Alternative Rock music reviews

It only contains 3 tracks but it's well worth the money spent; after all--it's quality, not quantity! "Kanga Roo" is an epic cover and I suggest that if you thoroughly enjoy this version, track down the original by Big Star (from "Third/Sister Lovers"). Alex Chilton and Buckley are woven from the same emotional thread and their musics are very similar in melody and content. This is one of Jeff's finer excursions into the realm of experimental and ethereal sound. Yet another side to brilliant polygon of immeasurable shape and definition.

I don't think anyone could, has or ever will touch music like Jeff Buckley did! His music was and still is to me like a Harris painting, no one can come close to his style of art work! Thank-you JEFF BUCKLEY for creating such influencial music and words..................

Throughout all the music in the world, the question remains; "Who is/was Jeff Buckley?" All of his fans know the answer. He was an inspiration to music, and to all of us. The words of his wisdom are expressed in his music, and it's in his music that his soul still speaks. Jeff will forever live in our hearts every time we play one of his records, every time we sing one of hs songs walking down the street, and every time we scream away in the shower. All I can say to Jeff now is "Thank you!" Every time I hear you sing, I hear you "screaming down from heaven."

what further can be said?? this is a time-capsule on tape,..a modern folk recollection of an age fading into a sonic fog and rapidly disappearing behind slick suits, fancy ties, cyber-cafes and over-production. here lies a collection of stripped-down acoustic poems, audio folklore and haunting "front-porch" stories depicting the hardships and weight borne by "common folk" and the burden of the "thankless trenchmen" who labor anonymously to serve the common good AND make ends meet. it was certaily an AMBITIOUS undertaking for UT but we (the listening masses) were THANKFULLY rewarded with a absolute classic. never have Farrar and Tweedy sounded more earnest and TRULY inspired by the tracks they laid down (than on this album). from the weary wails of Grindstone and Coalminers to the deep introspection of Black Eye and Moonshiner to the mournful regret of I Wish My Baby Was Born...this is a MUST HAVE for ANYONE who even REMOTELY likes acoustic folk music. this album is an absolute treasure and it has been a mainstay in my cd collection for years. a real beauty. a diamond.

A phenomenon like Uncle Tupelo is at times hard to comprehend. This album solidifies them as one of the best bands of the last twenty years. Moving away from their earlier brilliant albums that meshed rock and country they bring it all home by devoting themselves to daunting and beautiful renditions of traditionals and new material. This is an obvious tribute and demonstration of where they derived their unique sound.
Haunting renditions of songs like Coalminers, Criminals and Lilli Schull do what Tupelo does best: reminds us that music is both a potent tool for protest and catharsis. Farrar's bold lyrics ironically contrast with the fatalistic topics that the songs treat.
This album is very different than their first two but the themes and motivation stay the same. They are a constant lament of loneliness, exploitation and isolation. They are songs about the system manifest in the individual. They reject the morbid romanticism that a lot of the alternative scene seems to attach to the woes of the modern man, which is in a way endorsement of the system that rejects them but gives them identity. This music is not about Tupelo. It is about man, and it is beautiful, haunting and an absolute work of genius...

...This cd is wonderful. It's all that music should be. The acoustic simplicity, the picking, the grating voices, the poignant themes, all of them blend together to make one [heck] of a satisfying cd. As previously said, if you listen to Uncle Tupelo, you'll form a band.

But it doesn't matter, because no one (not even Wilco or Volt) will EVER be Uncle Tupelo.

...curiously, the last track on said album,..all of three minutes long, performed on dobro guitar, superbly understated,.. AND not at all indicative of the content on this toe tappin' BURNER of a disc!! The progenitor of Kenny Wayne Shephard's success...NO SURPRISE HERE! "ITS' like Mercury"....one of the HOT cuts reminiscent of a Stones standard..but with a GENUINE gutsy blues import! In short,...gentle folk,..this album KICKS!! Guaranteed..to delight the ears and create electric blues ROCK Nirvana! "You got it good,..it don't get better!" Money very well spent on this freshman outing......YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED!!!!

Short & to the point, Mark Selby has the musical & lyrical talent & charisma on stage of John Hiatt. Buy both CD's, you'll keep them both in rotation & want to tell everyone you know about musics best kept secret.

I own this cd along with many KWS cd's, and their may not be many comparisons, but indeed they are both great performers. Seen Mark Selby live and he was great. Everyone has there own opinion when it comes to music, so my advice is to listen to it for yourself and then decide, don't go by what others have to say.

I've been a music connoisseur for a long time now. From Rap, Hip Hop, Country, Christian, House, Techno, Folk, Jazz, Classic, Punk I've literally bought CDs from every possible genre on Amazon. I love music. And of all my CDs, this is one that I always come back to. Genre-wise, this would be closest to pop rock, but much like Maroon Five's "Songs About Jane", this type of mainstreamish rock is less canned and just never seems to get old. Especially since the lyrics on this album are well written. For the past 3 years this CD has always resurfaced for me.

However, like 99% of CDs there are imperfections. 11 and 12 should pretty much be stricken from this great compilation, but that still leaves 12 (if you count the hidden track) WORTHY tunes that will always be there waiting for you in your CD/MP3 collection.

This is an excellent CD.

So Stephan Jenkins breaks up with actress Charlize Theron and as a result we're treated to 14 pop rock gems that tell us the whole story. No, this isn't like their debut...and it's not like Blue either. But it's still definitely got the signature 3EB sound and Stephan Jenkin's awesome songwriting. This is a throbbing summer-anthem CD, hands down. They've got the same 3EB sound going on, but it sounds more studio polished. The timing is great though- usually a 3EB song starts off with Brad H. on drums, and that launches into the guitar bits & Stephan's singing.

Lyrically, it sounds as if 90% of the album recalls his (Stephan Jenkins) and Charlize's relationship and their falling out, and you'd think that it'd get annoying and old but really it never does. His outlook is at times painful, but it's also fresh and entirely relatable.

In songs like "Crystal Baller" he's clearly up for making ammends, putting the past behind them, "taking the high road" as he says... and just wiping the slate clean. It's easy on the ears and I'm sure plenty of people would like to adopt it as their own personal relationship anthem.

Then there's the fast story of a song "My Hit and Run" which is almost like a dream sequence; the pavement is wet and lights are flashing...he crashes and thinks he sees Her at his "hit and run". Metaphors all around, it's a great play by play.

"Misfits" is another great song typical of Stephan Jenkins, ever the pensive outsider, he claims "My people are the Misfits, the ones that don't fit in" and he makes it sound not at all like a bad thing to be a part of his group. (Cool haunting overtones in the song too.)

"Self Righteous" features SJ with Kimya Dawson. this song is slightly eery and almost out of place on the cd if you ask me. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It's really moody and vague and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Vocally they sound really interesting together, and I always enjoy hearing SJ use his voice at different registers so points there.

"Palm Reader" is a really cool song, which *surprise* recollects Charlize Theron and all that once was. He says he "reads horoscopes in magazines", "especially yours...in the sign of a leo, the regal ones, but man you let your claws show...when will they let me go?" I think it's great that he doesn't even try to hide the fact that he got messed up over the situation, and instead he used it for his art.

"Good Man" closes the cd (well, before the hidden track) and is painfully honest and well written a la classic SJ style. He's holding on, grasping at anything he can in hopes of leaving a good lasting impression. He wants forgiveness and seals his own resolution when he acknowledges that "All that you wanted, was a Good Man" He's overwhelmed and mystified (and I'm just grateful that he was willing to share it with all of us cuz it makes for damn good songs)

The hidden track is a really excellent song as well. It's easily become one of my own personal anthems. "Another Life" is about moving forward and starting over, & being grateful for even being able to do both.

This is quite a few steps away from their debut, but it's still a great album. SJ and co. have matured musically, the sound is a lot more polished, the lyrics a lot less vague. Still, if you're a Third Eye Blind fan you shouldn't be disappointed.

This album will blow you away... I've always loved 3eb since the first day I heard "Jumper" on the radio. Unlike Blue, which personally was a bit of a disappointment, [[ And I know others may agree ]] this album is a killer. Every song is catchy yet meaningful, with a soft sound in some, then a bit of a grunge-y-er sound in other songs, and sometimes mixing the two together.

This album is extremely under-appreciated, though I wouldn't go to venture it's better than their first self-titled, 3eb have definately outdone themselves.

