Illusion

Illusion

ASIN: B00005AU0Y

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Electronic: Soulstice craft tapestries of melodies & grooves that range in influence from the rhythms of old delta blues to the vibrant tempos of house & hip hop.

Tracks:

Civil War
14 Years
Yesterdays
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Get In The Ring
Shotgun Blues
Breakdown
Pretty Tied Up
Locomotive (Complicity)
So Fine
Estranged
You Could Be Mine
Don't Cry (Alt. Lyrics)
My World

Amazon.com

Had Use Your Illusion II been combined with Use Your Illusion I, keeping only the best material while dropping the filler, it would have been one of the best rock albums ever recorded. Instead, great songs like "Civil War," "14 Years," "Estranged," and "So Fine" compete with the inexcusable "Get in the Ring" and the well-intentioned but off-target cover of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." There's no point to the second version of "Don't Cry," either. On the other hand, when Guns N' Roses were good, they were very, very good, and some of the material on this album is unsurpassable. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

The final album by Guns and Roses..........2007-06-26

Both Use Your Illusion albums had enough material for a 4LP set, and most of it is superb. This is the better of the two records, with G n R classics like Locomotive (an intense, nearly 9 minute rave up), Pretty Beat Up (courtesy of Izzy Stradlin with a cool sitar intro), an excellent cover of Knockin' on Heaven's Door, and Estranged is a good ballad. Gettin' in the Ring is a funny song where Axl goes off on critics. The song is a bit obvious, but it's still fun to listen to. This is more than likely Guns n Roses's final album. There's no way Axl is ever going to release anything else. How come Axl and company can release the equivalent of four albums in 1991, and haven't made an album of new material in 16 years (well, at least Axl, the others have moved on)? Axl needs to get his head out of his a**, and stop being full of himself.

Pure early 90s metal.......2007-05-19

Use Your Illusion II, the second half of Guns 'n' Roses' dual release, is second only to Appetite for Destruction in their list of best albums. With charging guitar funk ("Breakdown"), speeding hard rock ("You Could Be Mine"), and amazing ballads ("Estranged"), UYI II is a must-own for everyone and all die-hard G'N'R fans. It starts off with a creative blend of hard rock and balladry ("Civil War"), and after you've heard that song, you're immeadiately hooked. The blues rock sample of "14 Years" is also amongst the best in G'N'R's arsenal, and it shows that sometimes, bassists CAN be good at singing. "Estranged," which is probably the album's highest point, is one of the top 100 greatest songs of all time, and could even give "Stairway to Heaven" a run for its money. Other songs on the album, such as the two-part "Breakdown" and the awesome "So Fine," also deserve credit for giving the album the unique sound it has. "You Could Be Mine," which is my favorite from the album, is a hard-rocking G'N'R hit that will have you headbanging from the start. It features brilliant vocals by Axl Rose, awesome drumming from Matt Sorum, and masterful guitar playing from the almighty Slash. Use Your Illusion II probably would've won Best Album of the Year Award in 1992, but unfortunatly it didn't get the recogniton it needed thanks to Nevermind by Nirvana, one of the most overrated albums of all time. Standing as the last good album by Guns 'n' Roses, Use Your Illusion II will help you become a big fan of the band, even if you're against them in every way. A must-own album for everyone.

gnr 2.......2007-02-15

one of the best gnr albums, the other is part 1. most of the songs on the use your illusion cd's are really well written.

Wildly uneven, but could've been amazing.......2006-12-21

Hey, remember my old review of this album? Remember how much it SUCKED? Well, I'm editing it, because I've changed my mind about a couple songs. Now, I still feel Knockin' on Heaven's Door is a mockery of the Dylan classic, that Get in the Ring is stupidly self-centered, that My World is more wanking to end the extended game of pocket-hockey we call Use Your Illusion (at least it's short...), that Locomotive and Breakdown are amazing examples of WHY I feel this was an extended game of pocket hockey (how come nobody but me says that anymore?), and there's too much idiocy like Shotgun Blues, Pretty Tied Up (someone should make a law about anyone but Lou Reed writing a song about S&M) and So Fine. Oh, and why remake Don't Cry? It was a good song, you know, before you threw in the unneeded remake.
But we've got five REALLY AWESOME songs here. Ever see that video for Yesterdays? Great stuff, man. (and this from a guy who normally despises music videos!) Say what you will about Axl, but that little slither-dance thing he's got going is pretty cool. Now, I'm not saying you can judge a song by its video, because the song itself is amazing, too. Slash and Izzy riff away and Axl howls "ooh... yesterday's... got nothin' for me!" Schweet. Estranged is, well... Estranged. I didn't like it at first, but I didn't like ANY Guns n' Roses at first - their work seems to grow on me more than any other group's. Anyway, air-guitaring to that thing should be some sort of Olympic event, it's a great song to blast out the windows while you do said air guitaring (it'll drive the neighbors crazy, especially if they hate GN'R as I'm sure mine do and if you're as bad at air-guitar as me), it's got the best lyrics on any GN'R song anywhere ('cept maybe Patience), it's awesomely epic, AND I like Dizzy Reed's piano. It's true. I think he was an unnecessary addition to the band, but Estranged makes me change my mind. Possibly the best of either Illusion, though November Rain's some pretty stiff competition. Anyway, Izzy Stradin's my second-favorite Gunner (behind Guy with Cool Hat, Cool Stage Name and Even Cooler Guitar Tone), and he gets a chance to sing on his Stonesy Axl bash-a-thon 14 Years, which rocks tremendously. And I haven't gotten to the two big hits: Civil War (which mixes Appetite's hard rock, GN'R Lies' acoustic material, and surprising social relevance) which rules, and You Could Be Mine, a flat-out burning rocker which rules even more.

pretty good.......2006-10-06

This was a pretty good piece of work by GNR, but they have definately done better. Use your Illusion I was clearly the better of the two, but that doesnt mean this cd was total trash. This was by-far 10 times better than the Spaghetti Incedent, but not as good as Appetite for Destruction or the Greatest Hits album. "Knockin' on Heavens Door" was probably the best song on the album, whearas "My World" was complete garbage. I don't know what they were thinking with this song, but it sucks big time.

