Music [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Michael Ball, Britain's leading musical star and multi-platinum recording artist, releases his new twelve track album, which takes its title from John Miles’ seminal mega hit of 1976. Features some of Michael’s favorite pop songs from the last thirty years. David Bowie’s ‘Life On Mars’, for instance, is a key number in Michael’s solo shows. ‘Fields Of Gold’ is a double homage: in part to Sting, one of Michael’s favorite artists and to Eva Cassidy whom Michael feels recorded the definitive version of this beautiful song. Simon & Garfunkel are represented by the classic ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ which benefits from a simple, contemporary arrangement and vocal treatment; and the powerhouse ‘The Show Must Go On’, one of Michael’s all-time favorite songs and a smash hit with his live concert audience is also a poignant nod to the memory of the great Freddie Mercury. Ever keen to expand his musical repertoire and to challenge his voice, Michael has diversified on this album with the bossa nova-tinged ‘And I Love You So’ which features a stripped down arrangement and some cool piano. Michael co-wrote a new song, ‘I Am Loved’ which appears as the penultimate track on the album before he gives full rein to his superb voice on a magnificent rendering of the title track.

Tracks:

Icky Thump
You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)
300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
Conquest
Bone Broke
Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn
St. Andrew (This Battle Is In The Air)
Little Cream Soda
Rag And Bone
I'm Slowly Turning Into You
A Martyr For My Love For You
Catch Hell Blues
Effect and Cause

Amazon.com

Bagpipes, a song written as the soundtrack to a Michel Gondry music video, Patti Page's musical shadow, and Jack and Meg co-narrating a scavenger's rummages: It must be time for Icky Thump, the many-flavored riposte to 2006's Get Behind Me Satan. The duo starts big with the title track--Jack's fast-tumbling, falsetto-tinged lyrics jagging on hyper keyboard-sounding segues and Meg's pounding drums. They rarely shy from an idea, invoking acoustic Bob Dylan to frame "300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues," but interjecting a series of distortion-laden guitar paroxysms for good measure. The end of Icky, on "Effect and Cause," is where Jack's trademark vocal warble and spare, quick acoustic strums meet Meg's single-minded beats. Everywhere on Icky giant riffs leap and shout, with Flamenco horns and those eerie bagpipes and rhythmic shifts and Jack's impatient vocal kinetics, marking new territories even as the White Stripes again populate them with vintage ideas. --Andrew Bartlett

Album Description

The White Stripes are back with the most bombastic album they've ever produced! While revealing the band's roots in American folk music, Icky Thump is an explosive, revolutionary assault that brings together garage rock, every blues style of the past 100 years, nouveau, and flamenco. This is truly a modern rock and roll masterpiece!

Customer Reviews:

Another solid effort.......2007-07-16

Didn't blow my socks off the way 'Elephant' did, but still bloody good. I admire the use of all vintage instruments and equipment, but maybe the bagpipes were a bit OTT...

Good but not great.......2007-07-15

I've been a huge White Stripes fan for the last 5 years and this album didn't dissapoint. They break some new ground for the band and the ventures into synthesizers and bag-pipes are done well. Although there are some gems on this album (icky thump, conquest) there are some forgettable songs and it is not as solidly good from top to bottom as some of there recent albums.

Some great guitar work.......2007-07-15

Some great guitar work, but its hard to listen to this band a lot. I don't think this is their best album.

ah, the stripes.......2007-07-15

The White Stripes provide a great feeling that music can still mean more than all the Top Pop out there. The Stripes reinvent themselves with every album. Thanks goodness we have them. Grab this disc and enjoy. Better yet, go see them live and breathe in the experience.

Great..even for us Baby Boomers.........2007-07-14

Even as a baby boomer, I really like this CD. As ebay seller, I could not understand why I was selling these so fast,..UNTIL..I listened to the CD.
I can at least understand and hear the words!! Very smooth music. I guess
WS are still creating the music we ALL LOVE!!

Average customer rating:

Bon Jovi delivers
A little different than usual
Still Got It Goin' On
Great CD
Great

Lost Highway
Bon Jovi
Manufacturer: Mercury Nashville
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

My December
It Won't Be Soon Before Long
Have a Nice Day
Big Dog Daddy
5th Gear

ASIN: B000P2A24W
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

Lost Highway
Summertime
Make a Memory
Whole Lot Of Leaving
We Got It Going On
Any Other Day
Seat Next To You
Everybody's Broken
Stranger (feat. Leann Rimes)
The Last Night
One Step Closer
I Love This Town

Amazon.com

Given the chart success of their Grammy-winning country single "Who Says You Can't Go Home," it's no surprise Bon Jovi upped the ante by recording an entire album paying homage to Nashville. In some ways, it's amazing they didn't do this sooner, given the way Keith Urban in particular is blurring country-pop lines, much as Garth Brooks and others did in the 1990s. To their credit, you won't find predictably shallow invocations of past country icons or any self-conscious, in-your-face down-home twang added strictly to remind the listener of the musical premise. In fact, Lost Highway isn't "Bon Jovi goes country" so much as a meaningful tribute to the Nashville ethos done on their own terms. They honor the spirit of the town through 12 simple, direct originals. The intimate, smoldering "(You Want To) Make a Memory," the ballad "Seat Next To You," "Lost Highway" and its roaring celebration of freedom, and "Stranger," an effective duet with LeAnn Rimes, all invoke country's spirit, and "I Love This Town," an eloquent nod to Nashville itself, ties it together admirably. --Rich Kienzle

Album Description

"Artistic freedom made this record possible," says Jon Bon Jovi. "Musical freedom to explore--and emotional freedom to express what was in our hearts."

The result of that freedom is Lost Highway, an album Jon describes as "a Bon Jovi record influenced by Nashville."

Bon Jovi explains. "Nashville is all about songs and songwriters. If you're someone like me who loves songs and hanging out with songwriters, Nashville is the place. I thrive on that feeling and I'm inspired by that creative ambience."

The result, a haunting set of 12 new and original sounding songs, is a stunning, multi-layered look into the nature of love and life in all its glory. Love, like life, is lost, found, forgotten and reclaimed in this collection.

The moods are many, but the core feeling is pure Bon Jovi.

"Writing this record with Jon was deeply cathartic," says Richie Sambora, who collaborated on ten of the songs. "I was going through emotional changes that were new for me. An ailing father. A painful divorce. The start of a new chapter in my life. I poured everything I had into this project, every last bit of soul at my command."

"For over twenty years now," Jon explains, "Richie and I have been close collaborators. Even when our songs create fictional stories, they reveal our states of mind. To a large degree, Lost Highway focuses on the light that love brings. When you shine the light on love, you see the chinks in the armor. You see every crevice, every crack. And that's all right".

Lost Highway is Bon Jovi's tenth studio album since the band formed in the early eighties. One hundred and twenty million albums and 2500 concerts in over 50 countries later, Bon Jovi is enjoying the greatest popularity in their history.

Customer Reviews:

Bon Jovi delivers.......2007-07-17

I had not hear any of the songs from the album before I bought it. But being a long time Bon Jovi fan, I figured I couldn't go wrong. I was right. Just 30 seconds into the title track and I could tell this was a winner. After listening to it a few times I start to hear some of the country influence, but trust me, it rocks in typical Bon Jovi fashion. Every track is fantastic! If you're a Bon Jovi fan, buy this album. You won't be disappointed. They definitely have "Got it going on!"

Nice job Jon and company. Keep 'em coming!

A little different than usual.......2007-07-16

Although the music may not be as hard as they have done in the past, it is still distinctly Bon Jovi and is still good.

Still Got It Goin' On.......2007-07-16

I love this record! I have been a Bon Jovi fan since I was a kid and like all of us, they just keep better with age, and every album! Some say this album is to "country" but to me it sounds just like all the rest and if it is to "country" maybe those who say it should listen to country once and see what it sounds like! LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!

Great CD.......2007-07-16

I really enjoyed this new cd , I think it's one of their best ones . I like the changed of pace more country feel to it........

Great.......2007-07-16

This CD is a little different than the others I have purchased by Bon Jovi, but nonetheless I love it! The songs are great and have good lyrics that tell stories just like you would expect from Bon Jovi. The song with Big & Rich is really hoppin'!

Average customer rating:

Great Album!
Avril & Alanis, Move Over, For Another Woman Scorned.......And Healed?
How low can u go?
KELLY CLARKSON: Promise Of The American Dream - Clive Davis is The Destroyer Of The American Dream
More angry than Breakway

My December
Kelly Clarkson
Manufacturer: RCA Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Lost Highway
It Won't Be Soon Before Long
Wild Hope
Daughtry
The Best Damn Thing [CLEAN]

ASIN: B000QFAJ7S
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

Never Again
One Minute
Hole
Sober
Don't Waste Your Time
Judas
Haunted
Be Still
Maybe
How I Feel
Yeah
Can I Have A Kiss
Irvine

Amazon.com

Judging by the themes of anger and betrayal that dominate Kelly Clarkson's third disc, My December, perhaps 'Jagged Little Idol' would have been a more telling title. According to interviews, the massively successful artist wanted more creative control with her music going forward; as a result, unlike her previous CDs, Clarkson contributes as a songwriter on every track. The final product is not nearly as catchy as Breakaway, but is far more introspective and honest. My December's overall sound brings a harder musical style than fans might expect, with acerbic lyrics to match; the disc's first single "Never Again"--a dark rock song slamming her ex-boyfriend--is certainly a tip-off. The compelling chorus of "Hole" finds Clarkson singing "There's a hole/inside of me/it's so damn cold/slowly killing me" over a melody that is far more Tool than top-40. "Haunted" and "Judas" are wrought-over tracks that veer into Evanescence territory, while the wonderfully sparse "Maybe" is a highlight within which Clarkson's pleading voice is perfectly showcased. My December's final listed track, "Irvine" (prior to the hidden bluesy acoustic ballad "Chivas") sounds far more Cat Power-meets-Corinne Bailey Rae than Clarkson, but it is certainly one of the most captivating songs on the disc, and serves as yet another reminder of just how versatile her voice is. Fans of her previous radio-friendly releases may well be divided on her new direction, but it appears to be the path Clarkson is likely to continue to travel. --Denise Sheppard

More from Kelly Clarkson

Breakaway

Thankful

Since U Been Gone

Customer Reviews:

Great Album!.......2007-07-16

I have liked Kelly for a long time now and suspected that I wouldn't like this album but it has a lot of very original tracks! It really did shock me at how creative she's become in putting out this album. And according to her interview on Regis & Kelly she wrote or helped write most of the songs on the album! COOL!

Avril & Alanis, Move Over, For Another Woman Scorned.......And Healed?.......2007-07-15

To be honest, I am a huge American Idol fan and truth be told, there has been loads of talent to come out of the show, even people who haven't made the top 10-12 have released CDs, so it goes to show that the talent is there! This is Kelly's 3rd disc, and the CD starts out blazin' hot! It starts with the Alanis tinged "Never Again", hell has no fury than a woman scorned. To break up with someone and have them be the last to know is completely scandalous! The guitars and drum compliment the points made in this song very well! "One Minute" has sort of an 80s rock vibe (way to go, Kelly!), this song is about all that flip flopping that all relationships go through, for the most part, there is at least one participant that doesn't know what he/she wants, changing one minute to the next, I feel Kelly's frustration (Hang in there sister!). "Hole" is that missing space in all of us, caused by betrayal of a loved one, whether it be a friend, lover, or relative. I have definitely been there, the question is, do we refill it or let it scar over...hmm?

"Sober", comes to a realization of an ending relationship. She doesn't want to compare any relationship to other ones in her past, but learn from them. However the relationships ended, are never over because we take a part of each person with us to hold in our hearts. "Don't Waste Your Time" is letting your ex know it's truly over. Unfortunately, every relationship ends over an imperfection, whether, it be death, infidelity, or just plain ignorance. She is letting him know that everything has all led to arguments or hurt and in the end, she has to cut her losses. "Judas" is all about betrayal! Someone has been very selfish, but it is unclear whether it was a lover, a friend, or whom. Although being betrayed by anyone you love hurts, just the same. (Been there, done that). "Haunted" by that memory of an ex-love can be so emotional! In truth, there are still memories of exes in my life that haunt me everyday, luckily we can be creative (right Kelly?) I suppose we all need some mystery in our lives, so thats why we make up scenarios in our head to keep a part of this person.

"Be Still" is a slow ballad, taking time out to look at the relationship for what it is. Weighing the good, with the bad, letting emotions go, and revealing feelings, love is worth saving in this song. "Maybe" finds her letting her beau know, that if he just tries to hold and love her for who she is, both can look past things and take the good with the bad. It seems beneficial on both parts, just to show some understanding. "How I Feel", is an upbeat song recognizes feelings and accepting those feelings for what they are. I know we don't want to feel hurt, but sometimes, it's necessary for personal growth.

"Yeah" has sort of a country rock vibe. I think it's about being up front and honest. She lets him know that she will be honest , if he is and for him to only say what's up. Only, if more people were like this, up front and honest, we would all at least get along. "Can I Have A Kiss" finds her trying to reconcile and accept things that go wrong in their relationship. If not, at least working it out, to have something sweet and tender to remember the relationship by. "Irvine" is a calm, quiet ballad. To love someone and be held and remembered. I say "remembered" because, Irvine is dead and looking down on her from heaven, he is free from pain on earth, but showers her with love from heaven, in this instance, he has become her guardian angel. However, at the end, there is a hidden track that shows she has a little resentment from being hurt, so does she have a little resentment.....it's a quandry.

This CD is great for reflection because it has all the emotional prowess of a great love story, the tenderness, the betrayal, and the coping. I would say that this is the perfect comfort from a break-up or separation from someone you love.

How low can u go?.......2007-07-15

I liked Kelly Clarkson's debut album. It was full of fun and catchy songs and had great singles. It showcased her great vocals. Then she released the awful "Breakaway" which was suppose to be the new her or something. Pathetic! I'm sick of her trying to be serious rock instead of a pop star which she should be. "Never Again" was an okay song but the music overshadows her good voice. Sorry Simon but she's not up there with Celine. She's good don't get me wrong but she's no Celine Dion. Sing more pop songs instead of this rock stuff. Almost as bad as 50 Cent!

KELLY CLARKSON: Promise Of The American Dream - Clive Davis is The Destroyer Of The American Dream.......2007-07-15

America's sweetheart, KELLY CLARKSON, unveils an explosive tour-de-force masterpiece career album with MY DECEMBER! I bought this album the very day it was released and have listened extensively and thoroughly to it before coming here to share my perspective. During the past few weeks, I have also seen Kelly on the talk show cicuit promoting MY DECEMBER, being interviewd "Live" on local morning radio shows, and read the extensive professional reviews on the net as well as the fans' perspectives. I initially, first round, was highly impressed at how well crafted and rounded the entire album is and it grows even more on me with each repeated listening. The most compelling and focal point, are KELLY's vocals, front, center surround sounding and she is never drowned by instrumentation in the mix of any track - her voice remains the ultimate "instrument" featured, as should be, to stunning effect and perfect quality production. MY DECEMBER by KELLY CLARKSON is a spectacular and illustrious album of a great first rate musical statement you should have to explore and enjoy, so do NOT listen to negative points of views/reviews - get your own copy because every song on here is noteworthy and very fit to be a hit single, as there is not one bad track, misstep or note within the entire album. KELLY will rock your world! MY DECEMBER can be viewed as a collection of songs about relationships and can also be clearly interpreted as a musical letter from Kelly to her audience about her last five years in stardom, what she proposes for the future and the tug-of-war controvery surrounding her "take responsibility/control of my career" decisions and direction. The album contains a tremendous sure fire seven to eight [definite] hit singles which will literally smash and obliterate all the schmaltzy, indistinguishable Top 40 fare on the radio/charts these days. KELLY delivers a tremendous cache of well written/composed and executed pop and rock jewels and gems from the creative depths of her mind and soul. She succeeds all over the colorful map of MY DECEMBER and produces memorable rock music which as single track editions, deserve Top 10 successes as well as massive multi-format radio exposure. This young lady is a phenomenal talent and artist who delivers stunning results! Clive Davis is a foolish old man who doesn't fully appreciate the vaults and vaults of capital and awards Miss Clarkson has earned for his record company and it is her hard earned $$$money$$$ lining his personal wallet and paycheck. Davis needs to drop his evil demeanor to wake up and HEAR the music the vocally gifted and creative KELLY CLARKSON is spewing forth in an eruptive muticolored volcanic flow of skyrocketing fireworks and glowing, gold laced white hot lava which displays a kaleidoscope spectrum of colors in both her vocals and self penned compositions. I was not a fan, I could have cared less, I don't watch American Idol, I scan my car radio nonstop, only stopping to listen to whatever grabs my attention and ears, but by the third smash hit single from her BREAKAWAY album, KELLY had won me over with her spectacular interpretive skills and expressive vocals. I have not heard any female artist that demanded attention simply by singing, since Linda Ronstadt ruled all over the radio/charts - and several have come and gone since then, some were singers and others screamers. KELLY CLARKSON possesses an exceptionally compelling voice with an alluring effect and interpretive skills that even the most jaded music listener can't resist. Her musical vision and intuitions of keeping in tune/step with the music industry's audience tastes have made her a profound and winning talent. Her music is clean, nonsense free and void of the disgraceful "parental advisory" warnings, yet, she is able to execute and create fun, catchy, impressive and memorable recordings that a teenager, a grandparent and everybody in between can fully enjoy. Now, the new album...The Top 10 success of the initial single, "NEVER AGAIN" opens MY DECEMBER with a roaring fervor and segues right into the bombastic and delightfully fun and surprising future Top 10 gem, "ONE MINUTE"! You can't help but want to get up and dance to the quaking energy of "ONE MINUTE"'s ongoing explosive rhythm and Kelly's decisive hot vocals. "ONE MINUTE" is Kelly's joyful declaration for liberation from her record company's treacherous confining limitations on creative freedom - and she explodes with imposing independence! "HOLE" a sharp, edgy Top 10 ripping rocker, will easily blast its way up Alternative and Pop Rock Radio playlists. "SOBER", a heart warming, touching power ballad, slowly builds momentum to an incredible stratospheric vocal crescendo with Kelly flexing her vocal instrument to full throttle/full blown vocal effect. Already second single, "SOBER" finds our beloved Kelly recuperating from the spellbinding, dizzying effects and aftermath of BREAKAWAY's massively exhausting world success trying reach out to her Pop audience with tenderness and a longing to remain in hearts who loved her from the outset of her career, stay with me, she seems to say, and we'll see this ongoing walk through this opportunity you all have given me, together. Another Top 10 radio ready track, "DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME" pounds away at a hypnotic, above midtempo pace and delivers one of Kelly's finest vocals to date. "Don't Waste..." implores to all the production puppets, high profile songwriters out there to leave her be and let her chart her own musical course - "thank you for your help, friendship, all the success, but, PLEASE let me stand/fall on my own!" as I hunger to go forth in my own explorative and rightfully chosen direction. She's paid her "dues" and earned her way! "DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME" is a WOWzer! "JUDAS", a track Miss Clarkson has stated in interviews as one of her preferred future single releases is right on the mark to skyrocket up the charts to the Top 10 with its propulsive, hard driving guitar and drum beats, a trailblazing rocker highlighting KELLY's lead and backup vocals. Could "JUDAS" be Clive Davis? Will "JUDAS" be Clarkson's secret "You're So Vain" mystery? Will she offer up several throw off tales to keep the secret for decades like Carly Simon? Next up #7, "HAUNTED", obvious Top 10 radio friendly track, takes us to the halfway point of the album and every track so far is strong, polished, well crafted and worthy of hit single status, yet, more surprises await ahead, as there is no filler on MY DECEMBER! Some of these tracks have an edgy, diamond in the rough, polished finesse appeal that explodes everywhere from the system speakers - this lady ROCKS with the very best of the rockers! ***CLIVE DAVIS is either/all deaf, ignorant, blind or simply the destroyer of today's youth's American Dream, of which KELLY CLARKSON is a divine role model. Here I am at middle age, been buying records since I was 13 and the past decade of music and its artists has left me jaded and bored, save a handful, but, KELLY CLARKSON has restored my faith in quality music. I'm no expert, but, I've seen them all come and go, and my library currently stands at 8500 Cds, 3000 vinyl records and a couple hundred box sets. KELLY's career is very reminiscent of the fever pitch, highly anticipated, golden hit single laden careers of the Carpenters, Bee Gees, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles leaving many unforgettable charting tracks in their wake. ***Now, back to MY DECEMBER...Kelly offers, "BE STILL", an affecting and appropriate paen to circumstances surrounding her new album's current chart status/predicament and struggle against her record company for control in artistic self fulfillment. "BE STILL" is a beautifully crafted and executed ballad in which Kelly's heartfelt vocals penetrate to endearing effect, providing even more Top 10 status here. On the highly autobiographical and painfully honesty of "MAYBE", she pleads desperately for support, trust, unconditional love & understanding with tear stained, confident clarity, hoping for the ultimate best from her audience, yet exerts an astounding self confidence and comfort within her own skin that burns heavily on the touching, eyes welled up, teary, but self assured ballad turned rocker. KELLY is treading deep water here in defining about who she is as an artist, a human being, glamour-warts-and-all included to stunning effect - even more Top 10 material here, a possible #1! "MAYBE" is a baring it all winner in fearless win or lose honesty. She confirms she loves the attention and affections her audience has lavished on her and likewise, returns it with appreciation. Being an underdog and artistically defiant in the music business is rough'n tough, I'm complicated like a rose with thorns, but, don't abandon me, forgive me for being human, she pleads to her audience, let's maintain harmony and I'll make you proud if you stay with me. We love you Kelly - and we do need you - you are our hope in restoring pop music! "HOW I FEEL"-track 10, guitar and vocally driven ear candy with its top notch radio friendly quality rocks along in the playful splendor of its own top of the charts promise. Miss Independent's joyful "YEAH", moves us to her own dance beat with a fun, loud, hip 'n very soulful light rapping vocals-horns brightened rocker - a "remix" candidate headed straight to dance clubs everywhere to shift the crowds out to the floor. Great production here finds Kelly bumping, grinding and playfully flirting and sexually teasing her way across the track convincingly. The much heralded by fans, "CAN I HAVE A KISS", is a catchy vocals and hooks filled, sheer Top 10 royal slice of American Pie! Another future #1 here, thanks to the fans everywhere! Whoever questioned Kelly Clarkson's ability to write well crafted quality top of the charts radio hit singles is a fool, as she proves throughout MY DECEMBER that she can easily surpass even the best of them! Kelly's instincts and vision perfectly fit with the vocal talents she is blessed with. The focal center of the album and most gorgeous track is the hauntingly beautiful, atmospheric and brilliant "IRVINE", track 13. Various shades of Kelly seem to flash across her most mysterious and astounding song. "IRVINE" is an eerily, compelling and profoundly moving track which at 4:11 seems to be over, all too soon, and beckons for repeated listenings. Many questions arise and probe the listener's mind about "IRVINE". Is Clarkson looking in the mirror and addressing her former self on the opposite side during a moment of darkness when she finds herself completely drained from the commitments of her fast moving, exhaustive busy global career? Or is she conjuring up and addressing the ghost of another blue-eyed soul/pop-rock goddess, the late Dusty Springfield from beyond the grave to compare notes? Is it possible this is Clarkson's tribute to Dusty Springfield, as this track is a direct stylistic influence from the great Dusty Springfield, and begs examination. Who is this mysterious "IRVINE" we ponder, as we are drawn like moths to a flame? The precious "IRVINE" will remain a mystery for years to come. Finally, "CHIVAS", the "hidden" # 14 track, which begins at approximately 5:17 after 1:06 of silence. "CHIVAS" is an bluesy, acoustic guitar vocal ode which finds Kelly dismissing a former lover and choosing momentary comfort from the contents within the bottle instead. Our girl is quite the cleancut role model, and she giggles in fun at the close of the track. "CHIVAS" is Kelly at her finest and reveals yet another dimension of her musical diversity, which hopefully, she will explore to greater degree on a future release. That final giggle closes MY DECEMBER, and almost says, "Hey, I showed you!" - WOW!!! This is a stunner of a winning album!***Pat Benatar she's NOT, and I wouldn't want her to be, as Ms. Benatar is stuck in 80's mainstream rock and wasted her trained operatic vocal abilities on that confining turf, she never broke out of. Don't get me wrong, I like Pat, but, her brand of music runs between very narrow lines and becomes monotonous after more than a listen or two. Clarkson is in a class of her own and of a higher quality and diversity than the Pat Benatars of the music world, so Radio Jockeys, STOP making comparisons! Despite the darkness of the lyrics of MY DECEMBER, its smoldering, combustive rock and enticing catchy TOP 40 hooks savvy and skillful songwriting reveal a brilliant, steadily maturing, determined artist flashing the previously unseen and hidden talents of her artistic abilities. Clarkson was only flirting with songwriting on her previous album, she comes full circle with a foot forward right here and one can only imagine the highly rated wonders she will expose to us next time around. KELLY CLARKSON's ethereal musical statement cuts deep and maintains the promise her exceptional vocal abilities demonstrated at the outset of her career. She doesn't need to sing happy-go-lucky sunny tween ditties, because Miss Clarkson's sunrises will light up the dreary musical landscape for years and years of grand horizons such as MY DECEMBER to come. Plus, this album ROCKS! She won my skeptical indifference over and I'm a fan for the long run. CLARKSON has made history and landmark events on many counts already within the music industry, but, her most historic accomplishment as a farily new/young artist is taking full responsibility and control of her product, integrety and career by proving she can execute and produce intelligent, timeless and superior commercial music on her own terms successfully, which this album fully demonstrates. If her record company fails to HEAR the greatness of the music within MY DECEMBER, it is their loss and stupidity, because this album is packed full of hit singles. As for Clive Davis, he is the destroyer of our youth's American Dream. He has lived his 'dreams' for decades and it's time he allowed others in the business to live theirs. GO KELLY, GO!!!

