5 comments about Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit.

1. Amazing songs from some of the best groups in recent history. This CD is an awesome mix of the blues-influenced alternative and punk music that Detroit is known to produce. I would highly recommend this album to anyone who enjoys a little bit of blues a little bit of edginess, great lyrics and great songwriting.



2. if you are like me and are an avid fan of the White Stripes, you are probably waiting for their next album, with De Stijl and Elephant in the CD player to tide you over. The White Stripes weren't always Grammy Nominees, they were once a new band on the Detroit music scene. Fortunately, jack White really stayed true to his roots and was able to give us the awesome album. It will really give an inside look at new bands, that have that same raw, real, simple sound that the White Stripes are known for. For the White Stripes fan this is a must buy.



3. The album simply is a great buy for anyone even slightly into the detroit music scene. Just to clear up one issue though there is no problem with the product, anyone with the 'Candy Coloured Blues' unauthorised white stripes documentry will know that the cut short tracks are an interesting experiment in which Jack White asked band members to simply play something bluesey, in an effort to reveal somthing about the detroit bands he was showcasing.



4. Being a White Stripes fan I had to seek out this album to get their previously unreleased track "Red Death at 6:14". Along the way I was introduced to a number of bands from detroit I would have not heard of otherwise. Standout bands on this compilation include The Dirtbombs, Ko and the Knockouts, The Soledad Brothers, The Von Bondies, and Whirlwind Heat.

   And about the tracks that seem to "cut off" after 30 seconds, I have this album on vinyl (yes I have a record player) and the tracks are meant to be like that. I think of them as segues.




5. This CD has some excellent music -unfortunately the CD appears to have a production problem where track 2, 3 and 9 are cut short (after about 20 seconds). Amazon provided a replacment (really good service) but same problem. I also note that someone else mentioned this in another review. They thought it was by design - I don't think so but it might be.

   However this issue aside, there does seem to be something in the Detroit scene. An interesting mix of rock, punk and blues - with some surprising edginess, drive, inventiveness and a good indie sound. White stripes are great but here are some some others. Perhaps without the technical greats of Jack White but nevertheless some real commitment to an individual sound and style. Its a good buy - even with the defect - sample a few of these bands. highly recommended.

5 comments about Oldies But Goodies.

1. it's worth buying just to hear boys singing "my boyfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble..." there's a lack of girls on this album, which kinda pisses me off because a couple of the songs on here were originally done by chicks. oh well, there's a lack of girls in rock so i'm used to it. anyway, get this album. some standouts include Mr. Sandman, MXPX's cover of Blue Moon, Be My Baby, and Book of Love.



2. A summer night, late, driving around, blasting music. Such was the situation in which I first heard this album. I guess I am easily amused, but I found this a really refreshing, fun album. Having heard all these songs thousands and thousands of times, I discovered that these songs could have new life breathed into them after all. This is no Bach or Beethoven, but altogether it's a good CD. It's more lively than the original versions of these songs and it's not as "out there" as most punk as to offend people. Although this might not be a perfect way to attempt to bridge the generation gap, it's still a great album. I recommend it highly.



3. My roommate ordered this cd and I stole it from him to listen to it because I like remakes, but I was dissappointed. This cd lacks mojo. The songs seemed to be just thrown together for this cd....they lack character and most of the bands just slug through power chord rendetions of the original tunes. Saving songs: Bracket- My Boyfriends back, Good Riddance- Leader of the Pack, and the Grieving Eucalyptus song Bee-Bop-a- Lula has a really nice opening riff.

   I advise to borrow this cd from a friend, don't waste your cash. Go pick up the Before you were Punk 1&2 instead.




4. MxPx did a great job on this compilation, it's not THAT punk, but it's ok. I feel like I've heard these songs before, but i never really did. It made me wanna hear those oldies once more.



5. I love it! i bought it! you should too!! hehe.. it is sweet.. MxPx does a smooth blue moon I never before heard of Billy Mccrackin but now I wanna see what he has done cos of his oh boy cover.. I reccomend it to anyone punk or just plain old.. hehe

4 comments about A Small Circle of Friends: A Germs Tribute.

1. If I wanna hear covers, I'll go to see a concert
   but doing covers of the greatest band in punk history? you just can't do that.



