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All reviews by user Date  Helpful Rating 8 out of 9 users found this helpful  Essential to any collectionPosted: 1/6/2005A review of Led Zeppelin IV by vman4114 The beginning of the 1970's , although seeing the loss of some of the greats of rock music (Hendrix, Morrison etc) also saw an absolutely timeless album released each year for at least the first 4 years. This not only takes that title for 1971, it grabs onto it with both hands and just refuses to let go. By far the most outstanding of the Zeppelin back catalogue, this album was the only one of their entire career that truly captured all facets of the band at full flight. From the opening notes of"Black Dog" you are instantly swept away on a journey through rock music that no band can ever hope to match. And it keeps getting better; "Rock & Roll", "Stairway To Heaven", "Misty Mountain Hop", until finally this adrenalin rush of rock closes with a flourish on "When The Levee Breaks", which shows once & for all why these guys are STILL one of the biggest selling artists of all time. "Levee" pulls no punches, and although not necessarily as melodic as say, "Stairway", it is a true blues number, which after all is what got the boys started as the New Yardbirds in 1968, and to this day remains one of my all time favourite Zep tracks (along with "In My Time of Dying" from Physical Graffiti, both of which I first heard as a metal-mad 15 year old..thanks Alex!!). I could go on with much more praise for this CD but let's face it, it's all been said before...suffice to say just go out and give yourself a real education in rock music at its finest because this is without a doubt one of the few albums in rock history that sounds as good now as it did more than 30 years ago, alongside other great 70's landmarks such as Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" (1970), Deep Purple's "Machine Head" (1972) and Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" (1973) Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 2 users found this helpful  Could Have been So Much More...Posted: 1/6/2005A review of Let It Be... Naked by vman4114 Now I am one of those Beatles fans who has NEVER forgiven Phil Spector for the butchering he gave some of the tracks on the original release of this album (forget murder, the guy should be doing life just for this crime) so it was with great anticipation that I finally got my hands on this. Having already been aware of some of the original recordings from these sessions (thanks to Anthology) I had prettty high expectations of this release but sadly, not all were met. True, the stripped down versions of the 3 songs Spector really messed with originally are a lot more like the original intention (in fact I Me Mine is now back to its original running time) and some of the material sourced from the rooftop performance is vastly improved upon with modern sound mixing, it seems like this is STILL not the full story. Being as how the first edition of this was to be a 2 CD set, there should hve been more emphasis on going back to the original tapes and, wherever possible, returning the tracks to that basic level because although the sessions which produced the original album were plagued with problems, both personal & technical, it would have been a far better historical release than this is. Although I do concede that due to the loss of 2 of the Beatles and without the full involvement of the surviving members & George Martin there can never be a fully realised version of Let It Be it seems thaat with the hours of tape used in the sessions, many more gems could hve been unearthed, as is evident on the bonus disc. Even if many of the tracks were unfinished, including them on an historical album such as this would have been completely justified & indeed appreciated by millions of fans worldwide & certainly would have made a better value 2 disc set than this (think of the recent reissue of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" as an example) for with its incredibly short running length, Let It Be.. Naked could (and should) have been so much more. Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 2 users found this helpful  Definately getting rich...Posted: 12/23/2004A review of Get Rich Or Die Tryin' [Explicit Version] [Explicit] by vman4114 Rap & pop have been crossing paths for quite some time now and this album is a good example of how putting the right combination together can work for a new artist. It's also noticable that Eminem was still really feeling his way as a producer on this CD as some of it seems a little forced.While 50's lyrics are quite strong in places, making comparisons to Tupac or Biggie (as seen in some of the reviews here on MSN) is not only an unfair expectation of 50 Cent, but also incredibly unwarranted. Sure, singles like "In Da Club", "If I Can't" and "P.I.M.P" are catchy and great for club dancefloors, but unfortunately the rest of the material falls by the wayside. I'm eager to check out his new release due next year to see if his style has developed further as a true rap act because at the moment his material is sounding more pop than anything else. I'm sure that like Em, Obie and some of the other new talent emerging from Shady-Aftermath, 50 will improve with each album, but it's too early to put him up at the same level as the hip hop greats of the past. Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 2 users found this helpful Icon of the 80's and beyondPosted: 11/18/2004A review of Discography: The Complete Singles Collection by vman4114 The one thing this package has over many other so called "Greatest Hits" sets is that the title says it all; a complete collection spanning their first 6 years on EMI. The Pet Shop Boys (aka Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe) are arguably one of the best production teams in the music biz, contributing to artists as diverse as Blur & Liza Minelli but on this they show why they were one of the top groups of the 80's. All the big ones are here and the only let down are the 2 new tracks added to convince fans with all the albums to buy it. They needn't have bothered, as this is still a worthwhile addition since some of the single versions are markedly different to what was released on the original LP's. Instead what they should have opted to do is replace "DJ Culture" (the weakest of the 2 newbies) with the single version of "How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?", released as a double A-side with "Streets", and which was only included on the longform video of this collection. Still, it's a great package that will suit just about any mood and will take you back to a decade of flamboyant clothes, pumping nightclubs and above all, fabulous music. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful A Real TributeAfter "Free As A Bird" the public were screaming for more new Beatles product and they got it with this 1995 single. Once again using a Lennon home demo, the remaining 3 Beatles reformed to record a full version of a song that wouldn't have been out of place on something like Abbey Road. The arrangement is lavish and like all Beatles recordings, shows the talents of all 4 members as one. The only fault is that the production bears too striking a resemblance to some of George Harrison's solo efforts (mainly because the song was produced by fellow Wilbury & self-confessed Beatles fan Jeff Lynne). Released to promote "Anthology 2", the single also includes previouslyunavailable versions of exsisting tracks, the most notable here being the brand new remix of "Yellow Submarine", complete with a never-before-heard Ringo spoken intro and added sound effects to really bring out the almost nursery-rhyme qualities of this song. OK, so it'sonly a single, but it's still a worthy addittion to any fan's collection, and proves once and for all that no matter how music changes over time, the Fab Four will remain one of the most influential and cherished groups in music history by both young and old. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 2 users found this helpful The Show Still Goes OnFew knew at the time that this would be Queen's final album prior to Freddie Mercury's tragic loss from his battle with AIDS, but that didn't stop fans swarming to snap this album up in 1991. With touring now stopped, the band dedicated themselves to recording as much in the studio as possible before Mercury's illness prohibited him from working and like a lot of bands they saved the best till last. The title track alone is a reason to own this, but songs like "Headlong" and I Can't Live With You" showcase the full talents of a band who at the time were in a personal hell. Thsi release also contains some of the most moving songs of their career, with Freddie's vocals on "Don't Try So Hard" & "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" being some of his best ever. By far though the most poignant moment has to be the album's closing track, with the entire band fully demonstrating why they are (still) held in such high regard. Ironically it was this single that was riding the charts when news of Freddie's illness (and death shortly after) finally reached the world, and is probably the most fitting tribute ever to a truly gifted artist and indeed, one of the greatest rock bands in history. Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 1 users found this helpful Back in orbitPosted: 11/18/2004A review of Around The Sun by vman4114 it seems the new millenium has re-energised this band with more than 20 years of recording under their belt with this (and its predecessor) being some of the best work they've done in years. From the opening cut "Leaving New York" (also the first single) you realise that experience is a valuable commodity in the age of mass produced pop artists. From there the album continues to shine with tracks like "Final Straw" and "Aftermath" harking back to some of their earlier work (think early as in "Reckoning" & "Life's Rich Pageant"). Of course not every track is as instantly listenable as these, particularly "High Speed Train" which almost sounds like an outtake from "Up" (probably their weakest album to date). That being said, it is a triumphant return to form for Stipe and Co. and will be devoured by their legion of fans across the globe. For the first time listener however, it may be better to revisit albums such as the abovementioned I.R.S releases or even "Out Of Time" to really grow fond of this band before taking on their more progressive sounds on this latest effort. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful Breaking the bordersPosted: 11/16/2004A review of The Woman In Me by vman4114 OK here's the scenario..smalltown gil from Timmins, Ontario makes her way to Nashville to launch her career, then hooks up with one of the best producers of rock in the business? In a nutshell, that's the story of Shania Twain but her music tells so much more. It's so hard to dismiss her stuff as just country or pop because there are so many aspects to her style you can't really pigeonhole her work, which is not a bad thing in an age where everything has a genre. The songs on this, her breakthrough album, show a talent that was just waiting for discovery, and the production skills of Robert John "Mutt" Lange lift this a cut above any other country pop album out there. The one drawback I find with this is only that because of Mutt's reputation as a big "bells & whistles" type behind the boards, some of the tracks tend to sound a little over the top with trademark harmonies and fat drum sounds, thereby giving the album a "producer's sound" rather than truly capturing an artist in full flight. That being said though, it's not hard to see why Shania has become one of the world's most popular female stars today, and this album demonstrates how and why with every track a standout from start to finish. Whether you're a country fan or not, this is one singer both Canada and the world should be very proud to have in the music business today and for many many years to come. Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 1 users found this helpful a stunning debutPosted: 11/16/2004A review of Melissa Etheridge by vman4114 In a time period where, let's face it, the music industry as a whole produced some less than memorable moments, this 1988 debut release from Melissa Etheridge was a beacon of light for everyone who liked their music with substance. With a purity seldom seen on a first time release, the songs give much insight into her own life more than most artists of the genre and it's hard not to feel that pain and heartache of a thousand lost loves and faded dreams. However, despite the ease of simply classifying her as just a rock artsit, her talent even at this point showed so much more with powerful perfomances on "The Late September Dogs" & "Don't You Need" as well as the smash hit "Bring Me Some Water", and tender emotion filled ballads like "Watching You". It seems that the only way is up for Melissa with yet another acclaimed album in her catalogue recently ("Lucky") but it's great to reflect on where it all started with this must-have from one of the most inspirational and talented female singers anywhere in the world. Was this review helpful? Sign In 2 out of 2 users found this helpful Godd old fashioned rockPosted: 10/27/2004A review of Shake Your Money Maker by vman4114 If you're like me when it comes to rock then you like nothing better than a good old fashioned type of rock band that delivers music that has all the raw energy of its roots. This is something Chris Robinson & the boys from The Black Crowes deliver in spades with this, their debut album of 1990. With their influences very much worn on their sleeve, these bluesy rockers bring the goods with songs like "Twice As Hard", "Jealous Again" and the powerful rendition of "Hard To Handle" which gave the band their 1st major hit. It just goes to show that in a decade where music went through so many phases & trends, bands like The Crowes proved that rock 'n roll in its purest form will never lose its appeal & can still please the new breed of fans as well as purists like myself (yeah I know it makes me sound old but hey, just look at the list of artists beside this review, most of which also make a prominent appearance in my varied collection). So grab a bottle of Jack, crank the volume & travel back to a time when 12 bars was all you needed to create great music!!! Was this review helpful? Sign In 3 out of 3 users found this helpful At her bestPosted: 10/26/2004A review of Brave And Crazy by vman4114 When Melissa Etheridge burst onto the scene in 1988 with her eponymous debut many people (including myself) wondered how such a stunning songwriter would ever be able to top such a remarkable start. Not only did she do it, she did it a year later with this release. This is without a doubt my favourite of her entire catalogue (although at the time of writing I haven't heard her latest). Etheridge puts the conflict and sorrow of personal experience into her songs & this is clearly demonstrated in songs like "No Souvenirs", "The Angels" & the classic ballad "You Can Sleep While I Drive". While the second half of the album doesn't quite have the strength of the first there are still some gems amongst it, the most noteworthy being "Testify" & the closing track "Royal Station 4-16". Melissa is arguably one of the greatest songwriters ofthe modern era & has paved the way for other female singer-songwriters of recent times such as Jewel & Sarah McLachlan, and this album (hell her entire back catalogue!) is a must for any true music fan. Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 1 users found this helpful The music lives onThe first of what I call INXS' "Holy Trinity" where they went from being just another Aussie pub band to demonstrating the world-conquering superstars they would become. This is an outstandinig album from start to finish, from the Nile Rodgers produced "Original Sin" (still one of the greatest songs of all time) to the closing cut "All The Voices". With so many artists of the 80's overusing sampling and synthesisers it was a relief to have a band that could accurately reproduce their sound live. Try as they might during the 90's they never recaptured the glory of their best period (1984-87) and this is the proof. Tracks to pay attention to in particular are the title cut, "Dancing On The Jetty", "Johnson's Airplane" and of course the fabulous "Burn For You". Michael may have been taken from us tragically too soon but at least his legacy will live on with superb albums like this. Was this review helpful? Sign In 2 out of 3 users found this helpful a boy band with ballsPosted: 10/19/2004A review of Songs About Jane by vman4114 Finally a pop band with a fresh sound!! I was a bit late in getting my hands on this album but I'm thoroughly glad I have it in my collection. These guys have blown apart my theory that today's pop bands have no rock cred. Every track on this is a killer, from the opening cut "Harder to Breathe" (which I still haven't tired of!!) to the beautiful "She Will Be Loved". Outstanding album cuts like "Shiver" ensure that this doesn't become just another filler-padded singles machine like so many albums out today. Without a doubt one of the best albums of 2003-04, this is a must for anyone who likes their music catchy but with a mature appeal..and considering I'm nearly 30 (about twice the age of their average fan I would think) this sits proudly in my rack alongside my favorites of yesteryear. Was this review helpful? Sign In 1 out of 1 users found this helpful The Dynasty was overPosted: 10/19/2004A review of Dynasty [Remastered Version] by vman4114 I am a huge fan of KISS so it pains me to give any of their albums less than 4 stars but this album warrants it. Although it has probably their biggest worldwide hit in "I Was Made For Loving You" opening the album, the rest sadly falls by the wayside when held up to prior releases.The band were going through tremendous personal difficulties during the making of this release & it's obvious in the overall standard of the tracks. While there are some shining lights in an otherwise dismal collection (Ace Frehley's awesome rendition of the Stones' "2000 Man" being one) sadly it looked at the time of this release that the "Dynasty" may have been over. My advice to you is if you're a fan have this to complete your collection but for new inductees to the KISS Army I say revisit the classic "Love Gun" album or even a later release like "Crazy Nights" because this album, while not altogether bad, is definately not an indicator of how legendary these masters of hard rock truly are. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful All you need and morePosted: 10/16/2004A review of More Than You Think You Are [Australia Bonus Track] by vman4114 Once again these guys has shown why they're winning fans & impressing critics worldwide. One of Matchbox 20's finest attributes is that they always start their albums with a killer track and the tradition continues here with the mindblowing "Feel". Lyrically this album is their best yet but then again, it's the passion of their words that has endeared them to so many people. "Unwell" has to stand out as my personal favourite for many reasons, the main one being that when I first heard it the lyric completely summed up my emotional state at that time, and that's where these boys have excelled all along, being able to be indentified with by fans across the globe. I've always felt that in order to sing about pain & hurt you have to have experienced it personally and, that being the case, Rob must have really been burned by someone in his past. With this album Matchbox 20 have set the standard for other bands today to try to achieve and have created something that more than equals their debut (see my review for "Yourself or Someone Like You") Was this review helpful? Sign In |
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