Bang Bang

Amazon.com
Something of a latecomer to MCA's late-'80s/early-'90s stable of left-field country artists spearheaded by Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith, Virginian Kelly Willis ultimately floundered there despite cutting three critically hailed releases for the company. Bang Bang, the middle title in the MCA trilogy, is an ever-appealing 10-song outing that makes Willis's lack of commercial success all the more mystifying. Posited midway between the Nashville outskirts territory of Lovett, Steve Earle, and the other '80s insurgents and the mid-'90s y'alternative school (Willis mixes easily with both camps), Bang Bang shows off the singer's powerful pipes and nose for excellent songs: tunes by Earle, Australian folk-rocker Paul Kelly, Jim Lauderdale, and Joe Ely are among the standout selections here. Bang Bang reflected where one vital stream of country music headed in the '90s; too bad more fans didn't catch the boat. --Steven Stolder

Bang Bang,Kelly Willis,Mca,Contemporary Country,Country,Country & Western,New Traditionalist,Pop

Average customer rating: A little late Their best, and one of my favorite cds Late comer to Dispatch music Bang Bang - BOSH! Feel-Good Album

Bang Bang Dispatch Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Silent Steeples Who Are We Living For? All Points Bulletin Four-Day Trials Us Against the Crown ASIN: B000679N5K Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

1. Here We Go
2. Bats in the Belfry
3. General
4. Bang Bang
5. Mission
6. Drive
7. Two Coins
8. Railway
9. Whirlwind
10. Out Loud [Live]
11. Way It Goes [Live][*]
12. Bats in the Belfry [Acoustic][*]

Customer Reviews:

A little late.......2007-06-01

I regret to say that i only started listening to dispatch about a year ago. it is horrible that such a great musical group had to seperate. Anyway this was the first dispatch cd i got and it is undeniably one of the best cds i own, its mellow, chill, and feel-good. YOu can listen to this cd when you feel bad and it will make you feel happier, you can listen to this cd when you feel good and youll feel better. I bought this cd after my friend let me listen to the general on his ipod. Since then i have been an avid dispatch fan and the general remains one of my favorite songs of all-time. Late-comers like me there is no need to fear...ill hopefull see you at their reunion concert this summer...by the way if you like dispatchand want more check out state radio chad (dispatch's lead singer) formed the band and they are pretty good.

Their best, and one of my favorite cds.......2006-09-06

This cd is one of my favorites. I have listened to it over and over and i never get bored, and i always find something new that surprises me. Bang Bang offers enough variety to please almost every listener of every genre. Perhaps the best testament to Dispatches ability is its loyal fan following. Ask any die hard dispatch fan, and you will be amazed by how much they know, and how much they care. Even after the break up, still the music is being spread across the nation.

Now onto the music. There is a little bit of everything. It starts off with here we go, which is an upbeat rocker that really gets this album started. From there it goes into bats in the belfrey wich is along the lines of here we go. After the first two the cd really slows it down and kicks back and relaxes. Almmost everyone hears about dispatch by way of the song, the general, and i assure you even though it is a great song, its not the best. Bang Bang is next and perhaps the most chill song yet.

From there you take a ride through the cd that will leave you wanting more. Finally it ends with two coins wich, lyrically and musically, i find to be the best on the cd. If you like dispatch you can also check out State Radio, which was formed by one of the members of this band. If you are looking to get into dispatch, this is a great way to start.

Late comer to Dispatch music.......2005-10-26

but all I can say is better late than never. These guys were a great band and it would be sweet to seem them come back together again. I now own every Dispatch CD, but this one is like a greatest hits compilation, every tune is THAT good. They are the best indie rock band I've ever heard and likely the best I'll ever hear. "The General" makes me want karaoke, "Mission", "Here we go", "Bats in the Belfry" and "Whirlwind" are great rockers, while "Out Loud" and "Two Coins" are acoustic gems. "Bang bang" and Railway Station" are hypnotic and intelligent rap-like tunes. The only thing that I find confounding is how their stuff never made it to the airwaves, it's better than 99.9% of the stuff out there. As much as I like other Indie bands like O.A.R. and Guster, those bands just can't measure up to Dispatch. Check them out.

Bang Bang - BOSH!.......2005-09-08

Incredibly easy going and motivating. Lyrical perfection and musical excellence. This album is a must have for anyone with a love of acoustic funk guitar sounds. A simply perfect album

Feel-Good Album.......2005-09-07

Dispatch is a small band with large amounts of talent. They took something they love and turned it into a listener's passion. Something that can be expressed from similar and new perspectives.

Dispatch recorded this album, Bang Bang, with a different kind of flare that their previous and the albums to come didn't have. The tones and movement were different from one track to the next but unified the release all the way to the last track with the same energy. The band incorporates an earthy acoustic sound with tight harmonies using the styles of reggae and ska.

Even though this album has a defined transitional sound, for them specifically, the album as a whole is very catchy and slightly emotional. It portrays an underground style that had/has potential of becoming something of the popular music culture. It's a feel-good album. I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating: great substitute for the movie Great music but less than great sound quality Great Soundtrack A most excellent soundtrack CD for a classic. The songs stay in my head

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Robert B. Sherman Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mary Poppins The Sound of Music (1965 Film Soundtrack - 40th Anniversary Special Edition) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Full Screen Edition) Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory: Music From The Original Soundtrack Of The Paramount Picture Jungle Book ASIN: B0001DMVXK Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

1. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
2. You Two
3. Toot Sweets
4. Hushabye Mountain
5. Me Ol' Bam-Boo
6. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
7. Truly Scrumptious
8. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
9. Lovely Lonely Man
10. Posh!
11. Hushabye Mountain (Reprise)
12. The Roses of Success
13. Chu-Chi Face
14. Doll on a Music Box/Truly Scrumptious
15. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Finale)
16. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Main Title)

Amazon.com

1964 brought both triumph and ironic tragedy to English spy-turned-author Ian Fleming. The year that saw producer Cubby Broccoli's successful film adaptation of Goldfinger elevate the adventures of British secret agent James Bond into a four-decade-plus global phenomena and the publication of Fleming's most idiosyncratic work, the children's fantasy Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, was also the year the author succumbed to a heart attack. Broccoli (who'd acquired the Chitty rights along with Bond) shrewdly lured the Sherman Brothers away from Disney (where their musical successes included a pair of Oscars for Mary Poppins) to write a collection of songs for Fleming's magical tale of inventor Caractacus Potts (Poppins' star Dick Van Dyke) and the phantasmagorical flying car he and his children soar to adventure in. The Sherman's songs are among their best and most beloved, highlighted by the jaunty rhythmic rhymes of the title track, Van Dyke's energetic cane dance, "Me Ol' Bam-Boo," and his bittersweet children's lullaby, "Hushabye Mountain," all set to the magnificent, 90-piece orchestra arrangements of Irwin Kostal (Mary Poppins, West Side Story). Released in conjunction with MGM's double-disc DVD anniversary release, this new edition restores the album's tracks to their original 1968 format and features a new historical essay on the film that's become an enduring children's classic. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

great substitute for the movie.......2007-03-21

My 2 year old daughter loves the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and asks to watch it all day long. I will often offer the soundtrack instead, and she will dance and sing along to all her favorite songs.

Great music but less than great sound quality.......2007-03-09

The music from the movie is great but the sound quality on the cd is no where near as good as it could be. I'm not sure why a better recording is not out there but this recording sounds 'tinny'. That said, I want to keep the recording because it's fun to sing along to the songs, etc., but if a better one comes along I would think seriously about trading this one in for a better one.

Great Soundtrack.......2007-01-12

That Soundtrack grooves, as the film did.
I always have a great time when I listen to it. My favourite
is the song when you hear Gerd Froebe singing. I hope futur brings such great Composers back as the Sherman brothers were. Not only loud boom - booms as Hans Zimmer or Howard Shore, for example, dare to present us today.

A most excellent soundtrack CD for a classic........2006-05-18

This new soundtrack release for the 1968 family musical classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, contains all of the songs from the movie, albeit some have instrumental parts edited from the tracks. It contains several performances of the title track, as well as classics such as "Toot Sweets," "Hushabye Mountain," and "Doll On A Music Box." The sound is fairly crisp, clear, and mostly free of flaws.

I took one star off, however, for the simple reason that these 16 tracks don't even add up to 40 minutes of audio, which is why the exclusion of the demos that are included on the 2-Disc DVD baffles me. I made myself a copy of the CD with both the songs from the CD and the demos from the DVD, and it came to just under 70 minutes. It'd be nice if in the future, a new soundtrack was released with the demos, or even just the full songs, including the instrumental breaks. It's about time these record companies started taking advantage of a CD's ability to hold up to 80 minutes of audio.

Despite any flaws, I wholeheartedly recommend this soundtrack to ANY fan of the film. It presents all of the classic songs in a satisfactory presentation, and is wonderfully nostalgic. The songs aren't as good as the songs you'll find in any great Disney classic, but they're still fantastic fun.

The songs stay in my head.......2005-08-16

I recently took my four year old son to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Broadway for his birthday. He was amazed by the play, especially the real flying car! I bought him the movie and the soundtrack so he could relive the memory. The songs are catchy and I find myself humming them through the day! He likes listening to them and telling me about what was happening in the play when a certain song is playing.

Average customer rating: WELCOME BACK, STONES! Biggest Bang Since Some Girls If only new bands were half this good and consistent Back to form They've still got the "Bang"

A Bigger Bang The Rolling Stones Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Supergroups | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | 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: Back Home Chaos and Creation in the Backyard Prairie Wind Souls Alike No Direction Home: The Soundtrack (The Bootleg Series Vol. 7) ASIN: B000A7Q27I Release Date: 2005-09-06

Tracks:

1. Rough Justice
2. Let Me Down Slow
3. It Won't Take Long
4. Rain Fall Down
5. Streets Of Love
6. Back Of My Hand
7. She Saw Me Coming
8. Biggest Mistake
9. This Place Is Empty
10. Oh No, Not You Again
11. Dangerous Beauty
12. Laugh, I Nearly Died
13. Sweet Neo Con
14. Look What The Cat Dragged In
15. Driving Too Fast
16. Infamy

Amazon.com

It should come as no surprise that it took sex, disease and death to shake the Rolling Stones out of their latest creative dry spell. Leading up to the making of A Bigger Bang, produced by Don Was, Mick Jagger endured a very public break-up with Jerry Hall, Charlie Watts battled throat cancer, and Ron Wood was devastated by the news of his ex-wife's suicide. Out of their collective struggles, the members of the venerable British rock band managed to piece together some of their best work in nearly two decades. It's a slick, slightly uneven affair bounding from raunchy blues to MOR rock songs that sound suspiciously like they were left over from the Alfie soundtrack, yes, but it also sounds vital at every turn. Even though they don't really need to, the jet-set vagabond rockers plunge into hot-button politics ("Sweet Neo Con"), rummage through their dirty laundry ("Oh No, Not You Again") and dip cautious toes back into ridicule-tempting "Miss You"-style funk ("Rain Fall Down"), without making any major missteps unless you count the ewwwww-factor of a 61-year-old Keith Richards singing "Come on honey, bare your breasts and make me feel at home" on "This Place Is Empty." --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

WELCOME BACK, STONES!.......2007-07-11

A Bigger Bang released in 2005 is one of the stronger albums the Stones have ever released. It is one that I continually go back to time and time again unlike anything they have done since 83's Undercover. What makes it so good? Well, for starters the Stones are not interested in chasing the latest musical trends on this release. It is straight ahead simple rock and roll-what we always have loved about the Rolling Stones. Secondly the band is playing like they WANT to play again. By that I mean there is a fire there that has been missing, an intensity that can make even an average song sound that much better. Perhaps the quality of the material reinvigorated them or perhaps it was simply the fact that on this release they used very little outside help and play all the instruments and sing all of the vocals themselves. Not too many cooks in the kitchen, if you know what I mean. It's not a perfect record, but a very very good one and it feels good to say that along with the 4 classics, Aftermath, Some Girls, Tattoo You and now A Bigger Bang can be seen as the core of this band's monumental musical legacy.

1. Rough Justice- kicks things off and it is a great rocker and album opener. Woody's slide work is phenomenal. A great way to open an album and this track tells you right from the start that the Stones as we know them are back.

2. Let Me Down Slow- A popier rock song with a catchy swinging beat. One of the better songs on the album and great lyrics by Jagger who appears to be the one most responsible for the song.

3. It Won't Take Long- This one opens with a trademark Richards riff, albeit a bit pedestrian. The Stones, however, play it with a passion that helps make it better than just filler.

4. Rain Fall Down- A sly funky tune reminiscent of Miss You but not as good. The song works, however, and is a welcome addition to their catalogue.

5. Streets of Love- This is one of 2 mistakes on the album. A slow ballad that weighs in on the sappy side. The Stones have done this before and much better. See Out Of Tears from Voodoo Lounge and Memory Motel from Black and Blue.

6. Back of My Hand- Ahh, ok we're back. A slow blues tune. Engaging guitar work throughout the song and you'll find yourself singing along with this one. It is the kind of song that the Stones, in the past decade or so, have saved for b-sides. I am glad they decide here to include it on an album. VERY welcome indeed.

7. She Saw Me Coming- This is one of my favorite songs on the album and maybe in past years this would have made an excellent single. The sense of humor is back in the lyrics and it also contains a nice riff to chug it along.

8. Biggest Mistake- A Jagger tune without a doubt, very similar to his solo material of late. It's not a bad song by any means but neither is it above average. It sounds good while it's playing but you won't miss it once it's over.

9. This Place is Empty- The first of 2 Richards sung songs. This one is a barroom styled ballad and a great one at that.

10. Oh No Not You Again- The Stones as we know and love them, great riffs and guitars harkening back to the Some Girls days. Yes, it IS them again and we are happy to have you back! Easily one of the better songs on this release.

11. Dangerous Beauty- Another rocker that seems as though it is filler, but it is better than that. I think this one will be one of those 'overlooked gems' because of it's placement so deep into the release. The solo sounds as it were done by BB King.

12. Laugh I Nearly Died- A slow rocker in which Jagger sings like he hasn't in a long time. Perhaps his best vocal performance since Gimme Shelter. He steals this one away and the breakdown at the end is priceless. Amazing creation!

13. Sweet Neo-Con- Ahh, mistake number 2. Many people have said that this is their favorite song on the album but I have to believe that is due to the political nature of the song. Judging it just as a song it isn't bad but it just never really goes anywhere. Would have made a nice b-side or bonus track.

14. Look what the Cat Dragged In- This is one of my favorite songs on the album. It has a funky, jazzy riff and guitars that are similar to those in Undercover. Charlie, as usual, keeps the beat rolling and this is one of the highlights of the album.

15. Driving Too Fast- Like the song before it this is another rocker. A very good song but not as good as 'Cat'. Play it loud for best effect!

16. Infamy- The second Richards tune that works but the Stones used to close out their albums with songs that were magnificent, not just good. Moonlight Mile, You Can't Always Get What You Want, Shattered, Fingerprint File to name a few. Well, this is nitpicking. I like the song and it fits in well with the album.

I gave this album 5 stars because the album itself deserves 4 stars but I added one because I feel that for a band in their 60's this blows away almost or all of the rock music being released today by much younger bands. Yes, this is the comeback album Stones fans have been waiting for. It is the Stones doing what they do. Nothing more and nothing less-which is always a good thing. That is the key to A Bigger Bang. The Stones are no longer at the forefront of the pop audience. They are not trying to keep up with the latest musical trends on this release. They are not concerned with top 40 radio nor are they interested in breaking new ground. The secret here is easy-Keep it simple, stick to the basics, crank it up and rock and roll.

Welcome back, boys! I am glad it's you again!

Biggest Bang Since Some Girls.......2007-06-20

A Bigger Bang is a great comeback by the Stones. Ron Woods slide on Rough Justice gets it off to arolicking start. It wont take long has good guitar.Rain Kept Falling has a Miss you vibe. Streets of Love is great. Back of my Hand continues the Stones great blues legacy. Laugh i Nearly Died is good blues too. The rock songs Oh No not you Again, Dangerous Beauty and Look At What The Cat Dragged In, make A Bigger Bang the best Stones cd since Some Girls.

If only new bands were half this good and consistent.......2007-03-30

I must say, the stones still have it in them.
As someone said before my, this is not the next best thing or the record to redefine music, it is just straight ahead good rock.
Man they are 60+ and listen to them ! Real musicians only get better with time... it's the public that stop listening really listening to what they are saying once they are not "pop" "mainstream" or young enough.
Listen to the record, yes it is a great record...
Oh one last thing, Sweet neo con, IMO is the best song on the album, music and lyrics, it stands on it's own as a great song.

Back to form.......2007-03-17

"A Bigger Bang" is the Stones album I've been hoping for since 1983's "Undercover." This album contains only the core band with a minimal amount of outside musicians, unlike the extravaganzas on prior ones. It's great to hear the four Stones, plus a bassist and maybe a piano player, cranking out rock-n-roll just like the old days. This basic rawness is sadly missing on every album since "Undercover".

"Bang" shows that the Stones still have it, and that they can give any modern act a run for their money. I hope the Stones know what works and make their future albums along this vein.

They've still got the "Bang".......2007-01-23

This CD, along with the Stones 2007 Wall Calendar, made a perfect gift for my rock 'n roll sister. Perfect pairing. We are contemporaries of the Stones and its good to see the old guys still tearing the house down.

Average customer rating: Popular culture no longer applies to me Creative, original, annoying. Good times, but not like the old times great album The music that feeds my pleasure!

Bang Bang Rock & Roll Art Brut Manufacturer: Downtown ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Return to Cookie Mountain (with Bonus Tracks) Boys and Girls in America Favourite Worst Nightmare The Good, the Bad & the Queen Broken Boy Soldiers ASIN: B000F3AJA8 Release Date: 2006-05-09

Tracks:

1. Formed A Band
2. My Little Brother
3. Emily Kane
4. Rusted Guns Of Milan
5. Modern Art
6. Good Weekend
7. Bang Bang Rock & Roll
8. Fight!
9. Moving To L.A.
10. Bad Weekend
11. Stand Down
12. 18,000 Lira
13. These Animas Menswear
14. Really Bad Weekend
15. Maternity Ward

Album Description

"In the spirit of sex you're too drunk for, drugs that don't work, and rock clichés that should be Sharpied to your forehead, these Brits deconstruct bombast via bombastic guitar riffs. Sing-speaking like he's working through a 'Learn To Read Handbook', front man Eddie Argos makes fun of star-fuckers and meatheads. Star-fuckers and meatheads will totally headbang along" - Spin. The formerly "best unsigned band in the world" (Blender) now looks forward to their US release. This new version contains several exclusive tracks not found on the UK version. "Wild, ingenious fun" - Pitchfork. Topped everyone's year end list (as an import), including landing the #3 spot on Pitchfork Media, #6 in Blender, and #38 in Spin.

Customer Reviews:

Popular culture no longer applies to me.......2007-04-23

There's just something so endearing about a band who announces on their first song: "Formed a band/we formed a band/look at us! We formed a band!" with a mixture of glee and winking confidence.

And it's just the warmup for this enthusiastic, energetic rock band, with their solid, peppy Britpop debut, "Bang Bang Rock & Roll." Their rollicking guitars are so infused with fun and over-the-top rock'n'roll sentiments that it's impossible not to be charmed.

A sizzling riff opens the first song, in which Eddie Argos announces that they've formed a band, and urges people to"Stop buying your albums from the supermarket/they only sell records that have charted." Then he adds with winking charm: "And yes, this is my singing voice. It's not irony, it's not rock & roll -- we're just talking.... to the KIDS!"

Turns out it's only the warmup -- next Art Brut focuses on the jangly, tight rhythms of how "My little brother just discovered rock & roll/There's a noise in his head, and he's out of control!"

From there, they trip off into a joyous round of tight Britpop odes to Emily Kane, bouncy little indiepop, and frolicking rock numbers that twist in on themselves during the catchy chorus. But they also try out some other sounds: the sunny Beach-Boysy pop of "Move to L.A.," and the weirdly ominous ballad "Rusted Guns."

At first, Art Brut sound like any other fun Britpop band. But their album blossoms the more you listen to it -- these lads have a tight grip on their brilliant instrumentation, and they know how to wink at us through their odd, somewhat repetitive lyrics.

The riffs in this album are simply stunning: they ring, buzz, bounce, and sizzle, tightly wound into solid tunes. They're paired with solid basslines and some smashing drums, along with some twisted keyboard and what sounds like stomping feet. Together, they form some deliciously dancy rock tunes, but they're complex enough to never get dull

At first, their lyrics sound kind of simplistic, and in a few songs they are. But listen carefully. They're a lot wittier than that: they take a few humorous jabs at L.A., the music industry, and derivative bands. And they know how to create beautifully over-the-top odes to a first love ("Every girl that I've seen since/looks just like you when I squint"), and the joy of rock'n'roll. Even a song about.... um, performance problems.

In fact, in some songs, they exude the delight of some teenage boys who are getting to have fun out on the town... with girls! In one song, Argos yells out joyously about a new girlfriend, "I've seen her naked.... twice!" Very cute.

Argos himself has a nice voice -- it's pleasantly ordinary, neither too smooth or too rough, and he can sing through quieter songs as well as the rollicking dancier ones. And occasionally he drops out of singing altogether, usually to deliver the best lines: "No more songs about sex and drugs and rock and roll / It's BOOOOORING!"

Art Brut's debut album is a fun, rollicking, laddish album of solid rock'n'roll tunes, delightful lyrics and solid singing. Definite;y a must-buy.

Creative, original, annoying........2007-02-06

Ok, so it doesn't sound EXACTLY like everything out there. And the lyrics are witty, I'll admit. But I find this album so annoying that I skip EACH TRACK hoping to find the next one more interesting. No luck. This band REALLY LIKES TO REPEAT PHRASES OF MINIMAL INTEREST. I don't ever want to listen to my Art Brut album. It may be better than 99% of what's heard on major channels (both radio and video), but it is still basically unlistenable. Enjoy.

Good times, but not like the old times.......2007-01-19

My cat loves this record. He says it's cool and fun and "Emily Kane" kicks some serious butt. He says for you to give it a try, and then give it a second and third listen, and when you're hooked you should send him some nice cat treats as thanks for hooking you up with Art Brut.

great album.......2006-09-25

I heard this band last year and have loved them since I heard "Formed A Band." I have seen them play several times. It was one of the most exciting shows I have witnessed. I even saw them when they were on Jimmy Kimmel. This band, along with The Cribs, are among my favorite new UK bands. This record has been out a while in the UK, and is only coming out now in America in July 2006. All the songs are clever stories. "My Little Brother" is about a young person's discovery of music. "Emily Kane" is about lost love. "Rusted Guns Of Milan" is about bad sex. "Modern Art" reminds me of Bongwater. "Good Weekend" is a song about new love. "Bang Bang Rock & Roll" is a song against all these bands trying to be the Velvet Underground. "Moving To LA" is a funny song about dreaming of better places. I was there when Art Brut first played this song in Los Angeles. It was hilarious. All these songs have evolved overtime too. "Bad Weekend" has the great line "Popular culture no longer applies to me." The song "18,000 Lire" is a song about a robbery. This album is more like a set of short stories than a record. The American version of this great album has three more songs. They are a little like Pulp and a little like Bongwater. This is a great album. It has lost none of its power.

The music that feeds my pleasure!.......2006-08-27

This CD was an immediate hit with me. What's great about this is the sound, the overall product. The speak-singing vocals brings out the english accent and is a pleasure to listen to. "My Little Brother" and "Rusted Guns of Milan" are a few favorites, "Moving To L.A." is the hit of the collection. To describe Art Brut music I would have to say Indie Avant-Garde. In my opinion it's well worth the money and one of the better CD's of 2006.

Average customer rating: nice Where sex and horror are the new gods OK.. for the few hits that they have. Gotta have it! When Two Tribes Go to War.

Bang!...The Greatest Hits of Frankie Goes to Hollywood Frankie Goes to Hollywood Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Welcome to the Pleasuredome Relax The Best Of A Flock Of Seagulls The Best of Simple Minds The Best of Howard Jones ASIN: B000002IYG Release Date: 1994-03-22

Tracks:

1. Relax
2. Two Tribes
3. War
4. Ferry Cross The Mersey
5. Warriors Of The Wasteland
6. For Heaven's Sake
7. The World Is My Oyster
8. Welcome To The Pleasuredome
9. Watching The Wildlife
10. Born To Run
11. Rage Hard
12. The Power Of Love
13. Bang
14. Relax (New York Mix-The Original 12in)
15. Two Tribes (Teckno Prisoner)

Customer Reviews:

nice.......2007-06-27

couldnt find it anywhere. but ordered it, got it undamaged, and enjoying it almost daily now!

Where sex and horror are the new gods.......2007-04-03

Frankie Goes To Hollywood was possibly the ultimate in created new wave bands. They made a huge controversial splash, charted one of the most successful singles in the history of the UK and flaunted their homosexuality so blatantly that the Village People would have been proud. "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" was one of the biggest selling double albums in Europe. "Frankie Say..." T-Shirts were everywhere. Brian DePalma directed their video. Then suddenly, it was over. Their second album, "Liverpool," sank like a rock, and the two major figures (Holly Johnson and Paul Rutherford) in the group embarked on minor solo careers. Even so, FGTH meteoric rise and just as rapid fall is marked by songs that still sound as anthemic and ridiculously over the top as they did in 1984-86. They even managed to capture a classic song, in the hedonist anthem "Relax."

That is what "Bang" captures. Thirteen songs are split nine from "Pleasuredome" and four from "Liverpool," each with Trevor Horn's kitchen sink productions and Holly Johnson's drama queen vocals. Horn, who had just started his ZTT label, had learned his lessons with Yes quite well. Both "Relax" and "Two Tribes" were huge sounding records that still have that grandiose distinctiveness of both progressive rock and Hi-NRG dance music. There was nothing else like them, and coupled with the hyper-aggressive marketing, nothing could resist their sonic onslaught.

Once you get past those two signature songs, it is amazing what Frankie had left to say. Granted, the lyrics were sometimes beyond bizarre ("here comes a supernova, what a push-over!"), but the ferocity of "Rage Hard" and the sheer sexuality of "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" do offer proof that the group did have a bit more to them than Horn and hype. The same can not necessarily be said of the band's choice of cover songs. While "Ferry Cross The Mersey" is lightweight enough that it sounds fine in the band's version (and I once read an interview where Gerry Marsden expressed his gratitude to FGTH for making it the B-Side to "Relax," making him an almost instant million in royalties), the decision to cover "Born To Run" seems more like an ego-disaster. Weird thing is FGTH still rock the crap outta the thing, even if Springsteen probably didn't lose any sleep over these guys nicking his signature song. As for Edwin Starr's "War," I always found it interesting that Springsteen covered it and released it as s single later on. Life can be funny that way.

That said, the thirteen songs here sound wonderful even now. The comic-book politics of "Two Tribes" (remember the great video of Ronald Reagan Vs Konstantin Chernenko?) and the uber-gay sexual pronouncements of "Relax" make you almost long for music that was happy to not play it safe, even if it meant your career was going to flame out.

PS. One small gripe. "Bang" has almost nothing by way of liner notes, even with the multifold graphics inlay card. it would have been nice to have a little perspective on the band from someone, maybe a member of even Trevor Horn.

OK.. for the few hits that they have........2006-11-06

I originally bought the CD for 'Relax', which was a big hit in the 80's especially in England. With the exception of a few other hits, it doesn't have much to offer. I was looking forward to the re-makes of Bruce Springsteen's songs, but you can't compare. Basically, if you don't have the CD with 'Relax', then it might be worth it; otherwise there are better ways to spend your $$$. B

Gotta have it!.......2005-08-09

Ron Hardy was a DJ in the Chicago area back in the early 80's. Welcome to the Pleasuredome was one of his theme songs. I had to have it. Oh my gosh, don't let me start singing "When Two Tribes Go To War". I'm lovin' it!

When Two Tribes Go to War........2004-08-20

Exactly twenty years ago, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, led by the flamboyant Holly Johnson, was the hottest band to emerge from the UK. From their hit singles to their "Frankie Say Relax" t-shirts, FGTH was as much an attitude as they were a music group. Their songs, often produced by Tervor Horn, were elaborately produced, highly conceptualized, and had all the subtlety of a hand grenade. Not everyone, it must be said, was pleased with the group. And Johnson's coming out as a gay man did nothing to appease conservatives, either. But that didn't stop the hits from coming. Their debut single, the high-NRG "Relax," was banned from the UK airwaves for its explicit lyrics, despite going Number One and sitting comfortably in the Top Ten for several weeks. That song was unseated from Number One by the band's own followup, the politically charged "Two Tribes," whose video was also frowned upon. The third single, the killer ballad "The Power of Love" also went Number One, as did FGTH's debut album "Welcome to the Pleasuredome." But the success was short lived; 1986's "Liverpool" LP was a relative flop and the band called it a day shortly thereafter. Still, "Bang! The Greatest Hits of Frankie Goes to Hollywood," is a great snapshot of FGTH's brief career as a band. In addition to the previously mentioned singles, we get the full-length 13-minute "Welcome to the Pleasuredome," which is far more preferable than the edited single version, "Rage Hard," and their campy cover of Bruce Springsteen's classic "Born to Run." As a bonus, we also get the original, 7-minute mix of "Relax" as well as a 90's update of "Two Tribes." My only complaint is that the liner notes aren't as detailed as they should be. Even so, this disc is worth picking up. If nothing else, it's a welcome trip down 1980's memory lane.

Average customer rating: shades of hank jr .

Live in Concert-Travis Tritt Travis Tritt Manufacturer: Big Bang Concert Series ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Live In Concert Live at Texas Stadium Live In Concert Very Best Of Travis Tritt 5th Gear ASIN: B000MTPAC2 Release Date: 2007-03-09

Tracks:

1. Put Some Drive In Your Country
2. I'm Gonna Be Somebody
3. More Than You'll Ever Know
4. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around
5. Outlaws Like Us
6. Country Club
7. Back Against The Wall
8. T-R-O-U-B-L-E
9. Sometimes She Forgets
10. Tell Me I Was Dreaming
11. Here's A Quarter
12. Ten Feet And Bullet Proof
13. She's Going Home With Me
14. Where Corn Don't Grow
15. The Whiskey Ain't Working
16. Bible Belt
17. Whiskey On Ice

Product Description

Recorded Live In Concert At Walt Disney World/ Orlando, Florida 1997. Unforgettable Performace From Chart-Topping Country Superstar Travis Tritt.

Customer Reviews:

shades of hank jr ........2007-07-03

travis tritt is a singer of songs like hank jr is . OH not that he sounds like hank jr . But he writes in the same style And sings in the same style . . And that is not a bad thing . As hank jr is by far the best country music song writer and stylist in yrs . IF you ever get a chance to see travis in concert dont miss it .Or his mentor hank jr in concert is a dont miss , But in the mean time go run out and get this gem . And oh he knows where to find a good song too if he dont write it himself . He will find a hank jr song like on here . WITH ANOTHER gem on wiskey on ice . bUT MY favorite all time song is outlaws like us . WITH THE three greatest artists ever on it . YES WAYLON / HANK JR / AND TRAVIS singing a true song .IN celabration of each others voice and style . IT was writing by travis tritt . But if you ask me it sounds like hank jr wrote it . As many of the thoughts on it sound like it went threw hanks mind . So yes he went to the hank jr school of music .

