Blow Up

1. Top of the Pops

2. Too Much Passion

3. Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong

4. Evening Dress

5. Get a Hold of My Heart

6. Indigo Blues

7. Now and Then

8. Girl in Room 12

9. Anywhere You Are

10. Over and Over Again

11. It's Alright

12. If You Want the Sun to Shine

Tracks:

Grow Up And Blow Away
Hardwire
Rock Me Now
The Twist
On the Sly
Soft Rock Star
Raw Sugar
White Gold
London Halflife
Soft Rock Star

Customer Reviews:

I guess it's finally come out........2007-06-28

I like to think I was one of the first ever Metric fans. I saw them live in Toronto in August of 2001. At that time, they'd only played a handful of gigs and this is the album they were plugging (their first). Nobody knew who they were. After the show, I met them and got their autographs because I knew they'd become famous. Anyway, I became a member of their fanclub and they sent me a free CD with a lot of these songs on it. About a year later, they'd gotten a little more recognition and I bought the Static Anonymity EP from their new website which featured some more songs from this collection as well as a couple of songs not included here. This album never came out until now. I already have all of these songs. They originally come from that free CD they sent me in 2001 or the Static Anonymity EP from 2002. So I don't really need to buy this one, but I will anyway because I think it's the best way to close a chapter that was left unfinished for the longest time.

Stands the Test of Time.......2007-06-26

Does anyone remember the i-Zone? It was a little Polaroid camera that could print little messages on the instant photo. That was the gimmick, and quite unsurprisingly, it failed miserably. However, the North American television ads that accompanied this sure-fire failure contained a hidden gem. Floating in the background was a woman singing, "If this is the life, why does it feel so good to fly away?" The woman was Emily Haines, the band was Metric, and the song was a TV-friendly version of "Grow Up and Blow Away," the title track to their ill-fated debut album. Originally recorded in 2001 (or 1999, depending on your source), the album features Metric as a two-piece and was delayed again and again by their record label until it was finally shelved to make room for "Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?" Six years later, and the album is finally being dusted off. Is it worth the wait?

Absolutely! "Grow Up and Blow Away" is immediately captivating, thanks to the lead-off and title track. The lyrics are back in their original form, Emily singing "Why does it feel so good to die today?" One of the things that's instantly noticeable is that Metric as a two-piece is a much more toned-down affair. With just James and Emily, the songs are often just comprised of a drum machine and synthesizer. The result is a Metric that is just as awesome as their current incarnation, just less chaotic.

It's all still really cool music though. "Rock Me Now" features a funky musical accompaniment and finds Emily merely speaking throughout its playtime. It's actually James that does all the singing on the song, which is quite a shock to hear. At the same time, it's an undeniably cool song, making you feel like throwing on your MIB-shades and bobbing your head uncontrollably. "The Twist" is another great song that utilizes an almost hip-hop beat. In the chorus, when James and Emily are harmonizing with each other, it's absolutely beautiful. It makes me wish that more of this will happen on future Metric albums, though the actual chances of this are slim.

Though hints of their current new wave sound are apparent throughout the album, the majority of "Grow Up and Blow Away" feels much more like a straightforward pop album than anything else. "Raw Sugar," for example, has a Corrine Bailey Rae-esque musical accompaniment and features Emily singing "I don't want to die living in a high-rise grave" in a very soulful way. It's very un-Metric like, but at the same time, it's still a really great song. "White Gold" is another un-Metric song, sounding more like it could've been ripped off of Emily's solo album, "Knives Don't Have Your Back" if it weren't for the harmonies and non-minimal production.

In the end, "Grow Up and Blow Away" is an album that all Metric fans should definitely check out. Though it peaks at the very first song, you'd be a fool to stop listening there. Even in their early history as a band, Metric shows an uncanny ability to craft brilliantly infectious pop songs that will stick with you for weeks and weeks. Although the sound of the album has a definite early-2000s feel to it, most of these songs stand the test of time (unlike the i-Zone). It may have taken six years to hit the shelves, but "Grow Up and Blow Away" is well worth the wait.

Recommended for fans of Metric and anyone who still rocks the i-Zone like it's 1999!

Key Tracks:
1. "Grow Up and Blow Away"
2. "Rock Me Now"
3. "The Twist"
4. "On the Sly"
5. "White Gold"

7 out of 10 Stars

Perhaps Solinas should have done his research..........2007-06-26

This is not a new album by any means. This is the first album Metric ever made and it was largely underground until now that it has been redone and repackaged (with some extra songs thrown in to keep the fans happy).

Grown up, but not blown away.......2007-06-26

Like many a hit indie band, Metric recorded songs before they hit it big with "Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?" In this case, it's "Grow Up and Blow Away" -- which despite its "early stuff" label has musical polish and maturity, and an enigmatic twist that keeps their sprightly jazz-flavoured pop fresh.

