Alternative Rock music reviews

Although all the tracks on this CD are extremely soulful/rockin/funky (choose your adjective) The first two tracks flow together beautifully, and have wound up on numerous mix cd's I've made for friends. Invariably, my friends are blown away and buy the album for themselves. I can't get sick of these guys after years of listening! My only question is what ever happened to them?!? I Googled the heck out of them and came up blank. If they're still together, it's definitely time for another CD!!

This is the best album I have; it's funky, easy-listening, just everything fab rolled into 12 songs! Brilliant!

This album is an inredible mix of rock, punk, funk, hip-hop and "cha cha." Very powerful music. Can't wait for the next album. TRUE ROCK AT ITS BEST.

I really do love both of the Super Deluxe albums that were put out. They're both fantastic works of music and it was really unfortunate that themselves and Green Apple Quick Step came about near the time of the "Death" of Alternative music. These were more sonically comfortable albums than some of their Seattle predecessors and showed great promise.

That being said, I also have to admit my bias. I've got a special affinity for this album as it also contains work by my brother on keyboards. He became friends with Super Deluxe while playing in the Seattle scene with his band, the Amatuer Lovers, and it made it easy to become a fan of these bands as well.

They just make good pop music. It kind of transcends genre and style, as it really doesn't fit into a category all that well. It's too clean and polished sounding to be "grunge" or "alternative" from the same era, but comparitively too "experimental" to also be considered "rock." I almost consider it to have qualities of 70's Pop music as it's very accessible, it sounds like something that you may have heard before, and now, it just makes me feel nostalgic.

If you haven't heard any of Super Deluxe's CD's, check them out. They're great.

I have been to an absolute ton of Super Deluxe concerts and they are a band who sounds even better live then they do on the album. This is that one album that you should take a risk on even if you have never heard of them I promise that you will not be disappointed.

i have loved super deluxe since 6th or 7th grade--i've seen them live, met chris lockwood--they are the best band to come out of seattle. this cd is perfect--i thought they couldn't top famous, but they have--this cd is amazing.

WOW. This CD is the best purchase I have ever made. It has, I believe, 32 songs, and the set list is incredible. I love this night's version of Yellow Ledbetter, Wishlist, Given to Fly, Do the Evolution, RVM and MFC. The sound quality is perfect and the crowd does get into some of the songs. I have heard the cds from Poland, Jones Beach and Las Vegas, and this was my favorite by far. Even when Eddie messes up, the songs sound great.

Disclaimer: Owner of all 72 official PJ bootlegs. This massive show has one of the longest set lists in the entire bootleg series, with a whopping 31 songs, and also has one of the longest running times. Apparently Pearl Jam was feeling sentimental about playing in Verona, as they hadn't been there for a while, so they pulled out all the stops for this show. Granted, the musicianship in this performance is not very noteworthy and can be considered rather average (as compared to the rest of the bootleg series), and there are many mistakes. Also, the extra-long set list starts to really drag during the huge encore, and the show really runs out of steam near the end. However, the band's enthusiasm and love for the fans are what set this show apart. There are many surprises in the set list, including a little bit of "O Sole Mio" at the end of "Even Flow," Mike McCready's insertion of some Black Sabbath riffs into "Porch," and intense jam sessions in "Daughter" and "Rearviewmirror." In the covers department, Tom Waits' "In the Coliseum" appears for the only time in the tour as Eddie Vedder's crowd pleasing chant-along, while Split Enz' "I Got You" makes one of only two tour appearances (although the band's rendition is pretty undeveloped). The highlight of the evening is a grandiose and transcending take on "Immortality" which is even greater because Eddie actually remembers all of the lyrics. They didn't perform this incredible song too many times during the tour, possibly because poor Eddie had such trouble with the words, but tonight everything works, and not just in this song.

This is an unbelievable set! The sound quality is excellent for a live recording. The show begins with one of my personal favorites, Long Road and kicks right into Grievance (personal favorite from Binaural). From there the stage is set for a great evening with Pearl Jam. The crowd is totally into the show, PJ's palying to the vibe which creates some great moments for us on this disc. I believe there's actually 32 tracks on these two CD's. They feel the need to play extra long this evening due to the fact that they haven't been to Verona since their No Code tour! Pay careful attention to "I Got You" it's a nice surprise. Great starter set for fans that have only begun the collection process.

This music is great. The attitude is great. The lyrics are great. Track this down and listen, if to nothing else, to the ending track, Contemplation -- a melancholy and soulful bluebeat organ and horn instrumental that will never leave you.

