Reviews (3)

All for the love of rock'n'roll
Although none of the best-known NY bands are heard here (oh, the record contracts flying around CBGB's in 1976 ...) cult favorites like Tuff Darts (Robert Gordon), Mink DeVille, and the Shirts sound like they're having a great time. This collection, recorded over three nights in July, 1976, shows the New York rock scene going in all different directions. It's surprising how "radio-friendly" most of this music seems now. In the days of multi-platinum Peter Frampton and Fleetwood Mac, though, Manster's sped-up cover of the Yardbirds' "Over Under Sideways Down" was absolutely radical. Imagine that. And though it's true there's no real missed opportunities here, its a terrific snapshot of a time, a place, and an energy that's likely not to happen again.

A typical evening of music at CBGBs
Actually, Dale, some of the performers did go further than this album. Mink DeVille may never have become a household name, but the band and its leader, Willy DeVille, released a slew of terrific albums. DeVille still records a new album every couple of years with exceptional quality stuff on every outing. Tuff Darts had a pretty decent first release that got loads of airplay in NYC, but the band's lead singer on Live at CBGBs was none other than Robert Gordon who spawned the rebirth of 50s rock and roll revival bands like the Stray Cats, the second coming of Link Wray, and many others. Gordon released several very strong albums and was a real critical favorite at the time. The quality of recording here is fair at best, but the youthful energy pours out of every song. This is a document of late 70s NYC New Wave which, at its best, was every bit as good as the British counterparts of Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, et al. Would've been nice to get a couple of other CBGB bands who did make it bigger on this disk --Blondie, Ramones to name a couple. Work the money, though.

Close, but could be better
This CD is an attempt at the collection of the CBGB's scene of the late 70's emerging punk/new wave music. Unfortunately, none of the bands represented made it beyond this album. You get great hits like "We Deliver" and "Slash", but overall the musicianship leaves something to be desired, though the emotion is there. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Swing revivalists only occasionally play music that pays more than passing tribute to Ellington or Goodman. Instead their sounds range from big-band territory to jump blues and rockabilly. Swing This, Baby! surveys 15 of these groups, from platinum and gold sellers (the Brian Setzer Orchestra, the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) to more obscure outfits such as the New Morty Show. Quality varies wildly, particularly in the area of vocals, but fans of the new stylists will dig this set. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (18)

NOT BAD, NOT BAD AT ALL
Like others who have preceded me in reviewing this CD...anyone who likes this crazy swing revival will appreciate the sounds of SWING THIS. The CD introduced me to a lot of great bands that I would normally miss out on, although I have to agree that Big Time Operator would be a great addition to the mix. My only complaint is that the CD seems to be missing a little of the energy I love in Swing. But I still highly recommend it- Swing Out...

Great Mix of Music!
When I first listened to this CD, I noticed that there were a lot of different styles of jazz, and that for one thing is what makes the album so good. No matter what mood you're in, you'll always be in the mood for Swing This, Baby! I just want to say that I love the song "Black and White" by "Bellevue Cadillac"! It gives the album a 40's kind-of feel to it and you should also listen to "We still Talk The Way That Lovers Do". That is another great track! Overall, its a great CD!

Great CD
A great CD that will make you wish for a momentary time-warp to go back to the days when "swing was king." Not every song is 5 star, which is why I rated it as an overall 4- but the majority of the songs are fantastic

Fantastic!
This album is awesome! Every song is very well-written and highly energetic. I love especially "Ding Dong Daddy of the D-Cat line", THAT is a sweet song to swing to. I think the reason why I love this c.d. so much is that there is a variety of songs on it, which doesn't limit the various ways to dance to it. Like Track 1 is EXCELLENT to do a fast charleston etc..In all this album is SWEET and if you want music to bust your butt to, this is it, the music does not ALLOW you to just listen to it, you have to move!

This is the best introduction to the modern swing movement
I am a swing dance teacher at a local club in town and a swing DJ. Swing this baby includes all the best swing band of the 90's. Pay close attention to Blue Plate, and Royal Crown. Anyone interested in the swing scene should buy this album. Also note that it was produced in conjunction with Swing Time Magazine the leading source for swingers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

enthusiastic good-will project
A musical compilation of 23 mostly surf-related tracks being sold to save the world's oceans. This features an atypically cheery Pearl Jam, a typically rambunctious Ramones singing California Sun, a great goof-off by the Beastie Boys, and some blissed-out island haze from Porno for Pyros. Primus gurgles out a wacky and writhing Mr. Know It All from "somewhere on tour, Jewel softly coos Quiet Warrior, Silverchair fend admirably with the foolish turbo thrust of Surfin' Bird, No Doubt leaves no stone unturned on the revelrous Sailin' On, and the classic Wipeout is given a good run by Gary Hoey with Donavon Frankenreiter.
Others are up for the occasion as well, including Soundgarden with the carefully crafted chunks of My Wave. My favorite is 7 Mary 3's Blackwing, an acoustic guitar/harmonica wonder with uncommon lyrics. I will have to check this group out while you're checking out this enthusiastic good-will project.

