Glam rock masterpiece
588786
Both this and Bowie's "Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" are considered the most relevant glam releases. But this one came one year early, so one can argue it is more important, despite the fact that Bowie's glam records are fantastic too.
The remastered 180g vinyl sounds really good. The cover opens and you can see a big and beautiful picture of Bolan. The record comes inside of an anti-static plastic-and-paper envelope. The disc have only the 11 original tracks, no bonus. Great reissue of a classic. Highly recomended.
3760701
When Duran Duran first came onto the scene in 1981, one of the ways they were described was as "Chic meets the Sex Pistols". When you listen to their debut album, you can really tell where that was coming from. This album is just pure goodness, it's New Wave at one of it's finest moments, and every song is just pure gold.

Of course, included are the hit songs "Girls on Film" (with a rather racy video that caused quite a stir on MTV) and "Planet Earth", as well as "Careless Memories", which was released as a single in the UK. Particularly awesome songs in the non-release section include the moody "To The Shore", the rather eerie "(Waiting For The) Nightboat", and the immensely impressive "Tel Aviv", probably one of the best instrumentals the band has ever done. If you want an album that embodies the essential elements of new wave, this one is definitely it. Buy it, I'm sure you'll love it!
2742872
What can be said? This album broke out pearl jam into the emmerging world of grunge. It was another blow to hair-bands and power-balads.
Every track on this album is well done. The lyrics are memorable. The guitar work is masterful. This is a must have album for anyone that likes rock.
60196
This is The Velvet Goldmine story for  real. Its no wonder Bowie didn't want anything to do with that movie. This is some of the best glam music I have ever heard and it still sounds good decades later! Thank you Morrisey! The song I Love a Good Fight is the best and I have been listening to it over and over again. The pictures are fantastic and great liner notes. I heard that some of the best was left out, many people who know about music have told me about ooh la la, his best song . Lets hope they realese everything soon.
2081329
For years now, I've gone back and forth over what is my favorite ROXY MUSIC album.  They never made a bad one, in my opinion. Even MANIFESTO has a few decent tracks.  While I'd have to say that FOR YOUR PLEASURE or SIREN are the best examples of why ROXY MUSIC remain unequaled and contain some of their best work, I think that, at the end of the day, AVALON is their masterpiece.
There is a mood and atmosphere that surrounds this album that no other album, by any artist has achieved.  From the haunting, opening chords of the exquisite "More Than This," to the sea-drenched melody at the end of the beautiful "Tara," the music on this disc is 37 minutes of complete and utter erotic bliss.
"More Than This," the title track, "Take a Chance with Me," "The Main Thing," and "True to Life," rank as some of the best songs in the ROXY MUSIC catalog.
Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music inspired two generations of musicians with their music. In the 1980's, their influence loomed large over the new-romantic sounds of bands like ABC, DURAN DURAN and DEPECHE MODE (to name just three!), and in the 1990's, right on up to today, one can hear and see their influence in such Brit bands like RADIOHEAD, SUEDE and PULP.
It is AVALON, their studio swan-song, that is perhaps their most groundbreaking and innovative work.  Without hesitation, this is my pick for Best Album of the 1980's.  Even Rolling Stone Magazine had it in their top 100 of the 80's.  I'm even willing to go out on a limb and put it as my favorite album of all time- alongside the likes of The Beatles "Abbey Road," and U2's "Achtung Baby."
And, yes, it's true what's been said time and time again about AVALON- it is, undoubtedly, THE album to have playing for the ideal intimate encounter!
3609129
For any Iggy & The Stooges fan-or just fans of great rock, this is for you! James puts together a stellar band with some amazing guest vocalists and takes the best of the post-Raw Power demos into fully finished and superbly crafted songs. I won't dissect each track here, we all will have our own different favorites. One that does stand out for me though is "Wild Love", with Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees fame. I have had the original demo for years and was amazed at just how good it is now. But every song on the album will get inside your head and not let go. This should get an award for best album of 2014.

Just get it. Now. You won't be sorry!
752401
This album was a defining moment in rock history. At one time, it was the top selling album for Atlantic Records. The title track is absolutely mind boggling. "My Mirage" is a good song. "Termination" is  also good. The packaging is also fanastic. The booklet, along with the  jewel case, is an added attraction.
4509873
I defy you to find a better crafted current rock album. It is a complete sonic and musical masterpiece with fantastic depth and nuance. Ken Andrews and this band have matured like a fine wine worth thousands of dollars. The tracks are amazing and the seque's a re pure genius that act as little pallet cleanser's for the next massive track. If Dr. Frankenstein were to take the best of Nirvana and The Beatles and shock them into a modern Giant Monster life - you would get FAILURE!
2985297
This is a 2010 reissue of the debut album by American glam metal/melodic hard rock band "Heavens Edge" originally released in 1989, currently marketed by "Rock Candy" records. "Heaven's Edge" features lead singer Mark Evans, guitarists Reggie Wu and Steven Parry, bassist GG Guidotti and drummer David Rath.

As part of the glam scene of the late `80s, "Heavens Edge" brought to front a substantially heavier sound than the majority of `80s rock bands and more technical at that as well. The sound of "Heavens Edge" is especially guitar riff driven, backed by robust rhythm section and top rate vocal harmonies. On the other hand with a total of 15 songs on offer, the band take the time to indulge in the melodic-keyboard driven side of melodic hard rock; such songs are "Hold on Tonight" which has "Giuffria" written all over it, "Find another way" and the unforgettable "Come play the game".

Taking a closer look at the heavier tracks, "Bad reputation" bares that genuine dark atmosphere you would expect from early "King Kobra"; "Daddy's little girl" is an equally impressive composition, built on such speeding riffs and impossibly catchy verses, easily one of the best moments of "Heavens Edge".  Fans of technical yet perfectly melodic `80s hard rock in the style of "Icon", "King Kobra" and "Talisman" can not fail to enjoy this great reissue.
913549
Well, right up front, let's get out of the way the fact that I am related to one of the primus motors of this excellent musical offering. Equally honestly, I paid full price for it, and gladly so.

Corrected Visionaries' sensibilities appear to lie within the Classic Rock genre, album-oriented rock from the 70's and early 80's. There is something timeless about the music from this era (at least the good stuff), and the Visionaries have pulled off a neat trick with Optical Delusions; they sound both classic and contemporary at the same time. I put this down to meticulous songwriting and arranging, where the focus is on the whole as well as the parts. Although the musicianship is consistently first-class throughout, it never gets in the way of the melodies and lyrics, which, for me, is what the Optical Delusions project is all about. On top of that, the vocal talents of Taylor, Bruh and McKinley Talgo fit hand and glove with the material. With a tight rhythm section--you can't rock without one--dazzling keys and fantastic licks from guitarist David Irwin, you have all the necessary ingredients for a great album. Add to that solid production values and it's in the box.

I have, of course, my personal favs:  the anthemic Future Love, Critical Mass Confusion and Corrected Visionaries (featuring Irwin's haunting guitar) come to mind as well as the rocking Going Down in Flames. But there's really not a weak cut on the album and what's perhaps more impressive, the album functions as a cohesive whole. Because although there are several different styles here, from the moody prog of What's It All About to the funky ambling groove (love the piano!) of There Goes Another Dreamer, they're all neatly tied together by Bruce Talgo's vision and lyrical sense. By the way, had it been up to me I would have put my money on There Goes Another Dreamer as a possible single release.

If you are looking for melodious AOR that has that classic 70's/80's vibe yet features an updated, modern sound, then Optical Delusions is definitely worth checking out.
3938432
"Candy-O" by The Cars is a tantalizing album. Besides the sexy, sizzling cover - the band wasted no time in putting out a playful and carefree record. This album was released a year after their breakthrough debut album and "Candy-O" didn't suffer from the dreaded sophomore slump. This album is full of flavor. "Let's Go" will make you smile (love those handclaps) and "It's All I Can Do" will break your heart. The Cars really showed their artistry on tracks like the wicked "Dangerous Type", and the delicious "Lust For Kicks". The title track is oh so naughty and my favorite track is "Double Life" (excellent guitar solo). Every song is drenched in irresistible synths, (synths galore to be exact!) and Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr had the most unique voices from the new wave era. I wasn't even born when "Candy-O" was released but I've always gravitated towards this kind of music. It's fun and glittery but not in a fluffy, artificial kind of way. I believe that The Cars were an underrated band. The music they created was completely infectious and ahead of its time. If you don't believe me, then all you got to do is listen to "Night Spots" and prove me wrong. "Candy-O" will leave you in a state of pure, unabashed ecstasy. Ear candy at its finest. Enjoy!
2367813
This is a fun album. It has famous and the obscure. The famous artists are represented by quality cuts. In hindsight, glam rock is simply amped up bubble gum music. These songs still sound fresh and enjoyable.

The most famous artists also represent the best cuts here.

David Bowie doing a duet with Lulu on "The man who sold the world" is great.

