Alternative Rock music reviews

If you're ADD like me and a cd can't hold your attention, you'll love this one. Each song is very unique, but everything flows vrey nicely together. If you like world music, but don't know much about the artists, this CD will give you a little taste of everything. Guaranteed to hold your attention!

I am a big fan of this mix by Luaka Bop. A nice bargain cd, which allows you to sample many different groups from all over the world. The first cd is really upbeat and gets you going, while the second cd slows you down alittle and is perfect for a relaxing dinner party.

I bought this CD because I was interested in a singer, Susana Baca. So, get this, the CD was on sale with a bargain price so I got it. What a find! I just love being surprised like this...and I'm tough!

Remember 1987? that year all the big bands released there finest stuff (U2, Midnight Oil, Inxs, George Michael, etc..) well Icehouse was 1 of those bands too! Man Of Colors Starts off w/ the smash hit single "Crazy" , Followed by there biggest Hit "Electric Blue" , co written by John Oates. Other note worthy singles also fill out this album "My Obession & Nothing Too Serious" respectively. The "Title Track" is a beautiful ballad & "The Kingdom" is a surprise of pop intensity. The only problem I have w/ Man Of Colors is that it sounds too much like sell out. this album is the place to start for ALL new Icehouse fans.

When I was almost done with High School there was this one song that I had heard in a video on MTV, and it was "Crazy," from this album, which had me haunted. The video began with a DJ (Iva Davies, the band's leader) in Sidney, Australia (where the band is from) giving good morning to his listeners, as a gal calls in, with the first rays of sunshine sipping in through the blinds of the transmission booth... as the first cords of the guitar start to sound in the background. I thought it was an incredible intro to an incredible song. Transports me to 1988, but still sounds great in the 21st century. Enjoy!

Filled with great pop hooks and unusual instrumentation, Man of Colours is among the best of the Australian Pop albums.

A must have record...absolute masterpiece for all kind of music fans. Yes, you could label this as minimalist, but put on your headphones before going to sleep and enjoy the genius of Mark Hollis...whispering voices...the essence of contemporary music...

A track from this just came up on my jukebox. When a track from this record, Spirit of Eden, or Laughing Stock comes up on the player, time just stands still. I guess this is the function of transcendent music. Really, Mark Hollis and Talk Talk changed music. They had far more influence on musicians than they did on the market. Being a musician, this is what I aspire to - not music that sounds like this, but music, any music, that can move and captivate like this...what a gift.

I got this CD from as a special gift from a friend 6 years ago. She thought I will love it since we both were a long time collector of music.
After a long time listing to it and experiencing this sublime music over and over again, I can tell you that my experience with Mark Hollis solo album is incredible: never get tired of it, and always is about beauty and great music.

I understand that this CD is only found as an IMPORT. My is from Germany and the sound of the recording is gourgeus even when this includes dealing with silence.

If you are a serious collector or like good music over the usual shallow expectations of commercial music, don't doubt it and expect perfection!

I bought this CD off of CD Now for 24 cents, I figure hey I couldn't possibly go wrong with such a cheap purchase...First off, when I bought this CD I didn't know Scapegoat Wax (aka Marty James) rapped. Not only that, but his style is like Kyprios or Hierogryphics type stuff, and I was very impressed! Especially the song Eardrum, great track!

I'm happy I bought this CD, it's definetly something different then the usual crap that I listen to.

Okeeblow has become one of my favorite albums over the years, and it's disapointing that the band hasn't been able to attain more commercial success. Marty James of Scapegoat Wax is a master at creating a catchy pop sound fusing rap, funk/soul, R&B, and singing/songwriting that grows on the listener with every spin, while never really waring itself out. The album is a clean, creative blend that puts James' artistic versatility front and center, especially on tracks "Aisle
ten", "Freeway",and "Space to Share". The beats and rhymes on "eardrum" are effectious to say the least, and "Almost Fine" is classic self-depricatingly honest Marty. Okeeblow is one of those rare gems of a pop record that is thuroughly enjoyable, and best of all, diverse, displaying a unique blending of sounds on every track, that adds up to a sound that belongs solely to 'Wax'. Out of all the great and classic albums I have in my collection, it is amazing how often I reach for this little known record by the unknown, small town hero from Chico. Undoubtedly trivial as far as it's message, but an overlooked pop classic nonetheless.

