American Alternative music reviews

This is an excellent collection of the Boston based '80s band Salem 66. The 1st 3 songs are from their debut 1984 EP (for those too young to know, an EP was "extended play" usually a 10" vinyl 33). Melodic, harmonious, mellow post-punk with a psychedelic tinge, and with such provocative lyrics as "I could love my murderer, but I could never love yours". Trippy and dreamlike soundscapes.

Then 4 songs from 1985's "A Ripping Spin" where they really nail their unique visionary style with catchy melodies, harmonies, and driving rhythms. Beth Kaplan's "Across the Sea" and "Ancient Eyes" show 1st rate song structure and seductive innocence in the singing style. Judy Grunwald's "Playground" gives us a glimpse of a true rock'n'roller with a Lo Fi quality that grows on you. Left out are the 2 best Ripping Spin songs: "Love and Truth" and "The Vessel", so get your hands on the original album if you can find it.

The next 11 songs are taken from the great 1986 album "Frequency and Urgency" where the vision is developed further with a more professional sound featuring 1st class guitarist Tim Condon and drummer Jim Vincent. Almost all songs here should be considered classics of the '80s Indies.

Little did we know the '90s would be filled by a wave of less worthy female bands. Salem 66 towers over them all.

The first 3 Wipers records are all brilliant, but "Youth of America" is the one that really stands out. While it contains the vibrance and intensity of punk rock, it displays musicianship and creative production rarely found in the genre. Every song is completely different and completely excellent. "Taking so long" if vintage Wipers punk, fast, vicious riffs with angst filled, emotionally charged lyrics. It would not sound out of place on either "Is This Real?" or "Over the Edge". "Can This Be" follows and begins to show Greg Sage's incredible ability to compliment an energetic rocker with real thoughtful guitar lines. The real difference between this and other early Wipers albums is best illustrated in "When It's Over". The exquisite guitar movements that leads this mostly instrumental track through 6 and a half minutes of viscious beauty, are some of the finest ever to played on a "punk" album. The epic titular closer is another example of how Sage and Co. expanded their sound to encompass experimental and psychadelic music into punk rock. The song starts off with a brilliant verse/chorus/verse movement that is vintage early 80's punk, but leads into a sonic exploration closer to something from Neu!. All the while the bass and drums are holding down a rock solid, 2 note groove that allows Sage to morph his guitar lines and vocal snarls into a swirling mass of sound. In the hands of a less talented individual "Youth of America" could have been a self-indulgent, boring, obtuse, jam album (even w/the breakneck tempos), but Sage (who decided to produce this himself after being unhappy with the way that "Is This Real" came out after being forced to re-record his original version in a pro studio) makes this into the ultimate statement by a real punk rock auteur. This is an album that is definatly the brain child of a single mind, but the ability to bring so many elements into a punk rock album has made it the standard bearer for others, such as Sonic Youth or Dinosaur Jr., who would bring punk to new musical levels in the years following this release.

Swing, Swing was such a great song, and I love the tune, the lyrics, the voice and the amazing guitar.
I was so surprised to like them, I mean you do tend to think of them as cheesy guys who have been dumped by their girlfriends back in the middle 'o nowhere, Oklahoma! but WOW it was greaat and I loved most of the songs, exept I disliked happy endings.
i would reccomend this album to most people but Move Along is more enjoyable.

Tyson, Nick, Mike and Chris make a great band with good songs but I warn you, it is very short.

I was skeptical about buying this CD, but to my surprise, it was quite good. I love many of the songs on here. Has good replay value too.

I love this CD. It's so fun and upbeat. I have loved it ever since it first came out and I haven't gotten sick of it yet. I purchased this one to replace my old one that is scratched. LOVE IT!

Sorry had to get that out, but the question needed to be ask, why did dave mathews have to, IMHO, tarnish is incredible career by making any new albums after the perfection of the first three. All the new stuff has nothing in it for me...which brings me to this album. Its great just like the other two, there is a great mix of guitar, jam-rock percussion and brass to make a person really enjoy what they are listening to. Some stand outs are Stay, Dont Drink The Water, Spoon (Alanis is actually chilling on this one, and she isn't quite as annoying as she always is, thats another story though), and The Stone. Great Album, not so great future ahead of them afterwords. Sorry guys, but this will be my last stop (pun intended, sorry).

This is easily DMB's greatest album. Everything about it is stellar, the songwriting and arranging, the performances and interaction of the musicians, the production. Sadly this would be DMB's last great album. While 'Busted Stuff' was certainly good, it simply does not compare with this. And frankly 'Everyday' and 'Stand Up' are awful, thoroughly boring mediocre material with virtually no interaction between the musicians, something which made DMB so interesting to begin with. This album however is stunning from start to finish. 'Rapunzel', 'Don't Drink the Water', 'The Last Stop', 'Dreaming Tree' are amongst their best songs. And this album contains two of my all time favorite DMB tracks, 'The Stone' and 'Crush'. Every member of the band shines here, everyone contributes to the music. Tim Reynolds guitar on 'Crush' is stunning. If you only own one DMB album make it this one.

I've decided after listening to this cd such an awful amount of time, it was worthy of a review. This album is just so amazing to me. It's personally my favorite DMB record by far, Crash and Under The Table & Dreaming in at 2 and 3. This is probably their darkest release and it's so emotional. So many great jams on this and just about every song is 6+ minutes which i love. Every single song on here is just amazing, and it's a very diverse cd.

1.Pantala Naga Pampa 8/10...A short 0:40 second fun intro, that actually manages to hold it's own as a song. But still basically serves as an intro to..
2.Rapunzel 10/10...What a great song. Starts off fun keeping in unison with the previous and then it switches into lush melody, this is classic DMB.
3.The Last Stop 9.5/10...Wasn't a huge fan of this song at first, but it has since grown on me alot. It has an Native kind of feeling to it, and it's pretty dark, great song.
4.Don't Drink The Water 10/10...Probably my second favorite on the cd. The verses are amazing and kind of creepy, and then it gets passionate and a little darker towards the end, just fantastic.
5.Stay (Wasting Time) 8/10...Eh. Probably my least favorite song on the cd. Good, don't get me wrong, but the ladies singing gets annoying quick and this is probably the most up beat song on here, taking away from the mostly dark theme.
6.Halloween 10/10...Wow. Very rarely do you see this much emotion crammed into a song, a whole album for that matter. This is DMB's darkest song, and it's so raw and Dave pretty much loses it at the end, probably my favorite.
7.The Stone 10/10...The great songs don't stop rolling. Best violins on this song. The beginning is as cool as any DMB intro has been. Love it.
8.Crush 10/10...While Halloween was about not having someone, this one's more about having someone and loving them dearly. The jazziest song on here, and it really is probably in their top 5 best written songs.
9.The Dreaming Tree 10/10...Was initially one of my favorites before i decided the whole cd is. Reminds me of a less jazzy Crush for some reason, great song.
10.Pig 9/10...I didn't like this song that much at first, but i listened to it more and it's great. Nothing horribly special but Dave sings very melodically in the end.
11.Spoon 8.5/10...A very good song, but the silence after it bugs me. I especially like Alanis Morisette's singing part in this. Very soft and a good way to end it.

I never thought i could like Dave Matthews Band, but i actually love them. They build songs better than any better out there. This is their best album, there's not enough good things to say about this. Highly recommended.

Out of the Some odd 200 CD's I own and listen to, this ranks in the top five. Rob Thomas' vocals draw you into each and every song and demand your attention. There are some awesome guitar riffs and the beat to every song is original and catchy. I enjoy the full band sound on "Black and White People", the lyrics to "If You're Gone", and who can NOT like the funky beat in "Mad Season"? With hits such as "Bent" and "Crutch", this CD is too great not to own. Like another reviewer said. "Go buy this. Now."

I bought this CD after hearing "If You're Gone".
I'd never heard of Matchbox 20 before that track. I absolutely fell in love with the whole album. Great listening!

The fact that these guys hit the charts with their debut release "Yourself or Someone Like You" with such Pop appeal didn't impress me enough to run out and buy this second release; I received it in a bulk buy on eBay. One listen to this artful, soulful expression of the guy's take on relationships, sudden success and enduring sense of innocence and vulnerability made this a 'score'.

Forget the cut by cut commentary - this music reflects an artistic maturation process that is awe-inspiring and stunning; they've become tighter in their delivery and, perhaps that is reflected by the truly talented arraingments and writing. They make it sound easy.

The last cut, "You Won't Be Mine" signals very good things to come. Indeed, it does it's job so well that you will simply sit and contemplate it's delicacy until, perhaps four minutes after it has ended you will get another surprise and a variation of the arraingment floods the senses with the promise of what talent and sensitivity can mean to such an art form as this.

I remember watching Dawson's Creek faithfully every weekend many years ago and loved the kind of songs they played in the show. Listening to this album kind of reminds me of the style of songs played on Dawson's Creek, but I guess its almost like listening to any Goo Goo Dolls album - too many songs sound similar to each other, its almost formulaic. However, the band manages to tweak the formula sometimes to produce very good melodies that stand out from the rest. For me, these gems on the album are "Everything You Want" and "Best I Ever Had". "Finding Me" is quite good but it sounds a bit too "generic" - too typical of pop-guitar music these days. Personally, I find most of the songs forgettable except for the 2 gems I've picked out.

I bought this ablum when it first came out. I really enjoyed it. Being an older rocker myself; I enjoyed the music. The kids (mine) liked it too but they soon grew tired of it probably because I played it so much.

The other evening I heard another cover of a couple of the songs covered by Verticle Horizon on this album. So, I pulled theirs out again and listened again. It is still (after 6 or so years) an excellent album. I put it back into my car and now some of my friends are asking .... "hey, who is that? I really like it!"
It does still sound new.

It is a great album. I wish I had purchased it sooner.

Um. I have nothing against bands that are "mainstream". That has nothing to do with their quality of sound. (granted, many mainstream bands are horrible, but they all deserve a chance, no?) Dave, though, he has never impressed me. Not that he's awful, I suppose it's okay background music...better than nothing. Just oh so mediocre.

I don't understand why is he so highly praised? Voice-wise? Eh. Nothing special. Lyrics? Hah! Music? umm... bland? it's all the same! Maybe I'm missing something?

If you like one of Dave's songs, then by all means, buy this! You can be sure your money will be spent on nearly exact replicas of that song.

Two stars because it's at least music. But that's on the high side, considering how static it is. Dave will never find a place in my cd player or in my computer.

I am a fan of the Dave Matthews Band, but not of Dave Matthews. Personally, I think Dave is lacking in guitar and vocal talent. However, Boyd Tinsley, the violinist, is superb, the drummer can lay down some great beats, and the LeRoi Moore, the saxophonist, is great, and would make a successful jazz musician. Tim Reynolds, who makes a major guest appearance on this and every other DMB album, is one of the best guitarists around. Two Step is one of the best songs I have ever heard, and Tripping Billies, Lie in Our Graves, Too Much, and So Much to Say are definitely not lacking in any respect. I love the energy displayed on Tripping Billies and So Much to Say. Lie in Our Graves displays great jamming, and Too Much has some very funky saxophone and violin pyrotechnics. Compared to the majority of mainstream music, this is pure genius, but if you compare it to some more serious jam bands, prog bands, and jazz bands it is not quite so great. One of the things this band definitely accomplishes is, through their brilliant openers, such as Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Galactic, Robert Randolph, Umphrey's Mcgee, Gov't Mule, Widespread Panic, Keller Williams, Trey Anastasio, and moe. they introduce mainstream music fans to truly impressive music. While I do not like their teenie bopper/frat boy fanbase, I would reccomend this album (However, if you want more "intense" music, check out the said openers as well as Drums and Tuba, the Grateful Dead, Soulive, the Disco Biscuits, Karl Denson, New Monsoon, Jake Shimabukuro, Railroad Earth, and Jethro Tull). All in all a great album(with Two Step as one of the best songs ever), and the only mainstream band I truly enjoy.

I am a big fan of rootsy, acoustic rock with some jam band style, but not too much jam band style. This album is a fantastic treat that consistently delivers great music, song after song. If you enjoy this album and are looking for some similar albums then I recommend the following:
1) Beneath These Fireworks by Matt Nathanson
2) Good To Be Here by Ernest Goodlife Band
3) 1972 by Josh Rouse

