5 comments about Natural History.

1. I got turned on to this band by a friend who sent me a single song, "Twist." It was forever changed the list of my favorite bands. Perhaps that is bound to happen over time, but nothing has hit me so hard as this band. From the opening track "To You," to the amazingly powerful hidden track, this is an album that spans every emotion. For me, "Loch" is the anchor to this album. Sans lyrics, I've just about burned a hole in the CD hitting repeat over and over. Though this band has had its ups and downs in the recording industry, they have such range I imagine it won't be long before they are a household name.



2. This IAK CD is one of my favorites of the last 5 years. Except for an instrumental track there is not a single bad song on the entire album.
   
   Besides making beautiful acoustic pop songs, it also has it's funny and sarcastic moments: "there's blood on your legs, I love you".
   
   One of the best 'song' albums of the new century.
   
   Bad review, I know, maybe i can think of something better soon. Just buy it.



3. The sound of this group is difficult to pin down by comparing to other groups -- in fact, I think it's pretty impossible. The lyrics are dreamy and poetic, and the melodies are sheer ambiance. While this CD might not be the best to have on repeat for long periods of time (the mellow tone of the songs could get a bit bland), it's great to put on for a rainy afternoon, or pretty much any time you're just hanging out or want to unwind.



4. Well, one of the best albums I have ever listened. Many songs sound me as... as the god of folk, Bob Dylan. I Am Kloot is, in my poor opinion, the evolution of the best Bob Dylan. Enjoy themes as To You, Morning Rain, Bigger Wheels or No Fear of Falling, they're diamonds of folk. Insert them inside the Bob Dylan's discography and they will be in family. The music, the voice of the singer, the lyrics... the sons of the magister Bob Dylan. Thanks Jose Carlos!



5. these guys supported Travis a year or two ago, and i thought they were the best thing on the night. took me ages to track down a copy. i doubt they are even still together so get this album while you can. i assure you it will dumbfound you how something this raw and unproduced can be sound so good. it effected me. :)

5 comments about Leaders of the Free World.

1. Super melodic rock music. Love the lead singers voice, full, sensitive, forceful, satisfying. Elbow is the most underrated and unknown Brit-rock band.. and one of these days they'll break out to the masses, they deserve it. their live show is fantastic if you can catch it!



2. This is a cd where a song will get stuck in your head and you have to hear it 10 times before it goes away...don't worry though, the other songs take their turn. Every song evokes different feelings. If you love music like I do, you will have this cd stuck in the cd changer for a good long while!



3. We Yanks may have invented rock & roll, but the Brits have taken it to truly astonishing places. Elbow, like many other English bands, creates beautifully atmospheric songs with clever hooks, walls of sound and sparse arrangements, all the while doing so with such poise and sincerity. Guy Garvey's throaty, effortless vocals and visual lyrics add a depth to which other bands of comparable musical aplomb can only aspire.
   
   I've only recently stumpled upon Elbow, but am endlessly glad I have. Elbow, honestly, is what Catherine Wheel could have been without the over-the-top production. Elbow really are one of the best finds for me in the last year or so and are finding daily play at work, at home or on walks with the iPod.



4. One of the first songs I ever heard by Elbow was the excellent "Forget Myself". To me, the song sounded a bit like Doves, perhaps cause Guy Garvey sounds a bit like Doves frontman Jimi Goodwin. And though Elbow gets various comparisons to Coldplay, Doves, Peter Gabriel and even Radiohead, I will say that Elbow is definitely their own band, and bring something fresh and new to this genre of music. As far as this album, I think its terrific. Pretty much every song is good, some of them being just brilliant. The album opens up with the excellent "Station Approach", that slowly builds up to epic form. The steady rhythm of "Picky Bugger" mixed with a high octave chorus is great. The next three tracks "Forget Myself", "The Stops", and "Leaders of the Free World" are, in my opinion, the album's strongest point. "Forget Myself" is just utter brilliance, while "The Stops" has one of the most beautiful choruses I've ever heard. The title track is very catchy, mid-tempo track with great lyrics ("I'm sick of working for a living, I'm just ticking off the days til I die.." "But the Leaders of the World are just little boys throwing stones..")that sounds a bit like a song that a band like Starsailor would write. "An Imagined Affair" is a decent track, but its probably my least favorite from this album. Another standout track is the up-tempo "Mexican Standoff", again, great lyrics. Notice that the songs rhythm section sounds extremely similar to Radiohead's "National Anthem". Tracks like "My Very Best" and "Great Expectations" are beautifully crafted songs, slower paced songs, with wonderful choruses and melodies. The record finishes with the under 2 minute "Puncture Repair", which is also good, but would be much better if given the proper length. Overall, this is an excellent album. Definitely recommended for anyone of enjoys more slower-paced melodic songs with feeling to them.
   
   Key tracks: "Forget Myself", "The Stops", "Leaders of the Free World", "Mexican Standoff" "Great Expectations"



5. And what more can you ask from any band but this? This album has a wonderful acoustic sense about it. Full, lush production. And Guy Garvey's voice has never sounded better (for those of you still unsure, imagine Peter Gabriel meets Seal... but put to more acoustic fair). Lyrically this is as strong as anything they've ever done. If I was to direct any critisism it would be that the final 4 songs are on the slower side with the best of the bunch "My Very Best" amongst them. However, this doesn't make for a perfect listening experience IMO simply because it seenms to deflate (ever so slightly) what had been building throughout the album. This is but a nitpick though and hardly worth mentioning.

5 comments about Oasis - Live by the Sea.

1. I've owned this DVD for a couple of years now and I absolutely love this band. This is the greatest band in the world and this is them in there early years.

   This is a great show. It was recorded live at Southend Cliffs Pavillion on April 17 1995. It's in front of a good crowd and is a great concert.

   Just about everything from "Definetly Maybe" is included in the concert. You have some of the singles like "Sad Song" and "Good To Be Free" on it. You also get "Some Might Say" in it's early days. The energy is really there on the song.

   I love Noel's acoustic set on the DVD. He does it in all of there concerts. I got to see him in a show in Miami where Liam lost his voice. This set isn't as good as it, but it's still worthy. It's not a huge set and he actually messes up on one of the songs. While he is playing "D'Yer Wanna Be A Spaceman? he messes up. He says the wrongs word to a totally different song. It's so awesome.

   I love this DVD. It has so many great early Oasis songs. There is a lot of energy displayed from both the crowd and the band. I don't think it's as good as "Familiar to Millions," but it's better than "There and Then." This one is a must for hardcore Oasis fans.




2. The DVD- "Live by the Sea", captures the intense bi-polar nature of Oasis: the triumph and failure, the excitement and the disapointment. The greatest thing about Oasis is their honesty.. Oasis never fakes it, and this DVD bears proof of that.

   The performances on "Live by the Sea" either reach scorching heights, or fall with a thud. "Slide Away", one of the most powerful songs in the Oasis discography, doesn't seem to translate well into the live performance on this DVD. Liam Gallaghers live vocals do not here match what he achieved with the recorded masterpiece on the "Definitely Maybe" CD. The mighty "Cigarettes & Alcohol" and "Live Forever" also fall short of the sonic majesty of their LP cousins.

   Any disapointment felt from where Oasis stumbles, however, is over-powered by the tunes where Oasis hit their mark. The raucous opener, "Rock & Roll Star", is a splendid dirge that bears the energy and bravado of Liam and Noels Rock & Roll heritage."Columbia" is sheer perfection in its insidious power, and Noel's acoustic "Talk Tonight" is profoundly moving.

   The Crown Jewel of "Live by the Sea", however, is the astounding performance of "Some Might Say". This DVD is an early performance by Oasis, and to hear this well loved song in its infancy is a privledge. Liams intense yowling, somehow blends perfectly with the lyrics to mezmerizing effect, pointing the way to Liams future as one of Rocks greatest singers.

   The cool thing about this DVD is that it captures Oasis in their beginnings. The band is still rough around the edges, and you are struck especially by how young Liam was and how different his voice sounded. But with that youth comes the excitement and energy of a band on its way to the top. Throughout their career, Oasis have achieved greatness with incredible songs and blistering performances. They have also achieved incredible lows with their in-fighting and sporadic anti-fan sentiments. One thing this DVD makes certain, however, is that Oasis never fake it and they are always willing to deliver the un-expected.




3. Recorded in a small-ish venue (which reminds me of when I first saw them in Indianapolis, Indiana) this is a high energy show put on by the band in the days just before they really hit it big. What's so amazing about Oasis was that they could sound so full of energy and yet barely move around on stage.Most of the "anti-Oasis" people I have met say they hate the band because of their attitudes. That they are so full of themselves. Wrong! If Oasis are indeed "full of themselves" why would they allow embarrassing mistakes to remain in the video? During "D'Yer Wanna Be A Spaceman" Noel completely screws up and stops the song, looking rather foolish. IF he was "full of himself", don't you think he would've edied that out so he could look "perfect"?Oasis put out non album B-sides like crazy and unlike some bands, performed them with as much vigor live as they did their hit singles. Such is the case with the soaring "Acquiesce" and the rocking "Headshrinker".During Noel's acoustic set (which is usually my favorite part as I love Noel's voice) as he sang "Sad Song" in that plaintive tone, the spotlight showed off his dreamy eyes. *sigh*Liam's audience banter is not up to par with say, a Freddie Mercury and what he does say is very hard to understand with his thick accent. Oh well.The lighting they had set up, though not overwhelming, was just enough to give a dreamy atmosphere which, coupled with one of Noel's guitar solos, puts you in a different state of mind.A .... fine show it is and could turn a non-believer over to our side..making them "Mad fer it!"



4. i have no words to describe how wonderfull this video is i just would like to say that this is one of the greatest videos i ever seen but i have to agree that there and then is better maybe becouse they did this to early



5. It's a must have for any Oasis fan. I love the first album and this is the best thing I could have bought! The only thing I don't like is that you can't have it on DVD!:-)

5 comments about Don't Believe The Truth [Dualdisc].

1. Oasis have never sounded so good. Gem and Andy have really found their feet in the band now and this is an improvement on their previous album 'The Heathen Chemistry'. These two bring something that make Oasis more of a complete band and not just the Noel and Liam show. While I still find 'Definitely Maybe' the best Oasis album, the Manchester lads have gone full circle with their career and nearly matched it with this effort. It almost feels like they have started their careers again and from here the sky is the limit. More great live shows and #1 singles and I really think they can reach the heights of the mid 90's again and keep their feet grounded at the same time.
   
   This is a great album from beginnig to end. The songs flow perfectly into one another and sounds like the most complete album Oasis have ever released. It opens up with 'Turn Up The Sun', which at first doesn't sound like Oasis until the first chords kick in after a great opening few seconds. Written by Andy Bell it is top 3 best tracks on the album.
   'Mucky Fingers' written by Noel is a cross between the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan
   'Lyla' the first single, is a good song, not great, very simple but typical Oasis in its chord playing, also written by Noel.
   'Love Like a Bomb' written by Liam and Gem is a highlight of the album, a mixture of acoustic guitar and piano it is Liam's vocal on this track that got my attention, much like the way in which he sings 'songbird'.
   'The Importance Of Being Idle' Noel sings on this track which he also wrote, the second single off the album, sounds a little bit like 'the Doors'.
   'The meaning of Soul' is a two minute fast acoustic driven song by Liam with a simple drum beat, unlike anything I have ever from Oasis before. It sounds familiar but I can't quite put my finger on it. Catchy and stays in your head.
   'Guess God Thinks I'm Abel', another Liam penned track, has a cool tempo and mellow atmosphere. A slow song, not one of Liams best unfortunately.
   'Part Of The Queue' Noel was inspired to write this song after being forced to stand in a real long queue just to buy a pint of milk. He considered stealing it even with his millions in the bank. Has a 70's feel to it, almost like a protest song.
   Along with track 1, this song 'Keep The Dream Alive' is one of my favourites, also written by Andy Bell, this guy writes good songs. A very happy tune with good guitar and Liam's vocal sounds great.
   'A Bell will Ring' is Gem's contribution to the album. A pure rock n' roll song, in the mould of 'Hung In A Bad Place' from Heathen Chemistry.
   That brings us to the albums closer, 'Let There Be Love' the best song on the album and arguably the best Oasis song ever. It features Liam and Noel on vocal and I rate it right up there along with the Beatles 'A Day In the Life'. John and Paul could have easily have written this song,but it is written by Noel. The third single, this has the potential to pull in fans much like the way 'Wonderwall' did.
   
   The album sounds great, the production and mixes are perfect. The band opted to hire D. Sardy to produce and mix the album for them, instead of doing it themselves and it has really paid off for them. He was also responsible for producing Jet and really knows how to acheive this kind of sound. Also lending out on this album is Zak Starkey on drums, son of the legendary Beatles drummer Ringo, he is a more complete drummer than Alan White.
   
   The album features a bonus DVD with interesting interviews with the band and a 6 page booklet with complete lyrics for all songs. A great buy...



2. good side:Noel Gallagher let's other people showcase their songs which in turn are quite the highlights,Noel sings 3 and a half songs. strongest set of songs since the new line-up and now sober approach to living. Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr's son) is now drummer. very insightful bonus DVD. lyric sheet
   bad side:could use more band pictures, DVD could have been longer, Noel could have sang more
   standout tracks:turn up the sun, the importance of being idle; guess God thinks i'm Abel; keep the dream alive; let there be love



3. The truth is plain; a rock record must be electrically euphoric, have poetic lyrics, each track must sound far from being monotonous, and have uniquely multi-pitched vocals to take all this to its heights. Believe me although this record possesses and misses some of it has more to it than critical truth, like, predictable punk paradox, little romance, and unpredictable romanticism.
   
   The eleven tracks, filtered out from supposedly seventy tracks, make an album worth listening-each one of them, which in turn makes it one of the successful creative attempts last year. A work like this doesn't always get done in a fading world of rock, but comes as no surprise from these gifted sons of British rock.
   
   These acoustic-blended electric noise makers can unexpectedly deliver a piece like The Importance of Being Idle and refreshing Guess God Thinks I Am Abel. Liam can low-pitch craftily to un-annoy Noel's laser-sharp vocals in acoustic ballad Let There Be Love to go onto peaks in Mucky Fingers.
   
   One-liners like "you found your God in a paperback," "I can't get a life if my heart's not in it" and philosophy "the world's as wide/as your life is thin/so entertain your goals" couldn't have been better placed but in a reckless rock `n' roll lyric; nonetheless, one wants more.
   
   Who are out there saying "we are the greatest" would indeed get close to being great only when they keep from shouting it and rather let their musical work speak. Here one can venture an electrical ecstasy, yes, but with one's unbelief in truth. Syme (Ahimaz)



4. Oasis has been quiet for a while now, but now they come back at us with Don't Believe the Truth. I'm not sure I understand that title, though, unless the truth to them is that this album is horrible or something. Actually, that's what some people seem to think, but I personally think it's pretty damn good.
   
   I think I'll ignore the inevitable comparisons to other bands (I understand the Beatles ones, but I don't get the Pearl Jam ones) and just say that there are plenty of good songs to find on here. "Lyla" was fine to release as a single, but I find myself looking to the other songs instead. Introspective tales like "The Meaning of Soul" and "Guess God Thinks I'm Abel" are sure to impress, as does "Let There Be Love", a successful we-are-the-world song.
   
   This album was released rather quietly, and it's not doing very well on the charts, so I don't know if enough people even know this album exists. But believe the truth: Oasis is back.
   
   Anthony Rupert



5. Oasis have definitely come back from a slump. We all know Heathen Chemistry was horrendous, and coming into the new record, I was a bit apprehensive about it being as solid as the first three records (yeah, I said THREE, Be Here Now was good stuff). Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised at the versatility, yet also consistency in this album. Thankfully, Oasis have come into there own again as great song writers, and they STILL are great musicians. I really enjoyed the record, and how it brought back memories of the old days, while still not leaving me longing to pop in one of the old records in its place. It is a must-own for any Oasis fan.

5 comments about Schubert Dip.

1. About a year ago I decided to go visit some nearby pawn shops to look for a drum set. While I didn't find the drum set, I noticed that this CD was pretty much ubiquitous throughout the stores. I later noticed it for (re) sale at Goodwill and decided to give the album another listen to see why people hate it so much and are so willing to sell it.
   
   Frankly, I don't really get it. Half the album sounds exactly like "Unbelievable" so it seems like the people who bought it after hearing that single (probably like 90%) would like the rest of the material. It's great, poppy-as-hell, alt-dance music. I listened to it again today and noticed all the layering that they did. In a way that's similar to an album which gets slightly better reviews but is still slightly controversial, "Smile" by Brian Wilson, hooks and themes are repeated throughout the CD. Some call this repetitive. I agree, however, in the way that it's presented it is really quite creative. I think EMF sort of broke the mold for pop acts at the time and are still more or less an oddity that deserves real attention. For all you naysayers, give this CD another chance, preferably on a large stereo so you can hear all the layers. I'm just hoping that someday it gets produced as a 5.1 DVD audio, I think it would be a great candidate for that format.



2. What a great dollar deal! This C.D. from EMF holds many wonders besides the featured hit "Unbelievable", and is worth getting at regular price too by the way. This outgoing British band's music frequently includes rhythmic fuzz-beep progressions, poets speaking in the background, piano melodies, and more. All sorts of genres are used, with eerie tunes like "Long Summer Days", calmer pieces like "Girl Of An Age", and exciting upbeat songs like "Longtime". Much to my liking, this album has much less language than the follow-up Stigma and has many more likeable tracks. I would most recommend "Unbelievable", which has some random guy speaking in the background, cowbells, forceful piano chords, and even a bit of rap. The tunes on Schubert Dip are very well-constructed and fun to listen to, which is why I would give it a full five star rating.
   I recommend:
   Children
   Long Summer Days
   When You're Mine
   Traveling Not Running
   I Believe
   Unbelievable
   Girl Of An Age
   Admit It
   Lies
   Longtime



3. Shubert Dip? Does anyone find that album title to be dirty? It sounds so sleazy. But it's kind of fitting for a band that bamboozles 15 bucks out of unsuspecting music buyers expecting more songs like "Unbelievable".
   
   Like everyone else has said, the only good song on here is "Unbelievable". Someone else here compared this one-hit wonder band to the likes of Coldplay and Travis. Maybe it's so easy to compare EMF to Coldplay because they are one hit wonders as well. I can't even remember the name of Coldplay's popular single (but I do know its ultra-repetitive and annoying 10-second piano melody that is played over and over for five minutes). And I've never even heard of Travis. That should tell that reviewer something. The singer for EMF has no range whatsoever, and never raises or lowers the tone of his voice... just like Chris Martin of Coldplay. Only, EMF's singer sounds more like a Pet Shop Boy.
   
   My suggestion for anyone who loves this crap is to get Jesus Jones' album Doubt (with the great song "Right Here, Right Now"), and the Soup Dragons' Love God (with the fabulous 'Stones cover "I'm Free"). Either that, or save your money for a few albums that have more than one good song on them.
   
   In closing: Anybody else notice their DJ calls himself MILF? It's slang for "Mother I'd Like to Fu*ck". Seriously.



4. I've never had any crushing biases against "boy bands". It's just that...well, there's a reason most of them are flashes in the pan, and Schubert Dip is a classic example. Unbelievable, of course, is the big selling point; the rest of album is mostly bland and forgettable. There just isn't any variety or creativity here. Of course, it doesn't help that the singer has a *really* limited vocal range; okay for Unbelievable, doom for an entire album. Ultimately, Schubert Dip is a typical by-the-numbers potboiler that's...well, mostly forgettable.



5. EMF are the schlock pop hooligans responsible for the catchy `Unbelievable'. I suppose that if you must have that little curio there is nothing for it, but believe me, that is all EMF ever did. I still remember the big controversy over what their name meant, of course, nowadays no one even remembers their name.

5 comments about Sound of Confusion.

1. During 1984-1985, Spacemen 3 were playing live gigs in their local area of Rugby, England, and they made numerous demo recordings. Their official debut album, "Sound of Confusion", was recorded and mixed during a 5 day stint in the first half of 1986, and was released in July of that year on Pat Fish's Glass Records. Despite Sonic Boom himself being notoriously unhappy with the results, specifically in regard to Bob Lamb's mixing of the album, "Sound of Confusion" is a flat-out masterpiece that doesn't sound at all compromised.
   
   The album is wickedly bracing, with a powerful guitars-cranked-up-to-11 sound on basically every track, and yet, when you mix in the consistently booming, Velvet Underground-style tribal-flavored drumming, the album manages to simultaneously have a mellow, trance-inducing quality. To give some perspective, this is a definite touchstone for My Bloody Valentine's 1991 album "Loveless". "Sound of Confusion", however, is the better album.
   
   The first 7 tracks on this CD are the ones that constituted the original "Sound of Confusion" album. Spacemen 3 nod to their influences with devastating covers of the Stooges' "Little Doll" and the 13th Floor Elevators' "Rollercoaster", as well as a drastically revamped, fuzzed-out version of Juicy Lucy's "Just One Time" (retitled "Mary Anne"). Spacemen 3 make each of these cover songs their own. The Stooges' original version of "Little Doll" is pretty great in its own right, but the Spacemen's version here eclipses it; and as for "Rollercoaster" and "Mary Anne", each of them are vastly superior to the originals. The more-or-less one-chord "O.D. Catastrophe", which deliberately recalls the Stooges "T.V. Eye", is a perfectly fitting, spine-chilling, feedback-soaked album closer. The frenzied, stomping garage rocker "2.35"; the Otis Redding-inspired "Hey Man" (aka "Amen"); and the album-opening declaration "Losing Touch With My Mind" are all superb tracks as well.
   
   The two most prominent members throughout Spacemen 3's existence were Sonic Boom and Jason Pierce. Pierce, who is probably more widely known for his subsequent band Spiritualized, handles all of the vocals on the original album, and his vocals are absolutely perfect for the material--check out his sly, insinuating performance on "Little Doll", or his primal screams and wails at the end of each chorus on "Rollercoaster".
   
   Like the Spacemen 3 in general, this debut album manages to be incredibly deriviative and yet startlingly original all at once.
   
   The 1994 CD issue of "Sound of Confusion" on the Taang! label makes this already essential album even more valuable by adding on the entirety of the 12-inch "Walkin' With Jesus" single which was originally released in November of '86. It starts off with the full-throttle, fast-paced, grinding version of the title track. It's followed by a jaw-droppingly powerful, doom-laden re-recording of "Rollercoaster" that's even more haunting than the album version; okay, so it does run on longer than it needs to at 17+ minutes, with over half of its duration consisting of Jason playing lead guitar over a one-note jam--the version on the "Singles" CD which removes 3+ minutes worth of this is more manageable--but this is ultimately nitpicking. The EP closes with the only truly mellow song on the entire disc, an arresting version of "Feel So Good" with Sonic and Jason alternating back and forth between vocal lines as they would also do on the version that appears on the 1987's "The Perfect Prescription" album.
   
   In closing, a HUGE thumbs up to the Taang! label for an absolutely superb job with this CD. Packed with spellbinding music, no serious music fan can go wrong with this disc from Spacemen 3, one of the most important and underrated bands of all time.



2. This is the best starting point for those wishing to find the fuzzy, drugged out, blissful noise blues that is Spacemen 3. "Losing Touch With my mind" is my favorite shoegazer anthem with its fried lyrics, wall of noise, and old school blues guitar riff dragging the song along. The cd is worth the price for this song alone! "Hey man" and a cover of the Stooges drone classic "Little doll" show the Spacemen's soul side and the noisy jangle of "Mary Anne" is addictive. "Rollercoaster" and "O.D. catastrophe" are extended dronefests (the latter of which is a take on the Stooges "TV Eye", punctuated with noisy guitar squalls, and druggy lyrics. Personally, I like the version of "2:35" on For All The F#*$ed Up Children, but the 2 included here are alright and represent a certain point in the bands development of their sound. Loose and stoned fun!



3. essentially along the same lines as the review Aaron made in 2002, if you're at all interested in Spiritualized or the Perfect Perscription and Playing with Fire albums, then thi album is NOT for you.

   While I admit it has its moments, the album could've definately been enhanced by stripping back some of the needless overdubs that either hinder or just reduce the songs to cheesiness. The early version of Walking with Jesus is interesting as it more prominantly displays their Suicide influence. Other than that, the version that appears on The Perfect Perscription is the pinnacle version of the song.

   The 17 minute version of Rollercoaster, which piqued my interest in buying the album because of the great live version found on the Performance album, is less thrilling than I thought ti would be. It's essentially a one-track demo recording that never really takes off and has EXTREMELY cheesey and obviously tacked on samples of rollercoaster noises at the begining and end of the track, all of which makes the track difficult to sit through...

