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The Imagined Village

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Various Artists

October 15, 2007
I can't quite work out why i was almost moved to tears by this album, then I listened to 'Hard times in Old England' and thought "John Peel would have loved this..." and it pushed me over the edge...
This album has profoundly affected the way i think about not just English Folk music but Englishness in general: I like folk, but in small doses (and definitely without my finger in my ear!) and I also like house, rock, drum and bass, reggae, and this album made me think these days bands like Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span make up a backbone of "what people think folk used to be". We should remember these bands were ground breaking in their day, and so it is with this album.
Enjoy, and if you can't afford to buy it, dowload ... Read More:

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Shogun (Special Edition) (CD/DVD)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Trivium

September 29, 2008
Where do I start - I was looking forward to the release of Shogun, but having got my hands on it I am left distinctly under-whelmed. It just seems so bland compared to the previous three albums.

I don't buy into the criticism for sounding like Metallica at times - that is surely no bad thing. Perhaps it is that this album suffers so much in comparison to Death Magnetic - the two bands are not the same (or even really the same genre) but Metallica's latest offering is a real return to form whereas Shogun feels like a damp squib....none of the killer riffs o raw sounds that we have come to expect from Trivium.

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Way to Normal

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Ben Folds

September 29, 2008
This album has everything I love about Folds' music - it's witty, sarcastic and acerbic, but when you least expect it - after tracks matching that description such as Hiroshima, Free Coffee, Dr Yang - out of nowhere comes Cologne, which is a little more 'Songs for Silverman' and delivers like an emotional blow to the chest.

I love Ben Folds, and 'Way to Normal' shows why you should, too.

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Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Adele

January 28, 2008
I don't deny that this young girl has a nice voice, albeit not the greatest, but I cannot listen to this album the whole way through. I loved Chasing Pavements, but despite some OK tracks nothing else stands out, and it could all have been so much better. First and foremost, it's so depressing. I've tried a few times but I find it hard to listen to the whole album without either falling asleep or wanting to cut my wrists. Also, as I said she has a nice voice, but it might be even nicer if I could understand anything she's singing. Thank God there's lyrics in the booklet. And finally, the instruments. Adele really needs to get much more experience playing guitar as it ranges from mediocre to just awful, and this shows particularly on Best For Last.

It's not ... Read More:

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Acid Tongue

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Jenny Lewis

September 22, 2008
This really is a great album. Rockier than the first album this grows on you with every listen. The vocals really are fresh and crisp sounding and she has a superb talent in interpreting a song.

The guest appearances are great but in no way essential and I am not really sure were neccessary. She doesn't need anyone else to bolster her sound.

The packaging, as commented by others, is diabolical. Had I have known I would have downloaded it but I like to see a c.d. in its position in my racks. You would never see this one as its a thin cardboard slip!!

If this is going green then we should be made aware or given an option.
It almost left a sour taste in the mouth, but the music makes up for it.

Whichever format you prefer, ... Read More:

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Blake

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Blake

November 05, 2007
What a stunning album! I requested it for Christmas after seeing Blake at the Festival of Remembrance, and what a delight the album was... my only criticisms are first - a few naff tracks (God only knows - Beachboys did it better) and too many female sopranos in some (Swing low). If I buy a CD for men singing harmony, I don't want screeching women!
I do hope that a second album (and a website??) will soon be available.

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The Promise

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Il Divo

November 10, 2008
I am interested in everything about Il Divo, Teatro, and good singers ( groups) Blake, Vittorio Grigolo, Josh Groban and RyanDan.

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Raising Sand

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

October 29, 2007
Heard great things about this album over some period of time before I bought it, heard Gone, gone, gone and thought Hmmmmm, I'd give it a go.....

Can't say much more than I think it's just a mediocre musical outing by two accomplished performers.

It's not the electric mix of eclectic styles that people make it out to be, it's not a ground-breaking album, it's never going to be in my top ten fave albums [or any list of fave albums].

It is a raggle-taggle collection of songs, some a bit too similar to its partners on the album to make it an overall half-decent listen, it is performed reasonably well, but it lacks any dynamic or soul......all in all not my cup of tea.

If I was on Juke Box Jury I might say I'll give it foive, but as I ... Read More:

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e.s.t. Leucocyte (Esbjorn Svensson Trio)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: e s t

September 01, 2008
Sometimes it is necessary for musicians to push the boat out as on this album. Its radically different from anything est have done before and unfortunately and sadly will never be doing again. However, what a legacy. To me its a mixture of jazz and heavy rock with some abstract electronica throuwn in. The rhythms are powerful, dark and foreboding, yet the piano soars above the nocturnal bass and drums whether creating passages of melody or simple repetitive intonations. There are extraordinarily beautiful moments coupled with downright uncomfortable edgy passages. The overall effect is stunning and mindblowing but its not going to be to everyone's taste. People who like MoR jazz or pop are not going to dig this. But hey, without musicians willing to take risks there would be no progress ... Read More:

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My Songs

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Music
by: Various Artists

June 23, 2008
How refreshing to have a compilation album with a selection of different genre that eases the boredom that develops with most compilation albums. I listened to this album whilst driving and it both relaxed me and kept me awake with its revisiting of various familiar songs and the introduction of ones i've not come across before. A great album!