Average customer rating:

The guns n roses show
nearly perfect
turn around point!
turn around point!
Yeah, whatever

Use Your Illusion I
Guns N' Roses
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Use Your Illusion II
Appetite for Destruction
G N' R Lies
The Spaghetti Incident?
Live Era: '87-'93

ASIN: B000000OSE
Release Date: 1991-09-17

Tracks:

Right Next Door To Hell
Dust N' Bones
Live And Let Die
Don't Cry (Original)
Perfect Crime
You Ain't The First
Bad Obsession
Back Off Bitch
Double Talkin' Jive
November Rain
The Garden
Garden Of Eden
Don't Damn Me
Bad Apples
Dead Horse
Coma

Amazon.com

Part one of Guns N' Roses' ambitious second album is arguably the better of the two. It certainly rocks harder, though this seems to be more coincidence than anything else; which songs went on which CD looks to have been a random selection. Use Your Illusion I stays closer to the band's bluesy hard-rock roots, with guitarist Izzy Stradlin contributing some of the best songs, including "Dust N' Bones" and "You Ain't the First." "November Rain" (clocking in at over nine minutes) became an instant classic, and there are a fair number of straight-ahead rockers, such as "Perfect Crime," "Don't Damn Me," and "Garden of Eden." Taking the best from this album and Use Your Illusion II would have made a killer single CD, but there's enough good stuff here to make it worthwhile. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

The guns n roses show.......2007-04-18

This was the 5th guns album i bought my first being : Greatest Hits, 2nd Appetite: third Use your illusion 2 and then lies and finally Uyi 1.
Each time i bought a new guns album i heard a new sound completly different to the album before it. My fav. songs on this album are Don't damn me, Dead horse, Back off Bitch and definetly COMA. The riffs are unbelivable, Matt on the drums is great and axl well he is legendary, his voice, ever changing and his lyrics especially on Coma are mind blowing. Buy this album. You have to appriciate the lyrics of Axl and the others to really get this album. But there are still some hard rockin classics 5*

nearly perfect .......2006-12-30

use your illusion 1 is a real bluesy, complex, rock n roll album, instead of a stupid hair metal album like appetite. i'll only review songs i like,ok.

dust n bones, bad obsession and bad apples: intelligent, aerosmith, stonesy blues rock songs.

live and let die: cool cover song, unique riffs.

don't cry: beautiful, but not comparable to november rain.

november rain: if u know anything about gnr, you've heard it. sounds classical, complex, and great instruments.

you ain't the 1st: twangy bluegrass country song w/ no solos, short, but one of a kind.

double talkin jive: kinda stupid lyrics, but almost metallica-sounding guitar solo, which fades into a spanish guitar sounding solo at the 1 minute left mark, rebellious.

the garden: seems to tell of drug use, multi-styled, it's soft yet heavy, like led zeppelin songs. BEST HARD SONG ON ALBUM

don't damn me: rebellious, and quality lyrics, just a simple gnr rocker.

dead horse: starts out acoustic, then suddenly gets crazy heavy, and an awesome solo from slash, then goes back to the same acoustic part then ends.

coma: describes a coma, has very heavy riff in it; coma>the garden.

This is not a hair metal album; uyi1 is like aerosmith/stones, while appetite is like poison/motley crue/kiss. do not buy but a few songs off appetite.

turn around point!.......2006-12-28

appetite makes gnr sound like motley crue: high-pitched singing, repetitive songs, empty lyrics. This makes em seem even more manly; they sound like aerosmith, perhaps lynyrd skynyrd, having old, bluesy licks, deep lyrics, southern rockish keyboard, and the great ballad november rain, of course. Also, kinda weird pink floydish/zep sounds in some parts.
anti- hair metal! buy now!!!

turn around point!.......2006-12-28

Yeah, whatever.......2006-12-13

Okay, I'm still wondering something: Do we really need two CD's worth of this album? I mean, come on! Yeah, there's some coolness spread across this album: "November Rain" and "Don't Cry" are two more awesome lovestruck power ballads, "Live and Let Die" is arguably even better than Macca's because of Slash's heavy guitar, "Right Next Door to Hell", "Dust n' Bones", and "Perfect Crime" fill out the obligatory "kickass rock n' roll" quotient. And "Coma" is nicely epic and such. The biggest misstep is the acoustic country-twanger thing "You Ain't the First", which at least is mercifully brief, unlike the proceeding stupidity. Tell me, what was their justification for dragging slag like the Stones rip "Bad Obsession", misogynistic "Back off B*tch", psychedelic trash "In the Garden" (with Alice Cooper making a total fool of himself), and "Don't Damn Me", with Axl justifying his writing "One in a Million" by saying, "Sometimes I wanna kill" and "Sometimes I wanna destroy" (niiiiiiice. Now those two people in the world who previously didn't think you were an a** have changed their minds). And not only is he an a** (but you knew that), he's a friggin' hypocrite. "Why let one bad apple spoil the whole damn bunch", proclaims Mr. Axl "Immigrants and f*ggots/they make no sense to me" Rose. Hey buddy, by now everybody knows you hate anyone who isn't a straight American white guy, so why pretend otherwise? Who's gonna believe you? And guess what else? If you take what's good here, you get an economical single CD! Maybe it's a couple songs too few, but that's what we have those precious few good songs from Use Your Illusion II for!

