American Alternative music reviews

Pageant is REM's best album, in my opinion, followed by Murmur and Automatic. This album contains a unique blend of their jangle-folk-rock roots and the lyrical mainstream band they would later become. For the first time, political themes show up frequently through a number of songs (Flowers of Guatemala, These Days, Begin the Begin, even Cuyahoga). This style is fantastic, but unfortunately unique to Pageant. Sadly, they basically abandoned this style for Document and Green (their worst work), finally rising out of the ashes with Out of Time and Automatic. So buy this album, because it's your only chance to hear something this good from REM.

The album gets off to a roaring start with Begin the Begin, a great fast-paced opener, followed by These Days, both great songs, although it's not easy to glean deep meaning from them. Fall on Me, which offers Mike Mill's finest backing vocals and their catchiest chorus outside of End of the World as We Know It. Fall on Me is followed by Cuyahoga, which, although relatively unknown, is my favorite REM song. Without stating anything directly, the song captures the speaker's sadness for the demise of the red Cuyahoga river, which symbolizes the loss his passing youth,(we knee skinned it you and me, we knee skinned that river red, we gathered up our friends) and all his memories that center around the river (this is where we walked, this is where we swam, take a picture here, take a souvenir) and his anger at the beaurocracy he blames for the river's demise (we are not your allies).

With the exception of Flowers of Guatemala, the other songs don't touch the first four. Flowers of Guatemala is a slow, lyrical song that effectively evokes the Guatemalan genocide with the repetition of the line "the flowers cover everything, they cover over everything" and expresses hope for Guatemala. Despite what has happened, the flowers remain.

The other tracks are enjoyable, notably fast-paced Hyena and piano driven Just a Touch, I Believe, which contrasts ruminations on life with random lines (I believe in example, I believe my throat hurts) and Swan Swan H, a strange and relatively forgettable song that has one line (johnny reb, what's the price of heroes) that sticks with me (tell that to the captain's mother). Superman is an enjoyable pop song, and features Mills singing on another of his line of sweet, lyrical songs (check out Near Wild Heaven from Out of Time). What If We Give it Away is a relatively forgettable song which sounds like it belonged on Murmur, not Pageant.

Overall, a phenomenal recording, with no songs you have to skip over. Sometimes, trying to take some kind of meaning from these songs is not easy, but the music is really enjoyable. It really is REM's best effort, and if you have any interest in the band before they broke into the mainstream, you should buy this CD. Even if you've only heard the Automatic-era stuff, buy it anyway. It's well worth it.

I've followed REM since their "Fables" days, and "Pageant" is my favorite of all of their albums followed closely by "Automatic for the People". I get the feeling that REM is running out of melodies as of late...or else, they don't want to repeat themselves.

"Lifes Rich Pageant" is one of a few albums that I can listen to from beginning to end, because it's consistently that good throughout. "Pageant" combines the folk rock of "Murmur", "Reckoning" and "Fables of the Reconstruction" with the punchiness of good old fashioned rock: the guitars rock harder, the drums boom louder, and Michael Stipe's vocals come front and center.

"Pageant" begins with an amazing 4 songs: "Begin the Begin", "These Days", "Fall on Me" and "Cuyahoga". "Begin" and "These Days" inspire me to go out and do something bold. "Fall on Me" and "Cuyahoga" are beautiful mid-tempo songs. Mike Mills' backing vocals on this album, and in particular "Fall on Me", are great. For as much as people focus on Michael Stipe, Mike Mills is the glue: his backing vocals and bass playing add a great dimension to the band. And of course, Mills stars with his own turn at lead vocals in "Superman", a re-make of a Clique song. Other luminaries on "Pageant" include "Flowers of Guatemala" and "I Believe". While "Fall on Me" is probably my favorite on "Pageant" for its sheer melody and lyrics, "Superman" is the funnest of the bunch - and even better to watch live as the crowd howls when Mills takes the vocals for a rare turn.

I hadn't listened to it in a while (a couple of years, probably) and got it out yesterday to listen to in my car.

