5 comments about NEW MAPS OF HELL.

1. I love these guys and if I had the option for a 1.5 stars I would have given it. I own all the albums (even Into the Unknown which was it's own whole fiasco) and this one sounds like dirty dish water compared to all but the New America album. I'm not sure if these guys are done or if this is just that bad album every epic band puts out once a decade. I sincerely hope this album is just a mistake, because they're just that good....
   
   Don't buy this album. Pick up "Recipe for Hate" or "Suffer" and enjoy some classic punk!



2. Im not sure why a Bad Religion fan could be dissapointed with this, I have come to the conclusion that is at least in there top 5 albums. The first half of the album barely leaves you the chance to catch your breath. Just straight up musical brutality. The 2nd half is a little smoothed out, but not weak by any stretch. I think of all the things I love about BR, what i love most is that they dont sell out, but mangage to give you something fresh on each release. IF you wanted Empire 2 you wont get it here. IF you want Bad Religions Most aggressive work to date this is it. I cant go a day without listening to it, Very Loud!!



3. If you like Bad Religion, you'll like this. If you like punk rock, you'll like this. It's not Bad Religions best, however, it DOES sound like Suffer era Bad Religion with newer production and a ton of impressive backing vocals. The reason I love this album so much is that it is consistent. There really is no really standout tracks, but instead many really good tracks. It won't fail to impress.



4. Bad Religion-New Maps Of Hell ****
   
   One of the most memorable things I have ever been apart of was seeing bad religion touring with the Warped tour in support of this album which was to come out the next day. They were second main on the bill, and this was in Denver, Colorado and it had rained all day till Bad Religion came out, they played amazing and the entire crowed was throughing water bottles over from one side to the next and this went on for the entire set....fantastic.
   
   The next day I bought the album and put it on and was not disappointed in the slight. While it isn't the greatest Bad Religion I have ever heard it is certainly the best since Stranger Than Fiction. Graffins lyrics are as always very intelligent and informative. Bret Gurewitz and crew lay down solid guitar lines and Brooks Wackerman is still beating the crap out of his drums like it's 1985.
   
   'Heroes & Martyrs' along with 'Germs Of Perfection' point to subject matter often not tackled. As "un-punk" as this statement is 'New Dark Ages' should have been a hit single. 'Requiem For Dissent' sounds and feels like Stranger Than Fiction would have been a better home for it but is still good. 'Honest Goodbye' became a hit despite it's shocking imagery of In Cold Blood, which is refreshing, and 'Grains Of Wrath' is one of the very best songs Bad Religion ever did. Many are pointing to '52 Seconds' as the albums opus, and I must say it sounds all too familiar for them.
   
   Is this worth owning for more than just the hit singles yes, and in fact it was one of the better albums to emerge from 2007.



5. This CD is a must for any Bad REligion or Classic punk fan. I'm listening to it right now. The best tracks are. Grains of Wrath, Dearly Beloved, Honest Goodbye, Murder, and Before You Die.

5 comments about REJECT ALL-AMERICAN.

1. When Bikini Kill announced a female only gig in Berlin, I felt this would be as good a time as any to dress as a woman and attempt to bluff my way into a concert. My friends were only too willing to help out with clothing a wig and make up. At first I was far from convincing. At best I looked like a masculine teenage girl, at worst an ugly transsexual in urgent need of an operation.
   Although as a perceived sexually challenged person I might gain access to the gig, I desired to fool the club and not be let in for sympathetic reasons. Two days out from the gig and I agreed to my roommates suggestion to wax my eye brows use foundation and eyeliner. I had a quality raven shoulder length wig from an old girlfriend and suddenly I was getting somewhere. I used a few tissues in a push up bra (no wonder women love these things) to become more shapely. With my bomber jacket open and leather pants I was morphing into a biker chick. Instead of gravitating to fire engine red lipstick I choose a subtler pink for my lips, with some gloss over that for added effect. Their was only one way to hide my chunky hands and that was to wear Audrey Hepburn style gloves, they were a size too small but worked a treat.
   None of my female friends were interested in seeing the gig so I would have to purchase the ticket myself. This undoubtedly would be the most critical part of the operation.
   On the night of the gig I had several drinks before catching a cab to the gig and then marching as confidently as possible into the entrance of the venue. The support band was noisily bashing away in the background which meant I only had to raise one finger to indicate I was paying for myself only. Damn I made it!!!
   As far as I could tell their wasn't a male in the place. I did wonder if some other guy had infiltrated this this forbidden zone making the gig into a monty python skit.
   The girl behind the bar looked totally bored and tired, so purchasing beer was no problem. I could have worn a third breast and she may not have noticed. I could feel some girls checking me out, so I was careful not to make eye contact or look too inviting.
   I saw half of Bikini Kill's set before another problem reared it's head. I need to pee and was not going to use the female bathroom.
   The male bathroom was a trip. Spotlessly clean with a rose scent in the air, not a drop of urine in the urinal at 1;00am Sunday morning!!! On leaving the bathroom several female bouncers escorted me to the exist and with stone cold faces pushed me out the door. Bikini Kill were ok, they preached to the converted, but the girls had fun, and so did I.



2. This is by far Bikini Kill's poppiest album, and that doesn't mean they've become tame!
   I dare not say they have "matured", because their previous statements were powerful and become more true everytime you listen to them. The roar of Pussy Whipped, the prevalescence of DIY and the screech of guitars in CD Version, the stylish Singles, are milestones in the history of punk rock.
   
   The sound of Reject All American is different from any of BKs other work. The breathtaking surfer vibe, the catchy hooks and unfogettable lines Kathleen throws at you. Bikini Kill delivers everything from compelling and tuneful slower numbers (R.I.P, For Only, False Start, Tony Randall), to our beloved fast loud fun political little pieces (Statement of Vindication, Capri Pants, No Backrub--- BEEN PROGRAMMED TO SELF DESTRUCT, Bloody Ice Cream, Finale). There's pop songs like Jet Ski and Reject All American... this album wont' wear out!
   
   Maybe it isn't the "girls with the bad reputation" at their rawest, but they sure as hell are gonna "make you pay" anyways. Tobi's and Kathleen's vocals are as mind blowing as ever, the songwriting is every time more brilliant! only word I can find to describe it.
   
   If you are honestly gonna judge this according to its "poppiness", you lose. Bikini Kill win. They can't lose, they're the real princesses.
   
   My favorite tracks are Statement of Vindication, R.I.P, Jet Ski, No Backrub, Bloody Ice Cream, Distinct Complicity, and Capri Pants



3. Postoje samo dva punk beda. Sex Pistols i Bikini Kill.
   Sve ostalo sto se svrstava za punk je smesno.
   Punk kultura je jedno a punk muzika je nesto sasvim drugo.
   Reject All American je jedan od onih albuma koji zasluzuje svaku paznju i pohvalu.



4. Bikini Kill were one of the original riot grrrl bands in the early '90s. This was their last album, and more polished than their previous works. I think it's an awesome album and a great place to start with Bikini Kill. All the songs are excellent, there is not a single bad song on here. My favorites being 'Statement of Vindication', 'Capri Pants', 'Jet Ski', 'Tony Randall', 'Reject All American', and 'Finale'. Kathleen Hanna's voice takes some warming up to at first, but before you know it you suddenly fall in love with her snotty brat girl voice. I'm really glad I've found out about this band and I wish we had bands like Bikini Kill still around. Female musicians are so overlooked, it's a shame.



5. Back in the mid to late '90s, I was not the goth/industrial loving freak that I am now. I was much more into punk music. I was so anti-establishment. One of my favorite punk albums that has really shaped my disdain for major record labels was "Reject All American" by Bikini Kill. I thought at the time this was the most brilliant cd I had ever heard because Kathleen Hannah and co. totally eschewed mainstream rock aesthetic in terms of playing polished rock music. "Reject All American" was definitely one of the angriest cds I had ever heard. The razor sharp lyrics of Kathleen Hannah resonated with me. And as raw and unpolished the music was, there still was a pop sensibility to the songs. They were all incredibly catchy and melodic just like The Ramones' music was. I especially love the ferociousity of the opening track "Statement of Vindication" and the incredibly infectious "Capri Pants" and the title track. I haven't listened to "Reject All American" in a few years because my musical tastes has evolved over the years but as I am listening to it, I find myself falling in love with the music once again. Sometimes the greatest bands don't always have the longest careers in music, and Bikini Kill is definitely one of them. Bikini Kill was a pure representation to how bands should operate which is totally free of major record label and to forego the typical rock aesthetic and the unspoken rules that goes with being a rock star.

1 comments about Die, Die My Darling.

