Amplifier [Enhanced]

Track Listings

1. Still Breathing

2. Lovely Mausoleum

3. God Made Heaven

4. Someday (Time and Space)

5. Jimmy

6. Star in the Book of Life

7. Wouldn't It Be Cool

8. Psalm 72

9. What Would Jesus Do?

10. Ready, Steady, Go

11. Thanks

Tracks:

Huge
Ganbow-Ki
Hama
Kuruimizu
Vomitself

Customer Reviews:

Your Love is Like a Truck.......2006-07-13

This Boris album is a great and lumbering beast. Sneering with rows of teeth, gleaming darkness in its eyes, about to devour the world you once thought was so safe.

It starts with the aptly titled "Huge". this song is nothing but, HUGE. Lacking a traditional song sturcture for the first 7 or 8 minutes, it just repeats a massive crushing riff, doubling over on itself, and just when you think "Hmmmm, a Sunn 0))) rip off" drums come pounding in at a snails pace. The space between the notes is what really grasps you on this tracks as chords ring, distorted and distended for moments on end....This is the genesis of the aformentioned beast. And a great intro to an enormous album. At 9 minutes you are feeling uncomfortable, dont worry, you are getting appropriately prepared for utter devastation.

Ganbou-Ki sets the tunes into action with an incredibly anguished howl and more downtuned lurching guitar and devastating drum and bass pummel before skirting off to the sides of your sanity with a heavy hypnotic bass section. This part of the song, long and unhurried, quiets down the immense pressure put on it, only to add pyschedelic feedback and tribal drumming, and a mounting tension that threatens the quiet security one might find in this piece....Warped guitar soloing enters after a period of almost tranquil and interminable quiet and the bass and drums begin setting the stage for a second pummeling. This track is 15 some-odd minutes long and by now you should understand whether or not you are ready to put up with this kind of self indulgent doom. If not, Bail NOW!. If you do have the patience, please continue for a sonic adventure sure to keep your ears ringing.

Hama picks up where Ganbou-Ki left off, with a little eerie chirp that sounds like crickets before exploding into full on sludge punk that has a very industrial pounding feel. Then, taking a sharp left youre treated to more hypnotic psychedelics and another build which leads back to the beginning of the song, with almost chanted vocals and a great break. 6 minutes for this, the shortest track here.

Kuruimizu begins with another punk workout with some particularly vicious vocal delivery. You must be sweating by now, yes? Lets continue: Sludge punk then becomes the darkest march to the afterworld with martial drumming and a thick lead that dissipates into one thick guitar and some evil whispering. If the first track is to be likened to our beast that we described, then track 2 and 3 are that same beast wreaking doom and destruction on the world it is intent to devour. Then Kuruimizu is the death of that world. The passing of the world into darkness. This darkness comes in the form of a shimmering post rock build that will have the most solid of Godspeed You! Black Emperor fans impressed. A very trippy affair and yet still completely in line with the hell that had been unleashed just 30 minutes before....This extraordinary section almost makes you feel hopeful before leaving you with a flatline feedback drone and the grim realization that this world is now the beast's world and we are naught but a shimmer of the past it once was.

This realization is known as Vomitself, track 5, in which the world is nothingness. A dark hell carved out by the beast, rendering hope and light into dust. Blistering feedback and the most dropped tuning and droning you could imagine this side of the Sunn.

The album as a whole has many analogies that one could make in describing the ebb and flow of emotions here. The sound and progression are top notch quality played by musicians who have a clear idea of what they wish to achieve. The album plays as one long song split into 5 parts that total over an hour of music, so it is truly best to commit yourself to the experience by listening on good headphones or a good stereo and making sure you have the full amount of time needed to absorb this hulking monolith of doom. If you do this, you will surely be taken places, some places maybe you dont want to be taken, but nonetheless a glimpse of a place you wouldnt happen across unless you went looking for it...A darkness, without and within.

If this album pleases you, then I give you this caveat: Boris fans know that Boris is a chameleon of metal, rock, doom, and stoner sludge. Choosing which album to listen to is like picking out what you want to feel. If you want more of the same, then I highly reccomend you seek out their latest "Dronevil - Final" from Inoxia Records, and for a lighter taste, the ambient drone of "Flood". If you want the Boris displayed on their latest and great album "Pink", then you should look to the albums "Heavy Rocks" and "Akuma No Uta"...They have a much more rock an roll feel, ala Sabbath and Motorhead, that is extremely pleasing. But wait! Theres more! They also have a "soundtrack" to a made up film called "Mabuta No Ura" which I would place next to Godspeed You Black Emperor and Mogwai in terms of mood and tone. They also have a few even more avant-garde albums such as their collaborations with Japanese noise specialist Merzbow (Three albums total) and another with Keiji Haino and then theres the first album and an extremely thick slab of hell, "Absolutego"

"Amplifier Worship" satisfies on many levels for its foray into many of the territories that Boris has staked a claim in on their other albums, but if you are looking for a band to keep your interest and you are into a variety of rock and metal styles than Boris is a band that will keep you running to catch up and see what they do next.

JAPANESE....MELVINS??.......2005-09-15

i think this album should be given three and a half stars,but alas,that isn't an option here -
anyway,Boris kinda made me think of "LYSOL" era Melvins,with an Earth-like tendency to drone.As other reviewers have noted,one can hear a great number of other influences/points of reference as well.
bottom line,i found it far from boring but not anywhere near ground-breaking,either.
quite heavy,though..........

ode to Boris.......2005-06-18

ahhh Boris...how i love thee. your translinear sludgy trippy soundscapes move my guts. you have a nice streamlined approach where things stay clean and very very heavy. yet, when thou art mellow, it besoothes my aching skull. your taste in graphic design is quite respectable (although the u.s. releases have been plagued by horrid art). you define quality music and i shall sing thy praises evermore.
...plus your guitarist is so damn cute.

amplifier worship.......2005-03-22

Mr. MC Hood makes a lot of fine points and is quite right on a lot of them. This album is not perfect, the songs aren't perfect, and there are other suitable directions the production could've taken.

Not perfect but pretty close if you ask me. The band exhibits a rather wide range of styles on this album, discernable ones to my ears include hints of: Grief, Earth, MC5, the Stooges, Venom, Melvins, and some odd ambient yet melodic passages. I would say the band has their own style. They are indeed a drone band as Mr. Hood stated, songs are long and tend to 'drone'(ie: parts are repeated to the point of the listener zoning out). I think it's a great aspect of their music. At first I was a bit put off because to some it could easily be interpreted as boring. After repeated listens it became funny and very obviously done on purpose. When you first hear it happen on a song like Ganbow-Ki, the song moves along at a rockin pace then drops off with the bass and drummer by themselves. As you listen to it, it sounds like they are preparing for a guitar solo, or break, or bridge or something, ANYTHING but it doesn't come the beat just continues. A few things may come to mind: did they mess up and kept it on the final track? Is this some kind of joke where the actual break comes up when you don't suspect it? If the song drones on for any of these reasons I find it funny, but the song keeps going and I soon stop asking questions because I'm zoning out as I listen to it or I forget why I was asking questions in the first place. Much later the music resumes with a new intro and moves in another direction rather different from the way it began. edit: after another listen, this droning aspect isn't as endearing on the track 'Hama' but tolerable.

It's a very pleasant and relaxing style of songwriting where there is really no rush to 'WOW' or amaze the listener, but entertain, occupy, and accompany. It's 'drone music', where you both feel and listen to it not so much to pump your fist and throw cups of beer too. Although their heavy-handed rock n roll segments certainly allow for that kind of behaviour, there's just a bit more to it.

Overall I think this is an incredibly solid album and easily among some of the better records I own of recent times(considering both metal and otherwise). It can be listened to as an album, there are ups and downs and a variety of tones/moods/etc. I add that it wasn't obviously good, I had to listen to this thing quite a few times before I began to click with it and notice the band's subtle nuances.

I would suggest picking it up if you are a fan of heavy music or a fan of rock n roll and don't mind some odd experimentation, keeping in mind the bands I noted in the second paragraph.

down tuned sludge-o-rama.......2005-03-17

for the last decade or so music coming out of japan has been increasingly interesting and diverse. from the acid-drenched wailings of the boredoms to legendary noise terrorist merzbow we have come to expect japanese bands breaking through into the western markets to be challenging. and on paper boris are a mouth-watering prospect.

there is no mistaking the fact that boris are, at heart, a drone band. songs last 8-9 minutes often with lengthy interludes of monotonous feedback yet unlike labelmates sunn o))) they introduce elements of stoner and even crusty punk to their low end rumble. its an inspired concept, yet unfortunately boris dont have the song writing skill to pull it off to best effect. in order to use feedback you have to do something interesting with it. sunn o))) bleed frequencies to create thunderous walls of sound and khanate incorporate it into eerie atmospheric, pant-soiling tableaus of sonic evil. boris, however, hold the same note for a very long time which may be all arty but is in fact terribly boring.
thankfully they are not a one trick pony as other elements of their style are commendable. they show a sound grasp of stoner riffing playing in a similar vein to Jerusalem-era sleep and their punked up numbers lurch and grate like discharge on downers.

this is all well and good but, and this is a big but, boris dont seem to know how to structure a song. they have all the right concepts to impress southern lord devotees and should, by all rights, be producing an extremely tasty slice of psychadelic pie. yet it just doesnt fit. blissful drones burst into mammoth riffs without warning and tribal drums appear out of nowhere. these sort of 'turn-on-a-dime' dynamics are exciting in hardcore music but in snail-pace sludge it just sounds awkward.

with a bit more time spent on melding their waywards styles together boris could be something truly spectacular. perhaps a collaboration with drone overlord stephen o'malley or some sonic advice (there are more dials than just reverb!!) from experimentalist aaron turner could see this japanese trio mate their drone tendecies with their zeppelin fetishes successfully. until then, however, boris will continue to be a mediocre band with ideas above their station.

Average customer rating:

Tori? Sarah? Move Over
Better with each listen
There are gems here. One song has potential to hit big, if..
Introducing...10 wonderful songs...

Ballads & Burlesque
Rachael Sage
Manufacturer: Mpress Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Blistering Sun
Public Record
Painting of a Painting
Illusion's Carnival
Smashing the Serene

ASIN: B0002KVUTI
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

Sacrifice
Leah
It's So Hard
Why Not Love
Even Love Dies
One True Thing
Jane's Dimitri
Obvious
Ferris Wheel
Bravest Fear

Customer Reviews:

Tori? Sarah? Move Over.......2004-09-30

Talk about serendipity. I picked up this cd on a whim, and it has honestly turned out to be my best music purchase in the past year. Now I'm anxious to get my hands on the other five cds that I've heard she has out there and I'm ready to join the chorus of voices asking when Rachael Sage will get the radio love that she deserves.

Ballads and Burlesque manages to call to mind the work of talented musicians like Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, and Ani DiFranco, and yet in the end, what Sage has created here is entirely her own. She is more grounded than Sarah, more accessible than Tori, and more wistful than Ani--this is quite a coup, and it could end up being a very marketable one, if she finally gets heard airtime.

Simply put, there isn't a weak song on the cd. Even when she tackles the downside of relationships, as she often does here (the romantic dynamic, in "It's so Hard" and "Even Love Dies", the father-son dynamic in "Sacrifice") she manages to analyze and examine without seeming neurotic, and without wallowing...a lesson that other singer-songwriter types could stand to learn.
She can break your heart a little when she wants to, such as with the lost love described in "Jane's Dimitri", and yet manages to stay buoyant almost in spite of it all with her touch of humor in songs like "Leah" keeping her listener right there with her for the ride through relationships past.

From the sound of it, she's a believer in the "better to have loved and lost..." school of thought. And if you know what's good for you, you had better listen to her. It's worth it.

Better with each listen.......2004-09-23

Rachael has put out another good album. The songs here are mostly about love in its various forms: self-love, confidence, and acceptance (Sacrifice), unfulfilled/lost love (the heartbreaking Jane's Dimitri), the complications of new feelings (Leah), the difficulty (It's So Hard), the end (Even Love Dies).

Illusion's Carnival and Public Record both took a while for me to really love, but I think those albums had sonic experimentation that took me a little while to get used to, and they had songs that I immediately loved. Overall Ballads & Burlesque is a bit mellower than her previous work, and I miss some of the punch. I guess I wish there was a little more burlesque in the ballads and a little less ballad in the burlesque.

"Ferris Wheel" is a good case in point. The original, which appears on Public Record, is bright, almost bouncy, and one of my favorite songs on that album. Here it is transformed into a far moodier piece. The trumpets that I had grown to love so much since Illusion's Carnival only appear here on 2 songs.

Rachael's voice and piano are as wonderful as ever though, the arrangements as lush (especially Stephanie Winters' cello), and the trumpets shine when they do appear. The album gets better with each listen, as the songs reveal themselves. There's more energy than first appeared.

Long-time fans should definitely add this to their collection. However I must admit I don't think it's quite as good as her previous work (her previous work being of such consistent high quality, that's really less of a slight than it sounds) which is why I recommend newcomers start with something else, say Smashing the Serene or Illusion's Carnival. Then again, maybe this disc would be better appreciated if it's not being compared to her previous albums.

There are gems here. One song has potential to hit big, if.........2004-09-17

Rachael Sage practically started out as an award-winning songwriter, and has since gotten even better. "Ballads & Burlesques" may well prove to be a breakthrough to a much larger audience. Her national reputation may have begun by winning the 2001 John Lennon and 2002 Billboard Songwriting Contests, or as an opening act for Ani DiFranco, but sometimes "mere" contest-winners really do have talent, really prove it with dues-paying live performances and most importantly get really good recordings made of their sound at its best.

If fairness had anything to do with music getting heard by a wide audience, Sage's music would naturally be in millions of homes. The music industry being what it is, though, they won't sell more good music to most of us until a lot of us tell them what's good. Still, there's a chance for musical justice. I have a fantasy scenario that may make the unlikely possible, in just a few "if only" steps: If only the makers of a memorable romantic comedy movie were searching for a great song to use for a 2 or 3-minute segment without dialogue -- imagine sequences in Meg Ryan movies for reference. If only they would hear Rachael Sage's "Why Not Love?" from "Ballads & Burlesque" and recognize how perfect it would be in their film and buy the rights. If only the music promotion machine would pick up on the buzz around the song from the hit movie and make it the Next Big Ballad.

"If only" that wasn't so difficult. Or is it? "Why Not Love?" is good enough to be worthy of the attention.

All we need now is for the right person / people to "discover" it.

If Sarah McLaughlin could have a huge album and bigger career via a similar scenario, Rachel Sage certainly has the goods to be similarly popular.

"Ballads and Burlesque" is an album of very good songs. But I'm taken with the idea that it contains that one breakthrough song to break through to mainstream appreciation.

[revised 10-14-04]

Introducing...10 wonderful songs..........2004-08-30

Her sixth release to date, "Ballads & Burlesque" is her best album yet! From start to finish, this album will keep you wanting more. Her luscious piano arrangements are accentuated by her rich voice and beautiful lyrics. Highlights include "Jane's Dimitri," a heart-breaking song about a woman who realizes she's passed up her one chance at true love, "One True Thing," the catchy "It's So Hard," and the album's first AAA radio single, "Sacrifice," about a young man struggling to tell his father that he wants to stray away from his father's view of his future and become an artist. This album is highly recommended to long time fans of Rachael Sage, and welcome newcomers!

Average customer rating:

Excellent J-Rock
A Great Rock Album, No Matter What Country You're From!
My Declaration...It Rocks
AKG will Rock Your World!
J-Rock does good

Houkai Amplifier
Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Manufacturer: Kioon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Sol-fa
Fanclub
Smile
Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Kimi to Iu Hana

ASIN: B00008PT50
Release Date: 2003-05-05

Tracks:

6 Tracks Japanese Titles (Houkai Anpurifa)

Customer Reviews:

Excellent J-Rock.......2005-08-24

Ever since I heard the second opening to Naruto I had to check AKFG, and I was not disappointed! Every single on this CD is top notch and a must for any fan of J-rock.

A Great Rock Album, No Matter What Country You're From!.......2004-10-29

Admittedly, Houkai Amplifier lacks some of the catchy originality that was displayed on Kimi Tsunagi 5-M, but it's nonetheless a great album. AKFG (Aji-kan in Japan) is one of my favorite bands because they know how to rock out, and the lead sing Gotoh has great screaming vocals when he lets loose, but enough understated apathy to carry the gentler parts of his lyrics. This CD is worthwhile just for Haruka Kanata, the opening theme for Naruto that broadened their fan base, while the rest of the songs are somewhat reminiscent of Weezer mixed with Gotoh's great lyrics. I think that none of these tracks particularly highlights any one of the band members over the others, whereas Kimi Tsunagi 5-M had different textures for the songs (evoking a range from pensive U2 to power chord 80's rock) that allowed you to appreciate the extraordinary bass work in the foundation, the great guitar riffs and some awesome drumwork. Still, Rasshinban is a solid song, and the lyrics for Konayuki are interesting. Their latest singles, especially Rewrite, are good, and as long as they stay true to their indy rock roots and still rock out, their next album should be a good one.

My Declaration...It Rocks.......2004-10-18

Asian Kung-Fu Generation has been probably the best of the J-Rock/Pop bands that I've heard so far. Catchy songs. I took a chance on an excurion to the Shibuya Tower Records, and it has not let me down. I have since purchased another album by them, and plan on buying their new one when it comes out next month. The price on Amazon is a bit high, but the used prices are good.

AKG will Rock Your World!.......2004-08-21

I discovered this group because their song, "Haruka Kanata" was featured as the second opening for the anime Naruto. I immediately checked out their main album, Kunkei Five M, and was very surprised at how good they were. Houkai Amplifier was a mini-album released before Kunkei Five M, but has some excellent songs on it. The songs tend to be very fast paced and have excellent driving beats. I especially enjoyed "Haruka Kanata" (track 1), "Compass" (track 2), "Ao no Uta" (track 4), and "12" (track 6). Asian Kung-Fu Generation is your standard rock group, that is making a great name for itself. Some of their earlier works can be a little redundant, but the new stuff they are coming out with is excellent! I defintely suggest this mini-album as a small taste of AKG. If you really enjoy these songs, then I suggest looking at their album "Kunkei Five M", and their latest singles "Loop and Loop" and "Rewrite"!

J-Rock does good.......2004-04-27

Well, let me establish that I'm not typically a fan of Japanese music. Even though I've lived in Japan for a lengthy period, I just can't get over how little Japanese music catches my ear. However, a friend of mine and I were perusing a CD store in a Seibu depato, when he pointed out this single to me and suggested that I sample it. I was immediately hooked.

Little did I know that this band was also responsible for the Season 2 opening of Naruto, a soon-to-be anime favorite.

So, I have to recommend this single to anyone who enjoys rock in the vein of power chords. You've heard it before, yes, but these songs will still impress you. Plus, (on the minor side) this band has fantastic album cover art. Not that it's of any import...

My only complaint is in regards to the rather absurd LabelGate copy protection on the disc; essentially this feature makes it impossible to do much of anything other than play it (one copy is allowed, after that you're charged a 200 yen per song surcharge to re-copy the disc contents.) Be careful, you may not have hardware that will properly read this single.

Amplifier
Average customer rating:

Powerful

Jesus is alive and kicking!

Excelent!!

The Real Thing-Big Tent Revival

The absolute best CD from BTR, ever!

Amplifier
Big Tent Revival
Manufacturer: Forefront / Emd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Alternative | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Open All Nite

Choose Life

Big Tent Revival

Big Tent Revival Live

Conspiracy No. 5

ASIN: B00000600E
Release Date: 1998-03-24

Tracks:

Still Breathing
Lovely Mausoleum
God Made Heaven
Someday (Time and Space)
Jimmy
Star In The Book Of Life
Wouldn't It Be Cool
Psalm
What Would Jesus Do?
Ready, Steady, Go
Thanks
....15

Customer Reviews:

Powerful.......2005-03-03

This album is one of my favorite in the Popular Christian Music Genre. I had never even heard of this band before they showed up on the "WWJD" Album put together by various artists. Like some of the other reviewers I only bought this for "WWJD" and have been pleasantly pleased with the album as a whole. I love "Wouldn't it Be Cool" and "Star in the Book of Life." This is not like a lot of albums with only one or two hits and a bunch of filler tracks this album is enjoyable from start to finish.

Jesus is alive and kicking!.......2001-05-18

When I first listened to BTR, I was kind of dissapointed, there weren't nearly enough of Jesus in the songs, but now I realize that there is a deeper meaning in the lyrics as well as in the music. GOD IS EVERYWHERE IN THIS CD!! I can feel the connection to the almighty spirit. It's like god is decending from the blue skies just to be present with me and we fight all evil spirits of the world together!

Excelent!!.......1999-07-17

This is an excelent CD. BTR really shows how they can Rock and Roll for the LORD! This is better than their first one. They rock more on this one. Before I bought it, I didn't know who they were. Then, they came to this confrence and I liked their style. When I first bought it, I only got it for "WWJD" and "Star In The Book Of Life". After one spin, I liked the whole thing. I like anything that worships the LORD but the songs that stuck out were, "Still Breathing", "God Made Heaven", "Jimmy", "Star In The Book Of Life", "Wouldn't It Be Cool", "WWJD", "Real Thing", "West Memphis Lawyer", and "Come On People". I liked the Thank You segment. They were funny in that.

The Real Thing-Big Tent Revival.......1999-06-12

This was a definite change for the better. The band's third album showed a lot more edge and musical improvement. The lyrics of the CD were equally deft and memorable. This rock oriented CD demonstrates the band's growth and willingness to explore their music.Everything from the blues to ballads was explored. The after-credit tracks rock!!! Emphasizing a real walk with Christ the album does not disappoint.I especially liked the credits on Track 11, this is not a CD for a lazy day,but more like a fast drive down a hot Texas highway!!!

The absolute best CD from BTR, ever!.......1999-05-12

This CD is an absolute masterpiece. Steve Wiggins and Co. have done an outstanding job on this project, and it shows. With songs like "Still Breathing," "WWJD," and "Star in the Book of Life," BTR rocks! But the best thing about this CD is the bonus tracks from 12 through 15. These are the songs that will blow you away! Definitely a must-have!

Average customer rating:

amplifier exceeds expectations on 2nd effort

The Astronaut Dismantles HAL

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Milliontown
Fear of a Blank Planet

ASIN: B000ANYIKK
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Album Description

Amplifier are a Manchester modern Rock outfit created in 1999. Signing to Music For Nations in 2002, the debut, eponymous album, co-produced by frontman Sel Balamir and Steve Lyon, arrived in May of 2004, preceded by UK gigs supporting Deftones, Therapy?, Span, Gary Numan and Melissa Auf Der Maur. This 40 minute EP is being put out while the band finishes their new album. Their sound has been described as retro, lo-fi, garage rock. Think Sabbath meets Floyd meets the God Machine: trippy, heavy sonic violence. Steamhammer. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

amplifier exceeds expectations on 2nd effort.......2005-10-29

This is a perfectly acceptable EP to fill the gap while we wait salivating for the new proper album. amplifier are a band to watch in the coming months. Heads up everyone! amplifier might just make it big.

Average customer rating:

It should be a classic!
AWESOME CD!
BASICALLY THE 2ND GAS GIANTS CD!! ROBIN WILSON AT HIS BEST!

Poppin' Wheelies
Poppin' Wheelies
Manufacturer: Uranus Labs
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

From Beyond the Back Burner
Northey Valenzuela
Major Lodge Victory

ASIN: B00005M96J
Release Date: 2001-09-11

Tracks:

Time 4u
Up and Down
Little Stars
Ella Doesn't Care
Places That Are Gone
Alone Again
Danger Girl
Radio Summer!
Babyface
Back Again
Techno-Pops ''space Out''!

Customer Reviews:

It should be a classic!.......2005-07-26

I've recently become a die-hard fan of the Gin Blossoms, and in the process, learned of this CD. What's not to like about this CD? It's packed with great songs that to me are just as good as some of the Gin Blossoms best stuff such as "Time 4U", "Up & Down", "Little Stars", "Places That Are Gone", & "Radio Summer". Basically the only bad track is the last one, so skip it. Everything else on this CD is likeable. Don't hesitate to buy this album. You'll love it!

AWESOME CD!.......2004-07-11

Like the GAS GIANTS CD...this was recorded at ROBIN WILSON's MAYBERRY STUDIOS in ARIZONA and has an EXCELLENT Sound and this is a solid group of songs. ROBIN's singing performance makes it and SCOTTY JOHNSON'S Solo on track 5 is a HIGHLIGHT! If you like GREAT music BUY this CD!

BASICALLY THE 2ND GAS GIANTS CD!! ROBIN WILSON AT HIS BEST!.......2003-09-19

To those not in the know, this album is the followup to the Gas Giants' 1999 debut/only CD "From Beyond The Back Burner", and the Gin Blossoms (BIG YAY!!) Add Scott Johnson on guitar (from the Gin Blossoms/Roger Clyne + The Peacemakers) and there ya go. The only thing is they are hiding under a cartoon disguise here, sorta like Blur doing the Gorillaz project. I found out about this project/CD at the NYC Gin Blossoms gig at BB Kings, which was terrific as expected. Robin told me about the CD, and it was being sold among the merch, so of course I bought it, along with Jesse Valenzuela's solo CD "Tunes Young People Will Enjoy" (AWESOME!!), and the CD debut of the Gin Blossoms' indie debut "Dusted" (BIG YAY!!) I flipped when Robin told me this, and flipped many times more when I put it on, woohoo!!

Think CLASSIC GIN BLOSSOMS, with that Gas Giants edge, but even MORE POWERPOP SUGAR PILED ON!!! Yes, that is a VERY good thing. If you are a TRUE POWERPOP ENTHUSIAST, this POPPIN WHEELIES CD is for you!! I mean, a cartoon group is a perfect powerpop vehicle, along the lines of the Vandalias, Archies, Powerpuff Girls, Banana Splits, Josie + The Pussycats, BUT here, the music is Robin Wilson and his pals, and pure magic!!

There are 11 tunes here, the whole shebang PRODUCED by our hero Robin, recorded at his recording studio, Mayberry, in Tempe, AZ, ALL LEAD VOCALS by our Robin (so you KNOW this will be a gem, and indeed, this is CLASSIC ROBIN!!), lead guitar and bass by DAN HENZERLING from Robin's Gas Giants, drums by PHILIP RHODES from both the Gin Blossoms + Gas Giants, plus SCOTTY JOHNSON on lead guitar on 1 track!!!! AND to further entice fellow powerpop enthusiasts, there are (count em) THREE TOMMY KEENE COVERS (including a FANTASTIC take on "Places That are Gone")!!! Those along with 5 new Robin originals!! Toss in 3 other covers (by Jeff Moss, Robin pal and collaborator Steve French, who plays lead guitar on 2 songs here, and Owen Vyse), and you have the much-overlooked Poppin Wheelies!!

Now, the gyst of this cartoon concept superhero "band", is they are a powerpop 4-piece (Tommy on lead vocals + rhythm guitar-looks like a blue Rickenbacker, plus he looks like Tommy Keene, Danny on drums + the driver/remote controller of their "Galacta-Van", Tennessee on bass, and Otis on lead guitar-a Les Paul-with Cracky, his pet parrot + band mascot), who travel from planet to planet in their GV and play their cool powerpop tunes to pop-loving aliens and robots. Now, as in most cartoons, they have enemies and competition in a 4-piece robot band called "The Techno-Pops" (who have 1 Robin-co-written tune on the CD called "Spaced Out" and sound like a weird hybrid of Suicide and Kraftwerk with some pop tossed in), and their controller/boss "The Black Widow Commandress".

It's a cool concept, well-executed, with neat colourful graphics, well-thought-out characters, + 11 amazing powerpop tunes by Robin + company (fave tunes here are "Alone Again" and "Danger Girl", which rank as high as the best Gin Blossoms and Gas Giants tunes, seriously!!) All that is needed is an actual Poppin Wheelies cartoon broadcast on the Cartoon Network, which COULD generate a cult following among animation fans and hip college students/twenty + thirty-somethings. At least the website is cool, which has great graphics, animation, and fleshes out the characters in more detail. Check it out: www.poppinwheelies.com, if it's still up that is, the CD came out in 2000, and I'm the first reviewer, in 2003!!!

Tracks:

Playing With the Light
Roman Candle
The Crazy One
Slow Burn
Hudson River
Supernova
Harder, Easier, Better
Evergreen
Breakdown

Product Description

In 2004 the Brindley Brothers signed to Paste Records and released Playing With the Light to overwhelming response from critics and fans. The Washington Post called it "Magical...near perfect...a pop/rock gemm...a superb bid for any top ten list...an early contender for one of the best albums of 2004." Paste Magazine named it one of the Top 12 Debut Records of 2004 (alongside Franz Ferdinand, Jem, and more). Rolling Stone said, "Fans of Wilco and Gin Blossoms will swoon." The Brothers sold several thousand copies of Playing With the Light, received incredible press, toured extensively, appeared on numerous radio and television programs and began selling out clubs regionally and playing some of the best venues on the east coast. The record was on the in-store playlist for Abercrombie and Fitch and other national stores in Summer 2005.

Customer Reviews:

This is Great Stuff!.......2005-11-18

After finishing this amazing album, I couldn't help but conclude that if songs like "playing with the light" or "supernova" got airplay on popular radio stations, the brindley brothers would be huge. "playing with the light" is such a nice, laid-back pop CD that's can be played over and over again. The vocals are wonderful, the music is diverse and catchy; its just fun to listen to. which is what music should be like.

so head to the brindley brothers website and download some samples, just find a way to hear it! if you're also interested, check out luke brindleys solo work, its just as good. oh and heres the track list!