Average customer rating: Timeless Tunes X hits the spot A very good overview of a great band We're Disparate, Get Used To It I was only a little familiar with X

The Best: Make the Music Go Bang X Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Beyond and Back: The X Anthology X - Live In Los Angeles X (The Band) - The Unheard Music The Modern Sounds of the Knitters Forever Hasn't Happened Yet ASIN: B0002IQDQ0 Release Date: 2004-07-27

Tracks:

1. Adult Books
2. We're Desperate
3. Los Angeles
4. Your Phone's Off The Hook, But You're Not
5. Johnny Hit And Run Paulene
6. Soul Kitchen
7. The World's A Mess; It's In My Kiss
8. The Unheard Music
9. White Girl
10. The Once Over Twice
11. Universal Corner
12. Some Other Time
13. In This House That I Call Home
14. Beyond And Back
15. Riding With Mary
16. The Hungry Wolf
17. Motel Room In My Bed
18. Blue Spark
19. The Have Nots
20. Under The Big Black Sun
21. The New World
22. Breathless
23. We're Having Much More Fun
24. True Love
25. I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts

Tracks:

1. Wild Thing (7' Single Edit)
2. Poor Girl
3. The Call Of The Wreckin' Ball
4. Someone Like You
5. What's Wrong With Me...
6. Burning House Of Love
7. My Goodness
8. 4th Of July
9. You
10. When It Rains
11. Surprise Surprise
12. I'm Lost
13. See How We Are
14. Skin Deep Town (Live)
15. Around My Heart (Live)
16. Just Another Perfect Day (Live)
17. Devil Doll (Live)
18. Big Blue House
19. Clean Like Tomorrow
20. Country At War
21. New Life

Album Description

X exploded out of Los Angeles' legendary club The Masque in the late '70s, the epicenter of the city's thriving punk underground. X also ultimately proved to be one of the most influential American rock bands of their time. Fronted by Exene Cervenka and John Doe-who co-wrote their material-and anchored by Billy Zoom and D.J. Bonebrake, X reinvented punk with their literate and volatile sound. The band's inspired individuality, however, obeyed no genre boundaries and fused rockabilly, country, metal, roots rock, and more into the mix. Their landmark 1980 debut, Los Angeles, kicked off an extraordinary career that's spotlighted in this essential retrospective.

Customer Reviews:

Timeless Tunes.......2007-01-24

One of those great bands that never got a lot of radio play, at least not where I live. I actually bought this CD as a gift for my 16 year old son, making an educated guess that he would appreciate it, and he did. Some groups just never stop sounding good. X is one of those bands.

X hits the spot.......2006-01-24

Actually, it's five stars for the first disc, three stars for the second.

For the uninitiated, or for nostalgists such as myself, this compilation serves as either a great introduction or a great recap of one of the finest careers ever in the punk/pop genre. In case you don't already know, X were a Los Angeles band that combined fast guitar riffs, country and rockabilly attitude, lovely harmonies and sensitive lyrics to create a totally original rock and roll package. They were a band in the truest sense of the word, with each member making a strong contribution, and are as vital now as they were then.

The first disc captures the most illustrious part of their career, which encompasses their first four albums, the striking debut Los Angeles followed by three undeniable classics, Wild Gift, Under the Big Black Sun(their best album) and More Fun in the New World. The song selection is uncannily savvy, almost invariably picking the very best cuts from these albums. My only argument is with the quality of some of the demos(the album version of Adult Books is much better) and with some of the selections from More Fun in the New World. For instance, why call the album Make the Music Go Bang, and then fail to include that song, one of the band's best? I also would have preferred Painting the Town Blue, Drunk in My Past and I See Red over some of the other cuts, but this is a minor grumbling. The chance to hear Your Phone's Off the Hook(But You're Not), In This House That I Call Home, I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts, Blue Spark, Riding With Mary, White Girl, Breathless, Motel Room in My Bed, We're Having Much More Fun, The Unheard Music, Some Other Time, Hungry Wolf and Universal Corner all on the same disc is an indescribably euphoric listening experience.

The second disc shows a serious drop in quality. I've never heard the album Ain't Love Grand in its entirety, but based on the selections here I'm not missing much. See How We Are is a vast improvement, but its watered down roots rock sound doesn't hold up as well today as it did when the album was released, perhaps because, in this format, it is presented side by side with their far superior earlier music. The best part of the second disc is the live tracks(I saw X in concert once and still have fond memories of that evening, one of the best shows I've seen), and some of the later studio tracks that close the album. Good stuff overall, but not up to the quality of the first disc.

My first recommendation would be to get X's first four albums, especially 2-4, in order to get a clear sense of just how great a band they were, to really experience the songwriting talents of Exene Cervenka and John Doe. But as compilations go, it's hard to ask for much more than what this set delivers.

A very good overview of a great band.......2004-11-17

But there are 5 songs missing (mostly from their first four seminal albums) They are(in chronological order:)1.Sex and Dying In High Society 2.Year 1 3.Come Back To Me 4. Dancing With Tears In my Eyes (Both from "Big Black Sun" and nice change of pace tunes) and (probably the most egregious omission) 5. True Love Part 2. You could make a case for including the first two albums in toto (if not the next two). The Go-Go's and Los Lobos will get more RnR Hall consideration, but I feel X is just as deserving...

We're Disparate, Get Used To It.......2004-08-25

Ugh. Granted, this compilation has every X song you might've heard if you *weren't* already a big fan of the band. But this disc is just tiring to listen to-- two CDs worth of X at their in-yer-face-punk-rawk-est is simply draining, and not even what the band is really about.

I'd recommend, then that X newbies looking to spend $23.00 buy "Los Angeles" and "Under The Big Black Sun-" both of which display more of X's subtlety and dark humor.

By the way, *avoid* "Beyond and Back" at all costs- the sequencing is even worse than this, and the B-sides and rarities are mostly forgettable.

I was only a little familiar with X.......2004-08-09

I had heard a few X songs through the years-LOS ANGELES, WE'RE DESPERATE, JOUNNY HIT AND RUN PAULINE, WILD THING, 4TH OF JULY, but never saw a collection that contained all the above. So when this 2-cd set came out a few weeks ago-I couldn't wait to get it! It was like discovering an all new band! love it. Like the other reviewer said, I'm gonna pick up BEYOND AND BACK next!

Average customer rating: nonstop Bolin The sound still kicks One of the top 5 most overlooked CD's Bang? - This album's worth the shot! James Gang - Bangs

Bang The James Gang Manufacturer: Atco ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 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: Miami Private Eyes Teaser Thirds Come Taste the Band ASIN: B000002I6R Release Date: 1991-04-02

Tracks:

1. Standing In The Rain
2. The Devil Is Singing Our Song
3. Must Be Love
4. Alexis
5. Ride The Wind
6. Got No Time For Trouble
7. Rather Be Alone With You (A.K.A. Song For Dale)
8. From Another Time
9. Mystery

Customer Reviews:

nonstop Bolin.......2007-06-01

The 70's rock era is one of a kind and will never happen again.However
you can capture it on this classic cd in the prime of great rock.The
smooth guitar tones of Tommy Boiln are consuming. Roy Kenner's voice
leaves Walsh in the dust. If it's not in your collectoin make it a priority.

The sound still kicks.......2007-05-12

Pretty decent album Must be Love still lays it down It was
good to hear those 70's guitar wails It was even nicer to learn
that the charasmatic frontman was not Joe Walsh, as I had believed
all these years The resemblence in vocals is uncanny

One of the top 5 most overlooked CD's .......2007-02-07

This music has more than stood the test of time. If you are a Tommy Bolin fan then this may be the one item that you must have. Yes some of his work is more adventurous but in the rock music format that this music follows there are few that can touch Tommy here. I saw these guys in Memphis TN before alot of you were even born. This was in the time frame of when MUST BE LOVE from this CD was a hit. I hate to say that I did not realize who and what I was seeing at this time and it was only years later that I could really understand how talented Mr. Bolin was.

Bang? - This album's worth the shot!.......2006-11-15

Another album I picked up to hear more from Tommy Bolin, this one did not disappoint. Back in my high school metal days I would have hardly given this album more than an approving nod but now I am glad to be able to appreciate it. Overall, it's a good straightforward early 70s rock album, American style, with some very talented guitar work by Bolin. The style of playing familiar on Deep Purple's Come Taste the Band and Bolin's solo albums is noticeable here. Some guitarists are technical masters while others go for style. Bolin has the technical side down perfectly and adds flair with sound effects that give punch to the music without detracting from the song. Personal favourites of mine are Standing in the Rain and Ride the Wind. Bolin's Alexis is a great ballad in the true sense of the word where the song tells a story.

If you're into finding good rock albums from the 70s and enjoy some great guitar solos then this album is worth picking up.

James Gang - Bangs.......2006-07-07

I've been listening to this one since it first came out on vinyl in 1973. I absolutely love it and after finding it on cd have put it on my Ipod to play when the moods strikes and the mood strikes often. Bolin, Fox, Peters and Kenner simply nailed it. Great playing and outstanding vocals. One of the finest rock releases of the 70's.

Average customer rating: Sublime, hazy, sweet melancholy from Iceland

Something Wrong Bang Gang Manufacturer: From Nowhere Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music France | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music French Pop | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Screaming Masterpiece The Postmarks Screaming Masterpiece Apparat Organ Quartet Haxan ASIN: B000NIIUJM Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

1. Inside
2. Follow
3. Something Wrong
4. It's Alright
5. There Was A Whisper
6. Forward And Reverse
7. Find What You Get
8. In The Morning
9. Stop In The Name Of Love
10. Everything's Gone
11. Contradictions
12. Look At The Sun

Customer Reviews:

Sublime, hazy, sweet melancholy from Iceland.......2007-04-04

I feel lucky i had discovered Bardi's music (he's the genius behind this album). I discovered Bang Gang while i was in Reykjavik visiting a friend and i have been a huge fan ever since. I sampled and immediately bought this in Iceland back in 2003. The CD has lots of beautiful ethereal female vocalists, with lots of melancholy trip hop, accoustic-rock songs and some very dark and bittersweet and seductive lyrics. The mood is somber, hazy, sensitive and emotional.
I just love all the songs. They feature some brilliant vocalists such as Keren Ann, Esther Talia Kasey, Daniel Agust (of Gus Gus fame), Phoebe Tolmer and Nicolette (of Massive Attack fame), so all these international vocalists add a different note to all the songs and they all have their own distinctly different introspective notes. The songs are somewhat dark, lonely, frosty i would say, they are slow paced, contemplative, full of longing.
It's a CD that i just love to put on and relax to on a cold winter day, a CD to relax to and just enjoy. I'm very happy to hear it is getting a US release finally. It's about time...

Average customer rating: Classic Busta Rhymes This will be a classic! The Dungeon Dragon's fangs are still razor-sharp.. Hit-or-miss affair The Leader is BACK

The Big Bang Busta Rhymes Manufacturer: Aftermath ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Laugh Now, Cry Later In My Mind Blood Money New Joc City Second Round's on Me ASIN: B000F8DSTM Release Date: 2006-06-13

Tracks:

1. Get You Some
2. Touch It
3. How We Do It Over Here
4. New York S***
5. Been Through The Storm
6. In The Ghetto
7. Cocaina
8. You Can't Hold The Torch
9. Goldmine
10. I Love My B****
11. Don't Get Carried Away
12. They're Out To Get Me
13. Get Down
14. I'll Do It All
15. Legend Of The Fall Offs

Amazon.com

This is Busta's first new album in four years plus Dr. Dre cosigns by signing him to Aftermath. Will the success enjoyed by 50 Cent, Eminem and The Game work for Busta? Surprisingly, Busta has never sounded so mature -- joining a brigade of over 30 rappers who are thinking beyond the corner. Songs like "In the Ghetto," "Been Through the Storm" and "You Can't Hold a Torch" reflect a more grown-man outlook, which is a refreshing departure. There are the requisite fast-chatter club tracks, some predictably formulaic ("Touch It"), some better than expected ("I Love My Bitch"), some that will leave you scratching your head ("I'll Do It All," featuring Latoya Jackson). Unfortunately, the album is also overloaded with more guests than needed --Stevie Wonder and Q-Tip were good, while Rick James middling and Swizz Beatz should stick to producing. It's hard to tell what expectations to put on this album. It's not going to trump 50 Cent sales but it's also a better effort than Busta has put forth on his last few, and that's worth letting it bang. --Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews:

Classic Busta Rhymes.......2007-07-09

im a big fan of hip/hop the underground & the mainstream & busta is one of my favorite east coast MC's but some of his previous releases were not that great but THE BIG BANG is a classic DR. DRE & BUSTA RHYMES are a good combination amazing beats plus great lyrics by BUSTA RHYMES this is a must have album & probably one of the best of 06 my favorite track is DONT GET CARRIED AWAY NaS and Busta both come hard on that track plus a DRE beat need i say more? CLASSIC!

This will be a classic!.......2007-01-22

Remember Busta came on the scene with Leaders of the New School. Then he went solo and dropped "The Coming" around 1996. If you don't remember the album, I'm sure you remember "Woo-Hah, I got you all in check".

Well, his style from the beginning has been based on a gimmick. Kind of loud, wild, weirdness vibe. MC's like this generally don't live long. People get tired of being yelled at. Yelling on a song doesn't make you hard either. Take a look a Rakim. One of Hip-Hop's hardest rhyming MC's without ever raising his voice.

Anyway, Busta's new album, "The Big Bang", is back to solid MC'ing. Beats and rhymes. He only yells at you on one song and not the entire song at that. I'm talking about that song "Touch it". On the rest of the album, his style is the same as when he "gets low" on that touch it track. I appreciate it.

Solid guest MC's like Raekwon and Nas appear. Watch out for Rick James track also. Classic Rick James is back. There is also Kelis, Will.I.Am and Swizz Beats. Oh, how can I forget that most productions are by the legendary Doc Dre. I love to bump this album during my workouts. Its far from annoying and contains elements of becoming a hip_hop classic.

The Dungeon Dragon's fangs are still razor-sharp.........2007-01-06

The Mighty Busta Rhymes; Bussa Bus has gone by many nicknames throughout his career, but in the end, Bus has always been one thing; an emcee in the same bugged-out league as ODB, Sticky Fingaz, and Kool Keith. At least, Busta was a zany emcee; he's a grown man now, though. People think that Jay-Z's album was the only release in 2006 that showed a legendary, and prominent figure in hip-hop show a great range of maturity, and growth an an artist, but before Kingdom Come even dropped, Busta was doing the same thing on The Big Bang. In fact, Busta and Jay-Z's two 2006 releases have even more in common than being comeback albums by New York legends that expressed a large change; they also had a lot of production work from Dr. Dre(more so on The Big Bang, mainly because it was released under the Aftermath label, after all), and threw off their main fanbase.

They're also a bit inconsistent. Much like Kingdom Come after it, when the tracks on The Big Bang did hit, they hit HARD; but when they flopped, they became virtual abortions. "I Love My *****" is just as mind-numbingly bad as "Anything," and "New York ****" is just as blatantly average, and forced as "Hollywood." Their lead singles("Touch It" for Bus, "Show Me What You Got" for Hov) were chastised heavily by the media, but were actually pretty tight tracks hidden beneath the commercialism. Touch It may not be as hot as previous Busta club-bangers like "Break Your Neck" or "WOO-HAA!," but it's still a very hot track, which features a very innovative flow from Bus. Swizz Beats also provides a beat that doesn't annoy me; quite rare these days.

Unlike Kingdom Come, though Busta has a ton of appearances from guest emcees on this album; in fact, this entire album almost consists of posse tracks, with a few rare exceptions. There's good news, though; Busta picked some of the illest cats to ever spit as guests for The Big Bang. Q-Tip, one of hip-hop's smoothest cats, whether in Tribe or on his own, is also one of hip-hop's most underappreciate legends, and provides two guest appearances, which both overflow with dopeness. Raekwon, the premier Chef in the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, and also another unspoken legend, makes one guest appearance on the brilliant "Goldmine," which shows that Cuban Linx II will be everything we could hope for. Finally, the man who dropped the arguably best album of 2006, Nas, makes a guest appearance on the infinitely ill "Don't Get Carried Away."

This is one of the strongest produced hip-hop albums in quite awhile; especially out of the Aftermath camp. Dre provides the majority of the production, and it shows by the dopeness that this album excrete musically. Dre's production is flawless throughout the album, epic, and rich in cinematic qualities. The late J Dilla provides a great backdrop on "Can't Hold the Torch," while Sha Money XL provides some equally beautiful music behind the boards on "Been Through The Storm." Mr. Porter and the aforementioned Swizz Beats also do well on their contributions; the other non-Dre produced tracks is where this album, unfortunately, flails around, and Busta doesn't possess the same energy he once did to lighten up any track.

Busta is not an outrageous, party rapper anymore; he is a wise veteran, who provides knowledge to the younger cats in the game, as well as his peers. While this album may not have the same blazing joints that albums like Genesis did, it more than makes up for it with the introspective, and insightful tracks Busta drops. "Been Through The Storm" and "In The Ghetto" are two of the most personal tracks Busta's ever dropped, while "Legend of the Fall Offs" is one of the darkest hip-hop tracks heard in quite awhile; and it's also an amazing concept cut. The Dungeon Dragon may've pulled up his sagging pants, and cut off his dreads, but in exchange, we got Busta in his purest form.

The Big Bang isn't perfect; the track with Missy, "New York ****," and "I Love My *****" could've been done without, for sure, but the rest of the tracks are some of the tightest all year. It all depends on your personal preference; Busta still puts everyone "In Check," but he's doing it in a completely different way than he was a decade ago; he's doing it with his widsom now. If you want your favorite artists to progress, and grow, then you'll be more than satisfied with the Big Bang; it's my favorite Busta album to date. However, if you want the Bussa Bus of old, you're better off spinning his old tapes a little more; the dude's grown up.

Hit-or-miss affair.......2007-01-05

I remember when I was young and Busta Rhymes was one of the first rappers I had gotten into. In fact, I have three of his other albums and have heard another one. But this one seems the least consistent. "It Ain't Safe No More" was kind of mediocre but was kind of similar through quality in the rest of the album. "The Big Bang" has great production and Busta sounds great, but unfortunately that does not make the entire album.

Well, I can't get over the misogyny of certain tracks, most particularly in "I Love My B----," or in other tracks. In some songs, the samples are saving graces, like the chorus of "Touch It" which puts Daft Punk in or "In the Ghetto," an interesting reflective song of youth. I actually like most of the guests on here, and some of it is enjoyable. As the main review said, Swizz Beatz should just stick to producing, he didn't add much with "New York S---" which otherwise was fine and the album could have been cut about half its time length, in spite taking four years to come out.

I actually think "The Big Bang" is an okay album, but I think it has its flaws. I was actually a bit hesitant to buy it for other said reasons, but I found it for $4 used and figured I could just sell it if I decided I didn't want it. It's nothing special and I prefer the other three Busta albums I own -- "The Coming," "When Disaster Strikes..." and "Genesis."

The Leader is BACK.......2006-10-01

This cd is a must. Busta Bus goes back to mcing and skips all the skits and makes just hits.... A great album for the '06 and i hope he can only get better.
rating A+

Music Album:

1. Bark
2. Beat & Soul
3. Best of the Best [CD-single]
4. Big Sandy Presents The Fly-Rite Boys
5. Billy Jack Wills & His Western Swing Band
6. Bitter Sweet
7. Blue Moons and Broken Hearts: The Anthology 1979-1996
8. Blue Ridge Mountain Music "Old Time Banjo"
9. Box of Photographs
10. Brian McComas [Enhanced]

Music Album