Tabla Solo - Latif Ahmed Khan

Advantages: Traditional qawaal at it's best
Disadvantages: Those not used to qawaal probably won't appreciate it

...The songs on this album were recorded just before Nusrat's death in 1997. It contains four tracks of traditional qawaal music. The first track, Khawaja Tim Hi Ho, starts of with a blaze of tablas and clapping and maintains its intensity for a whole 15 minutes. It's classic Nusrat. The secondary singers throw in wails and chants that hang in the air just long enough for you to appreciate the skill behind them. I've only had the album for a few days and I've already listened to it lots of times. It's very hypnotic. The other three tracks, while not as intense, are still fairly good. The last track, in particular, is very restrained and starts with a low drone of voices. It's perfectly paced and very relaxing. If you're a fan of Nusrat's traditional qawaal music, you'll like this album. Anyone not familar with qawaal would... Read review

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Advantages: Maynard James Keenan, Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones.
Disadvantages: -

...of your favourites before long. 9.5/10 ***H*** H is a fairly experimental tune. It is softer than the rest of the album, with wandering guitar melodies and a strong bassline, if you can hear it. Maynard's voice on this song is softer on this song, and he shows his range well. Also a great song for guitar or bass. One of my favourites. 9.5/10 ***46&2*** Another good song. Starting off with a dark, Egyptian-sounding bassline, it ends with an unbelievable drum solo (Danny Carey IS God). A challenging song for drummers, and also a magnificent song. 9.5/10 ***HOOKER WITH A PENIS*** This is similar to Stinkfist in a lot of ways. It is another 'hard rock' song, touching on the borderline with metal. This also gets a while to get used to, but once you do, you'll be headbanging. 9.5/10 ***JIMMY*** This song is about Maynard, when he was eleven... Read review

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Advantages: Metal, nostalgic, incredibly funny
Disadvantages: Vulgar

...After the Comic Strip did their hilarious Bad News and More Bad News, came the Bad News album. A selection if spoof songs, all intentionally played badly, interspersed with dialogue of the band arguing, being interviewed, getting drunk and locking each other in the studio. Only the foulest of foul language is used throughout. HOWEVER: When I was fifteen (too long ago!), I was a huge heavy metal fan and many a breaktime, lunchtime and study period was spent listening to Bad News. Simply thinking about it makes me chuckle to myself. The songs: Hey Hey Bad News - THE best singalong chorus ever written Warriors Of Ghengis Khan - "Baby, baby, baby, baby, babyyyyyy!" Bohemian Rhapsody - Bohemian Crapsody Bad News - Den's lead solo! Masturbike - enough said Drink 'til I Die - "Give me a drink, Mr Bartender…" The dialogue is often witty... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful