5 comments about Black Symphony (CD/DVD).

1. I typically order many things through Amazon but I was disappointed with this offering because there appears to be several versions available. I realize that Amazon is offering the US release, which may not be their fault, but the European versions include so much more. I am not trying to deter money away from Amazon with this post and who knows, maybe Amazon will offer these additional import versions in the near future.
   
   Anyway, there is a Blu-Ray version available along with a DVD (PAL). There is also a (2) DVD version which maybe PAL which includes a (2) audio CD version as well, which is the entire concert and not selected songs from the concert like the US version on only (1) Audio CD.
   
   My 3 Star rating is based only what version the US is getting and not on the actual content/concert itself which I expect to be fantastic.
   
   I ordered the Blu-Ray version and (2) DVD and (2) CD version directly from the Within Temptaion site at www.within-temptation.com. They are rather pricey in comparison though to the Amazon US version. The Blu-Ray was around $32.50 while the (2) DVD, (2) CD version was around $39. Shipping on top of that was another $25. Ouch! There may also be some concern whether or not the Blu-Ray is Region specific and whether or not it is going to play in a US PS3 or a US Blu-Ray player. There is no mention on the Within Temptation site whether or not the Blu-Ray is Region Specific plus they do ship to the US. I do know that PAL DVD's will play in a XBox 360 as I have Within Temptation PAL DVD's that play just fine. In the end, I just wanted the Blu-Ray and the (2) CD's of the entire concert plus the extra DVD's include an additional concert that was filmed in 2007.
   
   Time will tell if all of this works out for me and the Blu-Ray plays fine or not. It is just unfortunate, that US fans are subjected to an inferior product, just because Within Temptation, overall, is not as popular in the US as it is in Europe. I would certainly hope that this would indicate my support for the group by willing to dish out over $90 for these recordings.



2. Within Temptation has been my top favorite female fronted band for a few years now and I won't go into repeating everything that has been said already. Although I will say that I bought the import version of this release, as I wasn't going to settle with 2 discs as opposed to the 4 disc version overseas.
   
   With that out of the way, yes, this concert is amazing! The choir and orchestra backing the band really add a whole new dimension to their music and fits perfectly. Their music was made to be performed like this. However, I am deeply bothered by the fact that (yet again) one of this band's most touching ballads ("Our Farewell") has been ignored and left off of this set. On the MOTHER EARTH TOUR set, the song was slaughtered by an opera singer, rendering it unlistenable. And it was completely left off of THE SILENT FORCE TOUR, but that can be forgiven. What cannot be forgiven is them leaving this song off of THE BLACK SYMPHONY. I do not understand why this band seems to be ashamed of this song and still refuses to include a good live version of "Our Farewell" on any of their live boxsets (yes I know there are other live recordings on singles, but I want it on one of their full concerts). "Our Farewell" was begging to be performed at this show. Within Temptation had a grand opportunity to make this song sound far more powerful and epic than it ever has sounded before, and they, unbelievably, left it off this set again. It now stands alone as their only major single which was left out of this concert and it's absense from this, otherwise stunning set, drives me up the wall and nearly ruins the whole thing for me. I most certainly hope that if Within Temptation releases another live set in the future, they will finally give us a great live version of "Our Farewell" to make up for it being given the shaft on all three of their major concert releases.
   
   For this one (and only complaint) I took off one star and will be saving the 5 star rating for the future concert they (hopefully) will release that will finally include ALL of their singles.



3. I was actually crying tears of joy when I was watching this DVD. There were a few songs that I thought were missing, but otherwise it was mind-blowing. I wish they would come to Wisconsin.....that would be a dream come true



4. The songs played throughout the Black Symphony concert come from Within Temptation's Mother Earth, Silent Force, and Heart of Everything albums, with at least half the songs played from their latest album. Sharon's voice sounds beautiful and the band plays along with the orchestra and choir seamlessly. There are a couple less-than-perfect notes in the concert and yet they still make it sound great.
   
   Visuals to the show include pyrotechnics, Sharon's costumes, fantasy dancers, and a video screen which displays music videos, ethereal landscapes, and composite war-related footage along with the music. Special kudos to the acoustic songs (Forgiven, Somewhere), as well as the songs which made the best combination of the band with the orchestra (The Promise, Truth Beneath the Rose).
   
   The singing, instrumentals, and talent of WT make their performances extremely exhilarating. The quality of video footage of the DVD and the audio on the CD make Black Symphony a must-have in symphonic rock/metal lovers' collections. This and WT's Silent Force DVD are exceptional concert DVD's.



5. I checked out Within Temptation because I heard they were similar to the goth rock band Evanescence. I bought the Heart of Everything and, as much as I love Evanescence (Amy Lee has such a beautiful, lush voice), these guys top them and take things to a whole other level. I have almost all of WT's albums now.
   
   I looked forward to their latest concert on CD/DVD and I was blown away. This show is both a visual and auditory feast for the senses. I love the visuals and lead singer Sharon de Adel has the most heart-breakingly beautiful voice. Singing effortlessly, she sounds like an angel. Sharon also knows how to connect with her audience and wears some really stunning outfits.
   
   The band is superbly accompanied by the Metropole Orchestra and the Pa'dam Choir, and the concert features three guest performers--George Oosthoek, Anneke van Giersbergen, and Keith Caputo. Each is a talented singer, and the three add greatness to the show.
   
   The only flaw is that the CD does not, for some reason, contain all the tracks from the concert. I wanted to hear the whole concert!!
   
   I would recommend Anywhere But Home by Evanescence and End of an Era by Nightwish if you enjoy this CD/DVD set.

5 comments about The Slip.

1. I should start off by saying I've never been the biggest NIN fan. I've heard a decent amount of their music, and I've always liked them but they just never stuck with me. With Teeth seemed a bit like the sellout point to me, and I didn't pay attention to them for awhile. When I heard The Slip was free on their site, I eagerly downloaded it, and I've gotta say it's absolutely AMAZING! With the exception of Corona Radiata (which I'm sure will grow on me soon), there is not a dull moment with The Slip, and I plan to order Ghosts I-IV ASAFP.
   
   Update: I forgot how depressing NIN is. Listening to it makes me feel like bashing my skull in, but it's such amazing music that I CAN'T TURN IT OFF! Also, With Teeth doesn't seem as bad now.



2. This album is really cool, I just wish it was a bit longer, and without so many instrumentals, but honestly I think this album would've been superior to both With Teeth and Year Zero if it was the average NIN length album. The intro 999,999 is a really cool sounding intro, typical of NIN albums. 1,000,000 is a very drum-centered song, and the chorus is just incredibly melodic. Getting Away is an anti George Bush song, I believe, with the chorus, "And we are letting you get away, and we are letting you get away, with it", I just get a complete feeling that he is talking about "Dubbya", very cool industrial beat to this one. Discipline is a song which I completely relate to as a person who has been addicted to drugs or alcohol, it is about trying hard to stay clean, but knowing the possibility of relapse, and how you will act once you relapse. This song is very radio-friendly, but do not let that ruin the fact that it is an awesome song, kind of sounds like Fragile-era NIN, which I absolutely loved. Echoplex is also another Fragile-era NIN sounding song, I absolutely love this song, definitely one of my favorites from this album, the lyrics are incredible. Head Down is a very noisy/industrial beat with an undeniably melodic chorus, the beat to this song is really fu**ing cool, I love it. Lights In The Sky is a very, very slow song, with only Trents voice and a piano, not really my favorite song at all, but many people may love it. Corona Radiata and The Four Of Us Are Dying are both instrumentals and very cool ones at that, they are very hallucinagenic and if you like hallucinogens, these would be cool tracks to throw on while experiencing that. Demon Seed is the final track on the album and has a really cool beat, the music sounds like Downward Spiral-era NIN, really cool closer! The vocals are kind of in the background to the beat in about half of this song, this track may take a few listens, but it is awesome. Overall, this is a really solid NIN release, and I do not think it will disappoint hardcore NIN fans at all, and even newcomers to NIN will probably really like this one. Pick it up or download it for free at NIN's website, and support this cool band, and really cool dude Trent Reznor! Trent is one of the most influential and original artists of all time, he is the reason that other forms of rock started infusing industrial elements into their music!



