World of Noise

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
A triumph of Northwestern indie-rock, Everclear's debut album was made for a mere $400 and released on Tim/Kerr Records before Capitol snapped the group up in wake of flannelmania. (Sonically, it's better than Nirvana's Bleach which cost a relatively extravagant $200 more.) And while musical simplicity is part of the band's genius--guitars grind and spew distortion while the rhythm section hammers the beat into submission--there's nothing simplistic about bandleader Art Alexakis's lyrics. "You wonder why I live like this, man, you just won't understand / I won't give in, I'm not like that," he sings in "Loser Makes Good," a song about convictions and staying true to your dreams--which could have been written by Garth Brooks if it didn't also contain the line "I hate waking up, it means that I have to die again." "World of Noise" is somewhat less listener-friendly than its big budgeted successors, Sparkle and Fade and So Much for the Afterglow, but it's a clear indication of why Everclear managed to survive while the other Nirvana-be's fell by the wayside. --Daniel Durchholz --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Jus De Canneberges
Montreal
Pate Filo
Le Crabe
La Monogamie
Ton Plat Favori
La Russe
Fille A Plumes
Casse-Cou
Etienne D'aout
St. Fortunat
La Fin

Customer Reviews:

No Trick.......2007-01-31

In an ever changing indie music landscape, it's nearly impossible to stand out or be unique...while at the same time being worth listening too. Enter Malajube.

While the entire CD is an eclectic blend (on par with Wolf Parade or Clap Your Hands...only with more accessible vocals) sung in a sort of dirty French, Trompe-L'Oeil (trick the eye) will amaze you with a quality and energy that transcends whether or not you understand what they're saying. Take the song "La Russe"...have they just invented French-Grime? doesn't matter because it's over before you know it and they're moving on to equally invigorating territory.

Let's face it. There are people out there who get this CD simply to say that they own French Indie Rap Rock. Lucky for them, and all of us, it's more than a gimmick. It's really really good.

Great listen.......2007-01-15

This cd is great. I'd heard about 3 songs before buying it and the rest of the songs measure up to what I was expecting.

unusual and refreshing, to franco and anglo ears alike.......2006-12-17

The Dears, The Unicorns, Stars, Metric and Godspeed You! Black Emperor all enjoyed free publicity from The Arcade Fire's 2004 indie rock grand slam, "Funeral", when all eyes turned to Canada.

"Trompe l'oeil" is the album for those of you who enjoyed the explosion of the Montreal scene, but wondered, "Where's the French?"

Let's face it, good Canadian francorock is hard to come by. Canadian French format radio's been pumping out the same uninspired prog rock for years. And the market seems to be getting smaller. To capture a bigger potential fanbase, a lot of francophones choose to sing in English.

Finally, wih "Trompe l'oeil," we've got French radio play to get excited about. Malajube reminds me at times of The Unicorns, Modest Mouse, and Muse, all while finding a new sound that's truly interesting enough to stand up to the English Quebec scene.

Even if you don't understand French, you will appreciate the energetic playing, the clever rhythms and harmonies, and the tender whisper to rebel yell singing.

Start here. Then check out some other fantastic francorock albums like 60's yé-yé inspired "Dejeuner sur l'herbe" by Les Breastfeeders and burlesque meets The Good the Bad and the Ugly in "Western Shanghai" by Call Me Poupée.

Average customer rating:

one of the best
World Of Noise
For What It's Worth
#1 Everclear FAN
What happened?

World of Noise
Everclear
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Slow Motion Daydream
Sparkle and Fade
Songs from an American Movie, Vol. 2: Good Time for a Bad Attitude
White Trash Hell
So Much for the Afterglow

ASIN: B000002TT2
Release Date: 1994-11-01

Tracks:

Your Genius Hands
Sick & Tired
The Laughing World
Fire Maple Song
Pennsylvania Is...
Nervous & Weird
Malevolent
Sparkle
Trust Fund
Loser Makes Good
Invisible
Evergleam

Amazon.com

A triumph of Northwestern indie-rock, Everclear's debut album was made for a mere $400 and released on Tim/Kerr Records before Capitol snapped the group up in wake of flannelmania. (Sonically, it's better than Nirvana's Bleach which cost a relatively extravagant $200 more.) And while musical simplicity is part of the band's genius--guitars grind and spew distortion while the rhythm section hammers the beat into submission--there's nothing simplistic about bandleader Art Alexakis's lyrics. "You wonder why I live like this, man, you just won't understand / I won't give in, I'm not like that," he sings in "Loser Makes Good," a song about convictions and staying true to your dreams--which could have been written by Garth Brooks if it didn't also contain the line "I hate waking up, it means that I have to die again." "World of Noise" is somewhat less listener-friendly than its big budgeted successors, Sparkle and Fade and So Much for the Afterglow, but it's a clear indication of why Everclear managed to survive while the other Nirvana-be's fell by the wayside. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

one of the best.......2006-02-08

I hate when people discribe music. This album rocks. I like it and all my friends like it.

World Of Noise.......2005-06-23

This is the second best Everclear album and my absolute favorite. This is there grungiest album and has amazing lyrics, just read them in the booklet. Every song is amazing and the album is set up geniusly. It may not be the best recording production, but that raw, staticky soundis awesome. Some people will tell you to buy their best album, Sparkle And Fade, first, but I highly recommend you get this one first. This is the most anti-sell-out album I've ever heard, and it's coming from a band that sold out big time later. If you get this first, it will make Sparkle And Fade sound a lot better, even if it's great already. Here is a song-by-song analysis in my opinion:

Your Genius Hands: A great first track. It starts off the album with a bit of distortion and then an awesome guitar line. "I have seen you shake, I know what it cost you, I have heard your work, I am big on your noise..." I never got a grip on exactly what this is about, but it might be about a guitarist he admires, "I long to shake your genius hands." *highlight*

Sick And Tired: This is a deep, distorted song about possibly suicide... and the end is really cool.

The Laughing World: This song is grinding and wicked. The riff sounds like something going forward then suddenly pulling back. Another confusing song lyrically ("like a burning car in the sun, we flame for all in plain view"), but still a mild headbanger that rocks (if your the sorta person who does that to punk music). *highlight*

Fire Maple Song: This is the only song on the greatest hits album, and it's about Art's brother dying, and Alexakis sings about this true experience with passionate lyrics. It's soft and beautiful, but has Art almost screaming "I...can't...smile!" during the chorus. The first part of the song is about memories of the brothers spending time together under a maple tree as kids, with lyrics like "listen to grandma sing those country songs, she said the maple turns to fire every four years, we'd lay under the tree and watch the autumn come around," while near the end you hear "Now we're so far away, call eachother once a year, just around the holidays...I can't believe this letter that says you died, I think I'll go back to the house in North Carolina and lay in the backyard, get drunk and let the leaves just bury me..." A great song. *highlight*

Pennsylvania Is...: This song is about the evils of the anti-abortion laws. All states except New York used to have these laws, and this song is specifically about...you guessed it...Pennsylvania. And if you're wondering where there's ... at the end of the, the word missing is "wrong!", which is yelled at the end of the song. It's one of the most meaningful songs on the album. *highlight*

Nervous And Weird: A loud song about a deteriorating relationship. Alexakis uses this theme commonly in many future songs, but this song belongs on this album due to it's unique sound. Nevertheless another great song.

Malevolent: Another meaningful song, about a guy who hits his girlfriend when she tries to break up with him.

Sparkle: This song is amazing. It's one of those songs where it's hard to tell who it's talking about...some claim it's about Kurt Cobain, which is cool, but I have another theory. First of all, the song is clearly about a sell-out musician that Art is displaying his dissapointment with. The person is described as bleached blonde hair and plaid clothes, etc, obviously talking about a blonde grunge junkie. It could be about Kurt becoming something that Art didn't like, but what did Art do later? Doesn't he now have bleach blonde hair? Did he not sell out? I think this song could be about Art talking to his future self, talking about his fear that he will become this sort of person. As a friend said to me about this, sometimes our biggest fears come true. Anyway, just a theory. This song starts off with what I think of as a shaky chord. This also happens later in the song, except it's cooler because Art yells this time. *highlight*

Trust Fund: A very distorted song. I believe this was a Colorfinger song. Anyway, pure grunge.

Loser Makes Good: ANOTHER very meaningful song, about a homeless man criticizing, complaining, but ultimately, as in the title, making good with his words. *highlight*

Invisible: My favorite song on the whole album, about having AIDS. There isn't one line of lyrics in the song that isn't absolutely stunning: "I just can't believe that AIDS is just some act of god...no one will reach for me, no one will touch my skin...I will accept my pain, I don't deserve to die like this, no one deserves to die like this...sometimes I get so mad, I just want to break the world...I will not be denied, I will not be ignored, I'm real I won't go away, I am not invisible anymore..." *highlight*

Evergleam: Probably my favorite last track on all their albums, this is a happy, upbeat summary to a very emotional album. It always puts me in a good mood. So concludes a grunge masterpiece by my favorite band. *highlight*

Buy this album! :-)

For What It's Worth.......2004-12-24

This is a well done debut from Everclear considering the circumstances in which it was recorded. Now, this album is no hit after hit album, there are misses, but that doesn't overshadow the standout tracks. 'Your Genius Hands' is an awesome opening track that is packed full of fury, which sets the tone of 'World of Noise'. We see hints of later Alexakis-genius in 'Loser Makes Good', 'Pennsylvania Is...' and 'Sparkle', but the true, raw emotion isn't felt until you hear 'Fire Maple Song', which to date is one of Alexakis' best songs.

#1 Everclear FAN.......2004-08-04

I first listened to World Of Noise in the summer of '93, just months after its release! My LIFE LONG BEST FRIEND/uncle-in-law, Randy introduced me to Everclear's music. Their music is most attractive because they simply apply their own life experiences to it. Stuff that I AM SURE we can all relate to. They take really bad, horrible instances and transform them into soothing, comforting melodic art!!!!!!!!!!!

What happened?.......2003-08-25

How did Art Alexakis, frontman of Colorfinger, one of the greatest alternative punk bands in the world, go on to form a band that was even heavier, and then turn them into MTV fodder? This is an album that can stand with Soundgarden's "Ultramega OK" and Mudhoney's debut. Art's vocals are angry and tourtured by the tribulations that were happening to him at the time, not by the memories of those tribulations like the "Learning How to Smile" album. If you enjoy "Heroin Girl," "When It All Goes Wrong Again," "Twistinside" (a Colorfinger song by the way) or old proto-grunge like Mudhoney or older Nirvana, absolutely check this out. Nirvana's "Bleach" is a good album. This is better. This is emotional, hard-hitting rock and roll.

Average customer rating:

Excellent music, outstanding vocalist
Superb beyond belief
Wonderful Live Tracks
the best of the best
A soulful display of outstanding Brazilian music.

A Great Noise
Marisa Monte
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Memories, Chronicles and Declarations of Love
Tribalistas
Universo ao Meu Redor
Mais
Rose and Charcoal

ASIN: B000005H73
Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

Studio: Arrepio
Studio: Magamalabares
Studio: Chuva No Brejo
Studio: Cerebro Eletronico
Studio: Tempos Modernos
Studio: Maraca
Studio: Blanco
Live: Panis Et Circenses
Live: De Noite Na Cama
Live: Beija Eu
Live: Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
Live: Ainda Lembro
Live: A Menina Danca
Live: Danca Da Solidado
Live: Ao Meu Redor
Live: Bem Leve
Live: Segue O Seco
Live: O Xote Das Meninas

Amazon.com

Marisa Monte is one of the great female vocalists to emerge from MPB (Brazilian popular music), and this part-studio, part-live offering goes a long way in capturing all of the facets of her style, from the softer tones of "Blanco" to a rhythmic, energetic cover of George Harrison's "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)." Monte is nothing if not eclectic, leaping from Caetano Veloso's wonderful "De Noite Na Cama" to the '50s Brazilian standard "O Xote das Meninas." Sympathetic production from longtime collaborator Arto Lindsay adds a great deal, but at the end of the day it's Monte's voice and powerful personality that are stamped all over this disc. The 11 live tracks are particular standouts because of the relentless drive behind them. Both sexy and sensual, Monte never needs to belt it out; her slinkiness is all that's needed to keep things purring along. A true star. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Excellent music, outstanding vocalist.......2007-02-25

This cd is amazing; suitable as atmosphere music or cranked up on headphones or any other situation.

favorite tracks were "Magamalabares", "Maraca", "Beija Eu", "Danca de Solidao", "Bem Love", "Xote Das Meninas"

i dont speak/understand portuguese, but found the songs enchanting nonetheless

Superb beyond belief.......2005-02-05

I will never forget the night I introduced my brother to Marisa's music. I left him babysitting my children and gave him "Rose and Charcoal" to keep him occupied ... came home several hours later to find him weeping tears of ecstasy (I am not kidding) and a total Marisa convert. That was years ago and he and I are still die-hard Marisa fans. This album here is one of my favourite all time albums, along with Rose and Charcoal. Marisa is even more stunning live than studio, believe it or not. The variety of music on this album is amazing, and every track delights and intrigues. All are absolute works of art, but some just blow your mind, they are so beautiful, and reach somewhere deep into your soul. Always read the translations of her lyrics because they are delightful. Well ... sometimes a bit morbid, like "Bem Leve" which is about coffins, if I remember correctly, but er, delightfully morbid! Read them and you will see! To anyone who samples Marisa and loves what they hear, just buy all her albums and be done with it ... you will never regret it.

Wonderful Live Tracks.......2004-01-07

This is a cd that has recordings from Marisa Monte's shows, and before the live performance, has some "original" cuts. I remember when this came out, some people were disappointed because it wasn't an entirely new album (this one came after Rose & Charcoal). But in 2000 Monte released I "Memories Chronicles and Declarations of Love" which had mixed reviews.

I love this release, the live performance is very spirited and very fresh. "De Noite Na Cama", "Panis et Circenses ", "Beija Eu", "Menina Danca" and "O Xote das Meninas" are definitely my favorite tracks from the live portion. Her voice is soft, percise and has that distinct sound that makes it... her! Not all of the original studio tracks got me, but the first two songs were pretty cool. I still listen to this album today. What's interesting... the import of this release doesn't have the cartoon sketches "censored" on the cover like this one.

I'd definitely recommend this to the Marisa Monte fan. You have to hear some of the live interpretations of songs from "Mais" and "Rose & Charcoal". Also, if you like this maybe you should check out Daniela Mercury's "Eletrica", a live performance of some of that Bahia singer's music.

the best of the best.......2002-07-17

As anyone will quickly see from scanning the amazon reviews of her albums, Marisa has a fanatical following, and deservedly so. She is one of the all-time great Brazilian artists, in the pantheon with Jobim and Gal Costa. This album is important for a couple of reasons. The live songs are distinct from their studio versions and in some cases better. "Xote das Meninas" is the best case in point. On her debut album, still unsure of her artistic identity, Marisa gave this song an odd, jazz-inflected treatment that simply doesn't work. Here, it gets a straight ahead "roots" treatment and the result is fantastic. Indeed, what this record does is illustrate Marisa's singular contribution to Brazian populair music (MPB); the sublime marriage of traditional north-eastern folk music to a pop sensibility. Danca da solidao is another example , a beautiful, modern rendition of a Paulinho de Viola standard. This album also benefits from a high end stereo system -- the production on both the studio and live discs is impecable. The concert recording is the best live production I have ever heard. For those wanting an introduction to Marisa, start here, though you'll buy all the other albums in the end.

A soulful display of outstanding Brazilian music........2002-03-17

This album seems to, more than any other, encapsulate Marisa's truly remarkable career. Her voice is magical, evoking so much deep and passionate feelings in her songs. The song "Arrepio" summarizes what I came away feeling after listening to this album (tingling with pleasure). The songs really make you feel connected and drawn in. These songs are not strictly for dancing, you can sit down and listen to them or dance, the choice is yours. One thing is certain you will be refreshed and energized by this music.

Average customer rating:

excellent
Children of God
Out of this world
My first time hearing Swans
The utter dark

Children of God/World of Skin
Swans
Manufacturer: Young God Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Great Annihilator
Soundtracks for the Blind
Filth/Body to Body, Job to Job
Cop/Young God/Greed/Holy Money
Various Failures 1988-1992

ASIN: B0000996G7
Release Date: 2003-05-27

Tracks:

New Mind
In My Garden
Our Love Lies
Sex, God, Sex
Blood And Honey
Like A Drug
You're Not Real, Girl
Beautiful Child
Blackmail
Trust Me
Real Love
Blind Love
Children Of God
I'll Swallow You

Tracks:

1,000 Years
Everything At Once
Cry Me A River
Breathing Water
Blood On Your Hands
Nothing Without You
We'll Fall Apart
I Want To Be Your Dog
My Own Hands
Turn To Stone
Cold Bed
24 Hours
Red Rose
One Small Sacrifice
Still A Child
The Center Of Your Heart

Album Description

Two crucial breakthrough records from Swans', 1987 & 1989 period back in print. Over 145 minutes of scary and beautiful music. Young God Records. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

excellent.......2007-02-18

i bought these for Children of God. i was surprised at how good World of Skin is. Great buy.

Children of God.......2005-10-21

Children of God represented a progression in The Swans' sound. Some of the abrasiveness from their earlier albums is still here, but this album also leans towards the ethereal and abstract. At the time, Gira was obviously tired of The Swans being interpreted as a one dimensional act. Filth and Cop were abrasive and quite unfriendly records, albeit intellectual and beautiful in their own iconoclastic way. However, The Swans were always misunderstood. Filth and Cop made a strong impression on people. Even to this day these two records are infamous and, sadly, sometimes they overshadow the rest of the band's catalog. Gira even stated that clueless metal heads would show up at old Swans gigs to "rock out" and mosh to the music. He hated this kind of behavior and clearly saw The Swans as a more introspective band. The Swans were never intended to be party music, or music that everyone could easily enjoy. In reality, The Swans were a rejection of the corporate driven music industry. When they started attracting these elements, Gira realized that The Swans were becoming too easy to define and categorize. The art and the music was no longer challenging, it was becoming more commonplace and acceptable, even cliché. He realized that he was falling into a category. And in order to remedy this fault, he had to push The Swans to evolve into something higher, something more sophisticated and multidimensional. Children of God was the first step in this direction. And for The Swans, it was also one of their finest, most definite moments.

Children of God is the very first Swans album to incorporate acoustic guitar. Most of the songs are atmospheric. They are usually made up of a single riff that is stretched out for the entire duration of a song. It is simple, yet amazingly effective and hypnotic. Jarboe also plays a larger role in The Swans' music for the very first time. Her voice works well and adds to the hypnotic element of the music.

Other than that, Children of God is an interesting album. Gira was influenced by the charisma of televangelists. Throughout this album he is shouting in the same way as televangelists do during sermons, and it is interesting to hear some of the same things that these people say set to apocalyptic music. It is not overtly blasphemous, just an interesting experiment of comparing rock musicians to televangelists, who often times wild up crowds in the same fashion as rock musicians do. I like the fact that this album is not overtly blasphemous and that it looks at Christianity from a different perspective - more of a social conditioning perspective than a dogmatic one.

This is essential for anyone interested in The Swans.

Out of this world.......2005-04-22

This 2-disc set combines Swans' 1987 masterpiece with various tracks from the first two albums (Shame, Humility, Revenge and Blood, Women, Roses) of their side project, The World Of Skin. The third album, Ten Songs For Another World, is not represented here.

Disc 1 is the original Children of God plus one extra track, I'll Swallow You. Only the first track New Mind and Beautiful Child are really harsh; elsewhere the softer side of Swans emerge,where the mood is mostly one of resignation or sorrow. The music is very atmospheric with innovative arrangements, especially the song Like A Drug (Sha La La La). The theme seems to be the futility of love as expressed in songs like Our Love Lies, You're Not Real Girl, Real Love and Blind Love.

Disc 2, the World Of Skin tracks, sometimes has Jarboe as the torch singer like on Cry Me A River and The Man I Love, while at other times her and Michel Gira's voices perfectly complement each other in eerie harmony. My favorites include Breathing Water and the awesome lullaby Blood On Your Hands.

Fans of dark, atmospheric rock music will love this double album. It explores the emotional side that can also occasionally be found in the work of artists like e.g. Meredith Monk, Mercury Rev, Nick Drake, Nico, Velvet Underground, John Cale etc. or in sacred medieval music. But here, it's found in a more extreme form. This is gothic with real substance. Swans are an acquired taste, but once you understand the music you're addicted for life.

My first time hearing Swans.......2004-07-23

I remember reading an interview in a book on women in rock a several years ago I had bought in my college days. Swans' other half Jarboe was in the book. Since then I had been meaning to check out Swans' music but I just didn't know where to begin. The other day I was at my local library. I found a copy of "Children of God/World of Skin" so I thought this was the perfect time tto listen to their music. I immediately loved what I heard on both cds. I was easily reminded of some of my favorite darkwave bands like Black Tape For a Blue Girl, Lycia, and Clan of Xymox. The music is dark and dissonant. Michael Gira's dark, haunting vocals reminds me of both Sam Rosenthal (of Black Tape fame) and Voltaire (maybe a smidgeon). Jarboe has an equally stunning voice. I especially love it when she starts to wail like a banshee. There is a cold, empty, mechanical feel to the music but at the same time there is something comforting that I get from it that I can't put my finger on. Some of the music is melodic and some can be very experimental and very minimalistic. It's a nice antithesis to the commercial junk that radio plays into the ground.

The utter dark.......2004-01-23

Swans have done so much for music, effecting music itself on an unconcious level. You can hear the eager strife of so many bands to capture what came naturally to Gira and Jarboe. It would truely depend on how well one knows music to give a decent description, but far more then knowledge it takes an open mind to love any band even close to Swans.

This album is a cold, soothing, beautiful and dark album and truely amongst thier greatests. While Swans began with Michael Gira without Jarboe and as something so aggressive and heavy with anger thier devouring and honest message had always been wakeing. In this album you can see how the patience and the maturity found the message and the evolution began to flow much faster and with not only the mind but the heart and the soul.

Swans would later go on to warm thier sound even more so with "Various Failures"(the inbetween albums are near impossible to find for now) but still you can hear the solidity and fluidity that never left them for a moment.

Swans music for this album was a mixture of heavily pounding beats at slow to mid tempo violins, viola's acoustic and electric guitars and synthsizers and various obscurities inbetween. Thier music will incant a mixture for the listener of gothic and american-folk music... early Industrial drum and synth patterns(remniscant of Coil, Clock DVA and Einsturzende Neubaten) and the ethereal and gorgeous ambiance of Dead Can Dance.