I had forgotten just how brilliant this album is. These songs, out of all their music, are the ones that sound best live.

No, it isn't "Murmur", their first full-length and best (IMHO) album, but it's wonderful from start to finish.

Good for Sheryl Crow. She's a middling musical talent who was fortunate enough, more than any other reason, to be in the right place at the right time. Good for her for using a group of guys and their music as a launching pad for her career, even swiping their unofficial name for the title of her debut album. I'm sure she has a lot of personal charisma and she must be a doll in person, because the music on her self-titled sophomore album (which could more accurately be seen as a debut) is severely lacking. Nothing on this record comes close to the best songs on TNMC (basically, the hits - which I still dig -- like most people, I'm entitled to my contradictions).

Sheryl Crow is a shameless commercial, dare I say, corporate artist. All about the moolah (- but really, what isn't?). Good for her; I'd love to be as rich as she is and I suppose I'd sacrifice a lot to get there. Hope she's making millions from those painfully annoying car commercials. No, I'm not impressed by the myriad artists, the undeniable talent she's written and performed with - still think it all comes down to the money; plus I have the right to like certain peoples' music regardless of who they associate themselves with . . .

Of course, what this all comes down to is the music itself. And this-y-heeeaaar album reeeaaally gets on my nerves. The lazy-yet-spasmodic outburst of, "If it makes you haaaappiieee!!!" alone is enough to turn my stomach. I'll admit there's the occasional Sheryl Crow song I like (I'm trying to be objective here), such as "On the Outside" (which, by the way, I have on the "X-Files" soundtrack - the only SC I currently own). Sheryl Crow has made some servicable pop music from time to time over the years, but please don't put this album on in my presence. Sometimes an artist's overall despicability and general lameness outweighs one's ability to like whatever's good about 'em.

You go gurl!

Sheryl Crow self-titled album is somewhat middle of the road. Not her best record, that belongs to The Globe Sessions but a much better album than her other albums. There are great and catchy songs and those include: If it makes you Happy, Oh Marie, Everyday is a Winding Road, A Change would do you good, and Home. Her songwriting is fabulous but the rest of the tracks are weak and slow. Oh Marie has such a good feel to it, one of my favorites, "She wears teen perfume behind her knees..." The best song on the record is Home, "I'd like to see the Rivera and slowdance underneath the stars, I'd like to watch the sun come up in a strangers arms and this is home..." These songs alone are worth a listen to. Good effort but lousy production. Get The Globe Sessions instead.

I like sheryl crow because she is female, good and has changed her hair color many times. It's an all right rock album for a lady with an all right voice.

On a rare occasion, I can listen to this album and almost be transported back into 1997 when I moved from central California to southeast Missouri and less than six months afterward meeting a young lad, a few years older than me (hired as a "mentor" by the local therapist's/psychiatrist's office) named Brad Jennings who was totally into the whole music scene of that time, listening to the radio devouring every last piece of information as to who sang what, even when the song never hit high on the charts, and he kinda filled me in on what had been happening when I was locked up in a "group home" (a temporary foster-home for groups of people of the same gender - so no sexual harrassment went on - who have problems in their lives) between 1992 and 1995, a critical time in the life of rock'n'roll (the people I was around primarily listend to rap and the first person who introduced me to r&r was a snot-nosed brat who had really finicky opinions about music and all else, so she wasn't a really good source of how to appreciate any particular culture). What I think is odd about how I associate this CD with mid-late-90's popular culture is the music on this CD is kinda like country/folk with a healthy dose of pop/rock to make me like it (I'se raised in the 80's; what can I say?). So you could say this CD fits anyone who doesn't absolutely HATE HATE HATE country or folk (or pop or rock). If you have an open-mind, you'll like this CD.

The Wallflowers massive hit album, Bringing Down the Horse is full of great and beautiful tracks. This album is a true winner, rich and sexy vocals from Jakob Dylan (son of legendary musician Bob Dylan) and honest and soulful lyrics. Standout tracks include: Josephine, 6th Avenue Heartache, One Headlight, Angel on my Bike, Three Marlenas, and The Difference. The song Josephine is such a gorgeous song, "Josephine you're so good to me and I know it ain't easy, Josephine you're so sweet you must taste just like sugar and tangerines..." The Difference is a great pop song and still with a rock edge to it, "The only difference that I've seen that you are exactly the same as you used to be..." Of course the megga hit, One Headlight never gets boring or dull, "Man I haven't changed but I know I ain't the same..." Get this incredble album by The Wallflowers, all the songs are catchy and brilliant. I also recommend Red Letter Days by the band as well, enjoy!

when an relative of an famous musician actress actor. comes on the scene trying to make a name for themselves without being an after thought from their famous relative and in jakob dylan's ponit of view it's his father so he can alot of expectation to live up too.. and of course the critics would of picked holes and tried to find a thread to un-ravel..

but i'd have to admit at first listen i thought a goo goo dolls mixed with deli amintri wannabe be band..but i persisted and after the second listen i loved it and i have to admit it's one of the best albums of the nineties two years after grunge had ended and britpop was tackling the choppy waters of the USA.

here's come a man and his band on the back of having a legendary father who re-wrote the rule book of songwriting.
with iresistable melodies listen too track 7 "laughing out loud" and you'll see what i mean....many have stated that's he's standing in his father's shadow..having the same tone of voice and crictised that's he's not up to scrath with his old man

well the way i got into listening to this album was to forget about his heritage and just focus on the music and the way jakob and his band presented themselves..
i'm increbily impressed and i think i'm gonna invest it getting some more wildflowers albums

highly recommended if you like goo goo dolls and deli amintri

Marilyn Manson is a very good lyricist. Anyone who listens to him knows that. This album was a good idea about how there are deeper messages in things like willy wonka than our parents would like us to know. Unfortunately, it was a failed attempt. It manages to merit a few good songs like dope hate, get your gun, and lunchbox, but that's about it. The album sounds like a cheap underground metal band, and there's a lot more to them on other albums. IT also seems really cheesy with all the child references. I can't blame it for sucking, because it was thier first album, i just prefer the other albums, especially Holy Wood.

Decent for his first CD
Not his greatest CD, but I would still listen to it

My second favorite manson album.It is really raw.he also dosent cuss as much on this album as he does on the later ones,but it still cusses quite a bit.My favorite song is lunchbox!

First of all, anyone who compares Phish to ANY OTHER BAND (especially Wilco) is not someone you want to be listening to. There is not one other band out there that sounds like Phish. Phish is THE GREATEST jam band to ever play. If you want proof of this claim, you need to buy their live albums. No other band, though some come close IN THEIR OWN WAY, can touch what this band has accomplished in live performance. All their studio albums are well-made and musically sound, though their first albums are the best. This album is in the middle of the pack. The rule for Phish is for every four minute album version song, there are versions twice as long (and twice as good) recorded live. Also, the live albums capture their ability to cover any song (such as Loving Cup, Roses Are Free and Bold As Love) they want to play and do it justice. Their Halloween shows always include the band covering an entire album of another band. Simply put, they're really, really good.

Story of the ghost is not my favorite album by Phish, but I think it may be one of the best put together and original creations by Phish. I love this album in so many ways- musically it is original and unqique and the album flows very well. When im talking to my other friends that listen to Phish, this is definately one of the first album that comes up debate wise- some love it, some dont. I want to say that when I recommend phish albums- this is one of the first to come out of my mouth. I loved this album and you probably will too!

As far as Phish studio albums go, I guess I place them into 4 chronological categories: the early years (Junta, Lawn Boy, Picture of Nectar), the mid-years (Rift, Hoist, Billy Breathes), the later years (Story of the Ghost, Siket Disc, Farmhouse) and the post hiatus period (Round Room, Undermind). Story of the Ghost may not be the one Phish album I would take with me to a deserted island, but it's definitely the best of the later period and beyond. Granted, most of these songs were enormous live, especially in the summer and fall of '97 when they were brand new and awesome, but Phish somehow managed to contain these songs in the studio in a manner that doesn't seem stale or over-produced. These songs exist in two realms: one as a short concise cohesive studio entity...and in another as monstrous live improvisational jams that have no relation to this album.

This album is one of the best sonic youth album...I advise everyone to listen this album...Break the circle of common popular music...This album irritates your soul and freedback your dreams...

In truth, I think Sonic Youth are massively overrated in indie circles, but this album does have some good stuff on it. The first four tracks are the highpoint of the album, "'Cross The Breeze" in particular is thrilling and unquestionably the best track on here. After that, things are a little more mixed, with a fair bit of what I would call "filler." The main problem with this album is it's tonal repetitiveness and it's sheer length. This is a seriously difficult album to take all in one sitting, in fact I can't listen to the album the whole way through, it just doesn't hold my interest. Overall, it's compelling at times but I wouldn't call it any kind of masterpiece. New listeners are better off starting with Goo, Dirty or even Murray Street. None of those have a song as great as "'Cross The Breeze" but they provide more rewards for the casual listener.

Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth is an album that showed us that being an indie band with a punk edge and a pleasure for distortion can be helpful. The lyrics of this album are essential to this album because at times they seem innocent and unfamiliar and at other time they seem sinful and deviant. The album is beguiled with strange chords and pulsating drums. Thurston Moore provides the somber voice in some songs and then a screeching scream in others. Kim Gordon provides seduction of noise and her voice filled with lust draws you in. The album is evil and merciful at the same time and will always stand as one of the best of the 80's joining the ranks with "Doolittle" and "Remain in Light".

Somehow my previous review of this facile cd has dropped off the screen. Since I feel so strongly about it, I have rewritten this (its all just a joke doncha get it?)I glanced at the reviews and this album scored as high as it did because that is the state of pop music today. Welcome to the Britanny (sp)nation...Really this music lacks any depth, its a pale echo of Los Lobos and Santana...I like the lead guitarist tho, and I am told they are very good live...But the lyrics are banal and really most of the music is unoriginal...But you have to understand I also believe Garth Brooks and Shannia Twain (whatever her name is) were the logical extension of the Nashville country music machine and as the result of their mass popularity, we have disco pop computer non melodic airwave crap that is dominated by image and lack of substance..but you know to each their own..its all relative...my opinion is no better than anyone elses...So in my opinion, if you really wanna hear what this music should be all about listen to Los Lobos' cuts "One time, One night" or Don't Worry Baby"....or check out Lila Downs... Yeah, I love Willie Nelson too...but clearly everyone needs to make a buck...have at it...But if you could just return CDs because you don't like them...this would be at the top of my list.Taco Bell here we come..yes I'll have the fajita in the tortilla, extra velveta please...

I had lost hope. A music lover, I bought on average one new album every week, wishing that it will be the One.

A decade passed. Then Los Lonely Boys came along. WOW...

I am hooked, my wife is hooked, my kids too.

Thank you LLB.

They are the best thing that happened to rock n'roll since...I can't even remember.

I just hope that they will keep producing good music.

Keep bringing us joy.

I haven't heard music this good for a while. Every single track on this CD is awesome, which is rare for new bands these days. Vocals, guitar, bass, and percussions are solid, these guys can really play, unlike most of todays bands. I've travelled 5 straight hours listening to just this one CD and never got tired of it. In fact I'm listening to it right at this moment. Thinking of buying CD's, put this on your list. Can't wait till the next album comes out.

Only I am gonna have to buy it again because someone stole it from me. I now have a huge void in my life. This album is definately comparable to Dark Side of The Moon, for the fact that every song is so different and every song is phenomenal. This has to be IN MY BOOK, the most underrated albums of all time. A true gem. And just to let you know, it might take a few listens to grow, but I guarantee it will grow on you.

This CD is one you have to grow into. When I first heard it, I hated it with the exception of a few tracks. Compared to BTE's earlier works (Deluxe; Friction, Baby), this is a radically different CD. Instead of the normal rock 'n roll BTE fans were accustomed to, this album incorporated many synthesized effects. Each track had a very different sound. I put this CD on the rack in favour of "Friction, Baby".

A few months later, I gravitated back to this CD and thought, "Hey, what the heck?" and gave it another listen. All the sudden, I really liked it. I found myself thinking how catchy and unique this was, and wondering why I didn't like it in the first place. This CD is proggressive rock, even veering toward an artsy type of rock. Some people love this stuff right away; others don't. I think you just have to listen to it enough to really get a good feel for it. If you find yourself not liking it, come back to it later. You might surprise yourself and end up liking it.

TRACKS

1. Je ne m'en souviens pas - Literally, I think the title means something along the lines of 'I don't remember'. This track has a very atmospheric feel, with less emphasis on the lyrics and more on the music and mood it creates. It includes extensive use of synthesizers, but it sounds really good.

2. One More Murder - This is completely different from the stuff you'd find on other BTE albums. There isn't much emphasis on guitars; again, more synthesizer use. It has a catchy tune and good lyrics (a BTE standard in my opinion).

3. At the Stars - If don't like anything on the album, this will be the exception. It's a beautiful song with great lyrics. My friends have called this the only 'normal' track on the CD - in other words, less synth stuff, more emphasis on the guitar and vocals. This is a great song, even better if you get a chance to hear it live.

4. Like It Like That - This song is absolute fun. There's kind of a samba beat going on. It's one of those songs that makes you want to get up and dance.

5. Allison Foley - I've heard people call this song 'anti-folk' - kind of an odd way to categorise it. It starts of with a twangy guitar, and eventually ends up in your average rock 'n roll distorted guitars. I love the lyrics and the guitar work in this one.

6. Under You - This is the first 'ballad' of the album. It's soft, with a great chorus. The vocals are the highlight of this one.

7. Live Again - This is one of the best slow songs on the disc. There's some cool guitar effects happening the intro, and the melody line is great. It's a catchy song that will stick in your head for days (and you'll still love it!!). It's a very pretty song.

8. Happy Day MaMa - This is another fun song, like "Like It Like That". The lyrics are pretty amusing, the song is dancable, it's fun to sing along with. An all-around good song.

9. Pull - This is hard rock. It's completely different from everything else in the album. This is your classic rock with distorted guitars, lyrics bordering sleazy, loud and catchy. It's got everything. For me to fully appreciate this song though, I had to see it live. Still, it's a great track to listen to if you're in an I-don't-care mood.

10. Particle - This brings an atmospheric feel again at points. It's a bit of a combination of tracks 1 and 2 of this disc. I really like some of the vocal work in this.

11. Beautiful Mistake - This is a very pretty song. The lyrics are well-written and the music fits in perfectly. It creates a very unique mood - one that's a bit sombre, yet still has hope.

12. Everything in 2's - A good love song. It has some acoustic guitar work and some synthesized things in it. It all fits together well.

13. New Kind of Low - a) Low: This part is the rocking part. It's loud...and, well, loud. I really like it, but some people think it's a bit weird.
b) Coma: This is the soft part. There's some keyboard/synth stuff going on, with lyrics continuing from part a of the track. It's very mellow and relaxing, a big change from part a.

14. Waxing or Waning? - I really like this track. It has a New Orleans feel to it. It's all acoustic guitar, with a bit of trumpet playing in it. The lyrics are really good, as are the vocals.

This is a great album. For me, this was a turning point for exploring more music with different sounds that just plain rock. It incorporates many things, and I find that it is very unique. It's probably one of the best discs in my collection.

One of the most impressive aspects of BTE as a band is that all their albums stay very true to their sound , yet each album is different, with it's own unique vibe. HDYGG? is no exception. It is definately a more experimental peice of art, filled with techno piano, distortion, and some more imaginative lyrics. yet in the mix you have the familiar sound of beautiful lush arrangments and heartbreaking lyrics ("Beautiful MIstake" and "At the stars" to name a few.) It's one of my personel faves. Even if you aren't feeling it right away, give it another listen and i promise you this album will grow on you. IT's truly a masterpiece.

