Album Description

2004 reissue for one of the most innovative & challenging yet successful artists in Creation Records' 'middle period' which included Spacemen 3, My Bloody Valentine, Spectrum, & Spiritualised. This reissue is augmented with two bonus tracks, 'Tornado Mix' & 'And' (Moon Mix) by MooN, leading lights of the French Burning Emptiness label (as featured in this month's Wire magazine). Rev-Ola. 2004. ... Read more

Album Description

The definitive collection of the finest moments from thedarlings of early 90's UK alternative guitar rock. Compiled with the active participation of all four members, '0X4'brings together 15 tracks culled from their studio albumsbetween 1990 & 1996 including 'Chelsea Girl' & 'DriveBlind'. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Long Overdue and Well Worth the Wait!
Let me first say that Ride was an incredible band that deserves a box set. (Actually, make that 2-3 box sets.) The first 'new' release from the band in more than five years is a good overview of the band's career and has something for everyone - from those new to Ride to even the most hardcore collectors.

OX4, the greatest hits disc, captures most of Ride's best moments. From 'Like A Daydream' to 'Black Nite Crash', it's all here including all the singles. Unfortunately, some of Ride's best songs were not singles and were left off the compilation. 'Cool Your Boots' is the best example, sadly ignored in favor of the monotone Creation cover 'How Does It Feel To Feel?'.

Firing Blanks, the disc of unreleased material, serves up a quite a few gems. 'Blue' and 'Everybody Knows', written by drummer Loz Colbert are excellent songs, the former even featuring Loz on vocals! 'She's So Fine', which later appeared in different form on Tarantula as Sunshine/Nowhere To Run, is an outstanding track that should've made the cut on Carnival of Light. Velvet Underground's 'New Age' is also covered here and Ride turns in a solid performance but Andy Bell's vocal suffers from the near absence of backing vocals. 'Tongue Tied' is the standout track here, and was dropped from Going Blank Again because record execs thought the album was too long. Overall, there is some outstanding material here and it is an excellent addition to the Ride library, but I'm sure there is some very strong material that remains unreleased.

The live disc, recorded at the 1992 Reading Festival is a good document of Ride as a live band. Ride were nothing short of lethal on stage and quite possibly the best live rock band, bar none, from 1991-1993. Many of the classic live songs show well here. 'Leave Them All Behind', 'Taste' and 'Seagull' in particular are excellent versions. As a collector of live music from Ride, I think the band could've chosen a better live set, perhaps from the 1993 Daytripper shows, which had Ride truly at peak form. Two songs were dropped from the Reading performance; John Lennon's 'I Don't Want To Be A Soldier' and 'Making Judy Smile'. The former was released on a Sire Records compilation in the mid-90s, but it is curious that 'Making Judy Smile' didn't make the cut. Overall, this collection is one that no music fan should be without. One of the best bands of their era, Ride deserves more recognition as an important and innovative band. Hopefully, the interest surrounding the release of this box set will lead to a second, live box set or possibly a new Ride collaboration. There is certainly enough material to put together an incredible album of covers. 'Eight Miles High', 'European Son', 'The Model', 'Sight Of You', and 'That Man' are all worthy of release.

Let's hope this is not the last Ride.

What more can I say?
Again this summarizes what the oxford boys managed to encapsulate within a piece of plastic: the last days of Rock music. The box-set is simply a must-have.

Miss the shoegazers? Read "High Fidelity"?
First, the selections for "OX4"--the "best of" album--are somewhat lopsided. Four songs from "Carnival of Light" seems a bit much, and the omission of that album's "Natural Grace" is striking. The album "Tarantula" is also underrepresented here. This said, the remastered versions of the earlier songs on "OX4" sound much, much better than the originals. Listening to "Taste" on this album is a new experience (same goes for the song "OX4"). What really makes this box set worthwhile are the unreleased recordings and the live recording (from 1992, thankfully). The alternate versions of "Dreams Burn Down" and "In A Different Place" are very good, and the outtakes from "Going Blank Again" and "Tarantula" are worthy additions. As for the live album, "Live Light" did not raise my expectations regarding Ride live on disc, but this live recording is a different thing entirely. It makes "Live Light" sound like the soggy mess it is. The standouts here are "Sennen," "Nowhere," "Seagull," and "Mouse Trap". Together, this box set helps further define Ride's impressive work. If you are enough of a fan to be considering buying this collection, realize that the recently reissued, remastered "Going Blank Again" album includes the b-sides "Going Blank Again" and "Grasshopper". That album is another need-to-own for fans, as these are two of Ride's best songs ever. It is great to see this band getting proper, albeit late, respect.

the best from oxford!
All the great tunes are here... from one of the best guitar bands in the 90's!! Not to be missed...hard core fans can also pick up the 3 CD box set too! ... Read more

Album Description

Import exclusive compilation featuring 35 tracks from thelikes of DJ Tomcraft, Simple Minds (Tomcraft remix), BennyBenassi, Hatrixx (Tall Paul remix), Darren Tate, DJ Sammy(Green Court remix), Nitromethane (Seraque Mix), SolarFactor (Neo & Farina remix), & many more. Slipcase. MOS.2003. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Trance Nation
This is a good CD it usually takes me a few listens to appreciate a CD so this one is getting better. I really am more into Gao trance and rarely buy CDs like these but I loved a Gatecrasher (Disco Tech) CD I bought a while a go and though I would direct my CD buying power that way again. I would have preferred the tracks to be a little longer on this set but they are slightly more so than those on the Disco Tech set. over all a good disk for this style but pricey, it seems that most good sets of this style are expensive though.

MoS did alright...but they can do better
I must agree with some of the previous reviewers that MoS has been pumping out some of the same [stuff] for about 2 years now. However, they did change the pace a little with this new album. The first cd has some pretty good tracks, although some of them are kind of old and played out. Most of the tracks aren't even deep trance either, but I kind of expected MoS would do something like that. The second cd makes up for the first as it is good, deep trance, especially songs I haven't really heard before. Whoever mixed it definitely picked some great tracks for cd 2.

**Bottom Line** 1st CD: Decent / 2nd CD: NICE!
** Experienced listeners with MoS and all different kinds of techno in general will find this cd ok and that it has some pretty nice tracks. Newer listeners will morethan likely find it to be a very good album. **

Ministry of Sound's Trance Nation Deeper is "Great"
Actually, I have stopped buying MOS's trance series CD for awhile until I came across this one! MOS has been churning out Trance Nations series like McDonald churning out Big Macs to the point that there's no more quality or what so ever with the end product! Most of the songs are pretty much seamlessly mixed with a deep bass line to it and you are guarantee to dance for hours. The other two compilations series that I buy without any hint of hesitations are from "Euphoria and Gatecrahser"! These two labels ar every consistent with their music quality and approach! I do not mind if I have ot wait a bit longer for any compilations to come out as long as the overall quality of the music is not compromised! I commend MOS for refocusing on quality rather than quantity in their business approach.

Great expectations.... Expectations met...
When I first picked up this CD, I was afraid it was going to be like many of the other, recent, Ministry of Sound compilations. A bunch of songs you've heard before, remixed and delivered half-heartedly. This CD, on the other hand, delivers big time. It's got a great mix, and only a couple songs I wouldn't have put on (Snap - Rhythm is a Dancer), although they bring back some memories :) Great CD, I highly recommend it. You can study to it, drive to it, or just sit around and have it in the background. Oh yeah, you can also party to it, bigtime... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A worthwhile listen...
The CD listing isn't complete (as also noted by others) here's the full track listing:
1. Desire Lines (Anderson)
2. White Wood (Anderson)
3. Girl's School (Berenyi)
4. Lovelife (Suga Built Remix)

If you are a fan of shoegazing rock, you will enjoy this CD4. In my opinion the best songs Lush released were the ones where they really touched their personal feelings; this was mostly the bonus tracks on CD4's and 5's. In "White Wood" they talk about love and how it would be nice to have a rich man to love. In "Girl's School" they talk about how trapped they felt growing up.

Another worthy Lush single
Like the "Hypocrite" single, the "Desire Lines" single is a must buy even for the Lush fan who isn't a completist. The four tracks on this single are all immensely worthy of attention.

"Desire Lines" is the same version as in SPLIT, a dark, depressing, but moving and often beautiful, track which is the first Lush song to feature strings.

"White Wood" is also an excellent track, though perhaps not the pinnacle of Lush as the reviewer below asserts.

"Girl's World" is a fantastic song, which by all rights should have appeared in SPLIT instead of being used as a b-side. Miki Berenyi's voice, always beautiful, is more sincere than in any other Lush song.

"Lovelife (Suga Bullit remix)" is, of course, a remix done by Bullit. It makes the original song, with its too-sweet guitars, into a fantastic electronic music track. The selective sampling of Miki's voice is skillfully done. About two minutes into the song when she sings with gorgeous clarity, "You are the one, in your concrete arms I adore you, dirty and dear," the listener's heart could melt.

So, any Lush fan should buy this, even if you don't rush out to get every release.

The Greatest Song Nobody Will Ever Hear
This 4-song CD from the 1994 "Split" era contains "Desire Lines" from "Split", two "B-side" songs not on the full length album, and an unrecognizable remix of "Lovelife," which in its original form was the best song on "Split." What makes this CD essential is song 2, "White Wood"-yet another dreamy, original, awe-inspiring, unbelievably beautiful song by the English girl-group. This song is one of the best 5 songs ever recorded by anyone, and reaffirms the matchless grace of Berenyi's voice and Anderson's songwriting and guitar playing. I wouldn't trade this song for a million dollars. Even Lush's B-sides were far superior than the greatest hits of My Bloody Valentine, the Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and other "indie" heroes. The other song, "Girl's World", is another great song reminiscient of "Olympia" from the 1996 album. If you only have the 4 albums, then you only have about two-thirds of the songs. The "Desire Lines" CD is a great place to start completing your Lush discography. Get it before it becomes unavailable like some of their other imports. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Buy It Immediately
Surfing the internet, I noticed that somehow no one has ever reviewed this album- which is a travesty- so I thought this short review is in order (and its the only one ive ever posted).This is a work of real genius.It has been extremely influential for a lot of bands.It might take a while to get into - or you may never get into it.It's rough, hard, messy, passionate, and can be hard to listen to.It's also completely brilliant rock music.

Ah, I take it back .... you'll definitely get into it.Regardless, I really believe that a life lived having never heard this album is lacking something significant.This album is a real teacher of what is possible in music ..... buy it.Seriously.Then get "Loveless" (as good as this and very different) and the My Bloody Valentine EPs...all great ...a shame this band is finished. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

LA rock and roll
Some bands have a good resume. But just because you have slept with the cook doesn't mean that the food is going to be any better. You have to deliver the goods. Run Run Run has been making a name for themselves in the overcrowded LA shoegazer scene. They have opened for The Strokes and The Vines. Xander Smith has been an eyesore on the club scene for years. Phil Cunningham has been in Marion and New Order. It sounds interesting. The song "Drizzle" announces their British fascination with bands like Ride and My Bloody Valentine. The problem with shoegazers is that it's all about the attitude: being cool, kicking the pedals, and lyrics that hint at certain words but never revel themselves. Some of these bands are hard to stand out. But at the same time Run Run Run sounds cool, stoned, all surfaces. They are music for various vague moments of the day when you are sitting around your house and you don't know what time it is. This record comes with a DVD. That's important to know.

new and up coming
So nice this record is. It has alot of hard work in every note. The band leaves you feeling like you are sailing in a dream. Iam looking forward for there next release.

drizzle e.p
this is a great record. the music is dark and dreamy. Love their album. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The atrium of a ritual dark orbit threshold
In this recording Steve's vocals are very obsure and concrete through waves of sound. Ideal to purify the inner abstracted contemplation! Both this and Somnium should be must buys for Space music fanatics! "Nothing Stands" is tenebriously peculiar!

Bends the Mind.
SIANspheric is an excellent addition to the space-atmospheric-ocean-dream-rock pack. Pick up this album and give it a spin whilst curled up in a warm bed on a cold, winter's night, hot chocolate in hand, headphones pressed snuggly on thy ears. Sean Ramsay is my God. ... Read more

Album Description

With long standing ties to Richmond, VA experimentalunderground, Gregor Samsa blends the dynamic range ofGodspeed You Black Emperor, the melodic subtleties ofSlowdive, and the swirling guitar maelstrom of My BloodyValentine into a fusion of hushed atmospherics anddisorienting noisescapes. 3 tracks. Revelation exclusive.2002. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

zzzz...snore.....
The last track is the only track on this CD that I can listen to without getting irritated. You'd think that slow tracks with an ambient-quality to them, no matter how mediocre, would at the very least lull you sleep you. Nope. This CD lacks originality and vision and Gregor Samsa need to disband stop distributing their crap to the poor unsuspecting world. The one star in this review is for the super sweet design of their CD and witty band name. When all you've got going for you in a cool band name and nice album design however, grrrrr.....

A Very Promising Start
It isn't good to sound like another band, but there's nothing wrong with reminding you of another band.Gregor Samsa could remind you of any of the bands mentioned above, without sounding like they've stolen their sound.This ep rewards repeated listenings.Like GYBE, or Mogwai, the songs build from slow and melodic into crescendos; the sonic equivalent of a calm sea giving way to crashing waves.I had the pleasure of seeing them open for Interpol in December 2002 and I was very impressed.If you like any of the bands that they've been compared to, this ep is well worth checking out.Cool packaging, too.

shoegazing bliss
Gregor Samsa at first sound reminds me greatly of the band that "post rock" was first attributed to: Bark Psychosis. The vocals are very reminiscent of that band as is some of the instrumentation. This EP would have fit nicely with early 90's 4AD bands like Swallow as well as shoegazer giants Slowdive. Highly recommended for anyone looking to chillout for awhile without falling asleep. Morphine for the ears. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

2001: A Space Rawk Odyssey
Sianspheric have done it again. The ideal mix between pure bliss and raw 'rawk' noise. Time and time again they've proven themselves to be THE most important Canadian band ever. Always a step ahead of their immitators, bands are copying their sound of three albums ago, while they're already 20 years in the future. High points on this one would have to be Tous Les Soirs-so spacey...so deafening-still surprises me every time the distortion crunch kicks in-it would shatter Jello. Also they slip in a cover of the Smiths Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want which is also a favourite. I haven't heard a better Smiths cover. All in all the album is essential for any lover of intelligent music. I'd be hard pressed to think of a better band around right now, continuing (but not immitating)the legacy built by bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Swervedriver, and Slowdive.

Canadian bliss-rock
Sianspheric are awesome. I loved their earlier albums. This newest offering is just as good. Heavily textured guitars, and hushed/delayed vocals (almost buried) with a tasteful rhythm section keeping everything from floating away. Sianspheric play music for the thinking space rocker. ... Read more

Album Description

Limited edition version of the alternative rock act's fifth studio album with bonus live CD. This edition is limited to the initial pressing and comes packaged in a hardback book format. The live CD was recorded on July 10/11, 2000. The bonus disc includes a live version of 'Lifeline' from 'Wishville' alongside tracks from their back catalog, 'Crank', 'Fripp', 'Ma Solituda', 'Heal', 'Future Boy' and 'Intravenous/Little Muscle'. 2000 release. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

magnificat
this is incredible! after i heard all songs from this album i said "wow!this is thats what me miss this is my fovorite album of the year 2000" i don't know earlier albums catherine wheels but i think i bought someone soon

Never Let Me Down Again
Catherine Wheel's newest album Wishville is UNDOUBTEDLY their most comercial album ever. Normally this is a bad thing, but the most impressive but not suprizing fact is it didn't chande their heart. Wishville was as I see it, an attempt to save rock, wich was aparant in the first radio release Sparks Are Gonna Fly. This was reminisant of the mid 90's grunge area and bought us back to the amazing hardhitting riffs of their 95 release "Happy Days." The second release "Gasoline" had reminants of Bush's 16stone album, and it is good to hear these sounds return. Altho CW swears that their showgazing daze are over, their latest tour (included in the CD set) showed us that they can make empty promises, and I'm glad they did. Seeing them twice on the tour (once at bowery a few months before this recording) proved that the dreamy effect of Robs vocals and Brian's guitar, Neils chilling harmony, and the suprising performances by newest bassist Ben will keep us "showgazing", even when greats like "Black Metalic" are retired. The quality of the live recording will capture you in your car or at home, and "dream" you back to your first CW show. Altho I know any fans reading this already know enough to buy it, I would like to wish all newcomers a happy listening. ... Read more

Album Description

UK remastered reissue of the British indie act's finalalbum (1996) includes three bonus tracks, 'Nothing LastsForever', 'Slave' & 'A Trip Down Ronnie Lane' in additionto the classics, 'Black Nite Crash', 'Castle On The Hill' & 'Starlight Motel'. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Possibly Ride's Best Album
After, or maybe even next to, Going Blank Again, this is Ride's best. Its also the most coherent album they put together...strange for a band that had broken up by the time the lp was released. "Dead Man" is one of the best songs Ive ever heard. Be warned though: the bonus tracks from the Black Night Crash single arent all that great.

Poor lyrics elude a not bad final album from Ride...
Ride lost the focus that made them so distinct with their third album Carnival of Light (1994), which offered up too much retro-inspired fayre. That album had been one of two halves, the latter half written and dominated by Andy Bell (now in Oasis)- some terrible retro horrors including a blatant rewrite of You Can't Always Get What You Want. By the time we reached Tarantula (1996), Ride were no more & there had been an acrimonious split between Bell and co-vocalist/guitarist Mark Gardener. Tarantula, its title from Bob Dylan's rubbish novel, isn't that bad listened to several years later- even if it's basically the Andy Bell Show with a few other tracks (it's far superior to Bell's dire next band Hurricane#1 & Gardener's equally disappointing The Animal House). The lyrics are frequently terrible- "As the dawn breaks over our caravan/And you lie beside me like a lamb" being the prime example- a lyric that Paul McCartney would have baulked at! But you never really listened to Ride for lyrical insights a la Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, Mark Eitzel, or Morrissey did you? Bell's vocals always were a bit weedier than Gardener's rich voice- which is why Bell wasn't the singer in Hurrican#1 & why Gardener sounds great on the new Floating Out Into the Night ep!

Tarantula has a very Band feel, even sounding a bit like The Band or Basement-Dylan on Dead Man; Sunshine/Nowhere to Run (dire title) is a reworking of She's So Fine- a Carnival of Light outtake like Walk On Water- which has a superior rendering on the new Waves-BBC Sessions collection. Black Nite Crash is like a Highway61 Revisited Dylan melding with The Stooges (or that's what it says on paper) & isn't far from Julian Cope's Spacehopper- though the lyrics are cringeworthy! Walk On Water is good enough, though remarkably similar to 1994's Magical Spring (it was played on a 1993 radio session)- it does still sound like the Ride of Going Blank Again (their highpoint) & the tight music recalls Small Faces' Song of a Baker.

Deep Inside My Pocket is my fave track, written by Gardener with Beach Boys-collaborator Jack Rieley (Surf's Up) & mixed by REM-producer Mitch Easter, it appears to be a bitter (if melodic) jibe at Bell! It has a wonderfully groovy organ sound, somewhere between The Charlatans & The Jayhawks & even has a cool spoken word bit. Gardener appears to be harmonising with himself, which probably shows how well Ride were getting on at the time! Mary Anne, despite those appalling lyrics, is actually quite a good mellow-ballad with tabla-percussion- though nothing close to the adventure of Screaming Trees classic Dust album (1996).

The latter half of the album is good time retro music- nothing truly amazing- Starlight Motel is too Gram Parsons, The Dawn Patrol is too 70s guitar riffage & Castle on the Hill is like an idiotic take on John Martyn. Burnin' is very easy on the ears & as good as anything on the second Stone Roses album or Primal Scream's Give Out But Don't Give Up (& would be much better than much retro riffage to turn up over the next few years- Ocean Colour Scene, Oasis, The Seahorses etc). Ride the Wind is probably the best song of the latter half- though it sounds like a winded Ride at that!

The bonus tracks on this editon give other impetus to purchase it- A Trip Down Ronnie Lane's & a unlisted instrumental are forgettable, but Bell's Nothing Lasts Forever sounds not unlike the band of Play ep era. Even better is Gardener's Slave- another attack on Bell?- this sounds not unlike Radiohead and is one of Gardener's great lost songs like the rare single Magdalen Sky. Tarantula is worth a listen- it's goodtime music that is fine if you've exhausted No Other or Greetings from LA. Put it seemed a bit of a whimper final statement from Ride & I've a feeling the songs on Mark Gardener's upcoming solo album will be much better (having seen him last week, I can say they are- see the Snow in Mexico single!). Still, a reminder that Ride were a great band & it has its moments... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Stone Roses The Remixes
I just bought my third Remixes Cd, because everyone who hears it has to have it,and it disapears from my collection. Even if you never heard of the Stone Roses ,this CD will make you an instant Fan. Its all of thier best work ,remixed in the best possible way that everyone will enjoy. Buy it, you will not regret it!!! Alloy Dawg ... Read more

Album Description

Cycling past the deep trips of previous Landing outings, "Sphere" settles into a gently rock-y world. Landing is known for dishing up a mildly psychedelic mindscape; with their new album they have reconfigured their oeuvre to include the traditional tools of psychedelic rock: more drums, more rhythm and more "songs." Recorded at their own Hi Mid Studio, Landing have crafted a softly vacillating sound, a rippling set of tones, a feeling that is akin to their Vessyl brethren Yume Bitsu, Version and Surface Of Eceon. The Vessyl is a loose collection of abstract collaborations between like-minded psychedelic legionnaires, and Landing has long been the flagship combo of the Vessyl, a champion launching uncounted voyages through light. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This needed a Parental Advisory sticker
Okay, when I bought this disk, I thought I was buying an album from the Christain punk band known as Bleach, this is not them however. The music is like 70's pot induced music, and it does not have a lyric sheet, even though it's quite clear that the female lead singer blasts the 'f' word ALOT. A big dissapointment even though I only paid 85 cents for it.

Bleach (U.K.) Stands Above the Crowd
The year 1992 was a historic one for anyone interested in British popular music. The greatest album of the 90's, "Spooky" by Lush, somehow managed to disappoint fans and critics alike. Some implied that the sound quality was too polished and not abrasive enough. Bleach's only album, "Killing Time" (1992), would appear to avoid those "shortcomings" while still sounding like a sister band of Lush. Salli Carson's singing style was breathtakingly similar to that of Miki Berenyi's-think "Blackout", with the sudden shift between a high angelic voice and a lower, Elastica-style, in-your-face snarl. While many girl-bands have been compared to 1996-era Lush, Bleach is the only one comparable to pre-1996 Lush. And now to some individual songs: "Paint My Face" is the most Lush-like song ever recorded, with soaring angelic vocals and stratospheric, dreamy guitars from guitar hero Neil Singleton. "Push" is an fast, overwhelming rush of Ned's Atomic Dustbin-style guitars and rhythm sung in Carson's aggressive, lower voice-notice how she shifts speeds in mid-sentence. This is a very intense album that's both dreamy and aggressive and worthy of the glory of Lush. The talent is obvious and it's a shame the band disappeared without getting a chance to be heard-they could easily have been as popular as Elastica or the Cranberries. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The second offering from starflyer 59 is great
There is little more to be said, Starflyer 59's first ep, shows their softer side. That's not to say there is still not plenty of distorted guitar, the "wall of sound" starflyer first gained respect for is still there, but on this album, there are a few softer tracks, which are different, although still retaining "that starflyer sound." This is one of those albums that you put in your stereo, turn off all the lights, sit and listen.

Starflyer59 continues its tradition of brilliant studio work
Starflyer59 is often compared to My Bloody Valentine for a very good reason: they follow in MBV's tradition of experimental studio-rock. She's the Queen is no exception. It is sometimes hard, sometimes a little loopy, but is always brilliant. ... Read more