Another great BBVD album
350315
As a fan of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, I feel that each of their albums gets better and better. This album is no exception, and is a great jazzy Christmas twist by BBVD. The Christmas genre is somewhat limited in that you can't deviate very far from the already well known tunes, but BBVD does a good job with the old standbys as well as with new compositions. If you haven't listened to BBVD before I recommend you do, and if you have but haven't listened to this album, then what are you waiting for? The only song that I'm not thrilled about is "Auld Lang Syne." I feel that the party noisemakers are more distracting than they were intended to be. Overall though I enjoy listening to all of the other tracks on this album. Coming on the heels of the excellent "Rattle them Bones" album, I'm certainly looking forward to whatever BBVD comes out with next.
3481396
Any Handsome Family album is worth your while. This is their first album since leaving Chicago and moving to the Southwest. The change is noticeable in the fact that they seemed to have gone back to simpler melodies and arrangements. Subject mater is still vitage stuff from this brilliant duo. Overall, it seems like an old fashioned Handsome Family album. Gets better with every listen. My current favorite is the haunting, "A Shadow Underneath." If you are already a fan, you won't be let down.
1645999
I'm not a wordsmith when it comes to reviews but I became a Black Keys fan on "Brothers" and love the older stuff too. This album is just as good as "Brothers" to me. Different sound for sure, rockier, but it takes a great band to be able to continue to do new things and the Black Keys have put together a great album here. Love it.
2372974
SVE is a newer artist to watch, in my opinion. This is a wonderful album, although I don't know if it will be a breakout. It deserves to be. There are some very good songs and really no bad ones. My favorites are "Give Out" and "All I Can". This is one of those albums that rewards close and repeated listening. Those who don't give it a chance will likely be turned off by the fact that most of the songs are meandering or slow building, but one adjusts to the pace after a bit. The digital booklet that comes with the download contains the lyrics, which is really helpful. I definitely appreciated the music more after I could follow the lyrics,which are often hard to make out.
That brings me to her voice. A reviewer of her last album, "Epic", complained about her lack of range. It's a fair criticism. She also sounds a lot like Chan Marshall (Cat Power) to me. That might make it a challenge for her to seperate herself from the herd. I think it will happen, though, and here's why. I personally find the whole "confessional singer/songwriter" genre to be painfully corny, but, for some reason, I love this artist. Her songs are just smarter and more real to me. So many of her peers leave me rolling my eyes, but she sucks me in. It's a charisma thing. Not everyone will get it, but those who do will be strongly affected. Just watch.
Aaron Dessner of The National is apparently already a fan. He produced this album. I don't know how much credit to give him for the growth I see here over "Epic". I know that the lead single, "Serpents", could be a National song if Matt Berninger sang it. That's a quibble. SVE is still developing. Bigger things to come? I really hope so. No need to wait, though. "Tramp" is terrific.
4062057
One of Lou's better albums that I acquired many moons ago on vinyl. Now playing it as a c.d. and great to here it again. Fave track is Underneath the Bottle.
3775169
Staind's second major release (Third album overall) doesn't really sound like their previous album "Dysfunction" and I don't think thats a bad thing. While "Dysfunction" is a great album, their new release "Break The Cycle" showcases more of Aaron Lewis' great lyrical ablities and less of his screaming abilities. Aaron writes somes great songs which this album shows. Everyone and their mother have probably heard "It's Been A While" and "Outside" as they are played on every rock station at least 20 times a day. I'm glad they decided to make a studio version of "Outside". While the acoustic version of it on the Family Values CD was great, it had one major downfall, namely one Fred Durst. To have such a beautiful song ruined by Durst's incessant cursing for no reason was horrible. (One of the radio stations around here actually went so far as to cut out Fred's voice completely, which i'm glad they did). Maybe cursing every other word is fine for Limp Bizkit, but Fred needs to get the idea that it's not always appropriate. (He kinda did the same thing on the Strait Up CD in his song "Forever",which I thought was the major blemish on an otherwise beautiful album) Without Durst's presence, the studio version of "Outside" is much better. Other standout tracks on this album are "Open Your Eyes", "Epiphany", and "For You".Anyone who is a fan of Staind and good music in general, should pick up this album. On a side note I heard there is a hidden track on this album, but I couldn't tell you what it's like as the version of this CD that I got at "Rhymes with Rest Guy" had a great live version of "It's Been A While" instead of the hidden track. I'm sure it was nice though.
789801
Quite possibly one of their best albums, Condition Critical is a great album that preaches a party atmosphere and good times. As one of the reviewers here stated, there are songs on this album that are uplifting and make you wanna sing along and jump around like "Party All Night" and then songs that are darker. This is a great album to listen to while you drive, i'd suggest you get it!
1333434
They have really progressed from their prior albums. The whole album works together very well. No bad song on this collection.
2568408
I love this album. It's a nice album after the less than mediocre album "Livin the Luxury Brown" that had maybe three songs that I liked. I like probably 11 of the 14 tracks, on this album. Great music, great producing, great sound, great album. If you're a Mint Condition fan this album is a must have. Most of the album reminded me of their old feel that worked so well. They have a bunch of great ballads that they'd gotten away from on their last album.  Great Job!!!
1691673
What isn't good about this albums. Songs keep coming on better and better. If u do like the artist you'll love this cd definitly a good add to the catalog of music by bob. Also the features are just as good definitly buy this joint.
3993756
Whether you are a long time Dylan fan or a budding listener, this is a terrific album on vinyl.  The record is a re-release of the original 2000 compilation.  This collection spans 1963 - 1999 and includes songs from nearly a dozen different albums.  This is much cheaper than buying each on vinyl if you want only the most popular songs.

The other thing I love about this album is listening to the progression in Dylan's playing style and vocals.  It's amazing to see how his music evolved over the decades.

One note: the track listing on Amazon and Wiki are incorrect, this has a unique track listing that does not follow the CD track order. The sleeve has a track listing along with the album each song originated in.
2828326
I love these guys music, and this new album does not disappoint. I first heard about these guys through a promotion on a music video game.

It's a little short (coming in at 4 tracks), but its more awesome, tight knit melodies, very good basslines and lyrics that make you want to sing along that make this album a winner. It only leaves me wanting more! I'd recommend you also purchase "Baked Plum Cake" (the other 4 track album from the band) if you can't get enough of Brian the Sun.
2113265
Many did not like Van Hagar because of the fact that things slowed down and love songs were brought in.  But on this album, Van Halen Mark II were one cohiesive unit.  No Love Songs here.  The only real ballad on here was "Right Now", which along with "Dreams" is one of their best ballads.  The rest of the album is pretty hard rocking, except for 316, a slow instrumental dedicated to Eddie's son, Wolfgang, born March 16.
My Rundown:
Poundcake-One of the hardest rocking openers.  It makes me want to get up and jump and bang my head.
Judgment Day-The bottom heavy sound comes through on this track.  A song telling people to leave each other alone, it is a mantra for me.
Spanked-The sleazy midnight feel.  It has a great groove and continues the bottom heavy sound.
Runaround-Another song like Poundcake.  It rocks hard as it deals with the woes of dealing with women.
Pleasure Dome-This was the most progressive song VH ever did.  It was pretty cool, the way it just continued to build from beginning to end.
In 'N Out-Another great track that talks about money and the effect on peoples' lives.
Man on A Mission-This was a really fun track.  Deals once again with lust and has a good groove.
The Dream is Over-This track encompasses my mood when I am down.  I enjoy it a lot because I went through a situation which I felt the same way as this song conveys.
Right Now-One of VH's best ballads. It talks about taking the initiative.  It also has some great guitar and keyboard work courtesy of Eddie.
316-Great instrumental
Top of the World-Great closer to a great album.
In short, if you are a classic VH fan, but are not sure about Van Hagar because it does not rock as hard, and has too many love songs, give this album a second look, seriously.  This is an album that even people who dislike Van Hagar should own.
1227522
Love hearing Bob Shane's mature voice.  He was great when young and has only gotten better in his later years.  The current depth and phrasing in his voice adds a unique and wonderful quality to the songs Everybody's Talkin (also a traditional Kingston Trio arrangement that is a perfect rhumba), Tom Dooley (every bit as good as the original), Last Thing On My Mind (good version), Long Black Veil (another good version), A Rollin' Stone (a great classic done well), Sloop John B. (also fun to hear done slightly differently), Tijuana Jail (does not quite equal the original with Dave Guard) . .  There are few singers that even come close to matching him.  Love hearing slightly different arrangements of the classic songs.  I first heard Easy to Arrange on George Grove's solo album from a few years back and instantly loved it.  That album, In the Middle of a Life, is well worth the purchase price.  I bought my first Kingston Trio album over forty years ago and have almost every track they recorded in my collection (all properly paid for).  One of their more recent albums, Live At the Crazy Horse, is possibly their best with such songs as Jocko and the Trapeze Lady (Geroge Grove), High Heeled Shoes (Bob Shane), and The Work Song (Nick Reynolds) representing interesting departures from the norm.  Several songs from that album are also in this collection including Hawaiian Nights (a great song with Bob as the lead and one of my all-time favorites - also a good cha-cha), The Reverend Mr. Black (almost as good as the two previous versions including John Stewart's original),  M.T.A (having listened to the original version possibly a thousand times it is fun to hear this version), Mariah (not as good as the previous two versions but still good), and A Worried Man (also fun to hear a new variation).  This album is excellent and is true to the Kingston Trio tradition.  I have seen the Kingston Trio live three times in the last ten years, each with a different configuration of members, and they were all just wonderful.  I hope George Grove will keep the trio alive for many more years.  The current Trio is as good in it's own way as that of Nick, Dave, and Bob.  I think long-time Trio fans will enjoy this album.
10913
This is one of my favorite new albums.  If you are unsure of their talent, head over to youtube and check out Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers "van sessions".  You will be hooked and want to buy this album.  The first single of the record, "A little too late" is great, and there are so many other amazing songs on this record it is definitely worth purchasing.  Support good music.
406380
This cd is very good, but is much less than their last release, it lacks that upbeat swing feel we're so used to with BBVD.  Pick up this cd for  some great slow stuff, but for fast upbeat swing dance type music, go with  theire previous album
3908933
Bruce has always been my favorite.  I appreciate that he continues to provide us with new music and excellent sound.