Definitely a Frontiers release
932877
Constancia sound so much like a Frontiers Records band the whole label could have been set up for them. The overall feel is that of AOR of such median quality that they certainly deserve a share of the global syrupy hard/soft rock pie yet the very deluge of releases that are around this bands equal pretty much precludes them from achieving it. The production is very nice but not overly so, if you get my meaning and while intricate musicianship isn't necessarily a requirement in this much maligned sub genre the band seems to gel quite well.

Musically there is some muscle in them there hills but it's all subjugated to the songs and they are almost all pretty much par for the course for Frontiers AOR. Save Me and Blind have some particularly nice guitar parts and the latter has a nice vocal melody - in fact there are a number of nice vocal hooks and the voice of David Fremberg (Andromeda) is quite pleasant, not over the top and not raspy which is great for this sort of stuff.

Most of the songs clock in around the four minute mark with just a few exceptions - one of them being Life is a Mystery which certainly outstays its welcome. In terms of lyrics, they often oscillate between general discussion of relationship stuff and often the lyrical thrust is fairly generalist rather than specific which helps with connectivity with the listener. Overall a nice enough album of full bodied AOR for lazy Sunday afternoons and the like but not an essential purchase.
1344603
The wait is almost over! The first (and the best, as rated by most) movie in the Highlander saga is about to be released as a 2-disc set with completely new Dolby Digital and DTS audio mix and a much better video transfer. The previous DVD versions of the movie lacked the audio-visual quality, most dvd fans crave for. In fact, in my opinion the movie really deserved a good audio mix, for it is packed with some great music by Queen and I hope the new version contains an isolated music track as well!
The Immortal Edition will be packaged in a limited edition tin box, a feature Anchor Bay Entertainment is known for. With a second disc full of extras, this edition is a release no Highlander fan should miss.
"There can be only one", and it seems this is THE ONE!!
3204260
Absolutely loved it! I thought we traveled far enough galactically speaking in the first book and in this one it was we went even further into new galaxies. An incredibly vivid world has been painted for us as Ava takes in her new home... All the elements of a wild si-fi ride are there and more. The sleek and sexy flying machines that whip us around multiple galaxies, the lush and strange vegetation sky and sea of new planets... And of course non of this would matter if there was no love. The story deffinitely goes beyond just a romance, but raises a big fundamental question of transcending not only geographic borders (or galactical) for love, but going beyond our internal self imposed borders to fall in love. It makes us question our capacity to accept another being as they are and see our own selves differently. Can't wait till book three!!!
1458106
I was fortunate enough to have received an advance copy of this new Beastie Boys DVD release.  All I can say is "WOW!  CRITERION'S DONE IT  AGAIN!".  Although I'm not a big fan of their music, this 2-disc set  is packed with so much unusual and fun DVD technology that it makes the  music quite bearable and wholly entertaining, even to this non-rap fan!  I  must admit that the Boys are among the most influential video groups of the  last two decades, and this DVD release clearly shows why.
This 2-disc  anthology fully showcases the potential of DVD technology, with most of the  18 videos containing alternate visual angles (a fun and interesting feature  that's almost never used on standard DVDs) and multiple audio tracks.  There are hundreds of possible image and sound combinations, including new  surround mixes, a cappella versions, and more than 40 remixes by famous DJs  and remixers, including many new ones created exclusively for this release.  Loaded with never-before-seen footage and unreleased music tracks, this  special edition also contains a truckload of rare still photos and  exclusive audio commentary by and interview with the band and the video  directors.  And there's also the world-premiere director's cut of  Nathanial Hornblower's "Intergalactic" spin-off "The Robot  vs. the Octopus Monster Saga."
According to the DVD case, there are  over 100 video angles and audio tracks switchable at any time during  playback, for hours of possible image and sound combinations.  I know that  I've had the DVD set for one week now and I've barely scratched the surface  of everything that's available on this.
One final nice touch:  they've  even included English subtitles for old guys like me (I'm 35) who  absolutely cannot make out what they're rapping about!
An unbelievable  release!  Definitely worthy of the Criterion label.
1594076
This is definitely a great album.  In my opinion, the tracks here (including three new ones) are the best.  Three new tracks: The Final Cut, With or Without You, and I Promise Myself are outstanding.  My favourite is definitely I PROMISE MYSELF.
1496348
Cold Driven has produced some very good, unique tracks here. They have a slightly different sound than the previous album, but I like it just as well if not more. 5 Stars!
3632409
I have just finished all 10 episodes of the Frontier Saga.
I could not put it down. Great continuity, surprises around every corner, very intriguing technically. I cannot wait for more!
3380382
This is a great single, and I am now looking forward to the full release. If you are a fan of Maritime's sound you will be glad to hear how it is evolving.
3938205
blurred lines indeed!  on this wonderful compilation, east (sort of) meats west; old meets new.  an ambitious hybrid of styles is the result of this project.  the music is big, dramatic, and demands attention. electronics are mixed  effectively traditional music and create a pleasurable listening experience. the BALKAN  half of this experiment may sound eerily unfamiliar to some listeners, but the overall  impact is, nonetheless, impressive.  not every
piece is a complete success, but the very idea of recording such an album deserves tremendous credit. i find that second half of this cd is remarkable .  the intensity and passion of the performances are nothing short of.......WOW
973802
I ordered the box set version of this that has 7 complete shows on May 29. It STILL hasn't shipped yet! I've been informed that I can expect it in August. I'm SICK of waiting so I went to the store to buy this 2 CD version.  The first thing I noticed was how they separated Steve and Rick in the mix buy placing them left and right in the stereo field. It's nice to easily hear how the two of them play off each other through the songs. During many points of "Yessongs" it hardly sounds like a stereo recording at all...especially by the time you get to Starship Trooper. That song almost sounds like one of those "mono re-processed for stereo" records. Yes "Progeny" will certainly impress those of you who listen to your music with  a good pair of headphones.

I'll review the box set version when it shows up someday....hopefully some time this year. in the meantime this 'little taste" will have to do.
977182
I tell ya, I just love what Seth is continuing to do as Floating Action.  I have only been a fan for the past few years, which has allowed me to catch up with his releases, with what I feel like as my own personal treasure trove of very good music.  Those in the know, know, though, and he will no doubt garner much more widespread attention with this release through New West Records, hopefully.  Many of these songs immediately jumped out at me (Taking Me A Little While, Unrevenged, Don't Wake Me, Long Dark Shadow) on the first listen.  The vinyl is very quiet.  No ticks/pops that we've unfortunately come to expect from new releases.  Sticker on front says that the "Audio is Mastered for Vinyl."  New West is putting this on all their vinyl, but they appear to get it.  This is a very dynamic sounding record.  Not polished, per say, but clear.  Sounds like he's in the room with you.  Highly recommend!
2839919
Love this album.  Love the extras here.  I can get into the new mixes, even though it confuses me when there are glaring changes to the music without telling the fans what was changed.  Quick explanation:

Rush did the same thing with their last box sets.  You may or may not enjoy this, but there are hidden changes to the music in the MIX, not just the mastering.  For example, "I Get Up, I Get Down" has changed significantly on this release, where you can hear more lines of Howe's (and Squire's) vocals during this section.  The "In her white lace" section >> I don't mean their singing part is now 'louder', I mean there are extra words sung here we've never heard before!

But you will only get this info if you comb online reviews like this one - it is not stated in the selling info online, or on the packaging.

About the packaging - I hope they improve it for future Yes releases.
The booklet just falls out when you open the set, it has no where to go.  Plain paper sleeves for the discs and a cumbersome outer sticker on the permanent clear wrapper is a hearty "no thank you" from me.
There are more of these Yes 5.1 releases on the way, and I hope they upgrade the packaging.  For Yes fans, these albums are very important, and I would love to see better care in the packaging, even if it just means something that is more like the 2003 "Tales from Topographic Oceans" packaging.  For the high price, the packaging deserves more care.

I actually have come to enjoy these
4247069
The first thing that struck me when I heard Wavering Radiant is the production. Its awesome. Thick, meaty,layered and atmospheric. All the instruments seem to shine out. The bass has a solid presence and the keyboards add a whole new dimension to the music. Aarons voice has never sounded better and his clean singing really brings out the emotions quite well. The intro to Ghost Key is astounding. The bass literally swims in your head. Listen to it on headphones and you will know what I am talking about.

Now for the actual music itself, lets just say that Isis are very close to perfecting the formula they had on Panopticon and Oceanic. If you like those albums, you will like this one too. There is not a single weak song on this album. The short instrumental 'Wavering Radiant' serves as a small but psychadelic interval before things kick off again. Overall, there seems to be an additional touch of emotion on this album, much more so than their earlier efforts. Not that Oceanic, Panopticon or ITAOT were devoid of emotion, but they have seemed to reach a totally new level here. Coupled with the awesome production, we might have 'album of the year' here.
1501086
WOW! I bought this album the day it came out, and I was so surprised by the content. Starting with 52 Seconds, the buzz saw/distortion sound is in full effect! This new record is a step forward, and also back to the more uptempo sound BR used to have on all of it's songs. From Suffer until Stranger Than Fiction, most of their records were all fast and loud and we loved it that way. Then came The Gray Race, which was good, but started a trend towards more melodic songwriting. The Empire Strikes First was a step back in time, and a step in the right direction for the fans. Now we have New Maps of Hell, and you can TOTALLY tell that there are 3 guitarists all trying to outdo each other on this record. The term "wall of sound" is used well here. This record will definately please the long time BR fan, as well as create new ones around the world.
82768
This EP is a great transitional recording that I can only hope is a taste of things to come. Pelicans' monolithic sound was once a towering experience which has since become more concise. Ataraxia/ Taraxis is Pelican further delving down that path. The stand out track is definately Lathe Biosis, which would not have felt out of place on What We All Come to Need. The final track, Taraxis, has some of the most interesting production work they've done to date; beginning with an acoustic set of riffs that evolves into a noisy, heavier suite that would almost feel at home on Australasia. Overall this ep is absolutely worth your time!!!!
250342
This album spans more genres than any I've ever heard, and does so fluidly and naturally. The progressive moments never get corny, the metal moments are  intense, and there are plenty of melodic moments that give this record some beauty. This album flows from start to finish very well. I never felt like skipping or cutting off any track. Definitely well worth buying.
1059137
A perfect accompanying release to "The Eyes of Stanley Pain", this remix e.p. doesnt add a lot onto the original mixes of "Sidewinder" "Glassblower" and "Base Metal" but still offers an interesting take on the tracks. Even if those aren't your favorite tracks from the full length album, this release is worth it for the remaining tracks, especially "Shemaesin" which is as unconvential as songwriting gets with spastic bleeps and jittery clinking noises. Recommended highly to any Puppy/Download fan. Especially if you're just looking for something new and interesting in music, Download is experimental and brilliant. Cevin Key's genius at electronic is astounding, do check this one out!