60th Birthday - Marilyn Horne

Advantages: Masterpiece
Disadvantages: Acquired taste

...Portrait of an American Family was the debut of Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids as they attempt to break onto the the mainstream music market. Although subsequent albums such as Antichrist Superstar, Holy Wood and Mechanical Animals were significantly heavier, darker and better produced, Portrait of an American Family is a rollercoaster ride into the mind of Marilyn Manson. Portrait of an American Family's style can only be described as Willy Wonka meets Little Boo Peep, with its distinctive lyrics almost reading as a nursery rhyme. Portrait of an American Family showcases such classic tracks as "Cake & Sodomy", "Get Your Gunn", "My Monkey" and the nsettling "Lunchbox". These and many other tracks make the listener sit and think and consider the underlying message of the songs whilst the music envelops and reaches for your soul... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Live, and excellent sound
Disadvantages: NONE

...Recorded live at the impressive Althorp Park in Northamptonshire U.K., it's easy to tell why this album was nominated for a Grammy. What a better way to celebrate her 60th birthday then with a live concert! Bassey is vocally superior to counterparts half her age, as she flawlessly belts out all her best on this CD. Having studied voice and music theory myself, I can appreciate the quality of Ms. Bassey's voice that progessively gets better with age. There's no shaky grandma voice here when she hit's those unbelievable high notes in "Hey Jude", "This Is My Life", and "I Wanna Know What Love Is"! Not only is every song a vocal masterpiece, but her audience interaction is fun and playful. An expanded version of this same concert is available on the Import CD titled "Diamond Collection" and on another CD titled "Contemporary Classics... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Brilliant Album. Brilliant Artist
Disadvantages: A bit repetetive

...to the World 4. Tourniquet 5. Little Horn 6. Cryporchid 7. Deformography 8. Wormboy 9. Mister Superstar 10. Angel With the Scabbed Wings 11. Kinderfeld 12. Antichrist Superstar 13. 1996 14. Minute of Decay 15. Reflecting God 16. Man That You Fear 17. Untitled (Hidden Track)... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful