Alternative Rock music reviews

I agree with the previous reviewer, Rotorwash, who said Del Amitri "combines intelligent lyrics and smooth instruments." Rotorwash couldn't have said it better. Like Rotorwash, I am addicted to the sound of Del Amitri and am on a quest to obtain all their music. They have very thoughtful and moody songs, and this album, "Change Everything," which is technichally a promotional album, showcases their moody side the best. When I am sad or let down I can listen to this music and wallow.

Many reviewers argue this is their best album, and in response to that I say it is too hard to pick their 'best' album in the all-around sense of the word. This album certainly showcases their moody emotional side the best, with a lot of the tunes brooding about love.

I hope Del Amitri releases another album! They are just great.

In the summer of 1992 I caught a portion of their song "Downfall" on television. That was all I knew of Del Amitri at the time. I quickly went out and bought the album.

I now own all their music. 14 years later and I still listen very frequently, never growing tired of them.

Currie and the boys combine intelligent lyrics and smooth instruments. If this is your first Del purchase, it will most likely not be your last.

I just hope we have not seen (or heard) the last of them.

Outstanding!
Just discovered them and I am blown away. My perfect genre of music.

I have been listening to Rusted Root for quite a while now, and somehow had never listened to this CD. I never knew what I was missing. This CD is great. It not only has a great version of Send Me On My Way, but the Cat Turned Blue is amazing. The song Won't Be Long is one of my personal RR favorites now. I would recommend this CD to any RR fan.

in no way can one classify the sound of rusted root into one genre. it is unique, so much so that i'll be redundant and say it's very unique. if you haven't heard their music before, imagine taking an african, an american or englishman influenced by rock & roll, one from the land of a billion people, two women with a feminist spirit and a shaman, give them instruments with which they are highly skilled, and let them play. that will sound something like rusted root. who gives a feck about the lyrics?, albeit they aren't bad.

I'm probably biased writing this review since I grew up listening to Rusted Root in Pittsburgh. I've never heard any band like them and that is a rare thing. I'm on my fourth copy of this CD, having worn out the others. This CD never gets old. The Root strayed from their original raw acoustic sound in future albums. When I Awoke is their first outing on a major label, it's good but not great. Crual Sun is great. Just buy it and you'll see.

I have been listening to Rusted Root for quite a while now, and somehow had never listened to this CD. I never knew what I was missing. This CD is great. It not only has a great version of Send Me On My Way, but the Cat Turned Blue is amazing. The song Won't Be Long is one of my personal RR favorites now. I would recommend this CD to any RR fan.

in no way can one classify the sound of rusted root into one genre. it is unique, so much so that i'll be redundant and say it's very unique. if you haven't heard their music before, imagine taking an african, an american or englishman influenced by rock & roll, one from the land of a billion people, two women with a feminist spirit and a shaman, give them instruments with which they are highly skilled, and let them play. that will sound something like rusted root. who gives a feck about the lyrics?, albeit they aren't bad.

I'm probably biased writing this review since I grew up listening to Rusted Root in Pittsburgh. I've never heard any band like them and that is a rare thing. I'm on my fourth copy of this CD, having worn out the others. This CD never gets old. The Root strayed from their original raw acoustic sound in future albums. When I Awoke is their first outing on a major label, it's good but not great. Crual Sun is great. Just buy it and you'll see.

I have been listening to Rusted Root for quite a while now, and somehow had never listened to this CD. I never knew what I was missing. This CD is great. It not only has a great version of Send Me On My Way, but the Cat Turned Blue is amazing. The song Won't Be Long is one of my personal RR favorites now. I would recommend this CD to any RR fan.

in no way can one classify the sound of rusted root into one genre. it is unique, so much so that i'll be redundant and say it's very unique. if you haven't heard their music before, imagine taking an african, an american or englishman influenced by rock & roll, one from the land of a billion people, two women with a feminist spirit and a shaman, give them instruments with which they are highly skilled, and let them play. that will sound something like rusted root. who gives a feck about the lyrics?, albeit they aren't bad.

I'm probably biased writing this review since I grew up listening to Rusted Root in Pittsburgh. I've never heard any band like them and that is a rare thing. I'm on my fourth copy of this CD, having worn out the others. This CD never gets old. The Root strayed from their original raw acoustic sound in future albums. When I Awoke is their first outing on a major label, it's good but not great. Crual Sun is great. Just buy it and you'll see.

I love early Helium and this CD as far as I am concerned is the best. My favorite track is "medusa" which exemplifies riot grrl rock. The lyrics hit heard and Mary Timony's trademark gravely voice is splendid. Buy this C.D. if you love riot grrl music, want to get into good riot grrl music, or if you've never heard Mary Timony before.

Saw these guys on the 2nd stage at Lollapalooza in 1995. I was taking a break from watching the hip-hop bands they had thrown into the mix, and was mesmerized by these guys. It's pretty rare I see a band live that I've never heard of -- to hear that band and be blown away, I couldn't believe it. I bought the CD immediately, and didn't stop playing it for 2 years.

It has great lyrics, great music, great mood, great atmosphere, and just rocks. Mary Timony has such a unique sound, I still think mesmerizing is the best word for it.

Not to sound flippant or anything--I absolutely adore this record; it's one of my all-time faves. It also has eliminated the need, at least for me, to own several alt-rock classics--"Loveless" by My Bloody Valentine (who's austere, celestial guitar haze is evoked expertly on " Baby's Going Underground" and "Silver Angel") "Slanted and Enchanted" by Pavement (the dolorous, understated twang n' hiss of "Honeycomb" , a track which also niftily does away with the need for Mazzy Star) and "Dirty" by Sonic Youth ("Pat's Trick" and "Medusa" are effortlessly dead-cool--a perfect blend of distaff snarl and urban grit offhandedly intoned from behind Velvets fly shades). Lots of young bands wear thier influences proudly, especially on debuts, but Helium distill thiers in such a way that they end up with something fresh and thrilling. "The Dirt of Luck" is the sound of one young woman (Mary Timony-- the medieval indie-grrl of my dreams) getting together with a couple of friends, plugging in the distortion pedal, and deciding to rule the world--so long as they get done in time to hit the thrift stores before the wannabe-hipsters raid all the courderoy from the factory-seconds rack.

I've heard several of the songs the Kirsty recorded with the Pogues (Fairy Tale of NY is a CLASSIC) and their version of Miss Otis Regrets...unfortunately, those were the only two songs I could stand listening to on the entire cd.

Kirsty MacColl had her first hit in 1981 with the humorous There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop ... and in 1984 she scored with her interpretation of Billy Bragg's A New England. In 1987 she had a UK number 2 with Fairytale Of New York, the duet with Shane MacGowan, in 1989 she placed her version of Thank You For The Days on the charts and in 1991 she scored big again with the haunting Walking Down Madison. Throughout the 1980s Kirsty also provided backing vocals on recordings for Talking Heads, the Smiths, Rolling Stoners, Simple Minds and Van Morrison amongst others, while comedienne Tracey Ullman had a hit with MacColl's They Don't Know.

This brilliant album showcases her considerable talent as composer and singer. Besides the aforementioned highlights, it includes a stirring version of Lou Reed's Perfect Day, her own version of They Don't Know and the poignant Don't Come The Cowboy with Me Sonny Jim. Kirsty had a distinctive voice with a natural country flavour, very special and recognizable. Other great tracks on Galore include Miss Otis Regrets, You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby, Caroline and Angel. Galore is the best album for exploring this obscure but highly talented singer, although her solo albums like Kite and Electric Landlady should not be neglected.

Kirsty was a daughter of the great folk singer Ewan MacColl and his influence inevitably shows in her music, but she was very much of her time. Kirsty was always keen to experiment and the results were not always brilliant, but the best of her music is to be found on this outstanding collection. Apart from experimentation, Kirsty's success was limited by her desire to lead life to the full and raise a family as well. She died in a high-speed boating accident while still in her early forties.

Most of the songs on this collection were written by Kirsty, often but not always on her own, including They don't know (a song which provided Tracey Ullman with her first hit), There's a guy works down the chip shop swears he's Elvis, He's on the beach, Free world, Don't come the cowboy with me Sonny Jim (a song covered by Kelly Willis on her Easy album) and Walking down Madison.

Kirsty was also well capable of recording distinctive covers of other people's songs. Their diverse sources show that Kirsty was not a lady that anybody could typecast. They include A new England (Billy Bragg), Miss Otis Regrets (Cole Porter - one of two duets with Irish rockers The Pogues), You just haven't earned it yet baby (The Smiths), Days (The Kinks) and Perfect Day (Lou Reed - a duet with Evan Dando of the Lemonheads).

Her biggest UK hit was the other duet with the Pogues - a Christmas song titled Fairytale of New York. It can be found on several British Christmas compilations and is not really typical of Kirsty's music. I would describe Kirsty's music as sixties pop rock updated for the eighties with a little folk and country added into the mix.

If Kirsty had pursued her career with single-minded dedication, some say she could have been a world megastar. Maybe, but she wanted a life outside music. As a consequence, her musical legacy is limited, but the quality more than makes up for that.

I've heard several of the songs the Kirsty recorded with the Pogues (Fairy Tale of NY is a CLASSIC) and their version of Miss Otis Regrets...unfortunately, those were the only two songs I could stand listening to on the entire cd.

Kirsty MacColl had her first hit in 1981 with the humorous There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop ... and in 1984 she scored with her interpretation of Billy Bragg's A New England. In 1987 she had a UK number 2 with Fairytale Of New York, the duet with Shane MacGowan, in 1989 she placed her version of Thank You For The Days on the charts and in 1991 she scored big again with the haunting Walking Down Madison. Throughout the 1980s Kirsty also provided backing vocals on recordings for Talking Heads, the Smiths, Rolling Stoners, Simple Minds and Van Morrison amongst others, while comedienne Tracey Ullman had a hit with MacColl's They Don't Know.

This brilliant album showcases her considerable talent as composer and singer. Besides the aforementioned highlights, it includes a stirring version of Lou Reed's Perfect Day, her own version of They Don't Know and the poignant Don't Come The Cowboy with Me Sonny Jim. Kirsty had a distinctive voice with a natural country flavour, very special and recognizable. Other great tracks on Galore include Miss Otis Regrets, You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby, Caroline and Angel. Galore is the best album for exploring this obscure but highly talented singer, although her solo albums like Kite and Electric Landlady should not be neglected.

Kirsty was a daughter of the great folk singer Ewan MacColl and his influence inevitably shows in her music, but she was very much of her time. Kirsty was always keen to experiment and the results were not always brilliant, but the best of her music is to be found on this outstanding collection. Apart from experimentation, Kirsty's success was limited by her desire to lead life to the full and raise a family as well. She died in a high-speed boating accident while still in her early forties.

Most of the songs on this collection were written by Kirsty, often but not always on her own, including They don't know (a song which provided Tracey Ullman with her first hit), There's a guy works down the chip shop swears he's Elvis, He's on the beach, Free world, Don't come the cowboy with me Sonny Jim (a song covered by Kelly Willis on her Easy album) and Walking down Madison.

Kirsty was also well capable of recording distinctive covers of other people's songs. Their diverse sources show that Kirsty was not a lady that anybody could typecast. They include A new England (Billy Bragg), Miss Otis Regrets (Cole Porter - one of two duets with Irish rockers The Pogues), You just haven't earned it yet baby (The Smiths), Days (The Kinks) and Perfect Day (Lou Reed - a duet with Evan Dando of the Lemonheads).

Her biggest UK hit was the other duet with the Pogues - a Christmas song titled Fairytale of New York. It can be found on several British Christmas compilations and is not really typical of Kirsty's music. I would describe Kirsty's music as sixties pop rock updated for the eighties with a little folk and country added into the mix.

If Kirsty had pursued her career with single-minded dedication, some say she could have been a world megastar. Maybe, but she wanted a life outside music. As a consequence, her musical legacy is limited, but the quality more than makes up for that.

This is one of those rare discs that grows on me the more I listen to it. It's catchy and upbeat, so it works as pure ear candy in the background when I have guests. But it also works in a more intimate setting, in headphones while walking or working out, because there's quite a bit going on in the lyrics too.

Erin McKeown has a fascinating voice. It's kind of tangy, like Dido or Rachael Yamagata, and she brings subtly different vocal characterizations to the different songs. She's not just singing, she's acting, which is appropriate, because one of Grand's themes is the golden age of film. Judy Garland is referenced in two songs, "cinematic" and "vera," and used to perform a third, "lucky day." "cosmopolitans" and "a better wife" debunk hollywood fictions of the ideal life, but the jazzy vocals and music lends a layer of spunky irony. "Cosmopolitans" warns me that "loneliness is expected if not predicted," and although I get the message, I can't help immediately singing along with the insanely catchy, sedative-seeking chorus that follows: "painless! don't you wish you were weightless! famous!"

This is the first Erin McKeown album I purchased (I bought it after hearing "a better wife," which is unlike any other song i've heard recently). I've never seen her perform. Some McKeown fans say this album is too mainstream; compared to her previous work it may be more radio-friendly. (I do find the chorus of "James" reminiscent of Jem's "24!") But in my opinion, this album is far from mainstream. It's catchy, but it's also quirky. The music is retro-influenced. The lyrics are clever. There is only one song I don't like on this album ("vera", kind of drab). And there is only one thing I don't love about this album: it's too well-crafted to be confessional. McKeown uses the term "lady" incessantly on this album. She's very aware of appearances, especially when she's mocking them; and I feel like the emotions here are filtered, so this isn't a good album for cathartic moods (unless you want to be cheered up despite yourself)! But overall I love "Grand". It's fun, it's intelligent, it's my favorite album right now, and I will definitely buy McKeown's next as soon as it comes out.

In Grand, Mckeown blends 60s-era pop and folk with results that are charming and addictive. The quirky songs songs cover everything from the straightforward (bad relationships and career doubts) to the fantastical (a command dance performance), all in a bouncy, cheery beat. A blogger I read said that Mckeown is "playing the soundtrack to my life." I couldn't agree more.

so great. love it and all the rest of her work. this may be the best (at least today). buy it!

Sorry : ( but do not buy this album (as I did) if you are looking for "anything" to do with shag music. Additionally, do not buy this album expecting it to live up to the other 19 reviews, most of which I suspect are authored by friends of the band. It is not remotely close to the worst CD I ever heard, but it is not remotely close to the best either.

knee deep shag is a great, under-credtied band. this cd is a great, under-credited cd. buy it. take it from me, a complete stranger, you want this cd. i know a few of these guys, and not only are they ridiculous musicians, they are really cool guys. although their live shows are indescribable, this cd will have to do for those who can't get to one. you should buy one.

'the roots go down,
the plant goes up...
good love.. in a plastic cup...'

I must say I've seen maybe a hundred bands live... BUT! Nothing was quite like seeing these guys live! These guys from Michigan really ROCK!! Their music and lyrics penetrate your skin so easily... I got this CD (they have a new live one too I guess, and it's a shame it's not on sale here!)and just couldn't take it out of my CD player for a few months... Seriously addictive!! If you catch them live, you'll know what I mean... It's a shame they are not as popular as they deserve.. I'm sure that's gonna change sometime soon..

Bottom line: Don't miss them if they step in your town!

I have been a Robyn Hitchcock fan since the mid '80s. I think songs like "Globe of Frogs", "Meat", "The Devil's Coachman", "Beautiful Queen", and "Cynthia Mask" are absolutely wonderful. At his best, Robyn Hitchcock mixes together emotional sensitivity, a clever use of language, and a playful spirit to create some of the most endearing alternative rock music that you'll ever hear.

To be honest, I think Robyn records every single song he writes (rather than writing them, living with them a while, and then recording the ones that hold up over time). Most of his LPs include a few absolute gems, a few pretty decent songs, and a bit of pointless filler. As a result, I often find myself making mix CDs that include the best moments from all the Robyn Hitchcock CDs that I own. I suspect that a lot of his fans do this.

One day I was reading reviews on Amazon.com and I saw that people described "I Often Dream of Trains" as the most "personal" and "intimate" LP Robyn ever recorded. At the time, everyone who reviewed it gave it five stars. The little description explained that this LP was a mostly acoustic effort that Robyn recorded in a friend's barn after a bit of a personality crisis. That description interested me because I think many of the weaker Robyn Hitchcock songs either get tangled in silly wordplay without ever making an emotional connection or (less often) get recorded with a more commercial pop sound that seems less genuine to my ears. This "personal" and "intimate" acoustic LP sounded like just the thing I was looking for.

"I Often Dream of Trains" was a HUGE disappointment to me. It includes THREE totally stupid novelty songs ("Uncorrected Personality Traits, "Ye Sleeping Knights of Jesus", and "Mellow Together"). In two of these songs Robyn even sings in dopey accents (a southern accent in "Sleeping Knights" and a sleepy, drugged out voice in "Mellow Together"). What is so "personal" and "intimate" about wacky novelty songs?!!! Did anyone ever describe Weird Al Yankovic's songs as "personal" and "intimate"? Even worse, the CD version of this release includes additional versions of the horrible novelty tracks as a "special bonus"!

Maybe Robyn should have recorded a children's album and unloaded all of his sillier tracks there instead of stinking up his regular LPs with that kind of junk. Don't get me wrong: I love a bit of silliness in my music from time to time. Still, some of this stuff comes off more like a Raffi album than like something that an adult would want to hear. It is childishness pushed to the point where it is just embarrassing.

This silliness continues into several of the other songs too. "Furry Green Atom Bowl" and "The Bones in the Ground", for example, are prime offenders. You can just hear Robyn thinking, "Okay, what is a completely silly and meaningless line that I can write that rhymes with the one I just wrote?" He just doesn't seem to be trying to write anything meaningful or interesting here. Robyn comes off as very insincere with these songs, as if he just can't seem to stop making goofy jokes, even when a serious topic comes up.

There are maybe two good songs on this LP. "My Favorite Buildings" and "I Often Dream of Trains" have that playful, touching element that made me a Robyn Hitchcock fan in the first place. Neither of them, however, are as good as the highlights from his other LPs. They just stand out because they aren't as pointless as the rest of the songs here.

So, I would only recommend "I Often Dream of Trains" if you have a 3-year-old child who you want to turn on to alternative rock. If you are at least old enough to drive a car and you want to hear music that is "personal" and "intimate" you would probably be better off buying "Storefront Hitchcock", a live LP that includes stripped-down versions of many Robyn Hitchcock classics played mostly on acoustic guitar and joined occasionally by violin or a second guitar.

Sorry for the long review. I just had to vent my frustration. I am a longtime Robyn Hitchcock fan and I felt burned by this CD.

I remember the first time I heard this album. I was already fully dedicated to finding anything he had released and anything he would ever release in the future. By 1988, which is approximately when I picked up this on cassette, music was pretty over-produced and obnoxious sounding. It also was in the death throws of too many decades of taking itself seriously. Robyn Hitchcock, for me, was the perfect antidote to that entire era. Without him, life would have been very annoying.

So, it was with some shock to realize almost halfway through "I Often Dream of Trains" (having never read a word about it before) that it was entirely acoustic. Robyn was, as it later turned out, returning from a self-imposed retirement stage and had a bucketful of songs.

With the addition of the middle section of songs on the CD releases (all of which are instant classics themselves) "Trains" is an even fuller, richer experience. Alternating between his three favorite styles (dark laconic, psychotic, and hilarious), "Trains" is an achievement because it best represents the extremes of all of these strains. "Sometimes I wish I was a Pretty Girl" is just a one line joke, but it sounds like the ravings of a killer. "Flavour of Night" is easily one of the most beautiful songs ever written. And, the much beloved "Uncorrected Personality Traits" is a defining moment in music (you will either love it or hate it, but you will always remember that you heard it.)

In short, this is a classic. It may not always be the first album of his I reach for, as it is a demanding thing to listen to, but it is easily in the top 5 records he's ever made.

I was actually shocked to read Hitchcock fan's reviews on here that didn't like "Trains." I don't judge you, but I do wonder what it is that you like about the music. This is classic stuff.

I own several Hitchcock albums and of the one's that I have heard none come close to this one. There are several silly tracks which is to be expected with Robin but then there are the ballads. "I used to say I love you" is an example of many haunting ballads that grace this album. "Sometimes I wish I was a pretty girl" and "Ye Sleeping Knights of Jesus" are more light hearted fare but still decent songs but the ballads are where the real magic lies. Syd Barret influences abound on this one as usual.