Amazon.com

Early buzz on The Emancipation of Mimi had it that this would be the disc to mark "the return of the voice"—the voice being that glass-shattering instrument that propelled Carey to best-selling female artist of all time status—and mostly it is. But because of the small army of talent involved in its assembly, it's also way more than that. For straight-ahead, look-out-Beyonce-Mimi's-still-got-it reinforcement, try "Mine Again," a ‘70s-soul cuddle-up, "Circles," a soaring, don't-attempt-this-on-American-Idol love song, the gospel dazzler "Fly Like a Bird," and "Stay the Night." But for songs that steer this disc directly into 2005, no looking back, scan the jewel case for the tracks followed by the word "featuring": "To the Floor," with Nelly, bumps along to maximum booty-shaking effect, while Twista spins his natural-disaster-force vocal into "One and Only." Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, and Jermaine Dupri also pitch in; between them and the highwire vocals, Emancipation works the kind of pure-pop magic that sets us all free. --Tammy La Gorce

More from Mariah

Mariah Carey	Emotions	Music Box
Merry Christmas	# 1's	Glitter

... Read more

Reviews (533)

The Comeback
I love this album, the songs on here are very beautiful, well written and well produced, and there is not a single filler on this CD. This album was very well received by the general public and the singles are doing extremely well on the charts. The single "We Belong Together" became Carey's 16th #1 single which puts her 4 singles ahead of Madonna, who is in second place in terms of greatest number of #1 singles amongst female artists. The album opened its first week with sales of just under 404 000 copies, which is the biggest first week sales of her career, and it's currently still in the top 5. At first, I didn't like the debut single "It's Like That" because it was too hip hop influenced and she was singing things I would expect to hear from Beyonce or Ashanti. But after quite some time, the single grew onto me from frequent radio play and now, I love the song. "We Belong Together" grew on me instantly because it was a typical Mariah Carey ballad. All in all, this is a fantastic album, like Butterfly, and if you have to get one CD this year, get this one cause it is off the charts, literally!

Lovin' Ms. Mimi!
Alright, Mariah's back after an almost 3 year solo haitus, and she's come back with a vengence! It's Like That was a great intro to a great album! We Belong Together gets Mariah her 16th #1, how sweet is that? Then we have the next single & my favorite track, Shake It Off! The track is just so much fun, it's amazing! Mine Again is a wonder ballad! The Neptunes produced tracks Say Somethin' & To The Floor may not be signature Mariah, but they are very catchy. Stay The Night is so emotional, & Kanye did a great job producing it. Get Your Number, the fourth JD produced track, is another catchy song. After all that, the ballad-love songs begin to roll! Your Girl, Circles, & I Wish You Knew may be considered filler, but being that they are back to back, they just seem to fit! Next is Joy Ride, which is aight. Lastly is Fly Like a Bird, which is another beautifully, emotional gospel song. Love the part where she belts "I need the strenth of you to survive" before she hits that extra high note. And for those that even think she's copying anyone else in the industry (Beyonce...) Uh, 1 year of solo hits doesn't compare to 10+, so get real.

What can we say?
What is there to say about a woman that has been around for 15 years through heartache, heartbreak, triumph and pain.This album is slamming. ONE OF HER BEST. I have almost all of her CD's and this is one of the best.Her range alone speaks volume but her ability to write a song, compose it and produce it speaks higher.Many are a good singer but few can write and produce.Her octaves are breath taking and just her confidence in herself is enough. I remember the first day I heard Vision of Love in the early 1990's.I said who is this singing?I have been hooked every since. The songs I love are:We belong together, Circles, It's like that,Say Somethin (with Snoop), To the Floor (Nelly) and for those who need inspiration she ends it with Fly Like a Bird.I am a singer and if my career takes off, this is someone I want to mirror.God bless you Mariah, thanks for sharing your gift of song with us.Thanks to the good Lord above for blessing her with the gift of song.READERS go and buy it.One of the best albums for 2005.Tee

Great Job, Mariah :-)
This album is so refreshing for me. It's been so long since we've all heard Mariah Carey. And I'm excited to report that it was worth the wait. I LOVE her voice and always have. This is the best album of 2005 so far.

1. It's Like That (5/5)
2. We Belong Together (5/5)
3. Shake It Off (4.5/5)
4. Mine Again (5/5)
5. Say Somethin' (4.5/5)
6. Stay The Night (5/5)
7. Get Your Number (3.5/5)
8. One And only (5/5)
9. Circles (4.5/5)
10. Your Girl (4/5)
11. I Wish You Knew (5/5)
12. To The Floor (3.5/5)
13. Joy Ride (5/5)
14. Fly Like A Bird (5/5)

1.3 Million and Counting!!!
Mariah has sold 1.3 million copies of her wonderful album, "The Emancipation of Mimi." She is currently #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her smash hit "We Belong Together." Her 16th #1 to be exact. Mariah is breaking records and defying expectations. She is solidifying her place in history as one of the greatest singers ever. Thanks to great production and songwriting, "The Emancipation of Mimi" will surely stand out as one of her best. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of another great run. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Killers. Interpol. Franz Ferdinand. Without New Order's influence they could have all ended up making albums of country & western ballads. Since the demise of Joy Division in 1980, the British synth-pop quartet has been diligently changing the course of popular music, lobbing unlikely but inventive hits like "Blue Monday" and "True Faith" into the charts. Twenty-five years on, New Order remains shockingly vital. Its eighth proper album overflows with shimmering melodies, anchored by Peter Hook's spine-tingling bass lines and Bernard Sumner's thin but emotive voice in thrilling new songs like "Krafty" and "Dracula's Castle." -- Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (74)

Will someone please steal this album from me?
Why the odd title?I drive a little over a half hour (each way) to and from work, and since I bought this album I have listened to it over and over.(I know, dumb eh?)

At first listen I thought "Get Ready" was a far superior album, but I found that the more I listened the more I heard.By far a much more progressive album for New Order, but still classic sounding that fits the fact that "yes, New Order was an 80's band", but this is their new album that is so 21st century.A worthy addition to any collection, whether rock, pop, 80's, or synth.

Refreshing....!!!!!
In am an old Joy Division fan and have followed New Order ever since.When Technique came out in 1989 I could not stop playing it when I was in Brunei of all places.Since then I have had kids, etc. etc. but still love to listen to music.My favorite station is http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/.So when they started playing the new NO some months ago I could not believe my ears and straight away pre-ordered it on www.amazon.com. It took some getting used to but now it is the CD I play most in the car and it brings tons of smiles to my face.The kids may not like it too much but for me it brings back good memories and it is so refreshing to see that old 'rockers' can still bring out a record that surely must be one of the top ten of this year.If you like their record and have not discovered BBC1 go to their website and listen to the live show or the various shows from the previous week which are all accessible on their 'player'.If you pay $12/month here for satellite radio then think again...

Alt-rock icons make us feel like its 1992 all over again.
New Order's history is filled with mournful iciness, sublime electro-disco, seminal Britpop and episodes of portly overblown grandeur. And, depending on what moves them, the band's fans always seem to gravitate toward one of these elements more than the others. To that end, Waiting For The Sirens' Call offers something for everyone: "Turn" has that 1986 college-rockin' jangle that'll make elderly R.E.M. fans tingle. For the synth- and sequencer-damaged among us, there's the electrolytic "Krafty" and the disco workout "Guilt Is A Useless Emotion." Going off on another tangent, "Workin' Overtime" is the band's simultaneous nod to '60s garage rock, the Beatles' "I Feel Fine" and that last Elvis Costello album.

The axis of mystery and implied arrogance that made New Order compelling may be gone, but that's okay; none of us is the same person we were decades ago. As far as right now goes, Waiting For The Siren's Call is a fine distillation of everything New Order have been. And when you've got a passport that's as thick as theirs, it's admirable that they refuse just to walk away from this thing entirely.spin j.p

Definitely not an "instant hit" album!
Waiting for the sirens' call will NOT hook you immediately. It's not that kind of album. There isn't any obvious hits, except Who's Joe, Krafty or Jetstream.
When I played it the first time I was kind of bored. Too many songs didn't hook me, sounded just "ok" and after Get Ready, I was disappointed.
However, days passed and I didn't play the album - didn't want to! And then, when I played it again after a week or so, out of nowhere, I started to like the songs! One by one, they PERFECTLY matched each other - carrying specific mood.

Now I think it's one of their better releases - much better than, for example, Republic and on par with Get Ready (I like that album very much).
It's incredible how this album works! If you like New Order, you'll certainly love this album. Do NOT expect to like it on the first listen! You probably won't - maybe just 3-4 songs!

This album has some ultimate NO gems and classics: Who's Joe?, Waiting for the siren's call, Dracula's Castle, Turn. They are magnificent!

There are no fillers here, excet that I don't like "I told you so" that much - interesting, but not my cup of tea, and "Guilt is a useless emotion" has some kind of generic chorus. That's a shame, considering that the song starts extremely well! Just the chorus isn't that memorable. But great for a summer fun! :)

All in all, a very very solid effort. As the time goes by, I expect that I'll like this album even more. It's THAT kind of a record. So refreshing these days - I'm fed up of instant hits that I get bored with after few weeks/months.

Just another perfect album!
At first listen I did not like Waiting For the Siren's Call as much as New Order's last album Get Ready. This album is just as good as Get Ready. If you want a perfect album from a great band. Pick up Waiting for the Siren's Call and Get Ready, Get Ready was the best album of 2001 in my eyes. WFTSC is going to be in the running this year.

Dear, New Order

Why havn't you toured the US other than a couple of dates. Please come to Pittsburgh.

Yours Truly, Substance ... Read more

Amazon.com

Once a roving maverick who skipped from euphoric rave to speed-metal to ambient soundscaping as if just to prove he could, recent years have seen Richard Melville Hall relax into a comfortable--and yes, lucrative--niche. On the surface, Hotel follows a similarly laid-back trajectory to his last two albums, Play and 18; melancholic torch-songs indebted to electro-pop, gospel, and David Bowie's "Heroes." That vibe is typified on Hotel by the rousing, keyboard-drenched likes of "Beautiful" and the twinkling, optimistic "Spiders," but that's not to say Moby is stagnating, exactly. For one, he's bravely jettisoned the vocal samples that powered the likes of "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" and relies instead on his own understated, faintly awestruck vocals--and, indeed,those of guest vocalist Laura Dawn, whose sparse, synth-and-drum-machine cover of New Order's "Temptation" is a low-key highlight. But there's also a return to his raving roots on the pulsing, diva-led "Very," and a touch of politics on "Lift Me Up"--a song that hides its contempt for the Bush Administration amid a dark carnival of sweeping strings and disco-noir rhythms. --Louis Pattison ... Read more

Reviews (98)

nothing ventured nothing gained
Moby came out with Play in 1999 and it was a dud. Then six months later it was like a tidal wave. People were digging it all over. When I went to London in 2000, I saw Moby posters up all over. It was one of the biggest records of the time. It was big enough that Eminem attacked him that year. Moby started hanging out with Bowie and became an international rock star. That was weird because all I remember was some samples of some Delta Blues records. His next record 18 was a real dud. Even the single "Stars" that was tacked on afterwards didn't help it at all. That was okay because Moby was an artist who put out a lot of different records. Now it's six years later and Moby is a very different cat. The first two songs "Raining Again" and "Beautiful" are great tracks. These are almost standard rock songs with Moby's vocals. There are a few guest vocals. Some of these songs sound like demos. Moby's voice starts to wear thin. What is he singing about again? Why should I care? It's like Moby did a very introspective album, but didn't find anything interesting to talk about, but was too unaware to know any better. Moby is just yanking our chain.

Not his best
The sounds of "Hotel" are simply not as thumping and exciting as anything on "Play," nor are they as sinuous and insightful as anything from "18." "Hotel" sounds less like the progress of a maturing artist than a half-hearted collection of songs that Moby may not have released except for increasing pressure to come out with something new.

"Hotel" lacks the ragged edges of Moby's earlier works and almost comes off as a prepackaged group of sounds to be chopped up and placed in Volkswagen commercials. It's still pleasant to listen to, but it doesn't have the "gotta start the whole CD over again" grab that "Play," and, to a lesser degree, "18" have.

If you are new to Moby, stick with the classics. If you want to listen to some decent but not groundbreaking dance tracks and a couple of moody makeout songs, go ahead and get "Hotel."

A mix of genres
This is the first album of Moby I bought, and I am surprised. I didn't expct 'real' songs. I mean, songs without this order: couplet-chorus-couplet-chorus-bridge-chorus. But most tracks are 'real' songs! I also expected dance and trance, but this album has many rock and many slow songs. The songs are more simple then I expected. I heard Moby was a music genius so I decided to buy this album and I hoped to hear something new. Well, I dind't. But in the end I was happy with this album because the songs are good. It fits in my CD collection and I will also buy Moby's other abums.

The album has 12 tracks and an intro and an outro. However, my CD has 2 outro's, while on the backside of the CD it says 14 tracks. A fault or was it meant to be a surprise? Anyway, let's continue. The first half of the album has many rock songs and the second half has many ballads. Moby hasen't got a great voice but somehow it seems to match the songs. Laura Dawn sings with him sometimes. She also has a whole song she she alone, Temptation. It's called Temptation and it sounds very quietly. It calms you down. Lift Me Up stays in your head with it's simple chorus, repeatig 'lift me up' all the time.

Raining Again, Beautiful and Spiders are all simple rock songs but they are all very different. Moby has got a good voice for rock. You want to sing the songs when you hear them. The melodies are good. The lyrics are simple, but not that bad they ruin the song. Track 9 is a gay track. Laura sings very high and if you are straight you will hate this song, just like me. It really sucks. Forever has a special effect. Moby's voice is low but the background melody is high. It gives a mysterious, good effect. I Like it is the best track of the album. With some sexy sounds and Moby's and Laura's voice it sounds very orginal. Dream About me really is a dreaming song. If you hear it you think about the paradise. It has a classic melody.

I could also review the other songs, but thrust me: Buy this album. If you don't like one half you could always like the other. The music is a mix of diffrent genres. You will love each song at least a bit. The intro's sound mysterious and are a perfect way to open and end the album. Moby did a good job.

one for the day, the other for night
This review is for the 2 disc version 1) vocal2) ambient.

Disc one is great for the day time with the exception of a few clunkers [New Order tune].But it also has some real winners [Lift Me Up].

Disc two is just perfect for the night... excellent ambient music to help you wind down from a tough day at work or a wild night out.Perfect as the last disc of the day, as you doze off.My favorite of the two discs.

Pick your favorites from disc one and add them to your shuffle.Leave disc two by the bedside for deep relaxation.

I live the how he split the music into 2 CDs
I got my "hotel" from amazon last week.

Been listening too both CDs equally. I would give this album 4 stars, it is not quite as good as his past two albums, but I added a star for splitting the CDs into two. He put his relaxing music on a disc labeled "Hotel:Ambient" and his faster paced vocal/music on a CD simply labeled "Hotel". So now when I studying or trying to relax, I put in the Hotel:Ambient CD. When I'm driving or working, I put in the Hotel CD. I appreciate him thinking about how his fans would listen to his music, and both of them help me get through my day.

