5 comments about Further Down the Spiral.

1. 2 1/2
   
   Even if fans of NIN's more abrasive side enjoy these bloated remixes oif choice tracks from TDS (there are a few choice remixes where the artist reworks some of that great disc's textures effectively), Reznor's insistence on repeating himself throughout exposes this as a cheap cash-in off of Spiral's critical and commercial success.



2. Reznor is subtle in each of his releases. Whether its a noticeable subtlety or if it takes numerous rotations in your player to catch on to, once you let your ears grasp the message Reznor is portraying, each sound released will be like hearing the gates of Heaven open, because it's always something astounding, always new, and always creative.
   
   This is no exception. Further Down the Spiral really takes you on the journey of self-hate and depression inspired by the Downward Spiral, and it takes it to a new level. The Art of Self Destruction, and Self Destruction's part 2 and 3 are amazing. The sheer innovative mind of the man behind Nine Inch Nails slowly releases itself, while the Eraser remixes captivate the listener as a bristling array of emotions is cast violently into the wind. While the only slight differences can be heard in the masterpiece "Hurt" when your speakers are turned to the max, remixes of Piggy and The Downward Spiral serve to give the listener a new take on what Reznor was trying to portray.
   
   The Beauty of Being Numb is truly a mind-throbber at times, and then seeks to pleasure the soul with a dreamy middle tune that leads up to the closer, Erased, Over. Out.
   
   However, the stand-out track on this album for myself, was "At the Heart of it All." Constant emotions swirled around like a ravaging hurricane, as a deep horn seemed to echo through a war-torn landscape. A mind number at surface, and a portal into self-reflection once looked into, I believe this one instrumental track, captures all that was being said during this stage of Nine Inch Nails. And for Reznor to do that with one non-vocal track, on a remix album, is phenomenal to say the least. It's something revolutionary that I have never seen by another artist, and THAT is what makes this album so special.
   
   Casual Nine Inch Nails fans, don't stay casual for long. Once you've begun to taste the epic that Trent Reznor has created, it will truly draw you further down its spiral. So this album is a must for anybody who has ever even started to listen to Nine Inch Nails. This will not only enhance your perception of the legend, but perhaps change it completely as well.



3. Thirteen years ago almost to the month I made the purchase of a life time; I invested in Halo Ten (I can't wait for v2). Trent Reznor's remix album of the Downward spiral got me into hard metal and indvstrial music. I adore Richard D James' contribution to 'heart of it all'. This is perfect for industrial fans who like music with a chaotic touch.When I get the UK version(w/extra tracks) I will have the complete package of this crowning opus. Halo Ten gets a 10.



4. Rarity for a remix album. Trent's work is exceptional, and the other artists do a bang up job as well.



5. This one bit the dust even more. I hated every original piece and remix Trent screwed up on this one. It seemed like a full audio suicide note every time I heard the album. I understand musicians go through a tough time in their lives but at times, I just get tired of hearing the same garbage!

5 comments about The Golden Age of Grotesque.

1. Great solid album from Manson, this is right up there with Holywood & Anti-Christ! ROCK ON MANSON!!!



2. This is the MM that the public hates! Just my taste. It is much more enjoyable than his newest disk.



3. What do you do when you're a shock rocker whose main audience has matured past your sctick? That has been Marylyn Manson's dilemma ever since "Mechanical Animals" (or some may argue, "AntiAntichrist Superstar)". In Manson's case, he has been trying to recapture the attention those two albums brought him in the nineties. "Holy Wood (In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death)" seemed like a desperate attempt to follow formula, and may be Manson's least interesting CD. But when he decided that just being his freakshow self without trying to paint inside the lines was just fine, he made this minor comeback.
   
   "The Golden Age of Grotesque" even managed to come on the charts at number one, proving that his core audience was still ready to drink from Manson's absinthe-laden creative well. While Manson's claims that the decadence of Berlin in the 30's and how he feels like he was born in the wrong era were what informed the album, his material is pretty much familiar ground. Swipes at religion, hypocrisy, media and fame are all here, with the usual cruncy NiN indistrial guitar crunch, just as they have on all his other albums. The difference is, like on Mechanical Animals, most of these songs are really catchy. The cheerleaders in "mObscene" (yes, he nicked the idea from Faith No More, but so what?) are an instant ear grabber, and "This is the New Sh*t" lays the game plan all out in the first chorus of "babble babble, b*tch b*tch, rebel rebel, party party, sex sex sex and don't forget the violence." If that sounds like the kind of Manson you want to hear, then "Golden Age of Grotesque" will make you happy.
   
   On the other hand, there is a point where the album starts to feel a bit obvious. "Use Your Fist and Not Your Mouth" and "Para-noir" seemed a bit too much like formula, and lines like "I memorized the words to the porno movies" are bad. Like the pictures in the CD booklet of Manson in his new make-up, there's just so much you can smear on before you cross a line into parodying yourself. But then again, he still makes the God-Nazis of the world think rock and roll is dangerous, and when he spits out a line like "I've got five middle fingers on my m-f-ing hand," well, he still sounds like he means it, maaaaannnn.



4. Musically this album is pretty good. It's nothing too complex and almost takes on a nu-metal feel to it. It's catchy though and leaves the listener excited. There's no doubt that this album, musically, is more commercial than Manson's other albums, but that's not necessarily a bad thing unless you're looking for something extremely complex. I almost feel like this album was directed more at the teenage crowd, which is sort of a disappointment in a way- but theres not much you can do, I suppose.
   
   The lyrics in this album, however, are definitely reprocessed from previous albums. I think by now fans are aware that Manson is all about sex, drugs, violence, religion, and government. At this point in his career, fans don't need to be told yet again that these things are the epitome of his being. It gets tired after awhile.
   
   Otherwise, this album was pretty good. I think for the most part it appeals more to an adolescent crowd, but I guess that's the way Manson planned it. So if you enjoy an instrumentally average and catchy nu-metal sound with lyrics all about hatred for politics, government, and religion, I'd suggest you buy this.



5. I love everything Manson has done, but this one is right up there with Mechanical Animals as his best work. His new one, Eat Me, Drink Me, is coming out in a few weeks, and I am pumped for that too. This one includes the hits, "m(obscene)", and "this is the new sh##". But I think there are plenty of other awesome songs on here. He is not as heavy as he used to be back in the day, but I think he has gotten better at song-writing and coming up with killer hooks. For those of you who have stayed away from him because he looks freaky, you are missing out on one of the most talented musicians of our time. Not a dull moment on the cd. SOLID. My favorite cd of 2003.

5 comments about The Sinister Urge.

1. This is one of Rob Zombie's best works. If you don't believe in Satan, this album will make you a believer.



2. A GOOD CD, BUT DEFINATIVELY NOT ONE OF HIS BETTER ONES. STILL GOOD TO HAVE.



3. this is awesome stuff too! this and hellbilly deluxe i dont know which one is better...truthfully it doesnt matter which is better if you dont own them both you are as wrong as two boys in a closet. mr zombie's second helping after going solo hits just as hard as the first with 11 songs. standout tracks include demon speeding, dead girl superstar, going to california, crippletown(bring her down) and scum of the earth (also to be found on the MI-2 soundtrack). ozzy also chimes in on the song iron head. buy it now and bang your head.



4. Another good but different cd from Rob Zombie. This album includes great guitar riffage, an orcastra and some poppy elements that some older fans might not enjoy. The album is pretty short though with a filler track that's just a bunch of nonsense that I always skip. I guess it'd better to have a short cd with a lot of good songs than a cd with some good songs and a lot of bad songs. I really enjoyed all of the songs and most of them stand out except "bring her down" and "scum of the earth." So go do yourself a favor and buy this disk.



5. ROBS SECOND ALBUM BOASTS SOME HIGH ENERGY TUNES
   
   1.SINNERS INC-FILLER BUT STILL COOL 3/5
   2.DEMON SPEEDING-GREAT SONG-5/5
   3.DEAD GIRL SUPERSTAR-FAST PACED AND HEAVY WITH JERRY KING SLAYERS GUITARIST5/5
   4.NEVER GONNA STOP-INTERESTING SONG BASED ON A CLOCKWORK ORANGE4.5/5
   5.IRON HEAD-COOL SONG WITH OZZY5/5
   6.GO TO CALIFORNIA-DIFFERENT SONG THEN WERE USED TO FROM ROB 4.5/5
   7.FEEL SO NUMB-HIGH ENERGY SONG5/S
   8.TRANSILVAMIA TRANSMITION-FILER2.5/5
   9.BRING HER DOWN[TO CRIPLETOEWN]-REALLY COOL SONG VERY DIFFERENT THEN WERE USED TO FROM ROB5/5
   10.SCUM OF THE EARTH-COOL HEAVY SONG5/5
   11.HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES/UNHOLY-AWESOME CREEPY SON G LISTEN FOR 8 MINUTES THERES A BONUS TRACK IN THE SONG CALLED UNHOLY THAT'S HONESTLY LIKE THE THIRD BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM

5 comments about Things Falling Apart.

1. What's really great about this album is that you don't even have to be a NIN fan to really enjoy it. The tracks all sound fabulous over a nice sound system and the production is breath-taking (as usual with any record that has the 'NIN' logo on it). Personally, things falling apart and y34rz3r0r3mix3d are the two best remix albums of all time. Almost a decade after it's initial release and I'm still listening to this beast, that must mean it's a good record, right?



2. Things falling apart has good remixes like the Wretched, The Frail with agreat violin solo Star fs track 6.10 miles high. The last version of star fs is fair, Idont like star fs track 4 video game noise. Starfs track 6 has different styles and is better than the original. the first two songs are good. The fragile is great and The Frail, The wretched, and Starfs track 6. add something by making these 3 better plus Metal is real good.



3. 2 Stars for the casual NIN fan.
   4 Stars for the hardcore fan, especially fans of "The Fragile."
   
   Halo 16 "Things Fall Apart" (2000) consists of remixes from Nine Inch Nails third studio album "The Fragile" (1999, Halo 14). It's a bit hard to rate this EP. Its merit really depends on where you're coming from. If you don't own "The Fragile" or aren't a fan of it, you most likely are not going to be into this EP. You'll probably find it to be masturbatory and tedious. However, if you do like "The Fragile," "Things Fall Apart" makes for an excellent companion piece. It offers atmospheric, intriguing takes on selections from "The Fragile." The opening "Slipping Away" is an especially cool and haunting warped remix of the excellent "Into the Void." A version of Gary Numan's "Metal" (unrelated to "The Fragile") outshines the original and stands as one of Reznor's greatest covers. Probably the one drawback to this otherwise very cool EP is that there are three remixes of "Starf.cker Inc." It would have been better if only one remix were included, to make space for remixes of other songs instead. Still, it doesn't hinder the EP too much. It would also have been great if this EP included the original versions of "The New Flesh" and "10 Miles High," as they are otherwise hard to come by (only available on part I of "We're in this Together," Halo 15).
   
   If you are just a causal fan, this will probably be a big disappointment. However if you are a Halo collector and a big NIN fan, this EP is highly recommended as it makes an excellent supplement to "The Fragile."



4. This is a good solid CD. Some good songs remixed and some new ones. If you are a hardcore NIN fan you will like this CD, if not I don't know what to say. My favorite track is the last Starf**kers remix, track 10. Nice and original sound that makes it seem like an entirely new song. One thing about this CD is that it grows on you, you might skip some songs when you first play it but after a while you start to like some songs and listen to the CD from begining to end.



5. Keith Hillebrandts remix of The Wretched is worth the amount of money you'll spend on this album ALONE!!! It's by far the greatest remix of a song i've ever heard. For the first minute or so it's slow but awesome, and then it just breaks out and gets instensly awesome. It's hard to explain, but you should buy it if your a fan of Trent's or Keith's or remixes in general...or all three. The rest of the remix album is awesome also, along with the unreleased tracks, or whatever they might be considered.

5 comments about The Black Album (Deluxe Version).

1. I've read this album to be the "Sgt. Pepper of Punk albums". I don't know about all that but this is a terribly varied album. Early signs of electro-pop, Beach Boys harmonies, standard rock, punk, it's pretty awesome all topped with the classic Damned song styles.



2. Thank God! Finally what all of us BiG Beat cd owning fans have been waiting for since the 80's!! I went through 2 of those cds and have 3 copies on vinyl (IRS US, Chiswick UK and Chiswick Italian). I dumped all of my Damned Big Beat vinyl, can't have damned re-releases can we? W/ that said this is THE Ultimate Black Album, compiles all the b-sides that could have made up a 4th album side....back in the days of cassetes I made a compilation a re-sequenced the songs. Now I'll be able to do that again...What a blast from the past....This may be the Damned at their finest. Totally essential.



3. This is the 6th time in my life I have purchased this album, but the first time I've been 100 percent satisfied with the overall sound of it. This re-issue even sounds better than the original 2-record gatefold vinyl! Definitely a world of difference from the Big Beat re-issue of the early 90's... which to my knowlege is the only previous CD issue of this album.
   
   The Damned is my all-time favorite band and has been for a very long time... so anytime something of theirs is re-issued I tend to put it under a microscope of scrutiny, especially since so much of their catalog that has been re-issued is just hum-drum run of the mill same-'ol same-'ol. Chiswick has stunned me twice in a row this time around. First with the awesome 25th Anniversary MGE release and then this brilliant follow-up.
   
   What really amazes me here though are the live tracks. I used to always skip the live side of the original release because the mix was so trebly. Then the same live recordings were released as "Live at Shepperton" and they sounded much better, but on this CD they even make "Live at Shepperton" sound thin! Everything sounds evenly great on this re-issue, bonus tracks and all. I guess my only complaint is that unlike the MGE deluxe edition no enhanced video was included here... but believe me it's a small complaint.
   
   If you've never owned this underrated album before, I highly recommend it. Even if you HAVE heard it a million times... you haven't heard it this good!



4. its about time this forgotten album was released the correct way..the music sounds much better here than on the old one...you can actually listen to it without turning the volume way up to the highest notch...well so far so good..they are on a roll re-mastering damned albums..their debut, music for pleasure, recently along with this one machine gun etiquette and strawberries were issued on super bonus editions..hell, even their half album "im alright jack and the beanstalk" was reissued...now if we can only get "phantasmagoria" and "anything" remastered...their album anything is even selling for 50 bucks or something on here..and its used!..oh well i cannot complain. the guys at chiswick know what their customers want well..im very pleased with this.



5. Finally, I can chuck my old, crackly, worn out Big Beat copy(CDWIK 906) of the great Black Album and pop this new reissue in and rock out to The Damned at their psychedelic punk peak. This is The Damned at the top of their game. The bonus disc is indeed a bonus because you get 'side four' of the original 2 LP set, consisting of 6 live tracks from a fan club only show a.k.a. Live At Shepperton, plus all the other 1980 issued recordings, a's & b's(White Rabbit single, History Of The World single, and There Ain't No Sanity Clause single). Ok, the extended White Rabbit alt. mix might be unnecessary, but grab it!

5 comments about The Cure.

1. This was the first Cure album I bought and heard. It was amazing. I was really depressed at the time so I related all the songs to my life, and this cd really helped me. It is full of beautiful songs, my favorites being End of the World, Before Three, Alt End, (I Don't Know What's Going) on, and Taking Off. But then, I love about 90% of the songs on the cd. Since the first time I heard of them, I've listened to some of their other older music and I still find I love this cd the most. A great buy.



2. Seriously, I'm a rabid fan of everything they did from Three Imaginary Boys to Disintegration (Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me had way too much uninspired and lame pop filler IMO, though), but The Cure should have stopped with Disintegration. It sounds like a farewell album. It could have been their swan song. But no, they continued to make albums, and poor ones at that. The Cure's dark moody pieces have always been their best, and the pop stuff usually the worst, barring the material on Japanese Whispers.
   
   I've tried listening to this album on numerous occasions (I own it unfortunately) and I just can't enjoy it. You'll be much more satisfied with The Cure's earlier work, trust me.



3. Many people dislike this album, saying it's disjointed and underproduced. I feel these terms are misnomers for the truth behind this album.
   
   To me, the album is a refreshing return to the early days of this band...days which found the band in one room, playing live, and figuring out their parts. It's a much more dynamic album with less production than more recent Cure albums. After listening to the lush soundscapes of Disintegration, Wish, and Bloodflowers, "THE CURE" sounds more in line with the production values of Seventeen Seconds and Pornography. Although synth instrumentation is evident, it doesn't overtake any of the songs. Much of the instrumentation can be attributed to simply guitar, bass, and drums. Maybe this is why they lost two members after the tour for this album.
   
   Overall, I really enjoy "THE CURE" and its dynamism. There are heavy heavy songs, but more popped out songs. If you're looking for a blissfully depressing song, then you need to look at purchasing the import version with "Going Nowhere". It's a major wonder why they didn't include some of their b-sides with the original packaging. The b-sides are more somber and weighty in tone...just what many fans are searching for. However, this is not an album to be missed.



4. The Cure **
   
   Yes, this is the bands most consistent album since 1989's Disintegration but, that doesn't mean it is a great album. Consistency only means the bulk of the material sounds the same and when most of the material is bland and not that good it makes for a not so great album. As always Robert Smith's lyrics come of as pretentious, even more so then that of Morrisey. Now I'm not saying that is bad, because I love both artists and a little pretentiousness is often a good thing as it is with The Cure. But what seems to be the problem here is that most of the songs are boring, and it seems like the band is uncomfortable with playing together, which is not surprising because I do believe that Smith is the only original Cure member to play on the album. Since the early 1990's the lineup has been ever changing, and that really comes across on the songs.
   
   'Us Or Them' is the albums only real truly great song and even then it seems to falls short. 'The End Of The World' was the albums only semi-hit single. The rest of the album is basically hit or miss. 'Lost' could have been great as could 'Taking Off.' 'Labyrinth' is annoying and a waste of a listen. 'Alt. Ending' is not even worth my time.
   
   This is far from the groups best album. I will say that it was the bands best albums since the late 1980's but that is not saying much considering that most of the bands material from the 1990's is very lack luster to say the least. So is this an album worth owning, I would say no, unless you are a massive Cure fan, then this is not worth your time.



5. Many people have complained about this album as The Cure's worst album, but I couldn't disagree more. This was the first album I had ever listened to by The Cure. Prior to this, I had never heard of The Cure, and I fell in love with them. "Lost" is one of the most original and passionate songs I have ever heard. The whole album is unlike anything I had ever heard before and is one of the most heart-felt recordings to this day. Because, I was born in '88, I didn't have any of the nostalgic prefrences that the fans of the 80's had. Too be honest, the 80's were a very cheesy time period, and The Cure shared part in that cheesiness with their reverbing snare drums and ridiculously excessive synthesizers. That was the norm back then for music, so you can't blame them. However, fans of that genre became attached to The Cure for those particular reasons. Therefore, it's understandable why The Cure's self debut album would be so appalling to the nostalgic fans who have been devoted to them since highschool. This is not the same Cure, but I would have to argue it's better than anything before it.

5 comments about Smells Like Children.

1. this is one of the most excellent remix albums out there. I wouldn't even give Portrait five stars but how this albums warp the songs into a darker tune, the sadistic f*ck frankie track, and the two covers are nearly as perfect as covers can get - i'd actually buy this one over portrait if I hadn't purchased both. its obvious how sweet dreams put manson on the spot!



2. Okay, so this EP (Hey, everyone! It's not a CD, it's an EP. Hence the big "[EP]" symbol located directly across from the title) is definitely not Manson's best. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is probably the only decent song on this EP, but like it was stated before, this EP was most likely only created to buy Manson some time between LP releases ("Portrait of an American Family" and "Antichrist Superstar"). So you have to give him some credit for trying to keep his name alive. I definitely wouldn't suggest this CD to those who are newer to Manson and are searching for a good album of his though.
   
   And just one thing to those kids who are clogging up this board with their insignificant reviews and inability to execute any type of intelligible articulation: Just because someone listens to Marilyn Manson doesn't automatically mean that they are "goth" or a "poser". I have all of Manson's CD's and I do not associate myself with the "goth" crowd whatsoever. I do not shop at Hot Topic or any stores of sorts or anything along those lines. I like the music I like and that shouldn't immediately place me or anybody else under any sort of categorization. I also enjoy Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Immortal, Darkthrone, and Emperor- but I'm also a fan of Kelly Clarkson's new songs. Am I a "poser" for having an eclectic taste in music? Am I "poser" for enjoying Manson's music alone? Maybe in your mind...but then again, you seemingly have no idea what you're talking about anyway.



3. THIS CD IS SOMETHING ELSE!IT'S A DEWZY!THERE'S ALL KINDS OF SONGS,AND TALKING ON THIS CD.I CAN'T REALLY EXPLAIN IT BECAUSE IT'S DIFFERENT THAN ALL HIS OTHER CDS.WELL,THAT'S MANSON!HE'S THE MAN WITH THE PLAN!YOU'LL HAVE TO GET THIS TO SEE WHAT I MEAN.IT'S ALL GOOD!



4. THERE ARE ALOT OF DIFFERENT STYLES OF MUSIC ON THIS CD.THIS CD IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN ALL HIS OTHER CDS-BUT IT'S ALL GOOD.YOU HAVE TO BUY THIS CD TO SEE WHAT I MEAN.IF YOU'RE A MANSON FAN-YOU SHOULD BUY THIS CD ANYWAY!CHECK OUT SONGS:8,10,AND 13.THEY'RE REALLY SOMETHING!MANSON'S CAPABLE OF ANYTHING!MANSON'S THE BEST!



5. You might be interested, you might not. Just thought I'd add my two cents in here in case anyone cares, but the Editorial review writer, Gail Worley, made a common mistake. A lot of people think that the song 'I Put a Spell on You' is by Howlin' Wolf, but it's not so. In fact, Screamin' Jay Hawkins originally wrote & performed it, not Howlin' Wolf.
   
   And Marilyn Manson is just one in a long, long line of artists to cover it. Everyone from Nina Simone, to Buddy Guy, Joe Cocker, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Queen Latifah, Bryan Ferry, Diamanda Galas & MC5. It's even one of the songs the ghosts sing to you near the end at the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland!
   
   Well, you've learned your new thing for today. Now you know!

5 comments about Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the '80s Underground.

1. I'm happy to see that they included the Replacements in what appears to be a very good selection of songs. One question, however: why not include their song "Left of the Dial" (from Tim) if you're going to use their phrase anyhow?



2. The more I listen to the songs on these Cds, the more I remember and feel nostalgic about the past. I love many of these songs.I listened to KROQ, when they used to play this more less then safe music. It was an important time and many of the artists on these disks were starting up new and inovative sounds. With many of the new artist using samples of some great past music, these artists were creating something fresh. these songs have aged quite well.
   Billy



3. I'll keep this short since much of what I was going to say has already been said in other reviews. In brief, this is a nice sampler of, for lack of a better term, post-punk music heard on many college radio stations in the 1980s. This was a decade that, for whatever reasons, tends to get downplayed in regard to the quality of the music heard on the airwaves--this compilation should help dispel that notion. Like many such collections, Left of the Dial has inspired me to seek out the albums/cds that some of these songs were originally recorded on. If I have a complaint, it's that a number of these songs appear on other compilations by Rhino; my pet peeve: can't they find another song by the Hoodoo Gurus besides I Want You Back? Stoneage Romeos has any number of good tunes--c'mon guys, mix it up a little. Anyway, that aside, this is a worthwhile collection of music.



4. Having been born in mid-1984 and being only five years old when even the most recent of these tracks were released, I never knew most of this music existed. Of course, youth is no excuse for ignorance, and I've always made it a personal priority to seek out great music from before my time, from kitschy lounge sounds and dusty 78rpm relics to the Russian Romantics and honky-tonk troubadours (just so you don't go getting the idea that I'm a music snob, I've sung along to my share of cheesy disco records.)
   
   Older music, especially the rare "underground" stuff, isn't just shoved in front of you, a facet of every popular entertainment medium, bound to get stuck in your head whether you want it there or not. You've got to go LOOKING for it, as if on a hunt for an abandoned relic nobody else can guide you to. In the case of the 1980's, the problem wasn't that I didn't think to seek it out, but that I was under the false delusion that there was really nothing worth seeking. MTV and my local radio stations all lied to me, and many others of my generation. Not a big lie, but enough to shut us off from experiencing some pretty powerful music. We were led to believe the '80s were all about hair metal, pastel-clad yuppies in skinny neckties, and the "Me Generation." Well, the contents of this eye-catching pink box tells an entirely different story, one of boundless creativity, musical innovation, disgust with authority and convention, and unexplored horizons which still haven't been charted by commercial radio or experienced by mainstream audiences. This is the quirky, iconoclastic, progressive, and politically conscious music of the decade that somehow managed to evade notoriety in all but the most "clued in" of music-lovers.
   
   Sheer curiosity grabbed hold of me and forced me to buy this set as a birthday present for my younger sister. As it turned out, I ended up listening to the set far more than she did! Something about the mix of all of these seemingly unrelated styles, artists, and musical approaches struck me like a comet, and I realized just how versatile, inventive, and exciting the music of the 1980's really was, underneath all of the MTV trivialization and spin. From these four discs, I uncovered gems from artists who would soon become my idols, namely The Replacements, The Cure, The Smiths, and the incomparably brilliant Pixies. They changed my life for the very first time on this set, and I shudder to think of who or where I would be without their influence. I know the seasoned experts here decry the set's "obvious" song choices, but I would implore them to reconsider whether or not this is a bad thing. For someone like me who never heard any of these songs before "Left of the Dial," these "obvious" songs have been an absolute revelation.
   
   In closing, if you enjoy this music, have never heard it but want to, or even possess the slightest curiosity about what the "good stuff" must sound like, you owe it to yourself to hear this earth-shattering compilation. Also recommended: Nuggets, Children of Nuggets, and No Thanks! The '70s Punk Rock Rebellion.



5. This box is fantastic, amazing 80's songs!!! An interesting compilation of a lot of groups from the manignif era!!! Enjoy, probable you never will see these bands together in a box again!!! amazing!!!

5 comments about The Dance.

1. je suis vraiment très satisfait de mon achat, les CD sont arrivés en excellent état malgré la distance parcourue ^^ merci encore



2. While this is more of a mini-CD/EP than an album, WT still manages to shine with this second music release. Once again, they manage to combine an array of differing styles within the album.
   
   There's what sounds like bells (probably the keyboard), a choir, and folk-music leanings at times of the title track. All this combined with drums, soft guitar rifts, and Sharon's voice (which shifts from harsh to soft on a dime) make the Dance a fun song to listen to.
   
   Then there's the gothic/dark sound of "Another Day", which revolves around lost love. Sharon's voice echoes (actually echoes) throughout the song heightening the sense of isolation within the song. Yet it never falls into the generic sound of a pity party. It's a strong song that rises above that. The calming vocals take the listener along for the duration of the song. It's a very easy song to get into.
   
   Both versions of Restless (classical and remix) are both well done. For those who don't know where to find the classical mix-insert your Dance CD into your computer. A music file will show up where you can listen to the classical mix. The remix doesn't have much variation from the original-it mainly has bits cut from the song making it shorter. This isn't bad. It makes for easy listening.
   
   The only song I disliked would be "The Other Half (Of Me)". My major problem is I can't understand what Sharon and Robert are singing. The music tends to drown out the vocals in places. While the music is nice, it's annoying not being able to understand the song because of this.
   
   Remix Candles and Pearls of Light: A very calming remix with slower techno/electronic bits added to the beat. A few trumpet sounds are added as well. Sometimes bits of singing, "oh oh oh," mixed with techno add to the song. There are even bird sounds in the Pearls of Light remix, which is really cool. It's easy to get caught up in the music-it carries the listener along with it.
   
   The Dance is overall a nice follow up to their previous album Enter. Recommended for WT fans and those who like to listen to different styles included an album.



3. After the release of their gothic metal classic Enter, Within Temptation decided to put out an intermission CD for their ever-hungry fans. Consisting of 3 new tracks, 2 remixes, and bonus enhanced material, I'm going to say any fan of WT should try to get their hands on this, especially for the new songs.
   
   The EP begins with the self-titled track, a favorite of mine with one of the most unforgettable choruses I think I've ever heard. Some male grunting is featured, but thankfully it's pushed back into the mix a little. Following this is a quirky little ballad called "Another Day" - which only showcases Sharon's airy, angelic singing. A beautiful song altogether, also featuring a great chorus. The track 3 slot belongs to fan favorite "The Other Half (Of Me)". This song is a lot heavier and faster than the WT I had already acquainted myself with, so it took me awhile to appreciate it. Of course, a few listens changed that, and now it could very well be one of my all-time favorite WT songs.
   
   The remixes aren't anything special, but they're nice to have if you're a collector. A classical version of "Restless" is included as an enhanced track, accompanied by band bios and tour photos.
   
   Again, this is a must for WT fans. However, to anyone just starting to get a hold of this band, I'd suggest getting the follow-up album Mother Earth or 2004's The Silent Force first. But you really can't go wrong either way.



4. Some 6-7 years ago I was napstering around and found out (cant remember exactly how) about the songs in this EP. I was really pleased/amazed/thrilled by this lovely voice.... Being a ToT fan (dropped being a fan after musique though) I really enjoyed the melodies, growlings, music, and definately this sweet voice.... I would advise to get this one to understand the complete evolution of one of the best dark/gothic/doom bands available.



5. An EP by Within Temptation carries more substance within it than most bands's full-length albums; "The Dance" is a deep and lush mini-album that fuses the epic feel and invigorating nature of power metal, the massive grandeur of symphonic doom metal a la Morgion or Orphanage, and the rich beauty of atmospheric metal like Nightsky Bequest and The Gathering. Some have complained that some of the elements used - the choir effects, the alternating female and male vocals, etc. have been used a lot in recent years. I'd respectfully counter that elements like guitar solos and drums have been used a lot for decades and decades; the fact remains that having them doesn't automatically make a band unoriginal. Within Temptation is one of the freshest and most original bands to emerge in the last decade; there are no sound-alikes to the group that I know of. The closest comparison to the material on "The Dance" might be The Gathering with their awesome "Mandylion" and "Nighttime Birds" albums, but the two sounds are only about as close a reference point as, say, Judas Priest to Iron Maiden to Accept - similar in ways but certainly not clones.
   
   The soft-to-crushingly heavy guitars, the innovative keyboard effects, the powerful bass and the varied drumming are all outstanding, as are the 'growled/savage' male vocals of Robert Westerholt (which in Within Temptation actually fit in exceptionally well with the music they're playing, which isn't always the case with female-fronted symphonic/atmospheric metal of this kind). The star performer though has to be lead singer Sharon den Adel, whose emotive vocals soar with the power of a majestic falcon and the graceful beauty of an angel. Exceptionally well put-together songs - a tribute to the art of musical and lyrical composition - with melodies and words that make lasting impacts. Everything I've heard from Within Temptation is excellent and "The Dance" is no exception; may the mammoth success they're enjoying in Europe soon be replicated in North America and the rest of the world.

5 comments about Celldweller.

1. A must-have for any industrial DJ or music aficionado. The blend of nu-metal riffs, harsh industrial, and trance leads is a beautiful syzygy. This album should not be this good, considering that it's largely the work of a single human being; nor should it be this good considering the laughably low price. One of the best albums I've bought this year. I'm currently looking at the remix album to complement this one.
   
   The best track on here is, in my opinion, The Last Firstborn. This was the track that put Celldweller on my radar in the first place.
   
   If you like EBM and industrial with a pinch of trance and metal thrown in (e.g., Apoptygma Berzerk), this is an album that deserves to be in your collection.



2. a blend of metal, industrial, rock, techno, AND acoustics, coupled with mid song tempo changes, great harmonies, and adictively catchy riffs. you NEED this cd. it will definately be in your player for at least a couple of weeks on repeat.



3. Klayton, the penname for the singular brain behind Celldweller, has put together a spectacular sonic platter that is tense, melodic, energetic, and creative. Twisting together influences from hip-hop, trance, industrial, orchestral, just plain hard rock, and more, Celldweller's debut album nearly screams for attention from the electronic genre as one of the most overlooked gems in it's own family. Much of Klayton's vocal stylings falls in line with other male rock vocalists, such as Linkin Park's Chester Bennington, and at other times recalls the "roar" that is typical for hard rock, but is well-balanced with a light pop-vocal influence.
   If it sounds familiar, don't be too surprised. This album (which still has not worn out it's welcome) has had well beyond it's share of use in television ads, film trailers, video game commercials, and the like.



4. I really like the songs "Frozen" and "Switchback" but to my surprise found that the rest of the songs remind me quite a bit of "Korn."
   
   I downloaded the CD onto my iPod and discovered that instead of the hardcore industrial/electronic music I expected, most of the other songs sound more like Korn, or Stabbing Westward. It doesn't make the CD bad it just isn't quite what I expected.
   
   I still like most of the CD and definitely don't consider it a waste of money, or time. If you are just looking for harder tunes to rock along to, this would be one of them.



5. This CD was recommended by a friend based upon bands that I listen to now (Metallica, NIN, Korn..). He said it was a little different but thought I'd like it. A great mix of alternative and metal. I truly liked the entire CD.