ERASURE - LOVEBOAT

Until "Loveboat" came out, the last Erasure album I liked all the way through was "Chorus".  Because "Loveboat" wasn't released in the US until 3 years after it's release in the UK and Europe, my copy is an import from the UK.  I actually downloaded a pirated copy of the disc and listened to it before I bought it.  I couldn't believe it didn't have a US release!  I thought it was phenomenal!

In my opinion, "Loveboat" is one of their strongest albums.  There's not a single track on this disc I don't absolutely enjoy.  From the opening strums of guitar on 'Freedom' to the fade out on 'Surreal', I was completely hooked.  Each of the tracks is catchy, sensible and all around fun to sing and dance to.  It's rare for a pop band to release a disc loaded with one great tune after another.  For me, Erasure achieved that with this disc.

There are songs I like more than others, but when I play this disc, I put it in and let it go.  I have all the tracks memorized and I sing along without hesitation.  I find it engaging.  Even some of the slower tunes are above average.  'Where In The World' is a slower number, but it has some interesting vocals that make it fun to sing.  There's a difference in the drum sounds used on this record too.  It seems like Erasure got an upgrade in their sound banks.  The first track this is evident on is 'Crying In The Rain'.  When the song starts, you hear a drum I can only describe as matte finish drums.  It doesn't have much of an echo but it does sound funky.

On the next track, 'Perchance To Dream' we get more of the new drum sounds and an interesting vocal arrangement by Andy Bell as he sings part of the song in his falsetto.  'Alien' is a track that relies on Vince Clarke's trademark sound effects to build the song.  Fans of the band all enjoy Clarke's ability to fill the spaces between the chords with his electric whirs and pops.  It's part of the appeal.

My favorite track on the album is probably 'Here In My Heart'.  It reminds me of so many other Erasure tracks I've loved over the years.  One song in particular it reminds me of is 'In Your Arms' from "Cowboy".  My second favorite track is 'Catch 22' and it also fits into that perfect Erasure song category for me.  'Moon & The Sky' is a powerhouse tune.  You get some drums that sounds similar to the Linn Drum Machine clap sounds.  The bass lines are deep and the groove is funky!  This is an excellent jam in my opinion and I love the R&B soul feel to it.  It's very Prince-like.  

The final track on the album is 'Surreal' and for me, this song would feel right at home on "Chorus".  I adore it.

According to my online research, Madonna's Maverick label shelved the album for lack of a hit single.  I find that absolutely ridiculous.  I hear hit singles all over this record.  It did eventually get a US release.  Along with the cover album, "Other People's Songs" in 2003.  In my opinion, that was a huge mistake.  A band like Erasure has a hardcore following.  There are Erasure fans who will purchase anything the group puts out.  That being the case, Maverick could've been assured of at least a certain number of units sold.  I'm not sure what that figure would be but I'm sure it's more than most groups on that label could pull off at the time.

I think this is an album that Erasure expanded their sound, songwriting and musical styles successfully on.  It could be considered at experimental as "Erasure", but in this case, the result was much more positive.  I think they did exactly what they set out to do.  My second favorite Erasure album for sure...  My final words:  AN OVERLOOKED GEM IN THE ERASURE BACK CATALOG.

ERASURE - LOVEBOAT
01. Freedom
02. Where In The World
03. Crying In The Rain
04. Perchance To Dream
05. Alien
06. Mad As We Are
07. Here In My Heart
08. Love Is The Rage
09. Catch 22
10. Moon & The Sky
11. Surreal

WENDY & LISA - FRUIT AT THE BOTTOM

By the time this disc had come out, I'd already decided Wendy & Lisa were two of the greatest songwriters I'd ever heard.  Their first album left me utterly breathless.  I loved it from start to finish.  And what's even more interesting is when you compare their solo record to the albums Prince was releasing after they'd left, you could hear their influence on him and why certain songs sounded the way they did.  There's simply no way to completely understand the impact these three musicians had on each other.  They challenged each other and brought out aspects in their music they couldn't have achieved alone.

Now, I'm not going to go on forever about how great Wendy & Lisa are.  I've already done that a bunch of times in other entries, but I will say this...  "Fruit At The Bottom" caught me completely off guard.  I hadn't seen the video for 'Are You My Baby' or heard the actual song before I bought the record.  If I had, I might've been prepared for some of what I was hearing.  As unconventional and interesting as "Wendy And Lisa" had been, "Fruit At The Bottom" seemed to move in an entirely different direction.  Some of the songs seemed to be written to appeal to an audience.  To fit into a genre.  There was an attempt to make this release more commercial.  As a fan, I was more interested in hearing the new places I thought the two would take me as a listener.  I didn't want to end up backtracking into the familiar suburban Wonder Bread sound of Top 40 pop.

