Amazon.com

Fans of the celestial sounds of Enya and the lush trip-hop beats of Delerium and Enigma will love Balligomingo. Contrary to its Eastern-sounding name, Balligomingo is the baby of one Garrett Schwartz, a keyboardist-programmer who collaborated with a variety of musicians for Beneath The Surface. Though purely a U.S. and Canadian affair, the music does create an ethereal air of mystery and tension not unlike that of Asian underground pioneer Nitin Sawhney's recent Prophesy (though Balligomingo is far less profound). The buoyant, atmospheric tracks of Surface include various female vocalists who extend the songs' allure, a live band treated to sound like sweet computer rhythms, and a 15-piece orchestra. Most of the songs flow together, sustaining the album's dream sequence mood like a long summer rain. Occasionally, the vocals border on teen-pop, but mostly they blend into the foreground, helping to advance Balligomingo's lush world-beat-and-tone poetry muse. --Ken Micallef ... Read more

Reviews (51)

A very impressive debut
When you look at the debut albums of some of the great Trance bands, you find music that really seems to be looking for a direction. Enigma's MCMXC A.D. is a good example of this. Unlike later albums, like The Screen Behind The Mirror that have a very definate theme throughout, MCMXC A.D. jumps around a lot and contains few of the things that have become Enigma trademarks. Balligomingo's Beneath The Surface has a very definate feel to it. It's the kind of audible hallucinagen that put Delerium, Enigma, and Enya on the map, and has, fittingly, found a place in the 'Pure Moods' archive. ('Purify' is on Pure Moods IV.) But Balligomingo's electronic feel sends the CD off-course from the long-walk-in-the-woods sound of its Pure Moods bretheren. Actually, several of the songs are far more reminiscent of Sasha, Chicane, or Zero7. But comparing Balligomingo, as an artist, to any of these people would first of all be incorrect and secondly premature. Beneath The Surface is an incredible CD, but the songs do really blend together. Wether this is created by illusion through gentle song transitions or wether the songs are really just variations on a theme. The CD ultimately is what albums like Ultra Chilled and Chillout 2002 claim to be. Balligomingo's Beneath The Surface, while lacking the kind of musical diversity that makes singles, is the best chillout album I've heard all year.

The most hidden gem in music history
I do not understand how an album of this magnitude can go so entirely unnoticed in the music world. But then again, Delerium's Poem would have fallen throught the cracks as well if not for the publicity Sarah maclachlan brought with it. it is a sad world we live in knowing ... artists like britney spears, eminem, and creed make millions and absorb all the spotlight, while envelope pushing, sonically in touch artists like balligomingo, delerium, and massive attack have no business on the radiowaves. This album is so tight, you will have a very hard time going a day without listening to at least one song. The lyrics and vocals are deeper than deep and the bass rich rythms drive each song right into your soul. The only act to hold a candle to the rich sounds of balligomingo would be any of the many associated with Bill Leeb, who by the way, had a little to do with this CD. Listen, enjoy, and prepare to leave the planet. Peace.

"Take too much, but don't take too long".
Wow!! That is what you will say after listening to this for the first time. Balligomingo is the brainchild of basically one man, named Garrett Schwarz. The music acts like a tornado as it pulls the listener into its funnel of sound. This is one hell of a great debut. The singers are a little pop sounding at times, but the music is the star, and the singing is just the background. Let me tell you my five favorites of this magnificant album. 1)"Beyond". Incredible. Be prepared to be blown over by this one. 2)"Sweet Allure". Another spellbounder. The beats and rhythms come from all areas, and is just awesome. 3)"Heat". Garrett needs to release this one, this is a hit begging to be a smash. 4)"Marooned". The music shimmers on this one, and is reminescent of Enigma's sound with its own uniqueness. And the singing on this is perfect. 5)"Lust". The title of this one says it all about what you will feel after listening to it. After reading this please go buy it, we all need to do what we can to keep the talented Garrett Schwarz making more of this great music. And hurry up, Garrett, I am wearing this CD out.

Finally - Balligomingo is here!
I've been following Balligomingo for over a year now but it's been well worth the wait. This sonic soundscape of lush, female singing with ambient-pop and smooth electronic beats is enough to send anyone soaring, and we have Garrett Schwartz to thank for that. He is the master genious behind Balligomingo for most of this is surprisingly done on mixing sounds with a computer or programmer. The atmosphere is all so dreamy with downtempo chill-out amidst swirls of worldbeat and feminine lounge, but that's only part of the reason why Balligomingo is so effective in seducing the listener. The lyrics are steamy and hot while the singing is breathy and mysterious with artists such as Kristy Thirsk of Delerium and the Rose Chronicles getting us all sweaty and bothered on songs like the scorching "Heat". Even Bill Leeb & Chris Peterson of Delerium and Frontline Assembly co-produce to add their own ethereal touches. Jazz vocalist Beverley Staunton casts her spellbinding vocals on songs like "Falling" and "Lust" (which resonates deeper in bass than the others) while Camille Miller provide her vocals on the more familiar single "Lost" (which is featured on the Elevation 3 compilation) and Jennifer Hershman on my favorite track, "Sweet Allure". "Privelege" is another personal favorite with its wonderful string arrangments. I only wish that the song "Waiting" was on here which featured the vocals of kaRIN who sings with the electronic-goth group Collide. That song was featured on their sampler CD a while back, which I never received because of supplies running out. Overall, though, Balligomingo's BENEATH THE SURFACE is a worthy debut that will appeal to fans of Enigma, Enya, Zero 7, Delerium and Massive Attack.

Hope my review was somehow helpful.

An Amazing Talent; A Wonderful Masterpiece... more plz
I have a wide array of musical tastes, but of all of the music I own and listen to, Beneath the Surface is my favorite album. Every vocalist provides a unique and enjoyable talent to the album, and the music is just plain beautiful. I don't know how he does it, but Garrett Schwarz has an amazing ability to make music have this classical yet ethereal and otherworldly feel and when you are done it does nothing more than to leave you begging for more. I have had this album on my turn-table for quite sometime. If you are into soothing, relaxing, enjoyable, and, for lack of a better term, magical music... you'll love this. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This two-man Manchester supergroup--New Order's Bernard Sumner and the Smith's Johnny Marr--made one of the best debuts of the '90s with Electronic. More New Order than Smiths, the album was a blend of plangent fretwork and frenetic sequencing, with bleak lyrics intoned in Sumner's clean, boyish tenor. "Get the Message" was orthodox '80s pop, but the heartbreaking "Gangster" was an electro-rock masterpiece. The album featured engaging cameos from the Pet Shop Boys on "Getting Away with It" and "The Patience of a Saint". --Barney Hoskyns ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Combination of many talents all in one........
This is Electronics first album. I bought it ten years ago and love it like its a day old. New Order's Bernard Sumner,the Smith's Johnny Marr, Pet Shop Boys's Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe formed togather and made a MASTERPIECE OF ART. This albums is nothing less than perfect. Every song is a smash. "Idiot Country" and "Tighten Up" shows Johnny Marr's talent in full affect. "Reality" really touched me the very first time I heard it and has Bernald's voice at its peak. "The Patience of the Saint" and "Getting Away With It" shows the magnificent coordination of the voice of Neil and Bernald as they perform togather. This album shows the progress of synth-pop and new-wave sound to a new level. There is a mixture of songs that have more electronica and others with more acoustics and guitars.
There is a varity for us all in this great album.
Also check out other albums by Electronic.."Raise the Pressure" and "Twisted Tenderness"

OH YA...................
This is Electronics first album. I bought it ten years ago and love it like its a day old. New Order's Bernard Sumner,the Smith's Johnny Marr, Pet Shop Boys's Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe formed togather and made a MASTERPIECE OF ART. This albums is nothing less than perfect. Every song is a smash. "Idiot Country" and "Tighten Up" shows Johnny Marr's talent in full affect. "Reality" really touched me the very first time I heard it and has Bernald's voice at its peak. "The Patience of the Saint" and "Getting Away With It" shows the magnificent coordination of the voice of Neil and Bernald as they perform togather. This album shows the progress of synth-pop and new-wave sound to a new level. There is a mixture of songs that have more electronica and others with more acoustics and guitars.
There is a varity for us all in this great album.
Also check out other albums by Electronic.."Raise the Pressure" and "Twisted Tenderness"

The last synth -pop masterpiece
It just doesn't get any better than this. I miss the days when music was this good. This album was the last big hurrah for the synth-pop genre, as the decade of the 90's would soon be flooded with grunge.

Electronic Rocks!
I have been a longtime fan of New Order and I have always enjoyed The Smiths. This album is the brainchild of Bernard Sumner, New Order's vocalist with Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr. This album also had an assist by Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys. While Tennants influence is felt on a few tracks, Electronic is a unique creature unto itself borrowing the best from its respective bands. With Marr's amazing guitar riffs and Sumner's Brit-boy vocals, the self-titled album emits great feeling, despite being synth-pop. However, the lack of organic instruments do not detract from the sound. Through and through, you will find that the album is mostly up-tempo and will make you want to move. However, if you listen to the lyrical content, you might find yourself feeling a little down. Between the two contradiction, the album will leave you in the aftermath of an emotional rollercoaster. I highly recommend this to any who appreciate the music of the Manchester scene in England.

The best from the best
However I look it's clear to see I love this album !!! Fantastic vocals fantastic taste in instrumental organisation, this album is as catchy as it can get but also with very deep meaningful lyrics,

Don't listen to Getting away with it when you have just split with someone though, especially as its so damn good a song,

If you like the the eletronic scene from the late 80's with the like's of Depeche mode, New Order, Pet Shop Boys then get this album it has your name all over it !! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This debut is Deee-Lite's most consistent record, and subsequently their best. By freebasing the previous three decades of pop culture, World Clique is a rush of beats, hooks, and fashion sensibilities. "Groove Is in the Heart" brings one of the best and funkiest bass lines ever to the dance floor. Lady Miss Kier establishes herself as a stylist--both vocally and visually--capable of casting some serious shade. World Clique manages a seamless merger of house beats, a trippy '60s vibe, and an over-the-top '70s funkified sound, thanks in part to DJ Towa Tei. "Good Beat" serves up what its title promises, while "Power of Love" goes one better by adding one of the strongest melodies of the band's career. By punctuating their songs with quirky bleeps and rhythmic kitsch, Deee-Lite predicted the DJ-dominated craze that would spin the latter part of the '90s into a tizzy. --Steve Gdula ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Deee-Debut Is Tight!
Deee-Lite's intro to the pop and dance music scene is tight. This is a classic among many people, and for good reason.

The album opens with the "Deee-Lite Theme" which is a funky and entertianing tribute to New York. "Good Beat," & "Power of Love," are some fun songs about dancing and loving, what Deee- was all about.

"Smile On" and "Try Me On..." are very cool pop tunes that put a smile on any listener's face and are uplifintg.

"What Is Love" is kind of dubby - but it's trancey and hyptnotic. Lady Kier's sexy French accent in the middle is very cute and classic for fans.

"World Clique" The title-track of the album is a positive tune trying to bring the world together as one, it's also very inspiring.

"E.S.P." may be one of their best songs. It's very trancey and mystifying, and there's, of course, an ode to their home town of NYC in it!

"Groove Is In The Heart" - what can I say that hasn't already been said, I ask?

"Who Was That?" is a cute and fun song about someone sneaking into Kier's house, and among other things, eating her peanut butter! It's really groovy and whacky.

"Build The Bridge" & "Deep-Ending" are sort of the down point. The music is a little darker and the production isn't as good, but they are still very Deee, if you know what I mean. ;)

In the end, Deee's debut is a classic and no one should be without it. It will make you feel good when you're feeling bad, and put a smile on your face, and nothing's better than that!

Funkity tunes!
Deee-Lite is extremely innovative and creative providing a new outlook to dance music. It's very hip and great to sing along to. The best tracks on the cd are "Try me on...I'm very you", "World Clique", "Good Beat", "Groove is in the heart", and "E.S.P.".

These songs are refreshing and make you wanna bounce. If you're looking for a different wave of dance music that makes you wanna sing at the top of your lungs try this out! Deee-Lite is just the best, and this cd is definitely worth looking into.

Don't forget about Dew Drops in the Garden, Sampadelic remixes, and the Infinity Within LPs. Those are a good dosage of Deee-Lite vibes for you there. And to those who do not think that World Clique is worth getting (SAM MARTIN) think of getting a life, and actually commenting on a cd that is in your realm of music. You have NO IDEA what you are talking about. Don't listen to him. Get it.....It's bubbiliciously fun! It's extremely creative and the best all-around cd! You'll love it!

How do you say deee-gorgeous? How do you say deee-groovy???
¨World Clique¨, the debut album and most original Deee-Lite record, is a pretty funny mixture of soul/funk, house and experimental electronic music. Although they claimed more attention for their retro-fashion style and only archived real success with the massive first smash hit, ¨Groove Is In The Heart¨, the band's signature, Deee-Lite kept seducing her fans with groovy songs and much fun. ¨Power Of Love¨, the fan favourite, features a ¨kistchig¨ early 80's-like synthethizer and makes everybody shake; Lady keer also asks for a ¨Good Beat¨ in the best possible way (luv that song!!!) and jazzy opening track ¨Deee-Lite theme¨ just confirms they deserved classic place on pop music's history. In general, this is a great album, and the best possible preview of the changes who were gonna come on their last and more forgotten 2 albums.

Groove Has Set In And We Want MORE!
On "Groove Is In The Heart" Deee-Lite single-handedly usher
in the DJ-as-star era.As a whole "World Clique" is pretty innovative DJ'd house hip-hop with a funky twist but on "Groove"
all of those things and the trio's positive outlook meld with
the bass of Bootsy Collins and Maceo Parker's "horny horns" to
create pure dancable magic.No pun intended-this IS a delight!

Dee-Lovely!
I miss these guys.