1. This is only 3 songs long... But, Two of them are great songs. I happen to like the cover art quite a bit too. Well worth up to about 7 dollars. Title track and We Bite are excellent songs. When I was Young we bite used to be the selling point as everyone already had the other 2 songs. And it is cool... Really aggressive and choppy like most of the Earth AD/ Wolfs Blood session stuff but it also moves into a great vocal melody delivered a little too fast. Highly recomended

No comments about HEADACHE (EP).

5 comments about Veni Vidi Vicious.

1. 3 1/2
   
   Under a half hour The Hives tore through their snarling London-via-Sweden punk revival with glam-rcok inklings (found especially in the singers delivery for better or worse). Many songs do not have the bombastic vision that their singles usually possessed, but from the opening notes it remained undeniable that the unit, however derivative at times, attacked every note and word in full force, somehow almost justifying the short length of the lp.



2. Plain and simple, this album is loud, heavy-hitting garage rock at its finest. From the very outset, The Hives punch you in the face with a relentless stream of power-chords, pounding drums, and "screw you!" vocals. The band let's you catch your breath for a moment on their rendition of "Find Yourself Another Girl" but then quickly resumes the onslaught before eventually finishing up with the catchy "Supply & Demand". If you heard "Main Offender" and/or "Hate To Say I Told You So" and thought "Hey, this ain't too bad", then do yourself a favor and pick up Veni Vidi Vicious today. Don't be fooled by reviewers who claim The Hives are nothing but a ripoff of The Who, The MC5, etc...let's not forget, those bands were ripoffs too.



3. I don't know why this album in particular has instigated this tirade from me but for some reason all the bad reviews have really pissed me off. For whatever reason I'm in the habit of reading the lowest rated reviews of albums I like first. Usually I just laugh at the ignorant fools who say stuff like, "The Velvet Underground is the most over rated band in history," and you won't find a more vigorous Velvets defender than me. But the handful of lousy reviews for this album, which I don't even give 4 stars myself, really made me mad.
   First of all, I think that in 2006 it's really idiotic to dismiss a band because they sound like another band. So the Hives are obviously derivative of the MC5, the Kinks, Da Stooges, etc. and those bands did it first and better. Of course they did... THEY'RE THE F**KING MC5! But you know what? The MC5 hasn't made any new music since 1971. So any band that worships them as much as I do is cool with me. As long as they don't rip off riffs directly I'm ok with "derivative". Because if you like that old-school crummy rock it's hard to come by and you should be dying for more. Besides in this day and age it's almost impossible to NOT be derivative of something (before you jump down my throat, I know there are exceptions: Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Tom Waits - off the top of my head). As long as it's done right, with the appropriate reverence/humor, it's perfectly acceptable to wear your influences on your sleeve.
   Secondly, when people complain that a 30 minute rock album is a rip off because it's too short just tells me that those idiots have absolutely no understanding of rock-n-roll at all let alone the history of the music business. You see, in the glory days before Compact Discs destroyed music 30 - 40 minutes was the most music you could cram on an LP without losing fidelity. More than that and you had to either cram the grooves so close you lost sound or you had to move it on to a second LP which was prohibitively expensive. That's part of the reason some of those first 2 lp albums are real classics, i.e. The White Album, Exile on Maine Street, Blonde On Blonde. [Actually the White Album is a bad example because it was the first album on Apple Records but you get my point.] In order to convince the label to put out two LPs you really had to have something to say. Otherwise your album got cut to fit the medium, therefore you left the weaker songs off the record. The CD's 75 minute format allowed artists to become very poor self-editors. Whatever crap they recorded got slapped on the CD. Rarely is there a 75, or even 60 minute album that is good all the way through but, now, the music buying public, in true American-Consumer fashion, has come to demand quantity over quality. "If I'm going to spend $18 on a CD I better be getting 75 minutes of music even if 45 minutes of that is pabulum I'll never listen to." (For a few years a backlash to this has been building, hence the success of iTunes.)
   Anyway, my long rambling point is that - More Is Rarely Better! The Hives' 30 Minute Veni Vidi Vicious is the perfect length. No filler. No tedious solos that need to be skipped over. The longest song clocks in at 3:22; no time to get bored here. Just 12 short kick-ass examples of garage rock in almost it's purest form. I say "almost" because, despite what some reviewers here say, this album is overproduced. Personally, I really cherish that recorded-in-my-parent's-basement kind of feel to my crappy rock records; this album is obviously meant to be a little bit more radio friendly. I can't fault them for that but it's just not my thing.
   Bottom line is that this is a fun record and I think that a majority of the reviews have missed this point. If you understand that when I call some music "crappy" I don't necessarily mean it derogatorily or if you appreciate Lenny Kaye's Nuggets Collection or if you have a collection of cherished 45s you bought at local rock shows then I trust this album will make you smile. No, it's not as good as the MC5 or the Stooges or what ever high water marks you want set for Rock... But what is? If you can't get over that I can only suggest your life would be much happier if you get off that pretentious pole you've got lodged in your rectum.



4. i love the Hives. This album is so fast and loud and not like anything else around today, i don't understand how you could not like it. Sure Howlin' Pelle is a bit hard to understand, but he's so high energy and amazing! if you like music, you definetly need to own this CD



5. Its been a while since a band like the Hives have been around. Bands liike the Stooges and the New York Dolls were bands that had the energy, the anger, and the talent to pioneer punk rock. Raw Power by the Stooges especially showed what a breakneck speed thrashing guitars, anthemic, though at times repetitive drum work, and a screeching voice can do. The Hives remind me so much of these great bands, and they certainly hold their own.
   
   This album is packed into a half hour, but after that short half hour, you will feel like you need to sit down somewhere and take a breather. The screaming, breaking vocals of Howlin' Pelle never ceases to amaze me. One reviewer stated that musically this album was amazing, but the voice was horrible. But in response to that, how many other singers could keep up with their music, and maintain the energy??
   
   This is such a fun album. Some of my favorites are the anti-capitlaist Die, Alright!, Main Offender, Hate to Say I Told You So, and The Hives Introduce the Metric System of Time. one thing to know about this album, not to stray from the quality of the album, is that it just might have been the Hives golden age. Their debut Barely Legal is faster, harder, and much sloppier. this approach has its appeal, but it isn't the amazing punk rock record that this is. Their followup to this album, Tyrannosaurus Hives, was good, but it seemed to have mellowed some. I guess most bands don't feel they can only put out continually crazy albums, and i am proud of them for experimenting with more serious forms of rock. but their specialities are seen here. so pick this up, and prepare to fall in love as you are rocked straight out of your socks! (heh heh sorry for the bad pun, it just seemed to fit!)

No comments about LUNGS (EP).

5 comments about In a Priest Driven Ambulance.

1. I can't recommend this enough. The acid fried psychedelic majesty of this album is something to behold. Buy it and for God's sake, turn it up!
   Some info on the vinyl release - There is a 15 track colored vinyl reissue on the same label (Plain). That's the one that came out in late 2005. I don't necessarily know which one the sellers are offering, so you might want to check. The extra 5 tracks are "Lucifer Rising", "Ma, I didn't notice", "Let Me Be It", "Drug Machine", and "Strychnine/Peace, Love and Understanding". These tracks are the same that are on the first disc of the expanded CD reissue of this - "The Day They Shot A Hole In the Jesus Egg."
   Enjoy. The early days of The Flaming Lips have been sorrowfully overlooked.



2. The Flaming Lips are perhaps one of the greatest bands of all time.



3. This was the 3rd Lips album that I heard (after Transmissions and Clouds) and the one that converted me from a casual fan to a diehard. Everything comes together for this album (their last for the strugging Restless Records) as future Mercury Rev frontman Jonathan Donuhue adds a huge musical punch, adding extra sonic walls of blistering guitars and scorching feedback, creating an alternate universe of joyous noise-pop/rock.
   Every song is a classic hard-rocking jam, from the pounding "Unconsciously Screamin" to the deafening feedback-laden "God Walks Among Us Now". The album even adds two bonus tracks from the Screamin' EP: "Lucifer Risin" and "Let Me Be It". My favorite, however, is the downright beautiful cover version of "What A Wonderful World".
   The Lips never got as head-banging as this again. Click on that Buy button right now!



4. A transitional record for the Flaming lips, bridging the manic, eclectic psonic pspew of the 1st 3 releases & the more user-friendly major label output. The sonic barrage of "God Walks Among Us Now" and "Lucifer Rising" is balanced with the Zeppelin-meets-Neil-Young melodicism of "There You Are" and the memorable thump of "Take Me Ta Mars". Their ability to mix out-and-out WIERD with utterly compelling & accessible still confounds known natural laws to this day. This is where the zygote of what was to become today's Flaming Lips can be viewed, grinning.



5. I've been listening to the Flaming Lips quite a bit ever since "She Don't Use Jelly" became a semi-hit a while back. I just recently heard this album for the first time and I'll have to say I'm incredibly impressed and wish I had gotten this a long time ago. The sound on this album is very different from what they sound like now. It's very much a guitar-based sound and the Brian Wilson and 60's pop influences that really came through on their later stuff like "Clouds Taste Metallic" have yet to appear. Yet, this album is startlingly original; there isn't any other band that they really remotely sound like. The songs are all great, especially "God Walks Among Us" and "Mountain Side", two particularly caustic tracks that are incredibly catchy as well. "Mountain Side" in particular gets me; midway through it goes off into this noise breakdown for a few minutes only to go right back into the song again. To top it all off, the album ends with a great, unexpected cover of "What a Wonderful World". How can you get much better than this?

5 comments about Only Life.

1. One of the best albums of the mid to late 80's finds the Feelies in excellent form. Probably the best rendition of Lou Reed's "What Goes On" aside from the VU original that I have ever heard. Their simple chord progressions make for catchy, memorable songs. One album that I keep coming back to year after year, and it always sounds new and fresh. If you like the Feelies (or the Velvets), this is a great album for you.



2. I bought this album after hearing the Feelies open for REM many years ago. Every year or so, I pull the CD out to try to remember why I bought it. It's all pleasant enough while I'm listening to it, but a moment after the CD has ended, I can't remember a thing I heard. It never leaves any impression.

   Singer/songwriter Glenn Mercer is trying so hard here to sound like Lou Reed that he crosses the line from disciple to copycat. The playing is solid, but none of the songs are anything special. "Higher Ground" and "Away" are what pass for highlights here. If you want to hear someone sound like Lou Reed, why not just put on a Lou Reed CD?




3. This is another great album to play guitar to, but it's simpler than "Good Earth." This album celebrates the Feelies' obvious love for Velvet Underground, a musical reference perfectly obvious long before their rousing cover of "What Goes On" closes the album. There's loads of classic Feelies' chord music, with the vocals tilted into a Lou Reedesque direction, but still very understated in the genuine Feelies fashion. There's great ersatz Mo Tucker drumming (do people realize just how great she was?).

   If you can find this album, expect another collection that is as cohesive as "The Good Earth" but which is musically simpler and probably not quite as good. But listen to it a number of times; you will find that it's better than you first thought.




4. The Feelies have three incredible albums under their belt. Crazy Rhytms, their first album, has and incredible sound with some of their best songs. It is my favorite of their albums. Their second album, The Good Earth almost equals their first album. Only Life, their third album, is between The Good Earth and Crazy Rhytms. It's their second best. It's worth buying just for the cover of the Velvet Underground's What Goes On. It also has some of the Feelies most melodic and best songs. My personal favorites on the album are It's Only Life, Too Much, Higher Ground and Too Far Gone. Al the songs are great. I would strongly reccomend picking up all three of their albums.



5. This is an album with plenty of good tunes on it, particulary the title track and deep fascination. An old girlfriend gave me this on cassette back in '91 because she didn't like it. As a VU fan it really turned me on to this band. Too bad some of their better works like "The Good Earth" are out of print.

No comments about BLACK CELEBRATION.

3 comments about Greatest Hits Double LP.

1. Ah kwitcherbitchin folks, and look at the songs here: Despite the title, this collection is 3/4 material since 2004. Obviously, throwing in a few old classics is his own little tongue in cheek, but really folks, it's not a bad collection at all. Sure, he could have titled it "hits since the last collection" or something clearer.
   Look, the vinyl in a nice embossed cover with a giant picture of the Moz as you know and love him. It's on thick vinyl and fabulous. Why all the whining?



2. Moz is now living out the character he portrayed on the last Smiths record, Strangeways: "Re-issue! Re-package! Re-evaluate the songs, double pack with a photograph . . . extra track and a tacky badge . . . Best of! Most of! Satiate the need; slip them into different sleeves! Buy both and and be deceived."
   
   
   How many times are we going to have to endure the ol' hypocrite's repackaging of his career? The young Moz slagged this behaviour off, now he manifests it. Keep lining those melancholy pockets boy!



3. This is a fine album, but it really isn't Morrissey's career spanning greatest hits. Compare this to 2000's The Best of Morrissey, and you can see that many of his greatest hits have not been included on this Greatest Hits album: like Hairdresser on Fire and Interesting Drug. The label should have put out a double CD that really included all the hits of his solo career. Instead they put out an album that highlights his hits since 2000 plus a few hits from before 2000. While I do like many of the songs on this album, for the first time Morrissey buyer, I would recommend The Best of Morrissey so you can enjoy his best music.