Nice Gems On It But Not Their Best
599477
"The VanHalen Covers album!" I can see why Eddie did not want to do an album like this...the covers they selected for this album did not really fit the VanHalen mold or persona, but Dave and VH Producer Ted Templeman insisted on doing them. Dave won this argument and they put out this record. I think the reason why this record sounds weak and was their weakest record is because this was not the type of album Edward Van Halen wanted to do in the first place! Also for Eddie, this album would be the final nail that drove the wedge between himself and Dave-they would do one more album together (1984), sell a gazillion copies and then part ways for over 20 years (with an attempted reunion or two in between). There's certainly some gems on this album like "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?" "Dancin' In The Streets", "Pretty Woman", "Little Guitars" and "Secrets", but I am glad Eddie won the next argument-putting out a totally original record, which was 1984.
3681803
Now first off, let me just say that this album is still better than anything you'll hear on your local alternative rock radio stations.  That being said, this album was a bit of a disappointment from their/his  previous works.  I am glad that Pollard found Doug Gillard (from the band  Gem) on this album, and maybe in the future they'll be great, but this  album didn't do it for me like any of their other albums (except maybe  Sandbox, that wasn't too good either).
3966551
These seem to be packaged as music you might hear in a hip boutique hotel bar - at their best they really hit the CHAIN boutique hotel bar sound system, still nice in Toledo but perhaps in Barcelona or NYC, not quite up to snuff. It's all solid, professional and nice but never quite compelling or great.

This one is perhaps their most ambitious, trying to break out of the nice, pleasant mode and they just don't have it to be great - certainly not a crime but this is probably the one you want to buy last. It's not terrible nor do they fail miserably but their efforts to be Ibizia level cool dance chill or edgy jazz trip hop just don't quite get there and frankly, perhaps a little off the beaten path for that hotel bar in Toledo. Not their best effort.
1785217
this is a good cd, but the songs are not as catchy or as memorable as the ones in their debut cd. Nevertheless, fans will be satisfied with this product and casual listeners will get a taste of what this band is capable of.
4907706
Ok , this is a three star led zep cd , which means it's a five star rock n roll cd. That means it's awesome in alot of ways. BUt being this is led zep it's unfortunately not their best work and it's hard not to want them to just let loose again. but you can sense the friction in this one, as they argue over the cover! and stuff like that. Excess was rearing it's head here but this is still a classic band that has a weaker cd from them. It got classics on it but all bands have weaker cd's . so on a led zep scale this is a 3 star but on a rock scale this is a five star.  I think most zep fans would play this one last if they were going to play them in a row. (original studio releasees that is).
1326063
This is my first Porcupine Tree record and I have a mixed review.

First off I find the CD to be very very dark lyrically and musically.  This isn't necessarily bad but it is noteworthy.  You aren't getting a 'pickmeup' here.

The title track is a classic progressive tune starting out thoughtfully mellow and gradually reaching a crescendo as more and more instruments delve into the catchy groove.  The song is really moving and working nice until the last minute or 2 where it dies out in disappointment.  Editing out the last 90 seconds would have made it a better song.  So often less is more!!

The second song is nice but again here it takes too long to find it's rhythm.

Anesthetize, the 3rd track is a gem but it has the same problems as the others -- It dies out at the end.  This is a 17 minute epic with nifty riffs and although a bit repetitive keeps you moving and on your feet all the way through about the 10 - 12 minute mark and they find a great jam but inexplicably do little to nothing for the final 4 minutes.  Another blank spot that could have been edited out to make it stronger.

The last 3 songs are not as strong as the first 3 and the final song should have been left off the album completely.

Overall I give it 3 stars - 'good'.  Enough good stuff here to tempt me to pick up another PT record.
3619751
The soundtrack for Cursed is not exactly what I thought it would be.  I like the songs on it, but I was expecting, I think, perfection and it is not.  It is not quite up to par for many of the bands that are on this CD.  This CD is not that bad, however, it is not special.  If you like the bands I would purchase it for those bands, but if you are wondering about the bands I would hold off on this CD.  And buy one of the bands CD you like.
1063811
My favorite song on this album is "Secrets" but the rest of the songs don't really do it for me. I liked their first album a lot more. There aren't really any other songs with a great hook, and they all kind of bleed together.
1096225
Jewel's new album "Spirit" is pleasant to the ears but once again Jewel lacks the talent to write new and original lyrics.  The songs lack the very essence of what seperates the mediocre singers from the great  singers; lyrics.  Jewel has made some improvements on "Spirit",  the addition of a band and some new intruments makes songs like  "Hands", and "Absence Of Fear" two of her very best  songs. The major problem with "Spirit" is that many of the songs  have similar lyrics and similar ideas, which can get sickening to the  listener after a while.  For Jewel to utilize her beautiful voice and reach  a new level in the music world she will have to look deep within herself  and write some original songs.
2833827
And start judging them by their music. Which, with the exception of a few gems, is quite ordinary. Smells Like Teen Spirit is purely legendary and one of the great songs of all time. Come as You are is another good one and the album finishes of with Something In the Way, a real good, well written song. Other than that the album is pretty regular, repetitive and dull. Probably the least talented of the big four grunge bands, which isn't really a slam, because all of those bands are excellent.
4022234
2 1/2

Works best for those already into the group. It's not a terrible collection of non-album tracks, just not a very good one either.
4569004
I don't like it as much as their previous albums, but I do like it.
4373931
I'd been listening to the band on last.fm for quite a while before I finally decided to buy one of their albums.  The songs that I heard from this album on last.fm were the far and away best songs on the album.  The rest just didn't compare.  Those few songs I'd heard are quite good indeed, but I wouldn't suggest buying the whole album.
3345989
It's somewhat of a drop off from the greatness of the previous three albums and what greatness would come next but it's great in its own right.  Some of the songs sound very inner similar and somewhat flat, though, which weighs it down.
1209815
Much of the music for this release is fine.  They are not exactly pushing boundaries.  Sonically it seems to be more like their "Seasons End" sound with a few contemporary updates to reflect some later release.  The track "Gaza" lyrically hints at something interesting but doesn't really get fleshed out while "Montreal" is like a dull facebook post set to music.
2180025
I have been a fan of Kamelot for five years now and this is far from thier best work. Don't get me wrong, the cd does grow on you the more you listen just like most of thier work. If you want to hear this band at the top of thier game i would suggest the forth legacy or karma.
4912527
I love the tandem of Murs and 9th in a different way than my appreciation for Buck and 9th.  I was just a tad disappointed though on this effort, especially since it is their last together.  There are some stand out songs on the album.  I would definitely get it if you are a fan of the duo but if this is your first listen to 9th and Murs together then pick another one of their joint projects for your first listen.