Album Description

All six studio albums she cut for EMI and two CDs with 29 rarities from this time period, including mixes, B-sides & live tracks. 96 tracks total. Also contains a 28 page full color CD sized photo booklet. Each disc comes in a standard jewel case & each stores nicely in an individual slot within the sturdy 5 x 6 x 8in black cardboard box. Includes the CD albums 'The Kick Inside', 'Lionheart', 'Never For Ever', 'The Dreaming', 'Hounds Of Love' & 'The Sensual World' (released on Columbia in the U.S.). The rarities comps are titled 'This Woman's Work I & II'. 1990 EMI release. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

I Guess All I Can Say Is... "Wow!"
I first heard Kate Bush on the radio. The song was "Running Up That Hill." Before I even saw how she looked I just thought, "What an amazing voice." Then I bought "Hounds Of Love" on tape. I was only 17, it was a bit too much for me. But I kept going back to it and the more I heard it the more I liked it. Before I knew it, I was starting to collect her albums. I tried to find them used. Two years later, I had almost forgotten about her until I went into a used record store and there it was, "This Woman's Work", the 8 c.d. set. Not only that, but it was the British version. It was[pricey]It felt like a bit much. That night I went around the internet listening to previews of all her albums and I decided, I need to have this. I have never regretted buying it. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. The music is so diverse. In closing, this is obviously not the best purchase to buy if you just a little curious. However, if you are like me and want to have all her classic albums on high quality c.d.s with some unique extras too, you should really look into this. I liked too how the booklet was just a photo essay and didn't try to summarize or explain Kate Bush in any way. Some things are better left being open to interpretation.

If you've haven't heard the singled, you've missed out!
I first got into Kate Bush when "The Dreaming" was released, and bought all her albums immediately thereafter. I reserved my copy of "Hounds of Love" the day its release was announced. (I think I was the first person in Kansas to own it.) When the boxed set came out, I was living in Dallas, Texas, and I already had most of the singles (and those wonderful, unreleased B-sides) either as British 45s, or on 12-inch US re-mixes. There were only four of the songs in the boxed set that I didn't have on vinyl. Nonetheless, I bought the boxed set with my final paycheck, before I moved back to Kansas City, and never regretted paying nearly 200 bucks for basically four new (unheard before) songs. Sure, I could have used the money for more practical things--food, gas, rent, or some such fleeting nonsense--but, I survived, and had some great music to keep me company--and I still have it, when anything else I could have spent the money on would have been gone long ago. I have almost 700 CDs in my collection now, but if I were stranded on that proverbial deserted/desert island, and could only rescue one of them, it would be "Hounds of Love"; the entire album being the best music ever written and recorded by a human being, in any genre, hands down. 'Course, if I could, I'd grab the whole bloody boxed set! I have yet to hear anything by any other artist that comes close to the power and intensity of Kate's work, or any other artist who consistently has achieved such quality throughout their entire career. Don't take the time to think about it. Just buy this box!

Keith Russell, Synthetic Sky Studios, synthsky@aol.com.

Just the BEST!!!!
I highly advise people to get this boxset. Kate Bush is just amazing. The music is fantastic and her voice is beautiful. That's really all I have to say about it. Good, good, good stuff!

Like Bathing in Dark Chocolate
I'm too old to be going gaga over artistes. But I'll be damned if this woman doesn't evoke a whole lot of unwholesome thoughts in parts of me I had forgotten that I possessed.

This lady and her music defy description. She's an angel, a seductress, a child, a sage, a siren, a confidant, a poet, and a mystic - all on the same album and sometimes within the same song. Her songs are like distillations of the most vivid moments in one's life. She sings with a soaring purity and an intensity that can only be truly appreciated when heard, yet never, ever shades over into maudlin sentimentality or melodrama. This is a balancing act she pulls off again and again, while never repeating ideas or getting trapped into creative ruts. I give up trying to guess which creative direction she will next take. Whatever it is, it's just bound to be stunning.

Kate is hardly for everyone. She sings for the daring listener. She is the very antithesis of the mass-market plastic bimbettes belting out all those identical tunes threatening to smother the world in pabulum. She is arresting, gothic, quirky and audacious. Consequently, her music takes some getting used to. The listener must train his/her ear to Kate's peculiarities. The payoff comes when the peculiarities reveal themselves as something altogether numinous. In fact, she is one of those rare singer/songwriters who truly deserve the honour of being called an artist.

I could go on fawning over her like this, at the risk of inanity and my self-respect. The only way to understand why her fans have been so consistently devoted to her for over twenty-five years is to listen to her music. And this is my one king-sized beef. How on earth can EMI justify the outrageous sum they are charging for this boxed set? Kate's music has a hard enough time getting out to the general public as it is without having to surmount this Himalayan price. Any dedicated fan already owns most or all of her albums, so must fork over almost $200 for some rarities. This price puts the set out of reach for any but the most well heeled. Existing fans can't justify it, potential fans won't spring for it, so it becomes a self-limiting niche collection.

If you are a discerning listener convinced that rock music can achieve transcendence, don't yet have any of her albums, and can afford this compilation without suffering starvation for the next month, then just bite your lip, haul out your wallet and get this incomparable anthology. I promise you that you will never think of talent, desire, peculiarity or indeed, music, in quite the same way again. The only danger is that Kate may spoil you for just about any songstress who follows.

If Only Everyone Else Knew
Kate Bush stands at a level of artistic and musical achievement reserved explicitly for her. This boxed-set contains a library of songs filled with textured emotion, musical genius and literary brilliance that is uniquely Kate. 'This Woman's Work' conjures up vivid and remarkable images of dramatic settings in varied places and times - it attacks the senses and leaves you feeling warm, numb and genuinely satisfied. The music of Kate Bush is so inviting that you find yourself not only listening to it, but caressing it. Thank you Kate Bush for what amounts to so much more than just music. If only everyone else knew. ... Read more

Album Details

A Thrilling Return to the Incendiary Sound of their Creation Records Years and the Chemistry that Ignited their First Two Albums. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

$34.49 - Your joking right?
This $34.49 price point is a joke right? Even for an import. Sorry V2, you must think we are very stupid.

still great music
these guys still have the magic. A pity they've waited so long !

instant classics

"Kit Carter",
"Money and time"
"Gotta be that way"
"days run away"

For those who discover them, it's all about subtle pop music and elegant song writing. Nothing ever violent...a kind of sudden desire emerges to appreciate your neighbours and smile to the old lady!

An Incredible Pop Achievement!
After The House of Love left Creation and moved to the Fontana label in 1990, I lost interest in the band. They became over-produced and began to sound as if another mega-super-labels (Phonogram/Polygram) attempt to create (sic) a major Pop icon. As usual, when corporates stick their hand in the broth, the project failed because of a missing ingredient, the publics interest. The original HOL had an amazing clean sound that originally turned on so many early fans, but as with most other rock and roll stories, the band was consumed by big business and the original vision was lost and the band faded away. Many fans felt this band should have been huge, like in the Radiohead, Oasis vein, but it wasn't to be.
Now, the original line-up has returned and has issued Days Run Away. Without sounding too presumptuous, I think this is an incredible Pop album. Though only 10 songs and 37 minutes long, this is some of the most amazing and fresh pop sounding music that I've heard in ages. If only the local Mega-Rock radio station (WCCC) would drop its funereal Rap-Metal format and start playing Rock music like this, then new fans can discover this new fresh sounding music. I love it, but I refuse to catagorize it or try to describe what it sounds like, because I feel that naming sound alike artists or bands would pidgeon-hole this unique sounding band too much. Guitars, bass, and drums are the intruments used and musical and song writing talent (by frontman Guy Chadwick) is all you need to know.
Days Run Away is reminiscent of the bands Creation label days but also reveals a more experienced song writer in Mr. Chadwick. Right now only the UK pressing is available. Don't wait for a US release. Don't download it. Go buy it. ... Read more

Reviews (73)

The peak of Cocteau perfection
How do you know when you have entered heaven? Buy this album and listen for yourself. All of the superlatives that people lavish on this album are well-founded. Liz gives her most radiant vocal performance to date, Simon's bass gives the songs such gorgeous structure and Robin's guitar work is other-worldly. Start with the sultry swirls of Cherry-coloured funk. Guitars have never shimmered like this in the history of music, feel the bass guiding the melody in time with Liz's purring.

Forget words, if you can't feel what she is getting at, then you don't understand any kind of music. It is her sexiest vocal performance, rivalling only Athol-Brose on Blue Bell Knoll. The album continues on with Pitch the Baby. The bass line is really controlling the song, Liz's vocals dance over top. This is the only song on the album where she uses only her upper range. Fade into Iceblink Luck, the single, her voice cascades up and down, like a waterfall gone mad. You can hear her say "I'm happy again" and the listener can feel the exuberance in her voice. Next is 50-50 Clown, a quiet little number in between two of the biggest songs on the album. Her vocals are evenly split into two, singing to each other. If you like the style of this song, try and find the Evangeline single and listen to Mud and Dark, very much in the same vein. The title track is stunning. The guitars ring down the beautiful melody, chasing the bassline, and Liz's voice is pure joy. None of her vocal performances can equal this one, true joie de vie. I Wear Your Ring has been my favorite on the album for the last few months with its melodic minor-key musings. I feel like it is the music that should be played as the sun goes down and if you listen carefully, you will hear Liz sing "between the sunrise and sunset" at the beginning of the song. The modulation at the end takes my breath away, it sounds like Liz is singing "beautiful heads...." Track 7 is Fotzepolitic, with such exquisite songwriting, each element blending into perfection. Liz dazzles with her multi-octave passionate performance. Wolf in the Breast is the weakest track on the album in my mind, I don't often listen to it. Road, River, and Rail is delightful, you almost feel as if you are on the train with the way the guitar pauses and the light drum rhythms fit in with the instrumentation. If you listen carefully, you will hear some words, the Ille de la Cite (a bridge in Paris) and you get a small insight into the way Liz uses "bad grammar and diction" (her words) to write lyrics. She sings "fabulous igimery" which is the transposition of the letters in the word imagery. The album closes with "Frou-frou foxes.." A lovely finish to an altogether lovely album. The Cocteaus were unique, forging their own sound, that was like no other, finding admirers, imitators, and many bands who are indebted to them for what they did for music. You'll never find any Cocteau Twins covers for the simple reason that the music is perfect that can't be improved upon.

