MYTH

Editorial Reviews
Helen Uphoff -WFDD
"The perfect cross between Enigma and Deep Forest",

Product Description
If you believe world music must progress, then MYTH may be the direction you see it going. MYTH is an amazing album featuring BBC samples from numerous African tribes, strong tribal rhythms, and visionary ambient melodies. Already drawing comparisons to Deep Forest and Enigma, this album is sure to become one of your favorites.

MYTH,Myth,Etherean,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,World Music

MYTH

Tracks:

(Intro)
Hollywood
So Hard To Find My Way
Just As Well
Cold Black Devil/14 Miles
Never Satisfied
Love Song; 2:00 AM
When You're Walking Away
I'm So Gone
Closer To You
I'll Let You In
Farewell, So Long, Goodbye
Supersede
Marigold

Amazon.com

This young Californian has apparently suffered from a case of mistaken artistic identity in his attempts to forge his own. The blazing guitar chops on this album's "Cold Black Devil/14 Miles" show why some consider him among the most promising of a new generation of bluesslingers, yet much of the material makes him sound more like a young Bob Dylan than the next Stevie Ray Vaughan. Though Dylan comparisons rarely do a developing artist any favors, it's hard to avoid them with the majestic, 10-minute build of "Supersede." Elsewhere, the horn arrangements of "So Hard to Find My Way" and "Close to You" evoke Van Morrison's California days, while the riffing of "Farewell, So Long, Goodbye" rocks like the Rolling Stones. Much of the rest is acoustic balladry that finds Greene achieving a musical intimacy that resists easy comparisons. A multi-instrumentalist featured on organ and piano as well as a variety of guitars, Greene benefits from the musical support of bassist Davey Faragher (Cracker) and drummer Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello's Attractions) and empathic production by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos). As a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, he's more than the sum of his very good influences. --Don McLeese

Album Description

American Myth features multi-instrumentalist Greene on vocals, guitars, dobro, piano, harmonica, and percussion. He is also joined by a top-notch band of Pete Thomas (drums, percussion, trash can), Davey Faragher (vocals, bass), both of whom are members of Elvis Costello's longtime group, The Imposters; and Val McCallum (vocals, guitars, banjo, slide guitar, baritone). Steve Berlin also contributes with turns on mellotron, vibes, and percussion, and the whole group is joined by a number of guest musicians including a slamming horn section on four of the album's tracks.

From the swamp-like feel of the anthemic opener "Hollywood," the record rolls right into the rollicking "So Hard to Find My Way." Greene shows off his range by cranking it up on the in-your-face "I'm So Gone" and the heartland rock of "Farewell, So Long, Goodbye" and dialing it back on the album's meditative "Love Song 2 a.m." and the wistful "Never Satisfied."

Greene's inspired songwriting, mastery of wordplay, and flawless composition technique are showcased throughout American Myth. Nowhere is that more evident than on the exquisite "Supersede," a catchy, melodic epic. Other standout tunes on the album include the powerful blues-soaked rocker "Cold Black Devil/14 Miles" and the plaintive "When You're Walking Away."

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2007-04-24

I just recently went to a concert in Kitchener Canada to see Buddy Guy. We did not know if there was an opening act, but when we arrived we all were pleasantly surprised to find Jackie Greene up on stage. He would go from the piano to the guitar while playing the harmonica. Absolutely amazing to see live. I would strongly recommend seeing him in concert.

I purchased American Myth from the performance that I saw that night. As I was buying it, Jackie came out to greet all his fans and to sign the albums. It was a really genuine act from him.

The car ride home from the concert we were listening to this album the whole way. It is a fantastic album. His ability to play and song write are not seen often these days. I would strongly recommend purchasing this album and if possible, seeing him live in concert. He is the next Bob Dylan of our time.

The Purr of Persuasion.......2007-03-10

"American Myth" by Jackie Greene is a terrific CD that combines strong songwriting with creative performance & arrangement. My favorite track, "So Hard to Find My Way," zoomed to #1 on my personal top ten last autumn & was on my "Soundtrack to 2006" compilation of favorite tracks. Greene hits a catchy groove complete with Stax-like horn chart & Jackie's vocal swagger, "She turns heads wherever she's walking, she never speaks, she lets her body do the talking, & she's daddy's little baby girl, but she ain't living in daddy's world." It's an upbeat gem, a classic track. "Just As Well" is another diamond with a slower pace and Greene's hushed voice -- part purr, part persuasion -- set amidst Pete Thomas' delightful percussion, "So tell me sister, what's the use; Ain't nothing but a singer, got my head up in the noose; Somebody cut me loose!" "Love Song; 2:00 AM" is a pretty track backed in folk fashion with acoustic guitar while "Cold Black Devil/14 Miles" thunders like Cream-era electric blues-rock. "Farewell, So Long, Goodbye" perks addictively as Greene cops an attitude with bold vocal bluster, "I jumped right out of your window & I fell right on the ground; I wish you would have told me that your man was still in town." Other tracks like "I'm So Gone" are also strong. This CD builds on the strengths of "Sweet Somewhere Bound" and promises much to come from this superb singer. "American Myth" sticks in your ear while it tickles you pink! Enjoy!

Are you people kidding me?.......2007-02-21

I saw this dude open for Mavis Staples last summer in SF and it was the most masturbatory, by-the-numbers, stale as croûtons show I've seen in many years. No question this guy knows how to play, but this material is just plain boring. I mean, this smug, sunglasses-wearing, vintage-guitar-collecting poser makes the Black Crowes look like the Faces. If you're really looking for some down homey sounding tube-driven rock made within the last 15 years or so, you might want to look the way of the Jayhawks or Uncle Tupelo (and their offshoots).

FANTASTIC!!!!.......2006-08-04

Not only did he deliver a new CD but it is better than his last one....he is an amazing artist..

As a Live Performer (Haven't heard the CD).......2006-07-04

Like another reviewer, I've been an amateur player a long time (40 years), although I've never written a review before.

I went to an Elvis Costello (with Allen Toussaint) concert last night at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and didn't even know there was an opening act. I believe that he was actually introduced as "Jimmy Green". I'd never heard of him, and out strolls this kid who looks 18 years old. I prepare to sleep for half an hour.

WRONG!!! This kid has serious talent. The first thing that goes through my mind is: a young Bob Dylan (but with a voice). His songwriting is that good. Then, after a couple of songs, I'm thinking: a young Bruce Springsteen, because he works so hard at weaving many influences and styles into his music. Finally, after a couple of (all-too-brief) turns on the B3, it's: a young Steve Winwood, because he's just so smooth and soulful.

Later on (the next morning), after researching this kid on the 'net, I find out that he's got about 4 albums out already, and I've never heard of him! Maybe that's what comes from living in Canada. Anyway, I also realized that you can't pigeon-hole a budding musical genius like Jackie Greene. Just listen to him, and revel in his musicianship. I'm going to run out and buy American Myth today!

Average customer rating:

Great movie, better soundtrack
great collection of unusual music
Supurb
Amazing!
excellent

Mirrormask
Iain Ballamy , Stuart Hall , Martin Sharp , Matthew Sharp , Burt Bacharach , Dave McKean , Martin France , John Parricelli , Neil Percy , Iain Bellamy , Ashley Slater , Arve Henriksen , Chris Batchelor , David Powell , Josefine Cronholm , and Neil Gaiman
Manufacturer: La-La Land Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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Customer Reviews:

Great movie, better soundtrack.......2007-05-19

I just recently saw this movie and the only thing I could think about afterwards was that I had to get this soundtrack. I'm not usually a big fan of movie soundtracks, but this cd is unlike any other out there, soundtrack or not. The use of strings and carnaval type instruments is completely unique and makes this a must by for any fan of music.

great collection of unusual music.......2007-05-07

Rented the movie on reccomendation from Netflix, it was pretty good. But the music was the star of the show. The soundtrack follows the course of the movie pretty closely, it's kind of like listening to the movie. Each track brings to mind a specific scene in the movie. One of the highlights is the ecclectic treatment of Burt Bacharach's "Close to You". Most will remember the super-sweet Carpenter's version, but this interpretation was the main reason I bought the music. Unusual augmented chord progressions and almost minimalist format (complete with the mechanical background sounds made by the female jack-in-the-box-like, life-sized, mostly metal toy dressers) make the tune as captivating as in the movie when they 'convert' the trapped Helena into the black princess. Great music to play while relaxing, too.

Supurb.......2007-03-08

This soundtrack is truly a delight to listen to. It ranges from quirky circus music to deep and melodic mysterious tunes. It is a great CD to relax to and to use as background music for most any relaxing time hanging out with friends.

Amazing!.......2007-02-24

This is a very good soundtrack to a very good movie. The music is amazingly composed and is nice to listen to.

excellent.......2007-01-17

This CD is excellent! All the music from the movie in its entirety, all the songs are complete songs, and the songs are all top notch compositions.

Average customer rating:

Sweet... sweet-sweet... sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet... ("Sweet Life")

Myth Takes
!!!
Manufacturer: Warp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

Myth Takes
All My Heroes Are Weirdos
Must Be The Moon
A New Name
Heart Of Hearts
Sweet Life
Yadnus
Bend Over Beethoven
Break In Case Of Anything
Infinifold

Customer Reviews:

Sweet... sweet-sweet... sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet... ("Sweet Life").......2007-07-20

I've never really heard !!! before hearing this album, and since hearing this of course, I felt obliged to check out their previous material. It just doesn't stand up to this, however. It seems until "Myth Takes", Chk Chk Chk (or whatever) never really reached their mark potential. Fortunately, for us as well as them, they released this album laced completely with crafty electronics, sonic guitars and dance-stimulating rhythms.... oh yeah, and maniacal choruses that make you want to shatter things.

The album starts out less than stellar, though, with the title track but quickly picks up around track three with "Must Be The Moon", which must be one of the best songs released this year (and guess what: it's not even the best song on this album!). "Must Be The Moon" is some of the most fun I've heard in a song this year. It's fast paced. The bass is all over the place, going in and out at the right times. There's a ton of sonic and electronic sounds going in and out as well, often trading places as the primary melody. The best thing overall about the song (as with most of the songs on this album) is the chorus. It's rapid and undeniably catchy. If you're listening to the chorus and not singing along with it then you must have the greatest sense of self-control imaginable.

The next song, "A New Name", is overshadowed by "Must Be The Moon" but it is a really good song. The pace is a lot slower but it's equally melodic. I love the effects they use on their instruments in this song. And again, the chorus is amazing. It's undeniably catchy and I find myself always trying to sing along with it but failing to reach the high notes Nic "The Penguin" Offer (vocalist) does so successfully.

There's a few other good songs as well, "Bend Over Beethoven" is an eight minute rocker. "Yadnus" has a sound of empowerment. The melodies of "Heart Of Hearts" keeps on ascending until it reach sonic mayhem. "Infinifold" is the slow closer.

I will finish this review by talking about what I believe to be the best electronic song this year: "Sweet Life". This song starts out with a completely hypnotic bass melody. Enter a repetitious guitar melody as essentially hypnotic as the bass melody and !!! got themselves a groove. Singer, Nic Offer, is too comfortable with this melody and the lyrics work. "Been sitting so long, thought I forgot how to walk. In the mist of all the stillness, there's a new kind of knock." The song quickly builds and builds until BAM! The chorus is nuts! Utter mayhem of cascading bass lines, raging guitars, Nic singing "sweet" repeatedly and what can only be described as a very disturbed percussionist. This is one of those rare songs where once you've first heard it, you repeat the play of it constantly. It just kicks your arse each and every time.

I will ultimately rate this a 4.5, which is a superb rating. I feel this album and LCD Soundsystems' latest make for a very good year for electronic music. I hope these guys can keep up the stylish work. I plan to keep my ears and eyes wide open for more from this band and hope to catch them live some day soon.

Average customer rating:

Great CD!!
A great audiobook for the entire family

The Adventures of Odysseus

Manufacturer: Naxos Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 9626341149
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

The Fall Of Troy And The Greek Homecoming
Years Later-Odysseus Is Shipewrecked On Nausicaa's Island
The Lotus Eaters
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Aolia And The Bag Of Winds
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Tracks:

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Thrinakia
Calypso
Meanwhile, Back In Ithaca
Zeus, On Mount Olympus
How Odysseus Returns To Ithaca
Telemachus Prepares At The Palace
The Beggar Stood Up

Customer Reviews:

Great CD!!.......2007-01-06

I bought this CD for my daughters, ages 5&6, who are studying ancient civilizations. What a great way to bring hisory and classic literature alive!! Benedict Flynn did an excellent job - we enjoyed the way he changed his voice to become different characters, he is definitely not monotone. Both my girls have listened to the set over and over again. It was and still is enjoyed by the whole family.

A great audiobook for the entire family.......2004-05-16

This audio version of Odysseus is exciting and detailed enough to be interesting to adult listeners but fully engaged my three sons, ages 9,8 and 7. Now my first grader makes references to "the lotus eaters" and my fourth grader was shocked when I couldn't remember who Polydemus was (he's the Cyclops). A good introduction to a classic tale; perfect for a long car trip.

Average customer rating:

Oh god!
This This This Rips Rips Rips
Feel like freaking out?

Myth Takes
!!!
Manufacturer: Warp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000MCH5LS
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

myth takes
all my heroes are weirdos
must be the moon
a new name
heart of hearts
sweet life
yadnus
bend over beethoven
break in case of anything
infinifold

Album Description

With a wit, swagger and well-tuned ear for the dance floor, !!! have followed up the now classic Louden Up Now (2004) with the kind of rock album that many had thought extinct. Muscular and nimble, smart and funny, strange and endlessly sing-a-long-able, Myth Takes is a sprawling experiment in pop songwriting and musical irreverence. From the bass-heavy psychedelia of album opener "Myth Takes" straight through to the lilting beatless ballad of the last track "Infinifold" the album lives up to it's title as a rambunctious, complete work wrapped in its own mystique.

Customer Reviews:

Oh god!.......2007-03-26

I have been in debate as to pick this album up for quite a while now. Its seems that previous albums by !!! divide reviewers into two groups; Its either overrated yet somewhat fun, or you can dance to it so therefore its good. Im not a 'dancer', and I don't buy mediocre albums, but then again, with record sales like they are getting lately, and the cool album art of 'Myth Takes', I was inavoidably drawn in.

First listen I was hooked. There is so much stuff going on in this album that I immediately started it over. I began to wonder where the hell the negative reviews were coming from. I delayed reviewing this because I thought that maybe this album wasn't as good as my first impression had led me to believe. Again, I was wrong. About twenty listens later, this album has the same freshness and creative attraction that it did on listen number one.

This album is damn good.. and I finally realized why. Like my favorites, Pink Floyd, !!! are easily capable of cramming experimentaion, dense atmosphere, and down-right wierdness all into one album, while still being able to keep a keen ear open to pop sensibilities. You will rarely find an album this fun, yet challenging at the same time. From disco, to trip-hop, there is definately something for every listener in 'Myth Takes'; and yet with all its pop and cheese, I am still delightfully able to find something new with each listen. Head to head with Pain of Salvation's 'Scarsick' for the best album of the year so far.

This This This Rips Rips Rips.......2007-03-07

merriam-webster's new collegiate dictionary effectively defines the noun "dance" as follows: "a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music".

this doesn't even come close to the near-epileptic contortional fit that seized me about one and a half minutes into my first listen of "myth takes".

"louden up now" and earlier releases were great, in their own less-than-tethered way, but this album is a flashpaper-bright journey into a pulsating neon psychosis of dancing disco rollergirls, exploding sunsets and fields of swaying skyscrapers. if you understand that last phrase on even the most cursory level then you owe it to yourself and your future seeds to buy this album and play it until it wears out and you have to buy another copy.

what do you like? epic classic rock? drunken disco? maybe some stuck-in-my-head-like-gum-on-my-shoe pop tunes? some tribal dancefloor napalm? we can keep going, but it's all here...

for an added trip, try playing the album while checking their website [...] (which seems to have been designed by a cryogenically frozen timothy leary)while listening to the record...if you think you can handle it.

don't make a mistake, jump on "myth takes".

Feel like freaking out?.......2007-03-06

Grab your favorite partner and saddle up. !!! is back with their latest dance party, and this time they're all about having fun. The political themes of "Louden Up Now" have been brushed aside to make way for what could very well be the group's most energetic album to date. As one would expect, "Myth Takes" is one hell of an album, featuring thumping bass lines, driving guitars, and music that is absolutely guaranteed to get you moving no matter who you are.

Not instantaneously though. The album starts off subtly with the title track, "Myth Takes," which really serves as an introduction to the album if anything. It's spaghetti western guitars and dance punk doo-wop ("Sha-sha-sha-sha-sha doobie") trick you into believing that the album is going to be a low-key affair, but as it fades out you're soon treated to the pounding drums and all-around intensity of "All My Heroes are Weirdos." Go ahead and shut yourself in your bedroom. Freak out. No one's watching, and you know you want to.

"Must Be the Moon" utilizes a funky bass line and a steady rhythm to create what is arguably the strongest song on the album in overall danceability, while "A New Name" shows off the guitar and has an almost old-school disco feel to it. Both of the songs are incredible and clearly demonstrate the group's vast talents. "Heart of Hearts," the album's first single is a fairly strong track that should be incredible live, but is really plagued by !!!'s biggest flaw; poor lyricism. Of course, when you're playing music that is meant to be danced to, lyrics are always going to take a back seat. Anyone expecting to be moved by deep lyrics should probably look elsewhere.

The album slows down a little bit on "Sweet Life" but eventually explodes into 100% U2-ish anthem grandeur before the track comes to a close. The band is at their most experimental here, shying away from the thumps and grooves and substituting knob tweaks and static. It's a cool song, to be sure. Not as cool, however, as "Yadnus," my personal favorite on the album. The song's strong bass line and groove is complemented perfectly by flutters of string orchestration and cackling "Ah ah ah ah ah ahs" to form an awesome, almost eerie sound. Here, lead singer, Nic Offer, sings, "I'll take anyone. New York to London. They say brave men run to the sound fun," and you can't help but sing along by the time the verse rolls around the second time. It is by far the standout track on "Myth Takes."

The cleverly named "Bend Over Beethoven" and "Break In Case of Anything" keep the energy moving, the latter of which features some stellar brass-instrumentation. At one point near the middle of the song, the instruments hit some triple-forte staccato attacks that are impossible to not enjoy! "Infinifold" closes the album off on a mellow tone. Unlike the rest of the album, it is really the only song with lyrics that aren't repetitive or lighthearted. The serious tone is definitely welcomed on the album, but "Infinifold" just catches you off guard by it's utter lack of energy. It's only endearing moments are towards the end, as the music swells and the "la la las" are slowly swept away into the silence that caps off the album.

Overall, "Myth Takes" is a pretty rowdy affair by anyone's standards. !!! definitely knows how to blend genres and make it fun. The album can be incredibly fun, and it's pretty easy to get lost in the madness sometimes. Of course, listeners expecting some sort of deep experience are going to be disappointed. The lyrics on "Myth Takes" are unquestionably shallow (and often a bit silly), even by !!!'s standards. All of that is a side note, however, to what is otherwise a fairly strong album, and one that should definitely be checked out.

Recommended for fans of !!!, anyone hosting a dance party, or anyone who just wants to make an idiot out of themselves while alone in their bedroom (or on a dance floor, who knows?).

Key Tracks:
1. "All of My Heroes are Weirdos"
2. "Must Be the Moon"
3. "Sweet Life"
4. "Yadnus"

6 out of 10 Stars

Average customer rating:

You will love these guys!
Familiar--in a good way
instant pop classic
Buy This Album!
The latest Target commercial song

Over and Over
The 88
Manufacturer: Mootron Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000A2H4PM
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Hide Another Mistake
All 'Cause Of You
Nobody Cares
Bowls
Head Cut Off
Battle Scar
Coming Home
You Belong To Me
Haunt You
Jesus Is Good
Everybody Loves Me
Not Enough

Amazon.com

The 88 have a lot of believers on its side, causing a big enough stir in the local LA scene to attract the attention of TV shows like The O.C. and Jimmy Kimmel as well as KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. Singing with a sensual Marc Bolan-like set of pipes, singer Keith Slettedahl has a long list of ex-lovers who fuel his caustic muse. Doing the majority of the songwriting as well, Slettedahl's music leans toward mid-'60s power pop filled with hooky choruses and taunt riffs that recall early Kinks. "Hide Another Mistake" is a prime example of this aesthetic, and it's already been picked as a single, yet "All 'Cause Of You" has an emotional vulnerability to the vocals and a jaunty riff that rams the equally strong song home. Well-balanced with a few quieter acoustic songs, this sophomore effort is an assured and altogether catchy work from a band that deserves all the attention it gets. -- Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

You will love these guys!.......2007-06-18

The mark of a good sound is you can't get it out of your head. These songs are so snappy and catchy that you will be caught! Great melodies, lyrics and they will play "over and over" in your head...you will love it! This CD is awesome and these great musicians are on the cusp of taking the music world by storm.