3. If you haven't picked up this album yet, then shame on you. Not only has Trent delivered free music to his millions of minions, but he offers this limited-print version to the die-hard fans who simply can't live without a manufactured copy of his terrific work(i.e. myself).
   As with all his music, his beautiful melodies melt together with angst-filled rhythms perfectly. He has delivered yet another timeless ballad, 'Lights in the Sky', as well as the lyrical masterpiece, 'Echoplex.' Along with these, though, there is the industrial genius we all know and love, expressing his frustrations through songs like 'Letting You' and 'Demon Seed.'
   I, personally, love the album and thank Trent for producing an official hard-copy release. I was also extremely excited to see the reunion of Trent and Robyn. Even if you have a 5mbps connection, it's worth the free download. However, I would recommend buying the hard-copy to support the amazing work he has produced.



4. I'm one of those who are true fans of Nine Inch Nails. I collect their albums since 1992's EP "Broken" until the latest 2008's "The Slip". For the audio CD, Trent Reznor still performs his brilliant skills on composing this record. The mood of this album starts with dim and mysterious atmosphere on "999,999" by letting the synthesized sounds treat your emotion. Then, the real show commences with the songs "1,000,000" with the heavy beating drums' line and heavy distortion guitar. Some of you may feel that this song sounds like "March of the Pigs" from their 1994 album "The Downward Spiral". The mood continues with "Letting You", "Discipline", "Echoplex" (one of my favorite tracks on this record), and "Head Down" (my another favorite track). Since your mood climb up to the highest point, it will descend down to the calmest emotion when you listen to the tracks "Lights in the Sky", "Corona Radiata", and "The Four of Us Are Dying". Finally, just finish the show of Slip with the song "Demon Seed" by listening to their heavy-distortion guitar and heavy drums.
   For the limited edition, the rehearsal performance DVD of 5 songs are in really good quality and high resolution (1,000,000, "Letting You", "Discipline", "Echoplex", and "Head Down").
   
   If you are looking for electronic-rock band, Nine Inch Nails is definitely recommended.



5. This album is free. Which is awesome. But it sounds free too. The lyrics to discipline" are very fitting for trents life, which I can relate to as well, but most of the album sounds just waaay too comercialized and overdone. He uses simple lyrics and its just not that impressive. The four of us are dying impressed me a bit. But i would NOT buy this album. If you must, download it for free

5 comments about Fallen.

1. I first listened to this disc years ago. I have always liked the sound of this music and her voice. It is a great disc in my opinion. I cant really explain it completely but I just like this music. Thats all I have to say.



2. Im afraid evanescence will never be able to produce such a masterpiece again. This cd is so good! lyrics songs, her voice... wow.
   i love evanescence and this is definitely their best work of art!



3. It's interesting that many of the criticism of this album come down to "This band isn't REAL metal" ...for REAL metal search out Pantera/Slayer/Cradle of Filth (insert name of band with screaming male lead). Okay, if what you like is bands with a screaming male lead, you *probably* won't like Evanescence, I'll give you that. Other criticisms? "They aren't *real* goth, for *real* goth check out Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Within Temptation, etc." like it's a competition to be *more gothic* or something (and FYI I love Within Temptation and Lacuna Coil, Nightwish is okay, I like a few songs). Other criticisms include "Evanescence sucks live" when I doubt anyone who hates the band obviously this much would shell out $70 to see them live (I've seen them live, and they were amazing). Anyways, Amy Lee is extremely talented (check out youtube videos of her singing a duet in high school if you think her voice is machine generated, or "Listen to the Rain" a song she wrote for her high school choir if you don't believe she can write songs). She has *that* voice - the one that gives you chills and makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. The only person that comes to mind easily whose also had *that voice* was Karen Carpenter (although gotta say no one in popular music can ever equal the late KC). I will accept this: a lot of their songs sound the same. Yeah, and maybe the lyrics aren't super-deep, but c'mon they're songs. 95% of popular songs say things like "baby, I love you, oh baby" (I have heard a few songwriters who do have deep or clever lyrics, such as Dar Williams or Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls, but those songwriters are VERY few and far between). Plus, some of the material on this album - such as "My Immortal" she wrote when she was only about 18 - pretty talented for an 18 year old!! Personally, this is one of my all-time favorite CDs. I bought this when it first came out, and I still listen to it very often. Basically, it can be described in one word: beautiful.



