Album Description

Evanescence’s "Anywhere But Home", captures one night of the magic as cameras entered The Zenith in Paris to capture the phenomenon.The two-disc DVD/CD features Evanescence’s sold-out European tour and is offered in both 5.1 and two-track audio mixes.In addition to the live concert DVD, which was directed by Hamish Hamilton (U2, Peter Gabriel), "Anywhere But Home" also includes a CD of the concert presented in a two-track mix, and the previously unreleased studio recording of the composition "Missing."The DVD features the band's four music videos, an hour-long behind-the-scenes program, and some special surprises in addition to the concert film.The special surprises will be discovered by the viewer as they navigate the menus designed exclusively for this special release. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Maybe it was that thigh-splitting encounter with a belligerent bull, but whatever put him there, Lyle Lovett is in a nostalgic mood on My Baby Don’t Tolerate, his first studio album of all new and original songs since the country-minded The Road to Ensenada in 1996.This is a mixed blessing--several songs sound like retreads from Lovett’s earlier efforts, even as a listener welcomes the reprised syncopated, hep cat, Louis Jordan-meets-Sister Rosetta Tharpe signatures that help define his quirky style.While a key tune, "In My Own Mind," turns around a family man who seeks solace from a busy household, drawing restorative power from nature ("no rain, just the sunshine"), the album finds itself when Lovett begins revisiting dark places in his mind.Forget "Cute as a Bug," a by-now formulaic song of hottie lust, and get right to the bleak antagonist who narrates the confused loss of the elegantly jazzy "You Were Always There," the snaky blues of the title song, the pointy-toed send-up of bygone Music City hillbillies ("Nashville"), and the sly portrayal of the bribes of luckless blacks ("Election Day") in the old-time South.As the infectious, if repetitious gospel numbers prove, the man with "Eraserhead" hair isn’t breaking any new ground.But he still fuses country, blues, jazz, folk, big band, and pop like no one else on the planet. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Classic Lyle
Lyle Lovett breaks no new ground with "My Baby Don't Tolerate" - which is fine with me. Because no one blends blues, country, jazz, rock and gospel - and makes it sound so right as Mr. Lovett.
For his first album of originals since 1996, Lyle sticks with what he knows best - well played strings, snarkily twisted lyrics, and softly crooned vocals. It's everything you love about Lyle - which is why it is such a pleasure to hear him again.
The title track is all southern style blues, with a great vocal and wonderful piano and guitar accompaniment. "You Were Always There" makes some great use of Lyle's jazz leaning, and is probably the closest thing to Lyle straying outside of his traditional box on this disc. The double gospel hit which ends this disc ("I'm Going To Wait", "I'm Going To The Place") are some of the liveliest vocal stylings since "Church", and once again, Sweet Pea Atkinson and Francine Reed contribute exceptional backgrounds. And you're going to love Lyle's dips into Texas swing ("The Truck Song", "San Antonio Girl"), a style that nobody in music at present plays better than Lyle.
It's been a long 8 years without fresh material from this one-of-a-kind artist (okay, maybe 2 of a kind - Rickie Lee Jones is his musical twin). Glad to have him beck recording new material, and can't wait to see him live again - Lyle's shows are also among the best in music.

At last - new LYLE
Lyle's first release of original new material in years was a hit with me. I was expecting the Large Band but only bass player Viktor Krauss joined Lyle on the CD. However, having said that, Lyle chose a venerable who's who of fantastic long time studio musicians like Russ Kunkel (drums) and Dean Parks (electric guitar). And especially nice is the reappearance of Kentucky mandolin player Sam Bush, who has been absent from Lovett's last couple of Large Band tours. All in all, the musicians are excellent and the tunes are tight. I do miss the distinctive vocal harmonies of the Large Band back up singers, particularly Francine Reed and Sweet Pea Atkinson. Also notable by his absence is cello player John Hagan, who adds such a distinctive quality to the Large Band. But still, this cd is a celebration of new Lyle Lovett music, and the cd does not disappoint. His first effort on the Lone Star Music label, Lovett begins the cd with a poppy "Cute as a Bug" which will have you tapping your feet and singing along a minute into it. Lyle also presents two new versions of his latest recordings, "Truck Song" and "San Antonio Girl" and they sound great - not neccessarily better or worse than the original, but different. The middle tracks of the cd are all solid from the title track "My Baby Don't Tolerate" to "Working Too Hard." Lovett closes the cd with two vocally powerful Christian tunes, "I'm Gonna Wait" and "I'm Going to the Place," both of which features a sweet choir in the background. Lyle wrote all the material with the exception of one song, "Election Day," so if you are a big fan of Lyle's sometimes funny, sometimes sad but always clever lyrical style, you will enjoy this cd. Lyle's styles have varied from country to jazz to the blues, and this cd is certainly of the country persuasion. All in all a solid, solid effort that I would recommend to the first time Lyle listener and definitely a must to any Lyle fan.

Laugh, cry, melt for the Man from Texas
It's a well rounded album that relies on Lyle's dry humor and sensitivity and provides some new suprises that will bring tears to your eyes. Don't miss this one - His baby wouldn't tolerate it.

Pleasant Surprise!
I was hesitant to buy this CD due to all the Gospel references I had heard. But I am living in Australia for a couple of years and was missing some fresh Lyle Lovett and other great Texas Artists. So I broke down and bought the CD. I think it is every bit as good as "His Large Band", "Live in Texas", and "The Road to Ensenada".

Go ahead and get it - you won't regret it!

My least favorite Lyle Lovett CD...
A lot of people have complained that all the tracks on this CD sound the same and/or they sound like a re-tread of Lyle's previous work. I'd agree with the first point but not the second. To me this CD sounds more like Lyle Lovett meets Billy Ray Cyrus. The music here seems more influenced by '90s pop-country than the more traditional country, blues, and Texas swing sounds present in his earlier work. I'll keep listening to my old Lyle Lovett CDs of which yes "The Road to Ensenada" and "Large Band" are probably the best. ... Read more

Album Description

The Goo Goo Dolls have never issued a concert DVD or a live album. Now they have both. The first concert DVD from the multi-platinum, Grammy nominated band, Live in Buffalo finds the group in its hometown on July 4, 2004, performing all of its biggest hits and favorite songs for an adoring crowd. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Emmylou Harris's formula has been to match a crack crew of left-of-center country players with an assortment of tasteful tunes and head into the studio with a nonintrusive producer. Now and then (most notably the 1980 bluegrass collection Roses in the Snow), she tampers with her basic blueprint and comes up with something exceptional. Wrecking Ball is one of those. Daniel Lanois's radiant production no longer seems as fresh as it did on albums by U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan, but here its hum enfolds Harris like an electric blanket. Lanois's usual recruits, including U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr., and New Orleans regulars Malcolm Burn, Brian Blade, and Daryl Johnson, lay down a solid base for Harris's weary vocals and Lanois's buzzing guitar. At its core, Wrecking Ball seems almost too finely calculated. Hot producer plus sought-after songwriters plus venerated performer frequently totals to deadly bore. Here, however, all that calculation adds up to something. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (94)

Astonishing
It's a pity how many fans want to confine artists they like in to little, narrow boxes. In their minds their favorite artists should repeat the same style over and over, in some cases virtually recording the same album time and time again.

Granted, such a formula may be tempting at times. As the old cliche goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," and few things can be more painful then an artist trying a new approach and failing miserably.

