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The Icelandic iconoclast is a past master of deconstructing her studio recordings, and here she plays an active role in helping a crew of remixers and guest artistes get medieval with tracks off 1995's Post. Trip-hop, jungle, and industrial flavors will draw the Tricky crowd, and Brodsky Quartet puts a string-driven spin on "Hyperballad," but it's the lush Deodata treatment of "Isobel" that'll make your head spin.--Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Half-good, half-... not-as-good
"Telegram" is a decidedly mixed bag: Buy it if you're a Bjork addict, but otherwise stick with "Post" (the album whose songs this CD remixes). Only one song here improves upon the original--the remix of "Hyberballad" replaces the drum beats and squeaky noises of the original with an inventive and haunting arrangement by the Brodsky Quartet that could stand on its own as an instrumental but goes even better with the lyrics, in part because it actually mimics the sounds of some of the events described in the song. The one new song here, "My Spine," is passionate and wonderful; it's minimalist (just three minutes of Bjork singing and Evelynne Glennie playing exhaust pipes) but complex, like the "Post" version of "Cover Me" or "All is Full of Love" from "Homogenic."

Two other remixes are very different from the originals but hold their own--"Possibly Maybe" and "Cover Me." The remixes of "Isobel" and "You've Been Flirting Again" don't sound much different from the originals--they more or less simplify these songs and bring out their prettier elements. The "Army of Me" and "Enjoy" remixes are attention-getting, industrial-sounding tracks that have almost nothing to do with the originals. "I Miss You" has a pretty, wistful, hip-hop background, but this setting is all wrong for the intensity of the song's lyrics and vocals. Finally, "Headphones" is a slow, boring, disgraceful mess.

Again, worth buying for a fan, but not necessarily otherwise.

Ó, the Joy of Remixes!:^)
This is perhaps Björk's most underrated release. It is not a mere attempt from the record company to "cash in", but a collection compiled by the inspiring artist herself of equally inspired reworkings of some of the brilliant songs on her unforgettable landmark album Post, from 1995.
This remixed set is a partial hint of what was to come on her 1997 album, Homogenic, on which she did no-holds-barred, emotional, striking techno~punk pieces which so many artists are unadmittedly attempting to live up to to this day...(pick up all her albums for their greatness, and you'll see)
But, this album is filled with imaginative gems, some with new vocals, even. There are some remixes from the great vat of remixes from post that i would have included, perhaps in the place of "I miss you", which had already appeared anyway, but every remix here is enchanting.
The very first remix of Possibly Maybe, Björk says is among her favourites, and it's easy to see why...
There's a heart-wrenching Hyperballad reworking with the Brodsky Quartet; an awesome, vibrant and hard reworking of Enjoy...a lush, tear-inducing version of "you've been flirting again"...a pronounced voodoo-vibe version of army of me...
A funky remix for I miss you...and so much more!
Just explore the "emotional landscapes", as Björk says;)

A reconstruction of a deconstruction
I'll be perfectly honest. Before getting this I was never a Bjork fan. Apart from Army of Me which I thought was great I wasn't sure what to think about her. And to any DJ who played It's Oh So Quiet just made me sick - that was a song that should never have been released but then it fitted with popular demand didn't it

I came across this CD when in Germany and noticed in the booklet it said that she was very happy that the mixers used her songs as " ingredients " for their mixing desks. And I thought I might as well give it a go. I was hoping they would destroy her songs into pieces and make it completely unrecognizable from what it was. And I'm pretty sure that's what I got in some cases - so much so that it frightened me!

Now I don't know whether this'll make me a diehard Bjork fan but I could happily enjoy this album for all it's worth and it's recommended to both fans and the interested parties

Meant For...???
Even I, being a huge Bjork fan didn't get this CD release...
I cringe at some of the remixes...it's too bad such a fantastic artist as Bjork has to have this ""album"" on her resume. Ah Well...

For BIG fans of Bjork ONLY !
I love this artist and I was expected some great surprises with this CD, I was finally very disappointed.It is not interesting at all.Most of the songs that all fans already know and have on several records, are remixed by different people and the result is at the end, impossible to listen for most of them.It's boring and even the great Bjork melodies sound crap or nothing like the originals. It was maybe a lot of fun for them to make such a stuff but I am not sure, the fans will share this excitement.
Get this Cd if you really want to collect all her releases and if you don't care what it's on it. ... Read more

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A reminder that the post-Clash Mick Jones once had something exciting to say about the gray area between rock and dance/hip-hop. Initial fare like "E=MC2" and "C'Mon Every Beatbox" swings loose and wild, while such early '90s tracks as "The Globe" and "Rush" benefit from a tighter reign. A definitive collection.--Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A CD for every beatbox
I owned the first cassette by BAD when the first hit the music scene with "C'mon Everybeatbox" and loved it. Recently I wandered by this on the "used" shelf and looked at the tracks and thought, you know I really like all of these songs.

The thing is..I really, really like these songs.

"The Medicine Show" with it's spaghetti western samples looped in is fantastic, the track with the most substance on this CD. I was sort of struck by how innovative it still sounds all these years later. "The Medicine Show" is equally ecclectic and the kitchy "C'mon Every Beatbox" not only musically is enjoyable with the Rap, Rock and Dance Hall styles but lyrically, it's hilarious.

This collaboartion certainly isn't anywhere near the level of musical genius as The Clash, but it's a nice departure from the political heaviness and underlying punk.

Considering most of the choices musically we have out now, this is a good distraction.

Great pick...
Also more of a Clash fan myself but liked BAD too. I picked this up after hearing a couple of tunes on the radio which would always stick in my head for days. Found out I knew most of the cd anyway. Don't listen to a previous review in which none of the songs are even recognized by the listener. If you even know of The Clash or BAD then you should definitely know a couple of these tracks. Since it is a Greatest Hits cd, these were singles which did get some airplay in most cities except some remote areas in PA, I guess. Get this cd!!!

Not for me... but still contains there best
Ok... BAD are my second fav. band on the planet, right under The Clash.
I own all there albums, so a hits album is not needed by me, but for the casual listener this is very important. It takes there singles and puts them on one album!
From the orginal line-up, to BAD2 and finsishing with Big Audio, from "E=MC" to "I Turned out a Punk"
a collection for the casual listener

This cd is a waste of money
I remembered liking big audio dynamite, so I thought I'd check out their greatest hits cd. I did not recognize a single song. None of the songs I do like were included. I am not sure what criteria they used to determine their greatest hits, but this collection of songs is really subpar. Don't waste your money on this one.

I know now why I like The Clash that much
I know now why I like The Clash that much... because of Mike Jones of course!!
This album is great... it's funny because the only reason I bought this CD is because I ran out of new The Clash albums -I had them all- and hence wanted to taste Joe Strummer and Mike Jones post-TheClash albums... and damm I was lucky..! ... Read more

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If there was a certain irony to the surviving members of Joy Division recasting the angst-ridden muse of band founder/suicide victim Ian Curtis as New Order's often catchy melodic synth-pop, there's ample evidence on this compelling four-disc retrospective to suggest that Curtis's troubled spirit and dark sense of humor continued to haunt his influential musical progeny long after his passing. Crucially, the band has foresworn strict historical autobiography here for a more Rashomon-like approach, allowing four outsiders to compile the anthology's component discs. The resulting four chapters focus on distinct, well-defined facets of the band's music: journalists Miranda Sawyer and John McReady serve up the hits-oriented "Pop" and moody, album-cut and B-side centered "Fan" discs, respectively, while Manchester DJ and Factory Records A&R man Mike Pickering presents a baker's dozen of the band's pioneering club mixes (six previously unavailable in the U.S.) on the "Club" disc and Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie culls together the ultimate, career-spanning N.O. concert set from a trove of unreleased soundboard recordings on "Live." Band members weigh in throughout the set's artful, straightforward liner notes with often sardonic track-by-track commentary, but it's the outside-in viewpoint that makes this such a worthy companion to Joy Division's similarly scaled Heart and Soul anthology. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (29)

A Temptation for New Order Fans
Four discs (five, if you were lucky enough to get the bonus CD which was packed in the initial release; thankfully, I have one) spanning a career steepled in synth, slashing guitar rhythms, and haunting vocals. I came to New Order with "Substance" and this renders the previous hits collections--"Substance," "The Best of," "The Rest of," and "International" (though this last has an excellent, hard-to-find version of "The Perfect Kiss")--inferior.
The discs are separated into Miranda Sawyer's "Pop" (what the band describes as "songs your grandmother can dance to"), John McCready's "Fan" (worth a listen solely on the strength of "Lonesome Tonight" and "Sunrise," though I am not too disappointed in the severely edited "Elegia," thanks to the bonus disc), Mike Pickering's "Club" (Shep Pettibone's extended mix of "Bizarre Love Triangle" is the standout, as is "1963"), and, finally, Bobby Gillespie's "Live" which features an out of place introduction by Alan Wise (I mean, it would have been nice to get a live track from the Finsbury Park concert) and a great cut of "Everything's Gone Green" as well as a live cut of "Temptation," which is great for a repeated listen as well as a chuckle at Bernard's "oooohing" during the track.
While this leaves out some items (sorry, but I'm tossing a nod to "Get Ready's" "Rock the Shack") and has a few repeats ("Temptation," "Bizarre Love Triangle") and a couple of tracks that no one really needs again ("Blue Monday" and "World in Motion," anyone?) it is well worth buying for both casual listener and hardcore fan alike.
The live tracks and mixes aren't all that rare, and if you look hard enough you can find them elsewhere, but to have everything in one neat little package is much, much easier, and this collection is both affordable and enjoyable. It's four different mix tapes spanning a career that has only improved with age. For that evidence, just pop in the Live disc and listen to the transformation from fledgling, uncertain rockers reeling over Ian Curtis's death to a seasoned, well-established, mature, focused band that has withstood the test of time and defined a generation of pop art.

Great Collection
Kudos to New Order for bringing this box out. It pretty much kept me occupied for the entire duration of a long road trip. Overall the third remix CD was my favorite. The 4 CD set did contain some cool mixes (e.g. the great mix of Confusion...which I only heard in the video version of the song), but some of them, such as Touched By The Hand of God was pretty much what I already heard in other New Order releases. I agree with the other review...the live CD was pretty [dull]. It sounded like it was recorded off of a tape recorder in someone's pocket. I got better quality sound from a video camcorder recording of my own band's live gig (in a dive bar...and not in a real venue!!). Overall it's a good get, but it's really for die-hard New Order fans only or for those of you who don't have Substance or the later New Order greatest hits CDs.

It is a MUST for all ¡¥true¡¦ newOrder fans.
Ok, ok, we know it is going to take 11 discs to capture all the singles and album tracks and remixes and live materials. So, forget that for now. I have all their Lps, 12¡¨, Cds. I still find these 4/5 Cds great to have.

The 4 disc set is great too! If you have some luck, get the 5th disc. (I accidentally got the 5th disc). The POP disc is a good set of the wonderful singles. The FAN disc contains important great songs from the albums. The CLUB disc, hmmm, newOrder started the remixing/re-writing songs from the albums trent. And the live disc¡K.oh my, oh my, the ones in the 80s! I went to see newOrder in the 80s, and 90s. In the 80s, they played in small night clubs in the States. They would come out at midnight sometimes, and the sets usually lasted only about an hour. You have to be there to really get it. I almost fainted when they played ¡¥Your silent face¡¦ on stage! That was then, this is now.

So, if you are a true fan of newOrder, get the box.

box it man!
this collection is getting a lot of bad reviews from new order
fans!!,why? its great stuff really. unreleased remixes,b-sides
classic 12` mixes on cd for the first time,a good book and the
usual peter saville artwork. i love new order,yeah i`ve got most
of it already but its still great to be able to see some of the
rarer stuff turning up. there isnt really much missing apart from
the technique b-sides and salvation soundtrack. i do live near
manchester though so i`ve the 5 disc set,which probably makes it
seem alot better! the live disc is important because most of the
tracks aren`t played live now so unless you`re 30+ you`ll only
know the recorded version. a boxset will never be perfect,
because naturally everyone would like it to contain different
tracks. but it`d be interesting to see a dvd boxset.
true new order fans will hopefully agree with my comments
after all,my new order collection is a boxset-only its made
up of cds,videos,vinyl,dvds and memories! anyway if you are
new to the group its near essential if you`re already hooked
its probably already sitting on your shelf with joy divisions
heart and soul.

New Orderless
I have to start by saying that I love most all things new order and electronic related. This stuff gets heavy rotation in the car so when I finally ponied out the cash for the box set I really thought this would be great. The problem was that I actually acquired the 5th limited cd before getting the box and my expectations were set based on the bonus disc which is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, something went really wrong with the regular issue set. Disc one IMHO was the best and I listen to this the most. The other 3 discs I see are more boutique like in nature. They are good but they each cover a special perspective by different fans essentially which sets the stage for more or less a love hate type of deal. The fan disc is more or less mope rock new order with a couple of gems put in like Let's Go and Every Little Counts (I prefer the BBC live version personally). The Club disc really isn't all that clubby to me (I probably listen to too much prog house and trance). But the real problem is that the Club disc doesn't flow that well and I would have liked to have seen True Faith included as well as World (the perfecto mix) which still sounds fresh. Finally, the live disc was really disappointing. Early and rare stuff, especially if it is live is very, very cool, but with so many other goodies left off, I'd rather nix the live stuff and add the fifth bonus disc which is fabulous. I would rather just get the individual cds and listen to them with as many cd singles I could get my hands on than buy this one. But as a new order junkie, it is a must have. And now I have. Happy listening. rock the vote :) ... Read more

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This is the studio work of London's prodigious dub godfather, Mad Professor, who takes Massive Attack's Protection album as raw material to create a completely new experience. Bits are added, dropped out, accentuated, run through sonic effects, drenched in reverb, turned inside out until the songs disappear and in their place emerge reborn textural soundscapes.No Protection gives a sort of discursive aural commentary on Protection's original songs, pointing out all the obscured details--the minutest percussive rings and beeps, the most mesmerizing bass loops. --Roni Sarig ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Massive Attacks "No Protection" (Reinterpreted Via Dub)
Massive Attack, after having being (unfair) criticized, after the release of their second Album "Protection", handed over the Original Master Tapes to U.K. Dub Cut-and-paste mastermind "The Mad Professor", who subsequently, took the original source material completely apart, deconstructed, incorporated Dub-reggae sampling and completely Rebuild the album with a much harder (but, Dub-influenced) sound.....(which was what the original "Protection" album was heavily Criticized for lacking).....every track has been completely reworked, to incorporate a thicker more sampled, and Trip-Hop styled sound, Tracks such as the album titled "Protection", "Karmacoma", & "Spying Glass" have had the vocals heavily "Reverbed" & "Distorted" to produce something that is recognisable, yet far removed from the original's Electronica-styled sound, and the surround & resonance move this version into a sound space that the original couldn't possibly hope to occupy, and therefore this makes it a tremendous accompaniment to the original album, rather than a replacement for it....

D-U-L-L
I really enjoy dub, from the old-school Trojan stuff up through Burning Spear, LKJ, etc., and I have a couple Mad Professor CDs. While sometimes overly busy, both have some fun, interesting stuff. I'd heard that "No Protection" bears little resemblance to "Protection." No problem, I thought, it'll be fun to check out what the Mad Professor brings to the project. Inexplicably, he abandons his usual kitchen-sink approach, and what we get here is dishwater-dull. The first few tracks are enjoyable, melllll-ow ear candy. The rest is aural wallpaper. (The last song is an absolute waste of time, but you'll likely be asleep by then.) Buy this only if you're looking for something to crash to.

No Connection
"Protection" was Massive Attack`s worst record, but this remix album is even worse, destroying the few interesting moments that the band`s second effort had. Remixer Mad Professor deconstructs the songs and gives them a dub/ reggae-oriented sound, something that`s decent enough during the first two/ three tracks but soon becomes terribly uninspired, repetitive, boring and formulaic.
There are no variations or contrasts in this remixes, the process is always the same and the album seems endless, almost impossible to listen through in one sitting while managing to remain awake. Seriously, this is a major disappointment, and certainly one of the most monotonous, one-dimensional and flat records around.
For fans and completists only.

Dub Madness - Expertly Produced
I'll take this album over PROTECTION any day as the latter sounds almost boring in comparison. Flying tablas, breathing atmospheres, 2-ton beats . . . put this on and just groooove, baby! It's a trip.

sounds good
off the samples and reviews, i'm sold!
sounds like a mellow groove freak your mama for an hour tape.
i can't wait to get the cd, blaze 1, and talk about love. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fun and Feel Good CD
I first got this on cassette in 1992 as a graduation gift from two of my friends who had enough of hearing me sing the praises of this group. I later bought the CD for sound clarity. This has to be one of the best CDs I own. "Brother Sister" and "Excursions, Remixes and Rare Grooves" are on the list too. But "Brand New Heavies" made me buy the latter CDs. The opening "theme" song is my favorite track. It makes me think of Grover Washington's Mr. Magic, but it's got it's own design. The wonderful thing about BNH is that while they make you think of a lot of old funk, jazz and blues artists, you never feel like you're hearing a remake. "Stay This Way" feels like the color blue, relaxed and comfortable. "Ride in the Sky" is a cool reminiscent of the 70s. "Shakedown" conveys the fun the band must've been having when they recorded it. And "Put The Funk Back In It" does just that. If you like jazz or funk or old-fashioned R&B, you'll be glad you bought this CD.