Average customer rating:

Stellar
Top Five desserted Island CD's
Styx bashers, cross the river Styx...there's a place in hell reserved for you...
Old Favorite
Tommy Shaw completing a flawed line-up...

The Grand Illusion
Styx
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pieces of Eight
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Cornerstone

ASIN: B000002GB9
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Grand Illusion
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Superstars
Come Sail Away
Miss America
Man In The Wilderness
Castle Walls
The Grand Finale

Amazon.com essential recording

More than two decades before it became Eric Cartman's favorite song on South Park, "Come Sail Away" was the choice of music fans with one foot in the art-rock camp and the other in Top 40 pop. The Grand Illusion straddled the seemingly divergent directions as only Styx could, laying on the pomp with layers of keyboards and high-flown lyrical conceits, yet keeping the proceedings light with hook-filled choruses and breezy melodies. Tommy Shaw's engaging "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" is the set's highlight, offering a bit of armchair psychology even as it acted as a subtle dig at the snarling punk rockers to whom Styx was anathema. James Young's "Miss America" rocks out, while Dennis DeYoung's title track reminds us that life is fleeting and illusory. Not exactly Nietzsche, but you can dance to it, sort of. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

Stellar.......2007-06-28

This is the release that launched Styx into commercial stardom that would give them years of top 40 hits and would lead to tensions in the band between founding member Dennis DeYoung and 6th album newcomer Tommy Shaw. With very minor hits on their previous album 'Equinox' the single 'Lady' from their second album comes into airtime and then this album bursts onto the scene and the rest is history. There isn't a bad song on this album and the trademark Shaw / Young songs that really started here is perfect. If you're looking for a classic rock album with progressive, rock, and a little theater thrown in then get this today. It might be commercial, but Styx was still able to keep their originality alive without succumbing to the corporate label. That would come later.

Top Five desserted Island CD's.......2007-06-27

This one is by far the best of the CD's that Styx has created. The classic Come Sail Away, the erie and haunting Castle Walls, to the fun and uplifting Superstars this CD has it all. Styx hit it's stride with this effort and left a permanent mark on my life, most certaintly one of my five favorite albums of all time. Anyone who is a Styx fan Must have this one in their collection. Crystal Ball, Equinox, and Paradise theater are close behind, but this one is still the class of the field.

Styx bashers, cross the river Styx...there's a place in hell reserved for you..........2007-05-09

As Samhot's review said, Styx gets trashed quite a bit these days. I still like their music (especially this album), and it isn't a nostalgia thing with me. I have never been one to listen to something to take me back to my youth. To me, great music/film/novels/TV last for all time, and it doesn't matter what era they were made. I don't listen to Styx because I like to make fun of their music in the Gen X, "ironic" way, I just really dig it. Some of their lyrics (like Angry Young Man) come close to cheese at times, but the sincerity is there, and that makes up for the somewhat naive message of the song. Every single song here is perfect. The title track is so valid today (they'll show you photographs/of how your life should be/but there just someone else's fantasy). With the way the world (especially the USA) worships celebrities, it's nice to hear some music tell us that they're really nothing, and hollow to the core. Come Sail Away is deserving of every accolade that came its way. It's a beautiful, poetic, powerful song, with a great, intricate time signature by the underrated John Panozzo and it has that sincerity that is so lacking nowadays. Miss America is probably the most underrated song in the entire Styx cannon, an acerbic, hilarious, drenched in acid parody of the "beautiful people". I don't feel that Styx is ripping off prog rock here. There are prog rock traces in Styx's music (especially their earlier stuff), though I never really considered them prog rock (Kansas is really the only American band that can share the stage with the British prog rocks bands in my opinion). They are just a great band that Gen X types like picking on for some reason (Supertramp and REO Speedwagon are 2 others). So what if they were popular? So what if they are sincere? Being popular is not a horrible thing, if you achieve it honestly, and Styx did.

Old Favorite.......2007-04-11

I'm old enough to remember when this album was first released in the 70's - It wasn't as good as I remember it back then, but is still a good example of the classic (?) Styx sound (high vocals and keyboards, and progressive rock drumming), and has some of Styx's most memorable songs (Grand Illusion and Fooling Yourself). I'm not a big Styx fan and purchasing this CD kind of reminded me why - it's OK to listen to, but at the end of the day, the songs sound too much alike and I can only take it in short bursts. It's a good addition (a must?) to a 70's rock collection, but beyond that, it won't leave you wishing you had more songs to listen to.

Tommy Shaw completing a flawed line-up..........2007-02-17

1977 - tommy shaw is like turning a light on in a dark room... before him styx was missing some depth in their vocal range & harmonies not to mention their guitar line-up helping james young out. this epic album is pure genius but is heavily flawed in one area as are many albums from the 60s-70s --- THE DRUMMING SUCKS... I just can't stand john panozzo's drumming from his muted acoustics to his dull patterns & poor timing... otherwise, this album is ahead of it's time. If the drums were better the album would be 5 stars... I think deyoung's keyboard's are phenominal but the drums aren't there to back them up. Especially in fooling yourself... The grand illusion opens the album showing the new band's vocal range & guitar stylings. You can hear the improved harmonies & shaw's flawless guitar riffs. I also think that shaw & young do a good job of rotating guitar duties. Chuck's bass part's are muted & unaggressive per usual but that's okay because the vocals & keys make up for it. The album is almost conceptual as it's reviewed at the end. I love it. It's in my cd player all the time...

Average customer rating:

Slayerism!
your repulsiveness reminds me of DEAD FLESH!
they should have quit in 1988
Great !
Decent, But FAR From The Greatest of 2006

Christ Illusion
Slayer
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sacrament
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United Abominations

ASIN: B000G75AE8
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Tracks:

Flesh Storm
Catalyst
Eyes Of The Insane
Jihad
Skeleton Christ
Consfearacy
Catatonic
Black Serenade
Cult
Supremist

Album Description

The fastest, heaviest and darkest band on earth retakes its unholy throne with Slayer's first studio album in six years and its first studio effort with the original lineup, including drummer Dave Lombardo, since 1990's Seasons In The Abyss. Produced by Josh Abraham (Velvet Revolver, Staind), music from the album will be first available on June 6, 2006—that's right, 6/6/06.