Pretty good, but alot of the songs are to slow
This is a good comp. Blink 182's Waggy is the best song on it, Sprung Monkey and Everclear have good songs too. There is some good remakes too, like Pennywise doing Surfin' USA. This is good but too many slow songs. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the better "tribute" CDs out there
Probably because of the GREAT material. Yes, Roky was the mad (? -- he was put in a mental institution for a while) genius behind the Thirteenth Floor Elevators. Most of the covers here are exceptional and come from a variety of folks (ZZ Top, Jesus & Mary Chain, REM, Lou Ann Barton, etc.). I was lucky enough to see Roky soon after he was released from the hospital in the mid-70s (completely weird, he and Willie Nelson showed up unannounced and jammed at a free gig outside of Austin). I'm just pleased that so many artists did such a great job for a somewhat troubled soul.

Great compilation, even if you've never heard the originals
Somebody should make this explicit: this album features covers of The 13th Floor Elevators, a psychedic band led by Roky Erickson. As you can see from the track list above, diverse musical tastes are represented. The album never fails to entertain me even though I've never actually heard any of the original songs.

the dark side of psychedelia
People tend to forget that not everything about the late sixties was peace and love there was a movement of musicians who saw themselves more as enraptured prophets. The prolific Roky Erikson of Austin was to the hippies what screamin Jay Hawkins was to the Blues. He roiled rambling tales of two headed dogs, spaceships, retrieved past life memory, and that might have been all fine and good except those were his love songs. And they thought Sid Barret was a tad off! Sadly, Roky succumbed to his demons and was commited to a mental home in the early 80's. That having been said, open yourself to a rare treat of hearing something more than just a run of the mill tribute from a roster of fasionable-nows and future one hit one wonders in their own right. If it weren't for the Obviously modern prescence of R.E.M. and ZZ Top, you'd swear this was a lost tape dug up from the late 60's. Everyone here is having a good time, even the Jesus and Mary Chain...how did that happen? I recommend this tape whole-heartedly to all my friends and people i run into on the street. It is that pervasive. Groovy, man... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Among the recent glut of good-cause charity albums, NoAlternative stands out as the best, both for its performances and its cause(proceeds benefit the Red Hot organization in the fight against AIDS). The highpoints are Soul Asylum's unlikely cover of Marvin Gaye's "SexualHealing;" outtakes from recent albums by Chicago's Urge Overkill andSmashing Pumpkins; "Unseen Power of the Picket Fence," the major-labeldebut by Pavement; a surprise hard-rocking Nirvana track, and "MemorialSong," an a capella tribute from punk godmother Patti Smith to the lateRobert Mapplethorpe. --Jim DeRogatis ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Good Album for a Good Cause
When you get a vast assortment of talented, up-and-coming young artists on a benefit compilation album, there's bound to be some uppers and downers, as well as an array of different styles. In this case, we have some really good songs, some really average songs, and some songs that are largely forgettable. 19 different artists equals practically 19 different opinions per song. So here goes my assessment:

The Good: Matthew Sweet, Buffalo Tom, Urge Overkill, Smashing Pumpkins, SOUNDGARDEN, and NIRVANA.

The Bad: Beastie Boys, Breeders.

The Average: Pavement, Bob Mould, Sara Mclachlan, and Uncle Tupelo.

The Unheard of and Forgettable: American Music Club, Straightjacket Fits, Barbara Manning, and The Verlaines.

The Somewhat Lame Covers: Soul Asylum, Goo Goo Dolls.

Which all leads to the sweet "memorial tribute" for AIDS victims by Patti Smith at the very end. After a few kind words, Smith spontaneously bursts into a short songbird-like vocal performance, with no added instruments or frills. The crowd erupts after she finishes and the album ends, or so one would think. Quickly after, an unlisted Nirvana tracks explodes in, sounding positively rambunctious compared to the previous low-key tribute by Smith. However, Nirvana's song is quite a surprising and stirring ending, even fitting, given that Kurt Cobain was a humble and compassionate leader in speaking out for human rights. Let it be known, both Nirvana and Soundgarden lent vintage, completely rocking songs, both of which could have been A-side tunes.

As for the entirety of "No Alternative," it hearkens back to a very dear era in rock and roll music, a time when aspiring young artists seemed to be everywhere and the music was always good wherever you turned your head. This is no "Singles" soundtrack by a longshot, but it was a nice gesture by these groups to lend a hand in supporting the fight against AIDS, and it's easy to see just how much they care about the dreaded cause, merely by listening to some of the lyrics in the songs. On the other hand, though the bands on this album showed promise at one time, many were passed up. Even the ones that broke through and hit the big-time are now mostly defunct. Truthfully, Soundgarden, Nirvana, and to a lesser extent, The Smashing Pumpkins, all carry this album. Everything else is mere teen spirit.

Only for the Nirvana completest
The only place that you can find an official release of the excellent Nirvana track 'Verse Chorus Verse'. From memory the song had been hanging around since the 'Bleach' days (1980s) yet, because Kurt was never satisfied with the way the song turned out during recording sessions, it never made it on any of the albums. The version included here is taken from the 'In Utero' sessions and easily better than many of the songs that wound up on that album, Cobain's opinion notwithstanding.

Another note of trivia for those interested; often it has been said that the Nirvana track was 'hidden' because the band provided the song after all the booklets etc had been printed. But if you actually read the booklet, it refers to 19 tracks rather than 18, suggesting the the person who wrote the inlay was aware of 19 tracks before printing, and perhaps that the Nirvana track was hidden intentionally. WHo knows?

