CD-Charts Position 31
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The Essential Leonard Cohen

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: Leonard Cohen

Release Date April 25, 2005
The voice is the first thing you notice. The early poetic renditions on such classics as "Suzanne", "Sisters of Mercy" and "Famous Blue Raincoat" are presented in a voice that is deadpan but not as gruff as in later years. This was at a period when he was a well kept secret and with a style and presentation that not everyone took to. Move onto disc 2 and you notice how the voice deepens and the songs become bigger. One thing that Cohen has never failed to deliver is quality songs with curious stories to tell. He has an almost hymn-like or gospel touch on a lot of his work, usually enhanced by superb backing singers and wondrous musicians and arrangements.

I move between both of his periods with equal ease, but I find the latter ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 32
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Raising Sand

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Release Date October 29, 2007
Sadly someone obviously suggested to Robert Plant that this would be a good idea....recording a (mostly) countryesque album with Alison Krauss. They were wrong!! I have no problem with Plant (or anyone else for that matter) trying new things, but please..... this was a bad idea that should have stayed just that.... an idea!! Why on earth so many people feel the need to heap praise on this album is beyond me - it has no redeming qualities to my ears whatsoever - even if Robert Plant is involved.......come to think of it that old story of the Emporer's new clothes comes to mind!!

CD-Charts Position 33
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Sunday at Devil Dirt

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan

Release Date May 12, 2008
I must say that I am very impressed by this album. I didn't appreciate the other album done by these 2 artists but this one hits the bullseye!! It has the same sort of atmosphere that is created with the Robert Plant duet album, but this cd creates much more of a relaxing atmosphere.
There isn't a weak track on this cd. Don't hesitate on buying it, even if the only reason why I bought it without even having heard a note is for the King- Mark Lanegan. As I do understand Isobel Campbell has written the majority of the material and Mark has given his final touches.
If you appreciate this album, I also suggest you buy The Gutter Twins- Saturnalia, anothe masterpiece. Take advantgae while these artists are in their highest creative veins!!! ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 34
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The Platinum Collection: Greatest Hits I, II & III

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: Queen

Release Date November 13, 2000
I have just got the box set recently, and have been enjoying it greatly. Not just that, my three daughters aged 9, 6 and 2 are great fans, and want to listen to it all the time in the car. And the two-year-old even says 'Rock' once she hears the first few bars of 'We will rock you'. Just goes on to show that Queen truly made ageless music, which still scores far above most contemporary music.

CD-Charts Position 35
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In Rainbows

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: Radiohead

Release Date December 31, 2007
Hauntingly beautiful tracks that stick in your head - saw them recently and they were good live even without the string arrangements on many tracks. This album seems close and personal - enjoy

CD-Charts Position 36
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Hand Built By Robots

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: Newton Faulkner

Release Date July 30, 2007
I have to admit I avoided buying this album because everyone talked about it and I didn't think it would match up to the ratings. However, I did give in and I'm glad I did! I can't remember how many times I've played it and I don't get sick of it. It's a lovely, easy going album, perfect for chilling out to. One of my favourites has to be 'People should smile more'. If you want a good album, get this!!

CD-Charts Position 37
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Dreaming Out Loud

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: One Republic

Release Date March 10, 2008
I know that this band has influences from Coldplay and Keane, but they are much better than those bands in my opinion. I thought Keane's singles from the last album were great, especially Crystal ball, so I think this is more like the new Keane than the old Keane. Although I think OneRepublic is their own individual band and maybe they shouldn't be compared.
When I first heard this band's song re-mixed by Timbaland, I wasn't expecting the band to do any solo songs because I thought it was sort of organised by Timblalnd, but it turns out that Timbaland re-mixed OneRepublic's version of Apologize and made it sound better. There was just something about that song that attracted me to the band. When Stop and stare was first released, it took me a while to realise ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 38
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Santogold

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: Santogold

Release Date May 12, 2008
This album caught my attention because Amazon put it in my recommended buys and I immediately loved the cover. On impulse, despite having heard nothing about or by Santogold I bought it and was not disappointed (my favourite impulse buy to date). The record is a mix of sounds that I am unable to accurately categorize though my best attempt would put it between modern R&B and Electronic influenced pop (dirtier though). There is the modern R&B cockiness found in the lyrics of songs like "Unstoppable" and "Creator": "me I'm a creator/ thrill is to make it up/ the rules I break got me a place/ up on the radar." However, this is backed up with heavily synthesized sounds which put it apart from mainstream R&B as it currently stands. Other songs such as "Lights Out" reveal ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 39
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Made In The Dark

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: Hot Chip

Release Date February 04, 2008
This album has taken me by surprise. I didn't buy it for me but for the other half. Truth is though, many tracks have caught my ear and I've been playing it sneakily by myself too when no-one else is around, but don't tell her will you?!

You see, I wasn't really expecting an album displaying such a diverse range of electronic influence. Being a fan of Jarre and Kraftwerk, there is more than a nod and a wink to these classic artists here, as well as more contemporary influences such as Groove Armada and even The Streets.

All in all a great album. 4 stars!

CD-Charts Position 40
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Live Santa Monica '72

CD-Charts > Music > Rock
by: David Bowie

Release Date June 30, 2008
I've not listened to Bowie for many years, but when I saw this had been released I decided to get it straight away. This was my favourite era, and I'm a big fan of live albums, seeing how well a small group can reproduce the songs on stage - and they certainly don't disappoint. The band wend their way through a brilliant 18-song set, ranging from the full-on rock of Suffragette City to a wonderful version of Space Oddity - just 2 vocals and a 12-string acoustic guitar. There are only one or two tracks which don't quite match up to the quality of the studio versions; but this is live music and you would expect that. The one thing that stops me giving this five stars is the sound quality and mix. Mostly it is very good, but frequently there are problems: Bowie's guitar is nearly ... Read More: