New Wave music reviews

I enjoyed "Phantoms," like the other reviewer, but when it comes to the Fixx I'm always torn between "Walkabout" and "Ink" when picking a favorite. "Ink" was definitely more mainstream than this one; those who enjoyed the Fixx's slightly offbeat, new wave sound in those early "Red Skies" and "Stand or Fall" days will probably prefer this 1986 release. That this is in the "Shame It's Out-of-Print" File is just a flat-out injustice, especially considering that two of the staples of their various Greatest Hits collections appear on this album; "Built For the Future" and "Secret Separation." Added to which, "Read Between the Lines" is a beautifully haunting ballad, one of their very best songs. Until someone gets wise and re-issues this, I'm just gonna have to take darn good care of the 20 year-old CD copy I have.

The Fixx went for a spare yet very cool, near-electronic sound in this one. At the time, I found it to be a wonderful set of songs that didn't match their old stuff because it seemed too cold. The production just seemed to arid and cold. But that was also part of the album's strangeness and appeal. Now, 20 years later, it's one of the albums that meant most to me, and I recommend it to anyone. It's the Fixx--you're going to get superb songwriting, impassioned but graceful music, and a worldview with intelligence and compassion. "Camphor" and "Read Between the Lines" will send you away to peaceful, philosophic climes, as they did me in my teen years.

For the sake of good music re-release this masterpiece... I've only got a grubby old cassette!

One of my favourite albums by any band from the eighties. I could never figure out why The Fixx were almost completely ignored over here in their native England and United Kingdom. They made some fantastic albums. Most people know them for a few hit singles and the classic album "Reach The Beach", but I feel this relatively unknown album from 1986 is artistically and spiritually stronger and their best.

As usual with The Fixx, there are some great atmospheric, dark, distinctive keyboards that compliment similarly tasteful and accomplished guitar-playing. The vocals from Cy Curnin are passionate and intelligent. The lyrics on this album are outstanding. Soul-searching, politically and spiritually aware, full of joy and appreciation for life, positive and deep explorations of emotional and psychological experience. Brilliant stuff!

To the unitiated, you could possibly place The Fixx in the territory of The Police, In Excess, maybe Duran Duran, eighties Rush, but they had their own distinctive sound and identity. The production from Rupert Hine is first class.

Saxon's "Wheels of Steel" was my introduction into saxon and NWOBHM era bands. I really have to say that this album was mindblowing! it blew the windows out of my house, Saxon really knew what true heavy metal was! This is an alternitive to other british metal bands like def leppard, iron maiden and judas preist that have been consumed by the commercail sickness and have had been repeating the same formula for over 20 years. Saxon is all out kick @$$ metal. the first track of the album will get you right in the action,"motorcycle man" is a fast paced rocker simular to deep purple "highway star" but much heavier. other mentionables include "747,stangerinthenight" which is about a 747 low on gas with no place to land. the title track is a mid paced heavy tune that is pretty good but can get repeatative with its lyrics at time. "freeway mad" is another fast driving song like"motorcycle" is. my favorite song on the album "see the light shining" is probably the center piece of the album, words can't describe it, must listen. "street fighting gang" is a awesome song as well. this is one of the best heavy rock albums i'v listend to, i espessicaly like pete gills druming techniques on this one, he is a solid time keeper and has some interesting double bass techniques as well. and as always i love paul quinns guitar tone as with any saxon album. awesome disc...

SAXON RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this was the first saxon album i ever got, years before i got this i have heard of saxon, and even knew one or two of there songs, but i could never find any of there cds,and whenever i would mention a band called "saxon" people would look at me dumbfounded. i found a saxon album finally and this was it, (...) i decided to bite the bullit because it was the last copy and i always wanted to get into saxon. i really loved this album, its better than anything by any well known american band (kiss, aerosmith, metallica, van halen). i guess saxon was never a big band in america, they were definatly more popular in the u.k. and europe. you could really call saxon a band for real metalheads, no one who causally listens to metal would know of them. i would reccomend you find this one.

