Alternative Rock music reviews

I find it difficult to add much to the long list of glowing reviews.... but I bought this recording around 15 years ago and it remains one of my absolute favorites.

Not to downplay the individual contribution of the artists on this recording, but the best way I find to describe this CD is `Greater than the sum of its parts". There are only a handful of albums out there that, as a whole, are as rich, insightful, and impeccably recorded as this.

There are a number of historic and contemporary influences that creep through occasionally (Floyd, Steely Dan, Yes, and even a little Toto and Tears for Fears...) But even so, it stands out as completely unique.

I cannot put into words how I feel about this cd. The first thing that cought my hear was the Legatto (Holdsworthian) guitar solo at the end of Jenny Ledge. I couldn't believe I was hearing this on the radio. I had to hear the rest.

I hear Gentle Giant, Peter Gabriel, John Lennon(Julian sings on it), Pink Floyd, Yes, Steely Dan etc. I think the blend of these and others make for a very original sound.

Look. Everything is subjective and there is certainly no allowing for taste. But if you claim to like brilliant pop music, peerless songwriting, crack musicianship, taut arrangements, pristine engineering, and that most elusive holy grail of all... something that touches your soul, then you will invest the money and time to give this disc repeated listenings until you "get it"! Most people do so immediately. Some take a little longer. Then there are the extremely rare few who are hopeless and will never understand, and deserve to be subjected to endless loops of whatever it is that they think rocks. HA. Fools!

Forget them. You deserve the best. Get it. Clear some quality time. Crank it up. Rediscover what most pro audio engineers on this planet already know: THIS IS MUSIC YOU MUST HAVE.

The pieces in this wonderful album are presented with true spirit and tons of talent. As a whole, it gives the impression of real worship, and a celebration of the artists' faith. Lots of albums seem to showcase the performer's talent, but this one goes a step beyond and actually comes across as really worshipping God and giving honor to Him. Bravo to the many artists who collaborated on this inspired CD. It moves me every time I listen to it. It is what art should always be... inspired!

than this is the cd for you. It is filled with wonderful worship songs that drive us straight to the cross. My favorite one is "Merciful Rain" by FFH. I wasn't really familiar with most of the artists when I bought this cd. I had just heard the first song on the radio "God of Wonders" by Caedman's Call and knew God was speaking to me through it. I bought a copy for my friend and she loved it too. It is hard to find beautiful, up to date sounding Christian music so I was thrilled when I found this. There is a "sequel" : City on a Hill:Sing Allelujiah which is also good. Enjoy drawing closer to God when you listen to this terrific music.

City on a Hill is an exciting compilation of a new, fresh kind of worship music. The music is not tainted w/pop music beats and music, but is rather a clean mix of rhythm, simple lyrics and a slightly modern beat.

This music is not the typical "churchy" worship music. It is unique and stands alone in its own genre.

I was going through some of my old CDs the other day and came across this one. I haven't listened to it in years so I thought I would pop it in. Boy did it bring back some memories. I lived in Kansas City in the early 90s when grunge was at its heyday (live in Seattle now...oh well). Paw made the rounds in some of the local bars there and in Lawrence. I saw them live at a little place called the Grand Emporium - what a kicka** show! I wonder what those boys are doing now?

Anyway, if you want some hard driving, rocking good music, pick this one up.

4 1/2 stars

Paw is one of the best bands that were victimized by the "Grunge" label and subsequently phased out when Gen X'rs decided that they were suddenly hippies.

Dragline is substatial achievement. There are few albums that so honestly portray the angst of growing up angry in the cornfields. Jessie is one of the best singles of all-time.

Years from now some executive is going to dig this album out of the archives and re-release them as a lost master. Buy this album if you know what's good for you.

Hands down......The best cd ever recorded. Miss this band dearly. If you have not heard it.....I am sorry....It rules!

I bought this album (in record form!) when it first came out- I think I was 15 or 16. I had heard nothing off it yet and was just going on my rarely tapped album instinct. Over 15 years later, it is still one of the best whim purchases I've ever made (and now I have it on CD) and still one of my favorite albums. Sinead's voice is one of the most powerful, emotionally riveting and wrenching sounds I have ever heard and the combination of her music and lyrics is often overwhelming. Remember, she was just a kid when this album came out. Her follow up albums have, unfortunately, failed to live up to her debut. "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" is a great album and beautiful on its own, but "The Lion and the Cobra" stands on its own.

I bought this CD in 1988 and it has remained my favorite of all time. I don't think I can begin to adequately review this CD. I am sure there are enough reviews here to tell you what I have failed to convey. But I honestly have yet to come across a CD with more raw emotion & power...and of course...beauty. Sinead is a truly one of kind.

Having played this album today as well as "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got", I can attest that this album is superior, and still sounds fresh. Highly recommended.

i don't get what all the fuss is about. the music is sugar-coated unoriginal fluff and the lyrics are about as whiny as you can get. and, i'm sorry, there is no comparison to the beatles. save your money

my fam doesnt have ur contact info anymore, we were wonderin how u guys were doin. This CD is great, go buy it.

I have loved the Gufs for a long time and this CD is the best...i have gotten a lot of my friends to listen to this cd...everyone of them have become gufs lovers...what can i say the gufs are just amazing...Gorans voice is easy to pick out even if someone hasnt heard the song....if they know the gufs they will know its goran....If u dont have this cd i would say u better get to the closest store and buy it...its worth the money....

I first heard of VH in '97 when I heard the rocking We Are on the radio. After that, I went out and got Everything You Want and their first two albums, along with this one. Let me first say that those 3 albums are incredible. Go is a pretty good album as well but not as good as the first 3. I personally love Keith's raspy, rattlesnakey voice and for some reason, probably record company politics, they decided to make Matt's voice the main one, whereas in the past the songs were equally divided between Matt's higher range and Keith's rolling low range. So, on Go, Keith basically only sings harmonies.
Anyways, this Live album is incredible. It honestly is one of the best live albums I know. And I have a wide array of incredible live albums by bands such as Rush, U2, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith etc. This album features incredible songs from their first two albums, including a couple new songs never released on studio albums. They are all awesome! One thing you will not know about VH by listening to their studio albums or their hit singles is that they are somewhat of a jam band. Matt can play a sick lead guitar and a gorgeous acoustic, and they reserve much of their jamming to live shows and dont put much jamming into their studio albums. With this live album, you will see just how much they can fully rock.
The song Wash Away is a killer song, and this album has an incomparible 12 minute rock-out version of it, featuring some of the most amazing, enjoyable guitar and bass solos I have ever heard.
The song Falling Down starts out with one of the most gorgeous acoustic guitar riffs I have ever heard.
I can't go on about individual songs because every single one is so incredible. Get this CD whether you are familiar with VH or not cuz no matter what, if you like any music at all, I garauntee you will love this album.

all the songs rock. i think there are a better live band than studio. one of the best live cds i have heard. if you like there music i would say go get it you will love it

This is an amazing album from an amazing band. Their live show is like nothing I have ever seen, and this album captures Vertical Horizon's energy beautifully!... Two thumbs WAY up!!

I first heard of VH in '97 when I heard the rocking We Are on the radio. After that, I went out and got Everything You Want and their first two albums, along with this one. Let me first say that those 3 albums are incredible. Go is a pretty good album as well but not as good as the first 3. I personally love Keith's raspy, rattlesnakey voice and for some reason, probably record company politics, they decided to make Matt's voice the main one, whereas in the past the songs were equally divided between Matt's higher range and Keith's rolling low range. So, on Go, Keith basically only sings harmonies.
Anyways, this Live album is incredible. It honestly is one of the best live albums I know. And I have a wide array of incredible live albums by bands such as Rush, U2, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith etc. This album features incredible songs from their first two albums, including a couple new songs never released on studio albums. They are all awesome! One thing you will not know about VH by listening to their studio albums or their hit singles is that they are somewhat of a jam band. Matt can play a sick lead guitar and a gorgeous acoustic, and they reserve much of their jamming to live shows and dont put much jamming into their studio albums. With this live album, you will see just how much they can fully rock.
The song Wash Away is a killer song, and this album has an incomparible 12 minute rock-out version of it, featuring some of the most amazing, enjoyable guitar and bass solos I have ever heard.
The song Falling Down starts out with one of the most gorgeous acoustic guitar riffs I have ever heard.
I can't go on about individual songs because every single one is so incredible. Get this CD whether you are familiar with VH or not cuz no matter what, if you like any music at all, I garauntee you will love this album.

all the songs rock. i think there are a better live band than studio. one of the best live cds i have heard. if you like there music i would say go get it you will love it

This is an amazing album from an amazing band. Their live show is like nothing I have ever seen, and this album captures Vertical Horizon's energy beautifully!... Two thumbs WAY up!!

There really is no easy way to describe the phenomenon that was Acid Bath. Although they only made 2 albums (this being the second), they created music that is a combination of Blues, Psychedelic, Death metal, Sludge, Elemental, Doom and just about whatever. Dax Riggs adds an almost poetry like dimension to the band with his lyrics and singing style. This album has it all, fast in your face metal songs with double bass and guitar solos (Locust Spawning) to the slow acoustic and beautiful ballads (Dead Girl, New Death Sensation) and even some really creepy poems featuring voice distortion (Old Skin and the Untitled Track). If you like a variety of styles and elements in your Metal, then this is for you. Truly artistic and unique Acid Bath was one of the few bands that you could title as original because there hasn't been anything like them since. After the release of this album their bassist was killed in a nasty car crash and they decided to call it quits and go their separate ways forming several new bands.

Interesting Fact: The album cover artwork was painted by Dr. Kevorkian.

Acid Bath: R.I.P.

YOU WANT REAL METAL TO OPEN YOUR EARS? THIS IS IT. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. TOO BAD THEY HAD TO BE LIKE LED, & WHEN A BAND MEMBER DIES, BREAK-UP. THATS LIFE, BUT THE MUSIC LIVES ON. ENJOY!

One of the reviewers to post shortly before me claimed that Acid Bath was not only "Not groundbreaking" but also "sludge". I am not going to insult your opinion, nor unreasonably ridicule you. However, why must opposition to this band's popularity be so violent? First of all to compare Acid Bath to Soundgarden is blasphemy... They are nothing alike, and Dax's voice has a better, less nasally range with a much more effective scream for his style of music, which by the way is completely different from Cornell's.

Anyway this album rocks.. There are a few good reviews on here already, so I'll spare you. It's the same deal as on The Kite Sting Pops, and it proves that you can't have too much of a good thing.

One final note, keep in mind that Acid Bath was around in 1992... They defined this new wave of deathmetal, whether you want to think so or not. No one has surpassed Dax's lyrical style as of yet, nor are they likely to anytime soon, but God knows they all keep on trying.

A BUNCH OF SILLY INCONSEQUENTIAL STUFF.
ALL THE BEST SONGS ARE DONE MUCH BETTER ON THE LIVE ALBUMS.

This is Phish's second official, major release studio album (it is thier third, if you count Junta, which was originally only sold at concerts on a cassette tape). It is 60 minutes long, and the sound quality is very good but not excellent.

There are 16 tracks on this disc. But, only 5 of them have any meat to them. The rest is just silly filler in between the real songs.

Phish plays these 5 songs in concert all of the time. They are on many of the Phish live albums. Sometimes, Phish stretches out the songs, and other times they don't. But, all of the live versions I have heard are better than these studio versions.

The album starts out really strong with Llama. Other good tracks are Tweezer and Chalk Dust Torture. Cavern is a good song, but this one is especially so much better done live.

The other tracks are a mixutre of styles. There is a Calypso track, a Latin-rock track and some soft jazz. There is nothing wrong with experimenting with different styles. Many groups have done it successfully all on one album, like Derek Trucks on Make A Joyful Noise, or Frank Zappa on Chunga's Revenge. But, Phish's attempts at all of these styles is rather weak and not very interesting. It reminds me of Pat Boone trying to do rock and roll.

I prefer Phish's later studio albums. I think they just got better as their sound matured. But, I also like the earlier work on Junta and Lawn Boy.

I think that this CD suffers somewhat from the "American Beauty" effect. As with every jam band, Phish's first 2 studio albums, Junta and Lawn Boy were more along the lines of their live shows. Eventually, every Jam band wants to make an American Beauty, the Grateful Dead's first traditional studio album that emphasizes the songs and not the music. I think with most bands it is forced, while for the Dead it was a natural progression. String Cheese Incident just went throught this with the horrible One Step Closer.

I have been a huge Phish fan for years now, and in my time listening to them I have always heard about people loving this ablum. This album includes big hits like tweezer, chalk dust torture, etc- and the fact is that it was an average album for phish. In mine and a lot of other peoples opinions- live phish is the way to go; but if your talking studio.. this album was average. I think the highlight songs were: tweezer, llama, chalkdust, guelah papyrus, and stash. I recommend most phish albums in front of this one.

This is Phish at their best. This is the album that made me a fan. And when I saw them live for the first time, they came out and opened with an instrumental, The Landlady, off Picture O' Nectar, and it was great. They came out and just played, no cutesy-ness, no geeky, absurd, pseudo-momentous lyrics. I always wondered why they couldn't do that more often. When they appeared on the David Letterman show or Saturday Night Live, why not just come out and do a tight instrumental? I think I know why. Because they have to be cool and pick songs that show off that they don't care what the larger public thinks, "we're just playing what we like for ourselves, man." But they should show a little more respect for their fans, some of who, like myself, have attempted to turn other people on to the scene only to be embarrassed by their lame recitals when on the national stage.

Anyway, that first paragraph sounds awfully resentful, I'm off to a bitter start but I'm really trying to say that this is a great album. Of all their studio albums, Picture of Nectar has the highest ratio of cool songs to filler. Songs such as Llama, Cavern, Stash, Landlady, Guelah Papyrus, Chalk Dust Torture, and maybe Tweezer all rank as some of the best studio Phish. As a band, they don't quite live up to the hype and expectations of the hard-core fans. But as musicians, when they had time to write and create together, when they were focused on jamming and musicality over the bombastic flamboyance of their live shows, they were often great. One can make a case for Lawn Boy, which comes in a close second for me, but overall I would say this is the one album to own if you want to appreciate Phish for their songwriting and musicianship.

It may sound like harsh judgement but there were only two songs that intrigued me and that I could see someone using on a film score. But as a whole it really is a pretty mediocre and forgetable CD. It actually serves its purpose though as it can put you to sleep as well as any other lullaby but I was hoping for something that would serve me better as background music as I sit at this PowerBook. Bottom line: It's OK but it sure ain't Heroin!

An excellent collection of peaceful, consoling music from around the world. Possibly if everyone experienced such music and went to sleep at ease with the world, they would wake up to a better world.

We bought this for our grandson who is now almost 3yrs old. We are purchasing another CD for our new grandbaby who is on the way. This is the most calming & beautiful music! And what a wonderful way for children to hear music from around the world!