Amazon.com's Best of 1998

A ghost, a band, a troubadour. Easily the strangest co-op project ever, and easily one of the finest and most evocative albums of the year. British socialist and folkie Billy Bragg was given unprecedented access to Woody Guthrie's unrecorded lyrics. Teaming up with alt-country band Wilco and quoting from more than 50 years of country, folk, and rock music, Billy and company bring Guthrie's politics, poetry, and morality to the end of the century and prove he's as necessary now as ever. --Tod Nelson ... Read more

Reviews (119)

I'd buy 10 cds to find this one.
I'd buy 10 cds to find this one! Billy Bragg and Wilco have created the feeling that Woody Guthrie is alive and well and enjoying a little rock and roll. Their use of Woody's lyrics with original music is still true to an evolving Woody if there could be one. The music grabs you emotionally, hard and holds you through each cut. It's riveting. The range is amazing from Woody in love with living cuts such as "Walt Whitman's Niece" to serious political tunes like "Eisler on the Go" that focus on the witch hunts of the '40s and '50s in a very human way. And then there's what could have been a children's song--"Hoodoo Voodoo." Who else but Billy Bragg with help from Nora Guthrie could have done this? The album is a real album. It's all there. You can feel Guthrie writing 1000 songs in twenty years and then spending the next twenty years trapped in a deteriorating body in a state hospital. Sadness but not desperation, Guthrie never gives! up. Bragg extends Woody's contribution by pulling music from the lyrics, many of them written after Woody realized he faced a horrifying disease. Whatever else you do, listen to Mermaid Avenue and love it!

Do you know how hard it is to JUST ADD LYRICS to music?
Especially if those lyrics are over 50 years old, practically poetry, and created by a master songwriter? Or put another way, imagine someone handing you the lyrics to a tune from "Nebraska" and saying, "OK, now just sing it real good." JESIS, I don't think so. And if that doesn't put this stellar effort by Bragg and Wilco into perspective, what more can I tell ya? [Eh, keep yer shorts on, there'll be another 3rd Blind Biscuit Korn Hole album out 'terrectly.] So i'm amazed they pulled it off? And with such interesting results -- there really is something here for all kinds of tastes: from the breadth of musical influences displayed [a bit of Dylan, Lennon, Garcia, the Band, it could on and on] to the lyrical content [from the personal to the political].

Essential? You'd have to agree.

Remember; this is not Woody's music.
This cd at least makes me wonder how Woody would've done it. I think the vocals would be edgier, and clearer,easier to understand and remember, even after one listening, as I can when listening to actual Guthrie recordings. Perhaps some of the sappier melodies here might have been a little harder, a little more manly, for lack of a better term. As for the choice of Bragg; I'd sooner have some digitalizing freak collect all of the appropriate Woody syllables, and put them back together into the 'new' material. Second choice, Dylan. Third choice, somebody who's not Billy Bragg.

4.5 Stars.... Masterful Mix of Guthrie Lyrics and New Music
Nora Guthrie, Woody's daughter, thought it might be fun to have new music set to Woody's "lost songs" (lyrics to which Woody had music set in his head, but he never published the music). Billy Bragg and Wilco may make a curious, or at least not a very obvious, choice for the task, but boy, are they up for it!

"Mermaid Avenue" (15 tracks, 49 min.) is a true collaboration between the artists. Some songs find Wilco's Jeff Tweedy at lead vocal, Bragg on others. Music on some tracks is written by Bragg, others by Tweedy/Bennett, yet others by Bragg/Wilco. While I'm a huge Wilco fan, I must admit that the Bragg-written songs are more coherent within the Guthrie legacy. Check out for example the sparse "Eisler On the Go", and "Another Man's Done Done" (with Tweedy on lead vocal). The best is "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key" (with Natalie Merchant on back vocals). Natalie also sings lead on "Birds and Ships". (So you really shouldn't be surprised by Natalie's fab collection of folk tunes "The House Carpenter's Daugther", issued independently last year).

In all, this is a terrific collection, which deservedly received a second volume as well. Recommended for fans of Billy Bragg, Wilco, Woddy Guthrie, and of course Bob Dylan.

I'll try to be brief, for a change
. . . If you are a Wilco fan and you don't have this album (and Vol. II), you should feel very silly, and buy this right now. It is absolutely sublime. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Best CD in the history of the world!...Ever!
Wow is this CD incredible! Not only does it have the hit single "meant to live" but it has one of my favorite switchfoot songs, "dare you to move" re-recorded, so it's alot crisper. But what I love most about this album is that is has sooo many cool extras like a never before released track "monday comes around" and it also has cool DVD clips to watch! All in all, this is the most fantastic CD purchase I've ever made.

Fantastically Awesome!
This CD really gives you more for your money! The music is amazing like "Dare You to Move," "This is Your Life" "On Fire" "Beautiful Letdown" "24" "Meant to Love" and every other song on this album is my favorite. (Do really expect me to choose only one?)
Not only that, but the Special Edition DVD really lets you see who the band really is. Switchfoot is not like any other band out there. The DVD has a music video on it and interviews from the band as well as some of their fans. You really get to see Switchfoot exposed!
The sticker looks great on cars, guitar cases, books, lockers, walls, you name it! It's an added plus! This special edition CD is a must have! It's one of the best bargains I've gotten in a while!

Beautiful
I love switchfoot! I can't wait to get their album. Not only ar they a great band, but they are Christian as well!

This album isn't a letdown
I got this album yesterday and I love it so much. Switchfoot is one of the best bands. This album is excellent from start to finish. The dvd is equally good and my favorite part is when Jon gives an acoustic performance of "On Fire". I can honestly say that every song is great. Everyone should get this cd/dvd set. It won't let you down. I love Switchfoot.

Switchfoot is the best
I have listened to this CD over and over again. If I were to say the CD was okay, I'd be lying. This CD is one of the best I've heard in a long time and if someone doesn't like the music or what it stands for they need to pay closer attention to it. Like I said before, this is one of the best CD's to come out for a long time and perhaps will be for a while longer. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ol' Willie has made records like this before, but the highpoints of It Always Will Be rank with some of his most realized, subtle, and sublime work. You'd have turn to the timeless "Always on My Mind" for a Nelson ballad as moving as the title track. When he surrenders the songwriting chores to Lucinda Williams, Tom Waits, and even Toby Keith (whose working-class ballad "Tired" devastates), he sings with his unmistakable, harrowing vibrato and arranges with his gift for down-to-earth, acoustic-based country majesty. The cameos from Norah Jones and Williams feel relaxed and unaffected, and the band--hired guns from Nashville plus Nelson's longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael--swings hard, adding a bit of richness to his tried-and-true Texas sound. Few artists in their twilight have lived up to, if not extended, their legacy like Willie Nelson has. --Roy Kasten ... Read more

Album Description

Formed in NYC in the mid-'70s by David Byrne, Chris Franz, Tina Weymouth, and ex-Modern Lover Jerry Harrison, Talking Heads soared out of their humble CBGB's beginnings to become Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and one of the most adventurous and influential bands ever. The onstage energy that propelled their rise to fame was documented in the 1982 double-LP set THE NAME OF THIS BAND IS TALKING HEADS, now available on CD for the first time. Following them through several early evolutions from '77-'81, this live gem - a 1982 Top 40 Billboard Album- is a riveting portrait of a stellar band on the rise. For its CD debut it's been expanded with over 30 minutes of rare and mostly previously unreleased bonus material. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

The Foo Fighters at their peak
Probably the best album to ever be released by the Foo Fighters, "The Colour & The Shape" further solidified Dave Grohl stepping out of grunge's shadow and making peace with the ghost of Kurt Cobain. Just about all the songs here on this album are catchy and seem made for radio friendly, but underneath that surface is a demonically comical feel combined with a lot of emotion. On songs like the short opener "Doll", "February Stars", and the classic single "Everlong" you can hear the raw emotion in Grohl's voice, and that is something that no one can fake. "Monkey Wrench" is still a great song, no matter how much it got overplayed, although another session of "My Hero" may prove nerve wracking considering it can be heard just about anywhere. Other great songs like "Hey! Johnny Park", "My Poor Brain", "See You", and "Walking After You" (featured on the X-Files film soundtrack) are all great songs as well, and the band's tight musicianship rounds out this excellent package. All in all, "The Colour & The Shape" is in my opinion the best Foo Fighters album yet, and is undoubtadly one of the finest albums of the 90's.

I HAVE MADE THE CONCLUSION THAT THE FOO FIGHTERS ARE AWESOME
This CD Is Awesome! I borrowed this CD from my guitar teacher.And I must say it's the best alternative rock album i've heard in my entire life.the best songs are "Doll" "Monkey Wrench" "Hey Johnny Park" "Up In Arms" "My Hero" "See You" And "Everlong".May i also add the video for "Everlong" is absolutely hilarious! Here's what i think!

1.Doll-GREAT START! A soft mellow guitar with Dave's soft whispering voice..but don't get to used to that voice
2.Monkey Wrench-WONDERFUL!I Knew it'd be good when i seen the name of the song
3.Hey Johnny Park-Awesome followup to "Monkey Wrench"
4.My Poor Brain-Good After The Intro
5.Wind Up-Disturbing Intro but then gets good,kinda like #4
6.Up In Arms-I LOVE THIS SONG! It's sorta like "doll" only better
7.My Hero-Another Single,GREAT SONG
8.See You-GREAT! Listening to it makes you think of them performing by a warm fireplace in a cozy cottage (?!)
9.Enough Space-NOT GOOD AT ALL I HATE IT! I HATE IT!
10.Febuary Stars-too slow to even get me into it
11.Everlong-The Best Foo Fighters Song Ever! HILARIOUS VIDEO
12.Walking After You-Stupid
13.New Way Home-AWESOME SONG! Sorta Like "Hey Johnny Park" Only Longer

SO I HIGHLY RECCOMEND YOU BUY THIS CD.IT'S A MUST BUY FOR ANY FOO FIGHTERS FAN. I'M ALSO THINKING OF PICKING UP "THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE" IF THE AMAZON.COM REVIEWS SAY GOOD ABOUT IT.

This is the best Foo Fighters of them all
"The Colour and the Shape" is the best Foo Fighters album, and that's saying a lot as they're all pretty good.

What sets it apart and above the rest is the depth of the album. For instance, while "There is Nothing Left to Lose" begins with three great songs it sort of tapers off as the album progresses. Not so with "The Colour and the Shape."

Songs like "Monkey Wrench", "My Hero", "Everlong", and "Walking After You" are well-known (and maybe slighly overplayed when it comes to the first two) but all 13 songs are quality listens. Moreover, the album grows on you with each spin -- I remember liking some songs but not others at first but now really like the whole thing. I really doubt this is an album you would grow tired of or only hear a lot at first and then let collect dust.

I think the Foo Fighters are one of the coolest bands around and this represents the coolest of their work. Each song is pretty good; the guitar on this album is rugged and hard-charging without ever devolving into headache-inducing noise.

Awsome, one of their best
This cd's for sure one of the Foo Fighter's best albums. All the songs are really original and a breath of fresh air. Lyrics are great, sound is great, I can't say anything bad about this album, all the songs are awsome.

This is a given
How can anyone out there claim to be a rock fan without owning or experiencing this album. Everlong is one of the best written and produced songs, just listen to it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Torrential creativity has fast-forwarded the artistic evolution of former Whiskeytown frontman Ryan Adams from country-rock boy wonder (see Faithless Street) to despondent troubadour with a 1960s fixation (his solo debut Heartbreaker), but it may also explain why listeners often need to wade through some pedestrian material just to find a few pearls of poetic excellence. Gold is no exception to that trend, a sometimes engaging middle-of-the-road roots-pop album that's both overlong (70 minutes) and at times overindulgent. There are high spots--such as the bouncy, breezy opener "New York, New York" and the plaintive ballad "When the Stars Go Blue" (which features a vocal turn reminiscent of Morrissey)--but much of the disc gets lost in forests of indistinct guitars and plodding percussion that never nudges Adams into actually rocking. Gold is the work of a notoriously prolific songwriter who hasn't yet learned to play to his strengths, one whose execution doesn't yet match his vision. --Anders Smith Lindall ... Read more

Reviews (116)

Small town boy makes gold
Its hard to believe that Jacksonville, NC born Ryan Adams would become a staple video for the healing of the September 11th tragedies. Some would even look at the patriotic album cover and title track, "New York, New York" and believe that the album is simply meant to aid the healing process.
Actually, Adams sings of a love he spent some time with in the famous Big Apple city, and despite the music industry's desire to make his ballad a tribute to the injured city, Adams simply is an example of coincidence at just the right time.
The album is filled with Adam's most familiar works. His sweet sing-song alt-country voice blankets the album with musical genius. The wonderfully written tunes, from beginning to end, are laden with guitar, sax, and only a sound the frontman from Whiskeytown could acheive. The album is calm and soothing, but certainly has its pick-me-up tracks as well. As for the appearance of patriotic support, its mere coincidence, but comes at a time when the people of New York are welcoming to a healing hand.

Truly a masterpiece
This is one of the best albums to be released over the past few years. Ryan really struck gold(excuse the pun) with this album, the album he was always capable of making. There is a constant fresh and timeless sound to this album and will be looked back on in years to come as a classic- it will never lose its freshness.
Ryan brilliantly combines his amazing talents as both a country and rock(NOT 'country rock') singer songwriter. Of the mellow acoustic tracks, 'La cienage smile' is amazing, moody and sad, firecracker is nothing short of genius with Ryan showing brilliant flexibility in his vocals. 'Somehow Someday' is lovely and original.
Of the Rock Tracks, 'Enemy Fire' stands out with Ryan using his Kurt Cobain scratched vocals to brilliant effect. 'Nobody Girl' is an emotional nine minute epic and is hard to come down after. 'Tino Toledo's street walkin blues' has a brilliant electric riff and smells of US street life- incredible.
In conclusion this is as a fine album you are going to hear in your life with its honesty, heartbreak, Lou Reed style street commentary, Springsteen styled rockin and patriotism and mysterious Adams' own recipes. Buy now and enjoy.

-
i never thought i could love a cd so much in all my life. his music is creative, sexy, honest, thoughtful, unique...this is an excellent cd and even better than his first solo work. out of all of his solo albums (heartbreaker, gold, demolition, rock and roll and love is hell parts 1 & 2) i rate this as the best. those who have heard the corrs' cheap rip off of 'where the stars go blue' will be surprised to hear the original version written by ryan adams. he shines on tracks 1, 4, 5, and 7. track 8 is the longest and best on the entire cd because it contains so many moods and styles. his creativity is astounding.

Rate This CD On The Quality of the Music
I was reading the reviews people wrote for this album and there was this one that caught my eye: Reviewer: A music fan from Houston, Texas United States
We have men dying for their country and ryan adams turns the flag upside down. One more of the useless socialist elite. When clinton was bombing Serbia for 80 days straight, where were the elite complaining about the "evil America" then. The silence was deafening!

Are you an absolute idoit, you dont like this cd because the cover of it. Give me a break. Please listen to the music on the CD and rate that not the CD cover. Well for the people who like true music and dont rate CDs on the front cover's picture, but listen to the music and you will like it for what it is. This is one of the best true rock n roll albums to come out in years.
GO BUY ALL RYAN ADAMS' CDS.

When you're young, you get sad...
I would have to agree with Michael Elliot about that one blindly "patriotic" guy, A Music Fan, who wrote a negative review, probably without even hearing the album, just because there's an upside-down american flag. What an pathetically ignorant bandwagoner. I bet he's the type that never gave the flag a second look or thought if ever he once glanced up to look at it before 9/11, yet now stubbornly defends it from any perceived offence, regardless of logic or foundation. Stuff like that simply pisses me off. Bet he was one of those ethnocentric jackasses who had, like, twelve flags on his truck too.

Anyway, on to that album. This one is my personal favorite from Ryan Adams' rather prolific career. "New York, New York" was the first Ryan Adams song I ever heard, and it's the reason I bought this record. Kind of a big risk for a college student with access to both iTunes and MyTunes (which I have since deleted), but I believe a very few musicians actually deserve this money.

Adams' music could be called rather loosely constructed one-take alt-country. It's like lo-fi, if lo-fi albums were recorded with decent equipment. You almost can't tell if there's a group of professional musicians in a multi-million dollar studio, or if it's some guy in his basement with a tape loop jammin' out. The musical spectrum Ryan Adams has recorded here is quite broad; soft crooners like "La Cienega Just Smiled" and mid-tempo sing-alongs like "Answering Bell" are placed next to each other. Yet at no point does this album feel disjointed or meandering. As a whole the album rises and falls like waves until it hits its high-water mark at "Gonna Make You Love Me" and slides slowly back into the sea with "Goodnight, Sunset Blvd." The lyrics, however, are the highlight. Adams said in an interview that he views the actual song as the lyrics, that the music is only a vehicle for the lyrics. What are the lyrics like? Depressed, mostly, but at all times poetic and graceful. Great album, you really ought to check it out if you're into Wilco or MMJ. The burgeoning alt-country scene is picking up right now, following Wilco's lead, and I hope Ryan Adams gets his due for this incredible work.

Also, I wonder if that idiot realizes that the reason we have soldiers dying in Iraq is because there are too many people who, like him, believe the crap the president is trying to sell us. Sadly, he is a part of the problem, and is too blind to realize it. Oh, the irony. I have never flaunted my nationality, even when in Europe, where they're used to guys like him, the ugly american. But I've never been ashamed to be American until people like him came about. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Though punk rock rarely emphasizes a vocalist's emotional range and subtlety, John Doe distinguished himself during the glory days of X as arguably the finest singer that punk has ever spawned. His latest solo release gives him more room to stretch, showcasing a vocal expanse that is equal parts romantic hope, world-weary resignation, and hard-boiled desperation--sometimes all at once, as on "Mama Don't" (sung with his 16-year-old daughter Veronica Jane). While rarely sounding generic or nostalgic, the music draws from the same blues and country roadhouse roots that X did (and its side project, the Knitters, did even more). The acoustic "Worried Brow" and "Twin Brother" (in harmony with Grant Lee Phillips) spotlight Doe's voice at its most supple. X fans will find that band's spirit renewed in the propulsive "Heartless," powered by Dave Alvin's guitar; the narcotic rush of "Ready" (a cautionary tale); and the songwriting collaboration with former bandmate and wife Exene Cervenka "Hwy 5," with Neko Case serving as Doe's female vocal foil. "There's doom in my heart and blood in your eyes," sings Doe in "The Losing Kind," the noirish opener. His music may have gotten softer, but John Doe hasn't. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Sludgefest Sounding Greatness
This is where Dinosaur Jr. shined!It is back in print, thanksJ, and Merge.Yes.It was trouble to find this before this reissue and this is an essential to Dinosaur fans or 80s Psychedelic Post-Punk fans of SST bands(what label do we file these wonderful bands under?)Check out the other reissues also.

Little Fury Things opens the album beautifully with the wah pedal and screams...yet it turns out to a great pop tune with nice sounding vocals backing up J.The album sound is loud and guitar-driven obviously by Mascis!He plays the guitar with passion and lots of energy and great solos.He's probably one of the most original, passionate guitarist to come along.He mumbles the vocals though. Murph is a good drummer and he's back with tour with Dinosaur Jr. Lou is an interesting bassist and there's something different about his bass playing, but it rings good on all of the early Dinosaur Jr. albums.He also takes lead on two Dinosaur songs on here.One of them is "Poledo", which is completely lo-fi and kind of interesting.It runs a little long though and tends to be just weird noise in some parts, but it's all done on his own and there may be ukulele in the song.

The best songs are the intense "The Lung"(played on the Late Late Show" recently), the ultra heavy "Sludgefest",the single "Little Fury Things", the poppier "In a Jar", the downcast "Tarpit", the bonus track Cure cover "Just Like Heaven", and "Poledo" stands out.

Show Me The Way
J Mascis has said that he didn't include Show Me The Way because he doesn't like it. It was him, not Merge. BUY THIS RECORD AT ALL COSTS!

Still Sounds Great
YLAOM still stands out as one of the best underground/alternative/progressive/college-music/whatever albums from the mid-late 1980's. My taste in music has changed considerably since that time, but, unlike many other--well, loud--recordings from the period, I always gravitate back towards YLAOM and the follow-up BUG, both of which are awash in crazed screeching feedback but somehow sustain a sense of melody at times.As for the remastering, it's excellent.The levels were so low on the old SST CD version that you had to bump the volume all the way up when listening.Merge has cleaned up and amplified everything, although it still keeps that low-fi sound that's part of the production.

It melted my face
I'll never be the same after rediscovering Dino.After listening to this reissue, I took all my other cds out of my truck, and re-filed them in my basement.They all appeared totally irrelevant and meaningless compared to Living All Over Me.Then I went and ordered all the other Dinosaur re-releases.

Legendary Album Back In Print!
In 1987, Dinosaur Jr. realeased their seminal masterpeice, 'You're Living All Over Me'. This is an album that sounded like nothing being recorded at the time, except The Jesus & Mary Chain and Sonic Youth, the latter of which Dinosaur Jr. have quite alot in common with. This album is part of a trilogy of albums they made with their original lineup in the mid 80's which included 'Dinosaur' and 'Bug', respectively. For sheer intensity and noise, not much can touch this album. 'Little Furry Things' may be the best song in Dinosaur Jr. catalog, while 'The Lung' and 'Raisins' are some of the most melodic. Then comes 'Tarpit', a song that doesn't seem like it can get any louder, and then....IT DOES, moving eerily into My Bloody Valentine territory. This song epitomizes what Dinosaur Jr.'s sound is all about, loud guitars and etheral vocals that float aimlessly atop the feedback blasts.

But now for the bad news...or in other words, the re-issue. Unfortuanetly Merge removed the cover of Peter Frampton's 'Show Me the Way' and replaced it with the equally brilliant but unnessary (at least on this album) Cure cover 'Just Like Heaven'. On the other side of the coin though, there are two music videos, one for 'Little Furry Things' and 'Just Like Heaven'. So if you don't have this album, then buy it ASAP because the original CD's have been OOP for quite some time and are difficult to find for a resonable price. But do whatever you have to do to get this landmark album; one of the 10 best of the 1980's and one that defined a genre. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

awesome awesome
for all those bashing Kutless putting out a worship album, what the freak are u talking about.I bet all my money that every christian band out there started out loving worship songs and playing them on their acoutics.using their voices and talents for worship music is awesome, if not innovative.if u dont like worship music, then go back to their first two albums, if not check this.

Praise From Mother-and-Daughter Fans
"Strong Tower" is certainly a departure from Kutless' previous two CDs, but no less a true keeper.I (a 35-year-old mother and fan of alternative rock since late 1980s) have all 3 of their CDs that my teenage daughter is forever confiscating them for her own singing & listening pleasure.Currently, we're both on a "Strong Tower" binge.When a parent & child enjoys listening to the same sounds, I think that's a pretty cool thing.

Missed Opportunity
Kutless is undeniably blessed with musical talent.Produced by Aaron Sprinkle (of Poor Old Lu and solo artist fame), they seemed to be lined up for a successful rockin' worship album.Alas, for reasons unknown the band released too little creative license to make any of the selected tracks stand out.For example, "Take me in" is the perfect song for Kutless, just begging for a 2nd stanza to be written.Instead, the band simply repeats the 1st stanza over again...exactly like they performed it 30 seconds ago."Word of God Speak" is too new to be covered...everyone still likes the original.Instead, I would rather have seen the talents of Kutless applied to some youth group favorites like "I Surrender" or a Promise Keepers tune like "Knowing You."Maybe next time...

Will you listen over and over again?Probably not. Highly recommend Jars of Clay's "Redemption Songs" instead.

"Rock" praise and worship at it's best. !
"Rock" praise and worship at it's best.

Share this with a friend and be blessed !

What to expect
I bought this album even though I didn't care for "Sea of Faces". This one I absolutely love because the music is not too hard and every song is spiritualy centered, which is what I didn't like about "Sea of Faces". The sound I go for in CCM is that of Caedmon's Call, Third Day, Casting Crowns, and Jars of Clay. Though being harder rock than these guys, this album fits into my collection nicely and I highly recomend it. If you like this edgy sound of P&W you should also check out emerging artists Decemberadio's latest albums (double release) "Noise" & "Dangerous". You can find them at Decemberadio.com. ... Read more

Reviews (64)

Good music, good project, some bad choices
Collective Soul's greatest hits effort marks a major point in their career: it is evidence that they have had enough hits to warrant such a project. Just because Collective Soul doesn't get the airplay they deserve on Top-40 stations or because the band isn't always placing singles in the Hot 100 doesn't mean that they aren't popular or deserving of a greatest-hits disk. In fact, Collective Soul continues to "Shine" above other contemporary acts based on sales alone. The two new songs "Energy" and "Next Homecoming" are typical guitar-laden and guitar-driven songs, and if I had to choose one of them, I would say that I prefer "Energy." However, I was disappointed in the track selection for this CD. I did not expect "Heavy" to make this CD, especially considering that I never have heard it on the radio except on stations that play album tracks; I would have preferred (and expected) either or both of "Needs" and "No More, No Less," partly based on the fact that these DID get airplay on mainstream radio. I also was disappointed in the selection of "Forgiveness"; to me it is not a particular good song, at least not compared to other Collective Soul tracks. I think that "Maybe" or "Link" would have been a better choice if they wanted a third track from Disciplined Breakdown. However, I think that an overall better choice for inclusion is Perfect Day, even if it had been the version without Elton John.
I commend Collective Soul, their recording company, and their agency for embarking on a greatest hits project. It must have been difficult to decide which songs to include given the groups tremendous success; however, as a devoted fan, I feel that some bad choices were made. In the end, that is the reason why I rate this CD only at 4 stars.

Collective Soul does it again
There is no way that I could ever rate a CS cd any less than 5 stars. However, putting unreleased tracks on a 'greatest hits' album did seem a little odd. I'm over it, because within a week the songs have already grown on me and I love them. I have been a devoted CS fan forever, and to see effort to put a greatest hits album out meant a lot to me, and I hope that it gets their name out a little bit, because they have been overlooked in many ways. I have seen them two times in concert, and they have played all of the songs off the CD, except the unreleased one. I was extremely pleased with the track selection, however I was hoping that "Where the River Flows" would have been on the CD. The "7even year itch" CD is an absolute must have for all fans of early to mid 90s rock, and this CD is excellent. I didn't go a day from it's release date without it. It is a must buy.

Impressive for a Greatest Hits record
I, originally, had no intention in buying this album. I'm not a big fan of "Greatest Hits" records. I mean, why buy 1 CD when you could buy a whole[]load of them, right? I got this CD because I owned only 1 Collective Soul CD(Blender) and I was going to see them in concert. I decided it would be nice if I knew at least most of the songs they preformed. I was considering the fact that I had only heard 3 of their songs apart from "Why Pt 2", which I only knew from Blender. These included "Shine", "December", and "The World I Know".
I fell in love with this album almost instantaneously . My favorite tracks became "Heavy", "Energy", and "Forgiveness". Other honorable mentions were "Run", "Gel", and "Precious Declaration". Eventually I would have ended up naming all of them without hesitation, so basically each song would at least recieve 41/5 stars. You HAVE to see these guys in concert! It's amazing! After I saw them, they flew from my list of great bands to my list of favorites and soared to the top. I can't speak less of these guys. See(or at least hear) for yourself. Definately going to buy the rest of their albums once I can afford them! Woo-Hoo!

Collective Soul - Simplicity of Alternative Rock
Hearing from many of my friends about the great things Collective Soul has in the music world (and because I was looking for an extra addition to my dwindling CD collection), I decided to check out this CD.

Kids, adults, ladies and gents? I was completely amazed at what a group such as this could give: simple, yet trendy rock that someone like me can appreciate. I enjoy every single track on all of their CDs, and the fact that one came out giving the band's greatest hits is a must have.

After seeing the band in concert and seeing their unique yet fresh rock style, I just had to get my hands on some of their music, namely their Dosage and self-titled CD from their popular songs "December", "Run", and "The World I Know," all of which are on this CD.

Recently I saw this CD on Amazon.com and decided to buy it from the great tracks given on it plus a couple of extras called "Energy."

For those of you like me who just enjoy simplistic music without the techy information or warped music, this is definitely one of many CDs worth looking into. It's all about simplicity and fresh music with this group; get this CD! You'll see what I mean :)

Who decides what to put on a greatest hits cd?
This is not the first time that the music industry has put out a cd of "greatest hits" and had no real clue of what they were doing. I'm not sure who's in charge of deciding what to put on a greatest hits cd, but they really should poll the fans for a better idea of what to put on there.

Good songs that were included on this cd are:
Heavy
Shine
Energy (new one)
Run
Gel
Precious Declaration
Why Pt. 2
The World I Know
Listen
December

Songs that were completely left off for reasons unknown to any Collective Soul fan:
Blame
Where The River Flows
Maybe
Simple
Perfect Day
Vent
Boast
Generate

If you're looking for a greatest hits of Collective Soul I would suggest that you purchase individual songs from Napster or iTunes or whatever and create your own compilation. The price will be about the same and the quality of the compilation will be much better. The only reason it gets a 3 star vote is that it's Collective Soul and I can't give them anything less. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After two years off following the release of the genre-expanding Nimrod, the usually insouciant trio Green Day are open to some weighty self-analysis. Gone are the raging rants, cartoonish antics, and anthropological musings about the punk scene, replaced by an introspection that brings to mind Michael Stipe and Bono. Like the U2 frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong still hasn't found what he's looking for, but he knows where he's been and is eager to move past the days when Green Day were considered the clown princes of rock. Witness "Jackass," which cautions, "Everybody loves a joke, but no one likes a fool." Proving that they aren't fools, Green Day take a substantial step forward, exploring new rhythms, sonics, and subjects. While many of the tracks are still cheeky and infectious, the deceptively simple melodies belie a quest for meaning, faith, and fulfillment. There's a tentative optimism here that's tempered by irony and flashes of self-loathing. Still, Warning transcends the darkness that clouded 1995's Insomniac. No longer so under the sway of the Buzzcocks and the Ramones, this time Armstrong and company dip into the early rock canon--the Beatles and Bob Dylan, among them. As a result, their first self-produced album is more "Nowhere Man" than "Blitzkrieg Bop." --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Reviews (423)

Sellouts? I think not. Can you say "growing up"?
Green Day does it again, like they do every single time. Every time they are met by a skeptical crowd. No one wants to accept the growth, and the fact that things change. People change and grow. Little BJ isn't 18 anymore. Is a 27 still gonna write songs about leaving home, or about that girl he likes? Nope, unless theres a serious problem. He'll write about problems he faces with his wife, relationships, things he's learned. Things such as that. The first thing you need to know before listening to this wonderful band is that they are Green Day. They are not pop, they are not punk, they are not anything... but Green Day. They're in a group of their own. Lets get down to the music, shall we? The lyrics are the deepest I've seen. Witty, catchy... they really make you think. Also, the actual music is really great too. Theres a lot of variety. Some songs are slower (Warning), some are faster and more energetic (Jackass), and some are catchy and fun (Blood, Sex, and Booze).

What else can I really say? I could take up pages talking about Green Day and their music. I must cut this short, though. If any of you would like to talk, get in touch with me. Green Day fans are the best people in the world!

Warning is hopefully, only a test
It might be possible(I hope) that "this is only a test" (-lyric from the first song) to see whether or not fans will like this music. I'm a big fan of Green Day and have all their cds minus their imports 'cause their expensive. I went and got the new Green Day album this morning and I'm a little confused. This album is definitely more layed back than previous albums. It seems to be more thought out but I find it to be boring at times. I've gotten into an alarming appreciation for Green Day's music in that I can just plop the cd into the player and not worry about not liking any of the songs because I like all of them. The new cd changed all that. About half the songs off "Warning" are dull and irritating. I read the review for the "warning" album off of Amazon.com and I was upset at how a band can change so much because of a little name calling and a search for some sort of self identity. I don't think they're the clown princes of rock and it was because of those early albums that Green Day has become as well known as they are today. I waited 3 years for this CD people! I hope that future albums aren't like this. It gets 3 stars 'cause it's Green Day and I liked about half the songs.

'Cause I'm thinkin' 'bout a brand new hope.....
Green Day is a good band but they just like Metallica, eventually slowed things down. Nevertheless this is a good album with some highlights like Blood, Sex and Booze and the incredible beautiful and fantastic Macy's Day Parade. This song is really great, and definetly their best ballad.
NI!

Different in a really good way
Green Day was already my favorite band and this cd ranks right up there with all the rest of their cds and maybe even exceeds them. It's different than their other cds, but you still get the same good vibe. My favorite songs are Warning, Minority, Deadbeat Holiday, and Waiting. I think more than half the songs on this cd should be on "International Superhits." In closing, I recommend it to any fan of the band.

great cd...not my favorite
green day is my favorite band...i dont know what cd is my favorite but not this one. but i still really like this. its got a lot of different sounds on it.

1. Warning - one of my favorites...you might have heard this on the radio or something. its funny. 5/5
2. Blood, Sex And Booze - this song is good. 4/5
3. Church On Sunday - its funny...goes from Blood sex and booze to Church on sunday....sex and booze to church....ooo bad. okay i'm weird....this is one of my favorites..dont know why. i like it. 5/5
4. Fashion Victim - this song annoys me 3/5
5. Castaway - i like this song. 4/5
6. Misery - oh man this song....way to funny. 5/5
7. Deadbeat Holiday - wake up the house is on fire...and the cats caught in the dryer....yay the best lyric. 5/5
8. Hold On - this song is cool with the harmonica....4/5
9. Jackass - this song annoys me...its got a saxiphone guy in it....3/5
10. Waiting - oh you've all heard this....4/5
11. Minority - yeah this song is good. 5/5
12. Macy's Day Parade - this is my favorite song on the whole cd. its slow and just really good. 5/5

yeah that was no help but i'm bored. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Blessed with a soulful and expressive voice and an innate grasp of the melodies and themes of traditional country music, Gillian Welch has made three beautiful, often brilliant, albums. Yet, one can make the case that she's still searching for her own true artistic voice. Soul Journey brings her ever closer to that elusive goal. After 2001's austere, solemn, at times inscrutable Time (The Revelator), this follow-up finds Welch showing more warmth, ease, and openness as both singer and songwriter. As the title portends, the concept of travel (physical and emotional) is a prevailing thread throughout these 10 tracks; she sings of rolling stones "on the road to sin," travelers on "black highways," girls "running around with the ragtop down" and "at the station rolling slow." These characters, perhaps autobiographical, are simultaneously searching for and running away from their pasts, while soft drums, fiddles, organs, and Dobros add a welcome bit of lightness. With the trusty David Rawlings again at Welch's side, the songwriting and production till the earth between their old-time heroes and more modern troubadours like Townes Van Zandt and Neil Young (both the bucolic strummer and, on the closing "Wrecking Ball," the ragged electric wanderer). For Welch and for us, Soul Journey is yet another fascinating rest stop on the never-ending road to self-discovery. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Wanted more from a "Soul Journey"
Gillian Welch is one of our most interesting songwriters and artists, whose career arc, so far, has been just about right (reminicent, in a way, of Bob Dylan's early career -- from solid roots imitation to something more personal, expanded and potentially exciting). But Welch's latest album, "Soul Journey," seems to be a minor detour, and not an entirely satisfying one.
True, her singing continues to be soulful and beautifully clear. And some of the songs are little gems, with the subtle progression in perspective and sensibility that gives her songwriting depth and accuracy. But, she takes few chances here and doesn't even attempt the lyric exploration that seemed to make her last album a harbinger of wonderful things to come. And almost as disheartening is the fact that the riveting and jazz-like instrumental (acoustic) interplay from "Time the Revelator" is almost entirely absent here. Maybe this is just a career rest stop. That's fine. But, please, next time -- more David Rawlings and more Gillian Welch.

The fourth stop on Welch's musical Journey!
There's something about Gillian Welch's music that is enough to make any listener believe that she is a walking anachronism. Her low, haunting vocals, combined with acoustic, traditionally styled songs create music that sounds as if it came right out of the era when the recordings of Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family gave birth to country music over seventy years ago. In short, from her lyrics to instrumentation to appearance, Welch seems decidedly out of place in a culture where the very mention of country music conjures up images of Faith Hill and a skankily clad Shania Twain. Despite the fact that she is one of the most underrated musicians in the music world, Welch, along with her musical partner David Rawlings, is apt at producing music that consistently wow her fan base.

Thus, it is no surprise that Soul Journey, Welch's fourth album, is no exception to this rule. The follow up to 2001's critically acclaimed Time (The Revelator), Welch once again delivers a collection of beautiful original songs sure to impress any listener of great folk music. While it fails to match the diversity and overall quality of Revelator, Soul Journey makes for a stunning album and excellent continuation of the style she has established over the last several years. Tracks such as the bluesy "Look At Miss Ohio" and "I Had A Real Good Mother and Father," with its soaring vocals as the prominent focus of the song, seem to echo the finest moments of Revival, Welch's debut album, while "One Little Song" and "Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor" conjure up thoughts of "Dear Someone" and "Everything Is Free" from her preceding release. While the album includes far more production (namely, the frequent use of drums) than her previous records, it does not overtake or drastically alter the sound, and in fact adds a folk/rock flavor to tracks such as "Wrecking Ball" (not to be confused with the title track of Emmylou Harris's 1995 album-this one is a Welch/Rawlings original).

While the entire album, from lyrics to arrangements to music, is the product of Welch and Rawlings' own creativity, the echoes of Welch's greatest musical influences cannot be hidden. Tracks such as "Lowlands" are reminiscent of songs by Neil Young and other musical geniuses of the early to mid-'70s and "Wayside" could easily be covered by Nanci Griffith with little differences between the two recordings. Most obviously, "No One Knows My Name" is strikingly Carter-esque, the tune even being an exact copy to the note of "Motherless Children," one of country music's first family's classic songs.

Whether one is a fan of traditional country, contemporary folk music, or beautifully crafted lyrics and songs, Soul Journey is a must for any CD collection. In the album's first track, Welch sings, "Oh, me oh my-oh-look at Miss Ohio." Look at Gillian Welch. This album, just like her previous three, is going to go far.

Definitely could have been a couple of songs shorter...
There's some great stuff on this CD. "Look at Miss Ohio," Wayside/Back in Time," "One Little Song," "Wrecking Ball" and "One Monkey" being among my favourites. There's a couple of songs, though, that just don't rise to Welch and Rawlings usual genius and you wish they'd held back until they came up with better ones. "I Had a Real Good Mother and Father" and "Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor" particularly just don't do anything for me. They're not bad, but they just don't go anywhere and ultimately detract from what could have been a really great CD. It's frustrating to listen to therefore as I find myself skipping past the ones I don't like.

My favourite Gillian Welch album yet
Simple, direct, beautiful songs, sound and production. I've always admired Gillian's music but this is the first album I've loved all the way through. Less melancholic than her others, it reminds me of when another melancholic artist, Townes van Zandt made what I think is his best album in the similarly direct and simple "At My Window". More please

Real talent keeps on changing
It's probably the sincerist, hippest tribute that Welch is now criticized by some of her duller (if definitely sincere) admirers for the crime having surprised them - it's *so* Bobbie Dylan in 1964...

In the meantime, Soul Journey sees Welch bring her trademark combination of angelic voice and hellish insight to an album that includes (oh the horror!) songs that sound like they were written after World War 2. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Brendan Benson is the kind of guy who still sits by the AM radio late at night, spinning the tuning dial from one end to the other in a hopeless search for the perfect pop song. Little does he know he's considerably helped his own plight by making an album full of them. Unlucky in both love and money, the Detroit singer-songwriter has plenty to chew on with his third disc. Using wistful bubblegum melodies and crisp '60s harmonies, in tunes like "Feel Like Myself" and "Cold Hands (Warm Heart)" he lashes out at former lovers and A&R men with equal venom. "I always wind up screwed without a kiss," he hisses on the Phil Spector inspired "The Pledge." But, in the end the man who counts Jack White and Beck as devoted fans, knows impending success is the best payback. "Maybe I've been caught red-handed, making off like a lucky bandit/ This wasn't how I planned it," he gloats on the title track. It's really hard to argue. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (15)

I HEART BRENDAN BENSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found out about Brendan because he was opening for Keane. I went into it having no idea who he was and the minute he started to play I was hooked! This guy knows how to rock! And what I really love is how he combines so many era-sounds to make awesome Music!!! Buy this cd, you will not be dissapointed!!

Am I Missing Something?
I saw Brendan Benson open for Keane last night. I mostly looked up the reviews on him because I was, quite frankly, appalled. My friends and I spent most of his set laughing at the stupidity of his lyrics. We assumed that he was someone Keane had brought in because the actual opener had cancelled at the last minute. When I checked online this morning and discovered that Benson has actually experienced some acclaim, I was very surprised. And Jack White likes him too? Why?

I very much feel like I am missing something here. Where's the appeal? Sure, Benson's cute, and his music is not innept, but we all agreed that he should pay someone else to write his lyrics for him. Perhaps Benson's music would be more listenable (at least for me) if his diction wasn't so good. Sadly, however, I could understand everything he sang, and he sounded like a complete idiot.

"Whenever you feel me slipping away, that's when you should hold me tight," makes me doubt Benson (or at least whoever he's impersonating in his songs) has never progressed beyond junior high school relationships. The rhyming is perhaps the worst part, and one person I was with suggested that perhaps its atrociousness stemmed from Benson's overreliance on a rhyming dictionary.

I don't doubt that Benson's previous albums have been better, and do not find him wholly untalented. However, as for last night, I have never been less impressed by a musical act in my entire life.

Benson finally reaches power pop nirvana
I feel compelled to write this review after reading Mr Otwell's savage mauling of this album.I don't like to criticise the opinion of others but I really must protest at someone who reckons that Benson has lost his ability to write good music.

The simple truth is that 'Alternative To Love' is a masterpiece.

I already own 'Lapalco' and 'One Mississippi' but I always felt that they were patchy affairs.One or two songs on either album hinted at Benson's talent but over all there were too many half tunes to contend with.

On 'Alternative To Love', Benson really gets it right.
The songs are more straight forward power pop than before.

Musical highlights are many.I especially love the title song 'Alternative To Love'.It's great to hear layer upon layer of harmonies and great guitar work.The harmonica solo is a big bonus as well.I also love 'Biggest Fan'.It's the work of a genius.The keyboard (I think it's a Moog or a Melletron ?) dominates the track.Other highlights for me would be 'Flesh And Bone'.It's a nice melancholic track. Benson achieves the right mix of sadness and joy.
Any non-believers out there should listen to 'I Feel Like Myself Again' to dispel any nagging doubts about this man's genius.This song is an anthem to the power pop generation.It's a song similar to 'Surprise' by Semisonic - an uplifting song about finding your confidence again.A wonderful wonderful optimistic track - everything a power pop song should be.

I was doing a bit of research on this album and I found out that Benson recorded the album and then handed the tapes over to the producer with the instruction to 'fill out' the sound.This was a masterstroke.The producer added keyboards, vocal dubs and other technical flourishes to give the album a fuller sound.

I wish more artists would take a leaf out of his book and do the same !

I believe that at the moment Benson is collaborating with his friend Jack White of The White Stripes on new material.I'm not expecting too much from this.I can't see how White's back to basic blues approach will blend in with Benson's intricate power pop.Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised....

Its really good
Brendan bensons new cd is really good, if you like brendans stuff you will dig it. Its not going to be another Lapalco, because if it was it would be very dissapointing to see that brendan isnt maturing as a musician. I mean, if he wrote another "Good to me" would we really be impressed?

"Between us" is defenatly my favorite song on the album, its so good it gave me chills when i heard it live. The albums awesome, and you should buy it, end of story.

Good framework...frustrating listen
Brendan Benson's 'Alternative To Love' is sort of a frustrating listen, in that you can see the framework of great songwriting that never really materializes.Songs like 'Alternative to Love' and 'Feel Like Myself' start off sounding like they're going to be great songs, then they sort of wander off into monotony.

There's solid enough pop craftsmanship to suggest Benson is ripe with talent, but result of this songwriting effort is unrewarding and banal.Really more accurate than a 3 is a 3.5 or so, but I just couldn't bring myself to round up to a four because so many of the songs sound like they could be made into great songs with just a slightly different approach to them.And the sometimes cringe-worthy lyrics clinched it as a 3. ... Read more

Album Description

Subtitled - Their Toughest Hits. 2002 collection, compiledby Joey Ramone, stuffed with the band's 30 loudest punkhits spanning from 1976 to 1995. Sire/Rhino. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

RAMONES...LEGENDS
This is a pretty well done compilation. I think Johnny Ramone picked alot of the Ramones greatest hits here. Except for a few others that needed to be included. I think "Poison Heart" would have been a better choice than "The Crusher". But overall, this album is great. I really like the bonus 'Smash You: Live '85' disc. It has some great live songs such as "Too Tough To Die", "Howling At The Moon (Sha-La-La" & "Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio?".I have been a Ramones fan for about 3 years now. Each year I get closer & closer to the greatest band ever, The Ramones!

A GOOD COLLECTION OF SONGS FOR OLD OR NEW RAMONES FANS
Johnny Ramone personally selected the songs that appear on this album, and he did a good job of picking a variety of songs that give a retrospective of the band's entire career. There aren't many songs from the band's final years, but that's OK - their best songs were recorded in earlier years. As for the song selection, some are obvious ("Blitzkrieg Bop," "I Wanna Be Sedated," and "Rock N Roll High School"), while others are less well known ("Glad To See You Go," "I Wanted Everything," "Outsider," and "Highest Trails Above"). I would have probably selected some different songs to appear on the album, but I'm not about to question Johnny's choices. With his punk rock icon status and unwavering devotion to keeping the Ramones real, he's earned the right to do whatever he darn well pleases. What really makes this album worth having is the limited-edition bonus disc containing eight live songs recorded in 1985. Most notable is "Smash You," a B-side that was performed in concert very few times. This alone makes the album a must-have for the serious Ramones fan.

THE original
THE original punk band.If you like the Ramones,this is THE cd to buy.If you're just starting to get into the Ramones,or don't have any of their cds,this is the one.With some of their most popular hits, "I wanna be sedated","Blitzbkrieg Bop","Judy is a punk" and "The KKK took my baby away" this is a must for any lover of punk music.

FIRST RULE IS - Buy this cd.
The Ramones are possibly the greatest punk band ever. Every song on this cd is a gem. This greatest hits album rivals his colections such as The Beatles Red and Blue albums combined! Plus its half the price of either one. This is what punk truely is, not Charlet, NFG, of Avril

Coolest of the Ramones Compilations
Like so many groups whose appeal surfs through multiple generations, The Ramones have had a bunch of compilation albums, and we will probably see more in the future. I have yet to come across a lame Ramones collection, but this particular compilation gives you the greatest adrenalin rush for your buck.

The first three tunes are identical to their debut album, but instead of easing into the sweet "I Want To Be Your Boyfriend," they follow up with more high-energy ear fuel with "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment," and "Commando." No Lagardian pauses here, folks! In fact, if you want a wide variety of Ramones songs that include their semi-mellow side, you are best off buying each individual album instead of any compilations, since most of these collections focus on their high-octane classics (which, I admit, is what they did best!)

If you are one of those Ramones fans who preferred their earlier years, "Loud, Fast" delivers more of their classics, but gives their later years a decent backseat. A nice addition to these memorable cuts are several solo tunes by Dee Dee Ramones, including "The Crusher." Very trippy,as Dee Dee's material strayed from the traditional Ramones aura; he had a unique vision!

