International music reviews

The norteno kings deliver with heartfelt ballads like "Ayudame" and "Voy a Tener Que Olvidarla" (which somebody should cover pop style) and give us another winning cumbia with "Para Que Volver." They stay a step ahead of young imitators with their laid-back, cohesive musicianship. But as successful as the Intocable/Jose Luis Ayala/Louie Padilla hit machine is, the group is essentially rehashing its tried-and-true formula of low, soft verses building up to choruses that inevitably contain the song's title. Much of it remains potent and catchy, but a five-star album doesn't play it safe; it takes risks.

Talk about romantic, this album just makes you cry. It's just beautiful. Romantisim had been lost for a long time and Intocable has recaptured it in a very special way.

This has been the best ever romantic playing CD EVER!
Thanks to the Intocables I can feel as if I'm with my boyfriend as close as I would want him to be! Thank You SOOOOOOOO much!
I love them!

Hey Carlin, what's up? Well people, what can I say? This album says it all. It would be so much better if you could hear ALL the song, but one takes what one gets. I think this is one of their best yet. Although I've heard a sample of their up-coming album and I'm already itching to buy it. I think who ever buys this cd is in for a treat. Unfortunately, only those who are in-love or have ever been truly in-love, will ever get the true meaning and depth of these songs. But even so, it's still wonderful and anybody and everybody can enjoy it. The music alone sets you free, and those amazing voices take you to new levels of happiness. I truly recomend this album and ALL the other La Mafia albums. You will enjoy hearing the changes as the years went by. See ya at the next Mafia concert Carlin!!! Yay! La Mafia rules!!!

LA MAFIA ALWAYS BRINGS US THE BEST IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND ALL THEIR ALBUMS PROVE IT!!!

After all these years La Mafia is still the best with Oscar,Leonard and Mando leading the way for the others they still have a style that no one can come close to. This new CD entitled Euforia just proves that they are one of the greatest if not the greatest bands around.

Personally, I'm more of a metal fan, but Pulse Legion got me interested in the industrial scene... I really think that both cd's are excellent, I really like the last track on the second cd... has a bit of a metal feel to it... It's very unfortunatly that PL split up.. I know one of the members, Sam P., He's now with Imperative Reaction, another really awsome group... Alas, I will miss PL.

"Pulse Legion is graphic evidence that strong electronic dance music need not come from outside the North American borders. Powerful and infectious, the music of Pulse legion is driven by implacable mechanical beats and aggressive percussion, intricate sampling, intense musical progressions, haunting keyboards, and supported by disturbing vocals."
-metropolis

The contemplation in the unique workings portrayed by 'Pulse Legion' is absolutely astonishing. The enticing rhythm and industrial sounds, penetrate the mind to where you would indulge in reverie! Very creative and original. The songs flow real well and keep ya satisfied.

This is what she can best, and it goes from the slow to the tempoupbeat. Track 2 Conga is a winner anyway. A track called Dr Beat ( Track 4) says it all in a way. If you need Dr Beat, Gloria has the right medicine to move youre soul. A track like Dingus Li Bangui (Track 7) it`s fun to listning too.
Mostly this is songs from earlier CD`s but if you want a good introduction to here quality and musical style this one has it all in one place. Great. Just a great Cd. How can you go wrong when bought Track 10 Oye Mi Canto and Track 11.Here We are are included.

"Exitos" is THE ultimate Gloria Estefan CD. The listener will really learn about Estefan's wide variety of music. This CD takes you rom the latin pop of "Conga" to "Dr. Beat" to the EARLY hits such as "No Sera Facil," "Renacer" and "Dingui - Li Bangui." Gloria's ballad hits such as "Anything For You," "Words Get In The Way" and "Don't Wanna Lose You" are included in their respective spanish language and the Portuguese version of "Here We Are." Estefan also includes the original version of the popular English hit "I Need Your Love." Wisely, she adds the fresh "Oye Mi Canto" just for good measure! This is THE Gloria Estefan CD, a must have!

Mi Tierra rate the highest star (I should say all your songs) is the magic that Gloria Estefan have when she sings...con pimienta that makes you move around Im not Cuban, but the Tex/Mex in me makes me proud of my latin hermanos GLORIA with your generasity your are bless with your voice. Siempre una fan que te desea lo mejor. HAPPY 2000!

Bette Midler has had an excellent career filled with memorable music, and Atlantic does a decent job with this release to accompany this 20 plus year celebration of the career of Bette Midler. There was a US version, but this one is far and beyond better than that one. This compilation features four bonus tracks that were unavailable on the US release: "To Deserve You" (Single Mix), "To Deserve You" (Album Version), "Beast of Burden and "Favorite Waste of Time". As well this has new artwork. However, with the 18 tracks here, there are several missing from this collection which are sorely missed, such as "Old Cape Cod", "Mother's Eyes", "Married Men" and more. However it still marks as a good compilation, with some of her most memorable hits, such as the lump-in-the-throat "Wind Beneath My Wings", the beautiful ballads "From A Distance", "In My Life" and "The Rose", the quirky and upbeat "Miss Otis Regrets", as well as "When A man Loves A Woman", "Chapel Of Love", "Only In Miami" and more. If you are a new Bette Midler fan, this is a good place to start your foundation for her music, its a good introduction into her career and music.

Much better collection than the US version, but still incomplete! After 20 years and several million sellers. Atlantic managed to scrape up a stingy one disc collection that's supposed to reflect that! Where are her other top 40 and A/C hits? Missing-in-action are Old Cape Cod, You're Movin' Out Today, Married Men, My Mother's Eyes and others.

Not many artists can say they juggle a successful music andfilm career together but Bette is the exception ! This CD onlyreaffirms why she is a Grammy award winning singer by including all the essentials from 25 years of shear musical bliss. You name it Bette Midler has tackled it big ballads, torch songs, dance, rock just about every genre is fairly reflected on this divine CD. In total these 18 tracks beautifully highlight her studio and soundtrack albums which have become classics: to deserve you (single remix)/beast of burden/favourite waste of time/hello in there/do you wanna dance/from a distance/chapel of love/only in miami/when a man loves a woman/the rose/miss otis regrets/shiver me timbers/wind beneath my wings/boogie woogie bugle boy/one for my baby/friends/in my life/to deserve you (album version) This CD is also extra special as it contains 4 sought after tracks including the RARE remix of the world-wide smash club anthem TO DESERVE YOU plus her rocky, rebellious BEAST OF BURDEN & FAVOURITE WASTE OF TIME !

there is only one thing to say about this cd. it is the best, this cd was the first cd flavio cesar made. it was also a soundtrack for a spanish series called (abujetas de color de rosa) witch makes this cd even better.

This is an excellent debut album by a fine singer. In this album, Flavio Cesar shows that he has what it takes to become a first-rate singer---a fine voice, an instinctive sensitivity for interpretation, and a wide range---both vocally and in terms of the types of music with which he is comfortable. Highlights of this album range from the romantic ballads "En Cada Cancion" (his first big hit) and "Inolvidable" to the rock-and-roll-inspired "El Beso de la Arana", a Spanish-language version of "Bye Bye Love" (which was once recorded by the Everly Brothers), "Historia de Amor" and "Pienso en Ti". In this album, he shows the promise that is borne out in his subsequent cd's. If you haven't "discovered" Flavio Cesar yet, give him a try. You won't be disappointed.

Flavio started at a fairly young age. In this CD which is his first material he really shows us of what he is capable of. His voice is great he sings the songs with so much emmotion. And they are juvenile songs which we can all relate to about lost loves and hard to get loves and LOVE and anyone who can have a CD about love and touch me with that innocence deserves a chance to be heard.

Este es un CD lleno de energia y con un Franco de Vita renovado. A pesar que le falta "la cancion" que lo haga un disco clasico e imperdonable se logra un trabajo muy balenceado y muy bien hecho

este cd es uno de los mejores, y su gira fue genial
la fucion es buena y los ritmos mas todavia, buen disco
buena musica, yo el venezolano digo 10 para este cd
y el cd de franco en italiano tambien si lo ven comprenlo.

I love this disc! It's so moving. All of the songs are beautifully written and it's more of an acoustic-sounding disc than what Franco has done in the past.

Challenging new music from this youthful band Mangue Beat band out of Recife, Brazil. A truly weird, psychedelic, distorted take on the street samba sound, mixing spacy electric guitars with clattering percussion and other non-rock instruments, such as pife flutes, an accordeon and a violin, and a wild mix of rock and Brazilian styles like forro, maracatu, and baiao. It's kind of like hearing the Quinteto Violado on acid.

Mestre Ambr�sio has been my favorite band ever since I put this CD in the player. I was in a CD store in Brazil, and promtly bought both copies of the disc that they had on hand. Before Amazon offered this disc, I started begging my family in Brazil to ship me copies for me to give my friends as presents. Seeing the CD here will make it easier.
The way this band mixes traditional rhythms with contemporary experience, and the beauty, skill, and energy of the music, makes Mestre Ambr�sio the most exciting band that I can think of, IN THE WORLD.
Since you have found your way to this disc on the website, you are interested in some aspect of Brazilian music -- given that, take my recommendation: DON'T MISS THIS BAND. They are not world-famous names like Caetano Veloso or Gilberto Gil, but these young musicians are the legendary musicians of the future.
This CD is amazing, and their new CD, "Terceiro Samba", is equally so.

I didn`t know much about them before watching their concert in london, but after seeing it I couldn`t wait to get my hands on the cd.They are simply the most impressive act to come out of the northeast of Brazil in recent times and, believe me, it shows on the cd. the songs cover a wide range of regional styles, up-to-dating them and making your feet tap uncontrolably to the powerful rythym. All tracks have an outstanding efect on the listener but track # 8 has got some trance - like qualities that transports you to another planet and therefore is my favorite. The production is impecable and the charisma of the group shows everywhere. Just buy it and you won`t regret it.

Let's not mince words. They were the untalented-but-pretty portion of the nineties R'n'B/pop outfit All Saints. Whilst bandmates Shaznay Lewis and Mel Blatt took lead vocal and notched up a string of perfect pop tunes, the seemingly vacuous Appleton party-girls Nicole and Natalie took a backseat, smiling in the video clips, then bouncing down to the nearest bar. What a change it makes when these two are given a chance to shine on their own terms.

'Everything's Eventual' is one of the most satisfying albums to come out of Britain this year. A perfect blend of Beatles-esque melodies and the smooth vocals of All Saints without the sometimes intrusive vibrato of Shaznay Lewis. 'Everything's Eventual' offers twelve fresh and largley memorable songs. The first single, 'Fantasy', is an Oasis-esque pop/rocker which remains one of the album's strongest cuts. 'Don't Worry' is Abbey Road from start to finish, a salivatingly-good ballad with crystal vocals and a melody to match, and whilst 'Everything Eventually' might have been too subtle as a single, it works a treat on the album.

'Everything's Eventual' is not free of filler, but there are enough solid tracks to justify a purchase. The poptunes 'Waiting For Your Love' and 'Long Long Road' shimmer, but the girls display a surprising amount of maturity in the second half of the album. The trembling excitement of a friendship-turned-relationship in 'All Grown Up' and the sweeping epic that is '5AM' are highlights, as is the Dusty Springfield-esque closing tune 'Anyone'.

'Everything's Eventual' is an impressive showcase of Britpop. Bite your pride and buy it, even if you have to hide it under your bed lest anyone see it.

I thought the production for this album was perfect; seamless. The strings were wonderful, added a necessary edge to the songs, the instrumentation was apt and wonderfully done and the melodies were original and fresh. The only thing is that the girls don't sing very well; it just doesn't cut it the same way the production does.

Anyhow, my favorite tracks are:
Don't Worry
5am
Anyone
Everything Eventually
M.W.A.
Hallelujah

I have to say that the lush arrangements of songs like Don't Worry and 5am alone make the album a worthwhile purchase. 'Don't Worry' is one of those songs that are wrought with emotion, with a line (I mean the first line of the chorus) that never seems to want to leave your head. 5am follows the same vein, starting slow and unhurried and building to a wonderful climax. Many people have said that Natalie Appleton proves she can sing well in this track, but I have this strong feeling that her sister Nicole (who apparently has been blessed with the better vocals though she's younger that Natalie) did voice-overs for her on the high part. I really do.

I think Natalie can sing; it's just that she can't sing high. Nicole's voice has tone, but sometimes I think it's inconsistent and it lacks emotion. Natalie has a thin voice, which means she'd do well for backing vocals, which is what she does most of the time. However, Natalie isn't a stoner; I think the credits say she writes more songs and lyrics than Nicole does. So it balances out.

'Anyone' is another great song, but I think Natalie trying to sing high does ruin the song a little, though the melody makes up for that.

Songs like 'Hallelujah' and 'Supernaturally' are good tracks, but the protools (say for the unwelcome beeping/popping?? sounds at the beginning of 'Hallelujah') do get intrusive and after a few listens, you may agree that the songs could've done without 'em.

This album also didn't get 5 stars because there are tracks like 'Ring-A-Ding-Ding' and 'All Grown Up' that are just...yawn...But I think 'All Grown Up' sounds like a really watered-down Oasis filler.

