Reviews Written by Tom M
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December 24, 2004
Son of Zorro Returns!
Pros: Todd Rundgren Production
Cons: Todd Rundgren Production
John and Daryl's long-time friend Todd Rundgren produced this album and fans of his will be able to spot his style throughout.
"War Babies" was quite a departure from the "Abandoned Luncheonette" album it followed as it featured mainly high-energy songs and nothing even close to "She's Gone"-type classics.
Best cuts are "War Baby (Son of Zorro)", "You're Much Too Soon", "70's Scenario", "Johnny Gore and the 'C' Eaters" and the rock anthem "Is It A Star".
It might be hard to find since it's an import-only but it's worth the search. ... -
Beauty on a Back Street (Remastered)
by Hall & Oates | MusicPrice: $19.99 to $118.95 Compare PricesDecember 24, 2004
Haul's Energy
Pros: Good Transparent Sound
Cons: I could live without the ballads
This 1977 release came on the heels of "Rich Girl" and the "Live Time" album. It features lots of electricity in songs like ";Bad Habits & Infections" and "You Must Be Good For Something".
Best cuts are the above-mentioned along with "Don't Change" (the single is a re-mixed version with added strings), "Love Hurts (Love Heals)" and "Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Heart?".
Too bad radio programmers were jumping on the disco hype of these years otherwise sales would have made this album platinum. ... -
November 23, 2004
Yes It Is!
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Superb sound quality.
Cons: It's 16 songs, but could use more.
Very well-mastered set of Archies songs. The sound quality comes extremely close to the RKO albums that came out ("The Archies" and "Archie's Party") recently. Ron Dante's vocals sound very distinctive and clear. The instrumentation is professional and the Jeff Barry (and others) productions are polished and seamless.
Best tracks: All of them.
I would love to see singles like "Strangers In The Morning", "Plum Crazy", "A Summer Prayer For Peace", "Together We Two" and tracks like "It's The Summertime" on it.
Here's for more! ... -
November 2, 2004
Good Kind of Soul
4 of 4 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Three new songs included.
Cons: Tiny print on the song bios
I was suspect about this album when I first heard about it. I wondered why in the world they wanted to do an album with nothing but R&B covers.
According to what I've read, and what turned out to be true, is that Daryl & John just took the basics from each of the songs they covered, and altered the arrangements and some of the lyrics to fit their style. Essentially making them all "Hall & Oates" songs.
The three new songs are among the high points on this album, "Let Love Take Control" has the most enthusiastic vocals I've heard from Daryl since I don't know when. "Soul Violins" and "Don't Turn Your Back On Me" are instant signature songs as well.
The album features a "Song Bio" for each track with Daryl explaining how they came to fruition.
I think the best re-arrangement came on "Can't Get Enough of Your Love". You'd never know it was a Barry White song.
"I'll Be Around" is the A/C single that's getting airplay and the smooth jazz stations are currently playing "Love TKO".
John Oates does a magnificent job on "Ooh Child" which is my current favorite on the album. It's his best performance since "Love In A Dangerous Time" from the "Do It For Love" album.
The vocals are superb as usual from these guys, the instrumentation is not too heavy but good and upbeat throughout.
The Japan import features a Nilsson song "Without You". ... -
August 5, 2004
Great Sound, But....
Pros: Signature album from Daryl Hall & John Oates
Cons: Doesn't include any remixes
The one caveat (and the only thing that's preventing me from giving it all 5-stars) about this 2004 remastered release of "Voices" is that there is an edit at the beginning of "Hard To Be In Love With You" that cuts-out Daryl saying "Wap bap" to intro the song. Purists (like me) don't want even a note's difference from the original. Therefore, I suggest buying one of the earlier versions of this album along with "12-Inch Collection" (Volumes I and II) that feature remixed songs from this album, namely "Every Time You Go Away" and "Kiss On My List".
Best tracks - All of them. Most notably "How Does It Feel To Be Back", "Kiss On My List", "You Make My Dreams", "Gotta Lotta Nerve (Perfect, Perfect)", "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and "Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear The Voices)". ... -
July 10, 2004
So Far, So Good
7 of 8 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Sennheiser Name
Cons: None
I've had these for a while now and I like the closed-ear design. I use headphones like these for on-air use and they do a good job keeping the noise (and feedback) out.
They sound good and clear but a little boomy for my taste. I would prefer the elements closer to the ear.
Good value for the price and just about all the parts are user-replaceable, so you won't have to toss away a good pair of headphones because of one part breaking. They also seem very durable. ... -
July 2, 2004
Pass on This One...
Pros: 14 tracks
Cons: Where Do I Start???
Let's start with the liner notes. First of all, writer Dave Thompson falls prey to the assumption that "Sugar Sugar" was originally offered to The Monkees. I used to believe this myself before Ron Dante of The Archies cleared that up by saying that the song was always intended for the Archies. He got his information from co-writer Andy Kim himself.
Thompson also insinuates that The Archies and music supervisor Don Kirshner had a falling-out ala The Monkees because they wanted to make "meaningful" records.... What does that mean? What's not meaningful about a song like "Sunshine" or "A Summer Prayer for Peace"? (Now if their songs were all like "Whoopie Tie-Ai A", he may have a point).
The sound quality isn't all that good either. I can clearly hear a "swishing" sound that accompanies the high-end.
I saved the best for last. The "Mash-Up Bonus Track" called "Satisfaction/"Sugar Sugar" is a total crock and a waste of all the 1's and 0's inscribed on this disc. ...
Don't waste your money on this compilation. Try "The Very Best of The Archies" on Fuel 2000 or any of the official Archies CDs on RKO records.
If you must have the "Sugar Sugar" remixes, get the Cleopatra records version of this album that has both the "Pistel" and "Julian Beeston" remixes from 1999. -
May 21, 2004
H2O Remastered w/bonus Tracks
Pros: Might as well be a greatest hits package
Cons: None.
Daryl & John were at their commercial peak with this album with "Maneater" being number one for a month leading the way.
"Family Man" and "One on One" were also huge hits here but don't let the rest of the album pass you by. All the material here is superb in every respect.
The bonus tracks are extended versions of "Family Man" and "One on One" which are available on the "12-Inch Colleciton" Volumes I & II which I also recommend. ... -
May 11, 2004
John Oates Live
2 of 2 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Fine show, music videos and bonus CD
Cons: Needs a complete listing for the songs on the live show.
John Oates does a fine job here performing live with the band Little Blue. Don't expect a high-tech light show or anything since they used only one camera, just a raw, honest down-to-earth show that I expect from John. (Now, Daryl's a different story...) But don't worry about the sound quality, it's first-rate. It's mostly an acoustic show but it has it's energetic moments.
Three music videos highlight this DVD including "It Girl" starring Paris Hilton. (If being "it" isn't her, what is?)
Also included are "Color of Love" and "Little Angel" which John wrote for his son Tanner and wife Aimee. (Awwww...)
The making of the "Phunk Shui" album is included along with a Telemark video.
The bonus CD features songs from the show plus John's rendition of "Forever For You", "Sara Smile" and "She's Gone".
Great buy for the money. ...
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Hear "Voices" Clearly
Pros: God's Gift to Music
Cons: It's not long enough!!
This is Daryl & John's first self-produced album that had no less than three top-ten hits from it including "Kiss On My List", "You Make My Dreams" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (ok, it was #12...). John Oates best-written song is "How Does It Feel To Be Back"
You could probably find a cheaper version of this CD than the gold version, but stay away from the recent re-mastered (2004) version as it edits the very start of "Hard To Be In Love" ...