Music Never Stopped, The (The Roots Of The Grateful Dead) - Various Artists

Advantages: Some great songs
Disadvantages: When it finishes!

...American Beauty, following on from Workingman's Dead marked a signigicant change in the music of the Grateful Dead. Famed for their live shows and long extended jams, the Dead moved away from their psychedelic influences and more towards the sound of Crosby, Stills and Nash. This is the Grateful Dead in mellow mood. This album is the best of the Dead's studio albums and features classic songs such as Ripple, Sugar Magnolia, Truckin' and Friend of the Devil. The sound is much more acoustic and emphasis the vocal harmonies of the band. If you're new to the Grateful Dead then this album is a great starting point together with Workingman's Dead. But it is not typical of their other work. If you, like this one you'll probably like their later acoustic album, Reckoning. So listen to this album a few times and you'll find the songs... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Another album by the legendary Roots!
Disadvantages: Not as unique sounding

...Blackthought's spit-fire rapping and lyrical delivery is just mesmerising. 10/5 8. "Somebody's Gotta do it" and 9. "Duck Down" are two tracks that are brilliant for hip hop but not for the Roots. But they make a really good job of it and show us that they can make the music if they want. 3.5/5 10. "Why (What's Going On?)" is more the Roots. The Outro is a blend of rock and hip hop, while the main song is laid back with heavy lyrics from Blackthought tackling political and social issues. Skillfully carried out. 5/5 In all this album is amazing. When I first got it, I listened to it all the time and never got bored of it. Only stopped when a friend borrowed/stole it..luckily had it in my mp3 playa! If you havent heard the roots before, Tipping Point is probably the best place to start...It will let you in gently into the genius of the Roots. Get... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Full Of Amazing Acts
Disadvantages: NONE

...What can you say about Tim Westwood, well, he does have a good taste in music thats for sure. I bought this album because I'd already heard his first compilation CD and been highly impressed with It. If you ever listen to westwood on the radio be prepared for somebody trying to be something he isn't. He trys to sound like a 'G' from cali but sounds like an idiot. Never the less his taste in music is great. Anyway back to the album which is a real classic from radio one DJ Tim Westwood. The thing is Tim Westwood is a white, 40-something English man who's dads a vicar and yet he gets massive respect from all the major rappers which just isn't right. This album is a class act mixing big artists such as DMX and Ludacris, underground artists like Dead Prez and Three Six Mafia and UK acts like Seanie T, Roots Manuva, Skinnyman and Karl... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful