Album Details

Includes Two UK Only Bonus Tracks, "Never Saw it Coming" and "Out of Control" Video. ... Read more

Reviews (221)

Very Solid CD with a several catchy songs
first time reviewer, long time review reader ;)

I've liked hoobastank since i first heard the song Crawling in the Dark. I downloaded most of the songs off their debut before giving in and buying the actual cd. what a buy it turned out to be. Several songs that i still like to this day on that cd. the guys voice does sound like brandon boyd but who really cares the music is completely different from incubus. So when i heard the extremely infectiious new single "out of control" i decided to run out and buy the cd the first day it came out. after 4 listens this is what i came up with.

1. same direction-great opening song, not the best on the album but it really sets the tone for the rest of the album

2.out of control-my second fav song on the album, i'm happy my radio station (Y100 of philadelphia) hasn't overplayed it to death. awesome song to listen to when ur stressed out.

3.what happened to us-good solid song that has the potential to be a single not my favorite but good nonetheless and it does have a cool bridge

4.escape-my favorite song on the album opens with some awesome drumming and continues through to an amazing chorus prob the best on the album. this one has single written all over it but we'll see. i almost hope it doesn't become a single so it wont' get worn out.

5.Just One-another very catchy chorus solid song all around ok bridge but not as good as some others on the cd.

6.Lucky-cool acoustic guitar intro leads into a very solid song especially with bridge's string background music.

7.From the Heart-decent song not one of my favorites but good guitar riffs as usual in this one are prob the only real highlight

8.Reason-the title track turns out to be the slowest song on the album a definite change of pace from the frantic "out of control" basically a decent love song with ok guitar i guess the opening of the song is the only highlight of this one unless ur into that kinda soft radio friendly stuff.lets just say its no "drive"(incubus) or even "epiphany"(staind)

9.Let it Out-a welcome return to the more fast frantic style that was in the first few songs of the album. cool eerie riff after the chorus and before each verse. great song all around that u'll find yourself singing soon after buying the album which u should do asap.

10.Unaffected-cool song, although theres a slower tempo its still heavy and an all around cool song a good change of pace that helps mix up the album.

11.Never There - sweet song with awesome guitar riffs some of the best on the entire album. really good verses with a great chorus and almost an even better bridge. i'd have to say this is my 3rd favorite song since its so solid in every way.

12.Disappear - of the two slow songs this is definitely the better one and is a good ending song, they pulled out all the stops with the stringed section and the guitar blasting till it finally fades completing an excellent album that should definitely be high on ur list.

Amazing
First off, I'd like to say that I ahve not really been a fan of Hoobastank. A lot of the songs on their self titled album sounded too similiar. The CD only had about 6 or 7 good songs on the CD.
The Reason is much mcuh better then Hoobastanks previous albums. I don't skip any of the songs. It is always in my CD player, day and night. This CD has much more distinguished guitar riffs and choruses.

Same Direction - A great opening track. Great guitar riffs. One of my favorites. 9.5/10

Out Of Control - The first single is very fast paced and fun. It makes out want to get up and do something right away but then to lay back down cause you want to listen to the CD. 9/10

What Happened To Us? - A t first this sounds like it's going to be a great track but then it changes tempo way to fast to actually sound good. Other then that the song is good. 8/10

Escape - This song sounds like a fast paced 3 Doors Down song. Very different from any previous song. 8.5/10

Just One - The intro to this song is very good. Too bad the chorus isn't as good. 8/10

Lucky - This song sounds really complete. Very good. 8.5/10

From the Heart - Again and amazing intro. But this time the chorus is also good. 9/10

The Reason - Now this is definately the best song on the CD. The style is very different from any other song by Hoobastank. It willprobably be the second release from this album. 10/10

Let It Out - A great hard song. It also sounds very good between "The reason" and "Unaffected". 8.5/10

Unaffected - One of my favorites by Hoobastank ever. The guitar is amazing and makes this track stand out. 9.5/10

Never There - A lot of other people don't like this song but I love it. The best hard song on the CD. 9.5/10

Disappear - And the CD ends with yet again another great song. Not quite as good of a closing song as "Give It Back" but is nonetheless an amaing song. 9.5/10

As you can see the CD starts off good and ends great. This CD will occupy my CD player for a long time.

The Reason
I bought this album specifically for the song "The Reason" but the whole album was great. All the tracks are awesome and it's just an all around great record.

A nice sophomore effort
Hoobastank's self-titled album was good, and THIS album, The Reason, ain't bad either. It's no surprise that the title track became a monster hit -- and incidentally, that song is tied with "Disappear" as being the best song on the album. But because the band has a huge hit on their hands, it seems like some people just hate them for it (to know how I feel about that, refer to my "true meaning of 'sellout'" guide). But that's okay because the rest of us can see how great this album is.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this album is more low-key than their last album. But results are still impressive, as shown by songs like the romantic "Lucky". And when the songs aren't so positive, they can still work, as evidenced by "Never There", "What Happened to Us", and the aforementioned title track.

There are other good songs on here too, like "Escape" and "Same Direction". But there are a few missteps as well. I don't think I would have cried if "From the Heart" wasn't on here, and "Out of Control" is just that (sorry, I tried my best to like that song). But this is still a great album from Hoobastank. Like their first album, this album also gets four stars, so pick them both up if you're a fan.

Anthony Rupert

To Hot Rhonda/Short the Reason review
LMAO! I just read the funniest thing at amazon: A reviewr named "Hot Rhonda" called Metallica "wannabes" and said Hoobastank was much better! LMAO! Ok, all kidding aside, that's just gay, cuz Metallica is only 10(...) times better than Hoobastank will EVER be! No that's not just an opinion that's a FACT!! On the song "Blackend" listen to how fast Lars(Metallica's drummer) does the double bass, if Hoobastank's drummer tried to do that he would drop his drum sticks in 2 seconds in shame. Also in "Blackend", "Sad But True", "Enter Sandman", "Hit The Lights" and "One", listen to those awesome guitar solos. If Hoobastanks guitarist tried that, he too would drop his guitar in shame in 2 seconds. And Metallica's bassist uses a 5-string bass, and Hoobastank...do they even have a bassist? And lastly Metallica's singer,James Hetfield, is a hell of a lot better than Hoobastank's. That just proves that Metallica kicks Hoobastank's ass EASILY. And by the way NEVER EVER name an awesome band like the Rolling Stones as Hoobastank!
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Now on to the reason: It's decent but a little too poppy, the only very good song in Out Of Control, the others are just ok.

I'm done. ... Read more

Album Description

The road to success is not an easy one - but some handle its hurdles better than others.In 2001 Jimmy Eat World was a widely adored but criminally underappreciated band capable of drawing capacity crowds all over the world, but unable to find a record deal to their liking.Having just been unceremoniously spit out of the major label machinery, the band opted to record a new album entirely on its own dime and let labels come a-calling.The gambit more than paid off, with the resultant Bleed America (later re-titled Jimmy Eat World), yielding the hits "The Middle" and "Sweetness," and ultimately selling over 1.4 million copies in the U.S.By the time two full years of touring had wound down, they'd made triumphant breakthroughs everywhere from Saturday Night Live, being nominated for an MTV Video Music Award and topping, "Best Of" lists at Blender, Alternative Press, SPIN, USA Today, People and Rolling Stone to name a few.Not bad for a little band from Mesa! , Arizona.But then came the problem once all your rock dreams come true, what do you do for an encore? The band's new album, Futures, is the answer to that question.It's a sprawling, gorgeous, heavy-yet-quiet epic with songs ranging from ambitious hard rock to epic ballads.With the hard driving first single "Pain" kicking off the campaign to the beautifully constructed follow up single "Work," Futures is perhaps the best sounding record in Jimmy Eat World's career. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When you're a prolific band that also happens to be mighty friendly to your obsessive compulsive collector fan base, you wind up releasing a lot of singles and EPs with material that's otherwise unavailable on your albums. And here, for the price of a Japanese pressing of the Fluorescences EP on an auction site alone, you get Stereolab's eight Elektra EPs, from 1993's Jenny Ondioline to 2001's Captain Easychord. The "groop"'s collaborative EPs ( Crumb Duck, Uilab) are not included, but there is a DVD with rarely-seen videos and television performances. This box set serves far more than a plug-the-gaps exercise for trainspotters; as with the singles collections Switched-On volumes one, two and three (did we not mention this band is prolific?), it's an intriguing retrospective of the band in their mature years. And unlike those comps, this set often highlights the band's more lengthy, experimental songs. "Les Yper Yper Sound," for instance, John McEntire's distorted, delightfully repetitious reworking of "Yper Sound" from Emperor Tomato Ketchup, is spine-tinglingly awesome.--Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Stereolab-'Oscillons From The Anti-Sun'(Too Pure)3-CD/1 DVD
'Oscillons...' gives fans a real treat,a three audio disc and one DVD box set.Total of 35 songs,of which 28 will be new to most Stereolab followers EXCEPT for those die-hards who put out big $$ to purchase past import releases.Despite it's cheap-o packaging,this box set is very nice to have.Most of the tracks are lesser known singles and B-sides.The DVD is great,with it's live performances,video clips and other visual surprises.Should appeal to fans of Air,Yo La Tengo,Spacemen 3,Mouse On Mars and Tortoise.

God Bless Stereolab!
This box set is a welcome addition for the die-hards AND casuals, and it's nice having all of these EP's and singles in one place. I have no idea why others are having such a hard time opening their boxes however; it's really not that hard! And aside from one tiny little split in the corner, my box seems really sturdy and finely made.

The sticker set is a wonderful addition to this box collection, so make sure and get your box set now before it goes into a second pressing and they disappear! The set includes eight (8) 4x4 inch stickers with great art work. Suitable for framing! At just around twenty bucks for 35 tracks and a DVD, you just can't go wrong with this. Even if you've not heard one single lick of a stereolab song and if you're a semi-casual fan of electronic music, try them out!

Damn That Packaging
I really do like this latest compilation from Stereolab but I do have to knock a point off for the packaging that the band insists on providing.I thought the last two Switched On compilations were annoying with their flimsy cardboard but this one beats them both (although my copy of S.O. 3 did fall apart about a minute after I got it so I couldn't put the disc in with out it falling out).With "Oscillons...", Stereolab gives us an incredibly difficult to open as well as bulky box with cheap sleeves inside to hold the discs, including the DVD.C'mon, are you so against simple plastic jewel cases?Well, other than the box it comes in, I do indeed recommend this latest compilation from Stereolab even like many other fans, all of the trouble we went through to get those import EPs and singles seem to have lost its shine now that a proper domestic collection is out but at least you had them before a lot of others and thus got the pleasure of hearing some of the band's finer material years before a lot of people did.

Ketchup in a box!
Ok, I kid - it's actually "catch up" for all those of us who discovered Stereolab later rather than sooner.I'm sure I'm not alone - my first Stereolab CD was 2004's sublime Margarine Eclipse, which prompted me to search for the earlier CDs and EPs.My advice to fellow latecomers: dive into this box set!As other reviewers noted, this is a great collection.

A few thoughts about the DVD included in this set: one of the first things I heard about Stereolab was that they were exceptional in concert, and I was disappointed that I could not find any DVDs of their shows.The DVD in this collection has eight "promos" followed by three live performances from UK television.With the exception of Jenny Ondioline, the promos are not typical music videos.They are more like surrealistic dreamscapes (think Dali, backed by synthesizers, broadcast on early PCs - a hoot) set to music.Next, the first live video is a superb, driving rendition of French Disko, gone a bit trippy with TV special effects (think Austin Powers).And then come two gems from the Later...with Jools Holland show (ca. 1996).For all those of us who were late to the party, here's proof that Stereolab -- in addition to being electronic, cerebral, political, carefully crafted, etc., etc. -- are terrific live.These performances of Cybele's Reverie and Les Yper Sound are a great glimpse of what we missed, including the late, lamented Mary Hansen.We can only hope that there are more live performances in the vault and destined for future DVDs, and look forward to the band's future tours.In the meantime, I highly recommend the videos and three CDs in this box set.

A final note for the old-time Stereolab fans who already own the EPs collected here, but not the Jenny Ondioline promo: there's a moment in that video, when the always serious Laetitia Sadier starts to smile and turns away from the camera and toward Mary, who's smiling back...talk about a perfect moment. As a previous reviewer said, Mary, rest in peace.And long live Stereolab!

have to agree with the first 2 reviewers..
...but elaborate a little bit on both. The music on this is beyond cool, I can't say enough about it, so I'll leave it at that.

But... the packaging is *extremely* tough to open - mine's already pocked with fingernail marks from trying to pry it open, and the cardboard box seems to be splitting at some of the outside joints. And I've had it for all of 18 hours. It's not enough really to knock a star off of my review, but it's more than a little irritating.

And yes, like reviewer #2 said, it is a bit frustrating now for me to look over the hundreds of dollars worth of import cd's that have now been rendered obsolete by about $23. Have I had $100's worth of enjoyment over the years that I would have otherwise spent without this music? Well, that's debatable, but I'll say "yes, I have."

The stickers of all the various single covers are very cool - I'm tempted to plaster my guitar case with them, but then they'd get messed up. What's an OC (obsessive completist) to do??? ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

After flirting with heavy guitar rock ("The Man Who Sold the World") and lighter pop ("Hunky Dory"), Bowie found middle ground on Ziggy Stardust. The creation of the Ziggy Stardust persona would live on well after Bowie shed the alien skin, marking the first rock concept album by a sexually ambiguous, artistically bent musician who confounded critics at every turn. A blend of dramatic strings, swaggering saxophones, jagged guitars, and theatrical arrangements, the album's darker rock numbers like "It Ain't Easy," "Moonage Daydream," "Ziggy Stardust," and the irresistible "Suffragette City," still serve as solid excursions into the future (then and now) of rock. The buoyant "Hang on to Yourself" and the dreamy "Star" offer hints of optimism in Ziggy's bleak world. The dramatic "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" and the image-heavy "Star Man" ("he'd like to come and meet us but thinks he'd blow our minds!") no doubt provided plenty of stage-worthy moments when Ziggy toured in the '70s, but years later they still thrill. Bowie blew our minds!--Lorry Fleming ... Read more

Reviews (117)

Starman or Candyman?
For some reason Ziggy Stardust is always referred to as a concept album. But let's track that plot for a second: the world's going to end in five years, so a starman becomes a rock star and then commits suicide. O-kay, Dave, that's a story with mythic resonance. So let's face facts. There's a reason this has never been made into a movie: it's a concept album lacking a unifying concept. There. The cat's out of the bag. Now let's move on, shall we?

Musically, this is an interesting album because it really demonstrates how much a strong instrumentalist can add to a song. David Bowie writes wimpy, Anthony Newley-esque showtunes - and this album is full of them - but Mick Ronson's guitar turns these slight throwaways into muscular rock anthems (of a sort). His guitar solo in Moonage Daydream makes it worth suffering through the song itself. If this album was just about Bowie and his melodramatic songcraft I'd give it maybe two stars and try to avoid ever hearing it again, but Ronson and the Spiders From Mars miraculously pull it out of the trashbin.

Let the children boogie
David Bowie's arrogant excursion into concept albums paid off handsomely with "Ziggy Stardust". Five years before the end of the earth, a space-travelling rock star called Ziggy Stardust and his band the Spiders from Mars, came to this planet to rock out. Ziggy played fantastic songs, became famous, and Ziggy killed himself. Hmmm, interesting correlation between Ziggy and Kurt Cobain? Or is that just me...
David Bowie has had a long career of making fantastic albums, and though this album is his most well-known, it isn't necessarily the best one. However, there is no disputing the fantastic rock/glam/pop songs that Bowie was writing at his zenith (remember, he was producing Iggy Pop's "Raw Power" and Lou Reed's "Transformer" at this time). An essential part of rock history that spawned countless imitators, but never an equal. Don't lean on him man, cuz you can't afford the ticket.

One of Bowie's finest efforts
The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (1972.) David Bowie's fifth album.

By the time 1972 came into being, David Bowie had already experimented with more musical sounds than most artists end up experimenting with in their entire careers! His 1967 self-titled debut featured oldies-style pop reminiscent of Donovan, 1969's Space Oddity featured somewhat of a folksy-rock sound, 1970's The Man Who Sold The World experimented with a harder rock sound in many places, and 1971's Hunky Dory experimented with the popular pop stylings of that era. Although these were all good albums, it was pretty obvious that Bowie had yet to discover his sound. It was in 1972 that Bowie switched over to the subgenre of rock that would make him a living legend - classic glam rock. 1972 featured the release of what would be his biggest album released to the time - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (could he have possibly come up with a longer title?) Would his first attempt at glam rock be an earth-shattering success, or would it leave Bowie out in the cold? Read on for my review.

This was David Bowie's first true five-star album. Some musical artists come of age as soon as their career starts, but some of them are seriously late bloomers. David Bowie is a late bloomer, but after listening to this album, you'll agree - it was worth sitting through four mediocre albums just to be able to hear this one! Two huge hits emerged from this album, the most obvious one of which being the title track. This is a stripped-down, acoustic track - not what you'd expect Bowie to do, but he does it excellently. The other fairly big hit is Suffragette City, one of my favorite Bowie songs of all time. It's a fast paced hard and heavy blues-based rocker with a backing piano track. Why can't every artist makes songs as cool as this one? Bowie explored many styles on his earlier albums, and this album brings all of those stylings together in perfect harmony. Many people say that this album is to the early seventies glam rock uprising what The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper was to rock and roll of the late sixties, and I agree with this. In the end, Ziggy Stardust stands as one of Bowie's crowning achievements.

This album has been released a ton of times over the years. But the three main versions of the album available (as of June 16, 2004) are the standard domestic version, the two-disc deluxe edition, and the foreign Rykodisc reissue. Dont bother with the Rykodisc reissue, it only has a couple of bonus tracks, and it isn't worth the inflated import price. If you're just getting into Bowie, the standard, single-disc edition of the album will do just fine. But if you're a big-time Bowie fan, and you want to experience some lost treasures, shell out the extra cash and get the deluxe version.

David Bowie released a number of popular albums throughought the course of the seventies, but he'd never release another Ziggy Stardust. He'd come very close with several of his releases, but this is an album all in a league of its own. If you're new to David Bowie, this album would make an excellent starting point in your collection. If you only buy one classic glam rock album this year, make it this one.

Glam Classic
The early 1970's: hippie fashion was dying, heavy metal was beginning, and the British glam rock craze was at its peak. This weird mix of pop and hard rock was all the rage at this time. And nobody did it better than David Bowie. Bowie's mix of piano, heavy guitars, and saxophones made a perfect mix. And on this album, he probably hit his peak. This is a concept album about an alien rock star who wins the hearts of all who hear his voice. Some of then tracks are really weird like the opener, Five Years, which is about the destruction of the Earth or something like that. The most pop tracks are 'Soul Love' and 'Lady Stradust'. The most rock tracks are 'Suffragette City', 'Star', and the title track. This is a glam rock classic and everyone should own it.

A Rock and Roll Classic
I'm not a huge Bowie fan, but any fan of early 70's rock should have this. Suffraget City is worth the price of admission alone, and the album is solid throughout. An easy addition to the "essential" list. The CD version sounds great, too. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Florida's megaplatinum matchbox twenty prove with their third album to be far more versatile than expected, comfortably outlasting the predictions of naysayers. Reuniting with producer Matt Serletic, the quintet takes credible swings at gospel ("Downfall" features a choir), Traveling Wilburys-type twang ("All I Need"), and big-arena rock with "Disease," cowritten by singer Rob Thomas and Mick Jagger and winkingly recalling Thomas's star turn with Carlos Santana on "Smooth." Pedal-steel great Greg Leisz spruces up several tracks, notably the tearjerker "Hand Me Down," while producer and keyboardist Serletic and percussionist Paul Doucette sprinkle instrumental pixie dust. More Than You Think You Are isn't likely to appease critics, who have consistently accused matchbox twenty of yelling when a whisper would do, but fans of the group are certain to dig these panoramic songs, each drawn in broad, vivid strokes. --Kim Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (337)

Pre-Mad Season MB20 is Back!
Despite it's pricy appearance and the lack of interest because of the failing Mad Season, More Than You Think You Are brings back the qualities of Yourself or Someone Like You and even the earlier Don't Play With Matches and Tabitha's Secret, by the band of the same name.

Mad Season was a quick release to grab at the popularity, and it failed miserably at bringing the heartfelt lyrics and melodies of Yourself back, dropping the excellent progressions for power chords.

However, MTYTYA's selection is wide and tasteful. It covers the harder, gritty rock genre with songs like Feel and Bright Lights; brings back vocals reminiscent of Santana ft Rob Thomas with Disease; brings back the slow, melancholy feel with Unwell and Hand Me Down.

The lyrical content of this album is excellent as well, touching the human spirit. Remarkable are "Unwell" and "Hand Me Down" for their lyrics, but all the selections feature emotional words paired with equally moving rhythms and melodies.

This album is an amazing tribute to the ability of Matchbox Twenty. Though slightly expensive, it fulfills the basic needs of a good compilation, and then goes a bit further. It covers a wide variety of styles while staying true to the MB20 sound. The lyrics are well written and deeply moving, and the melodies are mesmerising. This album exceeds the predictions set for it.

We can only hope for more of Matchbox Twenty of this caliber.

Song for song, and as a whole, one of the best ever
I've listened to Matchbox Twenty's past two albums. I liked their first two very much, but this one takes the cake. They take their previous sound and take it to a whole other level. This album is at once grittier and softer than their previous releases. Grittier, with songs like "Feel" and "Cold"; softer, with songs like "Unwell" and "The Difference".

I will review the songs one by one:

1. Feel: When I first heard the song "Disease", I thought it was the hardest thing that Matchbox Twenty had written. I was wrong; this is. A very powerful rock song with heavy guitars; very angry yet surprisingly well-done lyrics. Not their best on the album, but far from their worst. 7.0/10.

2. Disease: I've heard this one plenty already, thanks. Another hard-rock song, slightly more subdued compared to the first. Fairly good but overplayed. 7.0/10.

3. Bright Lights: Very nice change compared to the last two. Starts out very quiet, and Rob's voice is up to the task. And then the guitars kick in, but not taking away from the early mood too much. Lyrics are among the best on the album. Probably the best single thus far. 9.5/10.

4. Unwell: Another single suffering from overplay, this one is still quite good for all that. Slower and quieter compared to the first two songs, and softer than the second half of "Bright Lights". Lyrics are again well-written. 8.5/10.

5. Cold: Back to the hard stuff. This one is probably their best pure "hard" song on this album. Trademark good lyrics, with good guitars to support. The key change near the end was a bit of a surprise, but a good one. Does Rob have a good vocal range or what? 8.5/10.

6. All I Need: They could have come up with a better intro, but the music through the rest of the song is pretty darned good. So are the lyrics, and Rob's execution is once again flawless. Not the cream of this album's crop, but it's up there. 7.5/10.

7. Hand Me Down: About as soft as they come on the album. While I generally tend to prefer softer songs over harder ones, this one seems just a bit limp, especially since Rob has to go falsetto during the first chorus. However, the lyrics do manage to save it from being the worst song on the album, and this song definitely has its moments. 7.0/10.

8. Could I Be You: I dunno about you guys, but there's something about the piano, guitar, and drum parts that don't quite seem to mix well, especially near the beginning. Perhaps the drums are too overstated there or something. Anyway, the poor start hurts this song, though it's not enough to drop it to the dreaded worst-song level. 7.0/10.

9. Downfall: Probably the biggest surprise on the album. Starts out with the kind of hard fare that's sprinkled through the rest of the album. Plus, the lyrics to go along with that are extremely good. That in itself would have been good enough to earn a high rating, but then the song suddenly breaks into a gospel chorus. What's more, they make the hard rock and the gospel mix extremely well, and Rob's voice is again up to the task of doing both the harder music and the softer parts. Highlight of the song has to be the part where the gospel choir is giving a vocal backdrop to Rob's softly-sung lyrics: "Lay me down; I'll always be with you/hear me now, with all that's within you...." Great stuff. 9.5/10.

10. Soul: Enh. This song has the typically good lyrics that Rob Thomas comes up with, but there's something about the musical composition that doesn't quite agree with me. Perhaps it's the fact that the chorus and the verses are too mismatched, or maybe it's the unkempt intro. I dunno what it is, but whatever it is gives this song my label of "worst song", though of course that's relative to all the other songs on the album. 5.5/10.

11. You're So Real: Transitioning from "Soul", this is somewhat reminiscent of some of the older rock songs out there. Rob's lyrics are difficult to criticize once again, even though his use of them is rather unusual compared with the previous songs. Where I find fault is, again, the music. Perhaps it's just me, but this sort of rock doesn't seem to agree with me very much, despite its slight resemblance to "All I Need". Still, it's not the worst on the album. 6.5/10.

12. The Difference: Beautiful. Just beautiful. While at least one review has labeled this particular song as being the closest to MB20's old material, I have to disagree. This song, with its soft organ and softer guitars, is just begging to become the next single. While it likely won't please the fans of the YoSLY, this song truly shows how far this group has come. Complaints of its length notwithstanding (since the track includes the hidden track "So Sad So Lonely"), the soft (but not too soft) music matched with some of the best lyrics on the album make this, in my personal opinion, the best song on the CD. 10.0/10.

13. So Sad, So Lonely: The hidden track. Personally, I would have preferred to end the album with "The Difference" and just left it at that. Still, it's not the worst song on the album. The fast pace of the song, coupled with Rob's lyrics, generally make this one more good than bad. 7.0/10.

Overall rating: The album is, for the most part, well-ordered, with well-conceived changes of pace, Rob's good lyrics and great vocals, and selection of good-to-great songs. Few mistakes, and plenty to sing praises about. 9.0/10.

Good Singles, Ok Album
Matchbox 20 released a lot of singles off of this album. I really enjoyed the ones they picked. I couldn't wait to get the album. I got it but, I wasn't impressed. The only good songs were the singles which were all overplayed besides "Downfall". Really, you would be better off listening to the radio, but, you would like a few songs that weren't singles. It's worth the money, but it's not the best of Matchbox 20.

Feel 2/5
Disease 5/5
Bright Lights 4/5
Unwell 5/5
Cold 3/5
All I Need 3/5
Hand Me Down 5/5
Could I Be You 4/5
Downfall 3/5
Soul 4/5
You're So Real 2/5
The Difference 3/5

CD - 3.6/5

AWFUL
eddie vedter wanna be, awful cajin junk

this is the worst, THE worst rock since puddle of mudd

The BEST MB20 album YET!
I cannot believe I haven't reviewd this album earlier. This is by far my favorite cd, it has been for over a year now. Matchbox Twenty's music is so versatile and they can do sooo much with their sound, it's amazing. The songwriting was great (as usual), but the special part about that, is most the members of the band contributed, it wasn't just Rob Thomas who wrote all the music. Here is my take on the tracks:

Feel: This track has a sort of "techno" feel to it, and it has a harder rock sound to it, very catchy too.

Disease: Wanna I first heard this song I wasn't sure about it, I thought it was alright. Then when I heard the accoustic version on MB20's EP, I loved it!! Then I went back to this cd and played it and I got hooked.

Bright Lights: This was one of my top three favorites on the cd, even before it was released as a single. I'm so glad it was released, it starts slow, and then it really breaks into something, awesome song.

Unwell: This song was the song that persuaded me to buy the cd. However, I got really sick of this song lol, it's a nice song, but man oh man, radio really killed it. I'm surprised they didn't play it on the country radio station, it was that popular, plus it has a country sound to it.

Cold: Average song

All I Need: It doesn't jump out at me, but it's a nice listen.

Hand Me Down: This one was my favorite on the album when I purchased it, I love the lyrics, "I'm here for the hard times, the straight to your heart times, whenever it aint' easy you can stand up against me" The arrangement is kind of fast and not flowy at first but I love the song.

Could I Be You: Average, but good song.

Downfall: One of my favorites on the album, I love when the choir starts singing, this song is not like any other MB20 song, it's awesome. "Be My Savior, and I'll be your Downfall".

Soul: When I first popped the cd in, this one I really liked, the music is great, and the lyrics are nice.

Your So Real: Fun and fast!! One of my top 5

The Difference: My least favorite song on the album :( This song does nothing for me! The only thing I like about it, is that after it's over, "So Sad So Lonely", comes on.

So Sad, So Lonely (Bonus Track) Awesome song, it has a unique sound to it, interesting lyrics, one of my favorites.

THIS CD IS FOR ANY MUSIC FAN! It will be hard for their next album to outdo this one, if they make one! ... Read more

Album Description

"Home alone and happy / Nothing brings me down" So opens Emiliana Torrini’s second album, a soft-yet-searing collection of twelve intimate and atmospheric songs that will whisper their way into your bloodstream. Back in 1999, when the singer released the critically acclaimed Love In The Time Of Science, Emiliana came out with a gorgeous, electronic trippoppin’ vision of endless summer and moonlit nights out. Following her departure from One Little Indian, there’s a new introspection, closer to Nick Drake or Jolie Holland than Portishead or Goldfrapp. The 27-year-old singer and writer has nonetheless been busy since Love In The Time Of Science. She moved to Brighton, joined the cast of Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers to perform the enchanting ‘Gollum Song’ wrote and toured with Thievery Corporation, and wrote a Number One Hit for Kylie Minogue in the shape of huge-selling pop smash "Slow." ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Beautiful voice but disappointed.
When I purchased this album I expected something much more similar to "Love in the Time of Science" her 1st album.This is too mellow even for my wife.It reminds me of when Natalie Merchant left the 10,000 Maniacs.She had a cool voice too but it needed some good musical accompaniment.I realize recording artists have to change their sound here and there but this was too much.

*sigh*
acoustic, intimate and breathily soft, a non-jazzy-blues-ish version of norah jones. quite different from her previous album, which triphoppily falls under the electronica genre. i first heard her in "crazy/beautiful" (song entitled "to be free"), remembered her name, found this album last week at a nearby music cafe, bought it, and have been listening to it eversince. icelandic like bjork, and reviewed as a bjorkish artist (it's funny though--i can't stand bjork's music. i appreciate her lyrics, though).

From Scientist to a "Fisherman's Woman"
Making her American debut in 1999 with the flawless and intense "Love in the Time of Science", Emiliana Torrini established herself as one of trip-hop's finest and a muscician to watch for years to come.After a six year hiatus, along with a song on the "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" soundtrack ("Gollum's Song"), collaborations with Thievery Corporation, and writing a #1 dance hit for Kylie Minogue ("Slow"), she is back--and with a new sound strumming from her fingers."Fisherman's Woman" is a complete revolution from "Love in the Time oc Science", drenched in melancholy folk music.Ms. Torrini has incorporated so much nature into this album, focusing on hurt and recuperation, that it sometimes sound as if her and her production team fled into the remote forests and lakes of Iceland, recorded music and came back to see what had come into the mix.Some beatiful things include the creaking of a boat, the lovely way in which Torrini strums her guitar and, of course, that voice.She cooes and swoons her way through her music, allowing listeners to feel her pain and happiness, then relies on her guitar to do the rest, which does quite well.What is amazing about this album is how she has gone from hard-core trip-hop ("Love....") to folky acoustic music.In all, it is an amazing sophmore album and a great step in her creativity.Fitted for a lazy afternoon or an hour of creativity, "Fisherman's Woman" is bound to make you want to be that very fisherman of which she speaks.

Emiliana Torrini's Most Accomplished Yet (4.5)
Emiliana Torrini emerged around 1999, at least in the US and most of Europe, heralded as a voice belonging to Bjork's coven, a comparison I always found more related to their common homeland, Iceland, than a deeply strong sisterhood of sound.
Although 'Love In The Time Of Science" did bring to mind some of Bjork's occasional lullaby-like phrasings, and the album's arrangements did rely on subtle and timely Electronica, Torrini was already promising to be her own person, someone with something genuine and personal to say.
The thought that came to mind -please allow an unexpected metaphor here- is that the songs follow each other like geese migrating toward warmth, each of them distinct yet flying at the same altitude and with a common destination.
"Fisherman's Woman," her new album, is that promise fulfilled. Her voice, in this new album, is more confident, more decisive while never raising beyond a tender hush, a perfect tone to deliver lyrics that are at once revelatory, thoughtful and yet innocent and uncomplicated.
But don't let the sweetness of these tunes confuse you about the strength of their confessional power. Whether it is the short title song, the painful and beautiful "Today Has Been OK," or the gorgeous melody of the album's first single, "Sunnyroad," Emiliana weaves images into stories that you may feel she's only singing to you.
Equally worthy of recognition are the melodies and the band, particularly Dan Carey -who plays some unassumingly beautiful and intelligent guitar, as well as bass and pedal steel- and the subtle piano of Julian Joseph. This and the intimacy that Emiliana's voice is capable of, also shows decisively in "Snow," and "Lifesaver" with its bewitching cadence and the brilliant sample of the creaking wood of a boat swaying.
If you come to Torrini for the first time, I can't imagine you not finding enough to remain near, for repeated listenings. And if you were already touched by Emiliana's earlier releases, I predict that you will be elated with this album. She has become her own self yet more deeply, an old skin has shed and made space for a new one.
This is a brilliant album, confirming a voice and a sound that has much more offer to new singers than it owes to the ones that precede her.

different performance, same sublime beauty
*This is the same review I posted for the import version of this album.The two versions contain the exact same content, so I thought my review might also be useful here*

Torrini's sophmore album bares little resemblance to her first masterpiece, "Love in the Time of Science." "Fisherman's Woman" is strictly a light, acoustical production with none of the deep bass lines or trip-hop flare of her previous work. What Torrini preserves, however, is her wonderful gift of poetic songwriting.

As one can infer by the album's title, "Fisherman's Woman" evokes feelings of a simplier life and times. Arrangements are beautifully minimalistic, assembled with great care to accentuate Torrini's breezy voice and laymen's lyrics. In "Love in the Science of Space," her voice often seemed to play second fiddle to the wondrously rich music. In "Fisherman's Woman," however, Torrini's voice clearly takes center stage, with sparse stringed and percussive instruments serving as accompaniment.

Like her previous album, I don't believe there are any particular standouts simply because I find every song wonderfully engaging (I suppose if I had to pick, track #6, "The day has been okay," is very endearing). Torrini's two albums serve as a strong testament to her consistent skills as a lyricist and songwriter. For whatever reason, many musical artists disappear after their second showing. I pray Torrini does not join their ranks. It would be an utter shame to lose a bonafide creative talent in today's sea of mediocre performers pretending to be true artists. ... Read more

Amazon.com

No Name Face is an auspicious debut from a band seemingly made to rule the airwaves. The insinuating melodies that mark Lifehouse's radio-friendly sound are not unlike those of matchbox twenty or Live in their softer moments. From the first single, "Hanging by a Moment," to the emotive and uplifting "Quasimodo" and the wonderful "Trying" (think Crowded House at their lilting best), Lifehouse are self-possessed and focused. Young singer-songwriter Jason Wade (the son of two ministers) imbues Lifehouse's vibe with a spiritual quality that's never heavy-handed, delivering the goods with the authority of an experienced troubadour. No Name Face may be a first offering from a young band, but it looks to signal the beginning of an estimable career. --Katherine Turman ... Read more

Reviews (531)

One of the BEST cds
Lifehouse no longer has a "no name face," in fact they are getting very well known with the help of their hit single "Hanging by a Moment." While it was that song that lead me into the store to purchase this CD, it is not the song that has kept Lifehouse in my CD player for months. This CD is one of the few CDs you can listen to straight through and the songs get better and better, "Hanging by a Moment" is track one. The music isn't just catchy, the songs really say something. Many give great advice on dealing with love, rejection, and the self. They give positive messages in the form of great music, what's better than that?
The best tracks in my opinion would be the amazing "Sick Cycle Carousel," the beautiful and thought provoking "Simon," and the love song "Breathing." But I don't think you could go wrong with any track, they are all perfection.
These guys have extreme talent and are just going to get better and better with time. Lifehouse has built a great foundation with this album and I can't wait to see what else they come out with. Go get this CD is will blow you away, it's just that good.

Excellent music from an Excellent band
Noteworthy lyrics, great rhythms, and smooth sound is the definition of Lifehouse. I bought the CD because I liked the song Hanging by a Moment, and it got other good online reviews. Parents, there are not any inappropriate words or subjects whatsoever. On a scale of 1-10, these are my ratings of the songs:Hanging by a Moment-10 Sick Cycle Carousel-10 Unknown-9 Somebody Else's Song-8 Trying-8 Only One-9 Simon-7.5 Cling and Clatter-9 Breathing-9 Quasimodo-8.5 Somewhere in Between-7 Everything-8 Overall, it's a wonderful CD. You could listen to all the songs over and over again and never get tired of it. They are great. I look forward to another album. What are you waiting for? Buy it!

Truly inspiring
These guys are fantastic! Coming from England you don't hear much of these guys around here but i happened to catch the end of 'Hanging by the moment' on a music channel when it first came out on and i instantly loved it but never heard it again. I luckly got the name of the band and went to America a couple of months later and got the album, it's never left the C.D player!
There music is so inspiring and each track is different i love the way theres such a powerful energy building up in the song 'Everything' and theres so much feeling in the writing of the songs. Jason Wade has a gripping voice and i love listening to the album lying in the dark and letting the music just hit me. I've tried to get everyone i no over hear to listen to their music and everyone of them has loved Lifehouse since.

My favorite album
Like many others, I fell in love with Hanging by a Moment when it was on the radio. However, that song was massively overplayed, and I was underwhelmed by the singles from Stanley Climbfall. I rediscovered Lifehouse when I heard someone play the song Everything. Stunning, moving, gorgeous. This prompted me to give No Name Face a listen. I was blown away. I think I hit the repeat button on over half the songs--a very uncharacteristic move for me. Hanging by a Moment, while a good song, is far from the best on the album. The whole disc is strong, and there is very little filler. The music is solid and surprisingly unrepetitive. Lifehouse offers everything from gentle ballads like Everything and Simon to rockers like Quasimodo. The lyrics are lovely: introspective, but not depressing.

Highly recommended.

Great stuff
I would buy this song just for "Everything" and "Somewhere in between" this cd is a true classic. I have still not gotten tired of this cd years later and the songs bring back good memories. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It’s not often that an album released in January gets called one of the best of the year in near-unison, but the second full length by Antony and the Johnsons is so startlingly beautiful that it simply has to be. Like his friend and compatriot Devendra Banhart, Antony is a super-talented singer-songwriter with a flair for dramatic artsong. But the cherubic Antony is so original he must get mistaken for an alien quite often; he sings like a bluesy opera singer and switches timbre from masculine to feminine in the space of a breath. The only vocal comparison that comes close is Nina Simone. Antony’s honest lyrics deal with deep wounds and troubled desires with matter of fact poetry and subtle humor, as in a short story by JT LeRoy. Aided and abetted by a versatile band that’s often closer to chamber orchestra than rock act, Antony delivers a visionary album with I Am A Bird Now. Oh yeah: Rufus Wainwright, Devendra, Lou Reed andBoy Georgeall appear on here, too. --Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Reviews (26)

wow
This cd is unlike any I've ever heard. I would recommend you buy it based on that alone. The songs are so touching and genuine that you can't help but feel moved. You must hear it. If nothing else listen to the sound bites.

one of the mostbeautifull albums i've heard
Antony is with no doubt one of the most dramatic, soulfull, beautifull voices that i have ever heard in my life!
Poetic and dramatic lyrics..you can consider this a dark album, but still full of love and happiness..with simple piano melodies, it will get stuck inside your head and soul for a long long time..!
I am a Bird Now opens with a suberb song..although this is that kind of album that you can't decide what's your favourite song on it..every song is deadly beautifull!!
With guest vocalists like Devenra Banhart, Boy George(i got surprised by this guest i may say..what a beautifull voice Boy still has), Lou Reed, Rufus Wainright and Julia Yasuda, who added their talent too...this album is alredy a masterpiece for me!!!
For lovers of Nina Simone, Nick Drake, Nick Cave(boatman's call era), you all gotta hear this and trust me...you'll be overwhelmed!!!

Nothing special
This guy's got a great voice, but the album is definitely missing something.I bought it from the reviews alone (and the appearance of Rufus on one of the tracks), but I was pretty disappointed all in all.

However, the album has its good moments.A few well put-together chords and vocals.One or two powerful crescendos.But just not enough of them.Not an exceptional songwriter.

The feeling I walk away with is, "a very low-key pity party."Though I still do listen to a few tracks when I'm in the right mood.

Stunningly Beautiful
What a magical discovery this album was. The person that recommended this to me is definitely on my Christmas Card List for life.

I Am A Bird now is a sweepingly beautiful affair, from start to end. From the delicate bluesey opening of Hope Theres Someone, Antony stamps his unique style down from the outset.

Even though we have several cameos throughout the album, Antony's style is always there, these powerful performers seem to blend in perfectly, rather than swamp the delicate nature of the music. Boy George's voice on You Are My Sister is divine (even though, had I known it had Boy George on it, my instant snobbery may have turned me away - thank god it didn't), and Rufus Wainwright's rendition of What Can I Do? is heart-breakingly beautiful - even if it is just over a minute in length; it demands several listens, over and over again, just so you can cry out "Mama! Help me liiiiive!" along with him. And of course there's Lou Reed's [spoken] opening to Fistful of Love, a cracking lead in to the album's best track (in my opinion); a kind of Elvis-style croon-a-thon, slow to start but building up throughout.

I defy anyone to not put this album on repeat; it just begs to be left on. Sublime.

Well....
Um, can anyone say Vibrato, just a joke. But seriously he does kinda have his style down, although it trembles like the knees of a frightened child. Some songs are startlingly beautiful, and I would argue that in some instances it's his voice that makes it so. Although there is some very good songwriting here. Anyone who likes moody, haunting balads with somewhat intresting content, although not for everyone, enjoy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A hit single can be a bit of a mixed blessing for new bands, especially if said song gets you firmly lumped into the "novelty band" category. Such was the case with Weezer, whose runaway hit "Buddy Holly" touched a global nerve upon its release, then got on everyone's nerves after months of radio saturation. However, it did ensure that they sold millions of copies of their self-titled debut. Which is why it's so strange that their second album, Pinkerton, was ignored. Perhaps the cold shoulder was due to the willfully noncommercial first single, "El Scorcho," which crashed and burned. Whatever the reason, Pinkerton soon disappeared, which is a shame because it's a great album. Whereas Weezer reveled in the band's geek-rock image, Pinkerton saw Rivers Cuomo maturing as a lyricist. From the opening, "Tired of Sex," which rants about the frustrating easiness of groupies, to the new wave pop of "Getchoo" to the epic genius of "The Good Life," there's much more diversity here than the Pixies-influenced bouncy grunge of their debut. With the closing solo, the acoustic lament "Butterfly," Cuomo demonstrates a pop mastery that promises great things from this reformed geek. --Robert Burrow ... Read more

Reviews (424)

One last great hurrah.
After buying bothe the Green and Blue albums, this cd kind of surprised me. In the best way possible. The way Rivers has matured so much in his writing for this album just sort of leaves you in awe. Its hard to explain the quality that eminates throughout the album. Its almost magical, transforming the Weezer we all know and love into something much more meaningful. From the brilliant, rather edgy opener Tired of Sex, to the almost Buddy Holly catchy-ness of The Good Life, and the good ol Weezer humor of El Scorcho and Pink Triangle, this album manages to keep the Weezer we all know and love, while still giving Rivers his last hurrah before going back with DGC. And I dig that freaky guitar sound in the first couple of songs. The finale, Butterfly, an acoustic solo, is absolutely beautiful. At least it seems that way after listening to the rest of the album. Which is one of its strong points, that you can listen to the whole cd straight. And you should, it adds to the effect. Bottom line, buy the album. You hear that alot on amazon, but its true this time. It shant disapoint.

Beautiful and ingenious
To understand this record you have to give it multiple listens. After a while it begins to stick on you. You'll love the songs so much you can't stop listening to them. And much like the debut, you'll memorize the track numbers pretty quick.

1. Tired Of Sex-Great guitar distortion, catchy tune 2. Getchoo-Best damn lyrics, and it would be really cool to play this song. 3. No Other One-A song about the length guys will go to for girls, brilliance. 4. Why Bother-Nice catchy tune 5. Across The Sea-A great song, just takes a while to get into. 6. The Good Life-My favorite on here as a little kid, kind of sillly but kind of true. 7. El Scorcho-You'll sing this one in the shower. 8. Pink Triangle-Weezer having a little fun, writing a kind of comedic and kind of sad song. 9. Falling For You-Reprise of el scorcho, nice song. 10. Butterfly-An excellent closer to a classic album.

So if you like music, at all, you need this cd and Weezer's debut. If you look up good music in a dictionary there should be a picture of Weezer, Weezer are the epitomy of all that is good and this record is brilliant.

Almost flawless...
Pinkerton is not only Rivers Cuomo's (mostly cycnical)realization that he is going to get old, but it's Weezer's best album, start to finish. From "Tired of Sex," in which he laments meaningless sex to "Why Bother?" where he wonders what the point is, when "...why bother, it's gonna hurt me...it's gonna kill when you desert me..." to "Across the Sea," where he wonders about a young Japanese fan to "The Good Life," which is an amazing song about feeling old and removed (and my favorite), the raw production makes this album sound great.
The only way this album could have been better would be if Weezer had waited and put "Only In Dreams" instead of "Butterfly" on Pinkerton.
To any potential new Weezer fan (are there folks out there that aren't already fans?), this is their best work, although maybe slightly less polished (and sadly, less successful) than the self-titled debut.
Just quit reading about it and own it.

Best Weezer Album
People seem to be upset with this work of weezer because it is so different than its predecessor, the blue album. Well, it's not the blue album. But it is still obviously Weezer. They make a huge statement here through Pinkerton. They aren't your everyday band where every song, every album sounds exactly the same. Pinkerton is so different from their previous album, but that's what makes it great. Honestly, i didnt like it the first time i listened through it. why? because it wasnt blue and i was so narrow minded i rejected it. but after listening to it more and more, it has become by far the best weezer cd, if not my favorite cd of all time. it is one of those rare cds where you can listen to the whole album straight through and enjoy every minute of it. It made me a fan of weezer. I would recommend this cd to anyone, and would advise to accept it for what it is, not reject it simply because its not a remix of weezer blue.

HOW PINKERTON CHANGED MY LIFE
"Pinkerton" is the greatest album ever made! Alright, don't let the being rated "worst album of 96'" by Rolling Stone scare you. They have people who love rap reviewing Weezer albums for Jeff's sake! I have owned "Pinkerton" for about 4 years now and still listen to it at least once a day. Every song is an immaculately crafted piece of emotion and feeling on Rivers Coumo's part. You are not a Weezer fan unless you own and love "Pinkerton". The best songs are "Across the Sea" and "Pink Triangle". It's true, Pinkerton was before its time. Unfortunately, Weezer got a lot of flack for it just because the general public wanted another Blue Album which was also a great c.d. but not in the same class as "Pinkerton". Music should be for the fans, not the public. Pinkerton was for the fans, but mainly for Rivers. If a musician has enough guts to put himself on the line for a c.d. he believes in, that is worth something, when he makes an album like "Pinkerton", that is magic. "Pinkerton" is a new generation's "Catcher in the Rye". I'm not a fan of whiny loser teenage rock, basically, I hate any song that has the lyric "back in high school" in it. Pinkerton has no songs with that oh so dragon slaying phrase in it, yet, it stills delivers emotion without being whiny and assenine. There is not enough I can say about Pinkerton besides you should buy this album and listen to it as frequently as possible. Even if you don't like it at first, it will grow on you. Here you me, this is true. ... Read more

Album Description

Originally released in 1994, Trent Reznor created THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL as both a concept album and modern day classic. This influential 90’s classic is Trent Reznor’s industrial cum-tragic opera view of the world and the soul’s sonically detailed fall from grace. The Downward Spiral delves into despair and anger with hard guitars and brutal beats.

This SACD/Hybrid DELUXE EDITION of THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL celebrates the 10 Anniversary of the modern masterpiece.

DELUXE EDITION includeds 2 hybrid SACD/CDs:Disc One - The original album in SACD Surround Sound (remixed by Trent Reznor), and newly remastered SACD Stereo and CD Stereo program.Disc Two - Bonus material (13 B-Sides, Remixes, and Rarities) in SACD Stereo and CD Stereo. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

The third full-length release from Massive Attack is a taste of the future of pop music--a future where precisely engineered events can be seamlessly partnered with the subtle complexities of a human voice. Since their first album, Blue Lines, they've been making similar magic happen with any one of several guest vocalists, but nothing like the way it happens on Mezzanine. This time they take the union further, moving it into a darker space in which the individual elements become less discernable. Guest vocalists are Sara Jay, Horace Andy (who also appeared on their debut), and Elizabeth Fraser (of Cocteau Twins), whose amazingly articulate and distinctive voice works so very well with the music of Massive Attack. --Paul Clark ... Read more

Reviews (310)

simply unbelievable
its now the year 2000, and two years after this album's release, it still remains the first and foremost in musical innovation and just downright grooviness. i am a big fan of complicated music. when a sound, riff or melody seeps into my listening experience even after hearing it numerous times before, i think it is the mark of true music genius. and this ablum does seep, crawl, stalk, flow, seethe, and pulse with sounds, vocals and beats blended into a never before accomplished masterpiece. the music is as layered and complicated as the new NIN cd, but with a groove known only as trip hop. this music is cool, cutting edge, dark, erotic and hypnotic. play it loud at a party for its sheer sound, or low in the middle of the night with your siginificant other. a few of the songs with the female vocalist remind me much of the gothic sound of switchblade symphony, only with sexier, less dated musical support. this album never stops, it'll never leave your cd player. be prepared. leave the boy boy bands and all the mtv trash behind, and come into a world of intelligent, sexy, and challenging music known as massive attack.........

Massive Attack Outstands Trip Hop Genre
Year after year of the same music, artists copying of one another, some artists try changing their taste for music. But there's one group that outstands them all. The group is called "Massive Attack". Massive Attack is a Trip Hop group that has been around for years. The Mezzanine era ranges from deep Trip Hop "Risingson", to classical, jazzy, trip hop "Teardrop".
The album contains 11 tracks, one bonus on the Japanese Edition. The top hit singles were "Risingson", "Teardrop" "Inertia Creeps", and "Angel". This tpe of music is good for strolling in your car driving, or in a dim sun room with your shades on drinking and talking with friends.

Introducing this album in 1998, it seems that the 90s were only for pop artists such as "Madonna", "Janet Jackson" and "Britney Spears". Massive Attack broke the ring of the pop, making Trip Hop the best, outstanding from every other genre there is.
That's why I believe why Massive Attack, and Trip Hop is so popular today. So from reading this review, I HIGHLY suggest you purchase the Mezzanine album. If you are a TRUE fan of Massive Attack, buy the Japanese Edition. It's worth the extra money.

Groundbreaking and breathtaking
I guess I just need to put in my two cents in this sea of reviews (most of them good, obviously) for this album. I fell in love with this album in the summer of 1998. I listened to it while reading the 4th book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. They meshed perfectly. The dark, haunting synths, downbeat droning guitar, and spine tingling vocals on this album are simply amazing. I had never heard anything quite like it before, or since. Massive's earlier works are not as dark and moody, and their later work is a little too innaccessible for most people (though I absolutely loved it!). Buy this album! Dont hesitate! Do it NOW!!! SPEND, YOU AVID CONSUMER YOU!!!!

Whew! 'Nuff said. Bye!

too good!
This is by far the best album ever released, not only by massive attack, but i'm talking about the best album ever released in the music world. angel, rising son, mezzanine, I couldn't stop listening, it crabs you and doesn't let you go until the last sound. it's just hypnotising. God, I wish I could listen the album for the first time again!!forget blue lines, this is the album you should get!

I Wish I Could Use More Stars...
This is, flat out, (in my opinion) the best album ever released. Massive Attack is an utterly awesome group, and by far the best Trip-Hop band out there.
The album begins with some of the best songs ever created by any artist of any kind, starting with "Angel", sung by Massive Attack's honorary member, Horace Andy. With his wonderfully haunting voice and the song's slow beats and humming bass, the song becomes dark, desolate, and completely otherworldly.
The second song, "Risingson" is probably the best song Massive Attack has created. It's yet another dark song, filled with paranoia and doubt. I love it.
The third track, "Teardrop" is one of my personal favorites. The song is sung by guest vocalist, Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins. It's Ethereal, dreamy, and utterly wonderful.
And, of course, there is "Inertia Creeps". A truly great song and one of Massive Attack's bests. Eerie, paranoid, and hypnotic: it's a great song to lose yourself in.
The rest of the album cannot quite keep up with its first four epic tracks, but none the less, it's other half beats out most albums without ever even trying. A truly wonderful album. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Interpol create literate, atmospheric, moody, trashy post-punk music that recalls '80s faves the Psychedelic Furs. And this is definitely a good thing. While most young bands are content to rhyme "make it" with "fake it," Interpol pens melodramatic tales of tortured and tortuous urban relationships that are truly refreshing. Like their peers the Strokes, they're bright, sophisticated, and meticulous enough to build stirring soundscapes. Turn On the Bright Lights is a must for anyone who missed Echo & the Bunnymen, the Furs, and Joy Division the first time around.--Dominic Wills ... Read more

Reviews (377)

Avant-Garde Teen Reviews a Classic
Shall we say a more happier well lets not say that a more mellon-collie Joy Division.Yes, while the New York Based Art rock band Interpol Borrows sounds from Post-Punk Pioneers Joy Division,The Fall,The Smiths and The Chameoleons somehow they have managed to develope there own sound,create there own Identity in the anals of rock history.While Interpol is busy building there own Sonic Cathedral in Hell alongside Goth rock pioneers Joy Division lets take a look similarities of the two.The Voice of Paul Banks the lead vocalist for Interpol Manages to conjure up the Ghost of late Joy Division Singer Ian Curtis(God Rest His Soul).Well lets just say this if Ian Curtis had been a happier man he would have sounded like Paul Banks.Yes,Artistic/Gothic People Interpol have manage to revive a once dead scene.Well this Album in my opinion is a true classic i didn't think that when i first bought it,I Remember hearing about Interpol Back in August from the Internet i did'nt think to much about them until I saw the Video for PDA,I was amased at how it looked and sounded so I went Out and bought the album.When I first Heard I thought it was okay but after listening to it for a while I got up and Said this was a Masterpiece,a true artistic gem.and since then It has been one of my favorite albums(and I own alot of Albums too).The Best songs on here in my opinion are "PDA" "Say hello to the angles" "Hands Away" "Obstacle2""Stella was diver and she's always Down" and basically all of them are good.Yes,In Time my Generaration which is Generation Y will look at Interpol the same way Generation X looks at Joy Division and The Smiths.The Album "Turn on the bright lights" will Someday years from now will be viewed as a Classic and Possibly Ground-Breaking like the Joy Division's "Unkown Pleasures",and "Closer" maybe even the smiths "Meat Is Murder" or shall we even say The 1967 ahead of its Time Masterpiece"The Velvet Undergroun&Nico",Hell this album's already a classic.Well In Conclusion This DARK AVANT-GARDE TEENAGER from Oklahoma gives this an A+, A MELLON-COLLIE JOY DIVISION IN MY OPINION BUT MAN IT SURE SOUNDS GREAT!

this is a weird album...
i definitely think that interpol are one of the most over-hyped (and least deserving of said hype) of any new york city band today. i'm also really getting sick of hearing them compared to joy division. they sound practically nothing like joy division. who could really? the singer's voice is way closer to ian mcculloch's and they probably sound a lot more like echo and the bunnymen appropriately enough. for what it is it's not bad- the first half of the album is really pretty good (except the shameless smiths rip-off 'say hello to the angels'), but if you want something 'dark' that has swelling music building up to 'tragic choruses' (or whatever else journalists have been saying about interpol) listen to calla. they're way better and more innovative than interpol could ever be. i think in a perfect world people would go as nuts for calla as they have about interpol, but then this really isn't a perfect world. i don't know- if this is good enough for you then buy it, but don't go praising it to the stars because it's just not anywhere near as good as people have been saying. if the hype has piqued your curiosity you'd probably be better off just staying away from this album.

A solid album, but not perfect.
I'm a bit of a dilettante when it comes to Interpol. I've had this album for ages, but the production and overly long song lengths have always kept me from really getting into it. The first four songs are obviously fantastic, but by then my tolerance has usually worn out and I'm unable to appreciate those which follow. Like so many of my fickle, reactionary peers, I too was forced to reassess the band in light of the recent leak of "Antics", their forthcoming second album. Fortunately, those problems I have with "Bright Lights" have been addressed on "Antics", and my enthusiasm for that album is such that I think I'm finally able to see some of the better aspects of this one. Surely, you don't need me to enumerate everything that the fans and critics have repeated at length for the last several years. Most of it is needless hyperbole anyway, but simply know that beneath the reverb is music of often remarkable beauty and passionate expression.

Debut Masterpiece
On Interpol's debut attempt "Turn On the Bright Lights" you hear wonders. The first song, which is untitled, is a beautiful dreamy melody with a flowing bassline and and entrancing guitars and drums, and dreamy vocals. Almost makes you fall in love. Then it really takes off with good creative post-punk/rock music and ends beautifully. Meloncholic music has never been so damn catchy. The next album is coming out soon, and hopefully, it won't be a bomb. This band deserves more airplay on the snobby independent radio stations that play overrated (but worth mentioning) bands like the Strokes or Franz Ferdinand. This album is a masterpiece from start to finish. 5 stars without hesitation. I was stunned.

Promising debut
This is a promising debut, more so than albums like "Pablo Honey" or "Boys Don't Cry" were.

The coolest things about Interpol's songs is that they tend to develop and progress into nice endings. Obstacle 1, 2 and PDA are good examples of this.

I can sort of understand the Joy Division comparisons since these songs have atmosphere, but I don't think there is the same level of innovation and synergy among the members of Interpol. This album is solid but not an "Unknown Pleasures," which definitely doesn't mean it isn't good. Fans of "Turn on the Bright Lights" should definitely check out that album.

Hopefully these guys will stay together, continue to experiment and expand their ideas and instrumentation, and try out some interesting producers to work with on their next albums.

I thought "Leif Erikson" was impressive and "Stella" very atmospheric and nice. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Having established himself as a folk singer-songwriter of considerable weight with 2002's--take a deep breath--Lifted, or the Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground, Conor Oberst takes the opportunity to experiment here. Released simultaneously with the more conventional follow-up disc, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn sees the Omaha-based leader of Bright Eyes teaming up with a diverse set of musicians that includes Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner for a collection of songs that aim to recreate the alien landscapes of Radiohead but more often come off sounding like midperiod Depeche Mode. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (67)

Oh for the love of all that is good in music
Rejoice peeps! Conor Oberst, currently in the running for most overrated artist to ever be allowed to record music, has finally discovered Depeche Mode! What will the kids think: the supposed(but can never touch)second coming of Dylan has thrown them all a curve ball, as they say, with some electronic twinged material. And guess what? It's garbage.
Bright Eyes is not capable of writting music that is interesting to anyone over the age of fourteen, and "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn"(an accuratly pretensious title for a pretensious record) is further proof that the little bubble world that this dude finds himself living in grows smaller and smaller so that only he and whatever Hollywood girlfriend he currently has can live in it. There is no proof that this guy resides in the world that you and I live in. The land of reality.
So what do you get from "Digital Whatever"? You get the same emo-lite "honest" songwritting that makes up the bulk of the rest of this gentlemans catalog, but this time its electronic. Whoop de doo. The use of said elements sound forced and boring, not actually there to compliment the songs, but to make people think "hey, he's using keyboards. He must be an artist". This sounds like a remix record of Bright Eyes all ready oversaturated catalog, and that's as needed as a Bush remix record(wait a minute...)
What this record is really made for is so high school art students will have something to play while they create they're self-conscious "art", and on that front it achieves in spades. But for the rest of us who have long since left teen angst nonesense in the past(and I'm only twenty-two for the love of Jeebus) there is little to nothing here to tolerate.
Please, please don't support this hack, because that's all he is. Just another bad record in a growing in size if not quality catalog.

Great CD If Given a Few Listens
I have just discovered Bright Eyes, having first been introduced through the simultaneously released "I'm Wide Awake It's Morning". This work is entirely different, and equally excellent. I admit I had to give it more listens before the songs really grew on me (except for "Take It Easy (Love Nothing)"--this one was love at first listen!). It's a mix of rock and synth-rock, somewhat dark, with many instrumental layers. After a few listens, the melodies are stuck in my head, especially after going to see Bright Eyes live, promoting this CD. It's refreshing to hear intelligent, poetic and symbolic lyrics after a few decades' drought. Then it was all clear--Conor Oberst is a genius, musically and lyrically.The CD is somewhat of an experiment, but not too far away from some of his older work, and it works very well if you listen a few times.

Unlucky Friend, Lucky Me
My roommate and I are Bright Eyes fans, not diehard, but quite fond of earlier CD's which we found to be lyrically great (Lifted of the story.., fevers and mirrors)...So when Bright Eyes was going to release 2 CDs at once, we were pretty enthralled. But being college students (and therefore slightly short of cash) I decided that I would buy "I'm wide awake" and he would buy "Digital Ash"...Then we could listen to both.
Well I am glad that luck was in my favor, because "Digital ash" is unlike bright eyes I have known. THey go for the Postal Service electronica style, but whereas "Give Up" is a pleasant if unexciting CD, it is more than listenable. To be harsh this CD is almost egregious to the point that it gets little to no playing time in our doorm.
If you want to get into Bright Eyes though, get some of the earlier CDs. I loved "Lifted" and "fevers", and to a lesser extent "Im wide awake". Not digital ash.

Hate to admit I own it.
After enjoying "I'm Wide Awake It's Morning" I decided to purchase "Digital Ash".All I can say is what a waste.The other revewer who described the album as amaturish hit the nail on the head.Banal would be a generous description of this album.The only positive point I could make about the CD is that at least the artist didn't attempt to rap.This one's so bad I'll be throwing it away ... I'd be too embarrassed to give it away.

The first great CD of 2005
First off, I have never listedned to a Bright Eyes cd before this one, so i don't know what he's "supposed" to sound like.But for my money this a phenomenal cd.I first got into Bright Eyes when amazon posted the free mp3s on the website. And I liked Take It Easy(Love Nothing) and Gold Mine Glutted are much better songs than the way too morose Lua.Overall every song is good in it's own way.The only complaint I have is that the first 2 minutes of Time Code is pretty much silence, which I have to skip through every time I listen to it.And on Ship In A Bottle, the part of the song where it breaks down into a baby crying annoys me.But other than that I have no complaints. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Cool, calculating, and Euro-trashy in the grand tradition of Roxy Music and the Eurythmics. --Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (203)

The Kings (And Queen) Of Modern Rock
One of my all-time favorite albums is the 1995 debut disc by Garbage, who, in my opinion, are the world's greatest modern rock band. The group came together when guitarists' Duke Erikson & Steve Marker wanted to form a band with their friend, drummer/producer Butch Vig (who produced Nirvana's classic, "Nevermind"). But they still needed a singer. One evening the guys are watching MTV, and they see a music video by a band named Angelfish, fronted by a Scottish lass named Shirley Manson. Impressed with Shirley, the Garbage men immediately contact her, and the rest, as they say, is history. Their 1995 self-titled debut album is a fabulous whirlpool blend of bone-crunching rock and shimmering pop, with classy euro-trash production, samples and effects, capped off by Shirley's seductive voice. It arguably remains their best album to date (though I certainly love "Version 2.0" and "beautifulgarbage" just fine).There's not a dull track anywhere on "Garbage." Whether tearing up the joint on rockers like "Supervixen," "As Heaven Is Wide," "Vow," and "My Lover's Box," pumping up the pop on "Only Happy When It Rains," "Fix Me Now," and the big hit "Stupid Girl," or soaring through the atmosphere on songs like "Queer," "A Stroke Of Luck" and "Milk," Shirley & the boys are a superb musical force to be reckoned with. They are original, intelligent, crafty, and just plain genius. To my ears, there's no other modern rock band these days that comes close to them. I sure hope that there will be more music to come from Garbage in the near future, 'cause they're that good. "Garbage" is a stunning album by the kings (and queen) of modern rock. Long may they reign!

One of the greatest
Great lyrics, Great music, it's all here. If you want to experience songs of dark and haunting nature this is the album for you. One of the best songs on the album has to be "Vow", a song about true revenge, "I came to cut you up, I came to drag you down, I came around to tear your little world apart and break your soul apart", sings Shirley convincingly. If you can relate to only smiling in the dark then you'll love track 3, "only happy when it rains", a song with affectious bass. Garbage is one of the only bands still around that can portray dark nature with such beauty.

