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The mid-70s belonged to a group of hopelessly plaid Scotsmen who named themselves after a northern Michigan resort town. With an affect on fans that resembled Beatlemania in terms of screaming, fainting, and pledges of undying love, the Bay City Rollers enjoyed a string of U.K. pop hits along with modest American success. In retrospect, the band's music is still sugary enough to give listeners a toothache; however, there is a certain charming innocence to tunes like "Saturday Night," "Summer Love Sensation," and (of course) "Shang-a-Lang." Boy-band nostalgia, anyone? --S. Duda ... Read more

Reviews (14)

S-A-TUR...DAY Night!
Having a questionable propensity (Howard Cosell reference) toward gushy pop, I went to see BCR during their "It's A Game" phase. Being, at the time, older than the average BCR fan, save for a few moms and pops, myself, and my bold friend, Larry, left somewhat convinced of their ability to pull it off before an American audience. In subsequent releases, as BCR, and later, as the Rollers, I found myself thinking that these guys were allright, and earning respectablity in the States, especially after all of the hype, was, indeed, a very hard road to hoe. Having good producers and material, BCR left an indelible mark in the pop partition of my musical consciousness. And, having now learned how to separate paragraphs in my Amazon reviews, I can proclaim Arista's "Definitive Collection" a winner, as the sound and song choices represent BCR at their apex.Stateside fans might be puzzled at the first few selections on the disc, as BCR was largely a UK sensation until "Saturday Night." However, fans throughout the world will recognize the presence of the single versions on this compilation, and say "Gotta have it."

Shang O Bloody Lang
Goodness graciouse me I really have to add to this debate.This group was really bad, but the 5-10 year old girls liked em. The only half decent single they did was I only want to be with you. I rememember all the 5-10 year old teeny boppers wearing thier T shirts with a star on them like Woody was wearing.The group never even played thier own instruments at the start except for the old fart from the original line up.This was probably one of the worst bunch of posers ever to record a tune. At least the monkeys made some great songs, these boys just produced sickly garbage. I'm off for me Vindaloo and popadoms, tara.

THIS IS BAD,BAD,BAD
The Bay City Rollers are pure trash and why any company would bother putting out this collection is beyond me.

So OK you were a fan many years ago (nearly 30) and it's fun to
hear Shang-a-lang or Bye bye Baby on the radio or on a 70's cd, but to buy a whole cd of their crap is wasting money.

I also read 'Popkulcher's' review of this cd and could not beleive the references made to 'I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU' ( a stark examinations of singular obsession in postmodern culture)
'SATURDAY NIGHT'(a scathing indictment of amorality among the leisure class in the antedeluvian 1970's. BCR's disturbing foresight in predicting the reactionary counterbalance. The veiled references to AIDS, the S&L crisis, and the stock market crash of 1987 -- compel the listener to both marvel at the band's gift for prognostication)

What utter rubbish. BCR were not politically motivated or gifted songwriters or singers, they were in the right place at the right time and a product of hype and their record company (Bell)

I must admit to having a 45 of Shang-a-lang and it was great when I was eleven. Does it stand the test of time, the answer is NO.

No buy
Althought they had a few memorable tunes I would like to share a story about them. I think the year was 1980 and they were already headed for the 'where are they now' file. They were scheduled to do a concert at the fairgrounds here in Pensacola FL (a fairly cheesy venue). I believe it was on the day of the show they took the money they had collected from ticket sales (about a thousand people bought tickets), got on their tour bus and skipped town. A sheriff's deputy stopped the bus and tried to
get them to return but they left town anyway. A true story and needless to say I would never buy anything with these geeks name on it.

All The Hits And Then Some
This CD should be your first stop on the way to building a great library of pop music. With more depth than their Greatest Hits package The Definative Collection has every one of their hits including the songs that were played in the UK and elsewhere. For those of us who miss having The Rollers "Dedication" album the live version of Yesterday's Hero is also on this record. ... Read more

Album Description

24-bit remastered 2002 reissue of the power pop/new waveact's hit 1979 debut album features 17 tracks including the hits, 'My Sharona' & 'Good Girls Don't', as well as 5 bonus tracks, 'Don't Look Back', 'That's What The Little GirlsDo' (previously unreleased songwriting demo/band demo),'Maybe Tonight' (previously unreleased rehearsalrecording), 'I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock &Roll)' (previously unreleased rehearsal recording of NickLowe cover), 'My Sharona' (previously unreleasedsongwriting demo). Includes 12-page booklet with linernotes & photos. Capitol. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The Knack-Attack
Wow.....The album that pretty much killed Disco. GET THE KNACK is an amazing album even without one of the Top 125 songs of all-time, MY SHARONA. This album speaks to teenage boy angst as much as any LP ever recorded. A traditional 4 piece unit with a sound that is pure club/bar band. No crazy studio effects here...only straight forward Rock n' Roll. The Knack's sound got compared to the Beatles largely due to the following three Pop Gems: "YOUR NUMBER OR YOUR NAME", "OH TARA", and "WHAT THE LITTLE GIRLS DO", all Beatlesque tunes driven by the rhythm section. The bass lines are great, the drumming right on, and the harmonies very familiar. But, then comes five more pop/rock gems that can only be called "Knackesque" all characterized by a driving beat, great drum and bass work, and Doug Fieger's perfect vocal delivery: "MY SHARONA" Classic! a driving, addictive beat that does not allow you to sit still, "GOOD GIRLS DON'T" perfect pop/rock. Naughty stuff by 1979 standards. Check out the lyrics on this one. "FRUSTRATED" MY SHARONA Junior, but, does not really take much of a back seat. The Title itself tells you what the song is about. "SELFISH (SHE'S SO)" one of the best songs about a stuck-up chick you'll ever hear. Love the teasingly long intro. "SIAMESE TWINS (THE MONKEY AND ME)" deviates from the LP's "guy wants chick, needs sex theme" by discussing...what else....drugs. Listen to the drums on this one! Fieger shows his sensitive side with "MAYBE TONIGHT" A cute, underrated gem. I always viewed "LET ME OUT" "LUCINDA" and "HEARTBEAT" as being listenable filler. So...what you've got is a vintage album of 12 songs that do not [stink]. That is about 12 more than anything you'll pick up today.

Platinum In 6 Weeks
An instant smash about youthful lust. Catchy grooves mixed with attitude. Tunes reminiscent of early Beatles, Elvis Costello... and for those that can't remember that far back, check out the "One-Ders" from Tom Hanks' movie "That Thing You Do". Early on, The Knack couldn't get a break and they remained unsigned. Yet, they had a massive underground following... and you'll read in the liner notes... during a 3 week span (Oct/Nov 1978) they were joined by Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Stephen Stills, Eddie Money at various shows ON STAGE. Doug Fieger on vocals and guitar... the Knack was his brainstorm. He assembled a great band - and these guys can play. Bruce Gary on drums is simply amazing. Berton Averre blisters on some of the guitar solos. Sure, "My Sharona" was the #1 song in America for 5 weeks in 1979, but it heavily overshadowed the rest of the album. "Your Number Or Your Name", "Oh Tara", "(She's So) Selfish", "Good Girls Don't", "Frustrated" were all wonderfully crafted radio hits to come. If you grew up listening to music in the 1970's and 80's... you KNOW this album. Having found it on CD again... it's a short drive down memory lane. It's 24-Bit digital remastering is crisp. Liner notes are informative of the band's rise to quick fame. Bonus tracks are decent for the 1st or 2nd listen, but considered throw aways after that. This is a great album.

HOT SQUEEZER EVER
This POWER POP BAND rocketed quickly after release of this album.That means social environment thirsted for this kind of 60's RIVERPOOL SOUND REVIVAL.This band is one of the followers of THE BEATLES,such as CHEAP TRICK,BIG STAR,etc.... In this album,THE KNACK members did not parodied themselves as a BEATLES CLONE,but they could update their style in the late seventies.
All in all,this album maybe a miracle hit,but their catchyness still lingers on in the 21st century.Let's kick the KNACK running.

weak
"my sharona" is ingrained in my memory, this is for me a real classic from 1979,but lets face it, it was all down hill down from there for the knack.This album for me is a waste of time, you are better off having "my sharona" on a various artists cd and leave it at that.The knack were one of the fastest rises and fall in rock history as they flopped on the charts after this album.I will alway's remember and associate the knack with "my sharona", a great song from the late seventies.

THIS IS A POP MASTERPIECE.
I won't go on and on, just let me say that this is one of the all time powerpop masterpieces ever recorded. If you don't like it...you just don't get it. ... Read more

Album Description

The Raspberries were the quintessential 70s power popgroup, their music from the pen of founder/member EricCarmen blended Beatlesque pop with the fiery power of theWho and Small Faces. 20 tracks. Cherry Red. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The classic pop music hits of the Raspberries
The Raspberries recorded in the 1970s but their music was almost much compatible with the simple sensibilities of classic pop. Fronted by singer/songwriter Eric Carmen, the group came out of Mentor, Ohio with their short hair, matching suits, and melodies in the style of the Beatles. Actually, most songs by the Raspberries will remind you of other groups; for example, the infectious "Go All the Way" sounds like the Beach Boys if Pete Townsend was flaying away on guitar. "The Very Best of The Raspberries: Overnight Sensation" is the latest of several hits collections. This 2002 release is certainly one of the two best CDs available, offering twenty tracks just like the Capitol expanded version of their Greatest Hits album. Either way you are going to get the standards, from "Let's Pretend" and "I Wanna Be With You" to "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)" and "Starting Over." It would have been nice if Eric Carmen penned his best songs for the group rather than for his solo career, but nobody promised fair, and then you die. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Badfinger at Their Best. Classic Album
By the end of 1971 Badfinger had actually recorded two albums since the release of "No Dice". The first remains unreleased to this date!. The second was released in February 1972 ( a bit earlier in the USA ), and was titled "Straight Up". Apple did not like the sound of the original album - they wanted a more polished sound. The rejected album had been produced by Geoff Emerick, and in spring 1971 George Harrison expressed wish to produce the band. Of course this was an offer that could not be rejected. George finished 4 tracks before he had to pull out to work on the Bangla Desh concert . To finish the album Todd Rundgren was recruited. Rundgren went through the recordings done with Emerick and Harrison and did some remixing on some of the tracks. Furthermore 7 new recordings were done for the album, which ended up to be Badfinger's most "produced" album - maybe along with "Wish You Were Here" - and it's indisputably among their finest. This album is one of their best loved, and it ranks among the greatest albums to come out of the seventies.

Pete Ham is the main contributor of songs to the album. His 5 songs on the album are all among his greatest. The two hits, "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue" are well-known ,and "Take it All", "Name of The Game" and "Perfection" are all stand out tracks. Tom Evans wrote "Money" and "It's Over" - the latter considered by many to be one of his greatest with Badfinger. Molland wrote the acoustic ballad "Sweet Tuesday Morning" "I'd Die Babe" ( an optimistic country styled George Harrison production ) and the two rockers "Suitcase" and "Sometimes" - both became part of Badfinger's standard concert repetoire. The album is very well produced by Rundgren/Harrison - a bit overproduced at times, some might say. The bonus-tracks are all excellent - Name of The Game and Perfection even better than the album-versions.

My favourites: Take it All, Baby Blue, Name of The Game (both versions), Day After Day, Perfection and It's Over

Beatles farm team
This is a solid English pop-rock album from the early seventies with stellar production by Todd Rundgren and George Harrison. The songs are solid, as are the vocals and guitar work. The drumming is a bit wooden and the bass playing unexceptional. Overall, it works well and stands as Badfingers finest recording. Still, they could never escape sounding like the Beatles minor league team, one that got frequent call ups to assist in solo Beatle projects. Another, solid Badfinger record is ASS, which continues to be, mysteriously, unavailable. Recommended...Simon

Just Good Ole Straight Up Rock n Roll
I said it 32 years ago and I am still saying it, there is only one word to describe the band "Badfinger" and that word is SUPERB.Some people compared them to the Beatles and although George Harrison did produce tracks 5,6,7 and 9 of the songs on this CD:I personally thaught they had a destinctive style and sound of their own. I first had Straight Up on 8 track when it came out around 1972 and I listened to it in awe. To me this is classic power rock and roll at it's best. Between the years 1972 and now I haven't missed a beat with this band. Although all of Badfingers band members were excellant singers:I thought the most talented one was singer/songwriter:The late Pete Ham.He had a voice that could be imitated but It will never be duplicated.He was that good!On this "Straight Up" CD his voice stands out with the hit songs "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue" along with the songs "Take It All" "Name Of The Game" and "Perfection".I could always tell when Pete was singing lead because he had a gifted unique voice. All the way from the hit songs "Day after Day" and "Baby Blue" to the song "It's Over", there is not a bad one on this CD. Thank you Pete, Tom, Joey and Mike for all the fun over the years.All I can say is "WOW" It doesn't get any better than this! Final note: "No Matter What," along with "Come and Get it," and last but not least "Without You" are more Badfinger signature songs, but that is another great story in music history.

It doesn't get any better than this!
I remember buying this from the local convinience store. Back then they were called albums, The 2 hits Baby Blue and Day after Day were my reasons for making this purchase. The album as a whole, to me has a very cohesive sound throughout. The original order of songs made it a very even CD, it has a very big sound, and the production is outstanding. It continues to be one of my all time favorites. Pete Ham, was a great song writer. Much more credit needs to be given to this bands legacy.

Bona-Fide Classic Rock
By the time Badfinger went into the studio to record Straight Up, the band had its act fully together. There was no attempt to hide the huge Beatles influence - and working with Paul and George, what would one expect? The big hits were Baby Blue and Day After Day, but the album as a whole is excellent and has a fluidity uncommon to the era. I wore out three copies of the vinyl back in the day, yet I'm still picking out clues of how some of these tunes were inspired by (or should that be: "derived from"?) Beatles songs.

This album has aged well. The lively spirit of the music still cuts through. The recording quality is typical of the better Rock recordings of the early '70s (this was released in '72), but don't expect an audiophile masterpiece. By working with McCartney, Harrison and Rundgren, the group couldn't help but to learn how to record mucic that has the ability to sound up front, dynamic and clear without being overly cluttered. I personally like some of the alternate cuts better than the originals and find that programming so that I hear no duplication is most satisfying - but that's probably due to hearing the original LP so many times. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

What are box sets for?
The point of box set compilations, like this one, is to provide the listener with an overview of a particular era or type of music. It's impossible to include everything everyone, especially completists would want or even expect. The questions to answer then are "Does this set provide you with a insightful look into 70's punk?" and "When I'm finished listening, have I learned something useful?" The answer is yes, resoundingly. If you were around in the 70's, you will hear and remember some old stuff that you have probably forgotten, and if you weren't around then, you can see how punk morphed into new wave and then devolved into the pop music that often passes as "punk" today. (Devo was right!)

If you like to show off your knowledge of obscure punk bands, or if you think hair gel and a trip to Hot Topic to get a Blink 182 shirt makes you a punker, then this box set isn't for you. It's for people who are interested in, not obsessed with the music and who at least know the difference between punk and "punk." Enough said.

Great Primer on Punk's roots, no Misfits.
This is a great intro. to early Punk Rock. Nearly every early act is represented, with a few notable exceptions.

The MC5 are right up there with the Iggy and the Stooges and The New York Dolls for paving the way. They aren't included. Though the stuff they recorded in the early 70s wasn't their best, the seminal "Kick Out the Jams" came out in 69'. It could've been included because afterall, Punk is about ignoring the rules.

The Misfits recorded plenty of material in the late 70s and are very deserving of a place here. "She" "Bullet" or "Teenagers from Mars" would've been good choices. Perhaps rights issues etc.(like with the Sex Pistols) prevented this?

Also, someone mentioned Social Distortion not being here. Though the band was together in the late 70s, their first single didn't come out 'till '81. Nitpicking aside, the collection gives you a better intro. to the roots of punk than anything else on the market. If you're thinking about getting this, Buy it. Also consider picking up the Sex Pistols "Nevermind the Bollocks" The Misfits "Static Age" and The MC5 "Kick out the Jams".

Stop hesitating
This is an excellent box set of an odd era. When music labelled as "punk" came out, it seemed kind of dangerous and anti-establishment. The loud guitars, short and fast songs, and dangerous band names like The Clash, The Jam, The Ramones, and Television were pretty scary. The funny thing is that many of the songs on this box set have memorable melodies, good harmonies, and fine instrumental work.

As with any box set from various artists, it is easy and fun to second guess the track selection. For example, I think LA punk is completely over-represented. Also I would have liked Plastic Bertrand's Ca Plan Pou Moi and something by the Bizzaros. And where are the Suicide Commandos?

Nonetheless, even if you own half of the songs, stop hesitating and buy the set. It's another quality Rhino product with great sound and a great book.

I Was A Punk Before You Were A Punk - Birthdate: 11/10/57
In choosing to document punk rock, whose very boundaries are still blurred nearly 30 years on, it's certainly forgivable to think that Rhino may well have embarked on a mission that was doomed to failure from the start, both from a philosophical and practical standpoint. Time constraints, licensing snafus (John Lydon purportedly refused to permit the inclusion of any Sex Pistols' tunes - Rhino rates the purchase of "Never Mind The Bollocks" as more essential than this one anyway), and a lot of hand wringing were all undoubtedly obstacles to be hurdled in compiling this four-disc box.

Despite such a daunting task, Rhino for the most part manages to come up all aces on "No Thanks! The '70s Punk Rebellion," dancing a razor's edge by adopting an approach which allows for the inclusion of bands that were originally tagged with the more palatable "new wave" label, crusty, true believers in the cause, and record collector geek-fodder alike. In order to buy into what Rhino is selling, you may have to suspend some of your beliefs as to what "punk" actually is/was.

It's inevitable that most of the attention is paid to the nerve centers of New York and London and except for the Sex Pistols, all of the usual suspects are present and accounted for. The Clash, Ramones, The Damned, The Heartbreakers, The Buzzcocks, Richard Hell, The Stranglers, Television, and Generation X all take a bow (or two) and rightfully so, but kudos to Rhino for looking to other places on the globe, like Ohio (Dead Boys, Devo, and Pere Ubu), Australia (The Saints), Ireland (Boomtown Rats, The Undertones, and Stiff Little Fingers), and Scotland (The Rezillos). Shame on them for including so many songs that were previously available on their "D.I.Y." series back in the early 90's.

"No Thanks!" also lifts a pint to bands without whom this compilation wouldn't even exist, like The Stooges, The New York Dolls, and yes, The Dictators. On the other hand (are you sitting down?), where's the MC5? Another sticking point, for me anyway, is the inclusion of Californians like Black Flag, Fear, Dead Kennedys, The Dils, and The Germs, all worthy of the "punk" brand, but their staunch nihilism is somehow out of place here. I say that disc space would have been better filled with Plastic Bertrand's "Ca Plane Pour Moi," The Professionals' "1-2-3" or "The Magnificent," Chelsea's "Right To Work," or anything by Radio Birdman. Of course I was also fooled by the first few Buster Poindexter albums, so proceed with caution.

Arguing over what rightfully qualifies or doesn't qualify as "punk" may be part of the attraction of a compendium like this. Obvious margin walkers would have to include Nick Lowe, Mink Deville, The Runaways, Blondie, Elvis Costello, The Pretenders, The Soft Boys, and Joe Jackson, all of whom made the cut due to either an abrasive attitude, enduring cult status, a snappy wardrobe, or the right haircut. As for the Talking Heads, I still say the world would have been a better place had they never entered a recording studio.

At the end of the day, though, we should all genuflect to Rhino for their single-minded and undying devotion to their subject matter. And when it comes to packaging and reissues, there is simply no one better. "No Thanks!" contains a 100-plus-page booklet crammed full of essays by producer Gary Stewart and Billboard's Chris Morris, quotes from several of the culprits responsible for the noise, photos galore, and a track-by-track analysis by Ira Robbins and Dave Schulps, whose Trouser Press took up the slack heroically and brilliantly in the late 70's when Creem was going down the tubes. Add to all of this the fact that this box contains tracks by the likes of the Rich Kids, Subway Sect, The Mekons, Alternative TV, and The Pop Group which are getting harder and harder to find stateside, and what you're left with is a no-brainer. At this point in my life, that's a godsend.

