Liberation [Import]

Product Description
Japanese edition of the Thrill Jockey act's 2004 album features 17 tracks including 3 exclusive bonus tracks, 'Sunny D', 'Freak Jam' & 'Go Pills'. Over the course of six albums & three EPs, Trans Am have pleased & confounded critics with their ever-changing style, from their Deutsch-influenced self-titled debut to their 80s inspired super-synth pop tunes, to raw rock. Liberation marks the first time politics have crept into their music, reflecting post-9/11 tension. 70s crunching guitars, late 80s synth-tones, & collages of sound bites culled from radio & TV give the tracks a dark tension that captures our current state of affairs.

Liberation,Trans Am,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Mediocre at Best Slightly disappointed 1st listen: disappointing. 2nd listen: I guess I'll keep it. 3rd listen: WHOA! Please enter a name for my review Solid.

Liberation Transmission Lostprophets Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Welsh Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Start Something The Fake Sound of Progress One X Decemberunderground Phobia ASIN: B000FQJP28 Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

1. Everyday Combat
2. A Town Called Hypocrisy
3. The New Transmission
4. Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)
5. Can' Stop, Gotta Date With Hate
6. Can't Catch Tomorrow (Good Shoes Won't Save You This Time)
7. Everybody's Screaming!!!
8. Broken Hearts, Torn Up Letters And The Story Of A Lonely Girl
9. 4:AM Forever
10. For All These Times Son, For All These Times
11. Heaven For The Weather, Hell For The Company
12. Always All Ways (Apologies, Glances And Messed Up Chances)

Customer Reviews:

Mediocre at Best.......2007-04-22

Although not a huge fan of the Lostprophets, I bought this album for my girlfriend as a Christmas gift. I've listened to it several times and I must say it's not the best music in the world. Although there are several good songs "rooftops" the rest of the CD just seems to be the same track with the same exact screaming over and over again. Hard to enjoy and like.

Slightly disappointed.......2007-04-13

There are many alternative/punk rock bands that for some reason contain a certain sound that appeals to the masses. I grew tired and searched for something more daring and expermential and I found the Lostphrophets "Start Something" Cd.

I was very excited to hear that the Lostprophets was coming out with a new Cd. When I listened to it though, I was slightly disappointed. They traded in that unique sound that seemed hardcore without excessive sreaming and heavy metal for a more pop culture sound. Something that would more appeal to the masses, to be placed on the radio more.

The Lostprophets changed their sound to get more famous. To get more money. I'm not saying I'm mad a them, or look down on the them, I'm just disappointed that the Lostprophets would fall to the glamour.

1st listen: disappointing. 2nd listen: I guess I'll keep it. 3rd listen: WHOA! .......2007-01-06

As the title of the review dictates, my personal enjoyment of Liberation Transmission was far from immediate. I bought it for $3.99 without having heard any of the songs except Rooftops, and then after listening to it twice one day I decided it wasn't quite as good as the non-emo style of Start Something and Fake Sound of Progress but at least was worth keeping in my collection for a few stand-out tracks. But then I listened to the album once more on my MP3 player yesterday and I was absolutely astonished by how awesome it was; far better than I had given it credit for after the first two listens, and I would now in fact call it one of the finer releases of 2006. Unlike the Hawthorne Heights or Simple Plan brand of emo, this album has a good degree of sophistication lyrically and instrumentally which is not at all shameful to be a fan of. Some of the songs even have guitar progressions that adopt a style similar to that of Bloc Party or The Bravery, such as the awesome track "Heaven fro the Weather, Hell for the Company". Speaking of song titles, that's the only real downside to the album; lengthy track names similar to the ones used by Panic! At the Disco and Fall Out Boy are corny on occasion and will likely not aid the Lostprophets in getting the respect they deserve for this phenomenal album. Still, track titles do nothing to mar the musical content of the tracks, which is of the finest quality. My favorite song on here would definitely have to be "The New Transmission", which probably is a hit too for all I know since I did after all hear it playing in a mall one time. This song has a particularly catchy and noisy riff in the background, a great energetic chorus where the guy yells "faaaaaaaaaaade out", and simply an awesome flow to the melody which may tempt you to head-bang depending on your age. "The New Transmission" is probably one of my Top 100 favorite tracks of all time, closely followed in greatness by "Heaven for the Weather, Hell for the Company", "Rooftops", and "A Town Called Hypocrisy". As I recall there were about five other tracks I liked extremely also; my MP3 player was in my pocket when the songs were playing though and thus I don't know all the names of them. I do know however that this is one amazing CD; technically flawless. I really can no longer say I want the band to return to the style of Start Something or the album before it, but don't get me wrong; I do like those albums a lot and wouldn't be completely heartbroken if they returned to that style for their next release. Overall I'd say that Liberation Transmission is a solid five star album, and one that certainly deserves more than a single listen if you weren't impressed with it the first time. Highly recommended!

Please enter a name for my review.......2007-01-02

I don't know Lostprophets, but I just heard this album at their offical website. After listening to it, this is what I have to say about this band....

This band was OK, but too much of punk, and I usually listen to punk. Songs "Everday Combat" and "Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)" were the best tracks in this album. And song "4 AM Forever" had a guitar solo. Lostprofets is just OK, but great. Sometimes they can get a little boring, since their songs are usually long, like song "Always All Way", a soft track. But I will advice you not to spend your money on this.

Solid........2006-12-27

Browsing through a few other reviews, it seems important to note here that I am a heterosexual male, and thus don't care how dreamy the boys in the band look (if I even bothered to look at the band, I would slightly resent them for it), and actually like them because of the music they make.

Having been in love with Start Something, I was expecting big things from Liberation Transmition. It's a solid album, but less my style than the previous album.

Perhaps a bit overproduced, it isn't quite as heavy as Start Something. To the band's credit, it legitimately sounds different from Start Something, but unfortunately for me, I enjoy it less.

Still worth owning, though. I would give it about 3.7 out of 5 stars. It has a lot of style and I like most of the album, but I confess to liking the first track, Everyday Combat, more than pretty much other song on the CD. I do rather dislike the first single, Rooftops/title track, howeever.

For whatever it's worth, this review was written by someone who actually pays money for music.

Average customer rating: Quintessential... 4.5, only because of the length, 5 for overall rating Not Bad...for a FREE release

Liberation Talib Kweli & Madlib ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: True Magic Ruff Draft Uncommonly Nasty Talib Kweli:Brooklyn Tennessee (Mixtape) Finding Forever ASIN: B000O3QSF4

Customer Reviews:

Quintessential..........2007-04-04

If you haven't gotten this album or if you're unsure if you'll like it, don't be! Kweli is a quintessential part of hip hop and if you're a hip hop head and you don't get this now you'll be paying double for it later. Madlib's beats and kweli's impeccable delivery and punchlines are a force to be recognized. Madlib is a producer I think people have been overlooking for a while, but he made a serious statement on this cd. He's the best kind of producer, the one that has a unique style and can tailor that style to his artist. So if you buy this you should definately purchase his other cds. Add to that the fact that Kweli is one of those great rappers that only gets better with time and buying this cd becomes an investment. As Kweli said, "the era of the bullsh^t is over."

4.5, only because of the length, 5 for overall rating.......2007-03-31

This colab with madlib was a great to listen too. I was lucky enough to get it at the cheaper price. I feel that Ta and Lib are an interesting match and I think they should do future projects. The production on this album is unique and innovative, the lyrics powerful. My only problem with this is that it is meant to be a treat to their fans and was made very short in length. To me the songs are not "rushed"... (it is an "EP" release, with only 9 tracks.)
Also I wish Lib would have done alittle MC'ing with Ta. I know some say this is not his strong area, but I disagree, Lib mc'ing would have added alittle flair to this colab, Ta could have been maybe Quas's little cousin???!!!. This will be a rare one so get it.

Not Bad...for a FREE release.......2007-03-12

This album was released on New Years Eve of 2007, available only as an internet-only download to visitors of the Stone's Throw record label website. It contains 9 tracks:

1. The Show
2. Funny Money
3. Time Is Right
4. Engine Runnin' (featuring Consequence)
5. Over the Counter
6. The Function (featuring Strong Arm Steady)
7. Happy Home (featuring Candice Anderson)
8. Soul Music (featuring Res)
9. What Can I Do

I would say about half of these tracks hit their mark, while the other half feels a bit rushed or, and I hate to say this, under-produced.

What you will get: a few nice new rhymes from Kweli, beats from Madlib

What you don't get: a true "collaboration" that feels like both artists are on the same page. I love both artists individually, but there's a little something off here.

The standouts are "The Show" "Time is Right" "Engine Running" and "What Can I Do?"

Are four tracks worth $20? Its up to you.

Average customer rating: Hypnotically grooving...Si Se Puede... Where is my CD? funky raw uptempo time-to-dance music SLAMMING oh yeah! I've been searching for this for years!!!

