Some Songs I've Saved - Smith, Kathy

Advantages: Simple, lucid, powerful songs, Dylan is playing under conviction, a man with a musical mission
Disadvantages: Rushed, unbalanced production which hasn't transferred well to CD. Not your usual Dylan, be warned!

...** Before I begin, a brief disclaimer. ** Due to the controversial nature of this album, this review contains an opening section on the historical, musical and personal context into which the album appeared, and the effect it had when it did appear on the stunned fans of the day. This album comes in for some of the most bitter, and often unwarranted criticism of all of Dylan's great works, and as such I've assumed the responsibility of putting up a decent defense for what I believe to be one of Dylan's most revealing and compelling albums. (If you have any interest in the background to this album (and in Dylan himself) I urge you to read the whole review, but if you're simply looking for an appraisal of the album itself then please feel free to scroll down to the section headed ** An album like no other ** to get a more concise... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great Songs
Disadvantages: None

...The Best of The Smiths…….. What can I say about this group, wrote songs that no-one understood, with lyrics that look as if they were just rubbish, when in fact they were very deep and meaningful lyrics. The album……. Well as you can see the is a piccy of the CD cover in the corner above so I won't waste time by explaining what it looks like as you can probably all see that for yourselves. So I won't do the explanation thing. The songs…… There are 23 songs in total, ranging from some old favourites to the last songs The Smiths did together before Morrisey went solo. The Songs…….. 1 - Panic - This tells of the Panic that people went through in different parts of England, especially over the music scene, that's why they keep saying 'Hang the DJ' 2 - The Boy With A Thorn In His Side - About a boy who hid... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: You either love them with a passion
Disadvantages: or detest them with a vengence!

...Morrissey said, or else you referred to them as that awful bloody racket and asked why that moaning bloke had a hearing aid in and was pretending to machine gun the Top of the Pops audience. It really was that clear-cut. Having songs with such titles as 'Heaven knows I'm miserable now' and 'Unhappy Birthday' it wasn't hard to see how the divide was caused, but they were happy times when I was young and miserable!! Part 3 - The play list Side 1: William, it was really nothing What difference does it make? These things take time This charming man How soon is now? Handsome Devil Hand in glove Still ill Side 2: Heaven knows I'm miserable now This night has opened my eyes You've got everything now Accept yourself Girl afraid Back to the old house Reel around the fountain Please please please let me get what I want Part 4... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful