Skin

Amazon.com's Best of 2001
During the dark days of the singer's split from Julie Cypher, her companion of 12 years, Melissa Etheridge retreated to her home studio to pen songs lit from within with her searing pain and confusion. From those heart-wrenching sessions comes arguably Etheridge's finest work. She vents and rages and all but spits on her Tony Llama boots, giving these 10 songs a depth and grit that she only hinted at in her prior six albums. And those early albums were plenty gritty. But early tunes such as "Come to My Window," and "Yes I Am" don't approach the naked vulnerability heard here--even though the breakup was hinted at in "Stronger Than Me," on 1999's Breakdown. Skin peels back layers of Etheridge's pain and addresses her personal melodrama in such a compelling way that her despair is transmuted into true art, as she takes the listener through the stages of grief and recovery. And what a journey, beginning with the bristling "Lover Please" ("Didn't I love you right / Then tell me where are you going dressed to kill tonight? / Oh, this one's gonna hurt like hell") and ending with the stirring "Heal Me," which features background vocals by famous pals Laura Dern and Meg Ryan. That's almost all the help she has on the record; Etheridge plays almost all the instruments and penned all the songs. But, ultimately, Skin is the sound of one heart breaking. --Jaan Uhelszki

Skin,Melissa Etheridge,Melissa Etheridge,Island,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Skin

Average customer rating: An Unqualified Success Soupy soupy soupy It doesn't rock! I will never buy a CD again Fabulous Foo Fighters

Skin and Bones Foo Fighters Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Skin and Bones Light Grenades In Your Honor Revelations Sam's Town ASIN: B000IU3XTW Release Date: 2006-11-07

Tracks:

1. Razor
2. Over And Out
3. Walking After You
4. Marigold
5. My Hero
6. Next Year
7. Another Round
8. Big Me
9. Cold Day In The Sun
10. Skin And Bones
11. February Stars
12. Times Like These
13. Friend Of A Friend
14. Best Of You
15. Everlong

From Amazon.co.uk

Here's Dave Grohl as you've seldom seen him before: not just live, but as the title Skin And Bones may hint, stripped down to his acoustic core. Well actually, not quite. Rather than just Grohl and a six-string, this collection--recorded at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles--harks back to the ensemble feel of Nirvana's 1994 album Unplugged in New York, familiar songs rebuilt by the Foos and a cast of musicians including violinist Petra Haden, keyboardist Rami Jaffee, and even a member of that now legendary Nirvana session, Pat Smear. Stripped of the anthemic breeziness and solid, muscular riffing that have become Foo trademarks, Skin And Bones relies more on prettifying the arrangements with strings, shakers, and slow splashes of cymbal, and occasionally uncovering new levels of pathos beneath the sweat and grit. "Walking After You" feels custom-written for this format, while the crescendos of "My Hero" gain a little more humanity in this more intimate setting. And when the bigger hits come, Grohl makes up for the absence of feedback and fireworks with sheer frontman charisma, summoning up some throaty Springsteen emotiveness on "Best of You" and climaxing with a heroic "Everlong." --Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews:

An Unqualified Success.......2007-07-16

With this CD, the Foo Fighters prove beyond any doubt, or argument, that they're the real deal. Grohl can write and arrange for any style and get impressive results. Beautiful, melodic arrangements that are perfectly executed by the band, this disc gives you a new perspective of the Foo Fighters. Only time will tell for sure, but I think this will become a classic.

As for the sound quality: It's mastered a little too loud, resulting in some compression, but it's not bad. I think Grohl has enough control in the entire process that he doesn't allow the record company boys to ruin his work. Good for him.

Soupy soupy soupy.......2007-06-08

Is this the new John Denver? Has he channeled Dave? I can imagine Curt and John having a few giggles wherever they may be giggling from. Isn't this why there is alternative music in the first place? I wanted a live CD of the good stuff, not this bowl of warmed over soup.

Country and crooning...what else do you guys listen to to satisfy your lust for John Denver?

It doesn't rock!.......2007-05-21

OK, I love the Foo Fighters, They're my favorite band to see live. This is an acoustic album...somehow I missed that in the item description. I like it a lot, it hits you in a different way than the normal rockin blarin Foo Fighters that I love. But it hits you none the less...

I will never buy a CD again.......2007-05-19

So many awesome songs and they make them sound terrible. Do you love Everlong? I do, but this is the worst version ever. THIS ALBUM IS A DISASTER.

Fabulous Foo Fighters.......2007-03-09

I bought one of these for me and one for a friend who is an AVID music collector. He likes the Foo Fighters but hasn't been a raving fan of them until this CD. He ranks it among his top 5 best ever (he has 1000's of all types of music). Don't be intimidated that it is a live recording, they keep the crowd noise to a minimum, unless it is enhancing the recording. Unlike many live recordings where the crowd noise is obnoxious on this recording it isn't noise, but rather interaction with the performers. This will likely become your favorite Foo Fighters CD, especially if you're an "acoustic" junkie.

Average customer rating: I really like this one sad Avril Rocks It A popular chick singer who is actually a musician! More "mature" then the "Let Go" CD

Under My Skin Avril Lavigne Manufacturer: Arista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Teen Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop | 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: Let Go The Best Damn Thing [CLEAN] Breakaway The Best Damn Thing (CD/DVD Deluxe Limited Edition) Autobiography ASIN: B0001UL7RY Release Date: 2004-05-25

Tracks:

1. Take Me Away
2. Together
3. Don't Tell Me
4. He Wasn't
5. How Does It Feel
6. My Happy Ending
7. Nobody's Home
8. Forgotten
9. Who Knows
10. Fall To Pieces
11. Freak Out
12. Slipped Away

Amazon.com

With her breakthrough 2002 debut, Let Go, Avril Lavigne tried to market herself as the bona fide alternative to tarty teen queens, Britney and Christina. Her guitar-pop hits were irresistibly bratty but the whole "Complicated" teen pose was a little hard to swallow, especially since two songwriters called the Matrix--who had at least twenty years on the Canadian singer--fed her most of the material. Having had the chance to live a little, Lavigne returns to make good on her angsty image with Under My Skin, an album rippling with delightfully dour melodies and heartfelt lyrics about loneliness ("How Does It Feel") and fractured relationships ("Don't Tell Me"). Is it clichéd? Sure. Will it scare off her necktie and t-shirt wearing fans? Possibly. But there's nothing quite as satisfying as watching a teen-pop icon actually reveal her soul. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

I really like this one.......2007-05-28

I like this CD a lot. It's very Avril with lots of angst, and hurt. Lots of ballads, a lot of songs you can sing a long to.
Fall to Pieces is a favorite of mine on this CD, and upbeat song. It also includes " My happy ending" with a different beginning- a different sound. I am not sure the album shows much growth from her last album but it was good too, and Avril is in pretty uncharted waters here anyways....as most of her counterparts are less rock, and more bubble gum. It's a CD you can listen to more than once over and find a new one you like. There are a few songs on here that are a little weak....but otherwise it's a good cd.

sad.......2007-04-14

What does she have to be so sad about? She is a multi millionare and shes crying and whinning over nothing. Get over yourself.

Avril Rocks It.......2007-03-10

Avril Lavigne's cd cover almost says it all.Dark clothes.Dark makeup.Deep lyrics.Right?Yes.

The cd sounds wayy darker that the poppy lyrics and sounds of the first "Let Go."It has the radio explosion song "My Happy Ending."The song that all girls will love,"Don't Tell Me" is also included in this great cd.

Though many say she is goth at this point of her career,think.Loooking goth and being goth are NOT the same.Her lyrics and pure voice is what reallly counts.Not all these tags such as 'punk,goth,prep,and some more.'

The cd is great and filled with wayy more great songs then I have mentioned.Besides,the music rocks,the lyrics do,and her voice does too!

A popular chick singer who is actually a musician!.......2007-02-26

This isn't a review as much as it is an observation, though I would give this album 4.5 out of 5 stars for great vocal maturity and a better rock edge than her previus release. It is simply TERRIFIC and unfortunately, rather rare to see a popular female artist who can actually play an instrument! And not just play, but totally ROCK OUT!
I have always thought it was ridiculus and quite stupid that artists like Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson ever even became huge, pop- culture icon artists. Why do we fall in love with "artists" who aren't even musicians, or in Britney's case, can't even sing? (at least without a synthesizer) The pop-icon thing even sucks in good artists like Lindsay Lohan, who is quite a rockin' guitarist, and turns them into mediocre pop singers, making artists with a promising future like Lindsay into just one of the other zillion pop singers and groups.
It is also nice to see an artist like Avril who doesn't feel the need to make racy videos to sell her work. She simply lets the album speak for itself, which is good because "Under My Skin" is a truly great album.

Keep on rockin', Avril!

ps: By the way, if you like female singers who can play a mean guitar, check out Krystal Meyers. I know she's technically "christian" rock, but her stuff is easily as good as anything else out there, including Avril. Her song "Together" has been featured on the awesome NBC TV show "Heroes" and featured on the NBC website.

More "mature" then the "Let Go" CD.......2007-02-20

I had already bought and listened to the Let GO CD several times. It reflected the young 17 year old singing it but I still liked it very much. Avril's "Under My Skin" showed a lot of maturity for the 19 year old. Under My Skin was more rock & Roll then Pop music. I am looking forward to Avril's new CD "The Best Damn Thing" coming out in April of 2007 and hope for more maturity. From what I understand the new CD is more pop and punk, hope it's at least equal to her first two CD's

Average customer rating: one of the best Lindsay Never Disappoints Good; not great Flawed but rewarding work Breezy Mac

Under the Skin Lindsey Buckingham Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | 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 $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sound Stage Presents - Lindsey Buckingham With Special Guest Stevie Nicks The Captain and the Kid The Road to Escondido Endless Wire Go Insane ASIN: B000HCO84K Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

1. Not Too Late
2. Show You How
3. Under The Skin
4. I Am Waiting
5. It Was You
6. Try For The Sun
7. Cast Away Dreams
8. Shut Us Down
9. Down On Rodeo
10. Someone's Gotta Change Your Mind
11. Juniper

Amazon.com

Since his solo flight from Fleetwood Mac, Lindsay Buckingham has earned the kind of artistic acclaim for his sparse solo work that many peers have tried to achieve over the course of a lifetime. Under the Skin, stripped down to a mostly acoustic base with ethereal vocals and subtle affects, surfaces as if from a deeper soulful realm that is both magically fleeting and somehow permanent. It's a deceptively simple album with its acoustic guitars zinging South American flourishes here, semi-classical guitar figures there, and country-like riffs. Both "Show You How " and "Down on Rodeo"  beg to be adapted to the full rock-pop sound he and his former bandmates created. Buckingham's tempered vocals sound mysterious throughout, given the ambient production scrim he drops over the record's 11 tracks, including a remake of the Stones' "I'm Waiting" and "It Was You," with its suggestive Caribbean flavor and soft, industrial-percussive edge. Strange, alluring, and disarming, it's as if Buckingham can offer only passing personal glimpses into his own life and psyche as a father, husband, lover, iconic pop star, and California songwriter dabbling in but never anchoring himself in one place for too long. This pleasing shadowplay at times borders slightly on the self-conscious, but generally, with the quality of such lovely self-confessional songs like "Cast Away Dreams," Buckingham leaves us willing to follow him any place, wanting more. --Martin Keller

Album Description

Buckingham's first album in 14 years, Under The Skin, is a pop masterpiece worth the wait! All tracks were performed and produced by Buckingham, and all but two were written by him.

Customer Reviews:

one of the best.......2007-07-05

Lindsey Buckingham is one of the best guitarists around. This solo effort highlights his brilliant fingering technique. The songs are reflective of an artist who is mature and aware of the life around him.

Lindsay Never Disappoints.......2007-07-03

I've always looked forward to Lindsay's solo work--he IS Fleetwood Mac in its current reincarnation as far as I'm concerned. But this is by far his most profound music. He moves me more than ever. You cannot go wrong with this CD.

Good; not great.......2007-06-27

L.B. fans will likely find favor with 'Under the Skin', but I don't believe this CD was produced for mass consumption. I can't imagine the casual listener taking an instant liking to it. The vocal tracks have been layered, overdubbed, and tinkered with to the point of distraction. I don't understand why Buckingham chooses to do this; his normal singing voice is fine and minimal studio wizardry would suffice. This release is inferior to his previous solo effort, 'Out of the Cradle', but there are still a few good moments. My personal favorites are 'Down on Rodeo' and 'Someone's Gotta Change Your Mind'. Overall, I'm a bit disappointed, but that won't stop me from buying future solo releases.