I kept hearing "this is the Slackers' best CD" but hadn't ever heard it. I had all of the other CDs and loved 'em, and couldn't believe that those albums don't live up to this, their debut. Then I got this album, and realized everyone was right. As great as their other albums are, the songwriting and arrangements here are incredible, and even make up for the less-than-stellar early-90s production. If you liked their other albums (or liked them in concert) you'll love this one. Pure genius. I can't ever see myself getting sick of this album.

Ahh the Slackers. My favourite ska band. Purveyors of what saxophonist Dave Hillyard refers to as 'the Jamaican music known as the Ska, the Rocksteady, and the Reggae'. If I had to pick a favourite Slackers album, it would be this. Or the Question. Or Redlight. Hmm. Anyway, Better Late Than Never features an expanded line up, including King 'Skinnerbox/Stubborn All-Stars' Django, with Victor Rice in the producers chair. The result is a somewhat more laidback sound than the others (if that's possible), ie perfect summer music. If I had to name a stand out track, I'd have to say 'You don't Know I', or '....'. Just buy it. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say this, but seeing how this item is currently unavailable, one place you can try is from Moon Ska Europe, still going strong.

This is a very solid album, and I will not discount the quality of a lot of the songs and the intelligence of some of the lyrics. The title track (and I think, the single) "Coming Home" is the track that sticks out the most to me, though I have difficulty saying that this album has a "hip hop" feel to it, given that that feeling seems to be strictly for the reason that it sounds like the songs have strictly drum machine loops instead of a "real" drummer. There isn't much else that's "hip hop" about it, but that's not what I was looking for in the album, so it wasn't a "dissappointment" for me.

The only dissappointment that I had was because this wasn't as "groundbreaking" as other reviews had lauded it to be and the dissappointment stopped at that. Aside from not being "groundbreaking" this was a solid effort, especially from a first album, and it was well worth the $6 I paid for it to get it used here, so for $6 of your hard earned money, I would have to say RUN OUT AND BUY IT!!! It'll make a nice addition to any collection, and most likely, you'll be the only person on your block to have it, so all your friends can jealously ask "Who is that you are playing in you Stereo?"

This band is sooo so good. I highly reccomend it. This band has so much potential, so incredibly good. Its got a feel good groove going that has a nice rock twist, with meaningful lyrics.

i usually only listen to hip hop but this white boy has it goin on! he's got some mad flava to them beats, yo! i say let this sista roll and i will show ya what it really feels like to get "funkdafied"! no whut i'm sayin?

THIS IS,INDEED,A 4.0/4.5 STAR RATED ALBUM.SOLID,ROCKING RELEASE WITH NO "FILLER".BUT IS IT REALLY BETTER THAN SLICED BREAD??
NO,IT IS NOT THE GREATEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME....
SO RECONSIDER SPENDING 100 BUCKS ON THIS THING.IT WILL BE RE-RELEASED EVENTUALLY SO BUY YOUR mOTHER A NICE GIFT ON mOTHERS dAY INSTEAD

This CD is killer - why is it out of print!!!. A departure from Kyuss for sure, less of the muddy sound (which was sweet) and more straight ahead rock. Garcia's vocals are so strong and emotive. I wouldn't say they carry the album because the musicianship is so dialed in. But his vocals and lyrics always seem to make everything gel. Well crafted songs, no filler.

I got this baby on Ebay for $28 because it was out of print and I'm glad I did. Pick it up if you can find one.

Viva la Stoner Rock!!

John Garcia's Unida is a great band, and this album is one mean motha. Those expecting the spacey fuzzed out jams of Kyuss will not find it here. Instead you get eight huge rocking stoner anthems to bang your head to, full of gigantic riffs and huge vocal deliveries from John. If that's not enough, then you need to get off this page.

Quite simply every track on this album rocks hard, and John gives it everything. 'Thorn' kicks things off with a simple and catchy riff with John wailing about love and lust. Great groove throughout the song, a fine opening. Things don't really change direction, but then they don't need to. 'Black Woman' is one of my favorite moments on this, especially when the band come back in to pummelling power chords after a stylish guitar solo. Just great rock n roll.

The band keep knocking out great riffs and songs. 'Plastic' is a bit of a slow burner with a real groove-laden close. 'Nervous' is probably my favorite track on the album with John's resentful delivery of 'You should have told me, you had another f*cking breakdown' laced over a monumental riff and no-nonsense skin bashing drumming. If this one doesn't get your head bobbing and toes tapping, then you have absolutely no hope.

