| 1. Still Reminds Me |
| 2. Rain |
| 3. Breathing |
| 4. Chrysalis |
| 5. Tears Of Sorrow |
| 6. Want You Want Me |
| 7. How The World |
| 8. Prayer |
| 9. Non Angelical |
| 10. Look Into Yourself |
| 11. Forbidden Love |
| 12. Signs Of Destiny |
| 13. Comme Un Privilege |
| 14. Broken Dream |
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Second 'european'album by this Indonesian Artist. After her Highly Successful First Enlish-language Album 'snow on the Sahara', She is Back with a New Album which Aims at Consolidating her Success: Melodic Pop with a Mixture of Ethnic and Romantic Sonorities.
I have been an Amazon customer for years and hope to keep buying from you, yet it's things like these that make me start looking elsewhere.
...I just spoke to customer service at Amazon, and they are giving me a full refund. Amazon, the product may be bad and misrepresented, but your customer service makes the difference. thanks! :)
That chance encounter-which could have happened later as the genre of this music appeals to me, turned into one of those rare and great musical treasure discoveries.
Unlike some music which has to be heard repeatedy for the listener to attain common ground with the artist(s), 'Chrysalis' draws one majically from the very first playing into a mystical experience that transcends the earthly realm to a level of serenety, joy, and at times melancholy that is at its very least beautiful, and at its best a rare masterpiece.
Like all great albums, the whole is a theme of individual tracks that weave consistently from one to the next, and there are no weak songs. At the end, you wonder where the time went and are wanting for the experience to never end.
Interestingly, it was a couple of years before I searched out their other works, and found them to be equally worthy.
Following the timeline of 2002's works is like watching something very mystical, rare, and beautiful come of age. Each album has a coherent theme,(this one the metaphor of metamorphasis of caterpillar to butterfly-say that 3 times!) and usually a myth or ancient legend behind it as inspiration-which reveals that there is an intellectual depth behind the music that on the surface is quite pleasing to the unsophisticated ear, but at the same time- for the disciplined and discerning listener each time listening reveals deeper layers of elegance and beauty that is obviously the product of gift, discipline, and mostly a lot of hard work.
All great creators-whether musical, artistic, or literary- are inspired by the majestic, profound, and sometimes deeply sad mysteries of this journey we call life, and as each uses their chosen medium to fulfill their endless need to create-whether as a medium to convey their deepest feelings to others, or simply for the release of the life energy within, they leave great works that awe and inspire others long after their time on earth is done. 2002 is worthy of that billing. I highly reccomend their work.
"All Fired Up" is a superior collection especially compared with the skimpy offerings on "Best Shots," her other greatest hits compilation. The sound quality here is overall pretty good but the packaging doesn't include much more than track listing information and a lot of wonderful photos. If you're looking for your "best shot" at a Pat Benatar compilation THIS is the one to chose!
This is one of my favorite albums of ALL TIME! "What A Life!" is one of those rare examples of a record that kicks ass from opening note to glorious conclusion; every song, every chord, every lyric intelligently crafted by talented musicians who know how to get a point across to the listener without being pretentious or overbearing. Amphlett's delivery is caustic yet invigorating, raw yet poignant, sweet & sexy yet sinister all at once - a feat only a rare few can attain. Each tune has its own unique identity, yet they blend together seamlessly as if parts of a "concept" album. The instruments accent each other perfectly, & when combined with Amphlett's power they resemble a hard-rocking blues band more than a punk outfit (a la Patti Smith or Concrete Blonde). This record must be listened to in its entirety to get the full impact - cherry-picking is for 80 IQ & under lame-oids!
MTV & VH-1 classify Divinyls as "One-hit Wonders", which shows how much they know about music! Trust me - this band is HOT!! I highly recommend EVERY DIVINYLS RECORD, but this is the best of the best! Do yourself a favor & add "What A Life!" to your collection - you'll never watch music television again!!
Onto the disc at hand: "What A Life" is definately the most New Wave-ish of the DiVinyls's albums, mixed with more of a power rock/hard rock style than New Wave usually has (I'm not really an expert on the style but I have heard and liked some of it). And it's quintessentially DiVinyls, having that unique intangible that's at the core of all their albums, whatever style they're playing, that's always taken bits and pieces of the best of so many genres and subgenres until the DiVinyls almost constitute their own genre.
"Pleasure And Pain" is one of the least typical musically of the group's output, probably because ('cover songs' excluded) it's the only one they've done that none of the band members wrote or co-wrote. It's a great song though, very well written and distinctively performed, about a woman trying to find a way out of an abusive relationship. It's got this poppy beat, strange for a song of its subject matter, but Christina Amphlett's vocals hit all the right notes emotionally and it, like other tracks before and after this album, debunks the notion among critics that DiVinyls only do one kind of lyrical material. "Pleasure And Pain" helps show their true versatility musically and lyrics-wise.
"Don't You Go Walking" treads the tried but true ground of 'lover don't leave' material found on so many rock albums, but with the added vocal quirks and impassioned bellowing Amphlett brings to the table and a great extended guitar outro. "Good Die Young" is on the much rarer (musically) ground of what I think of as Dark New Wave, with drummer Richard Harvey getting a good chance to shine, and another turn of the tragic/dark side of Chrissie's vocals which she used to such devastating effect on "Elsie" off the "Desperate" album.
"Sleeping Beauty" - now here's the kind of song the DiVinyls Are known for, and how they shine on this one! Deliciously suggestive vocals from Chrissie ranging from dreamily pure to teasingly playful to red-hot whispered husky. "Motion" is just plain bizarre, and wonderfully so, with Chrissie in full Wild Girl mode through most of her singing.
On "In My Life" though, the vocals manage to go from wild to downright scary. Christina is one of four singers I know who can really, on more than just an occasional basis, 'sing scary' when they want to (the others are Alice Cooper, King Diamond and Till Lindemann from Rammstein). This is a delight though, not dark. Roller coaster ride scary vocals. "Casual Encounter" is a misinterpreted song. People say it's mean and taunting; I get the opposite from it. It's about a girl looking for love (and sex, might as well call a spade a spade) but who's tired and cranky (Really cranky in this case) from potential suitors faking the first just to try to get the second. That's how I read it anyway. Musically, it's one of the most clearly Hard Rock tracks on the album and the least New Wave.
"Heart Telegraph" is really different musically again, with unique intro effects and a pulsing, electronic-sounding rhythm throughout and more subdued but still excellent vocals. "Guillotine Day"'s vocals are definately not subdued and highlighted by great keyboards.
The album ends with "Dear Diary", one of the most beautifully haunting tracks I've ever heard. Soft and powerful vocals, an outstanding example of the art of songwriting, incredible musicianship all around, the effect of the rain heard in the background fitting in perfectly, the slow drums seeming to bleed with unnameable emotions. A perfect way to close an eclectic album.
Only downsides: not enough pictures of Christina (alright, to be fair there'd have to be some of the rest of the band too, but it's the abscence of a booklet of Chrissie pictures I'm mourning); the 4 missing tracks from the original version of this still NEED to get out there ("Old Radios" has the single most adorably bizarre vocals I've ever heard) and it's been too many years since there was any new DiVinyls material. Maybe they've retired or gone onto non-performing ventures, but if you read this, PLEASE consider coming back for even just a couple of new songs to go on a collection of rarities. We miss you!
Okay, enough lamentations. Great, eclectic and unforgettable album. 10/10, at the very least.
It is also one of the rare albums, you can play front to back without skipping any songs.
First off is Gaudete from the album "Below The Salt", their well known version of a Christmas song sung in Latin.Then comes All Around My Hat" their one true hit and probably the one song for which they're most closely associated. It's an exciting arrangement with a great sing-along chorus and feisty mandolin breaks. The album of the same name was actually pretty uninspired and only contained one other true classic- "Black Jack Davy" which fortunately is also on this album.
The single version of "Thomas The Rhymer" is arguably their finest moment.With it's punchy verse, sublime chorus and ever shifting rhythms, this is Steeleye Span at their most progressive and exciting. Labelmate Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson was the production consultant and seems to have taken the experience of working with Steeleye Span when his band recorded the Songs From The Wood album.
"Alison Gross" and "Cam Ye O'er Frae France" are from the Parcel Of Rogues album which for the first time,shows the band moving into a more progressive direction. The latter song is particuarly haunting and beautiful.
"Little Lord Hugh","Long Lankin" and "Bach goes to Limerick" are all from the bands most underated album, Commoner's Crown.The epic eight and a half minute "Long Lankin"with its dramatic music breaks and dramatic feel is one of the band's crowning achievments.
The album also includes two of their later songs, "Gone To America" and "Let Her Go Down" from the Sails of Silver album which saw the band losing much of their eccentricity and becoming more mainstream.They are pleasant enough though a little pedestrian for my tastes.
This is the one Steeleye Span album I throw on when I need a quick dose of high energy inventive progressive folk rock. Anyone who buys this who only knows "All Around My Hat" are likely in for a treat! Highly recommended.
Second 'european'album by this Indonesian Artist. After her Highly Successful First Enlish-language Album 'snow on the Sahara', She is Back with a New Album which Aims at Consolidating her Success: Melodic Pop with a Mixture of Ethnic and Romantic Sonorities.
Chrysalis,Anggun,Sony,World Music
Average customer rating: 
|
Cricklewood Green
Ten Years After Manufacturer: Chrysalis Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Blues Rock
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
CDs Under $7
| Rock General
| Rock
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
All Bargain Titles
| Rock General
| Rock
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
4-for-3 Pop
| 4-for-3 Music
| Stores
| Music
4-for-3 Rock
| 4-for-3 Music
| Stores
| Music
4-for-3 All Music
| 4-for-3 Music
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005Y7KO Release Date: 2001-03-13 |
Tracks:
- Sugar The Road
- Working On The Road
- 50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain
- Year 3,000 Blues
- Me And My Baby
- Love Like A Man
- Circles
- As The Sun Still Burns Away
Amazon.com
Ten Years After guitarist Alvin Lee's hyperactive guitar solos (fretboard attacks a speed-metal guitarist would be proud to unleash) caught the ear of British rock fans and built a bridge to the blues. The well-produced Cricklewood Green, consisting of all-original material by Lee, is the group's best studio effort. For a band that made its reputation with live performances, most conspicuously at the Woodstock festival, that's probably minor praise, but it's praise nevertheless. The extended workout of the hit single "Love Like a Man" is the centerpiece of the album, one that opens with the frantic buzz of the back-to-back road songs "Sugar the Road" and "Working on the Road." But Lee, ably assisted by keyboardist Chick Churchill, fleshes out the trademark Ten Years After blues frenzy with an assortment of atypical approaches and styles. "Me and My Baby" delivers Lee and the band in a relaxed, almost swinging, mode, while "Circles" is a rare ballad offering. The sci-fi blues of "Year 3000 Blues" and semi-psychedelia of "50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain" and "As the Sun Still Burns Away" further extend the album's reach without sacrificing any of Lee's guitar excursions. --Michael PointCustomer Reviews:
Great!.......2007-03-23
The Best from Ten Years After.......2007-02-22
Cricklewood Green...Excellent! but SHAME on Amazon :(.......2006-10-19
I have been an Amazon customer for years and hope to keep buying from you, yet it's things like these that make me start looking elsewhere.
...I just spoke to customer service at Amazon, and they are giving me a full refund. Amazon, the product may be bad and misrepresented, but your customer service makes the difference. thanks! :)
A classic album by an obscure band.......2005-11-18
Not there best.......2005-07-30
Average customer rating:
|
Chrysalis
2002 Manufacturer: Real Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
Meditation
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
Relaxation
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
General
| New Age
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001J5C Release Date: 1997-01-21 |
Tracks:
- To Touch The Sky
- Chrysalis
- A Gift Of Life
- Greater Than The Sum
- Spinning The Silk
- Journey Within
- Dream Come True
- Healing Rain
- Cocoon
- Magic Flower
Customer Reviews:
Touches your heart and soul.......2006-10-19
A musical tapestry of elegence.......2006-01-22
That chance encounter-which could have happened later as the genre of this music appeals to me, turned into one of those rare and great musical treasure discoveries.
Unlike some music which has to be heard repeatedy for the listener to attain common ground with the artist(s), 'Chrysalis' draws one majically from the very first playing into a mystical experience that transcends the earthly realm to a level of serenety, joy, and at times melancholy that is at its very least beautiful, and at its best a rare masterpiece.
Like all great albums, the whole is a theme of individual tracks that weave consistently from one to the next, and there are no weak songs. At the end, you wonder where the time went and are wanting for the experience to never end.
Interestingly, it was a couple of years before I searched out their other works, and found them to be equally worthy.
Following the timeline of 2002's works is like watching something very mystical, rare, and beautiful come of age. Each album has a coherent theme,(this one the metaphor of metamorphasis of caterpillar to butterfly-say that 3 times!) and usually a myth or ancient legend behind it as inspiration-which reveals that there is an intellectual depth behind the music that on the surface is quite pleasing to the unsophisticated ear, but at the same time- for the disciplined and discerning listener each time listening reveals deeper layers of elegance and beauty that is obviously the product of gift, discipline, and mostly a lot of hard work.
All great creators-whether musical, artistic, or literary- are inspired by the majestic, profound, and sometimes deeply sad mysteries of this journey we call life, and as each uses their chosen medium to fulfill their endless need to create-whether as a medium to convey their deepest feelings to others, or simply for the release of the life energy within, they leave great works that awe and inspire others long after their time on earth is done. 2002 is worthy of that billing. I highly reccomend their work.
Don't Miss Out- Pick Up Some 2002!.......2005-08-02
Worth telling friends about.......2004-05-06
Meditation and Healing Music at its Best.......2003-09-03
Average customer rating:
|
All Fired Up: The Very Best of Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar Manufacturer: Chrysalis/EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
Arena Rock
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000DEO7J Release Date: 1995-01-01 |
Tracks:
- I Need a Lover
- If You Think You Know How to Love Me
- Heartbreaker
- We Live for Love
- You Better Run
- Hit Me With Your Best Shot
- Treat Me Right
- Hell Is for Children
- Fire and Ice
- Promises in the Dark
- Shadows of the Night
- Little Too Late
- Looking for a Stranger
- Anxiety (Get Nervous)
- Love Is a Battlefield
- Lipstick Lies
Tracks:
- We Belong
- Ooh Ooh Song
- Temporary Heroes
- Invincible (Theme from the Legend of Billie Jean)
- Sex as a Weapon
- Bel Age
- All Fired Up
- Don't Walk Away
- Let's Stay Together
- One Love
- True Love
- Payin' the Cost to Be the Boss
- So Long
- Everybody Lay Down
- Somebody's Baby
- Crazy
- Everytime I Fall Back
Customer Reviews:
Your "best shot" for Pat Benatar compilations.......2007-04-05
"All Fired Up" is a superior collection especially compared with the skimpy offerings on "Best Shots," her other greatest hits compilation. The sound quality here is overall pretty good but the packaging doesn't include much more than track listing information and a lot of wonderful photos. If you're looking for your "best shot" at a Pat Benatar compilation THIS is the one to chose!
Average customer rating: 
|
One Good Reason
Manufacturer: Chrysalis Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Blue-Eyed Soul
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Contemporary
| Vocal Pop
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Adult Contemporary
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000E28EDY |
Average customer rating:
|
Best of
Ten Years After Manufacturer: EMI/Chrysalis ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004WGYF Release Date: 2000-09-04 |
Tracks:
- Rock N Roll Music To The World
- I'd Love To Change The World
- I'm Going Home
- Choo Choo Mama
- Tomorrow I'll Be Out Of Town
- I Woke Up This Morning
- Me & My Baby
- Good Morning Little School Girl
- Going Back To Birminham
- 50,000 Miles
- Beneath My Brain
- Sweet Little Sixteen
- I'm Coming On
- Love Like A Man
- Baby Won't You Let Me Rock N Roll You
Album Description
15 track compilation for the British blues-rock quartet. Includes the hits 'I'm Going Home', 'Love Like a Man' and 'I'd Love to Change the World'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.Album Details
Excellent UK only 14 track compilation.
Average customer rating: 
|
Bosnia
Level 42 Manufacturer: Capitol/Emi/Sbk/Chrysalis ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave
| New Wave & Post-Punk
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Britain
| British Isles
| Europe
| International
| Styles
| Music
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Funk
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Live Albums
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Live Albums
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
Dance Pop
| Compilations
| Dance & DJ
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002TLZ Release Date: 1997-10-21 |
Tracks:
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (Intro)
- Are You Ready
- Rock 'N Roll Soul
- A Footstompin' Music
- Time Machine
- Paranoid/Sin's A Good Man's Brother/Mr. Limousine Driver
- Heartbreaker
- Aimless Lady
- T.N.U.C.
- Inside Looking Out
- Shinin' On
- The Loco - Motion
- We're An American Band
Tracks:
- Overture
- Mean Mistreater
- Some Kind Of Wonderful
- To Get Back In
- Bad Time
- I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home
- Loneliness
Customer Reviews:
My Grand Review.......2004-06-10
Like fine wine, they get better with age.......2002-04-10
superb!!.......2002-02-13
Disney.......2001-07-08
As a musician I've always loved GFR. I bought this CD sight unseen for twice the price and I can tell you it was a deal. These guy after all these years continue to amaze me. I have played this CD for so many people and everyone without exception tell me they have to have it in their collection.
You can't go wrong if you love good R & R you need to buy this one. You will not be disappointed. This one really is a Collectors Item.
Grand Funk Live.......2000-07-27
Average customer rating:
|
Straw Donkey: The Singles
Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine Manufacturer: EMI/Chrysalis ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Alternative Dance
| Alternative Styles
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Dance Pop
| Dance & DJ
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000006XHC Release Date: 1995-10-09 |
Tracks:
- A Sheltered Life
- Sheriff Fatman
- Rubbish
- Anytime Anyplace Anywhere
- Bloodsport For All
- After The Watershed (Early Learning The Hard Way)
- The Only Living Boy In New Cross
- Do Re Me So Far So Good
- The Impossible Dream
- Lean On Me I Won't Fall Over
- Lenny And Terence
- Glam Rock Cops
- Let's Get Tattoos
- The Young Offender's Mum
- Born On 5th November
Customer Reviews:
Punk Angst In Overdrive! .......2005-04-23
A fine retrospective.......2002-05-04
Dismissed in the US as either a novelty act or as "too English", Carter (James Robert Morrison, a.k.a. "Jim Bob" and Les "Fruit Bat" Carter) nevertheless made outstanding music full of energy and wit and compassion and righteous indignation at the state of mankind. Although they officially split a few years back, they still come up with the occasional collaboration under the name Who's The Daddy Now? as well as their individual projects, Jim's Super Stereoworld and Abdoujaparov, respectively.
This compilation is a good place to start.
brilliant..........2001-04-17
Average customer rating:
|
E She's Madonna
Robbie Williams Manufacturer: EMI/Chrysalis ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000N0W9MY Release Date: 2007-03-12 |
Tracks:
- She's Madonna
- Never Touch That Switch (Switch Remix)
Album Description
Part One of Two. 2007 CD single, a collaboration between UK solo superstar Robbie Williams and Synth-Pop legends Pet Shop Boys, taken from Robbie's Rudebox album. Features 'She's Madonna' coupled with 'Never Touch That Switch' (Switch Remix). Chrysalis.Album Details
2007 Single Release of Another Meeting Between the UK'S Leading Pop Singer and his Mentor Mates the Pet Shop Boys. The Song is Lifted from his Album "Rudebox" and is Backed with an Audio Remix of the Album Track "Never Touch that Switch".Customer Reviews:
Face it. He's as big as Madonna........2007-06-02
Average customer rating:
|
What a Life!
The Divinyls Manufacturer: Chrysalis ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave
| New Wave & Post-Punk
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000008F4C Release Date: 1998-03-11 |
Tracks:
- Pleasure And Pain
- Don't You Go Walking
- Good Die Young
- Sleeping Beauty
- Motion
- In My Life
- Casual Encounter
- Heart Telegraph
- Guillotine Day
- Dear Diary
Album Description
1985 album for Aussie new wave act.Customer Reviews:
Power-Punk-Pop at it's Best!.......2005-08-28
This is one of my favorite albums of ALL TIME! "What A Life!" is one of those rare examples of a record that kicks ass from opening note to glorious conclusion; every song, every chord, every lyric intelligently crafted by talented musicians who know how to get a point across to the listener without being pretentious or overbearing. Amphlett's delivery is caustic yet invigorating, raw yet poignant, sweet & sexy yet sinister all at once - a feat only a rare few can attain. Each tune has its own unique identity, yet they blend together seamlessly as if parts of a "concept" album. The instruments accent each other perfectly, & when combined with Amphlett's power they resemble a hard-rocking blues band more than a punk outfit (a la Patti Smith or Concrete Blonde). This record must be listened to in its entirety to get the full impact - cherry-picking is for 80 IQ & under lame-oids!