Flawed but rewarding work.......2007-05-30

Some listeners have complained about the production of the album and restrained singing, but these things - while they don't help the album get on radio playlists - were part of Buckingham's intention. He wanted a spontaneous, non-processed piece of work, something that would capture the creative moments of playing and composing during Fleetwood Mac's "Say You Will" tour. The result is sometimes self-conscious and can seem a bit claustrophobic. Because we're used to slick production values, we might wish songs like "Down on Rodeo" would get the full L.A. pop treatment suitable to its name. But the album, like Buckingham's tracks on "Tusk," succeeds in communicating an emotional intimacy. It is a work in progress that was never meant to be finished or polished. Get to know it - it's worth the effort even if it's not a good album for driving or aerobics.

Breezy Mac.......2007-05-29

Like most members of Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham seems to release a new solo album every thousand years. Fortunately, Under the Skin, his most recent album, is a great offering.

Now, Lindsey's vocals aren't quite as accessible as they were in the `70s and `80s (although in "Someone's Gotta Change Your Mind", he's singing in a different voice for some reason), but he still says some good stuff. Quality songs include "Show You How", "Cast Away Dreams" and "Down On Rodeo". And while I highly enjoy his remake of the Rolling Stones' "I Am Waiting", the cover of Donovan's "To Try For the Sun" blows it out the water.

With a slim 11 tracks, Lindsey Buckingham still proves that he has what it takes to create great music, so add Under the Skin to your collection.

Anthony Rupert

Average customer rating: SKYNYRD'S FIRST AND... BEST ! Classic 70s Music Pronounced Classic Southern rock ROCKS!!! Skynyrd's First Album

Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd Lynyrd Skynyrd Manufacturer: Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | 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 Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Second Helping Street Survivors Nuthin' Fancy Gimme Back My Bullets One More from the Road ASIN: B00005RIKI Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

1. I Ain't The One
2. Tuesday's Gone
3. Gimme Three Steps
4. Simple Man
5. Things Goin' On
6. Mississippi Kid
7. Poison Whiskey
8. Free Bird
9. Mr. Banker (Demo)
10. Down South Jukin' (Demo)
11. Tuesday's Gone (Demo)
12. Gimme Three Steps (Demo)
13. Free Bird (Demo)

Amazon.com

Where the Allman Brothers and Marshall Tucker had a more restrained, accomplished rock sound, Florida's Lynyrd Skynyrd took another approach, evoking images of whiskey, Confederate flags, hard luck, and greasy dive bars in their music. The like-minded Molly Hatchet and .38 Special couldn't come close to matching the lyrical talent and natural-born rock-and-boogie abilities of Skynyrd. And, of course, no other band can lay claim to the most-requested song in the history of rock music, the anthemic "Free Bird," the focal point of this, their 1973 debut. Aside from spawning countless tomes of bad poetry by pockmarked 15-year-olds everywhere with "Free Bird," they demonstrated a mastery of the rock ballad with the time-tested "Tuesday's Gone," another highlight of this notable first offering. --Lorry Fleming

Customer Reviews:

SKYNYRD'S FIRST AND... BEST ! .......2007-07-13

Make no mistake about it, when it comes to rating Lynyrd Skynyrd's studio albums, their debut, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd (1973) cannot be topped by any of the others. The album features the legendary Free Bird, which, of course, is the greatest song in the history of rock (if you ask this southern reviewer), the anthems Simple Man and Tuesday's Gone, and the honky tonk rocking classic Gimme Three Steps. Every one of these songs are the best that classic rock has to offer, and they're right up there in the top category. I Ain't The One and Poison Whiskey are street tough rockers with triple attack guitar excellance and Ronnie Van Zandt's indomitable vocals. Mississippi Kid presents a short break from the southern rock with some acoustic folk-blues. They get personal and political with the bluesy Things Goin' On.

Have you ever been down in the ghetto?
Have you ever felt the cold wind blow?
If you don't know what I mean,
Won't you stand up and scream,
Because there are things goin' on that you don't know!

Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd is a great classic southern rock album that includes some great classic southern rock songs. Lynyrd Skynyrd is a smart, street tough, and talented band that has an extraordinary ability to emotionally connect with their fans in a profound way, and those fans would stand and fight for them, if it came down to it. That's a rare commodity in the music world that not many others can claim.

Classic 70s Music.......2007-06-27

This is my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd. I've had the album, 8 track, cassette and now the CD. Would definitely purchase it again if something replaced the CD!Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd

Pronounced Classic.......2007-06-09

What can I say .. this is one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic CDs. A must for any collection.

Southern rock ROCKS!!!.......2007-05-12

What else can I say about Van Zant and Co.? Simply the best...

Skynyrd's First Album.......2007-05-08

If you are into classic rock, southern rock, or country, you have to like this album. This particular CD comes with several bonus tracks that are some of (in my opinion) Lynyrd Skynyrd's best work. You need this album if you don't already have it. If you have a version of this album without the bonus tracks, this is still worth every penny.

Average customer rating: One Of The Best Rock Albums Ever One of Hole's Best Very nice The Skin Controversy Grunge plus Go-Go's? Hole Greater than the Sum of its Parts

Celebrity Skin Hole Manufacturer: Fontana Geffen ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Grunge | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: America's Sweetheart Pretty on the Inside Garbage Version 2.0 Ask for It ASIN: B00000AFWW Release Date: 1998-09-08

Tracks:

1. Celebrity Skin
2. Awful
3. Hit So Hard
4. Malibu
5. Reasons To Be Beautiful
6. Dying
7. Use Once And Destroy
8. Northern Star
9. Boys On The Radio
10. Heaven Tonight
11. Playing Your Song
12. Petals

Amazon.com

When last we saw Courtney Love, she was performing on the silver screen and posing for Versace, a far cry from her formative days stumbling across stages wearing ripped thrift-store clothing. But Love's Hollywood transformation is just the latest in her crusade for adoration, whatever the environment. And Celebrity Skin is just the latest manifestation of that obsession. Instead of screaming in rage over a muscular din of power chords, Love sings in a restrained, melodic alto voice; the band matches the euphony with rhythms and hooks that draw from such mainstream acts as Fleetwood Mac, the Go-Go's, and, of course, Smashing Pumpkins, whose frontman, Billy Corgan, cowrote five songs. What makes Celebrity Skin more than another good rock album, however, is Love's lyrics, which remain confessional and scathing, addressing such topics as physical abuse ("Hit So Hard"), drugs ("Use Once and Destroy"), the music industry ("Awful," "Boys on the Radio"), and her late husband's suicide ("Reasons to Be Beautiful"). If nothing else, Celebrity Skin is proof to all the skeptics that superstars have feelings, too. --Jon Wiederhorn

Customer Reviews:

One Of The Best Rock Albums Ever.......2007-05-22

As emotionally drained as any Courtney Love shenanigans can make us, she is foremost a musician and this is her and thus her band's greatest achievement in a relatively short list of recorded music. Ditching the complete garage grunge angst of Pretty On The Inside and Live Through This, Courtney and company brought Billy Corgan in for a couple things and went to California for inspiration. Conjuring up images of the 70s California rock scene, Courtney left a lot her angst in the Northwest and went for more melody. I love every single song on this disc and when it came out I played it over and over - from the beginning guitar crunch and Courtney's vocal "oh make me over/ I'm all I want to be" the title cut breaks into the catchy yet dramatic "Awful" followed by "Hit So Hard" and it goes on and on with a radio friendly tune thrown in before crunching into the pain grunge we love from our Courts... so much better than her ill fated (and I wanted to love it) solo album from a few years ago - for those unsure of Hole's reasons for success and with an ear more for melody than angst, this is the CD to go to.

One of Hole's Best.......2007-02-27

Originally I thought this was too poppy, but its actually a very nice polished rock album. Their are a couple of songs that are too sugary, but its still a good CD and worth the money.
Hole From Best To Worst (As Of Feb.26.2007, it changes all the time)

1.Live Through This
2.Celebrity Skin
3.Pretty on The Inside

Very nice.......2006-11-11

Ok, I didn't find any Hole cd to buy here in Brazil, that is why I bought it from Amazon.com. It took 15 days to arrive in my house, very fast.

Well, I decided to buy Hole because I was curious to hear Courtney Love singing. I started to hear this cd through web radio and I loved it, that's why I bought. I know this is the most commercial Hole cd but it is nice to hear all the time. Now I'm planning to buy the rest.

Yes, my opinion for you, if you are in doubt or if you are curious too is 'buy it'.

The Skin Controversy.......2006-11-03

Hole's "Celebrity Skin" is nothing like any of Love's other albums. That's just a statement of fact; don't buy this if you want to know what she's really about. Love is grunge and screaming and almost-vulgar honesty, and you don't get a lot of that on this record. But if you want to hear some high-quality, edge-of-mainstream music, then this is a good bet.

"Skin" has, for better or for worse, changed Love's image. It was regarded by many Nirvana and early Hole fans as a sell-out, a betrayal of their earlier work. In the mainstream music world, "Skin" was a hit. It's now the album most people recognize when they think of Hole, and it had decently popular hits in "Celebrity Skin" (also known as "Make Me Over"), "Malibu," and "Reason to be Beautiful." Love has stated many times that her intention on this album was to make a pop record; she says that most musical elitists don't "get it." She was sick of comments about her one-dimensional act (a howling product of drugs and promiscuity with a foothold in screeching guitars and raw lyrics) and this does showcase her versatility as an artist.

What you'll find in "Celebrity Skin" depends on what you're looking for. If it's an extension of "Live Through This" or "Pretty on the Inside," stay away. If it's your first taste of Hole and you're a little nervous about it, or if you think their other material is too loud and unpolished, this is perfect for you.

But if it's your first Hole purchase and you think you're ready for the unleashed, Kobain-influenced Love, I would recommend "Live Through This." Happy buying!

Grunge plus Go-Go's? Hole Greater than the Sum of its Parts.......2006-10-22

I never liked grunge -- it wasn't even offensive, just slightly annoying. (Grunge hit while I was at Concrete Paradise College in Sacramento, where students wore creased flannel, pre-faded jeans, and unscuffed hiking boots... uhhhh?!) But post-grunge Celebrity Skin may have the most staying power of all my 90's albums... (maybe rivalled by Brit-pop Blur's Great Escape)....

To this layman's ears, Celebrity Skin works because the set list is eclectic, the songs freakin' rock, Courtney Love's vocals are second to none (even the cracks are gorgeous), the style is attacking rather than grungey-internalizing, the takes on Hollywood are more incisive love/hate than a Day of the Locusts novel, and the HARMONIES are richly gorgeous -- floating from edgy to ethereal... angelic.... (Belinda Carlisle adds uncredited backing vocals and Go-Go Charlotte Caffey pens a song).

In short: Imagine you're a teen, and the hottest girl - who happens to smoke and yell at her parents - just transferred to your Burbank High School. You go to pick her up, and she's scrubbed fresh and clean... but the edge still comes through. When she snaps, "Go &#* Yourself!", you're hooked.

Average customer rating: Skin Love it! This is an one of the best albums I own. Awesome as always Perfect skin

Skin Melissa Etheridge Manufacturer: Island ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Pop | 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: Lucky Never Enough Brave and Crazy Breakdown Your Little Secret ASIN: B00005LODB Release Date: 2001-07-10

Tracks:

1. Lover Please
2. The Prison
3. Walking On Water
4. Down To One
5. Goodnight
6. It's Only Me
7. I Want To Be In Love
8. Please Forgive Me
9. The Different
10. Heal Me

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

During the dark days of the singer's split from Julie Cypher, her companion of 12 years, Melissa Etheridge retreated to her home studio to pen songs lit from within with her searing pain and confusion. From those heart-wrenching sessions comes arguably Etheridge's finest work. She vents and rages and all but spits on her Tony Llama boots, giving these 10 songs a depth and grit that she only hinted at in her prior six albums. And those early albums were plenty gritty. But early tunes such as "Come to My Window," and "Yes I Am" don't approach the naked vulnerability heard here--even though the breakup was hinted at in "Stronger Than Me," on 1999's Breakdown. Skin peels back layers of Etheridge's pain and addresses her personal melodrama in such a compelling way that her despair is transmuted into true art, as she takes the listener through the stages of grief and recovery. And what a journey, beginning with the bristling "Lover Please" ("Didn't I love you right / Then tell me where are you going dressed to kill tonight? / Oh, this one's gonna hurt like hell") and ending with the stirring "Heal Me," which features background vocals by famous pals Laura Dern and Meg Ryan. That's almost all the help she has on the record; Etheridge plays almost all the instruments and penned all the songs. But, ultimately, Skin is the sound of one heart breaking. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Skin.......2007-05-13

Melissa Etheridge's Skin is in my opinion her best album by far. it is so heart felt and emotional. every time i listen to this album i reminisce of past relationships and heartbreaks. this is a great album to listen to when youre depressed because it starts out very sad and ends happy.

Love it!.......2007-05-13

One of my favorite Melissa Etheridge albums. The lyrics rock, the music rocks, the vocal rocks. Buy it...you won't regret it!

This is an one of the best albums I own. .......2006-05-01

I like every kind of music from rock to rap to celtic to latin. I own over a thousand cds & this is on the top three list of my all time favorites. Anyone that is hurting after a bad realationship, is depressed, or just wants to be in love, can relate to this album (even if you havn't been through any of these three things, it's still a terrifc cd). I personally can relate to all ten of the songs on it. It would be a mistake for any fan to be without this album or anyone that likes good music for that matter.

Awesome as always.......2005-08-14

Some cds you only like a few songs. I have never owned one melissa cd that had even one song I did not like! Way to go Melissa! I hope she is healed from her cancer scare!

Perfect skin.......2005-03-11

I do like Lissy, and have quite a few of her albums, but when I think about it I think I like her more for what she is (ie when I was 19, the fact she was an out lesbian rocker was enough) than her actual output. Prior to this one, only her debut would I put on and listen to all the way through, though many of her other albums do have fantastic standout tracks.

Having said that, Skin is one of the most completely accomplished albums in my collection (and I have a few!). It runs the gamut of human emotion (well, to do with love) and encompasses variation in musical terms. It's all rock, but there are ballads, pure rockers, folk and even a bit of electronica sneaks on The Different, my fave track from the album.

Her naive lyrics are charming and "in front of total strangers won't you kiss me" on I Want To Be In Love, I think, absolutely sums up a gay person falling in love in one succinct line, like I have heard nowhere else, ever. (Please don't take that as any kind of gay versus straight comment, it's just straight people kissing in front of strangers doesn't really compare to gay people doing it.)

If you're thinking of buying a Lissy and don't know where to start, there's no better place than here. Skin really is an awesome, adult, heart-felt album that will not leave your 'regularly played' selection for years. I bought it on special after the fact and I almost want to send her a cheque for the difference. It's that good.

(Almost, obviously. I'm not a fool.)

Average customer rating: Not for fans of the music in the movie ... This album is way better than the film... Yet Another 80's Mostly Lame New Wave Cover Song Collection by Mostly Unknowns

Blood & Chocolate Manufacturer: Lakeshore Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Covenant Blood and Chocolate Blood & Chocolate Hex - The Complete First Season The Scent of Shadows (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 1) ASIN: B000LC5AZC Release Date: 2007-01-23

Tracks:

1. Stripped _ Shiny Toy Guns
2. A Forrest _ Lunar Click
3. Blood (Chocolate version) _ Sparklemotion
4. How Soon Is Now _ Bobby Gold
5. New Skin _ New Skin
6. Terrible Lie _ Mercury Falls (featuring Ai Kusuhara)
7. Out Of City (Hot Bloody Chocolate Remix) _ Johnny Klimek and Reinhold Heil
8. I Started Something I Couldn't Finish _ Bow Wow Wow
9. The Killing Moon _ The Distants
10. Haunted When The Minutes Drag (Alleged Remix) _ Collide
11. Chocolate _ Work
12. Venus In Furs _ Black Rainbow
13. Halloween _ Tre Lux
14. Flesh For Fantasy _ Fiction Company
15. Love Will Tear Us Apart _ Philistine
16. Kissing A Wolf (Zara's Remix) _ Johnny Klimek and Reinhold Heil

Customer Reviews:

Not for fans of the music in the movie ... .......2007-07-21

Sure, maybe some of the songs in this collection were tacked on in edited forms into the closing credits, but the majority of the music in the film is not here. Great tracks by Rachid Taha (off his Made in Medina album) figure prominently through out and aren't here. Jasmine Tabatabai not only contributes a memorable song to the film, but can be seen performing it live in an early club scene. Also not on the cd.

If you like the darker, richer, exotic music of the film, pick up albums by Taha and Tabatabai.

If you like mediocre compilations of absolutely horrifying covers of once great songs (I actually got physically ill hearing the versions of Venus in Furs and Killing Moon) then maybe pick this up.

The one or two decent tracks (ok, one) like Collide's just aren't worth the buy in.

The art of soundtracking and film scoring has reached an all time low here.

This album is way better than the film..........2007-02-03

Since the first review focused on what they didn't know about the bands, I'll point out some of the acts:

Tre Lux is Tina Root of Switchblade Symphony, one of the biggest Dark Wave bands of the 90's.

Shiny Toy Guns are huge right now, just played Leno a month ago.

Collide are one of the bigger bands of the goth/electro scene.

Bow Wow Wow...even the other reviewer knew who they are.

Sparklemotion had a hit on itunes from the Napoleon Dynamite Sountrack.

New Skin are a new English band produced by one of the guys who produced Depeche Mode and the Cure.

but whatever - the point is the album is really good - there's only one song I wasn't crazy about and for a soundtrack, that's saying a lot.

I can't say the same for the film...but oh well.

Yet Another 80's Mostly Lame New Wave Cover Song Collection by Mostly Unknowns.......2007-01-28

I get the impression that cover song collections are quite the rage in Hollywood Movie circles when dealing with 'troubled' movie productions. It's cheap in that all the artists cannot command any upfront cash for their appearance. It smacks of indy-cred to get these artists, mostly electro-goth types, together. Too bad most of the cover versions are only mildly interesting. I also suspect that the soundtrack CD will be of more interest in a years time than the movie will...Why the producers of the film decided to so radically transform the book into a forced-copy of 'Underworld' escapes me, I guess filming for so cheap in Eastern Europe was the main reason. Too bad, I really enjoyed the book. Buy the book instead of buying this CD or watching the movie.

Except for Bow Wow Wow (glad to see they are struggling along still, but this IS DEFINITELY NOT their best work), almost all of these bands are probably unknown to 99.99% of the listening public. I have heard of Collide before this, kinda synthy darkwave band, very enjoyable, please go buy their other work ;) Almost of these songs lack the excitement and punch of the originals, why bother then making effort? I guess if I must, the first three songs are pleasant enough to listen to and I kind of like the Collide number as well...The rest can be safely deleted if you decide to convert these tracks to MP3s and just keep the aforementioned four tracks.

Average customer rating: His most influential...................... Ry Cooder speaks today More solid work from a legend Chicken What? Sometimes I have a great notion to jump into the river and drown.