This is an album which is definitely a good one, but if you don't get it, you haven't been missing very much. Though these girls go the ambitious trip-hop conceptual route, it's also an none-too-convincing effort too.

I've heard some stuff about "Everything Eventually" and have been wanting to check it out for a while. Getting it basically cemented my position of regarding it as a truly great (yet extremely underrated) modern pop record. I mean a lotta times people (especially those nasty critics) tend to question the lyrics on the tracks, but you know, the whole album isn't really as pretentious as it seems. I think the girls of Appleton (1/2 of All Saints) just wanted to continue on in a more chilled out, relaxed pace, which is super obvious with the album's more laid-back atmosphere. Appleton's "Everything Eventually" most directly picks up from All Saints' "Pure Shores" and "Black Coffee" tracks. Here's a track-by-track overview of it:

1. "Fantasy" - The first single, but not necessarily the best track in the album. It's definitely a standout though because it's a bit rock-ish, but trippy at the same time.

2. "Don't Worry" - Very dramatic with the strings, yet subtle and graceful at the same time. Beautifully slow, moody, and atmospheric.

3. "Hallelujah" - Sounds like church, but you know, its preachiness fits. The track's like "Don't Worry" before it, but it's got a bit more beat to it. Nice vocals.

4. "Everything Eventually" - The track just glides at a pace and that beat sticks to you. It's mid-tempo and has a chilled out groove as well. I think it's a good meditation track to relax to, but not those slow ones.

5. "M.W.A." - Probably channels All Saints and their previous material the most, but it's like a hybrid of pop, electronica, and hip-hop. The rapping seems awkward, but the layered vocals are great (I still don't get the attempt to be super spiritual or have this notion of higher learning).

6. "Ring-A-Ding-Ding" - One of the most epic tracks of the album: very Middle Eastern, yet slow and full of strings. Heavy track!

7. "Supernaturally" - Accents the album's wholesome trip-hop/pop sound nicely. The beat's reminiscent of "Black Coffee."

8. "All Grown Up" - Very Beatlesque-meets-trip/hop. Slow track with piano and it's gorgeous and moody.

9. "Waiting For Your Love" - Funky pop track with an electro bassline. Very modern Madonna-esque like a lotta the tracks here.

10. "5am" - Sounds very nostalgic, yet with a modern feel to it. I dunno, it starts off like those folky songs. Very campfire-like.

11. "Long Long Road" - Chilled out alternative track much like a lotta others, and it's got a cool constant beat. Another chill out song that doesn't demand too much attention.

12. "Anyone" - Probably the least electronic track. Very piano-laden though with an orchestra to back up. Has a lotta great classical moments. Dramatic.

13. "Blow My Mind" (UK Bonus Track) - One of the better tracks of the album is unfortunately a bonus track. It's like "Fantasy" with its rockishness, but it also borrows from the heavier trip-hop appeal of a lotta the other pop tracks on the album. Great way to truly end it!

So in conclusion, the album seems to show the Appleton sisters channelling the spirit of electronica Madonna with a little bit of alternative, indie, etc. in the side too. Extremely worthy debut and is full of great production. I dunno why they seem like a bunch of hated socialites in the UK, but this is how albums should be made. Really great! Highly recommended pop album and is absolutely great for chilling out. Almost sublime!

Dannii Minogue is Kylie's sister. Dannii isn't so famous as Kylie and this album doesn't make her better either. The first song is a famous hit song "All I Wanna Do". Dannii has a beautfuk voice in it. Then four ballads..."Heaven Can Wait", "So in Love With Yourself". "Am I Dreaming", and the strange one: "Everybody Changes Underwater". The last song is kinda creepy...Dannii tries toi sing in a sexy way but fails. The rest of the songs are quite good ones..."Everything I Wanted" and "Disremembrance" are the best ones. "If It Moves - Dub It" is a techno song...not my favourite songs.
Stars: All I Wanna Do, Disremembrance

Firstly, I am very happy that you are interested in this CD. Although you can not purchase it from amazon.com, I very strongly recommend you do, and in this review, my aim is to tell you why.

"Girl" is a mixture of sooo many genres: Dance, pop, alternative, techno, house, electrocia, club, jazz and trance to name some. It is dark at times, but still quite danceable generally. It is very original and different, which is one of the reasons why this album didn't do too well in the charts. People still viewed (and she was still marketed) as a bubblegum pop singer (well not really but you know what I mean), and this album shows much more than that - it is Dannii's most mature album so far.

The album begins with the top-5 UK hit "All I Wanna Do". It is a fan favourite, and also one of my many favourites on this CD. The techno-Dannii is introduced in this song, and it workd so well - the beats are awesome. And it is catchy also. Track 2, "Heaven Can Wait" is a nice, laid-back, fun and jazzy song where Dannii has finally found her lover. It is not one of my favourites, but this is NOT to say it is a bad song. It is actually very very good. "So In Love With Yourself" is one of my favourites from this album. It starts out quite simple with vocal and one layer of synthesiser, and soon explodes into a complex, fast, loud dance section and it is great lyrically also. "Am I Dreaming" is another of my favourites, and I like it a hair better than the previous. It is one of those rare song that you can't really descirbe. It has a dreamy chorus, and one of the best songs of Dannii's career. "Everybody Changes Underwater" is a song people should listen to with an open mind. There are far too many reviewers complaining that this song is too weird and inaccessible (note: a song can never be too weird and/or inaccessible) and really, this song is an epic. In fact it is my favourite song from the album and Dannii should do more songs where she competely let's go, like she did it this piece. The beats reminded me of Bjork's Vespertine album, which is definaly a good thing. The song begins with Dannii speaking: `It's dark...' - I guess this song is about some sort of fantasy world. After not much longer than a-minute-and-a-half, the chorus begins and reminds me of a waterfall - it is very atmospheric, and so is the song. It is the longest album-track of Dannii's career, the song goes for more than 6 minutes, but it deosn't seem like it!

"Everything I Wanted" is the perfect song to arrive after the past epic, but in my opinion, this shouldn't have been the second single from the album. It is far too inaccessible and dark, and maybe tracks 3, 4, or 9 would have been better. I love the lyrics and background vocals, especially in the third verse. "If It Moves - Dub It" is more than just a souless dance track. It has many little beats and such to listen out for - another song you should listen to with an open mind, and not when you are half-asleep. "Disrememberance" is a fan-favourite, and although not one of my favourites from the album (trx 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 are), it is still very good. Like track 3, it starts out quite simple with vocals and one synthesiser, and explodes into the chorus / refrain. It is probably Dannii's best track lyrically, but really a song you have listen to to know how it sounds like. It peaked at #21 the UK and #53 in Australia. "It's Amazing" is Dannii's best ballad ever (like on Neon Nights, she only includes one ballad on her album), and reminded me of Goldfrapp's "Time Out From The World", but this song is FAR better. It is very smooth, but doesn't sound like an album closer, like "It Won't Work Out". The last track is "Movin' Up" and is the perfect closer to the Girl album. But if you aren't too tired, fast forward a bit and you will hear the strange "Coconut", which was released as an Australian only single and peaked at #42 there.

10 / 10

Therefore, this is one of my all-time favourite albums (definatly top-5). It is not the album for someone who strictly likes just one genre of music, because it does have so much variety, and yet the album flows really good. The only complaint I have about this album is that I think "All I Wanna Do" should have not been the opener. Maybe track 3 or 5, but as I said, it doen't really matter (I know, I can complain about anything). I strongly recommend this album to absoluely everyone and that i something I would not do very often. And finally, this album really is better than the genous of Radiohead's "OK Computer" and Bjorks "Homogenic", which are commonly referred to as the masterpieces of 1997.

This album from 1997 represented the return of an all new, fully blossomed Dannii Minogue. Although the album was criminally overlooked, the first single, "All I Wanna Do" was her most successful up to this point, hitting #4 on the UK charts. Unfortunately, the success of that single didn't translate into album sales (which peaked at #57 in the UK). With "Girl" Dannii made a significant, almost dramatic break from the past.
From the epic trance sound of "All I Wanna Do" and "Disremembrance" to "Everybody Changes Underwater" with it's mix of drum n' bass and lush, spacious soundscapes, the direction on this album was a creative quantum leap away from her first two albums, which, in my opinion were average, pedestrian pop albums at best (and that's still being kind).

Producers on the album include Xenomania (Brian Higgins, Matt Gray and team), Flexifinger (Ian Masterson and David Green) and Metro (Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling) - who were in high demand later on, after having major hits on Cher's "Believe" album..

Overall, "Girl" was a competent bid for credibility on both the pop and club scenes. The entire album has a mature, almost atmospheric sound, that regardless of it's commercial achievements - is a creative pinnacle in Ms. Minogue's career. Who knew that the girl who chirped ditties like "Love and Kisses" and "Love's On Every Corner" could make an album this good. Recommended listening for anyone who enjoys solid, mature and well produced pop music.