Leave This Town (Deluxe Edition with Bonus DVD) Review

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(More customer reviews)As much as I like "No Surprise", the sizzling, energetic first single off Daughtry's Leave This Town (the follow-up to their multi-platinum self-titled debut), I'm even more impressed with the quality of the rest of the songs. Creative and original (especially considering this is mainstream pop/rock), this collection eliminates much of the 'cookie-cutter' nature that I felt many of those songs had while retaining hook-laden melodies that made it so successful commercially.
Dubbed by Chris as "a very big rock album", this sophomore effort starts that way with "You Don't Belong", a heavy rocker filled with '80's-inspired guitar riffs and power chords. Rather than using studio musicians as the debut did, Chris' bandmates recorded the musical tracks, and that's one of this album's major highlights and improvements. The almost not-stop touring allowed the band to develop chemistry, and the resulting cohesiveness shows through on the recording, giving this album a more loose, 'live' feel.
"Every Time You Turn Around" keeps the rock edge going...the band members were given latitude to "throw things in on the fly"...an extra solo line here, an extra cymbal crash there, and this song is a good example of that. "Life After You" finally slows things down a bit, but that's not a bad thing on this record. The string of mid-tempo or slower songs that dominate the rest of the album are not contrived or 'manufactured'-sounding...in fact, Chris' weathered voice bleeds passion and sincerity combined with his relatable relationship-themed lyrics. The production allows 'holes' to open up for the vocal(s) to be heard clearly.
Chris (collaborating with some of his rock 'buddies' and producers, including Nickelback's Chad Kroeger on two songs) seems to have honed his songwriting skills further...his almost innate ability to craft melodies and write lyrics from the heart continues to grab you and reel you in, without 'recycling' too much from the first record. Two songs in particular stand out for me... "September", a heartfelt ballad about growing up in the summertime in his small, North Carolina hometown but having to leave things behind to move forward, and "Tennessee Line", a country-flavored tune (fiddles and all) featuring country legend Vince Gill on background vocals. Unique and captivating, these gems are refreshing to hear while staying within the confines of the basic formula for Daughtry's success.
While returning producer Howard Benson throws in a few extra production tricks here and there, he manages to keep the sound fairly natural and the enhancements aren't too overdone.
The bottom line: Great songs, solid performance, and an overall stronger rock attitude. I'm not sure if the changes would be enough to win over those who didn't like Daughtry before, but if you did enjoy Daughtry Part 1, the sequel isn't likely to disappoint.

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Daughtry achieved global success with its self-titled debut, the biggest selling artist release of the past two years.The band's Grammy-nominated, quadruple-platinum debut garnered multiple American Music Awards, World Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.Daughtry spent most of the last two years on the road, performing to sold-out arenas, but is now back with the follow-up to the its massive debut. Leave This Town will be available on July 14, 2009, and was produced by Howard Benson.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Joan Armatrading Live - All the Way from America (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Three decades after her earliest recordings, a full-length concert by Joan Armatrading finally sees the light of day, recorded June 25th, 2003 at Saratoga California. Not too late, fortunately: she is in prime voice and able to perform even the early tunes with the depth and flexibility that marked the original versions. Not only that, her music is about as timeless as that of any other contemporary singer-songwriter, at least this side of Joni Mitchell. In that regard, if I weren't familiar with her music and someone told me Joan was a newcomer on the music scene, based on the music on this DVD I would have no trouble believing that.
Part of the contemporary feel of this concert is in my opinion due to the fact that nearly half of the songs are culled from her then-most-recent album (2003's LOVER'S SPEAK, one of her best ever). No matter how long an artist has been around, when they stay focused on performing the tunes that matter the most to them at any given point in time, that tends to be a great way to remain inspired and relevant even if one has been on the scene for over thirty years.
Even so, there is a generous selection of classic tunes that have not aged a bit. She still performs the likes of "Down to Zero," "Love And Affection," "The Weakness In Me," and others as if the tunes were just born yesterday. Interestingly, she appears with only two supporting musicians, but due to their versatility one doesn't ever get the idea that there needs to be a bigger band. All in all, anyone who was ever a Joan Armatrading fan -- particularly those who may not have kept up with her recently -- will likely have lots of good things to say about this DVD. While I won't argue with other reviewers who were critical of the video editing, I'm glad that all of the tunes are heard in their entirety and the 5.1 sound mix is up-to-standard.

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One of popular music's most enduring and respected singer songwriters captured in her favorite environment - live in front of a theater full of adoring fans!This spectacular event recording was filmed during Joan's 2003 World Tour and features a collection of her most popular hits (Love and Affection, All the Way from America, Blessed, Willow) along with new songs from her most recent studio album 'Lover's Speak'. Filmed completely live at the Lillian Fontaine Theater in Saratoga, California 'All the Way From America' showcases Joan as the consummate entertainer she is - accomplished singer/songwriter, guitarist and spellbinding story teller.DVD Video tracks: 1. Down To Zero 2. All The Way From America 3. Prove Yourself 4. Physical Pain 5. You Made Your Bed 6. Tender Trap 7. The Weakness In Me 8. Let's Talk About Us 9. Join The Boys 10. Save Me 11. Everyday Boy 12. Love And Affection 13. Crazy For You 14. Lovers Speak 15. Love Bug 16. Rosie 17. Mama Mercy 18. Kissin And A Huggin19. Me Myself I 20. Willow 21. BlessedBonus Tracks: Bottom To The Top *In These Times (Studio Version)

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Brandi Carlile Review

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(More customer reviews)I hope people don't start getting suspicious about all these glowing reviews from Brandi's home town. I'm really not a relative or friend of hers. In fact, I had never heard of Brandi Carlile until an article was written about her last week in the local paper. On a whim (and the fact that she looks adorable on the cover) I picked it up and was completely blown away by her amazing talent. She's a little bit Bonnie Raitt, a little bit Indigo Girls and a little bit KD Lang. But she's all original. Her voice is wonderful and listening to her gives you chills the first time you hear her. I just wish the CD were a little longer since I'm finding myself listening to it 2 or 3 times a day. I can't wait for more from this talented young lady. She's destined for stardom.

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Authentic. That's the first word that springs to mind when you encounter Brandi Carlile. From her rootsy bell-clear voice to the palpable emotion that seeps through every song on her stunning debut album, everything about this 23-year-old from rural Washington state is the real deal.

Deeply driven to be an artist, Carlile's life-long love affair with performing began when her musician mother brought her out onstage at the Northwest's version of the Grand Ole Opry. Carlile sang Roseanne Cash's "Tennessee Flat-Top Box". She was 8.

Growing up in the isolated foothills of Ravensdale, 50 miles outside of Seattle, Carlile turned to music for company. "Ravensdale wasn't a town," she says. "We were the only house around for acres and acres. Being in the middle of nowhere, it wasn't the kind of place you brought friends back to, so I just hung around the woods and built forts and played music with my brother and sister. That's all we did. And we thought that's what everyone else in the world did, too."

During those years, Carlile taught herself to sing. "I locked myself in my room when no one was home to see how loud and high I could sing, and how long I could hold a note," she says. "I'm sure it sounded like mating season, but I knew that's what it would take to develop a big, powerful voice." She also figured out how to play the piano ("I wanted to be like Elton John") and eventually guitar at age 17.

From then on, Carlile performed everywhere she could. She even took a job as a back-up singer for a local Elvis impersonator, an experience she credits with teaching her how to layer vocals and sing harmonies. A few years later, Carlile began to book herself and her band (Seattle natives and twin brothers Tim and Phil Hanseroth) at restaurants around the city--the local chowder house, a popular sports bar and grill, and at any wedding or birthday party that would hire her, just so she could practice.

"I've never had a real job," she says. "I've insisted that I do nothing but play music and not let my head go anywhere else. If that means playing in a smoky bar for three hours, five nights a week, that's fine. It's discipline. It teaches you how to grab your audience, no matter who they are."

Carlile's determination and work ethic paid off in late 2004 when she signed with Columbia Records, home to several of her favorite artists, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, Janis Joplin, and James Taylor, whom she has shared a stage with. The timeless quality of her debut album for Columbia, Brandi Carlile, is proof of her intention to become a classic artist alongside her labelmates.

