Blake & Rice

Amazon.com essential recording
Bluegrass guitar doesn't get any better than Norman Blake and Tony Rice, who, along with Clarence White, remain the greatest of Doc Watson's flat-picking disciples. On this 1987 record of 14 duets, Blake and Rice show themselves to be complete musicians, not merely picking machines. Sure, there are a plethora of mind-blowing licks, but they also add some heartfelt vocals and delicate ballads into the mix. Much of the record consists of traditional fiddle tunes reworked for guitar, but the pair also include three Blake originals plus an eclectic assortment of covers ranging from Bill Monroe to the Delmore Brothers to Gordon Lightfoot. Guitarists will want to take notes, but all listeners will find the record consistently charming. --Marc Greilsamer

Blake & Rice,Norman Blake With Tony Rice,Rounder / Pgd,Bluegrass,Country,Country & Western,Neo-Traditional Folk,Pop,Progressive Bluegrass,Traditional Bluegrass

Average customer rating: Much Better Than I Thought It Would Be... This Much Fun Shouldn't Be Legal Fun, Fun, Fun, and More Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what Broadway is About

Legally Blonde (2007 Original Broadway Cast) Manufacturer: Ghostlight ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast) The Pirate Queen (2007 Original Broadway Cast) Hairspray (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture) 110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast) Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000R7I3NW Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

1. Omigod You Guys
2. Serious
3. What You Want
4. Harvard Variations
5. Blood in the Water
6. Positive
7. Ireland
8. Ireland (Reprise)
9. Serious (Reprise)
10. Chip on My Shoulder
11. So Much Better
12. Whipped into Shape
13. Take It Like a Man
14. Bend and Snap
15. There! Right There!
16. Legally Blonde
17. Legally Blonde Remix
18. Find My Way/Finale

Amazon.com

Like Wicked, this show is a girl-friendly extravaganza; the main difference--and it's a big one--is that the score of Legally Blonde is better. Based on the hit Reese Witherspoon movie, the zippy, frothy show tells the story of SoCal, pink-loving sorority girl Elle Woods, who enrolls at Harvard Law and goes on to prove that appearances can be deceiving. The opening number, "Omigod You Guys," gives an idea of what the Broadway-pop score by Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy--The Musical) and Nell Benjamin is up to, embracing its over-the-top cheer with goofily infectious energy. Sure, a couple of numbers feel a bit derivative (the show with the witches has "Popular," this one has "Positive"), and the Celtic detour ("Ireland") is rather puzzling, but overall the songs are firing on all cylinders. Just check out the use of a marching band on "What You Want" for instance. Laura Bell Bundy (Amber von Tussle in Hairspray) is a charming Elle, and she delivers numbers such as "So Much Better" with the requisite elan. But this is not a one-woman show, and Bundy is surrounded by a crack team, including the endearing Christian Borle as Elle's love interest Emmett, power-piped Orfeh as hairdresser Paulette and up-and-comer Leslie Kritzer as Delta Nu's Serena. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Much Better Than I Thought It Would Be..........2007-07-19

I didn't have high expectations for this album, if I'm being completely honest. I thought the movie, while fun, was a little unoriginal, and add that to a relatively inexperienced cast and my expectations were low. The album jumped way past my expectations to one that has had a spot in my CD rotation for over a week now.

When I first listened to it, two shows came to mind, Wicked and The Wedding Singer. This soundtrack is a combination of those two shows, almost exactly, in my mind. The marketing and target demographics are similar to Wicked, so there should be no doubt there. It took a very similar path as The Wedding Singer, even hiring the same "bad guy" with Richard H. Blake playing that role well in both productions, although drastically overshadowed in both.

For the role of Elle Woods, they went to Wicked and took Laura Bell Bundy, who was the understudy to Kristin Chenoweth in the role of Glinda. Seeing as how it is easily believable that Glinda could have been a Delta Nu, they also dipped back into the Wicked pool and hired Annaleigh Ashford to play Margot. They played the Delta Nu sisters in throughout the show, making them, on the whole, basically an additional character in the cast.

The CD isn't perfect. Some of the songs are a little tedious. I could have done without Ireland (let alone a reprise of it), or Whipped Into Shape. However, the pluses far outweigh the negatives on this album. The very first number is an engaging, almost obnoxiously upbeat song entitled "Omigod You Guys" and it plays perfectly to set the tone. Christian Borle provides a nice steadying influence in the musical, making sure that it doesn't get too far out of hand and the chemistry between the two sounds excellent on songs like "Chip On Her Shoulder", "Take It Like A Man", and "Legally Blonde" which is a particularly emotional number in the production.

This show is more than just the light fluff of The Wedding Singer, without quite reaching the meaning or appeal of Wicked, but still entirely worth the buy and without a doubt worth listening to.

This Much Fun Shouldn't Be Legal.......2007-07-18

I'll just start this review by saying that I have never seen this show. I'll then proceed to say that based on this album, I would actually prefer to see this over this season's slightly over-hyped multiple Tony winner Spring Awakening. The score is unabashedly pop, and the show doesn't pretend that it isn't just a whole lot of fun, while still managing to deliver a wonderful message about staying true to yourself.

Unlike last year's big pop musical, The Wedding Singer, the score is uniformly excellent. From the high energy opening, "Omigod You Guys" to the great closer "Find My Way/Finale", the score is peppy, catchy, and as optimistic as sunny day in spring. Some of the standout tunes inclued "Ireland", a wistful song of longing, "Much Better", the explosive Act I finale, "Blood in the Water" a dark, jazzy number extolling Callahan's moral views (or lack thereof), and "What You Want" Elle's Harvard preparation montage. Of special note is the title song, "Legally Blond", which defied all of my expectations. I was expecting something of a big showstopping number broadly defining the moral of the show. What we get is a hearbreaking ballad from Elle, and what is arguably one of the most beatiful numbers from the show. Then the remix/reprise of the title number delivers the expected goods in a finger snapping, toe tapping, smile inducing showstopper worthy of some of Herman's biggest crowd rousers.

The cast is equally as great as the score, and they are all so equally good that even Laura Bell Bundy has problems standing out, but stand out she does, displaying an impressive set of pipes while belting her heart out. Orfeh shows an equally amazing voice as hairdresser Paulette, and Christian Borle makes for a very sweet, caring Emmett.Michael Rupert even has a deliciously amoral turn as Professor Callahan. The ensemble is strong, and blends well with each other, and also gets to act as a Greek Chorus of voices in Elle's head at times.

According to some sources, the book for this show is a tad weak, and considering the source material it isn't too surprising, but it would have to be weak beyond reason to bring down the sheer energy that the musical numbers exude. The music and lyrics are deep enough to get the message across, without sounding stilted or out of place within the music, and they don't come across as trying too hard to sound poetic (I'm talking to you Spring Awakening...). All in all,it is definetely one "Elle" of a show.

Fun, Fun, Fun, and More Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what Broadway is About.......2007-07-17

First off, I have not seen the show, however, my girlfriend and I have talked about it, and will definitely see it. She bought the album from the store while I was at work and said that I had to listen to it. My Mom and Sister did see the show, and they both said the same thing. Well I listened to it, and all I can say is that every song is pure fun and gives off a very positive and happy energy. From the very opening, it is a fast paced roller coaster ride, with stand out vocals from Laura Bell Bundy (Hairspray), Christian Borle (The stand out in Spamalot), and Orfeh. In my opinion, Slam dunks are Bend and Snap, So Much Better, Omigod You Guys, Take It Like a Man, and Chip On My Shoulder, followed closely by the heart breaking Legally Blonde and Inspiring Find My Way. I dare anyone no matter who they are not to have a smile on their face during and after every song. I highly recommend this CD. P.S., the editor is correct my girlfriend and I saw Wicked, and this score blows it out of the water. Too bad it didn't win any Tony's, especially for Bundy and Borle (Who are here to stay, and will eventually win Tony's one day), however, there is always the Grammy's where I think it will be between this and Spring Awakening for best Musical Album if both are nominated. I can't believe that I am saying this, but I can't wait to actually see the show.

Average customer rating: Wow Movie Soundtrack Review Get on the freeway, roll down the windows and DRIVE! AHOY! Pirates Of The Caribbean:At World's End CD

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End Manufacturer: Walt Disney Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Disney | Children's Music | Styles | Music Disney Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl Bring Me That Horizon: The Making of the Pirates of the Caribbean (Welcome Book) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 300 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ASIN: B000P0J02E Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

1. Hoist the Colours
2. Singapore
3. At Wit's End
4. Multiple Jacks
5. Up Is Down
6. I See Dead People In Boats
7. The Brethren Court
8. Parlay
9. Calypso
10. What Shall We Die For
11. I Don't Think Now Is the Best Time
12. One Day
13. Drink Up Me Hearties

Amazon.com

The music for this third chapter in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is a traditional, efficient action score that, due to the film's setting, occasionally incorporates light Asian touches. The popularity of Hans "Long John" Zimmer (all the credits in the CD's liner notes include pirate-themed nicknames, like the roll call in a Simpsons Halloween episode) isn't in doubt--he sure is one in-demand composer--but afficionados are divided about his artistic worth, and this score isn't about to reconcile them. Some think that Zimmer relies too much on his stable of composers and sticks to tried-and-true recipes; others admire his capacity to weave themes in and out of cues, creating a whole made of subtly interrelated parts. At World's End feeds both camps: Seven of his collaborators are credited with writing "additional music," and the album feels by-the-numbers at times; but those inclined to listen very closely will be rewarded by the way Zimmer sneaks in bits of two main melodies (especially variations on the first track, a pirate theme titled "Hoist the Colours" and cowritten by director Gore Verbinski) throughout. The use of electronics is so light as to be almost undetectable, which will please fans of a more organic orchestral sound. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Wow.......2007-07-17

This is the best soundtrack in the "Pirates" series. Hans Zimmer has melded the Eastern sounds with the West and composed an intricate melody which is hard to forget. My favorite soundtrack so far!

Movie Soundtrack Review.......2007-07-16

I love his music. And all the movie soundtracks he has done. I already have two of these,one for my car,and one for my home. This purchase was for my best friend on her birthday. His music for soundtracks,always intenses and blends so well with the movie,which it is all about. He's a wonderful composer.

Get on the freeway, roll down the windows and DRIVE!.......2007-07-16

I LOVE this CD! It is just so much fun.
If you gotta' travel the road to work, school, etc.
or you gotta' run errands or you are just in the
mood to GO -
Well, get in the car, get on the road, stick in this CD,
roll the windows all the way down, turn up the sound,
and DRIVE!
Have a ball!

AHOY!.......2007-07-14

Love it. Listening to it is like re+living the movie over and over again.

Pirates Of The Caribbean:At World's End CD.......2007-07-13

The music that Hans Zimmer has written for this movie is outstanding. Once you have seen the movie, you realize the music fits it perfectly. There are several favorites that bring to mind the favorite scenes during which they're played so it's almost like watching the movie while listening to the CD. I have the CD's from all three Pirates movies and, while I love them all and listen to them regularly, the music from AWE is a different type of music. I recommend it highly.

Average customer rating: Music review Pirates of the Caribbean Great music This soundtrack will make you feel like a pirate yes, all true, but the sound!!! awesomee

Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl Manufacturer: Disney ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Disney Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ASIN: B0000A1RJI Release Date: 2003-07-22

Tracks:

1. Fog Bound
2. The Medallion Calls
3. The Black Pearl
4. Will and Elizabeth
5. Swords Crossed
6. Walk the Plank
7. Barbossa Is Hungry
8. Blood Ritual
9. Moonlight Serenade
10. To the Pirates' Cave!
11. Skull and Crossbones
12. Bootstrap's Bootstraps
13. Underwater March
14. One Last Shot
15. He's a Pirate

Amazon.com

Loosely based on the popular Disney theme park audio-animatronic ride, one might expect a modicum of good-natured "Yo-ho-ho-ing"--or maybe a little rousing Korngold/Errol Flynn/Captain Blood orchestral romanticism--here. Instead composer Klaus Badelt initially entices us with some sparing Celtic folk charm, then unleashes a furious broadside of symphonic and choral thunder to rival his ominous score for K-19. The composer's fellow German mentor is an obvious influence throughout (the album is credited with a wink as "Score overproduced by Hans 'Long John' Zimmer") but Badelt brings his own muscular instincts to bear throughout. Perhaps shrewdly realizing that genre cliches are nothing if not for reinventing, Badelt delivers his rhythmically nervous Eurocentric sensibilities--sort of Holst duels Shostakovich on the Spanish Main--with the subtlety of a scorching cannonball. It's seasoned with a little romantic respite in the final act, if a bit gingerly, and could no doubt profit by some of Korngold's sparkling melodic verve. But it's a loud, unabashed Summer Blockbuster score at heart; alert the neighbors. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Music review Pirates of the Caribbean.......2007-07-18

I loved the movie, but I love the music even more. This is an excellent CD with only one problem - the last song (which is my favorite) is not long enough. It's easy to picture scenes from the movie while listening to each song. If you enjoy the symphony you will enjoy this CD. Happy listening!

Great music.......2007-07-08

A great soundtrack from a wonderful movie. Too bad the second and third pirates movies weren't as good as the first. Regardless, great soundtrack.

This soundtrack will make you feel like a pirate.......2007-07-07

i saw the movie which i recommend to buy now from amazon,i recommend to buy the three movies and have all the selection of pirates of the caribbean,this soundtrack is something that put you in the movie,words can't describe this cd,click,buy and you will see

yes, all true, but the sound!!!.......2007-06-28

I agree with the other reviewers about the music, which is fine, but also want to point out that this is a terrific work-out for sound systems with REAL sub woofers (not the scrawny boxes that say they are, but aren't). If you have a room shaker system, down to like 15 Hz, this is for you. The deepest and most sustained bass I have ever heard.

Secret - listen for hints of Gladiator and Mission Imossible. He helped with those films - maybe they are little inside jokes?

awesomee.......2007-06-21

I'm not a huge fan of classical music, but many of the songs in this soundtrack melted my heart. :) Some were not *that* good, but some were just very incredible, which makes it worth five stars !

Average customer rating: pure bs Album for Bitter Boys Buy the album The truest country artist around today Brilliant Songs

Pure BS Blake Shelton Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: 5th Gear Big Dog Daddy One of the Boys Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace ASIN: B000NVIXGO Release Date: 2007-05-01

Tracks:

1. Can't Be Good
2. Don't Make Me
3. The More I Drink
4. I Don't Care
5. She Don't Love Me
6. Back There Again
7. It Ain't Easy Bein' Me
8. What I Wouldn't Give
9. I Have Been Lonely
10. She Can't Get That
11. The Last Country Song

Amazon.com

A few new wrinkles mark this attempt to elevate Blake Shelton from promising hitmaker into the upper echelon of country hunks. While veteran producer Bobby Braddock, who has previously served as Shelton's studio mentor, handles four tracks, Brent Rowan and Paul Worley give more edge and sheen to some of the others. The closing "The Last Country Song," an anti-sprawl anthem, features brief cameos from George Jones and Jon Anderson. And Shelton collaborates on the writing of three key tracks, including the harder-rocking, hicker-than-thou "This Can't Be Good," the kickoff track. Yet Shelton's strength remains his ability to balance romantic balladry--such as "I Don't Care," which employs the same phone-call reversal as his "Austin" breakthrough"--with good-ol'-boy honky-tonk ("The More I Drink"). And his rendition of Chris Knight's "It Ain't Easy Bein' Me" highlights the selection of consistently strong material. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

pure bs.......2007-06-26

i liked this one alot but i preferblake' barn and grill cd, i love cotton picking time

Album for Bitter Boys.......2007-06-24

I was looking forward to receiving this album. I love "Barn & Grill" and I love Blake Shelton. However, this go-round makes it clear that Blake was going through a divorce and the results are a stereotypical country album. I crave an album with an ecletic mix of upbeat tunes and ballads, but this seemed too heavy on the bitter ballads. Cheer up, Blake! Things got better! Put a few songs on the album that I can listen to as I run. Overall it's an okay album, Barn & Grill is better.

Buy the album.......2007-06-12

For under $10 you'll listen to it more than once and that's a keeper. I like both Blake's voice and song writing (for those songs he wrote on this album), ability.

The truest country artist around today.......2007-06-09

Blake Shelton has proven his country roots by staying true to form with his style of music. Each CD he's released has had a unique blend of ballads, outlaw, honkeytonk and thought-provoking, and just downright fun music. Each CD gets better and better. He's very possible the best kept secret in country music - and while he's successful, he's not overtaken by the powers of the industry to change like other artists have been.

Brilliant Songs.......2007-06-08

This is Pure Brilliant Songs - normally you get a CD and really love two or three songs. Not with this one - I love them all - I play it on my commute to work - now I wish I had a longer commute. It is easy to tell that he really feels these songs when he sings them. I can't say enough good things about this CD.

Average customer rating: TMV They did it again These guys were "punk" Welcome back, Mars. Good Album

Amputechture The Mars Volta Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Frances the Mute De-Loused in the Comatorium Tremulant Scab Dates Return to Cookie Mountain (with Bonus Tracks) ASIN: B000GPI1BO Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

1. Vicarious Atonement
2. Tetragrammaton
3. Vermicide
4. Meccamputechture
5. Asilos Magdalena
6. Viscera Eyes
7. Day Of The Baphomets
8. El Ciervo Vulnerado

Customer Reviews:

TMV.......2007-07-05

Before you base your judgment of this CD soley in comparison to any of The Mars Volta albums you need to realize that it isn't a Mars Volta album. It is a Soundtrack for a film and Omar is even quoted by saying it is a reaction to the film. If you're a die-hard Omar fan then you'll love it. Rapid Fire Toll Booth is now one of my all time favorites and all the other songs sound great in my opinion.

I don't usually write reviews because it's so painful for me to read someone elses review especialy ones that contain the following examples. I only like their older stuff, they keep changing their style, the guitar player is too self induldgent,they should use the same producer as on their first album, there's too much ambience, there's too much guitar noodling, they've become snobs, they're not as good without the old drummer, they're progressive, they're experimental, they took a riff from some other band, I like them less with each album they put out,etc. That was in reference to all bands not just The Mars Volta.

That kinda review irritates me because it's a bunch of garbage. I wish those kinda people would just stick to their MTV lifestyles and leave the real music to those who are true fans and are more open minded. I don't know why it bugs me so much it's not like I'm defending them because I know them on some personal level it's just that some people just don't get it. I'm tired of everyone disecting the music and the musicians. All they want to do is entertain us, not create some sort of musical doctorine that should be discussed as though one was attending a seminar. As a musician I understand the need to experiment and branch out so the music making process doesn't become stale. Do you really want your favorite band to constantly repeat themselves and never evolve. People please I beg of you quit writing these cliche pointless reviews. As for me I'm through writting about this subject for as long as I live. Omar & Cedric have been making music for quite some time now. Let's allow the professionals to do their thing and the rest of you can either tune in or tune out.

They did it again.......2007-06-13

The Mars Volta puts out some of the most complex, thought-provoking, and lyrically charged music that I have heard in the last 10 years. The beauty of their style is that it can't be criticized, because they don't claim to be a part of any genre...it is simply music at its rawest core element.

In line with this description, Amputechture delivers just as much, if not more, than their previous offerings. It's style is unpredictable, yet captivating. The jazz influence can be heard in almost every track. Some songs verge on becoming monotonous, until a slight riff change or new vocal is thrown in at exactly the right moment, and makes it perfect.

Their total disregard for "what sells" and making chart-topping music is probably what keeps their music fresh and innovative. This is easily the best album of 2006 if you're into non-mainstream, real music. Otherwise, go buy Incubus/Maroon 5/Weezer or something.

These guys were "punk".......2007-06-13

Sounds like the singer got his nutz caught in a meat grinder. I love high pitched singers voices but this guy has to go. Music is o.k. but super wanky without enough substance to make it worth the while. Take 'em or leave 'em kids, you know where I stand.

Welcome back, Mars........2007-04-17

This album redeemed them for Frances.

A continuation of The Mars Volta's stunning innovation, while not straying too far from their classic style. There is a stunning new touch in this album: "Asilos Magdalena", a heart-wrenching, tragic, spanish ballad, as tonal as they come, with the strongest cadential points heard in any of the albums thus far.

The album is a continuous study of Cedric's impressive (awe-inspiring) range, the band's famous stepwise bass lines, super-rhythmic melodies set to abnormal meters, and beautifully incoherent (though barely dissonant) guitar riffs.

The lyrics continue to shock, strewn with raw physical imagery of both human and animal body parts (see: album title "amputechture", song titles "viscera eyes" and "vermicide", and cover art), and Christian-dogmatic references/commentary (see: song titles "vicarious atonement" and "day of the baphomets").

Deloused set our expectations high, but the true fan will not be disappointed in Amputechture.

Good Album.......2007-02-17

I like this recording very much. The Mars Volta has a fantastic approach to music making. They are creative with effects and have long jam sessions with very good playing. Like a modern, more heavy metal Pink Floyd, innovative and slow burning. Doesn't get boring or start sounding the same half way through the album.

Average customer rating: awesome!!!! Only one decent song Stunningly good Score! Track 14 / Worth the price of the CD A few standout tracks, but difficult to recommend on the whole.

The Island Manufacturer: Milan Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Batman Begins The Island Mr. and Mrs. Smith King Kong The Da Vinci Code ASIN: B0009X766E Release Date: 2005-07-26

Tracks:

1. The Island Awaits You
2. Where Do These Tubes Go?
3. Sector 6
4. Starkweather
5. Agnate Ukuleles
6. You Have A Special Purpose In Life
7. Mass Vehicular Carnage
8. Renovatio
9. I'm Not Ready To Die
10. This Tongue Thing's Amazing
11. Mass Winnings
12. The Craziest Mess I've Ever Seen
13. Send In The Clones
14. My Name Is Lincoln
15. Blow

Amazon.com

After supplying something known as "additional music" to many films since the late 1990s, Steve Jablonsky seems to have become the go-to composer for director-producer Michael Bay. Jablonsky's score for Bay's sci-fi thriller The Island shows the influence of its producer, Hans Zimmer. "The Island Awaits You" sets up the mood, which is oddly muted for a movie directed by explosion-master Bay. Even a track titled "Mass Vehicular Carnage" is merely ominously low-key, oddly sounding like something by dank trip-hopper Tricky. Elsewhere, the electronic number "Starkweather" successfully creates a feeling of oppressive tension before integrating elements of the main theme. Unfortunately, in his effort to avoid big ka-booms, Jablonsky can be overly subdued; while nothing is jarring, nothing makes much of an impression either. Actually, there is one jarring thing on this CD, and it's the Prom Kings' nu metal/funk hybrid "Blow," tacked on at the end like an afterthought. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

awesome!!!!.......2007-02-18

The brooding post modern industrial feel to the songs on this soundtrack give it a feel of epic proportions. I simplely love it!!!...dark,foreboding, and eerily brilliant on every track....thank you Mr. Jablonsky!

Only one decent song.......2007-01-15

There's only one coherent actual song on this CD. The rest is just a collection of sound effects and short music bits. If you want that one song, the nice one at the very end, fine, but it's too bad there aren't more like it. I think they could have done better. I remember liking the movie soundtrack a lot - I don't think it translates very well to CD, though.

Stunningly good Score!.......2006-11-10

This is a hauntingly good score to a pretty darned good film, which for whatever whim of the masses was less than well received. I you like taiko drums, fast paced and wonderfully executed "world beat" music, this is definitely the score for you, I've played it again and again and it only gets better with each listening.

Track 14 / Worth the price of the CD.......2006-11-04

I agree with other reviewers here -- much of the music on the CD is simply supplemental to the film, is forgetable, nothing really stands out, there is a lack of melody. Only one track (# 14) "My Name is Lincoln" -- stands apart, offering a theme, melody, choir and resolution -- it is a signature bit of composing that, for me, is really worth the price of the CD.

A few standout tracks, but difficult to recommend on the whole........2006-10-27

I'm afraid to say that I find this CD somewhat difficult to recommend as a whole. Steve Jablonsky is a prodigiously talented composer with a bright future; as his score to 'Steamboy' and trailer music and additional themes for Pearl Harbor attests. And although Jablonsky has done his job well here - the Island score works splendidly in the film - on CD the persistent throbbing electronica and pervasive percussion comes off so harshly as to the point of being too abrasive for the listen to be enjoyable (and I'm a big fan of electronica!)

In comparison to something like Spy Game by Harry Gregson-Williams, which is a deep, subtle and nuanced electronic score, the Island is stark and aggressive, with much repetition, few discernable themes, and occasional sequences of outright garish and incoherent noise generated mostly by garbled electric guitars. With all this in mind, I feel the CD generally hovers around the two star mark.

However, there are a couple of BIG standout moments; namely 'The Island' theme itself; first featured on the opening track, and then later on track 10 and elsewhere, has a beautiful, haunting, ethereal quality to it, reminiscent of the opening minute of 'Injection' from the M:I-2 score. Similarly, 'This Tongue Thing's Amazing' and 'You Have a Special Purpose in Life' have long, stretches of warm orchestral music that are decidedly enjoyable and memorable.

Finally - and most importantly - the finale, 'My Name is Lincoln' is such a standout track that it deserves special attention. It's a warm, uplifting, inspiring theme which borrows heavily upon Gladiator's 'Now We Are Free', but with an epic choral backing which pushes it to even greater heights. It's incredible, probably one of my top 10 favourite film score tracks of all time, seriously.

If ever there was an album that you should consider purchasing as individual mp3 tracks, this one is it - a purchase of tracks 1, 2, 6, 10 and 14 will pretty much cover 95% of all the good bits.

Average customer rating: TMV Melodic sonic boom ! very cool musicians from mars The closest you will get to the best music ever invented.

