Reveal

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com's Best of 2001
R.E.M. have no right at this advanced stage in their career to be making such a spirited and beautiful album as Reveal. Twenty years after "Radio Free Europe," they're still jiggy as year-old pups. Reveal is the sound of a band that's beyond feeling the need to change or to prove themselves to each new generation, but retains its passion. Michael Stipe's voice is at its most evocatively beautiful on "I've Been High," and Peter Buck's eclectic tunes continue along the highly accessible vein mined on 1998's Up. Stipe continues his emergence as an up-front vocalist whose lyrics, if never entirely self-explanatory, now make ingenious use of more readily identifiable phrases, images, and vignettes. Hovering over much of the album is the spirit of Brian Wilson, whose genius is echoed in "Beachball" and almost transcended in the astonishingly plangent "Summer Turns to High." With so much to live up to, it's not far short of astonishing that R.E.M. can still come up with a song such as the gorgeously chiming and shimmering "Imitation of Life," which, on its own, is worth the price of admission. But, from the first synthesizer swirls of the opener "The Lifting" onward, there's nary a dud to be heard on Reveal. --Johnny Black --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Reveal
Average customer rating:

a calm I haven't come to yet

Wistful & Brilliant

A Return To Form

R.E.M.'s Uneven Spaceflight

Over produced

Reveal
R.E.M.
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Jangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Up

New Adventures in Hi-Fi

Around the Sun

Green

Monster

ASIN: B00005BL29
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Tracks:

The Lifting
I've Been High
All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna be a Star)
She Just Wants To Be
Disappear
Saturn Return
Beat a Drum
Imitation Of Life
Summer Turns To High
Chorus & The Ring
I'll Take The Rain
Beachball

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

R.E.M. have no right at this advanced stage in their career to be making such a spirited and beautiful album as Reveal. Twenty years after "Radio Free Europe," they're still jiggy as year-old pups. Reveal is the sound of a band that's beyond feeling the need to change or to prove themselves to each new generation, but retains its passion. Michael Stipe's voice is at its most evocatively beautiful on "I've Been High," and Peter Buck's eclectic tunes continue along the highly accessible vein mined on 1998's Up. Stipe continues his emergence as an up-front vocalist whose lyrics, if never entirely self-explanatory, now make ingenious use of more readily identifiable phrases, images, and vignettes. Hovering over much of the album is the spirit of Brian Wilson, whose genius is echoed in "Beachball" and almost transcended in the astonishingly plangent "Summer Turns to High." With so much to live up to, it's not far short of astonishing that R.E.M. can still come up with a song such as the gorgeously chiming and shimmering "Imitation of Life," which, on its own, is worth the price of admission. But, from the first synthesizer swirls of the opener "The Lifting" onward, there's nary a dud to be heard on Reveal. --Johnny Black

Customer Reviews:

a calm I haven't come to yet.......2007-04-30

R.E.M's fans love the fact that the threesome does not tinker overmuch with their successful recipe. REVEAL is vintage R.E.M.: spare orchestration, Michael Stipe's incessantly cool voice providing virtually the only vocals, stream-of-conscious lyrics that *seem* to say something deep even when--just maybe--they don't.

It's all here.

R.E.M. scores the formula like few others. Over and over, yet without wearing fans like this reviewer.

This 2001 release was all about doubting one's disbelief, wondering what's real, reveling in this moment, occasionally looking back with wistfulness before turning to engage the present.

Stipe's voice is almost tender. Like many singers and songwriters of his generation, he wonders a lot, wonders aloud, wonders for others like him who find more authenticity, more reality, or perhaps more convenience in wondering than in discovering, establishing, believing, even trusting.

Stipe's words even take on bitterness without his voice once *sounding* bitter. He coaxes more emotion out of a vocal inventory that is not wide than any singer except, perhaps, Jagger.

This CD's best piece--arguably one of REM's greatest--is She Just Wants to Be. Poignant, provocative, ironic, we learn of the genre's unnamed woman who once was here with so much promise, but has now taken her magic and her madness far away:

'It's not that the transparency
of her earlier incarnations
now looked back on, weren't rich
and loaded with beautiful vulnerability
and now she knows

now is greater
and she knows that

she just wants to be somewhere
she just wants to be'

The band assumes its rhythmic, driving mode for this song, which they pull of with exceptional, memorable, tuneful beauty. Yet it got little air time. One wonders what the radio jockeys were *listening* to.

Stipe and R.E.M. seem resigned to what they know, too careful about the pain to believe with dangerous naivete in something better, something more:

'I used to think, as birds take wing,
they sing through life, so why can't we?
we cling to this, and claim the best
if this is what you're offering
I'll take the rain, I'll take the rain

the nightime creases
summer schemes
and stretches out to stay
the sun shines down
you came around
you loved the easy days

but now the sun
the winter's come
I wanted just to say
that if I hold
I'd hoped you'd fold
and open up inside, inside of me'

Like so many artistic peers but better than most of them, R.E.M. takes the rain, or *would* do so if it were still on offer. As they do, they gift the songed narrative of it all to wistful listeners like this one. They bring this tribute to their fans in REVEAL, just as they have done in the album's predecessors and will do - no doubt - in worthy successors just now under design.

Wistful & Brilliant.......2007-03-11

I just can not believe some of the negative reviews for this record. I get that the early diehards are disappointed. Hey, there's some good stuff back there but this is brilliant. I realy like the mood on the last couple--Up on: wistful, intelligent, subtly upbeat. This is exactly what ageing rockstars should be doing: mining the subtler notes of life, going "in" on life's rich pageantry. This record is seting the mood for my evening perfectly. Listen and you will be revealed.

A Return To Form.......2006-11-02

After the hangover-ish Up, this was a pleasant surprise. "I've Been High" and "Beat A Drum" fit quite well with anyone's top 10 R.E.M. song list. A personal favorite is the underappreciated "I'll Take The Rain." This may be the last great R.E.M. disc (with apologies to Around The Sun fans.)

R.E.M.'s Uneven Spaceflight.......2006-09-05

They haven't put out a bad album in twenty-two years. However, after 'New Adventures in Hi-Fi' they've fearlessly done what they've wanted at the expense of obscurity. Unfortunately, they've also been their most inconsistent on 'Up' and, especially here, on 'Reveal'. As expected, there are stunning moments, and the slick production gives us a rich listening experience like always.

They still master alternative on their short-lived single "Imitation of Life," and they thrive in pop sensibilities on "Beat a Drum". Furthermore, they live up to their name with the hypnotic opener "The Lifting" and "Disappear". "I've Been High" takes the listener on this sojourn even further. But, the band does falter. "All the Way to Reno" is somewhat overrated, even if it is evocative. Then, "She Just Wants to Be," "Saturn Return," and "Beachball" are too langorous and create a failure to launch after the other gems. "I'll Take the Rain" is heartfelt, but goes on too long. "Summer Turns to High" doesn't bring us to the season or the destination.

Despite some of the flaws, R.E.M manages to reinvent the wheel on every outing. Here they take us to a vision of "carpe diem" with a space-age development that trumps much of anything else sound-wise. Some of the stops along the way fail to impress, but even a mixed effort by R.E.M. is worthy. (3 1/2 *'s)

Over produced.......2006-08-11

REMs weakest effort. Some great songs here unfortunately all over produced. This album would have benefited from the early IRS recording schedules of 2-3 weeks. This album just seems like they kept tinkering and adding various elements until the original songs were buried beneath lush strings and keyboard arrangements.

Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll

Average customer rating:

Nice Collection
PERFECT!
Great singing and excellent value for money
More than two hours of beautiful 17th century 'ayres'

Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll
Henry Purcell , Nancy Argenta , and Nigel North
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Purcell: The Fairy Queen
Essential Purcell
Purcell: Odes for St. Cecilia's Day - Music for Queen Mary / Taverner Consort
Bach: Cantatas
Gabrieli · Monteverdi · Vivaldi - Venetian Church Music / Taverner Consort, Choir & Players · Andrew Parrott

ASIN: B000059LOH
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Tracks:

O Solitude - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
Ah! How Sweet It Is To Love - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Not All My Torments - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Paul Nicholson
Stripp'd Of Their Green - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Tell Me, Some Pitying Angel - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
If Music Be The Food Of Love - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Hark! Hark! The Echoing Air - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
The Fatal Hour Comes On Apace - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
Incassum, Lesbia - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Paul Nicholson
Sweeter Than Roses - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
Cupid, The Slyest Rogue Alive - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
From Silent Shades - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Dear Pretty Youth - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
From Rosy Bow'rs - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Now That The Sun Hath Veil'd His Light - Nancy Argenta/Paul Nicholson
Beneath A Poplar's Shadow - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
I Attempt From Love's Sickness To Fly - Nancy Argenta/Paul Nicholson
Let Us Dance - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Fairest Isle - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
O Solitude - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby

Tracks:

Nymphs And Shepherds - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Amidst The Shades And Cool Refreshing Streams - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
Love In Their Little Veins Inspires - Nancy Argenta/Rachel Becket/Marion Scott/Richard Boothby/Nigel North
Fly Swift, Ye Hours - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
They Tell Us That Your Mighty Powers - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
The Plaint: O Let Me Weep - Nancy Argenta/Pauline Nobes/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
In The Black, Dismal Dungeon Of Despair - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/John Toll
See, Even Night Herself Is Here - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones
Why Should Men Quarrel? - Nancy Argenta/Rachel Becket/Marion Scott/Richard Boothby/John Toll
Seek Not To Know - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Sophia McKenna/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Retir'd From Mortals' Sight - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
To Arms, Heoric Prince - Nancy Argenta/Mark Bennett/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
O Lead Me To Some Peaceful Gloom - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Halcyon Days - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Pauline Nobes/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Bid The Virtues - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Lord, What Is Man? (A Divine Hymn) - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Music For A While - Nancy Argenta/John Toll
If Music Be The Food Of Love (1st Setting) - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/John Toll
Sawney Is A Bonny Lad (A Scotch Song) - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
When I Have Often Heard Young Maids Complaining - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Ah! Cruel, Bloody Fate - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/John Toll
Thy Hand, Belinda... When I Am Laid In Earth - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North

Customer Reviews:

Nice Collection.......2007-03-05

I have many collections of Purcell's Music. This collection stands up to them at half the price. Solid buy.

PERFECT!.......2006-10-26

There is only a word with which I can describe this set of discs: perfect!
The only flaw there is, is not related to the singing or playing: no text enclosed.

Great singing and excellent value for money.......2004-09-19

This is probably one of the best anthologies of Purcell songs around, and not just because it's two-for-one pricing means it contains twice as much music (CD1:74'24" & CD2: 77'41")! Nancy Argenta has an irrepressible sense of style and crystal clear diction. But unlike Emma Kirby, whose vocal purity can become tiresome, these renditions radiate warmth. She is also, I have found, more consistently involving than any one of the singers in Hyperion's three disc survey of Complete Secular Songs (recently reissued as a single set). One marvels at how she judiciously balances restraint and emotional forthrightness. The accompaniments (archlute, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and organ) are well judged and blend with the voice, all helped by an excellently defined recording acoustic. This is an absolute winner at any price!

More than two hours of beautiful 17th century 'ayres'.......2001-08-02

Two CDs, totaling more than 150 minutes of sparsely-arranged (never more than 3-5 instruments at a time), sweetly-sung, 350 year old 'ayres' (a typically English form of secular music). Nancy Argenta's soprano voice is lovely, silvery indeed as her name implies. The instruments are a discreet but friendly accompaniment to her solo voice. Perhaps the instruments are a little too discreet -- there are times when I wish they were a touch more prominent. But that is a very, very minor complaint. A beautiful collection, and quite well worth the money.

Average customer rating:

Yet another original fighting to get through.....
Leaves you wanting more
a real jewel

On a Good Day
Jude Johnstone
Manufacturer: Bojak Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Coming of Age
These Four Walls
Black Cadillac
The Calling
Carnival

ASIN: B0007LLPW4
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

On A Good Day
20 Years
Hard Lessons
Hold On
In This House
Old And Gray
Evelyn
Pen And Paper
Deep Water
Long Way Back
The Hereafter

Amazon.com

If an artist can be judged by the company she keeps, the vocal harmonies of Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Rodney Crowell, and Julie Miller on Jude Johnstone's second release attest to the esteem she enjoys from fellow singer-songwriters. Though Johnstone's songs have been recorded by singers from Bette Midler to Johnny Cash, the confessional conviction she invests in the title track, "Hard Lessons," and "Pen and Paper" makes her material seem as personal as a diary. As a narrative of marital breakup, "20 Years" has a melodic bounce at odds with its lyrical despair, yet most of the settings for these older-but-wiser reflections are as somber as Johnstone's writing is poetic. Some listeners might find the results a little precious, self-consciously so--as if musical maturity mainly involves the morose acceptance of painful truths--but fans of artists from Jackson Browne to Nanci Griffith should recognize a kindred spirit here. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

Yet another original fighting to get through............2005-06-19

I remember back in the late 70's when a new singer/songwriter
performer named Karla Bonoff was a "hot" songwriter and established artists took notice and covered her song catalogue
until she to finally got her own recognition. I see the same thing happening to Jude. She writes some wonderful stuff and the
likes of Bette Midler to Bonnie Raitt have covered her emotional
turf. This collection has some outstanding songwriting and
open hearted Joni Mitchell like realism injected into the mix,
very moving material.
Well worth owning. Jude is one of our NEW & BEST songwriters.

Leaves you wanting more.......2005-03-13

I have only one complaint about this CD: It's too short!

