Shadow Of Your Smile - Dexter Gordon Quartet

Advantages: quite original and catchy songs
Disadvantages: sounds repetitive

...~The Lowdown~ The Rasmus are a Finnish quartet, who play their own instruments, they have gone platinum in their own country but are not so well known here, but thanks to their catchy single 'In the Shadows' they have taken the UK by storm and are tipped as a band to watch. ~The Songs~ Are quite original, with catchy tunes which you may or may not soon find yourself humming along too. Personally, i was impressed by their lyrical content, especially considering the language problems that you may expect from an overseas band. The melodies are addictive, the guitar peices are strong, are the drumming is excellent. Their sound sort of reminds me of Bon Jovi. Some of the tracks, and some of the lyrics will stick in your mind. ~Overall opinion~ I have no hesitation in recomending this album, however, i would say that overall, the album does... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Relaxed, yet experimental.
Disadvantages: Not the 'perfect-pop' some might expect.

...'Smiley Smile' by The Beach Boys is often rated a self-indulgent sketchbook of ideas. Certainly their heavy use of psychedelics is evident in its over-zealous experimentation and abstract/silly lyrics. However I think it's an extremely worthy piece. It's much like their masterpiece, 'Pet Sounds', with exquisite vocal-harmonies, reminiscent of barber-shop quartets, fusing with stripped down instrumentation. However it's much rawer, less polished, which I find charming. With lyrics about their favourite vegetables and balding women, there's a sense of innocent mischief. Brian Wilson's genius for rhythms and harmonies are best seen here on 'Good Vibrations' and 'Heroes And Villians', although tracks like 'Wind Chimes' and 'Little Pad' show a previously unheard, but very touching sense of reflection and melancholy. As with 'Pet Sounds... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Alto saxophony at it's best.
Disadvantages: Not to everyones taste.

...death, and like many saxophonists, it is posthoumusly that we begin to appreciate their genius. Interestingly this is not just Art Pepper on this album, but we also get Chet Baker and Marty Paich....I am not reviewing them here as this is seen as an Art Pepper Quartet album, and they are playing with Art. ~~~Album 'disparity'~~~ Interestingly, Amazon lists the album with only 5 tracks, same artwork and a release date of 2007, the tracks listed there are: 1. Red Car 2. Shadow of Your Smile 3. Trip 4. Mambo de la Pinta 5. Besame Mucho On Amazon this album is around £6.50. iTunes lists the album as 2004 release with 17 (some missing from the Amazon listing) tracks, at £7.99, this is the version that I have and am reviewing. Also I will not review every one of the 17 tracks but will concentrate on two or three tracks that stand... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful