Engine [Import]

Engine [Import]

Track Listings

1. Soul Tone

2. Bug Killer

3. Black Biohazard

4. Twist Of Chain

5. Bad Date/Nothin' I Can Do

6. Apocalypse

7. Ace In The Hole

8. Sweet Dreams

9. Asylum

10. Burning Eye Balls

11. Junk His Head

12. 2008 (Candra)

13. Coming Home

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The veteran Japanese heavy metal group's 1999 album. 13 studio recordings, including 'Black Biohazard', the song played at the Dynamo! fest. Contains all of the tracks from the Japanese edition but for $13 less!!! 1999 release.

Tracks:

Black Light
Mantra
Ruins (Submutation Dub)
Eternal Drift
Words Of Advice
Cucumber Slumber (Fluxus Mix)
The Hidden Garden/Naima
Shadows Of Paradise

Customer Reviews:

Sensual Bliss..........2006-07-12

Judging from the other reviews, it looks as if you either don't understand this album at all or you want to marry it, have it's babies, and make sure a copy goes into your casket when you check out. I am one of the latter. I am currently shopping for my second copy of this cd, my old one of 11 years got lost in a recent move and I'm jonesing...best meditation, space, sexy music around. The disc has held up to repeated playings, I am always finding new moments in it to enjoy. It is surely Laswell's greatest; how can I decribe it? Rich orchestrated Trip-hop/acid jazz/world beat, they do stuff here in 'real time' w/ 'real instruments' that most DJ's who have to rely on synths and loops must only dream of. I agree with the other reviewers that Laswell's ouvre is very uneven...but fans of this one take heart, there was an album made about the same time with many of the same musicians which is almost as good as this one...if you're interested, check out Nicky Scopelitis's Ektasis album (he has several with similar titles, look for the one on the Axiom label with the koenline cover with the Horus/ Udjat eye design). I envy those who will discover this album anew...happy listening...

Superlatives are superfluous.......2006-05-27

This is a truly brilliant album that anyone who gives a shi-ite about music should have in their collection. I like all kinds of music (except R & B, top-40 garbage & punk-lite, e.g. Goood Charlotte) - everything from Sepultura, Slipknot, Obituary, Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon, Opeth, Clash, Pistols, Damned, Iggy & the Stooges, Velvets, Ramones, Pere Ubu, Wire, Butthole Surfers, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Public Enemy, Beasties, James Brown, P-Funk, Boards of Canada, Orbital, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, etc, etc. If you like any of the aforementioned you will like this album (mind you, if your musical palette is limited to one genre only, e.g. death metal, then you are a narrow-minded fool and will probably be bemused and not understand it at all).

It's very trippy (the title is apposite) and very chilled out and combines all kinds of styles - I think another reviewer mentioned funk, jazz, rock, hip-hop and ambient. That pretty much covers it! It features the legendary Bill Laswell (bass player extraordinaire and head of Axiom Records) as the driving force behind the band, Wayne Shorter (jazz saxophonist who used to play with Miles Davis), Bootsy & Bernie of P-Funk fame, Nicky Skopelitis on excellent guitar, a couple of Middle Eastern-sounding geezers, and sundry others. The price of admission alone is justified by "Words of Advice", a William Burroughs (RIP) rant that includes the immortal line "Who wants to be the richest guy in some cemetery?" The man's advice is SOLID.

BUY THIS RECORD!!!!!!!

overrated junk.......2005-12-22

Couldn't choose zero stars, unfortunately. The self-indulgent, easy-listening, adult contemporary stuff here is below contempt. What a great waste of talent, if one's is to believe the liner credits: Z. Hussein, Jaki Liebezeit, et al, what were you thinking? Abismally dissapointed. Stay away! . .

Thank God CD's are more durable than vinyl.......2004-05-08

While my review may not be as eloquent as the others on this page, the sentiments are the same. This recording will take you to a hundred different places every time you listen to it, be it night time or day. I have found myself raving about this album to others like some crazy fanatic - but then you just have to get it to see what I mean.

Amazing Views Through My Window !!!.......2004-04-25

Thks to George Schaefer's reviews...I just got this album and I love it...If U like great ambience...this is the one!!!
It's so warm and relaxing!!!
Try it with a cup of Mynth Tea and open Ur windos on a shiny day!!!
A must!!!