Stand up and be counted! One of two discs that I definitely declare must haves by Saxon, the other being Strong Arm of the Law. Much music is meant to be played loud, roaring down the road in your car. Wheels of Steel is one of those albums. From "Motorcycle Man" to "Machine Gun" this discs races from begining to end. The intensity never lets up!

My favorites are "747" and "Freeway Mad", but there is nothing to scoff at here. Discover why Saxon still draws crowds to their live shows with this masterpiece of metal. This is a great start up disc for those who don't know Saxon, although I would suggest spending the extra couple bucks and get the Wheels of Steel/Strong Arm compilation. You will pat yourself on the back for such genius and some lady in leather might just love you for it!

I have little I can add to the excellent, perceptive and accurate reviews that preceed this one. All the other 5 totally 'get' what Steve Nieve is saying on this sublime album, and frankly for the (sadly) rather exclusively small club of people who own this cd, we have a real musical gem, a masterpiece, an album that thankfully goes so far to counter-balance the endless poor quality rubbish the music industry churns out. This is thoughtful, unique, beautiful, qenuinely therapeutic (in the nicest sense of the word) music, that repays your time and concentration by the spade-load. BUY THIS ALBUM! BUY IT FOR THE YOUR FRIENDS. they really will thank you!
PS: I agree, I wish it was 2 hours long...

Steve Nieve is not just another supporting player, he is THE keyboard player of our generation. Sometimes lost in Elvis' shadow, Steve steps front and center here with haunting melodies and diverse, subtle movements of sound and emotion, imploring the listener to use imagination to see and hear the moment the music defines. Unimaginative folk need not apply, this album requires thoughtfulness and investment, time and attention, whether looking out your car window (recommended listening venue) or your bedroom window Steve's personal view of the windows he has seen will add to your enjoyment of that memory or the moment you are in. An interesting, singular view from an interesting worldly wise traveller.

This album has bestiful tunes. These songs has a power of healing. So, I recommend this album to the tired people. If you feel this music, you will want to travel somewhere. And you will search your window.

i have finally found the best live album ever recorded. Live Without The Aid of a Safety Net is simply amazing... evenly divided between acoustic and electric, the song selection is superb...reaching back to the glory days with an amazing acoustic rendition of Chance (The Crossing) to an unforgettable version of Steeltown (Steeltown)....to an explosive Look Away (The Seer). I'm tellin' you....everything on this album is fantastic...the crowd favorites are there, the full onslaught of Big Country sound is there, the subtle, powerful acoustic sets... You will not go wrong with this...Big Country fans of old, and Big Country fans of new alike....this is the CD that holds the key to the ultimate Big Country experience....go ahead listen to the samples before you buy it, but i'm tellin ya, this CD has not been out of my CD player since i got it...just wait until you hear "Just A Shadow"...amazing. Five stars? yeah right, try a "thousand stars"...

This album is a healthy collection of acoustic and electric performances. Some songs are revealed here as obvious fan favourites based on the crowd participation. There isn't a stinker among them, so it comes highly recommended. Do check the samples here.

Those who are only familiar with their "In A Big Country" song, may be surprised by the rest of their material, so I don't know if it's a good intro to the band. I also recommend it though, because it gives an idea as to what good contemporary Scottish rock is all about. These are heart-felt, subtantial lyrical expressions presented to us, dealing with a variety of issues.

Without the Aid of a Safety Net is a GREAT album if you are looking to buy just one live BC album, all the hits are on the this cd, recorded at the Barrowlands, and the acoustic versions of Peace in Our Time and 13 Valleys will blow you away. It also contains a great edition of Chance! The album is packed all the way through, and ends with a thundering edition of Lost Patrol. If you like any Celtic Rock whatsoever, you must get this album. Also if you like Neil Young, you will love this album.

Inspired by The Beatles Fan Club Christmas EPs and Phil Spector's Christmas LP, popmeisters The Shoes put together this compilation of 16 bands, most relatively obscure, and came up with some pure pop delights. This Yule punch bowl is filled with jingly-jangly guitars, Beatlesesque melodies and harmonies, Spector Wall of Sound sleigh bells, and more to brighten your holiday listening. Standouts are many, including The Shoes' "This Christmas," Bill Lloyd's Marshall Crenshaw-ish "Underneath the Christmas Tree," The Idea's Byrdsy "It's About That Time," Matthew Sweet's "Baby Jesus," and The Cavedogs' "Three Wise Men And A Baby," which sounds like an outtake from The Beatles White Album. - Dennis MacDonald, AMG

I searched everywhere for this CD after hearing the Shoes song "This Christmas" in a store. It is so beautiful and non-christmasy as is the rest of the CD.
I am a big fan of Christmas music, but as another reviewer mentioned, I can't stand anything with sappy kids choruses or gimmicky tricks.
This CD has some of my favorite performers doing interesting songs.
As a side note, it is possible to get this CD new from the label. Its on Black Vinyl records out of Zion Illinois.

Enjoy!!!

I was blown away, this here com"YULE"ation is a treasure trove worth any desperate discovery deep digg'n to find a YULEdeer donor.This past millennium-merry-mirth-merchandized-mix comes close to the ideal model to which YULE clerics complie toward,all that was wrong is righted by the insertion of a few instr-tinsels of your choosing for the lesser likes. ~~~Merrily Mix ~ 1 $ , 2 $ , 3 $, 4 #1\2 , 5 #1\2 , 6 # , 7 % , 8 $ , 9 $, 10 $ , 12 % , 13 # , 14 #1\2 , 15 # , and 16 #1\2 ~~~Post Script:Thanks to those prior for thier tune in, the high praise and pleasing acknowledgements are right on target. This is a National Treasure of Altenative Pop Christmas Songs, if you have a copy please share it's play often, let's all wish we get a commercial reissue or some resonate response covers someday.The Cavedog's and Herb Eimerman's tracks shine most brightly.***buyit, saveit, shareit, giveit, cherisit, donatit to the local library*** YULEridgemality Factor = 15 1\2

I have met the band a few times and really enjoyed talking tothem and hearing them play. I felt the connection was lost when they hit label success and national noteriety. (Very selfish of me, but more power to you boys.)

I have owned this album since 1995 or 1996. I bought it from the band back in the day when they played much smaller venues than now. I like the Holiday Man release, but I am a little put out by the immense fame of the "Disturbing Behavior" release, "Got You . . ." That does not dismay me, however. I am in the process of purchasing the newest release. As will I do for the next . . .

This album kicks major booty. It posesses a first album - local sound quality that is hard to parallel. There is not one bad track on the album. Although there are only ten tracks, if you could find this album anywhere, it would be worth the money. you should pay for it. The band has a quality all it own. If you have heard "Got You . . .", then you will get a feel for this album. If one could take the greatest parts of "Got You . . .", and complile an entire album with them, then you will have $ .25.

This album has a certain quality! and real talent backing! I haven't heard anything this impressive in a long time. It's a jewel in the ruff and if you can get your hands on one you're lucky! Truly a style all of their own.

Soundgarden meets Freddie Mercury is what describes this guy's voice. One of the best rock bands I've seen or heard for many years!!

no esta en mi pelo pero no enchilada es mi favorito. Tu eres en mi fiesta por dos semanas. yo no hablo espanol, yo pretendo yo como ya.

Let See, OK. A girl was sitting at the table drinking her tea or a coffe, because the lady put the bill down and she continued reading a comic strip where the motorbike wins the game.

well my review is pretty positive and how do i say it?-um well i thought it was rockin! ya i was totally diggin it.

Incredible, fresh, energetic. A CD that you will enjoy from the first note to the last.
Good alternative for those [unhappy] with the current crisis of the American Music.

Whether your are new to Brazilian Rock or an old fan, MTV Brazil creates great collections, of enjoyable songs from the best groups and individuals and this is NOT an exception. A great "Best of" album for the collector or the neophyte.

This is a great album by one of Brazil's freshest bands. They are not overly commercial but still quite popular. If you enjoy live pop rock then you should definitely get this album.

I'm probably not the normal "new age" listener in that I despise the very notion of "background music": I'm an active listener and I don't think of music as ambient "noise" to have on while I read/watch TV/play video games/play cards, etc. When I choose to listen to music, I listen to it. That means I don't want something that meanders into oblivion and tends to induce boredom or day-dreaming. I want something that inspires feelings in me, be they melancholy sighs, bubbly smiles, tearful grieving, or visceral anger (in the case of hard rock/metal or punk).

In the end, this means that I usually favour strongly melodic new age over music that employs a lot of "noodling" over washes of synths. Music as "texture" is not my thing.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Ciani's music seems warmer when centered around her piano, with the synths just added for flavour. She wisely chose to title the album around "Velocity of Love", one of the better tracks here. (A synth "trumpet" takes a brief solo, then the theme returns to piano). A near martial feel characterizes "History of my Heart"..maybe meant to evoke the feel of the battles "fought" to gain control of it?

LOWS:
"Malibuzios" starts strong but flags in the middle before rebounding at the end. I think it simply runs too long at nearly 9 minutes without enough musical ideas. Had it been trimmed to 5 or 6 minutes with the best bits kept, we'd have a stronger tune.


BOTTOM LINE:
While there are moments of beauty here, much of this tends to wash into the background. It's not awful, but it's far from what I'd consider a high-water mark in new age or even in Ms. Ciani's music.

this was instantly a classic, from the first time i heard it
and it still takes my breath away

Suzanne has bridged classical and electronic music to create her most heartfelt release to date. Her delicate touch is used to it's greatest effect in these lilting love songs. On the title track, her most passionate playing is in full force. However, her sound is as expansive as it is passionate. The depth of her moods is conveyed through her phrasing of time and space in her harmonies and solos. She demonstrates her mastery not only on the piano, but on electronic instruments on tracks, "Lay down beside me" and "Malibuzios." Suzanne creates expansive moods while playing romantic melodies.

Ah the '80s!! Cool videos on MTV, hot chicks in tight fitting clothing and great music! If you like heavy metal music then you will love this great collection. What makes this CD great is not only are the best known bands from the '80s here (Poison, Scorpions and Ratt) this CD also contains some awesome tunes (Never Enough and Blind In Texas) from lesser known bands (L.A Guns and W.A.S.P.). If you remember how fun it was to rock out in the '80s or want to see just how great it was then pick up this terrific collection!

here we have a compilation of songs that you wouldn't run out and buy on the original releases.the quiet riot,dio,w.a.s.p. and accept stand out as the strongest tracks and are arguably the best from the respective bands.y&t and rainbow are also strong but not the best from those two bands.you could do without the poison and the motorhead,but thats pretty obvious.

I think that this CD out of the Youth Gone Wild collection has the best known songs and you sometimes hear those songs on classic rock radio and the best known hits on this CD is Scorpions' Rock You Like a Hurricane, Poison's Talk Dirty to Me, Quiet Riot's Cum on Feel the Noize and Twisted Sister's Were Not Gonna Take It, the other noteworthy songs is Motorhead's Ace of Spades, Krokus's Screaming in the Night, WASP's Blind in Texas and Ratt's Lay it Down, the only song that doesn't fit in the category is Rainbow's Street of Dreams cause the song is too mellow to be on here, I would've chose Death Alley Driver instead or Stone Cold, I would love to put Rainbow's Man on the Silver Mountain but that song originally came out in 1975 and there would be 2 songs sung by Ronnie James Dio on this compilation but don't let that discourage you, if you're a casual fan of old school metal then this CD is a must have.(...)