Heavies' debut carries a lot of weight
In 1990, Acid Jazz was a term unheard of in mainstream music circles, and The Brand New Heavies were indeed brand new. But with vocalist N'Dea Davenport, the pioneering Heavies built a bridge from an underground music sensation in London and stretched it all the way to American radio and MTV. It was a remarkable feat, and their self-titled debut album offers every explanation for it, bursting at the seams with equal parts soul and originality.

As a brand new band, the Heavies didn't know quite what they had on their hands with vocalist N'Dea Davenport; she's only featured on four cuts here, but as it turned out three of them were released as singles and her fiery, soulful vocals wound up being the key to the band's commercial success. She comes on full force on the intoxicating radio smash "Never Stop" and the horn-heavy funk workout "Dream Come True," but pulls back with equal ease on the ultra-smooth "Ride in the Sky" and casts a spell of irresistible seduction on the sultry "Stay This Way."

Of course, featuring Davenport on only four of ten tracks leaves the album a little lop-sided, but thankfully the instrumentals are strong enough to carry the load. "BNH," for all of its jazzy horns and smooth funk rhythms, tidily sums up what the band is all about; "People Get Ready" and "Gimme One of Those" are spirited exercises that sound like outtakes from the "Shaft" soundtrack; and "Put the Funk Back in It" proves the Heavies can shake the house even from a ballad tempo. But the most impressive instrumental cut by far is "Sphynx," a mesmerizing and sophisticated composition that somehow manages to sound like just the sort of thing John Coltrane would record if he were alive and kicking in the 70's.

In fact, so authentic is the album's retro sound, it no doubt sent more than a few early listeners scrambling for the credits to find out if this was a debut release from a new group or an unearthed reissue. From start to finish, the Brand New Heavies take us on an addictive trip back to a time when the grooves were thick, the writing was sophisticated, and the vocals were genuine, unadulterated soul. The Heavies would eventually surpass the heights they reached here, but in retrospect the album offers every clue that they were on their way to becoming legends in the Acid Jazz genre. Heavy indeed.

GREAT LIVE BAND - PLUGGED OR UNPLUGGED
The Brand New Heavies are the "real thing" when it comes to their music. Like those funk and rock bands of the '70's. That could jam all night and turn a 3 minute song into a 20 minute jamfest.

I was in Paris through the late '80's and early 90's trying to get some play as a lyricist. I wrote for great afro-french artists Niyanka, Kova Rea, produced by a young Guadalopean musical genius Gary Volet. Although everyone said I looked like Neneh Cherry, and should get into perfoming pop, I wasn't interested in being on stage only in writiing for those who craved the spotlight.

I worked at Les Bains Douches and hung out with avant garde African and Morroccan musicians on the perepherique of Paris where the trendy feared to go. A dark complexioned German-Spanish recent MIT grad/roomate Eric Wolf turned me on this parallel universe of tenements and project studios (felt just like Brooklyn) on the outskirts of Paris where Some of the best bands, yet undiscovered rehearsed and shared a wealth of music that's probably way beyond the comprehension of mainstream music. I wish they let the floodgates open. MTV couldn't handle it.

Anyway, a Miami friend sent me to stay with a family in London, home town friends from Balina Ireland, to pursue my career there. After several months, using the poems as lyrics to several songs on Jimi Polo's album (which I registered in France, yet have not seen any royalties from-Beware you up and coming ambitious writers) I was walking along Denmark street in London when two Rastas approached me and asked me if I could sing. I told them I enjoy singing, but I prefered to write. They henceforth steered me directly into the acid jazz office, and introduced me to Jan and the guys from the Brand New Heavies.

They were preparing to leave for the U.S. for their last tour with Ndea Davenport. I like her and their music together. They told me to meet them for rehearsal at Kings Crossing in 2 weeks, they gave me the cassette to memorize and rehearse. We spent hours going over "Dream come true" and the other songs and let me tell you, to be small in numbers, they rock like a large band. I told the band that I would love to write music with them. They spent a great deal of time with me, grooming, critiquing, laughing, playing music. They made me feel like an old friend, or better yet, a fellow musician. They told me to meet up with them on their return from concert. I couldn't hang out longer than the 8 months I spent in London because I had no more money to live on, I returned to France where my student visa afforded me the chance to work (I couldn't work in London), legally. The experience alone made me appreciate this band that I had not had much exposure to. The heavies rule!

fly with the heavies
this is the one CD I keep coming back to year after year for the funkiness of it, for the good feelings each song exudes. each time i listen, each tune is fresh. the music and vocals by N'Dea Davenport are superb. makes me close my eyes and smile and dance. favorite track: stay this way. other fave tracks: ride in the sky, never stop. the whole album jams. it's diverse in its mix of funky instrumental tracks and also songs with N'Dea's angelic vocals. I've been a fan of this album since 1993 and it never fails to raise spirits and get you into the groove. ... Read more

Album Description

Since 1990, Saint Etienne has been putting out beautiful, high concept pop music that's as clever as it is catchy. This is their first compilation, collecting songs spanning the group's 15 year career to date and from multiple labels (Reprise, Sub Pop, Beggars Banquet, etc.) It includes their hits "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", "Nothing Can Stop Us", and "Avenue", domestically unavailable tracks like "He's On The Phone" and "Burnt Out Car", and a couple of unissued gems. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Having made a splash with 2001's electro-clash landmark Kittenz and Thee Glitz, Felix Da Housecat, aka Felix Stallings Jr, dives even deeper on Devin Dazzle. Glitz was a huge record for Stallings, accidentally colliding with the dance world zeitgeist. Dazzle may not hit as big, barring a similar confluence of sound and fashion. But Da Housecat knows what he's after here, and the man totally nails it. Turntables are mostly dumped in favor of warm synths, unearthing a new wave sound seasoned with funk and cheeky, Thrill Kill Kult-style sleaze. Equal parts Gary Numan, pansexual glam, and Art of Noise-like unpredictability (a sample of "Close (to the Edit)" even pops up on the fabulous "Watching Cars Go By"), Dazzle is generous with hooks, cheese-flavored melodies, and plain old thump. Children of the 80s may find themselves surprised by how strongly they respond to the title track and "Ready 2 Wear," two massively appealing songs among many on this deceptively sweet and young-at-heart album. –Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A great cd.....but a bit too much on the B-52's Novelity-Pop
Not as good as "Kittenz And Thee Glitz", which touch more on the darker side of glitz, glamour, and other absurdities associated with 80's Material Culture. "Devin Dazzle And The Neon Fever" is showing signs that Da Housecat is going from Electroclash to "Electro-Pop"...just like what happened to most New Wave groups/performers. Think of Blondie and Talking Heads....from Punk To Pop. (Gaggggg...!!!)

I saw this of sorts happen July 2nd, 2004 at The Kastle Nightclub in St. Louis. What happened was Felix's cd-player/mixer broke and he was forced to borrow vinyls/turntables from other the DJ's to continuing his performance....which transformed a "New Wave Rebirth" to a "Stupid House Disco Disaster" (though his spinning skills were great, it's just that all he would spin were Studio 54-type vinyls...) In the end, though the party groove continued...it just lacked that "Madame Hollywood" taste to it (and everyone knew it). As a result..the big winner that night (in my opinon) was one of his openers...a local Synth-Punk/Neo-Darkwave group called Femme Fatality. So my suggestion is...though this is a great cd and all...be warned, The Housecat is has gone Pop slightly with it.

Bobby Ballistic
author and STL "Scenester"

Absolutely Amazing
This needs to be simple. This CD is flawless. It is different from Kittenz, but that is what is refreshing about it. It takes me back to the 80's John Hughes movies and fashions in a good way. At first I was surprised by the overall feel of the music but it is addictive and gets better with each listen! Definately not for everyone, but i recommend for fans of good 80's music and those looking to take a trip back 20 years or so! I haven't taken this disc out of my car since buying it!

Felix does it again!!
This is Cd is fantastic. I like The glitz but I find myself evolving from that house sound and thankfully so is Felix. I think the album sounds like a mix of ladytron and New Order. its the song track of my life at them moment. House fans beware tis not like you expect...

Funky, Retro 80's synth pop!
After the big success albums "Kittenz and Three Glitz" Felix Da Housacat is back with his second studio album "Devin Dazzle & The Neon Fever" It isn't as much electro sounding as his first one, this is more early 80's sytnh sounding, still not bad in anyway. You got to give credit for Da Housecat AKA Felix Stallings Jr as one of the most creative artists around, he's sound is unique with influence from synth-pop, electro, funk and pop and this album has a very warm happy retro sound you don't find very often today, this could have been released in 1984 or something. There are many guest artists here, like the female band "Neon Fever" hence the name of the album.

