Reviews (10)

INXS in concert...or is it studio?
INXS in concert can be a pretty amazing thing, all agreed? So why does it come off not so well? Could be due to the fact that the band is perfect. It's almost impossible to find any mistakes from the band, or any flubs at all. The quality of this ranks up there with U2's 'Under a Blood Red Sky.' It could be a lot better, even if it is only 1991. I sometimes forget Michael Hutchence is even there, his voice is quite low in the shuffle. It's a good cd and well worth purchasing. On the other hand, you wont 'Kick' yourself if you don't.

Need this tonight.
I have to admit, I've heard better sounding live albums, but overall it's a good disc, and not being perfect is part of what makes it live I guess. It's also basically a live hits cd. Included is "Burn For You", "Suicide Blonde", "This Time", and the popular "Need You Tonight/Mediate". No point in saying what's missing, it's all good. There's a spot or two where this is kind of choppy, but it's still the closest thing to a live "INXS" show that many of us will ever hear, especially now. I'd pick this up after a couple studio albums, or the 21 track "Best Of".

Just a Question
Why we can't see a DVD version of this great band?

Horrible sound and editing
This is one of the worst sounding CD's you can buy. It is on a par with Black Sabbath's Live At Last, King Crimson's Earthbound or Epitath or Hawkwind's Early Daze.

This CD was taken from a tour in 1990. The songs come from the many stops along the tour, and from all over the world. It is about 65 minutes long. There is also a video version of this CD on VHS (but not on DVD, yet).

The sound is incredibly bad on over half of the tracks. On some tracks, you can barely hear the vocals, and on others, you can barely here the instruments. On most tracks, the crowd noise is turned up louder than the band. On some tracks, you can make out people talking in the background. There are a few tracks with acceptable sound, but not many. There is one track that actually sounds OK because there is no audience noise. There is nothing wrong with the energy of an audience on a live CD, but you have to be able to hear the band.

The editing is really bad. Each track was taken from a different show. One track will abruptly end and then next track will start. There is no fade in or out on the audience cheering, or any blending between tracks. On two tracks, the band playing around in the hotel room is tacked on to the end of a song. One song ends with the band singing "I don't have no pants on". Who wants to hear that again.

So, the sound and editing are bad, but how is the performance? On about half of the tracks, the band plays the songs just like they do on the studio album. So, a live version with poor sound quality is pointless. On about a quarter of the tracks, the performance and energy is not as good as the studio version. But, there are some songs where the band puts some extra energy into it and they would be fantastic if it weren't for the poor sound quality.

An INXS concert was always a mixed bag. They would do a few songs in new and different ways. But a majority of the music was just like the studio version. It so perfect, the audience could sing along. Some people love that on a live record. I would rather hear the band.

I've been a fab of INXS since they first turned up in the US, on their third album Shabooh, Shabah. I bought it at the same time as U2's War. They seemed like an Australian version of Simple Minds. They appear in the movie Lost Boys (about vampires in Santa Cruz) and do a spirited excerpt from a concert. Too bad they were so troubled, and that they couldn't always put on a great live show.

A Great Concert, but not a must to own.
If you like live material and you like INXS, this CD is great. However, I don't think this CD offers much beyond recorded INXS. The content is heavily from Kick and X with a few older classics, and the sound is not much different from what was recorded in the studio.

This isn't to say this is a terrible recording. If anything this album shows how great INXS really is. All too often, musical groups put out a great studio album only to be disappointing in concert. In fact, I think live performances are what define a group as great. Anyone could record an album in the studio with editting and multiple takes, but how many can play song after song flawlessly. This is what INXS does here and with enthusiasm.

The biggest negative about this album, the inclusion of the track Shining Star, which is a studio track, and in the middle of the album no less. ... Read more

Album Description

This live album captures Johansen, Thunders, Sylvain, Kane& Nolan at their peak. The percussive thrash and mangledvocals of 'Personality Crisis', 'Pills' and 'VietnameseBaby' show how they were the obvious prototype for the SexPistols and a 1000 other punk acts. Sympathy For The Record Industry. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Pleasant Surprise
I wasn't expecting much, but this is good stuff. The mix is OK, and David's French is hilarious. Then again the introduction that proclaims Johnny Thunders is "back to zee fifteees" is worth the price of admission. The set is performed with elan, with such tunes as "Puss 'n Boots" and Personality Crisis" and "Stranded in the Jungle" !! belted out in the way we wanted the Dolls doing it on those live CDs we wasted money on. Between lighting cigarettes and moments of, shall we say, light stomachs, the Dolls miss cues and forget where they are and distill rock and roll to its essense, skidding along the edge of diddly/berry, stop to pose, and rock again. A great document. ... Read more

Album Description

2003 live album from the German alternative rock actfeatures 20 tracks. Guns. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

SWEET AS SUGAR
Hey hey, cant go wrong w/ this cd. Fans been waiting for this & its finally has arrive. thanks so much to guano apes. its really great, no disappointment here. If you are a GA fan, this is the must for your collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Weird, wild, and sometimes wonderful, this live recording (deftly captured at Slim's in San Francisco on New Year's Eve 2000) is from bizarre underground "supergroup" the Fantomas, featuring Buzz Osborne of Melvins infamy and former Faith No More frontman Mike Patton, in this case, performing both Fantomas and Melvins tunes. The term "tunes" should be used loosely, as many of the album's 18 cuts are, as titles like "Musthing with the Phunts" and "Liquorton Gooksburg" suggest, exercises in musical oddity and excess. When guitarist-singer Osborne joins Patton (also of Mr. Bungle) in Fantomas, which features Slayer drummer Dave Lombardi, there's a cacophony of influences, from death metal to experimental to Black Sabbath. On Millennium Monsterwork, "Hooch" and the rumbling "Night Goat" from the Melvins album Houdini are included, as is "Mombius Hibachi" from Honky. "Cape Fear" and the gothic-into-punk-metal version of "The Omen," originally found on the Fantomas' Director's Cut album (full of bizarre reworkings of movie themes!), butt up against the painful noise of "White Men Are the Vermin of the Earth," the relatively straightahead raw rock of "Ol' Black Stooges," and the childlike spookiness of "Skin Horse." If Millennium Monsterworks is the ultimate in musical indulgence and esoterica, there's nonetheless a pleasing power and freedom to be gleaned amid the chaos. --Katherine Turman ... Read more

Reviews (7)

2 AMAZING Bands, Playing At The Same Time, Live=Decent..
This gets more of a three and a half. Mainly becuase i'm a big fan of both of these bands. But this recording isn't that great. Theres nothing wrong with the sound quality, its just that Its a medieocre album. It gets a little boring. I have a feeling it would have been better in the studio, with slightly longer songs. The versions of Cape Fear, Hooch, and Night Goat are amazing how ever! Those three tracks alone are worht the price. But I expected more from such a great concept. However, I did have the privalage of Seeing the Fantomas/Melvins Big Band live last summer, and it was an amazing experience! Don't let this album detuor you from seeing them live if you get the chance!

Better luck next time, perhaps...
I was really looking forward to this CD after having seen Fantomas live and then Melvins live a few months later. Sadly, this effort to merge the two bands is a disappointment. The sound quality is bad and the "tightness" of the Fantomas songs just doesn't come accross with such a large ensemble. Stick to the studio albums - this is for die hards only. Although hearing Patton sing Hooch was cool!

Two bands, one disc, zero reasons to buy
Nah, I can't really get into this. I have a stack of Melvins CDs, a Fantomas disc or two, some Faith No More, and all that groovy loud stuff. So I had high hopes for this live album.

But 90% of it is a noisy waste. I'm surprised that these guys decided to play weird death-metal jams while Mike Patton screams over top. I mean, they can all really play, so why just act like [that]on stage? What's the point?

Sometimes I'll listen to this when I need a caffeine jolt of mindless aggression. It's like Ministry for nerds, with an extra hit of doofus humor and none of the discipline.

Not quite perfect, but so close
The only official Melvins/Fantomas bigband release recorded live at Slims on New Years Eve is an exercise in power to say the very least. Uniting two of the underground's most inventive and unique bands as one single monolithic 8-person supergroup, the Fantomas/Melvins combined band's sheer volume and personnel are staggering. Just the prospect of hearing Dave Lombardo and Dale Crover together on the same stage, two of rock's most pummeling and ferocious drummers, should be incentive enough to buy this CD, but the rest of the extended band's veteran rockers are not too shabby either. King Buzzo growls every syllable while laying down some of the heaviest, grinding riffs that have ever oozed their way out of his guitar, Patton screeches like a madman, Stone revels in his own sonic noise montages, and Trevor Dunn and Kevin Rutmanis hold down the set's bottom end with their bombastic low frequency blasts. While Fantomas and The Melvins may all be good friends and even include one of the same members (King Buzzo), their styles are at exact opposite ends of the spectrum. The resulting clash of ideas is fascinating, forcefully combining the slow bludgeoning work of the Melvins with the frenetic fury of Fantomas to create something that is truly formidable in its violently contrasting elements. The songs themselves are an even mix of Melvins and Fantomas originals, with a few covers off The Director's Cut as well, but the additional members involved bring new individual parts to every track that give the entire show a fresh layer of complex intricacy. Unfortunately, the actual sound quality of the performance's source tapes is not that great and although Buzzo did a wonderfully comprehensive job of compiling and cleaning up this epic CD, especially the flawless transitions between tracks, the sound quality still prevents me from giving it a full five stars. Then again, Millennium Monsterworks is far from the average cassette recording by a semi drunk audience member, and still sounds quite professional; It is simply not on par with the quality of past live releases like "Your Choice Live Series Vol. 12" or "Colossus of Destiny". A brilliant idea and undoubtedly an amazing concert experience, Millennium Monsterworks falters a bit in its recorded version, but even with these minor flaws, this album should still satisfy fans of either of one of these genius bands.

sadly, this is just okay
I've had the pleasure of seeing both the Melvins and Fantomas in concert and this is not a great representation of what either band sounds like live. Okay, it's not really either band. Okay, it's done for fun but it's just sooo medicore. It's mildly entertaining but not engrossing. Most of it sounds like soundclips from longer pieces of music. Perhaps the entire concert should have been released?

I wasn't a huge fan of "Director's Cut" when it first came out and I gave it a bad review. It has since grown on me and I enjoy it quite a bit. If I was thinking of purchasing "Monsterworks" or "Director's" I'd definitely go for "Director's" and I'd also pick up the new Melvin's album, "H.A.T." It is one of the best things they've done in years. After getting both those albums then, and only then, would I buy this album. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Joe Ely's self-titled (and currently out-of-print) 1977 solo debut, imbued with his stark, West Texas flatlands milieu, hit many like a Southwest tornado. Since then, Joe Ely has become an admired cult figure who epitomized alt country and Americana years before those terms existed. Each decade, he's been captured onstage, beginning with 1980's Live Shots and 1990's Live at Liberty Lunch, making 2000 the right time for number three. These muscular performances, recorded at Austin's famous roots-music club, show Ely's dauntless energy undiminished by time. Roaring performances of "Me and Billy the Kid," "Everybody Got Hammered," "All Just to Get to You," and his ebullient, gender-bent satire "Nacho Mama" make these old favorites seem new and fresh. Jimmie Dale Gilmore's "Dallas" revisits Ely's days in the Flatlanders with Gilmore and Butch Hancock, and his comparable good taste extends to his masterful interpretations of Tom Russell's cockfight epic "Gallo del Cielo" and Robert Earl Keen's "The Road Goes On Forever." Few artists with similar mileage can maintain their edge in the studio, much less onstage. It's no surprise Ely is one of that select group. --Rich Kienzle ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Ely Delivers A Powerful Live Set
The Nineties were not the most productive decade for Texas singer-songwriter Joe Ely. He released only three albums, including 1995's critically acclaimed Letter To Loreda and 1998's equally excellent Twistin' In The Wind. Although Ely has been a critics' darling since his self-titled debut in 1977, it would appear that almost a quarter of a century later Ely is unlikely to break out of his cult status. And that's a crying shame. Ely's current band is making some of the best music of his career and this live recording is highly enjoyable.

The album kicks off with a rollicking version of "The Road Goes On Forever" from 1992's Love And Danger. Next is a trio of songs from Letter To Loredo. The highlight is the story song "Galla Del Cielo" with Teye providing the flamenco guitar. {Ely's webpage refers to the music as flamencobilly.] Another favorite is "Me And Billy The Kid," which also appeared on 1990's Live At Liberty Lunch."

And it wouldn't be complete without including at least a couple songs from his former Flatlanders' bandmates. He does rousing versions of Jimmie Dale Gilmore's "Dallas" and Butch Hancock's "Road Hawg." And in a tribute to another native Texan, Ely closes the set with Buddy Holly's "Oh Boy!"

Much of this band appeared on Ely's last studio album, including Jesse Taylor (lead guitar), Lloyd Maines (steel guitar), Teye (flamenco guitar) and Joel Guzman (accordian). [In fact, Taylor and Maines were cornerstones of Ely's original band which recorded four classic albums for MCA now available from Edsel.]

While each of the studio albums these songs come from deserve to be part of your collection, Ely shines in a live setting and I would recommended his other two live recordings as well. RECOMMENDED

Americana CD of the Year
Artists identified with the Americana music movement draw inspiration from a variety of musical genres including country, blues, cajun/zydeco, and Tex-Mex border music, to name a few. Joe Ely probably exemplifies the results of this kind of creative creolization: his critical success and relative obscurity now spans three decades. He has released three live recordings over the years - each one reflecting the intensity, originality, and sincerity of his career at that particular point in time. "Live Shots" (1980) introduced the original Ely band that opened for the Clash (featuring, among others, Lloyd Maines - dad of Dixie Chick, Natalie); "Live at Liberty Lunch" (1990) showcased the tasteful Texas guitar stylings of David Grissom wrapped around the Ely voice and verve. The latest, "Live @ Antone's," comes in the wake of Ely's best studio work ever ("Letter to Laredo," "Twistin' in the Wind"), a Grammy for his work with the Los Super Seven, and after being dropped yet again from MCA.

The recent live offering blends the old with the new: Lloyd Maines and Jesse Taylor - lifelong buddies from the early years in Lubbock - are back, and are joined by the flamencobilly guitarist Teye and squeezebox master Joel Guzman. Ely has always excelled at selecting songs a step ahead of the curve from up-and-coming songwriters (e.g., Robert Earl Keen's "The Road Goes on Forever" kicks off the set) and at giving new musicians their first shot at national audiences (e.g., Grissom, Teye).

Ely is a quintessential bandleader and on this live recording he moves the group from tasteful ballads complimented by sweet licks from accordian and flamenco guitar ("Ranches and Rivers") to edgy, moody pieces from his own catalogue that juxtapose angry rockabilly electric guitar with a mournful steel ("Workin' for the Man"). There is also the customary Buddy Holly number you expect from any Ely gig ("Oh Boy") and some numbers from his Flatlander brothers ("Dallas" from Jimmie Dale Gilmore and "Road Hawg" from Butch Hancock). But the full Ely experience explodes on the theme from the some-yet-to-be-filmed Western, "Up on the Ridge," in which everyone gets to drive home a mood. Teye flirts with a melancholy sentiment in the verses, and Maines takes a supporting role with some fairly standard steel sweeps here and there. But hell soon breaks loose and the novice listener will be cut to shreds by the soaring, almost-out-of-control leads from Maines's steel guitar, countered by Taylor's biting electric licks.

Ely's plaintive voice and story-telling sensibility remains the centerpiece. In the early "Live Shots" his voice seemed at times to quiver with youthful exuberance and excited tension. That nervous vibrato is replaced on this recording by a older lust for life tempered by reflection and wistfulness, clearly evident in his cover of the bluegrass standard, "Rock Salt and Nails" and in ballads like "Gallo Del Cielo" and "Thousand Miles from Home" (both of which surpass the studio versions). Few vocalists exude such sincerity, whether in beleaguered heartache, world weariness, or outright party-animal attitude (and how he keeps those pipes intact over all these years is a complete mystery - must be something in that Lubbock dust). We have another essential Joe Ely recording on our hands, and count yourself lucky if you are among the few who know it.

Stunning CD!!!
I've been a casual listener of Country music for the last decade or so. I've generally preferred artists like Dwight Yoakum and Mary Chapin Carpenter, "tweeners" that don't always get the airplay on today's country radio airwave stations (thankfully, satellite radio has solved that, with channels like XCountry on XM Radio). Every so often over the last few years I'd hear a song by Joe Ely and make a mental note to keep an ear out for more of his stuff. A few weeks back, I heard the live version of Gallo del Cielo on XM Radio ... it was the first time I'd ever heard the song and loved it. Literally the next day I got an e-mail from Amazon for Joe Ely's Millenium Collection (you know the old "based on your past purchases, we thought you might like this" e-mail). I bought that CD and, after reading several of the reviews here, rolled the dice and bought Live at Antone's. I can't recall ever buying two CDs at once for an artist I was previously unfamiliar with. It was an excellent move!!! I've probably listened to the Live at Antone's 30+ times already, and it gets better and better. From the opening song on, this album flat-out impresses. Gallo del Cielo is a classic "crank the volume and sing along and I don't care what the people in the car next to me think" song. Ranches and Rivers, Road Goes on Forever, All Just to Get to You, Me and Billie the Kid, Up on the Ridge, Everybody got Hammered ... they're all wonderful songs, perfect for his voice, and accompanied by a top-notch band. If you like to roll the dice every once in a while and take a reach on a new (to you) artist, start with this CD.

Ely is at his best live!
I find Ely's live work to be his best. This album is outstanding, featuring a tight band. Some of these songs (Gallo del Cielo; Thousand Miles) will break your heart; others (Road Goes On Forever) will inspire you, and others will rock yer socks off.

This album, along with Live at Liberty Lunch, are Ely's best.

hurricane joe takes off
I have a few of Joe's live albums (live shots, and liberty lunch). This was my 1st and still my favorite. Crack a beer(something cheap not that import or mini-brew stuff) and put this one on. Texas twang and a gut busting performance. My reviews tend not to go song by song so skip to the next one for that. These guys are having a good time playing these tunes and you will listening to it. The band is great and someone on the thing is playing some fantastic guitar, sorry but I didn't read the booklet to see who it was. I will say "All Just to get to you" and the closer "Oh boy" will make the dead tap a foot. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Wanna buy a monkey?" It'd be more exciting than this safe collection of musical performances from the Late Show. Although some of the duet pairings are intriguing (including Lyle Lovett with Al Green and Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach), most of the musicians sound like they're well aware they're playing in front of a national TV audience of millions. While performances from Paula Cole and Dave Matthews predate their explosion onto the charts, yesterday's top acts (Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow) sound like musical footnotes here. In truth, old timers Lou Reed and Patti Smith show their forebears how it's done. In the album's defense, it's an eclectic mix--but ultimately an uninspired one. --Greg Emmanuel ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A mixed bag that captures live energy more often than not
An ecelectic mix of old & new, male & female, unique duets, and only a couple of clunkers. Lilith troopers Jewel & Crow add some real heat to their songs, elevating them above the studio versions. I am sure the Paula Cole song is good too but I have heard the Dawson Creek commercial so much that I usually skip through it. The old school really shows how it is done. Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, & Patti Smith are bound to get you moving. It was also nice to actually hear Jerry Garcia sing the much-covered "Friend of the Devil" for once. The pairing of Al Green & Lyle Lovett is smooth & inspired. The pairing of Van Morrison & Sinead O'Connor probably looked good on paper but is executed with all the finesse of 2 eigth graders on their first date. Dave Matthews, Lenny, & REM all turn in OK workmanlike performances. The only real stinker for me was the Costello tune. Personally, I feel Elvis has turned into the very shambling mockery that he used to rail against. Of course, the other person who reviewed this CD loved this song. I guess that sums up the message of this CD. It takes different strokes for different folks to make the world go round.

Time-Tested Vets, Star Collaborations, And A Few "Hits"...
Dave spent most of the 80s introducing under-the-radar acts on his late, late night show. This collection pretty much shows what you get when you "graduate" to an 11:35pm timeslot: bigger names, star collaborations, and more than a few "hit" singles. What strikes you most is the age of a lot of these acts -- people like Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello, Burt Bacharach, Al Green, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Patti Smith, and the now departed Jerry Garcia. While they're all time-tested veterans, they're also pretty safe choices for a compilation album. And while Franklin's "Think" or Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" are terrific songs, they're also songs we've heard them perform for decades now. Almost as safe are the "hit" singles from the newer acts like Sheryl Crow, Paula Cole, Dave Matthews Band, Jewel, Lenny Kravitz, and R.E.M. (who, incidentally, made their TV debut on Letterman's NBC show in 1983, I believe). Again, safe choices. That aside, there are still a number of highlights. My personal favorites include Lou Reed's always great "Sweet Jane," Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach's "God Give Me Strength," Lyle Lovett and Al Green's take on Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away," R.E.M.'s swaggering "Crush With Eyeliner," and Patti Smith's raging Valentine's Day offering "Who Do You Love." It's not a landmark compilation by any means, but it does its best to appeal to a wide range of music fans. Plus, there's that fantastic cover photo of Dave and a doggie... THREE AND A HALF STARS.

Live On Letterman : Music From The Late Show [LIVE]
I've read the other reviews for this incredible CD; and have to admit...many of you are missing the big picture here. This collection of artists and titles are a must for any music buff. I play it regularly and find it endlessly entertaining. I just wish there were others produced and available...with Dave's fame and continued run on late night TV...I'm certain there'd be a dozen by now.

Dead on Letterman
Good sound quality from Letterman's vaults, but many of the performers on this CD have been around too long. Quite frankly, this collection resembles the status quo of unchanging music including "dead" I mean REAL deadheads. They had their day in the sun -- time to move on!

Pleasantly Surprised
I have to admit that when my husband brought home "Live On Letterman: Music From The Late Show" I was a little skeptical. Just browsing through the artists and songs, I didn't think I would enjoy it. Alas, I decided to pop it into the player and give it a spin anyways. You know, it really wasn't all that bad. In fact, it was very good!

There were a few songs that I could've done without, such as "Sweet Jane" (Lou Reed) and "God Give Me Strength (Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach). I'm not really sure whether to add "Have I Told You Lately..." (Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor and The Chieftains) to this category yet. The track isn't REALLY that bad except for the crazy burbling sounds Morrison makes while singing and poor Sinead when she drops the mic at the end of the song. I guess, all in all, it wasn't that bad of a song. I really enjoyed the Celtic feel to it. It certainly wasn't as bad as "God Give Me Strength", which made me want to throw myself onto a rake. Much too sappy for me.

The tracks I really enjoyed the most were: "Strong Enough" (Sheryl Crow), "You Were Meant For Me" (Jewel & Flea), "Crush With Eyeliner" (R.E.M), and "I Don't Want To Wait" (Paula Cole). I also enjoyed "Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz. This is SUCH a cool song! Lenny is the man!

I suggest "Live On Letterman: Music From The Late Show" for the ecclectic music fan. There's a little bit of everything on this CD, which should satisfy most musical tastes.

Gennie Bailey-Rogers ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Suck on this
this very first Primus album still sounds very agressive and punchy - "Heckler","Jellikit","John the fisherman" are full of energy and anger. Claypool's virtuoso bass lines,Herb's hard drumming and some noisy guitars are what Primus is famous for on their live showes.here we have them in all grace.
The songs have many black humour in lyrics.Les is not only amazing bass player and vocalist,i believe he is the best lyricist in modern avantgarde rock.
i prefer their studio albums but i love the raw sound they have got here.brutal and unpolished.
hats off for Primus.

Bad as hell!
This is Primus' first release. Tracks found on this album have been spread out to almost all of the studio albums except The Brown album and Punchbowl. I've read that this album was recorded on a Tascam 1/4" 8 track-mixer. That could explain the previos comments on sound quality but as a home recorder I have no problem with it. This is definitly a band to check out live as this disc should prove. Fav tracks are To Defy the Laws of Tradition, The Pressman, and Harold of the Rocks. Great start for one of my favorite bands.

An amazing live debut
I have listened to this about 50 times and I still love every second of it. The songs that would appear on later studio albums sound pretty much the same, but it's better to compare the tracks on this to the ones on their later studio albums, since these came first.
My favorites are Pressman, Jellikit, Tommy the Cat, The Heckler, and John the Fisherman. The bass solo on Tommy the Cat is simply astounding.
And the best thing is, it's Primus.

ROUGH, RAW , & REAL TALENT REVEALED!
My first Primus album, and STILL my favorite (i have a total of 5 of their albums now, plus the DVD, plus some recorded tapes of their various work, plus a Porch CD), and still this album has got to be THE BEST live album i've ever heard from any band!

This album is nothing less than incredible. it is definately the raw sort-of off the cuff and kinda wild sound you'd expect from a band in their early days and as such, reveals the full extent of Les Claypool's impeccable abilities. since it's live, the tracks aren't bound to the structure and precision that comes with rehearsed studio cuts. instead you get Les playing totally freelance and he just goes off on that bass of his with some hard-core solos, all throughout the album.
This is an album that many people tend to look over simply because the majority of the tracks on it are also on Frizzle Fry. Primus picked up much of their following with the release of that album and so, already having had Frizzle Fry, most of that following just skipped picking up Suck on This. That's too bad because those people really are missing out. This album is definately not one you want to skip.
If it comes down to it and you MUST make a decision for one or the other (Frizzle Fry or Suck On This) absolutely, without a doubt, no question... GO WITH SUCK ON THIS!!!!
Quite frankly... i just recently aquired Frizzle Fry for the first time and i was completely disappointed with it. after knowing what those tracks could really sound like, i felt rather cheated upon hearing the same tracks Frizzle Fry. Nothing is as impressive as when Les is unrestrained by the conformity of studio sound. but what actually disappointed me more was realizing that so many people out there have credited FF as Primus' breaking album when it really should have SOT. and, yes, FF is still a good album... compared to a lot of other bands, but it pales in comparison to SOT.

Great Album
This is a great album. My first primus album. Les Claypool is an amazing bassist, now i wish i had picked up the bass instead of the guitar!! ... Read more

Reviews (51)

ONE OF THE BEST DARN SKA BANDS OUT THERE!
"proof that the youth are revolting" is a must have for any five iron fan! They play all the songs we know and love! Plus they add in a few new ones! hopefully we'll see those songs on their next studio album. The CD tries to capture the energy they bring and it does a good job! But still seeing them live is a must. They do a cover of "Its no Unusual" Something you would expect from them! This albums is defintely a must have for a die hard fan and a good starter for those you havent heard of them yet because they play their best songs! Also the outakes at the end of the album(hidden track) are so funny!

My mom's proud of me because of the way i dress
Maybe i'm crazy. Maybe i've gone completly insane,but i LOVE this album. FIF is my favorite band,and they always manage to impress me. I bought this CD last year,and i love it still. The songs are live,so the fun,the silliness,and the worshipful moments are all captured beautifully. I have seen FIF in concert only twice,and i hope to see them many,many times more. i am so impressed at them,because they aren't sell outs,and they haven't compromised their faith. They have made me laugh,smile,cry,and laugh some more. My favorite songs of this album are One Girl Army,Every New Day,Blue Comb '78,and A Flowery Song. i recommend this album to EVERYONE. it is simply the best.