I heard Aisle 10 ( Hello Allison) on MTV2 one night and thought it was incredibly catchy & the video was hilarious. I had to pick up this album see what it's about. I'm glad I did this is one of the most creative, ecclectic albums I've heard in a while. Marty James has a unique style of rapping over looped samples in a hip hop style on songs Aisle 10 & Star 6. This album incorporates hip hop with Aisle 10, blues, funk on the song Freeway, & soul with Crawling. His influences are evident from Beasties to Chili Peppers & Beck. Stand out tracks are Aisle 10, Freeway, Crawling & Party of one but the whole album is outstanding the produciton is done very well. One of my favorite albums in the 90's & recommend checking it out.

Siouxsie SIoux..We salute..I danced so hard.."Hong Kong Garden"..Early Siouxsie was this..Raw crunchy guitars that spoke with her idealistic lyrics..Disco in "Israel"..Siouxsie was beautiful then and now..Artsy and new wave in "Christine", and "Arabian Nights" the first of these songs being an artful part punk part new wave mish mash.."Tinderbox" is the other album that shines..Be 17 again..Go buy "Once Upon A Time" and get the history and the attitude of youth that keep our world alive..Hey Rick and Colleen remember me? Let's start a punk band..

I have loved Siouxsie & the Banshees since my introduction in junior high school. I'm mid-30's now and this album is still incredibly beautiful, artsy and romantically gothic at the same time. Siouxsie has such an amazing voice - and the Banshees are an incredibly tight band. Budgie is a terrific drummer. Listen to "Christine" and "Israel" and become spellbound. If you love The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Joy Division, Mission UK - then give the Queen of Goth a shot!

Essential for any and all Siouxsie&The Banshees fans.Sure,it's an early compilation,with material from 1978-81.Every one of the CD's ten cuts are a winner,like "The Staircase Mystery","Love In A Void",the insanely written "Happy House","Christine","Isreal","Spellbound"(one of my all time favorites)and "Arabian Knights".Top rate goth alternative.It's nearly impossible not to like at least a couple of these tunes.Sounds just SO good,that it almost hurts.Voodoo enthusiasts,fortune tellers and goth queens,rejoice!Highly recommended.

Siouxsie SIoux..We salute..I danced so hard.."Hong Kong Garden"..Early Siouxsie was this..Raw crunchy guitars that spoke with her idealistic lyrics..Disco in "Israel"..Siouxsie was beautiful then and now..Artsy and new wave in "Christine", and "Arabian Nights" the first of these songs being an artful part punk part new wave mish mash.."Tinderbox" is the other album that shines..Be 17 again..Go buy "Once Upon A Time" and get the history and the attitude of youth that keep our world alive..Hey Rick and Colleen remember me? Let's start a punk band..

I have loved Siouxsie & the Banshees since my introduction in junior high school. I'm mid-30's now and this album is still incredibly beautiful, artsy and romantically gothic at the same time. Siouxsie has such an amazing voice - and the Banshees are an incredibly tight band. Budgie is a terrific drummer. Listen to "Christine" and "Israel" and become spellbound. If you love The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Joy Division, Mission UK - then give the Queen of Goth a shot!

Essential for any and all Siouxsie&The Banshees fans.Sure,it's an early compilation,with material from 1978-81.Every one of the CD's ten cuts are a winner,like "The Staircase Mystery","Love In A Void",the insanely written "Happy House","Christine","Isreal","Spellbound"(one of my all time favorites)and "Arabian Knights".Top rate goth alternative.It's nearly impossible not to like at least a couple of these tunes.Sounds just SO good,that it almost hurts.Voodoo enthusiasts,fortune tellers and goth queens,rejoice!Highly recommended.

TYPE O NEGATIVE's first album, SLOW DEEP AND HARD, was a call to arms for the revolution of gothic metal. While hardly a consistent effort, it still has many strengths built on the musical foundation of the band. They can churn out great songs, but ORIGIN OF THE FECES was the real test. While having more of a "live" sound, it's also not a live album. "Paranoid" is the best track on this album, very creepy, slow, and kind of threatening. But for most Type O elites, "I Know You're F---ing Someone Else" kicks the album off in true Type O style, with Peter Steele's sense of humor still very much intact. The musical style that would define later releases was glimpsed here, with the guitar work of Kenny Hickey was starting to come into play. "Hey Pete" is a hilarious take on Jimi Hendrix's classic "Hey Joe". Instead of the tale of murder, it's Type O's tale of revenge on a cheating girlfriend. The wordplay between Peter and Kenny is great...it's got the Type O stamp all over it. The only quibble I have with ORIGIN is its sound. While still accessible and very crafted, its muddied in its production and it's the weakest album in terms of sound, but that doesn't mean its bad...not by any means. But, they could have seriously improved the overall sound of the album and it would have been instant classic Type O.

As it stands, ORIGIN OF THE FECES is another necessary step for Type O Negative, and one that would ultimately bring them into the spotlight with their next subsequent million-selling release BLOODY KISSES. If you want a sarcastic sense of humor, good musicianship, and can bear muddy production, ORIGIN OF THE FECES should keep you thoroughly entertained.

BEYOND MANDATORY!!!! HERE CERTAIN PART's FROM ''SLOW..'' REINVTED VIA BRITISH ''Oi'' ACCENT!!+ MANY OTHER GOODIE's!!

LIFE IS HAPPY..nope!!

The ''PARANOID'' cover is enough to put my head throguh a wall, FEEL THAT GLOOM!!!!!!

TYPE O was maybe the best band of the 90's, see them take a stab at the STUPID media which they hate!!

This is sort of a bookend to their first album, 'Slow, Deep, and Hard'. It's a faked live album, with rearranged versions of songs from SD&H, plus two cover tunes. The anger comes through clearer on these versions, as Peter Steele's tone of voice is ferocious-he sounds even bigger than his 6'6"/240lbs., if that's possible. I wouldn't want him pissed at me. The guitars and bass are thicker, like a laser beam-a precursor to what we would get on 'Bloody Kisses'. Josh Silver's keyboards/organs are heavier here, making his presence more prevalent than on SD&H. Since Silver and Steele produced this one, I feel that this album is more indicative of what SD&H would have sounded like had S & S had their way. The live version of 'I Know You're Fu@#ing Someone Else' is 3 minutes longer here, clocking in at 15 minutes, long even by TON standards. It doesn't get old though. There's enough rearranging, including Peter's (hysterical) 30 second acapella version of 'I'm in the Mood for Love' that comes out of nowhere, to keep things moving along. However, it's the cover songs that have the lasting impact. 'Hey Joe' is now 'Hey Pete', more menacing in that the lyrics now have the huge Peter Steele wielding an axe on an unfaithful lover rather than some guy shooting his unfaithful lover and running off to Mexico. Also, what's cool about this version is that it's told in the first person rather than the third person. I like the way Kenny Hickey asks Peter "Where you goin' with that axe in your hand?" twice before the deep voiced Peter responds as only he can. (Peter adds "I really don't go for that sh@#!" between the 4th verse and the chorus that injects some of the now patented TON black humor into the mix). Lastly, 'Paranoid' is absolute perfection. If you take a look at the lyrics that Ozzy wrote, they actually fit better with TON's style than anyone else's. Slow, dark, dirgy, and super heavy, you've never heard a song redone like this before. Like 'Summer Breeze' on 'Bloody Kisses', this new version explores depths that the original never did/does. 'Paranoid' is a studio cut-the first with current drummer Johnny Kelly. As usual, Josh Silver's simple but effective keyboard riff takes an amazing cover tune further, into timeless darkness. Buy this if you don't already have it. It's definitely a must for all TON fans-

If you enjoy the style, Paige is very talented and you'll like the music. Maybe not as polished as some... BUT... the BEST music, in my opinion, is music that not only is enjoyable to listen to (because of the artist's talent), but also helps me connect with God (because of the artist's HEART). Paige has used music as a way to express her heart's thoughts, cries, joys, etc., but always in the context of her relationship with and reverence for God.

As for the songs that one reviewer referred to as having "too much saccharin", I disagree. A heart that knows God is going to experience joy and wonderment that such an awesome, perfect, holy God would care so much about little us to give us so much beauty and His Son as gifts. Again, Paige is being real with her audience -- and, IMHO, has a great grasp of what is really important in life -- God, not her.

Paige, if you are "listening", I encourage you to, first, keep God in the place I believe (from hearing your music and some quotes) He has in your life -- He is everything, and life is about Him! What you have given us in your first album is truly a gift and a treasure, and I thank you very much for it. If God so leads you to, keep writing songs that are truly from your heart, a heart that is His. Don't let anything compromise your answering His call. I look forward to more music from you, if that is God's plan for you.

I got to see Paige in concert during Winterjam 2002 (I believe).
It was funny - I enjoyed her music (and that of Brother's Keeper) much more than the Newsboys, who were the big name in the tour.
Anyways, this album is a 'don't miss' if you like folk rock Jennifer Knapp styled music.

Paige is the coolest ever! She is goin to be a rockstar. She is seriously one of the coolest people i have ever met. She is a extremely Godly woman that is very talented. Paige if u come across this by any chance, I love you chica. I want ya! (inside joke)lol

He's so enamoured of place-names!--lots of Sagittarius in his horoscope I believe.

Cale chose his Desert Island Discs on BBC 4, thusly:
[FYI]

1. She Belongs To Me - Bob Dylan
runners up=
Some Kinda Love - Velvet Underground
In My Room - Beach Boys
She Said, She Said - Beatles
Switching Off - Elbow
Alexandra Leaving - Leonard Cohen
Song Of Athene - Westminster Abbey Choir
Here Comes The Flood - Peter Gabriel

Interesting!

I must admit I was a little sceptical about this album beforehand; having heard that this was a very classical inspired album and that I might find it a little hard accessible. Therefore I was happily surpised to discover that this in essence is an album of mostly great songs - tastefully arranged and produced.

The classical thing is more or less only come forward on the title track and "Endless Plain of Fortune" - and even those two tracks are really just rock-ballads with an orchestered accompaniment - and both very strong tracks.

The rest of the songs are not very unlike the best material on "Vintage Violence" and "Fear".

The opening track "A Child's Christmas in Wales" is a gorgeous tune, greatly played and built up by Cale and his band, featuring Bill Payne, Richard Hayward and (not least) Lowell George on guitar. The melodic slide guitar really add to making this a song you wanna hear over and over again. "Half Past France" is another track in the same category is "Half Past France".

The most immediately catchy track is the acoustic "Hanky Panky Nohow".

Another outstanding acoustic track is "Andalucia" - heartbreaking lyrics and vocals.

The song where the Little Feat contribution is most obvious is the shuffle rocking "Macbeth", which unfortunately seems a little out of place, being pretty wild and noisy compared to the rest of the album.

"Graham Greene" is a quite funny song with a reggae-beat.

Overall Cale lyrics are mysterious, at times slightly dark, but usually delightfully thought-provoking.

The album was produced by Chris Thomas (Badfinger - Procol Harum) and with Cale's songs and arrangements he has been a part of creating another classic.

This album may easily qualify as my favourite John Cale album (a toss up between Paris 1919, Fear, and Honi Soit). Granted, it's not much like the other two albums cited; Paris 1919 shows a much more tender side to Mr. Cale, and because of this, the album almost seems to coddle you through the speakers. It seems to be a reminiscent whiff, and an attempt at recapturing certain moods and atmospheres, all of which make this album feel very familiar. This is not to say that there aren't more melancholic or upbeat moments; but regardless of individual songs, the overall impression given is of some tender longing, some whistful moodiness. As other reviewers have mentioned, Mr. Cale is backed by the core of Little Feat (Lowell George, Ritchie Hayward, Bill Payne) adding superb musicianship to the mix on favourite tracks like "A Child's Christmas in Wales", "Hanky Panky Knowhow", "Andalucia", "Macbeth", and "Antarctica Starts Here". Though it's only about half an hour, this album is definitely worth the price of admission.

I've bought this CD with "Tinderbox". Well, I prefer "Nocturne".
The older Banshees-stuff is more powerful (don't you think so,too?).
O.K. before that I've listened to a horrible Live-album of Christian Death. It must have had some kind of influence...

I remember first getting this release on double-length cassette.'Nocturne' is a sixteen track reissue of an '83 shindig that was recorded at London's Royal Albert Hall.Duration:76:43.Superb sound quality.Setlist is great,with many of the Siouxsie classics,like "Israel","Cascade","Painted Bird","Happy House",the timeless post punk gem "Spellbound" and "Voodoo Dolly".Can't forget their two Beatles covers,"Dear Prudence" and "Helter Skelter".Highly recommended.

The Banshees were a great band, and at their peak (perhaps between 1978 and 1984: _The Scream_ to _Hyaena_) they burned the brightest of them all. They had the best songs and the best singer, one of the most interesting band sounds, especially with Budgie on drums, and John McGeogh (rest in peace) or Robert Smith on guitar, and in an era where the New Puritanism of the post-punk era still required rock stars to scowl glumly for all photos, and ruled out "dressing like a rock star" or "putting on a show" on-stage, the Banshees were as theatrical as Queen or Bowie.

Sure, the Banshees were in at the birth of punk, they were the band Sid Vicious was in before he joined the Sex Pistols, but in their secret heart of hearts Siouxsie and the Banshees were always romantics, and they were all the better for it.

In spite of their excellence they were in some ways an inconsistent band. Every Banshees album except for _Join Hands_ has enough great tracks to win four to five stars from me, but it's also true that every album holds its share of filler. It's all good filler, except on _Join Hands_, but each album contains moments of ecstatic brilliance and some minutes that are well short of that. Which is why these days I more often find myself listening to the two superb singles collections, _Once Upon a Time_ and _Twice Upon a Time_, rather than any one of the albums. If you've heard a Banshees track on the radio and you want to explore further, or if you're a moderate fan who doesn't want to invest in the complete set of 12 or so albums, then I'd suggest that those two collections are your starting point.

But once you've owned and digested those two CDs, and you want more, I'd be inclined to recommend hearing the band at their live best. And that means _Nocturne_, which captures the Banshees on their 1983 tour with Robert Smith at the fretboard.

Don't waste your money on the live _Seven Year Itch_ DVD from 2003; sadly, it's an off-hand run-through of some old hits by a singer who can't sing any more and a band that's forgotten what that music was about, and doesn't seem to care. _Nocturne_ is 20 years better, with a singer with 20 times the voice leading a band with 20 times the energy.

So Nocturne starts with Stravinsky at his primitive best, the rhythms of _Rite of Spring_ merging neatly into a driving, superpowered performance of "Israel". This is followed by a gorgeous maroon-velvet version of Lennon's "Dear Prudence", another clue that the skeleton in the Banshees' closet was never a punk, nor a Goth, either. "Paradise Place" falls fractionally below the high standards established to that point, but things recover with a suitably liquid, and beautiful, version of "Melt".

Other highlights include lush versions of "Cascade" and "Painted Bird", the psychodrama of "Eve White/Eve Black", "Night Shift" and "Voodoo Dolly", and the wild horse gallops of "Happy House", "Helter Skelter" and "Spellbound", highlighting Budgie's drumming and Robert Smith's driving/droning guitar sound.

It's a great concert; most of the songs sound better than on their studio versions, and enough energy is generated to pull some of the weaker songs along. I could quibble with the selection: I'd like to have heard "Christine", and for that matter "Hong Kong Garden" as encores, or even instead of "Paradise Place" and "Switch", but you can't have everything. But if you've got the singles collections then you already have those tracks, and this concert complements those collections by featuring the Banshees in their slightly darker, more intense and less poppy aspect.

This is a great concert by a band burning bright, and you should have it.

Cheers!

Laon