1 comments about Ska Chartbusters.

1. I really like Ska and Punk, especially covers! I wasn't disappointed at the quality of the music >> it is really great! I was disappointed that there is only 8 songs on he second CD and two of them are the same songs, just done by different bands. In all fairness I knew this when I bought it. Seek and Destroy and Wake me up before you go are definitely the best songs on here.

3 comments about No Doy!.

1. i've had this CD since it was released... and i still love it. Yeah, a lot of the songs sound similar, but you could apply that to most artists. Pep Squad's stripped down rock beats are catchy and you'll find yourself singing along too!



2. Though this CD clocks in under 30 minutes, every second is full of great alternative pop. Depth is not the key here. What bubbles to the surface is catchy hooks and dripping guitars that will stick in your head all day. This is what modern alternative is all about! Don't get me wrong, there is little innovation in the music style and the words will probably make you smile instead of think, but this CD captures both the raw sound of the stage and and clean studio pop in such a brilliant combination that it deserves more than a passive listen. It totally rocks! Definately one of the greatest(and most underrated) rock CD's ever released in the Christian market.



3. "Paper doll" and "bored out of my gourd" is the same song.Okay album but all the songs sound a like. If you get this CD you'll get tired of it fast!

5 comments about Hopelessly Devoted to You Too, Vol. 2.

1. Remember purchasing this CD sampler for $2 of lesser-known punk bands several years ago when I saw Against All Authority open for G.B.H. believe it was. Total of twenty-one tracks to lure us to run out and buy CD's by the up & coming (most of them never went anywhere) of bands like the previously mentioned Against All Authority, the Queers, 88 Fingers Louie, Mustard Plug and Digger.



2. Ten largely unknown punk bands, two songs a piece and a bonus uncredited version of "Walk Like An Egyptian" make up this compilation from 1998 by Hopeless Records. These tracks too often sound like they're coming from the same band of loud aggressive vocals and garage punk musicians but there are some distinct outstanding moments. Amsterdam's "Funeral Oration's" two contributions have some great hardcore pop hooks and sound like refreshed early "Smiths" singles minus Morrisey's efeminacy. "Against All Authority" adds a brass influence to its heavy guitars and drums creating an eerie punk marriage of ska and metal. Permanently etched on the back cover of the CD is the price quote in the tradition of indie/punk music. It's certainly worth it's cheap price.



3. Hopless has a few really good bands (AAA, Fifteen, D4 ect.) and them some really garbage pop bands (Queers, Nobodys Funeral Oration) if hopeless would just dump the pop bands it would be one of the best label's around. But they carry pop and are forced into mediocracy. Sigh.



4. I bought this record because I was fortunate enough to sample Mustard Plug at a Barnes and Noble from beginning to end. After hearing Mustard Plugs latest I proceeded to buy all of their CDs I could find and picked this one up and found out I liked all of the bands on this CD from Hopeless Records. I am now planning on buying more CDs from this label.



5. this cd has a great group of bands you got your good punk bands like AAA and mustard plug then yoou got your other bands like queers and funeral oration. the nto top it all off you got your bonus track walk like an egyption this is a great record a have to buy

5 comments about Rock Steady Live.

1. This video is excellent. A real No Doubt concert with several audio options. Worth every penny. Don't forget to get Beacon Street and Eveything in Time. These are two of No Doubt's best.



2. 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.



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



4. 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.



5. 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!

2 comments about Island 40, Vol. 5: Reggae Roots.

1. If you could have one and only one reggae CD, this would be the one to buy. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to the genre, this is an excellent compilation, covering the very best of roots, lover's rock, dub, and dancehall reggae on one lenthy CD. In short, you cannot go wrong with this one. Its' a winner.



2. I recently got interested in reggae music and wanted to expand my horizons beyond the great Bob Marley. This compilation of tracks from Island Records artists is a terrific sampler and it exposed me to a lot of great reggae artists that I was otherwise not familiar with (Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Lee "Scratch" Perry, and many others.) The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is that some of the newer tracks (from the 1990s) are a little weak in my opinion. If you are looking to explore reggae though, this is a good place to start.

4 comments about Live at Reggae Sunsplash 1982 With Israel Vibration.

1. To have this album is to have a fine jewel. It was Sunsplash in its classic roots era, before dancehall had taken its toll on the people. The Gladiators and IV's sets are distinct and different. It was a bit difficult to get the mood of the crowd as the engineers faded that out of the CD, but you can hear some of them. The sound is not the greatest, but you are able to feel the live momentum of the music especially when Gladiators' Albert Griffiths goes into rub-a-dub mode. The songs end sometimes flat, but nonetheless you get the gist of some great reggae music. IV's set was not the best I've heard live, at times was a bit dull, but their wicked tune, "Friday Evening" "Licks & Kicks" do them justice.



2. This album has some of the best music ever. It is one of my all time favorites. If you like the Gladiators, Izzy Vibes, or reggae, then you will love this album. You can't listen to this album and stay still, it makes you want to move.



3. Raw,live & free.If you like isreal vibration/the gladiators,this is the mother of all live cd's,a clean recording with the best these two bands have to offer.You will find yourself shopping for more live reggae after you hear this one.



4. This Cd displays the best of both of these artists. it is one of the best recent reggae cd out today

1 comments about Look at All the Love We Found - A Tribute to Sublime.

1. This is a high energy lively set that features many artists in a tribute to Sublime. The feature itself is more than the music as it also has various artists giving their recollections of the band which reveal interesting anecdotes. Most concurr that Sublime was one of the best bands of the nineties. Some of the versions of the Sublime songs are mediocre by comparison to the originals whereas others are quite memorable. Some of the bands are hardly known whereas others are pretty big. The opening number "Get Out" is an accoustic version that is middle of the road, followed by the Long Beach Shortbus performing "Badfish that sort of sets the tone for this locals only type tribute. It is not until Unwritten Law performs "Saw Red/ Save Me" that the crowd becomes ignited. The highlight performances are the hip-hop infused "Alphabet" by Aerobics, the three mic vocal performance by AWOL One on "Waiting for my Ruca" that is maybe cooler than the original, the way cool reggaesque version of "Pawnshop" by Los Lobos and the closing jam session version of "What I Got." The bonus material is worthwhile as it features another Los lobos version of "Pawn Shop" that was recorded at the release party for the album "Look at All The Love We Found" that features Sublime original Bud Gaigh on drums. Also included in the bonus material a music viseo of fishbones version of "Date Rape" that is pretty funny considering the seriousness of the subject and a photo slide show. Included with this DVD is another CD with live versions and additional recordings of Sublime songs.If you like Sublime I would recommend the excellent "Everything Under The Sun" DVD over this as this disc is more of a novelty featuring interpretations of Sublime songs. However,if you liked Sublime in the nineties than you will probably like these familiar songs reworked by different artists in homage.

2 comments about The Black Sea.

1. The Good
   Right from the onset, "Ashes of Armies" hits you with frantic pulsing drum beats and driving heavy riffs. A reggae/ska style guitar lick guides you through the melodic verses, while the fury returns with the chorus. It's more intense drum work on "Chemical," but the guitars focus more on melody and structure than on crushing riffs. The chorus is both tuneful and quite catchy. "Damn the Dream" leads in with a wah-wah guitar lick and follows through with meaty riffs and powerful vocals. The chorus has a rock-radio feel and is the most infectious of the bunch.
   
   "Drowning Not Waving" has a repetitive hook with both its music and lyrics. It's less in-your-face than other tracks, but it's still killer. Clean single-note guitar picking supports enduring and emotional vocals on "Helicopter." The gloves come off and Divided By Zero come out swinging on "Double Negative." The group mixes a little ferocity with serenity. I don't think that distortion can get any heavier than on the track "Don't Wait."
   
   The Bad
   Not a damn thing!
   
   The Verdict
   Just when you thought that the resurging metal scene was starting to fade away, here comes Divided by Zero to renew your passion for metal. The Black Sea will make you throw up the devil horns and thank God that you're a metal fan.



2. Divided by Zero hail from San Diego and deliver an album part melodic, punk and even a touch of reggae at times. The album is solid, taking you on a rock n roll ride, then mellowing out all on one record. It's fueled with the fury of dual guitars, double bass drive and the upbeat pace and attitude of punk rock.
   
   The song "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" stands out on the album because it's the only song that also combines the reggae and ska vibe into it. The other songs, like "Helicopter" have different electronics incorporated into them, along with the interlude "Anoxis".
   
   Divided by Zero goes a long way beyond in trying to give different vibes and emotions on this debut and very good album.

2 comments about Uptown Top Ranking: Joe Gibbs Reggae Productions 1970-78.

1. From the ragged-but-right, early reggae sounds of Nicky Thomas and Peter Tosh, through the reverent roots sound of Junior Byles, to the smooth pop-reggae of Althea & Donna, this excellent compilation of Joe Gibbs-produced tracks has just about everything you could want on one compact disc. There's not a bad song in the bunch, but my personal favorites are "Maga Dog"(Tosh), "Don't Be Prejudice"(Max Romeo), "I've Got a Feeling"(Heptones), "African Queen"(Augustus Pablo), "Heart and Soul"(a really beautiful song by Byles), "A Win Them"(Leo Graham), "Uptown Top Ranking"(Althea & Donna), and version two of "Money in My Pocket"(Dennis Brown).
   When you spin this disc, you won't have to worry about using the "skip" function on your CD player--it's great from start to finish. If you're buying reggae compilations as primers, another fantastic one to get is Lee "Scratch" Perry's "The Ultimate Collection" on the Hip-O label. It also features tracks by Romeo, the Heptones, Pablo, and Byles--as well as the Wailers, the Congos, George Faith, Junior Murvin, and Scratch himself.



2. WE CAN ONLY REVIEW ONE SONG ON THIS CD, NAMELY "UPTOWN TOP RANKING". THIS SONG TOPPED THE BRITISH CHARTS AND IS IN THE "GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD HIT SONGS", THE ARTISTES ARE THE LEGENDARY FIRST LADIES OF DJ/RAP MUSIC IN THE WORLD, "ALTHEA & DONNA". WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS COMPILATION IS IN HONOR AND RESPECT OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED ACHIEVEMENTS (JUST TO MENTION A FEW) AND NOT THE USUAL ROAD TO EXPLOITATION WHICH IS PREVALENT IN THE REGGAE MUSIC INDUSTRY. "ALTHEA AND DONNA" NEEDS TO BE APPLAUDED FOR THE DOORS THAT THEY HAVE OPENED FOR OTHERS IN "THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MUSIC".

5 comments about Photographs.

1. Ok, so a lot of other reviewers complained about this being a big let down. I'll admit that this album is not as good as their past ones, and if this is the first time I had heard the band I wouldn't like them near as much. But the album is catchy pop punk. There are some songs that beg to be sung along to in the car and some fun songs that had me bobbing my head.
   Yes the album is dark, but MEST has always had dark issues with their songs...(think Drawigng Board, f*** up kid, mother's prayer, etc...) That hasn't changed on this album, it just seems like they are trying to take the "dark" more seriously instead of making jokes out of it.
   Like I said this isn't as good as the last 3 Mest Albums in my opinion. But if these songs had been intermixed with songs off of those albums, you'd never know the difference.



2. When I think of Mest, I think of fun pop/punk with a little reggae influence. This sums up their first three major label releases (all of which were phemonenal albums). This album is emo. Bad emo. Their style has changed so much in one album that it's mindblowing. You can tell just by looking at some of the song titles ("Kiss Me, Kill Me", "As His Black Heart Dies (My Mistake)", "Graveyard", "Nightmare", etc.) that this is a darker album. The problem is that darker doesn't necessarily mean more mature. In fact, with this album Mest is regressing.
   
   The lyrics are littered with words like "blood", "dark" and a lot of them allude to suicide. The lyrics aren't good, nor are they original. In fact, it seems as though Tony and Jeremiah went through a bout of a writer's block, so instead of writing lyrics they broke into the house of some random angsty 14-year-old who hates his parents and stole the kid's crappy poetry.
   
   This album also includes Mest's worst song of all-time: "Last Kiss". The lyrics are so childish and angsty that it's nothing short of utter rediculousness. Here's a little sample: "Stare at you as you slit my wrist, and as we share our last kiss, hold me as we die". These are lyrics I might be able to appreciate if I was 14-years-old. As I'm 21, I see how silly and overly dramatic they are. And since Tony, who wrote the song, is quite a few years older than I am, he has no excuse. This is just terrible.
   
   There are only three songs on this album that I like. None of the three hold a candle to any song off Mest's last three albums, but here goes: "Take Me Away (Cried Out To Heaven)", "Photographs" and "This Time". All three are decent, and almost reminiscent of Mest's previous sound.
   
   After putting out this album, I'm glad Mest broke up.



3. This CD is, for the most part, classic MEST. I don't know why many people seem to disagree. "Take Me Away" is one of the best rock songs of the year, not some screamo garbage or standard pop-punk. It is such a cool song. "Graveyard" is another standout. All that's missing is the FUN MEST - I love cruising in my RX and listening to "Destination Unknown" and I hope MEST does another album like that one. But their sound is unique, a gorgeous, beautiful sound. "This Time" is an emotional ballad better than anything Coldplay could ever write. As a band, the performances are the best on this CD, but the songs are not ALL good (most are.) MEST has the potential to break the sound barrier with their next CD if they combine the rocking fun of "Destination" with the musical sophistication of this album. Tony if you read this don't ever give this up. You guys will have your time on top of the world, and it will all have been worth the wait.



4. I simply can't believe that the band who wrote "drawing board", "cadillac" and the entire s/t punk masterpiece of 2003 could be behind this crap, but they are. "photographs" is a complete 180 from past mest releases, and I for one plan to never buy a mest record or go to a mest show again. Bands who change so much shouldn't even continue under their old name. Change the sound? Change the name. Simple as that.



5. What the hell!!! My friend bought me this album for my birthday and it looked to be a darker and more mature Mest. I put it in my stereo and this is not Mest they have turned pop as hell! Mest is the band that wrote "Drawing Board" "Cadillac" and "Breaking Down", this is a new Mest trying to make it to the MTV mainstream, if you thought the old Mest were too punk then you will definitely like this album, but if you're a big Mest fan then i suggest you make your way across the cd shop and go check out Cauterize or Saves The Day