In closing, the Nirvana completest will be satisfied, but apart from the Mathew Sweet opener and the live Beastie Boys track, most of the other songs are just throwaways you'll never listen to again.

only necessary for the Nirvana completest
The only place that you can find an official release of the excellent Nirvana track 'Verse Chorus Verse'. From memory the song had been hanging around since the 'Bleach' days (1980s) yet, because Kurt was never satisfied with the way the song turned out during recording sessions, it never made it on any of the albums. The version included here is taken from the 'In Utero' sessions and easily better than many of the songs that wound up on that album, Cobain's opinion notwithstanding.

Another note of trivia for those interested; often it has been said that the Nirvana track was 'hidden' because the band provided the song after all the booklets etc had been printed. But if you actually read the booklet, it refers to 19 tracks rather than 18, suggesting the the person who wrote the inlay was aware of 19 tracks before printing, and perhaps that the Nirvana track was hidden intentionally. WHo knows?

In closing, the Nirvana completest will be satisfied, but apart from the Mathew Sweet opener and the live Beastie Boys track, most of the other songs are just throwaways you'll never listen to again.

Such memories
This CD has been one my favorites for over ten years...so many great songs!

The best cuts:
Pavement's "Unseen power of the Picket Fence", a tribute to my favorite band R.E.M.
Two of the best break up songs ever, "All Your Jeans Were Too Tight", and "Can't Fight It" (Bob Mould's best ballad IMHO)
An incredible mix of Sarah McLachlan's "Hold On"
Urge Overkill's "Take a Walk"

Lastly, no Nirvana fan should be without this album, because of the amazing "Verse Chorus Verse".

my favorite compilation
I must own 50 compilations discs, but this is it, my absolute favorite (DGC rarities makes for a close 2nd). The Pavement track is one of my all time favorites: "ji-ji-ji-Georgia!", must be heard and it was never released anywhere else... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Every city should have a radio show as fresh and intelligent as Morning Becomes Eclectic from KCRW in Santa Monica. Unencumbered by narrow genre classifications, the show has built up an audience for left-of-center singer-songwriters, art-pop bands, world beatniks, jazz fusionists, and hip-hoppers. All are featured on this compilation of live, on-air performances. While the previous four-volume KCRW series, Rare on the Air, may have featured more legends (including Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, and Joni Mitchell), and hence more consistent material, the sense of discovery and adventure of this latest sampling is seductive. The strongest cuts tend to be the most stripped down: Afro-pop chanteuse Angelique Kidjo's a cappella "Blewu," Beth Orton's tingling voice and guitar performance on "Sugar Boy," Mercury Rev's Velvet Underground-meets-the-Band "Opus 40," and P.J. Harvey's eerie dirge "Is This Desire?" --Roy Kasten ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Lyle Lovett's "Bears"
The simple performance of Lyle Lovett and his guitar doing
Steven Fromholz' "Bears" written in 1974 is why I bought this CD
after hearing it on the air at KCRW. Great energy, in a
special knowing way ! The other music is great too, by far
KCRW's best compilation. Stunningly good studio quality recordings
for live radio show performances, which they all are. You'll love it !

Hypnotic (perhaps to a fault)
Of the 5 CDs released by KCRW, this is my favorite. They are all very good, but "Morning Becomes Eclectic" has more of my favorite music. The covers by Mehldau and Martyn are amazing, as is PJ Harvey's performance. I was also pleasantly surprised by "All I Need." And for those of you who prefer something a little more firmiliar, Semisonic and Sixpence None The Richer add their two cents. All together this is a great record. If there is one flaw, it is that the songs are all on the soft side, which means there is always the risk of being lulled to sleep or into some kind of trance. Not that that's a bad thing -- and considering all of this music was recorded on a morning show, it's understandable. I highly reccomend the whole series.

A good group of songs.
I purchased the disc mainly for the Air song (which is great) - standout tracks are by Beth Orton, Cake, PJ Harvey (real good version of Is This Desire?), Brad Mehldau and Morcheeba. A nice treat is the song 'Glory Box' sung by John Martyn - the song is a cover of the Portishead tune by the same name. Get it when you are craving a new disc - it will suffice.

Extremely Creative!
It has so many different songs that truely make it an eclectic blend! It's definitly is one of the best CD's that collect varios artists. It's probably the only CD of my collection that I can play any time of the day; any day of the week. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Terrific Introduction to Songwriting Genius
I suspect that most people are going to discover this album, like I did, trying to complete collections of songs by their favorite artists. I was a Cracker and Sparklehorse fan which led me to this album. Now arguably I am a much bigger Vic Chesnutt fan than I am of either of those bands. In fact the Cracker and Sparklehorse covers on this album aren't all that great. I give this album 4 stars because the songs are all VC classics and should be heard by those unfamiliar with his work, but inevitably the covers are of hit-and-miss quality. On the weak side are the Hootie cover of "Gravity of the Situation", and the Smashing Pumpkins cover of "Sad Peter Pan", which really pale to the original upon repeated listening to both. Those are two VC classics that probably no one could cover successfully. On a positive note, the Dog's Eye View, Live, Joe Henry and Soul Asylum covers are terrific, as good as I've ever heard those artists. In short, if you are unfamiliar with VC, you may, upon gaining greater familiarity and upon repeated listening to this album, soon begin to think at times that VC should be spending more time writing music for others to perform -- it would make the music world a better place.

One of my favorite records!
This is a great record. Each of the musicians does justice to Vic's music while at the same time expressing their own style. Even though he's not well-known, Vic Chesnutt is highly respected in the music world, which is why musicians like R.E.M., Madonna, and Live wanted to cover his songs. Kristin Hersh does an absolutely beautiful version of "Panic Pure" on this record- as good as Vic's, which makes me suspect that she's actually his female counterpart. R.E.M. said it all in their comment, "Vic is cherry pie." If you want to get a Vic album after hearing this, I recommend "Drunk" or "West of Rome."

The only album of covers that is as good as the original.
I lost this cd recently, and I need to replace it. Quickly. It is one the only times that I have found the cover songs are nearly as good as Vic Chesnutt's own versions. They are artistic entities in their own right. The muscicians on this album do not simply reproduce these songs, they re-create them. And it is a testament to the incredible song writing of Chesnutt.

Madonna and Joe Henry make the album worth the money!
I had never heard of Vic Chestnutt before this cd. I stumbled upon this cd looking for Madonna material. I bought it and played it over and over(the one track) and loved it. Then I decided to play the rest of it. Garabage's cover is really awesome. Then the rest of the album blew me away. What a great song writer and terrific cd. Every cd collector should have this one

A variety of styles likely to please most listeners
Perhaps, like me, you'd never heard of Vic Chesnutt before this album was released. It may make you wish you had. The album starts very strong with Garbage's rendition of "Kick My Ass". "Gravity Of The Situation" is country-ish, but actually sounds very good (I'm not a country fan). "When I Ran Off & Left Her" is probably the best song on the album, and should also stand as one of Soul Asylum's best efforts, recalling the solid middle chunk of "Grave Dancers Union". "Supernatural" is not up to Live's usual standards but is nonetheless a good listen. "Withering", performed by Cracker, and the Indigo Girls on "Free of Hope" are also very good. The only disappointment is "Sad Peter Pan". Who knows what happened on that one? I like Smashing Pumpkins and I like most of Vic's songs featured on this album, but that one doesn't work. The rest of the album, however, is very good (and proceeds go to a good cause!). ... Read more

Album Description

1987 video comp with nine videos by eight of the then topacts on the artsy English label 4AD. Includes: Cocteau Twins'Crushed', Clan Of Xymox 'Muscoviet Musquito', ThrowingMuses 'Fish', Dead Can Dance 'Frontier' & 'The Protagonist',The Wolfgang Press 'Cut ... Read more

Reviews (16)

I was so impressed
As a huge fan of Dead Can Dance, I felt compelled to buy this CD after hearing an mp3 of The Protagonist (see, they really do contribute to the purchasing of CDs). I assumed that would be the only song I'd really ever listen to though, being barely able to tolerate the demo version of "Frontier" that also comes on this disc, and not too familiar with any of the other bands. I was wrong! Almost every track on this thing is incredible, save for the cheesy first track by Colourbox and Frontier demo from DCD...and the Cocteau Twins song sounds just like every other Cocteau Twins song ever made...why they are the darlings of 4AD is beyond me...but it's a good sound one song at a time. I was particularly impressed by the Throwing Muses song "Fish", which had me hooked in less than 20 seconds. I've already ordered my first Throwing Muses CD after this inspiration. Overall, a very solid CD; I recommend it to anyone who even marginally likes one of the featured bands!

CLASSIC ALTERNATIVE
My first taste of Alternative Music when this album came out and the damage had been done, there was no turning back.
A mixture of Electro-sampling of Colourbox to the gurgle delights of Cocteau Twins and the atmospheric Dead Can Dance just signifies this as an undeniable classic. It has a blend of ambient music which mesmerizes the listener in many ways. Friends have borrowed it from me due to speculation of not understanding. Hence they purchased the album and further more, some of the bands forth coming LPs.
The a few tracks may sound slightly dated (e.g.Colourbox) but this is nearly 20 years ago and very few bands would even get close to becoming timeless in music form.
This compilation came in five forms, LP, CD, Cassette, Video and a limited edition wooden box set. Get any, listen for yourself and be hypnotised.

Essential for 4AD collectors, but the music's dull
LONELY IS AN EYESORE was a concept of the influential music label 4AD. In 1987 label chief Ivo Watts-Russell wanted give the world a view of their current output, wrapped up in superb design by 23 Envelope, the partnership of Vaughan Oliver, the greatest British designer of the past 20 years, and photographer Nigel Grierson. There were at least three versions, a limited edition wooden box of only 100 copies (occasionally auctioned off and snatched up by art museums, always fetching a couple of thousand dollars), an LP, and this CD. While this was a key event in the history of 4AD, the LONELY IS AN EYESORE compact disc will disappoint anyone who isn't a hardcore fan of this the world's greatest music label.

The first track is Colourbox's "Hot Doggie", their last effort before they disbanded. It's unfortunately lackluster, and in fact didn't reflect 4AD's sound in 1987 because the track was probably recorded several years previously. "Acid, Bitter, and Sad" by This Mortal Coil, a track that didn't make it onto their 1986 sophmore release FILAGREE AND SHADOW, is similarly dull. Third is "Cut the Tree" by The Wolfgang Press, and may entertain those who enjoyed that idiosyncratic band. Clan of Xymox's "Muscoviet Musquito" shows a band long past its prime.

Throwing Muses's "Fish", a rerecorded version of a song from their demo for 4AD, 1984's "The Doghouse Cassette", is one of this collection's few decent tracks. The Cocteau Twins' contribution is the gorgeous "Crushed". Their sole output in the long wait between 1986's "Love's Easy Tears" EP and 1988's BLUE BELL KNOLL, this track does make a case for buying the collection, as the only place to acquire the song is here or in the Cocteau Twins boxed set.

