Useless [CD-single]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
U.K. edition of the fourth single from 'Ultra'. Pt.1 is anenhanced disc featuring the video for 'Barrel Of A Gun' andthree audio tracks, all of which are mixes of 'Useless':Remix, Escape From Wherever: Parts 1 & 2! and Cosmic BluesMix. Standard jewel case.

All This Useless Beauty (With Bonus Disc)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A mixed bag of stones with a few nuggets of gold
  • The best CD ever. By anyone.
  • Best
  • Quite good
  • I'm as Certain As a Lost Dog Pondering a Sign Post
All This Useless Beauty (With Bonus Disc)
Elvis Costello
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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Rhino RecordsRhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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  1. Brutal Youth (With Bonus Disc)
  2. Spike (With Bonus Disc)
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  4. Blood & Chocolate (With Bonus Disc)
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ASIN: B00005MLTT
Release Date: 2001-08-21

Tracks:

  1. The Other End Of The Telescope
  2. Little Atoms
  3. All This Useless Beauty
  4. Complicated Shadows
  5. Why Can't A Man Stand Alone?
  6. Distorted Angel
  7. Shallow Grave
  8. Poor Fractured Atlas
  9. Starting To Come To Me
  10. You Bowed Down
  11. It's Time
  12. I Want To Vanish

Tracks:

  1. Almost Ideal Eyes
  2. My Dark Life (with Brian Eno)
  3. That Day Is Done (with The Fairfield Four)
  4. What Do I Do Now?
  5. The Bridge I Burned
  6. It's Time (demo)
  7. Complicated Shadows (demo)
  8. You Bowed Down
  9. Mistress And Maid (demo)
  10. Distorted Angel (demo)
  11. World's Greatest Optimist (demo)
  12. The Only Flame In Town (demo)
  13. The Comedians (demo)
  14. The Days Take Care Of Everything (demo)
  15. Hidden Shame (demo)
  16. Why Can't A Man Stand Alone (demo)
  17. Distorted Angel (Tricky Remix)

Amazon.com

Elvis Costello's final album for Warner Bros. might have been even more widely ignored had he and the Attractions not gone on tour to support it. The result led to a final split, but All This Useless Beauty still ended up doing little business. This reissue, part of Rhino's first wave of a Costello remaster/refurbishing campaign, provides an opportunity to hear mostly exemplary songwriting and assuredly masterful performances. Darkly observant and even witty, tracks like "The Other End of the Telescope" (a rewrite of a Costello-Aimee Mann collaboration), "Distorted Angel," and "Starting to Come to Me" could take their places on anyone's mix tape. (The snarling "Complicated Shadows," one of the few full-on rockers here, even made it as far as a Sopranos episode.) Costello overreaches on the title track, but its sophisticated tone works just about everywhere else it's tried. The bonus disc of demos and one-offs is necessarily a sonic hodgepodge, but it's a damn fine long-player on its own. Costello's liner notes are, as always, a must. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars A mixed bag of stones with a few nuggets of gold.......2007-06-22

I'm in the process of listening to EC's catalog beyond his first few familiar recordings and wanted to like ATUB more than I have the first couple of times through.

Much of the first disc simply strikes me as too esoteric. Other than the somewhat enjoyable title cut, disc one drags more than a bit until you hit the last four songs. Things pick up with 'Starting to Come to Me' and improve, song-by-song, through 'You Bowed Down', 'It's Time' and finally the sad, lovely 'I Want to Vanish'.

The bonus disc is inconsistent, but has some interesting tunes. 'Almost Ideal Eyes' sounds like a bizarre, cosmic fusion of Harry Connick Jr. and Santana. 'That Day is Done', with the Fairfield Four, is done in gospel style...an unique turn for Elvis. 'Mistress and Maid', with Paul McCartney, isn't especially tuneful, but delivers a gut-punch. Love the version here of 'The Only Flame in Town'. 'The Comedians', 'The Days Take Care of Everything' and 'Hidden Shame' (once recorded by Johnny Cash) also merit attention.

You can find something to enjoy on just about every Elvis Costello recording.....some more than others. Perhaps ATUB will grow on me.

5 out of 5 stars The best CD ever. By anyone........2006-08-14

Elvis has released a lot of great albums, and a certain amount of mundane tripe. This one is great. Twelve quite distinctive songs that complement each other beautifully and form one cohesive whole. Great variety in arrangement, but each song seems to belong right after the song before it. Elvis is the best lyricist in pop (?!) music, and these are his best lyrics - creative use of and plays on words, alternating with deep pondering of life and the universe. The melodies are superb. There are better artists than Elvis, but there are no better albums than All This Useless Beauty.

5 out of 5 stars Best.......2004-10-23

Best Costello recording of all (except for maybe Armed Forces)...great variety, all the songs are good, no hoaky stuff, serious compositions....a treat for listeners and musicians alike....highly recommended!

4 out of 5 stars Quite good.......2004-08-26

This is an excellent later period Elvis record. Worth buying for the first 2 tracks alone.

4 out of 5 stars I'm as Certain As a Lost Dog Pondering a Sign Post.......2003-11-18

This album is the bridge between Elvis and Burt Bacharach. It's easy to listen the main disc's "I Want To Vanish," "Why Can't A Man Stand Alone" and the title track and imagine them with the kind of lush arrangements that Bacharach would favor for the "Painted From Memory" album. But standing alone, "All This Useless Beauty" contains some of the finest of the Attractions' later day performances. Their live work on "Complicated Shadows" proves that they remained one of the best natural rock machines to ever call themselves a band.

As usual, though, the center of all this remains Elvis' wordplay. "All This Useless Beauty" started with EC's desire to produce a double disc that would encompass several of the songs he had either recorded with or for other people, and, meeting with the usual record company indifference, evolved into something completely different. You do get some of those songs that became well known for others (Til Tuesday for "The Other End Of The Telescope," Roger McGuinn for "You Bowed Down") but also brought to life a matured and wizened lyrical perspective. To wit: "Poor Fractured Atlas" always sounded like Hemmingway with a bout of depression.

The bonus disc is almost as good as the original album. (It helps to keep in mind that "All This Useless Beauty" started life as a two disc concept.) While the version of "That Day Is Done" won't make me forget Paul McCartney's from "Flowers In The Dirt," it will probably hit home with followers of "Oh Brother Where Art Thou." However, the haunting demo of "The Comedians" eventually became the version Roy Orbison chose to record, and it is easy to see why. Johnny Cash chose "Hidden Shame" (and from "King Of America," "The Big Light"). There's an early version of Aimee Mann's "World's Great Optimist" three years before her version appeared.

Like Bacharach, the songs on both the main disc and the bonus demos prove that Elvis could sit down and write a song with a target singer in mind and cast it well. "All This Useless Beauty" may have been underrated on its original 1996 debut, but this recasting of it by the great folks at Rhino make at all the more worth discovering, be it for the first or second time.
Stratas Sings Weill
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Her voice is every color of dream
  • Stratas is sublime
  • It is dangerous to use words like "definative," but....
  • Amazing
  • The One
Stratas Sings Weill

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by WeillAll Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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GermanGerman | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000005IXU
Release Date: 1991-06-25

Tracks:

  1. One Touch of Venus: I'm A Stranger Here Myself
  2. Ausfstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny: Havanna - Lied
  3. Happy End: Surabaya-Johnny
  4. One Touch of Venus: Foolish Heart
  5. Der Silbersee: Ich bin eine arme Verwandre (Fennimore's Song)
  6. Lady In The Dark: One Life To Live
  7. Marie Galante: J'attends un navire
  8. Happy End: Das Lied von der harten Nuss
  9. Street Scene: Lonely House
  10. Marie Galante: Le Roi d'Aquitaine
  11. Ausfstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny: Denn wie man sich bettet
  12. Marie Galante: Le Train du ciel
  13. Die Dreigroschenoper: Das Lied von der Untulanglichkeit menschlichen Strebens
  14. Knickerbocker Holiday: It Never Was You
  15. Happy End: Der kleine Leutnant des lieben Gotten

Amazon.com

Revealing an affinity for Weill, Teresa Stratas fulfills her promise to Lotte Lenya on her deathbed to "carry on the torch for Kurt Weill's music." Stratas's glorious soprano has never sounded better as she applies her operatic expertise to deliciously caress this music without losing any of the underlying subtext. Lacking the grittiness of other interpreters, she captures the emotional angles by letting her beautiful voice express the tortured heart beneath it; where others shout at you, Stratas sings at you. She casually bounces off the cheerier selections from One Touch of Venus and Happy End, letting Gerard Schwarz's brilliantly conducted orchestra display their wit. Program notes include a fascinating interview with Stratas. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Her voice is every color of dream.......2005-12-03

I don't care who knows it--I've been in love with Teresa Stratas since I was a senior in high school and saw her as Mimi in La Boheme one Friday night in 1961. That obsession preceded and outlasted my marriage:-). I lost a lot of years away from opera, then discovered that Stratas' recorded output is shamefully small. A difficult performer, probably, renowned for some unendearing quirks. But. What's there is gold. I have heard recordings I should not of her as Suor Angelica, Butterfly, and Melisande. I have seen her famous Zefirelli Boheme and Traviata. And Amahl. But the Weill material...it's unbelievable. When Lenya "ordained" her as her successor after seeing a performance of Mahagonny, the old lady knew what she was doing. Stratas has the perfect temperament for Weill's music. The voice coos, snarls, belts, and weeps. My favorite of all Weill songs, "Surabaya Johnny," is a mini-drama of love, hate, rage and despair. The only person who comes close to her in that song is the late Cathy Berberian.

Yes, get this. Get "The Unknown Kurt Weill." Lobby the Met to release her broadcasts, esp. The Bartered Bride. She was absolutely magnetic and the field isn't quite gone yet.