Chicken Skin Music Ry Cooder Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Slide Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Paradise and Lunch Into the Purple Valley Boomer's Story Jazz Ry Cooder ASIN: B000002KCO Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. The Bourgeois Blues
2. I Got Mine
3. Always Lift Him Up/Kanaka Wai Wai
4. He'll Have To Go
5. Smack Dab In The Middle
6. Stand By Me
7. Yellow Roses
8. Chloe
9. Goodnight Irene

Amazon.com essential recording

This 1976 effort contains some of Cooder's most compelling work and finds him reexploring some of the fundamental influences on a musician known for remarkable eclecticism. Most notable are "Always Lift Him Up," "Smack Dab in the Middle," and a beautiful adaptation of "Stand By Me" (which includes Flaco Jimenez on accordion.) The album opens and closes with covers of Leadbelly, namely "The Bourgeois Blues" and (you guessed it) "Goodnight Irene." Also notable is a fine reworking of the traditional number "I Got Mine." --Wayne Pernu

Customer Reviews:

His most influential.............................2007-05-31

Ry always seems intent on making musicologists of all of us. Bring in a little Tex Mex with Flaco Jimenez, some Hawaiian with Atta Isaacs, and so on. He had made some doggone good efforts in this vein before I decided to plunk down $8 or so for this as a freshly released LP. Maybe it was the strange cover that made me originally pick it up and go "Wha???" But this is where I got hooked. The bluesy "Bourgeois Blues" gave us no warning of the kick that was soon to follow with "Always Lift Him Up"/"I Got Mine"/"He'll Have to Go"/"Stand By Me." It is on these songs that the guest artists pump up their accordians and such at just the right place and give wing to the music, and Ry increases the emotion in his voice. The biggest nice surprise is "He'll Have to Go." Ry Cooder, tackling a song by the velvet throated Jim Reeves? And making it all his own. I suppose Ry did some works that I enjoy better all the way through. But this is where I got on board.

Ry Cooder speaks today.......2007-05-07

An excellent CD with great documentation of Ry Cooder's feelings about each selection. Great numbers with Flaco Jimenez.

More solid work from a legend.......2007-05-06

Ry Cooder never fails to amaze. Unlike other Cooder albums ("Into the Purple Valley", "Boomer's Story", and "Paradise and Lunch"), "Chicken Skin Music" isn't organized around a central theme. It begins and ends with Leadbelly songs and, in the middle, works in some wonderful Tejano and Hawaiian sounds. Guest musicians are top-notch--accordion master Flaco Jimenez, slack-key guitarists Gabby Pahinui and Atta Isaacs--as is his backup band. My personal favorite is a Tejano send up of the Jim Reeves hit "He'll Have to Go." It's risky covering a classic. You just cover it or, as in this case, make it completely your own. In either event, the risk is cheapening the song. Cooder's rendition of the song as a bolero with brilliant work by Jimenez shows reverence for an old favorite. This record was made in 1976, but the fantastic musicianship and song selection make it timeless.

Chicken What?.......2007-02-12

Saw Ry Cooder on the PBS station with Buena Vista Social Club, bought this album expecting something I didn't get. It's ok, I guess I just don't get Ry Cooder

Sometimes I have a great notion to jump into the river and drown........2006-06-02

There are few albums, sigh, all to few, from the mid-seventies that bear repeated listening 30 years later.

Immerse yourself often in this treasure, it's better than Prozac and will open your ears to the great music of the past.

Average customer rating: Not my favorite I locked you in this body, I meant it as a kind of trial; you can use it as a weapon, or to make some woman smile. Marred by a few lackluster songs Poetry in motion A step up for Cohen

New Skin for the Old Ceremony Leonard Cohen Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Folk General | Folk | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Folk General | Folk | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Folk Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Folk Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Oldies | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Various Positions Songs of Love and Hate Recent Songs Songs from a Room The Songs of Leonard Cohen ASIN: B000002AZZ Release Date: 1995-02-07

Tracks:

1. Is This What You Wanted
2. Chelsea Hotel #2
3. Lover Lover Lover
4. Field Commander Cohen
5. Why Don't You Try
6. There Is A War
7. A Singer Must Die
8. I Tried To Leave You
9. Who By Fire
10. Take This Longing
11. Leaving Green Sleeves

Customer Reviews:

Not my favorite.......2007-03-26

I have grown into quite the Leonard Cohen fan, but this particular CD goes to the bottom of the growing pile of my Cohen collection. I can't even remember why, just that I wasn't interested in listening to it again, unlike all of his others, which I play over and over, seemingly never tiring of them.

I locked you in this body, I meant it as a kind of trial; you can use it as a weapon, or to make some woman smile........2005-12-09

In terms of the individual songs on this album, they are varied but all strong and coherent. This album really breaks away from Cohen's other early works in terms of production values. It has a bright sound, and slightly fuller instrumentation on some tracks. I would also say that with this album, Cohen ends his classic early period epitomized by his first four or five albums. As an explanation to some confused reviewers, the song "Who by Fire" is derived from a Jewish prayer recited on Yom Kippur, with Cohen's english translation not mirroring the original, but capturing its' prescience.

Marred by a few lackluster songs.......2002-11-06

I must admit, Leonard Cohen bounces back and forth between my #1 and #2 spots on my "best musicians of all time" list (he and Tom Waits switch places depending on my mood). Yet with the exception of his first album I find it hard to give any of his albums five stars. Typically Cohen includes a few songs that simply aren't as evocative or haunting as the masterpieces that peek out between them. On this disk that slot is taken by the songs "Why Don't You Try" and "Is This What You Wanted?". Both songs limp along ably enough to their finishes; it is just that in contrast to the genius displayed elsewhere by Cohen, they come off as filler songs that push the total track number up high enough to call this an album. These are songs that lesser lyricists would be happy to call their best, but with my higher standards for Cohen I am still holding out for an album as consistent as his first.

You may be wondering now why I count Cohen as my first-or-second favorite artist after I have expressed such opinions about his music, and the reason is simply this: that when he's good, he's so good that he blows everyone else away. One of his greatest songs is on this album: "Chelsea Hotel #2". This song at first drove me, like Dylan's "Rainy Day Women #12 and 35", to wonder where the first version of "Chelsea Hotel" had gone. but after one listen to the song, I decided it was irrelevant. The version Cohen has here is flawless. I have heard that this song was written for Janis Joplin, but personal details become unnecessary in the face of such a heartfelt and powerful song. One does not need to have had the exact experience Cohen describes to understand the feelings he is converying; you only need to have one "fallen robin" in your past and his song can mutate into your story, told better than you ever could tell it. The song also contains a bitter and ironic last verse that rivals "Dress Rehearsal Rag" on "Songs of Love and Hate" for reversal of audience expectations.

But don't think that's the only good song here. "A Singer Must Die" is a poignant allegory, one even more relevant as we witness loss of traditional civil liberties in the US and in other parts of the world. "Who By Fire" is justly ranked among Cohen's best also, detailing what I hear as a list of different ways to die, though I would welcome remarks from anyone with a different interpretation of the meaning of this song. "Who by Fire" also demonstrates the proper way for Cohen to integrate the choir of females he employs as back-up singers into his songs in a tasteful manner. In later albums he seems to abuse their existence, allowing them to upstage his mellow, despairing voice. But here they blend perfectly. Finally, "There is a War" foreshadows Cohen's explicitly political turn in his later album "The Future". All in all, this ranks among Cohen's better recordings, and it is worth wading through the mediocre tunes to get to his true gems.

Poetry in motion.......2002-07-12

New Skin For The Old Ceremony is a masterpiece, and one of Leonard Cohen's best albums. It's a truly great effort, and too often overlooked. Although his first three albums - particularly the first and third - are all certified masterpieces, this one, his fourth, was his first attempt to move beyond them in scope. Incorporating background vocalists and a wider array of instrumentation than he employed on those sparse first three efforts, Cohen creates here an album broader, more epic in scope than its predecessors. He also began, for the first time, to lighten up on the subject matter of his lyrics: incorporating some - albeit rather dark - humor into several of the songs here, Cohen creates an album - which, along with its broader musical pallette - that is a much easier listen this his first three, which were at times so depressing as to lend themselves to the status of "mood" albums. That said, Cohen is Cohen, and his themes remain the same; he has a lighter touch here at times, is all. Although the opening track, Is This What You Wanted?, features lyrics like "You were K.Y. Jelly/I was Vaseline" much of the rest of the album is pervaded with a deep and dark sense of self-loathing: Cohen places himself on a pedastal and de-construcs his persona as he did on "Avalanche", but in a much less abstract, far more direct and disturbing way. Cohen at this time was going through a period of extreme personal depression and writer's block (which would culminate in the Phil Spector collaboration on Death of A Ladies' Man), and songs such as Field Commander Cohen and A Singer Must Die attest to his state of mind at the time. A deep, dark, driving masterpiece with just the right amount of light touch, New Skin For The Old Ceremony is a great album, and an essential purchase for any admirer of Leonard Cohen.

A step up for Cohen.......2001-11-12

"You were Marlon Brando, I was Steve McQueen/You were K.Y. Jelly, I was Vaseline/You were the father of modern medicine, I was Mr. Clean/You where the (...) and the beast of Babylon, I was Rin Tin Tin," Leonard Cohen sings on "Is This What You Wanted," a song that displays the much-needed dose of humor added to his lyrical exercises in regret and self-depreciation on his fourth album, 1974's New Skin for the Old Ceremony. New Skin's more varied instrumentation, looser vocal approach and added wit make it Cohen's best album yet. Although he was always a finely skilled and richly tender poet, one could only endure so much of Cohen's earlier albums as spirit-stomping and disheartened as they were. Although the main subject matter of New Skin is still grief, Cohen confronts life's tragedies with a different approach. He abandons the mournful wailing of songs like "Bird on a Wire" or "Stories of the Street" and the somber expressions of "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" or "The Stranger Song" and dons a type of charisma, classified somewhere between crooner and beatnik, and stands in a mock-confrontational pose, challenging both the complicated nature of society ("A Singer Must Die," "Field Commander Cohen," "There is a War") and distressing predicaments with another cast of abusive, self-destructive, yet intoxicating women ("I Tried to Leave You," "Chelsea Hotel #2," "Leaving Green Sleeves") with a fistful of clever irony and satire. Cohen's tongue being placed in his cheek does not, however, equal the complete loss of the intimate, folk rock beauty of his music. "Who by the Fire" is as striking, moving and poignant any song the man has written and "Take This Longing" is one of his most ardent, elegantly expressed requests. Generally, the album keeps the solemn and dignified air of Cohen's previous works. Its added whimsical flair only makes his music more entertaining and invigorating.

Average customer rating: Amazing!! Excellent compilation An elegant blend of style and music. WOW! Chic Eccentrique

Dessous Presents Eccentris: Skin Is In Various Artists Manufacturer: Dessous ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sexy House Music, Vol. 2 Fashion TV: FTV Beach Life Essentials Cielo: Paradizo Fierce Angel: Es Vive Ibiza 06 Sexy House Music, Vol. 1 ASIN: B000EOTEUO Release Date: 2006-05-16

Customer Reviews:

Amazing!!.......2006-08-04

Somewhere, even as you read this, there is a party happening. Impossibly stylish and beautiful people are sipping champagne, talking about their incredibly sophisticated lifestyles. At any moment the party may slide into hedonistic excess, as easily as sliding into a bed with silk sheets, although rest assured that even this will be gracefully and artfully done. Sadly, us mere mortals will never go to a party like this, but with this double CD we at least get to hear the soundtrack.

`Skin is In' is a collaboration between Steve Bug's Dessous label and in-demand fashion photographer Sacha Dean Biyan. In a time of digital downloads, `Skin is In' reminds us of the importance of packaging, not as advertising, but as something that enhances the music, evoking a mood and creating an experience that involves the listener. The release features a thirty-six page booklet of Biyan's photography and an uncompressed version of the Eccentris website, enabling you to experience Biyan and Bug's first collaboration in all its lush audiovisual glory. Biyan's images are much like the party at the start of this review: sensual, suggestive and glamorous.

The packaging ably sets the scene for the "deep sexy house" promised on the CD cover. The first disc, a collection of ten tracks compiled by Steve Bug, is clearly the better of the two. Opening with Steve Barnes' gently flowing remix of Nathan Fake's `Coheed', Bug treats us to an impeccably selected and wonderfully sequenced collection of smooth and deep downtempo house. Pulsing basslines and rhythms rock you from side to side, sometimes becoming jazzy and funky (such as on Jake Childs' `Pure'), while gliding synths take you softly by the hand and lead you forward. The CD is filled with gems, but the highlight is perhaps Future Beat Alliance's remix of Chateau Flight's `1973', a smooth chocolate treat with a deliciously sweet, achingly nostalgic centre. As the cover promises, this is indeed a sexy collection, but it doesn't attempt to have its way with you dirty dancing style; instead it gently caresses you, easing you into plush cushions with a glass of champagne in hand, whispering soft promises into your ears.

If the first CD softly nibbled your earlobes on the sofa, the second pulls you to your feet and tells you it's time to dance. The party has begun. At the controls are Âme, mixing twelve tracks that sustain the sensual mood established by Bug, and the mixing is solid. From the photographs to the music, `Skin Is In' offers us a dream of sophistication and glamour. Half naked supermodels aren't necessary at your next party, just this CD.

Excellent compilation.......2006-06-15

This latest compilation from Dessous Recordings is simply great: 22 atmospheric and groove-induced tracks spread out over two discs. I think Dessous make the best deep house compilations because their CDs are usually filled with rare and interesting songs that aren't heard on every other house music compilations. While CD 1 is filled with some top-notch tracks, this is a rare case where the CD 2 might be the better one. Everyone asks me to play this one again and again. Now throw into this a beautifully produced booklet featuring photographer Sacha Dean Biyan's unique sexy visual style and you definitely have a winner. An excellent compilation worth checking out!

An elegant blend of style and music........2006-06-07

While the marriage of music to fashion is nothing new, Dessous presents Eccentris Skin Is In is a unique and ambitious CD compilation that blends together photographer Sacha Dean Biyan's vision and complex photographic perceptions with the deep, reflective atmospheric music by Dessous Recordings. The double CD package comes complete with a 36 page vibrant photo-catalogue containing some of Sacha Dean's supreme snaps. Furthermore, on CD1 there is an array of bonus goodies including more than 100 photos, screensavers, wallpapers and e-cards.

Now onto the music. Dessous label head honcho Steve Bug compiles the continuous first CD, whilst the second one is mixed seamlessly by Âme (part of Sonar Kollektiv). The first CD starts off alluringly with Steve Barnes' hypnotically innate mix of Nathan Fake's Coheed keeping you hooked for its entire eleven minutes. Next 'Furry Phreaks Lament For A Dead Computer Part 1' is a magical and moving piece, guaranteed to melt even the coldest of hearts.

Jade Childs' Pure takes the tempo down a notch with a funky number. Château Flight's 1973 remix by Future Beat Alliance is stirringly soulful followed by Sa-Ra's delectable downbeat remix of Tosca's Heidi Bruehl. I:Cube's butts in with the bubbly and retro stylish sounds in Tokyo Uno. Ilya Santana chips in with the childlike lightheartedness and fully arpeggiated synths of a Wicked Sequence. Frivolous enter next with a quirky deep house spin on CJ's Turnin' World. Morgan Geist's driving and sonorous remix of Delirium by Owusu & Hannibal follows next. The CD finishes with Patchworks Ginger Express' Brothers On The Slide, with Philly providing a chilled yet charming interpretation.

Âme's mix is compelling right from the very off wasting no time getting into the groove of things with a Violent Rush by Tokyo Black Star. Crusho knows the score with needing Someone To Love, Blackjoy providing a profound remix. Laid's Punch Up is meaningful music with a message with a cool groove to boot. Kids In The Streets keep the rhythm moving on with Keep On Turning followed by the mesmerizing and classy Charles Webster remix of Mystic River by Mike L & Lanoiraude. 'By the time we get to Marcus Worgull's Dragon Loop Âme has taken us deep down the rabbit hole'.

Up next is a rather good remix by I:Cube of 99 & a Half by Phonique that is fun, flamboyant and funky. Âme himself serves up one of his productions with the enigmatic Engoli followed by the effervescent Energize by DJ Yoav B. I:Cube is at it again with his muddling mayhem in the aptly titled Edges of Confusion. The second track on this CD is also the second to last, this time with the Crusho TR Treatment providing much needed soul and cheeriness following the previous track. It's back to Muse's Basics right at the very end with a simply loopy piece.

Overall this is a top quality release featuring the stunning, stylish and exceedingly eye-catching photographs by Eccentris coupled with the delightful ear candy by Dessous in both CD's. Steve Bug has compiled a class collection of tracks, whilst Âme has produced just what the doctor ordered: a blend of tasty house music that hits the spot right. Not only is this CD the perfect accompaniment to Sacha Dean Biyan's visual wonderland, it is also the perfect accompaniment for those sunny and sultry summer days and nights that are just around the corner. Skin is sexy. Skin is hot. Skin is in.

WOW!.......2006-05-31

Another high quality release from the Dessous Recordings label in collaboration with photographer Sacha Dean Biyan (whose website www.eccentris.com inspired this project). While Biyan delivers his sexy brand of visuals, the Dessous Recordings camp stands in for the music.

Dessous Mastermind Steve Bug is responsible for CD1, compiling ten unmixed tracks defining his view upon deep and sexy grooves.
Namedropping anyone? Tosca, Chateau Flight, I:Cube, Frivolous and others are featured here. Disc 2 of this set has new born star Ame of Sonar Kollektiv (recognized by many for his recent uber-hit "Rej") at the controls and he has put together a nice and deep but still dancefloor focused DJ-mix of nearly 76 minutes, including tracks from the likes of Tokyo Black Star, Laid, Marcus Worgull, DJ Yoav B., Ame himself and others that are fired up to the max with sweat, sex and steamy attitude - and oh yes... pumping basslines galore!

In all aspects this CD delivers, and as mentioned in several of the other reviews the real prize is the art catalog that is included, featuring some jaw-dropping photography. If you love deep sensual grooves that work equally well on the dancefloor as in your bedroom, and if you are a fan of high-end fashion imagery then you will not be disappointed.

Chic Eccentrique.......2006-05-28

Fantastic compilation combining music, fashion and art. A very high-quality production in terms of aesthetics and sound. The highlight of this CD is the photo booklet that is included, which features beautiful photographs of beautiful women in beautiful locations wearing beatiful clothing. Hard to beat that, especially against the backdrop of 22 great tracks selected by Steve Bug and Ame.

Rap Music:

1. Sleepwalker
2. So-Called Chaos [Enhanced]
3. Songs for Beginners
4. Souvlaki
5. Spirit
6. Stars of Cctv [Import]
7. Still Not Getting Any... [DualDisc] [Enhanced]
8. Tennessee Fire
9. The Best Little Secrets Are Kept [Explicit Lyrics]
10. The Dan Band Live [Live]

Rap Music

rap music

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Servants After God's Own Heart

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South Louisiana Style Music, Vol. 2

Para Los Rumberos [Import]

Seeing Red [CD-single] [Import]

Sniffin Glue [Import]

Progressive City 3 [Import]

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Got My Mojo Workin'/Hoochie Cooche Man