Wire to Wire

Amazon.com
"This old horse can't play favorites," croons this Nashvillian singer/songwriter wryly on the opening track of his second Checkered Past long-player. If Burch's style suggests an older country music, the magically understated sound of Jimmie Rodgers and Tex Ritter, there's not a trace of camp or retro pretension in his songs or voice. His original material shows that rare, light touch with a melodic hook and subtle instrumental arrangements. "Borrowed and Broke," for instance, rolls with pumping harmonica and snug harmonies while Paul Niehaus's steel licks percolate through the Western swing- informed "Some of These Days." There's nary a misstep in these 14 songs, a rare thing, whether in mainstream or alternative country. In the end, what's most refreshing about Wire to Wire is the way it reminds one of the inexhaustible joy and deceptively simple beauty in classic country idioms, and builds on them with the talents of a gifted, truly individual songwriter. --Roy Francis Kasten

Wire to Wire,Paul Burch & the WPA Ballclub,Checkered Past,Alternative Country,Americana,Country,Pop

Average customer rating: Perfect entry for the genius of Daniel Perfect Companion for "The Devil and Daniel Johnston"

Welcome To My World Daniel Johnston Manufacturer: High Wire Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Lo-Fi | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Continued Story/Hi, How Are You Songs of Pain: Early Recordings Volume 1 The Devil and Daniel Johnston Fun Yip/Jump Music: Summer 1983 ASIN: B000F1IPJ2 Release Date: 2006-04-18

Tracks:

1. Peek A Boo
2. Casper The Friendly Ghost
3. Some Things Last A Long Time
4. Walking The Cow
5. I'm Nervous
6. Man Obsessed
7. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievances
8. Never Before Never Again
9. The Sun Shines Down On Me
10. Chord Organ Blues
11. Living Life
12. Speeding Motorcycle
13. True Love Will Find You In The End
14. Never Relaxed
15. Sorry Entertainer
16. Ain't No Woman Gonna Make A George Jones Outta Me
17. Lennon Song
18. Devil Town
19. Laurie
20. Story Of An Artist
21. Funeral Home

Amazon.com

He is erratic, moody, adolescent, and unsettling, just as he is strikingly brilliant, and all depictions entwine on this collection that plucks from Daniel Johnston's most memorable work throughout a quarter-century of bare-bones recording. While his helium-pitched voice can often border on acquired taste territory, Johnston, who suffers from bipolar disorder, writes both gripping melodies and cutting, cunning lyrics--often about failed love, life's ambiguity and his passion for the Beatles and comic book heroes. Any Johnston follower might choose 21 different selections to represent such a catalog, but this package--culled mostly from his '80s songbook--is both symbolic and inclusive, including a pair of chord organ grinders that are among his most familiar: the childlike "Casper the Friendly Ghost" and the wistful "Speeding Motorcycle." Johnston's raw vulnerability shines most on "Never Before Never Again," on which he howls about a former girlfriend, and the fragmented and demented "Funeral Home," where he contemplates his last car ride (to the tune of Bruce Springsteen's "Cadillac Ranch"). Welcome to My World is ideal for any newcomers to Johnston's music, provided they are willing to peel away his torment and contemplate his true genius. --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews:

Perfect entry for the genius of Daniel.......2006-09-22

Almost every song from this compiliation is present as soundtrack to The Devil and Daniel Johnston. If you want to enter in thsi strange but beautiful world, a schizo Dylan that someday took LSD from the devilish [....] Surfers, this is the one to get. Then, if you become a fan (it happens, eheh), you should try his masterpiece - Songs of Pain 80-83.

Perfect Companion for "The Devil and Daniel Johnston".......2006-05-16

It should first be noted that the music of Daniel Johnston is not for everyone -- you will either love him or hate him, most will feel the latter. His voice sounds like a 14 year old who got into the parents' liquor cabinet, but like Bob Dylan, it's the perfect vehicle for his material. I recommend the excellent documentary currently playing in art movie theaters to learn about this unique singer songwriter's incredible life --you couldn't make up a story as sadly surreal. His music is best appreciated if you understand his history and are familiar with his artwork (his pen and ink cartoon-like drawings go for thousands of dollars). His songs, like his artwork, are replete with symbols and references to his internal mythology, a conglomeration of cartoons, comic books and fire and brimstone religion.
Welcome to My World is sort of a greatest hits of his early work, mostly recorded on cheap tape machines and often given away to people on the street. Daniel bares his soul -- listening to his music is like awkwardly being trapped with a stranger you run into, obviously a little off center, who rattles on providing too much information about his innermost feelings. But no other artist I have heard captures the angst of adolescence quite as well as Daniel, and his sense of melody, his ability to convey complex feelings with the simplest language, is brilliant. Strange, moving, disturbing stuff, an emotional car wreck that you just can't look away from. If you like the off beat and stark emotional honesty in your music, check him out.

Average customer rating: Quantity Over Quality Mediocre One Hundred Greatest TV Themes Pretty close to original recordings Really Good Collection

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: All-Time Top 100 TV Themes TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs TV Guide: 50 All-Time Favorite TV Themes NBC: A Soundtrack of Must See TV Six Million Dollar TV Themes ASIN: B00005Y49F Release Date: 2002-08-27

Tracks:

1. The A-Team - Nic Raine
2. The Addams Family - Nic Raine
3. The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - Nic Raine
4. Airwolf - Derek Wadsworth
5. The Avengers - Mike Townend
6. Barnaby Jones - Jerry Goldsmith
7. Batman - Nic Raine
8. Battlestar Galactica - Nic Raine
9. Baywatch - Derek Wadsworth
10. Beverly Hills 90210 - Derek Wadsworth
11. Bewitched - Nic Raine
12. Between The Lines - Mark Ayres
13. The Bill - Nic Raine
14. Bonanza - The Philharmonia Orchestra
15. Brideshead Revisited - Derek Wadsworth
16. Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Nic Raine
17. Burke's Law - Derek Wadsworth
18. Cagney And Lacey - Derek Wadsworth
19. Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Mark Ayres
20. Casualty - Mark Ayres
21. Cheers - Mark Ayres
22. Dallas - Nic Raine
23. Dangerman (Secret Agent) - Mike Townend
24. Doctor Who - Mark Ayres
25. Doctor Kildare - Jerry Goldsmith

Tracks:

1. Doogie Howser, M.D. - Derek Wadsworth
2. Dynasty - Nic Raine
3. The Equalizer - Derek Wadsworth
4. Falcon Crest - Derek Wadsworth
5. Fireball XL-5 - Derek Wadsworth
6. The Fugitive - Nic Raine
7. Hawaii 5-0 - Mike Townend
8. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Nic Raine
9. The High Chaparral - Nic Raine
10. Highway To Heaven - Derek Wadsworth
11. Hill Street Blues - Derek Wadsworth
12. The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - Mark Ayres
13. The Incredible Hulk - Derek Wadsworth
14. Jason King - Mike Townend
15. Jesus Of Nazareth - Paul Bateman
16. Joe 90 - Derek Wadsworth
17. Johnny Staccato - Derek Wadsworth
18. Knight Rider - Derek Wadsworth
19. Kojak - Mike Townend
20. L.A. Law - Derek Wadsworth
21. Land Of The Giants - Nic Raine
22. Little House On The Prairie - Derek Wadsworth
23. Lonesome Dove - Nic Raine
24. Lost In Space - Nic Raine
25. Lou Grant - Derek Wadsworth

Tracks:

1. Magnum, P.I. - Derek Wadsworth
2. A Man Called Ironside - Mike Townend
3. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - Derek Wadsworth
4. M*A*S*H - Nic Raine
5. Miami Vice - Mark Ayres
6. Mike Hammer - Derek Wadsworth
7. Mission Impossible - Mike Townend
8. Monty Python's Flying Circus - Nic Raine
9. The Munsters - Derek Wadsworth
10. Murder She Wrote - Derek Wadsworth
11. Newhart - Derek Wadsworth
12. North And South - Derek Wadsworth
13. Northern Exposure - Derek Wadsworth
14. NYPD Blue - Mark Ayres
15. The Outer Limits - Nic Raine
16. Perry Mason - Mike Townend
17. The Persuaders - Mark Ayres
18. Peter Gunn - Mike Townend
19. Police Squad - Nic Raine
20. The Prisoner - Mike Townend
21. Quantum Leap - Derek Wadsworth
22. Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) - Mike Townend
23. Red Dwarf - Mark Lambert
24. The Rockford Files - Mike Post
25. Roseanne - Dan Foliart

Tracks:

1. The Saint - Mike Townend
2. Seaquest DSV - Nic Raine
3. Space 1999 - Derek Wadsworth
4. Star Trek - Mike Townend
5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Derek Wadsworth
6. Star Trek: Voyager - Nic Raine
7. St. Elsewhere - Derek Wadsworth
8. The Streets Of San Francisco - Nic Raine
9. Stingray - Barry Gray
10. Taxi - Derek Wadsworth
11. Thunderbirds - Derek Wadsworth
12. Thirty Something - Derek Wadsworth
13. The Time Tunnel - Nic Raine
14. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - The Philharmonia Orchestra
15. The Twighlight Zone - Nic Raine
16. Twin Peaks - Derek Wadsworth
17. U.F.O. - Derek Wadsworth
18. The Virginian - Nic Raine
19. Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea - Nic Raine
20. Wagon Train - Paul Bateman
21. The Waltons - Jerry Goldsmith
22. The Wild Wild West - Derek Wadsworth
23. Young Riders - John Debney
24. Xena: The Warrior Princess - Paul Bateman
25. The X-Files - Mark Ayres

Customer Reviews:

Quantity Over Quality.......2007-01-15

As a musician myself, I know too well that one of the most important ingredients in ANY performance (live or recorded) is passion. The recordings here generally lack the same passion and sheer drama of the originals. Much of the instrumentation has been reduced to a cheezy, thin, plastic synthesized replica. The performances are simply a watered-down lackluster version of the classic originals. If it were not for the sheer volume of tracks compiled here, I would have rated the comp only "one star".

Mediocre.......2006-05-17

The sound quality for this collection isn't much better than the samples offered by Amazon.

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes.......2005-08-06

I have watched almost all the shows that are on these 4 cd's. Many were made before I started watching TV. Most I've seen once or twice before.

Pretty close to original recordings.......2005-07-24

Definitely not as good as the originals. You'll probably notice the slight differences since it's stuff you saw and listened to every week or everyday in reruns growing up, but it's still an amazing collection.

Really Good Collection.......2004-07-11

I bought this in part because it had soundtracks to tv shows that are unavailable. My husband and I watch aome British programming. Many of the theme songs are for what seems like obscure British shows. That said; it has been enjoyable to hear music that I would normally never hear. Some music does sound tinny; some are very very rich, and some music is derived from actual preformances from the original artists. I think this is worth buying because is has a wonderful blend of music. The pieces are full soundtracks so they includes the parts of the theme song which are often edited out. I think the orchestra's who preformed the music did a great job. I have MonsterMania which redoes the soundtracks to the Godzilla movies. The interpretation is less heavy and stark than the preformance we associate with the original soundtrack; but I regard it as a new way to appreciate the music and all the componets which make the song unique.

Average customer rating: Very Good

Post to Wire Richmond Fontaine Manufacturer: Union ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Winnemucca Obliteration by Time Thirteen Cities Don't Tell Columbus John the Wolfking of L.A. ASIN: B0007YMVQA Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. Longer You Wait, The
2. Barely Losing
3. Montgomery Park
4. (Walter's On The Lam)
5. Through
6. (Postcard From California)
7. Two Broken Hearts
8. Hallway
9. (Postcard Written With A Broken Hand)
10. Post To Wire
11. Polaroid
12. Always On The Ride
13. (Postcard Postmarked Phoenix, AZ)
14. Allison Johnson
15. Willamette
16. Valediction

Album Description

"Post To Wire" was acknowledged as the #4 Album Of The Year by UK magazine Uncut, beating out The Libertines, U2, Interpol, and The Streets, and was labeled "a dark, mesmerizing masterpiece". Willy Vlautin's writing has been compared to that of legendary writer Raymond Carver, and The Replacements are one of the band's most important influences. Look for them on tour this spring, kicking off at South By Southwest.

Customer Reviews:

Very Good.......2007-05-12

Clever and amusing concept having the "Dear Pete" letters peppering this wonderful set of tracks. Post To Wire stands out as the most likable cut, but many others as well. World weary, forlorn, gritty, and occasionally gloomy, but heartfelt songs.

Average customer rating: Very very good Right In the Eardrum! Live Wire (sort of) Great Lacking dissonance for want of what??

It's Beginning to and Back Again Wire Manufacturer: Mute U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Ideal Copy A Bell Is a Cup...Until It Is Struck Send The First Letter The Drill ASIN: B00004SGTE Release Date: 2000-04-04

Tracks:

1. Finest Drops
2. Eardrum Buzz
3. German Shepherds
4. Public Place
5. It's A Boy
6. Illuminated
7. Boiling Boy
8. Over Theirs
9. Eardrum Buzz (12in Version)
10. The Offer
11. In Vivo

Customer Reviews:

Very very good.......2006-03-11

Illuminated is really great as is Earddrum buzz. Illuminated is electronica like people would make 10 years later. This album made out of re-worked live versions of known Wire songs, is simply spectacular.

Right In the Eardrum!.......2005-05-05

This is my favorite Wire cd for a few, essential reasons. It's Beginning To And Back Again -IBTABA- is filled with mature, ambient, upbeat tunes. It best culminates their second (synth-pop) phase. It has some of their best work in all their near thirty years in music. It never gets tiring to hear and remains fresh to this day and age.

The reworkings of tunes like "Finest Drops" and "Public Place" are better, more mature, ambient in mood and style. This cd includes my favorite version of "Over Theirs", everything about that track is better than in previous incarnations. Here, it's longer, more experimental, and fresher.

My favorite tracks in the cd would have to be the originals. "In Vivo" and "German Shepherds" are right where Wire were heading in their musical direction. Sleeker, nifty,wonderfully-crafted pieces. By this time, they really were a far cry from their early, post-punk daze.

And let's not forget their, arguably, most popular single "Eardrum Buzz". It has a hook and a beat. And everytime after hearing it, the tune plays in my head "over and over,
over and over".