The songs like i said are synth-pop influented, 80's sound. The highlight are "Ready 2 wear" sang by a man, it's a typical 80's song that sowehow feels fammiliar. "Romantique" has some great electro beats and a female voice that sings with a french accent. The songs with Neon Fever sound a bit simular, but okey. "Devin Dazzle" is catchy electro sounding with a happy sound. "Neon Human" has a very good melody, and strange vocals which are hard to understand. Overall a good album, with a unique sound.

different than thee glitz
i was expecting something totally different. his live sets i heard were an amazing blend of ebm, house, techno and new wave with a little electro. now it seems hes into the letigre lesbian electro-funkrock sound. guitars are trendy now and this album is no exception. its a party album for those who like the b-52's and stuff like that. ... Read more

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The Soup Dragon's only commercially successful release, Lovegod was a definitive album of a short-lived but blissful movement in alternative dance that began in the late '80s and ended in the early '90s. Lead with fellow Scotsmen Primal Scream and other proto-trip-hop bands like the Happy Mondays, the Charlatans U.K., the Stone Roses, and the Farm, the scene revolved around community--masses joined in various forms of often chemically enhanced euphoric states, dancing till breakfast and beyond. Like Primal Scream's Screamadelica, this album follows a path clearly cut by the Rolling Stones. Their hazy, blues-on-Ecstasy psychedelic grooves fueled the club-going shoe gazers swaying in place for what could have been forever, while at the same time uplifted souls (and soles) with money-maker shakers like "Backwards Dog" and a cover of the Stones' "I'm Free." Because of its combination of timeless rock influences and its preturntablism dance sensibility, Lovegod has aged well, losing little of its capacity for elation. --Beth Massa ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not as good as I remember it . . .
. . . but still a fun album. I hadn't listened to this for maybe ten years or so, when I happened to spy it in a used bin at a local record store. I picked it up, and was, honestly, a little disappointed - was this the album that I played to death back in school?

A few songs in, I began to realize that, while this was the same album, my tastes had grown a bit more sophisticated over the last decade. Flaws that just zoomed over my head, back in the day, have become a lot more obvious to me.

In the case of this album, I now notice that the beats are kind of rudimentary - in this wacky, idm, post-jungle era, simple 4/4 dub starts to sound a tad primitive. Second, Sean Dickson's vocals are rather weak - he's got the whole Shaun Ryder 'I can't really sing but I'm going to just kind of push it and be earnest and maybe it will work allright' thing going. Ryder pulls it off a lot better.

And then there's this weird thuggishness that seems to be lurking in the background, that I can't seem to put my finger on. Maybe the combination of the simple beats and the distorted guitars is giving me Limp Bizkit vibes or something. Or I could just be imagining it. Whatever the case, it's a little unsettling.

All that aside, there's some good stuff here, and nothing that's totally unlistenable. 'I'm Free' is, obviously, a standout number, but so, to my surprise, is the bonus, 'Lovegod' dub.

This is certainly not an indispensable album, but it is a fun one that's nice to throw on every now and then. Call it 3 1/2 stars, and keep an eye out for it in the used bin.

Great early 90's alternative album.
Nobody I know has ever heard of the "Soup Dragons", but I'm sure glad I did. This is really fun to listen to, and holds up well after 13 years. One of those bands you would see late night on MTV, before grunge took over. They really do have that "Madchester" sound, and are similar to "Happy Mondays", "Jesus Jones", and "Charlatans UK". Though I think they're Scottish. Anyway, it's trippy, very catchy, and you can dance to it if you want. Me, I just crank "I'm Free", and hit the road.

Summer Fun
I first heard this album in the summer of 1992 when I should have been revising for exams. But I spent more time listening to this classic album instead whilst playing Grand Prix on my Amiga. I had forgot how good it was till recently.

Love every song. Reminisent of the WHO to me.
Powerful dance beats, with inntelligent lylics. I think it's very retro sounding of the days of blues fusion rock as in rolling stones, the Who,Hendrex,classic rock and roll at it's modern best. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Alpha--Corin Dingley and Andy Jenks--are among the best of the trip-hop generation. Signed to Massive Attack's Melankolic label, their debut owes debts to Scott Walker, Burt Bacharach, and John Martyn, weaving shreds and swatches into something new. Yes, it is downbeat, the kind of music for long, lonely nights, but it is absolutely perfect for those nights. Guest vocalists help out as Dingley and Jenks manipulate the sounds and the strings, fill it all out beautifully. Crafted and inspired, one of '97's standouts. --Chris Nickson ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Caramel coated, cinnamon scented
Any time I see a CD title that alludes to heavenly origins, I'm immediately suspect. But that's not the case here. Every song on this CD is so delicate and ethereal that it's barely there...a beautiful whisper. An earlier reviewer said that "Come From Heaven" reminded him of "a warm spring day in an endless field of grass with nowhere to go and nothing to do but exist." That description was the clincher in my buying decision and this CD lived up to every word of it.

A lounge variant on the Trip-Hop genre.
Those who listen to this CD and expect to hear something like the groundbreaking Portishead will not be entirely disappointed, but don't expect an exact clone. That's rather good, I think. Alpha takes the Trip-Hop genre into lounge territory with a sound that is somber, yet not so gut-wrenching.

Looking for the song from "My Life Without Me?"
FYI - My Life Without Me has no soundtrack available. But imdb.com gave me enough info to at least pin down this song. "Sometime later" from this album is what's playing at the end credits of My Life Without Me. (And the song playing in the car when Lee and Ann kiss is "Senza Fine", I forget the artist.)

Looking for the song at the end of "My life without me?"
FYI - My Life Without Me has no soundtrack available. But imdb.com gave me enough info to at least pin down this song. "Sometime later" from this album is what's playing at the end credits of My Life Without Me.

WOW
You know, I purchased this CD in 1997, and I listened to it all the time because I just loved it. Well, I went about a year without listening to this CD, and then I picked it up yesterday, and it just kicked me in the stomach all over again. A review just doesn't do this CD justice, you have to listen to it to experience it. That's what this CD is, an EXPERIENCE. ... Read more

Album Description

Remasterd reissue of classic New Wave/Dance record. Includes their chart-topping remake of Thelma Houston's 'Don't Leave Me this Way' and the '12' Mega Mix' as a bonus track.1997 release.Standard jewel case. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Some of Jimmy's Best
Either you like them or you don't. Not for the faint of "falsetto" heart. For Jimmy Sommerville/Bronski Beat fans, this is a must have in your collection.

For Retro Fans Only
With their screeched falsetto singing and synth based disco beats, it's obvious where the Communards roots lay. They are eighties dance pop mavins from the gay pick up scene (think Pet Shop Boys or Bronski Beat), not surprisingly, there music has not aged well. Those nostalgic for the time may enjoy them, but their dated boogie will win no converts, at least not until 80's retro really comes into it's own.

Classic Jimmy Sommerville
Jimmy's ethereal naturally falsetto voice is truly showcased on this album that goes from awesome classic dance tracks to slower ballads. All with a synth, british pop feel. A true gem from the 80s British invasion! ... Read more

Amazon.com

A singles collection chronicling the band's first five years, Catching Up with Depeche Mode is the perfect primer for would-be fans. The first three tracks feature Vince Clarke's inimitable brand of bubble-gum synth pop, brimming with catchy counterpoint and wonderfully predictable chord progressions. The remaining songs chart Martin Gore's evolution as a composer, his earlier Clarke-esque material gradually transforming into the darker, noisier synth works that characterized mid-to-late-'80s Depeche Mode. The band's other defining elements, i.e. Gore's fragile vocals contrasted with David Gahan's resonant baritone are well represented, although the hits "Everything Counts" and "People are People" are notably absent. --Michael A. Massa ... Read more

Reviews (24)

A nice but lacking collection
This CD was released in 1985 and DM had only been around for only 5 years at this point and grabs selected tracks off their first five albums from 1981s Speak & Spell to 1984s Some Great Reward. Keep in mind that this is not a 'Best of' CD. It's just a sampler of their earlier tracks and most of them are not even hits. This CD does have some 'New' tracks on here such The ever-so-creepy Shake The Disease and the quirky Flexible. There is also the 1985 version of the disturbing track Fly On The Windscreen which was reworked and improved on the masterpiece Black Celebration.

The first three songs are from Depeche Modes cheesier days with charming and brainless fun tracks like Dreaming Of Me, New Life, and Just Can't Get Enough. As the album progresses though, their music got much darker and better with the gloomier tracks like the suicidal Blasphemous Rumors, the BDSM theme Master & Servant, and the eerie Shake The Disease. Then there's the tearful piano ballad Somebody. The version on Some Great Reward is mostly a simple piano ballad. The one on here has some added drum and sound effects that make the song dreamier, and more airy. Shake The Disease is the highlight with it's disturbing intro and alienated atmosphere.

This is a decent collection of DMs early material but it's almost unnecessary for most fans anymore as almost all the tracks on here except Flexible, are on the 1999 release, the singles: 81-85. For completists though who are dissapointed at Flexible not being included on the 1999 release, Catching Up With Depeche Mode is a good buy. I'll repeat once more, this is only a sampler, not a 'Best of' CD!

Not the Best Choice of Hits
While "Catching Up With Depeche Mode" is supposedly a collection of DM's more popular songs from the early 80s, there are quite a few more obscure tracks on here than hits, excluding such better-known tunes as "People Are People" and "Everything Counts" for a handful of cheesy ballads like "Dreaming of Me," "New Life," "See You," and "Somebody." This certainly isn't a CD I'd recommend unless you're an avid DM fan. The two main reasons why I bought it was because 1) it was on sale, and 2) for my favorite four tracks on here: "Master and Servant," "Blasphemous Rumours," "Shake the Disease," and "Fly on the Windscreen." A small plus to this CD, though, is the brief bio in the booklet and the several dozen small color photos of the band inside (some are rather amusing). Yet, this CD is really lacking in popular hits. I'd recommend listening to one of DM's earlier 80's albums instead (like "Some Great Reward") or try the similar version of this CD: "The Singles: 81-85," which includes the two aforementioned hits missing from "Catching Up..."

this is "dated" and "uncool"..if you're young and an MTV bot
UNCOOL, November 20, 2002
"Depeche Modes early work sounds dated and uncool now days. And at times embarrassing to listen to." I must heartily disagree. First of all, this one of the greatest early singles collections of any 80s band or indeed, any band you could care to name; it's been totally overshadowed by more recent and more
comprehensive DM singles compilations by Mute/Sire, but I've owned this LP/CD/cassette in all forms since it first came out, and I much prefer the earlier Depeche Mode but I also enjoy a lot of their more recent and 1990s material. Maybe since I'm an older fan it doesn't sound that dated to my ears, and maybe if you're 17 right now this might sound dated, I dunno. But I still think this collection magnificently proves how great a band Depeche Mode were and are. I weary of people describing any rock/pop/other recording made before the past 5 years as "dated"; these are usually people with no sense of musical history, not much taste in music, and little critical reasoning ability. Catching Up With can't possibly sound any more dated now than most of the utterly vapid garbage being spewed out in the past 10-12 years will sound in only a few more years (or so I truly suspect). So do the Beatles sound dated? Does Bob Dylan sound dated? Does DM sound dated? maybe. MUSIC DATES. get over it. Is this a great collection of timeless music? Yes. Get over it. If it's too dated for you, don't listen to it. I still listen to many of these songs constantly, and it's not from nostalgia; it's because I still find this music compelling in a way that I don't almost any of the current wave of pure worthless junk (Basement Jaxx, Dirty Vegas, and J.Lo are top contenders for tuneless, soulless, worthless, gutless, mindless already-dated contemporary pop "music") being foisted on you poor 21st Century kids. If your parents listen to it and you were horrified, ok..I can understand that rebellion...but I think some artists are an exception and I think this collection is the same. Some things will always be cool! At least in my book. Now,if you really want dated and uncool...gosh go get
a copy of any Leif Garrett or Tony Orlando and Dawn recording!
now THAT'S DATED (and hideous and so were the clothes).

UNCOOL
Depeche Modes early work sounds dated and uncool now days. And at times embarrassing to listen to. I became a big fan of Depeche Mode after hearing the song Policy of Truth off the Violator ablum which is Depeche Mode's true Masterpiece next to Music for the Masses. Everything Depeche Mode did after 1985-86 is absolutlely amazing to listen to. I recommend Violator or Music for the Masses instead.

not the one you should get
Depeche Mode is a really great band, but Catching Up with Depeche Mode is not the greatest hits collection to get if you want to hear the best from their early career. The band released Singles 81-85 a few years back with is more complete with such great sogns as People are People. It also has some great remixes to it. ... Read more

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This daring quintet broke from Monterrey, Mexico on the scene in 2002 with their self-described "electro-Latin organic fusion"and turned a lot of heads at the 2002 SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. The aptly named group continues their worldbeat party mix of funk, rock, electronica, trance, psychedelic pop, dance and more on their sophomore album. Choice cuts include "Airport Feelings," with its instantly infectious vibe and the trip-hop flavored "My God is So Quiet" which would fit in nicely in industrial/house dance clubs. With its start-stop dynamics, tempo shifts, and spirited jams, the 12-track album has a definite "live" feel. The only instrumental, "Do U Like It," is an intense rock-jazz workout that bounces leads between percussions, guitars and keyboards. But Kinky can also slow the party down, such as on the reflective tunes like "Minotauro" and "Semillas de Menta," whose hooky melodies and echoey vocal harmonies evoke nostalgic chamber-pop brilliance. --Ramiro Burr ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Es Muy Bueno, Chicos...En Serio
Wait...is The Headphonist a new release from the band Cake?

No..yes..well, sort-of I suppose. John McCrea of Cake makes a guest appearance on the 2nd cut of Atlas and the result is, well, very Cake-like. Is that bad.? Well, no, if you like Cake -- although it may make you wonder if this is a convoluted marketing ploy to win over Kinky fans in the US. Otherwise it's quite a good song that is not only familiarly Kinky, but they employ a fantastic retro Colombian cumbia organ rift about a third of the way into the song. And that makes me forgive them for trying to borrow Cake for a few minutes on a 45 minute album.

And yes, they do use quite a bit of English on Atlas, unlike the first album. And yes, it can be somewhat distracting (in the sense that you might find yourself asking: Why is this band from Monterrey, Mexico singing in English when it sounds so much cooler when they use their native Spanish?)

Overall the album is classic Kinky and the cuts are good, especially Do U Like It?, Pos Que Se Vengan, Minotauren, and Maria Jose.

If you have the first, buy this one. If you have neither, buy both.

pretty good
I used to be obsessed with Spanish music. However, recently, I have found new passions in music. Kinky was my all-time favorite Spanish artist. I bought their album and COULDN'T stop listening to it!! The first album's catchy beats and striking lyrics left me bringing my Walkman everywhere. When I heard they were coming out with a new album, I was quite excited. I previewed a couple of clips on numerous websites, and was pleased overall. However, I must admit this album is not quite as impressive as their self-titled debut. The songs are simply not as devolped, and the beats are not as catchy. None of the songs on the new album can compare to "Ejercicio #16" or "Great Spot," the two Kinky songs I still listen to frequently. I must say, Atlas seems like an intriguing buy, but definitely buy the first album before this one, to get a true idea of what Kinky was like before they were somewhat Americanized.

Best Sophmore Release Since Fiona Apple!
The only way I can describe Kinky's sound on this disc is this: It's as if Weezer and Lou Reed went to an Ozomatli concert where Desi Arnaz was the opening act.

Afterwards, they all jammed!

what a disappointment
don't bother with this album. kinky's self-titled debut album is amazing. this is just a mediocre attempt at equaling their success with the first one, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a P.O.S.

The disc blows.
I really tried to like this album, and I'm a big fan of a lot of new Latin rock from Manu Chao to Molotov, but I have to say this peice of tripe was a waste of money. The lyrics, in any language, are purile and repetetive, and the music just sounds like poorly-executed, uninspired, crappy synth-effects someone did in their garage. Sounds like they're desperately trying to define themselves as new and different by resorting to cheesy clichés... ... Read more

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Tom Findlay and Andy Cato have steadily been dismantling their chill-out crown ever since the single "At the River" floated them into coffee-table ubiquity. Love Box finally stretches the duo's eclectic tastes beyond any semblance of continuity or restraint, finishing the job started on last year's Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub). Named after Groove Armada's bimonthly London club night, the duo's fourth album captures the excitement and diversity of pace you would expect from a masterful DJ set. While the opening track, "Purple Haze," doesn't have a sniff of Hendrix's majestic histrionics, it is certainly Groove Armada's most rock & roll moment to date. Neneh Cherry lends her sultry voice to the lusty funk-fuelled hip-hop of "Groove Is On" and the urban soul of "Think Twice," and "Remember," with its languorous beat and swirling effects, nods toward their downbeat prime. Feisty dance-floor shakers are here in force,though. "Madder," mixing the raps of MC M.A.D. with a pulsating bass and itchy guitar hook, kicks hard, and "The Final Shakedown" is an undiluted house anthem, albeit with a feisty ragga vocal. But one of the most surprising tracks is the rich, soul-drenched sophistication of "Hands of Time," a gorgeous reflection on love lost featuring the spine-tingling voice of Woodstock folk legend Richie Havens. Love Box is a disarmingly eclectic album, its infectious, maverick, party spirit defying preconceptions. --Christopher Barrett ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Armada's Best?
I bought this having heard none of the singles--I've been hooked on Groove Armada since the beginning. This record is such a mish-match of musical styles that at first listen, I wasn't sure what to think. But listening over and over has caused me to truly appreciate the changes and experiements in their sound. Don't be sad--there is still some mellow chillout ("Remember") and awesome dance ("Lovebox")--but the rock influence is nothing to sneeze at either. It's definitely a funky album, and I think it's my favorite from GA.

Groove Armada is Back! (And They Brought Neneh With Them)
In my mind, "Love Box" pales a wee bit in comparison to its 2001 predecessor, "Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)," but that doesn't mean Groove Armada's latest isn't noteworthy. It is. They bring on the funk on smooth cuts like the aptly named "Groove Is On," and they spin the disco ball on house-ed up jams like "Final Shakedown," "Easy," and the title track. But for me, "Love Box" is a noteable record because it marks the return of the gone-but-mostly-forgotten Neneh Cherry, who lends her voice on the piano-laced slow jam "Think Twice." But there's no need to "think twice" about getting this disc. Groove Armada have been leaders in smart, beat-heavy electro pop, and they've released a party of an album worth crashing. Open the "box," and jump in.

SOOOOOO good!
I love this CD. I love it for driving and I love it for loving. It's so grovy and funky. Very recomened!

Too much variety but still allright
Groove Armada never stops surprising me. They always have a tendency to make each and every song to sound diffrent from each other. They lack a special sound, but a few songs are really fun. This album got my attention after i heard "But i feel good" which is a fast catchy "in a happy mood" dance song, unfortunately no other songs are like that. A few songs are even close to rock, some hip hop with rap and some have lyrics and are very slow. "Final Shakedown" is a funky number, it's soul inspired with a dance sound. "Hands of time" is good but it's pure soul, more dance groove would make it better. "Easy" is undoubtly one of the highlights though and it was nominated for best dance recording. It's soulish but with a dance sound, awesome. The album got a bit too much variety, but it got it's moements and it's a decent album, some more dance sound would be a impovement though.

Very groovy: picks up where 'Goodbye Country...' left off
After the incredible 'Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)' the dynamic duo came back with an album that reverberates as funkier in the early stages, much in the same fashion as their counterpart DJ duo Basement Jaxx did with their latest production. However, in spite of the very soulful (perhaps groovy, should I say?) opening of the album, it has to be said that the general trend of the album picks up where their previous production left off. A good example of this are the contagious track #6, "Final Shakedown" and #8, "Hands of Time" were Richie Havens once again lent his beautiful voice to complement the Armada's work. My favorite track, hands down, is the album's closer... Pure Groove Armada.

Though it might come accross as a demanding rating, I 'only' give it four stars, because they sound very much like they did 2-3 years ago, in spite of today's evolving dance scene. There are traces of evolution, however for the most part, they got stuck in a safe place, where they know that the public will continue to love them. But don't dismiss it as a bad album! Far from that: I'd much rather stick with an average Groove Armada album (not that this is the case) than most of the dance music out there, but I know these guys have more to give than a 'Love Box'. For sure I will stay tuned for their next production. ... Read more

Album Description

1992 release, on WEA International, featuring 15 of the'80s new wave/techno/pop outfit's very best, including thehit 'Big In Japan' (original & 'Culture Mix'), plus'Forever Young', 'Sounds Like A Melody', 'Jerusalem', &'Dance With Me', to name a few. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

< Sounds Like A Melody >
This 1992 greatest hits collection pulls together the many major highlights from the band's first three stellar albums "Forever Young" (1984), "Afternoons in Utopia" (1986), and "Breathtaking Blue" (1989). Please note however that some of the songs here are presented in their edited short radio versions; I find the original album versions with their longer instrumental intro's and outro's more interesting (This is particularly true about the tracks such as Big in Japan, Jerusalem, and Sounds Like A Melody). After The First Harvest, Alphaville continued with "Prostitute" (1994), and the good comeback effort "Salvation" (1998), before releasing the live album "Stark Naked and Live" (2000). The collection of updated remixes "Forever Pop", appeared in 2001, but so far I have not discovered any alternative official or updated Alphaville hits compilations. So, despite the relatively high import price tag, in my opinion The First Harvest (as long as it's in print) is perhaps your most efficient way of exploring the band's magnificent hit-making period of 15 to 20 years ago. Also worth checking out is 1988's singles collection, which presents some of their original extended and '88 mixes of the best tracks up to that time. No doubt the devoted fans will impatiently wait for The Second Harvest, and hopefully an assemblage of b-sides & rarities to come along with it!

Track list needs work
If you're looking to get started with Alphaville, you could do worse than to pick up this expensive import, but you could also also spend a bit less and arguably get more of their best work for your money.

The good: the inclusion of the achingly gorgeous "Lassie Come Home" and the giddy, goofy, dance-around-the-living-room classic "Sensations," two tracks from AV's second album _Afternoons in Utopia_ that didn't seem to get enough attention the first time around.

The bad: sadly, the third album just wasn't very good, and the four tracks chosen to represent it here don't seem likely to convince anyone otherwise.

I say, skip this one, pick up _Forever Young_ and _Afternoons in Utopia_ instead -- hey, they're both available used at bargain-basement prices -- and burn yourself a nice mix featuring the selections from those albums included here, plus "Fallen Angel," "Universal Daddy," "Summer in Berlin," and whatever else strikes your fancy.

Then, once you're suitably obsessed, pick up _Prostitute_ and _Salvation_ (albums #4 and #5), whose pleasures are myriad.

Harvest your favourites!
Alphaville is one of greatest syth-pop bands in the 80s! Absolutely, Alphaville seems to be as good as Depeche Mode and Duran Duran. This collection has an important place in Alphaville's career because after this their music changed darker and sophististic. You can find classic songs Forever Young, Jerusalem and Big in Japan for this album. Some important songs are unfortunately missing for exemple Fallen Angel. My favourite tracks are a beautiful and major Jerusalem, a terrific Dance With Me, a mournful and fine quitar tasted Romeos and awesome and evergreen Forever Young. There are some songs that Alphaville would have droppep out. Booring Summer Rain and too long For A Million are these songs. All in all, If you like syth-pop, this is a great buy for you.

Some great songs!
There's very good songs like "Romeos", "Sound Like a Melody", "Big In Japan", "Jerusalem", FOrever Young" and so on. But there's some good tracks missing. Where's "Fallen Angel" for example. This one it's good to think.

los dorados tiempos del pop aleman
Hace muchos años compré por mera curiosidad este CD por una unica canción: dance with me. Pero mi sorpresa fue positiva pues esta compilacion me dio una idea clara de lo que es Alphaville, uno de los clásicos del pop alemán.
El CD me parece muy bueno, nada de aburrido, ritmos pop mezclados con mucho sintetizador de diversos tipos. Las mejores canciones: "Jerusalem" "dance with me" "the jet set" y por no mencionar las demas que tambien tienen una excelente combinacion ritmo-melodia.
Es una excelente recomendacion para quienes quieran oir y coleccionar "rarezas" del pop de los 80's, seguro no se aburrírán! ... Read more

Amazon.com

An American Human League?Abba? Bookof Love was that good, earning the comparisons while remaining a whollyunique outfit. A handful of singles as good as the highlights of thisretrospective would improve current radio immeasurably. I TouchRoses' 15 album cuts and remixes drawn from the California group'sSire releases (1985-'93) reflect a love of pop as an art form and a wish tocommunicate rather than merely sell. Though linked to the synth-pop era, Bookof Love was as much rooted in girl groups and other ostensibly throwaway stuff; in turn, cuts like the title track, "Boy," and "Sunny Day" remain asvibrant as "Give Him aGreat Big Kiss" or "YouKeep Me Hangin' On." Only a post-new wave outfit such as this,though, could've gotten away with an innocent Exorcist tributesuch as "Tubular Bells," much less one that appears here adjacent tothe ultrasweet "Counting the Rosaries." It's hardly nostalgia thatmakes this disc sound so fabulous: Book of Love's shouts and coosshould appeal to anyone under, say, 90--anyone, that is, whose heartand tear ducts remain alive. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (15)

IN LOVE with Book Of Love!
Well here it is... the long awaited compilation from Book Of Love! This compilation contains enough sugar coated songs to give you a cavity, but don't worry! Book Of Love is good for you!! Such classic 80's gems such as "I Touch Roses" (which is just criminal that it wasn't a huge smash hit!), "Pretty Boys And Pretty Girls", and "Boy" are included here, a long with new tracks "Getting Faster" and "Try"; a new version of "Sunny Day"; and the first song that Book Of Love ever wrote (but never released) "It's In Your Eyes." Not a stinker in the bunch- THIS is the most perfect pop album. Put it on and you will light up the room! "Chatterbox Part 2" may very well be one of the most bizarre songs ever recorded- it happens to be the jam! The only things missing here are their classic hits "Boy Pop" and "Witchcraft"- I'm not sure why those were left off. Do yourself and buy this album immediately! You will not be sorry!

Listened to any good books lately?
After reading the other reviews posted here, allow me to clarify a few things:

- The versions of "Tubular Bells" and "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls" included here are the single versions. If you make lots of mix tapes (like me) then you know how much more flexible two 4-minute songs are compared to the 7-minute medley found on the Lullaby album.

- The version of "Lullaby" found here cannot be found anywhere else. It is shorter than the album version yet longer than the 7-inch mix.

- Yes, the "Boy Pop" and "Witchcraft" singles are not represented here, which is a shame. I just received a copy of the "Witchcraft" 12-inch single yesterday and the remixes are amazing. It would be cool to have this on CD.

- The two new songs "Try" and "Getting Faster" have that trademark Book of Love sound without the terrible Club 69/Peter Rauhofer treatment. Who says that all dance music for the 21st century has to sound like a Madonna remix?

- As someone said previously, the new version of "Sunny Day" pales in comparison to the original. But think of it this way - this song is Ted's pride and joy. If he wants to update it, good for him.

- The last song on the disc "It's In Your Eyes" is not new! It was written over 15 years ago and was never officially recorded until now. Another reviewer said it sounds like a garage band is playing the song, but I think the idea was to make the song sound like it was recorded back in the mid 80's.

All in all this is a great CD. There are more than a few versions of songs included here that have never been released commercially on CD before, so for completists that is a plus.

Not the best of a great band
Let me preface my review by saying that I think that the first three Book Of Love albums are fantastic. I saw them live in '86 and went to a "Candy Carol" album release party, so you could say that I have been a long-time fan. Having said that...I picked this album up as soon as I saw it, but I am more than a bit disappointed with it. The new tracks are not particularly interesting (where are all the chimes and bells?), the remixes of "Hunny Hunny" and "Sunny Day" are no improvement on the original versions, and the dance remix of "Boy" is a total waste of a track. Instead of these (and "Chatterbox"), they should have included "Witchcraft", "Turn The World", "Sunday AM", or "Book Of Love" (to pick one from each album). One track that should have definitely made the cut is the amazing 1991 version of "With A Little Love".
The rest of "I Touch Roses" is excellent (I agree that the separation of "Tubular Bells" and "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls" was a great idea) but, as a whole, this is not one of the better "Best Of" albums out there.

A great collection
This collection features all the highlights of the fun, danceable, synth-pop band. Great collection to augment cassettes or to start your listening.

booooook of heaven
This CD collects all the wonderful songs that put a smile in our faces. "I touch roses","boy", "Pretty boys and pretty girls" and the list goes on and on..........This CD makes you want to get up and dance from the start to finish. If you are a new-wave and synth-pop fan, this is your CD. JUST FANTASTIC ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Lydon's brutal lyrical honesty married to musical craft..
Suprised this old album has not been reviewed before, as it is the most accessible piece of work ever put out by Lydon. If it lacks the raw anger of the Pistols era or the drug-induced dysfunction of earlier PiL offerings, it surely makes up for it in the sheer quality of the musicianship and the clarity and force of Lydon's vocal delivery. In some senses this is a top quality melodic rock-pop album; the searing guitar solo at the end of "Ease" is simply outstanding, as are the keyboard textures around the single "Rise". Lydon's voice is at it's most ruthless; the shouting and atonal straining of the Pistols era replaced by a focused, bitter, sneering but composed narrative. Lydon has always been about truth - he has a coruscating intolerance of hypocrisy and a surprisingly puritan moralistic streak. His cynical humour here is at it's sharpest "...logic is lost in your ....cranial abbatoir" he mocks in "FFF"

This is the defining album where Johnny Rotten ends the process of growing up to become John Lydon. Musical maturity allied to the unique vocal core of Lydon himself. It can never surpass "Never Mind The Bollocks" as an album, and there is probably no single song that rises head and shoulders above the rest in the way that say "This is Not a Love Song" does. But it remains my favourite core Lydon offering.

Oddness abounds
After a mixture of experimental dub reggae and arty, percussion-led new wave, PiL bizarrely decided to become a bit like Genesis on this record (which, as any fule kno, was also released as 'Cassette' and 'Album' (oddly, not 'LP' or 'Vinyl')). Featuring Steve Vai and Ginger Baker of Cream, it's polished and fit for mass consumption in a way that previous PiL records were not, and only John Lydon's unique vocal delivery clues you into the fact that this is not INXS. 'Rise' is the high spot - a loping, seven-minute single that combines abrasive anger and great beauty. 'Home', the other single, is less interesting, however, and the rest of the album (what there is of it - it only has seven songs) tends to drag on and on and on, with the songs riffing for five minutes before stopping. 'That What is Not' was similar, but heavy metal.

The last good thing from PiL
Somehow, after hitting years of the lowest lows, Lydon & Co. came up with this sparkler. It is definitely more accessible than the previous two and later three albums but it goes beyond that. "Fff", "Rise" and "Home" are just inspired: there's no other word for it. Rise especially is something I'd thought Lydon would shun: tightly structured, a little over-the-top in terms of production, and, dare I say, lyrically relevant. Ginger Baker and Steve Vai lend a professionalism and crispness that no one thought John Lydon would ever wanted to be associated with. But there they are.

The other tunes are not as powerful as the three mentioned BUT they are still engaging. This would be, for all intents and purposes, PiL's "swansong".

a must own for any grown up punk!
Rotton (lydon) fufills his talent shown with the sex Pistols on this record.There are three PiL cd's to own this one and This what you want-This is what you get are with out questions to of the greatest alternative projects ever the third Flowers of Romance is scary in a way the talking heads later changed the face of music without the drums of it there would of been no furs first effort of need for the Heads fear of light effort. The track Flowers of Romance is Rottons answer to the death of friend /band mate Sid Vicious "you take the flowers/ I'll take the furniture/ start all over again/flowers of romance" years later the drums of this album still haunt me.Rise off this effort here is amazing. Home is a classic, but for me I will always remeber dancing with my party friends to Round with the background chorus"mushrooms alter the horizon" nuclear war/scare of the time or drugs it takes me back to my college days. Get these CDS!

PiL's best
Pil went through many iterations in their time, some efforts more listenable than others (some pretty damn unlistenable, even for fans. How many times can you honestly listen to Metal Box?) But this CD/Album/whatever truly rocks out with Lydon at his peak, before the dreaded warble took over completely. I defy anyone to find a better rocker than FFF, with it's crunching riffs, ultra-cool organ, pounding drums and Johnny's venom-laden vocals. I was lucky enough to see PiL in the late 80s and they opened with FFF and it was and is a great song. All the tunes on this CD hold up very well, except perhaps for the poppish Rise. Buy this and hear them at their best. ... Read more

Album Description

45 remastered tracks, featuring all their singles to date & two new tracks, 'Flamboyant' & 'Miracles', recorded forthis compilation. This limited edition also features abonus disc of ten remixes & rarities which is available for the first pressing only. Bonus tracks, 'Can You ForgiveHer' (Rollo Remix), 'So Hard' (David Morales Red Zone Mix), 'What Have I Done To Deserve This' (Shep Pettibone DiscoRemix), 'West End Girls' (Sasha Remix), 'Miserablism' (Moby Electro Mix), 'Before' (Danny Tenaglia Classic ParadiseMix), 'I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It AnyMore' (Peter Rauhofer Roxy Anthem), 'New York City Boy'(Lange Remix), 'Young Offender' (Jam & Spoon Trip-O-MaticFairytale Mix), & 'Love Comes Quickly' (Blank & Jones Mix). Three paper sleeves housed in a clamshell box. EMI. 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Sterling Greatest Hits Collection
PopArt covers the two decade career of the Pet Shop Boys. Included is every one of their glorious 33 top 20 UK hits, as well as two new songs. "Miracles" is the first single and became a top 10 UK hit in November. It's a bravura dance-pop song that commences slowly before kicking into high gear, with unusually sweet lyrics for the PSB. The other new song is "Flamboyant," which is a fun pop song that is scheduled to be released as a single also. These 35 songs are divided into two CDs, Pop and Art. One can quibble about whether they correctly divided the songs (I think "Home and Dry" should be on the Art CD, and "Opportunities" should be on the Pop CD), but the quality of their oeuvre is staggering.

This special edition of PopArt also includes a bonus disk with 10 of their best remixes. The songs seem to have been selected based only on the quality of the remix, so the songs seem to somewhat sporadically represent the different parts of their career. The Rollo remix of "Can You Forgive Her" is a highlight, with its repeated refrain, "dance to disco and you don't like rock." Most hardcore PSB fans probably already own the majority of these remixes, but they sound great together on one disk. One remix that I have not seen before is the Blank and Jones mix of "Love Comes Quickly." The remix is stunning, stripping the song of its dated 80s sound and adding a luscious new luster. The song sounds so great that it should be released as a single.

The packaging is adequate, with a cardboard box holding the three CDs, which are housed in separate lightweight cardboard sleeves. The liners notes, however, are disappointing, without any comments from Neil and Chris. Instead, the only bonus is the inclusion of the peak UK chart positions of each song. I'm also disappointed that they did not include the hit, "Absolutely Fabulous," which was a UK hit but technically not credited to them; it should be here. If you're a PSB completist, then you likely will be very satisfied with this CD collection, even though many of the songs are repeats from their prior greatest hits collection, "Discography." On the other hand, listeners unfamiliar with the PSB should probably start with "Discography," which includes their 1980s US hits without the more obscure material.

Pet Shop Boys Top Singles
This is a great collecton of all there top hits in the UK. There 2 news songs miracles and flamboyant are great and have that signature PSB sound. The mix cd is good and it has the morales mix of so hard which is hard to find. The blank and jones mix of love comes quickly is an accapella mix. The moby mix of miserabilism sounds electro like. Overall this is a must for all PSB fans out in the world and also for anyone that likes good well written music.

Save the music!
People are ranting and raving about why PSB has not released this in the US. It's simple. Copy Control CD's! It's a new wave of CD production that is going to change the way you hear, listen and download music-for a price! Finally! I hate it when people copy someone elses music! It's stealing folks! Plain and simple and if I was the Pet Shop Boys I wouldn't market my hard toiled art to people who just want to buy the CD and shell it out to all their friends so they can copy a perfect sound quality CD! This is Art! Art costs money! Therefore, you gotta pay!

Well, apparently American Record Companies don't wanna do that yet because American record companies think they won't sell records if they used Copy Control CD technology. In some instances they're right. Only time can really share the real answer there but in the meantime (for the Pet Shop Boys), you'll just have to take a plane to Europe, Asia or Australia and buy the CD yourself. What a great trip that would be AND you would help and support two really great artists who aren't in this for the money, they're in it for the art! Well worth the money I think-heheheh.

So what do you get for your hard earned dollar here? Well, let's do the math. First, Pet Shop Boys are NOT an "eighties group" as one earlier uneducated reviewer wrote here. No, these fellas are the creme dela creme of pop. The crown jewel (Neal being the queen of course and Chris being your royal heiness) of modern music as we know it. In fact, no artist today can even come close to their artistic creativity with such a witty sense of self in both lyrics and music.

So much of pop today is disposable. You've heard one song, you've heard them all and unfortunately it's sad to say that the real good music today that has been made already doesn't seem to evolve. Well, the Pet Shop Boys have evolved, sort of. In their 20+ year careers they have managed to move past eighties pop new wave to become real techno and house stylisms. No easy task as they are LITERALLY the only originated eighties "new wave" group that has made it out of the eighties and nineties continuing to sell over one million copies of every album they've released worldwide. So, what you get here is a barrage of really great music. Not Britney, not Christie Agga Gagga, not Madonna, not Erasure (although I love them too), NO, you get the Pet Shop Boys slam bam thank you maam with all the trimmings to go with it!

My favorite in this lovely collection is the "Mix" CD which you can only get in the first print box edition. You get 10 glorious singles remixed by some of the best in the business. I highly recommend spending the extra dough for the three disc set since it displays a great montage of some of their best works. You can't have ALL of their best works here because that's what the original albums are for, use your money, go out and BUY them. Artists today can learn a lot from these guys. Which is why Justin Timberlake is an artist I can respect because HE respects these guys a great deal based on what he said in his interview with Spin magazine. Now you know why Justin is as succesful as he is. It's all about respect baby! Respect copywritten music and respect artists like the Pet Shop Boys! Peace!

Excellent
Loved it, loved it. The Pop & Art delineation is sooo Pet Shop Boys. I prefer Art marginally, but thought October Symphony was conspicuous by it's absence. Also slightly disappointed by the CD sleeve. 'Discography' had so many interesting insights, not so PopArt. Nevertheless, a must have. It will make you happy.

The other thing was that the CDs seemed to be mixed up. The Art CD had the Pop songs and vice versa. Now, of course, this could very well be messers Lowe and Tenant commenting on the over-lap of the two genres. But I was just wondering if anybody else's CDs are the same? I didn't get the limited edition 3 CD set. I got the 2 CD edition. Anybody? Anybody?

US Record Company
Why is it ever since they left EMI America, the PSB's have hardly had any representation in the US? Popart still isn't out here after 5 months. Disco 3 came out on time, so why not this?

Most avid PSB fans will already have 95% of the tracks on cd singles, 12" and albums, the only notable exceptions being the Love Comes Quickly remix, Miracles and Flamboyant.

The thing is, I would have bought it in November 2003 when it was released in the UK, but at the ridiculously high import rates, why spend over $40 on 3 songs? The music is and always has been brilliant. Unfortunately for us US fans, the wait has been too long and $40 for 3 or 4 songs on an imported CD is crazy.

I recommend the DVD of Popart. It has an insightful commentary track from Neil and Chris and even though it doesn't include the latest singles, Miracles or Flamboyant, it's much better value than this CD.

By the way, the cd's copy protected, so no chance of backing it up for those fans who tend to over use their cds, throw them about or drop them under the passenger seat in their car. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This collection of 16 OMD songs includes all their singles, including "If You Leave" (from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack) and "So in Love." OMD's sound is trademarked mostly by Paul Humphrey and Andy McCluskey's glassy-smooth vocals, along with harmonies that occasionally crack for dramatic emphasis but never shatter. The music is classic early '80s synth-pop, with swelling, hopeful strings and low-key tempos sugar-crusted to keep the songs rich but not totally fluffy. --Beth Bessmer ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A must have Synth-Pop collection
The Best of O.M.D. is an absolute must have for any synth-pop collection. Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys are the main duo behind the band as well as the two that share lead vocals. Danceable classics such as Enola Gay to the haunting melody of Souvenir, O.M.D. has made an impressionable mark in the music industry. Other classic songs included on this compilation are: Locomotion; Secret; If You Leave; and Dreaming. Open up your cd player, put the disc in, slide some headphones on and turn up the volume. A dazzling array of synths and vocals which promises to please!

OMD at thier best.................
What can we say about OMD, other than the fact that they are one of the true pionners of electronic music. They were one of the first bands to start up synth-pop. They will never be forgotten. They are one of my favorate bands and will always have a place in my heart. Paul Humphrey and Andy McCluskey's musical genius is evident in all these songs that became a part of our everyday life during the 80's. How can we ever forget songs like Secret, If You Leave, and Dreaming. How can we forget that one of the first synth-pop sounds was Electricity. We just cant. OMD is a legend of its time and although there is no more OMD, their music will always be a part of our life forever. This album captures all the hits from the era of when music meant something, the 80's.

GRACEFUL AND ELEGANT SOUND SCULPTURES
There's not much difference between OMD's Best Of and their Singles collection. All the real classics like Maid Of Orleans, Joan Of Arc, Electricity, Souvenir and Tesla Girls appear on both and those few tracks that are different are not their best. So if you prefer We Love You, La Femme Accident and Genetic Engineering to Sailing On The Seven Seas, Dream Of Me and Walking On The Milky Way, go for this one! You will still get their more experimental first outings like Electricity plus their spacey, magnificent later work from Architecture And Morality. OMD was one of a slew of original UK synth-duo's that emerged in the early 1980s, along with Yazoo, Eurythmics and Soft Cell. OMD's mark of distinction is their elegant, almost classical structures and mournful moods, best demonstrated by Joan Of Arc and Maid Of Orleans. They were the architects of some truly remarkable and timeless sonic sculptures.

Better than Depeche?
I happen to think that this group was a lot better than Depeche Mode were during the 80s. Their lyrics are much better and their hooks too. Everytime I listen to this CD I am immediately taken back to 1985 when I wore black all the time and posed as the biggest Cure fan when I was actually an OMD fan. I bought most of their 12 inches and unfortunately when I moved out to AZ they warped (the vinyl lps). This is now the only CD I have of them...If I buy anything else, I might cry because they bring on so many good memories and so much nostalgia for the old KROQ sound.

We love you
This CD brings back good memories, of when music was done with creativity and decensy.

If your an 80's baby , this will bring you nice memories. ... Read more