5 comments about Bob Marley: Catch A Fire (Special Edition).

1. Great documentary. Explains all the details of recording with Bob Marley. The sessions as well as the musicians all give details on how Bob tailored this classic. Bob fans definitely need to pick this one up.



2. This dvd is nothing but interviews, many of them repeated on the second disc, with 30 second clips of live Marley perfomances here and there. I was lucky to only have borrowed it from the library. Had I payed $30+ for it I would have been very upset. Half of the people on the second disc never met Marley. They're mostly music journalists or producers offering their critique of certain songs off the Legend album. If you are a collector of all things Marley this dvd MIGHT appeal to you, but if your looking to learn anything about Bob or see live footage of the legend look elsewhere.



3. I am the biggest Bob Marley fan there is, but I was disappointed at this product. I expected much more than what I got.



4. It is an insite into an arist starting off and having to compromise slighty for the bigger good. In depth on how the tracks were recorded and edited. Video and audio of how mixing and great editing can change an average song into a great song. Good for music lovers library.



5. I just finished watching this fine documentary. (Picked it up for only $4.99 in a bargain bin!) The content is priceless - interviews with Bob Marley, Rita Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer are quite rare. The interviews with Chris Blackwell, the recording engineers and studio musicians from Jamaica, England and U.S. who helped to produce the groundbreaking album "Catch A Fire" are enlightening. I've been a Marley fan for 30 years and I learned a lot from watching this DVD. It illustrates, in a somewhat disjointed fashion, the Jamaican culture that gave birth to reggae music and it's ambassadors to the world, The Wailers, while recording the development of "Catch A Fire" which brought reggae to mainstream British and American rock fans. Marley fans owe a great deal to Chris Blackwell and Island records. I attended Bob Marley's last concert in America in 1981. Every week, it seems, I see another young kid wearing a Bob Marley T-shirt. Whether you're an old Marley fan or a young one, there is plenty in this DVD for you.

5 comments about Face to Face.

1. I mean...27 Perfect Reviews...Enough Said...if you love high energy catchy punk rock, this is for you! I just got the CD today and i cant stop listening to it, amazing...



2. This record was the big major lable debut, I really thought it would stink. I bought it and was surprised that they were still playing fast and they had not really changed their sound much. This album is not flawless like DON'T TURN AWAY, but it's still the same lyrically dead-serious melodic hardcore. This was their last good album. Anything after this was a departure from this sound.



3. ....so I dismissed this and overlooked it. Like many punk fans, I turned my back to any band that signed with a major label. Sure, our favorite bands, The Ramones, The Clash, etc were on major labels. But ee justified it by saying independent labels weren't as viable of an option back then, and some of the "major labels" started as indies themselves. We kinda knew we were full of crap, but we pressed on. And we should have. The punk scene needs that a-hole element. It just does. But the consequences are missing some great music.
   Ever since the whole Dr. Strange/Fat Wreck Chords drama of the early 90's, I never trusted Face To Face. Hearing the Victoria Manor tape (the pre-Face to Face metal band that was, well, awful and funny at the same time) made me think they were simply cashing in on this whole punk thing. Signing to a major confirmed that for me. Maybe they did, but judging the music on it's own merits, it doesn't matter. This is high quality stuff. I always liked Don't Turn Away and secretely loved Big Choice, but I was just too punk rock to get this. Well I should have. The songs on here have a sort of timeless feel to them. They sound like fully realized songs instead of 3 chord punk rock, and that's fine. "Walk the Walk" and "Blind" alone are reasons for buying this.
   I guess this review is more about the band than this particular record, but hearing it made me regret not getting in in 1996. It took me almost ten years, it should take you about 30 more seconds. The "add to your cart" button is right there.



4. Words can't say enough about how truely great Face to Face is. A remarkable band that has sincere creativity and thoughful lyrics that don't patronize. Lead singer and guitarist Trever Keith has an amazing style to his music, his lyrics are powerful, yet simple. They put the listener into everyday life situations that anyone can relate to and hopefully gives them a powerful sense of hope and direction. Extremely catchy guitar riffs and a powerful bass guitar sound, finished off with Keith's uplifting lyrics- this album is one of a kind. I highly recommend it! I had the priviledge to see Face to Face twice, and they are truly a class act and have a damn great live show! Buy this album!!



5. This is probably my favorite punk cd ever. Face to Face was unbelievable. There just aren't many great straight up punk cds like this anymore.

5 comments about Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free.

1. This album is the spiritual sequel to Reel Big Fish's 1997 record Turn The Radio Off.
   
   There's a few that tracks aren't in the normal 3rd wave ska genre, but for the most part this is Reel Big Fish showing off their mastery of their own style.
   
   "Slow Down" and "Please Don't Tell Her I Have A Girlfriend" are kind of weak, but are more than offset by "The New Version Of You" and "Cannibal."
   
   Reel Big Fish fans will be very pleased with the re-recordings of "Call You," "Why Do All Girls Think They're Fat," and especially "I'm Her Man." This one even has a re-recording of "'Til I Hit The Ground," which is just Reel Big Fish telling you that they love you.
   
   Certainly recommended.



2. If this was another ska band (or whatever style you want to call RBF's partying evolution) this would probably be a four or even five star album. But its not just any other band. I have really liked all of RBF's previous full length records, and their live CD is incredible too. But this... sounds like a retread to me.
   
   Aaron Barrett and the rest of the Fish may be happier on their indie label, but their songwriting has never been duller. Oh look! another drinking song! Another song where they drop the F-bomb over and over in the chorus. Its going from a consistent formula to just checking things off the "album to-do" list.
   
   While some people find "Party Down" and it's little style-riffs inventive, I'm sorry but it reeks of doing the same schtick over again. Other songs almost feel like a chore to get through. I'm happy that the band is off it's "big label" woes and back in a situation that they control and are happy with, but like another comment said, happiness is not helping this band creatively.



3. I hadn't bought an RBF album in a few years and decided to order this since I absolutely loved "Why Do They Rock So Hard," "Keep Your Receipt," and "Turn the Radio Off." I don't know what happened but every song on this album is garbage. They basically repeat the song title over and over for lyrics and the musicianship is positively uninspiring. I listened once all the way through and will NEVER listen again. Terrible album, they really phoned this one in.



4. After the first listen through, it felt like the whole album was rushed. However, after the second time, i realized how great this album is. Songs are put together brilliantly and even though some lyrics seem a little thin, there are plenty of other songs on here to make any RBF fan happy. There's 2 bonus songs when you get through iTunes though. Cannibal (dance remix) and Bang! The Mouse Explodes. The first one is ok, but Bang! really gets me fired up. Excellent release for their first album since leaving the major record labels.



5. I have been a fan of Reel Big Fish for a long time. I love every single song they've ever written...before this album came out. I'm going to advise everyone not to listen to this CD, simply because it degrades the value of all the other A-W-E-S-O-M-E songs this band has made. I was disappointed. Their transition to happiness really ruined their style. The brass doesn't seem as real: the guitar is weak, and the lyrics suck. I advise you to think twice before buying this album- spend the money on any of their older cd's. I love(ed) this band, and I wish this CD could have been better, but it just doesn't live up to a single one of my expectations. It's a pathetic attempt by a band that was once amazing.

5 comments about Mediocre Generica.

1. Times are tough for all the punks these days. Every crappy little SoCal band thinks they're political geniuses just cause they hate Bush, The Dead Kennedys turned into a parody, The Ramones are being used to market everything from cell phones to Pepsi, and the few good bands left are just making the same albums over and over again. So, in the new millenium, my hope hanged on two bands that were putting out genius music: McLusky and Propagandhi. Well, McLusky broke up, and Propagandhi turned into a metal band. Just when I seriously considered slitting my wrists and calling it quits, a friend of mine slips me an album by a band called Choking Victim. The front cover intrigued me, and when he told me that part of the album was a kind of death metal, I was sold. I quickly put it into rotation, and I was not disappointed. Not the greatest album, but still damn good. So, next he gives me Leftover Crack. Now, I had heard of these guys before, and after The Unseen and The Casualties, I wasn't interested in another "Street Punk" band. But, when he told me some of the same guys were in Choking Victim, I gave it a listen.
   
   Wow. At first I didn't rate it up there with "No Gods/No Managers." But, as I listened to it more and more, the genius began growing on me. Part of it is that it doesn't fall into any neat category. And I don't mean that to sound like every God-awful alternative/metalcore band that ever breathed, I mean these guys are legitimately original. The songs are a glorious mix of metal, punk, ska, reggae, dub, hardcore, and classical. It could have been a disaster, it could have been boring, but Stza pulls it off. He isn't talented enough to pull it all together and make it boring, but he is talented enough to keep it from falling apart completely, and it's that fine line that makes this album so great. It stays true to punk form, in it's apathetic violence, but never goes off and preaches. At the same time, no one else is doing music like this. No one. And while LOC's second L.P. didn't quite match up to this one, it still was pretty good. If there is a band right now that could pull punk up out of the current funk it's in, Leftover Crack is that band. An undisputed classic.



2. 30% punk, 30% ska, 30% metal, and a 10% discount at your local record retailer. Leftover Crack may be eclectic, but the elements constructing their energetic crossover punk rock juxtapose as logically and naturally as caffeine and Mondays. Their songs are typically short and simple, but their variation (Classical interludes abound) and attitude more than compensate. Stza's vocals are, well, limited, so he resorts to a witchy shriek similar to any given black metal band. Stangely, this vocal style fits all the various musical elements Leftover Crack explores, due to the fact he tones the knife-gargling scream down to rough singing on less vicious songs. Some would call his vocals obnoxious, but I'm pretty sure that's intended.
   
   Interesting songs? Atheist Anthem is notable for the coolest and probably only anti-straight edge chorus ever. I think the awesomeness of Stop the Insanity speaks for itself; "Let's kill the cops, the CIA, the FBI, the PTA, The NFL, the MRC, let's kill you and let's kill me!" With The Sickness is an odd grindcore experiment, clocking in at just under a minute. Born To Die is probably the catchiest song on the album, with an infectious ska feel and upbeat bass outro. Finally, the pleasant diddy Rock Steady Beat ends Mediocre Generica on a fun note, with island-possessed guitars, organs, trumpets, and even a harmonica.
   
   I can't really conclude this review. It's a good album, I liked it, listen to it.
   - Thus says the Pellington



3. Who said you had to agree with a bands views to enjoy their music? Think about that before you go endlessly bashing this band because of their political views and lyrics (which, agree or disagree with them, are quite good).
   
   I was pretty surprised when I heard this CD, since I had heard some of "No Gods No Managers" and I own "F*** World Trade." THis is a bit different from either of those. Of course, it's still great, full of energy, and quite fun.
   
   The music is largely based on simple guitar riffs, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. It also uses quite a bit of dissonance at times (ex. guitar solos to "The Good The Bad and the Leftover Crack" and "NC") and some noise (listen to the intro to the album). Of course, they incorporate some ska into their music, much in the vein of Operation Ivy and (well... duh) Choking Victim. Add a couple of death metal-like songs to that and you have an insane, fast, hard-hitting album.
   
   "Crack City Rockers" and the updated version of Choking Victim's "Born to Die" are the two best tracks of the album.



4. Everything about this band is sweet, their sound and lyrics. Ignore the guy who called them moronic. He doesn't know what he's talking about.



5. The songs go from just plain thrashing to hardcore punk to bits of death metal and then to ska. No song sounds the same because no song is the same. Unlike "F--k World Trade" this album isn't that political. I like the lyrics of this album alot. "Atheist Anthem" is great both lyrically (yeah Im an atheist) and musically. "Nazi White Trash" is a great anti-rascist song as well as a musical masterpiece. "Gay Rude Boys Unite" is not only an awesome song but has a message that literally made me stop and re-examine and then change how I treated homosexuals. I also really love the song "The Good, the Bad and the Leftover Crack" even if the lyrics are silly. And "Born to Die" is too excellent for words. All in all the only bad song is "Burning in Water". So yeah buy it.

5 comments about No Doubt - Live in the Tragic Kingdom.

1. I had a VHS on this and was lost after lending it to a friend. Love the concert and after watching clearer on DVD I love it. Must get if your a No Doubt fan!!!



2. I'm a long time No Doubt fan and I love this DVD. I also own the Rock Steady Live DVD, which was filmed better, and since it was their 3 huge tour they had many more hits to perform at this concert for their live dvd. Still, I give Live in the Tragic Kingdom 5 stars because it also includes many of their home videos from years before and leading up to making it big.



3. the concert would have sounded great if they had mixed Gwens mic properly. it has a big empty room sound to her vocals too much echo everyone else is good sounding they just need to go back and fix her vocals nobody else has all the echo on their vocals but the rest of the dvd is good.borrow someones copy and see how bad the concer vocals sound. the studio stuff on it , the extra's sound great. write to interscope demand they recall it and fix Gwens vocals on the anaheim recording.the live from DEN HAAG concert footage sounds great thats the way her vocals should sound.



4. THE DVD RELEASE DATE IS: JUNE 13, 2006!
   
   Otherwise, the VHS version is excellent. You are not a No Doubt Fan unless you own this.



5. Why in the world is it not out till 2010? or is that wrong?

5 comments about Wasted Days.

1. Easily one of the best ska bands to date and are actually still touring and producing tunes. This album really showcases how damn good these musicians are. The 1st track, "Wasted Days" is a damn killer way to open up things. It really sets the mood throughout the rest of the album. Every track on this album is consistently good. I find myself either nodding along, shoulder groovin, skankin, or singing off key to the lyrics. Incredible musicans and Vic's voice is buttah. Buy This!
   
   Fav tracks: Wasted Days, Old Days, Midnight Rendezvous



2. this is just an amazing album. i haven't gone 2 days without listening to at least one of the songs on it since i got it a few weeks ago. i can't really say enough good things about the album, so i'll just say go buy it and groove on to the groovy goodness.



3. I don't think this is the best offering from The Slackers, but they're such an amazing band that this definetly still merits five stars. I really like the title track, "Walking On," "Midnight Rendezvous," "Wanted Dead or Alive," "Please Decide," "Easy" and "Dave's Friend," but most of the tracks are really good. Good variety of sound, it's pretty solid all around but I liked Redlight better.



4. The Slackers are the perfect cure for the mess of punk/ska/crappo bands out there now. They sure do it right.
   
   This album is very remeniscent of old reggae and dub classics. You can hear the Lee Perry and the Bob Marley in this album. Along with incorporating that old school flavor, on songs like (my personal favorite) "The Nurse", they manage to fuse just enough new school punk into the mix so it sounds like something new and fresh. I'm very excited about this band and they are on Hellcat Records too which is badass.
   
   If you've heard anything about these guys, pick up this cd first. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!



5. After listening to "The Question" 100+ times, I desperately needed to find more Slackers. So I went to the store hoping to find "Redlight" (since I've heard a few great songs from it) but bought this and Hepcat's "Right on Time" (another beautiful album) instead. When I first listened to it, I actually hated most of it (except a handful of songs), thinking it wasn't nearly as good as "The Question." Then, I listened to it a couple more times and grew to appreciate it by itself, and realized trying to compare it is a bad idea, since a band's music should change and evolve.
   
   Wasted Days starts off with the killer title track, one of the few I liked from the start. It features Vic's best vocal on the album and a kickass bassline. The next song Henderson Swamp, took some getting used to (what is that instrument in the intro??) but it's now one of my favorites. Next comes Please Decide, featuring Marq on vocals and is reminiscent of the swing/ska of "Sarah" and ends with a gospel chorus. Pets of the World had a kind of dub/reggae feel to it with lots of echo effects and contains some toasting from DJ Mush One (aka former trumpeter Jeremy Mushlin). Dave's Friend is probably the strongest song lyrically, with nice slide guitar a lyrics about looking out for your friends.
   
   So This Is the Night sounds like a "Question" retread (albeit a good one). "Made Up My Mind" breaks some new ground as the only ska song I've heard to feature violin, which adds alot to the haunting melody. After the inane, rather pointless Sermon, the album gets back on track with The Nurse, a fun live favourite with odd lyrics (someone tell me what exactly it's about) and a bouncing rhythm. Old Days has a great 1+ minute intro (good sax from Dave Hillyard) and classic lyrics. Midnight Rendezvous may be the best song on the album, and possibly the best they've ever done. It's a soulful Drifters-esque track, sung wonderfully by trombonist Glen Pine. Tales of the Mongoose is a cool instrumental with a great title, Easy is quality, and the album 'ends' with Walking On, a very unmemorable track. After a strange break, the album comes back with "Wanted Dead or Alive," a good Bon Jovi cover, and my other favorite on the disc: "Information Error," a 6 minute dub-flavored masterpiece (also featured on Hellcat's third Give 'em the Boot sampler).
   
   While this is a very good album, I'd say get The Question and Redlight first. Also, if you like The Slackers' sound, get all of Hepcat's albums, too. And the Stubborn All-Stars. Recommended.

5 comments about All the Hype That Money Can Buy.

1. Before listening to "All The Hype" all I'd ever heard of FIF was 'When I Go Out' and the Pants rock opera from Quantity is Job 1. I checked All The Hype out on a whim and absolutely fell in love with the band through it all.
   
   While some may argue that the songwriting on All The Hype is a patchwork at best, if you look at Five Iron's other albums, it's easy to see that All The Hype does reflect and influence their other albums. For instance -- the odd recording style of "Giants" parallels FIF2: Electric Boogaloo's "Vultures". "The Phantom Mullet" continues Five Iron's quest for all-around 'fun' songs, following in the footsteps of "Blue Comb '78"and, of course, the Pants rock opera. "World Without End" echoes the uplifting feel of "Every New Day". And "A New Hope" sets the stage for Five Iron's crossover to more rock, less ska on their later albums.
   
   The album is fun to listen to, albeit rocky in transition at some points -- 'You Probably Shouldn't Move Here' to 'Hurricanes' to 'Giants' to 'I Still Like Larry' sticks out as one of the more painful setups in Five Iron's history -- but get past all that and you'll find yourself with an album that's perfect to sing along to.
   
   Also, it features the greatest cover of "It's Not Unusual" of all time.
   
   So ditch R.E.O. Speedwagon and listen to "All The Hype" as you're cruisin' downtown in your Camaro.



2. Let me start out with a disclaimer: a lot of people love this album, and, musically it's sound. (no pun intended) FIFs constantly changing style missed me with this album, although "ugly day" was acceptable, it sounded much better on the live album...
   If you're a FIF fan you'll like it. If you're not, try Electric Boogaloo or "Our newest album ever" first. (Electric Boogaloo was the best IMO, but i think i'm in the minority on that choice )



3. This album came during a very difficult time for Five Iron Frenzy. One of their chief song writers left the group before songs for this album were written, and the various members of the band (all 8 of them) kind of traded off on song writing duties for this album. As a result, it lacks the unity in sound that a lot of their other albums had (Electric Boogaloo has the same failing, but not to the same extent).

   This is, in my opinion, the least catchy and least appealing of all FIF albums. I was a hardcore fan before this came out, I bought it on the first day and I remember sitting in the car listening to it on the way home and my girlfriend saying to me "It kind of [bad isn't] it" I hated to agree, but I had to.

   For the FIF beginner go for one of their first two albums or the Quantity is Job 1 EP for their finer work. Eventually the FIF faithful talked themselves into liking this one, but without the previous FIF experience, this album will really fall flat for the uninitiated.

   The only really stand out track on the album is A New Hope (and possibly Solidarity). Go buy those two songs on ITunes, and you aren't missing much of anything from the rest of the album.




4. I bought this CD after I heard about FIF from a friend and I am really glad that I did. At first I thought that many of the songs sounded similar, but after a few listens I can now appreciate them all individually. The songs on this CD are fun and are uplifting. I especially enjoy Phantom Mullet, Ugly Day and Greatest Story Ever Told. Five Iron Frenzy is a unique group that should appeal to most people. I recommend this CD to anyone looking for a different type of music that you don't normally hear.



5. This is a good cd. No, it is not the newest, and no, it is not the best. However, it is good none the less.

   If you have heard FIF's new CD (FIF2, Eletric Boogalo) which is not so good. This CD is better.

