Music [Import]

Product Description
Import-only version of Madonna's 2000 album adds 2 bonus tracks 'Lo Que Siente La Mujer' ('What It Feels Like For A Girl' Spanish version) & 'What It Feels Like For A Girl' (Above & Beyond Club Radio Edit).

Music,Madonna,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: The Best Mr. White and Meg have put out yet. Another solid effort Good but not great Some great guitar work ah, the stripes

Icky Thump The White Stripes Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Garage Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Easy Tiger Era Vulgaris Zeitgeist Sky Blue Sky Favourite Worst Nightmare ASIN: B000OYC3J8 Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

1. Icky Thump
2. You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)
3. 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
4. Conquest
5. Bone Broke
6. Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn
7. St. Andrew (This Battle Is In The Air)
8. Little Cream Soda
9. Rag And Bone
10. I'm Slowly Turning Into You
11. A Martyr For My Love For You
12. Catch Hell Blues
13. Effect and Cause

Amazon.com

Bagpipes, a song written as the soundtrack to a Michel Gondry music video, Patti Page's musical shadow, and Jack and Meg co-narrating a scavenger's rummages: It must be time for Icky Thump, the many-flavored riposte to 2006's Get Behind Me Satan. The duo starts big with the title track--Jack's fast-tumbling, falsetto-tinged lyrics jagging on hyper keyboard-sounding segues and Meg's pounding drums. They rarely shy from an idea, invoking acoustic Bob Dylan to frame "300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues," but interjecting a series of distortion-laden guitar paroxysms for good measure. The end of Icky, on "Effect and Cause," is where Jack's trademark vocal warble and spare, quick acoustic strums meet Meg's single-minded beats. Everywhere on Icky giant riffs leap and shout, with Flamenco horns and those eerie bagpipes and rhythmic shifts and Jack's impatient vocal kinetics, marking new territories even as the White Stripes again populate them with vintage ideas. --Andrew Bartlett

Album Description

The White Stripes are back with the most bombastic album they've ever produced! While revealing the band's roots in American folk music, Icky Thump is an explosive, revolutionary assault that brings together garage rock, every blues style of the past 100 years, nouveau, and flamenco. This is truly a modern rock and roll masterpiece!

Customer Reviews:

The Best Mr. White and Meg have put out yet........2007-07-19

I'm not a critic, but I find myself hearing the Led Zeppelin influence. It is very gratifying. While I'm at work "Rag and Bone' keep haunting me. My favorite cut is "Slowly turning into you."

How does a mere duo create the power of one of the greatest Rock band in history? I dunno.

I don't care that Jack is an eccentric nut-case. I really like his music. He must also be doing something right because he's still with his wife.

More power to him and all those like him.

Another solid effort.......2007-07-16

Didn't blow my socks off the way 'Elephant' did, but still bloody good. I admire the use of all vintage instruments and equipment, but maybe the bagpipes were a bit OTT...

Good but not great.......2007-07-15

I've been a huge White Stripes fan for the last 5 years and this album didn't dissapoint. They break some new ground for the band and the ventures into synthesizers and bag-pipes are done well. Although there are some gems on this album (icky thump, conquest) there are some forgettable songs and it is not as solidly good from top to bottom as some of there recent albums.

Some great guitar work.......2007-07-15

Some great guitar work, but its hard to listen to this band a lot. I don't think this is their best album.

ah, the stripes.......2007-07-15

The White Stripes provide a great feeling that music can still mean more than all the Top Pop out there. The Stripes reinvent themselves with every album. Thanks goodness we have them. Grab this disc and enjoy. Better yet, go see them live and breathe in the experience.

Average customer rating: New sound for the band Lost Highway Rocks! Great! Exactly what I wanted!!! Bon Jovi does The Jayhawks How about NO?

Lost Highway Bon Jovi Manufacturer: Mercury Nashville ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: My December It Won't Be Soon Before Long Big Dog Daddy 5th Gear Have a Nice Day ASIN: B000P2A24W Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

1. Lost Highway
2. Summertime
3. Make a Memory
4. Whole Lot Of Leaving
5. We Got It Going On
6. Any Other Day
7. Seat Next To You
8. Everybody's Broken
9. Stranger (feat. Leann Rimes)
10. The Last Night
11. One Step Closer
12. I Love This Town

Amazon.com

Given the chart success of their Grammy-winning country single "Who Says You Can't Go Home," it's no surprise Bon Jovi upped the ante by recording an entire album paying homage to Nashville. In some ways, it's amazing they didn't do this sooner, given the way Keith Urban in particular is blurring country-pop lines, much as Garth Brooks and others did in the 1990s. To their credit, you won't find predictably shallow invocations of past country icons or any self-conscious, in-your-face down-home twang added strictly to remind the listener of the musical premise. In fact, Lost Highway isn't "Bon Jovi goes country" so much as a meaningful tribute to the Nashville ethos done on their own terms. They honor the spirit of the town through 12 simple, direct originals. The intimate, smoldering "(You Want To) Make a Memory," the ballad "Seat Next To You," "Lost Highway" and its roaring celebration of freedom, and "Stranger," an effective duet with LeAnn Rimes, all invoke country's spirit, and "I Love This Town," an eloquent nod to Nashville itself, ties it together admirably. --Rich Kienzle

Album Description

"Artistic freedom made this record possible," says Jon Bon Jovi. "Musical freedom to explore--and emotional freedom to express what was in our hearts."

The result of that freedom is Lost Highway, an album Jon describes as "a Bon Jovi record influenced by Nashville."

Bon Jovi explains. "Nashville is all about songs and songwriters. If you're someone like me who loves songs and hanging out with songwriters, Nashville is the place. I thrive on that feeling and I'm inspired by that creative ambience."

The result, a haunting set of 12 new and original sounding songs, is a stunning, multi-layered look into the nature of love and life in all its glory. Love, like life, is lost, found, forgotten and reclaimed in this collection.

The moods are many, but the core feeling is pure Bon Jovi.

"Writing this record with Jon was deeply cathartic," says Richie Sambora, who collaborated on ten of the songs. "I was going through emotional changes that were new for me. An ailing father. A painful divorce. The start of a new chapter in my life. I poured everything I had into this project, every last bit of soul at my command."

"For over twenty years now," Jon explains, "Richie and I have been close collaborators. Even when our songs create fictional stories, they reveal our states of mind. To a large degree, Lost Highway focuses on the light that love brings. When you shine the light on love, you see the chinks in the armor. You see every crevice, every crack. And that's all right".

Lost Highway is Bon Jovi's tenth studio album since the band formed in the early eighties. One hundred and twenty million albums and 2500 concerts in over 50 countries later, Bon Jovi is enjoying the greatest popularity in their history.

Customer Reviews:

New sound for the band.......2007-07-20

I like the new CD, but I do miss the traditional sound. A couple of tracks sound the old BonJovi. I recommend it!

Lost Highway Rocks!.......2007-07-20

Bon Jovi rocks again! Great sound, great quailty, great selection; this CD has something for everyone (rock, duet, ballad).
Lost Highway

Great! Exactly what I wanted!!!.......2007-07-20

With their hit single "I Wanna Make a Memory," this album didn't dissapoint! I got it for my birthday and it was exactly what I wanted. Other favorite tracks include the first few. I can't recommend it enough!! While it does have more of a country sound than their other albums, it grows on you!!

Bon Jovi does The Jayhawks.......2007-07-18

Yeah, if I'd never heard this sound before I may have given it 5 stars, because it sounds very good.

However, if you're at all familiar with The Jayhawks, especially the brilliant and criminally overlooked "Smile" then you've heard this before.

They may call it country in some reviews but others have identified this sound as "Americana" and that's what I'm going with. Harmonies, strings, beats and rhythms, it's all here as clear and crisp as Bon Jovi can give it.

Go ahead and give it a whirl and, if you like it, listen to "Smile" by The Jayhawks also.

Nice stuff.

How about NO?.......2007-07-18

Wow, I can't believe all the glowing reviews for this album.

Heres my quick review of it - you don't have to agree with everything I'm saying:

1. If you likes Bon Jovi's work so far, then you would love this. Its more of the same, nothing Groundbreaking, nothing revolutionary.

2. This is one of those `flavor of the month' albums that garner a lot of blog praise, but later in the year no one will even remember it.

3. Though some of the rock tunes here are good (in an `averagey' sort of way), none of them are memorable (even after three listens)

4. Theres this OVERWHELMING feeling of `been there, done that'. In fact, the entire album sounds very tired to me.

5. You could do much better than fall for the hype.

I would highly recommend the new White STripes album over this one, anyday.

Two Stars. Skip this one.

Average customer rating: Love Her Miss Independent, Miss Self-Sufficient, Miss Keep Your Distance Never Again Flawed, but real - and important Waste of money

My December Kelly Clarkson Manufacturer: RCA Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lost Highway It Won't Be Soon Before Long Wild Hope Daughtry The Best Damn Thing [CLEAN] ASIN: B000QFAJ7S Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Never Again
2. One Minute
3. Hole
4. Sober
5. Don't Waste Your Time
6. Judas
7. Haunted
8. Be Still
9. Maybe
10. How I Feel
11. Yeah
12. Can I Have A Kiss
13. Irvine

Amazon.com

Judging by the themes of anger and betrayal that dominate Kelly Clarkson's third disc, My December, perhaps 'Jagged Little Idol' would have been a more telling title. According to interviews, the massively successful artist wanted more creative control with her music going forward; as a result, unlike her previous CDs, Clarkson contributes as a songwriter on every track. The final product is not nearly as catchy as Breakaway, but is far more introspective and honest. My December's overall sound brings a harder musical style than fans might expect, with acerbic lyrics to match; the disc's first single "Never Again"--a dark rock song slamming her ex-boyfriend--is certainly a tip-off. The compelling chorus of "Hole" finds Clarkson singing "There's a hole/inside of me/it's so damn cold/slowly killing me" over a melody that is far more Tool than top-40. "Haunted" and "Judas" are wrought-over tracks that veer into Evanescence territory, while the wonderfully sparse "Maybe" is a highlight within which Clarkson's pleading voice is perfectly showcased. My December's final listed track, "Irvine" (prior to the hidden bluesy acoustic ballad "Chivas") sounds far more Cat Power-meets-Corinne Bailey Rae than Clarkson, but it is certainly one of the most captivating songs on the disc, and serves as yet another reminder of just how versatile her voice is. Fans of her previous radio-friendly releases may well be divided on her new direction, but it appears to be the path Clarkson is likely to continue to travel. --Denise Sheppard

More from Kelly Clarkson

Breakaway

Thankful

Since U Been Gone

Customer Reviews:

Love Her.......2007-07-19

I love this CD - I loved Never Again the first time I heard it on American idol, but it took me a few times through to like the CD in total, but if you listen, it tells a story of her pain and healing. My boyfriend thinks she is just male bashing, but I don't agree at all. It is like her singing is her therapy. Anyhow, I love it. Her singing moves me because it is coming from her heart and you can tell!

Miss Independent, Miss Self-Sufficient, Miss Keep Your Distance.......2007-07-19

For some reason, Kelly Clarkson's great album "My December" has taken some observers by surprise. But have some already forgotten that her first single from "Thankful" was called MISS INDEPENDENT? Apparently so. But for those with short-term memory, let me remind you:

"Miss independent / Miss Self-sufficient / Miss keep your distance / Miss unafraid / Miss out of my way / Miss don't let a man interfere / Miss on her own / Miss almost grown / Miss never let a man help her off her throne"

This song was originally a Christina Aguilera throwaway, but in retrospect we can see that it fits Clarkson like a glove. In fact, we all should have seem "My December" coming from a mile away. Kelly Clarkson refused to let her vision be put on a shelf in a backroom somewhere and that should come as no surprise. Not only is "My December" her BEST album to date, but it's also her most self-assured and confident. The puppet masters have been left in the dust and what we're left with is nothing short of fabulous. It's honest, organic, and doesn't sound like it came out of the latest Idol convention. Thank goodness.

"Breakaway" was an excellent album for Kelly Clarkson, but "My December" is far superior in every sense. The music is more sophisticated, the lyrics are more personal, and finally I can actually relate to this one so much more. With respect to this album being less catchy, I would disagree. I think "My December" has far more energy than its predecessor. Songs like "One Minute," "How I Feel," "Don't Waste Your Time," "Maybe," "Can I have A Kiss," "Yeah," "Never Again" are easy to get along with. This album is more heavy-handed, but it's peppier. My favorite song on the album is "Hole" and it's her most Rock track that she's recorded. But it's sensational. Overall, Kelly's new album is a more mature version of "Breakaway" but not a huge departure.

If you liked "Breakaway" then I would give "My December" a chance. You don't want to miss out on her best record thus far.

Never Again.......2007-07-19

I don't own the album, but if Never Again is a preview of what is to become of Kelly Clarkson and her music, I say go girl -- it's a bit edgier than her other music. The song kind of reminds me of something along the lines of Pat Benatar -- and we all loved Pat Benatar!

You go Kelly!

Flawed, but real - and important.......2007-07-19

When I saw Clive Davis talk about Art as the selling of millions of units of product on the final American Idol show (6th season), I found him crass, vulgar and offensive, but I didn't actually realize that he was implicitly snubbing Kelly Clarkson. In retrospect, it's evident to us all. And in response to that kind of struggle - artist vs mogul - I'm far from alone, I suspect, in finding myself coming down strongly on the side of the artist. I may not have bought this album otherwise -maybe I'd have had my daughter burn me a few songs from it - but I sure bought it under these circumstances.

That having been said, there is something missing on My December - seasoned songwriting. There are few hooks and none to match something of the caliber of Breakaway. The melodies are a bit repetitious and don't have that crafted grace that the best pop has - even edgy stuff of this character. Nevertheless, My December has an abundance of sincerity, honesty and integrity. It was obviously an important part of Kelly Clarkson's artistic journey and it needed to be made. Some of the tracks are achingly sweet, though always wistful, poignant or downright depressing. Sober and Irvine are standouts. Her incredible voice does occasionally veer toward being shrill but more often delivers raw emotional power and authority. She clearly felt this music deeply and so does this listener. I'm surprised that Mr. Davis, in all his years of so-called experience, hasn't yet learned that allowing the artist to be true to her vision will ultimately serve her growth, maturity, and yes, Clive, ultimately even her earning potential. Kelly Clarkson is only 25; There's a lot more to the story yet to be written.

Waste of money.......2007-07-18

I have a great deal of respect for Kelly Clarkson her voice is amazing. However, this cd is Kelly at her worst. I found it interesting that many comments state that Kelly has matured on this cd this could not be farther from the truth. The lyrics are at times whinney, bitter, and down right nasty. Aspects which do not automatically prove maturity. Do not buy this cd it is a waste of money!!! I'm sorry I did.

Average customer rating: A Review for the Adult Readers My students love her Hannah Montana No. 1 With a Bullet. :) A Very Good Second Album

Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus Hannah Montana , and Miley Cyrus Manufacturer: Disney ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Disney | Children's Music | Styles | Music Teen Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Disney Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Hannah Montana - Pop Star Profile High School Musical 2 High School Musical, The Concert - Extreme Access Pass Hannah Montana Hannah Montana: 2-Disc Special Edition Soundtrack ASIN: B000OYC3L6 Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. We Got the Party
2. Nobody's Perfect
3. Make Some Noise
4. Rock Star
5. Old Blue Jeans
6. Life's What You Make It
7. One in a Million
8. Bigger than Us
9. You and Me Together
10. True Friend

Tracks:

1. See You Again
2. East Northumberland High
3. Let's Dance
4. G.N.O. (Girl's Night Out)
5. Right Here
6. As I Am
7. Start All Over
8. Clear
9. Good and Broken
10. I Miss You

Amazon.com

Tweens aren't often heralded for their good judgment and excellent taste (Heelys--hello), but if any young starlet can redeem them, it's Hannah Montana. On this, the second soundtrack from the Disney Channel series, Miley Cyrus takes her cues from her TV alter ego, who has an alter ego of her own: Disc 1 features Miley as Hannah, hair-tossing pop princess by weekend, likable schoolgirl by weekday (see "Old Blue Jeans" and "True Friends" to get a sense of each episode's un-cloying sweetness). But disc 2 is the start of something new, as her friends over on the High School Musical set might say: Miley sings strictly as her spunky, truth-telling self. This yields a number of pepped-up pop tracks bound to vibrate through the walls of pink bedrooms everywhere--"See You Again" is a boy-centric song instantly relatable to anyone who's ever been in seventh grade and suffered a bout of bashfulness, "East Northumberland High" puts a punk spin on an I'm-just-not-into-you tale, and "Clear" bounces on a reggae beat while canceling any doubt about our heroine's ability to stand up for herself. Like Hannah before her, Miley makes the best of both worlds--this well-worth-it set, by turns rockin' and reflective, is a masterful example. --Tammy La Gorce

Hannah Montana Photos

Album Description

This 2-disc set features 10 all new Hannah Montana songs from the #1-rated Disney Channel series, as well as a 2nd CD including 10 brand-new original songs by Miley Cyrus!

Customer Reviews:

A Review for the Adult Readers.......2007-07-17

If you're an adult music listener reading this review, heres the deal. You could do much worse than this. Yes, this is music sung by a 14 year old girl who is obviously being marketed toward the tween audience, but its not very different from Ashley Tisdale or even Avril Lavigne.

For those of you who don't know what the big deal is about, Miley Cyrus sounds like a younger Avril Lavinge, but with more varied musical tastes. Much of her music is straight-forward pop-rock (evoking some of the new Kelly Clarkson), and some of it is decidedly experimental (Latin & Reggae tunes on a couple of tracks). Its evident they wanted to make a record that everybody would love, and yes, I can guarantee that much of this is juvenile and really quite repugnant.

However, if theres one thing that stands out - it's the voice. Miley Cyrus has a raspy, throaty voice that is really unlike most pop-queens. Listening to her voice makes you realize just how thin and boring Lindsay Lohan sounds on record. I think Cyrus has a musical future in front of her - I would just like her to record an album of jazz standards, and it would actually work. Yes, shes that good, but the music isn't exactly groundbreaking.

Listen, theres a market for this. But I must say that for all the hype, Cyrus DOES have something. If you look beyond the insanely pink jackets she wears and the hair extensions that change every day, she has a really unique voice, and you might want to get this just to check that out.

If its any help, this is definitely better than both of Lindsay Lohan's albums.

My students love her.......2007-07-17

So many of my younger girl students are crazy for this album and want to learn its songs during our voice lessons. The songs are catchy and reel girls in.

Hannah Montana.......2007-07-15

I really injoyed both CD's. I think this Cd set is very good for young people and people who like to stay in touch with young people. My husband really like it too.

No. 1 With a Bullet. :).......2007-07-13

The two-disc _Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus_ release is a worthy successor to her no. 1 album of last year (see: the _Hannah Montana_ soundtrack album, 2006). As of this writing, at least seven of the songs from that first album have cracked the top 100 (Billboard). Additionally, the _Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus_ album placed no. 1 on the Billboard charts during its first week of release.

My family and I thoroughly enjoy this collection. There are twenty songs (ten by Hannah Montana and ten by Miley Cyrus), and the styles represented are quite eclectic. There appears to be a humble maturity occurring in her vocals and in a number of the 'Miley' texts being set to music; indeed, some of them are philosophical, while others are retrospective and (speculatively speaking) apparently prophetic, to a degree. Although the album is enjoyable to hear and digest on its own merits, in the opinion of this writer a number of tracks require repeated listenings in order to grasp some of the more subtle nuances, both musical and textual. Perhaps it is this aspect of the double-CD album that is most impressive: the quality of the work presented here by Miley and her entourage of writers is musically engaging and challenging to the listener.

The tunes on this double CD set, like those included on the initial soundtrack release, are again cleverly written. Among the genres and styles covered are ballads ("One In a Million" and "Make Some Noise"), rock, techno-pop, and a smidge of hip-hop, as well as songs containing both Spanish ("Let's Dance") and reggae ("Clear") elements. There are also some tracks (e.g. "Old Blue Jeans" and "See You Again," among others) which incorporate slightly more complex harmonies--harmonies that should keep those whom are musically inclined engaged and attentive. Among the ballads represented, it is pleasing to note that not all are about the all-too-common subject of love (e.g., "Make Some Noise").

Some semi-technical musical aspects:

The transition (from Hannah to Miley) I spoke of when reviewing her first album is deliberate on this stylistically-diverse collection. The new 'Hannah' tunes are as energetic and forward-moving as any of the power-rockish songs on the first album, while the cuts recorded by Miley continue to be imaginative and thought-provoking musically, especially with regard to the harmonic progressions being used. The melodies contain a relatively balanced mix of conjunct and disjunct movement, with some being diatonic (e.g., "Start All Over") and others encompassing more angular intervals (such as with the pronounced agogic accents that articulate the opening of "Life's What You Make It"). Particularly engaging and memorable to this listener, at least, is the unfolding locrian-esque ascending melodic line (built upon the third degree of the mode in which the tune resides) of "Start All Over" and the rhythmic movement accompanying the embedded pair of descending perfect fourths (F-C and C-G) included in the instrumental and vocal opening to "Life's What You Make It."

There is a decidedly less preponderant use of E major on this album, with keys such as C-sharp minor ("Nobody's Perfect"), G major ("Life's What You Make It"), A major ("Right Here"), A minor ("See You Again"), C major ("Clear"), G minor ("East Northumberland High"), and F-sharp minor ("Let's Dance") being used. {It must be noted that it was for me difficult to determine the precise key a given tune was written in as the tracks often sound a half step higher or lower depending upon the medium (DVD player, radio, or television) or format (CD or DVD) being used. But the relative, if not the absolute, pitch of the keys used is extremely varied.} The 'signature' E major framework is not entirely absent, however, as it is used on a couple of songs, one of which is "Bigger Than Us," a tune first heard by this writer performed in a different iteration (and in a different style and tempo) by Billy Ray Cyrus on the hit television show, "Hannah Montana." Speaking of which, another of the tunes on the 'Hannah' portion of this most recent effort, "Rock Star," is a trademark song of hers stylistically, and is sure to make its way to the television series as have several others to date.

As was the case with her first album, I again noticed--and appreciated--how different the vocal timbre of Miley Cyrus can be depending on the key being employed. Significantly, there are a few times where she cautiously extends her vocal range upward, and in so doing continues to attack her notes with excellent intonation and with what I perceive to be a modicum of ease. I am still hopeful that we will one day hear a more extensive (and melodically protracted) use of her lower range; the vocal quality is markedly different and may lend itself to a plethora of styles not yet represented on either of her first two albums.

The performances of "Nobody's Perfect" (the melody was heard initially as the "Bone Dance" on the television show, albeit with a different and more script-specific text) and "Life's What You Make It" are particularly engaging. It seems to me that both tunes (with a nod to "Make Some Noise" in 6/8 meter, and the harmonically compelling "Old Blue Jeans") are among the most imaginative and ambitious of any performed by Hannah thus far. Interestingly, "Make Some Noise" is the second tune of Miss Montana to use the barcarolle-like 6/8 meter; the first being the jointly-performed (with her father) "I Learned From You," the final cut to grace her premiere album, and a song which is interesting for its well-positioned use of syncopation at the level of the sixteenth note. {N.B.: The songs by Miley are perhaps even more ambitious than those of Hannah Montana, with such gems as "See You Again," the dark (dare I say sardonic?) "East Northumberland High," and the somewhat flamenco-esque "Let's Dance" residing within and/or flirting tenuously with the minor mode; tangental cuts such as "Right Here" and the reggae-like "Clear" employ the unlikely melodic interval (performed vocally) of the ascending major seventh(!), while another track, "We Got the Party," includes a couple of well-placed blues notes that provide a degree of melodic variety.} Curiously, and yet refreshingly, Miss Cyrus in some of the repeated sections of the pointedly melancholic "See You Again" chooses to vacillate between the raised (and eventually lowered) leading tone degree. The tension produced by the (albeit protracted, depending on one's musical memory) cross-relationship makes the tune somewhat modally ambiguous. Combined with her judiciously placed upward and downward slurring occurring on several of the phrases, and with the performance of the beginnings and endings of these segments being spot on with regard to pitch, the result tends to drive the music forward with a measured tenacity, which in the opinion of this writer is one mark of musicality occurring on the album. It is also noteworthy to mention that the first three tracks on the final CD--"See You Again," "East Northumberland High," and "Let's Dance"--each occupy a minor mode sound world.

Although I have given a cursory review of "Nobody's Perfect" elsewhere, it is important to reiterate that the tune is performed remarkably well, with Miss Montana's stage presence and accompanying rhythmic synchronizations (hand gestures and choreography) augmenting an already intriguing piece of writing. The track may interest those who enjoy relatively uncommon chord progressions in pop music. It begins and ends in C-sharp minor, but meanders effortlessly through a B minor/D major framework, eventually gravitating toward E major. The combination and succession of pitch centers--and especially the harmonic tension created between the opening and closing key of C-sharp minor and the B minor/D major/G(!) major constructs within which the second major section of this work vacillates--provides a stark yet musically engaging contrast.

I continue to appreciate the image Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus has thus far portrayed as well. As a father of several children (including four daughters, each of whom loves her music), it is gratifying to see a positive role model (with talent to burn) coming out of the Disney stable. I and my family wish her all the best in the years to come.

A Very Good Second Album .......2007-07-10

Miley/Hannah produce some catchy songs on this great follow-up to the first album. In many ways this two-disc set is better than the first Hannah Montana album (there is no filler from other groups or singers) and there are many age-appropriate songs that adults will find themselves singing along to. They have included so many songs that not every song is a winner (some of the slow ones are boring) and songs that Miley wrote show that she is still learning how to songwrite. She also oversings a couple tunes. But overall this is very good, well produced and recommended.

Average customer rating: A Great Set Great To See The Wilburys Back In Print A must have for Wilbury fans! A Must Have Addition.......... Travelling Wilbury's Review

Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD) The Traveling Wilburys Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Memory Almost Full Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur Memory Almost Full [Deluxe Limited Edition] Live In Dublin Icky Thump ASIN: B000P0J024 Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

1. Handle With Care
2. Dirty World
3. Rattled
4. Last Night
5. Not Alone Any More
6. Congratulations
7. Heading For the Light
8. Margarita
9. Tweeter And the Monkey Man
10. End Of the Line
11. Maxine - (previously unreleased, Bonus Track)
12. Like A Ship - (alternate take, Bonus Track)

Tracks:

1. She's My Baby
2. Inside Out
3. If You Belonged To Me
4. Devil's Been Busy, The
5. 7 Deadly Sins
6. Poor House
7. Where Were You Last Night?
8. Cool Dry Place
9. New Blue Moon
10. You Took My Breath Away
11. Wilbury Twist
12. Nobody's Child - (Bonus Track)
13. Runaway - (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

The Traveling Wilburys were one of the few supergroups that lived up to their promise, because they didn't try to. Things started inauspiciously when George Harrison, needing a B-side for a 1988 single, called in friends Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison for assistance. Two albums later--the second without Orbison, who had passed away shortly after the first was released--the loose-knit collective had recorded material that was as durable, and occasionally eclipsed, the participants' legendary solo work. The Wilburys succeeded due to a genial and contagious camaraderie that permeates both discs. What could have been a train wreck of ego clashes instead resulted in a frothy meeting of the minds. These guys are having a blast, trading lead vocals and harmonies on energetic folk-rock, quirky rockabilly, and Beatlesque pop that shimmers with the respect and esteem the members clearly hold for each other. Harrison and Lynne's rather slick production polishes off edges that might better have been left unvarnished, but there's no denying the loosey-goosey craftsmanship at work in tunes such as "Handle with Care," "End of the Line," and a striking Orbison performance on "Not Alone Anymore" that ranks with any of his finest. Both albums were million-sellers, but oddly went out of print for about a decade until Rhino resurrected them, adding two rare tracks per disc as well as a DVD of music videos and a band documentary. The resulting package is a comprehensive overview of a once--well, twice--in-a-lifetime project that, especially after Harrison's passing, will never be repeated. --Hal Horowitz

Album Description

Featuring classics like "Handle With Care," "End Of The Line," and "Heading For The Light," super-group Traveling Wilbury's Collection highlights all of the band's music and previously unreleased bonus tracks through this re-mastered double album. The DVD features behind the scenes footage of the band writing and recording, along with their 5 video clips.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Set.......2007-07-19

This is a must have for any Traveling Wilburys fan.
The DVD is great shows some really nice home movies, about the making of the albums.

grannysue
Waller,TX

Great To See The Wilburys Back In Print.......2007-07-19

It's great to see both albums by the Traveling Wilburys back in print, and even though Roy Orbison and George Harrison didn't live to enjoy it, the other three, thankfully, are still alive and still working musically. The best songs overall are "Handle With Care", which George Harrison originally intended as a B-side for a solo single, and "End Of The Line", which says that if you take pleasure in life's simple joys, you'll be a happier person than if you try to indulge in every pleasure around. This set, which also includes a DVD, is essential for fans of both roots-rock AND pure pop.

