5 comments about Caught in the Act.

1. For anybody who has never heard RCR, this is the album for you. The quality is excellent considering it is live and the whole 'buzz' of the album makes toes tap and fingers snap. Eddie Nichols' vocals are razor sharp, sharper than the whole bands dress sense. All the tracks are overflowing with snappy, fast beats and some exceptional horn work from Scott Steen. Tracks of note are Mousetrap and hot rod. This is one album you will wear out before tiring of that RCR sound.



2. This album is what swing is all about: you got you got fast swing, some slower swing to use while you and your honey cool down, and it's all performed by the best swing band around. Eddie Nichols' vocals ring crystal clear (as they should in any good live recording) and as usual, he's in perfect pitch. And of course, the boys all got his back and play their instruments to swingin' perfection. The great part is being able to hear every instrument and all the vocals clearly, and boy do those cats put on a show! I've seen RCR live and this cd completely does them justice. Now I just wish they'd come out with another live one! If you're a fan of RCR, or swing in general, buy this cd!



3. This album gave a great effort and i am gonna continue to listen to it. I like every song on this album it is just plain SWINGIN!!!



4. I recently picked up the live Royal Crown Revue CD and it is incredible. I put off getting this disc for a while after having been a fan of the band for some time, being skeptical of other live recordings I have heard in the past of other musicians. This skepticism was erased by Eddie and the rest of the solid RCR lineup. This disc swings into high gear with crisp precision that is witnessed on their studio records and with the energy and entertainment of a live show. This disc should make any swing fan who has not got to see these guys perform see them live. I know I am anxiously awaiting my chance. Thumbs up for a terrific album and band.



5. Royal Crown Revue shows us what musicians are supposed to be in this disc. Constantly being played in both my car and at home, I never get tired of these tunes. This album has a perfect mix of fast and furious to laid-back and easy. Everything that any swing or jazz-crazed fan would appreciate packed into a thin piece of hardware.

5 comments about Live at the Roxy.

1. Social Distortion has always been known for its live show. This CD really is the next best thing to being there. Live albums usually are a very mixed bag; however, this one lives up to all of the expectations. The sound quality is amazing and the setlist is a nearly perfect selection of their live performances during that era (it should have included sick boy though). It is also notable because this is the last Social Distortion recording featuring Dennis Danell before his death.
   
   The only thing that could have been done better on this album is that the tracks should have started at the beginning of the songs rather than beginning with Mike Ness's long speeches before each tune. Sometimes, it would be preferrable to just hear the songs without having to listen to or fast forward through Mike's views on the punk rock scene, the establishment, the "old days", or the government. Still, that really is the only complaint about this cd.



2. I consider myself a casual fan of Social Distortion, and this disk is pretty good. The sound is good, and the energy is excellent. Even Mike Ness's cheesy commentaries between songs are worth listening to. I also bought this disk for musicians I know, because Social D, especially LIVE Social D, should be required listening for anyone performing music onstage.
   
   Highlights, IMO, are Ball and Chain, Prison Bound, Ring of Fire, I Was Wrong. It's worth checking out whether you LOVE SD, are a casual fan, or never even heard their music before.



3. 1 hour ago just saw Social Distortion Live in Atlanta. People yelled all the way through the concert. Whoops and yells spilling out on the street after the concert. "Live" is the best word for this band when you see them in concert. "Live" for both girls and guys. All seemed to linger after the concert. Total adrenalin. Why see the Rolling Stones live when you can see the real deal?
   
   Some things are totally fresh after 20 years. How is that possible? 5 stars.



4. It's during Ball and Chain, more than Ring of Fire, where you can FEEL the Johnny Cash influence on Mike.
   This a pretty important album to have and I spin this way more than any other SD's.
   I always thought SD took awhile to find their identity, I wasn't a big fan of Mommy's Little Monster and prior (so I tend to skip some over some of those songs -I know that puts me in the minority) but once they did they didn't turn back (kinda like AFI).
   Ball and Chain on this album will always rank as one of the greatest country/rock songs ever written and I know that's the direction Ness wants to continue in. I just hope he keeps uptempo guitar work because it's that constant balladry, well, and a few other things, that turns me off of most country. Check it out live - preferably with a bottle of JD. Really! You'll be feeling bittersweet once the crowd starts taken the 4th verse.



5. You can forget about the debate over who the best band in America is. It begins and ends with these guys. Although not the same Social D of the 80's and 90's, in part due to aging, retirments (Johnny, we need you back on bass man!) and largely to the tragic loss of Dennis Danell, these guys simply put on the greatest show, every time. I just saw them live in Poughkeepise NY (for like the 30th time since 1992), and that show was as powerful and rocking as that first time I saw them at the Sting in New Britain, CT (and like a young dum-ass, offered Mike and Dennis a beer in the parking lot before the show).
   
   Thank you Mr. Ness, for taking time from you family and touring. And for those of you who have never seen the band play, this album is as good as being there. "The kittens are out tonight!"

5 comments about Salival.

1. Insanely addictive. The only downfall of this album is that it ends. They should put out more live releases. Tool is an all out live experience. You just can't capture their power and creativity on a studio record. You have to see them live to get a true TOOl experience.



2. This CD/VHS set was a stop gap between 'Aenima' and 'Lateralus', and consists of a CD featuring live and rare tracks, as well as a video containing the bands ambitious, biazzare and at times grotesque music videos (now sadly out dated due to the release of videos from the 'Lateralus' album). This is an essential live document for Tool fans, for the versions of some of the songs featured here surpass the originals in places. The live version of 'Third Eye', the 13 minute epic from 'Aenima' is imbued with far more atmosphere than the original, has a different sample at the start (Timothy Leary on freedom of thought), and is simply required listening for fans. 'Pushit' is also revamped, with a slower, more thoughtful opening, lengthy bong-drum interlude and alternative lyrics. Elsewhere on the disc, we have 'Part of Me' live, which is the discs weak point, as one feels a better song could have been selected for inclusion. Also, the song is very little changed from the studip recording: hardly a new criticism of live material, but when viewed against the quality of the other material here it is a severe defect. A version of Led Zeppelin's 'No Quarter' surfaces finally here, which is thankful, as Tool do a fine job of making the classic song their own. A cover of 'You Lied' by Peach (Justin Chancellor's previous outfit) is very welcome, as is the hidden track towards the end of the album, which I would urge the listener to discover for themselves. Overall the disc is very strong.
   The VHS suffers immediately from being out of date, but this does not diminish the quality of the videos included. For those who have never seen a Tool video I am unable to explain their merits here: Adam Jones is evidently a genius in my eyes, but the nightmare imagery is unlikely to appeal to everyone.
   This is an essential commodity for Tool fans, but for the casual listener there will be very little of interest here. For this reason I do recommend this set highly, but only to the initiated.



3. Proves well beyond a shadow of a doubt that Tool is the greatest band in the history of the galaxy and the best that ever will be. This album demonstrates what it's like to be at a live show. The songs, no singles (no "Sober" for you fratboy wannabes, sorry) are absolutely stunning. The covers, especially "No Quarter" are difficult to describe in words. Go buy this and enhance your thinking (wink, wink).



4. Salival is great because it allows you to listen to the band live as well as to look at the videos from aenima and undertow. The live songs on the CD are great, the live version of third eye really adds something new to the song. The cover of New Quarter is great. I think the video is awesome because I'm a big fan of the band's videos and having them on a tape reminds me of when I first heard tool in middle school.



5. Salival is a great box set from one of the best bands of all time. TooL is probably one of the most influental bands, with a staying power that is not too common in bands today. There are two great "gifts" that come along with this box set, a cd, and a video/dvd (depending on which version you get).

   The has about 8 songs on it, some of them live, some of them new, and others that are reconstructions of old songs. With a trademark hidden song at the end of the cd, it is definately a cd to add to your TooL collection. The songs are full of TooL's best, with great lyrics complete with Maynard's wonderful voice.

   The dvd/video has 4 videos on it, two from songs on "aenima" and two from songs on "undertow". The videos are "Prison sex", and "sober" (from undertow). And "stinkfist" and "aenima" (from Aenima). The videos are complete with TooL's strange cinematic characters, complete with strange little dolls, defigured humanoids, and puppetronics that rivel Jim Henson's muppets.

   This is definately a must needed addition to anyone's TooL collection. The vidoes are great, the music is great, making it well worth the money to buy it.

5 comments about In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up.

1. I had one; gave it to a friend and bought another CD.
   Just great.
   
   My only regret is that I was not able to go to their original concert.



