Music

Average customer rating:

Super solid debut
Unexpected gem
Incredible depth of talent
Great Road Music
A Rare Gem!

Puzzle
Dada
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

American Highway Flower
How to Be Found
El Subliminoso
Dada
American Highway Flower

ASIN: B000000QGD
Release Date: 1992-09-08

Tracks:

Dorina
Mary Sunshine Rain
Dog
Dizz Knee Land
Surround
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Posters
Timothy
Dim
Who You Are
Puzzle
Moon

Customer Reviews:

Super solid debut.......2007-03-28

Puzzle is the debut album from Dada, one of the best and most underrated bands to come out of the 90's. It's too bad that most people wrote Dada off after "Dizz Knee Land" saturated most radio stations to the point that it drove listeners to despise the band. If you only know Dada from "Dizz Knee Land", you are really missing out on one of the best bands to come from a decade of not-so-great music (with a few exceptions, of course...) Dada was the first concert I saw right after American Highway Flower was released. My friend and I were already huge fans, and seeing them at a local Junior College was a great first concert experience. There weren't many people there, so it made for an intimate concert, and we even got to meet the guys afterwards, which was excellent. OK, so I had been made a permanent Dada fan afer that point.
Mike Gurley is a phenomenal guitarist who has only improved drastically with every release. I could watch him play for hours and hours and still be amazed at the sounds he can produce with a guitar. The man knows how to rock, plain and simple, though it never shows as well in the studio. I would strongly recommend seeing Dada live for the full effect on Mike Gurley's awesomeness. The way Gurley and Joie Calio mesh with the vocal harmonies is really something to hear. Calio's bass work is tight, and he's a great singer also when he takes the reigns on vocals. Dada is one of the only TRUE rock bands to come out of the 90's.
The tracks on Puzzle:

1) Dorina-great lead off track, starts out mellow with some excellent solo work. 5/5
2) Mary Sunshine Rain-more of a straight up rock song with some nice acoustic guitar and pretty harmonies. 4/5
3) Dog-Another rock song, which I consider one of the weaker tracks. Has a good verse melody and kind of a 60's vibe. 3/5
4) Dizz Knee Land-We all know this one. I still love this song, it was the first song I heard by Dada. 4/5
5) Surround-A quieter but quick paced acoustic rock song with more of that 60's feel. Very pleasant. 4/5
6) Here Today, Gone Tomorrow- Good stoner rock. The spoken verse works well for me. Heavy on the flanger. 4/5
7) Posters-The Dada drum solo song. A fast paced rocker that Dada does so, so well. Awesome! 5/5
8) Timothy- A ballad complete with strings and some interesting lyrics. One of my favorites. 5/5
9) Dim- I believe this song was fleetingly popular also. Quick straight up rock song with a typical 90's sound. 5/5
10) Who You Are- A solid Joie Calio/Mike Gurley song with some awesome guitar licks and rockin' bass. 4/5
11) Puzzle- The title track; a slow spacy trip with swirling guitars. Kind of a 70's lo-fi sound and a great sing along chorus. 4/5
12) Moon- My favorite song on Puzzle. The Joie Calio ballad which builds to the end and finishes with a nice guitar solo. 5/5

Overall, I give it a 4/5. Very solid and competent debut album, nowhere nearly as good as El Subliminoso, but worth checking out. Definately see Dada live if you get the chance, it will be well worth it!

Unexpected gem.......2007-01-21

Heard "Dizz Knee Land" online (Pandora) and thought it sounded a little like Jellyfish - early '90s hooks. Disc is great, virtually every song a good one.

Incredible depth of talent.......2005-10-10

I never bother writing reviews but this band is so amazing, and this CD so incredible, I had to chime in. I agree with previous posts that it's surprising this group never got the credit it deserves. Each song has a depth and a display of musical talent I rarely find anywhere else. Each song is rich and powerful, and the lyrics vary between witty, powerful, and hilarious. I've listened to this CD (and their others as well) a thousand times and have never tired of it. You will not be disappointed.

Great Road Music.......2005-05-25

One of my favorite road trip CDs. I just don't know why this band is not bigger. Whenever I lend this CD to someone, they always come back and say it is great. Not sure if they remind me of the Almond Bros, Outlaws, Tom Petty or what, but they are great and the hard rock plus excellent vocals make this CD a gem.

A Rare Gem!.......2004-11-06

Dada showed up near my house for a concert in a smallish venue. A friend said they were good so I went. I was blown away. I didn't know any of their songs before that concert, but it was still great. Since that time I have become another dada fanatic. They are the greatest unknown band. It's too bad Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Rap took over the alternative scene, seriously. Give me back dada, Jellyfish, and Matthew Sweet any day. They also remind me of Oasis, but infinitely better. Dada also reminds me a little of Foo Fighters in way they don't take themselves too seriously (I don't dislike Nirvana, but like Foo Fighters and dada much better). Dada always has great guitar work and rocking songs, and they also have ballads that will either totally blow you away or make you cringe, they are just so good that they belong back in the days of Beatles, before the world was so cynical. Most people aren't embarrassed to sing Temptations "My Girl" or Beatles "Something," but for some reason they don't want to go there with a "new" song. Dada can take you there. They are behind the times and ahead of their time and that's part of their appeal, just damn good music. Like some of the other reviews have mentioned, you need to listen to a dada album a couple of times before it hits you. They have the best and most interesting harmonies out there today, excellent instrumentation, and unique lyrics. Puzzle has some of the most interesting songs I have ever heard, and if you haven't heard dada before, start there.

Average customer rating:

Very Good Production and Great Rock Album
a great testament to a great band
new to ufo
I've completely abandoned the idea of comparing Moore to Schenker
Got the Monkey Off My Back

The Monkey Puzzle
UFO
Manufacturer: Steamhammer Us [Spv]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Showtime (2pc)
Snakes & Arrows
Live in Munich 1977
A Matter Of Life And Death
You Are Here

ASIN: B000HD0YD8
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks:

Hard Being Me
Black And Blue
Heavenly Body
Some Other Guy
Who's Fooling Who
Drink Too Much
Down By The River
Rolling Man
World Cruise
Kingston Town
Good Buy You

Album Description

True rock legends distinguish themselves not only by contributing several classics to musical history, they also keep their artistic output at a permanently high level and Â- despite all routine Â- always have a fresh wind blowing through their band structure. UFO fulfils all these criteria: next to classics such as Phenomenon, Force It and No Heavy Pettin, which saw the band clock up one success after the other during the Seventies, the beginning of the new millennium finds Phil Mogg, Pete Way and Paul Raymond as inspired and creative as ever. Thanks to American guitarist, Vinnie Moore, who joined the fold three years ago and proved his class and significance for the group on You Are Here, his debut recording with UFO, and the live cut, Showtime, the band has grown even stronger. Their latest release, The Monkey Puzzle, marks the return of drummer Andy Parker, who had been part of the original line-up that recorded the legendary debut at the end of the Sixties and has already played live on stage again with his old pals.

Customer Reviews:

Very Good Production and Great Rock Album.......2007-07-01

I'll leave the song-by-song reviews to others and I'll just state that UFO have come out with a well produced album that sounds great. The drums, guitars and vocals all come through nicely and will be a joy to hear on any system. This is their second album w/o Schenker ( 'Walk on Water' was rather pedestrian and that was with him gracing the 6-strings) and I for one don't really care that he's no longer affiliated with the band. Vinnie Moore does a superb job...period. As technically gifted as he is, Mr. Moore with his current and past work w/ UFO has NOTHING left to prove.
Well done UFO..you folks know exactly what is needed in this otherwise musically drab environment. Keep up the exemplary work.
Other 70's and 80's rockers need to take a listen and realize that it's not just the songs that matter but also the overall sound quality (including the mix). Some of us have an ear and really care for that "well produced sound" and a badly recorded album like Rush - Vapor Trails for instance, makes an otherwise enjoyable album...a coaster.
Cheers to you all and happy listening.

a great testament to a great band.......2007-06-30

I have been a UFO fan since way back when,my first ever album being obsession and I have pretty much amassed their entire catalog over the years. I first heard them when I was about 16,and now at the age of 41 Im to the point where I purchase material by the band often without any pre listening. That being said,some of their newer material like Walk on Water left me kind of flat,and even though Schenker was a part of that endeavor it still lacked a spark. Enter Vinnie Moore,and now UFO sounds like a band rejuvenated. Not since Paul Chapman has a non Schenker axeman sounded this good. The songwriting leaves a bit to be desired,but then if I compare anything to such archaic gems as Phenomenon,Force It,Lights Out or the outstanding Obsession, I will be instantly disappointed. Considering how long these guys have been making great hard rock and the massive body of work they have built, its rather refreshing to have a new effort that shines as brightly as this one. Welcome back Andy Parker,his drumming sounds fresh and revitalized,and there are a lot of songs on here that simply rock hard. Its amazing to me that these musicians have never received any radio respect,as is true with any of their albums there never seems to be a shortage of FM ready material. Heavenly Body is one of the tunes that sealed the deal for me,but a lot of other songs are strong as well,including World Cruise,Some Other Guy,Down By The River and Rolling Man. If I'm comparing this to their comeback disc Walk on Water,I'd have to be brutally honest and say I find there to be more quality tunes on this one.The production is strong,the music lush,and the songs are a reminder to me at least that true rock and roll still exists in this world of cookie cutter copycat bands and talentless hacks that only know a few chords. This is a must have for TRUE UFO fans.

new to ufo.......2007-05-22

well not being a fan of ufo and very new to this group, i would say this album and you are here are definite good medium range rock. not many surprises, but the kind of good rock to me where you can never really say your not in the mood to listen to. Lots of rock/metal i need to be in the mood to hear. This album is one that no matter where i am, no matter what time it is, this album is never a bad choice. A definite crowd pleaser. Vinnie Moore does have talent, but with that said, in my opinion there are far better. But overall, this album not the best i've ever heard, but does get a definite thumbs up.

I've completely abandoned the idea of comparing Moore to Schenker.......2007-03-25

I have nothing but bad memories of Moore and the whole Mike Varney "shredder" nightmare...a bunch of untalented stoner "Wayne's World" kids crawling out of the suburbs with bad perms and eye liner and platform shoes and a burning desire to whip off more notes per second than Eddie Van Halen. Got boring after the first zillion notes. That said...sorry, Vinnie Moore "Mind's Eye" fans...the new UFO CD "Monkey Puzzle" isn't all that bad. I burned the tracks to my PC and often play it while working. With Andy Parker back in the fold to replace the departed Jason Bonham, this is as close to "real" UFO as we're likely to get without Michael Schenker. The songs bounce back and forth between riff-driven and melodic...just like any good UFO album...and there's no shortage of guitar solos. What's missing? Schenker's attitude, and rather than bemoan its loss, I throw this one on every once in a while and tell myself that it's better than Bad Company was without Paul Rodgers. It's better than the post-Ace Frehley and Peter Criss Kiss. It's better than "Rock And A Hard Place," the Aerosmith album in which Steven Tyler bottomed out with his heroin addiction while Joe Perry and Brad Whitford left the band (any hardcore Jimmy Crespo or Rick Dufay fans out there? Didn't think so). I think anyone who believes that Schenker can be "replaced" probably isn't a UFO fan to begin with, but that's just me. "The Monkey Puzzle" is only rock and roll, and I like it in a "3 stars" kind of way. It's rockin' background music that sounds good while you're doing something else. And yes, Moore has grown in leaps and bounds since "Mind's Eye"...I'll give him that much.

Got the Monkey Off My Back.......2007-02-15

I can't understand why anyone would consider this album a regression from "You Are Here". I think this is a fabulous album much better than "You Are Here" and their best since "Walk on Water". The material is very strong and fresh with a definite bluesy feel. Just check out "Hard Being Me", "Down by the River", "World Cruise" and "Some Other Guy" (personally I would have preferred a harmonica solo rather than Vinnie's first guitar solo on the latter). All the tracks are really good and earthy, from the heavy guitar sound of "Heavenly Body" to the more conventional UFO ballad style numbers like "Who's Fooling Who" and "Drink too Much". In fact I like all the songs with perhaps the weakest "Kingston Town" still palatable.
I saw them live in Nov '06 and although the gig was great I was disappointed they only played "Drink too Much" from this album. I would much prefer them to play this new material and dispense with some of the older tunes unless Vinnie starts playing the solo's a little more accurately.
I have to admit that I am really comfortable with this line up and the rock `n' roll craftsmanship produced on this album. I am playing this all the time in the car so "out with the old and in with the new" so to speak. As a kid I was one of the die hards where anything produced without Michael Schenker on lead just wasn't UFO. Whilst that was still my favourite era I don't under estimate the brilliance of Phil Mogg and Pete Way anymore which is still alive and kicking. Now much wiser and wrinklier than these two I have finally got the monkey off my back!

Average customer rating:

Crossword PF
This is a Cd is great
ahhhh, bubblegum!
A True Partridge Pearl
The best of what was left

Crossword Puzzle
The Partridge Family
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Partridge Family Notebook
The Partridge Family Shopping Bag
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Up to Date
The Partridge Family Album

ASIN: B000095J75
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

One Day At A Time
Sunshine
As Long As There's You
It's A Long Way To Heaven
Now That You Got Me Where You Want Me
It Means I'm In Love With You
Come On Love
I Got Your Love All Over Me
Let Your Love Go
It Sounds Like You're Saying Hello
It's You

Customer Reviews:

Crossword PF.......2007-02-11

Never had this album. Love the songs on it. Brings me back to 1974 when I was a 10 year old in love with David Cassidy. I have grown up and still love the man!

This is a Cd is great.......2006-09-13

This Cd (Crossword) is just as good as any partridge family Cd don't listen to the people downing this Cd. Any Partridge Family (David Cassidy) lover will very much enjoy this Cd. Trust me I should know!!!!!!!!!

ahhhh, bubblegum!.......2005-10-24

One of the Partridge Family's weakest sellers, "Crossword Puzzle" didn't even have a stateside 45-single release (Bell Records put out "Friend and a Lover" from "Notebook" instead!). Too bad, because the songs (mostly leftovers from the "Notebook" sessions) are terrific and David Cassidy's husky post-teen vocals are charming and warm. Opening with the kicker "One Day at a Time", it's clear that Cassidy knows his way around a hook by now, and he's fully in the bubblegum spirit. A trio of ballads ("As Long As There's You", "It's a Long Way to Heaven" and "Now That You've Got Me...") give the record a kind of AM-radio feel, and, while the songs are lovely, they make the overall tone of "Crossword Puzzle" seem a little staid. But the next few songs are upbeat, especially the album's best track, "It Sounds Like You're Saying Hello", which could've been a hit single. Waiting now for "Bulletin Board"...

A True Partridge Pearl.......2004-07-16

This Partridge Album was originally released in 1973 as the Partridge Money making machine was grinding to a halt. Unfortunately, here in the States, once the television show was officially cancelled, DJs and the music industry people truly believed that it was time to call it quits on the whole Partridge scene.....WRONG! Thirty four years later there are still some die-hard baby boomers singing along to these great tunes. Sadly, Crossword Puzzle, although thrown together from leftovers from "Notebook" tracks, had some great, more mature sounds han most of their previous material. But Crossword Puzzle and its successor, Bulletin Board, both great albums were shunned and overlooked by the pre-teens who normally snatched up these products with fevered regularity. Some of the stronger, more noteable tunes such as "As Long As There's You", "It Means I'm In Love With You" and C'mon Love" all had hit potential but like other gems from the previous "Notebook" LP were systematically ignored as the producers also went through the motions of ending the show. The last two LPs were never promoted and some baby boomers have told me that they never knew these existed! Sad but true! This artsy LP is worth it even for the pop stature of the LP cover which is a real crossword puzzle featuring superb liner notes by foremost Partridge researcher Lisa Sutton and a reissue on the back cover of the Japanese cover art (US original back cover art is happily intact on the booklet! Great LP, super 70s sound, wonderfully remastered and worth much more than it's retail price. Hopefully the execs at Arista/BMG will find it worthwhile to put the Bulletin Board and other great Cassidy LPs out on CD before us baby boomers are all dead!!!

The best of what was left.......2004-04-01

It's my opinion that all Partridge Family albums live and die by their hooks, and by that standard "Crossword Puzzle" fares very well. It's a given that any PF album has it's share of treacly love songs, but when luck strikes these can be some of the best PF tracks. The sexy-sounding (but utterly safe) "I've Got Your Love All Over Me" is a prime example -- the featherweight lyric about being immersed in love is buoyed by the trademark PF backup ooohs and aaaahs. And under everything else are the Bell sessionmen, like Hal Blaine and Larry Knetchell, providing the toe-tapping rhythms and melodies.
I can't say that all of "Crossword Puzzle" is as catchy as that one track, but there are plenty of memorable moments. I'd keep "One Day At A Time" (upbeat, definitely used in the show), "As Long As There's You" (downbeat, but heartfelt), "Now That You've Got Me..." (yeah, a long-winded title, but I dig that change in dynamic at the chorus), "Come On Love" (a jaunty lite-rocker), and "I've Got Your Love...". Of the remaining five, "Sunshine" seems well-intentioned, and "It's A Long Way To Heaven" has a nice vocal by David.

Though the subsequent PF album, "Bulletin Board," includes three or four audio gems, "Crossword Puzzle" is the last must-have disc, in my opinion. This reissue is quite well done, with excellent remastered sound that's bound to be an improvement on existing analog sources. I'd have given this album five stars, had the label included a bonus track, or been more adventurous when equalizing their digital master. This PFamily album, in particular, had some fairly dynamic moments, rhythmically-speaking, though they were always buried in the original AM-radio-friendly mixdown. Oh well, I guess Arista was more interested in 'preserving' the original sound, which is reasonable.

I think "Crossword Puzzle" is one of the Partridge Family's better albums overall. It's certainly a good selection for new listeners or casual fans, who might wish to expand their PF collection.

Average customer rating:

Puzzle
Biffy Clyro
Manufacturer: Wea/14th Floor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Favourite Worst Nightmare

ASIN: B000N4S8RA
Release Date: 2007-05-21

Tracks:

Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies
Saturday Superhouse
Who's Got a Match?
As Dust Dances 2-15ths
Whole Child Ago
Conversation Is...
Now I'm Everyone
Semi-Mental 4-15ths
Love Has a Diameter
Get Fucked Stud
Folding Stars
9-15ths
Machines

Tracks:

Making of Puzzle Documentary [DVD][*]
Semi-Mental Video [DVD][*]
Saturday Superhouse [DVD][*]
Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies [DVD][*]

Album Description

2007 album from this oddly-named British band sees them making the bold and ambitious record that will both satisfy their huge and devoted fanbase and win the hearts of countless others, cementing their reputation as the best and most important Rock band in the UK. The album includes the singles 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies' and 'Saturday Superhouse', which found the band breaking into the Top 15 for the first time, and received high critical acclaim with the NME. Mixed in New York by Andy Wallace (Nirvana, At The Drive-In) and with artwork by Storm Thorgerson (Pink Floyd, Led Zepellin), Puzzle marks Biffy's transformation into a truly world-beating band. From the soaring 'Semi-Mental' to the bludgeoning punch of 'Saturday Superhouse' through the swollen intensity of the slow-burning 'As Dust Dances' and to the glorious foot-stomping live favorite 'Who's Got A Match?', Puzzle packs an emotional punch with 24-carat choruses shot through with Biffy's trademark sideways approach to songwriting. It also sees them anchor some of their most outlandish ideas (check the staggering '9/15ths') with the sort of clear and crisp melodies that this three-headed powerhouse have been hinting at since the days of 'Justboy' and '27'. Warner.

Album Details

This Limited Edition Includes a Bonus Track, 'drop It', plus a Dvd with an Amazing Documentary Called "The Making of Puzzle". Featuring Exclusive Interviews and Tons of Behind-the-scenes Footage, it is by Turns Insightful, Hilarious and Emotional. Charting the Highs and Lows of a Band in the Studio, it is a Revealing Track-by-track Study of Biffy Clyro's Recording Experience. The Dvd also features the Promos of the Singles Thus Far: The Epic "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies", Directed by Andy Morahan (Famous for his Classic Video of "November Rain" by Guns N Roses), the Hilarious "Saturday Superhouse" Directed by Award-winning Film Maker Bradley Beasley and the Raw Wonder that is "Semi-mental".

Average customer rating:

Sounds important

Puzzle
Biffy Clyro
Manufacturer: Sony / Bmg Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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The Vertigo of Bliss
Snakes & Arrows
Send Away the Tigers

ASIN: B000Q6ZMCO
Release Date: 2007-06-11

Tracks:

Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies
Saturday Superhouse
Who's Got a Match?
As Dust Dances 2-15ths
Whole Child Ago
Conversation Is...
Now I'm Everyone
Semi-Mental 4-15ths
Love Has a Diameter
Get Fucked Stud
Folding Stars
9-15ths
Machines
Drop It [*]

Tracks:

Making of Puzzle Documentary [DVD][*]
Semi-Mental Video [DVD][*]
Saturday Superhouse [DVD][*]
Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies [DVD][*]

Album Description

Limited edition deluxe two disc (CD + PAL/Region 0 DVD) pressing of the 2007 album from this oddly-named British band features one bonus track ('Drop It') plus a bonus DVD that features a documentary (The Making Of Puzzle) plus three music videos: 'Semi-Mental', 'Saturday Superhouse' and 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies'. Puzzle sees them making the bold and ambitious record that will both satisfy their huge and devoted fanbase and win the hearts of countless others, cementing their reputation as the best and most important Rock band in the UK. The album includes the singles 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies' and 'Saturday Superhouse', which found the band breaking into the Top 15 for the first time, and received high critical acclaim with the NME. Mixed in New York by Andy Wallace (Nirvana, At The Drive-In) and with artwork by Storm Thorgerson (Pink Floyd, Led Zepellin), Puzzle marks Biffy's transformation into a truly world-beating band. From the soaring 'Semi-Mental' to the bludgeoning punch of 'Saturday Superhouse' through the swollen intensity of the slow-burning 'As Dust Dances' and to the glorious foot-stomping live favorite 'Who's Got A Match?', Puzzle packs an emotional punch with 24-carat choruses shot through with Biffy's trademark sideways approach to songwriting. It also sees them anchor some of their most outlandish ideas (check the staggering '9/15ths') with the sort of clear and crisp melodies that this three-headed powerhouse have been hinting at since the days of 'Justboy' and '27'. Warner.

Album Details

Customer Reviews:

Sounds important.......2007-07-03

You know how Oasis CD's always sound big and urgent, like something great is going to happen? There's a lot of that here, and unfortunately nothing really does. "Folding Stars" is the best example of that, big guitars and the lead up to the multi-harmony chorus . . . that just isn't there. "Dust Dances" is the slow burner type that sounds promising, but as the band gets into it they keep stretching lines out looking for something to click that doesn't quite happen, it all sounds like the lead up to the passage they were looking for and never found. "Saturday" goes against their sound, it's too fast and loud, and again never quite gets to a memorable hook.

A very frustrating CD, because I liked their sound and voices and was kind of rooting for them to really hit it. The problem is the one thing they're missing is the most difficult of all, nothing else really matters if you can write hooks. And if you can't, no amount of good noise makes up for it, because it just drains in one ear and out the other. You can learn a lot about music, but you can't learn to hit the gong, you either have it or you don't. Sorry guys.

Average customer rating:

CRIMINAL
Print these lyrics, bind them and file under poetry
The Best Album You Never Heard
A POP MASTERPIECE!
One of the greatest albums of the 20th Century

The Great Puzzle
Jules Shear
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Healing Bones
Allow Me
Between Us
Dreams Don't Count
Phonetics/Fenetiks

ASIN: B000001DUO
Release Date: 1992-01-28

Tracks:

The Trap Door
The Great Puzzle
We Were Only Making Love
The Sad Sound Of The Wind
Something Else To Me
Make Believe
Much Too Much
Dreams Dissolve In Tears
The Mystery's All Mine
Jewel In A Cobweb
Bark

Customer Reviews:

CRIMINAL.......2006-12-22

The only way to describe the fact that this album isn't revered as one of the great pop albums of the decade is criminal. The melodies are sharp, the playing is wonderful and it's a great SOUNDING record. Jules voice can sound like Dylan after a whippit, but I DARE you not to forgive that during the thrilling "Trap Door" or heart breaking "Dreams Disolve In Tears." "From next door a radio played/She started banging on the wall/It was some terrible song she could remember loving/Now she couldn't stand that song at all." Talk about taking the exact moment when you realize a relationship is over and writing a pop song about it...Jules does that constantly here. If you're a fan of pure pop melodies featuring lyrics about adult issues played by grown ups, this album and Michael Penn's 'March' are two to consider. Death Cab for Cutie have come close to this record, but they're still trying. Here's what the finish line sounds like.

Print these lyrics, bind them and file under poetry.......2006-08-20

Hearing the title song on this release for the first time was like being drawn to a warm bed on a cold winter's night. Jules Shear is nothing short of a brilliant poet. His words, as wonderful and heart-rending as they sound being passionately sung over fine playing, production and arrangements, would have lost little had Jules opted to publish them as a book of poems. True, it may not have done much to increase the size of his criminally small fan base, but it would have provided the world with one more means through which to experience his art. Sadly, Jules Shear now seems destined to exist in that great pantheon the Almost Famous. I feel so lucky to have found him. You will too!

The Best Album You Never Heard.......2003-10-04

If you haven't tried Jules' music, you're missing out. This is probably the best/most consistent, but how can one say "best" when they all are great? Listen to one of Jules' albums more than about three times, and you'll find yourself awake at night because his songs won't stop flowing through your brain.

A POP MASTERPIECE!.......2001-11-26

If there is anybody who deserves to be better known in the music world, it's Jules Shear. He's an artist whose songs he's written are better known than he is. Having written the Bangles "If She Knew What She Wants", Cyndi Lauper's "All Through The Night", and Allison Moyet's "Whispering Your Name", to name a few. He's been around since the 70's, having started the very underrated new wave band Jules And The Polar Bears. He put out an excellent first album with "Watch Dog" in 1983, which Todd Rundgren produced. He recorded a couple more albums in the 80's before finally releasing this masterpiece. For people who have never heard Jules Shear sing, it may be an aquired taste for some. Personally I like it. He sings in a nasal whisper at times, but he puts so much passion and emotion into his singing that he can make even an average song sound like it means something. There's nothing average about these songs though. I think this is by far the best songwriting Shear has ever done. Some of the most unforgettable tunes off this are "The Sound Of The Wind", "Make Believe", alone worth the price of admission here. The Lovin Spoonful sounding "The Mystery's All Mine", and the title track "The Great Puzzle". These songs are all packed with the very distinctive sound of jangling guitars that are layered on top of each other so much that it almost gives them an organ sound. I've never heard anything quite like it before. Mix that with some great harmony singing, and some intelligent lyrics and songwriting, and these 60's inspired melodies become an instant classic. For some reason that's beyond me, this album didn't make Shear a star like I thought it would. Something else about this cd that a lot of people probably don't know: When it first came out it originally came with a bonus disc called "Unplug This", which was Shear doing some of his best songs "live" with just an acoustic guitar. MTV liked it so much that they started a new format called MTV Unplugged. And they ask Shear to host the first few episodes of that show. And the rest is history. The Great Puzzle came out in 1992, and I still haven't heard a better pop album since. It's one of the best pop albums of the 90's, or for that matter ever. For me, it's a top 10 Desert Island Disc, that's guaranteed to make your average pop fan hope for a shipwreck. And it comes very highly recommended!

One of the greatest albums of the 20th Century.......1999-04-08

Absolutely fantastic. This has been my favorite album for seven years. Brilliant lyrics, incredibly melodic and it rocks like crazy. This album should have made Jules a big star. It's fresh and original and an absolute stunner.

