New England [Import]

Product Description
1976 album for the MCA label. Contains nine tracks, including 'Mother Of Pearl', '(In All My Dreams) You Rescue Me' and 'Runaway'.

New England,Wishbone Ash,Mca Int'l,Album Rock,Boogie Rock,Hard Rock,Pop,Popular Music,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop

---

New England [Import]

Average customer rating: Literate, poetic...great pop/rock 4.5 out of 5 Best rhythm section in rock. Excellent compilation that could have been perfect with some additional songs...4 1/2 stars Another Greatest Greatest Hits.... Must have Police Set

The Police (2CD Anthology) The Police Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years Memory Almost Full Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD) It Won't Be Soon Before Long ASIN: B000PHX4VA Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

1. Fallout
2. Can't Stand Losing You
3. Next To You
4. Roxanne
5. Truth Hits Everybody
6. Hole In My Life
7. So Lonely
8. Message In a Bottle
9. Reggatta De Blanc
10. Bring On the Night
11. Walking On the Moon
12. Don't Stand So Close To Me
13. Driven To Tears
14. Canary In a Coalmine

Tracks:

1. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
2. Voices Inside My Head
3. Invisible Sun
4. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
5. Spirits In the Material World
6. Demolition Man
7. Every Breath You Take
8. Synchronicity I
9. Wrapped Around Your Finger
10. Walking In Your Footsteps
11. Synchronicity II
12. King Of Pain
13. Murder By Numbers
14. Tea In the Sahara

Album Description

The Police celebrate the 30th anniversary of their recording debut with their first double-disc CD "best of" collection entitled, The Police. The 28 songs bring together the biggest hits from the band's five original studio albums and includes their very first single, 1977's "Fall Out."

From that rarity to one of the most-remembered and most performed rock ballads of the `80s, 1983's "Every Breath You Take," The Police spans the group's six-year journey from sweaty clubs to sold-out stadiums - establishing them as one of the definitive and most popular rock groups in the world.

Customer Reviews:

Literate, poetic...great pop/rock 4.5 out of 5.......2007-07-13

I'm not giving this cd 5 out of 5 because of some issues about the sound...the first cd seems to lack presence in the sound and there is some distortion in the first track of disc 2 [I listen to cds on good quality headphones and I feel that these sound issues could be eliminated if people did the same prior to releasing cds].

Anyway, The Police are perhaps THE major British band of the 1980s. Looking at the credits in the double cd, it seems that lead singer "Sting" pretty much did everything himself...from writing the songs to arranging the music.

Many of the songs on this compilation show Sting to be the former English teacher that he was...from his superior way with words, to his literary allusions.

The highlights of the first cd for me are:

Can't stand losing you-a song about breaking up. The 'voice' of the song sounds like a pouty teenager and is amusing for its melodrama. Suicide is mentioned in this song. This topic seems fertile for rock. E.g. Metallica have the beautiful and absolute classic song "Fade to black", with its adult sensibility; and Megadeth have "A tout le monde", which, like this Police song, seems to have a teenage 'voice' singing. Both latter songs have melodrama, but The Police give their song a nice dose of humour.

Roxanne-perhaps the song which broke the band, especially in the UK. It's about the boyfriend of a prostitute, I think. Along with the song above, it is one of the strongest songs on the first cd. It has a nice mixture of a vulnerable 'voice' doing the singing, and the pounding, repetitive lyrics of the chorus.

Two other songs from the first cd which take my fancy are "Message in a bottle" and "Walking on the moon". Both songs are more towards the "ballad" end of the pop/rock spectrum. The latter song, particulary, illustrates Sting's great lyrical imagery...i.e. he likens walking, when one is in love, to walking on the moon...brilliant use of lyrics and imagery.

The second cd contains most of the songs that I particularly like from this band. "De do do do, de da da da" is a terrific song about how the powerful use language for their own benefit. Many years ago I wasn't very keen on this song, as it SOUNDED like non-sense [and going on the title too]. Listening to this song years later, you appreciate the depth of meaning it has behind it. Nice turn of phrase "Poets, priests and politicians, have words to thank for their positions". Sting doesn't seem to include pop/rock stars!

"Invisible sun" has a terrificly eerie opening [not unlike Synchronicity II...in fact, the intros could just as easily be used to introduce darker themes and music, but settles for terrific pop/rock]. I'm not so keen on the chorus of Invisible Sun, but I really like the verses and the ambiance of the introduction.

"Spirits in the material world" is another highlight from the second disc.
It exemplifies an attractive trait of this band...mixing up the hooks in one song. The song is catchy from the start, with nice melodies [vocal], but it really picks up when a NEW melody [keyboard] is introduced in the latter part of the song. This song may be the one where Sting's glib political views are at the fore ["Our so called leaders speak. With words they try to gaol you. They subjugate the meek, but it's the rhetoric of failure"]. That's a VERY nice turn of phrase, but, like I say, rather glib and lacking in hope for the political process.

Perhaps the band's biggest hit is "Every breath you take". This song isn't one that has ever really grabbed me. To me it's like the curate's egg...good in parts. An Australian equivalent would be Mondo Rock's "Come said the boy"-both bands had monumentally great pop/rock songs, but their most successful songs were not the ones I rated as great. Anyway, The Police's ballad is perhaps growing more on me now...it's 'good' bits are making the song gel better now, for me, perhaps.

"Wrapped around your finger" is another very good Police song, and which has those literary allusions I spoke of earlier "Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes". Perhaps my favourite Police song of all is "King of pain", which also has some literary allusions that I know of "There's a king with his eyes torn out" and some that elude me "There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread". Both these songs illustrate the great thing about Police songs...how they change gears, so to speak, by changing tempo or pitch or melody. The bit in King Of Pain where this happens is where Sting raises his voice higher and starts the line about the King. Reading the lyrics, I saw that it was more gruesome than I remember, but nonetheless beautiful to listen to.

"Synchronicity" is one of the band's more adventurous sounding rock songs but they carry it off with aplomb.

I do remember hearing somewhere about the song "Murder by numbers" causing controversy in the US and the band's response to this. Having read the lyrics that come with this cd, I see that the band is right to defend the song, but perhaps they only have themselves to blame by making the point of their song towards the end, making it difficult to come by, perhaps. It is also another politically glib song by Sting, though perhaps containing a germ of truth.

Lastly, I did find "Walking in your footsteps" to be a lyrically interesting song. Perhaps it is Sting likening humans to dinosaurs...with us heading for extinction too, like the dinosaurs, if we keep toying with nuclear power.

In conclusion, this is a terrific buy for people into lyrically sophisticated music with catchy pop/rock that is also sophisticated. I do find the drumming sound by this band to be satisfying and their melodies gorgeous when they're at their best. It's just a pity though that on occasion it sounds like the master tapes are in fact LP records...with dust or scratches on them.

P.S. if you like poetic music, I recommend and have reviewed:

Patti Smith's album Horses.

If you like political music, I recommend and have reviewed numerous albums by Midnight Oil here [highly recommended are their albums "10-1" and "Diesel and dust".

I've reviewed Metallica and Megadeth albums here too.

Best rhythm section in rock........2007-07-08

I wouldn't give you more than 50 cents for Sting, but listening to Copeland and Summers on this compilation confirms that they are/were the best rhythm section in rock - or, at the very least, one of the best. Focusing on their playing throughout these 28 tracks is a real delight. I don't know of many other bass/drum duos who can make so much happen so economically.

Buy and get a master class in how to make a rock rhythm section work to perfection.

Excellent compilation that could have been perfect with some additional songs...4 1/2 stars.......2007-07-06

A perfect excuse to exploit their catalog again, A&M/Universal (or whatever the congolmerate is called now)has put together a terrific compilation of the band's album tracks and hits. It appears that the masters used for the album reissues from a couple of years ago are the source here as they sound excellent and exactly the same as the previous set. This is a huge improvement over the various single disc sets released since 1986.

"Fall Out" was their first single and has only appeared on their four disc anthology on CD before this. We get 6 songs from the band's first album "Outlandos d' Amour" 4 tracks from their second album "Regatta De Blanc" their second album, 5 tracks from "Zenyatta Mondatta" their third album, 4 tracks from their fourth album "Ghost in the Machine" and a whopping 8 tracks (most of the album!)from "Synchroncity". We don't get anything from their soundtrack album "Brimstone and Treacle" (which includes the terrific song "I Burn For You") nor anything from their live album. Also missing are b-sides to most of their singles some of which are outstanding.