A must have for Wilbury fans!.......2007-07-19

The combined talents of Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan, all superstars in there own right, overflow in this superb collection. Even a not so big Dylan fan like me loved the way these superbly talented musicians, blended and complimented each other to create some wonderful music for every fan to enjoy.
It keeps alive the memory of the immense talent of Orbison and Harrison and is a must for the CD collection

A Must Have Addition.................2007-07-18

Unavailable for some time, the Travelling Wilburys in a must have addition to ones CD collection of essential music. The initial offering (CD # 1)is head and shoulders taller then the later issued CD # 2, which is absent the magic of its predecessor. The loss of Roy Orbison was perhaps a factor. The DVD is good, particularly showing the creative process that went into creating the initial offering. It is disappointing in that it only shows 2 live performances from the initial offering. However, worth the price

Travelling Wilbury's Review.......2007-07-17

CD of excellent quality -- additional tracks are a real value add. The DVD is very well done. It gives an excellent history of the Travelling Wilbury's and included a nice tribute to Roy Orbison

Average customer rating: Zeitgeist is darn good. One of SP's best The Pumpkins are back. Or are they? (3.5) Good Comback Good by any standard but their own

Zeitgeist Smashing Pumpkins Manufacturer: Martha's Music / Reprise ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Icky Thump Libertad Our Love to Admire Year Zero Era Vulgaris ASIN: B000OQF6N6 Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

1. Doomsday Clock
2. 7 Shades of Black
3. Bleeding the Orchid
4. That¹s the Way (my Love is)
5. Tarantula
6. Starz
7. United States
8. Neverlost
9. Bring the Light
10. (Come on) Let¹s Go!
11. For God and Country
12. Pomp and Circumstances

Amazon.com

Inside the buzzing hive of Smashing Pumpkins' guitars is clearly where bandleader Billy Corgan feels most comfortable. So, after a seven-year hiatus for the short-lived group Zwan and his surprisingly sunny 2005 solo album, Corgan has revived the Pumpkins in all the six-string-spattered shades of emotional gray that made them one of the greatest bands of the alt-rock era. Longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, along with famed boardsmiths Roy Thomas Baker and Terry Date as well as Corgan himself coproduced. Chamberlin also supports mountainous layers of guitar with his fiercest playing. California musicians Ginger Reyes (bass) and Jeff Schroeder (guitar) complete a version of the band dedicated to early bare-knuckled form, with a few exceptions: Corgan's grown into a more powerful wordsmith and his lengthy guitar solo explorations of yore are replaced with a trim, barbed textural approach that's ultimately more vicious. That is, until the centerpiece "United States" stretches into an epic punk-metal-informed sibling of Jimi Hendrix's "Machine Gun," with Corgan's strings singing like explosions and twisting metal as he warbles about revolution. Much of this album conjures literal and sonic visions of apocalypse, but there's grace, too, in the blithe grind of the hopeful "That's the Way (My Love Is)" and the melodic "Neverlost." Overall, Corgan's captivating effort to mine both the spirit of these turbulent times and the soul of his defining band is a smashing success. --Ted Drozdowski

Album Description

The Smashing Pumpkins are back! After seven years, the acclaimed Pumpkins have returned with Zeitgeist. Featuring the single "Tarantula," this new sound is not to be missed.

Customer Reviews:

Zeitgeist is darn good. .......2007-07-20

I'm an old school pumpkin fan and I absolutely love the new album. It took a couple of listens but Zeitgeist stands on its own. I'm really puzzled to hear that some of the older fans are really disappointed with this going. I truly believe that if this album came out after Mellon Collie, It would be heralded as a masterpiece.

The only complaint I really have is I'm not too crazy about the production. I think they should have gone back with Flood and Alan Moulder. (The producers of MCIS) Zeitgeist is better live ( Watch Starz performed live on You Tube, whoa!)

Other then that, I think the album is outstanding. Just out of curiosity, I would like to know how some of the other reviewers ranked the catalog of all Smashing Pumpkins/Billy Corgan/Zwan albums. As of late I'm listening to Interpol, The Smiths, and some Beatles, The White Stripes, and Van Halen (Diamond Dave Era)

Call me crazy; here's mine

1. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
2. Zeitgeist
3. Gish
4. Siamese Dream
5. (Zwan) Mary Star of the Sea
6. Machina
7. Pieces Iscariot
9. (Billy Corgan) The Future Embrace
10. Adore

One of SP's best.......2007-07-19

I was very excited for this album after hearing Tarantula. However, I was not immediately overwhelmed with Zeitgeist the first couple of times I listened to it in my car. I was hoping that they would use a wide range of instruments as they had done on past albums. One thing was clear from the first listen...this is one of the hardest albums Smashing Pumpkins has produced. It is a true guitar album! Also one of the first things that caught my attention was the vocal layering, which is probably the best of any Smashing Pumpkins album.

But, then I put Zeitgeist on my MP3 player, adding it to my Smashing Pumpkins/Zwan/Billy mix. Mixing Zeitgeist songs with other SP songs helped me realize that Zeitgeist is right up there with anything Smashing Pumpkins has created. In fact, this is classic Smashing Pumpkins. They have really delivered on providing a great start to their reunion. The only reason why I didn't give this album 5 stars is because I would have enjoyed a wider use of instruments.

I definitely recommend it...and make sure and buy (no bit torrents on this album) a copy to send a message that we want Smashing Pumpkins to keep making music.

The Pumpkins are back. Or are they? (3.5).......2007-07-19

Well, the only thing that I can say to reviews below is that arguing that James Iha wasn't a song-writer is nothing short of erroneous. I was actually one of the people who didn't care how the lineup of a "reunited" band would turn out since it wasn't like Iha and Darcy Wretzky would want to come back anyway. Now I've got that out of the way. The record, apart from being credited as a Smashing Pumpkins release for the first time in seven years, is not particularly extraordinary. The interesting thing is that while the guitars are back, it sounds more like Queens of the Stone Age with Billy singing than the actual first two Smashing Pumpkins releases.

While I don't think it holds a candle to the first four albums, it is in many ways superior to the scattershot MACHINA/The Machines of God and the songs are pretty well put together. It may seem like a crowd pleaser to some, as the more "rock" songs tend to be in the first half and more of the keyboard-laced songs are toward the end. And truth be told there is some pretty good moments. I hear that "That's the Way (My Love Is)" will be the album's next single and on top of being catchy is a great pop type song from Corgan.

Perhaps the centrepice of the record though is "United States." It is the longest song on the record and perhaps all for the better. The riffage reminds me of the psychedelic hard rock of older releases. Another great highlight on the record is the gorgeous closer "Pomp and Circumstance," which to me, is aural bliss, like a song that must have come from heaven. Not that it's my favorite song from them, but it gives you that sort of feel. There is a sort of political undercurrent to the record and it's one thing that did make me a bit skeptical. However, it seems that Billy can make anything sound like a personal record which is one reason this works fine for some of the fans.

On the downside, I wonder if the release was a bit rushed, something I never thought I'd be saying about a Pumpkins release. It seems like more is put to the tracks. That being said for the first time since Gish has an album come out that wouldn't make an ADD-diagnosed listener pass out. That being said, the ambition was always one of Billy Corgan's strengths and his heart gave the songs their feel, showing the band did in fact have integrity.

Another let down is that some of the "bonus" tracks on other releases are actually better than at least half of the songs on this record, which makes me wonder if Billy's learned from the mistakes of seven years ago. This also makes me hope for a commerical single release or something. And while this didn't have me holding my breath, something like releasing "Mashed Potatoes" commercially would do that trick. That being said it's 2007, and Billy wants to play Smashing Pumpkins tracks again.