The thing is, I was never a fan of Matchbox Twenty, but through the years I became attached to 2 of their songs: "Back To Good" & "Unwell". So I bought their first album to get "Back To Good", and I liked it pretty much, so then I bought this one to get "Unwell", and I like it even better. The first one was sort of Southern-folk-country rock, which was OK, but this one is a mixture of harder rock and good old commercial pop, with all kinds of variety thrown in for good measure. Just as an example, the bridge in "You're So Real" sounds so much like The Beatles, it's scary. The lead guitar work is amazing all through the CD. Kyle Cook is a vastly talented rock guitarist, but I imagine he could play anything he wanted, and I'm sure he is one of the main reasons for MB20's success. Of course, Rob Thomas is the big enchilada. He has terrific songwriting skills, a potent but expressive voice, and all the charisma necessary to be a frontman, with more to spare. Some of the lyrics make me think he should be a psychiatrist. He seems to understand my obsessions ("Disease"), my optimistic rationalizing ("Unwell), my disappointments ("Hand Me Down"). and my acceptance of inner turmoil ("Soul"). And by the way: DO NOT miss the "hidden" track that follows the official 12th track, "The Difference". It is hot and mean musically, and lyrically a sublime depiction of dark defiance in the face of despair.

Feel - Angsty. Sometimes I swear he's yelling, almost teasing-ish. But I love the guitar that is present in this song, and the chorus is pretty effective. Makes me smile.

Disease - I love the way he sounds like he's almost suffering in this song. Very catchy, though not my favorite. I love the guitar, as I did in Feel.

Bright Lights - I don't know why, but this is probably my least favorite song on the album. Anyways, the piano is great, though I would like a bit more instruments present. The lyrics are very soft and pretty, though I find The Difference to be prettier.

Unwell - Gotta love this song. The lyrics are so funny and interesting, and you can relate, almost. Like he's talking about weird stuff happening to normal people. I love the banjo (?) work in it. One of my favorite songs ever.

Cold - This was one of the first songs I noticed the drums avidly. Lovely, fast-paced song. Catchy.

All I Need - The lyrics are not my favorite, though the beat in the background makes up for it, I think. Though I will admit that "Life ain't no beauty show" makes me smile every time I hear it.

Hand Me Down - My favorite song on this album. Made me feel like there was a story to it, though at the same time, it was just emotion. And of course, the instrumental work was awesome.

Could I Be You - Probably my second favorite song on this album. I love the lyrics, and the beat goes well with it, especially with the piano and the drums.

Downfall - The gospel choir was not expected, but definitely appreciated. Definitely, I think, added to the power of that song. Because it's definitely that - powerful.

Soul - Pretty song. Soft and delicate, slow. I love the way it just casually sinks into a drum beat, and then into his vocals, but still keeps up with the beginning beat. Pretty lyrics, too. Pretty pretty pretty.

You're So Real - I love the way it's sorta off-beat, but still catchy and fun. Awesome; fast. (Yes, I realize that is not a complete sentence)

The Difference - It's one of the better songs on this album, in my opinion. Though my tastes aren't really inclined to romance songs, this one was so sweet you can't resist it.

So Sad, So Lonely - A hidden track in The Difference. (The title So Sad, So Lonely has been widely accepted, though it's really just a hidden track). I love this song. Love it love it love it. It's so fast paced and almost raw, dirty, but good. Awesome. Worth listening through The Difference to get to, even if you hate The Difference (gasp).

With this and their other two studio albums in your cd player you've got about four hours of material that for me, makes me drift through my past and think about where I'm going. Nighttime listens are preferred with fireplace or candles lit. Your favorite cocktail is a must. Wish they would get back together and make more music.

In the decade-and-a-half since the release of this album, AFTP has come be hailed as R.E.M.'s greatest moment. That conclusion is surpising given that AFTP came right after "Out of Time," a more varied and engaging work. "Automatic" is by all means a solid album with a few truly brilliant songs. Nevertheless, the album drags toward the end, losing momentum after "Ignoreland" with one languid song after another. The album is also marred by "Star Me Kitten," with its bizarre and needlessly foul-mouthed lyrics. With a little trimming, this album might have been as great as its reputation. In the absence of the necessary editing, the album is merely very good.

REM is one of the greatest alternative rock bands around.GET THIS ALBUM!

Highlights-
1)Try not to breathe-An amazing song,it's about despair.Quite harrowing.
2)Everybody Hurts-One could see this as the counterpoint to the former.This song says you're not alone if you're suffering,because "everybody hurts."
3)Sweetness follows-A melancholy song about loss&recovery from it.
4)Monty got a raw deal-Michael Stipe's ode to Montgomery Clift.It has an amazing opening section,with a Celtic flavor.You'd think it was Michael Flatley,not Michael Stipe.
5)Nightswimming-Chris Martin of Coldplay thinks this is the greatest rock song ever written.In fact,he's right on this one.(Though his song "I will fix you" just comes across as---wrong)This is a melancholy reflection on the past;it could be interpreted as a song about forbidden love,furtive meetings,the fear&anticipation.The piano&string quartet make this an intimate,almost classical,piece.
6)Find the River-An astounding song about life's journey.It wraps up the melancholy tone of this album with hopefulness for the future.

Yes,this isn't feel-good pop;this isn't Haylie Duff or Justin Timberlake,but it is a TRUE MODERN CLASSIC!!

This is one of those albums that you appreciate more each time you listen to it. Rarely can an album be considered a masterpiece, but this comes close. First, I need to say that I am not even an R.E.M. fan. I don't like their old stuff and I don't like thier new stuff. Nothing personal, it just doesn't do anything for me. I bought this album after I got Dashboard Confessional's "A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar enhanced limited edition" which had a bonus DVD of DC playing 7 covers of R.E.M. from "Automatic For The People." The DVD got me so into the songs that I had to go and buy it (my brother had it when I was younger but I didn't appreciate it then). I used to like "Man On The Moon" when I was younger, but this album has so much more than that. "Drive" starts the album perfectly and "Try Not To Breathe" is excellent, with heartfelt lyrics. "Everybody Hurts" is one of the most emotional songs ever written and Stipe's voice sings each note to perfection. I remember when the music video came out and thinking how amazing it was and how the song fit so well with it. One of my favorite songs on this album is "Nightswimming," which once again, Stipe's voice shines on. The piano floats effortlessly around the lyrics and the imagery is top-notch (see below):

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night.
The photograph on the dashboard, taken years ago,
turned around backwards so the windshield shows.
Every streetlight reveals the picture in reverse.
Still, it's so much clearer.
I forgot my shirt at the water's edge.
The moon is low tonight.

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night.
I'm not sure all these people understand.
It's not like years ago,
The fear of getting caught,
of recklessness and water.
They cannot see me naked.
These things, they go away,
replaced by everyday.

Nightswimming, remembering that night.
September's coming soon.
I'm pining for the moon.
And what if there were two
Side by side in orbit
Around the fairest sun?
That bright, tight forever drum
could not describe nightswimming.

You, I thought I knew you.
You I cannot judge.
You, I thought you knew me,
this one laughing quietly underneath my breath.
Nightswimming.

The photograph reflects,
every streetlight a reminder.
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night, deserves a quiet night.

This album is very beautiful and sweeping, with lush instrumentation and the best vocals and lyrics of any R.E.M. album. I also enjoy "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" and the other songs, although they do not catch my attention as much as the other songs, but are still great. This album is great on a road trip to listen all the way through. Even if you are not a fan of R.E.M. (like me), I highly recommend this album.

Like many reviewers, I can truly appreciate the title track, Drops of Jupiter. Great vocals, super keyboards and heart felt lyrics make this song(not CD) a true winner.

The rest of the CD just sounds like run of the mill pop that is here today gone tommorow. She's On Fire, Its About You, Missisippi, and Let It Roll On are semi-memorable tunes with a few good harmonies thrown in for good measure.

Otherwise this group sounds like they are merely trying to find their sound. It's too clean and pretty to be rock n roll but not natural enough to be country. Its merely syrupy hum drum pop that does not offend me but certainly does not move me either.

I'm not going to repeat what everybody's said, but yes, most of the songs on this CD don't have as much feeling as "Drops of Jupiter". If it were MY choice, i'd ask that they make a Single CD on that song. It's very...soothing. It makes you sort of reminisce what's happened to you, what's happening, and what's to come. The rest of the songs are alright, but they're just not the sort of songs i can sink my teeth into and enjoy every bite my ears take.

Train's album, "Drops of Jupiter" includes one huge hit single--the title track. The rest of the album is somewhat unmemorable. Besides "Drops of Jupiter" (song), the rest of the songs on the album sound very similar. It is still a good listen, with the other highlight being "Something More," but this album lacks variety. "Drops of Jupiter" is a powerful, emotional, excellent song, and I guess it's just unfair to put the rest of the album up against it. Maybe without the title track, I'd appreciate the rest of the album more.