Dee-Lite exploded into the picture when the world was just starting to dig on the grungy Seattle scene takeover.They provided a vibe for those of us who weren't really too concerned with writing dark poetry and gut-wrenching guitar riffs- we just wanted to dance, baby.

"World Clique" was their first, and "Groove is in the Heart" made it big in only a few short weeks (it certainly helped that Bootsy Collins lent his vocals on the track, and appearance in the video). After that, there was no stopping them. Dee-Lite was unlike any other band- funky, quirky, and techno. No other band has rivaled their overall sounds, either. This first CD is a collection must have. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin's self-titled first English-language album is a triumph of an omnivorous world-pop sensibility--but more important is that at its best, it's a real kick. The first single, "Livin' la Vida Loca," employs a revved-up ska tempo to praise a girl whose "lips are devil red [and] skin's the color of mocha." Martin is no less irresistible on the disc's other uptempo numbers, such as "Spanish Eyes," "The Cup of Life" (the 1998 World Cup theme which with he stole the Grammy telecast a few months before this CD's release), and the Soul Coughing-indebted "Shake Your Bon Bon." Ricky Martin loses momentum with its draggier ballads--even the much-touted Madonna duet, "Be Careful (Cuidade con Mi Corazon)," doesn't spark--but overall, it deserves its inevitable multiplatinum success. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (428)

What a nice surprise...........
Ricky Martin's self-titled album was more than I expected. It is pretty darn catchy with the usual mix of ballads and dance numbers. My absolute favorite song on the album is Private Emotion which I never get sick of listening to. The 2nd best song is I Count the Minutes with a very catchy chorus that you will be singing along with. She's All I Ever Had, Living La Vida Loca, and his duet with Madonna called Be Careful are also featured. The duet is a bit on the slow side but still quite good. I think I like his duet with Christina Aguillera much better (Nobody Wants To Be Lonely) but overall this cd is worth checking out. You have a variety of textures, exotic sounds, and different tempos to keep you from being bored.

Ricky Martin is an absolute DREAMBOAT!!!!!
Dios mio, is Ricky hot!!! I am (or, should I say, was) a hairdresser in a local Boston salon, and I was thinking of quitting my job to pursue a career in musical theatre, when one day, Carlos, the fiesty manager, put "La Vida Loca" into the CD player. Aye carumba, step aside C&C Music Factory, this hairdresser is gonna DANCE!!

Well, I did make a few mistakes on my customer's hair due to the Latin dance fever that swept over my body like cool rain on a hot August morning, and ended up being fired from the salon, but now that I have Ricky, nothing else matters!!!!

Aside from the smash hit "La Vida Loca," other infectious dance ditties appear on the album, among them, the sensual "Shake your Bon Bon." I will, Ricky, believe you me I will! "Cuidado con Mi Corazon," his duet with pop goddess Madonna, is my favourite song. Translated from the zesty Spanish language, the song's title equates to something like "Careful with my heart." Well, Ricky, if Madonna breaks your heart, you're welcome to share mine with me 4-eva!!!!!

This is one of the best dance albums to come out EVER!!! Own it, love it, dance to it!!

Emmm...I don't really hate this guy that much
I'm a guy that listen to mostly Metal Music. I can't stand most of the Pop music. But I don't really hate this guy. The guy is a good person. He's always worried about charity and all that stuff. The songs were just catchy songs. Dancing songs with stupid Lyrics but what did you expect anyway? I mean, what happened to this guy is more or less what happened to Vanilla Ice. Everybody hates Vanilla Ice today (Many of those that hate him used to love him). In some MTV crap, they told me one of his songs was chosen one of the worst songs ever. Well, MTV and the people used to love that song. No they turn their back. To me Ice always sucked so I don't change my mind because MTV tells me. The same is happening to Ricky Martin. Suddenly, everyone attacks him saying he has no talent and that he sucks and that he was a joke. I never listen to him. Quiet frankly, his music is only good for dancing ( For those that like dancing) but, don't be so mean. I mean. More than one of those that hates him danced with his music and probably had a good time. The guy is a good guy and he brought some "sabor" to the pathetic dancing skills of the average white American . Girls began to like all the dancing stuff and the guys had to begin dancing. The music sucks, is true but he was never tried to seem some kind of musical genius. Don't come here to appear as some kind of Pop hater and recommend Sum 41 or Linkin Park or Reload of Metallica.. I'm a metalhead so I know what good music with electric guitars is.
Then they go like "Chris rock said..." the hell with Chris Rock. Just leave this guy alone. It seems many like to express their antihispanic thoughts bashing this guy. He hasn't dissapeared either. He is strong as 5 years ago in the Latin music industry.
Ricky Martin is commercial as hell. This album was horrible. The Radio and MTV earned like crazy but he could and can make people dance at the end. Besides he is a good person that doesn't dislike his fans (Kurt, Avril....). I give him 2 stars because I made up with a girl thanks to one of his songs and because of all the charity projects that he is involved with all the time.

His career is "Livin La Vida" over
Remember how big this guy was back in 99? It's a really good thing that it's 2004 now and this guy is now a complete and utter joke. Shake your bon bon indeed...

Ricky Martin [US 1999]
Ricky Martin [US 1999]~ Ricky Martin was an album that was played so much that you were sick of hearing it when it came out. However, it is not a bad album. The lyrics are pretty stupid and downright inane. But the enthusiasm and the happy go lucky feeling of Mr Martin can not be denied. He is an accomplished performer. When he sings in Spanish it sounds more natural though. ... Read more

Reviews (46)

A great comeback for a classic group!
"The Wedding Album" signifies a listenable return for Duran Duran, with the ensemble being (at that point, 1993) Simon, Nick, John, and Warren. "Too Much Information" begins the album, which is fast, and begins to show the senior DD members' political side, i.e. "Destroyed by MTV, I hate to bite the hand that feeds me." Next up is the romantic ballad (but not too slow) "Ordinary World". Then "Love Voodoo", a mysterious song. "Drowning Man" isn't very good, to me at least. Ditto with "Shotgun". "Come Undone" is up next, a moody song, but is addictive. "Breath After Breath" is interesting, in that some of the song is sung in Portugese. Next, my personal favorite, "UMF", which is the sexiest thing I've ever heard! Fellow female Simon LeBon fans, this is worth the album alone. Lyrics like "Put it to me baby, you can feel love tumblin' down," and "I just wanna wrap myself in ya baby, we can tell the world we're foolin' around" really prove that Simon is totally irresistible. A cover of "Femme Fatale" follows up next, which is pretty good. "None of the Above" is all right, and "Shelter" is good, another sweet wanting song. "To Whom it May Concern" and "Sin of the City" are strange, the former being almost completely awful. The latter is alright, but I don't particularly prefer listening to it. Another political song, about a New York nightclub going up in flames. BUY THIS ALBUM, if you're a long-time DD fan, or even if you aren't. Even if you just got into them, as I did, this album is a MUST! *By the way, to set you straight (DD haters) Duran Duran were the second most popular "Teeny bop" group (besides the Beatles). And besides, "Teeny bop" is an okay phrase to use with them, though not accurate. It better describes a singer/group who COULDN'T play an instrument, a.k.a. Debbie Gibson, Menudo (Ricky Martin when he was a teen; awful, just like he is now), and of course, the unforgiveable Osmonds in the '70's. At least most of DD could play an instrument. And the "Boy Band" title for them makes a bit more sense, mostly attributed to their looks. (Come on, would YOU say that Justin Timberlake is hotter than Simon LeBon?!)...Not to mention that Simon can sing one hell of a lot better. But I don't know why people call N'Sync and BSB "Boy Bands" when none of them can play an instrument. Sure they can sing...just not that well, and like girls. Simon has a sexy, MASCULINE voice. Unlike Justin...but I'll stop comparing now, though I've gone on a rant. Anyway, just keep in mind that Duran Duran set the stage for classic music videos on MTV, and awesome fast pop songs.

Wow. What A Comeback. What Happened?
This album surely deserves a place with the few 80s artists who managed to make a 90s comeback (some of the few others who come to mind include John Mellencamp's surprising 1994 top 5 hit with "Wild Night" and Adam Ant's almost hit in 1995 with "Wonderful"). "Duran Duran" seemed inspired! "Duran Duran" was catchy and emotional! "Duran Duran" was actually quite the album!

"Come Undone" is truly the centerpiece of the album and even people who hadn't much cared for them previously were into this song. It's moodiness and darkness was ironically a bright spot on radio. First single "Ordinary World" was a close runner-up with it's sweeping guitar work that was nearly as affecting as the guitar solo in Guns N Roses' "November Rain".

"Drowning Man" was an interesting idea... and though I like the "Na na na"s that sound like something off of a Halloween CD you use to scare kids away from your door... the words were lacking a bit. 3rd single "Too Much Information" also fell into that line... a great sounding track, and while the insightful lyrics were plainly about the band "Destroyed by MTV/I hate to bite that hand that feeds me/So much information", they kind of obscure what might have an excellent instrumental. But the song is still considerably better than average. "None Of The Above" is also a pretty good song.

Oddly enough, though... everything else is borderline average. Which is why this is a 4-star album. With the obvious powerhouse singles really showcasing the album well... everything else is decent, but not to the same magnitude. But it's a hell of a lot better than everything else Duran Duran came up with post-Wedding Album.

Let's just say "Thank You" and "Medazzaland" didn't exactly post similar figures to this set... and the songs therein really reflected that.

I hesitate to use the word "comeback"
I have not listened to all the songs on this album but I've listened to most of them. This includes Come Undone, Ordinary World, Drowning Man, Love Voodoo, Shotgun, Too Much Information, To Whom It May Concern, Breath After Breath and Femme Fatale. That's nine. There can't be too many more. Anyway just about all of these songs were good. Femme Fatale was annoying but that's the exception.

Come Undone-Classic. One of their best. Great lyrics. Great music that has that sound that makes it seem as if you're hearing it while underwater and this goes along with the video that takes place in one of those aquarium rooms with a woman singing underwater (something I wouldn't actually think you'd want to try). But it's a beautiful song.
It's played on the radio still. It's that song "Who do you need, who do you love when you come undone".

Ordinary World- I think this was even more loved in its time than Come Undone and it is great. Not very catchy or upbeat, and I don't like the tune as much, but the lyrics are beautiful and uplifting.

Drowning Man- I actually thought the lyrics of this song were very interesting (and I had a sense of dejavu actually) which is why I got hooked on the song. I believe that if you like the lyrics of a song enough that's really all you need. But that just might be me. Anyway it reminds me of this piece this girl once did for Speech when I was in high school about this guy who made a living by putting on a show each day where he'd pretend to be a "drowned man". I say this because the song is really freaky and includes lots of background vocals that conjure up the image of a man drowning (which is the metaphor of the song, basically anyway but the background vocals in DD's songs are always great).

Breath After Breath--Most of it is in another language but the chorus is in English. It's a beautiful song, doesn't sound at all like Duran Duran. The lyrics are great. The words "Alone we live and die, we love and fight. Breath after breath we carry this mortal coil" says it all for me.

Too Much Information--Basically Simon says "Destroyed by MTV, I hate to bite the hand that feeds me". It's about consumerism. Great song. Catchy and full of sharp insight. Well, obvious insight but still, stated in a witty way.

Love Voodoo---Not as good as some of the others but freaky. A toss-up.

To Whom It May Concern--The beginning reminds me of Crank-Yankers with the dial tone and the "Telephone call for Mr. Bones" said in a cartoonish way. But the rest of the song is very good. Great lyrics. Catchy tune.

Femme Fatale--Don't like the tune but the lyrics are pretty good.

Shotgun-Not about riding in the passenger seat, which I assumed when I first saw the title. So take a wild guess what its theme is. Only 54 seconds. I like it all right.

I've also read the lyrics for Sin of the City. Looks interesting. Like I said before, lyrics are one of the most important parts of a song for me. UMF looks interesting too and the title (I figure I know what it stands for) is edgy without going over, I think. Shelter doesn't look too spectacular (the words don't speak to me), but oh well.

So overall, this is a great collection from what I've heard of the songs. It's the only album of Duran Duran that I think people can admit to being a success (even if it's grudgingly). I think even DD-haters have a hard time saying anything really negative about it. I hesitate to call it a comeback album though because though it helped Duran Duran regain success, they'd still been around for years before this and I felt that their earlier albums were very good as well. It helped bring them back in the public's eye (favorably perhaps) so in that way the word "comeback" does fit. I'd call this record "proof" that they have talent.

The comeback kids
Duran Duran bombed quietly with 1990's "Liberty" and then disappeared for three years, leading many to think their careers ended with the Eighties. So everyone was shocked when in 1993 they stormed back to the top of the pop charts. Their comeback success was deserved: "The Wedding Album" is Duran Duran's most colourful, dynamic and diverse offering, and ranks with 1982's "Rio" as one of their best.

I can't quite describe my feelings upon hearing the dreamy, soaring ballad "Ordinary World" for the first time in early 1993. It was like an old friend had returned after an absence of many years. Over ten years later, this first single from "The Wedding Album" retains all its anthemic power.

And then a funny thing happened: the second single, "Come Undone," was just as good! For the first time in nearly ten years, Duran Duran had two hit singles from the same album. The comeback was complete.

Fortunately "The Wedding Album" is more than just a "singles" album. As they did with "Notorious" (1986) and "Big Thing" (1988), Duran Duran continues to break new musical ground. Standout tracks include the Latin-tinged Milton Nascimento collaboration, "Breath After Breath," the Prince-style funk of "U.M.F.," and the hip-hop/ambient fusion of "Come Undone" and "Love Voodoo." More than just experiments, these songs are thoughtful compositions that successfully synthesize diverse genres with Duran's inimitable melodic sensibilities.

