New Wave music reviews

THIS IS A CLASSIC LP,THAT FINALLY WAS PUT ON A DISC.
THAT BRINGS OUT RARE SONGS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOT HEARD IN YEARS

I'll never forget the first time I heard Lady Killer. I was working at Radio Shack, we always had the radio on, and my attention was drawn to the song. My first response was "now THAT"S different!". I've been hooked since. I'm fortunate enough to own all of the Flash and the Pan CD's. I'm glad that a couple of them are available in the US again. Now if Vanda and Young would only record another! BTW, if you can find a copy of Burning Up the Night, BUY IT!

Memory is an imperfect machine: we recall impressions much better than facts. After 20 years (1979), I remember Flash and the Pan's debut as a compilation of light danceable tunes with perceptive and engaging lyrics. Two decades later, I haven't changed my opinion: Vanda and Young bait the listener with sunny pop music, then trap him with captivating lyrics.

The majority of music here is ideal for disco nights - cheerful and danceable (Hey St. Peter, Man In The Middle, Lady Killer, Hole In The Middle). The method which Flash uses to deliver the lyrics is also engaging. Vanda and Young sing-speak into an antiquated radio microphone. The effect is archaic and unearthly. Contrasting the hip danceable music, the lyrics are a far cry from "Let's get down and boogie." The character standing at the gates of Heaven (Hey, St. Peter) pleads with St. Peter that he has already spent his time in hell (New York City). `The African Shuffle' appears to be a blatant racist insult of Black (Donna Summer) disco music. More precisely, the song condemns the entire "turn-off your brain and just dance" doctrine. Again in `Lady Killer,' Flash belittles the male Caucasian elitist patrons of clubs such as Studio 54. Captain Black (see James `Blood' Ulmer - Tales Of Captain Black) accidentally destroys `California' with a misdirected ballistic missile. Filled with secrecy are the haunting `Walking In The Rain' (exploring sexual ambiguity) and `Down Among The Dead Men' (an irreverent tale of the Titanic).

In the final cut (First And Last), Vanda and Young's world of selfishness and materialism is reborn with compassion and enlightenment. Flash and the Pan is unprecedented: a biting social commentary fabricated from the very music which it finds deploring.

THIS IS A CLASSIC LP,THAT FINALLY WAS PUT ON A DISC.
THAT BRINGS OUT RARE SONGS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOT HEARD IN YEARS

I'll never forget the first time I heard Lady Killer. I was working at Radio Shack, we always had the radio on, and my attention was drawn to the song. My first response was "now THAT"S different!". I've been hooked since. I'm fortunate enough to own all of the Flash and the Pan CD's. I'm glad that a couple of them are available in the US again. Now if Vanda and Young would only record another! BTW, if you can find a copy of Burning Up the Night, BUY IT!

Memory is an imperfect machine: we recall impressions much better than facts. After 20 years (1979), I remember Flash and the Pan's debut as a compilation of light danceable tunes with perceptive and engaging lyrics. Two decades later, I haven't changed my opinion: Vanda and Young bait the listener with sunny pop music, then trap him with captivating lyrics.

The majority of music here is ideal for disco nights - cheerful and danceable (Hey St. Peter, Man In The Middle, Lady Killer, Hole In The Middle). The method which Flash uses to deliver the lyrics is also engaging. Vanda and Young sing-speak into an antiquated radio microphone. The effect is archaic and unearthly. Contrasting the hip danceable music, the lyrics are a far cry from "Let's get down and boogie." The character standing at the gates of Heaven (Hey, St. Peter) pleads with St. Peter that he has already spent his time in hell (New York City). `The African Shuffle' appears to be a blatant racist insult of Black (Donna Summer) disco music. More precisely, the song condemns the entire "turn-off your brain and just dance" doctrine. Again in `Lady Killer,' Flash belittles the male Caucasian elitist patrons of clubs such as Studio 54. Captain Black (see James `Blood' Ulmer - Tales Of Captain Black) accidentally destroys `California' with a misdirected ballistic missile. Filled with secrecy are the haunting `Walking In The Rain' (exploring sexual ambiguity) and `Down Among The Dead Men' (an irreverent tale of the Titanic).

In the final cut (First And Last), Vanda and Young's world of selfishness and materialism is reborn with compassion and enlightenment. Flash and the Pan is unprecedented: a biting social commentary fabricated from the very music which it finds deploring.

the good news: this is a really nice box set from a great band.

the bad news: although all the tracks represented in the track line up are technically on the physical CDs - they are not all in CD audio, therefore not playable on a CD player... and some of these are the BEST singles.

these CDs combine CD audio with CD-ROM data, enabling the ability to view the videos on a computer.

however, many of the videos included in the CD-ROM section are omitted from the CD audio. The result: an incomplete reissue of these great albums. when you listen to this on your CD player, you will NOT hear: house of fun, driving in my car, it must be love, the sun and the rain, wings of dove, waiting for the ghost train.

if you are a fan who wants to purchase a CD version of all these great albums convienantly: this ain't it. the highly compressed computer videos are cute, but the sound utterly sucks and you can only experience them on your computer.

it's too bad amazon didn't catch this and take these songs out of the track line up.

the record company (virgin) took a GREAT idea ("the lot") and made it kind of suck. too bad.

I was born in London and grew up listening to Madness from the late seventies until mid-eighties. I left England for the USA in 1985 and whenever I get that urge to return to London spritually and mentally I turn on my madness songs! I love this nutty group! I love their videos each one has its own flavor and mood. The Lot is a superb collection!

If your a MADNESS fan then you need to buy this. Its totaly right on. Granted its the original 7 albums but its even got the videos for the singles off of the specific album. Its totaly kick @$$

Nena has to be one of the best singers to come out of Germany! (Isn't she the only one? Hmm...) I love Nena and all of her music! I definetly recommend buying this album in Addition to Fragezeichen! (Don't buy the US release of 99 Luftballons.. no lyrics :-( cheaply made)

This is the first album of the Nena Band. I believe that most of the people are familiar with this album in the world - as this LP was probably sold in the most amount of copies.
No other song was ever written that would resemble to the harmonies and catchy sound of Nur Getraumt. Great job Nena Band!
This album is simply a MUST HAVE. Nena is so much more than 99 Luftballons! The true fans know that! ...

At first I must confess this: As a teen I was crazy about Nena and in a sense I still am. She really haunted my puberty phantasies. I still have this image of her, wearing her favorite T-shirt with her favorite Stones trademark (the
famous tongue, Andy Warhol's design). I lived for three years
in Germany, so I was familiar with the language by the time
this LP got out. My criteria then were different than today,
but I still think this is a magnificent LP / CD.
This is definitely no concept album. It travels through all
kinds of sceneries from power pop (Kino) to American country rock (Vollmond, a fantastic tune!) and from straight rock
(Noch Einmal) to kitsch (Indianer).
Their famous anti-war classic 99 Luftballons may be one of
the most successful songs of the 80's all over the world,
but there are a lot of tunes that deserve some attention
over here. Simple & powerful Nur Getraumt (Nena's first
super hit in Germany) is reason enough to hit the dancefloor,

Leuchtturm is a catchy pop masterpiece that grows into you
and my personal favorite her little reggae yawn Ich Bleib
Im Bett, not exactly what you expect to come out of a German
band. All in all this is an outstanding effort from
Nena (it's also the band's name) but if you don't speak
the language or don't intend to learn German in the near
future you better think twice. However stay away from
any English version of Nena's songs, cause you won't get
the right feeling out of them not to mention the sour taste
in your mouth.

This is a great Live CD from Nena.
I particularly like Nur Getraumt and Irgendwie - wo- wann.
And Leuchturm!
This is a MUST have CD for all Nena fans. ...

For anyone who likes NENA and her more guitar based stuff, it doesn�t get any better than this. On this CD she presents her old hits and songs from the latter album "wenn alles richtig ist, dann stimmt was nicht" (if everythings going right, then something's wrong)in the best manner that NENA really knows how, she rocks it!! Lots of guitars and even a slight double basedrum, great!! I went to about 10 concerts in the last 2 years and one was better than the other. Too bad that some of the other songs that she played are not on this CD. If you like NENA or German Music, then this is a must.

It's amazing this live album! You must buy it.
Nena's performance, everything is excellent on this album (even the people).
It was recorded during the "Wenn alles richtig ist, dann stimmt was nich" tour in Germany.
Really, you must buy it.

I was a college freshman when this record came out in the states, entitled "Internationalists." It was hard to put into a category back in 1985, which explained why no single from the album saw wide, if any, airplay during that Top-40 era. That explains, in part, why Our Favourite Shop remains relevant, today, both musically and lyrically. As much as I find this CD (prior version) among my favorites, many of the songs in the prior CD had annoying production elements to them, some minor and some prominent. Dennis Munday and Roger Wake did an excellent job in remastering the sound of this old album, eliminating or softening those annoying elements. They uncluttered the original sound. Weller's vocals are richer. The jazz elements are heightened. For those like me who had grown accustomed to hearing the songs in their usual way, the remastered songs in this 2000 version are simply better, now, and filled with pleasant surprises.

