It's good but. It as good as past efforts
580236
This is a pretty quick read and deals with current events.  It's. It not as thoughtful as other efforts in the series but makes its point. The story is simpler and less character development than in the past.
2951123
Soilworks latest effort, "Sworn to a Great Divide" is showing us that Soilwork is slowly starting to pull out of their rut of genric metal, something that started on the dismal "Figure # 5" and continued on un-listenable "Stabbing the Drama" So what do we get this time. Well, there are hints of Soilwork returning to their roots, as though there are still some questionable songs here. I had always thought of Soilwork (mind you when I heard the first two releases) to be the most unique metal band that I have heard since "Hypocrisy" It was like the band took all forms of metal (Nu, Progressive, Melodic, Death, sorry no Hair though) and spun them into one piece. It worked, and it showed the talent and brains the band had in their music and song-writing. Them comes "Figure # 5" What a Bummer. Generic music, dumbed down songs, almost like a glorified Korn or Limp Biskit. So the band still has work to be done and there are still hints of the mess they created, yet "Breeding Thorns", "The Pittsburg Syndrome", "I, Vermin", "As the Sleeper Awakes", "Silent Bullet" and I will throw in "Martyr" for kicks, all seem to revert back to the earlier days, which shows some promise that they will get out of this rut. Sure some of you love the new stuff, and thats fine, but the newer stuff is so much easier on the human ear. I am even sure there are some fans that like the old and the new, but I saw the cross-over in music to be a sin, as they were so much better then that. For those that hate the last two albums (before this) have hope, there are some signs of life here. The "needs improvement" sticker is here, but once again, its a good thing that this shows some form of life.
3673783
It hasn't aged as well as I thought it would, but as a whole it's still a good album.  It was a different sound than the average pop/rock music of the time.
4055882
It's like 20 years just never happened. Still cool, light, clever, jazzy.. and as unique now as they ever were, this is certainly as good as any of their earlier recordings. A real grower, at first the tunes seem wilfully  obscured. But like all the best Fagen/Becker songs, they reveal more with  repeated listenings. I approached this with trepidation, thinking it was  stupid to expect a repeat of past glories. But listening to Two Against  Nature has sent me back to the earlier recordings. And the words are still  as splendidly cynical as ever. This is music you can listen to without  embarrassing your kids!
547360
I like Al.  Always have.  And while this release received rave reviews, I just don't think it measures up to some of his earlier works.  Not that this is a bad release - far from it.  Al is a talented man who can take a almost any song and redo the lyrics.  But as someone already mentioned, a lot of the music out now didn't give him a lot to work with.  His original songs are really good.  The others?  Ok.

Maybe I am showing my age, but I thought there are betters songs to parody.  That being said, I still HIGHLY recommend Mandatory Fun to anyone in the market to hear what can be done with words and music (in one form or another).
1509424
A departure from previous works but still excellent.  Some old fans may not like it though if they are expecting something like his first two albums.
874026
I don't think people give this album the credit that it deserves.  This is good album.  I'll admit that it's not as great as previous records, but truely, what is?  A lot of people would agree when I say this is not their worst album  and this album has some great songs on it.  They include:  Here To Stay, Alone I break, and a song that didn't make the greatist hits and I don't think they released, One More Time.  This song is the best song on the album.  I mean come on.  The drums are the best on the album.  The harmony is great.  It might be 'commercial' and 'metal pop' but its still great.  With that said, I conclude by saying that this is worthy of the couple of bucks, and you won't regret getting this.
2419555
He just does consistent good stuff. This is as good as any.
1307917
I don't listen to it as much as their newer stuff but its still pretty good. BSSM is still their best.
869094
The problem is, right off the bat, these guys had the task of making a record that held up to a couple of the best albums in modern rock history, 12 years later. Though "Strays" is not as classic or creative as the old albums, it is really good, even if it was made for the masses. "Just Because" was good for the first single, and alot of the album sounds like that. "Strays" is another good song, and "Everybody's Friend" is a nice slow break in a rock heavy album. I would surely suggest this to the fanatic, and they might also like the "Limited Edition" version, with a DVD full of interviews, and a making of the "Just Because" video. Overall a fine album, but it's no "Ritual de lo Habitual".
1571264
Love it, another out of the past hit. Better than modern 'stuff'.
3202067
While history cannot be ignored, it's possible for new approaches to be accepted.  Let It Be Naked isn't exactly as claimed, but it's more than close enough to satisfy.  Do the songs work? Does it rock?  Most definitely.  While a few songs are less than their best, they are still enjoyable.  Several are classics. Any album that features Get Back, Dig A Pony, Long And Winding Road, Two Of Us, I've Got A Feeling, Don't Let Me Down, Across The Universe, and Let It Be should not be dismissed.  Although For You Blue isn't quite at that level, it's more intimate, and more fun than in previous releases.  The album succeeds because it combines great sonics and polish with the informalness of the original sessions. I have been a Beatle fan for 36 years. I have Thirty Days, a sessions box set, and both Get Back cds. I've read many accounts, and seen many histories. I love the chat between songs, but I don't miss it here.  LIBN puts the emphasis where it belongs, on the music. There's much to love on Get Back.  I've owned it in one form or another for 20 years, but it's a little TOO naked. You can hear energy, but you can also hear laziness.  Let It Be is great as it is, but it doesn't have the continuity and coherence that LIBN has. I'm no Phil Spector basher, I thought he did a fine job.  Most of the songs work very well on their own, but roughness doesn't fit too comfortably alongside the embellished tunes.  The Beatles seem like guests on their own album.  On LIBN, you hear a band at work.  There's a warmth to it, and it still maintains the spirit of the original sessions.  When the music is this great, I don't care about what the production team did, but to those who will fuss, the Beatles ditched the no overdubs approach before Spector.  LIBN actually makes good on the blurb that was on the Let It Be album.  The original isn't going anywhere.  It's still there in the shops, and all of the single versions of Get Back, Don't Let Me Down, and Let It Be are still available.  As fun as it is, Dig It isn't really a song. I can take or leave Maggie Mae.  Alternate versions of those two are on Fly On The Wall.  LIBN sounds like the link between the White Album and Abbey Road.  It's a great album.
3246483
Personally, I think it wasn't as good as their previous album, but still creative and invoking all the same.
4090347
Different sound but you still hear the old coming through. It's a good sequel to the previous album. You can't beat that one - not by a long shot.
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.
1014675
It's a good cd. It's a blend of the new sound along with the old sound.
4385227
With Todd, you always get a quality album. But lately he is still in the 'techno' mode. Which works occasionally, but not every time. Yet we Todd fans must follow our guru no matter what diversion he takes. State grows on you thru repeated listens, but not exactly a classic album by any means. Still there are cool moments here and there. Overall, it's still better than most modern so-called music. Party Liquor would be a HUGE hit if a current diva covered it. Really well written; lots of potential there. If you are a Todd fan, get it, but don't expect to love it--maybe like it. Either way, worth the listen, as usual.