A minor complaint about "The Wedding Album" is that the weakest tracks, "Drowning Man" and "Shotgun," appear early on, disrupting the record's consistency. But the album quickly recovers with "Come Undone" and never looks back. "The Wedding Album" ends with a bang: the incendiary "Sin of the City," an epic tune about the tragic Happyland dance club fire, is an angry and passionate statement about urban exploitation. It's a scathing social comment that dispels the notion of Duran Duran as self-absorbed pretty boys.

More than merely a commercial comeback, "The Wedding Album" reaffirms Duran Duran's place among the premier pop bands of their generation. The wait was worth it.

this album is great
DURAN DURAN'S THE WEDDING ALBUM IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME. THIS ALBUM WAS A GIGANTIC SUCCESS IMMEDIATELY UPON ITS RELEASE. THIS ALBUM CONTINUES TO BE A GIGANTIC SUCCESS. THIS GREAT ALBUM SPAWNED 3 AMAZING GREAT SINGLES- ORDINARY WORLD, COME UNDONE, AND TOO MUCH INFORMATION. ALL 3 SINGLES WERE MASSIVE SUCCESSS STAYING IN THE TOP OF THE BILLBOARD POP ALBUM CHART FOR A LONG TIME. THESE GREAT SONGS ARE TIMELESS. DURAN DURAN'S TREMENDOUS SUCCESS WAS VERY OBVIOUS THE YEAR THIS GREAT ALBUM CAME OUT, EITH THE BAND RECEIVING A STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME THE SAME YEAR THIS ALBUM CAME OUT. THIS ALBUM IS GREAT. ANYONE WHO LISTENS TO THIS GFREAT ALBUM WILL SEE WHY DURAN DURAN ARE ONE OF THE GREATEST BANDS IN HISTORY, AND ARE LEGENDS AND SUPER LEGENDS. ITS EASY TO SEE WHY DURAN DURAN'S POPULARITY KEEPS GROWING YEAR AFTER YEAR, DECADE AFTER DECADE, CONSTANTLY BECOMING MORE SUCCESSFULL, AND MMORE POPULAR, CROSSING OVER TO ALL GENERATIONS. I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS GREAT ALBUM TO EVERYONE. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Top Freestyle Group
The Cover Girls greatest hits is just that! Their greatest music off of 4 albums. "Show me" was their first big hit and "Because of you" was another dance hit for them. Besides Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam there was no other group who really made freestyle big.

"We can't go wrong" was a smash hit ballad for the group and it peaked at #2. However, Michelle Valentine had taken over the lead vocals after Angel Sabater left the group and she relishes the lead on the funky "Wishing on a star". Their version of the song was actually a bigger hit than the original by ROSE ROYCE and it fit the group really well.

"My heart skips a beat" and "Inside outside" are essential 80's dance and freestyle and show why the group was a stay on the dance charts. A thumping remake of the TEENA MARIE classic "I need your lovin'" is also featured as the girls pay tribute to LADY T! This package sums up their collection really well and any fan of 80's/early 90's dance and freestyle will find this rewarding.

Good cover girls greatest hits album for a good price
The Cover Girls greatest hits album does it's job well. This collection released on the freestyle label Mars contains a lot of their hits counting four from their 1987 debut album and My heart skips a beat and All that glitters isn't gold from their 1989 out of print and hard to find album We can't go wrong and then we go into three tracks taken from their 1992 album Here it is. The Cover Girls version of the oldies classic Wishing on a star is actually one of the best covers ever done. The big question is why on earth did Funk Boutique get released as a single? When I listened to my copy of Here it is I dicovered that the Cover girls only sing the first parts of the song and the rest is just boring until you hear them at the end of the song. Last but not least is the ballad thank you that is very beautiful. If you want this album don't expect I need your lovin' from The Cover Girls recent satisfy album that is on Warlock's version. A good cd if you want to hear the best from Margo Urban Louise Sabater Caroline M. Jackson Sunshine Wright and Michelle Valentine Buy It Regis

Show Me, Show Me, How Much You Love This! Freestyle!
NYC-based latino group "The Cover Girls" where the live example how can overproduced dance-pop would work just fine. This Greatest Hits resumes the girls career in music industry. Although never reconigzed as a strong force in the 80's scene, the Cover Girls where one of the top acts of freestyle. "Show Me" their first single show an easy to swallow-way to sing catchy songs that fitted, great beginning hittinhg # 44 back in early 1987, "Because Of You" although less appealing that "Show Me" it broke them into the top 40 scene at #27, make it their first single to be played in massive radio at the end of 1987, "Inside Outside" came as a redeem of their freestyle ways, great closure for their first album promotion, wich feature pure dance-love songs, except for "Promise" wich in fact was thier first ballad and second single to hit the top 40 at #40. With Capitol Records promotion came "My Heart Skips To The Beat" a danceable more poppish song than freestyle, but still had that latino flavour, produce by Cole & Clivilles, became thier thrid top 40 at #38 at the end of summer 1989 caught between Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson hysteria, the Cover Girls will try to appeal to mature audience with the ballad "We Can't Go Wrong" hitting the top 10 for the first time at #8 at the end of 1989, with the whole buss, became sodas adevertisement and opening concerts to NKOTB, as the Cover Girls seems to reach a star status, although different from Abdul they wouldn't be MTV favs, lead singer Sabater, left the group, confusing fans and industry, the next single flop, but continuing with the force, and with Epic records, The Cover Girls reach for a new funky way with their new single in 1991, "Funk Boutique, an instrumental maine song, with a funky beat and the vocals in the back, it didn't click in the radio reaching a modest #55, the girsl waited til their next single "Wishing On A Star" a remake of Rose Royce, done in a proper way, as luck stroke the girls, the ballad became their second top 10 single reaching the #9 spot, odd enough, that the Cover Girls were known for their freestyle-funkyness appeal, the ballads had became their friends and top singles, for that said, "Thank You" became their next single and last to hit the top 100, spotted at #75, this ballad just didn't work for the radio and the fans, for the rest, the Cover Girls achieve much in the 80's and 90's, and didn't became a mimick of themselves, their easy to dance a sing a long music were the perfect blend to a decade that needed less complicated music, this Greatest Hits includes all the needed hits and the escence of the Cover Girls.

Where is "Don't Stop Now" ?
I loved this single and it is obviously missing from this disk.

Great 80's Batman!!
What can say? This album drips of the 80's and I love it, love it, love it!! Can't get enough synth-pop and layered vocals? Here's your album! The best songs are, of course, their hits: Show Me, Because of You, My Heart Skips a Beat and Wishing on a Star. I love trips down memory lane and this album gets me there! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

A quintessential '80s pop artifact, Madonna's third album was a huge musical leap forward and ranks with Like a Prayer and Ray of Light in the top echelon of her works. Only the title track (a bit too obviously a '60s girl-group homage) and the fine-but-nothing-special "Jimmy Jimmy" slightly lower the quality bar. Most of the songs share a jittery dance-pop sound, edgy, distracted, and nerve-jangling but simultaneously invigorating and exhilarating and almost dangerously giddy--a perfect soundtrack for the mid-'80s. Highlights include the hedonist's credo of "Where's the Party," the subtle and pretty Latin pastiche "La Isla Bonita," and, towering above all, three stunning mega-hits. "Papa Don't Preach," with its gorgeous pseudo-classical strings intro, is a sumptuous airwaves banquet, as Madonna wrestles with the have-the-baby-or-give-it-up dilemma (abortion's not in the picture) in newly gritty tones. "Open Your Heart"'s marriage of jitter-pop and wistful melody underscores the singer's yearning but forceful stance ("You better open your heart to me, buster"). And "Live to Tell" is a riveting ballad, lushly melodic yet spare and haunting--a place, as the song says, where beauty lives. --Ken Barnes ... Read more

Reviews (54)

One of her most underrated albums.
MADONNA - TRUE BLUE

PAPA DON'T PREACH: is an absolute classic but the more that I listen to it I realize that there could have been so much more done musically with this song. Nonetheless it is brilliant. I give this a 4/5.
OPEN YOUR HEART: is perhaps one of Madonna's most perfectly crafted pop songs that she released during the eighties. Sheer perfection. 5/5
WHITE HEAT: has such a catchy riff to it and though i'm not completely sure of the theme, it offers up enough to bring the listener right into Madonna's little tale. 3/5
LIVE TO TELL: is the perfect ballad for Madonna. It's almost what makes this record. And boy did she ever live to tell. 5/5
WHERE'S THE PARTY: I find that this song is way to bubblegum for Madonna. While it is a fun, ambitious and upbeat song, I would just expect more from Madonna. 3/5
TRUE BLUE: This title track has the same bubblegum flavor as Where's The Party but in this case it actually works! Her voice is angelic on this track and she doesn't over do it. 4/5
LA ISLA BONITA: Madonna the true pioneer. Before latin pop was all the rage we of course had Madonna giving it a try in that late eighties. Not only did she give it a try she succeeded better than those of latin origin that came about in the late nineties. 5/5
JIMMY JIMMY: This is the one weak song on this record. I tried listening to this over and over and it just does nothing for me. 2/5
LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND: While I enjoy this song I can't help but think it sounds like some vacation package jingle that tries to get us to believe we can really go to The Bahamas for 499.99. That aside, this song is a nice way to end off the record, upbeat with a positive message. 3/5

Overall this is of course an impressive offering from Madonna. But does she ever really disappoint?

Totally True Blue
Being a teenager, adults think that all I listen to is rap but in reality I own not just rap albums but Madonna, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Janet and Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston albums, albums that were popular when only I was a tiny thing. I find this Madonna album to be one of my favorites, one I even push Missy Elliot's aside (horror of horrors!). "True Blue" is 80's pop at it's best, I just love it. Madonna really sells the hit "Papa Don't Preach" with the screaming chorus and truthful words. "Open Your Heart" is a hard hitting track that is another one of my favorites. "White Heat" I really like besides the corny talking bit it's actully a well crafted song. My all-time fave Madonna song has to be "Live To Tell". It is a beautiful song from start to finish, the music is incredible, the faraway keyboard mixing with the guitar (sorry if I'm gushing) but this song ROCKS! "La Isla Bonita" is another favorite of mine. The chorus is real catchy. "True Blue", "Where's The Party" and "Love Makes The World Go 'Round" are pretty sizeable, I listen to them as well but I think "Jimmy, Jimmy" is kinda "Stupid, Stupid". This is an awesome album, one that should be in every music fan's collection. I recommend it, after all it is Madonna.

40 minutes of pure fun on one CD!
After 2 mega-selling albums with 1983's self-titled album and 1984's sometimes imfamous "Like A Virgin", Madonna avoids the third album jinx by releasing her greatest selling album to date at this point in her career "True Blue".

Released in August of 1986, this CD outsold it's two predecessors and it deserved all of the success that it got. Although it's certainly cheesy in some ways, "True Blue" is to me Madonna's album where a much greater maturity took the podium and her voice sounds so much better than it did previously.

While most of these songs like "True Blue" and "Jimmy Jimmy" border on the edge of 1980s bubble-gum pop music this CD is one of my favorites for two really excellent and thought-provoking classic hits which are "Papa Don't Preach" and "Live To Tell". The former while certainly straight-out pop in nature has a very dramatic and pleading sense of urgency and a great orchestral sound to back it up. "Live To Tell" is in my opinion Madonna's greatest ballad and having a really dark yet bright sound with a really dramatic undertone about someone surviving a horrific crime or accident (whatever you call it) and living to tell about it. I really love the haunting keyboard effects and the echoing beat.

"Open Your Heart" is a long-lasting classic with those memorable tinkling keyboard effects but it is really starting to show it's age with those tingling keyboard effects but it's still great to listen to.

I strongly recommend this for Madonna fans because it is just plain fun and people from anywhere on the intelligence scale can really enjoy this album because it's just plain fun and is a great time capsule for a great year in music (In my opinion). The remastered edition has really improved sound quality and included are two extra remixes of "True Blue" and "La Ista Bonita" both of which are good.

In a way it makes me sad to think that Madonna has lost her way in making such great music like this with her latest atrocity that is "American Life" which sounds far more dated than "True Blue" does.

The Queen of Pop serves up another masterpiece
True Blue (1986.) Madonna's third album.

By the time 1986 rolled around, Madonna had achieved a pretty high amount of popularity. Although her 1983, self-titled debut LP failed to sell well at its time of release, her sophomore effort Like A Virgin won over a massive audience. Not surprisingly, following the releases of those two albums, people waited patiently for the next Madonna album. And in 1986, her third LP, True Blue, was released. How does this one measure up? Read on and find out.

Madonna's third full-length LP consists of nine tracks total, and of these nine cuts, FIVE of them went onto become massive Madonna hits! That's over half the album! The title track is the kind of catchy pop tune that you've come to expect her to deliver, and it's not surprising that it has become a huge hit and remained such over the years. The opener, Papa Don't Preach, was yet another hit. There are some excellent lyrics in this song, and the instrumentation only adds to the experience. Perhaps the best instrumentation on the album comes from another one of the hits, Open Your Heart. This is another extremely catchy song, and one of Madonna's finest. Not surprisingly, eighties stations still play it on a regular basis. The slow-paced pop ballad Live To Tell is also excellent. And, of course, we have La Isla Bonita (that's Spanish for The Beautiful Island), Madonna's attempt to fuse her pop stylings with a Latin-flavored sound. This little experiment worked well for Madonna; the song became another massive hit. And then, of course, you have the four songs that were never hits. Not surprisingly, these songs are also excellent. White Heat and Where's The Party are excellent pop-oriented tunes that should have been bigger hits. The same can be said of Jimmy, Jimmy, and Love Makes The World Go 'Round. In the end, this is another solid, five-star effort from the Material Girl.

THIS TEXT REFERS EXCLUSIVELY TO THE WARNER REMASTERS EDITION OF THE ALBUM. Many of Madonna's albums were recently rereleased as part of the Warner Remasters series of album reissues. The liner notes have been expanded, the sound quality has been improved, and bonus tracks have been added! In the case of the True Blue album, you get rare remixes of two of the tracks! That's pretty cool. The reissue also restores the original cover art - Just the picture of Madonna, with no words whatsotever. This is a damn fine reissue.

Can I really say anything more? If you're a Madonna fan, or just a fan of eighties pop music in general, True Blue is an album just waiting to be added to your collection. Madonna's songwriting abilities matured on this album, and the five big hits stand as solid proof. No eighties pop music collection is complete without this album.

A pure 80's gem!
this is one of my favorite madonna albums and is number 5 on my top ten list of favorite madge cd's. here is a track by track review!

Papa don't preach:9/10 this song caused some controversey for madonna because it is about abortion. anyway this song is a fast song that has a amazing chorus and it has a tendency to get in your head.

Open your heart: 10/10 an extremly fast song that has some amazing verses and the chorus rocks!!! there is quite a few drums in this song and it give it a edge of rock music,superior to the edited Imacculate Collection version. in the video she plays a stripper.....

White heat:9/10 possibly the best track on the cd! lots of synthesizers on this track and it has a addicting chorus. i could do without the male voices in the beggining though. i can't believe it wasn't a single!!!

Live to tell: 9/10 this is the only ballad on this album and it rocks! i usually can't stand ballads but madonna has produced some of the best ones ever! this song is very emotional and can get you a little depressed... but is definetly a standout.

Wheres the party: 11/10!!!! this is the best track on the album! it is a great song to play at parties and on fridays. it's 5 minuits of pure dance pop! my favorite part is when at the end she says "We can make it all right, we can dance and let the party last all night" 7 time fast! Why wasn't it a single!!!!!!!!!! she would have made millions!

True blue: 9/10 the albums title track is worth many a listen. it is slightly slower then wheres the party and is dedicated to sean penn! the chorus and the bridge are the best parts of the song. "True blue baby madonna!"

La isla bonita: 10/10 a true gem! it has many spanish lyrics and the beat sounds like it was made in spain. the song sounds (i know this isn't a word buts it's the best way to describe it) islandy.

Jimmy Jimmy: i know people are going to think i'm crazy but...10/10! this song is total ear candy and seems slightly faster then where's the party. i don't know why people hate this so much!

Love makes the world go round: 5/10 the weakest track on the album. it has a good message about peace but the beat doesn't click with me.

On the remastered version of this cd there are two extremly rare dance mixes of True blue and la isla bonita.... this album is worth buying just for them!!!
If you like this album i reccomend you get all her 80's and 90's albums. her new material is quite good to. i also recommend "Believe" by Cher

~all hail madonna! ... Read more

Reviews (94)

I am SOO sorry, but, here is ANOTHER Now 16 prediction list.
I couldnt edit my 1st one, so, im doing another one, sadly. I am soo sorry if I annoyed anyone with it. But, these are ALOT better from the last. Here goes:

1. Beynoce featuring Lil Flip- Naughty Girl (Remix) (Hit)
2. Christina Milian featuring Fabolous- Dip It Low (Remix) (Hit)
3. Black Eyed Peas- Hey Mama (Hit)
4. Mis-Teeq- Scandolous (Hit)
5. Petey Pablo- Freak-A-Leek (Hit)
6. Kanye West featuring Syleena Johnson- All Falls Down (Hit)
7. Beenie Man featuring Ms. Thang- Dude (Pretty much Hit)
8. Britney Spears- Everytime (Hit)
9. JoJo- Leave (Get Out) (Hit)
10. Jay-Z- DIrt Off Your Shoulder or 99 Problems (both Hits)
11. Chingy featuring J. Weav- One Call Away (Hit)
12. Jessica Simpson- Take My Breath Away (Hit)
13. Los Lonely Boys- Heaven (Hit)
14. Janet- All Nite (Don't Stop) (Sort of a Hit)
15. Liz Phair- Extroidnary (Pretty much Hit)
16. Blink-182- I Miss You or Down (both Hits)
17. Yellowcard- Ocean Avenue (Hit)
18. Nickelback- Feelin Way Too Damn Good (Hit)
19. Lenny Kravitz- WHere Are We Runnin (Hit)
20. Hoobastank- The Reason (Hit)

Now, its kinda weird that some peeps are including Nina Sky's Move Ya Body, cuz, thats pretty new to be on here. So is Beenie Man's Dude, but, I put it in anywayz. And, I replaced Incubus with Nickelback, cuz, Nickelback is on Chr Pop, and Incubus isnt. Well see if Incubus still gets on, tho.

NOW 16
1. Britney Spears "Everytime"
2. Jessica Simpson "Take My Breath Away"
3. JoJo "Leave (Get Out)"
4. Black Eyed Peas "Hey Mama"
5. Lil Flip "Game Over"
6. Petey Pablo F/ Lil' Jon "Freek-A-Leek"
7. Nina Sky "Move Ya Body"
8. Kanye West featuring Syleena Johnson "All Falls Down"
9. Ja Rule "Caught Up"
10. Beyonce "Naughty Girl"
11. Usher "Burn"
12. R. Kelly "Happy People"
13. Christina Milian F/ Fabolous "Dip It Low [Radio Version]
14. Switchfoot "Meant to Live"
15. Yellowcard "Ocean Avenue"
16. Blink 182 "I Miss You"
17. New Found Glory "All Downhill From Here"
18. Evanesence "My Immortal"
19. Hooobastank "The Reason"
20. Usher F/ Lil' Jon And Ludacris "Yeah"
21. Ryan Duarte "You"

Number 20 would have to be Yeah and I also added Ryan Duarte for 21. And instead of Dirt Off Your Shoulder how about "Caught Up" by Ja Rule

4.5 Stars Actually
Not as good as 16 by a lot, but pretty good. It's My Life - No Doubt 2/5; Toxic - Britney Spears 2/5; Stand Up - Ludacris/Shawnna 3.5/5; Holidae In - Chingy/Snoop Dogg/Ludacris 5/5 (Favorite Song); Gangsta Nation - Westside Connection/Nate Dogg 0/5; Bounce - Sarah Connor 1.5/5; Shut Up - Black Eyed Peas 3/5 (Old); Gigolo - Nick Cannon/R.Kelly 4/5; Me,Myself,and I - Beyonce 4.5/5; Shorty Doowop - Baby Bash 1/5; I don't want you back - Eamon 2/5 (Edits every 6 words); With You - Jessica Simpson 3/5; Sunrise - Norah Jones 2/5; 1st Cut is the deepest - Sheryl Crow 3.5/5; Everything - Fefe Dobson 3/5; (I Hate)Everything about you 3.5/5; Feeling This - blink-182 4/5; Hold On - Good Charlotte 3/5; Falls on me - Fuel 5/5; 100 Years - 5 for fighting 4.5/5; As for Now 17, if I Like That by: Houston is on it, i'm happy.

4 and 1/2 stars is more like it...
Okay, i know it's a little late to do a review of Now 15 when Now 16 is coming out in like 1 week but oh well.

Now 15 wasn't the best CD. It's obvious that on every NOW CD, the producers try to mix in the good songs, the bad songs, the popular songs and the unpopular songs. In Now 15, they focused a little more on bad songs/unpopular songs then the actual good and popular songs. For example, how many times have you heard "I Hate Everything About You" by 3 Days Grace on the radio? What about "Gangsta Nation" by Westside Connection? They did put on some very note-worthy stars/bands like Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, and Blink-182. The only problem is that the songs they put on were way past their time. Beyonce is great. So is "Me, Myself, and I" but it was never popular. I love the Black Eyed Peas. They just so happened to put on their worst single "Shut Up" when "Hey Mama" was peaking the charts. Blink 182's "feeling This" was very popular, about a year ago! There is no excuse why they didn't put on "I Miss You".

Okay, there were very popular songs on here such as "Toxic", "It's My Life", "Holidae In", "Falls on Me", "100 Years", "With You", "Sunrise" etc... Etc...

But on the CD they rushed and put on some stars that were WAY too early to be popular like Sarah Connor, Nick Cannon, FeFe Dobson, Three Days Grace etc...

They also put on some veterans that I liked like Sheryl Crow.
My last commemt is about "I Don't Want You Back" by Eamon. Why did they put this on the album? I have no idea because it certainly doesn't match up to the qualities of the other songs. This song is just horrible. I thought that the Now Cd's were suppose to put on mid-bubble-gum artist's songs. Eamon is not a mid bubble-gum artist. Believe me.

I'm a big Now fan and I'm definetely going to go and buy Now 16!

Sorry, but here are some Now 17 suggestions already.
OK, I said I wouldnt to any more reviews until I get my rank back, but this dosnt count. Sorry if its wayyyyy too early, but I bet most of these wont get too old when Now 17 comes out. Im putting 20 tracks now.

1. Lil Flip- Sunshine<
2. Britney Spears- Outrageous
3. Petey Pablo- Vibrate
4. Kevin Lyttle- Turn Me On
5. Mis-Teeq- Scandolous
6. Jadakiss featuring Anthony Hamilton- Why?
7. Black Eyed Peas- Let's Get It Started
8. Twista featuring R. Kelly- So Sexy
9. D12- How Come
10. Ashlee Simpson- Pieces Of Me
11. Jessica Simpson- Angels (haha! Back 2 back sistas!)
12. JoJo- Baby It's You
13. Nelly featuring Jahiem- My Place
14. Lenny Kravitz featuring Jay-Z- Storm
15. Nickelback- Feelin Way Too Damn Good
16. Sugarcult- Memory
17. Modest Mouse- Float On
18. Blink-182- Down
19. Coheed & Cambria- A Favor House Atlantic
20. Seether featuring Amy Lee- Broken ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Beautiful!
I think I like listening to these songs more than my kids do! It isn't very often you can find a lullaby tape that parents love. The songs are so soothing and sweet without being the same old stuff we grew up with. My children get all dreamy-eyed when we play the CD. I suggest all parents buy it and really listen to the lyrics. It will help to remind you how precious your children are!

til their eyes shine-the lullaby album
This is the best lullaby CD I have ever heard. I am a teacher of young children and we listen to this at nap time every day. The children love the songs and sing to them. It is heart-warming, soothing and calming. I also enjoy listening and singing to all the songs (it calms me down too). It has a wonderful collection of various artists. I have given this as a gift to many new parents. A must buy!

A Good Night's Sleep!
I received this album as a gift when my son was born in 1998. He has listened to it EVERY night since the day we brought him home and he's now 6 yrs old. We have brought this CD on vacation, for sleep overs at grandma's house and even have it on our MP3 player (just in case...)! The music is very soothing for children and adults. For me, it is a "must have".

Good, but I would also get GENIE's CD's for lullaby/sleep
This is a good album. It's got nice songs for baby boomers. It's really kind of a stretch to call it a lullaby album. It's just not that soft. Some of the songs are soft. Some are more of a stretch than others. It's kind of peaceful and quiet. There's some cheese here and there, but then some really magical moments like the Scottish track.

For real lullabies I'd really steer you toward GENIE's ANGELS ALL AROUND CD. Or if you want more of the kind of material on this CD, Genie's other CD's like Wildflowers and Heavens and WHisper would work well for lullaby-kind of experiences. I think Genie has a 4 CD set on here for pretty cheap.

emotionally supercharged - brings tears to my eyes
I LOVE THIS CD. This soft lullaby album is as well-suited for parents as it is for babies. Emmylou Harris singing "Child of Mine" often brings tears to my eyes -- the lyrics never fail to touch me and make me think about my role as a mother guiding a child through the world. -- "You don't need direction, you know which way to go And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow." Sounds heavy, but it's also very gentle and pleasant to listen to. I particularly enjoy Roseanne Cash's "Carrie" and Mary-Chapin Carpenter's "Dreamland".

The liner notes are an added bonus, featuring photographs of the artists with their mothers/daughters. An additional bonus, the artists are donating their royalties to the Voiceless Victims program of the Institute for Intercultural Understanding. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Considered by many to be the Material Girl's most mature effort of the '80s, Like a Prayer upped the ante of controversy with its gospel-infused title track and the singer's emotional confessions throughout. It also unveiled the hit "Express Yourself," which ushered in the era of Madonna as a "stainless steel sexual icon." Musically, Prayer showcased her burgeoning songwriting prowess, with the beautiful "Oh Father" and the perky pop of "Cherish." Besides a throw-away collaboration with Prince ("This Is Not a Love Song"), the CD stands as one of her strongest works, eschewing the strong dance beat influences from her past--she saved that for the remixes--and concentrating instead on melody and structure. Like a Prayer also gave a hint of things to come with the delightful "Dear Jessie" displaying a maternal side worthy of her name. --Steve Gdula ... Read more

Reviews (127)

It's "Like A Prayer" to hear this album!
This album is probably Madonna's most personal album (although American Life may take that title). Every time I hear that title song, which was deservedly a huge hit, I picture Madonna dancing in front of burning crosses. With the content of videos today, doesn't the controversy seem overblown? "Express Yourself"is antoher great song (my favorite line: "If the time isn't right then move on!"). Being a Prince fan, I like "Love Song" as well. "Til Death Do Us Part" also has a nice beat. "Promise To Try" is pretty and "Oh Father" is haunting. "Cherish" is the sweet and cute. "Keep It Together" is nice. "Spanish Eyes" is also haunting. "Act of Contrition" always freaks me out, an interesting way to end this album. I love this album. For those who think Madonna is a singles artist, listen to this album! Buy it today!