Familiar--in a good way.......2007-02-05

I first heard "Coming Home" during the ending credits in the movie "Surviving Christmas" with Ben Afflect and I thought it was Paul McCartney singing. That's how most of this CD sounds--very familiar which is a good thing. You'll think of the 60's--the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Lovin' Spoonful and so on. This is the kind of CD you play while you're cleaning the house or working in the garage--it keeps you moving and there are plenty of songs you can sing along with.

instant pop classic.......2006-11-19

One song was all it took, and I was a pop music obsessed 13-year old again.
It's a sing-real-loud-in-your-car collection of perfect tunes.
Live, this band has what it takes.
I agree with a previous review that "Nobody Cares" is a great kiss-off song.

Buy This Album!.......2006-08-31

I took a chance and ordered this album after hearing them on a late night talk show. I liked their sound so much I just immediately got online and ordered this from Amazon. I'm so glad I did. It's a fantastic CD. I really have listened to it OVER AND OVER! Then I bought their other CD and like it just as much, if not more. Can't wait for the next CD to come out. Buy it. You'll like it.

The latest Target commercial song.......2006-05-19

With just a little research, I found that The 88's song, "Coming Home" is used in a currently running Target department store television ad. My wife thought it was Paul McCartney, but while the song has a style that is McCartney-esque, The 88's do have their own sound that is distinctive indeed. They have a "smart"(as in crisp, tight, focused - not sloppy) style of making music.

Catchy and fun, enjoyable without being syrupy, unpretentious but clever, wickedly talented and simply just a GREAT pop sound are words that come to mind when I think of this band and this CD.

Average customer rating:

and then there was... a twist in the myth?
Imaginations Revisited
A tighter, more concise album....but too short for the wait
A New Direction for a Classic Metal Band
average

A Twist in the Myth
Blind Guardian
Manufacturer: Nuclear Blast Americ
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Release Date: 2006-09-05

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Interview
Untitled

Customer Reviews:

and then there was... a twist in the myth?.......2007-08-05

although its almost been a year since i bought the cd, it's only recently that i've given it a decent spin and realised it's not as bad as i first thought (although i still maintain it's not their greatest effort). the problem with "Twist in the Myth" is the inconsistancy of the songs. for instance 'turn the page' is classic Blind Guardian - soaring vocals combined with a celtic feel and 'otherland' is also quite epic. other songs with merit include 'fly', 'carry the blessed home' (although the synth is a tad much), 'dead sound of misery' (which is really just a darker version of 'fly') and 'this will never end'. i'm still sitting on the fence in regards to 'skalds and shadows', it has a great medieval guitar feel and hansi sounds awesome, but it just doesnt take me to the same heights of 'the bards song' or 'lord of the rings'. as for the rest, in my opinion, it's just filler lacking pretty much all the majestic, epic sounds that define blind Guardian. if you are looking to get into this band, start with "nightfall in middle earth" or "tales from the twilight world". for those who are long time BG fans, don't expect another "night at the opera"

Imaginations Revisited.......2007-05-12

After making us wait an almost unbearable four years since their ambitious 2002 album A Night at the Opera, Germany's power metal masters came roaring back in 2006 with A Twist In the Myth. Was it worth the wait? Read on...

Fans who had a problem with the larger than life sound on A Night at the Opera should find A Twist in the Myth a welcome return to the "classic" Blind Guardian sound. I happen to love A Night at the Opera, but I can also see how the complex arrangements, layered vocals, and related elements could turn off some metal fans. A Twist in the Myth hearkens back to the days of Imaginations From the Other Side. This is the most straightforward power metal album we've seen from Blind Guardian in quite some time. Don't get me wrong, there are still plenty of progressive elements, but A Twist in the Myth owes far more to Helloween and Iron Maiden than Queen. Oddly enough, you can judge this particular book by its cover. Comparing the magnificent cover art on A Twist in the Myth to the artwork for A Night at the Opera tells you almost as much about the differences in the two albums as actually listening to them.

A Twist in the Myth is packed with glorious (but not Hammerfall cheesy) power metal anthems, balanced by the occasional renaissance faire song (see Skalds and Shadows). I loved Fly, Carry the Blessed Home, and Another Stranger Me immediately, and it didn't take much for the rest of the album to quickly grow on me. It's an extraordinarily professional album as well, in every aspect from the musicianship to the vocals to the production to most especially the songwriting.

A Twist in the Myth is easily one of the best metal albums of 2006. It might not represent a big step forward for the band, but it is an extremely good power metal album that is more than worthy of the name Blind Guardian.

NOTE: Most versions of A Twist in the Myth feature an audio interview as bonus material. The interview is interesting enough, though not much different than what you'd find in Brave Words or other metal magazines or sites. I'd much rather have the bonus track (All the King's Horses) that went to the Japanese market. I know that Japanese fans are a big part of metal's success, but I can't help but be disappointed that there are parts of the Blind Guardian legacy that the rest of us continually miss out on.

A tighter, more concise album....but too short for the wait.......2007-05-10

(Note: the actual score for this would be about a 4.75).

Blind Guardian's last studio album, A Night At The Opera, was released in the spring of 2002. While their long overdue second live album was released in 2004, it has been a long wait for fans of the German power metal band for new material. Compounding matters was the departure of long-time drummer Thomas Stauch, for reasons which I'm still unclear about. When "Fly", the first single from "A Twist In the Myth", was released, there was more than a bit of controversy swirling around the band, and its direction. Was Blind Guardian "selling out", as overzealous fanboy types would say?

In a word, no. "A Twist In The Myth" is pretty far from any blatant attempt to pander to current trends, nor is it an attempt to merely tread water to appease that segment of the metalhead crowd which fears any change, no matter how minor. The biggest change you'll notice here is that the sound has been tightened up, if you will. Have no fear- you'll still hear heavily overdubbed, massively multi-tracked vocal harmonies and guitar symphonics, a la Queen. However, everything is more precise and "stabbing", and a little less sweeping and loose. The vocal harmonies have a tad fewer tracks layered, and the songs are a little more insistent in pace, and shorter in length. Those expecting another huge, lengthy epic such as "And Then There Was Silence" will be disappointed.

The songs themselves are pretty strong, with the possible exception of "Lionheart", which is lacking in a strong hook. The opener, "This Will Never End", is one of the band's stronger album-openers, although they have never been that great at choosing an opening track on albums after "Somewhere Far Beyond". "Otherland", "Turn The Page", and "Straight Through The Mirror" are all high-octane classics, filled with memorable melodies and guitar work. While "Fly" doesn't have one particularly outstanding hook (after all, this band is about the melodic hooks), it is an impressive evolution of the slightly electronicized sound from "Sadly Sings Destiny" (from their last studio album), and boasts a fair amount of atmosphere. Meanwhile, "Another Stranger Me" is pretty straightforward, but boasts a very catchy vocal line at the end of the chorus. The requisite ballad format is represented by a pair of tracks, the Queen-inspired funeral hymnal "Carry The Blessed Home" (inspired by Stephen King's "The Dark Tower- Book VII"), and "Skalds and Shadows", another of the band's medieval-styled ballads, in the vein of "A Past and Future Secret". "The Edge" and "The New Order" round out the album nicely.

My biggest problem with "A Twist In The Myth" is that, for a band which takes its time with releasing new albums, there's simply not enough music on this one. While I appreciate that they want to pare down the album to minimize filler, and the fact that they underwent a pretty major lineup change, I can't help but feel that this could have been more than it was. The new drummer/flutist/bagpipe-player, Frederik Ehmke, does an admirable job of fitting in with the band's over-the-top, yet straightforward style, although we have yet to see his long term impact on the sound. Hansi's vocals are, as par for the band's recent efforts, less roaring and more high-pitched, and the backing vocals, as usual, are first-rate. The guitar work is certainly emotional and well-structured, with plenty of adept fretwork that is a bit tricky, but never self-indulgent.

I'd certainly recommend this album to anyone who likes melodic metal and hard rock. I just wish the band had put more on record this time around. I can only hope that their release schedule will be more rapid in the future.

A New Direction for a Classic Metal Band.......2007-04-27

One thing that I think makes Blind Guardian particularly special among other metal acts is their fearlessnes when it comes to changes styles between albums. After all, Blind Guardian have played everything from Speed to Thrash to Power to Prog Metal, and have been mostly successful each time. In accordance with this tradition, which Blind Guardian seem to have set for themselves, A Twist in the Myth is no another "A Night at the Opera". It is just as polished as that album, but less produced, and with more standard metal songs.

It had to have been hard for the band to play the songs from A Night at the Opera live because of all the orchestrations. The band seems to have kept that in mind when recording this album. If you're expecting to hear Queen-like vocal sections like the ones in A Night at the Opera, then you are in for a disappointment. Likewise , Orchestrations have taken a back seat. Rather than elaborate, layered Keyboard parts, this album's keyboards are much more subtle. There's a few strange "nintendo-ish" sounds, as someone else pointed out, hear and there. It's almost reminiscent of what you might hear from an act like HORSE the Band.

This album is probably most like "Imaginations from the Other Side" then any other album, because it is probably the most diverse. There's Thrash Elements, Acoustic Ballads, Straight-up Rock songs, and classic Iron Maiden-ish Metal songs. All in all, this album is a good buy for Blind Guardian fans (except the ones who only like their early days, and even they might find something to enjoy hear) and fans of modern metal.

average.......2007-03-31

Not so good as the previous performances of Blind Guardian. Far away from the epic sounds.

Average customer rating:

A Good Second Effort

Compass Rose Bouquet
Great Lakes Myth Society
Manufacturer: Quack Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000R7I2BU
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

Heydays
Summer Bonfire
Nightfall At Electric Park
Queen Of the Barley Fool
March
Eastern Birds
Stump Speech
Midwest Main Street
Days Of Apple Pie
Raindrops & Roses
Debutante
The Gales Of 1838

Customer Reviews:

A Good Second Effort.......2007-07-30

Compass Rose Bouquet is just that -- a bouquet of studio craftsmanship that shows the brighter, softer side of the band as well as their instrumental skill. Those who expected the snow drifts and stiff lake winds of the last album may be surprised and a little disappointed that the salt trucks and gray skies of the debut work are replaced by sunnier afternoons. The thoughtful songwriting is still here, though without as much sense of place as the first album. Queen of the Barley Fool might as well have been written in Ireland as in Michigan, while Days of Apple Pie - one of the other standout songs on the album - is a melancholy reference to days gone by in who knows where. Still, there are enough dark undercurrents here to stay in character while branching out a bit. Truth be told, holding this band to its geographical name is probably unfairly restrictive. Whether their songs are about Ann Arbor, Mich. or Spokane, Wash., this is a good band that deserves much more than a regional following.