Good Comback.......2007-07-18

I think that Smashing Pumpkins (or what is left of them) has done a great job on their recent cd, Zeitgeist. Although the band is missing both Iha and the always changing bass player, the band remains the Pumpkins. Of course the teenage/young adult angst of Billy Corgan has vanished for a more introspective and (gasp) spiritual version. This is not necessarily a bad thing, I think that the cd has more interesting lyrics, and its very much in the vein of Billy Corgan's adventure with Zwan. Actually, its very similar to Zwan if not the same, but with Billy doing all the guitar/bass work by himself and Jimmy Chamberlain on the drums. The songs are motivational for the most part, and upbeat. The best songs on the cd are "For God and Country," "Tarantula," and "Revolution." Billy's guitars scream as Pumpkin's listeners and fans are accustomed too, and his voice whines away. Chamberlain is brilliant on "Revolution." The last song "Pomp and Circumstance" is fairly over the top, and the only track that I wasn't thrilled about. Having purchased all of Smashing Pumpkins and Billy Corgan's other efforts on cd, I think that Zeigeist fits right in, somewhere between the brilliant work the Pumpkins did on Siamese Dream and Corgan's tryst with Zwan.

Recommended for any serious fan, or casual listener..

Good by any standard but their own.......2007-07-18

Never mind getting upset about this being a true "reunion" album without the original quartet.

On this album, Billy and Jimmy pick up the pieces after Zwan disintegrated and make the hard rocking Pumpkins sound I had hoped for with MACHINA. True, this does not live up to the standard if you are using Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie as a measuring stick, but Zeitgeist outdoes anything being put out these days by Nickelback clones. If you are upset about James and D'arcy being absent, remember that a majority of their studio sound was just Billy and Jimmy to begin with. Get off your high horse and give it chance.

Average customer rating: I LOVE THIS CD! Pleasant Surprise It Won't Be Soon Before Long - Absolutely No Songs About Jane buy it The Wait is Over

It Won't Be Soon Before Long Maroon 5 Manufacturer: A&M / Octone Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Songs About Jane Minutes to Midnight Call Me Irresponsible Daughtry Lost Highway ASIN: B000P2A256 Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

1. If I Never See Your Face Again
2. Makes Me Wonder
3. Little of Your Time
4. Wake Up Call
5. Won't Go Home Without You
6. Nothing Lasts Forever
7. Can't Stop
8. Goodnight Goodnight
9. Not Falling Apart
10. Kiwi
11. Better That We Break
12. Back At Your Door

Amazon.com

Sometimes it's O.K.--even important--to put aside your reluctance to embrace artists who make teenage girls scream. It happened in 2006, when Justin Timberlake scraped the sludge off pop and left something shiny behind, and it's happening again in 2007 with Maroon 5. It Won't Be Soon Before Long, the L.A. band's sophomore studio disc, rode in on a crest of hype and crumpled expectations--fan reports had it that Adam Levine & Co. scrapped their signature pop-soul sound for something harder and darker. Not so. Shades of Prince, Hall & Oates, and Sting still color the Maroon sound (check out the spectacularly fizzy "Little of Your Time," as well as the first single, "Makes Me Wonder," a song catchier than fire), but they're made ever fainter here by the clamping down of five guys on what is essentially the most distinctive pop sound to emerge from a single band since the Bee Gees squealed into the mid-'70s. It Won't Be Soon squares hip-hop sensibilities ("Wake Up Call") with rock ones ("If I Never See Your Face Again") and stormy moods ("Can't Stop") with bittersweet ballads ("Better That We Break"). It's a disc destined to defy detractors and go on to greatness, elevating the credibility of teenage girls for years to come. --Tammy La Gorce

Amazon.com

Global neo-soul rock superstars Maroon 5 are back with their much-anticipated sophomore album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long. The follow-up to the 10x platinum, Grammy-winning Songs About Jane will be "sexier and stronger," according to frontman Adam Levine, who looked to '80s icons such as Prince, Michael Jackson, and Talking Heads for inspiration. Recorded at home in Los Angeles with producers Mike Elizondo (Fiona Apple, Eminem), Mark "Spike" Stent (Bjork, Keane, Gwen Stefani), Mark Endert (Madonna, Fiona Apple), and Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Nickel Creek), the album promises to be a louder take on the pop sounds of their first effort. "It's definitely aggressive, upbeat and pounding," says Levine.

More Maroon 5

Songs About Jane

Live Friday the 13th

1.22.03.Acoustic

Maroon 5 Photos

Customer Reviews:

I LOVE THIS CD!.......2007-07-19

This CD is wonderful, I promote it to everyone I know that might like Maroon 5

Pleasant Surprise.......2007-07-18

This cd is slightly different in music style than Maroon 5's first cd, but I am enjoying it nonetheless. If you are currently a Maroon 5 fan than this cd will not dissapoint you!

It Won't Be Soon Before Long - Absolutely No Songs About Jane.......2007-07-15

So they're a pop band...some even call them a "boy band". But, so what as long as they play good music? Judging a book by its cover was never the best way to draw a conclusion.

Musically speaking, this record is way much better than "Songs About Jane" in my opinion. It is clear that songs are now arranged and played in a more careful and sophisticated way. My picks are: "Nothing Lasts Forever", "Can't Stop", "Not Falling Apart" and "Back at Your Door". My guess is that if you hear at least these four tracks, you will notice a better and more mature Maroon 5, going to the right way and making their evolution.

buy it.......2007-07-14

incredible
even the songs you've never heard before you will love
if you like songs about jane, you'll like this, too
i have it in my car cd player right now

The Wait is Over.......2007-07-13

This CD is a refreshing change to the status quo of pop/rock music. Maroon 5 is an awesome band. I look forward to their new releases to come.

Average customer rating: WoW!!! Once Fabulous follow-up to the film awesome Once

Once Original Soundtrack Manufacturer: Columbia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Cost Fitzcarraldo Release the Stars Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur The Reminder ASIN: B000PFU7OO Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

1. Falling Slowly
2. If You Want Me
3. Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy
4. When Your Minds Made Up
5. Lies
6. Gold
7. The Hill
8. Fallen from the Sky
9. Leave
10. Trying to Pull Myself Away
11. All the Way Down
12. Once
13. Say It to Me Now

Amazon.com

Even those allergic to musicals may be won over by Once, a tender-hearted Irish romance with songs by Czech Republic-born Markéta Irglová and Frames frontman Glen Hansard. (The film's director, John Carney, actually used to play bass in the group.) The trick here is that Irglová and Hansard also play the leads; because their characters are shown busking, writing music, or rehearsing, the songs are smoothly integrated in the film. The overall acoustic mood won't surprise fans of the Frames--some tracks ("Say It to Me," "When Your Mind's Made Up") have even popped up on the band's albums, though the arrangements are more pared-down here, befitting the scruffy, street-musician setting. Being the lesser-known entity, Irglová feels like a revelation; she sounds a bit like a folkie Björk on "If You Want Me," and her song "The Hill" is downright heartbreaking. Irglová and Hansard had already made the 2006 album The Swell Seasontogether, so their collaboration here feels really organic--they sound particularly good together on the title track, for instance. Now that's the kind of magic you want from musicals. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

WoW!!!.......2007-07-19

I really enjoyed the movie. So I came home and had to get this album. If you like Damien Rice, then you will enjoy this album. I really love tracks 2 and 7.

Once.......2007-07-19

We really liked the movie and were moved by the songs and the chemistry between the two leads. We especially liked about the first 7 or 8 songs. I'd recommend seeing the movie to really appreciate the music.

Fabulous follow-up to the film.......2007-07-19

My wife and I loved the film, so had to get the soundtrack. Since then I've given it to two friends.

Every song is gorgeous. Both the male and female vocals are filled with emotion. (Maybe more than some people would be comfortable with.) You might have to see the film to really appreciate all of the lyrics and soulful renditions. But several of the songs would make my playlist any day.

Stunningly original.

awesome.......2007-07-15

The music was almost as good as in the movie. I loved the CD!

Once.......2007-07-13

I saw the movie and immediately ordered the soundtrack. I play it all the time. The music is great and the CD well balanced. I can't wait for the DVD.

Average customer rating: Solid Album A true Ryan Adams classic Yea right Little too country for my tastes One Man's Trash Ain't Another Man's "Ripoff"

Easy Tiger Ryan Adams Manufacturer: Lost Highway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sky Blue Sky Icky Thump The Reminder West New Moon ASIN: B000P29B1W Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. goodnight rose
2. two
3. everybody knows
4. halloween head
5. two hearts
6. tears of gold
7. the sun also sets
8. off broadway
9. rip off
10. oh my god, whatever, etc.
11. pearls on a string
12. these girls
13. i taught myself how to grow old

Amazon.com

Easy Tiger, Ryan Adams's ninth solo studio album, is a return to form in every way. He's already shown that he can bash out three albums in one year--not to mention the hilarious fake hip-hop records posted for free on his Web site--and that he can sound as much like the Grateful Dead as he wants to in his constant subsequent touring. Backed once again by the Cardinals, Adams synthesizes and refines his approach to smooth, gorgeous country-pop. "Tears of Gold" is one of the best songs he's written in ages, while "Two" is a slowly percolating, sweet little number that recalls Sean Hayes in its soulful folksiness (someone named Sheryl Crow accompanies Adams on vocals). One of the greatest treats of this languorous, twangy album is the subtle ways that genre gets played with. "I Taught Myself How to Grow Old" is the best Harvest outtake Neil Young never wrote, while the treated, synth-sounding guitar solo on the druggy, chooglin' "Halloweenhead" sounds like it comes straight out of Journey. And "The Sun Also Sets" sounds more than a little like Rufus Wainwright covering Fred McDowell's "Write Me a Few of Your Lines." It bursts with enough melodrama as to border on musical theater. But, as is clear on these songs of love and loss, Adams has always been at his best when giving into his most mellow, dramatic side. --Mike McGonigal

Ryan Adams Photos

More Ryan Adams

Heartbreaker

Gold

Love Is Hell

Album Description

I think there are really only two kinds of pop music CDs these days. There are the ones you listen to only once or twice, maybe downloading the single good song to your iPod or computer; then there are others that grow stronger, sweeter, and more necessary each time you play them. Gold was that way; Cold Roses was that way; so was Jacksonville City Nights. I won't say Adams is the best North American singer-songwriter since Neil Young...but I won't say he isn't, either. What I know is there has never been a Ryan Adams record quite as strong and together as Easy Tiger; it's got enough blue-eyed, blue-steel soul (with the faintest country tinge) to make me think of both Marvin Gaye and the Righteous Brothers. Probably ridiculous, but true. And the songs themselves are beautiful--the lyrics tightly focused and brief, the feeling one of melancholy calm that will probably be a revelation to fans that remember the old, sometimes angry Ryan Adams.

Now there's this, maybe the best Ryan Adams CD ever. And I know you want to listen to it right away. But slow down. Take your time. This album asks for that, and it will reward your full attention.

In other words--easy, Tiger.

--Stephen King

Customer Reviews:

Solid Album.......2007-07-19

Once again Ryan Adams makes another solid album. every song is great. My favorites are Hallowenhead, Tears of Gold and Everybody Knows. So go ahead and buy it you won't regret it.

A true Ryan Adams classic.......2007-07-18

I've been trying for years to nail down who Ryan Adams reminds me of, and I've finally figured it out: Van Morrison. Both are roots-bound almost to the point of being revivalists, both are notoriously temperamental, and both are wildly, erratically prolific, sometimes to a fault; yet both are unquestionably geniuses (almost unarguably so, much to the chagrin of their detractors).

So what does this analogy have to do with a review of "Easy Tiger?" To put Ryan Adams's new album in perspective, it would be the equivalent of Van Morrison's "Moondance." It is the first record that comes across as being almost conservative in its polished professionalism. If you're a Van fan who hated "Moondance" because its warm, relaxed, pastoral vibe felt like a "sellout" after the wild abandon of Them and the heady experimentalism of "Astral Weeks" (and I'm sure there were more than a few people of that opinion at the time), then likewise, "Easy Tiger" is going to sound too safe, too pat. But if you think "Moondance" is a beautiful masterpiece, then you may well love "Easy Tiger."

This is the album where Ryan Adams sobers up, bears down, and actually turns out an album of "all-killer, no filler" (arguably the first since "Heartbreaker"). And if that comes at the expense of the roughness and raggedness that has accompanied his best work to this point, then so be it. But ten years down the road (if Ryan Adams keeps getting songs like "When the Stars go Blue" covered by enough mainstream artists to make him a mainstream artist himself), my money is on this album being considered as one of his true classics.

In a way, it's almost a career summation up to this point. It has the acoustic front-porch "Heartbreaker" vibe on "These Girls," the lush "Gold"-ballad feel on "Two, and "I Taught Myself How to Grow Old" the "Demolition"-style late-night laments of "Everybody Knows and "The Sun Also Sets," the atmospheric "Love Is Hell" angst of "Off Broadway," the "Rock and Roll" crunch on "Halloweenhead," the jam-band "Cold Roses" sound on "Goodnight Rose," the "Jacksonville City Nights" countrypolitan of "Tears of Gold," and to make it complete, "Pearls On a String" and "Two Hearts" even harken back to his Whiskeytown days.

In fact, this album plays almost like a Ryan Adams Greatest Hits album that, like a good hits comp, manages the trick of being summative without being disjointed or haphazard. And like a good compilation, these songs are all keepers. If this is what being sober means, here's hoping Ryan can stay on the straight and narrow from here on out and have a later-day career as interesting and rich as Van Morrison's.

Yea right.......2007-07-18

Why don't y'all shut up. Don't care for the critique. Dumb losers it's just music.

Little too country for my tastes.......2007-07-17

Upon my first listen to this album I could not finish it...the songs were a little too twangy and Adams' voice was as well. My taste is more on the rock side of things, and this album falls definitely more on the country side.

One Man's Trash Ain't Another Man's "Ripoff".......2007-07-16

As with many artists, Ryan Adams has two kinds of fans: A) Those who pour over and worship his every utterance, and B) people who have or dig songs from an album or two. I fall a little closer to the former. But I'm a recent convert, so I can still remember life before impending fandom set in. There are good and bad things about Easy Tiger. The uber-slick production on every track tends to sound forced. Snare drums hit with razor-clarity and guitars are pro-tools polished, and crisp. This might attract some listeners, but his last two albums (Jacksonville City Nights and 29) had pretty rough edges, evoking alt. country bleed-through of a bygone era. As for whether or not the songwriting is still good, again that's entirely subjective. Some people admire where he's at as an artist, and some will just never forget that song they loved 6, 8, or 10 years ago. Moments like that are hard for even the most prolific writers to re-duplicate. I say put the record on, drive around for a few days listening, but not giving it your full attention. See if it becomes the soundtrack to what you're going through. It did with me, which is why I can't stop playing Easy Tiger now.

Average customer rating: Incredible! i'M AMAZED! Album is good, period. Still Interpol, Still Great, But Not As Great as Previous Albums Appreciation, but no admiration

Our Love to Admire Interpol Manufacturer: Capitol Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Icky Thump Zeitgeist An End Has a Start Favourite Worst Nightmare Easy Tiger ASIN: B000PY32CO Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

1. Pioneer To the Falls
2. No I In Threesome
3. The Scale
4. The Heinrich Maneuver
5. Mammoth
6. Pace Is the Trick
7. All Fired Up
8. Rest My Chemistry
9. Who Do You Think
10. Wrecking Ball
11. The Lighthouse

Amazon.com

Moving up to a major label has hardly lifted Interpol's spirits. This is a good thing. Even with the twisted Wild Kingdom album cover and bassist Carlos Dengler's unexpected Wild West makeover, on its third studio album the black-clad New York quartet still sounds inflexibly menacing, grasping tighter than ever to its doomy post-punk influences and delving further into frontman Paul Banks's emotional unrest. Everything sounds a little bigger and brighter, sure, but at their core songs like "Rest My Chemistry" and "Wrecking Ball" are heroically sinister, goaded on by prickly riffs and slow-bleeding rhythms. The group briefly jumps to life on the buzzing "Heinrich Manouver" and exhibits an unexpected dash of humor on "No I in Threesome," but it's the closing "Lighthouse" that best defines the set--a late-night lament that simply steals away into the dark. --Aidin Vaziri

Amazon.com

Our Love To Admire is at once unmistakably Interpol and undeniably new. The witty and perverse "No I In Threesome" is an upbeat ode to shaking up a staid relationship propelled by Carlos D's peerless bass melody while the tenderly observant "Pace Is the Trick" proves that the band are still the masters of the dramatic - check the painful pause right before the sinfully satisfying return of Sam's thundering drums and Daniel's ringing lead guitar. The band's impressively seductive evolution is obvious all over the record, but never more so than on tracks like "Mammoth," "Who Do You Think" and on the album's lyrical centerpiece, the ghostly "Rest My Chemistry." While Daniel is understandably proud of the song he cautions against reading too much autobiography into its lyrics. "We always leave the interpretation to the listener," he says. "I mean, you shouldn't watch a movie for the first time listening to the director's commentary!"

Our Love to Admire closes with "The Lighthouse," a funereal dirge that is among the most unexpected and memorable songs ever recorded by the band. Almost entirely percussion-free, the song is constructed around Daniel's mournful guitar and Paul's sparten lyrics. Not only is it one of their finest moments to date, it provides the album's most goose-bump inducing moment, the very same reflex shivers that make Interpol live shows such an exhilarating experience. As the very last song the band recorded for the album it was, they say, the hardest to play. The hypnotic guitar part was played on a 50-year-old guitar that had toxins on the strings, providing Daniel with a blistering and painful sensation in his fingers. The band weren't even sure the track would make it out of the studio, but once they heard Paul's remarkable vocals they were floored. The song - and the album - doesn't so much end as it bleeds to a close with a long, echoey coda filled with feedback and strings. A fittingly dramatic end to a stunning and emotional journey. Interpol is back, every bit as good as before but charged with a new spirit, a new direction, a new label and, most of all, a new confidence.

Interpol Photos

More from Interpol

Antics

Turn on the Bright Lights

The Black EP

Customer Reviews:

Incredible!.......2007-07-20

All of these people who are complaining are either deaf, dumb, or both. This is a killer album, and every single song is excellent. This is a great band, and I don't care who they sound like, or who sounds like them...neither Joy Division, nor She Wants Revenge are as good of a band as Interpol. Yeah, I said it!!!

i'M AMAZED!.......2007-07-20

This is my first Interpol album, and I am amazed!!! I knew that they were verry simulur to Joy Division because that's what all of the critics and fans say...but even though they may not be the absolutel most original band in the world.......I really like what they do. This album is so beautiful, and so damm good. Good, good, good!!! I love it!!

Album is good, period........2007-07-19

I don't know what some people are thinking, this album is solid from start to finish. If you are a fan of good music, you'll definitely appreciate this album. The music speaks for itself.

Still Interpol, Still Great, But Not As Great as Previous Albums.......2007-07-19

Interpol has a good thing going. They are a great band that has their own little niche which allows them to be somewhat popular while remaining true to their indie roots.

With their third album, Our Love to Admire, Interpol once again molds and shapes their sound which they crafted on their first album, Turn on the Bright Lights. With their second album, Antics, they took a small departure from their sound on the first album, but it was a good departure. They put their vocals forward and made their sound more clear, which allows them to sound more polished. With Antics though, Interpol didn't sound as raw or underground. Depsite this, they still retained the same feeling in their "doom" music; in other words they were still just as entertaining as the first album, except maybe on the some different levels.

This album sounds the most different from the last two. I think this is primarily due to the fact that they have changed record labels; from Matador to Capitol. This allows the band to have access to better recording equipment, techniques, etc. Because of this their album seems to sound a little over produced in my opinion. They seem to have paid more attention to detail, but in a different way. Each layer of instruments seem to be on their own plane. They don't seem to mesh or blend the same as in other albums. I think that that was one of the things that Interpol was very good at: layering. They used to build rhythems and rhythems on top of each other, providing the listener with a very rewarding experience.

This album sounds somewhat dull because of this lack of layering. The reason for the lack of layering, I think, stems from the fact that the drums and bass do not play as big of a part in this album as previous ones. The guitars and vocals seems to be in the forefront, which is fine in the case of the vocals, but not necessarily with the guitars. The rhythems are noticably simplistic and somewhat boring actually, especially when the bass and drums are not there to enforce them. When it comes down to it, Interpol, I think, cannot be a guitar driven band. Instead, I think they need to combine their creative efforts like the previous albums. Carlos' bass lines were absolutely stunning and really rather interesting. In fact, that, in combination with Sam's drumming, was one of the reasons that I listened to Interpol. In this album Carlos seems to actually play like a bass player, which is rather disappointing. There are some great lines that he creates, but they are hidden in the background due the recording techniques. Instead of being in the forefront like previous albums, he is sadly in the background, like almost all modern rock albums. As for Sam's drumming, there is no reason that I can think of for such a show.

Some of the parts, especially bass and drums, sound "phoned in," but this is still a good album nontheless. It is great to hear how Interpol explores their sound further without completely leaving it behind or changing it, like say The Strokes, which have sadly washed away and basically disappeared. The words are just as good and the songs are still overall catchy, especially like "The Heinrich Maneauver."

If you are an Interpol fan like myself, then this is recommended (though not extremely high) to complete the collection.

-Adam L.

Appreciation, but no admiration.......2007-07-19

I had big expectations for this record - I loved the first two, and my ears couldn't wait much longer to hear more. After listening to Our Love twice through, I must admit that I was a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, this is by no means a bad album - but "Rest My Chemistry" (which instantly vaulted into my list of top 5 Interpol songs of all time) was really the only song that instantly hooked me. The album has a very sinister thread throughout, and the opening track accurately forecasts what you can expect ahead while the closing track is a fitting send-off. The up-tempo "The Heinrich Maneuver" (think PDA) is really good, and one of the few songs that breaks away from the slower pace. While the occasional use of piano and keyboards definitely shows a progression from what Interpol fans have come to expect, I just can't help feeling a little letdown with the end result. But is it still worth owning? Definitely.

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