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In Silico

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Pendulum

May 12, 2008
I must say that I agree entirely with the review by Mr H Pearce, entitled "A change of direction", and cited as the "most helpful critical review" - he has hit the nail on the head.

I too was a big fan of Hold Your Colour as a superb cross-over album, with just the right amount of grittiness to make substantial rock and DnB references, without making both completely homogonised and bland. Alas, in Silico homogonises pretty hard, and the result is an album that sounds as though it were expressly composed for the lastest Hollywood blockbuster soundtrack.

As per Mr Pearce's insightful review, it will doubtless have a few feet tapping when it comes on that bit later in some of the bars, but this album will be forgotten ... Read More:

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For Emma Forever Ago

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Bon Iver

March 24, 2008
This CD came up in the Amazon recommends list as I am a fan of Daniel Lanois and his work with others IE Emmylou Harris' wrecking ball. With hindsight I can't think why. I bought it unheard on the back of the many rave reviews.

I am very disappointed. I have eclectic tastes but if pressed I would say that I favoured blues and atmospheric music.

I found this album to have low production values combined with a rudimentary and limited musical ability. (This from a a fan of Son House and Charley Patton). It seems to consist mainly of a monotonously strummed single chord on an acoustic guitar/national resophonic guitar with vocals which have to be an aquired taste.

In contrast to bulk of reviews, in my opinion ... Read More:

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Konk

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Kooks

April 14, 2008
I really don't understand why so many people love this band so much. Oke they have written some catchy songs, buts thats not enough to fill a whole album. 4 "good" songs is not mutch for the money you eventually pay.
It's to easy. This album has to many shortcoming (lyrics, music, fantasy, etc.)
Of course they don't have to do a better job. Why should they? Everyone is just buying it because of the name. Who the Kooks!!!!!!
They are just a big commercial hit, like Good Charlotte, or Simple Plan and nothing else.

There are many, many better bands in Great Brittian, but most of them are never heard by broader public, thats a great pitty.

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Pacific Ocean Blue/Bambu (The Caribou Sessions)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Dennis Wilson

June 16, 2008
I have to say that I dislike the Beach Boys surfer-era ethos intensely, as do a lot of people I know, and I have had a devil of a job getting them to listen to this cd with their prejudices left at home. I bought the cd set on the basis of all the rave reviews in the media etc, thinking I'll give it a go and could always sell it on ebay if it was rubbish. How wrong I was!!! Do not let such prior judgements put you off this superb album!! Dennis had a very similar ear for piano-based melodies as fellow CA resident Randy Newman but the music is far more heartfelt. Enough words - just buy it - you wont regret it!! Trust me...I'm a civil servant...

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Here We Stand

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Fratellis

June 09, 2008
Costello Music, when the Fratellis debuted on the mainstream in 2006 was an album that from the very first song, you fell in love with the album and the band. Their music was instantly memorable and something that you could get up and dance to without giving much thought to what you were listening to. The art of the Fratellis is that they can make music with excellent lyrics for those who pay attention to that aspect of music, and it's catchy making them the prime choice for parties. Costello Music made an impact and gave the indie bands some credibility amongst the mainstream audiences. Usually when a new band or artist has such a successful debut they generally fail to live up to that hype with their second album.

Here We Stand, was not just ... Read More:

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Santogold

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Santogold

May 12, 2008
I brought this album after seeing Santogold perform a mash up with Roots Manouver, I have not been dissapointed. At first her voice has a similar same sound to Nelly Furtado but the originality of the music makes her stand out. If you like the party, rave, feel of M.I.A then this is definately a good investment, there is an element of ska and rave to all the tracks, ones to skip straight to are Creator and Lights Out.

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Good Girl Gone Bad (New Version)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Rihanna

June 02, 2008
I don't really think, that we need this re-release version of the album, that is not actual anymore!
Up to my mind, everyone Rihanna fan would like to see her new material, something original, not this old tracks and just 3 new songs that isn't brilliant! The best track on this commercial album is "Take A Bow". Buy a single, not this commercial release.

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Piano Man: the Very Best of Billy Joel

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Billy Joel

July 14, 2008
this CD is really just another example of the music companies trying to fleece us the poor consumer. whilst the music of Billy Joel is superb in any format this best of is just a rehash of his Essential collection.

unless you have a burning desire to own Scenes from an Italian Resteraunt and Only the Good Die young then i would seriously recommend 'The Essential Billy Joel' 36 tracks in all and 16 of them which you get on this album.

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Modern Guilt

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Beck

July 07, 2008
Like I said above, nearly all the reviews I've read for Modern Guilt have praised it as a return to form, "best since Sea Change", and that sort of garbage. Lazy, lazy journalism, particularly considering I read the exact same things about previous two albums (and bona fide clinkers) Guero and The Information. Where Modern Guilt outshines those albums is in its length, as both were at least twice as long as the half-hour Modern Guilt. That, and the music.

Which is fantastic. For reasons I don't understand, this Beck album took me the longest to get into. Well, of the ones I like. The less said about the boring Mellow Gold and the HIDEOUS Midnite Vultures the better. I was initially put off by how minimalist the album sounds. After about three listens, I was completely ... Read More:

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A Piece Of What You Need

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Teddy Thompson

August 25, 2008
I'll start out by saying that I don't think this is as strong a work lyrically as "Separate Ways," yet I love it, have not tired of playing it yet. I disagree with Reader below for saying it's over-produced, that the emotions and meaning in Thompson's lyrics are over-shadowed. I find the contradiction between up-beat, splashy music and pained or painful lyrics gives the songs a wry poignancy or bite. Plus makes them fun to sing along with. This is a thumping, touching, odd, fun(ny) album that goes to your heart. Well, it did mine.