The tunes by Sparks, Suzi Quatro, Slade (you do not hear enough of them these days) and The Sweet are terrific.

I never thought of Gilbert O'Sullivan as glam but "Alone again, naturally" is a wonderful song and I 'll take it.

The other songs are fun and there is not a bad cut on the album. I have seen lengthy box sets on this genre but that may be too much glam. This is the perfect length yet is still pretty complete as far as giving a good overview of glam.
4579439
Guns & Roses exploded on to the world stage in 1986/7 with this rock-monolith. Every track is aggression and angst filled long before grunge gave us the same anthems. The combination of sheer awesome savagery  in playing, singing and production is breathtaking even today, 14 years  later and it still makes the spine tingle. That unmistakable G'n'R sound  has been often immitated, but here it still sounds fresh - sharp, taut and  yet gloriously sleazy at the same time.
Despite their young age when they  recorded this, this is a serious piece of mature metal-hardware - like Dr  Frankenstein, it's unlikely they knew exactly what they were creating...  and they created a masterpiece.
Everyone knows that "Paradise",  "Jungle" and "Sweet Child" are fantastic, but what are  often overlooked are the remaining tracks, most of which are equally good.  If an album is judged worthy by how many bands it's influenced, styles it  created or air-guitarists it inspired, then this is certainly a  masterpiece. Rock was never the same.  The Illusion albums tried (perhaps  too hard?) to equal this historic slab of metal, but not even it's creators  could match the original and best.
The best metal album ever. No  argument.
3202447
If you like like pop pansies like Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys, or gangsta gutter garbage rap, then leave right now.  But if you've enjoyed such heavy, haunting artists like  Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein, Rob Zombie, and Ozzy osbourne, then this is a MUST HAVE.
(...)
As for the album itself, it is his best yet.  Using the raw, industrial sound of Antichrist Superstar and combining it with the catchy melody of mechanical Animals, Holywood: In the Shadow of the Valley of Death, is a true masterpiece.  The lyrics are thought provoking and intelligent.  This is probably the best rock album I've ever heard.  Get it.  Now.  You won't be dissapointed.
4936035
Catherine Wheel - Happy Days (1995)

This is heavy, guitar-driven rock. HAPPY DAYS has much more of a conventional rock sound than the dreamier atmospheric guitar wash of previous albums, but the music is far from typical. The album tackles the subject of self-indulgence (not unfamiliar ground for CW) both celebrating it and portraying its ups and downs. Relationships are also explored as well as drug behavior and self-destructive thinking.

As good as the heavy songs are (most fit that description), the slow songs might be the best. "Eat My Dust You Insensitive F***" has a quiet power that really grabs hold while "Fizzy Love" is encircling, sensuous and sexy, and its string section is brilliant, too. Each song is truly great except for the limp "Shocking" and "Judy Staring At The Sun." "Judy" isn't bad though and I do like Tanya Donolly's guest vocal although it was slightly better before Rob Dickenson stole one of her lines (that she originally had on an early promo tape of the album that I have). It just goes to show his selfish trip is for real, I guess! My favorite song is the joyous adrenalin rush "Love Tips Up" although I tend to favor the darker material.

I really dig male singers with sexy voices especially Jim Morrison, Gavin Rossdale and CW's Rob Dickenson. This despite the fact that I'm a heterosexual male. I guess it has something to do with imagining the singer is me . . . anyway, I have no doubt I'm not the only one who thinks that Rob fits into this category. There's something hedonistic, almost luxurious about his deep, dreamy voice. His songs sound quite convincing and I imagine he's singing from a place of experience. It may take a listener who's "been there" to fully appreciate these songs, but anyone can jam on this excellent rock 'n' roll.
3354812
My goodness, they did it!  One of the best rock groups in the world have written an amazing rock opera with astounding instrumentals.  There is not one miss to be heard in the set.  These Cadillacs are golden and I suspect that this might be the best rock album of 2016.
Thank you, Cadillacs!
10934
To anyone thinking of buying this album, I would say do so without a second thought.  If you're a fan of real rock n' roll then you know that these days it can take a lot of searching to find an album that lives up to the standards set by bands such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.  It is here, with this album, that your search can finally end.  Wolfmother's sophomore attempt rocks harder than ever and more than lives up to the expectations of Wolfmother fans and classic rock alike.  The new lineup gives Wolfmother new energy and creativity that really brings this album to life.  I can only say so much so in the end you have got to check the album out for your self.  I promise you your purchase of this album will be worth every penny.