Album Details

Remastered Reissue with FourBonus Tracks. CD Booklet Contains Extensive Liner Notes and Rare Photos. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

TFFs most powerful album.
The Big Chair LP is one of the 80s best albums but that album is nothing compared to this album which I can easily say is their most creative album to date. Sowing The Seeds Of Love was a worthy single that got the recognition that it deserved by making it to number 2 on the charts. It's unfortunate that the making of this album would tear apart TFF. Elemental was a step down from this album. My favorite track is the haunting Standing On The Corner Of The Third World. I just love how it blasts into a Gospel-like song. The bonus tracks are great as well and actually work well with the original tracks. Go out and buy this CD.

Tears For Fears Best
Tears For Fears created some of the best popular music of the 1980s. With each new release, TFF explored new musical territory, always redefining what Tears For Fears should sound like. For my money, Roland and Curt never sounded better than they do here on The Seeds of Love.

Songs From the Big Chair was their commercial peak, but one listen to The Seeds of Love and you'll see why so many believe this was their artistic high mark. Accompanied by a stellar cast of musicians, the synthesizer driven sound of previous TFF releases takes a back seat to some truly inspired playing. Turn up track two, Badman's Song, and see if you're not blown away by the jazzy intro and vocals that quietly simmer...building and building...until an emotional, full-throttle release at song's end that will have you ready to testify. This song must have been amazing in concert.

Other highlights include the beautiful single "Woman in Chains" (with the amazing Oleta Adams on vocals), the peppy rock of "Year of the Knife," and the Beatle's homage "Sowing the Seeds of Love." This disc also has "Advice for the Young at Heart," the band's most overlooked single. Why this wasn't a Top Ten hit I'll never know. I agree with others who say this song practically moves them to tears. The vocal delivery on the chorus (Advice for the young at heart / soon we will be older / when we gonna make it work?) still gets to me everytime I hear it.

If you have one of TFF's greatest hits compilations, I'd recommend The Seeds of Love as your next purchase. The sound on the remastered version is phenomenal and the addition of four strong bonus tracks seals the deal.

Not as good as Songs from the Big Chair
Except for the Year of the knife, and Sowing the Seeds of Love, this album is at best mediocure. Extremely disappointing when considering how good Songs from the Big Chair is.

A Grand Farewell To the 1980's
A classic pop swan-song to the 1980's, this masterful and well-crafted piece of pop genius still resonates with me today. The music of the 80's is constantly trashed by today's musical "know-it-all's" as being too bland, faceless, and overly-produced. It's all a joke to them. My argument would be simply be, what is wrong with listening to music that has multiple layers and multiple production values? The Beach Boys did it with "Pet Sounds" in 1966, and the greatest albums from the Fab Four were all production milestones.
The 1980's were filled with great music, and many of the best groups from England were able to produce that smoky, languid, shimmering, late-at-night sounding British pop that still sounds fresh to me today. Check out Thomas Dolby's "The Flat Earth," the Blue Nile's "Walk Across Rooftops" and "Hats," Nick Heyward's "I Love You Avenue," Prefab Sprout's "Two Wheels Good," and countless others by artists such as Alphaville, Deacon Blue, and others.
"Seeds of Love" is THE definitive masterpiece of the 1980's, a devastatingly beautiful album of pop gems that was a fabulous goodbye to the decade. Every song on the CD is almost like a mini-suite in itself; there is not one even remotely unsure moment on this one, but the highlights would have to be the achingly beautiful "Swords And Knives" and the astonishing "Advice For the Young At Heart." Listen to this album on a beautiful morning with your windows down, or late at night with the moon as your only source of shadows....I predict that you will fall in love with it over and over as I have.

A STUNNING TURNING POINT
This is the third album from 80's duo Tears For Fears, and it has a very 'live' feel to it compared to the first two albums, 'The Hurting' and 'Songs from the Big Chair'. This album is much more 'mature' than the first two, both in composition and sound, but not necessarily superior because of that -- it's just different.

Whilst Tears For Fears was finding its footing with 'The Hurting' and discovering computer programming and drum looping with 'Songs from the Big Chair', this album is much more influenced by jazz compositions and cabaret performances, especially the tracks featuring Oleta Adams, who gives a whole new layer to the Tears For Fears sound. Oleta Adams was 'discovered' by Tears For Fears in a cabaret in New Orleans during the 'Songs from the Big Chair' tour, and her voice and attitude on stage mesmerized Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal so much so that she became a major influence on this album.

In terms of content, 'Sowing the Seeds of Love' is much more 'positive' than the first two albums, especially with the title track and 'Advice for the Young at Heart'. 'Woman in Chains' stands out in terms of simplicity and yet somewhat powerful, emotional and heart-wrenching track (sang as a duet with Oleta Adams and Roland Orzabal).

The additional tracks on this album are somewhat of a mismatch, but worth the listening, especially 'Johnny Panic and the Bibles of Dream', whose title is lifted from a Silvia Plath book of the same name. The verse of this song is taken straight from the 'Seeds of Love' and sang in 'rap' style over a typical Tears For Fears melodic riff and drumloop.

Finally the re-mastering on this album is nothing short of amazing, thanks to Chris Hughes, who was the producer of 'Songs from the Big Chair', and who has taken a lot of care into making this re-release a true gem for fans of Tears For Fears and music lovers everywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Lacking - for diehard Police fans only
Those reviewers who gave this album five stars have clearly never been to a good rock concert. This is a puzzling collection of mediocre to lousy live tracks from a group that definitely performed many concerts that, in contrast to this album's concerts, were great live shows. This collection seems to be a record company's attempt to milk the cash cow.

The first disk is a 1979 recording that should have reflected the band in its prime, when the Police were still an exciting rock band, not the ego-driven cast for a pop megastar that they became in their last several years of existence. I cannot believe that this was the best concert the Police recorded during 1979. Sting admits to the audience near the beginning of this disk that he has laryngitis and his singing really sounds like it. The band, quite frankly, sounds drunk during the whole of this concert. Sting slurs his singing and Andy Summers' guitarwork is sloppy and lacking in either energy or consistency. Summers speeds up the pace of most of these songs but somehow manages to lose energy or emotion, appearing thin and disinterestedly hurried. The saving grace of this disk is the fact that these songs are good enough as originally written that they can still be somewhat decent if, as on this disk, they were not performed well.

Disk Two demonstrates just how far a band can decline in only four years when it lets its ego expand exponentially, substituting false artistry for musicianship, pretentiousness for emotion. The band traded the raw, powerful rock and roll edge from their early years for backup singers and Sting's "innovative" warbling that amuses mostly himself. Message in a Bottle and De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da are quite decent, but the rest of the songs on this disk are just weak and show a band led by a singer who is more self-absorbed than concerned with performing quality music. The humorous lines from their earlier work are definitely missing here, showing that by 1983 the band took itself too seriously. The several repeat tracks from Outlandos D'Amour (Roxanne, Can't Stand Losing You, So Lonely) are very disappointing in these artsy renditions and lack any sparkle or life.

If you are a diehard Police fan, you may find the different versions of your favorite songs on these two disks mildly amusing, but for the casual Police fan, their first three albums are much better and although they are studio albums, the music was a lot more exciting than these live tracks. For a truly great live album recorded contemporaneously with these concerts, try Dire Straits' Alchemy, or for an excellent modern live album, try Sonia Dada's Lay Down and Love It Live.

Police Live - A Must for any Police Fan
I wasn't sure what to expect from this CD when I bought it. Disc One is the Police of the old school; no backup singers and just the three of them. It's only of their first two discs as well, no Zenyatta, Ghost or Synchronicity. The 2nd Disc is 1983. They have backup singers, the recording is better quality and they play mostly just their hit tunes. I like disc one better, but I think most will like disc two because it's more commercial. The only song I would have liked to hear on one of the discs would be 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic', but you can't have it all. If you have all the Police discs, you should get this one because it's nice to hear versions of these songs that aren't from the studio. It's worth the money!

Historical musical document, not the best sound quality
The sound quality of these live renditions by the legendary British band The Police are not top notch, which is why I take off one star off of them. However, the material is all top of the line and a very nice display of the band's live performances in their early days (disc 1) and their final tour (disc 2), as well as a fairly comprehensive compilation of their music. On this end, I'd probably recommend their "Message in a Box", which sums up their entire production and a few B-sides and live tracks in a very nice 4-disc box with a colorful and insightful booklet.

One star down for disc 2...
I love disc one. It is fantastic. It actually got me back into simple rock n roll after years of listening mainly to more complex jam rock and jazz. I put it on my stereo one night when I was just sitting around my apartment a few years back, and I was bouncin round the room (to quote Phish). Since that time I have gotten back into this kind of music (elvis costello, the clash, etc.) while still listening to the other stuff. The Police were a punk band, I don't care what anyone says, and they wrote some clever, catchy tunes.

Now disc two is another matter. It sounds nice, well-done, but doesn't have that spirit the earlier music had. Alone it gets 2 stars from me, but disc one gets six so it averages out somewhere in the middle, I go with four. Disc one is more than enough to justify the price, however. I urge you to buy it, and wear out that first disc!!

Good, could have been great.
It's hard to complain when you get two cd's of live "Police", but I'll do it anyway. Both the performance and sound are good, but for your only live album, it should be excellent. The song choices are fine, but two cd's of two shows is too much. Unless you're a fanatic, one disc of live hits and fan favorites would be better. Actually, I usually just listen to disc 2 for that very reason. Of course if I was more of an optomist, I'd say it's two cd's, of two shows, full of all the hits and more. What else could you want in a live "Police" album? ... Read more

Album Details

Two 'de-Volving' Devo Releases on One CD! Contains 1979's Sophmore Effort ('Duty Now for the Future') and 1981's 'New Traditionalists', the Group's Fourth Studio Effort. Features the Songs: 'Wiggly World', 'Strange Pursuits', 'Secret Agent Man' (From 'd.n.f.t.f.') And 'Through Being Cool', 'Working in the Coal Mine' and 'Race of Doom' (From 'n.t.'). ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Only four stars because of New Traditionalists.
Duty Now For The Future is one of DEVO's finest creations. All of the songs on this dark masterpiece are killer futurist, electro-spud rock'n'roll monsters. Duty Now For The Future is a follow lp to the great Q: Are We Not Men album and expands on the DEVO manifesto. Songs like "Clockout", "Wiggly World" and "The Day My Baby Gave Me A Suprise" are great rock'n'roll tunes while being gross and darkly humorous at the same time. DEVO was now developing and expanding the notion that DEVO was just doing a job and entertainment was just that-a job. This is the DEVO war machine at the hight of it's power! For great live footage of the band during the "Duty Now" era try to find the video The Men Who Make The Music. Too bad the original cover that featured a super-cool removable postcard and great bar-code graphics has been replaced with the UK/European version of the jacket art.

