5 comments about Californication.

1. This a review of the mastering, It is BAD. Perhaps the most infamous victim of the loudness war, but I hear so little of it from fans. The music is OK, I guess, but the sound is AWFUL. Consumer, educate yourself. END THE LOUDNESS WARS. Go get Blod Sugar Sex Magic, (original issue) it is the same, only it sounds good.



2. Red Hot Chili Peppers's 1999 album "Californication" is often recognized as one of their best efforts, often ranked second only to "Blood Sugar Sex Magik". And with that being said, "Californication" is great for both newcomers to the Peppers and fans who want to complete their RHCP collection.
   What I really love about this album is the summery feel to it. I remember finishing my finals early June, coming home and popping this in at 10:30 in the morning. The second I heard the chorus to "Around The World", I knew it was time for my summer soundtrack to return!
   The whole album is very strong and well put-together, and shows how far the guys in the band have come. The fifteen songs that make up "Californication" all flow nicely and sustain a level of energy, mood and high spirits we've come to know the Chili Peppers by. The songs combine funk, alternative rock, experimental rock, even some occasional bluesiness and heavy metal. Some highlights of the album include:
   "Around The World": A super-energetic introduction features a thundering bassline and some screeching, psychedelic guitar lines. The verses are very catchy, Anthony going about in his rap-rock styles, and the chorus is so melodic and beautiful, it sets the tone for the whole song.
   "Parallel Universe": A basic but fast-paced song with a new-wave/punk guitar line and very atmospheric lyrics sung in Anthony's signature voice. A great chorus that builds up with lots of energy.
   "Scar Tissue": A softer, melodic ballad with some jazzy rhythm section work and great, bluesy guitar lines. Anthony's lyrics and voice all add to the song, and overall this is one of the best songs by RHCP ever!
   "Emit Remmus": A jittery, low-key bassline and a slower pace occupy this song, which is apparently written about Anthony's relationship with the chick from the Spice Girls, read his autobiography "Scar Tissue" for more information. Anyway, the guitar in the chorus is very thrashy, in a good way, and the lyrics are odd and poetic, at the top of their game just like on the rest of the album.
   "I Like Dirt": A short, funky two-and-a-half-minute jam in B-minor, featuring some deliciously double-entendre lyrics and a cool guitar solo.
   "Road Trippin'": A mellow, acoustic ballad that closes off the album, Anthony's lyrics and singing as great as they always are.
   
   With all the other songs alongside these, "Californication" is one of the strongest album of the last 10 years, and ends the '90s with a bang. As a RHCP fan, I wholeheartedly recommend getting this as soon as possible, take a nice, long cruise down the highway near the foresty area not too far form your home, blast this, and feel it work its magic. It's worked for me, as I love this album, and I know you will, too. Thanks for the time, and peace.



3. If you are reading this you must have an idea what this album is all about. It's my favorite of the RHCP albums and is universally excellent; if you are thinking of buying it you won't be disappointed.



4. The Peppers are at the top of their game on this album. One of my all time favorites. Every track offers something new and creative. Fantastic album makeup. BUY IT!!! It will be one of the best decisions of your life.



5. I've been a fan of RHCP for years now. But had only bought one of their albums before now (Stadium Arcadium). So i decided to remedy that and i purchased Californication. I had only heard a couple songs on the cd (Scar Tissue and Californication). Both of which i really enjoyed and with the exception of maybe three songs on this cd. I found Californication to be a great trip into the minds of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. If its any indication of how good this one is. I will be back down that road again in the future buying another buy the guys as they all seem to be on a different level on this cd.
   
   Check out tracks like Parallel Universe, Scar Tissue, Other Side, Californication, Easily, Savior, Right on Time and the mind boggling Road Trippin. Californication is a cd that i know will get many plays by me now and in the future, a worthy purchase either used or new. It's very wise to invest in this one as the various reviews say, but don't take my word for it drop a few dollars on this one. It's worth it.

5 comments about Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.

1. A couple of good songs, but all in all a bit too squared off. Not much imagination, roots music doesn't have to be so dry. I was drawn to her by her appearance at the Gram Parson Tribute concert. When she has great songs to sing she is really fine.



2. I used to own this album when it first came out, it was my first taste of Lucinda Williams. At the time, I loved all the hits (title track, Too Kool 2 B Forgotton, etc). Now, I've grown tired of those songs and when purchasing and listening to this album again, it is her other songs on it that captivate me. I would say there is not one song on this album that isn't great. I know that some of her other work is fairly sad, or dark, but this one is not. If you like anything you have heard from Lucinda Williams, you'll love this album!



3. An American masterpiece. It is that simple. If you are only going to buy one Lucinda album, this is the one for you. As great as her self-titled album was, this is better. A flawless gem, one of those albums that can change your life.



4. `Car Wheels on a Gravel Road' is properly titled for its sound and content. Featuring breathy, but spirited vocals, Lucinda Williams reminds one slightly of Janis Joplin on her near-acapella song "Mercedes Benz". Having plenty to say about breaking up with her boyfriend(s), her cyclical, twangy honky-tonk songs of regret come off as both sad and exhilarating despite the bitterness. Only on her truly scathing "Joy" does she take aim at her significant other at full force. Otherwise, she's just sad and lonely, recovering from her own little love hangover.
   
   Recollecting the joys of her recent, truncated past, "Right in Time" jump starts a truly consistent and heartfelt outing. The title track follows with all kinds of elicited memories. We can truly smell the bacon and eggs cooking as someone drives up the road and all the rough rocks of childhood and love interests come home to roost. "Concrete and Barbed Wire" finds the spare imagery of a wordsmith who gives us the bottom line of love's alienation. Heartache and punctuated accompaniment complement one another on the excellent "Can't Let Go". In the same wavelength, "Lake Charles" transports one to the time and place when love went right with a song that broods quietly with properly understated musicianship. "Greenville" takes us less serenely to a honky tonk bar scene with details of love turned to violence or rancor. "Metal Firecracker" is perhaps the saddest song of this fine batch. Recalling the vehicle of transported love, she exhorts her ex-lover, "Don't tell anybody the secrets/I told you." Surely, trust is at stake. How could anyone not relate to a tale of vulnerability gone to separation after intimacy.
   
   Hooked on it since my purchase, Lucinda Williams has a winner with `Car Wheels on a Gravel Road'. Gritty with recollection, lyrical sensibilities, and vocal prowess, Williams spares us little--especially her talent.



5. I ordered this cd specifically for the song "Drunken Angel". It has to be some of the best lyrics written, it makes you feel the heartache and wonder how anyone could write that without actually living through it. The rest of the cd is equally as spectacular. It is an emotion filled cd, with wonderful vocals and music. I would recommend this cd to many people, even if you do not particually care for country music.

5 comments about Nirvana: Unplugged In New York.

1. I never was into nirvana until this year and I always seen them as a loud screaming band. I never thought they could pull this kind of proformace off. And in this they did. Kurt was amazing at how he sung each song in a very mellow tone. This dvd is worth having.



2. I had been looking for this DVD for years.
   I am not a huge Nirvana fan, but this is a must have for any early 90's music fan.
   A true treasure for the music enthusiast.



3. The show is stunning; especially if you forgot about it and haven't watched it years. Some things you'll notice and love are: the uncut broadcast of course, different camara angles for a lot of shots and views that are new to everybody that is used to MTV original broadcast. Also, the new audio mastering sounds just incredible.
   Bonus features include the practice session in which they rehearse some songs.
   There is also an interview bonus section; nothing out of this world, but it's a plus.
   
   Since the audio was not edited for this DVD, you can hear Kurt messing up the lyrics for the song Lake of Fire.
   I was used to the original broadcast and so I never got to taste what raw power was behind the show. This was released just in time to make me remeber how much I love this band and how cool to see any uncut performance is, specially if it has this incredible energy and honesty.
   All in all, this is must have for any Nirvana fan and a nice gift to the rest of the world.



4. I saw this original performance on MTV's Unplugged and immediately became a Nirvana fan. A great upclose and personnal accustic musical performance with Nirvana and Kurt Cobain. Truly shows the very gifted talent of Cobain but a sobering reminder of a great loss for music.



5. I knew this would be good but didn't realize that they would be doing cover songs which I thought was nice. I assumed they would just be doing accoustic versions of their songs. Kurt Cobain was too cute for words, you could see that he was a little nervous but what a great show. Well worth the money to own a piece of history.

No comments about 4.

5 comments about Our Long Road Home.

1. Never really heard of this band until a few months ago. Wow, what a great collection of songs. Buy it, you'll love it.



2. Jeez how many of you are on the Taproot Street Team??? Seriously, a deaf retarded gender-confused monkey with AIDS could tell you that this album blows. The only good thing about this album is "Path Less Taken". That is a good song, but the rest of the album is emo garbage. "It's Natural" is the worst Taproot song I have ever heard. And to think they recorded 50 + songs and these are the best out of all of them. I am so disappointed in this band. They had potential to be really great, but unfortunately they left their balls at the recording studio back in 2000. This is the kind of music you would expect to hear in a nursing home in Florida. I'm really hoping it will grow on me like BSR did (which is still very mediocre), but I just don't see it this time. Really, really disappointing. Great job Taproot, I'm sure the Jonas Brothers would love to have you open for them. You'd fit right in. My speakers need to be woken up, going to put in Death Magnetic.



3. When I first listened to this album, the change in styles reminded me of the same sort of transition that Linkin Park made with their latest album "Minutes to Midnight". Taproot's new album, like Linkin Park's, is a more melodic, less intense medley of songs. However, songs like "The Path Less Taken" and "Take It" demonstrate that our boys can still make some kick butt songs that are more of what we are used to as Taproot fans. On the other hand, Taproot shows signs of growth in the song "As One". This song is by far one of the catchiest songs I've ever heard. I challenge you to listen to it and not get it stuck in your head. Overall, I am pleased with this album. While it is different, it is still great. There have been some mixed reviews about this album, but listen to it with an open mind. I'm sure you will come to appreciate it as well as the new Taproot.



4. I'm a die hard TapRoot fan ,but this one misses the mark.I loved everything up to this point.I wish they would go back to the harder stuff,just a thought.The first song is ok.



5. Lacking: A good producer and mixer! Album is scattered and recorded horribly! Have been a major fan of Taproot since the beginning and will most likely not by another one of their albums!

5 comments about Halloween Hootenanny.

1. It's that time of year when you can listen to this one late at night under a full moon, the dead leaves scraping across the road and swirling in the yard in the cool yet still somewhat warm breeze. The kind of breeze that comes in waves in such a manner it makes the house creak and you think something fell in the garage, perhaps a sharp intrument, and now there are noises coming from the basement. Then there are all those stories having something to do about an ancient Indian burial ground located near this very spot, or perhaps someone met their demise in an unspeakable act of violence in the area.
   
   The trick is to put this CD on at a moderate to loud volume to drown out the voices/sounds you hear all around you, it actually soothes you and let's you enjoy the ambiance of it all, you can almost picture a ghost dancing along to it, forgetting it's supposed to be scaring you. The demons are now excited, the only sounds you will hear now is them knocking over a broom or shovel as they glide about to the flow of this CD.
   
   It all sounds like the makings of pure evil; but in fact it's just mischievious fun, different sounds, from surf rock, to punk, a sorta funky romp, or novelty alternative feel to these songs. All the reviews raving this one are right, it's so good...it's scary. I couldn't imagine October without it.
   
   Favs:
   1. Sinister Purpose
   2. Halloween (She Get So Mean)
   3. Ribcage Mambo
   4. The Halloween Dance
   5. Werewolf
   6. Gravewalk
   7. Little Demon
   8. No Costume, No Candy
   9. Psychic Voodoo Doll
   10. The Creature Stole My Surfboard



2. This is a pretty good Halloween music CD because most of these songs I had never heard anywhere before. The music is mostly upbeat and fun. The words to the songs deal with Halloween or spooky situations, but the music sounds like surf-y beach / silly party music. For someone that wants their party a little on the "darker" side of Halloween, you might not find a lot here to work with. Most people will not recognize right away that this is Halloween music unless you listen to the words, and that is hard to do at a party. The music itself doesn't really create a spooky ambience. I did like several songs from this CD for my Halloween Party playlist, but there were also a few that I left out because they just did not fit the mood I was looking for. The other thing I did was not play these songs all in a row at my party, since they all sound very similar. It is much better to space them out.



3. This CD was a big hit at a Halloween party for age 40+ adults. Good dance music, and upbeat without being too disco-y. Not too goth either, so it appealed to a wide audience.



4. What can I say, this cd is sheer perfection! I only hope that Rob Zombie eventually puts together another compilation for Halloween of the same quality. I just can't get enough, and play it year round!



5. I can definitely visualize a tiki-laden environment, like a Halloween Luau, perhaps at the beach at night, with everyone dressed up as their favorite monsters, sipping martinis and dancing nearby a bonfire to the joyous tunes of Halloween revery...
   
   1. Halloween Hootenanny - Zacherie
   
   We are introduced to the Halloween festivities with a poem narrated by our Ghoulish Host Zacherie, providing a welcoming atmosphere, starting off the party...
   
   2. Halloween (She Get So Mean) - Rob Zombie
   
   Emerging from the blackened earth, the zombie king launches the celebrations with a bang, where you can picture Baby girating in a devil-girl a-go-go costume...
   
   3. The Halloween Dance - Reverend Horton Heat
   
   Stick your arms out like you're in a trance, the gang's all here! You can hear them in the background throughout the songs herein. Everyone's having fun beneath the harvest moon!
   
   4. A Fistful Of Terror - The Bomboras
   
   An effervescent instrumental reminiscent of 'Wipe-out' by The Ventures.
   
   5. Werewolf - Southern Culture On The Skids
   
   Lycanthropic fun! You really being out the beast in Me!
   
   6. Gravewalk - Satan's Pilgrims
   
   A nocturnal jaunt in the graveyard may yield some unexpected pleasures...
   
   7. Ribcage Mambo - Frenchy
   
   A dimly-lit room, smoke looming above everyone's heads, as a zombie-like Noir beauty slinks out into the spotlight in a sequence gown and pillbox hat, while the skeletal band plays a hauntingly exotic number...
   
   8. I Drink Blood - Rocket From The Crypt
   
   High-velocity with a very feedback / static quality.
   
   9. Little Demon - The Amazing Crowns
   
   A Rockabilly cover of the classic by Witch Doctor Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
   
   10. No Costume, No Candy - Swingin' Neckbreakers
   
   Now here's a great sign waiting to happen! A really fun song addressing a possible issue on Halloween night. Perhaps those who do not dress up but still expect candy should also be given the "trick" of fetid condoments in those little packets instead of candy. If you lack the imagination or effort to celebrate, don't dare expect a treat here! You're no mummy, you're just a dummy!
   
   11. 'The Munsters' Theme - Los Straitjackets
   
   An amusing spook-surf rendition of the original by Jack Marshall, from a band who dress up as masked wrestlers.
   
   12. Sinister Purpose - Zacherie
   
   I really enjoy this one, wherein The Devil comes knocking on the coffin door offering wondrous gifts of immortality and riches. Sort of reminds Me of L'Air Epais, wherein one is awakened unto one's carnal nature.
   
   13. Werewolves On Wheels - The Born Losers
   
   Lycans on motorcycles going wild into the night!
   
   14. Psychic Voodoo Doll - Deadbolt
   
   Somewhat of an endearing sado-masochistic romantic tune.
   
   15. Banshee Beach - The Ghastly Ones
   
   Another fun instrumental. This actually reminds Me of a shirt which featured The Creature, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and Wolfman carrying surfboards, heading out for some tasty waves. This from a band who look like undertakers.
   
   16. The Creature Stole My Surfboard - Dead Elvi
   
   A humorous diddy about a surfer relating the time when The Creature took over his board for some late-night surfing. Of course, the band are all dressed as zombie Elvi...
   
   17. Extrasensory Deception - David Allan/Phantom Surfers
   
   Yet another highly-energetic instrumental utilizing some echo effects to add to that haunting element.
   
   18. Spooks Night Out - Legendary Invisible Men
   
   The spooks are out! With vocals sounding like they emminate from a megaphone, accompanied by echoing guitar and organ. Yes, that's right, the band members are bandaged invisible men.
   
   19. Happy Halloween - Zacherie
   
   Our host would stop at nothing to wish all a Happy Halloween!
   
   The booklet features Rob Zombie's artwork throughout, from Frankenstein to The Mummy, with Baby dressed up like a barbie-like sexy witch on the back.
   
   Overall, Halloween Hootenanny is a fun collection of jaunty tunes for year-'round revery, in a "spook surf", martini-sipping sort of way. Amidst the undead 50's-style rockabilly, many of which are enhanced with sound effects, we hear from "Zacherie", a ghoulish host regailing the listener with haunted tales sure to add that certain spicy ingredient to the Witch's brew.

5 comments about Away From The Sun.

1. I think that 3 Doors Down has to be one of the best Rock bands in recent years. They did the impossible with this album, made it better than the original. If you are a fan of 3 Doors Down and the album "The Better Life", then you will love this. "Away From the Sun" is the perfect album. Any song on this record are good enough to be a single. I don't dance, but man did I feel like dancing while listening to this! I couldn't help but move when I listen. If you are a fan, you will think this album rocks! And you will be correct.



2. Definitely 3 Doors Down's best album. Every song is good on here, and most of them really rock. It's a shame that they don't try to push their boundaries, though, because they could be so much more than an average, super-popular pop/rock band.



3. If you like 3 Doors down, you'll love it, if you dont, you'll hate it. It's my favorite album of theirs though.



4. this cd was ok. i'm more into harder rock but i'm still happy w/ this purchase.



5. Honestly, before 3 Doors Down, I was never really into this type of music all that much, but the first CD i heard from them Was Away From the Sun, and even since I've not only been hooked on them, but I've explored other similar artists and found I like what I hear as I get older. This should attest to the effectiveness of this CD!
   
   People argue that The Better Life was their best work, but I'd definitely have to say that Away From The Sun easily takes that title. This is one of those CDs where I don't have to skip a single track, automatically making it a classic as far as I'm concerned.
   
   With hard hitting tracks like "Sarah Yelling", "Dangerous Game", "Going Down In Flames", "This Time", and "When I'm Gone" you cant help but be affected by the raw energy these guys bring on this album. The more somber songs on here are no less then great as well, like "Here Without You", "Changes" and "I Feel You". The weakest track on here would definitely be "Ticket To Heaven", but its still good, its just more pop/rock-ish then I like for my tastes.
   
   Its worth the buy, grab it if you can, you wont be disappointed. 3 Doors Down in general is awsome, but this is probably their best work to date.

5 comments about Steppenwolf: All Time Greatest Hits.

1. If anyone likes Steppenwolf should get the cd! We enjoy it and listen to it all day at times.



2. My nephew, who is 19, told me he wanted this album. I was shocked when I received it and saw that it contained all the songs I was familiar with back when I was young. I think it says a lot when a teen wants to listen to the same music his old 60 year-old aunt listens to. And, I would like to add, my nephew is quite a rap dancer, too! I think that proves it's timeless.



3. These guys are in their 60's and are still on the road, but this disc is an ok but not great re-master of the 70's original releases. John Kay makes the band what it has become which is a great 70's band. A nice CD to have for old times sake.



4. great cd, all the songs i grew up with. some songs, i can remember what i was doing at that time.



5. Very good piece of music history. I still like the LP's sound a bit better then CD's due to some of the characteristic noise flaws but unfortunately LP's do not play in the car.

5 comments about Evil Empire.

1. I can't believe it's taken me 12 years before writing this review. What I am glad of though is that I didn't write this within a year of buying "Evil Empire"; when this came out in 1996, I - like many - was expecting a bombastic array of accessible riffage, heavy ranting and slick production similar to RATM's debut. What we got however was a grimy, dark and sinister effort that better showed off RATM's hiphop and punk influences. This was a shock. And it probably explains why it took me a while to get into. Now however, I listen to this album with a huge amount of satisfaction. Everything about it is great: Zack de la Rocha's voice is so aggressive, so vitriolic and just so downright convincing; the guitars and bass (oh, the BASS!) tap very different frequencies so each is heard equally, even though they often play the same thing; and the drums - although not jaw dropping - support everything perfectly. The only thing missing was Tom Morello's speedy guitar shenanigans - but even these aren't missed terribly because the music doesn't cry out for them in the way their first album did. Listening to this album on headphones while walking down the street is as close to what it must be like on heroin - makes you feel 10 foot tall and that bullets will bounce off you. I don't know what else to say - words literally fail me at the sheer greatness of this album. Together with Mr Bungle's "California" and Soundgarden's "Superunknown", I have my desert island discs (and probably the best slab of 1990's rock). An essential purchase for rock connoisseurs everywhere.



2. it took me a little while to get into this album, but when I did I enjoy it, It is just really good, the sound, the feel, it is a great second album for Rage!! totally should buy it, it is so good I have no words to describe, Has to be heard to be believed!!



3. RATM, as heard on this album, are no doubt legends in this genre and have influenced bands that have followed. Are there any other bands like RATM? I know of no other band except NYC-based Kongcrete whom I discovered when I saw their awesome video for their Joker theme song for The Dark Knight movie. The music video and music rock! Their other songs on myspace.com/kongcrete, Amazon, and iTunes are like Rage, Korn, Linkin Park, and Publc Enemy on steroids. And they seem to be inspired by horror and action movies. Anybody know more about this band? They have a poll on myspace, and I voted for Punisher as the next movie they need to write a song for.



4. Don't hurt me now.
   
   Not quite a sophomore slump; I give it 3.5 stars. Doesn't have the aggressive freshness of the debut nor does it rock as hard as the third one. This falls somewhere in between (literally). Rage's MOR record.
   
   Recommended, but get the other two first.



5. Of the entire Rage catalog, nothing comes off as hard, as heavy, as poignant as Evil Empire. Probably they're most recognizable album, Evil Empire is filled with hard hitting power. The first three songs (the trilogy of rock - People of the Sun, to Bulls on Parade, to Vietnow) define the pace of the entire album. Down Rodeo has, for me, some of the best lyrics I've ever heard in a song. I still get goosebumps all these years later. "These people ain't seen a brown skinned man since their grandparents bought one."
   
   I miss this band, and am thrilled to see them working together again. I dream of seeing a new album from them. I hope it comes close to Evil Empire.

3 comments about In Ear Park.

1. For those who may not be familiar with contemporary improvisational music, there is a label out of Munich, Germany run by Manfred Eicher called ECM. Since 1969, they have produced some of the most beautiful and in some cases, the most highly influential records the genre has to offer. The records are generally done in roughly 3 to 4 days, leaving little room for studio tampering. Eicher is tyrannically opposed to overdubbing and over-producing, allowing the music to retain a very spontaneous atmosphere, as well as a very organic one. The music in most cases, reflects a wider world influence infusing not only elements of modern North American jazz, but classical European harmony and world folk.
   
   The new record from Grizzly Bear member Daniel Rossen and long time musical collaborator Fred Nicolaus reminds me of one of Eicher's records. It's sparse arrangements coupled with dense harmonies and often-shambolic rhythms, brings to mind early Ralph Towner records. The chord structures used here are certainly not the generic ones found on most pop records, as with Grizzly Bear's Yellow House, chords are often realized beyond their mere 3 note applications and extend into the upper regions of the chord's implied harmony (extended 7th's and 9th's). The vocals are recorded in such a way that separating them from the music is impossible. They almost function as an instrument, that's not to detract from the lyrical content, but instead, enhances the experience by placing you as a listener right there with them throughout the whole record.
   
   Discussing the lyrical content of this record would probably be a disservice, mostly because it really does transcend words for the most part. Having said that, the album was dedicated to Rossen's late father and carries with it topic matter that may not have been suitable for a Grizzly Bear project.
   
   Another great strength of this record (along with Yellow House) is the "repeated listen" factor. It is recorded in such a way that the subtlety of the music will not reveal itself upon first listen. There are myriad vocal effects, reverb, and instrumental textures that are layered in a such a way that warrant this music to be experienced alone with a set of hi-fi headphones.
   
   This is record to explore, live with, and more than likely, will be used as a reference 20 years from now as to where independent "pop" music was at the time and who were it's innovators.



2. It's one of the best albums I've heard in years. A cross between Beirut and Radiohead. Every song is spectacular. Masterpiece.



3. album of the year...and this is the first review? writing about music is ridiculous - listen to it and love it!