Music

Average customer rating:

NOT FOR THE MUSICALLY WEAK MINDED!
STICK A FORK IN TOOL - THEY'RE DONE !!!!!
Tool is evolution, not revolution
ANOTHER AWESOME TOOL ALBUM
Worth the Wait

10,000 Days
Tool
Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Pearl Jam
Lateralus
Stadium Arcadium
Aenima
IV

ASIN: B000EULJLU
Release Date: 2006-05-02

Tracks:

Vicarious
Jambi
Wings For Marie (Pt 1)
10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2)
The Pot
Lipan Conjuring
Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)
Rosetta Stoned
Intension
Right In Two
Viginti Tres

Amazon.com

With a majority of the songs on 10,000 Days clocking in well past the seven-minute mark, you wouldn't be entirely mistaken in thinking that the title of the album refers to how long it actually takes to make it through the whole thing. Two of the tracks--the sitar and tabla enhanced "10,000 Days (Wings Part 2)" and its suitably epic psych-rock sister "Rosetta Stoned"--even linger on for nearly a dozen leisurely minutes each. That's delightful news for the legion of Tool fans that have been waiting five years for the follow-up to 2001's Lateralus, which debuted at number one and sold 2.3 million copies in the United States. Singer Maynard James Keenan is back on mystical form after his hiatus with the politically slanted A Perfect Circle, sounding at once ethereal and eloquent as he calmly charges through the metal tempest of the opening track "Vicarious." The rest of the band, meanwhile, hits a series of high-flying moments with tracks such as "Jambi" and "The Pot." When Tool sounds as good as it does on these songs it's hard to get enough. Which makes it all the more baffling that a surprisingly large chunk of the disc is given over to mood-enhancing soundscapes like "Lost Keys" and "Vigniti Tres." Who has time for filler? --Aidin Vaziri

Amazon.com

Sonically relentless and visually groundbreaking only begin to describe the Tool experience. Formed in Los Angeles, CA in 1990, Tool has cemented themselves in today's hard music community with uncompromising attitude and vision. With just one EP and three album releases over a 15-year span, Tool has created a loyal and even rabid fan base, selling over 10 million albums and half a million videos in the U.S. alone.

More from Tool

Aenima	Lateralus	Undertow
Opiate	Parabola (DVD)	Schism (DVD)

Customer Reviews:

NOT FOR THE MUSICALLY WEAK MINDED!.......2007-07-16

10,000 Days has been hailed by some as a monumental success, while others have labeled it a failure. Many who were disappointed, felt that Tool had lost their aggressive and hard hitting sound in favor of a softer, more progressive flavor. Many also complained that this album was filled with a lot of filler in the form of numerous moments of minimalist soundscapes between songs. To some, Tool had softened up.
While I agree that this is not by any means Tool's heaviest offering, I think that to criticize them for changing (or rather evolving) their sound is unfair and an illogical contention. Tool has, and always will be, a band focused on musical progression and evolution. If they just kept making more albums like Aenima and Lateralus, they would be betraying their own goal of musical advancement. After all, Tool, like it or not, has always been about doing things their way.
10,000 days is simply a newer more mature Tool, just like every new Tool record. The lack of heaviness would indicate that the members of Tool have found other ways to express themselves, as they have moved on from simply just being loud. Tracks like Rosetta Stoned and Vicarious are still aggressive and hard hitting, but are performed in a controled and deliberate manner. The highlight of the album, however, is the two song epic Wings for Marie and 10,000 days. Very rarely do you find the best part of the album to be the softest songs, but in this case, it is undeniably so. Here the minimalism only serves to build up the tension all the way to the very end. In my opinion, this is one of the most powerful songs that Tool has ever written. Other notable tracks include the schizophrenic track Rosetta Stoned, and The Pot.
To sum up, this is just business as usual for Tool. Every album is meant to stand on their own, and is meant to push them as musicians. Those who expected another Lateralus or Aenima are approaching this in a completely backwards manner. For a moment, forget that Tool ever wrote prior album and just listen to THIS album and let it stand on its own merit.

STICK A FORK IN TOOL - THEY'RE DONE !!!!!.......2007-07-11

yeah they use to rock like 5 years ago.their best songwriting is behind them.lateralus had it's moments but it was no aenima or undertow.all good things come to an end.

Tool is evolution, not revolution.......2007-07-08

Tool has become one of the longer-lived and most well-established metal bands, but because of their evolving style the most consistent element of their CDs is that they piss off a sizeable portion of their fans. Undertow was too heavy, Aenima was too fast, Lateralus was too progressive and 10,000 Days is too mellow.

Tool fans are known as some of the most rabid, die-hard fans in the music industry, not just just because of their loyalty but because of their enthusiasm: spending an hour in a Tool mosh pit is like spending six hours in a Slayer or Pantera pit (I know this from personal experience, and I was a Slayer fan before I even heard of Tool). It is then natural to expect some outcry at each CD release because some fans will always expect more of the same. Tool just isn't that band.

Most fans eventually seem to take a liking to each new CD after a few months of listening (or at least stop bitching about it) because Tool works on each CD until it is perfected. The style or sound of Tool may not be what some people like, but the CD is still a masterpiece. This is not to say that Tool CDs are a "Learn to Love" sound; they are not. It is just impossible to predict what the next Tool album is going to be like, and the new sound always shocks some people. Despite this it is almost unheard of for someone to renounce their fanship.

10,000 Days represents the 5th sound from Tool, and is in many ways the most demanding of its listeners. Tool is, if nothing else, heavy, therefore the most shocking aspect of 10,000 Days is that it has, at least at first glance, a lighter sound. Realistically the CD has plenty of drop D power cords, massive distortion and beats all characteristic of heavy bands (with, of course, the intricacy and complex composition/timing obligatory to all Tool music), but the album also has another form of heaviness, which is the juxtoposition of lighter rhythms with the heavier rhythms. This is more demanding to the listener because someone who is expecting an album containing the same songs as previous albums may ignore the lighter side of the CD. In effect many listeners only heard half the CD on the first try.

This juxtoposition of lighter and heavier styles is most reminiscent of A Perfect Circle's first album (obviously not a coincidence), however Tool has certainly perfected it and created an album that truly redefines what heaviness is about.

The lyrics of Tool have always been enigmatic, if not stygian, and controversial, but 10,000 Days was more shocking to Tool's fans than the rest of society. The title cut almost seems an acceptance of judeo-christian religions, which would be shocking, if not outright betrayal, to the fanbase. Knowledge of the story behind the song quickly alleviates that idea.

Tools music is certainly worthy of 5 stars (or more) by itself, but this is a CD that truly deserves more than 5 stars. Like other Tool albums buying the CD gets you more than music, it is also art. Tool's latest installment contains a serious of 3D images of the typical Tool style. To be clear, these are not the cheesy red and blue captain EO 3D; they are very high quality and immersive works. Going back to the music, the album is around 77 minutes long, even taking out the few filler type tracks the album contains as much music as other bands release on 2 CDs. The CD also sold for 12.99 USD on debut, far cheaper than many bands that spend less than half as much time on their music.

To recap: You get more music, that's higher quality as well as amazing artwork for much less than most other CDs. Even non-Tool fans should be able to respect a band that really goes above and beyond the standard.

There is much speculation that 10,000 Days may be the penultimate (or perhaps last) Tool album, but if Tools record is any indication one thing is certain: as long as Tool keeps playing, we'll keep listening.

ANOTHER AWESOME TOOL ALBUM.......2007-07-06

This band is the most talented band out there! It is nice to hear a band that is not afraid to write a song that last longer than 3 minutes. This album is loaded with songs well over 5 minutes without having to be repetitive. This along with every other TOOL album deserves 5 stars.

Worth the Wait.......2007-07-04

Well its been a little over a year since this CD came out. And it took some getting used to at first, and I don't think a lot of people appreciated it upon its first listen. I had some difficulty as well. I was stunned by Lateralus, which remains as the greatest CD I ever bought, and have ever heard. Its music of my generation.

Anyway, 10,000 Days I think was surrounded by too high of expectations, and I'm very guilty of that myself. There was so much speculation going into it (decoy albums, fake song titles, a second release in late summer (?), hidden messages, etc.) and all of it was just so far fetched that people were without a doubt disappointed with the final product. But after you let go of what it "should" have been, and embrace it for what it is, you'll find this to be just as good as Aenima and Undertow. I don't think it surpasses Lateralus, or even Aenima, but its nestled right on the same line as Undertow and Opiate, in my opinion.

Vicarious opens it up, and it immediately reminds me of Schism. Schism being probably one of 3 Tool songs, the non-fan would know. I think Vicarious is a poor choice for an opener to a CD, but its an effective song, if not a bit predictable. Its by far my least favorite on the CD, and even when I first heard it on the radio a year ago, I was slightly worried. It seemed to be a cross between A Perfect Circle's lyrical themes, and Tool's music. A toned down, diluted radio vehicle, one that would be easily accessible for non-fans, and moderately acceptable to die-hards. Nevertheless, its a well structured song with a decent chorus, and a pretty good finale. It starts out bland, but picks up and by the end of it, you can't say its a bad song, but its far from amazing, and by far to me, the worst on the album ("worst" for lack of a better word). This was the first single off of 10,000 Days, and it was a decent choice, but like I said, it doesn't represent the album that well.

The minute I heard Jambi, I fell in love with it. To me, this is best song on the album. How odd that the extremes for me happen at the start of the CD? Anyway, its driving, its pulsating, and it just strikes you as being a Tool song. Its wicked live, and one of the more well constructed aspects of the album. You can argue the talk-box solo is unnecessary, but Adam Jones is quirky that way, he'll throw things in just for the hell of it. I think what makes this song so memorable is that its lyrics are very vague, and you can apply them to yourself, just like with previous Tool songs on other albums. The band is quoted as to saying this is their "blues album" with a lot of heart felt lyrics, and personal reflection involved. You can tell that throughout the entire CD, except on Jambi, which is slightly ambiguous. You don't know who Maynard is talking to. He doesn't address it. And I think its that sense of vagueness that makes this such a great song in my opinion. Best on the album to me.

The Wings duo is a toss up for me. The main reason its a toss up is because I feel the first part Wings for Marie Pt. 1 as a stand alone track, fails. It starts out good, but then develops into a jam session. And I am not a fan of that. However, you put it with 10,000 Days, and it makes sense and it fits. But take 10,000 Days, and it can stand alone. In fact, when you hear it live, you can't wait till 10,000 Days, because that's where the intensity lies. You can look at Wings Pt. 1 as merely a segue at times, because it doesn't seem to have that much character alone. But I judge them together, because just like Parabol/Parabola, they come together, and shouldn't be separated. Together, they are epic. Incredibly heart felt, very deep for a man who keeps himself rather closed off, but yet wears his heart on his sleeve so profoundly. Truth be told, Maynard sings to his mom and its hard to see why he loved the woman and pays so much homage to her. He disagreed with so much of her ideas, its amazing that he misses her as much as he does. But that's beside the point. This two piece set here, brings chills down my spine when I hear it. And the live rendition has brought tears to many eyes because of its raw emotion. The first time I heard it live, the entire crowd was silent. No one yelling, no one shouting. Some people were crying. Music does that to us. Overall, The Wings duo is effective. I wouldn't recommend separating them though.

The Pot is a bit of a dichotomy to me. On one hand, its so poppish you can't believe Tool wrote it. On the other hand, its so poppish you just have to love it. Its groovy and wicked. You can pop it on and sing to it and just scream your lungs out. It's a signature song now, and according to Billboard, their biggest hit to date, reaching #1 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart. I know some people fell in love with the intro, the falsetto vocals that make you do a double take as you struggle to remember "yup, this is Tool" because it doesn't follow the typical structure we're used to on Aenima or Lateralus. It's vastly different. And I think that's why 10,000 Days as a whole doesn't feel like a Tool CD at times. But then, there are splashes throughout the Pot that remind you, "yes, I'm definitely listening to Tool" such as Danny Carey's drumming. Its groovy and its fun, and to me, after Jambi, its one of the best parts of this CD.

The segue Lipan Conjuring is one of the worst segues to me. I enjoy some of the segues, but of course they are the part of the CD skipped the most. LC doesn't really do anything. It acts as a wetting of the pallet, but it still leaves little to be desired. There are some classic Tool segues, and this won't end up at the top. The ending, with a very harsh scream from MJK is the only saving grace to it, but you have to wait like 50 seconds to get to there, which just isn't worth it.

Lost Keys is a very long intro into Rosetta Stoned. I love the intro, except when its done live. It doesn't come off as well when they drag it out 4 extra minutes (its only like 4 minutes, so an 8 minute intro to Rosetta Stoned is annoying). The voice overs are forgivable but unnecessary. As LK ends, it kicks into Rosetta Stoned, which some consider a rehashing of Third Eye, which it's not. It's nothing like Third Eye (from Aenima). It has a class all by itself. Don't be fooled, I'm not particularly fond of this song. I think that with Vicarious, its quite boring. However, there are some excellent moments in the song. "overwhelmed as one would be..." is an amazing line, sung with a lot of intensity. I think the rapid talking from Maynard is comical, but not very effective, especially live, this song comes out like a big mess when its performed live. I think the boys will ax it from future tours. I think what drags this song down to me, is its length first of all. I'm not saying I don't like instrumental, or that i'm all about lyrics, but it seems that the spacing in between it doesn't work. There's just a lot of forgettable space in the song, where you're ready to change it to the next song. I feel that the song lacks in the department, and it doesn't keep our attention very well. Its well crafted, but it needed something else. The spoken word is cool, but it gets old. And the lyrics are sub-par when you consider what Maynard can actually do. Singing wise, its great, on par with the rest of the record (but not as great as Lateralus) Overall, I feel this song is a bit lengthy, and slightly boring, but still very listenable and enjoyable for those with patience.

Intension is one of those songs where you think its a segue, but its not. People will skip it, that's for sure. But their missing out on one of the best parts of the album. Intension is considered to be like Disposition (I think mainly b/c of the "tion" endings). Its roughly 7 or 8 minutes long, and there isn't much to it. But the sound, its so soothing, and it prepares you perfectly for the final song on the album, Right in Two. Intension takes you into the final stages, and really is a well constructed piece of music by Tool. There are three epic songs on this disc. The Wings duo, LK/Rosetta Stoned, and Intension/Right in Two. Wings 1, alone, doesn't work. Lost Keys alone, doesn't work. But Intension by itself...WORKS. It is effective as a song, and can stand alone. Its cool to hear it trail off into Right in Two, but its not necessary. It won't be a mainstay I'm sure, and its never been play fully live, but its one of Tool's more relaxing, and soothing songs. It goes right into the final song.

Right in Two, bares close resemblance to what I said in regards to the APC lyrics. Its very straight forward. But it skews from the path that you'd think it would be. It starts out as being just like any other Tool song, and then cuts loose into a predetermined jam, that is so intense, and it builds and builds, until you personally are ready to burst through with the "Angels on the Sidelines" lyric and sing along for the finale. Its a great way to close the album, and ranks at the top of the album for me, because it has lasting power.

Viginti Tres is pointless to me. Its just a sound. While I think that that 5 and a half minutes devoted to it could have been put to better use, the boys will do what they want. It's just a sound, and I don't care too much for it.

So you may be confused. I end up giving props to only half the CD really, but still give it 5 stars. Well Tool's music is more thought provoking then some. It's still miles from what it could be. Tool's a gateway band, always will be. You listen to Tool, you start to find new music. Therefore, no album is less than a 5 star rating because it will open your mind to new things, and thats NEVER a bad thing. That said, this album is actually great. Though I don't care for Vicarious or Rosetta Stoned, doesn't mean that they are awful. Plus, its just my opinion on them, I've spoken to some people who are absolutely in love with both songs, They never grow tired of it. That's good. Some of us find something worth keeping in it and thats good.

Personally, Jambi alone gets 5 stars. I think its one of the greatest Tool songs ever written, and The Pot is fantastic too. Right in Two, with Intension tagged on to it, is another classic Tool song. And the Wings duo will remain at the top of any Tool fans list because of its intensity. Overall, this album doesn't disappoint me, and its well worth waiting five years for. Slightly disappointing I'll admit, but compared to everything else, its okay to not wow us amazingly again. Its got stiff competition, and for a group that comes from an era that is nonexistent anymore (seriously, how many 90's rock bands are still around?), Tool maintains there grasp on music, and being genius musicians.

Average customer rating:

Patti Griffin's finest so far
Buy this
love this cd!!!!!!!!!!
Patty Rarely Misses
Listen to Rain and Stolen Car!

1000 Kisses
Patty Griffin
Manufacturer: Ato Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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Impossible Dream
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One Moment More

ASIN: B000063DG3
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

Rain
Chief
Stolen Car
Making Pies
Be Careful
Long Ride Home
Nobody's Crying
Tomorrow Night
Mil Besos
Reprise

Amazon.com

Since the breathtaking purity of her debut, Living with Ghosts, Patty Griffin has proven she can luxuriate in glamorous pop, rock like a biker, hold her own on stage with the Dixie Chicks, and write hit songs and singer-songwriter classics. What she hadn't done is craft an album as wholly exquisite and emotional as her talent. With the spare, acoustic 1000 Kisses, she has done just that. In the basement of longtime guitarist Doug Lancio's Nashville home, Griffin takes a suite of intensely personal songs (and three covers, including a tingling version of Bruce Springsteen's "Stolen Car") into the close confidence of her airy but twang-shaded voice, and draws accordion, cello, mandolin, brushed drums, and even Emmylou Harris into a candid and rare musical space. After a four-year wait, 1000 Kisses is more than reason to celebrate Griffin's return--it's a guileless, glowing masterpiece. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

Patti Griffin's finest so far.......2007-07-03

This CD with Long Ride Home and Making Pies stands out as Patti's finest, and one of the best CDs of the decade. While listening to this CD you will sit down in a big car and imagine what you could do to make your life better - thinking about it from the end to the present. You'll pick out words you wish you never said and reimagine yourself as a better person. You'll venture into the world of someone for whom coping with loss is the rebirth of hope everyday in a fresh baked pie. Patti tells stories that envelop us in the reality of someone else for a few minutes. Amidst the listen, we realize these songs aren't just about someone else. They are us too. 1000 Kisses is a personal and emotionally rich experience in contemporary folk.

Buy this.......2007-06-27

Patty Griffin was a recent discovery for me, but, since hearing "Mad Mission" from "Living with Ghosts," I have bought all of her recordings. This CD is my favorite. I have bought copies of it for all of my friends and they love it too. You will not regret buying this.

love this cd!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-03-10

i found this cd while looking at the new lucinda williams cd, i decided to take a listen. i had heard of patti griffin before but never listened to her music.....big mistake. i decided to buy this cd instead of the new l. williams one. i love this cd. my fav. songs are rain and tomorrow night. when i played rain for the first time, i had chillbumps all over. this cd makes me want to sit and have a nice glass of wine and i don't even drink wine:). anyway i just ordered children running through, can't wait till it gets here.

Patty Rarely Misses.......2007-02-15

I have to disagree with the reviewer who picks "Chief" as a weak spot. Not only is it my favorite on the album, it's my favorite Patty Griffin song.

Listen to Rain and Stolen Car!.......2007-02-13

Patty Griffin is one of my favorites. My favorites on this CD are Rain and Stolen Car. This CD is a little more melancholy than her others, but this can serve an excellent purpose in our lives as well. If you are looking for excellent music to sing along with in the car, buy this CD!

Average customer rating:

Great Album
Flat & uninspiring
Hoping for more
Uno de los mejores discos que he escuchado
Great!

MTV Unplugged
10,000 Maniacs
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Tigerlily
Our Time in Eden
In My Tribe
Retrospective 1995-2005
Ophelia

ASIN: B000002HEM
Release Date: 1993-10-26

Tracks:

These Are Days
Eat For Two
Candy Everybody Wants
I'm Not The Man
Don't Talk
Hey Jack Kerouac
What's The Matter Here?
Gold Rush Brides
Like The Weather
Trouble Me
Jezebel
Because The Night
Stockton Gala Days
Noah's Dove

Customer Reviews:

Great Album.......2007-05-15

Any 10k maniacs fan will LOVE this CD. All their best songs in 1 pkg.
Defintely a good buy and great CD.

Flat & uninspiring.......2007-02-20

I'm a huge Natalie Merchant & 10,000 Maniacs fan, but this MTV Unplugged live concert is a big disappointment. I was hoping Natalie's crystalline natural voice would be enhanced without a recording studio's interference, but each song seems to have the same tempo, the same sound. The entire album was flat and uninspiring. I actually got sleepy driving to it. I'm too big a fan to give it 1 star, but this was a major disappointment.

Hoping for more.......2006-12-28

This is a good CD but I did not find it to be great. Maybe it will grow on me over time but I don't think it will. I have been a big of Natalie Merchant's solo albums (With one exception). If I could give it 3.5 stars I would but I don't think its 4 star material. 10,000 Maniacs fans will like it but would be fans are better off getting some of their studio stuff. That's my 2 cents. Enjoy the music!!!

Uno de los mejores discos que he escuchado.......2006-11-10

Si hay que calificar este CD la palabra es simplemente maravilloso, alla por 1994 escuche "Because the night" y quedo almacenada en mi memoria hasta que aqui en Amazon logre explorar mas de este disco y de la musica de 10,000 maniacs y quede totalmente enamorado de la voz de Merchant, ojala siga produciendo musica para deleyte de sus fans y el mio propio.

Great!.......2006-10-14

The 10,000 Maniacs have been around since 1981, and it has been a great ride. This album came out in 1993, and features Natalie Merchant's excellent vocals. The band survived Natalie's move to a solo career, and she has done well on her own, but I must say that this album is when they all reached their absolute peak! With the excellent instrumentation and Natalie's beautiful voice, this is a great album to listen to.

I love this album, and its mix of bouncy and soulful tunes, especially These Are Days, Jezebel and Because The Night. This is a great album, one that is sure to please anyone who loves great music, especially unplugged music. I love this album, and give it my highest recommendations!

100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong

Average customer rating:

BON JOVI FANS ARE NEVER WRONG!!!
Bon Jovi strikes gold
BON JOVI ROCKS MY WORLD
Yes, they can be. They are.
For any Jovi fan...

100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong
Bon Jovi
Manufacturer: Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bon Jovi
These Days

ASIN: B00065JTBA
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

Why Aren't You Dead?
The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
Taking It Back
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night (Original Demo)
Miss Fourth Of July
Open All Night
These Arms Are Open All Night
I Get A Rush
Someday Just Might Be Tonight
Thief Of Hearts
Last Man Standing
I Just Want To Be Your Man

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Garageland
Starting All Over Again
Maybe Someday
Last Chance Train
The Fire Inside
Every Beat Of My Heart
Rich Man Living In A Poor Man's House
The One That Got Away
You Can Sleep While I Dream
Outlaws Of Love
Good Guys Don't Always Wear White
We Rule The Night

Tracks:

Edge Of A Broken Heart
Sympathy
ONly In My Dreams
Shut Up And Kiss Me
Crazy Love
Lonely At The Top (International B-Side)
Ordinary People (International B-Side)
Flesh And Bone
Satellit
If I Can't Have Your Love
Real Life
Memphis Lives In Me
Too Much Of A Good Thing

Tracks:

Love Ain't Nothing But A Four Letter Word
Love Ain't Nothing But A Four Letter Word (Original Demo)
River Runs Dry
Always
Kidnap An Angel
Breathe (B-Side)
Out Of Bounds
Letter To A Friend
Temptation (International B-Side)
Gotta Have A Reason
All I Wanna Do Is You
Billy
Nobody's Hero

Amazon.com

Playing off of Elvis Presley's 1959 album 50 Million Elvis Presley Fans Can't Be Wrong, right down to the gold-lame suits the quartet dons on the cover, stalwart rockers Bon Jovi make a strong case that they're one of the true populist bands of their era with a box set that serves up dozens of previously unheard and seldom heard offerings. Designed as a heaping 20-year anniversary feast for insatiable fans, the four-disc/bonus DVD collection is surprisingly vital and consistent, considering that just about everything included was initially either rejected or related to B-sides and soundtracks. The high quality of these castoffs is attributable to the band's habit of preparing dozens of tracks for each album and cutting loose strong compositions that didn't fit with the theme of the completed product. Thus, some stylistic stretches were left in the vaults (check out the Southside Johnny-style r&b of "Love Ain't Nothing But a Four Letter Word"). Bon Jovi fans will find be delighted by this collection, and even skeptics may find themselves reconsidering these Jersey survivors. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

BON JOVI FANS ARE NEVER WRONG!!! .......2007-02-17

Words cannot describe how awesome BON JOVI is!!! I am their #1 fan and no other group in this world produces such quality / entertaining / heartfelt music. I RECOMMEND YOU BUY 100,000,000 BON JOVI FANS CAN'T BE WRONG and ALL OF THEIR CDs!!!

Bon Jovi strikes gold.......2007-01-30

I love the songs on here!You can tell from the different songs how Bon Jovi matured over the years. I really hope they put out another box set with unreleased songs. I also hope,they realize what a goldmine they have in their vaults!I have been a Bon Jovi fan since1983 and they just keep getting better!

BON JOVI ROCKS MY WORLD.......2007-01-23

BON JOVI IS THE BEST ROCK BAND EVER.I WILL ALWAYS LOVE BON JOVI. THIS BOX SET ROCKS THESE GUYS WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD JON, RICHIE DAVE and TICO WILL BE HERE FOREVER. THERE IS NOTHING BUT GREAT SONGS AND POWERFUL VOCALS.
ON CD 3 YOU WILL HEAR TICO, RICHIE AND DAVE SING. RICHIE SAMBORA SINGS A VERY POWERFUL BALLAD IF I CAN'T HAVE YOUR LOVE THAT WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!!! TICO TORRES SINGS ONLY IN MY DREAMS HIS VOICE IS W O W!! AND DAVID BRYAN SOUNDS LIKE ELTON JOHN SINGING MEMPHIS LIVES IN ME.

BON JOVI MEANS ALOT TO ME I WILL LOVE BON JOVI TILL THE I DIE

Yes, they can be. They are........2007-01-21

For fans, I suppose this would be a rather big delight; for non-fans, it's nothing that will turn you on to the band from Jersey. They had some okay, cheesy hits in the '80s - but listening to some of their modern songs from this collection proves how completely out of touch they are nowadays.

For any Jovi fan..........2007-01-04

How can you not buy this box set? Enough said.

Campfire Songs: The Popular, Obscure & Unknown Recordings

Average customer rating:

Great 2CD set
Not sure what to say
Cover Of The Patti Smith Group's "Because The Night"
Great end to a wonderful band's career
Nice reminder

Campfire Songs: The Popular, Obscure & Unknown Recordings
10,000 Maniacs
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The House Carpenter's Daughter
Natalie Merchant - VH1 Storytellers
Retrospective 1990-2005
Blind Man's Zoo
10,000 Maniacs - Time Capsule (1982-1993)

ASIN: B0000CDLLJ
Release Date: 2004-01-27

Tracks:

Planned Obsolescence
My Mother the War
Tension
Scorpio Rising
Like the Weather
Don't Talk
What's the Matter Here?
Hey Jack Kerouac
Verdi Cries
Trouble Me
Poison in the Well
You Happy Puppet
Eat for Two
Stockton Gala Days
Candy Everybody Wants
These Are Days
Because the Night

Tracks:

Poppy Selling Man
Can't Ignore the Train (Demo Version)
Peace Train
Wildwood Flower
Hello in There
To Sir With Love
Everyday Is Like Sunday
These Days
I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love With You
Starman
Let the Mystery Be
Noah's Dove (Demo Version)
Circle Dream (Alternate Lyrics Demo)
Eden (Alternate Lyrics Demo)

Customer Reviews:

Great 2CD set.......2007-04-13

A very worthwhile set featuring one disc of greatest hits and one of rarities. The greatest hits disc includes material from all their discs and is mostly slanted towards studio material. The rarities disc is excellent with some great covers, B sides,etc. One small complaint- With a 50 minute time for the rarities disc, there's room for more and there are more rarities not included here. Maybe they're saving them for a future box set? Even with the omissions, a very strong set here.

Not sure what to say.......2005-12-17

Great band but this is not much more than a greatest hits album. It's great that the second disc collects the band's non-album tracks, but I'm not sure if it's worth buying the whole album for that.

Also, it's somewhat ironic that the release is called Campfire Songs, yet the song "A Campfire Song" is nowhere to be found.

Cover Of The Patti Smith Group's "Because The Night".......2005-04-27

Nothing but that song "Because The Night" covered the original version by The Patti Smith Group. Great Live Performance.

Great end to a wonderful band's career.......2005-04-05

Even though 10,000 Maniacs are no longer a household name, their music from 1981-1993 has stood the test of time since Natalie Merchant's departure in 1993. After Merchant left the band, Mary Ramsey took over singing duties and the Merchant-less band released two albums without much fanfare. This collection of hits and b-sides appropriately only features songs from the Merchant-era, so if you're a Mary Ramsey fan look elsewhere. The first disc features many of their signature songs like These Are Days, Like the Weather and their live cover of Because the Night. I was quite surprised at the number of songs from their pre-The Wishing Chair days, but they included too many from their In My Tribe breakthrough album. The second disc features b-sides, demos and a few live selections. I suppose the only true rarities are the demo versions of Can't Ignore the Train, Noah's Dove, Circle Dream and Eden, plus the previously unreleased Poppy Selling Man from the early 80's, so if you own a lot of their singles this collection might not be worth it. For those of us who weren't around to witness the impact this underrated band made, Campfire Songs is well worth the investment.

Nice reminder.......2005-01-07

I did enjoy hearing this band on cd as I had some of their albums on cassette some years ago. Not having heard the really early stuff, I very much enjoyed being taken back to that lost period of exciting and fresh young indie bands, by the opening song, Planned Obsolescence. Some good things did come out of the 80's! There is much great material on this release and Natalie Merchant's writing has always been literate, thought provoking and insightful. I can't say I liked the covers though, the Patti Smith and Bowie numbers didn't appeal to me at all - although fine songs originally, but so what, they were a great band. I was pleased to see Verdi Cries made the final selection, but I would love to have seen some of my other favourites too, such as; Dustbowl Days, Hateful Hate and Slowest Parade from Blindman's Zoo, along with Sister Rose, Gun Shy and the excellent Campfire Song from In my Tribe. Fortunately, Like the Weather was an inclusion. All in all, it's a good solid compilation giving a nice overview of the band's work and their journey. The liner notes from each band member are enjoyable as well and if you are into the packaging, this one's very nicely done.

Average customer rating:

Pop sublime
Beautiful, contemplative and timeless...
Beautiful Noise
10,000 Maniacs' best record to date.
an excellent album...

In My Tribe
10,000 Maniacs
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Our Time in Eden
Blind Man's Zoo
The Wishing Chair
MTV Unplugged
Tigerlily

ASIN: B000002H4S
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

What's The Matter Here?
Hey Jack Kerouac
Like The Weather
Cherry Tree
The Painted Desert
Don't Talk
Gun Shy
My Sister Rose
A Campfire Song
City Of Angels
Verdi Cries

Amazon.com essential recording

In My Tribe was 10,000 Maniacs' second (and best) album and the record that made the band collegiate favorites and singer/songwriter Natalie Merchant a star. Producer Peter Asher's rich balance of acoustic and electric instruments gave muscle to the group's folk-rock. "Hey Jack Kerouac" found Merchant musing on the literary beats of the 1950s, but the song's musical hook was the rich bed of rhythm guitars laid atop the solid drums. "Don't Talk" offered a similarly propulsive rock sound, with lyrics that advised troubled lovers to keep it to themselves. R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe offered hipster credibility by guesting on "A Campfire Song," while a cover of Cat Stevens's "Peace Train" offered listeners a familiar port of entry. However, when Muslim convert Stevens announced his support of Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini's call for the execution of Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie, the band rereleased the album without "Peace Train." --John Milward

Customer Reviews:

Pop sublime.......2006-06-12

This albums is really one of the best from the eighties. All of the songs on here are good and have a unique quality about them. It not only showcases Natalie's sweet voice, but the rest of the band is commendable as well. I would definitely recommend this CD for anyone. However, this one sounds especially good on vinyl, if you can find it.

Beautiful, contemplative and timeless..........2006-03-18

"...if I'm the only witness-to your madness, offer me some words to balance-out what I see and what I hear..." ("What's the Matter Here")
On a crisp winter day in San Diego (circa 1988)I discovered what would soon become the proverbial soundtrack of my life.
"In My Tribe" represents the pinnacle of Natalie Merchant's singing and songwriting career. From the insistent tale of an abused young neighbor in the afforementioned "What's the Matter Here" to the yearning of a missed opportunity in "The Painted Desert", this album caught Miss Merchant at her most lively and earnest, before she inexplicably decided to sing everything post-Maniacs in a low monotone.
Personally, I don't miss "Peace Train". I think the album flows much better without it. The absolute stark beauty of "Verdi Cries" to this day makes me weak in the knees and remains my favorite song to ever to close out an album.
If you buy this CD, don't just hear it, but listen. You will be better for the experience.

Beautiful Noise.......2005-12-30

I first heard about this group through a friend. I really didn't know what to expect from a group that called themselves "10,000 Maniacs". I thought it was some metal-head group or some kind of group that just made a lot of noise. Well, I was right, they do make a lot of noise...a lot of beautiful noise.

The first song deals with child abuse. Not exactly a fun topic. But it was done in such a way that was both a powerful social commentary as well as a really well done piece of music. It made me really see and feel that child abuse is something that we like to "sweep under the rug" and pretend it doesn't exist. Well, it does exist and it is always closer to us than we might like to admit.

Then there is "Hey, Jack Kerouac". I smiled when I heard this because I have long been a "beat" at heart. For those of you who don't know what a beat is, shame on you! What are they teaching you in school, anyway! Just kidding. Beats and beatniks were to the 50s and early 6os as hippies were to the late 60s, early 70s. They were a culture unto themselves who found themselves in a mad frenzy of doing things and being things that the "establishment" found repulsive and damaging...oh, my...not moral corruption...and the reluctant godfather of this group was Jack Kerouac. It was very touching of the 10,000 Maniacs to write about a man who influenced their own creative style.

Of course there is the remake of Peace Train and the pop hit Under the Weather and many other songs that will not only make you tap your foot and sing along with, but make you also stop and notice that this really is a brilliant compilation of songs. My only complaint is that I have waited such a long time to review this spectacular CD.

You might want to buy two when you do purchase this (and I know after reading this you will), one for you and one for a friend. We must share our influences, those things that delight us, inspire us, and move us. Why? I firmly believe that we are never healed alone and this music...this beautiful noise may heal you in many ways that you never thought possible. It'll make you painfully and yet gloriously aware that we all have to stand for something or we will fall for anything.

Peace, kiddies.

10,000 Maniacs' best record to date........2005-11-30

Between the debut "Wishing Chair" and the seemingly more forgettable "Blind Man's Zoo" (which are also both great records) you will find the most solid effort of 10,000 Maniacs. After hearing them on the radio for the first time in 2002, I was immediately attracted to Merchant's upbeat and energetic voice as well as the musicianship of Buck, Drew, Gustafson and Augustyniak. I've been a listener ever since. I have also heard every album, even the ones with Mary Ramsey singing lead vocal after Natalie Merchant's unfortunate departure. However, I have to admit that "In My Tribe" is still the best of all of their albums.

an excellent album..........2005-08-07

that being said, Peace Train is the song that turned me on to 10,000 Maniacs. I was young then and did not know the song was a cover, and in the end, I don't care that it was. It should not have been removed from the album. With Peace Train, this was worth 5 stars as it is, it's still a great albumn. 10,000 Maniacs was the only time Natalie was worth listening too. Not too fond of her solo stuff and not too fond of their stuff without her.

M

Average customer rating:

Awesome Aussies
Power and the Passion of one of Australia's Greatest Bands
I love'd it
Fine Compilation - Makes You Want More!
pretty freaking great!

20,000 Watts R.S.L.: Greatest Hits
Midnight Oil
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Diesel and Dust
Blue Sky Mining
The Best of Simple Minds
Contraband: The Best of Men at Work
Under the Milky Way: The Best of the Church

ASIN: B000002C4D
Release Date: 1997-11-04

Tracks:

What Goes On
Power And The Passion
Dreamworld
White Skin Black Heart
Koscluszko
The Dead Heart
Blue Sky Mine
US Forces
Beds Are Burning
One Country
Best Of Both Worlds
Truganini
King Of The Mountain
Hercules
Surf's Up Tonight
Back On The Borderline
Don't Wanna Be The One
Forgotten Years

Amazon.com

Like the Violent Femmes and Concrete Blonde, Midnight Oil has released a few all-around terrific albums and several others with just a couple great songs. Collecting the familiar radio hits ("Blue Sky Mine," "Forgotten Years," "Beds Are Burning") and standout tracks from less worthy CDs ("Surf's Up Tonight," from 1996's otherwise forgettable Breathe the Australian rock band's highly political first career retrospective is a good starting point for new fans. This collection could have delved more into the classic albums, such as 1988's Diesel and Dust, but then every working band has to maintain the illusion that its later work is also vital. --Steve Knopper

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Aussies.......2007-07-17

Midnight Oil was a great political/social commentary band, and this album collects their best stuff from the 80s. If fellow Aussies Men at Work were playing for your ear, Midnight Oil was definitely playing for your mind as well. The songs on her have great messages, delivered in straightforward, no nonsense, rock. This stuff actually makes the listener think about things like justice and fairness. The really good tunes:

Dream World
Kosciusko
Dead Heart
Blue Sky Mine - great tune about mine workers used up by the mines
Beds are Burning
Forgetten Years - excellent song yearning for the end of war's waste

Power and the Passion of one of Australia's Greatest Bands.......2007-07-07

I highly recommend this collection of some of Midnight Oil's finest. If you are not overly familiar with arguably one of the worlds greatest ever alternative rock bands this is a great place to start. The songs, many from the 80's still fire with passion carrying the bands strong and outspoken views on the social injustices of their native Australia, in particular the plight of the indigenous people and environmental issues which struck a chord with many people. A dynamic force without peer as a live band in their day the Oil's released at least 4 classic albums and found some international success.

1. What Goes On
2. Power And The Passion
3. Dreamworld
4. White Skin Black Heart
5. Koscluszko
6. The Dead Heart
7. Blue Sky Mine
8. US Forces
9. Beds Are Burning
10. One Country
11. Best Of Both Worlds
12. Truganini
13. King Of The Mountain
14. Hercules
15. Surf's Up Tonight
16. Back On The Borderline
17. Don't Wanna Be The One
18. Forgotten Years

Please give this set a good listen it is one of Aussie rocks finest and most informed collection of songs.

I love'd it.......2006-08-15

this is must have for all those midnight-oil fans.i was fully satisfied.

Fine Compilation - Makes You Want More!.......2006-01-28

This Midnight Oil compilation cover their music over 20 years from 1979's "Head Injuries" till "Redneck Wonderland" from 1998. The only early album not represented is their first from 1978.

Their commercially most succesfull period around "Blue Sky Mining" is logically covered the broadest with 3 tracks from "Diesel and Dust" and 4 from "Blue Sky Mining". All tracks well chosen; actually these albums are so great that almost any tracks would be.

The greatly overlooked 1993 album "Earth and Sun and Moon" is only represented by "Truganini" which is a shame - "In the Valley" should have been here!

From "Breathe" a great song called "Surf's Up Tonight" has been included. I have never yet heard "Breathe" as a whole; but this song really stirs my curiosity to do so. It's a song of raw simple beauty, unlike any other track I have heard from the band; and I would never have guessed who it was if I had heard it on the radio - a little like Alex Chilton/Big Star.

Among the early songs "Kosciuszko" is my favourite.

The booklet includes an interesting band story written by Tim Winton. Makes you want more. Recommended!

pretty freaking great!.......2005-12-10

i've always enjoyed music by Midnight Oil. their brand of rootsy working class hard rock always seemed spot on and the distinct vocals added a nice sinister touch. this collection gathers their well known hits and offers a glimpse into both their back catalogue and their recent efforts (as in the weak and misguided electro rock of two new tracks on here). but thankfully, those two tracks don't put a big dent into Midnight Oil's permanent record. this is a great cd and a fine place for those late to the game to do a little bit of catching up on one of modern rock's finest exports.

