Van Halen II is every bit the classic their debut was. David Lee Roth's talent really shows here. From what I hear this album was recorded in less than a week! You wouldn't know it, as the songs sound masterfully crafted. Not one second seems rushed.

Another fine cover tune opens the album,
"You're no good" and gets things going in full throttle. "Dance the night away" with it's pleasant harmony reached the top 20. The feel-good chorus of "Bottoms up" never disappoints. Eddie showcases his acoustic chops on "Spanish fly" followed by the all-out rocker "Dead or alive". "Women in love" will lift you up during the dog days of summer. Capping it off is the classic "Beautiful girls" playful lyrics, strong chorus, what's not to like?

The songs on Van Halen II encapsulate the ultimate Summertime feel. This is a must-have.

Whitney Houston's second album broke all sorts of records back in the day and with good reasons, her unique one-of-a kind voice combined with top notch production. On the downside if you never cared for bordering-on-pop R&B Music this won't make you a fan. Detractors aside, "Whitney" is outstanding through-and-through.

The big hits "I wanna dance with somebody", "So emotional", "Where do broken hearts go", "Love will save the day", and "Didn't we almost have it all" are highly enjoyable. There's also a few lesser known gems here as well. "Just the lonely talking again" is a semi-ballad with an incessant chorus. "Love is a contact sport" with it's catchy main section and driving chorus is vastly overlooked. "I know him so well", A fine duet with Cissy Houston (Whitney's mother) surprisingly wasn't released as a single, that's a shame, as given Whitney's status back then it would've soared up the charts.

The Great (although re-packaged!) music saves it from the dreaded one star.

For Casual fans, the two Greatest Hits volumes are all you need, Die-Hards would already own this stuff, possibly a few times over considering the Vinyl/Cassette and 8 Track formats and re-purchasing on CD.

Box Sets are supposed to contain the right mix of Rarities, Songs that appeared as B-Sides of singles (unreleased on album), and a few demos or alternate takes. Instead we get quite a few live tracks, good, but far from fresh, as it's just a rehashed concept from Hell Freezes over.

Simply put, Selected Works just doesn't merit shelling out more bucks for familiar material, this is true with all Box Sets actually. I've made a conscious effort to avoid 'em. They REEK of Record Company greed, and shows a sign of laziness on the band's part.

The reviewers that slag this album seem more like David lee Roth fans than true-blue Van Halen fans. To dislike the music is one thing, but hating it just cause David Lee Roth's not singing is absurd. And Comparing the Hagar era to the Roth years is apples to oranges!

The only dud here is "Inside" though you get the impression that the boys were really enjoying themselves. Eddie's top-notch guitar skills are evident on "Get up", plus there's clever boxing references thrown in. The two ballads "Dreams" and "Love walks in" are amazing. I always crank up "Summer Nights" around my birthday in June. Ideally sets the mood. The songwriting is incredible on both the title track and "Best of both worlds".

A few have complained that today 5150 Sounds dated. So what if they opted for synthesizers? That's harsh criticism, Those were the times. Who WASN'T using 'em at one point back then? And besides it was done so effectively it's hard to argue with that choice.

Overall Death Certificate just isn't up to par with Amerikkka's Most wanted. Still some Decent moments though, "Steady Mobbin'" is good with a funk-infused chorus. "My Summer Vacation" is perfect for just that, cruising 'round in July.

On the down side, there's some disturbing messages. Ice expresses his disapproval for interracial dating on "Horny Lil' Devil", Hatred for Koreans "Black Korea", and his Anti-Semitic assault on N.W.A's manager "No Vaseline". These songs are distasteful and ruin the album.

Death Certificate is a worthy purchase, but for new fans Amerikkka's Most Wanted is a better choice.

IT WASN'T THERE BEST BUT THAT DON'T MEAN DON'T BUMP IT

This album's a banger, I copped it on the day of release. Still in my CD Player a week later. 'Nuff said.

This album is not even close to Acoustic Soul. It had a few decent moments scattered throughout which earns it 2 Stars but you can tell she rushed this one for the Grammy Deadline, it sounds half-assed.

"Acoustic Soul" was one of the best albums of 2001. I personally think "Voyage to India" is a waste of money. Hey, everyone has their own opinion. I just hope she takes her time on the next one.

As a whole, The songs on Katy Lied aren't as enjoyable, nor do they pack quite the punch of Countdown to Ecstasy, my favorite Dan Album.

The memory of Steely Dan the touring band lingers in the past as Becker/Fagen delve deeper into Jazz and lite-pop. Don't get me wrong, there's still some decent moments, as Donald Fagen is in Top form.

The amazing opener "Black friday" is on par with "Bodhisattva" in my book. "Everyone's gone to the movies" never fails to delight. "Any world that I'm welcome to" is exceptionally strong. "Rose Darling" has a perfect friday afternoon/going away feel.

On the downside I never cared for "Your gold teeth part 2". It sounds kind of corny and can't hold a candle to the original. "Throw backs the little ones" comes and goes as filler.

My father recently passed away. He was a huge Steely Dan fan and got me into them. I remember vividly hearing Countdown to Ecstasy on his stereo and it blew me away. Katy Lied was their second album I got the chance to hear, and I was disappointed at first, expecting another Countdown to Ecstasy, it's nowhere near that album (But then again, what is?)

Artists of this magnitude, Springsteen, Seger, and Petty have extensive bodies of work. Logically, their greatest hits compilations should be given 2 discs for starters. But that's not the case.

Bob Seger's greatest hits is missing out on so much great stuff, it's almost doing him a disservice. The track sequencing is not in Chronological order, so you get the bizarre effect of bouncing from 1976's "Mainstreet" to fifteen years later, 1991's "The fire inside".

Lesser numbers like "You'll accomp'ny me" should have been left off.

There's the glaring absence of classic rock staples "Beautiful loser", "Katmandu", and "Rock and roll never forgets", in addition to strong album cuts like "Shame on the moon", "Fire lake", and "Betty Lou". Also missing in action is his BIGGEST, and only number 1 hit "Shakedown".

If you're new to Bob Seger, this isn't the place to start, I'd recommend acquiring Night Moves instead.