Album Reviews
Page 2
Page 2
Like many others of my age, this was the album that made me a U2 fan. I was
a highschool student when this album first came out and I remember
thinking that this was some of the most emotionally charged, meaningful, and
beautiful music I had heard in years. The album is unpretentious yet
adacious, beautiful yet blaring, spiritual yet grounded. At this point in their
careers the boys of U2 seemingly were unaware of their genius, and this is an
element that helps this work to be so appealing. While I'm a huge fan of Brian
Eno, and feel he was a perfect producer to help U2 soar to their highest
heights, the production here helps to make the album feel "human," with the
soaring, shining elements coming directly from the instruments and vocals
themselves, as apposed to knob-tweeking at the control panel.
I've unfortunately lost interest in this once great band. The last album I
bought was Achtung Baby (a nice album), but nothing since then has felt like
the band I fell in love with in 1981.
a highschool student when this album first came out and I remember
thinking that this was some of the most emotionally charged, meaningful, and
beautiful music I had heard in years. The album is unpretentious yet
adacious, beautiful yet blaring, spiritual yet grounded. At this point in their
careers the boys of U2 seemingly were unaware of their genius, and this is an
element that helps this work to be so appealing. While I'm a huge fan of Brian
Eno, and feel he was a perfect producer to help U2 soar to their highest
heights, the production here helps to make the album feel "human," with the
soaring, shining elements coming directly from the instruments and vocals
themselves, as apposed to knob-tweeking at the control panel.
I've unfortunately lost interest in this once great band. The last album I
bought was Achtung Baby (a nice album), but nothing since then has felt like
the band I fell in love with in 1981.
"October"
-U2
-U2
"The Best of Alpha Blondy"
-Alpha Blondy
-Alpha Blondy
Alpha Blondy is a unique artist. Hailing from Africa's Ivory Coast, this
talented and inspiring musician is capable of some of the most infectious
and moving songs in the reggae genre. This compilation contains several of
those songs. Unfortunately it also contains some very weak material as well.
The first 5 songs on this c.d. are brilliant, and are almost worth the price of
the c.d. alone. The problem is that one would be much better off purchasing
one of his early works. My suggestion would be "Jerusalem." That being
said, if you've never heard Alpha Blondy, even this less than perfect
compilation is a worthwhile investment.
talented and inspiring musician is capable of some of the most infectious
and moving songs in the reggae genre. This compilation contains several of
those songs. Unfortunately it also contains some very weak material as well.
The first 5 songs on this c.d. are brilliant, and are almost worth the price of
the c.d. alone. The problem is that one would be much better off purchasing
one of his early works. My suggestion would be "Jerusalem." That being
said, if you've never heard Alpha Blondy, even this less than perfect
compilation is a worthwhile investment.
While the "indie-rock" part of me doesn't want to admit it, this album isn't
quite as good as Odessey No. 5. It's only a half-step behind however. I
couldn't resist exposer to this album when I was living in Australia. When
it was first released it shot right to the top of the Australian charts, with at
least three singles being played constantly by MMM and JJJ. The album
well deserved this kind of attention, and I only wish it could have been
exposed to the American market in the same way.
I'd say about 3/4 of the album is 4 to 5 stars, while two or three cuts
would only get a 2 or 3 from me. The songwriting and vocals are solid, but
the production is lacking; especially when compared to Odessey No. 5.
It's also unfortunate that Powderfinger's newest c.d. "Vulture Street" is
again only available as an import despite getting domestic distribution for
Odessey No. 5.
quite as good as Odessey No. 5. It's only a half-step behind however. I
couldn't resist exposer to this album when I was living in Australia. When
it was first released it shot right to the top of the Australian charts, with at
least three singles being played constantly by MMM and JJJ. The album
well deserved this kind of attention, and I only wish it could have been
exposed to the American market in the same way.
I'd say about 3/4 of the album is 4 to 5 stars, while two or three cuts
would only get a 2 or 3 from me. The songwriting and vocals are solid, but
the production is lacking; especially when compared to Odessey No. 5.
It's also unfortunate that Powderfinger's newest c.d. "Vulture Street" is
again only available as an import despite getting domestic distribution for
Odessey No. 5.
"Internationalist"
-Powderfinger
-Powderfinger
"You've Got The Power"
-Third World
-Third World
This is Third World's most significant transitional album. A wonderful
example of how 2nd generation "Soul" music could relate and expand
on what was happening in the reggae world mere months after the
death of Bob Marley. While not as tight and passionate as Steel Pulse's
"Earth Crisis," this is a wonderful album that speaks directly to the
state of roots reggae at the time.
example of how 2nd generation "Soul" music could relate and expand
on what was happening in the reggae world mere months after the
death of Bob Marley. While not as tight and passionate as Steel Pulse's
"Earth Crisis," this is a wonderful album that speaks directly to the
state of roots reggae at the time.
"Sufferer's Choice"
-Sugar Minott
-Sugar Minott
This is an album I first heard sitting "seiza" in a small, yet emaculate
apartment in Kansai Japan, 1984. Don't let anyone tell you different;
this recording was made prior to that, though I think it was originally
released in the U.S. about 1987. This is Sugar at his finest! I love
Dancehall and Lovers equally, and this (entirely Roots/Lovers) skank is
sweet and lovely! A must have for anyone looking for the greatest from
Sugar Minott.
apartment in Kansai Japan, 1984. Don't let anyone tell you different;
this recording was made prior to that, though I think it was originally
released in the U.S. about 1987. This is Sugar at his finest! I love
Dancehall and Lovers equally, and this (entirely Roots/Lovers) skank is
sweet and lovely! A must have for anyone looking for the greatest from
Sugar Minott.
There's something very special about this c.d. and I'm not sure exactly
what it is. I've been a fan of Audio Active for many years, own all of thier
albums, have been listening to this c.d. for over a year now, and STILL
can't explain why this album is so special. Perhaps it's this enigmatic
aspect of the thing that is at the heart of my continued fascination with
Spaced Dolls. While I won't say this is Audio Active's best work, it is
their most curious and challenging.
While once a relatively straight forward reggae band, Audio Active has
emerged as one of the most interesting bunch to take reggae, dub,
electronic, noise, jungle, hip-hop, and rock elements and blend them in
a way that challenges and entertains listeners of the 21st century.
While there are heaps of one-off D.J.'s, dance maestros, and basement
studio nerds that may toy with similar styles and elements, Audio
Active is special and unique in pedigree, consistancy, and output.
I also highly recommend their side project Dry and Heavy to those
seeking some very satisfying international reggae/dub sounds.
what it is. I've been a fan of Audio Active for many years, own all of thier
albums, have been listening to this c.d. for over a year now, and STILL
can't explain why this album is so special. Perhaps it's this enigmatic
aspect of the thing that is at the heart of my continued fascination with
Spaced Dolls. While I won't say this is Audio Active's best work, it is
their most curious and challenging.
While once a relatively straight forward reggae band, Audio Active has
emerged as one of the most interesting bunch to take reggae, dub,
electronic, noise, jungle, hip-hop, and rock elements and blend them in
a way that challenges and entertains listeners of the 21st century.
While there are heaps of one-off D.J.'s, dance maestros, and basement
studio nerds that may toy with similar styles and elements, Audio
Active is special and unique in pedigree, consistancy, and output.
I also highly recommend their side project Dry and Heavy to those
seeking some very satisfying international reggae/dub sounds.
"Spaced Dolls"
-Audio Active
-Audio Active
"Full Contact"
-Dry and Heavy
-Dry and Heavy
...I came to Dry and Heavy by way of Audio Active and actually find
this to be more consistant and satisfying than any of the Audio Active
albums. That's saying something considering how much I love all of
AA's work. I only wish I still lived in Japan and could purchase some
of Dry and Heavy's previous releases. Japan has had a quirky, yet
loyal relationship with reggae music for the past 20 years or more, so
the fact that this type of music occassionaly floats across the Pacific
doesn't surprise me. What surprises me is the incredible quality; and
this album is simply the best reggae/dub album to come out of Japan
EVER! Big up to Nanao and Akimoto!
this to be more consistant and satisfying than any of the Audio Active
albums. That's saying something considering how much I love all of
AA's work. I only wish I still lived in Japan and could purchase some
of Dry and Heavy's previous releases. Japan has had a quirky, yet
loyal relationship with reggae music for the past 20 years or more, so
the fact that this type of music occassionaly floats across the Pacific
doesn't surprise me. What surprises me is the incredible quality; and
this album is simply the best reggae/dub album to come out of Japan
EVER! Big up to Nanao and Akimoto!
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