Everybody Up - Ohio Players

Advantages: Well produced, high standard of musicianship
Disadvantages: Tone remains the same, no edge, likeable but forgettable

...with Everybody'. 'Crazy World' picks the pace up a little and changes the tone of the so far, quite laid back listen. Its another polished upbeat number and it has a catchy chorus, and is quite an infectious tune, although the lyrics are lamentably average, lots of Noelesque rhyming going on. That is another disapponting aspect of the album, other than being largely positive, the lyrics are also largely lame. 'On a Beach', back to the lazy pace of the previous tracks, and again it's another good solid track, sweeping vocals and soundscapes, but, as much as I like it, it could be track 2,3 or 5. This is such a safe album and a brave move for someone formerly so on the edge and godlike with his musicianship. In years to come it'll be an album to wash the car to, a 'No Jacket Required' for the remnants of the 90's indie boom. 'Money to Burn... Read review

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Advantages: sticks in your mind, each song tells a story
Disadvantages: not to the taste of everyone

...Silence in Black and White is Hawthorne Heights debut album but to be honest it's sound like it has been made by a band who has experience in the music world. It's a magnificant album and each song is worth listening to. It's one of those albums you can sit and listen to the whole way through without skipping tracks which are pretty rare to find. I first heard about this band through a site called PureVolume this site let me listen and download there first single "Ohio is for Lovers" which I found utterly amazing. It stood out from all the other music i was used to listening to. It definatley made me grow to like this type of music alot more. The first track "Life On Standby" is and amazing song it dosen't build up at all it throws you right into the action which can be a shock to some but to me it was amazing. after a short... Read review

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Advantages: Explores new territory for the band, simpler lyrics help on some songs
Disadvantages: Odd songs are not quite recorded to their best, poor opening track

...Up is perhaps REM's most different release in their entire catalogue, due to the loss of drummer Bill Berry and the use of new Producer Pat McCarthy. The former lead the way for increased use of drum machines and session players, and the latter produced a sound which was unfamiliar to the band before. The result is an album which touches on greatness in parts, but is often searching for the correct sound, which some believe they have found on the recent Reveal album. There are some fantastic tracks on Up: Lotus, At My Most Beautifil, You're In The Air, Walk Unafraid, Daysleeper and Parakeet being my favourite selection. Out of that selection, apart from Lotus the songs all benefit from a more direct style of lyric writing only seen occasionally by Michael Stipe before on tracks like Everybody Hurts. Indeed, At My Most Beautiful is so... Read review

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