The Quintessential Five Iron? Perhaps
Five Iron Frenzy makes a solid compilation of some of their best songs with the release of this live album, which will delight die-hard fans of the Denver ska-core ensemble and curious listeners alike. One of the things that has always set Five Iron Frenzy apart from other groups in their genre has been their unique stage presence and sense of humor, (which encludes dressing as the cast of Star Trek and crowd surfing a giant pinata filled with chili across their crowd) and these qualities are shown in this album. However, apart from the outrageously entertaining gimmicks of their live preformances, Five Iron Frenzy also offers fine musicianship and songwriting which is played out with even more energy than their studio records. These aspects distinguish the band from their contemporaries and make for an exillarating live experience. In short, Five Iron is a dish best experienced live, but this album is the next best thing (and is sadly the only thing available after the band announced their breakup in late November of 2003.)

HOLY COW!!!!!
FIF is THE BEST band in the world. Ska, ska, ska. I love it. And I love FIF. This is one of their best cds. These are their greatest hits of all time, up to the point they made it at least. So sad they are breaking up this year. *Sob Sob Sob* But anywho, very good. The music is yummy and skankalious. The tight sweet sounds and smooth vocals make it great. Plus not only the music, but the preformance is great. Goofy jokes and yelling "To Hell with the Devil" in a high voice. Or the funny, random songs like Revieve Him, Kingdom of the Dinosaures, or one song Jeff sings. And if you are patient, at the end of the "last song" their is a hidden track, about 7 from when track 18 starts. The hidden track contains their mess ups throughout their tour. A great cd, even if you don't like ska. I really recommend it. If you like it, I also suggest FIF2: Electric Boogaloo. Very good music, and the in-between things between the songs are great too. I give two thumbs way way up!!

This CD ROCKS!
I'm not even the biggest punk/ska fan that there is, but I saw FIF in concert and thought, "Hey, they seem fun." I bought their cd, fell absolutely in love with in and now can not seem to take it out of my cd player. Every song is filled with fun lyrics and upbeat tunes. Another cool thing about this cd is that it's live and you sort of get to know the band members through the goofy things they say during the shows and stuff. All the songs are great! All the lyrics are wholesome and uplifting and fun! Buy this cd! ... Read more

Album Description

European double-disc best of contains 13 tracks on disc 1 including 3 mixes plus a 9-track bonus disc called Woodstock '99 Live, featuring 'Machinehead', 'Greedy Fly', 'Warm Machine', 'Everything Zen', 'The Chemicals Between Us', 'Glycerine', 'Swallowed', 'The One I Love' & 'Little Things'. Trauma Records. 1999. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The best of Bush?
Decent 2-disc collection. Disc one is the "hits", a bit predictable, but I guess that's what "Greatest Hits" usually are. That disc ends with a few remixes. Disc two is all live at Woodstock 1999. It's really pretty good, and not just because I was there in the 10th row either. Good song choices, decent sound, and a cool cover of REMs "The One I Love". What they need to do is drop single disc best of. One that's not an import, and hopefully a good 15+ tracks. Until then there's always "Sixteen Stone". ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 1999

The Clash were the only first-generation punk band capable of (or perhaps interested in) tailoring their up-from-the-gutter firepower to suit arena-size audiences. Here, at last--a decade and a half after their demise--is proof of their substantial stage skills. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Worth the wait
Although the Clash are the greatest and most influential band of the last 30 years, for some reason there has not been an official live album released. Until Now. I saw the Clash in Manchester in 1981 and it STILL remains the most powerful set I have ever seen. For those of us who were fortunate enough to witness them live, this CD works for bringing back memories of great music played with unbridaled passion. And for those who did not see them, I can tell you, you have not been shortchanged.

The recordings are top quality and the atmosphere of the crowds really add to the songs. Joes' voice is, as usual, all over the place - that's not a criticsm, that's what makes him unique. Mick's vocals on SISORSIG are a revelation, which enhances the song tenfold.

I am delighted they have decided to release this, I just wish it would have been a double.

Eternal, indeed. . . .
I don't know what I could possibly say about this record that the music doesn't say for itself. It certainly is the record that every single person who was fortunate enough to know The Clash in their heyday has been waiting for. And for those of us who were born too late or just didn't wise up in time, it's an invaluable slice of history from a band whose legacy will never be in danger of being overrated.

Although the songs are really only drawn from a handful of concert dates and venues, the album definitely shows the evolution of The Clash from a great live band to one of the most commanding acts on the planet. It's especially rewarding to hear just how tight they'd become musically during the "Combat Rock" era of 1982, even with Terry Chimes replacing Topper Headon on drums. I've heard a lot of people post-mortem that era as their sellout time, but, to me, they sound more powerful than ever on here. "Know Your Rights" sounds like an impending riot, "The Magnificent Seven" redeems itself (with a vengeance) and their live take of "Straight to Hell" is definitely a fitting swansong.

There isn't a song on this album that didn't deserve to be on there, although, I'm sure, everyone will have their own list of titles that they're disappointed in not seeing on it. (My personal wish list would have included "Janie Jones," "Police and Thieves" and "Police on My Back," as well as at least a couple of selections from "Give 'Em Enough Rope.") But, all in all, it goes without saying that this is one of the strongest releases of the year, and as the 20th century peters out its last couple of months, I think I can safely say that this will be just about the last record to come out during it that says so much and has this much power.

Not bad for a bunch of tape that had been lying around for 20 years.

Great, mostly
Sure, it's yet another attempt to suck the wallets of Clash fans dry, but its a pretty good record, and long overdue.

What makes this disc shine are the live versions of their early material, some of which was very poorly produced. The Jamaican feel of "Clash City Rockers" and "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" really come through here and both are 500% better than the studio versions on _The Clash_. I would have appreciated a live version of "Police & Thieves" as well.

Mikey Dread (who produced much of _Sandinista!_) toasts over top of "Armagideon Time" giving it a quality of transcendence equal to or greater than the "live" studio version on _Black Market Clash_. "The Magnificent Seven" kicks an incredible amount of butt too, much more than the funkier studio version, which is still great in its own right.

Joe's sense of humor really shines through as well, a great gift for those of us born too late to experience the young Joe live. This is most apparent on Capital Radio and Joe's sardonic delivery on "Know Your Rights".

There are several mediocre tracks here though, too. "Train in Vain" is much too fast, although Topper very obviously tries to slow it down during the intro. It has a very spontaneous feel that makes it worth hearing nevertheless. The inclusion of "London's Burning", the blatant Sex Pistols rip-off (homage?) "What's My Name?", and "City of the Dead" is questionable. "1977", "Groovy Times" or "Pressure Drop" would have been much better. "Should I Stay..." is much too fast too (coincidence?), and lacks the nastiness of the studio version, one of the few bright spots on Combat Rock.

Paul's menacing vocal on the studio version of the "Guns of Brixton" was brilliant on London Calling, but it is just terrible here. I mean really, really, REALLY bad. It makes me cringe to think about it. I love Paul, but the man should not be allowed within 25 ft. of a microphone.

Still, overall, it is a must-buy. One final complaint: Terry Chimes gets screwed once again. He plays on close to half of the tracks yet fails to get his picture in the booklet. Topper was great, but Terry, we love you too!

What a great live CD from THE GREATEST band
I only wish it was a double CD! It would have been nice to hear a few more songs from Sandinista! and Give 'Em Enough Rope. Radio Clash was always one of my favorites that is sadly missing. What is here is great stuff. Highlights include terrific versions of Clash City Rockers, Train In Vain (probably better than the studio version), Straight to Hell, Magnificent Seven...

The Clash will go down as one of the greatest bands ever. If you are still wondering why, buy this CD. All of the answers are here! RIP Joe. WE MISS YOU!

Buy this CD. It will be the best $11 you ever spent.

Energetic Sound
This CD starts with the riveting Complete Control which always gets my blood flowing and by the time you get to Straight to Hell, you're drained from the excellent sound (the cleanup in the mastering I guess because The Clash could not give a ... if the notes were played correctly live - energy and the message while using "oral communication"), the crowd....and Joe never could get all the verses correct on live versions of London Callling but that's the uniqueness, the in-your-faceness, the intelligence, the unintelligent (to holes who never really listened and watched.....the "realness" of The Clash - no one has been so "real" since! ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Does rock'n'roll get any purer than this?
I don't think it's a stretch to say that with better sound we would be talking about one of the great live albums ever, if not the greatest. The Quine Tapes captures an awesome band at their peak (notwithstanding the absence of John Cale) on three discs worth of classic material, recorded by an avid fan (Quine) on a hand-held cassette recorder!!
The more you listen, the less the sound seems to matter. Several tunes are given definitive performances here, including a raucous 10-minute "White Light/White Heat", versions of "New Age", and "Ride Into the Sun" that conclude with long, intense solos, and a 38-minute(!) reading of "Sister Ray".
I resent some of the comments I've read here comparing this set to bands like the Dead or the Allmans. THAT is endless, boring noodling. THIS is the purest essence of what rock'n'roll is supposed to be!
If you're new to the band, it's still a good idea to start with the four studio albums. But if you're a fan, this is an absolute must-own. While it would be wonderful to have these recordings with perfect sound, we should consider ourselves fortunate that Robert Quine had the foresight to preserve these tapes, and thankful to him for sharing them with us.

