I'm a Human Being-Live [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
15 previously unreleased live recordings recorded shortly after their second & final album was released. Over 60 minutes long, it features 'Koochie Coochie Man', 'Teenage News', 'Jet Boy' & 'Dizzy Miss Lizzy'. 1998 Receiver Recordsrelease. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Tracks:

Fiery Crash
Imitosis
Plasticities
Heretics
Armchairs
Darkmatter
Simple X
The Supine
Cataracts
Scythian Empires
Spare-Ohs
Yawn At The Apocalypse

Amazon.com

Strip away the music of an Andrew Bird song, and you're left with brilliant prose ("across the great chasms and schisms and the sudden aneurysms"), vignettes about mentally fending off plane crashes, infiltrating characters like the kings of Macedonia and Lou Dobbs, and titles such as "Yawny at the Apocalyspe." It's hard to believe that, really, his music reigns, but when Bird adds understated acoustic guitars, Wurlitzer and Rhodes, and his own mesmerizing pizzicato violin, his songs take on a progressive mood all their own. The Chicago Bird's tenth album (and his debut for extraordinary Mississippi blues label Fat Possum) is perhaps his most diverse, expansive, and resourceful yet, catering to a half-dozen genres of music while exploring storylines that are naïve ("Dark Matter"), candid ("Fiery Crash"), and blatantly comical ("Armchairs"). Making no palpable effort to crack the conventional with overflowing melodies and love songs, Bird instead latches up the intellect to create tiny packages of literature that make always leave you thinking--and snapping your fingers at the same time. --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews:

polished.......2007-07-26

You can't find Andrew Bird's uniquely melancholy whimsy easily anywhere else. I'm always pleased by his albums, but they pale compared to his live performances (in small venues). Bird live compared to his albums is like original Van Gogh compared to its poster print.

I wish he would learn to play the freakin' guitar!.......2007-07-20

First of all, let me offer my support of Invisigoth. A very well-balanced and thoughtful review (which maybe didn't match with the 1-star rating).

Secondly, I refuse to join the bandwagon of Andrew Bird worship. Especially around here (the Twin Cities), he gets played very frequently on indie rock stations here (namely, The Current), and the DJs seem to adore him. While I freely admit he's incredibly gifted as a musician, most of his songs seem to boil down to about 2 quite uninteresting chords. And anybody's who's ever plugged in an electric guitar at the music store could sound like his guitar. He seems to have no idea of how to nuance a guitar and amp to really get the richness that is possible. And I'm sorry, but "Fiery Crash" is just plain boring!

He can do better than this, and I hope he does on his next album.

Not to my taste.......2007-07-14

Based on the reviews I read, I was really looking forward to hearing this. The artwork featuring a bird is very eye-catching. I just couldn't get into the music. I've listened to it twice, hoping that it would improve with familiarity. It didn't. The lyrics might be good but, the musicality of Andrew's work escapes me. There's nothing catchy here and most of the songs are downright depressing.

An Antti Keisala Comment: Tales Of The Mysterious Moon.......2007-06-02

Some people go by the charts, but I belong to the other group that has found out that for them the most rewarding process in finding new music is indeed in the search itself. Some of the music I know are recommendations from friends, but quite a bit is based on the same kind of research-like relationship I have with cinema, where IMDb helps quite a bit. An example: you start from a Béla Tarr and end up being introduced to a Polish cameraman or his assistant who had worked with David Lynch on Inland Empire. I can't think of a funnier or more rewarding experience of finding new music and taking it actually into our life.

I am new to Andrew Bird. This I'm ashamed to confess, but better late than never; I only stumbled on him at the time of the release of this album a few months back, then had to get The Mysterious Production of Eggs, Weather Systems and his work with the Bowl of Fire. I came to him pretty straight through the usual companions, Sufjan Stevens and Jeffrey Foucault, and I don't know how I've managed so far without him: he's a part of the new wave of post-indie rock channeled through self-conscious resurgence of American folk music culture. But that's only part of where he's rooted: there's some of The Arcade Fire and some Jeff Buckley, and yet transcending comparison and forming a recognizable entity on his own.

Bird is a great musician and the live recordings, the three Fingerlings, should give some weight to this argument about his sense of using the instruments; he's like the young Warren Ellis of violin. He's also absolutely hilarious; his humour is witty and ironic, and his lyrics and singing completely complement the mood the song sets musically. The album opener "Fiery Crash" opens like a trashy garage rock song and evolves to an immesurably sophisticated pop song, almost echoing a Belle And Sebastian composition; but this is pop music that isn't pop music; it has twists and turns that continuously shape the direction the song and album are going to. Every time my mind grasps a hook and settles onto it for continuity, Bird changes the direction. I've scarcely had so much fun whilst listening.

A gem that's special. Have fun.

With best regards,
AK

memorable 'apocrypha'.......2007-05-21

After seeing Andrew Bird live playing this new material I've really grown to appreciate this new album. He is taking his music in a new direction, and I for one like it a lot. My advice: buy the album, see him live, experience all the wonderful colors and lyrics that he has to offer.

Average customer rating:

Swept away to another world
I LOVE THIS CD!!!
A new age masterpiece!

Spiritual Beings on a Human Journey
Anael
Manufacturer: Apsis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Buddha Spirit
Within Our Reach
Language Of The Soul
Buddha Spirit, Vol. 2

ASIN: B0000ALFXP
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

See Another World
Till the Womb Gives Birth
This Dawn of an Age
Led
Who You Are
Trace
Be Still Thy Soul
Etre Sans e (You Belong)
They'll Come to Take You Home
Sky Sent (Disclosure)

Album Description

Beginning and ending in the sky while touching down everywhere in between, Anael's 4th album is an uncompromising personal invitation into the celestial heavens. The innocent and dreamlike "See Another World," opens the senses, and each subsequent song is a brief stop on her flight. "Till the Womb Gives Birth" explores the mindset of a steadfast, faithful creator searching for the truth; "Trace" recounts our ability to connect with God by simply mirroring a higher set of ideals. As the journey progresses, we sense a newfound sense of assuredness in Anael's outlook, the script of a soul who is starting to uncover a fresh perspective. What keeps it all believable is her everpresent deliberation and questioning, well tempered with a healthy dose of humility.

Culminating with perhaps her finest studio achievement to date, the 11 minute opus "Sky Sent (Disclosure)" gives us a multi-angle vista of an unprecedented event in human history, the uncovering of hidden technologies that have the power to literally transform life on earth.

Through this constant juxtaposition of earthly concerns and human dreams, Anael reveals the multiple resonances of our universe, using a vast array of vibrations all geared towards heightening the listener's awareness. She leads us into the pure silence of the untouchable, the unexplained, the invisible - all while while charming us with her sense of bewilderment at it all. Finally, as she carries us away on her wings to the next destination, we're inclined to believe. These things of which she sings can truly be our reality.

Customer Reviews:

Swept away to another world.......2007-05-11

When I hear the clear, angelic voice of Anael, I think of her as the American/Canadian version of Enya. Like Enya, Anael's songs have a similar sound, feel and texture to them. Unlike Enya, Anael's songs aren't usually nearly as *busy* and are kept sparse in special effects so as to not take away from the natural beauty of Anael's voice. Admittedly, many of the composer, Bradford's works are based on the Roman Catholic Canon. However, some of her lyrics contain references and ideas that are strictly elements of the New Age religion. At times the words can be difficult to understand but even when she sings in other languages than English, one senses the mood and meaning of the song. Not many artists have the ability to bring a listener to tears of unexplainable joy and peace however this is what happens while playing any of Anael's songs. The songs are written to act as adornment to Anael's vocals. Her multi-layering vocal tracks become the lead instrument and the added strings, percussion and synthesizer accompany her, instead of the other way around. She is a joy to listen to and the enhanced CD contains desktop images of Anael while the music video of "Be Still Thy Soul", in MP4 format is a nice bonus for those able to view it. Sporting the same white gown as the cover art, Anael sings "Be Still" while the camera sweeps in and around her as she gently waves the layered linen fabric as if donning wings of an angel. The Gregorian vocal at the end of the final tract make for a nearly picture perfect ending.

My first exposure to Anael was through the CD "Unconditional". In my opinion, "Spiritual Beings..." make the perfect bookend set of CDs for this artist, if one had to chose only two CDs. I am eagerly anticipating hearing her newest release that is beautiful if only for the cover artwork. Put this CD on and you'll be swept away to another world free of the day to day madness. Enjoy this light, cotton candy for the ears!

I LOVE THIS CD!!!.......2007-01-10

I was looking for something spiritual and uplifting, and this is the perfect CD. Anael has an angelic voice -- absolutely beautiful and mesmorizing. The lyrics and music by Bradfield are amazing. I have bought this CD for my friends! I have purchased several of her other CD's, and by far, this is my favorite.

A new age masterpiece!.......2003-10-18

I have been enjoying this divine album for several months already (I live in Canada) and when I came here to Amazon, I couldn't believe that no one had even written a review yet...! So let me take a few moments to share my own, personal thoughts with you. I first discovered Anael's unique artistry with her "Unconditional" album about 2 years ago, and this latest album (her 4th) is among the most compelling, beautiful albums I have ever experienced. I use the word "experience" because with Anael, there is so much more than just the "listening". If you've never heard Anael's voice, let me try and describe it: breathtaking, crystal clear, with a tone so pure it sounds like the guardia angel of heaven. With every word she sings, you can feel the effect on your soul, as though a warm, divine light is fixed upon you, shining down from above. On "Spiritual Beings on a Human Journey" she sings about both the human and spiritual worlds, and how they intertwine with each other. My own personal favorites are track 2, "Till the Womb Gives Birth," track 6 "Trace" (amazing) track 8 "Être Sans Âge" where Anael sings in French and the final one, "Sky Sent (Disclosure)." This song is over 11 minutes long(!) and has 4 distinct musical movements. It's like a mini new age opera, complete with the fascinating story of hidden ET technologies and the importance for mankind to reveal them. I think that even if this were the only song on the album, I would be satisfied - it's just that special. In terms of packaging, the people at Anael's record label spare no expense and it really makes for a feast of the senses. The album comes in a cardboard style case that opens up twice and contains gorgeous angel paintings, all arranged conceptually to match the lyrics from the song "Sky Sent". There`s even a 24 page color booklet with all of the words plus more photos. I have played this album in countless therapy sessions and my clients usually end up asking me where they can buy their own copy. I urge you gently to discover it for yourself. As one of my patients told me: "Anael`s music very simply changed my life."

Average customer rating:

Rock to the rhythm of the Refugees
ABOUT TIME! Bob Marley would be proud!
Living Like a Refugee CD is excellent for both music and content
Passionate Sounds
Must have!

Living Like a Refugee
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Manufacturer: Anti
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Savane
Boulevard de l'Independance

ASIN: B000HDRARQ
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks:

Living Like A Refugee
Soda Soap
Weapon Conflict
Bull To The Weak
Big Lesson
Let We Do We Own
Smile
Compliments For The Peace
Pat Malonthone
Garbage To The Showglass
Akera Ka Abonshor
Kele Mani
I'm Not A Fool
Ya N'Digba
Refugee Rolling
Monkey Work
Ma Fo Ya

Amazon.com

Made up of former displaced persons from the killing fields of Sierra Leone, members of the Refugee All Stars (a.k.a. R.A.S.) were forced to flee for their lives during the 1990s, fanning out into nearby West African nations. Through continued hard times, bandmates Reuben M. Koroma, Francis (Franco) Langba, and Abdul Rahim (Arahim) Kamara entertained and heartened their compatriots with truthful, gently satiric, liltingly infectious tunes. Filmmakers Banker White and Zach Niles made a prize-winning documentary about the band's courageous struggle, thereby bringing their story to an international audience. Backed by Keith Richards, Sir Paul McCartney, and other socially conscious celebrities, R.A.S. embarked on a rapturously received world tour and were at long last able to augment their earlier, but nonetheless invaluable, field recordings with professionally engineered studio tracks. The resulting seventeen songs travel through deceptively relaxed Sierra Leonean Palm Wine music, triple-rhythmed gbute vang and reggae-like sounds (complete with toasting), Nigerian Afro-Beat, and even echoes of Congolese soukous. Backed by sweet yet astringent vocal harmonies, sultry guitars, homemade percussion, and playfully retro-sounding organ riffs, each selection reveals still another facet of a bittersweet but ultimately triumphant saga of survival. At long last, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are poised to become the superstars they were always destined to be. --Christina Roden

Album Description

This is a group of musicians who lived for years as refugees in the West African nation of Guinea. While living in a tent camp, they acquired a couple beat up guitars and a rusted out sound system and began playing. American documentary filmmakers made the band the focus of their movie, which received enthusiastic endorsements from the likes of Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Angelina Jolie, Joe Perry, and Ice Cube. The film's success has allowed the band to tour internationally to ecstatic audiences. Born in the midst of a violent, decade-long civil war, the group and its music celebrate our ability to sustain hope, inspiration, and creativity - the best in us - even in a climate of rage, loss, and madness.

Customer Reviews:

Rock to the rhythm of the Refugees.......2007-07-12

I lived in Sierra Leone for 4 years, from 1971-1974. The time I spent there has shaped my beliefs. I was introduced to new music, new languages and this album brings it all back. As well as the Hi-Life and more traditional songs, this album has some really good roots reggae

But, don't buy it because I'm getting misty eyed. Buy it because the music is inspiring and makes you want to dance. Buy it because you've never heard anything from Sierra Leone. And, when you've bought it, go out (or online) and find the album by Afro National.

I was lucky to live in Sierra Leone and I love this music. Now to try to find the tv program which goes with it...

ABOUT TIME! Bob Marley would be proud!.......2007-06-27

At a time when we are overwhelmed by negative and ignorant music (with few exceptions) in the US and elsewhere, this CD is a Godsend! Positive and uplifting music along with thought-provoking lyrics by people who really know that you can't be happy if you've never been sad.

The rapper Black Nature has a lot to teach his American rap counterparts. Keep up the good work brother, your work far outstrips the US rappers who have inspired you!

To Grace, The Emperors, and all the other RAS, God bless you all. ZBob Marely is smiling somewhere.

Living Like a Refugee CD is excellent for both music and content.......2007-05-13

I work with refugees here in the U.S. so I was particularly interested in listening to this group of musicians who formed a band while they were in refugee camp. The song "Living Like a Refugee" poetically describes some of the many feelings refugees have when they are uprooted from their homes and forced to flee to another country. Many of the refugees I am working with are from West Africa and they love hearing the music because they identify with the songs and they understand the ethnic languages used with the music. This is the first artistic and creative piece that I know about which has originated in a refugee camp and is now being listened to by ordinary people all over the world. I hope that the music will help all of us to understand that refugees are people just like us and that they deserve to be acknowledged and respected for the courage they demonstrate to the rest of the world, especially those of us in the U.S. who have no idea what it is like to "be a refugee".

Passionate Sounds.......2007-01-19

Great CD filled with passion and emotion. Recommend to anyone. Smooth, relaxing vibes.

Must have!.......2007-01-15

If you like world music this will be a great addition to your music collection. It has a slight reggae feel to it at times but the lyrics make you really feel where it is coming from. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this 15 song album. Enjoy

Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

a little let-down
jill scott
Just TRY to Justify Your Hatred For This Album
It's Jill Scott... of course it's hot
Just Beautiful

Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol. 2
Jill Scott
Manufacturer: Hidden Beach
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1
Experience: Jill Scott
Collaborations
Album II
Baduizm

ASIN: B0002S94RK
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Tracks:

Warm Up
I'm Not Afraid
Golden
The Fact Is (I Need You)
Spring Summer Feeling
Cross My Mind
Bedda At Home
Talk To Me
Family Reunion
Can't Explain (42nd Street Happenstance)
Whatever
Not Like Crazy
Nothing (Interlude)
Rasool
My Petition
I Keep

Amazon.com

While most neo-soulsters crank out albums like their hip-hop counterparts, Jill Scott takes a more traditional approach to her craft. Four years after the release of her debut, Who Is Jill Scott, Words & Sounds Vol. 1, Scott returns with the masterful Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Vol. 2. The album features a collection of lush and hypnotic songs that will make you want to fall in love, live life, and be a better person all at the same time. Lead single "Golden" is a prime example of this. Set to a midtempo groove made for the dance floor, "Golden" is a shiny, beautifully-written narrative about living life to its fullest. The old-school R&B ballad vibe of "Petition" is reminiscent of Minnie Ripperton or early Chaka Khan. However, "Bedda at Home" is anything but laid back. Combining elements of jazz, soul, and old-school hip-hop breakbeats, Scott extols the greatness of her man with a swagger that can only be described as cool. Other highlights include "Family Reunion" and the socially conscious "Rasool."

The album's only flaw may be that it ends too soon, but then again it's always better to leave a listener wanting more. For Scott, being "Beautifully Human" means just that--finding the allure in all that life has to offer and that's well worth the wait. --Rashaun Hall

Customer Reviews:

a little let-down.......2007-06-30

her first album really raised the bar, a bar she herself couldn't leap, climb, or crawl over with her next. there's a few good songs on this one yet the pace as a whole is slumpy and slower...not as upbeat and uplifting.

jill scott.......2007-06-30

she is an amazing talent. really enjoyed this album. she has a way with words

Just TRY to Justify Your Hatred For This Album.......2007-06-30

Because it will always be unfounded. No matter what, you can't say that this entire album is horrible. From our hauting intro to the continuing positivity throughout it, this album is just wonderful. I got started on Jill way too late into the game, but it's never to late to love this girl. Can't find a track that I don't want to play here, especially since, like her first album, they relate to humans! All of us feel certain ways, and need messages promoted here: Golden-Life is good, and we should live it. (The Fact Is) I Need You-Many people don't like to admit it, but sometimes, we do need that other being in our lives for love. Spring Summer Feeling-Thank you for denouncing that materialistic mentality that plagues present day urban music. You can go on and on with this, from the funky "Bedda At Home" & the huge Jazz Band in "Talk to Me", to the reality of "Family Reunion", and the sensuality of "Whatever", "Not Like Crazy", and the interlude. And, then you have your socially conscious music with "Rasool", and "My Petition". What a wonder! But, many say that this album is not good ONLY because they are comparing it to Vol. 1. Nah, they are in two different catagories. Vol. 1 & Experience, then Vol. 2, and probably whatever is coming next. Keep living, Jill Scott! You've made many see that there is still room for true music in this world. Get the album, then head over to Experience for her live set. Matter of fact, get everything. At least we can know that we can keep playing her 4-6 years from now.

It's Jill Scott... of course it's hot.......2007-05-18

some cuts resonated with me the first time I heard them... a few of the songs are more personalized and less universal, so they took a little longer to grow on me (but they do grow on you)... it's Jill Scott... you have to add this to your collection

Just Beautiful.......2007-05-09

I have never heard anything that can put me in such a relaxed state of mind.It brought back memories of things I haven't thought of in years. Good memories!! It is by far my favorite album. I lost my first cd and I purchased it again

Average customer rating:

Good for Human Ears
Very Good
WOULD GIVE IT 5 STARS BUT IT IS MISSING ONE KEY SONG
There's more to Human League than "Human" and "Don't You Want Me"
All their hits!

The Very Best of the Human League
The Human League
Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0007X9U7Y
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

Don't You Want Me
Love Action (I Believe in Love)
Open Your Heart
The Sound of the Crowd
Mirror Man
(Keep Feeling) Fascination
The Lebanon
Life on Your Own
Together in Electric Dreams
Louise
Human
Heart Like a Wheel
Tell Me When
One Man In My Heart
All I Ever Wanted (original version)
Being Boiled (fast label version]
Empire State Human

Album Description

The ONLY Human League best-of available in the US! Definitive collection, with ELEVEN previously unavailable cuts! 17 tracks total!

Customer Reviews:

Good for Human Ears.......2007-07-06

This is a great compilation of the Human League's tunes. A number of tunes on here I remember liking on the radio as a kid in the 80s, so it was cool to find them here in one package. The Human League are a little off-beat, but not crazy. Sort of like the B-52s in that respect, except HL is more sythesizer kind of music, not so much rock. Good stuff for your CD player. Here are some particularly fun ones:

Don't You Want Me
Love Action
Fascination
Lebanon - poignant song about that war-torn country
Human
Heart Like a Wheel
Tell Me When - really energetic
All I Ever Wanted - ditto
Empire State Human

As you can tell from the list, there's a bunch of goodies.

Very Good.......2007-03-22

I used to listen to these songs on WLIR, a Long Island Station(that played music that wasn't played on regular radio stations way back in the early to mid-80s. This group has a soothing and memorable sound. My favorites "Mirror Man", "Human" and "Fascination"
Brings back good memories.

WOULD GIVE IT 5 STARS BUT IT IS MISSING ONE KEY SONG.......2006-07-26

Human Leagues "The Very Best of" is fantastic, however it is missing one very key song which is one of my favorites. The song is "Love is All the Matters" which was the third single from the "Crash" CD.

Though it wasn't a big hit in the US it is up there with "Human" as the best in pop synthesized confection.

"Love is All That Matters" is on other compilations, I am just so surprised they left it out.

There's more to Human League than "Human" and "Don't You Want Me".......2005-11-22

While I am not sure if I would say this album HAS to be be a definite part of your collection, even if you are an eighties child, I must say it showed me that there's more to The Human League than the classics they became most famous for: "Don't You Want Me" and "Human". There's a handful of other tracks in here (most of them already mentioned by other reviewers) worth checking out, but most of them don't size up to the level of "classic" that their most famous ones have reached. Overall, this compilation highlights the nice labor of a synth-based pop band that left their mark and will go down in musical history as one of the genre's pivotal acts.

All their hits!.......2005-10-25

This CD brings back memories of the 80's when Human League were in top form. All the recognizable hits from the artists are here including their #1 chart topping hits Don't You Want Me, (Keep Feeling) Fascination. The CD contains other lesser known tracks as well like my favorite track on here Love Action (I Believe In Love). The only problem I have with this release is they should have released a remixes cd or included it with this release. It would be great to hear their hits remixed.

SJ
Best Playlists

Average customer rating:

Five Stars If You've Seen the ALIVE Tour! Maybe Less if you haven't....
Really good...considering what it's following
Not exactly what was expected from the French duo.
Amazing work of art!!
Do the robot

Human After All
Daft Punk
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0007DAZW8
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Tracks:

Human after all
The prime time of your life
Robot rock
Steam machine
Make love
The brainwasher
On/Off
Television rules the nation
Technologic
Emotion

Amazon.com

You'd never guess from Human After All that these are the same guys who came up with the opulent dance grooves of 2001's Discovery. On Human After All it sounds like Daft Punk's robotic alter egos have finally gotten the upper hand and made an album that is defiantly free of emotion and personality. Instead, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo amp up the irony and deliver a set of songs that are maddeningly repetitive, raucous and bound to test the most devoted fan's patience. But even as the French duo short-circuits it manages to captivate--the spoken-word "Technologic" and the digitized "The Prime Of Your Life" are just bananas enough to make its euphoric hit "One More Time" sound positively last century. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

Five Stars If You've Seen the ALIVE Tour! Maybe Less if you haven't...........2007-07-22

This album was difficult for me to get into completely until I saw Daft Punk live on their "ALIVE" tour. They put on a full show, complete with a story and amazing lighting and props that are almost Vegas-like. The Daft Punk duo are dressed as robot aliens performing on stage inside a pyramid-like spaceship poking through a mesh of triangles. They start the show introducing themselves to Earth, by repeating the words "Human" and "Robot" in succession, until "Robot" takes over compelely, and they launch into "Robot Rock". They've set the theme that they are robot aliens from outer space trying to understand "humans". They progress through many of the songs on the album, plus a lot of their older material, much of it "mashed-up" together, and each of the songs has a context in this theme. The song "Technologic" is about how the robot aliens understand our consumer culture. "Steam Machine" about the robot aliens understand our "industrial culture", and of course "Television Rules the Nation" speaks for itself. They end the set with "Human After All", as a summary of the robots understanding the human, and perhaps desiring to be part of it. The encore set Picks up on repeating "human" over and over, and then adding the word "together" to it, to end on an ecumenical (in the secluar sense) note. Before the show, I had the same critiques of the album that people list here, but after you see the show, (with a very flexible mind), you will "get" the album, and love it as one of their classics. Please, people who've seen the "Alive" show, comment on this theme, and tell me if you agree, or if you have a different interpretation.

Really good...considering what it's following.......2007-04-06

Let's face it, it'd be hard to beat the fantastic work in Daft Punk Discovery. Yet, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo have done an excellent job with their new work "Human After All."

The music, while more mechanical in its melodies and rhythm, it's as if the performers are begging to learn what it is to be human. All the tracks are essentially the same, driven by technology and hardware, but all the while, there is that constant desire for life.

Unlike Discovery, the "story" in Human After All does not resolve, leaving the listener with the knowledge that humanity is forever being learned.

Not exactly what was expected from the French duo........2007-03-17

In the beginning, Daft Punk began solely as a trance-y, dance-y, electronic kind of group, particularily with the release of "Homework", which I feel is a two-and-a-half star album. Now, "Discovery" is the best thing Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel De Homem-Christo released, filled with nostalgic, disco-style tunes that fit correctly in its great production. "Human After All" has more attention to guitars, which I feel are great but the songs are repetitive and not well produced. Why didn't they cut the songs short, like two-minutes long? No, instead they made it into five-minute long tunes that definitively test the listener's patience. Not a great album but one that could have been tidied up much, much better.

Amazing work of art!!.......2007-02-21

Anyone who said this album isn't any good is just plain ignorant and they obviously just don't get it. (open up your minds people!) I LOVE this album, there is not a single track that I dislike at all! If you are already a daft punk fan there is no reason why you wouldn't love it! I don't think it is cold at all; actually it is sweet, I think, and it makes for good make out music!! I don't listen to that traditional corny BS! Me and my fiance LOVE daft punk and we love all of their music and this album is no exception!

Do the robot.......2006-10-19

Expectations are a funny thing. It was expectation that made me buy this album as soon as it was in stores, and it was the same expectation that led me to feel -- at first -- a little disappointed.

Disappointment in music is nothing new, especially if you pay too much attention to critics. If an album's too much like the one before it, they're in a rut. Too different and they've lost their way. Daft Punk managed to turn a lot of critics on their heads with "Discovery", most that gave it middle of the road reviews have since changed their tune, thankfully addmitting that Homework Part 2 would have been too simple. But still many were and still are uncomfortable, mislabelling the fleshing out of their sound as going mainstream. I'm sure I would have tired of One More Time if I actually listened to the radio, but if you tune into Top 40 you get what you deserve.

When "Human After All" landed, you could cut the anticipation with a knife. A lot of the negative reviews I've seen branch off from a literal interpretation of the title before it even saw light. People everywhere were looking forward to a more vibrant, living, breathing Daft Punk. We might be treated to that in another few years, we might not. It's not important. Daft Punk did the classy thing and decided not to make another Discovery. They made new fans with that album, and that's great, I can't think of another act that deserved a bigger fan base more than them. When I first heard their latest, I couldn't find the heart. I fell into the trap of assuming they took the easy way out, and cooked some passable beats to get an album out.

But time makes fools of us all, and it didn't take too long for me to fall in love with "Human After All". Like Rollin' & Scratchin' and Short Circuit before them, the songs here have no immediate bells and whistles, and I won't lie; if you don't have patience for good music the slow burn of these songs will mean nothing. That said, this is definately the third album that Daft Punk needed to make. We've all heard the stories by now about how little time was spent crafting them, but that's expectations getting in the way again.

Daft Punk have gone from amazing underground act, to shining stars of French house, and back again; deeper, darker, more subtle. This album grew on me, but I can't promise everyone will feel it. What I do know is that if you want to hear some very nice ideas, with a distinct Daft Punk vibe, then this is an essential album.

Key tracks:

+ Robot Rock
+ The Prime Time Of Your Life
+ The Brainwasher

Average customer rating:

Read my reasons before you disagree with me.
pick it up!! you won't be sorry
Sage, Human Death Dance
I Wanted To Like This
Sage's Best Album -

Human the Death Dance
Sage Francis
Manufacturer: Epitaph / Ada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Undisputed Truth
I'll Sleep When You're Dead
Personal Journals
A Healthy Distrust
Desire

ASIN: B000OMD4D4
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

Growing Pains
Underground For Dummies
Civil Obedience
Got Up This Morning
Good Fashion
Clickety Clack
Midgets and Giants
Broccoli Break
High Step
Keep Moving
Water Line
Black Out On White Night
Hell Of A Year
Call Me Francois
Hoofprints In The Sand
Going Back To Rehab

Amazon.com

After cutting his teeth in spoken-word and rap-battle circuits, Sage Francis launched into hip-hop, sort of. On his first handful of nationally visible solo records (Known Unsoldier being the must-have of the bunch), Francis knotted his stylistic roots, mixing his vocal skills in an emcee's equivalent of cracking his knuckles. As Non-Prophets--with DJ Joe Beats--he signaled his hip-hop arrival on Hope, with referential credentials blaring over beat-down backdrops. Of course, he'll tell you all this himself, and more, and does. The first proper track on Human the Death Dance, "Underground for Dummies" brings all comers up to speed on the Francis oeurve. Thus primed, Francis outs with the clearest presentation of his entire, moody, linguistic repertoire. He's had it in him for years, but this time around, he learned to make a mix tape. In one exemplary run, "Got Up This Morning" brings in revenant folkie Jolie Holland for a back-porch jam that rags on the deserving Charles Bukowski, then "Good Fashion" muscles forward, percussion-free, on the strength of a pounding string ensemble. Finally, "Clickety Clack" explodes forward in a thunderous, dungenous groove. It's hip-hop, sort of, but if this is a death dance, good riddance to the deceased. --Jason Kirk

Customer Reviews:

Read my reasons before you disagree with me. .......2007-06-28

A bad song by Sage is better than anything supposedly good on BET or the radio. Let me get that straight. I base my reviews off other Sage CDs not the "mainstream" or any body else out there.

Now that I said that here is my review.

My personal favorite stuff from him is the Sick series. Personal Journals was very good but different (just like the song says) Healthy Distrust I needed to listen and listen again to actually catch on. But I love that CD too. Now Human the Death Dance...I hate to say it but I am not feeling this one. Every cd is totally different from the last one. Which is not a bad thing but this cd is really out there and is nothing even close to the intial Sage I heard that made me a life ling fan (The Sick Series). If you have never heard any of those CDS please find a way to check those out...great great stuff. My favorite track on this cd is Keep Moving that song is the best on this cd. When the next cd comes out I will get that one too. I buy the CDs of people I really like and regardless of what I think of this cd I bought and will keep it.

pick it up!! you won't be sorry.......2007-06-23

This cd is a must have if you are into the mid-west scene, or underground period. Definitely one of Sage's best albums. If you don't believe me just give some of the samples a listen. Great beats and amazing lyrics just pick it up man.

Sage, Human Death Dance.......2007-06-12

In general I like this CD. I am an avid Sage fan and have been following his music for years. I really enjoyed some of the beats on this CD though I felt many did not reach their very possible apex. I like this one about as much as Healthy Distrust. His verbage is there as always, my favorite "Buried in a Faustian bargain bin." However none of the songs got to me as much as say, Hope or Make-Shift Patriot. I felt the potential for some of the songs on Human Death Dance to hit this pinnacle but they just fell a little short. The CD is definetly worth purchasing but if you do not have his older stuff I would start with that - Known Unsoldier, Personal Journals, and Hope are my favorites though there are others. In fact on Human Death Dance on the second song, last verse, Sage goes through his story using all the titles of his CD's in different and effective ways, very cool.

I Wanted To Like This.......2007-05-31

Let me start off by saying that I am a FAN of sage francis. I love his music, his words, his ideas, his creativity. I could go on and on giving him praise but this is a review on a cd i found to be dissapointing.
Perhaps my hopes were just set too high. After a dissapointing Healthy Distrust album I was ready for Sage to come back and reel me into his world again. It is hard to be critical about something that someone obviously put his heart into but i was unable to find myself being "caught" by this album like i have been with so much of his past work. While it is definatly leaps and bounds above A Healthy Distrust, this album is no where near as good as Personal Journals or any of his ..Sick albums

Sage's Best Album - .......2007-05-26

If you've heard Sage Francis before and you're considering buying this album, do yourself a big favor, and buy it.

Before I got this album, I had only heard about 8 songs of his from several years ago (Majority Rule, Hey Bobby, etc.). I thought that his stuff was great, but like my expectations of a lot of independent artists, I thought that it was probably just a fluke. You know, the artist fades into obscurity, never advancing.

Well, Sage proved me wrong on this one. He's advancing by leaps and bounds.

This album, Human Death Dance, brought back everything I learned to love about hip hop: Braking the mold, Love of fresh word & rhyme, beats and music that make you realize what you are hearing is totally new.

