Pop Rock Music

Delightful, comprehensive compilation with subtle re-workings that enhance and refresh the songs while maintaining their integrity (most notably in Cold and Little Bird - just different enough from the album and radio versions to be noticeable). Fantastic liner notes included with new reflections from the artist. Complete videography - without a "play all" feature which is my only suggestion for improvement (aside from offering a blu-ray version).
Just fantastic and well worth the purchase price.

I was excited to purchase this since Sony BMG in our country just released the CD. No DVD at all! So better get it here on an even upgraded deluxe version with another bonus disc. What's best is that the 2 new songs are already in a form of video in the DVD. However reading some of those reviews here they were right when there is no continuous play for the videos. Also absent is the video for "Love Song for a Vampire" which is present on the CD/DVD combo only. And to make things worse, all the videos except Pattern Of My Life and Shining Light were all in Mono. Can't believe this. Some of the video quality is crap. Sound isn't even mixed in 5.1.

These C Ds were bought as presents for my family & they were very pleased with them. I was pleased with the fast delivery.

As expected, excellent music with high production values.

It is unfortunate that this collection excludes her work with Dave Stewart.

I had most of the songs on this album before, so I bought it mainly for the DVD with the music videos and the few songs that I was missing- I am not disappointed. If you are just starting on your Annie Lennox, I suggest purchasing Bare and Diva instead.

Received this album in record time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Having replaced an old CD with this one i knew what to expect. Good selection of material and good quality.Can't go wrong. Brothers in Arms, Walk of Life, So Far Away. All the classics.

"Brothers in Arms" (1985) became the band's biggest selling album ever! It consists of nine excellent compositions that feature the band's trademark guitar-based sound but with a noticeable addition of synths and keyboards. At this point, only band leader/songwriter Mark Knopfler (guitar/vocals) and John Illsley (bass) remained from the original line-up now completed by Alan Clark/Guy Fletcher (keyboards), and drummer Omar Hakim. I really like the album's cover concept with the pink letters against the blue background that makes for a good color combination. The National Style 0 Resonator guitar model is a very expensive one but it has a brilliant sound! I heard somebody try it out in a guitar shop!

"So Far Away" is introduced by Illsley's thumping bass with Hakim keeping the time on his hi-hat on this laid back rock/pop number that became a notable radio hit. You'll notice that the dominant instrument is the synthesizer instead of Mark's guitar. However that quickly changes with "Money For Nothing", a tune that Mark co-wrote with The Police member Sting who also sings as well. The atmospheric intro with the unforgettable lyrics "I Want My MTV" is a bit misleading since before long, a drum improvisation (actually played by Terry Williams instead of Hakim; his only contribution) comes in and the song becomes the album's most rocking with Knopfler using distortion on his guitar. Another unexpected thing is the song's length: 8:24! I remember when I heard it for the first time I kept looking at the time on my stereo...I could have never guessed it was going to be that long! Anyway, it is one of their best!
The seemingly rockabilly influenced "Walk Of Life" comes next. The most remarkable aspect here is the catchy keyboard line used throughout but suddenly "Your Latest Trick" changes the style dramatically. It's a laid back jazz number with an amazing performance from Michael Brecker on saxophone! Still there are some occasional bursts of guitar from Mark too. Refusing to stay the same, "Why Worry" now heads in a folk direction. Mark's soft vocal delivery fits perfectly here. This song's length is also unexpected: 8:25! Nice keyboard work towards the end.
"Ride across the River" is the first of the album's three songs with lyrics about war. Musically, it is heavy on tribal percussion, a pan flute player, and a horn section contribution from session musician Dave Plews. A great melodic guitar solo is featured in the middle while towards the end his playing becomes trippier utilizing a delay effect.
Knopfler brings back the acoustic guitar for "The Man's Too Strong". Lyrically, the theme of war is back. It is a quiet song that slowly builds to a crescendo with those loud chords played in the chorus. I really like the lead slide guitar that pops up in between the verses. "One World" is the other more rock based composition with a brilliant performance from Mark on lead guitar. Also his vocal delivery kind of reminded me of Hendrix's on his song "Gypsy Eyes" from the "Electric Ladyland" LP. It is the shortest number clocking at about three minutes and a half; such an overlooked gem for me!
Hold it right there though! Closing the LP comes the excellent title cut, another anti-war song. Fantastic lead guitar throughout! Very melodic, each note that Knopfler plays is memorable here! Towards the end there's a bit of keyboard soloing as well. A good farewell!

