Tension & the Spark [Import]

Product Description
Sophomore solo album from former one half of Savage Garden, includes the first single 'Popular' along with an Australian only bonus track, 'Boy'. 14 tracks in total. Columbia. 2004.

Tension & the Spark,Darren Hayes,Sony/Columbia,Pop,Rock/Pop

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Tension & the Spark [Import]

Average customer rating: Excellent Try high quality speakers didn't like so don't listen to it It just plain works!! Sweet sleep!

Journey into Deep Relaxation CHT Doreen Blumenfeld Manufacturer: HeartHill ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Self-Help | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Healing | New Age | Styles | Music Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Gift of Relaxation - Stress Relief * Sleep * Wellness Progressive Relaxation & Autogenic Training Relaxation Body Scan & Guided Imagery for Well-Being Journey into Healing Light The Ease of Being: Guided Meditations for Centering and Healing ASIN: B00006JLR9 Release Date: 2002-07-01

Tracks:

1. Introducton
2. The Journey

Album Description

A restful guided imagery CD creating a path towards deep relaxation. Helps to reduce stress and anxiety, achieve restorative sleep, enhance the body's natural healing process and increase balance and focus in your life. Background music especially composed to deepen your state of relaxation.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-07-09

Excellent CD. Doreen has a very soothing voice spoken in a relaxed manner. The soft music in the background enhances the relaxed mood without becoming a focus in itself. The script she uses is concise enough to provide adequate guidance yet open-ended enough to make listining to it a very personal experience which can be listened to again and again as if it were the first time.

Try high quality speakers.......2007-07-08

I bought this cd along with several others. After awhile this has become my favorite. It's not the words or imagery, and this might sound wierd.
I tried it out recently on a higher quality system with expensive speakers. It may just be me, but it has the effect of percodan or loritab (pain medication).
Something about her voice, on the high end speakers multiplies the effect of relaxing me, even as I'm sitting up with eyes open. On my $100 stereo it's nothing special although still my favorite.

didn't like so don't listen to it.......2006-11-09

should have been as good as the others i got.

It just plain works!!.......2006-10-07

This CD is a strange mix of things -- from a guided imagery trip to a tale about a boy building a wall. Whatever. The bottom line is that it puts me to sleep almost every time. I can't remember the last time I heard the CD to the end. Maybe only twice out of 60 playings.

I can still have problems staying asleep (insomnia and mild sleep apnea) but that's another issue.

My wife has a bunch of Wendi Freisen CDs which absolutely do not work for me. Where Wendi's voice grates and annoys, Doreen's voice is, "like buttah".

Highly recommended.

Sweet sleep!.......2006-08-25

I bought this for my husband to help with his relaxation and sleep. Not only does he love it, but I do to! I put it in my DVD player at night, set the tv for auto shut off and Doreen knocks me out! I've been sleeping so well myself since listening to her. She has a great voice for relaxation, and I've yet to hear the whole cd! I also gave this to my mom who has problems with sleeping and she dittos what I've said.

Average customer rating: No way 4 musicians could do this!!! A great buy for any lover of this band Phenomenal Instrumental Prog.....Dream Theater Side Project! a reply to "geddysciple" This is where it went

Liquid Tension Experiment Liquid Tension Experiment Manufacturer: Magna Carta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Liquid Tension Experiment 2 An Evening with John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory Falling Into Infinity ASIN: B0000067YK Release Date: 1998-03-10

Tracks:

1. Paradigm Shift
2. Osmosis
3. Kindred Spirits
4. The Stretch
5. Freedom Of Speech
6. Chris And Kevin's Excellent Adventure
7. State Of Grace
8. Universal Mind
9. Three Minute Warning
10. Three Minute Warning
11. Three Minute Warning
12. Three Minute Warning
13. Three Minute Warning

Amazon.com

Over-wrought, self-indulgent, bombastic--hurl every clichéd prog-rock epithet you can think of--this group will suck 'em in and spit 'em right back in a deafening flurry of notes plucked, struck, hammered, and slapped. Without question, these guys ( Dream Theater's drummer and guitarist Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci respectively, keyboardist Jordan Rudess, and bassist Tony Levin) are masters. And they make no apologies for having recorded an album of intensely virtuosic instrumental hard rock. Armed with chops, taste, and panache, LTE groove seamlessly from the lightning-fingered metalfest "Paradigm Shift" to the comical drum & bass duet "Chris and Kevin's Excellent Adventure"; from the full-throttle jamming on "Universal Mind" to the house-crushing mayhem of "Three Minute Warning." Throughout, the staggering speed and technique of both Portnoy and Petrucci consistently grab center stage. It's a riveting work from start to finish and a scorching testament to the power of musical inspiration and collaboration. --Michael Mikesell

Customer Reviews:

No way 4 musicians could do this!!!.......2007-06-03

I'm going to keep this short and sweet. This jam session absolutely shreds! I bet someone in the studio just hit the red light and said 'play'. This is madness, absolute madness! A prog-metalhead's dream come true.

A great buy for any lover of this band.......2007-03-28

A great buy for any lover of this band

Phenomenal Instrumental Prog.....Dream Theater Side Project!.......2006-10-13

For those of you not in the know, Liquid Tension Experiment was a side-project of Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci, Dream Theater keyboardist (as of 1999) Jordan Rudess, and bass player supreme Tony Levin. This album, the first of two they did, is all instrumental prog and is simply jaw-dropping.

Dream Theater, as I'm sure any of you know, is a legendary prog band comprising of 5 virtusos, each one a master of their instrument (or voice, in James Labrie's case). The LTE side-project is also made up of virtuosity. Simply stunning.

