Reviews (4)

Never Fade Away...
If you get any single by Nirvana, this should be the one. It includes 3 groundbreaking songs: "Smells Like Teen Spirit", "Even In His Youth", and "Aneurysm"(not the Incesticide version). This single is worth your bucks and the two unreleased songs will suprise you. This single shows that Nirvana will never truly fade away...

excellent
smells like teen spirit has to be one of the greatses songs ever written and nirvana are, to me, the beatles for my generation but better. this ep has three songs. SLTS, even in his youth and aneuryism. even in his youth is a great song that is straight on rock. if you have not heard aneuryism then your missing out. it is dynamic and rocking full of everything we love about nirvana.

the b-sides are the best
although the title song is inspiring...it is an edited version...the one they play on the radio...i like the b-sides the best..because they are different and catchy to listen to....especially the almost egyptian sounding "Even in his youth". if youve never bought a nirvana cd...i suggest buying this. if you have...buy nevermind first and then this.

Nirvana's best!
In my opinion, this is the best Nirvana song. If you like it, you should buy it. But it's almost the same price to buy Nevermind, so you might want to grab that too. To sum it up, this is a great CD, so buy it if you like any other of Nirvana's work. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Much weaker than the debut, punkier and less focused.
Green Apple Quick Step had an unusually strong batch of songs on its debut, Wonderful Virus, injecting a Hawkwind-like love of science fiction and progressive-rock melodicism into its punk spirit. The result was one of the unsung beauties of '90s alternative rock.

Losing its record deal seems to have hurt the band, because Reloaded is a far weaker record, despite the involvement of Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) as co-producer. The spritely "Dizzy", which appeared on the soundtrack to The Basketball Diaries, was a deserved radio hit, but "Los Vargos" seems very close to it melodically and only works because of the Ty Willman/Mari Ann Braeden vocal tag team. Braeden does a long-overdue lead vocal on "No Favors", but the song is basic punk nonsense: "I'm burned out on politics/Slimeball you make me sick/Deadhead get over it/I'm already gone"? This time around, there are fewer downright great rock anthems, and the band is most successful on poppier moments like "Dizzy", with its car-cruising chorus, and hidden track "Halloween", which sounds like an intimate acoustic-guitar jam with Braeden and Willman harmonizing quite beautifully.

The first album was better, hands down, thanks to a catchier batch of songs and heightened energy. If by some miracle you discover this band (and it deserves to be heard), Wonderful Virus is the place to start.

Worth having in your collection
This is a really great album with the exception of 2 or 3 "okay" songs. Even on these songs the lyrics are deep and well thought out, rated "okay" only because the singer sounds as if he's reading his poetry notebook into the song with lack of a good melody. "Las Vargos" is by far the best song on the album as well as one of the best songs I have ever heard with it's rock-out quality, catchy words and melody. "Underwater" and "TV Girl" are deeply moving slower songs, the latter begining with the perfect guitar riff only to build up into a stronger and more beautiful rock ballad. Buy it.

Awesome
This is a fantastic album. I love all kinds of music but these guys are the best. From rockers like Los Vargos to acoustic rockers like Halloween. This is an album you can listen to over and over and still enjoy like you heard it for the first time. BUY THIS! You will love it.

One listen and you're hooked!
This catchy and poppy album only requires that you listen to one song, then you're hooked and you won't be able to get that song out of your head, believe me, I know! Live, they play with so much energy and have fun on stage, causing you to want to jump on stage with them. Buy the CD(s) (this one is the best one they've put out, in my humble opinion) and see them live if at all possible! ... Read more

Album Description

Burn, Burn, Burn, Right Now Records, and Sub Pop team upand bring forth this ultimate 19-song tribute collection to The Kinks. Artists covering the songs of the best band inthe world, Mudhoney, The Fallouts, The Fastbacks, MarkLanegan, C-Average, Young Fresh Fellows, The Makers, TheMurder City Devils, The Briefs, Heather Duby, ModelRockets, Baby Gramps, The Congratulators, Love as Laughter, Jon Auer, Nikol Kollars, Larry Barrett, The Pinkos, and The Minus 5. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Almost a Killer
Disclaimer: Owner of all 72 official PJ bootlegs. Here is a good example of a PJ bootleg that starts out fantastically but gets ragged towards the end. All of disc one and the first track of disc two ("In My Tree" which makes its first appearance in the tour), are performed with extra power and precision by the band. An exception is "Wishlist" in which Eddie Vedder forgets a sizeable chunk of the lyrics, but is saved by the band's fine performance. "Brain of J," "Evacuation" and "Whipping" make punishing appearances early in the set, while extra soulful renditions of "Jeremy" and "Insignificance" also appear unexpectedly early in the evening. In a funny moment, Eddie offers to hold on to a bootlegger's tape recorder so the guy can put his arm around his girlfriend. This outstanding performance, unfortunately, begins to unravel with "Black" in which Mike McCready is having a hard time staying in tune. From there until the end of the show, each song gets worse as the band becomes more and more disjointed and out of tune. The low point is a horrendous take on "Last Kiss" in which everybody commits several errors. Perhaps there was a problem with the weather, or the band was getting tired, but this bootleg only holds up for about two-thirds of the running time. However, the earnest and emotional "Smile" is used here to close the show. This great song was played rarely in the tour, and was never the finale except for tonight.

8/6/00 - Greensboro, North Carolina
First off, I am a big Pearl Jam fan. I bought four of the European live CDs and one of the other domestic live CDs (VA Beach). I bought this one for a couple of reasons: I used to live in North Carolina (closer to Greensboro than Charlotte) and the excellent setlist (including songs rarely performed live like "Whipping" and "In My Tree").

This is a great live album. It's not the longest that they've put out (although there are twenty-seven songs, which is nothing to sneeze at), but it has a good mixture of new and old material, all of which is good. You have early hits like "Black" and "Jeremy" (both of which are extremely rousing renditions) and then you have newer tracks like "Grievance" and "Insignificance" (my two favorites from Binaural), all of which sound fresh.