1.Supervixen 7/10
2. Queer 9/10 (The song is not actually about queers, it's about a father forcing his son to embark on a sexual journey [...], I think so anway)
3. Only happy when it rains 10/10
4. As heaven is wide 7/10 (A song for all you atheists out there)
5. Not my idea 8/10
6. A stroke of luck 10/10 (A haunting rock ballad about confusion in a relationship; "You said that you'd be there to catch me or will you only try to drown me")
7. Vow 10/10
8. Stupid girl 6/10
9. Dog new tricks 5/10
10. My lover's box 10/10 ("Send me an angel to love, I need to feel a little piece of heaven, send me an angel to love cause I'm afraid I'll never get to heaven")
11. Fix me now 10/10
12. Milk 7/10

A breath of fresh, accessible air
The fall of grunge was a difficult period for popular music to face. No sweat for Garbage, who confronted the industry head-on with this, their alt-pop/rock debut, in 1995. We hadn't heard much of this genre after the Golden Age of Grunge struck, and when this genre struck back, it was a hell of a ride. While not altogether separated from grunge stylings, Garbage was infinitely more universal and definitely more accessible than most of the grunge acts of their time.

The album opens with the punky, spiteful "Supervixen" -- a grand first impression of catty frontwoman Shirley Manson, who was all fluoresecent red hair and skin-tight leather. The song's herky-jerky, stop-go style is immediately engaging, and the ripping guitar riffs recall peak-era 80s new wave. Manson shows a more introspective lyrical and vocal style on the second track, "Queer," and even concots an immortal anthem while begging for antidepressants on "Only Happy When It Rains." She emulates pre-"Eat to the Beat" Debbie Harry on the metallic "Not My Idea" and mimics the wailing pensiveness of the Cranberries Dolores O'Riordan [now Burton] on "Fix Me Now" while still sounding like herself: a gothic, artsy chick. She even performs a self-exorcism in the rueful, brilliant "Stupid Girl."

Garbage truly covers all the bases here, and their to-and-fro musical style doesn't sound dated, even today, 9 years later. They still carry the same spark and playful attitude they did years ago, and cross the line of rock to pop so often and so smoothly (and so much better than the crossover bands of today) that it's almost dizzying. Always familiar, always sarcastic, and always effective, Garbage will prove to be one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time.

Style with substance and gritty brilliance
To me, one of my all time favourites by this stellar band, their debut showcases their raw engery that would later be channelled into avenues down the road of techno, that would be still more captivating.
The beginning song starts off the album perfectly with lyrics about obsession, ego, and cyncical self-awareness...then follows into endless highlights such as the smoothy penetrating "Queer"...and continues on and on to form an album you might never have imagined could be so consistantly, jaw-droppingly brilliant in its edge, wit, and melodic span.
Songs like "Stupid Girl", "Stroke of Luck", and "As Heaven Is Wide" are unstoppable and just as satisfying with repeated listening.
At the end of this tale of self-deprication, self-examination and sly remarks on the state of society's conciousness as a whole, is a touching song, "Milk", filled with the culmination of the fragility, tenderness and sensitivity barely in sight all along. In it are knowing apologies and a call for redemption.
I can continually relate to this effort, and I reccomend each successive album for taking this sort of brilliance in a new direction.

Love Gabage....
...love this CD. Strong thoughout. Unique blend of rock and techno/pop elements. Probably my favorite Garage CD, but I dig them All. Shirley has a sexy mid range voice that reminds me of Viagra in Bazooka Jones or Christine Amphlett of The Divynals....very nice textures....dig it!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Transistor Radio may be bookmarked by instrumentals, but M. Ward’s cracked, jazzy croon is the true star of all his work. The sixteen tunes here all sound like sketches that became songs on the spot, and we all know the well-crafted illusion of spontaneity is a very difficult thing to pull off repeatedly. His most consistently enjoyable album to date, Transistor offers breezy, smart, poppy music very much in the American folk tradition, from country blues to bleary-eyed bedroom strums. This is the soundtrack to a lazy Sunday when you sleep in, read the Times in bed, cuddle with a friend, then finally leave the house for cheese grits. "I’ll Be Yr Bird" sounds like the Fruit Bats collaborating with Vic Chesnutt, while Ward recalls Stew on "Hi Fi," the deadpan lyrics over lazy, lovely sounds: "Why burn your bridges when you can blow your bridges up?" The laudanum-like charms of Ward’s music are tough to resist. --Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Keep your overhyped, manufactured dreck. . .
M. . . Matthew. . . has soul.My wife and I saw him a few weeks ago in a venue that you can only describe as a tool shed in a parking lot, really. (Kilby Court, SLC)He was absolutely stunning.

I could not disagree more with the "Pseudo Dave Matthews vibe"comment made by wm "wordmule"Uh. . . Pseudo means fake.I can only assume that the comment was an attempted complement, as you gave him 5 stars, BUT. . . As Dave Matthews is the music industry sell-out poster child, and has not even been interesting for a decade, his "vibe" does not approach m.ward's purity.End of Amnesia is also a VERY good album.And, if you can get your hands on his cover of Daniel Johnston's Story of an Artist- you will be amazed.

Review From The Synthesis
M. Ward's latest offering to the world of music, and his latest LP, Transistor Radio, pays tribute to independent radio and those who still appreciate it. While this album probably won't get much play outside of the dying open format realm, it is, without a doubt, worth your attention. If you've heard Matthew Ward before let me just say this is his best work yet. If you haven't, then imagine Neil Young about to sing himself to sleep with a lullaby composed of the softest melodies and most poetic lyrics imaginable. These songs have the unique quality of catering to your current state. If you're sad they feel sad, and if you're happy they somehow change tone to fit your mood. There is truly nothing bad about this album.

- Chris Acosta
Synthesis.net

Warm, earthy, haunting and sooo dang gorgeous!
Wow, so well worth the wait! This highly anticipated M. Ward album has finally surfaced, and it's f'ing fantastic!! Oooh sorry, shhh, maybe that was much too loud and boisterous an exclamation for such a beautiful work, but hopefully that gives you an ample impression of my enthusiasm for this release!

It was recorded at a number of different studios around the country with a number of different awesome performin' and producin' participants (such as Howe Gelb, Vic Chesnutt, John Parish, Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley, My Morning Jacket's Jim James, and The Old Joe Clarks), and it traverses as much of the mood and folk music spectrums as those of the geographic and personnel.
The first impression that struck me was that Transistor Radio sounds as though Mr. Ward has brought his songbook a lot closer to that of Ms Jolie Holland (or vice versa... expect much more cross-pollination between the fan camps of both artists). The recordings have that brittle old tyme-y feel but the vocal performances are overflowing with heartfelt gusto.

The addition of Ms Lewis' vocals on songs such as "Big Boat") do much to reinforce this sonic kinship. Also materializing in a few of the songs is a fevered twang akin to Howe Gelb, Giant Sand or Calexico which makes sense when you find out that some of these songs were recorded at Wavelab Studios in Arizona (where those artists all record).

Warm, earthy, haunting and sooo dang gorgeous! Definitely an album for sharing! Very very recommended!

Best Disc of the Year
No matter what else gets released, I already know that this is hands down my favorite disc of the year.Heart-stoppingly good, it's perfect regardless of your mood or musical tastes, so buy it and become enthralled; your life will be that much the better for it!

M WARD RULES AND THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT
M. Ward rules and that's all there is to it.This boy is going places!If you buy only one record this year, this is the one.
I suppose nothing is "authentic" nowadays, but Matt Ward comes awfully close.5 STARS!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Singer-songwriter Maria McKee takes a more organic approach on her sixth album. Most tracks start with the faint strum of an acoustic guitar or the tinkling of a piano, before gradually building to a restrained but emotionally charged crescendo. McKee revels in this less-is-more musical environment. Her multioctave voice moans, hovers, whispers, and occasionally soars with a cool confidence. From the yearning folk augmented with subtle, tender strings of "Appalachian Boy," to "Sullen Soul," a powerful riff-driven ballad, to the stylized, Patsy Cline-influenced country-pop of "You Don't Know How Glad I Am," she floats and weaves with edgy grace. The aching, soulful "Turn Away" is a riveting example of McKee at her finest, clawing her way into the heart of a song.

Some melodies don't resonate on first listen but gradually take hold, and are aided immensely by the spare, generally acoustic instrumentation. When McKee kicks into a gritty, strangulated Neil Young guitar on "Everybody's Got a Story" before shifting into his "Barstool Blues" (the album's only cover) the effect is galvanizing. Always a dramatic singer, McKee's heart is obviously in this rootsy, often austere music, and her passionate performances on Peddlin' Dreams resonate with tenderness and intensity. --Hal Horowitz ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Maria's Voice Still Soars
I just got home from seeing Maria play at The Roxy, and I have to say that her voice remains one of the most astonishing voices on the planet. It is just crystal, and the emotion she puts into her performances -- and her songwriting -- is something that few of today's performers seem to be able to muster.

Having watched and listened to Maria for 20 -- TWENTY! -- years now, I can say that she continues to dazzle. I don't know how she never became one of the world's top artists. But those of us who are lucky enough to pay attention know where talent lies. And it lies in the heart of Maria McKee.

Buy her albums. All of them.

A great CD
Not only is this album Maria McKee's best solo album -- the one fans have been waiting for -- it's a great record. Wonderful, tuneful songs that linger with you. The production does not overwhelm herwonderful voice -- it takes a back seat. This is truly one of the best CDs of the year.

McKee returns with a strong and solid effort
Maria McKee's new LP _Peddlin' Dreams_ provides a little something for each of the twenty years worth of fans/listeners. It plays to those who either dig McKee's optimism and/or her darker more suicidal side.The LP has a more acoustic and spontaneous feel--unlike _High Dive_ (which is one of McKee's great masterpieces). _Peddlin' Dreams_ is definitely worth buying if you are a McKee fan or for those who want to hear one of the alt-country greats.

Still Underappreciated After All These Years
Few singers in the last thirty-plus years have ever shown as much raw talent as Maria McKee.Fewer still have ever been so underrated by music buyers and grossly underappreciated by radio programmers as her either.Because her music tends to cover many different spectrums, from orchestral pop-rock to alternative to country, Maria, like Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris before her, just can't be pigeonholed by strict radio formats or playlists, and that's why it is so often best to find her music, whether it's her solo albums or the ones she made while the lead singer of Lone Justice, in the record stores rather than on the radio.And that trend continues with her new album PEDDLIN' DREAMS.

In contrast to the orchestral pop-rock of her 2003 album HIGH DIVE, PEDDLIN' DREAMS has a more organic sound to it, harking back to the acoustic country/folk/rock style that Maria seems to be most at ease with.She and her husband and producer Jim Akin use plenty of acoustic guitars for the album's sound base, particularly on "Season Of The Fair" and "My One True Love"; and the use of steel guitar is a bit more extensive than you'll find on most Nashville-produced albums these days.Maria, who is 40 years old now but still looks far younger than that, is in fine voice on all the tracks.Her cover of Neil Young's "Barstool Blues" is a minor gem too, as is the old-school "You Don't Know How Glad I Am", which, like her 1993 album track "Only Once", is redolent of Patsy Cline and late 60s/early 70s-era Linda Ronstadt in its country-pop styling.

Twenty years after she first burst upon the scene with Lone Justice, Maria is still underappreciated by the general public.Whether PEDDLIN' DREAMS changes that now is uncertain. But discriminating music fans would do well to get this recording just for the sheer pleasure of listening to one of the finest female singers to have come down the pike since Linda and Emmylou.Simply put, Maria is an artist always well worth supporting.

A True Artist
I second all of what was said in the previous review... I too have no idea why Maria has not gotten the recognition (I think) she truly deserves.She is an excellent songwriter, a gorgeous girl with a richly strong and beautiful voice!And... she seems to have stayed true to herself and her integrity! Buy this album - you'll play it over and over... she's definitely NOT a one-hit wonder.
Gypsy - www.fairyprincessmusic.com ... Read more

Amazon.com

Most modern Hollywood films have musical "temp tracks" laid in as they're edited, usually classical standards or music from other soundtracks that helps shape the dramatic and emotional intentions of works in progress. Sometimes these temp tracks become the score (as in "2001"), but more often they serve as a template for the film's eventual scorer. That said, we'll boldly climb out on a limb and opine that director Ridley Scott was listening to a whole lot of Holst's The Planets as he was cobbling together his modern gladiator epic. Credit Hans Zimmer for taking "Mars, the Bringer of War" and hammering its familiar harmonic and rhythmic Sturm und Drang into something serviceably fresh; cohort Lisa Gerrard generally handles the more ethereal, atmospheric passages. As epic in scope as its thematic inspiration (and with enough occasional nods to "authenticity" to make it work), this is nonetheless a work of often surprising nuances, and one that recasts the traditional heroic orchestral score in deliciously dark and ominous tones. Warning: repeated listening may inspire the invasion of neighboring countries. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (334)

How could you not love this soundtrack?
I'm actually listening to the Gladiator soundtrack as I write this review. From beginning to end, this work satisfies completely. You don't need to watch the movie to be able to enjoy the soundtrack, and that speaks volumes to the talent of Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, who have managed to create a work that not only compliments the scenes of the Oscar winning movie, but stands on its own legs. (It's actually one of the very few times in recent history that I happened to agree with the philistines at the Academy)

The two longest cues at roughly 10 and 10 1/2 minutes, #3 "The Battle" and #13 "Barbarian Horde" are chest thumping triumphs that are monumentally powerful. They combine a mix of strings and horns that reminds me of "Mars, bringer of War" from Holst's "The Planets", but, mixed with the subtle background of the synthesizer, creates an entirely different effect that is just amazing. 8 1/2 minutes into "The Battle", Hans segues into the melodic strings accompanied by Lisa's beautiful voice, which sets up for #4 "Earth" and #5 "Sorrow" which are probably my favorite cues on the whole soundtrack. Combined, they're only a mere 4 1/2 minutes long, yet they manage to (softly) speak more to me than many pieces have done in an entire hour. So beautifully set within the goings on of the movie, they set the mood perfectly when Maximus arrives home.

The next cue, #6 "To Zucchabar" is ethereal and strange, and speaks of distant and foreign lands. Other pieces, notably #9 "The might of Rome, and 10 "Strength and honor" are incredible. There's not a wasted note in this soundtrack. The last three compositions, #15 "Elysium", #16 "Honor him", and #17 "Now we are free" all work together to complete the exhausting emotional rollercoaster ride that is "Gladiator". Obviously, I cannot say enough about this piece of work. I loved it as much as I loved the movie. Both are among my favorites of all time.

One of the few bright spots in current film music
Each year, the number of quality orchestral soundtracks diminishes, and the soundtrack to Gladiator is so far the only excellent work in this genre I've heard this year. Lisa Gerrard receives co-credit with Zimmer, but her material on the album is only a fraction of the whole. Still, her work provides a memorable, spiritual depth to this fascinating musical journey, and it contrasts perfectly with Zimmer's music, which switches between robust glory, ethnic flavored themes, and violent pounding action rhythms. (I agree with the Amazon reviewer, "Mars the Bringer of War" must have been the temp music for the battle scenes.)

The album makes for a unified experience, especially with most of tracks blending into the following track. The two ten minute action tracks (Battle; Barbarian Horde) are exhilirating and incredibly suspenseful as they build up to their frenzy. The last three tracks provide a moving coda where Gerrard and Zimmer weave in and out of each other to send our hero to his final reward.

A worthwhile dramatic listening experience, even if you haven't seen the film (and you should).

Great soundtrack
I think that this is one of only a handful of soundtracks that should appeal to just about everybody whether or not they liked the movie. I didn't particularly care for the film myself, but I love the soundtrack. This score is reminiscent of other Zimmer works like the Rock and Crimson Tide in parts, but possesses a powerful emotional underpinning. I would recommend this soundtrack highly, along with Badelt's Pirates of the Caribbean which is also excellent although perhaps less reflective and more action oriented.

Seamlessly Entrancing
Of all my favorite classical soundtracks from the movies - Zimmer's & Garrard's Gladiator disk is hands-down my all-time favorite. More epic in scope that William's Jurassic Park and more hypnotic than Mansell's Requiem for a Dream. For me this is the epitome of modern movie/classical music that I can sink into while allowing my mind to fantasize.

I learned of this disk while visiting a handful of high quality/elite audio stores a few years back, many of which by default used this soundtrack as a showcase to demonstrate the range, depth, clarity and overall quality of their high-end sound systems & speakers.

As an audio connoisseur of the classical genera I was blown away by the quality and dynamics of this compilation. Yet, even on the mediocre system I have, the dynamics, range of emotion & character this album exhibits are sublime - this IS a model showcase soundtrack. It's kind of like an educational amusement park ride in the Roman Era in my eyes - full of adrenaline, hype, tragedy, love and entertainment and war - yet amazingly, not cheesy in the slightest.

I learned of this album well before seeing the movie, and in fact - after seeing Gladiator the movie, I was disappointed that it did not deliver what my imagination could while listening and focusing on this soundtrack.

From dramatic orchestral movements to soft and emotional sounds of drama and tension and beyond, the music of this album tells a complex story which does not require pictures to illustrate. Let your imagination be the canvas and paint while listening to this story.

The vast range of emotions and sounds are nothing short of miraculous given how well this album seamlessly blends together such a wide variety of distinct emotions and even hype that are tied together within each musical aspect or 'feel' of this epic.

Music can tell a story, this is true - we agree on this I'm sure. This entire album is a fluent story with an abundance of emotions, which have the possibility to become very entrancing when listened to in full.

This is not an album where you listen to a track here and there (if you do this and judge this CD on a track or two you are seriously short-changing this work - don't make that mistake). Listen to this work of art all the way through then you can understand what makes it so full of life and so unique.

Listen all the way through; this is one soundtrack I can say without doubt - it is far better than the movie. But you'll never know it unless you listen to just the soundtrack by itself.

The Greatest Motion Picture Soundtrack
This is definately one of the best scores to any movie I have ever heard. It absolutely never gets old or tiring. Hans Zimmer is a real master at this, and I love this album. Go buy it, you won't regret it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Even after 15 years of releasing albums on her own Righteous Babe imprint, it's hard to know what to make of Ani DiFranco. Some see her as a folkie-punk-bisexual-feminist-radical-crap-kicker, while others reckon she's merely Alanis Morissette with better lyrics. On her 15th studio album the truth just might be somewhere in between. She does dysfunctional family portraits ("Studying Stones") and broken affairs ("Lag Time") just fine, but she also manages to leave room for rambling, autobiographical beat poetry ("Parameters"). And then there is the music. Matching acoustic guitars with earthy funk rhythms and soft moonlight moods with out-of-leftfield song arrangements, it reconfirms the one label everyone can agree upon: fiercely original. --Aidin Vaziri

Recommended Ani DiFranco Discography

Out of Range	Not a Pretty Girl	So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter
Little Plastic Castle	Revelling/Reckoning	Living in Clip

... Read more

Reviews (26)

Ani's still great, and that Kevin guy who gave her 1 star?
This isn't my favorite Ani album, but, like all of her albums, each song has it's moment and application to my own life.I shaved my head once (although, sadly, it I don't have the head for it), found myself wanting to angrily lash out at unrequited love (which is why I absolutely love Dilate), and am now growing a bit older and wiser, which I see happening in her work.And I love the fact that she's still giving the man the finger; it reminds me that I need to give up a bit of comfort for honesty, too.

And, as for Kevin, the fellow who gave the album 1 star.Well, I'm sure he didn't even listen to it as, if you check out his record of reviews, all he does is write reviews with one star.This indicates to me that he is either a bitter, lonely man sitting in his basement blindly raging against some unknown enemy (could it be his own stunning inadequacy?) or he's just a hack who thinks he's being witty by trashing other people.Either way, I do feel sorry for him and hope that he finds some joy in life, before he bites the big one and the only thing proving his pitiful existence will be some pithy amazon.com reviews.So, Kevin, if you're reading this, take a shower, get dressed, and go meet some people.Or take up a hobby.Do something.You need to find some joy in life.

The Fine Ani As Always
Over the last fifteen years, the politically outspoken Ani DiFranco has made a name for herself as a fiercely independant artist.She's created a large cult audience that have followed her every move.Through everything, she's received rave reviews for her music including a Grammy award (2003's "Evolve").Her poetry and her melodies have always stood beyond the test of time despite little radio airplay.This folk-rock artist has often experimented with other genres with her signature sound: punk, funk, jazz, blues, and others.She's never recorded anything below her top potential.Therefore, she's maintained the respect as an artist and as a person.This has influenced many artists who have come after her (Pink, Dar Williams).

In 2005, she changed some traditions with her album "Knuckles Down".Surprisingly, she hired a producer, Joe Henry, to assist in her music.This collaboration resulted in a more folk-pop sound with quality that continues her run as a phenomenal artist.This album shows a more mellow side of Ani.Yet, she never loses her signature musical edge.The melodies and the rhythms flow greatly through the instruments, namely her guitar.The various instrumental line-up keeps this album interesting; yet, the album flows smoothly.Her poetry continues expressing her deep thoughts.This album expresses more of her recent personal turbulances in a less outspoken fashion.Despite, her artistic stance never loses itself.Such quality shows great artistic evolution that makes this album shine.

This allows her performances to remain expressive.As always, her musical talents give her music the heart and soul it deserves.Her performances show her poetic side greatly.Her expressed sadness never loses its emotion.This album shows a more mature side that has never been heard previously.Her passion leaves listeners in a trance.In every song, she slides her listeners to a deeper sense of her theme.Her indistinguishable performances leave a longlasting impact on everybody.All her songs stand out in the modern folk industry.

Through the dying mainstream music, Ani DiFranco always prevails.Her music defines true music."Knuckle Down" is no exception.This album is a great escape from the often-selling-out mainstream music heard too often on the radio.She has never sold out.She remains true to herself and everyone else.Therefore, this album is sure to please new and old fans.

***Expect Ani DiFranco to receive at least two 2005 Grammy nominations: Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Recording Package.

Knuckle Down is a must-have..
'Knuckle Down' was my first foray into the musical world of Ani DiFranco, and has quickly become one of my favourite albums of all-time.If you're tired of the generic, manufactured music so common to modern network air waves, this disc is for you.The songwriting is developed and well-thought out, and the tonality of the album is warm and inviting.Do yourself a favour, buy this album.

Back To the Fold
I've read several of the reviews below, and some are very good.My review of this album won't be quite as technical and thorough as those I've read, but I'll give you my honest opinion.This is a great cd.I've been listening to Ani for about 11 years now....I came in around the "Out of Range" and "Not a Pretty Girl" days.I was a very "devoted" fan (read crazed) for much of my late teens and into my early twenties...sometimes driving as long as 10 hours for a concert.I've loved several of her cd's along the way....Dilate, Little Plastic Castle, To the Teeth, Revelling/Reckoning, Evolve.But as life kept on going, and I got older, I became less and less crazed.Not because of her music, but because I had more going on.....more important things to worry about.I didn't even buy Educated Guess (I didn't even *gasp* realize that she had released it!)But after seeing her perform "Studying Stones" on, of all places, the CBS Saturday Early Show, I was intrigued about "Knuckle Down."So I got the cd, and expected to go through my usual Ani routine.Listen to it, think "hmmmm this isn't anything like Little Plastic Castle or To the Teeth or Evolve....I'm not sure I like it," and then a few weeks or months later listen to it and think "OH!I get it, this is awesome!"But I haven't been able to stop listening to it since it arrived in the mail.This cd has snapped me back to that old place.I'm not sure how, and I'm not sure why....but that's what's happened.I absolutely love this disc.It's really hard pick a favorite song (okay, maybe I like "Studying Stones", "Paradigm", and "Sunday Morning" a little more than the rest.)I'm not saying everyone will love this as much as I do.But if you've kept listening to Ani through the years, through all the different bands and styles and personal experiences, I think you'll dig this cd.

not good
This effort, I have to say, is simply not good. I used to like Difranco's stuff quite a bit, but something's missing here, and it's a substantial enough problem that it compromises the entire work.

On a side note, I must defend porterhouse from lucibuis' attack. First, it's not like porterhouse is off the mark. The comments about the music notwithstanding (with which I happen to agree, at least concerning this album, but that's beside the point), all porterhouse did was call it like he or she saw it. Honestly, any objective observer couldn't really disagree. But what is truly absurd is Lucibuis' hypocrisy. Lucibuis purports to give us all a lesson about what makes a great American citizen and why Difranco is just that, right after calling for Amazon to censor porterhouse. Nice. I guess it's good old fashioned stuff like liberty and free speech, but only for those with whom you agree, right Lucibuis? Twisted. ... Read more

Album Description

Combine the smoky cellars of a Weimar-era cabaret with the rock n’ roll fury of Joan Jett, PJ Harvey and The Violent Femmes and you have a remote idea of what to expect when experiencing The Dresden Dolls. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Punk cabaret is a "perfect fit"
Old porcelain toys are what come to mind when you hear the name of the "Dresden Dolls." But their faces and their music sure won't make you think of toys. It's very different from what I had expected, with its raw lyrics and complex piano'n'drums music, and left me expecting future great things from the most original new group in eons.

The sound of a piano builds up to a crescendo in the pummelling, jerky "Good Day," a barbed, sarcastic little ditty. It's not a funny song, but has a dark humor that shines through in the deceptively simple, searing "Bad Habit," the jazzy, self-examining "Perfect Fit," and the quirky, funny "Coin Operated Boy." Some songs are a little more downbeat, like the chillingly creepy "Slide," with its bogeyman line "the orange man got you." Perhaps the best song on the album is "Girl Anachronism," a fast'n'furious, punkish song about a psychiatric patient.

The Dresden Dolls can catch your eye as no other band can, with their face paint and striking black-and-white clothing. And they can back up their unusual look by being just as musically interesting, with a strange mix of piano and drums that somehow weave together seamlessly. The piano at the start sounds like a dusty music box, coming form the corners of a dark, neglected attic. But that illusion is shattered as the album progresses to songs where the piano is as percussive as the hard drums.

Amanda Palmer's neurotic whirl of ex-boyfriends, razors, wind-up boy toys (literally!), black jeeps and not-cured psychiatric patients set the tone of the album. "Sappy songs about sex and cheating/bland accounts of two lovers meeting/make me want to give mankind a beating," she snaps. Her versatile voice can be high and girlish, or boom through the room.

Cabaret punk-rock sounds like some kind of novelty act, but the Dresden Dolls are the real thing: punk piano rock that is sexy, dark, twisted, and deliciously original. A must have.

Friggin Amazing
This album is amazing. The Dresden Dolls is a band that creates songs with my two favorite instruments: piano and drums. The songs are amazing, "demented" only beginning to describe their sound. I recommend that everyone at least give them a listen, keeping an open mind since their music really doesn't fit inside the restrictions of a particular genre.

I didn't like the album design too much, since the songs aren't listed on the back of the album and are instead on the inside, so I couldn't tell how many songs were on the disc until after I bought it. The little booklet that contains the lyrics though, is awesome. There's some great collage work going on, though some of the lyrics are out of order. The art alone makes it worth it, though (keep in mind, some of the art contains naked women drawings, so if you have overly-protective parents who like to peruse your CD collection, beware).

A warning to those of you who play your CDs on your computer, though. I have Windows ME and the CD didn't play on my computer. The only thing that registered was the video for Girl Anachronism. The songs didn't show up at all, even when I went to "explore" and specifically selected the E drive. So if you only have a computer to play your CDs on, be warned; it may not work on yours.

With that said, here are my personal ratings of the individual songs, rated out of 10, 10 being the best and 1 being absolute crap.

1. Good Day - 9/10 - I wasn't fond of this song at first, but after a couple listens, I couldn't get the chorus out of my head. I think it's the enthusiastic way the lead singer sings, "and I'M ON FIRE!" The song is original, a screw-you ode to an old boyfriend, with very clever lyrics ("I want to do more than survive; I want to rub it in your face," for example).

2. Girl Anachronism - 9/10 - The only reason this isn't a 10/10 is because this isn't the same version of the song that you can hear on their video. I prefer that version, which sounds like two different women (with identical voices!) singing the lyrics to each other, each too impatient to wait for the other to finish with her line before she begins her own. This version is cool, too, because what it lacks in the fine polishing of the video-version is made up for with an extreme amount of enthusiasm. The fast beat is wonderful. I love fast songs.

3. Missed Me - 10/10 - Demented! Twisted! Disturbed! This song is the very empitome of psychosis, a twisted little girl persona singing her own revenge fantasy about a (presumably) older lover. I even have a favorite line in the song, when she sings in a cute, high voice, "...and so misunderstood" and then follows it up with a wonderfully hellish growl of, "so treat me DELICATELY". Awesome. Awesome awesome awesome. The only problem I have with this song is that parts of it are really, really quiet, so I can't understand the wonderful lyrics. I agree with previous reviewers - whoever produced this really sucked when it came to polishing the final sound, because the constant raising and lowering of volume is really an issue.

4. Half Jack - 8/10 - The second half of this song is my favorite, because it gets louder and more aggressive, while the first part is merely moping. Still, it's awesome and I almost never skip it.

5. 672 - 3/10 - I really don't like this. You can't understand anything she says in it except for the number, and it sounds far away, like a live recording instead of something from the studio. The piano would be pretty if the sound had been managed better. I always skip this one.

6. Coin-Operated Boy - 10/10 - Extremely, extremely catchy. I find myself humming it often, and the lyrics are a delight. I'm extremely impressed that the band wrote these songs themselves, since they all sound _different_! Many of the bands I listen to have songs that blend together, because they're all the same speed, key, style. The Dresden Dolls are awesome because each of their songs is an individual, Coin-Operated Boy being an excellent example. The melody almost sounds like something from the 1930s, with the exception of the bridge.

7. Gravity - 10/10 - Neat lyrics, extremely catchy chorus, wonderful tune.

8. Bad Habit - 10/10 - Wonderful song about self-mutilation, because the tune is so HAPPY. This song is another reason to purchase the CD. Original bands like The Dresden Dolls deserve all the royalties they can get.

9. The Perfect Fit - 5/10 - Slow and boring. It's occasionally soothing whenever I get to it, because it goes well as a follow-up to Bad Habit, but for the most part, it's forgetable.

10. The Jeep Song - 5/10 - It sounds like a refuge from the 80s, and while the lyrics are clever and there's a bit of an homage to "paint it black" stuck into the middle, I just can't get into it.

11. Slide - 8/10 - Creepy, creepy, creepy. You can't really appreciate the song until you read the lyrics, and THEN you'll get what I'm talking about. Unfortunately, it's very hard to make out what the lyrics are on your own, since this song, like "missed me", has VOLUME ISSUES! ARGH! If only they had fixed up the songs better before they released it, this would have been the most perfect album EVER!

12. Truce - 3/10 - Boring. Long. Endless. At over 8 minutes (including the creepy voice at the end), it went on way too long. The lyrics were kinda "blah" too, at least to me.

Despite a few duds on the album, however, there are more than enough good songs to make up for it. I love The Dresden Dolls. They're almost like a combination of the piano skills of Tori Amos with the eccentricity of Rasputina. They're a great, great band and they deserve a listen.

Almost Amazing
The Dresden Dolls capture everything you would ever want in a great CD. They've got excellent dynamics going from soft (almost too soft at times) to very loud and full of emotion. They have twisted subjects. But, beware that if you buy this CD you are getting one heck of a lot of swear words. If you don't want to hear the F word, stay away from this. If you're okay with the swearing, then it's one of the best CDs you'll ever own. Just be aware of the amount of swearing

Something new and fresh, yet oh so gorgeous!...
Amanda Palmer truly makes a statement with her beautifully written melodies concerning her story book past. The first track, "Good Day" can no greater define the way that an album should introduce you to a new sound of musical talent. The song could be considered "pop" if you really pushed the buttons, however the truth stands that the Dresden Dolls are far from entering the mainstream culture. Tracks like "Missed Me" and "672" gave me goosebumps for their intensely-stricken perfection. Amanda's melancholic, cabaret-style vocals are both amazing in her range of harmonies displayed in tracks like "Pefect Fit" and my personal favorite "Bad Habit" (such a cute little song about an infamousely mistaken fetish). I could go down the list and give a detailed explination of the beauty of each and every song, however it would be a waste of time to talk such nonsense and opinionated critiquing. Just know that I ONLY listen to the Dresden Dolls now that I own the album. Best thing I've heard in years. I have the priviledge of seeing them next month in Hollywood, so I'll get to see the gorgeous Amanda up close in storytelling mode. If you enjoy Goth Rock, Rasputina, you'll love this band.

Amazing , quality music..
Its all i ever wanted .So much passion goes into this . They would be worth seeing Live . This cd is purely an experience . I seem to enjoy all of the tracks , each with their own story and emotion . Amanda and Brian are very talented .I cant express such quality , its simpley amazing . ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Rock & roll is constantly splintering into multiple personalities. Big radioplayers layer thick slabs of studio shine on their albums, while back-to-the-basicsrockers keep the sound so raw it rubs calluses on your ears. The White Stripes fallin the latter category. The duo strips down to the fundamentals of Meg White's simpledrumbeat and Jack White's garagy guitar and pleading vocals. While the elements aresparse, the Detroit act create a noisy, hip-grinding batch of punk R&B, displayed againon White Blood Cells, the Stripes' third full-length. While it's hard to pickfavorites from such talent, this band only gets better with time. White's vocals weresounding like a young Robert Plant on De Stijl--definitely not a bad thing--buton Cells, he's developed his own persona. He throws musical fits on "Fell in Lovewith a Girl," gets almost loungy on the piano number "This Protector," and keeps the bluesvibe running on "Now Mary." The album is so rich with basic variations on a simple themeit's hard to believe such soulful energy comes from just two people. White Blood Cellsis an amazing piece of work, a benchmark that ought to inspire new legions of garage rockersfor years to come. --Jennifer Maerz ... Read more

Reviews (345)

Maybe more like 3 1/2 stars... but it's still cool.
1. Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground- A slow, brooding rock song with good lyrics and a cool video.
2. Hotel Yorba- A silly little country-influenced jam with an adorable video. You'll be singing the chorus forever.
3. I'm Finding It Harder To Be A Gentleman- One of my favorite songs on the album. Nice piano, a good tune, and great lyrics about misplaced attempts at chivalry.
4. Fell In Love With A Girl- The big hit of the album. Fun and fast and wears surprisingly well.
5. Expecting- Not my favorite, but good. Slow bluesy rock stuff. Jack delivers the lyrics well.
6. Little Room- Almost too short and sparse to be a song, but still a lot of fun. Composed of drums and vocals that descend rapidly into old jazz-style scatting.
7. The Union Forever- A little overdramatic and wearing at times, but still a cool and passionate song. Awesome lyrics taken from "Citizen Kane."
8. The Same Boy You've Always Known- Winsome and sweet and melancholy. I like it a lot. :)
9. We're Going To Be Friends- An soft, melodic song through a child's eyes, done in a perfect and non-cloying way.
10. Offend In Every Way- Pretty good music, cool lyrics about self-doubt and relationships with others.
11. I Think I Smell A Rat- Kind of amusing, but gets old fast.
12. Aluminum- A weird aural experiment that is pretty cool. I don't skip it when listening to the CD, but I don't get cravings for it, either, which is less than I can see for most of the songs on the album (the other major exception being Track 11).
13. I Can't Wait- A solid song that seems unremarkable at first, but grows on you rapidly.
14. Now Mary- Slightly blues influenced, mostly lighter slow-rock. Enjoyable.
15. I Can Learn- The delicate words seem kind of out of place with the labored melody, but a cool song that's been stuck in my head lately.
16. This Protector- Weird, but really great. Becoming one of my favorites.

In conclusion: This is an excellent album, as is every album I've heard from the Stripes, but I prefer Elephant and De Stijl. Some fabulous songs, some good but not quite awesome ones, and just two that I don't like much. Not as great as other White Stripes works, but still somewhat addictive and recommended by me (though the other two I mentioned are recommended a bit more highly).

No Blues, No Problem!
Although there's no blues on this album, like most White Stripes fans expect, this album is still great. Unlike the other White Stripes albums, White Blood Cells has nothing but original songs written by Jack White himself. The songs aren't dragged out, they're fairly short & sweet. White Blood Cells shows how The White Stripes have a variety of styles that they play their music. It goes from the alternative hit "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" to the quiet smooth song titled "This Protector."
It's one of those albums like Def Leppard's Hysteria, the whole album is good & you never get tired of listening to it. There's not too many albums that are that good, so buy this one. But, it's a shame that a lot of people thought that White Blood Cells was The White Stripes debut album, that's not true, White Blood Cells is The White Stripes third album. Their previous two albums, "The White Stripes, & De Stijl," are also great albums. But, White Blood Cells sticks out in most peoples mind.

BUY THIS ALBUM, IT'S AWESOME.

Every single song is worth listening to. With 16 tracks you don't get ripped off, you get a full album, instead of 11 or 12 like most bands do. The White Stripes really know how to put together a classic album.

The White Stripes' Masterpiece
A lot of people prefer the sound of Elephant to this album, and while I loved Elephant I still say this is their legacy. It is one of the rarities you find that you can listen to without skipping a single track. I originally bought this album because I liked Fell in Love With a Girl, but I never expected it to be one of the best albums I have ever heard. It is just that in my mind, from the opening track Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground to the end track This Protector. It is so eclectic in sound ranging from the blues sound found in their earlier work to some more accoustic ballads, and even a touch of country(of which I am not a fan, but Jack White does it right). It is simply amazing that two people are behind music this big, and while they keep it simplistic and minimalistic they are the best in making full use of what they have. Fell in Love With a Girl is a great song and we have all heard that one by now. But if you were ever pondering buying this cd and haven't then go buy it quickly. Hotel Yorba is one of the songs with a country feel to it and I think it is great. All in all every songs flows into the next one really well and the diversity in style makes this a truly great piece of music. If you are still unsure, download some tracks like I'm Finding It Harder..., The Union Forever, I Think I Smell a Rat, Now Mary and Fell in Love With A Girl. Once you hear these you should have a great idea of the sound the Stripes present in White Blood Cells and you will either love it or hate it. It is destined to become a classic and rightfully so. Regardless, check this out if you yearn for meaningful music you surely wont see on MTV. You will probably be glad you did. And one more thing, check out another great one by the White Stripes, Elephant.

Kind of upsetting but still good
OK..I first bought the Elephant istead of byuing White Blood Cells Thank GOD! The Elephent is much fresheer and just better! The White Blood cells was good in the begining (especially Fell In love with a Girl) but towards the middle and the end it sucked ass! It was horrible towards the end... I would sugest you byuing the Elephent first..and if you really like it then you should go out and buy White Blood Cells. Since its too blueyuse and even country!

The best of the 4
The White Stripes did get some attention for this album, but not nearly as much as their 4th album, Elephant did. Elephant is a great album, but I think White Blood Cells surpasses it. It is most definitely my favorite White Stripes album. It's one of those albums that I eventually always go back to. From start to finish it's raw, it's rock n' roll the way it should be. It makes me really happy to see artist like The White Stripes, The Strokes, The Libertines, etc out today. It's still amazing to me that the stripes have managed to become mildly popular among the sh*tty musical culture we have now. ... Read more