5 comments about Division.

1. This is 10 Years' fourth album, technically. First two aren't that well known at all...and they changed lead singers after their first album. Anyways, I was very excited when I heard about this album. I have been a fan of 10 Years for a long time. The first time I listened through this album, I absolutely loved it and I still love it. I love the subject matter, music, and, of course, the vocals of Jesse Hasek.
   
   The album is diverse enough sound-wise to keep me interested the entire time through. In my eyes, there is only one weak track on the album and that's "Picture Perfect." Other than that, the album is solid. As much as I love this album, however, I think "The Autumn Effect" is much, much better overall.
   
   The main problem with this album is that the song structure is very *yawn*. Every song follows the V1-C-V2-C-BR-C-C pattern. It get very boring after awhile. Thankfully, the vocals and the lyrics are good enough to cover up the boring structure of the songs.
   
   If you liked "The Autumn Effect," I'd suggest this album. If you've never heard "The Autumn Effect," but that first.
   
   P.S. If you can get a hold of the special version with the two extra tracks...do it; They're my favorites on the album, actually.



2. As a an unexpected purchase, I was pleasantly surprised by this cd. Despite what others say, I don't hear Keenan's voice at all in 10 years lead. Honestly he's just not on that level that Keenan is, and to compare is doing Keenan a great disrespect. He sounds more like Taproots lead to me, and the music is about on par. I don't really think you're going to find anything highly original in this cd, but you will find a solid rock cd, with transparent lyrics, solid vocals, and a little mix of all kinds of rock genre sounds. If you're looking for some music that you can easily identify with, that isn't too far off from the norm, this is the one for you.



3. to "The Autumn Effect"...Didn't run out to buy right away,even though I was very impressed by the previous.But after hearing "Beautiful" several times,it has won me over.Sorry I waited so long.Solid from beginning to end...Actions & Motives,Beautiful,11:ooAM(Daydreamer),Russian Roulette,Drug of Choice & So Long-Goodbye highlight this real fine album.If you are like me and hesitated on this album,don't wait any longer.Get it now!!!!! It is intense...



4. This album is just a great as their first...would recommend to anyone who likes their sound.



5. This entire CD is great. Refreshing sound, and thoughtful lyrics. We love it.

5 comments about Another Country.

1. If Tift Merritt never records another album, I will still be happy. She has made three of the best soft country albums of all time. I will never get tired of listening to her lilting and deeply felt Southern vocals. Clearly she writes the tunes first because they flow just fine on their own but her voice, like that of an angel, adds meaning to the music that few female singers can match. After listening to her music for awhile, you feel you know here inside and out and you just know she is love-filled person just wanting to express it to the world. So much talent, so expressive and one of the all-time greats.



2. I loved Bramble Rose so I was glad to get this new CD and I am not disappointed at all. In fact, I love this CD. Her voice shines on certain tracks, like Another Country and Broken, and delivers solid performances on I Know What I'm Looking for Now and Keep You Happy. Her lyrics have matured with her and are quite often moving and thought provoking. It's a great listen and I play it in the car each day. I don't care much for the french language song, but I'm sure it pays homage to her year in Paris and has a personal meaning for her. The rest of the songs are wonderful.



3. Always heard good things about Tift; finally listened and agreed. Country, folk and rock are all here. I do think it a mistake, though, to make listeners go to her website to find her lyrics.



4. This is an outstanding album, best I have heard this year. Gorgeous, restrained vocals; intelligent, sensitive lyrics; and a first rate backup band combine to make this a rare and rewarding musical experience. Outstanding audio quality as well. If you have not heard Tift Merrett before, this is an excellent, accessible intro; if you have, I think you will find this a major step forward in her musical evolution.
   
   Neal G.



5. Tift Merritt's latest effort, long in coming, proves that she is a songwriter of range and merit. This album is somewhat more subtle than
   her previous effort, 2004's "Tambourine" and it suffers for it. Even still, it was well worth the wait.

5 comments about Easy Tiger.