When I heard 'Are You My Baby' for the first time, I was disappointed.  I liked the song, but I couldn't reconcile it with what I was expecting from them.  Many years later, I sorta figured out why I felt the way I did and why I was so quick to write it off.  Although Wendy & Lisa weren't out as gay or as a couple, I kinda assumed they were.  Or maybe my young inexperienced gaydar was responding to something I saw in them.  I didn't consciously know they were gay...  Nor was I completely aware of my own sexuality...  But there was an awareness inside of me.  Like always knowing I made my grandpa and other people uncomfortable because they could see something in me they didn't like.  That quality being my sexuality.  Even at a young age, I felt that awkward twinge and hearing Wendy sing a love song to a man seemed like selling out to me.  Add to that the bubble gum peppiness of the song and you get one confused kid.  I eventually realized they were writing and releasing music the label wanted.  

Part of that was more fully embracing the Minneapolis Sound they'd contributed so heavily to during their time with Prince.  You can hear some of that on this record.  Despite the push for more commercial Prince sounding tracks, Wendy & Lisa still delve into the realm of magical notes and produce some stellar music on this disc.  

Certain tracks were meant to be more radio accessible.  These are obviously 'Lolly Lolly' and 'Are You My Baby'.  I love both of these tracks, but the fact is once you get past them you discover a wealth of more complex and interesting music.

'Satisfaction' features Jesse Johnson, formerly of The Time and this gospel tinged rock number is a powerhouse track.  It's totally different from anything else on the disc and more rockin' than the duo had been up to that point.  'In My Dreams' is the first track that heralds back to the sound of the previous record.  I always viewed that album as jazz tinged, even though it has a strong Minneapolis vibe, it feels more like Jazz than pop music.  And that's part of the reason I loved it so much.  'In My Dreams' is a straightforward ballad, but it's got such wonderful instrumentation, it feels organic.  More like Jazz.  'Everyday' continues this vibe.  

'From Now On (We're One)' features Lisa on lead vocals on the verses.  This song became an anthem of sorts for me.  As much as 'The Beautiful Ones' came to describe my longing and desire to find love, 'From Now On (We're One)' describes the love I hoped to find in my life.  I can't tell you how many times I'd sit and listen to this song and wonder what it would feel like to fall in love.

'Tears Of Joy' is transformative.  This is a powerful bit of music.  It's about discovering yourself and finally understanding what you're looking for and what you want.  I could totally relate to it.  'Someday I' is another track I think is incredible.  There are other musicians who produce music I think sounds similar to Wendy & Lisa and frankly, this is the record I usually judge them against.

'I Think It Was December' is a bluesy jam that reinforces my deep, unspoken belief Wendy & Lisa were a couple.  This song makes me think they were deeply in love even though there's nothing in the song or the music that points to that.  I can't explain it.  'Fruit At The Bottom' is a fun tune but gender confusing again.  Why would her lover have fruit at the bottom?  Never made sense to me.

I've listened to this record so many times, I know each song inside and out.  It's become a core part of who I am and I truly love it.  I honestly think Wendy & Lisa were pressured to make this album the way they did.  If they'd been given free reign, I think it'd been something radically different.  No matter how you slice it, the disc did what it was meant to do.  They had a couple mediocre hits and made some money on the record.  Of course it would've been more interesting if they'd done exactly what felt natural and real to them.  For many years, these two have lived with a mandate to conform to a corporate music market and I'm so happy that's no longer the case.  Artists of this caliber need to be free to do what feels right.

Although it didn't start off being a good album for me, that changed over time and now I can honestly say, this is record everyone should own.  If you don't have it in your collection, find a copy and add it.  Now!!!  

My final words:  YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM TO GET ALL THE EXCELLENT FRUIT ON THIS DISC.  JUST PICK A TRACK!  A+

WENDY & LISA - FRUIT AT THE BOTTOM
01. Intro
02. Lolly Lolly
03. Are You My Baby
04. Satisfaction
05. Always In My Dreams
06. Everyday
07. From Now On (We're One)
08. Tears Of Joy
09. Someday I
10. I Think It Was December
11. Fruit At The Bottom

JUNO REACTOR - ODYSSEY 1992-2002

Although it's not stated as such, "Odyssey 1992-2002" is essentially a greatest hits package of sorts for Juno Reactor.  There's nothing exceptionally different on this disc from the previously released versions of these songs other than they seem to have been re-mastered.  The sound quality sounds a bit clearer.  Still, I don't hear much of a difference in the arrangement or mix of the tracks aside from flowing together.  For me, as a huge Juno Reactor/Ben Watkins fan, the purpose in buying this release was purely for the pleasure of having a new album from them.  And truth be told, I didn't actually buy this for myself.  It was on my Amazon wish list and I got it for my birthday one year from my sister.  I was super happy to have it!