I highly recommend this cd, more particularly to other diehard fans since this happens to be 1 of the most underrated in their catalogue. It takes a while to get into it but the listener won't be sorry afterwards.

Live Wire (sort of).......2004-05-13

IBTABA is a live recording, greatest hits and remix album all rolled into one. They've taken the drum (and other) tracks from live recordings and then added other overdubs in the studio constructing alternate versions of existing songs. Sometimes this works; Public Place wafts out from speakers enticingly, capturing the grey public sector existentialism of the original version but without the elephantine guitar riff. A more polite version perhaps but just as effective. And that's the secret to IBABA, really, the songs here are meant as a compement to, not a replacement of the album version. Sometimes it doesn't work, the rendition of Over Theirs (perhaps the pinnacle of Wire's achievement) lacks the punch and crispness of the original (on the Ideal Copy album) and comes a cross like a sort of dub-ified version with someone at the controls who doesn't really like dub. Or Wire. Finest Drops fares much better, full of live energy and Robert Gotobed showing what a fine drummer he is. Boiling Boy (from the Bell is a Cup...album)is present and correct and without the drums which brings the intriguing, dreamlike lyrics to the front on a wsh of atmospherics. It is towards the end of the album, however, that IBTABA really kicks in and Wire show signs of what they could have achieved if they had veered more towards the mainstream and adopted the pop sensibilities of the Bunnymens, U2s, New Order, etc. In Vivo, Eardrum Buzz (12" version) and The Offer are guitar-driven anthems that are exhilarating to listen to. Illuminated is a cool dancy number ruined by a rather annoying spoken loop repeated ad nauseum.
In brief, IBTABA it is a dubby, textured record that offers previously available Wire highlights in a more ambient version.
What do Wire sound like? To me Wire sound like Joy Division, Walker Brothers and Talking Heads. And they're really very good. Wire are an unashamedly cerebral and arty - definitely not the kind of thing your kid sister would like but will fit snugly into the record collection of any post-punk, new wave, Smiths/Cure/Echo & the Bunnymen fan. Come to think of it I'd choose Wire over Robert Smith's and Ian McCullough's cohorts anyday.
The bottom line? Not the ideal starting point for novices but fans should dive right in.

Great.......2003-07-11

This was an awsome album and a huge commercial success for Wire. The song that really pulled the album was "Eardrum Buzz" This was a penticle moment for electronica and the closest I have seen electronica experimentalist make notch on the charts from the 80's into the 90's. Suited up and ready to go Ibtaba really was and is a ground breaking album that never gets old with time. ...

Lacking dissonance for want of what??.......2001-04-24

A strange concept - to release an album of previously released material that is 'based on' live shows. Although their cloak of mystery and craft seems apparent, the songs suffer from relative mediocrity. Most versions are better in other incarnations, but you can get the single version of "Eardrum Buzz" here, which is mandatory. "In Vivo" should have been a hit single worldwide and "Illuminated" is years ahead of its time. The version of "Over Theirs" is quite inferior to the one on "The Ideal Copy" (in fact, I think I'll have to play that one now) and overall this album is a showcase of their knack for reworking the same song into other realms (which has been done better on ep's and live bonus cuts) but not very convincing. A bland attempt at being palatable for an audience that turned a deaf ear. I'll stick with the ambitious stuff, thank you.

Average customer rating: Best in the West The real deal... In The Winner's Circle Home Run Possibly Best Americana Album of 04

Post to Wire Richmond Fontaine Manufacturer: El Cortez Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B0001DCZWW Release Date: 2004-01-20

Tracks:

1. The Longer You Wait
2. Barely Losing
3. Montgomery Park
4. Walter's On The Lam
5. Through
6. Postcard From California
7. Two Broken Hearts
8. Hallway
9. Postcard Written With A Broken Hand
10. Post To Wire
11. Polaroid
12. Always On The Ride
13. Postcard Postmarked Phoenix, AZ
14. Allison Johnson
15. Willamette
16. Valediction

Album Description

Working again with engineer Larry Crane at his Jackpot ! Studios (Quasi, Sleater-Kinney, Elliot Smith), Richmond Fontaine teamed p with producer JD Foster (Richard Buckner, Marc Ribot, Damnaitons, Dwight Yoakum) to create the most finely distilled album of their nine-year career. The driving acoustic track "The Longer You Wait" kicks off "Post to Wire," the band's fifth record with a tale of a couple on a late night car ride through the Nevada desert. On the title track of "Post to Wire," Richmond Fontaine pulls off something they have never done before: a duet. Lead vocalist Willy Vlautin exchanges verses with the gutsy voiced Deborah Kelly of The Damnations, on an ultra catchy little number reminiscent of the golden days of Motown. One of the country's best songwritners, Willy finds new ways to shine nuances into every song. His writing gains new confidence with every verse. His vision is put to life by the other members of Richmond Fontaine: Paul Brainard on! pedal steel guitar, Dave Harding on bass and Sean Oldham on drums.

