Battle Of The Nudes, The - Gordon Downie

Advantages: A 37-track 'best of' hand picked by those who know best, the fans.
Disadvantages: Few and far between, the two new songs slightly lack in depth.

...The Tragically Hip are Kingston, Ontario's favourite sons. Sellers of millions of records in their native land, and worshipped by hordes of hockey-shirt clad, boisterous rock fans. Surprisingly given Gordon Downie's distinctive Stipe-esque yowl and the band's consistently melodic guitar-driven records, they have failed to replicate that form away from home. In fact, here in the UK they are almost a complete mystery, falling significantly behind Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan and Barenaked Ladies in the recognition stakes. I encountered them for the first time in 1995 when BBC Radio broadcast part of their Glastonbury set and I was hooked thereafter. Fans of intelligent, angular rock bands like Counting Crows, REM, Pearl Jam and Live in particular should consider listening. 'Yer Favourites' is a great starting point... Read review

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Advantages: Sonic Youth's creativity hasn't left them just yet
Disadvantages: Shame bonus tracks weren't part of the album proper

...Rather Ripped is the, dare I say it, poppier follow-up to Sonic Youth's critically acclaimed duo comprising Murray Street and Sonic Nurse. And it doesn't disappoint; Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo serve up yet more intricate guitar interplay, while Kim Gordon provides agressive vocals and menacing bass alongside Steve Shelley's unfaltering drums. While it's not quite on a par with their best work, it serves as a reminder that Sonic Youth is as relevant today as it was in the early eighties. 1. Reena: one mouthwatering riff and it's like their ordered chaos of unorthodox guitar tuning and eerily cool vocals never went away. A barnstorming opener with powerful drums complementing Moore and Ranaldo's interweaving guitars. Gordon's breathy vocal floats effortlessly over this musical gem. 2. Incinerate: sounding like the roaring inferno... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Quality of music and mix of classic and new songs
Disadvantages: It can be VERY loud when you put the volume up slightly

...I don't actully have this CD anymore which is a shame because i really enjoyed the music on it! The tracks are constant and there is only a very small pause between tracks but each track contains about 3 songs. There is alot of very old classics there which where very well done and a couple i had never heard before. The music quality is very good. It plays best at very loud so it would be ideal for a party/event etc. The tracklist 1. Scotland the Brave/Badge of Scotland/Atholl Highlanders/Bonny Balloway - Queen's Royal Pipers 2. Doctor Ross' 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering/John Gordon ... - Clan Sutherland Pipe Band, Clan Sutherland Pipe Band 3. Battle of the Somme/Festival Cottage - Grampian Police Pipe Band 4. Stop Yer Ticklin Jock/I Love a Lassie/Roamin in the ... - Pride of Murray Pipe Band 5. Blackbird... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful