International music reviews

Through the ups and downs with the band over the years Nicola Sirkis has done a great job perservering, and has finally come out on top! I love the new line-up, the new style of music, and the new image... I love it all. OK, so these guys come across as big bad hard core punk/goth rockers at first impression, but not to worry. They're completely harmless. They're Frenchmen. And as Frenchmen do best, they talk of love, passion, and romance.

The music might sound a bit heavier when you first put it on, but you'll quickly get used to the new sound and actually come to embrace it after a few listens. For me it only took two. Some of the songs are hard and fast and then some of them are beautiful and slow. I play Paradize almost every day. It's a great pick-me-upper. There's a youthful spirit, great energy, and great emotion all pent up in this album. So when you play it, play it LOUD!

As usual, when Nicola sings, one always listens to what he has to say. The hermit lifestyle, quite a popular theme in Paradize, never sounded so good and so cool. In a handful of songs, Nicola talks much of staying indoors, locked up, with great fear of the outside world. His lyrics have always served as great inspiration, as well as great insight into some small corners of life. They still do. Some of them may end up meaning something special to you. A few examples are:
- "On se disait quelquefois que c'etait juste une aventure, et que ca ne durerait pas." (J'ai Demande a la Lune)
- "Moi je veux vivre un peu plus fort." (Marilyn)
In Punker, he will ask you several times, "Est-ce que tu viendrais faire le sexe avec moi?" What will you answer? A bit of a bite from Patti LaBelle's 'Lady Marmalade' but definitely one of my most favorite sing-a-long Indo songs.

This album does not disappoint. It still continues on with the Indochine legacy. They do a great job at keeping the new wave/punk/underground/industrial spirit alive in the new millenium.
I'm wishing they were better known in North America, but Quebec will have to do for now. Impatiently and anxiously awaiting the next album and their next visit to Montreal!

The music on this CD is really amazing, and unlike that produced by any US or British rock band I've heard. Even if you don't understand the lyrics, it's worth buying this album just for the music. Having previously heard their Le Best Of album, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this album is quite different: less upbeat but more mature. Each song, from beginning to end, is special.

Lyrics are great, arrangements are excellent, the songs are awesome. A new Indochine. I picked my CD in Quebec while visiting. What a great album to listen to at home or on the road! I also picked the Rita Mitsouko CD and enjoyed the various beats and sounds from both albums. French techno with excellent lyrics.

...this album is the perfect soundtrack to the Illuminatus Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea. It's a great set of post-punk, post-goth songs with a tinge of paranoia.

Go get both: put on the music and read the book.

I first bought this a few days before I went to a Damned gig in Islington and brought it back to shop the next day (I traded it for Rage Against The Machine's "Evil Empire"). At that point, the only albums I knew were "Machine Gun Etiquette" and "Damned, Damned, Damned" which are very silly, punk albums but as soon as I put "Phantasmagoria" in my CD player I got really confused... No distortion, No speed and most of all... No Sensible.
But then I discovered the links between "MGE" and "Phantasmagoria". That is "The Black Album" and "Strawberries" and eventually it prepared me for "Phantasmagoria". So any fans of the punk albums, listen to "The Black Album" and then "Strawberries" before you try this one out. This pretty much like "Distintegration" by the Cure (which I highly recomend in addition of this Damned opus if you are into this kind of stuff).

I bought The Damned "Phantasmagoria" CD used in a Boston record store for [a good price] because a) it was a ... cd i have never before seen and b) the gothic-ness of it intrigued me. I really enjoyed it too, especially "Grimly Fiendish" and "Sanctum Sanctorum".
So I decided to go online and look up some stuff about the CD and I founnd out that I guess the CD is not made anymore? Is this really true? My version of the CD also includes two bonus tracks, remixes of "Grimly Fiendish" and "Shadow of Love." It says that they are "Wicked Editions CD Only" whatever that means. The year on it says 1985, there isnt any indication that it was the re-release from 1994 or whatever. If anyone knows more about this iI'd appreciate knowing.

This is one of the top ten rock albums of the last 25 years. It's a raw, influential masterpiece. This is the punk rock that started it all. Make sure you get the recently remastered version with the bonus tracks. Then do the same with Ramones Leave Home, and Rocket To Russia. After that, you're on your own.

Firstly, this album is great and you should buy it. That's pretty much common knowledge.

Secondly: "An unprecedentedly perfect musical expression of punk attitude, effectively conveyed without cuss words. The experience of listening to this album gets increasingly rich with each successive listen.

BTW, listen with care because this can fire you up for fighting."....

Firstly, this album is great and you should buy it. That's pretty much common knowledge.

Secondly: "An unprecedentedly perfect musical expression of punk attitude, effectively conveyed without cuss words. The experience of listening to this album gets increasingly rich with each successive listen.

BTW, listen with care because this can fire you up for fighting."

This is a great CD with lots of songs that I love to blast in the car and dance to. You won't regret it.

Celia Cruz was taken from us far too soon, but her extraordinary talent will live on forever. She never gave in to trends, and remained tru to her musical roots right up to the end of her life. Sadly she will be missed, but her incredible way of interpreting a song will never be matched by any other entertainer as far as I'm concerned. She broke all musical barriers, and did Salsa the way it should be heard--in all its rawness. Never one to sell out, Celia's music will be a forever existing inspiration to us all.

I buy all my Salsa CDs for dancing so I rate them based on the "danceability" of the songs. Celia's recordings are always the best because nearly everything she produced was made for dancing! She wasn't the "Queen of Salsa" for nothing! You could also pop this one in for listening enjoyment, but why would you want to do that when you can shake it, shake it, shake it! Here is the breakdown:

1. "Ella Tiene Fuego" is a hot, danceable Salsa with a modern infectious groove!
2. "Jos� Caridad" is also a great danceable Salsa that is still modern in sound but more traditional sounding than the first track.
3. "R�e Y Llora" is a sassy danceable Cha Cha Cha. One can't help but sing `Na na na na na na!" along with Celia. It's very contagious!
4. "Ay, Pena, Penita" is similar in feel to track two on the CD. This is also a danceable salsa.
5. "Diagn�stico" is slightly more up tempo than the previous tracks and is a danceable Salsa.
6. "La Ni�a De La Trenza Negra" This song is great to listen to, but it's a little harder to dance to than other tracks on the CD. It utilizes some voice distortion technology for Celia's voice that is interesting and very modern.
7. "Me Huele La Rumba" Don't let the word "Rumba" in the title fool you; Celia kicks it up a notch with this song! It's a fast, but still danceable Salsa. It's great for your very tight and tiny moves. The breakdown in the middle is great for showing off.
8. "No Est�s Amargao" Not the best song to dance to on the CD due to a constant change in tempo and rhythm but still fun for listening.
9. "Pa' La Cola" is a danceable Salsa.
10. "Mar�a La Loca" is one more danceable salsa.
11. "Yo Vivir� (I Will Survive) is a cover of the Gloria Gaynor disco classic. This one is a little too fast to Salsa to but makes a quick Cha Cha Cha. It's a fun track, so you may be tempted to try to Salsa anyway. If you do, you'll definitely need a break afterwards.

Summary: A great album for dancing! There are 7 danceable Salsas, and two Cha Cha Chas. It's also great album for listening. Not a "skip that one" track on the whole CD. I don't know how you could possibly keep your seat while this is playing. While writing this review, I kept getting up to dance myself! A great buy and "must have" in your Salsa and Celia collection.

JUMBO ES SIN LUGAR A DUDAS UNA DE LAS MEJORES BANDAS DE ROCK EN ESPANOL, EN LOS ULTIMOS TRES ANOS EN MEXICO, RESTAURANT ES PRUEBA QUE EL ROCK EN ESPANOL TIENE AUN MUCHO POR OFRECESER, FOTOGRAFIA PUEDE SER CONSIDERADA UN CLASICO, BASTA CON ESCUCHARLA UNA VEZ, Y DEJARSE LLEVAR POR LA EXELENTE MUSICA Y LETRA, SIN DEJAR ATRAS SIENTO QUE... MONOTRANSISTOR, AQUI, ENTRE MUCHAS OTRAS, POR MENCIONAR SOLO ALGUNAS, DEFINITIVAMENTE SI TE CONSIDERAS FAN DE ESTE GENERO DE MUSICA EN PARTICULAR, ESTE ES UN CD QUE NO DEBE FALTAR EN TU COLECCION DE ROCK EN ESPANOL, JUNTO CON ZURDOK OTRA SUPER BANDA DE ROCK EN ESPANOL.

Althougth this is their first CD, I've heard it after "D. D. y ponle play' (their most recent recording). I just have to tell you, Jumbo is way ahead from sounds like Mana or Cafe Tacuba. Yes, and definitely, their sound is more Radiohead, but thy are not a rip-off: they do their own thing. Just check it out. Jumbo is worth listening.

Up to date the Latino-rock scene was jaded with the likes of Mana, Jaguares/Caifanes,etc( bands typically overplayed). Not since Jumbo has the Latino rock/alternative scene been given a more definite identity in the last couple of years. Their music is reminiscent of the early 90's grunge era stemming from Seattle. Maybe Monterrey, Mexico has something up its sleeve? Whatever the case, Jumbo, along with Zurdok, are two of the current Latino rock/alternative bands that are paving the way in terms of where Latino rock/alternative music will soon be going!

Junto con Dynamo, Signos encabeza mis recomendaciones de los discos de Soda.
Este disco aparte de mostrar un cambio en la calidad del sonido de la �poca tiene canciones simplemente espectaculares.
Creo que Signos es una canci�n de Virus que Soda hizo con mas estilo. No existes y Final Caja Negra son tambi�n muy destacables.
Disco para tener si o si en la colecci�

Las mejores, sin duda: Sin sobresaltos, El rito, En camino, Pr�fugos. Persiana, Signos, No existes, todos cl�sicos. Vas a llorar

This,their third cd is,in my opinion,the most mature of the first three cds,which,by the way,are the best ones.
Different sound,better singing,a classic of it's time.
To favorites to consider:
El Rito and Signos.
Try it,if you want to hear a good example of good latin american rock.

Proximity Effect. (Australian Electra Records version)

Nada Surf is a strange band. You think you have them figured out. Then the pull something different and unique off.

Us fans of "High/Low" got a surprise when we cracked this 30 dollar Australia only version open. (This was back before it was widely availible in the states). The punky energy that radiates from stem to stern on "High/Low" is downshifted considerably. It is replaced by at times a more sullen and morose feeling.

That is what made me stop following them. "High/Low" was brillant for its musical umph. It picked you up. Featuring fast tempos, swagger and a fabulous wit. "Proximity Effect" loses much of that. The depressing feeling about this record just isn't enjoyable to me. It may connect well to teenagers, but songs of angst, sorrow and sometimes preaching just don't radiate with someone in their 30s (me).

As for the songs you get a varied selection of slow softer numbers along with heavier rockers. Subject matters runs the gamut from lecturing machoness, feeling out of control to wonder what the hell is wrong with people. There is no question the band has something to say. However, as mentioned previously these are subject matters best related to by younger people.

My personal favorite track is the bonus cut "Spooky" its the only on this album I come back to. Maybe because I relate to the subject the matter. The song though is beautiful for its post-relationship sadness and anger. Oh, yah and the song rocks.

There are many people who love what this record ushered in: Nada Surf the angst ridden, morose and thoughtful artists. I for one prefer them being smart, fun, speedy, sassy with something say.

This album is great, it may even be better than their first. i have a hard time believing that it is only now being released in the states. They definitely should not be considered a one hit wonder (Popular). If radio people had any brains they would play '80 windows' now, it is an amazing tune, better than anything Pearl Jam or the Smashing Pumpkins have done recently. If you like rock and roll go get this cd now! The best songs on this great album are: 1. Hyperspace 2. Amateur 3. Why Are You So Mean To Me 6. 80 Windows 13. Robot

There is not much i can say but that your cd collection is not compliete without this album.....so........BUY IT RIGHT NOW...what are you waiting for

This was a great band and this one was of their best releases and is hard to say that since all their music was great , you can listen their classics as you might be wanted to listen one day.

Hay algo personal en este album y creo que eso lo hizo tan bueno es una recopilacion de 5 estrellas y lo mejor de todo fue como nos entregaron muchas canciones favoritas en ritmos progresivos e hipnotizantes y el clasico la "Apuesta por el Rock n' Roll" dejo marcados a muchos, este es un albun para la historia.

Tanto su musica y sus letras son algo muy especial y muy profesional, tienen muchisimo talento artistico y creo que si vuelven a juntarse seran los idolos del rock en Espa�ol. Son un orgullo para todos los Latinos el tener un grupo tan bueno como ellos. Mucha suerte Manuel

...is worth it. Buy this ep for that aong alone!

DREAM THEATER!!!!!

....just trying to bring up the average for this ep.

DREAM THEATER!!!!!

...if you want something done, do it yourself. Please, some help will be appreciated, though.

DREAM THEATER!!!!!

This album, Ven Conmigo was released in 1990 and was the 3rd album off EMI Latin along with, Mis Primeros Exitos, and Selena (EMI). The Tracks here are very nice. Here are the 10 Tracks from this album:
Ya Ves
Aunque No Salga El Sol
Ven Conmigo
Yo Te Amo
Enamorada De Ti
La Tracalera
Baila Esta Cumbia
Yo Me Voy
No Quiero Saber
Despues De Enero

This is one of the best albums ever.

This is the Selena album I listen to most often. Selena y los Dinos' Tejano/tex-mex roots have a larger presence on Ven Commigo than in later albums such as Entre A Mi Mundo and Amor Prohibido (although I love these as well). There's a wider range of styles--rancheras, conjuntos, even a bit of pop--all of which Selena handles well. One of Selena's first regional hits, the catchy "Baile esta cumbia" is on the album, but I also like the more Tejano-driven songs like "Yo te amo" and "Ya ves." The title track "Ven Conmigo" has a more traditional Tex-mex sound as well, but it's also reminiscent of Louisiana-style zydeco music (which shares with tejano extensive use of the accordion).
My understanding of Spanish is adequate (it could use some improvement though), but you don't need to know it to enjoy the music, or Selena's lovely voice. Most of her English-language songs don't have the bounce, hooks and liveliness of her Spanish work, so if your knowledge of Selena is limited to "I Could Fall In Love" or "Dreaming of You," you're not getting the whole Selena experience. Ven Commigo would be a good place to start.

What an amazing album this is.I remember I was small child at the time and when I first heard "Baila Esta Cumbia" on the radio...I said to myself..who is this girl?I finally found out who this was and I rushed out to get the album and I've been a fan since that day.....My other favorites on this album are No Quiero Saber,Ya Ves,and Ven Conmigo....This is a Selena classic album.Make sure you pick a copy of this one up!