Thanks Moby. ... Read more

Amazon.com

M.I.A.'s debut record is both intensely urban and aggressively modern. The group's sole member, Maya Arul, infuses her blend of hip-hop and chunky electro with raw, tribal overtones and a healthy dose of sex appeal. There are elements of world music here, in Arul's multi-lingual vocal as well as the tonal shifts and instrumentation (like the drone that opens up "Hombre"). Her delivery uses a variety of yelps and tics full of street-wise confidence and bratty energy. But there's also an appealing melodic sense, like early Neneh Cherry or Miss Kitten when she's not in diva-mode. M.I.A. doesn't really sound like anybody; the music is just experimental enough to wiggle out of easy comparisons. The IDM-style bleeps and beeps of "Galang," for example, give an already catchy song extra punch. The only problem with the record, a common flaw for debuts, is a sameness from track to track which robs it of the ability to surprise. Still, Arul is hugely talented and her abundant originality packs a wallop. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Best of 2005
For me this is the record of the year. It combines a unique sound with dramatic vocal pyrotechnics. It jams and blows up at every possible point. It is much better than Ms. Dynamite and other British hiphop records. The first songs have already influenced the music of Gwen Stefani. "Pull Up The People" is just an amazing track. It bubbles and squeaks. "Bucky Done Gun" which is even better follows this. The horn sound is just mind-blowing. Her music is a mix of hiphop, reggae, calypso and pop music. It's become some original hybrid. The album ends with two more great songs: "Sunshowers" and "Galang." This record has all the greatness of Bob Dylan and Lauren Hill. This record will be listened to for years.

URAQT
This is an album that will very quickly move into your regular rotation...that is if you like this type of fusion between dancehall, rap, electronica, tribal etc... I've read some pretty bitter reviews and I just don't understand the acrimony. If it's not for you then just get over it, but I personally think that this is an amazing work of creativity and expression. It's lucky for me that I happened to be living in Germany when I bought this record because my favorite song (URAQT) has been omitted from the US version. I don't understand why people like Lil Kim and Marilyn Manson can have their stuff released in the US but a song about kicking some girls butt for messing with your man is apparantly too taboo. The song is really great, and if you've dealt with a home wrecker then it's even greater, lol. Please try to buy the non-US version, if only for that one song. There are a few weak songs on this album (i could do without Sunshowers and Bingo) however the good ones (Bucky Done Gun, Pull Up The People, $10, Hombre, Fire Fire) more than make up for the duds. Her voice is very eclectic, going from sexy and fun on one track to aggressive and bombastic on another. Kind of reminds me of Bjork in a less evolved way but give her time. M.I.A is definately a new breed in her own right however and her unique style and delivery give her a place all her own. This is music to be listened to in your car at full volume or on a set of head phones also at full volume. It's feel good move your body music interwoven with subtle and not so subtle political messages ('Pull up the people, pull up the poor...') that are irrelevant if all you want to do is jam to some good beats. I support her views for the most part but I can see how they could detract from the music. There's a lot of violent imagery...but her father is a rebel fighter so I'm not surprised. Really though, all of the over hype and eye brow raising surrounding her background is just that. The music speaks for itself. Do yourself a favor and buy this as soon as you can.

Amazing album but there's a track missing!
First read about MIA in an issue of The New Yorker magazine in November 2004.Couldnt wait for the album to appear (scheduled for February 2005).Pre-ordered from Amazon USA.Strange delays, then order cancelled. Re-ordered and received a copy in April 2005.Amazing music but there are only 12 tracks.Heard the missing track "URAQT" in Gaslight Records, Melbourne, Australia - it is an amazing track - very strong lyrics and very bad harmonica.Why the censorship?Land-of-the-free-and home-of-the-brave?I think not!XL Recordings USA and Amazon USA, you are pretty lame.Fellow lovers of good music... if you want the un-expurgated edition (13 tracks) of this album, order it from Amazon UK or Shock Records Australia.Can the rest of us get a refund?

At least she's hotter than hell ;)
Galang is the strongest track here and I'd agree with many that it is no musical revolution. I enjoy it due to the fact it's a WORLD disc and I like World music alot. It's definitely different and I had seen the video for GALANG on the IMF Satellite channel. She's hotter than hell in my opinion so I'll give her a break. ;)

And with those criticizing Revolution, America was created on a violent Revolution so I have no idea what they're talking about. When you live under brutal oppression you revolt which none of us in America understand anymore. Thank God we don't have to revolt here like others but people need to study what goes on in certain areas of the globe.

Sometimes simple beats are good and this is better than alot of the major Rap trash here without any meaning at all.

M.I.A. announces her arrival. Moving around is compulsory
A DJ aquaintance of mine told me that 'Arular' always got the crowd up and dancing, and in a way, I can see why. Central to this electronic beatfest is M.I.A's sassy vocals, falling somewhere in between Madonna and Lene Lovich (the Neneh Cherry comparison is pretty good) all within the framework of hip-hop rhyming. There's really no need to over-analyze the music, which is basically infectious stripped-down beats, eg, LCD Soundsystem, pulsating, raw and tribal, almost hailing back to the crushing barebones approach of early hip-hop, eg, Grandmaster Flash. Also thrown into the mix is a subtle yet ecclectic fusion of analog flash, dancehall, and world music. But basically the appeal of 'Arular' stems from the charm and sexuality of M.I.A's vocals, orgasmic shrieks and brassy chants, a female touch when one expects male vocals to compliment the rhythmic thunder. Here she is now, let M.I.A. entertain you. ... Read more

Amazon.com

There's always been a psychedelic edge to Rob Garza and Eric Hilton's Thievery Corporation project. 2000's Mirror Conspiracy is a downtempo classic precisely because of its druggy expansiveness; sober listeners and saucer-eyed trippers alike could find common ground. Similarly esoteric and nocturnal, The Cosmic Game floats around the room on a wave of mystic beats and guest vocals from Perry Farrell, The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, and David Byrne. Garza and Hilton are less devoted to non-electronic sources here than they were on The Richest Man in Babylon or The Outernational Sound, though their fascination with dub rhythms and world music remains intact. A fair amount of armchair travel is involved as you go from the late, late-night, beach-club-in-Jamaica sound of "Amerimacka," to the Brazilian percussion of "Ambicion Eterna" and "Pela Janela." But more than anything, the record feels like a return to the duo's own ethereal sonic roots. It's a nice blend of their music over the last half-decade for longtime fans, and a hazy glide down the rabbit hole for newcomers. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (46)

another impressive album!
Thievery has been one of my favorites for a long time now.This album is fabulous!Very smooth and well mixed.

Hat's off the Thievery Corporation
I'm going to have to disagree with some people about the only bad song of this great disc. I personally think Warning Shots is really bad. If they took out the lyrics it would be good, but it's just too out of place of this cd. The rest of Cosmic Game is pure heaven with a great mix of dub, reggae and awesome Indian vocals, percussion, and amazing sitar! It really reminds me of Mirror Conspiracy. All around good stuff, and I recommend it to everyone.

The duo's talent ages like wine!
The three CDs released by the Thievery Corporation are among the best I have listened to. While "Mirror Conspiracy", their first CD, is a classic, "The Cosmic Game" is the high point of their career thus far. Although there are many tracks that do not reflect their previous work, they are exemplary.

A few favorites:

-"Marching the Hate Machines" a song to definitely "just chill to." Every time I listen to it, I feel I must lay back casually and forget my surroundings until its ultimate blend into...

-"Warning Shots" by far the most surprising song produced by the Thievery Corporation. The most beautiful rap song I have listened to. This song is incomparable to really anything.

-"Satyam Shivam Sundaram" in my opinion, the best track on the CD. This song is music at its best. The spellbinding lyrics are so magical, I don't want to know what they translate to... it could break the spell.

-"Amerimacka" is completely and utterly amazing. Melodious poetry put into reggae terms. Notch's vocals are sure to place a anyone into an audio-induced trance.

-"Sol Tapado" a cool, refreashing brazilian tune. Though I live in Colorado, every time I listen to this in my car, I feel as if I'm driving under palm trees. Copacabana Beach compacted into a song.

-"The Cosmic Game", "Holographic Universe", "The Supreme Illusion", and "A Gentle Dissolve" are some of the most mesmerizing instrumentals ever made. The epitome of what the Thievery Corpration is known for.

The Thievery Corporation keep getting better with every CD. They have yet to let me down with their molding of sheer audio beauty. If you thought nothing could top "Mirror Conspiracy" or "The Richest Man in Babylon" then you ain't heard nothin' yet. The "Masters of Bass" (as I like to refer to them) have done another outstanding work. Don't let the stars fool you... ten stars out of five.

Best offering from Thievery Corporation yet
Although there are already numerous reviews of this CD, it's so good that I felt I needed to show support for it in some way.This is a bit of a departure from their more dub-oriented albums, but in no way does that diminish this release.

This album has more of an Eastern (Indian & Arabian) feel to it, as well as some South American influences (occasional tracks on this CD remind me a bit of the inimitable Gran Hotel Buenos Aires (also published by ESL, surprise surprise!) - an absolute must-buy if you're a downbeat/lounge/dub enthusiast).That isn't to say that they don't head back to their dub roots (see tracks like Amerimacka), but this just feels like a very mature offering from a band that has grown immensely over the years.

As some other reviews note, the CD isn't without its weak tracks, but with so many crammed onto one CD, you really cannot go wrong.I would definitely rate this as Thievery Corporations best release to date - perhaps only matched by their recent Babylon Dub Rewind...excellent in its own right, but clocking in at only about 1/3rd the length of The Cosmic Game.

Not as good as The Richest Man In Babylon
I like this album but it definitely has it's weak tracks. My favorite tracks are "The Supreme Illusion", "Holographic Illusion", "Warning Shots", "Amerimacka", "A Gentle Dissolve" and "The Cosmic Game", I think the weaker tracks are the ones with the celebrity guest vocalist. Like the weakest track on here is "The Heart's a Lonely Hunter" (Featuring David Bryne). It's just awful! Overall though the entire album is listenable so get check it out because the strong tracks definitely overpower the weak ones.

SJ
www.bestplaylists.com ... Read more

Reviews (218)

The Postal Service -- Give Up | Junkmedia.org Review
...

Dntel's Jimmy Tamborello and Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard knew they were on to something good as soon as they finished collaborating on the track "(This is) the Dream of Evan and Chan." That compelling combination of Tamborello's melodic knob-twiddling and Gibbard's literate vocals and forlorn delivery was the triumph of Dntel's acclaimed 2001 release Life Is Full of Possibilities. Not long after that first collaboration, The Postal Service was born. The relative strangers began recording in December 2001, swapping tracks on CD-Rs through the mail.

Listening to the act's debut brings back the same sort of giddiness inspired in me by New Order's Low Life when I first picked it up a decade-and-a-half ago. The Postal Service expertly channels that adolescent spirit with an awkward blend of dance beats and melodic songwriting. However, the duo has updated the sound for the millennial set, pleasantly mixing Depeche Mode beats and bass lines, Pet Shop Boys melodies and Warp Records-styled twinkling tones and clicks. Orchestral samples and pseudo horns add an unusual flavor to "Clark Gable." Chunky, monophonic Casio-sounding keys tie the vocals to the beat in "Nothing Better."

Two of the album's highlights appear right at the front end of the record. The first song, "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight," leads with brooding organ, before beats saunter in and steadily cruise through the first verse and chorus to a clean, ringing guitar riff. A second chorus pumps even harder and defies you to not sing along. This despite a characteristically bumming realization repeated by Gibbard: "I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving" (Christ, Benny, just stick a fork through my heart, why don't you?). Track two, "Such Great Heights," has already been released as a single. The catchy number apes Rod Stewart's "Young Turks," especially the beat and understated arrangement, albeit in an electro fashion.

The remainder of Give Up is solid, though Gibbard's lyrics are less potent by the middle of the record, and Tamborello burrows perhaps a little too deeply into some of the thinner sounds of the cold '80s era that inspires him. "Sleeping In" stumbles a bit with Gibbard's trite invocation of the JFK assassination, but the murmured chorus, "Don't wake me, I plan on sleeping in," that drapes over a quiet acoustic guitar phrase is strong enough to carry the entire song.

Perhaps the only shortcoming of Give Up is that the adherence to pop shuts out some of the more interesting electronic elements explored on Life Is Full of Possibilities. "Natural Anthem" is probably the most adventurous Postal Service tune, utilizing a relatively heavy break-beat, a looping string sample and more aggressive production, but clearly the duo's strengths are geared more toward hit-making than trailblazing. So, while the record isn't necessarily an instant classic, the unabashed embrace of simple pop sensibilities, both old and new, make it a record that is hard to stop listening to.

Jay Breitling

Electronica redeemed...?
This album of dancy electronic pop hasn't left my MP3 player since I bought it. It's like finding a lost and prescient New Order album circa 1985, filled with compelling and instantly memorable melodies. The lyrics are quite wordy, but they are also quite good, like on the melancholic opener, a guy going to visit his ex in a new city:

"Smeared black ink...Your palms are sweaty and I'm barely listening to last demands...I'm staring at the asphalt wondering what's buried underneath: There I am. Wear my badge--a vinyl sticker with big black letters adhering to my chest. Tells your new friends I am a visitor here, I am not permanent..And the only thing keeping me dry is: You seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex/I'm a stranger with a doorkey explaining that I'm just visiting/I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving."

"Give Up" is an excellent, warm and human example of a genre in which one's connection can sometimes get lost amongst the bleeps and blips of synths and Casios. One of last year's best!

Perfect Balance
I have never been a fan of electronic music... and to be quite honest I probably won't convert anytime soon. I've always felt that the music never had an heart or substance to it; it was just too cold. So when one of my friends gave me this CD to listen to, I was worried and immediately the electronic bleeps and blurps made me tune out. But then I listened a bit more, to the lyrics and the melody and how perfectly they combined. This CD is amazing because you take the amazing emo-esque lyrics (honest, heart breaking... I love "I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving") and combine it with the most peppy and catchy music ever. I actually got to see them in concert (lucky me!!!) and I was worried how the album would translate but it was even better than the cd. This amazing little project is must for anyone, period; no matter what style of music you like.

lovely
i have to say, i really enjoyed listening to this album. To be honest, one may get tired of the seemingly redundant pop/synthesizer beats but my that is hard to say, because this album altogether is just heavenly. My favorites are such great heights and brand new colony. i am looking forward to purchasing a few death cab cds also...

Gorgeous in every aspect
Wow what a great album. Benjamin Gibbard is one of my favorite artists of all time, so I bought this with high hopes. I had never heard of Tamborello, but hey, my focus was Gibbard. When I first listened to it, i really did try to keep an open mind, and then I ended up hating it. About a month later, I popped it in again after listening to every single Death Cab for Cutie album, and all of a sudden i was tapping my feet and flipping through the lyric book rapidly. How could i have ever thought this bad??!!

As always Gibbard delivers with sharp, smart, and epic lyrics, turning what is obviously small events into the most important thing the world. The electronica takes some getting used to, but by the time you get past it, you see how perfect with the melancholic perfection of Gibbard.

The standout tracks are #2, Such Great Heights, all for its lyrics, "i am thinking its a sign that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned; #4, which is a duet played out like a tense and pleading conversation between Gibbard and a girl who is leaving him; and #8, This Place is a Prison, which is an extremely mournful song rife with touching lyrics.

