Alternative Rock music reviews

Love this soundtrack, especially since the songs are all performed by the actors in the film! not just another "chick flick" The movie is awesome

After having read Derek Mok's thorough review of the soundtrack, which is great, I felt the need to add one important bit of information. "Catch Me" was originally released as "Hobart Paving" by the group St. Etienne on their album "So Tough", which is very hard to find. The girls from "Bandits" do a lovely cover, but it isn't an original song from the film. The greatest disappointment to me about the whole soundtrack, however, is that they don't sing more songs auf Deutsch. It is a rather good buy for any fan of girl groups or of the film "Bandits."

A friend of mine told me about her favourite movie "Bandits" and gave me this Cd. The music is very great, although many people may think it's just a try of actors to get more money by doing other things than acting. But it's not that try at all, it's very, very great music, which fits perfectly in the film and is also great to listen to in every situation. I can really command this cd to you as well as the movie "bandits".
Viel Spass beim zuhoeren!

This album is perhaps the most comforting album I own. That's the overwhelming impression I get from it; I'm surprised to find that not everyone agrees.

If I were to tell you about the words, I would mention the changes that show up all through the album, the changes that have already happened ("The flowers that grew, the things that happened since the day you came"--from "When Mac Was Swimming"; "Beautiful changes I've seen sometimes"--from "Walking Around") but maybe even more importantly, the changes that are just around the corner in a number of songs. A "Beautiful Change" could come anytime. An eschatological things-are-going-to-be-alright tomorrow is coming in "Tomorrow on the Runway" and "Sweep Down Early." The album claims these changes with pretty certain confidence, like prayers. All these changes are going to come. "Every burden shall be lifted" ("Look For Me As You Go By"), etc. Then sometimes the change is already here. "The snow is here. The light is bright" ("Beautiful Change"). Another of my favourite lines: "You know I've had enough of this trouble following me high and low. Now it can go." Just simply, like that, there it goes. The album prophesies and celebrates beautiful changes all over the place. Things might be bad now, but they are getting better, and resurrection imagery throughout helps that impression. Something bad might have to happen, like death, but then things will get better.

If I were to tell you about the music, which I'm infinitely less qualified to do, I would mention that the music is contemplative. It does not particularly invite the body to move, but to be still while the mind/soul/whathaveyou drinks in the beauty of Karen Peris's voice and the melody lines. While the lyrics are telling you that God, for instance, is causing and going to cause beautiful things, the music is giving beautiful things to you as well without you having to do a whole lot of physical work to climb into them.

I haven't had a nasty shock since I purchased this album a few months ago; nobody I love has died or gone on some disastrous self-destructive bender, and nothing particularly unpleasant has happened to me either. But if I'd had a shock, I suspect these would be the songs I'd reach for.

With every release, The Innocence Mission gives voice to the yearnings within the human spirit that grip us all. This primary theme is perhaps no more evident than on their 2003 album Befriended. The yearnings expressed are fundamentally ones for change: to be better than we are, and, more specifically, more innocent than we are. This is the "mission" of the band. Lead singer/songwriter Karen Paris is always caught up between the sorrow and/or temporary joy of the moment and the greater joy of what lies ahead. For this reason, they probably have never given a song a title that more sums up their thematic concern than "One for Sorrow, Two for Joy." The Innocence Mission often dives deeply into melancholy, make no mistake about it. Still, that melancholy is always tempered by a joy of possibilities in the future, even if the present situation is hard.

The album opens with "Tomorrow on the Runway," a song with the memorable singsong chorus, "Did you leave the darkness without me?/You're always miles ahead/And you're standing in tomorrow on the runway." Evidently, Karen has said that this song was inspired by her child(ren?), but the lyrics suggest that another person is in view. It's hard to imagine her child(ren) saying the quote in the first verse:"'While my heart is sinking I do not want my voice/To go out in the air.'" Perhaps Karen's mother, the late Mary McCullough, is in view as well as her child(ren); the album and one song are specifically dedicated to her, and evidently it's her picture that adorns the credit page of the album. In this case, Mary's death and subsequent resurrection (an assumption I'm making based on the group's Roman Catholic faith) provide the imagery here: "the darkness" is this current life, and "tomorrow on the runway" is heaven. Other interpretations are possible, though.

In any case, the third verse of this song provides a standard Innocence Mission yearning: "Oh, I want to fly, fly forward into the light,/Be alive, to come alive." This heartfelt desire for spiritual transformation is found not only throughout the album ("Beautiful Change," "Sweep Down Early," "Walking Around") but previous albums as well (see, e.g., almost all of Glow, "Wonder of Birds" off of the band's debut album, etc.). In The Innocence Mission's worldview, change is always difficult; even when progress gets made, further advances are always out of reach. Seasonally, we are mostly in winter ("I Never Knew You from the Sun," "Beautiful Change," "Martha Avenue Love Song," "One for Sorrow, Two for Joy"), but we wait for spring. Karen gives us nature and Christian resurrection imagery in abundance, and pleas for change to come soon: "Flower forth, and soon, branch of Easter" ("Beautiful Change"); "Flower forth, all you branches of Easter" ("Sweep Down Early"); "The flowers that grew, the things that happened/Since the day you came" ("When Mac Was Swimming").

But this waiting is not easy. It requires that we "stand ever firmly, love" ("One for Sorrow, Two for Joy") against the "trouble" that threatens to overwhelm us ("Walking Around"). We must believe that we are loved ("When Mac Was Swimming") and have faith that the sun will break through the clouds. (The sun is a recurring image in nearly every song on this album.) To wait, successfully, we need friends to hold us up ("Look for Me as You Go By").

But when we lose our friends, what do we do? The speaker on this album has lost her closest friend, her mother ("I Never Knew You from the Sun"), but still lives in hope, even "when there is so much time to miss you" ("Walking Around"). This hope is partially possible because we experience change even in the middle of doing ordinary things, such as washing the dishes ("Walking Around"). And hope lets us know that, sometime in the future, "we will go somewhere" ("Sweep Down Early") and "fly" ("Tomorrow on the Runway").

This album is, in many ways, incredible. You won't find many songs more beautiful than "Martha Avenue Love Song," with its chiming guitar. You'll scarcely find a lyric more moving and heartbreaking than "Sweep down early, Tomorrow, come./Ring out. Tell me you have arrived./I will kiss all the faces of my beloved ones." (That song, "Sweep Down Early," gets my vote for best Innocence Mission song.)

I have two concerns about this superlative album. First, while the spare arrangements on this album are wonderful, I miss the fuller sound of the group heard in the band's first few albums. While the band has been dropped by A&M and undoubtedly has a smaller production budget, it would be wonderful to see what someone like Glow producer Dennis Herring, or even the band's first producer, Larry Klein, would have done with this material. Second, this album is, of all the Innocence Mission albums I have (and I don't yet quite have them all), by far the most melancholic one. ("I Never Knew You from the Sun" is so sad that it's particularly difficult for me to listen to.) It lacks the more even balance of melancholy and joy found in The Innocence Mission, Glow, and Christ Is My Hope (although I hear that the soon-to-be-back-in-print Birds of My Neighborhood is more melancholic than this album). For this reason, it took me a while to appreciate it as much as I do now.

Anyone who loves excellent artistry should buy this album, and indeed, anything in The Innocence Mission's catalog.

Rarely that you'll encounter an album worth listening from start to finish. This is one CD you shouldn't miss. No matter what music style you prefer. It's simply amazing. Best tracks: When Mac was Swimming (well-crafted) and One for sorrow, two for joy.

When I started listening to Jars of Clay's music, this was one of the first CD's I bought because of my love of Christmas music. It perfectly blends a traditional Christmas song with their unique style. It whetted my appetite for a complete Christmas CD from them.

There are a total of four songs on this CD. The regular recording of "Little Drummer Boy" is followed by the Grinch Mix of the song. I tend to like the original arrangement of a song and not care too much for remixes, and that rule applies to this as well. Same can be said for the next song, the Fluffy Saw Mix of "Blind" from their debut CD. Finally, we get "Wicker Baskets," an acoustic instrumental piece I really like.

It's been almost 10 years since this hit the market. Here's hoping they finally get around to following it up with a full length Christmas CD soon. If this is any indication, it would be great!

The best way to explain this album is that "It works". Jars take a classic christmas song and make it thier own without detering from the original feel. on Drummer Boy, the blend of accoustic guitar with stings and haunting backing vocals is really amazing. And they make it sound so easy. Coming from a huge Jars of Clay fan, this review might be slighted, but this really is a gem. The "grinch mix" may not appeal to everyone instantly, but after repeat listenings, it catches on. The Blind remix is another example of Jars' awesome range creativity parting completely from the feel of "Drummer Boy". And ends perfectly with "Wicker Baskets", an instrumental works really well with this collection. If you can find the original release of the Drummer Boy cd with "God rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (a dark accoustic rendition), and an accoustic version of "He" from thier self-titled debut which is amazing, I HIGHLY advise you buy it. Bottom line, this album works well anytime of the year, I listen to it reguardless of the season.

I became a casual fan of Christian rock group Jars Of Clay through their hit single "Flood", but once I heard their version of one of my favorite Christmas songs on the radio several years ago, I instantly feel in love with its modern acoustics which blend flawlessly, and without detracting from the original feel of the classic Christmas tune, perfectly! I can seriously listen to this one song over and over again without growing tiresome of it! That's honestly how good their rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy" really is! And while the Grinch Mix of the same song pales in comparison to the original single version, having it be slower in pace as it reduces to nothing but drums and subtle synthesizers work rather nicely.

The next two songs aren't exactly Christmas tunes but they're very nice to listen to if you feel the need to relax or to rewind from the stresses that Christmas sometimes generates while trying to manage your money while shopping!

I especially enjoy the Fluffy Sav Mix of "Blind", which I would recommend buying if it was a song by itself! And then there's "Wicker Baskets" which is a short, mellow instrumental that closes the album with calm acoustics.

If you like Will Haven at all, you've got this this album. If you haven't heard them, buy it, you'll love it. If you've heard them and disliked it, your a weird, weird person for coming onto Amazon and reading a review for it. But to the rest of you punkass [...] (yes you), it's time to get down and officially jiggy with an album that puts most others to shame. Aside from being Will Haven's best, it is also one of the very best albums I've heard, and is accompanied by Will Haven's EP in my collection. Great songs here include, Stick Up Kid, I've Seen My Fate, Ego's Game, Extinguish and Foreign Film. Of which, I've Seen My Fate and Ego's Game compete with Ruin by Lamb of God as my faveourite song of all time. Yes, it is possible to speak Will Haven's name in the same sentence as Lamb of God, a band of Godly importance in the metal genre. Moving back to Will Haven however, I only heard of them through my cousin who told me that they "are the dog's" with an enthusiasm only seen in him when he'd had more than a couple of Stella's and was trying to chat up girls for a threesome. On this recommendation alone, I bought this album, followed by Will Haven the next day simply because I loved this so much. If your not willing to do that, then download I've Seen My Fate and remember to close your mouth.

Will Haven's debut Full-length.
I don't really agree with the 'hardcore' term thrust onto them, Will Haven have their own little genre. Yes, it's all screaming, but the point is it's fantastic screaming. Grady has some of the most distinct vocals and lyrics i've ever heard. These guys are talented and creative, which is why it's such a shame they had to break up.

Key Tracks: Stick Up Kid
I've seen my Fate
Mason
Foreign Film

A great album, but it doesn't quite match up to WHVN (their best work) or Carpe Diem. If you like anything they've done, you should buy all 3 albums. I did, and i wasn't disappointed.