It starts off with a cool little montage of old recordings he had of himself rapping when he was a kid - then the next track "Underground for Dummies" is a summary of his experiences starting out, his naivete as his strength, managers, etc... his influences (very cool). The background music sounds like nostalgic memories (hints of 80's pop music?) with the end result being a sound in hiphop I've never heard before. It's timeless and an instant classic.

I could go on for every song on this album ("Clickety Clack" blew me away!) but I recommend you get this album, open the lyrics book that comes with it, strap on your headphones, and enjoy the ride.

It's one of those albums that will remind of you of this summer, years into the future.

Average customer rating:

Formulised Abomination
Good, solid rock performance
I had to come and review this dreck
Honestly people, they were sued by their own fans...
"What if your words could be judged like a crime?"

Human Clay
Creed
Manufacturer: Wind-Up
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

My Own Prison
Weathered
One Day Remains
The Great Divide
Greatest Hits (w/ Bonus DVD)

ASIN: B00001NFCY
Release Date: 1999-09-28

Tracks:

Are You Ready
What If
Beautiful
Say I
Wrong Way
Faceless Man
Never Die
With Arms Wide Open
Higher
Wash Away Those Years
Inside Us All

Amazon.com

Creed burst out of Florida with 1997's My Own Prison, a dark but commercial debut reminiscent of the early-'90s Seattle sound. Creed's moody guitar grunge and ardent lyrics, coupled with singer Scott Stapp's passionate vocals, helped My Own Prison sell millions. Human Clay demonstrates that this likable quartet hasn't messed with success; they turn in a sophomore outing rife with evocative moodiness, soaring guitars, and a dark, roiling, intense vibe. "Beautiful" is but one of the winners on this strong 11-song CD. Haunting and indeed beautiful, the track is more delicate and seductive than most heard here, as is another lilting and mysterious entry, "Never Die," which boasts some Middle Eastern accents. "Higher" is typical Creed--safe, emotive guitar rock for the masses, but with a slight edge. Memorable hooks, Soundgarden-like guitars, and Vedder-like vocals make Human Clay at once compelling and effectively redundant. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews:

Formulised Abomination.......2007-07-14

After their previous CD, which was not too bad on one or two tracks, "Human Clay" came out. More the same stuff, just on a different CD. This CD was truly a step backwards for Creed, if that were ever possible.

It seems like Creed tried to add some grunge elements to their music, and it just didn't come off. Abominable tracks like "Wrong Way", with occassional ventures into real rock, "Say I", that borders on the dismal, and more that truly defy the senses.

The pity is that the lyrical content is actually pretty good and has some substance to it. Sadly, the overall execution just didn't cut it and match that.

Even for fans of hard rock, this would be a CD to avoid. Don't waste your money.

Good, solid rock performance.......2007-07-08

I was not familiar with the band before giving this a listen and I like what I heard. Willlook to add more Creed to library.

I had to come and review this dreck.......2007-06-23

Scott Stapp is already said and done, Creed no longer is alive and Scott Stapp is already going the way of Brittany Spears. SO reviewing this is pretty much a waste of time. Im late? _______ that _________!

First Scott Stapp is a total moron. Insulting Fred Durst? To be honest, I hate Scott Stapp more than Fred Durst. He's one of the worst "singers" ever, and only people like Lame Gallagher from _____ band Oasis surpass this hack. Attacking 311 is even worse. 311 will do a lot more than Scott Stapp will ever be.

Anyway, _____ scott, Creed itself is so _________ boring, it's lame, and the music will put you to sleep. IT's like staring at a _________ wall for hours, or something of that nature. Long story short-it's generic, stupid, boring, generic music that sounds like something the cat dragged in. It's not music, plain and simple. It's noise, well there is noise music, and they are worthy, so what is Creed? Calling it noise is a disgrace to respectful noise musicians (which yes, I like). I have no clue, but it's not music, plain and simple.

Pearl Jam owns Creed's sorry little @$$, but that news is way too old. Let this record rot on the shelves. Creed are done for, and Eddie Vedder still lives on. Glad your dead, Kurt. Glad he's burning. Then again, he took his life.

Honestly people, they were sued by their own fans..........2007-03-29

Everyone has heard about that right? Creed was sued by their own fans for playing crappy live shows ahahaha! It would be really difficult to find a rock album that sucks more than this. Seriously, if you ever feel the desire to buy this piece of garbage, please rethink it and buy the albums that these guys are ripping off and pilfering from. Anything by Pearl Jam or other early nineties rock act would be great. Collectively, we can make America a place where talentless losers like Creed don't become stars with their awful music!

"What if your words could be judged like a crime?".......2006-10-26

Creed is(or was) one of the most loathed mainstream rock bands in recent memory, and I never truly figured out why that was. Granted I only own Human Clay, and have only heard the singles from My Own Prison and Weathered. My brother bought Human Clay around the time it came out, and we almost listened the disc into little plastic particles! Of course, I was only about 12 at the time, so I couldn't fully appreciate the album as much as others could, lyrically speaking. Well, about 6 months ago, I was getting ready to move, and I found a "weathered" jewel case sitting somewhere in a dusty old box. I popped it in, and all the memories came flooding back to me, I felt like I was twelve again. I swear I've listened to it another 50 times since I rediscovered it.

Human Clay is one of the better rock records of the last 10 years. Mark Tremonti's awesome lead guitar coupled with Scott Stapp's Vedderesc agressiveness are the two most immediate aspects of the record. These guys are definitely a step up from most of the mainstream crop, and the record hasn't aged one bit, it sounds like it could've come out just yesterday. There aren't any weak songs on Human Clay, per se, although to get the weakest out of the way: "Wrong Way"...............And that's about it. Other than that the only thing that bothers me about Human Clay is the fact that there are two versions of "With Arms Wide Open", which I find sort of needless. Now that the negatives are out of the way, we'll get to where Human Clay Excels. The Opening track, "Are You Ready", definitley sets the tone for what's to come. Notable are the agressive vocal thrashes accompied by melodic guitar riffs, though neither seem to dominate eachother. The production quality on Human Clay is fantastic, though I'd have liked it if there were a few more songs on the album. It kinda ends before you'd hoped it would, with barely over an hour of music(including the "With Arms Wide Open" repeat). This is the average as I understand it, but maybe more and more bands are putting more than 10 songs on their records these days, and maybe that's spoiled me.

The best songs on Human Clay are definitely: "What If", "Higher", and "Faceless Man". Those are by far the ones I listen to the most, although I rarely if ever skip by any songs on the record, other than "Wrong Way".

There is a theory that different people hear the same music differently from eachother, and I think because of this band's popularity, it's created this massive debate. Don't debate, just enjoy this or something else. But please, if you haven't given Creed a shot yet, I can definitely recommend Human Clay to you.

