Three Lock Box Review

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(More customer reviews)Sammy's career is legendary and Three Lock Box rightfully fits into Hagar's history like a glove. The hits are here (Your Love is Driving Me Crazy & the title track to name a few) but what really puts this album on top are the early hints of Hagar's serious side which become more apparent in his later work. Songs like "Remember the Heroes" and "Growing Up" speak for themselves. This CD has been somewhat overlooked lately, but it really is an excellent piece of music. If you are a fan of Sammy Hagar, it is a must. If you are not, be advised, this will likely change your mind!

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Soundstage Presents: REO Speedwagon Live In The Heartland (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)I also just saw this concert on PBS, and was FLOORED. It is obvious that these guys have been performing live, non-stop since the late 1970s. On stage, these guys are a well oiled machine. The talent and skills are higher now than when they released Hi Infidelity. My wife and I watched this concert over and over on our Tivo, and like this live concerts vertions of the REO songs better than the original album vertions. The audio and video quality of the broadcast concert were outstanding and I hope it is on this DVD also. I am trying to find this concert on Blu Ray, but if it is not offered that way, I will still buy the regular DVD vertion because this is a performance I know I will enjoy with my wife for years to come.
After being so impressed with this, I will admit that my wife and I went to the REO Speedwagon web site to see if we can go see them live in concert! I have not been to a concert in over 20 years, but can't wait to see these guys in person.

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Captured in High-Definition and Mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound. REO SPEEDWAGON – LIVE IN THE HEARTLAND presents Kevin Cronin (lead vocals, guitar), Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) performing a full-throttle, 16-song set that spans the band’s celebrated 35-year career – from the Number 1 charting "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling" to hits from their most recent album release Find Your Own Way Home. Features: Find Your Own Way Home, Take It On The Run, Keep Pushin’, I Needed To Fall, Tough Guys, Can’t Fight This Feeling, Dangerous Combination, Back On The Road Again, Smilin' In The End, Time For Me To Fly, Don’t Let Him Go, Keep On Loving You, Roll With The Changes, Ridin’ the Storm Out, Golden Country, 157 Riverside Avenue DVD EXTRAS:Bonus Interview with Kevin Cronin and Neal DoughtySpecial Acoustic Performances of "I Needed to Fall" and "Ridin’ the Storm Out" from "REO Speedwagon XM Artist Confidential"

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Turn It on Again: The Hits Review

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(More customer reviews)I admit that I came to Genesis after the departure of Peter Gabriel, which means that I was listening to top 40 Genesis versus the more challenging music attempted by Peter Gabriel. Despite the lack of experimentation and depth, Genesis did turn out one serviceable song after another, and a few of these songs are excellent.
This CD focuses on the Phil Collins years, which makes sense from the title, "The Hits". As I noted above, Peter Gabriel was trying for a more cutting edge and artistic sound that some consider to be progressive rock. Typically that type of rock doesn't make for commercial hits, though the music is often artistically better than released singles. The CD also includes one song from the post-Phil Collins years, "Congo". Thus there is at least an attempt to represent Genesis throughout the group's existence.
I was surprised to hear more keyboards in these songs than I remembered hearing. One of the characteristics of many popular 80s groups was their heavy reliance on synthesizers and other keyboards, and Genesis was no exception. As an example, "Abacab" from 1981 was strongly keyboard oriented.
From the title, this CD must focus on Genesis' hits, and it certainly does. "Invisible Touch", "I Can't Dance", "No Son of Mine", and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" are among the numerous top 40 hits that Genesis seemed to churn out regularly throughout the 80s into the early 90s. There is much to listen to from these songs, and it's the inclusion of these songs that make this CD perfect for the casual fan. However, there is more on this CD.
"I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" is a reggae-influenced song featuring the original five-member lineup from 1973s "Selling England by the Pound". This song seems a little out of place in comparison to the predominantly middle-of-the-road pop selections featured on this CD. The intro has a very progressive sound that becomes a flavor as the song evolves. The full-bodied sound is more alternative and challenging than much of Genesis' pop music years.
Another song that seems a bit out of place is "Congo". This song from the post-Phil Collins CD "Calling All Stations" still retains a pop flavor, but with four members in the lineup and a styling that could recall Duran Duran at the peak of their popularity. I enjoy this song and am tempted to either borrow or buy the CD from which it comes to see whether the other music on that CD is consistent with this song.
The last out of place song is a 1999 remake of "The Carpet Crawlers" from 1974s "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", hailed by some as a great progressive album. Several other reviewers have stated that this song is a great improvement over the original, and wish the rest of the album would be re-recorded. This song does sound good, but it is not a pop song. In some ways I would consider this particular song the best from this entire CD. I have considered buying "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" since it has been compared to other progressive albums I have enjoyed.
You know what you are going to get with a Genesis "hits" CD. The pop was solid, generally very listenable and good; little in the way of breakthrough music. However, at least three of the songs give you a flavor of the breadth of which Genesis was capable. For the casual fan that enjoys Genesis' top 40 music, I highly recommend this CD. For those that preferred Genesis before Phil Collins became the lead vocalist, you may want to stick to buying the albums from the Peter Gabriel era.

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Limited digitally remastered two CD Tour Edition of this classic Genesis compilation released to coincide with their 2007 European tour. This double disc features all 18 tracks included on the standard U.S. single disc edition then adds an additional 16 tracks including 'Illegal Alien', 'Paperlate', 'Keep It Dark', 'No Reply At All' and many more. The tracks are in a completely different order than the single disc pressing as well. This double CD will be available for a limited period (until end of 2007) whilst the band are on tour (including U.S). 34 tracks. Virgin.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Christmas Album Review

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(More customer reviews)This CD was a real departure for Michael W. Smith. Released right after his i2(eye) CD, it was a complete style change - from 80's pop/rock to a choral sound. I must admit at first I was really disappointed, but the CD has grown on me until it's become one of my favorites.
This CD sounds more like a choral album then an artist driven solo project. In fact, Michael doesn't even have all the solos. The music is full orchestra for a Christmas pageant feel. There are very few traditional carols on here, except in instrumental form. As a result, it takes several listens before it sounds remotely Christmassy. However, there are some powerful lyrics in the new songs that remind me of the wonder of the first Christmas. And "Gloria" is a fun rendition of the classic "Angels We Have Heard on High" that I have heard performed many times by choirs since this came out.
Definitely buy this CD, but give it some time before you make up your mind about it. I'm certainly glad I did because I look forward to hearing it every Christmas.

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: SMITH,MICHAEL W.Title: CHRISTMASStreet Release Date: 01/12/1994

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Graffiti Soul (Bonus CD) (Dlx) Review

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(More customer reviews)I just wanted to state that I was a Simple Minds fan in the mid eighties (faves: New Gold Dream, Sparkle In The Rain, Once Upon A Time) and then stopped listening to them because their subsequent efforts seemed overloaded with pathos and boredom, almost driving me to the edge of nausea, to be honest.
BUT! This record however grows and grows on me. Incredible, after all those years.
The songs are extremely well done pieces of powerful hymnal rock, made to move people in stadions, but for what they are, they're done with great sensibility, intelligence and power.
I love how the bass is quite prominent in the mix, that big, driving fundament along with Mel Gaynor's drumming, carrying the rest of the band.
I also love the hypnotic and sometimes dreamy overall feel of the music.
A real refreshing offering, and I listen to it every day since it came out.
The Simple Minds are back for real, and they even stand out as being timeless in all those modern periods of quick hypes and plastic music.
To be a little more polemic: no, don't bother comparing to U2, the Simple Minds have clearly overstripped them!
Lots of people need to buy this record, for lots of happiness.

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Limited two CD edition contains a bonus disc containing eight cover versions of songs originally performed by Magazine, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Call, Massive Attack and others2009 album from the veteran Scottish outfit. Featuring original members Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, plus Mel Gaynor on drums and Eddie Duffy on bass, Graffiti Soul is Simple Minds' 15th studio album: the latest in a career spanning three decades. Following 2008's reissued The Best of Simple Minds, Graffiti Soul is the first album of new material since 2005. It has the roots of a traditional Simple Minds album, yet comes across contemporary and fresh. 18 tracks including 'Moscow Underground', 'Stars' and 'Rockets'. Universal. 2009.

