Alternative Rock music reviews

i can't understand the different song line ups. the first "life" i bought a very long time ago was a cassette that had 11 songs. the flow of the album is so perfect i loved it so much i overplayed it and had my cassette player eat it. so i bought the cd and there's another different song line up (gasp!) and later would i find out that it's the UK Version of "life" which had additional songs from the earlier album "emmerdale" including a different take on Rise & Shine (which is nice) and ommitted Pikebubbles, Sunday Circus Song and Closing Time. and now this - the minty fresh release of "life". it ommitted Traveling with Charley, replaced the new version of Rise & Shine with the old version and added more songs from "emmerdale" (i really don't think that Our Space fits right in "life" kinda wrecks the happy-go-lucky mood) the first version of "life" IMHO is still superior and i'm aware, as well as the band do, that the minty fresh version acts as some kind of a compilation between the cardigans' first two albums, if you really want to experience the real "life" please do check out the one that starts with carnival and ends with closing time, me thinks it's some kind of a concept album, a very happy one. the songs from "emmerdale" wrecked the happy mood, as we all know "emmerdale's" not that happy at all.

This album is is a treasure chest overstuffed with the rarest of all entities - finely crafted pop songs. I have owned this album since 1997 and I can say it has aged quite well. Timeless in fact.

This album is so amazingly unique and charming..its a shame they had to go on making albums so completely different from this one. But any credible band or artist doesnt want to make the same album twice, so I take this album for what it is...pure fun. The voice of Nina is what sugar would sound like in musical form...coupled with the brilliant arrangment of catchy, upbeat and smooth music of Peter along with the back-up of the talented band, this is music for a sunny day...or to shed some light on a rainy day. This music came out in the mid-90's when it seemed people had a sense of humor about music, and the only thing being played on the radio and MTV wasnt just cry-baby whiney booty call gangsta un-imaginative "rock"...oh I long for the days of innocent music, but for now..I pop in LIFE and am transported to the days when music had more variety and wasnt so serious, or even to a mid-60's lounge if I play the right track....great album, great band.

Classic Lovett. Creative, pensive, entertaining...Favoites on this CD include Don't Touch My Hat, Long Tall Texan (with Randy Newman), and That's Right, You're Not from Texas.

PONTIAC is a wonderful example of how multi-talented an individual Lyle Lovett is. Beginning with the charming "If I Had a Boat," PONTIAC takes a listener on a journey through the many different song styles, all of which Lovett is a master of. Lovett plumbs the depths of a man's soul on the noir tales of "L.A.County" and "Pontiac" and then just as easily creates a sense of fun and exasperation on "Give Back my Heart" and "She's No Lady." PONTIAC captures a master songwriter at the top of his game with haunting lyrics and memorable tunes. Shifting easily from Texas twangs to big band sounds, Lovett creates a sound that encapsulates the true range of the what is known as "country," and he does it better than most.

I had this first as a tape. One side was his smooth country songs. The other was the jazzy big band songs. Both are great. From humorous to sadistic to full of feeling, it is one of the few CD's I can say I love every song on. His voice is marvelous, his band is superb... as always.

We loved Union when it first came out. Was it like our junior year in Butterfield? I use the question mark because we were so spaced out and this beautiful, deep album was the soundtrack to our beautiful, shallow, but golden dew morning-lit times when my roommate and I had our own pipes and lighters and we would just sit there and play "Dreamer", which is the sound of spring. I haven't heard the song in years but I remember every haunting line: "you're the weight of a dream of a life come true/There's no denying/I sometimes run and chase the moon..." And we were moon chasers back then. Toni Childs had cool dreds and she was white and to a sheltered art student from the New England suburbs, that was so cool, so like not ethnocentric? I think I'm still pretty burnt.

Years ago I bought this album out of mere curiosity and wound up playing it over and over for a year. I don't think I've ever heard a voice (at once husky and sweet) as enchanting as that of Toni Childs. This is no bubblegum pop diva. Herein are songs about the fate of Zimbabwe; songs that allude to works by Nobel laureates ("Tin Drum"); and simple songs with that ethereal quality ("Where's the Ocean") which can only flow from the wellspring of true talent.

