I have to admit, that I foind out about this band from that John Cusack movie, yes you all know it. I fell in love at first listen. Wow they had such a distinctive sound and Stephens voice is just perfect for thier music. Well that was back with the famous 3 EPs. Through the years the boys have released some good music.

Now we find ourselves holding "heroes to zeroes" in hand. From the opening chords of the U@-ish " Assesment", you know you are in good hands again. Heroes to zereo is bulit on melody, catchy pop hooks and ofcourse the perfect balance of that straight-ahead and ahead-of-the-curve sound we have come to love. They set amazing curves through out this CD, taking you places you'd never think the songs would go, surprises around every corner.

another winner.

standout tracks:

assesment
lion thief
wonderful
easy
simple
outside
liquid bird (might be worth the purchase alone)

From first look at the CD case, you'll understand everything. An egg, the beginning of a new life. In this case a new attitude, a new path, combining al of Wilcos best elements. Although "Yankee Fox-trot" was praised as the best release of 2002, and it was one of them. There were a lot of misses on that CD, as there were with all Wilcos past releases. All of them great CD's, but missing one thing to make them amazing.

Here Jeff and Co. blend all the right ingredients to make the perfect and yes amazing CD. The only miss here, if it is one is the track "Less than you think," but I am not even sure of that yet; I have only had this CD for 4 days. One track that is definitely not a miss is track 3 "spiders [Kidsmoke}" My God, it is out of this world.

Don't get me wrong for one minute, GIB is still full of quirky Wilco moments and there is also some experimenting here ofcourse.
It is full of haunting vocals, long trips into Neil Youngish guitar solos (which is a good thing to me). Jeff and Wilco found their roots and future in one great release here. Maybe its Jeff's new found mental state or a more focused band, but they have hit the nail one the head here. perfection!

Which each listen this CD gets better and better.

Standout tracks:

Spiders (kidsmoke)
Muzzle of bees
Handshake drugs
hummingbird
the late greats

Don't believe the hype, believe the music!

Let me start out by saying that I met the release of the CD with some caution. After being disappointed with "10,000 HZ Legend." I was considering that Air lost their brilliance that was displayed on Moon Safari."

Obviously Air took a cue from the fans and critics approach to "10,000 HZ Legend" and the results are "Talkie Walkie." They found a happy medium between both prior releases, keeping things to a minimum and the tracks are no more complex than needed.

But make no mistake, this CD isn't at all unsophisticated. It is one great electronica soundscape. It is chock full off surprises and ofcourse great melodies and orchestrations.

stand out tracks:
1) Cherry Blossom girl
2) Mike Miles
3) surfing on a rocket
4) Alone in Kyoto

Any other singer/songwriter would have been tapped out after the triple threat of the 3 CD set "69 love songs," but not our Stephin.

So we wait 5 years,(sure we were pacified with "Pieces of April"), for "I." As announced this was to be synthesizer free, to the dismay of some and the delight of others. Here Stephin relied heavily on cellos and acoustic guitar. Ever the hopeless romantic, he sings of life, love lost. The music rings full of a loss of hope and surrender normally reserved for the young.

Musically, the formula hasn't changed drastically and that voice remains true, though having found some new range, it fits everytime.

there are many songwriters out there today putting there heart into music, but when stephin takes the magnetic fields into the studio, it is always a work of art.

Stand out tracks include:

1) looked all over town
2) I was born
3) I thought you were my boyfriend
4) I don't believe you
5) In an operetta
6) its only time

In my head, Moz has always been, always will be a legend. Despite the fact that he was torn to shreds by the press and considered washed up by many fans. Whether with the smiths or in his solo work Morrissey has a wit, a humor, a disconnection, a sadness that has forever struck a cord in me.

Though he doesn't break new ground with YATQ (He doesn't have to), all his trademarks remain intact. With songs like "America is not the world," the single "Irish blood English heart," I have forgiven you Jesus" opening Quarry you know he is in peak form. Quarry is filled with surging mid-tempo guitar anthems that have been his stock and trade for years. His comedic wit is evident on tracks like "All the lazy dykes" and "You know I couldn't last."

Morrissey effortlessly picked up right where he left off with "Maladjusted," and adding more muscle to the music along with a strong set of songs.

Quarry is neither a comeback or a breakthrough, it is just a very good Moz CD, and after all these years, its exactly what I need.

It seems its taken 10 years for this band to find its place. After many "experimental releases" Modest Mouse have let loose on us their most cohesive CD to date.

"Good news for..." is definitely more focused than the meditative
"The Moon & Antarctica." Though "Good news for," is 100% Modest Mouse, you can hear many of their influences i.e. Tom Waits and The Talking Heads. They do not however just rehash their influences material, but bring their own quirky style to the for front, while allowing us listeners to understand where they found
some inspiration.

By bringing a louder more rocking sound to this CD, they only inherence the contrast between harsh and beautiful things about their music.

I hope the boys continue along this path, while still bringing in new ideas and styles, if they do they will be around a long long time.

How can you have a definitive collection of Beth Orton, she is just starting out, she is amazing and I don't see her slowing down quite yet; but whatever.

OK so the record label took Beth's greatest moments and put them all on one CD, PERFECT! Then the found 10 remixes, rarities, etc., and put them on a bonus disc, EXTRA PERFECT! All the Beth anyone could want, right? Wrongo! There is never enough Beth.

But Pass in time is perfect, for true fans and obviously for newcomers to her music. Its the perfect staring point. Once you hear this you'll run out and buy up all the other stuff. This 24 song compilation is worth the purchase though for long time fans, if just for the bonus CD alone.

You may already have her 3 previously released CD's but all her best are here, "She Cries Your Name," "Galaxy of Emptiness ," "Stolen Car," "Central Reservation."

The bonus CD includes the first-rate collaboration with "the Chemical Brothers" on "Where do I begin," She teams up with "Terry Callier" on "Dolphins," and "William Orbit" on "Water from a vine leaf." A reworking of "It's Not the Spotlight" just for this release.

But the biggest bonus here are 2 tracks from her "Superpinkymandy" album (now out of print), John Martyn's electronic "Don't Wanna Know 'Bout Evil" and the delicate "Where Do You Go?" . Both tracks give you a quick peek at her beginnings.

Beth is an undeniably gifted artist who has been copied by many (Dido and Sarah McLachlan, etc.). Her voice and vision cannot be duplicated though. I am sure this collection is far from conclusive, I eagerly await future releases from a shining star among clones.

My only problem with this release is that it is too short, only 27 minutes long. Way to short for us fans who have waited for a follow up to "69lovesongs." But that's a small complaint.

This CD is an excellent sample of some of "The Magnetic Fields," "the 6ths" past CD's. Also includes here are some new songs that are very good. These songs again are about love, being in it, falling out of it, longing for it. They follow in Stephin's writting tradition and classic manner. Only wetting my taste for a TRUE follow up to "69lovesongs."

I have followed Stephin for many years and he hasn't let me down yet. If you have a taste for great song writing, off beat musical arrangements then this is for you. If your into formulaic top 40 music then by all means pass this by.

Unlike their predecessors/influences, Brian Wilson, Phil Spector, Belle and Sebastian, the Magnetic Fields, Hidden Cameras are not afraid to talk about sex. This CD is full of (gay) sexual imagery. in my opinion its about time, there have been many a "gay" bands, from erasure, the pet shop boys, all the way up to Rufus Wainwright, but very rarely do they touch on the taboo subject matter that Hidden Camera embrace.

Don't let the gay moniker scare you (it shouldn't anyway in this day and age) If you like any of the above mentioned influences, go out and get this. These are cleverly written pop songs, even if they are filled with sexually free thinking lyrics. Some of the best in years. These songs almost seem like a soundtrack to a musical.

Though they tackle subjects as wide ranging as golden showers and gay marriage, you cannot deny that at heart these are delicious indie pop songs.

And admit it gay and straight alike both have their dirty side, it just never sounded so good.

Have you ever been caught in the dream, where your walking down a lonely street in tin pan alley? Your alone wearing nothing but your best pinstriped suit smelling of stale cologne.

You walk up to a bar and when you enter all color leaves and your in a black and white world. the bar is filled with cigarette smoke and cheap booze.

You motion to the barkeep but your double bourbon has already been poured. Have you been here before?

The band starts playing, a sound combining jazz demons from the past and parts of your lonely future. The singer seems to know your whole life, the sadness, the heartbreak, all the pain, longings and loves won and lost. he tells it to you without holding back. Though you turn away you cannot escape the truth, the lies, your story.

You throw back your shot and feel it burn as it goes down, Just like your life. You stare into the singers eyes, he is crying, but so are you because you are the singer. Alone with your story and no one to listen, no one to care, no one to love.

No, you say, well put this CD on, turn out the light, and let it take you on the haunting, beautiful journey there.