Dead Can Dance contribute two tracks. One is the original demo of "Frontier", which later made it onto their debut album. Recorded in 1982, this almost industrial piece shows a band very different from the baroque Renaissance and Middle Ages-oriented band that later caught the public's attention. The track features Brendan Perry drumming on gasoline cans filled with water, it is said only a single take was possible because afterwards the cans would be too beat up to hold water any more. The second track by DCD is "The Protagonist", recorded sometime between their second and third albums. That this track haunts it is almost enough to recommend avoiding LONELY IS AN EYESORE. "The Protagonist" consists of the same measure repeated over and over for nearly 9 minutes. At the time this collection was compiled, DCD was on the verge of releasing WITHIN THE REALM OF A DYING SUN, which many fans consider their greatest album. While they didn't contribute anything better than this atrocious track with all the great material they had will remain a mystery.

While the artwork for LONELY IS AN EYESORE was among the best done by 23 Envelope, the CD unfortunately leaves out much of it. The insert is only a single page, and the paper is not of high-quality, which takes a lot of the impact out. The LP is the best way to see the artwork, if you can find it.

Bottom line: if you're a collector of 4AD's releases, you need this CD because of its crucial role in the history of the label. However, if you are don't have a deep commitment to 4AD, this isn't a disc worth getting.

Music's is so-so and videos are quite an eyesore
LONELY IS AN EYESORE, released in 1987, is a compilation which was intended as a sampler of music of the influential British label 4AD. It appeared both as an audio CD and as a videocassette with music videos directed by 23 Envelope's Nigel Grierson.

The video is, to be frank, an immense disappointment. Grierson is an incredibly talented photographer, one glimpse at his shots on the cover of This Mortal Coil's IT'LL END IN TEARS or on most of the Cocteau Twin's albums in the 80's will show that. However, he has little skill in creating music videos. The opening video, Dead Can Dance - "Frontier", is a chaotic, unevenly filmed mess (and Lisa Gerrard's bride-of-Frankenstein hairdo doesn't add any appeal for the viewer). Colourbox - "Hot Doggie" is the usual 80's video, instantly forgettable. Dead Can Dance - "The Protagonist" consists of mindnumbingly repetitive shots of foliage and the sky, and seems to lack any sort of message. Cocteau Twins - "Crushed" is an okay video, and the scene of Liz Fraser laughing after the song is rather charming, but one gets the idea that the video didn't intentionally turn out that good. The Wolfgang Press - "Cut the Tree" is hilarious, although I've yet to fathom what exactly it's getting at.

Another problem with LONELY IS AN EYESORE is that the music has dated immensely. Although the tracks were wonderful at the time of their release and might have been considered to represent the best of 4AD's output in that era, the style now comes across as passe and doesn't captivate. Considering that Dead Can Dance were in their prime, the Cocteau Twins were getting ready to release the "Love's Easy Tears" EP, and This Mortal Coil had just done a bunch of excellent tracks (on its second album FILLIGREE AND SHADOW), 4AD's choice of tracks remains inexplicable.

LONELY IS AN EYESORE is certainly worth buying if you're a dedicated 4AD collector, but for the casual fan of 4AD bands or 23 Envelope's design, it can be infuriatingly disappointing.

Exceptional
This captures not just a time, but and sound. More than nostalgia; 4AD, late 80's, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, of course, This Mortal Coil and add the first US band on 4AD, Throwing Muses, whose Fish with the line that lent it self to the title. Would be great on DVD .. hint, hint 4AD ... ... Read more

Reviews (8)

epitome of an era...
an era that sucked like no other (with the notable exception of late 70s disco)...

once upon a time rock was cool, musicians were actually able to play their instruments, songs had melodies/lines/hooks/riffs, you could count on the lead guitarist (yep, once upon a time such an animal did exist) to explode into a frenetic solo, and then along came grunge...slow, droning tuned down guitars played by talentless clowns with whining, "woe is me" lyrics mumbled in a nasally, petulant poseur-boy over the top manner...with political correctness added for the b-o-r-e-d-o-m quotient.

grunge quickly died a well-deserved death, and the result of the killing of rock/metal has been britney, christina, justin, and other overpromotoed mouseketeers...all thanks to kurt, eddie v., and the gang from seattle...way to go, guys.

Various artists, various songs.
Though it may look like it, this isn't a "Best of Grunge", or even a "Best of Sub-Pop" collection. But it is a great bunch of random songs from random bands of the genre. The first two tracks are probably the most well known, but they're all just as good. I especially like the songs from "Tad", "Mark Lanegan", "The Afghan Whigs", and "The Walkabouts". The "Mudhoney" one is good also. To tell the truth, I'm kind of suprised Sup-Pop never did a "Best Of" type thing, or anyone for that matter. Also, all these songs were released in 1990-91, and after my copy of this, there's only 499,999 others, so happy hunting.

Cobain ain't MY spokesman; I can speak for myself.
The only reason anyone would want to buy this is for the Nirvana song. And if they happened to like any of the rest of the songs, then I suppose they saw that as an added bonus. But the fact is, I don't think anyone will find any of the songs to their liking. In all honestly, this is a horrible album. Even Dive is horrid, yet gets so much recognition because Cobain did it. It's pure schitt, and yet he gets named "Voice of a Generation" for it. I may be what record execs call a Gen X'er, but Cobain ain't MY spokesman, and never will be. I can speak for myself, thank you very much. I found Love Battery's song better than Cobain's, but being the best song out of a dung heap isn't a compliment. L7 and the last band (also all-female) are schitt pure and simple as well. Tad's barked Stumblin' Man sounds like death metal, which I can't stand. Beat Happening's and Mark Lanegan's songs sound too similar to differentiate, and all I can remember about them is that they both had deep, monotone voices. Mudhoney and The Fluid: Dull, nothing that sticks in my mind.

