It's a cruel irony that many artists don't get their due until after they die. This is currently the case with Warren Zevon. Though Zevon has been on the periphery of the music industry for thirty years, his unfortunate death last year from lung cancer has brought the admiration of the public which had ignored him for most of his career outside of his brush with fame in the late 70's coutesy of WEREWOLVES OF LONDON.
Well, I am as guilty as most. My sentimental side being touched by the mans passing and a memory of several songs from many years back, I took the plunge on this fine collection. While not amazed by the may fine songs included, I was suprised by the fact that his work did not suffer any quality in the years after he fell off the public's radar screen. This collection highlights the good, bad and ugly sides of Zevon's music which make me sad that I did not follow his music more religiously while he walked the earth. RIP Warren.

I think that the title of this review speaks volumes about my feelings for this CD. To me it is easy to appreciate, but difficult to say that I enjoy it. MMJ has got chops and a good sound, however after several listens I still can't recall a single lyric. The songs just don't stick. I will say that I have picked up more from this record with each listening, so it may yet register with me.

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels were one of the best combos of the mid 60's, combining the blue-eyed soul of the Rascals with a drive matched only by the Stones. Though Ryder's reign was short lived this documents some of the hottest tracks anyone made in the 60's. From a stomping JENNY TAKE A RIDE to the metallic crunch of the Velvet Underground classic ROCK AND ROLL Mitch and the boys kick out the jams and leave all other Detroit rockers (ie MC5, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, White Stripes, etc.) in their wake.

This release by Can, as well as some of their other works can act like a Rosetta Stone for modern music. Once you hear and appreciate what he band is doing, suddenly many other groups that approach Avant Garde rock make sense.

30 years after it's release, TAGO MAGO remains as powerfull and innovative as the day it was released. How many other albums of that time period can you say that about?

Written at a time of romantic breakup that was not dulled by J. Spaceman's substance abuse, this release contains some of Spiritualized's finest moments.

Tracks like COME TOGETHER, I THINK I'M IN LOVE, ELECTRICITY, COOL WAVES and the 17 minute opus COP SHOOT COP are all hallmarks of this bands (J. Spaceman aka Jason Pierce) canon. There may be a few tracks that float off too far into the ether, but overall this is a true sonic masterpeice.

As good as this is, and I would heartily recommend it, I would probably tip my hat to LASER GUIDED MELODIES as this bands best release. Together they are two of the most musically adventurous albums released in the 90's.

This is a release that takes a while to absorb. As everyone probably knows by know, or reading the Amazon review, it is essetially two solo disks from the multitalented rap duo Outkast.

There are definatley two sides to this coin, and as far as I'm concerned they both turn up heads. Big Boi's SPEAKERBOXXX side is more traditionally in keeping with the groups rap background. Hard hitting, street wise and tough, it adheres more to the groups tradition, but still pushes the envelop sonically. In place of the standard hip ho beats one can hear to techno inluence on some tracks and one is a dead ringer for a lost Curtis Mayfield hit. The big hit THE WAY YOU MOVE has chorus that sounds like late 70's soul. Overall, I would rate this disk 4.5. I'd dock it half a star for resorting to the standard pimp and thug routines that have become predictable and boring(Got to keep it real, afterall).

Andre 300's THE LOVE BELOW SIDE is simply mindblowing. He seems to be cutting all ties with hip hop and following to the beat of his own drummer (or drum machine). Obviously informed by Prince and P-Funk, Dre throws just about everything but the kitchen sink onto his side. Some of it succeeds, while others still haven't registered with me. His songs are silly, honest and very creative. Overall grade. 4 stars.

I can only hope that these are not the sign that this group is in flux and about to breakup, but just flexing their individual muscles before going on to make the magnum opus that they so clearly have in them. Outkast is a group that seems to want to destroy musical boundries and create great music rather than just pop out a couple singles and rake in the cash. i see alot of low ratings from other reviewers that seem to be intimidated by this groups reach. I say they need to follow the immortal words of George Clinton and free their minds.

Overall I would give this 4.5 stars. Dre's side could use a little pruning, Big Boi should focus on music over macking and someone should have edited out the lame skits. Still this is a major release that combines talents that I beleive are continuing to arc higher and higher.

Roxy Music's career can be divided into two fairly distinct halves. Mach I was the flamboyant early to mid 70's version that mixed experimentation with a unique rocking side. Mach II was the creamy dance band of the late 70's and early eighties. While both bands had their highlights, I definatley prefer the early version. This CD documents the band playing live in their glory years . The strong, but unusual selection of songs are enhanced by strong performances. A number of these cuts eclipse the already amazing studio versions. My favorites include BOTH ENDS BURNING, IF THERE IS SOMETHING and PYJAMARAMA. Bryan ferry is obviously enjoying himself in these performances and the rest of the band contibutes sublime moments throughout. For fans of the early version of this band, VIVA is a must have. Those fans of the later years may wish to check this out before purchasing.

Josh Rouse is a talented artist who has been flying beneath the radar for a few years. He is an exceptional songwriter and arranger whose past work has been consistanley strong, especially last years UNDER THE COLD BLUE STARS.

1972 finds Rouse coming into his own and finding his true voice. This is an album of contrasts between sunny sounding music, informed by early to mid 70's AM pop, and darker lyrics more worldly lyrics. For the uninitiated, his work falls between Wilco of Summerteeth and Freedy Johnston's first couple albums.

This definatley rates as one of the top releases of the year. As a bonus, there is a DVD documentary about Rouse, which contains several great live performances. Though not vital or earthshaking in content, it provides an interesting angle into Rouse's musical journey.

This classic piece of comedy/socail satire ranks as one of my all-time favorite books. John Kennedy Toole has created one of the best characters of modern fiction in Ignatius Reilly, a highly edjucated, but socailly maladjusted buffoon who still lives with his mother at the age of thirty. A comic series of events forces him out of his womb-like existance to seek work in a world that fails to meet his "worldview". Great characters and outrageous dialog fill this highly readable book with numerous laughs. That the author comitted suicide is a tragedy for the lovers of fiction.

This collection is a great, and economical way to experience one of the giants, not only of blues gutar, but guitar period. T-Bone was one of the pioneers of electric guitar along with Charlie Christian. His Imperial works are smooth and urbane, but still pack a solid wallop. The price is right!