Alternative Rock music reviews

What a blast from the past. I hadn't heard anything from Dead Can Dance in years so I was ecstatic to find their music here on Amazon. The music is wonderful, the best way I can describe it is goth meets Middle Eastern. I was also very happy with how quickly I recieved the product once it was ordered. Very fast service!

Talk about serendipity. I was surfing for a track called "I Wanna Watch Cartoons" by Happy Flowers when I ran across a link to DCD. This is some of the most stunning and sublimely evocative music I've ever heard. If there is any music in you it will go straight to the core of your being. Favorites so far are Sanvean, Persephone, Summoning of the Muse and The Host of Seraphim. As you can see I lean towards Lisa Gerrard. (Now I know why I liked the Gladiator soundtrack so much.) She has a voice that can recall ancient sunsets or evoke vast sonic landscapes. Some of the pieces are not immediately accessible, but repeated listening draws you deeper and deeper into the music. This I consider the hallmark of quality music.
I'm not very knowledgeable about the Goths but some recommended reading to accompany the music would be "The Dying Earth" (Jack Vance), "The House on the Borderland" (William Hope Hodgson) or even "The Night Land", by the same author. In combination, the music and literature should take you to a very different place. Just don't forget to come back - it could be very hard to leave.

This is the best Dead Can Dance album I own hands down, and on my TOP 5 list of best albums ever. There is something almost divine about this masterpiece and the way it affects me every time I listen to it. "Cantara" is my favorite song of them all, but "Xavier", "Summoning of the Muse", and "Dawn of the Iconoclast" are all very close. "Xavier" in particular has brought me to tears several times. Dead Can Dance's approach to music is really unique and this is their most barroque and beautifully dark work. I highly recommend this album, and if you like it, try _The Serpent's Egg_ also, which is almost as good as this.

I have been a fan of LTC since "Here & Now" came out (and became a single because it was on the Melrose Place soundtrack!)
This is my second favorite LTC album, and they keep up the energy through almost the whole disc!

"I Got Time" is a perfect opener! It gives the album a fast start and the quirky lyrics set the stage for the rest of the album ("I've got the strength to move, but....why should I?") Other highlights include the swingy songs "Because of You", "Veda Very Shining", and "Sparklegirl". There are a couple of flat songs, such as "Alouette & Me" and the first single "Anchor". I would have released "Co-Pilot" as the first single for this album; it might have caught on a little better. Plus, it's my favorite song on the album! "Go!" is another great song that deserves to be the title track. It has an energy that doesn't quit and features some great organ work.

Go! is a great album, and fans of "10 Things I Hate About You" LTC and Kay's work in the film "Josie and the Pussycats" (yes, that is Kay as the singing voice of Josie) should give this a listen. You may find that there was so much more to them than just poppy hooks.

I don't know how many times people have told me that they saw LTC in 10 Things I Hate About You, went out and bought their cd, and it wasn't what they expected. That's because they aren't playing any of their songs. They sound awesome in the movie I know, but it isn't their music. I have been an LTC fan since 1996 and i love them. This cd is almost their best (second only to Aurora Gory Alice). Kay's vocals sound awesome and the guys' playing is great too. You should really check this out!!

The final album from Letters to Cleo is typical mid 90's chik rock, but the vocals from Kay Hanley make this album stand out as probably the greatest female fronted bands to come around in the last decade. As previously stated, there is nothing innovative, but this CD is one of my favorites and find myself listening to it years after it's release. The title track and I got time are probably the best songs on the album. Had the band stuck around for another album or two, they would have been very well-known. This is a great album and is definately worth a purchase, in addition to the sophomore release, Wholesale meats and Fish.

Much of what the Smiths represent has already been addressed in these reviews, so I will share only personal recollections of the band.

The Smiths were all too brief a force in music, but what they lacked in time, they made up for in fecundous output. Few groups recorded as much or as brilliantly as the Smiths did in their four year tenure as kings of british pop. Musically, no one even came close to the sheer beauty of what Johnny Marr created. Any guitarist worth his salt will admit as much, but music was only half of the equation. Morrissey was, like Robert Smith and Ian McCullough, a wordsmith of the highest order, creating rarely seen literary parallels between himself and the writers he so often championed.

As for the man's sexuallity.... well, for all of the press it has received over the years, it was simply irrelevant to his craft, and he only underscored that notion by remaining aloof and deliberately ambiguous on the subject. For those who actually remember the Smiths while they were together, Morrissey was a declared celibate throughout his partnership with Marr, Joyce and Rourke, having given himself over to his art to such a degree that, when Johnny split, the man was literally bedridden.

Ah, yes, the Smiths. Where would I have been without them? Some like to talk of this group as depressing, but they got me through some very bad times indeed. Rarely had I heard anyone speak so honestly of his feelings, and those lyrics often reminded me that I was not the only one out there suffering. As unbelieveable as it may sound, this band actually saved my life, and it's hard to speak objectively of such an influence.

But they were magic. Anyone who has been truly desperate and has heard the hope and optimism in 'please, please, please' will understand what I mean.

What difference does it make? Without Johnny Marr, a lot. One can argue the same for bassist Andy Rourke. The rhythm section so very tight, singer, Morissey's usual self-involved insipidness becomes confessional, frustrated and inspired. You might think he's revealing the secrets of the universe through a rock, post-wave lense. He's no more convincing than when he sings "I crack the whip and you skip", against a menacing Marr guitar line. Or try the layered guitar tremolo lead to this declaration, "I am the son and the heir, of nothing in particular". Hell, even in context, lines like, "there's more to life than books, but not much more," seems like aphorisms. In the end the music's so good you end up rooting for Morissey. Please let him get what he wants. Ok, but I hope you thanked Mr. Marr and Mr. Rourke.

It's obvious that people who will say The Smiths as a band for gay people just goes to show how ignorant these new emo kids are to yesterday's music.These emo kids were prolly in their primary school when The Smiths came out of the British scene in the 80s. I should know because I was in High School back in the 80s when The Smiths first hit the NME charts with their first album. I'm a straight guy, along with five of my buddies who are into The Smiths long before these EMO kids learned to pop a CD in a sound system. Anyways...I just get a bit upset when people begin judging a band simply because the singer represented a specific community. Hey I like This Charming Man because it does have some of the best lyrics. This Night Has Opened My Eyes is another.

This is a good album. It's probably the best album they ever made. They have a Peel Session version of "Still Ill", has an interesting harmonica intro. Other songs are "How Soon is Now" and "Girl Afraid." This is an album that you should definitely buy if you want to listen The Smith's best years. Take note of Johnny Marr's guitar-playing here and Rourke's bass playing. Fantastic. Spend your money on this. By the way, I still have my vinyl version of this album. Mint condition. To new listeners who are just discovering the music of MY generation, get this album. You will cherish it.

Though I prefer the American cover, I have to admit the European cover says it all. The Pogues. If I Should Fall from Grace with God. Spelled out in a classic font. Black and red text like a Bible. On the left, we have Spider Stacy with his western string tie, his slicked back gangster hair, and his Generation whistle. These and his direct, Clint Eastwood stare look exactly like his whistle sounds: a reverb drenched keen over Finer's spaghetti western scores. Next to him stands Andrew Ranken, looking like the displaced R&B drummer he is. He doesn't get to showoff until the next album, Peace and Love, but a close listen reveals how much of the band's energy comes from his simple floor tom and snare parts. Bottom left, Daryl Hunt and his hair. Hey, Pogues or not, it was the eighties, and his hair was nothing compared to Cait's. Phillip Chevron. The odd man out even in a group of odd men. One of the two in the band with a genuine lilt, but his with strange Broadway squeal that somehow managed to harmonize with MacGowan when it was needed. And Shane in the middle, holding himself up (we won't speculate why as some are prone to) with a bodhran. It strikes me now, in 2005, how young he looked back then, beardless and broad-eared. This well-read man had a genuine gift early, which is rare for literary talents. To his right, Terry Woods with his first full-length appearance. Founding member of Sweeny's Men, who managed to beat even Fairport into the Celtic folk-rock scene. Guitar abandoned, he grips his cittern as if it and his tux are the only things separating him from these ruffians. On bended knee, Jem "Country" Finer. You can take a boy out of the country, but I doubt anyone would tell you to take the country out of Irish music after Jem made it work. He was no Earl Scruggs, but I get the feeling even Shane learned something about songwriting from this plaid-shirt wearing former computer science teacher. And last but not least, James "Maestro" Fearnley, his beautiful Hohner stretched out. Piano accordion may be a bad choice for Irish melodies, but James had something grander in mind and, by gob, he made it lilt and bounce somehow and lifted the music higher, no matter what Shane says in hindsight.

And then the album itself. Some say it's overproduced, that Lillywhite ruined The Pogues. I don't know what I can say except listen to the first eight notes of "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" and see if you can stop there and not finish the next eight or the whole song or the whole album. I couldn't. That's how I got hooked. This is the first album I heard by The Pogues, and I have only the fondest memories for it. In other words, I'm obviously biased. With little serious competition, I claim this as my favorite album of all time. Having played celtic music for 10 years now myself, I'm still amazed to find I can learn from it in composing, arranging, and engineering to this day. Pure art. A masterpiece.

The Bosstones, Dropkick Murphys, Black 47, Flogging Molly, and countless other bands since have been influenced by the madness of The Pogues. The lead singer Shane MacGowan's notorious reputation for drinking and drug use and actually making it through a set has overshadowed the musicians, who are as confrontational as any punk rock band. I'd put this up against London Calling and Joshua Tree (U2's producer also worked on this one) easily because it still sounds as fresh as it did over 15 years ago.

The result is classic. It's got a great beat. The title track is a punk meets Celtic explosion. Turkish Song of the Damned gives it a middle-eastern flavor. The "Fairytale of New York" is the most known off of this, with Kirsty MacColl duetting with Shane on one of the greatest Xmas songs ever written. Any song that starts off with "It was Xmas Eve babe, in the drunk tank" HAS to be good. But it's a catchy song that you will have a hard time getting out of your head for weeks. "Metropolis" is an instrumental, and "Fiesta" is an insane punk mariachi celtic clash. Irish coffee with tequila.

The Medley and Worms are the more traditional songs but done Pogues style, and "Broad Majestic Shannon" round this one out.

Not a bad song in the bunch. Not a dull moment, and this one competes with "Rum.."as greats.

Shane McGowan's vocals can be an assault on the unappreciative ear, like they were on my own. But I listened closer, thank the lord. Some may compare them to other Irish/punk outfits, but who might they be? The Pogues are a mainstay, a unique and fresh(even now)Perspective on classic rock,punk, and rooted Irish songwriting. They bridged the gap between my parents' taditional Irish tunes, and my own rock prefernces, and brought a better understanding of both. I used to hate the old Irish songs, now I devour the trad. bands, Lunasa, Altan, and Dervish. I'm drawn in to my own American tastes with better perspective, and my best band, Irish as well, U2 has remained the same, yet widened my appreciation of all music. They will always be the best.

Yet through it all, the Pogues are more like the Ramones than the Chieftans(or is it the other way around?). They are more like the Bothy Band than the Clash(or is that the other way around?) Comparisons are worthless here. There are no other Pogues(although I do recomend Shane McGowan and the Popes CD "The Snake"). The tempo is strong and aggressive. "Bottle of Smoke" is an insane whirly-gig of a drunken horse bet. "Fairytale of New York" is glorious, and pitiful, a great dancing lament. "Medley" will be the most recognised, another Irish music purist called it the "heart" of the record. The heart of the record, for me, is "Thousands Are Sailing." This is an emmigrant's song, really, a thrusting and angry ballad with soul. The Brendan Behan referance is perfect. The Pogues are Irish Music Rebels.

"Essential" Pogues is more rare, but the best introduction and compilation of great Pogues songs. If you can find it, grab it!

It's during Ball and Chain, more than Ring of Fire, where you can FEEL the Johnny Cash influence on Mike.
This a pretty important album to have and I spin this way more than any other SD's.
I always thought SD took awhile to find their identity, I wasn't a big fan of Mommy's Little Monster and prior (so I tend to skip some over some of those songs -I know that puts me in the minority) but once they did they didn't turn back (kinda like AFI).
Ball and Chain on this album will always rank as one of the greatest country/rock songs ever written and I know that's the direction Ness wants to continue in. I just hope he keeps uptempo guitar work because it's that constant balladry, well, and a few other things, that turns me off of most country. Check it out live - preferably with a bottle of JD. Really! You'll be feeling bittersweet once the crowd starts taken the 4th verse.

1 hour ago just saw Social Distortion Live in Atlanta. People yelled all the way through the concert. Whoops and yells spilling out on the street after the concert. "Live" is the best word for this band when you see them in concert. "Live" for both girls and guys. All seemed to linger after the concert. Total adrenalin. Why see the Rolling Stones live when you can see the real deal?

Some things are totally fresh after 20 years. How is that possible? 5 stars.

You can forget about the debate over who the best band in America is. It begins and ends with these guys. Although not the same Social D of the 80's and 90's, in part due to aging, retirments (Johnny, we need you back on bass man!) and largely to the tragic loss of Dennis Danell, these guys simply put on the greatest show, every time. I just saw them live in Poughkeepise NY (for like the 30th time since 1992), and that show was as powerful and rocking as that first time I saw them at the Sting in New Britain, CT (and like a young dum-ass, offered Mike and Dennis a beer in the parking lot before the show).

Thank you Mr. Ness, for taking time from you family and touring. And for those of you who have never seen the band play, this album is as good as being there. "The kittens are out tonight!"

One of my favorite road trip CDs. I just don't know why this band is not bigger. Whenever I lend this CD to someone, they always come back and say it is great. Not sure if they remind me of the Almond Bros, Outlaws, Tom Petty or what, but they are great and the hard rock plus excellent vocals make this CD a gem.

I never bother writing reviews but this band is so amazing, and this CD so incredible, I had to chime in. I agree with previous posts that it's surprising this group never got the credit it deserves. Each song has a depth and a display of musical talent I rarely find anywhere else. Each song is rich and powerful, and the lyrics vary between witty, powerful, and hilarious. I've listened to this CD (and their others as well) a thousand times and have never tired of it. You will not be disappointed.

Dada showed up near my house for a concert in a smallish venue. A friend said they were good so I went. I was blown away. I didn't know any of their songs before that concert, but it was still great. Since that time I have become another dada fanatic. They are the greatest unknown band. It's too bad Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Rap took over the alternative scene, seriously. Give me back dada, Jellyfish, and Matthew Sweet any day. They also remind me of Oasis, but infinitely better. Dada also reminds me a little of Foo Fighters in way they don't take themselves too seriously (I don't dislike Nirvana, but like Foo Fighters and dada much better). Dada always has great guitar work and rocking songs, and they also have ballads that will either totally blow you away or make you cringe, they are just so good that they belong back in the days of Beatles, before the world was so cynical. Most people aren't embarrassed to sing Temptations "My Girl" or Beatles "Something," but for some reason they don't want to go there with a "new" song. Dada can take you there. They are behind the times and ahead of their time and that's part of their appeal, just damn good music. Like some of the other reviews have mentioned, you need to listen to a dada album a couple of times before it hits you. They have the best and most interesting harmonies out there today, excellent instrumentation, and unique lyrics. Puzzle has some of the most interesting songs I have ever heard, and if you haven't heard dada before, start there.

To say this was a dissapointment is an understatement. By track three i wondering if this was the same Edwin McCain that had made the masterful 'misguided roses' because this is so BLAND! it really was a struggle to listen to the whole thing and keeo my eyes opened-radio friendly isn't the word! I guess some of the signs were showing in the tinsel and tap shoes dvd with the ultra slushy 'couldn't love you more' and 'shooting stars' what do you get as a bonus track a version of 'maggie may' so close to the original as not to make a difference! The whole point of a cover is to do your own interpetation not a note for note re-run! So what has happened in the past years to make someone as talented as McCain heap this non-entity on his fans? Well giving Pete Riley a stab at songwriting both on his own and with McCain shows a possible drying up of ideas, because Riley's songs wouldn't be out of place on a latter day Fleetwood Mac album- they are that uninspired and there is hardly any barintone sax which always added to the songs and do i hear the dreaded drum machine in the mix? Come on Edwin a couple of half way decent songs on your new album is pushing the mark a bit. I for one will view the next album with a great deal of aprehension!

Edwin McCain is a master. Most people only know him as "that guy who sings "I'll Be" on Dawson's Creek." But he is much much more then that, he is a skilled musician that I have been lucky enough to see live twice. This CD is definitely good, and while its not my favorite EMB CD, its much better then most of the mainstream junk today. I'm definitely surprised Edwin didn't have atleast a top 40 hit with "Say Anything" (for all you first time listeners and "I'll Be" lovers, it will probably be your favorite track). Also the song "Couldn't Love You More" is a really good song for anyone who has ever been in a relationship that pretty much everybody was skeptical of. My favorite song on the CD is the risky "White Crosses" which tells the story of a truck full of illegal immigrants from Mexico being killed in Texas. The song is extremely compassionate and its obvious that Edwin is way above writing meaningless songs.
If you're a hardcore Ed head, of course you're going to buy the CD and its definitely worth it.
For the non-Edwin fans, if your looking for "I'll Be", theres a really good acoustic version of it on the CD titled "Messenger" ;-)

Screams & Wisphers is another great CD from Edwin McCain and his band. The song Couldnt love you more is a great song for lovers that have ever had doubters about there love, Edwin McCain is in my opinion one of the best singer song writers out, the way he makes you feel the songs and stories with his words is something only true artist can do. Not a big radio artist but that keeps him grounded and not caught up in the HOLLYWOOD sell out that so many of these so called artist give into - A great cd by a great artist and worth twice the price the sticker has on it, nothing Edwin McCain puts out is bad, if your a true fan of REAL music youll love anything Edwin McCain puts out

Long before there were the Dixie Chicks, there were the Indigo Girls, who could put on a stellar show. This double CD captures Amy Ray and Emily Saliers live, with a raucous blend of songs that combine social commentary with hard driving music. The Indigo Girls defied labeling, as they crossed over genres as well as bent gender interpretations of songs. They might be a little raw for some people's tastes, but if you are a fan it is pretty hard to pass on this CD, which seems to have best summed up their music to date.

This is easily the best CD I have in my entire collection. I just bought my second copy, as my first one has been worn from dragging it everywhere with me.

When you have to answer that "which CD would you bring on a deserted island with you?" question, you now have the answer!

It's great for singing out loud in the car!!

I love a good live album much more than anything put together in a studio but I'm normally sceptical of a "best of" live album that picks and chooses from a number of venues and dates. This release is definitely the exception and is a winner from start to finish. I could maybe do without the track from their early days (which has historical interest but is a definite flat spot) but every other song is a fantastic version of a stellar song. Higlights include an intimate "Power of two" and a thumpingly good "Tangled up in blue" which is my favourite version of this oft covered classic (if you haven't already, check out the Indigo girls guest performance on Joan Baez's "ring the bells". Their version of "Don't think twice" is a small slice of heaven).