MTV & VH-1 classify Divinyls as "One-hit Wonders", which shows how much they know about music! Trust me - this band is HOT!! I highly recommend EVERY DIVINYLS RECORD, but this is the best of the best! Do yourself a favor & add "What A Life!" to your collection - you'll never watch music television again!!
Pure Rock! Great Band!.......2005-07-15
SuperSexy Power Rock/New Wave Hybrid.......2005-07-08
Onto the disc at hand: "What A Life" is definately the most New Wave-ish of the DiVinyls's albums, mixed with more of a power rock/hard rock style than New Wave usually has (I'm not really an expert on the style but I have heard and liked some of it). And it's quintessentially DiVinyls, having that unique intangible that's at the core of all their albums, whatever style they're playing, that's always taken bits and pieces of the best of so many genres and subgenres until the DiVinyls almost constitute their own genre.
"Pleasure And Pain" is one of the least typical musically of the group's output, probably because ('cover songs' excluded) it's the only one they've done that none of the band members wrote or co-wrote. It's a great song though, very well written and distinctively performed, about a woman trying to find a way out of an abusive relationship. It's got this poppy beat, strange for a song of its subject matter, but Christina Amphlett's vocals hit all the right notes emotionally and it, like other tracks before and after this album, debunks the notion among critics that DiVinyls only do one kind of lyrical material. "Pleasure And Pain" helps show their true versatility musically and lyrics-wise.
"Don't You Go Walking" treads the tried but true ground of 'lover don't leave' material found on so many rock albums, but with the added vocal quirks and impassioned bellowing Amphlett brings to the table and a great extended guitar outro. "Good Die Young" is on the much rarer (musically) ground of what I think of as Dark New Wave, with drummer Richard Harvey getting a good chance to shine, and another turn of the tragic/dark side of Chrissie's vocals which she used to such devastating effect on "Elsie" off the "Desperate" album.
"Sleeping Beauty" - now here's the kind of song the DiVinyls Are known for, and how they shine on this one! Deliciously suggestive vocals from Chrissie ranging from dreamily pure to teasingly playful to red-hot whispered husky. "Motion" is just plain bizarre, and wonderfully so, with Chrissie in full Wild Girl mode through most of her singing.
On "In My Life" though, the vocals manage to go from wild to downright scary. Christina is one of four singers I know who can really, on more than just an occasional basis, 'sing scary' when they want to (the others are Alice Cooper, King Diamond and Till Lindemann from Rammstein). This is a delight though, not dark. Roller coaster ride scary vocals. "Casual Encounter" is a misinterpreted song. People say it's mean and taunting; I get the opposite from it. It's about a girl looking for love (and sex, might as well call a spade a spade) but who's tired and cranky (Really cranky in this case) from potential suitors faking the first just to try to get the second. That's how I read it anyway. Musically, it's one of the most clearly Hard Rock tracks on the album and the least New Wave.
"Heart Telegraph" is really different musically again, with unique intro effects and a pulsing, electronic-sounding rhythm throughout and more subdued but still excellent vocals. "Guillotine Day"'s vocals are definately not subdued and highlighted by great keyboards.
The album ends with "Dear Diary", one of the most beautifully haunting tracks I've ever heard. Soft and powerful vocals, an outstanding example of the art of songwriting, incredible musicianship all around, the effect of the rain heard in the background fitting in perfectly, the slow drums seeming to bleed with unnameable emotions. A perfect way to close an eclectic album.
Only downsides: not enough pictures of Christina (alright, to be fair there'd have to be some of the rest of the band too, but it's the abscence of a booklet of Chrissie pictures I'm mourning); the 4 missing tracks from the original version of this still NEED to get out there ("Old Radios" has the single most adorably bizarre vocals I've ever heard) and it's been too many years since there was any new DiVinyls material. Maybe they've retired or gone onto non-performing ventures, but if you read this, PLEASE consider coming back for even just a couple of new songs to go on a collection of rarities. We miss you!
Okay, enough lamentations. Great, eclectic and unforgettable album. 10/10, at the very least.
Excellent!!! forgotten eighties treasure.......2003-12-03
Divinyls- The "original" alternative band.......2003-06-04
It is also one of the rare albums, you can play front to back without skipping any songs.
Average customer rating:
|
Best of Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span Manufacturer: EMI/Chrysalis ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk
| Traditional British & Celtic Folk
| Folk
| Styles
| Music
General
| Folk
| Styles
| Music
Traditional Folk
| Folk
| Styles
| Music
Folk Rock
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Folk
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000743T Release Date: 1992-01-01 |
Tracks:
- Gaudete
- All Around My Hat
- Thomas The Rhymer
- Alison Gross
- Little Sir Hugh
- Cam Ye O'Er Frae France
- Long Lankin
- Gone To America
- Let Her Go Down
- Black Jack Davy
- Bach Goes To Limerick
Customer Reviews:
The essential collection of Steelye Span.......2005-08-12
First off is Gaudete from the album "Below The Salt", their well known version of a Christmas song sung in Latin.Then comes All Around My Hat" their one true hit and probably the one song for which they're most closely associated. It's an exciting arrangement with a great sing-along chorus and feisty mandolin breaks. The album of the same name was actually pretty uninspired and only contained one other true classic- "Black Jack Davy" which fortunately is also on this album.
The single version of "Thomas The Rhymer" is arguably their finest moment.With it's punchy verse, sublime chorus and ever shifting rhythms, this is Steeleye Span at their most progressive and exciting. Labelmate Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson was the production consultant and seems to have taken the experience of working with Steeleye Span when his band recorded the Songs From The Wood album.
"Alison Gross" and "Cam Ye O'er Frae France" are from the Parcel Of Rogues album which for the first time,shows the band moving into a more progressive direction. The latter song is particuarly haunting and beautiful.
"Little Lord Hugh","Long Lankin" and "Bach goes to Limerick" are all from the bands most underated album, Commoner's Crown.The epic eight and a half minute "Long Lankin"with its dramatic music breaks and dramatic feel is one of the band's crowning achievments.
The album also includes two of their later songs, "Gone To America" and "Let Her Go Down" from the Sails of Silver album which saw the band losing much of their eccentricity and becoming more mainstream.They are pleasant enough though a little pedestrian for my tastes.
This is the one Steeleye Span album I throw on when I need a quick dose of high energy inventive progressive folk rock. Anyone who buys this who only knows "All Around My Hat" are likely in for a treat! Highly recommended.
Folk rock for starters.......2004-05-10
A great folk-rock band! A must buy!!!.......2001-06-05
The songs on the album are all great, especially "Gaudete", "Cam Ye O'er Frae France", "Long Lankin". "Gaudete" sounds like some kind of prayer. very strong. "Cam Ye O'er Frae France" is my favorite track. It shows the wonderful ability of there female singer. It sounds almost imposible to sing. It is not in france but old english. And "Long Lankin" is the best example of a folk-rock song. It is a very old song modernly interpeted with electic guitars.
Their style reminds me sometimes of a feminan version of Jethro-Tull. Those guys sure know what they are doing. A must buy!!!
A great folk-rock band! A must buy!!!.......2001-06-05
The songs on the album are all great, especially "Gaudete", "Cam Ye O'er Frae France", "Long Lankin". "Gaudete" sounds like some kind of prayer. very strong. "Cam Ye O'er Frae France" is my favorite track. It shows the wonderful ability of their female singer. It sounds almost imposible to sing. It is not in france but old english. And "Long Lankin" is the best example of a folk-rock song. It is a very old song modernly interpeted with electic guitars.
Their style reminds me sometimes of a feminan version of Jethro-Tull. Those guys sure know what they are doing. A must buy!!!
Pop Music:
- Cinquieme As: Fifth Ace [Enhanced] [Import]
- Collection [Import]
- Compre Agora !!! Ve Se Gostas [Import]
- De Coleccion [Import]
- Disfarca E Chora [Import]
- Do Crime Para O Rap [Import]
- E Il Pavone Parlo Alla Luna [Import]
- El Tango [Import]
- Entre Vareta Y Canasta [Import]
- Feelings [Import]