Stunning!
I can't express what this band means to me. Whenever I'm feeling down or I want to feel better, I pop in a Cocteau Twins CD. I agree with Robert Smith of the Cure, the Cocteau's are the best band in the world! My wife bought "Heaven" for me when it first came out. I was really into the Cocteau's at that time and I thought that they took a different turn with this release. I didn't really listen to it much at that time, because I was just in Love with "Blue Bell Knoll", and "The Pink Opaque" (my first exposure to CT). I've been listening to it a lot more recently and this is the Cocteau's at their best.

The opening song, "Cherry Coloured Funk" is heaven. How does Liz sing so wonderful? What talent! The second song, "Pitch the Baby" is great, is Liz rapping here? If she is, it's the prettiest that I've ever heard. Song three, "Iceblink Luck" is okay, but not one of my favorites on this disk. I know that it was a hit for them in the UK and a lot of people like it. The fourth song, "Fifty-Fifty Clown", is dream like, if you close your eyes, you feel like you are floating. To borrow a line from the track ... "This is a flowing love story-uh!" Song five, the title track, is good, I really like Robin's guitar. I like the video better. If you haven't seen it, you are missing something special. Track six, "I Wear Your Ring" is Fine Fine Fine!!!. Song seven, "Fotzepolitic", is a song like "Iceblink Luck", I can't pinpoint it. It is good though. For me, song eight should have been the big hit on the CD. Liz sings "my baby" in the background while she is singing lead at the same time. BEAUTIFUL!!! The ninth song, "Road River and Rail", is breathtaking, the way Liz is whispering in the background. Her vocal range changes are stunning to say the least. The highlight on this CD musically, is the last song, "Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fire". This song brings a tear to my heart. I love this song! I believe it's one of the Cocteau's all time greats. It starts off slow ... raises tempo ... goes back to slow ... raises tempo again, while Liz sings her heart out (is she rapping here again?).

Elizabeth Fraser's vocals are beautiful throughout this CD. She is without a doubt the most talented and under-rated singer on this planet. As stated above, her vocal range change is stunning. When I first heard the Cocteau's on "The Pink Opaque", I thought that there were two female singers; Liz has that kind of range. Robin Guthrie is the composer and he is very talented with the various instruments he plays including the guitar, keyboards, and drum machines. Simon Raymonde is the bassist and he keeps the songs flowing. It's too bad that CT disbanded. Maybe because they exhausted all of their great songs, I don't know, but I miss looking forward to one of their new releases. If you are new to the Cocteau Twins, or want to find a CD to add to your collection, this one is a must. 5 Stars!

Timeless, trendless beauty
If indeed the 4AD music label was created to harbor "music that was timeless, free of any trend, movement or era", then Cocteau Twins (along with contemporaries Dead Can Dance) have got to embody the quintessence of the label.

Having only heard Elizabeth Fraser's beautiful voice on her collaborations for the Lord of the Rings' scores, 'Heaven or Las Vegas' became my first plunge into her musical world alongside bandmates Robin Guthrie (guitars and her spouse too) and Simon Raymonde (bass), and I sure got soaked by what I ran into. At first, I was ready for a Dead Can Dance-like album, but what I found was more of a crossover between Japanese pop and ABBA-like choruses with layers of Fraser's angelical voice, framed by some of the most exquisite guitar and bass sounds you can imagine by her side and a fairly innocent beat to go with it all. Something so all-encompassing, that it's almost impossible to put your finger on it...

From the opening track, this 1990 album puts out a happy note after another, and if you have a chance to check out the lyrics too, you'll realize that the Twins' play of words goes merrily hand in hand with the tunes to peak somewhere around track #7 ("Fotzepolitic" -don't ask me about songtitle meanings yet, though) and leave you much in a positive note, just feeling a bit sorry for how fast time flies when you listen to the whole 10 songs.

Travel
It was wonderful finding this cd again..I listened to it, apparently non-stop for months about 5 years ago... it would make me feel pretty, happy, light and ready for anything...
anyone who listens to this will have an internal burst of color and warmth...nothing will ever bring you down again...least of all the small stuff.

Absolutely one of the best albums I have ever heard
I love this album! I can't express how it makes me feel when I hear it. It is mesmerizing. It floats. Her voice is absolutely incredible. The music is as colorful as the album's cover. The whole album just flows so well. It's too bad there isn't music like this anymore other than a few exceptions.

Highly recommended. No matter what kind of music you are into, it will be hard not to be captivated by this album. It is a classic! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The highlight of Curve's gothic, shoegazing rock has always been Toni Halliday. The duo's female front person possesses a darkly beautiful voice, a gift that on its own could still break hearts. Halliday conveys longing and hardship as smoothly as P.J. Harvey, though she lacks a bit of Harvey's grit. Nonetheless, from the day Curve's debut, Doppelganger, first hit the shelves in 1992, Halliday has been the reason to fall under this band's spell. Almost a decade later, she's lost none of her brooding charm. Gift is a lush electronic album, with quick-shifting dynamics moving under Halliday's honeyed croons. Bass player and programmer Dean Garcia and guest guitarist Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine) crank up the intensity on the effects one minute and strip back to simple beats the next, creating the right amount of tension for Halliday's vocals to rise to the top. The only missteps come when the act gets too close to copping another artist's style: the opening industrial assault on "Hell Above Water" makes them sound like a cheap Nine Inch Nails clone, and "Polaroid" feels stolen from Madonna's Music. Luckily, most of Gift is distinctly the best of Curve: a moody collage of synthetic noise crested by Halliday's otherworldly set of pipes. --Jennifer Maerz ... Read more

Reviews (49)

Good, but completely par for the course
Put simply, if you liked previous efforts by the band, there's no way to not like this one. Halliday's voice remains as tough and seductive as ever. Similarly, Garcia's instrumentation is that particular mix of rough edges around a sweet, soaring center. The only negative thing to say here is that there's no real new ground being broken here. But who really cares. There's so few bands making truly compelling, non-corny, non-teen-angst-fueled electronic-flavored rock, there's no real need to want Curve to change. One other small complaint: no pictures of Halliday in the liner notes. I'm truly embarassed to say that matters to me at all.

Want more Curve
It's good to see that Curve's record label decided to release "Gift" after all. Despite the pain it took Toni and Dean to get it release, the wait was worth the hassle. "Gift" is definitely one of the most interesting albums to have come out this year. Toni Halliday's vocals couldn't sound any better than they did on this album. The dark, industrial beats of "Hell Above Water" and "Gift" are two of the best songs I have heard ever. Of course they are two of my favorite songs off the album. I was just blown away by them when I first heard them. They sound even better with the stereo crankd up loud. "Fly With the High" is another particular favorite track off the cd. I love Toni's polished vocals on this track. Curve's music in general reminds me a lot of Garbage with their blending of techno/industrial beats with rock music. I would not be surprised if Garbage was influenced by Curve. I certainly would list "Gift" as one of the best albums of 2001 and one of Curve's best albums ever.

This is the best album in years...period!
..."Gift" is the beautifully written follow-up to the duo's sonic smashing 1998 album, "Come Clean", from which the wickedly awesome "Chinese Burn" tops the track listing. "Gift" picks up where its predecessor leaves off, hard hitting! The intro track, "Hell Above Water" is surprisingly the only massively hard track on the whole album, so as to give you the impression that this is just like Curve's other works. As soon as the title track reverbs into your ears, you can tell this record has got some surprises in store. Toni Halliday's entrancing voice carries you through the light and heart-felt songs "Want More Need Less", "Perish" (this albums candidate for best love ballad), and the soft and sleepy "Hung Up". As you continue to listen the soundscape gets bold and gritty as Toni sings about "sitting pretty" in the song "Chainmail", and then her sound bightens up in the pulsing track "Fly With the High". After you come down, Dean Garcia, the other half of this act, tones it down with shades of gray sounds reminiscent of their first LP, "Doppelganger", as you listen to "My Tiled White Floor". You begin to hear the sarcasm in Toni's voice as she tells you how her "tiled white floor is so soothing, it's so inviting..". Soon after she's done talkng about her interior decorating, the light tapping of drums softly signals the start of a song about a mystery, called "Polariod". Finally, this dynamic ride from one end of the music spectrum ends on the opposite side with a song echoing back to the days of goth and grunge,"Bleeding Heart". As the album draws to a close, the haunting echoes of Toni's voice will leave you in awe at how such a wonderfully talented group like Curve has continued to go ignored by the mainstream. If dark acts like Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and Garbage (who where influenced by Curve heavily) can get major media attention, why overlook this band? Curve are still innovators of a new sound movement in rock and roll. This album is their best work to date. My suggestion: buy this album, and I guarantee you will fall in love with this great group.

think Garbage
I bought this album thinking it could be compared to kidneythieves or maybe Guano Apes. Instead, like many others, I believe it can be compared to Garbage. The music tends to be mellow and repetitive, unlike the ever changing sound of a kidneythieves album. Toni's voice is also mellow and constant, much like Shirley Manson's. This album doesn't lack energy, it just doesn't have it in abundance. A good choice to listen to if you not in any particular mood and just want to hear some good music.