Customer Reviews:

Best in the West.......2004-11-24

After seeing Willie and the gang live several times, this has to be the best album that RF has put out!! Every show is jammed packed and the album features new songs and tales of the adventures that Willie and the gang experience. ALSO CHECK OUT THE ALBUMS BY GRAND CHAMPEEN OUT OF AUSTIN,TEXAS. THEY TOURED W/ RF THIS SUMMER.

The real deal..........2004-09-26

It's not that Richmond Fontaine does anything unique, but that they do it so well. Willy Vlautin's lyrics capture the sadness and beauty in the lives of normal people without sounding trite, while the music accompanies the words with familiar beats and tunes. The band's biggest departure from traditional alt-country is the constant presence of a pedal-steel guitar. This usually works - giving the music the gravity to accompany Vlautin's stories.

Richmond Fontaine is at their best on the album's first two tracks. "The Longer You Wait" paints a remarkably full picture of an estranged couple in only a few lines, while "Barely Losing" accomplishes the same but in showing simple happiness. As for the rest of the album, "Post to Wire" and "Through" would be radio singles in a better world - catchy tunes with accessible and relatively light lyrics. "Polaroid" and "Two Broken Hearts" are sad but strong songs.

Unlike most reviewers here, I don't give 5 stars out very often. "Post to Wire" misses out on a fifth star because of a few missteps where the band strays too far from their strengths by trying to "rock out" or be too moody and mellow. Maybe this works better live (if the band toured more I could tell you), but the album doesn't flow in a way that keeps you from skipping around. Still, two-thirds of the songs here are gems, and it's the best of the many albums I've bought in 2004 so far.

In The Winner's Circle.......2004-08-20

While Alt-Country darlings Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, et al, have long since lost the trail forged by Bands like Green On Red, and posers like Ryan Adams, spend more time preening in front of the mirror than working on their craft, RICHMOND FONTAINE is still running the race...AND winning. POST TO WIRE may be their finest effort yet in a catalogue of exquisite, if rarely heard CDs. Willie Vaultin continues to write the most literate, ocassionally chilling, character driven, four minute vinettes this side of Chuck Prophet (speaking of Green On Red). And the band's brand of Petal Steel laden atmospherics provide the best definition yet for "Alt-Country", whatever THAT'S suppose to mean. Our never ending need to catogorize and pidgeon-hole, springs from our self-serving desire to impress each other with our infinite knowledge, until we genre, sub-genre and sub-sub-genre ourselves into a musical intellectual wasteland. So here's a tout from "Gar's College of Musical Knowledge"; label it anyway you want, RICHMOND FONTAINE'S POST TO WIRE is the real thing. Take it from the horse's mouth.

Home Run.......2004-08-16

Listening to Post to Wire is the audio equivalent of the ultimate fantasy baseball world series...Songwriter Willie Vlautin, in confident Cy Young mode, throwing strangely beautiful curveball songs to his band who, in perfect Babe Ruth response, smirk, point to the stands, and drive each song home with a confident swagger. Both teams-and us fans-are the winners.

Possibly Best Americana Album of 04.......2004-07-20

I know it's early and great things may still be released by many reputable bands, yet this album deserves distinct and strong recognition, as expressed on the title of this review.
Willy Vlautin and the rest of Richmond Fontaine have managed to put together an absolute beauty of a album, gorgeous country ballads and rocking chronicles of forgotten people through the land.
Imagine if Raymond Carver, still young, had decided to form a band and sing about what he was beginning to see, rather than writing exquisite short-stories.
The comparison is particularly poignant in the interludes between songs -referred as "postcards" on tracks 4,6,9&13- but it's not limited to these short tellings. Exquisite examples of Richmond Fontayne's weary wisdon and weathered compassion are "Barely Losing," "Two Broken Hearts," "Hallway," "Polaroid," or "Valediction,"
Vlautin may not be the only person out there who's seen what life can do to some people, people who did not deserve the lack of luck they were dealt, yet Vlautin has the rare gift of crafting words and melodies for what he sees that makes the misery and the loss, sheer poetry.

Average customer rating: Timeless Post to Wire is a WINNER! Lovely, melodic electronia IT IS A VERY SMALL WORLD!! IT IS A VERY SMALL WORLD!!

Post to Wire Heather Duby Manufacturer: Sub Pop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Heather Duby Symbient ASIN: B00001QEFG Release Date: 1999-10-19

Tracks:

1. Judith
2. Kensington Place
3. You Loved Me
4. Falter
5. For Jeffrey
6. A Healthy Fear Of Monsters
7. September
8. Halo Sky
9. Soulflower
10. Amygdala

Amazon.com

Sub Pop Records in Seattle was the originator of grunge rock; in the years since Nirvana's rise, the label has focused on diversifying with topnotch talent in all fields. Producer Steve Fisk has emerged as a secret weapon, collaborating with artists to ensure that their sound is unique yet not overwhelmed by intrusive arrangements. Heather Duby is a Portland native who moved to Seattle to work with acts such as Evil Tambourines and Maktub. Duby established a relationship with Fisk, trading tapes and working out the schematics of what's become this texturally rich, subliminally somber song cycle. British singer Beth Orton has beaten everyone to the punch commercially, lining folk tunes with trip-hop beats, but while Duby works in similar fashion, the outcome is closely hewed to the 4AD label's line of gothic psychedelia. The tunes work together to form a feeling not unlike that of traipsing through an old, drafty Victorian house with the black lights and lava lamps on overdrive. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

Timeless.......2003-12-22

Heather Duby's soulful tunes are amazing and wonderful. I have had her CD for a few years and it is a keeper.The music is truely a timeless body of work. Go out and purchase you will not be disappointed!

Post to Wire is a WINNER!.......2003-07-24

One word; one song title: September. This song is so cool it gives me chills just thinking about it. Heather Duby's voice is great and gothic and sexy and wow. This entire disc is really terrific. It's Sarah M. with a drum 'n base/electronicky vibe. It's got tons of texture, dark and brooding-like. It could be background music for a modern day Hounds of Baskerville mystery. Definitely check it out.

Lovely, melodic electronia.......2002-09-17

If you like Dot Allison, Delirium, Lisa Gerrard, or Mandalay, you'll like Heather Duby. Electronica, with an etheral female vocalist, and a subdued beat. Really more chill out music, than club music.

IT IS A VERY SMALL WORLD!!.......2001-07-05

Congrats Heather...this is an old friend that you have not talked to in an extremely long time. Does Ed Davis ring a bell?? Well this is his old friend John. Just want to say great cd and look foreward to your new release. It looks like your beautiful voice has taken you places that people only dream of. Keep the ball rolling and reach for the stars. caio!!

IT IS A VERY SMALL WORLD!!.......2001-07-05

Great cd, congrat's to you Heather...this is an old friend that you have not talked to in an extremely long time. Does Ed Davis ring a bell, well, this is his old buddy John... I was totally surprised to see your success and am impressed to say the least. It looks like your beautiful voice is taking you places that people only dream of. Looking foreward to your new release and possibly look foreward to hearing your voice again. Keep the ball rolling and reach for the sky.......caio!

Average customer rating: Improving vocals One of the top albums of 2004 Ignore the last two reviews--The Standard are the real deal Goat Boy What's all the fuss? Not close to Radiohead, no comparison

Wire Post to Wire The Standard Manufacturer: Yep Roc Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Albatross Not Exotic ASIN: B0001HOX2S Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

1. Metropolitan
2. Even Numbers
3. Ghosts For Hire
4. Runway Week
5. Folk Song
6. Unicorns and Chemicals
7. Monks In New Jersey
8. A Black Machine
9. Jumprope In Hell

Customer Reviews:

Improving vocals.......2004-09-26

August grew on me slowly until I was listening to it nearly every other day and I have a strong suspicion that I'll wear out Wire Post to Wire in a matter of weeks. Where as the vocals were previously restricted to either panicky or exhausted tones, Tim Putnam sings a little more confidently this time around. It is not a groundbreaking effort, but any emotional range is huge for a dude that always sounded defeated or like he was running from something.

Half of the bands out there could take a lesson from The Standard's cohesiveness as a collective. The comparisons to the prog-rock elite here come from their ability to play as a band (yes, with a keyboard included) and demonstrate their talent without separating into some kind of self-gratifying solo.

One of the top albums of 2004.......2004-07-06

One of my favorite albums of last year, Dolorean's - Not Exotic, led me to this recording. I discovered through their website that not only did they love this band, but their keyboard player layed down the piano tracks on their new record. That seemed to be a good enough reason to seek it out at my local independent store. When I went to go buy it they didn't have a copy left, which was also completely shocking. The store owner told me he had played a promo of the new record and sold all 5 copies that he had that same day. Thinking that no one else would have it, I went home and just downloaded it. I was completely blown away from beginning to end. Songs like "Metropolitan," "Unicorns and Chemicals," and "Runway Week" are sure to make many people's mix tapes in the coming months, and the rest of the album is nothing to scoff at. A dark and melancholy masterpiece that is a must buy and one of top albums of the year. (Oh and I did buy this record later on).

Ignore the last two reviews--The Standard are the real deal.......2004-07-04

The Standard are something to behold--dense arrangements and really awe-inspiring musicianship. Wire Post to Wire rewards repeated listens like no album I've heard in ages. They don't have any easy points of reference, "prog" is unfair and Radiohead seems like a meaningless comparison, except to say that both bands understand the power of dynamics have amazingly ambitious visions compared to their peers. But I will say if give the album a few spins you'll "get" what they are doing.

