5 comments about The Masterplan.

1. What a great album. I took my time getting around to buy this one, especially after hearing that it was compiled primarily of all their previous B side ep tracks.
   
   Well it feels like any cohesive album to me, and I prefer this to Definately Maybe and Heathen Chemistry.
   
   What a great buy, many of these tracks could easily have been released as singles in their own right, making this quite a strong album and a great purchase. A must for anyone who likes Oasis!



2. This is truly a great Oasis collection of b-sides and live songs, and songs like Acquiesce, Underneath the Sky, and Talk Tonight cannot be overlooked. However, the very first review I saw by Sara O. Crane says that their first hit was Wonderwall and she enjoys the hit "Bittersweet Symphony." Does this anger any other Oasis fans? Did the greatest debut album ever, Definately Maybe, never come out before Wonderwall even existed? And babe, Bittersweet Symphony is by The Verve.
   On another note, I strongly recommend this album to Oasis fans, and if you're just getting into the band, I recommend Definately Maybe or (What's The Story) Morning Glory, because I don't think they've matched the greatness of those albums since they came out.



3. Wonderwall
   At best, this is only a partial collection, because it omits Oasis's best B-side, Round Are Way, the one used in the movie A Life Less Ordinary and only found in CD form on the Wonderwall single. This is a GLARING omission, and makes this CD much less than a value.



4. Hey folks... since usually those that write product reviews in the Music section of Amazon are typically pretty hardcore fans of the band in question, I'm putting this out there so that I might get an answer to a question I've had ever since recently getting pretty deep into the Oasis catalog myself. The ? is: With such an incredibly talented rock vocalist as Liam, why oh why does Noel Gallagher insist upon singing? First, though, let me clarify a point or two.
   
   The reason I'm getting into them so late in the game is that I spent most of the time during their 'heyday' not really listening to popular music at all, as I was in my own band in San Francisco. And as anyone knows who has ever committed himself to such an endeavor, the many things that go along with being the frontman for a rock band in a market as competitive as SF's was back then knows it takes up all of the time and energy that you have for outside interests. Anyway, when we finally broke-up after making a nice dent in the local scene but still couldn't get signed (it was the beginning of what I call "the fake music era" - of boy bands, teen/tween 'superstars' (yeah, right!) like Britney, Justin, etc. and ushered in (I'm afraid) nothing but tonedeaf pedophiles masquerading as record company A&R folks... Geez, can you tell I'm still a little bit bitter!)
   
   Anyway, before I heard Noel G. sing, my standard line about singers & songwriters used to be: "The best person to sing any song is the writer" as I believe that no one else has the ability to most effectively translate what the writer intended, emotion-wise, etc. But now I really think that either I was wrong all along, or else Oasis is the exception to that rule. It's not that I think Noel is technically that BAD of a vocalist, because he isn't; it's more that Liam is SO GOOD (!), and before I got deep into their stuff, I wasn't even aware that Liam hadn't written the tracks I had heard, either on the radio or wherever, before. And while I don't think Noel is the worst, he is incredibly uninteresting. He doesn't have pitch problems, but there's aspirit, an energy, something akin to the twinkle of an eye but referring instead to vocal delivery, that Noel completely lacks - Passion, that's what it is (just thot of it). So while I'm currently digging deep into THE MASTERPLAN, "Talk Tonight" is the only song sung by Noel that I can even listen to. And I can't skip that song even though it's N-S (Noel-Sung) because it's so freakin' excellent, I could probably listen to a Chipmunks cover version and still feel the passion in the song - it seeps from the lyrics like spilled honey. Still - would've been better, I bet, if Liam had sung it! And of course the same thing goes for the other Oasis albums I've been reviewing. It reminds me of Ann & Nancy of Heart - and Nancy Wilson is a WAY WAY better singer than Noel Gallagher. Still, everybody knows (Nancy included) that Ann is the one with the pipes... which is why you don't hear Nancy singing lead on tracks like Crazy On You or Barracuda. I guess the Wilson sisters get along better than the Gallagher brothers, but still, Noel is a musician and a songwriter to boot, and one would think that as such he'd want the best for his songs - and the best is clearly Liam. Anyway, I thought I'd go to a place where the superfans hang out, and maybe get an answer.
   