All in all a brilliant and lasting album. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Named after the French word for the rustle of silk, Frou Frou's debutalbum exudes cool, stylish elegance. SingerImogene Heap's soft,whispery vocals intone dreamy lyrics of doomed romances and slow recoveries. Thesongs are penned by Heap and her partner, producer Guy Sigsworth(Björk,Madonna), who manned theboard on Heap's 1998 solo albumI Megaphone. Even themightyBrian Eno gets into theact, with a cowriting credit on the soul-bearing "Hear Me Out." In fact, all 11tracks deal with love and fractured relationships, hauntingly beautiful both intheir stark emotional content and the equally sparse arrangements that showcaseHeap's ethereal voice, which she uses as a subtle weapon, much likeJoni Mitchell circa1970's Ladies of theCanyon, with the same heart-stopping yet effortless octave leaps.--Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Reviews (76)

Easily the most elegant piece of music of 2002
Every pop fan who searches for a more mature , substancial listening than the commercial teen pop stars of our time should definitely put Frou Frou's " Details " on the top of his buying list . Guy Sigsworth's and Imogen Heap's first offering as a group is a smooth , stress-less pop gem which flirts with electronica .

Almost every track of this album has what it takes to be released as a cd-single . The orchestrations and the perfect harmony of the melodies combined with the ethereal vocals and full-of-confidence presence of Heap resulted in a beautifully-crafted record which one can use as a background to a party as well as a soundtrack for his soul searching moments . Stand out tracks incude " Flicks " , " Breathe In " and " Must Be Dreaming " while they exceptional " Only Got One " is mysteriously missing from the tracklist of their first major studio effort yet at least is available for you to downloaded it on the internet .

In my humble opinion , Frou Frou are one of the most interesting new bands around and their debut album , without doubt one of last year's best releases . They simply open their hearts and minds and create beautiful music .

Very Nice...
With a beat selection definitely paralleling Beth Orton's and Esthero's musical landscapes, paired with Sarah McLachlan's peaceful lyrical inflection and Tori Amos' rousing vocality, you find Frou Frou and vocalist Imogen Heap.

Songs such as "Maddening Shroud", "Hear Me Out", "Only Got One", and "Breathe In" just call for a Beth Orton cameo guest vocal appearance. "Hear Me Out" even has a little bit of Leona Naess' quaint sophistication embedded in it.

"Psychobabble" and "Let Go" again reveal a Beth Orton-esque sensibility, but also introduce a Tori Amos like fascination, with churning electronic pulses (like some songs from Tori Amos' 'To Venus and Back' album). "Let Go" even comes across a little Bjork-ish while retaining its reference to a Tori Amos song like "Concertina", while "Psychobabble" somewhat holds Tori Amos' song, "Bliss", as reference.

"Shh" sounds like it could be the next installment of Sarah McLachlan's "Sweet Surrender". "Must Be Dreaming" is totally Sarah McLachlan territory. You'd sware that Sarah McLachlan is somewhere floating around in the background. Even some of Heap's vocals greatly come close to McLachlan's style here (think of the 'Touch' and 'Surfacing' blend era McLachlan).

Interestingly, "It's Good To Be In Love" reminds me of some of the sounds Stretch Princess achieves on their first album.

With all these artistic comparisons, it also does become apparent that Frou Frou and Heap are putting forth their own visions as well. Some detractors might argue that Frou Frou is merely ripping off these various influences mentioned above, but I beg to differ. If Frou Frou's music relevancy stays intact, then they should be around for a while, releasing some great music, and having timeless and lasting careers like Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan; something not too many artists achieve nowadays. 'Details' is an obvious nomination for album of the year.

Worth Buying Album
I tracked down this album after hearing the song Let Go in a preview for a movie. Let Go, the first track, sets a pretty good example of what else you'll be getting from the album. Great electronica-pop album. The only downside: 2 or 3 songs sound a little like the top ten radio countdowns.

Buy this CD, it's fantastic!!!
The combination of Imogen Heap & Guy Sigsworth makes for the best CD of the decade. Heap's vocals are beyond description (despite many reviewers attempts to compare her to the those 90's queens) she is truly unique. Sigsworth is a producer/writer/genius, It's hard to believe that Sigsworth past work was with Madonna on some of her latter trash (I guess that you have to start somewhere. I'm not knocking Madonna, she had her time, but her music over the past 10 years has been completely void of anything interesting). I would recommend buying Heap's solo project as well (much more rock & roll and a little difficult to fall in-love with, but you will). The only disappointment with this CD is that there is no way that this duo can follow up this CD. I fear that they set the bar too high and will only go down from here.

excellent cd
I have just recently heard this cd and I love it.I heard it at a friends house and I listened to it over and over again.I have purchased it and its an excellent cd.The songs are all great,I love the tune and the soft music.Its a really nice cd and you should definetley buy this.I dont have one favorite song all of them are fun and great songs. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Anyone looking for the key to Abba's enduring appeal should look no further than "Voulez Vous" and "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" for their answer. There was an innocence to the Swedish quartet, even when they were singing about one-night stands and the invitations to them. Gold establishes that the band, while appreciated as campy, were actually multifaceted in their execution. "S.O.S." has a raw urgency in its chorus, and "Does Your Mother Know" draws its energy from classic '50s rock & roll. Likewise, you don't have to be Priscilla to swoon over "Mamma Mia" or "Dancing Queen." And when it comes to drama, those soaring vocals on "The Winner Takes It All" turn the song into a bitter anthem of every relationship that has ever fallen apart. The much-covered "Lay All Your Love on Me" is practically epic. --Steve Gdula ... Read more

Reviews (185)

PURE GOLD!
There are three words I can say after listening to this album all the way through: wow, WoW and WOW!!! I must admit, I originally thought ABBA was one or two hit wonder because all I've ever heard from them was the ever-popular "Dancing Queen." (However after listening to it I found myself asking "They sang that?! I had no idea!") I enjoyed "Dancing Queen" enough that my sister bought this wonderful album for me as a Christmas present. At first I was a little hesistant to listen to the other tracks but I decided to do so anyway. And boy, was I impressed!! This is one of the few, exclusive albums that I can listen to all the way through. It's just *that* good.

Even in the 2000's ABBA's legacy lives on. Their music can be tolerated even in today's pop music world. Take the group A*teens for example. Isn't it great that you hear children singing songs such as "Take A Chance On Me" and "Mama Mia"? Yeah maybe they aren't the best singers but the fact remains: ABBA still get recognized even today, decades later. Currently, the Broadway musical "Mama, Mia!" is a hit. With a musical based on ABBA's greatest hits, why wouldn't it be? "Mama Mia!" was written by Benny and Bjork (The two male singers/songwriters of ABBA) as well as the often produced musical, "Chess."

My favorite songs on the album are as follows:
"Take A Chance On Me", "Super Trouper", "Chiquitita", "Voulez Vous", "Does Your Mother Know", "One Of Us", "The Name of the Game" and "Thank You For The Music."
Don't worry, there are more songs on the album then this, all of great merit. I had a hard time myself thinking up which ones were my absolute favorites, and in time they may change as well. All of the songs on this album are up-beat and make you just feel happy inside. The rhythm just makes ya wanna get up and dance (Especially "Dancing Queen"). Yeah, some maybe a little 70's like ("Lay All Your Love On Me") but the fact still remains: ABBA is here to stay!! Reccomended to *anyone*...even if only hearing their song "Dancing Queen."

This Is Pure Gold
The title says it all. Gold - Greatest Hits and every one of the hits included on this album are of the highest standard.

One of the top bands of the 70's and writers of timeless quality songs, Abba's music will surely never die and is currently being boosted further by the tribute band The A Teens which is bringing Abba's music to a new generation of listeners.

Every song included here is great and must be if nine of them topped the UK singles chart during the 70's and early 80's. As well as the number ones there are 10 other great tracks that will no doubt ring a bell to anyone dancing in the 70's. From the major hits Dancing Queen, Knowing Me Knowing You, Mamma Mia and the Eurovision Winner Waterloo to lesser known but still as good hits Does Your Mother Know, I Have A Dream and Voulez Vous this CD is sure to please.

My personal favourites are some of Abba's later hits. One Of Us is a beautiful and touching ballad, Lay All Your Love On Me is a stomping disco classic and Chiquitita which is my all time favourite Abba song as i feel it has everything required by a great pop song.

Whether you are young or old, male or female you are sure to enjoy this compilation of some of the finest music of the 70's.

Abba Gold rocks my socks
As i listened to this cd, i realize that i know every single word to every single song. this cd is amazing in that the best songs arent just in the beginning, they are all throughout the cd. the cd starts with the huge hit Dancing Queen and ends with Waterloo. Waterloo was the song that made abba famous when abba won a competition with it and released a record "Waterloo" using the song as the theme song. Throughout the years, movies have used abba songs because they're funny and fun to listen to. In johnny english, does your mother know is one of the main jokes used throughout the movie. some of the most popular songs on this cd are mamma mia, dancing queen, does your mother know, thank you for the music, take a chance on me, and Voulez vous. this cd is truly gold

ABBA - Gold: Greatest Hits
Abba is one the greatest rock bands of all time. They are up their with greats such as Depeche Mode, Beatles, Bee Gees and The Rolling Stones. The lyrics are very well written, the music is amazing and they have unfairly been called stupid disco music when it is in deed sublime. Highly Recommended.

A Timeless Collection of Classic Hits
This disc has all of the essential ABBA classics. From the ever-popular "Dancing Queen" to the melodic "Fernando", this CD contains something for every ABBA fan, either the casual or the strong follower. Formed in the early 1970's, ABBA quickly took Europe by storm, but they had some problems establishing themselves in the United States. But with each successive album, ABBA began to develop a very distinct sound that lured listeners in and they quickly began to establish themselves as one of the first successful "prog rock" groups.

This fine CD contains all of the songs that people associate with the group. "Dancing Queen" was their most successful single, and it appropriately leads off the disc. And the classics keep coming with "Knowing Me, Knowing You", "Take A Chance On Me", "S.O.S.", "Chiquita", "Fernando", and "Waterloo". Also included is "Does Your Mother Know", the only song where Benny and Bjorn sing lead vocals.

ABBA's trademark throughout the years has always been strong vocals and melodic insturmentals, and each of these qualities is readily evident on this CD. Frida and Agnetha shine on lead vocals, while Benny's and Bjorn's insturmentals and backing vocals give life to each song. I highly recommend this CD. If you are a casual ABBA fan such as myself, you'll get all of the essential tracks on one CD, but more loyal fans will enjoy it as well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's an idea that never should've worked in the first place: Verve classics remixed by today's hottest DJs and producers. Yet here's the third installment in the successful series and quality control remains high. Granted, there are a few tracks on each compilation that don't work as well as others and Verve Remixed 3 is no exception. The Postal Service take on Nina Simone's "Little Girl Blue," for instance, makes for a pleasing listen, but sounds too much like the former (the Album Leaf does a better job at staying out of Simone's way). Adam Freeland's "Fever" and Max Sedgley's "Peter Gunn," however, get the balance right. Both songs have been updated for the dancefloor, but Sarah Vaughn's exquisite vocals remain front and center. Then there's Lyrics Born with Jimmy Smith's "Stay Loose," which keeps Smith's groovy organ work in the foreground, but makes a funky track funkier yet. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (30)

dans la même veine
Cet album est dans la même veine que les 2 précédents, quoiqu'un peu moins rythmé... Les pièces choisies sont intéressantes et bien remixées,...parfait pour une soirée cocktail, ambiance décontractée assurée!! un must pour les connaisseurs.

4 stars for the remixers - 5 for Paris under a groove
I liked hearing what some of these remixer/artists did with these original tracks.There is also a motown remix package coming out.Looks like a serious trend developing here.

The problem is that a lot of times these new mixes don't do the original justice.And they fall flat.I prefer hearing actual new funk, jazz and trip hop compositions.The artists on Paris under a groove offer up the new future sounds.I love that album.Check it out.

Same problem as volume 2: insensitivity
This third installment has the same problem as the quality-impaired second volume: it's insensitive to its source material.

Once again we are treated to songs that sound like b-sides that the remixers had sitting in their closet and, given the option of applying some new jazz samples without financial recrimination, have merely dropped the source material in at key locations.This is not a re-envisioning of the original songs, nor is it "21st century jazz music".If you want to hear 21st century jazz music, pick up a Stefon Harris record.THIS record is an electronic record with jazz samples, and not a good one at that.Very little daring here, very few chanes taken, very stock stuff.The only songs that come close to meeting the original mission of this series are the too-short "Yesterdays" (Billie Holiday remixed by Junior Boys) and "Lilac Wine" (Nina Simone remixed by Album Leaf).

The first volume remains the high point of this series.

Verve Remix, Vol. 3...NOPE!
Fortunately I did not spend the money on this one.For me, it is the worst of the series with Volume 2 being my personal favorite.Judging from the many reviews, there are those who can appreciate this latest incarnation of jazz better than I but it doesn't give the songs any type of justice.It's just my opinion and how I feel.

Are these jazz classics done justice?
When one listens to Verve Remixed, Vol 3, the first thing that pops to mind is "21st century jazz." That is exactly what Producers Dahlia Ambach Caplin and Todd C. Roberts were hoping for. With this latest installment of jazz remixes, producers are put to the test with classic jazz tunes that transcend even those from their previous volumes. That said the hand-picked artists selected to mix these songs have one serious task to accomplish.

Surprisingly, little injustice is done to these jazz classics. The worst tracks on this CD, for the main part, mediocre. In "Speak Low," Bent trades Billie Holiday's gentle groove for a distorted lullaby, which undoubtedly knights that the worst track on the CD. Following that substandard production is another of Billie Holiday's tunes "Yesterdays," which features the Junior Boys sending her immortal tune to an early grave. Besides those two crap-tastic efforts, the album shines full of passion and fervor from this point on.

Christmas cheer is shoved into listeners' ears as Nina Simone's "Little Girl Blue" is dramatically tweaked to fit the Postal Service's stimulating drive. "Come Dance With Me" retains much of its jazzy features while adding an extra Latin jive with a developing retro/funk environment. "Just One of Those Things" emits hyperactive techno rays through space and time, and RJD2's production of "The Gentle Rain" gives Astrud Gilberto's masterpiece a fresh hip hop vibe. "Peter Gunn" has never been more striking than in this revamp provided by Max Sedgley. In addition, "Stay Loose's" funky R&B is skillfully compromised for an exhilarating punk/brassy determination that couldn't have been accomplished by anyone other than Lyrics Born. Perhaps the most inspirational track on The Verve's 3rd Remixed effort is The Album Leaf's take on the Nina Simone favorite "Lilac Wine" in which they switch gears and give the song a hopeful outlook as well as a general video game theme sound, making the listener feel exploratory yet strangely settled.

The Verve Remixed, Vol 3 is a hit-or-miss for listeners. Some songs are dance hits from the get go; others are slow and artistic, and then there are the few and far between flops. In any case, this CD has something for listeners of various musical preferences and is worth some well-deserved recognition. ... Read more

Reviews (131)

A beautiful album, but too similar to AIR for 5 Stars
I first heard of Zero 7 when I saw their video, "Destiny." I have to admit that they first time I saw it I immediately thought that it was a new AIR song, so I was surprised to see a different name at the end. I just bought this album two days ago and don't regret it. I will say that they are HEAVILY influenced by AIR, which is a fabulous electronic band from France. Zero 7 almost sounds TOO much like them, which is why I couldn't give this album 5 stars. However, their sound is different because of the volcalists. There is a male vocalist as well as Sia for many of the songs. Sia has an angelic yet haunting voice that adds to the mellow and hypnotic sounds of "Destiny" and others. Electronic music is such a general term, since there are so many genres within it. I would recommend this album to anyone who has enjoyed AIR's Moon Safari. (although I still believe that Moon Safari is much more innovative and original than Simple Things).