4. I love this CD. I love Amy Lee's beautiful voice in this rock band. The songs are just amazing and really evoke emotion in the listener.



5. The first song by Evanescence that I ever heard was My Immortal, and by the end of that song, I was in love with this band. They had come up with such a unique, beautiful, and haunting sound that I had never had the pleasure of hearing before, and I still have yet to find a band that can even come close to matching what Evanescence has brought into this world.
   
   Now four years ago, when I first became a fan of Evanescence, I was not at all into the whole goth scene because it really creeped me out. However, you definitely don't have to be a goth to appreciate this music. Everybody needs a little bit of darker-sounding music to listen to once in a while. So since that fateful day back in 2004, Evanescence has become my very favorite band, and I have been obtaining whatever music of theirs I can, including The Open Door, Origin, the EPs, and just about every other demo they ever recorded. But out of everything Evanescence has released, Fallen is still my favorite album. Don't get me wrong, I highly recommend The Open Door as well, because the music from it is WONDERFUL, but it just doesn't seem to have that same special element that Fallen has. It's almost as if there's some highly addictive chemical in this CD, where you can listen to it a hundred times in a week and still be left craving more of that same...stuff. I don't know how else to explain it, but I'm sure that anyone else who has heard this album will agree with me.
   
   Okay, this has already been long, but I wanted to let whoever cares know that I am a Christian, and I feel that I should give my fellow Christians a heads-up on what to expect from this album as far as lyrics. Well, here goes:
   
   Going Under- This song is just about how Lee wants to get out of a presumably abusive relationship with another person, and she won't let this person drag her under anymore.
   "...So go on and scream, scream at me/I'm so far away/I won't be broken again/I've got to breathe/I can't keep going under..."
   
   Bring Me to Life- Lee has said that she wrote this song about a long-time friend, but it could be interpreted as a plea to God as well, with lines like these:
   "...My spirit sleeping somewhere cold/Until you find it there and lead it back home...Call my name and save me from the dark...Bring me to life..."
   
   Everybody's Fool- This song criticizes celebreties who lie and allow people to idolize them, and she knows that they are fakes pretending to be perfect.
   "...Oh, how we love you/No flaws when you're pretending...Without the mask/Where will you hide?/Can't find yourself/Lost in your lie..."
   
   My Immortal- This is about a friend who has died but still lingers in Lee's mind.
   "...I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone/But though you're still with me/I've been alone all along..."
   
   Haunted- A cautionary word to parents, if you are thinking about getting this CD for your younger kids (12 and under), just know that this song does have content you may not want them listening to just yet. This song is about a girl who is held captive by someone she can't see, but he is always tormenting her. He is the only one she knows and loves because he is what keeps her alive, but at the same time she hates him for keeping her where she is.
   "...Watching me, wanting me/I can feel you pull me down/Saving me, raping me...I won't let you pull me down..."
   
   Tourniquet- This is another song you should take some caution with if you're thinking about letting your younger kids listen to this, as the message is that the singer is spiritually lost and confused and wants to die.
   "...Am I too lost to be saved?...My God, my tourniquet/Return to me salvation...I want to die!!!..."
   
   Imaginary- This is just about Lee's imaginary world she wants to go to when the real world is too much for her to handle, but she can't seem to get there.
   "...Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming/Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights/Oh, how I long for the deep sleep dreaming/The goddess of imaginary light..."
   
   Taking Over Me- This song is about obsession. Like Bring Me to Life, it could be interpreted as a prayer to God.
   "...I believe in you/I'll give up everything just to find you/I have to be with you/To live, to breathe/You're taking over me..."
   
   Hello- This song is about Amy's younger sister, who died when she was just three and Amy was six.
   "...Has no one told you she's not breathing?/Hello/I'm your mind, giving you someone to talk to/Hello..."
   
   My Last Breath- Lee says that she was inspired to write this song after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. It tells of a person who is dying and it is through the dying person's perspective.
   "...All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid...I know you hear me/I can taste it in your tears...Calling me, calling me as you fade to black..."
   