What a great pair!
I suppose it was just some bozo in marketing that prevented these dual sets from being released in proper chronological order... it would have been so much more satisfying to have Q: and Duty Now on one disc, and Freedom of Choice / New Traditionalists on the other, but whatever, such is life.

At any rate, these are still two of my all-time favorite albums hanging out in one place, which is very, very good for the world. New Traditionalists boasts some classic songs, e.g. the oft-mentioned Beautiful World and Through Being Cool, and my personal favorites, Jerkin Back & Forth and Going Under; and I just adore the hilarity that is Duty Now for the Future - from the somber strands of Devo Corporate Anthem to the rollickin' good time of Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA, this album is chock full of great songs, bizarre sounds, and more of that early, rawer (read: guitar/bass/drums rather than synth) sound.

All in all, excellent music, excellent entertainment, and a great antidote to having accidentally listened to some of those terrible later releases like Shout or Smooth Noodle Maps.

two great albums on one CD!
Yay! I can't believe this -- there are others here who think "Duty Now for the Future" is better than "Are We Not Men" also! I'm not the only one! Finally.

You see, Ken Scott didn't make the production "murkier," as some reviewers claim. He just made it more INTERESTING. Of course, I love "Are We Not Men" -- a complete classic from start to finish. But this album is just more interesting, more fun, more well made -- heck, even the instrumentals "Devo Corporate Anthem" and "Timing X" are spectacular. Everytime "Anthem" starts up, I always get a feeling that something special is going to happen. And I'm always correct.

"Clockout" is one of the best Devo songs, EVER. It doesn't have the traditional verse/chrous/verse template as other songs... it's an odd listen at first, but it will grow on you like ... fungus. Or something. It's got some kicka** guitar and the lyrics are Devo at it's best.

"Wiggly World" is a great combonation of post-punk and new wave... it hits incredibly hard, and it moves at a blazing pace.

Other top songs on this album include "S.I.B. (Swelling Itching Brain)" (this song even gets scary!), "The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprise," "Pink Pussy Cat" (great voices), and, the best Devo song ever, "Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA."

And contrary to popular opinion, "New Traditionalists" is only a notch below Devo's other works. I'm particularly fond of the last five songs. "Love Without Anger" and "Beautiful World" especially. Great songs, GREAT lyrics.

All in all, one of the best purchases around for a Devo fan. Buy it before it goes out of print!

Is it on? Is it off? Reply!
This CD represents an unusual yet remarkable pairing of two absolutely essential recordings by the Spud Boys from Akron.

After the tour-de-force that was Devo's first full-length album, "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!", the band switched gears and switched producers from Brian Eno to Ken Scott (known for his work with Supertramp, among others), to produce a chilling, icy work, still with intelligence, energy, and quirky creativity, but with a sound that smacked of anything but commercialism (listen to "Timing X" and "S.I.B"), and was nonetheless very appealling in an emotionally backdoor way; disturbingly catchy, a metaphor for the desire our darker consciousness emits.

I always felt "Freedom Of Choice" was the band's attempt at gaining a more commercial acceptance; not a bad record, but light-hearted when compared to the first two major releases. That's one of the reasons I was glad to see "New Traditionalists" coupled with "Duty Now...". It returned the band to a harder sound, more reminiscent of "Are We Not Men...", while somewhat refuting their more commercial leanings of "Freedom" with songs such as "Through Being Cool" and "Pity You". The attitude was still there, the vision, the disturbing catchiness. They hadn't lost it after all; if anything, they were juxtaposing their original fan base with those who came along upon hearing "Whip It". And it worked very well.

Get this CD. It will inform, entertain, and satirize as only Mothersbaugh and company could. Even 20-plus years down the line.

Good Devo/Bad Devo
The pairing of these titles is interesting in that both represent follow-up efforts to successful albums ("Q: Are We Not Men?..." successful critically, and "Freedom of Choice" commercially).

"Duty Now..." retains the flavor of the first album; still blaring from that contaminated factory-world. It lacks the novelty and punch of "Q:/A:" (which was an avant-garde masterpiece), but it still bangs and sputters and whizzes and cranks, especially "Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA," which is just great rock. By the way, "Red Eye Express" contains my favorite Devo lyric:

Let me tell you a story
Let me shovel some dirt
Long time no sugar
And it's starting to hurt

With "Freedom of Choice" Devo shifted gears. They got the hit single, but seemed to abandon the creepier Devo elements (like nuclear contamination and birth defects) that were part of the attraction/repulsion that made Devo what it originally was. "New Traditionalists," their next album, is, in my opinion, an empty effort. Devo had lost its teeth by this point, was actually becoming "cute," and was well on the way to self-parody. ... Read more

Album Description

Reissue of their hit second album in a digipak. Originally released in 1980 on Columbia, 'Kings Of The Wild Frontier' features 12 tracks, including the hits 'Antmusic' & 'Dog Eat Dog'. Also features new sleeve notes. NOTE: the tracklisting on this release is that of the original U.K. edition, which differs from the U.S. version by two or threecuts. 1998 Columbia release. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

The Indian, the Pirate, the Highwayman
No album better captures the spirit of post-punk England better than Kings of the Wild Frontier. The first album featuring the pairing of Adam Ant and guitarist Marco Pirroni -- along with two drummers pounding out a bassy tribal sound -- Kings was an instant commercial success and rocketed to No. 1 on the U.K. charts.

Songs range from the Ants' Top of the Pops debut Dog Eat Dog (one word: daddy-o), the infectiously thumping title track, a nod to the Indian sound with Human Beings and Killer in the Home, and the frolicking pirate number Jolly Roger.

But the albums biggest contributions could be considered the help it gave to a fledgling music video market, on the boisterous videos to Stand and Deliver and Antmusic. Dressed in a "Charge of the Light Brigade" jacket, Adam's warpaint and cane helped bring MTV into the mainstream of pop culture -- he was even the first-ever guest "VJ" on MTV.

Other notables include a heavy "Physical (You're So)" -- later remade by Nine Inch Nails on the EP "Broken" (song 99, you have to wait a while), and the Clint Eastwood-inspired "Los Rancheros."

In a tribal race with former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McClaren's new band Bow Wow Wow (made up of Ants stolen from Adam's original band), Kings of the Wild Frontier crossed the finish line in record time. For any fan of late '70s/early '80s British punk or New Wave, Kings is a must-listen.

feedback masterpiece
Not much to add that anyone else here hasnt said already. Recently found this tape gathering dust and now it's on regular rotation in my car. I was really young when I first used to listen to this one, so it brings back memories... the songs are still great. One thing I notice now when I listen is the greatness of Marco Pirroni's guitar on this album. I'm really into feedback, hence loved the Jesus and Mary Chain, who came on the scene a bit later. Anyhows, the feedback on this album is a thing of beauty. Some feedback is beautiful but accidental if you get my drift, but not here. Revolutionary.

A work of true genius
Having had his band stolen by Malcolm McClaren, Adam Ant regroups with a new tribe of Ants and releases this dinger of an album on the world. BowWowWow, as McClaren styled his stolen musicians didn't come within miles of the standard of this outstanding work. That was over 20 years ago now and this CD is still as frsh as ever to my ears. Nothing quite like it has been done before or after (what followed from the group became successively worse). For me the highlight and one of my top ten tracks ever is "Killer in the Home". So simple, so direct, so passionate - like the rest of the album. You simply cannot be into rock or popular music without having heard this CD. GET IT NOW!

0-MY-God! Like Totally Awesome!!
This CD by Adam and the Ants is like Totally Awesome!

If you are not familiar with them I would describe them as a disco punk version of the Village People.
Get it now!!

A breath of fresh air
OK folks-- let's remember when this came out. It's 1980 -- Disco is dying (THANK GOD!!) The Ramones, Damned, Dead Boys.. have come out with their punky albums--- then this--
I got turned onto them by the great Cheetah Chrome (amazing he's still alive!!) The Dead Boys had broken up and he was in town to play a solo show at the Pop Shop(under the Cleveland Agora)
So my bud and I hook with him in the hotel and he slaps this (Adam Ant_) into a $14.00 mono cassettte player---- AMAZING!!
Stop and listen people--very little, to almost no cymbals at all on this album---tribal drumbeats --- pop sensibilities---pretty good production (for 1980!)
He/They should have beeen bigger than the cult-like following it is now. He screwed up bigtime on the follow-up 'Stand And Deliver'. The muse wasn't there again until (in my humple opinion) , Vive La Rock.
This album is and always will be in MY Top 66 Albums of all time. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

He's the man, all right
Joe Jackson's first two albums have always represented, to me, what was good about the New Wave/No Wave flash-in-the-pan of the late '70s to early '80s. I'M THE MAN is so packed with great songs that it has a "Best-Of..." kind of feel to it. The songs range from the reggae ballad ("Geraldine and John") to sensitive self-reflection (It's Different for Girls") to plain ass-kicking rock ("I'm the Man").

What's evident in this album is that Joe Jackson wasn't going to be hemmed into New Wave for very long; he was too diverse and talented for that. And sure enough he broke loose with the underrated JUMPING JIVE and the overrated NIGHT AND DAY. Still, this album and LOOK SHARP are the DVDs I turn to for pure fun.

The DVD has a great sound and the accompanying goodies make it well worth the very reasonable price.

More than Different
This is a great collection of music. The worst song on this album (Amateur Hour) is better than the "El mucho sludgoe" on your basic LP. Try it out, very melodic, hookie, playable.

Not Your Average Joe
Sometimes an artist puts out a super debut recording and stumbles with the follow up release. This is definitely not the case with Joe Jackson's I'm The Man. Not to knock his solid debut, Look Sharp but the songs on I'm The Man are catchier and somewhat more diverse. On Your Radio, I'm The Man, and Don't Want To Be Like That are spunky rockers but It's Different For Girls and Amateur Hour show a tender side to the man. The drum rhythms on songs like Friday and The Band Wore Blue Shirts are ear catching as well.

I am not familiar with the bonus track so I cannot pass judgement on it. However the original ten songs from my lp are excellent. Therefore the verdict is a two thumbs up. Way Up!!!!

New Wave/Pop crossover classic
Fashion goes in circles. Take the first Star Wars movie for example. In the early1990s we rolled around laughing at Luke Skywalker's blow-dried 70s haircut. Watching the film today, that same haircut looks fairly modern. Indeed, the whole film looks like it was made yesterday. In music the same applies. Cheesy 70s fusion and pedestrian jazz-funk is today recycled and mass produced but today it's called 'Lounge'. And then you have music which transcends fashion, purveyed by bands like Beatles, Stones, Elvis Costello, etc. Joe Jackson's first two albums - of which 'I'm the Man' is the first - are classic examples. A perfect fusion of pop savvy, punk attitude and musical brilliance. Good, solid songs, simply arranged (guitar, bass, drums and the odd keyboard), and with lyrics that are at once funny, poignant and candid. There are no fillers but my favourites include the title track which is ferocious in its intensity, the wonderful 'It's Different for Girls' (a top 10 hit in 1979), school geek-comes-good anthem 'On Your Radio' and the reggae-tinged 'Geraldine and John'. It was released in 1979, but sounded as good throughout the 80s and 90s and still sounds great today. If you like punchy pop with an attitude, you should check this one out.

Sharper, sharpest
This album is one of my desert island disks. The perfect first song, "On Your Radio," hooks you into a no-skip listening experience. Even the bubble-gummy "Kinda Cute," and "Get that Girl" make sense in context, like a sorbet to cleanse your palate of Jackson's acid wit. Although this is heresy among die-hard fans, I may like this better than "Night and Day," because of its rawness. The point is academic, though, because you need both. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Gutsy, Infectious, Synth-Soaked College/Pop Rock at Its Best
The 1980s featured some of the best college/pop rock EVER (yes, I'm biased: I was a college rock 'n' roller back then). 'Til Tuesday mesmerized the public with the haunting Voices Carry. Aimee Mann's poignant, reflective vocals stood out amongst the male dominated college rock of the time and even hit the Top 40 charts and MTV. However, the "if it's not on radio or MTV, it must suck" mentality of most people drove 'Til Tuesday's and Aimee's other music back to the colleges where it is best understood and appreciated. You don't have to be brilliant to love Aimee's music, but you do have to willing to value intense, intimate, and personal lyrics and a musical style that simply grows on you as each track unfolds. 'Til Tuesday's music (as well as Aimee's solo work) is simply perfect as a tool for personal reflection and growth. The top songs (there is not a bad song on this album) include: Why Must I, Lucky, Long Gone Buddy, Limits of Love, and Crash and Burn.

Recommended: watch Magnolia (with Tom Cruise) on DVD - Aimee's solo work makes this move work (and her music served as the inspiration for the movie's author).

Looking for more Aimee Mann? Start here!
For most people Til Tuesday are a one hit wonder. They remember the somber looking chick with the braided pigtail putting up with an obnoxious, self centered boyfriend, as she sang "hush, hush/keep it down, down/voices carry," in a ubiquitous video on MTV in 1985. Some folks liked the song, some folks didn't and before long the band faded from memory.

This is a real shame. Til Tuesday's second album "Welcome Home" was a real gem, and a big improvement over "Voices Carry" and the album of the same name. But it was this album, the band's third and final one, that planted them firmly in the melodic edgy pop world and quietly launched the solo career of "that chick with the braided pigtail" Aimme Mann.

"Everything's Different Now" took a lot at the pain of relationships, their sometimes joyous nature, and their ultimate demise. Each of these ten songs are wonderfully crafted, almost instantly hummable, and each seeps itself into you psyche and won't let go. "Rip in Heaven," "Why Must I," "J For Jules," "Wished You Were Lucky," "Limits to Love," "The Other End of the Telescope," and "How Can You Give Up," will all especially appeal to anyone who is a fan of Aimme Mann's solo work.

I can't believe it took me so long to discover this gem!
I must confess that, until recently, I fell into the category of people who mainly knew Til Tuesday's music by their hit song "Voices Carry" and a few other songs including "Coming Up Close." I also own their second album Welcome Home and I'm familiar with a lot of Aimee Mann's solo work as well. I even met her last year at an autograph signing. So I almost feel ashamed that I never heard of Everything's Different Now until recently when I came across these reviews. After reading all the glowing praises I felt compelled to pick myself up a copy, and after several listens of the entire album I'm absolutely hooked! I can't understand how this album didn't get the recognition and promotion it deserved. Perhaps the greatest tragedy is that many casual fans of Til Tuesday will continue to not know about this album and judge their merits as a band based on their more well-known work (which is certainly good in its own right but doesn't come close to being as good as this superb album).

Everything's Different Now has become among the very few albums I own in which I can say that I love every song. My personal favorites are "Rip In Heaven," "Why Must I," "Long Gone (Buddy)" and "Crash And Burn." But every song is catchy and filled with oustanding melodies and harmonies. The music just "fits" together so well and the consistency flows so smoothly from one song to another. Upon the very first listen one can tell that a lot of thought and effort was put into this album. I suppose some might be put off a little by the main theme of loss and breakup, but the way the music comes across is far from dreary or depressing. In fact one could say that this album will make you feel good, not only because the music is so great but because it offers an outlet for themes that most of us can relate to in some form.

So if you're a fan of Til Tuesday and/or Aimee Mann, or if you're just a fan of great music for that matter, you owe it to yourself to get this album. It's mature, well presented, has great lyrics, and is basically a fantastic listen. Most highly recommended

Aimee...I will never stop listening...
There are just a handful of recordings that I listen to faithfully YEARS after their release. These songs are timeless. They are beautiful. They are Delicious. This album will never grow old...and I will never stop listening. Thank you so much, Aimee...for sharing your incredible gift.

Better than the one hit
I was given this album by a friend and it became an instant favorite back in 1990. I, like most everyone had heard of the song "Voices Carry", but while I like the voice I didn't care for the song much. I certainly wouldn't have bothered with any of their other stuff based on that song. Good thing my friend knew better than me. The songs on this album have strong messages and Aimee Manns' unique voice does a beautiful job at conveying them. I own their other two albums but don't listen to them much because this one is by far the best.
In reading an interview in London with Aimee Mann, it seems Sony wanted them just to keep putting out the same old "Voices Carry" type of songs. When the band refused they got little support in the promotion department from Sony and thus this record never got the sales or attention it deserved. Too bad Sony seemed to decide to cut off their nose to spite their face. I am certain this would have been a major money maker for them. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Given that the B-52's 1998 greatest-hits package, Time Capsule, comprehensively surveyed their best and most commercially pervasive missives while including a newly recorded track, "Debbie"--inspired by Debbie Harry and reprised wholesale on Nude on the Moon--it's fair to question the wisdom of this sprawling two-disc set. While new edits, live versions, and remixes pad the sessions and are nice and all, wigged-out chestnuts like "52 Girls," "Rock Lobster," "Dance This Mess Around," "Planet Claire," "Love Shack," and "Roam" really goose the action. That said, revisiting the perennial fashion risks from Athens, Georgia, remains a rare joy. Those old enough to remember the group's landmark Saturday Night Live debut--those wigs, that suit, those far-out gyrations!--will look back fondly not just on the B-52's florescent musical bounty but on the weirdly enduring resonance of their interstellar psychobabble. --Kim Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A great, if somewhat uneven, representation of the B-52's.
Don't think you are really only getting the best of the B-52's backcatalog on this 2-CD collection. It includes all the obvious "hits" from the band, "Love Shack", "Roam", "Rock Lobster", "Private Idaho", etc. and many great cuts from each studio release, but as with most compilations one can debate the obmission of some tracks and the inclusions of others.

For example: the GOOD STUFF album is severely under-represented with only two tracks from this fine album, plus a dull remix of "Is That You Mo-Dean?" which is much inferior to its lp version. The irresitibly catchy "Hot Pants Explosion" or "Tell It Like It Is" could've filled this void.

Also under-represented is the WHAMMY album. "The Queen of Las Vegas" mix here lacks the pulse that the WHAMMY version gives. Produced by David Byrne, this previously unreleased mix just sounds like Cindy Wilson guest vocaling on a Talking Heads record. Otherwise, WHAMMY's "Butterbean" and "Big Bird" are overlooked for this compilation.

COSMIC THING hogs the most space with seven tracks. Sure it was the band's biggest seller, and the big hits from this record are all essential, but room could've been left for other material instead of "Follow Your Bliss".

BOUNCING OFF THE SATELLITES is perhaps the most wisely selected of the studio albums represented on this compilation. Every track that you'll ever need to hear from that album is included. "Ain't It A Shame" is perhaps one of the most heart-breakingly touching songs ever from a band whose rep was built on goofiness and fun.

As far as the early albums go, B-52's and WILD PLANET, simply must be heard in their entirety. I won't squabble over their representations. It's all good. ("6060-842" would've been nice.)

Otherwise I have no other complaints. The booklet is jam-packed with great photos with a history of the group and essays from the band members. The day-glo red outer spine makes it hard to miss on the store shelf.

A great, if somewhat uneven, representation of the B-52's.
Don't think this is only the best of the B-52's backcatalog on this 2-CD collection. It includes all the obvious "hits" from the band, "Love Shack", "Roam", "Rock Lobster", "Private Idaho", etc. and many great cuts from each studio release, but as with most compilations one can debate the obmission of some tracks and the inclusions of others.

For example: the GOOD STUFF album is severely under-represented with only two tracks from this fine album, plus a dull remix of "Is That You Mo-Dean?" which is much inferior to its lp version. The irresitibly catchy "Hot Pants Explosion" or "Tell It Like It Is" could've filled this void.

Also under-represented is the WHAMMY album. "The Queen of Las Vegas" mix here lacks the pulse that the WHAMMY version gives. Produced by David Byrne, this previously unreleased mix just sounds like Cindy Wilson guest vocaling on a Talking Heads record. Otherwise, WHAMMY's "Butterbean" and "Big Bird" are overlooked for this compilation.

COSMIC THING hogs the most space with seven tracks. Sure it was the band's biggest seller, and the big hits from this record are all essential, but room could've been left for other material instead of "Follow Your Bliss".