SEDUCED YOU ONE SONG AT A TIME
the bad news first. GIFT does not raise the bar at all. there is nothing new or unique to this album but beyond that CURVE fans should be happy. toni halliday has the voice of an angel. sweet and seductive, like a lover who kisses you with so much passion that you barely notice her driving a knife in your back.
the music is centered around ear candy-esque melody that is , at times, ragged around the edges. i have to comment to MoonGoddess' review. there is no way in hell garbage is better than curve. curve, not only came first but they set the standered for this style of music. they raised the bar and while you can compare stylistically speaking, it is my firm opinion that while garbage is indeed awesome. they pale in comparison. shirly manson is beautiful but garbage do not know how to use that beautiful voice as well as curve work the music and voice together. just my opinion, neither right nor wrong.
this is a great cd both for the fan and the necomer to curve. sweet and sensual, haunting and brilliant. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's been three years since the debut album by Spiritualized, butPure Phase is worth the wait. Guitarist/vocalist Jason Pierce combinestouches of gospel, the classical minimalism of Steve Reich and Terry Riley, andthe swirling guitar rock of his old band, Spacemen 3. The result is lazy,melodic jams such as "Medication" and "Electric Mainline"that have a transcendent power somewhere between a religious revival meeting anda really good acid trip. --Jim DeRogatis ... Read more

Reviews (10)

melliflow
this album is complete and utter genius, and much better than floating in space. electric slide song sinks its dull teeth into your aural canals and gently shreds any hope you ever had of life being anything but false hope and numb regret. spiritualized is salacious solace; pure pain medication.

Kind of an anomaly, but brilliant nonetheless
Pure Phase isn't, to my ears, much like the rest of Spiritualized's output. I recall, when it first came out, that the radio station I was working at kept filing it in the electronica section. Which ain't even remotely correct, but gives you an idea how hard to classify this is. Lazer Guided Melodies was a fuzzy expansion of the sound of the Spacemen 3. Pure Phase takes this fuzziness, throws in a lot more effects, and sort of strips away (in my opinion) a lot of the human, rock and roll, side of the band.

Not entirely, obviously. This isn't electronica or the product of a few keyboards and a drum machine. But it is more synthetic and chillier than anything else Spiritualized has done. And it more than works. Electric Mainline is exactly what the name says: the musical equivalent of pure shot of something opiated. Medication has a bit of foreshadowing of the self-pity Pierce would later wallow in, but weds it to a soaring and, yes, spiritual sound.

And Lay Back in the Sun is, hands down, the greatest pop song Pierce has, as of yet, written.

This is a great album. In some ways, I regret that Pierce didn't keep going in this vein, instead of the lush and anguished orchestral/gospel/free-jazz that he was to unleash with Ladies and Gentlemen . . . It would have been interesting to see where he ended up. On the other hand, I can certainly enjoy this as the beautiful little anomaly that it is.

My least favorite Spz album well not counting the new one
This album reminds me of White Light White Heat the cover is similar but the music is all over the place as well.

You get the soft weepy ballads coupled with loud abrassive rockers. This can be a good thing but it means you are lulled you into dreams only to be kicked in the head out of them.

Dont get me wrong this contains great songs some of my favorites. but its not as strong as a whole collection of songs like LGM or LAGWAFIS.

the new modernism...?
'Pure Phase' is a less tuneful, more minimalistic record than its predecessor 'Lazer Guided Melodies' but not yet as dark and introspective as its follow up 'Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space'. More than this though, 'Pure Phase' represents a unique musical accomplishment for Jason Pierce and his stargazing compatriots... The tracks are diverse and yet cohesive in approach and effect, they are carefully orchestrated soundscapes, as well as pop songs. 'All of My Tears' is a great example of Pierce's modern approach to songwriting. A refined version of 'So Hot' first released by Spacemen 3, the track is not so much a simple chord progression as it is a slow system of movement, aware of its own aural space. The lyrics are as stripped down as the melody itself, only hinting at and counterpointing the story told within the mix itself. The quivering violin which underlines the piece hangs on to two notes and struggles to become a cohesive melody line, it strikes as the sound of a tearful composure, an emotional concept realized through the simple physics of time and movement that are given such unprecedented authority here... Most importantly, though it seems to be a well integrated form of modernism, it does not project that foul stench of intellectualism. It is quite simply beautiful... A brilliant and vital record.

Beautiful orchestral "pop" before it was popular
After the mild success of Spiritualized's 'Lazer Guided Melodies' debut, Jason Pierce went on a three year hiatus in which he wrote, composed, produced, arranged, re-produced, and re-re-produced Pure Phase. The fruits of his labor ended up being an album that adheres closely to the philosophy of the first album while expanding on the M.O. of the band. The sound of the album is diverse, placing anthemic rockers ("These Blues")next to soothing ballads ("Let it Flow") without sounding campy or pretensious. At a time when Britain was all about Bush and Oasis, Spiritualized quietly produced two albums of beautiful orchestral pop that stood out like a mountain over the bland musical landscape of the day. ... Read more

Album Details

Another brooding, intense salvo from Radiohead's 2001 smash 'Amnesiac'. Includes unreleased b-sides 'Worrywort' & 'Fog'. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Extremely good... but also rather pricey
Here's a song-by-song breakdown of what's on this single:

"Knives Out" You've probably heard this already, so I don't think I need to comment. All I'm gonna say is that it deserves it's place on Amnesiac. 5/5

"Worrywort" Very good song that sounds like primative Nintendo music. There are better B-Sides out there, but it still is good. 4/5

"Fog" The best Radiohead B-Side since "Talk Show Host," which appears in many live sets. I can see why it wouldn't work on Amnesiac; it sounds a bit too much like "Dollers and Cents." Still an outstanding B-Side, much better than some songs that were put on the actual album *coughcoughMorningBellRemakecoughcough* 5/5

Despite the quality of this recording, two good songs (assuming you already own Amnesiac) don't justify twelve bucks. Both songs are relatively easy to find on download services like LimeWire, so either download them or wait for Radiohead to release a B-Sides compilation in the US (which probably won't happen anytime soon)

A wholly different side of Radiohead...
I am not going to waste any breath on Knives Out since that song has been reviewed by hundreds of people along with the other tracks on Amnesiac. No, it's the b-sides what I'm here for. The 4-minute wonder that is called Fog, or alternately, Alligators in New York Sewers, is worth the price of the cd alone. However, it's the other track that really does it for me. Worrywort...my oh my, what a song. The combination of airy and delicate synths and Thom's breathy vocals demands repeated listens. Truly, it must be one of the most optimistic songs that Radiohead has ever written. Though it's understandable why it has been left off Amnesiac, it's still a pity that not many people know about this song, since the band is best known for wallowing in misery. And when Thom murmurs 'such a beautiful day', you know that your day has been made.

fog... get fog
I know radiohead's whole singles scheme is frustrating and off-putting in terms of actually being able to obtain all of their material, but perhaps our frustrations will win out with a healthy b-sides album in the future. In the meantime, I just have to add a note on this single... it's really fantastic. I got it long ago but just happened to be looking through these pages today and realized I must comment on how wonderful the b-side "Fog" truly is. "Worrywort" is a solid b-side, though definitely that to me, but "Fog"... my oh my. I suppose I can understand why they couldn't sequence it into Kid A or Amnesiac but it's a truly phenomenal song. In light of the three b-sides on the Pyramid Song single, the two on the Knives Out single blow them away... but get it if only for "Fog".

Very, Very experimental
Knives Out is Radiohead in their older form with acoustic guitars, drums, bass, etc. I consider it to be sub-standard to their older recordings but its still one great song.
As for the b-sides, Worrywort has some great effects used in the background (a type of mood synthesizer with chimes i think). It isnt exactly the best song theyve ever done but great nonetheless. Fog will grow on you after repeated listens. It combines Radiohead's new sound with their old sound, drenching their basic song structure in effects that will indeed remind you of fog.
if had to rate the songs in order of greatness it would go:
1. Knives Out
2. Fog
3. Worrywort

Like the others say, just for one song
I haven't got this single and so I haven't heard "worrywort" before, so I'm completely unsure of how that is.

If you've got amnesiac then you've already got "knives out", so you don't really need to buy this.

But you want to listen to "fog". It would be worth the asking price, if it wasn't for the fact that you could just get it off the internet for almost nothing. do that! it's a lovely song.

Like the other reviewer said - better than some of the main-album tracks - *coughcoughMorningBellRemakecoughcough* - LOL too true my friend!!

I've seen one other website call the song "fog" by another name "alligators in new york sewers" - so it's apparently also known as that. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you haven't caught up with Lush for a while, you may be astonished when you put this on. Songs. Hooks. Choruses. Singing--more or less in tune. Looks like Lush stopped glanced up from gazing at their shoes and saw that there was an audience wanting to be entertained. So they dug out their old new wave albums and got themselves inspired. The opener, "Ladykiller," is just that: a stone killer that sets the lyrical mood for the whole record--relationships gone sour, the way "boys" act, and how women can be strong. Real life or what? Musically, it's as though a picture has just finally come into focus. Lush always denied their poppy side. Here they've given it full rein, and the effect is glorious, catchy as hell, filled with clever arrangements, and only "Last Night" has any kind of spook quotient. Wonderful stuff. The new wave of new wave of new wave? No, just a new lease on life for Lush. Welcome back. --Chris Nickson ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A tour de force that, sadly, also crippled Lush for years.
Lovelife was a landmark in the development of Lush as a band -- from the tentative, dreamy coos on 1990's Gala (a collection of EPs) through the experimental Floyd-isms of 1992's Spooky and the harder rock-industrial-ambient hybrid on 1994's Split. Starting with Split, we found Lush going towards a more song-based approach instead of the breathtaking but amorphous sonics of its first two albums. Lovelife is the pinnacle of the band's journey into master songcraft. Unfortunately, it's also been the band's last work for over three years, having lost drummer Chris Acland a year after Lovelife's release.

But the album itself is nearly perfect -- the aggressive, sinewy rock on "Ladykillers", the breathless pop rush of "Heavenly Nobodies", the giddy girl-band references on "500", the almost country-ish "I've Been Here Before", the achingly lovely, confessional "Tralala" (beautifully simple lead guitars by Emma Anderson), and haunting Miki Berenyi songs in "The Childcatcher", "Mamasan" and "Last Night", showing Berenyi at her strongest and most assured, fully achieving the genius she hinted at on Split's haunting "Light from a Dead Star". The only downer on Lovelife is "Ciao!", a duet with Pulp's Jarvis Cocker, whose sickeningly apathetic vocal style is completely at odds with the freewheeling expression and pure emotion of the Berenyi/Anderson duo. The album would have been perfectly fine without this tasteless bit of rockabilly duet; Cocker ends up marring what would have been the first flawless album in Lush's catalogue.

It would be a real shame if Lush were to call it quits now. Though the prospect of following up this album appears daunting, the one thing Berenyi and Anderson seem capable of is growth, destorying past expectations and resetting their artistic scope. One can only wish that there will still be more of this band in the next decade.

Forget it's Lush
Many indie bands have an album that is so far removed from their earlier work that, in spite of its quality, it disappoints fans. For the Cocteau Twins, it was FOUR CALENDER CAFE, for Pale Saints it was FINE FRIEND. Lush's hour came when the foursome released LOVELIFE in 1996. The band's turn to a Britpop-like sound alienated many, and it is perhaps the lowest point in the band's all-too-brief career.

(However, critics who claim that LOVELIFE is the band's only shift from their shoe-gazing sound are ignoring the sublime SPLIT, which saw the band in a more industrial production.)

Nonetheless, LOVELIFE is a good album if one just shoves aside memories of Lush's previous albums. There are some really good songs here, such as "Olympia" and "Papasan." Most of the album is simple have-a-good time pop, like the opening track "Ladykillers" and the infamous "500," the band's tribute to the diminuitive Fiat Cinquecento automobile.

The album does have some misses. As funny as it is on the first listen, the Miki and Jarvis Cocker duet "Ciao!" drives one crazy on repeat hearings. "The Childcatcher" is disappointing for anyone who has heard the much better version on the limited edition ALL VIRGOS ARE MAD compilation.

Sure, LOVELIFE isn't the best rock album ever, and is disappointing in light of Lush's earlier output, but it's pretty darn good on its own.

could be lush-er (is that a word? whatever)
Lush is one of those great bands of the 90's that never got proper recognition (at least in north america anyways). This album has a few good tracks on it, but does not compare to the pure blissful shoegazeing trip that spooky and split induce. This album is more pure pop.....less intriguing...but still worth a listen.
What the hell is with the artwork anyways?
RIP chris A.

not alone?
This is one of my top albums, after I first heard it on the radio I knew it had to be mine forever. It reflects perfectly the feeling that floats around girls in fear of becoming spinsters, or the contumacy for Saturday outings in the hope of coming back home not alone. It contains the quintessential British superficial-deepness, neither wanting to think about the problems, nor letting you explode with joy (because you know there is something else behind the dancing queen).

And, of course, the duet with Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) is one of those sexy duets that deserve a place in pop history (almost as a kind of Gainsbourg-Birkin duet with country arrangements). I think there is a connection between those two British groups (Pulp and Lush), but you can find similarities in other groups that combine that apparent carelessness with melancholy (...).

If you are fond of bittersweet-but-catchy melodies, this is your record, but listen to it only once in a while. It has the power of making you want to dance while you're listening to it, and make you want to sob when the music leaves you...alone. So don't listen to it before going to bed, but before going out, and put on your sexiest clothes!!!

Killer ladies.
This was their final album, and an overall great piece of work. Their early stuff was alot more "shoegazer", whereas this has more of a brit-pop sound. Both "Ladykillers" and "Single Girl" were big songs off this, but my favorite by far is "Last Night". That song is everything I love about "Lush". Also, "500 (shake baby shake)" is near perfect alt-pop. New fans should get the hits "Ciao", but anyone should like "Lovelife". ... Read more

Amazon.com

James and Alison Shaw, the brother-sister songwriting team fromPortsmouth, England that's best known as CRANES, are not without pretensions:They originally planned to make Loved a double album with half devoted toa musical interpretation of The Flies, the expressionist play by torturedFrench novelist Jean Paul Sartre. That plan was shelved (they had to settle forcover art by French painter Edgar Degas), and instead, their third albumdelivers 11 oddly seductive pop songs that mix brutally powerful drumming, aCocteau Twins-like wall of shimmering guitars, and the lovable little-girl-on- helium vocals of Alison Shaw. --Jim DeRogatis ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Like a small child at the bottom of a deep well
People certainly seem to love or hate this band. The vocals sound like the cries of a small child at the bottom of a deep well, and large portions of the music are indeed melodramatic, depressing, and in many cases jarringly dissonant. I'm particularly fond of the mournful, almost bluesy slide guitar on "Beautiful Friend."

However, this isn't just a disc for mopey goth kids. It's got some beautiful moments of pop sensibility mixed in with its dark tones, and that mixture, along with the disturbingly childlike voice, bring me back to this band again and again.

I enjoyed this album a great deal more than other Cranes albums-- the later ones were a little too bright and poppy, and the earlier ones a little too dismal and repetitive. This album, however, can go on repeat play for hours or days filled with both sunshine and sadness.

These guys make beautiful music...
"Shining Road (both mixes)," "Paris and Rome (both mixes)," "Lilies (both mixes)," "Loved," and "Beautiful Friend" are the best songs on this beautifully textured and sonic album. Their music has a wonderful quality of sound and musical talent. The singer's voice is just lovely to listen to, the music is heavy, yet soothing, and release as much pain as harder sounding bands, and as yet gives as much joy as bubblegum pop (okay, bad comparison, 'cuz the Cranes could kick the arse of any boy band or pop singer). Anyway, this is probably their best album as far as I'm concerned. If you like good goth music that leaves you in a state of serenity, this is the album to get.

Amazing...
This band is amazing. The music is very chill and sedate, if you're looking for something aggressive you might want to pursue other options. The melodies are a complete dream, Alison's voice is that of an angel. We saw them in Houston about two years ago and I actually got to meet Alison Shaw. She kissed my cheek and it may have slightly altered the color of my soul, I'm not sure. Anyway, she is amazing. This band is worth checking out.

Atmospheric, fun for the most part
Some of the songs are fantastic - those with the beautiful loose-guitar sounds and ethereal imagery "come this far", "loved" grab me and transport me somewhere else, wonderful. I'll agree that Alison Shaw's voice is an acquired taste, but I just love it.

Under appreciated
This is, by far, one of the Cranes best albums. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Heaven sent
I woke up and looked out of the window and lo! it was raining and the clouds looked like porridge.
I grabbed my iPod and frantically searched it for something to cheer me up. The fannies jumped out at me.
Needless to say the Fannies did their job.In my head the sun is shining and this remains the greatest testiment to one of our greatest bands ever.
Long live Teenage Fanclub.

Generous and selfless
There's a Teenage Fanclub song called 'Norman 3' (alas, not on this collection) that follows its first verse with 'Yeah, I'm in love with you, I'm in love with you, and I know that it's you'. After this simple chorus you expect a second verse but you don't get one. Instead the chorus is repeated, without variation, another TEN times - way beyond any conventions of songcraft. At first you feel surprise, then you start to believe that the singer is really in love, then a kind of euphoria takes over as you start to share the same feeling. Another song of theirs (on this collection) starts with a selfless expression of love that must be unique in rock music: 'I don't want control of you. Doesn't matter to me. The very heart and soul of you are places I wanna see'.

Teenage Fanclub sing songs of love. Love for their partners, love for nature (the Scottish Highlands in particular) and love for the planet. Their songs are generous and selfless. They have no trace of archness, hipness or postmodern irony about them. Their songs have gorgeous melodies, aching harmonies and neat arrangements played on jangly guitars. Although they have learnt a great deal from the Beatles and the Byrds, they are definitely their own men. In my humble opinion they are the finest songwriters working today. This CD is an excellent collection of some of their best songs. You should buy it.

A forgotten band on the landscape of good pop music...
Over a decade ago, amidst the grunge period in alternative music's hey day, Teenage Fanclub was quietly releasing albums on the same SubPop imprint that birthed hundreds of alt/grunge/punk bands that we've all come to know and love. I remember hearing a song of theirs on a compilation, thinking how out of place it sounded among other more disjunct and chaotic members of the imprint, and how a band like this would never reach the pinnacle of success seen by bands with less skill and purity that they possess...because Teenage Fanclub makes the music that you don't fall in love with at first sight, you ease into it until it becomes a comfort....like an old recliner in the living room that's been worn down to your shape...

I've always said that Teenage Fanclub is what the Beach Boys would be if they grew up today and didn't surf. And while this can't really be the perfect album (being a best of...retrospective kind of effort), it's a worthy addition to the collection of anyone trying to get caught up, or needing a crash course in one of the most underrated bands in the world.

Teenage Fanclub played before the Brit-pop invasion, and they're playing just as well after we saw it come and go. Their mix of relaxed lyrics and jangly guitars don't really fit into a genre other than pop, but it doesn't have to. They create the kind of sad, sweet music that manages to have some prestige to it, rather than just sound cheesy or hollow.

"Your Love Is the Place Where I Come From" is a short acoustic number that tugs at all the right strings, while "Ain't That Enough" is the closest proof I can find to the Beach Boys comparison stated above. But even looking at the song titles, "The World'll Be OK", "I Don't Want Control Of You", "Don't Look Back", they sing with reckless abandon about love, loss, peace, etc.....things that should warrant a roll of the eyes but strangely work in their context.

Buy this, and if you like what you hear, go buy the album "Songs from Northern Britain". Find out why Teenage Fanclub has lasted the test of time, and never had to change their tune.

Teenage Jubilation
There were no bands more fun, more diverse, more intelligent, and more talented then the members of Brinsley Schwartz and NRBQ. That is unless you were a Teenage Fanclub fan. While I disagree with a couple selections, this CD is still great enough to prove that they will be forever remembered. Get it and you'll feel good.

Meaty Pop
Somehow the greatest albums always elude your collection; their discovery, devourment and gospel spread providing temporary entertainment while espousing the truthful glee I displayed on the back of my WLOZ t-shirt, "A Drop of Honey in an Endless Sea of Top 40 Vomit." Run out now and get your copy of Teenage Fanclub: 4760 Seconds

My circuitous route to Scot Pop heaven was begun in the Connells lyric that starts their latest (and final?) release, "Old School Dropouts".

Morning lands like aeroplanes wrecked inside my bed.
Your favorite Teenage Fanclub song is knocking around my head.
In fits and starts remembering the things I should regret
but I don't want to sanitize my thoughts just yet.

I downloaded the Fanclub album from emusic.com just a month before this wonderful source of entertainment was sold and torn to digital shreds in the wake of the music industry's rush to sell bite-size britney pieces for 99 cents. This album is solid, meaty and deserving of your full attention while you ponder why you would ever feel so wonderfully happy and intelligent all the while belting out lyrics that could make Taylor Hanson proud.

OK everyone, grab your lovely white iPod earplugs and start singing;

She wears denim wherever she goes
Says she's gonna get some records by the Status Quo
Oh yeah... Oh yeah... ... Read more

Reviews (26)

one of the most enjoyable listens of the 90s
though "moseley shoals" is ocs' second album, it's nothing like their first, admittedly mediocre record. they have churned out an album that is decidedly traditional classic rock, refusing to incorporate repetitive "alternative" rock sounds. in fact, upon first listen, you might get the feeling that you've heard all these songs before, which might turn some listeners away. well, you probably haven't, but ocs shamelessly recreates that 60s-70s feeling like the black crowes or lenny kravitz. regardless, these guys do it so well. the songs are all great, catchy, and crafted to perfection, yet somehow maintain a very human touch. though the musicianship is really flawless, every song pours emotion from the heart. these guys truly enjoy what they do and it's hard to ignore such genuine happiness. songs like "the circle", "one for the road", and "get away" exemplify this most obviously. the only reason i hesitate to award this disc the overly-employed five stars is that it isn't one of those groundbreaking records that leaves an indelible mark on music. don't let that discourage you from listening to this record though as it's enjoyable from start to finish.

Taking a trip to Moasley
Forget the Britpop battles of Blur and Oasis, Moasley Shoals is THE album of the 90's!

Mistaken by many as the First of the 'Scenes albums, it's actually their second. But one thing is for sure - its their best. It's not very often that you'll hear a polite word from the Gallagher brothers (of Oasis fame) but this is one of their favourite albums - The Scene supported in their early years.

You may not recognise the name, but you'll sure as hell recognise the music on this album - it's some of the most well known musical genious around. Great melodies, empowering lyrics, and some dammed fine tunes to boot! Everything from the sensational Riverboat song, to the rockin' Policeman and Pirates, oh, and the fantastic The Circle. There really is something for everyone on this one cd, yet it doesnt reek of the manufactured pop sound that is flooding the "music" scene just now. It's 7 years old, but who'd know?! If you like Moasley shoals, you might want to take a look at "songs from the front row" - their "best of" album. Its got a couple of tracks from this album on it, but some more stunning songs too!

This is Special
When i first got this cd, I initially thought I had wasted a few dimes. But when I really listened to it, I found myself thinking of a concert with OCS and Kula Shaker together, and George, John, Paul and Ringo standing on the side of the stage saying YES!!!!!!!!! This is where we wanted you all to go! So few went, even fewer did it well, But OCS and Kula Shaker did it the best.

This is excellent music.

This is so bad its funny. Worth hearing..
They are my favourite rubbish group.They are so talentless its genuinely funny.Mix Paul Weller mod sensibility with Spinal Tap and you have Moasley Shoals the BritPop "Smell The Glove".I admire their ability to produce music that is both entertaining and toe curlingly rubbish.

Grazed, crazed and holidazed
This album, which I found in a bargain San Diego CD store in 1996, changed the lives of me and a few of my musician friends. Its amalgamation of Traffic, BOC, The Jam, the Small Faces, the 'Oo and the Stones just drove us wild, especially the guitar stones, production and stark lyricism.

Few British pop groups have the ability to evoke the '60s idols without sounding overly nostalgic (i.e. Oasis) or overtly trendy (Blur aping Ray Davies). Tunes like "Day We Caught The Train", "Riverboat Song" and "You've Got It Bad" make for thrilling rock tracks, and there's a few stony slower numbers as well. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Ladies and Gents, take a trip and leave the driving to them
I love this band. The music is so trippy. It's the kind of sound that, well, sticks to your bones. I find that the songs stay in my head, and follow me around, like a soundtrack of life. But it's not annoying, like for instance when you can't get some horrible Phil Collins off your mind that you heard while on hold to your local phone company.

My favorite band is Stereolab, and I find Spiritualized and Spacemen 3 to be in the same category. It's music that takes you to new worlds and delivers kind of a contact high. The synthesizers melodically pulsate in and out like a mantra.

Please give them a chance. Then listen to them again. Like all great music, they get better each time.

Thanks guys for putting out great music, and also well, saving me the money on drugs!

But, please, please, be careful. And I beg of you, don't listen to Spiritualized while driving!

2 Discs Worth of 'Spiritualized' Brilliance.....
Spiritualized are probably never going to crack the mainstream market, as their music is too defiantly leftfield & unconventional to have mass appeal. And the release of this compilation (it's not a 'Best of') consisting of rarities, tracks, & songs included from their debut EP, that have long since been out of print will only serve to emphasis the point. From the moment the sweepingly majestic "Anyway That you Want Me"....with its slow, reflective angelic Pop prompting lilting soothing classical tones, with singer/frontman 'Jason Pierce' singing like a fully impassioned troubadour extolling his pain, through minimal sentences, seemingly looking for redemption.... It's as remarkably glorious as it is bruised and opens the album to stunning effect. But, Not all tracks feature vocals, the emotional intoxicatingly instrumental of "You Know It's True" is as powerfully, spiritually affecting as classical music in general. This is an album of truly, truly beautiful music, irrespective of it's cultist appeal.

New fan
I had never bought a spiritualized album before, and as i was walking through the record store this album cought my eye. I had remembered loving the video for "Stop your crying" but had never gotten let it come down. Since that album was 20 bucks, i went with this instead. Even without being a long time Spiritualized fan, i was amazed by what this had to offer. Even people that havent heard a lick of what this band can do should pick this up and discover one of the most amazing bands of our era.

Genius, but flawed selection
I have only three gripes about an otherwise excellent (and thrifty) collection by one of my favorite bands...

1. The acapella version of "100 Bars" is unbearable. My wake & bake days are long behind me, and so is my boredom threshold.

2. "Don't Go" isn't on here. I've got a radio bootleg version of it, but no studio cut. What gives?

3. There's nothing to the packaging. No liner notes, no pictures. Jack-squat.

Still, I think anyone who is even a marginal Spiritualized fan should have this in their collection.

Outtakes from the glory days
Now that I've collected half these songs by purchasing the singles on e-bay, J. Spaceman finally sees fit to compile all the b-sides and rare tracks on CW:V1 and am I glad he did.

My favorite days of Spiritualized were the early days, so this collection is (in my humble opinion) absolutely perfect. Like a previous reveiwer noted, 'Feel so Sad' pulls a back-back-back in three different versions, which is not what I would do on my album, but then again if I had an album I wouldn't have a song worth repeating three times in a row. 'Feel so Sad' is where this collection takes off for me.

Then we get 'Run' with it's reverberating guitar and rushing pace in a slightly different mix and 'Luminescence' to ease you back down from from 'Run's heart-quickening pace. From there it's just a short wait to 'Why Dn't You Smile Now,' my favorite song on the entire thing. J. uses a loud/quiet dynamic and plinking bass line combined with somewat ambiguous lyrics over love and loss to toy with the emotions.

This whole collection is required fr any Spiritualized fan, especially for the second CD's reinterpretation of tracks such as 'I Want You,' 'You Know it's True,' 'Medication,' 'Smiles,' 'Feel So Sad,' and the double shot of 'Good Dope/Good Fun,' and 'Lay Bck in the Sun.'

All in all this is not to be missed. And if you're new to Spiritualzied, there may be something here to make you a believer. ... Read more

Album Description

Fifth single off their critically acclaimed sophomore album, 'The Bends', originally released in 1995, backed with two non-LP tracks, 'Talk Show Host' and 'Bishop's Robes'. Slimline jewel case. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Wonderful
Street Spirt (Fade Out): A true Radiohead classic. If you haven't heard this song, you're really missing out. Easily one of the ten best songs the band has ever done. I'm don't think it needs to be described; just know that it's amazing. 5/5

Talk Show Host: Another classic. Driving repetition of a guitar riff until it climaxes, complimented by eerie vocals and lyrics. This one pops up at live shows more often than Street Spirt does, surprisingly, so there are various live versions floating around on the net that are much better than the recorded one. Was featured in the modern remake of Romeo and Juliet.

Bishop's Robes: This would have fit nicely onto OK Computer. A softer song that focuses more on aural landscapes than anything. Very emotional and very good. 5/5

This is easily the best single Radiohead ever released.

I'd give this 6 stars if i could
its official, this is one the best singles i have ever heard. period. Street Spirit has that really deep sounding acoustic/electric guitar line that gives me chills. It took time to make me fully appreciate it, but when it hit me, BAM! This song is great for when you're feeling depressed.
Talk Show Host has an amazing keyboard line in it. It has this weird, cloudy atmospheric feel to it. It produces emotions in me that i rarely ever feel. There isnt exactly a real chorus to it either. its amazing, just a steady flow of gray heaven.
Bishop's Robes is a very dark song. Its emotional intensity stunned me the first time i heard it, the way Thom delivers the line "I am not going back", its just powerful.
I think this single will effect you just as much as it effected me if you allow it to. Even non-radiohead fans will appreciate it.

Amazing
Street Spirit is a trademark Radiohead song. And in this instance, it is accompanied by two superlative B-sides, even though "B"-sides is hardly a fair tag given the quality of these songs. Talk Show Host is a somewhat experimental dig at the media while Bishop's Robes is a smooth, simple track which sees Thom looking back at his schoolboy days with a measure of melancholy. A thing of beauty.

The Best Radiohead Single Ever Issued
Most import singles are not worth the price of admission unless one is an avid fan of the band in question. This is the anomaly. The single itself is a great song. And the two b-sides found here are among the best songs Radiohead have recorded...including their albums. 'Talk Show Host' is a staple in their live performances, and it is a classic track. 'Bishop's Robes' is also superb, and the only other place to find it is on a Japanese e.p. that's way too expensive. If you only buy one Radiohead U.K. import CD, make it this one.

Their best pre-Amnesiac single
Street Spirit #1 has been called their best single for quite some time because it contains 2 of their best songs, not just b-sides.

We all know Street Spirit, great arpeggio guitar work and an aura of desperation and depression. Great stuff when your depressed. But the original version of Talk Show Host and Bishop Robes are 2 great atmospheric songs. Talk Show Host still makes it into their live show.

A must for any Radiohead fan. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Don't believe what everyone says...
With ofcourse a few exceptions, I noticed that there are many, many people who share the same opinion concerning Kate Bush's music. Hounds Of Love is her masterpiece, and Lionheart is her weakest achievement. A load of ..., if you ask me. Hounds Of Love is Kate Bush getting weak, while Lionheart is the perfect 2nd album. First there was The Kick Inside, not really my favorite, which drew the attention because of Wuthering Heights. But the rest of the songs... I don't know. They're good, but they're not really a whole. More of a collection of songs really. Lionheart is different, as all the songs on the album have a same kind of mood. A hard to describe, fairytale-ish, seventies mood.

I always have different favorites than other people (many name Wow and Oh England My Lionheart); mine are Fullhouse and Kashka From Baghdad. They both have amazing melodies, and are songs that are amongst my all-time favorites.

Though this album doesn't show a giant step ahead from the previous album,(which was the case with the rest of her work), it is definately something worth to buy. My favorite Kate Bush album is The Dreaming, with Never For Ever as a really close runner-up, so Lionheart has to be number 3. Not bad for an album that's been rushed.

Why can't more solo artists be like Kate
It frustrates me that artists like Kate Bush don't get talked about now or played on the radio. It's now all about dance routines and shallow songs written by office-habiting song writers.

This album show what is possible when a talented person makes music without be constrained by PR and marketing men. My favourites from this album include 'Wow', 'Oh England...' and 'Kashka from Baghdad'. Time just seems to fly when listening to this album. I recently listened to it on a train journey across Holland, and in my opinion it ideally suits that sort of setting: beautiful scenery, relaxing, and looking at this world we live in.

OK there are a couple of songs, which, for me didn't hit the right notes, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. But I think if you appreciate talent and someone not taking the marketing/commercial option, but instead follwoing their creative instincts - Buy this album.

One Step Forwards, Two Steps Back
Lionheart is a curious album, displaying one step forwards then two steps back in terms of Kate Bush's progression as an artist. On the plus side she's more adventurous with her writing, reaching far more diverse and interesting topics. Her attempts to expand musically, however, are undermined due to the fact that this album was rushed far too quickly, leaving potential ideas sadly a little underbaked, leaving tracks that are weakly structured and thinly executed.
Best Tracks; Wow, Hammer Horror, Don't Put Your Foot On The Heartbrake

Like a warm, cherished secret
I think this album is a bit underrated since everybody is always so wild about Hounds Of Love. "Lionheart" is Kate Bush at her best.
This album is lush and sensual and in a way deliciously 70-ies with its weird cover photography and instrumentation.
A warm record to cherish and keep a secret and listen to in the darker and colder part of the year (for that specific reason the album's overall atmosphere strangely reminds me of Bjork's "Vespertine")
It doesn't suffer the somewhat hysterical overproduction of later work such as "The Dreaming", "The Sensual World" and "The Red Shoes" (although it loses one star because of "Coffee Homeground", which in its silliness should've been on "Never For Ever".)
On Lionheart the melodies and choruses are richly beautiful ("Fullhouse", "Symphony in Blue") and songs like "In Search Of Peter Pan and especially "Oh England My Lionheart" have that typical Romantic-Kate-Bush-Old-English-Roses-And-Nursery-Fairytale-Feel that is so unique (and pretty hard to describe..)

That Feel of secrets in the garden and whispers in your sleep.
The smell of coffee and dusty attics and female eroticism...

What ever happened to Kate!!
This is by far my favourite of all kate's albums. her voice is fresh and melodic some thing to be treasured. her best song i think on this album is "Symphony in Blue" I cant wait to hear more from kate the Red Shoes is the best musical ever for any one who likes a darker sound yet in a classical sense buy Lionheart or if you are a fan of kates already buy the box set "This Womans Work" ... Read more

Album Description

Japanese edition of the fourth single from 'Be Here Now'. Packaged in a standard jewel case, it's backed with 'Sad Song', 'Fade Away' (Warchild Version) and a live version of their early U.K. hit 'Cigarettes And Alcohol' recorded in Manchester, England on December 14, 1997. 1998 Epic release. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

This is an Incredible single
This single is incredible. The live version of Cigarettes & Alcohol rocks and the new version of Fade Away is a great reworking of the old classic. But clearly, Sad Song outshines everything else on the cd. It's a beautiful song. Buy this single!

One of the BEST singles, ever, and by the best band ever!
I bought this cd, just like a good Oasis collectionist would have done, but I really didn't think it would be SO great, it is my favourite cd when traveling, the calmness of it's songs make you spend a good relaxed time, and when Cigs and Alcohol live comes, you really get excited with that song, it kind of interrupts your relaxation, but it doesn't bother you, cos you will like it, that is my favourite song from the single!

A treat for new fans but not much for older fans
"Don't Go Away"'s B-sides consist of two rare but already released songs in the Oasis archive; "Sad Song"(orginally released on the vinyl of "Definitely Maybe") and "Fade Away(Warchild Version)"(Orginally released on a U.K. compilation album.) The only new material is a live version of "Cigarettes And Alcohol" taken from the G-Mex, Manchester 97' gig. The version is of course great but it really does not fit with the other songs. If you've never heard "Sad Song" or the Warchild version of "Fade Away," buy this single now! They both posses some of Oasis greatest moments recording. "Sad Song" is an absolute masterpiece. Once again showing the brilliance of Noel Gallagher by himself with an acoustic guitar. The Warchild version of "Fade Away" is far superior than the original version. It is as calm and beautiful as a summer's day on the beach and features backing vocals by Lisa Moorish and guitar by Johnny Depp. Well worth getting for the new fans and only for completist if you have "Sad Song" and the Warchild version of "Fade Away" already.

Classy Single
This has to be one of the best all round Oasis singles to date. It's just a shame import is the only way to get it. Don't Go Away itself is a beautiful song, much like Wonderwall but with better guitar playing. Cigs and Alcohol is as live and as riottess as we've come to expect from Oasis's most drink fuelled song. Sad Song is another lift from Noel's sensational acoustic repertoire, charting the days before stardom when his relationship collapsed. Fade Away is a lighthearted version a the punk song on The Masterplan. With Noel on vox, the song takes on a whole new life. Great stuff. Overall, typical single from the mighty 'sis, all four songs deserving of an album place, and any one of them could be the a-side. Good work again lads.

Buy it for Sad Song
Only previously included on the vinyl copies of Definitely Maybe, Sad Song has become something of a legend among Oasis fans, and as the singles tend to be readily available, was really their only 'buried gem' which so many other bands have. Until now. This CD single finally gives the masses a chance to hear one of Noel's greta acoustic pieces of songwriting. Don't Go Away is among the striongest tracks on Be Here Now, and teh other 2 songs have some merit (Cigarettes and Alcohol is always a live highlight, and Fade Away is anotehr okay rarity). Worth import price for fans ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Mark E. Smith does it again
The Fall hasn't put out a bad album in my opinion. "The real new Fall LP" is a stroke of genius. Usually bands mellow out or disintigrate by their 5th or 6th year. The Fall has withstood the test of time and are rocking harder than ever on this album. Put it in, press play and hold on to something solid. This is a must listen.

Strong Stuff
This is a very strong record by any standards. The Fall have been a prolific, innovative band for a long time and hereon they use some of the same bag of tricks they've used in previous eras (overlapping vocals and words, unapologetically minimal keyboard, primitive rhythms, Mark Smith's wonderfully atonal vocal style) to impressive effect.

Not every track on here is great, but a number of them are. The music bears some resemblance to the type of "garage" or "grunge" that was in vogue in the 90's, but it is better than most of that, and the sound here is largely perfect, full of energy but clean. I think the committed Fall fan will enjoy this, and the rock listener who's never heard of The Fall will enjoy it at least as much.

You gotta be kindin me
How does the old man do it!? I can't stop listening to this CD. It is one of the best Fall cds ever. His voice is better/worse than ever. It's great! If you love The Fall or getting into them or hate them, pick this one up. It's beautiful in a trash can sort of way.

Four and three quarters!!!!
Ah, The mighty Fall. 30-odd studio albums, coming up on 30 years of existence, simply the most important rock and roll band going. Period.

Now, The Fall have released albums with some sub par numbers scattered about but they have managed to continually rise above the morass of junk that gets marketed to us as music time and again through the years. They have embraced technology and delved into many forms of music whilst always remaining fresh and vital and never sounding like they are simply trying hard to be cool. They have, through all the lineup changes and over all this time, managed to remain completely The Fall. The band is fearless. And Mark E. Smith is possibly the greatest lyricist in rock history.

"The Real New Fall LP (formerly Country on the Click)" Does NOT disappoint. This is a smoking platter through and through. The first 5 tracks are as good as anything they've done. That alone is saying something for a band that started in 1977 or so. The music is sonically uplifting...majestic even. "Green Eyed Loco Man" and "Sparta F.C. #2" are anthemic, charging tracks. Real fist raisers. "Mountain Energei" is a catchy, groovy number that will really get under your skin. "Xralothep" is classic Fall: catch a groove and hang on for dear life. The song gets better the more you listen as the brilliant lyrics are revealed. They even delve into near country with their original cut "Janet vs. Johnny" and do a nice cover of country standard "Houston".

In short, this album is essential Fall. As essential to the Fall's catalog as The Fall themselves are to rock and roll. Do yourself a favor and catch up-- then try to KEEP up with them. Cheers!

Still the band by which all others must be judged
Their strongest album in years. Smith's ability to maintain "the Fall sound" despite notoriously persistent change-over in band personnel is unparalleled in the history of recorded music (with the possible exception of Anton Webern). More importantly, he seems here to've reined in his consumption of alcohol, such that his voice rings out as commandingly as in days of old. Signed, The Fish ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Cocteau Twins were one of the more distinctive recording acts of the 1980s and their dreamy, atmospheric sound provided an ethereal sonic template for many Euro-pop groups of the time. With Elizabeth Fraser's haunting vocals and Robin Guthrie's innovative use of guitars, drum machines, and other electronic instrumentation, the Cocteau Twins created a rich, textured sound that endured over a large number of recordings. This double disc serves nicely as a greatest-hits package as well as a lengthy memento of the band's evolution from 1982 through 1996. Including shimmering renditions of old favorites like "Musette and Drums" and "Ivo," as well as a stirring rendition of Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit," this collection is a must for all Cocteau Twins fans. --Mitch Myers ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Live jibe erroneous
I have to take issue with "A music fan from San Diego" regarding the Cocteau Twins live. I saw them in Manchester (U.K.) in 1994, and it was the best concert I had ever seen in my life up to that point (bested the year after by the Stones).

As for the music contained herein, it is early Cocteaus, and, therefore, a little more coarse than later works. But Garlands, Sugar Hiccup, Dear Heart speak of the wonders to come, and Musette and Drums must be considered classic semi-instrumental by anyone who can respond to beauty in powerful, rhythm-driven, music (equivalent to the blissful Me In Honey, on R.E.M.'s Out Of Time).

I totally agree with "San Diego"'s in respect of Heaven Or Las Vegas - one of the most emotive albums I've ever experienced, and along with Victorialand the best of the Cocteaus (thus far!)

A More Intimate Experience
This CD contains renditions of their songs that are slightly different and, to my mind, perhaps more intimate, than the studio versions. This effect is especially pronounced on the version of Serpentskirt. This rendition of Serpentskirt is less grandiose than the version on Milk and Kisses, yet I find myself listening to this version over and over and over again, perhaps for its starkness or perhaps because the guitar sounds like something from another planet.

Truly magnificent
This is an album you should enjoy and enjoy a lot. Incidentally when a BBC sessions album is released by a band it doesn't really mean it's a live album. It's just the band recording the songs at BBC's studios so that it can be broadcasted on radio at a particular time. So for those who were wondering why there were Liz's voice in the background as well as at the forefront should rest at ease - there was a little bit of studio trickery there. I just I should point that out lest someone gets confused

Pleasant enough but don't listen to it straight through
I am not a huge Cocteau Twins fan but find their music works well as a background for when I am working. I did not find this CD as interesting as Treasure but it is pleasant enough. (Will probably get some plays while I am ironing my shirts!) Don't listen to both CDs straight through, as it gets pretty samey.

I love them, but live Cocteau Twins isn't optimal
I'm as big a fan as they come, but live Cocteau has a problem -- there's just one Elizabeth. On studio albums, as you know, there are numerous vocal tracks, creating a rich, layered sound. I never knew how important this element was until it was gone. Live recordings (including the BBC Sessions) just feel sort of anemic, because only one melody is being sung. Yes, her voice is still beautiful, but it changes the nature of the songs.

I'm not going to tell anyone not to listen for themselves, but I was disappointed. ... Read more

Album Description

2003 remastered version of their 1986 album. 4AD. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

How do you rate a masterpiece that is beyond measure?
"Victorialand"is touched by the voice of angels. It fabricates a deeply emotional affect on the esoteric inner depths of ones soul and engenders a feeling of spirituality unknown to this world of existence. The listener is transcended into a realm of tranquility and a state of higher consciousness that many fail to achieve. This CD is beyond measure and the meaningless vocabulary of being called a masterpiece or astonishing. It simply is as air is to water; day is to night. It is life!

Finally a CD that does justice to this essential record
This is among the Cocteau Twins most beautiful and intimate records, and is unlike anything they or anyone else ever did. Working almost entirely without percussion, Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser surpassed themselves in imagining songs and settings which somehow evoke whatever in you, the listener, is most reserved and magical, the world you keep hidden even from yourself most of the time. If you don't want to get to that place, then this record isn't for you, but otherwise it is essential. In my collection of over 3000 recordings in all kinds of genres, this record has a permanent place in the top ten.
For whatever reason, the previous CD reissues of this, on Relativity and Capitol, never sounded as good as the original 45 RPM LP on 4AD. The Capitol was better than the Relativity, but still lacked the LP's warmth and detail. Now it's finally been done right and you can hear it as it should be heard.

a true masterpiece
This is arguably the most cohesive and consistent album in the Cocteau Twins' entire output. Victorialand has been hailed as a classic by critics and fans alike, and although such terminology is thrown around all too often, this album is certainly more than worthy of such praise. A unique and graceful flow begins very eloquently with the moon-like swelling guitar of "Lazy Calm," and this submissive invasion continues until the album's end. Songs such as "Fluffy Tufts," "Whale-Tails," and "Oomingmak" speak with the voice of an undiscovered country, yet one that thrives in the continents of the self, confined within ephemeral lines inscribed through human nature, and "Throughout the Dark Months of April and May" is like a bead drawn along a silver thread of communication. As is often the case with Cocteau Twins songs, every moment on this album feels like varying facets of a long journey. One which is devoid of consecutivity and order, and instead flows in all directions in a blissful surrender. This is not to say that, as a whole, these songs are brimming with homogeneity, for each is tinged with its own peculiar mode of expression. These are trails, wisps of smoke, half-spoken figures, incantations whose meanings have become lost to even the soothsayers themselves.

My futile descriptive attempts aside, I would say the personal highlight of this CD is "How to Bring a Blush to the Snow." Victorialand is worth buying for this song alone, although it is difficult for me to be selective when listening to such a coherent masterwork of utter beauty. This is truly, in my opinion, a pure aural journal of nocturnal travel which has few (if any) equals.

The remastered version is superb. Although the differences between it and the original are fairly subtle, they are discernable enough to satisfy the audiophile and completist alike. ... Read more

Album Details

Their 'disco' Song, the Third Single from "Silence is Easy'. Features Remixes from Thin White Duke (Aka Jacques Lu Cont) and Soulsavers, plus a Rare Unreleased B-side. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great band does it again
It's one of those albums you can just put in the CD player and let it run - all good quality, no duds. You still get to hear James' distinctive vocals but this album is way more upbeat that the first.

The other good news is that since they have yet to hit it big in the US you can still catch them live cheaply in small venues - we've seen them twice in Seattle and even got to stand next to them during the warm up band session! They are AWESOME live! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Curve will never be accused of originality, but the group continues tomake effective recordings with a winning combination of driving rhythms,swirling noise guitars, and Toni Halliday's sexy vocals. Cuckoo is animprovement on 1992's Doppelganger, with strong standout tracks like therelentless "Crystal" and the monolithic "Turkey Crossing."--Jim DeRogatis ... Read more

Reviews (20)

4 and a half- their best by a clip! Eat it up!
Curves first three full lengths are all good- later albums come clean(their worst) and gift (solid return to old form) but its the early to mid 90s curve that is in top form. Even though both pubic fruit and doppleganger contain some amazing tracks- cuckoo is the most coherent and offers more versatile proof of their talent. Crystal is the first sign- a great moody piece that builds with the wall of sound guitar electronics- there is more restraint and control in their sound and it is also the best produced cd from the 90-94 period. acoustic guitars(a new lush approach) makes its appearance on left of mother- a truly beautiful ballad that was very unique at the time. This sound lead to alot the female triphop stuff so prevalent nowadays- in fact curve were well ahead of the game- and the garbage comparison is valid though curve came first and they have so much more to offer than garbage. Halliday wipes away all recent female rock singers-and its the voice alone that even without the great dense music would still be fantastic. One of my favs - a raw annie lennox style that is sexy-soulful-dark-pretty- any female trait is within her grasp and range. Credit must also go to garcia who played guitars-synths-programmed sounds-very talented multi-instrumentalist.(a nice mix of swirling neopsychedlic and newwave style guitars-shifting sounds and crazy shoegazer style distortion(not unlike some of u2s/ my bloody valentine-even sonic youth's work). the whole album is amazing even 10+ years later-. for newcomers buy this and pubic fruit and youve got the main meal -maybe add doppleganger for dessert! A stirring blend of indie rock electronica with an amazing sonic wall of sound. Essential 90s rock/pop!

Superb second album from Halliday and Garcia
Critics were waiting for Curve to trip up with their follow-up to `92's 'Doppelganger'. But they didn't. Incorporating a more electronic feel to the album, Curve again thrilled fans and critics alike. Reviews posted here suggesting this is not as good as 'Doppelganger' are, in my view, completely unfounded. It is as good as their debut.

'Missing Link' goes all rock on us, but never loses its melody, proving Curve's versatility. 'Crystal' is a brilliant song. Combining a catchy chorus with Toni's intelligent lyrics and a bouncy bassline courtesy of Dean, this is a joy to listen to.
'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus starts off menacingly enough but evolves into an marvellously beguiling pop song with some beautiful vocal melodies. 'Unreadable Communication' gives all of that days electronic producers a run for their money. Its dubby electronics envelop into a wall of noise of guitars with Toni's voice cutting through it all.

Elsewhere, 'Superblaster' is a perfect pop song, pop in the true sense, not N'Sync! 'Left of Mother' shows a more acoustic side of Curve, albeit involving some electronics.

This group set the standard which Garbage took and copied. Originals will always be better, as will Curve.

Swirling nostalgia
Back in the day, I must admit that I'd never paid Curve all that much attention. I'd sort of mentally filed them with Lush under 'female fronted shoegazer' and set them aside. But, as a series of fortuitous events led me to rediscover Lush (to much joy), I was tempted to give Curve a listen and see if I was missing anything.

And I was pleasantly surprised. Nothing groundbreaking here, but some very solid shoegazer-y pop. I found that I'd been correct to place Curve with Lush in the grand scheme of things - like Lush, they have swirly guitars, simple, urgent, beats, and vocals of the sort that critics usually describe as 'ethereal.' I hear a touch more menace to their sound than is to be found in Lush, and their lyrics (when deciperable - which is not always. Like many a shoegazer band Curve uses the voice more as another instrument than as the bearer of linguistic information) a bit bleaker.

The album is at its best when it strays from the usual shoegazer formula a bit. 'Crystal' injects a bit of Sonic Youth-y noise into the mix, and 'Left of Mother' builds a lovely and hypnotic song about a simple acoustic guitar line. Some of the other songs blur together in a swirl of guitar and multi-tracked vocals but there's nothing bad.

And overall, this is quite listenable indeed. It's a nice nostalgic blast that sounds, ultimately, quite fresh. Worth a listen.

Throw out your Evanescence LPs now
I'll try my damndest not to be an old fart, but the fact is that bands who've subsequently copied earlier bands cannot be given due props for the simple fact that they're only photocopies.

Curve set the bar with "Doppelganger", then raised it even higher with the singles collection "Pubic Fruit". But as a link between those two albums, "Cuckoo" hardly comes off as lacklustre. In fact, it meshes the softer, more melodic feel of the first album with a new vitality/abrasiveness.

"Superblaster" was the lead-off single, and it's a fine tune, but hardly the best of the bunch. That designation belongs to "Turkey Crossing", "Crystal", "Missing Link", and especially "Unreadable Communication".

The latter is a track just begging to be placed in a movie somewhere. The dynamics of the song hearken back to earlier synth gurus like Japan and Gary Numan, but the delivery by Toni Halliday is unmatched, even to this day.

Listening to it now, it only makes me realize how good that band really was, and how ahead of their time they were. One of the most underrated albums of the 90s.

One of the most overlooked bands from the '90s
I first became familiar with the band Curve back in the early '90s. While my peers were into lesser desirable forms of music, I was heavily into alternative music. I came upon this particular Curve album when I was perusing the record store for new music. My curiousity was piqued and I bought "Cuckoo" on a whim. Too be honest I have not listened to "Cuckoo" in almost a decade. At the time, I wasn't sure what to make of the music. I wasn't quite the fusion of rock and techno as I am now. I recently put in "Cuckoo" into my stereo tonight and found myself enjoying it more than I did when I was in high school (or a freshman in college). If anything, "Cuckoo" was way ahead of its time. If there is a modern equivalent to Curve today, it would have to be the band Collide. And maybe Garbage but with a Scottish accent. The similiarities in kaRIN and Toni Halliday's singing styles (in my opinion) are obvious. Both women have a seductive style of singing while the music is often abrasive and caustic. "Cuckoo" is definitely harder than its predecessor "Doppelganger", more guitar-orientated. As I continue to listen to "Cuckoo", I find myself falling more in love with the album. The songs are simply wonderful. I particularly enjoyed the first four tracks. Curve is truly one of the most underrated bands in the past ten years. They deserve a lot more recognition than most bands today. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

From the Clan...to Xymox
On this album Xymox brake their shell of depression and agonies of love (well not quite!, the words still flow in the same line of thought) to produce more accessible synth music with danceable beats, featuring songs somehow similar to "A Day" from their debut album. And I mention the word 'danceable' in it's more positive gloomy kinda dance meaning! Unlike their following three albums, the electronic rythms on this CD appeal to goth fans.

It's You! Evelyn
Not very popular in the USA and I prefer it that way. However everytime I play XYMOX for someone they love it. I have spawned many Xymox fans.
This is one of my all time favorite albums, I never get tired of it and it never dates. "Clementina" has put me through so many phases in my life, so many events, the song is always there, getting played. Ofcourse "Evelyn" conjures up so many fantasies in my mind when I hear it, usually little gothic fantasies. I have included "The River" on several homemade tapes and CD's that I have given to various lovers throughout the years, and always to welcome praise.
This album has been with me since I was a teen and I will take it through to my middle age...ofcourse this requires repeated purchases as they get worn out..

A Lost Masterpiece
Xymox' (formerly Clan of Xymox... and they have since returned to the "Clan of" moniker) 'Twist of Shadows' is truly one of the lost masterpieces of the late 80's. It was, is and shall forever be a wonderful work of mysterious dark synth music, perfectly balanced halfway between 'Substance'-era New Order and The Sisters of Mercy. The album was more electronic than their previous, more-Goth releases and combined ominous sounds with moments that were uplifting and hopeful.

"Evelyn" opens the album with an orchestral flourish, not unlike the way "Plainsong" opens The Cure's 'Disintegration', which evolves into a haunting yet strangely danceable piece about yearning and longing. "Obsession", also excellent, has a similar vibe and format. Next up is the Goth masterpiece "Craving" that could have been ripped straight from the Sisters 'Floodland'; it features the kind of juggernaut bass line that a Goth power song should. What follow are 2 ballads, something that Xymox had never done before: "Blind Hearts" is the most pop of anything on the album and "The River" is a minimal number sounding a bit like a clone of Peter Murphy's "My Last Two Weeks". On the 2nd half of the disc you can find "A Million Things" and "In the City", which are both energetic and moody blending synth, bass and wet-effected guitars. "Imagination" may be the best song on the album, yet oddly is the only one where female member Anka Wolbert replaces Ronny Moorings' baritone voice on lead vocals. The programming is very reminiscent of New Order's "True Faith", but the feel is more uplifting and hopeful. The album winds down with the dreamy, atmospheric instrumental "Clementina".

I have yet to see the revival of interest that this release deserves. While Clan of Xymox has had a resurgence, this album is deserving of more credit. Perhaps it is seen as the transition to Xymox' weaker years where they tried to go more directly into the pop mainstream - that's a shame.

"I keep dreaming of a million things, and they have wings"
The only purpose to listen to this record is to dance, but it is dancing with a dark purpose in the shadows. Following in the paths of New Order, Clan Of Xymox has it's own mystery. They were once on the great 4AD label, along with other groundbreaking groups, like Cocteau Twins, Colourbox, and others. "Twist of Shadows" is also a great record to listen to while cruising down the highway, and when you do, blast it and let the music drive you.
My five favorites on the record are as follows. 1)"A Million Things". The lyrics are great with beats that match. 2)"Craving". I love the slow build up to one of the coolest dance songs ever, that has a rock feel to it. 3)"In The City". This one has an eerie feeling to it, kind of what a city feels like at dusk. Awesome. 4)"Obsession". Pure dance floor magic. The longing that is expressed in the music is what makes Clan Of Xymox special. 5)"Evelyn" The title track and the hit of the record is just great. Clan of Xymox has a unique feel to thier music, a great cross of Cocteau Twins meets New Order, with a little techno trown in. I highly recommend this record if you are looking for music that is a little on the mysterious side.

The gloom doom with a twist
Bought the album out of curiosity,
Excellent fast numbers but as I got older (38 now), I treasure their slow ones. Love the melancholic lyrics.
Got blown away upon hearing "Tonight" & "The River".
"Consolidation" has got the same kick too.
Basically.... I played the tape to death! Finally got my hands on the CD almost 10 years later.
They've got a certain orchestral sting in their compositions.
A must for Ultaravox, 80's & Goth freaks.
De-Vision fans would love them too.
Still gives me the creeps after all these years.
Close your eyes, switch of the lights...feel the spine tingling eeriness ... Read more