Customer Reviews:

Slayerism!.......2007-07-05

Slayer returns to the frontline of metal amyhem and brings their first political album. All of the past anti-religion and bible bashing is still present, but now there is also an added dose of anti-Bush angst that doesn't necessarily invite peace. As far as metal music is conscerned, there is no greater band in the world today. The true kings of thrash taht never sold out or went soft...never.

your repulsiveness reminds me of DEAD FLESH!.......2007-07-03

Best Slayer album ever!! NOT a typo. Better than Reign, Seasons, AND South of Heaven combined. This CD grabs you by the balls during the first refrain and refuses to let go until ten minutes after the album is done playing.

they should have quit in 1988.......2007-06-17

Slayer, one of the most over-rated bands in the history of metal besides metallica. Their solos have always been absolutely horrid in my opinion. Some of them are cool, don't get me wrong, but I can't really listen to anything by this band anymore. Christ Illusion isn't that good either. I agree with some of the reviewers that said that the lyrics sound like they written by a 15 year old kid. I hate how this band thinks they are they baddest band on the planet. Kerry King is a douche-bag. His mentality now seems to be, "we can release anything we want,and everyone will buy it b/c we're slayer".(kind of like metallica) Now their first couple of cd's are classick,but they really should have quit after south of heaven. They just seem to get worse and worse with each release. I think i can honestly say that I am thru with this band, I'm going to sell all of their cd's back and never buy anything by them again.

Great !.......2007-05-31

Great Album ! Dave Lombardo behind the kit, nuff said ! Favroite tune is Skeleton Christ.

Decent, But FAR From The Greatest of 2006.......2007-05-05

"Christ Illusion", Slayer's latest album after a five year wait, is an album that shows that Slayer still has its edge that gave them respect over the 1980's by fellow metal fans, but it's not an album that will completely have you pleased. If you disliked their albums "Diabolus In Musica" and "God Hates Us All" (I thought those albums were decent at best), you'll probably dislike this one too. Even with the original lineup featuring Dave Lombardo on drums, they still retain their newer sound, even if they do try to write another "Reign In Blood". Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman can sure shred and play fast, and they make some impressive solos. Only flaw is that at least some variety could be used while playing your impressive dual guitar. Lombardo still proves to be an excellent drummer after his absence from the band. However, the biggest factor that drags this album down is Tom Araya's vocals. I never found him to be an excellent vocalist; his voice just sounds raspy and headache inducing. The lyrics are pretty dumb, and while I usually am not a purist when it comes to lyrical subjects, Slayer just makes me want to think the opposite. "Cult" is the perfect example: it's just another dumb anti-religion rant. Oh yeah, don't forget the 666!

This album isn't the greatest thing to come out, nor is it the biggest abomination to set itself on the record shelves (leave that to St. Anguish and The Metallica Wannabe Crusade). It has its up and it has its downs. If you're a big fan of Slayer and modern metal, enjoy. If you're looking for music with more depth and diversity, you might want to look elsewhere.

Average customer rating:

Christ Illusion
Slayer
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000ROALE4
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Tracks:

Flesh Storm
Catalyst
Skeleton Christ
Eyes Of The Insane
Jihad
Consfearacy
Catatonic
Black Serenade
Cult
Supremist
Final Six

Tracks:

Slayer On Tour '07; Jihad\ Consfearacy (video content)
Eyes Of The Insane (video content)
South Of Heaven (from the Upcoming Unholy Alliance DVD)

Album Description

Widely considered to be the most important metal band ever, Slayer has re-affirmed that the opinion with its latest album, Christ Illusion. First released last summer, the album sold over 62,000 copies its fist week. Now a very special package of Christ illusion will be re-released that includes the new song "final six", an alternative version of "Black Serenade" PLUS a DVD with nearly 15 minutes of special Live & Tour footage as well as the "Eyes of the insane" video.

Average customer rating:

An aural treat for lovers of vocal music
Enchanting
If Angels Ever Recorded A CD
another exquisite performance
Anonymous, but in no way generic

A Portrait Of Anonymous 4
Anonymous , Hildegard of Bingen , and Anonymous 4
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000007HW
Release Date: 1997-04-10

Tracks:

Miracles Of Sant'Iago: Music From The Codex Calixtinus: Venite omnes cristicole
Miracles Of Sant'Iago: Music From The Codex Calixtinus: Ad superni regis decus
Miracles Of Sant'Iago: Music From The Codex Calixtinus: Portum in ultimo
The Lily & The Lamb: Chant & Polyphony From Medieval England: O Maria stella maris
The Lily & The Lamb: Chant & Polyphony From Medieval England: Stabat iuxta Christi crucem
The Lily & The Lamb: Chant & Polyphony From Medieval England: Stillat in stellam radium
A Star In The East: Medieval Hungarian Christmas Music: Primo tempore alleviata
A Star In The East: Medieval Hungarian Christmas Music: Speciosus forma
A Star In The East: Medieval Hungarian Christmas Music: Mi Atyank Atya Isten
Love's Illusion: Music From The Montpellier Codex: Puisque bele dame m'eime - Flos Filius
Love's Illusion: Music From The Montpellier Codex: Ne sai, que je die - Iohanne
Love's Illusion: Music From The Montpellier Codex: Amor potest conqueri - Ad amorem sequitur
Love's Illusion: Music From The Montpellier Codex: Quant yver la bise ameine - In Seculum
Love's Illusion: Music From The Montpellier Codex: On doit fin(e) Amor - La Biaute - In Seculum
An English Ladymass: Medieval Chant & Polyphony: Edi beo thu hevene quene
An English Ladymass: Medieval Chant & Polyphony: Ave maris stella
An English Ladymass: Medieval Chant & Polyphony: Salve virgo virginum
On Yoolis Night: Medieval Carols & Motets: Ther Is No Rose Of swych vertu
On Yoolis Night: Medieval Carols & Motets: Prolis eterne genitor - psallat mater gracie
On Yoolis Night: Medieval Carols & Motets: Ecce quod natura
Spiritui sancto