The only reason I would discourage anybody from buying this CD has nothing to do with flaws. I believe The Ramones are one of those rare groups who put out so much great material, so much which didn't wind up in any "Greatest Hits" collections, that buying each and every one of their releases is worth every penny. But--- to each his or her own, so if you want to buy just one Ramones CD, and get a great sampling of their work, this is the album to buy. ... Read more

Album Description

From the multi-platinum selling Collective Soul comes a unique collection of hits and rarities performed acoustically. "From The Ground Up" will be the perfect piece to accompany the band's current release, "Youth". SoundScan on "Youth" has exceeded 120,000 units in the US, the record has consistently charted on the Top 20 Independent Album Chart, and it has fostered two Top 5 Rock singles ("Counting The Days" and "Better Now"). Initial pressings of "From The Ground Up" will include a Collective Soul guitar pick. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

intimate acoustic genious
Don't let the number of tracks fool you - From the Ground Up is a wonderful collection of Collective Soul A and B sides with the cords pulled out of the amps. The biggest plus for the album has to be its production quality. Each guitar strum, percussive strike, and vocal tone can be heard loud and clear. The tonal qualities are produced wonderfully and each sound compliments one another magnificently. I believe that She Said and Satellite are the stand-out tracks on the album, but From the Ground Up is a great Cd to just pop into the player and listen from beginning straight to the end. Grab it for the summer!

A+++
I think this is such a great cd. I'm liking all the Youth songs much better now, and I love the bonus!! I'm so happy they put "Youth" on there, it's an amazing song and CSoul is truely the greatest band in the world.

"From the Ground Up" by Collective Soul
Collective Soul does it AGAIN...another great album!
I bought this album and played it immediately.Their acoustic set is good, although I am not entirely pleased with a couple of the songs.They seem to have changed them just a little."Acoustic" does not mean that you have to slow it down which they seem to have done on "Counting the Days".I do like the fact that they added a song to the end of "Satellite"... you have to keep listening to catch it.I just wish I knew the name of it or if it is just a continuation of the original song not on Youth.All in all... a great album!

Great Acoustic Album
Another great album put out by Collective Soul.I recently became a fan of CS and now I can't get enough of them.This cd captures their true, raw talent.It is a great cd.Definitely five out of five stars.

Great Acoustic Album
This album is just plain amazing. If your looking for songs off the greatest hits they have two here "December" and "She Said" but done acoustically. Only one song on this album is completely new and that is "Youth". One of the songs is off an old album called "Compliment" and the rest of the songs are off there new album entitle "Youth." The band's biggest song on here being "December" is a very slow version of the original. The lead singer's voice shines throughout the CD. This is an essential CD for any CS fan. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Moving to Los Angeles after an unproductive stint in Nashville, Kentucky-born Dwight Yoakam made a name for himself by reviving the more robust honky-tonk traditions of the Bakersfield Sound--a bold contrast with Music City's assembly-line approach. In 1984, his independently released six-song EP, Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc., added to the buzz and helped land him on Warner Bros./Reprise. Now, twenty years later comes The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam, a superb single-disc distillation of the four-CD box, Reprise Please Baby: The Warner Bros. Years. With 20 tracks spanning his recording career and sequenced in chronological order, the set rolls along with gusto and verve. While not covering every one of his releases (the Christmas and covers releases are omitted, for example), there are some singles and soundtrack entries that fall nicely into place. --David Greenberger ... Read more

Amazon.com

After taking five leisurely years to follow up on 1996's Pinkerton, Weezer are apparently on a roll. Arriving just over 12 months after The Green Album, Maladroit finds the Los Angeles power-pop band in the midst of a particularly fertile creative period. "Dope Nose," which is easily stronger than anything on the last album, flexes a sinister shout-along chorus and vintage Van Halen riffs, while the potent garage-punk blast of "Fall Together" wipes out any lingering discomfort over the thoroughly Sugar Ray-sounding "Island in the Sun." In a sense The Green Album was just a taster for this, the blissfully thunderous main dish. Sure, there are some deadpan emo moments ("Death and Destruction") littering the course, but mostly Maladroit is Weezer doing what they do best--inverting and embracing dumb rock stereotypes and somehow making them sound smart. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (351)

Honestly, 4 and 1/2, but close enough...
I've come to the conclusion that there are two types of Weezer fans. There's those that enjoy the unbelievably poppy side of things from the band (Blue and Green album), and then there's those who enjoy it when River Cuomo, the bands singer/songwriter, poors his soul out on record (Pinkerton).

Maladroit...EASILY satifies both of these tastes. One could argue that this album was rushed, in the shere fact that it's been released a whole leap year (366 days) after the Green Album was, but to be honest, I believe this was their smartest move to make, and in doing so, Weezer have created easily one of the best of the 4 CD's they have in their cateloge.

The Green Album was plagued with songs that sounded too much like eachother... the pure poppiness of everything struck a nerve with me, and was generally left out of my CD player. To be honest with you, I don't think I can sing along to all the songs (GASP!)... but in the mere 2 days I've owned Maladroit, I'm in love.

Every song from "American Gigalo" to "December" (with the exception of the rather useless track "possibilities") is flawless, and has Rivers and the band embracing both sides of Weezer that everyone knows and loves. The highlights are Dope Nose, Keep Fishin, Take Control, Death and Drustruction, Slave, Slob, December... I mean.. you get the picture. The album is a GEM, and word is that Weezer is already working on a 5th album..... Write away Rivers.... write away...

C'est un bon maladroit.
Weezer are, at the moment, the greatest rock band on the planet. It's a mathematical fact, and this album clinches it. They are intelligent and accessible, hard-working, hard-touring, rocking and sweet. Rock snobs and FM radio listeners can appreciate this music equally. If they keep pumping out the emo-kid summer soundtracks with this much quality, their fanbase will only grow exponentially.

'Maladroit' is a more commercial 'Pinkerton' at core, but Rivers Cuomo is at work on something here that is very subtle and worth noting. His lyrics here and on 'green', rather than being explicitly confessional, are beguiling riddles, which is what helps the album hold up on multiple listens more than anything. He subverts the traditional pop song structure left-right-and-center on this album.

'Slave', 'Keep Fishin'' and breezy goth-girl love letter 'Burndt Jamb' are my favourite tracks here, besides the masterpiece 'Dope Nose'. 'Slob' is one of the most brutal self-lacerations ever committed to record and 'American Gigolo' is a worthy response to both the cult followers of 'Pinkerton' and its failure commericially.

Rivers stated in Rolling Stone that he studied Nirvana, Oasis and Green Day during his hiatus, but promised that this album would sound like Kiss and Yes. And he promises the next album will reflect his new obsessions with hip-hop and goth. Know what? I'm not worried a bit. Weezer can do no wrong, as far as I'm concerned.

a new weezer
With 2001's "The Green Album", Weezer re-invented themselves,as a straight-foward rock band. Their songs became shorter in length,and packed less of the emotional punch of their two previous efforts (see "The Blue Album (1994), and "Pinkerton" (1996), what remained were the extremely catchy melodies that have propelled songwriter Rivers Cuomo to stardom. With "Maladroit", Cuomo once again seeks to re-invent himself, and has for the most part succeeded. "Maladroit" is infinitely "heavier" than it's predecessor, both lyrically, and musically. The songwriting is a