Average customer rating:

Puzzle: Best of Patrick Bruel
Patrick Bruel
Manufacturer: Sony / Bmg Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Des Souvenirs Devant

ASIN: B00065LXIM
Release Date: 2004-11-15

Tracks:

Place des Grands Hommes
Dors
J'Te l'Dis Quand M [Version Espagnole: Je T'Aime]
Italien [Extrait de "Les Enfoir'Op Comique"] - Patrick Bruel, Serge Reggiani
Casser La Voix
Demain
Cafes Dces
Qui a le Droit - Patrick Bruel, Ana Torroja
Jef [Live]
Alors Regarde
Tout S'Efface
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word - Patrick Bruel, Joe Cocker

Tracks:

Pour La Vie
Dl
J'Suis Quand M L
Rues de Philadelphie - Jean-Louis Aubert, , Patrick Bruel
Elie
Contretemps
J'Te Mentirais
Combien de Murs
Bouge!
On T'Attendait [Live]
Marre de Cette Nana L
Comment Va Pour Vous?
Puzzle [Version 2004]
Spots Publicitaires de l'Album Live 2001/La Douche /La Marelle [30 [30
Clip "Pars Pas" [*][Multimedia Track]

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I love this album!!!
Just a good dope record!

Three Piece Puzzle
Jneiro Jarel
Manufacturer: Rope-a-Dope
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

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Connecting the Dots
I Do What I Do
Beat Journey
City Lights, Vol. 1.5
Love Life?

ASIN: B000BC8T3M
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

Connect wit it
Big Bounce Theory
Crashing Comets
Do Yo Thang
Jneirieireooo!!!!! (A DJ Kiva Interlude)
Get Yuh Own
It's LIke Fire Yo!!
N.A.S.A (Featuring Dr Who Dat? & Rocque Wun)
Breathin (Featuring Rocque Wun)
Sun Walkers (Featuring Mel Owens)
Black Cinderella (Featuring Dr Who Dat? & Rocque Wun)
Soul Starr
Lemme See Yuh! (Featuring Rocque Wun)
Doinis!! (Featuring Dr Who Dat?)
Let's Get Wit It (Featuring Jawaad, Aahtue Aka Alix Da Great & Nahuma Holiday)
Lock Down
Big Bounce Theory Part II F. VInia Mojica

Customer Reviews:

I love this album!!!.......2006-09-22

This album is one of my favorites!! Jneiro Jarel is a musical genius and I hope to see more projects from him. Listening to this album is like walking through the city at night...bright lights and neon signs, people, cars and good vibes...this probably doesn't make any sense but listen and you will see...the 2nd track speaks for itself. This is the perfect feel good hip hop album out there...give it a listen!!

Just a good dope record!.......2006-04-07

Jnerio Jarel? Who that be? This is what I thought when I received this album in the mail to put in rotation at my radio station. Well this kid turns out to be a producer extraordinaire who happens to emcee just a little bit to. As soon as you pop this album in you are welcomed to his world which is just a little different. Presently residing in Philly he has spent much of his life all over the place. Born in Brooklyn, acquiring the art of rhyme in Houston and perfecting it in New York (with stops in many other places in between) Jarel has a wide range of influences that make his album that much more intriguing. With obvious ties to the Philly "Sound" his style is all his own with influences ranging from the Native Tongues to Soul & Jazz, and even to that Madlib funk. Jnerio gives us an album that is both instrumental and rhymed on. Some tracks he delivers that classic soul vibe and he may throw some ad-libs in (and you thought only commercial artists did this!) with a singer such as Vinia Mojica, of Reflection Eternal fame, crooning away like it was a jam session with the around the way band. Or he may just deliver a straight up hip hop cut where he flows to a beat that he cooked up with who knows how many samples layered in. Overall Jnerio delivers an album that is more like an unsolvable puzzle: the combination of styles, samples, and guests will prevent you from ever fully completing it, but they will also leave you no choice but to keep coming back to it.

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Wonderful
Pure joy
Copland's vocal work

A Copland Celebration Vol. 3

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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A Copland Celebration Vol. 2
A Copland Celebration Vol. 1
The Copland Collection: Orchestral Works, 1948-1971
Copland: Old American Songs/Canticle Of Freedom/Four Motets
The Copland Collection: Orchestral & Ballet Works, 1936-1948

ASIN: B000050HWV
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: The Boatmen's Dance - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: The Dodge - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: Long Time Ago - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: Simple Gifts - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: I Bought Me A Cat - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: The Little Horses - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: Zion's Walls - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: The Golden Willow Tree - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: At The River - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: Ching-A-Ring Chaw - William Warfield
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: I. Nature, The Gentlest Mother - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: II. There Came A Wind Like A Bugle - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: III. Why Do They Shut Me Out Of Heaven? - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: IV. The World Feels Dusty - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: V. Heart, We Will Forget Him - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: VI. Dear March, Come In! - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: VII. Sleep Is Supposed To Be - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: VIII. When They Come Back - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: IX. I Felt A Funeral In My Brain - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: X. I've Heard An Organ Talk Sometimes - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: XI. Going To Heaven! - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: XII. The Chariot - Aaron Copland
In The Beginning - Aaron Copland
Lark - Aaron Copland