Za Guranji Yaazu
I bought this CD in Tokyo last year and it's a favourite, I mean what could somebody born to musical energy with "smells like teen spirit" hope for? This is music that makes me feel more elated, more alive when I play it, I just love to listen to it on a walkman, on a sleepy suburb train, it feels like a storm in my ears when all my eyes can contemplate is dullness. I only know most of the bands from this compilation and they all do a great job on it but the song by Babes in Toyland, whose singer, if I'm not mistaken, is Courtney Love, just comes on top for pure raw sound (that bass! that VOICE! God, THAT VOOOIIIICE! ).

OK can I just set and listen to this all day long.
I have been in to this kind of music for a long time this not the best stuff that I have heard by these artist but still it's not good music it's more than likely to be some of the best stuff in the universe ... Read more

Reviews (3)

buzz buzz buzz
no matter if people like these songs or not, they certainly do fit the buzz worthy title. they may not be the best songs from the artists, but they are the songs that got the artists noticed. this cd is a good example of the changes that took place in the mid 90s. it's an interesting listen that doesn't have the same tired, overplayed songs frequently found on other 90s complilation albums.

Every MTV- Made One Hit Wonder of the 90's!
The majority of the artists on this album are one hitters: Nada Surf, the Cardigans, Primative Radio Gods, the Flaming Lips, etc. If that's your cup of tea, then buy it, otherwise save your money.

This CD ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This CD is soooooooo good!!! I would recommend it to EVERYONE!!!!!!!! It's definately one of my favorite CD's!! My favorite songs are: Down, Naked, and The Distance. It has something for everyone on it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Different from other WBCN recordings
This CD is a good collection of new music recorded live in concert settings.

It does not have the diversified or acoustic "in the studio" flavor of past WBCN releases.

Good if you like the genre of harder alternative music. Not too good if you are looking for one of those good acoustic recordings of the artists' works.

Great Live Rock
this is a great album for you if you like live stuff, this album is full of the best live shows of 99/early 2000... this cd is made by my hometown radio station WBCN the rock revolution 104.1 boston! i luv the station and the cd, so if ur in need of sum great live stuff, by this album, you wont be dissapionted.....

A reflection of '99 in live music
Of the 3 WBCN albums this is heavier and has more live concert performances- it reflects '99 well with songs by Korn, Limp B, 311, Blink 182, Kid Rock, Moby, and Everlast. The performances are more live shows vs. live studio like the other albums. There's not as much depth or complexity unearthed in the songs, but you get more raw energy- very different than Naked 1&2, but still good ... Read more

Reviews (6)

So sad swing is dead.....again
I just bought this cd, several years after release, lots of these bands I have seen live and danced to.....my faves are The Red Hot Skillet lickers & The Fyling Nuetrinos. The most authentic thing on here Is Set'Em Up Joe's "She Can't Dance," straight L.Jordan..........and I think they wrote the Nuetrino's "Mr. Zoot Suit." It is sad the SNs drove this into the ground because it really was nice to dress up and go out dancing, real dancing............buy this cd if you want to know what the short lived craze was all about.
Tomi Jenkins

Do not pass this CD up!
Cool-daddy swing. Mmm-mm-mm!

Hipsters, Zoots & Wingtips Vol.1: 90's Swingers
Outstanding - can't stop listening to it and can't wait to get Vol.3! So happy SWING/DANCE music is back in style!

Excellent album if you like jazz and/or swing
I bought this album because it was playing in the record (sorry, CD) shop, as I was browsing the other day. After I'd heard about six tracks, all of which had my feet tapping, I had to buy it. There are only two tracks which I don't think are excellent, and "Mr Zoot Suit" by the Flying Neutrinos is the best song I have heard in ages.

Not bad, but not purely Swing
This CD is a pretty good mix of the modern swing bands out there now. It includes older bands such as Royal Crown Revue, but also gives equal billing to a couple of lesser known (but not lesser quality) bands. The only reason why I don't give it five stars is because some of the songs are too shifted towards rockabilly than swing--similar, but kinda deceiving when the subtitle is "The '90s Swingers".

What I really liked about this comp is the liner notes--it gave great information about the bands, as well as how to get their albums. You'll probably be looking up at least one of the bands featured in this comp once listening to this CD. The sound quality is great for most of the tracks; some sound softer than the other, but this is just a good indicator that the compilers didn't mess around with the original music. What you hear is what the artist's albums will sound like.

The people who put this together sound like a bunch of real fans of swing, and they show this in their writing and selection of songs. I highly recommend this CD for those wanting to check out different bands in this genre, or just getting a good mix of bands for a party. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Cooler Than You'd Think
Wow...this CD is pretty dang good!

I bought it just to get the cut from Poe, but I found to my amazement that several other tunes really jam. Now, granted, you really need to have at least a wry and ironic appreciation for so-called "lounge music", and if your favorite groups have names like Shrieking Demented Death-heads, then this album probably won't float your boat. But if you're antiquated enough to recall hearing the original versions of these tunes floating out from the AM radios of yesteryear, then you'd probably like this stuff.