If you are looking for great rock/pop music from the 80's, this LP from Dire Straits is a good addition to your collection!
Thanks for taking the time to read!
Later...

One of the enduring bands of the eighties. Great music with unusual and appealing guitar riffs. Knopfler has a quiet, intense style that carries a punch at times, while at other times he creates a feeling of desire and longing and a sense of nostalgia for things past, such as in songs like 'Brothers in Arms' and 'Walk of Life'. They withstand the test of time because they deal in eternal verities - loss/betrayal/love/consumerism/war and violence.

Everyone knows this album so I'm not going to review the content all over again. I've bought this album more than once, so I do like it. It's a great classic.

The issue to me is what do you get when you buy the resissued, remastered versions? I've carefully listened to most of the Dire Straits remasters. The Japanese SHM-CDs, especially the early albums, sound phenomenal. Most are well worth the money. However, something changes when you get to the 1985 Brothers In Arms album. It's only slightly better then previous versions. It still sounds thin like a digital recording. Why ? Because it is. In my opinion they made a bad choice when they chose to do a full digital recording, which back in 1984-85 was new and untested technology in the early years of the digital recording era.

The Analog to Digital Converters are far better now and they keep getting better. Great news for continually remastering old analog recordings. But not for Brothers in Arms because they can't go back. The binary bits are the same as when they were set in stone nearly 25 years ago. For the same reason releasing this album on vinyl or SACD makes absolutely no sense to me either. Though it may make business sense for the record company. Thus, take it for what is is, one of the first entirely digital recorded albums.

"Brothers in Arms" is likeable, passable, gentle, and hugely unexciting. That's except for "Money for Nothing," a darn catchy ditty improved by support from Sting. But its hypocracy is off-putting: we know its hero, who is apparently an everyman, is NOT an everyman, or if so, he's a jackass jerk who can't be much fun to be around. We know this from the entire verse serving as a passive, thick-headed anti-gay attack. It could've been more repulsive, anyway; Knopfler could've poked fun at blacks.

Emerging from the ashes of one of the most influential bands in Seattle Grunge (Mother Love Bone), Pearl Jam mark the movement today. Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, among others eventually, lost strength, but in his "world", Pearl Jam continued to grow and develop. In his first album, some of his greatest classics: Alive, Even Flow, Jeremy, and his first ballad: Black. In one of his most memorable performance, the MTV Unplugged shows to grab these young people, now mens move the Rock

this is the way they should remix,remaster and rerelease cd's. you have the original remastered and then you get another remastered and remixed along with brother, one of the best unreleased songs ever

I'm renewing my love for vinyl, and this is the best way to restart my collection, great sound and great band.

I HAVE THE FIRST EDITION, AND THIS ONE SOUNDS MUCH BETTER!!!
THE SECOND LP HAS A NICE MIXING!!! IT'S REALLY COOL TO LISTEN TO ONE AFTER ANOTHER...

IF you go 27 seconds into "Alive" on the remastered disc, the audio clearly drops down to a dull a slighty muted/muffled sound, then for the next minute goes back to sounding ok again. How did they miss that?

It's great to have the dvd of the Unplugged performance but after listening to both discs, I don't hear any difference (other than loudness) in the remastered version over the original release.

The remixed versions are interesting at first to listen to, but they certainly are not any better. In some songs, it's much worse. Yes it's good to hear Vedder more clearly but in so many songs the guitar solos are pulled back and get drowned out by other instrumentation. Other times Vedder sounds so separate from the music that it's almost like he's singing in a closet.

I feel that this is one of Sarah McLachlan's finest CD's, I love the music but one thing I do not like about it is the "enhanced CD" format. While the value added items of an "enhanced CD" may be important to some people I found it to be a pain. I was forced to Rip the songs, losing quality in the process, to another format to save them to my computer so that I could use the CD in my car. I wish this album had been released in both the enhanced and the regular format. I gave it five stars because of the incredible songs on the album. If I were asked about the "enhanced CD" experience I would have only given it a rating of two stars.

It took quite a few listens for me to like it when I first bought it. I was initially disappointed but grew to love it even more than the others. Now, years later, it's my favorite. I'm older now and it strikes more of a chord with me. Who knows, maturity? Great!

