5 comments about Long Black Train.

1. THis is a good album. He uses his deep voice to make beautiful music. You find yourself coming back to this over and over again.



2. He has the voice to take him to the top. Some of the songs are great, but he needs original, exciting material to take advantage of his talents.



3. Long Black Train, by Josh Turner, is a very good CD. I got it for just a couple of the songs, but ended up likeing the one's that I had not heard before too.



4. Country music fans have always debated about what is and what isn't country music, but this album shows that Josh's roots are firmly planted in tradition. Inevitably, there are some concessions to contemporary tastes including drums and electric guitars, which were once regarded with contempt by country fans; these have been a standard feature of country music for a long time now.
   
   Josh has a distinctive deep voice that some describe as a baritone while others describe it as a bass. It doesn't really matter which category it is, because it is a great voice and Josh is a superb singer. He has been compared to a number of other singers, either in sound or in style, but while I hear echoes of all of them in his music, ultimately Josh proves that he is his own man.
   
   The title track is a gospel song that uses a train as a metaphor. This is not a new idea, as I remember Johnny Cash recording another gospel song (This train is bound for glory) about a metaphorical train, and I'm sure there have been others. American country radio was slow to support the song, with the consequence that it stayed in the chart for a very long time but didn't get as high as it might have done. Still, it got the exposure and Josh was rewarded with album sales exceeding a million.
   
   The follow-up single, What it ain't, is very amusing, while there are a couple oif very romantic ballads (In my dreams, Jacksonville). She'll go on you (a warning that she might leave), Good woman bad (she's already left and he needs another woman) and Unburn all our bridges (she's left but he wants her back) all focus on the difficulties that men have in keeping women's interest in them. But the saddest song here (I had one, one time) is about a man reflecting all the things he once had, but lost it all. Of all the songs here, the song that really describes Josh's roots is the autobiographical Backwoods boy.
   
   Most of the songs here are originals, but there are a couple of covers. Well, one of them (The difference between a woman and a man) hardly counts as a cover. Doug Stone recorded it in 1999, but his most successful years were already past by then, so I doubt that many people who buy this are familiar with his version. I'm not either, but I found it when researching for this review. The other cover (You don't mess around with Jim) is a Jim Croce song from the seventies. Actually, the first version of this song that I heard was Donna Fargo's excellent cover, also recorded in the seventies.
   
   This brilliant album deserved to sell well, but given the current fashions in American country music radio, it is perhaps surprising that Josh got the airplay necessary to generate those sales. To those who are worried about the future of country music, Josh offers a becaon of light in the darkness.



5. This CD was a first for me by artisit Josh Turner. I love the title song "Long Black Train", this is what prompted me to purchase it. I was not disappointed! The CD is just loaded with wonderful music. I took the CD to work to play and many were singing along and enjoying life. I am looking forward to purchasing another of Josh's CD's.

5 comments about Buckcherry.

1. Just good old fashion rock and roll.How refreshing to hear music like this again. Vocals are a great with a throw back to Bon Scott's style of singing. Some hard edged songs with some softer and blues mixed in. I look foward to the new release in September.



2. case was warped but disc was in good shape, not 'like new' as stated, but decent. order arrived quickly. I would buy from them again if they had what I was looking for at a great price as they did this time.



3. My c.d. came very quick and it was in perfect condition for a used disk. There's not a scratch on it. Great prices! :)
   
   Lindsay K. Truran



4. At the end of a depressing decade, Buckcherry was pretty much exactly what rock n' roll needed. With a much missed love of debauchery, Buckcherry burst onto the scene, behind the success of singles like "Lit Up" and "For the Movies."
   
   But a twelve song album cannot be carried solely by two hits, and this album is evidence, yet again, that the best albums also have killer "filler." "Check Your Head" is an example of such, with compelling melodies, strong playing throughout, and interesting lyrics, and is really an album highlight.
   
   There really are a lot of good tracks, here. "Lawless and Lulu" is a standout to begin the second half of the album, and "Borderline" and "Baby" help to mellow out an otherwise hard rockin' album, in between harder tracks like "Get Back" and "Drink the Water."
   
   All in all, this is a damn fine rock n' roll effort, and a thoroughly enjoyable album.



5. I'm a little slow on the uptake here. Didn't come across this record when it came out. Still I feel obligated to rave about it. This is very good up tempo , blues inflected hard rock. No compromises on this record. Just straight up , in your face aggressive rock. Wish I had come across this one sooner.

5 comments about The Battle for Everything.

1. I must say that I feel compelled to write a review of this album! This is an amazing album! The lyrics are thought-provoking, and the music is very passionate!
   
   I have been listening to this album for just over 6 months now, and every time I listen to it I discover another nuance either in the music or in the lyrics; it sounds fresh each and every time!
   
   I love each and every song in this album. I can only think of one other album where I loved all the songs - U2's Joshua Tree!
   
   My favorite? "100 Years," of course!



2. Excellent. Sounds are good. The best cd he made. Worth the money.



3. Enjoyable to watch John grow in his work and passions...........



4. Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik seems finally to have got over himself and down to the business of singing about life. The result is a splended CD called, enigmatically, 'The Battle for Everything.' It promises to endure as a mile marker in his career, to say nothing of the annals of good listening.
   
   The album's opener, 'NYC Weather Report', fairly lilts. Ondrasik's irony seems less bent on anger venting than on description of life as a stranger, one passing through with wistful memories of places and relationships that failed but somehow cast their expectation forward into destinations that await the end of this moment in the journey. Back, yet somehow forward, to New York City.
   
   The man can also sing a mean love song. Shades of Sting's lyricism haunt 'If God Made You':
   
   'Hey Kid .. Your time has come to change
   Though I need you more than I've needed anyone in any way tonight
   Hey Kid ... I know it won't be long
   The Captain's calling .. come to see you back where we belong
   Something inside me is breaking
   Something inside says there's somewhere better than this ...
   Sunset sailing on April skies
   Bloodshot fire coulds in her eyes
   I can't say what I might believe
   But if God made you he's in love with me'
   
   Ondrasik places the chord transition exactly where it releases the listener's attentive energy. The man can score a song.
   
   Then comes the high-air-play '100 Years', a wistful survey of live's brevity that conjures up Cat Stevens, John Mellencamp, and Billy Joel. Ondrasik stands up just fine in such company. It's a tune made for hearing over and over again, then once more.
   
   'Dying' underscores Ondrasik's thickening credentials as a baladeer of lost love, though hardly with the campiness that such a description might suggest. It sounds real, not postured. Ondrasik has been criticized, of course, for the latter. This album should in part quiet that angle of criticism.
   
   In my judgment, the balance of anger with deeper and more varied sentiments, together with Ondrasik's growth as a writer, make THE BATTLE FOR EVERYTHING his first five-star offering. One feels confident it will not be his last.



5. I love this CD! I am 55 yrs old and have heard a lot of music; but I can safety say this music is in my top 5.

5 comments about Sweet Old World.

1. What can I say...her voice is great...I can listen to this over and over.
   Also check out "West" and "Car Wheels On a Gravel Road"



2. Lucinda Williams has that southern rock, southern bluesy twang to her voice and music. Some of the songs are funky, but all of them enjoyable. You can't help but to start singing and moving your body. I recommend this CD if you what a little bit of country mixed with the blues, and a little rock-n-roll woven in.



3. Lucinda Williams! On the surface her lyrics can sometimes seem so simple, but they always hit the mark.



4. This album was sandwiched in between Lucinda's two masterpieces -- her self-titled album and Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. It's a marvelous record that only suffers by comparison a little bit. Make this the third Lucinda album you buy.



5. Disclaimer: I'm a grey hair, so this review will be age biased.
   
   Lucinda Williams has an amazing vocal ability to weave a melody that carries you. Her voice sometimes sounds strained, but she always manages to complete the note - and leave you spellbound.
   
   The weakest song on the album I think is "He never got enough love". Would that other musicians could create something this good, but it simply isn't indicative of the quality that I have come to associate with Lucinda. Personal bias only.
   
   The strongest? I personally liked "Which Will" and "Sweet Old World". I am not usually a slow tunes fan, but these spoke to me.
   
   Do you need to own Lucinda Williams? No, not if you listen only to one music genre. But if your tastes transcend boundaries, or you like the folk-country-rockish music think of Lucinda. You won't be disappointed.

5 comments about Essence.

1. I saw Lucinda at Bumerbershoot in Seattle this summer. It was at Memorial Stadium, which is a bad place for live music (accoustically), but the song Essence just blew me away. Quickly it has become my summer of '08 theme song. I'm an old fart, and I like every kind of music, but she seems to have the ability to hit that bluesy nerve right smack dang hard and sexy too. Makes me want to do a little dance with a shady woman in a smoky honky tonk. Gonna have to review her entire song book on Itunes and make my own LW's greatest hits CD ... definitely going to include that Drunken Angel song too.



2. This is anice collection of songs from this talented singer/songwriter. Lucinda Williams is always on top of her game. Her story telling ability shines through once again. She is one of the most talented females in the music business, never a disappointment.Her imagery conjures up tangible feelings in the listener.



3. I've wanted to check out LW's music for a few years now and finally jumped in with this CD and was blown away. I had high expectations from reading the other reviews, but I was totally unprepared for what I heard. Gritty, smooth, musical, instantly likeable etc etc. LW's voice and delivery is like the light coming from a lighthouse on a foggy night. Unforgettable. I own over 500 CD's and listened to a lot of artists, LW and this CD have moved up to near the front of the pack. I can't wait to buy some more of her music.



4. This was the work that I started to realize that Lucinda Williams was not only a great song writer/performer, but a true musical icon. She keeps pushing the envelope, and has the talent and dedication to go even further. If it has her name on it I will buy it, and if it is like "World Without Tears" or "West" I will by copies for gifts.



5. Lucinda is just fantasic and writes and sings from the heart and loved her when I saw her in concert in NYC a few years ago.

5 comments about Jar of Flies.

1. What can I say this is simply a "Masterpiece" In my opinion..The Guitar work and Layne's vocals make this a "Classic" in Rock!...A "Must Have" in your collection.



2. This is a major departure from the bands first two albums. On the song I stay away that actually has an ochestra on it. No Excuses is their only song to make it to number 1 on the rock charts. Whale and Whasp is an instrumental song, Dont Follow is a very good laid back song to relax to



3. A mega good ep from Alice.
   A more than worthy mini follow up to Dirt.
   Not a weak track anywhere to be found on the disc.
   An often overlooked disc by the masses.
   A must have for Alice fans and prog. rockers.



4. As much as I love Alice in Chains's full-length albums, I think their EP releases are the best evidence of the band's versatility, talent, and soul. Case in point is the 1994 EP Jar of Flies. Coming after two unrelentingly heavy albums like Facelift and Dirt, a laid back, almost mellow collection of material is about the last thing you'd have expected from Alice in Chains, yet it never seemed out of character.
   
   The disc starts off with a pair of very slow-paced songs that retain the gloom and atmosphere of Dirt, if not that album's fury. After that comes a pair of upbeat (for Alice in Chains anyway) singles - I Stay Away and No Excuses - which are among the band's all time best songs. Next is the soulful instrumental track Whale & Wasp, followed by the laid back, harmonica driven Don't Follow, which is one of my absolute favorite Alice in Chains songs. Closing track Swing on This is an odd one, sounding like a bizarre swinging version of Dirt's God Smack.
   
   If you're an Alice in Chains fan, you have to own Jar of Flies. It's an important moment in the band's progression, and one of the better albums the 90's alternative rock scene had to offer.



5. Definitely one of my favorite albums of all time! I burned a nice ridge in this CD, listening to it to get me through some hard times while away in the Army, while grunge was still young, raw, and fresh.
   
   Facelift had me hooked. Dirt had me wiggling. But Jar of Flies tore through my soul. Didn't sound like a grunge band, yet it unmistakably was. Being so strung out, Staley still managed to groan his way through the songs, with Cantrell supporting. Not saying it was bad at all, but every ear listening knew (though never admit) that something was going on. But really, we didn't care. Had some great songs, great melodies, excellent lyrics (some of the best writing in decades, surpassing the garbage that the radio boasts today as new "talent'), this album (along with Sap) were the most distant from what they'd produced before, a good change for music that came out around the time which all sounded the same after a while. Alice In Chains were one of the early ones.
   
   It was probably best that Staley died when he did. Had they sobered up and pushed forward, and still be producing music (which I doubt; where's Smashing Pumpkins, or Soundgarden?), they'd probably have to recreate themselves again, just to branch out and remain fresh, different. For that is what the whole grunge movement was all about.

5 comments about Enema Of The State.

1. Such a good album. If you even like blink-182 a little bit you will love this CD. Classic hits such as the party song, adam's song and some really good tracks that actually made me laugh.



2. Enema of the State by Blink 182 made this pop/punk band a household name. In some ways, this album made them a little too popular and the music suffered after that. Adam's Song, All the Small Things, What's My Age Again?, and Wendy Clear are still pretty decent songs but the rest is just garbage. It's sad to hear about drummer Travis Barker, hope he has a speedy recovery but this cd is not in anyways memorable.



3. So who wouldn't want to buy this CD?
   Especially with the album cover (you know what I'm talkin' 'bout)!
   
   Anyways, she is the first woman I fell in love with back in 7th grade...
   And with her came my love for blink-182... Their style and music is so catchy that I never get tired of listening to any of their CD's, however, I have to say this one might be their best!
   
   Every song/track has it's own character/story that makes it interesting, and easy to get hooked into. Whenever I want to go back to the 90's I chuck this CD in and remember all the good ol' days when girls weren't PMS-ing, school was fun, US exchange was up, gas prices were down (even though I couldn't drive), and I wasn't so stressed out.
   
   Even the title of this album makes me laugh! Ha ha ha, so clever, so clever....
   
   ^_^



4. f### everyone who doesn't like this CD. This is one of the best CDs of all time.



5. I don't have MTV or listen to commercial radio or really pay much attention to mainstream media, so I had no prejudice love or dislike toward Blink182 when I bought their famous Enema Of The State release. The reason I first got this was because I heard and saw drummer Travis Barker play and was very impressed - so much that I wanted to hear his band. This is the only Blink182 album I have at this point, and I like it a lot, but not so much that I'm going to get their entire discography. It's excellent power-pop-punk along the lines of Green Day, with a heavy Ramones influence. Travis, as I expected, is awesome and the drumming stands out for me on this CD. The lyrics are a bit goofy on purpose, and the music is... well a lot like Green Day - fast power chords in a driving rhythm. Very accessable music on the fast/heavy side that would appeal to a fairly wide audience. There's not a bad song on here, but my favorites include Dumpweed, Don't Leave Me, What's My Age Again, Adam's Song.

No comments about Acid Tongue [2 LP Vinyl].

5 comments about At My Age.

1. This is one of his best pieces of work. His voice is more mature, and his singing is far smoother than his younger stuff.



2. Back in the day, one often wondered what would happen to the punk-rockers who railed against dinosaur rock acts when *they* aged. Here's one answer, in the form of a thoroughly enjoyable album.
   
   Of all the Stiff-era literate punk rockers, Nick Lowe has aged the best, neither holding on to the snotty-young-man persona until it's off-putting (Elvis Costello) nor losing his edge and wit completely (Dave Edmunds). Here's a collection of songs that are mature in outlook, mellow and tasteful in execution, yet as knowing and sharp as anything he wrote in the '70s. From the title and artwork to the burnished leather of his voice, Lowe has embraced rather than fought against the march of time.
   
   Recommended.



3. As an old-time Nick Lowe fan, I was unsure what to expect from him as he's middle aging. What he's created is a bunch of heart-felt songs that are all very pleasing to the ear. The tracks are a wonderful mix of pop anc country, and the horns (which concerned me) are a great compliment. No "I Knew The Bride"-esque tracks, but not dull either. Perfect record to cleanse the sins from the night before.



4. You can't go wrong buying any Nick Lowe album, but "At My Age" has to be one of his best. Like a fine wine, Nick is getting better with age: simply a brilliant songwriter and one of the best voices in the business.
   
   England should declare him a national treasure, and if they don't want to, he can move to the US and WE will!
   
   I only give this album 5 stars because that's the most you CAN rate it.



5. I've been a Lowe fan since the beginning, checking in on him now and then, but this CD has spawned a binge that has had me listening to nothing else and driving two and a half hours each way on a weeknight to see an amazing acoustic show.
   
   When I played the cd for my husband, also a fan of the late 70's Lowe, he said somewhat disparagingly, "It's country." Well it is, and it isn't and it's really so much more. I'm most impressed by the album's unity; every song explores a theme near and dear to the midlifer's heart. There is not an ounce of filler here. "Long-Limbed Girl" is for everyone who's ever googled an old flame after coming across an errant photo. "I Trained Her to Love Me" continues Lowe's wink at misogyny begun years ago with "All Men are Liars." My thirteen year old augments Chrissie Hynde's backup vocals on the jangly "People Change," but by far my favorite cut is the soul-infused "There's Hope for Us All." As other reviewers have said of this song, who but Nick Lowe could seamlessly weave the word "feckless" into a song?
   By all means buy this cd along with The Convincer, so we can perhaps get Nick to commit to tht second tour with a band that the success of the current tour is making him contemplate.

5 comments about The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter.

1. Josh Ritter's lyrics and melodies make him, in my humble opinion, a more likely candidate for the new Dylan sound than even Bright Eyes. His music lacks a certain pretension other artists in the same eclectic genre maintain. I find his work wonderfully underproduced and beautifully crafted. I am never disappointed in the integrity of his work. Its the perfect music for watching the rain, roadtripping, or reflecting on the past.



2. Great album.
   Got it today and it's now on the third spin.
   Great songs, great lyrics, great musicianship, great sound.
   
   This may be the best of Ritter's albums so far, even for those who fell for any of the previous albums (like me) and expected never to hear anything as good as the songs "You've got the moon", "Kathleen" or "Bone song".
   
   Well, he's done it.
   
   Every song in this album is better than the previous one, every lyric is clear as crystal and the previous albums, though great in their own, are a step below this one.
   "Right Moves", "Temptation of Adam", "Waiting for love"... well, 14 awesome songs, great production and Josh Ritter with amazing musicians, sounds and songs.
   
   I'm a record producer and a musician myself and, let me get this straight:
   i wish these were my songs and my production.
   Thankyou Mr.Ritter



3. I first heard Josh earlier this year performing on "Artists Den," and my ears were buzzing with pleasure. I immediately sampled tracks off his albums, and I recognized that the songs I liked the most from the show were all on "Historical Conquests." His earlier work is certainly smart, but this album had exactly what I was looking for: fun yet thoughtful music. The added intrumentation gives the songs rich layers, though occasionally some sounds can be grating. The bonus disc sounds like a group of tracks that didn't make the grade for this album, so don't stress if you missed out on it.



4. Comparisons with Dylan are unavoidable here but they shouldn't diminish Ritter's achievement - hundreds have tried and failed to follow that blazed trail after all. Also when you do listen closer and try and spot the bridges between them you start to see the differences and the places he extends the style. The intelligent lyrics and the well chosen rythms and instruments that house the words are shared accomplishments rather than derivative. More that this you get a sense of the fun behind the session - Ritter clearly enjoys the studio and the interaction with his band and this shines through. This CD is a great trip; if you're in doubt sample the first track and the second; if you like them you're another conquest. Enjoy!



5. My previous problem w/ Josh Ritter was that despite the intensity and inventiveness of his lyrics and delivery, the music was lacking. No more. The songs on this album are truly songs, not just pieces of music and lyrics. He truly comes into his own on this album.