Liberation Afro Beat, Vol. 1 Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra Manufacturer: Ninja Tune ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Who Is This America? Talkatif Security The Best Best of Fela Kuti Open & Close/Afrodisiac ASIN: B00005B379 Release Date: 2001-04-10

Tracks:

1. Si, Se Puede
2. Dirt And Blood
3. Battle Of The Species
4. N.E.S.T.A. (Never Ever Submit To Authority)
5. Musicawi Silt (Live)
6. Uprising
7. El Machete
8. World War IV (Live)

Amazon.com

Owing as much to James Brown and Tito Puente as to Fela Kuti, Antibalas, the multiracial 14-piece Brooklyn collective named after the Spanish word for "bulletproof," are far from straight Afro Beat revivalists. Instead, Liberation Afro Beat, Vol. 1 lays New York's rich musical heritage of jazz, funk, and Latin groove over Afro Beat's polyrhythms to spectacular effect, resulting in a raw selection of driving ghetto funk. Despite tracks being mostly instrumental and nearly 10 minutes long, the relentless onslaught of rasping horns, African chants, strutting bass, and frantic percussion mean there's nothing dull about these eight phenomenal tunes. The collection's explosive Afro/Latin/American collision may earmark it as a party album, but there is a deeper motivation to their music. Hear the cries of war in the tenor sax breaks of "Dirt & Blood" and "World War IV"'s denouncement of American foreign policy; Antibalas's unreserved '70s grooves come with unreserved passion and politics. With all the ingredients of the golden age of funk, Liberation Afro Beat, Vol. 1 is a modern classic that matches (beat for socially aware beat) the best the era had to offer. --Dan Gennoe

Customer Reviews:

Hypnotically grooving...Si Se Puede..........2006-04-07

This is my favorite album by Antibalas. That is not to say the other subsequent releases are of lesser quality. Every one of there albums is a solid release and each one shows growth. This album has less vocals. The production is not as slick. I just have a preference for the more raw sounding drums. The lp's loose grooves build much like their Forebearer- Fela's music and the stacked horns are just a force to be reckoned with. Along with Afrobeat you can hear the musical influences of salsa and tijuana brass. Worth seeing live!!! If you don't at least tap a foot when listening to this you may need to check for a pulse.

Where is my CD?.......2005-09-24

I ordered this item on August 26th and it is now September 24th. Where is the CD??????!!!!

funky raw uptempo time-to-dance music .......2005-02-21

This is a quality album. All the songs are top-notch. The recording quality is so-so on the album in general... some of the mixes sounds flat and are less polished than Antibalas' other albums but I have some great speakers so most people probably won't notice it.

I'd definitely recommend this album to anyone who likes afrobeat or Antibalas' music. I'd also recommend "ASAP: the Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project"... there's a great uptempo live version of "Uprising" by Antibalas on it, as well as some other brilliant afrobeat acts like Tony Allen, Akoya, and Dele Sosimi. You can check it out at modiba.net

SLAMMING.......2003-11-23

These guys not only advance Fela's legacy creatively, they blow up the party. Try it, guaranteed you'll have some very happy feet.

oh yeah! I've been searching for this for years!!!.......2003-04-22

As described on the cd-cover, "Antibalas is a diverse cooperative of music makers in Brooklyn, dedicated to making original revolutionary afrobeat music inspired by the chief priest Fela Anikulapo-Kuti as well as other visionary artists."
Some of their songs are also published on the "Africafunk"-cds and other afrobeat-samplers.
How to define their style? Of course, sometimes they sound like Fela Kuti, a bit less Afro and a bit more Jazz. The 4 horns varying from "bigband-like" to deepest funk. 5 Congaplayers & Drummers will make you dancing & shaking. Guitars are super-funky, the organ & the bassline will blow your mind away.
Tracks 5-8 recorded live at the Jazz Café, London.
If you like JB, Matata, Mandrill, Fela Kuti, Manu Dibango, Peter King etc, you have to buy this funky, groovy masterpiece!!! If you wanna buy only one CD in 2003, go an buy this one! I'm just too happy I did so!

Average customer rating:

Liberation Talib Kweli & Madlib Manufacturer: Blacksmith ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Desire Hip-Hop Lives The Return of the Magnificent Talib Kweli:Brooklyn Tennessee (Mixtape) True Magic ASIN: B000ODMVEG Release Date: 2007-03-20

Album Description

This was a free download issued by the label late last year and was so popular that Blacksmith decided to issue it as an official CD album! 1 The Show 2 Funny Money 3 Time Is Right 4 Engine Runnin (f. Consequence) 5 Over The Counter 6 The Function (f. Strong Arm Steady) 7 Happy Home (f. Candice Anderson) 8 Soul Music 9 What Can I Do

Average customer rating: Truly awesome, but dynamics needed. Keeping melodic death metal alive and taking it to the next level!!

Liberation = Termination Mors Principium Est Manufacturer: Listenable Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Fiction The Hinderers Above the Weeping World Stuck Here on Snakes Way A New Disease Is Born ASIN: B000MM1ET2 Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

1. Orsus
2. The Oppressed Will Rise
3. The Animal Within
4. Finality
5. Cleansing Rain
6. Forgotten
7. Sinners Defeat
8. The Distance
9. It Is Done
10. Terminal Liberation
11. Lost Beyond Retrieval

Customer Reviews:

Truly awesome, but dynamics needed........2007-05-17

Some of the technical metal bands anymore think that dynamic means that the music is constantly complex, but complication gets repetative to a listener. This band would be much better with a few slower riffs or... just anything different. From a musicianship standpoint, however, this is amazing.

Keeping melodic death metal alive and taking it to the next level!!.......2007-04-28

How these guys aren't more popular I just don't understand! Simply put, this cd is completely amazing! If you are one of the many people out there that miss the good old days of In Flames and Soilwork, when they didn't write sing-a-longs, then this is exactly the cd you need to have!! Think all the catchiness of Clayman, the great melodies and guitar solos of The Chainheart Machine, and the epicness of Colony. Now make that 10 times faster and intense!! Yes, the guitar playing and drums on this cd are insanely fast! And not that this band is simply rehashing other bands. They definitely create their own style. They add the Gothenburg sound with almost Industrial style keyboards. There is a lot of keyboard elements on the cd, which only adds to the depth of the songs. Did I mention guitar solos? Now it is not the best guitar playing you will ever find, but it is pretty darn great and catchy. I live for twin leads! Most of the songs have twin lead solos, which make them sound that much more juicy! Finiality would be the best example of this! Album highlight is Sinner's Defeat! So if you are looking for some great melodic death, that surprisingly isn't from Sweden, then this is the best you'll find! I wish more bands were keeping with this style, instead of going in a more mainstream direction. Don't get me wrong, I do love Come Clarity by In Flames, but this style of the melo death genre is just so much better! Also check out Mors Principium Est's previous cd "The Unborn". Can't figure out if I like this one or The Unborn better, they're both amazing!

Average customer rating: Sweet!

Love Kamikaze: The Lost Sex Singles & Collectors' Remixes Michael Franti Manufacturer: Liberation Music Oz ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music R&B | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Songs From the Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection Yell Fire! Everyone Deserves Music Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury I Know I'm Not Alone ASIN: B0008GIXDM Release Date: 2005-08-30

Tracks:

1. Love Kamikaze
2. Love Me Unique
3. What Happens Next
4. Stay Human [Streets Are Alive Mix]
5. I Wish That I Could Be You
6. Every Single Soul [One-Two Mix]
7. Keepin' It Natural
8. Come and Mess with Me
9. One Minute's All I Need

Album Description

While moving the location of his recording studio, The Sugar Shack, Michael Franti stumbled over a box of jewels with various unreleased versions of songs from past Spearhead sessions for 'Home', 'Chocolate Supa Highway' and 'Stay Human'. The result is Love Kamikaze-The Lost Sex Singles & Collector's Remixes. This is a strictly limited, Australian exclusive release. Liberation. 2005.

Album Details

While Moving Location of his Recording Studio, the Sugar Shack, Michael Franti Stumbled Over a Box of Jewels with Various Unreleased Versions of Songs from Past Spearhead Sessions for "Home", "Chocolate Supa Highway" and "Stay Human". The Result is "Love Kamikaze: The Lost Sex Singles" (And Collectors' Re-mixes.) "The Songs on the Album Are Not all About Sex and Love Lyrically," Franti Says, "Some Mixes were Chosen Because of the Sensuality of the Rhythm and Heaviness of the Bass." The Result is a Lush Sounding Album that is Erotic in It's Sound, that Takes a Brave Look at Love Lost and Found.

Customer Reviews:

Sweet!.......2006-01-20

As always, this CD from Franti is perfection. And, the second track, "Love Me Unique" is frankly HOT! My oh my. You cannot go wrong with any of Michael Franti and Spearhead's recording, and this holds true for Love Kamikaze. Buy it!

