Alternative Rock Compilations music reviews

I have read Kevin's story, and was encouraged to get the album. But, I am writing this review because the music is flat-out excellent. I am a huge Pearl Jam fan, and found it really cool to hear that Stone and Mike helped out with the project. Also, I haven't heard much of the Robots, but "Merlot" is a fantastic track, as is "Doorslams" by their lead singer. "Doorslams" is so haunting, I can't get it out of my head. Great find - I can't wait for a full CD of theirs. Anyway, well worth the investment, and I can't wait for the second one to come out.

Kevin Moyer and friends have captured a piece of Portland and have done so beautifully! From the hip/hop sounds of 'Hatin' to the far east callings of 'Song for the Streetkids', Live From Nowhere Near You reminds us what music is all about: freedom of the soul, no matter who you are.

It's A GOOD THING!! After hearing this wonderful cd entitled:
Quiet Time, I want more! Martha chooses a wonderful mix of
melancholy tunes to sooth and relax the soul. Sit back and relax, while you reminisce the times in your life. What could go wrong, you have Judy Collins, Eva Cassidy and Carole King all on one cd. Eva does a wonderful version of Sting's "Fields of Gold", Judy sings "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" such a classic song-sad but true in every way, I had to get a tissue for this tune,and Classic Carole King singing "Safe Againg" as fresh as if it was sung a day ago. If Martha Stewart does anymore cd compililations, I just have to realize that I can't just cook her recipes for my entertaining, but I have to have her music
too! Maybe the next step is Martha will come to my house for
dinner. 5 stars Martha, good work!!, or I mean I'ts a GOOD THING

I saw this album in Kmart and I was amused and curious to see what ... kind of album Martha Stewart would be pushing. After I turned it over and saw the selections, I saw something I liked. I had heard Eva Cassidy's Fields of Gold at the Winter Olympics (and I have since become a rabid Eva Cassidy fan, but that is another story), and I saw a couple of other selections (I like Emmylou Harris) so I thought it was worth a listen. As it is, this is one of my all time favorite albums.This is such a delightful album, and many tunes were lovely but I had never heard them before. Besides Fields of Gold, I really enjoy the duet with Jan Ardenn (who is singing with none other than Jackson Browne) Unloved; the achingly tender Sand and Water (about a widowed grieving woman raising her son alone...), If these walls could talk by Jimmy Webb is touching and heartfelt. The other selections are equally lovely. Even Song to the Siren by Tim Buckley, has a enchanting appeal. I really recommend this album... If you like relaxing, meaningful music, you will like this album...

This record has a lot of good songs from a lot of good artists and such. It has a lot of variety so a lot of people will like it. My favorites on here the Violent Femmes song and the Bad Religion song. The songs from Weezer, Oasis, They Might Be Giants, the Sex Pistols, and Radiohead are also great.

MTV 120 Minutes Live feature brilliant in-studio recordings of such alternative rock ballads as "Supersonic" by Oasis and the tender soothing melodies of Perry Farrell and Porno For Pyros with "Kimberly Austin." My favorite track, however, is the surreal "Fake Plastic Trees," performed by Radiohead.Also a track to be noted is "It's About Time" by Evan Dando of The Lemonheads. This song features excellent accoustics!

As someone who grew up in the 70's and 80's, I was turned off country by the Conway Twitty/Ronnie Milsap style cheese that dominated country radio. Unfortunately, country radio has not improved at all since then. Today, all that seems to distinguish "country" from the prepackaged music played by pop and rock stations is a little twangy Southern flavoring (as opposed to the hip-hop flavoring that makes today's pop-rock "edgy"), as well as artists for whom cowboy hats are apparently a part of their anatomy.

Thankfully, the editors of "No Depression" magazine have done music lovers a tremendous favor by reminding us that great American music never really went away, even if it is largely ignored. Covering every sub-genre from country-rock (Whiskeytown's "Faithless Street") to honky-tonk (Doug Sahm's "Cowboy Peyton Place") to straight-ahead folk (Neko Case's "Thrice All American") to heart-breaking ballads (Allison Moorer's "Is Heaven Good Enough for You" and Kasey Chamber's "Dam") to gospel (The Carter Family's "No Depression in Heaven"), "No Depression" consistently hits high note after high note. This disc proves that real country has nothing to do with cowboy hats or NASCAR, and everything to do with real music and real human emotions. If any great country stations still existed, this is what they would sound like.

I can't wait for Vol. 2.

After nine years of writing about music, the editors of "No Depression" have cut out the wordy indirections with this thirteen track essay on alternative country music. No doubt they've been pieced together compilations like this for friends, but now those outside the immediate circle now get to share in their obsession. This thirteen track collection has the breadth needed to stake out a genre as hazy as "No Depression." There are founders (The Carter Family) and legends (Johnny Cash, Doug Sahm, Emmylou Harris), alt.country darlings (Whiskeytown, Robbie Fulks, Alejandro Escovedo, Lucinda Williams) and artists from the various spokes of the alt.country umbrella. And as if that weren't enough, there are frictional sparks thrown off by several surprising collaborations.

It's fitting that the collection opens with one of mainstream country music's biggest stars and most ornery individualists, Johnny Cash. The combination of Cash's riveting baritone, Willie Nelson's song of a murderous preacher, and Seattle's finest grunge-rock musicians (Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, Nirvana's bassist Krist Novaselic, and Alice in Chains' dummer Sean Kinney) is just the sort of alchemy that frees country music's essence from Nashville's commercial constrictions. The battle between John Carter Cash's acoustic 12-string and Thayil's storming electric provides truly magnificent accompaniment to Nelson's tale of temptation.

Alison Moorer's "Is Heaven Good Enough For You" provides a compelling segue, tagging off on the preacher's theme to introduce a moving eulogy for Moorer's mother. It's an incredibly confident and personal turn for a debut album (this is drawn from Moorer's 1998 "Alabama Song"), and features superbly wrought harmony singing. It's a perfect example of how major labels (MCA in this case) can innovate on the edges of their commercial inclinations. Buddy Miller's "Does My Ring Burn Your Finger," provides another side to that coin, having been turned into a hit single by Lee Ann Womack. The latter couldn't muster the deep soul of this original, but showed off the sheer quality of Miller's songwriting.

Whiskeytown's "Faithless Street" finds poster boy Ryan Adams summing up much of the alt.country experience with Gram Parsons' styled anguish, and the declaration, "So I started this damn country band / `Cause punk rock was too hard to sing." The combination of twanging guitars, bending steel and Caitlin Cary's old-timey fiddle lines show off several of the flavors included in the No Depression rubric.

Segueing once again, Adams wasn't the only artist who'd gravitated from punk rock to country. Alejandro Escovedo, having started out in The Nuns and crossing genres with Rank and File, settled in by founding the Austin-based True Believers, and subsequently recording a series of solo albums. Escovedo's "Five Hearts Breaking" shows how well he writes with the troubadour's touch and human detail of Springsteen and Zevon.

Neko Case's "Thrice All American" is a moving waltz-time ode to her hometown of Tacoma, WA. The near-jewel of the Pacific Northwest (Seattle won the railhead and the battle was over) has always struggled for identity in the shadow of the nearby Emerald City, and with dwindling input for its pulp-mill, the downtown has never seen the resurgence city planners continually hope for. Tacoma's residents struggle similarly, and Case, having moved to California, sings with a dollop of regret.

Robbie Fulks' "Parallel Bars" shows off the sort of lyrical dexterity that (once-upon-a-time) made Roger Miller a star. Unfortunately, Nashville was no longer in the mood for this sort of cleverness in the mid-90s, leading to Fulks' exasperated kiss-off "F*ck This Town." His duet with Austin-based songbird Kelly Willis is full of twang and steel.