I saw them in Baltimore earlier this year where they played to about 12 people on a brutally cold Monday night. Not remarkable. What was truly remarkable was that when I saw them a week later in DC (where the crowd was much better) I saw about six people who had made the 50 mile drive to see them again just a week later. They are that good live.

So please ignore any ad hominem critiques of the singer (*sigh* I guess that's his cross to bear for having a unique and expressive voice) and obviously casual dissmissals.

Goat Boy.......2004-06-11

I saw this band open for McClusky and Oceansize in Seattle. The singer is annoying (hence the title line). Their instrumental bits are good, yet nothing transcendent. Well below average. Buyer beware of being bored by this band.

What's all the fuss? Not close to Radiohead, no comparison.......2004-06-02

I don't get what everyone is praising.
Sounds like Interpol meets Joy Division...
No emotion... no range.
Interesting, but I would definately point out that this is not forging a new path. Nothing but a step back into the retro days, and there are enough bands who do it a lot better to be happy with.
bottom line- uninspired and rewound... defined, yet interesting, but definately not a must for a good cd collection...

Average customer rating: Very Catchy Moth - Immune to Gravity This album deserves to be huge!

Immune to Gravity Moth Manufacturer: High Wire Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Provisions, Fiction and Gear Postcards from Machine Blood on the Slacks Favourite Worst Nightmare Grinderman ASIN: B000ENUL5W Release Date: 2006-03-21

Tracks:

1. Helpless
2. Revolution
3. Girl On Girl
4. Sticks And Stones
5. Perfect
6. Supermodel
7. Immune To Gravity
8. Constantly On
9. Put Her Down
10. Shock City
11. How Could You?

Customer Reviews:

Very Catchy.......2007-04-03

I like this album even more than Provisions, Fiction, and Gear. It's very melodic and the songs stay with you throughout the day. I think Immune to Gravity is the finest track on the album... however, this is one of the few albums that I listen to entirely. There are no throw-away tracks on this one.

Moth - Immune to Gravity.......2006-03-26

The album is great. Better than most new bands out there. Haven't had a chance to see the live shows but will soon. Anyways go out and get this album. You won't regret it.

This album deserves to be huge!.......2006-03-23

First off you have to see these guys live, they put on one of the best live shows I have seen! Secondly after listening to this record you will not want to do anything else but see these guys live! Moth have succeed in creating an album that both sounds raw as an early Devo record but with a beautiful production value that perfectly preserves their music's energy and live sound on disc. Brad's lyrics are witty and precise while the music is diverse and powerful. In my option there are so many bands out there that get close but these guys get it. The tightness of the group, Kevin's drums and Eli's bass lines, The Billionaire and Brad's guitars seemed like they have been playing with each other since birth. The opener "Helpless" sets a tone that so many other albums I have purchased have been able to reach maybe on that first track, but this album delivers from beginning to end. Let it be known this is no fluke for this band as they have done the time and time again prior to this release, but with the present line up and the present energy you can't help but wonder if in a very short time these sounds will be reverberating through every single 13 - 75 year olds stereo's! "Immune to Gravity" filled me with the excitement I first had getting into music digging through my parents records hearing something that although you could label it rock, or post-punk or pop you just knew it was freaking amazingly good.

Average customer rating: A very mixed musical bag . . .

The Avengers & other 60's TV Themes Various Artists Manufacturer: Sbme Castle Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Josephs, Wilfred | ( J ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Waxman | Waxman, Franz | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music 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 General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005Y1MW Release Date: 2002-02-05

Tracks:

1. The Avengers - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
2. Thunderbirds - The Barry Gray Orchestra
3. Dr. Who - Eric Winstone And His Orchestra
4. Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr. Hitler? - Bud Flanagan
5. Theme from Z-Cars - Johnny Keating & His Orchestra
6. The Saint - Cyril Stapleton & The Eliminators
7. Department S - The Cyril Stapleton Orchestra
8. Crossroads Theme - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
9. Lucky Stars - Peter Knight & The Nightriders
10. Light Flight (Theme from 'Take Three Girls') - Pentagle
11. Stingray - Gary Miller
12. High Wire (Theme from 'Danger Man') - The Bob Leaper Orchestra
13. The Champions - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
14. Forsyte Saga Theme - Cyril Stapleton, His Choir & Orchestra
15. A Little Suite - The Les Reed Strings
16. Fireball XL 5 - The Flee-reekers
17. Maigret Theme - The Eagles
18. No Hiding Place - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
19. The Fugitive Theme - John Schroeder Orchestra
20. W Somerset Maugham - The Cyril Stapleton Orchestra

Tracks:

1. How Soon - Jackie Trent
2. Mr Rose - Roy Budd
3. The Doctors - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
4. Theme from Sam Benedict - Johnny Keating & His Orchestra
5. Ben Casey - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
6. Sir Francis Drake - The Piccadilly Strings
7. Perry Mason - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
8. Our House - The Piccadilly Strings
9. Latin Quarter - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
10. Ghost Squad - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
11. Our Love Story - Sounds Orchestral
12. Theme from 'The Naked City' (Somewhere in the Night) - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
13. Sucu Sucu - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
14. Casablanca - Kenny Ball & His Orchestra
15. Carlos' Theme - Johnny Keating
16. The Deputy - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra
17. Man Alive - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
18. Memories of Sumer (From TV series 'Love Story') - The Tony Hatch Orchestra
19. That's Me Over Here (Ronnie Corbett's Theme) - Cyril Stapleton
20. Theme from 'Peyton Place' - Jack Dorsey Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

A very mixed musical bag . . ........2004-05-14

This recording is a primarily a collection of themes, and music from British television programs, from the 60's and early 70's. These are not the original recordings, but updated versions recorded presumably just for this compilation. Most of the music is performed by various orchestras, including those led by Laurie Johnson, Barry Gray and Tony Hatch. Being from TV, the pieces are mostly short, and are taken from various kinds of programs including comedies, dramas, and adventure/action type shows. There is great variety in the sounds you hear, and there really isn't an overall "theme" to this collection of themes. The rather detailed CD notes provide informative background and some vintage photos.

Music from programs that made it to America, like The Avengers, The Saint, or Danger Man/Secret Agent Man, may be familiar to American listeners, but unless you have been exposed to British television, much of this music will be unfamiliar. There are also some themes from American TV, like Perry Mason, The Fugitive, Peyton Place and Ben Casey, which may be recognizable.

Taken for what they are, some pieces are well done. For those who favor upbeat, action type themes, there is High Wire from Danger Man, the twangy Maigret's theme, and the themes from Riviera Police and Department S. The version of the theme from the Avengers, performed by original composer Laurie Main's orchestra, is stirring, as you would expect. The same cannot be said for the disappointing version of the theme from The Saint. There are a few vocal tracks as well, such as the rousing Stingray, sung by Gary Miller. Many pleasant and easy to listen to tunes such as Roy Budd's Mr. Rose, and the themes from M. Somerset Maughham and Dr. Findlay's Casebook can be found.

Though there will probably be something here for everyone, such a mixed musical bag makes a general recommendation most difficult. For most, the purchase of this set is very much a roll of the dice. If the track list does not look familiar, you might want to look elsewhere.

Average customer rating: Hood shows his melodic side

Wire to Wire Robert Hood Manufacturer: Peacefrog ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00009KTVE Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

1. Make a Wish
2. The Game
3. Upon a Millennial Moment
4. Interior suspect
5. Slightly
6. Fragile Moments
7. High Plaines Drifter
8. The Age of Eleven
9. The Wire
10. Aural 512

Album Description

From the opening bars of "Make a Wish" the lead track on Robert Hood's new long player Wire to Wire, you know you're in for a musical treat. Robert's long association with the `minimal sound' is well documented and rightly so - his Minimal Nation on Jeff Mills' Axis label is still considered the benchmark for the genre nearly 8 or so years on. But Robert is definitely no one trick pony, his rare and beautiful Nighttime World on Cheap is a beautiful concoction of jazzy electronics still sought after by many non techno / electronic music fans today.

Wire to Wire manages to flirt with both of these timeless classics while still remaining fresh and original - from the beautiful & ethereal "Make A Wish", "Slightly", and "Fragile Moments", to the haunting and eerie hip hop beats of "The Game" or the dubbed out futurism of "Upon A Millennial Moment", Wire to Wire certainly give us a glimpse into Robert's electronic prowess. A perfectly balanced album to be enjoyed either at home or in a club.

Customer Reviews:

Hood shows his melodic side.......2004-01-18

Easily the best release on the Peacefrog label in 2003, and for longer in my view. This Robert Hood album is nothing like his material on his other Peacefrog album 'Point Blank', or most of his stuff.

Hood is best known for his tough, rigid techno style, but 'Wire to Wire' is totally different.

It is beautiful, melodic, listening techno with wonderful synth melodies on most tracks. This album is clearly a vehicle for Hood to express his more gentle side of techno.

It most reminded me of John Beltran's 'Ten Days of Blue' and Beltran's 'Indio' project. But this surpasses them in my view, and that's a tough thing to do. I haven't heard a Peacefrog album this exceptional since Detroit Escalator Company's 'Excerpts'. But most releases on Peacefrog are very good, so that will tell you how superb this is.

Anyone into ambient, electronica, techno, and electro should get this album.

Music Album:

1. Women of Country [Import]
2. 2:30am
3. 80's Country: 1988-1990
4. A Proper Introduction to Lefty Frizzell: Shine Shave Shower
5. American Dreams
6. American III: Solitary Man
7. Anne Murray
8. Anthology 1968-1979
9. Best of Cash and Nelson
10. Border Lord

Music Album