Fortunately that is NOT the case with Emmylou Harris and her superb album "Wrecking Ball" which will easily be near the very top of many "best Albums of the 90's" list.

The atmospherics of Daniel Lanois' production are the first thing that gets noticed, as they are radically different from the production that has been used on any other Emmylou album. It haunts. It intrigues. It buries itself inside your memory and is not easily shake.

The songs are largely the type that Emmylou has recorded before. Some outside covers from the likes of Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Neil Young, Steve Earle, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch etc. A few by some lesser known writers. An original collaborations, etc. There are also some Lanois penned tunes that are a bit different from Emmylou, and the whole project hangs together flawlessly and opens up exciting new possibilities for Emmylou who, despite the wishes of some, continues to grow and flourish as an artist.

THE BEST ALL-ROUND ALBUM IN MY COLLECTION
I was first re-introduced to Emmylou Harris' music after buying "Cowgirl's Prayer"-drawn by the rock "High powered Love". I instantly fell in love with the record, the emotion, and the voice. Then came "Wrecking Ball" which just blew my mind--the haunting "Where Will I Be" sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. "Goodbye" is almost too powerful to listen to. "All my Tears" is an instant classic--(check it out on SPYBOY-her live version of it is even better). "Goin' Back to Harlan" is an emotional journey. "Every Grain of Sand" just makes you appreciate the simple wonders of life. Most heartbreaking but sweet is the soulful "Sweet Old World" a song about suicide. Finally "Waltz Accross Texas" leaves you wanting more. Emmylou is one of the best all round recording artists of all time. She delivers every song with great emotion that reaches deep in your soul and touches you greatly. Don't deny yourself from this one...

MOODY, EXPERIMENTAL ALT ROCK CAMEO FROM HARRIS
No CD collection is complete without this marvellous venture by Harris, which includes breathtaking covers of numbers by stalwarts such as Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams among others. Giving the album its dark ambience and its almost primal percussions is Daniel Lanois, better known for his work with U2 or Peter Gabriel. And it shows.

I thought of Harris as primarily a country/folk singer, but here she breaks free from the conventions of cheatin', hurtin', pickup trucks and what not; her song-selection addresses real issues here. I highly recommend picking up Wrecking Ball, a work of exceptional grace, depth, and beauty. Noteworthy number: "Deeper Well".

Can't Understand the Lyrics
I bought this album based on glowing reviews, but it was a little disappointing. Emmylou Harris never really disappoints, as she has such a lovely and haunting voice and I applaud her efforts at doing something a little different here than her previous efforts. The instrumentation is nice and as I said her voice is beautiful. The problem is that I can't understand a lot of the lyrics on some of the songs. She mumbles some of the words and trails off at the end of lines. I challenge anyone to figure out even 50% of what she is singing on the first listen, unless listening very, very closely. To me, music is for relaxation and I don't want to listen intently just to pick up what is being sung about. I like singers who sing clearly and ennunciate well, so you know what is being sung. The best example I can think of is Janie Fricke. There is no guessing about her lyrics, as there is here. Could partly be the poor quality of my computer speakers, but that's not the entire problem. The title song "Wrecking Ball" is very nice, but again the ends of lines are gone. For example, she sings: "I'll wear something pretty and white". You can barely hear the "and white". I had to look up the lyrics to find out what she was saying. Could be poor mastering too or she may just have lost some of the power she had in her voice when she was younger. The sound is clear on the song "Deeper Well", unlike some of the songs. If you are a fan, you'll want to get this album to complete your collection and because it is different than a lot of Emmylou's stuff. If not a fan, don't buy this album, as it may be a disappointment. For an intro to Emmylou, I would suggest: Blue Kentucky Girl. Evangeline and Luxury Liner are also very good albums, as is the collaboration album she did with Dolly Parton and Linda Rondstadt called Trio.

So Much Emotion!
This CD is fantastic. I first heard "Orphan Girl" on a cd compilation a friend made me. I was very moved by that song. I'm not a fan of country, and I hadn't really heard Emmy before that song. She sings with so much emotion that I had to hear more! And this CD, was my first purchase of her music, and I loved it all. My favorite remains "Orphan Girl" but I can't find a bad song on this whole CD. ... Read more

Reviews (153)

This is killer!
This is one of the very best albums I have ever heard. Its by far the best from the Stone Temple Pilots! STP are the best band out of the grunge movement. This album was the first and best. Scotts voice, performance and lyrics are all amazing. Deans guitar is killer and Robert and Erics rythm is tighter then it ever was again.

This album is full of most of the Stone Temple Pilots biggest hits. The album starts off with the classic 'Dead & Bloated' which is the perfect track to open with. Then its right into the absolutly killer 'Sex Type Thing' which is just classic. 'Whicked Garden' Is another killer classic . 'No Memory' is a not so good instrumental. 'Sin' is a great hard rock song. 'Naked Sunday' is different but its still pretty good for a almost funk song. 'Creep' is just a great acoustic song that still played on the radio today. 'Piece Of Pie' is one of the best songs on the album its hard, heavy and fast. 'Plush' is probly the reason your looking at this album its a pure classic. 'Wet My Bed' sucks there is no nice way to put it. 'Crackerman' is another STP classic that is still all over ther radio. 'Where The River Goes' is a perfect song that goes in so many differnt directions, and then ends wear it began.

If you love rock then you will love this album, like I said before this is one of the very best albums I have ever heard, its easily in the top twenty albums of all time.

great debut
I had to change my review on this album, b/c I bashed some of the greatness incorporated on it.

Core is quite possibly one of the best rock albums of the early 90's. As early labeled spin-offs of Pearl Jam, they rightly proved any doubters of their longevity, and Core is the glue that will put stp in rock history.

Hits such as "Creep", "Sex Type Thing", "Wicked Garden", and "Plush" are found here. Any fan can appreciate these songs as they are still played on most rock stations across the country.

STP is at it's rawest and most powerful on Core. "Sin", "Piece of Pie", "Dead and Bloated" are more examples of this.

"Wet My Bed" although somewhat strange, and perhaps meaningless at first, it sort of grows on you. It's as if this album isn't complete w/o that filler.

"Where the River Goes" an over 8 minute epic ends the album w/ great passion. Grunge at it's best.

You really can't go wrong w/ Core. STP wouldn't be great w/o it. Core is in the hearts of every die hard grunge fan out there, and will forever be one of the greatest debut albums of all times. Hands down!

STP's worst, but a solid foundation
This is a good album, but it's hard to listen to after listening to the following four STP albums. Weiland's voice lacks the vocal quality that it has on the next four albums, the songwriting lacks the melodic and artistic qualities that the next four albums have, and Core simply lacks the diversity that the next four albums have.

It's certainly a very good album to rock to, but it pales in comparison to the STP of the future. Purple was already several times more melodic than Core. Tiny Music expanded upon that with new vocals and several directions. No.4 combined Core and Purple with Tiny Music, and pumped out some nice power-ballads. Shangri-La was simply a beautiful artistic album. Core seems like a generic rocker compared to those.

Standouts here are Creep (the only different sounding song on the album, aside from the pointless "Wet My Bed" and "No Memory.") and Plush (a classic). The rest of the album is just a collection of good/decent rock songs, that could be best described as filler. As I said, not a bad album, but a good rock album and a good start. But it has nothing on the STP that would develop over the rest of the decade.

Scott Walton sounds real good
Scott Walton sounds real good on this CD, and Slash sounds good too, even though his playing is better on the last STP album. This is before Walton ever drank or did drugs, same for Slash. The results are real good grunge.

If you like grunge, this is the way to go.

A hard-rockin' debut of the age
Stone Temple Pilots first emerged when Nirvana provided the genesis for a new age of rock which is still felt to this day, despite the oftentimes muddied offshoots, but those expecting Core to sound like Nevermind are in for a big surprise. It still escapes me why critics dismissed this album, because in my personal opinion Core was very disciplined for a debut album let alone for its time. The tracks never lose their edge. Wicked Garden is probably their best song, although Sex Type Thing, Creep, Plush, and even Naked Sunday have appeared on the radio alot as well, making this stand out as a commercial success. Many consider Purple to be better, but I think Core was special in the fact that it gave the band a face, and for most it takes many albums to do that, so I heavily recommend anyone to purchase this album if they have any remote interest in STP, and even if not, give it an honest listen, it might possibly change your perspective. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Harmonies highlight this studio debut by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, the wife-and-husband duo who previously released albums of their own. As the daughter of Arlo Guthrie and granddaughter of Woody, Sarah Lee has deep bloodlines in the folk tradition, while Johnny was a Carolina indie-rocker with Dillon Fence. With coproduction and guitar by the Jayhawks' Gary Louris and musicianship that draws from that band and Son Volt, the album matches organic arrangements to material that shows a social conscience while celebrating domestic bliss. Highlights range from a performance of Pete Seeger's previously unreleased "Dr. King" to the poppier propulsion of Guthrie's "Holdin' Back," which could pass as a Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac outtake. Eric Heywood's steel guitar brings a lilt to Irion's album-opening "In Lieu of Flowers," and Dave Boquist's banjo drives "Gotta Prove" into a footstomping finale. In between, much of the music has the easy feel of a front-porch rocking chair. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Classic Americana.
Wow! , what a discovery.
This wonderful album sounds like a cross between seventies era Fleetwood Mac and "tommorow the green grass" jayhawks period. Sarah lee sounds like a combination of stevie nicks and bobbie gentry.
The album was produced by jayhawks genius gary louris and the musicians are Alt-country fan's heaven. You hear louris touch in every aspect of this album , the production is open and airy and the harmonies are just wonderful (think Gram/Emmylou), The songs are all excellent, songwriting of the highest order.
If your'e a fan of high quality music similiar in the spirit to the jayhawks than you owe yourself this album.
Simply wonderful.

The best new cd I've heard in years.
There's something about this cd that really grabs you. There is quite a mix of songs, styles and arrangements and they're all good. The vocal harmonies really stand out.Sarah Lee and Johnny each sound great by themselves and even better together.I'd recommend this cd to anyone with a soul. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

On their sophomore effort, Canada's Cowboy Junkies manage to make a one-day recording session in an old church one of their most satisfying listens. Featuring the sultry voice of Margo Timmins, the precise musicianship of her brothers Peter (on drums) and Michael (on guitar), and bassist Alan Anton, The Trinity Sessions is a spare, evocative, countrified-rock classic. Their inspired reworking of both "Blue Moon" and "Working On A Building" reveal the Timmins family to be talented interpreters and insightful neo-traditionalists. Mixing the ambitious songwriting of Margo and Michael Timmins with subdued covers of Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" and Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," The Trinity Sessions is an exquisite collection that holds up quite well under repeated listenings. --Mitch Myers ... Read more

Reviews (68)

Simply Outstanding
Recorded live in November 1987 at Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto (and hence "The Trinity Session"), this was the Cowboy Junkies' second album. The track listing is made up of a number of self-penned tunes, a couple of traditional songs and a few cover versions. I never would have thought it possible that songs by Lou Reed and Hank Williams could appear on the same album without sounding at odds with each other...yet that is exactly what the band have achieved.

There are so many outstanding tracks on this CD it's hard to pick out the highlights. The two traditional tunes - "Mining for Gold" and "Working on a Building" - would certainly be among my favourites. "Mining for Gold" opens the album, and is sung unaccompanied by Margo. Although only about a minute and a half long, it's beautifully delivered with a real sense of melancholy. "Working on a Building" is the other traditional tune. This time, the rest of the band are allowed to join in (!!) and the song is played with a slight jazzy feel. Alan Anton's bass playing, excellent throughout the album, really adds to the atmosphere on this song.

It was "Blue Moon Revisited" that first brought the band to my attention. Entirely different in sound and style to the original "Blue Moon", it's a beautifully laid back number with a hint of sadness and regret. "Sweet Jane", written by Lou Reed, has become a huge favourite of the Junkies' fans, and has been referred to as the band's signature tune. Alan's bass, again, contributes greatly to the mood on both songs.

Of the songs written solely by members of the bands, "Postcard Blues" and "Misguided Angel" are, for me, the best. A guest musician, Steve Shearer, provides the harmonica on the former - a contribution that allows the song to live up to its name.

The album was captured live, using a single microphone and cost only CDN $250 to record. It's also a great example of how keeping production work to a minimum can, at times, help the album. Admittedly, the quality of the songwriting, the playing and the singing is also a big help ! Margo, like the Irish folk / trad singer Cara Dillon, has a beautiful voice - it's something that really strikes home when a song is sung unaccompanied.

OPUS TWO
Twelve years now that Cowboy Junkies's THE TRINITY SESSION has been released and has begun to haunt my library. And still, I listen to this record two or three times a year. And at each listening, I'm amazed like the first time. The discovery of the peculiar sound of this canadian band has been one of the greatest musical pleasures of my life.

Unlike in the totally blues dedicated WHITES OFF EARTH NOW! , Cowboy Junkies's THE TRINITY SESSION presents 5 songs composed by Michaël Timmins. And these are pure pearls. "Misguided angel" and "200 More Miles" are instant standards. It's not blues anymore, it's the Cowboy Junkies's sound : a kind of slow-motion rock'roll, desperate musical journeys into a nowhere land.

Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" and Rodgers and Hart's "Blue Moon" are, in my opinion, the definitive versions of these songs. The Junkies adopt for THE TRINITY SESSION the harmonica, a country musical instrument by essence, which was absent on the first album. Married with the tortured guitar of Michaël Timmins, this instrument adds a priceless value to the already particular sound of the band.

A CD for your library.

solid gold
This is one solid recording. The Trinity Session is worthy of being called an audiophile's delight. The sonics are fabulous, and the music ain't bad either! Margo Timmins voice is haunting. Whoever recorded this disc knew what they were doing. This should be manditory listening for engineers. [Those that aren't already deaf.] I'd be hard pressed to pick a favourite track, they are all great. "Blue Moon, Song for Elvis, and I'm so lonesome I could cry," come to mind. While I love, Mott the Hoople's "Sweet Jane". The Junkies give it a new lease on life. I know Lou Reed wrote it, never been a big fan of his style, with the exception of "walk on the Wild Side. Okay, I'll admit his version isn't too bad, but The Junkies do it so well.

A defining moment for the Cowboy Junkies.
The fact that this CD has the most reviews out of ALL the CJ's albums (only 'Open' oddly enough comes close), and it still has an average 5 star rating should speak for itself. For once in my life, I side with the mob, as it were. This is a gem, easily in my top-ten favorite records of all time.

The production is excellent- it sounds like the band is in the room with you, from every whispery note from Margo- to every hushed drum beat. Admiteddly, this is something one comes to expect from the CJ's- even when I don't care for their albums (Lay it down), they still always 'sound' great. On this one it sounds especially great: Everyone clicks on this. Everyone knows their place and does a fine job. This Cd is the perfect mix of country, blues and poetry. From Margo's evocative and ever-soulful voice to Michael's lucid and luminous guitar-work. The steady bass (it must be said that Alan Anton is one hell of an anchor)and drum work, always holding down the fort... Oh, the guest musicians hand in nothing short of exquisite performances. The harmonica is so sweet.

The covers are the heart of this album and they are gorgeous- the cover of Sweet Jane that every would-be hipster from my generation knows by heart, as well as the slooooooooooow-waltzing version of 'Blue Moon Revisited,' (quite possibly my fave song by them) which has one of the most wonderfully understated guitar solos I've ever heard. The not-so-well known cover of Hank Williams' I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry,' that sounds nothing like the original yet demonstrates how reinterpretaion can be an act of creation all its own. Reinvention, not immitation, is the highest form of flattery- the CJ's know this and deftly make whatever they handle their own.

The originals are among the best and bluesiest tunes ever penned by the band (you can tell from their first album- the CJ's were born to play the blues, though it's a night-shade of blue all their own). They segue easily and sweetly into each other. This is one of those Cds that suits damn near any occasion- a date, washing the dishes, driving all night, editing a novel, working out, nostalgic musings... It's just fine for all activities or the lack thereof. 'Dreaming my Dreams with You,' sounds exactly like what it means- a particularly masterful use of titular onomatopoeia. 'Postcard Blues' slips so languidly and sweetly into 'walkin After Midnight'- you almost miss the fact that they're two different songs. 200 More miles is a weary gem of a tune. They're all top-notch. No sleepers. Everything pleases. In the Empty-Vee world we all inahbit CDs like this are beyond rare. They have almost gone extinct: This is the high-water mark of one of the best bands in the last 20 years. If you're gonna get ANY of the CJ's albums- this is the one you want. Start here. I, and every other of the 60-odd five star dropping reviewers will guarantee you- you won't be let down with this. And seeing how cheap copies abound in the used section- how can you not pick one up?

And Hey, for all you die-hard fans out there, if you didn't know- there's a version of 'Me & the Devil' on the 'Pump up the volume' soundtrack (and it's NOT the bare bones version from their first CD- it's a longer more sustained chaotic gypsy-sque, blues-from hell, version) that is one the best songs I've ever heard, hands down, period. It would be completely in place if it were on this CD. I don't know why it hasn't been put out on a comp of some kind- maybe it has but I'm in the dark.

Late night listening
You should own this. It is quiet, compeling, and simply wonderful. A work of art and one of my all time favorites. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Essentially a greatest-hits collection with one previously unreleased song, "You Know You're Right," and producer Scott Litt's 1994 remix of "Pennyroyal Tea," Nirvana the album is nevertheless a welcome addition to the band's canon. Crisp, elegant liner notes by Rolling Stone writer David Fricke put us squarely in Kurt Cobain's mindset as he entered a Seattle studio in January 1994--a full two days later than expected--to record what would be his final session with Nirvana. The resulting "You Know You're Right" locates Cobain at the apogee of his disenfranchisement with tongue nevertheless planted firmly in cheek. Bawdy, raucous, and venomous, "You Know You're Right" could have been lifted from Nevermind. A mix of tracks from that album ("Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Come as You Are," "Lithium," and "In Bloom") sits opposite stuff from early EPs and the Bleach disc ("About a Girl," "Been a Son," and "Sliver"), plus two from the MTV Unplugged sessions and several more from In Utero. Not the Nirvana treasure chest we hoped for, but solid nonetheless. --Kim Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (402)

Grunge Gold
Nirvana burst onto the music scene in late 1991 with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" which was taken from their second album Nevermind. The song became more than just a top ten hit, it became the anthem for Generation X. It captured the apathy the youth (especially twenty somethings) were feeling and it crystallized the Seattle grunge sound. Lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain became the posterboy for the grunge movement and it was a label he would have a tough time dealing with. Mr. Cobain experienced much pain in his short life and it is his pain that drives his music. Nirvana's first greatest hits album collects the band's classics like "Rape Me", "Lithium", "Come As You Are" and "Pennyroyal Tea", but its main draw to long time Nirvana fans is the new song "You Know You're Right" which was the last song the group ever recorded. Due to legal hassles between Krist Novoselic & Dave Grohl and Mr. Cobain's widow Courtney Love, song has been in limbo, but it finally has seen the light of day. The song fits right in among the well known Nirvana songs, but its value comes from the haunting fact that this was the last song ever laid down by the group that became the Beatles of their generation.

terrible compilation
This is the worst excuse for a greatest hits album I have ever seen (except, possibly, the one from Alice in Chains). Only ONE track from Bleach, ONE from Incesticide, ONE from Unplugged (two on foreign releases), and an alternate version of an Incesticide track (Been a Son), plus You Know You're Right, the leak of which on the internet caused the hurried release of this collection. The tracks on this album were "remastered", which usually means made to sound better, but all of these songs were recorded less than 15 years ago and Bleach has already been remastered before. The sharp, biting guitar tone of Nevermind has been compressed and "warmed" to the point where it sounds like trash, and the rest is (fortunately) mostly unnoticeable. To add insult to injury, this compilation only has 14 tracks, not even hitting the one hour point...this time could have been used to include such staples as Dive, Floyd the Barber, Drain You, On a Plain, Negative Creep, Blew, Aneurysm, Lounge Act, Radio Friendly Unit Shifter, Sappy, etc. etc. etc. Inexcusable. This is on par with the bargain bin $8.99 releases at the CD store, but costs the same as a full album.

In closing, there are three reasons I give it two stars:

1) I can't give it 0 stars.

2) It's Nirvana, and despite the shortcomings listed above, the songs that do appear are great.

3) There is SOME value to the collector, as it is the only official release (as of writing) with You Know You're Right, and you also get the version of Been a Son from the long out of print Blew EP, and finally the remixed Pennyroyal Tea, which only appears on the censored Wal-Mart/K-Mart copies of In Utero and the mega-rare Pennyroyal Tea single.

So if you're a new Nirvana fan, just buy Nevermind instead, you'll be much happier. Then if so inclined, get In Utero, Unplugged, Incesticide, and Bleach in that order. If you're a collector...buy this used, not new. Don't reward Courtney Love for this kind of tripe.

"Listening to it makes me like it" attests one Nirvana fan
I don't think anyone over the age of 16 likes (or can relate to) Nirvana or Kurt Cobain unless they are unemployed (playing gigs in a band doesn't count). Once you become become of that age, the most important things are to aquire a decent-paying job and graduating high school. Clearly, the people here are the pre-teen target audience. Look at the misspellings, look at the abbreviations of even simple words, and look how poorly they try to communicate themselves. They'd do anything for "Kurdt" and are easily-lead. Just look at the how they say "listening to it makes me like it". If you were accustomed to hearing a blender turned on at full speed with metal pellets in it every day, would you enjoy THAT? Same concept with these songs. People like cody confuse familiarity with enjoyment. Just because you've heard something before isn't necessarily grounds for you to like it.

Nirvana... with a new single
well these are my thoughts about the tracks..

You Know You're Right 10/10 very good song.

About a Girl 8 1/2/10 Good Song. just to short.

Been a Song 7/10 It's okay. not something you want to listen and listen to over and over again

Sliver 10/10 hell yeah. this is one of my favorites.

Smells Like Teen Spirit 10/10 probably my most favorite song on this album.

Come as You Are 10/10 Very nice song. love it.

Lithium 9/10 another good song.

In Bloom 9/10 Good.

Heart Shaped Box 10/10 this would be my second favorite song on this album. Very Nice.

Pennyroyal Tea 8/10 didn't like it at all at first. but listening to it made me like it.

Rape Me 10/10 i love this song. especially at the end when Kurt screams Rape Me.

Dumb 8/10 this one is a fair song. i like it.

All Apologies 91/2/10 i really like the live version of this.

The Man Who Sold the World 10/10 i love this song.

theres my opinions about the songs i give it 4 stars its a pretty good album to go out and buy if you see this album i recommend you pick it up. pretty sure youll like it if you like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and bands like that.

Kurt has the worst karma I've ever seen
Ever heard of karma? It has to do with how quick a person attains nirvana. It's dealt with in many religions (in some form or another), but is known best as pertaining to Buddhist and Hindu religions. Karma is basically the cosmos' way of proving "What goes around comes around". There are many types of karma, including the well known type that deals with an individual's karma. Then, there is collective karma. Collective karma is based on who you know and hang out with. So, for instance, if you hang out with drug dealers, thieves, liars, and other less than savory characters, their bad karma rubs off on you. It's basically guilt by association, but since it's portioned out by the cosmos, what're ya gonna do? Anyway, I must say, if ever there was bad collective karma, nobody has it much worse than the Cobain clan. Many of Kurt's relatives (obviously, him included) committed suicide. Nearly all of his relatives, close relatives, and friends were addicted to either booze or drugs. Kurt's wife, the insane Courtney Love was once again recently committed to a mental institution ... after constantly being in and out of them throughout her teenage years. Apparently, her recent trip to the loony bin was because of a suicide attempt she made. She now has a "legal guardian" (AKA a state-appointed mental health monitor) to make her decisions and speak on her behalf because she isn't competent to make her own choices or talk on her own will. It sounds like she'll be in there for a while. Don't like the concept of karma just explained? Well, sucks for you, because this is what Kurt believed in and named Nirvana after. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Riding the momentum of the hit single "Learn to Fly," which hit No. 1 on the modern-rock charts long before this album's release, the Foo Fighters' third record is unarguably its most refined and poppy. The ominous riff that the opens "Stacked Actors" (which sounds like something Kurt Cobain could have hacked out on Nirvana's gnarly In Utero) is pretty much a red herring. The 10 tunes that follow are a succession of hook-laden pop songs tarted up with guitarist-vocalist (and former Nirvana drummer) Dave Grohl's thick guitars and increasingly sugar-sweet vocals. Nearly every cut on There Is Nothing Left to Lose has the potential of following "Learn to Fly" up the charts. The production is big and friendly and songs like "Generator," "Aurora," and "Headwires" just melt in your mouth. And even though the Foo Fighters' latest is seductively sweet in sound, there are just enough rough edges and lyrical angst to keep things interesting. --Adem Tepedelen ... Read more

Reviews (327)

Great rock music, with the Foo Fighters!
This is a very good CD. The thing I love so much about this CD, is not the vocals, but the awesome music. The guitars and the drums go so well together and they never lose the beat. Let's get a run down of this CD:

1.)Stacked Actors ~ This is one of my favorite songs. Great energy and makes you want to break something. Woohooo! 5/5

2.)Breakout ~ Another one of my favorites. This song also has that energy that makes you feel powerful. 5/5

3.)Learn To Fly ~ The first single released from this album. A pure rock classic. Yummy! 5/5

4.)Gimme Stitches ~ This is one of those songs with incredible guitar music and makes you want to dance. Good lyrics also. 5/5

5.)Generator ~ Different, but cool sounding at the beginning, and keeps a midtempo beat. 4/5

6.)Aurora ~ This is the albums first "ballad". More sensitive lyrics and more relaxing. 4/5

7.)Live-In Skin ~ Back to more in your face music. This is a great one to play loud. Good lyrics on this on too. 4/5

8.)Next Year ~ This is my favorite song on this album. Another slower one, but still has enough energy to keep you interested. Good lyrics and a steady beat. 5/5

9.)Headwires ~ This is a midtempo song. This is a really good song with cool lyrics, and the best part is the chorus. 4/5

10.)Ain't It The Life ~ Good drum beat and good lyrics. Also more relaxing. 4/5

11.)M.I.A. ~ Good end for the album. A slower song to end out the album which is always a good way to end. Gets more powerful in the chorus. This is one of those songs that is good to listen to real loud. 5/5

The foo fighters are a great band with a lot of talent and you should buy this CD today if you don't already have it. It's really cool how they can do really powerful energetic songs and also do slower songs, and no matter which it is, they always sound good, and that is the bottom line.

The Unexpected From The Foo Fighter's!
I have listened to this album at least thirty times already and I wake up in the middle of the night singing some of the songs. All the songs on this album are very "catchy", but seem to maintain a perfect amount of the raw edge I enjoy from The Foo's. A lot of people who have liked the The Foo Fighters harder work may tend to be misled that the Foo Fighters have "SOLD OUT" to a softer sound. I call B.S. Besides, who else in the last 20 yrs. has used a voice box on his guitar. This is one of the best albums I've heard in a long time. Honestly, it's nice to see Dave Grohl come to terms with what he wants in his music. This album reflects how it was recorded. At Dave's home in Virginia while bbq'ing burgers at the same time. Just consider this album a portion of what is hopefully to come. I hope that these guys will continue down the path that they are on but still feed the angry side of life as well. We all need a release. If you like this album, may I suggest an album by a group called HUM- "You'd Prefer An Astronaut". Very similar to this sound.

Yummy pop-rock
Foo Fighters are a very dynamic band in '90s rock, it had a different lineup for their first three albums. Instead of the name 'Foo Fighter' it can also be seen as ex-Nirvana Dave Grohl's solo efforts. Infact the first album by 'Foo Fighters' were almost completely recorded by Grohl himself. The debut album was good but it took two more albums to reach their peak. The songs in 'There is Nothing Left to Lose' are catchy in every sence of the word. It is the first Foo Fighters album that sounds like the work of a unified, muscular band. There is Nothing Left to Lose has a stripped-down sound and an immediate attack that makes even the poppier numbers rock hard. The organic, natural sound is welcome, but the album also benefits from the strongest set of songs Grohl and the Foo Fighters have yet written. There are the typical strong singles, but there's no fat or filler; each track has a memorable hook or melody, and they seem all the more catchy because they're delivered with conviction and confidence. Apart from the hits also watch out for the other songs also. Quite yummy. BTW just want to mention it won a grammy for Best Rock album Of the Year (although I feel winning a grammy is disgraceful rather than worthy of credit).

radio-friendly but doesn't stink
Great tunes! Foo Fighters can produce radio-friendly songs like "Learn to Fly" that aren't garbage, and nothing wrong with that, says I. Let's not slam talent just cuz the alternative punk is a little popy, come on :). And somebody please shoot me for using all these "genre" words. Good music should just be called "good music", period!

p.s. that breath mint video or the one for Learn to Fly are hilarious. I love it when a band has a sense of humor.

David Rehak
author of "A Young Girl's Crimes

Live in Skin, Aurora...Really good stuff
While I am a very big fan of the Foo Fighters, I will not be a homer to this bands every song. Sure, "Learn to Fly" got overplayed and old quickly, but there are some very "catchy" songs on this compilation. "Stacked Actors" grabs you quickly and doesn't really ever let go. Aurora has a nice spacey sound (Best song that they do live-lights, mood, whatever, if they don't play this song live...boo), and "Live in Skin" is one of those songs that you hear and at the beginning you go "is this just a filler song or something?" it turns out to be one of the better compositions that they have done. Real mellow songs like "Ain't it the Life" and "Next Year" were songs that I initially loved but they have worn on me to the point that I don't feel bad skipping them. If you like a rock c.d. that doesn't sound like AC-DC or Nickleback, these guys and this c.d. is for you...otherwise, just listen to your area rock station and get sick of the stuff that you get to hear time and time again...these guys aren't as big as Mt. Everest, so they still have that "small time" niche to them. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Going From Great To Magnificent
I thought I could not be happier with Kutless when I first heard their debut cd. They came strong with heavy rockin beats and a loud solid voice. Put this together with such diverse Christian content throughout the cd and i was hooked. I really thought I couldnt be happier. Well I was wrong!This album is better by far, even though i loved, (and still love) their prior one. This "Sea of Faces" album kept everything from their debut but added more of a diversity of musical sound from the band and voice from lead singer Jon Micah Sumrall. Songs "Not What You See","Treason", and "Let You In" are reminicent of the hard sound of the first cd and "All Alone" is representitive of the quieter more reflective side. This song is similar to "Run" which is also from God's/Christ's perspective, Him talking to us. "All Alone" (track 2), is also where I first jumped back and said whoa! Change is good! This song starts out melodic and stays melodic with some rockin guitars finally kickin in. Like Rob Beckeley from Pillar Jon Micah Sumrall has worked on his vocals and cut down on the raprock. He could scream/sing great and his regular voice was fine for rock but this song as well as others show how he has grown. Favorite Songs? "All Alone", "Sea of Faces", "Passion" (if Mel Gibson ever made a musical for The Passion of the Christ, then this is would be the main song no doubt). Those songs along with "Treason" and the worshipful "All the Words" round out my favorites. This cd is not just diverse in musical sound but in lyrics as well. The songs range from blatantly Christian with "Passion" and "Sea of Faces" to "Perspectives" and "Better For You" which are positive songs but has no real discriminating Christian content per say, but Im sure you could argue they are inspired from scripture if you listen to them. In other words those songs could easily be played on secular radio and no one would know these guys were Christian Rock. That being said the ambiguity of those two songs is the only step down from their debut cd and why I wont give this cd 5 stars. (I rarely give 5 stars)Bottom Line: As a whole this cd is better than the first and thats sayin alot since the first was so awesome. However where the debut was strong "Sea of Faces" is magnificent! I awaited two cds this year this one and "Where Do We Go From Here" from Pillar. When I listened to the Pillar cd although the music and sound was great I was let down and saddened by the immense lack of christian content. The few Christian songs it did have were weak in content which was a complete 180 from Fireproof. Where Pillar lacked in lyrics, Kutless came through. For the people who dont like this album because its too different from the first one, i understand their points of view but I plan on growing with Kutless with each release.

Some of the Best Christian Rock Out There
Kutless has put out a great album with Sea of Faces. These guys can match and beat most secular groups out there. And they do it without compromising their messsage or lyrics. Many of the tracks are hard-hitting rock songs, while a few are slower, more sedate songs. I prefer the former, but it just shows you they have that compability. Passion is by far my favorite track. If you've seen the movie by the same name, it will bring many images from it to mind as you listen to the chorus. The opening three tracks round off favorites from the disk, but the rest is also very good. In my opinion, this one is better than their first album and a must for christian rock fans or anyone looking for rock with a positive outlook and meaningful lyrics.

BTW, the only reason I didn't give this album 5 stars is because I dont give out 5 stars to pretty much anything. I'd probably give this one 4.5 stars if I could rate on that scale.

A good album
This is not a bad album at all. The problem becomes that it is a christain one. 100 years ago before humanity had advanced into an era where we do not still do not believe in such heathen beliefs, this album would be acceptable.

None the less, it is good music, and if you can get past the horrible lyrics, (even if you do believe in this stuff..., they are still absolutely attroucious - I suggest you listen to atomship) he is a good vocalist, and the band plays together well.

I have a CD case full of 300+ CD's, and I'm searching for some new music. So I'm going to overlook the fact this is a christain CD and give it a try...

It's So Good, It's Shocking!
Wow! I was completely blown away by this CD. Especially when comparing it to Kutless' previous self-titled debut, "Kutless". This album was definatly twice as good. From the moment I heard Kutless the first time, I knew they could be great, but their debut didn't just cut it for me (kinda like Switchfoot's first album). I figured if they could last long enough, they might be able to make an amazing album, but I figured it would be several years before that. But then, here it is, Kutless' sophmore effort, Sea of Faces, and I must say that I was caught off-guard, but in the good way. This is definatly going into my "Favorite CD's" collection. It belongs in yours too.

this cd got me into rock
this cd got me into rock,it is has better lryics than most rock cds ive heard,plus jon micah is one of the best rock singers in the buis.today...here is a rundown of the songs

1.good opener,not the best on the cd but still good/8/10
2.jon micahs vocals are so smooth in this song,its a new sound for him/10/10
3.this one has a nice sound to it/9/10
4.this song almost makes me cry to think that i mean so much to god that he would lay down his life just for me./10/10
5.my personal fav./12/10

6.another awsome song/11./10
7.great lryics,smooth vocals/10/10
8.great rocker,sweet.../12/10
9.this one just does not fit./6/10
10.nice new sound for the band/10/10
11.awsome lryics talking about telling someone about the gospel.10/10 ... Read more

Amazon.com

While not their most definitive album (that honor belongs to 1992's Dirt), Jar of Flies represents an important step in Alice in Chains' recording career. Witness "I Stay Away," which is made up of equal portions of hummable guitar riffs and the spookier, scarier, more grinding elements that most fans associate with Alice in Chains. This song most clearly delineates the dichotomy that was a highlight of the band's sound--Jerry Cantrell's listenable tunes and often gorgeous arrangements (just listen to what he does with "Whale & Wasp"!) and Layne Staley's growling vocals, which are just the teeniest bit flat. The collection as a whole, brief as it is, has an elegance that's unusual for metal. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (150)

The True Heroes of Grundge
Of all the bands that can be classified grundge, Alice in Chains is my favorite. I don't own all their music and I don't like all their music unlike the Stone Temple Pilots. But AIC has a different attitude. They are a take it or leave it band. They disappeared and left a legacy now that seems scarred and lacking too many explanations. Even VH1 doesn't want to find them.

This album marks their best work. It is light, traipsing, heavy metal. Brimmed with metal attitude yet acoustically set, the album brings Jerry Cantrell's guitar work to a mesmerizing high. Layne Staley working with softer material delves into his lyrics and emotion.

Nutshell is the best song AIC ever did. With other songs like AIC standards I Stay Away and No Excuses, the 7 song album automatically becomes good. Then the harrowingly beautiful instrumental Whale and Wasp clinches the album as a keeper. The following Don't Follow is a beautifully set song about alienation. The EP cries for more at the end, but so does AIC's legacy. This album captures AIC at it's finest, most vulnerable, and most volatile. You won't be disappointed.