2. awesome CD -- anyone know of a bootleg of the video version? stinks that the CD removed breathe and the land of rape and honey that the vhs version included. especially breathe - the dual drumming intro is bar-none the best start of a concert I've ever seen to really get the blood flowing.



3. I am not a Ministry fan at all, but JEEEEESE that was freaking intense.



4. As is the case with many an industrial metal band (who put the emphasis on the meal; see Rammstein and P.H.O.B.O.S.). Ministry's raw, straight ahead sound is best experienced in a live setting. For an experiment in scuh industrial strength nihilism look no further than 'In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up', which shows Al Jorgensen and crew at their strongest and harshest. Each song on the album gains a depth and intensity that spurpasses that of their studio counterparts due, in part, to both an enhanced bottom end the players involved (which include Nivek Ogre and Martin Atkins among others). Granted, the album itself does run a bit short (standing strong at six tracks, thirty some-odd minutes), but extended renditions of 'So What' and 'Stigmata' allow for a new and fantastic experience, making the length really not an issue. Despite the fact that it was released 16 years ago, it doesn't sound the least bit dated, and still stands strong as one of the most enjoyable live releases to come out of the 90s as well as Ministry's moment of absolute perfection.
   
   10 / 10



5. The songs on this cd sounds even better than the originals, and the originals sound incredible! I love how Burning inside starts, the guitar teasing you until the drumsticks start clicking, counting down until the full power of that great song bores down on you! and when you hear Stigmata... I didn't think you could beat the version that's on the Land of Rape and Honey, but live?!? Every song sounds great, and the songs from Land and Mind are when Ministry was at it's peak (Psalm 69 was also great)
   
   You shouldn't care about industrial this vs. metal that, this is simply one of the best live cd's ever I just wish they added more songs like You Know What You Are, The Land of Rape and Honey, Flashback, I Prefer, Never Believe, and Breathe.

5 comments about Last of the Red Hot Burritos.

1. Since Jeff (the reviewer below) is the individual who turned me on to this album in the mid 70's, I would have to agree with him 100%. This album not being available on CD was the driving force that got me to learn how to rip vinyl to WAV.
   It doesn't get any better than this.



2. This one of my all time favorites...please!!! Re Release it!!!
   
   Ray Rupnow
   Sun Prairie, Wi.



3. Almost everyone I know who still has the vinyl version of this claims to be just about to wear through it, and for good reason.
   
   This is THE seminal live alt country/bluegrass/country rock album. Usually the allmusic.com website gives very good record reviews, but on this one their 2 stars is completely unwarranted and the comments are vacuous.
   
   Just listen to the music. Watch your toes. If they aren't tapping by the second band on the album, either your leg or your brain has gone to sleep.
   
   This is my very top pick on the "Why isn't this available now on CD?" list.
   
   I agree with the other reviewers on not worrying about whether Gram Parsons is on this album. If you need a GP fix, then go listen to Grievous Angel, a wonderful album. But don't let it stop you from listening to this gem.
   
   BTW, there is a very nice family tree of all the incarnations through 1972 that TFBB went through, giving plenty of credit to Gram. However, the group did just fine without him as this outstanding release shows.



4. I know almost nothing about the technical ability of the players on this album, although I have heard of most of them, and I'm not that big a fan of the Burritos, although I count the Byrds as the best band of the Sixties and Sweetheart of the Rodeo and Gram Parsons's Grievous Angel as two of the best five studio albums ever made. However Last of the Red Hot Burritos is the most exciting and breath-taking live album in my collection.
   
   Other reviewers have referred to the way the Burritos have taken songs associated with other genres and made them their own. How true. I imagine this means that everyone will have their own favourites. I like them all and never having had much taste for the band's previous studio albums I didn't have a preconceived idea of what the songs should sound like when I first heard this. I imagine if I now heard the studio versions I would think they were flabby and bloodless.
   
   I have looked for ages on Amazon here in England for this album but never found it. Suddenly in the last few weeks it has turned up as being sold "used" for £80! I tell you, I was tempted. (And I have a rule never to buy a CD costing more than £10. I rarely break the rule and then only by a couple of pounds.) On a whim I looked on American Amazon and there it is. Much cheaper as well. But still "used".
   
   I well recall the late John Peel, the best-loved DJ in England who died almost a year ago, playing practically every track of the album on his late-night show. I think he was so impressed that he ditched his playlist to accommodate the songs. He was particularly impressed by Hot Burrito #2, which is my own favourite.
   
   So why is it still unavailable? I don't know when it first came out on CD but it may have been at a time when I was staying faithful to vinyl and had not yet invested in a CD player. How I wish I had been more in tune with modern times. From the comments of your other reviewers it looks as if I am not alone. Who cares if Gram Parsons is not on it? Who cares if Rick Roberts is on it? Who cares if it's only a bunch of Chris Hillman's friends playing some favourite songs? I don't and neither should you.
   
   Tell me who I can write to to get this album re-released on CD.



5. A little crazy in Tuscon 72...."A'int that a lot of love" permiated the air way..all of 1 underground station in town at that time...and what a time!! this Album is one of the best "live" albums ever recorded.....its like the man said " if you were'nt there you really do not know what its' all about." But this album takes you back there in every energetic cut ..why they do'nt release" Last of the Flyin Red Hot Burritos" is a great mystery....

5 comments about Concert: The Cure Live.

1. "Concert" captures the magic of The Cure live. It's an excellent set and the boys, as usual, sound great. There are plenty of official live releases by The Cure. This is one of the earliest and once again confirms that they were and continue to be one of the best live bands around today.



2. The liner notes proudly proclaim that no overdubs were used on this recording. Having seen the Cure in concert, I know how powerful they are live, so I have no doubt this statement is true. These songs taken from 4 different shows in May of '84 show off the Cure with a terrific line up that wasn't around for too long (even by Cure standards). M.V.P. Robert Smith is in fine form and his guitar is often massive, sometimes employing an effect that makes it sound like a jet taking off. Drummer Andy Anderson favors heavy-hitting beats and keeps everything very up tempo. Founding member Lol Tolhurst's role on keyboards, questionable as always, seems to be largely relegated to elongated notes, although they are often useful and effective. Multi-instrumentalist Porl Thompson rejoins the fold here, a super-talented guy who would go on to spend many years with the Cure. Abandoning his previous role as a control room wizard, Phil Thornally capably rounds out the quintet on bass.
   
   The breakdown:
   
   "Shake Dog Shake" - Taken from an Oxford, England show. This version substitutes the churning swirl of the dense album cut for a more tightly wound kind of menace. A sick song, but the definitive take remains on THE TOP. Of course, Smith can't duplicate all his trippy vocal overdubs in concert (which, by the way, are brilliantly applied all over THE TOP - see my review, if you so choose). Instead, he stutters and spits them out which compliments the song's deranged air. ****1/2
   
   "Primary" - A lesser Cure song in my view, because it sounds almost like an ordinary pop song and the Cure are capable of much more than that. Still, this is a fun version with "jet-taking-off" guitar flying all over the place. ***1/2
   
   "Charlotte Sometimes" - good version dominated by keyboards and a great bass line. ****
   
   "The Hanging Garden" - killer version - intense beat from Andy gives it a more dangerous edge. Notes are frantically scattered to keep up the pace and a heady climax is reached "as the animals die," then Smith's Japanese guitar weaves back and forth across the auditorium. *****
   
   "Give Me It" - Talk about frantic - this one is off the hook. I might prefer this version to the one on THE TOP. Porl lays down the definitive sax part for the song on this take. *****
   
   "The Walk" - Brilliant live translation of this synth-manufactured oddity, thanks in large measure to Thornalley's skillful interpretation on bass. Longstanding member Simon Gallup would soon refill the bass shoes, though. ****1/2
   
   "One Hundred Years" - a great live song, this is a classic slab of doom n' gloom grilled to perfection with Smith's hovering, harrowing guitar - "thrashing in the water, thrashing in the water . . ." *****
   
   A larger London crowd greets the opening chords of "A Forest" (complete with its lovely intro) with a rabid roar. This is the Cure's signature song. A testament to the power of minimalist rock, it solidly rocks here. While this is a very good version, I saw them on the KISS ME tour and they hit a truly heart-stopping climax (right when Smith got to that last "again!"). *****
   
   "10:15 Saturday Night" - This is a totally wired version, a different beast from the original studio recording and altogether heavier. It rocks hard and fluidly even during the hushed ("drip drip drip") moments. The band sounds like they've blasted through this song hundreds of times, yet it still sounds fresh. *****
   
   "Killing an Arab" - Great version of this cool Japanese/Middle Eastern flavored tune. Not actually racist, it's a tongue in cheek nod to The Stranger, a short novel by Albert Camus. The song is a riot. For the finale, Smith warps his guitar into the fourth dimension, pulls everything through a wormhole, and the CD abruptly ends. *****
   
   Great music, an absolute must for Cure fans!



