Alternative Rock music reviews

It's no wonder the Bacon Brothers haven't topped the charts--their music has all the things today's radio listeners HATE: heart, soul, clever lyrics, great harmonies and top quality musicianship...elements that would make the multi-pierced, purple-haired mutant behind the counter at your local music store say "dude, that's soooo lame...". Oh yeah...and none of their song titles include using the number "2" instead of the word "to" (--GOD isn't it clever when recording artists do that???) The music industry wonders why sales are in the dumper and people are so into downloading free songs off the net. That's because most recent music isn't worth paying for. The Bacon Brothers are the exception. BUY THIS CD! And then buy their next CD--"Getting There"... You WON'T be disappointed IF you know what real music should sound like.

First, forget that Kevin is a movie star. He is the real deal--and, one of the best tongue-in-cheek sports in the world (yes...live Bacon Brothers shows end with him doing "Footloose"--the best example of self-deprecating humor you'll ever see from anyone in the sacred cow Hollywood crowd). If "Old Guitars" doesn't hook you right out of the chute, throw this CD away and go buy the latest from "50 Cent", "Blink 182" or the latest inductee in the Mediocre-Chump-Star-Of-The-Week club...and resign yourself to the fact that you are common and your musical tastes are average. For the Stetson-wearing crowd, the fact that "Only A Good Woman" wasn't a huge hit on the country charts shows that the C & W genre is mired in as much mediocrity as the rock/pop world.

This CD--and the follow up "Getting There"-are not discs on which you "program" favorite songs--let them play through. Or, as the pierced, purple-haired crowd would say: "dude, they're the bomb fo' shizzle...".

Grown-ups can make music "2"!!!

I've given this cd as a gift to more people than I know. I highly recommend it. Clever lyrics, great vocals and amazing musical talent. What more can you ask for????

I purchased this album (am I dating myself when I say album? I mean CD) after hearing the Bacon Brothers on "Acoustic Cafe" a Sunday morning radio show. I am a fan of bands like The Kingston Trio and such and liked the sounds I heard on the show. This CD really surprised me with it's energetic, fun and mellow songs. If you like folk rock you can do much worse that purchasing this disc, also check out Mark Erelli if you like good mellow folk with a hint of country.

I bought this several years ago just on a whim. I was at B&B and it was on there listening display...never heard of them, but wow, it was awsome. Now It is still my most favorite CD ever and I have tons. The music and singing are just beautiful...
S BROOKS
FT WORTH TEXAS

Beautiful vulnerable and honest pop. About the half of the songs are quiet, without drums, the rest is a bit dynamic.

Everything good can and has been said already of this gorgeous offering. I don't think I own another CD I love as much or have played as often for as many years as I have this one. Every feeling, every emotion, every physical, spiritual or sensual experience finds a fresh perspective carried on Karin's achingly earnest vocals.
Plumb the depths and heights of the elegant melodies and startlingly ingenuous lyrics for yourself, but be warned: lock this baby up when you're not playing it. I've purchased this disc THREE TIMES and every time it seems to mysteriously disappear, never to be seen again. I'll buy it again -- and gladly -- but for pete's sake, get your own copy and leave mine alone!

Here Comes the Zoo is likely my least favorite Local H album - But I still suggest you buy it, as despite this, it's a great album. By no means would I say in any way sort or form this is a bad album, as I stated above, although it's my least favorite my favorite band I still love it, and it has some of my favorite songs from there. It starts out with a some-what known H song - Hands on the Bible, which isn't one of my favorites but I must say the lyrics are powerful. Half-Life though, is. A catchy hard-rock song - the kind we love from H. The only couple songs I somewhat dislike on here are (Baby Wants to) Tame Me - Which isn't bad, but I think is weak lyrically and I don't care for the "Waaaa" Scott Lucas sings in parts of the song, not bad, but not great either. Creature Comforted would have to be the only other I'm kinda "meh" about, although the verses are good, and lyrically strong - the chorus is bleh, still not a bad song. Other than those two, this is a damned good album. Overall my favorite ( and quite possibly my favoite H song next to maybe Lovey Dovey ) is Bryn Mawr Stomp. Freakin' brilliant. Buy this album - it's not H's best by any means, but buy it anyways, as it's still awesome.

I really enjoy this album. Local H is better than most post grunge bands. My favorite song is "Hands On The Bible".

This CD rocks!!!! Local H is back in a BIG way and I'm so glad. I saw them open for STP years ago and I feel like they're back and sounding better than ever. I'll be listening to this CD for years to come!

I started listening to this album back in '83 when I was a college student asked to play it on the air at WPGU in Champaign-Urbana. The lyrics were about things we all think about at times but never discuss. The music itself was timeless,sounding like it could've been written anytime in the last 40 years. When I bought my own copy and took it home on break, my Dad walked in while Gone Daddy Gone was playing. He loved the xylophone and early 60's jazz sound and asked to hear the rest of the album. I talked him out of it, not being able to imagine how embarrassed I'd be listening to those lyrics with him. You know the ones I mean: "stain my sheets," "big hands, I know you're the one," etc...
One cannot ignore just how powerful those lyrics were, just like one cannot ignore Dylan Kliebold and Eric Harris and their infamous legacy. I never believed the Femmes deserved any association with those two and still don't to this day. But some of the DJ's I worked with speculated in '85 that it was only a matter of time... That makes this entire album their "Helter Skelter."

I have preserved the LP and have since purchased the 20th anniversary double CD collection. It holds up VERY well.
The last two songs were added later.

If there's one thing the Violent Femmes are great at, it's making relatively simple music with witty, snarling lyrics. Gordon Gano's distinct vocals (which I find sexy) are the clear highlight of this debut album. I was in the midst of my teen angst when I bought it, and every song seemed PERFECT - it spoke right to me. He's vulnerable when it comes to girls and god damn, he's pissed about it.

Not to say that happily settled post-teen-angst people won't enjoy the album; however, those with stodgy no-fun attitudes won't. I'll never be able to get over the Femmes' smart sarcasm and punk sensibilities. They can't and won't be pigeonholed. All the songs on the album are strong. A+++++++++!

the first violent femmes song i heard was probably blister in the sun like 8 or so years ago but i didnt know who did the song and i didnt really like it but then in 2004 when i got the latest game in my fave game series(Tony Hawk's Underground 2/thps) i was introduced to a lot of great music Johnny cash,frank sinatra, and x were just some of the old bands on their that i really like now but my fave song and band on that game was "add it up" by violent femmes from the singin in the beginning to the music to my favorite part of the song "so dont shoot shoot shoot that thing at me" the song was awesome i played that song every 10 minutes or so a week or two later i bought this album and it was great besides the two songs i knew "add it up" and "blister in the sun" i also loved "Kiss off" and "gimme the car" this cd is great for alternative/rock/hell maybe even metal fans

I was first exposed to Grant Lee Buffalo at the tailend of 1994. I was working as an overnight deliveryman when I first heard the opening strains of "Mockingbirds" stir through the twilight: "Devastation at last, finally we meet". I was immediately entranced by the dirgelike strum of this tune and was compelled to seek out the whole album. I was not disappointed. Mighty Joe Moon serves as an excellent example of exquisite narrative rife with elegiac stirrings and haunting tales from the perspective of a true raconteur.

When lead singer Grant Lee Phillips sings of the many facets of Americana and the accompanying human condtion, one is transported to the worlds he creates in his song tapestry. Overall, Mighty Joe Moon is a breath of fresh air and uniquely qualifying in the pantheon of alt-rock that and highly worthy of exploring. All of the tracks are sterling and weave a synthesis of storytelling and nuance that captivate.

My faves are the outstanding "Mockingbirds", "Lone Star Song", "Honey Don't Think", "Demon Called Deception", and "Rock of Ages"...but all of the songs on here exemplary. Seek this out.

This album is great because of its ability to give such a great vibe. It's part Americana without the neo-countrified feel, a few acoustic-and-vocals ballads, part swaggering rock. Each song easily manages to be good its own or fit well with its album-mates smoothly. This is the perfect record to put in the car on a road-trip (something I put to the test, with great results!), countryside sliding steadily by from the car-window. I found this quite remarkable, and being as I really don't like alot of miles on the road for too long, I thanked Grant Lee for having the ability to make it bearable..
I only regret that I caught wind of this band after they were put out to pasture. Anyone with a taste for great roots-type rock should really look into starting out with this album. I am a truly picky [...] when it comes to my music, but I will happily pass the word on about this disc. As of right now, there may not be much hope of hearing Grant Lee Buffalo play these songs live, but this brilliant work is definitely worth a go!

but many others are very close. For all of you who aren't aware. His new solo albums (Grant Lee Phillips) are incredible as well. He's a true artist and as long as he's alive he will continue to make art. Thanks God for Grant Lee.

even though this is just a tribute to hoon, and of course nico, it is still one of the best "alt" albums of the 90s. I am going to put what i think of their albums in the category of 1 being the worst and 10 being the best:

Blind Melon (1992) 9/10

Soup (1995) 9/10 (because they didn't even put "soup" on the album!)

Nico (1996) 10/10

"nico" the name given to shannon hoon's baby girl i think the front cover is a photo of shannon but not 100 perecent certain so don't qoute me on that any down to the review blind melon will always be remebered for that song "no rain" and the bubble-bee girl..but they were more than one song they were a unit that made beautiful music that settles nicely in your soul..
this album features two covers one of the steppenwolf classic
"the pusher" shannon hoon do the best cover i've ever heard
and the cover of the protest song vwritten by the late great john winston lennon "john sinclair"
this album features the title song not featured on the album "soup"
and too end this album perfectly you get a phone in song by shannon only with a guitar..recorded onto an answer phone beautiful!!!! a classic post-humourous album compiled lovingly by blind melon to honour shanoon hoon and dedicated to the nico blue

I would have to say that this is by all means my best and most used cd ever bought. Shannon was an amazing performer, he and the rest of the band(Rogers,Christopher,Brad,and Glen)were so under-rated that it makes me sick every time i hear them. I have been a die-hard fan for about 5 years now and i just can't get tired of their beautiful and touching music. Its like nothing else, forget "No Rain",listening to Blind Melon makes you close your eyes and it warms you inside. Their talent was unbelievable along with their music. I only wish they Shannon was here now to make some more real music. He is deeply missed by us fans.

Oh yea you have to buy this cd. Trust me you can't help but love it.

Brings back great memories of a very talented band. Get their live EP "Acoustic Dance Party" as well. There are a few songs that should have been included in this collection, but I'm happy with it.

Toad is in my top 5 groups ever. I love this collection its missing afew of the greats but still dang good. I take this album every time I go on a trip. Its an album I never get tired of.

I have always loved Toad the Wet Sprocket, with my first favorite being "All I Want". And they soon followed with other great songs. When I bought this CD, I first listened to only the most popular songs I was familiar during the 90's, from having heard them on the radio. But then, I slowly started listening to some of the other songs that I have not heard before and now I like them as well! A couple of the others that are good " I will not take these things for granted" and "Eyes open Wide".

One reviewer didn't give as good a review and said they sound like REM in the song, "Fall Down". I never really thought they sounded like REM. But even if they do, who cares? I think REM is another great group!

I also like this group as it reminds me of happy times from the 90's So far, the 90's was the greatest period in my life. Bill clinton was President and all was well!

I own every Indigo Girls album there is and this is by far my favorite. When I got my first CD player in high school this was the first CD I got for it and it is unbelieveable. The music is just beautiful and the lyrics absolutely inspired. My particular favorite:

But what it takes to cross the great divide
Seems more than all the courage I can muster up inside
But we will get to have some answers
When we reach the other side
The prize is always worth the rocky ride.

The Wood Song was one of our graduation songs and the lyrics are just magical. I could listen to this CD every day and never get tired of it over 10 years later.

There are some albums that just define a period of your life, and "Swamp Ophelia" takes me back. I cannot believe it's been over a decade since its realease! It still sounds bright and fresh to me, even though I can sing the entire album by heart (and do. Loudly). "Least Complicated", "Power of Two," "Mystery," and "Language or the Kiss" are all standouts, but my favorite is definitely "The Wood Song" -

"What it takes to cross the great divide seems more than all the courage I can muster up inside
But you get to have some answers when you reach the other side
The prize is always worth the rocky ride."

If you want to own an IG album, check this one out. It might not be loaded with the hits of some earlier releases, but I think you'll find yourself falling in love. It just works so well as a whole - a beautiful melding of talents and songs.

(I'm not a kid; I'm 25). This is the only CD I've been willing to pay for 3 times. (My first copy was stolen and the second I lost in a move). I have been listening to Indigo Girls for 9 years now, and this is still my favorite album by them. You will revel in the depth and texture of the lyrics.

WOW, DOES THIS ALBUM EVER SUCK. I received it as a gift from a friend who I actually thought had pretty good taste in music. Having never heard of SELF before, I was excited about hearing something new. Well, that excitement didn't last long. All I had to do was hit play on my CD player.

Self is annoying & amateurish. This album is going right to the used CD store.