I'm Hear to tell every one about Will Haven-El Diablo.
Once you hear this CD,you'll become a fan immediatly.
I find it hard to put in another CD,because when I pick out
a CD to listen to,I'll pick the one I want to Hear,but when
I pass Will Haven-El Diablo,I just have to put it on.Buy
this CD,it's some of the greatest music you'll ever hear.
The more you listen to it,the more you love it.Will Haven
Is awesome, Very Haunting Metal,he's got a killer voice.
this guy is going to be a big star.

This is a brilliant album by a great band at their peak. The reviews that precede this one have already broken it down song by song, so I won't. I'll just add that years from, people will look back on this work and hold it much higher regard than enough people did at the time it was released. I've read that Van Gogh had trouble selling paintings in his lifetime as well.

i almost missed the notice, but when i spotted that the old 97's were going to play at the horseshoe in toronto, only a 90 minute bus ride away from the UWO campus, i threw down the books, packed up an overnight bag and jumped onto the next bus. i had never heard of the opening band, some cheezy name like 'slobber butt' or something equally silly - what did i care, i would be seeing the old 97's in a few hours !

little did i know.

it took a while for me to get into them, but by the time brent best got down on his knees, sweating blood and pleading himself hoarse on 'Josephine', i was hooked but good. i picked up their cd's after the show (Barrel Chested and Crow Pot Pie), but when i got home, i was so disappointed to find that Josephine wasn't on either (tho Billy Pritchard was a nice consolation surprise).

when i heard that this album had been released, i ordered it online that very day. and unlike the narrator in the song, i can get my fix of 'josephine' whenever i need. the rest of the album is a fine mix of wit and pain, but if josephine doesn't make you weep in sympathy, you need an operation to repair your tear ducts.

This little beauty of a CD prit'near melted in my lil' player. I didn't take it out of the magazine for months. My girlfriend moved in and SHE loved them and they spent another three months in the machine. These guys are so very talented, it's kinda hard to explain without you having heard them. They all-out rock, but they're tight and smart about it, they don't rock out some big solo as an expression of the guitarist's ego. No. They place it well, it's clear that the songs are crafted into their cohesive wholes and not a series of good lyrics tatooed on the coolest riffs on hand at the moment. And talk about your swanky lyrics! They go from the tear-jerky, wistful "Josephine" to "Tilt-a-Whirl" (which isn't on this album, but that hardly detracts from the point) where his girlfriend can't pass up the blinking lights of a carnival and ends up ejected from the, yes, tilt-a-whirl, All the while he bemoans accusatorily "tilt-a-whirl, you took my girl." It's good clean fun. Just a little addictive. See them live if you have the chance, your ears will ring with glee.

This was the first album I ever heard Floater, and thus was the first time their completely unique and moving sound hit my eardrums. This album is a definite for first time listeners, as it moves everywhere from Tool like metal to an obvious affection for style somewhere in the psychedelic Pink Floyd style This band absolutely blows me away with every incarnation, and (being as I grew up in Eugene Or, their home town) I have missed seeing these songs played live But this is definitely the next best thing, engrossing, thought provoking, and fantastically sculpted, this album is an independent milestone, for a band that knows no boundaries.

This band is my favorite bands. Just listen to them and they will grow on you!

A TRULY GREAT ALBUM!! I BUY MY CLOTHES WITH BIG POCKETS SO THAT I CAN CARRY IT WITH ME WHEREVER I GO. A DEFINITE MUST HAVE FOR THE DEVOTED FAN.

Hello Starling is the third album by Josh Ritter, a singer-songwriter and guitarist originally from Moscow ID who has been steadily building support since his first self-released album in 1999, particularly in his native States and in Ireland, where he initially toured supporting the Frames. For this album, Dave Odlum from the Frames was enlisted as producer and the album was recorded over a fortnight in February 2002 in a converted dairy barn near Angers in France (also used by Dave Odlum for an EP with Gemma Hayes in 2001), and with Josh's touring band augmented by Dave Odlum helping out on guitar and mandolin.
As a teenager, Josh Ritter had been inspired by discovering Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash playing together on the Nashville Skyline album, and has also acknowledged Townes Van Zandt, Leonard Cohen and Gillian Welch among his influences (there is a nod to Townes Van Zandt on this album's Kathleen, also the title of one of his songs). He studied American History through narrative music at college, spending six months in Scotland at the School of Scottish Folk Studies, and also made a study of American religious music, American Civil War songs and late 19th century popular ballads, parlour songs and cowboy songs.
Although he has found his own voice and a clear natural style it is clear from his stripped back approach and the meticulously recorded instruments that he has learned well and deeply from all these guiding legacies and adaptations. This is an album that has been built to last and leaves one keenly anticipating the next.

Buy this album and listen to it.
Just like bright eyes brilliant or better.

Josh Ritter's amazing talent should not go unnoticed for long here in the states as he's such a rising star in Ireland/UK that it won't be long before everyone knows his name. Very reminincent of early Springsteen with his unperfect but endearing voice, his raw passion, and superb song writing this guy is going far!

I dare anyone to listen to "Kathleen" and not be humming before the end of the song and then replaying it to learn all the words. The song promises to stay in your head and heart long after you've listend to the CD!

One of the best singer/songwriters in a very long time! If you get a chance to see him perform live don't walk but RUN to stand in line to see him....you won't be sorry!

The title tells it all. It is my favorite album since I have it.

This is my first review of a Will Oldham/Bonnie 'Prince' Billy album. I chose to review this album first because I think it's simply my favorite in his catalog that I've heard.

I would say that 90 percent of this album sounds exactly like my thoughts throughout a normal day. It's sadly beautiful and hopeful simultaneously. "I See A Darkness" is the type of song that makes you want to reflect on life and your inner thoughts. It's an ode to life.

These songs are sung with such heartfelt beauty and passion that's almost immeasurable to compare this with any other artist. Will shares a lot of his thoughts and feelings with us in his music. He has a "no-holds barred" approach that is sure to catch any listener's attention.

All the songs on this album are part of something bigger. One listen and you'll know that you've found an album with integrity and purity. It will probably get you through a lot of times in your life if you allow it to. Either way, this will be an album that you will not soon forget.

"Death To Everyone" is one of the most powerful tracks on this album. It also happens to be one of my favorites as well. If it absolutely doesn't pierce your soul, you may not have even been listening and don't deserve to go any further with this album. I would assume that most fans have heard Will's other work and most put this at very least towards the top. Oldham has really paved a path for what he wants to get across in his music. I would venture to say that people will study this work for many years to come.

If you've heard of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy/Will Oldham or are intrigued by what you've heard about him in general, this is definitely an album you should check out. Of course, he's got so many I guess you could start anywhere. Are any of them bad? No. My opinion would be to start here. If you don't become instantly fond of this work, you may not need to get anything else by him.

Whoa. I finally tracked this CD down after several months of looking. First of all, (...the) title of Best of 1999 is very accurate. Second, with that said why on earth is this so hard to get? My own answer to this question is that it must an independent release and therefore not in massive circulation. WELL IT SHOULD BE.

This is a really brilliant record. Will is the kind of artist that is a rare find among all the commercial shuffle of today's big money pot that is the music industry. His music is more for him than for a "target audience". And those who are interested can come along for the ride. (and what a ride) In other words He's not trying to sell records, he's making beautiful honest music for the love of music. This is a true masterpiece from a true purist.
You just need to hear it to understand. He can't be compared to other artists,

Oh yeah, and Johnny Cash covered the title song "I See A Darkness" on his last album. If that's not an honor what is?

"I've Been Expecting You?is an amazing album filled with surprises and Rob's creativity. I can never believe that Robbie actually finished producing it over a short period of time. Every track on it is unbelievable. Rob vividly portrays his living experiences in his songs. The enjoyment is second to none if you take your time rocking with Rob on the album.
"Millennium? the first single from this album caught my attention the first time I listened to it. Its magnificent rhythm and Rob's whispering in the background have really graced the song. Rob cooperated with Pet Shop Boys in "No Regrets? which is also my all-time favorite song of Rob. In addition to its great interlude and the brilliant rap when the song ends, the lyrics are intense and real, depicting the strong anguish of losing someone. You'll be even more moved if you know who Rob was referring to. "Strong?is a nice rock song. Rob sings as he subtly jeered himself and his philosophy. Rob once stated that he didn't like `She's the One?since it's the only song not written by himself on his albums. But he still sounds great and tender on that track.

All non-single tracks are no less powerful. Perhaps Rob had encountered so many things in 1998 that inspired him to make this marvelous work. This album is definitely a masterpiece. If you can only buy one album from Robbie Williams, I highly recommend this one. You can also find Rob's ex-fianc�e talking on "Win Some, Lose Some.?I guess the song is about the sweet moments they used to share. Very great song, indeed.

Robbie is our man, being myself a brit in the states, it's refreshing to have some REAL music over here. Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic.. Get into Robbie and do it soon, otherwise you'll be missing out on way too much, let the bulldog roar again!

"I've Been Expecting You" is MAGNIFICENT! If you listen to "Life Thru a Lens" first, then this CD, it's almost like you're following him on his "Boy-to-Man" journey. This CD is like the "to" phase of that transition. It's obvious Robbie has matured, both lyrically and musically on this CD, yet he still manages to keep his young cocky self-depricating lyrics and vocal stylings intact. The one shimmering jewel on this CD is "Grace". Being the proud owner of "The Ego Has Landed", Grace is probably the one song on this CD, not on "Ego" that I was most surprised by. It seems like he took a cue from some of his rat pack heros and did a smooth campy 60's cabaret feeling piece - but he did it well. And that's what makes his CD so great and timeless - even more so than in "Life Thru a Lens." He manages to stretch his musical arms and legs into several different genres yet some how seems to retain a unifying sound that makes it all "Robbie" instead of sounding like some cheap lounge act. This CD has everything from the dancable hip-hop-esque "Millennium" to his incredible mission statement "Phoenix from the Flames" to his rich flowing ballads. And that's just half of it. It's clear Robbie is maturing. however, songs like "Strong" and "Win Some Lose Some" show he's still a vulnerable young man - but that's a good thing. I'm not sure I wanna see Robbie make it to his "Man" stage...at least not for a couple of years. A considerable part of his appeal comes in is cocky, young, self-depricating, music lyrics, and vocal stylings. All in all, this CD is a must have for any CD collection, whether or not you're big into Robbie or not. It's just great music with something in it for everybody.

I have listened to this CD consistently since it came out and I haven't really gotten sick of it at all. I hope the next generation picks it up and comes to appreciate the musicianship and songwriting of one of the best 80-90s bands.

This CD is somewhat slower in pace from other Midnight Oil releases, but this does not detract from the quality of 'Earth and Sun and Moon'. This CD was released in the period when Midnight Oil was enjoying its success and limelight.

Four songs on this release are standouts, they are 1. Renaissance Man 2. Truganini 3. In The Valley and 4. Tell me the Truth. What really appealed to me was the style and depth that all songs had with thought-provoking lyrics. Again, a strong release from Midnight Oil that will keep being listened to frequently by myself.

i mean, this is good, but not nearly perfect. granted, this band is a whole lot cooler than most people tend to believe. "oh yeah, they did that 'burning beds' song, right?" and yes, they did, but they're also australia's very own version of bruce springsteen: the band is made up of fiesty political activists who honestly put U2 to shame...because they actually DO things for the greater good. the frontman, peter garrett, all 7+ feet of him, even ran for the australian senate once. and came surprisingly close to winning. read their allmusic.com listing to get an idea of how tireless they've been on that front. anyway, their music conveys a palpable sense of the outback, of australian culture, then and now. the music is hardnosed, catchy, and distinct. they're really much better than they've gotten credit for. this album i have bad associations with, because it's what was playing in my car a couple months ago when i got in a wreck. nonetheless, it's one of their better offerings.