Saturday, February 20, 2010

Lowest Price These Days [Live At The Olympia]


R.E.M has released several of the songs from this upcoming 'live' cd individually. Several tunes from RECKONING were released in an EP called "Reckoning Live at the Olympia". So far, so good. Stipe is a little long-winded and talks in circles prior to the song (what else is new?). Lots of energy in this song and, as always, the band is tight. I won't give it 5 stars because I wish the band would 'remix' or otherwise change some of these tunes. When you cut out the 1:30 of applause and Stipe's monologue, you get a song that is (almost) exactly 3:25 - the same length as when they played it on their Life's Rich Pageant CD. I'm not sure what the point is of releasing songs that are almost exactly the same as they were on the CD released over 20 years ago. We know they can still play.

Thanks for providing this one free of charge. Get more detail about These Days [Live At The Olympia].

Low Price Full Circle


I was a HUGE Creed fanatic ever since I was in High School. My Own Prison was the best album that they made, and turned me into a complete Creed fan. Mark Tremonti was my guitar hero, and wanted to learn every song from them on the guitar. As albums passed, I liked the new music, and the direction wasn't far from their musical talent. Then the inevitable happened, and the looming break-up was ever haunting. The gang finally parted ways a number of years ago, and all of the members of the original My Own Prison circa ended up creating the Alter Bridge group. This group is fantastic. It was MUCH better than the previous Creed group, as Myles Kennedy has an incredible rock voice.

With my recent searching on the net about new music groups (and new albums from former groups), I came across the statements that Creed was getting back together with Scott Stapp. I was excited, to say the least, and decided to listen to every sound clip I could get my hands on, pre-release. Pre-release, I had my concerns, as Overcome sounded a little different than their previous endeavors. It sounded good, so I didn't think anything else about it. Rain, the second single, came out, and it was good, but very talent starved and unlike their previous ballads.

I understand that the band has come back together, with some emotional problems with Scott Stapp, and I wish him the best of luck and hope in the future. Sure, you want to sing about what is in your heart, but don't make every single song have lyrics that sound similar to the theme of "I'm different now, I've changed." That's fine in a few songs, but not most of the songs on this album.

I pull this album out for:
Overcome - Good guitar parts, OK lyrics, drums and bass sound good
Bread of Shame - Unoriginal, but still decent. Decent lyrics, and like the progression
Thousand Faces - Fairly decent lyrics, good musical direction
Rain - Completely unoriginal and probably WAY over produced, but decent musical direction

I want my money back for:
Suddenly - "So suddenly, so suddenly"... reverberate that line some more, please!
On My Sleeve - "My heart is tatooed on my sleeve"... Wow. Horrible lyrical direction.
This song actually makes me cringe whenever it comes on. Makes me want to barf.
Time - Again, lyrical direction is horrible. Shame. Song would've been good if it
weren't for the horrible lyrics.


Well, not everyone will be happy with my review, but I hate this album except for a select few songs.Get more detail about Full Circle.

Save One Cell In The Sea


I read some of the other reviews and I'm happy that some people were able to get something out of this album but somehow, I never could. I listened and listened to the songs thinking, "This has got to be for me because she's recommended based on other female singer-songwriters that I love." However, instead of loving this album, I was bored and frankly, a little irritated by the boredom that insued from listening. Lyrics were dull, music was all the same and I would say to people looking for a good female singer-songwriter try: Brandi Carlile, Regina Spektor, Tori Amos' older stuff, Missy Higgins, and/or the first My Brightest Diamond album. But don't bother with this one, you can do so much better!

I really wanted to like this but I really didn't.Get more detail about One Cell In The Sea.

Discount Cupid Shuffle


I heard this song for the first time at a volunteer camp for the american cancer society.

It is a great song that gets kids and adults out on the dance floor.

The steps are easy to do and the song still makes me dance in my chair when I hear it on my iPod.Get more detail about Cupid Shuffle.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Cheapest The Resistance


I kind of hesitated to give this even three stars, but I do think two stars is wholly unfair. I have been a fan of Muse since Origin of Symmetry, which in my opinion is their strongest (most cohesive) album yet. I loved the bombastic hits of Absolution and Black Holes, too--I really thought those albums were high quality.
This album, though, seems to be more like fan service than any sort of musical growth, to me. I could sense Muse's (particularly Bellamy's) need to stake out a political agenda in Black Holes and while it's really strong in The Resistance (notably the first track, Uprising), I didn't think it was too genuine. Most of the tracks seemed to veer off the political path and move more onto the romantic track. At plenty of the lyrics, I found myself cringing.
To be fair, I am biased as I really enjoy the more grit-rock of Origin and Absolution and am somewhat hesitant to listen to more technically-enhanced music (although I wasn't opposed to Radiohead's experimentation am a fan of Bjork, and I hear no complaints of the Beatle's technology friendly progression), so this album ended up disappointing me on a very base level. Whereas with Origin, Absolution, and eventually Black Holes, I did not find myself looking forward to listening on as the album progressed.
There is a big pro for this album, however. I was really excited to hear more of Bellamy's beautiful piano solos. A con? Where is his equally beautiful falsetto?
I think the best way to sum this up is to say that the best track of the album is the first, Uprising, and it goes downhill from there.
My recommendation for those new to Muse is to go purchase Origin of Symmetry immediately if you haven't already! It's one of those rare albums that's best listened to from beginning to end. Get more detail about The Resistance.

Buying Everything


Vocals are spot on but background music is plain vanilla wonderbread muzak. Why not pay for a decent band and make a great tune? I consider this a failure in imagination of the producer.Get more detail about Everything.

Buy Fearless


(OOPS - I initially gave review this 5 stars. That was for financial potential. I'll still post this review but the rating is for the sound only.)

From Marketing Week -

This new sensation is burning up the Entertainment/Leisure markets; topping every prominent sales chart. This financial miracle was brought into being due to joint venture initiated by three firms contracted by Big Machine Records to produce a product worthy of their label.

Yu-San Corporation of Singapore, responsible for the sound production and refinement software, was initially contracted by Big Machine to modify their QXB15 SoundMastertm system for some post-production cleanup. This led to Yu-San's cross-sale initiative in conjunction with Hibro-Cyberdine Electronics to provide a miniaturized, portable version of their systems.

At this point, Yu-San and Hibro realized that their product was very marketable, but not pleasing to the eye. Foslo-Genentec, a genetics firm based in Oslo, was brought in to provide an appropriate bio-mass shell. For the past five years, Foslo has be constructing battle units for NATO, but were in financial trouble due to the failure of their "Lady Gaga" model. Their head of operations, T.C. Yutani, stated during his latest press conference, "We here at Foslo are very confident in our new `non-lethal' designs. Our researchers have tapped genetic archives all over the world. We have some exciting new products to offer." It is rumored that Foslo found the long lost "Juice Newton" sample and used it along with bobcat, cricket and emu gene splices in this project. "Exciting" indeed!

Obviously, Big Machine is very pleased. Taylor has a very high Q rating. She scores very high in the 13 - 17 male markets. Taylor scores a 130 on Males making 30-60K, a 145 with parents with kids 0 - 17. In fact one test subject remarked "duh, she's pretty-pretty", the extra cost for the bio-mass is paying off. Even better, her Q score for college age males is an amazing 106!! Due to success of this and their "Shakira" model, this cooperative is making plans to go public.

Taylor Swift is a hot stock and a "must buy".
[...]Get more detail about Fearless.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Purchase Hospice [Explicit]


I don't usually do reviews but this album compelled me to do so. I bought it because it was one of the 50 for $5 here at Amazon. I listened to the song samples and decided to give it a shot. The album is brilliant......but the subject matter is heavy, to say the least. I'm impressed by the bravery that it must have taken to write and record such personal songs. Anyone who is willing to bare their souls to this extent deserves my respect. The songs are rich and textured and the lyrics are sublime. This purchase was worth every penny. I will definitely be buying more music by The Antlers in the future.Get more detail about Hospice [Explicit].

Order Eight Second Ride


This is one of my favorite songs by Jake. Its very upbeat and catchy.Get more detail about Eight Second Ride.

Where To Buy Disturbia


I feel like amazon ripped me off because it doesn't say anywhere that the song is censored yet the one they sold me was. It's a very catchy pop song and I like it, but this is not a good version if you want to hear all the words.Get more detail about Disturbia.

Shop For Burning The Days


I discovered VH through hearing (watching?) "Everything You Want" on MTV, then went out and bought their entire back catalog, and liked it all. It's been a long wait since "Go", and I was eager to hear the new CD. It was not what I expected. The harder rock edge of "Go" has changed. Now there's less distortion in the guitars but more time-based effects, which creates a janglier sound. Meanwhile, the tone of the lyrics has darkened substantially. The songs on "Go" were often about looking for, holding on to, or protecting relationships, while "Burning The Days" wants to punctuate and end them. I'm not sure what it all says about Matt's personal life, but I hope the man's doing OK.

I have to echo the question asked by so many reviewers - where's Keith in all this? Having one primary voice for the entire album gives it a unified feel that the older releases sometimes lacked, but it also reduces the variety of the tracks on the disc. Hopefully we hear more from him on the next release, and hear it soon.

Meanwhile I've had "Burning the Days" on continuous play for a week now, and it's got plenty of reps left to go.Get more detail about Burning The Days.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

You Found Me


Beautiful... "If ones eyes are the windows to their soul, then their ears must be where things enter to fill that soul with beauty". ~Crystal M.Get more detail about You Found Me.

Welcome To The Cruel World Review


Welcome to the Cruel World is one of the most beautiful albums I have ever listened to. There are no words to describe the thought that was put into this album which is why the Amazon editorial review holds absolutely no water. You must simply listen.

"Walk Away" and "Forever" are, in my opinion, two of the most moving songs I've heard. Get more detail about Welcome To The Cruel World.

Party In The U.s.a. Top Quality


You'd better credit me my 99 cents because this is not the song I bought. It's just the musical portion. It's a rip off. I want 99 cents credited to my account!!!Get more detail about Party In The U.s.a..

Coco This instant


As much as 'Bubbly' sounded like a rip-off of a familiar melody, her irresistible positive vibe puts her above the other morose headbanging banshees - quiet has been the new loud for a long time coming, and it doesn't get old... get bowled over by the 'aw-shucks' sweetness of 'realize'... I'm sold...

Get more detail about Coco.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Then Immediately


Cream of the New Country Crop -Brad Paisley writes a great song & can shred a guitar like no one else in Country & very few in Rock. On guitar; like Clapton he's so good he doesn't have to show off.
His songs feature wit, insight, great lyrics and superior musicianship-what more can you ask? Get more detail about Then.

Before He Cheats Best Quality


this song rocks! and the video is great too! men should think twice b 4 they cheat. between this song and fatal attraction my bf will think twice . any body hae a louieville baseball bat they dont need! lolGet more detail about Before He Cheats.

Summer Compilation 2009 Get it now!


If you don't like Hardcore Music, then don't listen to it...that's why Amazon is so friendly in giving you the option to preview songs. It is music, and it is entertaining. I am sure that I would find whatever hippie garbage crap you listen to to be un-entertaining, but I doubt I would say that it is not music. Read a dictionary, stay the hell out of the pit and you'll be just fine.

To anyone else...if you like hardcore this is a pretty good sampler from some, at least to me, unknowns...Download it and melt your face!Get more detail about Summer Compilation 2009.

Come On Buy Now


This is a very talented group of guys. I was lucky enough to see them in Albany, NY and enjoyed them (openers) more than the main act. These guys will be going far guaranteed. Great song, great album.Get more detail about Come On.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Orange Blossoms Order Now


I agree with the above reviews. This is by far my favorite free download from Amazon. Kind of a laid back beat, just enough (not too much) jazz riffs, and kickin' horns. Download this track (Orange Blossoms) while it's still free. Get more detail about Orange Blossoms.

Wheels Decide Now


When i found out that Foo Fighters were releasing a best of. i immediately feared that we were seeing the end of foo fighters for awhile.Then when i found out about Grohl's side project (Them Crooked Vultures)I was sure that it was going to be some time before i heard a new foo fighters song. Dave did not let me down though. this song Wheels is excellent. Just what i needed to get by until a new foo fighters album.Get more detail about Wheels.

Float Right now


I downloaded this album today and I am astonished by it's fire, passion, and energy. It's a great listen and the price is far less than this music is worth. I was looking at bands coming to play at a local venue (The Music Farm), and FM is on the calendar. I was thinking, yes, they sound familiar, let me go hear a sample. I would not call this punk, but music that melodically and lyrically surpasses most punk; yet is more turf-kicking fresh than old Irish ballads warmed over. I am still a huge fan of the Clash, and listened to Black Flag and Dead Kennedys back in the day. I like White Stripes and Radiohead (alt/indie etc.), classic blues and hard-bop and fusion jazz, so I am all over the map. Don't care too much for country, bluegrass, or weepy folk.

"Float" is original, with excellent, thoughtful lyrics. The musicians are all very good, and very tight, and can do a whole lot more than play fast. Their speed is breathtaking on some of these tracks. The lead singer's voice is wonderful, and like Tom Waits, can be melodic yet gruff at the same time. The main thing that appeals to me in a singer is the honest expression of feeling, which is one of the reasons I like blues and jazz so much. Flogging Molly's lead singer expresses rage, loneliness, lust, nostalgia, and bravado, to name a few.

I think this will be my new favorite album for a while, and I will certainly try to catch this show in December. I am now listening to it for the 3rd time already. The slower numbers just add to the depth of the album, and show the range they are capable of. They will rev you up or break your heart - maybe both at the same time.

Also downloaded the Pogues If I Should Fall from Grace with God today. Somehow I missed hearing them the first time around. Never too late to become a fan.
Get more detail about Float.

Lowest Price Hope Rising


Fee came to where I live for the Passion University tour and I was able to see them. They were phenomenal! They really know how to rock out! I got this cd after the show since I already have the 1st one (which is my fav. worship cd) and its on a constant repeat so I have a new fav worship cd now! I love contemporary music and Fee really knows how to get you on fire for Christ!Get more detail about Hope Rising.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Low Price "Summer's Gone"


for some reason this song reminds me of a fun road trip or a drive up by the lake in the "old days" ... makes me a little senitmental for the old days of college and innocent fun and wide open spaces.Get more detail about "Summer's Gone".

Save Amazon Comedy Sampler [Explicit]


Maybe it was just me, but this isn't funny. My neighbor's trash is also free for the undiscriminating browser.Get more detail about Amazon Comedy Sampler [Explicit].

Discount Attention Deficit [Explicit]


There is NO doubt in my mind that in "Attention: Deficit," Wale has crafted one of the standout hip hop albums (not mixtapes) of 2009. Though there are a few songs that I can't fully get behind, I think that from start to finish, this is an album worthy of your listening time that will age well as you take the time to get to the bottom of Wale's rhymes.

In the grand scale of hip hop, I'd place Wale as slightly left of center -- he's no Lupe Fiasco rapper-turned-indiebloghero, but at the same time, he's eons more thoughtful than anything you'll hear on the radio (no Soulja Boy). His rhymes and topics are more self-aware and socially conscious than most of the hip hop mainstream. His two biggest mixtapes were a Seinfeld-themed and -sampling lament of the state of hip hop and a mixtape heralding the art of the feature, with producing throughout to one of hip hop's god producers, 9th Wonder (also left of mainstream).

However, Wale eschewed his progressive approach for "Attention: Deficit," which he claimed at the time would be a parable of the state of today's unfocused rap and disjointed rap albums. (I see this as an excuse to put out an album just like those, but whatever.) In any event, in paralleling the rap album (club song, love song, thug song, etc.) he creates songs that I spin infinitely more than any of these typical songs. Contrary to Pitchfork's decrying of "Attention: Deficit" as an album that gives us no sense of Wale the artist or Wale's true style, I enjoy A:D for being superior at whatever it tries to do.

The one low point, for me: the cut-and-paste Neptunes joint "Let It Loose" featuring Pharrell is NOT good at all. It's not 2003 anymore, but rappers still think that having the Neptunes on is some kind of obligation that needs to be filled for success. It's a total waste.

The two absolute standout tracks (that you MUST listen to if you have any kind of love at all for hip hop) are "Beautiful Bliss" and "TV in the Radio," Wale's pairings with Melanie Fiona & J.Cole and K'naan, respectively. The former is a triumphant song about feeling good about life, featuring a Fiona chorus and a positively standout verse from "next big thing" J.Cole; the latter features esoteric, wild production from the guitarist of hipster band TV on the Radio and awesome verses from Wale. When I'm in my 40s in 2029, and I think back two decades to 2009, these are the songs that I will remember (and probably still be bumping), and "A:D" is an album that I will think about.

When Wale dropped on the 10th, I expected a modest (but not stellar) first week SoundScan - after all, Wale's something of a Twitter icon, and he does have the internet buzz - but when I heard that he shipped 28,000 (albeit due to a label f***up) it was depressing and (like everything else) made me doubt the future of rap. This album is good. It deserves a listen. And, if you're like me, it deserves a purchase.

Till the casket drops.Get more detail about Attention Deficit [Explicit].

Cheapest Love Is On The Move


Love is on the Move brings out the lighter side of Leeland with creative, meaningful lyrics. Titles like "the door" and "follow you" express the passionate desire for making God known and turning faith into action.Get more detail about Love Is On The Move.