Tracks:

The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Gently Flowing - Aaron Copland
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Moderate Tempo: 'Once I Thought I'd Never Grow Tall As This Fence' - Joy Clements
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Moderately Fast: 'Do You Suppose They're Makin' Food In There?' - Richard Fredericks
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Somewhat Faster: 'We've Been North'/'We've Been South' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): With Motion: 'Halloo, Halloo' - Norman Treigle
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Moderately: 'If You Boys Work As Smooth As You Talk, We'll Make Good Time In The Fields' - Norman Treigle
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Trifle Slower: 'The Promise Of Living With Hope And Thanksgiving' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Lively And Rough - Aaron Copland
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Quite Slow: 'Thank You, Thank You All' - Joy Clements
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Very Broadly: 'Ah, Laurie, You Are A Puzzle' - Norman Treigle
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Briskly: 'Stomp Your Foot Upon The Floor' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Somewhat Slower: 'The World Seems Still Tonight' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): Introduction: Starting Slowly - Aaron Copland
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): As At First: 'Daybreak Will Come In Such A Short Time' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): Fast Tempo: 'That's Crazy!' - Richard Fredericks
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): Broadly: 'The Sun Is Coming Up As Though I'd Never Seen It Rise Before' - Joy Clements
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): (Still Slower): 'You Are Strange To Me' - Claramae Turner

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2007-04-22

I must confess I am unfamiliar with Copland's "The Tender Land" except for this reissue, which I find to be absolutely magnificent. I realize this is a truncated performance, eliminating what I assume to be a fair amount of spoken dialogue. But I don't care. What is presented here is simply one of the finest American compositions - forget American - one of the finest compositions of the 20th century. Period.

Pure joy.......2005-07-29

The recording of Copland's The Tender Land is alone worth getting this disc. The rest of the vocal works are just a bonus, a very good bonus! Copland directs a definitive account of his opera, and in this compressed version leaves out all the spoken parts of the full length opera, no doubt depriving us of a lot of good music but on the other hand giving listeners a very concise version that is even stronger musically (although dramatically a little lacking in logic because of the missing parts - for example without knowing of the confrontation during the party scene you would find the boys' departure the next morning puzzling, and the CD notes does not elaborate on the plot, which is about the only negative thing you can say about this set). Listening to the opera in this abridged version gives you the feeling of one hit after another, there is not a single weak point in the score and Copland has a gift for word-setting that can turn clumsy texts such as "girls come and go, some are good, some are not so good" into goosebumps stuff (a lovely dedication to Laurie sung by Grandpa). Other high points include the stunning transformation of the traditional Walls of Zion into the quartet piece The Promise Of Living and a rollicking Party Scene, which contains the best in Copland's clever orchestration and rythmic vitality - it seems all of the composers best traits have all come together in this work. Martin's Act 2 Song 'Laurie...You Know, Laurie' is a rare gem or an aria and beautifully sung. Other hidden gems include the comical 'We've Been North'. The cast is impeccable and the entire performance is flawless. Add to that one of those scores that simply win you over from start to finish, and you can't but fall in love with this music. I once thought that nothing could better Appalachian Spring but that was before I discovered this neglected work.

Copland's vocal work.......2002-08-08

And so on this third set of the celebration of Aaron Copland's music, all attention is on his vocal work including the opera, "The Tender Land".

I can't completely explain why I give this five stars after giving the first two sets four stars each. This is just the way the opera, in particular, strikes me. I'm no great opera fan, and to my knowledge, America just has not yet proved itself in the operatic field although it's tried. It will take time, but I do see Copland's work as someday being considered the best example of American opera. This is all subjective opinion, obviously, and I'm sure there are those more knowledgeable who will disagree. So be it.

All in all, these three sets will give you a complete overview of one of America's most important composers.

Rebecca Clarke: Viola Sonata; Dumka; Chinese Puzzle; Passacaglia on an Old English Tune

Average customer rating:

Rebecca Clarke: Viola Sonata; Dumka; Chinese Puzzle; Passacaglia on an Old English Tune

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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William Primrose: Viola Transcriptions
Lillian Fuchs: Complete Music for Unaccompanied Viola
Ernst: Concerto Pathétique; Concertino
Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Eschwe, Netrebko, Villazon, Wiener Staatsoper
The Russian Viola

ASIN: B000L42JAE
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Tracks:

Impetuoso
Vivace
Adagio
Passacaglia (On An Old English Tune)
Lullaby
Lullaby On An Ancient Irish Tune
Morpheus
Chinese Puzzle
I'll Bid My Heart Be Still
Untitled Piece For Viola And Piano
Dumka
Prelude - Robert Plane
Allegro - Robert Plane
Pastorale - Robert Plane

Music:

Music