Surely after a few years, some great albums and some greater concerts it's time this release had a follow up? A two disc live selection that picks up where this album left off would have me queing up ready to buy it on the release date.

They bring out the critics who compare Loeb to NSYNC.

Let's dispense with this nonsense. She should be rightfully compared to Sam Philips, who has better songs, and Liz Phair, who is more clever. If you've read this far, you can't get enough of Lisa Loeb's mid 90s pop. Take a tip and check out Sam Phillips and Liz Phair.

Tails encapsulated the promise of Lisa Loeb, who made the big time with a hit single "Stay" off of the Reality Bites movie soundtrack. The other hit off of the CD was "Do You Sleep?", but the other tracks off of the disc are well-written and executed, speaking of relationship perils of successes, sometimes with a sense of humour. Lisa's star hasn't stayed as high since the release of this disc, but in part that's attributable to the change in the music landscape that occurred at the turn of the millennium, as MTV turned the pop culture sheep away from alternative rock and Lilith Fair music towards hip-hop, and (sadly) themselves away from playing videos and towards Punk'd. Tails is definitely worth a listen, if you were a fan of music of that time.

I remember being the only third grader to have her casset Tails, and perhaps relized around that time that i was a lesbian her Lisa Loeb is sooo freaking hot!

This is besides the point. This CD has all the qualities of just puting it into your player and listening to it for weeks. Her songs are rich in texture and style, easy to belt out while your waiting at a stop light or shopping with your I-pod. I highly recommend this CD to every one. Its the perfect "I'm in a bad mood CD" because its so cheerful.

I came to visit this page because some reviewer was wrecking Train's new album to bits, and they said if you want to hear a truly good album, try this. What the hell is so good about this? I dont get it. The guys voice stinks, the music is so loud, he sounds muffled in the background. Someone compared this to REM? Give me a break, REM blows this away. I never heard of this group Sugar before, and I know this junk dont sell. I guess there is some cult following of people who think this guy Bob Mould is good. Well, your all disallusioned and your dead wrong. HE SUCKS!! This crap gives alternative a really bad name!

In fact, I've listened to this disc countless times, and I love it. I like every track on here, but I don't understand why anyone would compare this to REM. Some fans might consider this a timeless classic, I only think 'Changes' and 'If I Can't Change Your Mind' are the only two that don't sound like grunge...not that I know what I'm talking about. I just love the songwriting and the music. If Sugar ever got better than this, I haven't heard it. I even know music snobs who list this as a favorite. Highly recommended.

I'm not much for hype and I don't normally like to use "best" in describing any form of art, but I am honestly hard-pressed to think of any album that was released in the 90s that can match the consistency of excellence, the lyrical prowess and the raw emotion contained throughout "Copper Blue". Bob Mould is one of the unheralded geniuses in popular music over the past 25 years and this album stands as evidence of his brilliance.

From "The Act we Act" through "Man on the Moon", there is not a single low point on this CD. Simply put, it never lets up. This is not to say that it is not dynamic - "Hoover Dam" and "If I can't change yoru mind" are perfect, acoustic complements to the Les Paul-heavy power chords that function as the engine which drives the high level of energy throughout.

This CD is painfully consistent in its emotional intensity and this fact is punctuated both by its melodic energy and its lyrical strengths. Mould's lyrical creations manifest themselves in the form of compassion ("Helpless"), desperation ("If I can't change your mind") and even haunting nihilism ("A Good Idea").

The combination of the raw emotion inherent in the lyrics, coupled with the consistency of Mould's melodic sensibilities and disciplined yet uninhibited vocal talents, make this CD the most emotionally-charged CD in some time. Mould's willingness to bare his emotions allow the songs to move the listener in a manner in which he or she may not be fully prepared.

This CD has not only held up incredibly well over the years, it trumps most, if not all, of what has been released since.