Alternative Rock music reviews

I got curious after reading the book of the same name by John Donoghue. The cover of the book gives a sideways nod to the album cover, there are various references to the Lowest of the Low throughout the book, both cryptic and out there in the open ....and as I loved the book I thought why not give the Album that he clearly likes so much a go.
...the best decision I've made!
What a fantastic CD. All the songs are winners!
If I could take just one CD on a desert island, this would be the one.
I can't really praise SMB high enough....my favourite CD of all time

It is amazing that an album that was "released" over 14 years ago can still be relevant today. I put "released" in quotation marks because it was not promoted by a major record label but rather, was an independent release that sold by word of mouth and by being sold at the Low's concerts.

"Shakespeare My Butt" is a literate effort which mixes melancholy, sentimentality, humor, and leftist politics. A great example of the Low's wry sentimentality and, in my opinion, one of the best verses ever turned in a rock album comes in "Letter From Blibao:" "I was never much on dreams/And they were never big on me/And I can't dream my way home/From a graveside by the sea."

Each song is great in its own way but what is truly great is the way in which the album flows from start to finish - there are no weak links on this disc. "Shakespeare My Butt" has to be my hands-down choice for all of you who want to rock out and think at the same time.

One of the absolute best albums of the last 15 years if not of all time. Its consistent brilliance song to song is stunning. And after more than a decade, it's still in my regular rotation. Filled with just the right mix of attitude, angst, humor, intelligence, and earnestness that you can't help but sing along to each song. This album played a huge part in the golden age of Toronto "alternative" music along with The Tragically Hip and Barenaked Ladies. No jukebox in Buffalo dares to exist without it so bargoers can call up "Rosy and Grey" whenever the spirit moves them. It's so good it may have destroyed the band--fortunately it just knocked them out for 10 years (they're back now). If you like rock and roll, you'll love this album.

An album which expresses Harper's traditional genuflection to spirituality and concern for the less-than-fortunate. With "Homeless Child" and "Widow of a Living Man" (one of my favorite songs by him), Harper exhibits once again his uncanny ability of peering into the world of the downtrodden and revealing its anguish w/grace. While perhaps his most melancholy release, it's beautifully orchestrated, and like the majority of his work, it's an album that, thematically, speaks to those who are ahead of the status quo.

Execellent album. Ben Harper incorporates many different styles of music and does it well. Overall the album is fairly spiritual in content without being over the top. I cant tell you how much I love this album. In the top 20 of albums from the Nineties.

First question. Why is it that whenever someone mentions Ben Harper the next person's name that comes up is Lenny Kravitz? Their music is not that similar. Obviously the similarity between them is that they are the most popular African American rock musicians of the 90s. I hate this because it suggests a sense of racism by immediately pinning them against each other and making comparisons. They are two entirely different musicians, though both great in their own right. They are not the first African American rockers, for rock was invented by Chuck Berry and mastered by Jimi Hendrix. Not only that but there were other influencial and revolutionary African American rockers since then, for example, Bad Brains, Fishbone, etc.

Anyway, "The Will to Live" is an excellent album. Popular hard rock is not the forte here, nor is funked out rock. What Harper does is incorporate many genres into his mix, including blues, roots reggae, rock, folk, and grunge. The excellent strings, such as in "Roses from my Friends", suggest classical influences as well. This album pays no regard to boundaries and does it well throughout the album. All in all a work of art.

From start to finish, this entire album is amazing. The lyrics are honest and funny and his voice is one of a kind.

If you only buy one Hayden album, this has got to be it. But you won't. Once you buy this one, you're gonna go out and buy them all. I know it.

"Story-songs" are the hardest to create and pull off. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN's "Nebraska" album is most highly acclaimed due to his amazing ability to tell a moving story in each song on the album. Years from now, Hayden's album "Everything I long for" will be highly acclaimed by musicians and songwriters worldwide (Hayden will be the next BOSS). Hayden has the miraculous ability to make you laugh and cry in each song. He captures a universe of mood and feeling from beginning to end. The pace of his music is magical!!! If you are going to buy one Hayden album, this is the one that i would recommend! (If i were to be stranded on an island with 3 Cds, this would be one of them.) Buy it, shut your eyes, listen, and you will cry and laugh.

This album is depressing, melancholy, and almost criplingly sad. It will make you ache, it will make you miss times of your life you can never go back to, it will accent your lonelinesses and remind you of your sorrows.
IT'S GREAT!
This album is the epitomy of where I was hoping modern-day folk music would head toward: this album is as sincere and as truly folk as the mournful songs of Mississippi John Hurt or the Carter Family. Back then, people sang about what was really happening to them, to their world, to where they lived. If they'd had microwaves and pizza and cable TV and coffee shops, they would have sung about them, too.
That's what a lot of modern day folk musicians don't get. They treat folk as if it was stuck in a bubble. They imitate something real, and what comes out is something phony, because what they're singing about isn't really their world.
Not so with Hayden.
Not so with "Everything I Long For."
This album recognizes its time and its place. It draws as much from indie rock and grunge as it does from folk, and the result is something completely original. Low-fi folk grunge? Grunge-folk?
It's Hayden.
Like Daniel Johnston, Hayden is never afraid to be painfully honest, even if it makes him look cowardly or pathetic, and it pays off by mostly just making him incredibly sympathetic. He sings about liking a girl he sees in a coffee shop, and having his friend give the girl his number while he himself hides in the bathroom. He sings about a weekend spent with a girl at his parents' house and how he wishes she would got there with him again, now that they're all grown up. He sings about lying to ditch out on a crappy job, and about working in a sporting goods store. His songs are depressing, yet songs like "My Parents' House" and "We Don't Mind" also have hope and private happinesses hidden deep inside them, and warm the sad and chilling soul of this album.
The songs are quiet, for the most part, and haunting, but on occassion it feels as if too much quiet suffering is being left unexpressed, and Hayden has to scream out, and let it out, and let you know. Those are some of the BEST parts. He sings one song from the perspective of child-murderer Susan Smith's little son, as the car he's strapped in rolls into a pond--the child wonders what he did wrong, tries to help his brother, and screams and screams and screams and screams as the water fills the car.
My gosh, it's good stuff.
If you're the sort who occasionally feels better after listening to depressing music, then this is the album for you. If you like the blues not for their mind-numbing repetition but for the idea that singing out one's pain is cathartic and healing, then buy this CD. If you like albums that feel like a friend you love confiding his deepest secrets because you're his closest pal and he's at the end of his rope, then buy this album. If you like music, if you like music that makes you feel something, if you like music that makes you feel something meaningful, then you really do need to buy this album.
And Hayden's "Moving Careful" e.p. is great as well.

From start to finish, this entire album is amazing. The lyrics are honest and funny and his voice is one of a kind.

If you only buy one Hayden album, this has got to be it. But you won't. Once you buy this one, you're gonna go out and buy them all. I know it.

"Story-songs" are the hardest to create and pull off. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN's "Nebraska" album is most highly acclaimed due to his amazing ability to tell a moving story in each song on the album. Years from now, Hayden's album "Everything I long for" will be highly acclaimed by musicians and songwriters worldwide (Hayden will be the next BOSS). Hayden has the miraculous ability to make you laugh and cry in each song. He captures a universe of mood and feeling from beginning to end. The pace of his music is magical!!! If you are going to buy one Hayden album, this is the one that i would recommend! (If i were to be stranded on an island with 3 Cds, this would be one of them.) Buy it, shut your eyes, listen, and you will cry and laugh.

This album is depressing, melancholy, and almost criplingly sad. It will make you ache, it will make you miss times of your life you can never go back to, it will accent your lonelinesses and remind you of your sorrows.
IT'S GREAT!
This album is the epitomy of where I was hoping modern-day folk music would head toward: this album is as sincere and as truly folk as the mournful songs of Mississippi John Hurt or the Carter Family. Back then, people sang about what was really happening to them, to their world, to where they lived. If they'd had microwaves and pizza and cable TV and coffee shops, they would have sung about them, too.
That's what a lot of modern day folk musicians don't get. They treat folk as if it was stuck in a bubble. They imitate something real, and what comes out is something phony, because what they're singing about isn't really their world.
Not so with Hayden.
Not so with "Everything I Long For."
This album recognizes its time and its place. It draws as much from indie rock and grunge as it does from folk, and the result is something completely original. Low-fi folk grunge? Grunge-folk?
It's Hayden.
Like Daniel Johnston, Hayden is never afraid to be painfully honest, even if it makes him look cowardly or pathetic, and it pays off by mostly just making him incredibly sympathetic. He sings about liking a girl he sees in a coffee shop, and having his friend give the girl his number while he himself hides in the bathroom. He sings about a weekend spent with a girl at his parents' house and how he wishes she would got there with him again, now that they're all grown up. He sings about lying to ditch out on a crappy job, and about working in a sporting goods store. His songs are depressing, yet songs like "My Parents' House" and "We Don't Mind" also have hope and private happinesses hidden deep inside them, and warm the sad and chilling soul of this album.
The songs are quiet, for the most part, and haunting, but on occassion it feels as if too much quiet suffering is being left unexpressed, and Hayden has to scream out, and let it out, and let you know. Those are some of the BEST parts. He sings one song from the perspective of child-murderer Susan Smith's little son, as the car he's strapped in rolls into a pond--the child wonders what he did wrong, tries to help his brother, and screams and screams and screams and screams as the water fills the car.
My gosh, it's good stuff.
If you're the sort who occasionally feels better after listening to depressing music, then this is the album for you. If you like the blues not for their mind-numbing repetition but for the idea that singing out one's pain is cathartic and healing, then buy this CD. If you like albums that feel like a friend you love confiding his deepest secrets because you're his closest pal and he's at the end of his rope, then buy this album. If you like music, if you like music that makes you feel something, if you like music that makes you feel something meaningful, then you really do need to buy this album.
And Hayden's "Moving Careful" e.p. is great as well.

I loved the cd, very nice music as background for a dinner or a reunion, relaxing but nice to listen to!!

I bought this cd as I was really taken Kevin Kline's version of "La Mer" playing as the credits were rolling at the end of "French Kiss". Thank goodness, I did. Regardless of whether or not you've seen the film, this cd is worth adding to the collection. Where do I begin? "Someone Like You" by Van Morrison, Louis Armstrong's "La Vie En Rose" and my new favorite "C'est Trop Beau" by Tino Rossi...transported me from my cluttered bedroom to a a romanic interlude on the Seine. Plus, this soundtrack also features Ella and the Beautiful South. I've listened to this a few times now and I haven't fast forwarded through a song yet.

This is an excellent CD for just laying back, relaxing, entertaining friends or just plain feeling romantic with your significant other. It has the perfect tempo for a candlelit dinner. I enjoyed the movie so much that I had to have the CD and I play it over & over again. Reminds me of the French Riviera.

This CD is amazing. Every song on this album is great. It's not just one good song and then 10 other lousy songs. Right up to the last track, every minute is inspiring and energizing. There's a hidden track in the middle where a small child sings the refrain of "Jesus loves me". It is a reminder to us all to remain child-like in our exploration of the world. Peace!

Listen Closely is a great CD with a great message. In my opinion, the best two songs on it are 48 states and hold it up to the light.

"Listen Closely" follows the Smalltown Poets debut album closely in in so many ways. Not only did it come out a little over a year later, it also sounds much like the first CD stylisticly.

"Call Me Christian" sets the tone for the album much like "Prophet, Priest, and King" did for the debut CD. Other strong songs on "Listen Closely" include "Anything Genuine," "Gloria," and "Hold it up to The Light" (just to name three).

For those of you who know a little music trivia, "Call Me Christian" has been released before from a little known band named Villanelle. In fact, if you ever get your hands on Villanelle's "Orange Peels and Pinwheels" CD, check and see how many members of that band found their way into Smalltown Poets. You may also notice that Villanelle associated closely with The Waiting on their "Blue Belly Sky" project (check on the back of the CD flyer where it says, "Much Love and Gratitude").

Okay, let's get back on the subject here. I, for one, am glad to see the Smalltown Poets continue to release music. They are definitely one of the best pop/rock bands around right now.

This is a great CD, along with the second one "Never Ending" you can't have a better group of songs to sing along to in the car. I liked the live version I saw of "Standing in the Middle" but oh well. I give it an A.Great group!!

Anyone who hasn't heard Luce or any of the new cd, needs to check them out. Tom's writing and melodies are a cut above all others. This new cd Never Ending allows one to escape into musical wonderland. There is not a bad song in the bunch...very rare in today's music scene! Anyone who buys this cd will not be disappointed.

I have never purchased music to give to others as a gift....this album changed that. I have sent it to no less than 10 friends....all with different musical tastes and they all love it. I am anxiously awaiting the release of their new album in three days....Never Ending. Try it out! Luce will be around for the long haul.

I happened to hear Franky Perez live and got this CD. Initially there was a bit of disappointment - his live show is so energetic and emotional the studio versions seemed like a bit of a letdown. On repeated listenings though, I realized that these songs are just as powerful but in a different way.

This is a mix of straight-ahead rock and roll with some ballads and a latin flavor thrown in. I notice Lava Records describes this as "diverse". I am not big on diversity for it's own sake but here it works well. It's hard to categorize his music since Franky throws in so many styles, almost all of which he does well.

I gave it only four stars mainly because at times Perez relies a little too much on a breathy voice that may get a bit old after a while. Overall, though, a very enjoyable set of tunes. I don't usually think of music in terms of value, but there is a lot of value here - so many songs on one CD, all well done.

For those of us who work, there is little time left in the day to listen to music. I'd love nothing more than to sit home and write reviews.

This album rocks!!! You can't go wrong. Lots of tracks, creative and refreshing. Nothing fake. This is not a fake review.

Franky Perez is the best. He has great songs, excellent lyrycs and an incredible voice. From start to finish, I can listen to this album and then want to listen to it again. Out of the 19 songs I can say 2 are average to me. He released his 2nd album called 'My 4th of July' probably a week ago, I got mine today. Another classic! This guy is so talented. (...)

Greg Rolie is a masterful song writer and musician. This album has latin funk, ballads, and rock. It's one of my favorites and has to be of yours, if you like the the Santana genre'. The explosive percussion and dynamic guitar work (Neal Schon) is unbelievable and will elevate the blood pressure.

This cd is as close as you can get to the original Santana sound.
Most of the original members are here. However, Carlos Santana and Dave Brown (bass player) are not included here; unfortunately these two musicians are missing from the original pack. Never the less the music is good, and the rest of the band is great too!

This is simply great stuff. I bought a recent Neal Scon album, and was directed to this one, and purchased the CD purely on what other reveiwers had written.

it really is fantastic; from the soaring guitar work on Waiting For You, to the introspection on Szabo. The album certainly has similarities to the orginal Abraxas by Santana, but it is sufficiently different to be of interest. Because let's face it; there can and will only ever be one Abraxas.

The latin feels are throughout, and the recording standards are high. There is some great music on this CD.

As an aside; P A Green (of Fleetwood mac, John Mayall blusebreakers etc) was the Original writer of Black Magic Woman. Both their original and Santana's cover are excellent!!

quite simply, if you are a fan of Twin Peaks, then you need this album. it's lovely nighttime music that is spooky and serenely beautiful with flourishes of jazz and new age. Julie's vocals are sweet and tender and float right over the music. you can't help but think of scenes from the Twin Peaks television series when you play this cd at home. everytime i hear it, it makes me want to break out my old vhs box set, make some coffee and cherry pie, and watch the whole series from start to finish.

Twin Peaks may be gone and forgotten by many but the collaboration between singer Julee Cruise composer Angelo Badlamenti and writer David Lynch will live forever as a timeless collection of surreally beautiful songs.Filled with romantic longing,Cruise's haunting voice and Badlamenti's atmospheric music and completely avoiding trip hop electronic posturing for pure 50's dream music.If you're a musiclover this is as good as it gets for romantic dream music.After owning this cd for 15 years it still hasn't lost it's ability to cast a magical spell over anyone who hears it.

JULEE'S VOICE IS LIKE BEING KISSED SOFTLY OVER & OVER BY ONE THOUSAND ANGELS WHILE LYING ON A SMOOTH BED OV SILK FLOATING ENDLESSLY THROUGH THE CLOUDS UNTIL THEE END OV TIME.. AHHHHHHHHHHHH..