Average customer rating:

Ever Since...
As good as new...
6 STARS IF YOU HAD 'EM
One or two good songs
Gore's Grown Up With Style

Ever Since
Lesley Gore
Manufacturer: Engine Company Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000EH2HA0
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

Ever Since
Cool Web
It's Gone
Someday
Better Angels (featured on CSI:Miami)
You Don't Own Me
Not The First
Words We Don't Say (featured on The L Word)
Out Here On My Own
We Went So High

Product Description

2005 release

Customer Reviews:

Ever Since..........2007-07-31

Ever since...I was 11, I've been in love with Lesley Gore. I've been a fan from the very beginning. "It's My Party" and "Judy's Turn To Cry" were there for me during the Summer of 1963. I followed her career through every album and every hit. Her voice always magical to me, and those eyes framed by the perfectly golden flipped hair, they were the source of my teenage fantasies. However,poor Lesley has been slighted since the late 60's and it came as a surprise and huge pleasure to me to see and listen her newly acclaimed song collection-"Ever Since". It is such a mature labor of love, featuring a new Lesley, with a rich "life weary" voice, her phrasing so exacting and exquisite, and immaculate production values. Every song is worth a listen. I highly recommend this cd, it is a worthy culmination to one of the great pop icons of the 1960's. Savor it, like a fine glass of wine. Thank you Lesley, your fan forever,
Sergio

As good as new..........2007-06-13

Being too young to really know much about Ms. Gore's early pop career, I got turned onto her music by a friend who took me to one of her live shows. Without the need to compare the old with the new interfering with my experience of her performance, I simply took it for what it is --- brilliant, moving, full of soul! I bought the record, and now it's one of my favorites.

6 STARS IF YOU HAD 'EM.......2007-05-26

Best she's ever done--and new songs, backup, production, the works: A #1 Winner. LOVED it!

One or two good songs.......2007-05-19

I heard a few clips from this artist and thought that I would enjoy the CD, however it was one of those with only one or two songs worth listening to. Just not my taste...

Gore's Grown Up With Style.......2007-04-22

For Lesley Gore, outstanding girl singer of the early 1960's -- "It's My Party," and so forth -- her newish CD, "Ever Since," has been a long time in the making: nearly 40 years. It's been a long time in the waiting for her fans, too. And make no mistake about it, Gore's grown up in the interval. "Ever Since" clearly notes the passage of time, and the trials of being a grownup.

The album has a fresh, jazzy sound, as befits the work of a girl who cut her teeth in the tutelage of jazz great Quincy Jones. On this album, she's working with skilled pianist/producer Blake Morgan. Its title song, "Ever Since" is melodic, a bit melancholy, and can't help but wonder where the years went, while musing on a lifetime of parties. "Cool Web" is just that. "Better Angels," a sophisticated song used on television's "CSI: Miami" was written by Morgan, as was "It's Gone." Gore and her brother Michael wrote the beautiful, Academy Award-winning "Out Here on My Own," for the movie "Fame;" Irene Cara did a memorable job on it, but an older Lesley Gore finds levels in the song a younger woman couldn't hope to deliver. Gore also takes writing credits on the witty "Not The First," "Words We Don't Say," and "We Went So High." Finally, the album delivers a reimagined "You Don't Own Me," her protofeminist anthem of the 1960's, that's almost worth the wait.

Gore's voice reflects the passage of time in its timbre and tone. Her high register is as beautiful as ever it was; she can hit those notes and hold them. Her middle register's a bit mushy. She tends to talk her lower register, but it works. I just saw her in person; she certainly still puts on a great show. Guess we all have to grow up someday; Gore's done it with style.

Average customer rating:

Excellent performances of a selection of Herrmann's later film scores
Classic, at reduced price

Bernard Herrmann: The Film Scores

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bernard Herrmann Film Scores: From Citizen Kane To Taxi Driver

ASIN: B00077F9AM
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Customer Reviews:

Excellent performances of a selection of Herrmann's later film scores.......2007-06-15

Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic produce fine performances of a selection of Herrmann's post-1955 film scores.

The music itself is of variable musical interest.
The music from "The Man who Knew too Much", "Vertigo", "Marnie", "North by Northwest", "Taxi Driver" and "Psycho" shows Herrmann at his best.
"Torn Curtain" and "Fahrenheit 451" find Herrmann at his least inspired and it is a pity Salonen didn't jettison these items in favour of something else.

The performances cannot be faulted and lovers of Herrmann's music will find much to enjoy here.

Classic, at reduced price.......2006-08-15

As much (if not more) than any other film composer, Bernard Herrmann's music stands up to listening independent of the films. The emphasis here is on Herrmann's scores for Hitchcock, when both men were arguably at their creative heights.

Note: this is NOT a collection of original soundtrack recordings. However, Salonen and the LA Philharmonic at absolutely top-notch, and the recording is beautiful. Certain subtleties are actually easier to hear on this recording than on some of the originals.

As if I couldn't recommend this highly enough, the price has been reduced on this reissue! This deserves a wide audience, don't hesitate to buy it.

Average customer rating:

Three different journeys at once
Unexpectedly charming
set the space for an explorative course
Get Yer Fix
This is Something Else!

Contemplating the Engine Room
Mike Watt
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Secondman's Middle Stand
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ASIN: B000002BY8
Release Date: 1997-10-07

Tracks:

In The Engine Room
Red Bluff
The Bluejackets' Manual
Pedro Bound!
The Boilerman
Black Gang Coffee
Topsiders
No One Says Old Man (To The Old Man)
Fireman Hurley
Liberty Calls!
In The Bunk Room/Navy Wife
Crossing The Equator
Breaking The Choke Hold
Wrapped Around The Screw
Shore Duty
Non-Audio Content

Amazon.com

On former Minutemen and Firehose bassist Mike Watt's second "solo" outing (he's joined by guitarist Nil Cline and drummer Stephen Hedges), the idea of a punk-rock opera (his words) or concept album (critic's term) doesn't seem so outrageous. Paying homage to his dad's life on the San Pedro, California, waterfront and to the late D. Boon, the now quasi-mythic Minutemen singer-guitarist, Watt covers as much musical ground as he does personal history. Solid tracks such as "Black Gang Coffee" and "The Blue Jackets Manual" are fine nods to the playful punk punch of the Minutemen, and chiming guitars with a sea-shanty feel permeate "In the Engine Room." A churning psychedelic energy drives "Liberty Calls," while "Breaking the Choke Hold" serves as a contemplative and sad farewell. A pleasant, intimate listening experience, all told. --Lorry Fleming

Customer Reviews:

Three different journeys at once.......2006-11-03

This is an album worth getting to know. Pieces will stick in your head after a few listens. This trio playing on the album really make interesting use of space and texture while backing up Mike Watt's surreal, yet heartfelt story-telling. Nels Cline's guitar-playing adds a fervor to the rhythm skeletons who sway and dance from song to song. The percussion is full of dramatic nuances and emulations of ship sounds and other bells and whistles. Very solid. This all adds up to a theme, and a very interesting one indeed. Listen for the subtle musical references from old Minutemen (Watt's initial band) songs and riffs. Characters from that era are referenced from that era, as well: particularly the great D. Boon. Give this one a chance and enjoy!

Unexpectedly charming.......2003-03-02

This album caught me by surprise with its charm. The songs are short and interesting (Nels Cline is a surperbly original guitarist), and the personal nature of the songs is compelling. The album sounds quite a bit like a Minuteman album - the production is simple & effective, and the guitar playing is inventive. Some of the more experimental songs work very well, though I deduct one star because the last couple of songs are not compelling at all.

set the space for an explorative course.......2002-02-14

An album of shifting depths, not unlike the waters of this nautical-themed offering from Mike Watt--Contemplating the Engine Room. given as I've had more time than usual to whirl this disk, I've been given the allowance to hear its musical definition. Along with Watt's gruff yet emotive delivery there are personal (That's Watt's father on the cover) and instructive naval motifs. Songs like The Boiler Man, In The engine Room, Black Gang Coffee, No One Says Old Man (To the Old Man), Red Bluff, and Pedro Bound particularly set the space for an explorative course.
Watt handles thump staff and spiel as well, Nels Cline is on guitars and Stephen Hodges plays drums. They create a roving, discursive sound that achieves a definitive atmosphere. Like waves, their sound washes around you in different ways each time. A stellar album.

Get Yer Fix.......2001-04-10

As a Minutemen/fIREHOSE/Mike Watt junky, this review is probably long over due. I really want to give it 4 1/2 stars, but more on that in a second.

So, what is this album? A tribute to certain influences that have made a great muscians life. Namely, his father, D. Boon and the weird little hamlet of San Pedro, California. With a much belated nod to the great George Hurely. It is also a punk-rock opera with Nels and Steve Hodges providing very inspired music to Watt's bi-polar bass lines.

Musicly, it covers a large spectrum. The Blue Jackets Manual is a powerful ode to his father's days in the Navy. Crazy thumping bass that sometimes chirps as well as beautiful guitar work by the abovementioned Nels Cline. Then you get something like No One Says Old Man (To The Old Man) which is as mellow as anything and seems to hint a little bit at Watt's Masonic connections (I don't know either, but it comes up from time to time in his songs. See Mr. Machinery Operator). My favorite has to be Liberty Calls! which is just as manic and brilliant as anything Watt has done. Fireman Hurely is a cool tune, too. Especially if you are a fan of Georgies.

This is a great album to put on at a reasonable volume and enjoy with a good red wine and a pack of cigarettes. Surprising, yet familiar all at once. Is it as flat out rock as Ball Hog or Tugboat? No, And cleary, I don't think Watt wanted it that way. Do some of the tunes go a little spacey and sound very Dos inflected? Yes, but, this is an album which is meant to be taken in its entirerty, not a song at a time. Enjoy!

This is Something Else!.......2001-03-09

I remember opening the door to a friend's house one night in '86 and staring at Fidel Castro on the porch. Fidel said, "Someone told us we might be able to crash here tonight." Well I knew this was MIke Watt because the Minutemen were in town opening for REM. We got the best show as they played most of the tunes from Double Nickles on the acoustic guitars hanging around. Mike and D fought over the twelve string. Anyway as much as I loved the Minutemen from records and numerous shows in DC, I somehow forgot about Mike Watt in the past decade (not much of a fIREHOSE fan). I came to this set via a NEls Cline discography. Nels is the great guitar player on this album (check out his Interstellar Space Revisited for the most amazing guitar work you ever heard).

The songs are extremely well written and played. At first I was a little put off by Watt's speech/singing but it really works well with the music and the concept.

Being a fan of avant garde jazz, I find most rock music to be pretty boring. Most is pretty poorly crafted, with rather bland arrangements and stupid lyrics. I hope to find more things of this quality but I seriously doubt I'll find much. This at least gives me some hope for the genre.

Engine
Average customer rating:

One of the best heavy albums I own

It grows like creeping ivy

Fates Warning it ain't ... good straight-up metal it is

needs a little more turbocharging

Firing on all cylinders

Engine
Engine
Manufacturer: Metal Blade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Superholic

The Fullness of Time

Redemption

The Origins of Ruin

Live in Athens

ASIN: B00001IV9E
Release Date: 1999-09-21

Tracks:

Monster
Alone
Falling Star
Taste
I Don't Need
Teach Me
Bear Your Cross
Tree Of Life
You're Awake

Customer Reviews:

One of the best heavy albums I own.......2006-03-07

Engine is the first solo effort from Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder and it's the first time we've ever been exposed to his excellent musical writing ability. (Since then, he's penned a handful of songs for the last two Fates Warning albums - FWX and Disconnected which were some of the best songs on those albums in my opinion.) This is the kind of album that you'll like from the first listen. It's less progressive than Fates Warning and relies heavily of creative hooks. Each song is carefully and artfully crafted and every song on the album works well together. I'm impressed with Alder's songwriting ability and hope to hear much more from him in the future. Highly recommended!

It grows like creeping ivy.......2001-06-24

That should be a compliment. I really like Fates Warning. I was happily surprised to find this sticking out of the 'E' bin. At first, it was a little less than I had wanted. Key word there: wanted. I found out through a few more spins that what I wanted should have nothing to do with the great disc that I was given. It's just a really great metal CD. Too many side projects get infected by the 'home sound' and can suffer. Engine could be just a new metal band ready to take on the road. They stand well apart from Fates and squeeze all they can from this one-shot. Heavy and moody, it works best on a rainy day when you want to brood.

Fates Warning it ain't ... good straight-up metal it is.......2000-10-21

This is a very good album ... taken for what it is: a metal album. No orchestrations, no complex time-changes, no ballads (!), no keyboards (well ... not really) -- it isn't progressive and it isn't power metal, and it isn't meant to be. The vocals are still very strong and enjoyable, though I don't think Ray's voice is on par with his more operatic Fates Warning style. The music is moody, brooding, and heavy -- bordering on visceral, but not that harsh. Years back I would have loved this album even more probably, now its aggressiveness is almost a little too much for me, but not so that I can't recognize how good it is. A solid buy for metal fans, in my opinion.

needs a little more turbocharging.......2000-08-19

this collabo between armored saint's joey vera and fates warning's ray alder rocks. all it needs is a little more turbo- charging(a second guitar player)and it will be better. why deal with mainstream trash like the boy bands and the alternaivetive (that's right: alternaivetive: those bands don't have a clue of what's going on)junk, plus the rap, r&b,and dance that are grammy winners. throw that trash in the dumpster and get yourself an engine

Firing on all cylinders.......2000-08-08

Engine as the name might suggest, is stripped-down metal taken to the barest essentials. Its not ground-breaking or earth-shattering, but its damn good and damn listenable. Gone are the constantly-shifting time signatures and complex percussive arrangements of Fates Warning. Lead vocalist Ray Alder neatly acquits himself here, Engine's at least as good and even better that _Parallels_ or _Inside_Out_, and at points its definitely on par with some of the best moments past _Perfect_Symmetry_. Its groovier, brooding, power metal, much simpler and heavier, sometimes bordering on the funk-thrash of Death Angel. The tracks "Monster", "You're Awake" and the devastating "Teach Me" are ample evidence of the Engine redlining. But there are slower moments, like "Tree of Life" and the gorgeous "Falling Star" (with some commendable textural guitar work by Mr. Bernie Versailles) that prove Engine can downshift and write a good power ballad if given free license. Sometimes the songwriting is a bit simple-minded, but in general this is really excellent and appealing stuff.

Average customer rating:

Excellent CD from the first listen!
Solid metal and perfect vocal harmony.
Ray shining on his own....
Tight and torque-heavy
"Engine" revs back into action

Superholic
Engine
Manufacturer: Metal Blade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Engine
The Fullness of Time
Redemption
The Origins of Ruin
Live in Athens

ASIN: B000065VA3
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Tracks:

Losing Ground
Suffocated
I Know
The Perfect Star
Superholic
Fascination Street
1 A.M.
Home
Realize
Save Me
Mine

Customer Reviews:

Excellent CD from the first listen!.......2002-12-05

The second release from Ray Alder, lead singer of Fates Warning, drives hard from the first track, and doesn't let up. This high-octane blend of tunes sets itself apart from most hard rock albums by its catchy grooves, memorable melodies, and the singer's distinctive style. From the very first listen this CD is addictive and enjoyable. The musicians on this CD are all seasoned veterans and no stranger to the music studio. The songs are well written and creative. The lyrics are introspective and never corny like a lot of similar bands. Searing and beautiful vocals abound on songs like The Perfect Star and Home. Most every song on this CD has a memorable melody line that will stick in your head. There's just not a bad song on this CD. Producer (and bass player) Joey Very did an exceptional job pulling this CD together and maintaining a great sound throughout the entire CD. Instruments are well mixed and thoughtfully processed. As a sound engineer, I'm very impressed by Joey's production work. Overall, I think I like this CD a bit better than Engine's first release (which was a great CD on it's own!)... In fact, I'd put this in my top 10 "desert island" category. If you like hard rock, this CD is highly recommended!

Solid metal and perfect vocal harmony........2002-06-23

Ray Alder's voice is amazing and will always make a good CD even better. The first CD was very good "Falling Star" and "Tree of Life" were and still are my favorites. The new one "Superholic" is much heavier and louder. The first two tracks are proof to that fact. The third "I Know" starts to show off the amazing voice that Alder is known for. "Perfect Star" is heavy that is mixed with some harmony vocals that I am so used. The rest of the CD follows a somewhat same type of mix. My favorites include "I Know", "Perfect Star", "1 A.M." - very nice melody, and "Home". I am very pleased with this master piece and I look forward to their next album. I am a Fates Warning fan to the end but it is always refreshing to hear something new and a little different from time to time. I highly recommend this CD and when you get it play it very loud. Thanks for your time and I hope I helped some.

Ray shining on his own...........2002-06-01

The first thing you have to do when you listen to this disc is remember....this is NOT Fates Warning....

Are we all set...ok...Being the Fates fan that I am...as soon as I saw Ray's first Engine project I bought that...and I knew about this one from being on the Fates and Engine websites on a daily basis...but to the music...

Ray tries to be more raw...more aggresive and less clean with his vocal work...The rest of the band has remained the same...Fates' Joey Vera on bass...Ray's buddy Bernie Versailles on guitar, and Pete Parada on drums..

The first 2 tracks establish a dense distortion and aggressive tone...steadfast Fates fans will turn their noses up at Ray's growl...and repetitive hard guitar chords...It isn't until track 3 and 4...with I know and Perfect Star that Ray starts to flex his vocal range...

The highlights of this disc...an impressive cover of The Cure's fascination street...sped up and a little groovy...Ray's solo acoustic guitar work on 1 AM...The moving track that is Home...but my fave is what seems to me like a continuation from the first disc...from...falling star...to perfect star...both tracks make their respective discs stellar...both songs some of Ray's best stuff outside of Fates...

Thanks Ray..Joey..Bernie..and Pete...the 2nd Engine project has now made me crave another...or a new Fates disc...whatever gets to me first...

Tight and torque-heavy.......2002-05-29

I think Engine realized last time around, they had unexpectedly come up with a near-masterpiece. For _Superholic_ they have found the loose screws and tightened the bejeezus out of them. _Engine_ alternated between ultra-heavy thrashers and plaintive ballads like "Falling Star." _Superholic_ has not only the wistful acoustic ballad "1 a.m." but the album's standout "The Perfect Star", a stately, but NOT majestic - note-perfect exercise in songwriting. Okay it is majestic, but you have to subtract the cheesiness that that word inspires. Both "Superholic" and "Save Me" balance interesting electronic textures and drive a generally much more diverse collection of songs. Like the first album, it yields surprises when scrutinized, but also works very well in a disposable setting, offering instantaneously-accessible melodic hooks and thundering downtuned-old-school-beats-the-krap-out-of-nu-metal-riffs. Perhaps the most deceiving is their faithful cover of The Cure's "Fascination Street" which, with its delicate, note-perfect intro, is far more like a reverent nod than a gimmicky stab at past pop glories. The Metal Blade website capsule lauds the production by Joey Vera, and rightly so - its got the squeaky-clean aura of some Terry Date project. On Vera's meticulous soundstage, rather than straining against one another, the bass and guitar unite to become a monsterous metal riffing machine, producing gloriously bruising licks of crushing distinction. There's no room for soloing here, unless you count the occasional disconcerting roar of Bernie Versailles' wah pedal. Check your local Jim Matheos album for those. I could point the finger of influence at Sevendust, who approach them with their melodicism, or perhaps Godsmack's economical songwriting, but there is too much power-metal efficiency in the attack to really blend them easily with either. An excellent album and the perfect middle finger to the sophomore slump.

"Engine" revs back into action.......2002-05-24

3 years have passed since the amazing debut of this quartet. Their debut in 1999 still receives heavy rotation in this reviewers CD player. Since becoming a HUGE Engine fan in 1999, I've wondered as to what shape and form this band would take over the coming years. I knew that it had always been considered a side project for all involved, but had hoped that they'd continue to write, record, and perform. I spoke with Joey Vera in May of 2000 and he had advised me that they were going to begin writing for a new record in the not too distant future. Needless to say that was great news to hear. I still believe to this day that Engine's debut CD is a masterpiece and unfortunately has gone unheralded by the music community. A plethora of reasons are too blame, one of which would be extremely limited label support. Knowing that the new CD was coming in May of 2002, it was nice to see Metal Blade Records assume a larger role in marketing the new "Superholic" release. As excited as I was about this release, it has yet to captivate me as their debut had. It is a solid release and showcases the talents of this amazing quartet. However, I feel the songs are not as strong as the debut. The songs here are good, but just not as captivating as the compositions on their self titled release. The production has a tighter feel this time around with Joey Vera providing a thunderous bottom throughout the disc. Their rendition of the Cure's "Fascination Street" is excellent and the standout track for me. "I Know", "Suffocated", "Home", "The Perfect Star" are the best songs here after "Fascination Street". While it's not as stellar as their debut, I recommend this disc to all Ray Alder fans. Just don't expect the same distinctive songwriting that was showcased on Engine's debut. Perhaps in time, I will grow more attached to this disc. Hopefully I do.

Average customer rating:

Engine EP
LANGHORNE SLIM
Manufacturer: V2 Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Electric Love Letter

ASIN: B000P151ZI

Product Description

4 SONG CD EP IN ILLUSTRATED CARD SLEEVE

Average customer rating:

What The Monkees Meet SheDaisy Might Sound Like
One of the cosmic cowboy's finest albums...

From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing
Michael Nesmith
Manufacturer: Videoranch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma
Elephant Parts
Tropical Campfires
Nevada Fighter/Tantamount to Treason
And the Hits Just Keep on Comin'/Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash

ASIN: B00000E7ET
Release Date: 1972-01-01

Tracks:

Rio
Casablanca Moonlight
More Than We Imagine
Navajo Trail
We Are Awake
Wisdon Has It's Way
Love's First Kiss
The Other Room

Customer Reviews:

What The Monkees Meet SheDaisy Might Sound Like.......2004-08-19

The disco era may seem an unlikely period for Michael Nesmith, but Mike's ability to adapt showed on his eighth post-Monkees long player as here he gets funkier while retaining the ahead-of-its-time fusion of country with rock/pop, and also adds a new twist in his vocals - when he double-tracks vocals the faux-Micky Dolenz duet illusion comes back in but now he has a real live backing chorus, that includes his sometime co-composer Linda Hargrove, who flesh out some of the material quite well.

The opening track, Rio, is the most famous because it became a hit in Britain and Mike was asked to film a promotional clip for the song; he subsequently used the resulting footage as a proposal for a TV show titled Popclips that after he sold it became MTV. It is a clever fantasy piece whose influence has reached some elements of modern country in songs that ape Rio's groove and aura, particularly Jimmy Buffett's recent foray into Nashville.

Rio's follow-up, Casablanca Moonlight, continues this groove in a spirited dancy number before the album's mood shifts in the serious-toned More Than We Imagine, before the LP's two best tracks come up, the inspired cowboy ballad Navajo Trail - here Mike's backing band sound like SheDaisy to Mike's Nez-and-Micky double tracked vocal - followed by the Gretchen Wilson-flavored fantasy number We Are Awake - keep in mind that Mike hit these grooves before the SheDaisy sisters or Shania Twain were even approaching puberty.

Wisdom Has Its Way is a positive message song in the manner of some of Mike's tracks on The Prison, albiet the groove here is funky and street compared to the celestial aura of The Prison, before Mike kicks in the most disco-esque track of the album in his co-composition with James Mynor, Love's First Kiss.

The humorously frantic The Other Room is typical Nez whimsy and a good way to close out the album, yet another artistic home run for ol' Woolhat that unjustly got overlooked by time.

One of the cosmic cowboy's finest albums..........2004-07-15

This is Papa Nez ten years after the whole Monkees phenomenon broke wide open, and he's about as diverse as anyone can imagine. From the classic "Rio" (which gave him worldwide notoriety in the video field") to "Casablanca Moonlight" with all the elements of what Nez fans have come to expect, this is a fine package of tunes that sounds like it was practically effortless to make some really fine music...perfect to wake up to or if you're sitting at your computer...another couple of great places to start if you're curious about the solo works of the Liquid Paper heir: "First National Band Complete" which includes the 1970 hit "Joanne", the country rocker "Nevada Fighter" and everyone's other Nez favorite "Silver Moon"...or, if you want to hear him in full tilt boogie mode, pick up a copy of "Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma" (half of whose tunes are included in video form on his legendary "Elephant Parts" video).
Any of these albums are a great place to discover just how diverse the Monkee from Texas has really been over the years.
Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Musical masterpiece
Simply a great listen!
Skinny Puppy meets Annie?
excellent album.
Better than Engine

Convenience
Die Warzau
Manufacturer: PULSEBLACK Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Engine
Disco Rigido
Big Electric Metal Bass Face
Mythmaker
Cocked and Loaded

ASIN: B00066N5LY
Release Date: 2004-10-01

Tracks:

Crusaders
Go Going Gone
Permission
Radiation Babies
Glare
Bliss
Linoleum
Superbuick
Terrorform
Curious
Gone Chemical
Kleen
King of Rock and Roll
Come as You Are
As We Are so We Are
Shine

Album Description

Produced in their own live studio, this is the first studio album released by Die Warzau since 1995's critically acclaimed ENGINE mixed styles and genres and cemented their reputation as electronic innovators to be imitated. At the same time both the most infectious and catchy record recorded by the seminal Chicago Industrial anti-pop band, CONVENIENCE is raw, noisy and aggressive. Christie's Production has never sounded more complex and listenable while Marcus' vocal range has grown to include a depth that has not been found on an industrial recording to date. The inclusion of Abel Garibaldi and Dan Evans into the core group has built a more powerful recording presence, demonstrated readily by CONVENIENCE's easy stylistic and technical maneuvers. While lyrically, the record is self-assured and fascinating from beginning to end, the party recording atmosphere of ENGINE has been met and bested. It's been nearly ten years and the wait has been well worth it.

Customer Reviews:

Musical masterpiece.......2006-07-28

this is by far the best album that has come out over the last 2 years. i bought it when it was released and all i can say is i have been listening to it nonstop. it is a great blend of musical styles and jim marcus has to have one of the better voices out there. i would recomend this album to everyone, and can't wait for the next album that is released by Die Warzau.

Simply a great listen! .......2006-02-17

Deconstructionists will always find fault. Thus, it is not surprising that some people apparently only listened to the album for technical content and missed out on the subtleties of the whole. Of course, you'll also find crackpots that read too much into the album as well. The bottom line is that this album manages to sound, dare I say, like a pop album. However, if all pop music were this good, then I might consider "converting". Rather than being a disjoint juxtaposition of different sounds and styles, I actually think that the album has a great vibe and that it has more continuity and unity than most have given it credit for having. The album has moments where its biting, creepy, pretty, and mellow. The album probably won't be eclectic enough for puppy lovers and will probably be too pretty for most industrialites. All I know is that Die Warzau is still makes some of the most "organic" highly produced music out there. The maturity of Convenience seems to reflect that of its creators. While some music dwells on the blacks and whites ... Convenience not only includes the grays - it embraces the full sprectrum of colors.

Skinny Puppy meets Annie?.......2006-01-02

I liked this album alot the first time I listened to it. Some songs, such as Bliss (is that Chris Connelly doing a grunge voice?) or King of Rock and Roll, keep the album going at a quick pace. Unfortunately, there are some really bad ballads that just sound worse with every listen. Kleen especially annoys with its use of vocoders.

There are nice little voice samples that fade in and out of the speakers, but Skinny Puppy did this type of thing much better 20 years ago. Even the industrial "trebley" drum production sounds dated.

Not a terrible album. But not a keeper.

excellent album........2004-10-19

I've listened to this cd a few times, after receiving it in the mail yesterday, and it's been growing on me. Firstly, this album is not really industrial, although it has a few industrial sounding songs on it. You cannot really categorize this, other than saying it's "electronic".

A few of the songs reminded me of Depeche Mode a little bit, because of the vocal delivery and electronics.

What we have here is electronic/alternative that goes more experimental, or more towards straight up, listenable pop at times. That's what makes the band interesting. Not to mention, the vocals are top notch, as are the beats. If you liked "Engine," you'll like this one too. This album is less noisy than Engine and a little cleaner, but by no means too "polished." It's not quite industrial, but if you're familiar with that genre, Die Warzau, or a fan of electronic music, you'll probably like this one.

I'm still not sure how I feel about the very delicate, soft songs juxtaposed with the slightly heavier electronic stuff. Most of the songs are solid, but the flow of the album isn't perfect.

This album gets 5 stars, however, because there is just this amazing amount of complexity and mystery to it. The vocals and lyrics are exceptional too. It's one of those albums that may take a while to fully appreciate.

Better than Engine.......2004-10-11

I loved Engine. It was a quirky, weird, but beautifully musical piece of music that flowed from beginning to end and never did what you expected. When DW first started it seemed like nobody was crossing genre boundaries like they were, writing pretty music when they wanted, hard music, electro music, tribal, whatever they felt suited the song. Not that artists like Radiohead are jumping boundaries, too, maybe people will finally get what they're doing.

Conveneince picks up where Engine left off. It's great lound, but the songs are complex and interesting and the vocals are thbest Marcus has ever done. I doubt there's a pop singer on the radio today with a voice this listenable and flexible. The lyrics are usually the best parts on DW records and here they are dead perfect. This is a great record for parties, and it pulls together better than any album I've heard since Cabaret Voltaire's Code, even though the music is diverse and challenging. This album is definitely going to spawn songs that will be great 30 years from now.

And the packaging is nice as well. Good work.

Sufi Splendor: Music for Whirling Meditation

Average customer rating:

Eh...
Sensual and uplifting

Sufi Splendor: Music for Whirling Meditation
Sufi Splendor
Manufacturer: White Swan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

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3
Sufi
Sufi Music of Turkey
Rough Guide to Sufi Music
Sufi Chants From Cairo

ASIN: B00006JIDQ
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Tracks:

Allaho akbar, ya rahimo ya rahman
La illaha illa allah
Ya rabbi salli alal habib mohammaden

Album Description

The dervish's whirling is a meditation—communion and contemplation—set to music; the calm center of a spiritual cyclone. Sufi Splendor: Music for Whirling Meditation captures the music that drives this resplendent and timeless practice. Serpentine ney (flute), melodic santoor, impassioned singing and ancient frame drum form a hypnotic rhythmic engine, building in intensity and carrying the listener to whirling ecstasy. Recorded in India's Ishvani Kendra monastery, Sufi Splendor: Music for Whirling Meditation features seasoned musicians, masters of the sema'a (Sufi ceremony), performing this irresistible music that propelled the original trance dancers. The Persian mystic poet Rumi, founder of the Mevlana Dervish brotherhood, wrote, "…Music uplifts the soul to realms above. The ashes glow, the latent fires increase: We listen and are fed with joy and peace." Immensely enjoyable for straight listening, truly indispensable for inner exploration, Sufi Splendor: Music for Whirling Meditation places the listener at the tranquil heart of that latent fire.

Customer Reviews:

Eh..........2007-05-11

This CD is okay, but I don't find it as transformative as I've found other Sufi music, which sadly I do not know the names of those artists. The singer has a lovely voice and the instruments are well played but it definitely did not put me in the required state for whirling meditation which I have experience elsewhere.

Sensual and uplifting.......2004-07-25

This wonderful CD combines the sensual beauty of the middle eastern rhythyms with the uplifting, entrancing spirituality of the chants. Each of the three long tracks builds from a simple beginning, increasing in tempo and passion. This is a wonderful CD for meditation, particulary active meditation (the whirling of the title, dance, etc.). I highly recommend it for anyone interested in Sufi traditions and/or middle eastern music.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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