   All in all, it's not a bad release, but a very difficult one. It should also be noted that both Pierce and Kember prefered the takes of this album as heard on the Taking Drugs to Make Music to Take Drugs To album.




4. If the consumer comes to 'sound of confusion' after hungrily consuming the spacemen's more pulchritudinous later efforts, or spiritualized's wildly successful inroads into baroque pop, then what is almost readily necessitated by this album is a rapid shift in priorities. A number of things, then, have to be said about this:

   1. Although jason pierce sings most of it, this album bears absolutely no resemblance whatsoever to anything spiritualized ever did. If your favorite spacemen songs are the long, quiet bliss-outs, you will find this record immensely unsatisfying. It isnt the least bit pretty - all of the songs are essentially constructed out of the same three slightly uptuned power chords repeated at different intervals with as high a volume as was permitted by the boys' fragile amps and surf guitars. It isnt the least bit soothing; in fact, it's one of the most corrosive records of the eighties, if not the most corrosive. Half of these songs are furious uptempo rockers, and the other half are slow-burning, acidic dirges. Jason pierce had little to do with the writing or arranging; his place was more to sing and contribute the consistently good lead guitar.

   2. This is essentially a covers record. Although four of its seven tracks (on the initial release) were credited to the spacemen, in this phase of their career (carrying on to 'perfect prescription') most of their original material simply fastened new lyrics to old proto-punk numbers or traditional songs. Therefore 'hey man' is a loose derivation of 'amen', '2.35' is simply a copy of the rolling stones' 'citadel', and 'OD Catastrophe' is a ridiculous attempt to graft new words onto the stooges' 'TV eye' and take credit for it. The only new track is 'losing touch with my mind', and I use the term 'new' loosely because I simply dont know who it's taken from.

   3. Virtually all of the songs are in the same key, volume level, and time signature. The boys were still very young and had a lot to learn about songcraft and dynamics. Consequently, while thrilling in small doses, this album is rather tough to swallow all the way through, especially in taang's expanded edition, for sale here.

   4. This isnt nearly as good as the spacemen's later records. Perfect Prescription is still the best place to start, and their most legitimate claim to any level of >importance<.

   5. The bonus tracks are an extremely mixed bag. We're given the contents of the 'walking with jesus' EP, an adjoining single between this album and 'Perfect Prescription', and the version of the title track on the former record was an awful eighties punk-rock song bearing no significant resemblance to what eventually turned up on the perfect prescription in glistening, gorgeous form. Other tracks from that EP include a needless 17-minute version of 'Rollercoaster' (a thirteenth floor elevators song delivered in fine form on the original LP) and demo versions of 'Feel So Good' and '2.35' that are not significantly different than the ultimately released ones.

   Anyway, what this all translates to is an enjoyable record for droneheads like myself. However exciting though it may be for some as a glimpse into the beginnings of the spacemen 3, this author admits that to most listeners this album will be a laxative rather than an opiate.




5. This is one of my all-time fave fuzz/drone albums, and it's my fave SPACEMEN 3 CD. (PLAYING WITH FIRE comes second). When my head feels shredded and out of step with the time/space continuim , I listen to this CD for hours and the drone soothes the shattered mind, and the SPACEMEN 3 DO "Walk With Jesus" because this CD heals! It's also really cool when one is feeling good! The Brits do this the best (see My Bloody Valentine, Jesus & Mary Chain, but check out the NEW CD by USA band (!) BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB - all of the above plus some actual melodies on most of the tracks)

1 comments about Different Class.

1. First off, i'm of the opinion that "Different Class" is easily in the top 10 Britpop albums of the 1990's, if not in the top 2 or 3 (and i could make a case that it's one of the top 10 rock albums of the decade), so if you haven't heard it, you really owe it to yourself to hear it (NOTE: Different Class, as an album, is unquestionably a five-star classic; see below why i rate this edition as 4 stars). Very tuneful, with biting commentary, 'humour' and sarcasm on lust, youthful foolishness, class warfare and capturing the zeitgeist of what was going on in the UK around the mid-90's - it's very much of its time, yet I suspect will ultimately be considered timeless. Virtually all of the tracks are pure ear candy - this album really holds up thruout. This edition is beautifully presented -nice thick glossy digipak packaging with Universal's usual clear slipcase; generous booklet and comments, and great sound. If you've read this far, you'll probably want to pop for this in order to get the extras disc - demo's, b-sides, live cuts. They're nice, but i don't know if i'd call them indispensible - i rated it 4 stars because of the cost involved to get the extras. if you have an inkling you'll like this album, and can afford it, this is a good edition to get if you can score one for under like $25; otherwise, for most, the 1-cd will suffice and is heartily recommended. But if you're really into Pulp, i'd imagine you'll want this edition.

5 comments about Clocks.

1. Despite sounding good after a first listen, this track has suffered from overexposure. I hear it on tv ads touting s__t products; as background music for "inspiring" sports highlights; girl violin groups (you know, the ones trying to make classical "sexy") doing renditions; generally, any person or group looking to create some sense of majesty! oooh! excitement! grandeur! I'm getting chills! Fake nonsense like that. It's not Coldplay's fault. The best thing would be for this song to be deleted as a single and removed from future pressings of "A Rush..."



2. As a Coldplay fan I'm obviously quite biased, but this single has got to be the best in a long time. I'll go through the thre tracks:
   
   1. Clocks
   If you haven't heard this song you must have been living under a rock. My GOD this song is good. It opens with just about the most memorable piano riff ever, then explodes into this incredible, pulsating minimalist masterpiece with the most incredible cryptic lyrics over the top. It just soars. Clocks is a knockout song, one of my favourites of all time and arguably the best on "A Rush of Blood to the Head". It's stellar. You get the idea? Still, unless you buy Coldplay singles just to support the band, it's the B-Sides that are going to make you buy this. So how are they?
   
   2. "Crests of Waves"
   The first B-side, "Crests of Waves" is a brilliant rock song with a similar sound to "Moses" and some of their new stuff; it's got that same fuzzy rhythm guitar but with vocals that are kind of buried in the music, as in: "Calling out from beneath the waves". In parts it's almost like a draft version of "Clocks", so I can see why it's on here. The first line goes, "It could be worse, I could be alone" and from there you're hooked. The chorus has this kind of suspended-in-the-air riff as Chris sings "hooo ooo ooo" like in lots of Coldplay songs. It's some of the most spine-tinglingly good guitar rock that Coldplay's ever done, and reminiscent of their new live songs. This makes you realise how good Coldplay is; very few bands would have this song as B-side. Five stars for this.
   
   3. "Animals"
   The second B-side, "Animals" is a slightly arty, with a descending guitar riff and plodding piano. It's got some great moments, particularly when it goes, "animals you are/disposable collapsible and raw", and "I missed my chance by a stone's throw". Chris martin sounds like he's yelling out from the bottom of a well or something; good stuff, if you like Coldplay, although if you don't you might not like it. I think it's live, so if you're annoyed by live B-sides then be warned; although it's not as if you're hearing an album track live, this is original stuff that you can only hear on this EP.
   
   I'm aware that not everyone likes coldplay; if you're not a fan then obviously you're not going to like this. I've been eagerly watching the news of their third album. I have a feeling their new sound will be a mix of songs like "Clocks" and songs like "Crests of Waves". "Clocks" is obviously a big statement of their new direction, and "Crests of Waves" is similar to their new live tracks. If the new album was like a long version of what's on this single, then I'd be very happy. This is the new sound, like it or not. As you can see, I like it.
   
   So that's my very biased (and very long) review of this single. This single won a Grammy, and very deservedly. It's got just about the best song of 2003, along with two great B-sides. It has two of my favourite Coldplay songs ever. If you're going to buy a Coldplay single just for the heck of it, for god's sake buy this one! You won't be disappointed.



3. I will not discuss the song Clocks, supposing that you have already heard it by now.

   Crests of Waves and Animals capture Coldplay wearing their Echo & The Bunnymen influence on their sleeves. And their inclusion onto A Rush of Blood To The Head would have added some much-needed diversity since they are both far more bouyant than most of the album's songs.

   The live recording of Yellow, strangely enough, doesn't seem to have an audience. It's just Chris Martin singing along with his piano, nothing else. I myself prefer the full band version.

   The live recording of In My Place is a little on the messy side when it comes to mixing. Martin's voice gets a little off-key at times and the crowd, at one point in the beginning, becomes louder than the band. Aside from those details, it sounds just like the album version.




4. crests of waves is the perfect example of why i like coldplay. it's an interesting song and still a nice pop song (not too different but different enough while not taking anything away from the great flow of the song but adding to it (for me)). it's not amazing but it's really good and very rare these days. i'd have to say it's my favorite of all coldplay b-sides and probably in my top 10 of all of their songs. another note is that the new coldplay album has some songs with more of an electronic song style. like clocks with the simple piano line over and over with the simple loop-like drum beat. and i think those songs usually aren't as good as the more standardish rock songs (ex. in my place). but crests of waves isn't like those electronic-type ones and that's a plus for me.



5. I recently started trying to find all the Coldplay singles, most of which are hard to find. This is by far the best I've found so far. I would reccomend this highly to anyone who likes Coldplay at all, and it's a great first single with which to start a Coldplay collection.

2 comments about The Collection.

1. James is a band in which you should just go ahead and own all of their albums. But, if you need to be introduced to this great band, this cd is a great way to do it.
   
   Containing a collection of songs ('hits') from their 12+ year career, this cd will show just what a great and overlooked band they were.
   
   You'll know the first song "Sit Down" as it garnered a lot of airplay in the early 90s. You'll probably also recognize "Laid", another song of theirs that was a hit for them in the mid-90s. But the surpises you'll find are "English Beefcake", "Getting Away With It" and "Confusion".
   
   All of the songs on here are great. It's a shame that bands like Matchbox 20 got popular while the far superior band James was overlooked. Pick up this CD if you're a first-time listener, but also grab it if you're a fan.
   
   Also, Tim Booth (lead singer) who left the band in 2004 to pursue a solo career has rejoined the band, and they're touring England this spring, and are said to be writing new material which they'll apparently begin recording in the fall. Let's hope so!!!



2. I am a huge James fan. They are one of the only bands that I am actively upset broke up. If you're reading this, then it's safe to say you know why... As with their "Best Of" collection, this collection is again in a random order. A chronological order would better serve a James collection, in order to best show their development. The excellent "B-sides Ultra" cd is a better example of where a hodge-podge approach can work. ... So here's what I don't like: This is a mix of some of their "hits" and some random b-sides and rarities that do not appear on the "Ultra" cd. Why didn't they just come out with a comprehensive b-sides and rarities collection? I would have absolutely loved a double cd collection of all (and only) b-sides and soundtrack songs, and leave the hits collection to itself. As a devoted fan, I've got the regular albums anyway. If I want a hits collection, I can burn myself one. ... So here's what I like: I got this collection for the rarities, and, as usual, they are excellent. James's "throwaway" songs are always fun and/or interesting, and as long as they are being made available in some fashion, I'm satisfied. ... To introduce someone to James, I'd recommend the "Best Of" cd, "Seven," or "Laid," but for those of us who want the songs that were left off of "Ultra," I'm glad they're here. It's the next best thing to a new James album.

5 comments about Workers Playtime.

1. This is unquestionably one of my picks for being stranded on the proverbial desert island with. The musical arrangements, the absolutely lush songwriting, the staggeringly strong poetry. Workers Playtime came out almost 20 years ago, but I don't hear its age. It stands up to time very well. I have four Billy Bragg albums, and I love them all, but this is my favorite. "Must I Paint You a Picture" is beautiful, as is "The Price I Pay." If this were the only music he ever put out, I would still consider him a songwriting genius. He has an amazing ear for rich composition. And a great sense of humor!



2. My favorite thing about this album was that they sent out a "Capitalism is Killing Music" promotional coffee mug to the music director at my college radio station...I would kill for that mug today.



3. I would never have thought politics and love could go so well together. On this album, every song is political, yet every song is a love song, and the politics and love seem completely inseperable. The words are always great--Billy Bragg's best--and the music always serves to make the words even more powerful. You can hate Billy Bragg's politics, but if you've ever been in love or wanted to be, you still find something for yourself here. "Worker's Playtime" was recorded in the 1980s, yet it still sounds fresh and timeless. It's better than anything Billy Bragg's done in the last ten years (though that's not saying that much) and possibly better than any of his other albums.
   "She's Got A New Spell" rocks out jangling, with citar, even. "Must I Paint You A Picture?" uses a female vocalist to tell about a decaying relationship, and then declares, "This would never happen, if we lived by the sea." "The Price I Pay" is one of the best piano love songs ever, full of regret and sad hope. And "Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards" is about as good as songs get, building into an anthem, a collectivist anthem embraceable by anyone who's ever hoped for change. "Here comes the future / And you can't run from it / If you've got a blacklist / I want to be on it!"
   This is a great album. It will always remind me of my older brother who first introduced me to (good) popular music, and it will always remind me of what Billy Bragg is capable of. (Now if someone would just remind Billy....)



4. What to say about Workers Playtime? Listening to it is like going back to college and reliving your youth. I'm sure Mr. Bragg feels the same way about it. It's only 11 songs long but it's impossible to think that the music could be much better.
   
   On this album, the master of urban folk created melodies concerning politics and love that are as outstanding as anything found in his oeuvre. "Waiting For The Great Leap Forward" needs little explanation but the tune includes lyrical nuggets like "the revolution is just a t-shirt away." Honestly, there's not a bad song on the CD even though I didn't like the a cappella, "Tender Comrade," at first. Now it goes down like Chimay Ale.
   
   Even though I bought my copy about 15 years ago, I still sing along to the tracks when they play. Workers Playtime is an inspired mix of rock, folk, and late eighties pop. What a combination. It begins with the earnest joy of "She's got a New Spell," which is the perfect tune with which to introduce friends to Billy Bragg. Its lyrics are original and you cannot sit still while listening to it. "Must I Paint You a Picture" and "The Price I Pay" are both intense and passionate. They also showcase his complexity as a lyricist. Personally, I spent years laughing about the line, "I hate the a--hole I become when I'm with you," in "Life with the Lions." The sentiment is quite accurate about many a relationship.
   
   As for the album's zenieth, I would have to say that "The Only One" is right up there with "St. Swithins Day," as Billy's most beautiful love song ever. It'll haunt you for life; just like the rest of this release.



5. Long before I hunkered down in a small Chicago club to hear Billy's cockney crooning "Ingrid Bergman" through a fine Wilco cheesecloth, I was won over by THIS album. (Yeah, they're still albums to me.) It's just ... it's one of 5 I'd take to a deserted island. There's no dross in the mix; it's all shiny. And strong. And witty like Elvis Costello. Romance and politics in an eminently charming salad, fresh from the Garden, good AND good for you. Just try to resist it.