Rocknrolla is Ritchie slowly returning to form
928173
It took a while to get its feet off the ground, but this movie finally brings director Guy Ritchie back to what he's good at: contemporary British gangster flicks. I was worried after seeing his stinker "Revolver." And while "Rocknrolla" still carries Ritchie's trademark style, it sees him going down a slightly skewed path which promises to take his fans on an interesting ride. The movie especially pays off about half way through once all characters are well established. From the ending, there's a teaser that the characters will return in a sequel. It'll be interesting to see what Ritchie has planned (possible trilogy?).
2309012
Look I get that alot of the core fans of The Sword are going to their panties in a wad about this album. It is obvious that The Swrod have gone in a new direction with this album. The hard rock riffs have given way to more of a stoner rock vibe. If you can get past that fact and look at this album for what it is, you are going to find a solid album from front to back. It is jam packed with bluesy stoner rock jams. The songs are both catchy and engaging. Sort of a throwback to the old days with a modern spin. Although I am a fan of their heavier work, I am addicted to this album.
1537374
After 2002's new sound of his "New World Survivor" release, I thought he was moving away from his signature sound (the mix of zulu chanting and rhythms with western pop rock), but his latest is an encouraging welcome back to the sound he perfected in 1997's "Crocodile Love" cd. While I disagree with a previous reviewer that "New World Survivor" lacked any songs with a memorable hook (it had three such irresistable songs: "Colours of Change", "Into the Picture", and "New World Survivor") or that his latest cd also lacks any truly memorable songs. No, this cd is full of songs that I can't sit still to!

The most single-worthy song is "The Revolution will eat its children". If you can ignore for a minute the oddness of the title, it has a catchy rhythm and a very hip "echo" effect on the word "gun", which I don't think I've ever heard in any song before. The song deserves to be the first single released, to remind listeners that Johnny is back in fine form. Other irresistable songs include "Thamela", "Makhabeleni", "Utshani Obulele" (my personal favourite song on this cd), and "Four Box Square" (about the relative sameness of the towns/cities he travels in on tour). The other single worthy songs are "I Don't Want to Be Away" (where he laments about being away from his wife while touring with his band) and "Locked and Loaded" (which sounds like a violent song, but is really about a man making the commitment to marriage). Both songs are quite catchy and would play well on radio, even the rather narrow minded American ones.

In addition to 15 new songs, we get to hear Johnny sing in Afrikaans ("Thamela--Die son trek water") and French ("Faut pas baisser les bras") for the first time. And the classic Johnny sound I mentioned earlier? He has that "ho-hum-oh-hum" chant going on in one of his songs that is easily recognizeable to older songs of his. All of this was missing on his last cd, when he experimented with a new sound (similar to Madonna's post Evita sound). All I can say is, welcome back, Johnny! I never get tired of his "old sound" because he finds ways of making it sound fresh again. If I wanted to hear Madonna-esque melodies, I'd buy her cds, but Johnny has something unique that no one else can offer, so if Johnny no longer offers that unique sound, what are fans left with? So, please support Johnny by getting this CD! And if he tours North America to promote this cd, go see his tour. You won't regret it. It'll be the most energized show you'll ever see.
255090
To long on the solos,Made it kind of boring,Could have picked a few different songs. Dio and Co. were right on and killer that night. Ritchie was great, but like I said he was a little boring and selfesh with those long solos.
2183018
I would give this 4.5 stars but have rounded up.  The last Stones album to feature Mick Taylor and the first one to be produced by Jagger and Richards under their pseudoname 'The Glimmer Twins'.

ITS ONLY ROCK N ROLL is not as good as 'STICKY FINGERS' or 'EXILE ON MAIN STREET' but much better than the previous 'GOATS HEAD SOUP' in which the group sounded drained of energy and is a much better album than is given credit.

Some really good tracks on the first half - the title track, the opening 'If You Can't Rock Me', 'Til the Next Goodbye' and 'Time Waits for Noone', although long, has got one of Mick Taylor's best guitar solos. Side two unfortunately features some filler; 'Dance Little Sister' is overly repetitive, as is 'Short and Curlies', although the latter is quite amusing.  'Luxury' is a strong stab at reggae and the closing 'Fingerprint File' is excellent.

Enough good stuff to ensure that it remains a permanent fixture in my collection.  Only recently upgraded from the vinyl to the remastered CD which enhances the sound quality.  This and 'SOME GIRLS' are easily the best Stones albums post 'Exile on Main Street'.  The others are fairly average.  'Its Only Rock N Roll' is well worth considering.
1014576
The best thing that happened to RATM was losing Zack De La Rocha. Admittedly Rage had some cool songs but were too serious, too political and Zack couldn't sing, I mean what difference was there between the guy singing and talking? Not a lot. Now with former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell on vocals and with the new name Audioslave, the band finally show what they're really capable of. The first single COCHISE is musically very close to RATM but Cornell's lyrics give the material a freshness it never had before, there is also some nice melodic stuff and Tom Morello gets more of those crazy, amazing sounds out of his guitar. AUDIOSLAVE is hopefully only the beginning of something great, ironically; a band that will hopefully save rock n roll  from the garbage that is P.O.D and Linkin Park. Now if only the Black Sabbath reunion album with the original lineup gets finished....
4940872
A lot of reviewers put this one down for two reasons. First, Gillan and Glover are gone. Second, they claim that the new guys seem to have changed the direction of DP. Let me say this. First, I don't really see what the big fuss is about - I am talking about Gillan. Well, Coverdale is different but I don't think he is worse than Gillan and at some moments he is even better. At least he doesn't try to one-up the guitars with his voice which in Ian's case can sometimes can go really close to that dangerous falsetto pitch. Also, to the "change of direction" claim... come on, are you kidding me? With Ritchie still in charge do you think there was a big chance of that? After all, it was him who kicked out Gillan and Glover out of the band.

  Finally, one other thing where I should distinguish myself from the crowd. "Burn" (the first track, that is) is supposed to be the superhit here, and granted, the first time you hear it, it sounds great overpowering all the other numbers except perhaps for "Mistreated" where Coverdale really shows off his vocal chops. But after several listens you grow tired of it (which, by the way, doesn't happen with "Might Just Take A Life" or "Lay Down Stay Down" or other great tracks here). To tell you the truth, every time I put this CD into my stereo I only can take it for the first 30-40 seconds,... then I just press the Skip button.
2670469
Back in the mid eighties, the same musical lineup that shines on this new Trower disc, also played on the Passion, and Take What You Need albums.  It is great to hear them reunited sounding better than ever.  This is a truly wonderful cd of a one of a kind guitar player!  Highly recommended to fans of killer guitar playing.
2142316
While I don't think this is a classic album it is a welcome return to form after 2 sub-par efforts which Eminem has brutally acknowledged in a few tracks on this album. Don't expect this album to sound similar to other classics as Marshall Mathers LP or The Eminem Show or even The Slim Shady LP, it doesn't. What it does do though is provide Eminem with a new fresh direction, he clearly has put a lot of effort and emotion into this album - and it shows.

Best songs on here include: Cold Wind Blows, Talkin' 2 Myself, On Fire, Going Through Changes, Not Afraid, Cinderella Man, So Bad, Almost Famous and Love The Way You Lie. The only downside to this album is a few tracks I just wasn't feeling: No Love and Space Bound.

There are a few tracks which have a rock guitar sound to them, Won't Back Down is one such track, not a bad song but I hope Eminem's next album contains fewer guitar strewn songs and more Dre-type beats that were used to on an Eminem album.

In conclusion, this album is definetely worth owning and is a huge improvement on Relapse and Encore. Whilst a few of the songs contain a Rock-like sound to them, some work quite well. Thankfully the accents have gone (another plus) and Eminem appears to have put more effort, emotion and thought into this piece of work. His lyrics back to being of the high standard we've come to expect from Slim, all in all a great return to form.
2637732
Great Show.  MICK TAYLOR IS BACK  !!
I sincerely hope Mick comes back  to the RS full time.
New Stones material with 3 guitar players.
Keith always talks about guitars weaving sound.
Midnight Rambler.  Ronnie, Keith, and  MT have never sounded better.
2959146
2 years since his 3rd solo album, the Savage is back with a possible 3.5 star album (tied for my least favorite of the 4 of his I have with his 5th album).  I  It has 14 songs, 1 is almost a classic, 4 or 5 are good, 2 I skip, the rest are ok.  Guests are on every song so you don't get as much of B-Legit as I hoped but alot of the guests just do the hooks.  Production is pretty good, Rick Rock does 5 songs, Steve Gordy, E-A Ski, NY Brown, Yountie, Bosko, J Rilla, Big Game Jaymes, Studio Ton, and Kneep all do 1 song.  A good album to have for his fans but not his best work.

#1 - 7.5 (f/ Harm -- tight beat)
#2 - 8.5 (f/ Yountie -- nice beat)
#3 - 7 (f/ Harm)
#4 - 7 (f/ Rick Rock)
#5 - 7.5 (f/ Harm)
#6 - 7 (f/ Skip & Young Buck)
#7 - 8 (f/ Yountie -- tight beat)
#8 - 9.5 (f/ Too $hort -- great dirty song w/ great beat)
#9 - 5 (f/ Suga Free)
#10 - 7.5 (f/ Ray J)
#11 - 7.5 (f/ E-40 -- nice beat)
#12 - 8(f/ Harm & J Rilla)
#13 - 3.5 (f/ Harm)
#14 - 8.5 (f/ Levitti -- nice beat)

Brandt Jones -- Vallejo, CA
check all my reviews
3035250
As Whitesnake albums go, I would say this one is about as good as Come And Get It or Ready And Willing, but not as good as Slide It In. In other words, there are a couple of really memorable songs, but it is not the great album that they always seemed capable of but never seemed to deliver. Still, it's good to finally hear this band again; welcome back.
2198398
I take bagpipe lessons from Mr. Allan and he is indeed a rock star!!  I love his music.  You will not be dissapointed if you are a celtic rocker like me.
570156
It's been three years since Powerman 5000's last album, "Transform," and in typical PM5K tradition, a lot has changed. Not only is the band completely free from a major label, but there have also been some line-up changes, with the most noteable aquisition being former Alien Ant Farm guitarist Terry Corso. And just as tradition goes, "Destroy What You Enjoy" marks yet another change up in sound and style. Although not too far removed from the theme of "Transform," "Destroy What You Enjoy" is a bit different in one crucial way: Better songs.

Fans of the previous album will be happy to find that Powerman 5000 are continuing down the same path of delivering their version of good old, pure rock and roll. Like that album, "Destroy What You Enjoy" is a slightly stripped down affair. But this time, it all just comes together so much better. The first single, "Wild World," is similar to "Free" (from "Transform") both in sound and in lyrical content. "Return To The City Of The Dead" is probably the most "sci-fi" of the new material, sounding inspired by one of George Romero's "Dead" flicks, while "Heroes And Villains" (which appears as a live version here) and "All My Friends Are Ghosts" are the most fun of the bunch. "Murder," however, begs repeat listens. Easily the most exciting song the band have written in years, and the shining moment on the album. Oh, and did I forget to mention "Miss America?" You need to hear that one for yourself.

The influence of Corso (and former Halfcocked guitarist, Johnny Rock) is especially evident here, as this is some of the flashiest guitarwork ever to make it's way onto a Powerman 5000 album. To put it simply, the band sounds refreshed and better than ever. I'll admit myself that I had lost interest in the band, following the last album, but that I am very pleased with this album. Spider and the gang show that they still have what it takes. It may be a far cry from guys in space-suits, but if you just want an album that really rocks, "Destroy What You Enjoy" is the album for you. Which means that, for Powerman 5000, it's a mission accomplished.
4601388
The classic masters of heavy rock return to knock it out of the arena! It's been far too long waiting for these guy's to finally give their fans what they want. They prove here that they've still got that certain magic, but now the question remains.....will they act on it? This cd is great!! I'd like to hear more!
1542416
A return to form, after the weak "Goat's Head Soup." Really, not a bad cut on the disc, although "Till the Next Goodbye" and "If You Really Want to Be My Friend" are not as well-written as the rest. Wonderfully muscular guitar tones abound throughout, and Mick's vocals are particularly strong. Guy Peelaert's classic cover art reflects the decadence still gloriously present in the Stones' music at the time - a must for fans of the band.
1780510
Capercaille began as a Scottish traditional music act, but as the 1990s went on they began to record a mix of pop and World Music influences where Scottish folk was only one element among many. This approach reached its lowest point with 1997's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Beautiful-Wasteland/dp/B00005OW74/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Beautiful Wasteland</a>, a forgettable Adult Contemporary album where Capercaille's particular background was hard to make out. Probably even the band was aghast, as on their 2000 followup NDURRA, they ramp the Scottish folk elements back up again.

That's not to say that Capercaille has entirely become a trad act again. The production remains soft, and the band retains keyboards and syncopated rhythms. The opening track "Skye Waulking Song" initially arranges its folk material in an entirely modern way with synthesizer and funky percussion, and acoustic guitars, accordion and fiddle asserting themselves only midway through. The second track, "Hope Springs Eternal", one of Karen Matheson's modern-sounding English-language tunes, has wah-wah electric guitar licks and a conventional dance beat, in spite of the presence of fiddle. "Truth Calling" and "Rapture", the other songs in which Matheson sings in English, have very little distinctly Scottish about them, though the latter is a satisfying pop tune.

Still, the distinctly folk flavour under the modern elements makes this an album I can listen to in full. An especially refreshing return to form here are the instrumentals. "Michael's Matches", "Argyll Lassies", and "The Hollybrush", and "The Cockerel in the Creel" are traditional Scottish tunes where the folk instruments fully enjoy the spotlight. The real downside of the album is the consistently soft, gentle production, which robs a band renowned for high-energy live performances of its power. If you already know Capercaille's early work, NDURRA brings them roughly back to the folk/modern mix of the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Secret-People/dp/B00008XESP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Secret People</a>&nbsp;album, but it lacks the punch.