Don't Call It A Comeback
935805
Somehow Daniel Wilson created a sequel that is even more enthralling and gritty than the first novel. Stop reading reviews and buy this book already.  You're gonna love it.
44942
Like many reviewers, I can truly appreciate the title track, Drops of Jupiter.  Great vocals, super keyboards and heart felt lyrics make this song(not CD) a true winner.

The rest of the CD just sounds like run of the mill pop that is here today gone tommorow.  She's On Fire, Its About You, Missisippi, and Let It Roll On are semi-memorable tunes with a few good harmonies thrown in for good measure.

Otherwise this group sounds like they are merely trying to find their sound.  It's too clean and pretty to be rock n roll but not natural enough to be country.  Its merely syrupy hum drum pop that does not offend me but certainly does not move me either.
1771325
Janet is back, and "Doesn't Really Matter" is a good song- not 5  stars worth, but a good pop song....that after a few runs (20 or so) gets  tired.
This song does not stand the test of time like Janets previous  efforts "Miss You Much", "Pleasure Principle",  "Rhythm Nation", "If", etc...get the  picture?
Actually this song sounds a lot like "Together Again"  from "The Velvet Rope".  However Janet must be doing right, her  public embraced this song on radio and sales making it the #1 pop song in  America now 2 weeks running.
However I miss those "Control"  days....Janet when your next album comes out that it has a little more  diversity then "Doesn't Really Matter" where it sounds like you  played it safe for pop radio.
Otherwise still a catchy tune.
3146448
I was very worried about what to expect on Britney's comeback album. Honestly, I don't really know if this will be her comeback considering all the bad press she's been getting lately, and that the style of the album does not easily fit into what is mainstream right now (and by mainstream I mean totally predictable, cookie-cutter crap ripped off from other artists, with a random rapper featured in every damn song) but I'm pretty sure more selective niches will enjoy this. Now before I continue, let's take a minute to be thankful that Timbaland did not co-produce this.

The album moves away from the pop/dance style of "In The Zone" and instead is an entirely new musical entity, which I am classifying as "Minimal Electro." The production value however isn't as good as that of "In The Zone".

The album's first single "Gimme More" is a really dark and haunting, almost trip-hop-esque track that sets up the album perfectly. It's unfortunate that this song will be forever linked to Britney disastrous  VMA performance. Other stand out songs include the second single "Break The Ice", "Toy Soldier", "Hot As Ice", the autobiographical satire "Piece Of Me", and "Perfect Lover". My two favourite tracks however are "Radar" and "Ooh Ooh Baby", which was one of the songs that Britney personally co-produced. Coincidentally, these two songs are both done in triplets, which is rare in a lot of popular music (probably because this makes them less danceable).

Overall, the album itself is solid, though I don't think it can be considered as her Britney's comeback. Maybe she should get back into shape and go on a super sexy tour like her Onyx Hotel tour.
2322041
If you looked at the billboard charts right now you would think pop is dead.  Well technially it is but it doesn't have to be.  New Kid's newest album makes One Direction look like amateurs.  For some reason this album hasn't got the credit it deserves.  Very unique and original songs.  This second album since their reunion is better than the first one they put out even.  THIS is how you do a comeback.  Too bad it wasn't pushed and marketed and played enough though because it will end up falling through the cracks due to lack of popularity but definitely not lack of quality.
649546
I really wish there was an option for a half star. Because this record is really a 3.5 star album.
The hits, Radioactive, Demons, It's Time, etc, are great. And they make the album worth it. The non hits aren't "bad", nor are they filler. Thye just don't measure up to the great ones.
That said, it's infectious, catchy and every song is different.
Imagine Dragons (Terrible band name) don't confine themselves to one genre. That means there are surprises throughout.
Give the samples a try. If you like it, buy it. It's worth it.
76082
There is no doubt that this is a catchy, well produced, thoughtful album - but too catchy, too well produced and way too thoughtful (mostly thinking about breaking into a US market I fear.) It's OK - it isn't risky, it doesn't break new ground - it should be by OLD ORDER. Having followed them since they wore long socks and shorts, I fear that we all become this predictably bland when we get near to 40. A very nice album - pity it isn't rougher around the edges.
1122478
Everyone loves a comeback, and this album represented Sinatra's return to the studio after a brief first 'retirement'. There are some nice performances here, including the first track and especially 'Send in the  Clowns' and 'There Used to be a Ballpark', the latter with some interesting  lyrics. Some of this album is awful -- the Kris Kristofferson number  notably. 'Noah' is also just wrong for Sinatra, suffering from the same  overproduction as much early 1970s music. 'Dream Away' is just hokey.
On  the strength of Sondheim's 'Clowns', this album is listenable, but there  are many more cherishable Sinatra albums that I would recommend before this  one. In the post-retirement period, The Main Event Live is a great album,  for example.
970488
First, let's get one thing straight.  This is not a live album.  No way.  Look on the back, it was recorded at Sony, New York, not on stage.  All the applause, crowd noise, the live sound- it's all fake.

Now, why did Sony do this?  Her debut, Baduism, was in all likelyhood not recorded by Sony, and picked up by the label without the anticipation of huge success.  By the time the cat was out of the bag and the album was successful, it was too late to go back and fix the fact that Baduism sounds like it was recorded by a five-year-old.  So, they re-recorded Baduism so it's listenable, faked it being live, and re-released it.

And, yes, it does sound good.  Good musicianship, good arrangements, good live-sounding production.  I actually like listening to this album more than the original Baduism because of the egregious recording mistakes made in the latter.

If you have a choice between Baduism and LIVE, get LIVE.  But don't have any illusions that it is actually a live performance.
3212143
Apparently, you don't just pick up after some 20 years right where you left off.  They spend the first half of this fine album finding themselves; the second half is far better.  It sound like the prelude to a much better album, perhaps something legendary, as they were back in the day - hopefully, we won't have to wait another 20 years.
4554152
I don't understand why the other reviews are critical of this record.  Apple Blossom,White Cliffs are available on about every 40's record put out, just like When The Lights Go On Again, etc.  It was much better putting songs on that were not so readily available.
4298296
This has flashes of Clash greatness, but it is nowhere near as great as, for instance, "London Calling" or as audacious as "Sandinista." Nonetheless, it is still a CD well worth listening to, as we see the Clash winding down as a creative force.

Given comments by some reviewers, I am almost embarrassed to say that two songs really do stand out--a softer song, "Should I Stay or Should I Go" and the funky "Rock the Casbah."  The first was a hit, and seems like a bookend for the wonderful "Train in Vain." The latter had an infectious beat and some amusing lines.

Still, there are also other songs worth some note. "Overpowered by Funk" is an interesting change of pace; "Straight to Hell" is another good piece.

This marked the decline of the Clash, as Mick Jones and Joe Strummer were going their separate ways, with differing visions of the direction the Clash should take. But it was not a bad album.  No, it was not "London Calling," but very few CDs are at that level.
79611
One of the 80's most unlikely comebacks was that of Donny Osmond, who must have been really annoyed to hear the same kind of pop he and his brothers pioneered in the 70's being re-popularized by the likes of George Michael and the New Kids On The Block. And given that his old contemporary Michael Jackson was still insanely popular, Donny probably was thinking there had to be room at the table for him, too. But then again, who was willing to think of Donny Osmond in terms other than dancing in Hawaiian Shirts or doing corny TV shows with sister Marie? He needed a story to get him back to front. So when Capitol first sent out the single of "Soldier Of Love," it went to radio as a 'white label' 45 with nothing but a song title. By the time uber-hip DJ's discovered they were playing Donny Osmond, the cat was out of the bag and the single was already taking on a life of its own. It was goodbye, "Puppy Love," hello grown-up teen idol.

That 1989 success gave Donny the leeway to make a follow-up, and it was just as good as&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Donny-Osmond/dp/B00000DRA2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Donny Osmond</a>. While "Eyes Don't Lie" also sounds very much of its time (ooo! Those big drums, those clubby synths!), it is certainly no embarrassment. The first single, "My Love is a Fire," has a Princely-pulse and dance-floor chants, giving those new kids a show of how to do it. Even more impressive was how Donny got to control a great deal of this album, as he co-wrote eight of the ten songs here.

Of these, the ballad "Love Will Survive" is the song that most deserved to become a hit. The peppy "Take Another Try," which cheekily samples "One Bad Apple" was also a lost shot at a hot. Sadly, once the comeback novelty has become old news, radio went back to treating Donny's new songs as old news. The thing is, this CD has held up as well as many CD's from the period. Donny's voice is still supple and rich, belying his three decades of music making.

When this album didn't catch commercial fire, Donny's next move was to star in&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Joseph-And-The-Amazing-Technicolor-Dreamcoat/dp/B000001E0A/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat</a>, and drove that CD to platinum success. The two albums before his run on the stage set him up for a new career plateau, one that he has maintained. Why "Eyes Don't Lie" and "Donny Osmond" are out of print is peculiar, but I am glad to still have this. Even more so because - during my radio days - Donny signed my copy when I bet him if he gave me an Osmond A-side, I could tell him the B. Best out of five.

I won the bet. I treasure this CD.
936662
With the hype and over-playing of "i predict a riot", the Kaisers had a lot to live up to and they come close to the hype.  There are some excellent melodies and mostly catchy tunes. Overall, the record is not as upbeat as "riot" which is as good as it gets on this release.  There are some very obvious nods to Blur and Madness in their songwriting (2 tracks almost sound note for note like Madness tunes), but that isn't a bad thing.  If you have to wear your influences on your sleeve, those are 2 good bands to emulate.  The slower tracks grow on me the more i listen to the record and i think after about the 5+ listens i've had so far, the only song that i would skip entirely is the last song.  It's too bad most of their songwriting magic went into "i predict a riot" but this is still better than most other "mainstream alternative" offerings. Recommended.
2095794
I assume that many fans of the Strokes may be a bit dissapointed with "Room on Fire".  After all,  it has the very tough time of trying to live up to the previous album "Is this It".  And whie it may not be as instantly catchy as that album, it is still a very good follow up.  In fact in some ways it's better.  The Strokes have, for the most part, created an album that retains the sound of the first album, while expanding on it. Some of the songs, such as "12:51", evoke more of a New Wave sound than 70's cool, while others, like the terrific "Under Control" (easily their best song to date) have an almost  Mo-town feel to them. It is different than any thing heard on "Is this It", yet it still manages to soud like the Strokes,
  Fabrizzio Morreti and Nick Valensi have become the bands all-stars on this album. Fab's drums are on point
on every song, and he knows when to hold back (Under Control) as well as let loose (I Can't Win).  As well, Nick seems to have been experimenting with his guitar since the last album, making it sound at times almost like a keyboard  (12:51)
  Although the album does have it's week points (Julian sounds like he is singing from a phone booth again) and it does not sound quite as fresh as the previous album, it is still exciting, and shows that, for the time being, the Strokes still got it.  And if songs like "Autostop" and the upbeat "I can't win don't put a smile on your face, than nothing will.
4802919
At first glance most people would assume this is the same type of music Backstreet did back in the prime pop era. However its not. With a little more edge Backstreet is back and has grown up on this album. Lyrically the album is solid, however some fans may be disappointed with the lack of up tempo power dance songs. Their harmonies are right on and they sing together better than they ever have before. If you're a fan of all the boys you'll be happy to know they all have solo verses like they did back on Millennium. The only thing that seems to be a down point on this album is the abundancy of "typical" ballads.

1. INCOMPLETE- beautiful song, one, if not, the best ballads Backstreet has done however only hearing the vocals of Nick and AJ is a bit disappointing.

2. JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW- this isn't your typical song for a deceased loved one, however the beat and lyrics are catchy.

3. CRAWLING BACK TO YOU- one of the lower points on the album. The guys sing about letting go of their girl and regret it. However the song isn't that bad.

4. Weird World- Written by Five for Fightings "John O." the song is a bit of a stretch for Backstreet. Only hearing Nick's voice as lead on the song is a little disappointing however the song grows on you with time.

5. I STILL- One of the better songs on the album. Can't really say much about it except LISTEN to it and you'll know what I'm talking about. Kevin and AJ's voices really compliment on each other here.

6. POSTER GIRL- The closest to classic Backstreet as you'll get about a party girl with a wild outlook on life attracts the guys in to falling for the right now poster girl. Very catchy and one of the most liked songs.

7. LOSE IT ALL- Another downpoint on the album. Throughout listening to this you'll find yourself wondering "what is this song about again"

8. CLIMBING THE WALLS- This song tries to go for best song on the album. Max Marting originally wrote it for the Spiderman 2 soundtrack. Brian's lead on this one. Another song hard to give justice to. Listen to it.

9. My Beautiful Woman- Catchy uptempo song. One you'd hear in the clubs or blast loud in your car. Almost cheesy lyrics but a song you'll love to jam out to.

10. SAFEST PLACE TO HIDE- This song is mediocre. Backstreet's harmony and vocal abilities really make this song better than it probably is.

11. SIBERIA- One of the best if not THE BEST song on the whole album. Many people don't understand it. The song is about a girl who has found another love and leaves the guy. The guy then "did time in siberia". Siberia is referred to as a cold and loney place. This song hits right on. Many Compliments to Backstreet.

12. NEVER GONE- great power balled co-written by Backstreets own (Richardson). Anyone can relate and love this song. We've all lost someone close to us.

This album gets only 4 stars from me because it could be better, but don't let that mistake you. IT IS A GREAT ALBUM. It's not that I don't like the ballads they chose; but after listening to some of the ballads that missed making the album, I believe they had better. BUT PLEASE GO OUT AND BUY THIS ALBUM. Whether you are an old or new fan you will definately love something from this album. Its their best since Millennium. Buy it, you won't be disappointed
3713485
A return to form for Blur who haven't been making music in some time. They really haven't made a bad album per se, and I would rank this above their last effort. It's catchy and more like Albarn's side projects than something you might think would come from classic blur, but this is the path they have been paving since their arguably best album, Blur, the self-titled masterpiece that launched them into stardom in America.

It's not going to replace 13, Rubbish, or Parklife either, but it sits up there with some of their better stuff for a good portion of the work. A more modern take if you will on the classic Blur sound. Insightful lyrics and creative noises along with some poppy guitar and refrains don't really add too much that we haven't heard before, and at this point I'm not too sure what they have left for us after this one. I'd probably rate this higher than Think Tank, which is probably on the lower end of their catalogue. So if this is the last album they make it wouldn't be a bad way to go out.

I must say I don't really dig the loud mastering around DR6, though it does add some crispy bass.... I could do with a tad more dynamics to the presentation.