Beautiful Music
Fabulous!

Extraordinary Machine
Fiona Apple
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tidal
When The Pawn...
You Could Have It So Much Better
Wildflower
Confessions on a Dance Floor

ASIN: B000B0WOEO
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

Extraordinary Machine
Get Him Back
O' Sailor
Better Version Of Me
Tymps (The Sick In The Head Song)
Parting Gift
Window
Oh Well
Please Please Please
Red Red Red
Not About Love
Waltz (Better Than Fine)

Amazon.com

Fiona Apple, brooding, brainy belter and capital-A artist of near forbidding depth, begins her much gossiped-over third CD on a lark. The title track, one of two songs produced by Jon Brion before the label dispute that prompted hip-hop producer Mike Elizondo (50 Cent, Eminem) to step in, sounds like a Judy Garland number slathered with irony or something Rufus Wainwright might have had a hand in--strings soar, beats bump around skittishly, and notes require a ladder. But playful as it is, by the time the chorus kicks in it's clear why the world has missed Fiona Apple so much. Young female artists who have stepped into the spotlight since she fled it six years ago-- Nellie McKay and Joss Stone spring to mind for their cleverness and heat, respectively--seem slight in comparison. With every track ticked off, in fact, Extraordinary Machine moves listeners a little closer to what might be a correct assumption: that everything they've dipped into since 1999's When the Pawn ... was filler. Fans will feel it especially on "O'Sailor," a gimlet-eyed lament, and "Tymps," a tight piano track with a tip of the hat to hip-hop. It's "Window," though, with its lyric about "a filthy pane of glass" fogging up a clear view, that sums up the experience of this CD best. "I had to break the window," Apple sings, smoky-voiced as ever. "It just had to be." With Extraordinary Machine, she shatters already sky-high expectations. -Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

I hate to say it but..........2007-07-13

...this album kills me! After several heartfelt attempts to like it, I eventually had to retire it to the depths of my CD cabinet. The fact that I truely find it to be impossible to listen to is devasting because I have so enjoyed Fiona for many years. The songs on this album are terribly depressing and musically I just don't find this work to be pretty or inspiring. I'm sorry Fiona, and I will always love you, but this album just didn't cut it for me.

Her Best........2007-06-28

If you loved Apple's first two albums, you may have a hard time liking this one. This one is very different from the others. It exists not on Apple's raw and simple singer-songwriter style that made her famous, but more of a bigger, vaster, more complex music ochestration. There is a shift, on this album. The focus moves away from her minor piano chords to synthesizers and handclaps and chimes and mandolins. The songs loose their classic verse-chorus-verse structure for something more like verse-bridge-chorus-verse-another bridge with crazy schizophrenic tempo changes ("Not About Love")and "hip-hop" beats ("Tymps [Sick in the head song]"). So brace yourself, it is a very big change. One that people are quick to write off as "trivial" or "sugary-pop", but they are just amateurs at Apple's work; the reason she is so amazing is that she can make music that seems too refined, too upbeat and shallow to be anything important. But then you listen to her voice and her lyrics and her chords and you realize that what apple is really doing is poking fun at her self. Deconstructing that seemingly airbrushed-rosy-cheeked image until you see that sharp shadowy figure of depth that lurks beneath that surface. This is what she does here, presenting a cleverly crafted marketing package that--on first listen--will sell copies. But, if you look close enough, you'll see that itching anguish that almost goes over your head. The woman is full of riddles.
And don't be fooled, fiona is still amazing.
Her voice takes on a solid, more mature tone in this album. Deep and rich and at times eerie.
And the lyrics are better than ever. She is witty, clever and concise; a goddess at rhyme who's lyrics possess a powerful sting in and of its simplicity; the kind that you have to read twice, three, four times to get. She is the sing-song Dorothy Parker of the 21st century. Brillant.
Highlight Lyrics inlude:
1. From "Window"---"I had to break the window/It just had to be/Better that i break the window/Then him, or her, or me."
2. From "Red Red Red"--"I don't understand about diamonds and why men buy them/Whats so impressive about a diamond?/Except the mining?
3. From "Parting Gift"--"Oh you silly, stupid past time of mine/You were always good for the rhyme.
4. From "Get Him Back"--"Wait till i get him back/He wont have a back to scratch.
This album is also perfectly balanced. A perfect combination of upbeat power songs ("Get Him Back, Tymps, Not About Love), gut-wrenching ballads (Oh Well, Red Red Red, and Parting Gift) along with some light fluety, fun tunes (Please Please Please, Waltz, Extraordinary Machine.)
In short, youd have to be a perfect fool not to buy this album. It is Fiona Apple's best yet. She has raised the bar yet again; vocally, lyrically, and melodically. This album goes from the margin to the center in terms of emotion, too. Screaming and growling and belting out whatever raw feelings that have been buried underneath, seeming to surface like a great big crashing wave that will completely smother you in its prescence.

Amazing CD.......2007-05-21

Great album. The music is amazing and so are the lyrics. I would easily consider this a must have. One of the best of 2005

Beautiful Music.......2007-05-14

This is such a beautiful CD in every way shape and form.
It is great to have her back and in such a wonderful way.
Very few words are needed to express the beauty of this effort.

Fabulous!.......2007-05-13

This is now one of my favorite albums of all time. Fiona does a brilliant job of songwriting in a variety of styles. She comes up with the catchiest melodies and hooks. Her lyrics are deep, well-written works of poetry that stand on their own.

Average customer rating:

Howard Hewitt's new CD, "If Only"
Hearfelt and beautiful.
Shades Of Shalamar
Simply Amazing
disappointing

If Only
Howard Hewett
Manufacturer: Machine Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Deeper Still
Feel the Fire
In My Songs
Something To Talk About
So Much Better

ASIN: B000O591FQ
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Tracks:

I'll Be Right Here
If Only
To Please U
Can U Feel Me
Make Me Say Ooohhh
Is This True Love
Enough
I Wanna Know
How Do I KnowI Love You
Don't U Wonder 2
Our FatherBonus Track
Imagine(Featuring Billy Preston and Gerald Albright)

Album Description

With his silky smooth, straight-from-the-heart soulful style, Howard Hewett is gifted with one of the most instantly recognizable voices in contemporary music: with the 2007 release of his Groove Records' debut IF ONLY, his loyal worldwide audiences will be reminded of just why Howard Hewett has endured, sustained and maintained a solid career as a solo artist for over two decades. IF ONLY also represents a reunion of sorts for Howard who serves as executive producer on the album with Ralph Johnson, one of the founding members of Supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire. Howard's many fans will be thrilled that he's taken his time to release a new album, with such standout tracks as "Enough" which is already top 20 charter and climbing .The soon to be released follow up single, "I'll Be Right Here," and the title track, "If Only" is a further testament to Howard Hewett's enduring artistry and a reminder that when it comes to great music, good things truly do come to those who wait!

Customer Reviews:

Howard Hewitt's new CD, "If Only".......2007-06-29

I am a huge fan of Howard Hewitt's from back in the Shalimar days as well, but more specifically, when he ventured out on his own. This is one singer that understands his emotional, feminine side, and can relate to women in a profound way with the words to his songs.

My fave song on his new CD, If Only, is "To Please U". We all remember back in the day when true love songs actually were meaningful - well, this is Howard Hewitt at his best. What saddens me is that I haven't heard this CD (or even Rick James' new CD, released around the same time), on local radio stations. It is sad that the balladeers of the 70's and 80's aren't recaptured in today's music. We need the spiritual message and spreading Love! This is why I will always be a fan of "Old School Music". That is where it was at!

There are several other songs that I just love on his new CD, "Is this True Love?" and "Can U feel me?". If you are a true Howard Hewitt fan, you will pick up this CD now! He is also on Rick James' new CD, Deeper Still, "Do you Wanna Play?". Amazon had a deal a few weeks ago on both CD's. Because of the samples and reviews, I went and bought both CD's. Love them! If you are a true fan and love that soulful sound unique to Howard Hewitt, pick up his new CD today, "If Only".

Enjoy!

Hearfelt and beautiful........2007-06-29

Ex Shalamar vocalist, Howard Hewett will please his legion of fans with this Soul set that fuses Howard's relaxed vocal style with Smooth Soul. Several cuts grab the headlines including the stunningly beautiful "Can U Feel Me" and the title song.
Ballads like "Is This True Love" ooze emotion where Howard is joined by Gerald Albright on sax.
And if you love ballads check out the searing slowie "Don't U Wonder 2". Old school style numbers like "I Wanna Know" maintain a mid-tempo groove.
Hewett has never sounded better.
Give this record a spin, it is worth it!

Shades Of Shalamar.......2007-06-11

Howard Hewitt has always been one of my favorite r & b singers. Since the days of Shalamar, he has had staying power when most of the singers that were around during the same time period have vanished. He has an incredibly, beautiful voice. This album just reminds his true fans how truly gifted he is. If you don't have this album, I hope you get it.

Simply Amazing.......2007-06-06

First, the poster named Sunshine hit the nail on the head in describing this masterpiece. This has to be one of the most comprehensive CDs that I've listened to in a long time. Howard hit a homerun, scored a touchdown, and won a championship with this album. I purchased it the day after it came out and have been listening to it everyday since. I also have it in my MP3/4 player.

It is so hard to narrow down my favorites, but I will go with "If Only", "To Please U", "Can U Feel Me", "Is This True Love", "I Wanna Know", "How Do I Love You". The whole CD is beautiful. I also love how he gives glory and how he, in a mature way, sings about love, because love is where it's at. He also did a nice rendition with Gerald Albright on "Imagine". I just cannot stop gushing over this CD. It is modern, but signature Howard Hewett and the vocals are still impeccable.

disappointing.......2007-05-30

Howard Hewett has a wonderful voice and style and it shows once again. But the material is very weak, almost only slowtempo tracks, quite similar to each other, and lyrics without much meaning. Why doesn't a mature man like Hewett sing realistically about mature relationships but instead of "girls", "babies" or "babes"...Will sell this CD as soon as possible.

Average customer rating:

Pretty weak
Raw
One Man Army
disappointing
Stick with the Whammy pedal Tom.......

One Man Revolution
The Nightwatchman
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Year Zero
Axis of Justice: Concert Series Volume 1 (Bonus DVD)
Carry On
Favourite Worst Nightmare
Libertad

ASIN: B000NVJRBO
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

California's Dark
One Man Revolution
Let Freedom Ring
The Road I Must Travel
The Garden of Gethsemane
House Gone Up In Flames
Flesh Shapes The Day
Battle Hymns
Maximum Firepower
Union Song
No One Left
The Dark Clouds Above
Until The End

Amazon.com

For more than a decade, Tom Morello used earsplitting riffs to make his point, first with Rage Against the Machine, then with Audioslave. But on his solo debut as the Nightwatchman, the man named one of Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitarists of all time tries a different approach. Taking cues from six-string radicals such as Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash, Morello reinvents himself as a singer-songwriter armed only with an acoustic guitar, gravelly baritone, and renewed political fervor. The lyrics are unavoidably blunt, whether tackling the plight of third world workers or being a member of two of the biggest rock bands of the past two decades: "On the streets of Havana I got hugged and kissed/ At the Playboy Mansion I wasn't on the list," he sings on the title track. The real discovery is that he's capable of making the same old racket at just a fraction of the volume. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

Tom Morello appears as The Nightwatchman on his stark new acoustic album One Man Revolution. These 13 songs create a dark, urgent portrait of a world in turmoil. Morello, the Grammy Award-winning guitarist of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, pinpoints the sociopolitical struggles of the American leftist underground in this series of self-penned originals. Brendan O'Brien (Peal Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Incubus, Rage Against the Machine) produces `One Man Revolution,' which is Tom's first time singing on record.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty weak.......2007-07-27

Look I'm not going to smash his guitar playing, it's acoustic and it's meant to be meaningful protest music (not saying you can't have both, but sometimes it's worth the sacrifice). Yeah it's not Rage, but you should have known that when you read "Night Watchman". Now for the attack. The lyrics are poor. I really don't feel like he put a whole lot of work into them. It seems like he's trying harder to rhyme the next word then to add meaning or flow to the song. He also seems like he's trying too hard when he sings. It's my personal opinion, but I suggest borrowing this CD or listening to a few tracks before just picking this up.

Raw.......2007-07-27

It seems that many of these so called "Rage Against The Machine" fans are a little upset that Tom Morello, the searing and amazing guitarist for said band has decided to release a solo album, playing only acoustic guitar protest songs and singing over them in a sort of Dylan/Cash/Springsteen way.
Why? Because he isn't pummeling ear drums with Earth Shattering chords and sounds created via Electric Guitar? Grow up...

Rage Against The Machine was never about "how hard can we get", but rather the message, which seems to get lost in between all the angst filled and "the heavier the better, the more we will rebel" kids of our generation.
It was all about the message, which in my opinion is largely lost among our force fed MTV high consumerism society.
These ain't pop songs kiddies...

I remember in High School, all the kids reveled over "Killing in the Name", mostly due to Zach's freak out at the end of the song. AS if these kids really know anything about what Zach is portraying. All they hear is swear words and lyrics of rebellion, heavy rap/metal and all of a sudden they think their rebels?

Sorry kids, but Tom Morello's One Man Revolution bears the same heaviness and raw grit as did all of Rage Against The Machines albums.
Heaviness and raw grit is a state of mind and more of a feeling than a presence and a sound. Personally, I feel that One Man Revolution hits as hard as anything RATM has ever done.

Each song features Tom's Gruff voice croon about freedom and revolution (what else?), and his guitar, while played only on acoustic, is amazing nonetheless. There are some deep and meaningful lyrics are written by Tom himself. Lyrics no doubt come from the heart.
And the guitar is soft, soothing yet fierce in its intention. One Man revolution reminded me of why I feel that Tom Morello is one of the BEST guitar players alive.

The album comes off as a folk/country sort of feel, but this ain't your daddy's folk! This music could spark a revolution and then some.

One Man Army.......2007-07-23

Armed with his acoustic guitar, Tom Morello found time in between the Audioslave break-up and the Rage Against The Machine reunion to record his very own solo album. Released under the moniker of The Nightwatchman, "One Man Revolution" carries with it a sound that most Morello fans wouldn't expect or recognize. Instead of raging with innovative and recognizable guitar riffs and squealing solos, Morello strums his acoustic guitar and does his best vocal impression of legends like Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. It should go without saying that the material on Tom's debut is of a highly political nature, and it's honestly quite refreshing to hear, as Audioslave seemed to put Tom on hiatus when it came to such subjects. Granted, with Serj Tankian (System Of A Down), he had kept the Axis Of Justice active (which is where he made his solo debut), but it wasn't enough to keep the message and intensity of Rage Against The Machine from being missed. On subjects ranging from racism, poverty and war, Tom Morello delivers his message with confidence, while sounding far more in touch with the problems of today and simply more relevant than the average solo artist (anyone listened to "Carry On" yet?). "One Man Revolution" may not completely hit the mark or meet the expectations of fickle fans, but those with a little patience and an open mind will appreciate what Morello is trying to do here. And even if you don't like his voice, you've still got some great guitar-work to sit back and chew on.

disappointing.......2007-07-21

This album was extremely well hyped, and turned out to be a huge let down. If you loved Rage Against the Machine, then you will probably hate this album. Everything that you have come to love about his guitar playing with Rage is completely missing on this accoustic album. If you like Leonard Cohen then buy this album. If you don't then don't bother. Don't base your purchase upon Rage Against the Machine.

Stick with the Whammy pedal Tom..............2007-06-28

While the concept behind The Nightwatchman certainly has merit, the execution of this album is not up to the same standard. As a fan of Rage Against the Machine, I was interested to see how this would compare. The guitar playing is mediocre, and the vocals are ridiculous. Tom's singing sounds affected and forced. While Zach de la Rocha spit his venom on the Rage albums, Tom is clearly making a profound effort to whisper his. His voice actually doesn't sound that bad when he's singing naturally, it's the amateurish attempt to channel 'Nebraska'-era Springsteen that's laughable. Overall, this was a real disappointment. This pales in comparison with 'Nebraska', 'Ghost of Tom Joad', or any protest music by Neil Young.

Average customer rating:

Reun1te / Political Agenda
Rage Keep On Rockin' 'Til The Morning Comes
Rage Covers It All
The Original Artists
Music Orientated When Hip-Hop Originated, Fitted Like Pieces Of Puzzles....Complicated...

Renegades
Rage Against the Machine
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

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

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rap Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

The Battle of Los Angeles
Evil Empire
Rage Against the Machine
Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium
Live & Rare

ASIN: B000053EZW
Release Date: 2000-12-05

Tracks:

Microphone Fiend
Pistol Grip Pump
Kick Out The Jams
Renegades Of Funk
Beautiful World
I'm Housin'
In My Eyes
How I Could Just Kill A Man
The Ghost Of Tom Joad
Down On The Street
Street Fighting Man
Maggie's Farm
Bonus Track 01
Bonus Track 02

Amazon.com

If Renegades proves to be the last Rage Against the Machine album to feature singer Zack de la Rocha, who quit the band after nine years, it's a cool way to go out. Produced by Rick Rubin, Renegades is a salute to the artists who made Rage what they are--or were. While it's easy to hear Rage's rap roots in songs from Afrika Bambaataa, EPMD, and Volume 10, it's more interesting to see their take on rock in its classic and punk forms. Rage capture the raw spirit, if not the quite the intensity, inherent in the MC5 classic "Kick Out the Jams." A superior second live take appears at the CD's end, followed by a concert version of Cypress Hill's "How I Could Just Kill a Man," with help from B-Real and Sen Dog. Devo's "Beautiful World" is rendered quietly unrecognizable, while Minor Threat's "In My Eyes" is given a wonderfully melodic, ultra-aggro treatment. The Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man" takes on a techno vibe that's unsettling and Bob Dylan's "Maggie's Farm" is also effectively modernized. Ultimately, Renegades is a must-have for its song selection, musical execution, and the unhappy fact that it's likely the ultimate offering from one of rock's most musically and politically relevant lineups. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews:

Reun1te / Political Agenda.......2007-02-14

When I heard Zack had left the band due to 'creative differences' I was not happy but continued to live with hope that it was not the end of the Rage. Seven years later, they are doing a 1 off concert & just like many out there lets hope they re-ignite the sparks & reform the magical chemistry that in my opinion has never died!
Does anyone own the live & rare Rage cd, if you listen to it, Zack states lets bombard this Leonard Paltere's (SP) mail box until we win, maybe all us Rage fans need to bombard the record company's or the members of Rage themseleves until they do what they again do what they do best & that is make music as Rage Against The Machine.
Yo Check it, as I listen to their material daily even today I can find more passion in Rage than a run down mill scrap band that is Audioslave (namely due to Chris Cornell's semi attempted alright vocals), most of their mateiral in their first 2 albums could have easily been reworked for Rage as a lot of Rage was coming through & the only difference is Chris Cornell was on lead vocals & I am glad I did not see them live when they started playing Rage material (what kind of hypocracy is that?) - man he would have ruined all meaning & destroyed the funk blast!
So cut the chord & get this musical act of RATM back on track, you guys would with ease be no. 1 (not that you lot would care about the fat checks due to the political nature/agenda of the band).
Tom Morello - you are an outstanding guitarist, I could not believe those sounds could be made by guitar but a lot of what you did in Audioslave was just borrowed from Rage, however the rhythm section of Audio is great (esp. Brad he really takes drumming to new levels).
Hopefully the panther the brother De La Rocha has in his 7 year absence written some stronger much needed material due to the musical junk out there today & if there is any hope & in life if I saw a mission that is accomplished it would be Rage reformed & continuing on til their last breath/s.
Not everyone is gifted as musicains so why throw it away guys for a half rate band Audislave? Give me the mic so I can scream "COME ON...AAARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"
When I think Rage I can with ease think of their song titles:
Bombtrack, Killing in the Name Of, Take the Power Back, Know Your Enemy, Wake Up, Township Rebellion, Freedom, People of the Sun, Bulls on Parade, Vietnow, Revoler, Snakecharmer, Down Rhode, Without a Face, Year of the Boomerang, Testify, Guerrila Radio, Mic Check, Sleep Now In The Fire, Voice of the Voiceless, Maria, Ashes In The Fall, War Within A Breath, No Shelter, Microphone Fiend, Pistol Grip Pump, Renegades of Funk, How I Could Just Kill A Man, Street Fighting Man, Maggies Farm...Wow!!!
Zack - we need & long for you in the music industry more than ever as there has been no one out there able to spit truth like it needs to be done on a microphone only you as the front man of Rage Against The Machine can pull this off.
Peace out my panthers my brothers!

Rage Keep On Rockin' 'Til The Morning Comes.......2007-01-26

Even though "Renegades," Rage Against The Machine's last album, was merely a cover album, it still solidifies the band's career and legendary status as the most active and unique protest rock band for Generation X and as innovators of the ill-fated rap-rock movement. All 12 covers -- spanning from hip-hop to punk to classic rock -- fit perfectly into Rage Against The Machine's songbook, keeping a clear message and not sacrificing one ounce of intergrity or energy. Although the rumors of frontman Zach De La Rocha's disdain for the release of the album have been blamed for the break-up of the band, "Renegades" still stands as yet another exercise in fist-pumping power and excellent and inventive musicianship. Truly, Rage Against The Machine in top form once again.

Hearing Zach spit out rhymes on hip-hop classics such as "Microphone Friend" and "How I Could Just Kill A Man" sounds only natural, but it's when the band ventures into other, less predictable territories that this album really shines. Perfect example would be their cover of Devo's "Beautiful World," a haunting, moving and surprisingly melodic commentary on the state of the world that still holds up today, just as it did in the 80's, and takes the Rage sound into a new realm. On the flipside, "Kick Out The Jams" (originally by MC5), is a brilliant merger of the signature Rage style with the fury of old-school punk. One of the more energetic tracks, this song is truly the point where the album takes shape. "In My Eyes" (originally by Minor Threat) takes on the same tone as "Kick Out The Jams," and remains another highlight, but elsewhere, on the Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen covers, "Maggie's Farm" and "The Ghost Of Tom Joad," the band shows some true influences that never really stood out before. The 12 song set is supported by two bonus live tracks: "Kick Out The Jams" and "How I Could Just Kill A Man," which just further solidify Rage's reputation as one of the best live bands of their time. The latter even features a guest appearance by B-Real and Sen Dog of Cypress Hill.

Overall, "Renegades" is a proper goodbye, that shows it's true roots and honors the band's influences with large amounts of respect and excellent musicianship. It's a shame that their last studio album wasn't original material, but this is just as good. With a Rage Against The Machine reunion on the horizon, who knows what the future will bring. But even if they don't make another album, "Renegades" still shows the band at their best, turning some classics into new anthems for the new millennium.

Rage Covers It All.......2006-12-16

This is a monster cover album. Not many bands can do an album of cover versions and do justice to many songs, but Rage make these songs their own.
Zach's crisp strong vocals are gripping as always and the band is peaking here.

Highlights are Microphone Fiend, Beautiful World, In My Eyes & Maggies Farm.

Pure heavy funk, not just for Rage fans....

The Original Artists.......2006-02-03

1. Microphone fiend - Eric B and Rakim
2. Pistol grip pump - Volume 10
3. Kick out the jam - MC5
4. Renegades of funk - Afrika Bambattaa
5. Beautiful world - Devo
6. I'm housin' - EPMD
7. In my eyes - Minor Threat
8. How could I just kill a man - Cypress Hill
9. The ghost of Tom Joad - Bruce Springsteen
10. Down on the street - The Stooges
11. Street fighting man - The Rolling Stones
12. Maggies farm - Bob Dylan

Music Orientated When Hip-Hop Originated, Fitted Like Pieces Of Puzzles....Complicated..........2005-11-28

In My Opinion this is just another work of pure genious by RATM, the fact that every song on here is good only adds to that...

Every thing here is pretty well perfect, the bonus tracks are pretty cool, and feature, "How I Could Just Kill A Man" with some other arttists.

Every thing here is near perfect, there isn't much more to say.

Album Highlights...

Microphone Fiend
Housin'
How I Could Just Kill A Man
Renegades Of Funk

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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