5 out of 5 stars Stratas is sublime.......2005-03-27

Teresa Stratas is one of those singers whose reputation as a temperamental diva precedes her. Well, in my book, if it takes being temperamental to accomplish a collection like this, the end justifies the means. She is a singer of tremendous vocal and emotional range, and Weill's music provides what seems to be a perfect vehicle for both.

I've had this CD for at least 12 or 13 years and, no matter how many times I listen, I still notice new details in her interpretations.

5 out of 5 stars It is dangerous to use words like "definative," but...........2004-04-04

Stratas's interpretations make one rush headlong into that danger.

Many singers have done beautiful Surabaya Johnnys but have any been as shattering as Stratas? Though years later she stumbled with her ill-concieved and eccentric Seven Deadly Sins, this CD is Stratas at in her prime, making bold choices about the material that blows the cobwebs off song we thought we knew. Even 15 years later, this album is fresh, uncliched, deeply affecting, and enthralling.

Stratas proves herself not only a great singer, but a great actress as well.

5 out of 5 stars Amazing.......2000-06-29

Until I heard this and the Unknown Weill, I was a "stranger myself here,' as Stratas sings in the first selection. I simply did not appreciate nor understand the immediacy and importance of Weill to our musical heritage. Stratas simply transcends and reveals this music so intuitively that it is amazing.

5 out of 5 stars The One.......2000-06-01

Stratas is the Weill singer, and everyone else is an also-ran. Ute Lemper is just a poser, and while Lenya was an important figure for Weill and she has her charms, but Weill wanted trained, operatic voices to sing his music, but not in the style of Verdi or Mozart. Here, Stratas delivers the composer's wish. Her voice is beautiful and cultivated in the best way, but it is her manner that is so important; straightforward, sincere, artless. From the opening "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" her affinity for this music is fully apparent. The selections span Weill's career and are delivered in many English, French and German, and regardless of the language, Stratas communicates completely. The orchestra plays the original orchestrations, and the sound is simply wonderful, nostalgic and modern all at once. This is where all Weill listeners and lovers should start.
The Useless Lesson
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Patience. Air.
The Useless Lesson
K. Leimer
Manufacturer: Palace of Lights
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Experimental MusicExperimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000QBW7JU
Release Date: 2007-05-07

Tracks:

  1. To force closed our eyes (5:38)
  2. Failing need of more (13:55)
  3. Music that conceives of itself as music (3:48)
  4. Anosognosia (12:51)
  5. Trio (Sentimental music) (5:25)
  6. Long after Dowland (16:20)
  7. Declension of need (7:26)

Product Description

The Useless Lesson includes collaborations with Leo Abrahams (solo artist and guitarist on Brian Eno's Another Day on Earth), Dwight Ashley (Nepenthe artist) and phonographer Anode.

Comprised of constructed and deconstructed pieces juxtaposed to disclose the contrasts and commonality of organizing and recognizing sound into music, this work emphasizes the attractions and repulsions of these two poles the ensembles used in each case differ broadly. The constructed (composed) pieces are mostly for string trio and are traditional and surface-oriented, placing their emphasis on the interaction of separate voices. Set in contrast with collaborative, steady-state and hybrid pieces which are heuristic, synthetic and process-derived -- deconstructed -- to form a solid, gapless atmosphere of densely packed voices that listeners may or may not wish to de-strand.

There are many lessons that can be deemed useless, like the uncomprehending behavior in a story ascribed to a spiritual teacher of sorts who, when in need of cash, would catch sparrows, use an aniline dye to tint the birds yellow and then sell them to the unsuspecting as canaries. It s not so much the spiritual component (are the beliefs that he taught any more or less authentic than the canaries he sold, or do any beliefs objectively matter?) as it is an indicator that many of the lessons which constitute learned behavior prove either intrinsically useless or are made so by our own behavior.

Music is, to varying degrees, also the result of learned behavior and the music of The Useless Lesson is mostly derived from considering the differences in acting on those things that are learned and acting on more spontaneous impulses.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Patience. Air. .......2007-05-10

There is a sense of air around this recording, uncluttered and hinting at miles of history which is not included. Many of the synthesizer voices used are unabashed imitations (or samples?) of orchestral strings so the project takes on a neoclassical feel. Yet the structures are never formulaic or hewing to classical tradition, not even the modernists.

Instead the sounds drift in and out of alignment, unpredictably, like clouds.

Peaceful, the result is... peaceful and patient. And content. Soothing. And beautiful.
Vacation From the World
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Underated
  • Brilliance
  • Amazing melodic punk love songs
  • good pop punk
  • Nothing useless in the new useless ID album
Vacation From the World
Useless ID
Manufacturer: Kung Fu Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
PunkPunk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00007L9NX
Release Date: 2003-02-17

Tracks:

  1. Same Story, Someone New
  2. The Worst Holiday I Ever Had
  3. Bring Me Down
  4. My Therapy
  5. Jukebox 86
  6. Too Late to Start Over
  7. Unhappy Hour
  8. Birthday Song
  9. Crush
  10. Weird Rock
  11. Stuck without a Ride
  12. Diary
  13. At Least I Tried
  14. End

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Underated.......2005-01-03

its simply ridiculous that these guys arent as big and arent ibgger than many of the other pop/punk bands in the scene. I cannot wait for their new CD to come out this year (2005)!!!

please buy this CD and tell your friends about it!!!

sure, these guys may not be musical giants, but if you want music to have a good time to, but still better than your average good charlotte, then listen to this and buy it!!!

5 out of 5 stars Brilliance.......2004-01-20

Well I dont know why but Useless ID have got to be one of the most underrated bands i know, why they aren't at least as famous the ataris I will never know. You keep seeing bands like Good Charlotte gracing our screens and allthough they have a lot of fans they aren't real music(no offence to any Good Charlotte fans). Useless id are real pop-punk and this CD just proves it, they have gone for the pretty much same formula as with their first album and it works well. What I like about useless id is the fact that all their songs don't sound the same, instead every song has its own identity and they aren't afraid to use acoustics in probably the best song on the album Diary. My favourites of this album Unhappy Hour, Birthday Song, Weird Rock,Diary, At least I tried, End. Special mentions to Bring me down and The worst holiday I've every had. BUY IT!!!

5 out of 5 stars Amazing melodic punk love songs.......2003-02-25

Following the same successful formula of their last album, "Bad Story, Happy Ending," Useless ID puts out another record that flies by and sings to the ears. If you are a fan of fast paced melodic punk songs about love, you will love this cd. If you liked their last cd, you will definitely like this one. "No Vacation..." follows the same patterns of their last cd, but without being tiresome and redundant. As good as their last cd was, this is a definite improvement. Yokam's (lead singer)voice has matured and creates some amazing harmonies with the all important punk "whoa oh's" in the background on many songs. In the same spirit of the Ataris, and much more talented than other rip-off pop bands such as Simple Plan who attempt to follow the same formula and sell it to the MTV crowd at the same time, this is an amazing record that you will play over and over.

5 out of 5 stars good pop punk.......2003-02-17

great melodies
despite what some reviews may say this album is awesome
currently my favorites are
"same story, someone new"
and "jukebox 86"

5 out of 5 stars Nothing useless in the new useless ID album.......2003-02-11

This album starts off great with the sound of southern cali pop punk!( I said pop and punk in the same sentence!) lyrics are great and anyone can relate to them. The musical notes are all clean and pulled off well while having the same O.G. sound you have grown to love about useless ID. Get the album it's great and great to add to any collection of music.
Useless Wooden Toys
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A most enjoyable aural trip
Useless Wooden Toys
Jon Kennedy
Manufacturer: Grand Central
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
HouseHouse | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Pop RapPop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0006V5QI4
Release Date: 2005-04-19

Tracks:

  1. Cut Up
  2. You, You, & You
  3. Heavyweight Freight
  4. Sand People
  5. We Milk Life But Dress Smooth
  6. Save The People
  7. Pick Up Sticks
  8. The Beef
  9. Useless Wooden Toys
  10. Lodestar
  11. All A Dream
  12. Never Wed An Old Man
  13. They Made Us Too Many

Album Description

Useless Wooden Toys is twenty eight year old Jon Kennedy's third album. Instead of relying on the multitude of programs available to him he has made a new standard by his pioneering innovation in `sound design'. He sang, played all the instruments himself, as well as made instruments to create his own samples. The actual `sounds' that the music is made up from stretch the imagination: What does a hi-hat sound like when you play it through a wah wah? What noise does a snare make if you down tune it? What happens if you play drums in the bathroom, then cut up that sound, stretch it out, then delay it? And an African drum, what would that sound like with a lump of clay in it?

In the inception of `Useless Wooden Toys' Jon played the Contra Bass, Bongos, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Harmonica and his beloved Drums as well as providing most of the vocals. He created instruments out of tree trunks and experimented with small lumps of clay dropped into a Djembe (an African drum). Many of the instruments are not easily recognizable as he has redesigned the sound and then pushed it to its limits.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A most enjoyable aural trip.......2005-11-09

This is an album of sounds, an album of songs and an album of beauty. If you are looking for something different check out this pioneering album by Jon Kennedy.
Let It Burn
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A collection of mediocre songs
  • An album mostly for fans
  • Burning With Greatness
  • good but confusing
  • decent
Let It Burn
The Ataris , and Useless I.D.
Manufacturer: Kung Fu Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
PunkPunk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Punk-PopPunk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
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  1. Look Forward to Failure
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ASIN: B00004T016
Release Date: 2000-04-11

Tracks:

  1. Radio Still Sucks - The Ataris
  2. Song for a Mix Tape - The Ataris
  3. P.S. The Scene Is Dead - The Ataris
  4. Blue Skies, Broken Hearts... Next 12 Exits - The Ataris
  5. Let It Burn - The Ataris
  6. How I Spent My Summer Vacation - The Ataris
  7. On With the Show - The Ataris
  8. San Dimas High School Football Rules [Acoustic] - The Ataris
  9. Too Bad You Don't Get It - Useless ID
  10. Questions + Answers - Useless ID
  11. Run - Useless ID
  12. Time to Move On - Useless ID
  13. Have a Nice Life - Useless ID
  14. Lost Once Again - Useless ID
  15. Not to Wait - Useless ID
  16. Something - Useless ID

Album Details

The Fasrest Growing Band in Punk Rock Right Now. amazing Example of Pop Punk.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars A collection of mediocre songs.......2002-10-10

This album is a congolmerate of a few songs by the Ataris and a foriegn band called Useless ID. It seems as though the Ataris simply dug some disposable old tunes out of the closet and just threw them on here to make a quick buck. None of the material really stands out as anything worth listening to, and fails miserably in comparison with the usually enjoyable, melodic emo/rock crafted by these guys. Addtitionally, the recording quality on each song is not up to past standards. Useless ID is a band that offers nothing that hasn't been done before, and bares an eerie similarity to almost every melodicore band, especially No Use for a Name. Their songs are forgettable at best. In the booklet, it is stressed that "a new ataris album is coming real soon", thus proving that this is simply FILLER. There is really no point in purchasing this album unless you are an avid Ataris or Useless ID collector/fan, because it truly is a sub-par listening experience.

4 out of 5 stars An album mostly for fans.......2002-05-10

When you take one of the most talented emo/pop-punk bands around today and combine them with up coming pop-punkers what do you get? You get "Let it burn", a split between Kung-Fu label mates The Ataris and Useless ID. And while this is overall a good album it does have it's positive and negative points.

The Ataris kick it off with "The radio...", a hilarious track especially for anyone against mainstream music. Reaching back to their punk roots The Ataris pull off several other gems such as "Blue skies...", "Let it burn" and an acoustic version of "San dimas...". Now I know this a split album, so you come to expect shorter tracks, but The Ataris half wraps up in about 12 minutes which will leave many fans with an empty feeling.

The Israeli band, Useless ID steps up to the plate next with an impressive effort and some great songs. Be sure to check out tracks like "Too dad...", "Have a nice life" & "Lost".

Unfortunately folks the time has come for me to bring up a few gripes I have with this album. First off, sound quality on a few songs is questionable, especially on "San dimas..." in which Chris Roe almost sounds like hes singing from another room. This was a big let down to say the least, due to the fact this album isn't a bootleg, but an official release. You would think because you're shelling out your hard earned dollars Kung-Fu would at least attempt to remaster some of the songs.

In the end there are some things to consider before heading out to buy "Let it burn". If you haven't heard anything from The Ataris or Useless ID prior to purchasing this album you might find yourself dissapointed. Like I mentioned, this is the type of album that will appeal to fans mostly.

Overall a pretty solid album from two very solid bands, fans of The Ataris and/or Useless ID shouldn't miss out on this.

5 out of 5 stars Burning With Greatness.......2002-01-28

This is a great cd. I do have to say though even though The*Ataris are my favorite band....the Useless I.D. half is much better. This cd has over 10 tracks so it is not considered an EP. Most of The Useless I.D. songs are less than two minutes, which is a total downer. Id have to say the best song on this cd is by The * Ataris,How I Spent My Summer Vacation. The songs "The Radio Still Sucks"(Ataris) and "Too Bad You DOnt Get It" are truley great pop punk gemss, which also are featured on the V/A Compilation "Short Music For Short People". I have to say that this Ataris/Useless I.D. split is well worth the money.
PEACE OUT

3 out of 5 stars good but confusing.......2001-12-30

this is a real great cd but there are some confusing aspects to it.First off it says on the back that Useless ID do a cover of The Beatles' "Something" however track 16 is only 4 second long with nothing on it. Also it is 96 tracks (mostly just blank space) and then when it does reach track 96 the song doesn't start till a minute or so into the song.also i think it's an Ataris song not Something.Besides that it is a great cd with awesome songs that should have been considered to be put on their album.

4 out of 5 stars decent.......2001-09-07

Its okay, the useless id songs are better than the ataris songs. I actually had never heard of them before and I think I may like them better than the ataris even though the ataris still rule. my advice is if your a diehard ataris fan, dont get this cd cause you'll be dissapointed. its not the new ataris cd. however, if your a punk fun, you might like the useless id songs. my favs are #9, 12, and 13. useless id are a talented group with raw sounds. take a chance and you may enjoy this cd. other favorite bands are midtown, nfg, craigs brother, fenix tx, less than jake, and op ivy.
R.A.B. vol. 2 [CD & DVD] 28 Tracks Plus 6 Short political short films that you just have to see...
Average customer rating: Not rated
    R.A.B. vol. 2 [CD & DVD] 28 Tracks Plus 6 Short political short films that you just have to see...
    Favorite Son - Green Day (unreleased) / Let Them Eat War - Bad Religion / Unity - Operation Ivy / Necrotism: Decanting the Insalubrious (Cyborg Midnight) Part 7 - The Lawrence Arms (unreleased) , We Got the Power - Dropkick Murphys (rare) / Drunken Lullabies - Flogging Molly / Doomsday Breach - Only Crime / Gas Chamber - Foo Fighters (rare) , Status Pools - Lagwagon (unreleased) / What You Say - Sugarcult / 7 Years Down - Rancid / Off With Your Head - Sleater-Kinney (rare) , Scream Out - The Unseen (unreleased) / Violins - Yellowcard (unreleased) / Like Sprewells on a Wheelchair - Dillinger Four (unreleased) / Chesterfield King live - Jawbreaker (unreleased) , Born Free live - Bouncing Souls (unreleased) / No Hope live - Mad Caddies (unreleased) / Kids Today - The Dwarves (unreleased) / Can't Wait to Quit - Sick of It All (rare) , Comforting Lie - No Doubt / State of Fear - Useless ID (unreleased) / I'm Thinking - Autopilot Off (unreleased) / My Star - The International Noise Conspiracy (unreleased) , and Time's Up - Donots (unreleased) / Kill the Night - Hot Water Music (unreleased) / You're Gonna Die - Thought Riot / Fields of Agony acoustic - No Use For a Name (unreleased)
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD
    ASIN: B000QXKUWE
    Bad Story Happy Ending
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • AWESOME!
    • a very worthy CD
    • An awesome new punk band
    • I'm out of broken hearts to give to you...
    • USELESS ID: PUNK BAND OF TOMMAROW
    Bad Story Happy Ending
    Useless ID
    Manufacturer: Kung Fu Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    PunkPunk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Punk RevivalPunk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    IsraelIsrael | Middle East | International | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B00005JGS3
    Release Date: 2001-06-12

    Tracks:

    1. At The Stadium
    2. Another Bad Taste
    3. No Time For Me To Be A Teenager
    4. Presents
    5. Just Friends
    6. Oh, My Guard
    7. Day By Day
    8. Nothing Logical In This Lifetime
    9. Out Of Tune
    10. Note
    11. Far From Distance
    12. Operation New Years
    13. Working Jerk
    14. Wake Up Call
    15. A Year To Forget

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars AWESOME!.......2002-04-04

    This piece of cd is awesome,it surely has a cool melodic
    tracks.i'm a fan of useless id so i think the band really
    rocks!cool songs like another bad taste,presents,oh my gourd
    and also no time for me to be a teen.buy it!u guys wont regret it!

    5 out of 5 stars a very worthy CD.......2001-09-23

    i bought it for 15 pounds! but it was worth it -every penny of it. i especially like 'operation new years' and the new drummer guy is good! great melodies... and not too much girlie-punk. i like it alot.

    5 out of 5 stars An awesome new punk band.......2001-08-20

    When I first bought this Cd, I expected just another punk cd with a few good songs. Whoa, was I wrong. Every single song on this Cd was great! The best part of this Cd has to be the lyrics by far. "No time for me to be a teenager", "Just friends", and "Day by Day" are my favorite songs on the album...but I like all of them. Worth buying!!!

    5 out of 5 stars I'm out of broken hearts to give to you..........2001-07-04

    All I have to say is, Useless I.D rule! And no, I'm not just saying that because they are from Israel! This is one good cd, and you better believe it. Right now, my fave song is "No time for me to be an teenager" ,and i'm also liking "just friends" a bit too much also, and "Oh, My Guard"... Just buy this cd and you won't regret it.

    5 out of 5 stars USELESS ID: PUNK BAND OF TOMMAROW.......2001-06-18

    This cd is awsome. Get it. Love it. You cant go wrong. Produced by Kris ot the Ataris. Its amazing.
    Redemption
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • A Good, Poppy Punk Record
    • Tisk tisk...
    • i love this cd
    • Useless ID-Israeli Punk
    • another good pop-punk band
    Redemption
    Useless ID
    Manufacturer: Kung Fu Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    PunkPunk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Punk RevivalPunk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    IsraelIsrael | Middle East | International | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Coming Home
    2. So Long, Astoria
    3. Blackhawks Over Los Angeles
    4. Keep It Going
    5. Resolve

    ASIN: B0009PCDQK
    Release Date: 2005-07-12

    Tracks:

    1. It's Alright
    2. Kiss Me. Kill Me
    3. Pink Stars and Magazines
    4. Deny It
    5. Suffer for the Fame
    6. Turn Up the Stereo
    7. Before I Go
    8. Dying Love
    9. Drinkage
    10. Everything Turned Red
    11. State of Fear
    12. Redemption

