Album Description

Lost Highway is releasing the deluxe edition of Elvis Costello's & The Imposters Grammy Nominated The Delivery Man to coincide with his Spring US tour.The deluxe edition includes new packaging, the bonus video "Bedlam" from Elvis' live Eagle Rock DVD performance in Memphis, TN, the extra track "She's Pulling Out The Pin" and The Clarksdale Sessions bonus disc featuring seven songs.Five songs from The Clarksdale Sessions are alternate recordings of songs featured on The Delivery Man, as well as a cover of "Dark End Of The Street" and "In Another Room" an Elvis Costello original unheard elsewhere. Look for Elvis Costello & The Imposters 2 month long full US tour beginning in March 2005. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Beyond belief..........................and stupidity!!
First of all, THE DELIVERY MAN isn't that much of an album.Why would anyone want a bonus disc of bad remixes or live versions???You folks are right - this reissuing business is just plain stupid.I've been a Costello fan for over 25 years, but I'll tell you what, my collection stopped at the Ryko reissues!As for the stuff he's put out since the Universal switch - I've burned them all off the copies that my local library system gets (at least one person on their buying staff is a Costello fan - ain't I lucky?).Sorry E, but I spent too much of my (and other people's) money on buying these "elusive" rare tracks - that are still in print all these years later.I'll believe this stuff is rare when Rhino ceases the bonus discs and just reissues the old catalog in their original 11-20 song discs.In the meantime, I've got a box of old Costello 45s and picture sleeves for sale.Any takers?

okI'm done griping...
about this special edition being released only 6 months after the initial release except to say it would have been nice to have released it FIRST so the folks who go and buy Elvis' albums right away would have been the ones to benefit. I was just in a starbucks yesterday when I saw what looked to be an Elvis Costello album for sale right there on the front counter. Turns out it's a bunch of Costello's favorite songs, 'songs that matter to me' I think it may have been called. I guess it's only available at starbucks but I guess that's where I'll plunk down 15 bucks, as it looked to be a fantastic selection, instead of even thinking of spending my money twice to get this so-called deluxe edition. I see too that the Costello Memphis Live dvd is out in a couple of days and that alot of radio stations across the country will be playing that concert over the radio in the next couple of weeks. Check the Elvis website for stations.

I think I'll wait for the Rycodisk reissue...
...which should be out in time for Christmas 2005.Rumor has it that it will include the little-heard Elvis demo entitled, "Shilling the Rubes Was Never This Fun."

Okay, whatever
The whole reissue thing with Elvis is getting out of hand.Is he going to do this with every subsequent release?"Cruel Smile", "Delivery Man Redux Deluxe Mad Ducks"...next he'll get Diana in on the act and we'll get "Girl in the Other Room--Next Door" (personally I'd like to see a "Double Fantasy"-type Costello/Krall collaboration.)Thank God for iTunes.If you don't need the packaging (again) it sounds like the way to go (great cover pic, though, I have to admit).Looking forward to the tour.Maybe I'll buy a tee-shirt, if it doesn't become outdated two months later.

The Long-Awaited 6-Month Anniversary Edition
Elvis is my main man. I've bought the catalog in 8-track, cassette, 45s, vinyl, imported vinyl, CD, imported CD, imported reissue CDs, reissued domestic CDs...and I've done this strictly for the music. So, if, like me, you don't feel like shelling out another $15 for a disc you just bought--as enticing as the bonus disc is--allow me to direct you to iTunes, where the extra tracks are available at 99 cents each. I love ya Elvis but you're killin' me. ... Read more

Album Description

Throughout his phenomenal, almost 30-year career, Elvis Costello has proved himself one of the most versatile and inventive stars in the pop music firmament. He first rose to fame as one of punk rock's breakthrough talents then went on to release innovative albums interpreting a truly diverse range of genres. Costello-originally Liverpool's own Declan McManus-has made an indelible mark on the pop music songbook, bringing unfettered passion and profound lyrical weight to his richly creative stylistic adventures. These three titles continue Rhino's Deluxe Edition restoration of his extraordinary catalogue. ... Read more

Reviews (244)

Just ok
I'm another big fan of Tori so of course I immediately bought this album + DVD. But, being a big Tori fan, I already have all of Tori's CDs so this album was a bit of a disappointment to me. All of the songs are the same with the exception of the remixed "Professional Widow" which I found extremely annoying. Also, I hadn't heard "Angels", "Mary", "Sweet Dreams", or "Snow Cherries From France", but I did enjoy all of those songs very much.

Also, I was somewhat disappointed with the DVD, too. It seemed to me that there wasn't very much on it. And while I really enjoyed watching Tori sing (it seemed weird to see Tori singing on stage to no audience)and viewing the photo gallery, I thought there could have been more to it than what was there.

In all- and no offense to all the other Tori fans out there- but I think only the true Tori fans should buy this album for the few songs that aren't on Tori's past CDs. They're really good songs but I wouldn't recommend buying "Tales of a Librarian" if you already have all of Tori's albums.

A must buy for avid Tori fans and newcomers alike!
I, along with my sister and 3 of our cousins as well as many friends are avid Tori Amos fans. We've all been to numerous of her concerts, and each and every one of us owns every CD Tori has ever put out. I must say, this is her absolute best yet. All of our favorite songs, mine being Tear in Your Hand, a sad and beautiful song, as well as God and Precious things, are all on this Cd, as well as my sister's all time favorite, Winter. Numerous classics have been re-done, including Cornflake Girl, another great one. She has used her insight and added age and talent to make them better than before. Of course, every Tori song is great, but the essentials are all on this cd, and the new songs introduced on this album are amazing as well. From the opening piano chords of Precious Things to the last moments of Snow Cherries From France, this album is bound to send you through an emotional rollercoaster, where the songs are Tori's memoirs put to music. This is Tori's life, the autobiography of a modern singer-songwriter, philosopher, poet, and master of the magic of music.

A great mix
I enjoy pretty much all the songs on this cd. Some of my favorites are Baker Baker, God,Bliss, And cornflake girl. Professional widow was a big suprise to me but i thought it was a nice change, and anyone with an open mind would like it. Yet again another perfect Tori CD!

A Brilliant Collection For A Brilliant Artist
Before I purchased this collection I had only one Tori Amos CD in my collection. I had her second album, Under the Pink. Of course I was just getting used to the Tori phenomenon and had not really developed a taste for her music. Once I had added this to my library, I was forever changed. Even though that sounds pretty cheesy, and is, it is true. Every song, from "Precious Things" to "Snow Cherries From France," was in my opinion...a big hit. The tempermental remix of "Professional Widow" and the heart wrenching ballad, "Me and A Gun," to the great hits, "Cornfalke Girl," and "Spark." All of the songs were unique and crazy, wierd and brilliant, awesome and memorable. Every time I go to put in a CD I always choose this one, because it includes most of her best works from when she was with Atlantic records, (which means that the collection excluded any tracks from Scarlet's Walk). The special bonus DVD wasn't even the best part, like I thought it was going to be! Since then, I have collected oh so much more in an attempt to really gain a better understanding of the redhead behind the music, and have been much better off for doing so.
This collection is a 2-Disc set, the first is a brown embossed 20 track CD with many songs from her career: "Precious Things, Angels(new), Silent All These Years, Winter, Mary, Crucify, Cornflake Girl, Bliss, Playboy Mommy, Way Down, Spark, God, Mr. Zebra, Professional Widow Remix, Me And A Gun, Baker Baker, Tear In Your Hand, Sweet Dreams, Jackie's Strength, etc...)The second is a pink embossed DVD with special sound check footage of the last concert of her most recent tour, the same concert which has recently appeared on the Welcome To Sunny Florida Concert DVD. The DVD also contains some other extras, animated menues, and interesting live recordings.
Tori Amos is the most incredible artist that I have ever heard and this collection is a great testament to her popular works. Pick one up today!