   Regarding THE MASTERPLAN - I agree with most of the reviewers that (B-side collection or not) it's one of the very best Oasis albums. Besides "Acquiesce" (which is probably the most beautiful song Noel's ever written), I also love "Underneath the Sky", "(It's Good) To Be Free", "Stay Young", "Headshrinker"... and (reluctantly) "Talk Tonight". They're all good, solid rock songs, but Noel's vox just falls flat for me - I wish he'd go back to things the way they were and let his talents do what they do best, and Liam do ALL the singing. It does make me wonder what Liam does when they play live and perform these N-S songs... I s'pose he just strums a guitar aimlessly. Seems like a case of MAJOR BIG EGO on the part of the elder bro... but what do I know? I couldn't even get MY band signed (hee-hee).



5. I probably shouldn't write a review for this album, as I don't own it and have only heard a sampling of songs on YouTube. That said, I loved the title song. When Noel and Liam set aside their Cain-and-Abel fued (I guess Liam thinks he's Abel), they are capable of great artistic collaboration. I think that their first hit, "Wonderwall," can't be topped. The beautiful use of the cello and compelling lyrics make "Wonderwall" one of the great rock songs in my book. In fact, "Wonderwall" reads as an ingenious song (where lyrics and music are equally wonderful) about vindication (on the part of the narrator) and comeuppance (moderately dished out to the second-person audience), at least that's my take on the Gallagher brothers' greatest hit. (Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" is another modern classic, with a similar use of orchestral instruments undergirding a rock band. It's hard to disagree with the embittered lyrics that we are "a slave to the money, trying to make ends meet, then [we] die" (or as the song possibly suggests, we are reincarnated over and over again in this bitter cycle--"'cause I'm a million different people from one day to the next"). Life has its "sweet" moments too, transcending monetary slavery, but you get the point that this world at its worst is economically driven, full of hardships, and a regression of how we are meant to live in the long run.)
   
   Okay, back from my very long-winded birdwalk that spared me the necessity of writing a review of The Verve. "The Masterplan" reinforces Paul McCartney's exhortation to "Let it Be"---advice I think every human on the planet, myself included, needs to follow. I had a roommate back at my alma mater who joked that if she wanted to listen to The Beatles, she'd listen to The Beatles, meaning, of course, that she thought Oasis too much of a copycat band. Perhaps that criticism has merit, but Oasis can pay homage to a great band while putting its own spin on its oeuvre. "The Masterplan" has great philosophical insights, and I love when the other band members join Noel to create some gorgeous, albeit too short, vocal harmonies and voice overlapping. Although "The Masterplan" is great in its own right and apparently Noel's favorite work to date, I still think "Wonderwall" remains the most musically beautiful and lyrically probing of the Gallagher canon; I'll always consider "Wonderwall" Oasis's defining tune. Nonetheless, "The Masterplan" has a secure place among Oasis's greatest hits and has been justly relocated from the obscurity of b-sides.
   
   I look forward to YouTubing the rest of this album.

5 comments about The Kick Inside.

1. this is one to best album that famale artist ever made, the music and Kate's voice is thirll but charming, the album is unique. pp



2. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RY2716H0YKIV8
   My name is Jeremy Gloff. I am a musician (check me out on Amazon!) and retro music enthusiast. If you enjoyed this review make sure to check out my Amazon user profile to check out my other reviews. I am always up for making new friends and discussing the music I love!!!



3. I have loved Kate Bush since the seventies and still love to hear her sing "Wuthering Heights". What a beautiful song and a magnificent voice.
   "The man with the child in his eyes" is another of my all time favorites. Bravo Kate. May you live on forever.



4. Here we have the stunningly original and utterly charming debut of one very young English lass, Kate Bush. While the piano-driven melodies are obviously inspired by Carole King, the rest belongs to Kate and Kate alone. This is definitely a product of the 70's and, as such, has a classic rock feel to it. As a result, many who might give it a first-time spin nowadays might find it a bit dated, perhaps even a bit corny, and that's a darn shame. In my old age (well, OK, middle age, I'll cut myself some slack for a change), I've become just as jaded and cynical as the next guy, but, in order to enjoy this masterpiece for what it is, you really need to just check all that baggage at the door and allow yourself to be enchanted. This now inspires me to hop up on my soapbox for a minute: I'd like to say that I am really, REALLY tired of all the young little divas in recent years who pretend to be all sexy, soulful, and world-wise. Like there's such a thing as a 19-year old from the `burbs who knows the first thing about life and how to live it! Please give me a break! I wish the current batch of diva-wannabees would go back and take a page out of Kate's book. Of course, that would require that they actually get creative and write some real SONGS, but that would involve real work and we certainly can't have THAT, now can we? It's much easier to have other people write a bunch of titillating drivel for you, and then have some producer lay down a cookie-cutter groove with everything altered by computers. Yawn, ho-hum, whatever. Whew, that feels better! I'll step back down from my soapbox now.
   
   So, what's a teenage white girl (who's had a reasonably privileged, sheltered upbringing) supposed to write about if she's going to do it all herself and be honest about it??? Well, as it turns out, all sorts of things. She could pretend to be a character in her favorite novel. She could write about fantasy scenarios based on old movies. Or, as a thesis, she could start out with seemingly mundane, everyday events and imbue them with a sense of the mystical. The sky's the limit, really. Of course, there's the expected musings on love and romance, mainly in the wide-eyed sense of what the future might have in store. There is some sexually-oriented stuff, but it's quite honest and relates the clumsiness and awkwardness, as well as the beauty, of an early encounter. As far as the songs themselves go, there's not a clunker here. But, aside from the classic "Wuthering Heights", I'd like to say that I especially enjoy "Moving", "The Saxophone Song", "Oh to be in Love", "L'amour Looks Something Like You", and the haunting title track. "Them Heavy People" is lyrically very interesting and concerns her struggle with intellectualism, a theme to which she would return throughout her career.
   
   While Kate would go on to make technically better albums (e.g. "The Dreaming" and "The Hounds of Love"), this would come at the price of at least some degree of solipsism and artistic pretension. Also, her voice hadn't quite developed yet into the powerhouse it would later become (refer to her re-recording of "Wuthering Heights" on "The Whole Story" compilation - wow, what a difference!), and a little weakness is evident as she occasionally has to strain to sing over some of the arrangements. However, her debut is tough to beat in terms of outright charm. Finally, if you dig this, be sure to get a copy of her "Live at Hammersmith Odeon" video and you'll be able to see many of these songs performed onstage as little theater-pieces.



5. I was 12 yers old when I first heard the music from The Kick Inside. It was one of my favorites. Since then I have had many favorites, but usually only for short time. Now I am over forty and The Kick Inside is still one of my favorites. This is absolutly the best record of all times.

5 comments about The Rutles.

1. An hilarious poke at the fab four with talent themselves, the Rutles took the late 1970's by storm. Song writer Neil Inness' well crafted wit is manifested in the Beatle sound alikes. The songs may sound familiar, that's because Inness played around with the same chords the Beatles did to construct his melodies. Good stuff.



2. Pure genius. I'm a Beatles fan, I'm a Monty Python fan, and I've always loved the Rutles. Listening to this music is as delightful now as it was when I first saw The Rutles film in the late Seventies. Just like the Beatles music, the Rutles music never gets old. I'll say it again, Neil Innes is a genius.



3. In the vein of Spinal Tap, Eric Idle & Neil Innes have created a wonderful parody of the Beatles - covering their entire career.



4. Even though the Rutles were formed as a parody band, mimicking the early Beatles style (if you haven't seen the movie, do yourself a favor and watch it ASAP) they do a wonderful and delightful job of entertaining their listening audience.
   
   Some of the songs here would have easily made it to the charts in the immediate post-Beatle hysteria that swept the US. The vocals, the music--everything comes together brilliantly.
   
   There have been numerous attempts to re-create the early Beatles, but no one has done it the way these guys have. Maybe it's because they're the talented crew from Monty Python, maybe because they too are British--whatever the reason, it is early Beatles to perfection.
   
   My only wish is that they would have covered the "Meet the Beatles" album. It would have been pure joy to listen to. Modern attempts simply don't have the experience to carry it off all that well, "real" band or not. Experiencing true Beatlemania was an unforgettable event and IMO can never be replicated. It was something one had to take part in first hand. Barring that, the Rutles come in a very close second.
   
   Listen, laugh and LUV to the beat of the Rutles.



5. Although this is a spoof of the Beatles, the cuts could have been originally recorded by the Beatles, the Rutles are that good!
   The Rutle's cuts mimic the very early Beatles, mid, and late Beatles, too.
   If you like the Beatles and have a sence of humor - you'll love the Rutles! (The videos are available from NetFlix)

5 comments about The Best of James.

1. This album is excellent. I have listened to the whole thing at least twice a week for the last year. I don't get tired of the driving rhythm or entrancing lyrics James has to offer in this compilation.



2. Whether you're a James fan or not, why praise a greatest hits album without any new material? If a band gets back together, it should ONLY be because they have something new to offer us. Anything else screams financial greed. Considering the high quality of Tim Booth's recent solo album compared to ANY of his work with James, it's easy to conclude that Tim is currently choosing financial incentive over artistic. I am a gigantic fan of Tim as a musician, but his bandmate on his recent solo album put it best when he stated that he was never a fan of James' music (didn't think there was any groove, among other things) but still wanted to work with Tim. I am in full agreement... Tim greatly inspired me in his work with Angelo Badlamenti and on his solo album, but outside of a couple good songs per album, each James record, to me, contains way too much filler. I realize the band has awesome chemistry, but I think Tim needs to move forward, and rehashing a bunch of tired songs isn't the way to grow as a musician.



3. This CD was amazing. I knew James before buying it but now I realize that they have so many more amazing songs. This CD is awesome.



4. If you're even slightly wary of albums with "Best of.." in the title, abandon any such reticence with this. It really is the best of this British Indie band and they're on top form with both the classic singles (Lay Down/Born of Confusion/How Was It For You? etc)and the lesser known material. And eighteen, thumpingly good tracks for the princely sum of under thirteen dollars is darned fine value. If it's a choice between this and a square meal, go for the CD. (Most of us could do with losing a bit of weight anyway!) This more than warrants its four out of five stars.



5. This album is superb. I play it every morning in the past months and still love it very much.

5 comments about Souvlaki.

1. I don't care much for their other album, Just For A Day, but I would rank this as one of the top 20 modern rock albums ever. This is a great, great record, and it is supremely produced. It's hard not to suspect that Brian Eno played a big hand in helping to make this band sound as phenomenal as they do here. The sound on Just For A Day leaves a lot to be desired; if it's meant to be ethereal it only comes across as faint, airy and frankly, flat. Meanwhile, the sound of Souvlaki is nearly overwhelming. I mean that for just about all tracks, not only Souvlaki Space Station. Although that one stands out, it seems most people only notice that, or Alison. But all tracks on this album are great. My favorite is Melon Yellow, it's so unique and haunting, but 40 Days, Sing, When the Sun Hits, and Altogether are excellent, too. And I will say that this is a far superior piece of music to Loveless. For the life of me, I've never understood what people see in that record, and I don't care how much money was spent on it's production: I've heard it many times and most of it still sounds terrible! Turn on Souvlaki and you will hear outstanding, unrestrained but refined production, on the level of OK Computer, Mezzanine or Dark Side of the Moon, and simple but very nicely executed songwriting. Souvlaki is not instant like music, being so dense and layered, but after a few listens it's pretty easy to pick up on what's going on.



2. souvlaki is a very solid album. definitely a must for anyone who likes any shoegazer music like my bloody valentine and lush. IMO "allison" and "when the sun hits" are the best songs, but it works really well as a full album. it's all pretty mellow and romantic-sounding, not as abrasive as "loveless." i tried listening to "pygmallion," their next CD, but it was really slow, boring and lifeless. i couldn't make it past track 1. but "souvlaki" will always be great!



3. This album by shoegazers Slowdive is, in my opinion, an overlooked masterpiece. With some help from Brian Eno, Slowdive created a lush yet stark collection of subtle pop hooks and synth experimentation. It is unfortunate that MBV's Loveless seems to outshine everything else from the 1990s shoegazing scene when it comes to praise and recognition. Albums such as Souvlaki often get left behind.
   
   I enjoy the dreamy aura surrounding this album. Songs like "Allison" can get stuck in your head for days. There is much creative playing on the synths throughout. Bass work is excellent. Overall, I guess one can classify this great album as a dream pop album...one of the very best.
   
   The added bonus EP is great as well. The beat-heavy ambient electronic tracks are a pleasure to listen to. The band's cover of "Some Velvet Morning" is top-notch.



4. I'm not a huge expert on the genre, but I thought this album was decent. Back in the day I listened to a good amount of MBV and Catherine Wheel, so I wanted to get back into the genre out of curiosity. I followed some of the reviews to Slowdive and ordered Souvlaki. I like a few songs more than others. Souvlaki Space Station is a great song, and some of the later songs on the album have some interesting early-nineties techno flourishes.
   
   The album doesn't resolve itself like Loveless does... Most of the songs are similar and as a whole Souvlaki gets a little repetitive. Loveless is a roller coaster ride, Souvlaki is a coast. But besides comparing it to an obvious classic from a different band, Souvlaki is a good album if you want to revisit the genre.



5. As a fan of My Bloody Valentine I decided to search last.fm for some good shoegaze and came upon Slowdive. The album is great - there are some really memorable tracks like Souvlaki Space Station and When the Sun Hits, and the album's overall cohesiveness holds up pretty well - there are one or two songs mid-album that get a little too sleepy and create that mid-album lull, but bottom-line, an album I was excited to add to my collection.

5 comments about The Dreaming.

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3AL36XV4BFY6F My name is Jeremy Gloff. I am a musician (check me out on Amazon!) and retro music enthusiast. If you enjoyed this review make sure to check out my Amazon user profile to check out my other reviews. I am always up for making new friends and discussing the music I love!!!



2. There's nothing else to say. FIVE STARS! Nothing more amazing than this CD.



3. i think this album came on a direct pipeline from god. it's that good and interesting. Kate goes crazy with the fairlight.



4. This album blew me away when I first purchased it back in the mid eighties. Being a Kate fan, I've watched her career mature, excel and take a long vacation which recently culminated in yet another masterpiece, 'Aerial'. Still, as excellent as her follow up, 'The Hounds of Love' and the later 'Sensual World' were, it is this album, 'The Dreaming' where Kate's unbridled creativity is on display in its awesome splendor. The amazing thing about Kate Bush is that she is totally original. Each track on here is in a world of its own. So many divergent musical styles and vibes... Creative musical ideas and never been heard before sounds, rythmns and stylings. The woman is a formidable artist, and I think this collection shows it as well or better than anything she has done. So the album was a commercial failure???? Kate, take that as a complement. Its SO GOOD its beyond the ability of the average 'joe' or 'jane' to appreciate I suppose. Appreciate it, I do. It never fails to leave me suspended in gaffa.



5. i grew up in the 70s and 80s listening to the likes of Kate, Lori Anderson, Missing Persons, The Motels, Cyndi Lauper and other great lady singers, my Dad to thank for that. Kate is by far my fave. and The Dreaming...my fave record. i can't believe it disappointed so many upon its release. anyhoo, the lyrics, the stories she tells, the instruments and sounds, combined with the raw emotion just kill, really get you at your core. whether its her giddy excitement at rescuing/freeing her lover or her violent inner struggle with survival vs. guilt, you can feel it. the background vocals are fantastic as well, emphasizing her point but not overwhelmingly. i especially love the chant in the title song. dreeeeeaaaaammmmmtttttaaaaammmmm (get it, dreamtime?). great stuff, if you like adventurous, imaginative music (that is so fun to sing along with), check this one out. you won't be disappointed.

5 comments about Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space.

1. When I first listened to this CD I thought it was a little long and somewhat boring. It was my first exposure to Spiritualized and from what everyone was telling me I was a little disappointed. However, I did not let my first run around make up my mind. I kept on listening and everytime I did something new came up in the music. Eventually, listening to the CD became more than just music playing it became an experience of life. The music eveloped me and I felt the connection. There are a lot of CDs I have that I will listen to when I just want a sing along or to rock out. However when I want to be part of the musical experience I feel there are really only two. "Marquee Moon" by Television and this album. There are others that come close to the experience but only those two really achieve the mark. This is an amazing CD.



2. i was first introduced to spiritualized at a jesus and mary chain show in 1992. the lights went down, all you could hear is organ and someone in the crowd jokingly asks,"what, are we in church?"
   they've been one of my favorite bands ever since. and when this album came out, well it has been one of my favorites ever since. this album shows that music is still going somewhere. listen to this cd in headphones over and over and you will find yourself amazed at the new things you hear with every listen. it's been almost 10 years that i've played this cd over and over and i still hear new sounds in it's infinite layers. there are only a few albums that i could listen to as much as i've listened to this one.
   if you like great production, if you like soul, if you like gospel, if you like psychedelic, if you like rock and roll, if you like "pet sounds", if you like "seargent pepper's," if you like phil spector, daniel lanois or brian eno, do yourself a favor and give this a shot.



3. I was introduced to Spiritualized through a free music site and bought "Let It Come Down" as my first album. I immediately went out and purchased "Ladies and Gentlemen...", and I was not disappointed. While "Let It Come Down" may have more layers and perhaps more accessible music, "Ladies and Gentlemen..." is certainly more consistent, with subtle touches that repeated listens uncover, such as the use of Pachabel's Canon in D on the title track. There is a wide variety of styles in use on this album, including classical, jazz, rock, and progressive influences.
   
   For all fans of Spiritualized, Radiohead, and all who want to escape into someone else's dreamscape.
   
   4 and a half stars.



4. I first heard the song "Ladies and Gentlemen we are floating in space" in the movie Vanilla Sky (an awesome movie) and I just had to find out who the Artist was! This song got me hooked on Spiritualized! Their sound is like no other, it just blew me away. I have to buy this cd!! :)



5. I cant tell you how long I have been searching for this cd. I first heard the first track during the movie "Vanilla Sky". It plays as Sophie is walking in to David's Memorial. They neglected to include it on the soundtrack, so I didnt know the name of the band or the song, and it took a bit of detective work on my part. I finally found it, and the first track "ladies and gentlemen...." alone is worth it for me. Anyway, music for me is all about how it makes me feel, and I love how this makes me feel. I love music that has the abstract feel of a dream, so this does it for me. For those of you who are interested in another great song that the aforementioned movie also forgot to include, you must also try "Njosnavlin" by sigur ros (it plays as david jumps) You can find it in the cd entitled "()" and it is track #4.

5 comments about The Best of Blur.

1. Blur has a way of writing lyrics that elevates them above most bands. They are intelligent, ironic, and most importantly, funny. I've always related them to Weezer, based on lyrics more than music style. This collection gets the job done as far as providing a solid and complete collection of their radio hits. The songs themselves are all excellent, but they feel strange in the order presented. I agree with another reviewer that they were better when part of their original albums, in their original context. Maybe it's just because I enjoy listening to complete albums more than singles, but I prefer their original albums to this collection.
   
   If you're only interested in owning their radio singles, give this a try. Otherwise, buy their original albums.



2. The CD was exactly what I wanted and was delivered exactly as promised. I'd do business with them again anytime.



3. Really, there should be no question about the quality of this record. It features over an hour of the most sublime pop music ever recorded. Every track is a stand-out, but particular highlights include the Euro-disco of "Girls and Boys," the orchestral grandeur of "The Universal," the gospel-tinged ballad "Tender," and the grunge parody "Song 2," better known Stateside as 'whoo-hoo.'
   While diehards may have some qualms with the track selection (NOTHING from Modern Life Is Rubbish, save the single version of "For Tomorrow," made the cut), this album is probably the best starting place for newcomers to the Blur discography.
   From here, the first place to go is Modern Life Is Rubbish, which is not adequately represented here, but still key to understanding the band's discography.



4. Not just great Brit Pop - actually - just great Music! There is so much more to Blur than "Song 2" (woo-hoo!) After getting into the Gorillaz with Damon Albarn - I bought this disc and discovered what I missed the first time around. Blur's songwriting is very strong and this Best Of disc showcases the depth and variety of their musicianship. Now, if only they would reunite and tour the US!



5. While Blur were the undisputable kings of 1990s Britpop, on this side of the pond Blur were virtually unknown outside of alternative rock circles. While the band had considerable success in the UK racking up hit after hit they scarcely charted in the states even though their songs popped up here and there, including commercials. "The Best of" bundles those UK hits spanning 1990 to 2000, which should go a long way towards establishing Blur's hit-making credentials with US listeners. "Best of" aptly demonstrates Blur's musical capability and songwriting prowess and showcases the wide variety of musical styles they could strike, from the moody atmospherics of "She's So High," and "To the End," to the heavy metal of "Song 2," the eclecticism of "Tender," the melodic catchiness of "Coffee and TV," and "There's No Other Way," and the downright nutty "Boys and Girls," and "Country House." "The Best of" pulls in 18 of Blur's biggest hits and throws in a bonus second ten track live CD of their 1999 Wembley show covering many of these same tracks; a great starting point for a casual listener or for someone just starting to dig into Blur's oeuvre.
   
   Indeed these tracks show Blur to be probably one of the best musical acts in recent years, definitely in the same milieu as the Kinks and the Beatles, yet not mindlessly aping either of those groups and at the same time showing a true spark of originality that is all their own. If anything "The Best of" SHOWS THAT Blur remained consistently good throughout their career, while other groups burned out or put out rubbish. Consistently satisfying from start to finish, "The Best of" truly earns that title.

5 comments about Without You I'm Nothing.

1. "Pure Morning" is one of XM 43's better songs. Everything else here is only somewhat worse. All in all, they show a lot of promise in every area. Realisticly, they've got to improve to make a go of it.



2. I am very happy to have bought this cd. Every song is amazing and they are songs that you can play over and over and over. I have to say that when I first heard of these guys I was kind of hesitant to listen to them because I thought that they would be another rock band but there is something different about them. They have a different style and his voice is amazing.



3. We've all heard the question asked on MTV or in printed form in music magazines... "What album changed your life?"
   
   Well in my case, seeing as how I'm now middle aged, this has actually happened to me twice. When I was 16 the self titled "Boston" debut changed my taste in music forever. Or so I thought.
   
   As the years rolled by I found myself living in a small redneck town in Florida and listening to country music, which I still enjoy. The grunge movement at the time had finished off rock music for me and I slipped comfortably into middle age.
   
   Then, through unforeseen circumstances, I found myself living in Manchester England at the age of 38 with a much younger girlfriend. One night, she played a song on her CD player which completely blew me out of the musical funk I'd been living in for the previous six years. I rushed over to the CD player and turned the volume up high and got lost in the most haunting song I'd ever heard in my life. That song, of course, was "Pure Morning" by Placebo and in that instant, my life was changed again.
   
   It was my introduction to "Brit Pop," a musical form I never even knew existed, and began a long affair with this type of music that continues to this day. It also opened my eyes anew to the Rock music which I had abandoned and even made me look at grunge with new eyes of respect.
   