   Whisper- Now this song sounds very spiritual, but the lyrics are kind of creepy for younger listeners. It seems to have a similar message to Tourniquet.
   "...Catch me as I fall/Say you're here and it's all over now...Don't turn away (Don't give in to the pain)/Don't try to hide (Though they're screaming your name)/Don't close your eyes (God knows what lies behind them)/Don't turn out the lights (Never sleep, never die)...I'm frightened by what I see...Fallen angels at my feet...Death before my eyes, lying next to me I fear..."
   
   So, there you have it, those are all my opinions on this item in a nutshell. I hope this was helpful!

5 comments about The 13th Hour.

1. The CD The 13th Hour is probably Midnight Syndicate's best work, although I am a fan of their first two albums. Compared to Nox Arcana's haunted house CD Darklore Manor, this might edge it out, though it's close. I recommend this album to anybody wanting to create a Halloween environment in October. It is not overly Gothic and not overly powerful like Darklore Manor is. It is creepy in a more subtle way.



2. I originally bought this cd for Halloween last year.
   It worked very well, not the usual screams and generic sounds you get with your usual Halloween cd's.
   Midnight Syndicate creates horror movie soundtrack music minus the movie.
   
   Just recently my house sold and I am in the process of moving.
   While boxing things up I ran across this cd which I had not listened to since Halloween of last year.
   Surprise, surprise I find myself listening to it all the time now.
   Besides can anyone tell me anything more horrifying than having to pack all your things, move to a new locale with possibly deranged neighbors, then unpack all your things AGAIN??? Dreadful!!!
   The 13th Hour fits in perfect with my mood as of late.
   
   The songs are grand, sweeping, elegant and in places beautiful.
   Some of the songs have minor sound fx added to them, but it never comes across as cheesy.
   I wouldn't really call the songs scary but they have a definite Halloween feel to them.
   The disc opens with one of my favorites,
   
   Mansion in the Mist. Haunting and foreboding.
   My other favorite tracks are;
   22, Living Walls, beautiful and a tad creepy.
   23, Gruesome Discovery, another gorgeous, sonic beauty.
   24, Return of the Ancient Ones, creepy with a ton of atmosphere.
   
   I'd give you a song by song breakdown but I don't like music reviews that do that.
   Why?
   Everyone has their own opinion of what is good or not.
   I don't care for song by song breakdowns, I'll make my own decision regarding what songs are good or not.
   Just tell me........was it any good or not?
   
   In this case.........good.......VERY GOOD.
   Even the songs between # 1 and # 22.
   Perfect for Halloween, reading, gaming, if you find yourself moving to a new home.
   Or if you're just in a "mood".
   I strongly recommend this for fans of Metal, New Age, or anyone who appreciates music that is just a little "different".
   The 13th Hour,
   Brilliant, different and intriguing.
   Highly recommended.



3. I enjoy listening to Midnight Syndicate's music while reading my Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles novels. I find their dark melodies soothing to keep me calm and relax. Especially in this (bleep) up world.



4. If you have heard of Midnight Syndicate before, then you don't need to read this review. :)
   If you haven't then you really can pick any of their albums and get a feel for what they are about. Creepy, mood enhancing, gothic, and exactly what the name of the album says it is, 13th Hour.
   
   This album takes you on a tour of the Haverghast mansion, suitably haunted of course by the horrors that took place in the past. What horrors? Well, you will just have to imagine what the track titles "Cellar", "Cold Embrace", and "Sinister Pact" could mean, or you could listen to the samples and get an even better idea.
   
   If you are running a role-playing game and need some atmosphere, a haunted house, or just need some good background music for your insane experiments and reading those things man-was-not-meant-to-know, then this is perfect.
   
   If you are planning a trip to the zoo with the 4th grade class, unless it is stormy out and it is a zoo of undead animals, you may want to hold off on this album.



5. So many reviews have been written about this phenonemal disc that one more may or may not sway the uninitiated. All I will say is this.....The 13th Hour isn't for the faint of heart and should NOT be listened to alone and if you play it after its sister disc The Gates of Delerium, you'll be in for a nightmarish treat.........nuff said.

5 comments about The Open Door.

1. The first time i listened to this album i said what the crap is this. Then after a few weeks i decided to try and listen again, now i love this album and can't put it down. This album is practically Amy's diary with guitars and i love it. It is alot different from the first album so you can't really compare the two. I can't wait for the next one!!!!!!



2. This is the best album I have ever listened to. I absolutely love how dramatic, even subtly so, the music can be. Amy Lee has the most beautiful voice, and her harmonies are incredible!



3. Evanescence features a wonderful female singer named Amy Lee. Amy has a very good, deep sounding voice. You won't have the generic female singer that the mainstream is used to. The music in this one has a good amount of variety to it. Sometimes you will hear rock music, electronica, or some weird other sounds. One problem I have with this one though is that Amy Lee sounds the same in most of the sounds. Still, she sounds good, just the same.
   
   The obvious audience for this one is someone who feels weak and wants to rise up. Not in a political way, but in a more emotional way. Soem of the lyrics are based around females more then males, but you can deal with it.
   
   Songs like "Lithium" and "Weight of the world" are my personal favorites. The obvious favorite is "Call Me When You're Sober", which was the hit song for this album. The rest of the songs aren't too bad either. Some of them come just come off as a bit generic though.



4. If your a huge amy lee fan then buy it, other wise just get the singles song you like



5. The band brings back all it's power in it's second album released in the US with the Open Door. The lyrics and sound move up to a whole new level of power and depth.

5 comments about Ghosts I - IV.

1. this is quickly becoming my favorite NIN album. i can listen to the entire double disc album on a loop and not get tired of it. the fact that there are no lyrics, keeps it fresh for me. to me Reznor always excelled at composing music and this puts that right out there w/o the lyrics to overshadow it.



2. Reznor records himself sitting on his keyboard....shuffles his buttocks around a bit....and then sells it.....



3. I'll keep it short and simple. If you like industrial music or instrumentals. This is for you. This album uses piano and a wide vareity of other instruments and technology. This album is perfect for relaxing to, or if your like me, I often listen to it while writing poetry to get the juices flowing. Really well done. I reccomend it.
   
   My only negative isnt that big, but some of the tracks feel bland and too industrial and loud, like you cant even make it out. But, thats just me. I really enjoyed this adventure the album took me on!



4. Reznor always did best when it came to instrumentals. I loved the Still album, but it was so short I wished there'd been more. I heard about Ghost IV and saw it in BestBuy for $10 so I decided to get it. This is exactly what I wanted. Some of the pieces are more synth and beat based, others being more focused on somber piano and strings. None of the tracks have names, just numbers. My favorites are Disc 3: Track 4, Disc 4: Track 1, and Disc 4: Track 7. They evoke a strange wave of emotion that's hard to describe, if you remember "Adrift and At Peace" and "Leaving Hope" from the Still album, its kinda like that. This probably isn't the best album for Metal/Industrial fans, but if you like classical, ambient or game music this would be right up your alley.



5. This is an excellent release for trent's first release on his own private label. I enjoyed it quite a bit, the unfortunate bit of it was that it didn't include anything but music, which i understand is for trents newest fad of wanting remixes made of his music (see year zero remixed). I enjoy the industrial noise, but i wish it had had lyrics.

5 comments about Marie Antoinette.

1. Not only is the movie one of my faves but so is the soundtrack. I have an addiction to buying soundtracks and this one tops the list of my many. Its so good I'm using a few of the tracks for my wedding.



2. I have been wanting this soundtrack for the longest time but unfortunatley after the movies release trying to find the soundtrack even 6 months later can be impossible. Amazon made it so simple with a few clicks it was on my way to my home no hassel at all! I will continue to shop at amazon for all my needs.



3. The sound track I ordered, Marie Antoinette, arrived just as decsribed by the seller, and was in perfect, new condition. Thanks for the fast sevice. Killer sound track my the way! Enjoy!



4. I heart Sophia Coppola and her films. But I have always loved the soundtracks better than the movies. Maybe if she would apply the same attention to the film as she does the music, she would have a complete package.
   
   These songs are a great blend of mellow, classical songs, as well as energized rock outs. If you are having a bad day, these cds will change your mood. The collection is strong and lively. And 2 cds for this price is a great deal.
   
