Alternative Rock music reviews

My friend, Dana, turned me on to the Refreshments about 10 years ago and I can't thank her enough!!! Roger Clyne and company definitley take you on a ride with their Tex-Mex sound and wild story-telling! There isn't a track to skip on here and this surely makes my list of top 5 CDs!! Viva La Refreshments!

This may be one of the best, most fantastic, most listenable albums ever made...

I first encountered The Refreshments back when you could hear "Banditos" on the radio all the time. I love/loved that song and promptly went out, bought this record and I fell in love with them. It's like some other people have said you go out you buy a record, you hope it has a few good songs on it... But with this one... Well, in my humble opinion there isn't a bad song on this album. Not a one.

I may buy a new CD or two weekly and I may listen to all kinds of different music but this album never leaves my CD changer. It's in there somewhere, waiting... I can listen to this when I'm happy, sad, depressed, angry, you name it and this baby has a song with your name on it...

And I swear that the last song "Nada", is the kind of song that makes me want to grab an old pick up truck and drive off into the sunset... And that's another thing about this CD, it's is terrific road trip/travel music, just outstanding.

Buy this album. Buy it now.

I'm mostly a punk and metal fan, and yet I have only two things to say about this album: 1.) It should be issued at birth. 2.) Buy two copies in case one ever gets lost or ruined.

I am a huge fan of catchy, quiet yet melodic folk/pop. If you enjoy this album then I strongly recommend that you check out the following:
1) What's Next To The Moon by Mark Kozelek
2) Paper Dolls And Paper Plates by Fear Of Commitment
3) So Tonight That I Might See by Mazz Star
4) 21 Singles by Jesus and Mary Chain

I remember hearing the song "Here is where the story ends" since it was released back in 1990.
I'm Mexican, and in that time I didn't speak any English (I was eight), I just remember how beautiful and sad the voice of that girl sounded to me.

As time went by, I became English teacher and listened to the song played in the radio.
Still I couldn't understand her singing, so I phoned the station and asked who the artist was. The answer: "The Sundays".
Weeks later I was spending my time in the record store, when I found a strange cover, the cover of this album and didn't hesitate in buying it.

I spent the whole day listening to "This is where the story ends", trying to find out what the lyrics say without success. Anyway, I loved the music. I loved the mood, a really sad mood, just a little depressing. Sad, yet lovely.

The entire week, my ears were full of this song until I gave up and read the lyrics. I was amazed to find how marvellous this song was.
I really didn't care a lot about the rest of the album, for I was only interested in the track number two.
Months later, I decided to take a chance on the album, and played it while commuting to work. To my surprise, the other songs were as interesting as my beloved one.
I played that night the album while I was on my bed trying to get some sleep, and as soon as I closed my eyes I found myself walking in a forest, watching the sun on the horizon, after a rainy afternoon somewhere in England.

Next day I woke up in love with that music. I wanted to get back to that forest, to remember old memories, to long for people I met in the past, wondering what happened to them.

Since then this album became my third favourite one, after "Ultra" by Depeche Mode and "Wunder Geschehn", by the German singer Nena.
Harriet's voice is so lovely, so sad, so haunting. The mixture of her vocals with the band's music makes perfection.

And yes, still I couldn't understand her singing.

I searched for info about them in the internet, and found biographies that mentioned "The Sundays" being a blend between "The Smiths" and "The Cocteau Twins". I agreed with "The Smiths" (though I really don't like them), especially in the song "I kicked a boy". But, who the hell are the Cocteaus? There's where my story began with the Cocteaus.

But that's another story.

I was glad to read that Harriet's singing is special, different.

God! Now I know why I didn't understand her way of singing!!

After repeated listenings I could understand maybe 75 % of the lyrics.
But now, is time to read them all.

I'll read them and sing aloud again.

In my imaginary melancholic forest, somewhere in my dreams, there... somewhere in England.

If you don't get this one, you're missing the best from one of the greatest pop groups of all time. It's pop, but pop that doesn't follow any rigid rules. And the lead singer has a beautiful voice.

one of my favorite albums of all time. every single song on this cd is worth listening to, one of the few cd's you don't end up skipping around on. "losing all" "rehab" and "bury me in smoke" are, in my opinon, the best songs on here. the whole sound is a lot different than pantera and superjoint. neither band has the melodic content this one has, really bluesy overall. it's got all the familar pentatonic passages you'd here on a blues album, the kind of playing popularized by black sabbath, led zepplin and hendrix, but it's amped and constructed like a metal album. much heavier than their second cd.

being an avid fan of pantera from day one, i had read in early '95, i believe, an advertisement in some mag. about Phil Anselmo's new side band Down, was releasing an album/cd of heavy, Sab. like metal. i new at that point that is was going to be a good one. you know how you often can't wait for a new title to be released, then are a little disappointed when you buy it, and listen to it? well, let's just say the opposite happened here. i was literally blown away! this is surely one of the best releases of the '90's, and maybe one of the best heavy releases of the last 20 years. sludgy, riff laden, well engineered, you name it, it has it. having owned over 2,000 titles from the last 30 years or so, this ranks right up there with some of the best. check it out. i have turned more people on to this cd than probably any other, and none have been disappointed, or thought i over-hyped it's merits. read the reviews. see if i'm lyin' to ya, then buy it, and join the club. peace.

I listen to a wide vareity of music in the mid nineties i was really into metal i have since ventured into many different genres and have an appreciation for all music ... however if i want to listen to some kick ass sabbath influenced sh*t this is the territory that i roam stone the crow has to be one of the best songs ever written in my opinion. anyone who appreciates a good solid riff will dig this alblum

I never heard any Ani DiFranco music before I met my ex-boyfriend, so I didn't really know much about her. He was really into folk music, so he gave me this disc to listen to. Well I fell in love with her music right away. It was bouncy and fun, and lyrically it was like nothing else I had ever heard before. I love her style and how she paints a perfect picture with her words, so I was hooked. Well the ironic part is I swear either all guys are the same, or she was singing about my ex 99% of the time. I have never related more to a song before I heard the title track 'Dilate'. It became an anthem for a while, and when I hear it now 3 years later I start laughing to myself because it still feels so amazingly spot on.... "you are so lame, you always disappoint me, it's kind of like our running joke, except it's really not funny, and I just want you to live up to the image of you I've created, I see you and I'm so unsatisfied, I see you and I dilate"... "When I say you sucked my brain out, the English translation is I am in love with you and it is no fun".... I don't know, it's like she was in my head, and just had a better way of expressing exactly how I felt. Most of the songs had something about them that rang true to me, not just on this album though, the live disc 'Living in Clip' had many of the same songs and then some others that also seemed to be narrating my life at the time.

Anyway her music is great, even if you aren't in a crazy relationship. However if you are, this is music that might just help you get your strength back, I know at times I would listen to it religiously because there was something so comforting about it, maybe it was just because she does a better job of expressing her anger and frustration. It felt like I could just put a song on for him and make him understand how I felt, but of course it never worked out that way.

Anyway the irony of who turned me on to her music will forever make me smile, and when I listen to it now it is just a great reminder of how good I have it with my husband to be. For those who just appreciate honest music created by a talented poet and musician this album should not disappoint.

Ani is so AWESOME!!!!! She puts out her opinions in strong catchy music. Yeah theres profanity but that just makes it STRONGER!!!
Watch out world here comes Ani Difranco!!!

This is my favorite album of all time. It helped me through a really difficult time in 1996 and I still listen to it over and over again now. I love the way she tells her stories in her music and almost every song on this album still gives me chills almost 10 years later!

Back when I was in college this CD played a big part in my underground/goth/alternative life and then over the years, I kind of strayed away from that scene, but I just pulled this CD out again to convert it to my new iPod and as it was playing back, I just realized how completely amazing it still sounds. This is one of the genre that hasn't lost any of it's power and certainly doesn't seem dated in any way. Starts out powerful and then just builds exponentially, so that by the time they hit Lucretia My Reflection, I dare anyone listening to remain sitting still. It's a real crossover from dark goth to almost a goth-electric or dark wave sound. Very upobeat, powerful and dare I say, even danceable.

I wish it were dark and raining outside. I'm in the mood to go stand on top of a stone church in a thunderstorm listening to this on full volume.

After having prodiced some previous interesting music, When the Sisters of Mercy released this record, and above all the preceding singles, most people were completely blown away. Indeed, while the more dark Goth-era music had been interesting, it had inherent limitations that are obvious and that have been a problem for any other artist involved in the genre. Here they cleaned up their sound which still stands up today, which is clearly impessive. While the move towards metal was probably unexpeced since the earlier works sometimes had an experimental and electronic feel, this was clearly a clever choice. They would also never really top this record which is very very heavy, still somewhat dark in its overtones but has a majesty that you will rarely find in any kind of rock music. The guitars and the bass playing are splendid es pecially on eronal favourite Lucretia My Reflection.

Ahhhh. Breathe in, breathe out, and bow before the majesty of _Floodland_. There has never been an album quite like this one, and there most likely never will be again. Overblown? Unapologetically. Pretentious? Possibly. Brilliant? Inescapably. If the prog-rockers can get away with it, then so can the goths. (Uh oh...I may just have inserted myself into an argument over whether the Sisters are legitimately goth or not. Dear goths and goth-haters: I respectfully abstain from this debate.)

There's not a bad song here, and tracks 3-5 alone are worth the purchase price.

I'd pay a lot for a remixed, amped-up version of this album. The sonics here do sound a bit flat by today's standards: play "This Corrosion" (the signature track) next to, say, "Faint" by Linkin Park, and you'll probably see what I mean. Which is a shame, since from a melodic and lyrical perspective, Andrew Eldritch at his best makes Linkin Park look like a bunch of sixth graders.

Oh well. The Sisters are touring again this year, and those shows will sell out effortlessly despite the fact that Eldritch has released only one other album of new material since _Floodland_, and it's largely due to this 1990 release. Ignore the tedious "is it or isn't it goth" debate. Labels are boring. This album is not.

Out of Eden's No Turning Back is the third Christian R&B album release from Gotee Records. The vocals are made up of three talented sisters-Lisa Kimmey Bragg, Andrea Kimmey Baca and Danielle Kimmey. Most of the songs are written by Lisa Kimmey unless otherwise noted. The album focuses on finding the perfect love, the presence of God's joy, God's call to the lonely and troubled, overcoming life's battles and the nearness of His Touch is as close as your heart.

Lookin' for Love-is a song about finding love in the wrong places where you need to look to the one who made you loves you.
River-tells one that God is always near and He cares for you.
Spirits Moves-God is calling you. Let Him take control. He's got the answer for your life.
Here's My Heart-a love song to God. He can mend your broken heart.
Window-God makes a window to let the light come through. When you feel you're going under when darkness falls. He will make a way.
If You Really Knew-tells one don't do it on your own. God's Love is enough. He's waiting for you.
Tomorrow-it's going to get better. Never give up. Joy comes after the rain.
Open Up Your Heart-The Lord's love is real. He came to set you free. you need the Savior's Touch.
Draw You Near-When you're lost in a world of trouble, heartache and loneliness. He wants to hold you in His arms.
No Turning Back-(title track) God will see you through to overcome the battles. He will show you the way to go.
Sarah Jane-Troubled teens need God's Love, too. The children needs an answer in you. Get out of your world into the situation. Show them the Lord will be the Father they need.

This is a really great album. The rhythms are really up with it. The lyrics really touch the soul and the heart. I recommend this to any Contemporary R&B Christian listener or anyone looking for real music with a true message in a secular world.

THIS CD IS WONDERFUL. I PLAY IT WHEN IM HAPPY AND WHEN IM DOWN. EITHER WAY IT IS ALWAYS UPLIFTING! I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL AGES. YOU WILL FEEL BLESSED.

On Out Of Eden's first album (1994's 'Lovin The Day'), the ladies sounded like they were having a blast spreading their good message. OOE's second project (1996's 'More Than You Know') was a decidedly more intense affair; while it didn't hold itself together as well as the first album did, standout tracks like "Get To Heaven" and "It's Me" more than made up for it. Then in 1999, OOE returned with 'No Turning Back', and the confidence displayed here is unmistakable.

"Looking For Love" starts things right, with an upbeat sound and a poigniant message (as always). Featuring a guest rap by Gotee labelmate Knowdaverbs, the sound of "Looking For Love" was slightly ahead of its time, resembling singles that both *NSync and Imx would cut months later. Keeping the upbeat feel of the album going, we're taken into "River", a happy-sounding song. An early highlight of the album would have to be "Spirit Moves", which also has a remix on DJ Maj's 'Full Plates Mixtape 002' album released in 2001 - this song is slammin.

"Here's My Heart" is one of the best OOE ballads of all time. Featuring pop/R&B group the Katinas (also on Gotee Records), this song sounds heavenly (pun intended), and the vocals are top notch. "Window" is a decent uptempo, but "If You Really Knew" is the real winner -- it reminds me of the vibe that was heard on 1994's 'Lovin The Day', just updated. The message, music, harmony, and lyrics of "If You Really Knew" blend together really well to create a song that epitomizes the amazing spirit that OOE represents. "If You Really Knew" is my favorite song on this album.

"Tomorrow" is another steady uptempo cut, but "Open Up Your Heart" is OOE at their best. Featuring a beautiful spanish guitar, sparse percussion, and a stunning vocal performance by Lisa Kimmey (who both wrote and produced the song by herself!), "Open Up Your Heart" is a powerful testimony to the musical gift that has been bestowed upon OOE. The mellow sounds continue on "Draw You Near", and then we hear "No Turning Back" an uptempo cut that sounds as confident as its name.

Some albums include those songs that seem to come out of left field; and on "No Turning Back', OOE delivers one of those in the form of "Sara Jane". Featuring a twinge of UK-influenced jungle beats, "Sara Jane" is about the horrible plight faced by young people without guidance, insisting that "we", the listener can "make a difference". I haven't heard social concern on a record like this since Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814'. Closing the album on a disturbingly open-ended note, "Sara Jane" seems to say "you've heard the problem, now it's up to you to do something about it..."

C.H.R.

I have always loved Acidbath since the first day i heard it, which was about 11 years ago!
you will never hear anything else like it!!

The X Generation knows. This is the best. NO fool'in here. Listen & learn.

Possibly one of the best albums I've ever listened to. However, Acid Bath is certainly an acquired taste. Brilliantly and beautifully dark and melodic, every song on The Kite String Pops brings something powerful to the table. The band's own style varies, more or less, from song to song with lighter melodies like The Bones of Baby Dolls, and Scream of the Butterfly, and then deathmetal masterpieces like The God Machine and Toubabo Koomi.

I won't rate every individual song, Acid Bath is one of those bands that everyone will have a different favorite. I will tell you my two personal favorites on this disc are Cheap Vodka and Bones of Baby Dolls. All of Dax Riggs's lyrics are written by an unmistakable lyrical style that has its roots in various death metal bands, but also strangely in Leonard Cohen, T-Rex, and the Beatles. The blend of moody lyrical styles with Dax Riggs's own darkness produces something truly unique.

I have heard criticisms of the use of instruments in Acid Bath. I disagree with these, personally, as clearly the drummer is very talented as is demonstrated in many of the songs obviously showcasing him. Mike and Sammy are brilliant guitarists, both of them, with different flares and flavors of darkness... Sammy more deathmetal, and Mike more expert at melodic and smooth dark guitar riffs. Audie, may he rest in peace, used a heavy pick when playing bass, which produced a unique and mysterious, mechanical sound that could only work so well with Acid Bath's music. Plus, you want credibility? These guys lived in Swamps south of New Orleans, in houses on stilts where walking outside meant looking out for alligators. That is just badass.

In short, I won't allow my bias to slip through and declare that Acid Bath is the best band of all time, that's a mistake to say. However, I will say that in my opinion, they are a great band, and one of my very favorites for their unique grindcore/darkwave/deathmetal/hardcore/swamp rock style. I recomend a look-see at Acid Bath, and if you don't like it after hearing the album a few times, fine, put away and save it for a rainy day. The more you hear it, the more you'll one day grow to love it.

Okay, somebody should have made these guys more famous! Not that it's stopping them from being on of the best rock bands ever, or hometown heroes for all of us down here in Gainesville...
This album is great because it's not trying to break into pop culture. It's semi-pop, quasi-country southern rock that represents the band's roots to a "t": a southern college town. That's probably why G'ville is only place in the world where chain bookstores and music outlets sell out of their albums on a daily basis. And no one has had the full experience of SH until they've been to a G'ville show (seriously, when the whole crowd breaks into the chorus of "All For You", or more recently when the guys did "A little like Heaven" from Drew Copeland's solo debut, and we all went insane, the (literally!) five minute standing ovations... you just have to be there!)
I highly recommend to anyone, though if you haven't been initiated yet, make sure you go back to the older albums too!

I was a Sister Hazel fan when they were still playing on the side of the road in Gainesville. This is one of my favorite cds of theirs. It's nice to have a cd where all of the songs are great, not just one or two.

I still can't deside if I like this or fortress more, however, Chasing Daylight was undoubtedly one of the best CD's of 2003. ken Block has a very unique voice that adds to the awesome songwriting, and unbelievable music. This CD is definately worth the money it costs. "Your Mistake" starts it off perfectly, and sets the tone for the rest of the album. It is ong of the best song's here. The song is catchy, and just fun to listen to. "Come around" is another unbelievable track, and is also very catchy. It's not as good as the first song, but it is a really great piece of music. "One love" comes next, but proves to be the weakest tracks so far. It has one of the weaker vocal tracks, but its still a good song. Track 4 plunges you into the albums first ballad with the epic and beautiful "Best I'll Ever Be", one of the best songs on the album, and of 2003. I love this song! "Life got in the way" has some great lyrics, and is yet another very catchy song. I didn't love this song the first few times, but it really is good music. "Everybody" is a rather funny song, because it's so happy, but it is one of the weaker songs on the album nonetheless. Still worth a lot of listens. However, if there is one song that hinders this album it's "Swan Dive", the next track. It doesn't even sound like sister hazel, and is by far their worst song ever. Its far to hard, and is just not what the band is good at. It sounds like some really crappy band would release this song, and it doesn't even come close to living up to the rest of this album. Even though the song is a letdown, "Killing me too" makes up for it comepletly. Excellent lyrics and music make it one of the best tracks on here, and just in case you haven't gotten over "Swan dive" yet, the band gives you "Sword and Shield" which is just plain cool music. An excellent guitar solo graces this song like no other. Now that the band figures you've forgotten "Swan dive" they give you the six minute "hopeless" which is great. No more and no less. After ten amazing songs, the band finally gives you the greatest song on the album. "Effortlessly" is the albums center masterpiece, and one of the best songs on the album. I could listen to it dozens of time and never get tired of it. The second best sister hazel song ever, right behind "your winter". "Can't believe caps off the album perfectly. Overall, this is one of the best albums in years, and should not be missed.

1.Your Mistake: 5/5 (tied 3rd best)

2.Come Around: 5/5

3.One Love: 4.5/5

4.Best I'll Ever Be: 5/5 (2nd best)

5.Life Got in the Way: 4.5/5

6.Everybody: 4.5/5

7.Swan Dive: 0.5/5 (What in the world?)

8.Killing Me Two: 5/5 (tied 3rd best)

9.Sword and Shield: 5/5

10.Hopeless: 4.5/5

11.Effortlessly: 6/5 (BEST)

12.Can't Believe: 4.5/5

BUY IT NOW!!!!

First, a disclaimer: I'm not submitting a bad review just to be contrarian, or to lower this artist's average star rating, or to be in any way malicious. I also admit that Matt Nathanson and those of his ilk probably don't align wih my particular taste in music. So writing this might be something akin to Thurston Moore reviewing Johnny Mathis' Greatest Hits.

I would venture to say, however, that Thurston Moore never had to sit in a car for four hours listening to Johnny Mathis. This was my experience yesterday: with a four-hour drive from Crested Butte, Colorado to Denver still mostly ahead of us, the person driving (whom we had just met, and whose affinity for Christian Rock was unknown to us) decided to cue up this abomination of an album, which was followed by the live album, and then some other folk dreck by a criminal named Marc Broussard. I like folk, old and new--Iron and Wine, Joni Mitchell, John Prine, Guy Clark--and I suppose that this isn't Christian music, despite its appearance on an ipod that was otherwise laden with Michael W. Smith, DC Talk, and Amy Grant. It sure sounds like Christian music, though; it's no small wonder that I loathed it without the aid of my anti-Christian biases.

In reality, Nathanson might do well to consider inserting some Christian-sounding cliches into his lyrics, or even being "born-again." It would expand his audience and sell more records, which is all he's trying to do anyway. It's a career move that worked for George W. Bush, and no one seems to think that he's cynical or insincere . . .

I first heard about Mr. Nathanson while watching a television series (I forget which), and I couldn't help but think about his music for the longest time. Then while at Best Buy, I saw it on sale for 10 bucks, so I thought I'd give it a try. I haven't been disaapointed since. I love the WHOLE album, and there aren't many artists I can say that about. Every song sounds a little different, but each contains a consistent sound that allows the album to flow like a stream towards the ocean.

By far my favorite would have to be "Sad Songs", simply because I can apply it personally. In a sense, I feel that the whole album is a kind of lament, with some crunches here and there to signal anger, and softer sounds all around to symbolize sadness. And to top it off, ending with a song of hope and pleading, which I feel everyone experiences when they're with someone.

Again, overall, a great album. If you like Josh Kelly or Five For Fighting, you'll love this little guy named Matt.

I have to say, Matt Nathanson is an amazing artist, almost magical. I find myself listening to this CD over and over again, humming the songs throughout the day. I first hear Matt on Yahoo's LaunchCast radio, where a user enters a few artists they enjoy, rates songs, and so on, and Yahoo makes music reccomendations for you. I have to say, Matt was definitely a good reccomendation. I love his voice insanley, and his lyrics are so sweet and heartfelt, and I find I can relate bits and pieces of each song to some emotion that I'm feeling at the time.Matt plays most of his songs on a 12-string guitar, something not very common among a lot of artists today. I find it impossible to choose favorites when speaking of this album, because I'm in love with so many parts of each of his songs. The tracks "Suspended", "I Saw", "Pretty The World", and "Curve Of The Earth" are stuck in my head the most, but that doesn't mean the remaining songs are lacking at all. I've heard many, many times that Matt is so much better live than from a studio, which frightens me (in a good way) because his studio album has kept me happy for so long. I'm desperate to see him live, now.Please, don't pass this album up. Matt has been recording his own albums since college and isn't very well known, and he certainly deserves to be, considering how much crap there is in the mainstream radio. I think the music world deserves a little bit more Matt Nathanson. :-)

This album, far from a retread of their previous release, Volume 1: Sound Magic, has a new infusion of pop and techno styles. Release isn't nearly as startling different as its predecessor, but at the same time it has more staying power and should gain the Afro Celt Sound System an even broader audience than it had before.

i first heard an afro celt song on the gangs of new york soundtrack. i fell in love with it and decided to buy a cd. i got release and i am so damn glad i did. "even im my dreams" is one of the best songs i've heard in a while. i play it whenever im feeling down or something, or just when i wanna hear something good. anyway, its a great cd.

I love this music and listen to it a lot. It love how it mixes different music styles together. This CD is my favorite of the 3. My skating coach has cut music for a skater off this CD and one of the other volumes. People from my skating and Dance class found it very inspirational as well. The only thing I wish they did differently on the CDs is provide a translation for the non-English parts. I enjoy them singing in the other languages, it is beautiful and it fits the music perfectly but it would be kind of nice to know what they are sing.