Amazon.com

The infectious twang and pop hooks of Wilco's former efforts may be fading fast, but A Ghost Is Born is still a rewarding effort that demands repeated listening. The group's fifth album extends upon the experimentalism of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot with angular, blues-soaked guitar riffs ("At Least That's What You Said," "Hell Is Chrome"), a handful of sparse, yet catchy tunes (smack dab in the middle of the disc) that will surely keep college radio stations smiling, and a lengthy track that descends into mere static ("Less Than You Think"). Frontman Jeff Tweedy's songwriting continues to evolve: "Hummingbird" is a dreamy Randy Newman-styled love song; "The Late Greats" is a sly ode to the world of pop tacked onto the end of the album (as if using such a fun song on this understated disc was an afterthought). Meanwhile, producer extraordinaire Jim O'Rourke manages to make the most complicated arrangements here sound minimalist and laid-back. All told, it's another great addition to the Wilco canon. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Reviews (142)

Been Waiting Too Long
I'd give it four stars in the LP era, where I'd have to listen through the 15 minute static noises of "Less Than You Think". This is a John Cage 4'33-esque commentary on what can be considered music. I won't get into that now, but it's good to listen to it at least once in context of the whole album. Especially since it contrasts very starkly with the straightforward track "The Late Greats," which is probably the closest thing you'll get to Alt-Country on this album. Anyway, luckily we have the skip track button for casual listening. The rest of the album is incredible.
If you like climaxes, this is your album. Several songs start off slow and progress into some pretty hard hitting rock and dissolve into distortion. There are less dings and pings on Ghost than YHF. Ghost is more minimalist, relying more on primal baselines and rythmic sequences that make you sort of lose time within the song, often before hitting you hard with a jam. "Spiders" is the eiptome of this, and probably is the musical version of Tweedy's well-publicized migraines.
Bottom line; the alt-country fans hoping for Another A&M, the pop fans hoping for another Summerteeth, those in between hoping for another Being There, and everyone else who came on board with YHF hoping for more of the same didn't get your wishes. But that's what I love about Wilco, each album is distinctively Tweedy, but there's always something new to keep you interested.

Don't Judge Too Soon
It's a classic mistake -- a big name band comes out with a new album, and critics and fans alike step in immediately to give their first impressions. If there's one band for which that approach is a consistent a mistake, it's Wilco. Like many, I'm frightened of albums that I instantly like; they invariably begin to fade away sooner than later.

"A Ghost is Born" will leave many bumfuzzled out of the starting gate. Similar in overall style and structure to its controversial predecessor "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", this record depends heavily on brooding atmospherics which envelope the rather conventional melodies. This is Jeff Tweedy's niche; the basic pop song format shadowed and subverted by dissonant, disquieting counter-themes. For those willing to submit to Wilco's own (admittedly wry) internal logic, the rewards will come; doubt will fade like Smarty Jones in the final leg of the Belmont, and the patient listener will be overtaken and surprised by a work of unexpected depth.

Among the better tracks are "Hell is Chrome", which sounds like Paul Simon backed by Dark Side-era Pink Floyd; the breezy yet bittersweet "Wishful Thinking"; and "Theologians," a blue-collar manifesto that supplies the album's thesis with cleverly employed Biblical analogies. But the song that stands out most is "Muzzle of Bees," and astonishingly schizoidal piece whose delicate acoustic elements are trampled by wailing electric histrionics. "Muzzle" best demonstrates Wilco's disparate musical interests while showing off their latently strong musicianship.

Give this one a chance. Odds are it will make regular rounds in your CD changer well into the future.

what are you people thinking?!
This is not going to be so much a cd review as it is a rebuttal to all those who write reviews for this site...including you, Amazon.com.

Okay, forget that Wilco is one of (if not the) most innovative rock (yes, rock) bands that exists today..."Ghost" is simply a very brave and very, very amazing album that any band would sell its soul to even have conceived of, let alone create. What Wilco accomplishes on this album, even more so than YHF, is emotion - hard, raw emotion without allowing the incredible success of said YHF to interfere. Wilco (Tweedy specifically, though not exclusively) is fast proving itself a creative force which relies not on jingles and soon-to-be-radio-slough to sell its albums...in fact, Wilco couldn't care less if it sells albums or not (research your YHF history to see what I mean). Wilco proves to all us earlier non-believers that there still are those artists out there who believe in their music as an extension of themselves, as a reflection of who they truly are, not who their so-called fans wish them to be. They are artists in every sense of the word, meaning they toss critisism to the wayside as the simple opinions of those who can't...or, in the very least, won't. Art does not demand critism to exist, only the critic. So, so-called fans, save all your critisms for the next J-Lo album or whatever piece of trash you're currently reviewing. Wilco is above you all.

Now, on to the achievements of "Ghost" - amazing, spectacular, artistic, and true. That is all.

Okay, this is the Wilco cd I've waited for
I came to Wilco as a fan of the 90's band, Son Volt (and if you haven't heard of them, you are in for treat). After falling in love with those records, I followed Farrar and Tweedy in their musical travels, but Tweedy's records just never quite made it for me. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was okay, but nothing special.

This cd is great. It takes a song or two really get going, but man, it's worth it. The songs are beautiful and dream-like. The lyrics are lovely. The long musical interludes are hypnotic. For me, this is the best Wilco cd by far. Get this one.

Great Music to Fall Asleep to
We have all heard the story before and you will hear it again, about a band that hit it big by being spurned by their record company over what was one of the better albums of the last decade. Problem is that if they had turned this album instead of YHF, I am not sure that anyone would really be complaining all that mcuh.

A Ghost is Born reminds me of the inferior B-Side Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album. While I am not one of those Alt-Country Snobs that wishes Wilco would do alt-country again or pine for the days of Uncle Tupelo, I do pine for the Jeff Tweedy/Jay Bennett songwriting and stage presence that is missing on this album. The best three albums by Wilco are Being There, Summerteeth and, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and its no coincidence on each of those albums, Jay plays a crucial role in the music writing process. The problem with this album is that it becomes Jeff Tweedy and the Wilcos. More Guitar strung out guitar solos and ridiculous droning that someone will argue as being some artistic masterpiece. Well Jeff Tweedy is trying to prove something, but you know I just want an album that I can listen to over and over again and not get tired of it.

There are some great songs on this album. Hummingbird is a great song and shows once again that they do still have it in them to write a great pop song. Handshake Drugs sounds like later Velvet Underground material. While I always loved the song it had already been released before (Albeit a different mix). Theologians has also grown on me.

There are a lot of forgettable songs on this album as well. Muzzle of Bees and Wishful thinking just don't really do much for me. Spiders was turned into a huge mistake by making it 10 minutes and do we really need endless nonstop sounds on Less than You think. Maybe you like to listen to bells and whistles nonstop but I surely do not. Im a Wheel is probably one of the worst songs that Wilco has ever written. I rolled my eyes the first time I heard this song live and I was just hoping that they would realize their mistake and make this some odd B-Side.

If you never have bought a wilco album this is not the one to start off with. This band has pretty much done no wrong coming into this album. Each one of their albums they have grown as a band but what we notice more on this album is maybe the dismantling of Wilco. The bands makeup is changing more than Menudo and that has to be worrysome. You cannot have any type of growth when you only have two original members and the others have either been kicked out, fired or just sick and tired of it. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Definitely Worth a Listen
Bought this CD after hearing their single "Cold" trusting the rest of the songs would be good and I was more than right. Some tracks can get you really hooked. Song Review:
1. Starless (6/10) Good opener..shows what they can do
2. Cold (10/10) Awesome song..also sounds like their most original song
3. So Far Away (8/10)Another good song...I really like the bridge
4. Colors (6/10)Labeled a hit on their album cover...not exactly but it's alright
5. Death Trend Setta (4/10)Sounds a lot like Rage Against The Machine
6. The Deep End (8/10)Very good song
7. No Giving Up (10/10)Best song on the CD next to Cold...definitely give this one a listen.
8. Dead Skin (4/10) Alright song...nothing special compared to the others
9. Disco (2/10) Not the best
10. The Unkown (7/10) Great closer..a more mellow song

Nickelback + Saliva = Crossfade (with traces of sevendust)
I finally went out and bought this CD yesterday, because I live in the same city that the band is based in, Columbia, SC. The funny thing is, I've never heard of them untill one of my friends told me he was the drummer's cusin. After buying the record I listened to it, and all I have to say is, WHERE IS THE ORIGINALLITY. I know Nickelback is pissed. The music is good, I give the effort 5 Stars, but as far as being original i have to keep the 3 1/2 Stars.

Songs:

COLD - ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL SONGS ON THE CD (good song)

COLORS - SOUNDS LIKE NICKELBACK & SALIVA WROTE THIS ONE TOGETHER (good song though)

DEAD SKIN - SOUNDS LIKE SALIVA & SEVENDUST MIXED TOGETHER IN A STIFF ASS DRINK.

DEATH TREND SETTA - SEVENDUST ALL THE WAY (I KNOW THEY'RE PISSED)

DISCO - DISTURBED MIXED WITH NICKELBACK, IT SOUNDS THE SINGER FROM DISTURBED SET IN FOR THE SESSION IN THE STUDIO (well you heard it first, only in SOUTH CAROLINA)

NO GIVING UP - P.O.D. Satelite Style mixed with NICKELBACK

SO FAR AWAY - SALIVA & NICKELBACK AGAIN

STARLESS - SEVENDUST, NICKELBACK, AND SALIVA ALL IN ONE (WOW..not)

THE DEEP END - POD, LIMP BIZKIT, NICKELBACK, SEVENDUST, SALIVA, AND SOME HINTS OF KORN.

THE UNKNOWN - Exactly that, its unknown.

THIS IS A GOOD RECORD AND TOTALLY WORTH 13 BUCKS AND I HIGHLY PRAISE IT FOR WHAT IT IS. I JUST THOUGHT MUSIC LIKE THIS ONLY CAME OUT OF CANADA, WELL WHATEVER SELLS, GO LUCK TO THEM, AND TO PUTTING THE SOUTH ON THE MAP.

I HAVE TO REPRESENT FOR MY HOME TOWN, & MY STATE.

Love it
1.Starless- Great song to open with, its crazy weird but I love it. 5/5
2.Cold- Love this song its what got me to listen to the band in the first place. 5/5
3.So Far Away- Its a good song, I like how it opens, just a good song to listen too. 4.5/5
4.Colors- They have it as a hit on the Cd cover? Well really its good but I happen to Think starless and So Far Away are better. 4.3/5
5.Death Trend Setta- Well its ok, little rap sound sometimes, when hes singing, I happen to like it a little. 3.5/5 Weakess song, Little different.
6.The Deep End- Now I happen to think this a great song, like the song of the insturments and the overall voice of the band.. 4.4/5
7.No GIving Up- Reminds me of Pod when they did satellite-start of it, Good song. 4/5
8.Dead Skin- Like the over all song, love the lyrics kind of hint of dark... 4.8/5
9.Disco- This is another song that was like what the?? Kind of speed, like hes raping but notreally trying. Its ok but not what I thought would have been on this cd... 4/5
10.The Unknown- This is one of the best songs on the cd, great way to end the cd with this song, I listen to it every time i need to get past the disco song, haha which is why i like this song, Its slow and Cool sounding, with a taste of dark... 5/5

Great cd...for a re-release...
This cd was ACTUALLY created 3 or 4 years ago. Crossfade used to be a different band and had to change their name when they signed to a record deal. Columbia decided to bring them into the studio and have them do all the tracks on their self-produced cd. So in actuality these songs were all done when some of the bands mentioned in the previous reviews were just blowing up...so give it some slack. The songs are well written and I love every song on the cd. They left some good songs off the re-release, but hey...maybe we'll see them next cd. Crossfade is an energetic and hard working band and deserve EVERY penny they get. Don't think these guys sit around. They tour and play as much as they can and I'm sure the year and a half it took to get signed and throw out a cd for us was stressful. AMAZING cd.

One Killer Song To Be Remembered
"Cold" off of this new albumn is the absolute epitome of greatness. The lyrics are the best and the song itself just takes the listener to another world. To Chase-maybe you should listen to see if this reminds you of yourself...
Crossfade may not be the highest ranked group yet, but with more hits like this they are sure to kick ass!!
Before long they will contend with Staind, Cold, Nickelback, and Shinedown. Great CD!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Take one part Ramones, one part Buzzcocks, and one part Husker Du, and you've got the basic foundation of Green Day, a punky, witty, melodic San Francisco Bay area trio who became overnight stars in 1994 when this album, their third overall release and major label debut, catapulted them to the top of the pop charts. Led by guitarist/vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong and their secret weapon, powerhouse drummer Tre Cool, Green Day put '70s and '80s punk in a compact '90s package with songs like "Longview," "Basket Case," "Pulling Teeth," and the hit semi-ballad, "When I Come Around." One the few modern alternative rock bands with a bona fide sense of humor. --Billy Altman ... Read more

Reviews (376)

A review of the brilliant Dookie (Green Day) by Daniel Bland
The album starts with the wonderful 'Burnout', which has a certain energy about it which makes you want to play it over and over again. 'Having a blast', has an addictive drum beat, and Billie Joe's punky voice adds that special touch. Billie Joe's lyrics are very modest in the 3rd song, 'chump', and towards the end there is a wonderful piece of music, without singing, which I love. 'Longview' has a lovely variety, with the majority of it being slow, and a great heavier chorus. 'Welcome to paradise's'brilliant chord structure possibly makes it the best track on the album. 'Pulling teeth', a slower song, but still, a superb song. Then, 'Basket case' and 'She', two similar songs - slow,fast,slow,fast. Theses songs will leave you speechless, at least until you come to 'Sassafras Roots'. Although, slightly repetitive, the parts which are repeated are excellent. On to 'When I come aroun', maybe their most famous song, maybe my favourite. Again, a slower song, ! but still, it will stick in your mind. Number 11, 'Coming clean'. A song which I found rather boring. After listening to the album a couple of times, you will skip this song and move straight on to 'Emenius sleepus'. Billie Joe, again his voice is brilliant, he's feeling sick and he wants to go home. But he'll have to wait, 2 songs left. 'In the end'. Another great song, with a supreme drum beat near the end. The last song, 'F.O.D.' The first 1 and a half minutes are very slow, and light, and then, an explosion. The music errupts. Something which has to be played at full volume. A bonus track, at the end of 'F.O.D' is 'All by myself'. Funny 6the first time, but something which is not worth waitng for. All in all a great album, and something which should not be missed

"Possibly the most influential album of its time"
In the start of a decade that looked to be filled with dance and rap as the dominating genres of that era, there was a shining glimmer of hope for fan of rock. The now legendary band from Berkeley, Green Day, released quite possibly the most influential album of its time, as it has triggered the start of many other bands in the area (Blink 182, No Use For A Name, etc.). In their release of this cd, they began their journey in the rock world, and in effective fashion:

ANALYSIS OF TRACK LISTING:
1. Burnout: 4.5/5-a fast paced, distorted guitar-blaring anthem that showed how people didn't grow up, but rather just burnout out.... A great start to the album with a great drum part in the bridge

2. Having a Blast: 4/5-possibly one of their most controversial songs (next to Platypus, on nimrod), it is a song about a person who is going to kill everyone in their path.... a very catchy song

3. Chump: 4.5/5-One of the un-appreciated tracks of this cd, Chump is about hating a specific person, though you've never even see them.... the instrumental in this is very good

4. Longview: 4/5-The original and only tribute to masturbation to date (at least to my knowledge).... despite it's widespread appeal, you may grow tired of this song, due to its excessive air time on the radio.... the bass part in this song is quite good as well

5. Welcome to Paradise: 4.5/5-A re-release track from their Lookout! Records release, kerplunk!, this track is about a young man who ventures away from home and eventually finds himself in paradise.... one of the best bass solo's i have ever heard

6. Pulling Teeth: 3.5/5-A slower-paced song, highlighting a true event of being busted up by the one you love (Mike Dirnt had both of his elbows broken while having a pillow fight with his wife Anastacia).... good, but a little bit too slow for my taste

7. Basket Case: 5/5-Quite possibly one of the best songs of all time, this song focuses on the mental instability of a single person and his ventures to find sanity.... A MUST LISTEN!!

8. She: 4.5/5-another great song, following up Basket Case.... it is mainly a reflective song giving advice to a girl that the person loves.... to stop yelling at them before they go insane..... Dirnt shows his talent with another great bass intro

9. Sassafras Roots: 4/5-a repetitive song that ventures the question "May I waste your time too....?" the lyrics will catch on, and don't be surprised if you end up singing it after hearing it a few times

10. When I Come Around: 4/5-a solid song, possibly their most well-known song on this album.... it is about getting somewhere that you need to be, and the one that matters knowing where to find you.... has a good guitar solo, and a solid bass and drum line

11. Coming Clean: 4.5/5-a better song than When I Come Around, it is a great increase of the pace that was held back by the previous track.... it is mainly about a person "coming clean" about being of an alternate sexual orientation.... a fun, quick and to the point song

12. Emenius Sleepus: 4.5/5-A continuation from the previous song, Billie Joe now sings how he's sick and wants to go home, since he doesn't know his friend at all anymore.... a VERY good song, as it keeps the pace of the album up as it comes begins to come to a close.....

13. In The End: 4/5-the second to last song, it provides a clear message: not liking what you see in the future and hoping that you're not dead when somethin important comes around.... it has a solid bridge yet again, and brings us into the final "official" track of the disc......

14. F.O.D. 4.5/5-the final track of the CD, it is a mellow beginning, but then a loud and very clear anthem.... it mainly just says how the person wants everyone to F.O.D., which if you listen to the song, you will figure out what it means.....

Hidden Track: All By Myself 3.5/5-a very funny track that the guys recorded while they were high in one of their friends basements.... funny, but it won't be worth the wait for much more than two times

really cool; good for any fan
Really awsome for any Green Day fan, but if you're not, step away. I, being a HUGE Green Day fan, think that you'll LOVE most of these songs, I recomend "Pulling Teeth","Basket Case", "Longveiw" and "Welcome to Paradise". The only song on this CD I don't LOVE is "Coming Clean", not really interesting. All really strict parents who hate cuss words as small as "crap", this is a bad CD for your kids.

The one that started it all...
the downfall of real/street punk, that is. This is when Green Day "sold out", but they were never realy punk, they and their friends at clubs had a skewed version of what punk is. They think it is about spreading peace or some sissy stuff like that, and it is not, Anarchy is the opposite of peace, it is unadulterated freedom, real, true, freedom to do whatever you want. And punk music should be noisey and aggressive. This is one of those bands(the leader, in fact) that made people think this poppy crap is punk, and almost completely killed real punk rock. If it wasn't for bands like the Casualties, punk would truely be dead, but it isn't dead, and won't die. Punk is back and it's here to stay! I HATE GREEN DAY, BUT AT LEAST THAT SISSY SONG ISN'T ON THIS!

Not Bad
Fun lightweight pop-punk. Nothing terribly interesting or in any way groundbreaking, but not horrible either. I'd burn a copy, no way would I pay for it. To call these guys punk is ridiculous. They're very mainstream in terms of attitude and desire for acceptance. If these guys had showed up at a Black Flag concert back in the day they would have had their arms and legs ripped off and thrown in a pile. This is safe enough for your 13 year old daughter and makes for a pleasant listen when driving your kids to and from soccer practice. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nirvana may have been the biggest thing in the music world in the early '90s, but the trio maintained an uncommon devotion to core fans who knew them when they were still sleeping in a van. Fending off the adoration of punk-rock dabblers in the media and their audience while simultaneously welcoming stalwart underground-music supporters, Kurt Cobain did things on his own terms--until it all came crashing down. A decade after Cobain's 1994 suicide and the band's demise, With the Lights Out remains true to the ethos that defined the band and the alt-rock revolution that rose and fell with them.

Eschewing the standard hits-sprinkled-with-rarities mix, this lovingly compiled three-CD, one-DVD collection is made up almost entirely of previously unreleased selections. The handful of previously heard tracks are obscurities along the lines of the group's cover of "Here She Comes Now," recorded for a 1990 indie-rock tribute to the Velvet Underground. But it's not the B-sides and compilation oddities that define this idiosyncratic set; rather, its spirit is captured in the bedroom demos, radio performances, and sloppy amateur video recordings that catch Cobain and cohorts developing from just another punk- and metal-inspired bunch of grunge rockers pounding away in the bass player's mom's living room into a band that defined an era. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Amazon.com

The West of veteran TV writer/Deadwoodcreator David Milch is as grim as it is gritty, sprinkled with salty dialogue and punctuated by sudden brutality and raw sexuality. The original soundtrack cues by composer David Schwartz (represented here by his evocative show theme), Michael Brook and Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek play off that vision with often stark rootsiness. But it's the series' rich slate of songs -- choices whose inventiveness often rivals that of The Sopranos -- that consistently reinforce its all-too-human drama, if not the crusty veneer. This collection gathers the best songs from the series' first season, coloring the milieu with evocative hillbilly romps like Michael Hurley's "Hog of the Forsaken" and the a capella grace of Margaret's Native American "Creek Lullaby." But the collection's musical eclecticism stretches far beyond mere genre concerns, variously encompassing the nascent jazz of Jelly Roll Morton (a rollicking "Stars and Stripes Forever"), Delta blues of Bukka White and Mississippi John Hurt and even Gustavo Santaolalla's hypnotic Brazilian fretwork. But the collection's country and folk-tinged performances are its most resonant, whether invoking earthy traditions (the gospel fervor of the late June Carter Cash's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee's more heretical "God and Man") or more contemporary stylings like Lyle Lovett's "Old Friend" and the gentle "Twisted Little Man" by Michael J. Sheehy.--Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great companion to the show
Since Carnivale is in such dire straits, I've really gotten into this HBO show, which serves as a good replacement in my heart. For those not in the know, its a gritty, violent western that takes place in the gold-mining camp of Deadwood, where famous names like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane traipse through. I knew I would enjoy the soundtrack, as it had a lot of blues and country stuff I was familiar with. June Carter Cash singing 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' would turn even the most hardcore atheist into a believer, and the Bukka White and the Jelly Roll Morton tracks were great too, but there were so many other amazing surprises on it for me. Top song is called 'Hog of the Forsaken' and is this nuts piece of fiddle and yodel and lunatic lyrics. I loved it. There are other tracks on the CD that are good songs, but do not work within the context of the show, specifically 'Twisted Little Man', which doesn't sound very western at all. Still, a high quality selection of tracks, and the show soundbites on the disc, which contain more cussin' then Tarantino in the shower, are great too.

Dusty, grim and sometimes poignant (like the series)
As a fan of the series Deadwood, I found this soundtrack CD to be both satisfying on its own merits and a successful evocation of the spirit of the series.It contains a lot of authentic American music that has the traditional feeling appropriate to the Old West setting of the show.There's gospel, folk, country, blues, and many pieces of miscellaneous instrumental music.It's telling that when the music producers wanted a true-sounding version of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken," they went to the source, June Carter Cash.I also like the fact that they filled their show and this disc with many excellent songs by relatively unknown artists like Mark Lee Scott and Michael Sheehy.However, I think my very favorite music from the CD are some of the instrumentals, especially the themes by Gustavo Santaolallo and the great Michael Brook.In between the music, there's also a great deal of dialogue samples from the show -- and that's what gives the CD its parental advisory label.(The presence of strong language in those dialogue samples will be no surprise to anyone who has seen Deadwood!) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nomadic Southern evangelist Leon Followill may take soap suds to the mouths of the kinfolk wunderkinds--his three sons and a nephew--in Tennessee quartet Kings of Leon, whose second album spins enough cuss phrases and sexual allusions to leave Dolly Parton flushed. But the peculiar 20-something longhairs also fuel up on a filthy shotgun bass and relentless guitar riffs, complementing the delightfully discordant drawl of vocalist Caleb Followill to whittle a 35-minute grab bag of garage rock, English blues, sixties psychedelia, London Calling-ska, spaced-out country waltzes and front-porch, red-state revelry. Without revising its 2003 debut Youth & Young Manhood, producer Ethan Johns (The Jayhawks, Ray LaMontagne) steers the band down a similar mischievous road, integrating poles-apart rhythms and techniques into an energized jumble of rotating tempos and lyrical bombshells. Putting faith in earth-shakers like "Velvet Snow" and "Pistol Of Fire," the wound down and pleasing "Milk" and its yodeling cousin "Day Old Blues," the Kings ultimately escape Preacher Leon’s retribution, rendering him speechless--save for a simple "amen." --Scott Holter ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Sony-BMG are Twats, but KoL Still Rock
Firstly, in response to reviewers like FarkingBastage, it is perfectly acceptable to voice whatever concerns you have with a CD in your review. Readers who are thinking about purchasing the CD need to know not only whether the music is good, but also whether it's a royal pain to play the music on iPods or burn a backup copy for yourself. This is a product review, and there is no reason why it must be constrained to the music. If I feel like commenting on the album art, DRM protection, or anything else, then, it's certainly relevent.

In that vein, Sony-BMG needs a swift kick in the face. I use iTunes & iPod to play all my music. I have a new-ish Dell with WinXP, but, for some reason, programs like Easy CD CReator and Media Player don't recognize my CD Burner. It's some kind of glitch, because I downloaded other burning programs, and they work. iTunes also burns audio CD's. The problem, however, is that SunnComm's techsupport people suggest burning an audio CD with Windows Media Player, then ripping it with iTunes. This is their "official" solution!! Technical geniuses, I tells ya. So, since Windows Media Player is the only way to burn DRM-protected songs to CD, I'm screwed. I can't put these songs on my iPod. Nor can I make backup CD's in case this one gets scratched or lost.

In the future, I will avoid these "protected" albums if at all possible. Even now, I find myself wishing I could take the CD back and buy the tracks from iTunes Music Store.

However, on to the music. Kings take it to the next level on this one. I loved Y&YM---hearkening back to some real ballsy, gritty southern rock. Caleb Followill's voice is just so damn unique, and fits in with the sort of southern-rock-on-a-friday-night aura of the band. Aha Shake just seems tighter, more seamless, even if a few of the songs lack the hook that Youth packed over and over again. Nothing comes without a price, I suppose...but the rock-ness of Aha Shake makes up for what's lost in memorable riffs.

Oddly enough, I always seem to remember my least favorite track with these guys. On Youth, it was "Molly's Chambers". I heard about KoL through the Onion AV Club---not via the incessant radio airings of Molly's Chambers. Good thing, too, because if I had based my judgment of them on that most popular song, I'd not have even thought about buying the album.

On Aha Shake, my least favorite song is "Day Old Blues". I'm positive I'm not the only one. It starts with a slow, melodic poeticism. Then, like many other KoL songs, it breaks into harder/faster style for the chorus. The problem is, from that point on, the vast majority of the song is this annoying chorus, over and over again. "Dayo-Dayo-Dayoohhhh, Dayo-Dayo-Dayoohhhh, Dayo-Dayo-Dayoohhhh, a-BLOOOHOOO!" Repeat. Again. And again. One more time. Talk about a broken record...quite frankly, I am forced to skip over this track every time. What were they thinking?

The rest of the album is slick, rockin, heavy, but still spry on its feet. Highly recommended---but, if I were you, I'd buy it @ iTunes Music Store to get around Sony-BMG's annoying DRM mechanism.

Excellent music, terrible cd
i love the cd and listen to it constantly. however, the copyright protection is terrible. it is easy to google and hack it, but i just refuse to accept drm like this. i refuse to pay good money for a cd and not be able to use it the way i want to (i.e., put on ipod). i returned it. hope you do too.

BRILLIANT!
I find it interesting that most of the reviews for this cd are either 5 stars or 1 star. Ah, those crazy Kings of Leon. You either love em or hate em.Of course, many of the 1 star reviews are attributed to the capabilities (or lack thereof) of burning the cd to IPods and MP3 players, etc. While that may be annoying, I personally can't relate because I simply downloaded the album from the internet and it works just fine on my cd player.

And oh how fine Aha Shake Heartbreak truly is! On my first listen, by the time the opening track Slow Night So Long ended, I was grinning ear to ear. Finally a band that not only knows how to rock, but knows how to have fun! It's like the Beatles and the Stones have been resurrected through these kids. Every damn song on this album is sure to make you want to sing, smile, and... well, shake. Seriously, everytime I hear the drum and jingle bell intro to Taper Jean Girl, I want to get up and jump up and down on my car. If only I could do that while my car drives by itself.

Some people may not like these guys because of Caleb's voice, which is scratchy and pretty unintelligible. But once you get past the fact that you can barely understand anything this guy says, you come to realize it doesn't matter. This is pure rock n' roll, people. Best rock album I've heard in a LONG time. Best of 2005.

"Heartbreak" is right!
Kings Of who????I have not heard of this band until rumor had it they were touring with U2.Shortly after, I caught "The Bucket" on the radio and thought that it was worthwhile to pick up the album.Aha!Where do these great review from the likes of Rolling Stone come from???I wasnt only disapointed with the album, I have given serious thought of selling the album back.I love all kinds of music, especially alt rock.But this is beyond anything I've heard.Not worth it.

Quit Your Whining!
This is for all the reviewers who have complained about the copyright protection on this CD.Uhhh....you are stupid.But, more importantly, please stop reviewing the album based on the copyright protection.The copyright protection has nothing to do with the music itself.

If you hate the album, you hate the album, but the copyright protection has nothing to do with the music.

BTW, you dolts, I had almost NO PROBLEM copying this album to my hard drive and then copying it to disc.Yes, I DID have problems doing it disc to disc, but so what?Maybe you need to get a system better than Windows 98, maybe you need some better burn software...I don't know.Maybe monkeys are more computer literate than you.But, IT'S NOT THAT HARD, SO QUIT YOUR BITCHING!

I am giving this album 5 stars for two reasons.First, because it is awesome and doesn't resemble anything I hear on the radio today.The Kings are in a league of thier own!

Second, so I can hopefully help push up the rating of this album from all the bellyachers who gave it one or two stars on a criteria THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MUSIC!It is too bad Amazon doesn't have moderators, because I would report all you people and have your reviews thrown out, sort of like a defense attorney raises an objection to a judge and claims "relevance".

