American Alternative music reviews

This CD is basically a compilation of the first 6 years of REM forming and producing records. So infact this is REM's early songs bundled in one friendly CD. Still enjoyable to listen too and yet a waste to get for all these songs can be found on other REM releases.

Eponymous was the first R.E.M. album I purchased and it turned me into a loyal fan. I soon snatched up their entire back catalog and they were a significant part of my music listening life for years to come. That is about as good a tribute to an album I can give.

Of course, being a greatest hits compilation, all the songs here are great, but there are some alternative mixes here for fans who already have these songs on the studio releases. There is a different version of "Radio Free Europe" here although I like the one on Murmur better. The bass stands out more on the Murmur mix whereas the bass on this album's version is less prominent and seems to be covered up as well as some of the other sound details. I do prefer the different vocal mix to "Gardening at Night" than the one on Chronic Town. The Chronic Town version has very weak sounding vocals which had a negative effect on the song. The vocals here are a lot clearer so the song sounds much better. I disagree with the note on the record sleeve that the Eponymous version of "Finest Worksong" (the 12" and 7" version) is better than the original off Document. This mix has a horn section that I do not care for. A track that some R.E.M. fans may not have is "Romance." It is a very early track that surfaced on the "Made in Heaven" soundtrack (a film I have never heard of but it briefly plays this track). It turns out to be one of my favorite R.E.M. songs. The intense bass really drives the song and makes it unique. Eponymous is worth picking up for that track alone. Eponymous also includes interesting comments about each track.

Eponymous means self titled.
So why didn't they just call it "REM"?
Then it would have been eponymous.
go figure.
It's an awesome Cd and you should get it.
Eponymous. Get it?

I bought this album back in the seventh grade when I was just getting in to hardcore punk. Over the years I have moved away from hardcore punk and got in to other types of music. Now being a 22 year old I had just started listening to the Bad Brains music again and I Against I stands as one of the best rock albums of all time. So if you listen to hardcore punk, metal, hardcore, or just like aggresive rock n roll music I stronglly suggest this album.

there is something about this album that just rubs me in a unique and special way. i dont know if it is HR's voice or the fact of the funk and punk hardcore mix. i think all of the songs are amazing. this is bad brains' best album. by far.

this is hardcore. REAL hardcore. Best when listened to with lights off. i think this album is light enough.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GROUPS OF THE WHOLE GENRE OF MODERN ROCK. THE BLENDED ELEMENTS OF THRASH/PUNK/HARDCORE AND ALITTLE RASTAFARI TO PERFECTION. I WISH SOME OF THESE NU-METAL AND EMO DIPSH*TS WOULD TAKE A LISTEN TO THESE GUYS AND SOME OTHER BANDS. THEY WOULD PUT DOWN THAT FU*KING DIS-TURD ALBUM FOREVER!

Despite the fact that I've liked Camper Van Beethoven for 16 years, and this was released in 1993, I just picked up "Kerosene Hat" recently. Great album. Cracker is a band who can do the punk or country thing, and usually both at the same time. "Low" will probably always be their biggest hit, and I still hear it on the radio daily. "Get Off This" had some minor success, and is a good song, and I really like their cover of the Grateful Deads "Loser". "Take Me Down To The Infirmary" and "Sick Of Goodbyes" are both enjoyable too. The best part is, if you can't find it used for 8 bucks someplace, it's currently only that much new right here.

I bought this album as part of a reduced price deal cause I liked one of the hidden tracks "Eurotrash Girl" Well after a couple of listens I had to admit this was an undeniably great album. In fact, I have bought everything Cracker has ever put out since, they really are a great band that just knows how to write great songs. You will not be disappointed with this one.

in my opinion, Cracker is one of the most underappreciated bands from the 90's.

....this is one of the best punk albums (er, collections of albums, EPs and comp tracks) that I've ever heard. I bought it because I'd heard the songs "Bad Religion" and "Into the Night" on the radio. Lo and behold, I buy this disc and find that I like every single track on here, which honestly I never thought I'd say about a BR album. If you can get your hands on this, buy this.

this cd is music from the time when Bad Religion was playing hard hitting hardcore. But it is surpising how different all the songs are from each. At times this cd is as hard as Black Flag and other times as light as Pennywise. Songs 1-14 are the songs off thier first cd "How Could Hell Be Any Worse". These are the most hardcore songs on the cd. These are of the best songs Bad Religion ever recorded, including "We're only gonna die", "Fu*k Armageddeon this is Hell", "Faith in God", and "Eat Your Dog". After song 14 the album then spans BR's EPs. Song 15 is their theme song simplely titled "Bad Religion". By that song the cd has slowed down a bit. Then comes my personal favorite song "Slaves". It has great vocals and a nice melody meanwhile staying true to Hardcore speed, they even have a little jam at the end. So overall this is a excellent cd. It has everything speed, rage, and even some good melody. Pounding drums, a rough dual guitar sound,huge riffs, and excellent lyrics. Greg's voice is intenese going through 28 songs barking about religion, ignorrence, and suicide. The only downside is they repeat a lot of tracks over again as demo or alternative versions. Ignoring that little flaw the cd is perfection.

Well I bought the remastered version of How could hell be any worse that been released in April! The sound is really raw, energic and agressive, it has an old-school flavor that's not on others Bad Religion album (well all the material on this had been released before suffer!) but the whole thing is great from the beginning to the end!

I don't know who wrote all these raving reviews, but after buying into their hype and buying the CD and listening to it, I'm wondering who paid these guys off. Not bad songs technically, just something you'll never play more than once. No glimpses of genius; no euphoria; no whispers of one's primordial soul to rememberence; no passion. Better to donate to the Red Cross than to waste your $ on this one...

For my money, this is the best Camper Van Beethoven album and a serious candidate for best rock album of all time. Musically, on other CVB albums like "My Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart," I personally find the Balkan element running through much of the music a bit irritating, and I think the replacement of Jonathan Segel by Morgan Fichter was a brilliant move, as the violin work on this album is stunning - the solo on "All Her Favorite Fruit" is unforgettable. I also don't think the level of brilliance of the lyrics on the other albums comes up to the standard of this one (though in this department I do recommend the first album by David Lowery's next band, Cracker). The lyrics are really stand-out on this album, some of the best ever written, and I think comparisons with T.S. Eliot in the case of songs like "June" and "All Her Favorite Fruit" are no exaggeration. The underclass humor of "When I Win the Lottery" can't be beat (and for more in this vein, check out "Mr. Wrong" on the aforementioned Cracker album).

More Like 4.5 Stars. It is not a perfect record, but it is very unique and creative. Key Lime Pie is slower than the albums before this one. Dave Lowery writes witty and ironic lyrics which can make you think, laugh, or actually picture the scene for yourself. The violin is absolutely soothing, even on the raunchy The Humid Press of Days. Borderline and I was born in a Laundromat are two best cuts. When I win the Lottery is down right hilarious. This album will take time, so don't make your conclusion after the first or second listen. Let Key Lime Pie seep into your bloodstream and enjoy. Dave Lowery and CVB are genius! I will have the pleasure of purchasing New Roman Times when I get the chance. Excellent!

Positioning himself somewhere between an acerbic Elvis Costello and a Gutheriesque, world weary young Dylan, Bern illuminates his,'New American Language'. As for the title, given the aforementioned well-established groves, Bern is being ironic at best, and at worst, self-mocking. Which is not a bad place to be in the context of the pop music industry. I doubt that mainstream awards will flow his way, but with a healthy irreverance for not only the industry, but just about every other wee cherished item on middle America's shopping lists, he provides a healthy antidote to self satisfaction and greed. And, subversively, he does this without assuming the high moral ground. Check out the title song, 'God Said No,' Turning Over,' or 'Black Tornadoe' to hear how deadly the deadpan can be. Bern's voice is world-weary and flat, in direct contrast to the material he is expressing. The familiar, simple strumming style belies the fact that scanning his texts is no simple affair. Their intellectual richness, punning rhymes and poetic freedoms are relentless. An album of such economic word density demands a lot of attention, and it is probably to its advantage that Bern sets his concerns against fairly minimal musical settings.

OK, I know that Dan gets sick and tired of being compared to Dylan. Well Dan, thats tough but I mean that in a good way. His album "New American Language" is a fine piece of work, and the title song is one of my favorite pieces ever. It makes me laugh every time I hear it and I find my self singing "I have a dream" for hours after listening to it. Classic rock with Dan's twisted contemporary lyrics in cuts like "Sweetness" and "Black Tornado" gets my body moving to the sound and thinking with the words. Not enough can be said about "God Said No" but in short it pulled tears from me for the lost hopes and innocence of youth in a universe beyond our control. The only critisism I would venture in regards to this album is that on some of the cuts the mixing seemed somewhat inconsistant, the volume level would suddenly change unexpextedly (realy only noticable with ear phones). Having said that, this is not the first album I have of Dans and it will not be the last. Recommend-buy Dan Berns

this cd is amazing!! When I bought it, and still, I listen to it everyday. I saw him live and i never thought about the whole Dylan thing, I guess his voice is a bit the same, in some way...but hes very talented in his songwriting and catchy-ness. This was my first Dan Bern, but I have more on the way...
I know every word to this cd, its great and catchy and some of the lyrics are just grand. I think this cd is super great!!

mike on his own rocks, but this has a huge "country" type feel to it, if you're not into johnny cash.. or willing to go beyond a punker boy sound.. this isn't for you. mike's voice still rocks, but the country feel might turn some fans off. for those that liked cheating at solitair this is a good bet. this would be a great addition/gift for anyone that likes country rock

It's pretty bad when it takes a punk rocker to make a great country album. But that's exactly what happened and thank god it did.
"Let the jukebox keep on playing" is one of th ebest country cover songs of all time.
Keep up the good work Mike.

Mike Ness' Under the influences is just that, true influences for every style of music. When I bought this cd the second thing I did was buy all of the origional material and it all blew my mind. Every song made to honor the origional artist. Remaking the likes of Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, and the Clash is a hard task for anyone, a task that should not be taken litely. This cd brings more than just good music it brings an added repect for the songs of the past, the songs that helped make the music of today. Overall a good buy.

This CD is a great one- Llama is a band with some insanly tight grooves and complex instrumental parts- I've been listening to this CD for the last 2 years and it hasn't really gotten old at all. They use complex and often unpredictable chord structures and melody lines so that the music remains interesting. Some tracks are better than others, but the album is constantly good throughout. "Back Where We Bagan", "3 White Cars" and "Too Much Too Soon" are the best tracks- the kind you crank up and scream along with when no one else is home- It a real shame that more people don't know about Llama- Their music is better than most popular stuff we hear over and over.

Llama is on the verge of being very big and I do not think anyone realizes it. This band is excellent. The only problem is they do not have a big hit out so they are opening for band's like Blueground Undergrass in Tallahassee. I have seen Blueground Undergrass and LLama shoots them out of the water. If Llama is coming to your town, take as many people as you can to support them. Make copies of their tapes and give them to your friends. Do whatever it takes to spread the word cause these guys are great!!

I stumbeled upon these guys playing at Bonnaroo and I could not believe what I saw/heard. Mature melodic sensabilities, a refined yet understated stage presence, and boy... could they play!!! I mean, they were KIDS ...Afterwards, I obtained a copy of the show and "Close To The Silence" and found an astonishing thing...They are able to tear down the house live AND translate their songs into polished studio versions with feeling. If someone gives them a chance, they will rule the world.
Also, in the summer of 2002, they were playing with a new pianist, and he has one hellacious set of pipes. If we're lucky, they'll keep him.
Do yourself a favor and get your hands on as much of Llama as you can.

This is a better sounding album than what I first anticipated. I mean after all with "Cracked Rear Veiw" setting the world on fire like it did I would still like to meet "Hannah Jane"(namesake of my all time favorite Hootie song). I was first put off by this when the group decided that "Old Man and Me" was the first single to come off the album, but to me it was a huge mistake as it was tired sounding, and just dull. I'm glad that it wasn't the first song off this cd otherwise I may not have wanted to continue. I feel that the first song is one of thier greatest, and "Tucker's Town" I can still hear traces of "Hold My Hand". I've only given this a 3 star rating until I hear the rest of the album. It may change.

I bought "Cracked Rear View" in '94 and couldn't wait for the next record to come out and in '96 I got my wish. This record is great, but it just didn't have all of what the first record had. I still really do like this record though. My favorite tracks on here are "Sad Caper" and "Old Man and Me". If you like Hootie then you should like this album.

Hootie & the blowfish have done it again, they have created some of the best music I have ever heard. One of my absoulte favorite Hootie songs is on here and that is the "Earth Stopped Cold at Dawn." Nanci Griffith (the girl in the song) does a great job at the harmony with Darrius. Anyways this is one of my favorite Hootie albums and definetley recommenend that if you want some easy listening too music, that you should definetley get this album.

It somehow just makes sense that thirty years later you'd see a cd version of the same type of lame "new wave" cash-in albums that cropped up like mushrooms in '77-'78. The predictable and the loss leaders are all here, in a way that really makes me oddly nostalgic

Everyone can gripe about what they left out but I am more concerned about what was included. You get the obvious (Blitzkrieg Bop, Search and Destroy, White Riot, Blank Generation), a few real gems (Patti Smith's deconstruction of Hey Joe)and some real duds (The Strangler's "Peaches", Ian Dury "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll") to stuff that isn't even punk (Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello). Though its cool not to always pick obvious songs by an artist it seems that perhaps some of the choices were because they couldn't get the rights to better known songs. I mean whoever heard of The Soft Boys "I Want to Be an Anglepoise Lamp". I would have picked "I Want to Destroy You". Or Ultravox "Saturday Night in the City of the Dead". It was from the first album before they even developed their sound. So yes this is a history of punk but with pub rock and deservedly lesser known pop punk bands. Whoever thought that punk would some day be watered down into parent-friendly pop punk/emo that would crowd out the bands with real talent. So if you know about punk then the boxset may not really give you any more ideas but if you can't wait to catch the Warped Tour every year then "No Thanks" might save you from a life of desperation.

It could have had some more artists on it. Many of the ones that are already there have 2-3 songs. But that's hardly anything to complain about, this is a great set! The book it comes with is also very informative, and has great photos of just about every band here. It even gives a brief explanation of why the Pistols aren't here, but you'd probably be better off just purchasing "Never Mind the Bollocks" if you care that much. Personally, I don't care that they're not included.

But as I said before, this set just isn't complete without something like, "(Your Love is Like A) Nuclear Waste" by Tuff Darts, who were part of the scene in New York during the '70s. It also seems a bit strange that they would include Iggy Pop and The Stooges, without including the Velvet Underground or MC5. All three of these bands were mostly active in the '60s, but still a little in the '70s (and this IS the '70s punk rebellion).

I'd recommend this set to anyone interested in punk rock. Even if you have all the essential albums, was there at the time, or are just getting into it, this is simply great to own. It's one of the better definitive punk compilations out there.