ALICE IN CHAINS jar of flies EP
This is my personal favorite of all the Alice In Chains' albums. Where their other masterpiece Dirt was bludgeoning heavyness to the extreme this album is almost the direct opposite(along with Sap), but a step in the right direction. Even their heaviest work was melodic, this ep is very experimental, I dont mean in the avant-garde sense, but Alice In Chains take chances and succeed admirably. Rotten Apple features vocoder and spacey guitar solos and effects, I Stay Away has a great lead melody and Layne's voice combined with the string section is truly menacing, No Excuses is mostly acoustic but still rocks and is one of their best tracks(however every song here could be considered their best in my opinion), Whale And Wasp is a big surprise being an nearly progressive rock instrumental, Swing On This closes the record and is the biggest surprise, being a funky blues metal showcase with some slight jazzy touches. All in all this is a very diverse album, with elements of metal, punk, folk, jazz, classical, progressive, blues, funk, space, psychedelic, and even a little avant-garde and the fact that the album is only a half hour in length makes the diversity all the more remarkable.

A shame to see them go
Alice in chains was one amazing band. personally, i think they had the potential to be another legendary band like a zeppelin. they just had so many different sounds that it will amaze you! i think every rock fan should have all their albums. jar of flies is awesome too!

An important album
Rotten Apple- This is an awesome song, the way Staley sings in this song takes a few listens to get used to but hey, the main riff is bumbling, and the wah intro is very catchy.
Nutshell- Very good song not as good as Rotten Apple, kinda boring but it's fun to sing to.
I Stay Away- Best song on the album, written by both Inez and Cantrell, the very is very pretty, the chours adds a crazy touvh to the song, I love the voilins.
No Excuses- the same as Nutshell, the drums are very fun to listen to.
Whale & Wasp- Although there is no singing, it captures the AIC feel, one of my favorites to play along with.
Don't Follow- Another favorite, it's fun to play and sing with, very pretty, the chorus is catchy and bluesy.
Swing on This- Very bluesy, the bass and drums follow right along with the guitar, the chorus is the best part, and the solo at the end is easy to geoove to.
It's amazing how they wrote one of their best albums in just seven days.

Amazing - Off the CHAIN!!
This album is ridiculously amazing, just as is Dirt. Man oh man, it doesn't get much better than Alice in Chains, which in my opinion is the best grunge band of the early 90's (although all of them were stellar!) Fluffdiggity, you have some amazing taste in music... almost identical to mine. Although I would have to replace Nirvana with Tool for the best band of all time, but Nirvana is also freaking amazing.

I suggest any rock fan to get this album for Nutshell, Don't Follow, Whale & Wasp... well, pretty much every song on the album, but those in particular. ... Read more

Reviews (93)

The best Green Day CD
I got into their later stuff before this. But I must say, this is green day at their best. Each song on here gives you a totally different vibe as to what is going on in their lives. At this point in time in their careers they were so unknown that it made their music so much better than it could be now.

1. 2000 Light Years Away - Catchy and almost too sweet, but perfect for everyone's 'long lost love'

2. One For The Razorbacks - Another catchy tune, great placing on the album

3. Welcome to Paradise - This is the pre-dookie version of this song, and it is the better version. It's more punk than the dookie version and you get more of a feel for what Billie Joe is saying...just listen to both versions and you'll get what i mean

4. Christie Road - This is one of my favorite songs on this album, it's very hard to explain why. But Billie Joe turned a place where he and his friends used to smoke pot into a wonderful punk song.

5. Private Ale - Another catchy punk rock tune. It's a hard to explain though.

6. Dominated Love Slave - Tre Cool's entrance into the band comes from this song. It is an earlier, more redneck, version of Blood Sex and Booze (From WARNING:). It's enough to give anyone a laugh.

7. One of My Lies - Another catchy great writing job by Billie Joe

8. 80 - This song is about Billie Joe's wife Adrienne, this song is ridiculously sweet, but it is so easy to relate to.

9. Android - The lyrics to this song almost seem like a predecessor to "basketcase" but all the same its an awesome song.

10. No One Knows - My second favorite song on this album. It is a great song about being confused and not knowing what to do. It's more mellow than the rest and has an awesome bass line.

11. Who Wrote Holden Caulfield? - My personal favorite. This song was written after Billie Joe read "Catcher in the Rye". This song has an awesome guitar line to it.

12. Words I Might Have Ate - Another great catchy tune, and wonderful writing job by Billie Joe.

13. Sweet Children - You can totally get the vibe of this song just from the title.

14. Best Thing In Town - This is another great song by Billie Joe

15. Strangleland - same as best thing in town, just a great song.

16. My Generation - A cover of The Who's song, but a very good one, i believe that Mike Dirnt has a little lead vocal on it in the beginning, all very cool.

This is the best green day album in my personal opinion, and i think that any green day fan should get it...it's just an awesome cd, and it foreshadows how great their other albums will be.

Kerplunk is Green Day kerPUNK!
Green Day's second and final album with Lookout! Records, and much better quality than the first album off the Lookout! label (more funding went into this one). Includes first recording of the punk rock trio's hit 'Welcome To Paradise'. 'Christie Road' is a slower paced song about a place to escape to, much in the theme of the young Green Day. 'Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?', a song based on the main character in the classic book 'Catcher In The Rye' by J.D. Salinger, and The Monkees inspired 'Words I Might Have Ate' closes the album before the 4-track recording of the very early Green Day, Sweet Children. These and many more Green Day material make up the Kerplunk collection, which seem to be very much inspired by singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong's early musical interests. A fantastic Green Day album if you're into them, 'Kerplunk' has many punk-pop tunes that should keep you entertained until they release something new!

Damn good old school green day
before"warning''and "waiting"green day's sound was a fast paced,melodic punk sound that could get stuck in your head for a year.This album is catchy as hell and has great melodic punk beats.Standout track are "80"and "2000 light years away"

Getting Closer To Becoming Alternative Rock Legends...
After Green Day released 1,039/Smooth in 1990 and going on their first tour, they released their second album, which would be their last for Lookout! Records. Also, this was their first album with Frank Edwin Wright III (better known as Tre Cool) behind the drum kit.

If 1,039/Smooth was more unpolished and punk, then this album has slightly more of a "Dookie" feel, but still raw. For "Kerplunk!", Green Day's overall feel was, 'If it ain't broke, why fix it?'. And fix it they didn't. For the most part, it features Green Day's now infamous and loved three-chord, two-to-three-minute punk-pop style. But WAIT! That's not all. For a few tracks, Billie Joe and company tried some experimentation...

A hick love song. ("Dominated Love Slave")
Acoustic Guitars. ("Words I Might Have Ate")
A ballad. ("No One Knows")

And, also on this CD, are four extra tracks recorded by Green Day when they were 15, under the title "Sweet Children". The songs on here are actually really good, including a punk rock version of The Who's "My Generation". (Take that, Wimp Bizkit.)

One thing to notice on this album: Green Day improved their songwriting skills. Take this line from "One Of My Lies": "Why does my life have to be so small / and death is forever / and does forever have a life to call its own?". Or "No One Knows": "Call me irresponsible / call me habitual / but when you think of me / does it fill your head with schemes? / Better think again / 'cause no one knows." Somehow I doubt that the Juliana Theory can come up with that. (Or anything beyond breaking up with your girlfriend.) So there's talent to be had here.

Anyway, if you want to hear some great vintage Green Day, check this one out.