Frances the Mute The Mars Volta Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Neo-Psychedelia | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: De-Loused in the Comatorium Amputechture Tremulant Scab Dates Relationship of Command ASIN: B0007GAEW6 Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

1. Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus: A. Sarcophagi/B. Umbilical Syllables/C. Facilis Descenus Averni/D. Con Safo
2. The Widow
3. L'Via L'Viaquez
4. Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: A. Vade Mecum/B. Pour Another Icepick/C. Pisacis (Phra-Men-Ma)/D. Con Safo
5. Cassandra Geminni: A. Tarantism
6. Cassandra Geminni: B. Plant A Nail In The Navel Stream
7. Cassandra Geminni: C. Faminepulse
8. Cassandra Geminni: D. Multiple Spouse Wounds
9. Untitled
10. Cassandra Geminni: E. Sarcophagi
11. Cassandra Geminni: E. Sarcophagi
12. Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus: A. Sarcophagi

Amazon.com

If one needed further proof of the contemporary revival/reassessment of the ambitiously overwrought sensibilities once so reviled in '70s rock, this aggressively mindbending second album by the Mars Volta offers it up in spades. Band mainstays Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala insist that labels like "prog" don't interest them, and that this is emphatically not a "sequel" to 2003's De-Loused in the Comatorium. What it is was thematically inspired by a stranger's diary allegedly found by late bandmate Jeremy Ward, the basis for an expansive, often amorphous musical head-trip that brews psychedelia, trance, hard-rock and free-jazz into a daunting new whole. The dozen tracks here represent but five "songs" proper, though the band's disdain for conventional track banding inspire it to sound more like a stream-of-consciousness soundscape from Can--or a dark, lyrically inventive, if decidedly troubled corner of their ids. On the "Umbilical Syllables" portion of "Cygnus.." and "The Widow" Bixler-Zavala invokes the wailing, Led Zeppelin II & III spirit of Robert Plant set against a feverish, swirling melange that's anything but the blues. The vocalist coaxes "L' Via l'Viaquez" en Espanol, while his band indulges its space-mambo conceits with an evocative spirit that recalls Latin Playboys at their most mischievous. It's an album that loops back on itself in a haunting ellipse--and one whose boundless ambition makes Pink Floyd sound like three-chord bar punters by comparison. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

TMV.......2007-07-05

Before you base your judgment of this CD soley in comparison to any of The Mars Volta albums you need to realize that it isn't a Mars Volta album. It is a Soundtrack for a film and Omar is even quoted by saying it is a reaction to the film. If you're a die-hard Omar fan then you'll love it. Rapid Fire Toll Booth is now one of my all time favorites and all the other songs sound great in my opinion.

I don't usually write reviews because it's so painful for me to read someone elses review especialy ones that contain the following examples. I only like their older stuff, they keep changing their style, the guitar player is too self induldgent,they should use the same producer as on their first album, there's too much ambience, there's too much guitar noodling, they've become snobs, they're not as good without the old drummer, they're progressive, they're experimental, they took a riff from some other band, I like them less with each album they put out,etc. That was in reference to all bands not just The Mars Volta.

That kinda review irritates me because it's a bunch of garbage. I wish those kinda people would just stick to their MTV lifestyles and leave the real music to those who are true fans and are more open minded. I don't know why it bugs me so much it's not like I'm defending them because I know them on some personal level it's just that some people just don't get it. I'm tired of everyone disecting the music and the musicians. All they want to do is entertain us, not create some sort of musical doctorine that should be discussed as though one was attending a seminar. As a musician I understand the need to experiment and branch out so the music making process doesn't become stale. Do you really want your favorite band to constantly repeat themselves and never evolve. People please I beg of you quit writing these cliche pointless reviews. As for me I'm through writting about this subject for as long as I live. Omar & Cedric have been making music for quite some time now. Let's allow the professionals to do their thing and the rest of you can either tune in or tune out.

Melodic sonic boom !.......2007-06-08

If you want to hear some amazing song structures, melodies and all around great rock musicians Jon Theodore to Omar Gonzalez and even John Fruscante, get this album. Once you get through the few dead spots and few moments of senseless noise, this will be placed in your heavy rotation of favorite music. Cedric Bixler is one of the most amazing modern rock singers out there today.

very cool.......2007-03-08

i reviewed de loused in the comatorium and thought this deserved a review as well. the mars volta is so different from most other music out there and the first time i heard them i was hooked. i would suggest listening to some tracks before buying because the vocals aren't for everyone. i once heard someone say, "the vocals are like nails on a chalkboard", and i will admit they are not for everyone. i personally took to them and consider TMV one of my favorites these days.

musicians from mars.......2007-02-20

Put together Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew", Led Zeppelin's "II" and "III", and King Crimson's "In The Court of King Crimson", and you get "Frances The Mute". My favorite Mars Volta album so far, but all of them are amazing. Could be very very strange for listeners who never listened to this kind of music. To me, this album resembles "Bitchs Brew" alot (not just in the music itself, but the way it was received by the public - you either hate it or love it).

The closest you will get to the best music ever invented........2007-02-15

The Mars Volta has an uncanny way of taking old rock styles, jazz, even metal in some light, and making it new, better and more amazing than it could've ever gotten without them. They have brought Pink Floyd back together metaphorically speaking, as well as led-zeppelin, countless jazz bands, and anything else holy in music except for a low voice and brought it to the public. Ever instrument played is played to its fullest in some form or another, and even the computerized parts tie it all together. This album is a monument to what is good in music, and its a damn shame they had to take it all apart for "Amputechture."

Average customer rating: Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill This CD is Addictive!! THIS CD SUCKS!!!!! Almost great and damn good somebeach

Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill Blake Shelton Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Blake Shelton The Dreamer Time Well Wasted Pure BS III ASIN: B000641MAM Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

1. Some Beach
2. Nobody But Me
3. Good Old Boy, Bad Old Boyfriend
4. Love Gets in The Way
5. Goodbye Time
6. Cotton Pickin' Time
7. What's On My Mind
8. When Somebody Knows You That Well
9. On A Good Day
10. The Bartender
11. I Drink

Album Description

Blake Shelton, a leader of the back-to-country movement, revs up the tempo with his third album, Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill. Led by "Some Beach"—Top 30 Country at this writing and headed for the Top 10 --and filled with good-time drinkin' songs and bad-time love songs as well as tender-hearted ballads, Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill is a barn-burner.

Customer Reviews:

Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill.......2006-03-16

I bought this cd for 1 song, but I ended up loving the whole cd. I would recommend this cd for any country music fan.

This CD is Addictive!!.......2006-02-06

This CD just gets better and better every time I listen to it. When the last song ends, I just have to start it over again. And then, I play it again and again and again - It's that good!!The songs are all really great and so fun to listen to. "Some Beach", "Cotton Pickin' Time", "Nobody But Me", "On A Good Day", "Goodbye Time", "What's On My Mind" - All of them are just addictive. You can't stop yourself from listening to them over and over.

THIS CD SUCKS!!!!!.......2006-01-13

THIS CD IS THE PERFECT REASON FOR ME BUYING ONLY MIXED COUNTRY CD'S, BECAUSE YOU GET THE BEST OF ARTISTS. OUTSIDE OF SOME BEACH, THE OTHER SONGS JUST SUCK. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THIS ON CD, LOOK FOR MINE THAT IS LISTED HERE ON AMAZON.COM. IT WAS ONLY PLAYED ONCE! BELIEVE ME, THAT WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH!

Almost great and damn good.......2005-11-08

The song "Some Beach" caught my ear a year or so ago and I bought the CD with no other knowledge. Now, after a year, almost all of the songs remain favorites...even some of the embarassingly cute ones. There are a few formula tunes here but if you own this CD, it will get played a lot.

somebeach.......2005-09-22

i like him and all of his songs i think he is so cute

Average customer rating: Terrific CD! Blake is great as always! A great album from Blake. Blake Shelton's the Dreamer! Hard-Core-Honky-Tonk Is Back!!! Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton Blake Shelton Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Purists | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Dreamer Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill Pure BS Doin' Somethin' Right Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill: A Video Collection ASIN: B00005M98A Release Date: 2001-07-31

Tracks:

1. Every Time I Look At You
2. All Over Me
3. She Doesn't Know She's Got It
4. Austin
5. Ol' Red
6. I Thought There Was Time
7. Same Old Song
8. That's What I Call Home
9. Problems At Home
10. If I Was Your Man

Amazon.com

Oklahoma-born country newcomer Blake Shelton recently made a big splash with "Austin," his first hit single, a cleverly rendered love ballad built as much on lyric contrivance as inspiration. But Shelton's self-titled debut CD, produced by the great veteran country songwriter Bobby Braddock, also contains quite a few harder-hitting, meatier tunes. "Old Red," for instance, is a twangy and resolutely down-home prison tale that Shelton imbues with growling tongue-in-cheek humor. "Same Old Song" is a subtle but soulful Braddock-penned putdown of the current state of country music, to which Shelton brings all the passion and conviction the song deserves. On the socially conscious "Problems at Home" (which Blake cowrote with Billy Montana and Don Ellis), the young singer laments far weightier issues, like school shootings and the destruction of the Amazon rain forests, with similar fervency. On these songs and others, the twenty-something neo-honk-tonker shows just the kind of musical vision and hard-country instincts that are so woefully lacking in the current crop of Nashville hipsters. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews:

Terrific CD! Blake is great as always!.......2007-05-13

This is a fantastic CD. I love all the songs. It has a great mix. If you are reading this and considering the purchase, go for it. I highly recommend it!

A great album from Blake........2003-06-13

I like this album alot because I like a couple of the songs on it. The songs I like on here are: "Austin", "All Over Me", and "Ol' Red" which happens to be almost a western song.

Blake Shelton's the Dreamer!.......2003-02-13

Blake Shelton's "The Dreamer" is his Sophmore CD! The album is all country! Songs like "The Baby", "The Dreamer", And "Someday"! just to name a few! Please go get this CD! it's well worth it!

Hard-Core-Honky-Tonk Is Back!!!.......2003-01-01

Take a minute, and turn on your favorite country (radio) station. OK? So, what do you hear?
Is it country music, or just pop? These days, it's hard to find good; honest, country music.
Blake Shelton is breath of fresh air in these days of techo-driven, tradition-bashing pop-country
music. It's hard to even call today's country, country! Could you hear Hank Williams singing
"I'M GONNA GETCHA GOOD", or Merle Haggard singing "SHE'S MY KIND OF RAIN"? I didn't think so...

From the get-go, Shelton's album shows that he is no pop act. From the honky-tonk rouser
"EVERY TIME I LOOK AT YOU", a song that proves you can never forget a heartache - to the
depseration ballad "ALL OVER ME" (which was co-written by Shelton's hero, Earl Thomas Conley),
Shelton takes the listener on a journey of the heart.

"SAME OLD SONG" and "I THOUGHT THERE WAS TIME" are the two stand-out songs on the album.
Both songs, penned by the legendary BUDDY BRADDOCK (who just happened to produce this album),
are materpieces - that will no soon be forgotten. "SAME OLD SONG" is a punch-in-the-face to
artists like Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, Chris Cagle, and Faith Hill. The song; about the sugar-
coating that goes into making a country song, could very well solidify that Shelton will never
stray from Traditional Country. "I THOUGHT THERE WAS TIME" brings us back to a sound, much like
Conway Twitty's singles, in the late 80's - a strong beat, and heavy steel guitar.

Nashville needs more artists like Blake Shelton. WE need more artists like him, as well...

Blake Shelton.......2002-12-10

the word of ol' red really gave me something to move to while i was trying to find enough energy to walk the halls at school. usually i spend the day like a zombie, but as i listened to the song on my walkman, i thought, hey, maybe i will make it through the next few hours.

Average customer rating: Not as good as the film... disappointing it's all about the Malagueña Start to Finish, a Real Mexi-CAN of a Soundtrack Better than the movie!

Once Upon a Time in Mexico Manufacturer: Milan Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Lecuona | Lecuona, Ernesto | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Desperado: The Soundtrack Mexico and Mariachis: Music From and Inspired by Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi Trilogy From Dusk Till Dawn: Music From The Motion Picture Kill Bill: Volume 2 Kill Bill: Volume 1 ASIN: B0000BWVC5 Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

1. Malaguena - Brian Setzer
2. Traeme Paz - Patricia Vanne
3. Eye Patch - Robert Rodriguez
4. Yo Te Quiero - Marcos Loya
5. Guitar Town - Robert Rodriguez
6. Church Shootout - Robert Rodriguez
7. Pistolero - Juno Reactor
8. Me Gustas Tu - Manu Chao
9. Sands Theme - Tonto's Giant Nuts
10. Dias De Los Angeles - Del Castillo
11. The Man With No Eyes - Robert Rodriguez
12. Mariachi Vs. Marquez - Robert Rodriguez
13. Flor De Mal - Tito Larriva
14. Chicle Boy - Robert Rodriguez
15. Coup De Etat - Robert Rodriguez
16. El Mariachi - Robert Rodriguez
17. Siente Mi Amour - Salma Hayek
18. Cuka Rocka - Chingon

Customer Reviews:

Not as good as the film..........2007-05-06

I remembered the music in the movie as being a little better than it actually is. I was a little disappointed in the CD.

disappointing.......2007-03-26

It just wasn't what I thought it would be and I personally didn't like it. But it is good music.

it's all about the Malagueña.......2004-12-01

i loved the movie and the music there is good. i really like the Malagueña so i learned how to play it on guitar. the song is great i enjoyed the movie as much as i enjoyed the sound track

Start to Finish, a Real Mexi-CAN of a Soundtrack.......2004-11-30

Alright, so the main reason I got the soundtrack was Pistolero by Juno Reactor,a real driving, pumped-up techno song. I started to get into the rest of the music on the soundtrack, and I find it an essential cd I carry along with me. The great thing about this soundtrack is you can listen in on Mexican traditional music and a glimpse of the culture, and still have some real badass-sounding guitar! Whatever you may think of the film, you can imagine the actors playing their parts in your head, since they play and sing in the soundtrack (as the first one). There is an aura in the music I can't put my finger on; there's a history, an old feel to it, but it lingers with new musical ideas. Kinda like the movie, in terms of making it. I agree fullheartedly with previous reviews: where the movie fails, the music fills in the gaps and expands on Mexican music, making the entire movie/soundtrack experience very deep and epic. I dunno, maybe I'm rambling, but I emphasize that this soundtrack adds culture and kickass to your collection, as it did mine.

Better than the movie!.......2004-11-21

When I first saw this film I was shocked at its total stupidity. I was a big fan of the first Desperado and this sequel completely choked my enthusiasm. One thing that was good about this film though was the music. I have to admit it, the music was excellent and in harmony with the motion picture. The best tracks on this CD are Traeme Paz, El Mariachi and Siente Mi Amor (Salma Hayek brings out the best in her sensuality in this song). I'm not a big fan of Latino music but some of these songs are so beautiful they deserve to be listened to. Yo Te Quiero and Cuka Rocka both are well known songs and excellent to dance to, while Flor Del Mal is a very nice and chilling ballad. This CD is a great addition to your music collection, don't hesitate to buy it.

Music Album:

1. Carrying Your Love with Me
2. Classic Country
3. Collection: 1962-89
4. Country Music
5. Cowboy Classics: Playing Favorites II
6. Cowboy in Sweden
7. Desperado: A Decade of Hits
8. Doc and the Boys/Live and Pickin' [Live]
9. Employee of the Month
10. Forosoco [Collector's Edition]

Music Album