Amazon.com

This sampler album of excerpts from seven other Anonymous 4 releases is a good introduction for anyone who is unacquainted with the A4's startlingly pure singing and virtually celestial blend. But if you fall under the spell of this outstanding a capella quartet, the present disc will become extraneous because you'll want to own the complete recordings from which it's drawn. If you prefer complete works to samplers, try taking the plunge with "An English Ladymass" or "On Yoolis Night." --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews:

An aural treat for lovers of vocal music.......2007-04-14

If you love vocal music these gals are fabulous! This is a best of album, which is always good as an introduction to a new artist. It gives you a taste of their various albums, so you can go ahead and pursue the ones you like. Enjoy!

Enchanting.......2007-01-10

If you enjoy music that takes you to a different time and place, you will get lost in time with this beautiful work.

If Angels Ever Recorded A CD.......2006-03-16

Four female voices have never blended together so perfectly and beautifully as do those of the 'Anonymous 4.' Their CD titled, 'Portrait' contains a selection of tracks from seven other previous CD's, kind of a "Best Of" you might say.

If angels ever came down from heaven to record a CD this is what they would sound like.

Harmonious, Celestial, Purifying and Eternal.

another exquisite performance.......2006-02-27

This amazing quartette is so talented. The Christmas cd reminds me of Christmas 50 years ago in rural England where I grew up. It contains the only rendition of The Holly and the Ivy I have heard that actually does the carol justice.

Anonymous, but in no way generic.......2001-02-04

I learned about this quartet though a review in Stereophile magazine. Although they don't publish a lot of reviews, I've had exceptionally good luck with their past picks and have been able to branch out successfully in new musical directions as a result.

These four women are virtuoso female vocalists, hauntingly pure of voice. They perform music from centuries ago in the same type of setting that it was originally performed in, with stunning results. I'm generally not one for "religious" material (this is the first recording of this nature I've ever bought), but this music goes so far back in time that it sounds more primal than Christian overall.

Tracks:

No.1 Arietta
No.2 Waltz
No.6 Norwegian Melody
No.5 Folk Melody
No.8 Canon
No.6 Elegy
No.7 Waltz
No.3 Melody
No.3 March Of The Trolls
No.4 Notturno
No.2 Gade
No.3 Illusion
No.6 Homesickness
No.6 Homeward
No.4 The Brook
No.5 Phantom
No.1 Sylph
No.5 Cradle Song
No.6 Wedding Day At Troldhaugen
No.4 Evening In The Mountains
No.3 At Your Feet
No.2 Summer Evening
No.6 Gone
No.7 Remembrances

Amazon.com

Grieg's 66 Lyric Pieces range from simple pretty tunes like the early "Arietta" that opens this disc to more extended pieces like the dashing "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen" to impressionistic miniature tone poems like the late "Summer Evening." Here, Andsnes plays 24 of them, well-chosen to cover a representative selection from the complete sets. He plays them beautifully, with a lovely tone, virtuoso polish when such is called for, as in the express ride of "March of the Trolls," and poetic depth of feeling, as in "The Brook," where in his interpretation you can almost smell the grass and see the light ripples of the water. Gilels's selection on DG, with minimum overlap, is still unmatched, but Andsnes's well-recorded recital is a source of endless pleasures. Of added interest, the recording was made at Grieg's home, now a museum, on his 1892 Steinway. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Andsnes the piano man.......2007-01-08

Just finished listening to the disc and very pleased - lots of light and airy works some towards the end are very *soft* with surprising CRESENDOS at the end to wake u up! Another super disc to add to the andsnes collection !

Sensitive modern pianism.......2006-01-19

Borrowing a phrase from the contemporary political philosopher Fukuyama a case can be made that the world of classical piano music has reached "the end of history". This notion is based on the often heard idea that it only takes two clicks to get superior performances of any piece worth recording at home and that this part of the universe has reached a state of completion. Add to that the ongoing decline in the appreciation of "classical" music and its economic repercussions and you end up thinking twice before advising your children to pursue a career in this field of employment.

Yet, while a catalog with Horowitz' Scarlatti, Gould's Bach, Kempff Schubert, Bolet's Liszt, Pollini's Chopin, Michelangeli's Schumann, Gieseking's Debussy, Schnabel's Beethoven, Casadesus' Ravel, Seeman's Mozart and Backhaus' Brahms has set historic standards that are hard to equal or surpass, a cd of standard regularly performed repertoire like this one refutes any fear that we have reached the day that the music died.

For starters, piano technique has significantly improved over the last 25 years. Likely due to the standards that the aforementioned pianists set, the next generation is of superior dexterity. While I grew up in times that Horowitz' performances of Liszt, his own Carmen Fantasy and Stars and Stripes transcriptions, and Gould's highly articulate light speed Bach were considered supernatural phenomena, these times are long past. And although the former's sense of tone and the latter's feel for counterpoint may not yet have found their match, most participants in any of the endless number of competitions have basic skills that are just as high and in many cases repertoires that are much wider.

Before coming to the review of this disc, one more personal side note. Since the piano is an instrument that anyone with two functional hands can master to such a degree that quite a number of masterpieces in the repertoire are within reach, I expect recordings to reflect technical mastery. As such, I do not belong to the group of those pianophiles who consider Fischer's Bach "acceptable", Cortot's Chopin "monumental" and Horowitz "live in Moscow" version of his standard Scriabin etude "earth shattering".

