Common Ground

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
For the past 30 years, Paul Winter has been the foremost exponent of integrating sounds from nature into environmental-themed music to espouse an optimistic kinship with Planet Earth's myriad creatures. Fusing animal callings with jazz, orchestral, and choral arrangements, folk, and world music, Common Ground is a cohesive concept album with more than its share of beautiful music. Winter's mimicry and accompaniment of wolf and whale on soprano sax is eloquent, though the human vocal passages sometimes verge on a sanctimonious folkiness. His "best of" collection, Wolf Eyes (which features various versions of about half of Common Ground's selections), is a more consistent introduction to Winter's distinctive music. --Richard Price

Common Ground,Paul Winter Consort,A&M,Ethnic Fusion,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Popular Music,World Fusion


Common Ground

Common Ground
Common Ground
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • An album for the ages (really!)
  • music and nature at its best...
  • Ave Maris, Ave Om
  • A BEAUTIFUL, CLASSIC RECORDING
  • The Paul Winter Rosetta Stone
Common Ground
Paul Winter Consort
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Fusion & World FusionFusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
MeditationMeditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Icarus
  2. Wintersong
  3. Missa Gaia/Earth Mass
  4. Whales Alive
  5. Solstice Live!

ASIN: B000002GED
Release Date: 1989-10-20

Tracks:

  1. Ancient Voices (Nhmamusasa)
  2. Eagle
  3. Icarus
  4. The Promise Of A Fisherman (Lemanja)
  5. Ocean Dream
  6. Trio
  7. Common Ground (Velho Sermao)
  8. Lay Down Your Burden
  9. Wolf Eyes
  10. Duet
  11. Midnight (Minuet)
  12. Trilogy

Amazon.com essential recording

For the past 30 years, Paul Winter has been the foremost exponent of integrating sounds from nature into environmental-themed music to espouse an optimistic kinship with Planet Earth's myriad creatures. Fusing animal callings with jazz, orchestral, and choral arrangements, folk, and world music, Common Ground is a cohesive concept album with more than its share of beautiful music. Winter's mimicry and accompaniment of wolf and whale on soprano sax is eloquent, though the human vocal passages sometimes verge on a sanctimonious folkiness. His "best of" collection, Wolf Eyes (which features various versions of about half of Common Ground's selections), is a more consistent introduction to Winter's distinctive music. --Richard Price

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars An album for the ages (really!).......2006-01-23

I have loved this album for almost 30 years. I continue to play it for people unfamiliar with it, and it never fails to knock them out. My particular favorites are Wolf Eyes and Lay Down your Burden. Beautiful, beautiful stuff. And oh yes, Minuet, with the marvelous Susan Osborn. I bought this for my father this past Christmas (he is 84) and he told me it reminded him of why he loved Paul Winter.
I really have nothing in the way of music criticism to say here---not my field! But damn, this is good stuff.

5 out of 5 stars music and nature at its best..........2001-12-30

i've never met nor seen a concert of mr paul winter but i felt that he wrote these songs and music with all his heart..never in my life i've heard man and wildlife play not only such beautiful music but could really truly co-exist..not only a lesson for us but appreciation of "life on earth" as a whole...

5 out of 5 stars Ave Maris, Ave Om.......2001-12-20

For nearly forty years now, Paul Winter has carved a brilliant career from melding music of nature, of culture, of life, blending the various forces together to create a whole so unique and distinct, and creating a soundtrack for Unitarian Universalists around the world in the process. His strong connection to wildlife, his affinity for the earth's creatures and the music they make, is integral to his music, as is his uncanny ability to bring together so many different styles and genres, which at its most brilliant is just breathtaking, and which at its lesser moments, is brilliant just the same. COMMON GROUND is perhaps the greatest fusion of all things Paul Winter, born of a remarkable organic experience in the Summer of 1978, when he gathered several friends and musicians to his summer home and formed "the Village," out of which this album was created. The record is full of African and Brazilian rhythms, jazz stylings of oboist Paul McCandless and drummer Steve Gadd, and a trilogy of creatures-- wolf, whale, and eagle-- this is the true music of Earth.

I first heard this album when I was very, very young, probably two or three years old (I'm 21 now). At various times, the album simply returns to my life, and I'm constantly reawakened to its beauty. It opens with "Ancient Voices," a teriffic song that gradually shifts from African mbira dzavadzimu (sort of an enlargened African marimba) to a mid-tempo shuffle. And the lyrics gently introduce the entire theme of the album ("Ancient voices sing forever, guide me on my way. . . Turning spinning circle ending, Light begins the day"). "Eagle" features McCandless's soaring, sweeping oboe runs echoing the flight and call of an African Fish-Eagle. McCandless is an amazing oboist, as this piece and "Common Ground" highlight-- rare is the occasion when you can say "jazz oboist," but he pulls it off quite nicely. The more Brazilian take on Ralph Towner's "Icarus" (a Winter Consort stable) is quite lovely; this is my particular favorite arrangement, slightly ahead of the original. "The Promise Of A Fisherman (Iemanja)" is teriffic, a slow, majestic chant to the Candomble goddess set against frantic, rhythmic percussion; a very nice juxtaposition. And the song is a brilliant segue into the album's centerpiece, the wondrous "Ocean Dream." This is my favorite song on the album, an ode to the mysterious, beautiful creature, the whale (specifically, the humpback whale, whose call is heard throughout the song). What is so amazing about this song is, the chords and melody are based around the whalesongs, they're singing to the whales, and almost vice versa. The lyrics echo the childlike fascination and wonder Winter seems to hold for these creatures-- "Ocean child, come now home, holy wonder, wholly one; Ancient song, call me home, ave maris, ave om." And the song ends with Winter's soprano sax echoing the whale's calls. Beautiful. "Trio" represents the human side of the whale/eagle/wolf trio, later echoed on the final song, "Trilogy." It's a very subtle conclusion to the first side, and a nice short afterthought following "Ocean Dream."

Side Two opens with the rousing "Common Ground," an uplifting, spiritual piece with some teriffic solos and a thunderous Steve Gadd rhythm. Once again, the oboe solo in the middle of the song is absolutely breathtaking. Calming down a little bit, the next piece is the ethereal, soul-clensing "Lay Down Your Burden." Susan Osborne's voice is so emotional, and the song is so captivating, it draws you in and gently releases you at the song's conclusion. The best line, in my opinion, is "Sing with the choirs that surround you, and dance to the music in your soul; Look into the eyes that really see you; Place all that you have into that bowl." It's a call to one's soul, to be willing to sacrifice all and go with your own spirit. I love that idea. "Wolf Eyes" is a rather sad piece, very intriguing since generally, in pop culture, wolves are regarded as rather fierce, canniving creatures (this was before "Never Cry Wolf" and the incessant early-90's Disney G-rated Alaskan wildlife family adventures of course); here, the wolf is almost pitied, as the poem in the sleeve notes seems to emphasize ("The wolf had amber eyes/That stared out/The back of a station wagon"). And then, the most spine-tingling moment of the album, "Duet," a music duet between wolf and saxophone recorded live in the Village. It's just incredible (and additionally, showcases Winter's remarkable sense of pitch!). A reprise of "Minuit (Midnight)," first heard on the ICARUS album, is almost better, primarily for the addition of Osborne's "Midnight has come, I hear music, and I keep on singing" chant featured at the end of the piece. The album ends with Trilogy, blending the three animal voices together (remarkably, they were all in the same key), with but one organ note. An amazing ending to an amazing album.

This is my favorite Paul Winter album. Others worth hearing, especially if you enjoy this release (and I surely hope you do), include ICARUS, CANYON, and EARTH: VOICES OF A PLANET. All of his works either expand or follow the themes presented on this album, but in my opinion, it was with COMMON GROUND that Winter fused them best. A Must Own.

5 out of 5 stars A BEAUTIFUL, CLASSIC RECORDING.......2001-11-28

Of all of the fine music associated with Paul Winter over his long and illustrious career, this is by far my favorite. Critics can scoff if they like and toss him into the 'New Age' bin -- but there's so much more to his music than most of the recordings you'll find there.

Cutting his teeth in jazz, and combining his seemingly endless talent and imagination with his love of the earth and its inhabitants -- human and animal alike -- Winter has, over the years, consistently produced melodic, interesting albums that are challenging and comfortable at the same time. Always surrounding himself with stellar musicians -- a cast that has changed over the years, always first-rate -- he has continuously managed to transform his vision and emotion into some of the finest music of our age.

The ultimate tool that has allowed him to maintain his integrity is, I believe, his honesty. There is absolutely no element of pretense in his art -- he feels strongly and deeply about what he's doing, and it's present in every note. He combines various styles of ethnic music from around the world -- African, Brazilian, Native American and more -- with elements of jazz and classical music and sounds from nature (the wolf, the eagle, the whale) into a mix that comes together in such a way as to be seamless. It's as if they were made to fit together -- an audio metaphor for how we should live with each other and with the planet.

There is a comfort and serenity to this music -- and there is joy and rhythm and life. It's almost like a celebratory prayer -- a prayer of thanks for what we've been given in the form of the natural world and its peoples, and a prayer of hope that we don't throw it all away. It's a breathtakingly beautiful, stunning document.

5 out of 5 stars The Paul Winter Rosetta Stone.......2000-11-23

Paul Winter is an artist who successfully reinvents himself each time he finds new and fresh talent to bring to his Consort or his Earth Band. (His most recent discovery, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, an Anatolian vocalist and percussionist, can be heard to great effect on two new Living Music albums, "Journey With The Sun" and "Every Day is a New Life." These new releases serve to document Winter's long-standing commitment to original, high-quality "world" music, which, in large part, began with "Common Ground.")

"Common Ground" is a transitional album, made in 1977 after the original Paul Winter Consort, due to "artistic differences," split into Oregon (Paul McCandless, Collin Walcott, Ralph Towner and Glenn Moore) and the later Paul Winter Consort that was to begin with his "Callings" album in 1980. Produced over a full summer's worth of creative activity, it features artists from both the old group (McCandless, David Darling, Janet Johnson) and the Consort of the "future" (Susan Osborn, Oscar Castro-Neves, Jim Scott, Steve Gadd and others). It is the Rosetta Stone, the "connective tissue," if you like, to these two rather disparate groups.

A few of the pieces here ("Icarus," "Minuit") are Paul Winter Consort cornerstones that have stood the test of time and transmogrification, still as fresh today as they were more than 25 years ago. The opening track, "Ancient Voices," is a collaboration with Paul Berliner, based on the latter's "Nhmamusasa" that appears on his "Zimbabwe: The Soul of Mbira" album, an early foray of Winter's into world music that continues to this day with Arto Tunchoyaciyan. There are a few tracks ("Eagle," "Common Ground") where Paul McCandless soars on oboe as only he can. His riffs on "Common Ground" simply have to be heard to be believed. "The Promise of a Fisherman" ("Iemanja"), an Afro-Brazilian chant, which was to later find a very comfortable home in Winter's "Missa Gaia" (Earth Mass), features lyrics by Ivan Lins, one of the early founders (with Castro-Neves and Winter) of the Bossa Nova movement.

But there is one overriding, compelling reason for my writing about this album, and that is the introduction of Susan Osborn as a vocalist to be reckoned with. Susan's "Lay Down Your Burden" (with Castro-Neves on Rodgers touring organ) is a blues/gospel classic. On this track, Oscar lays down his own blues chords which, quite frankly, are some of the best I've ever heard. And Susan's voice simply knocked me sideways.

I expect that Susan will have the same effect on you. Now, isn't that reason enough for you to get this classic album?

Bob Zeidler
Common Ground: Voices of Modern Irish Music
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Where do we get more like this??
  • Uncommon music
  • An eclectic intro to Irish music
  • A primer for modern irish music
  • Sharon Shannon
Common Ground: Voices of Modern Irish Music
Various , Bono , and Sinead O'Connor
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  3. The Rising of the Moon: Irish Songs of Rebellion
  4. Sean-Nos Nua
  5. Rodrigo y Gabriela (with Bonus DVD)

ASIN: B000002U4V
Release Date: 1996-06-11

Tracks:

  1. O' Bhean A'Ti - Maire Brennan
  2. Mary Of The South Seas - Tim and Neil Finn
  3. Tomorrow - Bono And Adam Clayton
  4. Cavan Potholes - Sharon Shannon
  5. Help Me To Believe - Paul Brady
  6. On Reglan Road - Sinead O'Connor
  7. As I Roved Out - Brian Kennedy
  8. The Night Before Larry Was Stretched - Elvis Costello
  9. Mna' Na H-eireann - Kate Bush
  10. Whistling Low/Errigal - Davy Spillane And Donal Lunny
  11. My Heart's Tonight In Ireland - Andy Irvine
  12. Cathain - Liam O Maonlai
  13. Bogie's Bonnie Bell - Christy Moore

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Where do we get more like this??.......2003-11-08

My husband and I both just love this CD ~ something in it's rich and varied musical geography is guaranteed to touch a chord in you! The music varies from primal to modern, alternating styles from frolicking folk songs to yearning love ballads. I can't imagine not owning this CD!!

5 out of 5 stars Uncommon music.......2002-09-24

I listen to this CD at work all the time. It is different, uplifting, and never boring. In addition to a few familiar voices, this collection of modern Irish music has many songs that I humm to myself throughout the day.

5 out of 5 stars An eclectic intro to Irish music.......2000-08-26

This is a great collection, both for afficianados of Irish music and those who are just beginning to build their collection. It features recordings by some of the brightest stars of Irish pop and traditional music. There are well-known names here, including Bono, Kate Bush, Elvis Costello, and Sinead O'Connor, but the best part of the CD comes with the lesser known Irish artists, like Maire Brennan (lead singer of Clannad), Paul Brady, Davy Spillane, Christy Moore, and Sharon Shannon. There's no way this CD could ever be complete - there are too many wonderful Irish artists to fit on one CD. But this is a pretty good start. They should release a sequel, though, and include some of the newer Irish artists, like Sinead Lohan and the Corrs.

5 out of 5 stars A primer for modern irish music.......2000-02-08

This is probably the best album out there for people interested in the rich music culture that is Ireland. It provides a mix of modern talent, with traditional songs. And its the one irish compilation album that doesn't have the great Chieftans or Tommy Makem. (not that there is any thing wrong with those legends)

5 out of 5 stars Sharon Shannon.......1999-11-23

Track 4 on this album is amazing. Sharon Shannon's talent is quite remarkable. If you can't get tickets to see her in person, this is a great substitute. The rest, well it's well worth the purchase
Common Ground
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Even though C.D. cover damaged - the 2nd free C.D. did the trick.
  • Must have Jazz CD
  • Just wounderful
  • it's great!
  • I was never a Jazz fan until I listened to this CD. I am now
Common Ground
Everette Harp
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Smooth JazzSmooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
Orchestral PopOrchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
Blue Note RecordsBlue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Smooth JazzSmooth Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
GeneralGeneral | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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  1. Better Days
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  4. Everette Harp
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ASIN: B000005HE3
Release Date: 1994-07-12

Tracks:

  1. Strutt - Sheila E.
  2. Feel So Right
  3. Jeri's Song - Jeffrey Osbourne
  4. You Make Me Feel Brand New
  5. Stay With Me
  6. I'm Sorry
  7. Sending My Love
  8. Love You To The Letter
  9. Perfect Day
  10. Where Do We Go
  11. Coming Home
  12. Common Ground - Branford Marsalis
  13. Song For Toots

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Even though C.D. cover damaged - the 2nd free C.D. did the trick........2007-05-17

Otherwise impressed with the service.

5 out of 5 stars Must have Jazz CD.......2006-05-14

For all you guys out there who are not into Jazz buy this CD and you will forever remain hooked. This is one of the best Jazz CD i have ever had tracks like Jeri's Song and the one with Jeffrey Osborne are mind blowing. I don't think anyone would regret buying this CD.

5 out of 5 stars Just wounderful.......2003-04-22

This cd by Everette Harp is one of the best I have heard by any Jazz Fusion artist, it is truely Everette Harp at his best.

5 out of 5 stars it's great!.......2001-09-03

I've had this CD for several years now and love it. Esp. the song Strut, and the song I'm Sorry. The whole CD is fantastic.

5 out of 5 stars I was never a Jazz fan until I listened to this CD. I am now.......1998-11-22

Everette Harp is excellent. After listening to this album, I bought his other three. All are great. I never listened to Jazz before listening to his CD. I now listen all the time!!

Steve.
Common Ground
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Good album...just a few corrections
  • Were U-2 was headed
  • Greatest Under-rated band ever next to Extreme!!!
  • Terrific Political Rock from the early '90's
Common Ground
Rhythm Corps
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000008JZN
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

  1. Father's Footsteps
  2. I Surrender
  3. Solidarity
  4. Common Ground
  5. Streets on Fire
  6. Cold Wire
  7. Giants
  8. Faith and Muscle
  9. Perfect Treason
  10. Revolution Man

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good album...just a few corrections.......2006-11-20

Just to correct another review, this actually came out in '88 or '89. I know I used "Fathers Footsteps" in a video project in the summer of '89 (using footage of a ceremony at the Iwo Jima monument in DC.)

They did release one OTHER album in the early 90's, but it's not near as good as this one. I've also heard they released an album under the name Ferral Child.

I wouldn't really say these guys SOUND like U2, but it's definately in the same genre. For a real U2 clone that's almot impossible to find, check out Cactus World News' album "Urban Beaches". I don't think Amazon even has an out-of-print listing. Both of these bands were on "major labels" (Sony & MCA) which probably wouldn't happen today.

I wish these labels would re-release some of these albums from the cassette era. I actually just finished transfered both of these cassettes (along with The Unforgiven, a cowboy-rock group that was on Elektra) because they were the last few albums I haven't been able to track down on CD. I can't believe that at least a limited run of some of these albums couldn't be profitable, but the major labels don't want to mess with something that they're only going to sell a couple thousand of.

5 out of 5 stars Were U-2 was headed.......2006-05-17

Rhythm Corps debut album Common Ground is a desert island pick. It is a shame few people have ever heard of them or this album. First time I heard it 16 years ago, I thought it was U-2. It sounds like a Volume II of the Joshua Tree, solid lyrics, solid instruments and searing vocals. The album is full of energy and politcal protest, This band was a staple in Detroit and throughout Canada, a true one hit wonder, that deserved much better support. Anybody that enjoys politcally charged music needs to check out this album.

5 out of 5 stars Greatest Under-rated band ever next to Extreme!!!.......2004-01-27

The late eighties were graced with the company of the Rhythm Corp. Many bands have one or two hit songs, but very rarely do you ever come accross an album that you can listen to full way throug a billion times without ever getting sick of it. From one musician to music lovers, I strongly urge you to check this cd out!!!

5 out of 5 stars Terrific Political Rock from the early '90's.......2004-01-15

i have loved Rhythm Corps ever since i saw the video for the song Common Ground. unfortunately, the listening public never really took a hold of this group (the're from Detroit i think). anyway, if you can find a copy of this debut album, do yourself a favor and snag it. strong, soaring vocals, wonderful musicianship, politically driven lyrics (keep in mind, this album came out very early '90's.) and heavy drums make this CD an old island pick. anyway, that's my two cents....i hope somebody out there reads this. i was actually surpirsed amazon even had Rhythm Corpsin their database!

peace,

cic
Common Ground
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Please enter a title for your review
  • Holy Cr*p
  • Drowing in circles.
  • Uncommon Sound
  • gets better with each listen
Common Ground
Sunset Black
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Alternative MetalAlternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00006GFBU
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Tracks:

  1. Standing
  2. The Wait
  3. Timing Is Reason
  4. Next In Line
  5. This Place
  6. Drowning
  7. Silent Regrets
  8. You're Beraking
  9. You Pretend
  10. Empty Promises
  11. What I Do
  12. Last Song

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Please enter a title for your review.......2006-03-27

This is like a cross between Creed and Hopesfall. The vocals are the typical overly masculine radio rock croon, which I'm really not into, but I like this album despite it. This really is a unique, unprecedented blend of emo and post-grunge alt-rock, which on paper sounds like a bad idea, and in light of bands like Story Of The Year has proven to be, but these guys' understanding that rhythm is just important as melody gives their songwriting a vital spark that most bands in both the post-grunge alt-rock and power-pop emo scenes are lacking.

5 out of 5 stars Holy Cr*p.......2005-10-22

This has got to be the best and coolest sounding band I have heard in forever. All I can say is "when is the next album comeing out" because I can't get enough of this stuff. If you like the Nu-Metal sound, but are longing for something a little more unique and different, this is the band for you. It's both dark and omminous and energetic at the same time. The rythyms, hooks and beats are infectious. You cant just listen to this thing once in a while. This is a mainstay in the player and I have just about burned mine out. We all long for something that is a little different but not weird or too extreme. This is the ticket. It is lyrically relatable and hits a cord with the common person. Its well arranged to maintain a consistet mood or vibe throughout the recording and is mixed well so that you can understand the singer. The rythym guitars are very unique in sound and tone, setting an atmosphere that keeps your ear interested on every track. All around, these guys are very accomplished for a new band on the scene. They have a great career ahead of them if they keep with this style. I always hate it when a band tries to change their sound to keep up with the current style of the times or just to be different than their last effort. If you find a sound that works right for you the first time....STICK WITH IT PLEASE!!!! New bands have soured me in the past on their second album by doing this. My favorite songs are Standing which comes out swinging right off the bat and Your Breaking. Hell, they're all good. This is one of those few albums you can listen to without skipping a track because it's Ho-Hum or changes the mood of the album right in the middle of things. I never rated an album before because I have so much music and no time to pass the word. Let me tell you this. I have turned some friends on to this band and the reaction has always been "Holy Crap, Who Are These Guys". This stuff is kickin'.

5 out of 5 stars Drowing in circles........2004-08-09

I have to give a huge Kudos to my friend Aaron in Thornton, CO for hooking me up on these guys. This band is one of those word-of-mouth bands that seems to have that old axiom "word-of-mouth is the best advertisement" working very well in their favor. I can't really call these guys punk although they have some of that flair in their sound. It's just very minute, which I can handle because I am not a fan of punk.

No offense to you punk fans out there, I respect it, I just don't prefer it.

These air raids that are the guitar walls of this band just drilled me to the core. I was extremely impressed and am still awaiting the second release due out sometime this year I think.

Pick it up, you'll see what I'm waiting on.

4 out of 5 stars Uncommon Sound.......2003-11-11

A quick preview of this disc leaves you with the impression that Sunset Black is another garage-based punkish band that listened to a lot of Bad Religion. Further listens really open up a catchy disc that really shows more maturity than most contemporary punk these days.

I use the term punk loosely when referring to this disc. Instead of punk rock, Sunset Black could be considered more of a rock-punk band, calling forth hints of the Goo Goo Dolls, Husker Dü, and Smashing Pumpkins. The one thing that all of those bands share, of course, is the ability to craft songs rather that mindlessly bash out power chords. Sunset Black is of the same mind.

Another band from the Midwest-and there certainly seems to be a slew of them emerging in the last few years (i.e. Slipknot, Disturbed, Taproot, blah, blah, blah)-Sunset Black sheds the shtick that goes with the coastal music communities, delivering a more honest, perhaps more heartfelt and sincere album. They are like the Garrison Keillor of rock and roll, spitting out big hooks and honest lyrics from the outskirts of Lake Wobegon.

While Florida nu-meddlers, Nonpoint, have openly proclaimed their support and appreciation of Sunset Black and taken them out on tour, they just don't fit in with that crowd. In fact, there have been handful of newer bands like Trapt, Pressure 4-5, Alien Ant Farm, Papa Roach in a pinch, that Sunset Black would be better suited to tour with.

Does it bowl you over at first listen? No. Second listen? Maybe not even then. But what these guys offer, that seems to be missing from much corporate rock, is something new to be discovered on each listen. Mature beyond their debut years, these lads. I would like to say that Sunset Black will bust out with their next album, but sadly, I don't think it will happen. This band is on the verge of being radio friendly, but not quite enough and that has been the kiss of death for many a band, because when you're hard to define, you become easier to dismiss.

I like 'em. In an effort to support indie rock, so should you.

5 out of 5 stars gets better with each listen.......2003-05-18

When I first picked this CD up, it was mostly based on word of mouth, because I hadn't actually heard this band. Normally I tend to make a habit of listening to at least a few songs before I lay down well-earned cash for it, but I felt something different with Sunset Black.

After hearing the first track, "Standing," I was intrigued. Their sound has an appealing mainstream-accessible edge, but not to the point of unabashed aim for the most airtime on the radio. These guys are clearly in it for the music, as their lyrics strongly proclaim.

"Next In Line" is probably my favorite few minutes on this release, with its great hook and emotionally-driven chorus. "This Place" is an interesting aggro-ballad, while "Silent Regrets" and "You Pretend" will win the hearts of emo-rock enthusiasts. But, this isn't stereotyped emo-kid pop; these lyrics about self-development and keeping the things in your life that matter most suggest a much more worldly view.

The beautiful "You're Breaking," the heartfelt "What I Do," and the mini-epic "Last Song" round out the disc into a mature, emotional, hard-rocking debut album from a band whose potential is limitless.
Common Ground: Country Songs of Faith, Love & Inspiration
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Common Ground: Country Songs of Faith, Love & Inspiration
    Various Artists
    Manufacturer: Sony
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music
    New TraditionalistNew Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Country | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Compilations | Country | Styles | Music
    ContemporaryContemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    Contemporary ChristianContemporary Christian | Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    Christian Contemporary MusicChristian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    1990s1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music
    1990-19991990-1999 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
    CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Christian General | Christian & Gospel | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Christian General | Christian & Gospel | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Believe: Songs Of Faith From Today's Top Country & Christian Artists
    2. Three Wooden Crosses

    ASIN: B000002BDC
    Release Date: 1995-10-17

    Tracks:

    1. Sunday In The South - Shenandoah
    2. Life Can Turn On A Dime - Rick Trevino
    3. A Bible And A Bus Ticket Home - Collin Raye
    4. Same Ol' Love - Ricky Skaggs
    5. She Stays - Ricky Van Shelton/Andy Landis
    6. Faith In Me, Faith In You - Doug Stone
    7. Left Hand Of God - Ron Wallace
    8. A Handful Of Dust - Patty Loveless
    9. Doctor Jesus - Ken Mellons
    10. Walk On Faith - Mike Reid

    Amazon.com

    No matter if one is a true believer or an disbeliever, the pleasure of listening to religious music is hearing someone proclaim his or her faith with genuine passion. Whether it's Ralph Stanley singing high and lonesome about his Christianity or Mahalia Jackson wailing low and powerful about hers, whether it's Bob Marley crying in a Jamaican patois about Haile Selassie or Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan singing in Urdu about Allah, the best religious music shares the contagious, thrilling conviction that the singer's god is the most important thing in his or her life. And that passion is too often missing from "Common Ground: Country Songs of Faith, Love & Inspiration," the new anthology of gospel songs by country stars on the Sony labels. --Geoffrey Himes
    Common Ground
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Common Ground
      Tom Chapin
      Manufacturer: Gadfly
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
      Traditional FolkTraditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Children's Music | Styles | Music
      EducationalEducational | Children's Music | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Children's Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      Children's EducationalChildren's Educational | Children's Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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      1. Let Me Back into Your Life
      2. Join the Jubilee
      3. Some Assembly Required
      4. Family Tree
      5. Around the World & Back Again

      ASIN: B000056NZS
      Release Date: 2001-02-13

      Tracks:

      1. Common Ground
      2. Not Tired Of Love
      3. Love Me Tonight
      4. Story Of A Life
      5. Bob Marley's Orphan Son
      6. My Electronic Vacation
      7. The Singer Is The Song
      8. 12 String Ramble
      9. Uncle Wally's Tale
      10. Martha & Oprah
      11. A Jangle In The Air
      12. Roll On Your Way
      Common Ground
      Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
      • Music is too popish and contrite
      Common Ground
      David Tyler Martin
      Manufacturer: Solid Discs
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B00000676W
      Release Date: 1998-04-21

      Tracks:

      1. Truly Free
      2. Who You Are
      3. What Will I Do
      4. Who Am I
      5. You Don't Wanna See Me
      6. Understand
      7. Far From Lorraine
      8. Without You
      9. Through All The Season
      10. Bring Back Your Love
      11. Still In My Heart

      Customer Reviews:

      2 out of 5 stars Music is too popish and contrite.......1999-07-09

      I didn't enjoy this cd--it was too bubblegum and most of the songs were very "singsongish". Sounds like an amateur to me.
      Common Ground
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • reduce stress and cure headaches without pills
      Common Ground
      Douglas Spotted Eagle
      Manufacturer: Natural Visions
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Native AmericanNative American | North America | International | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
      MeditationMeditation | New Age | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      North AmericaNorth America | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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      1. Stand at the Center
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      4. Voices
      5. Human Rites

      ASIN: B000001IXE
      Release Date: 1994-10-19

      Tracks:

      1. We Are All The Same
      2. Worlds Beyond Home
      3. Scarborough Fair/Canterbury Road
      4. FingersPaint
      5. Tearing Down The Walls
      6. Cinnamon Skin
      7. Whenever You Leave
      8. Peace Be The Journey
      9. Amanda Rae
      10. Textures
      11. Milwaukee Nights
      12. FisheDance
      13. One Quiet Night
      14. Common Ground

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars reduce stress and cure headaches without pills.......2002-01-04

      This cd is amazing. I use it when i have the worse headaches in the world. You know the type that pills don't stop...they are like migraines but worse because nothing helps them to go away....UNTIL NOW!

      This cd is has special powers or something.....by the 3rd song my headache is usually gone and i can finally relax and let go of the stress that is getting to me.

      The Native American chanting and the flute are so soothing that you can't help but relax. this is a must have cd for anyone! If you suffer from stress and need soothing music, Like Native American music, or you like new age music like Enya. This this CD is a must have. actually all of his cd's are good. But this is my Fave!
      Io
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • Accidents are great
      • Io
      Io
      Micronaut
      Manufacturer: Positron
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
      ElectronicaElectronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      ElectronicaElectronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. Europa

      ASIN: B00004ZDQI
      Release Date: 2003-06-03

      Tracks:

      1. Fifty Feet
      2. Infrared
      3. Hi Gain
      4. Ioncannon
      5. 5 x 5
      6. Cold Water
      7. Go No Go
      8. Dig This
      9. Fly By
      10. Northern Style Kung Fu [drunken master remix]

      Album Description

      Io, the second release from Micronaut, finds the common ground between breakbeat and trance with a generous dose of NASA thrown in for good measure.

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Accidents are great.......2001-01-07

      I too stumbled onto this group while messing around with.... and I love their music. It is great techno and the beats are great. Pick up any of these albums, they've got me hooked. Quick phat beats, great for when you are partying too.

      4 out of 5 stars Io.......2000-12-31

      I found this band by accident but am glad that I did. A very interesting combination of sounds that I haven't tired of yet. Not like some of the other techno stuff that all seems to run together after awhile, very interesting use of tape loops from NASA.

      Pop Music:

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      7. Feather Light
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      10. Guitar Meditations

      Pop Music

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