I have never heard it played and am thankful, spay and neuter your pets please.

I am a long time Sarah fan this CD ranks up with the best her work. She is at her melancholy and introspective best in this CD singing about her worries, fears and failures. Her voice is beautiful and the composition is great on this disc.
Highlights for me are "Fallen", "World on Fire", "Train Wreck", "Push" and "Time". "Push" is a beautiful love song and it's sad to hear that her marriage recently broke up as I can only assume she wrote this song about her husband.
I love this CD and recommend it if you are at all a fan.

I have always loved SM, but this CD did not offer me anything new, with the exception of 'Answer'. This one song makes the CD somewhat redeemable. I like the rest of the CD okay, but it's not one that's going to be in the CD rotation of favorites.

i saw this movie years ago and i still enjoy it. i have shared it with my friends and they also enjoyed it.

The cinematography is beautiful. The rest is fun and campy in an odd way. Not exactly a serious story. I liked the music a lot, but it doesn't hold me the way the visuals do after repeated viewings. Rockers who have never seen it before love it. It is a neat and unusual movie.

I was very pleased with my first order from Amazon. The CD is a Christmas gift and I received it in pleanty of time and in pristine condition. Thank you.

this was a gift, and it was much enjoyed. i love this movie, and the music is a big reason for that.

The movie looked promising on every level. Seeing it in a theater, it fell extremely short of my expectations. Good actors who for some reason delivered lines in this movie like they were reading it off a cue card. And played it so "stereotypical" of the "character type" they were portraying it was sometimes "smirk inducing".

That said...in the end it is kinda fun to watch. I bought this soundrack 'cause it is a great sample of some great rock acts of the 80's (without sounding 80's). You've got the "voice" of Contact (who had a hit with "10.9.8"), Marylin Martin (w/ Stevie Nicks doing some of the best b/g vocals on her own song), Maria Mckee doing Tom Petty "justice" yet again.

If you can it's probably best to buy a download (where??) of the cuts you like. Hearing all the songs in context of the film is fine. At home it's a different story. My rating is 50/50 but after all these years
I've made an effort to track down the DVD and this CD so parties involved must have done something right.

My wife & I had just seen them in concert, so I wanted to recapture that great feeling. While I had several of his studio CD's - which I love - this CD rekindled the experience of his Live performance. The energy and grit can never be truly recaptured, but this 3 disc CD comes close. I love it. Some of his lesser known songs (i.e. not the big hits played on mainstream radio) such as Seeds, and Rosalita, are best heard on Live albums or in person. This CD gives you a glimpse into why Springsteen and his band are among the best in arena performers.

I like Bruce and I like portions of this release. I just saw him and the E Street Band in concert and it one of the most exhilarating (and loud)experiences in recent memory. I hope that he releases a CD of the current tour as it would show Bruce in a updated light; one with an expanded appetite to incorporate americana folk and even a little country into the repertoire, not just as a novelty item.

However, the most startling songs were the covers and previously unreleased songs, both at the recent concert (ex. The Who's My Generation) and on this CD. I do not know why, but one cannot download any song from this release as a mp3. Why is that? Other titles are available for download but not this one. Why? After 23 years of being in exisitence, the sheen has worn off the album and the gems should be made available for the individual songs. Why can't they be, here?

This is an amazing recopilation of one decade of music of the Bruce Springteen, the selection of the songs is great and it has the plus that all of them are alive!!! the sound is incredible!!!! you play the discs and you can't stop listen to them, you want to hear it again and again, the coordination between the music and the audience is great; this is a jewel of rock, if you buy it I garantee that you will enjoy it; even for those whose not are Springsteen's fans, they became one once they hear this album.

I am glad I did buy this remarkable collection showcasing Springsteen in full voice before the Superbowl performance because I don't think I would have afterward.

This 3cd set from bruce is the hallmark of his career and although it could have included a few more important songs, this compilation is outstanding. I know alot of Clapton, Alman Brothers, Rolling Stones, Who, Seger, etc. fans will claim there are better live albums out there but Springsteen is in a class by himself when it comes to live performances and this set captures all of his greatness over a 10 year period. The highlights of this set include Born In The U.S.A. (blows the album version away), The River (a truly memorable performance), Backstreets, Seeds, Reason To Believe (Bruce's voice has never been better), Racing In The Street (epic version), No Surrender (a better, slowed down version from the album), and Jersey Girl. The whole set is tremendous and anyone who apreciates great live performances should have this in their collection whether they like Springsteen or not- there will never be another Springsteen.
Note: It's important to get the remastered version of this set as the quality of the original printing was not that good.

I love the diversity of this CD. I like every song on this disc! Happy listening!

Awesome film, really captured that youthful love of music and it did it with a certain underlying tragedy about the lives of the people involved. The decision to invent a fictional band called Stillwater was a master stroke and avoided any biopic style film being made. I've watched it a number of times and probably will again in the future. But will I be playing this soundtrack album regularly? Not likely. And in brief here are my reasons;

Firstly there was a stack of great music in the movie. I mean it was practically a musical. But not much of it is on the S/T. I mean I don't even recall most of these songs being in the film so they can't really have been the salient tracks surely!!! Take the Zep song playing as the band head into NYC - it's way cool and matches the film and...and...and it's not on the disc!

Secondly Stillwater the fictional band in the film come across as being sort of a Cream, Free, Cactus, slightly psychadelic heavy rocker group from that genres formative years. They are hanging out with Humble Pie and playing the same venue as Sabbath. So why on earth do we have stuff like The Beach Boys on this soundtrack. Stillwater the fictional band wouldn't of had much time for them nor the naive 60's sounding track Mr Farmer by some mob called The Seeds. Or Clarence Carter or the truly horrid Thunderclap Newman. For heavens sake the most heft on this album is from the Bowie track I'm Waiting For The Moon. And a nice tune it is too.

Don't get me wrong, there is some nice stuff here such as The Who and especially the gorgeous Elton John number Tiny Dancer that is etched so firmly in your memory from it's wonderful use in the film. But the whole thing seems to me to come across as having been put together by people who didn't 'get' the film. Who don't like rock music or have any affinity with the genre.

A truly sad wasted opporunity. They would of been better off filling it with Nancy Wilson compositions cos she wrote the one 'Stillwater' song here and it's better than most of the other stuff on the album.

The only things missing from this soundtrack are the Stillwater tracks. I loved them in the movie, but missed them here.

I happened upon the movie on cable and was impressed with how accurate it was to the time and culture. But what caught me was the music! How can you go wrong with the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, The Who, Todd Rundgren, Yes, Rod Stewart, The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Cat Stevens to mention a few. This soundtrack produced by Danny Bramson and Cameron Crowe really captures this moment in time and brings back a flood of memories. I don't think anyone who lived this would be disappointed.

I watched "Almost Famous" one or two times, mostly 'cause I liked the songs selection for the soundtrack very, very much.

... However, how can you explain that a 50+ songs Soundtrack played along the movie, result in just a 17-piece OST album?... Why not a 3-CD Box instead, including all the great tunes in the movie???...

These guys in the music Soundtrack industry... No further comments! BLAH!!!!

I adore Dolores O'Riordan Burton.Noel Hogan,Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler are awesome!.I remember back in the 90's listening to The Cranberries on radio,or my sister listening to a cd of The Cranberries and still does listen to them.If The Cranberries released another album,I would buy it in a heartbeat.

It is not hard to be a fan of the Cranberries. Their Irish Pop/Rock sound is unique. Most of the music on this CD is laid back. If you want to really do some head banging, this is not the CD for you. If you want to listen to some relaxing music that puts you in an introspective mood, then this is what you want. The Cranberries music, like a lot of Irish music, spends a lot of time reminiscing about the past, how life has been going, and how it will be. Some of the observations are melancholy, some are astute, some are humorous. If you just want some background music to listen to as you relax and read a book or magazine, I'd find something else. I would listen to this when you're feeling a little down and need a consoling shoulder or a pick-me-up.
I found that I'm not really thrilled with how the songs were lined up. The songs didn't seem to transition well in places. See what you think. Overall, I was glad I purchased the CD. I love the Cranberries and look forward to any new music they bring out to us.

I loved the CD, the mix of romantic and rock it's very nice. Her voice and lyrics are amazing.

This is a great CD. Is the one that you can hear from begining to the end without pauses. It's really so good. But... however always have a "but" to anything be perfect.

I think that musics as kiss me are out of this cd is a great weakeness.

But it still a very good cd. I recommend it.

So these are "radio singles?" I don't even know what that means. What I do know is how much I enjoy the music on this CD! Love this group.

I bought this CD while I was in Ireland. Here's the story. At the end of my trip in Dublin, I found a music store, told the clerk I wanted several kinds of Irish music. You need to understand--I am a white, middle-aged woman, Irish ancestry, yes, and an adventurer in both travel and music. So, he picked out some CD's for me, one of which was this one by the Cranberries. It is one of my all-time favorites. I also bought one by the Corrs (love them, too), one by Declan O'Roarke (a ballad singer) and several collections (love all of those), one Clannad and two U2's.

Back to the Cranberries. I think this is significant to say: I like every song and skip none. Isn't that a good recommendation? Here are my comments on individual songs:

"Zombie"--ya know, it must look strange to see a middle-aged woman with vivid red hair (gets help, yep) driving down the road, doin' some head-popping, oh yeah. Best song on the CD!
"Ode to My Family"--I think she is berating her family, but not sure as I don't understand everything she says
"Salvation" is another favorite. Is this about not getting high?
"Animal Instinct"--another favorite
"Time is ticking out"--love the tune, love the message
"This is the day"--love the way her voice tricks in and out
"Daffodil Lament"--love her voice on this one
"New new York"-fun song, love to sing it with her at the top of my voice while driving

Yes, sure, you could pick apart the music, but why? It gives so much joy and loosens up the emotions. I'm for that! Long sing the Cranberries!

When I see all the glowing reviews for Damien Rice's "O", I find myself scratching my head. Is it becuase of his voice? That's probably a lot of it - he does have a superb voice. Is it because people like cookie-cutter, trite songs that they've heard done 120 different ways? I'd like not to think so, but maybe.

His songwriting skills on this album are weak at best. These sort of lyrics are so overdone, so common to the genre, and so shallow, it's nauseating. Sure, I suppose his songs are "pretty," or whatever the usual reaction is, but what do they really say? Absolutely nothing. There is no depth to these lyrics at all, and they're extremely repetitive.

If he ever manages to write some decent songs, he'll be fantastic. That voice is undeniably strong. Until then, there are much better options available to you.

The artist is very original in his style of music. He plays a cross between folk and classical. Each song is different than the other. This type of music is not meant to be "background" music as he really plays with dynamics in certain songs.

Beautiful, amazing CD that would bring anyone to their knees. Deep and poetic. My favorite is and always will be "Blower's Daughter". Definitely his best CD of them all so far.

I am still discovering songs on here, years after purchase. It is moody and not always right at the right time. But when I can really tune in and appreciate it, the music is on point.

i bought this cd years ago, when i was living abroad. i was in a pub in scotland the first time i heard one of the songs (amie) and finally bought the album right before i was due to come back to the states. though a little depressing at times, the album is wonderful. i might be slightly biased, as the cd reminds me of an amazing time in my life, but i still listen to it, at the very least, once a week. there is so much emotion in every bit of every song. i love how the music takes me to another place, and makes me feel some sort of connection to others and to the human condition. just a side note...i was a little dissapointed in his sophomore album "9". i knew immediately that something was different. turned out to be the producer. some guy in LA. broke my heart! oh well, i guess i'll always have "O".

Never heard of this band before, it was on promotion one day, listened a few samples, what the heck, let's try it.
BLOWN AWAY, I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't that the recording sound is not that great, it seems like some stuff is peaking for moments but nonetheless, great tunes!

This is an album that requires multiple listens to grow on you. Sure, there is less screaming from from George in this album, but, the songs he does step up to scream are a total treat (ie. The Northern) The band have definitely matured musically and lyrically without compromising their intensity. It is not, in my opinion, better than their previous work but, is a very solid album. Give it a chance.

My favorites: Young Cardinals, No Rest, The Northern, Heading For The Sun

Anything Dallas Green does turns to gold. I would be willing to say that he has one of the best set of pipes in music today.

Im a huge fan of all 3 previous albums but I must say my first listen through Old Crows/Young Cardinals was pretty disappointing. Im not at all a fan of their other guitarists voice which is all punky and lame. And what happened to George Pettits sicko panther screaming!?!? Hes been pushed into the background and even he sounds kinda dumpy. Of course Dallas Greens voice stands out and the choruses are still rockin. After a few listens i ended up liking a few tracks but... for Alexisonfire i wanted to love it. Lame.

Thanks Amazon for offering such good deals so we can explore new music. Really enjoy this album.