A child's voice says "Grow up, and blow away." That's the springboard to a tangle of sensual synth twists wrapped around some solid riffs and beats. Emily Haines murmurs a bittersweet song -- alcoholism, disillusionment, and having a child without regard of where it will be: "If this is the life/why does it feel/so good to die today?... nobody knows which street to take/he took the easy way/what was the easy way?"

Things get more uptempo with the jazzy-pop vibe of "Hardwire," all about "leaving behind the basement life," and apparently trying to start a band. Then Metric slips into a series of polished pop tunes: retro-flavoured beats, sexy noir tunes, delicate electronic tunes, sweeping piano balladry, and combos of all the above.

"Grow Up and Blow Away" has a tumultuous history -- the label diddled around with it, and then the band decided that fans wouldn't like it. So it took six to eight years to hear Metric's initial take on electropop, flavoured with different sounds that faded away in subsequent albums.

The most relevant sound is jazz, which is hardly surprising as Haines is the daughter of a jazz musician. They have the basic indiepop staples -- piano, solid drums and guitar, and Haines provides swirls, bubbles and wobbles of synth. But where their last album was laced with blazing rock'n'roll, Metric infuses their new album with a heavy jazz influence, with a little bit of funk.

And Haines herself sounds like a young girl who's seen too much real life -- her voice is high and sweet, but she sings enigmatic songs of disillusionment, tormented minds, and living in a "high rise grave." The happiest ones seems to be all about touring and travelling ("I should be living/Giving my mind a chance to rewind/And playback beautiful music...").

Metric has grown up but thankfully not blown away just yet, and their previously unreleased first album shows why. Striking, memorable, and beautifully polished.

Average customer rating:

Not awful ....but
Blow Up Your Video definitely delivers on the rock level.
ONE OF THE FINEST AC/DC ALBUMS
Bust out the T.N.T...
No doubt the most underrated effort from the boys

Blow up Your Video
AC/DC
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Fly on the Wall
Flick of the Switch
Powerage
Who Made Who
Stiff Upper Lip

ASIN: B00009MGR6
Release Date: 2003-07-01

Tracks:

Heatseeker
That's The Way I Wanna Rock N Roll
Meanstreak
Go Zone
Kissin' Dynamite
Nick Of Time
Some Sin For Nuthin'
Ruff Stuff
Two's Up
This Means War

Customer Reviews:

Not awful ....but.......2007-01-31

Ac/Dc had really been having a rough spot of luck....'Flick Of The Switch' bombed...they tried to re-release tracks with Bon on '74 Jailbreak' still didn't bring back the crowd they lost after 'For Those About To Rock' (which was a fantastic CD),they tried writing a CD filled with melody and great tunes with 'Fly On The Wall' which did help bring some new fans to the band and did boost sales but their hard core fans were angry because the songs were in their minds a little too polished (well,excuse a band for wanting songs people can sing along to...we all can't be Anthrax now can we?)
so Ac/Dc I think made a distinct effort to be a little more heavy on this release 'Blow Up Your Video'...to those that are constantly busting on Bon Jovi,Warrant and Poison...let me remind you of what that time period would have been like without them...do you remember Huey Lewis and the News...the Culture Club...Wham...Banannarama,the Bangles,the Cars,and Michael Jackson??? well those bands you all hate so much saved the airwaves from constant "Born In The USA' and 'Like A Virgin' so show a little more respect please...anyway...Ac/Dc has never sold out their ideals and have always stood by their guns and made good solid blues based rock and roll...I just think on this one they sacrificed good songwriting and melody for the sake of being 'heavy' and 'cool' with the guys again...
the opening track is great 'Heatseeker' is fantastic...it rocks as hard as anything in their catalog and is very memorable...then there is 'That's the way I want to rock and roll' another very catchy and memorable song..a great 2nd song..(oddly enough they released videos for both songs that got heavy rotation on MTV *funny for a band with a CD 'blow up your video'*
in fact...the video for 'That's the way I want to rock and roll' is a very cool video with a beautiful school girl dancing in her room so that got two thumbs up from me immediately...but anyways...it goes downhill from there...'meanstreak' and 'go zone' feel tired...like going through the motions..heavy but nobody really cared...'Kissing Dynamite' was pretty good..memorable chorus...'Nick Of Time' sounds like a tune from 'Flick Of The Switch' it's not bad...just a let down from the past album...'Some Sin For Nuthin' okay,I really like this tune a lot,it is very catchy...'Ruff Stuff' I love this one...especially the lyrics....'Two's Up' is the best song on the CD in my opinion (even better then the singles) I think they should have released this one as a single first...this one is great..alot of atmosphere...and then going with their past trends,they close the album with a stinker.."This Means War" should have been left off...it isn't horrible but it isn't up to par with the rest of the CD

The Upside - some great tunes..Heatseeker,That's The Way I want to rock and roll..ruff stuff...and definitely two's up...the production is great...Angus' solos are still awesome..and Brian is still screaming with energy and the production is great

The Downside - way too much filler....most of the songs feel thrown together in a hurry...gets very boring when listening to the album from start to finish...should have waited and combined the great songs from this one with some of the great songs on the next one

The Bottom Line - A pretty good CD to add to your collection if you are a true Ac/Dc fan...for Heatseeker and Two's Up alone it's worth buying...but if you are a casual fan and need to miss one Ac/Dc CD maybe this is the on e to skip....in my opinion it's still worth owning if you love the band...Donutman says so!!!