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Bring Ya to the Brink (Snys) Review

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(More customer reviews)Cyndi Lauper's career has seen her success fluctuate from dizzying highs to off-the-scale lows, with a startlingly diverse artistic palette and long gaps between albums doubtless accounting for the lion's share of the inconsistency. She flourished as a pop culture ingénue with her eccentric, flamboyant image, but this contrasted with her more inherent identity as a state of the art song stylist and inventive, highly skilled songwriter and musician. Now a quarter century has passed and the average person is still at a loss for words to properly define Lauper. Regardless, she has never sounded more at home on brand new dance floor-ready studio album "Bring Ya to the Brink." The girl who just wanted to have fun is either having the time of her life or doing a damn fine job of making listeners believe it.
A definite nod to her core fanbase in the LGBT community, the theme of "Bring Ya to the Brink" does not showcase the New York native's soaring range as her 2003 chestnut covers collection "At Last" did, for example. Rather, it boasts frenetic, club-ready beats and propulsive, repetitious melodies, replete with disco ball imagery. That is exactly as it is supposed to be. From the funky, loquacious opener "High and Mighty" with its temperamental synths to the sweeping gust of wind that is "Set Your Heart," the album is wall to wall uptempo energy, making it an ideal summer disc.
Some could say that Lauper is aping Madonna, whose last two LPs were aimed straight at nightclubs and dance floors. However, the key difference is that "Bring Ya to the Brink" neither flagrantly tips the hat to the past nor makes an earnest effort to keep things trendy or Top 40 savvy. Instead, Lauper mixes together 80's new wave stylings with easy, effusive beats that are nothing if not indicative of the late 2000s to create a sound neither retro nor modern, but simply the genesis of her atypical artistic vision. The most important thing, however, is that it never fails to entertain.
Hooks run aplenty on "Echo," a bittersweet slice of Eurodance, as well as lead single "Same Ol' Story," a 12"-length gem which is currently climbing the club charts thanks to its fluffy production values reminiscent of ace 70's collaborations between Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder. Indeed, as Lauper declares on the sweaty, propulsive "Give It Up," "I've got to get back to the floor!"
With this new direction she has her cake and eats it too, as she continues to make heady statements and social commentary where she sees fit in spite of the levity that surrounds. "Lyfe," with its memorable chorus ("Lyfe/It can shake ya/It can break ya/It can bring ya to the brink") serves as a prime example, as does "Raging Storm," a meditation on problems inherent in the values of today's cultural landscape:
"Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief/You can fool some people, but you can't fool me/Harbor all the hate and greed/Threaten demise of democracy/There's a raging storm in a troubled sea/But you're clouding my mind with celebrity."
Second single "Into the Nightlife" is the most instantly addicting with its gyrating snyths, stomp-on-glass production values and cheeky, sexual lyrics ("Shirtless wonders wreck my sight under the light"), providing the most potent chance for a crossover to pop radio, while "Rocking Chair," a frothy, mercurial collaboration with Basement Jaxx, provides a mighty hook and eye-popping lyrics. It's a joy to hear Lauper wrap her vocals around its juicy, uncontainable melody.
"Lay Me Down" with its haunting, inescapable melody and evocative lyrics is the album's arguable highlight, while "Rain on Me" closes the disc with a wistful, bittersweet high note that is exemplary of Lauper's unique voice as a songwriter.
"Bring Ya to the Brink" continues Lauper's career with another top notch release. Each track is a gem with no trace of filler. Lauper never fails to reveal new aspects of her unique, thoroughly entertaining talents as both a singer and songwriter, and this new release keeps the bar raised high.

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Explicit Version. Cyndi Lauper's 2008 album, Bring Ya To The Brink,is Cyndi's first album of new material in 12 years. More than 25 years after her debut, Cyndi is still exploring new artistic territory. With Bring Ya To The Brink, she found herself inspired by beat drive music that has filled dance clubs throughout Europe and No. America. Sony. 2008.

