New Wave music reviews

I can't believe that no one has reviewed this album yet, because it really is one of the top 5 albums listed on Amazon. This is a great Dexy's compilation, with a few great new tracks, which still have the spark, but are missing the complexities of Don't Stand Me Down. My Life In England is very catchy and strong, and given a chance might have climbed the charts as a second Eileen. Manhood is a very emotionally charged song that really captures what we all feel about Kevin Rowland, and all of the Dexy fans and I are honored that he is still going. I am a novice Dexy's fan, so I'm a little confused about the new line up, which on the album looks like this: "Rowland/Pateson/Ditchfield" compared to the "Rowland/Adams/O'Hara" of Don't Stand Me Down. All in all, a must have for the true and semi Dexy fan, but is not quite up to par with Don't Stand Me Down

The Crowd were in the vanguard of the first generation of Orange County hardcore, circa 1978, along with the Adolescents, Agent Orange, T.S.O.L., and Social Distortion. "Letter Bomb" showcases the Huntington Beach band at their best - driving, melodic, and powerful. This CD holds its own alongside recent releases from big name bands like Green Day and the Offspring.

I will be honest, this album is so raw and heavy that it is easily the best live album that I have ever heard. It is very similar in song structure and wattage to the Nightcomers. If you liked the Nightcomers you will surely like this one. Most of the tunes are not available in the studio, but if they were they would be Nightcomers era. Same band as the Nightcomers for the most part- Garry Lettice on vocals, Mortimer and Dudley on guitar. Album is known today as the one with The Small Hours, keep in mind that Holocaust still rules and Metallica has sucked for over 14 years now.

Just a note, the new 2cd version is cool, but I like the rawer sound of the older version. Either one will suit the fan well. The second disc is basically an inferior sounding concert that was recorded around the same time for a VHS tape. Only rarity is "Bridge Of Impressions" which is a good tune, but not great.

This captures three different periods from Strangler's 77-79. There's a few tunes from Black and White but most of the first part of the album is their more raw punky tunes. Grip is great and very fast. I enjoyed this though ultimately I think I enjoy the studio versions better. However here they show that they are good players and performers as well as being able to put together classic studio material. A must for fans of the classic Stranglers.

This live album from the late seventies, showcases these old men of Punk at their best. I bought this album first in the early eighties and played it to death. It and SLF's Hanx are probably the best live albums I've ever heard.

There's only one of their expected hit songs (Grip) on this record which is refreshing for a live album (which usually are only greatest hits albums). The songs which are here show the stranglers at their darkest and most menacing best. The mellower stranglers are good but not as good as their darker side. So if you're in a bad mood and want to vent some anger put this on, it works everytime for me.

Anyone who saw the Stranglers will remember how great their live shows were. The group deliberately had unusual support acts (tap-dancers, barber shop quintets, ballet dancers) who would usually get shouted off stage so that when the men-in-black came on the crowd were really up for it. Their live shows were masterful. Hugh Cornwell's dreadful sense of humour is well displayed here as are his attempts to provoke the audience which frequently back-fired. At the start of the song 'Dead Ringer' a member of the audience shouts out 'wanker' at Cornwell who immediately interrupts the song to try to find out who had said the offensive word. Needless to say the whole audience then shouts out 'wanker' and at every live show afterwards the word was systematically directed at the pratt-in-black. Another thing which comes out very clearly on this album is just how good the music was. This collection culls together tracks from the group's first three studio albums and catches them at the height of their power. Easily the best Stranglers' live album.

Cheap Trick is slowly becoming a cult following.All members of which will appreciate the hard efforts of this icon legend.Robin Zander still has an explosive,yet controlled voice.Rick can still hit licks that keep you entertained.The chemistry is still there and really never left.This live CD is sure to be a "must get"!Enjoy and see you at Trickfest 3!

As live albums go there are few better than this, by any band. Live after Death is undoubtedly the best live maiden album. The whole album is dramatic and intense. The album opens with Churchills famous war speech and launches into a brilliant rendition of Aces High. Ripping live solos and bass lines make many of these maiden songs far superior to the studio versions -songs such as Hallowed be thy name - a live classic and even the flight of icarus - a song i wasnt hugely keen on wen i heard it on piece of mind, sound passionate and intense on this album.

One gripe with this album is Bruce Dickinsons versions of Di'annos songs - and also a slightly disapointing version of the trooper. other than that a true masterpiece

I guess Mr. Danny Eccleston, who wrote your online review, wouldn't know a real rock band if it hit him in the face!!!!...Cheap Trick At Budokan is a classic recording by a band which to this day still delivers on all counts! Highly recommended! Danny boy!..give yer' head a shake!..too much Backstreet Boy's has rotted yer grey matter!!!!! Long live Cheap Trick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I first discovered Robert on Fresh Fish Special.. still my favorite...and have bought everything hes put out since...I have audience and soundboard tapes..cant get enough. He never ceases to amaze me and when I see him in person its even better so this live album is awesome...thanks Robert! Duke// sorry I missed him in Irvine at the Hootennany.

Nine awesome songs by the inimitable DiVinyls perormed live with power and passion, how could this possibly get anything less than a full five star rating? Sadly, it's because of the production. This was recorded during the years when endless legal battles between the band and one of their former record labels prevented them from making any money off new releases, so they authorised bootleg concert recording just to get a new (live) album out to the fans. That alone makes me want SO much to boost this from a four-star to a five-star rating, but if I start basing the amounts of stars on such considerations as this, or on the fact that a certain band or author or whatever is an alltime favorite, or even on an unending affection for a band's red-haired female singer (we're speaking hyothetically, of course) instead of on the item's own merits it diminishes the value of a five-star rating. And of fours and threes, for that matter. Any disc or movie or whatever I give four stars to is a very high endorsement on my personal scale, and even most of the titles I've given three stars I consider very, very good and worth having.

The music and singing are exceptional. The production, although it does seem to improve as the album goes on, unfortunately doesn't really do it justice (understandable in this case). For proof just check out the DiVinyls live tracks on the "Collection" CD or, if you can track them down, old twelve-inch singles and the like that contained live material - absolutely phenomenal!! Also, there is virtually no 'talking to the audience' between songs, which in the concert from which this was taken Christina Amphlett apparantly did a lot of, and I'd really love to have here. There is some before "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" but it's, uh, hard to figure out what she's referring to. I believe it's related to dialogue from one of her theatrical stage performances (she's actually an award-winning actress from stage musicals, including Australia's mega successful "Boy From Oz" production). The lack of liner photos is also a great sadness.

Despite all this, these are nine outstanding live power rock tracks including alltime greats like "Boys In Town", "I Touch Myself" and - possibly the track that comes off best on this disc - "Love School", with an epic extended outro. And it's an essential album, underproduced or not.

DiVinyls Forever!

THIS EXCELLENT LIVE CD CAPTURES THE BEST OF ONE OF THE GREATEST BANDS EVER--THE DIVINYLS--FROM --ALL THE BOYS IN TOWN--ONLY LONELY--I TOUCH MY SELF--TEMPERAMENTAL--PLEASURE AND PAIN--A TREMENDOUS LIVE PERFORMANCE BY THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BAND" THE DIVINYLS"--THIS CD IS A VERY HARD TO FIND LIMITED EDITION--SO PICK THIS ONE UP,BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!