BOUNCING OFF THE SATELLITES is perhaps the most wisely selected of the studio albums represented on this compilation. Every track that you'll ever need to hear from that album is included."Ain't It A Shame" is perhaps one of the most heart-breakingly touching songs ever from a band whose rep was built on goofiness and fun.

As far as the early albums go, B-52's and WILD PLANET, simply must be heard in their entirety. I won't squabble over their representations. It's all good. ("6060-842" would've been nice.)

Otherwise I have no other complaints. The booklet is jam-packed with great photos with a history of the group and essays from the band members. The day-glo red outer spine makes it hard to miss on the store shelf.

The "Boxed Set" for the Price and Packaging of a 2 CD Set
"Nude on the Moon - The B-52s Anthology" is simply put - a 2 CD set that really has all of the makings of a mini boxed set. Yes, this is a greatest hits collection, but it contains so much more that really makes this much more than a greatest hits album. It covers a near 20 year period that the band covered from 1979 through 1998. After purchasing this collection, you will learn quite a lot about the B-52s. The title on "Nude on the Moon" is a play on the song "Nude on the Beach" and the Moon reference comes from several songs (most noteably, I think Girl From Ipanema Goes to Greenland says 'moon in her mirror')

First the band themselves. If you aren't familiar with the B-52s, they probably are one of the most original bands of the rock era. They were originally a quintet - until the death of founding member Ricky Wilson of AIDS complications in 1985. They remain a quartet consisting of 3 lead singers - Cindy Wilson (Ricky's sister), Kate Pierson, and Fred Schneider. Keith Strickland is the fourth member and contributes on vocals at times. Cindy and Kate have two voices that harmonize just as well as any two will harmonize. Then there is the unique vocals of Mr. Fred Schneider. Schneider brings one of the most quirky voices in the music industry that goes with the unorthodox style of the B-52s music. In the vocals of the B-52s, you'll hear plenty of shouts and shreks, producing a very 'alternative' rock sound with a touch of psychedelica and a touch of punk. The lyrics of the B-52s aren't the most complex. You'll hear them sing about lobsters, wigs, lava, dancing, a place in Brazil called Ipanema, and even a history lesson on Mesopotamia. The band will often reference themselves in songs - most noteably in "Song From a Future Generation" and "Wigs". In these songs you will hear personal references about each of the band members that will help you get a good feel for who they are all about. As for their attire, the B-52's will dress in a cross between 50s and 70s retro. All of these things contribute to this band's uniqueness.

Combine the unique with everything that this collection brings home and you have a real winner. This truly is a "Boxed Set" for the price and packaging of a 2 CD Disc Set. There is a wonderful 56 page booklet that will truly give you everything you ever wanted to know about the band. For starters, there are personal intros written by the four band members - Fred, Kate, Cindy, and Keith. What is nice about the intros is you will really get a feel for the band members at a personal level and can relate it back to the music. Then there are 20+ pages that cover the history of the band - and that's loaded with pictures. This history will give you everything you wanted to know about the B-52's and help you understand where much of the music is coming from. There is a terrific discography that lists all of the songs contained on the collection as well as mapping them back to the albums. You'll also see credits in the discography for production and songwriting - and oh yes, plenty of pictures included.

The collection features some live cuts of the hits - "Whammy" and "Quiche Lorraine". There are some new edits (mixes) of existing songs "Ain't it a Shame", "Is that You Mo-Dean", and "Theme From a Nude Beach". They also include a 1990 remix of an older song "Mesopotamia". There also is an unreleased song included called "Queen of Las Vegas". When your collection starts including live cuts, remixes, and unreleased material - it suddenly takes on a life of its own and makes the collection truly special.

I feel the body of work is well represented for the B-52's fan. I might have liked a third CD with some more live cuts. I also felt that I would have liked to see stuff such as the B-52's Flintstones song they did for the "Flintstones" movie. Plus if it's called "Nude on the Moon" why not include their most famous 'moon' song - "There's a Moon in the Sky"? From a personal standpoint, I was only familiar with the "Cosmic Thing" CD that had the most successful pop hits ("Love Shack", "Roam"). I managed to really expand my horizons and learn quite a bit about the band between the music and the booklet included. This is a fine piece of work and one to consider adding to your collection.

OK But Skips A Deal
Almost the entire 1st LP is here, some from the 2nd, but the Mesopotamia songs are missing, except the title track which is one of the weakest. A few from Whammy, then we are tossed into their "message" tunes. The accompanying booklet is kind of nice, a few rare pics, but obviously doctored and not representing their entire span. Nothing from the pre-recording days, and nothing that doesn't show redhead singer Kate Pierson as a skinny model. She looked a lot like Jabba the Hut on more recent MTV and VH1 specials. Do we really have to hear "Is That You Mo-Dean" which lasts for, like, 30 minutes? As with the book about them, you get the feeling so much is being kept hidden. I assume they'll do what most bands in need of cash do every 5-10 years; release ANOTHER retrospective. Maybe we'll see and hear some really rare stuff then. Time Capsule is almost as good, and cheaper.

Dancing Strobe Light Girls and Deadbeat Cosmic Guys
Short of slipcasing a remastered set of all six B-52's albums, "Mesopotamia," and a bonus disc of all the bonus singles and live tracks, there will never be a collection of The B-52s' work that will merit 5 stars. Their world was just too broad to be encapsulated in something as meager as two compact discs. I remember seeing that electrifying performance of "Rock Lobster" on SNL while in college, and knowing that I had to have that album the following morning or my life just would not be in balance. From that moment on, I've been a fan. Their albums since then have never been far from my library, even with the occasional disappointment ("Bouncing Off The Satellites") or the growing pains ("Mesopotamia").

So like Rhino's "Pioneers Who Got Scalped" anthology for Devo, "Nude On The Moon" could never live up to a fan's expectations. And also like Devo, no-one looked or sounded like The B-52's when "Rock Lobster" got dormatories full of students to fall on the floor and flop around like fish in the 'down down" phase of the song. Thus I'll give it a high recommendation for a several reasons. One is that "Legal Tender," left off "Songs For A Future Generation," is here. Two wonderful live tracks ("Quiche Lorraine" and "Whammy Kiss") are here. I like the remix of "Is That You Mo-Dean?" almost as much as the original, and they had the good sense to bring the best of the two new greatest hits tracks on board for this set, as "Debbie" makes a second appearance.

Things to put you off this disc and go for the first anthology are that both "Cosmic Thing" and "Bouncing Off Satellites" are way over represented. You may as well buy each album individually. I can almost understand seven songs from "Cosmic," after all, it did finally give them the hits they deserved and "Love Shack" has to be one of the greatest top 40 records since Marconi and Tesla invented radio or Kate and Cindy discovered wigs. But I quibble.

If you don't already have all The B-52's albums, get this to fill the gaps. Or get the discs you're missing. Or get "Songs For A Future Generation." Whatever you do, you should have some B-tunes in your library. They are the musical equivalent of a sunshine sprite. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

This was the first DEVO CD I ever got and still my favorite
The samples on Amazon.com do not do this compilation justice, but then many of the songs are definitely for mature audiences only! Please borrow this from someone before purchasing from this site. I love it though and recommend it to anyone who likes DEVO. They are much more than their pop hits Whip It and Freedom of Choice, that's for sure. They are dark and bizaare with a really energizing electronic sound - I wonder what Mom Mothersbaugh must think of her sons... It's hard to believe they're from Ohio of all places (no offense). They began as a college art project in the 70's in Akron and turned into a cult hit. Their early music was mainly regular instruments like guitar, drums, Moog synthesizer, theremin and then they later became pioneers in electronica. (Check out soundtracks that Mark Mothersbaugh has done since DEVO and you'll be pleased.) This album is a great companion to DEVO's Greatest Hits, which are lyrics actually allowed on the radio, whereas this album would scare the general public. I sure wish I appreciated DEVO when they were still touring!

I love it!

good choice for the meek
If you're anxious to dive into Devo but don't want to shell out 30 bucks for Pioneers Who Got Scalped and/or are VERY skeptical, buy either this or Greatest Hits first. This album is supposed to be composed of Devo's "dirtier" songs, complete with un-necessary explicit lyrics sticker. However, more then half of it is songs lifted off of "Duty Now For The Future"! If you buy both that and Q&A, you pretty much have the majority of Greatest Misses. The only real reason to get this is for the classic Penetration In The Centerfold (only found on the Infinite Zero re-release of Duty Now, which is damn near impossible to find.) Bottom line: stay away unless you're first causally getting into Devo or if you're a diehard spud collector.

The truth about this collection
If you are a die-hard fan (like myself), not buying this collection would be a mistake. A few previous reviews pointed out that much of this material is availible on the first 2 albums. They obviously lack good ears and good eyesight, because many of those songs are different versions. They even say so on the liner notes. There is enough rare stuff on this collection to make it worth having. Listen for the extra verse on Jocko Homo. Enough said!

Wow! I guess I'm out in left field...
...because I LOVE this collection of Devo tunes. I am quite happy to find the "Duty Now for the Future" songs collected here, and "Penetration..." is just the icing on the cake. Don't get me wrong; I like the "Greatest Hits" too, but I don't think this is bad music at all. Besides, I can't seem to find "Duty..." for sale, except as a high priced import!

Anyway, "Mongoloid" is a great song, I really like "Clockout" and "Blockhead", and even the remix version of "Jocko Homo" has its appeal. Oh, and "Pink Pussycat" is a fine tune as well. So, if you are a true Devo fan, you probably kept your vinyl copies of their excellent first two albums, but being an idiot, I didn't, which leaves me quite satisfied with the trip through memory lane. Still, I would have liked to have "Praying Hands"!

Either you get it...
..or your through being cool.

Seriously...you probably have to like DEVO to enjoy this CD. Which is sort of ironically names. The songs I believe were selected at least partially on the basis that they were songs that the band thought would be popular but were not. Rather than songs that never had a change in anyone's estimation.

Combine this with Greatest Hits (the one with the crosshairs on the plane) and you have a swell packaging of DEVO. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Crenshaw Delux
What a pleseant surprise that the great folks at Rhino have not just remastered Marshall Crenshaw's debut album, but have jam packed enough bonus material that nearly doubles it's original running time. There's even a "mystery" bonus track at the end of track 21, an extremely catchy song called " Brand New Lover". Why hide it is a mystery to me. The album itself has always been a good one with classics like "Someday, Someway" and "There She Goes Again". The bonus tracks are mostly great gems including the B-sides "You're My Favorite Waste Of Time" and "Somebody Like You", last seen on the out of print compilation "Attack Of The Killer B's" (Hey WB, how about reissuing those albums, too?). There's the beautiful '79 demos of "Starlit Summer Sky" which he had packed away for '96's Miracle Of Science record (which I highly recommend) and "Rave On" firming up those Buddy Holly comparrisons which he's thankfully moved on from. A very enjoyable album, and worth upgrading to if you own the original.

Classic debut only gets better with age
Underappreciated and underplayed, Marshall Crenshaw is the music world's best kept secret (he's the US counterpart to the UK's Xtc). This nearly perfect album finally gets the treatment it deserves. Lovingly remastered by Bill Inglot, this deluxe edition comes with 9 terrific bonus tracks. The live recordings capture Crenshaw in fine form and his backing band at their best. The b sides are particularly fun and are the equal of the best material on the album (You're My Favorite Waste of Time is also available on the demos anthology Battery Powered Home Demos & Curios. That anthology along with My Truck is My Home and the This is Easy anthology are essential purchases and would make the perfect boxed set!).

Crenshaw would continue to develop and deepen his songwriting ability and singing on later albums but only Field Day, Mary Jean and the out of print Life's Too Short (which demonstrates Crenshaw's growth as a musician as well. His guitar playing is nothing short of masterful. He did something rare among professional musicians--he went back and took lessons to improve his playing ability) would as close to perfection as his debut.

...The latter two alblums are as each one is unique in its own way and just as good as his debut.

Don't Miss It
Somehow I missed this album when it first came out
in 1982. The music is very upbeat with catchy lyrics.
Give it a listen.

Loved it then- love it now!
I had this some twenty years ago. I played it constantly! Just a few days ago my brother reminded me of it and I'm now buying the remastered cd. Great pop music no matter what 'time' of your life you are in. Go ahead- dance around the kitchen!!!

Oh Marshall!
Holy smokes, I can not believe it has taken me this long to find out about the ecstatic, ebullient music that is manifested by Marshall Crenshaw, his brother Robert Crenshaw and Chris Donato. When it comes to experimenting with new music, I'd say I'm pretty susceptible to go out on a limb and make a daring purchase. 80s music, however, is a realm I tend to steer clear of. But despite my propensity to avoid this era, Marshall Crenshaw, fresh out of 1982, found me. I first heard the songs There She Goes Again and Someday, Someway on a tape of old(er) music that my father made me. I fell head over heels for these two tracks, and I immediately tracked down and purchased this magnificent album. To my pleasant surprise, the entire recording is comprised of boffo songs, some even better than the aforementioned numbers. The music here, it's so alive! Everything from the blithe swagger of Girls to the Buddy Hollyesque jangle of Cynical Girl and the pure, pulsing brilliance of Mary Anne, is simply irresistible. Any fan of finely crafted pop music, even someone like me, who distrusts the platitudes of the 80s, should hear the joyous zest and spirit presented in the music of Marshall Crenshaw. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Frankie Keeps on Going and going and going....
I grew up in the 80's and "Frankie Goes to Hollywood" was a big part of my life. Each album, each song matched a new phase of that ever changing teenage life. Now, every time I hear one of those songs I am transported back to a day when my hair was as important as who asked me out for Saturday night. I love this album and the compilation of the other albums; however few there are. Enjoy them and RELAX!

More to them than "Relax"...
I just saw the band on VH1's "Bands Reunited". I was glad to see all the band members in the same room still doing well after many years, particularly Holly Johnson. It's a shame that they couldn't do a performance together. Oh well. At least they put out this CD which contains material from "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" and "Liverpool". The combination of synthpop, melodramaticism, and big sound (among other things) is what made the bad so big in their heyday! All the big hits are here including "Relax" and "Two Tribes". Then there are the cover versions of Edwin Starr's "War" and believe it or not, Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run"! But the most prominent track has to be the 13 and a 1/2 minute version of "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" ("Shooting stars never stop when they reach the top! Hoo! Hah! Hoo! Hoo! Hah!") Because of the show on VH1, I knew I had to go out and buy this disc. The disc does not disappoint! Now I really wish that the band did perform! SIGH!

Frankie should have taken singing lessons in hollywood
I bought this album because I thought the Relax song was cool. That's the only good song on the album. This frankie guy can't write his own songs because he did his own version of at least 3 songs I have heard before by different bands,and this is on his greatest hits album? So it turns out I spent [money] for one good song. I don't pickup hookers but I think I would get more blown away spending [money] on one than this album. Also I was kind of suspicious before I bought the album because Frankie only came out with 2 albums, so how can he have a greatest hits album? I'm doing more research on a band before I buy the album next time.

Frankie Still Say A Lot...
Frankie Goes To Hollywood was one of the very best bands of the 1980s. The band only released a couple of albums, then it split... but its music still lives on, or rather has been revived with a BANG! release, and this is well-deserved. So even though Frankie Say... No More, Frankie still say a lot!

This compilation contains the best track of the outstanding concept album 'Welcome To The Pleasuredome', such as the debut hit single 'Relax' (regarded controversial back then!), the absolutely great 'Two Tribes', the breathtakingly beautiful ballad 'The Power Of Love', and an interesting and varied version of 'Ferry Cross The Mersey'. Plus stuff from the less impressive 'Liverpool' album, like 'Rage Hard', but sadly not including the wonderful 'Is Anybody Out There?'.

The listener also has to live with more mediocre songs like 'Warriors Of The Wasteland' or 'For Heaven's Sake'; both unmistakably Frankie but not really top quality. Still, as a whole, this compilation album makes you rock and think about the rocking 1980s. It's a great memory.

The CD booklet which accompanies the compilation is also very interesting: Frankie's history and nice pictures.

May the world be your oyster!
If you have the two Frankie albums "Pleasuredom" (1984) and "Liverpool" (1986) you won't find anything new here, but if you're a new or casual fan and need a collection of the major highlights, this is the right place to look. Please note that this CD was released by both ZTT (1998) and Atlantic (1994) record labels with identical covers, but the Atlantic version has two bonus tracks (the original extended version of Relax, as well as a remix of Two Tribes)... Also make sure to check out Holly Johnson's first solo album "Blast" from 1989, and 1991's "Dreams That Money Can't Buy". ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A comprehensive collection of their popular career.
This 1989 compilation spans 9 years of Level 42's career, from their music school jazz funk roots to their attainment of mainstream popularity in the pantheon of 80s Britpop stars.

Earlier hits (such as Starchild, and Love Games from their self-titled album) features strong jazz-fusion influences, especially in the Stanley Clarke influenced slap sound of virtuoso bassist Mark King. The jazz influence is still strong in "Chinese Way" - from the album entitled "The Pursuit of Accidents" - which is reminiscent of Jaco Pastorius' work.

The World Machine album (featuring songs such as the anthemic "Something about you", "Leaving me now", and the brassy "Hot Water" for the US release) represented a commercial turning point. Gone are the jazz fusion instrumentals within the albums, replaced by catchy pop driven by King's ever prominent basslines. Its still good stuff though.

Noticably absent from the Running in the family album ("Running in the family". "Children Say", "To be with you again") are the brothers Boon (guitars)and Phil Gould (drums) who subsequently left the band following a dispute regarding the group's distancing themselves from their jazz-funk roots.

Nonetheless, the band's basic musical success formula stays the same throughout. Bass heavy grooves, and the tight vocal interplay between Mark King's baritone and Mike Lindup's falsetto.

Sadly missing, for fans who recall the band's earlier work, is a minor hit from their earlier work entitled "Love Meeting Love", and the once popular "Turn it on". Otherwise, its a good collection of every hit they've had up to 1989. Diehard fans who already have the albums might want to give this a miss. Casual listeners won't go wrong picking it up.

Greatest hits of one of the 80's best bands
Combine melodic pop gems with some awe-inspiring musicianship, and you come up with what was easily one of the greatest bands to come from England in the 80's. Despite a couple of major U.S. hits ("Lessons in Love" and "Something About You," both included here), Level 42 never achieved the superstar status in America as they did overseas, which is a shame. This collection is a nice overview of their major U.K. hits, compiling material from seven albums....most of which are out of print, so many of these tracks cannot be found on any other currently available U.S. release. Mark King is an amazing bass player (his thumb-slapping technique is similar to jazz player Stanley Clarke's), and his reputation earned him the nickname "Thunderthumbs." Over the years he became an increasingly confident and soulful singer as well, with keyboardist extraordinaire Mike Lindup providing contrasting falsetto vocals....a nice mix that works well with tunes like "Children Say" and their only U.S. top ten, "Something About You." The quality of the band's work suffered a bit after the departure of founding members Boon and Phil Gould, and the one new track recorded specifically for this collection (the obnoxious "Take Care Of Yourself") isn't very good. But almost every track is a classic....from the jazzy early recordings "Love Games" and "Starchild" to the catchy pop nuggets "Running in the Family" and "Heaven in my Hands." Any fan of soulful pop music should definitely add this CD to their collection.

Excellent collection from a great band, but one major flaw -
This is a very satisfying collection from one of the best bands of the 1980's, but why is the version of Something About You (which I consider too be the pinnacle of their career) the 45 version? Unfortunately this cuts down the opening & the ending enough to where if you're a humongous fan of the song like I am it's drastic!

Otherwise this a great collection, but if you NEED the long version like I do you'll have to get World Machine, which is a good album as well.

Best CD for me.
Overall, all these songs are perfectly heavenly! I love the tunes, rhydim, and lyrics of all these songs. It won't be a waste in buying this item -- for you won't regret it!

Good compositions, but a little generic...
...I remember this band during the 80s having a couple of hits. These guys are actually accomplished musicians and on each track the detailed chords shows it. Unfortunately, they were playing what every other 80s band was playing at the time, so it's not anything unique. Sticking with their jazz/rock fusion beginnings might have produced some interesting compositions. However, the one song that has stuck in my mind all these years was "It's Over". This ballad is highly intriguing because of it's unique chord transitions and Wally Badarou's ethereal keyboard textures. The lyrics are bittersweet and fit nicely in the song's rhytmn. The final bridge is the hook of the song and the fadeout is natural; most fadeouts aren't.

Level 42 fans may not agree with my selection of this song; people like the band for their power-pop ditties, not their ballads. But "It's Over", "Leaving Me Now", and "Starchild" seem to stand out most for their fine craftsmanship. ... Read more

Album Description

Out of print in the U.S., this is Dolby's 1988 album for EMIManhattan. Contains eight tracks, including the hit 'Hot Sauce', plus 'Airhead' and 'May The Cube Be With You'. 5.1 surround sound. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

The Title and CD Cover are Quirky, But...
This c.d. is one of the main reasons why I have been a Dolby fan since She Blinded Me With Science from 1983; Thomas Dolby is an unpredicatble musical genius!You never know what type of musical direction or theme he will undertake or command from one album to the next. Though his vocals are not his strongest point, he makes up for it with his ingenuity in covering various styles from swing, r & b, funk, pop-rock, campy space-age stuff ( though not new age)to some of the more subtle and thought provoking ballads. To have passed this album up back in '88 was a mistake;Oh, well, ain't nuthin like the present to make up for it. I don't know if it's because Dolby had a bit of collaboration with the Master of Grand Funk himself George Clinton (not Bill) or that the year it was produced in that I can hear faint traces of Prince's style trying to emerge and take a peek from underneath ever so often. This project can be listened straight through or played with the random track feature on a c.d player without sacrificing theme or disrupting a smooth playback through and through. Dolby's next project after Aliens Ate My Buick was the Cajun styled-influenced and beautifully written Astronauts and Heretics (again, not what you think or would expect). To show how he has influenced other artists as well, I recommend the Patti Austin c.d. The Ultimate Collection where she does a jazzy number of The Ability To Swing !

A CLASSIC GEM OF AN ALBUM
By many, Thomas Dolby is considered a one hit wonder with the classic song, "She Blinded Me With Science", however, music gurus who know the real genius of this artist know better. "Aliens Ate My Buick" examplifies the often zany, but talented musical genius and wit of Thomas Dolby. All 8 tracks here are hook filled fantastic cuts starting with the dance moving, funny, driving "The Key To Her Ferrari" followed by the equally hilarious "Airhead". The mood moves to George Clinton-like funk with "Hot Sauce" as the funk, pop and fun continues on. "The Ability to Swing" is one energetic pop song and one of Dolby's best. Even better to even a classic in my opinion is the the unbelieveable "Budapest By Blimp", 8:38 of pure listening indulgence that floats along so smoothly. Due yourself a favor and get this CD.

When Earth and Wireless collide
...Or The Americanization of Thomas Dolby.

Thomas Dolby took a long sabbatical between his second and third albums. He produced artists as wide ranging as George Clinton, Joni Mitchell and Prefab Sprout, scored a couple of movies (including the legendary disaster, "Howard The Duck") and moved to Los Angeles, where he recorded "Aliens Ate My Buick." The Hollywood influence not only seeps into his lyrics (sample from "Pulp Culture": "There's not a lot of people there, but an awful lot of cars"), but into the music as well.

The album kicked off with a great hard-swing ride up and down the 101 (Los Angeles drivers will catch that reference) on "The Keys to Your Ferrari" and then strikes a very "Wireless" tone on "Airhead." But after that, things get confusing. "Hot Sauce" was a leftover from the George Clinton sessions, and, sad to say, while Thomas Dolby may be talented enough to produce and play with Clinton, he ain't very funky. Same goes for the sterile sounding "The Ability To Swing." While a great song in its own right (Patti Austin wisely recorded it better for 1994's "That Secret Place"), Dolby is out of his depth as a vocalist here on his own song. And the less said about the dopey "May The Cube be With You," the better.

Still, I doubt I'll ever give this CD up. "Budapest By Blimp" is the kind of greatness that would have fit perfectly on "The Flat Earth," and is just what you would be hoping for from a Dolby disc. Same for "Airhead" and "Ferrari" (especially that Robin Leach intro!!). It's just that, when it comes to an artist whose debut CD would fit onto my desert island disc list short list, "Aliens Ate My Buick" seems just a little too pre-chewed.

A Perfect Pop Album
This album is a wonderful combination of intelligence, funkiness, and great production. "May The Cube Be With You" is one of the best P-Funk songs not cut by Parliament / Funkadelic themselves, "Hot Sauce" (which was supposed to be on a George Clinton solo album) is another highlight.

Classic Dolby
If this record were merely an exercise in inspired goofiness, this effort would still be a rousing success. The first track on the album, "The Key To Her Ferarri" suggests just that with its over-the-top metaphor for sexual gratification. The zaniness continues with "Airhead" (The only track on this album that got any radio play, from what I remember). But the album is not just a showcase for Dolby's unique brand of intellectual loopiness (or is it loopy intellectualism?). These are some very catchy tunes, the appeal of which does not come solely from the humorous lyrics. There is some wicked guitar riffs throughout this album, especially on "Airhead" and "The Ability to Swing". Those people who only know Dolby from the absurdly overplayed "She Blinded Me With Science" may want to give this a listen and hear for themselves how much more Dolby had to offer. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Wang chung sucks wang chung
how could anyone possibly like this? Music has only gotten progressively worse since Wang Chung's inception. Take my advice, don't waste your money.

All great Wang Chung tracks, except one.
I love this album. Wang Chung has a very 'typical 80s' sound and its very well summed up in this pop/rock album. The compilation is virtually complete. Its got all their classic and most memorable songs.

IMHO, they should have included one song. Fire in the Twilight. Although never commercially released, this is the song they did for the Breakfast Club soundtrack. A very nice song and definitely worth looking up.

Great 80's style dance music
Wang Chung is probably most known for their song "Everybody Have Fun Tonight", but they had another great dance song "Let's Go!" These two songs can really energize you, especially if you start singing and dancing to them. Both have a lot of bass, drums, fast tempo, and loud vocals, a sure-fire combination for an adrenaline rush. "Let's Go!" is a great song to start the day with, or to exercise with. "To Live and Die in L.A." is a softer song with a really nice beat. If you're looking for great party songs, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Let's Go!" are two of the best. So let's go Wang Chung tonight!

a must!
a must for any wang chung fan. even if you've only heard the basic 'radio' play, this is a wonderful, sing along CD. don't wait - get it while you can!

Worth it for the hits
Most of the tracks on this CD are pretty ordinary, in my opinion, but let's not forget the hits it contains. "Dance Hall Days", "Don't Be My Enemy", "Let's Go!", "Everybody Have Fun Tonight", and "To Live and Die in L.A." are all fantastic songs that sound great on this CD, and make it well worth the purchase. The demo of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" is quite interesting as well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Talking Heads should have been the least commercial of the storied first-generation New York punk/new wave bands. After all, they didn't have the impact of the Ramones, they didn't possess the virtuosity of Television, and they weren't as accessible as Blondie. Or so it seemed. In truth, they turned out to have had enough of all those qualities to surpass their peers commercially over time. And while the group's impact waned in the years after their breakup, this splendidly packaged (albeit cumbersome) box reestablishes them as one of the great pop-art bands in rock history. That was their gift--the ability to mix pronounced artistic ambitions (three of the four members attended art school) with a sneaky pop perspective. They understood how the avant-garde fit with insistent rhythms and melodies, and in David Byrne they possessed a frontman who was undeniably quirky yet surprisingly embraceable. Unlike most of his punk peers, he was uncomfortable rather than repulsed with the way things were. Once in a Lifetime supercedes 1992's two-disc Sand in the Vaseline as the essential Heads overview, serving up three discs of music (including a smattering of rarities) and a fourth disc of videos that hold up remarkably well. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Compilations piling up
It must be Christmas time again. All the majors are looking to release (or re-release in this case) boxsets of classic rock acts, etc. Well I have to give credit to Rhino (and Talking Heads) for originality. Once In A Life Time is the boxed set The Heads should have gotten when Sire released Sand In The Vaseline. This three CD, 1 DVD set is packaged in a long coffee table style book (hardcover)with a number of essays, rare photos and contributions from the band members.

Don't trade in Sand In The Vaseline just yet. The track listing for both sets aren't identical. I Want To Live (included on Sand In The Vaseline) isn't included here. Disc One has 21 tracks focusing on the band's first two albums (plus A Clean Break from the MIA The Name of This Band is Talking Heads). Disc Two focuses on albums 3, 4 and 5 over the course of 17 remastered tracks. However, Cities and Drugs are alternate versions. In the case of Life During Wartime it sounds quite a bit different from the version on Fear of Music because of the sound effects and the mix. Drugs also has a slightly different mix making it memorable when compared to the version on Fear of Music. 5 Tracks appear from the seminal Remain In Light. A couple of the selections from Speaking In Tongues are from the cassette (and early CD)versions and, as a result, are slightly longer than the verisons currently available (and than those on Sand).

Finally Disc Three pulls together the twilight of the Heads' career. There are no songs from Stop Making Sense (which is just as well since this has already been remastered with bonus tracks). The last 17 songs are drawn from the band's last three albums with the exception of one outtake/previously unreleased track (In Asking Land which is a stunning song. I'm surprised that it wasn't released before now)and two songs drawn from the Sand compilation (which means that Gangster of Love and Popsicle the "lighter" tracks from the compilation don't appear here at all).

Altogether an odd assortment that crosses over somewhat but not completely with Sand In The Vaseline. A pity that they don't cross over completely and add a fourth disc featuring the MIA The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads (guess I'll continue listening to my CDR transferred from vinyl).

Still, the DVD is a nice bonus as it features all the important videos and a couple of ones that have previously been unreleased. It's a bit annoying that some of the dialog that connects the videos overlaps with the music. Additionally, the book itself is beautifully designed and small enough to avoid the self important look of an art book. A bit of warning on the DVD. Rhino hasn't labeled it as such but a parental advisory sticker would warn you that the DVD has a significant bad word mentioned a number of times in one of the linking segments. I had forgotten about it being on the video (none of the band members say it nor is it in any of the videos except for a brief moment in the lyric to the song Sax and Violins). Luckily, my kids had left the room prior to the words coming on.

The remastered sound is exceptional. Rhino has put out a number of exceptional albums this year and I have to say that Once is one of the best looking career compilations I've ever seen. It makes others of this type appear cheap and gaudy by comparison (well, except the exceptional XTC Coat of Many Cupboards set). This is a great gift for Heads fans and is shaped distinctively enough to fool the heck out of everyone as to what it is. A note also to fans of Adrian Belew who played guitar on Remain in Light for some reason Belew isn't credited (more than likely an oversight)as playing on the sessions at all. I've already alerted Rhino to this oversight as they promised to fix any misinformation on the credits.

My advice--record the songs missing from Sand In The Vaseline and make some customized artwork for it. Add it to this set and make it a "personalized" CD boxed set.

Good Music, Expensive Set
At around $60, Once in a Lifetime is a pricey gift for that discerning music freak you know who's never heard of Talking Heads. Of course, any discerning music freak is likely to be familiar with Talking Heads best works already. So who is this elaborate re-packaging for? Art snobs, yes, and 80's babies looking for a nostalgic hike down memory lane - where they'll be held up and ripped off by Sire Records for this box set. Look - six Talking Heads discs have withstood the test of time ('77, More Songs About Buildings and Food, Fear of Music, Remain in Light, Speaking in Tongues, and Little Creatures). True Stories and Naked are draws. There are two live sets - The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads, still unavailable on CD, and Stop Making Sense, which is a perfect DVD. If you need the essays by Rick Moody and Mary Gaitskill (to name just two), the expanded Storytelling Giants DVD, and a handful of rarities: it's your money. But you'll miss the originals - their sequencing and gestalt, right down to the last abrasive screech - and reach for Remain in Light (retail price: $10), where they found that their quest for the meaning of life was loads more fun when it was invested with soul.

originals better - very overmixed and not as smart
I'll keep this short.

Packaging surely clever ,attractive & collectable.

But *for music*, originals are sooo much better. these remasters/remixes are not as smart as the originals, and heavy handed, and not as elegantly simple raw & pure.. sort of .. clever & corporate

very very very disappointing

Skip the compilation and go to the source
The compilations are o.k. but with the catalog still available go straight to the source. Start with "More Songs about Buildings and Food" and "Remain in Light" Once you're hooked, add "Fear of Music" and "77" to your collection. Need more? Then get "Little Creatures" and "Speaking in Tongues" Finally, dig up as much live performances as you can. That's where they were a revelation. The "Stop Making Sense" DVD is great. It's scandalous that "Name of this Band is Talking Heads" is out of print.

awsome is all I can say
This box set has blown me away....The sound quality for the audio cd's are some of the best I've ever heard....I've had the dvd Story Telling Giants on VHS for a long time...now to be able to see it in dvd quality is great...If you like the Heads you'll love this set....I did ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A Great Slice of Music from 1984
The Swing is a somewhat left field album for INXS up until this time. I'm from the US, but it seems that European people might have understood this album more than here. Original Sin tells that tale of interracial love and all it's consequences in a "pop" song. This is still a topical song and subject if you get past the 1984 sounding melody and keyboards. Melting In The Sun has a very "Outback" feel to it. Strong drums and the lyrics always make me envision what the Austrailian Outback may look like. The Swing sounds a little reminiscent of "Let's Dance" by David Bowie. Synths and synth drums have me envisioning people in clubs dancing to this one. The title track, the Swing, seems to feature Daryl Hall (yes, that Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates) on backing vocals toward the end of the song. He was credited on the album. It also sounds partially like a Hall and Oates out-take. Johnson's Aeroplane has a violin beginning to it. It is very dreamlike and emotional in it's lyrics about a farmer's plight during a drought. Strong bass and "airplane soaring" guitar effects make this one a personal favorite. Love Is (What I Say) could have been another good mid-tempo ballad single if it were released in the US. Face The Change has a funk element to it and good wordplay in the lyrics, as if reversing phrases one after the other. It seques into Burn For You, which has good backing vocals with good tempo change. The female back up singers also add a good sound to it. All The Voices seems to feature the return of Daryl Hall to backing vocals. To me, it is slightly reminiscent of Hey Jude, with some calling and repeating towards the end. Fans of INXS and new fans will expect a great sensation for the ears and mind with this album. A great example of some music from 1984 and it seems to contain the better merits of new wave of the time. It has good textures and mixes some old and new sounds. This is the sound of INXS before the fame, before What You Need, KICK, and massive tours, etc. They were still expanding their craft and honing skills. In short, they were still having fun. Should be a great experience for those who have yet to hear this CD.

The best INXS album... hands down.
Like the "music fan" from UK, I had this on cassette first and wore it out. I agree also that "Shabooh Shoobah" comes a close second to this. The followup to this, "Listen Like Thieves," was (I believe) INXS's first big introduction into the US (other than the big fans underground and through ear-of-mouth); I think that "The Swing," if it had instead been the band's big breakthrough release in the US, they'd have soared to higher levels than they did (not that they didn't too less than alright for 'emselves...). "The Swing" is a great romp; everything is danceable, hummable, playable over and over.... end to end. On occasion, "Original Sin" does get some airplay on LA stations, still... I hope people hear it thinking, "what's that from? I love that! I want more! " I love the transition before the beginning of "Burn For You." By the way, the video for "Burn For You" shows a plane taking off from Mackay, north Queensland... my ol' stomping grounds. I can see my old apartment building... and I choke up every time. Yes, I miss Michael. I still cannot believe he's not with us anymore. I am upset about the circumstances leading up to his death... I was never a fan of Geldof, and less so since Michael died. He is missed. For the curious, buy this album. You will not be disappointed. Especially "All The Voices." Turn that sucker all the way up at the end... the guitar fades off infinitely....

Vince

An INXS fanatic's favorite INXS album
I've had this album for several years, and after much deliberation (as I love INXS so dearly and all of their albums) I've decided that this particular album is my favorite. In fact, it is my number one favorite album ever, but hey, I'm 16, so what do I know?

One cannot possibly be a true INXS fan without owning this album. It is so much fun and just rejuvenating to listen to, especially on those boring hot summer days (for some reason, it just reminds me of summer). The album is poppy, funky, and classical at times. It includes a wide palette of musical influences and diversity, so regardless of your genre preference (funk, new wave, alternative, rock, etc.), you are sure to enjoy this album. Michael Hutchence's vocals are soothing ("Johnson's Aeroplane"), powerful ("All the Voices"), and trademarkingly sultry and seductive ("Original Sin," "Burn for You") as most of his vocals are.

This album is brilliant from start to finish -- I have no other way to describe it. I wish I could write a better review for it as my review pales in comparison to most and does the album little justice, but I will leave you with this: any music fan should own this album over any other INXS album, though they are all great, really. Michael Hutchence's legacy lives on in all of INXS's masterpieces, most of which have gone regretfully unnoticed over the years. Do not pass this album by...

In 2004, Still A Great Slice of Music from 1984.
Nearly 4 years later....I still stand by this review....

The Swing is a somewhat left field album for INXS up until this time. I'm from the US, but it seems that European people might have understood this album more than here. Original Sin tells that tale of interracial love and all it's consequences in a "pop" song. This is still a topical song and subject if you get past the 1984 sounding melody and keyboards. Melting In The Sun has a very "Outback" feel to it. Strong drums and the lyrics always make me envision what the Austrailian Outback may look like. The Swing sounds a little reminiscent of "Let's Dance" by David Bowie. Synths and synth drums have me envisioning people in clubs dancing to this one. The title track, the Swing, seems to feature Daryl Hall (yes, that Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates) on backing vocals toward the end of the song. He was credited on the album. It also sounds partially like a Hall and Oates out-take. Johnson's Aeroplane has a violin beginning to it. It is very dreamlike and emotional in it's lyrics about a farmer's plight during a drought. Strong bass and "airplane soaring" guitar effects make this one a personal favorite. Love Is (What I Say) could have been another good mid-tempo ballad single if it were released in the US. Face The Change has a funk element to it and good wordplay in the lyrics, as if reversing phrases one after the other. It seques into Burn For You, which has good backing vocals with good tempo change. The female back up singers also add a good sound to it. All The Voices seems to feature the return of Daryl Hall to backing vocals. To me, it is slightly reminiscent of Hey Jude, with some calling and repeating towards the end. Fans of INXS and new fans will expect a great sensation for the ears and mind with this album. A great example of some music from 1984 and it seems to contain the better merits of new wave of the time. It has good textures and mixes some old and new sounds. This is the sound of INXS before the fame, before What You Need, KICK, and massive tours, etc. They were still expanding their craft and honing skills. In short, they were still having fun. Should be a great experience for those who have yet to hear this CD.

The best INXS album
From start to finish, this album is a classic. Ever song is infectious and tells it's own story. Being from the U.S., this was released at a time that I was looking for something different than what Top 40 radio was dishing out. I wore this cassette out 3 times! Honest! Now that I have it on CD, it sounds like it was just recorded yesterday. If I was stranded on an island, The Swing would be in my top 5 CDs to be stranded with. Highly reccommended! ... Read more

Album Description

This notable and influential trio from Leeds splashed onto the UK pop scene around the 1979 release of their "4 A-Sides" and "Works in Progress" EPs (St. Pancras/Rough Trade) - a body of work oft-forgotten considering the more sizable success of '82's "Songs to Remember".When the three, singer/guitarist Green Gartside, Tom Morley (drums/drum machines) and Nial Jinks (bass) sailed further into the sea of UK blue-eyed soul.Most of the material that you will relish here on "Early" are pulled from the aforementioned EPs when the band lived together in a squat in Camden Town and their sound was markedly angular, somewhat minimalist and perhaps youthfully rugged and experimental - qualities they then shared with contemporaries like Wire and Gang of Four. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

good stuff
Scritti Politti was always popular in the UK. They were known as a student band from Leeds that had much to do with bands such as Wire and Gang of Four. Green Gartside went on to do more popular music in 1985 with "Perfect Way." He was lumped in with people like Duran Duran and New Order, people he had nothing to do with. Scritti Politti always seemed a bit smarter than all that. They had a song called "Jacques Derrida." It sounds are minimal and may have something more in common with bands like Au Pairs and The Slits, than some of the punk bands they were inspired by. They were living in a squat in Camden Town back when this was recorded. Camden Town was not the nice place it is now. Some songs are a bit throwaway. They used radio broadcasts on one song instead of vocals, which sounds like an early case of sampling. Other songs song like jazz noodling. Only "The Sweetest Girl" sounds like a real song, and has anything to do with their later work. This is a record for all those post punk completionists.

Hear Green before he went from punk to pop, for completists
Scritti Politti are one of my all-time favorite bands, so it's very nice that Rough Trade saw fit to finally releases these early vinyl-only EPs on CD for clarity & posterity, seeing as the old 12"s used to go for mucho dollar on ebay.Honestly, I am not sure how much you can really "listen" to these early art-rock-political experiments, but they're nice to have to complete your collection - toward the end, you can clearly hear Gang of Four/Wire-type noise gradually giving way to more studied, technically-precise professionalism, and later even "pop" as it were, i.e. the early take of Sweetest Girl, where Green finally found his "voice" - I prefer later Arif Mardin/Chic-inspired CDs like Cupid & Pysche 85 or Provision, but you can't go wrong here. A lot of bang for the buck.I just hope Green Gartside returns with a NEW Scritti full length before the decade is over?

"it's confidence..."
...and these likely lads were brimming with it.Before the polished pop of "Perfect Way," Green and Co. made pretty-perfect noise.These early Scritti songs are thick with playful smarts, and they can make a fan out of nearly anyone.Newborn singles like "Skanc Bloc Bologna" and the aforementioned "Confidence" will needle into your brain/heart and never give up residency.Arch, experimental and still totally welcoming.

THANK YOU ROUGH TRADE
This compilation of first releases from Scritti Politti are a luxury to ownership on cd.The earliest account of Gartside's music challenges uncertainty and despair.This is no way the formula to Joy Division equating solitude, because the matrix on EARLY is somewhat baffling.Britain's political repression still played a part in everyday life, and although I was not there, thanks to music, the kids picked up pens and instruments and made many small stands.Tom Morely (schoolmate, drummer and Marxist) was noted to challenge Green's political views enough for them to pick up instruments.With Nial Jinks (bass), the trio released Skank Bloc Bologna.The opening sounds like a Josef K lick, and that is where the specific comparisons ends. The general influence of early SP includes all forms of British pop, with hints of reggae/ska.Independently, Skank sold 2,500 copies.Not bad for a band who rubber-stamped the records themselves.Rough Trade ended up taking over the record, helping them sell an additional 15,000 copies.The rest was history, a relationship with Rough Trade that built some of the most abstract music and lyrics that contributed to the era. During the time of these releases, SP toured with Joy Division and Gang Of Four (I want a time machine).

EARLY is serious and fun, hopeful and hopeless.Tracks 8 through 13 come with a spoonful of sugar that ultimately leads us to the transition of Songs To Remember.
... Read more

Reviews (17)

If you don't own it here's your change at classic
This 1980 classic is a treasure.Here Gary display a blend of guitar and cool synthesizers with a detached sensibility all his own."I die:You die" is classic example of driving guitars bathed in synthetics-a great song."Please Push No More" break new ground as a gorgeous ballad."This Wreckage,Remind Me to Smile and I Dream of Wires" are other stand outs.There is also an addition track to the original album-Sleep by windows.Telekon is a must have in your Numan collection. With advent of all the bonus tracks,Its a steal!Check out his latest album Exile and the NUMA YEARS-BOX SET

Best of his "techno" period
While the song "Cars" and the album it came from, "The Pleasure Principle", may be his best know works in the States, at that point Numan was only just getting better. This album, his follow up, is the very pinacle of his consciously "electronic" output.

Simultaneously catchy and alienating, "Telekon" perfectly illustrates the dicotomy that made him an international pop success, albeit briefly. Also found here are the first hints of the more adventurous sonic exploits to come on subsequent releases.

Along with all the original album tracks (from both US and UK versions), this CD remaster includes enough singles, b-sides and rarities to make it a terrific document of one of his greatest creative periods. Trainspotters will be be particularly tickled with the piano version of "Down In The Park" included as one of the extra tracks.

monday night... tuesday night wedsday night.......thursday n
if philip k dick and william s burroughs were one person, and that person performed music, it would sound not much less than this album. and to rate a review, thats just not right. I have proof.....

Remind Me To Smile
By the time I bought this album first time round, off the back of Pleasure Principle, the sudden change in Numan's mood and out look on the whole thing hit you right in the face from song one. Everything was becoming a struggle and tracks like Please Push No More and Remind Me To Smile give you an exact in sight on how Gary was by now feeling. Remember I was Vapour is a reminder to everyone that he's only human, just like me and you.Putting Gary inner sadness to one side, this is a mile stone in Garys career that I find myself playing quite regularly..Definate must in anyones collection

Five is not high enough for this one
There is so much delightful Gary Numan music, but Telekon, as other reviewers have noted, is special. It really is an effective concept album, set sometime in the future. "And what if God's dead? We must have done something wrong." The opening song, "This Wreckage I call me" sets the tone. A super synthesized, plodding rhythm, and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. This is what makes Telekon so enjoyable. The music is precise and competent, the lyrics are a fantasy trip to a cold future, where love loses its allure, leaving only alienation and nostalgia. "The Aircrash Bureau" develops a more atmospheric aesthetic, which later will dominate the spectacular "Dance."

"Telekon," the title track, has a good danceble rhythm, a monotone melodic line that evokes robotic images. The following cut, "Remind me to smile" is a high point on this excellent album. The funky rhythms are foot-tapping and the techno orchestration grand. "Sleep by windows" is atmospheric. Numan introduces the lyrics by talking, and then soars into a lovely melody, "I don't love you; do you dream?" "We are glass" is a rocker that hearkens back to Numan's punk days. Well executed and a fairly driving.

"I'm an agent" originally began side two of the LP, and it's another winner. "You can be replaced, you know." "I dream of wires" is the most developed of Numan's futuristic real, quite amusing, and with an excellent beat, dazzling electronic embellishment. "Remember I was vapour" is yet another highlight. "Please push no more" features piano, an introspective work that leads nicely into the rocking finale, "The Joy Circuit."

The bonus tracks, as might be expected, are a mixed bag, but always fascinating and welcome. "I die, you die" is a good rocker." "A Game Called Echo" is very much in line with the sonic world created by Telekon. It fits in very well. "Photograph" is an innocuous piece for piano with a bit of synthesized accompaniment. The piano version of "Down in the Park" reveals what a lovely tune it is. Gary's cover of one of the Gymnopedies is not quite up to the original.

All in all, a homerun from Gary Numan, one of lasting impact. ... Read more

Album Description

Krafty is produced by the legendary John Leckie, and precedes the release of the album 'Waiting For The Sirens' Call' on March 28th. 'Krafty', scheduled to include 4 tracks-Krafty (Glimmers 12 inch extended play) & Krafty (Phones Reality version). London Recording. 2005. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Missing something
I can hardly distinguish between the mixes, save for the length of each.I was hoping for a mix you actually could dance to ....hopefully Krafty Pt. 1 is has a bit more variety.If I had to choose a favorite, I would say the Phones Reality mix is the best choice.And of course, the video is great. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As a member of both Rockpile and Brinsley Schwarz, as a producer for Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, the Damned, and the Pretenders, and as a solo artist with his own Top 20 hit, Nick Lowe seemed to have his finger in every pub-rock pie there was. Unlike so many of their punk pals, the pub-rockers had a sense of craft and tradition which enabled them to outlive the moment, and that's why Lowe is still making strong, fascinating records nearly 20 years after the heady days of 1976-'78. Lowe's 1994 The Impossible Bird is a low-key, easy-going album which has a lot more to do with 1956 country music than with 1978 punk. Nonetheless the 13 songs--10 Lowe originals and three country chestnuts--are marked by the sort of no-frills arrangements and unpretentious passion that made pub-rock so special in the first place. When Lowe sings a ballad such as "The Beast in Me," "Withered on the Vine," and "Lover Don't Go," the arrangements are so minimalist--just a hint of guitar and drums behind the organ--that the song lives or dies by the vocal. Fortunately, Lowe pulls off the difficult trick of sounding lonely and desperate without sounding self-pitying. Whether it's a tongue-in-cheek rocker such as "12-Step Program (To Quit You Babe)" or one of the many ballads, Lowe and his musicians have stripped away every extraneous element that might get between the listener and the song. --Geoffrey Himes ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A CLASSIC OF CRAFTED GEMS!
This album is incredibly articulate and inventive, offering 13 melodic gems without a single filler track.

Hooks abound, but this is not just simple pop or country, as every song is infused with great emotional and musical substance to lure the listener back again and again.

My favorites include Lowe's own compositions The Beast In Me, Where's My Everything?, Lover Don't Go, Withered On The Vine and 14 Days, but the covers of True Love Travels On A Gravel Road, Trail Of Tears and I'll Be There are superb too.

If you like poetic lyrics set to beautiful melodies, you'll love this album. I do not even miss the absence of punk-influenced rockers at all, although I still love his first album "Pure Pop For Now People."

This is my absolute best musical discovery of 2001, thus far. It's rare to find such quality and talent on a single album.

True Love Travels On A Gravel Road!
I had never heard of Nick Lowe until I purchased a Country Music Sampler featuring the Nick Lowe song "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road". There just isn't a more beautiful love ballad than that song! I had misplaced that sampler CD and now found the CD album it came from: The Impossible Bird! I would buy this CD all over again just to have this song, it's the best! To my pleasant surprise there are more great songs on this CD. "Shelley My Love" is another sweet ballad, "I Live on a Battlefield" is a snappy number, and the lyrics in "12-Step Program (To Quit You Babe)" are great story-telling. This CD is a winner!

I like it a little more each time I listen
This is definitely Nick Lowe in full country mode, and I find more to like about it each time I listen to it. Gentle melodies and heartfelt lyrics are found throughout and while the occasional bit of rockabilly creeps in (Particularly on "12-Step Program" which would not have been out of place on CRUEL TO BE KIND)Tales of love and loss are here as are fairly common topics for country albums, but Lowe puts his own spin on them so they sound anything but cliched. if your looking for the Lowe of the 70's, this isn't him. This is an artist who decided to pursue a different route to finding his muse, and this recording shows that he is finding it with success.
PS. I know it's Nick's song, but Johhny's version of "Beast in Me" has so much more going for it that I almost wish I hadn't heard Nick's version. It pales in comparison.

Some Beautiful Songs
As another reviewer pointed out "True Loves Travels on a Gravel Road" is simply a beautiful song as is "The Beast In Me" heard in an early Sopranos episode, which actually led me to this CD. This CD is more countryish than some of his recent albums and, in my view, has a little less depth and diversity than the Convincer, but its still a great display of Lowe's singing and song-writing talents. This man has been doing great stuff for over 20 years and he is not doing the same schtick over and over again.

Just fabulous
My single favorite cd that I own. What else can one say then.

Except for his next two cds are almost every bit as good as well. ... Read more