Madonna's First Step in the Right Direction
Many music fans believe that, were this a fair world, Madonna's presence on the pop-culture radar should have expired about the same time as that of Cyndi Lauper and George Michael. But thanks to her constant evolution as a pop entertainer, Madonna's extinction has yet to take place. 1989's Like A Prayer was the first pivotal step taken by Madonna to ensure that she could mature as a songwriter and musician without fading into obscurity. Produced in large part by Pat Leonard, the album features the kind of deeply personal and introspective songs that would have previously been unheard of by Madonna. From the gospel-pop masterpiece that is the title track to the melancholic piano ballad "Promise to Try," Madonna's personal experiences weave their way into the pop soundscape. From the haunting "Oh Father" to the heart-wrenching "Spanish Eyes," Madonna uses despair as a gauge for her songs, instead of the consistent upbeat, perky attitudes she expressed in her earlier records. The melancholic stuff is balanced by more radio-friendly material like the bouncy "Cherish" and the soulful anthem "Express Yourself." Although the album does have its minuses (notably "Love Song," an awkward duet with Prince, and the throwaway trifle "Keep it Together" which acts as a Public Service Announcement for family values), Like A Prayer is one of the most profound (and listener-friendly) artistic statements ever made by a pop entertainer.

A Defining Moment
A favorite of Madonna fans, Like A Prayer is arguably Madonna at her very best. So many factors contribute to this rather grand statement, least of which is the music.

It's interesting to look at this album in retrospect. It was an interesting period for Madonna. In many ways, this was the last time we would see the Madonna that so many people fell in love with during her pop reign of the 80's. While the album contains several songs that are so associated with the material girl, only Like A Prayer was a number one single. Express Yourself, Cherish, Oh Father and Keep it Together were all released as singles and yet all failed to reach the top spot. Not that number one singles make a great album, but most of these songs have gained popularity over time. And yet this could still be called Madonna's greatest album. The writing was, for the first time, confessional and personal. The lyrics and melodies were more mature ("Oh Father" is one of the best Madonna songs of all time). It was still a patchwork of styles and sound, a trait of all Madonna's albums. Keep in mind where Madonna mania was at this point. She had recently split with Sean Penn, finished filming Dick Tracy, preping her monstrous Blonde Ambition tour, and cementing her place as a pop culture icon. Controversey came center stage before this album was even released. The Pepsi deal and the video exploded on the eve of the albums release. Thsi was by far the biggest controversey in Madonna's career thus far. Though it all seems rather silly now, it was all the talk in the Spring of '89. This was the height of Madonna's career. Erotica and the Sex book were just around the corner, a turning point that really determined who her fans were. Her celebrity would take on a different persona after The Immacculate Collection beautifully summed her 80's image.

So does all of this add up to the best Madonna album of all time? Hard to say. It is definitely my favorite Madonna album. But if you look at Madonna's musical career as a whole, it is obvious that this was the soundtrack to Madonna turning from pop star celebrity to icon.

THE EIGHTIES AT ITS BEST
THIS ALBUM PROVED THAT MADONNA WAS MORE THAN A POP TART. THIS ALBUM REALLY PROVED SHE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY. I THINK LOTS OF PEOPLE WERE SUPRISED AT HOW GOOD A SONGWITER SHE WAS. THESE SOUND HAVE SO MUCH HEART AND LEAVE YOU WITH YOUR HEAD A MESS. OH FATHER TIL THIS DAY STILL REAMINS MY FAVORITE MADONNA BALLAD. ITS SO HAUNTING AND SAD, YET A VERY SIMPLE SONG. I AGREE WITH MANY OTHERS YOU COULD NO LONGER DENY THE TALENT THIS WOMAN POSSESSED. I WAS ONLY 11 WHEN THIS WAS RELEASED AND IT STILL REMAINS ONE OF MY FAVORITE MADONNA DISCS TO DATE.

Madonna's Rubber Soul
Like A Prayer, Madonna's fourth studio effort, released in the spring of 1989, was the album Ms. Ciccone got down to business. She was 30, the age at which her mother had died of cancer, and she also was recently departed from an abusive marriage to Sean Penn. These facts, along with the fact that she was getting older, made for a more mature recording. Gone were the multiple bracelets, the Boy Toy belt buckles, and the Material Girl. This was her Rubber Soul.

From the opening hard-rock chords of the title track, you know you're in for something unique and refreshing. The gospel choir, chunky guitar, organs, and handclaps of the haunting 'Like A Prayer,' is followed by the deep funky bass riffs and jubilant horn section of 'Express Yourself,' making for a knockout punch opener. Following this is the much-touted but ultimately disappointing Madonna-Prince collabo, 'Love Song,' perhaps a mid-tempo extension of 'Express Yourself.' After this, Madonna lays bare her marriage to Sean Penn in the bitter, sarcastic 'Til Death Do Us Part,' a B-side to the hit 'Dear Jessie.' She next discusses her mother's death in 'Promise To Try,' which packs an emotional wallop, and ends the first half of the record.

'Cherish' is up-tempo, simple, joyous pop, which demonstrates Madonna's penchant for hooky, cheerful pop numbers. 'Dear Jessie' does 'Sgt. Pepper' just as good as Lennon and McCartney. 'Oh Father,' which spawns from the closing notes of 'Dear Jessie,' is a dirge-like ballad about Madonna's father. 'Keep It Together,' a pseudo-hip-hop song about family unity, is very good, but seems almost weak compared to Madonna's other work here. 'Pray For Spanish Eyes,' a B-side to the flop single 'Oh Father,' has to be one of Madonna's most underappreciated gems, a ballad about the demise of a gang member, with tender acoustics added. And then, the astonishing closer. 'Act of Contrition' mixes the like-titled Catholic prayer with new lyrics, chants from 'Like A Prayer' played backwards, handclaps, heavy guitars, and moans played at random. It ends with Madonna yelling about her reservations in heaven. It tees up the album perfectly, and will stand as one of music's highest achievements. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

naja, es macht spass.
I own this album and I like it...I'm a German Lit scholar who grew up in the 1980s, so I still have a soft spot in my heart
for whacky German/Austrian Pop music...Falco, Kraftwerk,
Nena(99 Luftballons), and more recently, Die Fantastischen Vier,
whose _Vier Gewinnt_ I bought during my year-long sojourn in Germany as an exchange student in college (1992-93).

When I taught High School German a few years back the kids
got a kick out of Falco and all these Austro-German "oldies".

All this music makes me want to put on my glasses, dress a black turtle-neck with black pants and prance like Dieter ;-)

This CD has most of Falco's major stuff. The version of ROCK ME AMADEUS is fine...like other reviewers I prefer the U.S. version, but this one's fine.

Es Lebe Falco!

Good album, only half the picture
It took a long time for a good Falco compilation to be available in the United States, and for that I am thrilled that this album was released. However, Falco released eight original albums in his career and only three are represented here.
Falco's music over the years journeyed to some very exciting places: most are familiar with EMOTIONAL, featuring Jeanny Part 2, in my opinion one of his finest works. WIENER BLUT includes a lot of great pop rock songs, many of which I think are more accessible than some on this collection. The little-known 1990 release DATA DeGroove is Falco's most esoteric and original album, really very different than any other. 1992's NACHTFLUG is an exciting dark album with some great tunes. His final album "Out Of The Dark" contains some real gems, especially the title track and 'Egoist.'
I would recommend this album as a starting point, but then go online and get some of these other albums or seek out European compilations that are more inclusive.

Falco-Greatest Hits
Great Album. All the original 'Falco' hits-to be enjoyed by the fans! I like the Rock me Amadeaus version!
Der Kommisser is fantastic. If you like Falco I highly recommend this album-you will enjoy!

A classic example of "great artist, mediocre compilation"
[Rating is actually three and a half stars, not just three.]

In the eighties, New Wave was one of the most dominant musical genres. Never before had it so widely dominated the musical spectrum, and never again would it. The vast majority of these artists were considered one-hit wonders (and because of this, this genre produced more one-hit wonders than any other genre(s) combined (with the possible exception of disco.) Falco is one of those who is written off as such, but he shouldn't be.

This guy's music is just too good. To call him a one-hit wonder is blasphemy.

Before I go on, I need to tell you something. If you didn't already know, nearly all of Falco's music is in German (something that was not uncommon in his part of the world in this era.) Accordingly, you'll need to listen with an open mind.

I admit, I bought this compilation for only one reason - I wanted to hear the original version of a certain track that After The Fire had covered in English. What track is it? I'll give you a hint - It's so cool a song, it's my Amazon name (for those of you who are too lazy to look, it's Der Kommissar.) In my opinion, Falco's version of this song is superior to ATF's. There is also a remix of this track as sort of an "extra," which is also good. And of course, we get the song that gave Falco his one-hit wonder status, Rock Me Amadeus. But, as other reviewers have stated, this is NOT the version you'll hear on American radio. This is the German Single Mix (the main difference between this version and the more common original version is that it has a different opening and doesn't have the woman's voice anywhere in the song.) And, of course, there is more to the compilation than just these songs. Vienna Calling is an excellent example of what New Wave should sound like. And Jeanny is an excellent ballad, which probably uses more English than any other track on here. As other reviewers have stated, the compilation is a bit lacking in the variety department. Falco's fourth and fifth albums receive ZERO REPRESENTATION here! Likewise, as another reviewer stated, the second half of the compilation is a bit lacking in comparison to the first.

Despire its shortcomings, this is a good compilation. Because Falco's music is extremely hard to come by in America, you'll be better off getting this instead of all his albums (unless you're willing to do a lot of internet shopping.) Falco was one of the superpowers of New Wave, and this compilation demonstrates that well.

Would be 5 star except....
Sorry but some of the older reviews on this disc seem a bit childish. However I must say this is GREAT music... but as you may have read above, the versions of Rock Me Amadeus and Vienna Calling are not the US versions you may know from the US "Falco3" album. Vienna Calling is still great but it's missing the musical quote of the theme from the 1949 Orson Welles movie The Third Man, which was a favorite detail of mine since I love the movie. The Rock Me Amadeus here is a big let-down from the radio version we all know. VERY different. So if you wanted a "definitive" Falco CD, this isn't it. If they HAD to include the European "Amadeus" why not include BOTH? I would rather have that than the extra "Komissar" mix. Otherwise, I'm thrilled to have this CD. Great German rap that will also have you dancing the night away. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

great collection but missing too many songs
this collection is great but its missing too many big hits. this is what the track listing should have been
1. don't stop til you get enough
2. off the wall
3. rock with you
4. she's out of my life
5. the girl is mine
6. billie jean
7. beat it
8. wanna be startin somethin
9. human nature
10. pyt
11. say say say
12. thriller
13. i just can't stop loving you

1. bad
2. the way you make me feel
3. man in the mirror
4. dirty diana
5. another part of me
6. smooth criminal
7. leave me alone
8. black or white
9. remember the time
10. in the closet
11. jam
12. heal the world
13. who is it
14. gone too soon
if this would have been the track listing and the set was a double disc instead of a single disc, this would have been the only jackson disc most fans would need. nevertheness it does include all his biggest hits and is a great introduction to the king of pop. (for a better introduction, get thriller first which is a better album than this.)

Basically an unnescessary release, but of course superb.
Basically, I simply can't see the need of this re-release of the first disc of the HIStory set - HIStory was certainly a release no-one should miss, and even if the second disc contained several missers or mediocre songs ('Smile', 'Chieldhood', 'Come Together', 'This Time Around', '2Bad') it did contain a fair share of classics proving that Michael has - or had at that time, Invincible might certainly question this - not lost his touch as the King Of Pop - take songs like 'Scream', 'They Don't Care About Us', 'Stranger In Moscow', 'Earth Song' and 'You Are Not Alone'.

Instead, I think Michael should have waited a couple of years and grapped the opportunity to release a double CD with ALL his greatest hits - because there are SO many fantastic songs NOT included here - let me mention: 'Off The Wall', 'Workin' Day And Night', 'Human Nature', 'Say Say Say', 'Liberian Girl', 'Dirty Diana', 'Smooth Criminal', 'Leave Me Alone', 'Jam', 'In The Closet', 'Who Is It', 'Give In To Me', 'Will You Be There', 'Dangerous', the above mentioned HIStory songs, and from his recent Invincible release 'Cry' and 'Speechless'.

All of these songs are masterpieces, and many of them MUCH better than some of material included on this CD, even if all these songs are excellent.

I've seen listed - with no details - a forthcoming Cd and DVD combi-release titteled #1's - let's see what this brings, but probably not a complete collection of Michael's best works, unfortunately.

I apologize for my review- bloodshy
it was a dare. i love michael jackson, i think he is a genius. i hate tom the one who dared me to write the bad review. michael if you read this, please forgive me and i know you are innocent.

Michael Jacksoff
I hate Michael Jackson. Just knowing that those could be his feet on the album cover makes me want to barf. I'm sure he's a really nice guy in his sick little world, but in the USA, we don't rape babies.

You can't "Beat It".
This is basically the same hits disc that was part of his "HIStory" double album, but without the second disc of new stuff. It's a simple 1 disc best of, that I think is better than the recent "Number Ones" release. Included here is "Rock With You", "Billie Jean", "Bad", and "Black And White", among many other hits. For the most part this has what it should, but I do miss "Human Nature" and "Smooth Criminal". The "Number Ones" collection is similar, but I think this one is his "Greatest Hits". ... Read more

Reviews (71)

Now 3 is better. Still, very good choices.
1. Britney Spears-Baby One More Time 8/10

2. New Radicals-You Get What You Give 9/10

3. Robbie Williams-Millennium 9/10

4. Semisonic-Closing Time 10/10

5. U2-The Sweetest Thing 8/10

6. Sheryl Crow-My Favorite Mistake 10/10

7. Fatboy Slim-Praise You 8/10

8. Garbage-I Think I'm Paranoid 10/10

9. Cake-Never There 10/10

10. 98*-Because Of You 7/10

11. Spice Girls-Goodbye 8/10

12. Blackstreet feat. Mya-Take Me There 9/10

13. R. Kelly-When A Woman's Fed Up 9/10

14. Everclear-Father Of Mine 10/10

15. Sublime-What I Got 10/10

16. Backstreet Boys-I'll Never Break Your Heart 9/10

17. Jay-Z-Hard Knock Life 10/10

18. Baz Luhrmann-Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) 9/10

Not What I Excepted When I Listened To It
1....Baby One More Time Britney Spears-ok song 3 stars
2.You Get What You Give New Radicals-I like the lyrics. 4 stars
3.Millennium Robbie Williams-WHAT? 1 star
4.Closing Time Semisonic-EXCELLENT 5 stars
5.Sweetest Thing U2-The tune is poor but the lyrics is excellent 2 stars
6.My Favorite Mistake Sheryl Crow-ok song 3 stars
7.Praise You(radio edit) Fatboy Slim-Um....Blah 4 stars
8.I Think I'm Paranoid Garbage-Heard On Gran Turismo 2 It's a good song 4 stars
9.Never There Cake-I Hope He's Never Here Again 1 star
10.Because Of You 98 Degrees-ok song 3 stars
11.Goodbye (single version) Spice Girls-The Spice Girls Don't Even Deserve 0 stars. below 0 stars
12.Take Me There Blackstreet feautring Mya,Ma$e,and Blinky Blink-ok song 3 stars
13.When A Woman Is Fed Up(clean version) R.Kelly-C'mon C'mon R.Kelly! 1 star
14.Father Of Mine Everclear-It's so clear they get 5 stars.
15.What I Got(clean version) Sublime-Excellent! 5 stars.
16.I'll Never Break Your Heart Backstreet Boys-(see number 15)
17.Hard Knock Life(edited)Jay-Z-I love this song! 5 stars
18.Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen(edited) Baz Luhrmann-WHAT? 1 star

The best of Now!!
This is the best of the "Now" series because for some reason these completely unrelated tracks flow really well together, kind of like the ultimate mix tape. Someday this should be in a time capsule to conjure the mood of pre 9/11 America.

It was an ok cd
1. Britney Spears, Baby One More Time: I like this song. I don't care what people think of her this is one of her best hits. A+

2. New Radicals, You Get What You Give: It was an alright song I have no complaints. B

3. Robbie Williams, Millenium: I really didn't care for the song but I can see where some like it alot. C

4. Semisonic, Closing Time: I loved this song in high school and I still love it today. A

5. U2, The Sweetest Thing: It was a good song by U2 I bought the cd this was released on. B

6. Sheryl Crow, My Favorite Mistake: I was not impressed with this song. I always skip it. D

7. Fatboy Slim, Praise You: I am not a fan of Fatboy Slim and like the previous song this one gets skipped too. F

8. Garbage, I Think I'm Paranoid: It was alright but they overplayed it. C-

9. Cake, Never There: This song was great and I still like it. B

10. 98, Because Of You: It was ok my girlfriend at the time always listened to it but it got on my nerves. D+

11. Spice Girls, Goodbye: I like this song cause it reminds me of when I left for basic training. A

12. Mya & Blackstreet, Take Me There: They needed to leave the Rugrats music off of here. I thought this was a Rugrats promotional disaster. F

13. R. Kelly, When A Woman's Fed Up: It is a good song and I liked the meaning of it. B

14. Everclear, Father Of Mine: This is a good song and I still listen to it all the time. One of the best on the cd. A

15. Sublime, What I Got: The one Sublime song I actually like and I would give it an A but since it is edited... B

16. Backstreet Boys, I'll Never Break Your Heart: The song always reminds me of my senior prom. It does bring back bring good memories. A

17. Jay-Z, Hard Knock Life: Yeah it is a ripoff of Annie combined with rap but it is a good song none-the-less. B

18. Baz Luhrman, Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen: I am from the class of 1999 and this song repulses me. Baz needs to stick to directing not singing and this was a bad choice to end the cd. F

I review: NOW 2
NOW 2:

1. Britney Spears, Baby One More Time: Brit can't sing. At all. She will NEVER be able to sing. And this song does not please me. At all. Torture. F

2. New Radicals, You Get What You Give: Nice song for the softer top-40 stations. B+

3. Robbie Williams, Millenium: Absolutely great dance-pop that sounds vaguely like the direct decendant to Coldplay's "Clocks". And of course, there's the trademark Robbie campy vocals. A+

4. Semisonic, Closing Time: Great soft alt-rock that still is fresh today from one of my favorite one-hit wonders. A

5. U2, The Sweetest Thing: Campy. I like the vocals, but the flamboyant melody just screams camp. B-

6. Sheryl Crow, My Favorite Mistake: Typical Sheryl Crow. If you like her, you'll like this. If not, don't bother. B

7. Fatboy Slim, Praise You: Fun techno party song that serves its purpose. B+

8. Garbage, I Think I'm Paranoid: Good, if not forgettable pop that nets points for originality. B

9. Cake, Never There: While a blatant rehash of Cake's usual sound, I like the group, so the song comes off as good, if not vaguely derivative. B+

10. 98, Because Of You: Cheap Backstreet Boys knockoff. Never to be heard of again. D-

11. Spice Girls, Goodbye: So pathetic, it's almost amusing. Until you remember how painful it is to listen to it in the first place. F-

12. Mya & Blackstreet, Take Me There: An Urban take on Rugrats. Right. Moving on... F-

13. R. Kelly, When A Woman's Fed Up: About as interesting as picking your fingers. D-

14. Everclear, Father Of Mine: I think I prefer "Learning How To Smile", but this little gem from the "Afterglow" days is still... Everclear. No other top-40 group describes broken homes better. A-

15. Sublime, What I Got: Using the term loosely, this is a masterpiece. I could whine about how the edited version disturbs the flow slightly, but it's one of my latest obsessions. The perfect, hooky blend of rock, rap and reggae forces you to play this one over and over and over and over... A+

16. Backstreet Boys, I'll Never Break Your Heart: Forgettable BSB ballad from back when there was a new one every week. D-

17. Jay-Z, Hard Knock Life: While I lack feelings for the rap, it makes the quirky and addictive sampling even more rewarding. Come for the delivery, stay for the chorus. A-

18. Baz Luhrman, Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen: While technically not even music, this unorthodox spoken-word poem is brilliant and full of wisdom. The "lyrics" are genius. A

-The Good: Baz Luhrman, Sublime, Jay-Z, Robbie Williams, Semisonic, New Radicals
-The Bad: Britney Spears, Mya & Blackstreet, Spice Girls, R. Kelly, 98
-Overall: Avoid the manufactured pop and you've got a solid compilation. Plus, anything with What I Got and Everybody's Free can't fall short of praise. ... Read more

Reviews (162)

breathtaking
Madonna doesn't screw around. She's the consummate chamelion, and this album represents just how talented she is, and the level of her artistic genius. Both "Secret" and "Take A Bow" were huge hits-everyone knows that already. But while both are great songs, the art doesn't end with the hits as it often does. "Bedtime Story," also a single but unfit for radio, is one of those songs that you can't help but listen to over and over again because of its masterfully-crafted sonic landscape. The video is a classic as well. Another single, "Human Nature," would have best been left for an album track since it's not a great radio song either, but once again spawned a great video.

The rest of the album is filled with lush, dreamy, sensual musical composition that demands listeners to listen to the LP in full. "Survival," released as a single with "Bedtime Story," is the ultimate album opener with an instant hook that makes you glad you forked out the money for the CD. "Inside Of Me" is one of her most hauntingly beautiful works of art. A beautiful ballad with an unforgettable melody and gorgeous lyrics. "Forbidden Love" is a great love-making rhapsody. "Love Tried To Welcome Me" and "Sanctuary" are epic ballads that are unlike anything ever recorded...Madonna obviously didn't concern herself with the norm on these gems. It's a beautiful album, and the official inspiration for Ray of Light. Buy it- it's definitely her most lasting musical statement. One of few LPs that will sound just as good 20 years from now than it does today.

BEDTIME STORIES - Madonna
Although I am not a diehard or big Madonna fan, I do like her music a lot, and I do not have her EROTICA CD, but by just taking one listen to BEDTIME STORIES, I can honsetly say that this is one of Madonna's most sensual and smooth-flowing albums. The critics say this is her "R&B" album and one can say it is since she did work with R&B producers such as Babyface and Dallas Austin on it, this album is more sensual than "R&B" Songs like: 'I'd Rather Be Your Lover' 'Inside of Me' 'Forbidden Love' and 'Love Tried To Welcome Me' (the album's high points) set the mood for a groove, smooth-flowing session of sexuality. On 'Secret' 'Survival' 'Human Nature' and 'Don't Stop' Madonna opts for a more dance-like R&B sound. The later of the album is the very nature/earthy sounds of 'Sanctuary' and 'Bedtime Story' with a twist of electronica and mysticism. 'Take a Bow' wraps the album and is one of Madonna's greatest ballads ever made (including her biggest #1 hit). It's a shame this isn't one Madonna's greater selling CDs, but overall it is still a great CD! Highly Recommended!

Great effort here
Perhaps the most underappreciated album in her catalogue, even more so than Erotica. This album is the last gasp of the true Madonna we all came to love before Kabbalah, electronica, and a new joy for preaching claimed her soul :p
Starts off with a catchy song named "Survival" in which she sings "I'll never be an angel, I'll never be a saint it's true, i'm to busy surviving, whether it's heaven or hell I'm gonna be living to tell" which basically sums up Madonna in a nutshell. It's followed by the fabulous "Secret" with it's warm vocals and infectious production, then gets into two mediocre songs "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" and "Don't Stop" before picking up again with "Inside Of Me." This song is supposedly about her mother but it never felt that way to me, either way it's good tune with sweeet lyrics. Next up is an instant classic, Maddy's kiss off to her critics during the Erotica era, "Human Nature," "Did I say something true, oops I didn't know I couldn't talk about you" she says in an obviously irritated tone that is the perfect response.
I could go on and discuss the remaining songs, which are all great, but now I wanna mention her voice. She sounds great on this album and it's obvious she worked real hard in the studio to pull off the tuneful and varied sounds she uses to color her vocal.
All in all this was an excellent contribution to her discography and better than some of her later work.

madonna's BEST work ever
well i'd have to say that this is my favorite madonna cd ever. i feel that this cd is very diverse, making it a pleasurable listen throughout. the cd starts off with more dancey-like tracks such as "i'd rather be your lover" and "don't stop" and moves on to slower ballads including "inside of me" and "forbidden love"... this cd just has it all! just when you think madonna is all in love and "missing that special someone", well you are greeted with the famous "human nature" a track that does not fail to show yet another side of madonna; that of an outspoken strong woman... you can feel r&b influences [thanks to many contributions with babyface] as well as pop, but this cd also has the amazing track "bedtime story" with its techno-ambient feel [bjork being one of the co-writers of the song...mmm makes sense?] this track is arguably one of the most "different" type of song madonna had ever done at that point in her career ["ray of light" is another story]...
all in all i think that anyone who enjoys a true good mix of music all in one cd will enjoy this work to the fullest! whatever be your mood, pop this in and enjoy!

Her Greatest Story Yet
It was not until I bought Bedtime Stories a few weeks ago that I realized that this is Madonna's most consistent and pleasing album ever. This might be because I am a rabid fan of r&b music, and to date, this is Madonna's most r&b album ever. The album is entirely pleasing because Madonna employed hitmakers like Babyface and Dallas Austin, both of which are r&b producing megaforces. The latter two succeed in giving Madonna warm, sensuous grooves. Madonna's vocals shimmer on tracks like Survival, with it's new jill swing influences and lush harmonies, and Secret with hits pulsing beats and Madonna's shimmering vocals.

Madonna turns the ballad 'Love Tried to Welcome Me' into a confessional poem of sorts when she declares: 'Love tried to welcome me/But my soul drew back/ Covered with dust and sin...' Every track is a winner on Bedtime Stories. Human Nature, with its hard driving beats and Madonna's biting lyrics, add another dimension to an already superb album.

Madonna closes this excellent album with 'Take a Bow,' a haunting and tender ballad fleshed with bittersweet lyrics. This indeed is among Madonna's best work ever. A must have for even casual listeners. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Sometimes, a little of a good thing is quite enough.
Some are grading this collection down because it contains relatively few tracks in comparison to other "hits" compilations. Frankly, the kitchen sink approach in chronicling a band's progression can be overkill. Unless one is absolutely smitten with a particular artist, eleven tracks is probably plenty. The selections here are appropriate, with some of the pre-Lionel-as-sensitive-frontman gems like "Brick House", as well as the accomplished balladry that followed. Whomever arranged the sequencing on this CD was a bit of a jokester: "Three Times a Lady", the baroque and beautiful wedding-reception standard, is followed by "Sail On", an overt kiss-off. Regardless, the remastering is top-notch; listen to this with headphones on and you can sometimes hear the band members breathing. Casual Commodores fans will probably find eleven solid songs to be quite enough, although they might choose to skip back to "Brick House" a few times; it may be the tightest 70s anthem to booty ever recorded.

Great Stuff
I can see how some "veteran" fans of the Commodores might consider this a bit of a disappointment because of the "low" number of tracks featured, but as someone who has just gotten into this group within the last few years, I couldn't be happier with the content of this CD. Actually, I heard "Nightshift" when it first came out and I was just a kid, and it wasn't really my cup of tea. I got a little older, my taste in music evolved, and I started checking out some of the Lionel Richie hits compilations, featuring some of his work with the Commodores. I got hoooked, you might say. 20th Century Masters is a very inexpensive and straight-forward collection of some of the songs that made a Commodores fan out of a previously Commodore-indifferent fan like myself.

Very Incomplete
The problem with this collection, as with most of the 20th Century Masters series, is that there is so little music on it. What there is, is of a high quality, but there tends to be too much emphasis on Pop Chart status, and too little on what was essential in paving the way to Pop stardom. It seems criminal to me, to leave off "Slippery When Wet" "Fancy Dancer" and "Too Hot To Trot" in a Commodores retrospective. Without the success that those singles contributed to their career, The Commodores wouldn't have been in a position to release ballads like "Easy" "Three Times A Lady" and "Still"! And other ballads ("This Is Your Life" "Just To Be Close To You") would have been nice to have, to illustrate how The Commodores made the gradual change from funkateers to Lionel Richie-dominated balladeers. If you want a more complete picture of the band, I suggest you pick up "Ultimate Collection." For a few dollars more, you'll get a lot more music, and you'll be reminded that "Brick House" was not the only funk classic The Commodores recorded. There is one classic, under-rated cut on this album that is not on the "Ultimate Collection": Lionel's last shining tender ballad ("Oh, No"), before he stepped off for solo stardom.

Nothing But The Hits
A Good Deal for 5.99 at Costco! Has every major hit of the commodores career!

Nothing But the Hits, Baby!!!
All I wanted from this CD were the hits, nothing more and that is exactly what is on here. All my favorites-"Brick House", "Three Times a Lady", "Sail On", "Easy", etc. I was pleasantly surprised to find their mid-eighties, post-Lionel hit "Night Shift" on here too. For the casual fan who just wants the major radio hits, this is all you'll ever need. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Unlike most single-artist remix albums, J to tha L-O! actually has a purpose beyond raking in cash from fans. The best of these cuts brings much-needed weight to the often-weak writing, vocals, and production that mar Jennifer Lopez's two previous multiplatinum albums. The prize, of course, is her duet with Ja Rule on "I'm Real," but the other highlights (a Rodney Jerkins reworking of his own "If You Had My Love," P. Diddy's "Feelin' So Good") follow along similar hip-hop/R&B lines. Her stabs at street cred aren't always as successful; the 12-letter curse she employs on the Sack International Remix of "Play" is a good deal less than convincing. Generic house rhythms don't do anything for "Let's Get Loud" and "Walking on Sunshine." Finally, the new, tacked-on ballad "Alive," cowritten by the superstar, begins like "I Honestly Love You" but quickly proves itself a new "Greatest Love of All," filled with blind self-love. It's hard to tell if there's even anyone else in the room, or if she's just singing to a mirror. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (128)

Awesome Remix CD - J.LO's Best
AWESOME CD! Here's some individual reviews of the songs:

1 Love Don't Cost A Thing [RJ Schoolyard Mix feat. Fat Joe] 5/5 Great remix, seems similar to the original, but a little more uptempo & one of the best on the disc. A great dance tune!
2 Ain't It Funny [Murder Remix feat. Ja Rule & Caddilac Tah]5/5 Awesome again, Ja Rule really isn't a favorite of mine but here's an exception! Great lyrics.
3 I'm Gonna Be Alright [Trackmasters Remix] 3/5 Never liked this song, even in the original.
4 I'm Real [Murder Remix feat. Ja Rule] 5/5 Great song again!! This is really a nice song to groove along to.
5 Walking On Sunshine [Metro Remix] 4/5 This is an OK song, seems so similar to the album version though.
6 If You Had My Love [Dark Child Master Mix] 3/5 ehhhhh. I hate this song. I really wasnt a fan of her first album songs.
7 Feelin' So Good [Bad Boy Remix feat. P. Diddy & G. Dep] 4/5 This is nice, but this isnt a great song either.
8 Let's Get Loud [Pablo Flores Remix] 3/5 I sorta hate this song but its ok to listen to every once & a while
9 Play [Sack International Remix] 5/5 Love this one! It is awesome! Loved the original too!
10 Waiting For Tonight [Hex's Momentus Radio Mix] 5/5 This is a classic. It'll be played for years & years & years.
11 Alive 5/5 I have to say i never knew Cris Judd could songwrite? A beautiful ballad, in the movie Enough.

BUY THIS!

Get the party started!!!!!!!!!!
I just purchased the cd and I was very pleased to find a lot of the remixes that I found on the different cd maxi singles that J.Lo has released. It's a great collection that just makes us start the party! She has added also a couple of surprises like the never heard before remix of "I'm gonna be alright" and "Walking on sunshine", and her new song "Alive" which she wrote, is the last track and fits well as the only ballad to coolout after the great remixes. Great and popular are her collaborations with Ja Rule, the already favorite "I'm real" and the new catchy "Ain't it funny" these two sound awsome! Other high points are her classic dance Hex Hector remix of "Waiting for tonight" and the Darkchild mix of "If you had my love". You will also enjoy the cool version with colaborations of "Love don't cost a thing" and "Feeling so good". For the club fans check out club remixes of "Play" and "Let's get loud"
Way to go J.LO...

the best selling remix album ever
Need I to say more? No matter how you feel about Jennifer, this is totally a great album, a collectin of great remixes, at which Jennifer was always good, usually remixes sound way worse that the originals, well not in this case. If you like the original of the songs, you just have to have this album, you'll just enjoy every second of it!@

J.Lo Does Do It All,She Just Sucks At All Of It!
Ok,I admit it.There was once a time in my life that I (sigh) liked Jennifer Lopez(not J.Lo!)!But it was before she got really famous and became a sell-out and changed her name to the dreadingly annoying "J.Lo",so then I just started hating her like everyone else.Anyway...back to the review.This album,with stupid lyrics,weak producing,terrible vocals,and horrible guest appearances,is very useful evidence that J.Lo is just a talentless phase,as harsh as that sounds.This is album isn't a complete disaster,though,1 or 2 of the DANCE songs are worth listening to,these two being the "Walking On Sunshine" Remix that has an infectious latin/dance beat to it,and "Waiting For Tonight",which is almost as good as the original.Oh,and there is the only J.Lo song people are not embaressed to like,"If You Had My Love",and the remix is almost as good as the original.But,unfortunately,the rest of the album is just a formulaic pointless with,like I said,horrible guest appearances,especially the ones with Ja Rule(the obnoxious "Ain't It Funny" remix,the ironically fake "I'm Real" remix).And the remix of "I'm Gonna Be Alright" featuring incessantly mumbling rapper 50 Cent is the biggest sleeper of the bunch.And the lyrics:pointless,even when J.Lo is trying to sound serious.What I'm talking about is the biggest travesty in ballad history "Alive,where J.Lo tries to sing good.I know you're laughing,so I'll just give you a few seconds and let you catch your breath.........Ok,time is up.Anyway,J.Lo's singing sounds a little bit worse than the American idol rejects on "Alive",and that is just an understament!Another song that is just a waste of time is "Play",which definitely ranks as one of the stupidest and most idiotic songs in music history!And about the producing.Does J.Lo do this whole thing on a Play Skool music product?This producing is so shoddy,you really do wonder why J.Lo even is famous,especially in the atrocious "Let's Get Loud",which is almost as korny as the original!

The Verdict:Just Stop It,J.Lo.Stop It Before You Become One Of The Worst Artists In History.Please!

Recommended:No

j to the l o hello
love dont cost a thing: good work out song..aint it funny: not a big fan of this song (pretty dull)..im real is cool but the original is more happy..play has always had a weird sound to it..waiting for tonight is hard to follow the original is way better..walking on sunshine is nice and touching..feelin so good sounds stupid..and finally if you had my love is hott..i love the music and tupac has this kinda rhythm in his first words to my newborn or letter to my unborn song in outlaws album..but yeah jlo should have done a creative cover for this album like a fresh new look instead of clips of her videos. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Yaz (Yazoo in England) released only two albums during their short but influential existence, so a "best-of" album seems rather farfetched. Still, Depeche Mode ex-patriot Vince Clarke's music was a major influence preceding synthpop's dominance in the '80s, and their deepening obscurity makes them a prime candidate for a well-done retrospective. If only this one qualified. There are a few happy inclusions, like the lovelorn "Midnight," with Alison Moyet's soulful croon waxing over Clarke's omnipresent, light-as-air keyboard programs. The sweetly wistful "Mr. Blue" will provoke whiplash nostalgia in many a twentysomething, its melancholic chorus reflecting the awkward yet hopeful qualities of adolescence. Overall, though, curious choices abound. "Goodbye Seventies" is so forced it's almost camp, a song that the talented Moyet would likely rather forget, given her undisciplined yelping during the chorus. It's a mystery why the inoffensive but uneventful "Tuesday" was included here, while the excellent "In My Room," a Yaz staple for good reason, was not. Even the remixes included here are less than stellar. While Todd Terry's interpretation of "Don't Go" rips out a decent groove, the latest version of the dance-floor staple "Situation" starts strong but runs out of steam as the source material gets sacrificed in favor of overtly cute DJ permutations. While it's to Yaz's credit that enough good material can be found in their two-album catalog to make a best-of album at all, sadly, this collection fails at the attempt. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (15)

SOME of the Best of Yaz(oo)
Frankly, with the exception of the wretched "Goodbye Seventies", you can't fault the music here. Yazoo was a great band and the very fact that a "best-of" could be culled from just two albums says quite a bit about Alf and Vince's talent and ambitions. However, not only does this disc omit one of the duo's best and catchiest tunes, "Walk Away from Love", but it relies too heavily on remixes. Wouldn't it have been enough to have included just the original version of "Situation" or just a dance mix of "Don't Go"? Granted, these songs are eternal classics and could never wear out their welcome, but such a repetitious compilation is bad value. Unless you're desperate to own the otherwise unavailable "Tuesday", I'd suggest you pick up the pair of proper albums and a 12" or two. It might cost you more (and you WILL have to endure that horrific tape-loop thing on "Upstairs at Eric's") but only then will you get the whole picture of this fantastic and sadly short-lived outfit.

By the way, those impressed by this music will probably want to pick up Alison Moyet's great first album, on which she gets to unleash her pipes full-throttle, and the first couple of Erasure albums, on which Andy Bell uncannily reproduces her style and mannerisms almost verbatim.

Attention new fans!
Here's some good synth music from Yaz, the very short-lived but influential early 80's pop group, together with a few new remixes. However if you don't already have the two Yaz albums, start with buying them first before picking up this disc. This compilation misses some very good album cuts and there's nothing really special here that cannot be found on "Upstairs At Eric's" or "You And Me Both". The upside is the improved sound quality of the tracks, but it's disappointing they have included only one of the original extended remixes (Situation - US 12" mix).

The Remastering Is Brilliant!!! 4 and 1/2 Stars Overall!
Buy this for the remastered music! Woah. A fantastic job done in remastering (1999) by Mike Marsh and Roland Brown (according to the liner notes). I would have never guessed much of this music was recorded in 1982 or 1983 because it sounds almost as good sound quality-wise as anything released today. The bass totally stands out and the beats are crisp! I was driving home from work today and was blown away at how good "Don't Go" sounded on my car stereo. Brilliant job guys! The remastering alone, in my opinion, is enough reason to pick this album up! I could go on and on about this, but I think you get the point!

I ordered 'The Best Of Yaz' really just out of curiosity after downloading "Only You." I can't really recall what encouraged me to download it (probably some review at Amazon.com), but I really liked the song. Since I already loved "Situation," I decided to give in and buy this "best of," imagining there had to be something else I would like. It turns out I really like most of the tracks here and ended up remembering such tunes as "Don't Go" and "State Farm" from somewhere! Both tracks make me want to dance!

A lot of the material really stands out from this time period! It's hard for me to believe that much of it was released in 1982 and 1983 (when I was only 1 or 2 years old!) Some of the tunes are really interesting, namely "Ode To Boy" which has this really cool laid-back groovy feel. I love this! "Winter Kills" is haunting. And I love the chorus in "Mr Blue." These are songs I don't ever remember hearing before and only in a few days I fell in love with them.

After doing a little research and reading other reviews of this title, I realized that there are a few key tracks missing, namely "Other Side Of Love" which was a #13 U.K. hit single in 1983. There's about 17 minutes extra space on this disc, so I don't understand why it wasn't filled to capacity with this song, along with a few other key album tracks.

As for those saying that it's better off just to buy their 2 albums, it's probably true. But I'm picky about sound quality, so I'll wait for remastered versions (hopefully with extended versions as bonus tracks)! Unfortunately, I don't see remastered albums coming anytime soon (considering this "best of" was released in 1999 and it's now 2004).

5 Stars for the remastering and 4 stars for the tracklisting. Overall, a solid collection of Yaz.

NOT a fitting tribute
This is NOT a fitting tribute to Yazoo, perhaps the best of the early eighties synth/vocal duos. Vince Clarke's brilliant pop songs married to the gorgeous voice of Alison Moyet added up to something far greater than the sum of its parts. Something magical that we will probably never see again ( Erasure is another story altogether, I won't go into that now. ) Yazoo's two releases are brilliant. End of story. But a really good best of from a duo with ( let's face it ) only TWO albums to their credit SHOULD have included more than the ( quite frankly ) done to death new style club mixes of old style club hits, like the ones presented here. Instead we US fans should have gotten either of the alternate versions of Situation ( the original UK 7" version or the re-recorded version from "The Other Side of Love" 12" single.) What we SHOULD have gotten instead of those few lousy new remixes are hard to find items, like the above mentioned UK only "Other Side of Love" single, or a few original 12" mixes of the singles. Such a shame, really, as the new remixes add nothing to the originals. They take up WAY too much time on the disc, time that should have been given to something that truly is WORTHY of inclusion on a Best Of compilation. I would have done it differently. ALl I can say is, buy Upstairs at Eric's or You and Me Both instead, and forget this.

Good band, but is a Best Of really necessary?
After Vince Clarke left Depeche Mode, he teamed up with Allison Moyet and formed the new wave duo known as Yaz (in some other countries, they are known as Yazoo for some reason.) Unlike most new wave bands, this one had a much more electronic sound to it. This is a best of compilation the band released. How does it measure up? Read on and see.

PROS:
If you're looking for Yaz's big radio hits, Only You, Don't Go, and Situation, you'll find all of them here. Plus, there are four mixes of songs that are tough to come by. Big fans of the band will appreciate these.