Average customer rating:

This Is My Favorite Natalie Merchant CD...
Very good CD
Dynamite, Finally
Listen through before throwing aside...
Best new album heard in a long time

The House Carpenter's Daughter
Natalie Merchant
Manufacturer: Myth America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000CH9BH
Release Date: 2003-09-16

Tracks:

Sally Ann
Which Side Are You On?
Crazy Man Michael
Diver Boy
Weeping Pilgrim
Soldier, Soldier
Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow Tree
House Carpenter
Owensboro
Down On Penny's Farm
Poor Wayfaring Stranger

Amazon.com

The first release on Merchant's own indie label, Myth America, is a great and understated album and a sweet surprise after so many years of lushly-produced adult pop. Portentously subtitled "A Collection of Traditional & Contemporary Folk Music," it's not as dry as its title implies. Her connoisseur selection of covers and well-written liner notes show Merchant to be no O Brother-come-lately. Of particular note are her versions of '90s indie act the Horseflies' "Sally Ann," the Appalachian ballad "House Carpenter," and an obscure, 18th-century Protestant hymn, "Weeping Pilgrim." And while it would be a lie to say that she sings Fairport Convention's "Crazy Man Michael" any better than Sandy Denny did in 1968, her version holds its own (not an easy thing to do). The Fairport template, to add electric instrumentation to traditional folk music, is one that's followed throughout House Carpenter's Daughter, but the arrangements are respectful and smart throughout. The songs are always given room to breathe, to tell their earnest and well-worn truths. Merchant's distinctive, vowel-heavy voice has not sounded this gorgeous in years. -- Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

This Is My Favorite Natalie Merchant CD..........2007-05-10

Do you know what my favorite Natalie Merchant CD is? No, it's not TigerLily. According to iTunes, it's actually The House Carpenter's Daughter -- a compilation of contemporary and traditional songs seeking to define `folk music' -- that I seem to favor.

Allison Miller plays drums; Elizabeth Steen plays accordion, organ & piano; Erik Della Penna plays guitar & lap steel; Gabriel Gordon plays guitar; Graham Maby plays bass; Judy Hyman plays fiddle; Natalie performs the vocals; and The Menfolk perform the backing vocals on this soothing CD.

Unless I'm mistaken, this CD was recorded at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, during 2003. The premise of The House Carpenter's Daughter posits that songs can & should be rescued from age, obscurity, and tradition.

Gorgeous numbers like Weeping Pilgrim (Track Five) sound fresh considering they're appropriated from a Protestant Hymnal printed in the 1700's; I enjoyed Stearns's banjo plucking and Hyman's sad fiddle on this song. Merchant's mournful voice is a surprisingly strong fit too.

Her delivery is decidedly more brisk and up-tempo on Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow (Track Seven), which is the first song that The Carter Family recorded back in 1928. The use of the autoharp in this country-tinged song was truly genius.

The eclectic song selection also samples more recent fare. Merchant's wise rendition of Sally Ann (Track One) is a nostalgic appreciation of upstate New York, band The Horseflies -- whose concerts Merchant attended in progressive college towns during the early 1990's.

Even though I enjoyed the dirge-like Crazy Man Michael (Track Three) -- which is a cover of the 1969 song first recorded by Fairport Convention -- it's melodic timber and emphasis on strings doesn't seem to blend in well with Merchant's other choices.

Rhythmic instrumentals on Down On Penny's Farm (Track Ten) -- from The Anthology of American Folk Music (1952) -- form hard competition for Merchant's rich silky voice, but her excitation and the thigh-slapping lyrics strike perfect balance. What an enjoyable record!

Related Musical Trivia: Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Eileen Edwards (Shania Twain), Macy Gray, Natalie Merchant, Alanis Morissette, and Wyclef Jean all shared the same sixth grade teacher.

Very good CD.......2006-03-13

I firstly heard Natalie Merchant on a local radio in my Country and got very impressed. After buying her CD, I must say there are at least 4 songs that I really love and the one that initially hooked me (soldiers, soldiers)is not the top one... some are even better.
Would strongly recommend this CD to anyone interested in country and popular music.
Lorenzo

Dynamite, Finally.......2005-11-12

As a fan of the Maniacs, I found little in Merchant's first 3 solo efforts fit for a lot of relistening. They seemed evidence of the typical incredible shrinking singer-songwriter syndrome, lured by big ego and big music moguls to bust up good music, stretching a perhaps uncertain gift too far. It was not that Merchant lacked talent, seriousness, or power in those efforts, just that she seemed too damn alone, unchallenged by others to soar as only she could. She too often looked and sounded spooked, like someone frantically searching for a musical mask to fit, a personna to hide in.

Then when I was about to stop dropping change for one more moody downer, this disc comes along -- dynamite, finally -- and in a whole new way. The old American folk music tradition provides the challenge and dialogue she needs, and her grit and bite are back with a vengeance. The arrangements of this old stuff are not academic but original and inspired -- Merchant's conviction makes the songs sound absolutely contemporary. It's a short set, really, but interiorally vast with an astonishing array of effects. The spooky "Diver Boy" is a crime-haunted cry like nothing you ever imagined; "Soldier" an absolute scream you simply will not be able to get out of your head. The fact is, there is no bad cut here, she lines them up and knocks them down.

This is no ordinary "folk" cover, nor respectful piece of time travel. It's an absolutely assured plunge into the heart of American tradition, one that also moves the whole picture forward -- in the tradition of the Dylan/Band Basement Tapes and the best of Gram Parsons.

Listen through before throwing aside..........2005-07-10

After focusing on Natalie's somewhat earlier music, in which her voice is a little higher, it was a shocker to hear the samples of this record. I must admit I was turned off by what I heard in those short clips but I continued coming back for another listen and finally had to hear the whole thing for myself.

I purchased a copy and listened to the songs and found that it was not as bad as I had expected. Natalie's voice is very defined and offers a different, soothing feeling. The songs are unique and I'm learning to love most of them - as is the case with much of Natalie's music.

If you truly appreciate Natalie's voice I'm sure you will find appreciation in this collection.

Best new album heard in a long time.......2005-07-07

It's great! I was dubious at first but let me assure you, if you like traditional or roots music, this one's for you.
John Cashs' version of Wayfaring Stranger stunned me - Ms. Merchants' version is quite different again but is handled with equal gravity and sensitivity. Also outstanding are Sally Ann, Which side are you on? (a stirring union song), Crazy Michael and Soldier, soldier. The traditional Down on Penny's Farm is fast, energised and breathtaking bluegrass. Other styles are just as competently and confidently performed. Soldier, soldier is reminiscent of the bass heavy electric folk that Steeleye Span once did so well - though this has a more contemporary feel to it. The album is up there with Gillian Welch's Revelator which is one of the other really, really good modern folk recordings I've heard.

Average customer rating:

Postmodern Opera
myth of Red
good buy
myth of red
Really Interesting Album

Myth of Red
Sasha Lazard
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000640NU
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Tracks:

Stabat Mater IXXI
Awakening
Ode To Innocence
Tell Me Why
The Incubus (Le Revenant)
Forbidden Dance (L'Amour Fou)
Romance
Temptation
Battle Of Erishkigal
Angeli
Princess Mononoke Theme Song (Mononoke Hime)
Stabat Reprise
Awakening (Delerium Remix)

Amazon.com

In the never-ending move to cross novel musical idioms, The Myth of Red has an air of inevitability about it. An ambitious fusion of opera arias, Russian folk tunes, and art songs with beat-driven electronic soundscapes, the album largely succeeds in bridging incongruous musical worlds. A gifted classically trained vocalist, fetching soprano Sasha Lazard lends her talents to 13 tracks inspired by or based on Rachmaninoff, Verdi, Saint-Saëns, "Ave Maria," and "The Incubus" by the notorious poet Charles Baudelaire. Nimbly aided by the production, programming, and keyboards of Frank Fitzpatrick and David Tobocman, the lovely violin of Lili Hayden, and production ringers DJ Spooky and Delerium, Lazard delivers a smooth, classy, and fairly sedate collection that will appeal more to adventurous classical and world-music fans than hard-core electronic aficionados. The Myth of Red succeeds most when it picks up the pace on tracks like "Forbidden Dance," "Awakening," and the slyly funky "Temptation." Not surprisingly, two of the best tracks are DJ Spooky's galloping "Battle of Erishkigal" and a remix of "Awakening" by the incomparable Delerium, an act whose depth of feeling and mystery Lazard and her crew seem to strive for but don't quite achieve. Fusing several centuries of music is no small task, but Sasha Lazard actually makes it seem natural, which is a testament to her talent, training, and choice of company. --Carl Hanni

Customer Reviews:

Postmodern Opera.......2007-04-16

Remember that weirdly wonderful techno-aria sung by the character Plavalaguna in "The Fifth Element"? Well, here's an entire CD of opera/tek grooves like that one. But unlike the blue diva in "Element," Sasha Lazard doesn't need to synthetically enhance her soaring soprano pipes. Here she mixes her classical background with Electronica, overdubs, plus some funky World beats, to a surprisingly successful end. Such hybrid music isn't for everyone: if you don't believe in messing with sainted Old Masters (Rachmaninoff and Rimsky-Korsakov; Ave Maria), steer clear. But if you're open to some audio fun that marries old and new (Princess Mononoke's Theme Song, DJ Spooky), go for it. These tracks are light clean fun guaranteed to evoke smiles at your next cocktail party.

myth of Red .......2007-03-09

What inspired me into purchasing this item is the Avé Maria from Caccini, wonderfuly mastered in such a wonderful way. I absolutely flip over this track. I find this entire cd an absolute blessing and a must have in a collection!

good buy.......2007-01-18

her voice is lovely and the whole cd was a delight to listen to.

myth of red.......2006-08-02

ethereal, energizing, sexy, spiritual . sasha's voice is mesmerizing and the total sound of 'Myth' transplants me and makes me believe even when believing is in distant reach. love it and want more.

Really Interesting Album.......2006-05-03

I have grown to really love this album. This is something very uniqe that is easy to listen to. If you are like me and love exotic music that you can dance to, this is for you. The best part is Sasha's beautiful opera voice.
Looking for something uniqe - try this.

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