5 comments about It's a Shame About Ray.

1. This is one of the best albums ever produced if you ask me. It's not like I'm a huge Lemonheads fan or anything, but this album is stellar. Even though it's not a sprawling album, in fact I think it comes in at under forty minutes, each minute is worth listening to. I think it's because every song,even if they're not supposed to be, makes you happy. They may even want to make you dance, and I hate dancing. My particular favorites would have to be "Rudderless", "The Turnpike Down", "Hannah and Gabi", and the amazing title track, "It's a Shame About Ray". If you want to listen to something that will make you feel good, listen to this. Oh yeah, there's also a cool cover of "Mrs. Robinson" on this as well. Check it out.



2. Believe me This isn't sour candy... "It's A Shame About Ray," was The Lemonheads fifth and best release (June 1992), their Breakthrough Album! It seems like in the early '90s after the metoric success & impact of Nirvana's: Nevermind, that there was a lot of alternative music suddenly gaining the attention that it deserved. A lot of late '80s "alternative" music wasn't heard by most of the mainstream public(bands like The Pixies or Husker Du). By 1992 Alternative was everywhere in Rock, on the radio and all over MTV (back when the channel played more music than TV shows). This is one my favorites from those days.
   The Lemonheads at one point were labeled "bubblegrunge" with the sweet harmonic vocals of Evan Dando and Julianna Hatfield (although she should sing more). A fabulous mellow, folky kind of Rockin' sound and this re-release closing track includes a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's: "Mrs. Robinson" - which is a really good faster version compared to the original. Also it was a song in heavy rotation at MTV and all over the radio igniting album sales.
   The title track is my favorite song, but all of them are great, catchy and just downright FUN! Other favorites of mine include: "Confetti"...He kinda shoulda sorta would have loved her if he coulda...(what a catchy rhymin' tune) "Rudderless" - "Buddy" (or "My Drug Buddy") - "Allison's Starting To Happen" - "Kitchen"(ooooooh,ba ba badoooooo) - & "Ceiling Fan in my Spoon." -Yes Happy tunes! The only downside to this album is that it's only 33 minutes, and really The Lemonheads only REALLY GOOD album - 5 stars



3. What can I say about the Lemonheads, they're one of the best bands I have ever heard. The chords that they use on some of their songs are awesome. Hannah and Gabi is a hard song to play, but I couldn't imagine making that song up out of thin air. I think this cd is among the best EVER. Just listen to the songs, every single one of them I would listen to for the rest of eternity.



4. After one reviewer clamed this album was "Better than Joy Division! Better than the Smiths!" I was surprised to find that "It's a Shame about Ray" was completely unimpressive music. The Lemonheads are not unique in any way; their music is equivalent to hearing a fly buzz. This album could be a soundtrack to a Dawson's Creek episode. Lyrics are neither appallingly stupid nor heart moving. Anyone playing with Fruity Loops on their P.C. could create a more unique sound than The Lemonheads "It's a Shame about Ray." If you like unmoving, unimpressive, downright boring music, this album is for you.



5. This is one of my favorite albums of the 90's. Great melodic songs with poignant lyrics. If you listen carefully to the songs, the album is basically a love letter from a scared young man with a drug problem. Kudos to Evan Dando for the courage to record such an honest and open album. Is there any lower-self esteem love song than 'Bit Part'? I'm referring to the original CD that doesn't have the gratuitous 'Mrs. Robinson' cover track, and track 5 is honestly titled 'My Drug Buddy', not the antiseptic 'Buddy'.

3 comments about Fanbelt Algebra.

1. like the other reviews,i cant recall when i came across this band...but sure glad i did.fast but melodic hardcore that makes you fell good buy it



2. i dont know how i discoverd this band but they totally rock. i dont know what they look like where their from ar anything about them, but the music speaks for itself.

   Grey Area Rules




3. I really can't remember how I came about this band. Maybe it was fate. But I'm glad I did. I'm kind of mad that they would compare this band to Green Day, these guys are so much more advanced than the power chords and major scales of Billy Joe. This cd finds its way back into my cd player every day at least, its just that good. The guitars are awesome, the drums are fast and loud, and the singer is someone even I can sing along with. Buy this cd if you are a fan of melodic punk rock at its best.