Filling In the Blank Generation
I'll keep this review succinct: while one can certainly quibble about the inclusion of this song or that band, "No Thanks" provides an admirable overview of early Punk that spans several continents and stylistic trends. More critically, this isn't some "Greatest Hits" compilation designed to sell CDs and little else -- whoever chose these songs knows the genre intimately. How else to explain the presence of such unknown but deserving artists as Alternative TV, the Mekons, the Dils, the Saints, and Johnny Thunders? If you never got around to picking up the 45s way back when, "No Thanks" will fill many gaps in your collection. And if you were too young to have made it past the bouncers at the Rat or the Mab or CBGBs, "No Thanks" gives a welcome feel for the three-chord catharsis that at the time could only be found in risk-taking dives like these or on a scattered handful of radio stations. For the rest of us: nostalgia for an age yet to come. ... Read more

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Dwight Twilley was hailed as the Godfather of New Wave for his 1976 debut album Sincerely and its blistering monster of a single, "I'm On Fire," holding firm to their rootsy, fashion-be-damned ethos with single-minded devotion ever since. Bookended by the rockabilly-fueled romps "Better Watch Out" and "Flippin'," this is arguably the richest, most focused collection Twilley has cut since returning home to Tulsa in the mid-90's. With original Twilley band guitarist Bill Pitcock IV adding a welcome edge, the veteran singer-songwriter's innate gift for distilling his Elvis/Lennon-McCartney fixations into timeless pop perfection is showcased on songs that range from the impressionistic, neo-lullaby title track and haunting harmonies of"King of the Mountain" to "Chance of a Lifetime"'s trademark goldmine-of-hooks and the melancholy melodramatics of "To Wait is to Waste." Twilley remains both resilient power-pop icon and fiercely independent artistic spirit, a legacy that reverberates from every cut here. -- Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Twilley does is again!
Another fine album by Dwight Twilley. "Better Watch Out" kicks off this new collection with a rockin' beat. I knew I was in for a treat!"47 Moons" is a beautiful song with great melody and wonderful lyrics. "Chance of a Lifetime" takes me back to the classic Twilley sound! It's hard to pick a favorite song...they are all fantastic! This is a must have Cd! ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Suprisingly solid and listenable cartoon tribute
Tribute albums have replaced greatest hits packages and live greatest hits packages as the way for over-the-hill bands to remain in the spotlight for awhile longer (until they show up on 'Behind the Music' on VH1 and kick off their 5th "Reunion" tour).

On "Saturday Morning Cartoons' Greatest Hits" mid-90s alternative artists tackle cartoon theme songs of mostly the late 60s/early to mid 70s. There are some great/famous bands": the Ramones, Sublime, Helmet, Violent Femmes and some great/famous theme songs: Spider-man, Fat Albert, Scooby Doo, Speed Racer, Popeye and Hong Kong Phooey. The artists, as a whole, make this CD enjoyable to any fan of 90's alterna-rock who most likely grew up watching these shows. The Ramones rock "Spider-Man"; Helmet ignite on "Gigantor"; Liz Phair makes a mess of fun on the Banana Splits Theme. Sublime butcher "Hong Kong Phooey"; Sponge drop the ball on "Go Speed Racer Go" and "Ren & Stimpy" just doesn't belong, but otherwise, what Korn did for nursery rhymes (on their debut CD)these bands do for (mostly) 70's cartoon themes.

Also get many of the original versions on "H.R. Pufnstuf and other Sid & Marty Krofft Favorites" and watch some on "The World of Sid and Marty Krofft".

Turn on the TV and break out the Cocoa Puffs...
"Saturday Morning - Cartoon's Greatest Hits" is a fun spin for anyone who grew up watching cartoons in the early to mid 1970s. You probably ate a lot of overly hyped sugary cereal, but the Cocoa Puffs, Trix and Quisp trivia is another story. This collection from 1995 was one of those "tribute" disks featuring altern/modern rock artists.

Liz Phair (with Material Issue) has a fun time with "The Tra La La Song" from Banana Splits. Sponge doesn't fare so well with their take on "Go Speed Racer Go." I recently heard a remix that used samples of the actual theme and sound effects from the show, as well as some of those bad voiceovers. Hilarious. But again, I digress. Matthew Sweet's version of "Scooby-Doo, Where are You?" is faithful to the original and one of the best cuts on the disk. Both Helmet's "Gigantor" and Ramones "Spider-Man" really rock. My favorite cut is probably the Reverend Horton Heat medley of "Jonny Quest/Stop that Pigeon," a bizarre combo, with some blistering guitar work on J. Quest. Multiple key changes, dramatic time alternations. Very cool.

Dig also does a fairly faithful "Fat Albert Theme" comlete with "Hey hey hey!" Watch out for Sublime's version of "Hong Kong Phooey" which is a little edgier than the dog janitor may have intended.

Some other choices are less obvious, like "Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sun Shine In" from the Flintstones, rather than the theme that everyone knows. Another is the Violent Femmes "Eep Opp Ork ah-ah (means I love you)" from The Jetsons.

Okay, and what is Happy, Happy Joy, Joy from Ren and Stimpy doing here?

Pour yourself a bowl of Cap'n Crunch, put on this disk, and enjoy reading the back of the box, or in this case, the interesting liner notes.

Unique and Solid Tribute Album!
There is so much to embrace here! It seems like there's a new tribute album released every day, but the misses usually outweigh the hits.

This album is one of the great few hits. It opens with The Banana Splits by Material Issue (and Liz Phair on vocals!), which is one of the best tracks on the CD. They put a raw energetic indie-style spin on the song, but without losing the essence of the original.

The unmistakable Ramones sound hits home with their take on Spiderman. Like Liz Phair & Material Issue, the Ramones keep the passion of the tune we knew and loved as kids, but sped it up, and we hear Joey, in that traditional high-octane Rock & Roll spirit, yell "Look Out!" before going into the instrumental portion.

About the only songs that left me cold were Sponge's "Speed Racer" and Helmet's "Gigantor." The theme songs we knew and loved as kids were unrecognizable; only the lyrics give you a clue which tune they cover.

Other shining moments are Reverend Horton Heat's "Johnny Quest" and Frente's "Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sun Shine In." There's nothing quite like Pebbles & Bam-Bam singing the latter tune, but these cats do a great cover!

So much to enjoy on this CD! Worth the money and time!

Litmus Test for Problem People
If you grew up during the era in question and don't like this CD, LIGHTEN UP FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD! I grew up being one of those kids who couldn't go out and play football because of having to practice piano, but I still watched many of these shows! Hearing these talented bands give such serious treatment to the cartoon songs of my TV youth makes me smile. A lot. Put it in your player and leave your worries behind! It's also great if you ever have a party start dragging - If the Femmes' version of Eep Aap Ork Ah Ah can't fix it, then maybe you should consider not having parties anymore. Or getting new friends.

A Whole Lotta Fun!!
This is one of those albums that is a complete joy to find. As a Saturday Morning Junkie throughout the 70's...this album brought back the fun I used to have as a kid. It is too bad that Saturday Mornings today are not near as much fun. Only two networks have anything on for my son in the morning and he could care less what is really on. Back then...we didn't go out and play until after cartoons were over.

I just wish that the folks who put this album together will do another. There is still a great amount of themes that I remember and it would be fun to hear them modernized. Like "Speed Buggy, Electro Woman and Dyno Girl, Star Blazers, Captain Caveman, The Funky Phantom, etc."

And what the heck is "Ren & Stimpy" doing here? Oh well, it's still a great CD!" ... Read more

Amazon.com

From the time of their full-throttled 1977 debut (whose shredded, punky demeanor often foreshadowed grunge rock by nearly a decade-and-a-half), Cheap Trick has arguably been one of most resilient and influential (Billy Corgan and Steve Albini have variously sung their praises one side side of the generation gap, John Lennon and Jeff Beck on the other), if critically underappreciated bands of the last three decades. While the Budokan-mania and "Yardbirds play Abba" (in bassist Tom Petersson's estimation) pop of"I Want You to Want Me" will be instantly familiar thanks to their classic rock warhorse status, those unfamiliar with the band's true range and enduring live power (paid ample tribute by stage versions of "Gonna Raise Hell" and a Billy Corgan-guesting "Mandocello" from '98, and the dramatic "Hard to Tell" from their 25th anniversary live show of '99) will find this collection a revelation. Spanning the decidedly mixed blessing of their sole #1 hit "The Flame" and the latter day indie-label exile that's nonetheless produced two of their strongest collections (Cheap Trickand Special One) and featuring a salting of rarities (including the long version of "If You Want My Love" and an outtake of "Walk Away" featuring more upfront vocals by guest Chrissie Hynde), this is the best single introduction to a rock band that defiantly remains one of America's greatest. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great set.
I have two Cheap Trick LPs, but I didn't have any Cheap Trick CDs until today. This is a really good collection, BUT there are a few cuts missing, like "Up The Creek", "Mighty Wings", which is from the "Top Gun" soundtrack, and their cover of "Don't Be Cruel". They also should've added "Lookin' out for Number One", because even though I have only heard that one a few times, I remember liking it. Still, I recommend this collection though. I didn't listen to the last three songs on Disc 1, and also on Disc 1, I didn't listen to the whole thing of Track 15, but I DID listen to every track on Disc 2. I recommend this album, it's a great collection. Next I gotta get their "One On One" album.

Not really that "Cheap".
Though not perfect as always, it is roughly 36 of their best tracks. Most casual fans might be happy with the single disc "Authorized Greatest Hits", but if you need more, here it is. All the "Cheap Trick" you know, and then some. Included are the hits "Dream Police", "Surrender", "The Flame", and a live "I Want You To Want Me", among many others. With so many songs here, I don't know why only one is from the "Lap Of Luxury" album. Where is "Ghost Town" or "Don't Be Cruel"? Also no "That 70's Song". Otherwise this is pretty sweet. It's definitely their most essential 2-disc collection.

Great Anthology, But You Need The First Four Albums
THE ESSENTIAL CHEAP TRICK is a great 2-disc summary of Cheap Trick's entire career, with songs spanning from their self-titled 1977 debut to their 2003 album SPECIAL ONE. However, CHEAP TRICK (1977) and HEAVEN TONIGHT, as well as BUDOKAN: THE COMPLETE CONCERT, are absolutely essential. The first disc and part of the second disc are a masterwork, but the last part of the second disc is a bit of a bore. If you only have it in your budget for one anthology, get AUTHORIZED GREATEST HITS, but if you can, by all means buy this one. Or better yet, get the debut and HEAVEN TONIGHT, plus BUDOKAN: THE COMPLETE CONCERT.

As with all these "Essentials", it could have been better
Once again Legacy/Epic are stupid idiots who dont deserve to have a job the next day when they put out a compilation like this? Whoever is doing all the supervision for these "Essesntial's from all these artists who were on Columbia/Epic/Sony does not have any knowledge and should be thrown in the street because this compilation has alot of flaws but typiical Columbia/Legacy. It does not have remastered sound like it says it does but the sound is just mastered somewhat better not Remastered but if anything and it is better to have it sounding very good which it does but it isnt like You would expect considering these guys(legacy did an awesome remastering job on the Essential Journey but that was 01' htis is o4 you would expec the sound better but it is pretty good just consider it what it is which is turning it up Louder then you have to to hear it like you need to. You have all the major hits and some other minor tracks basicially because the band chose the track listing but we get one track from Lap Of Luxary?(The Flame)That is so stupid considering that album had several hits(Dont be Cruel) and went double-platinum. You get four songs from the follow up to Lap Of Luxary (Busted) which was a really good album but there's a couple of songs from Busted that couldve been on this compilation(Wherever Would I Be) but the band didnt see that as a good tune so, you get the other songs and then from the Woke up with a Monster cd you get that title track and that was the worst they could have put on this because that songs isnt all that great. How about "Your all I wanna do" ? or any other better songs from the Woke up with a Monster cd? Diss- apointing indeed but just seek the cd Woke up with a Monster for your liking of tunes because it was somewhat good cd w/catchy and not so great tunes. They skipped the Doctor album from 86' completley maybe they felt embarrased but some of the songs ended up on the Box Set they did from 96'. So yeah the album did suck but it did have like three great tracks but the band dont like the album much these days so but there was a song from that album called "Its Only Love" that was the only thing that geneated some interest then in that album but it wasnt included here but the band picked its material on this package just maybe they should think more for the fans when the fans wanna shell out money for their songs. Take this for what it is really but just go out and buy the box set from 96' or all the cd's thats the best bet on starting for there material. Nonetheless despite what I thought could have been used, it has all the right songs for the casual fan here but this could have ben better overall.

NOT REALLY THAT ESSENTIAL!!!
Don't get me wrong--most of the music here is great. I'm just disappointed that several chart hits are missing. It's not like there wasn't enough room! And where is "Up The Creek"? Will that ever see the light of day on a Cheap Trick disc? If you already have their two other greatest hits cds, what's the incentive to shell out for this one? Yes, I understand the first disc of this set concentrates on their 70s heyday, but most fans probably have the first 4 or 5 albums on cd anyway! If this set had included all the chart hits, key album cuts & some nice rarities, I would've bought it without hesitation. Unfortunately, this collection doesn't quite live up to its title. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

wonderful, perfect, earcandalicious power pop
i love jellyfish. one of my brothers brought this cd home back in 1993 (?), and I fell in love with it as easily as I did the previous album, BELLYBUTTON. The voices, harmonies, huge variety of instruments and noises are so fun and amusing, and the lyrics are playful and poetic and just pure jellyfish. it was too bad the band broke up, but the creations of the former members post-jellyfish was amazing as well : imperial drag, the grays, jason falkner's solo work, and from the jellyfish mailing list I learned about other bands which fans of jellyfish would also enjoy : owsley, tories, sloan, merrymakers, wilco, fountains of wayne, etc.

recommended tracks : all. every single song on this album amazes me. I still can't get over how cool it was to me, that the lead singer does the drumming as well (andy sturmer). also, is it true that rjm, jr. and sturmer used 150+ tracks of their voices to create the harmonies in "Hush"? I love how the album is framed by the same note at the beginning and the end. "Brighter Day" is great because it is overflowing with instruments and rich harmonies.

man, oh, man...where has the musical talent gone? can you believe that when people around the world think of american music, britney spears and madonna are what come to mind...am i right, or am i right?

spread the jellyfish! spread the music! spread the love!

Pure joy captured on one little cd
Okay, how many cds do you own that you can say this about: I remember the very first time i heard this cd about 4 years ago. I remember sitting on my bed after i pressed play, and this huge grin just spreading across my face. I was in love at first listen! These guys are amazing! The perfect production, strong vocals, and varied music styles from the classical strings on "Hush" to the guitar rock on "Joining a Fan Club" to the polka style of "Bye Bye Bye", achieve masterpiece status. The lyrics tell some interesting stories as well. I love that 70's groove they invoke on "New Mistake." Complete with sound effects and atmospheric arrangements, they've thought of everything to round out this album to its keeper status. The fact that the band broke up is a shame, and i have only heard Jason Falkner's solo efforts, both of which are good but do not touch this greatness. I will admit, Jellyfish had given themselves a sort of silly image with their wierd hippie/costume clothing, but the music is far from silly. The Queen references can't be ignored, but there's so much more here. This is another one of those desert island discs, and always will be, ever since the time i bought it for a few bucks in a used cd store. Makes you wonder what kind of person would give it away.

Sounds Like The Genius Offspring of XTC and Queen
If you like richly layered pop you have to buy this. The first time I heard this CD it literally left me with my mouth hanging open. The writing, singing, playing, arrangments, production...even the artwork...is nothing less than brilliant. It should go down as one of the best CD's of the decade.

That these guys weren't HUGE is a tragedy of Big Starian proportions. Listen to the sample clips, then hit the 1-Click button. My Gawd, what an incredible album!!!

Ah, the late great Jellyfish
I was bored and decided to look up music on this site. I thought about my favorite albums of all time, and Jellyfish's two albums popped right into my mind.
"Jellyfish? You ever heard of them?" I said to my friend as we were setting up the stage for the show at my old school in the early 90s. They were the opening band for Tears for Fears (it was a smaller university and that's the best they could do).
"Nah. What stupid name for a band" he replied.
Later when the show started and we were in our "CREW" shirts working the crowd, I hear my friend from across the stage, in true ignorant-bastard form, taunt Jellyfish as they took the stage.
"Play some Skynard, Man!" I guess he had seen too many bad opening bands and figured these guys were no-talent hacks who were happy to be opening for a has-been band.
Undaunted by my friend's taunts and the cackles of hundreds of other college students, they go slamming into "Joining a Fanclub." Half way into the song, my mouth gaping, I looked over at my friend. Brian stared back at the same time with the same look of shock on his face. I just stood there in absolute amazement, watching this band I'd never heard of blow me away. Their sound was so tight, so full of energy, and my Lord those harmonies were so on! Wow! I kept waiting for an average-sounding song so I could find Brian and talk to him about this incredible band but the only break we got was when they were done.
We later met the band, and my friend apologized to them. They laughed about it, and I could tell that they were just happy we enjoyed it. They were very nice, down-to-earth musicians (not like Ed from Live the following year).
I picked up "Spilt Milk" shortly after the concert, and it was an instant favorite. Then I bought "Bellybutton" and was equally pleased. They weren't as good as they were live, but they were still good enough to both make my "Top 100 CDs" rack, and they haven't left it yet. Do yourself a huge favor and get these albums!
I see people have recommended other CDs to Jellyfish fans. Some good choices, but I'd add Imperial Drag (for obvious reasons since you'll find some familiar names - not the same caliber as Jellyfish but still enjoyable), The Tories, and maybe Sloan.

Be patient with this one...
I bought this CD after ten years of enjoying Jellyfish's first album, Bellybutton. I figured this one couldn't be nearly as good as the first. And my first impression was that Spilt Milk wasn't as good... too uneven, the Queen-like gimmicks disrupt the flow, etc.

But during the second listen, I found myself truly enjoying and appreciating what the band has done here. The instrumentation and production is nearly flawless on this album, and the songwriting is superb. Even my least favorite tracks are well crafted, especially in terms of the lyrics.

"Glutton of Sympathy" is one of the most memorable songs I've ever heard: the lyrics are fascinating, and the vocalization is truly haunting.

If your tastes lean toward more conventional pop/rock, you'll probably like Bellybutton more (although nothing this band recorded was really conventional). But there are some truly great songs on Spilt Milk, and the entire album is top quality. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

My First Cheap Trick Album!
Guided By Voices frontman Robert Pollard often goes on about how much he loves Cheap Trick and has been influenced by them. Then, when I saw the video for the Dream Police, I was pleasantly bugged out by the funky images and the awesome guitar work- very imaginative and rocked like hell.

So, the other day, I was able to get this particular version of their greatest hits for a low price... And this is a terrific starter album. The regular albums are probably sequenced better.

It sounds like a pretty mixed bag- no chronological order, which I prefer anyhow. The live tracks are terrific- these guys could make "My Little Buttercup" sound like total rocker, and they're very creative. The old-school studio tracks (first released when I was born) like Dream Police, Surrender, and Voices still sound fresh and exciting- there is no such thing as "over the top" in rock n' roll!

As for the latter-day ballads...well, that's a matter of taste. I used to not like hair metal ballad stuff when I was growing up in the 80's. The market was really flooded with it and I just couldn't relate to the majority of it. Now that I'm a little older, I enjoy it as a bit of a kitchy thrill and the Cheap Trick tracks of this nature are better than most.

It's a pretty inexpensive disc so, while you're shopping, you may as well pick this up- cheap, of course (they wouldn't have it any other way).

Good band, good compilation
Cheap Trick is one of the greatest pop-rock bands to grace the late seventies and early eighties. Though they tend to go unappreciated in the modern age, that select few of us knows that these guys made REAL rock and roll, and did a damn good job of it. Read on for my review of this, one of Cheap Trick's many hits compilations.

PROS:
-More than likely, you just want to get this for the big hit, I Want You To Want Me, or the equally notable Dream Police. These are both excellent songs, and both of which can be found on this compilation.
-Many underrated masterpieces made the cit as well. Among these are Surrender, and a surprisingly good cover of the Beatles classic, Magical Mystery Tour.

CONS:
-Surrender is the studio version, not the more popular live one that gets radio play.
-The band's contribution to the Top Gun soundtrack, Mighty Wings, can't be found here. Why doesn't that song get the credit it deserves!?

OVERALL:
Despite flaws, this is a hits compilation well worth purchasing. If you're a casual Cheap Trick fan, it's highly unlikely that you'll be disappointed with this item.

An OK Primer for Cheap Trick
I'm glad this came out with a reorganized sequence, because Cheap Trick's cover of "Magical Mystery Tour" is one of the worst songs they have ever recorded. By bumping it to the close of this CD where you can just hit eject and pass it by, you're better off. Using a live version of "Clock Strikes Ten" gives you a much better opening idea to what Cheap Trick, in their heyday, was really about. Loud fast fun!

It's also a sweet victory for Cheap Trick that their late 80's comeback material holds up pretty well next to their classics from the 70's. "Tonight It's You" should have been the hit, insted the band had to hire song writers to get "The Flame" for. We must also not forget the obvious...any album that contains the amazing "Surrender" and "I Want You To Want Me" is worth owning.

ON THE OTHER HAND: The "Authorized Greatest Hits" contains a couple other strong selections ("Walk Away" and "Stop This Game" most notably). The main reason I would suggest having THIS version of the greatest hits is for the studio version of "The Flame." ("Authorized Greatest Hits" substitutes it with a live version.) Otherwise I'd wholeheartedly recommend passing on this version for "A.G.H."

Has Its Moments
It's fitting that this collection opens with a cover of "Magical Mystery Tour," because it's no secret that these guys dug the Fab Four--George Martin even produced several of their albums. There are some great moments here, including the breakthrough hit "I Want You To Want Me" and their terrific cover of "Don't Be Cruel." "Tonight It's You" brought the band back to life in the mid-80's and holds up well, and "Dream Police" remains one of the group's most interesting songs, even if it is overdone. The cover of "Ain't That A Shame" shows the power of the band in concert and gives an idea of why the "Live at Budokan" LP was so successful.

Cheap Trick's softer output are better than a lot of rock ballads out there, but "Can't Help Falling Into Love," "If You Want My Love" and "The Flame" are very much alike--although the latter was a #1 hit, it's far from their best song. "Voices" is a memorable track, however, the swirling production gives it a leg up on the aforementioned tracks.

The only real clunker is "She's Tight," which shouldn't have made this collection. The remastering boosts the sound of these songs, and "Clock Strikes Ten" from the early days was added. A somewhat more judicious selection could have made this a killer..."Ghost Town" from the late 80's and "California Man" from the band's salad days would have been neat additions, too. But this is a good starting point for a band which has never really gotten its due. If you like it, try "Live at Budokan." ... Read more

Album Description

Aussie edition of the US skate-punk's 2001 album (scheduled for domestic release in 2002). Much like their self-titledalbum from 1998, there's a huge variety of tracks here -each with its own addictive element. Unlike many punk bands these days, these guys know their instruments. It's notyour typical Southern California skate-punk. ... Read more

Reviews (146)

Awesome CD!
I first heard of Unwritten Law through MTV and the single "Seein' Red". "Mean Girl" is an awesome, fairly heavy song with a good chorus. "Up All Night" is a melodic chorused, strange sounding beginninged song, but is actually really cool once you get used to it. "Sound Siren" is one of the most awesome songs on here, and this song alone would be worth buying the CD, with a melodic sound to the song all the way through. "How You Feel" has a great chorus and great background music. "Blame It On Me" is slightly weird, but actually a pretty heavy and rough track. "Seein' Red" is an awesome track, and I really love the stopping style of the chorus and tuned down rest of the song. "Nick and Phil" is sorta funny, with it being a phone call and the weird usage of curse words. "Hellborn" is a really loud, barely understandable, curse-filled, blood pumping track, while the next song, "Geronimo" ,another of the three best songs on "Elva", is much softer and is filled with a melodic sound, something that is fairly rare in the first ten and absent in the last seven. "Rescue Me" is a cool song, with the odd, stopping style of the song around the chorus, while "Actress, Model.." is a strange, un-original but still fairly good song. "Raleigh(Soliquity pt.V)" is an intro to "Babylon", and is not that bad, being somewhat humorous. "Babylon" is another heavy track, like "Hellborn" and "Blame It On Me". "Raleigh(Soliquity pt.VI)" is a funny, strange outro to "Babylon". "Rest Of My Life" is a slower, nice- instrumentally and somewhat lyrical song, while "Elva(It's Alright)" has a catchy chorus and is easy to remember by the Repeating of the words 'it's alright'. "Evolution", the last song, is pretty catchy, but kind of wordy and long. Strangely, it seems to me that at the end of "Evolution" they make fun of one of their own songs, track 2, "Up All Night". I recommend this to anyone who likes Blink-182, Sum 41, or Green Day, I'm sure you'd love it as much as I do.

UNWRITTEN REVIEW
I received the new Unwritten Law cd "Elva" as a prize, and had no prior knowledge of the band nor heard any of their songs before. I was extremely impressed with their music after listening to the album the first time through, and ended up leaving it in my car stereo for about 3 weeks straight (and I drive about 70-100 miles everyday). One of the reasons I was so impressed was because the majority of their songs on their album were really good, unlike most other cd's. The following is a list of the tracks I liked -

1. Mean Girl
2. Up All Night
3. Sound Siren
4. How You Feel
6. Seein' Red
9. Geronimo
11. Actress, Model. . .
15. Rest of My Life
16. Elva

I enjoyed the way they changed things up with their slower songs like "Rest of My Life" and "Elva" and the faster ones like "Sound siren" and "Seein' Red". It was refreshing that not all of their songs were all alike.

Holy cow. This one's amazing!
I was trapped in the vortex of the beatles for so long...(nothing against them, just got different tastes. and got bored) and then I picked up ELVA. Lets just say that it spoiled me for all other rock--except maybe simple plan

WOW THIS CD ROCKS!!!
This is definetly UL's best cd yet! They are a great mix of punk, alternative, metal, and emo. They are like no band I know. The lyrics are awesome, and the guitar riffs are amazing! I have to say my favorite song is Seein' Red. I heard it on the radio, and thought, Wow, this is an awesome song! It's soft most of the time, but the chorus is the best! I bought the Cd and couldn't stop listening to it! This cd IS NOT POP-PUNK!!! it's much differnt than that.elva is truly an Awesome CD! If you don't have it, BUY IT NOW!!! IT IS AWESOME!!!

A musical oasis in a desert of disgustingly bad music
When I purchased this CD, I knew it was going to be good, even though it'd been out for over two years, and was old news by now. After listening to it, I think I'm excited for new material from these guys. They display several different genres of music in this from heavy rap-rock (Hellborn, Babalon, Evolution), acoustic ballads (Rest Of My Life), and slow songs with killer choruses (Seein' Red, Geronimo). But there's much more in between.

The album hooks you in quickly with Mean Girl. It starts off slow, but Scott Russo's vocals cleverly snatch you back in. His vocals are like a fusion of Howlin' Pelle Almqvist of the Hives, and Josey Scott of Saliva. He has the same obnoxious flair as Almqvist, and the same roughness as Scott. Even though I don't like either of their voice, the mix of the two in Russo's voice is just great. It follows with Up All Night, probably the best song on the album. It carries on until the end, providing highlights like Blame It On Me, Seein' Red, Hellborn, and Rescue Me. It does have three useless skits, four if you count the one attached to Evolution, but it's made up for with the songwriting skills.

If a blink-182 fan were to walk out of a record store with this, he/she might be surprised if they thought this was gonna be just like their favorite, pitiful band, blink-182. It contains harder songs, less stupid jokes, and a rock edge. Even though blink have done away with those jokes, Unwritten Law still is way different than them. It's actually an oasis in a desert of crappy music. I wonder if it'll dry up by next record, or keep its rep as a safe haven of music. We'll see. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Marshall Crenshaw never again scored the commercial success he saw with his acclaimed 1982 self-titled debut, but he kept the knack for writing melodically rich, evocative, touching songs. Culled from releases over a 15-year period (from the explosive '81 single "Something's Gonna Happen" to the fine Miracle of Science), This Is Easy leans heavily toward the pensive side of Crenshaw's oeuvre. Whether nicking an old B.B. King album title ("Blues Is King") for a generalized lament or facing specific questions raised by the everyday ("You Should've Been There," "Better Back Off"), Crenshaw always offers a riff, a hooky chorus, and a thoughtful outlook to ensure each of these songs their long lives. With many of their source albums out of print, This Is Easy fills a real void. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (42)

One of the most overlooked musicians of all time
In the eighties, pop music entered a golden age it would never again enter. Never had the genre sounded so excellent, and never would it do so again. A number of musicians experimenting with a number of styles were trying to make it big, but one of my favorite musicians from this era was Marshall Crenshaw, who tried out an interesting experiment - combining the sound of fifties rock with the sound of the pop rock of the day. Though he never got the credit he deserved, his music is nothing short of excellent (why do so many people overlook this guy?) Read on for my review of The Best Of Marshall Crenshaw - This Is Easy.

PROS:
-The first good thing, and probably the best overall thing about this compilation is obvious - you get twenty-two tracks on a single disc! Any compilation that offers that much material by an artist is almost always good.
-There's something to please just about everyone here. If you're the casual fan who wants the big hits like Whenever You're On My Mind and Someday Someway, they're all here. In addition, you get a number of underrated gems as well, like Cynical Girl and Mary Ann. With Marshall Crenshaw, the underrated masterpieces outnumber the big hits because very few of his songs ever became that popular.
-The booklet is very nice.

CONS:
-There's really nothing wrong with this compilation (I bet you'd never think you'd hear that from me!)

OVERALL:
If you want good music from an era when pop music was worthwhile, check out Marshall Crenshaw. It's doubtful you'll be disappointed. His fusion of fifties rock with eighties pop is a true winner. Don't make the mistake so many others have made and overlook this guy - you'll just be hurting yourself if you do!

A Great starter set for Marshall Crenshaw
Marshall Crenshaw's new "This Is Easy: The Best Of Marshall Crenshaw" CD is pure songwriting perfection from a master songwriter and musician who writes better songs than most anyone working in rock and pop today. Crenshaw fans will see this new CD as a 'must have' purchase, and if you do not own any Marshall Crenshaw CDs, shame on you, and get a move on. This fine new "Best Of" collection is the place to start for new fan.

I could quibble about a few missing favorites from Marshall's extensive collection of great songs, but there are only so many minutes on a CD. The only problem is that Marshall Crenshaw has too many pop gems from which to choose. Song after song, they are all wonderful, and Marshall's winsome vocals and often overlooked melodic (and rocking!) guitar playing sell you the song every time.

Buy this CD, then the just reissued debut "Marshall Crenshaw" CD, with bonus tracks. If you have ever tapped your foot along to a classic Beatles, Beach Boys or Dave Clark Five tune, or loved a John Hiatt or Elvis Costello song, you will enjoy Marshall Crenshaw.

The Album I'd Take to a Desert Island
There are very few albums that I would label as "must haves." "This is Easy" is one of them.

The word "underappreciated" is tossed around all the time in regards to Crenshaw. I don't think this word fairly applies. I think that the people who've heard his music appreciate it a great deal. "Underheard" is probably a better choice of adjective.

As it says in the liner notes for "This is Easy," it is almost a crime that Crenshaw's work didn't get played on the radio, or MTV or - well - much of anywhere. His songs are catchy, his lyrics earnest without seeming dopey and his musicianship first class. Perhaps his sound was just too "old fashioned" for the New Wave '80s and Grunge '90s, but I propose that his work has stood the test of time much better than many of the bands with whom he competed for airplay.

Hats off to you, Marshall.

This is easy, easy music to love
THIS IS EASY is a way above average greatest hits collection, for the simple reason that Marshall Crenshaw has been one of the finest writer/performers of the past twenty years. Beginning with his stunning debut album MARSHALL CRENSHAW, in 1982, he has produced a string of first rate albums filled with superb songs, the vast majority written by Crenshaw, with an occasionally gem by someone else, like the incredible "I'm Sorry (And So Is Brenda Lee)," written by Ben Vaughan.

The bulk of the great songs come from Crenshaw's first three extraordinary albums (all well worth owning) the eponymous first album (1982), FIELD DAY (1983), and DOWNTOWN (1985). Over half the album derives from these three albums. These contain what is arguably the best pop rock produced by any American performer in the early 1980s. I've played the album for friends who were only slightly familiar with Crenshaw, and while they recognized and liked the songs, I have wondered why they weren't far more widely known than they are.

I have become increasingly convinced that record companies play no useful role in a society where methods of music distribution have changed so dramatically. If one could eliminate the record companies, eliminate monopolies like Clear Channel (the first of these is inevitable, the second unfortunately not), perhaps talent rather than hype and promotion and the monopolization of the airwaves would determine whether or not performers would rise to the top. There are literally hundreds of bands and musicians who have been forced down our throats because the record companies have built them up and then overexposed them. Meanwhile, first-rate talents like Marshall Crenshaw don't receive the hype, and don't get the exposure that they deserve. The record companies and the monopolies don't deserve to control the airwaves if for no other reason than the fact that they have done such a miserable job of promoting talent.

In a better world, where talent determined whether or not someone's music was widely heard, Marshall Crenshaw would have been huge. This isn't a hard conclusion at which to arrive. In fact, it is easy.

This Is....great songwriting
Like so many "smart songwriters" in the world of rocking pop music (think John Hiatt, Clive Gregson, Dwight Twilley, Tim and Neil Finn, etc), Marshall Crenshaw never seemed to get the total respect due him. Sure, he's had some breaks. Not everyone gets their songs covered by Bette Midler or gets featured in a few big budget Hollywood movies. Or for that matter, even gets to crack the top 40 at all, as Crenshaw did with "Someday Someway." It's just that musically, Crenshaw released a perfect debut to critical raves and pop success, then saw it slowly recede as he released solid albums year after year. While I am fortunate to have most of the original CDs, most of them are out of print. Most aren't even listed on Amazon as available used!

So then as usual, it's Rhino to the rescue. Gathering 22 songs from the albums up to "Miracle of Science" must have been a daunting task. After all, how could you choose what to include and omit? While I do agree that some of his later day albums get the short shrift (especially "Life's Too Short"), there is hardly a song here that I can't listen to over and over again. Like the modern day Buddy Holly he is, Crenshaw blends both a certain innocence and naivete with world weary charm, perhaps best exemplified by "This Is Easy" and "Cynical Girl."

Go ahead, just try and listen to the CD and NOT go around with at least one of the hooks bubbling around in your head for the next 36 hours. From the rockabilly shake of that first single, "Something's Gonna Happen," to the closing beauty of "Starless Summer Sky," this is pop with bits so catchy you'll think something is stuck to your shoe. Even his cover selections (Hiatt's "Somewhere Love Can't Find Me," Ben Vaughn's "I'm Sorry (But So Is Brenda Lee)") show the kind of affection for sophisticated pop music that would glut the radio if there were any justice in the world.

I really can't think of anything bad to say about this CD, other than the fact that I want "This is Easy, Too" to eventually show up. "Fantastic Planet Of Love," "Hold It," "Rocking Around in NYC," "Steel Strings," "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" (from "La Bamba"), "She Hates to Go Home," "Valerie," "Some Hearts," etc. etc...........how about it Rhino? ... Read more

Amazon.com

When this material originally resurfaced in an earlier Rhino-celebrates-the-'70s program, many rock scribes contorted themselves into revisionist pretzels: this isn't so bad, they argued--none too convincingly. There'll be none of that here: much of the music on this colossal box set is godawful. The world doesn't miss the likes of Sammy ("Chevy Van") Johns and Sammy ("Candy Man") Davis. Or at least it doesn't miss the records they cut during the decade of disaster flicks and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. That said, this elaborate box is something to behold. The lovingly compiled 92-page booklet provides background on the ridiculous (David Soul, C.W. McCall, Carl Douglas) and the sublime (Parliament, James Brown, the Staple Singers), and the music swings on the same pendulum, with Harry Chapin, Bill Withers, and Cat Stevens sitting amid Wayne Newton, The Captain & Tennille, and Meco's jittery electro-take on the Star Wars theme. Seven discs, 160 selections! To paraphrase a popular ad slogan of the era, you won't believe you listened to the whole thing. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Right Down To The Puke Green Carpet
Being born in 1970,and growing up around alot of this music,HAND had to be in my music collection.
Hearing these songs bring back memories good(The Candy Man)& bad(Disco Duck,Convoy)as well as introducing me to long forgotten tunes(Chevy Van,Alone Again)as well as those that should've remain forgotten(Afternoon Delight).
But like all era compilations not everything could fit or be licensed(Springsteen,Elton,solo Beatles).So for every song I wanted on HAND(Tighter,Tighter,Loving You)there are those I'm glad wasn't included(Playground on my Mind)

Break out your polyester leisure suits and platform shoes!
This is one "boss" collection that puts to rest the old pessimistic saying: "you can't go home again". Memory Lane is NOT a dead-end street, but is in fact a super highway which you can cruise via this 7-disc set. This music caused us to walk around with a transistor radio stuck in our ear. This music was king before FM radio became cool. The box set contains 160 of the greatest hits from the 70's, plus an unbelievable collector's book, featuring clips about the artists, the songs, and what was going on in America at that time. Whoever thought up the packaging with the cover made up of a smiley face mini shag carpet deserves a raise of major proportions. On a scale of 1-10, I give it an unqualified 11. Buy it...you'll love it!

A great way to revisit to joys of '70s AM radio
Perhaps my favorite box set. This reminds me so much of listening to KYA or KFRC (two top-40 stations in San Francisco in the 1970's), when you would here rock, then country, then pop, then novelty songs. A fantastic blend. Favorite songs include: Popcorn, Chick-A-Boom(hadn't heard this since the '70s), Love Goes, More More More, Love Rollercoaster, School's Out, Dueling Banjos, Candy Man, Rose Garden, and I could go on. One star is missing due to

a. Some songs are cut
b. Some songs I would have liked to see(licensing would have been an issue on some) include
My Sharona by The Knack(biggest hit of 1979)
Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees
Bennie & the Jets by Elton John
Escape(The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes
I Think I Love You by The Partridge Family
Gonna Fly Now(Theme From Rocky)
Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney and Wings
Beth by Kiss
If You Leave Me Now by Chicago
Dancing Queen by Abba
We've Only Just Begun by The Carpenters
(Take Me Home) Country Roads by John Denver
Nadia's Theme

All of the above were major top 10 hits(most were big number #1s)

Gotta Love The 70s
If you buy this Box Set, you'll get 160 songs on seven disc's. If you've already bought all 25 Volumes of the Have A Nice Day collection, you will notice that the Box Set and the Volumes have 73 songs in common, but I would buy the 25 Volumes because 227 songs DON'T appear on this Box Set.

My formative years have been spent listening to these songs through neighbors and friends who had the albums and also through many of the long car trips to and from family gatherings. I recognize most of the music, although there are a few songs that I don't. For me, personally, listening to these songs is a wonderful journey I like to take every now and then. If you feel the same way, I recommend buying this set.

FOR HEAVY METAL FANS - There's no AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Ted Nugent, UFO, early Van Halen, KISS, etc. This Box Set and the Volumes concentrate on the less heavier side of the 70's. Those hoping to find these groups should avoid buying this.

FOR THE 70's COMPLETEST - Buy this Box Set new, but buy the 25 Have A Nice Day Volumes used. In my opinion, the Volumes aren't worth more than $8 each. The Box Set disc's have over 20 songs per disc whereas the individual Volumes only have, on the average, 10 to 12 songs per disc.

A Fun Hodgepodge of 70s Rock & Pop
Sure, the decade of the 70s was kind of cheesy-particularly the fact that everything was BIG & LOUD(the clothes, the shoes, the hair, etc.)! It was also a fun decade in that I was in high school from late '69-'73 when more than half of these tunes were huge radio hits. All in all this is the soundtrack of my teenage years. Once I ventured out into the working world in the summer of '73 the latter half of these songs were either on my turntable or in my 8-track player(God, who can forget those annoying things & their incessant CLICKS). As always, RHINO put together a fine mix of songs, but for my money, the 70s collection ROCK & ROLL RELIX is far superior because they've mixed in plenty of soul/r&b hits among the rock, pop & novelty tunes. Still highly recommended for collectors of 70s hits. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Rundgren Returns To Pop/Rock
Hermit Of Mink Hollow is the greatest pop/rock solo album he has released in a while. "All The Children Sing" is a good rocker that sounds more like a kids television show theme than pop/rock song. "Can We Still Be Friends" was one of Todd's hits, it is a good ballad seeing he had just gotten out of a realtionship with Bebe Buell. Maybe that this song could be about that. "Too Far Gone", "Onomatopoeia", "Determination", "You Cried Wolf", and "Fade Away" which should have been a hit, make The Hermit Of Mink Hollow rate up there with The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren or even maybe a little bit of Something/Anything. Mostly because this is the most pop orientated album Todd has released in a while.

The zenith of Rundgren's talent for rock and pop.
Todd Rundgren is one of those legendary figures in rock that you hear about, but may not have actually heard. If that is the case, and you ever only buy one album to check him out, this is the one to get, no doubt about it! This album is the perfect showcase for Rundgren's vast array of talent. He plays all the instruments (guitars, drums, vocals, keyboards, everything), produced it, and wrote all the songs.

The twelve songs are catchy, but short and to the point, each one in a different style. Some are rock (Too Far Gone, You Cried Wolf), others are ballads (Can We Still Be Friends, Fade Away), others are kind of punky (Out of Control), while yet more are pop (Lucky Guy). The subject matters of the songs vary from the usual love, to old age, loneliness, friendship, envy, and determination (guess which song that is!). The lyrics are very good, they're intelligent, thoughtful and insightful, and will certainly make you think (Bag Lady is especially good on this point).

My own favourite, though, is Onomatopoeia, which is a very short and funny, starting off as a love song, but turning into a long list on onomatopoeias rattled off quickly in verse and in rhyme, each one followed by the appropriate sound effect, for example: "A sound in my head that I can't describe, It's sort of whack, whirr, wheeze, whine, Sputter, splat, squirt, scrape, Clink, clank, clunk, clatter, Crash, bang, beep, buzz, Ring, rip, roar, retch, Twang, toot, tinkle, thud..." etc. etc. A really great song, guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

The sound of the album is quite open and unpolished, which was typical of Rundgren in the mid seventies (similar, in my mind, to the sound of "L" which he produced for Steve Hillage in 1976). In a way, with this album, I think Rundgren was just showing off what he could do with pop and rock, and he makes it seem effortless. This is a truly fantastic album, with plenty of memorable songs. A must for any collection.

masterpiece
don't judge this album by the song samples. They're good, but the rest of the songs are even better...much better.

Todd recorded all of this album himself, solo, singing every track and playing every instrument.

As perfect as pop gets
How long does this album run? 12 songs at 3 minutes each? It's good to know that some people still believe in pure and simple pop songs, strung together intelligently to a nice and compact album, and who better to write the perfect album than Todd, who can write, sing, and play anything. I picked this album up when it came out, and have bought it twice on vinyl and once on CD. Great songs, imaginatively played, unbelievable vocal arrangements ("Can we still be friends"); the perfect pop record in other words.

Definitely worthwhile for Todd fans
This is another collection of pop songs from the Rundgren, very much in the vein of Something/Anything and the two Runt albums except with the synthesizers characteristic of his post-Utopia albums. Not quite as stellar as Something/Anything, Todd, and A Wizard, A True Star; but still a very solid release worthy of purchase after you own the aforementioned albums. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The second record from this Minneapolis trio firmly established them as one of the most promising hard-edged pop bands to surface in the 1990s. The leadoff track, the modern rock radio hit "Closing Time," neatly encapsulates everything that makes Semisonic special, from its irresistibly catchy chorus to an ingeniously minimalist keyboard riff to a simple lyric that speaks volumes to the 20-something nightclubbing set. Elsewhere, the band broadens its base with touches of psychedelic production ("California"), boogie-woogie- influenced piano ("Never You Mind") and tender string accompaniment ("Gone to the Movies"). The disc drags a bit in the middle with less memorable tracks such as "Completely Pleased" and "This Will Be My Year," but overall, Feeling Strangely Fine finds Semisonic blooming radiantly. --Peter Blackstock ... Read more

Reviews (180)

So much more than Closing Time
This band had the huge hit "Closing Time" on this CD, and right so, it's an awesome track. But I feel the band has been largely misunderstood and overlooked. At the heart they are kind of a goofy (like the Bare Naked Ladies), prep boy driven, pop band. This CD contains some other great tracks even though they aren't totally in line with the Closing Time sound. Singing in my Sleep and Secret Smile are outstanding songs, and worthy of an album purchase without Closing Time at all. However, most of this bands works have been hit and miss for me, and I believe many people. Of the two CD's I own I find I like half the tracks and skip the other half most of the time. I think they could really be a leading band in the pop field if they could become more consistent; however, I still believe they are an innovative part of the music scene today.

Superior to the rest of the alt-pop pack...
Semisonic, like many other frequent MTV-rotation acts such as Matchbox 20, Third Eye Blind and the like, play sort of pop with an alternative edge to it. But Semisonic have what the abovementioned acts don't, charm and personality. The songs on here are carried by lead singer Dan Wilson's disarmingly engaging vocals and sweetly simple piano tunes that sweep over the rhythmic guitar strumming. The chord progressions are so perfect they make you wish you had made them up. "Singing in my Sleep", the album's second single, brings me to another place when I hear it. It's simple and sweet, but not without an edge. "Closing Time", the albums first single and perhaps the most overplayed song this year, still retains the fresh pop hooks even after the hundreth listen. The album is full of fairly predictable songs, with the exception of a few variations, but how can someone bash songs that are this great? You can't. The album is great. You won't be disappointed. Sure it won't change the world, but it will provide hours of enjoyment while in your CD player.

More than you expect
Semisonic is a rare band doing something different in the era of modern generic rock, although you might not know it just from hearing Closing Time (a good song in its own right, but not ground-breaking). The song-writing here is far more complex than you would expect and the instrumentation is fresh on virtually every track. As a result, this album grows quite nicely on you. It also occupies a very different niche from their debut, Great Divide, which is a fantastic album that was critically acclaimed but a commercial failure; FSF is less electric and raucous, but it finds a very satisfying intimacy after a few listens. It is no coincidence that the most thoughtful (and recent) reviews are overwhelmingly positive; this is a great album and will grow on you.

Most Overlooked Band and Album of the 90s
Remember 1998? Remember "Closing Time"? What an amazing song. Now do you remember the band that made it? Or the title of the album that it was on? Or any of the band's other songs? Probably not. Semisonic became one of the better one-hit-wonders of the 90s with this single amazing track, but never got the attention they truly deserved.

Feeling strangely fine starts you up right away with the track you came for, somewhat ironically, "closing time" (5/5) is the first track on the album and gives you a feeling, like the album suggests, of "feeling strangely fine." But the next song, "singing in my sleep," (5/5) a catchy little rock diddy gives of a different sound to Semisonic that the prior song doesn't reveal. Next, "made to last"(4/5) brings about a much more dreary side to Semisonic, not bad at all, but not as uplifting as the previous or next song. "Never you mind," (5/5) another really, really catchy track is that next track and keeps the momentum of the album from dying a slow horrible death. Keeping the momentum of a good album alive, the next song, another good song about a "secret smile" (4/5) is not as good as the prior track but leads to the irresistible acoustic track "DND." (5/5) Easily one of the best tracks on the album with some song writing most would never think of. Can it get any better from here? Rather than die down with a weak second half, the next track, "completely pleased," (5/5) in my opinion, presents an even better song. If you're not "feeling strangely fine" at this point their may be something wrong with you. Thus far each song has been generally really good. "This will be my year" continues the trend (4/5). "All worked out," (4/5) another good track is pretty weak lyrically, but the music makes up for it. The next track "California" (3/5) is not their best song musically, but is much better lyrically than some of their previous songs. "She spreads her wings," (3/5) is another good acoustic, but seems to drag on at just 3 minutes and six seconds, which is never a very good thing. Finally, as the album seems to have worn a little thin and your starting to lose the strangely fine feeling, Semisonic will blow you away with the final song, another acoustic, "gone to the movies." (5/5) This very well could be the best song on the album and saves the album from dying out towards the end. Incredible track

Although it may not be the best album of the 90s, it is undeniably a very good one. It tends to be weak lyrically, but the singing itself and the music generally works so well that it is more than still good. This album has aged very well and fans of a more mellow rock music will love this album. Fans of the song "closing time" will definitely get a nostalgic kick from the song, but will get a more rewarding surprise in finding how good the band and the album really is.

Wonderful
This is definately Semisonic's best album. Great from beginning to end, you can't get enough of it. Every song is phenominal. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

I've been stung.
I guess an average rating of 5 stars must mean this is pretty good. It is. I will forever be in debt to the old hippie I once delivered pizzas with, who turned me onto "Throwing Muses", and especially "Jellyfish". This really is a near-perfect pop album. Each song seems to tell a little story, and the musicianship of these guys is awesome. My favorite thing about "Bellybutton", is that it's almost impossible to not sing along with it. It's amazingly catchy, and the music is as colorful as the cover art. I believe "That is Why" was the single off this, and "Bedspring Kiss" is the hidden gem. This is one "Jellyfish" you should get your hands on.

Gorgeous songs
I was introduced to this band while working at a job site about five years ago. I couldn't believe I had never heard any of their songs before. Finding out that they only had two albums, I went out and purchased both... I spent the next few hours listening to both of them, and I must say that this band is awesome.

Their songs are nothing like I have heard before. Very melodic and well thought out. The lyrics have meaning, unlike a lot of bands over the past decade or two...

The soundscape they project is clear, vivid, and easy to enjoy.

I would rate both of their albums (which I guess would mean I rate their commercial career) as 5 stars.

The only downside to this album and Jellyfish in general is that their careers ended so soon. I would love to have had several more albums.

Yes, they are somewhat of an obscure band (at least judging from the reactions of people who ask what I'm listening to...). Not many people know of them, and it is truly a shame.

All the songs on this album are worth listening to, but a few that stand out to me are: The Man I Used To Be, and I Wanna Stay Home.

Amazing craftsmanship
This power pop album is the masterpiece that still shines in the pop history.They can incorporate some musical ideas and sound styles into one fine tune.Their ability to arrange and mix abundant musical factors outshines than any other pop artist.You can hear their well-designed,polished,intricate music texture through this sound treasure.These guys achieved their musical ultimate goal without compromise. WOW!! That's incredible.

calming and wonderful
Hi there, I just wanted to say that this album (among many others, as we all know music is a business first and album sales reflect everything) is a painfully overlooked masterpiece. I didn't come across many new bands in the 90's that truly moved me both musically and lyrically.

I bought this album when it came out in 1990 on cassette along with Primus's Frizzle-Fry, and some older Skinny Puppy (man was that ever a cool mix to listen to) after seeing the "That Is Why" video at my very first girlfriend's home. I wore the copy out, I played it so much (cried to it after she dumped me) and then found it happily on disc. This album is one of few that i enjoyed from beginning to end, and it still grows on me to this day. John Pattitucci and other wonderful guest musicians play on this record and add much to the kaleidescope that weaves this fabulous group of songs together - I've never heard such a groovy Harpsichord. the vocals are very reminiscent of the Beatles and Queen yet much more than the sum of the two. Jellyfish only released two albums but when the music is this good, who cares? i am so happy to have crossed paths with the Sturmer brother's and their wonderful creations. Thanks Fellas!

Ah, the late great Jellyfish
I was bored and decided to look up music on this site. I thought about my favorite albums of all time, and Jellyfish's two albums popped right into my mind.
"Jellyfish? You ever heard of them?" I said to my friend as we were setting up the stage for the show at my old school in the early 90s. They were the opening band for Tears for Fears (it was a smaller university and that's the best they could do).
"Nah. What stupid name for a band" he replied.
Later when the show started and we were in our "CREW" shirts working the crowd, I hear my friend from across the stage, in true ignorant-bastard form, taunt Jellyfish as they took the stage.
"Play some Skynard, Man!" I guess he had seen too many bad opening bands and figured these guys were no-talent hacks who were happy to be opening for a has-been band.
Undaunted by my friend's taunts and the cackles of hundreds of other college students, they go slamming into "Joining a Fanclub." Half way into the song, my mouth gaping, I looked over at my friend. Brian stared back at the same time with the same look of shock on his face. I just stood there in absolute amazement, watching this band I'd never heard of blow me away. Their sound was so tight, so full of energy, and my Lord those harmonies were so on! Wow! I kept waiting for an average-sounding song so I could find Brian and talk to him about this incredible band but the only break we got was when they were done.
We later met the band, and my friend apologized to them. They laughed about it, and I could tell that they were just happy we enjoyed it. They were very nice, down-to-earth musicians (not like Ed from Live the following year).
I picked up "Spilt Milk" shortly after the concert, and it was an instant favorite. Then I bought "Bellybutton" and was equally pleased. They weren't as good as they were live, but they were still good enough to both make my "Top 100 CDs" rack, and they haven't left it yet. Do yourself a huge favor and get these albums!
I see people have recommended other CDs to Jellyfish fans. Some good choices, but I'd add Imperial Drag (for obvious reasons since you'll find some familiar names - not the same caliber as Jellyfish but still enjoyable), The Tories, and maybe Sloan. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Decent but not Todd's best
New age minimalist Todd, Healing has an antiseptic sound that is unique in TR's output. Side 2 of the LP consisted of Healing Parts I, II, and III which was the same theme with medium, slow, and fast treatments. (The final two cuts were bonus tracks inserted into the LP on a 45-rpm record.) Healing I-III reaches high, and often in the outer movements achieves its goals, but ultimately falls a bit short. Compassion is the only pop classic here, Golden Goose is a humorous novelty, and the rest is in the style TR's New Age-like application of pop-rock. As always this is decent listening, but not at the top of Todd's output.

This is admittedly a minority opinion among those that post about such things. Raves about Healing tend to be accompanied with anecdotes of its mystical applications. If that's your cup of tea then this is the Todd CD for you but it is not an angle that I personally listen to Todd for (for the record, I have every album that he's ever released).

Essential Todd
You've got to get this album. It's very spiritual and insightful and is supremely listenable to boot. Compassion will strike you to the heart. Healing parts 1-3 are superb (listen to the sound/that is not in the music/only you can hear it/only you can use it). I loved every track, with the lone exception of Golden Goose.

Remarkable!
I bought this album in 1981. I was 15, and "Healing" was one of the very first albums I bought with my own money. That's how crazy I am! And I liked it then, just as I like it now. No matter how many times I hear it, I am still taken by surprise due to its uniqueness and originality. There is no other album quite like it. It does have something in common with its predessessor, the excellent "Hermit Of Mink Hollow", but it's also very different. I like to think of "Hermit" as DAY and "Healing" as NIGHT.
This album has atmosphere! It's loaded with synths and drum machines, but don't let that scare you. Just be aware that "Healing" is very personal, spiritual, and about as idiosyncratic as it's possible for a pop album to be. My favourite track is "Shine". This song means so much to me! It is, in my opinion, a good candidate for the definitive Todd Rundgren song. Mystical, futuristic, soulful and incredibly intense. The 20-minuite long "Healing"- suite is great, even if i sometimes think part II is a bit too long. But that depends on what mood I'm in.
Still, I agree with some other reviewers, that track number 4, "Golden Goose" is out of place somehow. As a vinyl release, "Time Heals" b/w "Tiny Demons" came as a free, additional single to the album. If I could choose, the single would have been "Time Heals" b/w "Golden Goose". And "Tiny Demons" would have been track number 4 on the actual album. I use to program my disc that way, since I think it makes a tremendous improvement. Try it yourself!
For me, "Healing" will remain an album I return to frequently. This is one I will play at the oldies house!

Heal Me!
Todd is once again way ahead of his time......healing is the pre cursor to all that bad new age music that sucks these days.....Todd will heal your soul with this one. Buy this CD, kick back and enjoy!

Get Healed
As he often does, Todd is the sole musician on this outing, which is one of his most spiritual/introspective releases. While the opening songs feature intelligent clever lyrics and his usual hook-laden pop, it is Healing Part I, II, II that are stand out. A treatise on mediation, the music is dense without being dull, and the finale, breaking out of the slower, quieter Part II is an ecstatic adrenaline rush. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

The unexpected success of Live at Budokan (originally available in America only as a Japanese import) in 1978 very nearly overshadowed the band's most accomplished studio album, Heaven Tonight, released just months earlier. In Color's occasionally candy-ass studio gloss isn't entirely lost, just supplanted by healthy doses of the band's awesome raw power. Kicking off with the crypto-anthemic "Surrender," Heaven maintains a level of quality in songwriting, performance, and production rare in a rock album; some lesser band would covet this as its greatest-hits collection. There's another peerless Trick cover choice (the Move's "California Man") and a batch of originals that cover everything from suicidal tendencies ("Auf Wiedersehen") and drug abuse (the eerily moving title track) to blank nostalgia ("Takin' Me Back"), FM bliss ("On the Radio"), and jaded big spenders ("High Roller"). This "Expanded Edition" is sonically superb and includes new liner notes, photos, and a pair of live-in-the-studio outtakes. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (26)

This album is better than any Aerosmith record
Why is Aerosmith the darling of the current classic rock media coverage? It can't be because they are more media friendly, have a better lead vocalist, guitarist, bassist, or drummer for that matter. Heaven Tonight is possibly, the band's greatest work. Rolling Stone within the last 2 months listed it as one of the top 50 "coolest" albums of all time. Why do guys like Art Alexakis and Billy Corgan make live appearances regularly with Rick, Robin, Bun E, and Tom? Because they respect them! More people should! Heaven Tonight provides FM radio what is dearly needs: something that hasn't been played. With the exception of the Trick classic "Surrender", the album didn't receive any airtime, as with most CT albums. "High Roller", possibly the best song ever recorded by the band is definately worth a listen.
"On the Radio" provides a innocence and joy that rock music dearly misses. "California Man" provides the tongue and cheek references that are the band's signature, but the general public doesn't get. Stiff Competition shows the band's grit and Alverterzaine and Heaven Tonight show the band's dark side. This album is a must have and one of 10 I would take if I was deserted on a desert island. Darin in Portland, OR

Power pop par excellence
A million miles from the po-faced, breast-beating histrionics of, say, Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick offers a more tongue-in-cheek, cerebral vision of Rock n Roll. Heaven Tonight, their third album, has all the ingredients of outstanding power pop: catchy melodies, groovy harmonies, humor and superb guitar-playing. The opener, Surrender has already gone down in rock history as a classic, while several other songs - notably Auf Wiedersehn and Heaven Tonight - that are also stand-outs. It's a slice of power pop heaven to be sure BUT two things have to be taken into account: firstly, in my opinion the band's late-seventies-early eighties production has not aged well, and secondly, the remastered CD version still sounds strangely static compared with the vinyl. To sum up, then, highly recommended fare for lovers of good guitar pop.

The album that put it all together
While any of the first three Cheap Trick studio albums are must-haves in any music collection, Heaven Tonight has always been my personal favorite. I was introduced to it driving home from bowling one Saturday in high school. The Bear had a $75 Plymouth that he had outfitted with a stereo that consisted of an 8-track and a set of house speakers that sat on the back seat. ("Don't step on my speaker wires, man!") As we pulled away from Walt's, Bear popped an 8-track into the player and made a comment about my lack of taste in music. For the rest of the ride I sat back and marvelled at the fact that he was right. Whatever we were listening to was way better than what I had at home. It turned out to be Cheap Trick's - Heaven Tonight and as soon as I had saved up enough I went to the Records, Tapes and Posters shop in the Newport Shopping Center and bought myself a copy. Since then I've owned it on everything except cassette, but I made up for that by owing the cd twice. (The original and the remaster.) Like Cheap Trick and In Color, it's a great listen from front to back, but it strikes a happy medium between the straight ahead rock of the debut and the poppier rock of In Color. In my opinion it's a medium that they should never have gotten away from, but the success of Budokan changed people's perceptions of the band forever. Too bad. It's a formula I could listen to even today.

Some of the best party rock ever
This is party rock at its wonderful best.

Unfortunately, this album has one of the worst cover art of all times for a rock band. The single image of those two dudes (Zander and Nielsen) in the front must have put away a lot of potential customers away from the records...

As for the songs, they are pop / rock, crystal clear sounding, overproduced, bombastic. It's a really enjoyable album.

Playing on All Cylinders
Cheap Trick's "Live at Budokan" has been considered by some folks to be one of the best live Pop/Rock albums of all time. It took a moment in time and a moment in music and put it on Vinyl. That album put CT on the musical map, not only because of the way it captured the band's live energy, but also because of the great songs from their first 4 albums (although Dream Police wasn't actually released until after Budokan). Out of those first four albums, I think "Heaven Tonight" is their best. There isn't a throw away track on it. It is able to cohesively bring together lighter Pop and harder edged Rock in a way that works. In my opinion it's more musical than their debut album, rocks harder than "In Color", and comes off more straightfoward and honest than "Dream Police". Everything on "Heaven Tonight" just clicks. Too bad that, except for the slightly overplayed "Surrender", this album seems all but ignored. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

An unrecognized classic!
This album never got the critical acclaim it deserved when it was released (probably due to the perception that Rick was just another soap actor trying to be a rock star), but it has recently gotten some very belated critical respect. As Rick himself said in VH1's "Behind the Music" about his life and career, "It's about freakin' time!" There isn't a weak track to be found here. The least likable song is arguably "I've Done Everything For You", but Sammy Hagar wrote that one, so..'nuff said. Overall, this is 80's power pop/rock at its finest, the kind of music that simply reminds you of how joyful good rock music can be. "The Light of Love", "Carry Me Away" and "Everybody's Girl", in particular, resonate with the joy of musicians who love what they're doing. This is a must-own for every fan of early 80's pop music. Though it may have been his most commercially successful album, a fact which often renders such releases "too commercial" for true fans to admit liking, no hard-core fan can deny the sheer brilliance of this one.

Jessie's Girl...What's More Can I Say?
This is absolute classic and fresh as debut(I know it is not!). This album includes lots of my favorite Rick Springfield songs of all time such as Jessie's Girl(how many times I had played this during 80s?)... and I've Done Everything For You. Among the tracks not released as singles Inside Silvia is my favorite. Just get it and enjoy.

Hall Of Fame
Rick Springfield should be in rock's "Hall of Fame" with this one alone (not to mention his other great cd's).
"Jessie's Girl" alone with it's hot guitar intro and great hooks is worth buying this cd. To me, when you can listen to a song or a collection of songs in a cd and they touch you, inspire you, makes you want to get up and stomp your feet to the beat of the music and dance to, and sing along with, and they are over 20 years old - NOW BROTHER AND SISTER - THAT'S GREAT MUSIC!!! If you don't have this cd, buy it. If you don't know who Rick Springfield is go to one of his concerts. Trust me you won't be disappointed. He is also a great performer!

Took me 22 year to really appreciate this talent...
Recently, I've re-discovered Rick Springfield's music. I thought I was a fan even back in the 70's but now, I must say I am out to preach the Rick "gospel" This is the CD that most people consider his first "real" hit (they forgot about Speak To The Sky" in 1972) Anyway, when I owned this in vinyl way back when I only listened to the cuts on the radio. Upon re-visiting it, I listened to it in its entirety and fell in LOVE with the song "Inside Sylvia" it was just a glimpse into the full blown sexuality that make Rick such a "hot rocker" today. It was a little daring for 80's standards, but still on the sweet side. It reminds me a bit of a hymn, in the way the synths are arranged and how each verse increases in octave--as though replicating the "act" itself. The words are a lovely "homage" to this woman and the primodial "vow" and bond they would make in the dark...the same one couples in love have made for centuries. While other artists were making songs about sex that were closer to dirty jokes or bathroom humor, he makes lovemaking sound almost like a sacrament...and for many people that rings more true than conventional "love songs." You feel a bit like a voyeur listening to it, but it's not uncomfortable. Of course, other songs on there are equally as nice, but that is my personal favorite. I would recommend this one to introduce people to Rick's relevant lyrics. I just wished I had discovered this gem a lot sooner.

Revisit or discover it
I owned this in 1980 and loved it but what did I know, I was 9 years old. By the time I turned 11, I'd moved on to something atrocious probably. Anyway, I picked up a copy of this CD as a goof only to realize that this CD has some catchy (though rather amateurish) songs but better yet, it sounds great! When's the last time recorded guitars sounded like this? Basically, this is way more than teen pop. It's hard not to ape Rick's guitar playing when "I've Done Everything For You" is blaring, trust me. To summarize, buy it for a loved one today! ... Read more