I'm biased 'cuz I was at both of these shows. Of course, I had an absolute blast. Having said that, if you weren't there, there's probably a few songs on this boxset that might not do much for you. For starters, let's just say I doubt any fans have "Get Jiggy Wit It" or "Tubthumping" on their own compilation CD-Rs...lol Overall 'tho, it's fairly solid. But really, the last disc (2nd night, 2nd set) is the high point. With the exception of the already mentioned "Tubthumping", Phish delivers the goods with authority, and several hair-raising moments are sprinkled throughout the set...some moments in the unlikeliest of places, too. For example, there's a briefly unexpected buildup during the "Mango Song" that never fails to give me goosebumps, and I've never gotten that on any other version...go figure. It's a worthy two nights' worth of music, however the price tag will probably only appeal to completists. So if you're just a casual fan, you're probably better off investing in something from the Live Phish series (much less expensive). But for what it is, Hampton Comes Alive is a good release nonetheless...

Oh yes. This is nice. Funky B*tch, Simple, The Wedge. Lots of hilarious covers. You can't go wrong here. Sounds quality seems to be very good.

Received Hampton Comes Alive as a Christmas gift, and it's a live set I'd been eagerly awaiting. Having read the reviews I was almost worried but after listening to discs 1-5 over the weekend while on a roadtrip, and listening to disc 6 right now, I have to say that I am not disappointed at all. What some fans comment on as lackluster or otherwise imperfect performances, I embrace. Those so-called "glitches" serve as a valuable reminder - these boys are real, they're genuine, they're everything that cookie-cutter, over-rehearsed "musicians" are not. They're human, and I think that any serious musician can appreciate that. That said, I love it. There are tracks on here that I haven't heard live yet and in a couple cases, hadn't heard at all. All six discs will definitely be in heavy rotation from now until... I dunno, I download this year's NYE run? A great buy, for either the hardcore Phishhead or the unlucky soul who has yet to see a live performance.

This music sounds like it would be great live or on a stereo or something. But I usually listen to music whenver just by myself on my comp or ipod. Just know this that they ARE a jam band and as a reviewer said THE jam band. It just screams hippie too and reminds me of the hippie jam fest episode of South Park. If you listen to rap 24 seven and pop music this will probably most definately not be for you. I find Oysterhead which has member from primus and phish in it to be more accessible to both thier main bands. Primus and Phish arent stuff you hear on the radio or everyday and takes a special appreciation so dont even go here if pop music is all you know. I really got sick of 50 cent and his empire of medicoreness and after reading mike jones lyrics i was absolutely appalled at the complete lack of talent. The whole flavor of the week songs thing turned me away too. I quickly retreated back to old favorites like NOFX, sublime, and radiohead. Now the closet ill venture to pop music is Weezer. So if you too are sick of rap phish is like the complete opposite.

I freakin love Phish, and have all their albums. This was my first purchase, and overall a nice disc. I feel though that while a good album in general, it was a weaker effort for Phish, also - the album did not flow very well from start to finish. Train song, charachter zero, and waste are the highlight tracks from this album. If I were recommending Phish material to people- this would be about middle- to end of my list.

I was introduced to Phish with this album way back in '96 when I was 17 by an older ex-boyfriend. "Waste" was our song. Yes that's cringe-worthy, but it's a beautiful song, no?
This album is seriously one of the most wonderfully crafted, beautifully played and produced albums I have ever had the extreme pleasure of listening to. There is something for everyone in this album and it is a little more accessible than some of their other work. I remember buying "Lawn Boy" after "Billy Breathes" and I was very confused. I loved it just as much, but it was so different! It's nice to hear Trey's lovely voice whispering to you and Lillywhite, as always, incorporates his unique layered production to an already talented sound. Great stuff.