If you asked someone if they have heard of Self, chances are they'll say who? Matt Mahaffey(the only permanent member) has even joked that if you requested Self on the radio, they would probably play Seal, instead. It's a real shame, too, because Self is probably the best pop act out there, and the new album, Ornament and Crime, will likely never see the light of day. It's also unlikely that the band will be touring anytime soon, because lead guitarist and Matt's brother, Mike Mahaffey recently passed away in May of 2005.

As great as Self is, it's easy to see why they've never caught on. Their songs are catchy, but they don't really fit into any existing radio formats. Despite their hip-hop influences, stations that would normally play that type of music ignore them because it's rock oriented, and rock stations won't play Self because of the hip hop influence. And pop stations are out of the question. It's a little too out there for those listeners.

Self has also been through some bad management issues with their major label, Dreamworks Records. Dreamworks always loved Matt's work and had him do some work for both Shrek films, and payed for him to do tracks for other movies which didn't get used. The problem is they had no idea how to market Self, and they ended up throwing support to bands like Powerman 5000 and Papa Roach, which aren't too bad, but not on the same level as Self.

To make things worse the music section of Dreamworks was bought by Universal Records. Self has a new album, Ornament and Crime, that is ready to be released. Universal is hesitant to release it though, because they believe it will be a flop. If there was ever a Self album that would break into the mainstream this is it. Most Selfies(as Self fans sometimes call themselves) have mp3s of the album, and while some think it's disappointing, it would definitely please listeners of modern rock and punk. The guitars are very heavy on the album's mix, more than any other album Self has done, and the songs are as catchy as they've always been. I always thought Self sounded a bit like Weezer, and here it's more obvious than ever. It looks like it will never see a wide release, though.

Enough of the problem's Matt had attaining success. This is Matt and company's peak of song writing. This is both the best of their 3 major releases and the best of their albums including indie and internet releases. However, due to its eclectic nature, this may not be the best place to start for new fans. I'd recommend starting with Subliminal Plastic Motives, which is more rock-oriented. Once you get used to Matt's style, though, you should love this. It's his most diverse album yet, and he went all out using orchestras, weird sound effects, and even a sample of LL Cool J. Indeed it's a lot to take in during one listen, but that's not a problem. You'll love the songs so much that you'll listen to the album again and again.

The album opens with the End of it All. After the first piano chords, you'll probably be unsure what to expect, but then it turns into a good rock meets electronics style song. One of the catchiest on the album. 5/5

The next track, Kill the Barflies, shows you another side of Self, the spooky side. Well, spooky sound effects anyway. Matt has made a song like this on almost every one of his albums, and they're always pretty cool. Barflies may be the best one yet. 5/5

The album's third track is Meg Ryan. This was meant to be a big hit single, but Dreamworks never shot a video, and didn't do anything to promote it. If you can't tell from the title these are some of Matt's most playful lyrics yet about what it would be like to be romantically linked to a movie star. It's also one of his catchiest songs ever and voted by Selfies as the second best Self song. 5/5

Following that is another would be single, Suzie Q Sailaway. Matt intended to put this on the all toy album, Gizmodgery, but Dreamworks insisted that he included it here instead. It's easy to see why. It's one of Matt's hardest rocking songs ever, and this version easily outdoes the toy version, which Matt released on the b-side album Selfafornia. It's also very catchy, with more over-the-top lyrics. Also features one of Mike's best solos ever. 5/5

Completing the trio of songs that should've been hits is Uno Song. This is one of the more pop focused tracks on the album, but don't let that fool you. It's still a great song. You might find the lead keyboard to be annoying the first listen(I sure did), but after that it really grows on you. And it has lyrics that anyone could relate to. Like Suzie Q Sailaway, it features another great solo from Mike. 5/5

Next is Paint by Numbers which deals with the temptations of selling out in order to be more successful. Another great track, and the rap influence shows more on this track. 5/5

The seventh track on BWG is What Are You Thinking?, which alternates between happy and mellow. Maybe he should do more mellow stuff, because this is definitely a standout track. The strings on it are simply breathtaking. The lyrics are good, too. I especially like the line, "I've got mountains of regret and my sorrow fills an ocean." It was voted the best Self song by Selfies. 5/5

Following this is Sucker, which is quite a change from the previous track. It features some samples from an Ella Fitzgerald song, which give it an authentic jazz sound, but it certainly doesn't need them. It has some of his best lyrics yet. The chorus line is especially good. 5/5

After Sucker is Breakfast with Girls. I used to not like this track so much, but it's grown on me. This is where the rap influence shows the most, and it has some more jazzy sounds in the background. If you're wondering this is the track with LL Cool J. On the chorus, a sample is played of him saying, "the G, the I, the R, the L, the S". The bridge is also very cool, and is an extension of the bridge from the b-side, Life Could be Swell. 5/5

Better than Aliens is another one of Matt's quirky love songs, this time done in a loungey style. Reminds me of those Vegas singers, but in a good way. The title should give you an idea of what the lyrics are like. 5/5

It All Comes Out in the Wash has some more rap influence, but it also has some bluesy harmonica. The horns are especially great. This song is great on here, but it's even better live. 5/5

After that is Callgirls, which is another one of the aformentioned "spooky songs". One of the harder songs on here, but also features a suprising piano interlude, and a misleading intro, which sounds like it's going to be some kind of industrial song with strings. 5/5

The album's closer is Placing the Blame, another piano based track, which also has some strings. This is the most mellow track on the album, but it's also one of my favorites. At about 3:00 into it the strings come in and the song picks up a little. Despite the mellow music, the lyrics are deliciously goofy. A great way to end the album. My favorite Self song. 5/5

I'm not sure that Self's bad critics really ever gave them a chance. Take the review below mine, for example. It's like the guy put it in and didn't even try to enjoy it. Self is hardly "amateurish". There's too much going on here to call Matt an amateur, and Self often sounds annoying to new listeners, because it's so different from other music. However, it definitely grows on you the more you hear it. I also often hear complaints that it's too big for its own good. I might agree if the songs themselves had no substance, but the songs themselves are well written, so the layers only add.

All in all, this is a great album and if you don't own it you should get it at all costs. Thankfully it's his second most common release and while Amazon no longer stocks it, it's still easy to find from third parties, so it shouldn't cost too much. If you have any interest in power pop, you'll love it, and even if you don't there's enough variety here to find something you enjoy.

I got this album several years ago after hearing the fantastic single "Paint By Numbers" off the "Dead Man on Campus" soundtrack. The first time I heard the album, I was sorry I bought it, but by listen number three, I felt like I never wanted to put another album in my CD player. If you like bands like Weezer and Lit and Jimmy Eat World, you'll also like Self. Every song on the CD isn't great, but it also contains five or six of the best songs I've ever heard in my life (and I can say this many years after first hearing the CD). This album is an unbelievable masterpiece.

Ing?nue is a beautiful mixture of country, folk, and orchestral baroque pop, all shot through with Lang's passionate voice and some of the most understatedly magnificent instrumentation ever. The best songs include the sensual, summery groove of "The Mind of Love," the muted exuberance of "Miss Chatelaine," and the haunting, delicate guitars of the gorgeous "Save Me." "Season of Hollow Soul" shows K.D. playing the ominous balladeer, building up a nourish tension before releasing it in one of the most climactic choruses you're ever likely to hear. "Constant Craving" closes the album marvelously, with an understatedly catchy country bounce and an airy, wistful vocal from Lang. "Wash Me Clean" is an ethereal, otherworldly folk song. Even at the album's weaker points ("So It Shall Be" and "Tears of Love's Recall" never really get as far off the ground as the other songs), Lang's vocals are soulful and majestic, and the music is constantly interesting and rich. Highly recommended.

This is one of those CDs that you put in and you let it play all the way through and you love every single song on it. And you actually come to love them more the more times you listen to them. One of those CDs that, if you were breaking up with your boyfriend, you'd be sure ended up in your box -- and you'd probably end up in a fight about it....

k.d. lang has the most wonderful sultry voice! Those who say the only good thing about this CD is "Constant Craving," need serious help with their hearing. The songs in this CD evoke a slow, lazy, "life is the pits and I'm going to wallow in it for a while" feel.
I don't recommend these songs for times that you want to be light hearted and cheerful. But if you want to look into the fire and ponder deep subjects, this is the greatest CD! I can let a lot of angst dribble out of my soul while listening to this music. k.d.'s voice is soooo, soothing. The lyrics are sooo impowering. When I begin to think my husband is a neanderthal and life is just a little too much to handle right now, I pop this into the player and just settle deep into the warm honey of Ms. Lang's incredibly scorching torch song voice.
Buy this CD to feel emotional, to get in touch with the inner you and to be "washed clean" by k.d.'s soothing vocals.