Valuable historical document
These newly released recordings -- made in 1969 by fan and future guitar virtuoso Robert Quine -- expand on the terrain mapped out on the awesome 1974 release "1969 Live." The sound quality on these recordings are not as good, but, as with "1969 Live," "The Bootleg Series Vol. 1" shows some interesting rearrangements of songs that were originally recorded featuring either Nico on vocals ("Femme Fatale") or John Cale on viola ("Venus in Furs," "Heroin" and "Black Angel's Death Song"). The obvious highlights are the three extended (if a 17 minute song can be extended!) versions of "Sister Ray." My favorite is the version on disc one, while the medley of "Sister Ray" with "Foggy Notion" on the third disc somehow seems very faithful to the studio version on "White Light/White Heat." The versions on disc one and two sound like two completely different songs. The previously unreleased cut "Follow the Leader" is also a very good addition to the officially released VU song catalog. Also, some of the performances sound very similar in arrangement to those on "1969 Live," so fans of that record might find some of these cuts redundant (particularly "I Can't Stand It," -- from the CD version of "1969 Live"-- "Rock and Roll," -- which is recorded from the same performance as the one on "1969 Live" -- "White Light/White Heat," "Heroin," "New Age" and "Over You"). But overall, I think these discs are great for all VU fans, but might not be as compelling as an introduction to first-time listeners of the Velvet Underground. For an adequate introduction, try any of their four official studio albums, and work your way from there.

A box set worth having
These are three live concerts recorded by uber fan Robert Quine at a few of the Velvet's concerts. The fact that these still exist despite the sound quality ( which isn't that bad really ) is remarkable and is probably one of those records that just has to be bought

IF YOU ARE A REAL VU FAN YOU WILL LOVE THIS .....
These recordings are simply incredible and I would say essential for anyone who considers themselves rabid VU fans. I've seen other reviews whining about lo-fi bootleg quality blah blah blah and I would contend that these "reviewers" are nothing but VU dabblers and dilettantes whose opinions mean nothing.Yes, they are live recordings, but if you've got a semi-decent stereo and play'em loud it'll blow the top of your head off. The different versions of Vu classics presented here will give you a whole new perspective on how really stupendous this line-up was. If you don't like it you're not a fan and I'll fistfight you damn it.

In case you don't know who Robert Quine is.....
I've not had the chance to listen to this yet, so pay no attention to my rating (it had to be done to get this out on the site) but to give you guys some context about the other reviews on this page: Robert Quine is/was a punk rock guitar pioneer, founding member (w/Fred Maher) of Richard Hell and the Voidoids, an avowed huge fan of Lou Reed's guitar work, and ultimately, a featured guitarist for Reed. Quine, who believe it or not is now 61 years of age, champions a beautifully distorted sound out of his instrument and is probably best known (along with Richard Lloyd) for his labors on Matthew Sweet's breakthrough work in the early '90s. In other words, Quine is not just any other Lou Reed fan.... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Outside of Texas, it's hard to grasp the Beatlemania-like frenzy that can be directed toward these marginally successful singer-songwriters. At a packed Texas honky-tonk such as Gruene Hall, however, the brothers Robison and adopted kin Jack Ingram go over like the Second Coming, which doesn't mean they don't earn the reception. The three Texans take no chances with material--everything but Ingram's "Travis County" has been cut elsewhere--and deliver their most anthemic and popular tunes in straight-shooting, full-band, Outlaw country style. Small flourishes save these 12 songs (recorded one night in December 1999) from abject predictability: Bruce's Western swing version of Joe Dickens's "Good Life," his wife Kelly Willis's sweet guest harmonies on "Angry All the Time," and Charlie's self-deprecating tone on "Sunset Boulevard." Unfortunately, Ingram turns in four of his slighter tunes, including the obnoxious frat-brat anthem "Barbie Doll," which only makes the call-and-response of his audience all the more suspect. But if you've never experienced Texas frat-country hysteria first hand, this live set will get you more than close enough to the party. --Roy Kasten ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Toe Tappin' Good Music!
How can you hate this album? True Texan style honky tonk. The performances are great for a live album. Bruce cranks out a great set that sets the stage for the rest of the album, starting with a splendid version of "The Good Life". Charlie kicks it in gear with a terrific version of "Sunset Blvd" and cleverly works in the name Lewinsky (you just gotta hear it!). "Loving County" still gives me chills, hearing it live gives you an idea that his potential has not even been tapped yet. Jack Ingram, who I am ashamed to say I knew nothing about before this album, won a new fan with his awesome music. From "Mustang Burn" to "Barbie Doll", this guy gives you everything he's got. The Texas attitude may be more than some folks can stomach. But if you want a taste of talented musicians that put heart and soul into the music, do yourself a favor and buy this album. I spent lots of time in Texas honky tonks, and these guys give you a real sample of quality music. You don't have to be from Texas to love this album. If you understand real country music, you will quickly find this to be one of your favorite albums in your collection.

Everything IS Big In Texas!
Being a HUGE fan of the music of Jack Ingram, this "all-live" recording from these three Texas songwriters was an exciting welcome for me. I had heard of both of the Robison brothers before, but had never experienced their tremendous songwriting until this cd. Before I could make it all the way thru this recording, I was already wanting to run out and buy up everything that both Bruce & Charlie Robison have recorded...it's just THAT good! If you like Jack, you'll LOVE this cd..."Work This Out" is one of his all-time best. Both Robison brothers turn in exceptional performances too. Both "My Hometown" & "Barlight" are first class country songs, and Mike McAdam's guitar playing is perfect-o! Younger brother, Bruce, is also joined by his lovely wife, Kelly Willis, on this set. "Rayne, Louisiana" should go down as one of the greatest country songs, hands down. If alt-country and Americana are your taste of music, then "Unleashed Live" MUST be a part of your collection.

But, It'd be a solid "5"without Charlie's cursing...
Hey, I drove a tractor trailer for a living for 15 years and I can curse with the best of them. So, I'm no prude.

But...

His unneccessary cursing in "Sunset Boulevard" wrecks an otherwise awesome song and an awesome Cd.

Having said that, it is an EXCELLENT CD overall, and it really makes me want to pack up and move to Gruene, Texas!

Marginal Live Frat-Country CD
I received an advance copy of this CD, and it's a good thing. I wouldn't pay for it. The best performances here are those of Charlie Robison's "Sunset Boulevard" and Brother Bruce Robison/Kelly Willis' collaborations, particularly "Angry All The Time." Ingram has not reached the songwriting competency level of the other performers, so his material is not as listenable as the rest. This music simply is not as important or as good as the music of fellow Texas songwriting alumni Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, or Guy Clark. Indeed, of almost greater importance is the ambience of Gruehn Hall, which can render almost any performance memorable.

A good sampler, Buy CDs from all 3 instead
A live sampler of four songs each from brothers Charlie and Bruce Robison and fellow Sony/Lucky Dog labelmate Jack Ingram, this release provides a good introduction to all three artists. With the exception of "Travis County" by Ingram these songs are all available in studio versions. Diehard fans will want to have the CD to capture the feel of seeing these performers live. Someone not familiar with the artists may be inclined to purchase this CD to sample all three performers for the price of a single CD. If you like one, it's extremely unlikely you won't like all three, buy CDs from each instead.

The highlight of this release is "Angry All the Time" performed by Bruce Robison with harmony vocals by Kelly Willis that put the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill cover version to shame. The remaining tracks are all solid performances and a good cross section of songs from each artist. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The guitar-led, thin-sounding rock of NYC's seminal art-punk band Television had many acolytes--from the lovelorn poetry of Australia's Go-Betweens to the more commercial sound of New Wave poppers the Knack. This live double CD, originally released on cassette in 1982, showcases the band at their most experimental and wired. Obvious standouts include the intricate, almost Coltrane-esque guitar duel between bandleaders Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd on an incredible 15-minute version of "Little Johnny Jewel," plus an equally lengthy and tormented reading of "Marquee Moon." Sound quality is extremely variable, but the spirit of the originators of the New York punk loft scene shines through, even on a relatively ordinary rendition of the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction." Raw, dreamy, and ripe for rediscovery. --Everett True ... Read more

Reviews (15)

sloppy and uneven.
It was a disappointment. Disc1 contains the shorter songs, disc2 longer songs. Disc1 is a waste of space. This is some of the sloppiest sounding live music i have on cd. Or maybe that's the punk aesthetic-it has to sound raw. Verlaine's singing of the tunes is atrocious and unforgivable. They do a terrible cover of knockin on heaven's door. see no evil is abominable. I missed the punk era (being way too young and from Ireland) but i reckon i didn't miss much in terms of live performance. The liner notes make out that what Television was all about was their live performances.Maybe, but don't try and tell me that this is anywhere close to the studio stuff. All of the songs sound better on the albums (mm and adventure). As for disc 2, it is not much better than disc1. Little Johnny Jewel has some nice guitar as does marquee moon. friction is ok. satisfaction is ok. a bit of a waste of money. Thank you.

Great memories from 1978
Television had a brief three year run that left a legacy of one of the most brillant debut albums in rock history ("Marquee Moon") an adequate follow up ("Adventure") a brillant 1975 45 only "Little Johnny Jewel" and for those of us who saw them live memories of a great live act. This album "The blow-up" has been floating around since 1979 in at least four diffent forms. While this album is one of the better documents of a Television concert it has always sufferred from a poor mix and fair to poor sound. Having said that this verson should be considered strongly for purchase by any serious Televison fan who does not own the prior versions or for guitar freaks.

My original interest in this album stems form the fact that I saw the final show at The Bottom Line of Televisions' farewell 1978 tour. Suffice it to say it was the greatest live show I have ever seen. Therefore I have always searched with limited success for a great document of this tour. The original version was a 1979 bootleg on Arrow records which contains half of the current CD. The next three versons an ROIR tape and two CD's have all been the same and sound the same. In fact all three mislabel the opening cut "The BLow-Up" when in fact it is a cover of The Thirteenth Floor Elevators' "Fire Engine".

Now to this version. It contains 13 songs recorded as best I can tell from at least differnt 1978 concerts with "all tracks selected by Tom Verlaine". Disk two has far better sound which is lucky because it opens with the absolute highlight of the package and most Television concerts an amazing 15 minutes of "little Jonny Jewel" which is not on either of the two Television Cds. The two guitar breaks should convince most that Verlaine is a world class guitarist. Other highlights include a cover of "Satisfaction" which contrary to the Amazon review is not ordinary. Listen carefuly to the first solo which is Lloyd. Live he would do un-worldly things with his guitar strings on this the final encore. Other highlights from the first poorer sounding disk include a first rate cover of "Knockin on Heavens Door" and a fine version of "Aint that Nothin' form "Adventure". Note to all. Do not give up when you hear the sound on the opening cut. It gets better as the CD goes on.

Someday Electra will correctly re-master the first two cd's and perhaps even mix and clean up this live album. Maybe even collect an anthology of "LJJ",the early Neon Boys 45, the Eno produced demo tapes, the two cd,s and the many unrelleased tracks including "Double Exposure". Until then this CD "The blow up" as imperfect as it is, is all we have to document one of the most original and exciting live bands ever.

Wish I Was There!
This is simply one of the greatest recorded live performances I've ever heard and I spend a good deal of my life listening to live music in person and on CD.

The downer is that the sound quality is pretty poor in spots, but does get better on some tracks. Consequently, listening to this on headphones definitely beats listening to it in your car. In short, the sound quality will annoy you at times, but if you listen carefully, I believe you'll find it well worth it.

On "The Blow-Up" you hear a band that is literally fearless. It's a bit like watching four incredibly gifted artists sprint back and forth on a tightrope. Not only is the collective performance incredible, but Verlaine's material ranks with the finest in rock history. Yes, the guitars are awesome, but the rhythm section of Fred Smith and Billy Ficca is equally incredible.

Buy Marquee Moon first (everyone should own a copy of that), but get this too to hear what Television were capable of live.

If you can find a copy, I'd also highly recommend Television - Live At The Old Waldorf: San Francisco, 6/29/78. This disc is a much shorter show, but it was professionally recorded and the sound quality is top notch. The performance is excellent, but perhaps not quite as incendiary as on "The Blow-Up."

Sadly, Rhino Handmade only issued 5,000 copies of "Live At the Old Waldorf," so you'll have to do some hunting on Ebay, etc. However, if you love great rock and roll, it's worth the trouble and expense.

An excellent companion to Marquee Moon
The first Television album is all tension and restraint -- beautiful guitars slashing at each other over Verlaine's wavery voice and a thumping rhythm section. "Marquee Moon" is the sound of a world class garage band, and one of the great guitar bands of all rock music playing majestic music, nearly losing control at each curve, but catching themselves before they fell apart.

This album strays at every opportunity. It's loud and indulgent. The playing is sometimes ridiculously sloppy, but when the band gets it right, as with the 15 minutes of "Little Johnny Jewel," it's as breathtaking as anything on "Marquee Moon."

I still prefer the studio versions of every song on this album to the live ones, but this is the perfect companion to "Marquee Moon." Even though the album was recorded after "Marquee Moon" was released, it works well as a backdrop for that album. Compared to the insane experimentation here, the solo on the studio version of "Marquee Moon" sounds tame and structured. The full-blown feakout of "Friction" is compressed into a tight single in the studio.

Which isn't to say the album doesn't stand on its own. As a double live album with low quality sound, it doesn't have much going for it in principle, but the guitars are fantastic. Very raw, very loud, and a lot of fun. Any fan of rock music owes it to themselves to buy "Marquee Moon" first (THAT'S the essential album), but this works well for those of us who can't get enough of a good thing.

Some of the best guitar ever.
This is an amazing live recording, and the iffy sound doesn't take away from it one bit. I like to think it adds charm and character, and I think a cleaned up version wouldn't be worth getting, if you allready have this. While Little Johnny Jewel is the centerpeice, every track on here is great, and shows off the flair of the band. Tom Verlaine's guitar work is just as amazing as anything Hendrix, Young, or Marsch has done. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

EXCELLENT SET!!!!
This boxed set is definately worth the cash. I have it and I would pay it for the CD alone! The Video is an add on but seeing as how I've seen the videos before it's not too big of a push for me. The songs on the CD are all live except for the NO QUARTER cover, and I must say that TOOL is definately one of the best sounding bands in a live setting that I have ever heard. Maynard can WAIL and he sounds excellent. The hidden track, "Maynard's Dick" is an excellent one and I must say that the mixture of tracks from the three albums is a nice change from the usual. I can't wait for a live video with stage action, (like the one from Phoenix '98) from the Lateralus Tour! I've seen clips and pics and it is amazing!!!

Great visuals to go along with wonderful songs.
Salival is a great box set from one of the best bands of all time. TooL is probably one of the most influental bands, with a staying power that is not too common in bands today. There are two great "gifts" that come along with this box set, a cd, and a video/dvd (depending on which version you get).

The has about 8 songs on it, some of them live, some of them new, and others that are reconstructions of old songs. With a trademark hidden song at the end of the cd, it is definately a cd to add to your TooL collection. The songs are full of TooL's best, with great lyrics complete with Maynard's wonderful voice.

The dvd/video has 4 videos on it, two from songs on "aenima" and two from songs on "undertow". The videos are "Prison sex", and "sober" (from undertow). And "stinkfist" and "aenima" (from Aenima). The videos are complete with TooL's strange cinematic characters, complete with strange little dolls, defigured humanoids, and puppetronics that rivel Jim Henson's muppets.

This is definately a must needed addition to anyone's TooL collection. The vidoes are great, the music is great, making it well worth the money to buy it.

Salival salvation
This CD/VHS set was a stop gap between 'Aenima' and 'Lateralus', and consists of a CD featuring live and rare tracks, as well as a video containing the bands ambitious, biazzare and at times grotesque music videos (now sadly out dated due to the release of videos from the 'Lateralus' album). This is an essential live document for Tool fans, for the versions of some of the songs featured here surpass the originals in places. The live version of 'Third Eye', the 13 minute epic from 'Aenima' is imbued with far more atmosphere than the original, has a different sample at the start (Timothy Leary on freedom of thought), and is simply required listening for fans. 'Pushit' is also revamped, with a slower, more thoughtful opening, lengthy bong-drum interlude and alternative lyrics. Elsewhere on the disc, we have 'Part of Me' live, which is the discs weak point, as one feels a better song could have been selected for inclusion. Also, the song is very little changed from the studip recording: hardly a new criticism of live material, but when viewed against the quality of the other material here it is a severe defect. A version of Led Zeppelin's 'No Quarter' surfaces finally here, which is thankful, as Tool do a fine job of making the classic song their own. A cover of 'You Lied' by Peach (Justin Chancellor's previous outfit) is very welcome, as is the hidden track towards the end of the album, which I would urge the listener to discover for themselves. Overall the disc is very strong.
The VHS suffers immediately from being out of date, but this does not diminish the quality of the videos included. For those who have never seen a Tool video I am unable to explain their merits here: Adam Jones is evidently a genius in my eyes, but the nightmare imagery is unlikely to appeal to everyone.
This is an essential commodity for Tool fans, but for the casual listener there will be very little of interest here. For this reason I do recommend this set highly, but only to the initiated.

TOOL
I love tool. their songs are the best I ever heard in 10 years. the should be awarded for a grammy. my favorite song is the eulogy, H, and third eye. these guys are better than anything outthere in the world. keep an eye for these guys in the future. their next album is going to be better.

Average DVD/CD
The music videos are all great. I wish there were some live footage, because the visuals are awesome at Tool shows, but oh well. As for the album, "Push It" is the only real gem. The two other live songs taken from previous albums are great, but too much like the album versions (well, "Third Eye" has no cussing, so you can play it for grandma without feeling dirty). "You Lied" and "No Quarter" are rather boring, and "Merkaba" is just plain annoying. The filler tracks are really idiotic, although "LAMC" exctracts several laughts now and then. The hidden track is some... recording that Tool did when they were younger, but the ending is pretty hillarious. There are better CD's you could get with the same ammount of money, such as The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails, or Is There Anybody Out There? (The Wall live) by Pink Floyd, but if you want this, go ahead and buy it. Oh yeah, and the art book rocks! ... Read more

Amazon.com

America's seminal geek rockers They Might Be Giants have been outsmarting every other act on the college-radio scene since the late '80s. Severe Tire Damage is the band's first live album, and surprisingly, it manages to be whimsical without being self-indulgent. TMBG's nucleus of John Linnell and John Flansburgh up the ante of fun on old favorites like "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," "Ana Ng," and "Birdhouse in Your Soul" while also offering us more realized versions of should've-been-hits like "XTC Vs. Adam Ant" and "She's Actual Size."The Giants' backing band adds unexpected depth to the material, which also includes five new songs (and a hidden epilogue of live improvisation themed around the Planet of the Apes films). Many of the old fans who wrote They Might Be Giants off after Apollo 18 are advised to come back to the fold and see what the boys have been up to. --Jason Josephes ... Read more

Reviews (65)

Is it worth it if you already have all the albums?
Given that this isn't a recording of a single concert and thus doesn't capture the experience of seeing TMBG live, the value of the CD lies in how different these songs are from their album versions, and how good the new stuff is.

Of the five new songs, only three are really actual songs. the other two are less than a minute long and sound like lost "Fingertips." The three songs are great, though -- Dr. Worm is up there with the best, "They got lost" is funny and danceable, and "First Kiss" is good in the vein of "New York City" from Factory Showroom.

Of the 12 live versions of previously released songs, 8 sound substantially different from the album versions, and for the better. In general, they're sped up, with more instrumentation from the live band and a higher energy level.

The other 4 are close enough to the album versions that they're not particularly exciting. For example, "Birdhouse in your Soul" differs only in that Linnel's voice sounds strained and tired.

I haven't been able to get through any of the 7 "hidden" tracks. I'm sure in concert these are hilarious, but here they're just random and amelodic.

So, basically, you get 11 solid tunes for your money. Is it worth it? It would be worth it just for the punked-up "Why does the Sun Shine?" and "Dr. Worm." And for hearing S-e-x-x-y finally realize its potential. Pick it up knowing what you're getting into, and you won't regret it.

Quite well-done, as far as live albums go
I must admit to not being the biggest fan of the live album format. "Hey! It's the same songs we've already released, but with less instruments and less polished vocals! Plus, there are screaming audience members in the background!" One thing that this kind of release is good for, however, is showing how a song can be reworked. Did this album do this? Sometimes. "She's Actual Size" and "Particle Man" have both been improved from the lethargic versions that appeared on previous albums. Other interesting contributions include a fast, rocking version of "Why Does The Sun Shine?", a trumpet-led arrangement of "Istanbul," and a minimalistic recording of "Meet James Ensor." Some of the songs just didn't seem to benefit much from the live treatment, though. In addition to the old favourites, this album also features a few new songs, including "Doctor Worm," "First Kiss," and some poorly-recorded but amusing tributes to the "Planet of the Apes" films. This isn't my favourite They Might Be Giants release, but it's definitely a worthy investment for fans.

Very good
I'am a big fan of TMBG.I first herd it when my friends step Dad was playing it when I was over at is house.It sounded pretty cool,but I had no idea what the band was called.O well.About one year later when I was at camp my councler brought a TMBG cd.He was playing a song I heard(NEW YORK CITY)and it sounded familer.Well he started geting me to listen to TMBG,well I got this cd for christmas recently and I loved it.I'am glad it had Partical Man,but my fav is They Got Lost.And one of the hidden track(Nmb 21)Escape from planet of they apes is cool.But whats up with the song spyder.So I say you should but this one.

This album fails on so many levels
As a representation of their live act, it's not even close: nevermind the lack of crowd noise and stage banter, most of it isn't even from actual shows. It's 'live in studio' and soundcheck recordings, with overdubs galore.

As a career retrospective, it doesn't work either. They seem to have attempted a 'best of' line-up here, but left off important singles like "Don't Let's Start" and "The Statue Got Me High". Who cares? Hits that are included, like "Birdhouse In Your Soul" and "Ana Ng", are slowed down and given strained vocal deliveries.

But most importantly, it's just not a very enjoyable CD. Theres no flow, and it pales in comparison to their work in the studio. People who want a good overview of their career should get the 2-disc DIAL-A-SONG anthology. People who want to hear them live should get tickets to a show - they're lots of fun. You wouldn't know that from SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE.

I'd say it's worth it for "Dr. Worm" and the rocking "Why Does The Sun Shine?", but those made it to DIAL-A-SONG. The only thing I really pull this out for is the power-pop version of "First Kiss", later transformed into a ballad for their Mink Car album.

A Deffent MUST HAVE
I think if you heard all of these songs before (except the hidden tracks and Dr.Worm, which are all new) on other albums and want to hear them a little defferently, then you should soo buy this alblum. The bonus tracks are kind of weird on the first listen but once you get used to them they are really cool.
"Why Does The Sun Shine" is a great song and the two best verisons of it are on this ablum and on TMBG's Direct From Brooklyn DVD (which has a live 2002 concert video of it).
"XTC VS. ADAM ANT" has a great beginning with the electric guitar.
"They Got Lost" sounds way cooler here than on the They Got Lost cd (you can check it out at tmbg.com).
"First Kiss" I think the Mink Car version of it is longer, but both are equally cool.
"Meet James Ensor" The trumpets make more sense on the John Henry cd, but this version makes me laugh when the Johns make the trumpet sounds.
For the other songs on this cd you will have to listen them yourself. It's not because the other songs on this cd are bad or anything because all the songs are great, in my opinion. I just want you to buy this cd and check it out for yourself.
And for the hardcore TMBG fans check out the They Got Lost cd at tmbg.com It's pretty cool once you get used to it.
But before you buy that cd you must buy this one! ... Read more

Reviews (35)

More Sunny Day is always a great thing
I have to agree with Jeremy, the this album is far from perfect, which is surprising considering the brilliance of their live show. I attribut most of the shortcomings to the production, especialy the mixing. Aside from that there are some beautiful moments. J'Nuh is wholly terrific. For true fans, I'd say this album is a must have, but for first time buyers, I suggest buying an earlier recording. It's great to hear more from this powerful band.

Classic songs in a slightly different light...
This live recording of Sunny Day Real Estate really blew me away the first time I heard it. The first thing I noticed was the newer material has just as much sonic power and emotional punch as it does on the studio album. "Pillars", one of my favorite SDRE tracks, comes across just as, if not more, potently live as it does on the record, even without the benefit of studio spit and polish. Another highlight of this record is "In Circles". The live recording of this song is absolutely amazing in that it (the mix) has so much more body and power than the original studio recording. The louds come across as being more loud and the softs are just that much softer! Great album. It is a must for any SDRE fan. I understand that there is a corresponding live video coming out as well. You can cound me in for one of those as well.

SDRE Live CD
This cd is great. I never heard of SDRE before I heard it from a friend THIS album from a friend and it sounded pretty good. Picked up a copy, and it's amazing.

4.5 stars. A great live experience.
This is a much better cd than many people realize. I'm not sure what problems some people have with it-I realize the mix is good in some areas and a bit 'off' in others-but it still sounds great and I think many of these songs find their definitive versions on this disc. This is the first cd by SDRE I heard and I've since purchased all their other albums. The "Pink" lp is my favorite but this cd and "Diary" are close behind. Should not be missed. Worth the price of admission just for "Song About an Angel" and "Guitars & Video Games", both of which are better than the album versions.

Recommended.

AMAZING CD IF YOU'RE A DIEHARD SDRE FAN!
I had first heard that they even had a LIVE SDRE cd on a college radio station. I had called to request "IN CIRCLES" & they only had the live version. Immediately after hearing it on the radio; I went to Amazon.com to find it & purchased it.
That song live is definitely amazing. Jeremy Enigks voice is soo passionate.
All the other songs on the cd are from various cd's (past & present)Live versions are sometimes worse than cd recordings. BUt, this live version rocks! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ben Folds Live is a stellar exception to the rule that live albums are contractually obliged stocking fillers. Folds is at his best on stage with only a grand piano for company. He is a compelling showman who's blessed with an unforced charm that complements the anger and melancholy that informs most of his songs: the self-lacerating "Army" loses nothing by having a hall of people bellowing the saxophone and trumpet parts as Folds conducts them. The material here spans Folds' work with the three-piece Ben Folds Five as well as 2001's excellent solo debut. The readings of "Fred Jones," "The Luckiest," and "Brick" display an immediacy and intimacy that transcend the recorded versions. A couple of worthwhile curiosities--a minor chord rearrangement of "Song for the Dumped" and a faithful, affecting version of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" round out the offerings. This is an impeccable document of a superior performer at work. --Andrew Mueller ... Read more

Reviews (3)

"It's where religion and drugs meet back on the other side."
Ben Folds Live is easily the best live album I've ever owned, and the bonus DVD in this set is truly fabulous. For some strange reason, Amazon is not selling the "explicit" version with the bonus DVD, which I highly recommend. For the information of concerned parents everywhere, I would just like to say that Ben Folds in no way encourages stupid or illicit behavior on this album; nor does he graphically discuss sex or violence. He just uses the "F" word three or four times. If anything, he'll make your kid think that piano lessons are cool.

It's true, the bonus DVD contains the lyrics to "song for the dumped" and "army" complete with offending gerunds, and it also contains a truly flabbergasting solo at the end of "philosophy" that segues into what I think it a Lizst piece. Ben also has the audience participate in "army" (which was recorded in the studio with a full horns section), and help him make the album cover by flipping him off and yelling at him (just watch it). He also does a terrific cover of "tiny dancer" by Elton John on both the audio CD and the DVD.

The actual CD is the main attraction, of course, with rarities like "silver street" and "one down" which aren't on any of the full albums, and a pretty funny little number called "rock this [...]" which is just Ben riffing on something an audience member screamed out. The covers of "philosophy," "best imitation of myself," and "not the same" are better than any of the original recordings. Go buy this for someone interesting today.

Great, but not squeaky clean.
This is a great album, but even though it is labelled "clean", there are still some lyrics you might not want young kids to hear, ...that are not bleeped out. I suggest you listen to it by yourself first before playing it around little ones.Also be aware that the DVD has the explicit versions.

Ben Folds brings the live show to your stereo
Ben Folds has always been a man of many talents.But by only using his voice and his piano Ben takes you to a whole other level.His live show has always been a crowd drawer but now you can take it home with you.18 incredible live tracks complete the ultimate Ben Folds fan's collection. ... Read more

Album Description

The 'new' song on their greatest hits collection, a reworkedversion of this B-side from the single for the hit 'Where The Streets Have No Name'. Pt.1 is backed with previously unreleased live versions from Red Rocks in 1983 of two cuts from their debut album 'Boy', 'Twilight' and 'An Cat Dubh' (including 'Into The Heart'). Slimline jewel case. 1998 Island Records release. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Sweet...
There's also Boyzone in the track. This is a silent ballad with poor lyrics! The vocals are also very poor!

Just great.
The previous release of TST was very rough (almost hilarious) and the band really thought it was worth polishing, and they sure did!
Great song and the video certainly is one of their best. The live tracks are super quality, they never dissapoint, even on singles.

"Sweetest Thing" - the sweetest thing they ever recorded!
I've been a long-time "semi"-fan of U2 for as long as I can remember. I never really put much real thought into their music until a year or so ago. While I am sure the live tracks on here are great (I enjoy the Boy versions), I must voice my opinion on "The Sweetest Thing." I first saw the video for this song way back in the day, when MTV was actually still playing good stuff. I was enthralled - here was Bono... on a bus... with flowers... singing this pretty little song! Absolutely brilliant!

When I finally picked up this "single mix" on the 1980-1990 best of set, I was amazed. Here was a band that had, so far, built their eputation as this big, pompous band with "something to say." And they did a good job at that. But what I heard in this track was a group finally stepping back from this legacy they'd built up over the last 9 or 10 years, and putting out one of the prettiest and most emotionally pleasing tracks of their collective career. Bono's lyrics are sweeter than sweet, even if they do illustrate a love gone wrong. "Baby's got blue skies up ahead, but in this, I'm a raincloud/Ours is a stormy kind of love." The vocals are incredible. Edge's guitar is nothing short of perfect - every lick he throws in is tasteful and flawless. Even those introductory piano stabs are enthralling. At only three minutes long, the track feels entirely too short - it could easily stretch into "With Or Without You" length and be just as great.

I actually prefer this single mix to the original version that was released in 1987. Anyway, pick up this tune as soon as possible, especially if you want to hear something "different" from one of the best bands around.

Great for the 'Boy' Live Tracks
The song itself, is nothing spectacular. U2 rerecorded or remastered this song for their Greatest Hits 1980-1990 compilation, and in my own opinion have made a song that is worse than the original. However, it takes a diehard fan to probably notice the difference. Never-the-less, if "The Sweetest Thing" is all you are interested in, go for the BEst of disc and if you can get the 2 disc version which includes the original B-Sides version and this reworking.

My reason for giving this disc 4 stars is in the live tracks. Here are two tracks from the Red Rocks concert that did not make the Under a Blood Red Sky CD. Yet, these two songs are wonderful U2 songs, and they sound really great live. LIstening to these songs makes me wish they would rework the whole Under a Blood Red Sky album into a full concert CD. That would be awesome. As it is, if you like that concert CD and the U2 studio work before that, especially Boy, these B-Sides should make you happy.

A sweet little CD
It's 1987 re-worked and polished, with a smoother piano rhythem and the addition of Larry, Adam and Edge on backup vocals. This song originally showed up on the B-Side of Where the Streets Have No Name, and now it's worthy of its own single release, along with two b-sides of its own. The Sweetest Thing was written by the lead singer of the band for his wife when he forgot her birthday. It is a song about a love that's turned cruel: "I wanted to run but she made me crawl/eternal fire she turned me to straw/.../ours is a stormy kind of love", a nasty love song dressed up as a ballad that will have you humming along and singing "oh, oh, oh the sweetest thing," again and again. Twilight and An Cat Dubh, both of which are live recordings from U2's earliest days as a band, are reminiscent of the raw, anthemic beginnings of U2 and make a nice contrast to the polished image presented by Sweetest Thing '98. It's a sweet little single and a worthwhile addition to the collection of any U2 fan, or even any music fan in general. ... Read more

Album Description

5 CD set including remastered versions of Intium, Unholy Passion, November Coming Fire, Final Descent, and 'Live 85-96,each in thier own individual paper sleeves.Also included is the 'Live 85-86' video with exclusive unreleased footage. All handsomely packaged in a 7' x 12' box set with an eightpage comic book and a 28 page booklet complete with color and black & white photos. A collector's dream. 2000 release. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Simply Amazing
I have been a Danzig and Misfits fan for years, but never owned a Samhain cd. Now I own them all and I can't believe I waited so long. This box set is great for fans of the almighty Glenn Danzig. You get all the cd's with bonus tracks, a live cd, a silly comic book, a wonderful book of pics lyrics and liner notes (Steve Zing and London May), plus a live video. A must have.

Amazing Compliation of the Darkest Punk Around!!!!
After Misfits, but before Danzig, devil-rocker Glen Danzig was lead singer to a punk band called Samhain. Although not as solid-sounding as Danzig, and not as "B movie" based as the Misfits, Samhain's music was dark, twisted, and powerful. In this VERY LONG AWAITED (around 4 - 6 years in the works) boxed set, Danzig doesn't fail to deliever the evil goods once again. Complete with a video, a live CD, a comic book, and book of lyrics/photos, the set also contains the three full CDs and one EP that Samhain released on Danzig's "Plan 9" label long ago. While I still love the Misfits the best, this collect of Samhain's releases is the perfect soundtrack for the dark nights in October, as Halloween quickly approaches... who knows? Maybe we'll be blessed with the upcoming double-live Danzig album soon!!!

Boxset/Video details/query and misc facts
I won't bother repeating what others said. Some details:
1) Unholy Passion: re-recorded version is included here, from what I hear. NOT the orig lp/CD version incl on Initium
2) Video: 42min, 2 shows, amateur, dates: unlisted, show 1 (bad sound): all blood guts fun/???/unholy passion/???/???/horror biz/moribund. show 2 (not as bad sound): all hell/london dungeon/archangel/mother of mercy/to walk the night/???/moribund/black dream.
3) Initial versions: incl Scarecrow pin, I hear. Later units do not.
4) Comic: pretty cheap, collectors only
5) Booklet: 4.25 x 10", color, missing discog & lyrics to UP & FD, sparse on insight and notes. Good quality booklet otherwise.
6) Live CD: not a double CD but 2 shows on 1 CD, not bad quality & tracklist. This should be the exact same as was later available seperately. Dates: 1985, Danceteria, NYC/1986, Metro, Chicago. Exact dates of shows: unlisted, my 7" bootleg claims the 1986 show was in April sometime. These 2 live shows are NOT the same as on the VHS.
7) NCF: tracks 4 & 5 are reversed on jacket (to walk the night <-->birthright) on both the boxset & CD version still!

Corrections welcome! Please include full video tracklist. I'm not a big enough fan to know it all (VHS tracklist is unincluded on jacket). Like it or not, it don't matter cuz this boxset is OOP now, as are all the individual CDs since Danzig had a rumored split with eMagine. You'll have better luck finding the boxset than the seperate CDs now. If u wanna hear Samhain cover some Misfits songs, buy this boxset.

Great collection
All together this is a great box set the video is great and so is the booklet also it comes with a cool comic. the only complaint i have is the lack of unreleased tracks such as the archangle with chimes an alternate versions of novembers fire, halloween 2 and some other later tracks. also the liner notes are great but i would like to see some notes from eerie von since he was there from start to finish.

better then the original lp's and cd's
firstly i did not buy this to get the stuff it was a neat read looked cute but the video was a perk..
i wanted to replace the sets (many were bootlegs and copies of bootlegs) i lost (or got stolen) long ago, finally i can hear and understand the music.
this set is simply great just for listening !!
people can say what they want about danzig the man or his choices in life but still in the 80's it was a unique move.

when i really i got in to the misfits and samhain it was a holiday for me to sit in my dank poster laden room filled with boring cable on a 20 inch tv with nothing to do or watch just destroy my hearing with my huge ear phones letting the cruel high school world die for a while. so many hours spent that the local fiends heard me sing "mother" from kariokee disk that at first they thought it was glenn till i stoped singing and they all turned around to gripe " who was the a*** that shut off danzig", and were shocked to see me at the mike and the soundman saying that was "T" singing.

long ago back when earth A.D. came out i was very young i was born in late 72 but i was drawn to the cover and had to listen to it , it foraged a need for speed in me. it forever changed the way i listened , wrote and picked music.

as a fiend (cheezy crimson ghost tattoo and all) i still must hear my samhain or danzig tune so often. ... Read more