(Insert Exciting Adjective Here)
Following up the excellent "1,039", Green Day had a lot of work to do. And even though "Kerplunk" isn't better, it is still an excellent view of the lesser known indie records.
The sound is still the same as it was before and the way it would stay for a while. The guitar chords are punchy, with Mike Dirnt adding in bass lines infectious you will be humming them for weeks, and new drummer Tre Cool doind his best imitation of the Ramones on the drums.
The take of "Welcome to Paradise" doesn't really differ from its "dookie: counterpart" except for the production value, and their cover of the Who's anthem "My Generation" wears down after a few listens, but the rest of the songs on here you'll want to hear over and over again.
Add to that a funny little story in the booklet, and "Kerplunk" is well worth your time and hard earned money. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Perhaps you weren't convinced of the Verve's staying power until recently. Before the release of Urban Hymns, skeptics wondered if they could ever match the explosive power of their earlier dedications. In 1995, most critics dismissed their offerings of the time as vapid, romantic excursions. To their credit, the Verve have sustained their shadow rock legitimacy while introducing string arrangements, piano fills, and slide guitar. Nowhere are these stirring traits more obvious than in the epic single "Bitter Sweet Symphony." Laying it on thick throughout the rest of the album with painfully engaging ballads, the Verve have crafted their most accomplished album to date, proving the longevity of their cultural resonance. --Lucas Hilbert ... Read more

Reviews (218)

When The Drugs Don't Work Try This Album
This is undoubtedly one of the best albums of the 90's. It contains two megahits - Bitter Sweet Symphony and The Drugs Don't Work. The latter I consider to be one of the best love songs ever recorded. Few other songs also rate very high - Sonet, Lucky Man, Space and Time and Velvet Morning.

The album is very consistent with an excellent sound, brilliant lead vocal by Richard Ashcroft and gentle and often psychedelic guitar by Nick McCabe. Ashcroft, an author of most of the songs, is at its peak as a songwriter. His songs at Urban Hymns are better than on the two previous Verve albums. He can write the most passionate and tender lyrics and then deliver them in his original way.

The Verve only recorded three albums, each of them better than the previous one. Urban Hymns is the last one after which the band broke up. If you like Urban Hymns then I recommend to go back and listen to the previous one called A Northern Soul (the song History itself is worth the money). Ashcroft's solo album from 2000 - Alone With Everybody is a good work too.

All Time Favourite
There are no words to describe "Urban Hymns"--all I can say is that it's the soundtrack to my life. When I first heard "Bittersweet Symphony" nearly five years ago, I almost fainted in rejoice, trying to imagine how any band was capable of such artistic beauty and lyrical perfection. Soon enough, the song became ubiquitous on both radio and TV, and its soaring melody of strings and double-whack beats will always remind me of that glorious time in music and in my life.

Beyond "Bittersweet Symphony," Richard Ashcroft and company craft a perfect, wondrous pop album that clearly outshines anything done by either Blur or Oasis. The songs here are so diverse, so perfect, so melodic, so touching, that they are inescapable after several listens--whether it's the soft acoustics of "Sonnet," the gritty rock of "The Rolling People," or the wah-wah funk of "Weeping Willow," The Verve paint a loose musical portrait with their psychedelic guitars, funky keyboards, and jazzy rhythm section.

To top it all, Richard Ashcroft adds his brilliant, emotionally extravagant lyrics. These are not the empty, meaningless meadenerings of Oasis or the pretenious, distopian musings of latter-day Radiohead, these are the bittersweet stories of Richard Ashcroft's life, his past drug use, and his rediscovery of spirituality and the fragility of life. He sings in a voice that is saturated with emotion and echoing of truth--never before have I heard lyrics that reflect any better the feelings of their writer.

"Urban Hymns" is phenomenal, and its fittingly bittersweet. It's an album that plays more like a giant oil painting, swimming in its color, perfect in its imagery, and undying in its message.

The best in my collection.
I got this CD two weeks ago, and it hasn't come out of CD player since. After I first heard Bitter Sweet Symphony, I knew I had to get it... that song is great on so many levels.

1. Bitter Sweet Symphony (10/10)- The violin music in the beginning sets the tone for the entire piece, and I love it. This has no competition- it's my favorite song.

2. Sonnet (9/10) I think I might be a little prejudiced with this song, because you can see what comes before it... it's a sweet song, but it doesn't really compare...

3. The Rolling People (10/10) I love this song, as well. It shows a different side of The Verve, and it's great, too. This one isn't slow... good contrast.

4. The Drugs Don't Work (9/10)- Very soulful.

5. Catching the Butterfly (10/10) 'I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly in that dream of mine...' great melody, and I love the lyrics...

6. Neon Wilderness (7/10) This song sounds like it wasn't finished... my least favorite. I usually skip through this one.

7. Space and Time (10/10) I love the 'I just can't make it alone' part of this song... makes my want to sing... or perhaps jump up and dance. Either one.

8. Weeping Willow (10/10) You never hear the lyrics 'weeping willow' in this song until the very end, but when you do, they really mean something. Not quite sure WHAT, but something...

9. Lucky Man (10/10)- I love this one, as well.

10. One Day (10/10) The lyrics and the song are both so sweet in this song...

11. This Time (8/10)- I like this one, but not quite as much as the others.

12. Velvet Morning (10/10) I love when the music changes from soft and slow to loud and a bit wilder... It's like, 'dumdumdumdumdum- ANOTHER VELVET MORNING FOR ME.' Kinda takes you by surprise. :)

13. Come On (10/10)- Perfect ending... 'Come along with our sound'. Fabulous.

End rating (drum roll, please): 123 stars out of 130. That's a pretty good percentage. Get this CD... I loved it. And, once you hear Bitter Sweet Symphony, you're pretty much sold already...

Urban CRAP.
Boring typical british new romantic crap. To say this album can stand the test of time is a joke! There are plenty of copies in the second hand record shops already! Anybody into this trash should get a life.

This Will Stand the Test of Time
This is one of those timeless albums that you can listen to now (six years after its initial release) and still enjoy it. Each of the songs still sound as fresh as today as they did back in 1997. With this album, the Verve hit a homerun.

I remember I was browsing through a CD store when I first heard "Bittersweet Symphony." It immediately caught my attention, and I stood rooted on the spot just listening. Very few times has an album jolted me like that, but this was one of those times. I asked the clerk who this was and he said that it was from the new album by The Verve. After "Bittersweet" was over, he told me to hold on and listen to "Lucky Man." It was after that I was sold -- I had to buy the album.

On this album, you get 13 little masterpieces -- there's not a filler track in the bunch. Besides the excellent songwriting, the production is outstanding. I haven't heard such a good mix of strings since Tony Visconti's work with T. Rex -- just listen to "Lucky Man," "Bittersweet Symphony," or "Sonnet" for proof.

The only downside is that the group broke up after this -- their finest moment! Of all the dumb luck. While Richard Ashcroft has gone on to do a couple of solo albums, they don't seem to capitalize on what The Verve had done on this album. Yes, he's the voice, the did much of the writing, but as the old saying goes: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Best album of the 1990's? This one, no question about it. After the Britney's, the Justin's, and all the other drivel from that era fades, this will be one of the albums people look back upon fondly. Rating: A+ ... Read more

Amazon.com

Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley teams with Seattle pals Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) and Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees) in the tradition of other part-time grunge aggregations like Brad and Hater.These 10 numbers--mostly somber, acoustic-hued ballads like the single "River of Deceit"--are a therapeutic soul-cleansing for the troubled Staley. Core fans of any of the aforementioned bands will rank this with the solo work of Screaming Tree frontman Mark Lanegan (a guest vocalist here). --Jeff Bateman ...