As I mentioned above, there are also some songs here that aren't played all that often live. "Crazy Mary" is a good, mellow song that isn't often played (in full) live. "Soon Forget," the B-side from the "Light Years" single, is also a gentle, mellow song, replete with a humorous flub on Ed's part. "Last Kiss" and "In My Tree" (which Ed gathers courage for from his bottle of wine beforehand) are also not heard all that often.

The songs that are played at nearly every show aren't exactly weak, either. This rendition of "Rearviewmirror" is one of the best I've heard; it's extended and quite emotional. "Do the Evolution," always hard rocking, rocks particularly hard here. "State of Love and Trust" and "Corduroy" have rarely sounded better.

There's also some humorous banter from Ed, like after "Evacuation": "Matt Cameron wrote that last song... Matt Cameron. Try to get the singer to lose his voice, 'cuz drummers, by tradition, don't like singers. Actually, Matt wrote the music, I wrote the lyric part... So maybe I just don't like myself."

I would definitely recommend picking this one up if you're a fan: Great setlist, great crowd, great performance, and a great band. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Since 1987 this power trio has churned out Black Sabbath-influenced grind-sludge metal for a fanatical underground following. Part of the early '90s "Seattle scene," the Melvins never achieved the radio airplay of their contemporaries, though founding members Buzz "King Buzzo" Osborne (the eccentric, Afro-ed singer-guitarist) and Dale Crover (drummer-vocalist) are beloved and prolific fixtures on the indie rock scene. Their latest seven-song outing on fellow quirky musician (and Osborne's Fantomas bandmate) Mike Patton's Ipecac label will likely not boost them out of relative obscurity, but it's an entertaining aural journey nonetheless. From the heady 'n' heavy intensity of "Black Stooges," which ends with several minutes of drums and feedback, to the winning speedy, countrified punk power of "Dr. Geek" and the garage metal of "Little Judas Chongo," Hostile Ambient Takeover is, as the title suggests, at once more punky and more ambient than previous swampy efforts. There are some lengthy, ponderous, slo-mo entries, which is not unexpected of the Melvins, while the nearly 16-minute album closer is a wash of mostly instrumental noise that ranges from ominous to space age (vocals kick in 10 minutes into the song). Oddball but engaging, the Melvins have carved out a unique niche, which they dig deeply into on Hostile Ambient Takeover, their 18th album of aural idiosyncrasy. --Katherine Turman ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The REAL Ecclectic Electric
I just came into possession of this little gem about a week ago....and I am still recovering.Many people look at this album as a relativley straight-ahead rock album...at least by the Melvins standards .I think most say that out of comparison to their then more recent releases such as "Electroretard" and the its over my head "Colossus of Destiny".And yes compared to them this is indeed a coventional rocker of an album.However it is only conventional when applied as a term to the Melvins universe.While these songs rock harder and groove better than 99% of anything you will hear on the radio this year,they still retain their experimental edge all through the album.Some standout cuts include "Dr Geek"...which for some reason reminds me of Primus...at least in terms of the song structure.It has a loose rockabilly sound matched with a punk fury ,and it is pulled off briliantly."Little Judas Chongo" is absolutely phenomenal.Maybe i make too much out of this song really.Its not the catchiest thing they ever done,but being a guitarist myself,this song just reaches out and grabs my jugular."The Brain Center at Whipples" and the epic like "The Fool,the Melding Idiot" are also both outstanding tracks."Black Stooges" and "Foaming" are good,but I just cant get into "The Anti-Vermin Seed".I like a lot of their experimental ,ambient peices..but that one doesent do anything for me.All in all a very strong release and if you already have a fondness for the Melvins this is a must have album....Hope i helped.

MELVINS-20TH
IPECAC rcds. is the best because they have the best. Fantomas, Tomahawk, and of course the MELVINS (courtesy of M. Patton). I bought this CD back in 2002 when it came out in the months b/w march april or may. I brought it to my guitar class and the people hated it. I love the fact that they hated it, because I love it. Nothing can top off the MELVINS, and I hope this review helps because HAT just another typical 10/10 accomplishment. I hope this review has been helpful. My FantomaS and TooL one wasn't but checkout my 2PACK review, it is a masterpiece.

Thanks....I Needed That!
I gotta laff - 'cause The Melvins are the pioneers of a sound that so many other so-called Alternative, Hard Rock, Metal, Punk, bla bla bla bands try so hard to emulate, but simply lack the testicular fortitude and vision to pull it off (or even admit to, for that matter). This is a band with three PLAYERS - guys who really turn it up a notch when it comes to kicking out the jams. They are not afraid to take chances, they are funny, they always keep the listener guessing (expect the unexpected), they don't give a rat's rump about the fast-food crud that is the popular x-generation "alternative" rock music of today (barf!) - Melvins march to the beat of their own drummer - and man o man, Dale C. is one the best you will ever hear...King Buzzo is a 5-string guitar/noise icon with a penchant for covering vintage Alice Cooper Group tunes (i am not worthy)...and Kevin R. holds it together with slide bass (!) - proving to be the most consistent foundation in the "revolving door" of bassists the band has had through the years. Buy this record if you want to purge your soul of all the commonplace sludge being passed around and lauded by the industry onanists as the next big hard rock/punk thing. If u like your rock & roll loud, masterful, freaky & adventurous, and prefer "art" to "pop", this record is for you. Note: you HAVE NOT lived until you've seen these guys live - dunk your head in a vat of molasses & place inside an idling jet engine...voila! (of course, don't try this at home or abroad...teehee)

Nothing too new, but a great album nonetheless
Considering that they've existed since 1982, have included more than 5 bass players, and have put out albums for 5 different labels, it's amazing that the Melvins are even still alive to greet the year 2003. One of the most persistent bands in the history of American rock and the near sole survivors of the Seattle Grunge scene, The Melvins are not only still alive, but have managed to release an astonishing 23 albums (and EPs) in their wake while simultaneously maintaining several successful side projects. This being said, HAT (Hostile Ambient Takeover) is a monumental release for the Melvins, being the first new studio album after a two-year maelstrom of archival live and compilation releases. The group's last original outing, the 2000 Trilogy, provided one album for each aspect of the Melvins sound, but where the Trilogy split up the Melvins different personalities, HAT unites them all on a single CD, making one supremely diverse monster of an album. Covering everything from their punk roots, Dr. Geek, to bold new ambient experiments, The Anti-Vermin Seed, HAT acts as an effective summation of the Melvins career thus far. While most bands would regard this as a virtual lack of progress, the Melvins have made such numerous strives in such radically different directions on every previous release that HAT proves to be a necessary and much appreciated compliment to the band's eclectic past. Furthermore, regardless of whether it's pushing the envelope or simply reveling in the classic quirky dirginess that is uniquely "Melvins," HAT displays such impressive songwriting and intense instrumental dynamics throughout that it is an unquestionably enjoyable listen, regardless of motive. A perfect place for a new fan to start and a wonderful reward for longtime diehards, The Melvins have made a brilliant mixture of all their best traits while still leaving plenty of room for growth.

One of their best
This is one of the better albums to start with if you want to get into the Melvins. It's all great except for the last song, which drags a bit. Best song is "The Brain Center at Whipples." ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Pearl Jam and Perth
I was at the Perth, Western Australia concert and it was fantastic. If you werent there then this album is obviously the next best thing. Great vibes (and a great city!)

Great but not the best.
I am a huge Pearl Jam Fan and own many of the bootlegs. This one is good, but not great. There are some sections where the band and Eddie just seem out of it, like "Do the Evolution". Eddie forgets his own song. Perhaps it is the wine talking...lol.

Not A Bad Ending
I've listened to a few of these Pearl Jam live CDs and I have to say that I think this is the best I've heard. For the most part the audio only seems to strip the passion that would make attending the concert so entertaining and leaves the listener with a mostly flat souding performance. Where this comes alive though is with the encores. During the first encore Vedder says the band is going to perform something not on the set list. That song along with a sing along, a few covers and Johnny Marr pitching in on the last track make the end worth listening to.

4 stars (but in my mind, worth every bit of money)
Due to a fractured ankle, I am currently confined at home on medical leave. The beauty to that is that other than wine and cigars, I've had a chance to revisit my entire Pearl Jam collection.

I am a big Pearl Jam fan and have all their studio alblums, and all 25 boots of their European 2000 series.

Having listened to these again, I can't believe how good a studio band Pearl Jam is, but more amazingly so, how great a live band they are. In my mind, a live boot from Pearl Jam is always worth the money, and my listening ratio of live boots to studio albums is about 6:1.

Perth Australia is the only boot I have of Pearl Jam's 2003 tour series. Pearl Jam's boots are hard to come by in Singapore where I live.

I rate it 4 stars.

It is not great (but my standard for rating Pearl Jam is ridiculously high as these guys are just so good!), but very good --- good enough for me to want to lay my hands on every 2003 Pearl Jam boot that they release and which I can find.

In fact, after re-listening to my European 2000 boots and this Perth Australia boot, I have re-energised my commitment to purchase, own, and enjoy every bootleg that Pearl Jam releases.

Having read the roaring reviews of hard-core Pearl Jam fans for the boots from State College and Mansfield, I can immediately tell you that if you only want to buy the best 2003 boots, then just go for these 2.

If, however, you're like me, who is an avid collector and fan, and who is able to thereby find beauty in every concert CD that Pearl Jam plays on, then you will also want to get this to complete your 2003 bootleg collection.

All in all, Perth Australia is a very solid concert, with strong enthusiastic performances from all band members.

Had the set list been longer, and if the band had played in a tighter, more vicious and desperate style (which I particularly like), it will have warranted 5-stars.

Official Bootlegs, The Oxymoron that Makes Pearl Jam Amazing
A few years back, one of the members of Pearl Jam walked into a record store to find one of their concerts on a bootleg that was priced at an atrocious [price]. They then decided, whether it made money or not, that they would release all of their concerts from the 2000 World Tour on CD and price them affordably. This translated to over 70 double CDs and one three disk, "Official Bootleg." They set a Billboard record for having 6 of these sets on the top 100 albums at once.

They have again decided to produce their tour in this way; this time on a much smaller scale. This show in Perth, Australia is one of two set for mass release from the overseas leg of the tour.

They play a lot of new material from "Riot Act" and quite a bit that is off of their previous records. They also drop a few tracks from their "unreleased" catalog, and even a few covers (a pearl jam staple).

The highlights are many. They play the almost forgotten: "Jeremy." It sounded great. The hits are all there save for "Black" & "Dissident." Victoria Williams' "Crazy Mary" is always a treat.

Overall, this is one of the best bootlegs released thus far. They play a healthy mix from all of the albums. . . It is rather amazing trip into the past of this iconic rock group.

epc ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Very personal and moving.
This has got to be one of the few PJ songs where Ed Vedder really lets people see what he feels in a simple way. The song is written more as a tribute, than a personal track. It deals with the loss of someone very important to him in life, and someone of great influence.
This song is also great because it was composed by the whole band together. Its probably the most touching and commercial song in Binaural. And because of its format and sentiment, it could be a hit like "last kiss" was.

"Grievance" and "Soon Forget" are live tracks with excellent sound. These are sort of a preview of the Bootlegs that would be released a few moths after the single.

Thank you, Sweetness
Light Years is a confused look at why someone so special had to pass on. It was written with a dear friend of the lyricists in mind; someone who seemed to bring joy to those who knew them. It is about the questions andregret left over after a loss. It is truly special. I would have given this5 stars, but the sound quality on the two live tracks leaves a little to bedesired. Grievance is a powerful rocker full of emotion with a driving bassline, and yet, the drums do not seem full, and Jeff is all but missing fromthe recording. Still very good, but not great.

AWESOME!!
The live version of "Grievance" is worth the 4 bucks alone.Edflubbing the lyrics to "Soon Forget" makes the single all themore special.

Great Live B-sides
Obviously, you've heard the song 'Light Years,' so there's no sense in talking about that...but the live version of 'Grievance' makes this single more than worth it...more energy and punch than the album's version, thissong really flies live.And the timid little version of 'Soon Forget' isquite charming in itself.Another great Pearl Jam single...

Great Live B-sides
Obviously, you've heard the song 'Light Years,' so there's no sense in talking about that...but the live version of 'Grievance' makes this single more than worth it...more energy and punch than the album's version, thissong really flies live.And the timid little version of 'Soon Forget' isquite charming in itself.Another great Pearl Jam single... ... Read more

Album Description

Japanese edition of their 2002 collection features a Japanese only bonus track, 'Something In The Way' (Unplugged) plus the international bonus track, 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night' (Unplugged). 16 tracks in all featuring the previously unreleased track, 'You Know You're Right'. Geffen. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Best Of Nirvana...
Let's face the facts, when a band becomes extremely popular, it's only natural for the record company to release a hits compilation to cash in on the band's successes. Even though it had been nearly ten years since Nirvana had disbanded, their popularity was still at a pretty high level. Accordingly, the record company released a hits compilation. How does this collection measure up? Read on and find out.

PROS:
-If you're a new Nirvana fan seeking an introduction to the band, or maybe just a casual fan who doesn't want to buy all of the band's albums, this compilation is a fine alternative. You get all of the band's really big hits, including Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come As You Are, In Bloom, Rape Me, Dumb, and All Apologies.
-Many of the band's underrated masterpieces found their way on to this collection. Among these are About A Girl and Sliver.
-Three very rare tracks are here as an incentive for those who already own every album to purchase the compilation - These feature alternative versions of Been A Son and Pennyroyal Tea, and the previously unreleased You Know You're Right.
-The import version features extra tracks not available on American pressings of the compilation.

CONS:
-This compilation was a wasted opportunity. A CD can hold eighty minutes worth of material, and this one doesn't even come close!
-Too many of the band's best songs didn't make the cut! Where are Negative Creep, Blew, On A Plain, and Tourette's?
-Most die-hard Nirvana fans who already own every album aren't going to be willing to shell out extra cash for the sake of a few rare tracks.
-Nirvana only has three studio albums, two live albums, and one rarities compilation. Was a hits compilation really necessary?

OVERALL:
Overall I feel this compilation could have been done a lot better, but at the same time, I feel it is actually pretty good. If you're new to Nirvana, or you're just a casual fan, this makes a good starting point for your collection.

Good.
This CD is good. Has a lot of good songs. Most can be obtained by all the other CDs. The only 'real' reason to by this disc is for the first track, "You Know You're Right." Other than that... it's like a good Nirvana mix... all the aired/good songs on one conievent CD. This disc is a must have for any real Nirvana fan... or some one just starting out. Go buy it.

Not sure of star rating since not opened yet, so
can anyone tell me if this cd is in english?
I know that might sound like a dumb question,
but I'm not sure and it's a stocking stuffer.
Thanks, Arleen

I loved it
I love this CD it's got Alota Great songs and might even make you appreciate the artist even more.. If You love this CD I recommend all of there CD's too...lol trust me you'll Love it.

Buy it if you know what's good for you
Some of the best stuff spanning Nirvana's entire carrer a must have for any fan and a good introduction for any newcomers. Features both powerful, heavy rock and acustic songs. Greatest hits from the greatest band ever plus two bonus tracks you won't usually find in stores. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Cardiff gig
I'm from Cardiff, and I went to this gig. Thought that it was a really good show and Eddie Vedder made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end as always.
My favourite part of the evening was when the whole place joined in to sing Betterman and it sounds great on the CD.

Cardiff, Wales
A particularly mellow, relaxed night in Cardiff, Wales didn't make for a bad show. In fact, it made for a good, smooth performance. I don't think it's better than another show I have Boston2 and there are probably more that are better, but I haven't heard one that is this easy going with an "evenflow" or with as good of a song list. Some highlights of the show are "Black" which is probably my favorite PJ song as well as "Betterman" and "Leatherman." Overall, a good buy.

A Loose-Limbed and Flawless Performance
Disclaimer: Owner of all 72 official PJ bootlegs. The ninth show of the tour, in mysterious but beautiful Cardiff, Wales, constitutes one of the most solid, no-nonsense performances of the early part of the 2000 World Tour. This show is not incredibly dramatic, ear-catching, or especially powerful in any way. So if you only listen to this bootleg a few times, you may not notice how loose, relaxed, and insistent this performance really is. This requires close listening, but your patience will be rewarded. The rhythm section of Jeff Ament and Matt Cameron are in an especially limber and even bluesy mood, giving the songs an extra bit of swing. The guitar interplay by Stone Gossard and Mike McCready is relaxed and flawless. Eddie Vedder is clearly in a good mood, and while he keeps the stage talk relatively low-key in this gig, he's clearly having fun with the crowd, especially in his story about a tour guide named Jerry. This show has the benefit of a rather unconventional set list, as compared to many of the other bootlegs. "Nothing As It Seems" is the show opener for the only time in the tour, and this is a great idea, because the song can often be a mid-show downer but works very well as the opener. Crushing renditions of the heavy rockers "Gods' Dice," "Red Mosquito," and "I Got Shit" make welcome appearances early in the set, while some more rarities like "Spin the Black Circle" and "Smile" appear in the encore. Pearl Jam had apparently never been to this town before, and may not be there ever again, but the Cardiffians should be talking about this for years to come.

reflections on cardiff
This is a very good show taken from Pearl Jam's 2000 European Tour. In Cardiff, Wales, the band sounds a bit worn from the hectic schedule. For those who think they have figured out the set list, Pearl Jam throws a curve right from the start by opening with "Nothing is as it seems." The show, proper, moves along as the band provides a journeyman performance. It is after the rousing ovation which brings the encore that the band reflects more of their usual energy. Mr Vedder engages in some hyperbole. He relates a story about the band's adventures aboard a Cardiff tour bus. It falls under that category of tales in which "you had to be there." ;D Realising the corner he has painted himself into, he perceptively admits that sometimes it is better to just get on with the song and not talk about it. It is that natural honesty which Mr Vedder brings to a show that makes me respect him so much. Songs which end the encore are especially rousing. This is probably the most upbeat version of "black" I have heard. I enjoy this show, and I hope you will, too.

New to Pearl Jam
I've never really paid much attention to this band...more inclined towards Nirvana, Pixies, Sonic Youth...but just on a whim I bought this album mainly because I thought it was a very cool idea of the band's to release ALL of their live shows over the course of an entire tour. I must say, I loved this album from the start even though I was unfamiliar with almost all of the songs. The bass is mixed very far down(?) but Vedder's vocals are spot-on and to be honest, somehow the overall sound is so different it's cool. I honestly like this cd better than the last Jones Beach show...I know I might get some questions in that regard...but somehow this show seems more 'live' to me...anyway...I applaud Pearl Jam for this whole series of cds...a stroke of brilliance. And it's good to see that there are still a few bands on the scene with a brain on their collective shoulders... ... Read more

Amazon.com

If vocalist Eddie Vedder took any foreign-language courses in high school, my bet is that they were French. He at least attempts to speak a few phrases, and sprinkles words here and there (even if his pronunciation and accent aren't so hot), unlike other shows on the tour in which he basically speaks as though he's back in the States. Two hard-hitting tunes off of Binaural--the fast, punky "God's Dice" and the staccato stutter-step of "Evacuation"--are included in the set. The sweet, hummable melody of "In Hiding" is a welcome addition, and the usual improv jam in the middle of "Rearviewmirror" turns the song into a particularly inspiring closer. Lead guitarist Mike McCready makes his presence felt in a big way on this date, taking his usual smokin' solos from Ten's "Even Flow" and "Black" to screaming crescendos. Neil Young's "Fuckin' Up," at the end of the encore, is also a bonus in this already powerful performance. --Adem Tepedelen ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My first PJ concert
This was my first pearl jam concert ever. Im from mexico, and since the band has never been here i had the opportunity to see them when i was in france. The concert started out rocking with sometimes. This was one of the most intense performances i had ever seen. The set continued to flow in an impressive beautifull manner. Everything was perfect in the show. All the pauses (most of which are not included in the cds), everything Eddie said, all the music. Perhaps what i didnt like much was the lack of a new cover or an improv, but all in all the show was absolutely fabulous. In my opinion this show is in between the 15 best shows of the tour.

Tres Bien in Gay Paree
Disclaimer: Owner of all 72 official PJ bootlegs. This is an above-average performance and one of the highlights of the European portion of the 2000 bootleg series. Unlike in all of the other non-English speaking nations on the tour, Eddie Vedder speaks to the crowd in their own language here, perhaps remembering some old high school French lessons. Regardless, large portions of the crowds in those other countries understood Eddie's English anyway (unless they were just happy to hear him say anything), but Eddie works this Parisian crowd well and they are extra enthusiastic. This show presents an especially strong performance by the band, with Jeff Ament and Matt Cameron laying down the rhythms flawlessly, while Mike McCready's solos are even more intense than usual. While there are some crushing heavy rockers here, like "Gods' Dice," "Go," and "Hail Hail," on this evening the band really shine on the mid-tempo numbers. This includes very impressive renditions of "In Hiding," "Wishlist" (which was rather sappy in its original form but is much stronger throughout this tour), and the best "Yellow Ledbetter" to this point in the series.

Nice long diverse show for the average fan, plus some extras
Great standard set list from the European tour with a few nice extras. Highlights from the main set are the rarely played "Pilate," "In Hiding," and an excellent version of "RVM." The encore is pretty standard although begins with three rocking numbers, "Hail, Hail," "Go," and "Once." Not an amazing show but solid none-the-less. ... Read more

Album Description

After 10 years apart Hammerbox reunited on May 14th for an epoch evening of rock n’ roll at it’s finest. The sold out crowd at the Experience Music Projects Skychurch was treated to an onslaught of musical energy and talent. Rock these days tends to all sound the same, however Hammerbox has breathed new life into rock music by returning an energy and sound that has been lost. ... Read more

Album Description

The third hit from 'The Color And The Shape'. An enhanceddisc, it features the CD-ROM videos for 'Everlong' &'Monkeywrench', plus a photo gallery & a lyrics section, aswell as two non-album tracks: 'Dear Lover' (from the 'Scream2' soundtrack) and a rockin ... Read more

Reviews (7)

great cover
a moderate foo fighters fan, I heard the band's cover of "Baker Street" once, only once, on the radio a few years ago while living in Australia, and kept an eye out for it ever since. While looking for it, I bought a couple of the foo's albums, and have become a fan of their musicianship and energy.

For anyone growing up around a radio in the seventies and eighties "Baker Street" has become a part of your subconscious...admit it, you can hear that saxaphone solo now!

This single is worth it just for the cover

A decent little bundle.
First of all, this is the single to one of the coolest Foo Fighters songs, "My Hero." Very catchy, excellent lyrics and one of their best videos, too. "Baker Street" is pretty good, but is best if you already liked the original. "Dear Lover" is decent, but would have been better to include on a full length album. The multimedia section contains a short clip of the "Monkeywrench" video (so-so) and the entire "Everlong" video (JOY!). There are also some pictures and lyrics. Is this worth the price? Well...I'd say 'yes' for a hardcore fan and 'no' for a casual listener.

Well worth the money
I love Foo Fighters, and Dave Grohl is awesome. This single is no disappointment. I especially like 'Dear Lover'. It's sweet and sad at the same time. Excellent. Two thumbs up, definitely.

dude.
I love it. In fact, I'm listening to it right now. I really like "My hero". It's cool. Buy it. It's very cool. You won't regret it. yeah.

awesome!!
I love the "My hero" song. It's awesome. I also enjoyed watching the "Everlong" video. It was funny! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very catchy grunge-power pop, unfairly ridiculed.
I remember two industry jokes about Green Apple Quick Step (named after a Byrds song, of all things):a) That it was "the last unsigned band in the Washington grunge scene; and b)That its song, "Bottle", was a ripoff of Nirvana's "Negative Creep".

I don't know if either observation was true, but I do know that when I first saw lead single "Dirty Water Ocean" on Muchmusic, I bought the album right away and it stuck to my CD player like glue.While far from a perfect album, Wonderful Virus is full of quirky charm, snappy songwriting, and instrumental hooks.

There's something to be said for a band that can make "Peel away/Hairless skin from the alien" into a chorus hook, and that's exactly what it does on "Ludes and Cherrybombs".While the sci-fi-hip lyrics are an acquired taste, the inherent musicality of the songwriting gets through."Dirty Water Ocean" is a breathless rush of adrenalin, like the fastest, crunchiest ruckus raised by a band right next door; ripoff or no, the shuffling "Bottle", with its sludgy Alice in Chains-like groove, changing tempos and male-female vocal tag team, is an arresting rock tune; "Rapid" and personal favourite "Eating on All Fours" distinguish this band, the former with its languishing free-flowing melodicism, the latter for its muscular rock-anthem energy, blitz of chord changes, and bassist Mariann Braeden's wistful backing vocal.

Lead singer Ty Willman's vocal style owes more to progressive rock (sounding almost like Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom!) than punk or grunge; the participation of Braeden in vocal chores enriches the sonic palette greatly; and the instrumentation crackles.

One of my favourite records of that fertile alternative-rock period.

They deserve more credit..
This album is so amazing and such a breath of fresh air.. I also like "Reloaded" too..

A Band That Should Be Recognized As One of the Best Ever
Who can't love the backwater/alternative sound of Ty Willman's voice.As if his vocals alone are not enough to hook you, Mari Ann Braeden's angelic background singing adds an element that separates GAQS's stlyes from allothers.I'm an experienced music listener, who orders you to buy thisalbum. This album gives you alternative rock songs such as "Feel MyWay", and "Dirty Water Ocean".Also amazing songs thatdiffer in stye, such as the soft "Rapid", and the spunky"Can't Believe".And who couldn't be obsessed with the song (myfavorite) "Ludes And Cherrybombs". ... Read more

Amazon.com

Gavin Rossdale may try his best to sound like Kurt Cobain, and his British band may strum and bang Seattle-style, and Steve Albini may produce like he never left the alterna-grunge basement, but the songs here are pure pop for now people--now being Grunge-mania 1996. The lyrics always loop around in disjunctive fits and Albini ensures the band stops and starts in discomforting style but deep down Rossdale has his radio tuned to the FM-radio hits of yesteryear. "Swallowed" is the obvious single but "History," "Greedy Fly," and others have a sugary side that's pure ear candy underneath the harsh wailings. --Rob O'Connor ... Read more

Reviews (102)

"Bush have found themselves!"
I bought this album the day it came out and literally liked every sinlge song on the thing. Once again have used their skillful contrasting, their sonically beautiful solos, and Gavin's warm voice to put them on the map.

"Cold Contagious" and "Synapse" are the best songs on this album while "Swallowed" runs a close second. "Cold Contagious" brings back all the elements I loved about the obscure "Alien." And yes, these lyrics are easy to understand. "Swallowed" is perhaps the deepest look that you can have into Gavin's mind. Its about the pain of being in a crowded room, but no one seems to notice you. I think this song was basically written about Bush's fame. They make it big, press hates 'em, and Bush are trying to figure out why. But it could also be a simple love song. That is for the listener to figure out. Bush take it to a new step with ballads "Bonedriven" and "Straight No Chaser." You could say its an attempt to recreate "Glycerine" but really these songs surpass their counterpart. The beautiful, yet raw, string arrangements make them go beyond "Glycerine." The main thing that made me like the album was the rawness. It sounded so simple, yet so beautiful. I think Bush went for pureness on Razor Blade Suitcase, and they sure found it. Whether you like it or not, Bush are great. And besides, whats wrong with someone liking the sounds of America opposed to England. Thank God Bush didn't try to sound like Oasis. That would be scary. Instead they have done what they wanted and slipped the finger of those who hate them. If you like good, moving music give this album a try. You will not be sorry!!!!

Drink life as it comes...
Look here all, if your not a fan of bush or at least someone who has listened to the cd more than once, please dont write a review. This is not better than 16stone because so very much different than it. Razorblade Suitcase when I first heard it, was ok. However, after listening to it I realized that this is powerful music, Gavin shows many different sides to him in one song than most monotonist rock groups do on a cd ( limp bizkit kid rock ). I notice that people who write a bad review for this cd often have a very short review, hmm..., makes you wonder. anyway the best songs are "Straight no Chaser", "Synapse", and the best "Bonedriven", I recomend this to anyone who is into DEEP music.

One of the Best Grunge Album of the 90s
Yes, with a title like that, it seems like I'm almost inviting the knives to come out. After all, how could a British grunge band so far removed from the Seattle scene ever possibly expect to put out a "real" grunge album.
But that's just geography. Regardless of where they hail from, it's hard to dispute that Bush were one of the most talented grunge bands of the 90s. And as a true fan, I'll vehemently differ with any of those who would rate Sixteen Stone higher than Razorblade Suitcase. Yes, their first album was unquestionably a strong debut, and with such solid tracks as "Bomb", "Machinehead," "Everything Zen" and "Testorone"--to say nothing of the big hit "Glycerine"--it seems easy to see why people would say that.
But I challenge you this: listen to the two albums from start to finish. Sixteen Stone has some great tracks, but as an album, it is often uneven and unbalanced. The songs don't blend into each other nearly as well, and there are times when certain songs jump out so abruptly that you question the entire production process.
Razorblade Suitcase is definitely a bird of a different feather. While it may lack that one killer track like "Glycerine" or "Machinehead," what it does give you instead is a great sense of songwriting balance. Unline Stone, Razorblade's tracks meld into each other with a sense of planning and precision that its predecessor badly lacked. Listen, for instance, to the sharp ending of the incredibly powerful track "Greedy Fly" followed up by Gavin Rossdale's hauntingly beatiful strum-vocal entry on "Swallowed." Or the frantic ending of "Insect Kin," my personal favorite track on the CD (love that dirty little guitar fill in the middle) blending into the heavy, dark drumbeat of "Cold Contagious." Or even the surprisingly refreshing and unexpected inclusion of a violin in the transition from "Mouth" to "Straight No Chaser."
Dear Readers, this is not an album that will hit you over the head first time. It is what some call a "grower." But as with all great albums, the ones you always seem to like best are the ones that grow on you with time. This one is definitely in that category.
I'd like to close with an anecdote that I hope will bear out my point. A friend of mine, a diehard Nirvana fan who liked Sixteen Stone but didn't love it, could never understand why I liked Razorblade Suitcase so much. So I actually bought it for him for his birthday to try to win him over. Interestingly enough, he had it for two years but barely played it. Then one day he put it on in his car and listened to the whole thing, and wrote to me to tell me that he was surprisingly impressed how solid an album this was. I encouraged him to give it another whole listen, and so he did.
Needless to say, he is completely hooked--so much so, in fact, that he now calls this "the second best grunge album of the 90s" (behind, of course, Nevermind). While I might not go that far, I will say that this is really a great, thoroughly solid album, and one that should never be judged by first listen.
I hope those who purchase this will take the time to really listen to it. Believe me, you won't regret it.

90's Alternative Music Will Never Fade Away
In my opinion, "Razorblade Suitcase" is equal in greatness to the five times platinum "Sixteen Stone," both of which are far better than the next two full albums. The next two albums, "The Science of Things" and "Golden State" were disappointing beyond belief. "Razorblade Suitcase" consists of thirteen songs as follows:
Song 1) PERSONAL HOLLOWAY- a song about comparing female struggle to being trapped in a world where you can't speak or you can't hear, but it doesn't mean that your brain isn't fully functioning
Song 2) GREEDY FLY- a song that commands "make up your mind" and states that "we are servants of our formulaic ways"
Song 3) SWALLOWED- a song about low self esteem
Song 4) INSECT KIN- a song about winning and about doing it your own way
Song 5) COLD CONTAGIOUS- a song about seeing how relationships break up, how happy homes get destroyed, desire for revenge, and people's beliefs about other people
Song 6) A TENDENCY TO START FIRES- a song for the future about the future
Song 7) MOUTH- a song that says we all suffer from communication breakdowns (I must suggest listening to the remix of this song off the "Deconstructed" album)
Song 8) STRAIGHT NO CHASER- about being totally crumpled inside
Song 9) HISTORY- a song about abortion from a woman's point of view
Song 10) SYNAPSE- the song whose lyrics inspired the name of this album, "Razorblade Suitcase," which represents emotional luggage or perhaps a bag of tricks
Song 11) COMMUNICATOR- a song best left open for self-interpretation
Song 12)BONEDRIVEN- states that power comes from the deepest part of you
Song 13) DISTANT VOICES- a great album closer which doesn't receive as much recognition as it deserves
Out of these songs, my personal favorites are Greedy Fly, Swallowed, Cold Contagious, A Tendency to Start Fires, Mouth, Straight No Chaser, and Bonedriven; so practically I love the whole album. I'm not going to sit here and tell you how good this album really is. There is a lot more to tell about this album than I can write in the space alotted. My advice to you is: Read up about the band, get the lyrics and song meanings off the internet, and at least listen to sound clips, if not the whole songs before buying the album. That way, you can decide for yourself whether or not this album deserves five stars. Finally, you are presented with an informative review that is refreshing from all those other reviews that state Bush is trying to be like Nirvana(whom I recommend also), talk nonstop about grunge music(which there's nothing wrong with grunge music), and talk about how attractive girls find lead singer Gavin Rossdale to be (even though I disagree). Bush is one of my listening favorites and I recommend this album to anyone and everyone, which is why I believe "Razorblade Suitcase" deserves the top rating of five stars.

from sixteen stone to this?-dang
"sixteen stone" is easily one of my favorite albums of all time.with RS, bush tries to mellow it out a little bit-and fails for the most part."swallowed" is a much weaker track than many point it out to be and the only thing carrying this cd is "mouth" which would kick even more if they didn't screw around so much during the song.definitely a misfire from 16S but still the same old band. ... Read more

Album Description

1992 Japanese EP featuring a live version of 'Alive', plus'Even Flow' (Re-recorded), 'Wash' and 'Dirty Frank'.Standard jewel case. A Sony release. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Classic Pearl Jam
It's my opinion that if you don't already have copies of "Wash" or "Dirty Frank," this CD is well worth the twenty-five bucks. The re-recorded version of "Even Flow," which was used in the music video, is a step above the Ten version as far as intensity goes. Eddie's vocals are so much more energetic, Abruzzese beats out Krusen on the drums, and Stone does this awesome palm-muted guitar riff after the second and third choruses that just drives it home. The "Alive" version is from the music video too and it's good. "Wash" and "Dirty Frank" are cool collectibles.

Great songs... but way too expensive.
Review edit:
This review was originally written for the Alive EP, which is an import available right here at Amazon.com for around $25. If you are viewing this review from the page for the U.S. Alive single, I give that 5 stars and suggest that you get the Alive EP insted if you can. Now, on to the review of the Alive EP.

First of all, you might be wondering what this EP contains. Essentially, you get:

1) The "video version" of Alive - different from the album version, because the video featured a live performance of the song. 2) The "video version" of Even Flow - different from the album version because it features Dave Abruzzezze on drums instead of Dave Krusen, who played drums on Ten. Also, it starts with a scream by Eddie and finishes with some additional vocals dubbed into the song at the end. (Of course, both Alive and Even Flow are audio tracks; there are no videos included on this CD)
3) Dirty Frank - Pearl Jam meets the Chili Peppers... a really cool song, and the lyrics are a hoot!
4) Wash - a great song all around, very slow and reflective. Of all songs on Ten, it's probably closest to Release and Oceans.
5) A cool insert with handwritten lyrics to Dirty Frank, lyrics to other songs in both English and Japanese, pictures, and some other cool stuff.
So, should you buy this CD? Well, I was lucky enough to find a copy of it in a used CD store for $4. But I don't think that it's worth $25, hence the 3 star rating. If you really must have Dirty Frank and Wash, studio versions of these songs are available on other singles from Ten... I think Dirty Frank is on Even Flow, and Wash is on the regular Alive. You can also get the live version of Wash on the Pittsburgh official bootleg.
Anyhow, get this CD if you can afford it and really don't mind spending $25 on 4 songs.

bad price great item
i cannot complain about the cd in general, but the ... price seems a bit high just to get the rerecorded even flow, the only track not available elsewhere.

Get It For Track 3
As with all CD singles, get this one if you happen to be a Pearl Jam fanatic, looking for more stuff by the band. The first two tracks (ALIVE, ONCE) are taken from TEN. But it's Track 3, WASH, that is worth the purchase here. It's melodic, haunting and reminds one of other great PJ songs of this type like OCEANS, RELEASE and INDIFFERENCE. The lyrics flourish and Vedder's voice carries the mood of the song perfectly.

how much more of a good thing could you want
this is a must for any true pj fan, this song says it all about the best band of the 90's. I jam to this song on a regular basis. I have owned this ep for about five yrs now and it is the most played song in my collection, a real must have!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Buzz Aplenty
"Buzz Factory" was the Screaming Trees' final recording for SST, but not their last stand as independent recording artists. They would follow up by spending a little quality time with Sub Pop prior to the release of their major label debut, "Uncle Anesthesia," two years later. Produced by the Trees and Jack Endino, "Buzz Factory" lives up to its title with buzz aplenty thanks to Gary Lee Conner's muscular guitar playing. The album is a solid send-off, which should come as little surprise--history will remember the Trees as one of the Northwest's most consistent bands. If they never had a hit on par with "Nevermind," nor did they ever release any lackluster (or uncharacteristic) recordings in a career spanning over 15 years. Opening track "Where the Twain Shall Meet" and "Black Sun Morning" are two of the strongest selections. The latter doesn't just have a Soundgarden-style title--a lá "Black Hole Sun"--but even sounds a little like that hard rockin' Seattle quartet (who were also aligned with SST at the time), which is to say: more anthemic than usual. A sample from an interview briefing is slipped between "Yard Trip #7" and "Flower Web" ("The question will be what kind of trees you are; the reply will be 'Screaming Trees'").

Subtle Poison To Alter Your Mind
With Invisible Lantern and Uncle Anesthesia, Buzz Factory makes up the trilogy of masterpieces in which the Screaming Trees create the perfect combination between garage punk, hard rock and psychedelia. And mark the word create, because this is music of undeniable originality, despite its well known roots. Never in history has a band channeled sounds of such intoxicating and ragged beauty; mesmerizing melodies and stories from other dimensions are buried under layers of fuzzed guitars, intricate fills and, of course, Mark Lanegan's glorious, post-apocalyptic drawl. Don't worry about the sometimes inadequate production. These songs will throw themselves at your throat and never let go, while releasing a subtle, reality altering poison into your unsuspecting mind.

Mark Lanegan is the Lion King of rock. Gary Lee Conner is the lost link between Ed Kuepper and Jimmy Page. Mark Pickerel is the reincarnation of the thunder god. Van Conner has the bottle of superglue. A!nd Buzz Factory is a distorted marvel. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Midpoint of the Bootleg Series
Disclaimer: Owner of all 72 official PJ bootlegs. Date-wise, this concert isn't in the middle of the 2000 world tour, but the bootleg from Charlotte occupies the midpoint of quality in the series. There are shows worse than this, and many that are better, and there is a lot to say about those bootlegs. There is not much to say about this one, except to comment on its sheer averageness. There are no truly remarkable songs or performances tonight, but also there are no major errors. The man holding everything together tonight is Stone Gossard, who is basically flawless. In a possible technical error, Mike McCready is very faint in this bootleg, and he sounds rather tame anyway, except for "Black" in which he delivers even more intense and dramatic solos than usual. One source of trouble tonight is Eddie Vedder, but not with his vocals. The problem is his guitar work. Eddie is one of the greatest rock singers in the world, but he continues to embarrass himself on guitar, which is clearly not one of his strengths. Tonight he commits many errors, especially in the intro's to "Betterman" and "Rearviewmirror," and throughout "Wishlist" and "Insignificance." I have never been able to figure out why he insists on playing guitar, especially when his band already contains two perfectly outstanding guitar heroes. Eddie does redeem himself however, with the heartfelt tune listed here as "Improv" (probably not completely improvisational), plus excellent vocal performances in "Sometimes" (the early highlight of the evening), "I Got S**t," and "Given to Fly."

this one, along with all PJ's others, is a keeper
I was at the Charlotte show and it was just awesome! The way the same song's on the albums are live makes you wonder, are these guy's human? The CD has songs from the beginning of the band's start up until now, not just focused on any particular period. Listening to the suberb guitar playing just made me appreciate this album that much more. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

totally rocks!
This is the first Babes in Toyland CD that I ever bought.I was very lucky to find it at Borders,and this was the only one they had.So,I popped it in,and after a few listens,I really became into the CD.Favorite songs of mine on this CD are the live versions of "Bruise Violet", "Spun","Right Now" and "Ripe".Other great tracks to listen to are "Fake Fur Condom", "BlueBell","Sweet 69",and of course the mindblowing,pulsating "Eye Rise",with an amazing,bone chilling guitar solo by Kat and pain-drenched vocals.This CD is a must have for first-time Babes listeners,as you will find different degrees of their raw sound.It helped me decide on which Babes CD to get next.(I now have four,with another on the way! The sad thing is,is that most of the Babes in Toyland CDs you have to order from online.Good thing my birthday is just under 6 weeks,so maybe I'll be getting a Babes CD for it!I recommend this CD to any newcomers to the Babes sheer geniusness.Also,pick up "Fontanelle"if you get a chance.

Necessary for Babes fans
There has been an avelanche of Babes in Toyland albums come out in the past year or so, with nothing other than price to distinguish them from one another. This is another entry in the pile, with live tracks, an early single, and a few unreleased songs thrown together into a nineteen track collage of the band's history.

The live tracks are thankfully minus excess crowd noise, and run the gamut from a cover of 'We Are Family' to the Babes' own classic 'Handsome & Gretel'.

After that is the addition of the early Sub Pop single featuring 'House' and 'Arriba', something many later fans have not had access to.

Then comes the unreleased material, including some sure fire future fan favorites like 'Dirty' and 'Watching Girl' plus a wonderful version of 'More, More, More' and an alternate take of 'Sweet 69'.

For fans, this a bit of a goldmine. It may not attract too many new fans, but it'll keep the rabid ones at bay for awhile. ... Read more