New Wave music reviews

I love this e.p. it is wonderful to here these songs performed in such a way makes me feel like i have stumbled onto the holy grail. it is wonderful to hear boys don't cry and 10:15 on a saturday night live because youu can't really find them on show, paris or the cure live.

This is a must have for all big Cure fans, especially those of their oldest punky sound. All 4 of these tracks are gems... maybe not superior to the orignial versions but fun alternate versions that definitely are not inferior... if your the casual Cure fan then skip over this because its unfortunately only 4 tracks... but for all of those hardcore Cure fans... do not pass this one up... especially if you like Three Imaginary Boys... i also suggest getting the sessions of the Bauhaus and Joy Division...

The versions of classic Cure material found here seem much cleaner and somehow more heartfelt than those on "Three Imaginary Boys". "Killing An Arab" is great, probably the best version I've heard.

When I played this "labor of college DJ love" CD from Rhino, I felt like I was back in my old apartment in San Jose in the mid- 80's. Those were the days, when I would crawl home from clubbing at the Keystone and One Step Beyond and heavily annoy the other tenants with my "weird" musical taste.

Virtually all the tracks on this CD were staples on our college station (KFJC) play list. My favorite tracks are the bouncy upbeat "Do you dream in color?", R.E.M.s groundbreaking "Radio Free Europe", the mighty power punk/pop "In Shreds", the wonderful dreamy Passions tune as well as the new wave waltze by Cocteau Twins, and the stark moody "Pink Frost ". Okay, I just singled out half the tracks on the CD as awesome. The rest of the songs on this CD are great too.

Since I have been buying lots of 80's music recently, this CD is simply an incredible win. In fact, this CD reminded me that I used to love the band The Chameleons for a very good reason (they still rule).

Don't hesitate, buy this CD and revel in fantastic music.

Gina S.

A superb collection of alternative 80s tracks...I have purchased all 3 "Post-Punk Chronicles" CDs, and this is far the best one.

If you ever had a crush on Molly Ringwald or Andrew McCarthy, this is the album for you. What a wonderful trip back in time to the days when listening to this music meant you had to 1. dress in black 2. wear lots of mousse or hair gel and 3. be totally un-hip to the cool crowd. The influence of Joy Division on the early 1980s is rampant here, as you get a really good taste of the importance of "creating a mood" that affected other bands like The Cure and U2. I consider this music a cross between punk, psychedelic and pop. Definitely a must-have for anyone who is nostalgic for the days of Cocteau Twins and Joy Division.

I'm a big Stray Cats' fan and this is my favourite album. Every song is good. "Rebels Rule" is Bo Diddley kinda thing, "Something's Wrong With My Radio" is the fastest song, "Look at That Cadillac" is featuring groovy sax from Mel Collins, "(She's) Sexy + 17" is the hottest song "I Won't Stand in Your Way" is a beautiful ballad featuring 14 Karat Soul on background vocals and "How Long You Wanna Live, Anyway?" is teenage angst ridden song.
The coolest Stray Cats album ever!

This is without a doubt, ONE classic STRAY CATS recording. "I WON'T STAND IN YOUR WAY" is the greatest tune Brian Setzer has ever recorded.

But this is a first for me: THERE IS A CENSORED BLEEP OF ONE LYRIC IN THE OPENING TRACK, "REBELS RULE". I have never purchased a censored CD, or Vinyl Album for that matter, in over 30 years of collecting music. This is an IMPORT by Arista. Do they censor lyrics in Britain? I did not know. I know this band was popular in England before they made it in America. Their first 2 vinyl releases were British Imports which I still own. And they're available on IMPORT CD here at Amazon. Although I'm having trouble obtaining GONNA BALL. But this recording, RANT AND RAVE WITH THE STRAY CATS, was one of their first domestic releases back in 1983. Why was it not domestically rereleased on CD? Probably too obscure.

BUYER BEWARE!!! I still had to have this as it doesn't seem to be available anywhere else but on IMPORT. Most of the great tunes from this are on THE STRAY CATS GREATEST HITS, except for "LOOK AT THAT CADILLAC". I'm a purist, and I had to have the original recording. Maybe it will become a collectors items. Who knows? WEIRD!!

Well, being 15, a typical kid would like, alternative, punk, hip hop, but somethin' about this band caught my eye. Maybe the upright bass, or the way Jim played standing up, or the way Setzer could sing & play that guitar. On this cd, you'll find humor, rebellion, & heartache. Some great guitar skills, great singing, & great writing! The band is tight & the songs are top notch! After hearing this band, alternative, punk, etc, are totally out of the question. It's tuff, sweet, & stylistic! Enjoy! Yee-haw!

Wow, there's so much Gary Numan stuff to choose from these days.

I like this one because it seems to encompass a wide range of songs performed in different capacities. A real variety of his work is included and we are made privy to this guy's range. While I enjoy his later works (like Bowie, he seems to always evolve and sound good) I find this collection both dark and light, songs that capture many different moods and expressions. The later works are in my opinion - heavy on the dark, which one must be in the mood for.

It's all subjective, I suppose. Gary Numan definitely delivers well-crafted, unique songs and a highly unusual pedigree.

He's an original.

Gary Numan was a punk guitarist with Tubeway Army, but turned his traditional punk attitudes of alienation and angst toward the electronic world. Rather than say he wasn't a part of society, he turned his back on humanity and embraced the cold, sterile machine as kin. This resulted in some of the most breathtaking electronic music ever, and it influenced a generation (or two) of electronic musicians since then. His lyrics may claim to be cold and dark, but the music has such an upbeat feel that you find yourself lost in the energy. This title reflects this magic mix. Disc one has studio tracks, mostly newer material or remixed older songs. The second disc, live material from a variety of concerts, actually makes me prefer these versions to the wonderful studio versions. Live, songs like "Everyday I die," "Are Friends Electric?" and "Me, I Disconnect From You" electrify all over again, especially this latter song which builds on an almost imperceptible vocal line during the instrumental chorus on the studio album into a thing of raw beauty. Other songs including the Acoustic-Guitar-only rendition of "Jo The Waiter", and the two Pleasure Principle tracks "Cars" and "Metal" will surely have Numan fans (old and new) playing this Disc over and over.

Numan's talent and innovation are evident in Remodulate. The first disc, a collection of studio work, shows his range of styles and how he's changed over the years. The second disc, the live portion, excellently portrays Numan's live energy. The recording quality is very high, but still captures the essence of Numan's concerts.

this is one of the 10 essential neo-rockabilly records,every rockabilly aficionado must have. It's almost all the record composed with covers. All the tunes has passed the test of time (the record was recorded in 1979) increasing his valour amazingly. The Chris Speeding guitar boogie lines (above all in the title tune) it's really rockin' and the rhythm section stands with a great power and sound. But the best of all is the amazing strengh and punch of the voice of Robert Gordon. Take a listen to "Walk on by", "Blue Christmas", "I just found out", "Wheel of fortune" or the ballad's ballad "It's only make believe" and you will recognize that Robert Gordon is a vocalist far beyond the rest of the neo-rockabilly bands had ever offered.But don't expect it's only plenty of ballads, "All by myself", "Black Slacks", "Am I Blue" or the Gene Vincent tribute "The Catman"(an original tune cowritten by Robert gordon) are songs that have been very influential in the european neo-rockabilly of the 80's. Really essential.

Backed by a rocking band featuring British guitarist Chris Spedding, Baltimore's Robert Gordon really comes into his own as a vocal stylist. Excellent choice of cover material combined with crack arrangements make this a record you will want to play at your next party. Stand-out cuts include "Wheel of Fortune", "Black Slacks", "Its Only Make Believe" and the title track.

It's really good. The vocal talent is excellent

If you like Raven and don't have this album you haven't heard Raven at all! This is the album of all Raven albums! Hard ride, Hell patrol, Don't need your money, pretty much every song rocks! There is extras on the new release and that just makes the album that much better!

The title says it all. I bought this album unheard from an import bin back in '82 and my life changed forever. This was the first time I had ever heard rock played with this kind of speed and intensity. The most amazing thing about R.U.Y.D., is that the songs can be so heavy and manic, and yet catchy as hell. Not many bands can slam your head against a wall while making you hum at the same time...Raven can. This band influenced Metallica, Skid Row, and dozens of others. Quite possibly, without Raven, more agressive styles of metal may never have happened, or at least not in the same way. The most important album you've never heard of. Buy this sucker and you'll find out that Anthrax and Metallica were not the first fast, heavy bands; and neither can touch Raven.

NWOBHM masters Raven are at their best with this album, and it's about time it was released on CD. While the brothers Galagher and their drummer Wacko are not the most polished musicians they more than make up for it with there simple, in your face metal style. This is music that has no pretenses and has a very individual sound, unlike many new bands these days. If you liked metal when it was metal, this is an album for you. Fast, heavy and raw.

Scared to Dance should not really require a review. It should quite simply be in everyones collection or at the very least at the top of their shopping list. I was inspired to write this review after reading Joe Kotas's comment about no one ever having heard of the Skids. I don't know what age or nationality Mr Kotas is, but he is surely a cultural philistine.
As well as being one of the all time classic rock anthems of our time, Into the Valley, the opening track, has now been adopted by Sky Sports as their theme tune for Nationwide league football. Surely an indication of sorts that the Skids hold their own in mainstream music.
The title track follows and Stuart Adamsons immaculate guitar work still gives me chills after 23years of listening.
Every track creates an atmosphere that the listener cannot fail but to be caught up in. Stuarts "wall of sound" guitar interspersed with calculated and clinically executed riffs cannot fail to excite even the most reserved of listeners.
This collection is undoubtably one of those timeless masterpieces that will endure evermore.
Recorded when the band was in its youth, the album captures and conveys all the emotion and passion of the time.
Richard Jobsons vocal delivery is at the very least stirring and at best totally awesome.
Combined with an excellent rhythm section, giving real substance to the bands overall anthemic sound I cannot rate this work highly enough.
If you could only have one album then this is it.
If you don't have it, buy it now.

Having been a fan of The Skids since 1978,this Album has to be up there with the all-time Punk albums from the same period.It stands out especially because of Stuart Adamson's brilliant and innovative Guitar riffs and Richard Jobson's Vocals.While thinking that Jobson wrote all the songs on this Album,an excellent piece of work is that of 'Charles',written by Adamson.It is amazing that this brilliant debut has remained largely unheard of in most modern-era Post-Punk circles.

This is the Skids second best album. I believe their best is Joy which is only available on vinyl. The Skids were an amazing band, it's hard to believe nonone ever heard of them.

Faith Assembly's "Shades of Blue" has to be their best CD to date. Using an extremely beautifal blend of male and female vocals, soft synths, samples from old films and big echoey 80s style drum sounds, "Shades of Blue" takes you right back 20 years ago. The lyrics deep and meaningful, this is an under-rated gem in the synthpop genre. Alot of Synthpop you can tell has just been churned out in a few weeks, but with this CD you can tell so much effort has been put into it. Buss' vocals are simply amazing as well, which blend perfectly with the enchanting tones of the female vocals.

Although all the tracks on the album are A* quality stuff, there are a few that stand out to me. In order of most favorite track first, they are "Denial", "Captive", "Pool of Tears" and "Darkness".

This CD is definatly worth getting your hands on if you like emotional synthpop at it's finest... and as an added bonus, there's a music video for "Denial" found on the CD.

WOW!!! What an album!! There IS NOT one bad song on this album. As far as I'm concerned it is a masterpiece in synthpop. I HIGHLY recommend this album.

If you haven't picked up this album, you don't know what you're missing !! It's not just your ordinary synthpop solution; it's a high class synthpop with rich synthesizers, layered instruments, and well-blended vocals (male & female vocals combination -- which is kinda rare in synthpop genre nowadays). Plenty of great songs, as a matter of fact ALL tracks are GEMS. Don't wait no more, pick up this album; and other 'Faith Assembly' albums too. It's my favorite synthpop group at the moment !!

it was an early summer morning and i was on my way to a summer vacation with family and the person i love the most. after having bought the cure's self titled cd i uploaded show onto my ipod because i was dying to hear high and i only had the live version. it was my sister, my borther, and the person i love the most in the car. we had barely been on our way when i started playing show. i went straight to high. it was pure magic. as the car was moving and i was drifting off the music was moving right at pace. the guitars and the drums were so amazing. high is my favorite song and i think the live version is my favorite. i love the nuances of the studio version but i haven't heard high really since last year and even then it had been since 92. i didn't really ever listen to high as so much as glance over it. this time thoguh i really heard the words and the music. there's just something about the live version. then came pictures of you. i don't like either studio version of pictures of you but i absolutely love the live version. it sounds so much more beefed up and pronounced. it's like he's feeling a whole new kind of pain during this performance. lullaby follows and it made me fall in love with the song. from the chiming guitar to the errie sound the keyboard makes. the best thing about this song is the vocals. instead of the whisper you hear on the orignal robert sings on the live version and it makes so much more creepier. i was invisioning an office space with cubicles while listening to this song. as the car moves i am drifting in and out of sleep so some songs become a blur. i truly love the version of inbetween days and just like heaven on here. they are both far much better than their studio counterparts. i would take these verisons over their stuido ones any day. a night like this is also far better here. they replace the sax/trumpet solo on the original with a blistering guitar solo that truly blows down the doors. this is one of their finest solos. doing the unstuck is also really good on here. i do like the original a tad better but this is my introduction to that song as i had not heard doing the unstuck or wish since 92. probably one of the real hidden gems on here is never enough. that song really comes together well live. i love the heavier crunch of the guitar. i think that it helps easily push this version over the studio version. wish was a more guitar driven cd and this is evident on this live show. even the older material gets a real boost from the reliance more from the guitar during this period. aptly this cd ends with the song end and again it is far superior over the version on wish. it's much more brooding and heavy. i may be a biased though as this was the only cd i had with some wish songs on it. all throughout my trip i kept alternating between the self titled cd and this one. i would always start on high. rarely did i hear open which by the way is a really good version. i do have to say though that i like the wish version a little better. now i had not heard the 4 other songs included on here until a while after my trip. i love this cd so much that i had to get this again with the extra tracks. it was not a waste as the opening song now is tape and having heard it i can say that it is truly amazing. without it leading into open it makes open pale in comparison on the us version of this cd. once tape leads you into open i could hear a huge difference. open is the exact same song as on the us one i have but for some reason it sounds so much stronger and more powerful. fascination street is another of the 4 songs addded on here and it is beautiful. the walk and let's go to bed are equally brilliant. with the inclusion of these 4 songs the cd now sounds like a whole show. and the 4 songs bolster the others around even though they are the same that i've heard on my us version. they just sound so much better. i'll always have such found memories of this cd and i am so glad i bought the import. while it may not be the orignal that i heard on my trip it will still be amazing because it only makes the memories come in that much stronger. show was music for the long road ahead to drive by. this is my lullaby.

If you're going to purchase a live CD of the Cure, I highly recommend this one. The import version contains the track list in it's proper order and the liner notes/fold out poster on better quality paper. You really can't go wrong!

I currently own 5 CD's of THE CURE, and love Robert Smith dearly. Of all their work I have never heard any like this. It is amazing. It is my favorite CURE CD, and that says alot!