Rock & Pop > 1990 to 1999 Rock & Pop > Hard Rock > Limited & Deluxe Editions

Average Alice

Advantages: Some fine moments
Disadvantages: Patchy

I didn't bother with the "free" comic-book associated with this release, despite it apparently being "essential to fully appreciate this concept album" (or so the marketing would have us believe) as it appeared to be two or three quid dearer than the CD on its own. And anyway even a concept album should stand up on its own without any knowledge of the plot. This is actually rather short for such a release at only 51 minutes, and starts quietly with ...
...old guitars, before "Lost in America" bursts forth with its heavier axe sound and hilarious lyrics ("I can't go to school because I haven't got a gun" - only in America!) The clumsily-titled "Bad Place Alone" follows, then "You're My Temptation"'s slow riffs and growling vocals turns back the clock to vintage Alice. "Unholy War" is written by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden - who I don't really like - but is probably my favourite track (go figure). ...

nicks 13.09.2000 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Last Temptation, The (Limited Edition) - Alice Cooper

A bit too twee for me

Advantages: Still some excellent tracks
Disadvantages: The Steven concept idea is a bit dull by this time

The Last Temptation is a concept album revolving around an old character (Steven) from Cooper's albums of the past Welcome to My Nightmare, Goes to Hell and at the end of Hey Stoopid, the album prior to this. I don't really like concept albums but if anyone can get away with them, it's Alice Cooper who to be fair, was one of the first to play around with them The story is about Steven's last wrestle with his conscience, back in the 70s he found ...
...Stephen tracks I found this last album the most commercial and the least haunted. The songs are far from bad but they don't seem to have any real balls to them. Lost in America is an instant winner and Stolen Prayer is probably one of Cooper's best songs ever, a truly excellent ballad but a lot of the other work on this album is mediocre. 1. "Sideshow" (Alice Cooper, Brian Smith, Michael Brooks, Jon Norwood, Dan Wexler, Bud Saylor) - 6:39 2. "Nothing's ...

dangaroo 06.11.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Last Temptation, The (Limited Edition) - Alice Cooper

Are you casting aspersions or is it just innuendo?

Advantages: Showcases Queen's talent to the max.
Disadvantages: Their final 'proper' studio album

Having clocked up a few miles driving during the last week or so I've had a lot of time to listen to music in the car. A quick raid on the cd collection unearthed a right royal gem, Queen's 1991 release Innuendo. Unfortunately, this was to be the last album which Freddie Mercury 'recorded' with the band, as he was to sadly pass away later on that year at a sickeningly early age. This sad event robbed the music world of one of its most unique talents ...
...even more remarkable is that, Freddie was already chronically ill during recording. A fact which was highlighted upon the albums release, when we got to see the gaunt images of Freddie in the promotional videos. Incidentally Queen are:- Freddie Mercury (lead vocals and keyboards) Brian May (guitars, keyboards and vocals) Roger Taylor (drums, percussion, keyboards and vocals) John Deacon (Bass guitar and keyboards) Anyway, before I begin to ...

scampi1 26.07.2004 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Innuendo (Limited Edition Vinyl Replica) [Remastered] - Queen

Queen's Best Album

Advantages: Amazingly advanced for 1974 and a great range of songs, from hard rock to fantasical progressive rock and everything inbetween!
Disadvantages: Queen have not completely developed their talents on this album

...anybody who is not a Queen fan but would like to hear some amazing music from the early 70s. Here is a review of each song: Procession *** - An orchestral guitar piece, completely arranged and played by Brian May and used at the beginning of a lot of Queen's early concerts. A nice track to begin with. Father to Son ***** - Another Brian May masterpiece about family, love and futures. Great harmonies in the chorus although the verse does seem to ...
...March Of The Black Queen ***** - I've never heard anything quite like this! Incredibly complex, must have taken the band ages to record, but definately worth it! Funny How Love Is **** - Leading on from the previous song, this is a very thickly textured, yet relaxed song. Quite repetetive but ery enjoyable to listen to. Seven Seas Of Rhye ***** - The completed version of the song, as heard on the Greatest Hits album. A great rock song with an amazing ...

mollytaylor 05.10.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Queen II (Limited Edition Replica Vinyl) [Remastered] - Queen

I Know It's Over

Advantages: Great songs and great singing
Disadvantages: Still don't dig Eternal Life

...6 concerts in Jeff Buckley's Mystery White Boy tour make up this live album. My ratings are as follows: [*] - Nothing really catches the attention. [**] - Something grabs my attention. [***] - Gets me air-drumming, air-guitaring and singing along to the track. 1. Dream Brother Slow to start, and though in the buildup there is some laidback vocal improvisation, Jeff is having to squeeze hard for some of those falsetto notes. [**] 2. I Woke Up In A ...
...heavy, and the riffs dirty. [***] 3. Mojo Pin Solid but for the final bridge where Jeff slips into sheepish singing - however he does come on strongly for the finale. [**] 4. Lilac Wine As if Buckley has had too much to drink here, what with the guitar losing its way and his vocals being reduced to a croak at the end, though the improvisation in the singing is as strong as it is soulful. [***] 5. What Will You Say Similar to Dream Brother in that ...

scream4bruce 11.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Mystery White Boy - Jeff Buckley