   So today, at the age of 47, you may just as easily find me hanging at a Collective Soul, Offspring, Blink 182, Avril Lavigne, Placebo, Muse, Garbage, Oasis or Radiohead show as you would find me at any number of classic rock shows or even country hoe-downs.
   
   All because of this song and this band and this album. This was just the beginning. I own every Placebo album there is but this was the one that broke it open for me and forever will remain part of my life.
   
   This review probably won't be helpful to the young ones out there but if you find yourself in the same situation as me you should seriously listen to this band.
   
   Absolutely recommended for purchase ... even if you're not middle aged. ;)



4. I think I just love Placebo. You have to love his voice to buy any of their cd's. Anyone who likes Placebo's "controversial" lyrics, should look up some of their interviews. Very interesting people.



5. This is my favorite Placebo album to date. I have all of their albums, including Meds, but I am still pulled toward this one. Probably because it's more melancholy and still not too poppy.

5 comments about Gladiator: More Music From The Motion Picture.

1. One of those pivotal soundtracks. Unfortunately, there is dialogue over a few of the tracks, but it is well worth sitting or fast-forwarding through. There is a duduk (the sound used for that thing Mr. Tumnus plays in 'Narnia'), and I have fallen in love with it. There is the use of a female voice (Lisa Gerrard) wailing in another language, which had become something of a trend ('Troy', 'Munich', 'Narnia' again, and many others). "Now We Are Free" is the kind of song that first intrigues you, then entraps you, and then takes you on an emotional ride. The soundtrack is intensely bittersweet, exciting ("The Gladiator Waltz"--yes, you're supposed to giggle--Hans did!), and just very consumable. If you were impressed by movie--and I haven't run into anybody yet who wasn't--then consider this soundtrack an equivalent of that experience, but audio.



2. I HAVE TO SAY HANS ZIMMER IS THE GREATEST OF HIS ERA. I HAVE PURCHASED ALMOST ALL OF HIS MAJOR SCORES FROM RAIN MAN, CRIMSON TIDE, GLADIATOR, AND EVEN THE LATEST BATMAN AND I KNOW I HAVE PLENTY OF MORE THAT COULD BE LISTED. I FIRST WAS WEIRY ABOUT BUYING THE SECOND SCORE TO GLADIATOR THINKING IT WOULD BE JUST LIKE THE FIRST ONE. IT IS AWESOME AND JUST AS GOOD OR BETTER, IF YOU ARE A TRUE ZIMMER FAN YOU HAVE TO ADD THIS TO YOUR COLLECTION. I HOPE HE KEEPS MAKING MUSIC FOR YEARS TO COME.



3. Gladiator may be the best middle eastern score ever written. The Duduk was incredible!
   
   The first CD was amazing as well, however, I believe this disc to have a few advantages.
   
   First of all, "The Gladiator Waltz." This song TOTALLY improves upon "The Battle" from disc 1. The original stopped way before the new track. The synth sounds are very good, and don't take away from the beauty at all!
   
   Another highlight is "Homecoming" this is a sad, angry song that will have your blood pumping. If you've seen the movie, you remember the scene where Maximus escapes execution, and rides home like a mad man, only to find his wife and son Crucified. A truly angry and intense song.
   
   "Secrets" is a sneaky evil track, portraying the violent insanity of Commodus.
   
   I have mentioned the highlights, but all the rest are great too! A must have CD, even if you own the first!



4. This is just what the title says: more great(beautiful) music from the motion picture, including some "spiced-up" remixes. This album also features sound clips from the movie. Listening to it will make you think you're in Rome again.



5. The original score for Gladiator was a grand triumph for composer Hans Zimmer. Unfortunatly, this cd follows a trend during the latter half of the 1990's. When you have a successful score cd, follow it up with a cd full of dialogue, demo tracks and occassional new music. That is what this cd is full off. I expected more of the great music from the movie, instead I was disappointed bitterly.