With 14 songs on each disc there was some room for additional tracks some of which might not have been big hits but deserved a larger audience. "I Burn For You","Bombs Away", "Darkness", "Nothing Achieving" and "Visions of the Night", "Low Life", "The Bed's Too Big Without You" (which they are playing on the tour) are among the songs that probably should have been included.

As mentioned the sound is very good on these discs although there isn't a mastering credit. It does sound very similar to the individual re-releases from a couple years back and has slightly better detail than the boxed set released 14 years ago. The later recordings benefit the most from the remaster although all the songs sound fine. It would have been nice to have comments for each song and more in the way of liner notes on the recordings but that doesn't detract from this anthology. I suspect that there are rarities out there (such as demos, etc.) that could have been added to entice fans who have their other releases but none are here.

This is a very good set for fans looking for the bulk of the best album tracks and hits. The packaging includes a one sheet with some credits on it that folds out into a replica of an early concert poster for the band. The slip case is kind of cool as well. When you slide the holder out of the slipcase the band's songs are listed on the yellow cover (and you can see them when you hold it up to the light).

Another Greatest Greatest Hits...........2007-07-03

The Police were and still are my all-time favorite band. But the last thing I need is another hits collection. I think we're up to four greatest hits packages with this band. C'mon guys! Break out the rarities and unreleased stuff. I know there's a ton. Perhaps this collection was put together to help booster this summer's reunion tour - like they needed any help with that. I still give it 5 stars - these songs are some of the best ever recorded in my opinion. Andy, Stewart and Sting will always rock!

Must have Police Set.......2007-07-01

back in the day I was a Big time Fan of the Police. I always dug there Jams and Grooves. "Every little thing she does is magic", Canary in a Coalmine" was my jam back in the day. Spirits in the Material world, Every Breath you take,Roxanne,etc.... are all here. the Grooves and Versatility Highlighted by the songwriting of Sting and the chemistry of the Musicianship truly made for some tight Jams. the Police in some ways were the link between the Clash,U2 ,Red Hot chilli Pepers and No Doubt on some levels. they Bridged quite a few themes and styles that worked. this is the best overall set that best Highlights there Greatest Hits.

Average customer rating: the wild boy are calling ,and i'm answering! Duran Duran leave a strong legacy not too good... Slick sounds by guys in white suits Get your Duran Duran Fix

Greatest Duran Duran Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music $8.99 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 Dance & DJ | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $8.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Billy Idol - Greatest Hits The Best of INXS Shout: The Very Best of Tears for Fears The Cure - Greatest Hits Discography: The Complete Singles Collection ASIN: B00000DG1R Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

1. Is There Something I Should Know?
2. The Reflex
3. A View To A Kill
4. Ordinary World (Single Version)
5. Save A Prayer (US Single Version)
6. Rio (US Edit)
7. Hungry Like A Wolf
8. Girls On Film
9. Planet Earth (Single Version)
10. Union Of The Snake
11. New Moon On Monday
12. Wild Boys
13. Notorious
14. I Don't Want Your Love (Shep Pettibone 7-in Mix)
15. All She Wants Is (45 Mix)
16. Electric Barbarella (Edit)
17. Serious (Edit)
18. Skin Trade (Radio Cut)
19. Come Undone (Edit)

Amazon.com

While English pop monarchs Duran Duran have remained active for two decades, it's clear that the indomitable ensemble was at its peak during those mercurial '80s. This greatest-hits collection documents the band's ambitious beginnings as a funky glam-rock outfit and follows its gradual transformation into a high-tech pop band with loads of commercial appeal. Featuring now-classic tunes like "Girls on Film," "Rio," and "Planet Earth" as well as more recent songs like "Ordinary World," Greatest focuses on Duran Duran's unending string of hit singles. Although the young quintet that performs "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "A View to a Kill" has little in common with the posh, aging trio featured on 1997's "Electric Barbarella," vocalist Simon Le Bon provides some impressive continuity to these proceedings. --Mitch Myers

Customer Reviews:

the wild boy are calling ,and i'm answering!.......2007-07-24

why do i like duran duran so much? because they made some great music in thr'80s,and continue to make great music today. this collection has a lot of great songs on it.those songs are planet earth,girls on film,is thre something i should know,rio,hungry like the wolf,save a prayer,the reflex,the wild boys,a view to a kill,notorius,,i don't want your love,all she wants is,ordinary world,and come undone. if you like duran duran,you will like this album. also check out the original albums,the power station album, and arcadia's so red the rose. ed wilson

Duran Duran leave a strong legacy.......2007-07-16

One great song after another on this disc. Duran Duran took the 80s by storm but the later part of the decade there was a backlash against them. Maybe it was the big hair and pretty boy attitude among other things. Grunge and Nirvana hit the scene and it became uncool to like Duran Duran, Hair Metal, and other things 80s. Overshadowed by all this is that Duran Duran are great musicians and songwriters and had a unique sound that has never been matched. Simon Le Bon wrote interesting lyrics with striking imagery and sung with a force and conviction that brought the songs to another level. Under appreciated bassist John Taylor drove these songs with cool, funky basslines (a good example is "Rio".)

These songs have stood the test of time and still sound good. Proof is that most of their work is still in print and selling over 20 years later. Here are some highlights:

1) Is There Something I Should Know? --A good opening and one of my favorites. Catchy as hell and a prime example of Simon Le Bon's talent for giving a song energy and urgency with intense singing and lyrics. "People stare and cross the road from me/And jungle drums they all clear the way for me/Can you read my mind, can you see in the snow/And fiery demons all dance when you walk through that door" --How many pop song's today have fiery demons in them? None.

2) The Reflex --One of their biggest hits and it was overplayed on the radio, but you can't deny the originality of this song. It goes in all kinds of unexpected directions and we'll never hear a pop song like this again. Some of Le Bon's most obscure lyrics.

3) A View to Kill --One of the best Bond themes and I think what makes this song is the pounding drums and the Bond-like horns.

4) Ordinary World --A later hit for them and one of their most beautiful. Highlights are the guitar solo and soaring vocals at the end.

5) Save a Prayer --Very close to Ordinary World as one of their best ballads. The magical keyboards by Nick Rhodes grab you immediately and "You saw me standing by the wall/Corner of a main street/And the lights are flashing on your window sill" --draws you in.

6) Rio --A defining song for them that everyone knows. John Taylor drives this song with killer bass, Nick Rhodes with great keyboards, Roger Taylor with excellent drumming, and Andy Taylor completes a band in top form. Even though this is the edited version the memorable sax solo is there. I bought this cd so I felt justified downloading the full version from the net which is about 5:37.

7) Hungry Like the Wolf --One of the most famous uses of "do do do do do, do do." The song that made them famous in America because of the video. Has that signature sort of tribal, jungle Duran Duran sound. A classic.

10) Union of the Snake --Another one of my favorites. Unorthodox verses and choruses make this song unique.

11) New Moon on Monday --Once again Simon Le Bon brings a song to great heights with an excellent vocal performance and "I light my torch and wave it for the/New moon on monday/And a firedance through the night/I stayed the cold day with a lonely satellite". You ponder those words during the song and interesting images are put in your mind and that's what good lyrics do.

12) Wild Boys --This song might be a bit over-the-top for some but it's power can't be denied. Simon sings the hell out of this one.

13) Notorious --Does it ever end? Yet another ridiculously catchy song.

14) I Don't Want Your Love (Shep Pettibone Mix) --A solid dance song that has aged well. Can't be resisted.

19) Come Undone --The sister hit to Ordinary World. Dreamy underwater sound with the backing beat made famous previously by Erik B. & Rakim.
Pretty female backing vocals and nice lyrics: "Words, playing me deja vu, like a radio tune I swear I've heard before/Chill, is it something real, or the magic Im feeding off your fingers."

And the other songs I didn't mention are good too. I bought "Astronaut", their latest cd as of this writing, and it's pretty good I like it. It doesn't match these songs though and I don't fault them. They were at their peak of creativity during this period and these songs are too good to be topped. Fortunately the 80s backlash is long over and it seems Duran Duran are finally getting the recognition they deserve, especially after people see them live in person or on TV (Live Earth for example). It's about time!

not too good..........2007-07-09

Geesh, I remember them being better than this. Perhaps it was because I was 10 years old back then. Mea culpa, sentimentality trumped by reality.

Slick sounds by guys in white suits.......2007-05-26

Few bands during the 1980s churned out as many recognizable pop hits as Duran Duran, and this "Greatest" CD captures them all. The guys in Duran Duran (no matter the band lineup) always had an ear for melody, great vocals and exotic sounds. Plus, they carried on as a true band, with everybody writing and contributing. If you like the band's radio hits, then this CD is a must-have; songs one through 13 have been played on the radio for eons. What drew me to this disc, however, was the tunes that aren't as well known.

Besides just catchy, synth-laden pop, Duran Duran were capable of adding soul to their sound ("I Don't Want Your Love"), a cold but sexy club-music vibe ("All She Wants Is") and real emotion and exoticism ("Come Undone"). Songs from the first three Duran Duran records are well represented here, and nice offerings from the same era such as "A View to a Kill" and "Wild Boys" are also present.

Duran Duran also had a nice, somewhat reinvented run in the 1990s, especially the early `90s. The songs "Serious," "Ordinary World," "Come Undone" and "Electric Barbarella" (from Medazzaland) prove that. "Serious," from 1990, sounds like a wonderful `80s leftover, updated in an organic fashion for the new decade, while "Skin Trade," a tune released in 1986, has a slick, catchy sound, but also displays some real soul and great vocal work by Simon LeBon. Though they barely received any radio airplay, each of these tunes could lay claim to being two of the strongest tracks on "Greatest," a CD that is chock full of classics. My only complaint is that "Too Much Information" from Duran Duran 2 (The Wedding Album) was left off, but beggars can't be choosers. Many non-hits by the band have been great, but if you're looking for your fix of the most popular Duran Duran music over the years, this CD is the way to go.

Get your Duran Duran Fix.......2007-05-16

If you're considering this CD, I probably don't have to introduce you to Duran Duran--but just in case you somehow got amnesia (or were born after 1985), I'll give you the quick synopsis. If you were to put all the eighties, mainstream, cheesy yet still a little bit artsy bands into some sort of battle of the bands competition, Duran Duran would finish in the top 3 (along with Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys), edging out other favorites like Billy Idol, Tears for Fears, and the Human League. Without a doubt they were a pop band--not to be confused with artists like the Talking Heads or Blondie--but they were an EXCELLENT pop band who put together 3 (maybe even 4) really good albums and an impressive string of great, sing-a-long singles. And that's a resume with which few can compete.

As for this collection, it's all the Duran Duran a person needs--and maybe even then some. Every single one of hits are here--including their James Bond song, "A View to a Kill," and early nineties hits like "Come Undone." You might have some gripes about which versions they use (for example, why the US edit for "Rio?"), but you can't argue with the track list as a whole. You've got all the smash hits (Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf, Girls on Film), as well as the popular tracks that aren't as well known (All She Wants Is, New Moon on Monday, The Reflex). This is a great collection for anyone who's a fan of eighties music or a Duran Duran lover.

Average customer rating: The Clash's best album!!!. Clash City Shocker EVERY PERSON SHOULD HAVE THIS ALBUM The Clash's greatest album, and one of rock's most enduring masterpieces.... Every Wannabe Rock & Roller Should Own This

London Calling The Clash Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music British Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music $7.99 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 Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols Combat Rock The Velvet Underground & Nico Ramones The Clash ASIN: B00004BZ0N Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

1. London Calling
2. Brand New Cadillac
3. Jimmy Jazz
4. Hateful
5. Rudie Can't Fail
6. Spanish Bombs
7. The Right Profile
8. Lost In The Supermarket
9. Clampdown
10. The Guns Of Brixton
11. Wrong 'Em Boyo
12. Death Or Glory
13. Koka Kola
14. The Card Cheat
15. Lover's Rock
16. Four Horsemen
17. I'm Not Down
18. Revolution Rock
19. Train In Vain

Amazon.com essential recording

Bursting at the seams with creative energy, the Clash's stunning 1979 double album more than made up for the artistic and commercial disappointment of its predecessor, 1978's tried-too-hard Give 'Em Enough Rope. With ex-Mott the Hoople producer Guy Stevens harnessing their sound as never before, the band yielded what proved to be the best work of their career. Bouncing from hard rock (the apocalyptic vision of the title track) to rockabilly ("Brand New Cadillac") to reggae ("Rudy Can't Fail") to pop (the Top 40 hit "Train in Vain"), the Clash knocked down all musical walls and, in the process, ended the argument over punk's viability in the U.S. --Billy Altman

Album Description

Digitally remastered from the original production master tapes, this a reissue of the 1979 & third album by 'the only band that matters'. Features the original artwork and all 19 of the original tracks, including the hidden hit 'Train In Vain (Stand By Me)', their first U.S. single to chart (it reached #23 at the time). Also contains reproductions of the original LP sleeves, including the lyrics. 1999 release.

Album Details

Limited Millennium Edition. Packed in a Heavy Weight Card Wallet that Faithfully Recreates the Original Vinyl Sleeve, Right Down to the Inner Bag. The Wallet Will Come in a Plastic Cover.

Customer Reviews:

The Clash's best album!!!........2007-07-26

O.K. first of all I'm not sure why Amazon wouldn't let me review this, they have done this before and its annoying and frustrating so I'm gonna write a short review, before The Clash has experimented with with reggae and ska mixed with punk but then on London Calling they tried a dizzying array of styles everything from punk to jazz can be found on this great album and it also shows how far ahead these guys were. You've got great songs like The guns of Brixton, Spanish bombs, Lost in the supermarket, London calling, brand new Cadillac ect. basically all the songs were brilliant except for Lover's rock which I can't stand. This album is so invigorating that every time you listen to it never gets boring and also happens to beat out any modern rock album out there especially nowadays with the truly pathetic music scene, Joe Strummer and Mick Jones have written some of the best and politically charged lyrics of all time and are anti-establishment which is typical punk only The Clash really mean it cause they came from poverty in the street of England unlike those fake wannabe punk groups that have no idea what they're talking about and their playing skills are usually sh**. I highly recomend this album to everyone and if you haven't gotten this yet then what are you waiting for GET THIS NOW!!!.

Clash City Shocker.......2007-07-17

Just about the Clash's worst album, (I think the lumpen `Sandinista' is better because a} it has a whole lp more and b} it's got the fabulous `Somebody Got Murdered' on it.) `London Calling' is as bland and dreary as it's title suggests. I thought London was burning with boredom (Dial 99999!) but now it seems it's just...calling. Oh well.
It starts brilliantly with the title track but then it's downhill fast, with lack-luster forays into r+b and reggae, rockabilly and jazz. Drifting and meandering all over the place in a vain attempt to find some badly needed cohesion, some sort of direction in among the painfully forced `diversity'.
It's a well known rock truism that Strummer and Jones weren't getting on at the time this was recorded, and you can tell, it sounds like they were in different rooms! It's sad to watch this once-great song-writing team align against each other in such an obvious (and childish!) way. Strummer with his slurry `rocka' pose, and Jones with his toe-curling `Americanisms`.
Strummer didn't recover `til `Combat Rock', and before you start scoffing, compare `Straight to Hell' with ANYTHING on here, and it'll be the stronger song by streets.
Anything with the inexplicably awful `Guns of Brixton' on it, just HAS to suck a big one,(now THERE'S a song worth a giggle or two) along with `This Is Radio Clash', their poorest song in a frustratingly inconsistent canon. (if ever a group's output was justifiably labeled `peaks and troughs' it's the Clash`s.)
If only `London Calling' the album was as good as `London Calling' the song, we would indeed have something special on our hands. As it is, we've got something tired, a bit derivative, and really rather tatty.
`London Calling' was voted the best album of all time in a poll. It's not even the best Clash album.

EVERY PERSON SHOULD HAVE THIS ALBUM.......2007-07-04

This is not gonna be a long review like others because it is simply put. Wonderful. In general, The Clash opens your mind and makes you wonder about things in this world of ours. I'm not just giving this a 5 because they are my favorate band. Another thing I would like to add, The Clash aren't just punk, they hit every single genre out there including reggae and jazz. If your a jazz fan, you will LOVE this album. EVERYONE WILL LOVE THIS ALBUM! LOOK HOW MANY 5 STARS THIS HAS!! ANYONE will love this album I guarentee It. Just to let you know I am 19 and being young, I bet even younger kids will like it. Or else they have no clue what music is.

The Clash's greatest album, and one of rock's most enduring masterpieces...........2007-07-02

Some critic said that this was the album where The Clash stopped being punks and learned how to play their instruments. Luckily for us, The Clash instantly matured as a band here to make arguably one of the greatest rock albums of all time, and maybe the greatest double album of all time. Out of the 19 tracks here, not one is a throwaway. The album is one of the best sequenced, most coherent albums ever made. There is not one song on here that I skip over. There are some that I like more than others, but there isn't one song that sucks. Most punk bands did one of two things. They either died/faded away, or they stopped being punks and learned how to make real music (I never liked punk, obviously). Luckily, The Clash followed the 2nd path, and made their masterpiece. I'll pick my favorite 10 songs here, but it isn't easy. The title track, Spanish Bombs, The Right Profile, Clampdown, The Guns of Brixton, Wrong 'em Boyo, Death or Glory, The Card Cheat, Revolution Rock, and Train in Vain are my favorites here. The Clash, along with The Sex Pistols who became Public Image Ltd., grew into a great band after giving up the punk thing (which really is very limiting, if you think about it). Their follow ups, Sandinista! and Combat Rock, are very good, but this is the best of their 5 studio albums (I don't count Cut the Crap). It's a shame they broke up (and Joe Strummer died), but we still have this great album...

Every Wannabe Rock & Roller Should Own This.......2007-06-05

London Calling is an unforgettable and classic CD that I personally think every wannabe rock and roller should have! Its jam packed with plenty songs, songs to get you riled up, songs to calmed down. This fantastic Album is filled with songs like, of course, "London Calling", "Lovers Rock", and "Spanish Bombs". All of these great tracks rolled into one terrific album. I have to say this is one of my faves, should be one of yours too.

Average customer rating: what do you want? i want rock n' roll! Should have been five stars, but wasn't... Absolute must have for Def Leppard fans Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Def Leppard? Brilliant!

Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection Def Leppard Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Yeah! The Best of Both Worlds Def Leppard - Rock of Ages: Definitive Collection DVD Greatest Hits Red, White, & Crue ASIN: B0009299LU Release Date: 2005-05-17

Tracks:

1. Pour Some Sugar On Me (HISTORIA video edit)
2. Photograph
3. Love Bites
4. Let's Get Rocked
5. Two Steps Behind (acoustic version)
6. Animal
7. Heaven Is
8. Foolin'
9. Rocket (VISUALIZE video edit)
10. When Love & Hate Collide
11. Armageddon It
12. Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad?
13. Rock Of Ages
14. Hysteria
15. Miss You In A Heartbeat
16. Bringin' On The Heartbreak
17. Switch 625

Tracks:

1. Rock Rock (Till You Drop)
2. Let It Go
3. High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night)
4. Too Late For Love
5. No Matter What
6. Promises
7. Mirror, Mirror (Look Into My Eyes)
8. Women
9. Another Hit And Run
10. Slang
11. Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion)
12. Rock Brigade
13. Now
14. Paper Sun
15. Work It Out
16. Die Hard The Hunter
17. Wasted
18. Billy's Got A Gun

Amazon.com

While many of their peers were abandoning '70s metal and arena rock to hop the punk/new wave bandwagon, Def Leppard smartly stripped the earlier era's music of its excesses, bolstered it with energetic, pop-savvy hooks and quickly found itself the vanguard of the UK's new metal revival and one of the '80s most spectacularly successful rock acts. The first disc of this 35-track, two-and-a-half hour double-disc retrospective focuses on the familiar hits of their early MTV, platinum-selling prime, though the inclusion of the video edit/remixes of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rocket" attempts to cast them in a more club-friendly contemporary groove. But the grittier second disc showcases some of the early, overlooked roots of On Through the Night and High 'N' Dry, as well as underappreciated later gems like '99's "Promises" and a power-pop-perfect take on Badfinger's "No Matter What" from an upcoming covers project. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

what do you want? i want rock n' roll!.......2007-07-25

what do you want?/i want rock n'roll!/you betcha!/long live rock n' roll!/def leppard sing in the classic rock of ages. that song gives this collection its title. 35 classic songs on 2 cds. isn't that awsome or what? ok i'll give you the song list. the songs include pour some sugar on me,foolin',photograph,high and dry(saturday night),women, love bites,rocket,no matter what,two steps behind,let's get eocked,and have you ever needed someone so bad. that' quite a list isn't it? listen to this album ,you will hear these songs and many more great songs. trust me you will like this album as much as i do. ed wilson

Should have been five stars, but wasn't..........2007-07-07

The concept was correct: Use of a full two CD's to represent all the great songs the band has produced. However, the selection was incorrect. There is too much emphasis on obscure tracks like "Paper Sun"? and "Waterloo...". But perhaps the most glaring faux pas, is that the albums "High and Dry" and "Pyromania" are under represented. Where is "Action...Not Words" and "Stagefright" or "You've got me Runnin'" and "Lady Strange". Also, "Die Hard the Hunter" is likely the ONLY weak song from "Pyro" and they choose it? Nonsense... Once they release Pyro and High n' Dry in a remaster, those are the two to get after Hysteria.

Absolute must have for Def Leppard fans.......2007-06-19

This 2-disc collection rules. It's got all the hits and more. The songs are put in a good order on both discs. Great summary of Def Leppard's music. The fan gets well over 2 hours of Def Leppard for his/her money. Great value! Get it.

Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Def Leppard?.......2007-03-25

This is far better retrospective than the old one disc set, The Valut. That being said, I think the casual listener may find this collection to be too much Def Leppard. The first disc is fairly solid disc filled with radio hits and popular album favorites, with only maybe one or two questionable tracks. The second disc is highly indulgent with newer material that only a hardcore fan who continued to follow the band through less popular albums like Slang, X, etc. will know. If you haven't bought a Leppard album in the past decade, you won't know a lot of this disc. Overall, a very thorough set, but the passive fan may opt for the one disc import only version, Best of Def Leppard. Its not complete, but its got more than The Vault without the filler of ROCK OF AGES.

Brilliant!.......2007-03-10

I was NOT disappointed with my purchase here. There's a great selection of songs on here, showcasing the band's changing image over time. If there are particular songs that you like that aren't in this collection, I'd suggest you download them, or get them elsewhere, but definitely get this CD for the absolute best of Def Leppard. It contains great liner notes on each song, with input from each of the band members, something I particularly enjoyed. Getting these liner notes helped me understand a lot more about where the band was coming from on each song and what it truly meant to them to be writing and recording it. With this input on their take on lyrics and such, I daresay I understood the songs themselves better. It also includes pictures of the band over time, including Steve Clark (R.I.P.). Overall: Perfect for fans and those simply looking to get the best of this phenomenal band.

Average customer rating: The Police Deliver Perfection With This Album oh those intelligent brits Amazing, Would Give a 4.9 If I Could Police State ZENYATTA MONDATTA IS THE POLICE IN THEIR PRIME.

Zenyatta Mondatta [Digipak] The Police Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music | Vinyl Records | American Punk | British Punk | Emo | Garage Punk | Hardcore | Post Hardcore | Proto Punk | Punk | Punk Revival | Punk-Pop | Riot Grrl | Ska Punk | Straight Edge New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | New Wave | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | New Wave | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Rock General | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Rock General | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $7.99 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 International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | 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: Ghost In The Machine [Digipak] Reggatta de Blanc [Digipak] Outlandos d'Amour [Digipak] Synchronicity [Digipak] Live ASIN: B00008BRDV Release Date: 2003-03-04

Tracks:

1. Don't Stand So Close To Me
2. Driven To Tears
3. When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around
4. Canary In A Coalmine
5. Voices Inside My Head
6. Bombs Away
7. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
8. Behind My Camel
9. Man In A Suitcase
10. Shadows In The Rain
11. The Other Way Of Stopping

Customer Reviews:

The Police Deliver Perfection With This Album.......2007-05-08

This album is defiantely a masterpiece and may very well be their best all-around album. All of the songs are GREAT, the sound is GREAT and this version, in my opinion is much better than the Digipak version, with it's cardboard casing and I don't even think the sound is as good, as on this version. I love that this has the standard jewel casing, too. The Police made this a great album, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it. A must have for Police fans.

oh those intelligent brits.......2007-04-01

boy oh boy, how i wish the musical airwaves were still swimming with music like this. Bands like the Police - Sting, Stewart and Andy - are the real teachers of the world in a day where intelligence and education takes a backseat... just listen to songs like Canary in a Coal Mine, "Now if I tell you that you suffer from delusions, you pay your analyst to reach the same conclusions", and Bombs Away, "The general scratches his belly and thinks, his pay is good but his company stinks", I mean c'mon...what's better than dry wit and sardonic humour? Driven To Tears is another good one (not to brag or anything, but I'm one of the few people on this planet that has the live version of this song on the cd Urgh - A Music War) and When The World is Running Down is another good Police song that hasn't been shoved down our throat a million times. This being said, and I hate to say this, even though they have literally a ton of great songs( Walking on the Moon, Invisible Sun, etc.) the Police have always been one of those bands that I find myself just kind of coming across on the radio...as much as I like them, I don't find myself playing their cd's that often...I can sorta understand how they were kind of hesitant to go back on tour this year, "Wow, do people really wanna see us that bad?" But make no mistake, Sting and his mates are as intelligent as they come, and definitely deserve their place in rock'n'roll history. I'd love to kick back and share a guiness and some good bourbon whiskey with these boys sometime...Thank you sting andy and stewart for blessing us with your existence.

Amazing, Would Give a 4.9 If I Could.......2007-03-06

This album was sitting in the rack at the used cd store for 7 bucks. I thought to myself that I like the Police, so this will be great. I then go home and open the sleek packaging. I pop the cd in and I immediately fall in love with what I'm hearing. I played it over and over again.

There's a definite reason for such feelings towards this album. This album displays one thing extravagently; The Police were at their peak, performing with such a laid back feel while embracing the songwriting talents of Sting. You can hear Stewart Copeland's nonchalant attitude while laying down some of the greatest drumming this side of the eighties. His drums blend well with the fluid playing of Sting and the tastefully placed guitar lines by Andy Summers.

What's even more amazing about this album is the fact that there is practically no filler! If you know the Police, then you know that every one of their albums contains filler (especially the album Walking on the Moon), but the filler here is reduced to a minimum. Maybe Behind My Camel was a period piece, because I just have not liked it in the past few days ive listened to it. But that's it! You could select favorites (for me that includes the enjoyable Canary in a Coal Mine, the interesting Man In A Suit Case, the politically charged reggae workout When The World Is Running Down, You've Got To Make The Best Of What's Still Around and the hits De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da and Don't Stand So CLose To Me) but all the songs are enjoyable.

The ONLY thing that I didn't enjoy was the fact that there was no booklet. In all my previous cds, I enjoy reading the information and stuff about the band, along with the fact that when i put my cds into my humongous cd case, i put it in with the booklet. Just a minor incovenience, but other than that, the packaging was pretty professional.

Definitely a solid album

Police State.......2007-02-23

The Police were already being viewed as smart rock by the time their first two albums had made their impact. With "Zenyatta Mondatta," they not only landed the intelligentsia, but the commercial crowd as well. Funny how they had to resort to baby-talk to do it. "De do do do, De Da Da Da" exploded onto American radio and MTV, and suddenly these very good looking musicians were being lauded as one of New Wave's brightest hopes. So, "Dx8" was pretty silly and the video had them clowning around...where else could you here a song this catchy on the same album as a song that name-checks Nabokov?

"Zenyatta Mondatta" did just that. "Don't Stand So Close To Me" became a calling card for the band, and their second top ten hit. Social awareness songs were creeping into the mix - a tour of Asia and Africa moved Sting to write the still stunning "Driven To Tears." (And Stewart Copeland throws his conscience in the ring with "Bombs Away," a more satirical look at the war mentality.)

The increase in variety also indicated the band's growth. There are no overt 'white reggae' songs here (other than the near instrumental "Voices In My Head"), and Sting's pop skills were becoming hard to top. "De Do do Do.." and "Canary In A Coal Mine" were shimmering pop, while the darker hues color "Shadows In The Rain." The album's sole drawbacks are (like on "Regatta De Blanc") the instrumental tracks. "Behind My Camel" and "The Other Way Of Stopping" come off as bad prog-rock, lacking the immediacy and the staying powewr of the rest of "Zenyatta Mondatta."

But withstanding those two tracks, the remainder of "Zenyatta Mondatta" is stellar. The Police also managed something with their third album that meets my critereon for a classic/five star rating; they altered the course of what was to follow. With the first class re-mastering, 1980's "Zenyatta Mondatta" sounds fresher than ever.

ZENYATTA MONDATTA IS THE POLICE IN THEIR PRIME. .......2007-02-13

I will be writing a review on the legendary album entitled "ZENYATTA MONDATTA" by one of Rock's most legendary bands, THE POLICE. This album was originally released in 1980 on Vinyl/LP and Cassette on the A&M Records label. I purchased the very first release of this album on Compact Disc in the mid 80's. As always, if I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary album or the artist, I will edit this review immediately so that you the consumer will get the best informative and most accurate review possible.

I watched the Grammy's yesterday and saw the reunion performance of THE POLICE. Despite not rehearsing in years, they still did not sound to bad. Sting can still sing all of the high vocal ranges after all these years. However, they do need to prepare for their first world tour in years which will kick off in three months from now. Seeing THE POLICE gave me as well as all the Rock fans hope that great bands do get back together to set the record straight. THE POLICE began in 1977 comprising of lead vocalist and bassist Sting (Born Gordon Sumner), lead and rhythm guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland. THE POLICE would be a legendary band that would be in the glorious tradition of the great three man bands such as CREAM and RUSH. THE POLICE would be one of the very first early pioneers to play a combined mixture of Progressive Rock, New Wave Rock and Raggae music. With these new combined mixtures, the result would be an extremely rare sound. In my opinion, if any album were to prove this new sound and formula, it would have to be the "ZENYATTA MONDATTA" album. When you listen to this album you will think just how really good it really is.

Now for the music, if you really want to get down and listen to some extremely rare songs on this album, listen to "Don't Stand So Close To Me," the heartfelt "Driven To Tears," the breathtaking and groundbreaking "When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around," the fast driving "Canary In A Coalmine," the haunting "Voices Inside My Head," the free spirited "Bombs Away," the ever popular "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da," the horrific "Behind My Camel," the blistering "Man In A Suitcase," the soulful "Shadows In The Rain" and the extraordinary "The Other Way Of Stopping."

Overall, this is an incredible album with an extremely rare sound. I would say that this legendary album is worth looking into and checking out.

I would like to highly recommend purchasing this legendary album to own as a valuable and important part of his or her own personal music collection. This album has already proven to stand the test of time and will always be around to be enjoyed, appreciated and cherished for many years to come, NOW AND FOREVER.

In closing, when THE POLICE officially disbanded in 1984, the whole world was left wondering if they would ever reunite. In this case, be careful what you wish for, it just might happen. THE POLICE is the story of three men who decided to come home to their roots and perform together one more time, in 2007. It's been a long time since THE POLICE last performed together as a unit but I get the feeling that Rock n' Roll and the fans are going to be in for a big treat and a surprise from this legendary band in 2007. With that in mind, there will be new tales and stories that would need to conquered, told and written in new pages and chapters in this band's legendary storied career. But that, my fellow readers and reviewers, as well as myself, we will just have to wait and see what unfolds in the future for this great band. So here's to you Sting, Andy and Stewart. Good Luck. Keep Persevering. Keep The Faith. Keep On Rockin'. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," am I wrong? Thanks for reading my review and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also hope that you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. THE POLICE RULES. Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever In Rock, John L.

Average customer rating: A Casual Fan Semi-Review... "The Only Elvis That Matters" Done Justice Same Old Music in Yet Another New Sleeve how many times can you jump out of the cupboard +1/2 -- The best early Costello single CD yet

The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years Elvis Costello Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music British Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | 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 International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rock and Roll Music The Police (2CD Anthology) Elvis Costello Collector's Box Set - Limited Edition - Amazon.com Exclusive Stand in the Fire Easy Tiger ASIN: B000OHZJJQ Release Date: 2007-05-01

Tracks:

1. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
2. Alison
3. Watching The Detectives
4. (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
5. Pump It Up
6. Radio, Radio
7. Accidents Will Happen
8. Oliver's Army
9. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding
10. I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
11. High Fidelity
12. Clubland
13. New Lace Sleeves
14. Good Year For The Roses
15. Beyond Belief
16. Man Out Of Time
17. Almost Blue
18. Every Day I Write The Book
19. Shipbuilding
20. Brilliant Mistake
21. Indoor Fireworks
22. I Want You

Customer Reviews:

A Casual Fan Semi-Review..........2007-05-29

Being a fan,but not a fanatic of Elvis,I came across this new collection of hits from him and thought it was a great time to buy. I had purchased an old hits of his from the 80's, on cassette.Of course,I know the standard hits.Alison,Pump It Up,Accident's Will Happen and my fave, What's So Funny...,among a couple of others. Noticed a whole bunch of songs I wasn't familiar with and look forward to hearing them,when I receive this new set.Of late,I am digging deeper into many classic artists I listen to.Elvis fits into that. For that reason,I am giving this collection,4 stars.For the songs I know. After listening to the others,perhaps I can raise it to 5 stars.