The album does take a few listens to get into, and one or two instruments used on it have recognisably been left in the '80s. Nevertheless, with the sheer quality of her singing and the touching profundity of her lyrics on this album, it's a mystery to me as to why Toni Childs never made the big time. I suppose the best we can do is keep recommending this criminally underplayed album so that others may partake of the pleasure.

Toni Childs where are you? Union is an album that contains so many exquisitely moving, textured songs that I think it deserves to be considered one of the top albums of the 90's. Her voice is unique - a combination of the deep richness of Joan Armatrading, the power of Annie Lennox, and the jazzy, quirkiness of Rickie Lee Jones. There are so many standouts: Hush, Walk and Talk Like Angels, Let the Rain Come Down. Her work is timeless and we can only hope that she's been resting up her vocal cords and will continue to share her genius with us again.

The raw emotion, great lyrics, and intuitive gutiar play makes the feeling of being a new adult in a crap NYC apartment just as close as your speakers. This may sound bad, but it doesnt hurt for music making, and you dont have to put up with the shooting sounds at night. :) Ani kindly leads us through a young woman's life on her own: relationships, jobs, politics. At the end, leaving a great album. Personally, this will never leave my collection.

I'm 11 years old and I love Ani Difranco music. I have all of her albums. Yes, some to of the songs are inapropriate. I don't care! I love everything about Ani Difranco music. I love her voice; I love the melodies; most of all, I love the lyrics. Ani Difranco is so honest that you CAN ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE LYRICS. She is amazing!

Song Ratings

Both Hands: 10/10- This is the best song on the album. This song is beautiful. Her best version is on this album. Ani Difranco has a lot of versions of Both Hands.

Talk to Me Now: 8/10-This song is really pretty good. It has a catchy tune, and a nice rythm. Her voice is kind of weird in some parts though. This version is pretty much exactly the same as the version on the album Like I Said.

The Slant:7/10-This is all spoken word with no backround music at all. It is pretty, but kind of obscure.

Work Your Way Out:9/10-I like this song a lot. It sounds kind of mysterious somehow. It gets repetitive at the end when Ani Difranco keeps on saying," Oh yes, I am caught like bottled water. The light daughter."

Dog Coffee: 9/10- This song is more interesting than some of the other songs. I like it. (Wow, what a suprise.) I like how this song does not involve any romance for a change.

Lost Woman Song: 10/10-This is my second favorite song on this album. I think it is beautiful, and the topic of abortions is interesting. I especially like her voice in this song.

Pale Purple:9/10- This song has a catch tune. The guitar playing is kind of simple. Overall this is just a nice, normal Ani song.

Rush Hour: 10/10- This might have been the first ani difranco song I ever listened to, and I still love everything about it. There is another similar version on Like I Said. I love Ani's voice in this song. The guitar playing is also great.This is a tie with The Story for my third favorite song on this album.

Fire Door:8/10-This song is, like Pale Purple, just your average nice Ani Difranco song. The guitar playing in this song is really good.

The Story:10/10-This song is good if you're looking for something quiet and sad-sounding. This song also has really great guitar playing. Tied with Rush Hour for my third favorite song on this album.

Every Angle:5/10-Skip it. It's all right, but not worth listening to. The tune is not very interesting. It doesn't go with the lyrics really. And the lyrics are kind of repetitive.

Out of Habit:9/10-This song has a REALLY catchy tune. Some parts of this song are sort of inapropriate. But who the heck cares?

Letting the Telephone Ring:8/10-I like this song. It seems like a normal really good Ani Difranco song. There's nothing really unusal about it.

Thus ends my looooooooooooooong review.

I used to hear girls in high school gabbing "Ani Difranco this" and "Ani Difranco that" and I, wanting to be different and all, wanted to scream SHUT UP!!! without having grooved to a single song.

The thing I didn't realize is, Ani's music IS different.

It's empowering.

Not to sound overly mushy or anything, but it connects us to that devine sisterheard (which, contrary to appearances, does still exist).

And guys, yes it's OK, and even cool, for you to listen to Ani's music, too.

Ani's first CD is my personal favorite of all the albums I own at the moment (which is quite a few, I might add). I love her songs. I love her voice. And I especially love her lyrics. So, if you haven't heard Ani, give her a chance, and check out Ani Difranco.

I just can't get enough of Danzig. He was good with The Misfits, he is great by himself. Many years have passed since this release... and even today I sit down and listen to his records back to back. The music is well constructed, the lyrics are awesome: his voice control is formidable and the themes dark and powerful. Awesome riffs that will keep you rocking for many more years to come. I STRONGLY suggest for any self-respecting metal fan to get this and all other Danzig Albums. You will NOT be disappointed.

This is everything I want in a good rock album. One good song after another. Best songs are..... almost every one! On this album Danzig shows that they can rock out, go all the way blues, and write slow rock that is pleasent to the ears. Glenn shows amazing control of his voice on this album, Christ guitaring really shines, and Chuck is better than ever. I recomend this to ANY fan of rock, metal, etc.

Not as good as the S/T!! but still rule's..hard not to listen to all 4 DANZIG album's in a row aint it??!

Just from the opening second's of ''long way back from hell'' you know this shall rule..and it does!!

John Christ and VON give a great performance this time!!!! VON get's to play a few Bass riff's as well..well like by himself..make's it sound more MORBID this way!!

Best song's.. ''KILLER WOLF''..''HER BLACK WING's''...''DEVIL's PLAYTHING''..''BLOOD AND TEAR's''..''PAIN IN THE WORLD''!!!!

The song ''I'M THE ONE'' is just funny really ..kinda annoying..but then again what other 90's METAL band did a blues song?? NO ONE!! so it fit's in well!!

THIS IS MANDATORY..JUST LIKE ANY OF THE FIRST 4!!!

BUY IT OR CRY LIKE THE EMO JOO YOU ARE!!!!!

This is a good CD by FFH. I have their other CDs. I like the inspirational hits one the best, though.

FFH's debut is a pure winner. Their lead off single "One of These Days" is not only the best song on this album but also the best song they've released to date. While I honestly wish the rest of the songs had the edge and more of the tempo that 'One of These Days' has, the album is good in it's own right and is a winner.

This is a really upbeat cd. Very inspirational. Makes you want to keep on worshipping!!!!

I work in a day care--infant room actually (the Peek-a-Boos!) and this is a great CD. Our babies fall asleep to it & we all (the teachers) enjoy listening to it as it loops twice or three times during nape time (12pm-2pm).

Baby Mine alone makes this CD worth it!!! It really is a unique and special collection of music. I've used songs in movies, they are great for road trips, or just to listen around the house. You won't regret the $10 it costs to have songs that will bring back so many wonderful memories!

I have bought this c.d. THREE TIMES because I either wear it down, or lose it. I have to re-buy it because it is just LOVELY. Every song is a treat. As a parent I adore even more than my son. This is my favorite baby c.d. of all time...and it is one of my personal favorites! You will not regret buying this c.d. It is really wonderful.

There is a scene near the end of the movie "Manhattan" in which Woody Allen's friend angrily says to him, "You think you're God!", to which Woody replies, "I gotta model myself after someone!"

This is the same line of defense I would offer to any singer who is accused of sounding too much like Lou Reed. Jonathan Richman is perhaps chief among those who have met with this accusation. Whether or not Richman really does sound that much like him is debatable, but he clearly and unapologetically invokes the powers of the leader of his favorite band. (Richman explained in an interview that he used to draw and paint all day as a young man, but that was before he discovered The Velvet Underground.)

The Modern Lovers' debut seems an unlikely candidate for such an influential record. It has certainly received its share of nearly hyperbolic praise. Andy "Music Geek on 'Beat the Geeks'" Zax says that "Roadrunner" is his all-time favorite song, and the good folks at Pitchforkmedia.com say that without this song, "we're pretty sure Western culture would have ended in 1977". And the fact that The Sex Pistols (and Joan Jett, and others) did a cover of it hardly helps to refute the idea that this completely unthreatening track is a quintessential proto-punk single. Moreover, I have seen the track "Pablo Picasso" performed live by three different artists: David Bowie, Richman himself, and John Cale, who produced the early Modern Lovers sessions.

But there is more to Jonathan Richman's influence than his music. His image has had an equally widespread impact. He was surely not the first geeky, awkward outsider to become a rock star, but he was surely among the first to flaunt it (with all due respect to Buddy Holly). In addition to Richman's obvious influence on punk, his whimsy, winsomeness, silliness, and geekiness is apparent in Talking Heads (of whom Modern Lover Jerry Harrison was later a member), They Might Be Giants, Weezer, Fountains of Wayne, and the more contemporary Swedish songmeister Jens Lekman.

The best place to start in reviewing this record is with the setting of many of the songs. Plenty of major cities in the world - L.A., New York, London - have had their stories chronicled in popular music. With The Modern Lovers, Boston (my adopted hometown) gets a bit of its due. Granted, the lure of Beantown may not be as romantic as the City of Angels or the Big Apple, but it certainly has its charms for a young Jonathan Richman-type suburbanite. From the Stop-N-Shop and "[Route] 128 in the moonlight", to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fenway, and BU, Richman knows the town he loves the way Lou Reed knows NYC, or Ray Davies knows London. (Of course, the Naked City - Richman's adopted hometown - is mentioned a few times on the record, too.)

The songwriting and musicianship on this record are deliberately amateurish. Notice how he spells "Girl Friend" incorrectly in the song of the same name in order to make a pretty obvious rhyme. Sometimes it is to a fault, and the quality is a bit compromised (eg, "Old World"), while other times the results are inspired, such as in "Modern World". "I love the USA/I love the modern world/Put down the cigarette/And drop outta BU" is one of my favorite lyrics on the album. (The variations on this refrain include that last line being "act like a true girl" and "drop outta high school".) I know that doesn't sound like much, but to hear Richman sing it in his mock-tough guy voice makes all the difference.

And while he could be accused (if not convicted) of posturing, Richman convincingly shows his many sides on this record. He is a giddy and optimistic young man on "Roadrunner" and "Government Center", but sad, lonely, and mature on "Hospital" ("there is pain inside/you can see it in my eyes"), "Someone I Care About" ("I don't want a girl just to fool around with"), and "Girl Friend" ("I walk through the Fenway/I have my heart in my hands"). He is also a geeky Lou Reed on "Pablo Picasso", which struts along at a cocksure midtempo pace, "She Cracked" ("she'd eat garbage, eat s**t, get stoned"), and "Modern World". (And like Fountains of Wayne after him, he makes his disdain for hippies obvious on "I'm Straight".) The music includes pre-New Wave, Steve Nieve-ish keyboards, sloppy Velvets-y guitar, and the welding of the two. Whether these songs are dated from 1972 - when they were first recorded - or 1976 - when they were first released, they manage to land smack dab (chronologically and stylistically) in the middle of proto-punk and New Wave.

If there were a Hall of Fame for cult rockers, Richman would surely be among its first inductees. His artistic and commercial success are inversely related, and he is best known to a mass audience as that guy in "There's Something About Mary" (or for the old school rock fans who haven't seen that movie, he is best known as the guy who is always described as the guy who is best known as that guy from "There's Something About Mary"). Keyboardist Jerry Harrison, on the other hand, is in the actual Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Talking Heads, and David Robinson, later the drummer for The Cars, may well end up there himself. (These two have been given a bit of poetic justice as members of more successful and well-known bands, but I am not sure what became of bassist Ernie Brooks.)

Although The Modern Lovers will never get the attention or credit they truly deserve, the fact that so many other artists are indebted to them is a start. It vicariously gives them a mass audience that they could never have on their own. Like The Sex Pistols and Television - both of whom could qualify as kindred spirits of the band - The Modern Lovers made a huge impact on the basis of a single album. But sometimes that is all it takes to change the world of popular music: sometimes someone needs to do something for the first time, just to show that it can be done. By this standard, the importance of The Modern Lovers first record should not be underestimated. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I usually don't like punk music, but "The Modern Lovers" is one album that I always have fun listening to. It admittedly sounds a little dated, but if you can get past that then you'll find that every song here is catchy, fun and interesting. The lyrics especially are fun to pay attention to. Singer Jonathan Richman has a great voice which most people will like a lot. The musicianship is just excellent and the production is crystal clear - a lot of hard work went into this album. It's a very creative and original album (at least, when it came out in 1976). It's essentially proto/art punk in the vein of The Velvet Underground. This album also makes for some great background music wherever you happen to be. This is THE punk album that you should show to people who don't think much of the genre (like me!). Most people will love this album and I think you will too! Highly recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

... than these guys gave it the proper amount of teen angst. Before you write them off for that, remember that they were doing this stuff before anyone else. Hey, this sounds like it could've come out yesterday, and it's influence on alt / indie / emo shows (let's not hold it against them). By far the greatest band to come out of Boston, matched only by the Pixies possibly. Do what you can to track down this cult classic, you will not be dissapointed.

This CD isn't all that bad, but I wouldn't get another of theirs. They have sold out shows and have become quite popular. Their CD was recommended to me by someone who works at concerts and has been to several of their shows and is well-rounded in both Scottish and Irish bands. This is a good band if you like Irish rock, but the band I recommend for Irish music is DEFFINATLY Flogging Molly. They have more Irish based music and have an assortment of songs that any Irish fan is sure to find favor in. For now, it's still Flogging Molly all the way!

"Red" is, in my opinion, the third-best of the Dubs oeuvre. (And even then, "Breathe" only edges it out by a nose.) "Neverending," both versions, are moving and beautiful. The Waterboys's "Fisherman's Blues" is covered here with a jaunty tone; while it's very hard to screw up that song in the first place, the Dubs's more rock-flavored feel enhances it. (Traditionalists might do well by also looking for The Indulgers's excellent cover of the song, on their CD "Celtic Tiger;" in fact, everyone should go pick that up right this second.)

My only criticism is that I felt "Apart" and "One and Only" were oddly-paced, and the lyrics seemed a little to suggestive of a rhyming dictionary. Fortunately, others like the energetic "What Do You Want From Me," the powerful ballad "Don't You Worry," and the Celtic instrumental "Bodhran" more than make up for it.

I cannot tell you how many of my friends I have turned on to The Young Dubliners with this cd. They all love the fact that these guys aren't as mainstream as many of the bands out today. Then, once we go to one of their shows, it's done! They become a favorite of everyone I know. Plus, you know they have to be doing something right if Bernie Taupin was involved! These guys are great and very talented. I would recommend this cd to anyone and everyone.

I don't how anyone could give this album more than 1 star. This CD was a complete mess. Didn't Imani even bother to listen to it before it was put in the stores? I don't know how anyone could listen to this mess. This was awful. Absolutely awful. The girl can't sing or rap. She's better off playing her violin and being a background singer.

Ok. This CD is now ten years old and me, now 48, shouldn't be writing about a 20 year old's debut effort. But this CD is still fun, imaginative, and the girl's got a great voice.

There's a lot of wonder in this effort and I think children will immediately take to it (say, those in the 8-12 year old range). But what do I know? I'm not a parent. This is fun stuff: have a summer barbecue, put this on, and let the good times roll. She's a winner.

Imani Coppola is one of THE most overlooked artists. Ever. But this is still a good debut, with the exception of "My Day At the Ocean", which is creepy. The other songs, especially tracks 1, 2, 3, & 8 are wonderfully lighthearted. Pigeon Penelope may be confusing at first, because it's hard to tell who's telling the story: Ms Coppola or some pigeon named Penelope. The song is just silly, along with I'm A Tree. Buy it; it's a good album to have on your iPod. BTW, does anyone know if the CD-Single for "I'm A Tree" is promo-only? I desperately want to hear the Tom Lord-Alge & Soul Kitchen remixes.