   The Strokes have my favorite song on the cd. I highly recommend for adventurous and eclectic tastes!



5. Sophia Coppola does it again. Another amazing movie and a soundtrack to match. Valley girl sounds, mixed with alternative rock and orchesta melodies. The first disc is sassy with a majority of the danceable tunes, and disc two is what I listen to when I need to slow down and reflect. Similar to Coppola's first movie the Virgin Suicides, the soundtrack has songs that hit every mood. I can't believe I never heard of Air or Aplex Twins before these movies. It doesn't matter who is in the car, if I put on the Marie Antoinette soundtrack, everyone is bopping their heads and playing air drums to the beats, even my 57yr old mother. Hope she doesn't read this!

5 comments about The Heart of Everything.

1. Outstanding! I'm a newbie to this genre of music, but in the short time I've been into it I've been exposed to Within Temptation, Evanescence, Nightwish, Epica, and several others, and Within Temptation is my favorite of them all.
   
   My background is guitar shred music, jazz, and classical. While in the past I've enjoyed the poorly labeled neo-classical shred genre, which is a sad misnomer of the term neo-classical, it was inevitable I'd outgrow it when every other artist out there offered too little substance once I actually did start listening to "real" classical music. In the end, I liked the gothic sound but was put off by the too often poor thematic development and harmonic motion that just became too predictable and derivative of one another.
   
   I wouldn't have guessed that 15 years later, taking that genre of music and making the guitars heavier, pronouncing the string ensemble textures a little more, enlisting a choir in the background, and fronting the band with a beautiful soprano whose tone is silky smooth yet can be assertive on demand and having her sing themes that hook and haunt you would be the way to revive that neo-classical stuff into what it should have been in the first place.
   
   I've become a very big fan of WT virtually overnight, and this release is a great one. It certainly offers nothing new, but it solidifies WT's place as the chief artist in the genre.



2. Whithin Temptation has an interesting style of music which is heavy metal with symphonic sounds as well as a great female vocalist. If you like Evanescence, you'll love Within Temptation. My favorite song on this album is "Our Solemn Hour".



3. I had never heard of Within Temptation before Amazon sent me a "recommendation". On a complete impulse buy, I purchased their latest CD, and I was absolutely blown away! The orchestra, the music, her voice, the lyrics... it was haunting and beautiful. Reminded me a great deal of some of the early Evanescence songs. It hasn't left my CD player yet.



4. Even better than their previous releases. Sharon has great vocal abilities, and you'll really hear the difference between her voice on this album and early releases (i.e., Mother Earth, Enter) Overall, excellent album from start to finish. The duet with Keith Caputo is also an incredible song.



5. I stumbled across Within Temptation while listening to Last.fm (frozen) and really enjoyed them. After buying the album I am even more thrilled. The vocals are strong but ethereal without becoming whiny. The orchestra/orchestration adds class and musicality to driving metal riffs in ways that leave other metal/hardcore acts shamed. Lyrics are thoughtful and yearning without falling into the emo pit of self-loathing. Well worth the download.

5 comments about The Cure - Greatest Hits.

1. An unimpressive album, used only a couple great tracks, otherwise n good. And the worst part is it can not be ripped by a computer! ...what gives!?



2. The Cure are a unique band with some very memorable songs. This is interesting because Robert Smith chose the tracks himself, and artists are often the biggest critics of their own work. He has chosen well and if you're a Cure fan, it's a very nostalgic listen. It just goes to show what great songwriters they are.



3. Unlike some greatest hits album, this is a certifiable jewel. The classics keep coming at the listener from #1 until the end of the record. I'd rate this a 9/10 and have since purchased a second copy for my girl friend's car as well. I enjoyed this music the greatest when sipping on wine with the lights low and candles lit. A must buy for any Cure fan!



4. I only bought this Cd because I wanted Boys Don't Cry, Friday I'm in LoveMint Car, Lovesong, and The Lovecats, I never really listened to the other songs before, expect for some that are on the Boys Don't Cry album and their Disintegration album. But I started listening to the entire CD, and now I love it! All the songs are amazing!



5. ...the fact all of the songs on this particular greatest hits album are remastered. Yes there have been several greatest hits albums before, but none sound like this. I have compared the CDs I have back to back with this one and as good as the originals (and other hit compilations) sound there is night and day difference. Even the album Galore is not as clean and crisp as this one, albeit just a small difference between the two. I know it sucks for those of you who already have the songs, but then again if you want the best of the best mastering you have to buy this CD.
   
   For those of you who do not have a lot of Cure music this is the CD to get. You get (of course) all of the hits in what's currently the best reproduction possible. If you're a diehard fan and want some of those classics to stand out on your stereo you might want to go ahead and swallow that pride and get the CD. It's worth checking out.

5 comments about Disintegration.

1. Epic goth-pop with sumptuous production at times recalls label 4AD's pioneering sounds but with The Cure the sound is completely fleshed out for an accessibly dark enjoyment. Although the pacing and sometimes stark minimalist instrumentation veer towards plodding, the band had a knack for letting these confined compositions stretch out and breathe on this very solid, often considered quintessential, release.



2. This review is meant for folks who wouldn't consider themselves hard-core fans, but who are interested in The Cure.
   
   80's Alternative remains my music of choice even in 2008. I've always been a fan of The Cure, but wouldn't have called myself "hard-core" - up until this album I owned only four Cure albums. I pulled out KISS ME KISS ME KISS ME to introduce The Cure to a friend belonging to the generation below mine (I'm an X-er), who loves current dark, brooding Alternative music. I explained that The Cure did for Alternative music what Led Zeppelin did for Rock music, and invited him to explore the roots of Alternative. Not having listened to the album in a while, and feeling sort of reintroduced to it myself, I got a hankerin' for more, and went on Amazon to look for my next Cure purchase. I decided to check out DISINTEGRATION because I recognized a few songs, and the reviews for it were outstanding. In fact, the reviews were all so good, that my expectations were so high that I was afraid I would be let down. Trust me when I say, it did not disappoint.
   
   I can't get the stinkin' thing out of my CD player at work. It reminds me of a concept album of sorts, flowing so easily from one song to the next, not changing your mood, but holding you hostage to hear the entire record. I find myself rewinding the song if I leave my office for even a moment. The vibe of the record isn't quite as dark as I expected, but to me, very sensual and alluring.
   
   I am so looking forward now to building my Cure collection. By the way, this is most definitely my favorite of my now five Cure albums. Based on many helpful reviews, I think I'll try BLOODFLOWERS next.



3. The world has seen such great works by the likes of Mozart, Chopin, The Beatles, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, etc. Their music has inspired generations and has helped them established their role in the annals of music history. Above all their great works, there is, however, one musical work of art that will forever stand as the single greatest compilation of songs ever put together to form an album. That album is The Cure's Disintegration. It is indeed a masterpiece. The music contained in this album could not have been done any better. It is perfect in everyway. It is a musical journey that takes the listener to emotional worlds that are only limited by the imagination. It is dark, sorrowful, complex, and intense. The compositions speak of despair, loneliness, forgotten love, and desolate places. It is a true testament of the beauty of music in all its glory. It is an example of what human beings are capable of accomplishing. To this date, nothing in the world of music has approached the level of beauty and grandeur of Disintegration. Quite frankly, nothing before Disintegration approached the level of beauty and grandeur of Disintegration. Before Disintegration, the world was content with Sgt. Pepper's. After Disintegration, there was nothing left to do. The pinnacle of music was reached. Disintegration is proof that God does indeed exist.



4. 
   This is the best The Cure album-Period!
   A real Gem. It's one of my favorite albums ever.
   Opening song is amazing. They started with "Plain Song" concert in September 1996 in NYC in Radio City Music Hall. It was the best concert I have ever seen.
   I don't want to analyze music on this album, it's simply flawless. Songs like "Plain Song", "Love Song", "Pictures of You" or amazing "The Same Deep Water as You" are example of musical perfection and beauty. Thank you The Cure!



5. I'll keep this short and sweet. This is one of the greatest albums of all time. Unbelievable instrumentation, amazing lyrics, flawless production. You cant go wrong with this CD. Even if you aren't a Cure fan, you should pick this up for the sheer musical brilliance.