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Freestyle Explosion 1-5 Review

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(More customer reviews)Some great extended versions in this collection but also some great radio versions too, but here's my review... I was thinking of only getting vol 5 for Nocera's 'Lets Go' which I had on 12" but wasn't available on CD until now, so this is the only place to find it unfortunately its not the extended version but the original radio version which is good. There are many great standouts such as in vol 4 which include Shana's 'I want you' and the original 12" version of the Cover Girls 'Because of You'. Most of the singles are radio version but there are extended versions included in the collection as well. For example vol 3 includes the full 12" version of Freeze's 'I.O.U.' which is some 8 minutes and 40 seconds long. Plus an extended version of Company B's 'Fascinated' I don't know if thats the 12" version but its about 5 minutes long. They also have Company B's 'Fascinated' again in vol 1, this time the radio version. I also missed Dino's 'Summer Girls' which they've also included here, also the extended version of Yvonne's 'There's a party going on' which is about 6 minutes and 17 seconds. On vol 2 I found extended versions of Tolga's 'Leave it all behind' as well as Coro's 'Where are you tonight'. Also one of my other favorites on vol 2 was 'say its gonna rain' by will to power, no not an extended version but a good radio version. They also included Loose Touch's 'Bad of the heart' which ofcourse the band was re-named to George Lamond's 'Bad of the heart' which is (to me) freestyle's best single, not the extended version however, but a good one either way. In vol 1 I found Nu Shooz's 'I can't wait', it sounded like it was transferred from a 45 rpm record (listen very closely). Also in vol 1 another standout for me included Sweet Sensation's 'Take it while its hot' which is some 5 minutes long. They could've included the 12" version of Nu Shooz's 'Point of no return' but a good radio version nonetheless, I'm sure they had space on the disc, but who's complaining so far a very nice collection. Alot of good stuff in here just look at the track listing! Have Fun.

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Invisible Touch Review

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(More customer reviews)It's easy to kick Phil Collins around, Lord knows, making him out to be a sap-meister, or worse yet, a corporate shill. But "Invisible Touch" is the moment in between the end of Genesis as prog-rock pioneeers and the ascendancy of Collins as soft-rock staple (and all the baggage that brings) where Collins actually truly shines. Having listened to this album for the first time in nearly a decade, I am eerily surprised at how good this album still sounds. "Land of Confusion", which at time of release could be deemed a bit over-the-top, sounds far more relevant today than ever. The men of steel, the men of power, are losing control by the hour, indeed.
But the real highlight, apart from "Land of Confusion" and "Domino", is actually the balladeering, which - after this album for Collins - just becomes overly saccharine. There's some transcendent quality to both "In Too Deep" and "Throwing it All Away" that save them from the schlock factor of that horrific Tarzan song. When Collins sings "Who will light up the darkness/Who will hold your hand/Who will find you the answers/When you don't understand", it's done in a way that is simple and effective, and not the amp-the-hystrionics-up-to-level-11 way. And it's actually quite lovely, really.
Chalk it up to the playing power of Banks and Rutherford - and to the perfect amount of restraint. It succeeds quite amply, and for the AOR genre, this is clearly best-of-breed.

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The new live album from Jay Gordon and The Penetrators shows how great this power trio is in front of an audience at the Screaming Chicken, an old roadhouse in San Bernardino. The group covers eight standards from the rock and blues worlds including Willie Dixon's Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, White Rabbit, Grand Funk's Heartbreaker, Honky Tonk Women, Runaway, Rock Me, That Was Yesterday and Marshall Tucker's Can't You See.

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Celebration Review

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(More customer reviews)NOTE: This review looks at only the differences in track versions contained on this retrospective compared with previously issued track versions.
Most tracks on this compilation are album versions, but some are edits which, in and of themselves, have been edited differently. There are also many tracks from The Immaculate Collection, some of which may have been modified slightly for this collection (denoted below).
DISC ONE
01. Hung Up (Album Version, unmixed)(5:39)
02. Music (Album Version)(3:46)
03. Vogue (From The Immaculate Collection) (5:17)
04. 4 Minutes (Album Edit, no breakdown) (3:10)
05. Holiday (Album Version) (6:08)
06. Everybody (Album Edit) (4:11)
07. Like a Virgin (From The Immaculate Collection) (3:10)
08. Into the Groove (12" Version, first appearance on an official Madonna US full-length CD release) (4:45)
09. Like a Prayer (Album Version) (5:43)
10. Ray of Light (Album Edit) (4:34)
11. Sorry (Album Edit, shorter intro and bridge) (3:59)
12. Express Yourself (Video Version, Edited) (4:00)
NOTE: This version closely resembles the original music video version, but the instrumental break that leads into the bridge has been removed at 2:30.
13. Open Your Heart (From The Immaculate Collection)
14. Borderline (From The Immaculate Collection)
15. Secret (Album Edit, fade instead of cold stop)
16. Erotica (Album Edit, Alternate)
NOTE: This Album Edit (4:30) differs slightly from Album Edit (4:36) found on the original 1992 Erotica Maxi CD single (Maverick/Sire/Warner Bros CD 0-9362-40585-2-6). The edits in the 4:36 version occur at 0:00 and 3:27.
17. Justify My Love (Q Sound Mix) (4:54)
18. Revolver (Album Version) (3:40)
DISC TWO
01. Dress You Up (Album Version, Edited) (4:02)
NOTE: Different intro
02. Material Girl (Album Version) (4:00)
03. La Isla Bonita (Album Version) (4:04)
04. Papa Don't Preach (Album Version) (4:30)
05. Lucky Star (From The Immaculate Collection, Modified)
NOTE: This version closely resembles The Immaculate Collection version, but the intro and outro have been edited differently.
06. Burning Up (Album Version) (3:45)
07. Crazy for You (From The Immaculate Collection) (3:44)
08. Who's That Girl (Album Version) (4:00)
09. Frozen (Album Version) (6:19)
10. Miles Away (Album Edit) (3:45)
11. Take a Bow (Album Version) (5:20)
12. Live to Tell (Album Version) (5:51)
13. Beautiful Stranger (Album Version) (4:22)
14. Hollywood (Original Album Edit) (4:23)
15. Die Another Day (Album Version) (4:37)
16. Don't Tell Me (Album Edit, cold stop) (4:12)
17. Cherish (Album Edit, Alternate) (3:52)
NOTE: This edit very closely resembles the version found on The Immaculate Collection, but the guitar snares at 3:16 and 3:20 from the 1989 original are present. The guitar snares do not appear on The Immaculate Collection version.
18. Celebration (Album Version) (3:35)
(last revised 2/24/11)

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2 CD edition. Madonna, who has racked up a record 37 top 10 hits as well as seven No. 1 albums (including her last four) on the Billboard Pop Charts, has given her fans yet another opportunity to 'celebrate' her musical achievements. The songs on 'Celebration' have all been remastered and selected by Madonna and her fans. They cover the expanse of the Material Girl's extraordinary career of hits

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She Blinded Me with Science/Tour De France Review

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(More customer reviews)This CD has "She Blinded Me With Science," but it's the album version, and it's definately NOT live. Don't waste your money. I wish I hadn't.

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Madonna Live-The Virgin Tour (1985) (1985) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Virgin Tour was Madonna's first tour. Not as elaborate as the Who's That Girl?, Blonde Ambition, or The Girlie Show tours were, Virgin tour shows Madonna being completely adorable. She's fun, spunky, and a volumptious. I don't think she was chubby, since weighing 120 pounds is healthy. She had so much life and energy (she never lost either). The opening which is "Dress You Up" works spectacularily. Though we know she's singing about a lover, Madonna dresses up the audience in her show. After that, she sang such songs as "Into The Groove," "Holiday," "Crazy For You," "Like A Virgin," "Material Girl," and a few others. She was really cute in her infamous wedding singing "Like A Virgin." Yep, she was wearing her full "Boy Toy" apparell. The show closed with "Material Girl," her most recent hit at the time. She performed the song in her Marilyn Monroe costume. She threw money out into the audience, and shouted "I don't need money! I need love!"
A fun concert to watch. Also has interview footage. It's a little short though. Too bad it's only 50 minutes long. We're having so much fun, and don't want to stop!
Overall Grade: A+ (10+++)

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