Average customer rating:

Mostly great
So good!
"Stay Human"--One of my top 10
Music with heart
Franti's Great American Opera

Stay Human
Michael Franti & Spearhead , and Michael Franti
Manufacturer: Six Degrees
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Everyone Deserves Music
Yell Fire!
Songs From the Front Porch: An Acoustic Collection
Home
Chocolate Supa Highway

ASIN: B00005BGUT
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Tracks:

Oh My God
radio segment
Stay Human (all the freaky people)
radio segment
Rock The Nation
Sometimes
radio segment
Do Ya Love
radio segment
Soulshine
Every Single Soul
radio segment
Love'll Set Me Free
Thank You
radio segment
We Don't Mind
radio segment
Speaking Of Tongues
radio segment
Listener Supported
radio segment
Skin On The Drum

Amazon.com

There aren't many hip-hop artists out there today who give a damn about putting positive messages in their music, but Michael Franti is one of them. Ever since his days with seminal group Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Franti has infused his sounds with insightful and thought-provoking lyricism, and this latest Spearhead joint is no exception. Stay Human tackles, among other things, the subject of capital punishment. Through a make-believe community radio station, Franti tells the tale of Sister Fatima, a healer and activist who is being put to death for a crime that her community believes she didn't commit. The "live" broadcasts act as elaborate skits between Franti's insouciant, soul-rap hybrids and help to expose the arrogant nature of America's judicial system and the brutal finality of the death sentence. Musically, Franti has created a richer, more string-laden backdrop for his tracks, creating some of his best idiosyncratic, feel-good vibes to date. But while the funkadelic edge of "Rock the Nation" and laid-back ballad style of "Do Ya Love" are worthy in their own right, Franti's real genius lies in his ability to weave opinions into compelling narratives so that we don't feel we're being battered over the head with someone else's ideas. Emotive, soulful, and opinionated, Spearhead are almost single-handedly keeping alive a tradition epitomized by Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, and Bill Withers. Don't sleep. --Paul Sullivan

Customer Reviews:

Mostly great.......2006-05-25

The music on this album is amazing, and the message is right-on. In fact this is probably Franti's best ever album when judged from the viewpoint of music, lyrics, and message.

Unfortunately I found the radio broadcast segments to be ill-conceived and intrusive, but they are easily skipped.

The "music fan" who praised Stay Human but only gave it 1 star because of objections to who Franti chooses to give political support to needs to learn more about the Mumia Abu-Jamal case, which is nowhere near as cut & dried as their post suggests. The trial transcripts don't tell the whole story - the whole point is that this was considered an unfair and biased trial. Dig a little deeper and you'll find plenty to question.

So good!.......2005-08-06

Michael Franti and Spearhead has yet to let me down. This album is yet another that not only is a showcase for their amazing musical talent, but it also tells a strong story that spurs the mind to think about the world in which we live. As a long time advocate for abolishing the death penalty, this record tells a tale that I will never forget in my arguments to abolish the death penalty. Yet another record of targeting a specific population, and ignoring white collar crime (which in my opinion effects the population much more than anything other crime).

"Stay Human"--One of my top 10.......2005-05-07

This album has to be the best that Michael Franti & Spearhead has put out so far....

The music: the band is very musical and pulls in lots of different influences that combine together in a completely original way: hip-hop, jazz, african, rock, spoken word, etc. Every time I listen I hear something new.

The lyrics: As I was an English major, lyrics are very important to me. Franti writes great lyrics-- he is an intellectual poet as far as I am concerned, and you can hear his skill in lyricism come through on tracks like "Speaking of Tongues" and "Skin on the Drum."

Political Message: Franti's political message is to spread tolerance and love. Some of the tracks are explicitly political, such as "Oh My God," while others are just a wonderful celebration of life. It's a good balance.

The only thing that gets a little annoying after you listen to the album several times is the radio show that shows up between most of the tracks. It's a great political message, but sometimes you just want to listen to music and not get preached at. That shouldn't deter you from buying this great album, though.

Great CD!!!

Music with heart.......2005-04-25

Although I loved the Disposable Heroes and I think that Home is a fantastic album I stayed away from this album for a long time. I had heard that Michael Franti had lost it - that he had crossed the line from pointed political and social commentary into buttock clenching political correctness and cliché.

Nothing could be further from the truth - this is a wonderful CD. Yes, there is a message but Franti manages to get his point across while making an excellent CD. Great songs in a variety of styles are interspersed with radio segments describing the lead up to and the aftermath of the execution of an innocent woman. There are no duff tracks or off-key moments.

Recommended.

Franti's Great American Opera.......2004-10-20

Stay Human is about as operatic a work as we've heard from any 21st century contemporary artist. Franti lets loose and through the guise of pretense of a dramatic play occuring at a radio station we are introduced to a group of characters including the two radio talk show hosts, Sister Fatima, the "Governor" and a host of listeners - liberal, conservative and brain dead, calling to weigh in on the fate of faith healer Sister Fatima now on death row and facing imminent execution that same night.

Woven between scenes at the radio station Spearhead's songs are brought to life that emphasizes Franti's message in a manner which could only be hinted it without the dramatic structure surrounding it.

The first time I heard this album was late on a hot summer night, on the back deck of a friend's house. He didn't prepare me for what I was about to experience and at the end of "Skin on the drum" I was emotionally exhausted with chills down my back and the hair on the back of my neck standing on edge. I'm not ashamed to say I also cried. This is music presented in such a powerhouse of a theatrical production it should be staged or filmed. As it stands, its effectiveness is not diminished one iota by being "audio only."

While some may eschew the socio/politico commentary embedded into the work, no one who listens and experiences it in its entirety will go unmoved, or turn it off free from thought. For these very reasons "Stay Human" is one of the most important works and deserves a wide audience. A truly remarkable achievement from Franti and Spearhead.

Beauty and the Beast - Special Edition Soundtrack

Average customer rating:

a true masterpiece in every sense of the word
Great Disney CD: For Children of all ages
got this as a present for someone else
The Story Captured Through Song.
My children listen to this CD over and over

Beauty and the Beast - Special Edition Soundtrack

Manufacturer: Disney
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Little Mermaid: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
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Disney's Hercules: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack

ASIN: B00005TQ5A
Release Date: 2001-12-18

Tracks:

Prologue - Paige O'Hara
Belle - Paige O'Hara
Belle (Reprise) - Richard White
Gaston - Richard White
Gaston (Reprise) - Richard White
Be Our Guest
Something There - Paige O'Hara
Human Again - Angela Lansbury
The Mob Song - Richard White
Beauty And The Beast
To The Fair
West Wing
The Beast Lets Belle Go
Battle On The Tower
Transformation
Be Our Guest (Demo)
Beauty And The Beast (Work Tape And Demo)
Beauty And The Beast - Celine Dion
Death Of The Beast (Original Early Version)

Amazon.com essential recording

After the success of their score for The Little Mermaid, the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken returned to Disney for their second fairy-tale adaptation. Sadly, it was the duo's last completed score before Ashman's untimely death at age 41. This soundtrack contains more-conventional show music than The Little Mermaid, owing in large part to Broadway stalwart Angela Lansbury and to Jerry Orbach's Yves Montand impersonation. Most of the songs here were included in the subsequent Broadway adaptation and its cast album, but this disc is superior in its studio polish and cast, which is better suited to the score. --John Sanchez

Customer Reviews:

a true masterpiece in every sense of the word.......2007-05-10

when alan menken and howard ashman put together their second disney feature i dont think that anyone could have known what a masterpiece beauty and the beast would become. the film itself was praised for its maturity and remains the only animated film in history to every be nominated for a best motion picture academy award (it deserved it instead of silence of the lambs) musically the film was magnificient as well. it was adapted into a full length broadway musical three years later. but this original piece will forever remain the benchmark for all other animated works and their music.

alan menken's hauntingly beautiful score is a true masterpiece. the musical scores for the west wing and the beast lets belle go are moving and powerful. the emotional level that every piece reaches is amazing and menken absolutely deserved this oscar for best score. this is not only his best score, but quite possibly one of the greatest musical scores in history.

SCORE 5 out of 5

the songs are all quite powerfull and fun with a definate broadway, its no wonder that it was so seamlessly turned into a broadway musical.

BELLE - this is the strongest opening to ever appear in a disney film. the broadway feel makes it a great way to kick off the film it is both fun and quirky but definately contains a more serous undertone. this was originally suppossed to be shortened down, but luckilly it was left intact. paige o'hara as belle is nothing short of amazing.
5 out of 5

BELLE (REPRISE) - this is short but is very strong due again to o'hara's vocals. her vocals paired with ashman's stirring lyrics of longing make this short but definately a winner.
5 out of 5

GASTON - this is a fun song that is both witty and darkly clever. ashman's lyrics and richard white's performance as gaston carry this song. it may be the weakest of the piece, but it's still fun and catchy and shouldn't be missed
3 out of 5

GASTON (REPRISE) - this is really just an extention of the song listed above, but this one is much more twistidly clever and is actually stronger that the first song.
3 out of 5

BE OUR GUEST - this is one of the most famous songs from the soundtrack and its obveous why after just one listen. jerry orbach and angela landsburry both give great performances that along with menken's french-influenced score and ashman's fun clever lyrics make this song sound fun and fresh. its a great song that really does epitimize the fun of the piece and of ashman's lyrics.
5 out of 5

SOMETHING THERE - this is a short little song but it is the first hint at belle and the beast as lovers. o'hara and robby benson both give great but short performances. orbach, lansbury and david ogden stiers also give fun performances as the objects. this is beautiful and romanticly sweet little song.
5 out of 5

HUMAN AGAIN - this wasn't included in the original theatrical film (why i dont know) this is a great song that is fun and brilliant. ashman yet again outdoes himself with great lyrics and again the household objects give dynamic performances. im so glad that this is back for the special edition since its a real gem that shouldn't be missed.
5 out of 5

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - this is the most famous song from the movie and it won the oscar for best original song. just one listen shows why. lansbury gives a beautifully moving performance as mrs potts singing this. this is of course the song that shows the beast and belle as lovers and it does so perfectly. this song never dumbs things down it goes for the full romantic punch. well done
5 out of 5

THE MOB SONG - this is possibly the cleverest piece. the use of shakespearean lyrics make this a twisted and dark piece that effectively shows human nature that still rings true today. this is an overlooked but strong song that again is lifted by white's performance as the now sinister gaston.
5 out of 5

the best part of all these songs is how none of them dumb down the romance or more "adult" themes for the kiddies. this film allows itself to be fully romantic and that's why it has been so praised and lived on in such a flattering light. the near-perfect music not only aided this, but were a crucial part of this maturity.

SONGS OVERALL 5 out of 5

as i said earlier, this is one the greatest film scores of all times. it may not be as recognizable or memorable as say star wars or gone with the wind, but the emotional punch that it makes elevates it far past these other two scores. menken truly outdid himself and ashman's lyrics work perfectly. the performances from all the performers are dynamic, fun, powerful, and intense. everythign works perfectly here and truly makes for an experience that is truly magical.

Great Disney CD: For Children of all ages.......2007-02-19

I really enjoyed this CD. IT is the soundtrack for Beauty and the Beast.
I especially enjoyed " BE our Guest". This is an all around excellent Disney CD with lots of vocals,and intrigue. The singers are very talented, and well re-hearsed. I love this CD. It's worth the money. Go and buy it!!!

got this as a present for someone else.......2007-01-04

This was a present to a friend. She liked it. I love soundtracks and Disney music, so it's pretty good.

The Story Captured Through Song........2006-09-29

Disney's revival as a major animation studio began in 1989 with the release of THE LITTLE MERMAID and reached its pinnacle with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (the only animated film ever nominated for a Best Picture Oscar). As much as the film is a visual delight, its also a musical feast for the ears. People had said for over a decade that the musical movie was dead, but BEAUTY AND THE BEAST proved otherwise and paved the way for later big-screen adaptations of famous stage musicals. Some of my favorite songs on the album include:
"Be Our Guest"--this song revived the huge dance numbers that were once commonplace in movie musicals.

"Something There"--BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is a love story and though that love is often brought to mind by the title song, it is this number that truly captures the essence of what happens between Belle and Beast.

"The Mob Song"--out of all the songs on the album, this is the one with the most masculine appeal. It's a song about burning down castles and killing an unfamiliar creature that poses no threat. There's nothing like a dash of good old violence to get the blood flowing.

This is a great soundtrack for any Disney fan, any patron of musicals, and people who love the film.

My children listen to this CD over and over.......2006-08-25

My kids (5 year old boy and 2 year old girl) LOVE this soundtrack. They make me play it repeatedly in the car, EVERYTIME we go anywhere. It is word-for-word an exact replication of the movie. I highly recommend it for any Beauty and the Beast fan.

Music:

Music

music

Music

X-Posed: The Interview

Verdi: a Centennial Tribute [Box set]

Uru

A Legendary Collection [Box set]

We Want You: Very Best of the Village People [Import]

Un Miles Pena

Wide World Over: A 40 Year Celebration [Import]

We Sing the Body Electric

Up Against the Legends [Import]

Virtuoso Violin Encores

Waiting

TWO

Te Dejare

Saint-Saens: Variations on a Theme of Beethoven Op35; Caprice arabe Op96

Layin Da Smack Down