More angry than Breakway.......2007-07-15

I have liked Kelly Clarkson since I voted for her on the first season of American Idol. Kelly has a voice with a wonderful raspy tone, unbelievable range, and excellent control. Those skills were evident on American Idol when she sang the show-stopping high note during "Natural Woman", along with the jazzy rendition of the 1940's song, "Stuff like that there."

After the competition finished, I thought Kelly's strength was going to be Celine Dion type ballads, inter-spearsed with Mariah Carey style emotion. I was wrong. Kelly's first disc, Thankful (which I liked) had a distinct R&B flavor to it. Some of the songs had a bit of a rock edge, but nothing that would blow out the windows of the car. The next disc, "Breakway" (which I loved) was definitely that, a breakaway from anything before it, and dispelled any confusion as to where Kelly's heart was, and the type music that she preferred. I would classify the music on Breakaway as being in the soft-rock caliber, because I do not think Kelly would be on the same level with and perform along side The Rolling Stones. She is more in the genre of Avril Levine and Annie Lennox.

So, here we are to the latest disk, "My December." The primary issue I have with this cd is, I AM CONFUSED. The material, the genres of music on the disc, the production values, everything has left me scratching my head with wonder. One of the songs, Irvine, which starts out as a cry for help, was wonderful, then 3 minutes into the song, there was an unexplainable silence for 30-60 seconds, and then a completely different song started. I have absolutely no idea of what that was about. The song started out great, and the latter part of Irvine completely ruined it. Instead of Kelly being angry, I was actually angry and disappointed by that song. What a shame! But maybe if Kelly was angry while writing, producing and performing on this cd, then maybe she actually accomplished what she was trying to do, which was to make us the fans "feel her pain." The problem with that, however, is I have enough of my own pain my life. I do not want to and need to experience the pain of someone else.

Anyway, some of the other songs on My December (Sober, Be Still and Maybe) were very good. In fact, my favorite song on the disk is Be Still. After I heard those 3 songs, I thought Kelly was going to make a retrospective album, because the songs were internal-reflective and thought provoking. If Kelly would have made an entire album of material like that, I would have enjoyed the concept emmensely. Unfortunately, Kelly interspursed other ANGRY songs into the album that I am sure put the look of pure shock and disapointment onto my face.

I would like to make an additional point... I am not bashing Kelly's writing skills like so many other people have done. Actually, I think Kelly did a pretty good job in the composition aspect. My issue has to do with mixing the genres of music.

Look, I have purchased all of Kelly's albums, and I will continue to do so. I just wish she would have given more thought to how her fans were going to perceive this album. If Kelly wanted to write some songs to cleanse herself of some recent demons, then that is fine, but it should not have been presented in such a confusing manner to the fans. It is almost un-nerving to be listening to this ambum with a beautiful ballad like Be Still, and all of sudden you are blasted out with such anger like Never Again, Hole and Don't Waste Your Time.

I think Kelly is sooo talented, and some of the material that she records is so beneath her. In other words, her voice gets buried in the guitars and drums, and you cannot even enjoy the quality of her sound anymore. I wish she would return to ballads where her voice could shine, and she could take her place among the great voices of our time, Celine, Whitney, Mariah, Christine and Kelly. I also believe that Kelly could be the hard-to-find Triple Threat. Which means she could perform in movies, on Broadway, and continue to record cd's. Look, a previous rock star like Rod Stewart starting performing classics, because he came to realize how wonderful the classics are. I hope Kelly gets to a place where she accepts her beautiful voice, and stops trying to be something different than what she is. She does not need to screach and scream, because she is the real deal. Most rock stars do not have the pipes that Kelly has.

Maybe Kelly will soften with time. I sure hope so.

Average customer rating:

My students love her
Hannah Montana
No. 1 With a Bullet. :)
A Very Good Second Album
can somebody...

Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus
Hannah Montana , and Miley Cyrus
Manufacturer: Disney
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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High School Musical 2
Hannah Montana: 2-Disc Special Edition Soundtrack
Headstrong
High School Musical, The Concert - Extreme Access Pass

ASIN: B000OYC3L6
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

We Got the Party
Nobody's Perfect
Make Some Noise
Rock Star
Old Blue Jeans
Life's What You Make It
One in a Million
Bigger than Us
You and Me Together
True Friend

Tracks:

See You Again
East Northumberland High
Let's Dance
G.N.O. (Girl's Night Out)
Right Here
As I Am
Start All Over
Clear
Good and Broken
I Miss You

Amazon.com

Tweens aren't often heralded for their good judgment and excellent taste (Heelys--hello), but if any young starlet can redeem them, it's Hannah Montana. On this, the second soundtrack from the Disney Channel series, Miley Cyrus takes her cues from her TV alter ego, who has an alter ego of her own: Disc 1 features Miley as Hannah, hair-tossing pop princess by weekend, likable schoolgirl by weekday (see "Old Blue Jeans" and "True Friends" to get a sense of each episode's un-cloying sweetness). But disc 2 is the start of something new, as her friends over on the High School Musical set might say: Miley sings strictly as her spunky, truth-telling self. This yields a number of pepped-up pop tracks bound to vibrate through the walls of pink bedrooms everywhere--"See You Again" is a boy-centric song instantly relatable to anyone who's ever been in seventh grade and suffered a bout of bashfulness, "East Northumberland High" puts a punk spin on an I'm-just-not-into-you tale, and "Clear" bounces on a reggae beat while canceling any doubt about our heroine's ability to stand up for herself. Like Hannah before her, Miley makes the best of both worlds--this well-worth-it set, by turns rockin' and reflective, is a masterful example. --Tammy La Gorce

Hannah Montana Photos

Album Description

This 2-disc set features 10 all new Hannah Montana songs from the #1-rated Disney Channel series, as well as a 2nd CD including 10 brand-new original songs by Miley Cyrus!

Customer Reviews:

My students love her.......2007-07-17

So many of my younger girl students are crazy for this album and want to learn its songs during our voice lessons. The songs are catchy and reel girls in.

Hannah Montana.......2007-07-15

I really injoyed both CD's. I think this Cd set is very good for young people and people who like to stay in touch with young people. My husband really like it too.

No. 1 With a Bullet. :).......2007-07-13

The two-disc _Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus_ release is a worthy successor to her no. 1 album of last year (see: the _Hannah Montana_ soundtrack album, 2006). As of this writing, at least seven of the songs from that first album have cracked the top 100 (Billboard). Additionally, the _Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus_ album placed no. 1 on the Billboard charts during its first week of release.

My family and I thoroughly enjoy this collection. There are twenty songs (ten by Hannah Montana and ten by Miley Cyrus), and the styles represented are quite eclectic. There appears to be a humble maturity occurring in her vocals and in a number of the 'Miley' texts being set to music; indeed, some of them are philosophical, while others are retrospective and (speculatively speaking) apparently prophetic, to a degree. Although the album is enjoyable to hear and digest on its own merits, in the opinion of this writer a number of tracks require repeated listenings in order to grasp some of the more subtle nuances, both musical and textual. Perhaps it is this aspect of the double-CD album that is most impressive: the quality of the work presented here by Miley and her entourage of writers is musically engaging and challenging to the listener.

The tunes on this double CD set, like those included on the initial soundtrack release, are again cleverly written. Among the genres and styles covered are ballads ("One In a Million" and "Make Some Noise"), rock, techno-pop, and a smidge of hip-hop, as well as songs containing both Spanish ("Let's Dance") and reggae ("Clear") elements. There are also some tracks (e.g. "Old Blue Jeans" and "See You Again," among others) which incorporate slightly more complex harmonies--harmonies that should keep those whom are musically inclined engaged and attentive. Among the ballads represented, it is pleasing to note that not all are about the all-too-common subject of love (e.g., "Make Some Noise").

Some semi-technical musical aspects:

The transition (from Hannah to Miley) I spoke of when reviewing her first album is deliberate on this stylistically-diverse collection. The new 'Hannah' tunes are as energetic and forward-moving as any of the power-rockish songs on the first album, while the cuts recorded by Miley continue to be imaginative and thought-provoking musically, especially with regard to the harmonic progressions being used. The melodies contain a relatively balanced mix of conjunct and disjunct movement, with some being diatonic (e.g., "Start All Over") and others encompassing more angular intervals (such as with the pronounced agogic accents that articulate the opening of "Life's What You Make It"). Particularly engaging and memorable to this listener, at least, is the unfolding locrian-esque ascending melodic line (built upon the third degree of the mode in which the tune resides) of "Start All Over" and the rhythmic movement accompanying the embedded pair of descending perfect fourths (F-C and C-G) included in the instrumental and vocal opening to "Life's What You Make It."

There is a decidedly less preponderant use of E major on this album, with keys such as C-sharp minor ("Nobody's Perfect"), G major ("Life's What You Make It"), A major ("Right Here"), A minor ("See You Again"), C major ("Clear"), G minor ("East Northumberland High"), and F-sharp minor ("Let's Dance") being used. {It must be noted that it was for me difficult to determine the precise key a given tune was written in as the tracks often sound a half step higher or lower depending upon the medium (DVD player, radio, or television) or format (CD or DVD) being used. But the relative, if not the absolute, pitch of the keys used is extremely varied.} The 'signature' E major framework is not entirely absent, however, as it is used on a couple of songs, one of which is "Bigger Than Us," a tune first heard by this writer performed in a different iteration (and in a different style and tempo) by Billy Ray Cyrus on the hit television show, "Hannah Montana." Speaking of which, another of the tunes on the 'Hannah' portion of this most recent effort, "Rock Star," is a trademark song of hers stylistically, and is sure to make its way to the television series as have several others to date.

As was the case with her first album, I again noticed--and appreciated--how different the vocal timbre of Miley Cyrus can be depending on the key being employed. Significantly, there are a few times where she cautiously extends her vocal range upward, and in so doing continues to attack her notes with excellent intonation and with what I perceive to be a modicum of ease. I am still hopeful that we will one day hear a more extensive (and melodically protracted) use of her lower range; the vocal quality is markedly different and may lend itself to a plethora of styles not yet represented on either of her first two albums.

The performances of "Nobody's Perfect" (the melody was heard initially as the "Bone Dance" on the television show, albeit with a different and more script-specific text) and "Life's What You Make It" are particularly engaging. It seems to me that both tunes (with a nod to "Make Some Noise" in 6/8 meter, and the harmonically compelling "Old Blue Jeans") are among the most imaginative and ambitious of any performed by Hannah thus far. Interestingly, "Make Some Noise" is the second tune of Miss Montana to use the barcarolle-like 6/8 meter; the first being the jointly-performed (with her father) "I Learned From You," the final cut to grace her premiere album, and a song which is interesting for its sporadic yet well-positioned use of hemiola. {N.B.: The songs by Miley are perhaps even more ambitious than those of Hannah Montana, with such gems as "See You Again," the dark (dare I say sardonic?) "East Northumberland High," and the somewhat flamenco-esque "Let's Dance" residing within and/or flirting tenuously with the minor mode; tangental cuts such as "Right Here" and the reggae-like "Clear" employ the unlikely melodic interval (performed vocally) of the ascending major seventh(!).} Curiously, and yet refreshingly, Miss Cyrus in some of the repeated sections of the pointedly melancholic "See You Again" chooses to vacillate between the raised (and eventually lowered) leading tone degree. The tension produced by the (albeit protracted, depending on one's musical memory) cross-relationship makes the tune somewhat modally ambiguous. Combined with her judiciously placed upward and downward slurring occurring on several of the phrases, and with the performance of the beginnings and endings of these segments being spot on with regard to pitch, the result tends to drive the music forward with a measured tenacity, which in the opinion of this writer is one mark of musicality occurring on the album. It is also noteworthy to mention that the first three tracks on the final CD--"See You Again," "East Northumberland High," and "Let's Dance"--each occupy a minor mode sound world.

Although I have given a cursory review of "Nobody's Perfect" elsewhere, it is important to reiterate that the tune is performed remarkably well, with Miss Montana's stage presence and accompanying rhythmic synchronizations (hand gestures and choreography) augmenting an already intriguing piece of writing. The track may interest those who enjoy relatively uncommon chord progressions in pop music. It begins and ends in C-sharp minor, but meanders effortlessly through a B minor/D major framework, eventually gravitating toward E major. The combination and succession of pitch centers--and especially the harmonic tension created between the opening and closing key of C-sharp minor and the B minor/D major/G(!) major constructs within which the second major section of this work vacillates--provides a stark yet musically engaging contrast.

I continue to appreciate the image Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus has thus far portrayed as well. As a father of several children (including four daughters, each of whom loves her music), it is gratifying to see a positive role model (with talent to burn) coming out of the Disney stable. I and my family wish her all the best in the years to come.

A Very Good Second Album .......2007-07-10

Miley/Hannah produce some catchy songs on this great follow-up to the first album. In many ways this two-disc set is better than the first Hannah Montana album (there is no filler from other groups or singers) and there are many age-appropriate songs that adults will find themselves singing along to. They have included so many songs that not every song is a winner (some of the slow ones are boring) and songs that Miley wrote show that she is still learning how to songwrite. She also oversings a couple tunes. But overall this is very good, well produced and recommended.

can somebody..........2007-07-07

scan these plzzz

-Fron Cover
-Booklet
-Back of the Booklet
-CD
-Other CD
-Back Cover
-Anything Else Inside

It would be REALLY helpful, thanx!!!

P.S.:
I only rate it 1 star becuz i don't have the cd...yet

Average customer rating:

Hard not to like
Traveling Wilburys CD/DVD
Relax and Enjoy - It IS about the Music!
Great Sounds!!!!!
WISH THIS GROUP WAS STILL PLAYING

Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD)
The Traveling Wilburys
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000P0J024
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

Handle With Care
Dirty World
Rattled
Last Night
Not Alone Any More
Congratulations
Heading For the Light
Margarita
Tweeter And the Monkey Man
End Of the Line
Maxine - (previously unreleased, Bonus Track)
Like A Ship - (alternate take, Bonus Track)

Tracks:

She's My Baby
Inside Out
If You Belonged To Me
Devil's Been Busy, The
7 Deadly Sins
Poor House
Where Were You Last Night?
Cool Dry Place
New Blue Moon
You Took My Breath Away
Wilbury Twist
Nobody's Child - (Bonus Track)
Runaway - (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

The Traveling Wilburys were one of the few supergroups that lived up to their promise, because they didn't try to. Things started inauspiciously when George Harrison, needing a B-side for a 1988 single, called in friends Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison for assistance. Two albums later--the second without Orbison, who had passed away shortly after the first was released--the loose-knit collective had recorded material that was as durable, and occasionally eclipsed, the participants' legendary solo work. The Wilburys succeeded due to a genial and contagious camaraderie that permeates both discs. What could have been a train wreck of ego clashes instead resulted in a frothy meeting of the minds. These guys are having a blast, trading lead vocals and harmonies on energetic folk-rock, quirky rockabilly, and Beatlesque pop that shimmers with the respect and esteem the members clearly hold for each other. Harrison and Lynne's rather slick production polishes off edges that might better have been left unvarnished, but there's no denying the loosey-goosey craftsmanship at work in tunes such as "Handle with Care," "End of the Line," and a striking Orbison performance on "Not Alone Anymore" that ranks with any of his finest. Both albums were million-sellers, but oddly went out of print for about a decade until Rhino resurrected them, adding two rare tracks per disc as well as a DVD of music videos and a band documentary. The resulting package is a comprehensive overview of a once--well, twice--in-a-lifetime project that, especially after Harrison's passing, will never be repeated. --Hal Horowitz

Album Description

Featuring classics like "Handle With Care," "End Of The Line," and "Heading For The Light," super-group Traveling Wilbury's Collection highlights all of the band's music and previously unreleased bonus tracks through this re-mastered double album. The DVD features behind the scenes footage of the band writing and recording, along with their 5 video clips.

Customer Reviews:

Hard not to like.......2007-07-16

The boys should have stopped after Roy died. Still there is some excellent work put forth on the second disk and the video documentary was good to see (once). All things said; the first disk is masterful.

Traveling Wilburys CD/DVD.......2007-07-16

My husband had wanted this CD for years, but I had been unable to find it since it had been out of print for so long. He was so surprised when I gave it to him, and absolutely loves it. The quality is excellant and of course so is the music! We shared it with friends and they were all going to go out and get themselves a copy as well.

Relax and Enjoy - It IS about the Music!.......2007-07-16

Don't listen to the hype or to the critics. When you look at Rock's recorded history (sorry 'bout that) the names behind the Wilburys didn't produce a lot of bad music. What they produced was frequently the best of the moment and every once in a while, they gave us nearly timeless music. And both of the albums in this 3 disk set give us that gift: a place and images in time and something timeless. Watch the train riding video and imagine Roy in that rocking chair. Whatever other deficiencies there are on the DVD, and there are some: spotty sound, jumpy shots and cuts, and no few almost corny 80's touches, it is worth the journey to get on that train.

Yea, everyone says album 1 is the best with Roy Orbison and that may be true but number three (two) is so close I think it is a wash. I grew with three of these guys. They grew up with me. Two came along later and belonged to the group regardless of age. It was and is the music that binds them together. It is the music that was the heart of a friendship. It was never about fame or their names or what could have been and were in other places and times, colossal ego clashes. When the Wilburys gathered, it was all about the music. Thank God.

Listen. Watch. Enjoy. It's not perfect but that's a tough label to get. The Traveling Wilburys set is close enough for me.

Great Sounds!!!!!.......2007-07-15

Can't get enough of this collaberation of music greats! Being that I'm from that "era", it's just wonderful to hear Roy & George again, along with the others -- Petty, Dylan, & Lynne. The music is so fun to listen to & timeless!!! You'll not be sorry buying this amazing CD set!

WISH THIS GROUP WAS STILL PLAYING.......2007-07-15

This group of outstanding Voices (Petty, Dylan, Harrison and Orbinson) united to make this wonderful music. When Roy Orbinson died a legendary candle went out in the music world. I can't say enough about this fantastic sound that this group made and the CD and DVD in this package really is a classic. Buy it - u will not regret it.

Average customer rating:

The Smashing Pumpkins...Zeitgeist....a 5 star album....Adore/ MCIS songs.
Most people don't know that
No sir, I dont like it.
want your face rocked off?
A triumphant return washed out in mediocrity.

Zeitgeist
Smashing Pumpkins
Manufacturer: Martha's Music / Reprise
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000OQF6N6
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

Doomsday Clock
7 Shades of Black
Bleeding the Orchid
That¹s the Way (my Love is)
Tarantula
Starz
United States
Neverlost
Bring the Light
(Come on) Let¹s Go!
For God and Country
Pomp and Circumstances

Amazon.com

Inside the buzzing hive of Smashing Pumpkins' guitars is clearly where bandleader Billy Corgan feels most comfortable. So, after a seven-year hiatus for the short-lived group Zwan and his surprisingly sunny 2005 solo album, Corgan has revived the Pumpkins in all the six-string-spattered shades of emotional gray that made them one of the greatest bands of the alt-rock era. Longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, along with famed boardsmiths Roy Thomas Baker and Terry Date as well as Corgan himself coproduced. Chamberlin also supports mountainous layers of guitar with his fiercest playing. California musicians Ginger Reyes (bass) and Jeff Schroeder (guitar) complete a version of the band dedicated to early bare-knuckled form, with a few exceptions: Corgan's grown into a more powerful wordsmith and his lengthy guitar solo explorations of yore are replaced with a trim, barbed textural approach that's ultimately more vicious. That is, until the centerpiece "United States" stretches into an epic punk-metal-informed sibling of Jimi Hendrix's "Machine Gun," with Corgan's strings singing like explosions and twisting metal as he warbles about revolution. Much of this album conjures literal and sonic visions of apocalypse, but there's grace, too, in the blithe grind of the hopeful "That's the Way (My Love Is)" and the melodic "Neverlost." Overall, Corgan's captivating effort to mine both the spirit of these turbulent times and the soul of his defining band is a smashing success. --Ted Drozdowski

Album Description

The Smashing Pumpkins are back! After seven years, the acclaimed Pumpkins have returned with Zeitgeist. Featuring the single "Tarantula," this new sound is not to be missed.

Customer Reviews:

The Smashing Pumpkins...Zeitgeist....a 5 star album....Adore/ MCIS songs........2007-07-16

It nice to have The Smashing Pumpkins back even through band changes and 7 years since the last album. Its shame that the fine and gorgeous D'Arcy Wretzky on bass and James Iha on guitar are no longer in the band,but Billy Corgan has picked up 2 musicians to play for the new album. Billy Corgan has picked up very good looking bass player/vocals Ginger Reyes and plays pretty well for what I have seen which is cool. Also now on board is John Schroeder on guitar/vocals. The Smashing Pumpkins are right back on track and Zeitgeist is a great album. The album starts off with a goth kick with Doomsday Clock (song on Transformers soundtrack) and 7 Shades Of Black. The first released song from Zeitgeist is the very catchy Tarantula and neat retro 60ish hippy feel featuring the new band members Ginger and John. Songs on Zeitgeist weave through a total feel of Adore (my favorite SP album) and MCIS. Songs that have the Adore feel are Bleeding The Orchid, Neverlost, For God And Country, Pomp And Circumstance, and Zeitgeist all could easily be on Adore. Songs that have the MCIS feel are Doomsday Clock (which also reminds me of The End Is The Beginning Is The End from the Batman & Robin soundtrack...Doomsday Clock also on a soundtrack for the Transformers like stated earlier), 7 Shades Of Black, That's The Way (My Love Is), Tarantula, Starz, United States, Bring The Light, and (Come On) Let's Go and the same is true with MCIS. Get this album definitely worth it.

Most people don't know that.......2007-07-16

James Iha and Darcy were never songwriters or even performed on the recordings of all the early Pumpkin albums. They were more like hired live musicians. Billy always played all guitars and bass on the albums and Jimmy the drums. So the Smashing Pumpkins are Billy and Jimmy---
This is a solid album. Reminds me of a more poppy Gish--

No sir, I dont like it........2007-07-15

If your like me and you love the old albums like Gish and Siamese Dream this album blows chunks. Compared to the delicious crunchy bite of the old true Pumpkins line up the new Pumpkins is like nibbling on a stale wafer. Zwan was better than this. However, if you are a fan of the new stuff by the new Pumpkins you may think this is ok. For me the good Pumpkins equals loud distorted melodic guitar & Billy pulling his lungs out and showing them to you. Thats not here. Not even close.

want your face rocked off?.......2007-07-15

i haven't wanted to pogo up and down to an album since i was 13 - when siamese dream came out...until i popped in this baby. pure unadulterated rock. not that anyone remembers what that is

A triumphant return washed out in mediocrity........2007-07-15

I've been thrilled about an SP reunion since Billy announced it. They're one of my all-time favorite bands, and created many songs that have impacted my life in one way or another. Even without the return of James Iha, I still had faith in Billy Corgan. I've known that the majority of their previous music was all written by--and in some cases--performed by him (like most of "Siamese Dream").

That being said, "Zeitgeist" is a bland and tired effort. It is easily the worst CD with the SP name on it. Aside from the fact that the music is boring and uneventful, the liner notes for the CD are ludicrous. Imagine my surprise when I opened up the booklet and the first thing I saw was a picture of Paris Hilton. The remaining pages are filled with all manner of political statements, most of which are laughably stupid.

I am tempted to do a song for song review, but I don't feel like putting for the effort. The only songs that are even worth listening to are "That's The Way (My Love Is)," "(Come On) Let's Go," and "Bleeding The Orchid." I got the impression that "United States" is supposed to be some sort of centerpiece that features their new direction, but it's lyrically childish and musically underwhelming. The creativity in writing is there, but it feels unfocused. I also despise the sound of the guitars on this CD--they're too fuzzy for their own good. He also uses some god-awful vocal effects that take away from his voice.

It's too bad. I know every band will release a CD that isn't as good as the others, so I'm hoping this is SP's.

Average customer rating:

It Won't Be Soon Before Long - Absolutely No Songs About Jane
buy it
The Wait is Over
Another good one!
Not as catchy as Songs About Jane

It Won't Be Soon Before Long
Maroon 5
Manufacturer: A&M / Octone Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000P2A256
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

If I Never See Your Face Again
Makes Me Wonder
Little of Your Time
Wake Up Call
Won't Go Home Without You
Nothing Lasts Forever
Can't Stop
Goodnight Goodnight
Not Falling Apart
Kiwi
Better That We Break
Back At Your Door

Amazon.com

Sometimes it's O.K.--even important--to put aside your reluctance to embrace artists who make teenage girls scream. It happened in 2006, when Justin Timberlake scraped the sludge off pop and left something shiny behind, and it's happening again in 2007 with Maroon 5. It Won't Be Soon Before Long, the L.A. band's sophomore studio disc, rode in on a crest of hype and crumpled expectations--fan reports had it that Adam Levine & Co. scrapped their signature pop-soul sound for something harder and darker. Not so. Shades of Prince, Hall & Oates, and Sting still color the Maroon sound (check out the spectacularly fizzy "Little of Your Time," as well as the first single, "Makes Me Wonder," a song catchier than fire), but they're made ever fainter here by the clamping down of five guys on what is essentially the most distinctive pop sound to emerge from a single band since the Bee Gees squealed into the mid-'70s. It Won't Be Soon squares hip-hop sensibilities ("Wake Up Call") with rock ones ("If I Never See Your Face Again") and stormy moods ("Can't Stop") with bittersweet ballads ("Better That We Break"). It's a disc destined to defy detractors and go on to greatness, elevating the credibility of teenage girls for years to come. --Tammy La Gorce

Amazon.com

Global neo-soul rock superstars Maroon 5 are back with their much-anticipated sophomore album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long. The follow-up to the 10x platinum, Grammy-winning Songs About Jane will be "sexier and stronger," according to frontman Adam Levine, who looked to '80s icons such as Prince, Michael Jackson, and Talking Heads for inspiration. Recorded at home in Los Angeles with producers Mike Elizondo (Fiona Apple, Eminem), Mark "Spike" Stent (Bjork, Keane, Gwen Stefani), Mark Endert (Madonna, Fiona Apple), and Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Nickel Creek), the album promises to be a louder take on the pop sounds of their first effort. "It's definitely aggressive, upbeat and pounding," says Levine.

More Maroon 5

Songs About Jane
Live Friday the 13th
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Maroon 5 Photos

Customer Reviews:

It Won't Be Soon Before Long - Absolutely No Songs About Jane.......2007-07-15

So they're a pop band...some even call them a "boy band". But, so what as long as they play good music? Judging a book by its cover was never the best way to draw a conclusion.

Musically speaking, this record is way much better than "Songs About Jane" in my opinion. It is clear that songs are now arranged and played in a more careful and sophisticated way. My picks are: "Nothing Lasts Forever", "Can't Stop", "Not Falling Apart" and "Back at Your Door". My guess is that if you hear at least these four tracks, you will notice a better and more mature Maroon 5, going to the right way and making their evolution.

buy it.......2007-07-14

incredible
even the songs you've never heard before you will love
if you like songs about jane, you'll like this, too
i have it in my car cd player right now

The Wait is Over.......2007-07-13

This CD is a refreshing change to the status quo of pop/rock music. Maroon 5 is an awesome band. I look forward to their new releases to come.

Another good one!.......2007-07-09

Once again Maroon 5 has kicked out another good CD. Not one bad song on there as far as I'm concerned!

Not as catchy as Songs About Jane.......2007-07-09

I absolutely loved Maroon 5's first album, but this one doesn't quite do it for me. The lyrics are great, however, the song itself lacks original beats. I think they should team up with Timberland or another producer to improve the sound of the album.

Average customer rating:

awesome
Once
Best film score of the year..
Once
Amazing Film Amazing Songs

Once
Original Soundtrack
Manufacturer: Columbia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
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Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

ASIN: B000PFU7OO
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

Falling Slowly
If You Want Me
Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy
When Your Minds Made Up
Lies
Gold
The Hill
Fallen from the Sky
Leave
Trying to Pull Myself Away
All the Way Down
Once
Say It to Me Now

Amazon.com

Even those allergic to musicals may be won over by Once, a tender-hearted Irish romance with songs by Czech Republic-born Markéta Irglová and Frames frontman Glen Hansard. (The film's director, John Carney, actually used to play bass in the group.) The trick here is that Irglová and Hansard also play the leads; because their characters are shown busking, writing music, or rehearsing, the songs are smoothly integrated in the film. The overall acoustic mood won't surprise fans of the Frames--some tracks ("Say It to Me," "When Your Mind's Made Up") have even popped up on the band's albums, though the arrangements are more pared-down here, befitting the scruffy, street-musician setting. Being the lesser-known entity, Irglová feels like a revelation; she sounds a bit like a folkie Björk on "If You Want Me," and her song "The Hill" is downright heartbreaking. Irglová and Hansard had already made the 2006 album The Swell Seasontogether, so their collaboration here feels really organic--they sound particularly good together on the title track, for instance. Now that's the kind of magic you want from musicals. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

awesome.......2007-07-15

The music was almost as good as in the movie. I loved the CD!

Once.......2007-07-13

I saw the movie and immediately ordered the soundtrack. I play it all the time. The music is great and the CD well balanced. I can't wait for the DVD.

Best film score of the year.........2007-07-12

I agree with the critics that this lovely movie has the best music of any film in years.

Once.......2007-07-12

This CD captures the beauty and power of the songs from the movie. I still get goosebumps when I listen to Say It To Me Know and When Your Mind's Made Up. You will not be disappointed by purchasing this soundtrack.

Amazing Film Amazing Songs.......2007-07-12

Once you see the film "Once" the music will stay in your head for days. The soundtrack captures the magic of the film and the music is 85% of the story. Wonderful music.

Average customer rating:

One Man's Trash Ain't Another Man's "Ripoff"
EASY TIGER by Ryan Adams
great cd!
Another incredible release from an incredible talent
Are the critics hearing the same album?