   I suggest you buy this cd. Not only does it include great sounding songs and some quite humurous ones too. If you don't have this cd now. You should get it.

5 comments about Rock Steady Live.

1. ND actually went to rock school, unlike so many of their peers, then and now. To sum it up, they know how to be rock stars. No one deserves the bag of gold more than these energetic, hardworking kids.



2. I love this DVD. I have watched it about 5 times already. Its one of the best live concerts ever. Gwen is amazing.



3. I went to the concert and very much enjoyed it. A friend got it for me for Christmas. Great gift for a No Doubt/Gwen Stefani fan.



4. It has a cool concert but is more like a documentary and a peek into the personalities of the band. I enjoy the extras more than the concert. Not to take away from the concert, it is still great. You get to see what each band member is like and know a bit about who they are and what makes them the way they are. If you have little kids, don't watch it with them: occasional swearing/adult language and topics. Inspiring, funny and entertaining!



5. Rock Steady Live is a pretty good DVD, except I wish the band would've performed more Rock Steady tracks like Making Out, Rock Steady, and Waiting Room. Besides that, the best part of the show is Just a Girl. That's about the peak of the DVD.

4 comments about Bob Marley - Greatest Hits.

1. If you love Bob Marley this is a great CD. If your new to Marley and want to get a real feel for his music this is a really good CD to pick up. Tons of hits even the obscure ones. I just wish the sound quality was better. I guess you cant have it all.



2. Great CD for fans just introduced to marley's work! MINE CAME ON TIME! :)



3. I wish I could rate this cd that I purchased 2 months ago (Dec 4, 2001), but it is still in a delay. I bought it for my neice and her new husband for Christmas and we are now into February and they have no gift from me yet. I am sure this will be a gift to remember, if it ever gets here. Maybe I can make it cover 2 Christmas'. (when I ordered, Standard Delivery was suggested in time for Christmas...)



4. I wish I could rate this cd I purchased 2 months ago (Dec 4, 01), but it is still in a delay. I bought it for my neice and her new husband for Christmas and we are now into February and they have no gift from me yet. I am sure this will be a gift to remember, if it ever gets here. Maybe I can make it cover 2 Christmas'.

5 comments about Operation Ivy.

1. Gritty, poppy, serious, fun, punk rock, and Nancy Sinatra covers...
   
   All those things seem contradictory. But Operation Ivy were all of these things. Pick this up, then pick up Seedy... hunt down anything else you can and sadly regret that there wasn't more.



2. *totally* positive, *totally* progressive, not *at all* smacking of over-indulgent self-obsessiveness OR holier-than-thou self-righteousess.. this album managed to be totally extreme while avoiding all negative extremes.. a truly great piece of work... what can one say? simply put, one of the greatest albums of all time... yes, I remember where I was, who I was, and when I was first listening to this album... it shaped me and gave me a voice... brilliant
   Punk Cookery, The Punk Rocker's Cafe Cookbook, Vegetarian Specialties



3. This Cassette edition contains:
   
   The Energy LP (Lookout 10)
   The Hectic EP (Lookout 3)
   the 2 tracks from MRR 2 Turn It Around Compilation



4. husker du-zen arcade: classic
   dinosaur jr-you're living all over me: classic
   built to spill- well anything by them is classic
   uncle tupelo- no depression: classic
   pavement-slanted and enchanted: classic
   replacements-let it be: classic
   the pogues-and i shall fall from the grace of god:classic
   neutral milk hotel-on avery island:classic
   minutemen-double nickels on the dime:classic
   pixies-doolittle:classic
   descendents-milo goes to college:classic
   black flag-early years: classic
   
   and finally
   operation ivy-energy,seedy,plea for peace: classic
   
   
   may the test of time be standed, we are ready



5. If you've been having trouble finding a copy of Operation Ivy's CD since Lookout lost the rights to it DON'T BUY A OVERPRICED USED COPY. Rancid will be self releasing a brand new version of the CD, digitally remastered and in a new digipak case on May 1st. For some reason Amazon has not listed it yet but they should soon.