Reviews (9)

If you own it already, you're not missing out.
First of all, to the major-label-cynical idiots, this album was originally released on Epic to begin with. The label it is on has nothing to do with the content, and the fact that this is their fourth proper album and an appropriate step in their evolution is the more important consideration to make. Moving on.

This album is absolutely transcendent. I listened to it when I first bought it about two years ago and had my likes and dislikes, but upon maybe my thirtieth or fortieth listen, the significance and meanings hit me.

Each song on this album is a piece of a greater puzzle. Sure, if someone tells you to buy this album and you go and download "The Cold Part" and "What People Are Made Of," you're not going to be thrown back in your seat. This is an album in the truest sense of the world, not a collection of radio-ready songs, and the imagery from the production and the sequencing on the album is truly amazing.

Is the re-release necessary? Very debatable, but I feel it isn't. The album's emotional and appropriate end is definitely at its original point, after "What People Are Made Of," and not after a retread of "Tiny Cities."

If you don't already own this album, do not hesitate to buy it, it is an album that fans of any type of rock music will appreciate and love, not just indie fans. If you already own this album, look at your wallet and see if you can justify $15 for average re-treads of songs you already know and love. Five stars for the original album, minus one for the value/necessity quotient.

Their Best!!!
Grant it, I'm a newbie when it comes to Modest Mouse...But I don't care, i love this album. I bought this one when it went on sale at a certain store...It came with "Good News for people who love bad news" for $15. Can't beat that. I had heard songs of the album before but I couldn't pass up a deal like that. Thus fueling the corporate monsters even more... this is hands down my favorite modest mouse album so far, but I love all of their albums for different reasons. Each one is different but still modest mouse, Isaac Brock has a very interesting voice that has improved over albums, not to mention he is a great song writer...For years Primus has been one of my favorite bands, I just love wierd bands that aren't afraid to try something new,and modest mouse is the first band since them that I've heard that are just masters at creating ecclectic and eccentric alternative music...

A great CD with some small additions for a cheaper price!!!
One of the greatest CDs of all time IMHO...this version is the better of the two, who cares if Epic's producing it, it's going to be much cheaper...and the extra tracks are noteworthy, but not necessarly great!

BUY, unless you already have the other version, and if you don't buy this one!!!

superflous
they dont need a major label.how can you improove a great cd like that.we dont need it-

Completely Superfluous
First off, let me begin by pointing out that I love this album; it definitely ranks among my top 10 and to this day is still on heavy rotation on my CD player. When a new, remastered addition was announced, I was initially intrigued---how on earth could they improve what was already a phenomenal album? The answer: changing the artwork and including four lackluster radio sessions. To my ears, there is hardly change enough to warrant the purchase of a new, second edition for those of you who already own the first. And this is a conclusion I've reached after comparing the albums side by side, on what is generally considered a top-notch stereo. Yes, some of the guitars are louder, and some of the vocals are more foregrounded, and some of the texture and nuance in a song or two is accentuated---but enough so to justify this release? Definitely not. For those of you expecting a new-fangled, much-improved record, you'll be sorely disappointed as I was, not only because it lacks any substantial difference, but also because obscure rarities from the M&A sessions---Calculus Man, for instance---should have been included. M&A is still a great record. It is so great, in fact, that this re-release seems silly and superflous. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Raised on pradies, peanut shells and dirt
Last years opening salvo from The Decemberists was Castaways and Cutouts. Crafting beautiful songs rich with story, they have quickly become a pinnacle on the scene (followed by another full length release the same year, and already an EP this year, they may also quickly become one of the most prolific if they are not careful). Colin Meloy and his Decemberists hail from Portland OR, and are oft compared to Neutral Milk Hotel. I'm going to get one thing clear and out of the way right off the bat if you don't mind. One, yes, they do sound akin to Neutral Milk Hotel. And two, I'll be perfectly honest, I'm not that fond of Jeff Magnum's voice. Though I can hear the resemblance, I like Colin's voice much, much better. Another reviewer implied that this was a less daring album than Neutral Milk's outings, and I concede that might be a fair assessment. But while the blueprint might not be pushing the envelope quite as far as they did, that does not keep this group from putting together a musical monument through perfect, beautiful execution and well measured emotion.

Overall, this album is dotted with beautiful musical interaction by so many instruments and graced with detailed lyrical imagery. In my mind I can picture them as the last of the wandering minstrels, recanting the ghostly mid nineteenth century tale of young death on "Leslie Ann Levine", featuring what I can only identify as some sort of well played squeeze box ("Fifteen years gone now, I still wander this parapet and shake my rattle bone / Fifteen years gone now, I still cling to the petticoats of the girl who died with me"). I can picture them modern daydreamers lost in the visions of ages past during "Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect", where they evoke pictures of soldiers, rogues, and scoundrels while finishing upon a more modern but just as elegant fancy ("But you / my soiled teenage girlfriend / while you furrow like a lioness / we are vagabonds, we travel without seatbelts on / we live this close to death"). Gorgeous in its orchestration with a melody like soft falling rain in the background, it is definitely my favorite. "July, July!" goes a bit more up-tempo, displaying some vocal harmonizing, and almost rocking out on the memorable chorus. The album closes with "California One / Youth and Beauty Brigade" a montage of intoxicating guitar work and stunning lyrics that capture that strange paradox feeling one has when they have at once a complete satisfaction in the moment, yet doubts and fears about the future. Flipping midway, the tune changes and piano accented by wave crashes of cymbals take over, organs swell, and the ten minute juggernaut finishes in a beautiful almost psychedelic whirlpool, and coughs up its albums title ("We're lining up the light-loafer'd and the bored bench warmers / Castaways and cutouts, fill it up / Come join the Youth and Beauty Brigade / Nothing will stand in our way").

...Review - Enough to warrant the fuss
Since its initial release on a smaller indie label, Castaways and Cutouts has been passed around with the same sort of hero-worship that attends Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. That's fitting, since both bands are fronted by gifted songwriters who have a penchant for peddling fantastic and haunting pop narratives. But now that the secret's getting out, many are wondering if the Decemberists are for real, or just flopping in the Neutral Milk Hotel while its owner is on sabbatical.

The short answers to those questions are yes and no. Castaways and Cutouts is incredibly strong. While it is clearly influenced by NMH, the record reveals more than enough originality to warrant the fuss. The Decemberists' Colin Meloy forgoes NMH-proprietor Jeff Mangum's gut-wrenching, breathless delivery and swirling surrealism in favor of a more grounded emotional tenor that sketches maudlin vignettes of characters cutout of history books. At times Meloy resembles a medium giving voice to history's castaways: young vagabonds with "kickabout hearts;" legionnaires pining for their "gay Paree in [a] desert dry;" even an aborted infant still "cling[ing] to [its dead Mother's] petticoat."

Vocally, Meloy is difficult to pin down, as his voice sometimes has a nasal clip that gives him a mild English accent. This is most noticeable on the more up tempo tracks like "July, July!" or "The Legionnaire's Lament," where he reminds of Lee Mavers from the early 90's British pop group The La's. On the slower tracks like the stately "Grace Cathedral Hill" and the forlorn sounding "Clementine," his vocals are similar to Ben Gibbard's from Death Cab For Cutie.

Besides Meloy's voice and acoustic guitar, the accordion and keyboard instruments (Hammond Organ, Rhodes Piano) of Jenny Conlee are the most prominent sounds of this young band. They evoke the anachronistic, post-colonial America that Meloy's lyrical characters inhabit. It's a sound that combines old-world heritage with refreshing freedom. As a result, the band jumps from funeral marches to sidewalk waltzes with ease.

So, while the Decemberists may have stayed a night or two at the Neutral Milk Hotel, they have since hit the cold, cruel road in search of a house all their own. I'm more than happy to go along for the ride.

Barin McGrath...

stunning
have you ever heard a beutiful old celtic song, where upon listening closely to the lyrics you discover it's about how a bride is killed on her wedding day and her ghost avenges her death... and you think "that's a wierd thing to write a song about..."

Well this disc is a lot like that.

The Decemberists at their Best
I love this album. The twists and turns of melody are fantastic. A lot of the album has a sad dreamy feeling about it - like floating around in melancholy. Every song on this album is pretty wonderful and it all flows together quite nicely. Overall, this release is much stronger than their follow up, "Her Majesty", which, although enjoyable, is bogged down by less successful songwriting (a lot of the "hooks" quickly become annoying which is not a problem on this release.) This band shows a lot of promise - I am hoping that maybe they take a little bit more time before their next full length release and come up with something that is on the same level as this wonderful CD.

Superb
I was led to this album by a review on Salon.com, in which certain comparisons were made to a certain band who I've loved for quite some time now. Salon's rarely led me astray, so I tracked down the album, and was instantly hooked.

Just to get it out of the way, I see the reason for the Neutral Milk Hotel comparisons, but I'd ultimately reject them. Yes, Colin Meloy and Jeff Mangum have similar voices (though I'd say Meloy has a bit more range) and they appear, on the surface, to have similar song-writing styles. However, I'd say Mangum's more of novelist while Meloy is a short story writer. Mangum's masterpiece - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - was a grand sweeping epic of an album. Castaways & Cutouts feels like 10 intimate portraits.

Getting back to the album, I can say that I haven't been so instantly captivated by an album in a long, long time. (And, for the record, this is the first time ever that I've found myself with accordian line stuck in my head.) The album's a nice blend of more up-tempo songs and quieter, more instrospective numbers. The former quickly lodged themselves in my brain. The latter took a bit more work (somewhat like the entire followup album - Her Majesty etc. etc. etc), but proved to have quite a good deal going on, sonically speaking.

So, I'd reccommend this album to, essentially, everyone. Certainly to Neutral Milk Hotel fans, who will find this, at first, familiar, and then simply wonderful ... Read more

Reviews (64)

Still developing
Howie Day is a great singer songwriter and an upcoming performer. "Stop All the World Now" seems to be a snapshot of a developing artist, still on the upswing.

The CD has many moments of brilliance. "Collide," "Numbers For Sound" and "Come Lay Down" stand out to me. However, Day seems a little inconsistent in his songwriting and his delivery. At times he's almost Bono-esque in his vocal performances, at other times very "white-bread" generic. The same is true for his songwriting. "Sunday Morning Song" shouldn't even be on the same record with "Come Lay Down" - it sounds like two different artists.

Lyrically he's off and on. "Brace Yourself" feels like a very generic attempt at a single, while "Collide" expresses profound ideas in a brilliantly understated way.

The production is generally quite good. The addition of live strings peppering the album brings it to a different level. It's just the right amount - not overdone. At times, though, the guitar work is a little sloppy. He might've done well to have some studio players perform the touchier acoustic parts for him.

The problems are two-fold for me. First, there is the lack of one killer song. I'm noticing this more and more on records like this - overall a great record, top to bottom, but lacking that one out-of-the-park song to make it all worthwhile. Although there is nothing on SATWN that significantly hurts it, there is also nothing that makes it shine in any spectacular way.

Secondly, the record is a little too eclectic for me. At times it sounds like Radiohead's "O.K. Computer" (Come Lay Down) and at others it feels like John Mayer's happy side (Sunday Morning Song). His sound is obviously still developing.

I recommend this record. It won't change your life like, say, "Vertigo" from "Jump Little Children" or the aforementioned "O.K. Computer" will, but it does provide an easy-to-listen-to record full of great moments. Unfortunately, those moments are a little too spread out to merit 5 stars.

Better than DMB, IMHO...
OK, maybe not better than DMB in every way, but better in many ways. Smooth coherent and meaningful lyrics supported by great melodies help make Howie Day a joy to listen to and that voice and super guitar playing only add to the whole experience.

None of the songs on here are bad, but some are just plain standouts. Unfortunately, most of these standouts probably don't stand a chance on commercial radio because they just aren't catchy or glitzy enough for the general public. Hopefully the buzz surrounding Perfect Time of Day will help get Howie more exposure and expand his ever-increasing fan base.

I'll try to lend my opinion about these songs and point out what I think are the standouts, so here goes...
1. Perfect Time of Day - nice catchy, good radio choice, great bass feel and cool lyrics make it a keeper.

2. Trouble in Here - Solid everything here. The lyrics are the key here.

3. Collide - STANDOUT - easily one of the best songs on this album. You could justify buying this based on this tune alone.

4. Brace Yourself - expect to see this as the next song for airplay. Nice catchy tune, great lyrics and vocals.

5. Sunday Morning Song - sweet little ditty.

6. I'll Take You On - Pensive!Howie at his best. This one's a standout but is probably the most unassuming song on the playlist.

7. She Says - great tune...it gets better with successive listenings. Could be another great radioplay tune!

8. Numbness of Sound - STANDOUT!!! - Clearly the BEST song on the album and outranks most every song on any album this year by any artist. Pure Perfection! This very subdued song causes tunelock with me ALL the time....and the lyrics are hauntingly beautiful..

9. End of Our Days - nothing special. Probably weakest tune.

10. Come Lay Down - solid and haunting

11. You and a Promise - nice closer! Reminds me of U2 on the sound of this one...Howie thows a lot of feeling into this one...great tune!

A must have CD
Stop All The World Now is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. Howie Day is an extremely talented songwriter and musician and is an artist you should definitely see live, whether he is playing his solo act or with his band. I highly recommend this CD as well as his first release "Australia".

Howie is amazing
Howie Day is most definitly one of the most amazing artists i have ever heard. I found out about himon the radio, i heard his song perfect time of day, and fell in love. I would listen to this station hoping to here his song. I would listen intently forever hoping they might say his name so that i would know who he was, and could buy his CD. He is that good. When i listened to his CD, i found songs that were just as good, even better then perfect time of day. You wilkl be amazed. He has a gorgeous voice. It is deep, and rich, and full, and it reaches out to you and grabs you. Wow, this is an amazing album. When i hear his lyrics i feel as though he is singing for me, and that is one special feeeling. He can capture feelings in sound, and he is able to discribe these feeling in simple yet beautiful ways that are able to reach out to you, and share with you. You ,will not be disapointed, buy this CD. Howie Day has not yet been ruined by to much publicity, LOL.

Howie Day Strikes Back
"Stop All The World Now" is an incredible collection of songs for any age group. These songs reflect on many topics and aspects of life. Any individual can relate to Day's lyricism. The cd opens with "Brace Yourself", an acousticy song, that is perfect for a mainstream radio single. "Perfect Time of Day" is already working its way up the charts successfully. My favorite song would have to be "Come Lay Down", a "ballad" in which Day sings, "Follow me and don't look down, you're alright.", those lyrics reached out to me and drew me into this song at first listen. Although all of the songs on this cd are not mentioned in this review, this is a cd that will stay forever in your cd players, and accompany you on those long drives, wherever they may lead. ... Read more

Album Description

Over the course of the past two years, the world has been tumultuous, stormy and torrent.Amongst the menace and the madness, there are individuals fighting to bring a sense of tranquility to their fellow man, by whatever means serves them best.British Sea Power emerged from out of a mighty empire capturinga sense of urgency, of the chaos building, and in turn held up triumphantly the spirit of man to survive and excel despite the odds.Those who took notice were swept up and their hearts swelled.Now British Sea Power return with the Open Season, a view of the world from great heights, a record that expresses more vivid clarity which new adventures and experiences have brought forth. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Review from the Synthesis
Unafraid to display their gloomy, `80s influences such as Joy Division, yet never shying away from sheer rock power, British Sea Power create a truly passionate sound. My only complaint would be the somewhat cheesy/creepy vocals of frontman Yan. On some songs it sounds like he's whispering in your ear, trying to seduce you. However, that doesn't even put a dent in the solid songwriting appearing on Open Season. Each track is as dense and chilly as a patch of London fog, partly due to the production of Mads Bjerke. Quite a power indeed.

- Nick Walker
Synthesis.net

Critics Schmitics
I ordered this album before it came out, based on how much I liked The Fall of BSP. Then I started reading mediocre reviews by critics, so my expectations were lowered. Then I recieved the CD and listened to it, and I really like it. The best way to describe is probably by comparison.

Fall of BSP has some interesting moments but is fairly uneven. Really the only songs I listen to on it anymore are Remember Me, Something Wicked and Carrion. The songs on Open Season remind me of these tracks but are now a full album's worth. If you are more of a fan of Apologies to Insect Life then don't buy it.

Basically, I like the singing, guitar riffs and overall production. Yeah, the style is nothing new, but it's well done.

Hard to find an original moment...
...in fact, I couldn't.Halfway through the second track you've already heard four or five moments that have been lifted directly off of various Bowie albums.Sure, inspiration is one thing, but this album is so derivative it comes across as second-rate Pulp or Roxy Music.

It's quite sad because I love British Sea Power's debut; it was nothing like this wannabe-mainstream crossover, however.Now they have added so many strings and melodramatic, overly used melodies that it sounds something like Bowie meets Meatloaf.Ugh.

If you have their first album and think the highlights are the raw chords, the half-sung half-spoken vocals, and punky vibe, then you will find nothing to like on Open Season, unless you're such a Bowie fan that slavish imitations like this album are also your thing.After such a unique debut, this is a serious disappointment.

a good effort
with so many bands out there vying for your attention, you have to do a little research (unless you have a lot of cash).i admired the first BSP record because they waited till the middle of the disc to showcase the best songs--whether or not that was haphazard, who knows?BSP's new thing has a mellower vibe to it--it's not so intense. but that is good--because the intensity (like that of the odious Interpol) was purloined from a band hardly anyone remembers called KITCHENS OF DISTINCTION.BSP are better than THE SHINS, THE DECEMBERISTS, that godawful kid BRIGHT EYES; they are not nearly as good as the following:THE WEDDING PRESENT, THE BLACK WATCH, or THE SUGARPLASTIC.

My feelings are hurt
I have never waited for an album like I waited for this one.I spoke to a man at the music store to ensure what day it would be out.I drove straight there after work and purchased the cd.I planned an extra long route to my social engagment so that I could listen to the whole album whilst driving.I almost cried, I was so dissappointed.Screw all this "I wasn't expecting it but..."I, for one, don't like it.I just don't.I haven't even finished listening to the whole album.It makes me feel different than the Decline made me feel and now the good feelings associated with Decline have been destroyed by the not goodness of Open Season.I feel it is lacking in passion and that is what I enjoyed so much from the Decline album.This album is background music at best. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bachelor No. 2 is the product of a woman whose 40th birthday looms months ahead, and it illustrates how a little seasoning has paid off creatively for Aimee Mann. Always an incisive lyricist, the eloquent singer-songwriter further hones her wordplay to a razor-sharp edge. Her subjects are so adroitly sliced and diced that little blood is shed, though they're permanently cut down to size. "Calling It Quits" targets some cad who is "numbering himself among the masterminds 'cause he's hit upon the leverage of valentines." Not that Mann spares herself from a steely assessment: "I know I had it coming / From a Caesar who was only slumming" she admits in "The Fall of the World's Own Optimist." Though this 13-track collection borrows three songs from its immediate predecessor, Mann's soundtrack to Magnolia, its musical ingenuity and consistency (notable considering five different production teams are credited here) make the scattered redundancies irrelevant. Mann's artistic growth has been evident with each new release, and Bachelor marks her biggest leap forward to date.--Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (141)

Great Bachelor,Miss Mann
Aimee Mann's Bachelor No. 2 is a real musical masterpiece. From the infectious Nothing Is Good Enough (the instrumental version is featured in the Magnolia soundtrack), to the wonders of the Magnolia tracks (Deathly, Driving Sideways and You Do), to the excellent Ghost World and the spectral splendour of Satellite and It Takes All Kinds, Bachelor features the magnificence of the song-writing skills of the underrated Aimee Mann. Reading the lyrics of any Aimee Mann song is like reading a story, and this album offers many reasons why Aimee's songs inspire extremes of adoration and obsession. If Miss Mann's name is absent from the next Grammy Awards, then it will truly be one of the greatest injustices in music history.

Aimee Mann Bachelor #2
Aimee Mann's Bachelor #2, coming on the heels of the Magnolia soundtrack,and previous albums I'm With Stupid and Whatever, plus the albums she made with her band Til Tuesday continues the string of wonderful songs and albums Aimee has made since having a hit with Voices Carry from Til Tuesday's first album. Just about every song has something to recomend it, from the first song, How Am I Diffrent, which has a quiet power missing in so much of toddays music, to the melodicly heartbreaking Red Vines, to the anger of Deathly, to her touching tribute to Jeff Buckley on Just Like Anyone, and the ending of the album, You Do,which is sadness at it's most wonderful. I strongly recomend buying this album so you can discover one of the best songwriters around today that you've never heard. True, now that Save Me from Magnolia was Oscar nominated, that may change, but it can't come fast enough. If you've had enough of whiny alterntive rockers, sexist rap/metal men, and just pap in general, check this out, it's the cure for that.

Brilliant.
It figures that another genius--Juliana Hatfield--is featured on this magnificent album.

helps us get through
i'm going through hi school, which as everyone says is a hard time in different ways for each person. but aimee's album, both melancholy and uplifiting, one can use to control a mood, surprise, awaken. not only are the lyrics original and catchy, the arrangements are her most creative. this album inspires me to write songs quickly. to try to make up the day-changing tunes like those that she leaves behind.

It's good medicine
It's my belief that if everyone owned a copy of Aimee Mann's "Bachelor no. 2" this world would be a much more peaceful place. This is my feel-good album. Seriously, I went through a really awful depression a couple of years back and when I would listen to this album it was like a ray of sunshine. It's a sonic antidepressant. Works better than anything the doctor can prescribe to you.
Something about the combination of the music, and the lyrics, and Aimee's voice. It's golden. Buy buy buy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sloan is God's gift to rock and roll. There. It's been said--for the one-millionth time. While fans uttered the phrases "critics' darlings," "underappreciated," and "underrated," the band spent their time circling the globe and racking up a string of singles. They've been rightfully compared to the who's who of four-piece rock/pop bands (no need to go into that here).* But it is, on the occasion of this 2005-released A-side retrospective, worth pointing out a few of the reasons for such comparisons. First and foremost is their catalog of recordings. Each album is dosed with tracks that run from horn-throwing monsters to easy-breezy rock-alongs. Each successive release one-upped the previous, either in terms of ability, maturity, or daring--never once alienating fans or looking back for past glory. All four voices fly in and out throughout; drum fills are pulled straight from the cocktail kit masters; tube-amp tones and guitar phrases could be the chapters in a How to be in a Killer Band for Dummies book. On stage, the band is the equivalent of a Yukon fire drill with members swapping instruments, vocals, and rock moves song-for-song with furious skill and fierce cool. They're everything we've been trained to love about rock all rolled up in a tour van.

Highlights from this collection range from the ambitious undergrad stabs of "Underwhelmed" and the holy trinity of power-pop from 1997's One Chord to Another ("The Good in Everyone," "Everything You've Done Wrong," "The Lines You Amend"), to the grown-up Sloan of "The Other Man" ("If I'm the other man, nature will abhor me") and "The Rest of My Life" ("Am I gonna be someone who has to take the rest of my life to settle down?/What kind of fool doesn't think about it?/You have to be a fool not to think about it.") The one thing you'll find yourself wishing for is a speedy arrival of the B-sides and rarities.

The bonus DVD version contains videos for all the songs and is the good value here. The videos accurately document the Sloan legacy and the song-by-song video commentary is fun for the superfans. --Peter Hilgendorf

* The Beatles, the Kinks, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Big Star, Kiss, Cheap Trick, the Clash, the Replacements, the Young Fresh Fellows, and the Beach Boys (when Mike Love was out at the dry cleaner's).

Recommended Sloan Discography

Smeared	Twice Removed	One Chord to Another
Between the Bridges	Pretty Together	Action Pact

... Read more

Reviews (4)

Greatness
After the last couple albums (Pretty Together and Action Pact, neither of which did much good for anyone), it was easy to forget how frickin' awesome Sloan was on albums 1 through 5. This comp does a very fine job of doing that.

But one point: There are two versions of the DVD, one for Canadian release and one for Americans. Because of licensing issues, the Canadian version has a ton more stuff on it -- live performances, TV appearances, etc. So if you really want the full Sloan experience, go buy it at Amazon.ca or some other fine Canadian online music vendor.

GET THE VERSION WITH THE DVD!
For casual fans or people just getting into Sloan, this is a nice place to start, but if you've been a fan for a fair amount of their thirteen years, treat the CD like the bonus disc and get it for the DVD.All the videos are here, some in multiple forms, and you get a quasi-Behind the Music where the band goes over all of the videos.It's nice to hear Patrick speak as he often plays the George Harrison part in the overemphasized Beatles comparisons (i.e. He's quiet.)Chris seems kind of mad in the video whereas Jay and Andrew seem to be their normal selves.Really can't say too much in terms of gushing.This won't break any new ground, I don't think, and a lot of longtime fans are wondering if this is it for the lads.I hope not, and neither should you.If you enjoy power pop, you could do worse but no better than to pick this CD/DVD up.

Signed,
epsteinsmutha

perfect pop
Since their split from DGC many moons ago, these Canadian boys' music has been next to impossible to get here. At long last, Koch has been able to bring their music back to our hungry ears. It's about time too!

It's hard to know what to say about Sloan, they're one of those bands that just makes me want to scream "What do you mean why are they so great? I don't know, they just are!!! You need to buy all their records NOW!" I just love their perfect pop so much. Equal parts crunchy guitars, Beach Boys like harmonies, impossibly catchy hooks, stumblingly chaotic drumming, perfect jangle and strum guitars. And then there's the fact that each member of Sloan takes turn singing, playing guitar, and playing bass. How many bands can you say that about?! And the thing is, they all completely kick [...] at all three. And as you get familiar with the band you start identifying songs as a 'Jay song' or an 'Andrew song'. That's sort of the appeal, they are crack songsmiths, and most definitely rock stars (certainly in Canada) but at the same time they are so self effacing, dorky and lovable.

Their music is totally earnest and over the top bombastic at the same time. Sometimes it shuffles along all moody and downcast, sometimes it's a blast of high energy RAWK, sometimes they'll whip out some full on Chicago horns. And it all sounds great, fitting perfectly into Sloan's perfect pop puzzle.

The second half of this greatest hits packed less of that Sloan pop wallop I so hold dear and more of an arena rock flair (which is sort of the direction their records have been taking, but heck, I'd rather Sloan be rocking the stadium than Janet Jackson!).

If you somehow missed Sloan the first time around (or if you just plain miss them!), this singles compilation serves quite well as shorthand summary of their many albums. This is essential pop, power or otherwise. PLUS while supplies last you get a whole DVD of all of their videos, which are all totally fun and funny and wildly entertaining. And it's a blast to watch the band go through an impossible number of hairstyles over the years!

Anyone who loves the Posies, Weezer, Jellyfish, Big Star, Silver Sun, the Fastbacks, Superchunk, the Stereo, Zumpano, the New Pornographers, Fallout Boy, the Get Up Kids or any of that stuff, who doesn't already have a big chunk of Sloan in their collection has a lot of catching up to do. This is as good a place as any to start!

Alternative pop perfection
I've been lucky to have lived in Detroit (well nobody is truly lucky to live in Detroit) where alternative radio is based in Canada and therefore is required to play a certain percentage of canadian acts.As a result I've been exposed to the best that Canada has to offer with bands such as The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Cowboy Junkies, Doughboys, The Grapes Of Wrath, 24 Gone, Sarah McLachlan and the almighty Sloan.

If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Sloan you're missing out on one of the truly great alternative pop bands of the past 20 years.And while Sloan are huge in Canada, sadly America hasn't had the honor of being properly exposed.

Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sloan first burst on the scene with Geffen Records' 1993 release "Smeared".The power pop grunge like "Underwhelmed" received a fair amount of airplay on Alternative radio but it was not followed up with any significant airplay on a 2nd single.By the time "Twice Removed" hit a couple years later, those in the loop knew that Sloan were a special band.The album failed to produce a huge single and attain commercial success, but it did achieve critical acclaim and was loaded with great songs in "Penpals", "Coax Me", "I Hate My Generation", "People Of The Sky" & "Snowsuit Sound".

Still flying slightly under the radar, record #3 "One Chord To Another" was another artistic achievement the boasted the lead single "The Good In Everyone".And while OCTA was another great Sloan record it possibly wore its influences (Beatles) a bit too close to the sleeve.

Well 4 studio records later Sloan is still making great music and still haven't made it in America.Their fanbase has reached almost cult status and those that love the band are really into them.If you're a fan of guitar based alternative pop with great melodies then you can do no wrong by picking this record up and discovering one of the truly greatest pop bands of the past 20 years. ... Read more

Amazon.com Music Reviews

People tend to confuse the band Mazzy Star with it's singer Hope Sandoval. Truth be told, they've been right all along. Sandoval's languid, weeping willow voice is Mazzy Star; the name is a mere formality. With nods to Nico and the Velvet Underground, So Tonight that I Might See is vintage Mazzy. Remarkably, the recording produced a strikingly undanceable single, "Fade into You,"that ascended to respectable rotation on college and AAA radio. The rest of the album sticks close to the single's plaintive, retro balladry. Though Sandoval rarely raises her voice above a sultry whisper, it's bright enough to hold your attention all night. --Nick Heil ... Read more

Reviews (74)

A Stunningly Beautiful Album!
This album has been in constant rotation in my cd player for years and years now. It really is a beautiful album. I never understood the people who said that all Mazzy Star songs all sound alike. I never thought that in any sense at all. they all are so subtle and subdued but yet all have their own personality. The album really coheres in a sense, but each song tells it's own story. It isn't simply a collection of random songs but more a book of short stories held together by a common thread.

From the first track, Fade Into You, a sort of surprise hit single on the radio with its country tinged, folk psychadelia to the grand finale, So Tonight That I Might See, a Doors inspired stream of conscious masterpiece, the entire album shimmers with emotion and feeling and dreamy landscapes. David Robacks sweet guitar playing and lush arrangements provide the perfect backdrop to Hope Sandovals detached but angelic voice and an almost faceless backing band provides the perfect foil for the dark, laid back duo who are fronting the show.

Fade Into You is a beautiful tune, filled with desertlike folk country-ish sounds, that never seems to wear thin. Bells Ring which is next, keeps the same spirit as Fade Into You, albiet with a more heavy, electrified spirit and then Mary of Silence And Five String Serenade bring the band closer to a funeral type atmosphere, but it's Blue Light, the fifth track that lifts the band out of it's misery. This almost tone poem, is filled with an aquatic organ sound that is perfect, almost with it giving you the feeling of a soft, blueish light shining through the window on a what was rainy afternoon during a hot summer's day.

She's My Baby is nice and is next, but it's the seventh track, Unreflected that has consistantly moved me and been one of my favorite songs of all time. It's gently ringing acoustic guitars, soft shaker and echoey vocals by Sandoval remind me of lying in a field in the desert on a clear summer's night with the brightest stars against the darkest backdrop circling above. This is a song that could simply be called cosmic... something which not many songs truly are.

The album then shifts gears with the coarse and tripped out "Wasted" only to find it's way back to dreamy folk on "Into Dust," which gives way the powerful closing track, So Tonight That I Might See. In similar fashion to The Doors, "The End," Sandoval sings with detached fashion almost unceasing string of words whih sound almost like an uninterupted thought from beginning to end.

So Tonight is a fantastic album. You may have heard Fade Into You on the radio at some point. Give it a try if you haven't already. It isn't music that you want to race cars to (effectively atleast) but it is a great cd. The playing by the band (except Roback) is nothing to run to the store about, but they do managed to create a dreamy atmosphere which is unbroken throughout the show. Highly Recommended.

So tonight that I might see
"So Tonight That I Might See" is another cd I haven't listened to in a few years that I thought I would throw into my stereo. I have always loved the haunting ballad "Fade into You". I guess Mazzy Star is what a lot of people would consider to be shoegazer. The music is mellow and soothing to relax to. Now that I am listening to the cd for the first time in 2-3 years, I find myself completely enjoying the music much more than I initially did. Hope Sandoval has that little girl voice which isn't a bad thing. She obviously left an influence in music, namely with Allison Shaw of the band Cranes and maybe a little with Sharin Foo of The Raveonettes. I still don't care for the tracks "Mary of Silence" and "Five String Serenade". Maybe because of the lack of melody and Hope Sandoval's monotonous vocals is what turns me off from the song. I love the acoustic guitar on the latter track but there isn't a real sense of melody or emotions in either song. I still think that the best tracks on the cd are "Fade Into You", "Bells Ring", and "Blue Light". I particularly enjoyed the gospel influence in "Blue Light". Hope's vocals actually doesn't sound so monotonous on this track. Although not perfect, "So Tonight That I Might See" is still a solid album to chill out to after a long day at the office.

Really Good, But Not The Best
"Among My Swan" is the best Mazzy Star album, but this is well worth your time. Hope Sandavol is an amazing talent and you won't be disappointed.

the epitome of beauty
I first heard the song "fade into you" in the movie Angus during the scene where Angus and Melissa shared their first dance. I remember being struck and thinking how beautiful the song was. Years later when my taste in music began to mature I stumbled upon Mazzy again and rediscovered the song. Hope's voice is in my opinion the most beautiful and ethereal voice in rock and roll. "Blue light", and "Five String Serenade" are both hauntingly beautiful songs and whenever I hear "Into Dust" I feel as if I could cry. "So Tonight That I Might See" is a nice little psychedelic number with a cool Celtic feel. Not ever song is perfect though, "Wasted" seems a little misplaced. I own every Mazzy album and there's just something about this one, like a certain tone in her voice that puts this album just a step above the rest. If I had to pick three cd's to save this would easily be my #1. A must have for any true fan.

brooding power
this is an awesome cd!I'd compare hope sandoval(mazzy star's singer)to julee cruise or kim gordon(at times),and the music is definatly reminicent of the first two julee cruise albums.it has a subtle "misting" effect that sweeps through you and makes you feel what she feels.my favorite track is the one with the slide guitar on it.fans of dark tones and affectionate vocals should eat this right up! ... Read more

Reviews (61)

Mae's Best Release To Date
Mae's new album The Everglow has the whole package: excellent music, beautifully laid out artwork, and a storyline. The guys have outdone their past releases ten fold. The vocals and instruments have improved immensely. With Destination Beautiful the album got dull after a couple listens because there were really no stand out songs. That's not saying it wasn't a good album, but no where near what The Everglow has to offer.

Just like with Armor For Sleep's new album, Mae's new album takes you on a journey. This is that type of album that actually makes you get involved. You just don't listen to the music, you also close your eyes and paint the story in your mind. When an album is able to make you do that, you know you hit something gold.

The Everglow will definitely propel Mae to the top. This album shows what imagination and creativity can do.

MAE is aMAEzing.
This is an incredible change, but I love this CD possibly more than I did "Destination: Beautiful".They've grown lyrically and musically, and this CD is almost like a story from start to end.There isn't a single song you can skip on this one, for sure.The Prologue and Epilogue play a huge role in introducing and concluding the CD, a great idea and a great touch to "The Everglow".

My three favorite songs on the CD are "We're So Far Away", "Suspension", and "Anything".What are yours?

It's Okay
I was definately expecting more from this band, since Destination: Beautiful is one of my favorite CDs. While this CD isn't terrible, it is a bit of a let down. They lost some of their unique sound, which was what made their first CD so good.

And welcome to the Everglow...
You are now entering another world. A world unlike our present world. A world called "the everglow." Mae will take you there.

This cd plays like a story. I download stuff off of iTunes now more than buying actual cds, but this artwork is so amazing I knew I had to get it. The music is excellent, but if you have ever heard Mae, you have probably already taken that for granted.

Lyrically, they have matured, but also the music is much more positive. On Destination: Beautiful, Mae sang lyrics like

"And I get so close, but I runaway, I runaway...
Things I fear the most, keep me here to stay, but anyway..."

and

"The confidence you held in us is the rope we almost hung ourselves with."

On The Everglow, they have traded this for:

"Hey! Wait! Knock me down and I'll get up again.
Oh! Pain! A remedy that can erase your sting.
I'll keep holding, and I'll keep trying.
I feel this fight, it is slowly dying now but I feel painless..."

and

"the pain it won't even cross my mind.
there is wonder in everything.
the rope gets loose and the chains unbind.
and i can do anything."

In conclusion, this may very well be the best cd I own. It is well worth its cost. Best songs: Anything and The Ocean.

good shit
i agree with the last review i just read. and that dude is about as smart as a box of rocks.i haven't seen that many mispelled words since.... ever.
this is a great CD.i bought it here in Iraq for 7 bucks cause no one wanted it.turned out that is all have been listening to before i roll out the gate for the last week.it mellows me.kinda like the calm before the storm. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Reykjavík-based noise quartet Sigur Rós are the biggest band in their native Iceland, which should say much, much more about the collective insanity of that earthquake-ridden, blizzard-beaten crag of an island than anything to do with Sigur Rós's sound. But in their music, Sigur Rós reflect all the breathtaking glory of the Icelandic wastes--a fairy-tale explosion of unhinged elemental majesty that's finally crystallized here, their debut European release. Poised somewhere between the haunting soundscapes of Labradford and the lilting Celtic falsetto of Enya, Agaetis Byrjun is a truly breathtaking listen. Frontman Jon Por Birgisson sings in a language that Sigur Rós dub "Hopelandic"--an otherworldly mutation of Icelandic, sung in the falsetto cadence of angels; similarly, he plays his guitar with a violin bow, opening the floodgates for brilliant waves of feedback. And while it's the opening "Svefn-G-Englar" that's Sigur Rós' moment to date, there's far more that they have to offer; listen to the pomp and flourish of a full orchestra on "Flugufrelsarinn," or the awe-inspiring near-religious mantra of "Ny Batteri." --Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Reviews (233)

Surprised when I found out they were human beings...
After introducing many listeners to their distinct sound by way of the "Vanilla Sky" sountrack album, Icelandic quartet Sigur Rós (pronouned "Seer Rose" with the R's rolled) has built a following interested in expanding their tastes in music and virtually elimintaing insomnia. Agaetis Byrjun (pronounced "Ow-gate-is Beeryune"), the band's third overall album to date, is their masterpiece. It is the ultimate realization of the spectrum of human emotion, and, when accompanied by candles and a good pair of headphones, proves as an adequate cure for sleep deprevation. The band's instrumentation is relatively simple: vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards/synthesizers. The miracle of this is the otherworldly sound channeled through these instruments and into the ears, heart, and soul of the listener.
The album begins with an intro, roughly a minute long, which resembles an underwater choir singing an irresistable refrain, chopped and repeated by the loopwork of keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson. It slowly travels into the now-famous "Svefn-G-Englar"(Sleepwalkers) by way of the repeating ping of a sonar detector and the rumbling of an underwater submarine. The two songs together serve as an exposition to a much grander scheme, but it is here that we are introduced to Sigur Rós' distinctive blend of angelic vocals, channeling bass work, etherreal percussion, and quite possibly the most beautiful guitar feedback ever recorded, by way of guitarist/vocalist Jonsi running a cello bow along the strings. From this, the listener is transported into the stellar "Staralfur" by way of a rapidly drumming heartbeat. From first listen, one is compelled to make a nighttime trip to an open field to gaze at a star-painted sky, revelling in the sheer beauty of life.
Next is the hypnotic "Flugufrelsarinn", brought in by a combination of wind and guitar screeching. The song borderlines erotica, and is as irresistable as it is trance-inducing. Brass hummings bring in "Ny Batteri", a song that is altogether more melancholy in its scope as compared with the rest of the album. It's as if the band is lost in its own emotional maelstrom, struggling to find any signs of light. A peephole is found in the jazz-like "Hjartad Hamast", which sounds like Miles Davis as interpreted by a Martian. The peephole then tears, to become the rejuvenation that is "Vidrar Vel Til Loftarasa". The longest song on the album, it is arguably the most beautiful, shifting through 4 main phrases all in one swift, breathtaking motion.
Now that the rejuvenation has been found, it is time for the youthful abandon that is "Olsen Olsen". The timely, enchanting bass riff guides the listener through a dark forest leading to a meadow, filled with a grand choir encircling a lone flutist. Immediately following is the smile-inducing title track, "Agaetis Byrjun". The guitar intro fades in from nothing, and the divine instrumentation makes the listener think of the same. A flying kite comes to mind in this song. As for "Avalon", the closer, nothing will be disclosed. It serves as a final farewell to the listener, tucking them in goodnight, and letting them rest assured that life is indeed filled with beauty, if they would only allow their ears to hear it.
Simply put, this is one of the most beautiful albums ever made. Sigur Rós is a band not easily dismissed. Agaetis Byrjun is an experience not easily forgotten. Your ears, mind, heart, soul, and eyelids will love you forever.

A new favourite of mine
I stumbled into Sigur Ros after someone on a messageboard I frequent was expressing excitement about their then-upcoming third album ( ), which I bought the day it was released stateside. I was duly impressed, but it was after I bought Agaetis Byrjun that the band really sunk it's claws into me.

For an album who's songs stretch up into the the ten minute range, this is a very accessable record. The instrumentals are soothing yet intense, often at the same time (think Kid A-era Radiohead), as this is very much mood music. Pianos interweave with bowed electric guitars, fingerpicked acoustics, moderate percussion, keyboard melodies, etcetera. One song (Olsen Olsen, I believe) even has a somewhat dischordant orchestral bombast.

As far as the vocals, Jonsi has a beautiful falsetto (no one I play this for believes that's a guy at first), and even though I don't understand the lyrics (they are Icelandic after all), I like the tonal quality of them.

To a point, Vanilla Sky did for Sigur Ros what Benny & Joon did for the Proclaimers: gave an unknown band stateside a few minutes in the spotlight. Given, Sven-g-Englar (which loosely translates to Sleepwalkers I think), the song on the VS soundtrack, is one you hear people going on about a lot. The standout, in my opinion however, is the title track, Agaetis Byrjun (A Good Beginning). Both are fantastic songs, though, and the rest of the album isn't much behind.

So yes. If you're in the mood for a three minute pop hook, obviously you would do well to look elsewhere. If you're willing to invest a little patience, however, Agaetis Byrjun is a top cut. Let it wash over you and see where it takes you.

I'VE FOUND NEAR PERFECTION
Anyone who appreciates beautiful music would love this album. It's not something you listen to when you're drunk in the club, or jamming in your car down the boardwalk on the beach, but its something to listen to and enjoy by yourself. These songs make you think of life, of past relationships, of God, and of the world. The only problem with this is, if you are mainly for lyrics, and you don't speak the language of this band, you will not understand a word, let alone spell a song's name. Do not listen to this album to find meaning in the words. Let the singer's voice and sounds be part of the music instead of focusing on what he is saying. I believe this is an album where you will either REALLY love it or it just won't be for you. If you are strictly into American pop music, hiphop/R&B, metal or hard rock, or close-minded to a certain hardcore sound, this album might not be for you. If you are open-minded to music that isn't just screaming and hardcore riffs, and isn't filled with hot beats with someone yappin about ridin on dubs and 24's, this might catch your ear. This is what music is supposed to be. I'm not saying this is what all music should be. I am saying that all music, whatever genre, should be on this level. If that were possible, the world would be a much more enjoyable place. If you have time to listen to this album, I strongly strongly strongly recommend it.

Superb
This is my number one desert island CD. Orgasmic and haunting are the best ways I can describe this album. If Iceland has it's own equivalent of the Smithsonian, than a copy of Agaetis Byrjun deserves to be placed in it immediately.

Mind bending, influencial recordings
I can only describe this album in few words, since there is so much to describe it with, it's amazing. Absolutely stunning. The violin bow added to the guitar playing is just great. Beautiful, melodic music. A good buy, and a classic to keep in your collection ... Read more

Amazon.com

The third low-tech, high-impact recording from the Akron, Ohio, duo is once again a loud and lively confirmation that passion, not precision, is what the blues is all about. With Dan Auerbach's insistent, abrasive guitar tone and drummer Patrick Carney's violent percussion workouts, the Black Keys' sound thrashes about with industrial-strength garage-band energy, but it also connects directly to the core sensibilities of the original blues creators with its primal expressions of pain and pride. With Auerbach shouting out the vocals the duo rocks hard in its stripped-down, ragged glory mode on Hendrix-influenced shredders like "10 A.M. Automatic" and "The Desperate Man," the fuzzed-out "Till I Get My Way," and the surprisingly swinging "Just Couldn't Tie Me Down." But it also delivers the same emotional intensity in a less frantic form on the moody mini-masterpiece "The Lengths." And, for all the justifiable fascination with the out-of-control excitement of the duo's punkish instrumental approach, the group continues to excel at songcraft, a talent expressed both in its own material and in its ability to recognize and expand the disguised merits of lesser-known cover songs. It follows a previous Beatles rarity recording with a nod to the Kinks this time via a personalized cover of "Act Nice and Gentle," probably the last thing the Black Keys would ever be accused of being. --Michael Point ... Read more

Amazon.com

Life has gotten so much easier for these guys ever since Pavement broke up. After all, how many flannel-shirt wearing, floppy-haired, Fall sound-alikes can the average person swallow? Oh well, now that the playing field is theirs alone, Spoon do not disappoint. Kill The Moonlight is their most melodically accomplished work to date, shimmying through the primal tambourine shakes of "Small Stakes," breaking a sweat with the spiky lo-fi swagger of "Stay Don't Go," and getting all starry-eyed on the three-and-a-half minute acoustic epic "Don't Let It Get You Down." So good, you'll even forgive them for blatantly Malkmus-derived song titles like "Paper Tiger" and "Vittorio E." --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Another dollop of excellence from tha Spoon
Not much to say that hasn't been said here. This album is more rhythmically-oriented than the previous "Girls Can Tell," and harmonically a little more spare. But that spareness is the essence of Spoon's genius: they are master arrangers of sonic space. There is not a drop of excess here, musically or lyrically. Often unremarked upon is Britt Daniel's ingeniously-timed phrasing, and it's no small feat that his always-pithy lyrics are custom fit to that phrasing.

There is nothing indie-rock about this band at this point; they are total pros. There are more R&B touches to this album than were hinted at on "Girls Can Tell." I can't help but think Thin Lizzy and Elvis Costello, though really that comparison is absurd and unfair. True, there is not quite as much melodic hookery as "The Agony of Lafitte" songs or many of the "GCT" tracks, but this record is much more about the rhythm. It's funny; I've been listening to Queens of the Stone Age, and all the elements of rock are there--huge drums, distorted guitars, etc., but in comparison to an outfit like Spoon, QOTSA can't hope to rock. Once again, Spoon outrocks the heavies.

Spoon the most underrated band of the modern age?
Ask most people what they think of Spoon and you will get 3 different responses. The vast majority of people will say who? A few people will dismiss them as being Pavement apeists, but a few will say one of the greatest bands ever. And "Kill Their Moon Light" is their best album. It is a punk r&b(real rhythm and blues not this modern crap) and a minamalistic masterpeace. This is the true spirit of punk. The thread bare instrumentation, the human beatbox noises on "Stay Don't Go", blues ballads (Paper Tiger). Think if The White Stripes were cool and didn't whine so much. Thats Spoon. I've seen them live which adds another dimension, best live band i've ever seen. But back to kill the moonlight, this is cool rock music. No posteruing(Rolling Stones) , no self agrandising(U2) not pretending to be avant garde aristes (Radiohead). Spoon are the essence of DIY rock, a bunch on friends pick up some instruments and have fun. Spoon don't push the boundaries of rock music, but no one really does. However if you want a record that you'll never get tired of playing pick this one.

Excellent example of minimalism
Pavement? Ok...
This is the album that actually introduced me to Spoon. I've listened to it for over a year now and I am positive that it is my favorite Spoon album and probably one of my all-time favorite albums period. Girls Can Tell is good. Really good. But this is better. The great melodic elements and slick production and layering of GCT return, but Spoon adventures into sonic experimentalism, seeing not only how stripped down and simple a song can be (which many punk bands, especially Wire, have already done) but also redefining what constitutes an instrument or even proper instrumentation. Hand claps, stomps, electronic beats, strings, backwards drums, beatbox, and odd overdubbed vocals flesh out entire songs driven by simple guitar or piano progressions, Jim Eno's clever drumming, and Britt Daniel's excellent vocals. All the songs are uniquely excellent, and thus it's nearly impossible for me to pick a favorite; the worst song is "Don't Let It Get You Down", but that's solely by comparison. It's a good song while the rest of the album is composed of awesome songs.

Yes, Girls Can Tell is awesome (especially the first half of it). But I've listened to both albums about a thousand times now and in my head there's no longer any debate. Kill the Moonlight is the better album. You should especially see it live...the live versions of tracks like 'Paper Tiger' and 'Small Stakes' are amazing.

spoon
i just saw this band live on lacl, they are a pretty good live band and i love their music so i givve this cd 4 stars.

The Opposite of Pavement...but still a good record
Ok, So why does anyone think this sounds remotely like pavement???I feel like it is the exact opposite. This is NOT a bad thing..since pavement is great and why would anyone want to hear a remake of a great indie rock band..thats just stupid. But to give a huge comparison: Spoon loves OPEN SPACE! like other reviews have noted. Pavement LOVES noise...yes its sparse but in a completely different way. Spoon loves to mix up lots of different styles of music and put it into one good disk. I've only had this album for..um..one listen..but i can tell that is one of those records that i will just put in at different times and it wont grow old. ... Read more

Album Description

(not actual Deluxe Version Artwork)

TWO-DISC DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION OF "GUERO" INCLUDES:

- Full album plus seven exclusive bonus tracks- An exquisite 52 page booklet of art chosen by Beck- Technologically groundbreaking DVD featuring a 5.1 surround sound mix of the album coupled with interactive video remixes of each track (designed by acclaimed video artists D-Fuse).Over 100 unique visual possibilities -- as directed using the remote control's "angle" button

Three years after the critically acclaimed and heartwrenching opus "Sea Change," THREE-TIME GRAMMY WINNER and FIVE-TIME MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARD WINNER BECK returns with his most diverse, accomplished and compelling work to date: "GUERO."

With the raucous first single "E-Pro" triumphantly "na-na-na"-ing Beck's return with a must-be-seen-to-be believed video by Shynola (Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead), "GUERO" both reunites Beck with classic co-conspirators the Dust Brothers and explores territories uncharted by even this most innovative artist of his generation. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Worth the extra tracks - DVD worked fine
The DVD worked fine on our end, but regardless of that, I'm happy I got the "deluxe" version just for the extra tracks that comes with the CD. This is the best album I've purchased this year (possibly 20 so far - some tough competition!) There are some good remixes available on iTunes as well.

amazing
The negative reviews are all directed towards the limited edition.Luckily I haven't had as much frustration as them.I still think this album deserves 5 stars.If you take the extra stuff that you get that doesn't have any documented problems(extra tracks, liner notes) it still makes it worth the couple extra bucks you have to throw to get this.

More importantly, this is easily the best album I have heard this year and one of the top albums so far this decade.

Brilliant Beck
First, about the DVD.Only one track has a problem in my player, track 4.I figure there is something like an easter egg there that is causing problems.My player automatically skips to track 5 when it comes to track 4.It only takes about 5 seconds to rewind to the beginning of track 4 just after this odd glitch and you can play "Missing" in surround sound.It's annoying, but not the worst thing in the world.

Now, the DVD is simply AWESOME in 5.1 surround sound.Tambourines whirl around you everywhere in "Black Tambourine" and simply put, I am more than happy to be able to listen to this album mixed in surround.It is really nice that the extra effort was put into putting this package together, no other Beck album was done this way.The videos are very cool as well.The six extra tracks are also well worth the money, I am a huge fan of all Beck material that has been released nowhere but as B-sides and rare tracks, and these are no different (try "Stray Blues: A Collection of B-Sides" to see what I'm talking about.)And the new album delivers in a HUGE way.After becoming overly familiar with the 4 track EP of remixed tunes in arcade sound released on iTMS, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the original versions from the album.Harmonica, slide guitar, and fresh beats as only Beck can do it.And this album contains a lyrical and singing breakthrough in my mind as Beck has never sounded vocally as good as he does on "Earthquake Weather."Simply brilliant, it will be a favorite for a LONG time.

Beck-tionary!
I am an ardent Beck fan, give me your odelay, your mutations, your midnite vultures. I could go on for days about how good he is so let me settle on reviewing this. My friend made me a copy of Guero and i played it, i played it several times, i played it enough that i couldn't stand owning a copy (as i own an official release of every album) so i went out and low and behold, the limited edition is in my line of sight. As poor as i am i shelled out the money for it and i couldn't be happier. The extra songs are just as crazy, the DVD sound is amazing, the visuals are spectacular and the music videos are excellent. As far as artists that are in my collection, he is one of a select few that takes up more than 4 spaces in my binder. This isn't for everyone, i know i am a crazy fan, but definately check out the regular version of this album, but if you are a hardcore fan, get this and you too can say, "I own the beck-tionary!"
P.S. Watch Futurama

DVD not compatible with many players
I picked up a new model Sony DVD, SACD, Progressive Scan higher end model last year and it still won't play the disc.Seems like many other people are having issues if you search around the web.Maybe they should be a bit more honest about how incompatible this disc is considering that the Beck site only specifies that only a "small percentage" are not compatible.Seems more like only a small percentage are actually compatible.CD is pretty good, but paying extra for a defective DVD shadows the good music with anger... ... Read more

Amazon.com

As these dimpled moptops from Oklahoma grow pepper-bearded and transform into wizened elder statesmen of sonic adventuring, the heartfelt candy of their loving bubblegum stretches ever longer into echoing soundscapes. If Radiohead are halfway to becoming U2, the Flaming Lips are nine-tenths of the way to pop nirvana. Hardly a song on Yoshimi isn't resonated, echoed, and reverberated--floating the listener higher until they have the ultimate bird's-eye view of what makes a great band tick. As with any album by the band, it's hard not to imagine parades and a sky filled with helium balloons while you listen to any of it--in this case, the party is enhanced brilliantly by digital filters and silver shimmering asides. The most immediate songs, like "One More Robot (3000-21)," are digital (almost trip-hop) dance numbers that lift the band out of the cornfields and into the loopy land of Björk. Little surprise, then, that the band are already following up this majestic splash of gummy bear brilliance by recording a CD with kids' TV show host Steve from Blue's Clues. It's like Woodstock meets Snoopy! --Ian Christe ... Read more

Reviews (285)

Her name is Yoshimi; she's a black belt in karate...
And so it begins.

I had never listened to a Flaming Lips album before, but I kept seeing "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" on some of last years "best albums" lists, so I thought I'd take a chance and check it out. It took about three listens before I was hooked on this cd. I can't help smiling when I listen to it, and I listen to it at work, while I'm driving, and at home. While not usually a fan of the concept-album per-se, this one has really stuck to me. It has a hint of Pink Floyd, with almost dreamy, ethereal, qualities. It is full of some wonderful bass lines, creative percussion, and thoughtful lyrics. My favorite songs are "Flight Test", "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1", "Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell", and "Are you a Hypnotist", but "Do You Realize" is my stand-out favorite, just a beautiful song, and it sickens me to now hear it on a television car commercial.

If you have eclectic tastes in music, and don't limit yourself to pop radio, I think you will enjoy "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots".

Perfect pop songs about robots, Mars, love, and death
The Flaming Lips followed their masterpiece, 'The Soft Bulletin,' with this, a concept album EP linked to a collection of beautiful, strange songs about love and death. The first four tracks refer to the title of the album. Yoshimi battles pink robots to a 'kitchen sink' soundtrack --- the band combines everything from techno-pop to acoustic dirges into a vague story.

Then the album opens up. 'In the Morning of the Magicians' and 'Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell' are the high points of the disc. They transmit you from Yoshimi to the super-bright pop songs that close the CD. The final four are simple, introspective ballads that sound a lot like Beck's 'Sea Change.' The whole thing ends with a fantastic instrumental about ballooning across Mars.

In a perfect world, this album would win every Grammy and be played over and over on the radio. But I guess I can settle for owning it and listening to it all day at home. After this CD and 'The Soft Bulletin,' the Lips are on a roll. I can't wait to hear what they'll do next.

5 STARS BABY!!
This album is off the hook. I love the flaming lips and would definitely buy this album.

I love it...
I absolutely love this cd... It's at least 4 Gold Star material...

->Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell
my fave song/title on it

My friend gave me a copy and as they say better late than never... The music is superb and the lyrics are eccentrically interesting... As well as the vocals smooth nicely over the music...

Pick it up and give it a try... You'll like it even if your name isn't Mikey - a Flaming Fan - Savannah Skye...

its gotta be my favorite cd of all time
wow. ok,i can't say this is my favorite band... but i love listening to this cd... and i lost the damn thing. but till i can scrape up some money to buy it again, i just keep listening to the 30 second samples on amazon. yeah i know pathetic. when i first heard flaming lips, i was really suprised at how unique their music was. some of there songs remind me of an addictive video game beat you can't get out of your head while others are more melodic... the weird thing about this cd is that i can put it on low and go to sleep with it on or put it on high and get all "pumped up". the only other cd i've heard from the flaming lips is soft bulletin which is good too but in no way does it compare to yoshimi battles the pink robots. my favorite song is "yoshimi battles the pink robot part 2" i think it's called (sorry, remember i haven't listened to the cd in a while)i love it when yoshimi screams at the top of her lungs... i get chills all over... get it or regret it ... Read more

Amazon.com

The medically minded Scrubs is an eccentric affair, populated by a zany cast of residents saving lives while learning life's little lessons in the process. Though lacking the show's oddball humor, its soundtrack is undeniably earnest, with a rich understanding of the pleasures and hardships faced by the hospital workers. The show's theme song, Lazlo Bane's quirky banjo twanger, sighs "I'm no Superman," as an uncharacteristically subdued Guided by Voices track cautions to "Hold on Hope." Ex-Men at Work frontman Colin Hay lends his sage advice with acoustic renditions of "Beautiful World" and the chestnut "Overkill," while Eels' "Fresh Feeling" begins with a tuning orchestra and turns into a tripping beatfest. The highlights, though, belong to Francis Dunnery, sounding uncannily like Peter Gabriel on the high-tea string elegance of "Good Life," and the Shins, with "New Slang," a humble campfire song. Puttering along pleasantly, Scrubs, while a little bland, is nevertheless a life-affirming collection that's as hopeful as the aspiring young doctors on the show. --Annie Zaleski ... Read more

Reviews (27)

a great CD to study to
This is one of the best CDs I own. Its wasy listening in the sense that I study to it and it doesnt distract me, I dont have to skip any of the songs, and I can play it for hours on end. some of the standouts "Good Life" "Hallelujah" "Fresh Feeling" and "Hold on Hope". "Good Time" and "Dracula from Houston" are the 'fun' songs that are a little more bouncy, for lack of a better word. This CD is a great buy, since there is not a single bad song on it in m