CONS:
Yaz only made TWO albums! Even if you're a casual fan, it's better just to get them. In fact, the only people who will really appreciate this compilation are die-hard fans of Yaz, or Clarke or Moyet, who want the rare mixes.

OVERALL:
This is a good compilation, but just get the band's two albums instead. It's worth the extra cash. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Okay
I grew up during mid-late 80s/ loved every minute of it including Cover Girls/ Expose along with Pebbbles, Salt N'Pepa, and Sweet Sensation's Hooked on you. Therefore, I strongly disagree with the person who said that all 80s music is bad is wrong, very wrong. It is also very close-minded. Kim Wilde's remake of Diana Ross/ The Supreme's keep me hanging on was awesome.

To put it simply... No.
Sheena Easton is disgusting. Her songs are disgusting. Her voice is disgusting. She's just disgusting. I mean, all 80's music is bad, but Sheena Easton is beyond bad, she's terrible.
She has a very "church lady" voice. It's not awful, but it's far from good and should never have been recorded and distributed. It's got a really ugly, uncomfortable sound to it and it's not strong, in fact, her voice is very weak. It often sounds like she's competing with the music to try and be heard. Her ballads are the worst! She reminds me of LaToya Jackson. Oh God, and the music. Terribly dated. I'm so afraid 500 years from now people will find a Sheena Easton CD and think that's the kind of music we liked and listened to. How awful would that be.
This CD should not be called Greatest Hits. It should be called "Sheena Easton's Only Songs That Ever Made It On The Charts and Even Though They Made It They Still Suck." Did these songs even make it on the charts? I grew up in the 80s and I don't remember 3/4 of them. The only Sheena Easton song I really remember is that glass shattering, ear drum popping, simply revolting Bond theme: "For Your Eyes Only," which, thank God, is not on this album.
If you're thinking about buying this album I want you to smack yourself just for considering it. I got this CD as a gag gift for my birthday and that's exactly what I did when I listened to it, I gagged. It's cheap for a reason, just think of it that way. And if you're thinking about buying it because for some reason you like Sheena Easton, don't. Buying this CD will only encourage Sheena to create more music because she'll think she has talent and fans who want to listen to her. Thankfully she hasn't come out with anything new lately, and I hope things stay that way.
Sheena was a bad, bad mistake. This CD was a bad, bad mistake. And if you buy it, you'll be making a bad, bad mistake. Save your money and spend it on something good.

Incomplete
This is fairly decent for a casual fan. You get Sheena's biggest hit, the #1 "Morning Train" along with other top 10 hits "Strut," the controversial "Sugar Walls," and one of my favorites "Long Distance Love Affair." Even all the rest of the songs with the exception of WBMW's were solid top 40 hits. The thing is, two of Sheena's biggest hits are missing and those are the top 5 singles "For Your Eyes Only" and "The Lover In Me." tsk tsk. I'm happy that the beautiful ballads "You Could've Been With Me" and "Almost Over You" are here, but I think "He Shines" and "Do It For Love" could've been replaced with the songs I already mentioned. Sheena's version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" is a nice inclusion. Such a talent deserves a better GH's collection, though.

The best AVAILABLE greatest hits and a budget price
Yes, she has more hits than are on this album and she has had several other hits albums out, but this is both cheap and available (all but one of the others are currently unavailable from Amazon) This is a good place to start your Sheena collection, but if you're a Sheena fan you won't find anything new here. But that's not what it's for

Average...
What's with this endless Greatest Hits CD's all the time?
Pointless compilation featuring only 10 tracks. The familiar hits are here, "Modern Girl", "Strut", "The Wind Beneath My Wings" etc. All songs are featured in other Sheena Easton "Greatest Hits" packages.
The album is fine as an introduction to Sheena Easton, but old fans will be disappointed. ... Read more

Reviews (566)

My Sister wanted me to listen to her BSB's CD.Its not bad
First of all,I'm not a fan,but my Sister is.I have enjoyed some of there songs played on the radio,but after awhile it seems like every record from Backstreet Boys,N'Sync,and all the other boy bands sound the same.I did listen to "Black and Blue," and enjoyed alot of the cuts.My Favorite's are the one's written by the group,"The Answer to our Life,and "Time," Produced my Baby Face,and background vocals by this artist.Another great number,"I Promise you," by Dan Hill,is very different from the rest of the cuts,and wonderfull.The last song is the Masterpiece"How did I Fall in Love with you.Its just the Piano and Strings,with fantastic vocals from the band.The one thing that touched my heart was the inside cover.Three of the Backsteet Boys,A.J,Nick,and Brian,give thanks to Our Lord with all there heart,especially Brian.It looks like will be hearing songs from this CD played on the radio for years to come.

Black and Blue vs Celebrity - RESULT: Black & Blue won!
I love BSB and their latest effort Black & Blue. It's really good musically and lyrically. Makes them an outstanding and prominent among others. I admit N Sync's Celebrity is good too and it's doing quite well. Despite that I believe they will never beat BSB. Backstreet Boys were the ones who first started the mordern boyband phenomenon and I respect them for it. What N Sync really lacks is originality, overall good lyrics, good vocals (capared to BSB that is) and teamwork (let Lance, Christ and Joey sing too). That's what makes BSB and Black & Blue better than N Sync and Celebrity, respectively. (Compare the following songs with 'The Call', 'Shape of My Heart', 'Get Another Boyfriend', 'Shining Star', 'I promise you (...)' and 'The Answer To Our Life', well I think BSB's songs are better) The only goos songs in Celebrity are 'Pop', 'Gone', 'The Game is Over', 'Just don't tell me that', 'Something Like You' and 'Selfish'. BSB are cuter and more hot too. I know N Sync fans will disagree with this statement.

Don't get me wrong guys, Celebrity does have some good elements, MUSIC (but some songs have decent lyrics too) and that's IT! While Black & Blue has everything, good good, nice vocals and great music . Nick, AJ, Brian, Howie and Kevin always sound awesome. I like Justin's voice too but sometimes he does sound so whiny (listen to 'Pop', you'll get me). What's wrong with him? Oh well at least he's good for ballads.

...

KTBSPA!
this album is awsome! all of their songs have a meaning behind them! the best songs on this album are, I Promise You (With Eveyrthing I Am), because the beat is great, and its just a really sweet song, that is easy to love! Time, because teh boys talk about their past before they became teh legendary Backstreet Boys, and also because AJ sounds amazing, but when does he not??). And Lastly Yes I Will, because it a really nice song, and also because AJ wrote it. Its a real personal song, that is easy to love!
So i would defiantely recomend this album to anybody who appreciates good music and talent. The boys definately posess both of these qualities.
P.S. Backstreet Boys were here first! and they will be her last! N*SYNC and all the other little boys groups cant even live up to the Backstreet Boys. They cant even compare! so KTBSPA!

Stupid bullcrap!
WTF? That one reviewer gave this junk 5 stars and gave one of Black sabbath's album 1 star. WTF? Sweet jesus! I think I had a poo nugget soil my undies! Nevermind, it's just a turtle head, now it's back inside.

Seriously, that reviewer is stupid beyond belief! Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd,etc. are legends! Each band actually has TALENT!
Now on to this album:I don't even own it, but I already know it sucks alot(trying to not curse)! For good music stick with bands like Nevermore, Nothingface, older KoRn, Slayer, Pantera,etc.
Peace out all!

Black and Blue
Their first almbum milenium was awesome; this one is even better with songs that have amazing vocals and meaningfull lyrics. Recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (219)

A Good Pop Album!
This album is pretty good. It contains a lot of good dance and pop music and many tracks on this album became classic such as Billie Jean, Beat It and many moore. The production is also good which is one of the key element to the albums sucess not to mention the style and mind of Michael Jackson which after this album suffered something that I don't know what is but i think it's serious. Though I Have said good things about Thriller many people may think it's weird that I gave it just three stars. Well the song The Girl Is Mine is not a very good song. That's the worst song on the album and there is some flaws with some of the songs on it. I also think that Thriller is a bit overrated I think it's no wonder it so so many copies but I Do not think it's deserve to be called a masterpiece because there is something on this album that is missing and I don't know what it is but I sure notice that when I have listened to it as a whole.

thriller era introduced me to michael jackson
I was born the day before motown 25 and beat it was number 1 that week, so you could say I was born smack in the middle of thriller-mania. I've known who michael is since I was 2 years old since he was still going strong. Watching Beat It and being scared of Thriller are among some of my first memories.

I didn't purchase the cassette thriller until years later, but I also had to own this when the special edition came out and eventually the SACD. It's an incredible album that just gives you this unparallel feeling you just can't shake off. There's something for everyone on this album, happy dance music, great vocals, great lyrics, everything!!!

this is michael's signature album! The best selling album in the world, the album to win most grammys, the album with the most top 10 singles off any album, the album that changed the music industry forever! Long live the king of pop! Now let's talk about the music:

wannabe startin something-this is a unique, original song written by michael alone. It's beat is a timeless classic dance beat that makes you want to get up and chant mamasemamasaoohmacusah....

baby be mine-you can tell this song is from the 80's, but it's also a groovy r&b jam

the girl is mine-this one was also written by michael and its a duet between him and paul mccartney. It has a nice melody and the ending is really hilarious!(in a good way!)

thriller-shamon, who doesn't know this song and video

beat it-THE ultimate pop/rock song of the 80's, need I say more? we all know this one

billie jean-THE ultimate song of michael's career and pop culture. Whoever doesn't know this song must be living under a rock!

human nature-this song has the prettiest melody ever, and its so sweet and soulful

pyt-a fun dance tune that features sisters janet and latoya doing the background vocals.

lady in my life-michael's sexiest song ever! Perfect for making out with your guy or girl HAHA!

although i don't listen to thriller as much as Bad, Dangerous, HIStory and Invincible, it's an awesome album and this is the album that changed the music industry forever! Without Michael's enormous talent impacting everyone from 2 to 92, the music industry would have come down. Give michael credit, he deserves it because he is the best ever, now and forever king of pop, rock and soul!

Greatest ever
Let me state first that I have never been a big fan of Michael Jackson. And when this album was released in '82, I though that it was extremely overhyped. But I'll say that twenty or so years later, this is the single best album I have ever heard. Every song stands on its own. And the one song, Baby Be Mine, that got the least airplay in the '80s can arguably be considered one of the best two or three songs on the album. the best and worst songs on the album are not that far apart. You can't say that about too many albums. Classic is an understatement. Greatest album ever assembled.

80's To The MAX!!
I was given this album (yes a record) when I was 12, My Thriller album was mislabeled with Merle Haggard labels by the record company!! This was the best album and I cried when I thought that it wasn't Thriller!! Not a big Michael fan now, but man was I ever way back then!!

This Album is Really a Thriller!
Wow...This is an amazing album. I'm not a teen yet, and even I love it! Well: here we go:

My background:
When I was 11 I was flipping through the channels on TV and I saw a biography on Michael Jackson. I always lived by the Down by the Bay ryhme: "Michael Jackson makes me gag" so I didn't really care. There was nothin on TV that night, so I made sure nobody was downstaris and started to watch it. They showed him performing at the Motown Anniversery in '83. They showed him doing Billie Jean, and I was amazed, I saw him do the moonwalk (my favorite dance move!) and started to enjoy it. Then they showed the Thrilelr video, which I LOVED. I decided to download the music off the net, living off of small 1:30 second clips, until I found the whole Thriller video and I was amazed. One day at Target, I saw the special ediion on sail, and I purchased it, and I was laughed at a lot a school, well, onto the review!

1."Wanna' Be Startin Something" Amazing, great starter, sure there are some weird lyrics (You're a vegetable...) but it sticks out with all the things yelled out such as "Hee-Haw", "De-dum-dum-dum-dum.." and "Mama see mama sa mama sa coo sa!" which they yell for a minute alone. Amazxing A+ (10/10)

2."Baby Be Mine" Ahh...it's okay, I don't hate it, but I don't love it. Don't get me wrong..it's still a great song, trust me, but it's my 2nd least favorite song unfortunately. B+ (8/10)

3."The Girl Is Mine!" Great! Not the best, but it's the BEST love song, unless you count "Billie Jean" as a love song. It's a sow paced duet with Paul McCartney, and it's rather cheesy. Why would two men, about 10 ages apart in age (I think) fight over a girl (heh heh). But it's a truly good song, and the fight at the end was great! A (9.5/10)

4."Thriller" There is definately a reason this is the title track, it's AMAZING! I love it, especially the keyboard in the background's tune. I lvoe the chorus, especially how they sing it in different tones/enthusiasm/mood every time. And did anybody notice how many vocal hiccups are in this song? It's awsome..and the video is to die for. At the end, Vincent Price performs a REALLY (I mean really) scary chant. The voice is scary, yet brilliant.A+ (10/10) I gotta say, you have to watch the video, I watched it the first time when I was 11, and it gave me nightmares (Seariously, I had 50 nightmares of the same thing that night, I dreamed he kept walkig towards me as the zombie, it was so scary)

5."Beat It" If there had to be a different Title of the album, I would say this should be it. It's my second favorite song,pure awsome. Nice 0s rock, with rock god Eddie Van Halen on the guitar. AMAZING AMAZING solo, and yo have to love the video, especiall that shirt he wears (Tuh) A+ (10/10)

6."Bille Jean" 3 Number ones in a row! This song is best known for when Michael did his moonwalk. I like the oo-oos in the background, the third best song by him, in my opinion. Decent video, but I like the outfit he wears when he performs it (especially the nice fenara!) A+ (10/10)

7."Human Nature" I never really cared for this song, but it is an overall great song..my sister really likes it, but it's kust not my taste of music. A- (9.1/10)

8. "P.Y.T." The most Poppish song, it's a great fast paced song. It's underrated, and it's a great song. Trust my word on it. A (9.4/10)

9. "The Lady in My Life" I can't stand this song..I have nothing to say. Definatly the worst song on th album. C+ (7.8/10) ... Read more