Blow Up Your Video definitely delivers on the rock level........2006-08-04

Blow Up Your Video is one of my favorite AC/DC albums, because almost all of the songs on here are incredibly catchy and give AC/DC a new, innovative feel.

1.Heatseeker- One of the albums' hits, this upbeat song keeps the rock pace the whole time. 8/10
2.That's The Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll- One of my favorites, because the chorus is catchy and the fast beat never stops. 9/10
3.Meanstreak- One of AC/DC's catchiest songs ever. The guitar during the verses is awesome. 10/10
4.Go Zone- A good solid rock song that does not disappoint. 8/10
5.Kissin' Dynamite- I love the guitar riff during the verses, and the chorus. Just a great song. 8/10
6.Nick Of Time- One of my favorite songs, because the chorus sounds innovative and it is catchy. 9/10
7.Some Sin For Nuthin'- One of the only songs on this album that isn't really a standout track. 7/10
8.Ruff Stuff- More sexually-charged lyrics add to this songs already good beat. 8/10
9.Two's Up- Sort of an ominous song, but catchy and great nonetheless. 9/10
10.This Means War- One of the two songs on this album that aren't really that good. It's fast, but repetitive. 7/10

This album is surprisingly among the greats with "Back In Black" and "Highway To Hell". So that means buy it immediately.

ONE OF THE FINEST AC/DC ALBUMS.......2006-07-30

DONT LISTEN TO THE ONE STAR REVIEWER BELOW ME AS HE SEEMS TO HAVE A CRUSADE AGAINST THE BRIAN JOHNSON ERA AC/DC ALBUMS.BLOW UP YOUR VIDEO IS AN EXTREMELY GOOD ALBUM WITH CLASSICS LIKE HEATSEEKER AND THAT'S THE WAY I WANNA ROCK'N'ROLL.VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Bust out the T.N.T..........2006-07-30

...because after hearing this I felt like blowing up my copy of Blow up Your Video. It's better than Flick of the Switch (not saying much), and This Means War is a good song. As for the rest... don't even get my started. Popular favorites Heatseeker and That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll both suck, and the rest is even worse. Again, I'm a fan of This Means War but that's the extent of it.

No doubt the most underrated effort from the boys.......2006-07-28

-Blow Up Your Video- is criminally lumped in with the band's mid to late 80s slump period. That is sad, as i though that this was one of their strongest albums since -Back In Black- (not to say that -Flick...- wasn't any good!). For the first time in a long time, the aussie boys issued a soild album front to back of kick [...] blues-based tunes. I still can't belive how -Razors Edge-,the follow up, sold more and garnered more attention for the band then -Blow Up Your Video- did. If you are a long time fan, you may already have your own love or hate towards it, but newbies should definatly not pass this by.

Average customer rating:

Very Enjoyable for all music fans
Absolutely Amazing! Two CDs packed with the world's most beautiful classical music...

The Classical Album 2005

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Number One Classical Album 2006
Time to Say Goodbye
Vittorio
Defined
The #1 Opera Album

ASIN: B000A8AXWW
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Customer Reviews:

Very Enjoyable for all music fans.......2006-03-02

This is very good collection of music that brings to life a wide variety of music that is both old and contemporary. The selections vary from composers, historical and famous such as Pavarotti and Puccini to today's James Horner (Titanic, A Beauituful Mind) and John Williams (Star Wars, Sabrina, Jaws, Saving Private Ryan).

If you enjoy the sounds of Sarah Brightman, Charlotte Church, Enya, Kate Bush, Andrea Bocelli, and various theatre music (Andrew Lloyd Webber (Evita, Cats), then you will find this collection worthy of your appreciation.

I have often wondered why classical music radio channels do not play modern composers (i.e., Horner, Willams), and am glad that this album gives them credit that they deserve. There is so many good compositions being created every day that only appear to have a voice on the big screen, which is unfortunate.

Track 11, composed by The Doors, and is a nice version, indeed. I also enjoy the Bond players giving a new twist to some old favourites.

Ciao,
Neil

Absolutely Amazing! Two CDs packed with the world's most beautiful classical music..........2005-11-08

First, let me begin by saying that I am by no means an expert in classical music, but have grown to appreciate it immensely in the past year. I can say wholeheartedly that this is the most beautiful compilation of music I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. It's simple irresistible. There are few words to describe how emotional it is to hear Pavarotti sing "II Canto", or Placido Domingo belt out "Questa o quella". You just get numb with joy!! I have NO idea what they are saying but a translation not necessary. The entire collection (TWo jammed-packed CDs) is phenomenal (excluding the selections from "Bond" which I found to be particularly annoying and not at all "classical" in the true sense of the word). There is something here for everyone, regardless of your personal musical tastes or tolerances.

A guaranteed hit -- Don't miss this one.

CD One

Andrea Bocelli "En Aranjuez con tu amor"
Bryn Terfel - "Granada"
Bond - "Viva" ( not my favorite, sounds almost disco-ish)
Hayley Westenra - "Pokarekare Ana"
Luciano Pavarotti - "Una Mattina"
Katherine jenkins - "Time To Say Goodbye" (a heart stopper - so beautiful!)
Duel - "Canon" (lovely!)
Janine Jansen - "Allegro from 'Spring'"
Andreas Scholl - "Ombra mai fu"
Nigel Kennedy - "The Unknown Soldier"
Kiri Te Kanawa - "Nuns' Chorus"
Nelson Freire - "Chopin Etude No. 1 op. 25
Julian Lloyd Webber - "Flight of the Bumble-bee"
James Horner - "For the Love of a Princess
Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard "Now We Are Free"
Renee Fleming - "Mesicku na nebi hlubokem"
Russell Watson - "Amore e Musica"

CD TWO

Luciano Pavarotti - "II Canto" (I MUST see him sing this in person!!)
Placido Domingo - "Questa o quello" (I never tire of hearing this)
Andrea Bocelli & Bryn Terfel - "the Pearl Fisher's Duet"
Jose Carreras - "Funiculi, funicula
Dominc Miller & Kaori Muraji - "Fragile"
Tavener - "Song for Athene"
Josep Calleja - "La donna e mobile"
Jean-Yves Thibaudet - "Gymopedie No. 1"
Juan Diego Florez - "Una furtiva lagrima"
Kathleen Ferrier - "Blow the Wind Southerly"
Angela Gheorghiu - "Ave Maria"
Janine Jansen - "Schindler's List Main Theme"
Bond - "explosive"
Secret Garden - "You Raise Me Up"
Hayley Westenra - "Never Say Goodbye"
The Three Tenors - "Nessun Dorma"

Enjoy!

Cris Cunningham for Amazon.com

Average customer rating:

Their Last Great Album
Not the best,Not the Worst.
it's better than you remembered...
One of AC/DC's better 80s efforts
AWESOME ALBUM

Blow up Your Video
AC , and DC
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Ballbreaker
Fly on the Wall
Stiff Upper Lip
Powerage
Who Made Who

ASIN: B000008COG
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Heatseeker
That's The Way I Wanna Rock N Roll
Meanstreak
Go Zone
Kissin' Dynamite
Nick Of Time
Some Sin For Nuthin'
Ruff Stuff
Two's Up
This Means War

Customer Reviews:

Their Last Great Album.......2007-01-11

Ignore what you've heard anywhere else, this is the last time Brian's voice is in top form, the last time the rhythm section really cooks and the last time Malcolm's riffs/songs work from beginning to end. Angus is as always great. There is only one knock against this album, and that is the way the vocals were recorded. Excessive reverb and unwise mixing result in a sound that is hard to explain on a top band's album; somebody was asleep at the switch. Nevertheless, you can listen to this set all the way through without a duff track in the lot. Be thankful for small favors from your favorite Scottish band (by way of Australia).

Not the best,Not the Worst........2005-05-11

This is an ok album.See,ths is one of those albums that you don't hear much about.The songs are good,not great.The best song is Heatseaker.This Means War is good too.Now there is no bad AC/DC album ,so just because it is underated,it still makes a good addition to any AC/DC colection.

it's better than you remembered..........2005-04-13

I've read some scathing reviews for this album, but I don't get it. I always thought if you meshed Back In Black with Let There Be Rock, you might get the vibe of Blow Up Your Video IMO...loud, heavy, and butt-shakin'. How can any self-respecting AC/DC fan NOT feel like strutting around the house when "Meanstreak" blares through the speakers? I might earn a negative rating for saying this, but IMO "Meanstreak" is one of AC/DC's most criminally underrated songs. The band picks up the pace on quite a few tracks ("Heatseeker", "That's The Way I Wanna Rock & Roll", "Nick Of Time", "This Means War"), which was something that was lacking on their previous album, the decent but somewhat lethargic Fly On The Wall. Strangely, the song from BUYV that DID get most of the attention ("Heatseeker") arguably has aged less gracefully than the others. In a nutshell, I'll say this about the album: none of my Top 10 AC/DC songs come from Blow Up Your Video, but none of my bottom 10 either...it IS one of the band's more consistent efforts, however, and little filler is to be found IMO. If you dismissed this album years ago, do yourself a favor and give it another listen...

One of AC/DC's better 80s efforts.......2004-08-26

Three stars? Four stars? I ended up going with four stars after performing a simple test on this album:
I haven't listened to it for a long time (a couple of years, I think), but looking at the track listing, I could actually remember at least part of all the songs without too much trouble.
Can't say that about too many records, can you?

This album isn't as uniformly strong as "Back In Black" or 1990's "The Razor's Edge", but the hit singles "Heatseeker" and "That's The Way I Wanna Rock n' Roll" are great, and several of the "lesser" songs are very good as well, with only a little bit of filler ("This Means War" and "Go Zone").

I always liked "Nick Of Time", with its descending wail of a chorus, and "Ruff Stuff" and "Some Sin For Nuthin'" are great as well. This album will be a fine addition to your AC/DC-catalogue once you've got "Back In Black", "Highway To Hell", "The Razor's Edge" and "Let There Be Rock".

AWESOME ALBUM.......2004-02-13

THIS IS THE ONLY ALBUM,WITH SIMON WRIGHT THAT I LIKE ON DRUMS(NOT THAT FLY WAS BAD) ,HE SOUNDS A LITTLE LIKE PHIL RUDD,THIS MAN LEFT AC/DC FOR "DIO",THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE!THIS ALBUM HAS ALOT OF HARD ROCKIN' TUNES.I LOVE KISSIN' DYNAMITE AND SOME SIN FOR NOTHIN'.THE LYRICS ARE NOT QUITE AS BAD AS FLY ON THE WALLS,BUT ARE NOT BACK IN BLACK STANDARDS (WHAT IS)?THE RAW,POWERFUL,COOL SOUND OF THIS HELPS QUITE A BIT!!!CHECK THIS OUT,YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

A Close Decision
Gorgeous Power Pop
Alright For Fans, But
I'll Drink To That!
Excellent offering from an under-rated group

Blow Up
The Smithereens
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

11
Green Thoughts
Date with the Smithereens
Especially for You
God Save the Smithereens

ASIN: B000007NZN
Release Date: 1991-09-10

Tracks:

Top Of the Pops
Too Much Passion
Tell Me When Did Things Go Wrong
Evening Dress
Get A Hold Of My Heart
Indigo Blues
Now And Then
Girl In Room 12
Anywhere You Are
Over And Over Again
It's Alright
If You Want the Sun To Shine

Customer Reviews:

A Close Decision.......2005-06-26

I listened to it twice in the used music store, but decided not to buy. It's not a bad effort, and does have some interesting tracks, (like "Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong" and "Indigo Blues") ... but overall the album feels poppier than other Smithereens albums, and it didn't speak to me.

It's respectable addition though, if you just want your collection to be complete.

Gorgeous Power Pop.......2004-10-05

This is an album for anyone who's been madly in love, gone through a painful breakup, or loved someone from afar. "Evening Dress" is a perfect wedding song, while "Anywhere You Are" and "Over And Over Again" are for those long nights spent thinking about the one that got away. The lead single and opening track "Top Of The Pops" is probably the weakest song on the album -- it's a slow-tempo rehashing of the heavy-riffing guitar sound that worked so well on "A Girl Like You" -- but the second single "Too Much Passion" captures more of the flavor of what's to come. There are a few rocking songs on the album, like the potent blast of "Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong" and "Girl In Room 12", but this album is primarily for lovers of bittersweet jangly power pop like R.E.M., Big Star, and the like.

Alright For Fans, But.......2001-02-22

The Smithereens are not a great band; it's not that they are bad; they just aren't great. This album is a case in point. `Indigo Blues' is quite infectious and fun, but the rest of the album is formulaic and uninspiring. It seems likely that real fans of the band will enjoy it but casual fans would be better served by a comp.

I'll Drink To That!.......2001-02-05

Don't mean to repeat the same things as the previous reviewer but it is truly very accurate. The record is loaded with drive and has that special avante garde sixities flavor that makes the Smithereens so special. Some of the arrangements are more creative than on previous releases. Top Of The Pops and Indigo Blues rock with energy and flair while Evening Dress is one pretty ballad. Anywhere You Are I would not quite classify as a ballad but stands strong on the spooky organ playing as well as the eerie vocal harmonies. A consistent effort from start to finish.

Excellent offering from an under-rated group.......1999-07-31

The '91 offering from The Smithereens yields even more of the brilliant songwriting diversity I've come to expect from Pat DiNizio & Co. The Drive of TOP OF THE POPS and WHEN DID THINGS GO SO WRONG goes beautifully with the mellow drive of EVENING DRESS and ANYWHERE YOU ARE. The guitar work is stellar, and lyrics are intelligent, yet easy to relate to. Great job.

Blow It Up, Burn It Down, Kick It 'Til It Bleeds

Average customer rating:

Stereolab fans, take note

Blow It Up, Burn It Down, Kick It 'Til It Bleeds
Imitation Electric Piano
Manufacturer: Drag City
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Trinity Neon
Pocket Symphony
Imitation Electric Piano
Can Cladders
Yellow House

ASIN: B000HCPSSA
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Tracks:

Tension
For The Best
I Mean Wow
Energy Is Beautiful
Relatively Good Times
Come Into Force
Le Roque
What We Do We Do
Leave For Johnny
Blow It Up, Burn It Down, Kick It 'Til It Bleeds

Customer Reviews:

Stereolab fans, take note.......2007-01-10

Another spin-off from Stereolab, with less in common with its source than Laeticia's side-project Monade (Which is also worth a listen, particularly "A Few Steps More"). This one is from their bassist, Simon Johns, and draws a bit from Stereolab's hypnotic riffing style, but new vocalist Mary Hampton has a cleaner, lighter soprano voice...and I'd say this stands on its own merits. Fans of Adventures in Stereo might find it familiar territory, though the song structures are generally more complex and elaborated upon. Recommended. "Trinity Neon", their initial effort, isn't as strong, a band finding its footing; Half of its tracks are instrumentals, and as with Monade, not up to its sophomore effort. Those who love "Blow It Up" and Stereolab completists may want to check it out.

Average customer rating:

dangerous notes
True rock and roll genius
The Best Guitar Band hands down!
Wish I Was There!
An excellent companion to Marquee Moon

The Blow-Up
Television
Manufacturer: Roir
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Adventure
Tom Verlaine
Marquee Moon
Television
Flash Light

ASIN: B00000IJ0F
Release Date: 1999-03-30

Tracks:

The Blow-Up
See No Evil
Prove It
Elevation
I Don't Care
Venus De Milo
Foxhole
Ain't That Nothin'
Knockin' On Heavens Door

Tracks:

Little Johnny Jewel
Friction
Marquee Moon
Satisfaction

Amazon.com

The guitar-led, thin-sounding rock of NYC's seminal art-punk band Television had many acolytes--from the lovelorn poetry of Australia's Go-Betweens to the more commercial sound of New Wave poppers the Knack. This live double CD, originally released on cassette in 1982, showcases the band at their most experimental and wired. Obvious standouts include the intricate, almost Coltrane-esque guitar duel between bandleaders Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd on an incredible 15-minute version of "Little Johnny Jewel," plus an equally lengthy and tormented reading of "Marquee Moon." Sound quality is extremely variable, but the spirit of the originators of the New York punk loft scene shines through, even on a relatively ordinary rendition of the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction." Raw, dreamy, and ripe for rediscovery. --Everett True

Album Description

A two-Cd collector's edition - over 85 minutes long, digitally re-mastered and re-edited. All material on this recording was selected by Tom Verlaine from live tapes(circa 1978). Originally released as a Roir double length cassette-only in 1982. Liner notes by Robert Christgau & John Piccarrella. Includes Extended versions of Little Johnny Jewel & Marquee Moon...over 14 minutes each.

Customer Reviews:

dangerous notes.......2006-11-05

The live version of Little Johnny Jewel is an event. Listen to this to hear the inheritor of the Jimi Hendrix mantle. Listen to this for another world, a dark vision beyond goth or metal. Listen to this for an artist pushing beyond stupid formula into new territory. Listen to this.

True rock and roll genius.......2006-02-19

What a find! I've always _liked_ Television, but the studio records left me just a wee bit cold. This burns a hole in your spakers. Not just for previous fans. Art-rockers will no doubt like the studio stuff better, but rock-rockers will likely appreciate this more. I'm a bit of a tech-geek and I hate badly engineered records, but I find this eminently listenable. The sound is not necessarily full, but its reasonably crisp. It is a live reocrding after all, and sounds like it. But this should not keep anyone away. Yes, the shorter, quiter, more 'composed' songs like Venus do work better in the album versions. But most of the material here benefits from the looser, more energetic playing. One could say its more passionate, but that doesn't begin to describe it. These guys are playing like their lives are at stake. Even if disc one was a total waste, which it isn't, disc two would be worth more than the price of admission even WITHOUT 'Little Johnny Jewel", and that particular track is priceless. I think this is simply one of the great rock and documents ever, right up there with The Who Live at Leeds.

The Best Guitar Band hands down!.......2005-04-30

If you havent heard Television and want to learn the origins of todays and tomorrows rock, than buy this record. Everyone seems to only mention Tom Verlaines work, but its the virtuosity of the guitar interplay that occurs between Richard Lloyd and Tom Verlaine (2 geniuses of the guitar) that make this band extraordinary (and Tom Verlains haunting vocals).

I am amazed by their last studio effort in '92 which almost surpasses Marquee Moon and Adventure. I saw them live in '92 at Roseland in NYC and was amazed how fresh and new this band still sounded. No other band compares. Kudo's to Bono for mentioning Television and Patti Smith as their main influences during this years rock and roll hall of fame. I wish other bands would admit their ideas were borrowed if not stolen from these legendary bands and composers.

Catch them while you can and buy their albums!

Wish I Was There!.......2004-06-09

This is simply one of the greatest recorded live performances I've ever heard and I spend a good deal of my life listening to live music in person and on CD.

The downer is that the sound quality is pretty poor in spots, but does get better on some tracks. Consequently, listening to this on headphones definitely beats listening to it in your car. In short, the sound quality will annoy you at times, but if you listen carefully, I believe you'll find it well worth it.

On "The Blow-Up" you hear a band that is literally fearless. It's a bit like watching four incredibly gifted artists sprint back and forth on a tightrope. Not only is the collective performance incredible, but Verlaine's material ranks with the finest in rock history. Yes, the guitars are awesome, but the rhythm section of Fred Smith and Billy Ficca is equally incredible.