Easy Tiger
Ryan Adams
Manufacturer: Lost Highway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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New Moon

ASIN: B000P29B1W
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

goodnight rose
two
everybody knows
halloween head
two hearts
tears of gold
the sun also sets
off broadway
rip off
oh my god, whatever, etc.
pearls on a string
these girls
i taught myself how to grow old

Amazon.com

Easy Tiger, Ryan Adams's ninth solo studio album, is a return to form in every way. He's already shown that he can bash out three albums in one year--not to mention the hilarious fake hip-hop records posted for free on his Web site--and that he can sound as much like the Grateful Dead as he wants to in his constant subsequent touring. Backed once again by the Cardinals, Adams synthesizes and refines his approach to smooth, gorgeous country-pop. "Tears of Gold" is one of the best songs he's written in ages, while "Two" is a slowly percolating, sweet little number that recalls Sean Hayes in its soulful folksiness (someone named Sheryl Crow accompanies Adams on vocals). One of the greatest treats of this languorous, twangy album is the subtle ways that genre gets played with. "I Taught Myself How to Grow Old" is the best Harvest outtake Neil Young never wrote, while the treated, synth-sounding guitar solo on the druggy, chooglin' "Halloweenhead" sounds like it comes straight out of Journey. And "The Sun Also Sets" sounds more than a little like Rufus Wainwright covering Fred McDowell's "Write Me a Few of Your Lines." It bursts with enough melodrama as to border on musical theater. But, as is clear on these songs of love and loss, Adams has always been at his best when giving into his most mellow, dramatic side. --Mike McGonigal

Ryan Adams Photos

More Ryan Adams

Heartbreaker
Gold
Love Is Hell

Album Description

I think there are really only two kinds of pop music CDs these days. There are the ones you listen to only once or twice, maybe downloading the single good song to your iPod or computer; then there are others that grow stronger, sweeter, and more necessary each time you play them. Gold was that way; Cold Roses was that way; so was Jacksonville City Nights. I won't say Adams is the best North American singer-songwriter since Neil Young...but I won't say he isn't, either. What I know is there has never been a Ryan Adams record quite as strong and together as Easy Tiger; it's got enough blue-eyed, blue-steel soul (with the faintest country tinge) to make me think of both Marvin Gaye and the Righteous Brothers. Probably ridiculous, but true. And the songs themselves are beautiful--the lyrics tightly focused and brief, the feeling one of melancholy calm that will probably be a revelation to fans that remember the old, sometimes angry Ryan Adams.

Now there's this, maybe the best Ryan Adams CD ever. And I know you want to listen to it right away. But slow down. Take your time. This album asks for that, and it will reward your full attention.

In other words--easy, Tiger.

--Stephen King

Customer Reviews:

One Man's Trash Ain't Another Man's "Ripoff".......2007-07-16

As with many artists, Ryan Adams has two kinds of fans: A) Those who pour over and worship his every utterance, and B) people who have or dig songs from an album or two. I fall a little closer to the former. But I'm a recent convert, so I can still remember life before impending fandom set in. There are good and bad things about Easy Tiger. The uber-slick production on every track tends to sound forced. Snare drums hit with razor-clarity and guitars are pro-tools polished, and crisp. This might attract some listeners, but his last two albums (Jacksonville City Nights and 29) had pretty rough edges, evoking alt. country bleed-through of a bygone era. As for whether or not the songwriting is still good, again that's entirely subjective. Some people admire where he's at as an artist, and some will just never forget that song they loved 6, 8, or 10 years ago. Moments like that are hard for even the most prolific writers to re-duplicate. I say put the record on, drive around for a few days listening, but not giving it your full attention. See if it becomes the soundtrack to what you're going through. It did with me, which is why I can't stop playing Easy Tiger now.

EASY TIGER by Ryan Adams.......2007-07-16

I am already a Ryan Adams fan. Have all his albums and then some (Whiskeytown too). Many reviewers are heralding this as a return to HEARTBREAKER and it seems to me he's just come full circle. He sounds more mature on this album, but the music is reminiscent of HEARTBREAKER - seems to me he's gearing up for the second phase of what I home is a long, long carrer. It just amazes me - can Ryan write a bad song?

great cd!.......2007-07-15

ryan adams gives us another great musical experience...a little countryish, but still full of great riffs and piercing lyrics!

Another incredible release from an incredible talent.......2007-07-13

There are only a few artists these days that I am excited enough about to run out and buy their new albums as soon as they are released. Ryan Adams is one of those, and has been since the release of his second solo release, Gold. Now that I have had Easy Tiger for a few weeks and have listened to it many (and I do mean many, many) times, I feel like I can share an informed opinion about the record. My very first reaction to Easy Tiger was luke warm. I liked it. But it didn't grab me. But that is the beauty of Easy Tiger; it creeps in and takes hold. After a few days I was really starting to get into a several of the songs. I found myself humming the songs at work, which resulted in a few odd glances. "Two" was the first song I noticed. Ryan has always been quite gifted at writing forlorn love songs. "Two" carries on this tradition and shows he still has the ability to pull on those heart strings with a believable love song that anyone can identify with. But in my opinion, the shining star of this album is "The Sun Also Sets." That song in particular would make the album worth purchasing alone. This is another one of those songs that falls into the category of tragic love songs. Even the arguably oddest song on the album, "Halloweenhead", has really grown on me. Where it once seemed strangely out of place on the album, I can see how it's prefectly nestled exactly where it should be. The only song that I've yet to really enjoy is "Pearls on a String," which is the only reason I can think to not rate the album five stars. The final song, "I Taught Myself How to Grow Old" is another masterpiece by Ryan which perfectly brings Easy Tiger to close. Ryan's incredible falsetto voice is also in perfect form throughout the entireity of Easy Tiger. Ryan has proven over and over again that he is an incredible talent, and he continues to prove it with Easy Tiger. I highly recommend this cd to anyone with a penchant for Ryan's music or alternative/country/rock music in general.

Are the critics hearing the same album?.......2007-07-12

Maybe two or three songs are of the standard I associate with Ryan Adams. He has a lot of great songs and a lot of bad songs. This album, along with 29, is consisted of mostly bad songs. It seems like he's doing it to just do it - the single Two is a good example of this - come on Ryan, you can do better than that. It's a snoozer for me...

Average customer rating:

I felt you so much today
????
Give it time
What's Next? Shiny Happy People?
Today My Heart Swings!

Our Love to Admire
Interpol
Manufacturer: Capitol Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Easy Tiger

ASIN: B000PY32CO
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

Pioneer To the Falls
No I In Threesome
The Scale
The Heinrich Maneuver
Mammoth
Pace Is the Trick
All Fired Up
Rest My Chemistry
Who Do You Think
Wrecking Ball
The Lighthouse

Amazon.com

Moving up to a major label has hardly lifted Interpol's spirits. This is a good thing. Even with the twisted Wild Kingdom album cover and bassist Carlos Dengler's unexpected Wild West makeover, on its third studio album the black-clad New York quartet still sounds inflexibly menacing, grasping tighter than ever to its doomy post-punk influences and delving further into frontman Paul Banks's emotional unrest. Everything sounds a little bigger and brighter, sure, but at their core songs like "Rest My Chemistry" and "Wrecking Ball" are heroically sinister, goaded on by prickly riffs and slow-bleeding rhythms. The group briefly jumps to life on the buzzing "Heinrich Manouver" and exhibits an unexpected dash of humor on "No I in Threesome," but it's the closing "Lighthouse" that best defines the set--a late-night lament that simply steals away into the dark. --Aidin Vaziri

Amazon.com

Our Love To Admire is at once unmistakably Interpol and undeniably new. The witty and perverse "No I In Threesome" is an upbeat ode to shaking up a staid relationship propelled by Carlos D's peerless bass melody while the tenderly observant "Pace Is the Trick" proves that the band are still the masters of the dramatic - check the painful pause right before the sinfully satisfying return of Sam's thundering drums and Daniel's ringing lead guitar. The band's impressively seductive evolution is obvious all over the record, but never more so than on tracks like "Mammoth," "Who Do You Think" and on the album's lyrical centerpiece, the ghostly "Rest My Chemistry." While Daniel is understandably proud of the song he cautions against reading too much autobiography into its lyrics. "We always leave the interpretation to the listener," he says. "I mean, you shouldn't watch a movie for the first time listening to the director's commentary!"

Our Love to Admire closes with "The Lighthouse," a funereal dirge that is among the most unexpected and memorable songs ever recorded by the band. Almost entirely percussion-free, the song is constructed around Daniel's mournful guitar and Paul's sparten lyrics. Not only is it one of their finest moments to date, it provides the album's most goose-bump inducing moment, the very same reflex shivers that make Interpol live shows such an exhilarating experience. As the very last song the band recorded for the album it was, they say, the hardest to play. The hypnotic guitar part was played on a 50-year-old guitar that had toxins on the strings, providing Daniel with a blistering and painful sensation in his fingers. The band weren't even sure the track would make it out of the studio, but once they heard Paul's remarkable vocals they were floored. The song - and the album - doesn't so much end as it bleeds to a close with a long, echoey coda filled with feedback and strings. A fittingly dramatic end to a stunning and emotional journey. Interpol is back, every bit as good as before but charged with a new spirit, a new direction, a new label and, most of all, a new confidence.

Interpol Photos