One thing I can say about Juno Reactor is they're more than just the music they release.  The band has a unique and interesting image.  The artwork featured on their CDs is almost as interesting as the music itself.  They're a very visually satisfying artist as far as I'm concerned and this disc is no exception.  I love the cover artwork.  I think it's amazing!

I do enjoy the convenience of having these songs assembled on one disc and the way they play into each other.  It's often hard to choose favorite songs from this group as I like so much of what they've done.  

There is one previously unreleased track on this compilation and that's 'Hotaka'.  It was also released as a single for the album.  That's another incentive to purchase the disc.

If I had to sit down and give examples of why I think Juno Reactor is such a great band and why the music is so terrific, I would probably put together a compilation disc similar to this one and let the music speak for itself.  After all, that's where this group really shines!

"Odyssey" may not be a must have album for Juno Reactor fans, but it's a great place to start if you're interested in discovering this incredible electronic band.  Consider picking this disc up and explore the science fiction world of the Reactor.  My final words:  ANOTHER STRONG RELEASE BY THE QUINTESSENTIAL ELECTRONIC BAND!

JUNO REACTOR - ODYSSEY 1992-2002
01. High Energy Protons
02. Laughing Gas
03. Rotorblade
04. Feel The Universe
05. God Is God
06. Conga Fury
07. Komit
08. Pistolero
09. Hule Lam
10. Masters Of The Universe
11. Hotaka

MORRIS DAY - DAYDREAMING

You'll probably recognize Morris as the lead singer of The Time and star of "Purple Rain".  Believe it or not, Morris is still around and being just as funky today as he was back then.  After The Time disbanded, Morris went on to launch a solo career.  Like many former Prince associates from that time, he continued to release music based on the Minneapolis sound they'd become so famous for.

During this time in the 80's, there was glut of bands who were writing and trying to copy this sound.  Morris may have had his roots in the movement, but on his own his music lacked a lot of the substance and soul of other artists working in this genre.  His material can often sound somewhat generic and uninspired.  That never stopped him from working though.

"Daydreaming" was his second solo effort and even though it was a vast improvement on his previous record, it didn't break any new ground for the singer.  At least it didn't as far as I know.  There is one significant difference between this record and "Color Of Success"...  On this record, he enlisted the help of former Time members, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.  This duo had their own brand of Minneapolis funk and they'd used it to catapult artists like Janet Jackson and The Human League to superstar status.  In all honesty, this is probably the best move he could've made.  'Fishnet', the Jam And Lewis track, was a huge hit for him and gave him his most popular single as a solo artist.

The two producers also worked on a second track on the disc, 'Love Is A Game'.  If he'd been smart, Day would've hired the them to produce the entire record and worked with them while he was writing this material.  They would've helped him put together a stronger, more solid piece of work.  

I really like Morris and I want to see him do well.  It's discouraging when an artist you like doesn't deliver the work you know they're capable of.  

I'm not really into this disc beyond the two Jam & Lewis tracks.  But I do have some memories of it.  The first time I saw Morris and The Time live, he signed my copy of this CD.  The second time I saw them, he pulled me up on stage to sing the hit single from this record, 'Fishnet' with him.  I'll never forget that.

I wish I could recommend this disc but I don't think it has enough appeal.  If you're a Morris Day fan, this is a must.  If you're a Jam & Lewis fan, it's also a must.  But for those of you who casually like to listen to some Minneapolis funk now and then, stream or download 'Fishnet' and be done with it.

My final words:  A DISAPPOINTING FOLLOWUP FROM A DYNAMIC PERFORMER!

MORRIS DAY - DAYDREAMING
01. Daydreaming
02. Yo' Luv
03. Fishnet
04. A Man's Pride
05. Standing On The Line
06. Are You Ready
07. Love Is A Game
08. Moonlite (Passionlite)
09. Sally

RAMMSTEIN - DU RIECHST SO GUT '98

"Du Riechst So Gut '98" is the second single for this song by Rammstein.  Like other European singles, it comes in a slim case.  And this one is packed to overflowing!  There are 8 versions of the song on this disc along with a multimedia file with the music video for the track.  Once again, Rammstein delivers the goods.

The first track is 'Du Riechst So Gut '98'  This is an updated version of the "Herzeleid" track released during the promotion and touring for "Sehnsucht".  The music video at the end of the disc is the original version.  The first mix appearing on the disc is a remix by Faith No More.  They sorta give you an orchestral acapella rendition of the song.  Gunter Schulz of KMFDM provides two mixes on this single.  The first of these is a hard rock minimalist version that explodes into a electronic frenzy when the chorus comes in.  It's a fun mix.  Schulz's bandmate, Sascha Konietzko is up next with a heavy techno mix of the song.  This version is built up mostly around the drum patterns playing underneath.  It's not bad, but it's not as full as the original.

Olav Bruhn from Bobo In White Wooden Houses delivers a super hard drumming version next.  It's so intense, it's hard to listen to at times.  Live, this version would certainly drive a crowd crazy, but here, it just overloads the senses.  Sascha Moser also from Bobo In White Wooden Houses is up next with a remix I like.  He uses some vocal distortion and uses a techno drum beat on the bottom end to create a tempo for the track.  

Jacob Hellner and Marc Stagg mix the next track and stay largely faithful to the original just using effect patches and high hat crashes to change the sound slightly.  Of the bunch, this one is easily my favorite.  Gunter Schulz finishes the disc with a 'Migraine' remix.  It's essentially an instrumental version of his first mix, with Till singing the chorus faintly a couple of times.  The video for this cut is actually pretty cool.

I love me some Rammstein and I gotta say, this band never fails to pack their singles with lots of value.  Part of the reason I enjoy them so much.  My final words:  A WHOMPING LIGHTNING STRIKE OF A SINGLE!  LOADED WITH EXTRA GOODNESS TO MAKE YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE COMPLETE.

RAMMSTEIN - DU RIECHST SO GUT '98
01. Du Riechst So Gut '98
02. Du Riechst So Gut (RMX By Faith No More)
03. Du Riechst So Gut (RMX By Gunter Schulz-KMFDM & Hiwatt Marshall)
04. Du Riechst So Gut (RMX By Sascha Konietzko-KMFDM)
05. Du Riechst So Gut (RMX By Olav Bruhn-Bobo In White Wooden Houses)
06. Du Riechst So Gut (RMX By Sascha Moser-Bobo In White Wooden Houses)
07. Du Riechst So Gut (RMX By Jacob Hellner/Marc Stagg)
08. Du Riechst So Gut ('Migraine' - RMX By Gunter Schulz-KMFDM)
09. Du Riechst So Gut '95 (Multimedia Originalvideo)

fDELUXE - LIVE & TIGHT AS A FUNK FIENDS' FIX.

fDeluxe made all of our dreams come true when they released this little gem!  Sold exclusively through their website, this disc is a live show recorded for your listening pleasure and let me tell you, they don't disappoint.  This is one jamming concert!

I've had the pleasure of seeing fDeluxe live before and nothing can quite prepare you for this band.  Although they were a creation of Prince as a vehicle for his material and as a favor to various band members, the group has continued to progress musically and returned a few years ago with a stunning follow-up.  Getting a live release was like a cherry on top of an fDeluxe sundae.  Sweet and perfect.

All of your favorites are here.  From the original Prince tracks he wrote for the band, to their own compositions, you get it all in one heaping serving.  It's nice to know a band you like can cut it live and this CD certainly shows the strength of the group as a unit.

Basically, you won't go wrong if you add this delightful disc to your collection.  I can't encourage you enough to pick it up.  It's just...  Wow!  My final words:  fDELUXE PROVE ONCE AGAIN THEY'RE WORTH YOUR TIME AND MONEY!  BUT THIS RECORD!

fDELUXE - LIVE & TIGHT AS A FUNK FIENDS' FIX.
01. High Fashion
02. Gaslight
03. Sanctified
04. Screams Of Passion
05. Nothing Compares 2 U
06. Leeds Line
07. You Got What You Wanted
08. Desire
09. Lover
10. River Run Dry
11. @8
12. Drummers And Healers
13. Mutiny

PETER GABRIEL - SHAKING THE TREE: SIXTEEN GOLDEN GREATS

I first became aware of Gabriel when his album "So" was all over the place.  I was young and going through that period where I thought only the music I loved was worth hearing.  I remember thinking some of his stuff was catchy, but just hearing he had a history in rock music with Genesis turned me off to him.  I hated Genesis.  So I never gave him a real chance.  

Even then, his music was always around.  You couldn't pay attention to the charts and not be aware of him.  And quite frankly, some of his stuff did filter through to my hard candy center.

It was while I was living in Europe that I really developed an appreciation for him.  During that time, whenever I was missing home or my family and friends, there was one song I could play that would bolster my spirits and help me endure.  'Don't Give Up' featured Gabriel singing with one of my favorite musicians, Kate Bush.  That powerful message made me feel less alone when I really needed a friend.  I bought this CD while I was living there just because I needed to have a copy of that song.  It was through this compilation that I discovered what a true talent this man is.

The great Gabriel tracks are here.  And although I admit, I like his chart toppers, it's the stuff that doesn't get the huge attention that I respond to the most.  Right off the bat, you get 'Solsbury Hill' and 'Sledgehammer'.  But for me, the meat of the record starts with 'Mercy Street'.  There's something in the way Gabriel composes mood music.  They seemed to be packed with emotion.  The sounds of the instruments reflect the feelings these songs stir inside the heart of the listener.  'Mercy Street' feels like an emotional salvation falling like snow on a hopeless soul.  When he sings, "...in your daddy's arms" you feel that softening comfort flooding your body and making you long for a brief moment to let yourself be weak and be assured by your dad.  Just let yourself be hugged and for a split second, feel safe.  It's truly moving.  'Don't Give Up' is another tune that creates this incredible connection with the listener.  There appears to be two stories happening in this song.  Gabriel sings a song of despair and the desperate search for purpose.  When Bush comes in, she sings a song about encouragement and hope.  The two themes juxtapose each other to mirror a sense of hopelessness and hope at the same time.  This is one of the few songs I have deeply internalized in my life.  Even now, when I feel horribly alone, I can put this song on and find comfort.

'San Jacinto' starts off sounding like the tinkling of rain and moves into an emotive track that ends with Gabriel repeating the phrase, "Hold the line...".  It's followed by another beautifully written number called 'Here Comes The Flood'.  Delivered almost as a prayer, he uses the music to create a lull...  A calm before the storm.  There's whimsy, nostalgia and sadness pouring out of him.  In so many ways, I think Gabriel captures the soul of the American working class in tunes like this.  It seems like he's telling you to accept the inevitable and find a way to survive.  To move on afterward.  This trilogy of songs sees its fulfillment in 'Red Rain'.  A massive downpour of sound surrounds you when it explodes from your speakers.  'Red Rain' has a huge organic build that absolutely swamps you as it washes the room.  I love these three tracks together and I think they're absolutely brilliant.

Songs like 'Shock The Monkey' and 'Games Without Frontiers' are brilliant in their own right.  They're interesting and show Gabriel's ability to build songs using unconventional sounds.  The percussion work on these tracks is quite interesting and compelling.  'I Have The Touch' is simply ahead of its time.  I think it would've sounded much better if he'd recorded it later with a larger more fleshed out sound.  Still, I think it's one of those tunes you never forget.  It's too catchy.

'Big Time' is probably the first song by Gabriel I actually heard.  'Biko' is the one track I have a problem with.  It reminds me too heavily of Phil Collins' solo material and I'm not a huge fan of his sound.

This compilation certainly sparked my imagination and made me interested in Peter Gabriel.  I've since picked up additional material to check out more of his work.  I think he's a master of emotive music and has the ability to tap into some primal feelings.  This is one of the best compilation discs ever put together and if you don't have any of his albums, you should buy this.  My final words:  EXPRESSIVE, TOUCHING, BRILLIANT MASTERPIECE.

PETER GABRIEL - SHAKING THE TREE: SIXTEEN GOLDEN GREATS
01. Solsbury Hill
02. I Don't Remember
03. Sledgehammer
04. Family Snapshot
05. Mercy Street
06. Shaking The Tree
07. Don't Give Up
08. San Jacinto
09. Here Comes The Flood
10. Red Rain
11. Games Without Frontiers
12. Shock The Monkey
13. I Have The Touch
14. Big Time
15. Zaar
16. Biko

PRETENDERS - THE SINGLES

Pretenders are a band I always liked but never followed.  Back in the 80's, I remember really digging their stuff, but for some reason, I never felt motivated to pick up any of their albums.  I'm not sure if that was a smart idea or not.  I found this CD in a clearance bin at a pawn shop.  I bought it for $1 and I was thrilled because I would finally own so many of the songs I loved by this group.

However, as I listened to the record, I wasn't nearly as impressed with some of the songs I didn't know compared to the ones I was familiar with.  I think Pretenders are a group I like on a song by song basis.

The first song on the collection I love is 'Brass In Pocket'.  This is one of the most rockin' seduction songs ever written.  It's confident, aggressive and clearly written for someone lead singer, Chrissie Hynde was into at the time.  'Talk Of The Town' is another track I enjoy.  

Pretenders are an amalgam of rock sounds and there's a lot of punk simplicity to many of their songs like 'Message Of Love' and 'Middle Of The Road'.  I generally love all the songs on this record.  Even some of the lesser known singles like 'Thin Line Between Love And Hate' (a cover of the track by The Persuaders) and '2000 Miles'.  My favorite song is probably 'Back On The Chain Gang' though 'Show Me' is a close second.  I'm also a big fan of 'Don't Get Me Wrong' which is probably the song the group is most famous for.  I think it was their highest charting single, but I could be wrong.  It's also fun to see the inclusion of 'I Got You Babe', the Sonny & Cher cover she performs with UB40.

Hynde is an excellent vocalist with a unique sound.  Any song she tackles is transformed into something made for her.  Just through her incredible voice.  As a song-writer, she is challenging and quite blunt at times.  I find her lyrical voice refreshing and interesting.  During a time when a lot of female performers were prancing about in their underwear or singing nursery rhyme sounding sex pop, Hynde was bringing it to the masses in the form of a self-confident, strong, expressive woman.  She can hold the stage with any guy at any time.

Although I suspect my tastes in their music runs more to the later albums as opposed to their earlier work, they're a group I do feel inspired to hear more from.  I've streamed some of their albums and eventually, I plan on buying the ones I really like.  In the meantime, I'll be happy with this awesome collection of some remarkable music!  My final words:  ONE PERFECT COLLECTION FROM AN AUTHENTIC VOICE IN ROCK MUSIC!

PRETENDERS - THE SINGLES
01. Stop Your Sobbing
02. Kid
03. Brass In Pocket
04. Talk Of The Town
05. I Go To Sleep
06. Day After Day
07. Message Of Love
08. Back On The Chain Gang
09. Middle Of The Road
10. 2000 Miles
11. Show Me
12. Thin Line Between Love And Hate
13. Don't Get Me Wrong
14. Hymn To Her
15. My Baby
16. I Got You Babe

CAROLE DAVIS - HEART OF GOLD

Carole Davis was on my radar because she received a song writing credit on Prince's "Sign 'O' The Times" album.  She co-wrote 'Slow Love'.  I have no idea how they met or how this collaboration came about, but it was enough to make me aware of her.  I stumbled across this record while I was living in Europe.  I picked it up because it was cheap, used and 'Slow Love' was listed as a track.  I initially assumed Prince had worked with her, recording the song for her album and then using it on his own.  However, her album was actually released two years after his.

The main producer is Nile Rodgers and for the most part sounds a lot like the pop music at the time.  It actaully sounds a couple years outdated, but typical.  Davis could be lumped in the same sort of category as Paula Abdul and female groups like En Vogue.  I would go as far as to suggest she would be in the same style of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany.  Most of the music is somewhat juvenile and trivial.  Prince had a habit of writing songs for women that sounded a bit shallow.  And apparently, so does Nile Rodgers.  Coming from a grown woman, the material sounds a bit "Junior High", but oh well...  She landed a recording contract, so that's more than most people get.  The bulk of the music straddles teeny-bopper pop and Hip Hop.  She's got a couple rappers appearing throughout, but I'm not sure I've heard of any of them.

There are bits and pieces of musical genius on this disc, but they're only elements of songs and get overwhelmed by the mediocrity of the rest of the tune.  I think there are some great ideas...  just not enough to make her stand out in a crowd of pop singers.  It's enjoyable to listen to, but not enough to survive repeated plays over a long period of time.

Her version of 'Slow Love' is a bit more energetic than Prince's, however, she doesn't sound as soulful or as genuine in her delivery.  I would say I like the music on her version more, but the truth is, I've never really been a fan of the track and both versions leave a lot to be desired.  However, I've heard some live versions by Prince that were simply outstanding...  So I would say the track isn't a total wash.

Unfortunately, this album is.  I wish I could recommend it, but I sorta regret picking it up.  I'm indifferent to it.  Since downloads came into fashion, I think this would be one album and track I would skip buying a physical copy of and stick with a download.

My final words:  AN UNEVENTFUL START TO A SINGING CAREER THAT NEVER REALLY TOOK OFF.

CAROLE DAVIS - HEART OF GOLD
01. It's In My Genes
02. Dissin' Jerome (Girl Talk)
03. When My Money's Gone
04. Serious Money
05. The Thigh's The Limit
06. Sexual Favors
07. Mirror, Mirror On The Wall
08. Sticky Situation
09. Antonio Was A Gigolo
10. A Frown Is Just A Smile Upside Down
11. Slow Love

RECOIL - FAITH HEALER

Recoil is the project Alan Wilder from Depeche Mode started on the side.  Eventually, he left Depeche Mode and dedicated himself to Recoil.  This CD is the single for the track 'Faith Healer' from the "Bloodline" album.  The cut is a cover by a band from the 70's called The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.  I don't know anything about them and I haven't heard the original version.  This single is a typical UK release coming in a slim case.  If this single had a multiple release, I'm not aware of it.  To date, this is the only version of the single I've run across.  It includes 7 tracks, six of which are mixes.

Douglas McCarthy of Nitzer Ebb fame steps in to take lead vocals on this track.  He's performed on later Recoil tracks as well, making himself the one vocalist who seems to be a regular on the band's releases.

The first track is the album version of the song and from there the disc launches you into a weird collection of odd religious chanting and bizarre samples.  It reminds me heavily of Recoil's first release and the strange fanatical worship they sampled and included on there.  The mixes sometimes seem manic and rushed.  There are certain ones I quite like.  The Disbeliever Mix is deep and funky.  It starts off with a heavy beat and pulsing synth sounds vibrating all around.  It eventually breaks down into some odd sounding drum beats with old Atari computer game blips and bleeps sounding in the background.  I really like it.