5 comments about Vs..

1. If you liked Ten but thought it could be a bit heavier you'll love this. This is the strongest album by them, the only this closer is the latest self titled album. It starts strong with 'go' and even in the middle of the album when they start to experiment with 'w.m.a' you're still totally sucked in. A lot of rock albums tend to have song after song that sounds the same but each song here has it's own feel, no two are similar at all. This album also has perhaps their best song ever 'rearviewmirror', raw emotion and loud guitars dominate this album and anyone who wants to know what the 90's grunge was all about has to check out this.



2. Is this the same band that made TEN WTF?!?!?! These songs are uninspired and lame, are they out of gas already!?!?



3. It's an understatement to say that Pearl Jam was one of the best grunge bands of all time. However, Vs. was the album in which Pearl Jam really turned grunge into a pop culture craze of the 90s.
   
   Stone Gossard shows off some of his best work on this album, playing another excellent famous electric solo on the song "Daughter". Pearl Jam also started to use acoustic guitars, but rather than reflecting hollow, shrill anger as Nirvana did, Pearl Jam almost made grunge sound like Creedence Clearwater Revival with their bright chords.
   
   Probably the most interesting departures include "W.M.A.", which has the catchiest tribal drum rhythm I've ever heard in a grunge song. The album also takes the time to explode into a Funkadelic funk guitar in the loud jam "Blood". Even though it doesn't seem like all these genres don't fit together at all, it sounds amazingly epic with Eddie Vedder screaming at the mic and awesome guitars and drums all around. The only time it seems that the instruments don't fit together is during the awkward Jimi Hendrix riffs in "Rats" that don't sound nearly as cool as they should.
   
   This is one of the best Pearl Jam albums, far better than their fourth album, "No Code." The instruments all complement each other surprisingly well--proving that they were one of the coolest loud bands ever at this time.



4. This is my favorite Pearl Jam album, because I like every song on it. I love to rock out to this CD while I'm driving!



5. This release isn't on par with "ten" to me, but it still ranks pretty high. It's hard-hitting rock with equally impacting lyrics. "Vs" marked the end of my tight squeeze on Pearl Jam, and as such, for me is the last of their real rock sound.

5 comments about Weed Forestin'.

1. I don't know why "Ladybugs" and "Healthy Sick" (two of my faves from "the Freed Man") aren't on here when they say they are...also missing is "Lou Rap" as well as all the cool in-between song noise and samples from the Freed Man. It's annoying, but this is still a gread CD.
   I'm hoping the Freed Man gets the same treatment the new release of Sebadoh III got.
   Smash your head on the punk rock!



2. This being the earilest works of the great indie trio known as sebadoh. The compliation here is a mixture of both weed forstein and the freed man, which were the trademark sebadoh sound before differences came about.
   
   The music here is raw, not in a punk rock way, it's just primitive. Recorded in various basements using acoustics, minimal electronic effects and various experiments with tape, it does sound like something after a while, but it takes a couple required listens to get used to the low-finess.
   
   Though the old sebadoh was split between Lou's neurotic songwriting and Eric's eccentric musicial style, it is more Lou then Eric doin up the albums finest tracks. Songs like Subtle Holy gift, Broken, Whitey peach, Brand new love and others get into your head and stay, the lyrics are sometimes a little too much, but that's the best part.
   
   Eric's stuff isn't very different, just a bit more experimental then what Lou was doing. Wall of doubt, Made Real, Moldy bread, Bridge like you are all very simple but catchy and inspired.
   
   Only drawback to me at least is the lack of eric's (and loobies) crazier works from the Freed man, Wall of doubt is remixed(?) on his one and Little man rears his ugly head.



3. This was my first ever Sebadoh record, and remains my favourite after all these years. Absolutely beautiful (and sad, and funny, and weird), it's a bit of a postmodern "Pink Moon," and perfect for fans of Lou's prettier, more acoustic stuff (like "Kath" and "Truly Great Thing"). Pick this one up if you can.



4. This is probably my favorite album ever. Amazing, beautiful, honest songs, recorded at home on 4-track or even with 2-track trickery. If most people tried this it would come out bad, but the fact that this album is so great shows you how talented Lou Barlow (and Eric Gaffney) is. One of the most personal albums I have ever heard, and was the perfect theme to my grade 12 school year. Every kid in high school should start listening to Sebadoh. It was the first time I actually started to understand what someone was saying in the lyrics, before I never really cared that much. After this album, I started buying albums for their lyrics as much as the music. It'll make you want to buy a 4-track and learn guitar. And yes, the track listing listed here is totally wrong (as far as the last half of the album goes). But of course it IS printed like that on the inside of the CD! The "Weed Forestin" part is identical to the original album, but the "Freed Man" half is quite different from the original. So don't think that you have the complete Freed Man LP if you buy this CD! Freed Man has many more songs (especially Lou songs (like 'Healthy Sick')) as well as different versions of a lot of the Eric songs! It is a must have! And so is "The Freed Weed"..



5. I've looked at most of the reviews of the other Sebadoh records and there's at least one for each that proclaims "this is the best Sebadoh album." Well, mine will be that review for the Freed Weed. It's the best. The purest songs. Lou, the self-described "folk terrorist" who wanted to "say things that made people uncomfortable...to the point where it wasn't cool anymore," he's in the zone. Just listen to Whitey Peach and Mr. Genius Eyes a few times. You even get to hear Eric before he went completely insane - see Made Real and Bolder (not on the list above for some reason). I love all their records but this one is my favorite.

5 comments about The Gang's All Here.

1. In my opinion this is DKM's best album. Every song rocks. I like the bagpipes and irish sound as well, but this is the purest punk album they've made with Al Barr. I have not heard much of DKM with the former lead singer, but their later stuff is getting too commercialized with the bagpipe sound. I'm not saying they are selling out because it's still a unique sound, it's just not as hard and loud as what is on this album.
   
   If you are into punk rock that emphasizes the rock and is less harcore, then this album will not disappoint you. The songs have catchy melodies, but are played loud and fast.



2. I always find it amazing that people write long ponderous reviews of a punk record. Here is the deal with The Gangs All Here - it rocks! It is a very punk record but still has elements that are further explored on subsequent DKM records. Very light on the pipes but some other traditional instruments sprinkled in here and there. For the most part though it is heavy guitars, drums and bass - as it should be!



3. I first heard the Murphys several years ago when a buddy insisted I give this album a listen. He was certain it would blow me away and he was right. I'm not really much of a punk fan, but what the Murphys have got goes beyond genre preference. These guys have got heart and soul. The only songs I do not care for are "Wheel of Misfortune" and "The Only Road", but the strength of the rest of the album far more than makes up for these two weaker tracks. "Curse of a Fallen Soul", "Upstarts and Broken Hearts", and "The Fighting 69th" are standout, and "Amazing Grace" is the best version of that hymn I've ever heard, bar none thanks to the sheer balls these guys have.



4. For some reason it took me about a year to really warm up this cd but now I love it! I'm from the Clash/Rancid camp and dispite teh fact that I've seen these guys twice live (and loved it) the vocals bothered me. Now I can hear the excellent punk song writing and riffs ... an the very unique sound these dudes have.



5. I believe this record ranks up there with Bad Religion's "Suffer", one of the greatest punk records ever made. The Gang's all Here is in general, a recording of UNITY. Something that is missing in the Punk scene. Songs about friendship, death and the wroking class...........It's all here

5 comments about Sing Loud, Sing Proud.

1. Its a great CD. I play it all the time. Definitely a must buy



2. What an awesome cd... i bought a flogging molly cd as well but dropkick murphy's are better by FAR!!



3. As I write this review, I'm still nursing myriad bruises and minor injuries from spending the entire Dropkick show in the pit two days ago. This band is one of the rare few that's just as good live, not to mention an incredible amount of fun.
   
   I have owned four copies of "Sing Loud, Sing Proud" and given them all away. I ought to start buying it in bulk. When I try to describe Dropkick to the uninitiated, I end up with "They're an Irish punk band outta Boston." But that doesn't come close to covering their unique energy and hard-core yet feelgood sound.
   
   At their show, I made friends with a bunch of guys in their forties wearing Boston ballcaps, a punker couple in their early twenties, and people of all other ages and tastes. Loving Dropkick transcends all else, really - they're like a cult without the Koolaid.
   
   Buy this album, memorize this album, play this album while partying, drinking, fighting, and everything else. It's a very good soundtrack to one's life. Enjoy.



4. thats exactly how this album feels! you know, some irish songs and influences are good, but this is ridiculous. when 95% of your lyrical content is irish at least keep it interesting.(spicy mchaggis jig??? what the....?) so i say if your even interested in this cd or something 95% irish, get drunken lullabies or swagger by flogging molly instead, if you dont already have them. id also recommend the new murphys cd "the warriors code" if you want faster irish music done good. i give it 2 stars because its not nearly as bad as some of the other stuff out there. oh yeah rocky road to dublin kicks arse....thats about the only reason to even put this cd on. easily the worst DKM album



5. Disappointed in this one. Too much noise and not enough punk guitars pounding. I'd say to the Murphys: please leave the "anthems" up to the Pogues. Get DO OR DIE instead.

2 comments about 3 Strange Days.

1. There are six tracks on this CD single (Capitol #C2 15675):
   
   1. 3 Strange Days (LP Version)
   2. 3 Strange Days (Cramshaft Mix)
   3. 3 Strange Days (Edit)
   4. Where Have I Been
   5. Let's Pretend We're Married
   6. 3 Strange Days (Dub)



2. 1. Three Strange Days (LP Version)
   2. Three Strange Days (Cramshaft Mix)
   3. Where Have I Been?
   4. Let's Pretend We're Married (Prince cover)

5 comments about WITHIN A MILE OF HOME-PICTURE.

1. 
   
   Flogging Molly has a great balance of traditional and modern sounds that make for an exciting and intriguing listening experience on WITHIN A MILE FROM HOME. The songs run the gamut, from the frantic political rant of "Screaming at The Wailing Wall," to the wistful "Don't Let Me Die Still Wondering," one of the only tunes that lets the listener relax after all the high energy Celtic rock that is the norm for this CD. In between, standouts like "Seven Deadly Sins' with it frenzied playing and clever wordplay and "Factory Girls," with its look back at the life and memories of days when "She hears a chorus of factory girls, Singin' aoin and all, Empty are their pockets, but their voices are filled with song." Jump out at the listener, daring them to listen complacently. Occasionally I wouldn't mind a throttling down of the rhythm section and have a little more time to enjoy the interesting ideas that this band develops; but the overall effect is a making of a joyous noise even when the lyrics seriousness contradict the music's playfulness; this is the essence of what makes this band so eminently listenable.



2. My first introduction to Flogging Molly was the record Drunken Lullabies, and I immediately fell in love. Their brilliant combination of Irish folk music and straight up punk had me mezmerized from the start.
   
   Out of 15 songs there are about 3 I usually skip. And of those 3 none of them are intolerable, just not as good as the rest.
   
   Incredibly crafted songs that tell tales of past and modern life.
   
   The punk influences flow extremely well with the fiddle/banjo/mandolin/accordian/flute arrangements, these guys have amazing talent.
   
   Simply put, this is musical creativity and talent at its best.



3. My belt is to long, my hair to short and gray, I have no tattoo or body piercing. These things normally keep me away from the racks where this band is kept being more at home in Easy Listening, Jazz, Classical, Folk or Country. My CD collection has a strong Irish section. One side of my family came to America during The Great Hunger; the other came after the Easter Rebellion. Irish music and lore is part of the family and in the blood. The Clancy Brothers, The Irish Rovers, The Dubliners, The Chieftains and The Coors have all drawn on and contributed to the music of Ireland. These contributions have produced an electric lively interesting sound. Flogging Molly is building on this heritage and expanding it. These guys are good! They have a sound that is a combination of Irish music and punk rock that attracts and beguiles. My introduction was a ring tone on my son's phone but they appeal to any student of Irish music. This is a good introduction or addition to your CD collection with several strong tracks. Screaming at the Wailing Wall, Tomorrow Comes a Day too Soon and Don't Let Me Die Still Wondering are ones I liked. This is my first CD but it will not be my last.



4. this is definetly an amazing irish cd with a unique twist of punk.....it is truly amazing and you will enjoy every second of it



5. Flogging Molly is perhaps the most *fun* band I have ever listened to. From their lyrics to their back beat, just about any song by them is sure to help you out with that adrenaline rush, which is why I have them set as my go-to band when I step onto the Eliptical at the gym. Within A Mile Of Home really delivered, even with a slightly different sound, and I was so pleasantly surprised to hear the old Irish drinking song "Whisky On A Sunday" threaded into "Factory Girls" and "Tobacco Island" is just fantastic. I buy Flogging Molly CD's for my friends as birthday and Christmas presents because I'm always trying to spread the good word about this group.

5 comments about RANCID (5).

1. Rancid was at their best when doing the experimental ska and reggae of their previous album Life Won't Wait. But I believe that this album was created because of the backlash of fans who disliked them experimented and just wanted punk rock, nothing more. Yeah, way to keep your integrity, Rancid.
   As for this album, there are definitely some gems, but Rancid are at their best doing ska, reggae, or fun 70's style punk rock, like in ...AOCTW or the Operation Ivy days. Only a select few songs on this record contain the Rancid spirit I've been seeing in their albums; and those are Radio Havana, Let Me Go, and It's Quite Alright, while nearly every song on Life Won't Wait and Wolves contain the "Rancid spirit". WTF is up with the vocals? Lars Frederiksen, you are NOT Iam MacKaye. Lars seriously sounds like he's trying to sound like Ian. And Tim, have you had one too many cigarettes back in those days?
   Anyone saying that Rancid "returned to their roots" with this album could not be further from the truth. Ska, reggae, and fun punk rock, ARE the band's roots.
   
   Overall, its just an okay record. I think this hardcore music should best be kept to bands that know how to do it. I'd rather listen to this than Indestructible though, for that album truly is destructible.
   
   (and to all the "punk rawk" Rancid fans out there, if you want to comment on my review, please post something smarter and more constructive than "you're wrong, this is a great album", because that's all I've been seeing from you people lately)



2. I've been a Rancid fan since the first self-titled album, and this is easily their worst album. I don't mind that they went for a hardcore sound on this record rather than the ska and reggae sounds that were found on their two previous albums. My problem is that these aren't hardcore songs done well. There is no build-up, contrast, or surprises in most of the songwriting that would warrant the monotonous angry tone. For songs so loud and fast, they simply don't rock as hard as they should. I love good hardcore music, and I love Rancid, but aside from a few classic tunes like Radio Havana, I don't regularly play anything on this disc. Their other albums are just so much better.



3. This is by far Rancid's most "punk rock" album. It is very fast, ver hard, and most of the songs sound very angry. It's a lot different from the other albums, once again continuing Rancid's ever shifting genre. Good album.



4. this is by far the worst rancid record. people calling it a return to the bands earlier sound could not be further from the truth. this album sounds NOTHING like "lets go" or their s/t effor..it doens't even sound like 7" they point out on lookout records back in '92. Lars' voice sounds like total crap..i usually love the tracks he does vocals on. but i don't like a single song on here that he sings...he's trying to scream way to much instead of actually signing. there are a few pretty cool songs "black hawk down" "radio havana" "black derby jacket" but the bad songs realy really take away from the good...i always felt that this record was sort of in repsonse for some fans reaction to "life won't wait" (amazing album) but i could be wrong...overall..just not that impressed...I just gotta say i read a few other reviews below...i think someone said something how this album had "a lil dub influence" yeah i don't see it. No i mean there is not an ounce of dub on here. just thought i'd point on that



5. even though they are classics, lets go, life wont wait, and out come the wolves all contained the poppy worn out rancid that we have all grown to love...but life wont wait, still being really good, was starting to lag behind compared to the previous two....now along comes this album and it is a complete hardcore in your face album that really rejuvenates them.
   
   people will rag on this for them ditching the ska and what not..and yes i agree that this isnt as good as the other self titled, out come the wolves or lets go, but it is definately better than life wont wait and indestructible.

5 comments about Head Over Heels.

1. When I first heard this album I was 19 years old working as an import buyer for Tower records in Portland, Oregon, I am now 39. And after 20 years there still hasn't been a record like it. The year this album came out Michael Jackson's Thriller album was on it's way to becoming the greatest selling album of all time. My main contact at an import distributor company told me of a new album called "Head Over Heels", by a group called Cocteau Twins that was getting rave reviews in Europe. For me personally I was sick to death of the music that was popular at the time and I decided to buy two copies, one for the store and one for me. When I took it home and listened to it I knew I was listening to a kind of music that had never been made before. After doing research, I discovered that this was actually their third recording, after "Garlands", and "Sunburst and Snowblind" and bought copies for me and the store of these records as well, and after this I became their biggest fan. I also found out that it was two 20 year old people, named Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie responsible for all that you hear. Ladies and Gentlemen, this record is a masterpiece. "Head Over Heels" is tied with "Victorialand" as my favorite Cocteau Twins record, but it is my favorite album of all time. From the incredible opening of "When Mama Was Moth", to the orgasmic ending of "Musette and Drums", this album is the best album ever made, in my opinion. Let me review my five favorite songs off of "Head Over Heels". 1)"Musette and Drums". It was after hearing this song for the first time, that I became their greatest fan. It was and still is my favorite song of all time. The last two minutes of this song is the greatest piece of music ever recorded. And understand that everything you are listening to is made by two people. This song is incredible. And after it is over, play it again. 2)"My Love Paramour". The sexiest, and most erotic song they have ever done. Pure genius. 3)"In Our Angelhood". Pure Rock and Roll, Cocteau Twins style. 4)"In The Gold Dust Rush". Angelic and beautiful. There is a part of this song that sounds likes an airplane is about to crash, it is actually the music spinning. Listen to it loud, and you will hear what I mean. Incredible production. 5)"The Tinderbox(of a Heart)". This song makes me feel like I am out looking at the ocean watching the tide roll in. I have this album to thank to having an open mind to listening to music. I learned to have patience and tolerance of all kinds of things because of this record. I rate this album the greatest along with the group that created it.



2. Few words can ever describe that magic that the Cocteau's put down on record and this only continues that. It's not as harsh or a little frightening as Garlands but it makes for great listening. Enjoy!



3. the Cocteau Twins continue making their beautiful music with "Head Over Heels." I can't even pick a favorite track because I love all of them. The songs vary from dreamy (Sugar Hiccup), to eerie (Five Ten Fifty Fold), to even kinda darkly jazzy (Multifoiled). If you liked "Treasure," you'll love "Head over Heels" and you should own it.



4. Most albums feature music which reveals the era in which they were recorded. But "Head Over Heels" by Scotland's Cocteau Twins doesn't sound like it belongs to ANY era, even though it was released in 1983. A beautiful rush of etheral magic, "Head Over Heels" stands in a class of its own. The slow-moving opener "When Mama Was Moth" has vocalist Liz Frazer delivering hypnotic (yet incoherent) chants, while the brooding "The Tinderbox (of a Heart)" marches along in all its dark glory. Things get upbeat in "In Our Angelhood" with great melange of guitars, and the single "Sugar Hiccup" holds up well. I've owned this CD since my days in college, and I like it more with each listen. The melodies these guys craft are some of the most beautiful I have ever heard. Mainstream listeners may not realize it, but the Cocteau Twins are among the most influential acts of the last 25 years, developing a unique and distinguished sound that would inspire later genres known as trip hop and ambient. Press "play" and allow the Cocteaus to take you to another world.



5. Not very often do you hear music that transcends language - this one did it for me. Even though much of the lyrics cannot be understood, one connects immediately to the silky-smooth vocals and the almost-magical guitar tracks. A colleague of mine said I'd love the Cocteau Twins if I liked Jazz-Fusion (I do!). He got me a couple of his CDs, and I couldn't give them back! All I can say is, a 1000-word review is not going to do much. Go buy one; own one and you'll understand.