1. Playing With the Light
2. Roman Candle
3. Crazy One
4. Slow Burn
5. Hudson River
6. Supernova
7. Harder, Easier, Better
8. Evergreen
9. Breakdown

A gorgeous album!!.......2004-05-28

The Brindley Brothers are amazingly talented! Luke Brindley has a beautiful voice, and the tracks, some co-written by Luke and Daniel Brindley are just gorgeous! Personal favourite tracks on "Playing With The Light" are "Roman Candle", "Hudson River", "Harder, Easier, Better", "Supernova" and the title track "Playing With The Light". Since buying this cd it hasn't left my stereo. If you get the chance to see them live - don't miss it!!! They rock!!!

Let There Be "Light"!.......2004-03-07

I am crazy about this album. I listen to it over and over again -- loving it every time I hear it. These guys rock! They should win a Grammy for this album!

Average customer rating:

Find Some love in the light, baby
Ian rocks techno!

High Time Amplifier
Ian Astbury
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Spirit\Light\Speed

ASIN: B00004U8Z2
Release Date: 2000-07-18

Tracks:

Hi Time Amplifier (Witchman Mix)
Hi Time Amplifier (Album Version)
Hi Time Amplifier (Mental Defectives League Mix)
Hi Time Amplifier (One True Parker Mix)

Album Description

UK solo single for the Cult vocalist. Tracks 'High Time Amplifier', 'Tyger' (Demo Version) and 'High Time Amplifier' (Witchman Mix). Slimline jewel case.

Album Details

First Single from Former Cult Frontman's Upcoming 2000 'Spirit \ Light \ Speed'Full Length. Includes Two Exclusive Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Find Some love in the light, baby.......2002-01-06

I love this album, Ian has created his own personal masterpiece!
Being a huge Cult fan and a lover of Ian's voice..I knew this had to be mine. ;)
Tracks like "It's Over" & El Che/Wild Like a Horse are quite revealing & thought provoking. Kick it out w/ High Time Amplifier & Tyger, definitely shook my bum to these! This is a very tasty example of electronica at its best!
(I gave this 4 stars only because I want Ian to out-do this one! Always room for improvement, eh?)

Ian rocks techno!.......2000-06-21

This first single off Ian's debut solo album, Spirit/Light/Speed rocks! Ian has always been interested in electronica/techno and has paved a style of his own. 'High-Time Amplifier' is an edgy, rockin' techno song that makes you want to boogie-out! The flip side, "Tyger" is a great, mellow, slow song that makes you want to dim the lights and get close to a loved one...

Average customer rating:

Amplifier
Galore
Manufacturer: Bhurr
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000EXH4CK
Release Date: 2006-04-10

Tracks:

She's an Elevator
Teen Rebellion Machine
Sad Because It's Summer
Amanda Effect
Pretend Lover
Typical You
Should I Pretend
Favourite Song
Come on X 3
Invisibly Yours

Average customer rating:

A great new sound!

This Time

Manufacturer: Private Mind
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006RGHR
Release Date: 2002-09-27

Tracks:

This Time
Came To This
Another Life
Set Me Free
Ordinary Way
Good Again
All Over Town
Forgiven
Shell Come Around
Love Comes Down

Album Description

Recorded at Shupp's own City Park Sound studio, and mixed by producer/engineer Don McCollister (Indigo Girls, Sister Hazel, Shawn Mullins) at Nickel & Dime Studios in Atlanta, "This Time" is Shupp's third full-length solo release.

Customer Reviews:

A great new sound!.......2003-05-21

This was recommended to me by a friend in Washington, DC, where Mike Shupp lives and plays at up-and-coming local venues like Iota. I donwloaded a couple of his songs to check it out, then bought This Time, then the first two. Just when I thought original souding rock was dead, that an artist without major backing would never have a chance, I hear something that gives me hope. "This Time" and Shupp's earlier releases not only do that, they get me excited about pop music again!
Shupp has created three great-sounding albums. The songs are obviously crafted by someone with rock-solid guitar skills, understanding of music theory (just listen to the harmonies), and an instinct for what works. It's rock 'n' roll, plain and simple. Like Pete Yorn or even REM, Shupp makes music his own and delivers a unique yet utterly enjoyable collection of tunes. The best new artist I have heard in over a year, though he has been around for years. I hope this guy gets famous!

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Still Breathing
2. Lovely Mausoleum
3. God Made Heaven
4. Someday (Time and Space)
5. Jimmy
6. Star in the Book of Life
7. Wouldn't It Be Cool
8. Psalm 72
9. What Would Jesus Do?
10. Ready, Steady, Go
11. Thanks