A solid first album from Bernz. Has a very ...
346557
A solid first album from Bernz. Has a very laid back and smooth sound, while staying true to Strange Music's style.
2649926
For an album that's supposed to consist mostly out of "leftovers" from "Reise, reise", you wouldn't expect a very strong album. But surprisingly enough, it is.

With "Rosenrot", Rammstein releases an album that's just as strong (or even stronger) as their previous releases. All elements that define Rammsteins sound are there again: hard hitting riffs, haunting keyboards, epic chorusses, ironic lyrics and of course Tills low voice. There's a lot of room for variation and experimentation though. What to think about "Stirb nicht vor mir", a very melodic ballad which also features the female singer of Texas singing in english? Or "te quiero puta", a fun song sung in spanish which combines hard riffs with a brass-band? These are songs you either love or hate.

There's also a lot of room for calmer and more melodic songs, such as the acoustic closer "Ein lied" or the lamenting song "Wo bist du". These melodic songs work very well within the album and are a nice change of pace from the harder songs(such as the brutal track "Zerstoren").

Overall, this makes for a very varied album, filled with solid and memorable songs. Definately recommended!

Standout tracks:

-Mann gegen mann

-Spring

-Zerstoren

-Te quiero puta!
737851
I am a relatively late-comer to the remarkable talent of Diane Birch. I'm smitten.  I started a few weeks ago with her first release, "Bible Belt."  It is one of the more thoughtful, inspired recordings of the past 5 years.  The purity of Diane's work compares favorably to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Laura Nyro and even a hint of the younger Dionne Warwick.  It reminds me of Adele's first album not in sound, but because after one listen so many of the songs seem as if they've been friends for years.

"Speak a Little Louder" is the recent release.  It marks a dramatic departure from her prior work, and personal taste will confirm whether it is a good or bad thing.  The songwriting remains solid, personal and frequently haunting.  The intro to so many tracks tease that this will be the ballad, the pure, stripped-down sound from Bible Belt, with hints of country and R&B and blues.  Virtually all, however, quickly move to a modern day wall of sound, overwhelmed by the Homer Steinweiss production.  Brooklyn notwithstanding, it's an odd pairing, and one that could have resulted (positively) in a few very big sounding tracks with strings and chorus.  Instead, the steady build-up on nearly every track becomes almost formulaic and distracting.

I look forward to seeing her live, hoping to see the smaller band.  An "Unplugged" release of these great songs would be fantastic. I'm still smitten, but I think a little less would have been a lot more on "Louder."
4580490
I'll be honest: after my first listening--heck, after the first few--I was lukewarm on the latest album from one of my Top 5 favorite bands.  I'd even go so far as to say disappointed.  Why?  Coming hot on the heels of Live from Jodrell Bank (a MUST-OWN album for any Elbow fan, and one of the best live albums I own) I was hoping for a few 'crunchy' tunes.  Tunes along the lines of Station Approach, Leaders of the Free World and (of course) Ground for Divorce.

So here I am MANY weeks after release giving the album five stars; how did that happen?  It wasn't the clich "it grew on me."  What struck me over time: every tune on the album has real SUBSTANCE.  The music, the lyrics, the mixing, the works.  In a word, this is one SOLID album ... perhaps Elbow's most solid album to date.

It took a while, but everything on this album took off for me.  And there is no landing in sight.
2973482
Went to their live show at the High Dive the other night in Seattle. they have really come a long way since they started Touring the NW.  This album is a solid first-release with strong vocals, and a pretty good variety of electronic and more traditional influences.  Be sure to check out the title track Shining Like Stars, and my personal favorite 1 Or a Million. Jake the lead singer, is no doubt and incredibly gifted guitarist which is especially apparent in the two acoustic tracks at the end of the album (**One or a Million Acoustic). I would recommend this album, in general, for anyone who is looking for something from new artists.
1992352
Parachute's major label debut, 'Losing Sleep' is a very solid effort.  Its a healthy mix of new alternative rock with adult pop.  While there are a few filler tracks, its mainly strong and very listenable, especially the first 5 tracks.  A great buy for fans of:  The Frey, Kings of Leon, Pete Yorn, The Killers, My Morning Jacket, U2, Phoenix, and Fiction Plane
945271
This is a great first album.  It may take some time to appreciate many of the songs on the CD, but as you listen to the CD, you'll begin to like it.  This is an odd mix of hard rock and alternative, but it came out to be pretty good.  They slipped on 2 or 3 tracks, but that's ok, it's something you can play all the way threw.  If you like this CD, don't waste your time with Blue, it's. . .  odd.
4561625
After releasing their decent (but dated) debut self titled album featuring the US hit "My Heart Is Failing Me", Riff then had a smash hit with the Dallas Austin produced title track from the Wesley Snipes movie "White Men Can't Jump". After that hit, hopes were high for this set, and it surpasses these expectations. This album reminds me of Blackstreet's debut album in both quality and feel. Surprisingly (considering the excellence of the album) there were no really big name producers, just Bernard Belle (Former Teddy Riley collaborator) and The Characters; Troy Taylor and Charles Farrar. There's gorgeous slow jams like the title track and some awesome upbeat songs "Judy Had A Boyfriend", "Adjust Your Love" and "Hold On Me". Pleasingly there is no filler tracks just killer tracks. So if you loved Blackstreet's debut album (their best) and would love some quality jack swing pick this album up even if it is a little pricey. P.S. These guys can sing with some powerhouse vocal performances.
1181192
The heavy rock scene is currently dominated by rack-rop hybrids and plodding sludge metal acts whose vocalists scream (not sing) how horrible and destitute their lives have been in the greatest economic times in  history..ugh!  Godsmack comes on the scene with an album that features  catchy tunes, cool riffs, and straight up rock n' roll. Bravo! On this  debut album, Godsmack clearly borrows heavily from other (very influential)  artists such as Alice in Chains, Metallica, Tool and Guns N' Roses. They,  however, are not outright AIC copy cats as some other reviewers might lead  you to believe. The guys in Godsmack are good and they appear to have  decent chops, especially guitarist Tony Rambola, who has the ability and  chops to be an up-and-coming guitar hero. Tony's talent isn't fully  revealed on Godsmack's debut album and his guitar playing appears somewhat  restrained (Tony if you read this review please play more lead guitar on  the next album!) Lyrically, the dominant themes throughout this recording  are relationships and related themes such as solitude, loneliness,  frustration, etc., that come with the territory. The strongest and  catchiest tunes on the disk are "whatever", "bad  religion", and "keep away", which might be the best hard  rock/metal single released in the 90's and had me playing air guitar again.  This is a good debut album, nothing terribly adventerous, but cool and  catchy...the most important facets of good hard rock and heavy metal.
853670
Being a fan of metal, but not specifically doom or death metal, it took a while to really get into this debut album by Swallow the Sun. But already during the first listen I could tell that this was a high-quality album that I needed to spend more time with. That assumption was proven true - this album has become a modern classic in my book!

The young band from Finland clearly planned this one well. There are some brilliant guitar riffs and melody ideas, drummer Pasi Pasanen (who, sadly, has since left the band) is amazing, and vocalist Mikko Kotamki inspires awe. His clean vocal style is not all that special, but his control over the variations of his scream vocal technique is impressive already on this first full-length album. The track "Hold This Woe" is a powerful demonstration of Pasanen's and Kotamki's skills, with the intro's and ending's super-cool ride cymbal sounds and all the moments of gloom and spurts of energy in between. Everything is held together by the strong and sharp guitar work of Juha Raivio and the other guitarists, and accented by the subtle but magnificent work of keyboardist Aleksi Munter.

