5 comments about Direction Reaction Creation.

1. Direction Reaction Creation is the ultimate Jam package, offering 117 tracks over five discs -- essentially the band's complete studio recordings. With a strict adherence to chronological order, the box presents each single followed by its B-side(s) (six of which appear on CD for the first time, including the brilliant "See Saw"), followed by the proper album tracks -- oddly, though, the album versions of the singles are chosen in most places. Unfortunately, this approach sometimes disrupts the flow of the albums, especially in the case of All Mod Cons, which loses three tracks to the treatment, and Setting Sons, which loses "Eton Rifles" to a separate disc. This is a small point for purists to debate -- the difference is really unnoticeable in light of the truly great music found on the discs. In addition to the regular studio tracks, disc five offers over an hour of studio demos -- 22 previously unreleased tracks of considerably different takes of better-known material, a few never-before-heard Weller and Foxton originals, and some interesting covers like "Rain," "Dead End Street," and "Every Little Bit Hurts." A lavish 88-page booklet accompanies the set with great liner notes, an extensive band chronology and discography, and the band's complete gig list, along with plenty of rare photos and memorabilia. The Jam, simply put, were one the finest bands in rock & roll history, and Direction Reaction Creation offers the proof, showing both their remarkably rapid growth and their incredible consistency.



2. An excellent 5 CD collection (if you take the CDs out of their tight cardboard sleeves and put them in normal cases on your shelves). You also get a book documenting the Jam with photos etc.
   Here's the break-up:
   CD1: Albums in full: In the City & This is the Modern World (plus loads of singles released around the same time).
   CD2: Albums: All Mod Cons (I still bought the All Mod Cons deluxe edition for the demo versions), and loads of singles from the same time.
   CD3: Albums: Setting Sons (in full), and "Sound Affects" (excludes the album version of Start! Does provide the single version though). Other singles from that time period also included.
   CD4: Albums: The Gift (replaces the album version of Precious with the 12" version). Also singles from the same period, and The Beat Surrender (EP with 4 other songs).
   CD5: Alternate versions of earlier songs, and some other singles and b-sides, and some songs I'd never heard in my addictive Jam collecting days of the 1980s-90s: "Rain" "Dead end street" "Stand by me" "Every little bit hurts" "Walking in Heavens Sunshine".
   
   The exclusions of album versions of Start! and "Precious" are annoying, but don't let that put you off. You can always order "The Gift" and "Sound Affects" as well, or keep your old vinyl.



3. 
   First of all, kudos to dcbuys, one of Amazons' partner resellers who advertised this box as new factory sealed....they delivered what they promised.
   
   As for the box set, well there's not much I can add to other reviews here. The fidelity is tremendous throughout, the lack of any live material is a bit of a putoff (I'd rather have had the fifth CD full of live stuff instead of demos and alternate versions), and the original song running order of the various albums are all scrambled. But if you've purchased enough box sets, that's something you've learned to live with. The booklet truly does a wonderful job of tracking the history of the band from start to finish.
   
   These minor complaints aside, you can't ask for much more as a Jam fan. The Jam were truly one of the finest bands from any era. The album tracks and the period singles truly paint a picture for the listener as to how it was. The musicianship was always top rank and Weller's songwriting seemed to grow with each passing month.
   
   No doubt everyone has their favorite Jam album. Mine was always Sound Affects......which sounds truly glorious here. Get this box, it's beyond placing a value on it.



4. QUE QUISIERON SER LOS JAM?..LOS WHO BASTARDOS, LOS SMALL FACES SIN GLAMOUR?? NO IMPORTA..TODO LO CREATIVOS QUE FUERON ESTA REFLEJADO EN ESTA MONUMENTAL COLECCION, QUE ENCIERRA LA TOTALIDAD DE SU LEGADO..(ALGUNAS COSITAS PUEDEN LLEGAR A FALTAR, PERO...)GRAN SONIDO, GRAN BOOKLET, EL CD 5 TRAE RAREZAS Y GRABACIONES INEDITAS...SI SOS FAN DE ESTE GRUPO, ES IMPRESCINDIBLE TENERLO..SI TE SIMPATIZAN TENES LA RECOPILACION SNAP QUE ALCANZA Y SOBRA!!



5. This is a first-rate box set. Practically everything a non-completist Jam fan needs is included, and the sound quality is much better than the various individual remastered CDs floating around, especially the latter albums. Check out the bass on "Set the House Ablaze" for a comparison-- it's practically nonexistent on the 1997 "Sound Affects" import, but here it sounds full and richly textured.
   
   Completists, though, will still need more: none of the Jam's BBC sessions or live material from "Live Jam" and "Dig the New Breed" are represented here, and there are additional demos and alternate versions on the "Extras" compilation. And there's at least one troubling omission in the box: the album version of "Precious." Instead, we get an extended single mix that adds some horn soloing and subtracts some vocals. Both the album and single mixes of "Smithers-Jones" are present, so why does "The Gift" (my favorite Jam album) get shortchanged?
   
   Still, the five discs of "Direction Reaction Creation" give you practically everything the Jam ever put to tape in the studio, all in sterling quality. That's a good deal, and I'd recommend this set even if you already own most of this material on other discs.

5 comments about Sandbox - Mark Sandman Original Music.

1. I've been a huge fan of Morphine and Treat Her Right for years. However, I'm the kind of person that listens to something that they like over and over again rather than researching the band/artist to find more works. Hence, I didn't know about this posthumous collection until my current Boyfriend told me about it a few years ago. We've owned if for a little over a year now, and I have to say, like most of Sandman's work, this album just gets better every time I listen to it. Some of the work is reminiscent of Morphine, some of Treat Her Right, and some is distinctly Sandman sans either band. The compilation thoroughly covers the range of Sandman's talent and reveals the vast number of artists which influenced his work.
   
   In addition to the audio tracks, artwork and interviews are included. Sandman Fans will not be disappointed with Sandbox.



2. this CD-as with all morphine cd's- needs to be listened to repetitively.It just grows and grows - more blues oriented than morphine but just as addictive. Sandman's lyrics and music are a direct link to beat generation and jazz/blues.Kool personified. A giant of a song writer- completely unique individual and a generous musician. we are lucky to have these recordings.



3. If you are any sort of fan of Mark Sandman, Morphine or Treat her Right you MUST own this!



4. There is more, so much more. Dana and Billy submitted a 4 CD box set to Ryko over a year ago. Its sitting somewhere, on a shelf. Sandbox is brilliant. Mark was brilliant and continues to shine with every release.



5. I loved Morphine and when Mark suddenly died, I was sad to the point where I wanted to go to the memorial concert held up in Cambridge. This collection of work shows what a loss this is. He was truly a very powerful artist and it's obvious he was a constant experimenter. I found a lot of it innovative, funny and moving. I recommend this highly for those people who are seeking to get out of their musical comfort zone and are want highly authentic and eclectic music.

5 comments about Whatever: The '90s Pop and Culture Box.

1. From January 1, 1990 through December 31, 1999 My radios were blaring both pop and college stations 24/7 while I subscribed yearly to Rolling Stone and SPIN. I also spent most of my free time and money at the local Indie CD shop collecting well over 300 discs of the decade's most interesting and enjoyable music.
   
   All of this to say folks... I have NEVER! even heard of over a third of the songs in this so-called collection. Instead of a fun filled trip down "Memory Lane", RHINO has instead sent me spiraling into a "Land of Confusion"... I didn't recognize a lot of the titles on the back of the box but hoped that once the set started playing they would quickly ring a bell or two... No such luck... Discs 1 and 7 bookend nicely but the fillers 2-6 are sorta weak even though they do contain a scattering of "OMG" cheesy one hit wonders that have worn rather well. Most of this mess seems to be deep tracks off the producer's personal promo CD rack and not at all a true reflection of the pop culture era that was the 90's...
   
   1 star for some really cool coffee bean packaging. Too bad though that what's actually brewed inside is rather bitter . A waste...



2. You know the old saying "If you remember the 60's, you probably weren't there"? I don't remember the 60's and I wasn't there. I do however remember the 90's very well, but for the life of me, don't remember the majority of the tunes found in this box set.
   I loved the "Have a Nice Decade" 1970's box set, and the "Omigod" 80's box set. They really brought back some great memories, and introduced me to some new music I missed the first time. I expected more of the same with the 90's, but was horribly disappointed.
   
   This isn't a "greatest hits" box, actually you could boil all of the hits down to 1 CD with what is presented here. You may recognize several bands found here, but rest assured you won't be hearing any of their major tunes, usually the B-side....if your lucky. For the most part the music that is not considered a Billboard hit is utterly forgettable, usually falling into three catagories:
   1. Screechy-nails-on-the-blackboard female vocalist accompanied by punk band
   2. Tired sounding Prozac addict barely awake for recording session.
   3. Rap and Hip Hop "sampling" 1970's tunes and adding new lyrics.
   The screechy sound wears real thin, real quick!
   The tired sounding Prozac guy sound can work for some bands/songs...but after 3 disks of steady listening, you want to jump off a building.
   Rap.....seriously, can someone please tell me how the songs presented here by Busta Rhymes and Ice-T fall into what anyone would call "music"?? I felt as if I were being punished and yelled at when any of these songs popped on. I don't think the audience for a Busta Rhymes tune is dropping any cash for this box set, so why include it?
   
   I tried to convince my wife that the 90's weren't a bad decade musically before ordering this box set. After listening to this box, I'm almost inclined to agree with her. But, I remember so many great songs and artists from the decade, most of which aren't included here, that I still hold out some hope for a great 90's compilation. Save yourself the $$$$ and just order some Billboard Greatest Hits, or NOW That's What I Call Music disks instead.



3. If a compilation is titled "Whatever" then I guess one must be prepared to accept whatever it contains. I think they would have done better to focus more on the "pop" in their song selection. By "pop" I mean, making a strong impression on the mass consciousness of our society, even if just for a short time. Unlike the 70s and 80s boxes, which are indisputably "pop" all the way through, "Whatever" includes a lot of genuine obscurities that are worth hearing in their own right, but throw off the sense of going back in time that I'm looking for when I listen to these old retro collections.
   
   I was an adolescent in the 70s, a young adult in the 80s and lived through my thirties in the 90s. Even though I was older than most in the standard "pop" audience, I worked with teenagers in my professional life and was always interested in their music and cultural interests (still am.) So I saw the trends and fads that young people got into over those years. When I listened to "Whatever" for the first time, I recognized probably about two-thirds of the songs and otherwise had to make my first acquaintance with bands who never rose above the level of cult obscurities. I got the sense that maybe some of the compilers at Rhino were looking for an opportunity to cut royalty checks for friends of theirs or performers they just wanted to support. The second halves of Discs 2 and 3 and the middle section of Disc 5, with a few exceptions, provide the basis for what I'm saying here.
   
   Fortunately we now live in the mp3 era so it's easy enough to make our own playlists. To that end, "Whatever" provides a nice starter set to build on, triggering memories of songs we might otherwise forget. As always, Rhino's liner notes and graphic designs are well done and amusing, though the coffee beans were a bad idea.



4. This is great because we all have a lot of the songs that were really popular by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc... These are titles that you don't get on EVERY collection or hear all day on 90's stations, but still huge hits for either long or short periods of time. Great job!



5. Let me start by saying that I LOVE 90's Alternative rock. I was a college radio DJ, went to clubs and had myself a whale of a good time so I was looking forward to reliving it all with "Whatever". I don't think it's "too soon" to do a 90's box set either. In only a few years we'll be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Nirvana's Nevermind and most grunge kids'll be pushing 40. The DIY ethic and counterculture chest-thumping of 90's music seems like a faded fond memory in this homogenized processed teen pop world of ours today.
   The trouble with Rhino's 90's set is that it tries to take several disparate genres of music and make it all fit our definition of the 90's. They missed the boat here because unlike the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's....radio became more fragmented in the 90's. You would'nt find too many Hip Hop fans rocking out to White Zombie and Pantera fans probably would'nt be grooving to Marc Cohn. Each fanbase usually had it's own radio station and culture. Whereas Rhino's "Ohmigod!" 80's box could get away with putting Tommy Tutone and The Psychedelic Furs on the same playlist because at one point BOTH would've been on pop radio, the 90's simply did not offer that kind of unity. EVERYONE who was a Gen-Xer (like me) would have their own idea of what 90's music represented to them. Rhino got it right with the 80's by acknowledging and then issuing a seperate box set to cover 80's college rock/alternative called "Left Of The Dial". It probably would've been smarter to do the same thing here with seperate 90's Alternative and 90's Hip Hop boxes (and I betcha buyers would be raving about them!).
   That said, there IS a great deal of nifty music on here and if you have an open mind or find yourself getting nostalgic about a song you did'nt even like at the time (a strange phemomenon that happens to all of us eventually) you'll find yourself in 90's nirvana (no pun intended...they ain't on here).
   I can only imagine the difficulties Rhino will have with a 00's box set. How do you judge what goes on it? the most downloaded songs from the decade? will there even be CD's in ten years? will Amazon be selling mp3's?

5 comments about Live Box.

1. I was never a huge Björk fan. Actually, I only had one of her CD's before this Box-Set which was the Greatest Hits collection. I saw her on November, she was here on her Volta Tour... it was totally mind-blowing. It was the first time I saw her live... one of the best performances I've seen in my short-but-well-lived life!
   After that, I had to get my hands on this Box-Set... and I gotta tell you, it's definitely a MUST HAVE for any Björk fan or just ANY music fan... probably the best purchase I've made in the past year. At 40 USD, you're getting 4 live CD's + 1 DVD of really great material. As for the music, what can I say? It's Björk, and it's live..... you know it won't let you down... In fact, Hyperballad on this CD is *the best* version you'll ever find. As for the rest, it's absolutely flawless. Packaging is awesome too.-
   Really excited to have this as part of my collection.
   Buy it. Now. Do it. Do it.



2. If you're a Bjork fan this is a must have!!!
   Great collection.



3. Where to begin with such a musical treat such as this? Describing how much I adore this nifty little arrangement is near impossible because my love for Bjork blinds it so much. It was a few days after Christmas in 2003 when I saw Bjork's debut album "Debut" for sale and bought it on the off-chance that I would like it. Little did I know that I was about to embark on the most profoundly amazing musical experience of my life. 2004 for me was Bjork. No one else. In the space of the year I have acquired pretty much her entire back catalogue on CD, and "Live Box" was a welcome addition to this last month.
   
   To firstly understand the importance of a project such as this one must first understand the way in which it is constructed. Bjork is both a visual and musical artist whose work appears to be the end result of just one person's hard work, when in fact everything she does is a collaborative effort. She has always let other people have a say in the work that she does, and she does this because she wants to develop a connection and really make the most of a particular project. This may be a design for a CD cover, a photo shoot, a concert, or even a remix. She knows she can't do all this herself, so she has others helping her, which I find very interesting. With the input of others (and her vision pushing the project forward) she is able to create really big projects, whether it be musically or visually, that boast many different formats and challenge the limits of what that particular field contains.
   
   Undoubtedly one of the best examples of this collaborate effort can be seen in one of Bjork's concerts, which is superbly displayed in this Live Box. Consisting of four live albums, it is a must-have for any Bjork fan. The four CD's are all complete live versions of her first four solo studio albums "Debut," "Post," "Homogenic" and "Vespertine." Bjork especially picks musicians for her tours who are willing to alter the framework of her music while keeping the structure and order the same. She also chooses arenas that are specifically designed for her music. For example, the music on the live Vespertine album was all recorded in opera houses. She chose this because the acoustics of her music would benefit better from the structure of the opera house rather than in a large arena where a lot of the sound would be lost. That's the thing with Bjork, you see: she's not in this to make a quick buck. Her career is her life and we as human beings should respond to this and embrace her passion. She might be in a world of her own, but hey, I'd rather be in hers than the one we're currently in...
   
   The theatrical design of the stage is also very important in the production of shows like this. Her team all offer their opinion and Bjork will choose the ones she thinks are the best, from costume design, stage props and the order of songs. Her live shows seem simple and effortless because of all the hard work that has gone into them. Not many people know what goes on backstage, making it seem effortless. Only when something is effortless is it pure. Now I haven't talked much about the actual music in this collection, but Amazon sells each album individually. Don't worry, I shall be writing reviews for all four individual Live CD's and in great detail - this is too good a collection not too. I felt that it was important to tell newcomers about Bjork's collaborative efforts to make them appreciate her music in a way that is different to any other artist. When you listen to the music on these albums, think of what I said above and if you're ever confused about Bjork's credibility and genius, you'll know why.
   
   This Live Box was released in the summer of 2003 and went down a storm with Bjork fans. Retrospective projects of this size are normally reserved for dead Jazz musicians or classical composers. For a 39-year-old pop star with a mere four solo albums to her name to get this kind of treatment is unprecedented. If any other living musician were to release a similarly grandiose project, it would be seen as an act of unforgivable hubris. This collection also contains a superb DVD which features performances of the songs "One Day," "It's Oh So Quiet," "Joga," "Aurora," and "It's Not Up To You" from different stages during Bjork's career. All in all this collection comprises of four superb CD's and 55 live songs. It is a stellar collection of ground-breaking and misunderstood beautiful music that will be treasured for the rest of time. Essential.



4. I have adquired lots of Björk's material. I wanted the this Live Box because it had the 4 live cd's, with songs that were carefully chosen as the best performances, and it also included the bonus Dvd with 4 tracks that had been released in her other respective Dvds and the exclusive and wicked performance of It's Oh So Quiet at Tatarata (not in any of her dvds). A lot Of people prefered to get the individual cd's but I thought of buying the whole box cause of the money saving and the special dvd. Now that I have it in my hands, I don't regret it. I forgot to mention it also includes the Live Book, which consists of a booklet with an extensive interview by Ási to Björk, where she explains about touring, the musicians, the adventures of doing an album, her icelandic roots and more. It's very nice to read the interview because it's like she's storytelling. There you can see that she's reasonable and creative woman, and you can listen to the live records that have fascinating and entertaining bits of shows from the tours of Debut, Post, Homogenic and Vespertine. She's and excellent live artist, and so she proves that in this set. I was personally amazed by this collection of live songs that were magical, warm, charming, sheltering, beautiful. Definitively worth the buy. I thought it would be better off to get all the live albums at once to hear bits of each. It's so good to see a good compilation of live tracks like this one, and I'm am happy to see Björk really took her time to share these incredible performances for everyone who would want to listen to them.



5. I was really excited to find out that bjork was going to be releasing live albums, and one time when I was in denver at a record store, I was surprised to see all of them in stock as I had forgotten the release date. I wanted the vespertine one, and had it in my hand, but accidentally got homogenic live... this review is based primarily around that one, and losely around the other three discs.
   
   The homogenic and vespertine ones are the best,(in my humble opinion) The sound quality is excellent on all of them but it is missing a little oomph on the low end. There are alot of little subtle things that are added into the songs that make them that much more enjoyable, but you might have to listen harder on some songs (immature) than others.
   
   One of the best things about listening to these albums for me, is the nostalgia factor, and she doesnt miss a note. Alot of favorites like Joga (this version is without a beat) and possibly maybe ( extra verse and more imrpovised melodies!) appear on the Homogenic version as well as unexpected gems like so broken and the opening track ( I am not typing that title)
   This is good to fulfill any curiosity about her live show but it is no substitute for the real thing when you compare the two.
   
   I will say though that alot of the live versions of songs on homogenic like: all neon like, and pluto, are given new life and I like them much more than the studio versions.
   
   One more thing is that not all of the songs on the albums were recorded from one set, and there is a little bit of a lack of concert feel because of it ( so broken is taken from a tv performance) but its not such a big deal. The booklets contain really nice interviews and photots that helped make the whole package really enjoyable... but I dont know what they were thinking with that picture on the cover of the homogenic disc.
   
   For my money, I'd get the vespertine disc before homogenic,(just because vespertine is my favorite bjork album) and then buy the debut and post if you have the studio albums, as the performances are not much different from the studio counterparts, and there arent really any extra songs you didnt hear on the albums for incentive.
   It's cheaper to pick out the "live" discs by priority instead of buying an expensive boxset, but I might be wrong...
   
   The homogenic one serves as a really great way to get your snobby metalhead freind into bjork as it offers quite a bit of stuff from her back catalogue as well as homogenic songs. uh... because everyone knows bjork is pop music for metalheads and hardcore kids (if you dont believe me count the meshuggah shirts in the crowd, and watch all the people headbang to pluto. I am serious.)
   
   The only bad thing about this box set is that it's a little spendy, but you can just buy all of the discs seperately if you want one (or two) and not the other... and sometimes the "feel" of a live setting is a little akward because the production on some songs is diferent, but thats just a little nitpicky thing that isnt even a big issue.
   
   This thing really makes me want to see her live again, some of you dont know what youre missing (not to be a jerk and rub it in * cough*) but this is the next best thing, I promise. If you love bjork, you need this, you wont listen to the studio albums much though afterwards. I love the live albums and I am very glad they were released.
   
   There is alot more passion and the whole thing feels so much more organic and heartfelt than some of the song's counterparts on the studio records, this thing kicks ass!

5 comments about Antbox.

1. My dad is a HUGE antfan. I was nervous about getting this for him, since he has so many Adam Ant CDs. It wasn't a problem since there were many previously unreleased songs, songs he had only on vinyl, and cool demo versions of just about everything else. The demo version of Friend Or Foe was especially appreciated, since it didn't suffer from the cheesy trumpets in the background.



2. ANTBOX is a great collection of early Ant demos and unreleased stuff (mixed with the obligatory hit singles).
   
   The first disk is a revalation for most Ant fans as most of the material has never been isssued before. Disk two is a great mix of rarities (A.N.T.S. anyone?) and has a bunch of great Friend Or Foe era outtakes. As for as Disk three is goes there's only a handful of rare items and as far as the Manners/Wonderful period goes we're deined anything besides the album tracks that were issued as singles. Which, if you're a fan, you already have and don't need again.There are no demos, live tracks or outtakes from these periods on ANTBOX which is odd because they're all over the internet. So it's not like they don't exist.
   
   This all makes for a frustrating box set and hopefully rarites from this period will surface on another collection sometime in the future. A good box set for folks who don't mind their collections to overlap yet again with previously released material.



3. It's not often you find a band that so thoroughly revisits it's history and with such humor. The only thing that could have made this compilation better would have been the inclusion of music videos. There are not a lot of sources out there for information about the history of the band, so the booklet that comes with these albums is worth it's weight in proverbial gold. And if word of the band was rare, pictures are rarer still, so the candid shots included are great fun.
   
   All in all this collection allows you to hear Antmusic in the proper context and with the permission of it's actual creators, so you know it's good.



4. Back in high school, I fell in love with Antmusic. It was like rebellion from normalcy and I grabbed on for the ride. 20 plus years later, I still want to grab on for the ride. This box rocks. The best part about the collection is the different versions of the original songs. There are two versions of a couple of songs such as "Stand and Deliver". In a couple of cases, I actually liked the demo better than the recorded song. "Friend or foe", for example, the demo is better to me. If you are an ant fan, this is a must have. My 3 kids, 8 and under, love the songs, too. My 3 year old can sing "Stand and Deliver" - it is adorable. Let's face it, there is no one that compares to the original sound of Antmusic. {If Adam Ant reads this stuff, record another album!! - the music industry now is so boring. . .}



5. Well it took about 14 days to get to me, and with much anticipation, I put it in my BOSE car audio system, and BOOM there I was back in the early 80's with ADAM and MARCO!!! I absolutely love this collection, even the quirky A.N.T.S. makes me smile! If you are a FAN, this is a MUST. If you would like to know what the new romantic music movement was all about, pick this up! The DEMO versions on here are worth the cost of this collection and then some! Thank you SONY, now How about the DVD release of ANTVIDEO in AMERICA????

5 comments about Woodstock 94.

1. In my opinion this is one of the best "90's" albums in my collection.(by the way this isn't a box set... lol) all it is is a 2 cd set. Anyways, as you read in the title, i think that soup by blind melon and dreams by the cranberries are the two best songs on this album. Most of the songs like the ones by the violent femmes, the rollins band, and of course who could forget...nine inch nails.
   Those are all the music of the 90s. If you don't like any of the bands., then don't buy it. But if you grew up in the 90s like me, and you like these artists, than i suggest you buy this album. (By the way... don't buy woodstock 99, its a s*** fest! if you buy any woodstock stuff make it either woodstock 1969 or woodstock 1994) :D



2. 5 stars for Blind Melons Performance of 'Soup'... Worth the price and more. That and Nine Inch Nails 'Happiness in Slavery'. I've had this since it came out, haven't really listened to it since, cept' the pre mentioned songs. But it's worth all of it just for those 2 songs.



3. i thought EVERYBODY had this...at least everybody that grew up in the 90s.
   
   i admit it, i got this because it was 75 cents at half.com and because i had it back in the day and listened to it way too much. so this was a nostalgia purchase, and a good one, it turns out. despite the cheese factor of this whole shindig, and the datedness of the bands included, this compilation is actually really well put together. transitions are smooth, the stage announcements really make you feel like you're there, and some of the performances (though not all), like blind melon playing "soup," red hot chili peppers with "blood sugar sex magic," metallica with "for whom the bell tolls," peter gabriel with "biko," and especially, the best of all, primus with "those damn blue collar tweekers" (including a beautifully done, seamlessly inserted rendition of jimi hendrix's legendary "star spangled banner"), are jaw-droppingly good. not bad for under a buck.



4. The CD set here is not meant to represent the concerts themselves but the event as a whole. the songs (and announcements) reflect the moods, styles, genres, humor and talents of the artists as a snapshot. This means that some bands may not have their best or most popular songs on these CD's. Both Cd's have a mix of:

   Popular bands playing hits ( Melissa Ethridge, Cranberries, Collective Soul),

   Popular bands playing lesser known songs ( Blues Traveler, Live, Candlebox, Cypress Hill),

   And classic bands playing from their catalog ( CSN, Peter Gabriel, Joe Cocker).

   Leading the second disc, Metallica dominated the set with an energy no one else seems to bring. (As I said some of these songs dont represent the bands' overall performance very well)Another review stated that this song, "For whom the Bell Tolls" was the definitive live recording of the band and I totally agree. The recording of this song is required for any metallica fan. The clarity beats any bootleg and the intensity beats the few live recordings the band is willing to sell.

   Other standouts include: Cypress Hill, NIN, Blues Traveler, Aerosmith, Dylan, Chili Peppers, Primus and the Neville Bros.

   Some may be dissapointed by Jackyl, Green Day, Blind Mellon, Salt N Pepa's song Shoop has dated very poorly, and the stage announcements can get repetitive. I personally found "Come Together" to be a little gratuitous as a reference to the original music of Woodstock. As a side note, I believe that Slash from GNR plays on "The Hunter" with Paul Rodgers though i could be mistaken.

   It is possible to refute one complaint I have seen about the set (and the event). The sampling of the discs makes it clear that the bands selected are for the most part not platinum sellers, and those few that were, normally didn't have the "hit" song selected for the cd. The commercialism of the event itself may be an entirely other matter. Still I believe that at least 17 of the 27 bands have never seen platinum or achieved mainstream success. Bands like "Rollins Band" are talented but are so niche they are never likely to do so.

   All in all I love the set. I believe it is worth the purchase if only for the Metallica song. However, this does not represent even a fraction of the music at the event and a true box set should be made available.




5. The event that was Woodstock 94 was enough of a greedy corporate scheme--now there's a CD set of the music? The idea of a 25th anniversary celebration of the Woodstock event was a great one, and inviting Bob Dylan and CSN was a great idea on someone's part. But the event went on to insult those musicians by placing them alongside such groups as Candlebox and Collective Soul. Is someone really implying that those bands make music that is as socially relevant as that of the first Woodstock? Now, almost 10 years later, those bands have completely dropped off the radar, while Dylan is still going strong. There is great potential in an event like this, and that is what angers me about the final result. It took into consideration only the marketability of its artists, not their message, while the message was the whole point of the first Woodstock event. Bands like Green Day have gone on from this event to do...well, nothing, really. Meanwhile, Joan Baez, an original Woodstock performer, sang at a peace rally in my city just last week. Please don't give more encouragement to corporate shenangigans like this by purchasing this CD. Save your money for artists with conviction and staying power. Sure, rock festivals based on marketability have their time and place (I don't object at all to Ozzfest or Lollapalooza), but their place is not cashing in on a genuine, heartfelt gathering of performers with something real to say.

5 comments about Black Box: Wax Trax! Records, The First 13 Years 3 CD Set, Includes 76-Page Book.

1. This is a timeless compilation of bands. WAX TRAX records really were the God-fathers of realing industrail music.



2. ... after the first printing of this collection, let me say LOUD and CLEAR that WaxTrax! (now TVT) Records NEEDS TO RE-RELEASE THIS COLLECTION OF CLASSICS!!! As it stands, Black Box is a hard to find collector's item, as the prices for used copies can attest (nobody's gonna have a new one available, kids, at least not for a reasonable price). You're lucky if you can find someone who kept immaculate, anal-retentive care of the discs. I was lucky to find a copy of this set at my local record shop, but the condition of the CDs would rate as GOOD, VERY GOOD at best. I'm just glad that after 13 years, they will still play in my CD player.
   
   I'm not going to fire off a huge, elaborate critique of the set. If this kind of music from this time period pushes the dopamine receptors in your brain over the brink (and you know who you are), then this collection is for you. Yeah, it's primarily industrial in nature, but there are hints of techno, hard/goth rock, and dark experimental music. The 3-CD set clocking in at roughly 3 1/2 hours of music represents a nice, thick, bloody slice of a time and a place, and yes, it's just that damn good. Read the other reviews for point by point details. At worst, this one gets 4.5 stars. At best, it easily garners 5.



3. My interest in industrial music and its history lead me down the path to this little almost forgetten jem at this point.
   This is industrial music as its not made anymore, as industrial music since the death of this label has become even more of a minor niche market fading into the obscure. But this box set captures industrial's golden age. An interesting mix of styles and history, it actually prompted to go visit the orginal WaxTrax store in Denver while on vacation(ironicly seeing one of the artists on the boxset.KMFDM). With all the music revials going on, I wish someone would revive this kind of industrial music, before its completely forgotten. The track that is the most well known is probably the cover of "Supernaut" with the Trent Renzor vocals, but that is to over look alot of other amazing material. You can feel the energy, the thoughtfulness, and the pioneering spirit racing though every track. The only shortcoming i'd say would be that Front 242's material couldn't be included.
   Music history buffs will also get a kick out of this, there is a little booklet helping outline the history of the label, and quite a history it is. I find it quite sad that there is no real written books about WaxTrax and the chicago industrial scene of the 80s like there is for punk,hardcore,indie and their counterparts.
   I recommend this comp 100%, and hope that you can feel the same love for this music as I do.



4. I dj'd at college radio stations for 5 years in the late '80s, and was always pleasantly excited when I found a Wax Trax! label in the New bin. (Unfortunately, I usually did my shows in the dark and thought the name was "Wax Traxi" for the longest time!) The label was a mainstay of industrial music, and founders Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher consistently managed to sign and produce the most exciting musicians of the time -- the many incarnations of dear troubled genius Al Jourgensen, The Young Gods, FLA, Coil, Controlled Bleeding, Doubting Thomas, A Split Second, Lead Into Gold, Psychic TV, Foetus -- they are all here on three great discs packed with music that makes you want to move and feel. Disc One, Track One: Trent Reznor covers Black Sabbath's 'Supernaut' with 1000 Homo DJs -- a version previously unreleased, and then you are zipping through Sister Machine Gun and The Young Gods and oh so many more seminal industrial bands. Divine puts the "fun" in funky with "The Name Game", the label's second release. I was also happy to hear a few groups that had somehow slipped past me the first time around, like Wreck. I had a great time listening to this collection and am still listening to it. You can put in any of the three discs and be happy for a long time.

   The packaging is beautiful -- a heavyweight black box covered with hip lettering and disturbing images; three black CD cases containing labeled discs and a listing with artist, cut, time and version information; and a terrific booklet that relates the anecdotal history of Wax Trax! -- it's artistically interesting as well as substantive and entertaining.

   If you enjoy industrial music, you cannot go wrong with this incredible collection of the music and people that started it all. And why not put a few bucks into the pockets of the guys who loved the music more than the profits?




5. This Chicago-based record label compilation is an awesome chunk of the work done by most of the best industrial bands that came out of N. America and Europe in the 80s. Very interesting and innovative music- fans of industrial music or darker techno should like most of this stuff quite a bit.

5 comments about Family Tree.

1. Björk made her first CD "Gudmundsdottir" when she was 12 years old.
   
   http://www.amazon.com/Bjork-Gudmundsdottir/dp/B000GWCM4E/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1212173691&sr=1-6
   
   It's pretty darn interesting especially if you are interested in exploring her evolution through the Sugarcube era to her stuff today. Interesting to see the evolution to sophisticated artist she is. Unlike most of today's media creations Björk is a true artist who was not afraid to take chances at 12 and is still taking chances.



2. I found this at a local music store in New York for 35 bucks, so I would recommend going somewhere other than Amazon for it, but I would certainly recommend getting it.
   
   There are a few songs I never would have heard if I didn't get it and many of the alternate versions are actually quite a bit better than the originals. A lot of the tracks are taken down a notch so her voice is really highlighted and several of the tracks really blow my mind. All of the stuff with the string quartet is incredible; the Icelandic version of "Birthday" (the Sugarcubes hit) is wonderful, and even the Greatest Hits According to Björk, which could perhaps seem a bit useless, is a very interesting addition to my growing half-knowledge of the lovely Icelandic lady.
   
   The downside to all of this is that there is not so much beyond the music in this expensive and quite small box set. The design is quite cute and at first glance when I popped open the little pink box and found a bunch of mini-CDs running around I was very excited, but then I looked around and couldn't find very many words. I was hoping for some information about the selection of the songs, why some versions were chosen over others, etc. All I got was a paragraph by Björk in somewhat mysterious language explaining how Roots, Beats, Strings, and Words make up every human. She does give a tiny little description of each of the collections, but it's so general... I'd just like a little more.
   
   To make it simple: If you are a huge fan of hers, and you probably are if you're even reading this, it's worth finding a copy of this. Sixty bucks? I'm not so sure, but you can certainly find it somewhere for a reasonable amount. It is certainly worth it for the music.



3. The music is a must for all Bjork fans, but the small discs dont play on all players. My Mac laptop can't read them and I can't put them on my iPod. I guess this adds to their mystique in some way, they can only be experienced with my walkman on special occasions! Just a word to the wise.



4. I've been a fool and have suffered as a result of my ridiculous preconceptions. I'll start by saying that I went many years being aware of Bjork's existence, but being really oblivious to her music. I guess I just wasn't paying attention. I saw occasional pictures of her in magazines or on news reports (attacking a photographer or wearing a swan dress), and I wrote her off as some avant-garde fringe artist. But I never listened to her music!
   
   Then about a year ago, my eyes and ears were opened! One of my best friends sent me a collection of songs on a disc, (thanks MI-2!), one of which was HUNTER by Bjork. Well, this song jumped out at me like a neon light in a pitch black room. Shortly after hearing that track, I heard a copy of the HOMOGENIC album and I quickly realized that I wasn't just listening to some edgey girl singer with a nice hook; I was experiencing true art. The more I listened, the more I loved the music. Now I'm kicking myself for all the years of listening that I've wasted.
   
   I purchased FAMILY TREE as a sort of jump start to get up to speed with the rather large Bjork catalog of work. The songs span her career and give a wonderful overview to her work thus far. Some of my favorite tracks include PAGEN POETRY, BACHELORETTE, and VENUS AS A BOY. I also really love the alternate versions of five songs on the "Strings" mini disc, including a stunning version of the song that started it all for me, HUNTER.
   
   At first, I found the price a little steep for an artist I wasn't all that familiar with, but I now consider it some of the best money I've spent on music in a long, long time. This is a great collection that any fan will enjoy. And if you're like I was, a little timid to explore the unknown, all I can say is don't delay any further, you don't know what a remarkable experience you're missing!



5. I feel like I have been cheated. I mean, sure I read these reviews before purchase and knew that the packaging was...odd and that the price was...not worth it. Oddly enough, the box is better than many people have said. Sure, the box is going to bend and the discs are going to look squished, but come on, if you saw this in the store, you should have realized that the six discs were not going to have much room. If you feel like you have been cheated because of the packaging, than you should have realized what you were buying, but if you feel cheated because of the price, I can relate. I can see how this box is this expensive (how much do you think all the artwork, papers, mini-disc containers, and pink n' white embossed box cost the company?) but it seems like they could've compiled it all in 2 or 3 CDs for a cheaper amount. Am I happy? Yes. Do I feel like this could've been done better? Yes and No. I think the box really adds character and I found no problem getting everything back in, but I do miss the cash I shelled out for this. And the mini-discs really were cool and hi-tech looking which added to the flair but I keep wondering about something...The second section (Beats) had only one disc, so instead of having a cardboard-like container for two, it was only in a plastic sleeve. So, my question is, why couldn't they have put each of the five mini's in seperate, single sleeves marked, "Roots Part One", then "Roots Part Two", etc. Then the box wouldn't be under so much weight. And if they combined the "Words" booklet and the map of "Family tree" in one slightly larger booklet, it could make up space too. So, yes the originality is neat but they could have made it with the same materials, just in smaller packages. I'm sure you're wondering if all this is really worth it but for me I think I'm quite happy on the whole. Plus, when I was reading past reviews of the box the suspense was killing me to see what it really looked like, so maybe this review will not only help you to decide to buy it but make you crazy with anxeity over what you will find when you tear away the shrink wrap...

5 comments about Children of Nuggets: Original ARtyfacts from the Second Psychedelic Era - 1976-1996.

1. If you approach this box set expecting a bunch of neo-garage revivalism, you will be instantly disappointed; the fluttering guitars and soaring harmonies of "Vanishing Girl," the first song here, have nothing to do with the Standells and only a passing similarity to the Electric Prunes. It's not like anything you'd really find on a Pebbles or Back From The Grave disc, and its psychedelic flourishes aren't even remotely acidic. The song isn't raw or crude or wild. Instead, it's an otherworldly pop masterpiece, full of quiet anguish and subtle humor, with delicately bewitching vocals shimmering over and around a stunning cascade of emotive melody, underneath which is a 60s-inspired rhythm full of sunshine and hypnosis. After that comes the Lyres' "Help You Ann," which is a quintessential anthem for garage rock revival, with tremolo guitars and snarled vocals and a cheesy organ and all that other good stuff. This set isn't dominated by either sound- "Vanishing Girl" and "Help You Ann" help set the template for Children Of Nuggets, but they're not the entire blueprint. Sparkling pop and pounding garage rock sit comfortably aside neo-psych, post punk, surf revival, new wave, power pop, and just about every other cool method of sound creation that existed between 1976 and 1996. The result is, first and foremost, that a bunch of great music is rescued from obscurity. This is a beautifully guided tour of everything that happened beneath the surface of the post 'Nam, post Nixon, post Frampton planet earth, a gorgeous affirmation of the freewheeling spirit of the 60s. It's living, breathing, rockin' proof that people really did put the lessons of the Beatles and the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan and the Green Fuz to good use. Sometimes, they even hit the charts!
   
   Does this multi-genre approach contradict the Nuggets spirit? Well, I would like to remind you that the original Nuggets LP, as compiled by Lenny and Jac, wasn't just about the Count Five and the Seeds. I mean, how do you explain the inclusion of Sagittarius' stunning pop symphony "My World Fell Down," or the Cryan Shames' sparkling "Sugar And Spice," or Mouse's Bob Dylan-inspired "A Public Execution," or the sheer studio art of bands like the Strangeloves and the Third Rail on the original LP? Nuggets wasn't just about mining the dingy garages of America, you know- it was about diving headfirst into the untapped musical gold mines of the 60s, peering into the shadow of the 'Stones and the Monkees to see what else was going on, and finding out that the answer was a resounding "a whole lot!" It's about artyfacts, man, artyfacts, and it don't matter where you dug 'em up from as long as you really dug 'em, dig? And that's why this set is a great addition to the Nuggets family, and why every fan of great music owes it to themselves to pick up a copy.



2. Forget the "half-loaf" commentary, this set of 'off the radar' progressive rock music is excellent. I've been listening to Nuggets collections since the original two record set was released in 1976. This particular collection of music from '76 to '96 is flawless in recording and content. Each cut is a hit in and of itself. If you loved college radio through the 70's, 80's and 90's, this is THE collection that brings it all back. You'll find no filler, no 'top 40' garbage, no tricks, just plenty of guitar, hooks, blues riffs, rhythm and vocals...'three chords and the truth' is what it's all about. Check out ALL the Nuggets collections, they're all really great, but there isn't enough stars for this one.



3. The previous 2 nuggets were incredible. Fortunately, the 3rd edition does not disappoint either. A treasure trove of great pop ditties and well worth the purchase price. These 3 editions are the best compilations ever.



4. With such a fertile field of recordings to draw from and guys like Little Steven involved, I thought it would be a lot better. I love garage rock and the era of garage rock revivalism, but I found this set to be about 2/3 filler with alot of bands included that I just wonder why they were selected... and then of the bands selected, I can't figure out why they picked the songs they did when I know the artist has far superior work. Get your self an FM tuner and a CD burner and record just about any episode of Little Steven's Underground Garage show and it will be better than this collection. Some really great gems in there though if you have the cash to pop for this expensive set.



5. Unlike the first 2 Nuggets boxes which were both chock-o-block with essential garage classics, this one has about half a disc of essentials and the rest are YAWN!
   And since when do rockabilly, surf music, sunshine pop or prog rock get included under the "Nuggets" banner? Those styles would never have made it onto the original Nuggets collections, so why this one? The spectrum of "retro" influences seems to have widened too far to make any conceptual sense.
   Nevertheless I'm very happy to have discovered a few treasures I probably wouldn't find anywhere else. But at this price, not so happy!

5 comments about Surrounded.

1. Bjork in 5.1, need I say more! Her beautiful music in all it's glory coming at you from 6 speakers. If you are new to Bjork this box set is a bargain. Rather than purchase her albums individually, you get them all here, re-mastered in 5.1 & DTS for a pretty good price. If you are already a fan, then you need this. Each album features the original sound in stereo on one side and the entire album again in DTS & 5.1 on the other. If that is not enough for you, each disc also includes the videos from each release (also in 5.1) and a very entertaining behind the scenes look at the making of `triumph of a heart." The music sounds fantastic and I think it's awesome that the art work and packaging of each disc has not changed. My only gripe with this set is that there is nothing to look at while the music (DVD side) is playing. Bjork's duel disc version of her latest release (Volta) displays various promo shots in a slideshow while each track plays. This would have been an awesome addition to an otherwise excellent collection.



2. Not since Kate Bush have I been so impressed with a singer/performer like Bjork. She brings passion and pure joy to everything she touches. This box set is a must (and it includes DVDs of her videos). But Bjork is best experienced live - get all of her DVD concerts! That is where she truly shines. I especially recommend the Royal Opera House DVD.



3. Esperé bastante tiempo para comprar este Set, pero el reciente concierto de BJORK aquí en Bogotá Colombia me movió a comprarlo de inmediato, ya antes tenía todos los cds y dvds antes, pero, voy a eplicar por qué este set realmente vale la pena.
   
   Vale la pena por que la musica de bjork tiene muchísimas dimensiones acusticas, y simplemente no has escuchado nada, si no lo escuchas en DTS 5,1. Imagina los compases iniciales de PAGAN POETRY, en los que aparecen como cascadas estos pequenos sonidos.... no en un recorrido de izq - derecha... sino pasando lentamente desde tu espalda a la izquierda, luego sintiendolo frente a ti y posteriormente su eco a tu derecha alejandose....
   
   simplemente increible, escuchas con muchisima claridad cada instrumento.. es mas.. compare el cd normal contra el DVD DTS y de lejos.. la claridad del sonido y su distribución espacial te permiten escuchar cosas que antes eran inperceptibles.
   
   Esta colección es mi regalo de navidad: para mi.. y creo que no saldre a vacaciones.. por que debo encontrarme otra vez con toda la obra de Bjork.
   
   Algo adicional, es que en esta edicion el audio de los videos (vienen todos los video clips de bjork hasta antes del joga) están mezclados en DTS 5.1
   
   Si no puedes escuchar la senal de DTS, recuerda comprar el cable de fibra optica para conectar tu reproductor al Home Teather, esa es la solución.



4. Okey, I've read so many negative reviews about this product I want to share my experience this this box-set.
   
   
   First off, the bad things:
   1. If you don't have a DTS/Surround 5.1 system you're not going to enjoy the experience of being "surroundede" by the music. These days those equipments are not so expensive and you can have one for 200 bucks or less.
   
   2. Is a must to have a DVD player of Stereo system capable of reading DualDiscs. In my house I can play the DVD-audio side on my DVD player but not the CD side (!). I also use my computer to hear music and it can read both sides. Just in case, I own an IntelCore iMac. I strongly recommend to TEST your own equipment with dualdiscs BEFORE you buy the box set. Lend a friend's dual disc. Try it on your stereo, your computer, your laptop until you are SURE that there's not gonna be any problem with this kind of problematic media.
   
   
   The GOOD things:
   1. The sound is KILLER! The DTS sound is rich and powerfull. I only have a CHEAP Sony 5.1 DTS system (3 frontal speakers, two side speakers, and a non-active subwoofer) Some problems with the sub side but the rest is crystal clear. My favorite album is Vespertine... the surround arrangments enhance the atmosphere of the songs (like in Cocoon or Heirloom) THhe channle separation is perfect to make your house rumble. crank the volume in Pluto and prepare to be slammed against your wall.
   
   2. Package is sweet: Hot copper stamping over a holding carboard case. The printed art is Bjork-ish and I really love it. You have all jewel cases arranged inside, protected from dust and humidity. Some guy mentioned the "special" Dual-Disc version. Well, that version is cool (rounded corners and a curved side) but is a big problem to put that thing on a CD shelf. Think about if before buying.
   
   3. You got all the Björk discograhy/videography (even the weird Drawing restraint soundtrack) in one box. Is not pricey of you are patient and wait (like me) to have a discount from Amazon. I purchased it for 80 bucks (plus shipping). Great deal, considering I live overseas and don't have free- shipping benefits.
   
   
   My final balance: To me this is a great oportunityt to get all the Björk's studio music and videos, nice packaged and with a fantastic 5.1 sound. Please, before you buy this set do some test on the equipment you own. In that way you won't be dissapointed once it's in your home and you can't play the (damn) discs. This is what I did and I'm now very happy to have the entire collection of one of the most versatile and original artists in the world.



5. So it is no question that Bjork is not your typical mainstream artist. She is unlike anything else. She has the voice, the mind, the need, and the power to create and design, beautiful art, whether it is musically, or visually.
   
   In Bjork's new (__Surrounded) you will find everything from the "Debut" in '93 until her latest "Medulla" in '04. Every record on the collection has been re-mastered on the DVD side. They each, except for Selmasongs and Drawing Restraint 9, include their accompanied videos. Those beautifully made videos that can only come from the master mind that Bjork is.
   
   It is no doubt that Bjork grows with time, and this collections shows it. The videos, the music, the arrangements, it all changes, into the world called Bjork. The collection is definitely worth the buy, worth the money and worth the try. Even if you are the biggest fan, or most importantly, have all the CD's, (__Surrounded) is the way to go.