America the Beautiful: Great Voices in Patriotic Song

Advantages: More accessible album for the first timer
Disadvantages: None come to mind

...This album was my first P5 album. My ex-brother-in-law doesn't particularly like vocal groups...he's more of an instrumental man...and it was his way of thinking that changed my view of vocals. Sometimes you don't really need to understand the words in order to enjoy the voice. It is, after all, just another instrument. These songs are a beautiful blend of many genres, including jazz, blues, rock, and pop. Sweet Soul Revue and Baby Love Child are my personal top tracks. There is something innocent and timeless about Made in USA that makes it accessible to everyone (so it's no suprise that tracks from this album regularly appear in hollywood movies). I still listen to it regularly even after all these years and tracks from it always find their way onto my radio station. If you want great pop songs that makes you feel cooler just... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Superb album. Great lyrics, great music.
Disadvantages: NONE

...The Rising is an emotional but truly superb album. Each track, in order: LONESOME DAY Lonesome Day is a loud, upbeat and positive track. It sounds similar to some of Springsteen’s music in the 80’s such as Born in the USA (The song, not the album) Lonesome Day is a great opening to a great album. INTO THE FIRE Into the Fire is a slow, emotional track referring to 9/11. Unlike Springsteen’s most famous song Born in the USA, Into the Fire is more of a hymn than a song. “May your strength give us strength May your faith give us faith May your hope give us hope May your love bring us love” WAITIN ON A SUNNY DAY This is one of my favourite tracks on the album, it has a loud rock and roll sound to it but the lyrics are still emotional and moving. NOTHING MAN Nothing Man is a sad, touching and emotional song. If you buy the album listen... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Refreshing change
Disadvantages: Some tracks in the middle

...I'll admit when I was at college I loved hip-hop and Rap, but then I started getting bored, all these people talked about was how tough they were, how much money they had, and how many women theyhad. Talent was covered over with obscenities. This pretty much left a bad taste in my mouth for hip-hop. Years later I happened to come across Sage Francis. A rapper, who honed his craft through slam poetry contests and battle raps had made the step to sign up with Epitaph records, a punk label. Available to listen to was his most well known song 'Makeshift Patriot' a song that has been passed about through the Internet and word of mouth alone. 'A Healthy Distrust' is Sages first release on Epitaph. "This is the heartbeat of the Sage" opens up the album 'The Buzz Kill' (beat Renimator) totally awesome way to start off the album... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful