Album Description

"Liars" is Todd Rundgren’s first all new studio album in a decade.

Rundgren recorded, produced and mixed this exciting new album at his home studio in Hawaii. He wrote all 14 songs, performed all the vocals and played all the instruments himself.

"Liars" tells the truth: Todd Rundgren has returned with one of his strongest efforts ever. ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Todd Is Back!
"Sing and shout it, tell the world about it....." Liars is amazing! It's an honest-to-goodness old fashioned concept album, exploring the "paucity of truth" in our lives, as the liner notes explain. The cover of Todd in Easter Bunny regalia sets the tone for this exploration of the lies we tell ourselves and perpetuate, sometimes without even realizing it.
The first track, (Truth) is a great opener, both as a set up for the concept, and musically, as the driving techno-beat draws your attention. (Todd labels the style "retro-modern".) On the tracks that follow, he takes aim, among other things, at the woeful state of today's music (Soul Brother), the "New Frontier" (Future), stereotypes about the sexes (Happy Anniversary), religion (Mammon and God Said), politics (Liar), egotism (Stood Up) and love (Flaw). Some of these songs are hard-edged, but some are playful, and the mixture is riveting. There isn't one weak cut on the entire CD.
But where this work truly shines is in the introspective songs. Beautiful melodies and lush arrangements stir not only your emotions, but your mind as well. These songs (Past, Sweet, Afterlife, Living, Wondering) rank with the very best of this type that Todd has treated us to over the years. If there is any justice in the world, Past will be an instant adult contemporary staple.
And yet, breaking this monumental work up into its separate tracks really fails to do it justice. The way each song flows into the next creates an atmosphere that literally transports you and places you inside the mind of this eccentric genius.
This is not just the best Todd Rundgren album in years; it is simply the best album by ANY artist in years.

It's the Truth...Liars Is Amazing!
"Sing and shout it, tell the world about it....." Liars is amazing! It's an honest-to-goodness old fashioned concept album, exploring the "paucity of truth" in our lives, as the liner notes explain. The cover of Todd in Easter Bunny regalia sets the tone for this exploration of the lies we tell ourselves and perpetuate, sometimes without even realizing it.
The first track, (Truth) is a great opener, both as a set up for the concept, and musically, as the driving techno-beat draws your attention. (Todd labels the style "retro-modern".) On the tracks that follow, he takes aim, among other things, at the woeful state of today's music (Soul Brother), the "New Frontier" (Future), stereotypes about the sexes (Happy Anniversary), religion (Mammon and God Said), politics (Liar), egotism (Stood Up) and love (Flaw). Some of these songs are hard-edged, but some are playful, and the mixture is riveting. There isn't one weak cut on the entire CD.
But where this work truly shines is in the introspective songs. Beautiful melodies and lush arrangements stir not only your emotions, but your mind as well. These songs (Past, Sweet, Afterlife, Living, Wondering) rank with the very best of this type that Todd has treated us to over the years. If there is any justice in the world, Past will be an instant adult contemporary staple.
And yet, breaking this monumental work up into its separate tracks really fails to do it justice. The way each song flows into the next creates an atmosphere that literally transports you and places you inside the mind of this eccentric genius.
This is not just the best Todd Rundgren album in years; it is simply the best album by ANY artist in years.

Love it? Hate it? Not sure
I've been a fan of Todd for a long time and have all his albums, even the ones that suck. This one doesn't suck, really. It's just that it's not that great either. I like a lot of the music. It's catchy and well done. It does seem that it is trying to be "techno-ish", but it's still good. Unfortunately, the lyrics are like they're from someone at their first year in college. You know, you are upset at all the injustice in the world and wonder why we can't all just get along.

This is so much better than "The Individualist" it's not even funny. Some bits of "No World Order" without the rap. One of my favorite songs here is "Past", because it's a 'lost-love' song and not preachy like most of the other ones. But do we really need "Happy Aniversary" ("Men are stupid, women are evil")? Do we really need the f-word on an album that otherwise has no other bad language and in fact ruins the song it's in? And "Liar", not a bad tune, is unfortunately trite (message: Suicide bombers bad, US war effort bad too), a problem that plagues many of the other songs as well.

Overall I think I might give it another half star or so just because this is a big step in the right direction. It's also more cohesive than "One Long Year" (which was apparently a collection of songs left off the previous few albums).

Finally, this was probably better than I expected from Todd at this point in his career.

Finally!
Face it...he hasn't put together a listenable lp since "Todd" and that's being generous. (A more honest answer would be "Something/Anything")
Now he has.
I was a huge Todd fan but he left me way behind many, many albums ago. This is a great collection!!
"Fatal Flaw" could have been a single if not for the typical Todd-like swerve away from commercialism . This time he throws in a beaut of an obscenity in the middle of a gorgeous song. Oh well.

Way Good
This is a very listenable CD. There is something on here for everyone whether you are a Todd Rundgren fan or not. The 14 tracks and the order they are in really give the listener alot of bang for the buck! I've bought 2 copies of "Liars" so far ( I gave one to my brother!) I'll be suprised if this CD doesn't win some awards this year. It should be getting more airplay than it has been getting. This is like a sleeper CD in that it should be getting more praise and acclaim than it is currently getting. ... Read more

Album Description

20 track U.K. hits retrospective: 'Love Potion #9'Needles And Pins', 'Sweets For My Sweet', 'Listen To Me','Hungry For Love', 'Farmer John', 'Take It Or Leave It','Where Have All The Flowers Gone?', 'Someday We're GonnaLove Again', 'Don't Throw Your Love Away', 'Some Other Guy','When You Walk In The Room', 'He's Got No Love', 'Ain'tGonna Kiss You', 'When I Got Home', 'What Have They Done ToThe Rain?', 'Have You Ever Loved Somebody?', 'Sugar AndSpice', 'Take Me For What I'm Worth' and 'Goodbye My Love'. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Varied Personnel .. And They Stood Out From The Rest
In the opening paragraph of the four pages of liner notes Parke Puterbaugh says "Of the groups in the British Invasion vanguard, the Searchers were always just a little bit different. It wasn't flamboyance - long hair, loud music - but the lack of it that made them stand out among their rock 'n roll brethern."

That is so true. And something else that set them apart from most of the British groups was the constant change-over in personnel. After serving as the back-up band for British singer Johnny Sandon until 1962, and playing gigs at Hamburg's Star Club, the original group of Mike Pender, John McNally [vocals and guitars], Tony Jackson [vocals and bass], and drummer Chris Curtis scored their first hit in the U.K. in June 1963 with a cover of The Drifter's hit Sweets For My Sweet [track 1], followed in August by an album [# 2 in the UK], Meet The Searchers, for the Pye label.

In October they had their second UK hit, Sugar And Spice, reach # 2, but a North American release by Liberty failed to chart. Again, that was followed by an album, Sugar And Spice [# 5 in the UK] in November. By the start of the following year the Kapp label had taken over distribution in the U.S. just in time for Needles And Pins, written by Sonny Bono and Jack Nitzsche, which was a # 1 in the UK and a # 13 in NA. Their third album, Meet The Searchers - Needles And Pins, combined tracks from their first two and went to # 22 in NA [not released in the UK].

From there to the end of 1964 they chalked up six more NA hit singles: Ain't That Just Like Me [# 61]; a Liberty re-release of Sugar And Spice [# 44]; Don't Throw Your Love Away [# 16]; Some Day We're Gonna Love Again [# 34]; When You Walk In The Room [# 35 and written by Jackie DeShannon]; and their only # 1 in NA, a cover of The Clovers' 1959 hit Love Potion Number Nine.

In 1965 Jackson was replaced by Frank Allen, and that year they had four more hits: What Have They Done To The Rain [# 29]; a cover of the 1960 LaVern Baker hit Bumble Bee [# 21]; Goodbye My Lover, Goodbye [# 52 and erroneously listed at track 10]; and He's Got No Love [# 79].

After John Blunt replaced Curtis in 1966 they had two hits: Take Me For What I'm Worth [# 76]; and Have You Ever Loved Somebody [# 94]. When nothing else worked for them, either here or in the UK, Blunt was replaced in 1969 by Billy Adamson, and in 1971, with a new NA contract with RCA Victor, they had their final hit with Desdemona, a # 94 in September. They carried on, however, until 1985 when Pender left to form a new Searchers, replaced in the old group by Spencer James.

So, a British Invasion group with a slightly different approach, and whose recordings [note that tracks 15, 16, and 18 were initially released on LPs] are offered up on a fair number of CDs, including a couple of multi-disc sets. However, this AAD release by Rhino is by far your best bet if your memory of the group was related solely to their North American releases.

Good time early sixties pop music
The Searchers, like everybody else of their era, were overshadowed by the Beatles, but they made some great music of their own. All the essential hits are here - their only American top ten hit (Love potion No. 9), plus all their big British hits, several of which were covers of American songs - which, of course, is why they didn't have much success in America.

Their chart career begin in Britain with Sweets for my sweet (Drifters) and was followed by Sugar and spice, a song written by Tony Hatch, who is best remembered for Downtown and the other songs he wrote for Petula. For their third single, they covered Needles and pins, which was first recorded by Jackie De Shannon but was actually written by Sonny Bono and Jack Nitzsche. The group Smokie revived it in the seventies.
Although Jackie De Shannon didn't write Needles and pins, the Searchers recorded several songs that Jackie did write, most famously When you walk in the room - interestingly, this song was revived by Pam Tillis, who had a number two American country hit in the early nineties with the song. Don't throw your love away and Goodbye my love were also huge British hits. What have they done to the rain? was a top 20 hit and was one of the first ecological songs to hit the British charts.

If you only want a single CD of Searchers music, this is a good one to choose.

CHEESY BUT FUN
THE SEARCHERS were one of five groups stamped as MERSEY BEAT groups during the BRITISH INVASION.Apart from THE BEATLES,easily the best group of the bunch,there were THE DAVE CLARK FIVE,GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS,HERMAN'S HERMITS and THE SEARCHERS.All of those bands were essentially singles oriented.Notice how WHEN YOU WALK IN TO THE ROOM sounds like THE BEATLES I FEEL FINE.Still,some of their singles,all included here are part of the so called 1963-1966 era,and have that innocence that after 1967 will be lost forever.SOMEDAY WE'RE GONNA LOVE AGAIN and EVERYBODY COME CLAP YOUR HANDS were probably their two best tunes.When THE SEARCHERS released SECONDHAND DEALER in 1967,the clean cut image went downhill, and JOHN WAYNE took his STETSON and shoot them all out,regaining the title of his most famous western.

A FIVE FOR CONTENT AND PERFORMANCE!
The mid-sixties gave us so much terrific music, it was hard for any one group (besides the Beatles) to stand out of the crowd. The Searchers were an exception. Their music was so well crafted and performed that in retrospect their best was as good as it got. Great tunes, well sung and recorded, this music stands up well even thirty years later. And one thing which you've got to love--there is a lot of diversity in their music. I don't give many 5-star ratings, so be sure to put his album on your "must-have" list of 60's rock.

British Invasion most of us have forgotten
The Brits came over and blasted us not only with the Stones and Beatles, but with groups like Gerry and the Pacemakers, Peter and Gordon and the best of them, The Searchers. They gave us hit after hit. Songs with a beat we could dance to and sing along to. Love Potion #9 was sung by many groups, but it is their version we remember. If you like music with that heavy beat this is the album for you. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Solid songwriting
Great record. Some beautiful tunes.
I read somewhere that they have a new record coming out this year. (*2004?)

One of their finest
The Hoodoo Gurus put out a lot of good music during their time and Mars Needs Guitars is one of their best efforts. If you have never heard the Hoodoo Gurus, you couldn't go wrong with this CD or 'Blow Your Cool'. Both are core Hoodoo Gurus material.

The party standard of Cedar County in 1985
This album is one of those rare beauties that gets better everytime you hear it. I know for a fact that this thing was probably played a half million times in Cedar County, NE over the course of 1985-1988. "The Other Side of Paradise" is one of the most underrated love songs of the 1990's. The remainder of the album is anything but shabby. There was the beautiful"Show Me Some Emotion", the rollicking "Like Wow Wipeout" and the guitar friendly "Bittersweet". How did Poison get to be rich and famous when bands like this were struggling? It's a damn shame, because the Gurus were way beyond cool and possessed a very knowledgeable memory of the American pop lexicon. They were what a lot of bands could only hope to be. Buy this and you'll be a happy music camper. I remember some crazy makeout sessions while listening to this album. All sexual nostalgia aside, it's still a great album.

Great album by one of the original alternative bands
Mars needs guitars was one of my favorite albums when I was in high school. I wore out the tape playing it in my car. It is a classic for fans of alternative bands from the eighties.

The best two tracks on the album are "Bittersweet" and "Wipeout". The rest of the material on this album is also strong, and lets the band display a wider array of musical talent than their first album (Stoneage Romeos). I saw the gurs live when they toured for this album (they actually opened for the Bangles, and I think I was one of three guru fans in the crowd), and all the songs sounded great live and loud. With that in mind, I recommend listening to this album on a loud stereo, preferably with the volume high, to get the full effect. It just doesn't sound the same on a walkman.

I highly recommend this album to any Hoodoo Guru fan if you don't already own it. For anyone not familiar with the band, they have a very guitar based garage band sound (similar to the Replacements). So, if you like the Replacements, the Alarm, REM, or the BoDeans, you will most likely also enjoy this band. Enjoy.

I have all albums by Hoodoo Gurus...
Couple of good songs: "Bittersweet", "Death defying" and "Hayride to hell". That's all. I don't like these old sounds. This one is for collectors. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Worthwhile, but not perfection.
You know those CDs that you can listen to again and againwithout ever skipping over a song? Those CDs I call perfection. If"Deadicated" had just a few less songs it would be that much closer to perfection. Since I'm a positive person, I will ignore the songs that irritate me and focus this review on the tracks that rock my world. "Uncle John's Band" as sung by the Indigo Girls is one of the best covers I've heard in my life. The guitar work is great, as usual, and the Girls really know how to pay tribute without changing the meaning of the song. Elvis Costello is as smooth as ever and brings a new feeling to "Ship of Fools." Although I don't know the reasons why, I'm really glad Suzanne Vega sings two tracks on this CD. Her voice is so soothing...the version of "Cassidy" on this album is my favorite. Lyle Lovett can't be beat--I'd heard his version of "Friend of the Devil" on a local radio show and knew I had to have this CD. Burning Spear certainly does justice to "Estimated Prophet"--Spear is a fantastic reggae group, their cover is excellent but I also recommend checking out their original work; brilliant! Lastly, who would have thought of Perry Farrel and his boys covering the Dead? Well, it works--and "Ripple" is the perfect song for Jane's to tackle. Despite the few low points in this CD, the good songs are VERY good. Thank goodness for the "track skip" button. Enjoy!

A Mixed Bag with Stellar Gems
The best tracks here are keepers for the ages; but the duds have only withered over time. Originally released in the late 1980s, this tribute album offers the original covers by artists who followed up by keeping the Dead tracks in their performing repertoires. Los Lobos' "Bertha" is a classic. Dwight Yoakam's "Truckin'" stayed in his live shows for years. Lyle Lovett's "Friend of the Devil" likewise. And the all time keeper of this collection must be Burning Spear's "Estimated Prophet," which captures the spirit of the song in a way even the Dead never imagined. I remember hearing an NPR interview with Winston Rodney, Burning Spear's leader and founder, in which he said he'd never heard of the band much less heard the song before. But that learning it, playing it and recording it changed him. He still plays the song to this day. The midlin' tracks on the CD are Hornsby's "Jack Straw", " Dr. John's "Deal", Indigo Girls' "Uncle John's Band", David Lindley ("Casey Jones") and Elvis Costello ("Ship of Fools"). All are good, some reach for great. A few even make it. But the duds ... ouch! ... are Jane's Addiction's murderous misinterpretation of "Ripple", Midnight Oil's bewilderingly clueless "Wharf Rat" (they'd never heard of the Dead and were included by the producers to take full advantage of the band's popularity at that time), Suzanne Vega's whispy-voiced "China Doll", which reaches for tragedy and ends up just plainly annoying, and Cowboy Junkie's meandering "To Lay Me Down."

Something for everyone
Back in the days before there were tribute albums for every band you've ever heard of (and some you haven't), there was Deadicated, and it quickly became apparent that it would be a tough act to follow. If you know the Dead, but not the contributing artists, you will surely be compelled to look them up after hearing them here. If you are a fan of one or more already, buy this CD and learn about the underappreciated songwriting talents of Garcia, Hunter, Weir, and Barlow. All we need now is a tour...

great
You don't have to like the Dead to like this (it may help) but this just has got to be one of the best tributes of the 90's!

Nice selection of songs, nice selection of artists,great performances, funny liner notes and a worthy cause.

Highlight: unique Ripple by Jane's addiction

Dead On Tribute!
I discovered this disc listening to Fordham University's city folk station, WFUV, while driving down a country road in New Jersey. The Indigo Girls came on playing their cover of "Uncle John's Band." It is an outstanding performance of my favorite Dead song by artists I love. Hearing this selection spurred me to hunt down "Deadicated." It is probably one of the most consistently enjoyable musical purchases I made all year.

Outstanding artists all, great renditions of Dead classics, and to top it all off you are making a contribution to worthwhile causes. Order two and gift a friend - it's that good! ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Cheap Trick's last stand
'Dream Police' was released in the fall of 1979 on the heels of Cheap Trick's landmark 'Live At Budokan' LP which launched the band into platinum level success. 'Dream Police' is a good rock & roll record and is a must own for any CT fan. But although it's a fun, hard-rockin' LP, it comes up a little short when compared to the magic of the band's first three studio releases and the incredible live set from 'Budokan'. 'Dream Police' was the first sign that the band's creative juices were starting to dry up. On the surface, this album is fine. It rocks hard and offers some pretty good songs, especially the title track and 'I'll Be With You Tonight'. And the lovely ballad 'Voices' is a personal favorite of mine. But underneath it all, the spark, inspiration and cleverness of the band's earlier work just isn't here. There's an intangible magic in the early albums thats hard to put your finger on but it's not hard to tell it's missing from 'Dream Police'. Go into the Rolling Stone Magazine archives and read the original review of this album sometime and you'll hear the same complaint. This album marks the beginning of the end of Cheap Trick's creative heyday, a trend that would continue with each subsequent album. Nonetheless, as rock n roll records go, this is a pretty good one. Definitely worth a listen.

THE LAST OF THE GREAT FIVE
Cheap Trick produced five incredible albums beginning with their landmark debut and leading up to this fine recording. The band would never produce rock n' roll of such a high calibre until the 1990's with their self titled comeback album. Cheap Trick not only displayed a effortless way with melody but also created the alternative sound on these recordings. "Dream Police" would produce a more polished commercial sound yet the bands edge was still intact. Songs such as "Writing On The Wall" and "I'll Be With You Tonight" showcase irresistable melody tacked on with a rock n' roll spirit that is pure ecstasy. "I Know What I Want" is pure punk brought forth with a malevolent roar that is addictive and a joy to hear. "Need Your Love" has the feel of a animal slowly stalking its prey and is compelling in its quiet thunder. "Voices" has the spotlight on Robin Zander with his incredible vocal phrasing and feeling for the lyrics. Other highlights include the menacing "Gonna Raise Hell" and the epic title track. "Dream Police" captured this band in its prime and is an essential recording for any fan of rock n' roll of the highest order. Don't be left out...

One of their best, together with "All shook up"
"Dream police" (1979) is a very good album from the guys who seem to not think that rock 'n' roll is a dead serious business. The title track is very melodic and captivating, and the "House is rocking" is a steamy rocker. "I'll be with you tonight" and "Writing on the wall" show this band's talent for writing memorable tunes, and the ballad "Voices" is just beautiful. "Gonna raise hell" is a groovy number but it is far too long, and you actual get a bit bored at the end. The rest of the material is alright and "Dream police" is an album of rather high standard. The proper rating should be somewhere between 3 strong and 4 weaker stars. I believe this album together with "All shook up" is the best ever from Cheap Trick, and I advise you to get them both - you'll never know how long they will be available, since this most likely isn't considered to be cool among kids of today.

A good hard rock album
Many people consider this album to be below par compared to their earlier albums, I don't really think that it's the case and I happen to think that this is a very good rock album but not quite in the classic mode, the band does sound like their starting to go through the motions a bit cause the songwriting isn't as good as their earlier releases but don't let that get to you too much.

Dream Police: The first single off of the album hitting the Top 30 in the fall of 1979 and this is a great song, one of the album's best songs. 10/10

Way of the World: Nothing too special but it's quite a decent song. 8/10

The House is Rockin' (With Domestic Problems): One of the heaviest songs and this song could've been easily penned by a 80's metal band and I don't take that as a bad thing. 9/10

Gonna Raise Hell: This is my favorite Cheap Trick song off of the album and clocking in at over 9 minutes, this song never gets boring although some people say that it's one of the most overrated songs but I consider it being the other way around. 10/10

I'll be Without You Tonight: This is a forgettable song by them but it's better than most of the post Next Position Please songs. 7/10

Voices: This is a wonderful ballad and this song fell short of making the Top 30 and this song deserves more airplay and it could've been easily penned by the Beatles or John Lennon. 10/10

Writing on the Wall: Most people consider this song to be the filler song but I don't think that it's the case and this is a pretty good song. 8/10

I Know What I Want: Tom Petersson takes the vocal duties on this song and he did quite a good job. 9/10

Need Your Love: I'm not really a fond of this song cause it goes on for too long clocking in at over 7 and a half minutes, I would've trim it down to 6 minutes. 6/10

all day all night every day and every night.....
the house is rockin'! this is a guilty pleasure. cheap trick in their heyday. one of the best album covers ever... this and "at Budokan" are all you'll ever need from Cheap Trick... ... Read more

Reviews (8)

SHAYLE HARRIS
I REALLY LIKED THE MUSIC BUT THERE IS ONE SONG I WANTED TO LISTEN TO BUT I COULDNT WHITCH WAS ROCKY BY AUSTIN ROBERTS,AS I WANTED TO KNOW IF IT WAS THE SAME SONG I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR,FOR AGES. THANK YOU SHAYLE

Nice blend
How tacky are some of these songs? Well, I can remember hearing these songs being played at SEARS while shopping for clothes (no choice in those days. I lived in the suburbs and didn't yet have a car). The direct memories of denim jackets with sequins, and shorty tops - with sequins, fill me with shivers both warm (memories) and cold (fashion hell), as I listen to these songs. But not all of 'em are tacky. There are a couple of juicy goodies that actually broke the ground of riskless AM radio. "You Sexy Thing" was a hot crossover tune that got white people dancing (one could even say it was one of the first preludes to disco), and that title garnished many a sequined shorty top. Even many a pair of ..... (the seventies were SO fabulously sleazy!). And "Eighteen With A Bullet", despite it's slight '50sish Frankie Lymon feel, had a tight euphoric bite to it, which was a fresh charge in let's face it, what was a pretty stale, generic musical wasteland by the mid-seventies. Even Bay City Roller-mania was a delightful change, despite the fact that their fans all looked like Catholic school rejects (I guess that's where they got all that plaid). Come to think of it, maybe sequined shorty tops weren't so bad after all! Have fun -
and don't forget to have a nice day! :)

Great Songs and Great Memories!
Oh great songs and great memories when I was only in elementary school and listening to these hits on the old KJR AM in Seattle! Great collections from Rhino!

Gotta Love Rhino!
As a fan of Rhino Records for many years I was elated when they started this series years ago. This was the 70s collection with songs that you couldn't find on any other compilation - the quirky ones that you remember hearing on AM radio, had the 45 but wasn't on the "most popular" list. For example: Sky High by Jigsaw (which I remember hearing in 1975) and Convoy by C. W. McCall (which I had the 45 rpm of). This isn't my favorite volume of the series but nonetheless, a volume that should be in your collection.

Please note! The cassette versions are different from the CD release. There are "Bonus Tracks" on the CD that are not found on the cassette.

SONGS MISSING FROM CASSETTE THAT ARE SHOWN ON LISTING
I was disappointed when I received the cassette I ordered as I opened the package. Same label cover as shown on order page, same songs, except that there were 2 songs missing from the cassette:

Rocky

I'm Not Lisa

What's up with that???? ... Read more

Reviews (39)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (5)

+ 1/2 stars...Some of the Biggest Hits of 1970
That Rhino Records has kept this series in print proves that there's is still a market for these songs. And while I have at least twenty of these titles in my collection, the current crop of pay-per-download websites gives the consumer total control over song selection, making these kinds of collections more and more obsolete when you consider that you're still paying a dollar per song either way.

Like the previous volumes, it's a mixed bag of mostly MOR pop hits from one- and two-hit wonders. In fact, only three of these artists had any kind of extended musical career. Unlike Rhino's Sixties-oriented TOP ROCK 'N' ROLL series, which included many artists with multiple hits, the HAVE A NICE DAY series does not include major acts of the period like Rod Stewart, Three Dog Night or the Carpenters. These are --in many cases--songs that are infrequently anthologized, giving you a broader look at the early Seventies. [Each of these songs, by the way, were released in 1970.]

In addition, most of these were Top 10 hits (although "Fallin' Lady" didn't even dent the Top 40), and half of them were million sellers like the gospel-influenced "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," the quirky "In the Summertime," Bryan Hyland's lone Seventies smash "Gypsy Woman," the Partridge Family's signature song "I Think I Love You," the countrified funk of Jerry Reed's novelty "Amos Moses" and Bobby Sherman's schmaltzy "Julie, Do Ya Love Me." These are all original hit versions and the sound quality is empeccable. It's just a matter of how badly you want each of these songs.

Good mix of '70s pop sounds
Volume III of the Superhits Series provides a solid musical sampling of the kaleidoscope of sounds and influences that made up early 70s pop. From the bubblegummy "I Think I Love You" to the borderline hard "Green-Eyed Lady", this disc has it all.

There is Melanie's Joplin-esque "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)", a truly marvelous song, and R. Dean Taylor's hard-to-find, country-influenced "Indiana Wants Me." Jerry Reed's "Amos Moses" has an even stronger country flavor and Bobby Bloom's "Montego Bay" features a gentle hint of calypso sound.

Although not expensive, it is hard to classify this disc as a top value. Like all of the offerings in the series, Volume III contains only twelve tracks, and the last two are virtual throw aways. However, considering the investment of time that would be required to locate all of these relatively obscure tunes, this is still quite a bargain.

Some hard to find gems are here.
R. Dean Taylor, Alive and Kicking, Mungo Jerry, Bobby Bloom, and Jerry Reed make this disc a must. The disc also has it's bad points and they ring loud and clear: the Partridge Family and Bobby Sherman. There is also the average with Melanie and Hotlegs. As you go through this series, you will find that many of the disc are like this one, very uneven with a few gems that you will have a hard time finding anywhere else.

One song makes this CD work!
Lots of great songs, but "Tighter, Tighter" is a stand out hit! This song alone makes owning this CD worthwhile. Too bad this group did not continue with further work!

Another Good Volume
Though not as worthy as the first two volumes of the series, this CD offers more hard-to-locate pop hits. Some barely qualify, though--"Neanderthal Man" by Hotlegs may not ring a bell, and Punch's "Fallin' Lady" never even charted! ... Read more

Amazon.com

California's Los Lobos are the reigning kings of Tex-Mex/Rock Espanol. Butthis debut CD by the San Angelo, Texas band Los Lonely Boys might herald achanging of the guard. This is truly a band of brothers, led byguitarist/vocalist Henry Garza and his younger, bass-and-drum-playingsiblings Jojo and Ringo (no kidding). Like a lot of groups,they had to move away to achieve fame--in their case, to Nashville. But afterthe release of their EP, Willie Nelson heard them, put them on tour as his opening act, and recorded them at his studio--and the rest may behistory. Stylistically, the Garza brothers' bilingual songs about love andlife combine Stevie Ray Vaughan blues, Santana-style guitar licks and R&B.Nelson helps out on guitar, with Reese Wynans on keyboards.Produced byKeb Mo andB.B. Kingproducer John Porter,the music is honest, driving,and down home, especially on the organ-filled uptempo tracks "Senorita"and"Tell My Why." The stinging guitar solo on the Afro-anthemic "Onda" recallsthe '70s grooves Santana built his chops on, while "The Answer" and "Morethan Love" are raw power ballads that show off this group's dynamism anddiversity. --Eugene Holley, Jr. ... Read more

Reviews (100)

SIMPLY "HEAVEN"
I first saw the Garza brothers on VH1. I liked their debut single, HEAVEN, from the very first moment I heard it...very rare. Usually, you have to have something pounded in your head a good 10 times. Anyway, on the strength of the single, I bought the album. I was leary b/c most albums only have MAYBE 2 good songs on it. Not so with this. I have had this cd in player since I bought it. I can't take it out--each song is a hit! My family heard the cd and they each went out to get their own copy. This is music for all ages--it's real and it's honest. In this day and age of 1 hit wonders and talentless gimmicks, LOS LONELY BOYS are truly refreshing. They play with so much feeling and their is a rawness to it all that is infectious. I recently had a chance to see them play live. BEST SHOW EVER! Henry is defo a guitar virtuoso, on his way to join the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Carlos Santana. Ringo on drums is so powerful...u can just feel the beats in your heart. But the one who stole the show was Jojo, the bass player...he just had an energy that radiated on stage. All three are very talented and worth checking out live. As for the CD, my personal favorites are well...they're all my fav! If you are only buying one CD this summer, it's gotta be LOS LONELY BOYS!!!!!!

Viva Los Lonely Boys!!!!!!!!!
In a word: excellent! This is one of those albums that you put in your cd player or computer (whatever the case may be) and just let it play straight through. No filler on this cd...just great music from beginning to end. Tex Mex, Texas Blues and Santanta all mixed together with great vocal melodies. I swear the guitar player is channeling Stevie Ray Vaughan's ghost. Not to say he is ripping off SVR just paying very tasteful tribute to him. Solid musicianship with songs that make you tap your foot. I dare you not to have "Heaven", "Crazy Dream" or "Real Emotions" stuck in your head after spinning this disc. Definitely going to wind up in my Top 5 for 2003! Highly recommended for listening while driving the car! Also check out the bonus CDRom footage which shows them playing live...can't wait to see it in the flesh myself.

Finally, Good Music
I had lost hope. A music lover, I bought on average one new album every week, wishing that it will be the One.

A decade passed. Then Los Lonely Boys came along. WOW...

I am hooked, my wife is hooked, my kids too.

Thank you LLB.

They are the best thing that happened to rock n'roll since...I can't even remember.

I just hope that they will keep producing good music.

Keep bringing us joy.

Smoking Hot!!!
I haven't heard music this good for a while. Every single track on this CD is awesome, which is rare for new bands these days. Vocals, guitar, bass, and percussions are solid, these guys can really play, unlike most of todays bands. I've travelled 5 straight hours listening to just this one CD and never got tired of it. In fact I'm listening to it right at this moment. Thinking of buying CD's, put this on your list. Can't wait till the next album comes out.

Los Lonely Boys - The Real Deal
I just got back from seeing los lonely boys live for the first time (first, because I will definitely see them at every possble opportunity in the future.) Despite being relatively new and having little material to their catalogue, they put on quite an impressive show. MASSIVE jamming, I haven't seen amazing guitar like that since I saw the Crossroads Guitar Festival a few weeks ago, but that's another story. First of all, these guys are amazing, one day I'll be saying "yeah I saw the Los Lonely Boys for free in Dallas before they ever made it big." The first power trio was Cream, and these guys do great honor to the power trio tradition (underscore POWER!) The drums and bass are very good, but I am enthralled by the guitar capability of Henry Garza, this guy truly shreds the guitar with amazing capability. He was doing wah wah like I've only heard on Clapton albums and much more! At one point the bassist and lead guitarist were playing their instruments with one hand and changing chords by dropping or pulling the guitar up/down to change notes. They were showing off their musicianship and it was great. Henry even brought out a harmonica and was showing some mad skills. I bought the CD after seeing someone on audioscrobbler who liked the Jayhawks play their music alot so I checked them out at the music store and really enjoyed their CD and the single heaven. Now that I have seen them live, and heard Onda live with ~2 min. guitar solo intro to the song, I know that these guys will be around for a long time. One thing that always distinguished the really greats- Clapton, Santana, SRV for example- was the ability to create amazing catchy riffs and powerful songs that caught people's attention and drew them to the rest of their blues/rock output. "Heaven" is like that, it has an amazing riff that will draw people to an amazing musical talent. Quite refreshing! ... Read more

Album Description

Ass was the last Badfinger album recorded for Apple, originally released in 1973. Parlophone/Apple. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The unjustly forgotten Apple album
While Badfinger's Straight Up and No Dice albums are widely and deservedly considered classics, their Apple swan song, "Ass" gets so little attention that it's never even been released domestically. Few people outside the core of die-hard fans even know it exists. Too bad, because they're missing some stellar moments. While power-pop was the buzzword that surrounded much of the rest of the band's catalog, "Ass" doesn't come off quite as sweet and is all the better for it. "Ass" was Badfinger stretching out and showing that they were more than recycled Beatle hooks and harmonies. While "Apple Of My Eye", Ham's achingly appropriate tip of the hat to the band's soon to be ex-label, captures the band's sound of old, several of the other songs seem to come from a harder edged, refreshingly different vein. "Timeless" is quite possibly Pete Ham's finest recorded moment with it's slow-building intensity, harrowing guitar and fade to infinity ending, and if nothing else shows just how huge a talent the world lost a short time later. Pete was not only a gifted songwriter, but as this song also shows, a brilliant guitarist. These two songs along with "Constitution", "Icicles", "Blind Owl" and "I Can Love You" are the albums undoubted highlights, but only Mike Gibbins' "Cowboy" seems out of place on the album. Despite it's thrown together, admittedly rushed feel, Ass is a great Badfinger album that has never recieved a fair shake. It's nice to see this import only re-release for those who missed it the first time around, but I have my doubts as to whether this will wake people up to what they've been missing. Again, too bad.

Ass is good
A darn good album and a brilliant song is "Apple Of My Eye". Pete Ham's beautiful voice and a fantastic sentiment about leaving behind the Beatles label. has there ever been anyone like him since? Hopefully this reissue is remastered. All the material is great. Ham's guitar at the end of "Constitution" is excellent. Molland's "I Can Love You" is another favorite of mine. Too bad he turned out to be such a dip, putting out that atrociously produced not-really live LP, a let's-make-a-quick-buck collection of some demos of his that was shoddy, and his horribly embarrassing covers CD's of many Badfinger classics that take away from people buying the legitimate stuff. Joey --- Come back to reality!! It's not about the money--- Granted this album isn't perfect, like "Straight Up," but it's my second favorite Badfinger LP. Thanks to Mike B. for turning me on to it.

Badfinger's Goodbye to Apple
The story behind the release of Ass is in several ways similar to that behind "Straight Up". The first recordings for this album, that turned out to be their last for Apple Records, began in January 1972; and the final recording took place in April 1973. The album was not released until late 73 in the USA and in March 74 in Europe. Their change of record company from Apple to Warner Brothers was one among other reason for the delay. Actually a first version of the album had been completed by the end of 72, but it was rejected by Apple. The original version of Ass had been produced by the band themselves, and they were going for a more basic rock album.

In early 73 Apple called in Chris Thomas to produce new recordings and to look through, what had already been finished. A similar situation had occurred when Todd Rundgren had been recruited for finishing "Straight Up". The two earliest recordings on this album were in fact ("The Winner" and "I Can Love You") produced by Rundgren. Pete's "Apple Of My Eye" and "Timeless" were re-recorded and two new Molland songs ( "Icicles" and "Constitution") with Chris Thomas were added. The rest of the album are leftovers from the scrapped version.

The album turned out to be a commercial failure; not because of the music but because of other things like little promotion, bad timing, the change of record company, lack of recent hit-single etc. The album was different from their earlier albums - they had wanted to do basic rock album representing the music they performed live, and that is mainly what "Ass" became. People who'd expected and hoped for another album similar to "No Dice" and "Straight Up" were obviously disappointed. Pete Ham only contributed 2 songs, of which only "Apple Of My Eye" was a typical Ham composition. Tom Evans wrote two very strong tracks, "When I Say" and "Blind Owl" - the first a lovely ballad and the second a wonderful rocker, which became a live favourite. Mike Gibbins wrote "Cowboy", a country styled song, which sound somewhat unfinished and which does not fit very well into the concept of the album. The rest of the album was written by Joey Molland. 3 straight ahead blues/rockers and two ballads. The album is the first where Pete Ham really gets a chance to demonstrate what a great lead guitarist he was, f. ex. on tracks like "Blind Owl", "Constitution" and "Timeless". The only bonustrack "Do You Mind" is an outtake from the first version of the album - it's written by Molland and it's one of his best early Badfinger songs.

My favourites: "Apple Of My Eye", "Blind Owl", "When I Say", "Timeless" and "Do You Mind" ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The finest of the hoodoo's
Without a doubt, this is the most gut wrenching, popped-up, agony induced CD ever produced. Sharp lyrics and driving guitars make this CD a classic. If you aren't singing the lyrics in a mock heart-felt rendition by the 3rd listening, something is wrong with you. This is one fine, fine CD. The opening song, "Out That door" is the perfect song crying out for lust lost. What follows are solid songs that will touch your heart. Now don't get me wrong, These are great pop/rock songs, but they, unlike most music today, have heart.

I have all albums by Hoodoo Gurus...
The first four songs are great. And bonus track "Heart of Darkness". "Out that door" and "I was the one" should be pop classics. Buy this album.

Buy 'em all!
This is one of the best Rock'n'Roll bands ever. Trust Me: If you like one Gurus-album, you will like 'em all. If you have never heard any song, check out "What's My Scene", "I Was The One" or "Hell For Leather". If you have a job that allows you listening to CDs, grab any HG-stuff you can get - working days will get much shorter.

Music that grows on you with each listening.
The Gurus produce music that seems innocuous at first listening, but steadily grows on you with time. Quintessentially Australian, the band provides ideal listening for long hot afternoons around the barbecue or relaxing in the pub with a beer. For those who are keen to listen to a broader selection of this band's music, I recommend Electric Soup, a compilation of nearly 20 of the band's best tracks.

australian garage band ahead of its time
Everyone should pick up a copy of one of the HG's albums, if you like it, you will probably buy them all. They were a grunge band when green day was in diapers, they have solid lyrics and great accoustics. Any album by the HG's is worth taking a look at ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Something for everyone!
I don't usually buy soundtrack albums, unless there is a song or two not released elsewhere. I must confess the reason I bought this one is for the BEE GEES cut, "Wedding Day". But, there are great songs from Elvis to Ella Fitzgerald, and McCartney to B.J. Thomas and others in between. It is a very diverse album, with something to please everyone. I am glad I made an exception in this case.

An Eclectic Collection
The first song on this soundtrack, "A Love For You," was recorded by Paul McCartney and Wings for Ram, but not included on that album. It's hard to believe this song has remained unreleased until now. It's a spirited rocker with a very catchy melody, and could easily have been a hit song. The previously unreleased version of "Live And Let Die" included on this album has more of a demo feel to it than the regular version. "I'm Carrying" is also not a new McCartney song, but is a pleasant album track from the London Town album. You haven't lived until you've heard Ella Fitzgerald's version of the Cream song "Sunshine Of Your Love," with the brass section playing the guitar parts! The real find on this album is "More Than A Friend" by the group All Too Much. It was recorded in 2003 but it sounds like a psychedelic pop song from the sixties. Stylistically, this album is a mixed bag. You have to love a collection that includes both Elvis Presely and Yma Sumac, a woman with a five octave vocal range! Ray Charles has said that there are only two kinds of music; good and bad. No matter what type of song is included, this soundtrack contains all good music. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It probably didn't take Bleu brainchild James McAuley III too much effort to entice reclusive Jellyfish frontman Andy Sturmer out of hiding to co-write and sing backup on "Could Be Worse," so potent are the hooks and cascading harmonies on his second full-length album. With Semisonic's Dan Wilson joining the Boston rocker on "Something's Gotta Give," Redhead is an all around power-pop treat with enthusiastic nods to AM radio mainstays like Badfinger and Supertramp, and warm, playful songs like "I Won't Go Hollywood" and "Could Be Worse." "Something Else," which also appears on the Spider Man soundtrack, is an obvious high point, but so is the surging ballad "We'll Do It All Again" and the hidden track "Dance Dance Baby Doll Dance." --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Power Pop At It's Finest
It just doesn't get any better than this. From beginning to end this album is on a mission to rock ! Really focusing on the roots of the eclectic power pop sound, if you listen really hard you pinpoint all the different musical influences in the songs. It's eclectic, but approachable like the Man himself. Bleu is so kind and his music is so Grand.
I hear Beatles, Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, Weezer, Queen, ELO, Shoes, 20/20, Wondermints, maybe some Brendan Benson and more...
I highly recommend this album to anyone looking for some awesome Power Pop... sure to make your summer more fun.... He's even great live! So buy it , and turn it up full volume... And don't forget to listen to the secret tracks!!!!!

buy this album!
from start to finish, redhead is one of the finest rock and roll albums i have ever encountered. i love each and every song, and though i have listened to it countless times, i never tire of its clever lyrics, unreal vocals, and e.l.o-esque appeal. if you get the chance to see bleu live you should. he's awesome!

Love it.
Yes, as many of the reviewers mentioned, I did get a chance to see Bleu live, and very close to me. I had no idea so many people knew who he was. Anyway, I adore this album, and I bought it after seeing him live and have no idea who he was to him becoming a favorite band of mine. I love "Feet Don't Fail" so much, and other songs like "Searchin' for the Satellites" make this album awesome. I swear, this guy could really go for a record deal. With rock becoming warped, we need to warp it in a GOOD way. We need a new voice. Put Bleu on the radio!

yeah whats up with sayonara?
I also loved sayonara great song especially the vocals

Good Cd
i just wanted to say that this is a great cd... i live in RI and i am friends with Bass guitarists Max's brother.. good cd for a little Tiverton boy.. keep it up ... Read more

Album Description

Remastered U.K. reissue of Rundgren's 1976 album, complete with the original cover art & all of the original tracks intact. 12 tracks, including the gems 'The Verb 'To Love'' and 'Love Of The Common Man', plus his top 40 cover of the Beach Boys' 'Good Vib ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Shows Faithfulness Without A Doubt
Faithful is pretty darn cool. Todd offers his almost exact covers of The Yardbirds(Happenings Ten Years Time Ago), The Beach Boys(Good Vibrations), Jimi Hendrix(If 6 Was 9), The Beatles(Strawberry Fields and Rain) and Bob Dylan(Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine) with complete respect and faithfulness to each artist he covers. It is amazing how close todd's version sounds alike to the the originals, especially the Beach Boys cover. As for his original material goes, it is his his coolest pop/rock containing material since Something/Anything. "Black And White", "Love Of The Common Man", "Cliche", and the hilarious rocker "Boogie(Hamburger Hell)" make Faithful a unique and must have for any Rundgren fan and is even intersting for Beatles, Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, Yarbirds, and Bob Dylan fans as well.

3 stars
I guess the thing that's always bugged me about "Faithful" is -- why? The second side (or half) of this album has the strongest lineup of songs Todd ever made, "Something/Anything?" excepted. "Cliche" is one of his three or four best songs ever, and "Love of the Common Man" and "Black and White" aren't far off.

But what's the point of the first side? What you get are letter-perfect, note-perfect, vocal-perfect remakes of things like "Good Vibrations," "Strawberry Fields" and "Most Likely You Go Your Way". And we're not talking "covers" here; we're talking photocopies. They sound exactly as they sound on the originals, except Todd's singing them, and even he tries to emulate the original vocalist as much as possible. He kind of did the same thing with his soul medley on "A Wizard," but that was only a few songs and he mixed them up enough to make them distinctive. Why waste a side on a race against authenticity, just to see if you could do it right?

Side Two would get five stars. But I can't even really rate Side One; it's a project in cloning. I'd sure like to know what his motives were, 'cause I'm stumped.

Don't You Ever Learn?
So many folks don't get it about side 1 of this album. It wasn't just a tribute, or the whole project would have been covers. The point is, Todd was always capable of doing anything anyone else did. That's why he was successful in working in the studio with such a diverse group of artists. At the same time he needed to express himself in his own unique style, all the while tryin' to make a living off an L.P.'s worth of tunes. "Faithful" is still one of my favorite efforts by an oft misunderstood genius. Don't judge it just enjoy it.

Flawed, but still enjoyable
This album is about on par with it's successor, The Hermit of Mink Hollow, except that it has a bit more of an obvious flaw. As much as I love Todd's recreations of classic songs that fill up one side of the album, perhaps they would have been suited to their own album. Here they just weigh the album down and leave the listener wondering why if Todd was capable of laying down a side of great original pop material he would choose to pad the other half of the album with skillful, yet somewhat pointless, covers. Still an essential purchase for Todd maniacs and not a bad choice for everyone else.

From the Outhouse to the Penthouse
First, the covers, which are Side One of the original LP layout and are essentially recorded to sound as much like the original songs as possible: "Good Vibrations" sounds remarkably like the Beach Boys, and Rundgren sounds very comfortable with it. Of the Beatles covers, "Strawberry Fields Forever" is probably the better of the two, although neither is remarkable. The Yardbirds tune is somewhat obscure and doesn't make much of an impression. The Hendrix tune doesn't work well, though...although the guitar work is strong, trying to sing and play like Jimi isn't anything our hero was built for. And trying to sing like Bob Dylan on "Most Likely You'll Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine" is a total embarrassment. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it's one of the worst moments I've ever heard in recorded music.

But there's good news: All six Rundgren originals are good, and several stand out: "The Verb 'To Love'" is a lengthy, somewhat psychedelic love song, and it's one of Todd's best. "Black and White" delves into psychdelia effectively, but it also rocks. "Love of the Common Man" is a much more straight-forward pop song and is the favorite of many on the LP. "When I Pray" is gospelish and has an African feel, and "Cliche" bears repeated listening. The closing track, "Boogies (Hamburger Hell)," is a driving rocker...the rhythm track sounds like Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky," but this song has great lead guitar work.

I've never understood the approach, because although the covers and the originals have a similar feel, they don't mesh together at all. If Rundgren was on this much of a roll when he wrote these songs, why not have written another half-dozen and released what would have been one of his best LP's? At least he didn't record an entire album of covers. But if you're a Rundgren fan, you know not to rule anything out. Recommended for Rundgren fans, but casual fans would be much better off starting with a best-of. Then try the brilliant "Something/Anything." ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's hard to imagine that this album's bleak-spirited songs, grinding modern rock tack, and contemporary production aura are all the products of a musician who scored his first American chart hit in 1972, then was written off again a decade later after a string of MTV-fueled hits--including the classic "Jessie's Girl." But this is indeed the same Rick Springfield, his former bubblegum-rock incarnation belied by a tough musical stance that would be the envy of many a rocker half his age. But one doesn't have to dissect the slinky, eastern-inflected guitar hooks and fat, thumping bass of the wry "Jesus Saves" (chorus: "Jesus saves white trash, baby like you") very far to find that Springfield's songwriting instincts remain rock-solid. It's just as surprising to find that this self-produced album is the product of ears that have been anything but dormant in recent years, and savvy--or is it idealistic?--enough to turn a spunky, thrashed-up take of the Easybeats' 60's jewel "I'll Make You Happy" into a bridge across the generations. Cynical ears may mistake it all for a pose; if so it's an acting job the former soap opera star should be proud of. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (136)

Rick Rocks Hard ... With A Vengeance!
When I reviewed Rick Springfield's 1999 "Karma" CD a while back, I said I couldn't wait to hear what he would come up with next - well, after a five year wait, he's back with shock/denial/anger/acceptance. With this CD, Rick's songwriting skills are sharper and edgier than ever, and never fails to hit the right emotional note.

Sure, you've got deeply introspective lyrics in the songs, but those lyrics are complimented by some of the hottest bad-ass guitar licks to be heard since the glory days of Jimi Hendryx, especially during "My Depression", which is Rick's 3 minute version of his own "E! True Hollywood Story"..

The songs on the CD("idontwantanythingfromyou", "Your Psychopathic Mother", "Will I?", "Beautiful You" and "Jesus Saves", among others - including a cover of the Easybeats' "I'll Make You Happy")span the full spectrum of emotions, and Rick performs these songs with such raw emotional energy and power that he puts many of today's wanna-be bubblegum rockers who are half his age to shame.

With SDAA, Rick's come into the 21st century on a wave of screaming guitars and deeply powerful rock 'n roll, so hang on tight, because you're in for a wild musical ride which starts off strong with "Perfect" and just keeps going until the end ("Open my eyes"). Don't miss the ride, because you'll be left breathless and energized.

RICK IS BACK with EXPLOSIVE CONVICTION!!!!!!
For those of you who have longed for the 3 minute blasts of fist pumping energy that was Mr. Springfield's trademark on his eighties classics (Love somebody, I get excited, Jessie's girl, Celebrate youth, Tear it all down, Livin' in Oz) as well as his incredible LIVE SHOWS then this is the CD for you. While Karma was more a matured laid back affair, SHOCK DENIAL ANGER ACCEPTANCE is a full blown return to anthemic rock with modern production values. "Perfect" kicks the disc off as the title suggests with its big chorus (TURN up your RADIO...) which is quickly followed by the sole cover tune "I'll make you happy" which Rick boldly makes his own. *** "Idontwantanythingfromyou" (the ULTIMATE BREAKUP SONG) is a modern day take on "I've done everything for you" and then some. For any one who has been burned in the game of love and needs some therapeutic healing of sorts, this is the first step on the road to recovery. *** The compelling sense of urgency of the first single "WILL I?" makes it deserving of MAJOR RADIO AIRPLAY & should get notice as it is the most commercially accessible single since "Love somebody". Other highlights include "Jesus saves (White trash like you)", "Wasted", "God gave you to everyone" & the thought provoking "Angels of the disappeared". Give this disc 3 spins & I guarantee you will consider SSDA one of the best discs of the 2004!!!!!!!!!

One Of The Most Nakedly Raw Releases In Years
SHOCK/DENIAL/ANGER/ACCEPTANCE is only Rick Springfield's second album in sixteen years, following 1999's strong KARMA. However, anyone expecting the tough pop of Springfield's 80's work is in for a rude awakening. S/D/A/A is an in-your-face, oft-times frantic, hard-edged rocker, with some of the darkest, most pained lyrics to be penned in ages. At almost fifty minutes, it goes on around ten too long - dropping two or three tracks would have tightened the disc up - and, as per this year's new rule, I'm shaving off half a star for not including the lyrics (If EVER an album needed lyrics to be provided...!) but, ultimately, S/D/A/A is a disc well worth having. Opening with the thrashing, tough-edged power pop of "Perfect", you can't help but believe Springfield when he sings "Hey, hey, my, my/Said my perfect love would never die/Perfect love, perfect sin/There is no perfect anything." Next up is the manic "I'll Make You Happy." With it's power chord guitar riffs and shouted vocals, this is rock at it's most exhaustive! "Will I?" is a guttsier, more grown-up version of "Jesse's Girl" - "Jesse" after a decade or two in the real world! - while "God Gave You To Everyone", with it's pounding beat and soaring chorus, is both infectious and heartbreaking. "Idon'twantanythingfromyou" is also hard to listen to...it's almost like reading someone's diary. With it's powerhouse riffs and unbridled anger and pain, this is bare-boned rock at it's rawest. Next is the pounding, militaristic "Jesus Saves." With lyrics like "When I said I'd die for you/I didn't mean for you to write the eulogy", it's obvious Springfield is exorcising some demons by the time he arrives at the venomous chorus. "Beautiful You" is a much-needed break....more pop-leaning, the song features a powerful lead vocal and a soaring arrangement, including some intoxicating piano work from Derek Holland that floats in and out at just the right moments. A hit single waiting to happen! "Wasted" would have been nicer if they had stayed with the opening acoustic vibe, but there's no denying the song's strength. "Shoot Your Guru" is an instrumental interlude that could have easily been eliminated, as could the jazzy "Alien Virus." "Angels Of The Disappeared" is honest and unaffected, while "Eden" is captivating, whatwith it's electronica strings, minimal guitars and sequenced vocals. "The Invisible Girl" has a breezy quality to it, but the lyrics are just as pointed ("I put a band-aid on a bullet wound/And ignore the infection"). "My Depression" is another manic, island-tinged autobiographical number that reinforces the thought that the sins of the parent are often passed on to the child. "Every Night I Wake Up Screaming" is one of S/D/A/A's more unique cuts. One quarter Metallica, one quarter Jackson Browne, one quarter Red Hot Chili Peppers and a final quarter classic Springfield, the song comes together in a way you just wouldn't expect. Rounding out the CD is "Open My Eyes." With it's wistful, delicate groove and angelic Eagles/Beach Boys-like vocals, the song is simple and sparse, with only the title's three words (along with "to you") repeated over and over. However, much like Fleetwood Mac's "When I See You Again" from TANGO IN THE NIGHT, it works, and works well! It end's SHOCK/DENIAL/ANGER/ACCEPTANCE on a note of hope and, as good as the CD is, there's not a lot of that to be found throughout the disc's seventeen pained, powerful tracks.

AWESOME!
This is some of Rick's best work so far!! I have been a loyal fan of his music since I was a teenager but this CD is not that bubble gum music that he did in the 80's - the music on this CD is refreshing and shows off his pure musical talents!

A must have for Rick Springfield Fans or for those who want new music.

I give it 2 thumbs up!!!!!

What the heck happened, dude???
I saw RS live in 1993, when everyone was wondering, "What happened to Rick Springfield?" He looked great, played great, and sang great. Great show. When RS released Karma in 1999, I was stoked. No one had heard from Rick in a while and it was good to see him clean cut and looking well on the cd cover. And it was even better to hear the music on Karma (some of Rick's best written material) and feel that Rick was enjoying life, for Karma is quite an inspirational and uplifting album. But then soon after that, I guess, Rick had legal trouble and apparently has not been the same since. I saw him live again in 2002, he came out looking like he just joined a gothy skater club. And the performance was lackluster. He wasn't even singing the songs, just kinda shouting out the lyrics. Totally disappointing. Shock Denial Anger Acceptance proves that he's still in this depressing "shell." I actually had a hope that this cd would still have some uplifting rock sound as did Karma. A minute into the 1st track, I thought, "Eh.." 30 seconds into the next track, "Oh no.." 10 seconds into the 3rd track, I thought, "Ew." I scanned the first eight tracks and decided that this is one of the worst albums I've ever heard. It was a lame attempt from Rick to get his aggression out and sound heavy, and failed miserably. I wouldn't even call what he does on this cd singing. The music is dark, not uplifting as Rick's music used to be. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Outstanding!
A tragically ignored pop-rock group with a classic pop sensibility and rock chops, The Smithereens here prove they SHOULD be a band on the tip of most pop fans'
tongues.
Song after song on this compilation offers sterling pop hooks, killer power chords, nifty harmonies...this is just flat-out great music. They're timeless...their sound is ageless.
The catchy verse-chorus-verse of "Only A Memory", "Too Much Passion" and "A Girl Like You" will enable you to sing along after a single listen.
"Blue Period" is a swaying ballad with a sweet string section and beautiful back-up vocals by Belinda Carlisle.
"Yesterday Girl" sounds terrific coming from your car stereo on a summer day with the convertible top down. It's "sunny".
The "weak" songs, like the cover of "Time Won't Let Me", are only so in comparison. On any other artists' album, they'd be highlights. The quality here is most impressive.
I have yet to play this record for anyone who has not immediately asked me where they could get a copy.
I could not recommend this more.

Excellent Compilation
The Smithereens had only a few minor Top-40 hits, but they played a very straight-ahead, appealing style of rock 'n' roll. This collection has most of their best songs, including "Blood & Roses", "House We Used to Live In," "Only a Memory," "A Girl Like You," and "Blues Before & After." However, a couple of my favorites--"Especially For You" from the "Green Thoughts" album and "Room Without a View" from the "11" album--are, to me, glaring omissions. (On the other hand, I could live without mediocre tunes like "Blue Period" and the cover of "Time Won't Let Me.") Nonetheless, "Best Of..." collections are always subjectively compiled, and, within that limitation at least, fans of hook-laced, guitar-based rock can't go wrong adding this CD to their collections.

Great band with great songs
One of the most underrated bands of all time, the glory of The Smithereens is the best greatest hits collection to come out of the music industry in years and it's much more comprehensive than the later collection "Best of the Smithereens". Forget about that one and pick up this one.

From their beginnings with a Beatle-like sound (one review I remember said they sounded enough like the Fab Four to fool Ringo) to their later hard-crunching yet melodic blues-based sound, every song is a minor classic and many are wonderfully depressing. Like their quasi-namesakes The Smiths, the music of The Smithereens manages to combine pleasant melodies with lyrics bordering on despair. "Drown In My Own Tears", "House We Used To Live In", the beautiful "Blue Period" (with Belinda Carlisle), and "Miles From Nowhere" all revel in loss and sorrow but are somehow still hummable. Pat DiNizio is a great songwriter and since the tracks organized more or less chronologically, it's fun to follow how the band evolved from Especially For You to Green Thoughts to the classic 11 album and then onward.

The other songs have some great catchy rockers and even though there is sometimes a difficulty in discerning one song from another, they all have a unique spirit to them. The one flat note is the cover of "Time Won't Let Me", which isn't bad in itself but just doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the tracks.

I never go on a car trip without this CD in my player and I highly recommend it for some great rock and roll.

More Than I Bargained For!
I have to admit, I originaly looked for this album just to get "A Girl Like You", a radio chestnut my local rock station keeps playing. I therefore fully expected one of those "best of" disks with a bunch of mediocre tunes surrounding a single great song. What I got was a CD with NO bad songs, one or two middle-of-the-road songs (which are actually growing on me more and more) and a few other hits I never realized were the Smithereens. For me, this is an impressive introduction to what I now realize is a truly great rock and roll band, and I feel like I've been missing something all these years! If you appreciate driving guitars, bouncy rhythms and thoughtful lyrics, but you're sick of the whole "emo" thing, try this on for size. It's a treat!

This IS pop.
Yes, the "Time won't Let me" cover doesn't particularly fit, but that in no way takes away from the enjoyment level of this disc. IMO one of the most underrated bands ever. Can't seem to write a bad song. ... Read more

Reviews (94)

Mixed feelings
So I saw them live and it was amazing. So of course I got theyre CD. I got to meet them and all that and it all seemed great. Theyre album on the other hand is a mix. I like most the songs. The instermentals are amazing, and I love the hard rockers. "Emoition is Dead pt1" is very powerful and a stand out track. "To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Vioces" and "If I Told You This Was Killing Me" are excelent. I could listen those all day and not get sick of em. Some of the emoitional songs like "Into the Dark" and "You Always Say Goodnight" are very good too. The later of wich is very overdrmatic with out sounding stupid (something I love). Then there are some real weird tracks "Were at the Top of the World", "Were Nothing Without You" and "This is Your Life" sound like the backsteet boys with guitars. They have corney little "ooh oohs" and "sha la la las" including acapela harmonies with snaping fingers for godsake! The first time I heard that I was praying no one heard me listening to this corney [stuff]. Also "Understand the Dream is Over" is very unoriganal and anoying. I hate that song too. Although the band has its problems they are very talented and I still like most of their album. If you get a chance to see them live take advantage of it. As for they're album, only get it if you think you can live with the problems I mentioned above.

emotion lives on
Categorizer snobs may label this cd "not emo enough". Who cares? The Juliana Theory possess a keen ability to interlace lyrics of loathing and cynicism with catchy, tantalizing melodies. No one but Brad Detar could sing "You chose to carry on a lie" and have it come out so sweetly, without losing any of the emotion that the words carry with them. Most of the lyrics are very serious and sincere, although the song "We're at the Top of the World" proves that they have a sense of humor. With his tongue planted firmly in cheek, Detar sings that they are on top of the world (the height of irony), that "it sure feels right", and a chorus of "Sha la la". Other highlights include "Into the Dark", the cd's opening track, which contains a haunting yet comforting chorus line and "If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?" the kind of angry rant-like song that you wish you could write after you've just been dumped. Also, the song "To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children" is a standout containing a message to their detractors and attackers, "We knew you'd hate this before you wrote it... your hatred only fuels us on... you're an alias an email address". These lyrics are a perfect response to people who don't understand this band, or don't like this cd because it doesn't fit into a particular category.

Not just another emo cd...
Let me start by saying this statement directly towards that reviewer down there that claimed everyone that likes this cd is a teenage girl with a bad obsession for emo.

I'm not a teenage girl. I don't even LIKE most emo or punk music. But I happen to find this album to be very good. The song styles change from one song to the next, keeping the cd fresh and not becoming repetative and boring (like most Emo cds tend to do). The lead singer sounds young, but he has a good voice, and with a few years of growth he could build into a great vocalist. The bands lyrics aren't terrible either, nothing to cry over, but seemingly deep enough. I don't feel like doing my usual track by track review, but lets just say that most of the tracks are great, some a little more so then others, but the whole cd is worth listening to.

So there it is, a review from someone with a broad sense of music. I'm not just an emo junkie, or a punk follower. I like all kinds of music ranging from Metallica to Michelle Branch to 311. I'm not one sided, this cd just sticks out as good quality music.

burnttoast11
This CD is awesome. It contains such a varity of songs. From 2 almost Techno like tracks (Emotion is dead Part 1 and 2), to a 9 minute emotional explosion, the sound never gets old. This is The Juliana Theory's best CD. They are all great though.

Hellacious
Because most of "emo" or punk music fans like all emo, this review will probably not be helpful to the [young] girl fanbase this album is directed at, who like all emo CDs even if they are complete sheizer. But if like me, you can see through filler and bad music, then hopefully this will get through to some of you. Well, to put it simply, this album is pretty bad. It's all filler! Nowhere in this album is there a catchy tune. This band has tricked simple minded next gen teenybopper losers into thinking that this is good music- it's not! I even like some punk music. Further Seems Forever, check. Dashboard Confessional, check. Saves the Day, check. The Juliana Theory, disembodied head. The only good tracks on this entire CD is "We're at the top of the world" and the last one, Emotion is Dead, pt. II, and ironically, this isn't even really an emo song, it's more along the lines of electronic music. To sum things up, don't be fooled by the losers who say this CD is "amazing" and "excellent", it is neither! Don't be like me and buy this CD because of all the excellent reviews and realize the fanbase is a bunch of [young] girls.

THIS CD IS NOT GOOD! PERIOD. DO NOT BUY IT!!!
Well, as always, bring on the "No, this review was not helpful"'s. It will only prove my point. ... Read more

Amazon.com

By the mid-'70s, Alex Chilton's glistening pure-pop group Big Star had hit the rocks, ignored by the public and beset by internal problems. Chilton, backed mostly by session musicians playing both rock and chamber-music instruments, responded with this wracked, bizarre collection of deeply personal songs, venting oblique visions of terror (the much-covered "Kanga Roo" and "Holocaust"), sarcastically envisioning an imaginary circle of supporters ("Thank You Friends"), and covering the odd rock & roll classic in his messed-up teen-idol voice. The album was eventually abandoned and released in unfinished form years later, but the weird gaps in its arrangements make it even stranger and more powerful. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (51)

wow!
I'm actually not sure if I want to recommend this album to anyone. The songs contained herein are the most powerful and tragic songs can get. Anyone who feels that their music does not do enough for them emotionally should buy this record. Big Star had two members when this album was made, and the music was essentially made by Alex Chilton and the producer Jim Dickinson. Rykodisc's release of this never-before completelyt seen album was a godsend. I know you probably think I'm crazy now, because you have probably listened to the audio tracks at Amazon and found them atonal and pathetic, but it is definitely true that one must listen to this album over and over to really get it. The album starts off happy with "Kizza Me" and "Thank You Friends" but soon enough plunges into realms of music which haven't been explored before or since. "Holocaust" is disasterously perfect, and "Blue Moon" (not a cover, an original) is the most moving song I have ever heard. The odd lyrics I can not interpret or even sometimes hear, but I wish I had written them anyway. The instruments also chime in perfectly to match the moods, from the beautiful strings in "Strike It Noel" to the chorus in "Thank You Friends" to the instrumental at the beginning of "Jesus Christ". Music for my darkest hour.

Difficult...
If you have never heard a note of Big Star music before I would suggest getting #1 Record/Radio City first. The band was still pretty coherent and if you hear this one first, you might be soured on Big Star forever, and then you'd miss a lot of great music.

Now on to Sister Lovers...
This is the kind of album that most bands make when they 1) let success go to their heads, 2) are on the verge of a breakup 3) consuming lots of illegal substances or 4) some weird combination of all three. Many of the songs sound a lot like rough mixes or outtakes. Strange gaps, songs ending on sour notes and a host of over indulgent effects are on nearly every track.

So why buy this album?!?

Well, frankly, it grows on you. Chilton is still writing really good songs in spite of the fact that it seems he's hell-bent on destroying them. Kizza Me rocks, Thank You Friends is perfect pop, Nighttime is an excellent ballad. Like Exile on Main Street, great moments are on every track despite the rough sound. So, take a chance (after you buy the first two), you'll probably like it!

This is the best record
This is the best record ever. I have been listening to the PVC/Jem release since 1985 so I am very partial to the sequencing on that version rather than this newer release. This is one of the few records I've had since high school that I still listen to and totally dig.

The very seminal magnum opus pop music can get!
When you have the album for years and have plenty of opportunities to listen to, in varying moods and circumstances, the songs on Third/Sister Lovers stand out, not just because it stand the test of time, but revealed gems that never fail to glisten in progressive brilliance and pop mastery. No other bands or singer could duplicate the greatness encapsulated in Big Star's final 'album' of sorts. In my opinion, it is far superior to their earlier two albums, namely, #1 Record and Radio City. While their earlier 2 albums are well crafted and contain several all-time outstanding songs ever composed and performed, Third/Sister Lovers edge forward in unbridled creativity and emotions. The album is not thoroughly depressive, but more of a thoughtful intensity ranging from the forlorn wistful mood of "Nightime" to the angry rock in "You can't have me". The errie but ingenious "Kangaroo" still remained unimitable. The rousing, haunting guitar strokes and grooves evoke undulating and desperate melancholy in artistic uninhibition. Overall, I feel Third is an honest and masterful collection, glittering ever more in the current flooding of mechanical, lacklustre music ruling popular media.

dreams and wishes like shooting stars coming up rushes
While I prefer the more straighforward sounds of the first 2 records, this is still a fascinating listen. By the time this album was being made, Big Star was on it's last limbs, and not only is this the sound of a band falling apart, the songs often seem to be literally falling apart too. The whole druggy, disheveled atmosphere of the album makes the rockers wiry and desperate, the ballads haunting (especially "Nightime", "Holocaust" and the infamous "Kanga-roo"), and even what would otherwise seem to be upbeat pop ("Thank You Friends" and "Jesus Christ") feels ambiguously sarcastic. Unless you prefer your pop with a bit of the deconstructive treatment I'd reccomend #1 Record/Radio City first, but this is still an essential piece of the Big Star picture, and it can even make you listen to the first two albums in a completely different way. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Cheap Trick's second album (and second of '77!) doesn't exactly pick up where its classic, hard-edged debut left off; it was the "Power" and this is the "Pop." Their workaholic gigs as an unsigned Midwest bar band in the mid-'70s left them with an impressive backlog of original material, another batch of which forms the core of In Color. Though the band disdained producer Tom Werman's bubblegum-flavored touches, it was indeed the kinder, gentler Cheap Trick that Japanese audiences first took to their hearts at Budokan, with the rest of the world soon to follow. That approach is best exemplified by the evergreen "I Want You to Want Me" (which didn't become a hit until Live at Budokan), here dolled up with a Fats Domino-flavored piano break. While Werman's poppy approach dilutes the band's wall-of-noise live bent, it also underscores their impressive individual musical talents: Rick Nielsen's manic riffing on "Big Eyes" and the album's other retro-burner, "Clock Strikes Ten"; Robin Zander's vocal multiple-personalities that range from the suicidal angst of "Downed" (surely a favorite of Trick admirer Kurt Cobain) through the sweet anticipation of "I Want You" to the world-weariness of "So Good to See You"; and the rhythm section of Tom Petersson and Bun E. Carlos anchoring everything (especially the delicious "Southern Girls") with a flawless wallop. This expanded edition features significantly upgraded audio quality, new notes and photos, and five bonus tracks: the unpredictable instrumental B-Side "Oh Boy"; 1975 demos of "Southern Girls" and the anthemic "Come On, Come On" that ably display just the "before" side of the producer argument; and live versions of "You're All Talk" and longtime show closer "Goodnight" recorded at L.A.'s Whiskey in 1977. No sophomore jinx here. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Hard Rocking Fun
Cheap Trick is a band that never took itself too seriously, with a hard rock sound, but a fun attitude. It all works, and "in Color" hits it right on. The album cover plays the "pretty boy" toughness of singer Robin Zander and Bassist Tom Pettersson versus the bad-boy-geek of guitarist Rick Nielsen and drummer Bun E. Carlos perfectly, with Zaner & Petersson looking cool (in color) astride Choppers, and Carlos and Nielsen (in black and white) on scooters. Packaging aside, the music is great. Cheap Trick rocks, but never looses their pop sensibilities. Fully half of this disc would end up on the megahit live set "At the Budokan" ("I Want You To Want Me","Hello There", "Come On, Come On", "Big Eyes" and "Clock Strike Ten"), and these original versions have all the energy of the live set. The rest of the songs are every bit as good, especially "Southern Girls", "Oh Caroline" and "Downed", which is one of my all time favorite songs.

I've had this record since it's release on vinyl, it was one of the first records I bought on CD.

The Complete Picture...In Color and in Black and White!
Given the near heavy metal of their debut album, the second offering from Cheap Trick was decidedly more subtle. Producer Tom Werman understood the band's song writing dynamic and brought out the best in the individual members. By downplaying the heavier aspects of (for instance) "I Want You To Want Me," as compared to the live version that would become a hit, the strength of the composition shines through, as well as the song's melody.

That is not to say that Cheap Trick had wimped out. "Clock Strikes Ten" and "Big Eyes" pounded out guitar chords for the former and a booming drum sound on the latter. Zander had become even more assertive vocally, as his aching on "Downed" and his powerful glee on "Come On Come On" run the gamut.

The remaster here is excellent, from the sound to the CD book reproduction. The bonus tracks give you an idea of what the band originally had in mind for the songs, and how the live show was taking shape prior to "At Budokan." This was a re-issue worth the wait.

Simply put, a killer effort.
It's hard to say anything bad about this album, but I guess if pressed I'd lodge a complaint against the wimpy sound of I Want You To Want Me. (That point is rendered quite moot by the killer version that later showed up on the Budokan album.) As Cheap Trick albums go, you can't go wrong with any of the first three albums. Cheap Trick is a crunchy, rock encrusted debut, Heaven Tonight is one of the all time must-have albums of power pop, and In Color buoys the pop end of the CT spectrum nicely. As with all of the CT remasters, the added tracks serve to both lengthen the albums, but also help to flesh things out from a historical standpoint. Big Eyes, Southern Girls, and Come On, Come On are the standout tracks on this effort, but trust me. This one plays through nicely start to finish.

Another Great Cheap Trick Album, Only More "Straight"
IN COLOR isn't as totally wacky as the self-titled debut or HEAVEN TONIGHT, but it's another great album by Cheap Trick. The somewhat limp version of "I Want You To Want Me" keeps it from being as essential as the self-titled debut, HEAVEN TONIGHT and AT BUDOKAN: THE COMPLETE CONCERT are, but it's still a 5-star CD. Anything up to, and including, DREAM POLICE, is a must-have as far as Cheap Trick releases go. This is just another exceptional CD from a band at the top of their game, made even better by the inclusion of five bonus cuts not on the original.

No cheap trick but a lot of fun
This album always reminds me of my bike crash accident. But fortunately I was survived afer all. Each time I hear this album,something inside me turns me on.
Some kind of urge drives me crazy.So this album is my musical energizer.
Anyway there is no cheap trick about this band.There is much fun and games in them. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

CRIMINAL, CRIMINAL, CRIMINAL...
CRIMINAL that Warner Brothers has deleted this masterpeice from it's catalogue. CRIMINAL that anyone with a computer is allowed to write a reveiw. CRMINALly misunderstood by Todd's so-called cult.

This album stands as the only masterwork in the later stages of Todd's career. The first four songs alone would qualify this as a work of genius for most other rock musicians. I am speaking of the original album form as "Three Little Hitlers" did not even appear on the original vinyl version. That song was originally a "Bonus" track on the CD and should have been placed at the end of the program. That is the only thing that I can criticize about this release.

Any Todd fan who ever liked any of his "Philly-soul" influenced material will absolutly love this release. Along with those first four tracks, which includes "Can't Stop Running", "Hawking" is one of Todd's most personal and haunting composotions and is still frequently played in live performance. His version of the Tubes/Rundgren composition "Feel It" is beautiful and "Fidelity" is a very interesting song and concept, even if I don't agree with its' morality.

This album was recorded digitally and live in the studio, which may account for some of the negativity being hurled at the "production". I find that to be curious as the tour which followed this release (with many of the same singers and musicians) was universally acclaimed as being briliant.

Don't let any of these negative reveiws turn you off in any way. This is an excellent and ESSENTIAL release for any serious Todd Rundgren fan. I have read all these Todd lists and if you don't have this album in your Top 5 you folks have seriously missed the boat.

...
I remember when this came out. It was acclaimed by many a hardened critic! A lot of what Todd has released since NEARLY HUMAN has been somewhat spotty, but he really put his heart into this one. Of course, if you have no appreciation for Philly Soul, layers and layers of vocals, creamy production, and glistening keyboard sounds.....well, you'll want to stay away. But, you'd be crazy to do so. ...

If you think this album is unlistenable...
To the guy from Oklahoma who says that this is the worst album ever made-- is it safe to say you never heard Up Against It?

The Peak of White Boy Soul!!
It's amazing how two people can have wildly different opinions. The last person to review this said it deserved zero stars, but to my ears it's a masterpiece and was the best album of 1989! I hear Todd showing us the range of his beautiful voice, whether it's the perfect pop of "The Waiting Game" or the gospel-inflected "Hawking" (get ready for goosebumps). True, "I Love my Life" is a tad hokey, but he puts such zeal into his performance, you can forgive him for that. Since I only have the cassette of this baby (surprisingly still not worn out!), I probably should upgrade, and at this low price, you'd do wise to follow my lead!!

Deserves Zero Stars
This is absolutely, without a doubt, the worst album ever recorded. Not only is it unlistenable, it is horrific. It gives me chills just thinking about it. I've heard so many thousands of albums in my life, and I can't think of any that gave me such displeasure and misery as "Nearly Human". I really can't believe that TODD RUNDGREN, creator of "Utopia", "Something?/Anything?" and "Wizard, A True Star", could write this [stuff]. It's so unappealing. The best I could describe it would be "B-quality Quincy Jones", or something of that nature. Just be glad that you cannot hear any sound samples of this album. Be glad that you can't see the artwork. And, for the love of all that's holy, if you ever see it in a store, avoid like the plague.

I can't really break down the tracks for you. I bought this a while back, because i'm a TR fan, but all I really remember is TRYING, trying so desperately to listen to this album. It's got mostly songs with a lot of vocal backing, TONS of vocals actually, but the instrumentation is corny, the keyboards sound like 80's hell, and the lead vocals are miserable and somewhat insincere. It really just sounds like someone's idea of a bad joke. ... Read more