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars A Good, Poppy Punk Record.......2007-02-14

    Normally I would give this four stars, but I am giving it five because this band deserves better than the limited exposure they get, and secondly because not all the reviewers below have given this CD justice. I bought Useless ID's last CD "No Vacation From the World" and found this newer release "Redemption" to be an improvement. It's a bit poppier, but on the other hand, the song "Pink Stars and Magazines" was one of the best punk songs to be released in 2005. Also noteworthy is the opening track (which starts out almost identical to the Goo Goo Dolls "Slide" then builds up to a pop-punk chorus. Another winner is the track "Suffer For the Fame," which shows the group branching out into new territory without selling out via a big dark gothic opera (Like Good Charlotte and Blink 182 have done.) Also catchy is "Turn Up the Stereo," very similar to the Ataris "Radio #2." There are a few duds, particularly towards the end of the album (ironically the same thing dragged down their previous album a bit as well) and the track "Before I Go" sounds like it was taken right out of the Weezer playbook, but all in all, quite a good time. The album gets a positive vibe going, unlike the dark gothic all-too-serious "new mature sound" that many of these bands have adopted lately. Kudos to Useless I.D. for making another winner and giving the fans the kind of music THEY want to hear. If you're lookin for some catchy pop-punk similar to Allister's "Last Stop Suburbia" or Sugarcult's "Start Static" then look no further.

    1 out of 5 stars Tisk tisk..........2007-02-07

    I don't know what happened to Useless ID between the release of Bad Story Happy Ending and this abomination, but whatever it was it wasn't good.

    The pride of Hafia Israel, Useless ID, used to be a good punk band with poppy components. With this cd, it's obvious that they've become a pop band with (presumably) punk hair cuts. If you liked Let it Burn or Bad Story Happy Ending, do not buy this cd.

    5 out of 5 stars i love this cd.......2006-04-23

    i heard of this cd from a co worker who plays it all the time and now its one of my favorite cds, my favorite song is turn up the stereo.

    5 out of 5 stars Useless ID-Israeli Punk.......2005-12-11

    I only found out about Useless ID in August 05. I listened to a sample of it and loved it. Then, i bought the cd, Redemption. I still cannot believe that they are Israeli! At least that's what i've heard. I think the drummer is crazy in a good way on this whole cd. The guitars are cool, too. The lyrics are great, too. So i will do a review(by the way, i wrote the review for Slipknot + 2 if you're who i am):

    1.Its allright - very cool song. Its amazing. this was the song i heard a sample of when i heard it. Even then, it was like green day. Great.
    2.Kiss me/Kill me - This is a great song. i like how in the chorus the chord progression changes completely. Yes.
    3.Pink stars and magazines - this is the latest "issue" of great punk songs. I love the lyrics the most. It great.
    4.Deny it - This is the only song that BORES me a little. the lyrics could be a bit better and so the druming as well. 1/2 and 1/2.
    5.Suffer for the fame - my absolute favorite on the whole cd. first it starts out with jazzy type music and goes into a jimi hendrix vresion one of beethovens symphonys. then it just goes into the song. but i'd still say that its great. Excitment and all. i like how at the end its kind of like a Slipknot chorus and it goes, "I!!!! don't want it in my world........" An amazing one.
    6.Turn up the stereo - good song. it even does feel like i want to turn up the stereo. its great song.
    7. Before i go - i think its an amazing song. 1. because my friends and me are making a movie and its about exploring and this song might be the opening credits. 2. the lyrics and vocal styling are one of the best on the cd.
    8. Dying Love- its a great song. just BORES me a little. Pretty good, tho.
    9.Drinkage-good song. the lyrics are pretty good. the drumming is too.
    10.Everything turned red - my second favorite on the cd. really good and cool. i like when the song ends where it goes "Everything turned red the first time i saw you" over and cver again and it seems like it never stops.
    11.State of fear - my third favorite on the cd. it is a great song. all i have to say.
    12. Redemption - my fourth favorite. i love it, tho. its really cool, the lyrics, the percussion, and the guitars and the bass are really good in this one. great closing track.

    All in all, i really love this cd and it is a must by for those who like Jimi Hendrix, green day, and Ozzy, and Slipknot. This is still an Israeli punk band. i stil can't believe they are isreali! they sing in english,tho.