Naturally, I really enjoyed Poe's "A Rose is a Rose", the lyrics to which were written by her novelist brother. It's a spiffy little number that pays a twisted homage to the Lost Generation of American and English intellectuals and artists that hung about Paris in the '20s. Yeah, it sounds odd, but it works, especially is you can recall names like Eliot, Gershwin, Stravinsky, and those dudes.

Also notable is the...um...unique spin that the Ben Folds Five puts on the old Flaming Lips song "She Don't Use Jelly". It's a hoot!

Fastball tackles the Bacharach/David standard "This Guy's in Love with You", and updates it for the, er, '90s. Good job.

Also acquitting themselves decently are Jimmy Scott and Flea (the latter from Red Hot Chili Peppers, of course) with "Love Will Keep Us Together" (yes, the Captain and Tennille song), Fun Lovin' Criminals with their version of 10cc's "I'm Not in Love", and the Pizzicato Five blipping through that ever-popular elevator hit, "Girl From Ipanema".

I could've done without the contributions from Cassandra Wilson and the duo of Glen Campbell and Michelle Shocked. Ms. Wilson has an uncanny knack of taking a three-minute song and tripling its length to no great effect, and as for Ms. Shocked, I've always found her to be vastly overrated. Oh, well, no album's perfect.

This is a great CD if you have the appropriate sense of humor and nostalgia. Avoid it, though, if you're a metalhead or gangsta-wannabe.

"Lounge-a" lizards
This is a pretty damn impressive compilation, bringing up-to-date alternative music back to the good ol' days of care free lounge music.The best songs were Fastball's (my favorite group) cover of "This Guy's in Love With You". A very powerful rockin' lounge number which only oes to prove what a range this band has. The next best song was "She Don't Use Jelly" from the also talented Ben Folds Five. It's a silly song, but wonderfully done.Now I must admit I haven't heard the WHOLE cd, cause I totally skipped over the awful parody version of the alternative rocker "Blackhole Sun". I was like "this isn't even funny" and had to skip it and any song that started to head in that direction. The premise worked much better when it was the alternative groups doing the lounge covers, NOT the lounge groups doing the alternative covers.But overall a very good buy for any music fan who just plainly loves MUSIC. So overall a four stars for this interesting CD-compilation.HIGHLIGHTS Recap: Fastball, Ben Folds Five, and Poe.

Still on the line. . .
Most of the tracks on the CD are cutesy, self-conscious kitsch. The first time you listen to them, they amuse you. The second time, they annoy you -- tremendously. There may not be a third time.
There is one startling exception, the updated version of "Wichita Lineman" performed by Glen Campbell, Freddy Fender, Texas Tornados, and (!) Michelle Shocked. Even when the original came out in the early '70's (or whenever) people sort of laughed at the cornball lyrics, yet it was a big hit, and once you heard it, it was hard to get out of your head. In the hands of the two veterans Campbell and Fender, the new version becomes a masterfully realized evocation of obsession and loss. Shocked's backing vocals add haunting overtones of desperation and psychosis. It is an unforgettable melding of disparate talents. Like the original, once you've heard it, it tends to linger strangely. . .

Lousy album saved by three great tracks...
What were they thinking when they put this together? Great lounge / MOR artists doing alternative covers? Alternative acts covering easy listening classics? Seems to be some confusion in concept here...
I had to give this disc five stars on the basis of one track which is absolutely brilliant: Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme's version of 'Black Hole Sun' is sublime orchestral pop on a par with Scott Walker's classic 60s solo albums. I've never been a fan of this duo's recordings, but Steve's voice has deepened with the years to gain a gravity, with the warmth and expressive nuance of Sinatra at his best. Eydie holds her own in this duet, and the arrangement (tinkling lounge piano, muted trumpet and full orchestra) is flawless. Hearing the skewed metaphor of the song's lyric in this context is disorienting as it is disarming, and this version never fails to give me goosebumps.
There are two other noteworthy tracks here. Polly Jean Harvey with Eric Drew Feldman (formerly of Captain Beefheart's Magic Band) do a fine rendition of 'Zaz Turned Blue', an overlooked classic by Mel Torme (which actually comes from an out-of-print LP by Was Not Was). Despite the cheesy synth & sampled rhythm track, Polly handles the ballad with measured passion, though once you hear this you will want to seek out the Torme original (available on at least one CD collection by the late Velvet Fog). The lyrics to this song are a strange blend of Kerouac and David Lynch with a dark, homoerotic subtext, both twisted and hearttugging. The other fine selection is an update of 'Wichita Lineman' by original vocalist Glen Campbell with Michelle Shocked. Glen's voice has not fared well over the years (his dentures obviously impairing his enunciation), but that makes his delivery all the more wistful, touching even.
As for the rest of the disc, I cannot bear to listen to it. I admit I am no fan of 'alternative rock', but these songs & artists do not make me want to explore the misbegotten genre any further. Even Jimmy Scott (a first-rate vocalist) falls flat with a cloying cover of a Captain & Tenille hit. 'Black Hole Sun' makes the whole disc worthwhile, though...

Work it
Take a pitcher of Martini's - a hot date, candle light, quality snack food and cha-cha. I like. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

These are unplugged versions
You should be warned that these are all unplugged versions of these songs, with simple guitar and vocals. That's great if you already own these albums and want alternate versions of your favorite songs. But I was expecting to hear the same versions of the songs I hear on the radio, so I was disappointed.

I Love Variety CDs
I recently heard the song by Nine Days called Absolutely. I loved it so much I tried to find it online, and this is where I was brought. I see on this cd there are even more songs that I really enjoy. I would probably buy it if I could. If anyone knows where else I can find the Nine Days track, let me know via email. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Great Mix of '90s Hits
Containing album versions of EMF's "Unbelievable", Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way", Radiohead's "Creep", and Enigma's "Return to Innocence", the CD also features some hard-to-find nuggets: the 12" Mix of Blur's "Girls & Boys", a live version of Duran Duran's "Come Undone" (featuring an excellent backup singer), the acoustic version of Tasmin Archer's "Sleeping Satellite" (a must have), and an acoustic version of Milla's "Gentleman Who Fell" (surprisingly great).

This is a great compilation and saves a ton of time and money searching for the same songs on full albums or CD singles. Well worth it!

Eclectically-good but weird compilation...
Some good rare tracks on here (for me anyway), notably Come Undone (live) by Duran and the PSB remix of Blur's Girls&Boys. Oh and look out for an acoustic version of Tasmin Archer's UK #1 Sleeping Satellite... chillingly awesome ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The early days of the hippest label ever...
Wow. For anyone who likes novelty music this thing's an absolute gold mine--everything from the all-kazoo version of "Whole Lotta Love" to Seth Kirkland's "Famous Jews", which was a big hit on Dr. Demento but unreleased for years. In the meantime, Adam Sandler wrote a song that was more or less the same gag, but he had a record deal. Too bad for Seth. The second disc is a little less enjoyable than the first, but they're still very solid efforts and worth their weight in platinum for fans of Big Daddy, or Wildman Fischer, or any of the other stars in the Rhino galaxy. At last, a doo-wop version of the national anthem with CD quality sound! ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of three CDs in the Postpunk Chronicles series released by Rhino, Going Underground contains the most obscure references (for comparison, check out the other two compilations, Scared to Dance and Left of the Dial). "What Difference Does It Make?" by the Smiths is the most accessible track on the compilation. The rest of the songs can provide great ammunition for anyone partaking in the Referential Superiority Game. For those who think Trent Reznor defines industrial music, check out Throbbing Gristle, who were splicing tape long before Reznor was hanging from it in his "Head Like a Hole" video. Obscurity aside, the song selection here provides an excellent representation of some of the noisiest, most distorted, most experimental music of the time. These artists heroically sought the underground for the underground's sake. As a result, Going Underground stands the test of time better than the other two Postpunk Chronicles collections. --Beth Bessmer ... Read more

Reviews (1)

When Alternative Meant Something
This album reminded me of my teens in the 80's, when alternative really meant alternative, and the songs could vary from rauchy punk to bouncy synth-pop (all with great lyrics). One of the best series I've come across--I have the entire series. It's a great mix of great bands that you rarely get to hear anymore--everyone knows the bands and the songs, but they're never on the radio. (Which is kind of why they started glomming such diverse styles of music under the heading "alternative" in the first place.) Good listening. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lots of fun!
Okay, if you're a fan of punk and new wave, you've probably got at least 6 or 7 of the 19 songs here scattered around your collection already, on Blondie, Ramones, and Television records. But if you're like me and have never heard the Dictators, the Heartbreakers, and several of the other less-famous bands here, you're in for a treat. And Patti Smith, who never appealed to me much, comes across well in the context of like-minded bands.

If you know nothing about the mid-seventies NYC scene, then you owe it to yourself to check this out, especially if you're a fan of more recent styles of punk. Along with the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, the New York bands were touchstones for everything else that followed. Other DIY volumes are out of print, by the way, so you might want to grab this one while you can.

Simply Brilliant
The score card: 13 songs, 10 groups, 5 chords, 0 notes on key. But it's hard to imagine anything more visceral, fun, and rebellious. The thing you get most here is the humour: "Born to Lose" and "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" are good examples. Some say the English dropped the bomb that shook up rock and roll, but I believe the Ramones and Television (being one of the prime movers of U2) are every bit as important. After all, it was the American record scene that was most bloated, and hence most needed the kick. Sure, there are omissions (Talking Heads?) but the remaining give a pretty fair assessment of New York Punk. "Blank Generation" indeed! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

To heck with REM and U2
Dude, screw bad hybrid band "Automatic Baby." What makes this album amazing is Ani DiFranco, Angelique Kidjo, Jane Sibbery, Melissa Etheridge, and, yes, even P.M. Dawn. The new mixes and live cuts can't be gotten elsewhere and are not to be missed. I discovered more than one new obsession through this collection, I hope you do too.

Good CD for a great cause.
I got this CD mostly for the Automatic Baby version of "One" (R.E.M.'s Stipe and Mills, and U2's Clayton and Mullen), which is excellent. (By the way, it's Mike Mills on backup vocals, not Peter Buck, and he's actually very good.) But rest assured, the rest of the CD is very good as well, full of semi-rare stuff from a lot of other artists.

Peter Buck's Performance in "One"
While REM and U2 are both excellent bands in and of themselves, the union of the two was something that should, in the future, be avoided. Michael Stipe's vocal "stylings" provided an interesting outlook on "One," but poor Peter, his backup vocals were off-key throughout the song. For me, that killed it.

Excellent performance by R.E.M./U2 group "Automatic Baby".
This compilation of talented musicians is a must have for serious R.E.M. fans! The only album ever to contain "One" by R.E.M./U2 group "Automatic Baby". ... Read more