Instrumentals - Pharcyde

Advantages: It's got the original; it's a bit of group history
Disadvantages: Whose biggest hits?

...The opening song "Bittersweet Symphony" from the album "Urban Hymns" by The Verve was one of the most haunting sounds of 1997. It dominated the charts and airwaves that year and has continued to be used as background music in television programmes and advertisements, including those for Nike and Vauxhall. It is one of those tunes that you will surely have heard even if you cannot place its origin. The song became a bittersweet experience for its author Richard Ashcroft. The refrain he used was taken from, at that time, a little known arrangement of a Rolling Stones song (NOT the original) which had appeared on an album long since deleted from the catalogue. When it was first released in June 1966, "The Songbook" was the fourth in a series of albums recorded by the Andrew Oldham Orchestra. It was subtitled "Instrumental versions... Read review

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Advantages: The music is intelligent, the musicianship fantastc.
Disadvantages: Little use of vocals, only seven tracks.

...It was in 2004 that the American rock band Torche released its debut album; in 2007 the band followed it up with the release of 7 track mini-album 'In Return' through the Rock Action record label though and contained here is a grand total of 20 minutes of music. It's a pretty interesting seven track release and if you like your rock music to be played hard and heavy then you should quite appreciate the sound of Torche. This mini-album storms into action with 'Warship', it's a great way to begin the release and Torche does here show itself to be an absolutely excellent band. Vocals are barely used in this track and the instrumental side of things is therefore left to do the vast majority of the talking. It's an enjoyable track and if you like heavy instrumental rock music then the music should most definitely be of appeal... Read review

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Advantages: Relaxing
Disadvantages:

...Think of Indian music and most young people in the UK will probably think of that background music you get in Indian restaurants whilst waiting for your curry. I recently became interested in Indian music and bought myself a sitar on a trip to Goa. The sitar is a stringed instrument with the body being made from a hollowed out pumpkin. It has two sets of strings. The upper seven strings are the ones that are plucked. The lower set of strings (about 11 of them) are strings which resonate when you play the upper set of strings. I went to see a blind Indian musician called Baluji Shrivastav recently. It was an interesting experience and going to see this type of music played live is highly recommended for a mystical, spiritual and relaxing experience. After the concert I purchased a CD called "The Art of the Indian Dilruba... Read review

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