Average customer rating:

How they've grown.
Films For Radio
One of my favorite bands of all time
Best thing they ever did
Solid

Our Time in Eden
10,000 Maniacs
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Jangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

In My Tribe
Blind Man's Zoo
MTV Unplugged
Tigerlily
The Wishing Chair

ASIN: B000002HBI
Release Date: 1992-09-29

Tracks:

Noah's Dove
These Are Days
Eden
Few And Far Between
Stockton Gala Days
Gold Rush Brides
Jezebel
How You've Grown
Candy Everybody Wants
Tolerance
Circle Dream
If You Intend
I'm Not The Man

Amazon.com essential recording

The last album the band recorded before lead singer Natalie Merchant departed for a solo career, Our Time in Eden is the actualization of an unassuming college folk-rock band turned adult-contemporary group in the best possible way. Merchant's lullaby voice is more pure and confident than ever before. And although the music is still dominated by chiming rhythm guitar, the band incorporates an emphatic horn section on several tracks (most notably on "Candy Everybody Wants"). The best track is the sentimental swan song "These Are Days," which will evoke a distant smile and maybe even a teary eye, no matter how hard you try not to let it. --Beth Massa

Customer Reviews:

How they've grown........2006-01-22

I know alot of people love the "In My Tribe" album, and my favorite might be "Blind Man's Zoo", but I think this is their best, and is easily their most popular album. "Our Time In Eden" benefited by coming out at the height of the alternative craze, and "These Are Days" seemed to be a theme for more than a few people I knew. That was the big hit, but "Candy Everybody Wants" was another, as well as a few minor hits that made their "Unplugged" and "Campfire Songs" collections. By the time of this release, 10,000 Maniacs had really become more adult-alternative rock than college-rock, and you can hear where Natalie Merchant was headed on her first solo album in 1995. No complaint though, this is all good stuff. Personal favorites of mine would be the opener "Noah's Dove" and "Circle Dream", both beautiful and catchy. Truth is, they were/are a wonderful band, and any of the above mentioned albums are a joy to hear.

Films For Radio.......2005-03-18

Yes, to the very few of you have realized, I borrowed the title for this review from the title of a (completely fabulous by the way) album by Over The Rhine. That said Films For Radio describes perfectly, the music contained on Our Time in Eden.

Each song, both musically and lyrically is extremely emotive, Our Time In Eden is probably the Maniacs album where the disparity between the light pop-folk melodies and Natalie Merchant's dark, moody lyrics was at it's least, in part due to a slight lightening up of Merchant's subject matter, allowing for a more streamlined sound here than on previous efforts.

The album hasn't aged a day in the 13 years since it's relaese, Natalie's vocals are confident and clear and the music perhaps more experimental than previous works by the band is just beautiful

The standouts here are the lovely single These Are Days, Stockton Gala Days, Noah's Dove and Tolerence.

Sit back, close your eyes and let these songs, the melodies and the words from images in your mind.

One of my favorite bands of all time.......2005-02-22

10,000 Maniacs (with Natalie Merchant) made some of the most unique music of their time, that never achieved a great deal of commercial success...not like some of the groups you hear practically every day...Nickelback, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, etc. I would guess that their music gets more airplay overall now than it did when it was new, especially since Natalie Merchant has had some success as a solo artist.

The fact that you didn't hear 10,000 Maniacs songs every 5 minutes on the radio is one of the things I loved most about them. I never had the chance to get sick of their music. The original 10,000 Maniacs wrote some of the best music of their time, in my opinion...rich melodies, stunning vocals, and intelligent lyrics.

Their sound changed/evolved from CD to CD, but still maintained a uniqueness of sound and style I've not heard before or since. Our Time In Eden is the most polished of the bunch. I think their most unique sounding CD was their debut CD, The Wishing Chair. A few of the songs, like Scorpio Rising and Lilydale, were never really replicated by the Maniacs again. Some of Natalie's solo work sounds similar to songs like Lilydale, but that's it.

The Maniacs wrote many great songs over the years: Can't Ignore the Train, Lilydale, Scorpio Rising, YMaddox Table, You Happy Puppet, Trouble Me, What's The Matter Here?, The Painted Desert, Don't Talk, Hey Jack Kerouac, Cherry Tree, City of Angels, These Are Days, Stockton Gala Days, Noah's Dove, Gold Rush Brides, Eden, Few

Best thing they ever did.......2004-10-24

Everything came together wiht this one - songwriting, instrumentation, production, and just that groove of a great record. You don't really tire of listening to this one. It's a pity it was their last.

Solid.......2004-10-19

This first thing I noticed about this music is its sincerity. The music is from the heart and seems to me to have been intended to please the group rather than some commercial esthetic. The result is interesting and enjoyable music where the performers are allowing us, the listeners, to share in their inner vision of who they are as artists. You can readily hear the emotion in each and every song, and I wondered whether part of that emotion was the realization that this was to be the last album from that incarnation of 10,000 Maniacs as Natalie Merchant was preparing to depart for a solo career.

The first thing I noticed when opening the fold-out for the CD is that the lyrics are written in a narrative form instead of verse form. The style of the music matches the narrative form. Many artists think and write in verse form, and to create music in narrative form is more difficult because of the difficulty and complexity of matching the syllables and pacing of the narrative to the music. The narrative form is usually the style of story tellers, and each of these songs comes across as a vignette.

The first vignette is "Noah's Dove," which comes across several ways. Noah's dove was the bird he sent out to find dry land. When at last the dove did not return, Noah knew that the dove had found dry land. Thus, the story is about someone seeking something, perhaps the something they will not find because it does not exist, but that person will continue to search, never realizing what they have in the here and now.

The second song, "These Are the Days," relates to the first song because the emphasis of this song is the here and now. The lyrics advise the listener that now is the golden time, the time that in later years the listener will look back on with fondness as one of the best times of their lives. One has to wonder whether this song was a lament at the imminent breakup of 10,000 Maniacs.

Each of these songs is full of allegory. "Eden" seems to have several allegories. The first is the allusion to the beauty on the surface of those you see, but the thorns are the reality. The song contrasts the illusions we create, even to ourselves, to our desire and willingness to be something else. How much is illusion and how much is reality is anyone's guess, because we choose, consciously or unconsciously. "Few and Far Between" continues the train of thought started in "Eden," this time from the viewpoint of accumulating the baggage of the past and regret, and not having enough room for the future.

"Stockton Gala Days," given that the singer is female, sounds a lot like a lesbian experience, particularly the line "There was no girl as warm as you." The song explains that the person she is singing about will never know how the singer felt about that experience and what it meant to the singer. "Jezebel" may fall into the same category as this song as the singer laments that she has allowed her marriage vows to cover the truth of her life and who she is.

"Gold Rush Brides" wonders where the strong women who overcame the legal limitations of the day to help win the west are documented. Most stories are of men, but women were integral to keeping everything together and often were the reason things happened. "Coming of Age" is song about how we change as we grow older. We always remember someone as the way we saw them last.

"Candy Everybody Wants" has a moral to it. Many of us consider blood, lust, hate and love of a sexual kind to be bad, yet those things are readily available in movies, books, and even song. If those things are truly wrong, the song questions who is to blame given how popular those things are. We hide behind others, blaming, but not wishing to be blamed. "Tolerance" also addresses avoidance. This time the issue is as stated in the title. When we hear of violence and intolerance, what do we do? We had away from it hoping that it will go another direction from us because we fear to take a stand.

"Circle Dream" is another wonderfully complex song. On the one hand the circle could be the world in which we live. The maze in the circle is the difficulty of living and finding our way. The face in the circle represents love and understanding, perhaps a lover. While the song has implications of an alternative lifestyle, it also implies the life we all live.

"If You Intend" is a song for lovers and loved ones, regardless of lifestyle. The song addresses commitment and love, and how the first step in realizing that love is to reach for the love, to express your intentions. Once again, the lament of the singer is for the listener to overcome their fears because the result otherwise is dreams unfulfilled.

The last song, "I'm Not the Man," caps off the running theme of intolerance and prejudice to those who are different from the "norm." In this case the victim is someone accused of the crime because of race or some similar reason. However, the singer was elsewhere, yet no one came forward. The evidence was thin, but the conviction assured. We know this scene, but it takes someone to have the power to step forward and stop it.

These songs are powerful and dramatically scrape open many of the problems of society. It is amazing that a group as well known as 10,000 Maniacs would address social issues unabashedly and ultimately create a beautiful work. Music like this dates back centuries to the days of bards. Music like this that appeals to a large audience happens all too rarely in this day of statistics and sales and station play.

Average customer rating:

Before Our Time in Eden there was Blind Man's Zoo
Some Gems But a Bit Spotty -- 3 1/2 Stars
Dense and Intriguing
An underrated Maniacs classic
The slowest parde you've ever seen.

Blind Man's Zoo
10,000 Maniacs
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Jangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

In My Tribe
Our Time in Eden
The Wishing Chair
MTV Unplugged
Hope Chest: The Fredonia Recordings 1982-1983

ASIN: B000002H6E
Release Date: 1989-05-11

Tracks:

Eat For Two
Please Forgive Us
The Big Parade
Trouble Me
You Happy Puppet
Headstrong
Poison In The Well
Dust Bowl
The Lion's Share
Hateful Hate
Jubilee

Customer Reviews:

Before Our Time in Eden there was Blind Man's Zoo.......2007-05-23

Before Our Time in Eden there was Blind Man's Zoo: the album which hints at as well as foreshadows our time in Edens Mass appeal. In spite of this, BMZ does not get the admiration it quite honestly deserves? It must be middle child syndrome.