The songs range from short and sweet like Osmosis, Chirs and Kevin's Excellent Adventure, and State of Grace to prog EPICS like Paradigm Shift, Universal Mind, and the 30 minute ALL IMPROVISED Three Minute Warning. These guys just go from strength to strength, and if an album made up of all instrumental prog sounds like it's going to be boring or lame, you couldn't be more wrong. This is an album that stands up to repeated listens no problem.

From Mike Portnoy's thunderous and acrobatic drumming to John Petrucci's masterful guitar player, Tony Levin's nimble bass to Jordan Rudess' keyboard wizardry, this is an exceptional album any fan of DT or great prog will love. Get this and their second album and just marvel.....

a reply to "geddysciple".......2006-09-09

I agree with "geddysciple" that LTE (and, consequently, Dream Theater) produce incredible music that sound superhuman. However, the seventh track, "State of Grace," is perhaps the most significant piece that the group has put out. It is satisfying in almost every way. Given that the group's standard is powerful, exuberant progressive rock, it is all the more satisfying to hear that LTE can produce a heartfelt, emotional ballad in the form of "State of Grace." John Petrucci's song-length solo is played with such feeling that I cannot for the life of me understand why someone would opt to name this track as "a bit cold and boring."

This is where it went.......2006-08-19

If you've been wondering where Progressive Rock went, give this album a listen.

As the disc was spinning up, a "warning" caught my eye:

"Caution: Three Minute Warning is not for the musically faint-hearted, impatient, or critics of extreme self-indulgence. If you fall into any of the above categories, please hit the stop button on your CD player after Track 8."

So, naturally, I skipped right to Three Minute Warning -- which is a set of 5 tracks totaling 28:31 minutes. While it played, I read the notes in the included booklet.

Yes, this CD package includes actual liner notes, something I used to enjoy Back in The Day, when records were made of vinyl. The notes explained that Three Minute Warning is a 30-minute jam, completely improvised, with not a single note discussed beforehand. What the notes do not mention is that it is TIGHT. This is all-out bashing wailing progressive rock, played by inventive, thoughtful players who enjoy the sounds they can get from their instruments.

The result is a smorgasbord of delightful playing whose parts and instruments fit together seamlessly. It manages to be powerful and dark but still joyful. Levin continues to pull surprises out of his Chapman Stick, and his NS Design electric upright. The organ & keyboard riffs evoke Wakeman's looser, happier moments. The guitar soars and tickles the other instruments along... and the drums are just plain having fun building pulses, pauses and textures.

The album is, by turns, dense and atmospheric, full of unexpected twists and turns. You really get the feeling these guys enjoy playing together.

I heartily recommend this CD.

jmr

Average customer rating: Worthwhile Leftovers As good as the first one A great buy for any lover of this band More interesting than the first Even better than the first LTE album.

Liquid Tension Experiment 2 Liquid Tension Experiment Manufacturer: Magna Carta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Liquid Tension Experiment An Evening with John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory Falling Into Infinity ASIN: B00000J7UT Release Date: 1999-06-15

Tracks:

1. Acid Rain
2. Biaxident
3. 914
4. Another Dimension
5. When The Water Breaks
6. Chewbacca
7. Liquid Dreams
8. Hourglass

Amazon.com

In 1997, neoprogressive rockers John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater joined with keyboardist Jordan Rudess and veteran bass master Tony Levin to create an adventurous and joyously unrestrained musical environment. On volume 2, surging technical brilliance is abundant--and as provocative as it is impressive. These tracks were largely the result of extemporaneous jamming; each piece comes across as a finely crafted and flawlessly executed composition. Also striking are the enjoyably drastic changes of style. "When the Water Breaks" and "Another Dimension" are eclectic journeys, happily unpredictable. Quieter, more atmospheric moments unfold in tracks such as "Hourglass" and "Chewbacca." Petrucci, Portnoy, and Rudess effortlessly master intricately explosive rhythms and unleash astounding solos. Levin displays his wonderful eccentricities, particularly on the playfully wicked grooves of "914" and "Liquid Dreams." --Mark McCleerey

Customer Reviews:

Worthwhile Leftovers.......2007-07-15

If You LOVE LTE 1; you are a confessed gear freak, guitarist that does not wince when people know you Love Prog??? This a must purchase. It is a shame that it seems like maybe scheduling prevented these guys from putting together a continuation or extension of this project that lives and breathes as well as the first...buy it cause nothing else like this exists.

A true Gem with Petrucci/Rudess is the Solo Piano/Guitar disc that is on Vai's "Favored Nations" Label...absolutely worth the effort and every penny.

As good as the first one.......2007-06-13

Well. Another effort that demonstrates the talent of these guys. This cd is as good as the other liquid tension releases. Sheer power and great pieces. Highly recommended for people who appreciate virtuosos and instrumental rock. If your a Dream Theatre fan, you'll probably like it. If not, it is still a great CD to listen to.

A great buy for any lover of this band.......2007-06-13

A great buy for any lover of this band

More interesting than the first.......2007-03-27

I've been a pretty big fan of the first LTE for years, and only just now laid ears on vol. 2. I find it a much more satisfying listen, the overall approach seems a bit looser, resulting in a more raw and less-produced sound throughout. The main difference I noticed right from the first couple notes, is that the band takes a much more stylish and contemporary approach. While the first album had a sort of cheezy, new age-esque bent to it, this one is much funkier and more compositionally minimal. Don't get me wrong, the dizzying sequences of time shifts and rhythmic mayhem are out in force, but the compositions overall are more abstract. Rather than the almost orchestral approach of LTE 1, this record aims more for good old-fashioned riffing, as well as some really incredible experimentalism from Petrucci and Rudess. The whammy-pedal workout in Acid Rain in particular grabbed my attention. There are bonafied head-nodders throughout, with Petrucci and Levin laying down huge slabs of classic rock riffage. Because the tunes are more spacious in general, when someone cuts loose on a solo, it has even more impact. Petrucci's wild antics are more enjoyable for me over an edgey groove than the walls of keyboard strings and rhythm guitar that was common to LTE 1. They haven't toned down their virtuoso flurry-of-notes technique at all, but they have placed it in a slightly different context that makes the whole project much more interesting and enjoyable for me. LTE 2 overall feels more dynamic and creative, with a wider sonic palette, more like listening to a live band. My only disappointment is the last track, which I would've much preferred be a crazy 8 minute shredfest than the slow piano-driven "Hourglass".

Even better than the first LTE album........2006-10-27

*************this is a re-print of my review from Epinions.com under the user name alan-smithee)*************************************************

Liquid Tension Experiment is an instrumental progressive rock super-group of sorts that consists of John Petrucci (guitar) and Mike Portnoy (drums) from Dream Theater, Jordan Rudess (keyboards) of Dixie Dregs & solo fame and the legendary Tony Levin (bass & Chapman Stick) who has played with almost everybody under the moon but is most well known for his work with King Crimson and Peter Gabriel.

They released the first LTE album in 1997 on the progressive rock Magna Carta label. The first release was literally written and recorded during a single weekend. As a result, even though the album was most technically impressive, the extremely short writing and recording time made the album come across as extremely haphazard to me.

The band got back together in late 1998 to record the 2nd LTE album that was to be released in 1999. They had a considerable larger amount of time to make this 2nd album of over-the-top instrumental rock and it definitely shows. The ideas and most importantly the arrangements and songs themselves have a much better feel and don't feel to be flying all over the place at any and every given opportunity like on the first CD.

People should be warned that this album is unapologetically complex and is progressive rock with a capital "P". Being a musician myself, it is quite satisfying listening to this album and hearing musicians of this immense playing caliber just ripping it up. But a lot of people will be surprised at how well thought a lot of the ideas on this album actually are. While there are a few improvised jams on the album, there are also a lot of moments where it is extremely apparent that a lot of thought and hard work went into the tracks.

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The CD itself runs a couple of seconds shy of 74 minutes and here is a breakdown of each of the 8 tracks:

1)Acid Rain: This opener which runs 6 minutes 35 seconds in length starts out the album with a bang. Very fast, very aggressive with some extremely complex riffing and guitar & keyboard interplay from Petrucci and Rudess. Tony Levin gives his Chapman Stick (a 12 string instrument played completely by 2-handed tapping) a workout as well with some very creative doubling of some of the insane sections. I particularly liked the breakdown section near the middle where Petrucci does a blistering solo over a killer groove laid by Portnoy and Levin.

2)Biaxident: My personal favorite track of the album. Lasting 7 minutes 40 seconds, it bursts with some shimmering and beautiful keyboard work by Jordan Rudess. The track starts out very tranquil and peaceful in a sort of way that kind of reminded me of the progressive rock group Marillion at times. The song really gets cranking about a couple of minutes in and the tone of the song gets heavier before backing down into a really interesting section that plays out in sort of a swing feel. Rudess does an amazing piano solo that is very well thought out. Some very tasteful drum work by Portnoy throughout rounds out an extremely strong track.

3)914: Starts out with an extremely heavy (and grooving) bass line laid down by Tony Levin on his Chapman Stick that is doubled with some solid drum work by Portnoy. The song is kind of deceiving as it actually features no guitar on it since Petrucci's wife was in labor during some of the sessions and he had to be by her side leaving Rudess, Levin and Portnoy time to jam. This whole track is completely improvised according to the liner notes. Rudess lays down a very quirky but cool sounding keyboard part using some shimmering tones on his synthesizer. This track is one of the shorter on the album coming in at only 4 minutes 1 second.

4)Another Dimension: This 9 minute 50 second track starts out with some very eerie solo Stick work by the master Tony Levin. A keyboard pad then joins into the mix before a guitar joins doubling Levin's odd-time bass/stick line. This track kind of reminds me of ex-Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian's band Planet X especially with a lot of the tone choices that Jordan Rudess uses to play a lot of the lead synth lines. A very heavy and dense song that gets weirder and weirder as it goes along. Ends with some delightfully atonal swooping by Petrucci and Levin doubling each other. Not the most accessible song on the album, but definitely one of the most interesting.

5)When the Water Breaks: Here we come to the first "epic" of the album. Bursting at the seams with a really long running time of 16 minutes 58 seconds, the track starts out with the cries of a newborn baby before Rudess enters with a very gentle sounding keyboard part that initially sounds like a mobile in a baby's bed/crib. Things quickly begin to heat up with some very complex riffing by the band. This track goes all over the place and features a truly stupendous section that Tony Levin refers to as the "reggae/accordion" section in his comments in the CD's liner notes. Levin plays a stick throughout most of this song though I did notice some traditional bass work in a couple of spots. Petrucci's wife was in labor at this point and he had to leave the writing sessions for this track to be with his wife. The band marks the exact point in the writing process when his wife's water broke, hence the title of the song. (They do this by punctuating the song with a baby's cry right in the middle of the song when she actually gave birth). The song goes on a bit long in some spots but overall boasts a lot of rich and very musical ideas. Tons of fantastic stick and bass work by Levin makes this song one of my favorites (as I am myself a bass player).

5)Chewbacca: Another really long song at 13 minutes 35 seconds. After a very abstract opening with some really strange sound effects, the band starts cranking out a really heavy mid-tempo riff that features some great wah-wah guitar work by Petrucci. Portnoy goes nuts on the drums during quite a few breaks in the song. This is generally regarded as the weakest track on the album, which it is. But that doesn't make it bad since I've actually become somewhat enamored of the song over time. Tony Levin does some very funny and creative things on his Stick that make this song extremely quirky (it sounds like he's trying to mimic the sounds that the Star Wars character the track is named after makes in the movies). Somewhat repetitious, but still has some great moments as well as being the 2nd heaviest song on the album behind Acid Rain. Some very screwy solos by Petrucci on guitar round out this very odd but grooving and sometimes tribal sounding track. Extremely abstract and weird, but endearingly so.

6)Liquid Dreams: Another long one at 10 minutes 48 seconds but this song just is stuffed with great ideas. Another one of the trio songs as Petrucci wasn't present when this song was written and his guitar parts were added on after the fact. As a result, this track really shines the spotlight on Jordan Rudess' amazing and technically proficient keyboard work. I particularly liked the bass line laid down by Tony Levin on this sort of mid-tempo and very atmospheric rocker. Has a really great groove and I kind of wish they would have made it a actually a bit longer. There is a really neat breakdown section of sorts during the last few moments that features some very unique sounding bass (or is it Stick?) along with some very jazzy keyboard work.

7)Hourglass: A big change of pace for this band, this is basically just 4 minutes 26 seconds of some beautiful acoustic guitar and keyboards. While winding up the album in uncharacteristically quiet fashion, this track is extremely strong and basically just a beautiful piece of music.
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and there you have it! This album really had to be heard to be able to truly appreciate what these guys accomplished on this album. It is truly a lot better than their first album and a side-by-side comparison will reveal that this 2nd album is just a whole lot more relaxed sounding and much more well thought out. There are plenty of moments that showcase each of the individual musicians and they seem to blend in together a lot better on this album as well.

As a side note, Jordan Rudess ended up replacing Derek Sherenian in Dream Theater not too long after this album was released. Petrucci and Portnoy were so impressed with how easy they could write music with Rudess that they immediately offered him the keyboard chair in the band in which he accepted. They had wanted Rudess earlier in Dream Theater back in the mid 90's when their original keyboardist Kevin Moore suddenly quit the band in 1994. Rudess was tied up with the Dixie Dregs so Dream Theater ended up getting Derek Sherenian to join the band instead.

As a result of Rudess joining Dream Theater, we probably won't see anymore Liquid Tension Experiment CD's as they are essentially 3/5's of Dream Theater now. But what they accomplished with this side-project (and especially with this album) was some very nice progressive rock that shows that true musical proficiency is still alive and well and that it isn't a problem to be technically proficient on your instrument of choice.

Fans of complex progressive rock like mid 70's Yes will especially like this album as it kind of takes that angle and adds a much heavier feel to it. There are some moments where a couple of tracks get a bit long-winded, but overall this is truly great stuff. This is progressive rock made by progressive rock fans specifically for progressive rock fans.

Highly recommended!

Average customer rating: Darren Hayes CD Beautiful and Haunting -Get this CD Excellent effort! Why do great albums like this go unnoticed... Sparks fly from this great CD

The Tension And The Spark Darren Hayes Manufacturer: Sbme Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Pop | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Spin Truly, Madly, Completely- The Best of Savage Garden So Beautiful Affirmation Savage Garden ASIN: B0002QCBE0 Release Date: 2004-09-27

Tracks:

1. Darkness
2. I Like the Way
3. Light
4. Pop! ular
5. Dublin Sky
6. Hero
7. Unlovable
8. Void
9. I Forgive You
10. Feel
11. Love and Attraction
12. Sense of Humor
13. Ego

Album Details

2004 Solo Album from the Former Savage Garden Singer. Includes the Single "Popular". This Album Has a Very Electronic Edge to it and was Written and Produced in Its Entirety by Hayes. It was Mixed by Mark Spike Stent (Madonna, Kylie Minogue). The Album is an Incredibly Honest and Open Record, Unveiling Darren's Inner Most Feelings. The Single "Popular" is a Satire on the Music Industry and Being Famous. Other Stand Out Tracks on the Album Include "Unlovable", "Darkness" and "Void" which is About Losing Someone You Love and One that Everyone Can Relate To.

Customer Reviews:

Darren Hayes CD.......2007-05-13

The cd came quick,the customer service was great and i like the cd very much.

Beautiful and Haunting -Get this CD.......2007-04-20

Like others have said, i just recently found this treasure, and wow, it blows me away. Darren has one of the best voices in the industry and it is a shame that this CD did not get released in the US on a mass scale. Darkness and Dublin Sky are standout tracks, but as you have heard, they are all great. I highly recommend this CD to anyone that liked Savage Garden or Darren's first solo release - "Spin". Also, he is releaseing a new CD in Summer of 2007 that is said to be a Double CD . Be on the look out for it as i have heard he will be releasing it himself on his own label.

Excellent effort!.......2007-03-08

This is an excellent CD by Darren Hayes! I liked it better than "Spin". I found the songs a bit more catchy than his previous stuff. Many of the songs deal with emotions and emotional issues beyond most vacant pop songs. And there is no sappy stuff like "I Knew I Loved You" or "Truly Madly Deeply" from the Savage Garden days. Good job, Darren, and congrats on coming out! Hope you keep making music!

Why do great albums like this go unnoticed..........2006-10-02

It never fails to amaze me how often that great musical work goes completely unnoticed by the mainstream and radio. This album falls into that category. Each song is great and of course Mr. Hayes' pitch-perfect vocals are always a pleasure to the ears.