The album is a showcase for Carlile's expressive voice, which can turn from a tough, bluesy growl to a vulnerable, aching falsetto on a dime. The catch in her throat before she launches into those alpine high notes is reminiscent of her idol, country singer Patsy Cline.

"Patsy Cline had a really gutsy, powerful voice," she says. "I identify with that. I've gone through all sorts of vocal phases, from pop to blues to R&B, but no matter what I do, I just can't get the country & western out of my voice."

Rather than fight it, Carlile makes good use of the country flavor by juxtaposing it with dark, otherworldly melodies on songs like "Follow" and "Tragedy". Think of a female Roy Orbison or Radiohead's Thom Yorke fronting a roots-rock band and you're not far off. The contrast led Rolling Stone, which named her one of their 10 Artists to Watch in 2005, to declare: "Carlile's ethereal, melancholy ballads have a spare heartache that reflects her love for old-school country...but she loves new-school mopers like Radiohead and Jeff Buckley just as much". Indeed, those artists' influence can be felt on the simple, acoustic strummers "Happy", "Gone" and "Tragedy". Other musical stand-outs include "Throw It All Away" and "Fall Apart Again".

The ten sublime gems on Brandi Carlile were recorded sporadically throughout 2004 in Seattle, some at Carlile's home in bucolic Maple Valley, Washington. "I live in a log cabin and the ceilings are really high, so it sounds great," she says. "We rented a Pro-tools set-up and put it smack in the middle of my living room." Some of the unadorned production comes courtesy of indie-stalwart producer John Goodmanson, who has worked with Sleater-Kinney and Blonde Redhead, and the rest was driven by Carlile and the twins. "We just went in and played the songs," she says. "It interrupted my whole world for weeks, but we made some really good music."

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The Globe Sessions Review

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(More customer reviews)I really don't get all this business about this album being too 'whiney'. The only whining I hear is the people reviewing it. I think it's just a fine album. My CD doesn't have the bonus track, but I think it still sounds great. It runs the gamut from Rock to ballads and does it successfully. I love 'There goes the Neighborhood' and obviously 'My Favorite Mistake', but the sound of the CD is well-rounded all over. I like the whole concept of making the disc sound like it was recorded on an old reel-to-reel tape recorder. My opinion is that if you like Sheryl Crow, then you should buy this album and form your own ideas about whether you like it or not. I almost didn't buy this CD because of the things that I had heard about it. I would've been missing out. Don't let that happen to you.

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Japanese Exclusive Version featuring a Bonus CD with Five Or Six Live Tracks Recorded During her European Tour. Limited Release Only Availbe for Three Months

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Matchbox Twenty - Live from Australia (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)Matchbox Twenty Live in Australia is the best video ever! It brings out all the guy's personalities and has interviews with the entire band. It also has concert footage and music videos for Push, Back 2 good, real world, and long day. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan, or just looking for some laughs, this is one of the most amusing things i've ever seen. The concert footage includes a few songs that were not released in the US, as well as strictly concert preformances. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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With Strings Live at Town Hall (Dig) Review

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(More customer reviews)I attended the Portland show of the 2006 "With Strings" tour last summer and this album is a faithful recording of what I heard. No disappointment here! If you like the Eels, you will love this album. However, be warned that the sound is more "raw" than their studio albums. This is not due to bad mastering as some have suggested, this is how they sounded in concert.
I hope that Mr. E releases a live album of the 2006 "No Strings Attached" tour. I saw them last night at the Roseland in Portland, OR and wow! what a difference. They played a few of the same songs like My Beloved Monster, Railroad Man, Mr. E's Beautiful Blues, The Only Thing I Care About, Dirty Girl, I like Birds, I'm Going to Stop Pretending and Hey Man, but this time it was a rock show. Everyone was dressed as if they were members of Motorhead and they played fast and hard.

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Alas y Raices Review

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(More customer reviews)Eros Ramazzoti is back with another fantastic production called "Alas Y Raices", a great album full of amazing tunes perfomed with the elegant voice of Eros. The signature song of the album is "Dimelo a Mi", which is the first single, and it a great song, and easily places itself between Eros' best creations. "Apuntes y Notas" is highly recommended, because is has a surprising sound and to me it's the best non-single song in the album. Eros once again sings to love in songs like "Flor Inesperada" and "El Horizonte", only in the way he can. There are more cheerful songs like "Afectos Personales" and "No podemos cerrar los Ojos". The song "Alas y Raices" is another fantastic tune full of harmony, that reminds me of "Calma Aparente". I wouldn't say it the best album of Eros, but it is pretty enjoyable. If you are an Eros fan, or if you like his music enough, then this is a must-own. Eros is simply one of the best Italian singers of all time.

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SPECIAL EDITION SPANISH VERSION--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Melissa Etheridge - Live... and Alone (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews).
I was washing my car in a little car wash across the street from Christy's (the other Bono) restaurant when I remembered that that night was the premiere of the Movie of Melissa Etheridge's Live and Alone Concert.
So I went.
It is just like being at the concert except that you get to sit in a real seat.
It begins with some footage from the last time Melissa sang in a particular bar in Pasadena, California in 1987. She had so much promise and poise, even then. The bar scene flows into the time before right before this Concert which was filmed at the Kodak in Hollywood, in 2001. Even Stephen Spielberg hobbles into this pre-concert footage.
The concert is The Perfect Melissa Concert: the photography is great; her expressions are fierce and funny; and her voice just fills up the screen and the hearts of those who hear her.
Among other songs, she sings the two piano songs, Please Forgive Me and the Weakness In Me; and other songs in which she accompanies herself on the guitar, Down To One, Lover Please, American Girl, Chrome, Scarecrow, The Only One, Come To My Window, Somebody Bring Me Some Water and The Way I Do. There are other songs; I'm not a scribe.
Chrome is really a beautiful song and beautifully done.
Lover Please, shows Melissa's pain to the point of pleading but also, through the use of that garble-machine into which Melissa sputters the words `do you want me' (I think) and through the use of that harsh yellow light, I sense real anger, anger that I never heard in the song without the visual.
The photography and editing are excellent, occasionally there would be three shots of her singing on the screen at once - the movie was really well cut and crafted.
And Melissa is Melissa. It is extraordinary.
The deluxe DVD of this concert/movie will also contain footage of Melissa at home.
It is a must for every music lover.

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Show - A Night in the Life of Matchbox Twenty (Explicit Version) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been a fan of Matchbox Twenty for a while now, and when I heard they were making a concert video I was excited. However, concert videos can go either way (good or bad) so I was also ready for the worst.
Thankfully though, my doubts were ruled out as minute by minute of the film rolled on. The visuals are spectacular, with editing that fits the paces of the song really well. Personally, I didn't see a problem with the sound, but maybe the volume was up a bit too much.
The video was successful in placing me front and center (and closer) to a great Matchbox Twenty concert. I almost got to go to the concert on the film (Atlanta), so having missed it I am extremely glad that the director did such a fine a job of catching the feel of one of their live concerts.
I'd already decided this worthy of a five-star rating, but on top of the show itself I also enjoyed the documentary, or behind the scenes of the show (which is where most of the explicitness is.) This is located on Disc 2.
In summary, if you're a fan then it's a must like it was for me; however, it is still one of the best representations that people will get of Matchbox Twenty so I'd say it's just a good buy for the music lover/concert watcher in general.

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2-DVD set * Total running time 220 minutes - over 3« hours * 20 songs, including all their hits such as "Push," "3 AM," "Bent," "Unwell" and the current smash "Bright Lights" * Filmed in high-definition format with 17 cameras * Bonus features: 50 minute documentary, behind-the-scenes photo gallery, and two songs in multi-angle viewing format * Video presentation: 16 x 9 anamorphic widescreen * Audio options: Dolby ® Digital Stereo, Dolby ® 5.1 Surround Sound, SRS Circle Surround 5.1 Rock sensations Matchbox Twenty have sold over 25 million records, had nine #1 singles, and been nominated for four Grammy® awards. On June 28, 2003, the band gave the show of a lifetime at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Performing hit after hit, they played with the intensity of the multi-platinum artists they are, creating an intimate atmosphere reminiscent of their early club days. Show: A Night In The Life Of Matchbox Twenty captures all the nuances of this stellar live performance in incredible visual and sonic detail.Songs Include: 1Cold: 4:04 2Real World: 3:53 3All I Need: 4:40 4Soul: 4:56 5Disease:3:46 6Could I Be You: 4:39 73 AM: 3:52 8Mad Season: 4:43 9Feel: 3:30 10Hand Me Down: 6:06 11If You're Gone: 6:29 12Bright Lights:4:44 13Bent: 4:38 14Unwell: 5:11 15Back to Good: 5:57 16Downfall: 5:03 17You're So Real: 4:17 18So Sad So Lonely: 4:17 19Long Day: 4:05 20Push: 5:43

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James - Getting Away with It... Live Review

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(More customer reviews)Like so many bands before them, JAMES were just to damn good for the average, American record-buyer. Musically and lyrically, they are, without a doubt, one of the finest bands of the 90's (though they emerged in the 80's, they really hit their stride in the early 90's).
This concert, in their hometown of Manchester, was taped on the last night of their final tour with lead-singer, Tim Booth. What you will see here is a tremendously talented group of musicians performing highlights from an extremely impressive catalog of songs.
Everyone knows "Laid," but it is some of the other gems here that really are worth checking out. In fact, if tracks like "Say Something," "Sometimes," "Vervaceous," "Out to Get You," "She's a Star," and "Getting Away with It," (too name just six!) fail to shock, amaze and move you all at once, then something is just not right with you (either that or you hit the mute button by accident!).
The bonus features are pretty impressive too! In addition to the videos for "Laid," "Say Something," and "She's a Star," we are treated to an entertaining and informative Behind-the-Music-esque documentary on the band.
As I mentioned, this concert was the emotional farewell to lead singer Tim Booth who left to pursue other interests. His smooth, passionate voice and charismatic stage personality will be sorely missed. As for what happens to the rest of the band, only time will tell. One hopes that a group of musicians this talented can continue on. And in the event they don't, at least we have this DVD to serve as a reminder of just how amazing they were.

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JAMES:GETTING AWAY WITH IT...LIVE - DVD Movie

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VH1 Storytellers - Matchbox Twenty (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)A great look into the mind of Rob Thomas and he describes some of the inspirations behind many of his hit songs. Thomas gets very personal even revealing the fact that he doens't like the sound of his own voice! This DVD features a great mix of songs from their initial album "Yourself or Someone Like you" and the follow up "Mad Season".
The only downside to Matchbox Twenty's storytelling session is the lack of acoustic versions of hit songs; a favorite aspect of mine that blends in nicely with the intimate feel of the show. This is more than made up for with the a country version of push, and nice variations for fans wanting a twist in their favorite CD versions.
The highlight of the show is a piano version of 3AM that will leave you speechless. Seeing Rob alone on the piano after hearing his meaning behind the song brings the audience to tears, and a new appreciation of the song to all who listen.
Overall a great performance by a great band that is sure to please all who watch. VH1's storytellers is always a great show and Matchbox Twenty's episode is no exception so enjoy!

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Platinum hitmakers Matchbox Twenty hit the stage and tell the tales for the groundbreaking VH1 series, "Storytellers." Starting with their 1996 debut, "Yourself or Someone Like You," Matchbox Twenty has built a devoted following that continues to grow with each new record and tour. Filmed at New York City's Chelsea Piers, Matchbox Twenty perform their many hits including a stripped-down version of the timeless "3 A.M." with Rob Thomas at the piano. Songs: Bent, Mad Season, Black and White People, Push, If You're Gone, Crutch, Lonely Weekend, You Won't Be Mine, Rest Stop, 3 AM.

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Talk to the Hand: Live in Michigan (W/Dvd) Review

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(More customer reviews)I love seeing Barenaked Ladies live. Unfortunately, they have the nerve to not tour constantly in my general vicinity, so I can't see their shows all the time. But with the DVD, suddenly this becomes possible.
It's unfortunate that they cut a lot out of the show -- no adlibbed songs, very little banter, some great songs missing -- but what's left is still one great show.
If you've ever seen BNL live, this DVD will remind you what a great experience it is. If you haven't, it might make you start kicking yourself -- hopefully all the way to the next Barenaked Ladies show.

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Barenaked Ladies cross the border to for their first-ever live DVD, Talk to the Hand: Live in Michigan. This special edition contains the full concert on both CD and DVD, and features classics such as "One Week," "Pinch Me" and "If I Had $1000000," as well as hits from the recent releases Barenaked Ladies Are Me and Barenaked Ladies Are Men. DVD is formatted to 16:9 and featurs a DTS 5.1 audio mix, and is loaded with interviews and other special features, including a sound check performance of "Angry People." In keeping with the band's values, the packaging is 100% recyclable and made from 80% postconsumer content.

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Crowded House: Farewell to the World Live (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Recorded in 1996 at the Sydney Opera House plaza, "Crowded House" plays their farewell concert to an appreciative crowd of over 120,000. The 24-song set contains amazingly pure and tight sound with Neil Finn's voice at its best. There are no stand-out cuts, as the band gives it best performance to date on every track. It is flawless. The comments from the band to the audience between songs makes this one of the most personable concerts ever recorded. Slight variations on some songs and an accent here and there make the fans sing along throughout. The closing song, "Don't Dream its Over" is as emotional as ever, with shots of the crowd signing along and the band emoting, realizing this really is their last song together. It's one of the best concerts of the last two decades.
The extras include an optional commentary by the band in subtitles. The second disc has a 20-minute documentary about the enormous planning it took to stage this event, mostly narrated by the band's manager. Also included are a few featurettes, a photo gallery and the full "Crowded House" discography. This is one of those collectable packages that you'll never tire of.


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Australian rock group Crowded House perform live on their farewell tour.Genre: Rock, Alternative MusicRating: NRRelease Date: 16-JAN-2007Media Type: DVD

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Five For Fighting: Live - Back Country (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)I admit, if you look at my other CD reviews, five for fighting is a bit out of character. But what can I say, John Ondrasik is a great songwriter/storyteller. This DVD is a great concert that has his best music, and the videos to boot. A great one stop shop for adding quality five for fighting music to the collection. Check it out, affordable and all the hits.

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Five For Fighting live in concert from Orlando, FL features "100 Years", "Superman", "The Riddle" and "World."DVD also includes music videos and bonus content. Tracklisting: 1. Freedom Never Cries 2. World 3. California Justice 4. The Riddle 5. 65 Mustang 6. NYC Weather Report 7. Two Lights 8. I Just Love You 9. If God Made You 10. Easy Tonight 11. Superman 12. 100 Years 13. Road to Heaven 14. Nobody 15. Policeman's Xmas Party 16. Superman (Music Video) 17. Easy Tonight (Music Video) 18. 100 Years (Music Video) 19. The Devil In The Wishing Well (Music Video) 20. The Riddle (Music Video) 21. World (Music Video) 22. Making of "The Devil In The Wishing Well" video 23. Making of "The Riddle" video 24. Making of the "World" video 25. "Two Lights" Dad Interview (Bonus) 26. WhatKindOfWorldDoYouWant.com Charity Videos (Bonus) 27. Five For Fighting Photo Montage (Bonus)

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August & Everything After (Dlx) Review

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(More customer reviews)It's funny, revisiting an album in your new body with eyes and ears far aged from when you first encountered it (nay, became obsessed with it). such is the case with the Counting Crows deluxe edition of August and Everything After playing as I type this. They've cleaned up the masters and it does sound noticeably fuller. The extras are very nice from the demo-side and the complete concert from Paris in 1994.
But worth the entire somewhat overpriced cost of admission for the package is the liner notes. Adam's confessional tale of the signing, recording and subsequent shattering of the band from 1991 to December of 1994 (where the Disc 2 comes in) is an interesting and at times very emotional read. You forget how big Counting Crows actually was, and even more than that, you likely didn't know how close some of the musical families were (i.e. the idea of Adam Duritz at a backyard lunch with Frances Bean). The small tales are very much worth digesting, if sometimes over-written. It's probably best that Adam wrote these out instead of letting someone else interpret it in a syrupy documentary or fluffy autobiography. And while I didn't need a mini-poster of Adam in a pretty absurdly good photo shoot with some birds in motion, by the end of the notes you realize why it's there and it's pretty cool.
A nice double disc, and I'm glad I didn't do the iTunes thing, missing the liner notes.

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* The 7 million selling classic album expanded to two discs * Includes previously unreleased demos, including a version of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" * Features a previously unreleased 79 minutes-plus Paris concert -- last show of the massive "August & Everything After" world tour * Booklet includes fold-out poster & extensive liner notes by Counting Crows' Adam Duritz

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Continuum (Limited Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)How many musicians have you ever heard coming out of the suburbs of Fairfield, Connecticut? If you are a John Mayer fan, you know at least one. Pigeonholed as a sensitive pop artist with the debut album, Room For Squares, Mayer shifted tack to a bluesier sound with his second studio release Heavier Things. Joining up with impresarios Steve Jordan and Pino Pallidino, Mayer broke out in full on blues mode with the live album Try! Though some dismissed him, Pallidino and Jordan don't play music with hacks, and anyone who heard the track "Good Love is on the Way" knows the boy can play. With his new studio album, the excellent Continuum, Mayer continues to demonstrate his impressive guitar chops, a more mature songwriting style, and a richer, deeper sound.

The socially conscious first single "Waiting for the World to Change" reminds that "it's hard to beat the system when you're standing at a distance." "I Don't Trust Myself" features a gorgeous guitar sound and some nice fretboard work while the outstanding track "Belief" showcases some strongly emotional lyrics: "we're never going to win the world..we're never gonna stop the war...Belief is what we are fighting for." The likely second single "Gravity" is a soft, slow blues jam on which Mayer plays some fantastic lead guitar. At his recent St Louis concert, all four of these songs blew the crowd away, generating more applause than "Daughters" or "No Such Thing." "The Heart of Life" has a clean, crisp, and spare production with layered harmonies and a subdued guitar making for an elegant track.

The solid track "Vultures" is slinky and moves to a smooth beat with its falsetto harmonies sounding surprisingly good. "Stop this Train" sounds like it came directly off Heavier Things. Mayer sings of broken hearts in the beautiful "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," which chronicles the end of a relationship , "this is the deep and dying breath, this love we've been working on." Mayer attempts to cover Jimi Hendrix on "Bold as Love", and while the guitar work is amazingly strong his vocals aren't quite as well suited to Hendrix. An elegant ballad sure to make the ladies swoon is "Dreaming With a Broken Heart." A powerful guitar solo highlights "In Repair", and closing track "I'm Gonna Find Another You" has shades of the early Mayer song "Comfortable", but with the addition of horns and electric guitar.

The 12-track record, produced mostly by Mayer with support from Jordan and Pallidino, is an extremely strong, mature collection of songs that showcases Mayer's growth as an artist. His backing band is extremely tight, and the sonic values on ther record are exceptional. Most importantly, Mayer has grown as a songwriter, incorporating new depth and substance to his songs. Those who didn't give him a chance before would be well suited to check him out now. His live shows are incredible and the man has some serious guitar chops. Fans of his earlier pop sound may be a bit disappointed, but will likely adapt quickly based on the response of the young crowds at his concerts. Comparisons to legends like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton are premature, but if Mayer continues on the path he's on, he will have a great career worth following closely. Highly recommended.
A.G. Corwin
St.Louis, MO

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Special limited edition tour package includes a bonus CD with live versions of "Vultures", "Belief", "Waiting on the World to Change", "Dreaming with a Broken Heart", "I Don't Need No Doctor", and "Gravity", as well as a 20-page booklet with exclusive tour photos.

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Strange Little Girls Review

Average Reviews:

(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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