There is nothing out there in the music scene today like the Style Council; a pop group that can show it's musical diversity with different styles...and do it flawlessly, seamlessly, and with a lot of class, soul and conviction. There may be one or two that may come close but no cigar !

While the existence of the group is now just a faint distant memory from the 80's their music is timeless and lives on. The 80's;time when you really had to search for genuine artists such as the Style Council amidst the decadent heavy laden synthesized New Wave sounds and Top 40 pop-garbage filler !

The Style Council combined R&B, funk, bit of Motown, soul, hip hop, jazz, a sort of 60's retro bossa nova, some Latin grooves,...the list goes on and on ! If you like the soul sophistication, jazzy, sometimes Latin-tinged sound of Sade or Matt Bianco (another multi-faceted European pop-jazz group), then this is worth to add on to your collection.

For anyone who also remembers nothing but decadent, big hair, and tiresome synthesized music from the 80's, listen to the Style Council and they will just blow your mind and make you rethink about some of the artists from that decade...

Oh so many styles,so many songs.Over 15 track Paul Weller
gives 1985's "Our Favorite Shop" a classic production and an excellent bit of song craft.On "Homebreakers",A Man Of Great Promise","Luck","Come To Milton Keynes" and the organ-led
"Walls Come Tumbling Down" the Style Council fasion instantly
classic,catchy modern pop/soul in their most distinctive style.
But wait-there's more,as always!Modern R&B and funk is also present in the upbeat,Philly-styled "Shout To The Top",the
contemporary synth funk of "The Lodgers" and the classic smooth
soul of "Boy Who Cried Wolf",which woulda' made a fantastic
second American single.!?And again Weller makes room for a few
diverse moments such as the scathing rap of "A Stand Up Comic's
Instructions",the hard-rocking "Internationists" and the breezy
lounge music of the tital instrumental,plus some equally eclectic
moments sprinkled in between.The Style Council's high water mark
and a great first point of referance!

This legend of the peacemaker shares so many ideals of the greatest traditions of religion, democracy and society. Joanne Shenendoah honors her Iroquois traditions and enlightens our own.Her voice reaches a very sacred place.
This CD is a satisfying friend to accompany you on your own spiritual journey.

I agree with everyone else's reviews of this music, with one correction. The liner notes do include english translations of the lyrics. (One reviewer suggested they were missing). The booklet provides a beautiful rendition of the legend of the Peacemaker (written in English). Then, in the center of the booklet, the songs are listed individually & include both the Iroquois words and their English translations. There are just a few lyrics for each song, sung slowly & repetitively, like a mantra. Truly relaxing & gorgeous music.

Joanne Shenandoah was named Best Female Artist for both 98 and 99 by the Native American Music Awards. And, you can see why!

Shenandoah's voice is smooth and silken and almost haunting. This album was inspired by the legend of the Peacemaker who helped bring peace to the Haudenosaunee, known also as the Iroquois.

You will be drawn into this music. It is very relaxing and is perfect for the holiday season.

Simply put, the live songs on this album are the best live recordings of the Cure I've yet to hear. Better than Show, better than Paris, and although I haven't heard Concert, from what others say it's surely better than that as well. These are four of my favorite songs off of Disintegration, all performed brilliantly. "Last Dance" seems to be underrated from what I've seen others say, but to me is the point during Disintegration where the album really starts moving towards the meat of the album, really starting to dig into the brooding, plaintive mood that climaxes with "The Same Deep Water as You" (which, unfortunately, is not one of the live tracks on this single). Roberts elongated howl on "Prayers for Rain" on "RAaaaaaiiiinnn" is stunning...he seems to hold onto it for an eternity. "Fascination Street" and "Disintigration"...well, not much needs to be said, they're concert classics, and for a very good reason. These songs are performed with such passion and energy - the closest to the real thing without actually seeing them live (which is an experience that STILL affects me to this day years later...) I can't believe I waited so long to get this. Absolutely essential Cure.

The B-Sides are the only reason I bought this single. They're live renditions of DISINTEGRATION tunes from the '89 Wembley performances, and they're amazing. I really hope Robert finally fulfills his promise of releasing a full show from that era sometime within my lifetime.

The version of "Disintegration" included is the best performance of the song I've ever heard. Starting off with a random guitar riff, and exploding into a quicker, stronger version of the song, it's amazing to listen to with headphones on. "Fascination Street" is always a ROCKING live tune. I'm glad they included "Last Dance" and "Prayers For Rain" as well, since they're not as well-known as other songs from the album.

One word of warning, there's a two second glitch in the middle of "Last Dance." I've looked into it, and it's apparently in quite a few copies of the US Pictures of You single. It's nothing big, and certainly doesn't take away from the killer performances available on the disc.

Trust me, if you want to hear The Cure at the top of their live game, buy this. It's short and sweet.

This is one of the four 1989 Disentigration singles. They are very good. I like this one a lot and it's missing something. On here we have a remixed version of the title track backed with four live tracks, and they are all excellent. There isn't much singing in the live tracks but they are great anyway. They are all on "Entreat." This single would be PERFECT if it included "Pictures Of You (Extended Dub Mix)." It would add to the beauty it already has. If you were hunting for more Cure rarities, then it would've been nice if it included "Pictures Of You (Extended Mix)." If anyone has that song, then please notify me. Anyway, this is a greats single and newbies should not own it just yet. If you a Cure newbie then try "Disentigration."

Sure, the Pistols "Bollocks" caused more commotion and who can forget the Clash, but if you've never heard Rattus, you NEED to check it out. I absolutely wore out my vinyl copy back in the day.

While most the other punk bands would eventually become better musicians and produce masterpieces like "London Calling", the Stranglers started out being great musicians. For me, this is their best work. While there are small flaws with all their other LPs, there's absolutely nothing wrong with this one.

Plus, this record had the best artwork of any of them. The picture of the rat walking in front of the sun on the LPs back cover is just fantastic. Unfortunately, this picture is often messed up on the re-issues.

Since the punk era, when I required perfection from the imperfection, Rattus Norvegicus came to me "heaven sent". I've got then a version with all the tunes, including Who Wants The World. Since then I worshipped Hammond keyboard sounds. Compact, daring, challenge, explosive and perfect, almost all tunes are my favorite (except Peaches that was its best single). One tune comes perfectly one after the other, Princess Of The Streets is the "intruder" blues maybe the most intense, soulful tune of the album. Sometimes, Goodbye Toulouse, Hanging Around are a strong chain of dynamic, chorus tunes to learn and sing and kick ass. Get A Grip On Yourself is too perfect, too sophisticated (who plays the sax/trumpet in the chorus? it's brilliant!). Ugly is the ugliest but is also cool. Down in the Sewer I adore it, specially the Rat Race final part, it's the masturbation part of the album and an awesome skin-crisping end. Bravo!

When I was growing up in London in the 70's punk hit like a smack in the mouth and where I was there were two albums you bought, forget the Sex Pistols, even then they smacked of all hype and no substance, you were either a Clash or a Stranglers man (boy more accurately). And I bought The Clash, and, well, I rue that decision to this day.

Don't get me wrong, The Clash was and is a great album, much more so than the horribly overrated London Calling, but Rattus contains a mature punk fully born, as it were, in 1977 just at the start of the genre. Hanging Around is as good as it gets and with the Buzzcocks' Ever Fallen In Love stands as one of the two best songs of the genre. Yes think about it, what Clash song would you actually place above those two, not 'the album' but actual song?

And I don't rate Peaches, but that aside, Hanging Around, Grip and Sometimes, well those were the soundtrack to my teenage years and nostalgia aside, they are some of the best things to have come out of rock and roll, never mind punk, in the last thirty years.

The title says it all.

i have been a "metalhead" for 20 plus years,and missed raven the first time around,which is a shame as these guys where GREAT!!as other reviewers have noted,they came out more or less during the NWOBHM of the early 80's and blow most of those bands AWAY!i would describe raven as a proto-thrash band,but with a fun-loving ROCK element(albeit very hard/heavy rock).
in my opinion,this stuff really holds up well!!fast tempo,catchy,heavy(but not death metal),over the top falsetto wailings,etc.you could do a lot worse!!First three albums are essential for the metal purist/historian.long live RAVEN!!

Before the Metalliclones began their bay-area thrashing, rock's original Gallagher brothers (confusion with a band like Oasis might net you a black eye) were absolutely stirring things up across the water. Most metalheads who want to try Raven will be doing so after having been introduced to the style by later bands, and as such, it's useful to talk about Raven in terms of later acts. The closest approximation would be some amalgam of Dave Mustaine and Axl Rose - think "Peace Sells" meets "It's So Easy," add a healthy dose of humor, and you'll have "Lambs to the Slaughter." Raven's unpretentious brand of "athletic rock" (their term) is a welcome burst of musical yang, particularly in light of the current "nu"-metal's seeming fixation on the depressing plight of existence. Raven offers a blood-curdling motorcycle ride through early metal; the song titles and the album cover here are perfect guides to the music within. For what it tries to be, this album achieves its goal as perfectly as is possible.