By the time the last track begins, I'm already wishing it was a double album or, better yet, a box-set with 100 tracks of new and old material, demos, covers, Christmas songs, commercial jingles, and Jude singing phone book listings. I just don't want the music to end.

I first heard Jude perform when she opened for Shawn Colvin last year at a show in California, and I truly can't remember the last time I've had such a strong initial reaction to a performer. I remember specifically being floored by her performance of "Doesn't Anybody Know But Me" from her first CD, Coming of Age, and "Old and Gray" from this CD. Although I was there to see Shawn Colvin, I must admit that Jude stole the show that evening with her performance and gained a life-long fan in me.

It seems that every review written about Jude's CDs makes note of the fact that Jude has written hits for many top artists like Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, and Stevie Nicks. While that does bear repeating here as further testimony to Jude's talent and reputation as a top-notch songwriter, it shouldn't overshadow Jude's talent as the exceptional performer she has proven herself to be on stage and on both her albums.

Jude's second CD, like her first, is filled with highly emotional and intelligent music which will appeal to music lovers who demand substance in their music-listening experience. Jude's music requires "active listening" and is not, as Jude terms it, "music to cook by." Although the instrumentation on this CD is beautiful in and of itself, it is not by any means merely pleasant background music. To fully appreciate the CD (and Jude's complete body of work for that matter) one must really listen to the lyrics as well. All the tracks on this CD tell interesting stories of life's everyday occurrences--of "busted heart[s]" and watching "friends go one by one"--all told through Jude's use of vivid imagery and storytelling.

Her most obvious "story" song is "Evelyn." The lyrics tell of Jude's arty (for lack of a better word) great-aunt who was expected to become the next "Clara Bowe or...Harlow" until a fire left her disfigured and relegated to "playing piano for the silent shows." Jude's impeccable word choice makes the young girl's heartache palpable to the listener while completely avoiding the maudlin tone a less-talented writer would likely have set in telling such a story.

Jude uses some wry humor in "20 Years," to recount the story of the decay of a marriage. Jude tells of a wife who, when dealing with her husband, cannot "connect the dots on his page" and the husband who sardonically states, "Go ahead and take the kids/ I'll see them twice a year." The potentially depressing topic of divorce becomes almost deceptively lighthearted in the adept hands of the songwriter.

A personal favorite is the last track, "The Hereafter." Written about the death of a family member, the song manages to be inspirational without being preachy or precious. This track contains two of the most poignant and affective uses of imagery on the album: "...the sky up above us/ Is filled with red wings/ As they welcome you/ In the hereafter" and the CD's last line, "Now the wind's at your back/ And whatever you lack/ You will find it/ Out in the hereafter." Pure lyrical perfection like this, coupled with a beautiful and memorable melody, makes this track a standout while also representing ALL the tracks on this CD.

In the title track Jude sings of being left "wanting more." After listening to this CD you will feel the same way.

a real jewel.......2005-02-27

Jude's first cd was a hard act to follow--given it was filled with great songs which had already become famous from the cover performances of other singers. It was great for many reasons--especially to hear her take on songs we thought we knew. But, this new collection is magnificent. Just one great song after another. It would be a surprise and an injustice if several aren't taken up by others in additional cover performances.

First, her instrumentalists. Jude accompanies herself with piano on virtually every song--recalling the noble tradition of the singer/songwriter performing from the piano. She knows just how to accompany herself and does it beautifully. Mary Ramsay's violin and viola are superb. Didn't she do the same for Patty Loveless? Co-producer Charles Duncan acquits himself finely on guitar, organ, slide guitar, bass and poignantly on pennywhistle. He also does some backing vocals, along with an amazingly talented group of others--most especially Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Rodney Crowell and Julie Miller. Jude certainly knows how to use these voices to particular advantage in each song.

What can I say about the songs? They are all good, many are great...from the fine title tune which opens the cd to the amazing simple chorus of "Hold On," the sad and lovely "In This House," the poetic and image-filled "Old and Gray" (sung with Julie Miller), "Evelyn"--a wonderful, autobiographical song, the plaintive yet somehow hopeful "Pen and Paper," the sharp imagery and moving chorus of "Deep Water," the painful dilemma expressed so well in "Long Way Back," and the final song--a stellar, lovely tribute to a lost comrade--"The Hereafter" (with an amazing pennywhistle being played). It's a grand, impressive collection. What's amazing, as well, is how Jude--with a dusty, low, narrow-range of a voice--can sing so well and so rightly the emotions expressed in these songs. She's terrific.

In spite of the darkness and sadness in many of these songs, Jude finds reason for light and hope in many of them. I hope the talented Lori McKenna is listening and can find similar light and hope in future songs. She didn't in those on BITTERTOWN.

Average customer rating:

My Favorite Album of the Year
Stunning - beautiful arrangements, beautiful voice
A new discovery
Real Life-affirming
Real life -- Real love

Real Life
Joan as Police Woman
Manufacturer: Reveal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Joan as Police Woman
Ys
The Trials of Van Occupanther
West
Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man

ASIN: B000F5GKTK
Release Date: 2006-06-12

Tracks:

Real Life
Eternal Flame
Feed the Light
Ride
I Defy
Flushed Chest
Christobel
Save Me
Anyone
We Don't Own It

Album Description

Exclusive US 2CD version of their 2006 includes a bonus disc with six rare tracks, 'Show Me the Life', 'Broken Eyes', 'Sweet Thing' (David Bowie Cover), 'Happiness is a Violator (for Condoleezza Rice), 'Endless Supply of Poison' and 'We Don't Own It' (Solo Version). The band has been receiving rave reviews since their UK live debut at the end of 2005. Joan herself has quite a bit of musical history as a member of The Dambuilders, Black Beetle and Those Bastard Souls as well as backing Rufus Wainwright and being a key member of Antony's Johnsons. Joan's voice has been compared to Dusty Springfield, Chrissie Hynde and Annette Peacock, while the shimmering, melodic music encompasses everything from torch songs to basic Rock 'N' Roll. Contains the singles 'The Ride', 'Eternal Flame', 'Real Life' and 'Christobel

Customer Reviews:

My Favorite Album of the Year.......2007-06-25

I am very picky with the music I like and therefore the music I buy. But, ever since I bought Joan's album I can't stop listening to it. Every song is a great song. The production is so simple and so masterful. As soon as the album is over I try to stop myself from playing it again right away (because I don't wanna get tired of it!), but I find myself singing the songs to myself anyway so there I go and play it from the top one more time. Love it, love it, love it!

Stunning - beautiful arrangements, beautiful voice.......2007-03-12

A rare gem. Near perfect. Well recorded, this trio produces a wonderful up-front, live sound. The title track soars, lyrically and musically - put this on a good stereo and prepare for goosebumps. Listen close and you'll hear occasional Rufus-style change-ups trimming out beautiful melodies and lyrics. This will remain one of my all-time favorites.

A new discovery.......2007-02-06

I discovered Joan As Police Woman after hearing a track on Uncut Magazine's "Best of 2006" compilation CD. The song stuck in my head. So I ordered the whole CD. And I wasn't disappointed. Joan is like a conglomeration of Cat Power, Beth Orton, Hem, and a bunch of other female singers/groups. I can't really describe it beyond that. But the songs and lyrics are great. And the vocals are so ethereal. I'd recommend this CD highly. But buy it for less from a third-party seller rather than paying the high import price.

Real Life-affirming.......2007-01-20

Joan Wasser is well known in indie circles as a talented violinist who has worked with the likes of Rufus Wainwright and Antony & The Johnsons. She also happened to be Jeff Buckley's longtime girlfriend at the time of his tragic passing. No longer content with a supporting role or playing second fiddle, (if you'll excuse the bad pun), Joan steps out of the musical shadows for Real Life, her singer/songwriter debut as Joan As Policewoman.

Real Life has a dynamic, soulful, 70's feel not unlike recent records by Cat Power or Feist, yet defiantly of Joan's own creation. It features 10 pop songs of rare grace and beauty, by turns tender and sassy, sparse yet detailed, all of which combine to form a supremely satisfying and consistent debut. The sort which lodges in the mind and refuses to leave. Within the space of Real Life's first four songs the material ranges from intimate and confessional (`Real Life') to heady, insistent pop (`Eternal Flame') to swooning and transportive (`Feed The Light') to breezy ('The Ride'). Throughout, Wasser's adoration of soul music is clearly evident, with Al Green and Roberta Flack surely two key influences. I think it's also fair to say that her former bandmates Rufus and Antony have left a lasting impression on her musical stylings - with piano, voice and intricate string arrangements very much to the fore. It's Joan's delightfully distinctive sulty/tart vocal style that is the real selling point here though, it weaves through everything with a captivating intensity - as though she's singing to you, and you only.

Each and every track is like consuming the ripest of fruit, the sweetest of berries, the darkest of chocolate. Exquisite. It leaves you craving more. Joan is a major talent in the making, and Real Life is balm to these jaded ears.

Like this? Try>
Feist - Let It Die
Cat Power - The Greatest
Antony & The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now

Real life -- Real love.......2006-12-07

I don't know anything about Joan except that she's got great taste in music and a great way with a lyric. Real Life is an incredible song of modern love. No mush here, no hearts and flowers, just a slightly sinister smokey blue take on attraction. The music owes a lot to Anthony And The Johnsons (or visa versa) and also a lot to the early 20th Century French composer Erik Satie'. It's as cool as the back side of your pillow and as hot as an illicit kiss.

Average customer rating:

Very Nice

Reveal
Roxette
Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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One Wish
Roxbox 1986-2006
One Wish
Fading Like a Flower
Baladas En Espanol

ASIN: B000NIVN96
Release Date: 2007-03-12

Tracks:

Reveal (The Attic Remix)
Reveal (Kleerup Remix)
Reveal (Single Version)
One Wish (Video)

Album Description

2007 enhanced CD single from the Swedish Pop duo, pulled from the album Roxette Hits. Features three versions of 'Reveal' (The Attic Remix, Kleerup Remix and Single Version) plus the enhanced video of 'One Wish'. EMI.

Album Details

Taken from the Swedish Duo's "Hits" Album, this Special Single Includes Two Remixes of the Title Track and the Enhanced Video of "One Wish"!

Customer Reviews:

Very Nice.......2007-06-16

Roxette has produced 2 new songs one is "Reveal" and the other is "One Wish" I think I think "Reveal" is much better.
I bought this single (I already have the original version) just for the remixes, I am tempted to say that this is the only
Roxette song that I (probably) prefer the remix over the original song. Once again Roxette delivers superb compositions.
I am in awe of this band.

Average customer rating:

Transcending!
WOW!!!
EXTRA-ORDINARY!
A Wonderful CD
Gorgeous!

Reveal
Girish
Manufacturer: Spirit Voyage
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

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World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Shiva Machine
The Sound of OM
Missa
Grace
Close To Silence

ASIN: B000279174
Release Date: 2004-05-01

Tracks:

Ma
Hk Ambient
Hanuman
Sharade
Gopala
Shri Ram

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

Transcending!.......2007-03-16

Open your heart and sink inside....Pure Bliss!
Girish redefines mantra. Donna De Lory's backing vocals are just stunning!

WOW!!!.......2005-04-15

I'm new to some of eastern influenced music. I've worked in the music business for many years with rock and pop artists, but I wanted to expand my horizons. Until I came across this Girish CD, my favorites have been Dave Stringer, Krishna Das, and David Parson. My new favorite of the genre is Reveal. The entire album is amazing. I especially can't stop listening to Hanuman.

I highly recommend this CD. I'm looking forward to seeing what Girish does in the future too!!!

EXTRA-ORDINARY!.......2005-01-19

Upon first listening to REVEAL, I found myself intoxicated by ancient sounds woven together by the modern hands of an artist who truly understands the soul's desire to experience something deeply transcendent. Strong, earthy tones permeate mantras often thought inaccessible are now open to many in this cross-culturally infused album. Girish's languid voice takes us on a journey where inspiring, heart-felt expression is mixed with a groove all its own. These subtle, jazz-like compositions set REVEAL apart from other chant albums, allowing those who may not usually swim in these waters a chance to dive in and feel immediately at home.

To create an album with a unique sound, both vocally and instrumentally, is rare. To uplift and heal the spirit as well is...extraordinary!

A Wonderful CD.......2004-11-09

"Reveal" by Girish is a CD of articulate beauty, accessible devotion and amazing musicianship. Girish weaves ancient Sanskrit mantras with contemporary and inventive melodies to bring chant out of the ashram and into the living room.

I love this CD. I'm instantly enveloped by Girish's hypnotic vocals and lush arrangements every time I listen to it. His voice is deep and fluid, expressing the emotional calling of Kirtan through melodies that you come away singing. Yes, I find myself singing in Sanskrit, understanding the meaning even if I don't know what the words themselves mean, being connected to an ancient intelligence on a visceral level.

Gorgeous!.......2004-10-17

Girish's beautiful sound is overlain with a palpable sense of devotion that speaks to a place deep inside. When friends are over and I play it, it never goes unremarked, and this is true whether or not they are from a Hindu tradition. It's one of my absolute favorite cds.

Average customer rating:

Reveal: Hear Music Volume 10

Manufacturer: Hear Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Hear Music Volume 6
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ASIN: B00025X0E6

Product Description

18 tracks, each by a different top artist!

Average customer rating:

Joan as Police Woman
Joan as Police Woman
Manufacturer: Reveal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Real Life
The Ride
Christobel
Eternal Flame
Real Life

ASIN: B000CNFBGS
Release Date: 2006-03-06

Tracks:

My Gurl
Prime Mover
Stagger Into The Light
Game Of Life
How Come You're So Solid Gold
Could It Still Be Tonight (Bonus Track)

Album Description

UK CD EP from Joan Wasser of Antony and the Johnsons and Rufus Wainwright's band and features the single 'My Gurl' and five other recordings that are not featured on her Real Life album including the UK bonus track 'Could It Still Be Tonight'. Fans of smart and strong, yet soft and melancholy singer/songwriters will be smitten by Joan, who creates music that floats through the air like a gentle breeze filled with carbon monoxide poisoning. Six tracks. Reveal Records. 2006.

Album Details

Joan Wasser of Antony and the Johnsons and Rufus Wainwright's Band Makes her UK CD Debut with Six Fine Tracks Not Included on her Forthcoming 'real Life' Full Length Album.

Average customer rating:

Definite Banger by The Pomona Pimps
It had to be good it came out in 1996.
Pomona, CA's Angels R Back!
4.5 stars from ATL -- - my favorite album of their's I have
This was Above the Law's last classic album

Time Will Reveal
Above the Law
Manufacturer: Tommy Boy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Black Mafia Life
Forever: Rich Thugs, Book One
Executive Decisions
Livin' Like Hustlers
All Day Everyday

ASIN: B000000HL3
Release Date: 1996-10-22

Tracks:

Intro
Encore
Evil That Men Do
Table Dance (Skit)
Gorillapimpin'
1996
Killaz In The Park
100 Spokes
Clinic 2000
My World
Endonesia
Shout 2 The True
Playaz & Gangstaz
City Of Angels
Apocalypse Now

Customer Reviews:

Definite Banger by The Pomona Pimps.......2007-05-30

Above The Law has came out with album after album that changed the game each time. This one from 1996 is no different. The whole album is G-Funk, but do not think for one minute that is that generic P-Funk sampling that you hear hundreds emulate. Don't get it twisted; I love the P-Funk samples; they make for dope beats, but Cold 187um flips the script. His beats are always different than the other producers, and they are different on every ATL album! He experiments heavily and makes those off the beaten path boogie beats that bang! Now, the lyrics here are hella different from Uncle Sam's Curse from 1994. USC was politically heated, and this one is on the smooth pimpin tip. "Gorilla Pimp" is a prime example with a slammin' semi-southern fried inspired beat. Another pimp style song is "Clinic 2000" which is smooth and different beatwise. It seems to be a sequel to "Pimp Clinic" from Black Mafia Life. "Evil That Men Do" sorta reverts to more of a gangsta mentality, and is hella tight. The beat slaps hard with that L.A. style bounce. Another certified banger is "City Of Angels" remix with Frost. I love songs that represent for rappers hoods, and this one definitely puts it down for L.A. over a mid-tempo lowrider style beat. A good track to lay back and blow a sack to is "Endonesia" with a keyboard melody ridden lovably oddball beat. This album definitely is different musically, and shows another aspect of G-Funk. G-Funk is not as simple as many put it- P-Funk samples and gangbanger rhymes. Cold 187um definitely deserves a place in the rap hall-of-fame for his production skills.

It had to be good it came out in 1996........2006-03-25

If your a huge left coast hip fan you know the best albums came out in 1996. That was the last year westcoast hip hop mattered. They perfected there sound to a smooth out gangsta funk, instead of just hardcore beats and lyrics. Don't get me wrong I love those straight gangsta murda beats you find on albums like Spice 1 187 he wrote, but the chill stuff is cool for the the ride. Anyway on to the album most people say Uncle Sams Curse is the best ATL album, you can make the argument that it is. But this is the best there is really no bad songs on it. It is more gangsta than Uncle Sams Curse. That album to my surprise was more political. This album went to back to the Black Mafia Life formula, gangsta pimpin. This album makes me wish hip hop sounded like this again. To bad this and U.S.C cost a grip. Who wants to pay $50 or more for a cd I got this thing for $15 dollars on ebay recently. If there is only one A.T.L album to get, get this one. There top albums go like this, Time Will Reveal, Uncle Sams Curse, Livin like Hustlers, Black Mafia Life, Legends, Forever Rich Thugs. Take that to the bank, this is muziktodriveby I wouldn't stere you wrong.

Pomona, CA's Angels R Back!.......2005-11-24

The return of the Chronic Smokin' Loccin' Cold 187um & that B.G. Rhida KMG who put Pomona, CA on that Map, thanks to Above The Law's debut Livin' Like Hustlers in 1990. After God (Eazy-E) died in 1995, Above The Law switched from Ruthless Records to Naughty By Nature's Tommy Boy Records, and now they have a release on Tommy Boy which is called Time Will Reveal. To bad it doesn't have any appearences by their homies from back in the day like MC Ren, The D.O.C., CPO Boss Hogg & BTNH, though.

Time Will Reveal has the potential to be Above The Laws next big album, I have a shorter version cut of the song City Of Angels, called City Of Angels (Remix) featuring Frost, ALT, SPM & Mr. Shadow which has a tight West Coast Rhida beat. A song that I liked the beat to was the song Evil That Men Do, Locc'd out group Above The Law have another hard gangsta song 100 Spokes, and a cool song about smokin' Indo, Cavi, Dank and Skunk called Endonesia, a very tight song and tight name too! Above The Law had made 1 good under r8ed album, thanks to Cold 187um & KMG.

Above The Law Reveal Time on songs 2, *3, 5, 6, 7, *8, 9, 10, *11, 12, 13, *14(featuring Frost, ALT, SPM & Mr. Shadow) & 15.

4.5 stars from ATL -- - my favorite album of their's I have.......2005-10-13

A little over 2 years since their last album "Uncle Sams Curse" (which many say is their best but I don't have it since I can't find it under 50 bucks!) KMG & Cold 187um are back with a near classic g-funk album. Off Ruthless records and moving to Tommy Boy (where they did my 2 favorite albums of theirs -- again I don't have 2 of their albums). Of the 13 songs on here, none are bad, 3 are ok, 3 or 4 are almost classics and 1 is a classic, the rest are good songs. Guests are on 3 songs rapping a 3 doing hooks so you get a lot of the rap duo (K-oss don't rap on the albums). Production is mostly handled by Cold 187 um (aka Big Hutch) like most of their albums. He does every song but 1, which Julio G produces, and 187um really out does himself on this as the production is great. A must have albnum for west coast G-Funk fans and my favorite of theirs (again I don't have "Uncle Sam's Curse" or "Livin Like Hustlers").

#2 - 9.5 (f/ Dorinda Roberts -- great beat)
#3 - 9.5 (great beat)
#5 - 9.5 (f/ Enuff & Kokane -- great beat)
#6 - 8.5 (good beat)
#7 - 8
#8 - 8.5 (f/ Dorinda Roberts -- nice beat)
#9 - 7 (f/ Enuff & Daddy Cool)
#10 - 8 (good beat)
#11 - 10 (CLASSIC -- about smokin -- great beat -- f/ Mike )
#12 - 7.5
#13 - 7.5
#14 - 8 (f/ Frost)
#15 - 9 (nice upbeat one to end the album)

COLD 187um (Big Hutch) -- Gregory Hutchinson -- b. around 1968 -- Pomona, CA
KMG -- Kenneth M. Gulley -- Pomona, CA

Check all my reviews

This was Above the Law's last classic album.......2005-10-06

My favourite Above the Law albums are Uncle Sam's Curse and Time Will Reveal. Although this CD does not sell for as much as "Uncle Sam's Curse," it is still an absolute classic.
The best songs on the album are: Encore, Evil that Men Do, Gorillapimpin', 1996, 100 spokes, Endonesia and City of Angels.
Pick this album up if you like Above the Law's and Ruthless record's earlier releases.

Average customer rating:

Two stars for "Imitation of Life"
Not up to par
New Re-Release Package

Reveal (CD & DVD Audio)
R.E.M.
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Jangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0006IIPI0
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

Lifting
I've Been High
All the Way to Reno
She Just Wants To Be
Disappear
Saturn Return
Beat A Drum
Imitation of Life
Summer Turns To High
Chorus And the Ring
I'll Take the Rain
Beachball

Amazon.com

This deluxe edition features a remastered copy of the original album, as well as a bonus DVD with an insightful new 5.1 surround sound mix. The new disc also offers a glimpse into the '01 album's creation via a previously unreleased half-hour documentary that includes interviews, studio and live clips and the moody "I'll Take the Rain" video. Also includes a gallery of still photographs.

Album Description

After putting Athens, GA, on the musical map in the early '80s, R.E.M. went on to become one of the world's biggest bands. Fusing folk, garage rock, pop sensibilities, and insightful lyrics delivered with Michael Stipe's inimitable lead vocals, these alt-rock forefathers built a massive indie following, and in 1988 unleashed their major-label debut, Warner Bros.' Green. This roots rock tour de force was followed in '91 by the Grammy-winning #1 blockbuster Out of Time, which led to an ongoing stream of masterpieces. These two classics, along with five more albums from R.E.M.'s extraordinary catalog-plus their retrospective Best Of-now each feature a Bonus DVD with Surround Sound audio and video extras.

Customer Reviews:

Two stars for "Imitation of Life".......2006-02-28