I'd list some songs that stand out to me, but honestly, I'm a person that sometimes likes to skip some tracks in favor of about half of the total of a CD. However, this is one of 4 CDs that I will listen to straight through wwithout skipping a single track, every song is flawless. [[ Third Eye Blind's first album is another of these. To those that don't already own it, if you like 3eb I'm telling you, GO BUY IT. ]] I do have favorites... being Faster, Forget Myself, ... ah, nevermind, all of them!

And 3 final words stick out:

Buy. This. Album!!!

Alphaville has sailed a long trip from their tribut island ( Forever Young) to new land ( Prostitute ). Quitars are come to help keyboards. Alphaville has changed its basic sound much darker and songs are longer than before. If you loved Alphaville's first album, you won't necessarily like this album
because Alphaville isn't anymore 80s synt-pop band. When you hear for exemple Fools and Beethoven, you will know, what I mean.
Prostitute is not easy album to listen through because there are 16 tracks and maybe some booring ballads. It takes long time before you begin to enjoy all album. Be patient and listen all over again then you find how a wonderful musical journey Prostitute can offer you. My favourite songs are Impossible Dream, Ivory Tower and Iron John. Imbossible Dream is a very beautiful ballad for human love with great chorus which can almost reach to sky. Ivory Tower uses Alphaville's earlier hit songs names ( Forever Young, Mystery of Love, Romeos...) skilfully and with good taste. This dramatic song especially its end: "Oh my God! I feel so alone! I am 1 000 000 light years away from home. It seem to be a tragedy. How can I live in Germany. My another house is burning down..." Lyrics are just awesome! Iron John reminds a little Alphaville's earlier hits but it is much darker. Borrow this cd to your friend or library and make you own decision. Finally, Alphaville is not a dead band!

Get over "Forever Young" and "Afternoons in Utopia". Those are classics, but... THE REAL ALPHAVILLE are here in "Prostitute"!!!
I am a huge fan of the band, and talking about the pop music in general - I think this album is the most professional record that has ever been produced. With just over 70 min. of playing time, this album is a unique mix of different moods and attitudes in both music and lyrics. Marian Gold's incredible voice is at its best. It's quite a shame M. Gold is one of those artists, who are left underestimated, as I think he's a very talanted singer and songwriter... I wish there had been more hit singles released out of the album, apart from "Fools" and "The Impossible Dream". My personal favourite tracks are: "Ivory Tower", "Iron John", "All In The Golden Afternoon", "Ascension Day".
In conclusion, I have to say this album is a must-have CD for every fan of intelligent pop music.

There is a definite crime involved with this album, the crime of neglect. eight years ago America was deprived of the most complex, compelling and dynamic material thus created by AV. One can understand how threatened the American labels felt when they heard this music. After hearing this sound why would you want to go back to the radio?

Okay, enough of the polemics.
Prostitute is a vital album. It reflects a difficult time in the bands' history. The themes presented here are deep, meaningful and stirring. Gold, Echolette and Lloyd don't make this an easy experience - this isn't Forever Young. The previous albums allow you to visit them. Prostitute is a complete experience; one best followed from start to finish.
The sound is dark, mature and far more sophisticated than most synth-bands. I consider 'The Impossible Dream', 'Iron John' and 'Euphoria' to be among the best work they've ever done.

A defining album of the 1990's, quite possibly THE defining album of the 90s. Yes, Salvation is excellent but there is something inherently more powerful in this haunting tome.

Listen and perpare to be moved.

It was 1984, and Metal ruled my life. Def Leppard and UFO were my bands of choice. Then, a cook where I worked handed me an unassuming Cassette called "Rattlesnakes" by Lloyd Cole.
From the opening of Perfect skin I was hooked. I played that tape a thousand times that year. There is not a weak cut on this album,period. To call it a perfect album is not far-fetched. It morphed me in a new musical direction. The Del-Lords, Lloyd Cole and the Beat Farmers ruled my 1980's. I love this album, and still play it pretty regularly. Cole is as great live as he is on record,just to mention. An absolute must to own.