Her Biography, Set to Music
TALES OF A LIBRARIAN isn't a mere compilation of greatest hits...in fact, it is lacking some. It is what Tori calls her musical "biography". She also has gone on to add that the twenty songs here consciously chose to be part of this collection, and that they chose their order as well. From anyone but her, this explanation would not suffice.

The fact that this is a biography and not a hits collection explains the lack of notable singles such as "Raspberry Swirl" and "Caught a Lite Sneeze". It also explains the inclusions of four songs not available on her studio albums--"Angels" and "Snow Cherries From France," 2 new compositions, and "Mary" and "Sweet Dreams" two B-sides from 1992 which were rerecorded specifically for this package.

The remaining 16 tracks have been touched up for their inclusion here. Most of the reworkings are subtle, while others are not. Some recordings don't sound as good, such as "Precious Things," which loses the power punch of its climax where the artist pounds away at her piano and belts "(those demigods) with their nine inch nails/and fascist panties tucked inside the heart/of every nice girl." Also, the added echo on "Bliss" is not a good touch.

However, other songs, such as "Cornflake Girl" and "God" sound even sharper with their updates.

"Playboy Mommy" now sounds even more heart-wrenching, as does "Tear In Your Hand," despite little noticable change. The added orchestration on the indescribably beautiful "Jackie's Strength" also works wonders for the track.

Some may be dissapointed with the version of "Professional Widow" included. It is actually a newly edited version of Armand Van Helden's "Star Trunk Funkin' Mix" of the track. The inclusion of a dance remix near the middle of the collection was in retrospect a wise move, since it gives a nod to an important apsect of the artist's career and picks up the pace of the disc.

Dissapointly, performances included on the bonus DVD were done during the soundcheck of the concert now available on the DVD release of "Welcome to Sunny Florida," and are dull and lifeless. Still, a nice photo gallery makes up for this deficiency.

"Tales of a Librarian" does deserve a place in the hands of every Tori Amos fan, as well as those who are not familiar with her and would like a place to start. If there is one CD of hers one ought to own, this is it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Chan "Cat Power" Marshall's performances have become legendary marathons marked by Marshall's shyness and her ability to create moments of fragmented beauty. Five years on from her last collection of original songs, 1998's Moon Pix, Marshall has reined in the silvery brilliance of her shows. The 14 pieces on You Are Free maintain a spontaneity, but, compared with their digressive live incarnations, they've been given focus--a development that owes something to a notable supporting cast that includes Dave Grohl on drums and Eddie Vedder on vocals. Marshall's impressionistic vision is expressed with a new clarity while retaining its affecting understatement and sense of dislocation. Her past kinship with Bonnie Prince Billy and Smog gives way to PJ Harvey and Nina Simone comparisons. You Are Free confirms that Marshall is one of the most original and compelling singer-songwriters around. --John Mulvey ... Read more

Reviews (62)

Excellent, Sad Album a look into Chan Marshalls Soul
This album holds sentimental value for me as Cat Power seems to have been always playing in the backround during the more trying times of my life in the last few years. While Moon Pix was good I prefer this album on the strength of its melodies. The songs are uniformly depressing and soul-sapping but excellent throughout. If the lyrics to "Names" don't make your skin crawl then you aren't human. I saw Chan Marshall perform here in Miami about 2 years ago and she was as fragile and bizarre in person as she comes across on her albums. The venue was very small and intimate and it was a perfect opportunity to soak in the music as it was intended to be heard. Highly recommended.

2.5 stars for a good album
OK, I'm not gonna pretend that I know anything about Cat Power beyond what you find in the reviews for this record. As nearly everyone has said, Chan Marshall provides subdued vocals to minimal accompaniment. Don't pay attention to the big names mentioned - it's so not a big deal. I understand that not all music is complex and that many people appreciate sparse arrangments; however, I think too much of this album is too musically repetitive for me to enjoy it often. You may say that is the allure of Cat Power, but I know people in my city who don't have a cult following that can create simple songs more compelling than these. That is why I am blown away at the amount of people who will readily give this album 5 stars. To me, that is just as uselessly fanatic as the gazillion people who rate Britney Spears' debut album as perfect at her respective page. Man, we need to be so much more critical of our music. I can say this is interesting music at times and the lyrics are definitely unconventional and thoughtful. The first track's words I find particularly intriguing and the overdubbed "I don't blame you's" are effective. BUT - I can't say this is a masterpiece or brilliant. I just don't feel that. I am tired of both mainstream *and* indie singers/songwriters/bands being shamelessly overhyped and overpraised when they make mediocre music. Sorry for the tangent, but sheesh! One thing, the recycled paper CD case is cool, but I feel that my disk will become scratched easily. I also have to turn the case inside-out to remove the CD, so it's not exactly simple, but that is minor. Anyway, if I got this CD free I would not have a thing to say in the least, but I listened to Courtney Hole...

Honest
When I hear Chan Marshall's voice, I want to both shield her and rock out. She carries this incredible frailty in her voice, in the tentative strokes of her fingers on strings or keys, that I feel compelled to stand in front of the onslaught. It's a protective urge, but I'm also singing along. This is, to me, the sort of music that begets a squeaky singalong as I trudge home from a long day. It reminds me of the emotions I can often cast aside; it reminds me of our interconnectivity.

Maybe it's my own depressive tendencies revealed, but I find more in her less catchy tunes. Songs like "Names" and "Good Woman" are breathtaking-simply because they are stark, simply because her voice cracks with the pain (and I don't believe it's an affectation). It's just really honest stuff.

A Truly Amazing Album
This album is truly amazing. I can listen to it over and over again without ever getting bored. Up until last week, I had never even heard of Cat Power. When I came across the song He War online, I knew I just had to have this album. I think every song on the album is wonderful. If I had to choose two favorites they would be He War and I Don't Blame. In my opinion, this album is a must have for music lovers everywhere.

I am in love with Chan Marshall.
Not in a conventional sort of sense, of course; I'm not some slavering fan or stalker weirdo, and I've never met the woman in my life, but there's just something about her and her music I find impossibly and powerfully attractive. It wasn't always this way, though. I had of course heard Chan's name mentioned before among my slightly pretentious music snob friends, and had read some of the buzz surrounding her in the indie music press, but I never paid much attention. As it happened, a friend of mine, knowing my tastes tend to run toward melodic, lo-fi music, bought me "You Are Free" as a birthday gift. And I have to admit, the first couple of listens, I didn't get it. All the elements of the music I tend to like seemed to be there in the simple, almost stripped down arrangements on the album, but for some reason they didn't seem to be coming together for me.
The epiphany came one night as I was driving home through moisture slicked streets after work. "I want to be/a good woman/and I want for you/to be a good man/this is why/I'll be leaving/and this is why/I can't see you no more", Chan sang with chiming guitar and sawing fiddle in the background, as the rain spattered my windshield, and I suddenly realized I was listening to the most gorgeously wistful song I'd ever heard. I listened to track after track that night, taking an hour to do a ten minute drive, and couldn't believe I'd missed how brilliant this record was. I guess what I'm trying to get across using this long-winded parable is that there are some albums whose charms are not immediately evident. They take patience and work. This is one such album, and if you devote yourself to it, the rewards will be unimaginable. And maybe you'll fall in love with Chan Marshall too. ... Read more

Album Description

2003 follow-up to the platinum 2001 album, 'The SpiritRoom', includes the featured track, 'Are You Happy Now?'.The CD is also enhanced with 6 videos - Making of HotelPaper 'In The Studio', 'Are You Happy Now?', & 'One OfThese Days' and Live Performance from Sessions @ AOL 'FindYour Way Back', 'Empty Handed' & 'Hotel paper' plusMichelle Branch photo gallery. Maverick. ... Read more

Reviews (463)

Strong and Convincing
Michelle Branch one of many young singers out there, but probably one of the more talented one's. She reminds me of Sheryl Crow, soft rock with good lyrics and hooks. Not so much guitars like is some of the heavier rock acts but the good deep and personal lyrics is a good enough reason to buy this. I like her voice, it's strong and emotional and i think she managed to get the attention on every possible song, she simply makes it interesting all of the times. Im not into soft rock but i defenitely liked this, so it proves the point that she's good. About the album, some really good songs that will become hit's but not many super songs that i just say "wow" about after just been listening to them once. But in the other hand there are no bad songs on the album either. " Are you happy now" the hit song i guess, and among the better one's too. "Find my way back" is strong too and "Breath" which reminds me of "Everywhere", "Tuesday Morning" should get a mention too, one of the best slow songs on the album, "Hotel Paper" the title track is in a simular style, also good. The lyrics however is the most important thing here, she makes strong lyrics that many others can identify themselves with, but also her voice is beautiful to listen too. A good album, that will become a summer hit.

Awesome, Beautiful, Extraordinary...Wow
Alright here's the deal. I've been a Michelle Branch fan ever since "The Spirit Room" debuted in 2001. Of course, The Spirit Room is an awesome CD as well, and I never thought that she could make a second CD that was better then TSR. I was wrong. Hotel Paper is as good if not better then TSR. It amazes me how Michelle writes and plays almost all of her songs. She even inspired me to start playing the acoustic guitar because the guitar playing in this CD is lovely. Ok, now onto Hotel Paper. Let me break down the song's for you one by one:

1. The Intro- umm don't really know why it's here but it fits in with the ending so I'm not gonna give it a star rating since its only like 15 seconds and theres no words.

2. Are You Happy Now?- Great song, but too overplayed on the radio so I kinda got sick of it. In my opinion, the most rock song on HP. 3/5

3. Find Your Way Back- Good introduction, a good song to drive to. Nice beat and lyrics. 4/5

4. Empty Handed- Awesome lyrics- "some people mistake me, they only wanna hear what they wanna hear." Another laid back song about Michelle wanting to leave everything with no regrets. 4/5

5. Tuesday Morning- One of my favorite songs on the CD. Pretty guitar in the background and its very soothing. It's about Michelle not wanting to leave the guy she loves. Michelle's voice sounds very pretty. Her talent shows on this song. Best lyric- "If I had known then, that these things happen, would they have happened with you?" 5/5

6. One of these Days- Perhaps the most emotional song on the CD, only Michelle singing, a piano (quite beautifully played) and a bass drum? IDK something like that. 4/5

7. Love Me Like That- Very countryish. If it didn't say that Sheryl Crow was singing, I honestly wouldn't have known. It's an OK song, but not one of my fav's. The lyrics are good though. "Love me or Leave me baby but don't Lead me on" 3/5
8. Desperately- An OK song. Michelle wants a guy 'desperately.' 3/5

9. Breathe- One of the best songs on the CD. Great guitar intro (one of the main reasons I was inspired to play the acoustic guitar). Great chorus and lyrics. Very catchy and can get stuck in your head. 5/5

10. Where Are You Now?- Another cool guitar intro. Michelle is waiting and searching for a guy and I think she's heartbroken because she hasn't found one yet. Overall a good song. 4/5

11. Hotel Paper- Awesome song. Very thoughtful. Her voice is nice on this song. Another emotional song. 4/5

12. 'Til I Get Over You- My favorite song on the CD. Nothing is bad about this song. This is the reason to buy this CD. "Everytime I feel alone I can blame it on you...And I do." Michelle obviously had a bad breakup and she's expressing it in this song. The French is a great background effect and her voice shines on this song. She's obviously not over her ex. I hope this is the next single. 5/5

13. It's You (and the Closing)- Pretty good song for a short song. Kind of repetitive though and the closing fits in with the intro so I can see how they're intertwined. 3/5

Well there you have it. If you liked TSR then you should definitely buy this CD! Unlike girls like Britney Spears and Hilary Duff, this girl can actually sing, write her own songs and play the guitar! C'mon people, you won't be disappointed. I promise.

songs are catchy, but nothing unique
she really CANNOT sing. Her voice is soooooooo fake. I swear, I really want to give her a fair rating and some credit because she did wrote all her songs and that's at least somethin'. But everytime I listen closely I come to the same conclusion: SHE CANNOT AT ALL SING!! and some people say she sounds like Vanessa Calton???? NOOOOOOO!!!! Vanessa ( if you listen closely) CAN sing no matter how annoy people say her voice is. Michell CANNOT!!!
Second of all, her style, DUDE- her songs completely give me imageries that she is such a pretend punkeish, pretend-that-she-can-sing-ish crazy stupid girl sitting in her doorway with her head in the clouds.
Overall, Michell is a WANNABE and nothing more

good pop cd
Although I give Hotel Paper and The Spirit Room the same amount of credit for being good pop albums, I think the only semi-original sounding song on the Hotel Ppaer album is "Are You Happy Now." I reccomend this cd for ppl who like pop-countty music...I think this cd is more reminisant of pop-country, rather than pop.

Hotel Paper
Intro - Cute! :D
Are You Happy Now? - 10/5
Find My Way Back - 10/5
Empty Handed - 5/5
Tuesday Morning - 5/5
One Of These Days - 5/5
Love Me Like That - 4/5 (My least favorite but I still love it.)
Desperatly - 4/5
Breathe - 5/5 (This is my favorite song on the CD, it is awesome.)
Where are You Now? 4/5
Hotel Paper - 5/5
Til I Get Over You - 5/5 (I also looooove this song~)
It's You - 5/5

She has grown since The Spirit Room. I have always enjoyed that album but I love this one. This one of the CD's I can listen to all the way through without skipping. Worth every penny. :-) ... Read more

Reviews (287)

Beautiful and haunting
Boys For Pele is very unique and creative. Tori has added a different style and instruments to this album. Beauty Queen/Horses, Caught A Lite Sneeze, Hey Jupiter, and Doughnut Song are lovely tracks and her voice is absolutely gorgeous (they're also my favorites.) Blood Roses is a darker, more mysterious track. Professional Widow is very wild and quirky, but it does have a good beat. Father Lucifer is very pretty and soothing. In The Springtime Of His Voodoo sounds like Tori Amos just hit the bottle too hard in the beginning of it, but the chorus is nice. Then, there are the fun tracks: Mr. Zebra, Way Down, and Agent Orange (each one lasting a little over 1 minute.)
Boys For Pele is a difficult album to understand (Tori's lyrics can be very confusing.) I think this album is about the ups and downs of a relationship. Tori Amos takes us on an emotional journey through her music. Just enjoy listening! I'd recommend this cd (it's good to relax to.)

chickens get a taste of your meat..
a harsh and dirty trip from deep inside the core. every emotion is covered beautifully in this album. tori doesn't leave out a single breath.

"beauty queen/horses" (8/10)- beauty queen, is kind of irrelevant in my personal view. but horses follows beautifully with tori flowing on her ivories.

"blood roses" (10/10)- first song on the album with the
harpsichord. rugged and harsh lyrics interwine with tori's voice evolving throughout.

"father lucifer" (10/10)- possibly one of the best songs on the album. a spectacular combination of brass and piano. the lyrics are perfect.

"professional widow" (10/10)- where the heck did this come from? and who cares? it's great. tori assaulting the harpsichord with anger, and a distorted "down on the prarie" beat. dripping with vulgar language and controversy.

"mr. zebra" (8/10)- it's an interesting little song, but it feels a bit of a filler. not that this album needs one. almost kiddish, but still a good one.

"marianne" (9/10)- beautifully constructed, yet is somewhat too depressing for me to listen to. the strings and the piano blend gorgeously.

"caught a lite sneeze" (10/10)- another great song on the album. one of the more popular one's. harpsichord, piano, erotic drum beats, and a haunting choir make an amazingly chilling song.

"muhammed my friend" (9/10)- i love this song. i wish it was longer. the soprano sax is a nice touch.

"hey jupiter" (10/10)- possibly one of the most emotionally riveting songs made. it is beautiful. i love it. beautiful lyrics. quiet piano. tori sings with tranquillity, nearly whispering.

"way down" (9/10)- has my favorite lyrics with it. "yes i am the anchorman, dining here with son of sam.."

"little amsterdam" (8/10)- i like the lyrics and the piano work, yet the song doesn't progress as you would want it.

"talula" (9/10)- it depends on what version you get. some cd's have the BT Tornado Mix, some don't. peronally, i think the BT Tornado Mix is the best. the original version isn't too bad, i think the drums are a distraction though.

"not the red baron" (7/10)- never really stood out for me.

"agent orange" (8/10)- never really stood out for me either. good song though. just not a favorite.

"doughnut song" (9/10)- i love this song. twinkling piano and the lyrics are incredible.

"in the springtime of his voodoo" (9/10)- good little wake up there. interesting drum beat and piano mix. it works. i like!

"putting the damage on" (10/10)- my favorite off this album. beautiful, just simply beautiful. the brass intertwines so well with the piano and tori's voice. it's a nice relief from hearing strings from so many artists.

"twinkle" (9/10)- a quiet ending to an epic album.

Yes, we can use the "M" word without reservation
...as "Boys For Pele" IS very possibly Amos's masterpiece . Every song on it is instrumentally brilliant and lyrically ambiguous. The music's directness comes from its raw (though beautifully disciplined) emotions; from exquisite ballads like "Doughnut Song" "Marianne" "Twinkle" and "Putting The Damage On;" from the strange channeled mystery of "Not The Red Baron"...a song which, if one did not know better (and perhaps we don't) could almost be said to have portended 9/11. The truth is that Amos, as a genius, is probably not even aware of the meaning of 80% of her songs herself. They choose her as their spokeswoman; but it is not her job to interpret their message; only to record her own reactions to it whilst telling it. There is funk here, and heartbreak; there is devastating wit and a wonderful gift for satire ("Professional Widow"). The album's Achilles heel is the overrated and fingernails- on- a- chalkboard annoying "Caught A Lite Sneeze"......a blend of cacophony that sounds like Amos punching her muses in the face, and getting punched back. But to laud this record's virtues would be an essay in itself. It is a goergous work; the accomplishment of an unmistakable genius and an irreplaceably unique artist.

A different yet pleasant album
'Boys For Pele' is the perfect album to put on after a break up, it's got a lot of personal lyrics as Tori fortells some of her personal relationship quests in some of the songs such as Professional Widow.
Though I don't find this to be Tori's BEST album (I don't know what can beat 'Little Earthquakes') but it's still a definite 5 stars. Some of Tori's best songs are on this album. Such as, Putting The Damage On, Horses, Talula and Doughnut Song.
A definite must for any Tori fan and a great addition to anyone's collection. Different musically, as Tori adds in a lot of the organ and other instruments but still lyrically and vocally AMAZING. Brilliant and honest. A great buy.

Pestiferous, infectious, and not for the faint of heart!
Ah yes. Pele. Where does one begin with such a hodgepodge of pure unadulterated emotion and myth? Yes, I admit that I am a major Toriphile, but this record was the contagion which caused my permanent outbreak of Toriphilia. I agree with some of the other reviewers -if you're new to the Church of Tori, it is recommended to start off with where she, Tori, first began (although my own personal prerequisite was Under The Pink -in the beginning I felt like Little Earthquakes was overrated, but of course I was proven wrong...but that's another review.)

Even so, if you have had a more "user-friendly" introduction so to speak, don't expect to like Pele instantly. She demands time and depth.

I owned a copy of Pele for about two years before I even had the nerve to listen to anything other than "Mr. Zebra," and "Hey Jupiter," and well...that was about it. I was frightened at first. Then suddenly I stumbled upon "Talula" and discovered the line, "He's my favorite hooker of the whole bunch." And suddenly I couldn't run away from the sensualsexualpowerful experience of Boys For Pele. It's been a staple for me ever since.

Pick a couple tracks you feel up to at the moment. Get to know each personally, before you venture to another. "Blood Roses" can be quite shocking at first, and rightly so.

If you're still uncertain, just buy Pele, put her on your shelf and wait until a) you've had a nasty, crazycrap ending to an amazing relationship b) you're in that state of mind where you feel like no one in the world could possibly understand you or c) you're about to take on your own sexual revolution.

Don't miss out on, "Professional Widow", "Marianne", "Little Amsterdam", "the Doughnut Song", "Putting the Damage On", "Hey Jupiter" and oh my let us not forget "Caught a Lite Sneeze." And don't get down on "Beauty Queen/Horses." I skipped that one for years, but go on. Eat up that delicious line, "Off with Superfly, sniffing our Sharpie pens, honey it's Bill and Ben." Try Pele if you dare. And discover the love you have for her. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With a slate of more than 200 shows a year, Ben Harper has never been an album-tour-album-tour kind of artist; for him and his fans, the stage is the ultimate proving ground. So after four studio albums, Harper has finally released his first official live set, a 25-song double-disc collection that surveys each of his four albums and adds a couple of well-executed, if not terribly inventive, covers. Disc one is electric and finds Harper and the Innocent Criminals tearing through their patented mix of rock, folk, soul, and blues. Yet, the solo-acoustic disc two is the true prize, putting the spotlight squarely on Harper's incredibly agile, versatile, and enormously moving voice. In this pared-down setting, Harper shows an uncanny ability to connect with his audience, offering one spellbinding performance after another. Culled from two years' worth of shows--no two songs are taken from the same concert--Live from Mars provides a welcome overview of Harper's many facets. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (72)

Past Due
Finally Ben Harper has a live album and while it's past due it's well worth the wait. This cd is a perfect compilation highlighting the many aspects of his show with one disc being the band and one being solo acoustic. And because each is taken from a different night, every song is top quality. Especial highlights for me would be "Steal My Kisses" w/Rahzel and the cover of the Verve's "The Drugs Don't Work." The only complaint one could have would be the inevitable and unavoidable one of track selection. There are going to be a few of his songs not on this that you wish were but if anything that just makes all the reason for another live album of similar nature to be released. And that is definitely a good thing so if you buy this and you are not amazed, maybe you are listening to the wrong type of music.

I already love this album
For those who don't about know them, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals are going to be a pleasant surprise: their music has this incredibly big sound, but the material is very introspective and personal. Ben Harper as a musician is a study in contrast also: his vocals are kind of reminiscent of Cat Stevens if he was a gospel singer, and he plays these blistering licks and chords, completely without any showmanship at all, dictated by his lap-style playing.

Live from Mars is a great title, and a great description. It's a two-record set of live recordings; seemingly recorded in a variety of venues and edited together. This gives the entire album a kind of weird disconnected feeling - the recordings are soundboard mixes that eliminate most of the crowd noise, but it actually serves the songs pretty well. The two discs have been organized to be Loud (disc one) and Quiet (disc two) - kind of splitting up the flow of a coherent performance. While this would be my only complaint, it does allow you to listen to an entire record of your preference, however.

Ben Harper's albums can be a little spotty because the variety of his playing: from bluegrass and zydeco-influenced, to wailing rock guitar, to funky covers of Motown. His live shows are incredible however, and with live recordings like Live From Mars, we'll never need a greatest hits record.

This album is a complete out-of-body experience, either Loud or Quiet. If you like great songwriting that has a great vibe and a great rhythm, or you just like artists that don't sound like anyone else, get this record.

Must Have
A classmate always talked about Ben Harper, so I decided to download a couple of his songs to see what he was about. I didnt really like what I heard but when I borrowed Live From Mars it completely changed my mind. Disc 2 is great and I can listen to it over and over for hours. After hearing the studio versions and live versions I realize that I like Ben much better live. If you havent been impressed by Ben yet buy Live From Mars and you will be. Everyone loves DMB but I think that Ben is much better. I cant wait to catch a concert.

Very dissapointed
Ben Harper was brought to my attention through his association with Jack Johnson. Then Direct TV showed Ben Harper this month on their free concert. I only saw part of the show and decided to buy Live from Mars as my first (and last) Ben Harper CD. I can't get into his music...it doesn't have any flow. His guitar playing is mediocre at best, and his vocals even worse. At times I thought Tiny Tim had come back from the dead. I'll stick with Jack Johnson. Ben Harper was not what I expected, and I utterly fail to see what all the hype is about.

a good sampling of Harper's work
The amazon.com editorial review nails it in describing this release, but what it fails to mention is that the best part of this compilation is the cover of the Verve's "The Drugs Don't Work." Harper's version of this song is beyond spectacular. There are no words to appropriately describe his ability to seemingly connect w/suffering and hardship and portray it w/such grace, sensitivity, and emotion. It's up there w/Elliot Smith's "Between the Bars." Not to mention that the "Whole Lotta Love" cover that's played in the middle of "Faded" makes it my new favorite BH song. The only reason I won't give this release 5 stars is because I would have preferred to hear a different mix of songs, but this album is still highly recommended. ... Read more

Album Description

With Our Shadows Will Remain, Arthur has delivered the album that will connect with the masses. It is at once his most intricate and focused work to date, featuring the mesmerizing rock tracks "Can't Exist" and "Even Tho". With other songs ranging from beautiful acoustic melodies (Echo Park) to harder-edged, expansive driving rock (Devil's Broom), to deep and gritty programmed beats (I Am, Wasted), this album is a real, vital diary of the landscape of urban life and the album that most clearly reveals the breadth of Arthur's incredible talents. Our Shadows Will Remain is an instant classic, destined to make Joseph Arthur a household name. ... Read more

Album Description

'Pass In Time' is a collection of songs taken from BethOrton's three previous albums. Most noted for her subtlevocals reminiscent of 70's singer/songwriters such asCarole King & Carly Simon. Her music is a fusion ofgraceful acoustic folk, melancholy country-blues,down-tempo trip hop & dubby electronica. Includes thesingles 'She Cries Your Name', 'Someone's Daughter' &'Touch Me With Your Love', alongside B-sides, remixes,collaborations, & rarities. 24 tracks. Heavenly. 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Definitive collection?
How can you have a definitive collection of Beth Orton, she is just starting out, she is amazing and I don't see her slowing down quite yet; but whatever.

OK so the record label took Beth's greatest moments and put them all on one CD, PERFECT! Then the found 10 remixes, rarities, etc., and put them on a bonus disc, EXTRA PERFECT! All the Beth anyone could want, right? Wrongo! There is never enough Beth.

But Pass in time is perfect, for true fans and obviously for newcomers to her music. Its the perfect staring point. Once you hear this you'll run out and buy up all the other stuff. This 24 song compilation is worth the purchase though for long time fans, if just for the bonus CD alone.

You may already have her 3 previously released CD's but all her best are here, "She Cries Your Name," "Galaxy of Emptiness ," "Stolen Car," "Central Reservation."

The bonus CD includes the first-rate collaboration with "the Chemical Brothers" on "Where do I begin," She teams up with "Terry Callier" on "Dolphins," and "William Orbit" on "Water from a vine leaf." A reworking of "It's Not the Spotlight" just for this release.

But the biggest bonus here are 2 tracks from her "Superpinkymandy" album (now out of print), John Martyn's electronic "Don't Wanna Know 'Bout Evil" and the delicate "Where Do You Go?" . Both tracks give you a quick peek at her beginnings.

Beth is an undeniably gifted artist who has been copied by many (Dido and Sarah McLachlan, etc.). Her voice and vision cannot be duplicated though. I am sure this collection is far from conclusive, I eagerly await future releases from a shining star among clones.

Currently my favorite CD
I have heard of Beth Orton but never heard her music. One of her other CD's was on the listening station at the musis store and instantly fell in love with her voice. Pass In Time was on sale that week so I picked it up. This has been the only CD in my CD player for the pass two weeks. I haven't gotten tired of it yet. It a refeshing mix of folk, upbeat and very listenable tunes. Both CD's in this package are excellent. Now I need to go buy her other CD's.

Pass the time with Beth
This double CD collection of Beth Orton songs is for anyone who cannot get enough of Beth Orton's wonderful music. I guess that includes me. It can be summed up as a greatest hits record with several remixes included. Disk one includes arguably her greatest tunes of all her three preceding albums with a previously unreleased song called 'The Same Day'. Side one also includes my favorite song by Beth, 'The Sweetest Decline'. I never seem to tire of the song and every time I hear it is like listening to it for the very first time. Disk two is even better. There are several remixes of older Beth material, a completely different version of 'Central Reservation', and older stuff by Beth with William Orbit. Also, there are some songs from Beth's very first album, 'Super Pinky Mandy'. This record is super hard to find, it was released only in Japan and only in very limited copies. I would definitely recommend this CD to anyone wanting to get acquainted with Beth's music. Buy this record and you will find yourself buying all the rest of her stuff. A winner! ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's the rare singer-songwriter whose emotional confessions rise above bathos to find true resonance with their listeners; rarer still the one who can connect their audience with the plight of everyday strangers. Suzanne Vega not only managed that feat on her unlikely, child-abuse themed breakthrough hit "Luka" in ‘88, but opened the door for a renaissance of intelligent, female folk-oriented music in the decade that followed. This 21-track anthology spans Vega's career before and since, a chronicle of cool, sharp-eyed detachment infused by a restless, oft-underrated sense of musical invention that spans club-mixes (the "Tom's Diner" here was originally a "pirate" deejay mix by DNA that Vega wisely adopted), Latin jazz ("Caramel"), electro-percussive rhythm explorations ("Blood Makes Noise," "99.9F," and ""Woman on the Tier" from the Dead Man Walking soundtrack) neo-classicism ("Small Blue Thing") and a sharp-edged pop sense ("I'll Never Be Your Maggie May," "Book of Dreams") that can't be denied. That it's all still clearly rooted in a diverse pantheon that includes Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Woody Guthrie is all the more remarkable. Rarities include "Left of Center" from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack, a live "Queen and the Soldier" and previously import-only "Rosemary." Also features all lyrics and the insightful recollections of Vega colleague/Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Confusing compilation
As a huge fan, I'm inclined to agree with the person below who suggested buying the original albums instead. They each have distinctive sounds and rarely a bad song. But everyone isn't a Suzanne Vega fanatic, and there should be a good compilation of her best songs.

This one would disappoint me. It leaves out many of her best songs and includes lesser numbers. It skips back and forth chronologically and stylistically, potentially annoying given the diversity of Ms. Vega's musical evolution over the years, from stark folk music to pop sounds to electronica and back to a warmer singer-songwriter style.

A best-of-Suzanne-Vega collection is bound to include songs that won't flow together they way her albums do, barring a huge box set. But putting them in chronological order and selecting the songs more judiciously would make for a better listening experience. This is a lasting artist who's likely to wind up with several best-of collections - I'd wait for another or go for the pricier "deluxe" edition that contains a second CD containing quite a few tracks I consider Suzanne Vega's absolute best, and essential to any "best-of" collection.

So much more than "Luka".
I can't believe that this Retrospective came out last week, and it isn't even in the top 1000 sellers. Too bad for all those people that don't realize how talented Suzanne Vega is. This is an amazing, and lengthy collection of her best songs from her first album to her last. Whether you're a fan of her folkier stuff, or her more upbeat songs like "Blood makes noise" and "99.9 farenheit degrees", this has got it all. Included of course is her breakthrough hit "Luka", and "Tom's Diner" featuring DNA. My current favorite is "(I'll never be) your Maggie May". It's Suzanne's take (not cover), on the Rod Stewart Song. So good. This also has her songs from the movies "Dead man walking" and "Pretty in Pink". I saw her live this week, and she put on a great show. She was very nice and down to earth. Of my past 10-20 cd purchases, I might just enjoy this one the most.

wishy washy
Suzanne Vega definetely has talent as she shows us on Luca, Tom's Diner, 99.9 F and some of her other songs also have admirable qualities. Unfortunately her lyrics aren't always that strong and she kind of puts herself into that coffee shop playing female singer-songwriter genre. also this compilation jumps around too much and doesn't maintain a distinct vibe, much like other hits or retrospective packages that come out.

Bullseye
It seems that Suzanne Vega has always been bubbling away in the background - though, for a long time, I quietly wondered what all the fuss was about. When she first broke through with "Marlene on the Wall", all the cool kids at school seemed to really like her. I also remember the really cool fans discussing what was really going on in "The Queen and the Soldier" (and, generally, just how nasty the Queen was). "Luka", released a couple of years later, proved much more popular - and this time, with a much wider crowd. A year or two later, a holiday in France saw "Small Blue Thing" become so associated with a certain girl that, even now, I can't think of one without thinking of the other. After that, the DNA remix of "Tom's Diner" hit the charts just as I was discovering the joys of Guinness. When "No Cheap Thrill" was released, the radio only seemed to play it on Friday evenings as I was driving home from the worst job in the world. Even now, it brings a smile to my face.

I'm not sure if my musical tastes have changed as I've grown older or if it's nostalgia having some sort of effect. Whatever it is, the indifference I once had is now gone. I was about to start picking up her back-catalogue, when I discovered she'd released this Greatest Hits album - just the perfect time for me. All the songs I mentioned above make their appearances, and would form the main highlights for me. (In fact, "Tom's Diner" manages it twice, as both the original version and the DNA remix are included).

The version I have comes with a 'bonus' CD. With 21 tracks on the 'main' CD and a further 8 on the bonus CD, you certainly get your money's worth with this album. It also means that - given this is the first album by Suzanne I've bought - there's a lot of material I'm not familiar with. It's also interesting to hear the different styles she's produced - something I certainly didn't expect. There's a big difference, for example, between "Solitude Standing" (a folk-based song, the style I would most have associated Vega with) and "Blood Makes Noise" (taken from "99.9F" - which won a New York Music Award as Best Rock Album of 1992). Of the songs I hadn't heard before, "Blood Makes Noise" (with its industrial influences) would be one of those I prefer.

Six of the tracks on the bonus CD were taken from a concert, recorded in May 2003. Only one of these tracks, "Widow's Walk" doesn't feature on the main CD - and, of all the songs I hadn't heard before, is the one I like best. It also features two versions of "In Liverpool" (a spoken word version and a song) in addition to the version on the main CD. This would probably be the only criticism I have - three versions of essentially the same thing is a bit much. It also features a new song, called "Anniversary", which is more of the traditional Vega song - an acoustic number, no whistles and bells, with Suzanne singing.

All in all, an excellent package - of all the "Best Of" albums in my CD rack, this is the one I'd rate highest. While this may have been the first album by Suzanne Vega I've bought, it certainly won't be the last.

Breeze of Innocence
Currently busy for a short course but the moment I logged, I couldn't resist to give a 4 Star to 'Luka' - Suzanne Vega for that's how I know her! My name is Luka, I live on the second floor...words flow innocence through the air as she sings along.The child abuse theme and it's a sure message flow too. This ever been my fav number. Marlene on the wall is a good vocal delivery too and 99.9 degrees is another chart not to miss out. The samba music in the following numbers of the charts is pure music that reminds of samba picks. A smooth collection - smooth I say coz its innocence vibrating voice that fills mind with Suzanne Vega's lovely voice lingering for long time. A good Pick. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Only months after his initial conquest with My Aim Is True, Elvis Costello delivered an even fiercer diatribe. His first record with the long-running Attractions, 1978's This Year's Model remains one of that blistering rock year's most indelible albums. Orwellian even when not directly alluding to the great man (a sly nod to 1984 on "Living in Paradise"), the 22-year-old and band crashed through the raging anti-party of "Pump It Up" ("When you don't really need it"), the perverted Spectorisms of "Hand in Hand," the punk manifesto "Radio, Radio," and the stylishly anti-fashion "This Year's Girl" (in the season of Suzanne Somers, no less) with no less force than the Clash. Probably his greatest, most elegantly imagined and rendered long-player. The bonus tracks on Rhino's 2002 edition include an "Alison"-style take on Costello's country ballad "Stranger in the House" and a cover of the Damned's "Neat Neat Neat," both early proof of the new king's adeptness at outfitting his sets with conceptually brilliant surprises.--Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Fall in to submission, hit and run transmission.
If "My Aim Is True" landed on the music scene like a stick of dynamite with the fuse lit, "This Year's Model" was the explosion that came after. Elvis' first album with the Attractions more than lived up to its predecessor, in that having a working band behind him matched the music to the blunt force of the songs.

Once again, it is the stark voice of EC that opened the album as he ominously intones "I don't wannna kiss you, I don't wanna touch." When the players kick in, it's a whole 'nother world from "My Aim Is True," and for the first time, "new wave" had a front man. Before this album had been released, one of the central songs had made headlines. Elvis' broadside at narrow-format broadcasting, "Radio Radio," was performed in such a bizarre fashion on Saturday Night Live that he was effectively banned from the show for almost a decade and made this (then) seventeen year-old a fan for life. That performance sealed a decision for me to get into radio and make artists like Elvis accessible to listeners. When I was fortunate enough to tell him this many years later, Elvis kindly autographed a ragged poster of "Armed Forces" "Don't blame me."

Personal nostalgia aside, this double disc version "This Year's Model" contains all the songs that comprised the original US and UK versions and the original UK artwork. These are some of the songs by which EC is measured, like "Radio Radio," "Pump it Up" and "The Beat." The Attractions' playing was melody driven in addition to frenetic, a perfect compliment to Elvis' brilliant lyrics. And it was already becoming apparent that keyboardist Steve Nieve was becoming an architect of what American ears would identify as "punk rock."

The bonus disc contains two finished cuts with "Big Tears" and "Crawling To The USA." "Big Tears" is noteworthy in that Elvis has often said he wanted Dusty Springfield to record it and it was written in the style of Bacharach...and we all know where that ambition eventually led. The liner notes, as Elvis describes the whirlwind of forming The Attractions and heading for the US, are fun as well as the pictures. (I do wish the US album cover shot of Elvis with his face partially obscured by the camera had been included somewhere.) The remainder of the bonus CD provides some hot live recordings that proved what this band of raving 20 somethings were capable in their rock and roll youth.

Any Year's Model
This Year's Model was Elvis Costello's second album and his first with the Attractions. Mr. Costello embodied the angry attitude of punk rock, but unlike most punk bands that were unskilled musicians that thrived on energy, he has an unbelievable sharp pen and a great ear for melody. The album opens with the fierce "No Action" that in fine punk form clocks in at less than two minutes. "This Year's Girl" is wry take on the fame machine. "The Beat" has a catchy organ riff and is Mr. Costello's look at self-gratification. "Pump It Up" is a fiery track as is "Lip Service". "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea" has a manic verve while "Little Triggers" slows things down. "Radio Radio" is the most famous off the album, but the album's best track is "Lipstick Vogue". The song has a thumping bass line that shuffles along until a frenzied close. This Year's Model gave further proof that Elvis Costello may well be the king.

Phenomenal, essential to any music fan
Everything about this album screams perfection. From the catchy yet complex lyrics about love and lust to the tight musicianship by the Attractions. Mr. Costello wears his heart on his sleeve with every note that he sings.

There is not one weak track here, in fact they are all perfect in every way. I kid you not. I suppose that if I had to pick highlights they would be "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" "Hand in Hand" and "Radio, Radio." With this record alone, Mr. Costello proves that he deserves to be hailed by some critics as one of the best recording artists of all time. And the fact that it only took him a matter of months to do this? Mind-boggling indeed.

Fall in to submission, hit and run transmission
If "My Aim Is True" landed on the music scene like a stick of dynamite with the fuse lit, "This Year's Model" was the explosion that came after. Elvis' first album with the Attractions more than lived up to its predecessor, in that having a working band behind him matched the music to the blunt force of the songs.

Once again, it is the stark voice of EC that opened the album as he ominously intones "I don't wannna kiss you, I don't wanna touch." When the players kick in, it's a whole 'nother world from "My Aim Is True," and for the first time, "new wave" had a front man. Before this album had even been released, one of the central songs had made headlines. Elvis' broadside at narrow-format broadcasting, "Radio Radio," was performed in such a bizarre fashion on Saturday Night Live that he was effectively banned from the show for almost a decade and made this (then) seventeen year-old a fan for life. That performance sealed a decision for me to get into radio and make artists like Elvis accessible to listeners. When I was fortunate enough to tell him this many years later, Elvis kindly autographed a ragged poster of "Armed Forces," "Don't blame me."

Personal nostalgia aside, this double disc version "This Year's Model" contains all the songs that comprised the original US and UK versions and the original UK artwork. These are some of the songs by which EC is measured, like "Radio Radio," "Pump it Up" and "The Beat." The Attractions' playing was melody driven in addition to frenetic, a perfect compliment to Elvis' brilliant lyrics. And it was already becoming apparent that keyboardist Steve Nieve was becoming an architect of what American ears would identify as "punk rock."

The bonus disc contains two finished cuts with "Big Tears" and "Crawling To The USA." "Big Tears" is noteworthy in that Elvis has often said he wanted Dusty Springfield to record it and it was written in the style of Bacharach...and we all know where that ambition eventually led. The historical notes from Elvis are great fun, as well the pictures. (I do wish the US "This Year's Model" cover shot of Elvis with his face partially obscured behind the camera had been included somewhere.) The remainder of the bonus CD provides some hot live recordings that proved what this band of raving 20 somethings were capable in their rock and roll youth.

10 out of 10 for the first two albums...
While I absolutely LOVE "My Aim Is True," I honestly think this album is a bit more than an iota better. While in modern days, his light may have been dimmed quite a bit, back in the day Elvis Costello was an immense luminary, a visionary. He saw what he liked; he wrote about it. He saw what he disliked; he wrote about it. He even took on corporate music and the radio with "Radio, Radio," playing it on Saturday Night Live in protest of his record company's indefatigable requests to play "Less Than Zero" (a solid good song, mind you, but overplayed).

Then there's the opener, "No Action" covers a relationship that is more like a game, where at least one person is not sure what the real terms of the relationship are, and the other just wants the unsure member to go away. Meanwhile, on a completely different note, "Pump It Up" (with its powerful, repetitive guitar and organ chords) takes a stand against doing things in excess. "Pump it up until you can feel it, pump it up when you don't really need it."

If you're a real music fan, you'll own this and "My Aim Is True." ... Read more

Amazon.com

Give Poe credit for overcoming obstacles and delivering a second album as ambitious and loaded as Haunted. Extending over 15 wildly diverse tracks linked together by ambient interludes and spooky tape splices of old cassette recordings featuring the singer's late father, documentary filmmaker Tad Danielewski, the album shows the songstress moving effortlessly through ethereal folk-hop ("Haunted"), Shania Twain-style country rock ("Walk the Walk"), and flamenco-infused balladry ("Spanish Doll"). The only constant through the turbulence--emotional and otherwise--remains her desperately romantic voice and its desire to bid her father a proper farewell at every turn. --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Reviews (237)

If you like PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, and Fiona Apple.
I had almost forgotten about Poe, I was 14 when she had her hit "Angry Johnny" and I loved that song. One day at the mall I stumbled across Haunted and saw the name Poe and immediately decided to buy it. I am so glad I did, this is one of the few albums I own that you can listen to all the way through without skipping a single track.

Every single track on here is exceptional, this is a concept album in a way, and it relates to her brothers book (House of Leaves) and the death of thier father. She uses samples of his voice on a lot of the tracks, but they don't end up sounding clumsy or innapropriate but instead add depth to the album.

Poe is also an exceptional song writer songs like Amazed, Control, Haunted, Terrible Thought, and Wild all benifit from her excellent song writing and beautiful musical arrangemnts.

Control is a sassy in your face song clearly written to an ex with excellent lyrics like "You may be king for the moment/ but I am a queen understand/ and I got your pawns and bishops and castles all inside the pawn of my hand". The chorus will be stuck in your head for days.

Haunted adresses the issue of facing problems that won't go away with lyrics like "Come here / no I won't say please/ take one more look at the ghost before I make it leave". The music will be stuck in your head for days.

Terrible Thought is my favorite track on the album it starts of very bluesy and mellow and then whips it's self into a frenzy by the end with Poe singing "You're breaking my stride/ you poisonous vine/ you're strangeling me inside/ you're breaking my stride".

Wild is the longest track on the album at 9:00. It's got beautiful music and starts of slow and mellow but halfway through it sounds downwright dancy. A really beautiful song with lyrics like "You've got some nerve to come back here/ you're not the only one who can smell fear".

5 and 1/2 minute hallway is very Beatelesque and a beautiful song. with lyrics like "Oh by the way when the land lord came today he measured everything/ I knew he'd get it wrong/ But I just played along 'cause I was hopeing that would fix it all/ But there is only so far I can go". Very beautiful.

Not a Virgin is my second favorite, it's basically her talking about how she's not a virgin and she's proud. "I've been arond/ In fact i've been up and down youre block/In fact I have been all over town". Very funny and a great song.

If you were here, is a touching ballad directed toward her father, she uses samples of his voice intercut with her vocals. Very touching.

Lemon Meringue is a sassy soulful song with lyrics like "Stop right there before I get bitter/got to be a better way/ got to be a way to make it sweeter/a little more like lemon meringue. Reminds me of Beck during his Midnight Vultures phase, a realy good song.

The whole album is amazing, what can I say. I'm amazed.

Thunderous beats and schizo lyrics...
Poe's HAUNTED is designed to be both a tribute to her late father, Tad Danielewski, and a companion piece to her brother's mammoth literary creation, HOUSE OF LEAVES, a haunted house story like no other. It was the relationship between her album and this book that first attracted me to the album. I was amazed by the book and then, pleasantly surprised by the album.

HAUNTED starts out with several heavy hitters like the title track, "Control," and "Walk the Walk." "Walk the Walk" rocks more than anything on mainstream radio, except maybe Sting or Bon Jovi, but it's toward the end of the song when Poe's thunder has somewhat calmed when her father's voice comes over to say: "It's a wonderful idea...but it doesn't work." He provides certain revelations along the span of the album. He's not talking ABOUT the album of course.