Many of these songs could be mainstream metal classics if performed with a different vocal vibe and a faster tempo. But that is not what Swallow the Sun set out to do. I just wish their subsequent albums were as good as this one. So far, I feel that has not been the case.
3504567
Speedy J is an interesting artist. He has many sides. This is the first album that I believe was mass produced in the marketing attempt for a larger following. For me, it is the first one I listened to and bought. Speedy J  is musically EXTREMELY astute. He has the potential to be many things: Hard Rockin', Ambient, etc. Overall I feel that Public Energy No. 1 is an overall better record, but this one is really good too. Not as much ambient attempts here, which is what makes Public Energy so inviting, but some GREAT overall work here.
 People have Bashed him lately but then again, he takes chances. His 2002 release that features his drum & percussion expertise is more narrow than this record. Some of the cuts are mixed for the Industrial audience and some are not. This is a really great spin!
2075042
This first Bad Seeds album marks a departure from the earlier Birthday Party material. The album lacks, perhaps, in discipline. Nevertheless, it has Nick's passionate rendition of Leonard Cohen's Avalanche. I also particularly like Cabin Fever, Well of Misery, From Her to Eternity and Wings Off Flies. There is much worth hearing on this good debut album. The DVD contains some more gems, including In the Ghetto. Get it to round out your collection of early Cave.
1937345
Warren G came on to the scene with a bang because of his highly successful debut album "Regulate...G-Funk Era". Since then Warren G's albums have not been given as much notice publicly, despite the fact he has continued to make solid albums. "Take A Look Over Your Shoulder" is case in point, as it has sold nowhere near his debut, but musically is nearly (not quite) its equal. Deserving a rating of 4.5 stars (5 stars for his first).
The album starts off with "Annie Mae" featuring Nate Dogg. This is a great song as Nate and Warren go back and forth over a great G-Funk beat. Of course it isn't as good as their first combo "Regulate", but what could ever be. "Smokin' Me Out" is the sleeper and surprise of the album. It sees Ronald Isley on the hook and is one of Warren's best songs. "Reality" has a real smooth beat with a nice rhythmic bass guitar in the background. In this song Warren patrols Long Beach for all the haters that have been giving him heat lately. This song will definitely grow on you. "Young Fun" is a nice bouncy song, with great appearances featuring Knee-Hi and Jayo Felony. "What We Go Through" is a real funky beat, with a nice piano that comes in and out of the background. More great guest appearances. This time coming from Malik and Perfec. "We Brings Heat" is probably the weakest song on the album. The beat's real nice, but the guest appearances take awhile to get into. Most will probably either love it or hate it. "Transformers" is classic G-Funk with a boomin' beat and synths moving in and out of the song. "Relax Ya Mind" is a one of the albums best as Warren's R&B group, Reel Tight, is featured on the song and they make a solid contribution. "To All D.J.'s" was a song I wasn't feeling at first, but I really like it now. Great funky song with a good appearance by Malik, who I really like. "Can You Feel It" will have you saying just that. The bass on this song is continuous throughout the whole song. "I Shot The Sheriff" and the EPMD remix are highlights of this album. This was a really nice concept that Warren G did. The first is produced by Warren G and has a real relaxing G-Funk beat. The remix is produced by Erick Sermon and has a bouncier P-Funk beat. Great contrasting styles between the two songs as you really see how G-Funk and P-Funk are able to take the same beat but make them individually their own style.
This album is traditional Warren G as lyrically he won't blow you away, but he does more than hold his own on this album. The production is great and as everyone knows nothing sounds better in your stereo than Warren's beats. "Relax Ya Mind" and "Can You Feel It" bump like nobody's business. If you're looking for an intellectual album with mind-blowing lyrics, this probably isn't the album for you. But if you want smooth, quality production with Warren's fluid voice than pick this one up.
3360303
Nick Carter steps out of the band and into the spotlight as a solo artist with his debut album "Now or Never."  Nick displays great talent on this album and demonstrates his individuality as an artist.  This album has it all, from rocking tunes to ballads, with the fun tune "Is It Saturday Yet?" thrown in for good measure.  Nick proves himself the be a force to be reckoned with on this album.  His smooth voice makes the album pleasing to the ear.  I'm sure this album is the first of many to come.
2140115
Holly Brook has the feel in this, her first full album, like she's just getting warmed up. I bought the album on the strength of the song "Wanted", which I had heard on Pandora and fell in love with. So I was pleased that most of the album followed suit. She sings with an effortless soul/pop blend that it really refreshing, and the sometimes blues edge her voice sometimes takes simply adds to the charm. The only reason I don't give this awesome album 5 stars is because of 3 tracks of the 11 I find terribly slow, "Like Blood Like Honey", "All Will Be Forgotten", and "Cellar Door". Now, I enjoy a slow song as much as the rest, but I also recognize that artists of the caliber that I assume Holly is should be able to recognize her own strengths and weaknesses. And in her hands, those songs that would otherwise be simply slow songs, instead turn into something more ponderous. This is not to say that they're terrible songs, or that the lyrics aren't powerful, it's simply that they drag. But beyond that, the startlingly beauty of the remaining 8 tracks are enough to prove that Holly Brook is a promising new singer/songwriter to keep an eye on.
1101574
This is a great Breaking Benjamin album, for both those new to the band and those familiar. This album possesses the iconic lyrical and vocal ability of Ben Burnley in spades. Those familiar with Breaking Benjamin's sound will notice that the band is experimenting with new chord progressions while maintaining their signature sound, especially in the songs Bury Me Alive (which sounds like Sevendust), Never Again, and Ashes of Eden (which sounds like a happy Maynard Keenan wrote the verses and Aaron Lewis wrote the rest of the song.)