Average customer rating: 20 year wait

Darkroom Angels Manufacturer: Liberation Music Oz ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Night Attack Two Minute Warning Face to Face Watch the Red Howling ASIN: B000BZPS1A Release Date: 2006-07-17

Tracks:

1. No Secrets
2. Poor Baby
3. Wasted Sleepless Nights/Dark Room
4. Face the Day
5. Night Comes Early
6. Alexander
7. Moment
8. I'm Scared
9. Devil's Gate
10. Back on You
11. Alexander [Early Take]
12. Hot Shit
13. Hard Sell
14. Staring Voices
15. I'm Scared
16. Face the Day [Single Edit]
17. Public Enemy
18. Into the Heat

Album Description

In 1980 the Angels set their sights on the rest of the world - the Angels signed a five year deal with CBS/Epic world wide and released 'Dark Room', more hard driving, energetic rock with apocalyptic lyrics - 'No Secrets', 'Face The Day'. To avoid confusion with a similarly named group, for the rest of the world they changed their name to Angel City. They hit the world stages with almost the impact of AC/DC. Legend has it they were kicked off a Kinks tour for being "too good", and that they were a major influence on the next generation of American rock bands, in particular Guns n' Roses and Motley Crue. Featuring an amazing nine bonus tracks! Liberation.

Album Details

In 1980 the Angels Set their Sights on the Rest of the World - the Angels Signed a Five Year Deal with CBS/EPIC World Wide and Released 'dark Room', More Hard Driving, Energetic Rock with Apocalyptic Lyrics - 'no Secrets', 'face the Day'. To Avoid Confusion with a Similarly Named Group, for the Rest of the World They Changed their Name to Angel City. They Hit the World Stages with Almost the Impact of Ac/Dc. Those Years on Australian Stages Left American Audiences Stunned. Legend Has it They were Kicked off a Kinks Tour for Being "Too Good", and that They were a Major Influence on the Next Generation of American Rock Bands, in Particular Guns N'roses and Motley Crue. Featuring an Amazing Nine Bonus Tracks!

Customer Reviews:

20 year wait.......2006-08-19

Was a big fan of this album when it was released in 1980 and have been trying to get a copy of the CD for 20 years.

This re-released version has 7 of the original 9 songs from the US version of Angel City Darkroom. Unfortunately one of the missing songs is "Ivory Stairs" with the other song being "Straightjacket".

The other 11 tracks are for the most part forgettable. Still I would recommend it to anyone that was a fan of the original album.

Average customer rating: Dave Douglas' Best Strange Liberation or Strange Brew? Dave in Miles mode Enjoyable, but not his best Homage to Miles

Strange Liberation Dave Douglas Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Freak In Soul on Soul Charms of the Night Sky The Infinite In Our Lifetime ASIN: B00016XNGQ Release Date: 2004-01-27

Tracks:

1. Under A Different Story
2. Strange Liberation
3. Skeeter-Ism
4. Just Say This
5. Seventeen
6. Mountains From The Train
7. Rock Of Billy
8. The Frisell Dream
9. Passing Through
10. Jones
11. Catalyst

Amazon.com

He may deny it, but trumpeter Dave Douglas is straight out of Miles Davis. Nothing aurally illustrates that influence more clearly than this small-combo recording with Uri Caine on Fender Rhodes piano, drummer Clarence Penn, bassist James Genus, and bass clarinetist-saxophonist Chris Potter. Douglas has recorded a number of ambitious projects over the years--from Middle-Eastern-inspired compositions to hip-hop-oriented works--but in this tried-and-true format, he extends and elaborates on the mid-'60s sounds of Davis's Miles in the Sky and Filles de Kilimanjaro. Like that of the Prince of Darkness, Douglas's trumpet beams with the same bravura, backed by Caine's Herbie Hancock-style keyboard, Penn's moody and martial drumming, and Genus's rock-steady bass on the uptempo "Seventeen," the Wayne Shorter-like title track, and the bluesy "Rock of Billy." Throw the twilight-toned twang of Bill Frisell's guitar into this mix, and you've got a CD that shows how to deftly blend the electric with the acoustic, resulting in a fusion that declares it roots and points the way to the future. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Dave Douglas' Best.......2006-04-26

Some people claim that this album is not breaking new ground and therefore it is not a great album. I completely disagree. The album has great song writing and amazing performances from the musicians. While it doesn't offer some instrumentation that has never been tried before, it does feature Dave writing songs with Bill Frisell in mind which results in a wide array of interesting tunes. Frisell Dream has a sort of etheral spaciness while Rock of Billy featuers a hill billy rocabillia groove. Both of these moods plus many more that are present on the album are things you might expect on a Bill Frisell album. Skeeterism was based off of his young son's interpretations of Blue Monk on a toy piano. This is one of the best albums of the past few years.

Strange Liberation or Strange Brew?.......2004-06-11

I've listened to this album a lot since it came out earlier this year and I still can't make up my mind. Is it great or just good? What make it enjoyable for me are Dave Douglas's playful and complex compositions, Bill Frisell's twangy guitar playing, and Uri Caine on the Fender Rhodes. (If there is any more satisfying work on this instrument since Herbie Hancock in the early 1970s, I'd like to know.) But taken as a whole the aesthetic choices on this album seem oddly inconsistent. There are noticeable echoes from middle and late 60s Miles, but the influence of Bill Frisell is even stronger, and I think I hear things from other greats as well, including Wynton Marsalis, Clifford Brown, and John McLaughlin. (Huh? you ask. That's my reaction too.) It is a tribute to the strength of the trumpet playing by Douglas, Caine's keyboard work, and Chris Potter on the tenor sax that Frisell's intensely unique electric guitar does not take over, especially since some of the compositions were written by Douglas with Frisell in mind, but, unlike any Frisell album I've heard, the variation in style and tone on this album leaves me feeling off-balance and dissatisfied. If this is liberation, it is a strange liberation indeed.

Dave in Miles mode.......2004-04-28

I've got to admit, I'm a little puzzled by the direction Dave Douglas has been moving in lately. I originally got into his playing through John Zorn's Masada, and his own highly original groups Tiny Bell Trio and Charms Of The Night Sky. It is noteworthy that in the liner notes to the 2000 album 'A Thousand Evenings' by the latter band Douglas wrote about the futility of reliving Miles classics such as 'Birth Of The Cool', 'Kind Of Blue' and 'Filles de Kilimanjaro'.

And yet here, just a few years later we see him very much in Miles mode, in not just this album but also the previous two ('Freak In' and 'The Infinite'). Now of course there's no denying that this album is good, the tunes are good, the players are all amazing, but it's just so *safe*. We know these guys can play the hell out of bop tunes - that's why we've been so thrilled to hear Douglas mixing it up with Balkan rhythms, or accordion and violin, or pianist Uri Caine arranging music by Mahler and Bach.

So anyway, on to special guest Bill Frisell... the prospect of these guys (two of my favourite musicians) making an album together a few years ago would have been one of the most exciting things imaginable. Now, they seem to be settling down, making pretty pleasant music without the danger we once knew from them. Like I said before, the playing is still great and all, but just a bit predictable, not a lot of sparks there.

It's not all *that* predictable though - for example they try out a 50s rock thing, which for my money doesn't really work. Apart from the awful name ('Rock Of Billy') it also just puts the vibe of the album out of whack for six minutes. The piece that follows, however, 'The Frisell Dream', is fantastic, one of my favourite Dave Douglas compositions in a long while. It is a little bit cluttered though, and I have to wonder, on this track as well as others, whether the six-piece band is so necessary (despite the players' obvious talents).

Enjoyable, but not his best.......2004-03-29

I basically agree with mark21765. It's a great album with excellent playing from everyone, but it's not very adventurous. Indeed, it sounds a bit like Miles' quintet. It's Frisell's guitar playing that makes it a bit unique. I love Frisell. I somehow like Douglas' more daring and interesting projects. I love Uri Caine, too, but his own projects are much more fun and exciting. I can't say anything bad about this album, it's excellent, but I was expecting a little more creativity from Douglas.

Homage to Miles.......2004-02-20

I'm writing this review because I've noticed that there are a few total Dave Douglas junkies who post on Amazon who are, in my view, a little hyperbolic. If I were browsing for an CD to try, I'm not sure I would find the rave reviews totally helpful. I myself can't say I'm a Dave Douglas fanatic, although I enjoy his CD's very much.
For me, the most striking thing about this new album is that it so directly mimics Miles Davis' sound from the Miles Smiles or Miles in the Sky era. As a longtime jazz listener, I'd say it's not that common to hear one serious artist so overtly pay homage to another. But I swear, if you close your eyes there are moments when you think you're listening to Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Miles et. al. And, of course, Bill Frisell, only adds to the illusion. Curiously, this is the second album in a row where Dave Douglas has paid homage to a specific era of Miles' music - the last one sounding almost dead-on like On the Corner or Live at the Filmore (if you have checked out Freak-In, and liked fusion jazz from the 70s, you should definitely get it. It's been in my CD changer continuously for almost a year).

I wouldn't give the album five stars in part because it is derivative. On my favorite Dave Douglas work, he's working with a more original sound. But the playing is absolutely wonderful. The tracks are varied. They swing beautifully. If you like that Miles sound from the late 60s you should definitely pick this up. If you don't own Miles Smiles and Nefretiti, you should buy them first since they are canonical, as Dave Douglas clearly agrees.

Average customer rating: Defies Nomenclature, Or Title Politics aside, an impressive but flawed album Not Haden's best work by a long shot. Even Better Live Politics Aside

Not in Our Name Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra Manufacturer: Verve ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Liberation Music Orchestra Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall Land of the Sun Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert East/West ASIN: B000A1CS68 Release Date: 2005-08-30

Tracks:

1. Not In Our Name
2. This Is Not America
3. Blue Anthem
4. America The Beautiful (Medley): America The Beautiful/Lift Every Voice And Sing/Skies Of America
5. Amazing Grace
6. Goin' Home (From The Largo Of The New World Symphony)
7. Throughout
8. Adagio (From Adagio For Strings)

Amazon.com

Charlie Haden's first album as a leader was 1969's Liberation Music Orchestra, and the bassist has been revisiting the project ever since. The concept of the project is to take a big band and record songs devoted to issues of human rights and political liberation, whether expressed in original compositions or revolutionary anthems from Spain, South Africa and Latin America. Not in Our Name is devoted to American music and current political tensions. Once again, it is arranged by pianist Carla Bley, who initially created the band's distinctive sound; an impassioned, often dissonant lyricism combining a village brass band, a frequent Spanish tinge, free jazz and folk music. Propelled by drummer Matt Wilson, the band ranges here from classical themes (Barber's "Adagio for Strings" and Dvorak's "Goin' Home") to songs by Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell (his "Throughout" is highlighted by the contrasting tenor saxophones of Chris Cheek and Tony Malaby) to the traditional "Amazing Grace," a feature for Haden's soulful, melodic bass. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Defies Nomenclature, Or Title.......2006-10-02

What I can say is good, good Jazz, with a good deal of "Protest", in the music. The swagger, and sway of the music leads one in one direction, and then "Bam" it goes off in another. "Amazing Grace" has to be the one tune that is most surprising, but it satisfies.

No playing around, just good solid Jazz music, with a throw back of 60s protest knitted into to a rhythmic persona that is so pleasing to the Jazz lovers ear. Then Mr. Haden and Company get really deep with "This Is Not America" is in itself a reawakening for most Americans, when one looks behind the music, or reads between the lines.

Next there is some "Homage" paid to Classical Music with their rendition of "Adagio (From Adagio For Strings)" for those somewhat unfamiliar with Jazz, but happen to be lovers of Classical Music, will love this selection, or not.

All in all this CD is some of Mr. Haden's best work, and I hope his productions will just continue to improve, and improve. The universe is the limit, and good Jazz is limitless.

Give "Not In Our Name" a good listen, and see what you feel. This CD has good feelings.

Politics aside, an impressive but flawed album.......2006-07-05

To judge this CD purely on the basis of the political message it contains is an under-analysis and entirely misses the point of the record. Whatever side one is approaching this from, one cannot deny that Haden's intention is to use music for unity rather than to highlight his side of the divide.

Having said that, the CD suffers from a couple of song choices which are too obvious and are the clear result of a risk that didnt pay off. When choosing to record such songs as 'America the Beautiful', 'Amazing Grace' and 'Adagio for Strings', one must either have something exceptional up one's sleeve, or be prepared to accept the heavy burden of instinctive juxtaposition with the thousands of versions previously recorded. 'Adagio for Strings' is a success, and the latter parts of the 'America the Beautiful' medley also, but 'Amazing Grace' (while containing some worthy moments) and 'America the Beautiful' itself are far too unremarkable for me.

The recording deserves four stars because it offers more than these failed risks. The title track, the Metheny/Mays/Bowie composition 'This is not America' and the Bill Frisell composition 'Throughtout' are exceptional arrangements and performances, with 'Blue Anthem' and 'Goin' Home' following just behind them.

A record worth purchasing if found at a decent price, but I would be surprised if it beat the first LMO album to the top of your favourites.

Not Haden's best work by a long shot........2006-02-04

Charlie Haden is one of those musicians who thinks that calling a piece "Ode to Che" makes him a revolutionary; well, good for him. But if you're expeciting the kind of firey music and rhetoric that chacacterized pieces like Mingus' "Fable or Faubus", or "Cell Block F", forget it. As with Haden's previous Liberation Orchestra pieces, the only political about this music is the names of the pieces. Otherwise it's just music.

Charie Haden has always been at his best as part of a small ensemble; consider, for example, his duets with Pat Methany, or his work with Ornette in the 60s, and with Egberto Gismonti and Jan Garbarek in the 1980s. He's also usually at his best when someone else is calling the tunes. As the leader of a large ensemble, though, his music never seems to rise above the mundane.

The music on "Not In Our Name" never seems to rise above the level of merely competant. There's nothing terribly original or terribly exciting, especially given the revolutionary rhetoric accompanying it. As a fan of his since the early Ornette days, I have to say I was pretty disappointed.

Even Better Live.......2005-12-22

Just got back from San Francisco where he played at Yoshi's. The music was fabulous. Definitely worth the price of admission.

Politics Aside.......2005-12-19

In a way, it's unfortunate that this recording has a political base. Because of this, what evolves here might be viewed, by some, as merely an attempt at political statement which they may not necessarily appreciate. For anyone adverse to political pronouncements not necessary to their liking (the title, itself, may turn some off), the opportunity to experience some truly beautiful, engrossing music may be missed.

Listen to this music. It is truly beautiful, from beginning to end, compelling, and exemplary of what an incredible talent Charlie Haden is, both as a conceptualist and musician.

Average customer rating: How bad do you wanna ROCK?! Excellent Rock record! Can't go wrong.... Should be a standard of modern rock. 7 Stars!!! Excellent

Sounds of Liberation Che Manufacturer: Man's Ruin ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Saved by Magic Dare I Say Only a Suggestion Amusing the Amazing Brant Bjork & the Operators ASIN: B00004YWMY Release Date: 2000-09-19

Tracks:

1. Hydraulicks
2. The Knife
3. Pray For Rock
4. Sounds Of Liberation
5. Adelante
6. Blue Demon
7. The Day The Pirate Retired

Album Description

Original October 2000 Man's Ruin pressing of the desert rock super group debut album, featuring Brant Bjork (Kyuss, Fu Manchu), Alfredo Hernandez (Kyuss) and Dave Dinsmore (Unida). Highly collectible! Seven tracks in all.

Customer Reviews:

How bad do you wanna ROCK?!.......2007-03-06

Che is a rock music monolith which magnificently stands proud and casts a shadow over anything that purports to be rock. This album soulfully gives itself to trusting ears. It shares the secrets of true rock: No whirling lasers. No blasting sirens. No blinking lights. This is THE GoodStuff.

Excellent Rock record! Can't go wrong...........2004-04-06

One of the cool features about buying off Amazon is that they often give you snipets of the album in question you are thinking about purchasing. After hearing the first clip for "Hydraulicks", I added Che' to my cart. I've been a Fu Manchu fan for years and always wondered about Brant Bjork's solo offerings, but I had never heard anything by him. Needless to say, I now own 3 out of his 4 so far. I still need to get "Keep Your Cool".

This record is killer rock music from start to finish. It's got a nice grind at times, it can be kind of funky, it's fast...honestly (and this isn't a bad thing) if you put Scott Hill's vocals in place on a few of these songs, it would be Fu Manchu. For people who dig Fu Manchu it's just another plus. Brant Bjork has surprised me. I always admired his drumming, but I never knew he was such a talented all-around musician as well.

If you are reading the reviews for this album, chances are you are familiar with either Brant Bjork's work with Kyuss, Fu Manchu or the other collaborations he's worked on. Trust the reviews on this page, you'll love this album and you'll crank it up while you're driving down the road with the wind in your face going deaf.

Should be a standard of modern rock........2003-11-28

So the members of this band have previously been in other very awesome rock groups, which led me to expect quality. I wasn't let down and found this record to be different yet has the guitar riffs that remind me of alot of the other desert rock bands. There is no crap or pretentious virtuoso musicianship being displayed here but solid driving rock. There some cool psychedelic effects on the guitar and bass lines here and there and even some brief solos which levels out the sparse change ups of the songs. Brants vocals (as well as his lyrics) are ridiculous at times, like when he uses a line from an NWA song to open Blue Demon. I don't know if its a joke or he's too high to think about it.

7 Stars!!!.......2003-09-25

This cd rocks really hard! I just saw Brant Bjork play in Hollywood a few weeks ago and I was blown away by his incredible, versatile talent, and really warm presence. The sound feels like a mix of Hendrix, Thin Lizzy, and Brant's own.

If you like any of the desert staples (QOTSA, Kyuss, Fu Manchu, etc.) then get this cd. You will not be disappointed.

Excellent.......2003-01-11

I had to buy a used copy because they were out of print for awhile......I'm glad to see they are available once again on [Partners &]Amazon, because this is some quality material from true talent. If you dig Kyuss and you dig Brant Bjork's solo album "Jalamanta" (and maybe Brant Bjork & The Operators, although I haven't listened to that one yet), you will get your money's worth with Che. Intense, trippy, positive, and inspired are words I'd use to describe it. Good stuff!

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