Lights [Import]

1. Many Classic Moments

2. Merry Go Round

3. What's The Justice?

4. Genesis Of Next

5. Come Into Existance

6. Japanese Title

7. Try This Shoot

8. Stop! In The Name Of Love

9. Lights Brought The Future

10. Fade In2

Lights,Globe,Avex Trax,World Music

Average customer rating: Freedom Never Cries !!! Unexpected As good as in concert Outstanding! Best album in years!

Two Lights Five for Fighting Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Battle For Everything America Town Continuum How To Save A Life Let Love In ASIN: B000G6BLFG Release Date: 2006-08-01

Tracks:

1. Freedom Never Cries
2. World
3. California Justice
4. The Riddle
5. Two Lights
6. 65 Mustang
7. I Just Love You
8. Policeman's Xmas Party
9. Road To Heaven
10. Johnny America

Amazon.com

On his third disc, the one-man musical marvel known as Five for Fighting proves yet again that all that's standing between him and peace of mind--not the fleeting kind, but full-on, to-the-bone, heart-and soul-cleansing peace of mind--is a song. Two Lights picks up where America Town left off, diving smack-dab into the national consciousness and hitting, predictably, a sorrowful spot. First track "Freedom Never Cries" is a self-skewering lament that calls out to complacent countrymen by way of confession and an artful, piano-enhanced weighing of consequence. It's followed by "World," which reminds unpreachily, and not unpleasantly, that "history starts now." Where Two Lights better resembles 2004's hugely successful The Battle for Everything is in its more inward-looking tracks, the tender first single "The Riddle" among them. There, and on the near criminally pretty "I Just Love You," the mush-hearted may find themselves fighting the urge to hug the closest stranger. But despite his now-dependable dips into mopiness, John Ondrasik--Five for Fighting to you and the rest of the world--doesn't deny himself the opportunity to rock when he wants to. If anything makes this guy happy, it's the state of California: on "California Justice," he kicks off his shoes and works on his tan like a latter-day Beach Boy from the dark side, and "'65 Mustang" rambles down the coast with the kind of carefree vibe that, outside of a song, only a convertible can deliver. --Tammy La Gorce

More from Five for Fighting

Message for Albert

America Town

The Battle for Everything

Customer Reviews:

Freedom Never Cries !!!.......2007-07-16

I love this cd!!! Freedom never cries has so much patriotism in it for america!! Is it me or does he like mustangs? He refers to cars in his music almost as much as Bruce Springsteen does.

Unexpected.......2007-07-07

I finally bought this CD after hearing The Riddle a long time ago on the radio. I loved that song and so I was really excited when I finally got around to buying the CD. I went home and put it on my ipod right away, but I ended up being dissapointed by a lot of the songs. Some of the songs were good like The World, but none of them were really like The Riddle, so I suggest that if you are considering buying the CD for that one song, DONT! Just go and download it online (leagally please^_^) because most likely, (if you're like me at least) you wont like the rest of the CD as much as the one song.

As good as in concert.......2007-05-30

The whole cd was awesome!! The songs that were sung at his concert from the cd, were just as good live as they were on the cd. One of the few performers who don't lose anything from cd to concert. I have friends that have listened to the cd and love it as well. They have now gone out and bought their own copies for Five for Fighting.

Outstanding!.......2007-05-12

Great cd! Just saw Five for Fighting in concert three nights ago. Excellent.

Best album in years!.......2007-05-12

Since I began seriously listening to music back in the 60's, it seems that only rarely would an album come out where virtually every song was a winner. A few such albums come quickly to mind, including the Beatles, CS&N, and James Taylor. Five for Fighting's "Two Lights" is unquestionably such an album. In fact, I can't even remember an album that grew on me so quickly as did this one. It rivals, if not surpasses, anything JT, for example, ever put out, and I may be JT's #1 fan. This CD is nothing short of spectacular, a true collector's item.

Average customer rating: "My best friend's a butcher, he has sixteen knives." This album has 286 5 star reviews and it's still comes up as a 4 star album!!!!!!! It's like learning a new language... freaking love this album If Edgar Allen Poe were alive and wrote music now....

Turn On the Bright Lights Interpol Manufacturer: Matador Records 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 Indie & Lo Fi | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Our Love to Admire Franz Ferdinand Sam's Town You Could Have It So Much Better Is This It ASIN: B00006BTCA Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

1. Untitled
2. Obstacle 1
3. NYC
4. PDA
5. Say Hello To The Angels
6. Hands Away
7. Obstacle 2
8. Stella Was A Diver And She Was Always Down
9. Roland
10. The New
11. Leif Erikson

Amazon.com

Interpol create literate, atmospheric, moody, trashy post-punk music that recalls '80s faves the Psychedelic Furs. And this is definitely a good thing. While most young bands are content to rhyme "make it" with "fake it," Interpol pens melodramatic tales of tortured and tortuous urban relationships that are truly refreshing. Like their peers the Strokes, they're bright, sophisticated, and meticulous enough to build stirring soundscapes. Turn On the Bright Lights is a must for anyone who missed Echo & the Bunnymen, the Furs, and Joy Division the first time around. --Dominic Wills

Album Description

Australian version of the absolutely stunning full-length debut from New York's Interpol. Think Joy Division meets Psychedelic Furs, Echo & the Bunnymen and the Smiths. Includes the bonus track, 'Specialist'. Matador. 2002.

Album Details

The Stunning Debut Album that Incorporates So Many Postpunk Influences: Joy Division, Television, Morrissey, . Includes the Bonus Track "Specialist".

Customer Reviews:

"My best friend's a butcher, he has sixteen knives.".......2007-07-13

Interpol makes music with repetitious guitars and bass accompanied by slightly off-kilter vocals delivering nonsense lyrics. It's better than that sounds, but maybe not as great as some critics would think. Turn On the Bright Lights is a fun album to listen to. It's never boring, and they create some deeply affecting melodies that are really quite enjoyable. There's rarely a dull moment throughout. I just really don't see how it's much better than similarly catchy/non-varied music that is labeled as punk and generally ignored. Interpol is about as good as that general kind of music gets, but I think they get a ton of acclaim because they sound more mysterious, not because they're actually that superior musically.

The first track is my favorite. The piano blends with the guitar and works well with the rest of the sounds. "Obstacle 1" is a good single, since it encapsulates their sound quite well and is one of the better songs. "NYC" is a slower song and fairly enjoyable. "PDA" is another good single that represents the band well. The thing is, most of the songs do a good job here, because they all sound pretty similar. "Obstacle 2" has catchy vocals and nice interaction with the instruments. Towards the end there are a couple tracks over six minutes long that show a bit more range from the band as they experiment a little. "Roland" might be the hardest track, with a good riff in the chorus. All in all, not a whole lot about the album really stands out from the rest but it is a consistent, good album.

This album has 286 5 star reviews and it's still comes up as a 4 star album!!!!!!!.......2007-07-09

Ok , the title says it all , nuff said. This is one the greatest albums i've ever heard in my life , it flows perfectly from start to end and the musicianship is outstanding. Why is it still only 4 stars , why????!!

It's like learning a new language..........2007-05-29

For the longest time I kept telling myself I really oughta write a nice review for Interpol on Amazon, and tonight's the night. This is my ode to TURN ON THE BRIGHT LIGHTS by the amazing New York band Interpol. I had bought the CD the year it came out and decided to take it with me on a road trip from LA to Vegas. I should say I absolutely dread driving to Vegas, most Angelenos do. What is supposed to be a 3-hour trip usually turns out to be a 5-hour bumper to bumper nightmare and the road leading to Sin City is not exactly scenic, with nothin' but desert and all, I mean, how many cactus can one admire in an endless open field of cactuses? But I sensed this trip was different, and I knew the instant I heard the opening track to this flawless debut of an album.

What's more, with each song I grew increasingly interested in the music and slowly drifted from my environment, finding myself enjoying the ride. The road rage that I had started slipping away with each passing of familiar street signs. Imagine a perfect harmony of landscape blended with poetry for my ears. Surely this can't be one of the rare albums that I can listen to throughout its entirety, I pondered, and anticipated. In the end I wasn't let down. With each repeated listen (that's the trick I think, one would have to give this multiple consecutive hearings in order to fully appreciate it), I realized I started developing feelings for the album.

Feelings?

Ah, but let me tell you why.

Each song tells a story, and when I'm told a story, I want it to be as intoxicating, as dreamy and as atmospheric as each song is on this album. It evokes a mood that's long lost along with childhood, the mood of being afloat, being weightless, being innocent with a sense of discovery. As soon as you hear the opening words, you'll know you're being transferred to a place where you wish time stood still. It's mesmerizing, this album, to say the least. And it is dark, and ambient, and very moody, in all good sense of the words. It is music that evokes the very feelings in me, the longing, the fears, the hopes and the dreams. Whenever I'm in a bad mood or have had a tough day, I play this album and instantly feel better. It has over the years become my best friend, my confidant, my haven, a way to relax and enjoy this thing called life. This album is excellent throughout and that's how one should listen to it, in its entirety, but like anybody else I have my own personal favorites:

The beautifully lush opener "Untitled" really paints a picture for the rest of the album. This song makes me want to renew old friendships with long neglected school chums, "I will surprise you sometime, I'll come round.." It reminds me of the carefree, more fearless days of my youth.

"Obstacle 1" and "PDA" were singles I had heard on the radio that propelled me to buy the album. Both are fast with great guitar and drums. I thought if the rest of the songs sound like the two, it'd be money well spent. Turns out I got every pennies' worth and then some. This record really was the best 13-dollar investment I've ever made.

An early favorite is "Hands Away." This is perhaps the most melodic, most hypnotic song on the album. I was cast under its spell upon hearing the beginning riffs. "Will you put my hands away, will you be my man?..." This song is kinda like "Untitled" in that there are only a handful of lyrics to both the songs but the impact they'll hit you with is immeasurable.

My absolute favorite song in the Interpol catalogue is the wonderfully sexually blatant, yet tender and romantic 7-minute opus called "Stella Was a Diver and She's Always Down." It's flawless, this song. There is not a part in this epic song that I don't like. From the music to the lyrics, it's like a dream, and a nice way of spending seven minutes of one's day, loving "Stella" the way Paul Banks does:

"when she walks down the street, she knows there's people watching
building fronts are just fronts, to hide the people watching her
she once fell through the street, down the man hole in that bad way
the underground drip, was just like her scuba days..."

The last song on the album is called "Leif Erikson" and I find out he's one of the first European settlers to set foot in the States. I don't know what that has to do with the song really, cos to me this song conjures up all kinds of notions and ideals of romance. From Paul's voice and the lyrics to the dreamy surreal atmosphere of the drums and guitars, this the most mesmerizing song of all:

"she says it helps with the lights out
her rabid glow is like braille to the night
she feels that my sentimental side should be held with kids gloves
she doesn't know that I left my urge in the ice box
she swears I'm just prey for the female
well then hook me up and pull me babycakes
cause I like to get hooked

the clock is set for nine but you know you're gonna make it eight
so that you can take some time and teach each other to reciprocate..."

If you're still reading this then tonight's the night. Get romanced by a lil' Interpol and who knows, maybe you'll start harboring feelings too.

Afterall, they're nothing more than feelings.

freaking love this album.......2007-05-18

I got into Interpol by seeing them at a few festivals in 2004... and after they joined the Curiosa festival I was hooked. They are an amazing band, and if this isn't a perfect first album, I don't know what is. And they keep getting better and better.

I just saw them in Las Vegas and they did about four of their new songs off the upcoming album - and everything sounds fabulous! This is going to be a great year for this band.

If Edgar Allen Poe were alive and wrote music now...........2007-02-12

For some reason, whenever I hear this cd I think of Poe. The lyrics are creepy but also beautiful, which is why I think it reminds me of him. I didn't instantly love this album, but the more I listen to it, the more I like it. It's not something catchy that quickly becomes annoying; it's quite the opposite. My favorite tracks are Untitled, NYC, PDA and Obstacle 1, but the album works better together than apart, in my opinion. I think some people might find Antics easier to listen to (it's faster paced), but there's something about this cd that draws me to repeat listenings. If you're looking for something different than what you hear on the radio now, I'd recommend giving this a try.

Average customer rating: A Great Chance of Pace Can't Sit Down

Salvation in Lights Mike Farris Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Live, Vol. 1 & 2 Our World: Fallen S.O.S.: Save Our Soul ( Amazon Exclusive with Bonus Track ) Good to Go-Go Indiana (with Bonus Disc) - Amazon.com Exclusive ASIN: B000QEIM9G Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Sit Down Servant
2. Streets Of Galilee
3. Oh Mary Don't You Weep
4. Precious Lord Take My Hand
5. Change Is Gonna Come
6. Devil Don't Sleep
7. Can't No Grave Hold My Body Down
8. Selah! Selah!
9. Take Me (I'll Take You There)
10. The Lonely Road
11. I'm Gonna Get There

Amazon.com

Those who remember Mike Farris as the frontman for '90s hard rockers the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies will do a double take when they hear this unexpectedly moving comeback. The singer has radically overhauled his image, shifting from gin-soaked frontman to gospel shouter on this roof-raising release. What hasn't changed is Farris's powerful voice, even more potent since he cleaned up from various excesses in 2004. While the appropriately titled Salvation in Lights is a drastic musical departure from his previous band's swaggering, boozy approach, it's also a logical use of his soulful vocals and candid personality. The singer delivers the goods on a handful of rearranged traditionals such as "Oh Mary Don't You Weep," but when he rips into Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," the song shimmers with a passion that nearly matches the original, and that's saying a lot. The oozing, swampy "Devil Don't Sleep," the restrained funker "Can't No Grave Hold My Body Down," and the Memphis-thumping "Selah! Selah!" add to the rousing, rootsy R&B groove. Farris is unexpectedly convincing throughout and obviously inspired as he keeps the faith on this stirring but not preachy album. He's accompanied by horns and a tough yet restrained band with righteous female backing vocals that perfectly position these tunes between heaven and earth. He testifies on his Staples Singers cover that he wants to "take you there," and by the time the album closes with "I'm Gonna Get There," you'll gladly follow wherever he leads. --Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews:

A Great Chance of Pace.......2007-07-17

This is a great change of pace if you like blues type music. Very refreshing.

Can't Sit Down.......2007-07-02

What an incredible album. Traditional and original gospel music that is wrapped Blues, Soul, and the sounds of New Orleans. Good start to finish. Give it a listen, and like the opening tune say's.... I bet you Can't Sit Down!

Average customer rating: Rare Nirvana Incredible for sheer variety Stellar Collection Of Rarities In High-Quality Sound . . . Nirvana box set AMAZING!!

With The Lights Out Nirvana Manufacturer: Geffen Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Grunge | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: MTV Unplugged in New York (Nirvana) In Utero Incesticide Journals From the Muddy Banks of The Wishkah ASIN: B00065XJ4S Release Date: 2004-11-23

Tracks:

1. Heartbreaker (Live, 1987)
2. Anorexorcist (Radio Performance, 1987)
3. White Lace And Strange (Radio Performance, 1987)
4. Help Me I'm Hungry (Radio Performance, 1987)
5. Mrs. Butterworth
6. If You Must
7. Pen Cap Chew
8. Downer (Live, 1988)
9. Floyd The Barber (Live, 1988)
10. Raunchola/Moby Dick (Live, 1988)
11. Beans (Solo Acoustic, 1988)
12. Don't Want It All
13. Clean Up Before She Comes
14. Polly
15. About A Girl
16. Blandest
17. Dive
18. They Hung Him On A Cross
19. Grey Goose
20. Ain't It A Shame
21. Token Eastern Song
22. Even In His Youth
23. Polly

Tracks:

1. Opinion
2. Lithium
3. Been A Son
4. Sliver
5. Where Did You Sleep Last Night
6. Pay To Play
7. Here She Comes Now
8. Drain You
9. Aneurysm
10. Smells Like Teen Spirit
11. Breed
12. Verse Chorus Verse
13. Old Age
14. Endless, Nameless
15. Dumb
16. D-7
17. Oh The Guilt
18. Curmudgeon
19. Return Of The Rat
20. Smells Like Teen Spirit

Tracks:

1. Rape Me
2. Rape Me
3. Scentless Apprentice
4. Heart Shaped Box
5. I Hate Myself And I Want To Die
6. Milk It
7. M.V.
8. Gallons Of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through The Strip
9. The Other Improv
10. Serve The Servants
11. Very Ape
12. Pennyroyal Tea
13. Marigold
14. Sappy
15. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam
16. Do Re Mi
17. You Know You're Right
18. All Apologies

Amazon.com

Nirvana may have been the biggest thing in the music world in the early '90s, but the trio maintained an uncommon devotion to core fans who knew them when they were still sleeping in a van. Fending off the adoration of punk-rock dabblers in the media and their audience while simultaneously welcoming stalwart underground-music supporters, Kurt Cobain did things on his own terms--until it all came crashing down. A decade after Cobain's 1994 suicide and the band's demise, With the Lights Out remains true to the ethos that defined the band and the alt-rock revolution that rose and fell with them.

Eschewing the standard hits-sprinkled-with-rarities mix, this lovingly compiled three-CD, one-DVD collection is made up almost entirely of previously unreleased selections. The handful of previously heard tracks are obscurities along the lines of the group's cover of "Here She Comes Now," recorded for a 1990 indie-rock tribute to the Velvet Underground. But it's not the B-sides and compilation oddities that define this idiosyncratic set; rather, its spirit is captured in the bedroom demos, radio performances, and sloppy amateur video recordings that catch Cobain and cohorts developing from just another punk- and metal-inspired bunch of grunge rockers pounding away in the bass player's mom's living room into a band that defined an era. --Steven Stolder

Album Description

The box set spans Nirvana's entire career, from a recording of Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker" at the band's first show in 1987 to solo acoustic performances from singer-guitarist Kurt Cobain in 1994. With The Lights Out features a 60-page color booklet with rare photos and liner notes by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and writer Neil Strauss. The three CDs, arranged largely chronologically contains home and rehearsal demos, including for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (whose lyric "With the lights out" provides the set's title), "Rape Me," "Heart Shaped Box" and a trio penned by legendary bluesman Leadbelly. Heard in the 12 previously unreleased solo acoustic tracks are such gems as "All Apologies," "Lithium" and "Sliver." Six previously unreleased radio performances range from "Anorexorcist" in 1987 to "Dumb" in 1991 (two years before it was on 1993's In Utero). Along with the remaining debuts are a handful of earlier issued, though rare, b-sides and demos as well as the original Butch Vig mix of "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Highlighted on the With The Lights Out DVD is a previously unreleased video of nine songs performed in 1988 at bassist Krist Novoselic's mother's house in Aberdeen, Washington; the rare "In Bloom" Sub Pop music video, and 10 never-before-seen live performances. Noteworthy among them are debut renditions of "Pennyroyal Tea", "Smells Like Teen Spirit" both from early 1991. Also premiering is an unlikely performance of Jacques Brel and Rod McKuen's "Seasons In The Sun" shot at a Rio de Janeiro studio.

Customer Reviews:

Rare Nirvana.......2007-06-19

This was the Box Set that Nirvana fans had been waiting for. With it's release they were not disappointed. The Box Set is arranged chronologically, with demos, song outtakes, and studio mixes from Nirvana's career. My personal highlights include the Leadbelly cover Ain't It a Shame, the Nevermind Outakes of Old Age and Verse, Chorus Verse, and the last demo ever recorded by Cobain called Do Re Mi. Some of this makes you realize that some of Cobain's strongest work was never released. Old Age had top 40 potential if it would have been completed. Do Re Mi has a beautiful melody and beatleesque tone. My only regret is that some of the demos did not belong on here due to their roughness. This space might have been better filled perhaps with Nirvana's radio performances or concert performances. The DVD also contained rare Nirvana footage. However, I was disappointed it didn't contain more of Nirvana's T.V. performances or scenes from their In Utero tour. Overall this is a great resource for any Nirvana fan who wants to dig deeper into this band.

Incredible for sheer variety.......2007-05-06

I like the demos a lot, I am a songwriter myself and they remind me that even Kurt Cobain figured out his songs on his own. As far as some having a problem with no b sides, most of the B sides you wanted are on this! Including D-7, Even In His Youth, I Hate Myself And I Want To Die, Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol, Marigold, Moist Vagina, Curmudgeon, Verse Chorus Verse, Aneurysm, with the only missing songs being Spank Thru and You Know You're Right (Which I'll admit is no good that the only way you can have that song is by buying the greatest hits collection). In the Butch Vig Teen Spirit Version the guitar sounds much more like the guitars of Garbage (Vig's band) than the raw visceral guitar on the Nevermind recording.

While a B side collection would be an excellent companion piece to the Greatest Hits collection and it would be great if the company would make one, these are now probably my favorite Nirvana discs I own for the sheer rawness of the recordings. Nirvana was a big fan of minimalism, and while I do not like every track, the Sage covers, Sappy, Oh The Guilt, the Here She Comes Now cover, and the White Lace And Strange cover (Proving once and for all that Cobain could actually play guitar), are some of my favorite Nirvana tracks ever.

Stellar Collection Of Rarities In High-Quality Sound . . ........2007-05-04

this says it best. three discs of previously hard-to-find Nirvana b-sides
and rarities all mastered in high-quality sound. most of these tracks were
only available on the Outcesticide releases in the '90s (with poor sound quality and terribly overpriced). at the time, this is the only access we
had to any Nirvana material of this type. most of us could not get enough of this band back in the day, so we would pay whatever we had to get it.
the first three discs are a collection of live, b-side and rare tracks in chronological order (for the most part) and the fourth disc is a DVD of
the band in December 1988 (with former drummer Chad Channing) practicing
at Chris Novoselic's house (bet his mother wasn't happy) with a Sub Pop video of "In Bloom" and other greatness. i have owned this for over two
years now, and at least one of these discs rarely ever leave my CD changer. very enjoyable. if you're even a moderate fan, get this, it is worth it !!!

Nirvana box set.......2007-03-22

Well I got this for a gift for my daughter who is a fan and she says its great!

AMAZING!!.......2007-03-17

amazing!
that's the best word to describe this..

a 3cd-1dvd box with the best from kurt-krist-grohl, in their best way...

there are no words to describe how it sounds like..
better than this, only by watching them live..


YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO IT, NO MATTER IF YOU LIKE THEM OR NOT!

Average customer rating: Cant believe this album is averaging 4 stars Lights and Sounds This is Yellowcar's best album yet! Best yet by far Great

Lights and Sounds Yellowcard Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ocean Avenue Move Along Louder Now From Under the Cork Tree One for the Kids ASIN: B000CNGCCK Release Date: 2006-01-24

Tracks:

1. Three Flights Up
2. Lights And Sounds
3. Down On My Head
4. Sure Thing Falling
5. City Of Devils
6. Rough Landing, Holly
7. Two Weeks From Twenty
8. Waiting Game
9. Martin Sheen Or JFK
10. Space Travel
11. Grey
12. Words, Hands, Hearts
13. How I Go
14. Holly Wood Died

Amazon.com

Lights and Sounds is a statement of intent: Yellowcard has grown up. Never "just kids" to begin with, the California-by-way-of-Florida quintet tackles thornier subjects than on 2003's Ocean Avenue, while taking a more ambitious approach towards their already proficient musicianship. Sean Mackin's surprisingly well integrated violin playing has always been a big part of their sound, but now they've upped the ante. Their third album doesn't just open with a pretty piano-based instrumental ("Three Flights Up"), but leads to a 25-piece orchestra, along with Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, on "How I Go." It may sound pretentious, but they make the unusual combination (pop-punk plus classical) work. On their second major label effort, Yellowcard comes across as serious to be sure--and this is nothing new--but not pretentious or silly. Affairs of the heart are as important as ever, but charismatic frontman Ryan Key has other matters on his mind. On "Two Weeks from Twenty," featuring Printz Board of the Black Eyed Peas, he sings, "We lost another one that we sent with a gun / They're gonna miss him he was two weeks from twenty." Then on "Words, Hands, Hearts," he laments, "The whole world is different now men have died." No longer bright-eyed teenagers, Yellowcard hasn't lost hope and their compassion remains boundless, but the times have changed, and so have they. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Amazon.com

Lights and Sounds is a bigger, broader album from their platinum debut album Ocean Avenue, that finds Yellowcard moving away from songs about breakups and onto more expansive themes of artifice, war, and adulthood. The guitars are tougher, the songs more intricate and encompass a wider spectrum of musical styles, which is evident in the title track.

Customer Reviews:

Cant believe this album is averaging 4 stars.......2007-06-07

If this were a bands first album, we would never hear from them again. Worst YC album to-date.

Lights and Sounds.......2007-05-31

I think it's a lot betther than most people think. Can't wait for Paper Walls.

This is Yellowcar's best album yet!.......2007-04-13

F.Y.I I am not under 13 but I just don't have an account. This album is much more mature than Ocean Avenue. This ablum has great songs that are easy to relate to. All the songs are not the same. You will hear songs with orchastras playing and other will be pure punk rock. Everyone should give this album a chance. I am sure that you will probably fall in love with YC.

Best yet by far.......2007-03-28

Like many fans, I fell in love with Yellowcard's awesome music with the release of their album, Ocean Avenue. Now with the follow-up, the newest (for now ;)) album from YC, Lights and Sounds is by far my favorite. There are plenty of good songs and NONE which I actually disliked. The thing is, I'm very picky when it comes to this kind of music, so that's saying something. My favorites have to be "Sure Thing Falling", "Rough Landing, Holly", "Waiting Game" and "Holly Wood Died". That's not all there is but you'll have to check it out for yourself!

I have to disagree with one of the past reviews that mention this would be good for fans of Coldplay and/or Keane. I for one am a huge fan of Keane and I really like some of Coldplays music, but they are nothing like YC.

If I were to compare to other bands, I might ssy fans of Simple Plan would probably like this, but all in all I think ANYONE would love YCs music when it comes down to it.

Great.......2007-02-28

this is a great cd i think this was YCs big step up now more people now about them. Best EVER

Average customer rating: Good listen... Good Soundtrack-For those who don't know the band This is a SOUNDTRACK FNL book review Friday Night Lights Easy Read

Friday Night Lights Original Soundtrack , and Various Artists Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Friday Night Lights [HD DVD] Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven Takk... Lady in the Water ASIN: B000649YAM Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

1. From West Texas
2. Your Hand In Mine
3. Our Last Days As Children
4. An Ugly Fact Of Life
5. Home
6. Sonho Dourado
7. To West Texas
8. Your Hand In Mine
9. Inside It All Feels The Same
10. Do You Ever Feel Cursed?
11. Lonely Train
12. Seagull
13. The Sky Above, The Field Below
14. A Slow Dance

Album Description

Novelist H. G. Bissinger's story about a high school football team in Texas went to the big screen with Billy Bob Thornton in the lead role. The score and background music was largely composed for the film by indie faves Explosions in the Sky, with a little help from Daniel Lanois, David Torn, and Bad Company. Producer Brian Reitzell has gone against convention in designing musical atmospheres for the film that don't conform either to the martial music generally associated with football or the C&W associated with Texas. Instead, he opted for a more autumnal, introspective sound that serves as a perfect backdrop for the film, but also stands up on its own without benefit of any other audio-visual cues.

Customer Reviews:

Good listen..........2006-04-08

If you want the great sounds you hear in the movie which gives it that emotion to go along with the ride this is the right disc. Whoever is talking about the Motley Crue and Poison songs can easily get that junk off the internet. I play it for my artists while they work all the time. Great disc.

Good Soundtrack-For those who don't know the band.......2006-03-17

Get this if you've never heard of Explosions in the Sky..Maybe, just maybe, you will be introduced to a new band that can do incredible things for you- that is if you have some sort of attention span, and respect for what beauty via audio would want to do for you!..If you are a fan however, and are looking for a good addition to your collection, steer clear, as the majority of the songs are variations on themes from their real, infinitly better albums..

This is a SOUNDTRACK.......2006-03-15

(Im going to start this by saying that the only reason that i gave it a four star instead of a five is because i dont like the other instrumental songs are inbetween EITS songs, because they are misleading. Not to mention the out of character Bad Company song....which i just couldnt get into, at all.)
If you are mad because this soundtrack doesnt have the songs from the movie, then you should have looked at the back of the album before you bought it, many soundtracks leave songs out of them, or add songs that were not in the film. True i dont believe that this lives up to the full potential of Explosions in the Sky, but it is not an EITS album, it is a soundtrack, so yeah they arent gonna play an 8-10 minute song, and thats also clear because there are 14 songs on the album, where every album by them contains from 5 to 7 tracks.
The stuff on the soundtrack is short, but it is solid, and very representative of their slow parts of their songs. I think if they tried to build and become as climactic as their other material it would only be an insult to their music. It takes time for the build up, and that makes the listener appreciate the intensity much more.
So if you like explosions in the sky, and you have all their albums, then buy this, because if you have an open mind and can see the amazing fact that a band like this would even agree to do something so out of character, i mean seriously this is a mainstream football movie, then you might be able to appreciate it. Or maybe its just not your thing, and that is completely understandable. But think about this, compare the soundtrack to this to Varsity Blues, i mean, c'mon, i was impressed.

FNL book review.......2006-03-14

Book Review

H.G Bissinger writes Friday Night Lights, which is about a football team in southern Texas. This book takes place in 1988 in Odessa, a town where high school football is the greatest source of entertainment and a town where football players dream.
This book is written like it was a documentary; it describes the town, the people the history, and the dreams. There was only two parts to Odessa and that was oil and Permian High football. Permian high football was known throughout Texas to have the highest winning percentage of all the teams in southern Texas. 20,000 people would go to a Permian high football game dress with Black and White (the Permian Panthers team colors) cheering MOJO MAGIC for the Panthers to win. Football means everything to the players and the fans.
This book takes awhile to get started; H.G Bissinger takes 2 chapters discussing the history of Odessa and the problems and struggles that happen to this town. It's not all that bad because it gives you a great detailed description of the town and the people who lived there. You also get to look at the 1988 Permian football team and the physical challenges and mental challenges it takes to play on this football team. They also had to deal with the expectations of the fans wanted to see the Permian football team win state. The fans would chant "Going to State in 88" because football meant everything to the fans as well as the senior players of the football team knowing this is their last year to win state.
When you read this book you need to understand that it is more about the town and how football plays a key role in Odessa. For example there were schools for minorities and schools for whites. The only reason why the schools in Odessa mixed was so the football team could have black athletes.
This book contains many details and events that happened in Odessa in 1988. This book was on of my favorites. Friday Night Lights give you a good description of the town that you actually feel like your actually there. If there is a book scale I give this book 9 out of 10. This is a really good book, but on the down side it very long.

Friday Night Lights Easy Read.......2006-03-14

Friday Night Lights is a very effective book describing the life of a football player at Permian high School. H.G. Bissinger really puts you right in Odessa, Texas were Permian High was located. The description of the players just sets you deeper into the story and getting to know every player made it seem like you were observing the entire Permian Tigers season in 1988.
Friday Night Lights is a nonfiction book because it is a true story and H.G. Bissinger wrote it as a journalist. A nonfiction book is fun to read because you know there is not going to be a perfect sequence of events but all unpredictable or else it would be a fairytale. The book is very realistic using specific information such as names and places. H.G. Bissinger's writing style is easy to enjoy but can get boring due to in-depth description of just about every player. The way the book was written you could never guess that H.G. Bissinger was not a football player but a journalist. Over all though Bissinger used a very simple writing style and nothing too complicated which made Friday Night Lights and easy read and who does not like that. He goes through all the major set backs and advancements that the Tiger encountered. This book did not make you feel like you were in Texas though just made you feel like you were in Permian High.
Friday Night Lights for me was a very good book because I play football. Friday Night Lights though is a very descriptive novel describing Permian High Football to the extremes, which makes it by far the best football book if not the best sports book ever written!

Average customer rating: Dark but Strong Farewell! A sombre masterpiece Just The Best Was this really Richard and Linda's best? Great folk rock album

Shoot Out the Lights Richard & Linda Thompson Manufacturer: Hannibal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Hannibal Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Folk Rock | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Singer Songwriters | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music $8.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $8.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rumor and Sigh The Best of Richard & Linda Thompson: The Island Records Years Mock Tudor Liege & Lief Front Parlour Ballads ASIN: B000000612 Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

1. Don't Renege On Our Love
2. Walking On A Wire
3. Man In Need
4. Just The Motion
5. Shoot Out The Lights
6. Back Street Slide
7. Did She Jump Or Was She Pushed?
8. Wall Of Death

Amazon.com essential recording

Real life intruded on Richard and Linda Thompson and turned Shoot Out the Lights into a harrowing masterpiece. The collection was difficult to create. Tracks from an aborted first attempt to record the album ended up on the Richard Thompson anthology Watching the Dark and the history of Linda Thompson Dreams Fly Away. It also became their final record together, lending extra poignance to such classically grim Richard Thompson titles as "Did She Jump or Was She Pushed" and "Wall of Death." The combination of Richard's inventive guitar work; his ragged vocals; and Linda's fragile, beautiful singing, all suffocatingly emotional, backed for the most part by longtime Thompson associates from Fairport Convention, make Shoot Out the Lights essential. --David Wolf

Customer Reviews:

Dark but Strong Farewell!.......2007-07-02

"Shoot Out the Lights" was Richard and Linda Thompson's 1982. comeback album after two slightly disappointing albums released on the Chrysalis label in 1978 and 1979. Unfortunately this was also to be their last, as both their marriage and their artistic partnership was falling apart at this point. Quite a paradox as the album is as strong as their finest albums recorded for Island in the mid 1970's.

Musically more rocking and less folkish than their Island albums; lyrically at least as dark as "Pour Down Like Silver". Titles "Walking on a Wire", "Shoot out the Lights" and "Wall of Death" indicate the general dark tone of the album.

Richard who takes the lead vocals on the more rocking tracks like "Don't Renege on Our Love" and "Man in Need", while the two great ballads "Just the Motion" and "Walking on a Wire" have Linda in front. Along with the two outstanding closing tracks "Did She Jump" and "Wall of Death" the Linda ballads are my favourites on the album.

Strong songwriting by Richard and tight playing from the band, which besides Richard on guitar consists of old Fairport friends like Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks, make the album one of the most consistent in Richard Thompson's long career.

Produced by another old Fairport friend Joe Boyd, who produced the first five Fairport albums and several later Richard Thompson solo albums.

A sombre masterpiece.......2007-05-22

The final album that Richard and Linda Thompson recorded as a duo is one of their best and certainly a classic English rock album. There had always been long shadows in their music but this album all seems to take place after nightfall. Even the prettiest ballads turn out to be meditations on loss and grief if you give them more than a cursory glance.
The couple split after the release of this album and comparisons could perhaps be made with "Rumours" by Fletwood Mac, as songs like "Don't Renege On Our Love" and "Walking on a Wire" seem to refer to the breakdown of relationships. Yet overall the material on "Shoot out the Lights" explores much darker territory than you will ever find Fleetwood Mac exploring. The title track refers to a real life serial killer who explained his crimes by saying he wanted to "shoot out the lights". The album closer "Wall of Death" has a sweet, singable melody until you realise that the song is more about the sense of urgency and preciousness that death gives life than the amusement park ride it takes its name from. But the payback for listening to all this melancholy is some very moody and atmospheric songs that are rooted in real emotion, however sad at heart. Richard Thompson was in some sense one of the last great craftsmen in rock in that songcraft is always at the fore in his records. This music is not especially innovative but the songs are beautifully put together and performed and it is definitely a record that you can keep coming back to discover new shades.

Just The Best.......2007-01-17

This is not a soft cushion but anyone who has been disappointed in love will recognise themselves in this album. The last collaboration between two great musicians each of whom has gone on to produce much more great music. They also produced Teddy Thompson who has himself produced 2 excellent albums. also check out the first solo albums by RT (Daring Adventures) & LT (One Clear Moment) where they further vent their spleens.
Buy it and then buy everything else. You won't love everything but you won'r hate anything either.

Was this really Richard and Linda's best?.......2006-12-28

This was the last of the RT and LT partnership albums and their most popular and accessible. There's less of a folk influence here and more pop. It does seem to me that RT was striving for commercial success with some of these tracks, something he had always refused to pander to with any of his past work. The 2 most commercial tracks are the galloping opener 'Don't renege on our love', which bore all the hallmarks of a hit single. 'Wall of death' likewise could have also been a single, if a little less obvious (See a superb live version on YouTube). But the problem I have with this album is that some of the songs lack the depth of of his previous work. The most obvious examples are 'Man in need' and 'Back street slide' which are more ordinary fare compared to RT's usually very high standards.

Before this album was made, I remember the music critics complaining that Thompson's work was far too gloomy and dark for general public taste. RT was indignant about this criticism and SOTL was probably his reaction to it. However the ballads 'Walking on a wire' and 'Just the motion' are well up to usual expectations, and are not exactly cheerful songs either. Finally the title track is the album's 'angry' song and includes one of RT's more manic guitar solos. The track bears a resemblance to Link Wray's instrumental, 'Rumble'.

To sum up, SOTL is hardly RT/LT's best album IMO, despite its popularity. It was after all the first RT album to be plugged in the US, however it does serve well as an introduction to RT's talents. But if you are looking for something a bit rarer and more special from the RT and LT collection, try the albums 'I want to see the bright lights tonight' and 'Pour down like silver', the latter being RT's most melancholic and spiritual effort, but both are excellent nevertheless (and readily available on amazon.co.uk without paying through the nose). And as with all RT albums including this one, they require repeated listening to appreciate them properly.

Great folk rock album.......2006-12-17

Just don't trust the first listening. Maybe, as it happened to me, you will think it's the "usual" folk-rock cd. Let it play for a second time, it's enough: you'll enjoy the rare match between subtle spleen and energy of its tracks. A great album, a milestone.
My favorite song? Difficult choice, but, well, I say "Just The Motion".

Average customer rating: The final classic One of the Band's Best -- An Elegant Swan Song I like the words; the singing is great, some songs outstanding 3rd Best Band Album, Still one of the Top 100 ever ****1/4. The Band's last great record

Northern Lights-Southern Cross The Band Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Stage Fright Moondog Matinee Cahoots Islands The Band ASIN: B00005B4GA Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

1. Forbidden Fruit
2. Hobo Jungle
3. Ophelia
4. Acadian Driftwood
5. Ring Your Bell
6. It Makes No Difference
7. Jupiter Hollow
8. Rags & Bones
9. Twilight (Early Alternate Version)
10. Christmas Must Be Tonight (Alternate Version)

Amazon.com

Hailed upon its arrival as a significant comeback for the Band, this 1975 collection hasn't aged as well as the likes of Stage Fright, Moondog Matinee, or even the outfit's post-Robbie Robertson output. The eight-song collection (augmented on the 2001 reissue with two agreeable extras--alternate versions of "Twilight" and "Christmas Must Be Tonight") isn't without its delights, foremost being Rick Danko's heavy-hearted reading of the devastating "It Makes No Difference." But for every "Forbidden Fruit" and "Ophelia"--worthy additions to Robertson's credits--there are the somewhat forced likes of "Jupiter Hollow" and "Rags and Bones." Also, Garth Hudson stocked up on the latest technology before heading into the studio, but the layers ARPs and mini-Moogs here contribute to a feeling of busyness. Northern Lights--Southern Cross is very much a '70s album--not a good thing from a quintet whose best music was tough to peg to any era. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

The final classic.......2007-01-10

The Band's sixth and final proper studio album (I don't really count Islands, the collection of half-hearted studio outtakes, as a real album), Northern Lights - Southern Cross is a surprisingly strong comeback in both writing and performance. The Band hadn't released an album of new material since the disappointing Cahoots, and the extracurricular substance-related activities of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko lessened their songwriting output considerably (completely in Manuel's case). However, despite their stumbles and a growing divergence of some members (guitarist/songwriter Robbie Robertson would be ready to leave the group not long after the album was released), the quintet pull off amazing comeback album, filled with what originally made The Band so classic--great writing, strong playing from Manuel, Danko and Levon Helm, and expert playing, especially from organist/multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson.

The album kicks off with the rocking "Forbidden Fruit," a cautionary tale sung by Helm. One thing I actually like about Robertson's somewhat egotistical prominence in the later Band material is his up-front, gnarly guitar--he starts using the whammy bar on this album, and the results are wicked to say the least. He takes a few blistering solos in "Forbidden Fruit" that make you wonder if he sold his soul for his guitar skills. This song also marks Garth Hudson's introduction of (then) new synthesizers into his arsenal of keyboards. It might off-put you if you're a classic Americana Band fan, but give it a chance--it really grew on me. Regardless of the instrument, it's still being played by the bearded master, Garth Hudson. The second track is a "Hobo Jungle," a mid-tempo narrative that features some excellent acoustic guitar from Robbie and one of the finest vocal melodies on Band record, sung by Richard Manuel. Despite his heavy drinking, his voice still sounds great, though it's become quite weathered. "Ophelia" is one of the more well-known tracks on the album. The Band uses an almost Dixieland horn arrangement and Levon Helm, in addition to singing, pounds the skins with reckless abandon.

The other well-known track is "Acadian Driftwood," a song Robbie wrote about the Acadian Indians who were forced to move from Canada to Louisiana. It's a heartfelt tribute, sung by all three vocalists and featuring a piccolo part by Garth Hudson. "Ring Your Bell" is one of the group's funkiest songs, a pretty humorous outlaw tune and a all-out belter from Danko, who also sings "It Makes No Difference." One of Robbie Robertson's best love ballads, this track became a sort of signature torch tune for Rick, and it's buoyed by some of Robbie's revelatory guitar and Garth on saxophone. "Jupiter Hollow" is a long (for The Band) and experimental song--a great detour, with a lot of mythological and mystical imagery, and a whole lot of synth overdubs from Garth Hudson. It makes for a really cool listen and has a groovy vibe and some creative drumming from Levon. The album closes on a truly classic note with "Rags and Bones," another darkly funky romp through a night-time city with some of Robbie's most lively and creative guitar (check out that left channel--wow!).

Northern Lights - Southern Cross is The Band's shortest album, and it's always over too soon. The bonus tracks are OK, but as usual don't add anything (careful they don't spoil the vibe of the original album). This one definitely ranks pretty high up there for me as one of their top albums--worlds better than Cahoots and with moments that transcend a lot of their other material. It's such a pity they had to quit making music when their last album was this great. A lot of people will tell you they didn't make any good music after Stage Fright, but give Northern Lights - Southern Cross a try and I think you might agree with me that that's simply not true. I hope you enjoy The Band's final classic!

One of the Band's Best -- An Elegant Swan Song.......2006-02-14

I disagree with the reviewers who find this album too "70s" -- yes, the production and Garth's use of the Moog and other synths peg the recording date of the record -- but why is that presumed to be a bad thing?

I love the way these songs flow seamlessly from one to another -- the songs all deal with loss, upheaval, movement, endurance, cycles of joy and sadness, all beautifully pieced together. The liner notes on the reissue really add to the significance and enjoyment of these songs; I love the way Robbie wrote "Ophelia" and "Forbidden Fruit" using older, discarded chord progressions. Danko knocks one of the park with his tortured, sensitive reading of "It Makes No Difference," and personally I enjoy Garth's enveloping and intricate synth work on "Jupiter Hollow." Of course Acadian Driftwood is a classic story of uprooting, perseverance, and survival, and even the unadorned and simple Christmas song tacked on to the end works for me.

One of the Band's best and a great way to go out (I prefer to ignore Islands....).

