Mercury Rev: Stillness Breathes 1991 - 2006
year 2006 notes: 2006 issued anthology of recordings by the lil' band from Buffalo that could...and did!...and they just keep getting stronger with every release. Though virtually unknown in their home country, Mercury Rev have a fervent following around the globe that put them in the same class as Flaming Lips, thanks to their unpredictable live concerts and intense musicianship. This is the first ever anthology derived from their many albums released since the inception of the band in 1991. This limited edition set comes with a bonus disc of rarities/cover versions, including a rendition of "Deadman" with Alan Vega (of Suicide) in tow, "So There" with Robert Creeley in tow as well, "Philadelphia" performed on KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" show, "Streets Of Laredo", "I Only Have Eyes For You" and many more.
They Might Be Giants - Apollo 18
year 92 review: Although it lacks a standout single like "Birdhouse in Your Soul," Apollo 18 is a more consistent album than Flood, overflowing with ideas and pop hooks. The most noteworthy idea may have been "Fingertips," a "suite" of 21 song fragments designed to make each random play a new experience, but the meat of the album lies in pop songs like "I Palindrome I," "My Evil Twin," "She's Actual Size," and "Which Describes How You're Feeling." The album has a slightly darker feeling than its predecessors, but that just gives the album a resonance that was missing on Flood.
David Gray - White Ladder
year 2000 review: Gray originally released White Ladder himself, after being dropped by EMI. The record was an immediate hit, eventually even breaking in the US after pal Dave Matthews put it out Stateside on his ATO label. The album features Gray's tender songs accompanied by lite techno beats. "Babylon" was the hit.
The Crystal Method - Vegas
1. Trip Like I Do
2. Busy Child
3. Cherry Twist
4. High Roller
5. Comin' Back
6. Keep Hope Alive
7. Vapor Trail
8. She's My Pusher
9. Jaded
10. Bad Stone
Ricky Gervais - Politics
"Most comedians slog around the country for fifteen years playing to students, drunks and even women, in grotty venues, with the vague hope that someone will give them their own TV show. I'm doing it the other way round." Ricky returns with a generous second helping of standout stand-up, every bit as hilarious as Animals. "In my show," says Ricky, "I will be doing my usual brand of brilliant, irreverent yet observational comedy, covering such universal subjects as meeting Jack Nicholson, driving around in limos and not putting my hand in my pocket once." Sounds good to us. To anyone, surely, who likes a good laugh. Also up for discussion are Gandhi, Thora Hird, rubbish David Brent lookalikes and, most painfully, being mistaken for Johnny Vegas.
Lionel Richie - Coming Home
Lionel Richie's career_since his superstar_heyday in the early 1980s has_been spotty, marked_by long silences & lackluster releases. The year_2006's aptly titled COMING HOME finds Richie_delivering the one-two punch of uptempo_commercial dance-pop
1. I Call It Love
2. Sweet Vacation
3. Why
4. What You Are
5. Up All Night
6. I'm Coming Home
7. All Around The World
8. Out Of My Head
9. Reason To Believe
10. Stand Down
11. I Love You
1. I Call It Love
2. Sweet Vacation
3. Why
4. What You Are
5. Up All Night
6. I'm Coming Home
7. All Around The World
8. Out Of My Head
9. Reason To Believe
10. Stand Down
11. I Love You
Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
year 2005 review: The amateur dramatics of her extended “between producers sulk” and the unprecedented show of support by Fiona Apple’s online petitioning fans that led to the label giving her the chance to finish Extraordinary Machine are proof enough that ne
arly all the songs here just weren’t ready enough. Apple’s difficult third album is a stillborn and patchy affair that leaves the aftertaste of regret.
Even after a few listens into Extraordinary Machine the musical paint quickly dries to reveal a thinly veiled cover-up job of a barrel load of average tunes done in a her now increasingly tepid and familiar style. Her familiar limited intonation, preferential treatment to the delicately played thunderous end of the piano and the stop/start song structure strain at the leash of niche appeal and look like a three trick waiflike pony. There is no defining feel (beyond the aforementioned clichés) or any notion of a diverse experimental record either; there’s just a lot of filler between the three great songs.
arly all the songs here just weren’t ready enough. Apple’s difficult third album is a stillborn and patchy affair that leaves the aftertaste of regret.Even after a few listens into Extraordinary Machine the musical paint quickly dries to reveal a thinly veiled cover-up job of a barrel load of average tunes done in a her now increasingly tepid and familiar style. Her familiar limited intonation, preferential treatment to the delicately played thunderous end of the piano and the stop/start song structure strain at the leash of niche appeal and look like a three trick waiflike pony. There is no defining feel (beyond the aforementioned clichés) or any notion of a diverse experimental record either; there’s just a lot of filler between the three great songs.
Dexys Midnight Runners - Lets Make This Precious
year 2003 review:
The original soul rebels are back with a new line-up, extensive tour dates and a forthcoming book, so you can't really blame them for rushing out this compilation that updates and extends the 1991 Very Best Of collection.
Dexys' blend of Celtic folk, soul and pop made them one of the most ubiquitous bands of the early '80s which is perhaps why, although it's good to hear the likes of Geno and Come On Eileen again, they suffer from over-familiarity. More interesting are the tunes that might have slipped out of the memory, such as the Brush Strokes theme Because Of You, the boozy after-hours sing-a-long Let's Get This Straight and the epic This Is What She's Like.
Alongside semi-hits like Show Me, and high quality album tracks I Love You and My National Pride (both from the excellent Don't Stand Me Down LP), the album features two new songs: Manhood, an apparent reference to Kevin Rowland's late '90s predilection for wearing women's dresses, and the touching, autobiographical My Life In England, both of which sound strangely out of place in this company. Long-time fans will, however, relish the inclusion of a couple of tracks from early BBC sessions, Let's Make This Precious and Until I Believe In My Soul.
Taken as a whole this compilation is a reminder of just how uneven Dexys could be, but also, on their day, how joyous. If the forthcoming tour, for which Rowland is joined by original members Pete Williams and Lucy Morgan, can capture at least some of the visceral energy of, say, The Celtic Soul Brothers or the Van Morrison cover Jackie Wilson Said, then few, surely, will go away disappointed.
The original soul rebels are back with a new line-up, extensive tour dates and a forthcoming book, so you can't really blame them for rushing out this compilation that updates and extends the 1991 Very Best Of collection.
Dexys' blend of Celtic folk, soul and pop made them one of the most ubiquitous bands of the early '80s which is perhaps why, although it's good to hear the likes of Geno and Come On Eileen again, they suffer from over-familiarity. More interesting are the tunes that might have slipped out of the memory, such as the Brush Strokes theme Because Of You, the boozy after-hours sing-a-long Let's Get This Straight and the epic This Is What She's Like.
Alongside semi-hits like Show Me, and high quality album tracks I Love You and My National Pride (both from the excellent Don't Stand Me Down LP), the album features two new songs: Manhood, an apparent reference to Kevin Rowland's late '90s predilection for wearing women's dresses, and the touching, autobiographical My Life In England, both of which sound strangely out of place in this company. Long-time fans will, however, relish the inclusion of a couple of tracks from early BBC sessions, Let's Make This Precious and Until I Believe In My Soul.
Taken as a whole this compilation is a reminder of just how uneven Dexys could be, but also, on their day, how joyous. If the forthcoming tour, for which Rowland is joined by original members Pete Williams and Lucy Morgan, can capture at least some of the visceral energy of, say, The Celtic Soul Brothers or the Van Morrison cover Jackie Wilson Said, then few, surely, will go away disappointed.
Neil Young - Harvest Moon
year 92 review: okay, i'll be honest, Neil Young has done so many good songs over the years I lose count. But I can tell you that every single one of the songs on this album are incredible! My personal favorites are "You and Me", "War of Man", "From Hank to Hendrix" and "Natural Beauty". Highly recomendable album.
Simply Red - Men and Women
MEN AND WOMEN vvas the 1987 album from commercially_oriented pop band Simply Red. The album features_the songs "I Won't Feel Bad," "Shine," & "Right Thing."
Every Time We Say Goodbye
I Won't Feel Bad
Infidelity
Let Me Have It All
Love Fire
Maybe Someday
Move On Out
Right Thing
Shine
Suffer
Every Time We Say Goodbye
I Won't Feel Bad
Infidelity
Let Me Have It All
Love Fire
Maybe Someday
Move On Out
Right Thing
Shine
Suffer
Pete Yorn - Nightcrawler
year 2006 review:Pete Yorn is finally carving out a sound that's uniquely him; no more Ryan Adams comparisons are necessar
y, for the Jersey-born singer/songwriter has written some of the most complex songs of his career to date with Nightcrawler. While the title might suggest something a bit more dark and dramatic, Yorn embraces the warmer sound of his previous work to create a rich, picturesque batch of songs. Having producer Butch Walker in tow is a great move for Yorn, too, for he finally seems content with his artistic place. In addition, producers Tony Berg and Michael Beinhorn focus on the simplicity of Yorn's familiar, country-inspired sound; however, those who reveled in the hungry delivery of his 2001 debut Musicforthemorningafter may question Nightcrawler's natural rock stamp. From the shivering slow build of "Vampyre" and the reaching desire of "For Us" (which also features Dave Grohl on drums) to the road trippin' golden tones of "Maybe I'm Right," Yorn sounds pretty self-assured this time out. The Kinks-ish "Georgie Boy" and the murky synth beats of "Same Thing" highlight more of an experimental side to the guitar-centered Yorn, and such a slight change in sound is swiftly done. The Dixie Chicks' Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines also lend a hand on "The Man," a classic ballad from the natural-born troubadour. Overall, Nightcrawler breathes easily, and despite it missing the fire of his first record, it's a worthy piece of work. "Undercover," which is featured on 2002's Spider-Man soundtrack, and "Splendid Isolation" from the 2004 Warren Zevon tribute Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon are also included here. AMG
y, for the Jersey-born singer/songwriter has written some of the most complex songs of his career to date with Nightcrawler. While the title might suggest something a bit more dark and dramatic, Yorn embraces the warmer sound of his previous work to create a rich, picturesque batch of songs. Having producer Butch Walker in tow is a great move for Yorn, too, for he finally seems content with his artistic place. In addition, producers Tony Berg and Michael Beinhorn focus on the simplicity of Yorn's familiar, country-inspired sound; however, those who reveled in the hungry delivery of his 2001 debut Musicforthemorningafter may question Nightcrawler's natural rock stamp. From the shivering slow build of "Vampyre" and the reaching desire of "For Us" (which also features Dave Grohl on drums) to the road trippin' golden tones of "Maybe I'm Right," Yorn sounds pretty self-assured this time out. The Kinks-ish "Georgie Boy" and the murky synth beats of "Same Thing" highlight more of an experimental side to the guitar-centered Yorn, and such a slight change in sound is swiftly done. The Dixie Chicks' Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines also lend a hand on "The Man," a classic ballad from the natural-born troubadour. Overall, Nightcrawler breathes easily, and despite it missing the fire of his first record, it's a worthy piece of work. "Undercover," which is featured on 2002's Spider-Man soundtrack, and "Splendid Isolation" from the 2004 Warren Zevon tribute Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon are also included here. AMG
Colin James - National Steel
year 97 review: Colin James is most noted for his rock and big band work from early in h
is recording career. He serves both of those genres well. It's rather obvious, however, that his greatest musical influence is the blues. He is an incredible blues player from north of the border. This ulbum does well to prove that. His mastery of early blues numbers from such important artists as Muddy Waters and the legendary Robert Johnson shine on through here. Colin James is under-exposed in the US and unfortunately underappreciated on both sides of the border. If you are a diehard blues fan or even just have a passing interest, buy this album. You'll not only be serving Mr. James well by showing your appreciation, but you'll be doing yourself an even bigger favour by giving your ears such a gift.
is recording career. He serves both of those genres well. It's rather obvious, however, that his greatest musical influence is the blues. He is an incredible blues player from north of the border. This ulbum does well to prove that. His mastery of early blues numbers from such important artists as Muddy Waters and the legendary Robert Johnson shine on through here. Colin James is under-exposed in the US and unfortunately underappreciated on both sides of the border. If you are a diehard blues fan or even just have a passing interest, buy this album. You'll not only be serving Mr. James well by showing your appreciation, but you'll be doing yourself an even bigger favour by giving your ears such a gift.
Beach Boys - The Very Best Of
bio: Beginning their career as the most popular surf band in the nation, the Beach Boys finally emerged by 1966 as America's pre-eminent pop group, the only act able to challenge (for a brief time) the overarching success of the Beatles with both mainstream listeners and the critical community. From their 1961 debut with the regional hit "Surfin," the three Wilson brothers -- Brian, Dennis, and Carl -- plus cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine constructed the most intricate, gorgeous harmonies ever heard from a pop band. With Brian's studio proficiency growing by leaps and bounds during the mid-'60s, the Beach Boys also proved to be one of the best-produced groups of the '60s, exemplified by their 1966 peak with the Pet Sounds LP and the number one single "Good Vibrations." Though Brian's escalating drug use and obsessive desire to trump the Beatles..
