Plays For Lovers - Wes Montgomery

Advantages: You possibly never heard of this
Disadvantages: You possibly have heard of this

...If you have read some of my Op’s you’ll know by now that I have a fair few CD’s. These range from the bizarre to commercial pop! Or pap! You choose! I think it’s more fun to Op on something that’s been out over a decade, hardly heard about and in no way current! ;o) Anyhow, I was in a pub several years ago (well just over a decade ago!) with some of the lads on an “All day bender” when I saw an odd thing! MTV are playing a Video! It must be odd because I’m paying attention to it! The opening shot is of a brunette with long lustrous locks, pretty face, luscious lips – full and pouted, a low cut satin 18th century style dress And to be honest, massive Norks! And thus, I had my first experience of the group who are: - >>>>>>>>>>Army of Lovers<<<<<<<<<< I shall first explain the group and a brief history for those of you who... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Remarkable music from one of the best live bands of all time
Disadvantages: I'm not keen on the first half of Elephant Talk, but that's a mere quibble

...My apologies, I know I’ve only just added my opinion on King Crimson’s Beat but I was standing in the shower and it occurred to me that I had to also write one on Absent Lovers, Live in Montreal. Please be patient with me because there is a reason for this. The decision was not made out of an attempt to ‘make up the numbers.’ King Crimson is notorious for making OK studio albums, and then being one of the most remarkable lives bands of all time. Someone once said that Crimson made the Red Hot Chilli Pepper sound like a 3rd league Camden indie guitar band. This is not a frivolous opinion. Having seen them live I can say that they have a remarkable power, everyone involved so totally focussed on their music and interplaying beautifully. Absent Lovers is a snapshot of the last two nights at the Montreal Jazz Festival... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Quirky, likeable and original. A great collection of addictive tracks
Disadvantages: Perhaps one too many genres thrown into the mix, unsettled and unusual.

...Debut albums are often notable for their diverse, sometimes indecisive mix of styles and themes as the artists struggle to establish themselves and let the listener know what they're all about. This is certainly true of The Sleepy Jackson's first full-length album Lovers; although at times I got the impression that lead singer and commander of mayhem Luke Steele is simply taking us on a roller coaster ride of genres, styles and themes, just for the sheer hell of it. Within the space of the first two songs you quickly realise that someone who can move seamlessly from the George Harrison-esque opener 'Good Dancers' with its winding, whining strings, floating female harmonies and sitar-laden backing, to the stomping glam-rock, Velvet Underground sounding 'Vampire Racecourse' is not going to be easy to categorize. And it would appear... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful