Propaganda [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Product Description
Digitally Remastered and Includes the Bonus Tracks 'Alabammy Right' and 'Marry Me'.

Propaganda,Sparks,Polygram Int'l,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Propaganda [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Average customer rating: Nothing weirder, nothing better! The Ever-Interesting Sparks ANOTHER SPARKS MASTERPIECE! NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON SPARKS The ultimate Sparks

Propaganda Sparks Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Kimono My House Indiscreet A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing Sparks Hello Young Lovers ASIN: B00000740H Release Date: 1994-08-15

Tracks:

1. Propaganda
2. At Home, At Work, At Play
3. Reinforcements
4. B.C.
5. Thanks But No Thanks
6. Don't Leave Me Alone With Her
7. Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth
8. Something for the Girl With Everything
9. Achoo
10. Who Don't Like Kids
11. Bon Voyage
12. Alabamy Right
13. Marry Me

Album Details

Digitally Remastered and Includes the Bonus Tracks 'Alabammy Right' and 'Marry Me'.

Customer Reviews:

Nothing weirder, nothing better!.......2006-02-18

Ever thought you would hear Tiny Tim singing with a hardcore punk band? Well, now's your chance. Actually, the vocals are much better than Tiny Tim's, the song melodies stick in your head *forever*, and, despite (or because of) the highly unusual vocals, the band is truly powerful in an almost metal sense. Also, I think these guys might have invented rap (check out the song BC). DON'T MISS THIS BAND. They are like *nothing* else you've ever heard.

The Ever-Interesting Sparks.......2005-04-23

I came to the Sparks roundabout. I was listening to one of the last BBC shortwave radio broadcasts to the U.S., to John Peel's pop show (Peel died in 2004) and was gobsmacked at "This town ain't big enough for the Both of Us." I've collected the group since then. This is an interesting album for completists. The Sparks are an extremely quirky group, at times banal, at times geniuses. "Don't Turn Your Back On Mother Earth," "B.C." and "Bon Voyage" are extremely good. The rest of the entries are, well, extremely sparky and adventurous, but they don't always succeed. Still, this is a remarkable group. They almost make a fetish of clarity, incredible chromatic chord changes, like Richard Strauss on 78 rpm, and they are always on key. They do really astounding arpeggios and the notes are like gunshots, dead-on. They have very Dada lyrics, which are often extremely funny and witty. I can see why they were popular in Germany. In short, they're a remarkable musical combination, completely out of the ordinary and still thought-provoking after all these years. Some good came of the 1970s. This is not average music. This is very original.

ANOTHER SPARKS MASTERPIECE!.......2004-10-24

This album instilled in me the burning desire to drop leaflets from helicopters declaring Sparks the greatest band in the world!! Having no access to a helicopter at the age of fourteen, word traveled slowly but surely, by various subversive missives.

Despite the Maels' intentions to take a completely new direction, ignoring the successful formula of Kimono My House, it segued right into Propaganda. Sparks' third and fourth albums (both on Island Records) complemented each other like a pair of bookends. Britain's `Holy Trinity' Melody Maker, Sounds and NME raved! They gave Ron and Russell tremendous coverage, featuring lengthy interviews in which they mostly discussed their favourite topic...food!

In 1974, recorded immediately after the smashing British reception of Kimono My House, Propaganda retained the same producer, Muff Winwood (brother of Traffic's Steve Winwood). The album was made in the anglo-maniac Maels' new home, England with Sparks' live touring unit; bassist Ian Hampton (replacing Martin Gordon from the Kimono sessions) and guitarist Trevor White - both former Jook members, (the late) Adrian Fisher also on guitar and drummer, Dinky Diamond.

The album cover of Propaganda launched a succession of hilarious cover shots, presenting the frail Mael brothers in extraordinary predicaments, usually helplessly victimized in some way. Here they are on the south coast of England - abducted, bound and gagged at the back of a speeding boat, and on the back cover, held hostage at a petrol station in the rear of a car. Their captors (Ian, Dinky and Trevor) are fiendishly deciding their fate. The inner sleeve finds the brothers breaking their ties and attempting to telephone for help.

Russell shines on the a'capella title track, with his voice overdubbed 30 times! The rest of the songs are sung in various narratives; the voices of animals left behind on Noah's ark ("Bon Voyage"), a kid who likes taking candy from strangers (potential abductors) but can't understand why he shouldn't ("Thanks But No Thanks"), a girlfriend being bribed by abundant eccentric gifts to keep her from divulging incriminating information ("Something For The Girl With Everything"), a cowardly army recruit ("Reinforcements") and many more. This was some of the most multifaceted pop music ever recorded. It was almost operatic with its amazing range and orchestrations, sudden tempo changes and strange storylines - and it rocked! Gilbert & Sullivan would have either been proud or envious!

Guitarist Trevor White told Goldmine in July, 1995, "'Achoo' ended with this really great characteristic long solo... (from Adrian) and they wiped it off and put on all those horrid multi-tracked sneezes. They figured everyone had heard a guitar solo, but they hadn't heard us all sneezing." Yes, guitar solos are a dime a dozen, but sneezing on a Sparks record was groundbreaking! Unfortunately, it never did catch on.

1974 brought Sparks four hits in the UK Top Twenty within nine months. The album charted instantly, and "Something For The Girl With Everything" / "Marry Me" reached #17. All of the UK singles from Propaganda contained non-LP B-sides.

In October of 1974, "Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth" /"Alabamy Right" reached #13. It was the nearest thing to a ballad that Sparks had ever done, featuring beautiful mellotron and synth strings.

Sparks were uncomfortably wedged somewhere between Glam and Rock although they were neither one entirely. As refreshing as their music was to some, it was equally annoying to others - a high standard which Sparks maintain to this day!

The Propaganda album elaborately set the stage for Sparks' next excursion...the inimitable Indiscreet.

NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON SPARKS.......2004-01-16

I'm not that old, but my 1st copy of this album was on 8-track (found it in the bargain bins for less than a dollar)! Some years later I finally upgraded to vinyl. Here I am again downgrading to compact-disc. Don't get me wrong...it's great to hear these songs skip/scratch free w/2 bonus tracks included. "Propaganda" was the 2nd Sparks album I had ever purchased. I came late, during the "Angst in my Pant" era, but since then, I have never lost interest in the Mael brothers. It's great to see such a large following of the band after so many years. "Propaganda" is probably the music industry's best decision to re-issue in the last decade. But, as you can see, it is only available as an "import." This import is worth those extra dollars you pay! Though I love "Kimono My House", "Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing" as well as the post-1974 albums, "Propaganda" has always remained my favorite. It's fun, witty, & the quickest 45 minutes of anyone's listening! Only the 1st Halfnelson/Sparks album (produced by Todd Rundgren)comes so close! Why aren't all of the Sparks' albums available in some shape or form? Why is there not at least an import version available of 77's "Introducing Sparks"? Well, loving Sparks after all these years is definately snobbery for all of us fans...for we know the secret ingredient that the music industry has been missing after all of these years. "Propaganda" is proof that Sparks' fans are simply a "fun bunch of guys that come from outer space!"

The ultimate Sparks.......2003-09-15

This is 'the' Sparks recording by which all others should be judged. Coming in the middle of the 'great trio' of albums that Sparks recorded in the seventies, 'Propaganda' combines the best of the insanity (which got a bit out of hand on 'Indiscrete') while remaining true to the rock cred that they established with 'Kimono'. This magic combination is caught at its best on 'B.C.' and 'Something for the Girl with Everything' but there is not a weak track on the album. Right from the short and sweet intro which dives headlong into 'At Home, At Work, At Play', the Mael boys are totally in control of the material. A classic that has not aged. You don't know what Sparks can do until you listen to this album.

Average customer rating:

A Secret Wish Propaganda Manufacturer: Ztt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Outside World 1234 Welcome to the Pleasuredome Flickering Flame: The Solo Years, Vol. 1 Peter Gabriel 2: Scratch ASIN: B000AMU11Q Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

1. Dream Within A Dream
2. The Murder Of Love
3. Jewel
4. Duel
5. Frozen Faces
6. P-Machinery
7. Sorry For Laughing
8. Dr. Mabuse
9. The Chase
10. Strength To Dream

Product Description

1. Dream Within A Dream [8:04]
2. The Murder Of Love [5:16]
3. Jewel [3:09]
4. Duel [4:47]
5. Frozen Faces [4:22]
6. P.Machinery [3:50]
7. Sorry For Laughing [3:27]
8. Dr.Mabuse [5:03]
9. The Chase [4:05]
10. Strength To Dream [3:00]

Format: CD

Average customer rating: No lyrics enclosed Superb Stratas is good. Others are better. STRATAS WALKS THE RAZORýS EDGEý Leave Weill enough alone ...

Teresa Stratas - The Unknown Kurt Weill Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Stratas Sings Weill Anne Sofie von Otter - Speak Low ~ Songs by Kurt Weill / Gardiner September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill Lotte Lenya Sings Kurt Weill / Levine, Lenya, Armstrong, Gilford, et al ASIN: B000005IX0 Release Date: 1991-06-25

Tracks:

1. Nanna's Lied
2. Complainte de la seine
3. Klops-Lied
4. Berlin im licht-Song
5. Und was bekam des soldaten weib?
6. Die muschel von margate: Petroleum Song
7. Wie lange noch?
8. Roger Fernay: Youkali: Tango Habanera
9. Der abschiedsbrief
10. Es regnet
11. Oscar Hammerstein II: Buddy On The Nightshift
12. Schickelgruber
13. Je ne t'aime pas
14. Das lied von den braunen inseln

Customer Reviews:

No lyrics enclosed.......2007-07-09

It is a disgrace that there are no lyrics enclosed. This is NOT a budget cd.

Superb.......2007-06-27

This is one of the best recordings of Kurt Weill ever and one of the best recordings of the magnificent Teresa Stratas.

Stratas is good. Others are better........2005-10-08

'The Unknown Kurt Weill' sung by Maria Stratas is a fine recording. The problem is that there are many fine recordings of Kurt Weill songs done by Lotte Lenya and several other Weill specialists, lead by Ute Lemper and Gisela May.

So, this album may be valuable if indeed it included a lot of numbers which do not appear on other recordings, but that is not the case either. On my collection of about ten (10) disks, not including recordings from specific shows, I have other recordings of at least half of these songs.

I really think Weill's legacy is better served by recordings who do his complete works rather than 'interesting' selections of his songs.

This is a good, enjoyable recording. I listen to it at least once a year, but it is not as good as other Weill records.

STRATAS WALKS THE RAZORýS EDGEý.......2003-07-11

I don't review many classical recordings - but this one, from 1981, has always been one of my favorite Weill collections, and after reading the rather negative comments from one reviewer, I felt I had to add my two cents' worth to the fray. Everyone is of course entitled to his or her own opinion - and music in SUCH a subjective topic that this should go without saying.

I've been a bug admirer of Weill's work - particularly his collaborations with Brecht - for years. His songs tread the thin, tricky line between classical and cabaret more daringly that most. Brecht's collaborations with Hanns Eisler, for example, are closer to the theatrical than are Weill's. In my humble opinion, Stratas walks this `razor's edge' very nimbly on this recording - her voice is obviously a finely trained instrument, but she is also able of conveying a lot of feeling and emotion with these lyrics. Her choice - or perhaps the producer's - of accompanying here with only a piano is a good one. Woitach does a fine job - and the recording itself is crystal-clear.

My only real complaint with the cd version of this album is the size of the type in the liner notes - Nonesuch could have easily `sprung' for a lengthier booklet, to allow us `old fogies' the opportunity to read it without a magnifier, and also to include the lyrics and translations. I can't recall for certain if the lp version offered the lyrics, but I believe it did. At any rate, these complaints are indeed small ones - this is a timeless, beautiful recording, and one that any fan of Weill's work should at least hear.

Leave Weill enough alone ..........2000-07-08

I don't know just what Lotte Lenya said on her deathbed, but I personally feel that other singers carry the torch for Kurt Weill as well or better than Teresa Stratas. Of all my Weill albums, this one gives me the least pleasure. The German is bad, the interpretations are shrill and forced. Some of the tracks are almost unlistenable. Was Teresa Stratas simply the first world class singer to rediscover this body of work? Was Lenya giving her a sympathy vote? I love Stratas' singing elsewhere, in the Boulez recording of Lulu (for example), but she is no good here.

For a newcomer to Weill, I highly recommend Anna Sophie Von Otter (excellent in every way) or even Ute Lemper's entertaining album. For that matter, go back and pick up Lotte Lenya's remastered Threepenny Opera -- it doesn't get much better than that. This Weill album, however, is tellingly named: it deserves to be unknown.

Average customer rating: At Home At Work At Play Mid 1970's legends-Sparks

Propaganda Sparks Manufacturer: Ume Imports ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Kimono My House Indiscreet Big Beat A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing Sparks ASIN: B000I8NGJ6 Release Date: 2006-10-09

Tracks:

1. Propaganda
2. At Home at Work at Play
3. Reinforcements
4. B.C.
5. Thanks But No Thanks
6. Don't Leave Me Alone with Her
7. Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth
8. Something for the Girl with Everything
9. Achoo
10. Who Don't Like Kids
11. Bon Voyage
12. Alabamy Right [*]
13. Marry Me [*]
14. Interview -- Saturday Scene 8/11/74 [*]

Album Description

Digitally remastered and expanded reissue of Ron and Russell Mael's 1974 album featuring three bonus tracks: 'Alabamy Right', 'Marry Me' and 'Interview' (Saturday Scene). Island. 2006.

Album Details

2006 Issued Digitally Remastered "21st Century Edition" of the Brothers Mael's Fifth Opus. After the Success of "Kimono My House", the Brothers and Band Quickly Recorded and Issued this Followup which Yielded "Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth" and "Something for the Girl with Everything". When Listening to Sparks, It's Essential to Remember that Tongue Should Be Planted Firmly in Cheek. This Special Edition Adds Two Single B-sides ("Alabamy Right" and "Marry Me" ) Along with an Interview Recorded on the BBC'S "Saturday Scene" from 1974.

Customer Reviews:

At Home At Work At Play.......2007-05-14

This is the followup to the brilliant glam-rock excess of Kimono My House, which is an essential 70's album. Propaganda was written in the studio, a sort of brain-dump by Ron Mael of all the stuff that sticks in his head -- appropriation of british music hall and classical music themes, pun-filled juvenile/clever sexual innuendo. It has the same production values (bombastic excess), and a really really strong opening. But, if you want to buy just one Sparks album, get Kimono My House. If you want to buy a second one, get Angst in My Pants. If you want a third....well, you have a bunch of good ones to pick from, including this one.

--hal

Mid 1970's legends-Sparks.......2007-02-17

Propoganda is impressive and a great example of "real" songwriting,although quirky and WAY off-beat. I first saw the Brothers Mael on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert on a Friday night in 1975 and was an instant fan,although I was in to way heavier music at the time. Being a musician, I "got it",as far as what they were doing musically and lyrically. This is a classic album from the 70's era,a multi-tracked master-piece with classic hooks,guitar licks,piano fills and melody galore. Some VERY witty tracks on this CD,folks,and proof there was some artistic,humorous rock and roll of the highest order made in the mid-1970's.
If you can only understand 3-chord rock,don't buy this CD,but if you savvy what a recording artist is all about,turn yourself on to the work of two near-genius brothers. You will not regret it,I promise...

Average customer rating: Terror Propaganda THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END!!!!! Great! A Satanic Black Metal Attack!!!

Terror Propaganda: Second Black Metal Attack Craft Manufacturer: Napalm ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Total Soul Rape Satanic Black Devotion Disciple of the Heinous Path Tentacles of Whorror The Tenth Sub Level of Suicide ASIN: B0002VGS8K Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

1. Ablaze
2. The Silence Thereafter
3. Reaktor 4
4. Hidden Under The Skin
5. False Orders Begone
6. N.D.P.
7. 616
8. Terror Propaganda

Album Description

The cult Swedish black metal terrorists return delivering a fatal blow of metallic propaganda! An absolute assault on humanity and democracy, Terror Propaganda is an unrelenting slab of true black metal filled with cult riffs and grim toned vox. The most influential Swedish Black Metal export in years!

Customer Reviews:

Terror Propaganda.......2006-04-07

I see this item has an average of five stars, thus far. My inner iconoclast snob usually gets the urge to rate it less than a five in such a case, but not so here. Craft is one of Sweden's finest black metal acts, despite lurking in the shadows of Dark Funeral and Marduk. People are always quick to compare these guys to Darkthrone, but the similarities are superficial at best. Darkthrone are adept in creating a strange sense of ambiance with rather simple musical techniques, whereas Craft are more complex in execution. They often utilize a twining and hissing guitar counterpoint, morphing conflicting sounds into a discordant sense of melody that is harsh as well as infectious. (The instrumental 616 is a testament to the band's unforgivingly harsh songwriting.)

Craft is also alot less droning than Darkthrone usually, coming closer to Mayhem than anything. As a brief observation, it's amazing where this band can really take a song in under 10 minutes while remaining cohesive. If you just zone out while listening to this album, you'll often find yourself forgetting Craft is playing conventional song structures. It seems sort of like a "wake up!" slap in the face once you hear a song's main riff come rolling back in, after being sucked in to a dense sphere of frostbitten accordance that explores Eastern scales, and flailing tremolos that hit the gut like the cold winds of winter in Sweden. This is the kind of subtle yet irreputable atmosphere that can only be made with guitars, vocals, and drums.

Mikael Nox's vocals have to be mentioned. They're a lower register growl, not terribly different than most black metal acts; But his screams are terrifying to say the least. I've droned on long enough about the musicianship, but for a brief rundown-- Volatile guitars that slice like samurai swords, nice non-blastbeat abusive drums, and uber-distorted bass craft (ho ho) the band's abrasive compositions. One last thing, though. Though I've thrown around synonyms for the word "catchy," these aren't tunes you can bop your head gleefully to on a car trip or something. I'm just saying with lyrics like "Do you feel the foul stench in the air/like corpses left to rot in the sun/nearly dead parasites trying to survive/it smells like humans," don't expect 3 Doors Down.
- Thus says the Pellington

THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END!!!!!.......2005-08-11

Satanic terror propaganda. This album is what I call PURE KVLT BLACK METAL!!! It, however, avoids the paper thin production and is fvcking heavy. The vocals are just absolutely grim, and the drumming is nice because it avoids being just blastbeats and actually does some other cool stuff. You could tell that these guys don't like you, and actually hate you and humanity too (Just read the lyrics they give you.)

Also, this band managed to be kvlt without being unoriginal. In fact, this is some of the most original black metal I've ever heard. It's hard to choose a favorite song, because they're all fvcking awesome. BUY THIS ALBUM and you won't regret it, it's pure fvcking kvlt black metal satanic terror propaganda!!!

Great!.......2005-08-03

Best black metal album in years. Has the swagger of the more lax song / riff structure of Carpathian Forest, but also has the freezing cold bite of Ildjarn. Cheers to these true black metal heros!

A Satanic Black Metal Attack!!!.......2005-04-24

Craft's second release is totally awesome, much like Total Soul Rape but a little heavier. This is a combanation of Darkthrone's Transilvanian Hunger, Mayhem's Deathcrush, and early Burzum like Filosofem. This CD will chill you to the bone and make your blood run cold. Not for any of you weak, religious, or scaredy cats out there! This stuff is COLD!!!

Average customer rating:

Wishful Thinking Propaganda Manufacturer: Repertoire ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Secret Wish ASIN: B00004W4LM Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

1. Abuse
2. Machined
3. Laughed!
4. Loving
5. Jewelled
6. Loved
7. Abuse
8. Thought

Average customer rating: Named Wino for a reason another awesome wino album What is the Hidden Hand? Keep that bass player away from the mic. Something old, something new

Divine Propaganda The Hidden Hand Manufacturer: Meteor City Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mother Teacher Destroyer With Vision Last Embrace The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote The Church Within ASIN: B0000AQS2M Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

1. Bellicose Rhetoric
2. Oamyata
3. Screw The Naysayers
4. Sunblood
5. For All The Wrong Reasons
6. Tranquility Base
7. The Last Tree
8. The Hidden hand [Theme]
9. Divine Propaganda
10. Prayer For The Night

Customer Reviews:

Named Wino for a reason.......2006-06-23

This album, while musically masterful as they unleash a great onslaught of stoner rock riffs and all, was hard to listen to for me. Wino may be a talented musician, but cripes does he whine about the government a lot. I'm not saying anything about my political affiliation because it doesn't matter what you consider yourself, the political whining is so prevalent in this album it is hard to enjoy. I really tried hard to enjoy the great music they were playing but for some reason they're agenda to complain about the government really bothered me. Music is a huge part of my life and i take it seriously but when bands think, "hey lets use < (key word here [as in manipulate]) music to promote our political beliefs" it makes me sick. this is a free country and your fine to promote your beliefs but when it ruins good music like what was laid down in this album, it should be considered a crime. so to sum it all up, great music, too much "Wino"ing. When did music cease to be music for everyone to enjoy and become some political battlefield?

another awesome wino album.......2006-03-20

this album rocks a must have for the wino fans out there......

What is the Hidden Hand?.......2005-06-23

I bought both Hidden Hand CDs on a gut feeling, hadn't heard of Wino's other great bands, nothing. I had heard praise of Wino, saying he played the bass like a Giant, and the description couldn't be more apt.

Those who find the music depressing are misinterpreting it, I believe. From his view, its just a sad story he has to tell, but there is a lot of hope. Maybe that comes out more in the follow up album, but they are both great.

As for " a totalitarian police state" being hinted at, yes, he is talking about conspiracy. But he is talking about every day citizens becoming the sheep-herders, the society that polices itself, without realizing it.

The title of the album itself refers to the use of religion in the control of the masses, "We've heard it all before, all the lies and even more." Goes the song "Screw the Naysayers"

Don't judge this CD by the first track (all the rest are great), or by those who think it is pessimistic.
"Hidden Hand is here to stay"

Keep that bass player away from the mic........2004-04-30

As a bassist I feel safe in saying that it is generally an ominous sign for a band when the bassist wants to start singing. There are certainly exceptions to the rule (ie. Motorhead) but it should be noted that the last album that the great Spirit Caravan (Wino's last band) released was the first one where they finally gave in and let the bassist sing a song - and then the band broke up! I mean, with the greatest voice in stoner/doom in the band, what on earth is this competent bassist with an extremely average voice doing singing most of the songs? IN additon, his lyrics are kinda hokey and awkward sounding forced rhymes abound. The music is still heavy and crunchy and the guitar playing is awesome. It's still a Wino project and worth having but the band's eagerness to get their message across seems to result in the music simply being a dressing for the message rather than something that forms a synergy with it and enhances it. Without Wino's guitar solos and his occasional vocals, this disc could easily be indistinguishable from a thousand other heavy bands we've all heard screaming about government mind control and the healing power of organic foods. It's a righteous message for these times, but the Dead Kennedys did it far, far better.

Something old, something new.......2004-02-26

It's not necessarily a bad thing, but the Hidden Hand isn't just more of the same Wino. I came to this really wanting more in the vein of cosmic/psychedelic style Spirit Caravan, and was initially crushingly disappointed. I think the track order more than anything else gave me a very bad initial impression. In particular, listen to the samples of "Bellicose Rhetoric," "For All The Wrong Reasons," and "Screw the Naysayers." The music is much rawer than Wino's recent work. These, to me, will probably appeal more to the fans of the harsh Obsessed songs rather than some of the more melodic and psychedelic St. Vitus and Spirit Caravan songs. Throwing those grating songs at the beginning of the CD was a huge negative to me and I put the CD away for awhile, severely disappointed. The liner notes also turned me off-- it's obviously that Wino and crew are really coming at you from a far Left viewpoint, but they don't knock you over the head with it in the lyrics...or maybe I'm not listening that hard. Anyway, I don't buy CDs for political punditry and spend more time enjoying the music than analyzing the lyrics.

When I first heard Wino in St. Vitus, it took repeated hearings for me to really get it, and Hidden Hand likewise really deserves repeated listening. I still don't like the songs I mentioned, but for the Psychedelic Doom fan, the album is a worthwhile purchase, especially for the tracks that aren't sampled here. There are some songs that really come off great to me-- "Prayer for the Night" won't disappoint the Psychedelic fan at ALL, it a tremendous instrumental song. "The Last Tree" is great. "The Hidden Hand" sort of bridges the gap, and the rest of the album is really enjoyable.

If you're a Spirit Caravan or a Psychedelic Doom Metal fan, this album would probably be a good purchase. The album, overall, will deliver what you follow Wino for (even if you have to reburn it minus a track or two...) .... It's definitely not recycled SC, but Wino's heart is still in it and I think it will come through for you.

Average customer rating: Old Propaganda : New again! why does it hurt when my h e a r t s k i p s a beat Excellent! But... How Bitter Sweet It Is Power, force, emotion, drive...

Outside World Propaganda Manufacturer: Ztt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Secret Wish A Secret Wish 1234 Item Laughter, Tears and Rage ASIN: B000063BKP Release Date: 2002-06-17

Tracks:

1. Dad Testament Des Dr Mabuse (13th Life Mix)
2. Lied
3. P. Machinery (Beta Mix)
4. Duel (Bitter Sweet)
5. The Lesson
6. Frozen Faces (12" Version)
7. Jewel
8. Complete Machinery
9. Das Testament Des Dr Mabuse (Dj Promo Version)
10. Femme Fatale (The Woman With The Orchid)
11. Echo Of Frozen Faces

Album Details

A Treasure Trove of Remixes and Rarities for Propaganda Fans! Includes the Beta Mix of 'p-machinery', Both the 13th Life Mix and a DJ Promo Mix of 'das Testament Des Dr. Mabuse', a 12 Inch Version of 'frozen Faces' and More Great Chestnuts.

Customer Reviews:

Old Propaganda : New again!.......2007-01-17

I really love this album. It's just like their Secret Wishing album, but the mixes are even more danceable... I really love every single song on this cd... If you're a Propaganda fan, this is a must-have.

why does it hurt when my h e a r t s k i p s a beat.......2006-09-24

dear god they were geniuses in the studio. I do not regret the expensive price of this - it is ear candy with a red bull. Just beautiful. Ah, the wonderful 80s.

Excellent! But..........2004-04-07

they didn't include the extended Femme Fatale?!? It's an elongated version of the song mixed in with [The Ninth Life of...] Dr. Mabuse. It's an awesome mix. But ah well, I still have the maxi-single. [Maxi-single... sounds fun-knee now-a-days! heehe!]

How Bitter Sweet It Is.......2004-02-10

Although I love all things Propaganda (OK, "1234" I only kinda liked), my favorite composition from "A Secret Wish" was, is, and always will be "Duel." So I've been waiting nearly 20 years for a CD release of the Bitter Sweet remix that I originally owned on vinyl (still own, actually, along with its two decades of hiss and pop). Now I can die happy: There's the extended intro with the buildup of instruments, then Claudia's vocal sounding clearer than ever, and finally the mournful guitar solo that takes the track out. I'm not usually nostalgic for my lost 80s youthfulness, but the first time I played it, this disk had me on my knees . . . .

Power, force, emotion, drive..........2003-11-07

I've been waiting nearly twenty years for a worthy successor to A Secret Wish - forget 1234 - and this it. Stunning collection of ubermixes from the Abba Of Acid. Can anything from the 80s - and indeed beyond - come even close to the intro of Dr Mabuse or the danceability of Jewel? Nein. Fantastically produced CD.

Average customer rating: Very Good Excellent Weill Alternative to Lenya and Lemper Everything is right but the style Intelligent reading from both singer and conductor Brilliant--The best of the 7 Deadly Sins recordings

Anne Sofie von Otter - Speak Low ~ Songs by Kurt Weill / Gardiner Kurt Weill , John Eliot Gardiner , Anne Sofie von Otter , Bengt Forsberg , Hannover North German Radio Orchestra , Karl-Heinz Lampe , Frederick Martin , Christfried Biebrach , and James Sims Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: For the Stars Stratas Sings Weill Teresa Stratas - The Unknown Kurt Weill Sings Kurt Weill, Vol. 2 Anne Sofie von Otter - La Bonne Chanson ASIN: B000001GM3 Release Date: 1995-03-14

Tracks:

1. Die Sieben Tods Prologue
2. Die Sieben Tods No. 1 Faulheit (Sloth)
3. Die Sieben Tods No. 2 Stolz (Pride)
4. Die Sieben Tods No. 4 Zorn (Anger)
5. Die Sieben Tods No. 5 Vrei (Gluttony)
6. Die Sieben Tods No. 6 Unzucht (Lust)
7. Die Sieben Tods No. 6 Habsucht (Avarice)
8. Die Sieben Tods No. 7 Neid (Envy)
9. Die Sieben Tods No. 8 Epilog
10. My Ship
11. One Life To Live
12. Buddy On The Nightshift
13. Nannas Leid
14. Bilbao - Song
15. Surabaya - Johnny
16. Das Leid Von Der Harten Nuss
17. Je Ne T'amie Pas
18. Schickelgruber
19. Der Abscheidsbreief
20. Foolish Heart
21. Speak Low
22. I'm A Stranger Here Myself

Amazon.com

Kurt Weill's ballet with songs is one of this century's greatest theatrical works. It has all the wit and melodic appeal of The Threepenny Opera and social conscience of Mahagonny, but more warmth and musical sophistication than either. It's also all over with in about 40 minutes. Some critics believe the piece was intended as a sort of love poem to Weill's wife, Lotte Lenya; given the tenderness of much of the music, it's hard to disagree. Lenya herself recorded the piece in the 1950s (a recording recently reissued by Sony) and this very much newer performance is welcome particularly for Anne Sofie von Otter's highly intelligent and musical way with the text. The other songs, from both Weill's Berlin and Broadway periods, make the perfect filler. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Very Good.......2006-01-03

This is a very nice selection of Weill pieces showing the full range of his output. These range from the ambitious Seven Deadly Sins to songs from Happy End to some of his Broadway work. All are very interesting. The performers, particularly Von Otter, are excellent. Recommended strongly.

Excellent Weill Alternative to Lenya and Lemper.......2005-09-29

`Speak Low Songs by Kurt Weill' is a great addition to the performances of Herr Weill's works by the prominent mezzo-soprano, Anne Sofie Von Otter. I have listened to many performances by Weill specialists from the archetype, Weill's wife, Lotte Lenys, for whom many of the songs were originally written to Ute Lemper and Gisela May, who lean heavily toward Lotte Lenya's gravel-voiced interpretation of Weill's songs.

Anne Sofie Von Otter breaks with this tradition and gives us what are easily the sweetest interpretations of Weill's songs from both his German and English works, which I have heard anywhere.

The flagship performance on this disc is `Die Sieben Todsunden' (`The Seven Deadly Sins') which was a cycle of songs to be sung on the stage, accompanied by dances done by a second performer. This takes the first nine (9) tracks and is at least as good as what I have heard from Weill specialist, Lemper. This album is the first time I have noticed that there are two versions of this work, and that Ms. Von Otter is performing the version for soprano.

But, I think the most moving performances come later, especially in von Otter's performances of the three numbers from `Happy End', `Bilbao-Song', `Surabaya-Johnny', and `Das Lied von der harten Nuss' (Song of the Big Shot). I have heard these done by many people, but never so sweetly. These numbers are so lovingly performed that I insist that you ignore the fact that the lyrics are in German. The accompanying booklet gives English translations, which I simply ignore and enjoy the musical talent with no filter. My understanding German has nothing to do with this, as I do the same with French, which I can just barely make out.

Kurt Weill may not be the most important influence on American musical theatre in the 20th century, but he is easily in the top five, along with the Gershwins, Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers and collaborators, and Cole Porter.

Ms. Von Otter is ably accompanied on this disk by her favorite pianist, Bengt Forsberg plus the Norddeutch Rundfunk orchestra directed by John Eliot Gardiner. While I really like her selection on this disk, the collection makes me wish Ms. Von Otter would do some more Weill and spend less time hanging out with Elvis Costello, but that's a different story.

Everything is right but the style.......2005-09-24

Weill and Brecht defined a nasty age with nasty art, writing some of the grittiest satire in the history of music. In this CD von Otter misses that edge, skirts all the dangerous, sleazy implications, and ultimately sounds too much the opera singer slumming it for an hour. Her earnestness is no subtitute for the right period style, a la Lotte Lenya.

Intelligent reading from both singer and conductor.......2005-01-27

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS is such a brilliant mini-masterpiece (and, to me, the pinnacle of the Brecht-Weill years) that it is hard to screw up. It is a testament to the staying power of this work (and to the brilliance of Weill's music in general) that it can be performed by the likes of Lotte Lenya, Julia Migenes, Ute Lemper, Judy Kaye, Marianne Faithfull, Teresa Stratas, and -- as here -- Anne Sofie von Otter, and STILL work... and EACH of these women are totally successful in the piece on their own terms.

Here, Anne Sofie von Otter gives us an intelligent (and highly musical) rendering of the text, keeping the musical line very much intact. She sings with vibrato at times, and then will turn around and use straight-tones at moments where it is dramatically appropriate to do so. She balances the performance well, shifting gears between cool detachment (which she is often criticized for) and impassioned outbursts (which her critics often fail to notice).

John Eliot Gardiner surprised me with how easily this music seemed to come to him, especially as he seems to be a man more at home with "Period-Instrument-Mozart" than highly charged 20th century works. However, his reading of "The Rake's Progress" by Stravinsky was totally staggering. For example, his choice beginning the climactic moment of the score ("Envy") as slowly as he does caught me very much off guard at first, and I didn't really care for it at all. However, with each successive listen, I find myself "getting" this choice more and more.

Finally, the "filler." As to be expected, she is more successful with the European material than she is with the songs from Weill's Broadway years. But this is the case with about 99.9% of all opera singers who try to sing Weill's Broadway scores. You will never hear any singer give "Je ne t'aime pas" a more hauntingly beautiful, passionately intense performance than Anne Sofie von Otter. Truly, the ultimate interpretation of one of my favorite Weill songs. "Nannas Lied," "Der Abschiedsbrief," and the HAPPY END selections. However, "My Ship" and "One Life to Live" seem to fail at catching fire -- the former because it is marred by an attempt to sound like a "pop singer," the latter because von Otter sings English better than native speakers (she knows where the ACTUAL emphasis in the phrase "nothing: the thing is to have fun" goes, as opposed to where Ira Gershwin placed it). I also -- surprisingly enough -- don't care for her performance of "Schickelgruber" -- she just seems totally lost to me. (I really think that this song is foreign territory to 'legit' sopranos and mezzos -- I don't even care for the Stratas rendition.) Just when I thought I would have to suffer through another bad batch of "opera-crossover," Anne Sofie turned around and surprised me by giving highly successful performances of the numbers from ONE TOUCH OF VENUS (especially on "I'm Stranger Here Myself").

All in all, a worthy purchase: highly recommended to all fans of THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS and Kurt Weill enthusiasts.

Brilliant--The best of the 7 Deadly Sins recordings.......2002-10-12

Weill, and particularly anything Brecht-Weill, has suffered for too long with interpertations based on tired ham theatrics, burlesques of Lenya's style, to the point where we have come to expect it as the only way to sing this music. Lenya herself is said, late in life, to have commented that a better singer (specifically Stratas at that time) would be more appropriate for properly interpreting Weill's music.

Here, after countless CD releases of the Seven Deadly Sins, is the first recording sung in the key the composer originally intended! The result is relevatory, sublime and magnificent.

Ms. Von Otter interprets the rest of the songs with mixed results--all are lovely, several are excellent, though several others have been handled better by singers with more "theatrical" talents. Nevertheless, this recording stands alone, head and shoulders above the others.

Average customer rating: Fantastic For people who loved the movie and jazz fans alike WONDERFUL AND STRANGE like the JAZZ Nice!

Metropolis Manufacturer: Domo Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Metropolis Metropolis (1984 Re-release Of 1927 Film) Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children (Limited Edition Collector's Set) ASIN: B00005YSSM Release Date: 2002-02-26

Tracks:

1. Metropolis
2. Foreboding
3. Ziggurat
4. Going To 'Zone'
5. Sniper
6. El Bombero
7. Three-Faced Of 'Zone'
8. 'Zone' Rhapsody
9. Hide Out
10. Run
11. St James Infirmary
12. Sympathy
13. Snow
14. Propaganda
15. Chase
16. Judgement
17. Awakening
18. Fury
19. After All
20. There'll Never Be Good-Bye (The Theme Of Metropolis)

Amazon.com

A dazzling and atypical musical score is the perfect tone for the gorgeous visuals of this anime film. Toshiyuki Honda's Dixieland jazz-influenced music is a daring counter to the futuristic vision of the three-tiered, near-robotic society. The title track is reminiscent of Woody Allen's theme for his futuristic film Sleeper. Half of Honda's score uses more characteristic orchestrations for several of the films' action scenes and the love theme ("Sympathy," which is later reorchestrated in the so-so end-credit song "There'll Never Be Good-Bye"). This is one of the indispensable anime soundtracks, and wonderful listening for even the non-anime fan. One demerit for the CD not containing Ray Charles's "I Can't Stop Loving You." The song beautifully counterpoints the explosive conclusion and is a vital part of the whole music score. --Doug Thomas

Album Description

The future of robots and humans . . . as predicted by Osamu Tezuka.

Based on the classic comic by legendary illustrator Osamu Tezuka, Metropolis has been brought to the screen by two of the most respected figures in Japanese animation today (Katsuhiro Otomo and Rintaro).

Metropolis is a futuristic story of the ageless class struggle, not amongst humans, but between humans and the humanoid, set in a futuristic city at the height of its civilization. Spectacularly rendered in its visual style, it combines the best in Japanese animation with the latest in digital technology.

The original soundtrack is composed by Toshiyuki Honda and the music blends the New Orleans & Dixie style jazz with classical music.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2005-10-01

This CD is perfect for any of those out there who loved the movie "Metropolis" like i did. The soundtrack is wonderful giving in to that '30s type jazzy feel that goes along with the whole private detective era and the fast techno type music to give it that futuristic feel. Great combination of both. This CD is a fantastic buy.

For people who loved the movie and jazz fans alike.......2004-04-05

There are two different types of tracks in this CD: there are those that sound like a movie soundtrack (in other words, you might need to have seen the movie to get the picture), and there are tracks that are downright great jazz. I played this at my home, and my father was tapping his feet to the opening theme.

This jazz is not the "smooth jazz" you hear in book stores. This is the kind of jazz you can imagine played at night clubs during the 30's, with musicians gathering together to play simply for the sake of music. From the opening "Metropolis" to the whacky "El Bombero" and the drumming "Run" this is music you can simply enjoy. If you haven't seen the movie, but you like jazz or the blues, then by all means buy this CD. Except for "St. James Infirmary" this is all original music, and the people who worked on it are gods of music themselves.

Buy it, pop it in, listen, and let the music take you over.

WONDERFUL AND STRANGE.......2003-06-25

THis is a superb soundtrack for a neat movie. The movie is loosely based on the 1926 sci-fi Metropolis (but with less of a moral point) and is supposedly some kind of breakthrough in anime cartoons. The music is strange because it is all American - jazz, ragtime, etc, but done by Japanese musicans and very authentic. Cool as heck!

like the JAZZ.......2003-06-02

I love the jazz its great i saw the movie in theaters 3 times and i have it and watched it like 4 times. its so like jazzY honda did a great job composing it. Ilove it.Its a masterpeice get it NOW!. p.s the movie yeah parents cautioned violince some things not mature for kids

Nice!.......2002-05-17

This is a very nice album. I loved the music while watching the movie. I finally got it when I was in the CD store last night. I wish they could include "I can't stop loving you", and improve the recording a bit. Overall a very very nice album with mixed type of music.

I recommand it wholeheartly.

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10. Sentimental [Import]

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