I like the words; the singing is great, some songs outstanding.......2006-01-16

On Junior Day, 2006, I would like to seek lessons from the twentieth century that apply to the situation in the world. Things change, but our grasp of sentimentality can ebb or flow either way, particularly if it is informed by listening to The Band album from 1975, `Northern Lights, Southern Cross.' Someone in The Band might be from Canada, and the song `Acadian Driftwood' pictures a family with a broken-down car trying to get someplace where life was better, as some French Canadians made it all the way to New Orleans after France lost its hold on Quebec. Somehow the music seems a bit more cheerful for the song `Ophelia,' when The Band is singing:

Ashes of laughter, the ghost is clear,
Why do the best things always disappear,
like Ophelia? Please darken my door.

There are a number of songs about drifters. `Hobo Jungle,' `Jupiter Hollow,' and maybe `Rags And Bones.' In the first song, `Forbidden Fruit,' there is an admonition:

You got one life that you better not waste.

The Band had been playing together for years when `Northern Lights, Southern Cross' was recorded. Among the tales of woe that allowed music to explore the depths of the human situation, `It Makes No Difference' by J. R. Robertson took four or five chords to get through the first two lines, added a few more chords for the chorus, then managed to fit in a few more for the part in the middle that declares:

Now there's no love
As true as the love
That dies untold
But the clouds never hung so low before.

Civilization requires certain limits to love, which threatens to uproot the basic standards of stability, but music keeps morphing, as The Band throws in a few more chords near the end with the words:

Without your love I'm nothing at all
Like an empty hall it's a lonely fall
Since you've gone it's a losing battle
Stampeding cattle, they rattle the walls.

Well, I love you so much
It's all I can do
Just to keep myself from telling you
That I never felt so alone before.

The last four lines probably use the same chords as the lines ending with "But the clouds never hung so low before." The hurt of lost love seems to apply to love that never even happened yet, rain or shine, because "The shadow never seems to fade away." And as for songs:

These old love letters
Well, I just can't keep
'Cause like the gambler says
Read 'em and weep
And the dawn don't rescue me no more.

3rd Best Band Album, Still one of the Top 100 ever.......2005-06-19

It is well known that by 1975 when this album was recorded, The Band was much less a band than they used to be, not due to loss of talent, but loss of the easygoing friendships that had fueled the first two albums. What a showing they still make.

To me Richard Manuel sang some of the greatest performances of his life on this album, for instance check out: Hobo Jungle, Rags & Bones, Acadian Driftwood. Levon and Rick also hand in some fine performances, Levon particularly on Forbidden Fruit, Rick's Swan Song is most definately It Makes No Difference. Robbie provides some very good lyrics for the whole album. Garth is brilliant of course, "ain't it easy when you know how" .

My only complaint is it is just not long enough, 8 songs on the original, 10 on the remastered edition. I grew up in a house full of Classic Rock "N Roll. When I heard The Band, I was mesmerized by how each song can sound so different from each other but they never lose that tight ensemble sound. To me Richard Manuel is the greatest singer in the History of Popular Music.

A must purchase for any fan of The Band, or any fan of Truly Soulful, meaningful Roots Music.

****1/4. The Band's last great record.......2004-08-03

The strongest Band album since "Stage Fright", "Northern Lights, Southern Cross" was The Band's first studio album in four years. Better than "Cahoots" and "Moondog Matinee", it is really The Band's last hurrah, although the mediocre "Islands" did come out in 1977, after the Canadian-American outfit had stopped touring for good. (Robbie Robertson says about "Islands": "It wasn't even an album, we were just trying to get out of a contract!")

"Northern Lights, Southern Cross" features the same dense, muscular arrangements as previous albums, anchored by Levon Helm's supple, versatile drumming, and the role of lead vocalist is still passed around between Helm, Danko, and Manuel. The only notable difference is that Garth Hudson had partially abandoned his Lowrey organ in favour of synthesizers (that may sound ominous, but it really isn't).

Robbie Robertson is credited as the sole composer on all eight tracks on the original LP, as well as the newly added bonus cuts, and the many highlights include the rollicking "Ophelia", Rick Danko's excellent performance of the mournful ballad "It Makes No Difference", and the lyrical, acoustic folk-rock of "Hobo Jungle".
But the album's centrepiece has to be the epic "Acadian Driftwood", a nearly seven minute folkish narrative which chronicles the story of the Acadians, a people exiled from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in the 1750s. It is a superbly evocative masterpiece, one of Robbie Robertson's very best songs.

Not as highly touted as "Music From Big Pink" or "The Band", "Northern Lights, Southern Cross" is nevertheless one of The Band's classic albums. Being the Band's fourth best record really isn't half bad, you know.

Average customer rating: A Masterpiece Desert Island Disc Strong, consistent music Two Bright Lights from N. California The best thing I can say about this album...

I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight Richard & Linda Thompson Manufacturer: Ume Imports ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Shoot Out the Lights Liege & Lief Unhalfbricking Rumor and Sigh Mock Tudor ASIN: B0001N9ZKW Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

1. When I Get to the Border
2. Calvary Cross
3. Withered and Died
4. I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
5. Down Where the Drunkards Roll
6. We Sing Hallelujah
7. Has He Got a Friend for Me
8. Little Beggar Girl
9. End of the Rainbow
10. Great Valerio
11. I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight [Live][#][*]
12. Together Again [Live][#][*]
13. Calvary Cross [Live][#][*]

Album Description

Full title - I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. The British folk-rock duo's 1974 masterpiece, digitally remastered, featuring 13 tracks including 3 previously unreleased bonus tracks recorded live at The Roundhouse, 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight', 'Together Again' (Buck Owens cover), & 'Calvary Cross'. Packaged in a slipcase with 12-page featuring full lyrics & sleeve notes. Universal. 2004.

Album Details

2004 Digitally Remastered Edition of the Thompson's Tour De Force Album which was Originally Released in April 1974 on Island Records. It Stands as One of the Great Masterpieces of English Folk Rock. For this Remastered Edition, We have Taken the Opportunity to Add Three Previously Unreleased Live Performances Captured at the Roadhouse, London on September 7, 1975.

Customer Reviews:

A Masterpiece.......2007-07-06

When Richard Thompson released this album, his first with his wife Linda, he had already a relatively long recording career behind him. As a founder member of Fairport Convention he was the group on their first five albums. His characteristic guitarplaying style can also be heard on Sandy Denny¨s early solo albums and he had released his own soloalbum "Henry the Human Fly" in 1972.

During his time with Fairport Convention Thompson matured a lot as a songwriter and many of the band's early favourites were either written or co-written by Thompson. His inspiration by traditional British music also became still more clear. Many of the songs on "Henry" and "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" actually sound like they were traditional folk-songs.

His collaboration with Linda lasted for 8 years and resulted in 6 great albums. This their first is often regarded as the strongest with Richard's songwriting extraordinary inspired and varied, and his distictive voice blends beautifully with Linda's on these great songs.

The terrific opener "When I Get to the Border", sung by Richard, is catchy with optimistic lyrics. A little unsual for Thompson, whose lyrics often are dark and sad.

Equally cathcy ( and optimistic ) is the title track which deserved to be hit beautifully sung by Linda.

Heartbreakingly beautiful is also the sad ballad "Withered and Died", sung by Linda in way that makes you think of her friend Sandy Denny.

The dark side of Richard's songwriting become apprent on songs like "Down Where the Drunkards Roll", "Has He Got a Friend For Me" and especially "The End of the Rainbow" . Even the cathcy "We'll Sing Hallelujah" has some pretty dismal lyrics.

The budget for this album was supposedly very limited, but it does show anywhere. Great arrangements, crisp sound and best of all strong songwriting and palying from first track till the closer "The Great Valerio".

The bonus-tracks are 3 1975 live-recordings - nice to have but some may find that they disturb the very consistent feel of the original album, which I won't hesitate to call a masterpiece.

Desert Island Disc.......2007-03-07

My partner and I have over 4,000 CDs (all types of music), and if I could only keep 10 of them, I'd keep this one.

Strong, consistent music.......2007-03-07

Even for an album released in 1974, on the surface "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" seems deeply unhip. In the year when glam rock was at its peak and punk godmother Patti Smith released her first angry single, Richard and Linda Thompspon put out this album of English folk music. Some of the songs, such as "Down Where the Drunkards Roll" or "Little Beggar Girl" are so deeply rooted in the Anglo-Celtic folk tradition that it would easy to imagine they date from the eighteenth century. And yet this is part of the strength of this remarkable album. Largely unswayed by the fashions of the moment, the Thompsons produced an album of beautifully crafted and performed folk and folk-rock songs which have stood the test of time.
This is not the kind of album that has one knock-out punch. Yes, "The Calvary Cross" and "End of the Rainbow" are especially strong tracks but really this album's greatest strength is its consistency. There is not a single weak track here. Another strength is its variety of approaches and styles. "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" is a comparitively upbeat track. It is almost a rocker compared to some of the folkier arrangements. But then there are moody, haunting ballads like "The Great Valerio", which showcase Linda's exceptional voice. And some of the tracks showcase Richard's virtuosity on the electric guitar but, unlike so many mainstream seventies rock acts, never to excess.
This album will appeal to anyone who likes intelligently written and heartfelt music. It will no doubt still be around when a lot more faddish albums have dropped by the wayside.

Two Bright Lights from N. California.......2007-01-21

RICHARD & LINDA THOMPSON are prolific artists whose talent has spanned several decades and is still going strong. They are proficient in any number of styles--folk rock, blues, Cajun, etc. Both have distinctive, appealing voices and their lyrics convey a refreshing honesty.

The best thing I can say about this album..........2006-09-22

Even though it's been in my record collection for many years, I recently listened to it OBSESSIVELY for about a month, every single day. How many albums can provoke that sort of obsession? Every single song is a thriller, a masterpiece. Some songs (particularly Calvary Cross) grew even richer with live-performance development over the years, but that just shows what marvels they were from the start! Other songs, like "The Great Valerio" and "Poor Beggar Girl", appear so richly performed that there's simply no room left for improvement.

Additionally, the balance of Richard's twanging electric guitar, earthy acoustics and mandolins, Linda's dry unaffected alto, and clean, simple production really add weight. The whole thing feels quite natural and timeless.

Timeless. Yeah, that's the best thing I can say. Well, that, and it provokes strange obsessions.

Average customer rating: actually a 4.5 stars,It's a TRUE '70 classic. 4.5 stars for a '70's classic...... Lights Out The Classic UFO Sound High Water Mark

Lights Out UFO Manufacturer: Caroline ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | 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 Similar Items: Force It Obsession Phenomenon No Heavy Petting Strangers in the Night ASIN: B00002599S Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

1. Too Hot To Handle
2. Just Another Suicide
3. Try Me
4. Lights Out
5. Gettin' Ready
6. Alone Again Or
7. Electric Phase
8. Love To Love

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue of the British space/ hard rock/ metal group's 1977 album for Chrysalis with new sleeve notes. Eight tracks, including the title cut and the classic 'Too Hot To Handle'. Also features the original cover art. 1999 release.

Album Details

1999 Digitally Remastered Edition of the Group's Sixth Full Length Studio Album, their Third Recorded for the Chrysalis Label. Many Fans Advocate this Set as their Best Time in the Studio, with Singer Phil Mogg Hitting his Stride as a Confident Vocalist Rivalling all his Peers and Former Scorpion Michael Schenker's Guitar Playing Showing Consistent Flashes of Brilliance, Accenting the Peaks of Every Track. Includes the FM Radio Staples of "Just Another Suicide", "Too Hot to Handle", "Getting Ready" and the Title Track of "Lights Out".

Customer Reviews:

actually a 4.5 stars,It's a TRUE '70 classic........2007-06-04

I JUST BOUGHT THE RE-MASTERED VERSION OF THIS CD AND CAN'T BRAG ENOUGH!
I still have my vinyl copy from '77;yes, I'm a die hard fan. But I must say that this CD speaks for itself,once you give it a chance on the player. It is hard rock with melodic gifts and awesome guitar work on every song. This is THE album by UFO and only a fool that likes to rock,PLUS have a complete CD collection,would fail to own it. GREAT songs!
Everybody from the '70 had a copy,and for good reason...It's the real deal,and worth every penny in investment.
Be a ROCKER,and purchase this classic,NOW!!!!!!!!

4.5 stars for a '70's classic.............2007-05-12

I love this album. Perhaps it is the ultra smooth vocals of Phil Mogg, or the extraordinary guitar playing of Michael Schenker....or maybe the chemistry between the band members was just right. Whatever it was, it resulted in one of the finest collection of songs 1977 had to offer. You won't find heavy metal here, or even sophisticated soundscapes. What you will find is simple hard rock music with a laid back, almost country feel to it. At first listen, the songs may even seem bland, compared to the band's earlier releases, such as "Force It". But listen just a few more times to the vocals on "Gettin' Ready", or "Just Another Suicide" and then crank up "Lights OuT". Then try on "Electric Phase" with its Jimmy Page inspired guitar work, and cap it off with "Love to Love". You will be playing this one for years to come. The arrangements are just fantastic, the vocals superb, and the lead guitar work sublime. I couldn't recommend this one enough.

Lights Out.......2007-03-08

A MUST for any UFO fan ... if you're new or never heard of them :( then you need to get this. They are timeless rock recordings that I have never got tired of hearing, since the late 70's. The three best, in order are: Obsession, Lights Out, Phenomenon ... the other are good (some great) but they (UFO) would never top these three.

The Classic UFO Sound.......2007-02-13

This is the architypal UFO album where the best line up ever found their true sound. I hate the term "heavy Metal" and don't consider UFO to be anything other than a quality rock band. This album has everything, powerful guitars and rasping solo's like the classic "Lights Out",a beautiful ballad in "Try Me" , melody, orchestral arrangements and the classic "Love to Love". UFO discovered here that they could use keyboards and keep it heavy. All eight songs are great with plenty of variety to make it a real good listen even thirty years on.

High Water Mark.......2006-05-08

This is all record is UFO at their peak. UFO was a band that sadly got swept aside in the '80's, when peers like Scorpions and Judas Priest were getting their kudos for influencing the the NWOBHM. Look around though, and you can hear UFO in both Maiden and Leppard. Meanwhile, Phil Mogg had only one rival as a lyricist working in the hard work milieu - Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, (whose shortfall on the ladder of success is a injustice even greater than that of UFO.) Mogg had a much more mature approach to his writing - examine his take of the burgeoning punk scene and its excesses in the East End of London on "Lights Out", or the mental approach of "Gettin' Ready". These were no dragons and kings flights of fancy, a la Ronnie James Dio. There was gritty realistic look at everyday life in Mogg's lyrics. Meanwhile, Michael Schenker was simply the best guiatrist on the hard rock scene pre-VH. Lights Out is a great starter album for anyone looking to dip their toes in the UFO pool.

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