"The Only Elvis That Matters" Done Justice.......2007-05-20

In my opinion, this is the best single-disc Elvis Costello compilation anyone has ever released. In fact, it may even be the best introduction to E.C. out there (He's so stylistically diverse that no single album is an effective introduction, and both of the more extensive collections - "Girls Girls Girls" on Columbia and "The Very Best of Elvis Costello" on Rhino - would probably be overwhelming to someone unfamiliar with the majority of his work). Also, the collection "Rock and Roll Music," as is evident in the title, ignores his non-"Rock and Roll" songs.

But this disc finally gets it right. There was a "The Very Best of Elvis Costello & the Attractions" single-disc issued on Rykodisc in 1994 that came close, but as good as that disc was, this collection makes three substitutions that are actually improvements: "(The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes," "New Lace Sleeves," and "Almost Blue" replace "Watch Your Step," "New Amsterdam," and "Love Field."

Not only are the substitutions slightly better songs in my opinion, they also paint a more complete picture of Elvis Costello as an artist and writer. Especially "Red Shoes" - if you'd only heard the ballad "Alison" and the reggae-influenced "Watching the Detectives" from his debut album, you'd have no idea what to expect from the rest of the CD, but "Red Shoes" really sets the tone for the rest of that disc (and it's just an amazing song). Some people complain that these songs have been repackaged too many times, but I have a hard time arguing with the final result.

The remastering of this collection sounds as good as the Rhino remasters (which managed to be a slight improvement over the already great-sounding Rykodisc versions), and I really don't understand why some people complain about the sound (but I never owned any of the vinyl records, so maybe I am missing something). Still, the sound is the best that I've heard on CD, and in terms of song selection, this is a near-perfect set. For some, this will be all the Elvis Costello they ever need. For others, it will be the beginning of a long journey into the career of one of the best, most insightful and most interesting singer-songwriters in popular music. Either way, it's hard to go wrong with this collection.

Same Old Music in Yet Another New Sleeve.......2007-05-15

Now that thirty years has passed since his debut, it is apparent to me that Elvis Costello has a lot more in common with his namesake than a singing career. Case in point - Almost immediately upon his arrival at RCA, Elvis Presley's recordings were packaged with little regard to the consumer, and then re-packaged so relentlessly that nobody except the most dedicated, wealthy, and mentally unbalanced collector could possibly hope to amass all of Presley's catalog. With blithe regularity, RCA executives would abuse their position as the historic caretakers of a rock and roll legend by digging deeper and deeper into obscurities, then packaging them with recycled classic recordings. Very, very little was genuinely `new' except the package itself. These collections are innumerable, and I pity the poor soul who suffers the disease of being a completist collector, because it can cost you your bank account, your house, and maybe even your marriage, all in the pursuit of owning all that is Elvis.
It now appears as though the same type of abuse has befallen the recorded works of Elvis Costello. I should know. I was one of those `mentally unbalanced' individuals who felt the need to own every Elvis Costello item released on the marketplace. In the beginning, it was kind of fun. Costello had numerous singles with non-LP b-sides, and plenty of `alternate' versions to keep fans quite busy. I was a part of that vinyl junkie set, a cult of obsessed lunatics who lived to find the rarest single, or an alternate package. After three years and hundreds of dollars spent, I remember feeling betrayed when Columbia issued "Taking Liberties," a collection of Elvis' rare b-sides. In an instant, one five-dollar album made twenty rarities commonplace. Nevertheless, I soldiered on; buying 10" collector's singles, alternate mixes, and all sorts of oddities. Then, the CD era began, and it started to happen all over again. Elvis changed labels (from Columbia to Warner Brothers), and his catalog albums were subjected to not one, not two, but three separate repackagings, each of them containing unique `rarities' that could be obtained nowhere else. A dedicated collector would require four versions of each Elvis Costello album. At this point, I finally surrendered, but I already spent enough to finance a Hawaiian vacation for some record executive and his family of four. Nowadays I simply stand by, amazed as the repackaging craze continues unabated. By my count, the above named collections represent the 10th and 11th re-compilation of Elvis Costello's `hits'. I'm not saying they are bad collections. The booklets contain song lyrics, which is a nice touch, especially for the older material. Naturally, the songs are great and I should know, because I bought each of these tracks at least a half-dozen times already. If you still don't own them, then go ahead and buy them. You will enjoy them. I, however, will stare at my room full of Elvis-related plastic and acknowledge the reason that I never made that trip to Hawaii myself.
B+ Tom Ryan

how many times can you jump out of the cupboard.......2007-05-12

i swore i wouldnt buy the elvis cannon again=LPs,Singles,3 sets of CDs etc., unless it was on SACD,and i wont.But the 2 comps were worth a listen,rock and roll for the unreleased stuff{how is it possible?}and 10 years for the 4th remaster.Seeing Elvis's Lexus commercial with him enjoying surround sound just makes me sad for what could have been.Rock on,EC!

+1/2 -- The best early Costello single CD yet.......2007-05-09

You can't hardly swing a dead cat without hitting Costello's early material in reissue form. With Ryko and Rhino both having taken ever-lengthening passes at his albums, Hip-O picks up the catalog years of 1977-1986 for another round. In addition to a new pair of compilations (this one and "Rock and Roll Music") that skim the initial decade's eleven albums, their May 1 release date also marks the re-re-re-reissue of the albums on CD and the catalog's digital download debut (initially from iTunes, later from addtiional services).

After so many Costello reissues and compilations, this collection is mostly a retail shelving refresher and a beacon for Hip-O's album reissue and digital programs; all 22 of these tracks have been available on CD before. And as with other single-disc Costello anthologies such as Sony's 1990 19-track "Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions" and Ryko's 1994 22-track "Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions," there's simply too much worthy material in Costello's initial eleven albums (not to mention assorted singles and B-sides) to fully essay in 80 minutes.

What you get here is a well drawn sketch that provides the neophyte a sense of Costello's incredible torrent of early creativity, the sustain of his first few years, a few missteps in the mid-80s, and a stronger-than-ever comeback with 1986's "King of America" and "Blood & Chocolate" LPs." Though fans of the albums will mentally flinch at the inter-album segues (and thus the missing classics), condensing Costello's career arc does demonstrate how his punk-era angst and blistering song-writing aged and then reasserted itself in a more mature, but no less powerful form a decade later. Reducing 10 years to a single CD also creates a bit of genre whiplash as Costello applied himself to rock, punk, pop, soul, R&B blues, and jazz.

As on Ryko's 1994 collection, Costello aided in the track selection. No surprise then that there are 19 tracks in common with Ryko's earlier release. The three substitutions add the essential "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes," "Almost Blue," and "New Lace Sleeves" in place of the expendable "Watch Your Step," "New Amsterdam," and "Love Field," making this the best single-disc Costello anthology on the market. Costello fans are better off making their own anthologies from the original albums, but those just coming to his work decades after the fact will find this an excellent primer. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2007 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

Average customer rating: Why do labels do this with greatest hits CDs?... Reuniting And It Feels (and sounds) So Good Every Breath You Take - The Police Nostalgia My LP records and they're all scratched

Every Breath You Take: The Classics The Police Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Synchronicity [Digipak] Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994 Cars - Complete Greatest Hits Ghost In The Machine [Digipak] Zenyatta Mondatta [Digipak] ASIN: B0006VXMDU Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

1. Roxanne
2. Can't Stand Losing You
3. Message In A Bottle
4. Walking On The Moon
5. Don't Stand So Close To Me
6. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
7. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
8. Invisible Sun
9. Spirits In The Material World
10. Every Breath You Take
11. King Of Pain
12. Wrapped Around Your Finger
13. Don't Stand So Close To Me '86
14. Message In A Bottle

Customer Reviews:

Why do labels do this with greatest hits CDs?..........2007-07-15

Always we get a CD with a couple of hits not included, just so they can slap a couple of crappy remixes of songs that are already included on the album. Two important songs are missing here: "Bring on the Night" and "Synchronicity II", all because of the last two songs. It's a bit of a rip-off to some of us.

Reuniting And It Feels (and sounds) So Good.......2007-05-19

The police are nothing short of AWESOME!! This cd contains many of our most loved Police hits and is a must have for any collection. Happy listening.

Every Breath You Take - The Police.......2007-05-09

Love this album, it is so full of those wonderful songs I grew up with.

Nostalgia.......2007-05-07

I have always loved this music. It took me back to a time when I was
younger and healthier and looked forward to listening to Sting (before he
was Sting) and I was out dancing. It was good music to dance to.

My LP records and they're all scratched.......2007-02-12

This really is a five star singles collection. Only one minor hit is missing ("Synchronicity II") and the gawdawful Puffy mix of "Roxanne" is - one can only hope - been wiped from the face of the Earth. But having seen the band reunite on the 2007 Grammys, and how "Roxanne" still sounds amazing for a 30 year old song, "Every Breath You Take: The Classics" is a prefect reminder of just how much The Police commercialized "Punk rock" and made brilliant pop at the same time.

I remember buying "Outlandos D'amour" in the fall of 1978, right before starting college. I was just beginning to get into punk/new wave and "Roxanne" was such a giddy single that I had to have the album. I was enthused but also surprised. While the band played with punky brashness, there was stuff here that was way too sophisticated for punk. The tricky drumming of Stewart Copeland was a dead giveaway...The Police were more than those peroxided heads on the album cover.

When "Regatta DeBlanc" arrived, the aggressive "Message In A Bottle" served notice. Sting was a charismatic singer that could rock with the best of them, and Andy Summers' playing was really beginning to show that he was limitlessly inventive. The spacey reggae of "Walking On The Moon" pushed their experimentation to a new peak. While "Message" should have been the breakthrough single The Police deserved after "Roxanne," radio resistance to this new kind of new wave music forced the band to wait until the third album.

"De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" changed that. Irresistibly catchy, it spotlighted Sting's ability to write crafty pop songs. Then the enigmatic and literate "Don't Stand So Close To Me" went top ten, forcing even the staunchest critics to accept "Zenyatta Mondatta" and The Police. After all, not every rock band could quote Nabokov and top the charts with it. By now, the band had also become MTV darlings and Sting a heart-throb, an image he had no problem riding to success but still took issue with on the creative level. He wanted to make sure that The Police were regarded more as musical artists than video vixens with goofy song clips.

Success emboldened Sting and The Police experimented heavily on "Ghost In The Machine." Gone were the pretty boy cover pictures and pseudo-Eurospeak titles. The stuttering time-signature of the title track and the Pink Floyd meets the Beach Boys of "Invisible Sun" were unlike anything The Police had recorded before. Still, it was the classic pop sounding "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" that was, well, magic. The mix of progressive and pop set the stage for The Police's finest hour.

If "Every Little Thing..." sounded like classic pop, "Every Breath You Take" sounded timeless. As everyone knows, the deceptively paranoid single cross-circuited and insta-catchy melody with lyrics that sounded like a pledge of devotion only to be undermined by the totally obsessive nature of the protagonist. The nature of the album "Synchronicity" was to allow each member to add his part as he saw fit (even though Sting was obviously the de facto leader by now). it led to the stripped down sound of "King Of Pain" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger."

But that was as far as the band could travel together. Sting's ambitions (or ego, depending on your point of view) had moved past Copeland and Stewart's. The worldwide success of "Synchronicity" and the tour put the band on a hiatus that they never really called off. That leaves the sole new items here the pointless electronic remake of "Don't Stand So Close To Me" (from the "The Singles" collection) and a remix of "Message In A Bottle" that is all but indistinguishable from the original. "Every Breath You Take: The Classics" does allow for both versions of "Don't Stand So Close To Me," which makes that earlier collection obsolete.

However, the recently reissued Police library has at least two classic albums in it (in my opinion, "Synchronicity" and "Zenyatta Mondatta"), that rate picking up a few of the individual albums for their key tracks. (For instance, it is again my opinion, but both of the "new" tracks here could have easily been dumped for the likes of "So Lonely," "Driven To Tears" or "Synchronicity II.") Still, as a collection of memorable radio and groundbreaking music, the evolution of The Police from punky white reggae to musical sophisticates makes this CD a must have if you don't want to go beyond the hits.

Average customer rating: Rock and roll blasphemy? Plain and simple Elvis Costello: The Real King Great Debut the first and greatest elvis.

My Aim Is True (With Bonus Disc) Elvis Costello Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music British Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music $8.99 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 International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $8.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: This Year's Model (With Bonus Disc) Armed Forces Get Happy!! Imperial Bedroom Trust ASIN: B00005MLU0 Release Date: 2001-08-21

Tracks:

1. Welcome to the Working Week
2. Miracle Man
3. No Dancing
4. Blame It on Cain
5. Alison
6. Sneaky Feelings
7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
8. Less Than Zero
9. Mystery Dance
10. Pay It Back
11. I'm Not Angry
12. Waiting for the End of the World
13. Watching the Detectives

Tracks:

1. No Action
2. Living in Paradise
3. Radio Sweetheart
4. Stranger in the House
5. I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself
6. Less Than Zero (Dallas Version)
7. Imagination (is a Powerful Deceiver)
8. Mystery Dance (Honky Tonk Demo)
9. Cheap Reward (Honky Tonk Demo)
10. Jump Up (Honky Tonk Demo)
11. Blame it on Cain (Honky Tonk Demo)
12. Poison Moon (Honky Tonk Demo)

Amazon.com

Elvis Costello kicked off his debut album with a formal device that would also serve his next two long-players well: the first thing you hear is his voice. That opening phrase--"Now that your picture's in the paper..."--was more than sneakily, if not intentionally, appropriate, since Costello was quickly declared the second coming. It's become de rigueur to dis the pub-rock backing of U.S. band Clover, but their work here is satisfactorily edgy; guitarist John McFee makes some of the arrangements with his wailingly articulate fills. The remastered Rhino reissue includes a full second disc of demos and rarities. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Rock and roll blasphemy? .......2007-07-23

I admit I'm an anomaly...an EC fan who does not love My Aim Is True. I place it high in a second tier of Costello's standard recordings.

'No Dancing', 'Mystery Dance' and 'Angels' are in my Top 50 EC favorites as is 'Stranger in the House' from the Rykodisc/Rhino reissues. 'Welcome to the Working Week' is enjoyable. I also like 'Radio Sweetheart' and 'Cheap Reward' from the R/R extended discs.

I'm not going to bash the rest of 'Aim'. I simply don't find it as appealing as most of the reviewers here.

A final note...Live versions of 'Aim' songs can be found on some of the second discs of Rhino's reissues and the hard to find 'Costello and Nieve'. They are typically superior to the studio versions and are worth
seeking out.

Plain and simple.......2007-04-10

One of the best debut albums--what they were called back before CDs--ever released. Though Elvis' infamous anger has tempered and he has ventured into an admirable array of musical genres, the depth and urgency of his songwriting skills are evident and prophetic here. Just try to grow weary of repeated plays of "Mystery Dance" and "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes." You will fail because they are endlessly listenable. This is a text book of rock music.

Elvis Costello: The Real King.......2007-02-01

More Classic '1977' Gold. This contains some of Declans finest Moments and really none of his banter. Songs like "Blame It On Cain" and "Watching The Detectives" set to Prove that 1977 was the Peak year!!

Great Debut.......2007-01-01

I'm not sure of the exact date, but it was the winter of 77/78, and my friends and I drove thru a blizzard to catch Elvis in a little lecture hall at C.W. Post College on Long Island, N.Y. Did it ever open our eyes, ears and minds. He played most of this album plus some of what was to be "This Years Model".I had purchased "My Aim Is True"after hearing, "Alison" on the radio but that song was only a hint at the rest of what was on the album. Songs like "Watching The Detectives", "Mystery Dance" and "Less Than Zero" are brillant and still stand up some 30 years later. This is one of the all time best debut albums and previewed an incredible output for the next 2 years. I wish that the Attractions had played on this but the playing on it is fine but not nearly as intense as it was live. It's albums and shows like this that remind me why I love rock 'n roll.

the first and greatest elvis........2006-05-23

at the time that this album came out i had just lost my little boy, my husband had left me for a woman 24 years my junior, & i had a serious rash all up & down my left side. i was DEPRESSED. then i heard this music & suddenly i wanted to wear lipstick again. i wanted to wear lipstick & i wanted to dance. what a great album. and to this day in 2006 it still is! the best elvis costello album known to man (and that's saying something).

Average customer rating: collected Depeche Mode.. Guaoo! Great CD, THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD

The Best of Depeche Mode, Vol. 1 Depeche Mode Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Go: The Very Best of Moby The Cure - Greatest Hits Touring the Angel: Live in Milan The Best of New Order U218 Singles ASIN: B000IFQLLY Release Date: 2006-11-14

Tracks:

1. Personal Jesus
2. Just Can't Get Enough
3. Everything Counts
4. Enjoy The Silence
5. Shake The Disease
6. See You
7. It's No Good
8. Strangelove
9. Suffer Well
10. Dream On
11. People Are People
12. Martyr
13. Walking In My Shoes
14. I Feel You
15. Precious
16. Master And Servant
17. New Life
18. Never Let Me Down Again

Album Description

17 of Depeche Mode's singles from 1981-2005.

Customer Reviews:

collected.......2007-05-26

What can be said about Depeche Mode? They are definitely a major band. They are the only band from the era to stay popular for 25 years and "be new" constantly. They are the only rivals to REM and U2. Those rare bands that constantly do new albums that are interesting and can play large arenas and not seem like a nostalgia act. This "Best Of" collection may not be for the real Depeche Mode fan. They probably have all these tracks. I just saw them for the first time last year, and was thrilled. They came out of the electronic scene that John Foxx, Gary Numan, and New Order created. I don't think it was until "Everything Counts" that Depeche Mode had broken away from the pack. It has been said that they took their music into a dark place in the last 1980s, and they only got more popular. I find myself being attracted to "Shake The Disease" most of all from the early material. It just sound like the most advanced thing they ever did musical, and vocally. I also like "Precious" a lot. This is a cool collection.

Depeche Mode.........2007-05-12

What i have to say about Depeche Mode..
Only that its awesome!!!

They've sold over 13million copies of their albums!!
Anyways.. i think this truly does bring out the best of Depeche Mode if u've never heard of them before..

Guaoo!.......2007-05-10

Voy a ser sincero,yo no era fanático de esta banda,los recuerdos que tenía de ellos es de su música ochentosa plagada de sintetizadores,completamente electrónica y en esa época era heavymetalero radical,pero definitivamente el crecimiento se acompaña la madurez y en este caso se abren nuevas tendencias musicales;esta gente es excelente!no estoy seguro si este The Best Of Vol.1 está lo más representativo de este grupo,pero una cosa si es cierta,estoy enganchado al mismo!no conocía su etapa noventosa y me atrevería a decir (con permiso de sus conocedores más acérrimos)que es la mejor etapa del grupo!de mi cabeza no salen la exitante Personal Jesus,el ritmo pegajoso de It's no Good,la desgarradora y poderosa I Feel,la ritmica y nostálgica Enjoy the Silence...también se puede disfrutar de sus éxitos de los ochenta como Just Can't get Enough,Master and Servant...y lo mas reciente Precious,la instrospectiva Dream On,Suffer Well...qué mas puedo decir?Material de primera!yo por mi parte voy a comprarme todos los CD's para saber qué mas me estoy perdiendo,pero este para comenzar es un palo a la cabeza!Nota:la información de los años de las canciones la busqué previamente a la escritura de esta revisión,yo no sabía nada de esta gente...

Great CD, .......2007-03-22

Pretty much every song on this album is well-done and easy to listen to. My favorites are "Just can't get enough" (a great song from the 80s) and "Enjoy the Silence."

Their music is quite distinct and I listen to them always on long driving trips. This group really knows how to play.

Anyone who is in their 30s to 40s range will most likely enjoy listening to this. However, I think anyone anyone at almost any age might like this CD.

THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD.......2007-03-08

This is one of their best albums put together in one. I love this cd

Average customer rating: Much higher on the list than Rolling Stone says... Pivotal record A Masterpiece Classic rock!!! 1983, THE YEAR DEF LEPPARD GAVE US PYROMANIA AND SHOCKED THE WORLD.

Pyromania Def Leppard Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | 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 International | 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: Hysteria High 'N' Dry On Through the Night Adrenalize Retro Active ASIN: B000001F2V Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Rock Rock (Till You Drop)
2. Photograph
3. Stagefright
4. Too Late For Love
5. Die Hard The Hunter
6. Foolin'
7. Rock Of Ages
8. Comin' Under Fire
9. Action! Not Words
10. Billy's Got A Gun

Amazon.com

Def Leppard's rock sensibilities shot them right to the top of the charts in the '80s. On their third album, Pyromania, the band reconciled new wave melodicism with heavy metal and catchy hooks without compromising any of its edge. The album has sold over 10 million copies, due in part to heavy rotation on MTV. But even without their ubiquitous television presence, anthems like "Rock of Ages" and "Foolin'" still had the stuff that drove the kids crazy. Bursts of screaming guitars and simple power riffs joined forces with choruses that begged to be shouted along to. Guitarists Phil Collen and Steve Clarke may have provided all the pyrotechnics on Pyromania, but the focal point of Def Leppard's sound, particularly for their teenage female fans, was singer Joe Elliott's voice (and, of course, his hair). The record--an essential brick in the foundation of '80s metal--also contains the hit "Photograph." --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

Much higher on the list than Rolling Stone says..........2007-07-10

I usually don't bother reviewing albums like this because it's a "given" that they are are awesome and a classic. I recently purchased the "gold CD" version of this from Mobility Sound Research, 24 karat gold plated CD's. They are older releases, which actually use a lower bit ratio than today's remasters, so they don't sound totally loud like most of them do nowadays. Still, the sound quality/clarity is excellent and noticeably better on more expensive stereo equipment than the regular version of Pyro. Also, louder is not necessarily better, though I will concede that higher output levels are still generally good. As for Pyromania, if you're a new Def Leppard fan, this is the type of CD that defines "classic metal". I still feel that Van Halen overall is the undisputed king of pop metal with Def Leppard in close second, not for the work they're doing now, but because of "High n' Dry", "Hysteria" and this album. But Def Leppard, pound for pound, have the best overall couple of albums. I rate the greatest classic hard rock CD's of all time this way:

1) Def Leppard- Hysteria
2) Def Leppard- Pyromania
3) Van Halen- 1984
4) Van Halen- (debut album-1)
5) Whitesnake- Slide It In

After that it's too close to call, with Judas Priest and Scorpions taking the rest of the top ten honours for various albums they've released over the years: "British Steel", "Defenders of the Faith", "Love at first Sting" and "Blackout" etc.

Pivotal record.......2007-05-23

This album contains a raft of great rockers that while sometimes cheesy remain somehow backwardly acceptable. For example lead track Rock Rock (til you drop) shouldn't work, actually it should be embarrassing, but for some reason it feels like a worthwhile rock tune. It's not but it feels like it is. And my only theory as to why this is so is that it's all down to the passion of the band which was undiluted at this point. It's all down to a professionalism married to youthful desire - let's not forget the fact that the band were still fairly young at this point.

It's this combination of clinical application and rockin' out that produces great stuff like Photograph, Stagefright, Foolin' and Rock of Ages. All four are great rockers that just wouldn't suit the bands latter day incarnations. Now it must be said that a few of the other tunes like, well like the last three tracks on the album, don't really rise above generic quality. But that's OK because to make up for that we get Die Hard the Hunter. Now this is a tune that's psychologically thought out and ambitious which can't be said for just about any Leppard song on any of their later albums.

And that really sums up in many ways this often times simple hard rock record. A solid release but a pivotal one where Leppard started pulling away from the NWOBHM pack on the back of a (now famous) Mutt Lange production job. Solid mid 80's hard rock much of which is still a good listen. Recommended.

A Masterpiece.......2007-05-03

No point in a long review, the album is one of the greatest albums of all time in any genre. A true masterpiece.

Classic rock!!!.......2007-03-13

Those of us who had this on cassette and loved it, just have to own the cd!!!

1983, THE YEAR DEF LEPPARD GAVE US PYROMANIA AND SHOCKED THE WORLD........2007-01-20

Readers and reviewers, I will be writing a review on the leg