1. I'm sort of a new Ryan Adams fan and picked this one up after hearing the couple tracks of the Elizabethtown soundtracks. This is a wonderful album... every track. Brilliant songwriting. Nothing's overdone here... its all just right. Nice backup band... all the tracks are 3 mins or less... its just a great album. Great stuff... look forward to more.



2. Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger *****
   
   Once again back with the great Cardinals, and making the best album of his career...so far. Easy Tiger is pure and simple genius. Brilliance in it's truest and purest musical form. The attitude is still there, the drugs are gone, and the lyrics are twice as honest and haunting making this miles above all his previous work.
   
   Subject matter ranging love and love lost ('Two' 'Everybody Knows' 'Tears Of Gold') to drugs and all around young mischief ('Halloweenhead'). 'Everybody Knows' is among his best recorded, and lyrically 'Tears Of Gold' might be his strongest of all time. 'Oh My God, Whatever, Etc' is nothing short of chilling. Nothing short of genius. 'Pearls On A String' would be typical in someone elses hands but Adams makes it a killer.
   
   Easy Tiger is one of the most breath taking albums of the last twenty years, and really the only one of real importance in the last three.



3. After touring with Willie Nelson and Phil Lesh and Friends in 2006, alt-country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams released his ninth album, Easy Tiger, a collection of thirteen emotionally intense songs written during Adams' extended period of alcohol and heroin abuse that ended in 2006. Easy Tiger reveals Ryan Adams at his best as a singer-sonwriter, and gave him the worldwide attention he long deserved. Sheryl Crow contributes backing vocals on the song, "Two," and Rolling Stone ranked "Halloweenhead" among the 50 Best Songs of 2007. The complete Easy Tiger setlist includes:
   
   1. Goodnight Rose 3:20
   2. Two 2:38
   3. Everybody Knows 2:25
   4. Halloweenhead 3:23
   5. Oh My God, Whatever, Etc. 2:31 9
   6. Tears Of Gold 2:53
   7. The Sun Also Sets 4:09
   8. Off Broadway 2:31
   9. Pearls On A String 2:23
   10. Rip Off 3:12
   11. Two Hearts 3:03
   12. These Girls 2:50
   13. I Taught Myself How To Grow Old 3:21
   
   G. Merritt



4. This is an amazing album. Ryan Adams, one of the most prolific songwriters of our generation, and dare I say a musical genius has some great tracks on this album, including "Two", "Tears of Gold", "The Sun Also Sets", and "I Taught Myself How to Grow Old". The entire album flows incredibly well, and I love that unlike many mainstream artists that stack their best songs at the begininning of the album, Adams clearly puts a lot of thought into song order, and making a cohesive album to begin with, making the entire album a joy to listen to.



5. Buy "Easy Tiger" and "Follow the Lights" .. these two works go together perfectly ... Enjoy!
   Ryan is Americana music personified ... Bravo !

5 comments about Asking for Flowers.

1. "Don't be like that," she sings in "Buffalo," the wonderfully orchestrated opening song from Asking for Flowers. The poinancy of her plea is evident in a voice that is at once beautiful and bereft. No one today can fashion lyrics with more honesty and insight than Canadian, Kathleen Edwards. Her songs, with indelible snapshot imagery, world-weariness, and masterfully produced music, generate in the active listener empathy, compassion and, for those who've been wounded by Love, unmistakable recognition. Like visiting a great museum, listeners will come away from Asking for Flowers with a heightened awareness of their hearts, and their sensibilities. Great Art will do this every time, for those willing to go deep enough to experience it. And they will be left feeling thankful that Kathleen Edwards, as she did in her previous releases (Failer and Back to Me), has once more gone deep enough to create her art for us. This is a great record by a profoundly talented singer-songwriter.



2. This is my first Kathleen Edwards album and I love it! How do the Canadians continue to produce such talent? Edwards is a beautiful blend of Dido and Edie Brickell; and the guitar work and keyboard/violin is reminiscent of Mark Knopfler. The melodies are beautiful; the song writing is romantic, evocative and brings tears to one's eyes. Play it alone, quite loud, and dance!



3. This album has snuck up on me. There were a few tracks I liked right away--'Oh Canada', 'Scared at Night'--but others have emerged as favorites. 'Run' is heartbreakingly beautiful. And there's more where that came from.



4. This is probably Kathleen's best album to date, though it is hard for me to choose between this and 'Failer' which I also adore. I found 'Back To Me' a bit bland and disappointing and wasn't intending to purchase this new album, but when I heard it streamed online I was hooked and fell in love.



5. Not really one of my favorite artists, but still enjoyable enough to be played now and then, the critics here in Sweden gave her a high rating so I ordered the CD because I got curious about her. Regards; Richard Naess

5 comments about Silver Side Up.

1. This CD makes NICKELBACK famous - worldwide. And i can only agree with other customers. It's still the best! The Real Thing - because of tracks like "HOW YOU REMIND ME" and my all-time favourite "TOO BAD". It hits you like a hammer! That are burners! Because of that 4* - The rest is trash!
   
   All other albums haven't got a soul - every single repeats itself. In a very few moments Chad can get a hit (for example only in corporation WITH SANTANA "INTO THE NIGHT" 2007). But that's it! I LIKE NICKELBACK VERY MUCH, but every artist had TOP CLASS times - now (in 2008) it's going down... Mainstream - making money as much as you can...
   
   WHEN YOU LIKE NICKELBACK AT IT'S BEST - TAKE THIS ONE... (from 2001). This album contains the hot stuff.
   
   PS: Nickelback is a very good live-band too! I can only say watch on YouTube NICKELBACK "TOO BAD" or "HOW YOU REMIND ME" LIVE AT >>ROCK AM RING<< 2004 - Eifel, Nuerburgring - (FESTIVAL IN GERMANY) and you know what i mean...



2. Whenever I hear these singles on the radio, I want to gouge my ears with an ice pick just so I never have to hear another Nickelback song. I flip through 4 stations and sometimes all 4 are playing Nickelback(or someone trying to sound like them). If this is the sound of this generation, then music is dead.



3. Nickelback is one of those bands that critics and "real music" fans hate, while their fans lap it up in droves. To me, they are the typical saga of a hard-working road-warrior band that finally grabbed the brass ring. Listening to "Silver Side Up" drives the 'bar band makes good' tag home, with a caveat inserted...I pretty much like this album.
   
   Granted, Nickelback distills their favorite bands into an easily digestible sound. Soundgarden and Alice In Chains seem likely contributors, but in my heart, this reaches back to all the travelling bands of the 80's like Reo Speedwagon, Head East or BTO from the 70's. Singer Chad Kroeger has a distinctive if not very distinguished voice, the songs are generic grunge-lite, and the band throws in "issues" to make themselves relevant. When the lead song on your album is a chord bashing revenge song about an abused spouse who fights back, well, it ain't your typical party anthem stuff.
   
   However, that happens to be the best thing here (and when you remind yourself that the followup The Long Road's "Figured You Out" is a song about debasing someone sexually, it seems off-kilter), and the album soon begins to sound like the same song 9 different ways. That's not to say that Nickelback is bad, they stand out from most of the early century grungettes (Staind, Puddle Of Mudd, Incubus, etc) that seem to think sounding heavy substitutes for good songwriting. And if there's one thing this band has a knack for, it is laying down a hook, over and over. Both "How You Remind Me" and "Too Bad" deal in sour topics (a cynical break-up and growing up without a father) while sticking to the roof of your brain.
   
   So critical and snobs be dammed. "Silver Side Up" matters most to the folks that buy CD's. In a time when hardly anyone, even the heavy hitters, can sell past gold, Nickelback (along with Daughtry) was one of the very few rock acts to go multi-platinum in 2007. From the POV of the jury of purchasing peers, their workmanlike chops and rock-cum-pop sense gets the last laugh.



4. First Nickelback CD I bought , now I have the Silver side up + Live at Home DVD 2 disc set , witch ever one you buy is fine , the CD is the same ,but if your a big fan , buy the 2 disc set version.



5. After getting "All the Right Reasons" I got all of Nickelback's older albums. While all are very good, I like this one the best. It has a grungy, hard-rock edge to it that I like and all of the songs on this album are very good!
   
   The songs that stand out on this album are "Never Again", "Too Bad", "Just For", "Woke Up This Morning", "Money Bought" and "Good Times Gone". I do not like "How You Remind Me" too much because of all of the radio airplay it got when the song became popular. In my view, the overplay on the radio killed "How You Remind Me".
   
   While I understand the frustration of many who say that Nickelback "sold out" because they decided to go more mainstream. However, I think they were developing their sound like many other bands do and see no difference between Nickelback's sound development and Soundgarden's doing the same thing.
   
   While Soundgarden is, by far, a superior band (I have all of their CDs too), I can appreciate Nickelback's approach since they obviously have to balance making music and selling albums in order to make a living.
   
   I think down the line Nickelback can "return to their roots" and crank out an album just as good as this one. It worked for The Scorpions and Pearl Jam and I think it can happen for these guys too.

5 comments about Revival.

1. John Fogerty is one of the greatest talents in American history. I wish he would stick to swamp music and stay out of politics. I feel cheated on my purchase of this CD; if I wanted his opinion on politics I would have called him on the phone.



2. "Revival" is the nicest surprise of the year. Fogerty is in fine vocal form
   and the tunes are all top-notch. As far as the style of the songs, the disc
   could easily have been called "Cosmo's Factory II". A rare Fogerty ballad
   "Broken Down Cowboy" along with "Don't You Wish It Was True" are gems.



3. Great music from one of my favorite - but there are a couple of hard to listen to liberal-agenda songs that I have deleated from my Zune.



4. I've never been one to judge the solo efforts of hugely famous musicians based solely on their previous work with the band that made them household names. That said, Revival is a tremendous album and proves one undeniable thing ... Very few artists or bands are capable of writing songs with meaningful lyrics AND solid musicality ... and fewer still are under the age of 50. Most rock today is awful. Most popular music today is garbage. Which is why a 60 year old rocker can still be absolutely relevant and sound as good as he did when CCR was at the top of their short-lived game.



5. I really like this album and I admire and respect the courage of John Fogerty to honesty capture the anger and frustration in his music about the complete idiocy of the Bush Administration...Cheers to John for speaking the intelligent truth about the Bush Administration...I just love listening to this album and it brings me comfort that someone is willing to use his creative genius to be a catharsis for those of us who truly love our country and have been so angry and so frustrated over the injustices and coverups of the last 7 1/2 years...Thank you John FOgerty

5 comments about Famous.

1. This was my first Puddle of Mudd CD (and my first CD purchase is in quite awhile) but I liked the majority of the song clips I heard so I went with the CD instead of individual song downloads. I was not dissapointed with my decision to purchase the entire CD.



2. This album is worthless for so many reasons. First and most importantly, the music is pretty much just watered down Nirvana over and over. The same light verse, heavy chorus, the same type of vocals. With Puddle of Mudd, however, we are lucky enough to be subjected to a glitzy string-infused sugar coating over the sharp-edged pill that was grunge, but without any of the artistry and bite. That leaves this music little more than a Pop Rock CD alternately pissing on and sodomizing Kurt Cobain's corpse. The lyrics are (as always with this band) inane, woman-hating frathouse material. No offense to any fratboys who are actually cool and respectful to women. They -and anyone else who doesn't think of women as whorish sex-objects - should avoid this disc at all costs.



3. Do yourself a favor and do as other reviewers are saying and check out the new Fozzy All That Remains Reloaded. It's absolutely incredible. All That Remains Reloaded (W/Dvd)



4. I consider myself a music snob adn I have to say this might be the best cd i ever bought. The guitar rocks, the drums pound and the whole thing just sounds awesome.
   
   Jim Clarey
   Hoboken NJ



5. Read some reviews on this CD on this site and it sounded like people were describing it as metal. So i went out and bought it on that basis. Boy was i disappointed. There is no way this CD is a metal CD. It is wishy washy pop rock at best. Nothing heavy about it at all. I must admit i have only listened to it a few times but i can't see myself listening to it much more. A lot of the songs are slow and no heavy guitars no screaming solos' the singing a mild. I like a lot of other bands that seem to lumped with this one like Breaking Benjamin, Hoobastank, Evans blue, 10 years and Three days Grace all great bands this band isn't in the same league to those band.

5 comments about Emotionalism.

1. I've seen The Avett Bros live once and they were awesome. This CD has been spinning in my CD player non-stop for months and I do not get tired of it. Just booked to see them again next month. I haven't been this excited about a group since the DMB. Talented musicians and songwriters and just a load of fun! They are energetic and know how to mix it up.



2. ok, I'm editing this review because I feel bad giving them such a hard time. About five songs are really good. The rest was just weepy without being very interesting.
   
   Compared to other bands it's an ok album, just not nearly as good as "Four Thieves Gone" and "Mignonette". They loose a lot of their raw edge and punk-y-ness. Sentimental gives way to sappy here. There is nothing gripping in the sound here either.
   
   What happened to those bluegrass-y punks that screamed and yelled through their songs and made me feel like I was drinkin' in the back of a truck, driving in the country while my friends (and I) rock on guitars and banjos?
   
   I don't even want to play this one for friends - I used to show off the Avett Bros. coolness before.



3. Great CD!! I saw these guys live and it just might have been one of the best shows I have ever seen.



4. The Avett Brothers are some of the best songwriters out there today. They have a way of cutting topics down to the simple heart of them and revealing something very true. Their CD Emotionalism is one of my favorite CDs I have in my collection, up there with U2/the Joshua Tree and Bob Marley/Legend (I have many more interesting selections but that's for another post). I simply cannot play the album enough times. The album is somewhat mellow, and you should know that they take on a completely different persona live and play with tremendous energy live. They scream a good bit too, giving it something like a punk-bluegrass feel to it (One of the brothers Scott moonlights in a heavy metal band called "Oh what a nightmare"). In short, the concerts are FUN and they are building a very loyal following, myself included.



5. My wife and I saw these guys in Nashville this past Friday night at their Grand Ole Opry debut and they are definitely on to something new! They are cutting edge, not really country and not really alternative but somewhere in-between. Whatever category you put them in, they are great! Once I heard them, I bought their album the next day. Listen with an open mind and they will grow on you quickly.

5 comments about Ode to Sunshine.

1. I haven't heard it, but I know someone in the band so it must be good.
   
   Just kidding. One of the few new sounds that is actually good. Don't miss it.



2. Only 5 reviews! Whats wrong with the world!? Wake up, buy (or obtain) this album, and go see these guys live.



3. Delta Spirit rocked my socks off when they opened for Matt Costa at the El Rey back in May. I like to think of them as a mash up between Bob Dylan and a grunge band. It's rootsy folk with a garage band edge. Take a listen to the soaring melody and the raucous rhythm of "Trashcan." Or the captivating melody and lyrics of "Strange Vine." And "People, Turn Around" is Dylan-esque with harmonicas and all. If you want to hear more, which I know you will, they released an EP that you can find on the internet (from which they transplanted "Streetwalker," which was not on the original release of Ode to Sunshine). It has a different sound than Ode to Sunshine, reminiscent of The Strokes. On KCRW's website, you can watch a live in studio performance. Matt Vasquez's voice is amazing. I hope this band sticks around for a long time.



4. This album is mind-boggling and should be winning awards! I saw Delta Spirit open for Matt Costa and expected a mediocre opening act. Instead, I was knocked off my feet right when they stepped onto stage. Their strong stage presence only adds to the fantastic music they create. From that night forward I honestly haven't taken their cd out of my player and they are definitely one of my top 5 favorite bands.
   
   Not one song on this album misses its mark. Truly a band on its way to great things!



5. I saw the Delta Spirit open up for the Cold War Kids at the Bowery Ballroom and i was instantly hooked. I bought Ode to Sunshine and was further blown away. A truely spectacular album. I've since seen them a few more times and they some how keep getting better. THIS IS A BAND ON THE VERGE OF BEING HUGE!!!! BUY THIS AND ENJOY!!! You will not be disappointed.

5 comments about Sky Blue Sky.

1. I've been listening to this album a lot lately and it's settling in -- in a really good way. It's nowhere near the ambition or energy of Ghost is Born, but it feels like a natural progression, and it's just a really good album. And I still call Wilco America's greatest living rock band.



2. I love this CD. The first four songs blow me away. and then three more later on. Their lead guitarist is flat out great. Very creative and he can burn when he needs to but most is just fun listening to. Some songs I just listen for his leads. But Tweedy and his new songs are fantastic. Great little melodies and their simplicity raises them even higher. But they are creative and original as anything I've heard in a while. The rest of the band fills in wonderfully with the extra guitar and bass and drums. They really hit this one out of the park. Give a listen to Impossibly Germany and you'll buy.
   Andy Waits



3. After watching the documentary 'I Am Trying To Break Your Heart', I realize why Wilco cut ties with Jay Bennett. But I miss Jay. He was a vital part of Being There, Summerteeth, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. While Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett didn't always see eye to eye, their power struggle resulted in great music...especially on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
   Historically speaking, turmoil and conflict has produced memorable music.
   
   'Sky Blue Sky' is a continuation of the decline of Wilco. It's not a horrible album, but it's not a gem by any means. I cannot think of a single song that is particularly noteworthy. Honestly, can you think of any song on this album that can be compared to the greatness of 'Via Chicago', 'Sunken Treasure', 'Ashes of American Flags', or 'Shot In The Arm'? Name one. Just one.
   
   If you study Wilco's entire catalogue of music, you will(or should) notice the lack of originality and creativity on the non-Jay Bennett albums. His production skills are also GREATLY missed. He was as important, if not more important than the founder of Wilco, Jeff Tweedy.
   
   I'm extremely thankful that Wilco still does fantastic shows, but I think Jeff needs to make a phone call. ASAP.



4. Wilco-Sky Blue Sky *****
   
   Enchanting isn't the right word, just the first one to come to mind, but it just might work. Sky Blue Sky is easily the most inspired and greatest work Wilco has ever put forth. While not the experiment that A Ghost Is Born was, it works in their favor that way. Not cluttered with what should not be. But not so minimalistic that it doesn't feel like Wilco.
   
   Sky Blue Sky is the groups first album since vocalist, and (underrated) guitar god, Jeff Tweedy kicked his habit. Hence the title. A clearer sound than on their previous works also is a reflection of this.
   
   'You Are My Face' is eloquent and coarse adding a texture and fresh feel to the bands sound. 'Impossible Germany' is a great idea, accompanied with one of the more subdued and better guitar solos of this decade. The title track serves as the focal point even though it is the most unmemorable track on the album. Remaining low key until you reach it than it absorbs you like nothing you have ever heard. 'Shake It Off' evokes the Grateful Dead at the height of their power before they became a parody of what made them great and original.
   
   Tweedy's lyrical inhibitions have been set free on Sky Blue Sky making for Wilco's most personal and inspired album to date. Mikal Jourgenson becomes more than a vital part of the group on this album as he shines more than ever before with his masterful key work. His restrained approach breeds great life into the music.
   
   Sky Blue Sky is one album that breaches genres finding a niche in every collection offering it a home. Highly Recommended.



5. Not being a big fan of Wilco's earlier work I am some what pestimistic when Wilco bring a new release. I have to say that since Foxtrot Hotel they just keep getting better and better. I am not going to name off great tracks on this album or put others down. It's just solid don't cherry pick the songs. Just let them play. I work in a Hair Salon and we play this album alot and every one ask who is this? No matter what age you are or what music you like this album is just good music and it speaks to you. Just buy it