One of the best of 2001...
Simple Things, the first LP by British programming duo Zero 7 is one of the most imminently listenable albums to come along in a very long while. The whole album is layered with downtempo, almost ethereal beats that will undoubtedly take the edge off any migraine until you're awash in a sea of contentment. Zero 7 (aka Henry Binns & Sam Hardaker) say that the true joy of their music comes from the talented core of guest vocalists found on their debut album. This statement proves true as these vocalists bring out the amazing beauty of this disc. Among the standout tracks on the album is the sultry 'Distractions,' a sensual collaboration with Sia Furler, which feels just as at home in a smoky jazz bar as it does at a candle-lit bedside. Other great tracks include 'I Have Seen,' featuring male vocalist Mozez and the beautiful bonus track 'Spinning,' featuring Sophie Barker. Simple Things is more than just electronic music... it is music that creates a most beautiful atmosphere.

Unoriginal and Uninspiring
Am I the only one who sees that this Emperor has no clothes?! No new clothes, at least. This drippy cd rehashes every uninspired a.m. radio-soft-jazz tune you ever heard.

And people are saying the female vocalists recall Portishead?! What the fuzzy?!! The 2 singers are 0h-So-Pleasant, and Beth Gibbons' voice is nothing if not relating displeasing emotions!

Please, check out some real downtempo, sonic-texture artists like Airlock, Crustation or Thunderball. These artists throw in jazz, samples, djs and guest vocalists, too, while maintaining an experimental edge to create melodies you never thought you'd hear, much less heard before!

Nothing Simple About This Album...
...Except for the fact it is Simply Amazing! Its difficult to even describe the style of music at hand here - chill-out, lounge, trance, with traces of jazz, classical, and pop music throughout. Zero 7 takes you from porno music to polished, sultry and sinful to sweet and smooth within tracks and within the album. No matter what kind of music you listen to, "Simple Things" will surely relax your mind and your soul as you just take in all of the delicate yet complex songs arranged.

There are a number of styles explored on the album, which can be categorized in two large subdivisons - with vocals and with out. The vocal songs mainly feature male singer Mozez who stars on the albums opening disco-lounge track "I Have Seen", the absolutely amazingingly mysterious title track, and the sultry ballad "This World".

The two female vocalists are quite similar sounding, as noted on the stunningly addictive "Destiny" where they share lead vocals. The sound of Sia Furler and Sophia Barker's voices is accented softly with both a British sound, and almost a southern twang, but no worries their voices are like liquid on all the songs they sing. Furler returns on one of my fave tracks on the album "Distractions" a sweet love-ish ballad, while Barker is given the slightly weaker "In The Waiting Line" which shows the difference in the two girls voices as they are back to back, although Barker recuperates on the closing track "Spinning".

Within the non-vocal tracks the guys that make up our beloved band in question experiment with 1970's synthesized porno beats and keyboard sounds, mixed with smooth bass, acoustic guitars, and elegant strings, and of course that "air" sound that has led them to be labelled as "british air". But if that doesn't sound appealing trust me it is - I'm not a fan of music with out vocals but this album wouldn't be complete without Zero 7's delves into the instrumental and vocal-track worlds. Of course there are a few exceptions to the general sounds they use, including the Semi-lyrical African masterpiece "likufanele" sung by the Philanai Mothers and mixed over a xylophone (i think) driven sound. Another exception is the track afterwards, "End Theme" which is rightfully titled as it sounds very much like a song you'd find in a movie score. A beautiful and energetic, almost regal arrangement of strings is what you'll find here, and is another one of my faves on the album for its uniqueness alone, I'm proud of the guys for taking a chance and putting this song on the album.

The best thing I can say to you at this point is to definitely buy this album, if just to give it a listen, because after hearing the opening strains of "I Have Seen", the vocals of Furler and Barker, or the smooth tones of any of the instrumental tracks you will be so hooked on this album! Its great to play as background music during a dinner with friends, or when you are stressed and enjoying a drink after work, or even just to play in the car - works well for rainy or sunny days. I suppose the most amazing part of it is how simple the songs appear at first glimpse - but when examining the layers and the beauty in each track, you'll begin to realize your feelings for this album are anything BUT simple.

Musical sedative (in a good way)
I won't lie here: I origianlly came into contact with this music because i was looking through one of my friend's music collection on Itunes and thought the name Zero 7 sounded interesting. I know it's a bad way to choose, but the guy had good taste and too many artists to go through them all. So I listened to it and it took me less than 10 mins to get hooked on everything written by this group. I loaded it on my player and took on Spring Break to ski- and literally the entire time this is what was playing. I don't do that often. I listen to a lot of different music and rarely listen to the same thing non-stop for more than a day. I just don't know what to say. This music is addictive. The melodies/harmonies are so relaxing. They just make you want to sit there and contemplate life. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Don't look for a richly illustrated, critical essay-packed hagiography with this 40-track, double-disc overview of the Bee Gees recording career. In typical, telling fashion, the Brothers Gibb have eschewed such exercises in ego inflation and simply let the best of their remarkable body of music speak for itself. Through it all, their familiar voices lock together in the sort of transcendent, seemingly genetic harmony that few singers since the Everly Brothers (early Gibb inspirations) have managed. Beginning with the plaintive 1966 hit "New York Mining Disaster 1941," this set traces the Gibbs' journey from successful Beatles-era balladeers to '70s white R&B gods and the undisputed kings of disco (we're reminded here that their shrewd metamorphosis began with "Nights on Broadway" and "Jive Talkin'"--long before the mega-success of "Saturday Night Fever"). But even as that dance craze faded, again threatening to turn the Bee Gees into pop anachronisms, the Gibbs simply stepped out of the limelight for a while, turning their talents to MOR hit-making for the likes of Samantha Sang, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, and Dionne Warwick. Those hits ("Emotion," "Heartbreaker," "Islands in the Stream") are featured here in modern rerecordings by the band, along with the Streisand-Barry Gibb duet, "Guilty." And if the Gibbs haven't had much of an American chart presence in recent years, they remain superstars throughout the rest of the world, a richly crafted pop music presence that simply won't be denied. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (130)

That is just OK ! (6.5 / 10points)
I have been a big fan of Bee Gees for a long time. To my honest, I do not like the sounds of this CD. I have a feeling it seems NOT to be stereo sounds at most of the songs. I wondered why did Gibbs brothers really forget many their great songs as: Edge of the universe, Someone belongs to someone, Wedding day, Come on over, Shine shine, Woman in you...
Every CD of Bee Gees always has: Jive Talking, New York mining disaster 1941, Holiday, Lonely days, To love somebody, I've gotta get a message to you, Run to me, How can you mend a broken heart, Nights on Broadway... They are good but they were repeated many times, so they got bored. The producers of Bee Gees lack of creation and selection to make a better CD for audiences.
Now, regarding to some particular songs in this CD.
"Island in the stream": Barry Gibb is better than Robin Gibb at this particular one. If you heard this song in CD title "One night only", you will agree with me Barry performed it better.

"Immortality": Barry Gibb really FAILED to perform this song. I really like Celine Dion singing this song. The reason Barry failed is his high voice was not suitable for that. He himself break that such beautiful song! I grade Barry for this song 4 points/10 points.

Timeless and Incomparable Gibbs!
This new package covering 35 plus years spotlights some of the best pop music ever recorded. For anyone who ever thought that the Bee Gees were just about "disco", here's the evidence that smokes that argument!

From the early 60's gems to the latter day classics, this compilation illustrates why the Bee Gees are one of the most important groups in popular music.. Tight harmonies, superb melodies,touching lyrics, and excellent production values...the Bee Gees are masters of their domain. If you are a collector, you probably have most of the hitscontained in these discs..but this collection is worth the price just to have recordings of the Bee Gees doing versions of songs they originally penned for other artists.

The sound quality is great, but I wish they would have included more liner notes...maybe some factoids or artist thoughts..This collection is still a superb way to spend a couple of hours!

More Tales From The Brothers Gibb
From their Beatles - like hits int the 1960s' to their 70s' heyday right up until today, The Bee Gees have remained vibrant forces in the music industry as writers, artists and producers. Although no longer together as an act (due to the untimely passing of Maurice Gibb last years), they still remain legends.

2001'S "The Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits - For The Record" is a sort of a cheap way to obtain the great hits alread released n the boxed set, but that doesn't make it any less of a fantastic album. These disc encapsule what American pop music should be.

Disc 1 begins with their hits between 1967 and 1968. During this time they were written off assecond - rate Beatles clone. I disagree with this statement, because at this time, as The Beatles were making complex albums like "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", the three Austrailian brothers were cutting simple, enjoyable (not The Beatles' music wasn't) love songs during this time, such as "To Love Somebody", "Words", "I've Gotta Get A Message To You" and my personal favorite, the whistful, sad "I Started A Joke". Though thye remained cold throught the rest of the 1960s' and into the 1970s' - made offical by Robin's departure - the material they recorded during this time is among their best - "First Of May", "Don't Forget To Remember", "First Of May", "Saved By The Bell" (from Robin's solo album).

The 1970s' begin with the eerie singalong "Lonely Days". This song, their first top 3 American hit, is unlike anything they had done up to that point, though the lead singer (I think Barry), sounds an awful lot like John Lennon). Then came their first number one hit, the haunting ballad "How Can You Mind A Broken Heart". Originially offered to Andy Williams, he passed and The Bee Gees turned it into one of their finest recordings. "Run To Me" ws another lovely ballad and a big hit for the group, but soon they hit it bigger than ever with 1975's classic "Main Course". Thye resuced their career with that album plus three hit singles: the funky number one smash "Jive Talkin'", the pulsating "Nights On Broadway" and the warm "Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)". The Bee Gees were all of a sudden superstars after 8 years of struggle. 1976's "Children Of The World" yielded another number one smash, the thrilling "You Should Be Dancing", as well as the powerful ballad "Love So Right".

Disc 2 begins with their heyday. This time period (1977 - 79) was then they hit their peak of popularity. First there are the three number one smashes from the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack: the smooth ballad "How Deep Is Your Love", the exhillrating "Stayin' Alive" (probably their signature song) and the funky "Night Fever" (this song was probably their biggest hit, as it spent 8 weeks at number one). Next comes the three number one hits from "Spirits Having Flown": the haunting "Too Much Heaven", the electrifying "Tragedy", and the funk - injected ballad "Love Inside Out". With these songs, The Bee Gees became the first artists since The Beatles to have six consecutive number one hits. Also included is "More Than A Woman", a hit for Tavares, and a new recording of "Emotion", a hit single they wrote for Samantha Sang, who scored her only hit with the song.

The 1980s' begin with the only non - Bee Gees song. "Guilty" was the hit duet between Barry and Barbra Streisand, and a lovely song at that. Next comes "Heartbeaker" and "Islands In The Streams". These are new recordings of old hits they produced for other artsist in the 1980s', during their third artistic slump. The former was a top 10 comeback hit for Dionne Warwicke, while the latter was a number one duet for Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. "Heartbreaker" is done well, but the Gibbs version of "Islands In The Stream" is too modernized, as it includes portions of "Ghetto Supastar", the rap version of the song.

1987's "You Win Again" is a great unknown song. "One" was their 1989 top 10 comeback hit. In the 1990s', they kept a low profile, though still releasing albums, and scoring a top 30 hit with "Alone". Closing the set is an old 1966 number, the somber romp "Spicks And Specks".

Though is a great sets, there are plent of singles missing. There are to many to list here, so I'll just name a few that I would hav liked to have seen myself:

"Jumbo" (number 57)
"My World" (number 16)
"Boogie Child" (number 12)
"Edge Of The Universe" (number 26)
"He's A Liar" (number 30)
"The Woman In You" (number 24)
"Still Waters (Run Deep)" (number 57)

But those singles are not well - known and there absence is not noted. This a great 2 - disc Bee Gees set that I highly recommend, as well as their boxed set "Tales From The Brothers Gibb" and the live album "2 Nights Live", plus their studio albums and the soundtrack to "Saturday Night Fever". Buy them as soon as possible.

Awesome!
I got this as a gift and was not a huge Bee Gees fan save for those moments when I felt "retro" and had to hear "Stayin Alive" and their other disco hits. Well I was pleasantly surprised when I put this album on and just decided to listen all the way through. I had no idea the Bee Gees had so many fantastic songs, (Like "Holiday" for instance). "Nights On Broadway", although I'd heard it before, is now one of my favorite songs of all time. I wish they'd have put the original version of "Emotion" on here as opposed to the updated version but that is a small complaint for a 2 CD set filled with tons of great music.

Great Collection
Since 1967, The Bee Gees have been a constant hitmaking force as writers and producers. They reached their peak in 1978 - 79 with a string of dance classics that made them one of the most successful artists of all time. By the 1980s', they were considered hasbeens, so they turned to writing hits for big artists of the day. By the 1990s', they resurfaced with new material and worked dilligently until the death of Maurice last year.

Disc 1 starts in 1967. This was the year The Bee Gees hit big. They scored with 5 consecuitve top 20 hits, including "New York Mining Disaster 1941", "To Love Somebody" and "Words". They were written off by fickle critics as Beatles clones, but that didn't stop them. In 1968, they made the top 10 for the first time with "I've Gotta Get A Message To You" and "I Started A Joke". But soon, they hit a slump that took a while to get out of. They reemerged in 1971 with the "2 Years On" album, which yielded the single "Lonely Days". The song was their biggest American hit yet, going to number 3. "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" followed, and it topped the charts for 4 weeks beginning on August 4, 1971. "Run To Me" made the top 20, but once again their career soon hit the skids. In 1975, they began work on the "Main Course" album. The first single was the discofied "Jive Talkin'", which went to number 1. "Nights On Broadway" was next, and it peaked at 7. "Fanny (Be Tender With My Love" went to number 12, giving them a hat trick of hit singles. The "Children Of The World" album was next. Its first single was the dance classic "You Should Be Dancing", which became their third charttoper. "Love So Right" came next and went to 3.

Disc 1 begins in 1977. That year, the group was asked to record some songs for the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack. The first single from the film was the pretty ballad "How Deep Is Your Love". The song went to all the way to number 1 and stayed there for 3 weeks. It stayed in the top 10 for 17 weeks. "Staying Alive" came next", and climbed to number 1 and stayed there for another 4 weeks. "Night Fever" followed, and was their biggest hit ever, staying at number 1 for 8 weeks. To show how successful they were during this period, at one point, all 3 of these songs were in the top 10 simultaneously. After the 25, 000, 000 - selling soundtrack, they released the "Spirits Having Flown" album. It yielded 3 more number 1 singles: "Too Much Heaven", "Tragedy" and "Love You Inside Out". With these 3 hits, they became the first artist since The Beatles to have 6 number 1 hits in a row. It also marked the end of the hitmaking era. By 1980, their career had yet again gone stale. They decided it was time to write songs for other artists. They penned hits for Dionne Warwicke ("Heartbreaker"), Jimmy Ruffin ("Hold On To My Love"), Barbara Streisand ("Guilty"), Diana Ross ("Chain Reaction"), Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (the platinum - selling duet "Islands In The Stream"). By the late 1980s', they resurfaced, and scored a top 10 hit with "One". They continued to perform together until Maurice died last year, thus ending one of the most enduring partnerships in music history.

Overall, it's a great collections. I have one small complaint. I wish they would've left off the recordings of their hits for other artists and replaced them with a few other singles like "Boogie Child", "Living Eyes", "Someone Belonging To Someone", Robin's version of The Beatles classic "Oh Darling", "The Woman In You", "He's A Liar" and Robin's German number 1 hit "Juliette". Otherwise, it's a stunning collection of hit singles. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Wake-Up Call
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