When I first discovered this brilliant album back in 1984 I could not get enough of it - listening to it hundreds of times in just a few months. All these years later it holds up perfectly. If this was released now no doubt Cole would probably be a superstar...well hopefully not a modern superstar but you know what I mean. One of the most under listened to albums of the 1980's. Honestly I cannot think of a decade like the 80's without Rattlesnakes. Thanks Lloyd.

This album was one of my favorites from the 80's and still remains a perennial favorite. Having loaded most of my albums in part onto my Ipod, I still find myself stopping to listen intently to "Perfect Skin", "Down on Mission Street", "Rattlesnakes", "Patience" and "Are You Ready to be Heartbroken" whenever they come up in the rotation. This album got good college station airplay when it came out but it should have broken through to mainstream with "Rattlesnakes".

I won't go on and on about this album, you can read the other comments for more. But you owe yourself - go out and get a copy of this CD - great pop/rock for the thinking person.

Honestly, this is as good or beyond the quality of the Lilith Fair CDs I have of those concerts. Getting such exceptional folk performers in one package is unusual. And New England seems like it's almost the official headquarters for most of the really fine singer-songwriters: Melissa Ferrick, Patty Larkin, Merrie Amsterburg, Jennifer Kimball, you name 'em.

If you are saddened and dismayed by things like Eminem, this is the album to buy to save some lives that could be ruined or destroyed by misogyny. The Patty Larkin song alone is worth it but all the rest are brave and beautiful.

This is a must buy! Every artist featured on this CD is uniquely different, yet share a common ground of making a difference to battered women and children. This is what today's music should be about! If you are reading this, and you haven't purchased this CD...now is the time!

Just a catchy heading to get your attention......
Rufus is just scratching the surface of his talent with this debut, which has traces of early Billy Joel (simple melodies paired with strong lyrics)and the eccentricity of an artist like Tom Waits. This is quite an astonishing display of one man's talent, and deserving of Rolling Stone's pick of Best New Artist of 1998. I enjoy all the songs on this debut- I purchased the 1998 French import version and it came with a bonus cd of 4 extra tracks: 1. A Bit Of You 2. Moulin Rouge 3. Banks Of The Wabash 4. Le Roy Dy's. In 1999 he joined up with his Canadian parents, Loudon Wainwright III, an artist in his own right, his mother Kate McGarrigle (of the famed McGarrigle Sisters), an aunt and his sister for a cd collaboration of standards & originals called " The McGarrigle Hour". It is an interesting cd in that you get a chance to hear from where his talent originates. Back to his debut- rumour has it that it took two years and $700,00 to make and is actually a collection of remakes; the originals, demos, were tailored to suit public comsumption. Nonetheless, this is a very strong debut. Since the release of this debut, he has had various songs on several soundtracks: (1.) "Instant Pleasure"- BIG DADDY Sndtrk-1999
(2.) "Banks Of The Wabash" & "Le Roy Dy's"- MYTH OF FINGERPRINTS Sndtrk-1999 (3.) "Hallelujah"- SHREK Sndtrk-2001
(4.) "Complainte De La Butte"- MOULIN ROUGE Sndtrk-2001
(5.) "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"- ZOOLANDER Sndtrk-2001
(6.) "Across The Universe"- SAM I AM Sndtrk-2002.

A nice collection of tunes from an artist who shows a lot of promise and originality. This is definitely one artist to watch over the next few years. I do believe he is here to stay.

There isn't a song as beautiful as "Foolish love"!! I fell in love iwth Rufus' music right away (ever since I saw him in that Gap commercial back in '98). His lyrics are witty and they seem to paint a 19th century high-class French soiciety! I dunno, that's the feeling I get when I hear this album! Try out this album, you won't be disappointed!

I discovered Rufus by a two page article in GQ and I must admit two things. One, I had NEVER heard of him before, two fell in love with his sad puppy-dog eyes instantly. I must admit, I bought his CD mostly because of this. However, I wasn't completely ignorant in my purchase. I am a piano and opera lover, which helped a bit, seeing as his music at times is called "popra" (cute isnt it)! When I first listened to the CD I was utterly amazed. Never before had I heard such silky melodies mixed with such a velvety voice! Which is why I recomend the CD to everyone. Rufus' music appeals to everybody's tastes. For thoes who love sappy ballads- "Barcelona" is fantastic. Or "April Fools" for any Beatles fans. "Imaginary Love" (my favourite) appeals to thoes with a thing for cabaret style, and then "Instant Pleasure" (which isn't on this CD, but the "Big Daddy" soundtrack) will totally call out to thoes who are interested in the commercial pop songs. Just goes to prove that Rufus' versitility makes him a real winner in the end!

EXCELLENT compilation of INXS until 1997 with front man extraordinaire, Michael Hutchence. The 2 CD set gives the listener a great taste from the catalogue of a great band with an untimely end after the demise of Michael. All new listeners who discovered the rebirth of INXS with JD Fortune, will develop a greater appreciation of their timeless music. The linear notes combined with the CD give the listener background into the band and how the music and lyrics were created. The collection gives the listener background into the development of INXS through the 1980s and 1990s. ENJOY! Both new and veteran fans alike will be glad to add this CD to their collection and continue to support INXS as they rock on with JD Fortune.

I have owned this anthology for almost 4 years now, one of the best music buys I have made in the last 5 years. Being a big fan of INXS since the late 80's but just owning Kick, X, their live CD and their Greatest Hits, this gave me a broader vision of all their music and I am really glad to have had the opportunity to do just that. Since then I have collected more of their CD's so I have even more. But this is ideal for INXS fans who are more than casual fans and want more of what they have to offer without having to buy all of their CDs, which by the way wouldn't be a bad move either. My personal favorites on this set are The One Thing, I Send a Message, Burn for You, Kiss the Dirt, Disappear, Bitter Tears, Taste It, Beautiful Girl, The Strangest Party and Elegantly Wasted. Although there are over 40 songs on here from the very early days to their last album in 1997. The very first song, Simple Simon is a fun song to listen to.

INXS surely deserves this 2 disc compilation, after all their career spanned almost 20 years at the time of Michael Hutchence's death, which in itself is a real shame. How I wish he was still with us. This anthology is dedicated to him, and there is a nice booklet containing the story of INXS told by the band members themselves to a journalist who was writing a review which is an interesting read. There are also little snippets of information about each song, plus lots of pictures of the band, including some early ones that are fun to see. All in all, if you are a fan of INXS, casual or big, get this collection, it's about as complete as it gets.

I didn't really remember INXS songs until the tv show. Once I heard those few songs, it all came back to me. Bought a couple of CD's and DVD's and I just love the songs. Quite a bit of the songs I didn't recognize, but they grew on me pretty fast. Feel so sad that Michael isn't here anymore, but his wonderful voice is preserved this way for us to enjoy.

Toad's second release Pale is Glen Phillips in his finest lyrically. His voice has not reached its peak yet, but fits the purpose. Pale is the perfect rainy day album. Slow, somber, haunting and beautiful. Not for everyone, espically if you only care about the music. Corporal Brown is almost funny in the delivery of the lyrics. This song stated that the corporal killed his fat wife and buried her. Again great lyrics!

I enjoy all that Toad The Wet Sprocket has done, but their early albums I'm most fond of. Maybe it's because of countless summer nights listening to this album or their debut while sitting in city parks daydreaming, but it's most likely the fact that the music is so good, so moving, and so real. "Pale" is short any actual hits, but that's also part of the appeal. The whole thing is very consistent in mood, and each track is a hit to me. "Torn" and "Come Back Down" are great songs to start, and maybe my personal favorites are "High On A Riverbed", "I Think About", and "Chile". Those are reasons why I still listen to Toad often. The second half/side of this album isn't quite as perfect as the first, but still holds its own. This album still gets frequent play in my house even after 15 years, and I pray that Glen Phillips plays something from "Pale" when I see him live this week.

Toad the Wet Sprocket was one of those bands I loved when I was younger that just seemed dull to me as I became aware of more and more music. Yet I still return to those albums sometimes for that quality of innocence in their spare guitar-driven progressive melodies, and so the band tends to be fairly innofensive and even dull at times, they have moments of real transcendence. That, at least, is what I found recently listening to Pale, which has its share of doggerel, but occasionally, there's a song like "Don't Go Away," which is ebullient and heartfelt, or "Liars Everywhere," which is as powerfully felt as any song of the REM-lite genre of prog-rock (if not any song by REM). This record doesn't always shine, but it's bare and moving where it counts.