If you liked his previous work with Savage Garden, you should definitely pick this CD up - it's definitely worth adding to your collection of favorites!

Sparks fly from this great CD.......2006-09-13

Of course you can't go wrong with an album produced by Darren Hayes...this one is no exception. The lyrics are relatable, intense, and very well written. This CD gives you good, quality music. The beat is infectious. I'm a big fan of #2 I Like the Way and #7 Unlovable. This CD is up there at the top!

Average customer rating: Dizmas has grown up! The Tension Has Risen. TENSION = Amazing

Tension Dizmas Manufacturer: Credential Rec. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: On a Search in America Polarity Secrets Keep You Sick Neon Horse Even Heroes Need A Parachute ASIN: B000PC6FKC Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

1. Jealousy Hurts
2. Shake It Off
3. Play It Safe
4. If You Love Someone
5. See Daylight
6. Dance
7. This Is a Warning
8. The Voice Is Ghostly
9. Nothing At All
10. October
11. Until You Rescued Me
12. Sun

Customer Reviews:

Dizmas has grown up!.......2007-06-07

It's a good thing.

I like screaming and stuff just as much as the next person, but the content of this album - I believe, BEGGED for something different. If you own Dizmas' last album you know what I'm talking about. I think this is one of the most lyrically honest and musically rockin' albums I've heard in a long time. I listen to it and I can hardly sit still... especially when being urged to "Dance". Which starts "today is perfect I feel like movin' around" and ends "one day we will be together standing near the sunshine..." this one just feels good.

Honestly, I had stopped listening to Christian bands. I just got tired of hearing the same things over and over again! Sound and content wise. I was at an interesting place in my life, realizing that following God doesn't mean that everything is going to be all honky dory... and sadly, that's often the picture that we are painted. Things caused me to sit back and examine my life and my faith. Which makes me think of the song "Play It Safe". Play It Safe outlines the difference between belief and faith. Many people have belief, but not faith. This song is a challenge to its listener to stop playing it safe in their beliefs and to take a real stance... which requires faith. This album speaks to me from a very real place. Discussing and bringing to surface the topic of suicide, heartbreak, the frustration and tragedy of improper Christian evangelism...
The tension of not knowing which way to go in life and having so many opinions given to you, yet wanting to will & do as the spirit leads.

Hope.

This album is about hope. Regardless of all the things that happen in this life - coming to a place where you realize that God is still right there with you... He's been there all along. In our desperation, He doesn't forsake us (even if He is the ONLY one who doesn't).

I haven't been able to take this cd out of my car. I'm actually listening to it right now (I bought it on itunes as well).

Anyway, I hope it speaks to you as much as it does me.
Be blessed,

-Crystal

The Tension Has Risen........2007-05-25

Taking a more artistic approach this time around, Dizmas' Sophomore release, Tension is sure to be a winner, beckoning a wider fan base to embrace Dizmas' music ministry. Mellower than their debut release (sorry, no strategic screaming), Dizmas still offers the same raw emotion and intensity as On a Search in America, but in a more refined package.

The lead singer, Zach Zegan sings with passion and conviction, displaying a different set of vocal abilities previously withheld. The music is driven, each song is complemented with the next, and occasionally gives highlight to certain lyrical sections. The lyrics are practical, straightforward, challenging and thought provoking.

"Jealousy Hurts" lays the first stone, and establishes a firm foundation for the rest of the CD. "Shake it Off" oozes with charming melodies, sure to leave a smile. The strongest contender of the CD, "Play it Safe" is bound to be a favorite. "If You Love Someone" is slightly sappy, due to the chorus donning a popular phrase about love, yet the verses compensate and leave the desired heart aching effect. Not too bad for Dizmas' first stab at romance. "See Daylight" conjures up a battle cry to keep pressing on in the Lord. Dizmas then throws a light-hearted song into the mix with "Dance," and leaves the listener no choice but to get their groove on. "This is a Warning" boldly warns the world against apathy towards God. "The Voice is Ghostly" has a rather unique melodic spin, as the dissonance leaves an air of tension. "Nothing at All" and "Until You Rescue Me" sing about strained relationships, where compassion and the 'art of listening' are lacking. Things turn somber with "October" as it tells a tale of suicide, yet spares the details. The album then closes with a personal song entitled, "Sun" offering heart felt questions to God, trying to find the balance between faith and works.

All and all Tension rocks the casbah! Older Dizmas fans may miss the screaming, but will definitely enjoy the raw emotion and intensity still present, as newer faces join the fan base and embraces the artistic, power packed message Dizmas presents through their music.

TENSION = Amazing.......2007-05-25

Once again Dizmas has amazed me, from the first time i heard their music I was hooked to their unique sound and moving message of the hope and truth in the word of God. If you own Dizmas's debut cd "On a Search in America" you definately wont be let down with their latest, "TENSION" is full of energetic rock songs that I know youll love. The passion Dizmas expresses on stage is very well protrayed in this cd, i definately suggest that you buy TENSION today!!

Average customer rating: Lets face it, not as good as Nearly God or Maxinquaye Better than Maxinquaye if you ask me sensuous, haunting mood Tricky-Pre Millenium Tension (1996) Cool style...

Pre-Millennium Tension Tricky Manufacturer: Island ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music International Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Maxinquaye Angels with Dirty Faces BlowBack Juxtapose Mezzanine ASIN: B000001EA8 Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

1. Vent
2. Christiansands
3. Tricky Kid
4. Bad Dream
5. Makes Me Wanna Die
6. Ghetto Youth
7. Sex Drive
8. Bad Things
9. Lyrics Of Fury
10. My Evil Is Strong
11. Piano

Amazon.com

Pre-Millennium Tension picks up where the first album Maxinquaye left off, but this CD fulfills the promise of Tricky's unbounded spontaneity and fondness for sonic digression. Abandoning the accessible pop of Maxinquaye, Pre-Millennium Tension serves up a beguiling array of sound effects, electro distortion and fragmented lyrics that amount to a rich--if bizarre-musical montage. As suggested by its title, this disc zeros in on a kind of end-of-the-millennium disruption of classifiable sound. With its cross-pollination of hip-hop, cabaret balladry, background textures, and disjointed arrangements, Pre-Millennium Tension takes a peek at the future of pop music and declares it will be nothing like we expect. --Nick Heil

Customer Reviews:

Lets face it, not as good as Nearly God or Maxinquaye.......2007-07-15

This album is alright, starts off with more of a feel like Maxinquaye not Nearly God. but it just ddidn't live up to the hype that was around it. It's alright, but don't expect it to be as good as his first two. Get something like blow back, because at least he's experimenting with some different sounds. But here, it's just rehashing.

Better than Maxinquaye if you ask me.......2006-06-22

Real good album, lots of raw Tricky vocals. Some great covers too, like a brilliant retake on Lyrics of Fury by Rakim Allah.

sensuous, haunting mood.......2006-06-20

a funky, sensuous little piece of trip hop aural pleasure that makes for a very interesting and satisfying night of mood setting. Proper lighting, candles, storm outside, just the perfect beverage - and you'll be set with this one.

Tricky-Pre Millenium Tension (1996).......2006-04-19

This album (Trickys second "real" album If not counting Nearly God) Is a dark and sensual nightmare. I mean nightmare in the sense of the claustraphobia and menace. PMT is humid and muggy like a night trying to get to sleep in summer. It is also Trickys most challenging listen so far, from the menace of the raga-isims of "Vent" ("Cant hardly breathe" Moan Tricky and Martine) Most of the album features grooving guitar lines and murky beats which shimmy into the brain and hypnotise the listener.Lyrically PMT focuses on the usual Tricky-esque suffering and paranoia. Some Of PMT is said to be inspired by Trickys recent break-up from Icelandic pop star Bjork Gudmansdottir, As evident in "makes me wanna die"
This is Trickys most intricate album yet, and a good refuge from the terrible albums he is yet to release more of

Cool style..........2006-04-02

I love Tricky's style. He's all smooth, mellow and underground. Of all his albums, I should say that Maxinquaye and PMT have been the ones that really have grown on me. Song to song:
1. Vent (3/5) : Weird intro. Cool song but a little repetitive at times.
2. Christiansands (5/5) : Without a doubt, the best thing in the album along with "She makes me wanna die". The lyrics, the rhythm, and the feel to the sound of Tricky's voice with Martina's.
3. Tricky Kid (3/5) : Cool enough. Nothing awesome.
4. Bad dream (3.5/5) : Nice but... there's something lacking in that one.
5. Makes me wanna die (4.5/5) : Awesome. Soothing, relaxing, steady, and just... so beautiful.
6. Ghetto youth (0.5/5) : Boring and repetitive. Not cool.
7. Sex drive (4/5) : Good. Entertaining.
8. Bad things (4.5/5) : Love it. Great bass line. Original and inspirated. Always sounds fresh and pure.
9. Lyrics of Fury (3/5) : Fun but nothing amazing.
10. My Evil Is Strong (2/5) : Mmm, strange. It's difficult to rate this one, don't you think?
11. Piano (3/5) : Nice ending.
Overall, it's a nice album. Some of the best Tricky has got out.

Average customer rating: Amazing for deep hypnosis An amazing piece of material No more drugs, after 6 mos of insomnia!! Soothing and Effective Best relaxation tape I have ever owned

eHypnotapes: Tension Relief Dr. James E. Walton Manufacturer: Dr. James E. Walton ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Self-Help | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Spoken Word | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Self-Help | Miscellaneous | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Meditation Music | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Art of Letting Go Overcoming Obstacles; A Self-Hypnosis Journey for Unlocking Creativity, Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem Dr. Walton's Stress Relief and Deep Sleep Dr. Walton's HypnoCD: Anger Management Unleash Your True Potential (Diviniti) (Diviniti) (Diviniti) (Divinity) ASIN: B000060NT2 Release Date: 2002-01-02

Tracks:

1. Easy Steps for Reducing Tension Right Now
2. A Simple Explanation of Hypnosis
3. Hypnosis Session to Release Stress & Tension
4. Meditation to Improve Focus & Concentration
5. Further Information

Album Description

Quickly release stress and overcome anxiety with this highly praised hypnosis treatment. Dr. James E. Walton has developed an effective hypnosis procedure for helping people transform their feelings of stress and anxiety into feelings of calm empowerment.

This unique hypnosis treatment works together with the unconscious mind to convert stressful, negative, self-defeating thoughts into positive thoughts of focus, empowerment and centeredness.

Dr. Walton's powerful hypnosis experience creates a highly receptive alpha state that works with the unconscious mind to help you champion through stressful situations with confidence by assisting your unconscious mind in replacing those disabling feelings of stress, preoccupation, and obsession with feelings of calm empowerment, centeredness, and focus.

When you are calm and centered, you are more effective with other people around you, you gain their respect, you are able to make better decisions, and you are more effective and productive in your daily activities

This CD is excellent for people with job or personal stress who want to improve their performance and personal power. It can also benefit students who want to improve their focus, concentration and retention.

This uniquely soothing CD is not only an effective treatment for releasing stress and anxiety, it also provides you with exceptionally helpful guidance and strategies for getting the most out of your day while reducing stress and tension.

If this CD is for you, then get ready to transform your life with an amazingly effective treatment that has helped thousands of others regain a sense of calm in their daily lives.

You can begin experiencing complete stress relief within minutes of listening to Dr. Walton's "Tension Relief" therapy program.

Additionally, you'll receive a therapeutic meditation for improving your focus and concentration that can actually help improve your productivity while helping you to remain relaxed!

Customer Reviews:

Amazing for deep hypnosis.......2004-12-26

I own several other hypnosis CDs but none of them totally, completely relaxed me to the depth of total hypnosis. I'm so glad I finally found this one. It works! It goes beyond imagery and meditation and will take you into total hyponosis - the kind of therapeutic hypnosis that you get in a therapist's office. The narrator's voice is soothing and there is no corny music or annoying background sounds. I highly recommend this!

An amazing piece of material.......2003-11-14

This cd can help anyone! Everyone can benefit from this cd whether you have severe sleep or relaxation disorders or just want to wind down after a long day of work. Everyone should buy this cd. Dr.Walton has come up with a full proof system to relax you and ultimately make you fall into the deepest and most peaceful sleep you've ever experienced. The first day I tried this CD I was automatically hooked. Within fifteen minutes of listening to it I was relaxed and already half asleep. I would recomend this cd to anyone. It's truly an amazing item.

No more drugs, after 6 mos of insomnia!!.......2003-08-02

After 75 mg of benadryl a night, many cups of relaxing tea, mutiple subliminal and rain forest cds, I decided to try hypnosis. I knew I was a good candidate having been hypnotized before. Once I started listening to the CD I almost never hear the end of the 1st hypnotic session. I loop it on my cd player with the delta sleep system all night. I am sleeping so much better. I was getting scared to go to bed because restful sleep was getting so difficult. Told my Doctor and she was pleased, she also said the subliminal tapes work much better for you if you are hypnotized. Best $$$ I have ever spent!!

Soothing and Effective.......2002-11-27

This CD really suprised me. I find it engaging and effective. It really helps me after a stressful day or to fall asleep on nights I have trouble. The audio quality of this CD is very good. I especially like the tones he uses during the hypnosis.

Best relaxation tape I have ever owned.......2002-03-19

I found Hypnotapes to really reach me in ways others have not. I felt totally immersed in peace and serenity and successfully quieted stomach cramps, tension headaches and the stress associated with a very intense work situation. I have recommended it to friends and have also invited friends to experience the tape with me.

Average customer rating: I Luv This Group...But.. SWV's Sexiest LP The Hardest Working Trio In Show Business Liked the collaborations with rappers on this one! HITS AND MISSES WITH THIS ONE..............

Release Some Tension SWV Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music New Jack | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: New Beginning It's About Time Off the Hook Changing Faces Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha ASIN: B000002X4C Release Date: 1997-08-12

Tracks:

1. Someone
2. Release Some Tension
3. Lose My Cool
4. Love Like This
5. Can We
6. Rain
7. Give It Up
8. Come And Get Some
9. When U Cry
10. Lose Myself
11. Here For You
12. Gettin' Funky

Customer Reviews:

I Luv This Group...But.........2007-02-21

SWV is one of my favorite groups but this album wasn't as good as the first two efforts. Some of the features could've been better. The best cuts on the album are "Someone", "Lose My Cool", "Here For You", and of course "Rain". The last track with Snoop Dogg was pointless and the album should've been longer but this group is truly missed and hopefully they're really coming back out and making great music.

SWV's Sexiest LP.......2006-07-25

The last LP that groups put out is usually sub-par, but not this one. Man, half of the songs are built for having one-on-one time with a special someone, and I'm not mad at that. All the girls lead off, and they hold their own quite well.

The Hardest Working Trio In Show Business.......2005-05-15

I remember this album when I was in the 5th grade. I played this album like crazy. The album is chock full of the best of today's most slamming grooves,done-SWV style. This album gibes what SWV fans wanted and more. The song,Can We, is the foray into marrying SWV's renowned sound with 1997's hip-hop sound. SWV has released their sexually tension on this album. They also continued a steady pattern with this album. This album has been certified Gold. Remember,this was 1997-1998.

Liked the collaborations with rappers on this one! .......2004-10-30

I thought that Release Some Tension was very well done. It has more of a hip-hop feel and set the tone for the current collaboration trend of R&B singers and rappers. Someone has that jumper-cable type feel and Puffy gave them a good beat and sound for them. Puffy's lyrics are a little silly, but they complement the song (Plush Oriental rugs and platinum plaques/ Come On?!--lame)The ones with Redman, Missy Elliott (Can We), Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim, Snoop Dogg and others are so funky and SWV sound very good all throughout. They remember to include their smooth ballads, especially the reflective Rain and the other few in the second half. Release does move very fast in its pace, but is better than their '96 album where they tried to change too much. This album, they have a lot more fun with the street edge of the songs.

HITS AND MISSES WITH THIS ONE.....................2004-09-14

Overall this is an okay album.There are some nice R&B/Hip Hop flavored jams on here plus a little bit of plain R&B.But not quite enough.these girls have nice vocal abilties but on this album they are overshadowed by all of these rappers.They never have the chance to focus on their singin or classic R&b jams like "Rain".The other okay songs are "Someone" hot jam."Love Like This" and a few others.Maybe if they could have made it alittle while longer without fighting SWV would still be around and putting out albums this day.If they were gonna go out shoulda went out with a BANG!!!!!
Hopefully they can reconcile their difference and create some of that good ol music for us(One day hopefull)....

OvERALL GRADE 80/100 = B-

Average customer rating: How well do you know Steve Morse? Great Instrumental Guitar CD One Of The Finest Guitar Albums Ever! Only one word will do .. beautiful. The finest and most melodic guitar album ever released

High Tension Wires Steve Morse Manufacturer: Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Coast to Coast Southern Steel Structural Damage Stressfest The Introduction ASIN: B000002O5T Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Ghostwind
2. The Road Home
3. Country Colors
4. Highland Wedding
5. Third Power
6. Looking Back
7. Leprechaun Promenade
8. Tumeni Notes
9. Endless Waves
10. Modoc

Customer Reviews:

How well do you know Steve Morse?.......2007-04-16

If you are like me then you didn't know Morse at all until you picked up one of the latest Deep Purple albums. "Who is Steve Morse?" Fans and reviewers praise him as a guitar genius. Why hadn't I heard of him? Oh, wait. He was credited as a guest guitarist on Triumph's "Surviellance" album. Maybe I had heard of him.

The reason I wasn't familiar with the Steve Morse genius is that he has played in bands outside my usual arena of music - Dixie Dregs, Kansas and the Steve Morse Band. Hearing him in DP has given me a chance to discover an amazing world of music outside the hard rock/metal arena. And that's the point I want to make of this album. There is not much here that a die hard metal guitarist can bang his head to, but for someone who loves the guitar - both for beautiful composition and talented playing with a variety of sounds - this album will impress. For details on each track, for the sound and the style and the feeling of enjoyment, I refer you to the well-written reviews above. My only word of caution is this: if this is your first venture into the Steve Morse guitar universe after hearing him with Purple then be prepared for a very different feel. This is not a rock album to jump around and shout about. This is a guitar album to be enjoyed deeply and appreciated for its musical brilliance.

Great Instrumental Guitar CD.......2007-04-03

Steve Morse claimed the title "Most Admired Guitarist By Other Guitarists" many years ago, and listening to his music now does nothing to diminish his reputation. The Kansas guitarist is known as one of the very best players around. High Tension Wires is one of his best, with Highland Wedding and Leprechaun Promenade and a number of other cuts that show his power and versatility.

This is a CD for guitar music lovers. Enjoy!

One Of The Finest Guitar Albums Ever!.......2004-12-06

In the 80s I was always looking for a guitarist who had chops but could also write great music. First came Satriani's Surfing With The Alien in 1987 and then this great album in 1989. High Tension Wires starts off with the relaxing and beautiful Ghostwinds, one of my favorites. The next song The Road Home is more upbeat and has some nice melodies. Country Colors is another relaxing song with a verse/chorus structure and a nice piano part in the middle. Highland Wedding has a beautiful finger picked inro on electric classical guitar which turns into a Scottish dance, another one of my favorites. Third Power has some very interesting rhythms in 3/4. Looking Back and Leprechan Promenade are not my favorite songs but they have a lot of interesting guitar work. Fans of shred guitar will be blown away by Tumeni Notes and Steve's quick pickin. Endless Waves has some fine acoustic guitar playing with keyboards. The album closes with Modic which has Steve playing by himself on classical guitar. All in all a great album by one of the most versatile guitarists in the world!!!

Only one word will do .. beautiful........2004-10-07

I am a little reluctant to say that I well remember a feeling of dissappointment when I first got this CD some 15 years ago ... I suppose I just wanted Morse to let fly, and this is an album where he is ( mostly ) restrained and plays "acoustically" ... However, if I now look back at Steve's catalogue and think of tracks which radiate the sheer beauty of ( for example ) "Night meet Light", more than most are on this album.

I have been currently loading all my albums onto a brand new mp3 player ( NO , not an iPod )and this album is a wonderful and unique one in the 16 or so SM albums I have .... if you dont have this album, you are missing yet another facet of Steve Morse that is only touched on on other albums ( Point / Counterpoint etc ), Celtic feel, clean acoustics, wonderful production, great songs which build superbly

To me, this ranks as the "very best" of a pile of "bests"

The finest and most melodic guitar album ever released.......2003-12-21

This album is the first Morse's solo effort. He founded the jazz-fusion (actually jazz, rock, country, classical) band Dixie Dregs in the seventies and released with them six superb studio albums. On this solo record, Steve is backed by some of the other Dixie members. The music is nonetheless much more melodic. The opening track is a beautiful track where Steve's guitar is accompanied by Allen Sloan's sensitive violin. 'Tumeni notes' (read too many notes) is a tribute to Bach, with a fast pace à la Malmsteen. 'Leprechaun promenade' is a track that was previously played with Dixie Dregs on the record 'Dregs of the night'. It is full of rythm changes. 'Modoc' is an acoustic piece, it is briliant. The other tracks are full of emotions. Every song is good and all in all, this album deserves to be listened to by every music lover on earth.

Average customer rating:

Midnight Cashier High Tension Wires Manufacturer: Dirtnap Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000R7I2CE Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

1. Hibernate
2. Tokyo Is Burning Down
3. Not Enough For Me
4. They Fall Apart
5. Old Enough To Be Home Alone
6. Outsider
7. Can't Focus
8. The Strange One
9. Wax Lips And Blood On the Telephone
10. Hallowed Ground
11. Glasses For the Blind

Rap Music:

1. The 7th Song: Enchanting Guitar Melodies - Archive
2. The ConstruKction of Light
3. The Folded Palm
4. The Power Out
5. The Sun Is Often Out
6. The Ultimate Collection
7. Then He Kissed Me/Blame It on Love
8. To Bonnie From Delaney [Import]
9. Total Eclipse of the Heart
10. Two Yanks in England

Rap Music

rap music

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The Definitive Collection