Buy Marquee Moon first (everyone should own a copy of that), but get this too to hear what Television were capable of live.

If you can find a copy, I'd also highly recommend Television - Live At The Old Waldorf: San Francisco, 6/29/78. This disc is a much shorter show, but it was professionally recorded and the sound quality is top notch. The performance is excellent, but perhaps not quite as incendiary as on "The Blow-Up."

Sadly, Rhino Handmade only issued 5,000 copies of "Live At the Old Waldorf," so you'll have to do some hunting on Ebay, etc. However, if you love great rock and roll, it's worth the trouble and expense.

An excellent companion to Marquee Moon.......2002-08-14

The first Television album is all tension and restraint -- beautiful guitars slashing at each other over Verlaine's wavery voice and a thumping rhythm section. "Marquee Moon" is the sound of a world class garage band, and one of the great guitar bands of all rock music playing majestic music, nearly losing control at each curve, but catching themselves before they fell apart.

This album strays at every opportunity. It's loud and indulgent. The playing is sometimes ridiculously sloppy, but when the band gets it right, as with the 15 minutes of "Little Johnny Jewel," it's as breathtaking as anything on "Marquee Moon."

I still prefer the studio versions of every song on this album to the live ones, but this is the perfect companion to "Marquee Moon." Even though the album was recorded after "Marquee Moon" was released, it works well as a backdrop for that album. Compared to the insane experimentation here, the solo on the studio version of "Marquee Moon" sounds tame and structured. The full-blown feakout of "Friction" is compressed into a tight single in the studio.

Which isn't to say the album doesn't stand on its own. As a double live album with low quality sound, it doesn't have much going for it in principle, but the guitars are fantastic. Very raw, very loud, and a lot of fun. Any fan of rock music owes it to themselves to buy "Marquee Moon" first (THAT'S the essential album), but this works well for those of us who can't get enough of a good thing.

Blue Serge/Boston Blow Up
Average customer rating:
Blue Serge/Boston Blow Up
Serge Chaloff
Manufacturer: Definitive Spain
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Proper Introduction to Serge Chaloff: The Baritone Sax Master

The Complete Small Group Bop Sessions

Boston 1950

The Fable of Mabel

Blue Serge

ASIN: B0001J3VGU
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Tracks:

I've Got the World on a String
Thanks for the Memory
Goof and I
Susie's Blues
Handful of Stars
All the Things You Are
Stairway to the Stars
How About You
Mar-Dros
Kip
Unison
Body and Soul
Yesterday's Gardenias
Bob the Robin
What's New
Boomareemaroja
Diane's Meddley
Sergical
J. R.

Blow Up Presents Exclusive Blend, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Solid Collection of 70's Action Adventure Cop Dramas

Blow Up Presents Exclusive Blend, Vol. 2
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Blowup Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000K22O
Release Date: 1999-08-09

Tracks:

Wild Elephants
Soul Skimmer
Underlay No. 3
Powerboat
Close Shave
Boss Man
Lucky Seven
Heavy Bopper
Funky Fanfare
Trip Wire
Second Cut
Bora
Teenage Chase
Fast Back
This Way Up
Raggers
Cult and Colour
New Project

Album Description

2007 reissue of this collection of rare music library recordings. Volume 2 sees Blow Up's founder and DJ Paul Tunkin entering the vaults of De Wolfe, Amphonic and again KPM. As with a bulk of Exclusive Blend 1, many of these tracks were receiving their first commercial airing on this album's release. The album also introduced James Clarke's Wild Elephants to the world, which was subsequently picked up by Gap and used on the 1999 'Khaki A Go-Go' worldwide campaign. As a thank-you from the writer it was re-titled 'Blow Up A-Go-Go' and became the title track for the successful V2 / Blow Up compilation 'Blow Up A-Go-Go! Dancefloor Classics from The Legendary Blow Up Club'. This album includes tracks from many great music library theme writers including Keith Mansfield, Alan Hawkshaw and Syd Dale, and includes the Alan Moorhouse Hammond heavy classic "Soul Skimmer" and the spaced out tribal funk of Nick Ingman's "Tripwire". Blow Up.

Customer Reviews:

Solid Collection of 70's Action Adventure Cop Dramas.......2006-05-25

Nice solid & professional collection of some of the best known British soundtrack composers. It's nowhere near as much fun as the EASY TEMPO or the BEAT AT CINECITTA collections - but it's a solid collection.

Blow-Up: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Average customer rating:

Terrific indie feel with an unbelieveable lineup!
I hate to use this word but...it's groovy
Swingin
A Must for Acid-Jazz and Film Score Fans
Herbie Hancock knows what he's doing

Blow-Up: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Herbie Hancock
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
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Binding: Audio CD

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Blow Up
Alfie
The Cellar Door Sessions 1970
Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane
Double Indemnity (Universal Legacy Series)

ASIN: B0000033VF
Release Date: 1996-08-20

Tracks:

Main Title (Blow-Up)
Verushka (Part 1)
Verushka (Part 2)
Butchie's Tune
Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?
Bring Down The Birds (Outtake)
The Naked Camera
Jane's Theme
The Thief
The Kiss
Curiosity
Thomas Studies Photos
The Bed
Stroll On
End Title (Blow-Up)
Am I Glad To See You (Outtake)
Blow-Up (Outtake)

Amazon.com

The 1997 film Austin Powers did more than create a new sound-byte lexicon for radio personalities and strip-club commercials. It also took nostalgia to a new comic plateau. Almost every element of Mike Myers's composite title character is rooted in some obscure enigma from the annals of swinging-'60s film. Powers's fashion-photography fetish and his vamping sidekick, Vanessa Kensington (Elizabeth Hurley), for instance, are obvious nods to Blow-Up, the first English film by Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni. Likewise, much of the music on this soundtrack would find campy camaraderie in the music of Austin Powers. The true quality of these performances, then, is a matter of context. Herbie Hancock's original compositions--much more pop-friendly than his previous work--are either supple or dated, depending on your perspective. One thing's for sure, though: the contributions by the Yardbirds (featuring Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page), and Tomorrow (featuring a pre-Yes Steve Howe) sound as scorching today as they did decades ago. --Matt Hanks

Customer Reviews:

Terrific indie feel with an unbelieveable lineup!.......2002-06-26

This is one of Herbie's best albums. With an all-star lineup and a terrific independent movie to go along with it, this is one of my favorites. It goes from funky jazz-pop like "Bring Down the Birds" to raw rock and roll from the Yardbirds back to super-chill lounge straight out of that wood-paneled rumpus-room your parents had in the finished basement.

If you're already a jazz buff and you think you have everything, you need this album. Just the personnel on this one should be enough for you. If you're new to jazz, this is a good place to start, too. It's extremely accessible and stays closer to earth than some of Herbie's more popular work from the 70's.

Either way, this is a must-have for any jazz collection, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I hate to use this word but...it's groovy.......2001-04-27

This is one of the most enjoyable soundtracks I've heard. Many of the songs have a bluesy-jazz feel, with a few cuts going into an either more jazzy or more poppy style. It's great for relaxing, as background music, or to get in a groovy mood. I hate the word groovy (probably Austin Powers' fault), but I guess it's the best word to describe the music on this album. The sound of the recordings is incredibly clear and crisp, especially for a 35 year old recording. Like the two other reviewers, I would have to disagree with the Amazon editor who believes Hancock's compositions are dated and the pop tunes are the highlights; I have a completely opposite opinion - the pop tunes, especially those by Tomorrow, sound much more dated than Hancock's compositions. I have no problems with The Lovin' Spoonful song (credited to its writer John Sebastian) and the Yardbirds song which are both great and fit in well with the rest of the album; it's the two Tomorrow songs that just aren't very good, and don't really fit in with the rest of the album. Luckily, they are at the end of the album, which means you can stop the cd before their songs begin. Don't get this for the Tomorrow songs (which are unavailable elsewhere), but get this for the great music by Hancock, etc. that were actually used in the film.

Swingin.......2000-11-21

Great mod movie, great make-out music, and Hancock's a fab jazz genius, but I just have to take issue with the Amazon editor who had the cheese to mention Austin Powers in the review above. Yea yea yea, Austin Powers borrowed from Blow-Up, and a hell of a lot of other sixties sillies, but please baby, don't even try to compare a parody to the real thing. Blow-up has so much more to offer in the way of fashion photography and bad British teeth. Mod on!

A Must for Acid-Jazz and Film Score Fans.......2000-08-07

The Amazon review does a great disservice to this score by putting the focus on the pop cuts by the Yardbirds and Tommorrow, and I much prefer the original vinyl release that deleted Tommorrow altogether. It is Hancock's sassy, melancholic piano and organ tracks that fuel this CD, and jazz and acid-jazz fans would do just as well to program 'out' the pop cuts for a seamless experience of cool, dark blues. Cuts like "The Bed" and "Thomas Studies Photos" rank high, and the title cut has been heavily sampled by mixmasters already (DeeLite's "Groove is in the Heart" stole the opening bass line). At the risk of sounding like a druggie (which I'm not!), BLOW-UP is the consummate opium CD: dreamy, disjointed in a coherent way if that makes sense, and certainly not confined to its 60s origins. It's neither camp nor kitsch, but a form of organ-based jazz that has finally come around to appreciative ears again. It's almost a must for any music fans who favor the 'Easy Tempo' soundtrack lounge series, and my favorite relic of pre-synthethic Hancock.

Herbie Hancock knows what he's doing.......1998-11-13

For those of you who are fans of old Blue Note and Verve records, the music in this film will really groove for you. Hancock is a great composer, and the music not only fits into the film, but stands on its own tremendously. And the song by the Yardbirds is built around a catchy riff that foreshadows Jimmy Page's later work with Ledd Zeppelin. This is an all-around great set of music.

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