    4 out of 5 stars another good pop-punk band.......2005-08-27

    This band is pretty good. They are kinda like new found glory and a little bit of simple plan mixed in. Their beats and lyrics are completely awesome and whenever you listen to it you get pumped up. I'd reccomend this cd along with their other cd no vacation from the world.
    All This Useless Beauty
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • How can a song stand alone?
    • It's Elvis' show, Bruce T., and don't you forget it.
    • Staying Power
    • A Poet and incredible songwriter
    • This album is one of the alltime bests!!!!
    All This Useless Beauty
    Elvis Costello
    Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
    Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
    Adult AlternativeAdult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
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    1. Brutal Youth
    2. Mighty Like a Rose
    3. When I Was Cruel
    4. Kojak Variety
    5. Spike

    ASIN: B000002N5X
    Release Date: 1996-05-14

    Tracks:

    1. The Other End Of The Telescope
    2. Little Atoms
    3. All This Usless Beauty
    4. Complicated Shadows
    5. Why Can't A Man Stand Alone?
    6. Distorted Angel
    7. Shallow Grave
    8. Poor Fractured Atlas
    9. Starting To Come To Me
    10. You Bowed Down
    11. It's Time
    12. I Want To Vanish

    Amazon.com

    Beauty was the third album Elvis Costello released between 1994 and '96. It's also one of his best collections of the '90s. Something of a hodgepodge, it finds Elvis one moment recalling the anglicized soul of Get Happy!, the next making like Grandpa Grunge. Do you prefer Elvis as Roger McGuinn or Marvin Gaye? He tries out a new songwriting partner in Aimee Mann, who cowrote the lovely waltz tempo opener, "The Other End of the Telescope," but he's also brought back Paul McCartney from his Spike days to cocompose "Shallow Grave." All of which implies Elvis is all over the board. And so what? As the years pass, it's more apparent than ever that Costello has survived because his love--yes, love!--of music. When you think about it, that's an odd notion. Who'd of thought back when Elvis was spewing bile to a new-wave beat, that love, not guilt and revenge, would keep him going. --Steven Stolder

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars How can a song stand alone?.......2004-05-11

    All This Useless Beauty is a collection of Elvis Costello songs that did not have a home. Some of them were written for other artists to record but turned down while some were just on the backburner for a number of years. In terms of the overall feeling of the disc, each track seems to shoot for an incredibly lofty goal on its own. And when you put them all together, you're not sure if you're hearing Elvis Costello's best work or not.

    This may or may not ditract you. I myself admire the fact that each song here can stand alone without depending on the weight of the others. Although they may not be the strongest songs he has written in his entire career, he does have a nice share of ballads with Poor Fractured Atlas, Why Can't A Man Stand Alone, The Other End of the Telescope, and the title track. His mysterious side bubbles up a little bit with Little Atoms and Distorted Angel. Even the amped up Complicated Shadows and Shallow Grave fit into the picture nicely, as does the extremely dramatic It's Time.

    While this is not Costello's best overall album, there are no clunkers contained within.

    4 out of 5 stars It's Elvis' show, Bruce T., and don't you forget it........2002-12-05

    I agree with previous reviewers that this is a wonderful collection of songs. When I first listened to it, I correctly guessed that Elvis had a hand in the production. Why? Because all the imaginative and insightful bass guitar work contributed by Ma'Man Bruce Thomas constitute the quietest sounds on the CD. As one previous reviewer mentioned, "Elvis' voice is front and center", and that too is no coincidence. It's Elvis' show after all, and if he wants to slightly sabotage its perfection by skewing the production because of his little feud with Bruce, well, he can of course. Our loss is his gain. But try this at home: Carefully adjust your equalizer to bump up the bass just a little bit, and then play a song like 'shallow grave' again. Feel gypped yet? Now you too have been reminded, it's Elvis' show.

    4 out of 5 stars Staying Power.......2002-07-04

    Unfortunately this is my only Elvis CD, but that is soon to change, especially with all these reissues. I bought it after being captivated by The Other End of the Telescope on the radio. Co-writer Aimee Mann has a similar grip on me. It's a great buy used - I don't understand why this CD was so overlooked and the price is so low now. I was very glad to hear Complicated Shadows on his recent tour - it is awesome live. The title track always stops me in my tracks. I just love his versatility. He can sing a gorgeous ballad and follow it up with a rocker that can hang in there with the Stones or anyone else. And they all spring from his bottomless pit of a catalog. Amazing. If his fan base is considered a cult, they're not getting me back without some serious reprogramming.

    5 out of 5 stars A Poet and incredible songwriter.......2002-03-02

    The lyrics of Elvis Costello's songs are poetic and beautiful. On this CD, I really ejoyed "Little Atoms", "All this Useless Beauty" and "The Other End of The Telesope".This is a very well-done CD, with well-written songs. A CD I can listen to over and over again.

    5 out of 5 stars This album is one of the alltime bests!!!!.......2000-10-17

    This one of the best compact discs that I have ever put into my player. Elvis Costello(Declan McManus)is an inspiration to musicians everywhere. This is a must have! "Poor Fractured Atlas" made me cry the first time that I heard it. "All This Useless Beauty" is an artistic, emotional and musical beauty that will leave you utterly breathless. Get it!

    Music:

    1. Useless [CD-single]
    2. Vagabond
    3. Waiting
    4. Walkin' On The Sun [CD-single]
    5. Warning [Enhanced]
    6. We The Poet [Explicit Lyrics]
    7. When I Get Old
    8. Win Again
    9. Wish I'd Taken Pictures
    10. Wolves at my Door

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