Other than the final track, [titled Jubilee] there's not a song that is less then excellent. Many fans may differ, but this album is lyrically the icing on the cake I believe Natalie Merchants distinctive lyrical abilities are in full force. With reference to her songwriting powers I shall quote Bill Flanagan, [March 1985, Musician]: Merchant's garret-land lyrics are fairly challenging compared to average rock dumbness. Many of 10,000 Maniacs' "pretty" songs are about war, nuclear weapons, even toxic defoliants. (Merchant has a second cousin with no arms as a result of Agent Orange.) Her writing is full of references to childhood, and enough Roman Catholic iconography to decorate a convent. Add melody and the band's wistful playing, and you get images of lost innocence and questioning adolescents.

Significantly, certain listeners kvetch regarding the sternness in the political quality or tone carping that its too just too much message. On the other hand, if you enjoy songwriting from a socially conscious perspective then this 1980s disc is for you: Vietnam, ecology, the need for greater compassion in everyday life, it's all here -- shaken together, pulled apart examined and woven back together in lyrical threads and thunderous, chiming, exhilarating, music. This album can preach. Nevertheless, the rhythm and the lyrics work together in such an emotive tandem that we listeners encounter honest, passionate and personal works of art that allow the alleged preaching to be rather edifying, and encouraging: BMZ captures the band, and Natalie at the Crossroads, before mass popularity and their morphing into 'adult alternative' not so aggressive style, if you're a fan - or, if you've only listened to Our Time in Eden, you should check Blind Man's Zoo. Keep your eyes open along with your hearts and your ears: you will find a treasure at this Zoo. All the songs are first-rate, the final track: to me, drags and the album could've been better with one extra up-tempo selection.

Trouble Me
Please Forgive Us
The Big Parade lyrics quoted below
The Lion's Share lyrics quoted below

In summary, the Maniacs were the greatest with Natalie weaving heavy lyrics at this juncture in her career; Natalies focus is always personal lyrically on this underestimated album. You should include Blind Man's Zoo in your CD collection, especially if youre a fan of the classic version of 10,000 Maniacs. The musical backdrop contrasted and complemented the serious lyrics in the most outstanding manner it was almost surreal to see this band perform live! I had that pleasure more than once they are warm memories now of a hot summer. I love classic 10k Maniacs if I could, Id use a DeLorean to travel back, and see this band one more time!!!

---- The Big Parade ----

Detroit to D.C. night train, Capitol, parts East. Lone young man takes a seat. And by the rhythm of the rails, reading all his mother's mail from a city boy in a jungle town postmarked Saigon. He'll go live his mother's dream, join the slowest parade he'll ever see. Her weight of sorrows carried long and carried far. "Take these, Tommy, to The Wall."
Metro line to the Mall site with a tour of Japanese. He's wandering and lost until a vet in worn fatigues takes him down to where they belong. Near a soldier, an ex-Marine with a tattooed dagger and eagle trembling, he bites his lip beside a widow breaking down. She takes her Purple Heart, makes a fist, strikes The Wall. All come to live a dream, to join the slowest parade they'll ever see. Their weight of sorrows carried long and carried far, taken to The Wall.
It's 40 paces to the year that he was slain. His hand's slipping down The Wall for it's slick with rain. How would life have ever been the same if this wall had carved in it one less name? But for Christ's sake, he's been dead over 20 years. He leaves the letters asking, "Who caused my mother's tears, was it Washington or the Viet Cong?" Slow deliberate steps are involved. He takes them away from the black granite wall toward the other monuments so white and clean.
O, Potomac, what you've seen. Abraham had his war too, but an honest war or so it's taught in school.

---- The Lion's Share ----

Can I be unhappy? Look at what I see: a beast in furs and crowned in luxury. He's a wealthy man in the poorest land, a self-appointed king, and there's no complaining while he's reigning. The lambs are bare of fleece and cold; the lion has stolen that, I'm told. There must be some creature mighty as you are. The lambs go hungry (not fair), the biggest portion is the lion's share. There must be some creature mighty as you are. Can I be unhappy? Listen and agree, no words can shame him or tame him. The lambs are bare of fleece and cold; the lion has stolen that, I'm told. There must be some creature mighty as you are. The lambs go hungry (not fair); the biggest portion is the lion's share. There must be some creature mighty as you are, as you are. Razor claws in velvet paws, you dunce in your guarded home, 'til a stronger beast will call on you and pounce upon your throne. Do we pay? Dearly, for the lion takes so greedily and he knows that what he's taken, it is ours.

That's how the wealth's divided among the lambs and king of the beasts, it is so one-sided. Until the lamb is king of the beasts we live so one-sided.

Some Gems But a Bit Spotty -- 3 1/2 Stars.......2006-08-08

This is a transitional record for the Maniacs, coming off the tremendous success of In My Tribe.

It produced two certifiable gems, "Eat for Two," and "Trouble Me," and is worth picking up for these two alone. Merchant's confidence is growing, and her songwriting is picking up depth and dimension.

There are, however, a few clunkers. While I have no problem with the political statements on a few tracks, I do find the lyrics a bit obvious and the arrangements uninspiring. In particular, the drum work is derivative and there are few moments where it appears the guitar is going for an Edge-type soundscape, which to me doesn't fit in with the other elements of the Maniacs style.

I prefer the more upbeat tracks, those where Merchant is stretching out and finding her voice. You can here it developing here, in bits and pieces, and it's an album you'll enjoy if you find that journey intriguing.

Dense and Intriguing.......2006-05-18

This is definitely a record to grow on you. I imagine people who enjoy 10,000 Maniacs' other releases hear this and immediately cast it out. 'Blind Man's Zoo' is nowhere near the immediate accessibility of their more popular records, but this is their best work.

'Blind Man's Zoo' has a reputation for being overly political, depressing, and difficult, and I would agree with all three, for the most part. As you listen to these songs, you need to be reading along with the lyrics in the booklet, as I feel what she's saying definitely strengthens the songs. When I first heard this record, I didn't care for too many of the songs until I really examined them; reading and analyzing the lyrics furthered my appreciation for these songs.

"Eat for Two" sounds off - upbeat but starting in a minor key, but I wouldn't change it. This is probably the most instantly appealing song here, but it's just as dark as any of the others, a "nightmare born in a borrowed bed...."

The best part of the album, however, is the last two songs: "Hateful Hate" and "Jubilee", which to me are the most depressing (both musically and lyrically) on the record, and the latter is essentially the most disturbing song I've ever heard. "Hateful Hate" has Natalie condemning Manifest Destiny, slavery, and hunting, backed by her very powerful pipe organ playing. As "Hateful Hate" climaxes, "Jubilee" starts as a seemingly comfortable mellow ballad, telling the story of a religious zealot who becomes infuriated when he witnesses an interracial (school?) dance, the "Jubilee". "He's God's mad disciple," and he feels the need to destroy what he believes to be evil and wrong. "Through the tall blades of grass, he heads for the Jubilee with a bucket in his right hand, full of rags soaked in gasoline," and the song crescendos into a sonic frenzy of a frantic string orchestra and Natalie's painful wailing.

This is not a record for a casual music listener, but if you're someone who enjoys music that makes you think and feel, then I would highly recommed "Blind Man's Zoo".

An underrated Maniacs classic.......2005-10-23

Often lambasted for its over-political nature and pretentiousness, Blind Man's Zoo is tied with Hope Chest as being the most underrated record in the Maniacs' catalogue. The band's form here is astounding, and this album has remarkable music with much more drive and force than its poppy predecessor, In My Tribe. Songs like "Headstrong" and "Hateful Hate" will blow one out of the water with their forceful nature, the former the most rocking since The Wishing Chair's version of "My Mother the War." The song "Trouble Me," although extremely out of place, is very beautiful by itself. And although the lyrics might be a bit over-bearing at times, "Please Forgive Us" is really one of the Maniacs' best songs, despite Natalie Merchant's vocal displeasure with the song. The recording and production of this album is hands down much better than In My Tribe, and every song sounds lush, wonderful, and powerful. Jerry Augustyniak's drumming has never sounded better in numbers such as "The Big Parade" and, again, "Headstrong." Also, Natalie Merchant's vocals are hovering in-between the youthful essence of the earlier music and the torpor of her later music, producing quite possibly the best (in a technical sense) vocals she has ever done. Many will dismiss this album as preachy or pretentious - maybe it is. But I do not see that upon listening to this album. I simply see the Maniacs in their best form as a band, churning out some amazing music. A solid five stars.

The slowest parde you've ever seen........2004-11-18

"The Big Parade" is worth the price of this album, alone. It is by far the best song on this album but it gets little attention. This is not a bad album, not their best. However, "The Big Parade" IS one of the best Maniacs tunes. It is so tragic and haunting. Natalie's vocals will bring you to tears. What an excellent piece about the war in Vietnam.

DJ Spooky Presents - In Fine Style: 50,000 Volts of Trojan Records

Average customer rating:

very very good
DJ Spooky Pays Tribute to Jamaican Dancehall Culture.
A Great Compilation...Did You Know There Is A Second One?
Best Reggae Compilation of All Time?
EXCELLENT CLASSIC REGGAE FEEL

DJ Spooky Presents - In Fine Style: 50,000 Volts of Trojan Records
DJ Spooky
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Trojan Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Dub | Reggae | International | Styles | Music

General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music
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Stepping Stones: The Self-Remixed Best
DJ-Kicks
The Audience's Listening
Celestial Mechanix: The Blue Series Mastermix
Dubtometry

ASIN: B000FMGTO4
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

Sweet Like Candy - Winston Williams
Nice Nice - The Kingstonians
007 Shanty Town - Desmond Dekker & the Aces
Funky, Funky Reggae
Shades of Hudson - Dennis Alcapone
Summertime - B.B. Seaton
Disco Devil
Jah Jah Man - Sly & Robbie
Lama Lava - Augustus Pablo
Come Together - Israelites
Old Fashioned Way - Ken Boothe
Rain - Bruce Ruffin
Your Ace from Outer Space - U-Roy
Rooster - Tommy McCook & the Supersonics
Trail of Pama Dice
Ba Ba Boom - The Jamaicans
Fever - Susan Cadogan
Morning Sun

Tracks:

DJ's Choice - Winston Williams
Screaming Target - Big Youth
Great Musical Battle - Derrick Morgan
Russians Are Coming (Take Five) - Val Bennett
Popcorn
Brother Noah
Reform Institute
Bridgeport [Dub]
King Tubby's Explosion [Dub]
Dynamic Fashion Way - U-Roy,
Yah We Deh - Barrington Levy
Here Comes the Judge - Peter Tosh
Flat Foot Hustling
Hot Sauce (Aka the Argo Man Is Back)
Rudy a Message to You - Dandy Livingstone
Rough Rider [Live] - Special Beat

Amazon.com

If you were expecting some airy, intellectual double disc dissertation on reggae by "arguably DJ culture's most intellectual turntablist," the Derrida-quoting DJ Spooky, you'd thankfully be very wrong here. In fact, of the many, many collections of Trojan's amazing trove of Jamaican music, this is easily one of the best, seamlessly blending the tightest and deepest ska, roots reggae, dub, and rocksteady tracks from the label's vast archives. Obscurities hold their own next to the most well-known tracks, making it a superb gift for both the reggae neophyte and the total "head." In Fine Style: 50,000 Volts of Trojan Records is so good, you're surprised it's not on Soul Jazz--all this from "the only DJ on the scene with degrees in philosophy and French culture," who happens also to have spent much of his youth visiting family and friends in Jamaica. That familiarity shows, and this mix never disappoints. Huzzah! --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

very very good.......2007-01-17

this is an awsome cd and if u like reggae and like to party this is the cd for u

DJ Spooky Pays Tribute to Jamaican Dancehall Culture........2006-12-07

DJ Spooky pays tribute to the earliest of the deejay cultures, the reggae dancehall selectors in his newest cd, "In Fine Style." In the 70s, a real authentic underground culture of Jamaican deejays, toasters and sound engineers pioneered roots consciousness style of the earliest reggae music. Spooky's selections are from the massive vaults of Trojan records founded by Duke Reid, a prominent deejay and music producer from the earliest days of the dancehall sound system in Jamaica. In addition to the superlative remix album, a bonus album of unremixed reggae classics is included.

The Jamaican deejay culture had a big impact on the emerging New York hip hop scene when Jamaican performers like Big Youth and U-Roy brought the technique of toasting (rhyming lyrics over a vinyl riddim track of music) in the mid-Seventies. Long before rap music mogul Russell Simmons' first protege, Curtis Blow, emerged as one of the earliest rap artists in 1980, the Harlem and Bronx hip-hop dance scene was inundated with the sound of Jamaican toasters rapping in the Trenchtown native tongue patois of the Queen's English.

Hip hop expanded the horizon by adopting Trenchtown rapping to a uniquely American "ghetto-style" treatment. Kurtis Blow and Run-DMC rhymed their street poetry to the music of planetary funk masters like James Brown, Afrika Bambaataa and George Clnton's Parliment-Funkdelic bands. In essence those early years of Trojan Records and the emergence of reggae defined the direction of American pop music for the next thirty years.

Producers like King Tubby, Duke Reid and the Mad Professors created drum n' bass heavy dub plates of popular reggae dancehall hits, especially designed for toasting. Dub plates had crashing waves of psychedelic echoes and a remix that often emphasized the "one drop" or the third beat of the measure in which a reggae drummer would hit the snare. Reggae "riddim" breaks from the conventional emphasis of the 2nd and 4th beats in most blues, rock and pop music. This down tempo off-rythym technique of "one drop" drumming and rythym guitar playing gives reggae music it's distinctive "heartbeat" quality.

Most of the songs here like the remix of Max Romeo's "Iron Shirt" & Desmond Dekker's "007 Shanty Town" are familiar to early reggae/ska enthusiasts and DJ Spooky resists the temptation to overplay his hand by doing anything more clean up the master tapes with a cleaner mix of the music. The second CD is similar to Thievery Corporation's 2001 selection of unremixed virgin masters from the vault of Verve's jazz recordings.

Intrestingly enough, DJ Spooky's selections vary between jazz and pop influenced tracks and the more traditional roots reggae. A lot of the tracks are hard to find, even for a hardcore vintage Trojan Reocrds collector like myself.

For roots reggae collectors, the 34 selected early reggae classics make "In Fine Style" the roots reggae reissue jewel of the year for 2006. For those who are newer fans of reggae, trust me on this...DJ Spooky's selections may sound a bit antiquated upon your first listen; but you will discover many rewards with repeated listening.

A Great Compilation...Did You Know There Is A Second One?.......2006-11-21

I agree with all the others, just a great compilation of early ska, dub, reggae, etc. not mixed, but it still has a great flow. However some people may not know, but Spooky recently released another 2 disc set called "DJ Spooky Presents: Riddim Come Forward 50,000 Volts of Trojan Records". I think it is a strictly UK thing. I couldn't find it on here, but you can find it at the Amazon UK site. Really worth checking out, just order it from them, it really doesn't cost much more than anything bought from this amazon either. The first disc on the second version is a "mix", not totally manipulated like Spooky can do, but it still is a continuous mix with Spooky throwing in his own flare. The second disc is just another compilation (not the same songs as the first disc mix). So you get two more discs full of great music. Just listening to it for the first time, but it is in the same vein as this release, just lots of classic tunes. Check it out.

Best Reggae Compilation of All Time?.......2006-10-18

A case could surely be made that this is the best reggae compilation of all time. Not only is it "heavy" and "funky" and "soulful," it also has a sense of fun. Don't worry that DJ Spooky merely collected these tunes without applying his remixing magic. That doesn't matter. He should be thanked for putting together such a top-shelf compilation. Lots of tracks could be discussed, but I wish to call attentioin to one track in particular. I think it's track 7 on disc one: DISCO DEVIL. This, in my opinion, is the true gem of the entire compilation. If you're familiar with that Lee Perry produced song, "Chase the Devil," you know, "I'm gonna put on an iron shirt, and chase Satan out of Earth..." Well DISCO DEVIL is another version of that song that Lee Perry put together and it is absolutely brilliant, I can't stop listening to it, it's so cool. So I thank you, Mr. Spooky.

EXCELLENT CLASSIC REGGAE FEEL.......2006-08-24

This is one of the best reggae albums i own i listen to it all the time, it gives u a old jamica feel and the kids and adults love it too, when i put the cd in everyone asks where i got it, i ABOSOLUTLEY reccomend this album to anybody even if reggae isnt your feel of music..... one love

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