It's after the 9-minute long epic "Wild" that Poe's songs become more thoughtful, but sometimes boring like is the case with "5&1/2 Minute Hallway" or "Lemon Meringue." "Not a Virgin" is hilarious as Poe tells everyone "In fact, I've been all over town" then follows up with the statement "Tell me something dangerous and true." "Hey Pretty" continues the sweaty atmosphere. Is it a coincidence that the video for "Hey Pretty" features mud wrestling and some pretty suggestive car washing?

Some artists jumped on the Latin explosion bandwagon and ended up failing miserably (98 Degrees' "Esta Noche"), but on "Spanish Doll," Poe crafts a successful downtempo gem of a Latin ballad in which she compares herself to a tattered doll her lover has neglected and broken. "Could've Gone Mad" is a fun song in which Poe tells her desired "If you want a dog or a big bullfrog, I've got room for them." "Amazed" shows another facet of Poe's personality; it sounds like a Tori Amos song with only slightly cryptic lyrics.

Finally, there is "If You Were Here." A truly touching and even haunting song as Poe's father's voice comes in to have a conversation with his daughter. It's amazing how the clips from his life fit perfectly in with the lyrics of the song.

In HAUNTED, Poe has crafted a very good album filled with wildly diverse genres of songs, giving us a peek at her emotional personality. Every song is infused with passion and strength, and she wants us to know that she got it from her father.

One of the best ever.
I love this album, a lot. It took me about a year to listen to it after I bought, but now I listen to it at least twice a week. I have over 200 cds in my collection and you could take all of them away and leave me this one and I would be just fine I think.

Perfection. Ambient and beautiful.
Poe is the sister of an author I am reading now, Mark Z. Danielewski, and this CD connects with his book "House of Leaves." Don't think, because of that, this is some capitalistic tie-in, this CD stands alone as mostly a tribut to her father, who died. Samplings of his voice in all the tracks, along with the first track being the message she left on her mother's phone, telling her that dad had died. Then on with the perfectly ambient, yet structured music... it all goes perfectly together, and each song, along with being it's own whole, flows perfectly with the theme of the CD. Also I was very impressed with the CD artwork, which is photographs of Poe with this insane looking child, all photographs wonderfully chilling with calm insanity.

This is a wonderful CD and I suggest it to anyone that enjoys very good music.

Perfection
"Ever read any Poe?"
"No, but I LOVED her last album."

With this dialogue exchange from Panic Room, I was first introduced to the singer Poe. When looking for her online a few days ago, I saw THIS and assumed it was the album in question. So, I bought it after hearing some sample tracks.
After listening to this album, I can say this: had it been her debut, it would have gotten more praise than it already has, and it could have made her a superstar. That's how good it is. But no, it peaked at #115 in a year of N'Sync, Britney Spears and The Backstreet Boys. This could have launched a musical revolution with it's eerie concept, it's swirling music, and the "beyondthegrave" recordings of her father, whose death dominates the album. Buy it. I did and I'm VERY happy with my purchase.

EDIT: It has, since the day I wrote this, become my favorite album. Best Songs: Haunted, Hey Pretty, Control, Terrible Thought, Not A Virgin, Walk The Walk. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mann has retired the 'Til Tuesday moniker, but the elements that made Everything's Different Now (1988) so superb--heartrending songs, baroque pop arrangements and lovely melodies--remains intact. Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (52)

In a Word, Fantastic
Aimee Mann's first official solo debut was released after the Til Tuesday epitaph Everything's Different Now (which, in fact, was really Mann solo). Whatever turns out to be her second masterpiece in a row, and it is arguably the best pop album of the '90s. Mann abandons the synth-pop flourishes that sometimes hindered her previous band's recordings and opts for a more organic, Beatle-esque production thanks to new producer Jon Brion. It also helps that her lyrics are becoming more and more literate.

Sometimes Brion's production seems cluttered, as in the album's opener "I Should've Known". But the rest of the record never reaches anything close to a false note again. "Fifty Years After the Fair" and "Put Me On Top" perfectly channel the Beatles circa Rubber Soul, and "Mr. Harris" is a eloquent ballad worthy of Harry Nilsson's best work. "4th of July" and "Jacob Marley's Chain" are fantastic examples of folk-pop at its most melodic, and the vaudevillian-styled closer "Way Back When" manages to sound both sincere and ironic at the same. Mann has recorded two other classics since then, but she has yet to top this masterful piece of work.

She's Got the River, down which I sold her....
I was a reluctant Aimee Mann fan. I don't know why. I liked Til Tuesday, liked "I Should've Known" when it was released as a single. It wasn't until I'm With Stupid was released that I finally decided to listen. I kick myself now. How often does an album come along that is so superb, so perfect, so much the soundtrack of YOUR OWN LIFE? That was I'm With Stupid for me... and it lead me directly to Aimee Mann's first solo album. At first I was disappointed with it because it just wasn't I'm With Stupid. (Yeah, I know, I thought at the time that that was a bad thing!) However, as I listened to it more and more, I found that Whatever is different from I'm With Stupid... just as hard-hitting, emotional, and powerful... but stylistically different.

From the painful lyrics of "4th of July" and "Stupid Thing" to the somehow touching songs like "I've Had It", Mann writes the most intelligent lyrics-- which never fail to hit a chord with listeners-- of the last decade (at the very least.) Mann writes poignant and thought-provoking lyrics to which anyone can relate; she has the special gift of putting into clever word constructions what most of us feel but cannot express. She does all of this without being contrived or sappy. Definitely a songwriter unlike any other, although like many great songwriters (Mann's husband, Michael Penn or former Crowded House frontman Neil Finn)Mann has been the darling of media critics but never noticed by mainstream audiences. (This has a lot to do with the corporate structure of record companies and the ownership of artistic material; another story for another day.) Mann, though, has never compromised her artistic values and vision, and this is clear from her earliest solo recordings through to the present day.

Are you stupid?
This is one of the great albums of all time.The melodies and prose are exceptional.They clearly linger 11 years after first hearing this album.The beauty of this album will never leave those who care to invest 1% of their soul.

Manniacs will not be disappointed
As an Aimee fan, I was all over the place. I was introduced to the Goddess through a CD I picked up which featured "Fifty Years After The Fair." After that I bought I'm With Stupid, Bachelor No. 2 and Whatever (in that order -- and of course, Lost In Space when it was released!) Aimee has a way of always getting under your skin with her beautifully evocative lyrics. Just listen to gorgeously raw songs like "Stupid Thing" and "4th Of July." Her voice is incredible, and her talent is further showcased by the wide array of sounds and beats that she brings to the table by combining different instruments (see: "Way Back When.") No one does it better. If you're not familiar with Aimee, or only familiar with the Til Tuesday hit "Voices Carry" (of which Aimee was lead singer) buy this album first. It's a good introduction. Then buy I'm With Stupid. And Bachelor No 2. And Lost In Space. And anything else with Aimee Mann's name on it. Give her a try. She's worth it.

Very weak compared to "Lost In Space"
I only recently got into Ms. Mann's music, in the form of her latest CD "Lost In Space." I was so much impressed with that disc that I decided to go out and purchase an earlier album of hers - but was very disappointed with "Whatever." Compared to her later work, "Whatever" has weak vocals, cheap lyrics and needlessly complex key changes just for the sake of trying to be musically different or impressive. I've listened to this CD perhaps a dozen times since getting it (I sometimes tend to make hasty decisions about an album, and only revise my opinion after repeated listenings), and can honestly say that I just don't like this release.

I'm happy to say that her voice is much more powerful, mature and stable on "Lost In Space," which has become one of my favorite albums by a female vocalist. But on "Whatever," I think that perhaps only one song is worth listening to ("I've Had It"). I'm interested to find out exactly where along the line between 1993 and 2003 she started to really come into her own as a vocalist! ... Read more