2. The late Drew Blood, a good friend of mine submitted the hidden track which follows the final track of 'Shutdown'. It is a spoken word poem he wrote about Darby, The Germs and LA Punk in general. It doesn't get credit but is audible if you wait for the last track. I really love the diverse versions each artist brought to show the influence The Germs had on them in whatever way they did. Darby you are missed and so are you Drew.



3. I loved the Germs when I was in Jr. High School and bought GI on vinyl when it came out. This seminal album has inspired many other bands and is a masterpiece. I picked up Circle of Friends at a used CD store yesterday and it brought back old memories. This is a great CD if you liked the Germs. I found the Posies rendition of Richie Dagger's Crime to be hilarious.



4. I never really ever cared for buying tribute albums , but I only really bought this to hear NOFX's cover of "Forming" , but the rest of the CD has some pretty descent material , especially White Flag's cover of "Manimal" . It is descent , but I wouldn't really recommend unless you really like the Germs , or you like some of the band's on this.

3 comments about Take Action!, Vol. 6.

1. FIRST OF ALL, THIS CD COMPLICATION HAS MORE THAN 40 SONGS ON IT. IT HAS 2 CDS AND A DVD FOR ONLY ABOUT $7 (WHAT I HAD TO PAY)! IF YOUR A FAN OF HARDCORE, PUNK, METAL OR STREET PUNK YOU WILL LOVE(?) THIS CD. THE ONLY REAL BAD THING ABOUT THIS IS THAT THEIR WEREN'T MANY BANDS THAT I KNEW BUT I GOT TO LIKE MOST OF THEM. ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GOOD CD.



2. The Good
   This two disc one DVD release is a virtual who's who in the underground modern rock world. Most songs contributed are chock-full of energy and riffs galore. While many of the songs included have been released on the original artist's prior album(s), there are a handful of never released tunes. At an approximate retail price of $8, you are certainly getting quite the value for a 43 song collection, plus live performance DVD.
   
   The Bad
   Maybe I'm being overly critical, but songs like "This is How I Disappear," "Drowning," "This is the End," and "Don't Care" aren't exactly songs that promote positivity in the eyes and ears of troubled youth. Also, there's a good chance you'll only be familiar with less than half of the bands on this collection.
   
   The Verdict
   A great cause, a great value, and a great way to check out what's new in the underground modern rock scene. Although if your well into your twenties or above, you may want to skip it. You probably won't be able to identify with the "crazy" music those kids are listening to today.



3. i got this cd preordered 1 week before it came out and i love it!! its about time take action decides to add a dvd to their cds! i own all their comps. and i just love the diversity of bands they add and this cd is no exception. the dvd rocks!!! my fav. video was scary kids scaring kids. very creative even though that band isnt the best musicians in the world but the video makes up for it. everything about this 2 disc/dvd comp. was worth every penny and its for a great cause so please just spend the extra money and pick it up new instead of used so u can help out a cause

No comments about Peace Together.

5 comments about Honest Don's Welcome Wagon.

1. I was impressed with the quality songs on this.The MadCaddies make this cd a four star mix. The other bands put good songs on this CD as well. This release is one of the better ones I have heard lately. This easily rivals those fat wreckord compilations
   you see in over abundance these days.



2. This is a decent bugget compilation put out by Honest Don's Records. I'd say about half the songs are cool, I mainly like the songs by the Teen Idols, Limp, and Mad Caddies.



3. my best friend and i pop this flowing mix of tunes in everytime we're on the road. it makes for a great pick-me-up and a sing along! the punky ska fills you up a never lets you down.



4. The bargain basement priced "Honest Don's Welcome Wagon" should be picked up by any of you out there who are looking for something new now that you've worn our your Goldfinger, Buck O Nine, Rancid and MM Bosstones CD's. Mostly a collection of emerging newcomers this complilation is much more consistent than punk comps tend to be.

   Awesome cover of Elton John's "Rocket Man" by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a highlight as are cuts by the Mad Caddies and Chixdiggit.

   Can't think of a better way to spend four bucks.




5. I got this cd at a nofx show and it's one of the best albums I've heard by a variety of artists. Just a great album to listen to. The only song that should be skipped is "Pick Up Lines" by Dance Hall Crashers. The tune is catchy, but the voice is a bit shrill. The Other, Limp, Chixdiggit, and Diesel Boy really rock, and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Really highlight the album with Elton John meets punk rock.

1 comments about Ska: The Third Wave, Vol. 4: Punk It Up.

1. I bought this album a few months ago and I listen to it over and over and I haven't grown tired of it yet!! I think they put the greatest artist with there skankable songs all on one album! I totally recomend this one!

5 comments about Blackest Album: An Industrial Tribute to Metallica.

1. I am a Metallica fan and was first curious of this kind of tribute. I have other tribute albums from different artists. There are a few good ones and a couple of misses for me on this cd but it's good enough for me to still listen & enjoy it.
   But if you are too wary, try to find it at used cd stores so you won't feel so bad if you end up not liking it.



2. when i was about 10 i heard that metallica were cool, so i went and bought this album, thinking it was metallica originals. i loved it. i later heard some real metallica and was somewhat dissapointed. i have also since heard many other tracks from the artists featured on this album. i prefer this cover album to original metallica, and i prefer this cover album to anything else the artists featured have done (except perhaps razed in black). unfortunately, i have not found anything quite as dark yet good as this.



3. I love metallica and industrial, this thing is just pure evil, is the worst tribute ever.



4. I am a HUGE industrial fan and an above average Metallica fan. I was really expecting to find a great album that mixed Metallica's awesome lyrics with some very cool modern industrial. Instead you get an album that that doesn't cross the industrial line at all. Techno at best and that isn't even with all the songs. Some are funk... others are just rock. Listening to both 1 and 2 only made me want to return the CD's and put in some older metallica. Steer clear!!! 0 stars if allowed.



5. This is an industrial tribute to Metallica, so many Metallica fans out there will probably not like it at all. Be prepared for big beats, samples, and gritty lyrics. Most of the songs stay at least somewhat true to the originals, but it can sometimes be difficult to make out what song they are covering.
   
   As a fan of both Metallica and industrial music I heartily recommend this album. Fans of industrial who aren't into Metallica will also take a liking to it, but Metallica fans who are not fans of industrial should steer clear.

5 comments about Supper's Ready: A Tribute To Genesis.

1. I love this Cd i think it is brilliant. I can't believe I am hearing anything negetive at all.



2. At the time I bought this I didn't know all the artist but made a apoint to and you should to. Other reviews have been negtive but I find no merit in their words. Even if the musicians played note for note Genesis(they didn't) this CD has the benefit of better sound production than the org. Yes I have the org. ATCO releases plus the artist all have better voices than PG and PC (Love them though)! The fact is that for the most part all do renewed versions beautifully. As others said some of the standouts are Kevin Gilbert,Enchant,Magellan,Cairo. Get this and check out all the wounderful artist own bands Shadow Gallery etc.Pick up Magna Carta's tribute to Rush also. Progressive Rock Lives today.



3. I played drums on Over The Garden Wall's version of Firth Of Fifth. I agree that there is no point in releasing a CD of cover songs that are pretty much identical to the original, but let me explain. We were a bonafide Genesis Tribute Band! We prided ourselves on our ability to entertain people and make them feel that they were actually seeing and hearing the Genesis from the past. When we were asked to contribute to this CD, we literally had to record and mix the song in ONE day with 2 or 3 takes, and NO click track. We did not have any time to work out a clever arrangement or approach. Looking back on it now, we probably should have just said, "Why bother?" but we figured that this CD would help us get more gigs.
   
   Our version sort of combined the studio release with the live Genesis version.



4. Hacer un compilatorio con temas de una banda como Genesis realmente es dificil, ya que debe mostrar la destreza e imaginación de los musicos como fue demostrada por P.Gabriel y compañia cuando las compusieron en su momento...el disco abre con "Watcher of the skies" en una nueva y metálica version por el señor Robert Berry (hizo un trabajo interesante con "Roundabout" en el tributo a Yes) pero a medida que el cd avanza uno se da cuenta que realmente le falta algo al repertorio. la selección de temas es buena pero los musicos, algunos de ellos realmente apestan.Aunque hay cosas rescatables como Dave Hentschel (ex productor de Genesis)con "Undertow", Annie Hasslam (de Renaissance) con "Ripples" , el finado Kevin Gilvert con su "Back In NYC" , Richard Sinclair (Caravan)con "For Absent Friends" hasta Peter Barden (ex Camel) con "Many Too Many" los demas grupos apestan por decirlo menos pero quiza el que se lleva el premio a la peor interpretacion es Enchant con "Man Of our Times" (¿Quien diablos le dijo a ese cantante mediocre que podria interpretar ese tema????) Magna Carta deberia tomarse en serio la seleccion de bandas porque uno no sabe si realmente estos grupos desconocidos se quieren poner la etiqueta de neo progresivos o son solo banditas patéticas con ansias de figurar!



5. Most tribute albums are disappointing, and this one marches proudly right into that rank. I can understand why it would be a good musical learning experience to recreate the 9-minute-long "Firth of Fifth" note for note. What I can't understand is who thought ANYONE would want to pay for a slavish remake when they had the original Genesis version to listen to. The song selection here is good, but most of the musicians don't vary a hair from the original arrangements (except that the singers all appear to be auditioning for Journey). This shouldn't be so hard--why not a reggae version of "Counting Out Time"? A grunge guitar "Stagnation"? A medley of "Say It's Alright, Joe" and "Twilight Alehouse"? Anyone ever notice that the organ riff in "The Knife" would make a great polka beat? A few tracks are at least listenable: Annie Haslam (Renaissance) does a pleasant take on "Ripples" and Richard Sinclair (Caravan) does the same for "For Absent Friends", but really these are safe renditions of safe song choices. Kevin Gilbert throws a little variation into "Back in NYC" (a punk song that pre-dated punk by a couple of years), and Crack the Sky does the same for "I Know What I Like".

3 comments about Garage Punk Unknowns, Pt. 2.

1. ...but still a great collection of near impossible to find songs. The great thing about this series as a whole is the fact that the CD insert contains brief information about the song and the artists.
   
   Slag it if you want, even I'll say it, a lot of these songs are hit or miss. Regardless, all the songs have energy and are played with reckless, sloppy, enthusiasm and this record beats turnign the radio on any day of the week.
   
   Good luck finding a copy under $50... I spent five years tracking these two discs down and bought each for under $30.



2. The second Garage Punk Unknowns CD is something of a disappointment. While its predecessor was a lipsmacking platter of high-energy teenage howl, this disc is weighed down by a lot of generic, largely forgettable songs. Where volume 1 was stuffed with weird, wild, and ferocious grease punk, this follow-up is plagued by derivative and faceless tunes. "The Sultans Five's You Know, You Know" takes a passionless stab at an annoyingly repetitive melody, while Ambertone does (yet another) by-numbers version of "I Can Only Give You Everything." The Rolling Ramsax's "You've Hurt Me So" is a dull ballad, and the Dirty Shames' version of "Makin' Love" (the Sloths tune found on Back From The Grave CD Volume 2) isn't even close to the grimy slopfest masterpiece that the original was.
   
   Still, there is some good stuff here: The Ardels' "Piece Of Jewelry" is a gritty piece of teenage sneer, and 006's "Like What, Me Worry?" is weird, raw, cool, and menacing as hell. The Lost Souls' "My Girl" is a strange, haunting semi-ballad, and the Torquays' "Stolen Moments" is a foot-stomper if there ever was one.
   
   So, a decent but not great garage rock comp. A good purchase for a garage rock nut.



3. I RATED THIS LP AT 4 BUT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN 5 BUT MY INTEREST SLANTS TOWARD CERTAIN POP SOUNDS.MY FAVORITE SONG ON THIS LP IS"DESTINATION LONELY" BY HUNS.I SEEK INFO ON IT'S BAND. SEVERAL BANDS CALL THEMSELVES HUN{N}S. THIS SONG IS THE BEST ON THE LP.I WISH IT COULD HAVE BEEN RECORDED WITH MODERN TECHNIQUES FROM THE START IN THE STUDIO. IT IS THE TYPE OF SONG THAT ONE WOULD FIND ON "WILD IN THE STREETS". TOO BAD MAX FROST AND TROOPERS DID NOT COVER IT.A MUST HEAR FOR SURE.THE ALBUM HAS A MIX OF SONG TYPES[SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE}. TOO MUCH TO SAY {IF YOU LIKE THE 60'S}."I REALLY DO" IS ALSO VERY GOOD. ALL OF THE GARAGE PUNK UNKNOWN SERIES WAS WELL DONE .THERE ARE SOME REAL WINNERS{SONGS} ON THIS SERIES{ SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOP OF THE CHARTS}