America

1. Bella Cubana/El Manicero/Echale Salsita/Lagrimas Negras/Son de la Loma/

2. Comparsa/La Tarde/Quimbombo/El Fiel Enamorado/Felipe Blanco/El Manicero

3. Quiereme Mucho/Jarabe Tapatio/La Colegiala/Moliendo Cafe/La Paloma/La C

4. Ave Maria Lola/Ud. Abuso/El Africano/La Cruz de Palo Bonito/La Batea/Ay

5. Flor de la Canela/Dos Gardenias/Blancas Margaritas/La Jardinera/La Boye

America,Juan Pablo Torres,Noel,Latin,Tropical

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Average customer rating: HORRIBLE - This is not good rock music!!! An album for anyone 2nd best in a great run so far Surprisingly Good Best White Stripes yet

Icky Thump The White Stripes Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Garage Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Era Vulgaris Sky Blue Sky Easy Tiger Zeitgeist Favourite Worst Nightmare ASIN: B000OYC3J8 Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

1. Icky Thump
2. You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)
3. 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
4. Conquest
5. Bone Broke
6. Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn
7. St. Andrew (This Battle Is In The Air)
8. Little Cream Soda
9. Rag And Bone
10. I'm Slowly Turning Into You
11. A Martyr For My Love For You
12. Catch Hell Blues
13. Effect and Cause

Amazon.com

Bagpipes, a song written as the soundtrack to a Michel Gondry music video, Patti Page's musical shadow, and Jack and Meg co-narrating a scavenger's rummages: It must be time for Icky Thump, the many-flavored riposte to 2006's Get Behind Me Satan. The duo starts big with the title track--Jack's fast-tumbling, falsetto-tinged lyrics jagging on hyper keyboard-sounding segues and Meg's pounding drums. They rarely shy from an idea, invoking acoustic Bob Dylan to frame "300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues," but interjecting a series of distortion-laden guitar paroxysms for good measure. The end of Icky, on "Effect and Cause," is where Jack's trademark vocal warble and spare, quick acoustic strums meet Meg's single-minded beats. Everywhere on Icky giant riffs leap and shout, with Flamenco horns and those eerie bagpipes and rhythmic shifts and Jack's impatient vocal kinetics, marking new territories even as the White Stripes again populate them with vintage ideas. --Andrew Bartlett

Album Description

The White Stripes are back with the most bombastic album they've ever produced! While revealing the band's roots in American folk music, Icky Thump is an explosive, revolutionary assault that brings together garage rock, every blues style of the past 100 years, nouveau, and flamenco. This is truly a modern rock and roll masterpiece!

Customer Reviews:

HORRIBLE - This is not good rock music!!!.......2007-08-06

Led Zeppelin, Alice In Chains, and Guns 'N Roses are all good examples of kick a55 rock 'n roll (3 randomly selected, legendary bands). This crap, however, IS NOT!! It's exactly the opposite. I don't know what they're trying to accomplish here, but it's a miss. If you like your guitar and "organ" solos sounding like long drawn out fart-whistles, then this my friend, is YOUR album!! If you like vocals that sound like 50 whiney pre-puberty boys scream/whining in unison, LOOK NO FURTHER!!

If you dig this album, my guess is you have bad taste in music (and probably everything else for that matter). You're either most likely offended or think I'm childish for writing this review so your natural reaction will be to give me a "not helpful" vote. I encourage this action as I am currently conducting a poll of how many amazon customers have suck a55 taste, and your vote will definitely aide in providing me accurate results.

An album for anyone.......2007-08-06

This is my first White Stripes album. I love it! It amazes me that just two musicians can make something that sounds so good. This album puts a smile on my face. I highly recommend it.

2nd best in a great run so far.......2007-08-04

next to de stijl this is one of my favorites. i see more growth in the band than i did with the previous, get behind me satan. at least, a form which teases my ear. play it, let me know what you think.

Surprisingly Good.......2007-08-03

I am a boomer who usually sticks to Van Morrison, Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, the Band, Dylan etc. I had heard a great deal about White Stripes. I tried this CD, and I really like it. It is interesting and different in many ways, but each song is good; each song catches your ear. Some reviewers thought bagpipes or other sounds were a bit of a joke, but I think each song works very well. (I also liked Radiohead, Hail to the Thief, in the kind of way that you know it is different, but everything is good in its own way.) I would recommend this CD to anyone of any age.

Best White Stripes yet.......2007-08-01

This is definitely their best CD to date. I love that they have a definite style that they don't stray from, but still manage to make most songs interesting and unique. If you like the White Stripes, this is a must have.

Average customer rating: Green is the new Purple Not Prince's Best, But Still Solid! Hard To Believe An Album Worse Than 3121...... 1980's Prince Is Back :) PRINCE - A RETURN 2 FUNKY-POP!

Planet Earth Prince Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: S.S.T./Brand New Orleans 3121 Libertad Zeitgeist Icky Thump ASIN: B000RMC7H0 Release Date: 2007-07-24

Tracks:

1. Planet Earth
2. Guitar
3. Somewhere Here On Earth
4. The One U Wanna C
5. Future Baby Mama
6. Mr. Goodnight
7. All The Midnights In The World
8. Chelsea Rodgers
9. Lion Of Judah
10. Resolution

Amazon.com

Because it would be un-Prince-like to release a new studio album without kicking up a little controversy first, the Artist Formerly Known As a Cool-Looking Symbol gave away copies of Planet Earth with a British news tabloid weeks before its U.S. release. Among the reasons he shouldn't have: nobody who catches wind of the peerless funk-rock-soul he lays out on these 10 tracks--least of all longtime fans--would think twice about shelling out for it. A big chunk of the appeal is that Prince finds his way back to his guitar here. The title track, a politically right-on-time environmental rant, steers him back toward "Purple Rain" territory, as does "Lion of Judah" ("Guitar," oddly, doesn't--it's more of a straight-up, shout-it-out modern rocker). And the flirty numbers are seriously flammable: "Somewhere Here on Earth" seduces with a crackly jazz vibe, while "Mr. Goodnight" gets friendly with a refined slip of rap. Coolest of all are two tracks at cross purposes-- "Chelsea Rodgers" fuses funk with disco until it's so far off the hook it's in a heap on the floor, and "All the Midnights in the World" paints a picture of artistic maturity through piano and lyrics that lean hard on positivity. There's an elegance to it that Prince fans, no strangers to pop music that's truly sublime, won't fail to appreciate. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Simply put, Planet Earth is the album longtime Prince fans have been waiting for. Several cuts on this album revisit some of the classic Prince sound the captured fans all over the world and helped deem him an incomparable music icon. Superstar and legendary musician prince kicked off 2007 with a show stopping Super Bowls Half-time performance. Prince pulled out all the stops during the second most-watched super bowl broadcast ever. With an estimated 93.2 million viewers to entertain, Prince wasted no time showing off his stages powers and irrefutable guitar skills. He masterfully captured the attention and respect of music fans in general, while sending a message to long time Prince fans that he was ready to once again reign supreme.

Customer Reviews:

Green is the new Purple.......2007-08-07

Prince has been doing a graceful glide into musical middle-age ever since the solid "Musicology" by basically being himself. "Planet Earth" offers all of what you would expect from our aging Lothario. There's a terrific social song in the title track, a funk-rock work-out with "Guitar," a big salacious come-on with "Mr Goodnight" and a shout to the man upstairs. The good stuff is prime Prince, and when he whispers "I've got a mind full of good intentions and a mouth full of Raisinettes," you feel like your back in "Purple Rain" territory. Wendy and Lisa are even on board.

Problem is, there are a few tracks here that are just brazenly mediocre. An artist as brilliant as Prince should be able to avoid cliches like fake scratchy record grooves or the somewhat corny protest song ("Resolution"). The title track is so much better, on a par with Sign 'O' the Times meeting "An Inconvenient Truth." But if an album with some lame tracks is what it takes to coax Prince into admitting "I love you baby, but not like I love my guitar" before letting rip with a wild solo, then it's worth it. Just keep your expectations on that level, and "Planet Earth" will spin for you.

Not Prince's Best, But Still Solid!.......2007-08-07

Prince has returned somewhat to his roots with this cd which has a pop-mellow feel to It. The music flows beautifully In the classical Prince style.But there Is something missing, and I can't quite put my finger on It.Perhaps It Is just too short,(only 10 songs) It's Like It just getting started and It ends.But,even with that being said, this Is still a cd worthy of being purchased!

Hard To Believe An Album Worse Than 3121.............2007-08-07

Being a die hard Prince fan its hard to write this review as I'm feeling a sense of disloyalty. 3121 for me was probably the worst Prince album ever until now Planet Earth rivals it. There really is only one good track on Planet Earth in my opinion and thats Somewhere Here On Earth, a ballad with a sort of jazz sense to it, it is the one true gem on the cd. Chelsea Rodgers has great music but the lyrics fall way short of being anything interesting, as Prince pontificates the perfect female who reads a million books and never has sex......snooze!!!! These virtues are outdated, boring, and out of touch with his audience. There once was a Prince who would have called her a Sexy Moth******** then shagged her..... I miss that Prince and I feel alot of people miss that Prince.

The title track however has a great message, about saving our planet unfortunately it is done to music that seems like it should be in the broadway musical of Beauty and the Beast. Guitar is an emotionless track with boring "I love my guitar lyrics" that scream of a pre teen geek infatuated with his guitar. The rest of the album is laced religous propaganda that serves to further alienate Prince from his audience.

Prince has always been an intelligent artist that challenged his audience to think, now he just preaches no matter how many fans he has to lose to get his message across.

Similar to the great artists that battled alcoholism and drug abuse such as the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith who once they cleaned up lost their touch. In Prince's case he never had a drug or alcohol problem but his music suffered once he found God.

1980's Prince Is Back :).......2007-08-06

I personally love every album by Prince, but for the fans that always seem to say "Why doesnt he do songs like he did in the 1980's" HERE IS Your Album!

If I would have to place this album inbetween 2 albums which have that style and feel.... I would say: "Around the World in a Day" & "Sign O Times"!

It is more like the Prince & Wendy/Lisa feel after the Purple Rain Era!! Something in the 1985-1987 feel :)

As for the rating on the songs:

Planet Earth - 4/5
Guitar - 5/5
Somewhere Here on Earth - 5/5
The One U Wanna C - 5/5
Future Baby Mama - 2.5/5
Mr Goodnight - 3/5
All the Midnights in the world - 3.5/5
Chelsea Rodgers - 5/5
Lion of Judah - 4/5
Resolution - 4/5

PRINCE - A RETURN 2 FUNKY-POP!.......2007-08-06

After a considerable dive to the bottom of incoherent babble and nonsense noise, that was suppose to be music (example "The Rainbow Children"). Prince has dusted off his guitar and finally written some understandable funky pop tunes that are actually fun and even listenable! Take note- I have been a HUGE Prince fan from the very beginning, however, Prince lost me (and a lot of other fans) with his constant personal battles with Warner Bros and himself! Now, with the exception of (in my opinion) TOO MANY love ballards, Prince hits the mark with two songs that are worth the $10.00 admission to play- The best of the bunch being, "The One U Wanna C" with a '60's surf guitar rift that is SO catchy and a tune that the listener wants to hear again and again! The lyrics are cool and the rythmn stays with you, way after the song ends!

The funkiest song on the CD is the gospel-pop "Chelsea Rodgers," which reminds this Prince fan of his "Controversy" days, and even a bit of his teaming with Sheila E on "A Love Bazaar" and "Erotic City," with a lot of catchy lyrics and funky music. Like those Prince classics, this song is fun! The remainder of the CD is mostly what many of us die-hard Prince fans have been avoiding- enviromental "peace" songs ("Save the Planet" is a GREAT idea- but is anybody REALLY listening?) and "overwhelming" ballards (that go on and on and on). Though, "Mr Goodnight" is the best of the love ballards, the number of them overloads the CD and almost sinks it. I'd LOVE to hear Prince do another anti-war song, like- "Party-Up!" which said, "We don't give a damn, we just wanna jam, Party Up! / pARTY uP! got to, got to, got to Party Up! / Fighting these wars, is such a f**cking bore, Party Up!" The song is on his "Controversy" CD, and is just one of several hot tunes on the CD's playlist. I, 4 one, am pleased that Prince is at least finally headed in the right deirection, let's just hope he doesn't start straying again- we're all still waiting for another "Purple Rain," "1999," or a VERY rare "Sign O' The Times," in other words, we're still waiting "to live to see the dawn."

Average customer rating: the anger, the passion, the emotion is long gone You have to be kidding me.... solid album Disappointment Don't bother

Zeitgeist Smashing Pumpkins Manufacturer: Martha's Music / Reprise ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Icky Thump Libertad Our Love to Admire Year Zero Era Vulgaris ASIN: B000OQF6N6 Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

1. Doomsday Clock
2. 7 Shades of Black
3. Bleeding the Orchid
4. That¹s the Way (my Love is)
5. Tarantula
6. Starz
7. United States
8. Neverlost
9. Bring the Light
10. (Come on) Let¹s Go!
11. For God and Country
12. Pomp and Circumstances

Amazon.com

Inside the buzzing hive of Smashing Pumpkins' guitars is clearly where bandleader Billy Corgan feels most comfortable. So, after a seven-year hiatus for the short-lived group Zwan and his surprisingly sunny 2005 solo album, Corgan has revived the Pumpkins in all the six-string-spattered shades of emotional gray that made them one of the greatest bands of the alt-rock era. Longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, along with famed boardsmiths Roy Thomas Baker and Terry Date as well as Corgan himself coproduced. Chamberlin also supports mountainous layers of guitar with his fiercest playing. California musicians Ginger Reyes (bass) and Jeff Schroeder (guitar) complete a version of the band dedicated to early bare-knuckled form, with a few exceptions: Corgan's grown into a more powerful wordsmith and his lengthy guitar solo explorations of yore are replaced with a trim, barbed textural approach that's ultimately more vicious. That is, until the centerpiece "United States" stretches into an epic punk-metal-informed sibling of Jimi Hendrix's "Machine Gun," with Corgan's strings singing like explosions and twisting metal as he warbles about revolution. Much of this album conjures literal and sonic visions of apocalypse, but there's grace, too, in the blithe grind of the hopeful "That's the Way (My Love Is)" and the melodic "Neverlost." Overall, Corgan's captivating effort to mine both the spirit of these turbulent times and the soul of his defining band is a smashing success. --Ted Drozdowski

Album Description

The Smashing Pumpkins are back! After seven years, the acclaimed Pumpkins have returned with Zeitgeist. Featuring the single "Tarantula," this new sound is not to be missed.

Customer Reviews:

the anger, the passion, the emotion is long gone.......2007-08-06

long time pumpkins fan. siamese dream still my favorite album of all time of all artists, and the only album to actually make me cry as you could just feel the emotion and sentimentality of each note and word. but yeah.....this new one is severely lacking. very few songs of substance. atleast thats what i think...you can argue they have taken a new direction and alternative approach, but i still feel that this album is just a production and that there was little personal energy or passion put into it...i just dont feel the anger or the sadness or the joy like i did in previous pumpkin albums, the emotion is not there! im so dissapointed. very simple songs,weak really minus 2 or 3, lacking the progression and stages a lot of the old songs had, few have a hook or anything memorable or discernible from the next song really....to an extent. really hate the layering with the vocals. cliche with the whole political angle too.....done to death already. like the bolsheviks in the first russian revolution of 1905 (the one before 1917), they've already missed the boat with it and have come way too late. in the end, basically an average pop-rock album and a monumental let-down

You have to be kidding me...........2007-08-03

After the last two Smashing Pumpkin albums, you would think ol' baldy would have the brains to not even call this album, a "Smashing Pumpkins" LP.

Their last two albums were not just awful, but like listening to a band kill themselves, slowly and painfully...

I find it amazing how many reviewers are just huge fanboys and have written paragraph after paragraph about some stupid Smashing Pumpkins "history."

This album is not too hot at all, and after seeing Billy Corgan TRY to sing on "Live Earth," it's just funny...did anyone see his "Today" performance! He couldn't even remember the simple intro riff, so pathetic...I mean, it was sad.

Good luck with this album, but we all know this band is dead in the water, like Oasis...

solid album.......2007-08-03

My overall impression of the album is that it's good. I think most true long time fans will feel the same. I've read some of the negative reviews and most are a joke. I laugh at the negative reviews that when they reference Machina as on of the great SP releases.

Disappointment.......2007-08-03

Talking about The Smashing Pumpkins I really was expecting so much more...
It's sad to say but I think they'll never do something similar to their old stuff: masterpieces like 'mellon colie & the infinitive sadness','siamese dream' or even 'pieces iscariot'.

Don't bother.......2007-08-03

Zeitgeist is a major disappointment. It is very immature and sloppy, which is strange coming from such a perfectionist. Billy's vocals are dreadful, so much for the singing lessons! As for the music being reminiscent of the "old pumpkins" like I had read, well it just isn't true.

If you want good Pumpkins, look at Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie and Machina.

Average customer rating: Truly disappointing Another great album... What can I say Spare Me The Suspense. A step to the right, and slightly backward

Our Love to Admire Interpol Manufacturer: Capitol Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Icky Thump Zeitgeist An End Has a Start Favourite Worst Nightmare We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank ASIN: B000PY32CO Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

1. Pioneer To the Falls
2. No I In Threesome
3. The Scale
4. The Heinrich Maneuver
5. Mammoth
6. Pace Is the Trick
7. All Fired Up
8. Rest My Chemistry
9. Who Do You Think
10. Wrecking Ball
11. The Lighthouse

Amazon.com

Moving up to a major label has hardly lifted Interpol's spirits. This is a good thing. Even with the twisted Wild Kingdom album cover and bassist Carlos Dengler's unexpected Wild West makeover, on its third studio album the black-clad New York quartet still sounds inflexibly menacing, grasping tighter than ever to its doomy post-punk influences and delving further into frontman Paul Banks's emotional unrest. Everything sounds a little bigger and brighter, sure, but at their core songs like "Rest My Chemistry" and "Wrecking Ball" are heroically sinister, goaded on by prickly riffs and slow-bleeding rhythms. The group briefly jumps to life on the buzzing "Heinrich Manouver" and exhibits an unexpected dash of humor on "No I in Threesome," but it's the closing "Lighthouse" that best defines the set--a late-night lament that simply steals away into the dark. --Aidin Vaziri

Amazon.com

Our Love To Admire is at once unmistakably Interpol and undeniably new. The witty and perverse "No I In Threesome" is an upbeat ode to shaking up a staid relationship propelled by Carlos D's peerless bass melody while the tenderly observant "Pace Is the Trick" proves that the band are still the masters of the dramatic - check the painful pause right before the sinfully satisfying return of Sam's thundering drums and Daniel's ringing lead guitar. The band's impressively seductive evolution is obvious all over the record, but never more so than on tracks like "Mammoth," "Who Do You Think" and on the album's lyrical centerpiece, the ghostly "Rest My Chemistry." While Daniel is understandably proud of the song he cautions against reading too much autobiography into its lyrics. "We always leave the interpretation to the listener," he says. "I mean, you shouldn't watch a movie for the first time listening to the director's commentary!"

Our Love to Admire closes with "The Lighthouse," a funereal dirge that is among the most unexpected and memorable songs ever recorded by the band. Almost entirely percussion-free, the song is constructed around Daniel's mournful guitar and Paul's sparten lyrics. Not only is it one of their finest moments to date, it provides the album's most goose-bump inducing moment, the very same reflex shivers that make Interpol live shows such an exhilarating experience. As the very last song the band recorded for the album it was, they say, the hardest to play. The hypnotic guitar part was played on a 50-year-old guitar that had toxins on the strings, providing Daniel with a blistering and painful sensation in his fingers. The band weren't even sure the track would make it out of the studio, but once they heard Paul's remarkable vocals they were floored. The song - and the album - doesn't so much end as it bleeds to a close with a long, echoey coda filled with feedback and strings. A fittingly dramatic end to a stunning and emotional journey. Interpol is back, every bit as good as before but charged with a new spirit, a new direction, a new label and, most of all, a new confidence.

Interpol Photos

More from Interpol

Antics

Turn on the Bright Lights

The Black EP

Customer Reviews:

Truly disappointing.......2007-08-05

"Turn on the Bright Lights" and "Antics" are two of my very favorite albums, so I was understandably excited about this one. Early listens to "Pioneer to the Falls" and "The Heinrich Maneuver" got my hopes up that this record would be an epic to match Interpol's debut. Unfortunately, the rest of the album doesn't live up to the promise of those two songs -- and even those two, upon repeated listens, reveal themselves to be lesser efforts from a band that made two near-perfect albums on their first two tries.

The band seems to lack the punch, much of it supplied by killer drums and bass, from their first two works. Songs like "No I in Threesome," "All Fired Up" and "Wrecking Ball" simply fall flat; they lack the drive, relentless energy and delicious atmosphere that I've come to expect from Interpol. Even the better songs, like "Heinrich" and "Pioneer," seem strangely muted. The best songs on here, including "Mammoth" and "Rest My Chemistry," have at least some of the impact of early Interpol, and they come close to rescuing this spotty album.

However, the biggest drawback here is that in the absence of this instrumental kick and power, the band's lyrical shortcomings -- even worse here than on their earlier efforts -- are exposed for just how serious they are. I was willing to go along with the silly lines found in some of the early songs, because they seemed to work well with the music and at least left some sense of mystery; it was possible to let them slide as metaphor or as Pixies-esque ornamentation. But here, the lyrics just seem laughable; "No I In Threesome," "Pace is the Trick," "All Fired Up" and even "Heinrich" have this problem in spades.

I truly like this band, and I hope they can regain their old form in the future. But this album, sadly, is no better than the rest of the alt-rock boilerplate being cranked out by any number of bands, from the Killers to She Wants Revenge. That's company I thought Interpol was too good for, but they proved me wrong with this one.

Another great album..........2007-08-04

Interpol managed to deliver a third great album!
Although it makes you think of a lot of other bands it's still the specific Interpol sound.
Their music creates a very special, unique atmosphere.
You either love it or hate it.

I love it!

Peace,

Rolf

What can I say.......2007-08-04

This album lives up to the exceedingly high standards set by Turn on the Bright Lights and Antics.

For a band with such few full length studio albums released, I'm always slightly afraid that there will be a falling off. That is decidedly not the case here.

I thought Interpol's first effort was their best, with Antics an admirable but slightly underachieving album. With Our Love to Admire they've lived up to whatever hype they've managed to cultivate and offered more of what made me a fan while proceeding ahead into the moody alternative rock of their genre.

Easily as good as Turn on the Bright Lights, while maintaining the slightly more complex structure of Antics, Our Love to Admire starts and ends strong, with quite a few eminently classic songs in between. "Pioneer to the Falls" hits me the same way as "You Know You're Right" did on Nirvana's Nirvana album. It's a step in a new direction with the hallmarks of the band intact, and a reminder of why you listen to new albums in the first place.

One of the best albums of the year and a beacon in an otherwise fairly bleak 2007 (some notable exceptions from Wilco, Modest Mouse, The Good the Bad & the Queen, and Portugal. The Man notwithstanding).

Spare Me The Suspense........2007-08-04

With their third album, Interpol deliver the same brand of punk rock that made them popular with their debut, "Turn On The Bright Lights". Now you can argue whether they've improved or whether they've recycled themselves, but for me, I admit my bias up front, I like the band. I can't currently think of any other band that recreates The Psychedelic Furs and The Cure so well. There are flourishes of Lou Reed, early Human League, Sex Pistols, Joy Division, etc., but mostly I think of The Psychedelic Furs. So, I enjoyed "Our Love To Admire". Is it as good as "Turn On The Bright Lights" or "Antics"? I think so.

There's no one particular song that I didn't like, but "The Scale" seemed rather weak to me. The strongest song seems to be the first single, "The Heinrich Maneuver" which comes close to "Evil" from "Antics". Other songs I liked after repeatedly listening to the disc are "Pioneer To The Falls", "Mammoth", "All Fired Up", "Rest My Chemistry" and "Who Do You Think". The rest of the tracks are also decent, but not necessarily as strong.

Overall, "Our Love To Admire" is four stars, not five, because the band still needs to grow and incorporate a greater range into their style. This third album is solid, but they're starting to stand in one spot. It's a good spot, but something more adventurous and experimental would be more interesting next time.

A step to the right, and slightly backward.......2007-07-30

Interpol is potentially the best band of the last decade. 'Turn on the Bright Lights' seems to be unanimously applauded, while even 'Antics' tends to divide fans in a deep way. While TOTBL was a moodier and perhaps more bold stroke, Antics showed a band who were able to refine their sound while still moving forward. OLTA is a step a little to the right and backward: it's safer and this time the attempt to refine the songwriting takes the band away from some of the things that made them great.

'Pioneer to the Falls' is one of Interpol's finest monents and a strong opener. However, the album takes a severe step in the wrong direction and never regains its footing. 'Wrecking Ball' is the only other really great addition to the Interpol catalogue, while 'Heinrich', Rest my Chemistry', 'Mammoth', and 'Pace is the Trick' are all good and do possess an Interpol-esque quality but miss the mark. For someone new to Interpol they will likely find this album good, however anybody familiar with Interpol's previous efforts will likely begin the wait for the fourth album (it will be great!).

The tone is there for a great Interpol album but it lacks in so many ways. Paul Banks brought his voice and he sounds great,pushing his voice in new directions; but the lyrics fail to grab. On previous efforts Banks' vague and ambiguous lyrics had a way of getting under your skin, here he often goes for clairty( 'Chemistry', 'No I in threesome' which is indeed a song about a threesome..how un-Interpol), however Interpol is at their best when they rely on the atmospheric sense of mystery they are able to create instrumentally and vocally. And when Banks does go for ambiguity he comes up a little short . Daniel Kessler seems to be Interpol's only member who showed up to have a serious go at it. Sam Fogarino, one of the best drummer's in alt/rock music today, is almost completely absent from the album with the exception of 'Pioneer'. Carlos is also barely present, although he does experiment with double bass. Overall Interpol just doesn't function as a band here with the rhythm section feeling particular absent. Also it sems Interpol tried the ever doomed task of "trying to please the old fans while winning over the rest of the world at the same time", which never works. Hopefully the members of Interpol will shake this one off and go back to making albums to please themselves first. Every band needs to fail, and this is it for Interpol. However, I do believe they will be back better than ever for the next album.

Average customer rating: Its weakness was the last album's strength Finding the "Moment" "Finding Forever" cements Common's legacy in "The Game" as kickback records get kicked to the back. Playing Forever Southside Chicago Does it Right.

Finding Forever Common Manufacturer: Universal Music Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Graduation Desire Ear Drum T.I. vs T.I.P. From Nothin' to Somethin' ASIN: B000RN86BK Release Date: 2007-07-31

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Start the Show
3. The People
4. Drivin' Me Wild
5. I Want You
6. Southside
7. The Game
8. U, Black Maybe
9. So Far To Go
10. Break My Heart
11. Misunderstood
12. Forever Begins

Amazon.com

It's no small feat to follow an instant classic like Common's Be (2005) but he skillfully builds on that success with a worthy sequel. The two albums share much in common, especially with Finding Forever's focus and brevity (under 50 minutes) and especially with Kanye West's musical direction. The two Chicago natives have forged a strong chemistry together, especially on songs like "Start the Show" and "Southside" where both men appear, but just as a producer, West makes his presence felt on everything from the catchy piano tinkles of "Driving Me Wild" (featuring British chanteuse Lily Allen) to the brass-knuckled "The Game" (featuring DJ Premier). As has become his trademark, Common balances heartfelt earnestness ("Black Maybe") with clever charm ("Break My Heart") though he has one too many love songs ("I Want You"). Whether Finding Forever surpasses Be is a matter of individual, song-for-song taste: At worst, it's on par--a laudable accomplishment for a veteran now 15 years into his career. --Oliver Wang

Album Description

Multi-faceted Hip-Hop superstar Common is prepping his highly anticipated seventh album, Finding Forever, for a July 31st release on G.O.O.D Music/Geffen Records. The album is the follow up to the four times Grammy nominated, critically heralded and Kanye West produced Be, which spawned hits including The Corner, Go, and Testify. Finding Forever, finds Kanye again taking the bulk of production work with help from Will.I.Am on the sultry I Want You, the late great J. Dilla on So Far To Go, featuring a surprise guest appearance by D'Angelo and G.O.O.D Music producer Devo Springsteen on Misunderstood. On Finding Forever, Common, rips the mic like a hungry newcomer. The street single The Game produced by Kanye with scratches by the legendary DJ Premier is a horn drenched, vintage NY rap boom-bap banger from the Chi-town emcee, no less. The resounding lead single The People finds Common lyrically asserting why and who he creates his music for over regal strings, delectable keys and hard to get vocals by Gil Scott Heron. This is the explicit version.

Customer Reviews:

Its weakness was the last album's strength.......2007-08-07

When reviews began claiming that this album surpassed "Be," I was a bit skeptical. I loved every song on "Be," sometimes not so much for Common's rapping (a little under his par at that time), but simply for the quality of the overall production. I had rarely heard such a soulful, cohesive and beautifully-layered record. Fans will enjoy the fact that on "Finding Forever," Common definitely steps up his wordplay and delivery from the last album. The problem this time around, in my opinion, is the production.

Intro - Very cool, no problems here.

Start the Show - I was caught a little off-guard with this one. After hearing track one, I wanted a mellow beginner, but was instead blown out of my seat. This beat was working for me until they brought in that annoying and repetitive four-note layer of chime-sounding instruments. Too much.

The people - Between the despairing string sections and the happy, synthed-out sections of this beat, "The People" sounds like two different songs. A little too weird for me.

Drivin' me Wild - The piano part is the most repetitive and elementary loop in a song I've ever heard, and the sung hook just drives me over the edge. Forget wild, this song will drive you crazy.

I Want You - It's beautiful in Chorus World where the synths come back in and Will-i-am is singing. As soon as the verses start back, though, all one hears is drums under Common's voice. Some will enjoy the simplicity here, but others will admit this song sounds a little empty.

Southside - LOVE the beat and the battle-rap-style verses. This is definitely one you can bang your head to. My only beef with this song is Kanye yelling with Common in the chorus and trying to sing at the end. Though either one or both are probably supposed to be funny, this isn't a funny song...it has rock guitar and gritty drums in it. Kanye sounds like he recorded those parts from a hospital bed after an asthma attack.

The Game - You either love the little 3-note organ pattern over drums or you don't. That's about as deep as this song gets. Cool scratches, though.

Black Maybe - I've heard this drum pattern in a million other songs, but I'll give Common credit for a very original song idea. It was also refreshing to hear more musical depth in this track.

So far to Go - I love the groove of the drums here, and this track is growing on me.

Break my Heart - Best song on this album due to great vocal sampling. The beat's shift from verse to hook sections is again a bit weird, but because it isn't as drastic as "The People," it works a bit better.

Misunderstood - This song is growing on me...not much I can complain about. Are we sure this isn't produced by Dr. Dre?

Forever begins - Creative drum pattern, good piano, and a pretty good closer. Not too bad, but it won't be stuck in your head like the closer from "Be."

My advice? Buy 2-4 of the MP3's and hold your breath for a better-produced Common album. I am a HUGE Common fan, but this album as a whole disappoints me more with every listen.

Finding the "Moment".......2007-08-07

This project is very decent yet it has it's drawbacks that should be noted. First of all, Common has lyrically pigeonholed himself. How many times can you say the things but in a slightly different way? Hearing him portray himself as the hip hop Stokely Carmichael has gotten very tiring. His range of subject material is more minute than ever even though it's positive. However, being positive can only be seen from the contrast of negativity. In other words, too much of a good thing is bad. The production is "cute" at best. Kanye is no J Dilla. The beats on "The People" and "Black Maybe" are fragile beyond belief. Kanye's sound isn't wholesome and fully blossomed as Jay Dee's was and is. There is absolutely no "thump" in his beats as if Kanye has never heard of a kickdrum.

There are about 2 too many "love" songs. Leave 2 of "Drivin' Me Wild" , "Break My Heart", "I Want You", or "So Far To Go" off the CD. And speaking of "So Far To Go", the lyrics are awful. The lyrics seem to be an afterthought as Common does even take them seriously. It was thrown together at the last moment and came off as a slap in the face to the legend J Dilla. The version on "The Shining" is ten times better and should have been on the cd instead. Also, Kanye said that he chopped up the samples the way J Dilla would have, but the only thing on this cd that reminds me of J Dilla is the 15 second beat on the end of "I Want You" that could have only been done by someone from Detroit like Kareem Riggins because I know Will I Am couldn't have done it. The beat was both refreshing and agitating because it reminded me of a J Dilla beat yet it lasted for only a short moment.

A few of the songs seem like they were made for 13 year olds like "Break My Heart" and "Driving Me Wild" - very immature. About 2 months ago on www.wikipedia.com, I saw a track listing for this project. Common had a song titled "The Ambassadors" that featured Nas on the cd. Why was that an unused track? Now if you go to www.wikipedia.com, you will see that songs featuring The Last Poets and Eminem were left off the cd as well. What happened? The Kanye West and Common dynamic duo thing is boring now. It would have been great to hear Common rhyme with other heavyweights in the game. Was he going get shown up by Nas and Eminem on his own project like Eminem did Jay-Z on "Renegade"? I wonder.

All in all, this project is acceptable. I really believe that Common isn't putting his full effort in his music anymore, as he has 3 movies coming out in the near future. This project isn't as better as "Be" and "Like Water For Chocolate" kills it. And yes, even the misunderstood classic "Electric Circus", which was waaaay ahead of it's time. It's a shame and a travesty to keep hearing Common apologize for that right-brained masterpiece - another insult to the late great J Dilla. That project was creativity at its height.

Common has a blueprint that needs modifications. It's getting to be the same ole song only appropriate for the moment, not forever...

"Finding Forever" cements Common's legacy in "The Game" as kickback records get kicked to the back........2007-08-07

I have followed Common Sense ever since I heard the track "Take It EZ". Originally, I didn't purchase Can I Borrow a Dollar?, but I definitely enjoyed "Take It EZ", "Breaker 1/9", "Soul By The Pound", "Heidi Hoe" and "Charms Alarm". Once I heard "I Used To Love H.E.R.", Common's dedication to hip hop, I knew that his next CD, Resurrection, would also be worth checking out, but for some reason I didn't purchase the CD right away. When I saw the video for Common's track with Lauryn Hill, "Retrospect For Life", once his 3rd disc had already dropped, One Day It'll All Make Sense, that's when I decided to make my first Common purchase. Tracks like "Gettin' Down At The Amphitheater" w/De La Soul, "G.O.D." w/Cee Lo, "All Night Long" w/Erykah Badu, "Stolen Moments Part 2" w/Black Thought from The Roots and "Making A Name For Ourselves" w/Canibus ended up being my favorite tracks. Common's 4th CD, Like Water For Chocolate, may have just been his best CD. The DJ Premier produced 1st single, "The 6th Sense", "Dooin It", "A Song For Assata", and one of his most successful singles to date, "The Light" ended up being my favorite tracks. Electric Circus seemed to be more of an experimental CD for Common. Although I did enjoy the 1st single, "Come Close" which featured Mary J. Blige and the CD's closer "Heaven Somewhere", Common definitely lost me within the experiment of this CD. However, Nas had "Nastradamus" and Jay-Z had "In My Lifetime Volume 1" so just because Common made 1 CD that I didn't enjoy didn't mean that I would stop supporting Common.

However, at the right time, it seemed as if Common had his own "Resurrection" after some of his fans were disappointed with "Electric Circus" with his verse on Kanye West's "Get 'Em High", which also featured Talib Kweli. If any of Common's fans thought he had lost it after "Electric Circus" he definitely proved them wrong after just one verse. I later found out that Common had signed with Kanye's G.O.O.D. music imprint and while I was hesitant at first, I figured that if anyone would steer Common's career back in the right way that Kanye could. When I first heard "The Corner", that was definitely the Common that I had missed on Electric Circus. Common seemed like he had a passion to rhyme again and with Kanye West on the boards it seemed as if Common had a point to prove all over again. Be was in the CD player for a long time. My favorite tracks ended up being "The Corner", "Testify", "Chi City", "Go", "Real People" and "The Food", which was originally featured on The Dave Chapelle Show.

The first track that I heard off of Common's 7th solo offering "Finding Forever" was "The Game". The Kanye West track definitely had an old school feel to it and Common sounds like he is trying to make sure that people didn't believe that "Be" was a fluke. He also wants to make sure that if you are tired of listening to the hip hop of today, which has no substance at all that you have a CD that you can put in your stereo or in the CD player in your car that you can actually learn something from. Common's 2nd single "The People" which features Dwele is an excellent example of that. Common could have easily went with "Break My Heart" or "I Want You" as the next single. However, he dares to be different. He doesn't want to follow the trends of the rapper who is just motivated by selling units and selling his soul to "The Game".

"Finding Forever" was released on July 31, 2007. After a short instrumental intro, Common and Kanye West's hook does a good job to "Start The Show". Common's lyrics are just as potent as they are on "The Game" and Kanye has one of his best beats on "Finding Forever" on this track. You will definitely be able to tell that Common has some subliminal messages in the track for a certain rapper or rappers in general. "Drivin' Me Wild" may take awhile to grow on you because, in my opinion, it's not a track that you will like after just 1 or 2 listens. This is track 1 of 4 that Common has on "Finding Forever" where he is talking about a woman or women in general. While it may not be one of Finding Forever's best tracks, "Drivin' Me Wild" will grow on you after awhile. Will.I.Am stops by to produce what may be the 3rd single in "I Want You". While I have never been a fan of The Black Eye Peas, Will.I.Am has definitely impressed me with his production work on the latest offerings from Mary J. Blige, Nas, Game and John Legend. He also produced another track that should be on "Finding Forever" in "A Dream" that was featured on the "Freedom Writers" soundtrack. One of the best production moments on this CD is when Will.I.Am. changes the beat of the track before the 3rd verse begins. Track 2 of 4 for the ladies is neck and neck and may even be a tie with "Break My Heart". Will.I.Am has a nice hook and Common's lyrics take care of the rest. "Southside" features Kanye West and the 2 rappers do a good job of going back and forth together with their verses like they have been in a group for years. The track appears to be a freestyle with a nice Kanye beat and you can never go wrong with that combination. Common even goes as far as saying, "You in the building, but the building's fallin', you wouldn't be ballin', if your name was Spalding". It appears Nas isn't the only one that has words for fly by night rapper of the moment, Jim Jones. Common is a teacher spreading his lessons on "U, Black Maybe". On the track, Common makes you think as he raises the question of Blacks always trying to blame the next man, which is usually another race, for their problems. However, in some cases we bring our own people down and we don't even recognize that fact or we in our own system of denial. Common features track 3 of 4 for the ladies in "So Far To Go" which features D'Angelo and is produced by the late, great J Dilla. The track was originally featured on J Dilla's "The Shining" CD. Common was also featured on another track on "The Shining" entitled "E=MC2". "Break My Heart" may be the song that will stay in your head just because of the Kanye West sample. However, Common's wordplay on this track is simply phenominal. He describes a situation where a woman is hesitant to get invloved with him and Common uses his lyrics to get the woman to "come on and go with him". This track is definitely one of my favorites on "Finding Forever".

Devo Springsteen must have gotten access to Kanye's stash of samples because he cleverly uses a sample on "Misunderstood". The clever use of the sample, the production and Common's lyrics make this track a nice combination. Bilal does a good job on the hook and Common does his best to make people understand that the problems in the world today are real problems and not just things that you can ignore because it isn't happening to them. "Forever Begins" ends "Finding Forever" on a nice note especially with Common's verses and towards the end of the track with the powerful words. The chorus is fine but it seems as if Kanye had an "overproduction" moment when the singers started singing the hook.

Overall, "Finding Forever" is a CD that will be in your CD player for awhile just as "Be" was. I would give a slight edge to "Be" as far as what CD I like better but "Finding Forever" is just as nice as "Be" was. Common's 2nd CD on G.O.O.D. music will also end up being a classic to most of his fans and fans of real hip hop music. There are some moments that Common will have you wondering why are you talking about Jen and Vince Vaughn and Ryan and Reese Witherspoon, however, his attack of the 2007 "I must sell unit" rappers on "Start The Show" and "The Game", his lessons on "U, Black Maybe" and "Misunderstood" and his wonderful tracks for the ladies with "Break My Heart", "I Want You" and "So Far To Go" will make you forget about any disappointments that you may have with this CD. If this CD doesn't cement Common's legacy in rap music, I am not sure what else he will have to do in order to convince you of his skills. If you liked "Be" and if you are a fan of Common's previous CDs, then you would be a fool to pass up on "Finding Forever".

James' Top 5

1) The Game
2) Misunderstood w/Bilal
3) The People w/Dwele
4) Break My Heart
5) Start The Show

Honorable Mention:

Southside w/Kanye West
I Want You w/Will.I.Am
So Far To Go w/D'Angelo
Forever Begins
U, Black Maybe

Ranking Common's Discography: (This was hard)

1) Resurrection
2) Like Water For Chocolate
3) Be
4) Finding Forever
5) One Day It'll All Make Sense
6) Can I Borrow A Dollar?
7) Electric Circus

Playing Forever.......2007-08-06

When I bought this album, I played so much within a 24-hour period that I scratched it and of course, I have to but it again. If you are Common fan you will like this album, if you are a hip-hop fan you will like this album. The two tracks that were released for this album ("The People" and "The Game") were good but my favorite tracks were "U, Black Maybe" and "Misunderstood". Common remains one of the most underrated artist in hip-hop, "Finding Forever" is another great album from an un-Common artist.

Southside Chicago Does it Right........2007-08-06

In the hip-hop/rap world, there are only a handful of folks who have longevity and receive the appropriate accolades from peers as well as the general public. Finding Forever is quality music, with quality production and good lyrics. Common has been in the game for a long time, and each album is a progression of who he is and where he's been. This album picks up where Be left off, however, I think he may have played it a little safe. I think Common was a little more pissed off at the world, (but in a backpacker way) during the making of Be. Here some of the anger at the world's problems are just a tad more subtle, but listen carefully, and you will hear the insight into the poverty, gangs, drugs, and war that exists in the world today. Love is theme that Common wants to explore, but may not know to express (track "I Want You") The Game is a testimony to how dope Common really is...he slays other wannabe mc's. DJ Premier hooks that track up lovely. What I love more than anything is how well Common always reps Chicago, particularly the Southside.

Average customer rating: Absolute Garbage this is Not! My thoughts A greatest hits worthy of the wait. Underrated Garbage Absolutely Fantastic

Absolute Garbage Garbage Manufacturer: Almo Sounds ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Garbage: Absolute Garbage Are You Listening Beauty & Crime We Are the Night Planet Earth ASIN: B000R9J3X4 Release Date: 2007-07-24

Tracks:

1. Vow
2. Queer
3. Only Happy When It Rains
4. Stupid Girl
5. Milk
6. #1 Crush
7. Push It
8. I Think I m Paranoid
9. Special
10. When I Grow Up
11. You Look So Fine
12. The World is Not Enough
13. Cherry Lips
14. Shut Your Mouth
15. Why Do You Love Me
16. Bleed Like Me
17. Tell Me Where It Hurts
18. It s All Over But The Crying
19. The World Is Not Enough (Unkle Remix)
20. When I Grow Up (Kagz Kooner Remix)
21. Special (Brothers In Rhythm Remix)
22. Breaking Up The Girl (Timo Mass Remix)
23. Milk (Massive Attack Remix)
24. Cherry Lips (Roger Sanchez Remix)
25. Androgyny (Felix Da Housecat Remix)
26. Queer (Rabbit In The Moon Remix)
27. Paranoid (Crystal Method Mix)
28. Stupid Girl (Todd Terry Remix)
29. You Look So Fine (Fun Lovin' Criminals Remix)
30. Push It (Boom Boom Satellites Remix)
31. Bad Boyfriend (Garbage Remix)

Amazon.com

Taking inspiration from little known British band Curve, the formula behind Garbage was simple enough: Industrial strength beats, grungy guitars and ice queen vocals. But in Scottish fireball Shirley Manson the three middle-aged studio whizzes from Wisconsin not only found a muse but a front woman whose infinite charisma and wicked sense of humor--as evidenced by the title of this greatest hits set--gave even No Doubt a solid run in the hits race. For a few years, the group ruled the charts with shiny metallic pop gems like "Queer," "Stupid Girl," and "Only Happy When It Rains," hampered only by some remedial lyrics and a penchant for cribbing other bands' melodies (see: The Pretenders aping "Special"). There's a discernible dip in quality midway through this collection, when at the turn of the millennium Garbage seemingly lost its fire, but at least the group's token James Bond theme, "The World Is Not Enough," is more Shirley Bassey than Sheena Easton. Fans who are already up do date with the originals will want to pick up this special edition set that features a bonus disc of remixes by some of the biggest players on the '90s electronic music scene, including Massive Attack, The Crystal Method, and Unkle. --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

Four albums and seven Grammy® nominations later, Garbage has its first best of collection -- Absolute Garbage. Along with the new track Tell Me Where It Hurts, Absolute Garbage features 17 songs of extreme and intense emotion, from Stupid Girl, Queer and #1 Crush to Special, Bleed Like Me and Why Do You Love Me.

The special limited edition 2-CD set adds to the original CD a bonus disc of remixes by some of the world s most renowned DJs, including U.N.K.L.E., Massive Attack, Todd Terry, Crystal Method, Fun Lovin Criminals, and Felix Da Housecat.

Absolute Garbage offers the best of a band that, to quote a lyric from Queer, has been the strangest of the strange, the coolest of the cool.

Customer Reviews:

Absolute Garbage this is Not!.......2007-08-07

If you are new to this exceptional band, this is not a bad place to start. Shirley Manson's vocals are outstanding! This is well worth the 5 star rating I am giving it. Get yourself some garbage... you will not be disappointed.

My thoughts.......2007-08-06

I usta have version 2.0 and was thinking of buying order Garbage CDs ,but this is better and all my faverates are on the 2 disc set, Grab this CD, cause it may be the last Garbage CD for a while , The band is on a long hiatus , check google to find the latest news .

A greatest hits worthy of the wait. .......2007-08-05

In the post grunge era of the late 90's right before the explosion of pop and mainstreem hip-hop there was one band that didn't want to let go of the glory days of the first half of the decade. That band was Garbage. Garbage combined haunting Annie Lennox like vocals from the stunning Shirley Manson hard tuned down guitar rifts and just a pinch of slight new wave and created one easily recognizible sound for the time. I was eagerly awaiting this grestest hits and the best part is this special edition with a whole addition cd of remixes. The best part about the remix cd is that its not all the same songs as on the first disc. So pretty much all of the songs of Garbage that I loved are all here so I got my moneys worth entirely. If you are a fan of this band it is a worthy addition to your collection if you are looking for something different or trying to get into the band more its a great starter.

Underrated Garbage.......2007-08-04

This album encapsules 12 years of the band, and they are not done yet according to recent interviews with Butch and Shirley. The best part about this album is that it is remastered, so listen carefully and you will discover sounds you never heard before. This collection is essential for any garbage fan, especially the remix CD which puts a good spin on the originals. This greatest hits collection is a good start for anyone who likes the band, but Garbage is best known for their albums as a whole, so while this takes you down memory lane, make sure to buy their albums if you haven't already for the real journey.

Absolutely Fantastic.......2007-08-02

Absolute Garbage is a wonderful addition to the collection for the hard-core Garbage fan. With one new track (Tell Me Where It Hurts) and a remix (It's All Over But The Crying) this is a must have. And to top it all off a second disc of club style DJ remixes and one Garbage remix the Absolute Garbage 2 disc set is Absolutely a must have. For the new Garbage fan this is a grate way to start your collection or to add a new CD to your set with smoe of their best songs on one disc you can't go wrong.

Average customer rating: Put the earphones on and don't run away! this album rocks! Libertad Evolutionary Album Libertad -- An Awesome Achievement In Modern Rock

Libertad Velvet Revolver Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Zeitgeist Icky Thump Carry On Era Vulgaris Black Rain ASIN: B000P29B62 Release Date: 2007-07-03

Tracks:

1. Let It Roll
2. She Mine
3. Get Out The Door
4. She Builds Quick Machines
5. The Last Fight
6. Pills, Demons & Etc.
7. American Man
8. Mary Mary
9. Just Sixteen
10. Can't Get It Out Of My Head
11. For A Brother
12. Spay
13. Gravedancer
14. Re-Evolution

Amazon.com

When they exploded out of the gates on their 2004 debut, Contraband, Velvet Revolver were met with as much diffidence as appreciation. After all, supergroups have tended to detonate as often as succeed, and with vocalist Scott Weiland, bassist Duff McKagan, and guitarist Slash all vying to keep the lit match away from the fuse, the odds against this band ever seeing album #2 were even money at best. Surprise! Not only have Velvet Revolver survived three years with unreckless abandon, this album blows the doors off its predecessor. Save a pair of disinfected ballads ("The Last Fight," "Gravedancer"), Libertad is all about hand-grenade chords, drag-racing riffs, and circus-tent choruses. The ageless McKagan and Slash continually gun for the disorderliness of their former band (most notably on the punkish opener "Let It Roll" and its lewd brother "Spay"), while Weiland sounds--knock on wood--positively clean and like a voice of boisterous renewal on tracks like "Mary Mary," "She Builds Quick Machines," and the melt-in-your-mouth cover of ELO's "Can't Get It Out of My Head." Obviously egos have been checked at the studio door, as Velvet Revolver have already exceeded their anticipated existence. And now that existence goes back on the clock, trying to outshine a second album that's head-and-shoulders better than the first. --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews:

Put the earphones on and don't run away!.......2007-08-06

The new Velvet Revolver effort Libertad lives up to its predecessors standards and in some way surpasses it. It may sound kind of dumb but if GNR and STP did the nastys this would be their offspring. Some of the songs sound like "hey wasn't that on the STP alblum No. 5?!?" or "Isn't that the solo from november rain?" Although it sounds like its own effort in its own right.. occasionally if you listen closly the ghosts of the Deleo brothers or Axle wisper in the background. But like I said put the earphones on your head lock the door and let her play a few times... Songs to watch out for :

#5: THE LAST FIGHT
-This is the first song that stuck out at me. Slash playing a lighter dixielandish non-distorted guitar.

#7: AMERICAN MAN
-Listen for the spanish scales that blissfully appear one min in the song.

#10: CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD
-This is the song where if you listen closly a little bit of november rain drips in.

#13: GRAVEDANCER & RE-EVOLUTION
-Ill give you 5 dollars if this does not get stuck in the ol noggin.. Re-Evolution is a gem in itself. Classic western ballade.

this album rocks!.......2007-08-05

Oh Lord after listening to the smashing pumpkins latest dribble What a relief! This is an album that cruises into high gear and never lets up.A definate must!!!

Libertad.......2007-08-04

Not as strong as the first album but one that grows on you the more it is played. The tour promoted it well and having seen Welland perform I think his live vocal performances are better than on the CD

Evolutionary Album.......2007-08-03

Soaring high above the masses, these men are exceptional rockers and never a disappointment. Definately more melodic than their debut, but in finds these guys more as 1 unit than on Contraband. Emotional and raw and driving it home like only these veterans can. The cover of the ELO song is awesome for this old timer who grew up in that era. Fun times.

Libertad -- An Awesome Achievement In Modern Rock.......2007-08-01

Before Velvet Revolver's sophomore album, Libertad, was released, there was much to say of the band--the "super group" of five members consisted of three from Guns N' Roses, one from the Stone Temple Pilots, and one that had never been in an official band before. Their debut effort, 2004's Contraband, was packed with hard-rocking GN'R style hits like "Sucker Train Blues," "Do It for the Kids," "Fall to Pieces," and of course the unforgettable "Slither". Libertad, which is the band's powerful second album, is no disappointment and has everything a Velvet Revolver fan could want. The band start off this legendary recording with a Use Your Illusion era GN'R-esque song called "Let It Roll," which contains very catchy guitar riffs by Slash and an excellent vocal performance by Scott Weiland. This is followed by the hypnotic "She Mine," which also has perfect chords by Slash. "Get Out the Door," the third track, is also an excellent addition to the album and is the one of the many ideal songs in Velvet Revolver's catalog. The fourth track, which undoubtedly by now the band's most popular song to date, could be called the "Welcome to the Jungle" of Velvet Revolver. This megahit, called "She Builds Quick Machines," is some of Slash's best work to date--not just Slash, but the entire band. Filled to the brim with awesome lyrics and stellar drumming, this song was surely a definitive make for the album. After the listener gets a taste of how hard Velvet Revolver can rock, the band settle down a bit with "The Last Fight," a beatiful ballad with more awesome work by Weiland and Slash. This four-minute piece is also already a fan favorite, and if you've heard it I think you'll agree. The next track is what I like to call the "Voodoo Child" of the 21st century. This song, appropriately called "Pills, Demons and Etc." features crazy wah-wah pedal guitar licks by Slash and fast-paced bass and vocals by Duff McKagan and Scott Weiland. Along with the latter five, the listener can also tell that much effort was put forth in this song. Another hit would have to be the ninth track, "Just Sixteen". Quite similar to the style of "She Builds Quick Machines," it also shows how the band can be very heavy at times. "Gravedancer," which is the second-to-last song on the original album, is songwriting at its best. An awesome wah influenced guitar solo by Slash and soft, efficient vocals by Weiland make this song surpass even "November Rain," a song which was Guns N' Roses' biggest ballad in their day. The country side of Velvet Revolver can be heard on the fourteenth and final track of the album, "Re-Evolution". What can be considered as the band's take on blues influenced country, it is probably the oddest standout from any album I've ever heard; it's sort of funny, in a way. There was also a deluxe edition of this album made, containing two bonus tracks: "Messages," a powerful ballad which is a strong reminder of "The Last Fight," and "Psycho Killer," which, in my opinion, serves as an excellent alternate close-up for an already awesome album. The overall impression of Velvet Revolver's sophomore album is strong and spellbinding, and has something that every rock fan can enjoy. This is something you won't want to miss out on.

Average customer rating: A True Master of the Telecaster! He's still a guy . . . and I'm still a mom! brad at his best wonderful music! 5th Gear

5th Gear Brad Paisley Manufacturer: Arista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Big Dog Daddy Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace Let It Go Time Well Wasted Lost Highway ASIN: B000PFUA9G Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

1. All I Wanted Was A Car
2. Ticks
3. Online
4. Letter To Me
5. I'm Still A Guy
6. Some Mistakes
7. It Did
8. Mr. Policeman
9. If Love Was A Plane
10. Oh Love Featuring Carrie Underwood
11. Better Than This
12. With You, Without You
13. Previously Featuring Kung Pao Buckaroos (Little Jimmy Dickens,
14. Bigger Fish To Fry Featuring Kung Pao Buckaroos (Little Jimmy Dickens,
15. When We All Get To Heaven
16. Throttleneck

Amazon.com

Like his friend Vince Gill, Brad Paisley has achieved the often-difficult feat of reconciling being an entertainer and world-class guitarist. He's proven that on four admirable albums, and 5th Gear follows in that vein. Certainly "Ticks," an airy, radio-friendly ditty, is not the true substance here. That comes with such superior fare as the insightful "All I Wanted Was a Car" and "Online," a sly satire of people's Web facades. While his duet with Carrie Underwood ("Oh Love") is a bit cut and dried, Paisley ably handles "Letter to Me," "It Did," and "Mr. Policeman," a 21st-century outrun-the-law tune. The closing hymn, "When We All Get to Heaven," and ripping instrumental "Throttleneck" are Paisley at his best. It's admirable that he invites his venerable buddies, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Jones, Vince Gill, and Bill Anderson, along with Dolly Parton, to join in, but the obligatory "Kung Pao Buckaroos" skit is wearing a bit thin. Better to feature them musically, the way he includes Dickens, Gill, and Anderson on "Bigger Fish to Fry." In a time where lines between county and pop are blurring far too much, it's comforting to know Paisley still realizes and respects the differences. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

A True Master of the Telecaster!.......2007-08-06

Brad does it again! Although I like his previous albums better but this one is still 5 out of 5 stars. To me this album sounds a little more pop-country than his previous albums but it grows on you. However it still features Brads masterfull manipulation of his Crook Custom Teles and sense of humor. If you like Time Well Wasted you will like this.

He's still a guy . . . and I'm still a mom!.......2007-08-06

I have mixed feelings about this album. On the one hand, it has some of the most entertaining songs Paisley has ever put on an album. I laugh out loud at the audacity of "Ticks," "Mr. Policeman," "I'm Still a Guy" -- the list could go on. In my opinion, Paisley is truly clever in creating believable personas for his songs. And the guitar -- I love it!!!

My view is that this is a "concept" album, and the concept is best summed up in "I'm Still a Guy." Paisley and his team did a great job of picking songs that all fit together with a mixture of testoterone and adreneline. In terms of the music, the only song I don't like at all is "Better Than This," which I pegged right away as one Paisley hadn't had a hand in writing. It sounds like every other country song out there right now, dropping famous names of the past and celebrating good ol' boy partying. Every song he wrote or co-wrote, though, is solid.

On the other hand, though, just about every song on this album has at least one line that I would rather my pre-teen children not hear (and certainly not run around singing, ha ha!). For example, last night my 8-year-old daughter asked what "copped a feel" means. OK, it gave me a good opportunity to have one of those "discussions" with her about something she'll run into someday anyway, but gosh, she's only 8! And my son (age 12) loves "Mr. Policeman" -- we talk about how the song ends with "I'm in the Jailhouse now," but guess what line he runs around singing?? "Go back to your Krispy Kreme." I don't know -- my kids love Brad Paisley's music -- I guess I would hope he will remember his status as a "role model" (whether he wants to be one or not!) a little more in the future.

Back on the other hand, I still choke up a little every time I hear "Letter to Me." So . . . . I guess I would rate this album as one of those "guilty pleasures" of life.

brad at his best.......2007-08-05

this is another awesome cd from brad paisley...i highly recomend it, you'll just keep listening to it over and over.

wonderful music!.......2007-08-05

I think this new Brad Paisley CD is the best by far! I love every song :)

5th Gear.......2007-08-03

Brad Paisley is the greatest. Music on this CD is super and very enjoyable.
Brings smiles to your face as you listen.

Average customer rating: Allison Krauss Music is missing Union Station - unfortunately back water revival Fantastic Album Relaxing Music

A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection Alison Krauss Manufacturer: Rounder / UMGD ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Traditional | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Calling Waking Up Laughing Not Too Late West Call Me Irresponsible ASIN: B000ND91SG Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

1. You're Just a Country Boy
2. Simple Love
3. Jacob's Dream
4. Away Down the River
5. Sawing on the Strings
6. Down to the River to Pray
7. Baby Mine
8. Molly Bán
9. How's the World Treating You (duet with James Taylor)
10. The Scarlet Tide
11. Whiskey Lullaby (duet with Brad Paisley)
12. You Will Be My Ain True Love
13. I Give You to His Heart
14. Get Me Through December
15. Missing You (duet with John Waite)
16. Lay Down Beside Me (previously unreleased duet with John Waite)

Amazon.com

A Hundred Miles or More carries the subtitle A Collection, and what a curious collection it is--cuts from soundtracks, side projects, and tribute albums, plus guest duets on other artists' albums and five previously unreleased tracks. In other words, this is a collection of Alison Krauss performances that have never appeared on an Alison Krauss album, though it holds together better than such a grab-bag approach might suggest. Highlights such as her duet with Brad Paisley on "Whiskey Lullaby" and her a cappella rendition of "Down to the River to Pray" from O Brother, Where Art Thou? will be familiar to most Krauss fans, though it's doubtful that many share her infatuation with retro rocker John Waite (with whom she revives his "Missing You" and duets on a cover of Don Williams's "Lay Down Beside Me."). Other projects represented range from Disney to the Chieftains to the Louvin Brothers (she duets with James Taylor on their "How's the World Treating You." There's minimal contribution from her Union Station band--making this a solo release by default--and little information to indicate whether the previously unreleased tracks were outtakes from earlier releases or recently recorded for this one. --Don McLeese

More Alison Krauss

Lonely Runs Both Ways

Live

Now That I've Found You: A Collection

Album Description

"A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection" is comprised of 16 tracks, highlighting Alison Krauss's career outside of her traditional releases with longtime band Union Station. The album features Krauss's collaboration with John Waite on the single "Missing You," as well as Krauss's contributions to film soundtracks, including the Oscar-nominated songs "The Scarlet Tide" and "You Will Be My Ain True Love," written for the motion picture "Cold Mountain," and "Down to the River to Pray" from the film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Known for her collaborations, Krauss also includes several duets in the collection such as the 2003 hit with Brad Paisley, "Whiskey Lullaby," and her duet with James Taylor for the tribute album "Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers," "How's the World Treating You." The collection debuts five new songs: "You're Just a Country Boy," "Jacob's Dream," "Simple Love," "Lay Down Beside Me," and "Away Down the River," all of which feature Krauss as a producer.

Customer Reviews:

Allison Krauss.......2007-08-07

It is an OK CD. I think she has put out better ones. Maybe one or two of the songs really stuck in my head.

Music is missing Union Station - unfortunately.......2007-08-03

AKUS is a favorite of mine -- particularly their live CD. This collection falls a little flat. It is good, but less than I expected.

back water revival.......2007-07-31

I love her sweetness and clarity. She revisits gospel and olde tyme toe tappers and make you want to stomp your feet, get up and clap and say "Amen". I don't believe Alison Krauss could produce any thing that you wouldn't like. Sort of like Emmy Lou Harris. Just gifted.

Fantastic Album.......2007-07-23

I really liked the album especially "Missing You" with John Waite. Any fan of Alison will like this album.

Relaxing Music.......2007-07-18

This cd is wonderful. It is great to listen to in the car when you need something soft and relaxing. Alison Krauss has the voice of an angel. I highly recommend this cd.

Average customer rating: One of Vega's finest albums with a diverse sound with elements of jazz, folk, etc. mixed in the music It just keeps getting worse! The best so far? She's Like A Fine Wine, She Gets Better With Age Arrest this Woman! - More Pointless Music from Vega

Beauty & Crime Suzanne Vega Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Time on Earth Courage Breakfast in Bed Are You Listening Theology ASIN: B000H6SU9A Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

1. Zephyr & I
2. Ludlow Street
3. New York Is a Woman
4. Pornoghrapher's Dream
5. Frank & Ava
6. Edith Wharton's Figurine
7. Bound
8. Unbound
9. As You Are Now
10. Angel's Doorway
11. Anniversary

Amazon.com

With a career spanning more than two decades, Suzanne Vega has long stressed quality over quantity. It's no surprise, therefore, that her first release in six years is more than worth the wait. Her eye for detail, laconic vocal cool, and thematic focus on New York City continue to distinguish her artistry, but the sonic sheen applied by British producer/multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Hogarth sparks a musical renewal. Crisp guitar riffing recalls the streetwise work of fellow New York chronicler Lou Reed, while chamber strings, electronic atmospherics, and multitracked background vocals lift the results well beyond the folk realm. Vega writes from a perspective of memory and maturity, recalling the New York of old on "Zephyr & I" and "Ludlow Street," showing the musical sophistication of bittersweet seduction on "New York Is a Woman," applying a musical Brazilian wax to "Pornographer's Dream," and contemplating her life as a wife on "Bound" and as a mother on the lullaby "As You Are Now." The results are richly satisfying throughout. --Don McLeese

Amazon.com

On Beauty & Crime, Suzanne Vega's Blue Note Records debut, the Manhattan native uses New York City as the backdrop for a collection of eleven new songs that juxtapose acoustic guitar-driven melodies with coolly synthesized beats; intensely personal lyrics with compelling, short story-like narratives; images of today's scarred cityscape with memories of Vega's old Upper West Side 'hood and Lower East Side haunts. The past commingles with the present, the public with the private, familiar sounds with the utterly new, just like the city itself. Making her first new studio album in six years, Vega says, "I feel like I really stretched my limits. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone--to sing in keys I wouldn't have sung in before, to work with different textures, to be unafraid of doing what ever sounded good to me. I wanted to make a modern classic."

Suzanne Vega Photos

Album Description

2007 album produced by Jimmy Hogarth. She is accompanied by an eclectic group including Will Malone, Gerry Leonard, Lee Renaldo, Mike Visceglia and Doub Yowell. EMI.

Customer Reviews:

One of Vega's finest albums with a diverse sound with elements of jazz, folk, etc. mixed in the music.......2007-08-03

Suzanne Vega may be an acquired taste but after you've taken a drink of her latest album, you'll find it both intoxicating and difficult to give up. Admittedly there are those who dislike her hushed vocal delivery (which sounds at times like a female Lou Reed with echoes of Bob Dylan/Leonard Cohen where she isn't trying to "sing" the material so much as "discuss" her observations). I love Vega's delivery so sue me. She's a literate songwriter whose lyrics provide a nice constrast to the music which veers from folk, jazz, elements of techno sometimes within the same song.

"Beauty and Crime" is one of her best albums musically. This concept album about her adopted home New York is a loving and sometimes blunt assessment of the city that surrounds her and has been her muse off and on over the past twenty years. Vega has often taken stylistic detours sometimes off the beaten path like her flirtation with the techno elements that decorated "99.9f" and the smooth samba beat that showed up on "Nine Objects of Desire". Unlike those two albums the production of Jimmy Hogarth is less distracting and self-conscious than those two albums allowing the quality of the songs to shine through. For those that are interested the Japanese release has one extra song that comes in at just under two minutes. It's a good song but you won't miss it (unlike "Golden" from "Songs of Red and Gray) if you purchase the U.S. release of the album.

"Zephyr & I" and "Ludlow Street" have some of the most inviting melodies/arrangements since Vega's breakthrough album. "New York is a Woman" uses a pretty plain metaphor to describe a visitors first visit to the Big Apple. Vega's presentation is pretty straight forward folk outside of the occasional use of horns to decorate the song. "Poronographer's Dream" has an inviting beat and arrangement that echoes nightclub jazz. "Frank & Ava" and the lilting "Bound" are two other highlights. "Unbound" features the type of arrangements that were characteristic of "99.9F" but they are less obtrusive here,

As much as I have enjoyed all of her albums, "Beauty and Crime" is probably one of her most consistent, inviting and musically rich since her first two albums. "Days of Open Hand" was good but didn't extend much beyond "Solitude Standing". "99.9F" played with her sound providing her songs a great diving board to leap off into varied and different musical terrain. That continued on the stylistically diverse and often beautiful "Nine Objects of Desire" and "Songs in Red and Gray". "Beauty & Crime" brings all of this together but, more importantly, does so with the strongest batch of material she has written to date.

For those fans that are interested Vega's website also has a live album recorded for the "Songs in Red and Gray" tour available. It's also available for download from Itunes.

Retrospective: The Best of Suzanne VegaSolitude Standing
Nine Objects of Desire

It just keeps getting worse!.......2007-07-28

Ugh...I loved Suzanned Vega and then she married some fat old guy. Her music sucks to put mildly but fortunately it is a free country so you don't have to buy it...'nuf said

The best so far?.......2007-07-22

Trying to objectively assess any record a matter of weeks after its release is difficult, particularly when it's from such a complex artist as Suzanne Vega - as her previous albums show, her inherently "catchy" songs need time register for their underlying strength and hidden depths to be revealed... but, with time, it's quite possible that this could well prove to be the best release from this supremely gifted artist. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy another 5 star outing.

She's Like A Fine Wine, She Gets Better With Age.......2007-07-20

When I picked up Suzanne Vega's seventh studio release "Beauty & Crime", I did what a lot of people do these days - I ripped MP3 files for my computer. When I saw that the total time of the songs was only 34 minutes, I was a little disappointed because I have waited 6 years for her follow-up to the terrific "Songs in Red and Gray". But then I played the songs. Wow! The lady still has the magic. Although the songs are pretty short (only one exceeds 4 minutes and I actually think that song - "Bound" - drags on a little too long), they pack a punch. Personal favorites are "Edith Wharton's Figurines", "Unbound" and the one everyone seems to like, "New York is a Woman", which is about a suburban man's first trip to New York City. As a suburban man who will soon take his first trip to New York, I feel like Suzanne just gave me a tour!

I thought the CD was great and I hope she sees enough success with it that we'll hear from her again, hopefully sooner than 6 years from now. I'm looking forward to seeing her for the first time live later this year.

Arrest this Woman! - More Pointless Music from Vega.......2007-07-20

You know, I love acoustic female singer-songwriters as much as the next person (which isn't saying a whole lot), but I also know trash when I listen to it. This, unfortunately, falls into the latter category. I had highly anticipated this release, alongwith the new Sinead O'Connor record, but Sinead eventually let me down with her tepid double album of a release. Vega somehow manages to outdo her with this certifiable doozy of an album, which is a pity, since her last studio album was rather pretty.

"Beauty & Crime" (Suzanne evidently has very little of the former, and she has committed the latter here), is Suzanne's "Ode to New York" (did we really need another one?). I think Tori Amos did it best when she limited her political consciousness to one song about New York on her "I Can't See New York" from the "Scarlet's Walk" album. Well, this album is no "Scarlet's Walk". In fact, its not even "99.9F", which is amongst the weakest of the Vega albums. On its own, its an oddity with no definable purpose - which is OK if the music was great. But when the recently mangled Bjork record has more replay value than this monstrosity, I don't know what to say.

Lets consider the track "Ludlow Street". Even if you're a Vega fan put aside your love for this woman for an instant. On this track, her songwriting abilities are on par with lets say, Lindsay Lohan or Jojo. I kid you not. Here is a sample:

L"ove is the only thing that matters.
Love is the only thing that's real.
I know we hear this every day.
It's still the hardest thing to feel."

And thats just the FIRST VERSE!

Things only get worse on "Pornographers' Dream", which as a tune is acceptable enough (but then again, so were "The Garbage Pail Kids"). Here, Suzanne is apparently talking about a mans' pornographic muse or something - it isn't especially clear (or interesting):

"Bettie Page is still the rage
with her legs and leather;
she turns to tease the camera, and please us at home,
and we let her."

The problem then, if we turn from the lyrics, is the abject disrespect that Vega has for the listening audience. Granted, her tinny voice isn't exactly a selling point, but she is known for making harmlessly average folk-pop songs. What she's done here however, is bewildering. Even if you're a past fan, or a lover of music by Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann etc, theres nothing here of any worth, really.

Whats even worse is the cover photo that does nothing to elevate this beyond a vanity project of the most ill conception. I hate getting personal about artists, but in this case, one has to wonder how the record company could greenlight something so abjectly pedestrian. Its Vega after all, so its not like we expected anything groundbreaking (how could we?), but still - this is beyond whatever low expectations you had coming in.

"Frank and Ava" is a song that is again a mis-step. I have to wonder, is THIS the New York that Vega is observing? Its not terribly inviting. At best, this is like someone took the concept of sitting in a cozy Starbucks drinking a cup of coffee, and reverse engineered it on the premise of "how bad could we do this". I kid you not.

People, there have been only three great albums this year. "American Doll Posse" by Tori Amos, "Release the Stars" by Rufus Wainwright, and "Paige Aufhammer" by Paige Aufhammer. This record is nowhere near the top (read the critical reviews), and I would advise Vega from avoiding the recording room like the plague, in the future. This woman is not a musician, has no right recording music, and her place can be taken by someone more deserving. Sorry, but thats the truth.

Worst female album of the Year. Avoid.

Salsa Music:

1. Americanas Inolvidables
2. Aniversario 100: Canciones Mexicanas Que Canta el Mundo
3. Antologia
4. Azahara
5. Bailables Inolvidables, Vol. 1
6. Bailables Inolvidables, Vol. 1
7. Bailables Inolvidables, Vol. 2
8. Barbarisimo
9. Bolero
10. Boleros Inolvidables, Vol. 4

Salsa Music

salsa music

Salsa Music

World Beaters

Charles-Mair Widor: Sämtliche Symphonien, Vol.9

Black Woman

Sittin on Top of the World [Import]

Frat Rock, Vol. 1

Collection Privee [Import]

Everlasting Love

Fine Time in America

Endorfinas en la Mente [Special Edition] [Import]

Brave New World

Collection [Import]

D.F.R.

Cobra Ep (+1 Bonus Track) [Import]

Debussy - Pelléas et Mélisande / M. Ewing · Le Roux · van Dam · Courtis · Ludwig · Wiener Phil. · Abbado

Got Swing