Just Push Play Review

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(More customer reviews)THE BAND: Steven Tyler (vocals, piano, harmonica), Joe Perry (guitars), Brad Whitford (guitars), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums & percussion).
THE DISC: (2001) 12 tracks clocking in at just under 51 minutes. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing band pictures, song credits, song lyrics, and thank you's. Recorded and mixed at the Bone Yard (South Shore, MA). Label - Columbia.
COMMENTS: There are two types of Aerosmith. The 1st is the hard rocking raunch & roll band from Sunapee, NH... wrote great songs during the 1970's because they wanted to and that's what they loved doing... whether they got paid big bucks or not. The 2nd is the commercially successful corporate american business version of the band. Depending on which Aero you like - this will either be middle of the road noise, or it will be wonderful music to your ears. Aerosmith is growing - they are keeping up with the times and incorporating the sounds that are popular today. You will hear drum loops and even rap ("Just Push Play") present. They are growing with the times and I can accept that. If your a fan of the old Aero, like me, this probably isn't going to floor you. In my book, the classics "Get Your Wings", "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks" were probably three of the greatest rock records of the (70's) decade. If you enjoy the new & more recent releases by Aero (90's), you will dig this album. Previous albums like "Nine Lives" and "Get A Grip" were saturated with the power ballads and were not the true band in their best form (also - movie soundtracks like Armegeddon's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" is a great example). While containing some familiar tongue in cheek rockers, most of the songs were middle of the road AOR tunes with mixed fillers of soft "heartbreak" lullabies geared toward the female audience. On "Just Push Play", the same format is used. While a few hard rockers are present (the best being "Outta Your Head), this album lays down to many ballads ("Avant Garden", "Beyond Beautiful" and "Luv Lies" may be the best of a mixed bag of 'em). I have to admit, when this album first come out I wasn't impressed (not to mention hating the album cover). However, over the years it has absolutely grown on me (especially the title track). The album starts off with an extremely solid 1-2-3 punch ("Beyond Beautiful, "Just Push Play" and "Jaded"). In my opinion, the Aero of 2001 is closer to FM-Lite radio than it is to rock & roll. Not that it's a bad thing, but rather where your likes & dislikes are (3.5 stars).

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UK edition of their 2001 studio album includes one bonus track 'Face', that's not available on the Japanese edition or as a B-side on the 'Jaded' single. 13 tracks in all.2001 release. Standard jewel case.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Elegantly Wasted Review

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(More customer reviews)1997 - I recall being excited somewhat that INXS had a new album, but I wondered: would it be any good? Their last one: Full Moon Dirty Hearts was awful and the last time I'd seen them on tour - Michael Hutchence looked drugged out and sounded, well, wasted. But the band played on...
Elegantly Wasted is as some reviewers say here - a rejuvenated INXS back on track. It was really the album that INXS needed to have done a few years earlier before they lost the plot. But as luck would have it, the industry had changed and it seemed that INXS just wasn't as relevant anymore. I think it would've taken the band a couple more albums to claw back to the top - if that door was still open.
Fans of Kick and X and Welcome to Wherever You Are will not be disappointed. Every track here is solid - and the absence of a clear cut hit doesn't detract from the listening experience and the production of the album.
The real question was whether INXS would be pop stars again. This album shows that the musicianship hadn't suffered and Hutchence still sounded great. But externally, he clearly wasn't the same man. His departure left a bitter taste and few answers...but a solid music legacy.
Elegantly Wasted will remain the overlooked INXS album and the sign of what could have continued.


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First release from polish new symphonic/melodic sensation. Every Stratovarius fan will love this band. Shark. 2004.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Reality Review

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(More customer reviews)2002's "Heathen" was the beacon on the mountain for Bowie fans who hoped the eloquent and moving minimalism of 1999's "Hours" was not just an aberration on the way to another noisily ambitious effort such as "Outside." Yet even for all "Heathen" did to suggest that Bowie had finally swept his Tin Machine under the rug for good, disonant techno freak-outs like "Took A Trip on a Gemini Spaceship" anticipated the tight rope Bowie walks on "Reality," a record so ambitious in production and sound as to be constantly on the verge of explosion. While "Hours" played like a dressed-up stepchild of "Hunky Dory," "Reality" picks up where "Scary Monsters" left off. As on that 80s masterpiece, each song on Reality approaches but never crosses the boundary between melody and mania. The result is a gorgeously successful restraint and maturity; the kind of reservation of his powers that moments of even his most lauded works have lacked. No song on "Reality" illustrates this more aptly than the stunning and ethereal "Days," one of the most moving productions of Bowie's career. Similarly tender and understated compositions like "Fall Dog Bombs The Moon" or the darkly seductive and jazzy "Bring Me The Disco King" balance nicely with noisier and farther-reaching explosions of melody so radiant as to light the world on fire: "New Killer Star" with its subtle nod to the doo-wop hit "I Will Follow Him," his cover of the Modern Lovers' under-ground punk hit "Pablo Picasso," the bright "Looking For Water." By the time the title track finally comes around, Bowie's vocals sound appropriately drained and the sound itself seems closest to driving off the deep end of the album's steel composure. But such meticulous production might have seemed inhuman without at least this one less-structured and overblown track. There simply had to be a pressure valve and the title tracks happens to be it; but there is hardly a song on here whose melodies are not infectious. When songs like these get stuck in your head, you hope they never leave.

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Strange Little Girls Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm not sure I'll ever completely grasp Tori Amos' vision for this album. Strange Little Girls is an record of cover songs, and as I understand it, Amos wanted to give a female perspective to how men see women in music. Either the gender politics are beyond me, or she didn't do it quite right (I'll wager it's the former). She definitely hits the bull's-eye a few times though. The song that best accomplishes her goal is her harrowing rendition of "'97 Bonnie & Clyde," Eminem's vicious song about a man who kills his wife and throws her in the sea to get rid of the body. Amos's naked delivery of the song, hushed, spoken vocals over a spooky strings sample, is downright frightening. I think that fact that it makes me uncomfortable to listen to it is a testament to her success.
"Raining Blood" is one of the most shocking songs here. The original, by "extreme" metal band Slayer, was full of fierce vocals and crushing guitars. Here, Amos strips it to nothing but a piano and a weird bass synthesizer, and ironically injects the song with more menace and evil than the original ever had. It's a creepy cover that plays out more like the soundtrack to a nightmare than a song.
Amos' alteration of tone with these songs often changes them radically. What was an innocent little song before becomes threatening, wrenching, or indignant. Think back to the Crucify EP, where Tori completely warped Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in a way that completely changed the impact of the song (at least for me). That's the effect she's going for, I figure. Her experimentation doesn't always work though. "Heart of Gold" is so cacophonous and the vocals so awkward that I can't really appreciate it. "Real Men" is pretty, but quite similar to the original. Even when I don't understand the message, I appreciate the lovely singing and minimalistic music. "Enjoy the Silence," "Rattlesnakes," and "Time" are all beautiful songs, even if Amos' implications of sex are beyond my meager brain.
I wouldn't say I'm disappointed, mainly because I wasn't even sure what to expect. I like this album, even if I must concede to not entirely understanding it. Artistically, she probably knows what she's doing. Even so, I'm eager for another release of original material.

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No Description Available.Genre: Popular MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 18-SEP-2001

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Earthling Review

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(More customer reviews)I am always constantly impressed with how David Bowie easily slips out of one form of music and into another. In a day and age when techo beats are popular but lame, and I spend hours cowering in my room stuck musically in the 70's, this album pops out and suddenly I am back in the 90's again. Bowie flirts heavily with a Trent Reznor-like sound, but with his amazing voice, this experimental album works very well. The best track is "I'm Afraid of Americans." It just starts off and builds to this LOUD chorus. This is a good album to get if you are like me, not really into the 90's sound, but still are able to appreciate genius when you hear it (although I will always love the 70's Bowie glam more).

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A Hundred Days Off Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm always amused by the so-called "true fans" who only want their favorite bands to produce the same album over and over again. Sure, "Second Toughest in the Infants" was and is a great album...but whatever happened to judging an album on its own merits? You can't compare AHDO to 2nd Toughest, because, quite simply, the albums are 6 years removed. Would any Underworld fan really be happy if the group HAD produced the same album 3 different times, just because it did well critically? What artists worth their salt write music for CRITICS?? I am quite pleased with Underworld's new direction, actually. "2 Months Off" is a bright and cheerful barnburner, and a great choice for a single (the video for it was just perfect)...and the final percussion break left me wanting more, in a good way. "SolaSistim" blew me away as well, although in a different sense. I'd really like to hear the group try an all downtempo album after hearing that song.
It sounds to me like Hyde and Smith are using Emerson's departure as a launching point for new ideas (good or bad), which I always welcome from any artist...it's just unfortunate that the majority of listeners will always be comparing this current incarnation of Underworld with its early years. I loved Beaucoup Fish (God bless Jumbo!), and I love A Hundred Days Off...and I could care less what anyone else thinks. If musicians constantly lived in the past, music would certainly be boring, eh?

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To coincide with their winter 2003 visit to Australia comes the release of this limited edition 2-CD tour edition ofUnderworld's triumphant album 'A Hundred Days Off'. Thebonus CD features seven tracks, 'Rez' (Live), 'Cowgirl'(Live), 'Two Months Off' (King Unique Mix), 'DinosaurAdventure 3D' (Funk Devoid Remix), 'Dinosaur Adventure 3D'(Darren Price Remix), 'Two Months Off' (Enhanced Video) &'Dinosaur Adventure' (Enhanced Video). V2. 2003.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Sacred Love Review

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(More customer reviews)First of all, I have to say that I am a HUGE Sting fan. The depth and personal nature of his lyrics, coupled with his cool, smooth voice and brilliantly adept songwriting capabilities, are an inspiration.
That's why this review was so crippling to write.
"Sacred Love" is by no means a bad album. It just lacks the catchiness, conciseness, and memorable nature of his past work.
The first thing that took me aback about the album was how amazingly uncatchy the songs are. Apart from a few tunes ("Stolen Car", "Never Coming Home", "Dead Man's Rope" and "Send Your Love"), the songs' choruses rarely repeat the same lyrics, melody, or rhythm, thus rendering them unfamiliar. Sting has always had a penchant for a send-up chorus ("Fragile", "If I Ever Lose My Faith", "Englishman in New York", and "All This Time" are some great examples). However, this album noteably lacks this decidedly Sting-ish element.
The production is, of course, first rate. The added bass contribuitions of Christian McBride, sitarist Anoushka Shankbar, and flamenco guitarist Vicente Amigo, are well-tempered and very enriching. Sting's voice hasn't lost anything, as he comes across with a refined, cool maturity. Mary J. Blige's performance, while noteworthy, is a bit alarming, her bombastic revival-choir vocal somersaults oddly coupled with Sting's soulfull smoothness.
One of the possible reasons for the difficult nature of the album could be the abundance of lyrics to be found. Take the lead-off track, "Inside" for example. It starts off beautifully, but careens into obnoxious, overtly metaphoric and relentless ranting ("Love me like an innocent, love me like your favorite toy...annihilate me, suffocate me...blah blah blah). It's almost too much at times, and made me long for the sweet, spare nature of 10 Summoner's Tales/Soul Cages-era Sting, where each word actually counted. Here, it's just self-indulgent.
Some of the tunes also seem to have a marked lack of focus. The tunes "This War" and the title track, "Sacred Love" seem like demos, plodding along, waiting for something to happen, then ditching into a chorus when nothing does.
In a nutshell, the album falls short. Too wordy, uncatchy and undeveloped, the album did little to satiate me after four years of little original material from a man who I consider my all-time favorite musician. This is a testament that Sting thrives best in his classic setting: a rockin' five piece band, where the music is concise and focused. Here's hoping he comes around.

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Innocents Review

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(More customer reviews)Erasure has always released great singles, with good albums attached, but here they have released an album where every song could stand on its own as a single. Andy Bell's vocals perfectly suit Vince Clarke's gorgeous synthesizer washes and melodic hooks.
Side one is anchored by "Chains of Love," a superb dance-floor evocation of gay life in the city. From the wistful, half-spoken opening line, "How can I explain / When there are few words I can choose?" the song takes off into a pounding synthesizer beat that can keep the listener dancing until the end. Also particularly effective on side one are the dance number "A Little Respect" and the pop-oriented "Heart of Stone." The preachy, socially-oriented "Hallowed Ground" is saved by a great melody.
Side two has a grab-bag of interesting songs, from the off-beat rhythm of "Witch in the Ditch" to the soulful "Weight of the World." "Yahoo!" may be the best dance song, with it's gospel-type shout-along chorus. In addition, side two has a heart-breaking, haunting song, the bonus track "When I Needed You." The difference in quality and musicality between this stunning track and any other Erasure ballad is unbelievable. Finally, if Erasure's version of "River Deep-Mountain High" does not work as well as Tina Turner's, as so many critics have carped, how many bands or singers could possibly render a song as well as Ms. Turner? To their credit, Erasure did not try a straight cover of the song, instead adding synthesizer flourishes to create a more dance-oriented song.
The Erasure fan most likely already owns this album. The novice Erasure listener would find this the best place to start. Just about every song would find its rightful place on an Erasure greatest hits album.

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: ERASURETitle: INNOCENTSStreet Release Date: 05/24/1988

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Believe Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this CD in December of 1998 after a friend of mine heard it in Europe. I could not stop listening to it--especially the single "Believe." It's been over a year now and "Believe" is still my favorite song. There are many people using the synthesizer on their voices now because of the huge success that Cher had, however, none are as good as what Cher gave us. To all of those who say she is too old or that all the songs are similar I say "get a grip." What does age have to do with whether the music is good? And as for the second comment about everything being the same, I say "it's a dance album stupid." Stop pretending that you're too cool to like Cher and just admit that the songs "Believe," "Strong Enough" and "All or Nothing" are songs that no one can resist dancing to or singing with. Cher will always be around because she keeps re-inventing herself and puts out quality material like "Believe."

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Very Good Condition - Plays Great - Does not include case cover

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Walking Into Clarksdale Review

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(More customer reviews)When I first heard Jimmy and Robert were producing original material together for the first time since the break-up of the mighty Led Zeppelin, I winced. After all, we've seen the old-rockers-try-again formula before, and it usually doesn't work. But Plant and Page avoid that pitfall with a meticulously crafted album that shows they still care. Radio hit "Most High" takes the long-standing interest in Middle Eastern sounds to new heights, while "Please Read the Letter" and the title track experiment with very cool arrangements and innovative structures. "When the World Was Young" is one of the more vibrant and complete tracks. "Upon a Golden Horse" and "Burning Up" rock, though Robert's voice shows a little wear here and there. Most Zeppelin moment: The first touch of the guitar shortly into "Blue Train" - my favorite track -- is unmistakable Page, and the ensuing effort could be "Tea for One" Part II. Second Zep moment: "Shine in the Light" sounds like a cross between "Friends" and "Poor Tom," yet stands beautifully on its own. Overall this is not Led Zeppelin, but of course it could never be. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts though, and like Plant's own first solo effort, "Pictures at Eleven," this CD is not a classic but it's quite solid. I'd put "Clarksdale" above anything Page has done post-Zep, and right up their with Robert's best solo jaunts.

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Japanese edition of the 1998 & second collaborative outingby the former Led Zeppelin bandmates with 'Whiskey From TheGlass' added as an unmarked bonus track. 13 tracks total,also featuring the single 'Most High'. Steve Albini (Pixies,Nirvana, Cheap Trick,--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Heart in Motion: Amy Grant Review

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(More customer reviews)Amy is so terrific, and I haven't listened to pop in a long time. She has a lovely, soft, airy voice but uses it powerfully and the music makes her sound even better. What great musicians she has with her, and you can feel their connection in the music. HEART IN MOTION is titled appropriately because Amy has tons of heart and she boldly and bravely shares it. I respect that in an artist. I also would like to thank her for taking the time to come to my high school (this was awhile back, heh) and speaking to us about many inspirational things, including God and singing acapella to us sitting on a stool; dressed casually, relaxed, with her legs crossed singing from her heart.
What mainly made me write this review today is the song, "Baby, Baby" which is EXACTLY how I feel about my daughter on Valentine's Day and every day into forever:
"Baby, baby, I'm taken with the notion
To love you with the sweetest of devotion/
...and ever since the day you put my heart in motion
Baby I realize there's just no getting over you/
Baby, baby, in any kind of weather
I'm here for you always and forever...
Don't stop giving love..."
I sing it to her and hold her; other times we laugh and dance. I will never forget this song--ever.
Other favorite songs are: the upbeat, "Good For Me," and the gorgeous melody, "That's What Love is For" both of which I dedicate to my devoted husband; faith in trying times, "Ask Me;" the emotional, inspiring, "You're Not Alone;" and the sincere, riveting "I Will Remember You;" and, in my opinion, the rationale for the entire cd and why I love Amy so much, "Hope Set High."
"Here's to good times to come." I'm with you, Amy.
Soar!

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Highly popular, and until now scarcely available, this album has been newly restored and digitally remastered. Amy Grant is the biggest selling artist in Christian Music history and one of the most celebrated artists in pop music with 16 Billboard hits, six Grammy Awards, nine platinum/platinum-plus awards and nine gold awards.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Stunt Review

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(More customer reviews)A lot of older BNL fans say that this album is a sellout for the band, and that Box Set has become a self-fullfilling prophecy. Others might think that Barenaked Ladies are simply a one-hit wonder band. But this is simply not true. While the album is definitely not Gordon, it still rocks, and it's still BNL. It's just different. Alright, so it's more produced than they're earlier stuff, but they're still the same bunch of guys who write excellent lyrics. I'll admit, I bought Stunt because of One Week and It's All Been Done. However, now that I have the CD, those are my two least favorite songs off of the album. "I'll be That Girl" is different, with it's dark lyrics juxtaposed to the upbeat music. "Call and Answer" is an excellent ballad-type song that did not get the radio play that it deserved. "Alcohol" is not what it first seems to be. And of course, if you're ever having an insomniac moment a la "Who Needs Sleep" just pop in "When You Dream" a really thought provoking lullabye. This CD was the first I ever bought that I could listen to straight through without skipping any of the tracks, and it's not even the Barenaked Ladies best. If you can, find the LE, which has two extra tracks. "Long Way Back Home" is excellent, even if it does have a bit of a country feel to it.

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Limited edition pressing of the quirky Canadian alternativerock/ pop group's 1998 breakthrough album with a seven track bonus CD featuring 'Brian Wilson' (Album Version), 'BrianWilson (2000)' and live versions of 'The Old Apartment', 'Jane', 'When I Fall', 'If I Had A $1,000,000' & 'Straw Hat And Old Dirty Hank'. A combined total of 20 tracks, with the main album featuring the smash hit 'One Week'. Double slimline jewel case. 1998 release. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Daydream Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't understand why some naysayers don't give Mariah the props she deserves. This is an artist who is not only an extraordinary singer but she also writes each and every one of her own songs, composes her music, produces her records, provides her own backing vocals and even takes part in directing her music videos. Unlike most "divas", Mariah is also one of the few artists who always sings "live" (unlike Celine, Janet or Madonna who use vocal tracks or lip synch in theirs concerts) when she performs. Can you get any more talented than this! Since her debut, Mariah Carey has sold nearly 130 million records (and counting!) worldwide.. more than any other (female) artist. And this feat she has accomplished in less than 10 years!
Daydream is one of the best albums in her career (followed by Butterfly) so far. My favorite tracks are Fantasy (both versions), Always Be My Baby, Open Arms, Melt Away, Forever, and I Am Free. But I love every single track on this album. One Sweet Day, Underneath The Stars, and When I Saw You plus Daydream, Long Ago and Looking In are also good songs. If you haven't purchased this album yet, go and get it as soon as you can because you don't know what you are missing. If you like this album you should love Butterfly.
One of my other Mariah favourites is Music Box but it has a more pop sound to it as opposed to R&B/Hip Hop. But they are all great albums.

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Japanese version featuring a bonus track: "Fantasy (Def Club Mix)".

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Relish Review

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(More customer reviews)When Alanis Morissette was cleaning up at the Grammy's with her album Jagged Little Pill, the other top female artist at the time was Joan Osborne with her single "One of Us". While "One of Us" started getting pegged as fluff, I always thought that Osborne's album should have been getting some of those awards Alanis was taking home. While I thought Relish was the better album, I really wasn't playing it very often and it quickly got lost in the shuffle. Every so often I pulled the cd out and was surprised by how good it is.
It is now back in rotation on my cd player. If memory serves me, the only singles off this album were "One of Us" and "Right Hand Man" (I remember seeing those two performed on Saturday Night Live). However, favorites of mine also include "Lumina", "Crazy Baby", "St. Teresa", and "Ladder". Actually, to be honest, this is a very solid album and while I haven't heard much from Osborne's other albums, this one stands up over time.

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Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing. Universal. 2008.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Mercury Falling Review

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(More customer reviews)This was actually the first cd I bought of his, and it still gets play even in my busy dorm at college. This album begins and ends with "Mercury Falling," which I found to be quite intriguing.
Sometimes Sting stretches belief, as with songs like "I Hung My Head," which lives up to its name quite well, but this album is fantastic. "La Belle Dame Sans Regrets" almost makes me want to learn French so I can understand the lyrics. "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying" is one of my favorite songs ever, and "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" and "You Still Touch Me" are outstanding as well, as is "The Hounds of Winter" and "I Was Brought To My Senses."
If you like mellow music to enjoy during a snowy day or a rainy day or you are feeling down, this album is great. Commiserate with me and all of the other sad and melancholy souls who seek solace in his well-crafted verses of heartache and sorrow. It's well worth it.

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Many would say Sting's barb isn't as sharp as it was when he and his original band, the Police, first collared ts audience. Yet on his latest solo album, 'Mercury Falling', the man continues his life-long musical experiment of weaving world beat rhythms and instrumentation with the basics of rock, jazz and pop.This new 10-song disc is an extension of Sting's '93 turnaround album, 'Ten Summoner's Tales'. Unlike his very early solo work, which was as annoying as Amazon rain forest mosquitoes because of preachy politics, 'Summoner' and now 'Mercury Falling' wrestle with life one day, one joy, one problem at a time.Mercury Falling' has a lean, aggressive sound that shamelessly borrows from any style that stung Sting. There are elements of traditional Celtic arrangements, jazz, country and even R&B. It's just a guess, but since Sting is a gifted bassist, you'd assume he writes music from the rhythm tracks rather than usual chord patterns. That would explain how he gives power to many of the songs on 'Mercury' and how he is able to make the mood of the music so clear, so quickly.For instance, 'All Four Seasons', sets itself up with the syncopated heel-click strut. Even though Sting sings "the girl is all four seasons to me," the song is breezy and pure spring. In sharp contrast is "I Hung My Head", which has a weird tempo that makes the intense, almost country song about an accidental death edgier. Musically this album is pleasant and melody-oriented enough that it can be used as background for a gathering, but 'Mercury' is best when it can be listened to with focused attention. Then the literate lyrics, which are as simple and complex as a Robert Frost poem, are able to tell their story. As always, Sting's voice is terrific, the songs are sturdy and the musicianship superb. 'Mercury Falling; makes a convincing argument that 'Summoner' wasn't a fluke. As Sting gets older he's become more ambitious and more fluent in his attempt to make music a universal language.(Review from the New York Post by Dan Aquilante)

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Brand New Day Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a huge Sting fan; I own a large collection of funky Sting B-sides, imports, and foreign language CDs in addition to the regular stuff. So when the new 'Brand New Day' album came out, I was one of the first in line to snag it! Here's my take: if you're a Sting fan, you're in for a ride. If you're not . . . well, give this album another chance. Sting fans, the good news is that this album is REALLY different. Musically, Sting is at his most creative; he's having a blast moving from genre to genre (and hey, why limit it from song to song- - he now mixes country, gospel, and jazz in one track - - eeek!). Lyrically, there are moments of brilliance (I'm particularly fond of the title track and 'Big Lie, Small World'), but there's nothing as consistently incisive as his first two solo efforts. Where do I net out? I'm wild about four tracks, convinced that I'll eventually like three more, and can't stand two of them. If you're not a die-hard Sting fan this album may not be for you at first listen . . . but with time, you may find that your musical horizons stretching. Enjoy!

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BRAND NEW DAY continues Sting's sophisticated approach toward pop music as he once again collaborates with ace musicians on material that knows no cultural or stylistic boundaries. Not surprisingly, the tantric guru chooses love as the theme for this eclectic collection of songs.Principally recorded at Il Palagio, Italy and Mega Studios, Paris, France.Personnel: Sting (vocals, guitar, bass); Cheb Mami, James Taylor, Ste (vocals); Dominic Miller (guitar); B.J. Cole (pedal steel guitar); Katherine Tickell (fiddle, Northumbrian pipes); Gavin Wright, Moulay Ahmed, Koulder Berkan, Salem Bnouni, Sameh Catalan (strings); Branford Marsalis (clarinet); Stevie Wonder (harmonica); Chris Botti (trumpet); Jason Robello (piano, Clavinet); Dave Hartley, Don Blackman (Hammond B-3 organ); Kipper (keyboards, drum programming); Manu Katche, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Minu Cinelu (percussion); Joe Mendez, Janice Pendarvis, Althea Rodgers, Marlon Saunders, Veneese Thomas, Darryl Tookes, Ken Williams, Tawatha Agee, Dennis Collins (background vocals); Ettamri Mustapha.Rolling Stone (10/14/99, p.122) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Sting's most stylistically integrated album since 1987's NOTHING LIKE THE SUN. There's groovy Rai music, witty bossa novas, warm-hearted Bach revisions and independent country, plus a smashing finale..."Q (1/00, p.87) - Included in Q Magazine's "50 Best Albums of 1999."Q (11/99, p.132) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...[Its] goodie bag of class-rock, breakbeats, bossa nova, rap, chanson and whatever next gives more the more it's played....Sting can still pull it off....full of vaulting ambition and cat-killing curiosity."Mojo (Publisher) (11/99, p.108) - "...Sting employs eclectic shadings masterfully and always in the right places....BRAND NEW DAY is big of tune and smart of lyric to the power of 10. Given time, it could be your favorite Sting album ever."

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Balance Review

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(More customer reviews)It's hard to believe that a full decade has passed since the release of Van Halen's "Balance," one of the more underrated albums' in VH's catalogue. Although there were a lot of great bands popular in 1995--Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine--it was still refreshing to have a kick-ass new Van Halen album out. Although "Balance" was released in the days of grunge and alternative rock, it still managed to sell over two million copies.
"Balance" takes up where "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" left off, but the music is overall heavier, and has more of an edge. Gone were the synthesizers and more pop oriented songs that that were prevalent in the first two Van Hagar albums. "Balance" rocks hard like its predecessor, but it is also somewhat darker. I take the general theme of the album to be the loss of a relationship, or going through a major life-change, and then getting back in "Balance."
The band sounds very focused and tight. Bruce Fairbain did a great job of getting the best out of the band and gave the CD a tight, crisp production. It goes without saying that Eddie's playing is terrific and each song has one or two killer solos. Mike and Al provide a killer rhythm section as usual.

The album begins with the hard hitting "The Seventh Seal." It starts with an atmospheric Buddhist chant leading into the song. This is a really cool, heavy dark song with an almost hypnotic riff. "Can't Stop Lovin' You" is a balled in the vein of "Why Can't this be Love," but doesn't have the dated, cheesy keyboards. "Can't Stop Lovin' You" is about the breakup of a relationship, not the hope of one as it is in "Why Can't this be Love." I take the mid-tempo "Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)" to basically mean that love is not enough to stop a suicide. The album lightens up a bit with the fast-paced "Amsterdam" and "Big Fat Money," two good, hard rockers. "Strung Out" is a sound-byte of Ed apparently ripping a piano apart, which leads into the majestic balled "Not Enough." "Aftershock" is an excellent rocker and has one of EVH's best solos on the disc. "Doin' Time" is a very cool drum solo that leads into the instrumental "Baluchitherium." It's catchy, infectious groove and killer solos make it a favorite of mine. "Take Me Back (Déjà vu)" remains my personal all-time favorite Van Halen song from the Sammy Hagar era. It's a beautiful, bittersweet, semi-acoustic song with the theme of wanting to return back to an earlier time in your life. The album ends with the depressing "Feelin'" a song that deals with getting though life alive, without getting burned. It's by far the most morose song VH ever wrote.
"Balance" was Van Hagar at it's best. It was also their last album. About a year and a half after it's release, Sammy Hagar and Van Halen parted ways. In hindsight, by listening to this dark CD, you can almost get the sense that although the band still sounds cohesive, this was destined to be the last Van Hagar CD.

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: VAN HALENTitle: BALANCEStreet Release Date: 01/24/1995

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