Something to Be [DualDisc]

Amazon.com
It's common knowledge that solo albums are simply an excuse for a frustrated band member to indulge their experimental sides and Rob Thomas, singer for decidedly M.O.R. multiplatinum rockers Matchbox Twenty is not one to pass on the opportunity. Having already explored the classic rock thing through his collaborations with Mick Jagger and Santana, Thomas goes the other way here with results that are unexpected, and, sometimes totally unbelievable. He veers from modern R&B on the Justin Timberlake-aping "Lonely No More" to vintage prog-rock in "All That I Am," touching on all points in between. There are a few nods to the Matchbox canon with "Ever the Same" and "This Is How a Heart Breaks" but, as the title suggests, this is an album about finding himself. For the moment, Thomas is still searching. The DualDisc portion features 5.1 surround sound, a 20-minute documentary on the making of the album by filmmaker Gillian Grisman, plus the holiday tune, "Christmas in New York." --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description
As the lead singer to the multi-platinum group matchbox 20, Rob Thomas penned a remarkable string of chart-topping hits. Rob has also collaborated with a select list of artists-most notably Santana, for whom he wrote and sang the smash pop single, "Smooth," which earned Thomas three Grammy Awards.

Something to Be,Rob Thomas,Atlantic / Wea,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,American Trad Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Post-Grunge,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Something to Be [DualDisc]

Average customer rating: Too experimental for my taste A must have for any Rob Thomas Fan Something to Be is excellent Great CD Profound Messages

Something to Be Rob Thomas Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Lifehouse Breakaway How To Save A Life More Than You Think You Are All the Right Reasons ASIN: B0007TKHHK Release Date: 2005-04-19

Tracks:

1. This Is How A Heart Breaks
2. Lonely No More
3. Ever the Same
4. I Am An Illusion
5. When the Heartache Ends
6. Something to Be
7. All That I Am
8. Problem Girl
9. Fallin' To Pieces
10. My My My
11. Streetcorner Symphony
12. Now Comes The Night

Amazon.com

It's common knowledge that solo albums are simply an excuse for a frustrated band member to indulge their experimental sides and Rob Thomas, singer for decidedly M.O.R. multiplatinum rockers Matchbox Twenty is not one to pass on the opportunity. Having already explored the classic rock thing through his collaborations with Mick Jagger and Santana, Thomas goes the other way here with results that are unexpected, and, sometimes totally unbelievable. He veers from modern R&B on the Justin Timberlake-aping "Lonely No More" to vintage prog-rock in "All That I Am," touching on all points in between. There are a few nods to the Matchbox canon with "Ever the Same" and "This Is How a Heart Breaks" but, as the title suggests, this is an album about finding himself. For the moment, Thomas is still searching. The DualDisc portion features 5.1 surround sound, a 20-minute documentary on the making of the album by filmmaker Gillian Grisman, plus the holiday tune, "Christmas in New York." --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

As the lead singer to the multi-platinum group matchbox 20, Rob Thomas penned a remarkable string of chart-topping hits. Rob has also collaborated with a select list of artists-most notably Santana, for whom he wrote and sang the smash pop single, "Smooth," which earned Thomas three Grammy Awards.

Customer Reviews:

Too experimental for my taste.......2007-07-04

This album was a huge departure from the work Rob Thomas had done with Matchbox Twenty. There are a lot of funky, soulful grooves on this album, which didn't work for me. It was a valiant effort, but most of the songs just didn't make much of an impact on me. "Lonely No More" was a great single, and inspired me to buy the album. Other than that single, there just wasn't any other song that really blew me away. A few decent songs, and the rest was filler. I look forward to Rob's next release, whether it be back with Matchbox Twenty, or another solo project.

A must have for any Rob Thomas Fan.......2007-04-10

I have always been a fan of MatchBox 20 and when Rob Thomas decided to do a solo project I was very excited. The cd has a sound reminescent of MatchBox 20 in places but in others he has a sound all his own. He has a wonderful voice and I really enjoyed the slower songs on the cd.

Something to Be is excellent.......2007-04-02

This CD came in excellent shape. It is both a CD and a DVD. Very much worth the price. Very entertaining!

Great CD .......2007-02-15

Great CD but not worth it for a Dual Disc. I can't play it in my car because it's a dual disc (CD on one side and DVD on the other) and I can only play it in my computer if I have a DVD player loaded on my computer. It's a great CD. The songs are fabulous but I want a CD with the songs on it that I can play in my car and download the songs onto my computer. I ended up downloading the songs from ITunes but still can't play the CD in my car. I still give the CD 4 stars because I love every single song. It'd get another star if the DVD played any music videos.

Profound Messages.......2007-01-13

Love the music and his voice. Great percussion throughout. Every song tells a story. I've recommended this CD to lots of friends.

Average customer rating: Great Album About the music people! Spend the money on this one! Something to Be Proud of: 1999-2000 READ BEFORE BUYING

Something To Be Proud Of: The Best Of 1999-2005 Montgomery Gentry Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Some People Change Hillbilly Deluxe Twice the Speed of Life Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 The Road and the Radio ASIN: B000CD0P82 Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

1. She Don't Tell Me To
2. Something to Be Proud of
3. Gone
4. If You Ever Stop Loving Me
5. Hell Yeah
6. Speed
7. My Town
8. Didn't I
9. She Couldn't Change Me
10. Daddy Won't Sell the Farm
11. Lonely and Gone
12. Hillbilly Shoes
13. Merry Christmas from the Family

Customer Reviews:

Great Album.......2007-04-11

First album of Mongomery Gentry I have brought. Great album.Great songs. Buy it if you like them.

About the music people!.......2007-01-10

I don't have this album. I came to find out something about one of the songs when I saw that people were posting comments about the bear incident. Where does that fit in the music reviews? How does that tell me if the music is good or not? Stick to the subject people. What was the album like?

I must say that I love "If You Ever Stop Loving Me". I don't necessary agree with what he did, but OMG... I have a life and am not filling my time with writing it in reviews. I'm sure you people filled up all the album reviews with this crap. Go to PETA... not Amazon for this kind of talk. I respect your feelings about it, but this is not the place.

Spend the money on this one!.......2007-01-09

The Montgomery Gentry Greatest Hits cd is worth every penny and it is full of their greatest hits that you want to turn up the volume and enjoy every bit of it.

Something to Be Proud of: 1999-2000.......2006-12-01

Troy Lee Gentry has nothing to be proud of since his guilty plea on 11/27/06 to killing a tame bear!! He bought "Cubby", a tame bear in 2002 and "hunted???" and killed him with a bow and arrow in an enclosure surrounded with an electrict fence in 2004. Shame on you. I have thrown out all of the CD's that have Gentry on them. I plan to take every opportunity to tell anyone and everyone about the "real man" Troy Gentry.

READ BEFORE BUYING.......2006-10-13

This is a great CD... I love the music, its a great survey of Montgomery Gentry's work. HOWEVER, BEFORE BUYING THIS CD, know that it is Copy Protected. That means you WILL NOT be able to put it on your iPod or on your computer. I had never purchased a CD like this before, and am quite disappointed to know that I'll have to resort to illegal file sharing if I want the music I've purchased on my iPod.

Average customer rating: An underrated musical Wonderful Lesser Known Gem Keep Working!!! a good, if obscure CD off the beaten path

Working (Original 1978 Broadway Cast) Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Studs Terkel's Working (Broadway Theatre Archive) The Baker's Wife (Members of the 1976 Original Cast) The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005 Original Broadway Cast) Working: Vocal Selections The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B00005LZSR Release Date: 2001-07-10

Tracks:

1. All The Livelong Day (Schwartz)
2. Lovin' Al (Grant)
3. The Mason (Carnelia)
4. Neat to Be a Newsboy (Schwarz)
5. Nobody Tells Me How (Rodgers-Birkenhead)
6. Un mejor Dia Vendra (Taylor-Daniele-Landers)
7. Just A Housewife (Carnelia)
8. Millwork (Taylor)
9. If I Could've Been (Grant)
10. Joe (Carnelia)
11. It's an Art (Schwartz)
12. Brother Trucker (Taylor)
13. Fathers & Sons (Schwartz)
14. Cleanin' Women (Grant)
15. Something to Point To (Carnelia)
16. I'm Just Movin' (Schwartz) (from the L.A. Theatre Works complete recording of the 1999 revised version)
17. Hots Michael at the Piano (Carnelia) (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer)
18. The Mason (Carnelia) (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer)
19. Joe (Carnelia) (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer)
20. Lovin' Al (Grant) (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer)
21. Fathers & Sons (Schwartz) (performed by the composer)

Amazon.com

The original 1978 Broadway cast recording of Stephen Schwartz's Working has long been awaited on CD, and this great-sounding 2001 release proves it was worth the wait. Surely one of the more unlikely sources for a musical was Studs Terkel's 1972 book that compiled interviews of American working people discussing their jobs and what they liked and disliked about them. Schwartz transformed these interviews into a series of songs written by himself, Craig Carnelia, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Micki Grant, and pop singer James Taylor, and accordingly the variety of songs is as great as the variety of the workers featured. There's the lyric beauty of "The Mason," the rueful "Just a Housewife," the retiree's wry "Joe," the waitress's lilting "It's an Art," Taylor's pop-country "Brother Trucker," and the powerful emotion of "Fathers and Sons," realized by a compelling cast that features David Patrick Kelly, Joe Mantegna, Bob Gunton, and Lynne Thigpen, among others.

Six bonus tracks include a new version of the grocery checker song written for the 1999 L.A. Theatreworks production, Carnelia and Grant performing their own songs (unfortunately, Grant's track comes from a poor-quality audio source), and Schwartz's moving performance of "Fathers and Sons" from 1999's The Stephen Schwartz Album. Also welcome are 2001 notes from Schwartz paired with 1978 notes from Terkel, and a detailed listing of the composers and performers of each song. Working was filmed for American Playhouse in 1982. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

An underrated musical.......2006-03-16

This musical seems to be very underrated, because it isn't done in a traditional style. There is no set storyline or characters. It is essentially a grouping of songs about different people and the work they do in their lives. Some of the songs are very powerful, like "Millworker", and some are just fun, like "Lovin' Al". Some songs date the recording, as songs like "Brother Trucker", while good, have a bit of a synthesized 70's feel. The majority of the songs are more traditional.

I saw this show done by my high school years ago, so maybe it holds a bit of nostalgia for me, but it is definitely worth checking out.

Wonderful Lesser Known Gem.......2005-12-26

I have never seen Working, but would love to, and I would love to perform it so as to revive interest in it. I found out about this recording from an online site, and I fell in love with it. It's a very modern style musical although from 1978. Were it on Broadway today, it would still be revelent to today's working class. My favorite number probably has to be "It's An Art", just because of its sheer fun. I could listen to that song all day and never get bored with it. I do, however, find "Brother Trucker" to be a bit tiring, and "Neat To Be A Newsboy" is just plain old, outdated, and ANNOYING! Other than that, wonderful ablum for an almost forgetten show.

Keep Working!!!.......2004-06-12

I had the privilege of seeing a production of this wonderful musical at L.A. Valley College in May 2004. I quickly fell in love with the songs and the entire premise of the musical. Now, with this CD, I can finally sing along to all the brilliant songs over and over again, belting them out like there is no tomorrow.

What makes Working so special is that anyone can relate to the lyrics, they are powerful, beautiful, touching, and extremely real. Anyone who has ever worked a day in their life will feel the lyrics hit close to home. Whether you're a housewife, a valet parker, a fireman, a millworker, a teacher, a cleaning woman, or even a hooker, this musical has a place for you, no matter what job you do.The emotion, sincerity, and love expressed in the songs are amazing, and they are all extremely unique and a pure joy to listen to.

All the songs are fantastic but the stand-outs have to be "All the Live Long Day," "Just a Housewife," "If I Could've Been," "It's An Art," "Father's and Sons," "Cleaning Women," and "Something to Point to." I also have a soft spot for "Brother Trucker" and "I'm Just Movin" from the 1999 revival, which I am so grateful is included in this CD. This is a terrific, feel-great album everyone should listen to. Give Working a chance, it's worth it.

a good, if obscure CD.......2003-09-26

i admit that this is an obscure musical, but nevertheless i found myself in a production of WORKING as Grace, the millworker. upon listening to the cd, i found that each song characterized the character well. the newsboy song is NOT annoying and my favourite songs are "its an art", "cleaning women", "if i could've been" and "lovin al". I would only recommend this CD for a real musical theatre afficionado, as those who don't appreciate the beauty of a musical won't understand these songs.

off the beaten path.......2003-07-10

I had never heard of this show until I stage managed a musical revue that included "If I Could've Been." That song grew on me, and I finally had to check out the rest of the soundtrack. All of the music on this CD is fantastic, and the lyrics feel sincere, creating beautiful moments for each character. Stephen Schwartz's best decision with this show was collaborating, allowing different composers to bring their own talents and specialties to the music, thus making it more real and less "Broadway." My only criticism is that the liner notes are slim.

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

Beauty and the Beast - Special Edition Soundtrack Manufacturer: Disney ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Disney Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Little Mermaid: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Aladdin: Special Edition Soundtrack The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack Disney's Hercules: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack ASIN: B00005TQ5A Release Date: 2001-12-18

Tracks:

1. Prologue - Paige O'Hara
2. Belle - Paige O'Hara
3. Belle (Reprise) - Richard White
4. Gaston - Richard White
5. Gaston (Reprise) - Richard White
6. Be Our Guest
7. Something There - Paige O'Hara
8. Human Again - Angela Lansbury
9. The Mob Song - Richard White
10. Beauty And The Beast
11. To The Fair
12. West Wing
13. The Beast Lets Belle Go
14. Battle On The Tower
15. Transformation
16. Be Our Guest (Demo)
17. Beauty And The Beast (Work Tape And Demo)
18. Beauty And The Beast - Celine Dion
19. Death Of The Beast (Original Early Version)

Amazon.com essential recording

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

SCORE 5 out of 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SONGS OVERALL 5 out of 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beauty And The Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Manufacturer: Disney ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 1990s | By Decade | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Disney Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Little Mermaid: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Aladdin: Special Edition Soundtrack The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack Disney's Hercules: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack ASIN: B000001M13 Release Date: 1991-11-01

Tracks:

1. Prologue
2. Belle
3. Belle (Reprise)
4. Gaston
5. Gaston (Reprise)
6. Be Our Guest
7. Something There
8. The Mob Song
9. Beauty And The Beast
10. To The Fair
11. West Wing
12. The Beast Lets Belle Go
13. Battle On The Tower
14. Transformation
15. Beauty And The Beast (Duet)

Amazon.com essential recording

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

SCORE 5 out of 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SONGS OVERALL 5 out of 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating: Applause for Applause! Lauren Bacall ! Love it Welcome CD edition of the original Broadway cast album lauren

Applause (Original 1970 Broadway Cast) Lee Adams Manufacturer: Decca U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Coco (1970 Original Broadway Cast) Promises, Promises (1968 Original Broadway Cast) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast) The Apple Tree (1966 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B00004ZDV0 Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Backstage Babble
3. Think How It's Gonna Be
4. But Alive
5. The Best Night of My Life
6. Who's That Girl?
7. Applause
8. Hurry Back
9. Fasten Your Seat Belts
10. Welcome to the Theatre
11. Good Friends
12. She's No Longer a Gypsy
13. One of a King
14. One Hallowe'en
15. Something Greater
16. Finale
17. Applause -- Charles Strouse (vocal and piano) (bonus track)
18. The Loneliest Man in Town -- Charles Strouse (vocal and piano) - bonus track
19. Smashing N.Y. Times -- Charles Strouse (vocal and piano) - bonus track
20. God Bless -- Charles Strouse (vocal and piano) - bonus track

Customer Reviews:

Applause for Applause!.......2006-07-13

I recomend this cd to all theater fans. Even the ones who love a great, toe tapping score. The song they sing in titled Applause can be seen in the Bonus Performances on the DVD titled Broadways Lost Treasueres. That is how I first heard of Applause. It was very entertaining!

Lauren Bacall !.......2005-07-09

Based on the classic movie "All About Eve", Lauren Bacall won a Tony for her performance in this great musical.

Best tracks include:

But Alive
Applause [Bonnie Franklin of "One Day At A Time" fame!]
Something Greater

Not all the songs are great, but totally worth the buy!

Love it.......2004-04-01

Love the CD ( I have had the vinyl recording ever since it came out), but wish it could be released on Video or DVD(does anyone out there know if this will ever happen?). I saw the television production with Lauren Bacall and Larry Hagman back in the early 1970's and saw an amateur production of it here in Melbourne as well and having always loved the whole concept of the movie, I feel that it transferred well to the stage.

Welcome CD edition of the original Broadway cast album.......2004-01-17

First... a request to people reviewing stage cast albums, Several reviews refer to these recordings as "soundtracks."

WRONG!!!!

"Soundtrack" recordings are records/cds transfered from from movies ONLY.

Live theatre does not use pre-recorded "soundtracks" - the casts perform live on stage and these "original cast recordings" are made in recording studios and designed for home listening.
PLEASE.... maintain your credibility by using the correct term!

************

Finally, after years of negotiation Decca Broadway is making the 1970 Tony winning musical APPLAUSE avaialble on Cd. Was it worth the wait? Well, yes and no. APPLAUSE is one of those late 60's musicals adapted from a hit play/novel/movie and offering lots of glitz and energy to cover up the deficiencies of the show itself.

Star Lauren Bacall provided the "star" quality though she has no real singing voice but as an actress she rises above it bringing the character to vivid life. Len Cariou sings well as Bacall's boyfriend but has very little to do.

Bacall gets the key gems and with two major exceptions any of the numbers in which she does not appear can be ignored. The first exception is the lively title song - a tribute to the power of applause. It has almost nothing to do with the plot but still stopped the show nightly. The other,is a dramatic soliloque for Penny Fuller in the (virtually) non-singing role of Eve: "One Hallowe'en." This is Eve's big moment to really show her true colours and Fuller makes the most of it. Missing from the recording - becasue it is a dialogue scene - is the following moments when Eve recieves humiliating comeuppance.

The original Lp release was done by ABC records and had an annoying "boxy" sound quality that has not been corrected on the cd. The very short selection has been filled out with demo recordings by composer Charles Strouse and a couple of the cut songs sound quite interesting. Packaging is up to Decca Broadway's usual high standards.

lauren.......2003-12-04

i have a copy of this recording on LP, and have enjoyed it for approx 25 yrs. couldn't wait for the cd. bought it the first time i saw it.
i am wondering if anyone has seen the tv production of APPLAUSE starring LAUREN broadcast circa 1974 on tv? and is there any possibility of obtaining a copy on anything? the production was FANTISTIC, to say the least!!!

Average customer rating: Sweet Charity: Sweet Memories Sammy Davis Jr. is awesome Great Memories (better than current 2005 Broadway Revival) long-overdue reissue of the classic soundtrack Sweet Charity

Sweet Charity (1969 Film Soundtrack) Cy Coleman , Shirley MacLaine , and Sammy Davis Jr. Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Sweet Charity Gypsy (1962 Film Soundtrack) Sweet Charity: A New Musical Comedy (1966 Original Broadway Cast) Sweet Charity (2005 Broadway Revival Cast) Cabaret: Original Soundtrack Recording (1972 Film) ASIN: B0000AYL1W Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. My Personal Property
3. Big Spender
4. The Pompeii Club
5. If My Friends Could See Me Now
6. There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This
7. It's A Nice Face
8. Rhythm Of Life
9. Sweet Charity
10. I'm A Brass Band
11. I Love To Cry At Weddings
12. Where Am I Going?
13. Finale

Customer Reviews:

Sweet Charity: Sweet Memories.......2007-07-13

Listening to this Soundtrack brought back so many sweet memories of a fun time in my life - college. Hearing "Rhythm of Life" done by Sammy Davis Jr. was most memorable. This is such a fun soundtrack to play. I look forward to many years of enjoyment and recommend it to anyone who was in college in the late 60's.

Sammy Davis Jr. is awesome.......2007-01-10

I have been converting my old LP's into CD's then putting them on my Ipod. I am picky about what I put on my Ipod, selecting only certain tracks from each CD. This CD, however, I put all tracks onto my Ipod except the overture. While I find Shirley MacLaine's voice a bit weak, the songs overcome any such problems with their energy. And one of the main reasons I wanted the movie rather than broadway CD was because of Sammy Davis Jr. His contributions to this album are worth every penny.

Great Memories (better than current 2005 Broadway Revival).......2005-08-06

I saw the movie version for the first time a couple of years ago and continue with fond memories. I saw the 2005 Broadway Revival in June. Trust me, stick with the movie cast recording. Paula Kelly, Chita Rivera, and even Shirley MacLaine have a magic and zeal that is lost in the current revival. My main disappointment is that the movie soundtrack's version of The Rich Man's Frug is too short and doesn't have the best parts of the full number from the movie. That aside, who could ever top Sammy Davis' performance in Rythm of Life. Chita and Paula are beyond comparison in Something Better Than This.

This cast recording makes me wish I was old enough to have seen them during the original Broadway run.

Consider buying the DVD to the movie to accompany this DVD. That way, you'll also get to see Ben Vereen at his best. I will warn you that the movie was a bit indulgent with extended scenes whose length is not justified by their contribution to the overall film. It's about 20-30 minutes too long. But the musical and dance numbers are really great. Who doesn't love Fosse?

long-overdue reissue of the classic soundtrack.......2003-10-09

SWEET CHARITY was turned into a not-so-successful film in 1969, starring Shirley MacLaine. Originally appearing on Broadway in 1966 starring Gwen Verdon, the musical is based on the classic Fellini film "Nights of Cabiria".

The score was heavily revised for the move to celluloid. "You Should See Yourself" was replaced by "My Personal Property", "I'm the Bravest Individual" was replaced by "It's a Nice Face". The melody for "Sweet Charity" was re-jigged for a more uptempo feel. Songs cut from the score altogether included "Baby Dream Your Dream", "Too Many Tomorrows" and "Charity's Soliloquy".

Shirley MacLaine was joined by a cast including veteran Broadway talents Paula Kelly and Chita Rivera, John McMartin (recreating the role he originated on Broadway opposite Gwen Verdon) as Oscar Linquist, Sammy Davis Jr. as Daddy Brubeck, Stubby Kaye as Herman and Ricardo Montalban.

Shirley MacLaine sings her numbers with her sweet pixie-esque voice, gliding through showstoppers like "I'm a Brass Band" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now" with great ease.

Another fantastic package from Decca Broadway. Peter Filichia, as always, offers comprehensive liner notes, and sound quality is quite good. In addition to this CD I also recommend the still-superb 1966 original Broadway cast album with Gwen Verdon.

Sweet Charity.......2003-09-14

I've been waiting for this version of Sweet Charity to come out for years. My parents use to listen to the Decca LP many years ago and the tunes grew on me. From hey Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, I'm A Brass Band, etc, etc Great music all around with not one bad track. Before this version I had brought the Broadway Show versions and to me they were all kind of flat. Maybe because I grew up on the film version I couldn't appreciate the show versions as much. The vocals and the scoring are great. Shirley MacClaine doesn't have the greatest voice in the world but she's still great.
My biggest complaint about this CD release is that it is not complete. You think that Decca Records would do a complete Cd release as previous musical soundtracks have done. This is a direct copy of the Lp released so many years ago. There is so much more music in this film that I was disapointed when I found it it was only a Cd of the original album. With Cd's fitting up the 80 minutes of music it is very surprising that this truncated version was released. Maybe because it's not considered a classic. This is am underrated film as far as I am concerned and in my opinion a far better score than Chicago (with all due respect to Bob Fosse who directed this film) This would be a great CD if only it wasn't abbreviated.

Average customer rating: Irresistible "Some Enchanted Evening" with Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Excellent! Great Arrangments

Rodgers & Hammerstein: Songbook for Orchestra (Orchestral Suites) Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lerner & Loewe Songbook for Orchestra Rodgers & Hammerstein - The Complete Overtures ~ Opening Night / Hollywood Bowl Orchestra · Mauceri Puttin' on the Ritz: The Great Hollywood Musicals The Sound Of Music (1987 Studio Cast) Classics of the Silver Screen ASIN: B000003CXQ Release Date: 1992-01-28

Tracks:

1. Oklahoma!
2. Carousel
3. State Fair
4. South Pacific
5. The King And I
6. Cinderella Waltz
7. Flower Drum Song
8. The Sound Of Music

Customer Reviews:

Irresistible.......2005-07-29

From beginning to end this CD is pure delight. A great recording has great music, a great performance, and great sound; this one scores on all three counts.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's musicals dominated Broadway in the 1940s and 1950s, and American musical theater has produced no more consistently eloquent and durable voice than Richard Rodgers. From his fertile genius flowed a surprising number of memorable songs, many of which have passed into and become an accepted and beloved part of modern American culture.

This well-filled CD (77:36) features symphonic arrangements (all but two by Robert Russell Bennett) of the music from Oklahoma (1943), Carousel (1945), State Fair (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), Flower Drum Song (1958), and The Sound of Music (1959). All the great tunes are here in suites from each musical that average 10-12 minutes in length. The arrangements are expert: rich, varied, and colorful. The performances are polished, idiomatic, and irresistible; Kunzel and this orchestra are thorough masters of this kind of material. And Telarc's sound (recorded 1991) is state-of-the-art (engineer Michael Bishop deserves to take a bow).

In short, there's nothing here to cloud your listening pleasure (the only quibble I can imagine is that some of your favorites may not last long enough), so it's hard for me to envision anyone with ears and a taste for music who wouldn't enjoy this CD. Warmly recommended. Finally, if you like this one as much as I do, you might want to know that the same team has produced a companion volume, the Lerner & Lowe Songbook for Orchestra.

"Some Enchanted Evening" with Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops.......2003-12-26

Erich Kunzel's Rodgers and Hammerstein anthology with the Cincinatti Pops Orchestra is one of the best and most ravishing instrumental Rodgers and Hammerstein albums of all time. With sumptuous arrangements and warm, natural Telarc recording, this glorious 77-minute CD presents sweeping, melodic arrangements of over 60 Rodgers and Hammerstein selections, spanning eight scores, and Kunzel allows the Pops to play with a characterful and polished understanding of the Rodgers and Hammerstein idiom. The disc is enough to cheer you up on a dull day and make you smile, and it might even want to make you feel like a convert to Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals.

This CD has all the scores arranged chronologically. The OKLAHOMA! suite that opens this disc promises a feast for the senses, Kunzel ably evokes the territory's "bright, golden haze" in the way he conducts the various excerpts, until you feel the atmosphere of the country charm of the show, and the love-affair between Curly and Laurey. Then, in CAROUSEL, he ably evokes the pathos of this tragic R&H masterwork, especially in the truncated Waltz, but he leads a wonderfully melodic "June is Bustin' Out All Over" and a devotional "You'll Never Walk Alone." Although this suite does not include Billy's pivotal Soliloquy, it includes "If I Loved You" as an expression of his love for Julie, and within minutes you could be soaked in the ups and downs of the show's mood.

After a brief STATE FAIR suite, with sweeping renditions of "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "It's a Grand Night for Singing", we are brought into the disc's showstopping highlights. These highlights are the excerpts from SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. But yet Kunzel conducts the rest of the disc until the various suites amount to a series of showstoppers. These three suites present wonderfully-arranged versions of their many familiar classic songs, with well-played solos. The SOUTH PACIFIC suite presents the songs in chronological order, yet preserves the atmosphere of the show at the same time. Kunzel ably brings out the romance in "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Younger than Springtime," and contrasts it with the exotic and dreamlike "Bali Hai'i" and the comic "There is Nothing like a Dame" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair". Although the suite ends quietly with a reprise of "Dites-Moi" rather than the reprise of "Some Enchanted Evening," within minutes we are swept into the KING AND I suite. Kunzel ably brings out the Oriental pathos in this score, and he captures the warmth of Anna's rapport with the King's Siamese children in "Getting to Know You", and with the King himself in "Shall We Dance." There is also romance in the love ballads "I Have Dreamed" and "We Kiss in a Shadow." Similarly, in the selection from THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Kunzel conducts this until the orchestra soaks itself in the atmosphere of this Austrian R&H score. This SOUND OF MUSIC suite has more of a feel of the score compared to the bonus track on Sony's reissued version of the Broadway recording. You can almost feel as if you are following the progress of the Trapp family and how it lifts its spirits with the joy of music. Kunzel gives us a soaring version of the title song, and spirited versions of "Do-Re-Mi" and "My Favourite Things." He balances it with the open-air quality of "Edelweiss" and "The Lonely Goatherd." Although this suite could have included "Something Good," the love ballad written for the film, the three recollections of the songs that were cut from the movie only last for a while. And, the towering version of "Climb Every Mountain" crowns this portion of the disc, and this sumptuously-produced recording. But, I should also mention the infectuous FLOWER DRUM SONG medley, where Kunzel turns this underrated score into a work of art, until it convinces you to buy the cast recording. And, don't forget about the brief CINDERELLA WALTZ, too, when Kunzel conducts it magically, until you feel like you are in the company of Cinderella and the Prince. He is able to show how this R&H score marked a comeback for R&H after the failiures of Me and Juliet, and Pipe Dream.

Overall, this glorious Rodgers and Hammerstein recording is guarunteed to make you want to pucker your lips out for a whistle or sing along (to paraphrase another revew for Kunzel's Disney Spectacular disc) - even if this recording is music only, and as long as you know the words to the songs (and you might know a large handful of them already.) There is always a certain magic in this fine CD that makes you feel like you're sitting in the theatre watching these musicals, until it makes you feel like it is truly, to borrow two R&H song titles, "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Something Wonderful" to be in Kunzel's company for this R&H offering. It would certainly be one recording that could make you feel willing to buy the complete cast recordings of the shows. And I guaruntee that it will make you feel willing to pull out your existing copies of the cast recordings to listen to them again. I also guaruntee that it will be a cornerstone in any Rodgers and Hammerstein collection, just as it is in mine. Recommended heartily to any Rodgers and Hammerstein enthusiast and to fans of Erich Kunzel's work. And, you can play it while reading the Richard Rodgers biography, Musical Stages, until Rodgers himself would count this as his favourite disc in the afterlife.

By the way, most of the arrangements for the suites on this CD were done by the veteran R&H orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett, and it surely adds to the appeal of this recording. This itself is enough to amount to the icing on the cake, since Kunzel conducts them well on here, and since this recording still allows the suites to have the original theatrical atmosphere. And, although this recording is like the Mauceri collection of the Rodgers & Hammerstein overtures in compiling orchestral suites of Rodgers & Hammerstein, I think that I like the Kunzel recording even more because Kunzel has more magic in his conducting of these suites.

Excellent!.......2003-04-08

This is one of the best Erich Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops collections we own! A must for Rodgers and Hammerstein fans, too.

Great Arrangments.......2001-09-02

This is a first rate album with great arrangments and orchestrations. If you're a Rodgers and Hammerstein fan, you can't afford to miss this specatacular album

Average customer rating: Tragically ahead of their time Feeling Something On The Masterpiece ****1/2 Genius guud

How It Feels to Be Something On Sunny Day Real Estate Manufacturer: Sub Pop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Fire Theft World Waits Live Power of Failing Keep It Like a Secret ASIN: B00000C3ZQ Release Date: 1998-09-22

Tracks:

1. Pillars
2. Roses In Water
3. Every Shining Time You Arrive
4. Two Promises
5. 100 Million
6. How It Feels To Be Something On
7. The Prophet
8. Guitar And Video Games
9. The Shark's Own Private Fuck
10. Days Were Golden

Amazon.com

Sunny Day Real Estate broke up in 1995 when bassist Nate Mendel and drummer William Goldsmith left to join the Foo Fighters or when frontman Jeremy Enigk converted to Christianity, depending on whom you ask. The band got back together in the summer of 1997 (minus Mendel, replaced by former Mommyheads bassist Jeff Palmer) to jam, and a full album blossomed. The result, How It Feels to Be Something On, is nothing short of stunning. Poking their heads into the gaping jaws of yearning, Enigk and company unravel tight, atypical rock songs to reveal a shimmering spool of uncertain longing. Almost sounding like an unlikely hybrid of the Smiths and Yes, How It Feels... is the grandest slab of musical sympathy since Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream, equal parts intensity and sadness for the sing-along set. One of 1998's best albums. --Jason Josephes

Customer Reviews:

Tragically ahead of their time.......2006-06-15

Of the first three SDRE albums, I find this one the most fascinating. It has very little in common with the first two, which tangled sometimes jarringly with emo and stoner rock. Diary and LP2 are both important documents of 90s music, but they don't have the confident polish and grace of How It Feels. While the first two often used chugging rhythms and voice-cracking vocals, How It Feels comes off as an indie rock album that could have come out last week (and I mean that in a good way).

Enigk's voice seemed to have leathered up considerably during the band's breakup, and he's capable of a haunting falsetto that imprinted "100 Million" on my brain from the first listen. The muddy bass of before is now melodic, strummy and very tight with Goldsmith's kit. The giutars do a lot more jangling and picking and less hammering. To call it more "refined" would be a disservice to Diary and LP2, so I'll just say it's a cleaner production. In fact, the mix is fantastic, as another reviewer noted.

It seems that How It Feels was a snapshot of a band in significant stylistic transition only a few years into its career, like Radiohead or the Beatles. And I think this style of music is more suited to Enigk's vocals. It's more affecting. The title track and closing track are excellent examples. It's a little processed, but this never actually sticks out. In their previous work, I felt that Enigk's vocal range was SDRE's weakest link, but he's almost like a different singer here.

What will stick out to listeners of their earlier work is the superior production that lends the album a much wider sonic stage. The muffled living room has become an auditorium, and the haunting How It Feels soars with hope, wistfulness, hurt, and joy. It's not quite like anything I've heard before. Certainly not an album's worth, at least. Every song is, at the very least, pleasant background music, except perhaps for "Prophet," a foray into Eastern-tinged prog that others have done much better, in my opinion.

Feeling Something On.......2006-01-04

Best Sunny Day Real Estate Record. Period.

The Masterpiece ****1/2.......2005-11-02

SDRE is a two sided coin. The first side encompasses their first two albums; raw, bleeding-heart, tortured, love-obsessed, low-fi. The flipside represents the latter half of their albums; grandiose, poetic, sweeping, accomplished, passionate. Both sides have a common theme; emotion.

The first album after the band's break, "How It Feels to be Something On," stands as their most accomplished and possibly best album. Jeremy's vocals have improved. His lyrics: more thematic. Surprisingly, the band sounds tighter than they ever did during their emo-pioneer days. They introduce their progressive rock roots here, as well, something they had only previously hinted. As a result, the album plays very much like a rock opera. If the song lyrics were linked by a story, it could rank with "Tommy" and "The Wall" as one of the great concept albums. Regardless, it still FEELS like a concept album and as a result, requires some attention.

The arena ready opener "Pillars" reintroduces us to the band. And the progressivness of "100 million" and the mid-Eastern tinged "Roses in Water" reveal the band's new game plan. Though lyrically not as Christian-based as LP2, Jeremy is still obviously influenced by religion on the aforementioned "Roses" and "Prophet." There are a few tunes that sound like first era leftovers (Days Were Golden and Two Promises) but the band had never really branched out in this way before. They even attempt what can only be described as a break-out-your-lighters acoustic ballad with "Every Shining Time You Arrive." Taken as a whole the album is amazing. Oddly, the band sounds ready for stadiums, even though radio-friendly songs like "8" and "In Circles" are nowhere to be found. But that's a small quibble. The album is great.

Overall: 9 out of 10.

Genius.......2005-02-19

I like the idea of "Proggressive Rock" but I don't like most Prog Rock bands, because they're always mired in some pseudo-classical grandiloquent schlock that plods for days. How It Feels to Be Something On is what Prog Rock should be; complex without being complicated, powerful without being raunchy, lofty without being bloated. This album is an emotional journey bordering on religious experience. And the production is some of the best I've ever heard, which as a musician I'm probably stealing ideas from constantly. No recording can ever be perfect, but this one comes close.

guud.......2005-02-18

I'm not an expert on SDRE and I've never seen them live or anything like that, but I thought I'd add my input on this album.
When I listen to "How It Feels to Be Someting On" I wonder why I don't have more SDRE. Then I think about it and I guess that I am afraid that their other albums will end up feeling a bit cheap. I know this doesn't make sense, so let me explain.
HIFTBSO starts out really really solid. The first 4 songs contain strong drive and are very well thought out, balanced and flow well- even with driving guitars, etc. Really good.
Then the album goes away for a bit... choppy, a bit more experimental for the sake of being different I felt... until "guitar and videogames" (song 8). This song is SDRE at their best, an eerie harmony on top of the same sweet, driving, hallow crescendos.
Overall, this is a good album. Although the middle section of the album doesn't catch me as much as the rest of the album, you shouldn't let that deter you from listening to it. Again, I can't say that I have heard any of their other stuff, but if you have (and like it) this album certainly won't disappoint.

Average customer rating:

Something to Be Proud Of: The Best of 1999-2005 Montgomery Gentry Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Some People Change Greatest Hits You Do Your Thing Tattoos & Scars Relentless ASIN: B000J10HDU Release Date: 2006-08-29

Tracks:

1. She Don't Tell Me To
2. Something to Be Proud Of
3. Gone
4. If You Ever Stop Loving Me
5. Hell Yeah
6. Speed
7. My Town
8. Didn't I
9. She Couldn't Change Me
10. Daddy Won't Sell the Farm
11. Lonely and Gone
12. Hillbilly Shoes
13. Merry Christmas from the Family

Rap Music:

1. Songs About Jane
2. Songs from Instant Star [Import]
3. Speechless
4. Stand Up [DualDisc]
5. Stories of a Stranger
6. Tapestry [Extra tracks] [Original recording remastered]
7. The Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits: The Record
8. The East Village Opera Company
9. The Forgotten Arm
10. The Living Room Tour [Live]

Rap Music

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