Alternative Rock music reviews

i felt sick to my stomach after hearing this album, you may want to purchase it just for kicks to hear some of the worst lyrics ever written.

This item took some time before i got it. However... i live in north norway.

...what we have here is "a little VERY LATE night music".

This is the CD you put in when the smoke already hangs thick in the air over a felt table and you're breaking the seal over your second bottle of Black Label Jack while playing poker/shooting pool with only your friends of more nefarious (and infinitely more enjoyable) means.

Less was never more than when the lights dimmed and the impossibly dark Mark Sandman slung a three (later two)-string bass over his shoulder and led a drummer and saxophonist and a conspicuously absent guitarist into the consciousness of all who dared to believe that a mutated jazz trio could rock as hard as any guitar-slinging grunge band of the era yet still retain the degree of untouchable hipster cool that acts like the Ben Folds Five could only begin to imagine for themselves.

Mark Sandman was the Bill Hicks of music; an antiestablishment innovator whose very existence challenged one's beliefs and dared the listener to question all that had previously been assumed as writ; that he died well before his time is all the more tragic, but there is no denying the genius of the artist and the power with which that genius comes across in this, one of the finest albums of the decade.

At just over 37 minutes in length (including two sub-two minute instrumentals which serve as intro and closing pieces), this CD seems to parallele Sandman's life; amazingly achieved and far too short. With tunes ranging from the semi-ambient ("In Spite Of Me", "I'm Free Now", "Let's Take Trip Together") to the raging aggressive ("Buena", "Thursday", "Mary Won't You Call My name") to all shades of night in-between ("All Wrong", "Candy", "Sheila"), there really isn't a weak link to be found. While the CD itself runs short, the songs are at the perfect length; most clock in at 3-3.5 minutes so that you are able to sufficiently groove with them before they become tiresome and repititious. This is songwriting craftsmanship and musical innovation at its highest form, definitely a must-have for any musical collection and the best direction I can recommend for anyone who wants to add a little "something different, something cool" to their listening enjoyment.

When Sting's first solo album came out in 1985, there was a lot of buildup, hype and even NERVOUSNESS!--even from fans, music critics and fellow artists. Can Sting do well on his first album away from the Police? Will it have many hits? Can he continue that momentum? I can say that he has and this debut has been responsible for a lot of his solo success the past two decades. It sold over 3 million copies, a huge seller during '85 and early '86! It's pop, but with a surprisingly jazz touch that fit quite well on mainstream radio. My favorites are If You Love Someone, Set Them Free, Russians and others. I especially love Fortress Around Your Heart and its adventurous landscapes--I actually play that more than the larger hits he had from here. As always, Sting is a dynamic songwriter and he is in top form when it comes to the lyrics of these songs. So if you have been more into Sacred Heart of 2003 and his more recent songs, please make an effort to get this stellar album that he made in 1985. One of his finest works to date!

Sting found an excellent balance on his first solo album, released in 1985--it's impressively diverse yet appealingly cohesive at the same time, and his songwriting is uniformly excellent. The album is mostly low-key, and Branford Marsalis' decorative saxophones crop up all over the place, but don't let that fool you into thinking this is boring 'adult contemporary' stuff. "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" is a great uptempo pop-rocker with bluesy melodicism on the verses. The upbeat "Love Is The Seventh Wave" has a reggae-fied Caribbean feel, and Sting engagingly pokes fun at himself with his lighthearted mocking of "Every Breath You Take" on the fade. "Russians", though lyrically dated, still retains its atmospheric, haunting power musically. "Children's Crusade" is the most 'adult contemporary'-sounding song on the album, with verses that are superbly melodic. Sting offers a terrific rethink of "Shadows In The Rain", replacing the dreamy resignation of the Police version with an edgy, uptempo urgency and gusty vocals from Sting. The pollution-themed "We Work the Black Seam" alternates low-key, yet slightly ominous verses with a soaring chorus. The smokey "Consider Me Gone" has a downbeat, light jazz atmosphere with great layered vocals from Sting on the quasi-chorus. "Moon Over Bourbon Street" is a creepy, starkly-arranged gem with Sting's double bass work making a striking impression. The closing "Fortress Around Your Heart" has supremely dreamy verses thanks to a simple but deftly-executed guitar riff; the chorus is a bit bombastic and jolting in this context, but hardly unlistenable.

Sting has become notorious for having 'lost his edge' more and more over the years, but "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" is a great example of Sting's undeniable talent.

Those who balked at the idea of Sting's career continuing past The Police were immediately silenced with the release of his 1985 debut album, THE DREAM OF THE BLUE TURTLES. Though the songs on TURTLES sound little like the songs Sting made during his time with The Police, the intellectual lyrics are unmistakably the work of The Police's most talented composer. For his first solo album, Sting leaves behind the alternative pop/rock of The Police and replaces it with jazzy, adult contemporary tunes. Backing him up is a group of extremely talented musicians: Kenny Kirkland on keyboards, Omar Hakim on drums, Darryl Jones on bass, and Wynton Marsalis' equally-talented brother Branford Marsalis on saxophone.

The theme of TURTLES seems to be anti-government - anti-war on "Children's Crusade" and "Russians", anti-pollution on "We Work the Black Seam". There's also a few love songs - "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free", "Fortress Around Your Heart", "Love is the Seventh Wave" - an anti-love song ("Consider Me Gone"), and a terrific remake of an unremarkable Police song, "Shadows in the Rain". The cold "Moon Over Bourbon Street", highlighted by a sullen bass line, was inspired by Anne Rice's novel INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE. As a fan of the book, I was quite impressed by the song and the lyrics, particularly "I must love what I destroy / and destroy the things I love". There's also the instrumental title song, a short but very fun piece.

So how does Sting's solo debut compare with his albums from The Police? Well ... truthfully, it's hard to compare the two. They're each very different. Sting's work is more mellow, lacking the punch of The Police's songs. Though it is lacking in density - when compared both to The Police's tunes and to Sting's next album, the superb ... NOTHING LIKE THE SUN - it makes up for it with sharp, intelligent lyrics and great music from both Sting and his band.

Although I prefer the music of The Police to Sting's solo work, there's no denying that THE DREAM OF THE BLUE TURTLES is an outstanding debut from an immensely talented musician. It served as proof to many doubtful individuals that Sting would have a fruitful, Police-free career.

TRACK HIGHLIGHTS: "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free", "Russians", "Children's Crusade", "We Work the Black Seam", "The Dream of the Blue Turtles", "Moon Over Bourbon Street", "Fortress Around Your Heart"

When Sting's first solo album came out in 1985, there was a lot of buildup, hype and even NERVOUSNESS!--even from fans, music critics and fellow artists. Can Sting do well on his first album away from the Police? Will it have many hits? Can he continue that momentum? I can say that he has and this debut has been responsible for a lot of his solo success the past two decades. It sold over 3 million copies, a huge seller during '85 and early '86! It's pop, but with a surprisingly jazz touch that fit quite well on mainstream radio. My favorites are If You Love Someone, Set Them Free, Russians and others. I especially love Fortress Around Your Heart and its adventurous landscapes--I actually play that more than the larger hits he had from here. As always, Sting is a dynamic songwriter and he is in top form when it comes to the lyrics of these songs. So if you have been more into Sacred Heart of 2003 and his more recent songs, please make an effort to get this stellar album that he made in 1985. One of his finest works to date!

Sting found an excellent balance on his first solo album, released in 1985--it's impressively diverse yet appealingly cohesive at the same time, and his songwriting is uniformly excellent. The album is mostly low-key, and Branford Marsalis' decorative saxophones crop up all over the place, but don't let that fool you into thinking this is boring 'adult contemporary' stuff. "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" is a great uptempo pop-rocker with bluesy melodicism on the verses. The upbeat "Love Is The Seventh Wave" has a reggae-fied Caribbean feel, and Sting engagingly pokes fun at himself with his lighthearted mocking of "Every Breath You Take" on the fade. "Russians", though lyrically dated, still retains its atmospheric, haunting power musically. "Children's Crusade" is the most 'adult contemporary'-sounding song on the album, with verses that are superbly melodic. Sting offers a terrific rethink of "Shadows In The Rain", replacing the dreamy resignation of the Police version with an edgy, uptempo urgency and gusty vocals from Sting. The pollution-themed "We Work the Black Seam" alternates low-key, yet slightly ominous verses with a soaring chorus. The smokey "Consider Me Gone" has a downbeat, light jazz atmosphere with great layered vocals from Sting on the quasi-chorus. "Moon Over Bourbon Street" is a creepy, starkly-arranged gem with Sting's double bass work making a striking impression. The closing "Fortress Around Your Heart" has supremely dreamy verses thanks to a simple but deftly-executed guitar riff; the chorus is a bit bombastic and jolting in this context, but hardly unlistenable.

Sting has become notorious for having 'lost his edge' more and more over the years, but "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" is a great example of Sting's undeniable talent.

Those who balked at the idea of Sting's career continuing past The Police were immediately silenced with the release of his 1985 debut album, THE DREAM OF THE BLUE TURTLES. Though the songs on TURTLES sound little like the songs Sting made during his time with The Police, the intellectual lyrics are unmistakably the work of The Police's most talented composer. For his first solo album, Sting leaves behind the alternative pop/rock of The Police and replaces it with jazzy, adult contemporary tunes. Backing him up is a group of extremely talented musicians: Kenny Kirkland on keyboards, Omar Hakim on drums, Darryl Jones on bass, and Wynton Marsalis' equally-talented brother Branford Marsalis on saxophone.

The theme of TURTLES seems to be anti-government - anti-war on "Children's Crusade" and "Russians", anti-pollution on "We Work the Black Seam". There's also a few love songs - "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free", "Fortress Around Your Heart", "Love is the Seventh Wave" - an anti-love song ("Consider Me Gone"), and a terrific remake of an unremarkable Police song, "Shadows in the Rain". The cold "Moon Over Bourbon Street", highlighted by a sullen bass line, was inspired by Anne Rice's novel INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE. As a fan of the book, I was quite impressed by the song and the lyrics, particularly "I must love what I destroy / and destroy the things I love". There's also the instrumental title song, a short but very fun piece.

So how does Sting's solo debut compare with his albums from The Police? Well ... truthfully, it's hard to compare the two. They're each very different. Sting's work is more mellow, lacking the punch of The Police's songs. Though it is lacking in density - when compared both to The Police's tunes and to Sting's next album, the superb ... NOTHING LIKE THE SUN - it makes up for it with sharp, intelligent lyrics and great music from both Sting and his band.

Although I prefer the music of The Police to Sting's solo work, there's no denying that THE DREAM OF THE BLUE TURTLES is an outstanding debut from an immensely talented musician. It served as proof to many doubtful individuals that Sting would have a fruitful, Police-free career.

TRACK HIGHLIGHTS: "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free", "Russians", "Children's Crusade", "We Work the Black Seam", "The Dream of the Blue Turtles", "Moon Over Bourbon Street", "Fortress Around Your Heart"

This is CLEARLY one of the best Goo Goo Dolls songs ever! I am a MAJOR fan of their's and appreciate all of their songs, but the song, "Iris", is one that I listen to every night. It is harmonious with a clangy melody that feels so soft, and John Rzeznik's(lead singer) voice is so wonderful with deeply emotional and touching lyrics. The main thing that makes "Iris" so moving to everyone is that the band is writing from experience, and "Iris" is the powerful result of their experience. All in all, "Iris" is one of the most powerfully emotional, truly touching, makes-your-heart-race, graceful songs every to be heard. They just want you to know who they are...

I heard this song a couple of years ago when my sister was watching city of angels..I couldnt help but fall in love with it. It is such a passionate song that just blows you away. Ever since then it has been my favourite song and the goos have been my fav band..its just a shame they dont ever come to England!!

"Iris" is one of my all time favourite songs and the one that introduced me to the Goo Goo Dolls, now one of my favourite bands. I play it over and over again and never get tired of it. The lyrics are powerful, heartfelt and deep; the vocals and instrumentals are memorable and haunting. I haven't seen the movie "City of Angels", but this stands perfectly well as a love song that is both amazing and unusual. I can't wait to buy the GGD album "Dizzy Up The Girl". This is an unforgettable, unique song.

My aunt put this in the car one day when we were driving to my uncle's house. I had just played the song "Chaiyya Chaiyya" from Inside Man, and she said I bet you'll like this, it's a lot of the same style. As soon as she put it on, "North" came on, and absolutely blew me away. The beautiful ambient sounds and the sparse, yet undeniably enchanting African vocals were just beautiful. By the time "North Part 2" came on, we were both drumming our hands and dancing in the car. Whoever thought of mixing African and Celtic music, then setting it to a rave/techno beat is a genius.

She bought me the CD (and also "Seed, which is great too), and I've been listening to it obsessively since. I know it's now a cliche so rate this CD 5 stars, but the beautiful, haunting melodies and the catchy, rythmic tehcno beats make this CD one of the best in my collection. It was a great find for me especially, since I'm getting sick of all the horrible pop/rock/rap that's out there. If you're like me, and you're sick of all "today's hits" and are looking for something to dance to and have a great time listening to, BUY THIS ALBUM! It is something very fresh and amazing. Aah, North 2 just came on with that awesome celtic instrument riff and dance club style techno beat. I gotta get back to dancing!

I've always enjoyed Afro Celt and this album is no exception, but while reading some of the customer recommendations posted on this site I discovered a group by the name of MEHDl (pronounced medie). After an online search I found their site (S00THINGMUSIC,C0M) and listened to the samples...
I was instantly blown away by the quality of this music and so I gave it a try and now that I have listened to these CDs several times I really must say that although I'm still an Afro Celt fan , I find MEHDl to be a great addition to this CD. I have them both in my multi-disc CD player and love the way they compliment each other. I highly recommend that you give this artist a try or atleast just go listen to the samples, I have a feeling you'll be glad you did.


I've always enjoyed Great Wedding music and this album is no exception, but while reading some of the customer recommendations posted on this site I discovered a group by the name of MEHDl (pronounced medie). After an online search I found their site (S00THINGMUSIC,C0M) and listened to the samples...
I was instantly blown away by the quality of this music and so I gave it a try and now that I have listened to these CDs several times I really must say that although I'm still a fan of classical music, I find MEHDl to be a great addition to this CD. I had them both in my multi-disc CD player during the wedding and love the way they compliment each other. I highly recommend that you give this artist a try or atleast just go listen to the samples, I have a feeling you'll be glad you did.

Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, plus musicians from all over the world combining their grooves together to make a whole that surpasses anything I could have imagined. This CD not only transports, it elevates! Essential for the world music collector.

I say that because you will never hear this excellent gem of an album on commercial radio. Actually, radio has sucked since the late 80's. Since this is not a review of radio all I can say is follow amazon's reviews by fellow music lovers and trust them. Buy this album and then try Under The Covers with Suzanne Hoffs. And please turn off your radio as it is filled with what the music industry wants you to hear, not this great stuff.

I own over five thousand CDs, Tapes and Records. This is my all time absolute favorite. I was in my early twenties when this came out. I don't know how many cracks I put on the steering wheel of my 74 Chevy Nova banging my fists to this album. The title track is great and gets you right into the record. He just plays great down home, grass roots rock and roll. No extra crap. Some of the songs are quite sad like You Dont Love Me and Winona. They could downright make you cry. Thank God for Matthew Sweet, as he tried to singlehandedly save us all from the deeply mired heavy Seattle Sound of the early nineties.

Thank God. I heard Girlfriend, the single, on the radio one day about a year or two ago. That lead to a download and the purchase of the album a few days later.
What seemed impulsive was overpowered by the feeling that a masterpiece had been uncovered. I hate the superlative language thrown around for these sorts of things, but this has proven to be no flight of fancy.
This guy, Matthew Sweet, writes songs that connect. You can feel it.
The twin guitar virtuosos who appear here deserve big credit. Big drive. Big. It sounds great. Gritty and foot stompin'.
And, what a recording.
Near 49 now. Sometimes its raw. Sometimes its ennui. This recording captures both ends.
It also rocks.
randolph wish

Time to do the dreaded "followup album" after the inventive and offkilter pop of GORDON. The Ladies can't deliver one as strong as that gem but this is hardly without its charms.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Commitment phobic "Jane" is a standout ("Jane decided only cowards stay, while traitors run..") as is the catchy "These Apples" (I think it's an oil and water love song from a simpleton but I'm not certain on this), "Alternative Girlfriend" gently mocks a paramour ("You live above your dad's four-car garage/With your vinyl and imaginary entourage"). The sparse acoustic "Am I the Only One?" is the slightly paranoid questioning of a lover worried his girl might have a man on the side. ("Am I the only one who loves when you leave/Your hair down in front of your eyes?") "The Wrong Man was Convicted" finds our protagonist lamenting his lost love over a gentle marching rhythm. ("The wrong man lies beside you/And waits for you to wake/And all because I lacked conviction,The judgment's my mistake")

LOWS:
"Intermittently" is lounge jazz that comes off like an inferior version of MAROON's "Conventioneers". "Little Tiny Song" is slight at best..it simply isn't memorable.

BOTTOM LINE:
It's a sophomore slump but GORDON would be hard for ANY band to followup. When all is said and done, it's quite listenable and BNL fans should enjoy it along with fans of quirky pop in general.

3 1/2 stars

Overall I'd have to say this is my all time favorite BNL album. There's just something about this album that really gets me in the gut. I know everyone thinks Gordon is just fantastic, and it is great, but this album seems to me to be a more polished and serious effort by BNL. There isn't one song on this CD that I dislike, and lyrically I think it's wonderful. "Maybe You Should Drive" is one of BNL's lesser known albums, and if you really like Maroon or Everything to Everyone, then perhaps this isn't your cup of tea, and you'll probably be disappointed. To me however, I think this is BNL at it's best, and I for one would like to hear more music like this from them.

Two of the songs on this album (Everything Old is New Again and The Wrong Man Was Convicted) got me through a particularly difficult breakup with my girlfriend at the time. Needless to say, this album has a special place in my collection. It's a good listen all-around, and if you're in a difficult emotional state like I was, it may strike a chord with you as well. BNL has always been one of my favorite bands, and this album is a prime example of the way that BNL pours their collective heart and soul into their work.

Beneath The Remains was, is, and will continue to be the finest thrash/death metal album of all time. This stuff makes even the fiercest Metallica album look like Barbra Sreisand. Don't believe me? Buy it and listen.

Wow, how didn't I get into this before?! I mean I had this over 6 months and I couldn't get into this that much. I first thought giving it 4 stars. But I mean, how can you not give this 5 stars?! Easily the best metal album of 1989 and my new favorite Sep album along with Arise.

This is considered to be Sepultura's 1st masterpiece. I have to agree with that (although I think Schizophrenia was vastly underrated). It is a more mature effort than the first 2 and it has the best musicianship from any Sep album. Igor Cavalera does here a damn excellent performance, and shows again why he's one of the best metal drummers around. Andreas Kisser did here his best work (listen to the solos in Inner Self), the bass here is still pretty audible. Max Cavalera's vocals are not at their best (for that go for Chaos A.D.) but they are nowhere near as bad as those of Derek Green (avoid any of these Sep albums). Also considering these guys were around 19 years old when they released this classic! This album is probably their heaviest. It just never slows down. This was definetly one of the heaviest albums of the 80's (along with Slayer's, Kreator's and Death's albums). The only complaint here is about 'Hungry' which kinda falls flat on it's as s compared to the others. I won't go now for all the songs bu I'll say 'Inner Self' is the best song here, it has an awesome change of melodes and the best solo from the album. The title track has also an kick a ss intro, too. But anyway it's one of the best extreme thrash bands give a phenomenal performance here. If you call yourself a thrash-metalhead and have to hear this album yet, don't talk to me till you have this.

Best 3 songs (in order):
Inner Self
Stronger Than Hate
Beneath the Remains

the bottom line is, Beneath The Remains is one of Sepultura's "big four" albums. and by that I mean, this was the beginning of the peak of Sepultura's thrash metal powers. their first 2 albums, Morbid Visions and Schizophrenia were merely prequels to the Brazilian thrash metal greatness of Beneath The Remains. and it would only get better from here. it continued with Arise, then Chaos AD, and finally with Roots. these 4 albums are probably some of the greatest albums that came out on Roadrunner records from the late 80's to the mid 90's. from there, Sepultura's career kinda decended slightly (with the departure of Max), and has been riding a straight plateau ever since.

Beneath The Remains was, is, and will continue to be the finest thrash/death metal album of all time. This stuff makes even the fiercest Metallica album look like Barbra Sreisand. Don't believe me? Buy it and listen.

Wow, how didn't I get into this before?! I mean I had this over 6 months and I couldn't get into this that much. I first thought giving it 4 stars. But I mean, how can you not give this 5 stars?! Easily the best metal album of 1989 and my new favorite Sep album along with Arise.

This is considered to be Sepultura's 1st masterpiece. I have to agree with that (although I think Schizophrenia was vastly underrated). It is a more mature effort than the first 2 and it has the best musicianship from any Sep album. Igor Cavalera does here a damn excellent performance, and shows again why he's one of the best metal drummers around. Andreas Kisser did here his best work (listen to the solos in Inner Self), the bass here is still pretty audible. Max Cavalera's vocals are not at their best (for that go for Chaos A.D.) but they are nowhere near as bad as those of Derek Green (avoid any of these Sep albums). Also considering these guys were around 19 years old when they released this classic! This album is probably their heaviest. It just never slows down. This was definetly one of the heaviest albums of the 80's (along with Slayer's, Kreator's and Death's albums). The only complaint here is about 'Hungry' which kinda falls flat on it's as s compared to the others. I won't go now for all the songs bu I'll say 'Inner Self' is the best song here, it has an awesome change of melodes and the best solo from the album. The title track has also an kick a ss intro, too. But anyway it's one of the best extreme thrash bands give a phenomenal performance here. If you call yourself a thrash-metalhead and have to hear this album yet, don't talk to me till you have this.

Best 3 songs (in order):
Inner Self
Stronger Than Hate
Beneath the Remains

the bottom line is, Beneath The Remains is one of Sepultura's "big four" albums. and by that I mean, this was the beginning of the peak of Sepultura's thrash metal powers. their first 2 albums, Morbid Visions and Schizophrenia were merely prequels to the Brazilian thrash metal greatness of Beneath The Remains. and it would only get better from here. it continued with Arise, then Chaos AD, and finally with Roots. these 4 albums are probably some of the greatest albums that came out on Roadrunner records from the late 80's to the mid 90's. from there, Sepultura's career kinda decended slightly (with the departure of Max), and has been riding a straight plateau ever since.

I "discovered" 7M3 with their mid-nineties offering "American Standard". I really liked it. I have bought a few of their other albums since then, but didn't really "get into them". Dislocation changed that. From the very first listen, I knew this was gonna be a disc that would see some significant playing time in my cd player and in my car.

I have to admit, I mostly like straight-forward Rock. And that's what you get. It has a slightly modern feel to it. I don't know why it's not getting any air-play along with other modern rock bands such as Nickleback, Staind, Theory of a Deadman, etc.

I can't believe that some people don't like this album...it's just so, good!

I agree with the one reviewer that is wondering how 7M3 can't get radio play. Without You Feels would make an amazing single, and would definitely bring them up to "2-Hit Wonder" status, because it's an absolutely fantastic song. That being said, so are Settle Up, Dislocation, Bark No Bite, Oceans of Envy, Made to Be Broken, and basically the rest of the album.

It's a completely different sound than anything else they've done, and I think they took a turn for the better. I loved American Standard and Economy of Sound (Rock Crown and Orange Ave. were very good too, but not in comparison), but this CD is just incredible.

Do yourselves a favor, give these guys a chance.

I wasn't going to write this review until I needed to replace my copy that got jacked out of my car and I read the last two reviews here.

This review is really directed towards those who may have missed 7M3's last few albums.

Seven Mary Three surely saw the height of their fame with their debut album-American Standard, at least in terms of radio play. For true fans of this band, or just good music, that CD was only a beginning. American Standard was a solid disc, quality songs surrounding a few true standout singles that everyone knows. Since then the band has created truely complete, incredible albums.

7M3's music life since American Standard has been a fabulous journey with Dis/Location as a wonderful destination. This album is prime example of what amazing music can be produced when a band is brave enough to evolve past the commericalization and pressure that major record labels put on musicians.

If you're someone who wants highlight songs, just look at the track listing.