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The reviews....
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2 Unlimited |
Get Ready |
2000 June 16 |
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* *
Basic simple early 90's house/rock stuff. Nothing earth shattering, nothing too amazing.
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Ana Voog |
anavoog.com |
1999 October 02 |
* * * *
The improvement between her last release (spool forka dish) to this one is akin to the improvement to Ajax between her first & second CDs. Substantial. I'm amazed we've never heard of this on WBER... They eat up stuff like this! It's fairly similar to some stuff Tori Amos has done, but more electronic sounding. It can be described as Modern Electronic partially experimental, goove-filled music. An excellent listen. The CD also has a .MOV video for "I'm Ana Voog". A neat video... I need to sample it!
anacam.com has it online for FREE! DOWNLOAD IT!
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Ana Voog |
"Hollywood" |
1999 October 28 |
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* * *
Some good remixes of her "Hollywood" track from "anavoog.com". Some are decent, some make ya want to skip to the next one.
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Ana Voog |
Introducing Sorrow (MP3) |
1999 August 25 |
* * * *
Nice somberesque music. It sounds kinda like a blend between Xymox, and October Project with more of a drifty feel to it, while still sounding punky and rocky at the same time. One or two of the tracks, "Introducing Sorrow" for one, are a little sub par. Skip over it... the rest of the album is much better. It sounds like something that Ani DiFranco (sp?) or Tori Amos would have made years ago. (circa 1989)
Apparantly, Ana wrote this album when she was 18, and recorded it when she was 22.
anacam.com has it online for FREE! DOWNLOAD IT!
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The Art Of Noise |
The Seduction Of Claude Debussy |
1999 June 29 |
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* * * *
Trancey music from the godparents of techno. It's narrated by John Hurt, and contains some operatic like singing here and there. It's most similar to the songs on the "Ambient Collection". Slow, trancey, instrumentals.
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The Beatles |
Revolver |
1999 September 03 |
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* * * *
One of my two most favorite Beatles albums. (The other being Rubber Soul.) I've always remarked that I don't have them, so I figured I'd remedy the situation. :] Has the rocking "She Said, She Said", to the relaxed "Yellow Submarine" on it... and a wide range between them. One of the best later years (post "Help!", 1965) Beatles albums.
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Belinda Carlisle |
Her Greatest Hits |
2000 June 22 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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Billy Joel |
The Nylon Curtain |
1999 December 22 |
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* * * *
Another of his best works. This one has his hits from the early '80s including "Pressure", and "She's Right On Time". Definitely a must have, after you already have "The Stranger".
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Billy Joel |
The Stranger |
1999 December 22 |
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* * * *
Billy Joel at his best. This one has a lot of my favorites, including "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant", "Movin' Out", and of course "The Stranger". This is a definite essential for any Billy Joel fan to have in their CD collection.
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Blue Oyster Cult |
Fire Of Unknown Origin |
2000 April 27 |
* * * * * *
Easily one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time. I went to the store to buy "Rubber Soul" by The Beatles, an album i like, but do not own yet. I walked out of the store with this one, an album I already own. Something happened to it though, it had disappeared. I suppose I could have made an audio cd from the mp3's i ripped from it, but oh well. I'm not regretting the purchase one bit. :]
This album carries tracks that follow along with stories in "Heavy Metal" like "The Pact", "Fire of Unknown Origin", and of course, "Heavy Metal". It ends on "Don't Turn Your Back", a song i love to death. It really has that "this is the last track on this album" feel to it. Great song. Great album.
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The Blue Up? |
Spool Forka Dish (MP3 & Album) |
1999 August 25 |
* * * *
Another Ana Voog album. Although it's not a concept album like "Introducing Sorrow" is, it's still right on par with her other stuff, and actually better than "introducing sorrow" Dreamy Tori Amos'ian vocals, good somber, punky, rocky kind of music. It's very hard to pigeonhole it into one specific genre. It's quite good. (I managed to find this one on CD, and snatched it up. The CD contains one extra track, "H. Sidakr Of Loops", which is the entire cd up to that point, reversed... it's actually quite good(!), and much better than a lot of the stuff you find on the radio nowadays. heh. (circa 1993)
anacam.com has it online for FREE! DOWNLOAD IT!
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Brak |
Brak Presents The Brak Album Starring Brak |
2000 June 30 |
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* * * *
The usual gang over at Cartoon Network are just as funny as ever. This is meant to be the cd to go along with "Brak Presents the Brak show Starring Brak", which i missed when it was aired on Com Central. Very funny classic brak stuff here.
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Buckner & Garcia |
Pac-Man Fever |
1999 June 24 |
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* * * *
The remake/remastering is done! I got my CD in the mail today. This is great! I love it. "Come on, Come on... Do the Donkey Kong!!!" www.bucknergarcia.com If you liked the old Pac-Man Fever song I highly recommend buying this cd! :D :D :D
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Buckner & Garcia |
Then & Now |
2000 January 03 |
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* *
The only thing worthwhile on here is the Pac-Man Fever unplugged, along with the Kareoke version of the same. The rest of the songs are mediocre at best.
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Buggles |
The Age Of Plastic |
1999 October 29 |
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* * *
Contains my favorite Buggles track, "Video Killed The Radio Star", and many other good '80s style tunes. The Buggles are one guy from Asia, and Trevor Horn from the Art Of Noise, so it's no wonder that they made better-than-abverage '80s pop music. But, the album overall isn't really anything to write home about.
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Cher |
"Believe" |
1999 March 01 |
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* * *
Okay.. fine... make fun of me all you want. I bought a CD by Cher. I kinda like the tune, and, well, Vocoders get me every time.
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The Crystal Method |
Vegas |
1998 October 01 |
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* * * *
How is it possible? I thought that all good techno came out of europe!? Probably the best techno album I've heard in a long time. And there are even faux samples from the Jim Henson film, "The Dark Crystal" to boot! (they are re-creations of the speech given at the beginning of the film)
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The Cure |
Bloodflowers |
2000 March 01 |
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* * * *
Not a happy album. It's quite good though. It seems to still have a lot of that feel that the older Cure albums have. Robert Smith has said that this can be the third album in a trilogy, Pornography being the first installment... Of course this means he no longer denies Pornography's existence. heh. If ya like happy Cure stuff (if there is such a thing) avoid this one. If you want good somber Cure stuff, go for this one!
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The Cure |
Boys Don't Cry |
1999 November 02 |
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* * * *
A great cd. Has the title track, "10:15 Saturday Night", "Someone Else's Train", and many other really great tracks. It's more Punky and raw than their later releases... It's not electronic at all.. It really shows their punk roots well.
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The Cure |
Disintegration |
2000 May 08 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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The Cure |
The Head On The Door |
1999 November 02 |
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* * * *
Another great CD. This one has "Inbetween Days", "Close To Me", and many other great tunes. Recommended as a good collection starter, along with "Disintegration", which I don't yet have. Mid '80's New-Wave type of stuff. "Inbetween Days" i believe was WDRE's (WLIR) #2 for their "best of the 1980's" countdown. (Yes, the same WDRE from Depeche Mode 101.)
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David Bowie |
Let's Dance |
2000 October 19 |
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n/a
No review yet
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Deep Forest |
Deep Forest |
1999 April 15 |
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* * *
A neat blend of Pygmie songs & tranceno. (Yes, I did just make up that word.) kinda what Enigma should've been. Neat stuff.
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Depeche Mode |
Singles 1981-1985 |
1999 September 21 |
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* * * *
I already have this as "Catching Up..." but i figured i'd buy the repackaging of it for completeness sake. :] There is a new remix of "Photographic" on the disc, which makes the cd worth buying all by itself. :) Even aside from that, the disc is chock full of great songs irregardless...
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DJ Rap |
"Good To Be Alive" |
2000 February 14 |
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* * *
I probably should have bought the full album. This single is part two of a multipart single. I heard the first remix on this disc, the "Deep Dish Remix" on WBER, and just had to have it. It's really great techno. The other track is quite good as well. Her name, "DJ Rap" is misleading... none of her stuff is Rap. (If the single were cheaper, i'd give it a higher rating.)
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DJ Rap |
Learning Curve |
2000 August 19 |
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* * 1/2
Not realy sure what I was expecting. I got it because i heard two of her songs on the radio. The cd is okay.. it's a little better than average, but there was nothing at all on the cd that makes it stand out in my mind. Probably not really worth getting.
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Duran Duran |
Seven And The Ragged Tiger |
1999 October 22 |
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* * * *
I've always loved this album. Not all of the tracks were played on the radio; "Cracks In The Pavement" for one. But it's got "The Reflex", "Union Of The Snake", "New Moon On Monday" etc. etc. Essential Duran Duran, right next to "Rio" and "Tiger Tiger". :)
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Elastica |
Elastica 6 track EP |
2000 May 14 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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Elastica |
The Menace |
2000 August 29 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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Fatboy Slim |
Better Living through Chemistry |
1999 September 03 |
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* * *
Above average techno. Words gone. I'll write this review later.
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Fatboy Slim |
"Praise You" |
1999 April 15 |
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* * * *
I really love this song.. the video is really cool too. The obligitory "this is the annoying droning noise part of the Fatboy Slim" part of the song is almost comforting. It's like all of the other Fatboy Slim songs were practice for this one...
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Fatboy Slim |
You've Come A Long Way, Baby |
1999 May 03 |
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* * * *
Kick-ass techno! I've had this album as mp3's for a while now, and I finally got around to buying the cd. It's well worth the money paid for it. :] There are at least 5 songs on it that I really enjoy a lot. It sometimes gets a little rappy, ie: "Rockafella Skank" (The Funk Soul Rubber?) but other tracks like "Kalifornia", and "Praise You" really shine.
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Fiona Apple |
When The Pawn |
2000 March 04 |
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* * * *
Much better than her first album. As i told Kevin (who openly praises this cd) Her first album has tracks that I want to skip over, while this one does not. "Limp" and "Fast As You Can" are both on this one. "Fast As You Can" is still my fav. track on it as well, although "Get Gone" is growing on me. The range on the cd is quite impressive as well. It goes from fast songs like "Fast as you can" to quiet ballads, "I Know". If you had a passing interest in her first one, or are just entranced by her voice, get this!
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Fluke |
Risotto |
2000 April 17 |
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* * * *
An excellent piece of trance/ambient/techno. The album starts off with "Absurd", which VW used in their "Turbonium" adverts. The second track is "Atom Bomb", a track i know very well. The rest of the album holds up, and is just as good (if not better) than those first two tracks. This is right on par with The Crystal Method's "Vegas".
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Frente! |
Shape |
1999 May 13 |
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* * * 1/2
Quite a good album... if you want to listen to good chick-singer-rock, on the soft side (not so far as 10,000 maniacs, or Innocence Mission). Track 1, "Sit on my hands" is what brought me into the cd... It's a great track to listen to to help ya think... :]
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Garbage |
Version 2.0 |
1999 January 01 |
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* * * *
I'll admit it... I'm in love (or at least lust) with Shirley Manson. Her haunting voice, breathy... aah.. The album itself is amazing. It's similar to their first album, but much more upbeat. (Track 3 "When I Grow Up" comes to mind). If you had at least passing interest in their first album, rush out and buy this one... then their first one... ;)
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Garbage |
"When I Grow Up" |
1999 February 01 |
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* * * *
As would be expected, this one is short, but sweet. Buy it if you see it. Mine is a UK import. Track 2 is the one to listen for, "Tornado". The liner notes say it was recorded "in the tour bus". It's an awesome instrumental. "Come on, Shirl!"
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George Winston |
All The Seasons of George Winston |
2000 October 19 |
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n/a
No review yet
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Henry Rollins |
Think Tank |
2000 March 01 |
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* * * *
I've only listened to the first disk, although I know I've heard bits of both disks of this album from a Rollins mp3 stream on the net. Very funny stuff. These are performed live, in front of an audience, which I think is where he shines the best. (Rather than studio recordings.) It's all spoken-word Monologues, not music, which i personally prefer. His music grates on me a little over time. He's a very intelligent, cynical, drug-free guy. Easily one of my heroes.
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Informatik |
Direct Memory Access 2.0 |
2000 February 07 |
* * * *
Awesome Indie Industrial music. If you're looking for some really well produced industrial music you've never heard of before, I highly recommend this album. I got it initially because i knew the track "Autonomous" from the Rec.Music.Industrial Mind/Body compilations, but soon after listening to this album, I found that the other tracks are just as good! "Peril Eyes" comes to mind.
You can purchase it at emusic.com.
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Informatik |
Syntax |
2000 February 07 |
* * * 1/2
As with their "Direct Memory Access 2.0" album, this is great indie industrial music. I recommend DMA2 first, then, after you love that one to death, pick up this one. :]
You can purchase it at emusic.com.
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Information Society |
InSoc Recombinant |
1999 June 24 |
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* * * 1/2
Interesting. It's remakes of classic InSoc songs by bands like Leather Strip, Rosetta Stone, etc. Some are good, some are okay. Four versions of "What's On Your Mind(Pure energy)" is a little much though. I would have liked to have heard more remixes of other songs. The second CD makes up for it though. The 5 videos in AVI format; "What's On Your Mind", "Walking Away", "Repetition", "Think" and "Peace & Love Inc" make up for the music portion being a little on the mediocre side. Tres cool vids.
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INXS |
The Swing |
1999 December 15 |
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* * * *
A classic must-have for any INXS or 80's fan. It has "Original Sin", "I Send A Message", "Johnson's Aeroplane", "Love Is", and "Burn For You", amongst others. If you don't consider these to be great tracks, you obviously have not heard this album. ;) Buy it, and let it sit right next to "Kick" on your shelf. This is probably my favorite INXS album.
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Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros |
Rock Art & The X-Ray Style |
2000 February 07 |
* * * 1/2
Joe Strummer is probably one of the underrated musicians of our time. This (obscure) album really shows us that. He was one of the driving forces of "The Clash" with Mick Jones who went off to form "Big Audio Dynamite". This album is Strummer in full force. Great rock tracks. I need to listen more.
You can purchase it at emusic.com.
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John Lennon & Yoko Ono |
Double Fantasy |
1998 October 01 |
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* * *
Great CD... you can tell which songs are Yoko's and which are John's. Yoko's suck. John's are great... "Woman", "Beautiful Boy", "Just Like Starting Over". Ironically it was meant to be his big comeback album.
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John Linnell |
State Songs |
1999 November 09 |
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* * * *
In some ways, the tracks aren't as polished and finished as TMBG, as it's just one of the two john's, but in other ways, it's right on track with TMBG. So far, everyone I know who likes TMBG has liked this CD, and oddly enough, everyone has their own favorite song. Mine is "South Carolina". "Crash my bicycle, crash my bicycle! In a big South Carolina wreck, I crash my bicycle!"
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John Williams |
Star Wars Trilogy Box Set |
1999 May 22 |
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* * * *
Bought this the night before we went to go see Phantom Menace. I needed a Star Wars fix. :] Great music. I can listen to the music, and see the movies playing back in my head. (Same as the Raiders Of The Lost Ark soundtrack) :]
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Keiko Matsui |
Full Moon And The Shrine |
2000 January 04 |
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1/2
So, I was in the used classical section of Media Play, and right next to it is the used jazz section. This cd cover piqued my interest... the photography is really quite stunning. So I bought it. It's typical light modern jazz... Along the same lines as Kenny G or something. I Don't like the music much at all. Here, check out scans of the cover.
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Level 42 |
Level Best |
2000 October 19 |
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n/a
No review yet
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Luscious Jackson |
Electric Honey |
1999 August 18 |
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* * * *
I primarilly bought this for "Nervous Breakthrough", a very catchy song that i first heard on WBER. The whole album is very good. It's not all exactly like that song, but some songs have that same electronic feel to them as NB. If you like good modern rock, or chick musicians, pick this one up.
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Luscious Jackson |
Fever In Fever Out |
1999 April 15 |
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* * *
Accidently bought this instead of their "Electric Honey" album oops. Listening to it now... Good stuff so far.
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Marillion |
This Strange Engine |
2000 January 02 |
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* * * *
My first Marillion CD. Thanks, Linus! Really cool music. This was after Fish left the group. Really good music. :D
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M|A|R|R|S |
"Pump up the Volume" |
1999 June 24 |
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* * * *
Put the needle on the record when the drum beats go like this! It's got the same tracks as the original (thanks, Tad!) but in a shuffled order. Rhythematic systematic world control. Magnetic, genetic to match your soul.
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Meco |
Star Wars and other Galactic Funk |
1999 May 22 |
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*
Cheesy guitar funk playing the music from Star Wars. I couldn't pass this up. Wah pedals abound!
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Mike + The Mechanics |
Mike + The Mechanics |
2000 October 19 |
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n/a
No review yet
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Moby |
Play |
1999 June 24 |
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* * * *
Very good album. A few tracks are a little too rappy for me, but it's still great overall. "Honey" is (over?)played on WBER, and i have a feeling that "South Side" soon will. The video for "Run On" is on eMpTyV's AMP show. If you like techno with vocal samples from old jazz albums, buy this!
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Mono Puff |
It's Fun To Steal |
2000 August 19 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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nine inch nails |
"the day the world went away" (halo thirteen) |
1999 July 20 |
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* * * *
the title track is decent. if it's representative of the album to come, it should be really good. it's most similar to "the downward spiral", as you might expect. tdtwwa is drumless. the b-side "starf---ers, inc." is damn good. not for the light of heart (is any nin?) It's interesting how trent writes these songs that are like "you're fans, and you'll do anything, and i write these songs calling you scum, and you just eat it all up", and we do. thrashy track a la broken, with the sound from tds.
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nine inch nails |
the fragile |
1999 September 21 |
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* * * *
An amazing journey. My only problem is that the vinyl LP has 2 more songs, and longer versions of other songs. (this means i gotta buy it now.) In any event, the 2 cds (100 minutes of music) are amazing. They are nine inch nails, but they're different than anything he's done in the past. "Into The Void" has a Depeche Mode-ian sound to the beginning of it, but it soons breaks into the NIN sound you expect. Other tracks sound similar to old NIN, and others like nothing I've ever heard before. It does have it's low ends though.. Sometimes the schtick is a little over the top. the Rhyming in some songs (The Way Out Is Through) is a little weak. I almost feel embarrassed listening to it. I pop in disc 2, after praising the album, and it starts with that track... ugh. Some tracks are awesome though, with an amazing groove (Where Is Everybody, The Big Come Down, Please). If you like older NIN, especially "The Downward Spiral", or if you like the instrumentals, then i highly recommend it!
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Optiganally Yours |
Exclusively Talentmaker! |
2000 October 19 |
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n/a
No Review Yet
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Optiganally Yours |
Spotlight On Optiganally Yours |
2000 October 19 |
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n/a
No Review Yet
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Orbital |
The Middle Of Nowhere |
1999 August 22 |
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* * * *
If you've listened to WBER recently, you might have heard "Way Out" or possibly "Spare Parts Express", as they flow into eachother on the CD. The whole album is much better than Halcyon, a song I personally can't stand... probably because I like Opus 3's "Fine Day", which they sampled the hell out of for Halcyon... but thats an entirely different story altogether. "Way Out" has a kind of spacey, horror movie theremin kind of sound and feel to it. Although the rest of the CD isn't quite as good as that track, It's all very very good. Sometimes trancey, sometimes ambient. As per usual Orbital.
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Philip Glass |
1000 Airplanes On The Roof |
1999 November 09 |
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* * * * *
Kind of a cross between standard Glass and Outer Space. More electronic than other Glass-works i've heard. Very good. It has that standard Glass feel to it, but not the standard Glass sound to it. (not specifically orchestral.) Very nice. It's got some sci-fi elements to it, and has a vocalist (Linda Ronstadt I believe) singing "ah"'s over Glass' gripping melodies. Very nice indeed.
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Philip Glass |
Anima Mundi |
2000 January 04 |
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* * * *
It's kinda short, only 30 minutes. I also bought "Anima Mundi" on DVD as well. Great cinemetography & editing. The music is along the lines of other Glass-works, but a little quieter, and more "tinkly" at times.
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Philip Glass / Donald Joyce |
Glass Organ Works |
2000 April 29 |
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* *
One of Philip Glass' techniques that he uses often is really fast, repeating appregios. One of the things that pipe organs aren't really all that great at is really fast appregios. Donald Joyce plays Glass compositions on an organ on this CD. Get the picture? Donald Joyce didn't, and there was nothing to stop him here. This CD seems to tout the organ more than it does the music being played on it. The quieter, more somber parts of the music pieces are okay, but once the music gets more intense, the notes blur together, and the resolution of the music just gets destroyed. There is also no subtlety of the playing. It's monotonous. It sounds like he's just leaning on the keys. It gets pretty bad at times. Get other Glass works. Avoid this one.
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Philip Glass |
Heroes |
1999 November 02 |
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* * * 1/2
Definitely a Glass-work. It's a remake (kinda) of the David Bowie/Brian Eno album "Heroes". Actually, it's more of Glass orchestrations with musical themes from Bowie's "Heroes". A lot of it is a little too quiet for me, but "Heroes" is quite nice... The whole album is very good, but quiet.
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Philip Glass |
Koyaanisqatsi |
1999 May 22 |
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* * * * *
Entrancing music. Bordering somewhere between New Age and Ambient. This is the re-release from last year, with the full 21 minute long "The Grid" and the other tracks originally left off of the soundtrack album due to space constraints. Very Very good music, even without the entrancing visuals from the film. I bought this after a friend sent me a MP3 of one of the tracks. I just needed to buy it. :] (Koyaanisqatsi is Hopi Indian for "Life out of balance".)
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Philip Glass |
Low |
2000 January 20 |
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* * 1/2
This is more of a generic orchestral version of "Low". It doesn't really feel like a Philip Glass composition. It has some elements in it occasionally to remind you it's him. It sounds more like someone poorly trying to emulate him, but being too chaotic. In comparison, "Heroes" is *stunning*. This is no "Heroes". It's still well orchestrated, just not one of Glass' best works. Not by far.
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Philip Glass |
Mishima |
2000 April 29 |
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* * *
An interesting piece. Some of the tracks have an eastern feel to them, while still being in the Glass style. The track to look out for is the one that is the standard Glass minimalism, but played on an electric guitar. :)
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Philip Glass |
Powaqqatsi |
1999 November 09 |
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* * * *
I'm only halfway through this masterpiece, and I'm already in love with it. "Anthem" has a very regal, final, drive to it that i've not heard in a piece in a very long time. The music has promise to it, as if it's saying that everything is going to be better soon. Amazing.
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Philip Glass |
Symphony No. 2 |
2000 June 27 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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Philip Glass |
Symphony No. 3 |
2000 August 19 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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Pink Floyd |
Meddle |
2000 March 14 |
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* * 1/2
Typical Floyd sound. It doesn't seem to have a point to it. It kinda meanders around. Even the 20 minute long "Echoes", which was written to coincide with "Jupiter and Beyond The Infinite" from Kubrick's "2001" is mediocre at best. You would think it would finish the flow album, but it doesn't. That piece, and the whole album seem to have ave no closure to them. it. No flow. The tracks themselves are decent, typical Floyd. Nothing stands out at all. An average album.
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Powerpuff Girls |
Heroes And Villains |
2000 August 15 |
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* * * * *
An excellent collection. Assembled by two members of DEVO (Mothersbourgh, and Casale (sp?)), this cd contains lots of really great and fun tracks. From poppy stuff by BIZ, to a still great obligatory new DEVO track, to the bouncy Optiganally Yours tune, it's all good. Pop it in your CD player, and you won't be able to remove it for days... if at all.
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Prince and The Revolution |
Around The World In A Day |
1999 September 21 |
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* * *
I'll be honest. I only got this cd for 3 tracks: "Raspberry Beret", "America" and "Pop Life". I used to have the cassette which i got from my sister years ago, but has since disappeared. Those 3 are definitely the best on the CD. Tambourine is pretty decent too, (The "Opal" mix of "Head Like A Hole" samples it.) It's my favorite Price album I own... but then again, it's the ONLY Prince album I own. heh.
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Prodigy |
Fat of The Land |
1999 March 01 |
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1/2
Wow. I never realized that The Prodigy could suck this hard. Their other two albums that I have are awesome. ("Experience", "Music For the Jilted Generation") I'd be interested in finding out where this one went wrong... Although i have a suspicion it was when they let the "Dancin' guy" "sing".
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Prozzak |
Hot Show |
1999 August 22 |
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* * * *
This is what Blur's "Parklife" should have been. Great music, minimalistic at times, but still very good. The video for "Sucks To Be You" is played often on MTV and M2. If you liked that song, you'll probably like the whole album, as it's in the same style. It's dancey, poppy music, but doesn't really fit into either niche. For the most part, it's all quick beated upbeat music... even the tracks that talk about breaking up and the like. Overall, it's a really fun album. You'll especially like it if you like guys singing with British accents.
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Rammstein |
Rammstein |
1998 October 01 |
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* * *
What do you listen to when Laibach hasn't put out an album in a while, and you want to hear good German/Austrian rock? Pop in that Rammstein album!
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Raymond Scott |
Manhattan Research Inc. |
2000 October 04 |
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* * * *
This is an excellent 2 cd essay on one of the most overlooked musical visionaries of our time. Raymond Scott made his own (or had Robert Moog make for him) electronic synthesizers, circular sequencers, and electro-mechanical sequencers. Some of which are based on sequential telephone relay switches. Really impressive stuff for his time (1950's - 1960's). The 2 cds are more of a collage of work he's done; examples of his machines, jingles for commercials, and the like. It's not just 2 hours of straight music. Be prepared to learn stuff about him, and be utterly fascinated.
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Raymond Scott |
Reckless Nights And Turkish Twilights |
2000 October 30 |
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n/a
No Review Yet
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Richard Feynman |
Six Easy Pieces |
2000 August 29 |
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* * *
Captivating lectures by Feynman. Even if you're not totally into what he's saying, he still sucks your attention in, and is entertaining to listen to. What i've listened to so far is very cool.
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Richard Feynman |
The Lost Lecture |
2000 August 29 |
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* * *
A single cd of a lecture. Another interesting listen, like Six Easy Pieces.
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Sarah McLachlan |
Solace |
1999 July 23 |
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* * * *
I've wanted this album for years now, and I finally got around to buying it. :] "Into the fire", and "drawn to the rhythm" are the two popular tracks off of it. It's Sarah. Not much else need be said.
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Shriekback |
Big Night Music |
2000 April 11 |
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* * * 1/2
Picks up right where "Oil and Gold" left off. If Oil & Gold is somewhere on your top favorite Shriekback albums, or on your top 10 albums of all time (as well it should be on both such lists) this one should be right next to it. It feels a lot like it could be a direct continuation, while not being redundant.
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Shriekback |
Naked Apes and Pond Life |
2000 March 31 |
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* * * *
Shriekback in full form. I've heard this is their last album, which is sad, as they make some really great music. This album really shows that off quite well. Some tracks bring you right back to "The Infinite" and their early stuff, while some are more remeniscent of their "Go Bang" style. Very good. If you like Shriekback at all, this one is a must-have. My only problem is that the quiet, ambient tracks make the disc feel muuch shorter than it is. I wish it were longer irregardless.
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Shriekback |
Priests and Kannibals |
2000 May 14 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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Shriekback |
Sacred City |
2000 April 04 |
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* * * 1/2
In a lot of ways this one is like every other Shriekback album out there. For the most part though, the tracks are a little more somber, and quiet. If that's the kind of thing you like in Shriekback, then there you go. These are all slow, quiet rhythmic tracks.
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Shriekback |
The Dancing Years |
2000 April 11 |
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* * * 1/2
This album is mostly remixes and re-productions of songs found on other albums. In some cases the tracks aren't even vaguely similar to the originals ("My Spine(Is the Bassline)"). This is kind-of a "best-of" album gone horribly awry. The mixes are good and interesting, with enough variations to them that they don't feel like you're listening to the original tracks, while making it interesting to listen to.
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Simon & Garfunkel |
The Best Of Simon & Gargunkel |
2000 June 22 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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The Sisters Of Mercy |
Floodland |
1999 October 23 |
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* * * * 1/2
This one definitely would go into my top ten of "Favorite albums of all time" list, if i had one. Excellent gothy music. There are a very few number of songs that are 10 minutes long, and don't seem to drag. "This Corrosion" is 10:57, and when it ends it leaves you with a "oh.. is that all?" feeling. I want more. ;) Very very good album.
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Soundtrack |
Better Off Dead Soundtrack |
1999 April 15 |
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* * *
It doesn't have "Like to Get To Know You Well" by Howard Jones, but still it's a lot of good music from the film...
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Soundtrack |
Diablo II |
2000 June 30 |
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* * 1/2
Nothing too major. It's got a lot of creepy music from the game.
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Soundtrack |
Electric Dreams |
2000 October 30 |
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n/a
No Review Yet
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Soundtrack |
Ghostbusters |
1999 September 08 |
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* * * 1/2
Who you gonna call? Some good songs, and some bad songs, and some songs you never knew were in the movie.. "In the Name Of Love" by Thompson Twins? Where was that in the film? Heheh. It's also get some fun instrumental incidental music that sounds like it's right out of the LucasArts game, "Sam & Max Hit the Road", a very excellent game, btw.
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Soundtrack |
Go |
1999 July 29 |
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* * * 1/2
Quite good. It has "Steal My Sunshine" by Len, unfortunately with some overdubbed movie quotes or something, and also has "Cha Cha Cha", which has been getting some airplay on WBER recently. (it's kindof a big band rap song or something. really interesting.) all of the other tracks on the album are quite good.. better than the movie if i rememeber if i remember right... even though my parents were in the film. ;)
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Soundtrack |
Grease Movie Soundtrack |
1999 May 13 |
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* * *
So I had this dream, with the songs from Grease in it... apparantly i fell asleep with the TV on again. :] In any event, i needed to go out and buy the soundtrack, so now I own it. :D A lot of good songs, and a lot i don't mind skipping over. Yes, John Travolta actually has a good singing voice... Now i just need to get a copy of Xanadu. ;)
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Soundtrack |
Halloween Soundtrack |
1998 October 01 |
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* * 1/2
The 5/4 measures of doom. Okay.. so the music is creepy, and it has all of the incidental music from the album... 40 some-odd minutes of many edits of 3 songs. Very repeditave, but still creepy and cool.
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Soundtrack |
Logan's Sanctuary |
2000 October 04 |
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* * * 1/2
Roger Joseph Manning Jr, and Brian Reitzell's soundtrack to a fictitious sequel to "Logan's Run". It's actually really good. It's lots of 70's rock style instrumental stuff. Two tracks are reminiscant of other works. "Pleasure Dome 12" sounds heavily inspired by Kraftwerk's "Home Computer" or "Pocket Calculator" and the last track on the album sounds like it borrowed a lot from Ravel's Bolero. It's kinda short though... or at least it feels short. Overall, it's a good collection of that style of music.
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Soundtrack |
Mystery Men |
1999 October 22 |
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* 1/2
A small handful of decent songs. "All Star" by Smashmouth, and vaguely one other which i can't remember are the only vaguely decent tracks on it.. the others are remarkably forgettable... or at least you wish you'd forget about them...
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Soundtrack |
Ranma 1/2 TV soundtrack #1 |
1999 April 15 |
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* *
Anime music. I got it for the themesong track.
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Soundtrack |
Run Lola Run |
1999 December 05 |
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* * * *
Some tracks sound like Underworld, some like Yello. The whole soundtrack is most excellent. This soundtrack is perfect for my "music to hack to" collection. Most of the tracks are instrumentals, with the exception of "believe" and "wish". The former has a video on M2, which is really cool. (I know it's based on the film, which i haven't seen yet.) You'll find yourself tapping your feet uncontrolably. Now I just need to see the movie... badly.
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Soundtrack |
Shock Treatment Soundtrack |
1999 April 15 |
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* * * * * *
The sequel to Rocky Horror. Very cool music. I wish Richard O'Brian would make more music aside from Rocky & Shock Treatment. I love Janet's voice in this one... The movie is pretty fun too! This music is sooo much better than Rocky Horror; the flow of the play is much better as well. UPDATE: (*****+) (breaks the scale) I can't stop listening to it!
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Soundtrack |
The Truman Show |
2000 January 20 |
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* * * *
All of the great music from the movie! A few new tracks from Philip Glass are present, and a few I thought were Glass, but aren't! And of course, a few tracks from Powaqqaqatsi, Anima Mundi, etc. If you enjoyed the feel of the movie, I highly recommend this one! (Yah, I know I'm a Glass junkie. ;)
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Soundtrack |
Xanadu Soundtrack |
1999 June 28 |
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* *
Yes. I actually bought this. Music by ELO, vocals by Jeff Lynne & Olivia Newton John. Granted the only good songs are "Magic" and "Xanadu", and I'll probably never listen to the rest of it, but it still brings me right back to The Ground Round, where they had a 5 minute condensed version of the film. heh.
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Stan Ridgway |
Songs That Made This Country Great |
2000 October 04 |
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* * * * *
A great collection of his solo work, and his work with bands like Wall Of Voodoo. This contains great tracks like "Mexican Radio", "Drive, She Said", "Camoflauge", and an amazing rendition of "Ring Of Fire". If you have ever had a passing interest in him, or if you just liked "Mexican Radio", then snag this one. It really is an awesome compilation.
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Steely Dan |
Greatest Hits |
2000 August 15 |
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n/a
Need to listen more. No review yet.
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Talking Heads |
Fear Of Music |
2000 September 16 |
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* * * * *
One good song after another. Even the songs i'd never heard before I got this one on CD are quickly becoming favorites. This is easily one of my favorite bands, and i'm amazed I hadn't bought any of their stuff sooner. It's got "I Zimbra", "Cities", "Life During Wartime", "Heaven"... and songs new to me including "Mind". If you don't have this, but like TH, get it... NOW! hehe
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Talking Heads |
More Songs About Buildings and Food |
2000 September 26 |
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* * * *
Another great Heads CD. This one has "Thank You For Sending Me An Angel", "Take Me To The River", and one of my favorites, "Found A Job". The other tracks on the disc are just as good. :] Thanks to Spidey for getting me this for my birthday!
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Talking Heads |
Speaking In Tongues |
2000 September 26 |
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* * * * *
I think saying "a great Talking Heads" album is redundant, so i won't say it again. Hehe. This one has "Burning Down The House", "Making Flippy Floppy", "Girlfriend Is Better", the list goes on. This one is chock full of hits, and, like other Heads discs, the rest is amazing. I think that because there's just so much talent in the band, that they can't help but make loads of great songs. heh.
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They Might Be Giants |
Long Tall Weekend (MP3) |
1999 July 20 |
* * * *
A cool collection of MP3's. Where's Cyclops Rock? Where's Dr. Evil? :( There are a lot of unique tracks, and a lot of typical TMBG. cool tracks.
E-Music has it online for $9.
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Too Much Joy |
Gods and Sods |
1999 September 28 |
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* * * *
See the MP3 review. The CD adds a song done live, which they got arrested for playing in florida. (A 2-Live-Crew song?) ("F--- Shop") It's odd how well they convert rap songs into rock songs, like they did for "That's A Lie" in the past. Hopefully they'll tour soon. Hooray!
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Too Much Joy |
Gods and Sods (MP3) |
1999 August 26 |
* * * *
After what, like 3 years since their last release "Finally...", this one has arrived. This is a collection of b-sides and unreleased tracks since 1993. Overall, it's quite good. It's Too Much Joy. Can't really screw it up... They'd make Abba covers sound cool. There is however one track that sounds very different than their usual style. It has this kinda Stabbing Westward/Machines Of Loving grace drum sample thing, and sounds like modern electronic rock. It's still really good though. :]
E-Music has it online for $9.
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Underworld |
Beaucoup Fish |
1999 May 03 |
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* * *
I've had this one as mp3's since before it was released in the U.K. If you like Underworld, you'll like this one... very good techno/trancey stuff...
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Various |
Trancemode Express 3.01 |
1999 June 28 |
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* * *
It should really be called "TechnoMode Express". Great techno. Some of the tracks are indecipherable (sp?) from the original Depeche Mode songs that they're based on, but they still are good. There are a few tracks you're gonna want to skip over, but the others make up for it. My current favorite track is "Any Second Now" by Para One. (No, I've never heard of them either.) It's like the original, but sped up, and more dancable.
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Vengaboys |
The Party Album |
1999 July 23 |
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* * *
Stop laughing at me. I bought it for "We Like To Party", an upbeat discoey housey techno dance song I saw on eMpTy-V. The whole album is quite good, even if the songs are VERY self-similar. This is WPXY material, but not too bad. The dance version of the Brazil theme song is interesting. Stop laughing at me.
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"Weird Al" Yankovic |
Running With Scissors |
1999 June 29 |
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* * * *
Wow. Probably his best album to date. Starts off with "The Saga Begins", A Star-Wars-Themed "American Pie" parody. later it gets to a Nine Inch Nails style parody ("closer" mostly) called "Germs", "Pretty Fly For A Rabbi", and "Jerry Springer" (Barenaked Ladies' "One Week" Parody). Overall, an excellent album!!! :D
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Wendy Carlos |
Clockwork Orange (Complete Score) |
1998 October 01 |
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* * * * *
I've been looking for this one for years now... When I heard that her entire catalogue was being re-released, I was (and still am) ecstatic about it! The full 14 minute long Timesteps, her rendition of "The Thieving Magpie", and a few tracks that were not used in the movie at all. Most excellent!
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Wendy Carlos |
Secrets Of Synthesis |
1999 November 01 |
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* * *
Ever wonder how Wendy creates the sounds, the techniques she uses to make her amazing interpretations of orchestral works? This cd explains the techniques she uses. She explains what she did, how she did it, suggestions for doing it, then musical selections showing what she means.. It's not so much an album of music, as it is a journey into explanation. Very very interesting stuff.
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Wendy Carlos |
Sonic Seasonings |
1999 November 02 |
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* * * 1/2
She can not only be considered the mother of electronic classical music (or really; the mother of electronic music) since she made the first critically acliamed, and popular electronic classical album back in '68, but this work from 1972 shows that she is also the mother of Ambient and New Age music, both which first appeared in the '80s. As with Glass' "Heroes" (but more so) this is very quiet. At times, it feels like you're listening to an environmental cd. (You know, the kind with one 1 hour long track of a thunderstorm.) I primarilly got it because i wanted to complete my collection. ;) If i gotta listen to ambient, I'll listen to this. (or Brian Eno's "Music for Airports" ;)
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Wendy Carlos |
Switched-On Boxed Set |
1999 October 28 |
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* * * * 1/2
Four great Wendy Carlos albums (some of which were never released on CD) all in one handy carrying box! It contains "Switched-On Bach", "Well Tempered Synthesizer", "Switched-On Bach II", and "Switched-On Brandenburgs". If you have only one or none of these, BUY THIS IMMEDIATELY! Very highly recommended. On the ends of the first 2 albums are about 9 minutes (on each disk) of outtakes and tests... It's really interesting to see how the tracks progressed as they (Wendy Carlos, Rachel Elkind, Robert Moog) developed the technology and the techniques to make them. My only gripe is that there should be a 5th cd of more outtakes and tests... :]
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Yaz |
"Don't Go / Situation" 1999 mixes |
1999 October 23 |
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*
I was hopeful. I thought, "It's Yaz. It can't be too bad. oh well. Track 1 is okay. It's a modern-day remix of "Don't Go". all of the "Situation" remixes suck. There's this little thing called a "Key Change" in the midddle of the chorus... All of the remix "artists" didn't do anything with it.. their mediocre music just continued blasting its way through any semblance of the original music it had left in it. My suggestion; avoid this one.
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Yello |
Pocket Universe |
2000 April 11 |
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* * * *
This is an interesting one. It's like someone took Yello, and brought them back to their "Gotta Say Yes" period, when they couldn't afford real horns and strings, when they were using exclusively synths, but tweaked them so that they were doing really hopping techno. It still has a Yello feel to it, but it's very electronic, very techno, sometimes even trancey. If you're bored with the Yello stuff you have, and want an interesting change without losing the Yello signature sound, go for this one!
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