3. This is the best of the live albums by The Cure. This band has had so many line-up changes and this was one of their most interesting line-ups. Here they sound like a raw post-punk band. Even "The Walk", a normally upbeat song, sounds dark, moody and goth. A great era of The Cure captured live. I only wish there were more tracks on here!



4. This is definitely one of their better live recordings. The sound is crisp and the treatment of each song is simple but careful. One note of interest: in this version of "10:15 Saturday Night," an odd pause in the first line suggests that something might have caught Mr. Smith's attention...I guess you'll just have to purchase it and listen to see what I mean! The only version of Concert - The Cure Live I currently have is one of the 1984 UK 12" vinyl pressings (fixh10). The track listing is the same as the Swedish version advertised on this site, at least in regards to titles and track order. One of the great things about the format/version I have is that the record has phrases in the run-off grooves. Side One says, "PLAY ME LOUD," and Side Two says, "EAT ME TOO." (A lot of earlier Cure and special Smith project vinyl pressings have simialr quirky run-off groove phrases.) All in all, this is a great live recording, and I would recommend any version or format of this album...and there are quite a few of them out there...you just have to look for them. When you get it, PLAY IT LOUD.



5. This is probably my favorite live album by The Cure.Some of the songs on this album are even better live than the studio versions.If you want a good taste of The Cure live this is the best.My favorite on here has alway been "The Forest".It has so much more depth and atmosphere live than the studio version.I actually prefere it to the other.

5 comments about I Heard a Voice: Live from Long Beach Arena.

1. I've had this DVD since it came out and have decided it's a 5 star.
   
   There are 2 kinds of live recordings. The kind where everything sounds perfect and the voices are crystal clear and everything happening on the stage is smooth and organized.
   
   Then there is the real down and dirty kind of live recording. The kind where you can hear the crowd singing and cheering and the band is vibrating with excitement. And thats what this DVD is. Davey is so full of passion in his singing. He even looses his breath a couple of times because he's so excited. It's worth every penny especially if you are an AFI fan because you feel like you were there.



2. I was incredibly dissapointed when I heard the songs on this CD. I saw AFI at the Warped Tour in 2001, and was absolutely amazed. The band was incredible and sounded amazing. I will never forget hearing Total Immortal - the vocals and the rest of the band sounded exactly like the CD recording. Davey does a moderately decent job on the vocals for a some of the newer stuff, but older songs, and ones that feature screaming such as Death of Seasons, sound terrible in my opinion.



3. CD was awesome & in excellent condition. I would definitely buy from this seller again.



4. Great album, well structured and with a good taste of music from across most of thier albums. Favourtie songs - all of them. No real low points from the album.



5. i think this is a great addition to the afi catalog i dont understand the holdover thing people are talking about afi has like fifteen albums when do you think they should put out a live cd pantera only had four when they put theres out and nobody whined about it but anyways the cd is awsome they could of played a little more from the art of drowning but they played everything from sing the sorrow that i wanted to hear i'm not to into december underground but the songs from it honestly sound better live i think except for love like winter witch will always suck (sorry i really dont like that song)my favs from the cd would be days of the phenox,death of seasons and silver and cold theres alot more but my brains not working and i dont have the case in front of me one other cool thing about the cd is nick 13 from tiger army comes out and does a song with them so over all the cd is great and even if it is a "holdover" cd what better time to do it
   
   p.s. check out the dvd its the same show but its still enjoyable even if you heard the cd and it also has interviews

5 comments about Beethoven Was Deaf (Live).

1. If you love Morrissey, you simply must buy this CD. Thjis is a live concert recording, and songs like "Suedehead" performed live are even better than the studio versions.



2. a storm of a show! Morrissey and band sound tight and firing on all cylinders this night in Paris. the songs are energetic and the setlist absolutely is amazing! riding the wave of success from the awesome Your Arsenal, it seemed (at the time) that Moz could do no wrong. a real live document worthy of purchase from even a casual Morrissey fan...but please, if yoiu haven't got them already, purchase Your Arsenal, Vauxhall And I, Kill Uncle, Ringleader...oh hell, get them all!



3. Most people who are good in the studio, do not measure up when it comes to live performances. This is not true of Morrissey - who is good in both settings. He has a talent for supplying infinite charms in the moment - and on demand - making him a figure of grand preportions - almost a jazz singer's approach. Indeed, he is as spontaneous and in control of his voice as was Frank Sinatra. He has something Frank never had, however, a profound ability in producing intelligent imagineative lyrics - no one writes lyrics like Morrissey - he is a poet - like his idol Oscar Wilde.
   
   This disc offers 16 live tracks! And this is Morrissey in his prime - when he was a figure of almost religous preportions. You will enjoy this if you are a Morrissey fan!



4. Morrisey used to have one of the best bands on the planet. He assembled a crack two-guitar-bass-drums group around the turn of the nineties just after his rather mediocre "Kill Uncle" CD. The band that toured in support of that CD blazed some versions of his songs that were far superior than anything he had previously recorded--check out the "Live at KROQ" CD single and compare the studio vs. live "Sing Your Life" for proof. These guys had diverse backgrounds but a few had experience in the English Rockabillly scene, and their ability to greatly enhance and add a real groove to Morrisey's material was astounding.

   The first studio album this band tackled was "Your Arsenal"---but "Beethoven Was Deaf", The live disc from a Paris, France date on the tour for "Arsenal" in late '92, is so good that it essentially renders that disc unnecessary. Nine of the ten "Your Arsenal" songs are performed in this Paris concert, and almost unanimously these performances improve upon, enhance, or downright stomp the album versions. Many extraneous production techniques used on the "Arsenal" album on songs like "Seasick Yet Still Docked" or especially "I Know It's Going To Happen Someday" are gone in this setting and replaced by a more straitforward band performance. The one exception to the live-version-is-better feeling is "The National Front Disco". About thee and a half minutes into an impressive version, the proceedings degenerate into a total slash-and-burn, feedback-and-distortion, random bashings-on-the-bass-and-drums, shredded-guitar noisefest. This would be fine for a quick ending, but this goes on for a nearly interminable three minutes or so! Be ready to hit the skip button as this endless caterwauling ensues. As the last screech is emitted, Morrisey says, "We're thinking of making that our next single..do you think it'd be a hit?" To which those in the crowd who know English and can still hear over the ringing in their ears scream, "Non!"

   This small annoyance notwithstanding, the sound of this live disc is among the best ever for such a recording--the instruments, vocals, drums, etc are all very clear and very close to studio quality. Of course, there is a loud French crowd singing along on hits like "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" to let you know that this is indeed a live recording.

   There are some interesting song choices for the 7 non-"Arsenal" tunes. Most of the songs were from his many late eighties and early nineties singles and not from his prior albums--although a couple were on the US-singles-compliation disc called "Bona Drag". "Suedehead", his first single and a track on the "Viva Hate" disc, makes an appearance, and "Such a Little Thing..." is drastically truncated from its studio form and used as a lead in to the anthemic "I Know It's Going To Happen Someday". "The Loop" is probably the closest thing to Rockabilly on the disc, and the menacing sound of "Jack The Ripper" (not to be confused with the Link Wray instrumental of the same name) is effectively duplicated.

   In all, there has scarcely been a better live album than this, and its quality stands as a sort of double-edged sword for Morrisey, because he hasn't really been able to produce anything quite this good, either before or since. Going into subsequent years/discs/tours, his band has not been solely made up of the musicians from this disc, and that probably contributes to a gradual sense of slipping quality in his releases of late(not that there has been anything new in a few years.) Live albums are hardly ever among the strongest statements an artist makes (The Who's "Live At Leeds" being a notable exception, ), but I would recommend anyone looking for the real 'best of Morrisey' to begin with this disc, because there really isn't anything in his whole catalog with quite the visceral power and amazing overall quality as this disc.




5. I bought this CD four years ago and it's still one of most prized possessions. The recording captures Morrissey's charisma, energy, and ability to relate to his audience. All of the songs are great and most are better than the studio versions. Those who heard these performances live are very fortunate. Luckily they were recorded for the rest of us.

5 comments about The Best of '94 - '99.

1. This compilation is simply great. It's got every single hit and the live concert cd is awesome. If you want all their hits and don't wanna spend too much money buying each album then you should definitely get this. You won't be dissapointed.



2. Disc 1 of this compilation is a pretty good introduction to the band, though you have to wonder at some of the choices. Unsurprisingly, all five singles from "Sixteen Stone" are included, as are "The Science of Things"' three singles. I guess the compilers aren't fans of "Razorblade Suitcase," because it's represented by a paltry two songs even though the album spawned five singles. The poorly received remix album "Deconstructed" wins three slots-- space which would have been better used for album tracks like "Alien" or "Mindchanger," or the missing "Razorblade Suitcase" singles.
   
   The draw here for existing Bush fans is the band's Woodstock '99 performance captured on disc 2. It's a great set and Gavin is in good voice throughout, though the rest of the band sometimes gets drowned out by the screaming crowd. The highlight is probably a cover of R.E.M.'s "The One I Love."
   
   All in all, this package is a nice souvenir of the band's first five years, but it could have been a lot more comprehensive.



3. If this CD was packed with "Zen x 4" then we'd be set. a DVD & a cd companion of their singles. Better to call it a "singles colelction" rather than "hits" when we all know some of bushs best stuff wasnt released on radio or MTV. Still, this cd is badass & if you want "hits" you HAVE to order this because of course, Zen x 4 is a damn DVD that comes with a lousy additional cd. if i want hits, i want to hear the studio versions, not live (unless its relased as a live track) & i LISTEN more than I WATCH so of course this gets a better rating than zen x 4. just remember than THIS is a CD & Zen is a DVD. they fool you by putting zen in the cd section. go & import this if you have a Bush craving :)



4. Sometimes you forget how great a band is that you used to love and then when you find the highlights of their career on one cd... along with a few extra goodies... its just so wonderful! I honestly can't say enough good things about this cd! If you love Bush... or ever liked any of their songs... you should pick this up because you won't be disappointed! :)



5. I would barely call this record "The Best of Bush 94-99". I must say that I consider this title a mistake. Don't get me wrong, the songs included in this album are great and Bush is in my opinion one of the greatest bands of the 90's. But, this one leaves tons of Bush in the air.
   First of all, in a 13 song record, I consider unfair to give 6 songs to Sixteen Stone and 4 to Razorblade Suitcase. Also, Swallowed and Everything Zen comes twice in a mix version. So where did they leave songs like Cold Contagious or Alien?
   Despite that this album has great songs, I thinks it's a bad compilation if you really want to know the best of Bush. So, if you are buying this to get a general idea of what this Band is, I would recommend you to buy first Sixteen Stone, then Golden State and after that you choose, Razorblade Suitcase or The Science of Things.
   The 3 stars are because of the bad compilation, despite the great songs included.

5 comments about Rock N Roll Animal.

1. and chances are you'll hear this album. Unless of course your host is a complete idiot and their idea of rock n roll is Hootie and the Blowfish. I laughed when I read the Lou Reed "fans" who said they didn't like this album. They whined that it was unlike his other stuff. Well, put it in perspective. This is a GREAT album - and it doesn't need the extra tracks. It's one of those one-off classics that just came from nowhere. Loved it then, love it now. You can't say that about any VU album.



2. I never had the album "back in the day", but I've heard most of the songs at one time or another. I thought the sound was very good. This is an excellent album and gives a good snapshot of Lou Reed back in his prime.



3. the band is tight and ready to rock.lou is up to task and gives a first rate show.real fans will love it.



4. Easily in the top 5 list of GREAT LIVE albums, not debatable.
   Same class as Live at LEEDS(BEST EVER),HANK-Live, Live RUST!
   This takes you back to the filthy days when men made rock and roll and did'nt wory about how to sell it. LOU has always been on the cutting edge. Needs to be played loud and often.
   Lady Day/Heroin/Sweet Jane. You could try a hundred more times and never get an LP close to the original, just a classic thats all.



5. This is one of my two favorite live rock albums (the other is Stand In the Fire by Warren Zevon). This is probably the best live rock album ever. The guitar work is amazing. The energy is explosive. This is what rock and roll should be. Two guitars, bass and drums and four guys playing their guts out (OK, there are keyboards too.)
   
   This live version of Heroin, all by itself, should get Lou (as a solo artist) inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame. My favorite live rock track of all time. It's a lesson in how to build up a rock song to a screaming crescendo.
   
   Like everyone, my only beef with the record was: not enough, give us more! This release includes two additional tracks from the same concert: How Do You Think It Feels and Caroline Says I, which are also great and fit right in. The remastered sound is excellent. This release, unlike to old release on CD, has some nice liner notes. Enjoy.