Reviews Written by Michael T
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October 29, 2005
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September 11, 2005
As Good As This Genre Could Get
Pros: The Few Guilty Pleasures
Cons: Not Enough Pleasures To Compensate For The Guilt
Unless this quartet- which was one of several artists that would debut in the Eighties who would combine the on stage appearance and image of glam with the bravado of hard rock- could elicit your fanaticism; would you be aware that this entity could sustain itself after the alternative explosion would rescue the landscape of contemporary music? At any rate Poison was without the brute force of Motley Crue but at least the former would know enough to steal from the New York Dolls which in turn is evident on such tracks as "I Want Action" and "Talk Dirty To Me" but so what? Most familiar with Poison were never astute enough to appreciate the New York Dolls and not enough of the best elements which originate from the latter would surface in the former. If pop culture is an accurate baromter of the climate to the society with which it entertains then the Eighties were- by and large- shallow. ...
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September 3, 2005
For Those Nostalgic For Dread!
Pros: That Would Be At Your Discretion
Cons: The "Hits" Themselves
Why was Motley Crue the success it once was from 1983
to 1990? For those of us old enough to remember the
Eighties- you could bask in greed without guilt and
this quartet was just as crass and flamboyant as Kiss
was in its original incarnation yet less fun. Perhaps Motley Crue would give its audience illusions of rebellion- since Nikki Sixx would describe this quartet as "a loose cannon"- but from what impetus
would this rebellion originate aside for the desire for both alcohol and carnal delights? This
compilation will never answer such questions but none the less it is available for those who wish to indulge in that which would epitomize and perpetuate the worst trends from the Age Of Reagan! ... -
September 2, 2005
For Those Nostalgic For Dread!
Pros: Who Knows?
Cons: The "Hits" Themselves
Why was Motley Crue the success it once was from 1983 to 1990? For those of us old enough to remember the Eighties- you could bask in greed without guilt and this quartet was just as crass and flamboyant as Kiss was in its original incarnation yet less fun. Perhaps Motley Crue would give its audience illusions of rebellion- since Nikki Sixx would describe this quartet as "a loose cannon"- but from what impetus would this rebellion originate? Although this compilation will never answer such questions but for those nostalgic for the that which would epitomize and perpetuate the worst trends from the Eighties; here it is! ...
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August 27, 2005
Could Tell Mr. Hughes What Decade This Is?
Pros: Technical Proficient Musicianship
Cons: All Else In This Project
Those of us familiar with Glenn Hughes are well aware of his talent. However- exceptional chops could never guarantee exceptional byproduct and that continues to be the case with Hughes. Most would discover him in 1974 when Hughes would first replace Roger Glover on bass in Deep Purple when the latter and Ian Gillan would leave due to squabbles with Ritchie Blackmore. Now he lumbers under the radar because the truth is he restricts himself as well as his audience with the formula that is the bridge between the stagnant formats pervasive on the FM dial in both the Seventies and Eighties and heavy metal- not that that was an area with much value to begin with. Perhaps there will be redemption for Glenn Hughes one day if the various incarnations of Deep Purple will receive induction at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. ...
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June 3, 2005
Exceptional Debut From The Best Hardcore Punk Act
Pros: Vocals Courtesy By Henry Rollins
Cons: TV Party Was Far Too Much Of A Novelty
If you knew or would encounter your share of punks in the Eighties you would probably encounter the notion that Black Flag would cease to possess value once Henry Rollins- who in turn was once in State Of Alert- took the reign on vocals with this band yet that notion in question was ridiculous. No predecessor of Rollins in Black Flag- not Dez Cadena; Keith Morris; or Ron Reyes- could breathe as much fire in the tracks on this album which would originate from the pen of Greg Ginn. "Damaged" was not the best effort by this band but it was the best hardcore punk would become. ...
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End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2004)
by Michael Gramaglia | VideoPrice: $4.49 to $15.99 Compare PricesMay 1, 2005
One Somber Tale Of One Great Musical Entity
Pros: This Highlights Achievements Despite Dysfunction
Cons: This Highlights Dysfunction Despite Achievements
Who knows what the outcome of Douglas "Dee Dee" Colvin; John Cummings; and Jeffrey "Joey" Hyman would have been if the Ramones were never to form? Despite the fact they indeed did in 1974 then create the foundation of the punk explosion with the release of its full length debut two years later- the Ramones would still personify tragedy throughout its existence. This band- despite relevant status as pioneers- would have to contend with one challenge after the next inherent in the hostile music industry due to restrictive formats from commercial radio entities as well the all too conservative taste of the audience such stations would service. Among other difficulties the Ramones would face in all its incarnations over its twenty two year period were (as one would guess) bouts with alcohol; drugs; and significant others each would entertain. "End Of The Century" will never temper your fanaticism for this band nor does this documentary attempt to do so. In fact your appreciation for the Ramones may expand because "End Of The Century" reminds us that despite such difficulty in addition to the occasional lapse into mediocrity this band- when at its best- were great and as such were an inspiration to the post modern/alternative movement now in effect. Also of interest is insight courtesy of Marc Bell; Tommy Erdelyi; Ritchie Beau Reinhardt; and "C.J." Ward who were also in the roster at various points. Perhaps the experience of the Ramones would in part usher the early demise of Colvin, Cummings, and Hyman, but without that formation as this collective musical force this story may have been much more tragic- and the pop music spectrum would have been without an essential element. God rest the souls of Dee Dee, Joey, and Johnny. ...
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Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the '80s Underground
by Various Artists | MusicPrice: $47.95 to $64.98 Compare PricesMarch 19, 2005
Music That Mattered From The Decade That Didn't
0 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Many Artists That This Box Set Highlights
Cons: The Order Of The Selections
At last- Rhino gives us an extensive and comprehensive chronicle of the Alternative movement prior to the grunge explosion from the Pacific Northwest in 1991. The difference between this and other compilations that would attempt to define the era is that those behind this project were astute enough to exclude acts such as Fine Young Cannibals and Howard Jones which far too many would mistake as akin to the the underground that college radio stations in the Eighties would emphasize. Sure there is the array of lightweight acts whose principal instrumental source was the synthesizer (such as Depeche Mode) or other artists from Great Britain which would characterize the worst trends in this movement (such as the Morrissey led Smiths) that you can find on "Left Of The Dial" but that still leaves much in this compilation to recommend. Examples whose impact was much more durable are found in this four disc set thanks to the appearance of Black Flag; Husker Du; The Dream Syndicate; Lone Justice; The Minutemen; The Replacements; The Three O'Clock; 10,000 Maniacs; and of course R.E.M. Throw away your Korn collection- as well as your interest in such "music" itself- and embrace instead the material which would serve as the inspiration to Kurt Cobain Courtney Love and Eddie Vedder. ...
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October 7, 2004
R.E.M. Succeeds Again- At Least In Part
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Increments Of Elegance
Cons: Slow And Melancholy
After three consecutive efforts- in the form of "Monster" "New Adventures In Hi Fi" and "Up" by this musical entity from Athens Georgia- which were at best uneven R.E.M. would rebound in an artistic respect with "Reveal". That full length release in 2001 would transform the experimental bent of "Up" to consistency since that was by and large absent in the latter. Now this trio attempts to combine that approach with the near delicate perfection of "Automatic For The People". However that album in 1992 would boast tracks that would display material by R.E.M. at its best and although "Around The Sun" also displays that strength it does so with less frequency. As one can expect Michael Stipe will challenge his audience with lyrics that confuse and compensates with his delivery which attracts. Mike Mills and Peter Buck in turn provide Stipe with an impressive foundation on "Electron Blue" "Final Straw" "Leaving New York" as well as the title track which brought the close to this album. In fact note the whimsy on "Wanderlust" which is somewhat reminiscent of the Beatles when that quartet would combine pop with psychedelia. But even such fare is not enough to sustain "Around In The Sun" it toto since not enough of it is available. Perhaps the solution was to vary the pace with upbeat contributions to complement the slow and melancholy. Among the best examples found in "Life's Rich Pageant" "Document" and "Green" demonstrates that the R.E.M. can rock and can do so well. But perhaps that was too much to ask of Buck; Mills; and Stipe for this project. ...
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
by Original Soundtrack | MusicPrice: $13.53 to $14.99 Compare PricesJuly 1, 2004
An Abomination
Pros: The Songs
Cons: The Performance Of The Songs
With as much might the Bee Gees put forth in an effort to be equals to the Beatles they would never succeed. Other acts in the Seventies such as Badfinger Big Star and The Raspberries would also aspire to achieve such heights with more credibility because each would inject its own sensibility and therefore approach. The Bee Gees by contrast were far too lightweight for the task and found it best to abandon that approach when they would implement elements of soul which in turn would equate disco. When they would revert to its previous approach with less subtlety and Peter Frampton in tow this motion picture soundtrack was the result. But even if interpretations of "Oh Darling" or "A Day In The Life" by the that company is enough to make the astute cringe that still avoids the bottom of the barrel due to "Strawberry Fields Forever" by Sandy Farina or "Fixing A Hole" by George Burns. Aerosmith does justice to "Come Together" by John Lennon just as Earth Wind And Fire would for "Got To Get You Into My Life" by Paul McCartney but other than that leave this edition of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" to its status of an unfortunate footnote and welcome its original inspiration to your collection. ...
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From An Era Which Should Have Never Been
Pros: Technical Competence
Cons: The Exploitation Of Trends Which Were Never That Good To Begin With
There was little to distinguish this quartet from the pack which would litter contemporary music in the period that they would debut. Still Trixter did serve to give provide its audience with the low brow entertainment they were in search of until the next release by Bon Jovi or Warrant would surface. There are those who rank this in the four star range but what would Trixter and others of its ilk affect? How fortunate that this movement would dissipate due to the rise in Alternative. ...