In the end, this collection shows that there isn't actually a "No Depression" sound. Instead, the genre is defined by its ethos, rather than the specifics of its melodies or instrumentation. And in that sense, it's closer to the original roots of country music than the formulized sounds that emanate from Nashville. "No Depression" is the sound of music rendered for communication, rather than commerce. It's music whose emotional detail is found at the surface, heart firmly on sleeve. Some of these artists may have come to country music in reaction to punk rock burnout, but like those steeped in the music from day one, the cathartic channel of these hill-bred sounds is just at home in the big city as it is on the farm.

The album closes with a trio of tunes that more directly call out their roots. Hayseed (aka Christopher Wyant) duets with Emmylou Harris on the traditional "Farther Along," and a rowdy "mob" of alt.country musicians, including Mark Olson, Victoria Williams, and Greg Leisz sing Mickey Newbury's nostalgic "How I Love Them Old Songs" under the moniker of Hole Dozen. The album ends fitfully with the magazine's monikorial inspiration, The Carter Family's "No Depression." The musical starkness of the Carters provides great contrast to the album's other dozen cuts, but the continuity of emotion and purpose is clear and undeniable.

Anyone interested in learning what all the fuss about would be well served by this lively and beautifully programmed disc. Those who are already "in the know" will enjoy the opportunity to have No Depression's editors be your DJ for an hour. Now, when's Volume 2 coming out?

By buying this cd you can only listen to the best music from the past 4 months. The tracks are the best of the top 40 all over the world.

kind regards from a dutch musicfan. johan

Usually the UK Now series includes the biggest recent chart releases, and this is no exception. But NOW 45 went even further, including 3 songs that didn't become #1 until after the CD was released! Those 3: Fragma with Toca's Miracle (a combination of Toca Me by Fragma, an instrumental, with the vocal from Show Me A Miracle by Coco - bizarrely the two acts had never met even when the song hit #1), Craig David's Fill Me In (Craig, at 18, has become one of the youngest solo male artists to reach #1), and Don't Call Me Baby, by Australia's Madison Avenue.

The tracks are largely pop & dance oriented. Neither Britney (who's Born to Make You Happy was another #1 in Feb) nor BSB are out of place. Americans will also recognize Sisqo, whose Thong Song is probably the most hummable dirty ditty in Top 40 history, Montel Jordan, Shania, and, of course, Imagine by John Lennon, which was re-released last Xmas.

Several tracks have US connections. Gabrielle's Rise samples Bob Dylan's Knockin' On Heaven's Door, but takes a different path. The Melanie G (Sporty Spice) track features Left-Eye from TLC. Mama Told me Not To Come by Tom Jones and The Manic Street Preachers was a US #1 back in 1970 for Three Dog Night. Martina McCutcheon's Love me was a US hit for Yvonne Elliman circa '78. Sweet Love is a dance version of the Anita Baker classic. Chicane's Don't Give Up has a vocal by Bryan Adams like you've never heard him before. In Your Arms is a radical update of Fontana Bass' 1965 Rescue Me and Killer 2000 doesn't stray far from the original by Seal and Adamski.

The CD finishes off with 4 tracks that don't fit in with the others. C vs. I (or Cognisenti versus Intelligentia) is a dance version of the tune on the hugely popular HampsterDance site, with snippets from Disney's Robin Hood and Kermit Schaefer's Bloopers tossed in. Moby's Natural Blues is from one of the most critical lauded releases of last year. Neither Blink 182 nor John Lennon need any intro to anyone who might remotely think of buying this album.

The cause this album supports is vital and essential. But even if the proceeds didn't benefit Parkinson's rearch (which, fortunately, they do), this would be an important, don't-miss collection of music.

The two discs collect works by some of the most talented and diverse songwriters and musicians alive, and it is eloquent testimony to how they approached this project that they contributed such strong songs. From Bonnie Raitt's majestic "Fearless Love" to Terri Hendrix's upbeat "Goodbye Charlie Brown" to Sara Hickman's beautiful lullaby "It's Alright" to Michelle Malone's charged-up rocker "Flagpole" and on to every single cut on the two discs, there's not a single weak track. You can hardly wait to hear the next one as you listen, even as you're enjoying the one that's playing. It's also an excellent way to get acquainted with musicians you haven't yet heard.

This album offers a twofold benefit: the chance to survey the state of songwriting today, while doing some good in this world. What more could anyone ask for?

This is an amazing collection. It is unique in several respects:
1. 100% of the profits fund research to help find a cure for Parkinson's (Parkinson's is a neurological disease that affects an estimated 1 million North Americans -- a cure is considered within reach)
2. the 39 songs offer a remarkable variety of artists & genres that I've found appeal to people of all ages

The CD was created by 3 people whose Mom has Parkinson's. The photo on the front shows her holding one of them as a baby. As I understand it, the artists donated the songs.

I bought a slew of these CD's as gifts. Friends/family of all ages love the music, & I have the satisfaction of knowing I've supported an important cause.

Merry Christmas!

Okay, I got this album as a Christmas gift. I was so excited, and then I put it on, and loved it! Almost every single songs is one of my favorite songs...ever! I love this album! It has huge pop songs from 1999-2002. They are all great. I wish it would be more pop, and less hip-hop and rock/punk! Except Britney, thank goodness she isn't on this album.

I love this album and encourage you all to get it. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Merry holiday day!

-BiLLy

These songs are classics of the late '90's and early '00's. These are the songs that my friends and I love. They bring back my favorite memories. Sleep-overs, parties, and my first school dance. I didn't think I had that many memories, I'm only 11!

I was originally looking for the song Whirly Girl by OXO and stumbled across this compilation album. I've seen other compilation albums with Whirly Girl, but the other 80's songs were, well, in a word, yuk. This one has most of the songs I absolutely loved (and had forgotten about). Would make an excellent workout or party cd. Heck, I may have a party just to show off....

That song was the reason I got this. But i was also blessed with Pass the Duchie...

This is a great collection of new wave feel good hits of the 80's and is a hit at all my parties The sound is great and the collection is solid.

thumbs up!

A strange little collection featuring some fantastic, upbeat hits of the 80's. If you are looking for a good workout CD or a dnace mix, this is it.

Attention "Silence Of The Lambs" fans. This CD has the Ultra- Rare Q Lazzarus song (Goodbye Horses) you have been searching for! The hauntingly beautiful music playing while Buffalo Bill struts his stuff is here in all it's glory in a 6 min. 25 sec. extended version! Worth the price of this disc on it's own. However, the rest of the disc will make you want to wax up the dance floor and return to the Synth Pop sounds of the 80's!

I bought this for one song that was no longer available to buy on it's own. With that in mind, I'm glad to have the other songs too. You know how you get that feeling from way way way back in your mind and things you haven't thought about in years come back? That's what happened when this was playing in the background. Good music from the teenage and early twenties of my life.

I must admit I originally wanted this cd because of the ultra rare 12" mix of Love Parade from The Dream Academy. Many if not all are very hard to finds. I could have done without Tears For Fears on this cd but for the rest it's a true find for people looking for the real eighties dance music. A must have for any serious collector.

..if you're a fan of any of these bands then you've already got these remixes (or heard them at any 80's nite).

there are some remixes that can't be found anywhere, so buy IT!!
go KROQ 106.7 los angeles

I've been a DJ for over 10 years and frankly I'm real tired of the same old versions of the great 80's tunes we're so used to. These remixes are familiar enough to satisfy your clients AND YOU!
The extra bonus of course are the abundance of rare remixes never before seen on CD. If you're a collector, you better get this series while you can and get every one! This is a killer collection and if you look at the price you can see that they are already getting premium dollar and they are not even out of print yet! Buy as many as you can afford!

DJ B-Rad