Now go back to computer school 101 and get off this board!

Go Kings! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lovely songs; Sleeper Film.
This is very nice compilation of thoughtful ballads, some of lesser known singers and writers.Travolta can carry a tune (it would appear).His singing meshes well with his character in this charming movie.All things considered, this is a rathr good, enjoyable film.I especially like the numerous literary references.I am commenting on both the soundtrack and film, as both are worry of listening and viewing.

Grayson Capps
This is an incredible soundtrack not to mention a great little independent film. Don't listen to the critics on this one because the majority of them are flat out wrong. There should be more movies like this with compelling stories, strong acting and sweet music. Much better than the blockbuster trash that's so prevalant today. Anyhow, check out the soundtrack if only for the great New Orleans singer/songwriter Grayson Capps -- who's a little known gem from that historic music town. The rest of the soundtrack is worthy too...with tracks by Thalia Zedek, Trespassers William (another little known band that is pretty incredible), Los Lobos, Nada Surf, lots of rare blues and two sweet little songs by John Travolta. I couldn't have made a better mix of music myself! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Was it homesickness that compelled long time Los Angeles resident k. d. lang to fashion her one woman campaign for north of the border nationalism, or just plain good sense? As an organizing tool, all Canadian content has long been a mainstay of the Canadian Broadcasting System but few have selected their material with such a fine hand and a high aesthetic. The expatriate singer has taken great pains to create a sophisticated homage to her Canadian roots, elegantly reinterpreting 11 songs penned by some of her more illustrious countrymen (and women) such as Jane Siberry, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. The idiosyncratic chanteuse turns Cohen's "Bird on a Wire" into an aching monochromatic lament, exploring new tributaries of pain that didn't exist in the original, while recasting Neil Young's "Helpless" into haunting anthem of memory and comfort, all the while sounding anything but helpless. A gorgeous love letter to her brethren, complete with an intelligent and understated orchestration. --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Amazon.com

Green Day takes the title International Superhits literally,offering a no-surprises compilation of all the songs that made a big dent oncommercial radio. From the pop-punk heroes' breakthrough album Dookie ("Longview," "Welcome toParadise") through Insomniac ("Brain Stew"), Nimrod ("Good Riddance [Time ofYour Life]"), and Warning("Minority"), if a record produced a hit, that song is on this album. There areonly two new tracks on the Superhits (both recorded a couple of monthsbefore the album's release)--the spazzed out rock & roll singalong "Maria" andthe puppy-dog love of "Poprocks & Coke." Because International Superhitsdoesn't pull from Green Day's early EPs and Lookout albums or offer any livevariations, though, this album is really only one for the serious-mindedcollectors who don't want to skip past a single Green Day release.-- Jennifer Maerz ... Read more

Reviews (142)

Green Day has always been my favorite band.
I've always loved Green Day, who were at their peak in 1994 and enjoyed many other hits afterwards, including Brain Stew, Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), and Minority. Even with an album that only came out less than two years ago (Warning), Green Day is getting less and less recognition. With newer pop-punk bands such as Blink 182, Sum 41 and New Found Glory becoming more popular, Green Day has been ignored.

Let's get to the point. International Superhits is great for the casual listener, or just someone who wants to rediscover them. But unless you desperately want to hear Maria and Poprocks and Coke (which are decent songs), or J.A.R, I wouldn't recommend this to the fan who already has all of their Reprise releases. Unless you want a good cd to listen to all the way through, which this certainly is.

The songs are all good! There is not one song I can't listen to...truthfully, there isn't one song I don't like by Green Day. The two new songs, as previously mentioned, are both good...the catchy, but somewhat repetitive Maria, and the poppy love song of Poprocks and Coke, but they're not much compared to the others. You'll get every Green Day hit on this CD, from their first single (and possibly one of their best songs) Longview, to the timeless classic Good Riddance, to the melodic Waiting, the somewhat harsher Geek Stink Breath and Brain Stew, and the lesser known Walking Contradiction and She...they're all here. Green Day is a fun band to listen to, and this is a nice representation of them.

One thing that slightly peeved me is that there are no songs from their Lookout releases on here. I can't say I liked 1039 SOSH, but Kerplunk is my second favorite (after Nimrod). Beware! When you buy this, you're not getting the full Green Day experience...there are great songs such as Going to Pasalacqua, 2000 Light Years Away, Christie Road, and many others that aren't on here!

Oh yeah, if you want more Green Day, check out all 6 of their albums, you'll find some good songs that weren't played on the radio. They include, but aren't limited to, 86, Stuart and The Ave., Westbound Sign, Scattered, Jinx/Haushinka, Prosthetic Head ... Castaway, and Misery. ...

If you're that person who has heard songs like Longview and Good Riddance on the radio and liked them, but has never bought a Green Day release, by all means BUY THIS! Green Day fans with the entire collection, you may not want to get this unless you need something to top it all off or are just mad for the song J.A.R.

And J.A.R is a great song.

Green Day's best CD
Of course this is Green Day's best CD because it is a greatest hits CD. The album has all of their best songs , but I am a little disappointed that it had no songs from 'Kerplunk!' or '1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours', but never the less, all of the songs on the album are 'superhits' and it just reminds you what a good band Green Day are.

1. Maria

2. Poprocks & Coke

3. Longview

4. Welcome To Paradise

5. Basket Case

6. When I Come Around

7. She

8. J.A.R. (Jason Andrew Relva)

9. Geek Stink Breath

10. Brain Stew

11. Jaded

12. Walking Contradiction

13. Stuck With Me

14. Hitchin' a Ride

15. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)

16. Redundant

17. Nice Guys Finish Last

18. Minority

19. Warning

20. Waiting

21. Macy's Day Parade

As you can see, most of Green Day's best songs and definitely worth buying. This album is definitely Green Day's best because the songs are better than the songs on 'Nimrod', 'Insomniac' and even 'Dookie'.

True Superhits
IF you are a punk rock fan, Green Day is your band. They are absolutely amazing and always will be. First of all, Billie-Joe Armstrong is a true rock revolutionary. He has and an unmistakable voice that will be recognized everywhere. His guitar skills are also quite accomplished. Mike "Dirnt" is by far the best bassist out there today. He is absolutely amazing. He plays the bass guitar like he is soloing on a normal electric guitar. Finally, the fantastic Tre Cool on drums. Another one of the best in his field. If you listen to the drums in the background, you will be blown away at how good he is.
International Superhits is by far their best CD yet, and it should be since it is a Greatest Hits album. Everyone of these 21 songs deserves to be on this CD and totally kicks ass. The CD starts out with two new tracks that are just as good as the rest. If you are a newcomer to green day, a casual fan, or even if you have all of their CD's, I recomend this CD. Every fan of Punk Rock or any type of Rock music for that matter should go out and buy this CD

Awesome
This is an excellent album for the summer's travels and just great for putting into your cd player and not having to skip every few songs. This album had all their hits and I fell in love with ALL of them. From the energetic and wonderful Maria to the most beautiful song Macy's Day Parade, this compilation is 21 of the best songs around. A must have for a Green Day fan or someone who has heard classics like Basket Case or Good Riddnance and want to see what this band is really made of.

Best Green Day CD Ever
hey guys, this cd is the best green day cd ever. just buy it, its awesome! its got ur fav, walking contradiction,when i come around, Longview, basketcase and much more! this cd rox and is one of the best punk rock bands i've heard. get ur copy now... ... Read more

Amazon.com

If Nevermind's sound is familiar now, it's only because thousands of rock records that followed itwere trying very hard to cop its style. It tears out of the speakers like a cannonball, from the punk-turbo-charged riff of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" onward, magnifying and distilling the wounded rage of 15 years of the rock underground into a single impassioned roar. Few albums have occupied the cultural consciousness like this one; of its 12 songs, roughly 10 are now standards. The record's historical weight can make it hard to hear now with fresh ears, but the monumental urgency of Kurt Cobain's screams is still shocking. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (1198)

Classic
Enter David Grohl on drums, exit Chad Channing, say hello to Geffen records. Nirvana signed to Geffen because of Sonic Youth, that's it. If they had to sign to a major, Geffen seemed ok for Sonic Youth, so Nirvana reason it should be OK for them. The production team of Butch Vig and Andy Wallace 'tidied' up the sound of the early Nirvana circa 'Bleach', but new drummer Dave Grohl was a far better, louder and more dynamic performer than Chad Channing. Nirvana live concerts had attracted Geffen Records attention in the first place. Kurt wanted the group to be popular, and could see them maybe selling as many records as Sonic Youth. 'Territorial Pissings' was considered for a single release, but it was put to them 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' might make for a better choice. The rest was, as they say, history. 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' transformed the underground scene, groups like Mudhoney, even Tad were suddenly being signed by major labels, 'Grunge' was well and truly born and 'Nevermind' eventually knocked Michael Jackson off the top of the album charts. That was seen as slightly significant..... 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' itself is actually nothing other similar groups hadn't done before. Kurt himself was actually unsure about the song, considering it's structure too similar the songs by The Pixies in particular. For whatever reason though, it was Nirvana not The Pixies who would make the breakthrough. 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was huge, but never the best song on this album. 'In Bloom' is better, clever lyrically certainly. And then we have the guitar that runs through 'Come As You Are' and it's great stuff, especially Kurt's guitar solo.

'Breed' is as raw and thrilling as anything from 'Bleach' in terms of sound, the bass groove is fabulous, everything is fast and Kurt screams as if his life depended on it. We still have a melodic chorus, the melody thing had been with Nirvana right from the start though, witness 'About A Girl'. 'Lithium' became another big single, with a great 'yeah, yeah, yeaaeahahh' chorus. 'Polly' revealed a previously unimagined softer side of the group, just Kurt and acoustic guitar for the most part. A lovely song, though. 'Territorial Pissings' is back to the more demented Nirvana sound of their earlier work with fuzzy, distorted guitars, absolutely amazing drumming, fabulous throat splitting vocals from Kurt. A wonderful song. 'Drain You' is one of my own personal favourites on the album, certainly a less celebrated song than much of the first half, but there is something simple about this, certainly it's a more straightforward song production and mixing wise. I like the melody, I love Kurt's vocal. It's as simple as that. 'Lounge Act' is a weaker song on the record, 'Stay Away' back to the furious drumming and groovy bass parts. More Kurt Cobain screaming, and this is an enjoyable song. 'On A Plain' does nothing the rest of the album already hasn't, and can get trying at times although the chorus still has a mighty big hook stuck all through it. Perhaps the most remarkable song on 'Nevermind' isn't 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' although that was certainly the most important song here. The closing 'Something In The Way' has a semi-mumbled, weary Kurt vocal, a lovely, beautiful melody notable for a haunting Cello running through the chorus. It's a great song, simple as that.

A great album, not as great as some would have you believe, not as BAD as those complaining that the singles from this record are played on MTV and the radio so often as to reach the point of throwing up if you hear 'In Bloom' just one more time. This is now an omni-present all time classic of rock in terms of status. It's never going to go away.

A truly revolutionary album
Nirvana may not have been the first alternative rock band ever. In fact, Nevermind, their biggest album, may not be the best alternative rock album ever (Ten by Pearl Jam and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by Smashing Pumpkins give it some tough competition). But one thing can't be denied: Nevermind was the album that made it all possible. Anyone who enjoys the music that sprang from alt-rock's "golden age" (1991-about 1996) owes something to this album. Even listening to it today is an experience. Its music bombards your ears with an assault of punk energy, tempered by just enough pop sensibility to make it extremely enjoyable and tremendously good at the same time. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" can rightfully be regarded as the first real grunge rock hit, and it is the album's most popular song. "In Bloom" is probably the best track on Nevermind, thundering out of the speakers with truck loads of hard, melodic force. "Lithium" and "Come As You Are" are also two very good and very big hits from the album. "Breed", though it didn't become a megahit, is probably the second best song on the album, thrashing forth with superspeed punk velocity (it's one of those songs you just can't get out of your head). Overall, this album was truly groundbreaking, and deserves a 5 just for its originality and influence. But it is also incredibly enjoyable, and it sounds just as monumental today as it did ten years ago.

I've never listened to this album, but...
A friend of bought this album four months ago after repeatedly reading how utterly fantastic it was,how it was probably the greatest album ever. Today he uses it as a coaster for cups of coffee.

13 years and still kicking
well, depending on what u grew up with all changes the aspect of what you like...so all opinions are welcomed, but in my opinion nirvana has qualities that some bands could only dream to master, instand fame, and kurt's ability to write lyrics, just listen to what he has to say before you criticize his voice, everyone is born with a different vocal talent. And then there's my man Dave Grohl on drums where he belongs, not on guitar with the foo fighters, anyways, nirvana had the attitude needed for this decade and if not for them...music today would not be the same, you can't deny it...

DIS ALBUM ROX
this album is by far the best album of the 90's! anyone who doesn't have dis album has 2 get it. with a song like, smells like teen spirit, who could go wrong? everytime i listen to this album, it just blows me away. Kurt is the ultimate, and if u dont have dis album, u r totally missin out! get it! it rox! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Her intensely personal lyrics grabbed the headlines, but the bravest departure here is the way Morissette's unique vocals stand naked in the mix--a technique that drives home the painful honesty of tracks like "Right Through You," "Forgiven," and "All I Really Want."Sheryl Crow or an earthier Tori Amos are fair analogies, but Morissette is a genuine original with a rare ability to make listeners care, think, and question.--Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (403)

Amazing truth and variety of emotions bring Morissette alive
A few months ago I had never really heard mush of Alanis, except for 'Head Over Feet,''Ironic,' and I danced the Rumba to 'Thank U.' The songs were okay, but when asked to speak of great music artist, she was not even in my top twenty. Then my friend Ali gave me 'Jagged Little Pill' as a gift. I have never been so surprised by an album, nor have listened to it as much in so short a time. The power of her lyrics and the variety of beats seem to speak right to a person, and aren't at all superficial.

'Perfect,' my all-time favorite, is heart-wrenching the the fact that it is true in so many places, but is then followed by 'Hand in My Pocket,' showing that though seh will go through things it doesn't seem she can handle, she can come out on top. 'Forgiven' is a torn and tattered ballad that seems to sear you within with it's pathetic cries, and 'Mary Jane' will be one that thousands of people can understand, either in 1st or 3rd person.

Her sassy and angry music are great at times, and show that she isn't all whiny ballads and 'hurting,' that she can kick someone's butt if need be. But the one that shows the most soul is the hidden track at the end, which she does acapella. If you want to know Morisette, listen to that.

With feeling
The '90s was a decade marked by good CDs from many female rockers, such as Sheryl Crow, Natalie Merchant, and Sarah McLachlan, but Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill is clearly one of the stickouts. Moreover, among well-known '90s CDs, only Nirvana's Nevermind and Pearl Jam's Ten compare to "Pill" in intensity. But Alanis's songwriting is more consistent track for track than Kurt Cobain's or Eddie Vedder's. On this album, her introspective lyrics and riveting vocals are complemented by a smoking band featuring members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Any musical shortfall is made up for by the fire and panache of Alanis and her backers.

Each cut on Pill is marked by sharp guitar riffs and clever lyrical hooks. Interestingly, the songs seem to change tempo and intensity more often than the norm, moving between slow/soft and fast/loud, giving Alanis a chance to express her angst in different musical settings. The rhythm guitar blasts in the choruses of "You Oughta Know," "You Learn," and "Ironic" are staples of FM radio, with intense and passionate vocals by Alanis. In the slower moments she also sings well, softly beautiful or showing good range, as in "Mary Jane." In "Head Over Feet," she demonstrates her ability to sing effectively in all the musical grooves. Opinions vary on this album--I have it coming barely short of five stars--but what I don't see at all is any shortfall in Alanis's vocals, which are superb. You'll find many good songs and some great ones, and consistently strong performances by the lead singer.

"Unquestionnably The Best Album of The 90s"
I never really liked Alanis until i heard "Ironic"..i then listened to her album and...wow, i jus completely changed my view on her. My personal favourite is "You Oughta Know", its just...rage and emotion, some think she's crazy, but..i think thats good music. Same goes to "Right Through U" and "Unforgiven". All the songs on this album are different from each other. They have different meanings and topics,no wonder why she won album of the year at the Grammys. I also love "Hand In My Pocket" and "You Learn". I love the harmonica in "Head Over Feet", u jus cant match it. "Mary Jane" really shows her vocal ability and her hittin the high notes, i guess u can call it the "ballad" on the album.Overall, whoever doesnt have this album..its a must, ur missin out.

Fingernails on a blackboard.........
If you like the sound of someone dragging their fingernails across a blackboard you'll love the sound of Alanis Morrisette's voice. Bad does not adequately describe this disaster of an album. I recommend playing this loudly and contiuously to death row inmates and then releasing the inmates...........they've suffered enought.

Heartfelt, soulful... buy it.
There are so many tracks on this album that are quality music. This was my introduction to Alanis' music and over the years I've watched her grow up, physically and metaphysically, and she's come a long way. Alanis isn't fake-y and she isn't just pulling a gimmick to get you to buy her albums (unlike Madonna, with the exception of Ray of Light by Madonna). Alanis has a pretty good website too, so if you're a fan, you should probably check that out as well. As a lyricist, her writing is somewhat subtle... some people may think the words are meaningless or insane, but really the meaning is deep and thoughtful. I appreciate her not treating her fans like they are brainless robots, there is much more to Alanis than first appearances would lead you to believe. In fact, of all the "stars" out there, if I could meet any of them, I would choose Alanis.

And yeah, I'd be so embarrassed if she read this. hehe ... Read more

Album Description

One of the most innovative soundtrack album series ever created launches with Music From The O.C. Mix 1. Featuring hip, recent, largely indie rock tracks heard on the FOX runaway hit sensation "The O.C.," the album is the first of several (at least one each 2004 quarter) designed to appeal to the 9 million to 11 million mainly teen and young adult fans who watch the drama each Wednesday night. The hottest show on TV with the hottest music on TV now has its own album series. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Not A Fan Of The Show?
This is such a great compilation. Even if you are not a fan of the show, it's hard not to like the music from it. Seriously, the show is great, but I didn't watch every episode... but yet, the songs all mean something special. If you are a fan of one of the bands on this album I highly recomend getting this cd because the other bands and artists are just as good. Here is a basic review of each song:

1) Paint The Silence 9/10 - Great Song To start the album with and a beautiful musical composition.

2) Just A Ride 8/10 - Cool song. Her voice goes great with the beat of the song.

3) Honey And The Moon 10/10 - Awesome song with really really good vocals and a great sound.

4) The Way We Get By 10/10 - This is actually one of the main reasons I bought this cd, it's a really cool and catchy song. Spoon is a really great band.

5) Move On 8/10 - Great Jet Song to put on the soundtrack.

6) How Good Can It Be 8/10 - Cool and Catchy song, sometimes it can be skipped though.

7) Caught By The River 10/10 - Beautiful song by The Doves with really good lyrics and an awesome sound.

8) Rain City 10/10 - This is one of my favorite songs on the cd. It's slow, but it's so good.

9) We Used To Be Friends 10/10 - This song is great and it really conveys the thoughts of being annoyed with old girlfriends.

10) Dice 15/10 - This is such a great song and probably my favorite song on the cd. The lyrics and different sound make it a terrific song.

11) Orange Sky 9/10 - Great Mellow song, the lyrics make the song.

12) California 10/10 - Probably why most people will buy this cd.. You can't help but like this song, it's great. Check out Phantom Planet's "The Guest" - it's an awesome cd.

- Another reason to get this cd is it's cool to see the clips from the show when the songs were used by putting it in your computer.

Great, just like the show
After watching countless episodes of The O.C., I noticed that the music they picked for the show was always excellent and really added to the scene and the storyline. I was thrilled when I found out that soundtracks were going to be released. Music From the O.C. Mix 1 is the first of many soundtracks from the show. Most of the artists aren't very well known, which I like because I probably wouldn't have gotten to hear them if they weren't featured on the soundtrack. Usually I buy a soundtrack for one or two of the tracks, but this one has good songs on the entire CD instead of just a couple standouts. I would recommend it to any O.C. fan, or to anyone who simply wants to listen to good music.

Great CD!
I got this cd as a gift from a friend, cause they knew I was a big oc fan. It's one of best cd's i own! All my friends and family love it and we all have different tastes in music. This isn't just for Oc diehards!

The OC
The OC is a terrible show and is just not cool I am cool not these loosers even the WB version is better then this junk and the music may be worst 1 star territory as the one and only Das Efx would say Wiggity-Wiggity-Wack

Recomended-OC the rapper now he is tight

amazing soundtrack!
i love The OC and when i saw this cd i just had to buy it. and i am SO glad i did! this is not the kind of music i would normally like but this soundtrack is excellent.

the best songs are "california" by phantom planet (the theme tune) and "we used to be friends" by the dandy warhols. overall: great show, great cd! can't wait for the mix 2! ... Read more

Amazon.com

While the hype machine forever proclaims this or that new artist to be "unique," "original," or "a fresh new voice," most of the time what you hear is more of the same old, same old. Thus, it is a rare joy to hear a newcomer that actually qualifies as all of the above. Mindy Smith fits loosely in the alt-country genre but adds some distinctive touches that set her apart from the field. A residency in Nashville brings a welcome Music Row level of craftsmanship to the playing and production, while her singing and songwriting take the music to places where cliché has never been. A song like "Hurricane" has a hook Faith Hill would kill for, but tells a tale of rebirth that might prove a little raw for her emotional range. Like Julie Miller, Smith writes songs that deal with redemption and spiritual matters in a way that is powerful without being off-putting to the more secular among us. Likewise she can write about her stepmother's passing in terms general enough to make it a stirring ode to the loss of any love--and do it in a voice that could make a statue misty. Smith more than held her own on the Dolly Parton tribute, Just Because I'm a Woman, alongside the likes of Alison Krauss, Norah Jones, and Dolly herself. One Moment More proves that it was no fluke. This time believe the hype. --Michael Ross ... Read more

Reviews (64)

EVERYONE NEEDS THIS CD! MINDY IS OUTSTANDING!
Wow! I was so impressed by Mindy Smith's debut album. She is definitly one of the best female singers anywhere. Her songwriting skills are unbelievable. Mindy's voice is the kind that only comes along once in a lifetime. So do yourself a favor and don't miss out on this CD. I wish I could tell you what the best songs on the album are but EVERY SINGE ONE is my favorite. I couldn't even pick one over another if I tried. Mindy caught my interest by singing "Jolene" on a Dolly Parton tribute album so I decided to keep an eye on any material she put out. I was beyond surprised at how great this CD is. I never would have expected something as emotional, thoughtful, and well put-together as Mindy's CD. Support Mindy Smith and go buy this CD as soon as possible!! You will never regret it.

Great, ORIGINAL Singer/Songwriter.
In a world of today, full of musical bubble-gum pop garbage such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, or rap such as 50 Cent or Eminem, Mindy Smith is in a world all her own.

She renews our faith that original singer and songwriters who write heartfelt lyrics still exist. And she makes her presence known. When she sings a song on this album, her lyrics are so filled with emotion, you can FEEL the song. And that's what good music to me is. A song that you can relate to, or even if you can't, you understand what the song is about, and you can feel it in the music. All of the songs on this CD are great, and I can easily listen to them all, but with any CD there are favorites. Stand-out songs for me are:

Angel Doves - A very great moving song. I am not a very religious person (at all, really) myself, but you can't help but feel this song. It really hits you. - "Spreading hope out over us, like angel doves."

Down In Flames - A slow, depressing, melancholy type of song. You can translate it several ways...but either way you do, you'll get a great meaning from this song. It's great. "I need some direction, I need someone to listen, someone to tell me that they know, that life's so hard, it's the little things that seem to be getting me today, yeah...and I'm going down in flames, going down in flames"

Hurricane - Another slow, melancholy type of song. The echo in her voice after she says she heard the faint trace of thunder is lovely. The lyrics are great, a really well put together song.

Jolene - Although a Dolly Parton cover, for anyone who may have never heard Dolly's version, you'd think Mindy Smith wrote it herself. I prefer this to Dolly (or anyone else's) version. Mindy Smith's voice is great on this song, especially on the "Jolene's"

One Moment More - I like the acoustic version better, without all the background music, it's more sad and sentimental, but this version is great too. Probably my 2nd favorite on the CD. A great love song. "You've got to hold me, yeah, and show me now...give me, just one part of you to cling to...and keep me, everywhere you are."

Raggedy Ann - My favorite song on this album. The level of emotion Mindy is able to write through these lyrics and through her voice in this song is unlike any I've ever heard. There's no way to describe it unless you hear it for yourself. The way she says "hey" a lot, is also wonderful. "I'm just a little girl, I'm Raggedy Ann, making believe I'm happy, hey, Raggedy Ann, falling apart at the seams."

To sum it up, this album is one of the best EVER. Amazing for a debut CD. The hype is real for this CD. Mindy Smith is not like any other artist out there today, she's unique. And that alone is warrant to at least give this CD a listen, add to that the songs are well-written, real, touching songs is a nice little bonus. I can't wait for a follow up album to this.

Best Album of the Year!
Every song on here is a winner.

This CD has folk, country & rock songs and they are all great.

I can't for Mindy to put out another CD and hopefully I'll see her in concert soon!

Buy this CD, it is great!!

To The Core Of One's Soul
I had never heard of Mindy Smith until I caught her opening for Jonny Lang last night in Saratoga and as guilty as I feel for saying this, I was totally and completely moved by her songs and her genuine and heartfelt love for her music! Her spectacular raspy voice can touch the inside of anyone who takes the time to listen to her! She will go far and I hope for many more CD's to be released by her! She wrote all of her own lyrics and damn, that gal can sing!

Saw her in concert
She is AWESOME! Last night I saw her in concert with Johnny Lang and she rocked! She filled the concert hall with her powerful voice and sent chills down our spines. I would recommend her to anyone! ... Read more

Reviews (91)

Something different, finally...
I totally disagree with the idea that these guys are anything like the Strokes or any other indi-pop band I've heard. These guys are actually good. The sound, as someone else mentioned, is refreshing. Every time I put the CD in, people ask who it is. For a debut, it's an unbelivable album.
In terms of influences, I hear undertones of The Black Crowes, AC/DC, Tom Petty, and Rolling Stones. Odd thing is, of those guys, the only one I like is Tom Petty. But I like Kings of Leon. They have some serious energy, great hooks, fun lyrics, and they play the hell out of their instruments.
There are two or three songs I don't like, but for the most part these guys put together a great string of tunes. "Happy Alone" will stick in your head for days. "Dusty" is probably my sleeper favorite. Sort of this spoken-word ramble with thumping bass and cool twangy guitar licks. Kinda like what you might get if you put Chuck Berry in a garage band...
I'd love to see them live, and will definitely check out their next album.

great band
I bought this album not knowing much about it. I had read some reviews and stuff and decided to give it a try. The first time I heard it I thought that it was really good. The vocals are different. After hearing the vocals a few times you get used to it. Once you get past that the album is awesome. The instrument play is above the rest. The only better instrument play these days is the White Stripes. The strokes suck and to compare Kings of Leon to them is absurd. If you cant see the southern rock influence then you dont live in the south and dont listen to our music. Buy this cd. You wont regret it. Oh yeah and if you are skeptical about the vocals dont be. They are good to. They arent your cookie cutter vocals. The lyrics are good to. Happy alone and Holy Roller Novicaine are the best tracks.

The Bottom Line
"New Southern Rock Band" is a term that seems to be all but extinct sans any project that has to do with a side-project or a re-tooled version of the Allman Brothers. Alas, here comes Kings of Leon. Youth & Young Manhood to me is almost the perfect quintessential debut album title for a younger rock band, and the attitude and presentation of their first release depicts this theme quite well. First of all, this IS a fresh, original sound. For the most part, Kings of Leon present themselves as a southern rock influenced group who speed things up a little but are careful to keep the soul intact. If the songs sound familiar, you might have heard them approximately every 10 minutes during the movie "Stuck on You," on which they are prominently featured. Rightfully so. Take this one with you on the road for a weekend trip, pop it into the player, and you'll have a new favorite.

One word - FANTABULOUS!
To be honest, i only bought this album because the 'kings' looked hairy, and i like hairy men! and thank the LORD i DID indeed buy this AMAZING album because it is the best debut album i have ever heard.The kings have introduced me to THE most beautiful and graceful song i have ever heard, 'talihina sky'. it is TRULY a work of art (and none of that rubbish you find in the tate modern).Some might say that Caleb's lead vocals are annoying, or even unbearable but to me, it is a refreshing change to hear raw and unspoiled vocals and it is a crying shame that so many artists have yet to take the jump and to stop using computers or whatever to 'perfect' their voices. I couldn't say what the best song on the album is because they are all so incredible it would break my heart to say. However, i can say that the highlight of listening to the album was pressing the 'repeat' button when the beautifully crafted 'talihina sky' ended and the album was over. What i also love about this album is during most of the songs ('Joes Head' and 'Trani' in particular) the lyrics seem so mixed up and Caleb's singing is so fast and his accent is so heavy that it is impossible to decifer what he is saying. However, i didn't care and carried on listening because the music truly speaks for itself. Also, when you look up the lyrics it is a nice surprise to find what the songs are about and then when you listen to them again it is almost as if the songs are reborn and they are now new to you. 'holy roller novocaine' has THE most amazing bass line which really made me listen to the music, rather than the lyrics. Caleb has a voice that could cut through glass and his raw lyrics are amazing. The drums also excell on this album and the drummer's backing vocals are also FABU! So, to sum up this BEAST of an album, it really made me fall in love with music all over again and if you want to own the most amazing debut album on the history of the earth, you would buy this record. Or if you choose not to, then you wouldnt know talent if it came up to with a lampshade on its head, shook your hand and said, 'hello, my name is talent, how u doin'?' PEACE OUT! (buy the record, if you regret it you may sue me!)

Best and Most Promising Debut of 2003
The Kings of Leon are the return of rock and roll. No band has rocked