The Barracuda Mix is the other mix I find groovy.  It mixes some piano over a slower mix that would feel right at home in a Vegas lounge late on a Friday night.  The mix is punctuated by a female vocalist who moans and grunts her way through the song.

Quite honestly, these mixes and the song itself create a marvelous tension in the listener.  It's sometimes hard to listen to just because everything seems to be going at once.  But in a way, that's the mania Wilder intended to create with the track.  He sees the music as an expression of the subject matter and takes special care to use sound to augment or create feelings you don't expect to have.  I think he's rather genius.  My final words:  A RARE SINGLE FROM AN UNDER-RATED AND MISUNDERSTOOD BAND.

RECOIL - FAITH HEALER
01. Faith Healer (LP Version)
02. Faith Healer (Trance Mix)
03. Faith Healer (Conspiracy Theory)
04. Faith Healer (Disbeliever Mix)
05. Faith Healer (Deformity)
06. Faith Healer (Barracuda Mix)
07. Faith Healer (Conspiracy 'Double Bullet' Theory)

DEPECHE MODE - THE BEST OF DEPECHE MODE VOLUME 1

Ah, Depeche Mode...  Once again, you release yet another best of compilation and once again, being the completest that I am, I had to pick it up.  During this time, I was snatching up everything I could by them.  This item is a bit unique in that I only purchased one version of the release.  I bought the limited edition and left it at that.  The limited edition of this CD comes with a bonus DVD that includes all of their videos up to that date and a short film about the band.

My other reason for buying this compilation is the inclusion of a previously unreleased track called, 'Martyr'.  When I bought this, I figured it would be the only place I could find the track.  However, the band released it as a single.  I could've saved money and just picked it up there.  As for the DVD, all of these videos have been released on other video collections.  Most of which I already have.  So... Economically, this wasn't the most prudent purchase.

Still, it's a nice collection to have an it certainly makes previous hits compilation unnecessary.  The value isn't really there though.

I believe this came out right around the same time Depeche Mode were releasing their deluxe editions.  I was determined to get the deluxe edition of all of their albums.  Of course things have changed a bit since then.  I'm not longer as deeply committed to the band as I once was.  Their more recent material hasn't impressed me.  In fact, I find it formulaic and repetitive.  There was a time this group was on the forefront of innovation in sound and composition.  These days, they sort of phone it in.

But, back when I bought this, I was experiencing a re-dedication of sorts.  

There's not a lot I can say about this release.  Nothing is new aside from 'Martyr'.  It's just new packaging of old material.  It's funny, but I sort of wish some of the newer bands I'm listening to would do something like this.  Probably because I'm used to it from DM.  The difference between this release and the single disc edition is the cover photograph.  On the single disc, the flower is black while on the limited edition, it's pink.  My final words for this release:  ANOTHER HITS COMPILATION.  DEFINITELY SKIPABLE UNLESS YOU'RE A COMPLETEST.

DEPECHE MODE - THE BEST OF DEPECHE MODE VOLUME 1

CD

01. Personal Jesus

02. Just Can't Get Enough

03. Everything Counts

04. Enjoy The Silence

05. Shake The Disease

06. See You

07. It's No Good

08. Strangelove

09. Suffer Well

10. Dream On

11. People Are People

12. Martyr

13. Walking In My Shoes

14. I Feel You

15. Precious

16. Master And Servant

17. New Life

18. Never Let Me Down Again

DVD

01. Just Can't Get Enough

02. Everything Counts

03. People Are People

04. Master And Servant

05. Shake The Disease

06. Stripped

07. A Question Of Time

08. Strangelove

09. Never Let Me Down Again

10. Behind The Wheel

11. Personal Jesus

12. Enjoy The Silence

13. I Feel You

14. Walking In My Shoes

15. In Your Room

16. Barrel Of A Gun

17. It's No Good

18. Only When I Lose Myself

19. Dream On

20. I Feel Loved

21. Enjoy The Silence 04

22. Precious

23. Suffer Well

24. The Best Of Depeche Mode: A Short Film

RAMMSTEIN - LIEBE IST FÜR ALLE DA

Rammstein released this record in 2009.  I was fortunate enough to have a friend at the record store who ordered me the Limited Edition version.  This version includes a second disc with additional music.  I'll discuss that later on because for now I want to say I really went all out on this release.  I knew they were planning on touring the states for this album after skipping the US on previous tours and when they announced a show in Vegas, I got my tickets right away.  And let me tell you, they did not disappoint.

The first disc begins with a choir vocalizing until Till suddenly bursts in and starts singing in his half growl, half melodic voice.  As quickly and unexpectedly as he appears, the guitar power chords surge in and like the tires on a car squealing when you peel out, 'Rammleid' explodes from the speakers.  I could instantly tell I was going to love this record.  Even with bands you love there are times when they release albums you don't like everything you're hearing.  Although there are a couple of brief moments like that here, I think the disc is overall amazing and worth exploring.  'Ich Tu Dir Weh' is the first song I really got into and it's followed by the track that's become my absolute favorite song from this record.  'Waidmanns Heil' is one of those great tunes that sounds fantastic no matter where or how you're experiencing it.  Although I will say, seeing it live was a life changing event for me.  It was powerful, exciting and dramatic!  The special effects were off the hook and the crowd responded so well, I think it actually surprised the band.  Simply put, this is a track that ROCKS!!!

'Wiener Blut' is another standout number and it's followed by a song I can't take seriously.  Don't get me wrong, I like the music, but I find the lyrics a bit ridiculous.  'Pussy' begins with a weak electronic drum pattern that reminds me of 'Pop Goes The World' by Men Without Hats, but then the live drums erupt and all heck breaks loose.  In the concert, Till Lindemann rides a giant foam cannon across the stage.  It's shaped like a penis and he fires foam all over the audience.  Hilarious.

'Mehr' is the last track I really love on the album and it leads to the ballad, 'Roter Sand' which ends the disc.  It's a satisfying disc and you'd be completely happy with it in that form but...  Wait!  There's that second disc!!!  It starts with 'Führe Mich'.  This is one of their Piledriver songs.  I call it that because these piledriver numbers are usually the ones they use to open their shows.  The second track, 'Donaukinder' reminds me of 'Spieluhr' from "Mutter".  Only Rammstein can take something as innocent as a lullaby and turn it into a frightening parody of itself.  You can only imagine the types of nursery rhymes Till puts his kids to bed with each night.  The intensity of 'Halt' is quickly extinguished by an orchestral version of 'Roter Sand'.  I'm not a huge fan of it on the first disc and even less impressed with it here.  Another ballad, 'Liese' rounds out the second disc.

It always amazes me how poetic and layered Rammstein's lyrics are.  They're truly one of the most interesting bands around today.  Sure they get written off as a power chord metal outfit, but if you take the time to translate and study their lyrics, you'll find a group expressing thoughts and ideas you probably wouldn't even consider in English.  I'm constantly surprised by them.  This record is excellent and left me anticipating their next release.  My final words:  IF YOU DON'T HAVE THIS EDITION OF THE ALBUM, STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND GET IT.  IT'S NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT THE SECOND DISC.

RAMMSTEIN - LIEBE IST FÜR ALLE DA
CD1
01. Rammleid
02. Ich Tu Dir Weh
03. Waidmanns Heil
04. Haifisch
05. B********
06. Frühling In Paris
07. Wiener Blut
08. Pussy
09. Liebe Ist Für Alle Da
10. Mehr
11. Roter Sand
CD2
01. Führe Mich
02. Donaukinder
03. Halt
04. Roter Sand (Orchester Version)
05. Liese

DEPECHE MODE - BARREL OF A GUN

This is the US maxi single for Depeche Mode's 'Barrel Of A Gun', from the "Ultra" album.  During this time, I was buying up everything I could find by them.  For this album, I think I bought the UK and US singles.  Mostly because I wanted to have a complete collection of mixes and you could only get that by collecting the various singles together.

My only complaint about the US singles during this time is that they didn't have nearly the amount of music the UK multiple singles did.  You would hope the US maxi would collect everything together on one disc, but alas...  That wasn't the case.

The single includes three mixes of 'Barrel Of A Gun'.  Two of them are by Underworld and the other is by One Inch Punch.  There's also a mix of the b-side, 'Painkiller' by Plastikman.  'Painkiller' is basically a longer version of 'Junior Painkiller', the hidden track at the end of "Ultra".  The Underworld Soft Mix is actually quite nice.  It's more of an ambient version of the song and oddly enough, as frantic as the tune is, it lends itself to a slower mix quite nicely.  The One Inch Punch Mix is harsh and disgusting.  The tempo is bizarre and the music is sinister.  You imagine a bad acid trip or something.  This isn't a mix you'd want to hear under the influence of any kind of drug.  It's spooky evil.  Yikes!

The Underworld Hard Mix, is as manic as the Soft Mix is mellow.  I find it hard to listen to and prefer the first one over it.  I'm not sure this release was worth the purchase, but US singles at the time weren't that expensive and I could justify it to polish off my various missing mixes and versions collection.  My final words:  NOT EXACTLY THE GREATEST SINGLE EVER, BUT IT HAS ITS MOMENTS.

DEPECHE MODE - BARREL OF A GUN
01. Barrel Of A Gun (Single Version)
02. Painkiller (Plastikman Mix)
03. Barrel Of A Gun (Underworld Soft Mix)
04. Barrel Of A Gun (One Inch Punch Mix)
05. Barrel Of A Gun (Underworld Hard Mix)