The album just seems to work. If you like any single from the album, chances are you will be able to listen to the entire album from beginning to end. I especially like how all the songs in the album are connected by one thought, not unlike Linkin Park's Meteora. The album starts out with "Failure" and ends with "no longer defeated," which is a powerful message in the context of the album title and the rest of the album's lyrics.

As far as other Breaking Benjamin albums go, however, this album is not my favorite. In case the reader is not familiar with the history of the band, this album marks an almost complete line-up change. For much of the performance, you cannot tell that there was any change. In my opinion, however, the drummer just doesn't seem to have the energy that Chad had on Phobia or Dear Agony. Also, I really like Breaking Benjamin's acoustic work (like Rain) and this album just doesn't capture that sound. Ashes of Eden is the closest song to it, but as I noted earlier it seems that song is largely an experimentation. Many of the songs on the album could be acoustic, which is typical of Breaking Benjamin, but none of them are acoustic outright.

These are minor complaints, however, and I'm sure that if anyone has an interest in grunge or pop-rock, haunting vocals, memorable lyrics, and fluid power guitar work then this album will be an instant classic for them.
4817280
I came across this album on iTunes while perusing new releases. After listening to a couple of samples, I bought it. Knowing nothing about the band or its music, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this record.

The album starts off with the addictive and melodic Worldless Chorus. It then blends into It Beats 4 U, which is my favorite track on the album. It's a magical love song with smart lyrics. The lack of enunciation, however, is a major peeve on this song. The singing style is very Radiohead-esque on which I am not particularly keen.

Overall, this is a very solid release by any standard. I am not familiar with the band's previous work, but I am glad I discovered them.

There are some gems on this record: Wordless Chorus, It Beats 4 U, Gideon, Off the Record, Into The Woods, Dondante and How Could I Know (available on iTunes) are unique and easy on the ears. This is one of the Top 10 albums of 2005 without a doubt.

It makes a really nice gift to the the indie-rock lovers in your life that don't know of the band or this album (like me) or to yourself if you are looking to try something different.