No comments about The Slip.

3 comments about Just Look Them Straight in the Eye and Say...Pogue Mahone.

1. What an age we're living in ; at $13 per disc of the gritty elegance that is the Pogues this set cannot be beat . Full resonant sound, great remastering and also has an annotated booklet of 50 odd pages including photos. The 6 live tracks from a show in Glasgow at the height of their powers are a special treat. If you are a fan (or if you just like full blooded music) you must have it - hell, buy several and distribute some as Christmas presents,



2. I'm generally not one to gush on music except in rare cases like this when high expectations are met with an even grander result. This box is full of some of the best Pogues you will ever hear. How it wasn't released earlier on is beyond me, but it's here now and you must own it if you like the Pogues.
   
   The remastering on many of the cuts is spectacular. You can tell this music isn't just enjoyed, it's loved.
   
   Phil Chevron's notes are well worth the read and give many insights into the madness that is The Pogues.
   
   This box set is well priced and worth twice as much.



3. My. God.
   
   This is no "best of" box set, recycling the same stuff you've already got in your collection...I own just about every official and unofficial recording the Pogues have ever released, and this compilation is almost entirely new to me. Live tracks. Demos. Peel Sessions. Remixes.
   
   More than just a box set, this is archival stuff - the recorded history of one of the best (and most influential) bands in the history or rock music.
   
   The sound quality is almost as impressive as the content itself - really wonderful remastering work.
   
   Just buy it...assuming amazon ever gets it back in stock.

5 comments about Heart and Soul.

1. all i can say is i love this box set, it is perfect and i love joy division.....buy this set now!!!!11



2. I'm in another phase of (re)exploring Joy Division, on the heels of finally watching the excellent Ian Curtis bio-pic "Control", which never made it in the theaters here in Cincinnati but I saw recently on DVD. It happens to me every couple of years that I feel the need the re-listen to this set from start to finish. I bought the original UK-issue of this, back in 1997.
   
   "Heart and Soul" (4CDs, 81 tracks, 309 min.) brings just about everything that Joy Division ever recorded. CD1 (21 tracks; 78 min.) centers around the 1979 debut album "Unknown Pleasures", augmented by assorted singles and outtakes. Listening to tracks like "She's Lost Control", "Shadowplay" and "I Remember Nothing" reminds me why this band is still relevant, almost 30 years later. CD2 (17 tracks; 76 min.) centers around the 1980 album "Closer", again with lots of additional tracks from that era. CD3 (24 tracks; 78 min.) capatures everything else, including the early "Warsaw" music, 3 tracks from the "John Peele Sessions" and a bunch of unreleased stuff, such as the fantastic "Ceremony" and "In A Lonely Place". CD4 (19 tracks; 77 min.) is a collection of live tracks. The sound quality for many of them is not great, but they are still essential. The best of the bunch are the last 5, recorded in December 1979, when the band previewed a number of tracks that would eventually make it on the "Closer" album (released in July, 1980). Check out the live version of "Heart and Soul" and then listen to what it would eventually become in its final studio version, simply fascinating!
   
   This box comes with a wealth of information, including studio session dates, release dates of singles and album, various articles and great liner notes. The article "Good Everning, We're Joy Division" (which was originally published in MoJo in 1994, according to the liner notes) is an eye-opener. This box is essential for any serious Joy Division fan (is there such a thing as the 'casual' fan? maybe, I don't know). And frankly, this is essential for any music lover, as the influence of Joy Division over the years has only grown (check Interpol, She Wants Revenge, and many other bands of this era). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!



3. I travelled far and wide through many different times,
   What did you see there?
   I saw the saints with their toys,
   What did you see there?
   I saw all knowledge destroyed.
   I travelled far and wide through many different times.



4. This is as close as you can get to the definitive Joy Division collection. The live material is just as good, with all of the concert recordings coming from the soundboard. This is a welcome change from years of scratchy vinyl audience-recorded bootlegs. The best part of this box set has to be the studio demos of two songs never properly released by Joy Division due to Ian's untimely death - 'Ceremony' and 'In A Lonely Place.'
   
   Although 'Ceremony' was performed at the last live JD venue in Birmingham and found on the Still double LP release, this studio version includes audible lyrics for the first verse. We can't hear Ian in the Still version until the second verse due to soundboard problems. I was disappointed that Peter Hook cuts off 'In A Lonely Place' just as Ian started singing the version that contains, "Hangman looks 'round while he waits; cord stretches tight then in breaks." The official word on this is that during the original demo, the quality of the recording deteriorated after that verse. If that was the case, I'm sure the band would have recorded a second demo after they heard the playback.
   
   After witnessing this release, I was expecting a similar release for New Order, but unfortunately, the New Order box set excludes many early rarities, like Homage, Haystack, and original 1980 recordings sans Gillian Gilbert.
   
   Overall, Heart and Soul is a must have for the avid Joy Division aficionado.



5. gave this CD to my daughter-in-law for Christmas as she requested this group. I had never heard of this group before, but they have wonderful music. She loves the CD and I love that you got it here so quickly and the price was great! Thanks!

5 comments about Joshua Tree (Remastered / Expanded) (Super Deluxe Edition) (2CD/DVD).

1. Once again, a classic album falls victim to the idiotic modern trend of maxing everything out in the mix to create a muddled, lifeless sound. All the atmosphere and nuance of the original album is lost in this remaster; Bullet the Blue Sky sounds especially awful. Stick with the original album.



2. is worth its price, a beauty!
   for me one of the 10 best records ever!
   and now with an incredible presentation.
   makes me agree to the box anniversary of "Aqualung" Jethro Tull



3. This is an excellent box set. The pictures, the booklet, the dvd, and b side cd and of course the Joshua Three album makes for an excellent package. I love U2! I recommend this to anyone who loves U2!



4. It's a great cd, with excelent sound and great images. The best rock and roll band.



5. THE SOUND OF THIS EDITION IS GORGEOUS.
   AN EXCELENT CONCERT IN FRANCE (1987) AND AN EXCELENT B-SIDES.
   THE BEST OF THE BEST

5 comments about Live at the Gorge 05/06.

1. I like Pearl Jam. When I had just graduated from high school they were the biggest thing in Rock. They were cool and more importantly back then, I was cool because I liked them. Some 18 years later, somewhere in a dusty corner of my house I have the CD's alphabetized in some kind of time capsule that my wife wishes was boxed up and out in the garage.
   
   So last week I found myself at a music store and I came across this really cool looking box... "Pearl Jam". I picked it up and looked at the incredible amount of music contained on the discs... some titles I knew, some I had no idea about. I am 39; I have a good job, so I came home and ordered from Amazon. Well I got the package last night... I put in disc one at 11 pm and I sat up all last night listening to these songs, the new and the old, and I held the box like you do when you are 14 and music is everything. I felt transported during this musical journey and I wanted to share with you how good this group of songs is, how drawn in to the concert setting you will be. I liked Pearl Jam when it was 1991 and now in 2008 they seem so damn good, not just angry but powerful. What a find. I encourage anyone with a dusty corner in their home to relearn Pearl Jam and to enjoy the wonderful tracks that you might not even know about it you moved on after the "Vitalogy" years.
   
   Five stars ***** Pearl Jam is the new Dead, with a better catalog. For a few hours I did not have a mortgage, car payment, and a house that needed to be cleaned... For a few hours I was Live at the Gorge with Pearl Jam... and it was a place that I had not been to for a long time, too long.



2. I feel sorry for the seasoned PJ fan, especially the fanatics who buy EVERYTHING! There are many, many, many live PJ cd's out there. They record everything and offer it to the fans. For collectors it has to be hell to keep up. May have to mortgage the house to have them all, but this set is an exception. Even the big fans that dont buy every one (like myself), but buy their studio CD's should have this.
   
   3 shows in their entirety and very raw yet excellent sounding. The crowd sings along to a lot of tracks, which is good for the feel, but can be annoying. Small complaint to an otherwise flawless live set. The set-lists themselves offer a great variety and hit on each disc. A couple extras and fun covers are here too. The packaging is excellent and is cool for collectors.. Songs do repeat in the set, but makes the shows legit.
   
   I really pick my spots to purchase 'Live' CD's, but i have to say that this one is really well done. A no-brainer for PJ fans. And is a decent value for 7-discs if you find it onsale. Even live rock junkies should have this as the band sounds tighter than ever.



3. Pearl Jam has always been a fan friendly band. They went head-to-head with Ticket Master because they thought their fans were getting screwed on the service fee. They play two, sometimes three hour shows; and if they are in a city for multiple dates, they never play the same song twice. They offer up numerous bootlegs of their concerts through their fan club and website; by-passing the middle-man and retailers. Now comes the mother of all live box sets.
   
   Peal Jam catalog three complete concerts on 7 CDs from The Gorge in 2005 & 2006. Included are numerous greatest hits, unique cover songs, rare material, and previously unreleased material. I have to give it to Pearl Jam fans though. Anyone that can sit through 7CDs (or three concerts) of this dreary, un-inspired, boring music, must be really committed. Since Peal Jam caters to their fans, I'm sure they won't be disappointed with this set. Although, you may need a few uppers to prevent a lack of charisma-induced coma



4. 3 Concerts, 2 Eras: Riot Act and Avocado ( Untitled ) Rare, stunning, dynamite!!! Real Grunge, Vedder better than Ever!! Great Selecction... Lots of music for diferents moments... and Acustic songs!!! buy it.. dont think... buy it.!!!



5. The masters of live music never show signs of fading out. They always give the people what they want. A show with nonstop music and great excitement. This stuff is worth every penny I recommend this to anyone of rock music.

5 comments about With The Lights Out.

1. Fantastic!
   I'd been in a Nirvana void where I burned out on the music after 1998 so I didn't even know this had come out.
   
   When I found it on Amazon, I figured I'd give a listen for ol' times sake. IT WAS AMAZING. Great tracks spanning the 80s through his death. Brilliant collection.
   
   Everyone should own this.



2. I recieved the NIRVANA boxset "With the Lights Out" today in the mail, I was shaking and scared to actually play the cds that were within the box. I was scared because this would be the most raw footage of the band that I was ever gonna hear. This is what everyone had been waiting for for years. This is what I had been waiting for my entire life. I placed the first disc in my boom box, gawd, it was magical. Weak in the knees magical. You get to hear music from their frist concert, songs they recorde in Kurts Basement, them laughing and chatting between songs:), even Frances in the background during one of the demos, You here songs never released, songs that were never dated, songs you have known for years with different lyrics the orginal lyrics uncut. This boxset is so emotionally raw, it is so personal that I almost feel bad for listening, it is footage that you the public were never ment to hear. I believe that CL is trying to make some cash, but hey, this is totally worth it. Th boxset has all the B side tracks, some as raw demos. It also has a book included that tells of the bands history and some quotes from interviews. It also has a dvd with extra songs and music videos as well as some pretty raw footage of Kurt and Nirvana. This boxset is cobainian (a word for all expressions ex: sad, happy, shocked, awesome...etc) This is my new love and my new obsession, although NIRVANA and Kurdt (Kurt) has always been a love and obsession of mine. NIRVANA LIVES ON!



3. Ive been a nirvana fans since almost 16 years ago, believe me any new or strange material about the band is exiting fo me.... but to be honest, maybe this compilation is only worth i if you are a real nirvana fan... i mean, i was a little dissapointed when i watched the dvd, because most of the songs are very low quality home made tapes from the 80s, some of them not even complete, only a few seconds, and they take it as a song...



4. talk about grunge... the quality on most tracks are horrible like everyone else says.. most of these songs I personally would enjoy more studio recorded.. but there are good tracks for fans..



5. I write this long after the fact as I came across the box set while finding stuff to sell in cd form and buy in mp3 form. But originally I had waited for this when it first came out with eager anticipation. After all many of the box sets I have bought of other groups had rare tidbits. But I can't say there was anything worth my anticipation.
   
   But upon getting it I was rather disappointed in what seemed like long winded same tone album that did not seem to really cover what I had heard on all the other albums. Apparently a lot of other people feel the same way as they are selling for their copies for around $20 in Amazon Market Place. Don't waste your $20 - $60 on the box set buy all the albums separately its well worth the cost. Especially the live albums.
   
   MTV Unplugged in New York
   From the Muddy Banks of The Wishkah
   Incesticide

5 comments about Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings.

1. The complete works of The Police in a four disc collection. A great classic compilation of the recordings done by The Police. If you are a fan then this collection is well worth it.



2. Message in a Box is an amazing box set, with every song The Police have ever played, and it is all neatly placed in chronological order. The Box Set also comes with a biography of the band, from their humble beginnings as a pseudo punk group, to the amazing Reggaesque group that epitamized there career. Sting and The Police were lyrical geniuses, and were candid when discussing anything from temptation(Don't Stand So), obsession(Every Breath You Take), and even the misery of war(Canary in a Coalmine, and Invisible Sun). For any classic rock listener out there, I highly recommend this band, it just kicks butt!



3. I first started listening to The Police when I was in middle high school and never got tired of them. Most of the songs on this CD set reminded me of specific times throughout my middle to high school years.They also became subjects of conversations I had with friends in college about the bands we listened to while in high school. The Police still rocks!



4. You cannot ask for more. Every song, four discs, chronological, and a very nicely designed case and booklet. I just got this and I absolutely love it.



5. Everything the Police did,from 1977("Fallout") to 1986(the remake of "Don't Stand So Close To Me"),is here.All five studio albums(Oulandos D'Amour,Reggatta De Blanc,Zenyatta Mondatta,Ghost In The Machine and Synchronicity) are here as well as B-sides and rarities that appeared only on soundtracks and compilations,all put in chronological order and featuring excellent sound quality by David Collins.Also included are informative liner notes by Peter Sutcliffe and band members themselves(bassist/singer/songwriter Sting,drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers),rare photes and a timeline.Who could ask for more? Essential,period.

5 comments about Everything Under The Sun.

1. If you are a fan of Sublime, this is the collection for you! Filled with all of their hits. Highly recommended. Makes a great gift!



2. I've been a long time Sublime fan, ever since their self titled album came out back in '96. A good amount of these songs I've heard but a few I haven't. This is a great collection to have for any hardcore Sublime fan.
   
   On a side note; listening to these songs really makes you sad to realize how talented Brad and the band actually were, and what they could have became.



3. was by a guy who reviews Michael Bolton and Chicago albums. Apparently he was disappointed in some of them. Therefore I wouldn't base whether I get this boxset or not on his 1 star review here. I guess I could give him a break beacuse he does like Greenday... oh wait... Greenday sucks too.
   
   As for this boxset, I actually haven't heard it yet but am interested and wanted to see if it was any good when I came across this guy's post. Had to say soemthing. Michael Bolton...seriously????



4. One of the best albums EVER released! A must have for a true Sublime fan!



5. Check out the two easter eggs on the boxset's DVD, live versions of "Pool Shark" and "DJ".
   
   To access "DJ," on the Main Menu keep the highlight on the option for 'Roll It' and press the arrow keys on your DVD remote in this order: Right, Down, Left, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up. This will automatically play the clip.
   
   To access "Pool Shark," on the second menu page for 'The Cuts' put the highlight on "Main Menu" and press the arrow keys on your DVD remote in this order: Right, Left, Right, Left, Up, Up, Down, Down. This will change the highlight to the color green and then press the Enter/OK button on your remote to access it.
   
   And if you haven't taken the time to notice, each menu is a full-length song, bonus tracks in their own right.

5 comments about Like, Omigod! The '80s Pop Culture Box (Totally).

1. its a very good and almost complete 80's colletion.
   there is a few songs not important or famous.
   the box is pretty and the book its interesant.



2. As a child of the 80's I really enjoyed hearing all of the songs in this box set. The box set really showcases all of the one-hit-wonders that seemed to make up top 40 radio in the 80's: Kajagoogoo, Bow Wow Wow, Taco, The Fixx, etc. Most of the decade's major stars are absent, but I'm sure one Madonna, Michael Jackson or Prince tune would have cost way too much to license. If you love 80's music, you will enjoy this box set, that is if you don't already own most of these tunes.
   
   My problem with the box set is that it doesn't differentiate itself from so many countless others that are available. I picked this box set up after listening to Rhino's "Have a Nice Decade: 70's Box Set". The 70's box featured about 4 or 5 soundbites per disk wedged between songs. The scope of music found of the 70's box set was fantastic, and the various styles presented kept my attention. The Newscasts and soundbites, the variety really captured the flavor of the 70's. You won't find this in the 80's box set. The tunes presented in the 80's set are basically all Top 40 hits, and really doesn't scratch the surface of the music scene in the 80's. Where is Siouxsie and the Banshees, where are The Dead Milkmen, where is Morris Day and the Time? I like the hits, but let's face it, I don't need another copy of "Tainted Love" or "Take on Me" which are readily available on almost any 80's best of CD.
   The booklet that comes with the box set has some decent info, but why does it start off with an essay that is so critical of the decade? Instead of celebrating the Reagan years, we get a diatribe about "greed" and how shallow and dismal the decade was???? Buyers of this box set probably have fond memories of the time this set represents...why have such a negative essay start things off? The song by song rundown is good, as is the timeline running along the bottom of the booklet which points out key events of the decade.
   I guess in the long run it boils down to if you don't have these tunes, this is a handy collection to pick them all up in one shot, but if you already have plenty of 80's cds in your collection..you may want to pass as there really isn't anything new here.



3. Although this set has a good selection of 80's music i don't feel it included a lot of songs that are better than what it has. I really like the 70's version of this set though.



4. Some of my downloads from Kazaa sound better than the songs on this collection. I doubt that Rhino used the master tapes for this set as most songs have serious imperfections. That's a shame because the songs selection is very good. After listening to three or four songs, my ears start ringing. This collection is probably more suitable for car listening on long trips. For this reason I will never buy another Rhino collection. Period.



5. Well, like many of the reviewers, this set has lots of well known songs, but many tracks are not worth the price.
   
   I have been collecting 80's songs via iTunes for a few years now. I have 7 discs that I made myself of 80's hits. A lot of this set included. I, however, was able to skip downloading Don Johnson, Billy Crystal and many of those random, unwanted songs that have been mentioned.
   
   When I am finished with my "Ultimate 80's Box Set" I will have about 15 discs of all the songs I remember hearing during those long bus rides to and from school in the 1980's. Of course, I listen on an iPod, so I don't need the discs anymore.
   
   My rule of thumb is if it is made by "Rhino" don't bother. It will be overpriced, poorly constructed, poorly compiled, poor quality, not remastered and you'll eventually be left feeling ripped off.
   
   Go to iTunes. I have only had a few songs not come up so far. Some of those have eventually made it to iTunes. If you can't find it there, just wait...it won't take long.

2 comments about Billboard Top 10 Karaoke, Vol. 1.

1. The music is not the original artists but is music "made famous by the original artist" and is only evident once you read the fine print. It seems a bit dishonest to use the Billboard Top 10 as a selling vehicle. I rated the item a 4 because the music is ok and after all it is Karaoke. Worst of all is the price--I found these at Walmart for $30.



2. The songs are fine, but there is no way to tell how close you are to the next lyric when in between verses. Unless you know the songs it can be tough to track. Many other competitors have ...s or something to signal how close you are to the next verse.