Simple try and get this album, despite it being out of print, you need this in your rock collection.

Fans of Kyuss, Dozer, Karma to Burn, Hermano etc will enjoy.

THIS IS,INDEED,A 4.0/4.5 STAR RATED ALBUM.SOLID,ROCKING RELEASE WITH NO "FILLER".BUT IS IT REALLY BETTER THAN SLICED BREAD??
NO,IT IS NOT THE GREATEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME....
SO RECONSIDER SPENDING 100 BUCKS ON THIS THING.IT WILL BE RE-RELEASED EVENTUALLY SO BUY YOUR mOTHER A NICE GIFT ON mOTHERS dAY INSTEAD

This CD is killer - why is it out of print!!!. A departure from Kyuss for sure, less of the muddy sound (which was sweet) and more straight ahead rock. Garcia's vocals are so strong and emotive. I wouldn't say they carry the album because the musicianship is so dialed in. But his vocals and lyrics always seem to make everything gel. Well crafted songs, no filler.

I got this baby on Ebay for $28 because it was out of print and I'm glad I did. Pick it up if you can find one.

Viva la Stoner Rock!!

John Garcia's Unida is a great band, and this album is one mean motha. Those expecting the spacey fuzzed out jams of Kyuss will not find it here. Instead you get eight huge rocking stoner anthems to bang your head to, full of gigantic riffs and huge vocal deliveries from John. If that's not enough, then you need to get off this page.

Quite simply every track on this album rocks hard, and John gives it everything. 'Thorn' kicks things off with a simple and catchy riff with John wailing about love and lust. Great groove throughout the song, a fine opening. Things don't really change direction, but then they don't need to. 'Black Woman' is one of my favorite moments on this, especially when the band come back in to pummelling power chords after a stylish guitar solo. Just great rock n roll.

The band keep knocking out great riffs and songs. 'Plastic' is a bit of a slow burner with a real groove-laden close. 'Nervous' is probably my favorite track on the album with John's resentful delivery of 'You should have told me, you had another f*cking breakdown' laced over a monumental riff and no-nonsense skin bashing drumming. If this one doesn't get your head bobbing and toes tapping, then you have absolutely no hope.

Simple try and get this album, despite it being out of print, you need this in your rock collection.

Fans of Kyuss, Dozer, Karma to Burn, Hermano etc will enjoy.

This is one of the last great rock-psychedelic albums of the 90's,(since nowdays there are no bands that perform such kind of music-you know the reasons-charts,commerciality,etc)and it can only be characterized as perfect.It is way ahead of it's time,and only true musical fans can appreciate it's value.Carl McCoy and his boys elevate our feeling,to a different reality.Outstanding vocal performance from one of the best singers in Goth scene(depth and mystery masks his voice)along with solid bass playing(which is the backbone,as it should be)keybords that only fill and they not exceed-and drums alike,and finally those guitars become so alive in some points which they make you believe that they are alive..Goths should be proud that such a band belongs in their family..Carl McCoy is a musical genious,not only because of Elizium but also about everything he had done so far..Enjoy..

without exaggeration, this cd was [ironically] an enlightment... it changed my musical views and tastes.
TIP: turn lights off, lie in bed and spin it... i swear there will be NO need for any drugs for you to fly... back to pre-history.

I cannot stress how wonderful this album is... Not being a goth fan, although i have some goth CDs in my collection, i got really surprised when i listened to Elizium for the first time. It was my first Fields of The Nephilim record and i was thinking that it would be like Sisters of Mercy or sth. It suprised me in the same way Pink Floyd did many years ago, sth that happens not so often nowadays. I spent the whole night listening to it repeatidly and honestly i got so excited that i was chasing my friends, in the middle of the examination period, in order to gather and listen to it. The funny thing is that everybody disagreed but when i managed to convice them, the reaction didn't let me down. For the next few days my cell phone was under SMS attack "oh my god", "what was that?", "unbelievable" etc etc. The truth is that Elizium is a great record, one of the thousand great records that are around, and if you are prejudiced about gothic you will really get surprised! It has atmosphere, sound quality, lyrics, well... a reason to exist! The music is between rock and metal, that is it is quite heavier than the usuall '80s goth like Siouxsie, Bauhaus etc with influences from Pink Floyd and with a voice from the outer space. The artwork is also very beautiful, the frond cover is very clever and the European edition from Beggars Banquet that i own includes lyrics. Andy Jackson did the sound engineering and John Carin played keyboards. If you like good music you should check it out, whether you enjoy this style or not. It is a necessity in any serious collection.

Definitely one of the top '90s rock records.

Wow. I've long known that Kristin has some of the most loyal fans in the business, but how they can all call this sow's ear a silk purse boggles the mind.

I myself have been a TM fan for what seems like forever (a friend turned me on to the band long before they were picked up by a US label), but I can't find anything at all to like in this new endeavor, which screams "mid-life crisis" to me. And "screams" is the operative word: 50 Foot Wave is harsh, tuneless caterwauling that bears no resemblence--NO RESEMBLENCE WHATSOEVER--to Throwing Muses in their heyday. KH is substituting volume for subtlety, power chords for melody, atavism for artistic growth. Even at risk of offending an artist whose works have meant a tremendous amount to me over the years, someone has to say it: this is total garbage.

Caveat emptor.

Not since Sugar's "Beaster" EP have I heard such a tight and hard driving set. It's not going to change your life, but for fan's of Hersh's simultaneous disaffection and absorption, this is the ticket. What else do you want?

It does. A crashing wall of music that'll knock you over if you're not careful. The new band is like some of the more energetic TM work; listening to it makes me want to listen again to The Curse, a really great live recording of some of Throwing Muses' best. 50 Foot Wave isn't exactly another TM incarnation, but it is high quality Kristin Hersh music. I'd really like to see them live, I bet it's an amazing experience.

I have no idea where the Velvet Underground comparisons come from in relation to Luna. The singer resembles Lou Reed only in the sense that he occasionally (actually, more than occasionally) sings off-key, but he sounds an awful lot more like an upper west-side latte wimp, than Lou Reed's late 60s, early 70s Alphabet City junkie. The music is tuneless (actually, Tiger Lilly is mildly catchy, but that's about it) and has none of the noise or melodic stylings of VU. In short, they sound like a very watered down Galaxy 500. There's so much worthwhile music out there--I'm really sorry I wasted my money on this bland, boring, arthritic stuff.

I'm surprised to see that this album isn't more heavily reviewed because I'd put it up there in my top hundred, easily. I'm a long time fan and this album in particular has always been a great listen, not just for me, but anyone I've played it for. For example, I have this silly story: I was a lifeguard at the township pool for 4 summers as a teen and I was a bit of a musical rebel. I would always try to monopolize the cd player, and on rainy days all of the lifeguards would have an opinion about what they heard. We woud listen to all kinds of stuff, most of which I didn't personally enjoy, but occassionally I got to put on The Cure or even The Smiths. Soon I'd loose my music choice privileges and mostly I'd have to endure more drivel for a while. Well, in the summer of 1994, I'd been there for 3 years and had some seniority, plus as far as good music was concerned, it was in abundance. One summer evening, I played 'Bewitched' on a cd player facing the pool. Everyone was so relaxed they nearly feel asleep! I don't mean that in a negative way. Perhaps it's a bit of exaggeration, but no one even realized the time while they listened to it. Everyone enjoyed it so much they forgot who put it on or what they were doing and asked aloud, "Who is this???" I answered proudly, "Luna." From then on, 'Bewitched' was in heavy rotation at the pool that summer. Just sitting there at a nearly empty pool at sunset, seeing the glistening reflection of the sun on the water to the sound of the title track of 'Bewitched' is something I'll never forget, which, might be partly due to the fact that I was going though a break-up, but that only added to Luna's appeal for me. I saw Luna in late August at the Troc in Philly that summer, brought my friends and a beautiful girl I'd recently met, and witnessed some of the most intimate and blissful rock music I'd ever seen. My date loved it, though I'm sure she was a bit confused about how anyone even knew about them. But did she buy a CD afterwards? Who knows? I doubt any of the lifeguards at the pool did, however, everyone loved it nontheless. Believe that this album is timelessly good rock music and everything will work out. Play it loud and proud!

A lot of folks who have reviewed this cd seem to like Penthouse more. I, on the other hand, put this alongside their latest and and final disc, Rendezvous as their most shimmery and addicting. Wareham's lyrics and delivery are beyond charming. The guitar work is clearly inspired, and they have a tone that is mood elevating as it is also melancholy.....I love this band!!!!! I had the good fortune to see this band live back in the late 90's (they opened for the Cocteau Twins), and alas, I didn't pay attention to their performance..........