Thus we come to the present disc, which I consider a prime example of contemporary pianism. Playing on Grieg's own euphonic, but decidedly mellow piano, in the composer's own "piano room" that imposes significant sonic limitations on the resulting recording quality, his fellow country man Leif Ove Andsnes revisits his juxtaposition of the modern and the authentic that we encountered earlier in his superior Haydn piano concerto disc. While the orchestral part in that recording had clear "authentic" traits, the piano and its performance were truly 21st century. Especially in the light of earlier performances of these Grieg pieces by the likes of Gilels and Gavrilov, Andsnes approach is more restrained and, based on credible historic documentation that comes to use by oral history, less authentically romantic.

Is there something like "the importance of being authentic"? Based on the movement that initially tried to ban all professional musicians from performing baroque music, there certainly is. Nobody will argue that it is of importance to have a good understanding of the performance practices of a particular era. Yet, the mere fact that Bach is still performed worldwide more than 2.5 centuries after his death clearly refutes the notion that his music could only be appreciated within a certain set of parameters. Leaving aside the great dichotomy between the fervor with which the "authentics" have defended "the rules" and the clarity and precision with which they were committed to paper centuries ago, there is no convincing argument that a contemporary should not be able to enjoy Gould's Bach on the piano over Leonhardt's "authentic" performances on the harpsichord.

Released of the shackles of authenticity, aware of the historical record, and fluent in Grieg's lingo from early childhood Andsnes has made a both highly sensitive and textually very accurate reading of the Norwegian's small scale character pieces. Helped by a technique, that is at least as good as all of the luminaries that I mentioned in the second paragraph, this recording shows the virtues of the "less is more" approach. Previous reviewers have harped on the Gilels comparison. While I admire the late Russian lion's performances, I greatly prefer Andsness. Although, Gilels could play fast and slow, soft and loud I considered his technique often of the lazy kind. Especially when it came to use of the sustain pedal he often chose to correct with his right foot, that what he preferred his hands/fingers to save energy on. While some consider this over-pedaling to be an essential part of the romantic mysticism, I am glad that the new generation of pianists does no longer need it to suggest fluency.

Limiting the use of the right pedal often leads to a much better characterization of a composer's sonic signature and this recording is no exception. While it is clear that Grieg was aware of contemporaries like Schumann, Brahms, Chopin and Liszt, Andsnes like no other "nails" the Norwegian's own distinctive voice. What results is a restrained, yet highly sensitive and intimate reading. While the room limits the clarity in the louder passages, it does provide a historically correct context for these lyric pieces.

Andsnes, without a doubt, is one of the stars of the next generation. While mediocre clowns like Lang Lang may entertain the circus crowds, it is comforting to know that musicians like the young Norwegian will keep the eternal flame alive and are likely to add chapters to an as of yet never ending history.

Suspicious Reviewer.......2005-10-19

I am sure Emil Gilels' recording cannot be surpassed but why not get both? After all, there isn't much of overlap.

By the way, I can't help questioning the intention of one of the reviewers named Dag Johansen. He is proactively reviewing most of Andsnes' CDs and giving them very poor rating. In fact, all he is reviewing are Andsnes', no other.
I don't mind that if it is truly his honest opinion but there's something fishy here... why does he keep buying Andsnes' CDs if he hates his playing so much? It's as if he is trying to damage the artist's reputation... Shady....

I have not actully heard this CD or any of Andsnes'. Just felt I needed to report on this.

A great pianist?.......2005-02-27

To be called a great pianist doesn't necessarily mean you are a great pianist. What on earth is great with this pianist? I actually don't know. Neither do a lot of people with whom I've talked. Several Norwegian pianists play these lyric pieces of Grieg better than Andsnes. His playing is actually boring. He is not telling me anything. Well, he sure has tremendous technique, brilliant understanding of form, he dress correct, smile at you from behind the piano and so forth, but at the same time he totally lack the creative force that is so important in piano-playing. Yes, his playing is utterly smooth, correct and nice, but unfortunately lack the mysterious extra, this personal touch we always look for in classical music. Never the less he is called great! What kind of great is this! Some say he is a new Horowitz. Well, it must be a Horowitz without a heart and musical imagination - a perfect piano machine. Or perhaps I've missed the point. I really don't know. One thing I know for sure; Andsnes is not a great pianist. I'm sorry.

A voyage to the coast of Norway!.......2003-05-09

I never truly understood Grieg until Leif ove Andsnes revealed him. The notturno was especially touching!

Average customer rating:

A great album by a great band (4.5)
So strange I...I'll always remember you
Still one of my all time favs.
Another good band falls victum of modern day emo crap.
Nice eerie, almost evil sounding guitar bits

The Illusion of Safety
Thrice
Manufacturer: Sub City Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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The Artist in the Ambulance
If We Could Only See Us Now
Vheissu
Red Sky
Vheissu

ASIN: B00005YTRR
Release Date: 2002-02-05

Tracks:

Kill Me Quickly
A Subtle Dagger
See You In The Shallows
Betrayal Is A Symptom
Deadbolt
In Years To Come
The Red Death
A Living Dance Upon Dead Minds
Where Idols Once Stood
Trust
To Awake And Avenge The Dead
So Strange I Remember You
The Beltsville Crucible

Album Description

2002 album from melodic-hardcore/emo-core outfit. Sub City Records.

Customer Reviews:

A great album by a great band (4.5).......2006-12-09

Thrice have gotten more recognition more recently, but the word mainly started with the band's sophomore album, "The Illusion of Safety." The first album, "Identity Crisis," showed promise, but it's more than fulfilled here. Each song is great. Some who are more familiar with the more sophisticated later works may hope for that, but this album is just a great hardcore/punk album with 13 songs that use great riffs from Teppei, and there's actually some soloing in here! Not just that, the songs are just as well-written as later works, even if no album by any artist has/will do as much for me as "Vheissu." I'd put this in the same level as the follow-up, "The Artist in the Ambulance." It has gotten better each time, so I may end up liking this one even more. Also, don't worry newer fans, there's hints of what is to come later, like that really cool classical piano interlude at the ending of "Deadbolt."

So strange I...I'll always remember you.......2006-08-16

This is a great album. Pure energy, gut busting mosh pit music right here. Later Thrice albums could probably be described as more mature than this one, especially Vheissu; but this is a great piece of work. Especially considering that this is only their 2nd album. This is my third favorite thrice album, behind "Artist" and "Vheissu." Taking into account those are 2 of my favorite albums ever, that is not a knock on the quality of this album. Thrice is band that just improves with every release.

What I've always liked about this album is the guitar work. There are some awesome solo's in this album. Its freaking amazing. My favorite all-time thrice song is "To Awake and Avenge the Dead. When I want to get pumped up, I always listen to that song. Its unbelievable. The fast paced nature of the album is probably what sets it apart from later work, but I still think its some of the best stuff that they have written. My only complaint, is that some of the album gets repetitive. That can be said of a alot of albums, and does happen here somewhat. But it doesn't detract at all from the album.

Standout tracks: "Kill me quickly," "deadbolt," and then the last 3 songs end the album on a high note. "To Awake and Avenge the Dead," So Strange I Remember You," and the epic "The Beltsville Cruicible."

Even though this album only came out in 2002, it has a classic feeling to it when you compare it "The Artist and the Ambulance," and "Vheissu." And classic is usually a good thing in my book.

Still one of my all time favs........2006-05-10

This is Thrice's best CD. They are four dudes from Cali all with amazing talent and Dustin is a very intelligent and emotional frontman. If you've heard their new singles from Vheissu on the radio or something and want to know what I (and a lot of other people) consider real, old school "Thrice" then this is the album to pick up.

From start to finish it's just fantastic. I listen to just about everything except country and as far as punk/metal goes, this should be the freakin' standard.

Thrice has grown and evolved emensely. Sometimes it's hard to think the same band made Illusion of Safety and Vheissu, but I still love them and think that they are one of the BEST bands in modern music.

Check out their DVD that accompained If We Could Only See Us Now for a good telling of their backstory.

Bottom line: Thrice is amazing and The Illusion of Safety just plain rocks.

Another good band falls victum of modern day emo crap........2006-01-19

I'm going to be straight up, the title says it all. Thrice was a great band, Illusion of Safety is one of the most incredable albums ever. Now they sound like every other band out there today. Personally I Hate emo, I grew out of that crap along time ago. I'm sorry if I offend people in saying that. I just dont see any talent in it. Thrice used to be my favorite band. Being a guitarist myself, I enjoyed Identity Crisis' true hardcore sound, and Illusion of Safety's amazing creativity, but the Artist in the Ambulance and this new CD are crap. If your emo, then give it a shot, but if your sick of the new-age emo crap you can't avoid every time you turn on the radio, put this album back. It's time to move on Thrice fans. They came.. they rocked.. there done.

Nice eerie, almost evil sounding guitar bits.......2006-01-09

A righteous effort by Thrice. The guitars blaring are pretty good, but the way the lead guitarist rips through the rythm with brief but sharp solos is even better. You can interpet the vocals as either being different in a good way, or different in a bad way. Personally I think the screaming goes perfect with the instruments. Whatever. 5 stars

Average customer rating:

Cool music for relaxing
" The right stuff "
A Remake Of A Color Me Badd Song?
The perfect jazz album. No doubt about it!
TO

Just an Illusion
Najee
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Day by Day
Morning Tenderness
Tokyo Blue
Najee's Theme
Share My World

ASIN: B000002V22
Release Date: 1992-06-30

Tracks:

Touch Of Heaven
I Adore Mi Amor
Just An Illusion
Breezy
All I Ever Ask
Noah's Ark
Loving Every Moment
Burn It Up
Skyline
Deep Inside Your Love
Here We Go
Until We Meet Again
Whenever We're Together

Customer Reviews:

Cool music for relaxing.......2001-07-26

I stumbled upon this CD recently while looking for some music to take to work. I used to play this CD all the time because it soothes me. Najee is really gifted, and I wonder why we've not heard from him lately.

Not to come off as some type of purist, but I think this music is more easy listening than Jazz -- kind of like Kenny G., Dave Koz and that ilk. It's hard for me to explain my reasoning, but this music doesn't evoke the same feel as does classic Miles or even contemporary artists like Wynton Marsalis and Cassandra Wilson. It's just not edgy enough. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it.

As usual, Najee's playing is enhanced by some impressive guest vocals. Freddy Jackson guests on the pretty ballad "All I Ever Ask," and Jeffrey Osborne shines on "Loving Every Minute."

" The right stuff ".......2000-05-16

This is a very up lifting cd, Najee is at his best.It is sexysmooth & sensual that about says it all! " a winner "

A Remake Of A Color Me Badd Song?.......1999-12-06

Najee has to be the best saxophonist/flutist around. Obviously, since this came out in '93, some of these songs are kinda old skool ("Burn It Up," "Breezy"), but this is of no matter to me, as the songs still good. Check out "Touch Of Heaven," the Color Me Badd remake "I Adore Mi Amor," "Just An Illusion," "Noah's Ark", and my favorite one, "Skyline." If you like smooth jazz, Najee is the one to pick up.

The perfect jazz album. No doubt about it!.......1999-06-14

I've always loved jazz, and this is the best jazz album to have come out in this decade! I'm definitely in love with this man's music. Not even Kenny G can do the things Najee can! I love the way Najee handles the soprano sax, and his alto and tenor works are even better! I love the title track, "All I Ever Ask" (with Freddie Jackson), "Burn it Up" (with Marcus Miller, who's also done some marvelous work with Luther Vandross), and "Skyline." The best track on this album is "Here We Go," because it's inspired by hip-hop and bebop. Finally, "Whenever We're Together" wraps up the best compilation of slow jams and upbeat dance tunes ever put together. Najee's the man, and I'll look for more from this talented man!

TO.......1999-04-04

NAJEE HAS A SOULFUL KIND OF JAZZ THAT WILL MAKE YOU GO TO ONE OF HIS CONCERTS. THE MUSIC TAKES YOU THERE.

Average customer rating:

DECENT TRIP-HOP
There is hope
Motion Man soars
Much better than I was expecting.
Album is second best...only to Dr.Octagon

Masters of Illusion
Masters of Illusion
Manufacturer: Threshold Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Clearing the Field
Project Polaroid feat. Kool Keith
Pimp to Eat
Matthew
First Come, First Served

ASIN: B000050HOC
Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

Figment (Intro)
Masters of Illusion
We All Over
Magnum Be I
U Want Freestyle?
Scared Straight
Time 2 Get Right
Step Up
Funky Redneck (Skit)
East West Hustlers
Bay-Bronx Bridge
Call the National Guard
Back up Kid
Partnas Confused
Souped Up
Urban Legends
Clifton's Conversation (Skit)
Let Me Talk to You
Silk Suit Black Linen

Album Details

HIP-HOP. Kool Keith. Scratches by DJ Revolution, Babu & Rhettmatic.

Customer Reviews:

DECENT TRIP-HOP.......2006-12-08

I am a huge trip-hop fan and have literally hundreds of trip-hop CD's. This CD is better than average. One of the rappers sounds like DR' Octogon, who made one of the best trip-hop CD's EVER.

There is hope.......2006-05-20

I gave up on Keith and then... I picked up this album. I had the "Partners Confused" 12" and was impressed, but by the time this dropped I already moved on. Later on I picked this CD up on a whim and was given hope for Kool Keith.

Kutmaster Kurt takes up the production and brings his signature sound of hard drums and stabbing samples. No doubt the beats bang on this joint and Keith and Motion Man flow so naturaly over the tracks. A very solid listen and a breath of hope for the Keith fans that thought his only moment of greatness was Doc Oc and Ultra.

Motion Man soars.......2005-11-01

I'd have to say that Motion Man shines on this album, doing a lot better than Kool Keith. Keith is a classic, but in recent years he has lost track of himself. Motion Man has a better grasp of his lyrics and lyrical content; it is no surprise that my 2 favourite tracks are both Motion Man-only tracks: "Magnum Be I" and "Call the National Guard".

KutMasta Kurt is a great DJ/producer, his production is brilliant. The album also features several guest scratches/cuts by other DJs, including DJ Revolution. There are no guest verses from other emcees on this album.

Overall, 4/5 (but I'll give it a 5 just because). I'm not sure of this Amazon.com disc, but my one came with a free disc full of instrumental tracks.

Much better than I was expecting........2005-10-22

After all the crap i've been hearing from Keith latley (Analog Brothers, Dr. Octagon 2, Thee Undertakerz, Lost Masters) I pretty much lost all faith in Keith, but this record slipped right under my nose. I never even heard about it. It was on here for 4 bucks so I figured why not? Well, I was very pleasently suprised. It's obvious that when Kurt teams with Keith they can do no wrong. While it's far from being Keith's best, this album has sick flow and sick beats to back the flow. Keith and Motion both do a good job. There are quite a few weak tracks though, the best tracks are definetly "U Want Freestyle?" and "Step Up". These 2 tracks alone are worth the 4 bucks I paid. There are only like 3 songs on the album that are unlistenable. Which is pretty good considering the 20 some odd tracks that are unlistenable on all of the albums mentioned above. I do like Dr. Dooom alot better though. I compare because it is basically the same trio (Keith, Kurt, Motion) and I notice that there's a cut from "Housing Authority" from Dr. Dooom in one track. I find that any album that Keith has made before 2002 is worth a listen. If you see a Keith album that was made in 2002 and above, avoid it at all costs (except the ones done with Kurt). So that means I have one Keith album left to hear "Sex Style". Which is gonna cost me a pretty penny. Anywayz if your a fan of Keith, Kurt, Motion, or just plain hip-hop. Check this album out.

Album is second best...only to Dr.Octagon.......2005-03-01

I mean we all like Kool Keith for some reason. Whether it be for his 20 something years of rap service, Ultramagnetic M.C.s, Dr. Dooom, Dr. Octagon, Kool Keith, Matthew, Diesel Truckers, Analog Brothers...etc.etc. He has a persona that can land him any rap time. I admit that his more recent albums have been...well...plain poopy, but you can't blame the guy for trying.

I first heard of Kool Keith when my friend bought the Ultramagnetic M.C.s album, but what really got me into him was Dr. Octagon. THAT was his best. I mean that album drove me bananas. Then came Dr. Dooom, which everybody SEEMED to like, but I really didn't like it a lot. It was not bad though. I LOVED Masters of Illusion though.

It showed a Dr. Octagon(ish)type of playfulness, yet Sex Style type vulgartiy and complexity. And with the ellaborate Kut Masta Kurt on the Tables of Fables, his hands were telling more haunting stories than Stephen King. What kept this album going, was the fact tha Keith had time to wirte down good raps.

Not like what he does today. I mean he released like 4 albums last year. Who is he now? Master P jr.?

He should rekindle his Dr.Octagon days, and stir us up another K.K. concoction, that will drive us insane.

PEACE

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Album Review